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stitch1830 · 3 years ago

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Happy Mondangst! Here's some angsty Kantoph :)

......

“Da.”

“That’s right, baby girl!” he cheered in his most ridiculous baby voice. “Da da! Da da!”

Lin giggled in her father’s arms, and Toph jokingly scoffed at the two from the couch. She lay on her back with her hands behind her head, enjoying the vibrations of the two through the ball of her foot that she kept firmly on the ground. “You two are giving me a headache.”

“C’mon, Toph! It’s Lin’s first word, how can you hate this?”

“First off, she’s babbling. It’s not even words yet. Second, the fact that she’s making ‘D’ sounds instead of ‘M’ is the other reason.” she explained simply. “If she says ‘Dada’ before ‘Mama,’ that’s betrayal right there.”

“Sorry, Angel. I just have that effect on women, I guess.”

“Gross,” she complained, but pointed a smile at him, and she felt his heart quicken ever so slightly and his voice let out a quiet chuckle at their antics.

And when his gaze turned back to Lin, Toph could feel through the earth how at peace he was at that moment. Complete adoration for their baby, and she silently laughed to herself at the thought of him having to deal with Lin as a teenager. Oh, she would have him wrapped around her finger for all of eternity, Toph just knew it.

His voice broke up her thoughts. “Hey, what if we had a little competition?”

Toph said nothing, but raised an eyebrow at him, prompting him to continue. “What if we compete to find out who Linny walks to first?” he asked.

“What are the stakes?”

“If I win, we start trying for another baby.”

“Are you out of your fucking mind?” she laughed.

“And if you win, Lin’s our only perfect little girl.”

“And if she doesn’t walk to either of us??”

“Then we let fate and destiny take over,” he answered rather smugly.

Toph smirked and sat up from her position, ready to playfully protest this silly competition. “You realize that she’s gonna walk to you, right?”

“We don’t know that.”

“Right,” she responded sarcastically. “Lin, the little Daddy’s girl who shares the same birthday as her Baba and whose first words are gonna be ‘Dada’ and ‘Baba.’”

“Mama could be a close third,” he defended.

“Yeah, sure. I’m going to shake on a bet I’m bound to lose.”

“Just a little fun,” he replied, and she could hear the grin in his voice. “Obviously we’ve got time, but, I don’t know. I think it could be fun!”

“You and I have two very different definitions of fun,” she teased.

“But it’s harmless!”

“Harmless?” she laughed. “I could end up fat and pregnant at the end of this!”

“Only if you want to,” he added.

“So this isn’t even a bet at all,” she commented. “It’s just fake stakes on the table.”

She felt him shrug. “Bit of pride on the line, I suppose. What do you say?”

Toph wanted to continue berating him and teasing him, but his heart sang whenever Lin made a noise or reached out for something, and he adored playing little games like this with her. Perhaps deep down in a place that she barely allowed to admit to herself, she could imagine them having another baby. Even if Lin was almost 6 months old, she thought that maybe, just maybe, a family of four would be nice. And when Lin giggled at her father once again, Toph’s resolve to say no to those two disappeared.

Spirits, they had her whole heart, and she couldn’t help but shake her head as she smiled and extended her hand out to him.

“It’s only a bet if we shake on it.”

