#she might’ve put it where the rising action went

[ashironie]

my freshman english teacher was teaching us freytags pyramid and she put the inciting incident where the exposition should’ve gone (and put exposition at the VERY beginning) so in retaliation on everything she gave us that had that incorrect pyramid i put everything in the correct spot, but i never told her to her face that she was stupid

when i was a kid i got a 90% on my kindergarten "what are your favorite things?" test because for the question "what is your favorite animal?" i wrote down "puma" and it got marked wrong because my teacher said a puma isnt even an animal its a kind of shoe

[jiminiesfavouritecolourisblue]

Our little love - mafia/soft Yandere au OT7 Drabble

So I might’ve started this with a little angst and really soft hints of yandere behaviour however I think I might do a part two for this with a little bit more yandere and jealousy vibes (I got ideas okay, just needed a starting point)

“Tell me why I shouldn’t put a bullet in your head little love?” Even with the gun pressed firmly against your head, the cold of the barrel threatening to do as he said, you know Yoongi won’t do it, even if you deserved it.

All seven of them stand around you, no matter which way you face you’re met with the disappointment and the consequence of your betrayal in their eyes, but you refuse to look down in shame, you deserved to feel the guilt that pumped in your veins.

“He asked you a question Y/n,” Jin doesn’t have the smile he reserves for you on his face, all their demenor’s are cold, and you are the reason why.

“You love me,” you whisper, looking Yoongi dead in the face with no fear.

“I thought you loved us too,” Namjoon steps forward, breaking the circle around you, coming close to stand next to Yoongi. He has his hands in the pockets of his black blazer, silver hair pushed back.

“Was it all a lie?” if a voice could break you it would always be Jungkook’s, he was the one it took the longest to become close to, and when you had you could see the softness in his eyes despite his career. Of course he would sound the most hurt, he trusted you the most.

Yoongi, with his unfaltering gun, was the other member of their team that took you almost as long as Jungkook to get close to. While Jungkook was just shy, Yoongi didn’t trust anyone, he pushed people away, hurt them to keep them far, you learnt that the hard way. While his eyes looked like they held no emotion in this moment, you knew better, he had shown you his soul, you could see behind the barrier of his expression.

You took his wrist into your hand and pressed the gun harder against you.

“You should shoot me,” it would be better to be dead than live without them, they would never forgive you for what you’d done. The betrayal cut too deep, these wounds wouldn’t heal.

Yoongi scoffs, but you don’t let his wrist go.

“I told you all she shouldn’t be trusted,” he says to the others. “Why would a girl like her fall for men like us?”

You can feel the pain in his words, because above all else, no matter what he says, Yoongi just wants to be loved. They all do, that’s why it was almost too easy.

“Well now we know, don’t we babe?”

“That wasn’t my intention,” you swallow the sob that threatens to rise in your throat, you hate seeing him like this, you hate that you’re the reason why they’re hurt. Every time they came home with a bullet, or a cut or wound, it would kill you inside and you realised then you were compromised.

“No your intention was to infiltrate our defenses and rat us out,” Jimin’s the one to chime in, standing next to Tae who looks at you like you’re dead to him.

“Detective L/n, did you really think we’d never find out?”

You look to your side to make sure Jimin could see the honesty in your eyes.

“It wasn’t my intention to fall for you,” you sound like you’re choking with the way you’re holding back tears, but you don’t want to cry in front of them, it would feel like giving up.

You were assigned to go undercover to infiltrate the uprising gang called BTS, they climbed the heirarchy of organised crime too quickly, too dangerously, something had to be done. You went in with every intention set to take them down until you got to know them, love them, and you knew then you couldn’t do your job. The internal battle to do what was right but felt wrong and what was wrong but felt so right was causing all your morals to be questioned.

Tae scoffs at you now, not believing a word from your mouth.

“I don’t think we should kill her Hyung,” he says to Yoongi, “she needs to feel her betrayal, it would be too easy to escape us with death.”

Namjoon hums in agreement. The cold of the gun leaves your skin and you almost feel unsteady without it. Yoongi doesn’t look at you anymore now that it’s not there, instead he takes your wrist as you previously had, and they walk you to the car. You don’t fight, or talk, or argue, or ask what they wanted to do to you.

The boys had trusted you infinitely, while others had agendas and seeked their downfall they knew you were the only one that wouldn’t betray them, how wrong they were. For your safety they kept an eye on you, when you went out one of them would follow to ensure their little love didnt get into trouble or worse, get hurt. Imagine their surprise when you walked into the police station.

You didn’t tell them you went in to hand in your notice, unable to continue with this lie, it didn’t matter, the damage was done, anything you said would be meaningless.

Your sat inbetween Jungkook and Hoseok, who still hadn’t uttered a word to you, but you could see him restraining his hurt and anger. Jin was in the drivers seat with Yoongi beside him. The others must’ve taken the other car, you don’t really acknowledge it you’re too deep in your own thoughts.

You don’t come up for air until you feel a hand soft on yours in your lap, Jungkook doesn’t look at you, just at how he’s stroking the back of your hand with his thumb comfortingly. You don’t mean for your heart to swell in your chest, pushing the tears up and out.

Jin and Yoongi don’t miss the way your bottom lip trembles in the rear view mirror, the small sniffles or the tears glistening down your face that you wipe away quickly with your other hand. Hobi puts his arm around you, still looking out the window as if you’re not there, but his actions show what they all know in their hearts; they still loved you.

“Why are you crying baby girl you’re not the one with the knife in your back,” Hobi mumbles. They think you’re scared of what they’re going to do with you now they know, but that couldn’t be further from your mind. They want to reassure you, but the words are stuck in their throats.

“You need to be punished darling, otherwise you won’t learn,” Jin can see you nodding to his words in the mirror in acceptance.

“I know.”

——————————————————————————

You expected them to put you in the cellar where they tortured their enemies, you don’t even realise you’re in the living room until you’re placed on the couch. You don’t look up until Namjoon is standing in front of you.

He traces his finger from the edge of your jaw to your chin, your eyes big on him from his soft touch. The calm should scare you, but the only anxiety you have is over whether you should hope for another chance or whether they’ll throw you onto the street when they’re done.

When a tear hits Namjoon’s hands he frowns, they didn’t expect this from you when they confronted you with what they uncovered. They expected you to reveal another face, the true colours beneath the girl they all fell hard for, kick and scream and throw insults their way over the life they had, how awful they were, how they didn’t deserve to be loved. But you kept quiet, eerily quiet, and they didn’t know what to think anymore.

Letting you leave was out of the question, whether you wanted to stay or not. Not because they were concerned that you had seen too much, they didn’t care, they couldn’t imagine their lives without you anymore. The trust might’ve faded, but their love for you was real. Yoongi might’ve created a farce with the gun to your head but it was done to see your reaction, the truth behind the last 6 months of your relationship.

They expected you to beg for your life like every other person at their mercy, but you always defied their expectations.

“You’re so quiet my love,” Namjoon says to you. “Nothing you want to say to defend yourself?”

You shake your head, no there was nothing you want to say or explain.

“Then you take your punishment without complaint?”

You nod without hesitation.

Namjoon releases a deep breath, building the nerve to do what they knew would reveal whether your feelings for then were real or a lie you fabricated for your job. But he wasn’t one to easily be vulnerable, especially not after the blow that they faced today.

Jimin can sense it, the words on their leader’s lip, and he decides to take over. Namjoon steps aside as Jimin kneels on the floor in front of you. He takes your hands that are fidgeting on your lap and place them by your side on the seat, resting the weight of his head there instead.

He hugs your lap with so much love you can’t mistake it for an illusion, he rubs his head into you as much as he can.

“Stay with us,” if his actions weren’t a shock to your system enough, his words pushed you over the edge. You look into each of their eyes and the vulnerability you had learned to recognise was there begging you to want to stay.

“But I...” you don’t know what you want to say, the beating of your own heart was overwhelming in your chest. “I- I hurt you all so much.”

Yoongi hums in agreement, stepping forward to stroke your hair back, the hurt was still there they couldn’t lie to you, but losing you would be worse.

“Do you love us?” Jungkook asks taking a seat beside you, Taehyung sits by your other side. Jimin rubs little circles into your thigh while they wait for your answer.

“So much,” you confess. “I couldn’t do it, I- I”

Your words break off in a sob, as Tae takes your hand in his and presses a kiss to the back of it, a weight lifted off his chest. Jungkook pulls you into him, arms wraps around you as you let out your cries and the man in your lap places little kisses on the expanse of your thighs. You feel overwhelmed with the love theyre displaying when you were expecting their hate.

“But I dont understand,” you cry, “why aren’t you all angry, why aren’t you yelling at me?”

“We love you too,” Jin smiles the way he only reserves for you, and you feel thankful for it.

“It doesn’t matter how you got to us dove,” Hobi comes to kneel beside Jimin, wanting to be close to you too. “If it weren’t for your job you wouldn’t have met us.”

“I don’t know about that Hobi,” Namjoon chuckles. “You were meant for us my love, we would have found you one way or another.”

“We forgive you,” Jungkook kisses your hair. “Just don’t leave us.”

“We wouldn’t let you go even if you tried,” Tae voice rumbles in, leaning his face against your neck while the youngest holds you, still latched to your hand.

“You’re ours,” Jimin’s muffled voice comes from your lap, he’s pressed his face into you.

They would never let you go, and you don’t want them to. You thought all they wanted was love, but now you think you’ve reflected your own desire into them, they just wanted you.

[keepingupwithpotters]

If you’re taking prompts

“You’re really warm.” and

“Come back to bed. Please” for jily pls??

I am laughing at for jily like I'm capable of writing for anything else. I promise you, even if it is about two unrelated characters, I'll find a way to make it about jily

Also finally put the drabbles on ao3 as promised so you can read this there as well

Fretting over Lily Evans was nothing new for James, but this time might’ve put him to his early grave after all.

He touches her forehead discreetly, trying not to disturb her sleep. She went in and out of her slumber all night, giving him a scare half the time with her nonsensical mumblings. He doesn’t recall when exactly he fell asleep too, not long ago according to the rising sun, but that’s how he finds himself next to her now.

Blinking his eyes woozily, he gives himself permission for a moment of bliss before jumping into action, pretending they are lying side by side not because she is burning like a furnace, but like he always wakes up next to Lily, this hair tickling his shoulder not unusual.

He can only guess what prompted her to call him last night. A bitter part of him thinks it’s because she knew he would come running, no questions asked. It’s hard to ignore that part when that was exactly what he did, probably before he even hung up the phone. There is, of course, always the chance that it was the side effect of her running fever. One should not underestimate it, he learned that firsthand all through the night.

The pretense falls apart when he feels Lily’s skin, panic rising inside him all over again. He has spent the whole night trying to make sure her temperature didn’t pass 40 degrees, hand ready over his phone for the minute it did. It feels like it has risen again, her cheeks flaming bright to prove his insight right.

“Aren’t you gonna kiss my forehead?”

She startles him, with the question or her half open eyes smiling dozily at him, he doesn’t know.

“Why would I take advantage of the ill, Evans?”

Her smile gets softer, fonder. “That’s how my mom used to take my temperature.”

He’s never been able to say no to that smile.

She closes her eyes with the kiss, looking content and peaceful, not at all like the bedridden patient she is supposed to be. He lingers one second longer than necessary.

He has forgotten the purpose of the act until she looks at him expectantly, waiting for his verdict.

“You’re really warm.”

She doesn’t care for his furrowed brows or less than satisfactory explanation when she snuggles into him, purring, “Thank you, so are you.”

“That was not a compliment, Evans.” He tries to hide the fact his breath hitches when she burrows her face in his neck. “That means I am doing something very, very wrong. Are you sure you don’t want me to call anybody else?”

Her hold on him tightens even further if possible. She sounds like a petulant child when she whines her refusal. He can imagine, and feel, her pout.

He tries to untangle himself from her, but she looks so offended by his actions that he feels the need to explain himself. “I need to wet these rags again, and you need to eat some breakfast so you can take your antipyretics.”

She opens her mouth to say something, another refusal going by her displeased expression, but he jumps from the bed before she can tempt her more.

He goes to the bathroom first, thinking maybe some cool water would do him good too. She is already asleep by the time he comes back, hand reaching out to where he once laid on the bed. He places the damp clothes on her forehead with a grin, letting it take over his face while she is not able to see it. The pills he found when he rummaged through her medicine cabinet are put on her nightstand, waiting for his arrival with some food.

Preparing some eggs and toast helps him gather himself a little more, the habitual routine putting his brain on autopilot. The morning feels like something out of James’ dreams with Lily cuddling him in the bed and him making her breakfast, he finds it necessary to remind himself the true nature of the situation as he fills a glass of water for her.

She is awake when he enters the room, following his motions silently as he puts the plate on her side too. He is just about to sit on the chair by her bedside when she stops him with a hand on his arm.

“I promise I’ll eat something in a minute. Can you just… come back to bed? Please?”

His will already weakened since he woke up, he finds that it crumbles completely when he hears her voice so weak, tone so pleading. He lays down on his previous place without saying anything, her head finding his shoulder immediately.

A small hand traces patterns on his chest, nails tickling the heart underneath with every swoop. They could probably live in that relaxed bubble forever if the question nagging inside him just hadn’t popped out unexpectedly.

“Why did you call me yesterday, Lily?”

The finger drawing flowers, stars, and initials never stops its movement. “Because I had a high fever, and I didn’t want to go to the ER.”

“No. I mean, why did you call me?”

He holds his breath in anticipation of her answer, and she stills momentarily too before shaking out of her stupor. “I wanted to be with you.” Her voice sounds so small. “I always want to be with you, you know that.”

There is relief ballooning inside him with her words, mixed with something he dares not name. He hums softly as a response, neither denying nor confirming her assumption.

“We can stay in bed for one more minute, then I’m gonna make you eat that breakfast, Evans.”

“Two, because you just took advantage of a sick person’s honesty and I deserve it.”

“Deal.”

He’ll let her pretend like he won’t do anything she asks for. They both know it’s a lie anyway.

[otptings]

Yellow

Idol; Doyoung

Genre; Jealous Sex

Warnings; teasing, vibrator, oral (f receiving), bondage, humiliation, mentions of voyeurism, orgasm denial, safe word use, unprotected sex, cream pie, slight cockwarming, praise kink, quick aftercare

Synopsis; Making Doyoung jealous is always fun. Seeing his face get red from anger, or a pout forming on his lips. It was a fun activity for you just a game. The consequences from making him jealous however are another story

requests are open for any NCT member

You fucked up. Majorly.

You never really thought your actions through. It tended to make you come off a bit of a brat. You weren't a brat. Just very impulsive. And a little dick crazed. Having Doyoung as your boyfriend would do that to anyone.

Your newest plan that had you in your current position was deciding to tease him. Wearing one of your shorter dresses before meeting the boys, making sure to rub up against Jaehyun just a little extra in the dorm. Laughing and accepting he drink that Taeyong had offered you, after declining Doyoung's. Just tiny things that wouldn't cause too much harm. They were of course oblivious to what you were doing. Just enjoying the time as you waited for Haechan and Mark to stop arguing over clothes and finish getting ready for the dinner.

Doyoung noticed. Scrunching his eyebrows as he tried to figure it out. Why were you acting like this? Had he done something to make you made?

You didn't want anything he offered you, going to Taeyong for any of your needs. He pouted seeing you rub up against Johnny and Jaehyun. Everything came to a halt however when you laid your head on Johnny's shoulders, complaining in your baby voice over how tired you were. As Johnny wrapped his arm around you, and you looked at him as if he hung the stars and moon.

The way that you looked at Doyoung.

Doyoung stood up, not bothering to explain his self and heading to his room. You excused yourself from the boys to check on Doyoung. A buzz flooding through you at the thought of your plan actually working. Opening his door you barely got took a step in before he had pinned you against. Arms pinned over your head, noses practically touching from how close you were.

If you were smarter and less dick crazed, maybe you would've seen the warning scenes. Doyoung actually pinning you against something, not bothering to lock the door. Eyes almost black from anger. But the buzz still hadn't faded and you were happy your plan was working.

"What's wrong?" You tilted your head, voice laced with fake innocence. If Doyoung didn't know you, he might've actually fell for it.

"I'm not stupid." A giggle slipped through your lips before you could cover it. Doyoung backed away from you, heading over to his closet. "I have a surprise for you, you might not like it much."

You felt excitement rush through you at that, the thought of how he would punish you.

Your excitement was very short lived.

It's quite funny actually. One moment your boyfriend is reaching inside of his closet to get you a surprise, you feel excited over what you might get.

The next moment you're laying on his bed with your arms tied to the headboard, and a spreader bar keeping your legs separate while your boyfriend was in between your legs. Real hilarious.

"You're being so loud. Might wanna be quiet unless you want the boys to hear you." You bite your lip harshly, trying to stifle the moans as your boyfriend continued to tease you with the vibrator. Rubbing it through your sopping folds, never letting it pause on one spot. Never giving you enough attention to make you cum.

Doyoung let out a little chuckle, seeing how much you were struggle to stay quiet. Whimpers leaving your mouth, and watching you writhe around on the bed, forced to stay still from the ropes on your wrists and legs. Seeing you completely helpless, forced to deal with whatever he gave you. Doyoung was enjoying his power rush.

"Pl-ease Doie. I wanna c-cum." Your cries cut through his thoughts, he had left the vibrator pressing against your clit, the vibrations bringing you close to your 5th denied orgasm of the night.

"Aw my little slut thinks she can tell me what to do." Pulling the vibrator away from your clit you let out another cry, feeling your orgasm fade away into nothingness. You felt a tear run down your face, just wanting to cum.

"You're crying now? Poor little slut just wants everything her way," Doyoung leaned down licking a slit over your cunt, tongue flat as he licked slowly, tasting your sweet essence, "So sweet. All for me slut?" Doyoung looked up at you with a look that could only be called demonic, eyes almost blackened from lust. Nodding your head you watched as Doyoung maintained eye contact, flicking his tongue over your clit. You threw your head back against the pillow, no escape from his ruthless movements. Only able to arch your back, trying to get away to no avail.

Doyoung drank in all of your reactions, watching the way that you squirmed around, watching as moans dropped from your lips, swollen and red from how much you've bitten them trying to hide your noises. Watching the rise of your chest as you breathed heavily, having no where to run from his tongue's assault on your cunt.

Doyoung was enjoying your reactions, but you felt as if your body was on fire. Cunt sensitive due to the many denied orgams, and your next orgasm fast approaching. You arched your back desperately trying to get nay more sensation, praying that he would let you cum finally. As he backed away from your cunt causing your 6th orgasm to fade you started to cry, tears running down your face.

"Y-yellow." Hearing you say that Doyoung instantly untied your legs, tossing the bar to the floor. Climbing over you he quickly released your wrists, leaning down to wipe some of your tears and place a kiss on your lips to help calm you down.

"What do you want baby?" Doyoung's sweet tone was completely different from the cocky, abrasive one he was using during your punishment. The difference was soothing, remembering that he was just acting because of your punishment.

"Cum." Doyoung nodded his head, cupping your check gently as he wiped the strays tears that fell. You rubbed your face into his hand, the affection comforting after a cruel punishment.

"Okay baby. You've been such a good girl." Doyoung finally stripped off his pants and boxers. If you weren't already so fucked out you would've seen how hard his cock was, all of his flushed red and leaking precum from the tip. He was so hellbent on punishing you he had completely neglected himself, causing his cock to become the hardest it's been in a while.

Leaning over to his nightstand he went to grab a condom but stopped when you reached for his arm. "I want to feel you." You mumbled quietly, feeling a little embarrassed at your bluntness but Doyoung only smiled. He loved that you are comfortable enough to tell you what wanted.

"Okay baby. You deserve to be rewarded after your punishment." Doyoung held the base of his cock, hissing at the feeling. Leaning over you he slowly rubbed him against you cunt, gathering your essence over him before he pushed him in. A groan leaving his mouth as he pushed into your warmth, a choked gasp leaving yours at the sensation of finally being filled after an hour of teasing. "So good."

Doyoung held onto your waist to steady himself as he thrust into you, setting a slow pace not wanting to overwhelm you. This was all about making you feel good. His slow pace is borderline torturous, his cock dragging against your walls beautifully. Feeling every vein and ridge, the way his cock curves helping his tip rub over your g spot with every drag. Making you feel incredibly full.

Incessant moans left your mouth with every thrust, getting higher and higher in tone the closer that you got to your orgasm. The familiar feeling tension in your stomach approaching, almost painful in it's arrival. Doyoung intertwined your fingers, leaning closer to your ear to whisper in your ear.

"So good for me baby girl," His other hand trailed past your breast squeezing and pulling at your nipple, "Clenching around me you feel so good. Your pussy was made for my cock."

His hand continued moving down to your clit, rubbing soothing circles on it bringing you closer to the edge, "Such a good girl took your punishment so well." You felt yourself clamp down on his cock, drawing a moan out of both of you.

"Cum for me babygirl, you've been such a good girl." At his words you finally cam, eyes rolling back at the feeling of your orgasm. Doyoung nearly came at the sight, head leaned back as your tongue lolled out, your moans turning to whimpers as he fucked you into overstimulation. Pulling out he jerked himself quickly, cumming on your lower stomach.

Resisting the urge to fall on top of you Doyoung stood up and put on some sweatpants before walking to the bathroom to get a rag. Walking back to the room he wiped the cum off of you before tossing the rag onto the floor.

Climbing into bed he pulled the cover over the both of you before pulling you closer into his arms. Whispering sweet praises in your ear as you fell asleep to the sound of his heartbeat.

Maybe you're plan still worked after all.

-

"Why did neither of y'all stop her?" Taeyong groaned as they walked to the nearest ramen restaurant. After hearing the first moans all of the boys had abandoned the notion that y'all were joining them for dinner.

"It was funny." Johnny laughed as he wrapped his around Jaehyun.

"She actually paid me 5 bucks to do it."

"You got paid to do it?"

"I mean yea 5 bucks is 5 bucks."

[blueunoia]

❤ ──── ·․ under watchful eyes (pt. 2)

━━━   SYNOPSIS: the reader and arvin find themselves back together and share a moment of joy with the intent of keeping what happened between their families and reverend teagardin but it’s hard to keep secrets in a small town where secrets don’t stay buried for long. 

━━━  WARNINGS: teenage proposal, harassments/bullying, and (minimal) description of violence. 

━━━  NOTES: Movie spoilers towards end of story. As mentioned in the warning Arvin proposes to the reader despite them only being 18, I decided to do this because it was very common for teens to get married in the 60s, especially in a situation like this (very religious family or town and interest in sex) so I thought it would add some fluff and drama while being time accurate. Like I said in the last part, I don’t condone any of Arvin's action he clearly has severe anger issues at least and mentally ill as a result of his traumatic childhood at worst. Hope you enjoy!

━━━  WORD COUNT: 2,379

━━━  PART(S): part three

✦·․  ──── ❤ ──── ·․·✦·․·✦·․ ──── ❤ ──── ·․·✦·․·✦·․  ❤ ․·✦·․·✦·․· ──── ❤ ──── ·․·✦·․·✦·․ ──── ❤ ────  ․·✦

       The car ride home was the same as the ride to church: wordless. Arvin's hands clutched the steering wheel, and he stared with a stern gaze at the road ahead. Lenora wanted to say something, but she knew better not to. When Arvin was in a mood like this, it was almost always useless to calm him down. Unless it was you, somehow you always knew what to say. That or Arvin was so whipped that he just listened to you (and he didn't listen to anyone).

         When they finally arrived home, Arvin rushed inside, avoiding his Grams. Getting out of his church clothes, he thought about how likely it would be to get to the phone in the kitchen without his Grandma seeing. Then he thought about how likely it was that you'd even pick up or that your momma would let you talk to him. 

         Not likely, he surmised. So with a glance downstairs, he tried to bolt to his car so he could wait for Lenora in peace. She never took too long to get ready. Just pick out her dress and then brush her hair. Lenora didn't wear makeup; she never believed women should paint their faces like that. Arvin hadn't seen his grandmother, so he thought he'd be okay, but after almost reaching the door, he heard her call out. 

      "Now, Arvin, I know you aren't trying to sneak out with talking to me," she said. She was sat at the kitchen table with a disapproving look on her face. Pointing towards Arvin, she curved her fingers to herself, telling him to come to her. With a sigh, he followed, sitting down at the table. 

     "Yes?" he asked, annoyed. 

      "I know you're upset, but your gonna have to apologize to that priest-"

       "I ain't apologizing to that creep!" 

      Grams shook her head at his stubbornness, so much like his father, "You will. He is a man of God, and you tried to fight him! Do you know how many looks I'm gonna get when I go out into town? You can't be behaving like that. I won't allow it. I'm not gonna let you run wild like those city kids," she finished before standing up. Pointing the finger at Arvin, she held a stern look, "Don't you fight with me, boy."

       Arvin sighed, defeated; he didn't want his grandmother to be looked at poorly. He gave her a short nod before standing up himself, "I gotta go to school," he mumbled. Grandma nods but grabs him before he leaves, gripping the sides of his shirt and tucking them in for him. Arvin let out a little laugh at it. He swore she got more persnickety every year she grew older. 

         After that, she finally let Lenora and him leave for school. As they drove, Lenora smiled as she noticed Arvin's mood seemed to be better now. However, her smile faltered as Lenora saw Mrs. L/N car pass theirs. Arvin immediately took his eyes off the road to try and see Y/N. But she wasn't there. Lenora could see the change in Arvin's deposition as soon as he realized it; eyes back on the road, he gritted out, "Did you see her?"

       Lenora shook her head softly. "Maybe she was laying down?" she offered.

       Arvin's jaw tightened. "Her momma probably left her with that preacher," he growled. "I don't trust him."

        Lenora looks toward Arvin. "Why not? Pastor Teagardin seems nice."

        "Nice? He's a creep! I've seen how he's been looking at the girls. It ain't normal, Lenora," Arvin rants. "I don't want her left alone with him." 

         As they pulled into the school parking lot, Lenora grabbed her bag and opened the door, waiting to hear Arvin's door shut too. When the click never hit her ears, she turned around, seeing Arvin still in the car. Lenora frowns, "Aren't you coming in, Arvin?"

      He shook his head, "I got something to do."

      "You aren't going back to fight that preacher, are you?" Lenora huffs, "You can't-"

     "I'm not gonna fight 'im, Lenora. I just got something to do, okay?" Arvin asks, starting the car. His eyes had a pleading look. "Just don't tell Grams, alright? I'll be back to pick you up when schools out."

         Lenora sighs with defeat, "Alright. I won't tell Grams."

          He wasn't lying. Arvin did have something to do, and it didn't have to do with his bad feeling about that preacher. Arvin drove back to the lake that Reverend Teagardin had caught the two at for a specific reason. He lost an important thing there, an important box that held an essential ring for him. Arvin didn't intend to propose so soon. He wanted to wait 'til the summer came, and the two of you might've left town. With everything that happened, though, he could only imagine one way, your mother and father would let the two of you keep seeing each other. They were also stricter than his grandma, not too severe, but they followed his words when it came to God. 

         So Arvin was going to make an honest woman out of you. The only problem being he had the box in his car from when he bought it, and now Arvin couldn't find it, he remembered how he hastily hid it when you two went on your date, and all he could imagine is it fell out. So he drove back to the dreaded lake pulling in and checking for the Reverend. 

         Once he made sure the coast was clear, he got out of the car. Looking around the ground, Arvin didn't notice you when you stepped out from behind the tree you had hidden behind. You let out a breath when you realized it was Arvin, a smile etching itself on your face. Watching him closely, you saw him looking at the ground and bending down. What was he looking for?

       "Arvin?" you called out. 

Arvin stood up immediately, and his head spun around until he saw you. He couldn't stop himself from smiling and coming towards you, and then he realized what he was holding and hastily threw it in the dashboard. You ran to him and threw your arms around him. Arvin reciprocating faster than he ever had, squeezing you gently. "Are you alright?" he breathed out. 

"Yes," you said immediately, "I am now, at least." You pulled away from Arvin, putting a hand on his cheek. "I missed you," you said quietly. Arvin was never too good with words, so he nods before bringing his lips to yours. The kiss was soft, both of you deepening it quickly and your tongues caressing each other. When Arvin pulled away, he couldn't help but chuckle at the dreamy look on your face. 

         You bit your lip, "What if someone sees us again?"

         Arvin hadn't thought about that, but now you said that all he could think about is what would happen if Teagardin saw you two again. Undoubtedly, your parents would never let you see him. Grabbing your hand, he dragged you back into his car, and the two of you set off on a drive until you found somewhere else to stay. It was just a simple park, out of town where no one would see. You and Arvin held hands when you walked in, the two of you talking about your nights. You turn to him, "Do you like my new skirt?" it was off-topic, but you were smiling now genuinely smiling, so he didn't mind. 