His silly cheer caused Lin to giggle more, and after he shook Toph’s hand to signify the start of the bet, he playfully kissed each knuckle before Toph mildly complained as she tried to free herself from his grasp.

~~~

They sat on her living room floor, engaged in small talk while they paid attention to Lin’s every move. The elephant koi in the room became a semi-permanent resident in the Beifong house, but everyone learned to live with it, Toph especially.

Sokka carefully treaded every conversation as he supported Lin to standing on her own two feet. Every now and again, his gaze would turn up to Toph to catch her expression. Today it was unreadable, but she sat on the floor with her legs out and leaned back on her arms, a sign of openness.

That was a good sign, right?

The warrior never knew what was good and what wasn’t anymore, because everything reminded them of him. Of Kanto.

And it was unfair, because Toph deserved to go about her life without having to be constantly reminded of the man she loved and lost to a crazy person. But there was no escape; Kanto was at her place of work, at their home, and he was there whenever Lin moved or breathed or learned something new.

None of that seemed to matter to the universe, however, and Toph and Lin and everyone else that loved Kanto lived with the reminder like chronic pain: constant, relentless.

Still, Toph’s body language was more positive than usual, so Sokka took the opportunity to strike up another small conversation.

“So,” he began by clearing his throat. “What do you and Lin have planned for the rest of the day?”

His friend shrugged in response and a nonchalant wave. “Eh, same old shit, Sokka. Maybe I’ll take her to the park. It is a nice day out.”

“How come you only call me Sokka, now?”

Toph shot him a confused look. “Because it’s your name??”

The man rolled his eyes to himself then said, “Well, yeah. I just mean you almost always called me ‘Meathead’ or ‘Snoozles’ or ‘Captain Boomerang.’”

A quiet scoff fell from Toph’s breath, and she dug her knuckles into her earthen floor. “Yeah, well nicknames are for fun times, and I haven’t been in a jovial mood as of late—”

“Toph I just mean—”

“So forgive me if I don’t feel the need to call you by some dumb nickname that reminds me of all the other stupid ones I called him.”

Sokka shut his mouth, but still held onto a bouncing Lin and stared at Toph. Her expression contorted into one of regret, and she let out a tired sigh.

“I’m sorry, Sokka. That was rude.”

“No, Toph, it’s okay,” he reassured her. “I just—” Sokka paused before he continued. What he wanted was to help his friend and hoped she would return to her old self soon.

But the idea seemed silly after a second thought. How could she go back to her old self? Going back wasn’t an option, only forward, to a different Toph Beifong who loved and lost and learned to adapt to this difficult change.

So instead of saying I just want to help you get back to your old self, he amended his statement. “I just want to help you.”

“I know,” she sighed again as she moved to lie down on the ground. “I know you’re all trying to help.”

And Toph did know that. The whole group seemed bent over backwards in helping her through this mess of her life, and she not only wanted, but needed their help. However, figuring out things that did help seemed to be a challenge, for it all required talking or thinking about him.

She really couldn’t do that at this point, not even nine months after his death.

Saying his name sent her down a spiral of thoughts of longing and regret, the feeling so strong that it tempted her to visit their bedroom again. But she hadn’t stepped into that room since she was dragged out by Sokka, because she wasn’t sure she’d have the strength to leave it a second time.

Instead of visiting their shared bedroom or speaking her dead almost-fiancé’s name or figuring out what could possibly help her through this, she lay on the ground, focusing on the earth’s humming while blocking out all other erratic and uneven vibrations. It was soothing, being completely one with the earth and ignoring everything else. Her mind wasn’t racing, her heart wasn’t hurting, and she felt a feeling that strangely resembled tranqui—

“Toph?”

Her focus was broken, and as annoyed as she was, Toph responded to her friend and asked, “What is it?”

“Are you okay?”

“Stupid question.”

“I just mean—”

“Mama!”

Lin’s interruption pulled Toph further from the earth, and so she waved her hand in the air and exclaimed, “Mama’s right here, Lin. Just wallowing in self-pity as a widow does, although I’m not even sure I can call myself that.”

“Toph,” Sokka began, but Toph continued her useless ramble. “Probably not, since he didn’t even ask me to marry him. Kind of a requirement to be in the mopey widow club, don’t you think? Pathetic, really, I don’t even have a dead fiancé, just a dead baby daddy.”

“Toph—”

“You know what, guess it doesn’t matter I could just—”

“Toph!”

Sokka’s exclamation startled her, but she didn’t move from her spot. She waited for him to continue with whatever was so important to interrupt her self-deprecating monologue, but he didn’t speak again.

Instead, she felt little, uneven, and heavy footsteps toddle toward her. Toph sat upright in an instant, completely shocked at the sensation of Lin walking.

“Go Lin!” Sokka cheered.

Toph cheered as well and held her hands out excitedly to catch her daughter. “C’mere, Lin! You got it!”

And with a few babbles and shouts for Mama, Lin made her way into Toph’s arms.

The earthbender pulled Lin in for a tight hug and smothered her cheek with kisses. “You did it, baby girl! You took your first steps!”

“She’s a natural, Toph! Gonna be running tomorrow,” Sokka teased.

Toph grinned at the thought, and moved to balance Lin’s tiny feet on her knee. She felt Lin squirm in her arms and crane her neck, as if she was looking for someone.

“Dada.”

And with a single exclamaion of Lin’s favorite word, Toph’s heart shattered just as quickly as it soared a moment ago.

…….

Sokka’s grin faded slowly with Toph’s as he watched her realize what Lin wanted. In a second, one of the greatest feelings and feats of Toph’s baby girl turned into a situation of pure grief. And All he wanted was for his best friend to have a single fucking moment not be ruined by the memory of losing Kanto.

But that was impossible. Every accomplishment was tainted with this memory, and there was nothing to do but accept that harsh reality.

He watched Toph suddenly become overwhelmed by the grief. She bit her quivering lip as she combed through Lin’s hair over and over, fixating on a few curly strands at the top of her head.

They stayed like that for what felt like an eternity, all the while Lin kept asking for her dad. Sokka was about to intervene, but then Toph let out a quiet breath and answered Lin.

“Yeah, Lin. Dada would be so proud of you right now.” She formed a small, sorrowful smile at Lin while tears fell down her cheeks. “I’d rub it in his face, too.” Toph choked out a chuckle, then continued, “But Baba isn’t here anymore, baby girl. It’s just you and me.

“Don’t worry, kiddo. All your aunts and uncles will be around to bother us, especially this Meathead over there, okay?”

When she pointed a finger at Sokka, Lin turned to see, and smiled at him. And Sokka found himself grinning back at Lin for only a second. For when he turned his gaze to Toph, he saw her tear-stricken face and any signs of happiness left Sokka’s face.

He saw Toph hastily wipe at her eyes, then stood up with Lin in her arms. “Thanks for uh, coming by, Sokka. But Lin and I are gonna spend some time together alone.”

She walked out into the backyard before he could even protest.

Sokka didn’t move from his spot, however. He just sat there, thinking and wondering and hoping there was something he could do to help his friend. But she was a silent sufferer, carrying the burden of grief everywhere she went and barely let on what hurt the most about it all. As a bystander, it hurt Sokka to see her shoulder it all. What was he to do, though?

He let out a tired sigh. Sometimes there was nothing to do but be there, even if it made him feel useless.

……

“You’re a terrible listener.”

Sokka ignored her jab and sat down next to her, Lin bouncing gleefully in her spot in front of her mother. He gave her elbow a light nudge and replied, “I know, but I know you don’t actually want to be alone.”

“I just said—”

“Listen, Toph. We don’t have to talk about it, about any of it. But you’re like me, okay? I don’t like talking about what’s bothering me, but that doesn’t mean solitude is the answer.”

Toph bit her lip as she considered the offer, but made no outright objections to his presence. So they sat there, silent and contemplative about everything and nothing in particular.

It wasn’t until minutes of silence (and little babbles and single words from Lin) that Toph finally spoke. She chose her words carefully, as if saying the wrong thing would send her down a rabbit hole of despair. But Sokka watched her and steadied her with a reassuring hand to her shoulder.

Toph gave a sad smile as she spoke and played with Lin’s wavy hair. “We, uh, we made a stupid bet.

“He liked these silly games and it made him so fucking happy, I didn’t think twice about them. And it gave us a reason to be competitive, and you know how we would get with this shit. Still, they were harmless.”

She hastily wiped her eyes then continued, “But then he wanted to have a bet on who Lin would walk to first, and he said that if Lin walked to him, we’d try for another baby. If she walked to me, no more kids.”

Toph let out a sorrowful chuckle as she slightly hung her head low and let the tears fall in her lap. Sokka’s eyes grew misty at the thought. A silly bet turned into a reminder for Toph, and it felt cruel.

But then Toph took in a deep breath and brought her head back up, pointing her gaze toward the warrior. “You know what’s even crazier? I was gonna let him win. Under the illusion I was upset, of course.”

Sokka softly chuckled at that.

Lin cried out and turned to face Toph, who gently rubbed her daughter’s chubby cheeks. Sokka still sat there, hand on Toph’s shoulder, and watched through his blurred vision his best friend continue to open up to him.

She sighed again. “I’d let him win all the silly games if it meant—”

Her sentence was left unfinished, but nothing else needed to be said. Toph pulled in Lin to an embrace, breathing deeply into her hair as the gravity began to weigh heavy on the pair.

Toph mindlessly played with Lin’s soft curls. “But I guess all bets are off, or I win them all now.

“I don’t feel like the winner, though, Sokka.”

Sokka’s grip tightened on Toph’s shoulder as his sign of support, because he truly had no words. All he could do was sit and stare and hope that there would be something on the horizon to look forward to.

And yet, in that very same moment, he couldn’t help but silently admire Toph’s strength. Her ability to carry on and raise Lin while facing practically an insurmountable amount of grief was something that couldn’t be overlooked. He’d seen his friend show great feats of strength and resilience in the past, but in the back of his mind, he thought that perhaps this was the greatest one of all.

Still, he’d be damned if he was going to let her face this mountain on her own. So they sat there silently once again as Sokka’s hand remained on her shoulder, reminding her that he was there no matter what. He would be there to help her and to hold onto her through it all.

She deserved that. She deserved that and much more, but this was their reality. It would have to do.

#kantoph #toph #toph beifong #kanto #lin #lin beifong #sokka #atla #lok #writing #the long winding road to you #the chief and dep series #like a boomerang i always come back to you series #mondangst #hope it fits the angst bill ope #(amanda's is better haha!)#srsrly tho go read it

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mari-writes · 3 years ago

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☀️🏹🖤

Note: This is a drabble I wrote for a Haikyuu + Percy Jackson event on Twitter. Thought I’d share it on here, too. Of course I made it BokuAka, haha. Enjoy! ;)

Akaashi was anxious.

This wasn’t too unusual—Akaashi was often in some state of worry. It was just part of his nature.

His father, a salaryman from Tokyo, had passed down his tendency to overthink things, and even his mother’s godly gifts of wisdom and courage hadn’t been enough to cancel out those particular traits.

So yes, anxiety wasn’t uncommon for Akaashi, Son of Athena.

But this was different.

Bokuto had disappeared from Camp Half-Blood earlier that afternoon. He had even missed dinner—and it had been barbecue, his favorite.

“Bokuto-san, where are you?” Akaashi cupped his hands around his mouth, amplifying his voice through the dense forest. His heart pounded hard in his chest, worry coursing through his veins.

Bokuto wouldn’t run off like this without telling him. They were best friends. Whenever Bokuto did anything, Akaashi was always at his side, at Bokuto’s request. That was just how it was.

Finally, as Akaashi approached the river on the edge of camp, he spotted him.

His friend was sitting on a large boulder half-submerged in the shallows. He was looking up at the sky, arms pulled close around his legs, which were pressed up to his chest. His feet were bare, shoes tossed aside on the shore, along with his signature orange camp shirt—

Oh, he’s shirtless. Akaashi tried not to react to as he made his way over. But his eyes couldn’t help but soak in the boy’s rippling back muscles, sculpted from long hours of fight training.

Ordering himself to calm down, Akaashi tried to scramble up to join his friend. Bokuto offered his hand, which Akaashi gratefully took, allowing Bokuto to hoist him the rest of the way.

He sat down, legs crossed, ignoring the thrill that shot through him as his knee touched Bokuto’s thigh. “What are you doing out here, Bokuto-san?” He asked, locking his gaze to the rushing water. “Are you okay?”

Out of the corner of his eye, Akaashi saw Bokuto shrug. “Not really. But it’s okay. I’m just… having one of my moods, you know.”

Yes, Akaashi did know. Bokuto’s erratic moods were known by everyone at camp. But he usually wouldn’t run off to be alone if he was feeling sad, or nervous, or grumpy. He’d let anyone in his immediate vicinity know, right away.

“Did something happen?” Akaashi kept his voice low and steady. “Please, talk to me.”

Taking a deep breath, Bokuto unfolded himself, stretching his legs over the boulder and leaning back on his palms. Akaashi’s eyes widened. The sun was dipping low in the sky, and through the trees its rays hit Bokuto’s skin, illuminating every dip and curve.

Akaashi gulped. It was unfair, how attractive his friend was. He seemed to shine—like a shooting star, or the sun itself.

Appropriate, Akaashi mused, for a Son of Apollo…

“Do you think I deserve to be here, Akaashi?”

Akaashi blinked, tearing his gaze from Bokuto’s chiseled form. The boy’s brow was furrowed deep. “What do you mean?” Akaashi felt his face slip into a frown. “You’re a half-blood. Of course you belong here…”

Bokuto hummed, shoulders tensing. He shrugged again. “But… Do you think I’m good enough to be in that cabin?”

Akaashi was confused. “I’m not sure what you mean. You’re a son of Apollo. So you’re in the Apollo cabin.”

“Yeah, but…” Bokuto interrupted, voice raising in pitch. “Maybe I’m just a third-blood, or something? Maybe I don’t have as much of his lineage in me than I thought��”

Akaashi leaned in, trying to catch his friend’s eye. “You’re an incredible archer, Bokuto-san, and your sword fighting is unrivaled…”

“Those are just physical things.” Bokuto’s lip juts out into a pout. “Anyone could be good at those with practice.”

Akaashi pondered his words. “You’re a natural at healing…”

“But there are so many other things I’m just not good at!” He threw a hand up in frustration. “I can’t understand music theory at all! And I’m just not smart, in general. I hate reading and philosophy is so boring. I can’t concentrate, I get anxious all the time when we have to memorize things…”

Akaashi couldn’t stand to see his friend like this. What had brought this on? Had he failed a task? Had someone said—

“They said I’m too stupid to be Apollo’s.”

The words sank into Akaashi slowly. When they finally solidified, he felt his fingers, which he’d been fiddling with absently, curl into fists.

“What?! Who said that?!”

“A couple of my cabin mates. I heard them.” Bokuto continued. “They said I’m not well-rounded enough. That I’m a ‘meathead,’ whatever that means. One of them said I wasn’t worthy of my dad’s lineage…”

Fire burned inside Akaashi, anger welling up from his belly to his throat. Involuntary thoughts began circulating, detailed battle strategies of how he was going to annihilate Bokuto’s cabin mates in the next Capture the Flag.

No, the chariot races! They would team up and leave them all in the dust! He would show those assholes not to mess with his friend…

“Akaashi?” Bokuto was looking at him with one eyebrow lifted. “What’s wrong?” Akaashi realized his face was probably betraying his emotions; he didn’t usually allow that to happen.