        Arvin smiles back at you. "You look prettier than Kelly and Hepburn," he compliments. You smile shyly, and your cheeks flush with color. Arvin retakes your hand, bringing you to the nearby park bench. 

         "I wanted to ask you something," Arvin says, fidgeting with his hands. "With everything that happened... I know that your 'momma isn't going to let you see me anymore. Probably not for a while at least, and I don't want that. I know I don't say it often, but I love you. I love you a lot, Y/N, and I want to be with you for the rest of my life," he felt the bubble of nervous go from his stomach and rise into his chest. He couldn't help but second guess. You were both so young, but then again, most people got married around your age, maybe a little older right? He let out a breath and calmed himself, grabbing the ring from his jacket pocket. "I want you to marry me. I know it's soon, but it'd make your parents happy, and I want to be with you." 

          You looked at the ring he had in his hand in shock, but Arvin could tell from the smile on your face that you were happy, and soon enough, you threw your arms around him with a "Yes!" 

         For a moment, everything was perfect. The two of you sharing each other's warmth, Arvin is sliding the simple ring onto your finger, and nothing lousy stirring in your thoughts. It didn't seem like anything wrong could touch you two, but still, it did, and it started that night. 

         You had the head home soon after that. You never told Arvin what happened with the preacher. After Arvin proposed, it didn't cross your mind. You spent the car ride laughing, listening to music, and talking about how you thought everyone would react to your news. The two of you drove to the school first to pick up Lenora, and you thought about if you should take your ring off or not. You were so distracted that you didn't realize Lenora was running out of the school for the third time this week. Frowning, you open the door for her, and she jumped into the car. 

      "Y/N?" she asks, shutting it, but the noise of Gene and his gang coming out hollering stopped you from talking. Arvin drove off in a hurry glaring at the boys. They'd did their time, soon, he thought. Lenora noticed your ring, but you and Arvin had decided it'd be best not to tell her yet. Lenora wasn't known for her secret-keeping skills, but a part of you thought she knew. 

         You went to the cemetery with Lenora, all three of you traveling up to her mother's grave. Arvin couldn't help but notice your troubled looks the longer you stayed. He didn't ask why, though. It must've been about your momma, he told himself; it was getting a little dark out already. 

          So he drove you home after that. None of you expected to see the sheriff outside your home, though. Did she report you missing? You thought. That'd be a little extreme. As you stepped out of the car hastily, Arvin promised to stay behind in case something terrible broke out. Your breath hitched when you realized why the Sherriff was here. Arvin stepped out of the car at the terror on your face and felt the anger boil inside of him.

"W-H-O-R-E" was spelled out in red paint on your daddy's car. There were egg yolk and shells scattered across your yard and a broken window. Running up the hill, your mother saw you and pulled you into a hug. "Who did this?" you asked, tears pricking at your eyes. 

Your mother didn't acknowledge Arvin, who had ditched his cigarette and was now behind you, fists balled up. Your mother shook her head. "It was just some criminal boys," she pulls away from you, but her hands still tightly grasp your arms. "Where have you been?"

Arvin stomped off. He knew what 'rascal boys' your mother was talking about, and he wasn't going to sit here and let them torture you too. He ignored the bicker as he got into his car, hurling the door shut. 

"Is she okay?" Lenora asks softly.

         "She'll be fine. Let's get home."

When Arvin dropped off Lenora at the church the next day, he didn't stay with her. Your momma had kept you home, so when he returned to the school, he was just by his lonesome. Waiting patiently outside in his car, the rain poured down while he kept watching for Tommy Matson. Arvin kept himself busy by going through his pack of cigarettes, anxious about what he would do. It had to be done, though; he kept telling himself. Eventually, Tommy Matson came out with a girl, the two headings off to the bus to mess around. It made him angrier. How could he judge you when he was doing the same thing? Arvin made a noise outside of the bus, and Tommy came to check on it, not seeing Arvin before he pulled him out of the bus and brought down the tire iron on his back. 

After that, he set after Orville and Gene. Both of them were in the garage working on the car. Gene didn't see him coming when he slammed the car hood over him. He grabbed Orville and punched him a few times, rubbing the twinkie in his face before turning back to grab Gene, who tried to run off. Kicking Gene, he made sure to keep him down while he wrestled the brown paper bag over his head. If it weren't for the bag, Gene would be able to feel Arvin's breath. "You touch my sister or my girl again, and I'll kill you." 

Arvin left Gene there, and he saw Orville run off after he left the garage. He figured Orville helped Gene; he was wrong though, it'd take several hours until someone found him. The paper bag still on his head. Arvin wouldn't lie: he didn't feel bad about it. 

Arvin went and got Lenora from the cemetery, apologizing about how he missed it, but she didn't seem to mind. She didn't notice the blood on his knuckles either. Lenora seemed happier. "I know you probably got other things you'd like to do, so; I can come to the church on my own now."

Arvin didn't ask any questions about the sudden revelation from Lenora. He didn't realize how bad a mistake that was in the moment because in only a few more months, things would get worse than they ever had been, and he wouldn't have Lenora to confide in. 

✦·․  ──── ❤ ──── ·․·✦·․·✦·․ ──── ❤ ──── ·․·✦·․·✦·․  ❤ ․·✦·․·✦·․· ──── ❤ ──── ·․·✦·․·✦·․ ──── ❤ ────  ․·✦

I hope you enjoyed part two! I posted this on my AO3 (under the same name) first and kind of forget to post it on my tumblr so it’s a little late. I was kind of shocked at how many views it got on here but I’m happy people enjoyed it. 

Don’t forget to reblog and leave a comment!

━━━  MASTERLIST

[tazzykiki]

...

so...um...my little obligatory review I do for every trollhunters installment...for Rise of the Titans...oh boy...

Started off pretty fun and actiony. I really liked how they jumped right into the action and had pretty much everyone on deck.

Is it me or did the comedy feel too forced?? Like this isn't something I felt after watching, it was during. Like they were trying really hard to be funny and there were some funny bits but also some really weird bits I cant describe other than "hollow".

Animation, beautiful as always.

Just gonna get right to the point: what the fuck was with the whole Steve thing. Like...lmao what? I thought they were joking at first but oh my god what the actual shit. Like they could've just killed him off like the rest of the characters if they didn't want him to do anything.

Eli had me hyped but then proceeded to do nothing but stand around and be showered in Steve's juices the whole movie.

Why was Aja's plan portrayed as bad????? She was the only logical person in the whole movie.

Why did no one give Jim armor???? Why was he going through a crisis the ENTIRE movie? Am I the only one put off by that?

Titan fights were cool. Love me some pacific rim. And hey trope dodge! They didn't destroy San Francisco's bridge! Hooray!!!

Did Nomura change voice actors or is it because I haven't heard her voice in forever?

Speaking of her, she died in a fucked up way huh. Strickler died in a really weird halfway force way?? Nari and Skrael died in like the most badass way possible. I am genuinely confused on whether or not Archie died with his dad. I'm gonna assume he died. Other people might've died? Idk.

Toby's death hit the fucking hardest and made me burst into tears. Like oh my god that was such a good and heartwrenching scene????

Too bad it was ruined by one of the most asinine writing choices I have seen in a while.

LMAO WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT.

WHY DID JIM GO ALL THE WAY TO THE BEGINNING OF THE SERIES??????

Why did he just erase years of story and heart???? Why did he shove all of that responsibility onto Toby's shoulders???? Why didn't he just go to the start of the movie and change shit???? Where in the entire series was it stated that it all genuinely went wrong because Jim picked up the amulet???? He's just going to go through the same shit again! They really call him Atlas for a reason, hUh.

Like the movie had it's bumps here and there but it was still good until that one point. They would've been better off just leaving everyone dead if this was the solution they came up with.

Anyway...If I had to recommend this series to someone, I would tell them to watch the first 3 series and then do one of two things: Not watch the movie at all. Or, watch the movie but pause right after Toby dies and end it there. What a horrible way to end this series.

[tiramisiyu]

【恋与制作人】 MLQC: Chapter 36 “The Battle of the End” Summary

Translation Masterlist

Summarized Chapters: [to be updated]

Spoiler alert: Please note that all content in this post is content that has not yet been released in the global server.

36-1

In a place with the “dial of the endpoint of time” and innumerable stars, Victor opens his eyes, seeing the planets rotate like usual

Victor hears footsteps pass by but ignores it, watching planets as they appear, then fall

Victor suddenly sees a faraway, shining one rise, and reacts, with the pocket watch clacking in his hand. Someone standing in the light is bowing to him

???: Are you returning now?

Victor: It’s almost time.

A glittering glass cup appears before him, but when he touches it, it shatters

The dial makes the first ticking sound it’s ever made; the time door starts activating

Victor passes by the dial hologram and walks to the end of the path

--

MC is walking amid white mist in a dream. There’s a massive dial turning and she hears footsteps accompanying a large figure

MC: You’ve returned?

>Though I knew I was in a dream, I wanted to see his face again.

But the figure vanishes in mist again, leaving a bell sound

 36-3

MC wakes up at dawn to a bell sound, which seems to vanish after

There’s a melodious tune echoing; MC wonders where it’s coming from

There’s only a few tents in the plaza, when the plaza was filled last night

The bell sounds again; MC searches for the source of the music, which seems to be a tent

Right when MC plans to touch the tent to get in, it – and several other tents – deflate. There’s no one in the tent, only a machine with a flashing signal light that’s playing the music

Kiro suddenly appears, saying that he’s coming to deal with this

Kiro: This melody was published online by several hackers last night. When you listen to only this, it’s a tune with no significance, but when a bell rhythm is added to it, then it’s not that simple.

Kiro turns up the volume; MC hears a password, then sees “error” onscreen, followed by an accelerating countdown

Kiro hacks the countdown, stopping it, then stopping the music

A metal strip with a crystalline bell also comes out of the machine, and Kiro gives the ball to MC, which has “A” written on it

When MC touches the ball, she sees Black Queen on a throne, surrounded by people; when she listens to the ball, she hears Black Queen say “Here, witness my coronation and the restoration of this world…”

MC: The purpose of her coronation is to replace me, but why is it so sudden?

Kiro: I’m guessing that it’s because the plan was wrecked. Last night, she started using the hackers that had been controlled by the black cards to transmit the melody. They split up to different places and used different channels to transmit the sound of the bells, which can achieve her objectives within the shortest time.

MC: I get it. She wants to use this sound to tell those who have been controlled by the black cards about the coronation time and location.

MC notes that there must be multiple bells; Kiro says that he has already dealt with it all

MC asks to take the bell; Kiro agrees, calling it her admission ticket, then says that he’ll have to go get his admission ticket

Kiro: Miss Chips, I’m heading off now. See you later.

MC: Wait, Kiro, promise me that you’ll stay safe.

Kiro: Don’t worry. Didn’t you say before that I’m your all-capable superhero? There’s nothing that a superhero can’t do. You, though – you also have to be careful, got it? I will go find you very soon. 

Kiro then heads off

 36-5

MC goes into the BS building, thinking that “if everything started here, then it would also end here”, and heads up to the top floor

There, she sees a central throne surrounded by people, which MC blends into

Black Queen appears, declaring that the disasters will stop and they will all become normal people after this night

Black Queen also says that Black Swan will be here to witness the de-evolution, as the pioneers of Evol evolution

Helios walks out

Helios: Tonight, I will lead Black Swan to accept the de-evolution of the Queen. Black Swan has acknowledged that Evols have brought disaster. We have decided to stand behind the Queen and save humankind from danger together. Under the leadership of the Queen, everything will recover, and everyone will arrive at the endpoint of evolution. We usher in an eternal peace.

MC is very surprised by Helios’ words, realizing it’s Anole, not Kiro

Suddenly, Kiro appears

Kiro: Who allowed you to use that face to kneel to a counterfeit?

  36-6

A dagger stabs fake Helios’ clothes in place

Kiro leads a line of people forward; Anole and the people attack, and Kiro puts the dagger at Anole’s neck, drawing blood

Kiro: You should be grateful that you’re an Evolver, and thus still have some worth.

Kiro: I command you – from now onwards, live using only your own face, and never appear in front of me again.

Anole reverts to his original face and jumps out a window

Black Queen: Whether something is real or fake – is that important? Helios, I welcome the joining of the real Black Swan. The Evol you all have given me will obtain the thanks of all humankind.

Kiro points the dagger at her, but Black Queen is unfazed

Black Queen: Would you really hurt me? You won’t. We all know that this world is almost at its end. You need the existence of a Queen, and I can bear this responsibility. To you, there is no difference between me or her. We have the same memories, and I remember all the past with you. In the future, we’ll also build a world of normal people, a world without conflict. Isn’t that good?

Kiro gradually lowers the dagger

Kiro: … Alright.

MC runs up, but Kiro signals to her, so MC attacks Black Queen with her white light power

But this does nothing the Black Queen, who attacks with a black ball; Kiro rushes to tackle her, putting the knife at her neck

Kiro: I command you, return all the power you have plundered.

 36-7

Black Queen is unable to resist, and the black light in her hands enters her chest to de-evolve her powers

MC feels that her actions look like she’s acting, then notices that Kiro’s golden eyes are becoming blue – and then Black Queen attacks Kiro with a black whirlpool, to which MC counters with her white light

Black Queen backs up into the shadows

Kiro says that what happened with him just now was Evol waves, and her Evol can affect all Evolvers now

MC suggests giving chase to Black Queen; Kiro stops her, saying that she has to take the initiative to attack

Kiro hands a position locator to MC, linked to a chip Kiro just placed on Black Queen

Kiro carries MC on his back as MC deals with their attackers using her power, the two of them talking when the attackers are cleared

Kiro: I won’t leave you behind and go alone. So don’t worry.

MC: I won’t worry, because even if you go to another world, I will find you, just like how you found me.

Kiro: Those are your words. Although, I’ll only protect a world with you in it.

--

They arrive at a dark door; MC goes through it as Kiro fights off the crowd behind them, noting that before the end approaches, he had something more important to do

36-9

MC heads down the stairs, entering a coronation room that’s exactly like the one before

Black Queen signals the crowd to attack MC, as MC uses her power to defend, not daring to do anything bigger without knowing the situation

Black Queen: Did you really think your own power was enough to beat me? Unlike you, I’ve never waited for miracles. If only one Queen is to exist, that can only be me.

MC: Though I dislike this identity, I definitely won’t hand it over to you!

MC tries attacking Black Queen, but her power seems to have been swallowed when it nears her

Black Queen escapes; MC chases, but finds herself in an identical scene, again and again

MC notices that Black Queen might’ve set this up to expend MC’s stamina, and has been sucking up MC’s power to collect it

MC also notes that there’s something crystalline that’s been accumulating in Black Queen’s hand - a crown

MC strikes the crown before it lands on Black Queen’s head, then hears a resounding clock chime as she seems to see the dial of a clock tower split and hear the sounds of a violin and voices

Victor appears before her, pulling her into his arms as the crowd backs up

   36-10

Black Queen: I didn’t think you really would return.

Victor: I thought you’d already learned when to shut up.

Black Queen: Noticed that she can’t beat me, so you returned to deal with me?

Victor: I won’t help her deal with you. You are her problem. As she is right now, she completely has the ability to deal with you.

Black Queen: Then I look forward to how she “deals with” me.

Black Queen vanishes again; MC attempts to pursue, but Victor says that she needs time to recover power

Victor holds the crown up to MC, asking why she broke it; MC says because the queen can only be her herself

When MC asks him where he was, Victor says he went to the Time Administration to deal with some issues, with only one very important thing left to deal with

Time starts to reverse at Victor’s command as they walk, restoring MC’s energy (to her surprise)

They arrive at the original location at the top of the building,

Victor: Have you thought about what to do?

MC: I’ll make this ritual end completely. She won’t have a chance to repeat this again, and I won’t give her the chance to hurt this world again. Every person can have the same or different views on every matter, and she does not have the right to control them.

Victor: In this world, I only acknowledge one Queen.

The crown scatters into pieces in Victor’s hands, as do the black cards in the hands of the crowd, who begin to regain their senses

 36-12

MC walks up to the round platform, announcing that everyone can leave

MC: This ritual was just a deception, but de-evolution is real. It’s just that de-evolution will not bring anything good for the world. After you leave this place, you can choose to resist Evols, but I hope you will make a judgement after you have gained a full understanding on the matter.

MC: I don’t know if having Evols is a good or bad thing. But I’m happy to be an Evolver, that I have the power to protect those who are most important to me.

MC shatters the throne with her power

MC: The deception has ended, but our lives will still continue. After tonight, I hope to see you all being truly proud.

The crowd gradually leaves, including No. 93, who MC catches a glimpse of

MC walks off to face Black Queen as Victor waits for her

36-14

MC finds Black Queen looking at the little crown in her hand

MC: Why are you doing this?

Black Queen: Isn’t this what you want to do? You’re the one who can’t refuse the weakness and escapism in your heart. I want a world where Evolvers have been de-evolved – in essence, this is what you want. After experiencing enough pain, who wouldn’t want such a world… A world where everyone is normal, lives a stable life, where there are no Evolvers. And all they need to do for this is give up something little…

MC: It is precisely because I’ve experienced enough pain that I’ve given up such thoughts. I’ve persisted up till now, not to sacrifice anyone or anything in exchange for so-called typical stability. Instead, it’s because I hope to have the power to walk until the end.

Black Queen: Do you really think that?

MC: Yes.

Black Queen: If you are sure that these are your true thoughts, then try it. See if your persistence and so-called power can hold on until the end in desperate times.

MC reaches for the crown, and when she comes in contact with Black Queen, a feeling of darkness and despair rushes at her

She then sees the fusion of the two worldlines of light and dark, and destruction in Loveland City, then sees “him” –

36-16

At the end of the end, I saw him -

⊳ Victor Li Route

MC finds herself in darkness, her body in severe pain. Sensing someone get near, MC sticks out the knife in her hand on instinct and hears that person grunt in pain – it’s Victor

MC: Victor… why didn’t you dodge?

Victor: I won’t let you get hurt again.

Time stops as Victor pulls MC into his arms

Victor: Urk… don’t be scared. Don’t cry – perhaps this is the price that I should pay. So you were in this much pain back then.

MC desperately shakes her head

Victor: It seems like it has been a long time since I was with you in such quietude. A dummy like you is always running around, unable to stay by my side quietly. Having you listen to me really is the conundrum of the century.

MC: I won’t run around in the future…

Victor: But your promise is too late. MC, if this is our ending, are you scared?

MC: I’m not scared.

>I shook my head, and my tears fell in my mouth, with the taste of incomparable anguish.

MC: I’m always chasing your silhouette, and I’ve never been scared. Because I know that you will always be waiting for me there. Victor, if you really disappear… then I will accompany you to be forgotten by this world together.

Victor: Still such a dummy at the end. That’s also fine, I can’t be at ease if you’re alone… This time, I won’t leave again.

Victor’s voice becomes weaker and the knife falls, as MC no longer has the strength to hold it

The warmth surrounding MC vanishes as bits of light dissipate into air

MC collapses and closes her eyes

>Victor, we once stepped over innumerable timelines and futures and embraced each other. If everything will eventually obliterate time, we’ll disappear like dust into the wind. But luckily, we still have our final promise.

Before MC loses consciousness, she hears the sound of seconds ticking

 ⊳ Lucien Xu Route

MC is in a rainy place and witnesses a truck collide with the road guardrail

Suddenly, she is embraced as a sudden force knocks them over; MC sees that it’s Lucien, his eyes closed, his face pallid, not breathing at all

Lucien opens his eyes and reveals a faint smile

Lucien: Silly… were your scared?

MC: … No.

Lucien: Then why… do you look like you’re on the verge of tears?

>A simple sentence, yet it seemed like it took all his strength to speak each word. In the dark night, the fresh red blood pooled under his body, staining the rain on the ground wet, startling to behold.

MC: Be-because I…

>What answered me was a kiss that he dropped on my hair, gentle yet cold, staying like so for a while.

Lucien: Everything you want to say – I understand it all. So don’t be afraid. I will be with you… This is not an ending – instead, this is us, walking to the end. Don’t cry anymore, be good.

A light comes from Lucien’s palm, lighting up the raindrops around

>A warm light fell on my body, slowly dispelling all the anguish and unease in my heart. That familiar yet fierce feeling surrounded my heart again… like a silent confession.

Lucien: Now, it seems like I can finally embrace you without misgivings. MC, I like how you look when you smile. Promise me, alright?

>I replied with a sound, but I didn’t hear Lucien’s voice again. His hand on my back slid off, and the lights shrouding our bodies gradually became weak and dissipated. The breath on my head had nearly disappeared too. The frigid rain fell without stopping on our bodies, as the strength in my body drained out. The muddled sirens of ambulances, firetrucks, and police cars grew near, and I faintly glimpsed the light of dawn on the edge of the sky, and the shadow in my heart was also illuminated. I used my last sliver of strength to embrace him, and my eyes slowly closed.

>So it turns out, at the end, all memories related to you are dazzling and beautiful.

MC: Lucien… thank you.

 ⊳ Gavin Bai Route

MC finds herself in a burning room and calls Gavin’s name

Gavin appears before her, blowing away the fire near her, but this makes the fire grow bigger

Gavin holds MC in his arms, promising to take her away from here

Suddenly, the ceiling collapses, and Gavin only has time to pull MC to dodge

MC sees Gavin on the ground in pain, but his eyes still look comfortingly at MC as his wind weakens

Gavin stands up, moving bit by bit towards MC

>What hurt me more than facing death was seeing Gavin injured in front of me again. Perhaps this time was the end. After a few long minutes, he finally arrived by my side, raising a hand to wipe my tears. His fingertips brushed past my face, his movements gentle… just like wind. In an instant, my tears fell more fiercely.

Gavin: I’m sorry. I couldn’t save you and take you out of here.

>Amid the glimmer of tears, I saw his amber eyes shine in the sea of fire, like they had really become gems. I slowly moved my neck, wanting to shake my head to tell him that the one who should apologize is me. But the hot, smoky air had already taken all my ability to breathe and think, and a burning pain that gouged at my heart invaded my thoughts, leaving me unable to move again.

MC: I’m sorry, Gavin, I couldn’t do as I promised to you…

Gavin: You don’t need to apologize. MC, regardless of where, I will always be with you…

>His words sounded like a farewell.

>The intense fire finally reached my back, and my last breath was thus engulfed by fire. The leaping flames blurred my vision.

>Chaotic overlapping images of Gavin’s face appeared before me, and the fire climbed up his windbreaker. I reached out, wanting to grab onto something at the end.

>At the same time, he reached out, pressing lightly against the back of my fingers, as if making a silent promise to me.

MC: Here with you, this ending is already enough…

Gavin: Our ending will be a new beginning.

Something collapses again as MC closes her eyes

Gavin: Sleep. I’ll be with you for tonight’s dream…

 ⊳ Kiro Zhou Route

MC wakes in a surgery room, her vision blurry – as she wonders why she’s here, sudden pain makes her black out

Kiro: Since you were deprived of your Evol, I will return mine to you…

MC feels a power accumulating in her body, but dissipating at the same time; power melts into her blood, followed by more pain

Doctor: … A severe rejection phenomenon occurred… Experiment failure! Start final rescue measures…

MC can hear the sounds in the surgery room, but can’t hear Kiro

Suddenly, he holds her hand

Kiro: Don’t be afraid, I’m alright. Don’t be afraid.

>Not the slightest bit of panic or despair, comforting me just like normal.

Strength flows back into MC’s body, and she sees Kiro

Kiro: I’m sorry. The experiment wasn’t successful.

MC: That’s alright…

Kiro: I promised that I would do lots of things with you. It seems like I’ll have to break the promise.

>Strange – even in this moment, there wasn’t the slightest bit of gloom or frustration at me in his eyes. They were clear as a endless sky. As if he had long accepted this ending.

Kiro: Don’t be sad. You’re… the Miss Chips that I want to be happy forever. I’ve said before – I will always be with you. So MC, wait for me. I will find you very soon.

MC vision darkens as Kiro’s voice seems to get farther

Kiro: I have always been chasing the light. Finally…

MC blacks out, hearing nothing more

>I was still surrounded by the familiar aura, like all the times of pain and despair in the past. At least we can embrace each other at this end. Kiro, this time, we… finally did not miss out on each other again.

36-17

MC opens her eyes to the Black Cabin, seeing Black Queen standing in front of a door

A light releases itself from MC’s chest, and Black Queen closes the door before her, which then disappears

Black Queen: Do you truly feel that you can save the world?

MC: This world belongs to each life on it, not us.

Black Queen: Perhaps. Looks like I’ve lost this time. I hope you can always protect your beliefs – otherwise, shadows will eventually befall again behind you.

MC: But shadows will never affect the light.

MC illuminates the Black Cabin, and Black Queen begins to look blurred. MC tries to reach out to her, but only feels nothingness

Black Queen: Regardless if time goes back or forwards, doomsday approaches. He recorded this a long time ago…

Black Queen’s voice fades as light fills the space

--

MC wakes at home in front of her mirror, realizing that it’s just like the first time she met Black Queen

MC says goodbye to Black Queen, noting that this world will only have “this” version of her now

MC sees a little crown on the table, as if indicating that everything she just experienced was real, and places it in the drawer

Anna calls, telling MC to check the news – it’s about how Loveland is starting rescue projects against the unusual disasters, led by STF, Ultima Bioresearch, LFG; KEY will also be helping, as well as Black Swan leader Helios

MC suddenly experiences an earthquake, and rushes out to see a crevice in the ground – the natural disasters haven’t stopped

The news ends by saying that this plan is called the “New World Project”

--

A blue-eyed man walks up to a door, from which a mechanical voice says, “Please enter the New World Project clearance password.”

The man enters “For My Queen”

[boogiewrites]

Never Break the Chain Pt 5

Part 5 of 5

Characters: Javier Peña x OFC

Summary:  Reunited after their deadly close encounter. They finally have time to ask the right questions and give honest answers.

Warnings/Tags: Sexual Content. Lover’s reunited. Confessions of Love. 

Getting shot was never part of the plan, but it was always an option she had to consider. She was already marked and scarred, not the first time she'd been shot, but the first time in the shoulder. Needless to say, it fucking hurt.

Staggering, bloody through the streets was awkward enough, being shirtless turned it into a circus attraction. She had to shove with her good arm through concerned passersby and made her way as quickly as she could to her bike. It was a good trek, but far away from the action. She had a jacket in the side bag, and that had one problem fixed. The other, a much larger one was leaking out of her sleeve and throbbing through her entire body every time she moved, which was as little as she could manage. Being the sinful girl scout she was, she was always prepared, which meant knowing where she could go if she was shot. It was always a smart move to have blackmail on a veterinarian. She wobbly directed her bike with only one truly useful arm and braced herself for a very painful experience.

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

As soon as his eyes opened in the hospital room, he was being asked questions. The last thing you want to do after losing so much blood and being shot with surgery on top of that was be interrogated. But here he was. After giving his signature attitude that no supervisor had ever enjoyed dealing with, he was left alone. He finally knew some peace after a week or so, laying with eyes closed, healing up well he was told, now waiting out infection just to be safe. He’d never passed out from blood loss before, and he would be lying if he didn’t feel every second his age while he had been in the hospital. The bare walls and sterile fixtures didn’t help make him feel any warmer or comfortable. The pain medicine in his IV did though.

Murphy comes in, an eyebrow raised and a grunt in response to the appearance of his partner was given in acknowledgment.

“I know. I look like shit.” Javi smarts, adjusting himself to sit more upright, a pull in his side still noticeable but no longer grating.

“If you’re aware of that I guess that marks off one of my theories.”

“You? Have a theory?” Javi snarks, leaning back, propped up and hands across his stomach.

“I thought you might’ve had brain damage.” Murphy grins. “Claiming you didn’t know who that woman was we saw.”

“You didn’t say anything did you?”

“Don’t insult me, man.”

“Good.”

“They’re pretty fuckin’ annoyed with you right now.” the observation draws a chuckle from Murphy.

“Good. They’re only going to get more mad.”

“I can see why you’d wanna protect her though.”

A raised eyebrow was all that was needed to ask a question.

“They not tell you about anything that happened after you passed out?”

There's a pause as a wave of subdued anger rises on Javi’s face.

“I got to ya first. I peek over the edge of the roof and there she was…” he holds his arms out, a dramatic retelling for no other reason than to take his sweet time and annoy his partner. “You sure can pick ‘em Javi. She was standing there like some Colombian centerfold with no shirt on, hair all wild. I would’ve thought I’d just interrupted you two having a good time if I didn’t know better.”

“What the fuck are you talking about? Shirtless?”