But gods, Bokuto’s own cabin mates—his siblings, had said such awful things about him! Who gave them the right? How dare they?

Huffing, Akaashi shook his head. “I’m fine.” He turned to face his friend, reached out and grabbed Bokuto’s forearm. “Bokuto-san.” He swallowed. There was so much he wanted to say. So much he absolutely adored about Bokuto, loved about him… But he had to focus.

Now was not the time for romantic confessions.

“Listen to me. Yes, you are a son of Apollo. You do have some of his traits, and those make you a strong, capable demigod.”

Bokuto opened his mouth, ready to protest, but Akaashi continued. “But Apollo is not all of who you are.”

Bokuto cocked his head. “Huh?”

Akaashi smiled. “Your mother. The person who raised you and your half-sisters. The one who you told me was the most important person in your life, and maybe the whole world. What about her?”

Bokuto bit his lip. A small, crooked grin creeped onto his face, and his eyes seemed to glow. “Oh. Yeah. My mom’s pretty great.”

Akaashi nodded. “She’s caring, and always knows what to say when someone is feeling down or scared. She uplifts everyone around her.”

Bokuto chuckled. “She does.”

“And so do you.” Akaashi squeezed his arm softly. “You’re all of those things, and more. You make us all want to be better people. I’m a better person for meeting you, Bokuto-san.”

The smile grew. “Yeah?” He turned towards Akaashi so that they were face-to-face. The sunset cut a shadow over half of Bokuto’s features. His eyes were wide; he seemed eager to hear more.

Akaashi leaned in. “Yeah. Those traits, not your godly ones, are my favorite things about you. They’re… why I like you so much.”

He watched in delight as his friend’s face bloomed red. “Really?”

Again, Akaashi nodded.

Bokuto was silent for a moment. He just sat there, eyes scanning Akaashi’s face rapidly, like he was figuring out some challenging equation. There was energy flowing between them, something Akaashi had never felt before. It probably had nothing to do with the fact they were half-bloods.

If Bokuto wasn’t in such a fragile state, Akaashi might’ve thrown caution to the wind and kissed him, right then and there. He was just so beautiful, so precious, brave, and good…

“We should head back,” Akaashi said, desperately trying to reign himself in. “The others will probably wonder where we’ve gone.”

He didn’t think it was his imagination that Bokuto’s face fell as Akaashi pulled back. But the older boy nodded. “Yeah,” he said. “Let’s go.”

I had so much more planned for this fic, but I totally burned out this past month because of my jobs. I hope you enjoyed it nonetheless! If so, please comment and share! <3

#bokuaka #Percy Jackson au #hq pjo weekend #bokuto koutarou #akaashi keiji #haikyuu!!#haikyu #haikyuu #my writing #drabble #ficlet #fanfiction

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cottoncandyjester · 4 years ago

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This might be an odd request but...would Theodore be fine meeting Y/N's family? For all the yanderes, how would they react to Y/N saying, "Alright I want you to meet my family." And the yandere is confuse cause they've been together for quite a few years (let's say 5) Y/N might say, "My family is very nice, they are just curious on who you are."

Okay so I don't know if you are aware...but my yanderes are all chaotic as hell so this is going to go ✨GREAT✨

Theodore

He is instantly curious and low-key excited

He wants to know what your family is like and how they sharp you as a person

He did find it super weird that you two were engaged and he has yet to meet a single family member of yours

Having dinner with your family is just him being on his best behavior

Of course he has his adorable nervous moments but he is definitely a charmer

"so, theodore is it tell us why you love [y/n] so much? What is your future together?"

Theodore twitched lightly at the question from one of your parents and he gave a nervous smile before pushing his glasses up and clearing his throat before he lovingly glanced your way.

"well, I'm hoping for children and with the wedding coming up there is a lot of excitement around that I do hope you all make it..family is everything to me"

"oh we should look at baby photos! Wouldn't that be fun?"

Theo had a fiery gaze at the thought of looking at you as a child he was way too excited for that though you looked like you wanted to die of embarrassment.

"m-man I'm stuffed we should go right babe?"

Theo looked your way before giving you a sweet grin, he clearly was showing you that you had absolutely zero choice in this matter

"now now sweetheart, we shouldn't leave so early after all I would love to catch a glimpse at what our children could look like?"

Hikaru

He didn't want you to meet his family so the fact that you didn't bring up yours didn't bother him

You guys have been together for a long time and neither of you met each other family

You were the one who wanted to change that after all

Hikaru... honestly wanted nothing to do with it but after four hours of arguing he agreed.

Hikaru is a beautiful boy so of course he uses that charm to his favorite

He is extra as hell so wooing your family comes with inviting them to a fancy restaurant dinner

You honestly want to choke him for how cocky he is but your family eats it up cause he knows exactly what to say

Of course his temper gets to him when it comes to you having younger siblings (if you don't just go with it lol)

Hikaru can only play nice for so long

You watched as your boyfriend smiles charmingly towards your family, he was quite the actor that's for sure. You couldn't help but hold back a laugh earning a dirty glare his direction it was clear that he hated this but he wanted you to stop bugging him about it.

He was actually doing good until he felt a sharp kick earning a harsh hiss of pain, his eyes shot towards your younger siblings this was the fifth time they kicked him and he was definitely about to snap.

"so hikaru, why don't you tell my family about how much you love me"

Your distracting words seemed to work a little to calm him down until he felt another kick, and he snapped.

"alright you brat, what the hell?!"

Oh boy here we go.

"it was an accident!"

"you've been doing it the entire time!"

"b-babe maybe you should coo-"

Your younger sibling stuck their tongue out at hikaru earning a low growl towards him as his left eye twitched, well at least the rest of your family found it to be amusing.

"you can't have [y/n]! I won't let you steal them away you flashy demon!"

"the hell did you call me?! And what do you mean I can't have them they are already mine!"

Well this night was going perfectly.

Axis

Mr lovable crybaby actually cries when you tell him that your family wants to meet him

Meeting your family means you're serious about the relationship

"axis, baby we've been together for six years... we're engaged."

"b-but you DO love me! I knew it!"

Honestly when your family comes over for dinner he is shaking cause he doesn't like uncomfortable question

He knows your family is sweet since you're sweet but still

He helped make dinner so his pride is on thin ice aka he will cry if they hate it

He is so nervous that he is just an anxiety mess

Super emotional and just so in love with you

"i-i love [y/n] so much, they are amazing and they smell nice and i-i just love them so so much! I wanna marry them of course!"

You honestly felt pretty bad for laughing while axis was being super emotional but he was just wayyy too cute at the moment.

"babe, I love you too"

You reached and held axis' hand still holding back laughing only to see him pout.

"d-dont laugh! I'm fragile!"

Seems your parents liked him though which was good though you did worry is they liked him too much you could already see them coming over for every holiday, though you were sure axis didn't mind.

Salem

Sooo you thinking about having salem meet your family is a horrible idea but they wanted to know who has your heart

Salem of course freaks out a tad when you tell him you invited your family over for brunch

He isn't normal in the slightest so he had to act normal in his own way

It was a bit of a trainwreck but you think it went well

"so salem...what exactly do you do for a living"

You twitched at that question since telling your family that your boyfriend is a camboy wasn't exactly the best way to introduce him.

You glanced at salem who was far too busy stuffing his mouth with waffles while humming, he was clearly not going to be of help at the moment.

"salem works from home a boring home job right babe?"

Salem gulped before chuckling darkly at your little lie, you gave him a light glare warning him to behave and he simply stuck his tongue out gliding two fingers along them adoring the feeling.

"mhmmm, such a gooood job~"

Salem was practically drooling just thinking about work tonight while you nervously laughed at his antics but honestly you did love him so his behavior in your eyes was kinda cute. He was like a puppy, a slobbering puppy.

"what plans do you two have in the future?"

Salem perked up clearly excited about this question and so he started to speak but you have a bad feeling

"lots and lots of hot steammmyyyy se-"

You covered the male's mouth ignoring the feeling of him slobbering and licking your hand

"o-oh babe you're such a jokester haha!"

You glared at salem who only gave you a lustful gaze right back, he knew fully well that you'll punish him for this and he was ready for that.

Prince

Yikes he is not used to meeting someone's family

Totally not ready

Sure you guys are preparing for a kid but that doesn't mean he's ready!

He totally freaks out when you say that you two are spending the weekend at your parents house for old times

I mean sure he likes the idea of screwing you in your old bedroom while your parents are asleep but like meeting them? He isn't sure about that one

He actually gets along with your family pretty well

"so prince was it? What an interesting name!"

Prince simply chuckled and ran his fingers through his hair before giving your family such a charming smile.

"is it? I suppose so. Though I like to think [y/n] loves me cause I'm so interesting"

You rolled your eyes at his antics, who knew a psychopath could be so damn Charming, they definitely adored his sparkling charm to a point where you were sure your siblings formed a new found crush.

Yuki

"babe my family wants to you"

"mhm..."

"tonight"

"oh."

He was far too busy drawing tattoo designs to focus but he knew what you were saying and he wasn't worried

Yuki is a blunt person he says whatever comes to mind cause he's too sleepy and depressed to deal with bullshit like being too nervous

"you must love [y/n] a lot to be with them this long are kids in the future?"

"hmmmm...dunno."

You glanced over at yuki who looked absolutely bored and like he wanted to crash at any moment but you knew thats how he always was.

"o-oh well what about marriage?"

"...maybe."

"what are some of your hobbies"

Yuki picked his head up and gave a soft grunt before he turned his head away thinking slowly about what to say

"I like...sleeping...eating..[y/n].."

Yuki suddenly rested his head on your shoulder with a sleepy hum now hugging you close clearly wanting to take a nap right there

"I like [y/n]..more than eating and sleeping though."

Rocket

Your buff himbo of a fiancee was honestly excited to meet your family

He was worried about being seen as an idiot meathead though...even though he was

He wasn't nervous in the slightest when the time came

He just said what was on his mind even if it was stupid

He really loved you and that's what mattered

"haha! Wow you're [y/n]'s family? Ooh! So cool!"

You watched your extremely tall and beefed up boyfriend hover over your family excitedly like a dog. You were worried his joyful antics were intimidating your family just a tad.

"hey babe? Can you help grab the charcoal from the car?"

Rocket looked over at you before giving you an excited smile, a chance to show his strength?! Hell yeah!

"of course babe! Here hold it!"

Within a second he was throwing his hoodie off now in a tank top, he was totally showing off and you were here for it! Just watching him carry two bags of charcoal like it was nothing kinda made you hot and bothered

This barbeque was going to be filled with some interesting tension. You sat at the picnic table watching as rocket helped with the grill.

Your family loved rocket which made you feel better for sure plus he was the center of attention which you knew made him happy

"babeeee!"

"yeah babe?"

"you look smoking! I love you!"

You snorted out a laugh from his adorable wink and compliment..damn you loved your himbo.

Scarlett

Oh she was ready

She wanted to prepare dinner for your family

She loved the idea of being included into your family

She did want you to meet her family as well but she was worried about her twin brother trying to torture you or something

She of course was as graceful and sweet as always

She was excited to know about all those childhood memories you have

"so [y/n] tells me that you're an herbalist, sounds interesting though must be hard to get business with modern medicine being popular"

Scarlett simply giggled before playing with one of her ponytails as she tried to explain her view on things.

"well, my medicine is actually sold sometimes to hospitals though I try to avoid it, herbal medicine has its great perks"

Scarlett had always been greatly intelligent but she was impressing you for sure. She was great at speaking and charming others, of course she was beautiful while doing it

"would you all care for some dessert? I wish to know more about [y/n] when they were a child"

"really scar?"

"of course my love, after all I love you no matter what"

#yandere imagines #yandere #yandere ocs

42 notes · View notes

omiscurls · 4 years ago

Text

prom queen

sakusa kiyoomi x reader

word count: around 12K i apologize profusely

"Did I just hear Sakusa Kiyoomi say my ass? Oh god the world's end is upon us!"

i’d just like to add that english is NOT my first language so i apologize for the simple constructions and mistakes every now and then, although i did check it all before posting

"Quit smiling at me, I can't stop messing up my sentences if you keep looking at me like that" you heard him say, almost embarassed, but still not quite, going back to explaining something to Komori, after the comment.

"I wasn't smiling at you" you responded, crossing your arms at your chest, pulling out the best pout face you could. You almost heard Sakusa's eyeroll.

You, in fact, were smiling at him, for two very simple reasons. One, volleyball was one of the things you geniuenly adored watching him talk about, and two, you knew how rattled it made him and enjoyed his face turning bright red as he tried to ignore you, but failed miserably and loosing the subject he was talking about.

Even when he finally figure out that you were doing it on purpose, he still couldn't seem to get over your wide smile. But what he truly couldn't get over was people, mostly Komori, teasing him about it all the time.

Sakusa's one weakness — your smile. And the germs, of course, that too, but it made the quote so less romantic.

"You were saying, Sakusa?" Komori asked, smiling as well, watching him being all miserable, and knowing that question will push him off his tracks even more.

"Nevermind, you meatheads, you aren't worth my time" he cut him off by pulling out his headphones and then proceeding to plug them into his phone like he was alone.

"Hey, I know you're a douchebag, but be pleasant to your girlfriend!" his friends intended on hitting him playfully, but he dodged it in absolute shock. Then, when the words finally hit him, he turned even redder and looked at Komori with disgust.

"She's not my girlfriend". he just added, leaving, but grabbing your sweater, so you'd follow him.

"Sure she isn't!" the other boy yelled as you two were walking away. Sakusa showed him his middle finger without even turning around.

You were still laughing while leaving the school campus, with him holding a scrap of your sleeve between his fingers, eyes glued to the phone.

"Would you mind stopping already?" he finally lifted up his head.

"Oh, I'm sorry Omi, it's just fun seeing you all so flustered"

"I'm not! And enough with the Omi already" he said coldly, it would almost hurt you didn't know him long enough to know being unpleasant was just his coping mechanism.

"Oh yeah? Then let go of my sweater, Sakusa-san" you said in the most chilly way you could, before jerking your hand away and walking in a different direction than the one you two usually took when going home. Both ways leaded to the same train station, cause you needed to take the same train to get to your block, only after leaving your station did you need to part. The route you took now was longer than the usual one, but you didn't care, you didn't need to make it before Sakusa's train if you weren't coming home with him, right?

"Oh god, don't get offended!" he said while you were already leaving, even tried to catch you, but gave up. After coming across a turn, you looked behind you to see if he was following you, but he wasn't.