“Still had her bra on. Unfortunately.” Steve huffs out a laugh at him and the annoying twitch in Javi’s crow’s feet. “She made her shirt into a tourniquet for you, man. It was ripped and holding your guts in. You’ve got to thank that pretty little lady for saving your ass.”

He sits silently for a moment. “No wonder they thought I was working with the narcos.” he says quietly.

“They told you that?”

“Not outright.” he shakes his head.

“I guess you don’t know about what Trujillo did then huh?”

A sharp turn to face Murphy and a glare told him to spit it out fast.

“I saw her and she had her hands up, let me know you were shot. The sweet thing said, Murphy...Please don’t let him die.”

A twitch of his nose and an uncomfortable grunt show the emotion Javi was willing to show about the heartfelt statement.

“So I put my gun down, cause I figured I knew it was your girl. Who else would be willing to save you and put herself out like that? Unfortunately...Trujillo wasn’t aware of that.” he pauses for a moment, a wince to tell Javi the rest. “And he shot at her.”

“Shot AT her or shot HER.” Javi immediately demands clarification.

“Both.” he shrugs.

“Why the fuck am I just finding this out? Is she alive?” he begins getting out of bed, his torso pulling forward before Steve holds an arm out to keep him down.

“Woah, she should be, man, don’t get your panties in a bunch. She jumped off the roof and I was honestly a bit worried he’d hit her, but when I looked down there was a mess of a dumpster and a blood trail out to the street. You were right about her being good.”

“I know I was.” his brow furrows, immediately preoccupied with her again. “You should check the-”

“Hospitals, I know. I already did. Nothing. I would’ve been in to see you way sooner if she was dead.”

Javi looks away and that’s the closest to a thank you Murphy will get, but it was enough.

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

The first night back in his apartment Javi sat and smoked by an open window, half expecting Esme to show up, a pop of black hair over the edge of the roof but she never came. He could swear she said she wanted to stay with him, or there was something building when the moment was ripped away. He wanted to be angry and tell himself he was being stupid, but he couldn’t help but think he was recalling correctly.

-----

He had finally gone back to work. He hadn’t foreseen a warm welcome but being reprimanded and lectured hadn’t been what he expected either. He was too distracted, not trustworthy, a rebel, a loose cannon. All things he’d heard before. This time they focused on his history with women. Both professionally and personally, the experience was vast. He had pulled more visas out of thin air than anyone in the DEA. His methods worked, yes it was sleeping with his informants and gaining their trust but it was a perk to a transaction that always worked. Because of Esme’s unknown identity, they had nothing concrete about him having connections with the groups they were after. He wouldn’t budge in telling them and they couldn’t accept that. So now he was too lenient on women, they said. His judgment couldn't be trusted because he could be compromised. To say he was pissed was an understatement. Had this suspension and possible reassignment after a board review been something he thought could happen? Of course. That didn’t mean he had to take it well or be happy about it.

He went to a bar, Murphy giving apologetic glances and slaps to the back between snarky remarks to break the tension. Javi knew he meant well, but his mind was elsewhere. He sauntered home, a warm belly of the contents of a few highball glasses and a glare on his face. He didn’t contain his annoyance as he let his boots hit heavy up the stairs and his shoulder jam against his door before opening it and twisting the lock hard. A more vulnerable groan, his hands running down his face after throwing the contents of his pockets onto the counter diffuse through a quiet and dark apartment. The warm light from the street lamps outside seep in through the thin curtains, a light breeze causes them to sway against their thicker partners that provided a shield from the sun during the day. He moves towards a window, feet dragging slightly, lighting a cigarette that illuminates him in orange and red for just a moment before the billowing smoke frames his face, half-lit in Rembrandt lighting by the mix of the moon and artificial light.

“Bad day Javi?”

He hears from the direction of the chair in his living room. Any other voice he would’ve turned and leaped for his gun and aimed, but he shut his eyes and took another patient inhale and exhale.

“I was wondering when you’d show up.”

“You should have better security for your place.” she smiles but he doesn’t see it, she admires him for a moment before standing.

“Not many have the balls to break into a cop's apartment.”

“It’s not a matter of excess balls, but lack of brains.”

He turns to see her in a dress, ruffles on the edges and red as blood fitting her loose and tucked in at the waist. A matching flower sat in her hair, woven espadrilles on her feet made her look like any other beautiful woman he’d look twice at on the street. He could see her green eyes gazing at him doe-like and calm in the low light. They gave away that she was special, not by their color but in how they looked at him. No other woman had looked at him like that. He would’ve sworn all the answers he needed were right there in her eyes as she approached him, he could’ve almost gone on without the need to say his questions out loud. But he was never one to act without proof.

He looked her up and down, a cigarette resting between his lips before he pulled out a chair next to the small kitchen table against the windowed wall. “I’d ask what took you so long but by comparison, you didn’t make me wait long at all this time.” He begins taking off his boots, giving her time to respond and appear calmer about her appearance than he was.

“I had things to take care of.” She pauses, hip against the kitchen counter observing him and appreciating seeing how his jeans pulled tight across his thighs and hips as he moved.

He looks her over again, her relaxed stance, weight on her arm resting as he took a long drag. He stands and walks over, his significantly taller frame, even minus the boots, takes his time taking her in. He selfishly makes her wait, drinks her in, pushing her hair off her shoulders and almost touching the bare skin of her decolletage. “Is it true that you got shot?”

She nods and motions with her head, “In the shoulder.”

He takes his liberties and pulls the sleeve of her dress down to expose a fresh pink scar. “Still hurt?”

“Does yours?” a light touch to his side for a moment, barely outstretching her arm for how close they stood. Personal space wasn’t something either of them was interested in when they were together.

“Sometimes.” he admits.

She nods in agreement. “Yeah, sometimes.” is her quiet answer. He leans down for a moment and kisses the blemish on her shoulder.

“You could’ve let me know you were okay.” she was prepared for anger, which she deserved, admittedly, but she wasn’t met with it. His eyes were dark and deep, looking over her wound where his thumb was currently tracing.

“I didn’t want to risk being seen.” he keeps his eyes on her scar, his brow low and to anyone else, he would read as angry, but she knew he was just thinking, wheels turning and recalling the day she received the mark. “What did work say?”

“Why?”

“Call me curious.”

“I’d much rather hear what you have to say.” he meets her eyes again but he’s faced with the look of insistence a woman gives a man she loves. “Alright,” he sighs. “I'm under review. They wanted me to give you up, tell them who you were but... “ he shrugs, needless to say, he didn’t give them so much as her alias. “They don’t trust me. Too many favors pulled to cover other people’s asses finally caught up to me.”

She nods, looking away in thought for a moment. “You were too good in other words.” she finally answers, reaching out to take the hand that had been anchored to his jutted-out hip.

“Me?” he lets out a chuckle, another inhale, blown away from her face. “I’m not the one who lost their shirt saving my ass from getting shot.” he grins and nods down at her. “I’ve been told I should thank you for saving my life.” he takes one last drag before snuffing out the cherry in the ashtray on the counter.

“It was nothing.” she lied and matched his grin.

“If you’re so bad at lying, how have you not been caught yet?” a teasing squeeze of her hand as the pair rest in the small space between them. “Wasn’t nothing.” his other, now free, hand rests on her scarred arm. “Getting shot for me is something. Men get medals for that shit.”

“But I’m not a man. Just a topless woman who’s stupid enough to risk her life for one.”

A soft huff of amusement is shared between them. “So that part was true?” his smile reaches up to his eyes before he pulls her in to kiss her head and her laugh gives him his answer. “I really wish I hadn’t been a chicken shit and passed out. Would’ve liked to have seen that. ”

“Play your cards right and you still might,” she smirks. “But I believe we have a conversation to finish first.”

“So I didn’t dream all that?”

“No, you didn’t.” a soft and gentle answer, her eyes tender as they looked up to his face. He sees the lump in her throat bob before she speaks. “Where did we leave off?” She sounded a touch uncertain.

“You gonna act like you haven’t been playing it over and over in your head this whole time?” His head ducks down to eyeball her and she gives him an unexpected smile that grows up to her eyes.

Touching his face she lets out a wistful sigh, thumb dragging on his clean-shaven cheek. “I didn’t even realize how much I missed you until I saw you again.”

The sentiment was a punch in the gut that softened him, clearing his throat he looks away almost bashfully for a moment.

“Once I saw you that night in the jewelry store you haven’t been far from my mind. And since that kiss…” her eyes move to his lips and he nervously wets them. Only she could make him nervous. He lost the power balance when he was with her and it felt new, almost scary again. It made his old bones feel like a kid again when she said sweet things to him. “I would’ve come to see you sooner if I could have. I’m sorry. I worried the whole time if that’s any consolation.”

“I worried about you too. Always have.” He speaks quietly and almost mumbles the latter, turning to kiss her palm that had started stroking into his hair absent-mindedly. “I thought if I ever saw you again I would give you a piece of my mind. I'd tell you everything I’d built up in my head all these years.” His eyes move to her marked shoulder and he places his hand over hers. “But you’re making it hard on a man, sweetheart… looking at me like that.”

“Like what?” She quietly laughs and moves her chest to his, her other hand moving to hold his face and he encapsulates her other hand

“Like you used to. Like you love me.” There’s a pause and the cards are on the table. Neither was the type to fold and bluffing wasn’t an option in this company.

“That’s because I do.” She shakes her head. “I didn’t want to leave you, Javi.”

“Then why’d you do it?”

“I had to find out for myself, didn't I? I’m as hard-headed as you are, no one could tell me nothin’ at that age. I had big dreams, ones I couldn’t reach if I was with you.”

“What about now?”

“Now?”

“Could you reach them if you were with me now?”

She smiles almost condescendingly at him. “That’s why I’m here.” She whispers and gives him a small kiss to his lips before pulling away and moving farther into the room. “I just finished a job.”

His hands fall to his sides, holding to hers until they’re forced to let go. “And?”

“It was my goal. For a long time. I wanted to work with a billionaire and I have. So now I’m faced with what to do next.”

“Well, what do you want?” He takes slow steps towards her.

“You.” She looks his way with her big green eyes shining.

“How may I be of service?” He holds his arms out in offering.

She takes almost a full minute to speak and a worry grows in his gut as he musters all his patience to wait. “I’m tired, Javi.” Is the response she finally sighs out and meets his eyes.

With a furrowed brow he begins to move her towards the couch. “Well you were shot hun-“

“No. Not like that.” She stops him and her fingers pick at each other. “I want... this to be over.”

“You’re gonna have to give me a little more than that, sweetheart.”

“I was wrong. I can admit that now... now that I’ve found you again. I’m tired of this life. This... running. I’m tired of not being able to trust anyone and being alone and getting hurt and taking this disrespect from these men and-“

He shushes her as she speaks faster and grows more upset. “Take a breath baby, you’re fine. You’re with me. Nothin bad's gonna happen as long as I’m with you alright?” He says it and means it, an honesty she meets in his eyes that makes hers well up.

“I know. That’s why I don’t want it anymore. I want you. I want to be with you. I want to have that quiet life where nothing happens. I want to wake up and know we’re safe. Together.” She wraps her arms around him and he holds her tightly. She doesn’t cry but the sting is red on her face.

He stands and considers this confession, one he’s only had in his wildest dreams. While stroking her hair a million scenarios run through his mind. He eventually settles on one. “I’m tired too.”

It’s a simple sentence but it spoke volumes between them. “I have enough money, Javi. Enough for us to be happy somewhere.”

“You want to run?”

She feels the burn of reality in her chest. “I don’t know any other way.”

He looks away into the empty and dark room, hands on her face and stroking her temples. “Fuck…” he exhales. “I don’t either.” He shakes his head before looking back at her burning cheeks. “But fuck me am I tired of this shit too. They’re no better than the men you worked for. They’re all in bed together. There are no “good guys” and “bad guys”. There’s no fucking justice there’s just…”

This time she distracts him by kissing his palm. “I know Javi. I wanted to tell you when we were younger but you believed in it so much. I didn’t have the heart to-“

“I wouldn’t have listened.” He shrugs and watches her eyes pour our decades of apologies.

A long but not heavy moment of silence passes. Decades of memories whirling around, potential possibilities for the future playing out as his hands held her heart-shaped face and studied her. Both older, crinkles in the corner of their eyes and sun spots mixed with the freckles, their faces showed their age but their eyes were 18 again.

“I’m sorry.” She breaks the silence. “For everything.”

“So am I.” Is the best response he can muster.

“Instead of you asking me to stay… I’m asking you to go now. Ironic.” She smiles.

“Timing was never our strong suit.”

“No.” She shakes her head and softly laughs. “We didn’t talk much. Not with our words anyway.” The smiles shifted into a smirk.

“Never had to back then did we?”

“You only had to smile with that baby face and as soon as I’d see that dimple it was over.” She shakes her head in agreement. A rush of new emotions comes over. The happy memories. It was so easy to let the negative eat away at them and replace them. “You’re so much more handsome than I ever thought you could be.” She admits with a fully formed laugh. “Better looking than that scrawny young man I left.” She loves her hands to feel his shoulders and watch the grin spread on his face.

“You’re sweet-talking me now.”

“Well, I have to get you to run away with me. Thought I’d try flattery.”

“All you had to do this whole time baby was show up.” The grin he wore wasn't an exact match to the sentiment but she felt it like a knife. The mood shifts, they both feel it. A weight, but it was comforting. “There’s never been another woman that could even begin to replace what you meant… mean to me. This whole time it’s been you missing. The way only you’ve been able to make me feel and that... that damned beautiful face that makes me want to do anything it asks. It’s not fair on an old man sweetheart.”

“Run away with me. Fuck that job. We’ve taken a lifetime to figure out what we needed. Come with me, Javi. We’ll have that quiet little boring life. Like it should’ve been.”

“How can I say no?”

“I’m hoping you can’t.” She gives him the sweetest smile she can.

“You mean it don't you?”

“You seem surprised.”

“After all this time?” His eyes squint showing his disbelief.

“You are as handsome as you are clueless.” She laughs and reaches up to kiss him again. “I never wanted to leave. I never stopped trying to fill my guilt and regret with money and danger and drugs. Just feeling your hands on me like this right now feels better than anything else ever has. I can’t beat how you make me feel.”

He takes his cue, hands moving to pull her closer. “I can make it feel better, sweetheart.” A lower voice, one that was deep, sends a tremble down her spine. He didn’t sound like that when he was younger.

“You always did like to talk a big talk.”

“And I can walk it now. I’m not a kid anymore Esme. I’m a man.” A stern brow appears and she feels her insides melt. “If you think it was good then... well it was…” he gives that grin that wins women over time after time. “You’re gonna love what I can do now.” With broad shoulders and a strong jaw, he loomed over her, making her feel small in a way she didn’t want to fight against..

“Then stop talkin’ and show me, Javi.” She whispers, a seductive smile on her face. “Show me what I’ve been missing.”

“I can do that… but you’ll never wanna leave again.” He smirks before closing in.

“Make sure I don’t.” She softens for a moment, her hand carding through the almost curls at the nape of his neck. She lets the tension grow, the flirtatious closeness, an intimate sharing of smiles and breath isn’t taken for granted. Something hotter grows in the heat between their bodies, and as she had in the past, she gives him a direct signal to move forward. “We’ve waited long enough, Javi, stop sweet talkin’ and make love to me already.”

Her laugh is broken off by a commanding press against her mouth and his two strong hands moving into her hairline. She feels his smirk fade against her lips, each pass growing more and more urgent. With confident hands, he reaches down to grab her ass, one staying to her jaw. These weren’t the clumsy but enthusiastic hands she recalled. There weren’t short sweet kisses, unsure glances shared as he squeezed his eyes shut and tried not the cum so soon from inexperience. He handled her like a man, and she felt more like a woman than she had in years in his strong grip.

He didn't let up as he moved them to his bedroom his mouth stayed to hers, taking each breath and devouring it, savoring it with a tease of tongue before deepening again. She bit his bottom lip after a light slap to her ass to get her moving in the right direction. He spreads his fingers, handling as much of her body as he could, a hard controlled wobble of her ass cheek, another slap of ownership, not enough to hurt her, but enough to show her how he thought of her as his. Once he had her at the foot of his bed, as much as he wanted to take his time, he also wanted to ravage her and intimately know every inch of her he’d been away from. She kicks off her shoes, lost to the darkness of the room before he hitches her leg up, hand traveling back and forth on her thigh, exposed from the wrapped slit in her dress. His mouth follows where his mind wanders, to her neck to hear her sighs and hums. His hand snakes up the nape of her neck into the thick black hair, a tight fist to gently control her head, holding it back so he could explore the sensitive bend.

A moan from her elicits a response, “You like it like this?” spoken quietly in her ear as he gives her head the slightest yank back.

“Aye.” she sighs, her eyes fluttering back. “I love it.” she whispers, a smile on her face and her long lashes shadowing over her cheeks from her blissed expression.

He makes quick work of making her shudder from the pressure of his lips and tongue on her racing pulse. She let herself enjoy it, not another thought in her head except how it felt with him touching her. It was an abandonment she hadn’t been afforded in decades and the act of letting go had never felt so good before.

His kisses trail her neck, shoulder, making tender work of her scar as he slips her arms out of the sleeves. His hand was fast to her back and one to her naked chest makes him press his forehead to the wound he directly caused. “Fuck me, you’re even more beautiful now aren’t you?” his hand kneads her breast and his mouth moves lower over her exposed top half, the cinch at her waist the only thing keeping them apart now. “I wondered what you’d look… feel like now.” his words a quiet but the low rumble in it, pouring that masculine energy he gave off in waves made her melt in his hands. His hands move to cup her chest, an eager mouth, and open kisses before latching onto her hard nipples and triggering a moan he mirrors enthusiastically. “Now I get this… grown fuckin’ woman, don’t I? Fuck, look at you baby.” She wasn’t the skinny little thing he’d held before. She’d filled out, the years kind to her body from the athleticism they’d demanded. She was strong but soft in all the places he wanted her to be. Perky little tits and a tight ass were now something substantial. Something he could sink his teeth into and he wanted to touch every inch of it.

“Let me see you,” she asks quietly, pulling out of his embrace, dropping her dress to leave her bare. Her hands unbuttoned his shirt, tugging it out of those jeans that fit him just right. “I almost want to keep the jeans on you look so good in them.” she grins and reaches back to grab his ass and he jumps before they entwine again. A soft laugh and an old lover's embrace float them down to the bed together. Mouths and hands explored as she straddled him and felt the breadth of his shoulders and the lean muscle in his arms from work.

He laid back, hands moving over her naked body, taking her in with an open mouth in awe. Her arms knocked her tits together as he played and pinched, making her grind and giggle. With a slow drag of her hands down his chest, the soft fuzz covered his pecks, grew smaller, and flowered out again as her fingers followed the trail, her hands moving to unfasten his belt. “As handsome as you are… I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t most excited about this.” she leans forward and coos as her hand reached into his undone jeans, finding no underwear and considering teasing him for it. Then she remembered she had come to him not wearing any either. She supposes they were both whores and deserved each other. With a breathy indulgent laugh, she leaned forward, hearing him swear as she began kissing him again.

“I thought you loved me for my mind, sweetheart.” They both share a laugh and she bites his bottom lip.

“I love you for a lot of reasons, Javi. This cock has always been one of them.” The thick hair around his base was as soft as she recalled, maybe softer. But he certainly wasn’t. She kisses him through a groan, freeing him and feeling him fully harden in her hand. “Don’t know how you keep this thing in those tight little jeans.” she kisses down to his neck and he smirks, hand in her hair and the other still teasing her nipple.

“Same way I’m gonna fit it in your tight little pussy, baby doll.”

He hadn’t lost that smoothness, a perfected skill that made her bite his throat for making her throb and feel herself get wet and warm between her legs. “Suave.” she coos into his ear before licking the rim of it. “Now show me.” she demands sitting up and rubbing herself against his pulsing cock.

He moves quickly, his body trained and hers willing to submit to him. He sits up to grab her and push her to her back, hair splaying out, her breasts bouncing before heaving from the sudden excitement. There’s a girlish giggle he’d heard before as she watches him, her fingers disappearing between her pussy lips as he made quick work of his jeans and made his way back between her legs. “You’re still impatient.” he grins against her inner thigh, his hand tracing her slit, a bite to her inner knee that turns into a lippy kiss.

“For you.” she lets her arms fall back, biting her lip and watching him with interest.

His fingers find her swollen clit, both his cock and her sensitive bud jump at the touch. “And you still get so wet for me, Esme.” a trail of kissing to her inner thighs, moving lower towards her center makes her shiver. She didn’t have a response with the circling of her clit, the way he spread her knees apart before dipping down to suck the pulsing spot into his mouth.

“Fuck.” she exhales quickly. A compliment if he’d ever heard one. He did know what he was doing. His broad fingers teased her opening, waiting for that tension, that suction that meant not just her mind but her body was ready.

He hadn’t anticipated being the one not ready for the loud moan that left her thrown back head when he filled her with his fingers. One to test, another soon after added, and the trio to finish it was the curl of them inside her as he made her spasming clit even more sensitive with the suction of his mouth and the attention from his tongue.

“Fuck, Javi, don’t make me cum yet.” It was a plea and a chuckle at the same time.

“You think you’re only cumming once tonight?”

“I want the first time you make me cum to be on your cock.”

He hums deeply, “I can’t deny that, now can I?” a kiss to right above her lips before he eases the pace of his fingers and removes them. “C’mere baby.” he leans into her, hard against her slick folds, dragging his hips back and forth, a strong hand on her hip and his mouth firmly attached to hers again.

Her impatience shows, a brief indulgence of the feel of him, velvety against her before she reaches between them and angles him in. Her legs stay back, he's holding himself up on one hand before taking her hand, kissing her fingertips, and taking over himself. He teases her and it’s met to a whine, a pressure against her hole that was aching for him. “Javi, please.” her hips circle as a pout appears on her lips.

“That sounds too good for me to wanna stop, sweetheart.” he grins, knowing he was in control and being indulgent as fuck about it.

“You gonna make me beg?”

That cocky brow raises, rubbing his tip against her clit.

She raises her hips to meet him. “Fuck me, Javi. Don’t make me wait. I’ve waited too damn long already. Fill me up, I wanna cum so hard on that cock.”

He pushes into her to cut her words off, he loved dirty talk but he couldn’t take it tonight. He’d topple over far too fast, so best give her what she wanted. She was right after all, they’d waited too damn long for this. You couldn’t tell who was making what sound at first. Their limbs entwined, her legs around his hips, keeping him in and her nails into his back. He had his face buried into the side of hers, not willing to miss a sound, one hand on her lower back that was arched up off the bed and the other in her hair. He waited, feeling her tighten and then give to him. “That’s a good girl.” he exhales softly in her ear, feeling her whine as her legs fell farther apart for him.

It happens fast for her, something she wasn’t accustomed to. But no man had been him, and she didn’t recall the last time she felt like this, with every muscle aching and reaching for pleasure from someone. She’d never been able to give over, to trust enough to let some in like she did him. The fact that she was sober and feeling like this was something she didn’t even think was possible. She wasn’t usually so submissive, but while he was looking into her eyes, kissing her lips, temples, nose, and forehead while he moved inside her she didn’t want to be anything else but taken care of by him. His body pushed against her just right, her legs wide let him rub against her clit and the spots most effective inside her. “Javi.” it comes out so desperate and he moans into her mouth as she tries to kiss through her rapidly quickening breaths. “It’s so good.” it was rushed out and ended with a squeak of a sound as she first tightened around him, he knew what that meant. “Just like...like that.” water wells in her eyes, feeling it build from the depth of her stomach, a wave builds up into her chest.

He pushed her hair out of her face, looked her over watching the painful pleasure fall over her flushed cheeks, her lips swollen from his kisses, sweat dampening her hairline and he concluded she’d never looked more beautiful than she did like this. “Fuck you feel even better,” he says against her temple, leaving a comforting kiss while she slowly let herself go. “I feel it Esme, let go for me, lemme feel you baby.”

Her fingers turn to claws in his hair and sink into the thick of it and the skin of his back as she gasps his name like a warning. He puts his nose to hers, nuzzling and reassuring and watching her burst into full bloom. There was no high-pitched showiness like ages ago. She knew what she wanted, asked for it, and got it. She knew her body and what felt good and how to make it work.

He got to watch her body move in waves, a subdued but not quiet cycle of moans and swears, her thighs trembling around him, feeling her squeeze and drip and make the deep muscles in his stomach jerk at the white burst inducing pleasure behind his eyelids. Javi loved sex, for so many reasons. But to have sex with someone he loved? It was quickly making the other experiences fade into the background to be forgotten and replaced by every second he spent inside Esme. The sound of her moaning his name like she desperately needed him fogged his mind, her sounds, the whimpers from deep breaths stayed steady and after a shared moment of the most intimate thing someone could share with their bodies, she forced his mouth back to hers, even hungrier than before.

Riding high, feeling her insides soaked and sensitive and each stroke still forcing a moan from her, she holds him close, a bit less submissive now with a clearer head. The kissing grows more heated, nails raking and teeth sinking into skin deeper. “I wanna ride you.” is all she states, and he obeys, pulling her up and situating her, a deep moan as she sinks back down on him, a string of expletives as she finds her footing. “Fuck you’re so deep like this.” her face is more playful, biting her lip and smiling down at him. She lets her hands explore his chest, moving to his neck before he takes her wrist to kiss her palm, his palm on her bouncing chest. He groans, her thumb slipping into his mouth as he gives her a bite and lick, “You’re too god damn handsome.” she grins and shudders from a growing wave. A slap, barely enough to call it that makes him grin as it hits his cheek. He pushes the thumb of his hand he had held hers with into her mouth. She greedily sucks at it, feeling his hips jerk beneath her. He moves it between her legs, targeting her clit and her hips stutter. He’d make her cum again soon and she was almost embarrassed at how easy it was for him to make her. Only she could roll them out like this, but he certainly was right about knowing how to handle a woman.

“You're already close again.” his upper lip almost snarled back as he said it, his prowess he prided himself in but knowing he was making her in particular feel good was cutting off his usual time quickly.

“Fuck you, Javi.” he laughs and slaps her hips, grabbing them and making her move faster.

“Go ahead and run that mouth. See how long you can keep it up while I’m making you cum.”

She gave in with a flutter of eyelids and a whimper as he braced his feet and pounded up into her. “Oh shit.” she cried, a hand on his chest to balance herself, the other absentmindedly on her breast, twisting at her nipple. The higher-pitched moans made their appearance, her mouth open, panting and paced with the slaps of his balls against her ass.

He holds her hip, making her move and she watches him pop his thumb into his mouth before zeroing right back in on her clit again. He feels her tighten back up again, her thighs starting to shake as she tries to push back in time onto him, taking him deeper, feeling him slide into the deepest spaces of her, filling her up, and feeling him up into her belly.

“It feels so fuckin’ good, don’t stop. Cum for me.”

He switches modes, she sees his brow lower, his nostrils flare, a sharp slap to her ass before gritting out “Then fuckin’ ride me, baby girl.”

Planting her hands on his chest, he braces her wrist, other thumb still pushing her over the edge with the way he was pounding into her. She bounces on him, watching his eyes shut from time to time, holding back as she drenched his cock and balls, the wet slap of skin loud in the otherwise quiet room. She moves her hips up and down, in circles, grinding down when he hits her just right, the sheen of sweat is now obvious on both their skin. They were both breathing hard, exertion and excitement weighing heavily on them as they tried to sync up.

“Fuck that’s it,” he grunts, head raising slightly to watch himself disappear in and out of her. “C’mon and give me that pussy. I feel it Esme, fuck, don’t make me wait for it.”

He had never been able to dirty talk when he was younger, perhaps that was why it had such a strong effect on her. Because she did exactly what he asked, and came hard on him again. It was borderline violent, a combination of inner and outer taking over her whole body as their angry expressions matched up, groaning out his name through her clenched jaw, keeping eye contact and making him watch, seeing the mess drip from her as she rose and fell on his cock.

“That its…” is all he gets out, no masculine power tripped words as he came shortly after she did. His hips thrust hard to each pulse of cum that he filled her with. A deep grunt followed each thrust, his brow low as he quickly moved up, sweeping her to him, splayed together still inside her as he kissed her. They came down together, breathing soon normal, mouths still intertwined and hands still exploring curiously. As he moves to kiss her neck, both hands warm on her back she sighs loudly.

“I missed you, Javi.” she whispers, soft from the exertion and orgasms and the way he warmed every part of her he touched. “So much.”