It kinda hurted, how fast he gave up. Made you feel as if it didn't matter to him whether you went home together or not. Maybe it truly didn't, sometimes you had no clue what was happening in his head. Did he truly get embarassed when Komori called you his girlfriend? Or was he just annoyed? Maybe he ment it every time he insulted you in some way, and you just tried to explain it to yourself in other ways so you wouldn't lose him?

Maybe, just maybe, he was as much of a douchebag as everybody described him to be.

Meanwhile Sakusa was still looking in the direction where you disappeared a couple of minutes earlier, letting the crowd of students pass him by.

Did she really leave like that? Did I offend her?

Oh, whatever, girls were so easy to offend, anyway. You knew how much you ment to him, right? There was no need to say it.

Right?

Komori interrupted his thinking, by running up to him and slapping his back, much to Sakusa's displeasure.

"What're you still doing here? Aren't you walking with Miss Girlfriend today?" he asked unbothered by the murder look on his face.

"She's not— No, no I'm not" he gave up on trying to convince Motoya you weren't his girlfriend. Or maybe he didn't want to convince him?

"Why's that?"

"Well, she left and went the other way" he explained, starting to walk. He and Komori lived almost next door to each other, so even after leaving the train station, they'd still be going together, and Sakusa already predicted that this conversation is going to haunt him all the way until reaching his door.

"Oh my, what did you do now to piss her off? She never gets annoyed with your shit"

He wanted to yell at him that he did nothing, and you're probably just in a bad mood, not by his fault, but words couldn't seem to get out of his mouth.

"I might've accidentally hurt her on accident"

"You said accident twice"

"No I didn't!"

Komori laughed, suprising his friend. How could he be laughing right now, when you left him just like that, and he didn't know what to do next?

"Anyway" he finally said, and suprisingly caught Sakusa's attention "I'm not the one you should be explaining yourself to, so let's shift the subject a bit. Saku, your my socially awkward friend, and you know I'd do a lot to help you out once you actually found somebody who keeps up with you, but I can't be dropping her hints forever. How're you gonna ask her to prom?"

If Sakusa were drinking at the moment, he definitely would've choked.

"I'm not asking her to prom" he denied. What kind of an idea was that? Did he loose his mind? Sakusa? To prom? Hell no.

"What do you mean you're not asking her to prom?!" Komori stopped in his tracks, putting both of his hands on Sakusa's shoulders, so he'd stop as well. "Are you dumber than I already preassumed, Saku?"

"Are you? I'm not going to prom at all." he replied before starting to walk again.

"Why?!" Komori tried desperately to keep up with him.

The black haired boy stopped once more and threw a deadly glance at his friend.

"Because, you idiot, I hate crowds, I hate people, parties, shared drinks, dancing, highschoolers and not being able to talk, because the music is so loud it could be heard from the fricking moon. Because prom is everything I am not. Because it's gross and overrated and not that fun at all, it's an old custom that parents use to tell their kids they need to have a boyfriend or a girlfriend at eighteen or else they'd waste their teenage years, and the popular kids use to mock the less recognizable ones. The thing that makes both girls and guys loose sanity and adds twice as much complexes to their mental health than they had before. And besides, she would've said no anyway. Satisfied, you moron?"

Only after finishing the sentence did Sakusa realize his hands had started to sweat uncontrollably, and a hot feeling flooded his insides, causing his heart rate to increase significantly. It took him a minute to catch his breath, even though he was standing in place, not even walking.

Komori was looking at him with a dumb expression, not really sure how to respond to that outburst of frustration.

"Well that part with saying no isn't certain, is it? he finally mumbled, but Sakusa only snorted sarcastically and speeded up. "You never know unless you—"

"Komori! I'm not fucking asking! Do you understand, or is it too difficult for your peanut sized brain? Well let me spell it out for you: I'm not. Asking. Her. To. Prom. Understood?" he didn't even realize he was yelling, and two or three old ladies were staring him up and down from the distance, with disgust. He was so shaken up he didn't care.

He noticed the other boy wasn't walking beside him anymore, but standing in place and only looking at him in disbelief. He slowed down as well. Komori's normal and bubbly expression and aura suddenly shifted, and the taller boy noticed that he looked like a serial killer when he didn't smile.

"Well, now that you're done with that pathethic little whining, let me tell you something as well" the boy trembled at the coldness of Komori's voice, as he was walking up to him. "And you better listen to me carefully, Sakusa fucking idiot Kiyoomi."

Now, that was unnecessarly direct.

"Prom isn't the only dumb tradition this school holds. You know what happens a week before the party? A game. "Honours Homecoming Match". The team that has the most successes on it's account by the end of the semester has a game. And what is our school so famous for? Volleyball. So who's gonna have a game, for the third years to show off one last time before graduation? Us. And you know who's the most awaited person on the prom night, besides the prom queen and king? The athletes. The captains, the aces, especially of the teams that are popular right now. And who's the ace of our most significant team?"

Silence fell upon them.

"That question isn't rhetorical, Kiyoomi. Who's our volleyball ace?"

"I am" he responded, now regretting ever getting into volleyball.

"Exactly. Now get your act together and acknowledge the fact that coach is probably going to FORCE YOU to go there, and you're going to be way more miserable all alone with Cap and his girlfriend, than you would've been if you took you precious little friend along with you."

"I gue—" Sakusa tried to agree, although, he still hated the idea, but Komori cut him off once more.

"And if that's not enough for you, then fine, I'll paint you an even worse picture. Go on about how you are not interested in her in any way, but I see the way your eyes light up when she shouts your name from across the hallway. I see how you smile every time after telling her you don't care about the compliments she gives you. I see how focused you are when she's watching our games."

"I'm always focused"

"Shut up, did I finish? It's a different kind of focus. You really think I don't notice you constantly checking whether you got notifications, even though you never did that before meeting her? And even though you tell her it's annoying when she randomly texts you? Well, I do. I see how important she is to you and I see how much you try to hide your feelings, even from yourself, because you're scared, which is understandable, you never felt like that before. I get it all, really, I do, Kiyoomi. But imagine this. Imagine how she would feel if everyday, while hanging out with you, she'd wish for you to ask her that one simple question. Maybe sometimes you'd even unconsciously lead her on, and then at the end of the day not say it, imagine how she'd go home with her hopes crushed, only to hope for the same the next day. And imagine it going on and on until prom week, when she'd suddenly stop wishing for it to happen anymore, because everything around her seems to say it won't? And then some lame ass guy's gonna ask her two days before and she'll eventually say yes, because well, it's better than going alone, right? And then she'd dress up the best she can, do her make up, all that, all for a guy she doesn't care about, but she still wants to have prom memories? Then she'd go, and see you there, alone, which wouldn't even mean you have someone else, no, it would only mean you didn't want to go with HER."

"Stop! That's not why I'd be alone!"

"Did I say it was why you'd be alone? No, I say she would've thought that, because well, that's how it would've looked like. And imagine her waiting for that lame ass guy to ask her for even one simple dance, but she'd be busy trying to get attention from a girl that already rejected him. And even though she didn't give a single shit about him either it still would've hurt her, because she'd feel objectified, someone only wanted to go out with her because it would be a shame to go alone. Imagine her not taking it anymore and running of to the bathroom, all her carefully done make up flowing down her face, but she wouldn't care anymore. It's not like anyone wanted to see her all pretty, was it? Imagine her crying in the bathroom, hearing the slow song playing and only wishing she'd dance to it with you, but she'd know that was impossible, since you didn't even respect her enough to tell her you ARE going, but alone.

Sakusa's face was all pale, his eyes not able to focus on one point. Wait, would it really hurt you like that? Does a girl's mind really work like that? Was he really such an asshole?

"Am I really this bad of an asshole?" he asked, not realizing it was out loud until he heard Komori laugh. He raised his eyes to see his face back to normal, a smile across his cheeks.

"Yes. Yes, a thousand percent you are"

"There can only be one hundred percents"

"That's exactly what I'm reffering to. Thousand percent." Sakusa rolled his eyes, but Komori knew something big was on his mind, much bigger than his puns.

He was silent for a good three minutes, during which he'd start going in circles, running his hands through his hair in distress, looking up at the sky as if he was blaming god for the fact he was ever born, and of course facepalming like a crazy person, until he finally looked up at the other boy, chest puffed, shoulders raised and a confident look on his face.

"Alright, you won. How do I ask her?"

Komori jumped in excitement, hugging his friend.

"You have two seconds to get off or I'm reporting abuse to the police"

"Sorry, bro, I got carried away. You're growing up so fast"

"Call me that again, I dare you."

"No, sir."

"So, how're we going to do it?"

"Oh, man, get ready, this will be some serious Mean Girls meets Disney shit"

***

Never once before a game has Sakusa been this nervous. That's because he always knew that he had only his abilities to depend on, but now, there were so many unknowns, so many possible outcomes.

"'Supp, Omi-Omi?" he heard a giggle behind him, and someone touching his shoulders.

"I told you not to say that cursed nickname. It's Sakusa for you" he replied, turning back to look Komori in the eyes while he said that.

"Someone's in a bad mood"

"Only because you made that someone not only step out of the comfort zone, but fricking jump a hundred metres below it" he mumbled, crossing his arms at his chest, and looking down at the floor, a distressed look on his face.

They were already waiting in the back of the gym arena, dressed in their tournament uniforms instead of the practice ones, as it wasn't a normal practice match, but the last one they'd ever play with this squad. It was Honours Homecoming match, after all.

But that wasn't what worried Sakusa.

It wasn't the team they chose as opponents, either. He was in fact, happy to see a familiar face on the enemy team. His concerns that day didn't regard the game itself, but whats was to happen after it.

And the fact that for it to happen, they really REALLY needed to win.

They heard a voice of the commentator, (again, honours match, all the fancy stuff needed to be there) through the walls.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the students of Itachiyama Academy, the teachers, and all our dear guests. It is my pleasure to welcome you to this year's Homecoming Match. It has been a productive and succesfull year for our volleyball club! They returned from Tokyo National Gymnasium as victors, after the Interhigh..."

Clapping and cheering.

"... and won the silver cup at Spring National Tournament! Today, some of them are here for the last time, so please, do your best in cheering on our dear soon-to-be-graduates, and the rest of the team as well! But first, let me introduce the guest team to you. Ladies and gentlemen, I request a warm welcome for the team of Shiratorizawa Academy of Miyagi!"

Sakusa smiled ever so slightly, as sudden motivation flooded his mind. He was going to crush Ushiwaka-kun that day, and you were going to watch it happen.

"Let me introduce the starting order. Number 14, libero, Yamagata Hayato! Number 12, Kawanishi Taichi! Number 10, Shirabu Kenjiro!"

"Oh, so it's the same order they had against Karasuno" Sakusa whispered. Komori looked at him in disbelief, once again forgetting he was able to watch EVERY match his opponents ever played when nervous.

"You're unbelievable."

"...Number 8, Goshiki Tsutomu! Number five, Tendou Satori! Number four, Ohira Leon! And the ace and captain, ladies and gentlemen, number 1, Ushijima Wakatoshi!"

"Now, they needn't have added that. That's unproffesional, it's the commentators job to call someone an ace, not the official speaker." Sakusa complained.

He heard "Ushijima-kun!" coming loudly from the audience. Oh, so they came with their support team?

Even better, said his competetive side. Damn, am I turning into Miya?

"Now now, ladies and gentlemen, our dear Itachiyama students! Please welcome..."

He was going on and on, reading the names of every single one of his teammates that were assigned for that match, and Sakusa was forced to high five all of them while they were leaving for the court.

"Do your best there, Sakusa-san" he heard some of the first years say, and managed to smile at them a bit, which turned out to be so out of character for him, the first years were more scared that encouraged.

"...and lastly, our own ace, please welcome, number 10, Sakusa Kiyoomi!"

He heard cheers while running out of the gate, waving slightly at the crowd. Damn, Komori didn't lie when he said a lot of people will be watching. Never once had he seen the gym so full. People were sitting on the stairs, Standing next to the doors and some even out of the stands, near the court.

He even heard his fans shout, his fans who's existence he frequently denied, shouting "Omi-kun" as loud as the girls who were screaming Ushijima's name.

Don't you have anything better to do, he thought, but then he heard a familiar voice yelling on top of everyone else's.

"Omi-omi! Do your best!"

It was obviously you who was shouting, and you noticed him smile a bit, which suprised you a lot. You always yelled that, but he never EVER payed it any attention. But now he was looking directly at you, noticing even the Itachiyama colours painted on your cheeks.

And then he waved? What was up with that boy, did the aliens finally take him home, where he belonged, and replaced him with another one?

Ushijima went over to the net to shake hands with Itachiyama's captain, Tsukasa, a third year, so for the both of them it was the last time they ever did that.

Well, not for Ushiwaka, he was promised a career. But you were certain so was Sakusa, even though he was only in his second year, he was already a better spiker.

"Pleased to see you again, Kiyoomi-kun" Ushijima said louder, for him to hear. Everybody was even more suprised when he responded, with a smile on his lips.

"Any opportunity to crush you is a good one, Wakatoshi-kun"

"And now you sound like Miya" he replied before returning to his team.

Oh. Well, not like I care.

They lost the first set, 23 to 25, so they almost won, but it was still enough to make Sakusa's hand sweat like crazy from stress.

"Sakusa-kun" he heard captain Tsukasa behind his back. He turned to face him and notice a deadly expression. "It's my last time being able to scold you like that, so don't mind if I will. I don't know if you care or not, probably not, but we need to win that.

Oh he cared. He cared loads.

"To be honest, it doesn't matter to me what kind of motivation caused you to bite back at Ushijima like that, but I need that energy back for the second set. Drop the act for once, and try your best like it was Tokyo Finals. Like it was the fricking Olympics. I know you don't care, but I really do, and even if it's foolish of me to hope you'll actually liste—"

"You got it, captain." he cut him off and notice his pupils widen and mouth open in disbelief "I'll do my very best to win. I can be humble all I want, but I am the best, after all. No, we're the best. We defeted Shiratorizawa not once, not twice, and we'll beat them again. You'll leave like the true champion you are."

"Sakusa-kun I— I didn't think that would actually work on you..." Tsukasa lost his words.

He just shrugged his shoulders and turned away, as Ushijima came to say something to him.

"What's up with you, Kiyoomi-kun? Are you not at your best today?" he asked. Sakusa would've been annoyed if he didn't knew he was actually honestly concerned, in his own, weird way.

"I am, Wakatoshi. You'll see"

"I hope to"