“I’m here now,” he answers with a flick of his nose to hers, scooping her up and rolling them to their sides. He gives her a soft kiss before pulling away, standing, and yanking the covers down. He gives a pat to her bare ass, a signal to move as he then covers her up. As predictable as he could be, he makes his way to the pack of cigarettes in the other room and she gets to warm up and watch his cute ass walk away. “You want one?” he asks, looking down the lit cherry at her, now getting under the comforter with her.

Instead, she reaches over him, grabs one from the pack, and lights it off his, still in his mouth.

“First time you did that I almost came in my jeans.” he grins, taking a drag. “Always thought it was one of the sexiest things you’d ever done.”

“I wanted to show off. Good to know it worked.” she smiles.

There’s silence for a moment as they bask in the quiet of the room, she angled against him and his arm over her shoulders. “Are you gonna stay?” his eyes swing her way, pushing back a wild curl in her face.

“Here tonight or… in general.”

“Both.” he shrugs casually.

“You want me to stay tonight?” an eyebrow raised at him, squinting as she smoked.

“First time for everything.” she’d never watched a girl stay after he called her up. She’d wondered how this would go down but she was continually pleasantly surprised. "No, I don't want you to leave." he states it as obviously as he felt it was.

“What happens when someone sees me leave tomorrow?”

“Who says I’m not leaving with you?” he gives a nod her way. “You said you wanted to leave, right?”

“Yeah.” she answers softly.

“I don’t say things I don’t mean, sweetheart.” his voice demanded respect she already had for him, but after the sex, she was happy to know he hadn’t changed his mind.

“I’ve got enough money. I just have to go back and get it. I’ve got visas and passports for both of us.”

“You work fast.”

“I had to.” she smiles, scooting in closer. “Couldn’t risk wasting time.” her voice is softer, she put her head on his chest. “Do you want to quit your job? Or do you just want to...dissppear?”

“No.” he takes a drag. “I’ll quit first. I don't want them trying to find me. Or you.” his arm swings in and rubs hers to comfort her. “I want to tell them to go fuck themselves anyway.” he grins, amused by the thought. “I can empty my account, well what little’s in it. Packing isn’t exactly a worry for me. Long as I’ve got you with me.”

“You’re a real Cassanova.” she kisses his chest and smiles into the warm fuzz.

“I mean it.”

“I know.” she nods and wraps her arm around him, letting the cigarette land in the ashtray by the bed. “It doesn’t feel real yet, is all.”

He nods, letting his cigarette join yours in the ceramic dust-filled pile. “I’m afraid I’ll wake up and I’ve been dreaming. Or in a coma from being shot.”

“No, it’s real.” she sighs and runs her hand over his healing side. “I’ve fantasized about running, and being with you has been such a pipe dream I can hardly believe you…”

“What?”

“Love me still.”

“Never stopped. I couldn’t. You said you loved me, why’s it so hard to believe I love you too?”

“Because no one has since you.” the answer hurt his chest, he kisses her hair and pulls her into a firm embrace. “I didn’t think I deserved it.”

“Shhh.” he strokes her hair back and keeps his lips to her bare skin. “We're gonna get out, Esme. We’re going to leave this shit behind. Because we have to. We aren’t made for this like we thought. We aren’t like them.”

So that’s how he’d slept at night. Truthfully she’d entertained the denial on occasion too. He was a good man who did bad things. She thought of herself as a bad woman, but if the one person whose opinion she valued didn’t think so, she’d have to change her thinking on the matter. Maybe he was right. They just weren’t cut out for this, and instead of shame for failure, she felt relief for the first time in a long time. “Where do you want to go?” her voice sounded weaker, sleepier now.

“Far away.”

“How are you with cold?”

“What does that mean?” he huffs out a soft laugh.

“I thought someone cold might be nice. Somewhere in Europe. It’s beautiful there. A nice secluded cabin...maybe some dogs.”

“That the European version of a house and picket fence and two kids?” he chuckles. “It’s not what I originally wanted but…” he sighs, “It doesn’t sound bad.”

“What did you want?” she sounded different, he tilts her face up so he can see her eyes.

“What I said I did, sweetheart. You, a home in San Antonio, figured we’d have a couple of hell raisers. Get old and fat together. Spoil the grandkids.”

Her eyes flutter for a millisecond. “You really wanted that?”

“Why are you so surprised?”

“I didn’t know that’s really how you felt. Thought you were just falling in line with what was expected of you back then.”

“I was always sure about wanting you forever.”

“Kids?”

The way she said it answered his question, that’s where the surprise was. “Yeah. You’d keep a kid walking a straight line.” he grins. “Put the fear of God in them.” a laugh builds and he kisses her softly. “Maybe I’m getting soft in my old age. A man gets to a certain age and he starts thinking about these things.”

“I don’t know if I can… have kids at my age.”

“You act like you’re 50 hun.” he dismisses her worry without his tone being condescending. “I’m not asking you for kids, Esme. I’m answering your question. I wanted all of you. The good and bad. Even then.” he touches her chin sweetly. “As long I’ve got you I’ll be a happy man. We have so much time to make up for. Don’t worry that beautiful head about it. We haven’t even gotten out the door yet.” he gives her a lingering, comforting kiss.

“I’m sorry for leaving you.”

“I know you are, baby.” he whispers back.

“I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to you.” her eyes were honest, a sincerity he’d not seen from anyone in years.

“Then that’s our plan. Plain and simple.” he seals his promise with a kiss.

“We’ll figure out the rest in the morning?” her eyes looked hopeful again, face nuzzling into his hand that stroked her cheek.

“We’ll figure out the rest together in the morning.”

In the morning they figured it out. It went just as they planned. Plain and simple. Together.

@jaegeeeeer​ @likedovesinthewnd​ @inkededucatednnerdy​  @biharryjames @ladamari68​ @past-romantic​ @weliketomoveit @shikin83​ 

[hains-mae]

Flowers - Pt. 3

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5 (end)

(Damian x Reader) Soulmate AU

Rating: T

Ages: Damian and you are 16, everyone’s ages follow after.

Summary: Soulmate AU where the wounds on your soulmate turns into a flower tattoo on your skin, if it heals with no scars the tattoo goes away, if it heals with a scar then the tattoo stays.

It just got worse.

Disclaimer: I do not own DC. If I did, I wouldn’t make it as confusing as it is now.

The convention hall was huge. The lights shone brightly at the many innovative inventions made by the young minds of Gotham City. the entire city was invited to participate after all. As Wayne Enterprise made the whole event international, we had guests from all over the globe looking for potential students to take under their wing. Rumour has it that everyone on the guest list was hand picked by the man, Bruce Wayne, himself.

I looked around in a daze as I clutched the metal briefcase that held my project.

Running in an hour or two of sleep and caffein, I made my way through the growing crowd. Finally I was able to locate my designated table, a small booth in the chemistry section. I made quick work on unpacking the projector and placed it square on a folding table. It would play the presentation of what my project was about and all the necessary details to explain the chemical compounds and a quick scanned blueprint.

“I feel so nervous.” I mumbled to no one in particular.

Then placing a black cloth on the table as my workspace, I made sure to put the specifically designed gun carefully on a stand that I had quickly melded together. The projectiles rested in the container. Only two remained. I stared at it for a while as the scene of that fateful night replayed in my head.

I had found my soulmate.

Which was good.

He was Robin.

Which was bad.

There was a chance he could be Damian Wayne.

Which was worse.

This relationship was doomed from the start. My soulmate was a freaking vigilante! He was running around at night, putting his life in danger. Death was a constant in my mind after that. Knowing that one day I might loose him. It was a weird thing, this soulmate bond that we shared. Somehow meeting him solidified his existence in my life. Now every time I received another flower on my skin I would know what might’ve caused it. Worry started to form in my gut as I thought about the bullet wound in his shoulder.

I shook my head to get any more lingering thoughts out as I willed myself to focus on the task at hand. I needed to get my head in the game.

Pulling the beakers and flasks out as carefully as I could, I placed them each on the other side of the table. I filled them with their chemicals and started the burner. I had wanted to show them the process as a prototype. I doubted anybody here wanted to be encased in rock.

I was so deep in thought as I mindlessly tinkered around to keep my hands busy that I didn’t even realise a figure standing before me until he cleared his throat.

Looking up from my notes my eyes grew wide.

Mr. Bruce Wayne, owner and CEO of the Wayne Enterprises was standing at my table. He had a charming smile plastered on his face.

“My, what an interesting piece we have here. Don’t you agree Damian?” His voice was calm and even.

Speak of the devil, and he shall appear.

“I do, father.” He agreed. His eyes caught mine, and all I could do was stare into his green orbs.

“Oh forgive me.” Mr. Wayne chuckled and held out his hand. “Bruce Wayne.”

I returned the gesture and shook his hand telling him my own name.

“Pleasure to meet you.” He said. “And this is my son, Damian.”

“We met.” He said simply, but still took my hand and shook it.

“I’m really interested in your work.” Mr. Wayne continued. “I’d like to come back after I make the opening speech.”

“Of course.” I plastered on the best smile I could muster.

It wasn’t too long after that when Mr. Wayne came back, but this time he had an entourage. To his right he had his sons, all 4 of them. They were exactly as the magazines showed and described them to be. Each one was dashing. I didn’t know much about them, but hearing their names tossed around every day in school made me involuntarily learn anyway.

Richard, the eldest had a polite smile and kind blue eyes. They were warm in a comforting way and his manners were that of a well bred socialite. He waved at some of the students and nodded at a few of the adults he passed.

The one beside him was Jason, his cold glare could strike fear into anyone’s hearts. Especially when he is backed up with high status and money. No one dared mess with him. But even I had to admit there was a certain charm to his features, he had a bad boy kind of vibe.

Tim was next, walking just a few steps ahead of his older brothers. His nose was buried in an iPad and his fingers were flying through the screen at top speed. He was just a few years older than me, and I’ve actually seen him around the campus before, but I never met him.

Lastly, Damian. He stole a glance at me as they walked towards my table and turned to Tim, mumbling something before looking ahead.

To Mr. Wayne’s left were two well renowned chemists that I personally follow. Their works and research papers were incredible, it was actually the basis of my own invention. Instantly the butterflies in my stomach fluttered around.

After introductions were made, I presented my work and did a sample test before leading their attention to the finished product which were the glowing orbs.

“And what inspired you to create such an invention?” Mr. Wayne inquired.

“I just wanted to help.” I said truthfully. “We’re aware of the crimes around our city, and I thought it would make the job of catching the criminals easier.”

“And it will.” He smiled. “I’d like to offer you an internship in my company. And if you wouldn’t mind, a mentorship with my two top scientists there.”

“It would be an honour!”

This had to be the greatest moment of my life. For the first time that day I felt my mood get better.

The rest of the days passed on in a blur. My invention was one of the top picked topics in the scene, much to my pleasure, and the interview for the internships and mentorships went well. I honestly couldn’t ask for more.

Mr. Wayne’s secretary handed me, and a couple of other students he scouted, a form to fill out and sign. Our parents/legal guardians were immediately informed and the school assured them before any action is taken they will be holding another meeting. Everything seemed to be going smoothly. Many of us were able to grab great opportunities, both in and out of the cities.

I looked around and saw all the doors opening up for the next generation in Gotham. Happy smiles and excited chatter filled the room. Promises of a greater future were announced. I realised, this was probably history in the making. This would be where everything turns around for the better. I might sound overly sentimental, and perhaps a tad bit exaggerated, but I was feeling hopeful.

The interviews were over, and after the last of them had been held, the announcement came to remind us of the upcoming gala. We had an entire day to prepare – “Therefore, use it wisely.” Our professor advised.

Many of the girls had rushed out in groups (with a teacher chaperone) as they headed towards the fancy boutiques and malls. I on the other hand decided to be practical. My roommate and a couple of friends that I had made during my stay, required it be essential that I tag along with them. I was peer pressured (and I say that lightly), but it felt good to explore the city without the danger.

“Oh my god I just saw the Wayne brothers!” Someone squealed at the store front that we were in.

“What? No way! Where?” Another piqued.

We heard the teacher sigh and ask us not to make a scene since we were in public. I felt myself tense at the thought of him and his green eyes.

“They’re heading this way!”

I dove behind one of the clothing hangers and hid as best as I could. Good lord, is this some kind of drama series? My new friends sputtered out a greeting as I imagined them walking by, and all I could do was concentrate on not self-combusting.

“Y/n?”

My eyes darted up from the spot on the floor that I was staring at. I didn’t want to come out, but the longer I stayed behind the wall of clothes, the more embarrassed I became. With a defeated sigh, I walked out.

“H-hey.” I waved lamely.

“What were you doing behind the clothes rack?” Damian cocked a brow at me.

“I was looking at it, kinda the reason I came here.” I said, not really meaning to sound defensive but it came out that way anyway, and I already wanted to take it back.

“You’re that girl with the blue marbles.” The eldest said smiling broadly. “Y/n L/n, right?”

I nodded meekly.

Dick smirked and went back to his smoothie.

“The one Damian wouldn’t shut up about?” Jason teased wickedly. I felt my blood rise up to my face.

Damian kicked him behind his knees which only made the man laugh.

“You know better than to tease.” Tim rolled his eyes at his brothers antics. “You’re embarrassing him in front of his crush.”

I just wished the floor would swallow me whole right now.

Tim immediately hid behind Dick and the laughter was nearly uncontrollable from his brothers. Damian was currently fuming, and tomato red in the face.

“I’m going to kill you Drake.” He said through clenched teeth.

Dick groaned. “Cant you guys behave?” He strolled over to me and tapped my shoulder lightly. “You’re embarrassing y/n.”

“Sorry, it was just meant for lil-D over here.” Jason apologised.

“Alright boys, that’s enough.” The teacher called out. “We’ve got a schedule to follow. I’ll have to cut this meeting short.” She was right, and I was so thankful at the moment that we did.

Dick apologised again, and pushed his brothers to move along. As soon as they were out of earshot the girls bombarded me with questions, demanding they know the details. There wasn’t anything to tell, since I’ve only known them as long as the length of this trip, but they didn’t let the subject go. I thanked my lucky stars that the rumours I heard about the boys and their fanatic fangirls did not exist in the group I was in. They had gushed about how lucky I was to catch their eye – I really wish they didn’t – and how amazing it must be for them to hold an interest in me – I honestly could care less. But girls being girls, I had to let them be.

The evening  of the gala arrived faster than I anticipated, and true to their promise, the girls had all squeezed themselves into my room.

“You guys really don’t have to do this.” I said, slightly exasperated.

“Nonsense.” They quipped back. “We’re all going to look fabulous and make a great impression.”

They rolled out their brush pouches and stacked their make up on the vanity table. I eyed it all wearily.

Sometimes I had to hand it them, females can be terrifying when they need to be.

“Do you think this will be it?” One of them asked out of the blue. “Is this what is going to turn this city around.”

“I hope so. Thing’s are getting worse around Gotham, if this works, we can secure a safer future.”

“Look at us sounding diplomatic.” We laughed at that.

“I think it’ll work out.” I told them with an air of confidence. I saw the looks everyone had at the gatherings. It wasn’t just hope. There was a sense of motivation. An active decision in every one of them that wanted to strive for more. It was encouraging and empowering.

We all shared a unanimous agreement and continued on preparing.

I wasn’t joking when I said I would be practical. I pulled out one of my mothers old gowns from a battered box that was hidden deep under my suitcase. It was off white, with a few hints of lavender and creamy grey. The dress was long-sleeved, made with loose and flowy material. The collar tapered upwards and into a modest keyhole neckline. On my waist rested a silver strap embezzled with crystals. It’s length reached the floor and the slightest movement swayed in the wind. It made me look like I was floating.

As we made our way to the entrance of the gala, men in black suit tailcoats took our coats and opened the grand doors. I was in shock at the beauty of the room.

The entire ceiling look painted on by Michelangelo, in between hung massive sparkling chandeliers. The windows were from ceiling to floor and draped in expensive red velvet curtains. I gazed in awe at the marbled floor that were polished so well we could see our reflection from it.

Light music hummed tastefully in the air as my friends were whisked off by the boys for a dance.

“Y/n!” A savvy voice called out from across the crowd. Turning around I found the Wayne brothers around a table. I managed a wave.

They waved back and invited me over. How could I refuse? Steeling my nerves, I walked towards them.

“Good evening.” I said politely.

“You look stunning.” Dick complimented. Beside him was a woman with incredibly dazzling red hair, it almost looked like it was on fire. Her bright smile reached up to her green eyes. “This is Kory. Kory Anders. Kory, Y/n.”

She stood up tall and shook my outstretched hand.

“Pleasure.” I said as I introduced myself.

“It is glorious to finally meet you.” She said. “I have heard many things.”

I noted her slight accent and choice of words. She must’ve come from another country.

“All good I hope.” I chuckled nervously.

Her smile only widened. “You need not worry.”

“Would you like to sit with us?” Tim offered.

I looked across the dance hall and saw that my friends were already at their own table. I accepted it and sat down at the last seat which was available, and as fate would have it, it was next to Damian.

When I moved to take my place, his perfume infiltrated my senses, leaving me slightly light headed. I pushed my qualms away not wanting to look rude.

“Hello again.” I spoke to him.

Damian nodded, his expression unreadable.

We made small talk, and discussed about the what I should be expecting when I started working at their fathers’ company. They gave me the basic ropes and tried to ease the pressure away.

Then the topic moved to my invention. I told them how I actually got the idea from my dad, they found it honourable in a way. I felt a sense of pride blossom.

Jokes went around as the food was being served. I quickly learnt Dick had the worst case of pun-overdrive, yet it still had me giggling because of how bad it was. Jason was not any better at his come backs to his brothers play on words. They made quiet the duo. Kory laughed heartily between them. Tim and Damian were taking turns lightly jabbing one another, it was almost endearing. As I looked at them from where I sat I couldn’t help but miss the simpler times my family and I shared.

The melody from the band took a slow turn and I saw Dick stand up.

“May I have this dance?” He offered his hand to Kory and exaggerated a bow.

“I would be delighted.” She giggled and let herself be swept onto the dance floor.

I watched as they danced to a slow waltz. Her hands were on his neck as his was kept firmly on the small of her back. They looked lovely together.

“That’s my cue.” Jason spoke up, his eyes gazing the crowd for what I assume was a possible dance partner.

Tim followed shortly behind, but not without leaving us with a wink and tap on his nose.

Damian cleared his throat, breaking my reverie.

He stood and offered his hand. “Would you like to dance?”

I blinked at him, surprised that he actually asked. I gingerly put my hand on his and nodded.

He expertly sashayed us to the middle and twirled me around before moving us to the rhythm of the music.

“You’re good.” I should’ve known he was a skilled dancer.

“You’re not so bad yourself.” He replied.

His scent was overwhelming, especially being this close to him. I reminded myself that his boy could very well be Robin.

Robin, the vigilante. I sighed inwardly. How could I have forgotten? But if he was then… My hand that was on his shoulder tightened ever so slightly as I remembered the gun shot.

“Is everything okay?” Damian asked, squeezing my hand.

“Yeah, everything’s fine.” I lied. The urge to just ask him never felt so powerful until this moment.

It’s not your place to know. I scolded myself for being presumptuous. This could all have been a big misunderstanding on my part, and I could very well upset him if I asked, not to mention embarrass myself. It wasn’t that I wanted to pry, but the bond I shared with my soulmate only seemed to strengthen these past few days. It drew us closer but I couldn’t begin to explain how. You hugged him, you hugged a stranger – that is a mystery in itself, my inner muse stated.

But then the question of the day was; if he was aware of who I was. There was no way he could possibly tell, there was no proof except for the time I cried out in pain when he got shot. Then again, anyone would’ve screamed if they witnessed that.

I settled with the verdict that he most likely doesn’t know.

“I’d like to apologise about yesterday.” Damian said, sounding solemn. “My brothers have been a thorn to my side ever since I could remember.”

I laughed. “It was embarrassing, but I forgive you, and your brothers.” He visibly relaxed. “It felt like I was reliving some old memories.”

“Do you have siblings as well?”

I shook my head. “No, but it would be nice to. Unfortunately right now it’s just me and my mom. It gets a little lonely but we manage.”

Damian let out a quiet ‘oh’ before lapsing into silence again. I didn’t want to kill the mood so I quickly thought of what to say to keep the conversation going.

“So what about you?” I asked. “I mean, anything you’re comfortable sharing of course.”

The boy sighed and looked up to think before answering.

“I like to paint.” He said. My eyes grew wide at that.

“For real?”

He arched a brow in confusion. “Yes. Is something wrong with that?”

I quickly shook my head again. “No, no of course not. I just, well, it’s surprising. That’s all.”

“Tt, not something you expected?” He teased lightly which only made me surprised all the more.

Was he trying to – flirt?

I laughed. “Guilty as charged.”

Damian looked a little proud of himself.

“What do you like to paint?” I asked curiously.

“Mostly portraits.” He answered easily. “And my pets.”

I gave a fake gasp. “The Damian Wayne, painting his pets. I would never have guessed.”

He smirked.

“So, is it a dog?” I asked.

“Yes, there’s a dog.”

“There’s? Meaning there are more?”

He smirked again this time wider.

“A cat.” I guessed.

He nodded. “Yes there’s a cat too. Though I doubt you’d be able to guess the rest of them.”

Laughing again, I shook my head in disbelief. “You are one intriguing person, Damian Wayne.”

“I could say the same about you.” He told me squarely.

The heat on my cheeks creept up. I looked away a little embarrassed.

He opened his mouth to say something to me, but was cut off.

I heard screams.

Damian quickly pushed me to the ground and shielded me as the glass windows shattered. The shards fell ferociously all around us.

“Fuck.” He gritted his teeth and looked down at me. “Are you okay?”

I nodded. “What was that?” I clutched my head, my ears were ringing from the sound of the blast that shattered the windows. I looked around panicked and scared.

“Don’t know.” He told me gruffly as he pulled us both back up.

Grappling hooks shot up from the broken windows and before I knew it I saw the pointed end of a sword aimed towards Damian’s.

“Damian!”

In that moment I cast aside all the doubts. I still wasn’t sure but if by a long shot; this was Robin, if Damian was Robin, then he could do something about this.

He knew how to fight. Unlike me. If I could give him a head start or a fighting chance, then he and the other superheroes could save everyone.

That’s what I told myself anyway as time stilled and I took the leap.

The blade sliced into my lower back and for a split second all I could feel was searing hot white pain. I cried out as it rippled through my torso. The sword was pulled out just as quick as it was pushed in. I could swear the world was tipping over. The blood had gushed out and I found it staining Damian’s pristine suit.

I could barely hear Damian’s scream as I phased in and out of consciousness. Somehow he had blocked another hit that was aimed at us before kicking the man as far away as possible. He pulled me towards him and muttered something incoherent before dashing across the hall.

The warmth of my own blood pooled over me. Mom would kill me when she saw the stain, if I wouldn’t bleed to death before she finds out that is.

“Shitshitshit, y/n!” He ducked behind a table and grabbed a bunch of  napkins, applying pressure as he held it against my stomach. “Stay with me, you’re going to be alright.”

I weakly nodded, feeling sick to my stomach at the smell of iron and sudden blood loss.

“Fuck.” Jason slid next to us as the gunshots started to fire. He noticed me and his features paled. “Oh, shit.”

“Jason, I need to bring her somewhere safe!” Damian said, his voice urgent.

“All citizen, please evacuate the building!” A strong voice bellowed from above us. It was a woman, dressed in purple. Her hair was on fire (literally) as it trailed behind her.

Starfire. But what was she doing in Metropolis…?

The people ran towards the entrance and a man in a tight body suit with a blue winged symbol on his chest directed the crowd flow.

Superboy zoomed in next, his features etched in worry as soon as he saw me. The wound must’ve been worse that I thought.

“What the hell is going on?!” Damian demanded from the superhero. “I thought this place was secured.”

“Kryptonite.” Superbly answered with an ominous tone. “I don’t know what happened but we should get the civilians – uh, you guys, to safety.”

The amendment wasn’t lost on me.

“Y/n, I’m going to find you after all this is over.” Damian promised. “Until then please, hang in there.”

I managed a weak smile and a sad excuse of a chuckle as the blood started to run down the corner of my mouth.

“I still need to guess the rest of your pets.” I joked, hoping to lighten the scene.

His response was a pained smile.

“Take her to Alfred.” He delicately passed me on to Superboy’s arms. “He’ll know what to do.”

Superboy nodded and flew away. The last thing I remembered was Nightwing and Starfire fighting off mechanical robots and ninja assassins. After that, my world went dark.

...

...

... to be continued ...

[emotionally-imbruised]

Santa Tell Me

“Don’t make me fall in love again if he won’t be here next year.” ❆

A/N: Oh wow, she actually wrote something. Who is she? HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE.

Word Count: 7k

A cool breeze drifted across the room, causing goosebumps to rise on Y/N’s exposed skin as she instinctively cuddled up against the warm body lying next to her. She tried to fall back asleep, but unfortunately, her thoughts refused such a luxury as she began thinking of how this really was the last place she should be.

She didn’t mean to spend the night, but after a few glasses of wine and a deep conversation instead of paying attention to the Christmas movie that played in the background, she was a bit more welcoming to the way Harry’s hand rested on her thigh; rubbing soft circles with his thumb before eventually leaning in to catch her lips with his. And she let him! God, why did she let him?

Y/N’s relationship with Harry was complicated, to say the least. The two of them have been friends for quite some time, however, things became a little difficult roughly a year and a half ago when they began sleeping with each other.

It started off casual, there were no strings attached whatsoever. The two of them were just good friends and single. One fateful night when she and Harry had gone out, he ended up at her apartment, with minimal clothing, and the rest was history. Well, kind of.

She wasn’t expecting to sleep with him for a second time after that… or a third… and most definitely not a fourth; but the universe has a funny way of working sometimes and soon enough, hers and Harry’s little arrangement became a rather common occurrence.

It was great, for a while. Although the two of them were quite literally just fuck-buddies, neither of them tried to really change the situation because they were both content with it. There was no labeling of what their relationship had become. They were both exclusively sleeping with one another, their friends were somewhat aware of what was going on but tended to stay out of it, and it just worked.

But then Y/N caught feelings.

She hated how easy it was to fall for Harry back then with his stupid smile and magnetic personality, but it was just so hard to avoid.  Especially seeing how being intimate with him seemingly brought out the significant feelings she felt towards him, regardless of how hard she tried to keep them hidden. But the thing was, it was almost as if Harry had caught feelings as well.

He was the one to address what happened after the first time the two of them slept together, even going as far as to blatantly say that he wouldn’t mind if it happened again. It was also him that hinted at Y/N being the only person he was seeing. He was still the kind, funny, sweet Harry that she knew and loved dearly as a friend; but this brought a whole new meaning to their relationship and they weren’t aware of how complicated things were bound to get.

Last Christmas was when everything started to fall apart. Y/N fell so hard for him and based on his very affectionate actions towards her, even when they weren’t just shagging, gave her the impression that he might’ve felt the same way. But for whatever reason, they were both too chicken to admit that they wanted more.

She had finally mustered up the courage to tell Harry that she loved him; but on Christmas Eve when she planned on actually telling him this, she never got the chance to do so.

He stood her up, to put it simply. The two of them had plans to go to a Christmas market together and while they were out, Y/N decided that she was going to tell Harry how she felt. She was pretty sure he knew about her feelings too and that made it even more nerve-wracking. However, after she arrived and waited for him for over half an hour without a text to say where he was, she went home and didn’t hear from him again.

The following day, all Y/N received was the obligatory Merry Christmas texts friends send to one another. Harry didn’t explain why he didn’t show, didn’t give any indication that he wanted to see her again over the holiday season, and she was too hurt to ask why. So, she let it be.

Then he jetted off to Japan and soon was caught up in the whirlwind of what it meant to be a celebrity. Which was fine. As his friend, she still rooted for him in everything he did, despite how stupid she felt for falling for one of her best friends.

The year came and went fairly quickly, and it was a rather significant one for Harry. Having co-hosted the met gala and putting the final touches on and beginning promo for his second album, it was no wonder he was so busy all of the time. Y/N was busy too, having immersed herself into work while trying to pan out what her future entailed and where she would end up.

Throughout the year, both Y/N and Harry remained in touch, which they were both extremely thankful for because of how they were such good friends, to begin with. What happened last year at Christmas was never addressed, and was kind of just dropped. Almost as if it didn’t happen. But then one night when Harry was back in London a few months ago, all of that changed.

She hooked up with him… again… and it soon began somewhat of a regular occurrence all over again. But this time she was careful. Y/N didn’t want to get hurt like last year because those feelings she had never really gone away, so she was a bit more hesitant on how often the two of them would shag.

Instead, she focused on hanging out and catching up with her friend because she really missed him this year with how busy he was; and luckily for her, Harry was seemingly ok with that.

However, that didn’t mean there wasn’t the odd slip up where one of them ended up in the others bed every once in a while... Kind of like what happened last night.