Well, I hope to, as well. He looked at you in the crowd, checking your phone. A spring of jellousness stung him in the heart. Look at me, his eyes screamed, watch me, I need you to look closely as I win this foolery for you.

He was on fire, it seemed like the ball was his and his only once he touched it. It was beautiful thing to watch, really. They won the second set and were already near the positive end of the third one, going 22 to 20.

You noticed that Sakusa's newly found enthusiasm really tired him, as he was standing there, catching his breath, with both his hands on his knees, facing the gym floor. What has gotten into that boy you knew, always distanced, only showing his best when it was obviously needed, freaking everybody out. Here he was, giving his heart out, but in a different way than usual. Like he was actually invested emotionally in that game, not only wanting to win out of competetiveness.

Minutes later you watched him getting ready to spike the final point, as did the commentator describe it.

"...ladies and gentlemen, we're here to give a warm goodbye to the third years, but as an unwritten rule says, the last point belongs to the ace! Will Shiratorizawa's block use that information? As you can see, now near the net we have the undefeatable Ushijima Tendou duo, I'm sure Sakusa's frustrated by that fact, they might interrupt his glorious point streak!"

"Undefeatable my ass" said Sakusa, causing Komori to break into laughter.

"Did I just hear Sakusa Kiyoomi say my ass? Oh god the world's end is upon us!"

"Did I ask?" yelled Sakusa, focusing his eyes on Tendou. Ushijima just had strong arms, but Tendou, he was truly a blocker to be feared.

Shut up, Kiyoomi, you're the ace here, not Tendou Satori.

He checked quickly if you were looking. You were. And that was all he needed.

He clapped, telling the team to start already. Shiratorizawa's pinch server, Semi Eita was serving, but that was no suprise to Itachiyama's block, and the ball got passed on to the setter. Captain Tsukasa tossed it with a slight spin, but that wasn't a problem for Sakusa at all.

Now it wasn't a question of his abilities, but strenght. He wouldn't outjump Tendou and Ushijima, both tall as towers, they obviously left no room for a spike, but he felt reassured. Tsukasa could toss to anyone else, knowing they'll focus on Sakusa, but he still believed in his ace. And he didn't plan on disappointing the captain on his last day of duty.

"And that's not even my best, Wakatoshi!" he yelled as he took all the energy left in him to spike the ball right into Ushijima's fingertips.

If he didn't give it so much power, Ushi could've easily blocked that, but that was truly an ace's spike. Worth someone called "Japan's best".

He fell on his knees, feeling as tired as ever, catching his breath, but noticed the ball fall into the enemy field.

They won.

You shouted, alongside everyone else, yelling Sakusa's name.

You knew he didn't like the attention, but well, what could you do, you were proud. And he managed to suprise you yet again, when he actually checked whether you were scanding "Sa-Ku-Sa" along with the whole gym. He actually checked, he really looked worried you wouldn't, but how could you not?

What happened to him today?

The Itachiyama team, as well as Shiratorizawa's came to their side of the stands to bow to the people cheering them on for the last two hours, and then they all started to walk towards the coach.

"Now, Sakusa, while you still have the adrenaline"

Oh right, he was supposed to do it now.

Just like in the movies.

He nodded, feeling the stress rise inside him once again, already feeling saltiness in his mouth, as if he was about to throw up.

You were suprised when you saw him walk back to the edge of the court, looking in a different direction.

Other people around also noticed him walking over and were now silently watching.

That stressed him even more, but well, what can you do.

"Hey, Smiles!" you were suddenly so shocked, hearing the nickname he only used when you were alone, and even so, with embarassement, now using his full voice, with a confident look on his face. You raised both your eyebrows and bent over your seat to hear him better. "I have something important I need to ask you?"

Well, couldn't you wait? Your team is waiting, you thought, but nodded.

"What is it, Sakusa?"

Something itched inside his heart. Why, though? He liked his last name.

"First of all, never call me that again. It's Omi for you." he said, completely serious and official, making you pinch your arm to check whether this wasn't some kind of a weird dream. He hated that nickname, didn't he?

"And second, Smiles, will you maybe... I mean, if you're not busy or anything..."

"Sakusa fricking idiot Kiyoomi! That's not how they do it in the movies!" you heard Komori yell, making you even more nervous.

"Right! Right." He shook his head. "Smiles, go to prom with me" he said super fast and super loud, making people around you gasp for air in shock and then clap their hands. He looked embarassed, hearing the cheers. Right, other people were there. He didn't think that through.

What?

Well, you'd love to, but... what? You thought he'd never ask! You thought he wouldn't go at all...

"I mean, don't you hate crowds, Omi?" you asked, concerned.

"Smiles!" he yelled, getting more and more comfortable with calling you that. "That's a yes or no kind of question!"

You noticed everybody around looking at you, as well as the Itachiyama team, waiting for Sakusa to join them.

"I— well, uhm... I'd love to, actually" you answered, your smile couldn't be cointaned anymore and painted your lips. You felt heat coming to your cheeks. You weren't prepared for that.

"Great!" he laughed, so geniuenly, you were even more suprised, if that was possible. "Now if you're excuse me, I have to get my ass kicked."

You waited for him outside his gym room for good fifteen minutes after the last member of his team left, and were starting to worry he somehow escape not wanting to face you. But you were so, so happy, you didn't let that thought bring you down. However, you started to get a bit impatient. You decided to knock.

"Omi? You there?" you asked gently, and waited for the response.

On the other side of the door Sakusa looked at his displaced finger and wonder why didn't he feel it hurt before. Was that from his last spike? He knew it was kind of unproffesional and coach already scolded him for that, but well, he put so much strenght into it that the form he was so famous for somehow disappeared. He didn't care about it, only wanting to score and win, and now the painful consequences got to him.

Then he heard you say his name and started packing up rapidly.

"Coming!" he only responded, tears forming in his eyes as a piece of his shirt got over the hurting finger, causing it to bend and hurt even more. "Fuck" he whispered, clenching his teeth. He put the sports bag over his shoulder and left.

You noticed that he had just showered, which was rare, because you knew he'd rather die than set his foot into a public shower. But there was no doubt, he smelled like his coconut shampoo and the cologne was fresh, you knew he wouldn't spray cologne onto a sweaty body, because he personally despised people who did that. His curls were still a bit wet and were closer to his face than normally, weighted down by the humidity.

"Did you shower, Omi?" you asked straight forward.

"I never want to speak of that again."

You noticed his sports bandage wrapped over his feet. Oh, so that's how he went into the shower. Understandable.

"Look at you overcoming your fears. Did you hit your head or something, now that you're acting so different?"

He giggled, letting down his guard at once, with what he satisfied you to the point a proud feeling filled up your chest.

"No seriously, you could've just waited until you got home, like you always do, why'd you do the one thing you hate the most?"

No, the thing he hates the most was only just coming for him, he thought, looking down at his finger. Then he lifted up his head and looked at you.

"How could I invite you over if I was still sweaty? That would've been disgusting"

"How could you WHAT?" you shouted, which really took him off his tracks, confusing him.

"Uhm... yeah, unless you don't want to, then I guess I'll be going then" he explained quietly, and rushed to get in front of you, but before he could you already noticed the blush forming on his cheeks.

"No wait, Omi, I was just suprised!" you caught up with him and grabbed him by the hand, which caused him to curse underneath his breath.

"Fuck"

You let go instantly, not knowing what you did wrong.

"I'm sorry?"

"No, no it's nothing, it's just... my finger hurts a bit. Forget about it." You stood in front of him, not letting him keep walking.

"Show me" you said in a demanding tone. He hid his palm behind his back, but you managed to grab it anyway, looking at the fingers in shock. "That looks concerning, it's not supposed to look like that."

"What're you, a doctor?"

"No, but I'm taking you to see one."

"What? No, no you're not!" he yelled, and you saw fear in his eyes.

"Yes I am! Omi, we need someone to look on this, for the sake of your future career! Do you know how easy injuries like that can ruin it?"

You had a point, but he was still not sure about it. When you tried to lead him out of the building, he froze in place.

"Omi! Act reasonable, please" you said, but he still wouldn't move, only shaking his head.

"I don't need a doctor, I don't need to go to a hospital, it's nothing serious, I can just rest it and it'll go away! I don't need anything else, I'll take a pill and it'll stop hurting so much, I'm a big boy, I can handle it like a grown up, no need to make a bit fuzz about a hurting hand, come on, hands hurt after every match, that's just how it goes. You wouldn't understand, you don't play volleyball! They're just gonna charge me for saying nothing, anyway! Or maybe they won't even agree to see to it without my parents and they aren't home, they're away visiting my aunt in South Korea! See, we can't go!" his breathing became very laboured and short, he started to get red, hands fidgeting and head shaking constantly, he started to speak very fast, you had trouble understanding.

You smiled at him.

"Omi... are you scared of hospitals?"

"What? No, I'm not, they're just so... full of sick people, and IV's and needles, and serious illnesses, and sadness and death, I just don't like them, who normal likes hospitals?!" he took a step backwards, almost falling of the stairs.

"Omi. Sit down."

"On the floor?"

"You showered in a gym locker room and have trouble sitting on the floor?"

He did as you asked. You kneeled down to him and took his face into your hands, causing him to twich a bit. Right, he didn't like that. You decided to put them on his shoulders instead.

You handed him his own water bottle and waiting for him to calm down a bit in silence.

"Omi, do you have any bad memories related to hospitals?" you asked gently, curling his hair with one finger. The one physical thing he really liked was you playing with his hair.

He shook his head yes, but didn't say anything.

"Okay. Do you consider them dirty, and that's why you don't want to go?"

He nodded again.

"Is there any other reason, besides these two?"

He shook his head no.

"Do you want to tell me what happened that made you hate hospitals? You don't have to, if you don't feel comfortable enough with me."

"I'll tell you later" he said quietly, looking away. He was speaking much slower and calmer than before, so you prevented the panic.

"Alright, now, listen, does it hurt more if I move it?" you asked, lifting his finger just a bit, and noticing tears form in the corners of his eyes. "Okay, it does. Now, Kiyoomi, I know you're a reasonable and mature person, and you understand the difficulties it might bring in the future if we don't check what's wrong now, right? It can be just hurt, but it seems like it's broken. If we fix it now, you'll be off for a month tops, and if we don't, well it may haunt you for a lot longer. That's logical, right?"

He nodded unwillingly, knowing where this is going.

"I understand your aversion, but some things are just beyond our control, right? So, you need to act like the man you are, and let me take you to a doctor. Alright?"

This time it took him a second to nod.

"Smiles... can you promise me two things?" he said so quietly you barely heard him, but as there was no one left in the hallway, you manage to understand.

"Whatever you want, Omi."

"Can you please, please not tell anyone about this? I'm really embarassed right now." He was still facing away, his eyebrows frowning.

"Of course I won't. We wouldn't like them to know you're not so tought and douchy all the time, right?" you laughed but he only smiled apologetically. "Hey, Omi, one thing. I'll like you the same, even if there's something in the world that you're afraid of. Even if there's a lot of these somethings. In fact, Omi, I'm sure there's nothing that would make me stop liking you, alright? You don't need to get embarassed in front of me. You don't need to get defensive every time you feel something. You're human, it's actually good you do. Understood, Sakusa?" you added the last part in a very demanding voice, as if you were scolding him, but you failed and giggled at the end.

"Understood." he responded, feeling a bit reassured. "Now that you've said that... for the second thing, uhm..." He started playing with his sweatpants' material nervously.

"Just say it, Omi, I already told you I'll do it all" you said comforting him, still pretending to give all your attention to his hair, so he'd feel more comfortable.

"Could you maybe... go into the examination room with me? I will freak out alone" he asked, facing the floor, but then got up quickly and turned away. "No, wait, forget I said anything."

"Omi" you sighed "Stop acting like a big baby already, of course I will, I would even if you didn't ask. Now stop pouting and give your prom date a hand so she knows you won't run away when she's not looking" you played it off cool and he turned back to you, smiling a bit.

"Right, my prom date. I never thought I'd have one"

"But I'm here, am I not? And now stop changing the subject and let your prom date take you to a doctor. Right now, mister!"

You left the school and went to the nearest train station, where Sakusa put on his face mask and pouted at you for making him do this. However heartbreaking he might've looked, you knew it was necessary and that you were doing the right thing. Your train arrived on time and after getting in, you noticed his leg was shaking unconsciously. You were really wondering what happened to him that made him hate hospitals so much, but this wasn't the right place to ask. If he wanted to, he'd tell you himself.

"So, Omi, what was that with asking me to come over before? You'd never done that." you decided to change the subject a bit to maybe loosen him up for a while.

"Well, that's a difficult question, actually" he answered very quietly, causing you to sit closer in order to hear.

"I'm only asking because, you know, many times in the past I wanted to do that but you always became practically furious while disagreeing, so it's a huge suprise for you to suggest it yourself"

"I know" he replied calmly, playing with the string of your hoodie with his one good hand. "Well I just figured, if I am to take you to prom, and there's going to be way too many people for me to be comfortable, maybe it'd be easier if I started with smaller things, like maybe show you my room, or hold your actual hand instead of the sleeve, so I don't freak out and let you down on the prom night" he mumbled, avoiding eye contact.

You felt your chest fill up with a warm feeling. Did he truly care that much about a highschool party? Did he care that much about, well, you?

"Omi, you don't have to push yourself too hard just to please me, I'll be fine if you just stay yourself" you said, taking the hair off his eyes. "And besides, it would be really hard for you to let me down, don't worry about that."

"It's just that... I know I can be a total dick sometimes, but truth be told I really do... like you, and care about you, and all that stuff" he stopped to hide his face with his arms and bend over to face the floor. "Even if I say I don't. It's just a weird feeling I didn't want to face because it was new. But I'm not letting that ruin your highschool memories."

"Sakusa. Let me tell you something about girls and prom, alright? For most of us it's not the prom that matters. Of course, it's nice to have an opportunity to dance with your friends and classmates and have fun, but for that, we can go alone. That whole thing with waiting for a guy to ask you out is so, so cliché! We don't wait to be asked to prom just to be asked. We wait for that one person to show affection towards us by asking, that's what makes it so special. And you already did that! You wouldn't even be able to understand how happy that made me! Just yesterday I was texting with my friend, complaining about how pleased I would be if only you asked me, but I was certain that would never happen. And then it did, when I least expected it!"

"Did it really make you that happy?" he chuckled, shaking his head.