Harry was still dead asleep beside her, and Y/N’s want to just dip and never speak of this again was very prominent. There were only a few days left until Christmas and she needed to go into work that afternoon to finish up some last-minute things before she was off for the holidays, but leaving the nice warmth of Harry’s bed was proving to be rather difficult.

After a moment of consideration, she decided that she should use this time to escape. It would mean avoiding Harry, but she was pretty ok with that because no, she didn’t want to talk about what happened and as of late, it seemed like Harry has.

Letting out a sigh, she untangled herself from the sleepy hold Harry had around her waist and got out of the bed. She bit down on her lip as she took in the clothes skewed around the room before making a dash for the en-suite. If she showered at Harry’s, all she would have to do is run home and change before going into work. It was bound to save her some time, so she decided on that and stealing some over Harry’s oversized clothing instead of putting the previous night's outfit back on.

When Y/N took a look at herself in the large mirror above the vanity, a disgusted noise left her mouth. She looked rough, and the want to shower grew even more.

She quickly moved to the small cabinet and grabbed one of the large fluffy towels that resides within it so that she could wrap it around herself before brushing her teeth.

Yes, she had her own toothbrush at Harry’s. He had one at her flat too. It was something the two of them started years ago and just never weaned itself out. Whenever one bought a new toothbrush, they’d buy the other one too and put it in its respective place for them to use the next time they were over.

As Y/N ran some warm water over the brush before putting some toothpaste on it, she didn’t notice the presence of another being sneaking up behind her until she looked back at the mirror and locked eye contact with them.

“Holy shit!” She jumped, almost dropping her toothbrush in the process. “What the hell, Harry?”

“G’morning to you too,” he responded, sleep still lacing his voice as he walked up to the vanity to stand next to her.

He didn’t say anything else, just reached for his toothbrush and began brushing his teeth as if nothing happened. The two stood next to each awkwardly, each glancing at the other every once in a while and Y/N hated it. It was as though there was this huge elephant in the room separating them even though there was really only a couple of inches between them. So, as she finished rinsing off her toothbrush and waited for Harry to do the same, she slowly began stepping away from the vanity.

“I uh, I’m just going to take a shower if that’s alright? Then I’ll be out of your hair.”

He nodded in understanding before glancing I’m towards the door and biting down on his lip as if contemplating what he was going to say next. “You know you don’t have to leave, right?”

“What? Er- I, well.” His response caught her completely off guard and she wasn’t too sure how to respond. After a brief moment, she was able to recollect herself. “No, I do. I uhm, I have to go into work to finish up a few things before we’re closed for the holidays. Just a quick shower and then I’ll be on my way.”

Harry knew what she was doing, knew that she was trying to not discuss what happened between them the night before and avoid him as much as possible as a way to do so. He thought of a way to approach it but settled on just messing with her a little bit instead.

“Ok, I need to shower too.”

Without another word, he walked over to the large glass shower and reached in to turn the water on.

It didn’t take long for the warmth of the running water to create a steam-filled room and once Harry was done gathering a towel for himself, he finally made eye contact with Y/N from where she was standing in front of the mirror gawking at him in the reflection. A small chuckle escaped his mouth before he started removing the track pants he wore, all while not looking away; as if silently taunting her.

“I know what you’re doing and it’s not going to work,” she stated as she spun around to face him.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about, love,” he replied innocently as he wrapped the towel around his waist before ridding himself of his boxers and stepping towards her.

“You’re trying to get me to shower with you.”

“M’trying to save on my hydro bill this month actually, but that doesn’t sound too bad either.”

She couldn’t think of a way to respond as he finally reached her, and gently linked their hands together. Harry was well aware that if he were to lead, she would follow. It worked both ways with them, seeing as he knew damn well of the lengths he would go for her... but it wasn’t the time to discuss that yet. He just wanted to be with her for a little while longer, so when he started walking towards the shower with her in tow, he decided that he’d use his time very wisely.

Once their towels were removed and they were under the warm running water of the shower, very few words were spoken between the two. Y/N wasted no time in being the first to wet her hair and start washing it, eventually switching places with Harry so that he could do the same.

Both would have been lying if they said there wasn’t an intense amount of sexual tension as their bodies brushed against each other with each movement, which Y/N tried greatly to ignore. She needed to get clean and leave; already feeling stupid enough to fall for his antics and join him in the shower at all but also very much so not wanting to change anything about her current predicament.

As she finished rinsing the conditioner from her hair and went to step out from under the water, her back came in contact with a sturdy force that she knew could be nothing other than Harry. Immediately, she turned around to face him. With the way he looked down at her, eyes sleepy and seductive, she knew that him standing that close was intentional, but still couldn’t help the tiny yelp that left her mouth as he leaned down to crash his lips against hers.

Her back soon came in contact with the cool tile wall the shower head was mounted on. That in contrast with the warm water that still poured on her and Harry, along with the firm grip he had on her waist, was all rather exhilarating. It didn’t take long for her to melt into the kiss, opening her mouth to allow him further access and tangling her hands into his hair.

Y/N smiled when he moaned against her mouth as a result of her tugging slightly on his dampened curls, feeling proud of herself for being able to get him as worked up as he manages to get her. His hands then began roaming, spending some time massaging each of her breasts before leaving a tingling trail of sparks as he moved them down to where she was throbbing to feel him.

“Harry-,” she gasped before he could do anything else, causing him to freeze. He leaned against her slightly and she felt his length against her. Felt just how hard he was with anticipation and although part of her wanted to reach down and help with that, her mind screamed at her not to as thoughts of what occurred a year ago started flooding her mind again. “Fuck, what are we doing?”

“M’not sure I know what you mean,” he mumbled before leaning down to latch his mouth and that sweet spot in the crook of her neck he knew would have her seeing stars. His hand then reached down to where she was basically dripping for him and rubbed a harsh circle on her oh-so-sensitive bud with his middle and ring fingers. Her knees buckled as she gripped onto him even more, and he made no effort to hide the smug grin he wore as he moved back to get a better look at her. “Seems like you’re enjoying whatever it is we’re doing.”

“I- I am,” she stuttered as his fingers continued their work and another gasp left her mouth just as his lips met hers hungrily.

“Then what’s the problem?”

She moaned against his mouth and felt herself fading into his touch again, loving him and how he made her feel. Then her eyes widened in panic as she realized what she just internally admitted to herself and began pushing him away.

“No, no. We can’t keep doing this,” she stated as she created enough space between the two of them so that she could worm herself around him and exit the shower.

“Y/N, wait,” he followed after her, only to be met with a towel coming in contact with his face after she chucked it in his direction.

“No, Harry! Last night shouldn’t have happened and neither should have the times before… I can’t keep being with you like this, not after what happened last year. I refuse.” Her voice cracked slightly at the last part of her statement as she worked on wrapping herself up in a towel again before turning to face him; eyes widening as she took in his still naked form. “For fuck's sake, please put on the towel would you?”

He fumbled with the item while reaching into the shower and shutting off the water before finally wrapping it around his waist, and stepping towards her. “Ok, ok. I, fuck, I don’t even know where to start Y/N. Please just stay and we can talk about this. All of it. We can talk about us…”

“There is no us, H,” she replied and Harry was sure he saw tears threatening to form in her eyes as she looked at him. “You ruined that last year when you just up and left without an explanation.”

“If you’d let me explain, I would be more than happy to,” he argued; becoming frustrated with how stubborn she was being.

“No, I have to go. I need to borrow some clothes to wear to my place so I can put something on for work. I’ll get them back to you somehow.”

“But-,” he wanted to try and reason with her but there was no point because in the next moment, she was rushing out of the bathroom and Harry knew better than to go after her.

Walking into the office, Y/N tried to avoid eye contact with her co-workers. It’s not that she didn’t get along with any of them, but her hair was still damp from the shower she just had and she very much so looked like she was coming from a place she shouldn’t have been.

She was overly frustrated with herself for staying at Harry’s longer than planned because, on top of everything that just happened between the two of them, she now had the attention of everyone in the office as she shamefully made a beeline for her desk. As much as she hated the thought, she knew she’d get grilled sooner rather than later.

“You look rough,” stated Candace, a fellow journalist and by far the best friend Y/N had made since starting work in that particular office.

“I really don’t want to talk about it C,” Y/N replied as she took off her jacket and sat at the desk next to her friend. “I’ve had a shitty morning.”

“I can tell,” she responded with a chuckle before spinning around and grabbing a still warm Starbucks cup from the tray located next to her. “You weren’t responding to my texts so I figured something was going on. Thought you could use a little pick-me-up.”

Y/N let out a thankful sigh of relief as took the cup from Candace’s hand and took a big gulp. “God, you’re a lifesaver.”

“I do what I can,” she chuckled and shook her head. “Boss woman is letting us go home early today once we’re done our piece for next week's column, but I just really want to know where it is you’re coming from and why you’re so salty because of it.”

“What makes you think I’m coming from anywhere in particular and that I didn’t just sleep in?”

“Well you are pretty much drowning in that hoodie you’re wearing, so I know it’s not yours,” she stated, causing Y/N to look down at her outfit and take in her pair of ripped jeans and Harry’s sweater she stole on her way out of his flat. “Is it a boy’s? Oh, it definitely is. You gotta spill.”

“I, well, this is Harry’s.”

“Like Harry Styles… as in your famous best friend,” Candace asked for clarification, a frown forming on her mouth when Y/N nodded. “Well damn, I thought I was going to get some juicy details about a guy you were sleeping with.”

Y/N stayed silent and shifted awkwardly in her seat.

“Wait… YOU’RE SLEEPING WITH HIM AGAIN?”

“Would you calm down!?”

“No, I can’t,” Candace replied and leaned closer so no one else would hear her losing her mind. “How? When did this happen?”

“It’s been off and on for a few months now,” Y/N explained with a shrug. “I’ve been wanting to just stop altogether because of what happened last year, but I don’t know.”

“You still like being with him, don’t you?”

“Of course I do. Pretty pathetic, right?”

“Not pathetic,” she stated. “Surprising, yes. I thought you didn’t want anything to do with him that wasn’t completely platonic after what happened last year.”

“I didn’t,” Y/N told her honestly. “But he sucked me right back in and I ended up falling harder than I did before.”

“Oh, to be in your shoes.”

“Shut up, I’m having an internal crisis over this whole thing.”

“I mean, you could always just tell him how you feel,” Candace told her with a wink. “Seems like a pretty easy solution to me.”

“Except it’s not.”

“Why is that?”

“Because what if he doesn’t feel the same and I just make a fool out of myself… again.”

Candace was about to respond to that but didn’t get the chance to when Y/N’s phone dinged with a new notification from her jacket pocket, causing them both to look in the direction the noise came from. “That’s him, isn’t it?”

“Even if it is, I’m not going to answer.”

“Quit being dramatic,” Candace scoffed and stood up from her chair. “I’m going to get some water and then we’re going to finish this article so we can get the hell out of here. Just respond to the man.”

Y/N knew she was being dramatic and although she was very hesitant in doing so, she reluctantly pulled her phone out to look at it.

Harry

Y/N, we‘re going to have to talk about this eventually.

Y/N

Doesn’t have to be any time soon.

Harry

I’d prefer if it was.

She stared at her phone for a second, debating on a response but didn’t bother writing anything as the typing bubble appeared on Harry’s side of the screen once again.

Harry

I owe you a trip to the Christmas market since we didn’t go together last year. Meet me there tomorrow night and we can talk?

Y/N

Are you actually going to show up this time?

Harry

Yes, I promise. Meet me there for say, 9pm?

Y/N

Ok.

Harry

Great. See you then. x

Y/N audibly sighed as she set her phone on her desk, but that soon turned into an internal groan when she heard a familiar voice call her name and looked up to see the literal last person she wanted to see walking towards her.

Connor was nice… enough. He was one of the I.T guys that helped around the office with any technical difficulties there may be, and also just so happened to be someone Y/N kind of, almost, hooked up with earlier in the year. It was a one-time thing. After continuously turning him down as a result of her relationship-ish type thing with Harry, he kept asking her out up until early spring when she finally agreed. They went for dinner, she had a mediocre time, then they made out before she denied his invitation to go back to his place and went home instead. The rest was history.

However, Connor didn’t see it that way.

She would continuously turn him down, but he kept coming on to her after that. Y/N was aware that she had not properly shut him down but just would come up with excuses as to why she was too busy and couldn’t go out with him instead, and hadn’t really got the chance to either. She didn’t want to tell him she wasn’t interested at work in front of everyone else, and she also didn’t want to tell him over text because both situations seemed pretty shitty. So, she kept on with the excuses.

“Uh, hey Connor!” She greeted with somewhat of a smile as he walked up to her desk and leaned against it.

“How’s it going?”

“Pretty good. Going to try to get my work done fast so I can get out of here ASAP. How about you? Any plans for the holidays?”

“Not really,” he explained. “I’ll go see my family on the 25th but that’s about it. Hey, listen, do you have any plans for tomorrow evening?”

And there it was. But at least this time, she didn’t need an excuse for turning him down.

“I do actually,” she told him. “I’m meeting a friend at the Christmas market.”

“I see,” he replied disappointedly.

Just tell him you’re not interested already, Y/N internally screamed at herself, but still couldn’t figure out a way to actually to just flat out tell him that; until she was struck with an idea.

“You know what,” she started. “Why don’t we meet up beforehand? There’s a little pub down the street from the market, we can meet there at around 8:30pm to grab a drink and… talk.”

“Yes!” He exclaimed, causing Y/N to jump as he pushed away from her desk and started walking away. “It’s a date, I’ll text you.”

“Wait no, it’s not a-,” she called after him, but there was no point as he rounded the corner and disappeared out of sight. “...date.”

“Oh, now you’ve messed up,” Candace’s voice sounded from behind Y/N as she walked back to her desk.

“No, I’m going to meet him for a quick drink and then let him down easy. Simple as that.”

“You sound pretty confident for someone who hates confrontation,” Candace scoffed. “Need I remind you how you’ve been avoiding talking to Harry for this exact reason.”

“Ok, no need to call me out like that,” Y/N whined and leaned back against her chair dramatically. “It’s going to be fine… I hope.”

“You and me both cause I’m sick of hearing about your dating struggles when I can’t even get a text back.”

“You want them? Take them. I’m over these struggles more than you are.”

“Whatever,” she chuckled. “Let’s finish this article and get the hell out of here so you can go home and prepare for the shitshow of a night you’re going to have tomorrow.”

“Thanks for the optimism, C. Don’t know what I’d do without you.”

The pub was busy for a Tuesday evening, much to Y/N’s dismay. It really shouldn’t have surprised her though seeing as it was Christmas Eve.

Not everyone goes home for the holidays, hell she was a prime example of that with how she didn’t have plans to go see her family until Christmas was over. Also, some people just don’t enjoy the time of year… which was fair. But Y/N still couldn’t help but wish she didn’t have to aggressively use her elbows just so she to get to the bar and order a drink, all while hoping no one would take her table once she stood up to do so.

Connor was late showing up, and she extremely annoyed over it. She was about to leave when she glanced down at her phone to see it was almost 9pm, but then she got a message from him saying he’d be there shortly and decided to wait. Her phone battery was dangerously low, so she sent a quick text to Harry saying she’d be a few minutes late and apologized before the device died completely and she had to sit in boredom until Connor showed up.

She wasn’t sure how much time passed when U + Ur Hand by P!nk started blaring through the speakers of the pub, mindlessly tapping her fingers along to the intro beat of the song until a group of obnoxiously loud men bursted through the front door. There were four of them, and Y/N couldn’t help but roll her eyes as they began yelling over each other, but then she noticed that Connor was amongst them.

He locked eye contact with her almost instantly, and soon he and his friends were on their way to her table.

“There she is,” Connor greeted as they approached, immediately wrapping his arm around Y/N’s waist and pulling her closer to him.

“Uh, hey,” she replied awkwardly while lowkey pushing him away, suddenly feeling very uncomfortable.

He then looked to his friends, nodding towards one that was giving him a pointed glance before shrugging and climbing up onto the stool next to Y/N. He unwelcomely rested his hand on her thigh, and she was quick in moving away from him again; easily smelling the alcohol that wafted off him and his friends. “Guys, this is Y/N. She’s the one I told you about.”

“She’s hotter than you described,” one of the guys slurred, causing Y/N’s face to scrunch repulsively.

“Yeah, you sure you don’t want to share?” Another said, and Y/N never felt more disgusted in her life.

“Woah, unnecessary comments guys,” she spoke up, becoming rather fed up with how they were acting.

“Yeah guys,” Connor scoffed and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “She’s mine, back off.”

“Connor, m’not-,” she started and turned to look at him as she said this, but was suddenly cut off by his lips crushing against hers. Her eyes widened in alert as she quickly pushed him away and stood up from her seat. “Ok, you know what, I’m gonna go. I wanted to talk to you about something but it looks like I’ll just have to tell you at work when you’re not drunk.”

“Oh come on, don’t be like that,” he replied conceitedly as Y/N started putting on her jacket. “Quit playing hard to get.”

“Hard to get?” She looked at him as if he grew a second head. “What the hell makes you think I’m playing hard to get?”

“Well, it’s pretty obvious, Y/N. Why else would you make up such bullshit excuses to not go out with me after we hooked up a few months ago.”

“First off, we didn’t hook up. We kissed. Second, did it not occur to you that maybe I’m not interested because you’re an arrogant asshole?”

Connor’s friends ooh’d and began mumbling to one another as he looked at her offendedly. “That’s not the only reason. You and I both know that.”

“Excuse me?”

“I heard you and Candace talking about how you’ve been sleeping with that famous friend of yours again,” he explained and Y/N immediately felt the need to defend herself. “Harry what’s-his-face. Thought that after he left you last year you’d get over the idea of thinking he’d want anything to do with you.”

He can’t be serious, she thought to herself as she tried to figure out what to say to that. She was absolutely furious and all his friends did was laugh, feeding her anger even more. As she racked her brain from something to reply with, the bridge of P!nk’s song began and Y/N glanced down at her still half-full glass of vodka cranberry, before picking it up and throwing the contents at Connor’s face.

“Fuck you. You don’t know anything about my relationships with others and are in no place to comment on them,” she stated firmly as she slung her bag over her shoulder. “At least Harry doesn’t treat me or anyone like they’re just part of a conquest in order to get a good shag. He’s a genuine being and is worthy of my time, it’s no wonder I’ve fallen for him as badly as I have. You, on the other hand, are the worst type of person and I really hate that it took me this long to realize it. Don’t bother speaking to me ever again, especially at work because I will cause a scene. Have a terrible night, you fucking jerks.”

And with that, she stormed out of the joint without looking back. Part of felt stupid for blowing up on Connor, but a bigger part kept thinking of how he deserved it.

Once she was out in the cool winter air, she let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding and started walking down the street towards the market. She was still livid, but just the thought of being near Harry put her mind at ease a little bit.

As she walked through the market's entrance she saw that no one was taking tickets and it was much emptier than she was expecting. Owners of the stands scattered all around the area that sold food and Christmas trinkets had packed up and all seemed to be heading home.

“What?” Y/N mumbled to herself before approaching a lady who was busy counting money from a till. “Hi, excuse me. Do you know what time it is by chance?”

“It’s after 9:30pm, dear. The market is closed.”

Shit.

“Oh, ok, thank you.”

It felt like Y/N’s heart plummeted into the pit of her stomach as she thoughts about Harry probably thinking she stood him up entered her mind. She grew even more frustrated over what went down with Connor and how it made her so late, as well as the fact that she couldn’t even call Harry and apologize for not showing up.

Because the thing was, she decided that she wanted to. She spent the 24 hours leading up to the moment, hyping herself up and was ready to talk things over with Harry. She planned on admitting her feelings and expressing how what happened on Christmas Eve the year before really hurt her. Regardless of the outcome, she was ready to put herself out there for him, and then she felt like she lost that chance.

She was hopeful for a few moments, thinking that maybe Harry was still wandering around somewhere. But the further she walked into the market, the less populated it became, and that hope soon faded.

The lights were pretty at least. Y/N really enjoyed looking at them as she continued on her stroll through the area. There was an entire wall that was covered in twinkling lights, that continued upwards and hung over the cobblestone path she was walking down. That along with the light snow that was falling from the sky made feel warm and fuzzy inside as she took it all in; smiling to herself as she stopped to look up at the flakes coming down before continuing on.

Lastly, she came to a stop at the base of the huge Christmas tree that was located in the centre of the market. It seemed different from how it looked the year before with its lovely blue decorations, but she just couldn’t figure out how it differed as she was observing.

A Michael Bublé Christmas song played from a loudspeaker nearby as she continued staring at the tree and thought about how she waited in that exact spot for Harry a year prior. She felt rather silly thinking about it now, but she shrugged it off and decided that she should probably stop gawking at the tree just head home.

“I don’t like the ornaments they used this year,” a voice suddenly spoke up from behind her. “Sure, the blue is nice. But I liked the red ones they used last year much more.”

Caught off guard by the person standing behind her now, Y/N was hesitant on turning around to face them. But once she did, it felt like the wind was knocked right out of her.  

“Harry?”

“Didn’t think you could get rid of me that easily, did yeh?” He asked with a large grin.

“Of course not,” she responded with just as big of a smile. “Listen, I’m so sorry for being late. I know you wanted to talk, and I did too but-.”

“Who said we still don’t have the chance to talk?” He questioned with a skeptical look. “I’ve got all the time in the world when it comes to you, darling.”

Y/N sighed, inwardly melting at his choice of words but also becoming completely overrun with nerves all of a sudden.

“I don’t even know where to start, H.”

“Then let me start,” he said and stepped towards her. “Leaving you last year was a huge mistake on my part. I knew how you felt and had come to terms with how I felt as well, but then when I got here and saw you standing under the tree like you are now, I chickened out.”

“Wait, what?” She asked surprised. “You were here?”

“I was,” he nodded and pointed to a corner of a nearby building. “When I got here, I was already so late. There were still a lot of people around and I didn’t even think I’d find you. But then I saw you standing pretty much right where you are now. You were completely mesmerized by the tree, just taking it all in like you do every year. I remember you saying beforehand how much you loved the ornaments they used because of how pretty they were. They’re different this year.”

“So that’s what seemed off about the tree this year,” she replied and glanced back at it. “That was uhm, very observant of you. But if you came all this way, why didn’t you tell me you were here?”

“Like I said, I got scared,” he answered and immediately captured her attention again. “Seeing you was when it hit me. It was when I realized just how much I love you.”

Her breath hitched at his words, and she could feel a blush forming on her cheeks that most definitely wasn’t just from the cold air, but she played it off quickly as she stepped towards him and smacked his arm. “Why didn’t you say anything!?”

“I didn’t know how! I panicked…”

“What did you panic about if you knew I felt the same?”

“I was worried about what I’d put you through,” he explained with a sigh. “M’not an easy person to be in a relationship with Y/N. I’m either coming or going all the time, and as much as I’d love to just stay in one place; it’s very hard to do that sometimes. You have your whole life here and I thought I’d interfere with that.”

“You’re stupid sometimes, you know that? I wouldn’t have cared about that, Harry.” She told him while shaking his head. “How would we know things would or wouldn’t work out if we didn’t try?”

“That’s exactly what I thought after I left. I immediately regretted leaving you there, but I thought it’d be easier that way. I know you despise confrontation as much as I do, and it just seemed easier at the time. Once I was gone, I was terrified that you’d want nothing to do with me and hated the thought of losing you over me being a coward, but I didn’t lose you. You were always still there even after I did something so shitty, and honestly, it made those feels I had grow more intense.”

“But you still didn’t say anything.”

“When we first started… you know... seeing each other again at the end of summer, I wanted to,” he stated. “But I still couldn’t figure out how. After me just leaving you last year, I didn’t think you’d want anything more than what we were doing. I was just glad to be with you and was willing to take whatever I could get, and those feelings all came crashing back. Then yesterday when you were over, I thought maybe I’d finally admit how I felt then; but you left and I thought I lost my chance.”

“So then you wanted to tell me today?” She asked softly. “And I basically stood you up.”

“No, I didn’t think that at all,” he told her while brushing away a snowflake that landed on her cheek. “When you texted me saying you were running late, I still waited around. But then it was getting chilly so I walked down the street to a little pub so I could warm up a bit. You were there.”

“Wait, so you saw…”

“And heard everything,” he nodded. “I don’t need to hear about that other guy cause thinking of how he treated you back there will piss me off. I was about to step in to be completely honest, but I should’ve known you could handle yourself.”

“Gee thanks,” she chuckled and shook her head. “But that also means you heard me say-.”

“That you’ve fallen for me? Yeah, I liked hearing that part. Made me less nervous about my want to do this.”

Without another word, he leaned down to place the most delicate kiss on her lips. There was no hungry lust behind it like there had been when they had kissed before, just pure admiration and affection; Y/N melted into it right away.

She pouted a little bit when he moved away, but then he pulled her into a tight embrace and instantly felt better. The two of them stood there for a moment, just basking in each other’s presence; her cuddling into his chest and him resting his head on top of hers as they swayed to the music that still played. It was a quiet song, the ending instrumentals of it played before the upbeat intro of the Jonas Brothers’ Like It’s Christmas started playing and Harry started chuckling.

“What’s so funny?” Y/N asked as she pulled away slightly to look up at him.

“Nothing,” he smirked and leaned down to give her another peck. “It’s just that you really do make every day feel like it’s Christmas.”

“You’re so sappy.”

“Don’t act like you don’t love it.”

“I guess I do,” she told him honestly as he linked his hand with hers and started leading her away from the tree. “Where are we going?”

“Home. Want to spend this Christmas with yeh.”

“I like the sound of that,” she replied while cuddling up against him as they began their trek home.

The two of them made it back to Harry’s flat and neither of them could stop smiling. They just loved the feeling of finally being together properly and although Y/N was set on not falling in love during Christmas again, this time around she wasn’t worried about him not being there the following year, or all the ones after that too.

[imaginesfora3]

It’s About the DRAMA [Sumeragi Tenma]

(Another commission by an awesome person who is endlessly patient with me! There’s a second part that has smut in it that I’ll be posting at a later date. Please enjoy! And if anyone would like to commission me, please message me over tumblr so I can give you my details~)

After the spring plays production, you thought it would be smooth sailing when it came time for the summer troupes.

You had managed to gather enough people, all of who had interesting characters, but you’d dealt with that before, right? Part of being a director was overcoming the challenges and obstacles that were presented even if you never knew exactly what would be thrown your way. You were eager to help these young actors learn how to grow, to see them on stage with your own eyes after you watched them put their blood, sweat, and tears into practice. At least, you felt that way about every single one of them aside from their leader, the one who had the most acting experience and who you thought would have an easier time.

You and Tenma hadn’t exactly started off on the wrong foot but it was made apparent to him from the beginning that you weren’t one to be trifled with, quickly shutting down anything rude or demeaning he had to say to his fellow troupe members. Tenma had never worked alongside someone like you as most others were just used to putting up with his attitude and accepting him for who he was but you had no intentions of doing so. You called him out, you criticized when necessary, you proved every day that you were seeing him as he wanted to be seen, not movie star Sumeragi Tenma but newbie to the stage Sumeragi Tenma. As much as he felt like you put your foot down on his actions more so than any of the others in the troupe it made him crave your praise knowing it would be genuine and not just because of his reputation.

Tenma wanted to do good.

He wanted to impress you.

But why did it seem so damn hard to do?

“We need to talk.” Tenma cringed at your tone of voice, immediately feeling like a child who was about to be scolded by their mother. His own mother had hardly taken that tone with him as she wasn’t in his daily life often enough to do so but he’d heard it from the TV moms who he acted alongside. He bit his lip to keep himself from showing his discontent verbally, simply nodding his head and following you out of the room where the rest of the summer troupe were practicing.

“Tenma…” He already knew what you were about to say from the mildly annoyed look on your face and the way your arms were crossed, but that’s not all that was there. There was concern, too, some worry that perhaps maybe Tenma wasn’t suited for the stage life after all and that set him off.

“If they don’t listen to the advice I give then what’s the point!” He threw his hands up, trying to keep his voice even but knowing the two of you were likely being eavesdropped on anyway. “I don’t think they’re completely unredeemable but…!”

“Have you considered changing the tone of your voice when you’re delivering your advice? Or even thinking about the way they perceive it when you’re barking orders at them? Tenma, you’ve got talent and you’ve got plenty of potential, no one is doubting that. But you have to realize you’re part of a team now. Why do you always think you have to do everything on your own?”

Because he’d always done things alone. He’d been independent since he was young, he had to be as he was left to his own devices and then when his own acting career began, he was thrown into a world of adults that forced him to grow up quicker than he’d like. He mimicked the way the others around him talked, the way they treated each other, and he’d never been reprimanded by anyone the same way that you were. He can tell that it’s not out of anger, that it’s not that you have something against him personally, but that he’s holding himself back by not allowing himself to make connections with everyone he’s acting alongside including you.

“Sometimes they might not understand how important your words are or they think you’re just looking down on them when you’re not, and when that happens, I’ll be there to support you Tenma.” He’s all too aware of the hand you’re putting on his shoulder now but he makes the extra effort to keep looking into your eyes, though he can’t say that calms him down. All he can think about is how he’d never had someone clash with him like this before, how he’d never had someone willing to tell him what he needed to hear rather than what he wanted to. To have you not only want to do that for him but also acknowledging his talent, saying that you wanted him to stay as summer troupes leader, it spoke volumes. “Now stop acting like a spoiled brat and go be a leader!”

Tenma scoffed at your clear teasing, thinking about how cute the mischievous smile on your face looked right now, “Yeah, yeah. Takes one to know one.”

Tenma returned to practice that night a new man, willing to listen to the other troupe members and learn how to help them on an individual level. He found that they were people with passions much like him, people who loved acting and wanted to throw themselves in, and he found himself a little proud that, when he actually opened his eyes and stopped being so angry for no reason, he found they appreciated his acting skills more than he’d first realized. He knows he never would’ve changed if he hadn’t met you, if you hadn’t been the person who was willing to stand up to him, and for that he’s forever grateful. The words you said to him that day, that you’ll be standing behind him when he needed you, meant more than anything.

Tenma just didn’t realize how far down the rabbit hole he’d gone.

The summer troupe didn’t find many moments to rest as they were on an advanced schedule as it was, trying to pack practice into just about every spare moment they had. But you’d scolded them more than once on pushing pi too far, Tenma included, which is why this little movie night had been thrown together. Tenma figured it could be a teaching moment even if it was technically downtime, knowing a few tips and tricks that could be translated over into stage acting when they popped up; he’s actually happy that even Yuki agreed to sit down with the rest of them, perhaps he’d even be able to teach him a thing or two and get some praise from you for a job well done.

The movie was your standard romantic comedy but the dynamics of the characters had always been interesting, and he found the others were picking out bits and pieces that they identified with. The movie and acting talk had Tenma opening his mouth more than usual, explaining how certain scenes were acted out and what might’ve been going through the actors head while said scene was going on; it was a lot different than acting on stage but the groundwork is what helped Tenma flourish, so hopefully he could translate the same thing to his team. Things got quieter when the more romantic bits popped up with everyone watching quietly, waiting for the scene’s end to chatter about the chemistry between the two characters on screen.

“…Doesn’t that remind you a bit of something?” Yuki piped up, glancing at Tenma from the corner of his eye but looking away when Tenma turned to him with an annoyed expression. Was he trying to call him out on something?

“You’re totally right!” Kazunari laughed, turning back to grin up at Tenma. “Man, it’s just like you and…!”

“Don’t say it!” Tenma growled out, already knowing where this was heading and wanting to cut it off before it went too far. He’d already been teased relentlessly and called a whipped dog by Yuki for how often he tried to avoid arguments with you now, he didn’t need to add more fuel to the fire by having to defend himself from these accusations. Plus, why was it any of their business if he felt some type of way about you? Clearly things wouldn’t work out considering you were older than him and probably not interested in some kid but… He was getting too far into his head now, a blush rising to his cheeks as the possibility of getting to be your boyfriend flashed before his eyes. This was not going to go the way he wanted it to.

“Sorry Tenten! You’re very obvi about it, you know? I can’t blame you~”

“I’m getting a drink,” Yuki suddenly announced as he stood up from the couch, “I’ll be back.”

Without the main instigator there to start another fight about Tenma’s unspoken feelings he finds himself relaxing as Kazunari’s attention is turned to Misumi, who was changing positions rapidly to find the most comfortable way to lay on the ground. He watched with minor amusement even if he pretended to be annoyed with their antics, knowing he cared about them all far more than he wanted to let on. Perhaps Kazunari did have a point, maybe his feelings for you were really obvious, but again he wonders if that even matters. If he confessed to you right now what would you say? Would you be shocked to hear it or would you nod as though you’d known all along? He disliked getting caught in fantasy situations but this is one that had plagued his thoughts while he was curled up in bed at night, and with no one to shake him from them, it invaded his mind now, too.

A few minutes pass before Yuki returns with his juice in hand.

“You took a while,” Tenma grumbled, “We want to finish this movie tonight.”

“Sorry, I was busy talking with the director. She was getting herself something to eat.”

Tenma doesn’t recognize he’s being baited at all because his thoughts are still almost solely on you, about you, and he realized that he missed you. It had been a few hours since he’d last seen you at dinner but he could spend all day by your side without getting tired of you, in fact, he’d prefer to do that. He gets antsy in his seat as he doesn’t want to pause the movie yet again but what if you were in there still? He could casually chat with you, see how you feel about how everyone’s coming along, ask if you’re starting to appreciate what a great leader he is for his troupe…

“I-I’m kinda thirsty. Just keep watching without me, I’ll be back.”

“…Why didn’t you just ask me when I went in there a second ago?”

“Because I knew you wouldn’t get me anything, brat.”

A fair point but a smirk found its way to Yuki’s face and he kept his mouth shut for the time being despite the variety of snarky comments that wanted to spill out. This fight was better saved for later tonight when the two were alone in their room as Kazunari and Misumi continued to be distracting. Tenma returned from the kitchen a few moments later without a drink and looking rather sullen, refusing to meet Yuki’s eye even as the boy verbally snickered at his downtrodden expression.

“Where’s your drink?” Kazunari asked innocently, head tilted so he could look back at Tenma.

“Nothing I wanted to drink in there. Shut up and pay attention to the movie.”

Tenma was in a sour mood the rest of the night and felt incredibly grateful when it was time for bed, ready to be done with reality and get lost in the dram world where things were exactly as they should be. It was unfortunate for him that Yuki was his roommate as there was no such thing as peace for him. No safe retreat for him to curl up in and think about all the things that he wished could come true, to think about your happy face after he performed perfectly in this play, maybe you’d even give him a kiss on the cheek as congratulations for being so successful-

“I finally figured out why a hack like you chose to stay with a group like Mankai.” Tenma knew it was going to be the start of another fight but his emotions got the better of him as they always did and he whipped his head over to glare at his younger roommate who was still casually getting ready for bed. “I didn’t know cougars were your type.”

“What the hell are you talking about?!”

“This is exactly why you’re a hack, hack! You can’t even hide your feelings for her. Going into the kitchen right after I said she was in there… You really thought that was true?” Yuki scoffed as he made his way into his own bed. “Whatever… There’s no point in arguing with someone as deep in denial as you. Not like you have a chance anyway. Goodnight.”

Tenma wanted to argue but his heart ached at the truth in Yuki’s words, his mouth hanging open even as the lights in the room were turned off and Yuki’s breathing evened out. He wanted to argue until he was blue in the face that he didn’t have romantic feelings for you, that being around you definitely wasn’t the highlight of his day, and that having you as his director was certainly not one of the best things that had ever happened to him. But how could he fight against the truth? The worst part was he was painfully aware of how he felt, of how much his daydreams helped him get through each new day where you weren’t his,  of how fruitless this situation felt due to all the differences that divided you. The heart wants what the heart wants is a saying that now plagued him daily.

The next day only proved to be worse.

Hearing that his father had found out all about his joining the Mankai Company left him in a worse mood than usual, and he had no intentions of backing down. He’d worked so hard, he’d started to bond with you and the members, and despite the short amount of time he’d spent around all of you he didn’t want to imagine a life without Mankai in it. His words were confident as he told everyone in the troupe that he’d convince his father one way or the other but in reality, he knew his father was as stubborn as he was when it came down to it. There might be some drastic measures Tenma had to make to get his point across but he couldn’t leave you like this. He couldn’t make you scramble to find someone without even half the talent he had.

It went better than expected.

When he’d stormed back to the house later that night he hadn’t expected to see you waiting up for him and he internally panicked, not wanting you to see the new black eye he was sporting. He and his father had gotten into it, the fighting becoming so passionate even his mother couldn’t separate them. The punch had shocked him to his very core but he didn’t let it deter him, still determined to not let his hard work all be for nothing. Tenma had walked out of that house with his father cursing at him, perhaps even hoping Tenma would fail just to prove a point, but he tried not to let that get to him. He got to go home back to you and that was enough to keep his body moving despite how exhausted he was.

“Tenma!” Your eyes widened as they immediately found the wound on his face, “What happened with your dad?!”

“He punched me. Hard.”

“I can tell, thanks!” You grabbed ahold of his arm and pulled him into the kitchen, settling him down into a seat as you listened to the rest of his story while looking for the first aid kit. He didn’t think it was a big deal at all but you seemed incredibly worried about him, fretting over his well-being while cursing his dad under your breath. Tenma had nearly laughed when he heard you mention something along the lines of ‘I’ll punch him in the face and see how he likes it’ but he worked hard to keep a straight face, finding that extra hard to do once you were seated in front of him and scanning his face again.

Tenma felt like his heart might beat right out of his chest with how closely you’re scrutinizing him, an odd weight settling itself on his chest after all that had just happened. His father’s physical punch hadn’t hurt nearly as much as the emotional impact it had on him, the only thing able to distract him from that pain right now being you. You were doting over every little bruise and cut on his face, fingers brushing against his skin. His heart fluttered hard in his chest and he tried not to show his discomfort on his face as the feelings you were bubbling closer to the surface. Every touch sent electricity through his veins and finally, finally, it became far too much for him to handle.

“I’m not a kid, I can take care of myself!” He insisted, pushing your hands away and refusing to look at your face; he knew you’d be giving him a disapproving glare for his outburst when he’d let you dote over him for this long.

“If you’re not a kid why are you acting so damn childish, Tenma? What are you trying to prove here?”

He wanted to prove that he was a man, that he was strong and that he could take care of himself. Who would want a boyfriend who couldn’t say those things? Who would want a boyfriend with so many familial issues he was actually so touch-starved that even the simplest of your touches nearly brought him to tears? He bit down on his lip hard and you could see all that he was going through, the pain on his face translating over quite well. You wanted to continue what you were doing but there was no point in pushing Tenma’s boundaries more, not when you’d already made so much progress with him. You sighed in defeat but reached over to grab the ice pack from the fridge, brushing his hair out of the way and placing it on his cheek where the punch had landed.

“Just put the ice on your face and be quiet,” Your tone is one that tells Tenma you have no intention of backing down no matter how much he rejects your care and he can’t tell if you’re doing this out of obligation or genuine worry for him. He knows which option he wants more than anything but denied that you’d ever feel such a way about him, also denying his own disappointment that he already saw you as being unreachable. He’d never felt so close yet so far from a person before in his life but everything about you seemed to keep him drawn in, refusing to let his heart move on.

Time healed all wounds, didn’t it?

In the end, Tenma hoped that these unwelcome feelings would make themselves scarce, that perhaps it was just a puppy love that would fade away with time.

He didn’t realize how wrong he was.

[nadacwriter]

A Monument of Love (TOH)

Amity, Gus, and Willow pay a visit to a monument just outside of Bonesborough to perform a midnight conjuring.

OR, @moringmark‘s art HURT me and I’m not okay with it.

Please read THIS comic first, as it inspired this piece. Here’s Markmak’s DA page. Please support him in any way you can. PHENOMENAL art.

Wordcount: 1,819

Amity had mixed feelings as she snuck out of the window of her room. Emira and Edric had, in a surprisingly tender moment, offered to sneak her out themselves, but Amity didn’t want to bring anyone else down with her if she got caught. This wasn’t Emira and Edric’s task, anyway. She didn’t want to saddle them with that kind of weight. Not even the twins needed THAT dose of reality.

As Amity’s feet touched the ground, and she pulled the dark cloak tighter around her, she wasn’t getting any more clarity out of her emotions. The cool night air, the soft breeze, the crystal clear sky, they were all distractions. Reminding her of-...the reason. That she was out here. The one she didn’t want to think of. The one she skirted around, as she gently closed the gate to the manor house behind her, and walked toward the market.

Despite her stoicism (and confusion), Amity nearly lost it as soon as she set foot in the market.  But it wasn’t sadness that she felt; it was a bizarre frustration. A feeling of malcontent pervading her body. ‘It isn’t fair,’ she thought to herself, ‘it isn’t fair that she’s gone, and the woman who took her from me still stands there. Looming.’

Amity stopped only to look up at the poster of Lilith Clawthorne. Even SHE looked sullen and graceless in this new line of posters and propaganda. Amity could only imagine how Lilith felt about all this; what, with her sister gone and everything. It must have been a blow, despite the fact that Eda and Lilith never seemed too close…

But that didn’t mean Amity hadn’t lost someone. Nor did it mean she couldn’t be angry.

Amity COULD imagine how Lilith felt. Or she COULD burn the image to the ground. She chose neither, instead choosing to keep walking. One doesn’t want to stand still in the night market too long. Even though the full moon provided plenty of light, there were still pickpockets to worry about. So she kept moving.

Amity came out of the market, and walked to where she thought that the others may be. She was clear from population, out in the woods. But the hood still stayed up. She didn’t want any chance encounters with anyone out here, especially if they were the emperor's coven. They had gotten somewhat stricter about curfews nowadays. Petrification worked, but it didn’t stop riots. At least not for long.

Amity was getting closer and closer to what remained of-

“Amity!”

“AGH!” Amity formed a circle, “STAY BACK!”

Amity heaved a sigh of relief when she saw two bushes transform into Gus and Willow. Gus with a gentle smile, Willow sporting puffy eyes and a tear stained face; Amity wasn’t the only one feeling emotions this evening.

Amity dissipated the circle, finally removing her hood, “Sorry, but with the coven out you have to be jumpy.”

Willow walked forward and hugged her, “It’s fine. I’m just glad you made it.” She said, squeezing her tightly. She gripped that cloak, too. It still...it still felt just a hair like-

“I’ve got everything we need,” said Gus, joining into the hug, “and it’s good to see you, Amity.”

“You too, Gus. You too.”

And so, the trio walked, deeper into the woods, Amity still pulling the cloak tight to her. She wanted to keep it safe; after all, she was returning it this evening. And she wanted to keep it as safe as she could.

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

As the three approached their destination, Gus was the first to speak up.

“I remember learning that bush trick, just to hide in front of the owl house. I use it all the time, now!”

Willow chuckled, “That was a year ago?” She shook her head, “It feels so recent. Maybe it’s the sky doing that.”

Gus nodded, ‘Same as last year, moon’s juuust beginning to rise, stars are all out…”

Amity, the quiet third in the middle, looked up at the stars. “...It was night time, when we-” her breath hitched, and she looked back down. She gripped the cloak, blushing a little, “When SHE…”

Amity felt Willow’s hand in hers, followed almost instantly by Gus’ hand.

“It’s okay, Amity.” Willow said, “It’s okay to cry.” She wore a gentle smile, a motherly one. Amity could barely bring herself to look Willow in the eye, but when she did, she saw that Willow was once again welling tears. When she looked to Gus, she saw much of the same. And so, Amity blinked, and stopped trying to resist.

She let tears fall from her eyes and roll down her cheek, looking back up at the moon. The light so bright it reflected off of her own tears. She also stopped walking, still gripping the pair’s hands with her own. Amity huffed, and stepped forward, clearing her throat.

“Agh,” She began, “Sorry, I shouldn’t have started crying before we even GOT there.” She said. She wiped her eyes with her own sleeve.

“Don’t be sorry, Amity,” Willow said, that same gentle smile on her face, “I’ve been a wreck all day. So’s Gus.”

Gus nodded, “My emotions have been all over the lace. I cried. You can, too.” he said.

And so, the trio walked on…

“...What was it like? When you two kissed?” Willow asked, looking to Amity.

Amity sighed, ‘It was...desperate. Eda had just been turned, and we knew what was going to happen, so before she went out there, I just…”

Willow nodded, ‘Yeah…”

“I never got to know how she felt about it.”

“Maybe you can ask her?” Asked Gus, reaching into his pocket and retrieving a pen and paper, “I don’t think she’ll be able to talk, but she can write to us!”

Willow nodded, “She’ll have to...look.”

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

The monument stood triumphant. If Amity didn’t know any better, she might’ve assumed that whoever this was died in some war, so stoically posed. Like she was ready to fight back a nation with her bare hands. And knowing her, she would have. Amity couldn’t help but smile.

“...Amity?” Willow looked over the second she heard a small giggle. “S-Sorry, I just...she’s doing that thing? With her pinkie. Where it juts out a little.”

Willow nodded, “She IS.”

Gus nodded, “I never really learned why she did that.” Gus said, getting closer to the monument. “She just looks so...ready to fight. Ready to go.”

Willow nodded solemnly, walking closer to the statue and putting her hand on the plaque, still looking up, “She always was. She fought for what she believed in. Always did.”

Amity walked to the plaque on the monument, reading it through Willow’s hand placed on the edge.

“LET THIS BE A WARNING TO ALL THE WILD WITCHES.

LUZ NOCEDA, apprentice of EDA CLAWTHORNE, petrified for WILD WITCHCRAFT and HARBORING A WILD WITCH.”

“Why put her so close?” Asked Willow. “To the house, I mean.” “Mockery.” Amity responded, blunt as always, “They wanted to turn her close to the house. So she would see it. See what she left behind.” Amity paused. “I’ve spent time with the coven. I know what they do.”

Gus got to one side of the statue. “Moon’s high. We ready?” he asked, extending both hands.

Amity took one of his, and then one of Willow’s. Willow mimicked the action, and all three were joining hands. They squeezed tightly, closed their eyes, and bowed their heads. Willow was the one to start the incantation.

‘Moonlight, we call, we sing,

Moonlight, take this chance.

Moonlight, come tie the string,

Moonlight, start the dance!’

Suddenly, they heard cracking. And the sound of stone, moving against stone. Rickety joints and dry rock crumbled and breathed. Amity opened her eyes, and saw the statue of Luz beginning to move. Its legs bent, then it slowly, methodically, stepped down off of the pedestal.

Amity felt the statue’s eyes on her, unblinking, unmoving. Luz’s lips and face did not move. Just her body and joints. She looked Amity in the eye, and the three dropped hands.

“It worked!” Gus said, smiling wide and gripping Willow, pulling her into a tight hug.

Willow hugged him back, before turning to face Luz, “We have to see if she remembers us…”

Amity blinked, and untied her cloak. “...Hi, Luz.” She said. “You left this with me, and I never got to give it back. So I figured you should have it, since it’s your cloak.” Amity was trying to keep her cool, but it wasn’t showing. Her facade was barely there, with hitching breath and teary eyes.

“Just. It’s yours. And you deserve it.” Amity said, taking the cloak and tying it around the statue’s neck and making sure it sat right. “Look, Willow’s here, a-and Gus, too! I needed them for the conjuring, and we brought a pen and paper, if you want to write anything, a-and we-” Amity gasped as Luz gripped her. Tight as she could, into a long, loving hug. Amity had never understood a hug. But she knew Luz only hugged people who mattered to her. Meaning that Luz did remember the trio. And that broke the last of Amity’s walls.

Not even Willow had seen Amity cry as hard as she did. And Gus had never seen WILLOW cry as hard as she did, breaking down and holding Luz. And Amity had never seen GUS cry so hard as that moment, hugging the last open bit of Luz he could grab.

For a while, they cried. Just holding Luz tight to them, and each other. When Gus eventually handed Luz the Pen and paper, she went about writing. She slowly, shakily wrote a note out, placing it onto the ground.

“Memories here. Love you all. Miss Mami. Miss Eda. Miss world. Love you, Amity. Love you all.”

Before she could write more, Luz shakily drew something out. A light Glyph, on the paper. The form was bad, the circle was more an oval, and it was kind of poorly drawn.

“It won’t work,” Amity whispered through tears, “the glyph, it won’t-” “Shhhh,” Gus squeezed her shoulder, “She needs this. Let her have it.”

Amity huffed, “I-I don’t want to see it not work, it isn’t fair,” she whispered, “She tried so hard, to learn it all, and it’s gone, and-...Titan’s Bones…”

Amity was interrupted when she saw Luz pat her hand onto the paper. And up from it? A single little light orb. It was small, shaky, like a leaf in the wind or an injured bird, just gently rising into the air. Luz looked, her expression still that gentle stoic expression. But her eyes closed. Like she was smiling. And her hands went together, as well, though, slowly, and barely moving.

The light was faded. But the light was there.

LUZ was there.

And for one night, Gus, Willow, and Amity had her back.

[haileygarciasunshine]

Ghosts from the Past

Pairing: Steve Rogers x Reader

Warning: swearing, fighting

Word Count: 2,645

Summary: When the readers friends call her in desperate need of back up, will she join the team after the fight or go back to her ‘normal’ life?

Avengers Masterlist

Continuing your walk down Park Ave, your phone rang again. It had been ringing off the hook all morning. Checking the caller ID, it was another one of the ghosts from your past. They didn’t know the new you, nor were you going to give them a chance to. They lost that privilege when they turned their back on you.

It had been a couple months, since the falling out. During that time, you had gotten your own apartment while studying to be a Doctor at New York Medical College. You didn’t move far from Manhattan, in deep hopes that your ex friends would call you needing your help.

Now that they were, you weren’t sure if you were ready to reopen that old wound.

“What’s up, Doc?” Your co-worker John greeted you as soon as you walked in through the bookstore doors, “You’ve got some visitors.”

Gesturing towards the group of men occupying, the front reading chairs for customers. Thankfully, they were all too busy looking out of the large window, to notice you walk in.

Sneaking by, your attention was still on the group of men when you walked into a built chest, halting your steps. The stranger dropped the books in his hands, as they had found your forearms in attempt to stop you from falling.

“I’m so sorry! I’m such a clutz.” You said hurriedly as you kneeled down to help the stranger pick up his books.

“It’s okay. No harm done.” He offered a light chuckle in attempt to lighten the mood.

As you handed him the books, his Icey blue eyes, ironically sent shivers down your spine.

Offering his hand he said, “I’m Steve.”

“Y/N.” You said accepting his hand shake.

His hand made its way to the back of his neck, nervously as he said, “Sorry about my friends over there..”

Before you could response, a deep voice cut in, “Nice to see you again, Y/N.” The man joined you and Steve before continuing, “You might’ve been able to sneak past the others, but you can’t bullshit a bullshitter.”

“Tony...” you started.

Looking between you and Tony a confused expression was across his features, “Wait. You two know eachother?”

Chuckling lightly, crossing his arms Tony replied, “She knows everyone on the team actually. Except for... you.” He stated matter of factly, pointing a finger at Steve.

“Now that you’ve met...”

“Tony. Don’t.” Your voice laced with bitter.

“Aye, Yo, boys!” Tony said, whistling afterwards, “Look who I found.”

You turned and glared at Tony before snarling, “Fuck you.”

Suddenly, the three men bounded over to join you. Each of the men, towering over you.

“Y/N!” Thor yelled in excitement as he run up behind you. Wrapping his arms around your waist, he momentarily forgot about his in humane strength, squeezing you as he twirled around with you in his arms.

Giggling you let your head fall back against his chest.

“Hey, Thor.”

Setting you back on your feet, he didn’t remove himself from you, earning an arched eye brow from Steve and Tony.

Removing his arms, he allowed Peter, and Robert to greet you giving you excited hugs. After everyone had greeted you, he wrapped his arms around your shoulders holding you to him, protectively. Giggling at his actions you brought your hands up, to rest on his arms.

“Hey, Doc.” John said as he joined the group, “You can go home for the day. It’s a slow day anyway.”

Tony was the first to turn and question you, “Why does this goon call you Doc?”

Scoffing you rolled your eyes at him, “Like you care.”

He frowned slightly, “I do..”

Anger overwhelmed your body, “Oh you do?” Thor had loosened his grip on you over the past few moments, as he was paying attention to something Peter was saying.

Sighing Tony tried, his voice laced with guilt, “Look, Kid.. I didn’t mean for things to play out the way they did...”

Taking a slight step forward, anger still evident in your voice, “Don’t call me kid. If you cared you wouldn’t have cut me out months ago!”

Thor snapped his attention to the scene playing out in front of him, suddenly pulling you forcefully back towards him, in attempt to keep your range controlled.

“Let me go!” You snarled at Thor, attempting to rip his arms off you.

“No. I won’t let you do something you’ll regret.”

“Oh really?” You were still trying to pry his arms off as you continued, “Where was your compassion months ago, huh Thor?”

“Y/N...”

Sighing, you gave up trying to get loose, “Save it.” You cut him off.

“No!” His voice boomed, “We are all going back to head quarters and we will sort this out. That’s final!”

“I’m not going.” You sassed him stubbornly.

“Fine.”

Thinking you had won, he let go of you. Shock was evident across your face as he grabbed your shoulders, spinning you around, throwing you over his shoulder.

“Thor!” You shrieked.

He chuckled at your shriek, “We don’t have time to waste on your stubbornness. Let’s go.”

The group filed out of the book store, not bothering to question what Thor was doing.

“Hey, Y/N.” Peter said as he made his way closer to you. 

Sighing you replied, “What is it Peter?”

“Why did the guy back at the book store, call you Doc?”

“Because, I’m a month away from graduating college and becoming a Doctor Peter.” You said, coming out more harsh then you intended. 

“Oh.” 

“Why didn’t you tell us?” Tony questioned.

“Tony, if I wasn’t hanging upside down off of gentle giant here, I would give you a bitch face.” You replied frustrated, “Because... It was very clear that you all wanted nothing to do with me.”

Feeling a deep rumble underneath you, Thor cut in, “Y/N.” He groaned.

“What? It’s the truth!”

Once everyone entered, the Avengers headquarters, the elevators dinged, signalling entry. 

“Seriously? You can let me down now.” You sighed in frustration.

“No can do, little one.” Thor rumbled.

__________________________________________________________

“Y/N!” Natasha squealed excitedly, “Thor let the poor girl down!”

Thor finally, put you down, holding you steady as the blood dispersed through your body as it had rushed to your head, glancing at yourself in a window, your face was cherry red. 

“Long time, no see! It’s good to have you back!” 

“I’m not back.” Determination in your voice.

Rolling her eyes, she grabbed your hand, “Come on. Let’s get down to business. Besides it’s nice to have another female around.”

__________________________________________________________

“Wow.” You said starstruck, gazing around the conference room in the Avengers headquarters. 

“I know, right?” Tony said beside you.

Rolling your eyes while crossing your arms, “Don’t talk to me. I’m still mad at you.”

Moving around the table, you pulled out a chair to sit. Thor slapped your hands away, being the gentleman he was, he pulled out your chair for you, sitting next to you.

“Our biggest concern right now is HYDRA.” Natasha started.

___________________________________________________________

“It can be overwhelming, when you throw yourself back into this.” A husky voice sounded, pulling your gaze from the night skyline of the city.

“Yeah....” You replied hesitantly, nervously scratching the back of your neck.

“I can see why the team, wouldn’t budge on their opinion of involving you in this mission.” Steve said gently.

Sighing you replied, “Yeah right. So far, you’ve only seen me act like a brat to the people I consider my family.” Guilt spread across your features as you confessed.

Shrugging he said, “It’s understandable. You’re hurt. People do things they don’t mean when they’re hurt.”

Awkward silence fell over the both of you.

“It’s beautiful isn’t it?” He gestured to the skyline.

“Breath taking.”

He hummed in response.

He was nervous about something, shifting his weight from foot to foot, a nervous tell.

“So...” He cleared his throat, “You and Thor, huh?”

His question caught you off guard, causing you to giggle. Steve turned his gaze towards you frowning slightly.

“No... Oh, no....Thor’s like my brother.” You let out, “Like a really annoying older brother.”

Embarrassment danced across his features, causing a light cherry tint to spread on his cheeks. 

“I love the guy...Just not in a romantic way.” You quickly added.

Thor joined the both of you by the great window. 

“Hey, guys.” He nodded, “I decided you’re staying the night, Y/N. I’ll bring a pillow and blanket to the living room area. Dinner will be ready in twenty. Don’t be late.”

“Thor. I’m not staying the night.” You said rolling your eyes.

Backing away from the both of you, he continued, “Yeah, well it looks like you will be.”

You groaned before responding, “Thor....”

“I think you should stay..” Steve tried.

His comment, caught you off guard causing you heat to rise to your cheeks, as butterflies erupted fluttering in your stomach.

“Are you... Are you sure?” Your voice barely above a whisper.

He offered you a smile and a nod in response. “Come, I’ll take you to the dining room.” 

Suddenly, his hand was on the small of your back guiding you gently through the halls, giving you a mini tour as you went. As you entered the dining room, you saw y/f/f, out for dinner. 