"Yes, yes it did, I'm a stupid teenager and silly things like that satisfy me. Got a problem with that, Sakusa?" you laughed, playfully hitting him on the arm.

"Oh no, no, please, do continue being an immature baby" he responded, in a much better mood, not trying to hide his wide smile anymore.

"You're the baby here, I wasn't the one who almost cried like five minutes ago..."

"Hey! I told you not to bring that up!"

"Sorry, sir, I forgot my orders" you saluted ironically, making him roll his eyes in amusement.

And once you said that, the train door opened and the mechanic voice inside croacked out the name of the station, which turned out to be the one you needed to leave on.

And once you did, you could already see the modern building of the hospital in front of you.

"I hate the fact that I was ever born, I'd like a receipt so I can return myself"

You somehow managed to get him inside the hospital, and even to get an examination, although he didn't even want to sit, only standed and while doing so, made sure he didn't touch the walls.

But turns out waiting for the doctor was the worst part yet. He was walking back and forth throught the corridor, hands in his hair, and eyes closed most of the time. You were constantly giving him worried looks, but he didn't seem to notice.

The doctor said he'd be back with the results of the x-rey examination in about twenty minutes, but has already been fourty and he still wasn't back.

"Smiles" you suddenly heard Sakusa next to you and flinched in shock, realising you have zoned out. "What if it's serious and I won't be able to play anymore?"

"Well that certainly would've been dramatic, considering you're the number one spiker"

"Smiles! That doesn't help, like, at all!" he looked at you with pure panic in his eyes, and you were then sure that his distress had something to do with his past memories.

"Okay, okay Omi, calm down, I'm sure it's not that serious."

"You were the one who said it was!" Sakusa shouted.

"Shh, Omi, you're being too loud. Hey, why do you keep your eyes closed like that? Are you tired?" you asked. Well, of course he was, he played an entire match, and has been under a lot of stress ever since, not to mention it was already evening.

He nodded.

"They why won't you sit?"

He shook his head.

"I'd rather have my insides bleached and washed mechanically than do that" he then added, making you burst into laughter. He also smiled a bit.

"Shh, Smiles, you're being too loud" did he just mock you? Such a baby.

"Do you mind telling me now why are you so nervous about hospitals? You're a semi-professional, you know even a broken finger can't put you away for long, and still, you're this upset."

He sighed, looking into the ceiling as if he was trying to find something there. He started to play with his fingers out of nervousness, waiting to find the right words.

"Do you remember when I said my parents went to South Korea to see my aunt? Well, they're working people, they wouldn't just leave in the middle of May, on a monday, like it was nothing. They actually went over there to celebrate my cousin's fifth death anniversary, so she wouldn't be alone on such a day. He was one of my closest friends, growing up, while they still lived in Japan, but he would get sick very easily, so we'd mostly play in his room. One day, he disappeared from his house, and my parents wouldn't tell me why for weeks. I was miserable, so finally, they decided to have a serious talk with me about why my cousin couldn't play with me anymore. They said he was really ill this time and had to be transported to a hospital. And you know what I said?" you noticed he was now clenching his fists and frowning, trying to hold back emotions. "Turns out I wasn't always such a douchebag. I said that's okay, but he must be really lonely, so I'll just come play with him there. And so, my parents would bring me to see him a few times a week until we were twelve. Then I started noticing that he was becoming thinner and thinner day by day, his complexion was as pale as the walls around, and he had no energy to talk with me anymore. I would just come there and sit by his bed for hours, waiting for him to even say hi to me, but it was rare of him to do it. One time, when I was there, it was already late in the afternoon, so my parents came back with my aunt to pick me up, but as they were talking to the doctor in the hall, I heard all the machines around start to make high pitched noises. My cousin didn't look pale anymore, I only took my eyes off his for a second, because I was tired, and he turned grey, like paper. So I rushed up to him and shook his entire body, but it seemed so weightless, I already knew something was off. And the machines, they wouldn't stop making that awful noise... I ran back to the hallway and screamed at my mother and aunt to see what was happening, so they went in there and told me to wait... I was sitting there, in the hall, for what seemed like an eternity, and turned out to be an entire night. After many hours, my mother left the room, her eyes red and swollen, and alltogether she seemed smaller than when she entered. I asked her what was wrong but well, she wouldn't tell me. She'd just hug me, but I remember it being terrible, not like these warm, fuzzy hugs she always gave, but suffocating and trapping, so I started crying. She told me she loved me and went back to get my aunt, who left the room crying even harder then I was, practically screaming. Then she looked at me with such hatred in her eyes, I could practically feel my heart shatter. My mother escorted her to a different room, and I was left there to witness my cousins bed being carried out of the room, a small figure of a boy all covered by a sheet, even his face... I even noticed a teddy bear, a birthday present from me, sticking out."

You were shocked, but to the point where you couldn't even bring yourself to move, listening to Sakusa tell this sad story with a voice washed from all emotions, but with one single stream of tears rolling down his cheek. You wished you could say something, but words couldn't get out of your mouth.

"And that's why I'm not in Korea with them right now. Not because I had a match, but because she never wants to see me again, even though I'm her sister's son. After all, I was the messenger who told her about her precious son's death, wasn't I? So what if I was a kid and didn't even understand what was going on, so what if I was heartbroken myself. It wasn't a grown up's logical decision, but her emotions speaking through her, my mother had told me, but countless times at the funeral, or after, before she finally moved, had she told me she hates me. I even remember one time at my mother's birthday party, she got really drunk, and when I went down from my room to get some water, I ran into her in the kitchen. She looked at me with no emotions whatsoever and just told me she wished it were me. Just that. And then she left." Sakusa began laughing "So yeah, you can say I hate hospitals."

You adored watching him laugh, but that scared you, that wasn't his normal, vibrant laugh, but a sarcastic one, full of venom.

"Kiyoomi..."

"I guess I just don't want to be bad news to anybody, I don't want to see any more suffering that I cannot do anything about!" tears started forming in his eyes as he smashed his fist against the wall.

Well, that was heartbreaking to watch.

What could you say to him that would make him feel better? There were no words right for explaining a trauma like that. How would you even begin?

"Kiyoomi, there's nothing we can do about that now. And there's nothing you could've done then. True, the world isn't fair. It takes away the people who had done nothing wrong when they didn't even start their life properly. And true, there are scary things waiting for us around every corner. But bad things happen, and you can't do anything about it. You just have to keep going... for the two of you. If you want to truly make a difference, and not let his short life go to waste. I'm not sure there's anything more I can say, because I know how much you hate sugarcoating. I—"

"Smiles?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm really proud you consider me to be the tough guy here, but... you're a better hugger than my mom" he whispered, still facing the ceiling.

"Sure, Omi" you said, wrapping your arms around his waist. It was difficult to give him a comfort hug, considering the fact you were tiny compared to his 6,2", but what could you do. You felt him lean over and squeeze you really, really tight, his arms shaking a bit, as he put his face in your hair, making you able to feel him breathe.

"Smiles?" he said quietly, smiling as he felt you holding the material of his jacket. You only mumbled in response, so he carried on with his question. "I'm really tired."

You didn't know how to react to that, honestly. You had never seen him like this before, he was always hiding behind a cold and douchy exterior.

"Just a few more minutes, and we'll be going home" you finally responded, patting his back. "The doctor has to tell you the results and somehow secure that finger from getting even more hurt"

"We'll be going home?" he asked, and you felt embarassement rise in your stomach.

"Well... you DID say you're inviting me over, and I don't trust you not to play with the bandage you're gonna get"

He laughed, as sweetly as normal, and you sighed with relief.

"I suppose I might've said something like that."

"Well then be a man and live up to your promise"

"I never PROMISED anything"

"Oh come on, you know you want to, I'm your prom date!" You laughed, but all of the sudden you felt a movement and before you could object, you were mid air, held by Sakusa's tight grip, your face very near his.

"I suppose you are" you saw him smile behind his face mask, but were too shocked by this sudden burst of affection to be able to answer.

"Now, Sakusa-kun, I highly suggest you stop doing that to your hands, unless you want another injure to the list" you heard an adult speaking behind you, and the next thing you knew, you were falling to the ground, glaring deadly at Sakusa, who's attention was already somewhere else. "Come in, I'll show you your results"

Turns out the finger was just badly injured, but still not broken, so Sakusa only needed to take three weeks of holidays from playing volleyball, and as the season had ended, it wasn't a very dangerous threat. You were now walking home from your train station, Sakusa's eyes constantly closing, due to tiredness. Your heart was pounding it's way out of your chest, when he finally opened the gateway to his house, and stepped to the side to let you in. You felt blush coming to your cheeks while he turned the key inside his door's lock. You were looking closely at everything after entering the house. It was close to what you've imagined, designed in a modern style, the walls grey or white, black tiles on the floor.

"You must be hungry, right?" he said, leading you to the kitchen by the sleeve of your hoodie. "Wait right here, I'm sure there's something that I can make"

You sat on a kitchen counter, making him raise an eyebrow in slight shock.

"Practice, Sakusa" you laughed "I'm just helping you"

He rolled his eyes and put noodles in a pot on his stove.

"Move, I need to get my knife" he said, easily picking you up and putting you on another counter. You turned away, blushing uncontrollably.

"Oh my, okay, Sangwoo" you said, making him want to kill you with his look. "Wait, you understood the reference? Look at you, being a weeb"

"Well he was an interesting person after all" he said weighing the knife in his hand with a sarcastic grin on his lips. He then proceeded to prepare the best tomato sauce you've ever EVER eaten in your entire life. He turned as red as the tomatoes when you pointed that out, only telling you to shut up and eat already.

You helped him clean, but he wasn't so happy about it, claiming your "dishwashing habits" were different than his.

And then it was finally the time for you to see his room. You followed his up the stairs, and then entered a room you've least expected.

It was... completely normal. It wasn't clean on every centimetre, it wasn't all white and septic, no, it was just a normal teenage boy's room. His Itachiyama Team hoodies laying around on the deskchair, a big computer with gaming headphones, a small bookshelf with novels and even some mangas, a huge bed in the corner, draped with black bedding and Star Wars and Marvel throw pillows. It was clean, of course, there was no dirty dishes or socks laying around, but besides being overall tidy, it was totally normal.

But what suprised you the most, was the most beautiful being you've ever seen in your entire life, and no, not Sakusa. A fluffy, white cat.

It was a breeded cat, you knew that instantly, even having a heart as good as his Sakusa wouldn't allow a stray in his house, due to his problems with germs. From what you recognized, it was a Birman Cat. You gasped in awe upon seeing it, already kneeling down to pet it.

"Look at you, cutie, who're you? Awwe, look at your little paws, so soft!" the cat already crawled into your lap and sat on your thigs, purring with content. Sakusa laughed.

"You probably think we took in Lady because I needed a thoroughbred cat, not a stray right?" he picked up, throwing himself on his bed, leaving the jacket on top of other on the deskchair. He was now only in his grey sweatpants and yellow T-shirt, being a little loose, even on someone as tall as him. He groaned, realizing he forgot about his finger and now pinned it down weight of his body, whch caused it to hurt more. He then decided to sit, resting his back on the throw pillows. "Well, you're wrong if you think that. We actually decided on her because her breed has hair instead of fur, which my mother is allergic to.

Oh.

"The only thing I'm thinking right now is that Sakusa Kiyoomi named his cat LADY, and it's hillarious"

But what you were in for witnessing next was cuter than the cat itself.

"Well, that's because she is my little Lady, right?" he said in a sweet and high-pitched voice, deciding to ditch the comfortable bed and sit on the floor beside you, scratching the cat behind it's ear. "Who's my Lady? Who? Yes, you are!" he started to sound like a fourty year old lady with no family and nine cats. You bursted out laughing.

You suddenly stopped, when Lady decided it would be a great idea to... vomit on you. It was all happening so fast you didn't even notice, until you heard her clear her throat and then watched her walk away in shock. You looked at your dirty hoodie and then at the frightened Sakusa next to you, already as white as his walls.

"Oh... uhm... that was unexpected" you said, not sure what to do next.

"I am so, so s-sorry" he started to apologize "She must've e-eaten something b-bad while I was gone" he mumbled, getting up and walking around his room as if he was going to find something that could help him.

Normally he would get his mom, but she wasn't even in the country.

"Omi, it's okay, don't worry" you said, taking your hoodie off carefully, so it wouldn't mess up the carpet or anything else. "Just, would you show me where the bathroom is?" you asked, and he nodded, leading you to the door at the end of the corridor. "Thanks" you added, putting the material in the sink and running hot water on it. Most of it came off pretty easily, and nothing else got dirty in the process, but you noticed a big stain on the chest area.

"Shit, put it in the washer" he said, taking it from you, to your suprise, and turning on the machine. Then he went back to his room, all red, and took something out of his closet. "Here, take this, I forgot to turn the radiators on, and it's cold" and thus he handed you a black hoodie, with a single yellow stip on the side, and "Sakusa" written on the back, with smaller "Itachiyama Academy Volleyball Club" below.

You froze in place.

"Wait, why are you giving me your hoodie?" you said, after gasping dramatically.

"Just take it you idiot, before I change my mind" he answered bitterly, walking over to turn on his computer. "Do you want to watch something while we wait for it to wash?" he then asked in a much calmer tone, and you silently agreed. He put on some movie you spent twenty minutes choosing, because it needed to match both yours and his interests, and after he did, you sat on the floor, focusing on the screen. "Are you dumb?" he suddenly muttered.

"What?"

"Sit on the bed like a normal person" you were suprised, but he didn't need to ask twice. You sat there, uncomfortably, at the edge of the matterace, until you heard a sigh and felt strong arms pull you back, almost to the wall. You noticed you were now half sitting, half laying on Omi's chest, legs over his, plus, he putted his chin over your head.

"Omi, what has gotten into you?" you laughed, making him sigh again.

"Do you have some sort of a problem?" he answered, visibly nervous.

"No, no I don't sir!"

"I swear I sometimes wonder why I'm attracted to a dumbass like you"

"You're WHAT?" you said, your heart skipping a beat.

"Nothing! Just watch already!" he shouted.

You giggled.

Minutes have passed and you two were just sitting there, chilling and watching the movie. You felt Sakusa's head slip over yours. Had he fallen asleep? You smiled, looking at the peaceful expression on his face. After seeing him so tired and distressed today, you were really glad he was finally getting some rest. You adjusted his head to lay by your neck instead, so it wouldn't slip all the time. The music in the movie started playing really loudly, so you turned it down and started to check your phone, while curling his hair with your fingers.

Oh, he's gonna be so grossed out when he wakes up, you almost felt bad for him for a second.

It was oddly calming to feel his even breathing on your neck, and you suddenly realized how much has changed that day. Twenty four hours before you were wondering if he'd ever even ask you out on a date, and now you were sitting on his bed, with him asleep on your neck, knowing he was going to take you to prom.

Oh, truly, what a day.

prom night, 6:28 PM

You were still fighting with your eyeshadow, when you heard the doorbell ring. Shit, that looks awful, you thought, trying to erase your mistake and do it once more. "I'll get it!" you heard your little sister shout, and smiled to yourself. The night was finally here. You were going to prom with Sakusa Kiyoomi, somehow, you still didn't know what heavensent force made him ask you.

"It's someone for sis!" she yelled.

"Tell them I'll be right there!" you shouted back, but she seemed to have ignored you, because soon after you heard your mother invite the two boys over. (Komori's sister had a licence and a car, so she was driving you all)

"Good evening, ma'am" you heard your prom date say. You almost saw him all nervous with the eyes of your imagination.

Fine, you thought, it won't get better than this. It was time to go. You took a quick look at yourself in the bigger mirror. The dress wasn't spectacular, and you did your make up by yourself, so of course you didn't look like Hollywood's next biggest star on the red carpet, but you definitely did look better than usual.

You took your purse, sprayed some perfume, and went down the stairs, watching every step, because you couldn't seem to get the hang of walking on heels yet.

"Hi guys!" you said, still watching your feet, but got no response. It seemed like everyone was there, your mom, dad, sister, Sakusa and Komori, but nobody had said a thing. You finally looked up when you reached the bottom of the stairs, to see your parents smiling slightly, your sister pouting over how jealous she was of your spotlight, Komori watching Sakusa, and Sakusa, well...

He looked as if he'd just seen a ghost.

"What's wrong, Omi?" you asked, giggling. He was still silent, so Komori hit him on the back.

He didn't look so bad himself, all the loose curls that were always framing his pale face were now carefully styled to stay at the top, not the sides. His suit was a plain, black one, with a single yellow bow tie, matching Komori's.

"You look great, by the way" you added, upon still not hearing anything from him.

Only then did he smile a bit and take a bouquet from behind his back, then hand it to you.

"That's for you. They're your favorite—"

"Freesies" you finished, looking at the white flowers in awe. "You remembered" you added, already feeling all the emotions rushing to your head. "They're beautiful, thank you"

"Well, you're still the most beautiful in the room" he mumbled, his face red. You chuckled upon hearing that cheesy phrase.

"Smooth" Komori whispered, laughing, and Sakusa promised himself to kill him later that night.

Everything went as you'd imagine it to go, you drived to your school, saw the huge crowd of students everywhere around. You smiled at Sakusa while he opened the cardoor for you, and looked at him in shock as he took your hand into his and intertwined your fingers together.

"I thought you didn't like doing that?"

"That's what people do at proms, right?" he said, smiling at you widely "I'm going to do it all, prepare for the cheesiest night of your life" he then faced away, leading you towards the entrance.

Little did you know, inside, he was practically shaking, upon seeing all these people around. He was right, there were too many of them for him to be comfortable. He was already nervous and wanted to leave, and the night hadn't even started.

"Sakusa-san! I didn't think you'd come here!" You heard some girl said. You recognized the captain of the girls' volleyball team, smiling widely, while draped all over her boyfriend. Captain Tsukasa somehow appeared from the crowd, joining the converstation by hanging his arm on the boy's shoulders, which almost caused a shiver down his spine.

"Now, how could he miss this? He's our dear ace after all, right, Sakusa-kun?"

"Right, captain" he responded, the fakest smile you've ever seen colouring his lips.

"Enjoy the party, Saku!" said Tsukasa before leaving, heading back towards the main gym arena, from which loud music could be heard.

Enjoy, yeah, right, you idiot, thought Sakusa.

He only wished he could be enjoying the party like everyone else, because then he could just focus on you and making sure you wouldn't regret coming. But he wasn't made like everyone else, and the level of comfort he felt was descreasing at a very rapid speed.

The night was going great, at least from your point of view. Hours have passed, you laughed, danced, even watch the Prom Queen election. You didn't even wish it were you up there on that stage. You already felt like a queen.

But then it all decided to go to hell.

Komori had found his place with the kids who were spiking the drinks, and now came back to you two with a questionable grin on his mouth.

"Sup, my dear lovebirds?" he started the conversation by messing Sakusa's hair playfully, only for him to correct it with disgust.

"Good, but I seem you're even better" you responded with amusement, watching him rock from side to side.

"You know, Sakusa, I never knew why you insisted on calling her Smiles, it's such a dumb nickname"

"You're dumber."

"But! But now I get it! There's an old saying..."

"I'm sure whatever your about to say isn't an old saying"

"Stop interrupting me! There's an old saying that claims, that when a boy is in love, you see it in his eyes, but when a girl is in love, you see it in her smile. Is that why you insist on calling her that? Are you counting on that, Saku-chan? I mean, she is out of your league a bit, but, I'm rooting for you, buddy!" he said, and started to walk away slowly. "Besides, Smiles, watch his eyes up close!" he laughed, and began to dance to the music that changed suddenly when he finished the sentance. It was dark around you, but you still managed to notice Sakusa's face turning red.

"I'm going to kill you, I swear, I'll strangle you with your own vocal chords and make you wish you were suddenly Ariel and forgot how to speak!" he yelled, getting more and more nervous.

He was right, you were out of his league. And he embarassed yourself in front of you a week earlier, acting like a four-year-old, and needing your help. You probably considered him a pussy right now... So all the effort he did over the last few months was for nothing. He felt like throwing up again. Suddenly the walls around him started to get closer and closer, making it seem like there was even more people there, the music became louder and in a moment he only heard the base guitar trying to rip his ears apart. And in front of him were you, looking at him with that worried expression. He remembered himself saying, "Nothing sucks more than someone calling you a poor thing"

And your eyes were calling him that right then and there. He felt small, but furious, and overall miserable.

"Omi, are you feeling okay? He was just joking, you know that, right?" you said with a slight grin on your face.

"Oh, sure, because your little Omi is just a big crybaby for whom you're just waiting to snap and run away, right? Ever since this night started, you're all looking at me like at a fucking social experiment, counting minutes until I won't be able to take it anymore, right?"

"What? Kiyoomi, that's not—"

"Shut up! Oh my god, shut up, with your condesending tone and pretending to understand how I feel! If you so wanted to babysit someone then, I don't know, watch the neighbours kid instead of playing with me like that, you idiot!" he shouted, not noticing a couple of people closest to you watching him. "If that's what you're waiting for, then fine, have your satisfaction!"

And after saying that, he turned away and started to walk towards the exit to the patio. You knew you had to follow him, but didn't know whether he wanted you to.

You decided to go.

Once he found himself at the empty patio, he put his hands over his knees and looked up at the night sky, catching his breath.

"What the fuck was that, Sakusa?" he whispered to himself, realising he had now ruined his only chance with the one girl he actually liked. And how he did it, oh lord, like a total baby he so didn't want to be compared to. He decided to loosen up his bow tie, because it seemed like it was suffocating him, and tried to calm down. "Fuck, how stupid can you get? Oh my god!"

"Omi! Could you please, PLEASE, stop running away?" he heard your voice behind his back, and turned away as soon as he did, feeling tears rolling down his face.

"Go away" he said in an empty voice, but you just shook your head.

"I'm sorry I made you feel like a child"

There was silence for a long minute, as he was fighting with his emotions.

"I'm sorry for yelling at you on your big prom night"

"Silly" you laughed "It's only big if you're a part of it"

He smiled a bit.

"You know I didn't mean that, right?"

"I always know you don't mean that."

"Well, yeah, but I wish you wouldn't have to. I just felt super uncomfortable in that room with all these people, I am not that kind of person you'd want, I'm not the super fun jock guy to take you to prom and all that shit, that's just really not me, and I tried to, I really tried to become one for you but it's just... it's just not who I am" he sighed.

"Omi. For fucks sake. You don't need to change yourself at all, I like you for you, not for someone you're not! Where did you get that idea from, dumbass?"

Well, Komori, he thought.

You moved closer to him, and he sat on a stone bench, making you stand in between his legs, looking directly into his eyes. "I would never, ever, EVER, trade you for anyone else. You're perfect the way you are, and well..." you felt the heat coming to your cheeks. "You're the Omi I fell for, after all"

You heard him giggle, and felt the warmth of his hand against your own.

"Yeah?" he said, looking up at you. "Go on then" a proud grin appeared on his lips that caused you to hit him on the shoulder in embarassement. But you did eventually go on.

"Well, there is one more thing I'd like to say but I don't think I have the courage to do it" you mumbled.

"Oh, I'm sure you do"

"Oh, you know, well... I, uhm, when I look... at... no wait, that's not how i wanted to say it. You know when... no, wrong again" You suddenly heard a slow song in the distance, coming from the gym. "Oh I love that song"

"Well" he said, getting up "I believe one of the prom night traditions is a slow dance with your date, right?" he then continued, putting both his hands on your waist and starting to sway, pulling you even closer than you already were. "And Smiles, one more thing" he adden, upon leaning over to your ear and whispering a simple sentence. You trembled, not even sure if it was from the cold, or from excitement, or from his lips so close to your face. "I do, too"

You laughed, hiding your face in his shirt and breathing in the perfume.

"You really did mean it when you said you were going to do all the cheesy stuff"

"Shut up, dumbass, I really meant it"

"I know."

66 notes · View notes

ejm513 · 4 years ago

Text

HEART OF STONE- PROLOGUE

HELLO MY LOVELIES! I’M SORYY THIS TOOK SO LONG TO FINISH. I’VE HAD WORK, LIFE IN GENERAL, AND I’VE BEEN ALSO WORKING ON A FULL METAL ALCHEMIST BROTHERHOOD STORY I HOPE TO MAKE INTO A REAL, NON FAN FICTION STORY AND HAVE GOTTEN SUCKED INTO THAT FANDOM. BUT I FINALLY GOT MY ACT TOGETHER AND FINISHED THE PROLOGUE! I ALREADY HAVE THE FIRST CHAPTER STARTED SO HOPEFULLY THAT WONT TAKE AS LONG.

PLEASE ENJOY AND PRETTY PLEASE REVIEW!!!

~HEART OF STONE~

BY EJM513

PROLOGUE

There was absolutely no way around it.

Toph Beifang, the greatest Earth Bender alive, the creator of metal bending and former police chief of the great Republic City was dying.

She had always seemed to be made of stone, hardy and unbreakable. She had withstood storm after storm, trial after trial and never crumbled. Even as she shrunk back to her previous childlike size and her porcelain skin was etched with deep wrinkles and her hair grew whiter than the winter sun, she was unbendable. Her fortitude was as strong and steady as the earth she could control at will.

Yet there she was, the indomitable Toph Beifang, lying under a swath of blankets. Gentle, white sunlight poured through the window, warming her frigid skin. Her glassy eyes made it impossible to take in the calming pale walls around her or the photos that surrounded her. The only reason she even knew of their existence were due to the eerily soft and gentle words of her granddaughter. Toph attempted a scoff and an eye roll. What good were photos she couldn’t see? All that came out was a soft, strangled noise and feeble flutter of her eyes. Her well trained ears heard the sound of footsteps rushing towards her side. She could hear the sharp intakes of breaths as words of fear and concern were about to be uttered. Before they had a chance, she held up a frail, wrinkled and shaking hand.

“Relax. Nothing’s happening to me… not yet anyway.” She claimed, her voice weak and full of gravel. No one spoke, but Toph could sense the growing anxiety and terror blooming in their hearts. All she could do was sigh and allow her weary body to sink further into the impossibly soft mattress.

Never in her life had she felt her advanced age so keenly and so bitterly. Her bones ached and screamed and creaked with every little jolt or shift. Her muscles were as heavy as led. Her lungs crackled and tensed with each wheezing breath. Her frail body was engulfed in a swath of warm, heavy blankets that only weighed her down even more.

How she ended up in this snug bed Toph would never know.

She had felt her body growing frailer and frailer with each rising and setting sun, but she chose to march on as if nothing was wrong. Then there was the fateful day when her in dominatable will was no match for the ravages of time. Toph had been in her swamp, living her life as she had been for years and years; alone and on her own terms. She had just been basking under the tree, enjoying the serenity of her surroundings when it happened. Her chest heaved and her heart stuttered. Though there was no way for her to know she was certain her beloved swamp had begun to whirl, tilt and spiral until there was nothing; no sound, no sensation of the world beneath her.

When the world returned to her, Toph had found herself in a cozy room, in an inviting bed surrounded by what she could only assume were faces withered with worry and pity.

Oh, how she hated the pity. She could hear their soft murmurs dancing around her, confirming what she had quickly begun to suspect.

She was at the end of her life.

Toph buried herself into the blankets, struggling to regain any sense of warmth. Thankfully her mind was still as clear and sharp as ever, and it began to wander.

Dying, she decided, was a strange thing.

She had always expected it to come with a swift and brutal finality. Yet now that it was here it crept like a lumbering glacier, slowly beckoning her. In a way she was grateful for this careful, gradual pace. It gave Toph the time she needed to ponder over the long expanse of her life.

There had been much to be proud of.

She had become one of the most, if not the most powerful and accomplished Earth bender of her generation or any generation.

She had overcome a disability that would have left a lesser soul helpless and lost to the world around them.

She had helped save the world from a genocidal fire lord, bringing a new era of peace.

She created a new kind of bending at the age of 12 and started a school not longer after.

She became the chief of police of Republic City, the symbol of all their hopes for the future.

Above all else she had become a mother to two of the best daughters anyone could ever ask for.

Though no one would believe her if she had said motherhood was one of her greatest accomplishments.

The sorry fact of the matter was while Toph considered motherhood one of her greatest triumphs it was also her greatest failure. Toph was not a great mother or even a good mother. In retrospect using the term adequate was even being generous. In her determination to give her daughters a better life and all the freedom she never had she had swung too far in the other direction. She had given them too much freedom in replace of their mother. Her already weak stomach twisted in knots as she recalled how her well intentions lead to the great rift between her and her daughters. It was a rift that took years if not decades to mend. She had only made peace with her oldest daughter Lin within the last handful of years.