The table was a farmhouse style dinner table, long enough to fit the whole team. Thor sat on one side of you, while Steve surprisingly, opted to sit on the other side of you. Throughout dinner, Steve’s thigh firmly rested against yours, as his arm lightly brushed against yours. After dinner was finished, the team had continued sitting at the table. Steve’s hand, hesitantly, rested on your knee, before gently traveling to rest on your thigh, causing the butterflies to flutter more crazily than they did before.

___________________________________________________________

“Y/N!” Thor yelled in worry.

You were fighting with one of HYDRA’s minions. Attempting to look at the rest of the team, everyone was either fighting a minion or making their way to fight HYDRA per the plan. However, the plan had gone south a little. Thor, was surrounded by four minions, along with Peter and Tony. 

Suddenly, you were thrown to the concrete. The man above you, barely let you hit the ground before he had you by the back of your hair, yanking you to your feet. Earning a groan in pain from you.

“What?” He smirked, “Little girl doesn’t have power like her friends?” He taunted. 

“Shut up.” You spat. In retaliation, he punched you in the face. Your eyes involuntarily watered, as you could feel your lip split, from the impact. Before you could think of making your next move, his strong hand wrapped around your throat, beginning to squeeze, bringing you to your knees.

“Little Girl’s going to let her friends watch her die?” He laughed, bringing his face uncomfortably close to yours, “Don’t believe me? Take a look for yourself.” 

He moved you so that you could look to the side. Confusion coursed through your body. The team was on their knees, with the minions behind them, ensuring their attention on you.

“Don’t worry.” His hot breath danced along the outer shell of your ear, “I’ll make it fast.” His grip on your throat tightened once again, causing you to gasp trying to breathe.

“Y/N.” Tony, Thor and Peter all said in unison, attempting to get your attention. You were able to turn your head slightly, gazing at the team, as you were gasping for air.

Suddenly they nodded before saying, “Do it.”

That was the only confirmation that you needed. Memory of the training that you had endured when you were with your friends, you were able to catch the man towering above you off guard. Kicking him in the leg, he stumbled back before yelling, “You bitch!”

 Your lungs that were on fire from lack of oxygen, began to sooth. Placing your hand on the pavement, it began to crack from a mile away. The man shot you a confused look, before raising his fist running towards you, ready to strike again. Adrenalin was pumping, through your body, as your fight instincts kicked in. 

Your friends knew about your abilities. You were able to control the four elements, Earth, Fire, Wind and Water. 

The crack in the cement, progressed faster, before finally separating you and the man. Suddenly the cement, opened up behind the team, so close to the men holding them on their knees. Sending a nod their way, Tony, Thor and Peter, knew it was safe for them to retaliate at their attackers. 

_____________________________________________________________

“You did great out there, kid.” Tony praised you, clapping you gently on the back.

You winced in pain as he touched your shoulder, earning a whine from you.

“Woah, Kid. You alright?”

He didn’t give you a chance to respond, before he saw your dislocated shoulder.

“Tony...” You started, “Don’t....”

“Thor!” Tony yelled, through the halls.

“What is it Tony?” Thor sounded. The rest of the team joining you and Tony.

“We need you to pop Y/N’s, shoulder back in.” 

“No. I’m fine....” You tried.

 Tony nodded at Thor.

“Ready? On three.” He said, “One...” 

Excruciating pain came from your shoulder, as you cried in pain.

“Hey, Tony?” You asked.

He hummed in response. 

“Have I told you that I hate you?”

“I love you too Kiddo.”

You were sitting in the living room area with the rest of the team, mindlessly rubbed your neck where the man from earlier had his iron grip. 

“Does it...Does it hurt?” Steve questioned worried from beside you, watching your actions.

“Not really.” You offered him a weak smile.

_________________________________________________________

“So....” Thor said, rocking back and forth on his feet, “I guess... I guess this is goodbye?”

The rest of the team was surrounding you. Their faces were written with somber expressions. 

“Please don’t go, Y/N!” Peter suddenly exclaimed.

“Kid.” Tony said elbowing him in the side.

“No!” He said before continuing, “We need you Y/N! There’s plenty of room for you to join the team! I know I speak for everyone when I say, we don’t want to lose you again.”

“Yeah! We need you Doc!” Robert added.

Sighing you looked at your shoes sadly, “Guys....”

“No, Y/N. They’re right. We need you here.” Thor added, “I don’t want to lose my little sister again.” His voice broke off with sadness.

 “I...I guess I could stay...” You shrugged with a smile on your face.

The team erupted in cheers of excitement.

_______________________________________________________________

Shortly, after Thor, showed you to your chambers. You decided you would deal with the feat of getting your stuff from your apartment in the next few days. 

Suddenly, there was a knock on your door. Opening the door you were met with Steve. He was holding a bouquet of your favorite flowers.

“Steve?” You asked tilting your head to the side slighty.

Clearing his throat, he started, “Uhm....Y/N...I was wondering...I was wondering if you would go on a date with me? Tomorrow?” He was shifting his weight from foot to foot. 

“I would love to!” You exclaimed happily throwing your arms around his neck, catching him off guard with your response. 

He instantly wrapped his arms around your waist, lifting you up while taking a step back twirling you around in his arms.

Laughing, he set you back on your feet. His face was in close proximity to yours. His nose nuzzling yours, his hot breath dancing along your lips.

As the laughter died down, neither of you attempted to extract yourselves from the other. Steve glanced down at your lips before moving back to your eyes. Slightly leaning forward, his lips brushed against yours lightly. Heat rose in your cheeks, while butterflies were erupting your in stomach.

“Get a room!” Tony yelled as he passed by the two of you.

Pulling back slightly, you giggled at Tony’s response. 

[icalledhimpietro]

So I am writing a bit of an oc piece about a character who goes from being basically an unknown, hidden from society to finding out she is related to a superhero in The Avengers and the trials and tribulations of entering the world of The Avengers in order to get to know this relative and ultimately find herself.

Kind of a coming of age superhero story with a mish mosh of romance, drama, action, loss, etc. She'll kind of explore the world of being the daughter of {SPOILER} and all that comes with it

Im debating on posting it on Wattpad or not but I wanted to kind of give a preview of it and see what people think. If people want to read it I'll start plans to posts the chapters but if not, I'll just keep it to myself. No pressure either way and yes all the characters mentioned in this preview will play significant roles in her life.

Hope you like it!

Elle found herself in the woods after what felt like hours of walking. Running away wasn’t her normal go to, but it felt nice to be away from the the city and Avengers for once. She didn’t want a spotlight or a place on the team, she just wanted to get to know her father and have a life she wanted to live but that was too simple. With heroes, she learned, nothing is ever simple. Her power kept her warm but loneliness is ice cold, especially in the snow. She did everything they asked, she let them study her, where she came from, and her powers. She joined fights with them, she trained, she fought for them while they kept her under the radar, and yet, her father's behavior made it feel as if it were for nothing. All this time and such little progress with feeling like she was part of a family. Maybe she should’ve moved to Wyoming with Gretta and the kids, they weren’t really family, but maybe it would be better if she had stayed under the radar. Gretta might've needed her help out there. Stop, she thought, Peter needs you too. You couldn't just leave him behind. Elle sighed and continued walking until she felt the energy shift. The back of her head stung from the gaze of another. Someone was following her. This place looked completely barren of any people for miles. She had hoped Europe would’ve been a safe bet for escape from any who would recognize her, but it’s clear that someone had begun to tail her, for how long, she wasn’t sure. As the energy continued to shift, she tried to harness it before it shifted further only to be met by a flash of red light. She braced for the blow and was thrown into the snow. She quickly got to her feet, but knew she was at a disadvantage. She scanned the area and felt a rush of wind followed by a flash of blue and grey. Hardly visible in the snow, the blow from the flash sent her off her footing and back into the snow. She tried to catch her breath before getting up but soon found two figures standing over her, her vision too blurry from the blow to clearly see. She reached out and tried to touch one of them in an attempt to be able to mimic their powers but one of them disappeared faster than she’d ever seen. The other emitted a red energy from her hands and Elle felt herself rising from the ground. She wriggled around trying to break free but couldn’t move. The grey figure returned and as her vision cleared she saw two people, a boy and a girl, the boy wore a grey and blue shirt and had silvery white hair, the girl had long auburn hair and wore different shades of red. Her hands emitted a red energy that kept Elle in the air and unmoving.

“She doesn’t look like an Avenger.” The boy said. The girl’s gaze was unmoving.

“She came in that craft.” She said in a low voice. “She knows Stark somehow.” The boy put his hands over hers and Elle felt herself sink back to the earth. The boy stood over her as she caught her breath on the ground.

“She is not a threat.” The boy smirked. “She is lost and should go home. It would be smart.” Elle glared up at him as he spoke.

“That’s enough.” The girl warned, but the boy wouldn’t stop.

“She is not a threat to us.” He repeated and leaned down to inspect her closely, his eyes scanning her. “No sign of athletic ability, clearly not in control of emotions, too weak to show her powers, if she even has any. She’ll die in the cold before she ever gets back to that craft.” His eyes shifted and Elle thought she saw a flash of sympathy and took this opportunity to reach up and grab his ankle. He jumped back and zoomed away. Elle felt herself buzzing with energy and got up to run and found herself running right alongside him, without even breaking a sweat. The boy’s striking blue eyes widened as he realized she had kept up with him. He weaved and Elle saw ahead she was headed straight for a wide tree and weaved the other way. She passed it and looked to the side to see the boy was yards away now. She looked forward and saw a rock between where they were running and prepared. She ran up the rock, perfectly positioned for her to jump into the boy’s way and stretched out her leg. She felt all his weight hit her shin and two went tumbling through the snow until they finally stopped. The boy quickly got up and stepped away from her.

“Who are you?” He demanded. Elle brushed away the snow that had now seeped into her clothing and stood up.

“I could ask you the same question!” She said preparing her hands to send a rock straight over him and crush him.

“You are definitely not an Avenger.” He scoffed. “Tony Stark has probably trained them to wait for a camera crew before they tried anything like that.” Elle punched the air and sent the boy flying backward. She hurried over to where he was and wrapped the tree roots around him to keep him in place.

“Who are you?” Elle demanded finally, the boy completely discombobulated, tangled in roots on the ground. “Tell me or these roots will get tighter and tighter until your fucking head pops, and trust me, it’d be a honor to be the one to shut you up.” The boy wriggled and looked up at her. His eyes calmed as he smiled.

“You look pretty with sticks and snow in your hair.” He cooed. Elle sighed and the boy felt the roots getting uncomfortably tight. “Alright!” he groaned. “Pietro. Me and my sister are protecting this area from S.H.E.I.L.D.” Elle smirked and let the roots squeeze him a little tighter. “You know,” Pietro strained his voice to speak, “it’s only polite for you to tell me your name. I’m sure even The Avengers have manners.”

“I’m not an Avenger.” Elle said not quite ready to let the roots release until his cocky demeanor broke. He finally cracked and visibly winced from the pain. She finally dropped her hands and let him breathe. “I’m Elle.”

[crystalninjaphoenix]

No More

A Stitched Story

JSE Fanfic

We’ve reached the season finale! However, this is not the series finale. Just thought I’d say that right here since it could be interpreted that way. I’m tired and don’t have a lot of brain room for summaries, but suffice to say, everyone confronts Anti again. Cause that bitch has been avoiding them, but now he’s come back with a plan. Cool stuff happens. Action! Excitement! Again I am tired and this doesn’t make sense, but I hope you like it anyway!

Tagging @septic-dr-schneep for inspiring this AU with this post.

Read where it started: Stitched Together | Season One

Previous season two stories: No Strings on Me | Nightmare World | Normalcy | The Notion of The End | Nobody’s Home | Nevermore | New Places

Taglist (finally): @bupine​ @violet--majesty​

The summer days were growing short again. Weeks had passed since Chase, Jack, and JJ had gone to hide out with Stacy and the kids, and now it was a month away from school starting again. There had been no sign of Schneep, and Jack wouldn’t lie: he was really worried about that. Luckily, he had something to take his mind off of that for right now.

“Okay, just across the room, no support from walls,” Jack said, crossing the living room to stand on the other side across from Jameson.

JJ hesitated, unsure. Can I use support if I start to fall?

“Yeah, of course. I’ll also be ready to catch you if you start to lose it.”

JJ sighed through his mask, and leaned away the wall he’d been supporting himself on. He wobbled slightly, then slowly started walking across the room. Jack watched, tensing every time JJ stumbled. But after a few minutes, JJ got into a rhythm, and soon made it to the other side. As soon as he was able, he grabbed Jack for support.

“Great!” Jack said, trying to sound enthusiastic. “You’re still limping, but you’re getting faster. How’s it feel?”

Still twinges a bit, JJ admitted. It was a bit awkward as he was trying to keep hold of Jack while signing. But infinitely better.

“That’s great, real great.” Jack nodded. “You want to stop or keep going?”

We can stop, it’s fine, JJ said. He reached over and grabbed a cane leaning against the wall. It was a cheap metal model that Stacy had bought online once she’d realized JJ was having trouble walking. She’d grumbled a bit about how nobody was telling her what had caused this, but Jameson had been thankful anyway.

“Alright, if you’re sure.” Jack let Jameson walk over to the nearest chair on his own, making sure he got there safely before ducking out of the room and into the dining room.

Chase was in there, sitting at the table with his two daughters, markers and construction paper scattered about the surface. Lily was happily scribbling on a piece of green paper, while Moira was carefully cutting multicolored paper into strips and looping them through each other, making a paper chain as she stapled the loops closed.

“Dad, look!” Lily held up her drawing.

“Oh, very nice!” Chase said, smiling. “It’s a puppy, right?”

“It’s a pega-puppy, half pegasus, half puppy!” Lily said cheerfully. “I’m gonna make a uni-puppy too. They will be friends.”

“Nice, I look forward to meeting them.” Chase looked over to see Jack standing in the doorway. “Oh. Hey bro, didn’t see you there.”

“Hi Uncle Jack!” Lily waved.

Moira looked up briefly from her paper chain. “Hi.”

“Hey girls,” Jack said, waving. “Just checking on the three of you. How’re you doing?”

“Oh, we’re good.” Chase’s voice was very upbeat. “We’re doing arts and crafts to surprise Mom when she gets home from work.” 

“Cool. Good luck with that.” Jack glanced out the window. The sun was still high in the sky. “I’m...going to go take a walk.”

“Wait, by yourself?” Chase’s cheerful expression dropped a bit. “Are you sure? What about—” He glanced at the girls. “—the bad guy?”

“We haven’t seen him for a month now, not since we...you know, found out.” Jack tried to shrug casually. “I think it’s alright.”

“Maybe he’s just waiting for one of us to be alone,” Chase said, now fully worried. He stood up. “Look, I’ll just come with—”

“No, it’s fine, you keep having fun,” Jack hurried to say. “I’ll be back in an hour, I just...want to look for Schneep again.”

“I really don’t think you should—”

“Chase, it’s fine,” Jack said firmly. “I won’t go too far.” Even though that could possibly impede his search, if he stuck to familiar places, but who knows? Maybe Schneep would have wandered into the area. “Look at your kids, they’re so excited. You should stay with them.”

Chase slowly sat back down. “Be careful,” he said. “Take my...you-know-what, if you need to. It’s in the bedroom.”

“I will. See you later.”

Jack found the gun right where Chase said it would be, in the dresser drawer by the bed. He did stick to close-by areas. The walk was partially a search for Schneep, but if he had to be honest with himself, Jack...didn’t think any of them would be able to find Schneep. They’d been looking for a month, and had yet to even pick up a hint of him. For all they knew, Schneep might’ve vanished off the face of the earth.

But Jack didn’t even voice those concerns to himself. Surely if he went out looking one more time he could find him. Maybe just one more time would help. Maybe just one more time.

But of course, there was nothing.

— — — — — — —

Later that evening, Chase made dinner (which is to say, mac ‘n’ cheese for everyone), Stacy came home and put on a movie for the kids in the living room, and the three men gathered together in the bedroom: Chase lying on the bed, Jack sitting on the floor, and JJ taking the chair from the desk. “So, uh...how’d it go?” Chase asked. “The walk, I mean, Jack.”

“It was alright,” Jack said. “I mean, I didn’t find anything. But I didn’t run into you-know-who either.”

Voldemort? JJ asked, amused.

“Ha ha. No, you know what I mean,” Jack said, rolling his eyes.

Chase exhaled slowly. “Okay, that’s good. But, like, we should come up with a plan for if we see him again.”

I thought we had one of those, JJ said, confused.

“I mean, like, if we run into him while we’re alone. ‘Cause you know, that changes the whole plan.”

JJ sighed. Chase, while we’re on the subject, let’s talk about the plan.

Chase laughed nervously. “What about it?”

It’s just...are we sure this will...have the result we want? JJ asked delicately.

“I don’t see why it won’t,” Chase said. “Jack pulled out the soul...string...thing once before, he can do it again. And An—he’ll go poof, just like last time.”

Alright, that makes sense, JJ said. But...are we sure that we can destroy it?

“Well, I don’t know, do you think we can do that, Mr. Magic Man?” Chase asked.

Jack piped up. “I have seen your Dr. Strange magic cut through some of his strings before. If your magic is focused on helping people, just think about how getting rid of him will help all of us.”

That string wasn’t an ordinary string, Jameson protested. It’s more likely that it’s the remains of whatever black magic is holding him together. My magic might not be up for the task. He paused. And besides...even if it does, are we sure that...what we expect to happen...will happen?

Chase narrowed his eyes, and sat up. “What d’you mean?”

Jameson leaned back in the chair. All I’m saying is that...we don’t know that Marvin and Jackie will return if we destroy the string.

“It makes sense that they would,” Chase protested. “I mean, I would argue that their bodies are, y’know, buried and worse, but last time they somehow came back anyway. This spell is what made them...like this, so if we get rid of the spell, it would undo it.”

But that’s just a guess, Chase. Jameson was trying to sign gently, eyes sympathetic above his mask. There’s no solid knowledge that this will happen.

“There’s no solid knowledge about any of this! This is whole new magic territory, apparently!”

“Well, we have to try, don’t we?” Jack interrupted.

I’m not saying we don’t try, Jameson said.

“Kinda sounds like you are,” Chase mumbled.

All I’m saying is that we’re expecting to get them back the same way they apparently were before. But realistically, black magic of this magnitude would leave effects. The transference spell is already extremely destructive, and now it’s gone wrong, leaving any number of side effects.

“Anti is the side effect!” Chase shouted, getting to his feet. “We’re trying to get rid of him!”

Actually, Chase, I think you’re trying to get your friends back, Jameson said.

Silence. Chase went white, gaping. Jack stood up, looking between the two of them before going to stand by Chase. He started to reach out, but stopped. “Alright,” Chase said quietly. “So what if I am? So what if I am?! I want my best friends back, sue me for that! And we have a chance to try and get them, try to have everything go back to normal after the shit storm our lives have been! So what if I want that?!” His voice cracked.

There’s nothing wrong with that, Jameson signed slowly. But...we shouldn’t be expecting anything. There’s a high likelihood that they won’t come back. And if they do, they won’t be the same.

“I’m trying to be optimistic!”

No, you’re refusing to accept the possibility of failure! Jameson suddenly signed sharply.

“Um, guys?” Jack said. “Maybe—”

“I’m hoping that my friends come back!” Chase shouted, tears rising to his eyes. “What would you know about that?! You didn’t know them! You didn’t even have friends before we came along, Jameson Jackson!”

If silence fell before, here it crashed down. Tension filled the air, thick enough to almost be visible. Jameson stared at Chase with wide eyes. Jack gaped at Chase, his expression similar. To his credit, Chase immediately realized what he’d done, and his face grew even whiter. “JJ...I—I didn’t mean—”

Jameson pushed to his feet. With the help of his cane, he walked over to the doorway. Before leaving, he turned back around, leaning against the doorframe. Say what you will, Chase, he signed coldly. Perhaps you’re right, and I’m being callous because I never knew either of them. But just be sure. Be sure you’re prepared for whatever this plan will give you. Be prepared for them to be hollow shells like they were that week after we first defeated him. Be prepared for them to be completely different and foreign, even hostile. Be prepared for them to NOT BE THERE AT ALL. Jameson paused. If you’re prepared for all of that, then I’ll be confident trying our plan. He turned and left without another word.

Chase remained frozen for a few long seconds. Then, silently he started to cry. “I...I didn’t mean...oh fuck.” He buried his face in his hands. “Oh fuck, I fucked up.”

Jack looked like he wanted to agree, but didn’t say anything.

“I-I should go say something, right? I should go apologize. I-I didn’t mean it.” Despite saying this, Chase didn’t move from the spot. His feet remained rooted to the ground.

“Maybe not right now...” Jack suggested. “You’re both...a little heated, take some time to cool down. Maybe tomorrow.”

“Yeah...yeah, that sounds good.” Chase lifted his face from his hands, his eyes rimmed with red. “I’ll...go...take a nap. Or something.”

“Oh. Uh...well, this is your room, so I’ll...go, then.” Jack sidled away, heading for the door. He glanced back at Chase, to see he still hadn’t moved.

“Hey...Jack,” Chase said, noticing his hesitation. “You...you do think there’s a chance, right? That we’ll get them back?”

Jack was quiet for a long time. “I think...that there’s a way.  If you forced me to choose—which, let’s be honest, I kind of am being, here—the plan we have is our best shot at getting them back. Maybe...” He paused a moment, thinking. “..maybe they won’t be exactly the same. But we’ll be there to help them.” Another pause. “But there is a chance...it won’t...”

Chase didn’t react to that, aside from a slight stiffening. Jack stayed hovering in the doorway, waiting for something else. When it never came, he simply left, closing the door behind him.

In the hallway now, Jack sighed, pressing his forehead against the wall. For a moment, he stayed there, feeling the weight of everything press down on him. He was...tired. And tense. And he guessed the others felt much the same.

— — — — — — —

The next morning was a quiet one. Stacy took the kids to the park, perhaps sensing the leftover tension and deciding to get out of the way. Still, it was almost an hour after they left, and Chase and JJ had yet to interact again after the fight yesterday. It got to the point where Jack cornered each of them separately and told them to meet him in the kitchen.

Of course, once each of them got there and saw the other, things got awkward real quick. The two of them sat on either side of the kitchen table with Jack at the head in between them.

“So...” Jack said, clearing his throat. “I think...people...we...you guys need to talk?”

In case you haven’t noticed, that’s impossible, JJ remarked.

Jack winced. “You know what I mean. Yesterday was...hard for all of us.”

“Jays, you know I didn’t mean it,” Chase blurted out. “I-I was just...upset because...” He waved his hands vaguely. “I guess just—i-it was enough finding out that Marvin and Jackie are...him. I-I’m still not...anyway, it was just like you were...I mean, it’s not impossible, right? Which it kind of...felt like you were saying. You know?”

JJ stayed silent. Jack tried very hard not to facepalm. He could tell that could’ve gone better, even if he didn’t have Jameson’s reaction to go by.

Before anyone could say anything else, the front door of the house opened and slammed shut. “Chase?!” Stacy shouted.

Chase cursed under his breath, then stood up. “I’ll be back,” he said, leaving to go back into the living room.

Stacy was standing in the middle of the room, purse clutched tight to her chest, and her face very pale. “Chase, where are Lily and Moira?”

“What? Aren’t they with you?” Chase asked.

“They were! Now I don’t know where the hell they are!” Stacy threw her purse down onto the couch. She blinked back furious tears. “They were on the playground, Moira was pushing Lily on the swings. I went to buy a bottle of water, they were within earshot, it was fine, and then I turn around and they were gone! Where the hell are our kids, Chase?!”

Chase couldn’t answer. He backed up into the nearest chair and collapsed, shaking slightly.

Jack poked his head into the room. He immediately looked like he wanted to back away, but then he noticed Chase. “What happened?” he asked, stepping fully into the room.

Chase covered his mouth with his hand, pulling at his bandanna with the the other. He shook his head.

Stacy looked between the two of them. “What’s going on?!”

“I knew this would happen...” Chase choked out. “I shouldn’t have come here, I-I didn’t want to involve you, a-and now look what’s happened!”

“It’s him, isn’t it?” Jack asked softly. Behind him, JJ also appeared, leaning on the door frame.

“He has my fucking kids,” Chase said, a sob ripping out of his throat.

“What?!” Jack rushed over to Chase’s side. “No no no, he can’t! He’s never involved anyone but us!”

“They’re gone, Jack!” Chase cried. “It was only t-time before h-he went after someone we knew...to get to us...we ne-never should’ve come here!”

“Oh shit.” Jack paled. “No no no, this is okay, we’ll go get them back!”

“That’s what he’ll be expecting,” Chase whispered. 

Suddenly, a buzzing noise came from Stacy’s purse. She frowned, walking over to where it was on the couch and picking it up again. Digging around in it, she pulled out her phone and checked the screen. Her eyes widened. “I just got a text from an unknown number,” she said in a hushed voice.

“What’s it say?” Jack asked tentatively. Chase looked down, holding his head in his hands.

“‘I want my puppet back,’“ Stacy read out loud. “‘You know where to go. All of you can come, if you want, but if you try anything’...” She swallowed nervously. “‘...you can say goodbye to the girls. You have until noon.’ Holy shit...”

“We gotta do it,” Chase mumbled. His fingers bunched his hair, pulling it. “We gotta go. They’re just kids...”

Jack glanced over at Jameson, who’d been standing quietly the whole time. Jameson looked at him as well, and nodded. I agree...we can’t let anything happen to them. But we can’t go in without a plan, of some sorts.

“You mean...the plan?” Jack asked.

Jameson paused then shook his head. I don’t know. Maybe that would be too risky. But this’ll be the third time we go into his territory, it would be foolish to not have some sort of fail-safe in case...he doesn’t keep his word.

“What if we just did it?” Chase asked. “What if we just went through with it, a-and you guys came back for me later? I lasted five months, it can’t be too—”

“Chase, holy shit, no!” Jack cried, aghast. “You’re not going back there!”

“Wait, what?” Stacy suddenly asked.

“Long story,” Jack said to her. “And, uh...not my place.” He looked down at Chase, but he didn’t seem in the mood to explain anything right now. “The point is, there are a million better options before we go...there.”

“Do you think he’d really hurt them?” Chase asked dully. “I mean...since he’s actually them. Do you think any part of them would do something like that? I know Marv didn’t like kids much, but he was always nice to them, at least.”

We can’t take the chance, JJ said, shaking his head. He brushed away his bracelets to check his wristwatch. It’s nearly eleven o’clock, he said we only have until noon. We need to hurry.

“Hold on!” Stacy held up her hands, asking them to stop. “You’re all talking about this as if I’m not here! You know, their mother? Whatever you’re doing to get them back, I’m going with you!”

“Stace, no...” Chase said softly, a sort of whimper in his voice. “You can’t get involved in this...then the kids will have nowhere safe to go.”

“I’m sick of you not telling me anything!” Stacy insisted. “Stop talking over me!”

Chase didn’t respond, just kept his eyes fixed down in his lap. Jack cleared his throat. “Stacy...I get it, this is awful. But...well, he has a point. After we get the kids back, we...we should leave. So nothing else happens.”

Stacy looked between the three men, gaping. None of them would meet her eyes. Her gaze lingered on Chase, who was still resolutely not looking up. For a moment, her expression softened. “I’m not an idiot,” she said, though the words lacked bite. “I know this is dangerous. I can tell something’s happened. You...you don’t have the energy you used to, Chase.” She paused, waiting for a response that never came. “I just can’t sit by while the kids are in danger. I want to be...involved.”

“Understandable,” Chase muttered. “But please, please don’t. Just...don’t.”

Saying nothing, Stacy picked her purse back up and walked past Jameson, vanishing down the hall.

“God, this is all going to hell,” Jack muttered.

No shit, Jack, Jameson said, eliciting a slight gasp from the other two at the unexpected language. Look, can we just focus on the current situation? We only have an hour to plan, and it’ll take forty minutes to walk to his lair. 

Jack sighed. “Alright, everyone, let’s talk this over...”

Fifteen minutes later, the three of them walked out of the house, starting down the sidewalk towards the now-familiar location of Anti’s hideout. The plan they’d concocted still wasn’t solid; it was more of a rough outline than anything, relying on the one they’d already discussed, with the promise that they’d wing it if anything came up. Which, honestly, did not inspire any of them with much confidence.

— — — — — — —

Things had changed. Though Anti’s lair was still located in the same abandoned building, though the stairs inside still led down to a hallway lit red...things had changed. It was something in the air, something sharp, like ozone. Something that made the hair on the back of your neck stand up. Walking down the hallway, Jack, Chase, and Jameson found themselves huddling together.

“We’re all ready?” Jack muttered. “Do we need to review anything?” Neither Chase nor JJ responded, so he kept talking. “Remember, we’re going to look like we’re agreeing, but we’re not, so don’t be worried, Chase.”

“I’m not,” Chase said automatically.

“JJ, you’re ready with your magic? Both to protect and go after the string thingy when I—”

Yes, Jack, Jameson signed quickly. Now be careful what you say.

Jack decided to stop talking.

The hallway didn’t twist and turn or connect to other hallways. Instead of the maze the hideout had been the last two times, the corridor opened up into a big, circular room. Red lightbulbs in the ceiling lit up most things, though there were shadows around the edges. The floor and walls were concrete, making it look rather like a large basement. And in the middle of the room, three figures were sitting on the floor. The kids, of course, and...

They knew it was Anti. But that didn’t stop Jack and Chase from freezing when they saw him.

Lily, chattering about something, was the first to look up and notice the three who’d just come in. She waved. “Hi Dad!” She seemed completely unconcerned about everything. Moira, on the other hand, was more aware. She had her arms wrapped around Lily, holding her close to her chest, her shoulders and expression tense.

Anti looked over at the group. He smiled, and stood up. “Oh hello there. So nice of you to show up. Though a little earlier would’ve been better, instead of waiting until the last minute. Literally. 11:59′s pushing it a bit, isn’t it?” He laughed. “Well? Come in, come closer.”

The three of them looked at each other. Jameson clutched Jack’s arm, half-leaning on him. Chase swallowed visibly. Silently, they took a few steps into the room, getting halfway to Anti before they all decided to stop.

“Though, maybe I don’t mind as much,” Anti continued nonchalantly. “Gives me more time with these cuties. We’ve been having fun, haven’t we?”

Lily nodded, giggling. “Yeah, Uncle Jackie.”

Moira didn’t answer, merely held her sister closer. She was old enough to know that if you went to a funeral for someone, that meant they weren’t coming back.

Anti smiled widely. It was unnerving, how close it was to the way Jackie would smile. But there was something...off about it. Just enough to set someone on edge. “Well...unfortunately, all good things must come to an end.” Anti shoved his hands inside the pocket of the red hoodie he wore, and turned to look at the others. “And I need to talk to your dad.”

“Aw, do we gotta? It’s been so long,” Lily pouted. Moira, still holding her, stood up, pulling her sister along.

Chase cleared his throat. “H-hey Lils? Moira? Why don’t you...come over here?”

“Why don’t y̶̴͠ơu͏ come over h̸er͟e, Chase?” Anti asked. He gestured to the kids. “Don’t you want to talk to them for a while?”

Chase paled further, his face now white. He looked back at the other two. As a group, they started to walk closer.

After a while, Anti held up a hand. “That’s close enough, you two,” he said, eyes landing on Jack and JJ. “I only want to talk to Chase.”

“A-are you—” Jack started to ask something, but then Jameson squeezed his arm, cutting him off. He gave him a look that said ‘be careful.’

“Am I sure? Yes, I’m sure.” Anti grinned. For a moment, his eyes flickered green. “Now, come cl̶os͢er̛.”

Chase hesitated, then closed the distance. Once he was close enough, he knelt down on the ground to be eye-level with the kids. “Hey, girls,” he said gently. “How are you?”

“We’re fine, Dad,” Moira said tensely. Lily nodded along.

“That’s great.” Chase tried to smile. “Well, Mom was really nervous, you know? She didn’t know you were leaving.”

“Really? Uncle Jackie said she said it was okay,” Lily said, confused.

“Well, maybe she didn’t expect you to be gone so long,” Chase said softly. “It’s time to go home now, before she starts worrying. You go with Uncle Jack and JJ, okay? I’ll stay here and talk with...Jackie.”

“Alright, Dad. We’re going.” Moira shuffled to the side, away from Anti, taking Lily with her. Once she’d shuffled around Chase, she let go of Lily and grabbed her hand, running the rest of the distance to Jack and Jameson. 

Before Chase could stand up, Anti settled a hand down on top of his shoulder, preventing him from getting up. “Well?” He asked, raising an eyebrow. “You heard him, it’s time for all of you to go home. If you stay any longer, something might hap͠p̡e̴n̶. Give us some privacy to talk, huh?”

Jack reached down and took Moira’s other hand. He nodded slowly, and started backing up, bringing the rest of the group with him. Briefly, his left eye flickered closed, activating his soul vision. Chase and JJ’s were the same as ever. The kids had soul lights as well—iris for Moira, peach for Lily—shining brighter than any other lights in the room. And Anti’s soul was still a mess, red and blue shards meshed together and tangled with green string. But...was it just his imagination, or did the mess of shards look somehow...looser?

Anti and Chase watched as Jack, Jameson, and the kids retreated, staring at them until they disappeared into the doorway. Once they were out of sight, Anti grabbed Chase by the bandanna and pulled him up. Chase choked in surprise. “Hello again, p͢͡u̴p̸͞p͝ę̛͝t,” Anti said cheerfully. His form flickered, and the disguise of Jackie fell away like unraveling fabric, revealing Anti as the others had always known him. “I m̢͏í̛͞s̴̢s̴e͏̵d̢̕͝ you.”

Chase didn’t respond. He reached up and tried to loosen Anti’s hold on his bandanna, but his grip was firm, and it was pulling the knot tighter.

“Oh?” Anti grabbed Chase’s wrist with his other hand. He squeezed it. Chase stiffened. Then his body went limp, his eyes dull. Anti smiled. “That’s b̨̢̀et͟t̨̨eŗ̸̨. You can do without these wristbands, you kn—”

A disc of blue light whirled towards Anti, slicing across his arms. Anti yelled, and dropped Chase, who fell to the ground unmoving. Spinning around, he saw Jack and Jameson standing in the doorway, glaring at him identically. Jack held a kitchen knife in one hand, and Jameson had two of his magic circles balancing on his fingers. Some ways into the hall behind them, there was another blue glow, the same shade as Jameson’s magic.

Anti scowled, but suddenly, smiled. “Clever, clever. I should’ve k͠ńo͠͏̡w̸n you weren’t going to g҉o ͢͞t̴̕h͟ro͢uģh̷ with this.” He tilted his head. “But then again, maybe I͞ ͇̻̦̟̣̣͡d̖͈͡i̼͖͟d͍̦̹͎.̥”

His eyes suddenly glazed over with static, red on his left and blue on his right. White noise filled the air as he raised his hands, and slammed them downward. The ground rumbled, and cracks shot across the floor, cutting through the concrete, forming a line between Anti and Chase, and Jack and Jameson. Anti grinned, holding his hands out again, close together. Slowly, he made a motion like he was pulling something apart, glitches and static racking his form. The ground shook again. Jameson fell to the floor with a muffled cry, and Jack leaned against the wall to keep from doing the same. The cracks in the floor widened, and slowly, the part of the room Anti was standing on started drifting away from the other half, leaving a widening crevice behind, dropping down into blackness.

“Shit!” Jack cried. He rushed forward. The ground rumbled again, and he fell hard as it lurched beneath his feet. The knife clattered against the concrete.

Jameson lifted himself into a kneeling position, and flung out a hand. Blue light attached itself to either edge of the crevice, sticky strands made of runes forming a rough bridge. Anti scowled, and once again made the pulling-apart gesture. The room shook, slowly at first, then rising into a violent quake. The two sides strained to pull away. Jameson reached out with both hands, clenching his fists like he was physically holding the room together. The strands of magic multiplied and dug into the ground. Jameson caught Jack’s eye and gestured with his head towards the magic bridge.

Jack climbed to his feet, grabbing the kitchen knife. He ran towards the bridge. He skidded to a halt once he reached the edge of the ravine. He glanced down, and paled. “Chase!” He shouted.

On the other side of the ravine, Chase stirred, and weakly tried to get up. But Anti noticed. He stepped on Chase’s back, pushing him back down. Static running along his limbs, breaking them apart, Anti made the pulling-apart gesture one more time.

The room shook, bucking and heaving. Jack stumbled, almost falling headfirst into the ravine before backing up. Jameson fell onto his side. A few strands of the magic bridge snapped. Jameson reached out again, his eyes flaring brighter blue. The bridge repaired itself, more strands appearing, but it was taunt. Jameson was shivering, beads of sweat trailing down his face as he fought to keep the room together.

Jack took a deep breath, and ran forward, stepping onto the magic bridge. He sprinted across it, the magic almost bouncing beneath his feet. Anti screamed, and the room shook again. Jack managed to step onto the other side, just as the ravine shot open wider, snapping the bridge in half. On the other side of the room, Jameson’s hands fell to the ground, his eyes closing as he went very still.

“Y̢͟o͡͏u̶.̷͢͢” Anti growled, pointing at Jack. “Are by far the w̨͉̠̘̳ͅo͏̸̸̫̦͈͕̗r̝͇͉̝̘̹̟̕̕s̙̹̩̭̻͠͠t̨̠͝ one. I ̵h̛͠a̡͢t̵̢͠e̛ ̸̕yo͞͞u͏̵ s̯̝o̧͎͉̬̬̟̻̹.̪̣̘̦̀ ͎͍̜̳̜M̭̖͇̖̯u̻͔̲͇c̦̫̲h̬. ”

“I figured that out a while ago,” Jack muttered, feeling all his old scars twinge. He gripped the knife tightly and pointed it at Anti. “Let him go.”

Anti burst into laughter. “Or w̨̛hat̸?”

“Or this!” Jack ran forward, quickly closing the distance. Anti chuckled, and just as Jack drew near, glitched away, reappearing behind him. Jack skidded to a halt and spun around.

“Ẁo̷̢͟w̧͡, good job.” Anti clapped. “Have you considered th̷̢͢is̷?” He reached to the side and pulled out a knife of his own, taking a swipe at Jack. Yelping, Jack jumped backwards, but Anti glitched again, reappearing behind Jack just as he was stepping backwards. Pain blossomed from a point on Jack’s lower back, and before he could even respond to that, Anti pushed him forward onto the ground. Once again, Jack dropped the knife. “You’re so p͠͝áţ̕͢het̵i̴̷͞c̷. Even Schneep had a fighting spirit, this is just s͏̢a͟d̨͠.”

Dimly, Jack registered that this wasn’t going well. Then immediately, the part of him that wasn’t concerned with the stab wound in his back went YOU THINK?! They hadn’t been counting on Anti somehow knocking Chase out of the fight right from the start. They hadn’t realized that Anti would be able to pull the room apart. They hadn’t thought about how the effort of holding the room together would make Jameson pass out, leaving Jack the only one left. Even if they had come up with a more thorough plan, their efforts still would’ve failed, because they hadn’t been expecting any of this.

“What would you do...” Anti raised his left hand. “...if you just..,drop̀͞p̨e̸͢d̛͝͠?” And he clenched his fist, sending a wave of static into the air.

The ground beneath Jack started shaking and bucking violently. Cracks appeared in its surface, spreading rapidly across the concrete. Every time he tried to stand up, Jack lost his balance. He watched pieces of the floor wall away and leave blackness behind. Anti was laughing. Jack kept trying to get up or roll away, but the small earthquake was too wild, pushing him back to place every time. The floor was giving away and he braced himself—

Anti screamed.

The ground settled. Jack quickly scrambled away from the cracks that remained on its surface. Once he was on solid ground, he looked up to see Anti...fighting with someone. At first he thought it was Chase, but then the person drew away from the fight, and realization struck him like lightning. “Schneep?!” He gasped.

Schneep turned toward him, responding to the sound of his voice. He wore a long black coat over his outfit, and held a pair of scissors in his hand. His eyes were...different. The scars were still there, underneath his eyes in the shape of tears, but now his irises glowed turquoise, his scleras black. He grinned. “Hello, Jack. Nice to, ah, see you again. In the metaphor sense.”

Jack laughed a bit. “Y-yeah,” he said, climbing to his feet. “Where have you been?”

“Is a long story, and not one that can be summed up easily,” Schneep said. “Especially not now.”

Anti shrieked, the sound more akin to an electronic whine than anything human. His form was glitching so hard that it was causing him to stumble and stagger. Eventually it settled, and he glared at Schneep. “You think you’re ş̸̴m͡a̡rt̵?̧̨!̧” He demanded.

“Well...” Schneep held up his scissors. A length of green string was caught in their blades. He snapped the scissors shut, cutting the string in half. “Yes.”

Anti growled. He clutched at his left arm...which was still glitching pretty severely, despite the rest of his body being fine. Glancing down, Jack’s eyes widened when he saw Anti’s hand separated from his wrist, dangling from a few strands of green thread. The string soon snapped, and the hand fell to the ground, where it glitched out of existence. The wound that was left dripped colorful static instead of blood.

Shocked, Jack closed his eye, activating his soul vision. The mess of shards that was Anti’s soul looked even looser than before. And as he glanced at Schneep’s soul, something seemed...different about it, too. In a way he couldn’t quite describe.

“You want to f̡ig͡͏̸ḩ͢t͞?̷̧” Anti summoned his knife with his remaining hand. “Le͢ţ's ̸ge̴t̶ to it́!̷” He lunged at Schneep. 

Schneep didn’t even turn toward him, instead vanishing. The air behind Anti sliced open and Schneep stepped out, wrapping his arms around Anti’s torso. Anti shrieked again, and glitched to the side, swiping with his knife. Schneep countered with the scissors, and jabbed them forward. Anti backed up and slashed again. This time, Schneep opened the scissors, catching the knife in between the two blades. Quickly, he snapped the scissors shut and twisted, yanking the knife out of Anti’s grip. He grabbed the knife’s handle, now armed with two weapons. “Jack, make sure Chase is alright,” he said. “He feels like he is, but better safe than sorry.”

“What?”

Anti summoned another knife, darting forward while Schneep seemed distracted. But Schneep was gone. Now he was on the other side of the room, the other side of the ravine. Anti screamed, and glitched over, and the fighting began again.

Jack scrambled over to where Chase was. He turned him over, eyes scanning him. Chase’s eyes were open, but dulled. His chest was rising and falling slowly. Jack wanted to check his pulse, but he didn’t want to remove the bandanna or the wristbands without permission. “Chase? Are you okay, bud?” Jack asked, gently shaking his shoulder.

Chase blinked, and mumbled something unintelligible. 

“Dude, come on, wake up! Or, well, you’re not exactly asleep—snap out of it!” He shook him harder, and Chase groaned, the dull look in his eyes fading a bit. “Chase, say something!”

“...something...” Chase muttered.

Jack laughed hysterically. “Okay, that’s good. How do you feel?”

“...kinda foggy,” Chase said slowly. “What...he squeezed my wrist, and I...”

“Maybe that was a pressure point or a trigger point or something?” Jack guessed.

“Maybe...” Chase squeezed his eyes shut, then opened them wide. “What’s going on?”

“Um...Schneep showed up, cut Anti’s hand off, and now they’re fighting.”

“...I must be really out of it, ‘cause I thought you said Schneep cut Anti’s hand off.”

“Nope, that wasn’t just you, bud,” Jack said, shaking his head. He pointed across the room to the fight boiling between Schneep and Anti. The two of them were disappearing and reappearing, much like they had when Schneep’s magic first manifested in the apartment. But this seemed more controlled, more deliberate.

Chase sat up slowly, squinting. “...oh. He doesn’t have a hand.”

“Yeah.”

“...what...the fuck?” Chase said. His voice was soft, but it contained a lot of feeling.

“I know, dude, here, just let me help you up.”

The two of them stood, staring across the ravine in the floor at the fight. “JJ...” Chase whispered, pointing across to where Jameson laid on the floor, still unconscious.

“I know...” Jack looked down at the ravine. “How’re we going to get across?”

Chase didn’t have time to answer, because just then, Anti and Schneep disappeared, reappearing three feet away from them. Jack and Chase cried out in unison, stumbling back. Schneep ducked one of Anti’s blows and tackled him, pushing him to the ground. Then suddenly, the world fell apart and sewed itself together. And Schneep was standing upright again, but Anti wasn’t. Schneep walked over to Chase and Jack and silently grabbed the two of them. The air shivered, and suddenly they were on the other side of the room, right by—

“Jameson!” Chase cried, kneeling next to him. “Hey, hey, dude. Wake up!”

Anti screamed. He glitched upright, then over to their group, lashing out at them with the knife. Schneep grabbed his arm, and suddenly he was attacking his wrist with his scissors. Anti yelled, dropping the knife in surprise, and glitched back a bit. His right hand was now dangling from green thread, though it didn’t fall away. Static crawled over his body. He laughed and screamed at once, flickering and staggering, appearance shifting between himself, Marvin, and Jackie. 

“Jack, this is very important,” Schneep said. “You remember how you pulled out that string?”

“Yeah,” Jack said. “We were planning on doing that again.”

“Good! Do it. But first, we need to snip snip the stitches on his neck.”

“The—oh.” Jack hadn’t thought much about the green stitches holding Anti’s throat wound closed. They were...awful, but he’d just accepted them as part of Anti’s appearance. “Alright, got it.”

“What about me?” Chase asked.

“Make sure Jack and Jamie do not get hurt while I do this,” Schneep said, raising the scissors and pointing them at Anti.

“You̢'re ͠a̸ll̡ ͡w̢eak!” Anti yelled, words barely audible through static and distortion. He stumbled, legs glitching into broken pieces. Pieces of red and blue static sliced through his body. “Awfu̸l, ͡tęrr͟i͡ble͠—͢h͞ap̢py̡ p̨e̛ople! ̸W̶h̷y ̀a̕r͝e̢ y̛o̶u h͢ap͡py?!̶ W̕h̴y̶ ̨am ͞I ͞be̵ing̵ ͠torn̛ ąp̕a̡r͞t—breaking͏,͝ a͏gony, pa͡i̴n p̀àin͞ ̴pai̡n—͡a̧nd͢ ̨y͠ou̵ are ͢nǫt?͟!̕ Hap̢py̵, ͞h̀a̕pp͏y—́l̸i͏vin̢ǵ,̀ ͡livi͏ng! I hat̶e̛ you! Í ͞H̛A҉TĘ ̧Y͢OU͠!̵ YOU͡ ͏SH̀OU̸L͞D̶ ̨S̢UFF̧E̶R ͠L͠IḰE̵ WE A̛RE!” He laughed, and cried, and screamed all at once. And then he lunged at them, arms outstretched, no weapons bared, eyes red and blue and green.

Schneep ducked. He opened the scissors wide, flipped them in his hand, and sliced. Anti stopped where he was, a wound on his chest bleeding static. He staggered back, then laughed and lunged again in a blind attack. Schneep pushed him back, away from the others. Anti snarled and screamed and laughed and sobbed and shouted all at once, arms breaking into glitchy pieces as he tried to attack blindly, punching and clawing. Schneep remained calm, deflecting every wild blow. Anti paused for just the slightest moment, and that’s when Schneep struck. He darted forward, slicing with the blade of the scissors. The slash cut cleanly through the stitches on Anti’s neck.

“Jack, now!” Schneep yelled. Jack ran forward. He hesitated for a moment. Anti was falling apart, a million voices coming out of his mouth, static leaking from his neck and various wounds, a mess of glitches and static with the image of his friends thrown in. But Jack steeled himself, and plunged his hand into the glitchy mess’s chest. His fingers grabbed something, and he pulled. Out came the green string. Schneep reached out, and Jack quickly handed it to him. He folded the string in on itself a couple time, then cut through the bundled up mess with the scissors.

Three screams at once rang out through the room. Then Anti flew apart, glitches and static bursting outward. There was nothing left.

Schneep dropped the remains of the green strings, panting. “That...was easier than I was expecting,” he said.

“Easy?!” Chase repeated incredulously.

“Yes. I suppose he fell apart the more damage we did. It makes sense.” Schneep nodded.

Jack was rendered speechless. He stared at Schneep, gaping. “I—what—how—oh my—what?” He shook his head. “The string. We thought it couldn’t be cut.”

“Special scissors.” Schneep snipped said scissors a couple times. “I...picked them up. Is a long story.”

“Broooo!” Chase shouted. “That was epic! How’d you learn to do any of that?! That was badass!”

Schneep smiled softly. “Well...I have been practicing. After a certain...encounter made me realize what I could do, I decided to form a plan to take Anti down. And...thank you. You are all alright?”

“We’re fine, yeah,” Jack said. “Well...JJ’s still out.”

“Is he?” Schneep asked. “Someone should carry him out of here.”

“I got it.” Chase scooped JJ into his arms. He glanced toward the back of the room. His eyes widened. “Uh...guys? Look at that.”

Jack turned to follow his gaze. The wall on the opposite side of the room was cracking, the concrete turning black and falling apart. “That...can’t be good.”

“What? What is it?” Schneep asked. 

“Oh...so you still can’t see?” Jack asked.

“What? No! Why do you think I make that joke earlier? I just...I feel where people are, and it makes it easier.”

“Well, the room is falling apart. We should go.” Jack grabbed Schneep’s hand and started walking toward the doorway.

“You got the kids out?” Chase asked, following.

“Yes, we told them to go down the hall and up the stairs and wait for us outside the building. JJ put protection around them like we planned.” Jack frowned. “Though...maybe that went away after he passed out.”

Chase picked up the pace.

Once they left the building, they found Lily and Moira sitting on the pavement outside, perfectly fine. Chase started to cry. “Hey girls,” he said softly.

“Hi Dad,” Moira said.

“Hi Dad!” Lily shouted, waving. “Hi Uncle Hen! Uncle Jack! Why is Uncle JJ asleep? Where did Uncle Jackie go?”

Chase fell silent. “I think...he’s gone. R...right, Schneep?”

Schneep said nothing, then nodded softly. “I think he is,” he said quietly.

Tears started to pour faster from Chase’s eyes, but he swallowed the sobs. Not in front of the girls. “Well...c’mon, we’re going home, now. And we’ll tell you everything on the way.”

It was a long walk back to the house.

Once they arrived, Stacy and the girls reunited tearfully. She again demanded that they tell her what happened, but even though it was the middle of the day, everyone agreed they needed a rest. Chase promised to explain everything to her that evening.

They all took separate rooms, with Schneep staying with Jack for a while. He also promised explanations later.

Once he was alone, Chase started to cry in earnest.

They really were gone now.

[celestialulu]

Nalu Halloween Oneshot

I wrote this a while back but I'm bringing it to Tumblr even though it ain't Halloween just have it.

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

It was the night before Halloween, decorations were being put up by all the guild members in Fairy Tail. Everyone had gotten assigned roles. Lucy darted her eyes up and down the list she had been given. She was in charge of buying all the candy.

"Lucyyyy..." Natsu Pleaded.

"Hm, what's up Natsu?" She responded.

"Let me come with you...! He cried into her back.

She looked up at him, confused.

She sighed, "Don't you have your own job to be doing?"

"Well," He started,

"It won't be nearly as fun without you..." He pouted, looking downwards.

Lucy looked downwards at the salmon-haired boy, blushing tints on pink across her cheeks.

"W-well.." She started, "We can go get Candy for the trick-or-treaters who visit my place later, okay?"

"Alright..." He states and flashes his grin.

"Also... Luce?" He continues,

Lucy turned back to face him, tilting her head.

"You look pretty cute today..." He finishes.

Lucy wandered aisles of the stores and browsed through the market stalls, mumbling after herself.

"Natsu... called me cute?" She mumbled.

Lucy slapped her cheeks with both of her hands, calling her list to fall and she quickly picked it back up.

She sighed to herself.

"I mean... I guess he has always cared about me... he is the densest idiot I've ever met." She chuckled.

Lucy continued to stroll through the different stalls and markets, Halloween themed items sprawled across most.

She walked through buying different candies and ticking all the candy one by one off the list.

Fairy Tail was holding a Halloween themed event/party and it would be starting in 2 hours time.

"Okay... I think that does it!" Lucy smiled happily and ticked the last option off the list.

Lucy struggled, stumbling towards the guild, bags of candy in her hands. She was obviously struggling with the weight of the bags, the list was pretty extreme. Lucy finally made her way to the guild doors, moving very slowly but going as fast as she could. As soon as she arrived, she tripped on a mini pumpkin and fell face-first into the floor. People nearly to entrance chuckled at her actions. She scratched the back of her head nervously and stood up to pick the bags back up, but ho have it snatched out of her hands.

"Luce, ya really gotta be looking where you're going" The familiar Salmon-haired boy laughed.

He carried the bags in and set them on the table with other decorations.

"Didn't hurt your self at all... did ya?" Natsu asked, his face inching closer to hers.

"N-no I'm totally fine..." She stuttered, giving him a reassuring smile.

"Alright then Luce, I'm glad."

Lucy smiled and then looked at the clock, one and a half hours till the event huh? She wondered if Natsu had even remembered to buy an outfit. Master said they must dress for the event. She'd need to be getting herself ready sooner or later. Lucy decided to head back home to ready for the upcoming event. She waved a farewell to her guildmates and made her way home, accompanied by her spirit companion.

Lucy had a long bath, scrubbing thoroughly through her hair and rising back out. She was wearing a towel wrapped around her head and a towel covering her body. She dried her hair and then made a few curls at the ends while adding a bit of makeup to her face.

"Hm, I wonder where I put it..." Lucy spoke to herself while darting her eyes around the room.

"Oh! here it is"

She held out the outfit in front of her,  it was a witch costume. The top part of the dress was white and buttoned with frills going up the torso, complemented with a frilly skirt part of the dress. Her witches hat was tall and toppled over the side of her head. Thigh-high socks that showed exposure to the top of her thigh and red-laced heels. A cape flew a bit above her waist and she held a wizard-like staff to herself.

"That's perfect" She grinned.

Lucy scanned the apartment and eventually peered over the window, taken aback to not see the salmon-haired boy climbing up her building wall to intrude in her space. The blonde celestial mage was kind of disappointed since she still had about 15 minutes till the event, she might've enjoyed some company until then. She sat up and walked in front of the mirror, giving herself a little twirl and a giggle.

"Finally!" She threw her arms in the air.

It was about time for the event. There was still no sign of the Rowdy Firehead she had been hoping to spot. As soon as she closed the door behind her, a cold breeze of air flew by, making Lucy rub her arms for warmth. Even with the cape and the full outfit, it was still a very cold night out. Clutching the fake staff in both hands, she slowly made her way to the guild in the cold air of the night.

"Woah... cool outfit Lucy!"

"Looking good Lu-chan!"

"Cute outfit Lucy!"

"T-thanks"

Lucy suddenly felt weird... no one had gone to the extreme with their outfits like she did. Everyone had only been wearing Halloween themed onesies, jumpers or subtle outfits, unlike her who had gone mostly full out on her attire. She scanned the guild for the familiar pink-haired boy again, still no sign of him. The blonde walked over to her bluenette friend how was standing next to the well-known iron dragon slayer.

"Hey Levy... Or Gajeel for that matter, have you seen Natsu anywhere?"

"Sorry, Lu-chan I haven't..."

"Nope, sorry Lucy I ain't seen him from up here either..."

Gajeel earned a smack for that one.

"Alright, thanks for telling me!" Lucy waved.

It was about an hour into the event and Lucy still hadn't seen Natsu anywhere at all. She sighed, the Halloween show was about to start which means the event would be over by the time the show finishes.

"I wonder what the show will be about..."

"Probably something over the top, I mean its Fairy Tail after all!"

The guilds lights darkened.

"Hello all!" Spoke a familiar voice.

Master had appeared on stage.

"This year, we have a very special guest for our show!"

He took the mic and ran off stage.

"Of course we have a performance for us today, so, welcome... Mi-" Master had been cut off.

"MWAHAHAHAHAHA...!"

"I know that voice all too well" Lucy sighed.

Natsu jumped in from the roof, wearing a Vampire/Dracula type outfit with fangs bearing out.

"It is I... Count Natsdruca!" He cackled.

Master appeared and kicked Natsu off the stage, landing in front of Lucy.

"As I was saying..." Master's voice trailed off.

"Oh, Heya Luce." He grinned.

"I'm guessing you'd HAVE to make an entrance like that..." She smiled.

"Of course I would've."

"It also looks like you went over the top yourself..." He added.

"I thought everyone else would've..." She frowned.

"Not everyone." He denied.

Lucy looked up at him, confused.

"There's me." He stated happily.

"Of course it would be you, it would always be you..." She faintly trailed off.

"So you wouldn't mind me doing this...?" He smirked.

Lucy looked at him in concern, furrowing her eyebrows.

"What do you me-"

Lucy was cut off by Natsu's lips connecting with hers. They shared a sweet kiss under the guild's dim lights.

"Hehe," Natsu chuckled.

Lucy pouted and turned away.

"HEY! you liked it too y'know?" He reasoned.

"I did you, idiot..."

"But I can be your idiot now since we'll always be together."