“Well at least I’ll be able to die without that hanging over me. Good. I can go without any regret” Her thoughts suddenly stopped, her skin somehow growing even paler as a mournful look washed over her fragile features. She felt her body grow stiff. She could feel her chest beginning to rise and fall faster than it had in days

Regrets.

No soul wants to die with regrets weighing them down. In her weakened state and pleasure of having her family surrounding her, the heaviest of all her regrets had been blissfully forgotten… if only for a moment.

That bitter regret came back with an instantaneous and ruthless vengeance, threatening to take her breath away.

It came in the form of icy blue eyes that she never saw but somehow knew so well.

It came in the form of strong cheek bones and a well-defined nose her pale fingers loved to trace.

It came in the form of a soothing, baritone voice dripped with sarcasm and adoration.

It came in the form of warm, strong arms and soft lips she hadn’t felt in far too long.

Sokka….

The very thought of his name alone unleashed old demons she had been hiding deep within herself and began to consume her.

At first the memories and sensations that engulfed Toph were nothing but pure bliss. She could hear his beautiful chuckle, his smooth voice cracking joke after joke. She could feel his arms wrapping around her and holding her against his chest. She could feel him as if he was right there, embracing her and brushing his fingers against her wrinkled cheeks. His voice mingled through the warm spring breeze, tingling her ears.

“Why? Why did you make me leave?”

Her fragile body went rigid at the sound of his melancholy, heartbroken voice. Toph’s heart fluttered with terror and if she wasn’t blind, she was convinced she would see his ghost standing before her. He would be pale and translucent. Any hint of his dark water tribe coloring gone…. the same coloring, he claimed her youngest daughter Su’yin possessed. His face would be hallowed and forlorn… the same expression she vividly pictured painted on his pristine face when she forced him to leave.

Toph screwed her eyes shut. Her lips pursed together in a thin line as impenetrable as stone. What little warmth she had evaporated into the air. She felt as cold as ice, frozen from the depth of her soul to each little strand of her ebony hair. Gone were the beautiful, bright memories of laughter, strong and inviting embraces and kisses over every inch of her face and neck. A cold shock of bitter regret swarmed throughout her limbs, making her shiver and shutter. Only one memory replaced them and threatened to consume her very being.

It was the sound of familiar footsteps step slowing, unwillingly walking away from her. It was the sound of a voice low and horse from battle, the voice of a man brought to his knees.

“I know I don’t need to ask you this…”

“Just say it meathead!” She had snapped. Toph had fallen so deep in her memories she hadn’t realized the words had slipped out in a jumbled rasp.

“Take care of my girls for me and make sure they know how much I love them.” His footsteps grew father and farther and farther away. A door opened and swung shut with a thud.

In reality she had stood resolute in her metal armor, arms crossed against her chest. She had ignored the burning in her eyes and the throb in her chest. Her lips had burned with words she had wanted to scream.

Now, as she was lost in a world of her own did they see the light of day.

“No.” Toph croaked. Her weak voice sounded like a violent shout in a space overwhelmed by weary silence.

“Please don’t go..” She begged, attempting in vain to lift her thin arms to reach for Sokka. Toph was unaware of her loved ones rushing and heir words of panic. She was far too busy trying to rush out the door to reach Sokka before he was gone for good.

“Don’t go! Don’t go!”

Her chest rose with a loud gasp as her bony fingers gripped the delicate sheets below her. What had been a horse whisper turned into a loud, desperate screech. Her arms started to lift, her deteriorating body straightening.

All she could picture was Sokka walking away, his back turned to her and his shoulders slumped in defeat. Her legs began to swing over, her feet ready to hit the floor. It was only a gentle, firm grip on her shoulders and a familiar voice calling out “Mom!” that brought her back to reality.

Lin…

The sound of her low, commanding voice twinged with panic was enough to bring Toph back to reality. She blinked; her chest full of rocks as she gasped for air. She could feel Lin’s hands carefully press her back on to the feathery mattress. Before Toph knew what had happened her head was once more on the pillow and she was cocooned in thick quilts.

“It’s okay. Just… just rest chief.” Lin ordered, her voice soft and gruff. Toph could only gawk in the direction of her eldest daughter’s voice. Despite having regained some semblance of a relationship, Lin’s uncharacteristically ginger touch and careful actions left her stunned.

After all, Toph couldn’t remember the last time Lin had called her “Mom” in such a small, scared voice.

Toph reached out and grabbed Lin’s hand, encasing her bony fingers around her daughter’s surprisingly petite hand. Lin tensed under her touch, holding her breath as her eyes went wide.

“Please stay.” Toph asked. Lin felt her heart begin to shatter at the sound of her mother’s voice so trail and weak. She couldn’t bare the sight of her commanding mother so fragile and tiny. For a moment all she could do was stare and pray she had simply fallen into some twisted nightmare.

Of course, she hadn’t.

Her mother’s bony, frigid hand felt all too real. The growing panic in her chest and pit in her stomach were far too intense. Those pale, milky eyes were brimming with panic and confusion. The once towering woman resembled a diminutive, sickly child instead of the stoic, dominating figure she had known.

What else was there for Lin to do but sit on the bed and give her mother’s hand a tender squeeze.

“I’m not going anywhere.” Lin said. Toph let out a slow breath and fluttered her cloudy eyes. She held on to her daughter with all the strength she had.

“Su, come here.” She croaked, her eyes searching for another figure. Gentle footsteps rushed over to her and a new weight sat on the other side of the bed. Without a moment’s hesitation Su’yin took Toph’s free hand into her own. They held onto each other as tightly as they could.

“I’m here Mom. I’m here.”

Toph felt her breathing begin to slow. She could feel a ray of warmth begin to consume her bit by bit as her eyes began to flutter. There was nothing but peace as she sat silently with her loves.

She hoped the girls felt the endless strength she always tried to show. She hoped they knew how grateful she was that they were there… even all she had put them through and all the mistakes she had made.

Above all else, Toph prayed her girls knew how much she truly loved them.

They would always be her blessings.

_______________________________________________________________________

“Su, Lin?”

The sisters looked up towards the familiar voice. They had been sitting at a small table, their lips pursed in hard lines and their eyes glued onto the faded wood.

Their Aunt Katara was a welcomed break in the heavy silence.

The water tribe maiden was even older than their mother. Her dark skin was grooved with deep wrinkles. Her once deep brunette hair had turned a snowy white. Yet she held a gleaming tray with delicate cups of tea as if it was nothing but a feather. Her movements were still as graceful as ever-if slower than in her glory days.

“I know nothing can truly help, but I thought some tea would at least warm you up.” She said, carefully placing the tray in front of the sisters.

“Thank you Aunt Katara.” Suyin said, her lips curling into a small smile. She reached forward and took one of the fragile cups. Her eyes trailed to the brown liquid as she let the drink warm her hands.

It was amazing how frigid she could feel on such a lovely spring day.

“I just can’t believe she’s really gone…” Suyin whispered, her voice quivering.

“I know sweetie… I know.” Katara glanced over to Lin, her heart sinking at the sight. Lin sat as stiff as ice, her arms crossed over her chest and her eyes staring out the window. Katara reached towards the metal clad woman and gently laid her hand on Lin’s arms.

“Do you want some tea?” Lin shook her head, refusing to look at either woman sitting beside her.

“You can have it.” She muttered. Katara nodded, her thin lips twisting into a faint smile. She patted Lin’s arm before reaching over and bringing the cup to her lips. She let the warm, soothing concoction swallow her grief and keep her smile on her face.

She may have lost one of her best friends, but they had lost their mother. It didn’t matter that they were well into middle age-and in Lin’s case almost passed that dreaded age gap. It didn’t matter how strained their relationship had been or how flawed Toph had been.

A mother was still a mother, and Katara knew more than anyone the hole such a lost left. It was one a soul could never truly heal from. The last thing she desired was to add to their confusion and fear and loss. She prayed with all of her might she could protect that whole from consuming them whole.

Yet there was a great burden she was tasked with-not just by Toph but by someone even closer and dearer. Katara gingerly sat her cup on the table and sighed, staring at the worn wood beneath her fingers.

“Listen girls I know you’re still processing everything… but there’s something your mother wanted me to give you.” Two pairs of vibrant, emerald eyes snapped towards her-both filled with urgent curiosity. Katara felt a shiver creep down her spine.

Those eyes… those beautiful green orbs full of steely resolved mirrored Toph’s. A lump began to from in her throat, and her hands began to tremble.

The fact she would never see those eyes again filled her such dread. Old grief filled scars she had fought so hard to heal began to split open, threatening to spill through every tiny pour and cell.

Yet Katara willed her hands to still and swallowed her burning tears. She reached her hands into her pocket and pulled out two faded sheets of paper. One had Lin etched in a weak scrawl, and the other had Su.

“Letters?” Lin questioned, her eyebrows raising to her hairline.

“Yes.” Katara nodded. She leaned over and carefully placed the withered sheets of paper in their hands.

“She had them for a while. She… she wanted me to wait until this moment to give them to you.” The sisters stared and gawked at the letters. They were oblivious to the sound of a scratching hair and slow, shuffling footsteps. Even Katara’s warm, motherly touch couldn’t break their trance.

“I’m going to leave you two be. I’ll be here if you need anything.” She gave their shoulders a tender squeeze before making her way out of the room.

Su’yin blinked as the door closed with a gentle click. She held her breath, refusing to look away from the letter in her hands. Her fingers ran over the rough, faded paper.

It was clear from the many wrinkles and the hard crease that it had been handled extensively. She could picture her mother’s steady hands opening and closing it and opening and closing it. There was no way she could have read the letter-or even written it for that matter. Yet Su’yin could imagine her mother’s thin, pale fingers running over the smooth letters.

Fingers that were both unspeakably warm and loving as they traced and trailed her features.

“Mama just wants to get a good look at her pretty little badger mole.”

Su’yin’s own fingers gripped the paper tighter at the thought of her mother. Her eyes began to sting and her throat went raw. The empty pit in her stomach grew larger and larger, threatening to consume her whole.

Every inch of Suyin’s being wanted to set the letter on the table and pretend she had never laid eyes on it. After all what had needed to be said had poured out their souls years ago.

Why couldn’t her mother just let the past rest in peace?

“What could she want to tell us?”

“I’m not sure. Whatever it is, it was important enough for her to make someone write these.” Su’yin jumped at the sound of her sisters’ raw, rough tone. She hadn’t been aware her question had been uttered out loud. She locked eyes with Lin, letting her nerves begin to settle.

“Should… should we?” Su’yin asked, swallowing the question before she could finish it. Lin shook her head and with a flick of her hand let the letter fall.

“You can if you want.” Lin muttered. She turned her head away as Su’yin opened her letter. She tried to ignore her baby sister and squash the rumbling curiosity, yet it was impossible to ignore. She could hear the paper crinkle as Su’yin opened and attempted to smooth it. She could hear the letter in Su’s hands as her dainty fingers held it tight.

No matter how hard she tried Lin couldn’t quell her roaring interest. She watched out of the corner of her eye as Suyin read the letter. Her heart began to race as her sister’s tanned skin turned paler and her eyes went wider than the moon. Lin’s blank expression grew ever more intrigued and concerned. She waited and hoped for something-anything to tumble out of those thin lips. Her curiosity was growing louder and louder until it began to tare at her soul.

All she got was a loud gasp and a quivering hand to a small, pretty mouth.

“What Su? What does it say?” Lin barked, turning her whole body towards her sister. Suyin cleared her throat. She wiped her spilling tears with the palm of her hand and shook her head.

“It isn’t from Mom.” She croaked.

Lin blinked, taking in her sisters stunned, pallid face. Suyin let the letter collapse to the table and pushed it to Lin.

“It’s from… it’s from Uncle Sokka.”

“What?” Lin snapped, snatching the letter.

“He’s my father Lin.” Suyin whispered, her voice trembling as fresh tears flooded her eyes. “I’ve had my suspicions for a long time… Bataar Jr. could be his clone. But this just confirms it.” Her words were hallow and strained from fighting to keep her tidal wave of emotions under control.

Lin’s jaw hung open the letter threatening to slip from her fingers. Her blood ran hot, flushing her porcelain cheeks. Her nails began to dig into the yellowed paper. Each cylinder in her head was firing at full blast, threatening to combust at any moment.

There it was-proof of something she too had suspected.

Without a question of consideration for her crumbling sister Lin’s eyes darted to the faded page.

My Sweet Su,

If you’re reading this, I’m long gone and so is your mom. Your Aunt Katara gave this to your mom, with instructions to hold on to it until we were both gone. I wrote a letter for Lin too, but I would be shocked if she actually read it.

There’s no easy way to say this so I’m just going to say it. I’m your father. You’re a smart woman though and I know you’ve already had a hunch about who I really am.

Bataar Jr. is proof enough. Even I was shocked at how much we look alike. But what can I say? My genes are strong!

Anyway…

I’m so sorry I never told you the truth love bug. Your mother and I wanted to; we really did. We couldn’t though. You have to understand with her being the chief of police- aka the person who enforces the law- and me being a councilman- aka the person who creates the law-it would have looked bad, and that’s an understatement.

More importantly we didn’t want Lin to fell confused or jealous or out of place because her father was a no good no show dead-

I’m sorry I’m getting a head of myself. The point is that is why I’ve always been Uncle Sokka. It was easier and safer.

I know you must think I’m also a no good, no show dead beat. I did leave, but it was only because I had no other choice. My father-your grandfather- had died, and it was my duty to take his place as chief of the Southern Water Tribe. It was one of the hardest choices I ever had to make, and it tore my heart apart to have to leave you… and I really wish I hadn’t. However, your mother wanted me to leave-at least that’s what she said. I don’t want you to be mad at her love bug. She had her reasons and though I hate admitting it she was right. People were starting to pick up on just how close we truly were and more importantly you were beginning to look too much like me. It was the hardest decision we ever had to make (no matter what your mother said), and there’s nothing I could say without it sounding like a terrible excuse.

The bottom line is I am so sorry I wasn’t there for you and Lin like I should have been… like I wanted to be. If I could there would be so many things I would do different. I would have fought harder, I would have been stronger and I would have realized that my girls were far more important than duty. I would have staid no matter what the consequences.

But if there’s one thing I will never, ever regret it’s becoming your father. You are without of doubt one of the best things that ever happened to me and the love of my life.

I love you my little love bug and I miss you so much it hurts. I’ll be waiting for you wherever I end up, but don’t you dare come until you’re old and decrepit like I am.

Love,

Dad

Lin’s hands collapsed to the table. Her eyes appeared ready to pop out of her head as she gawked at nothing in particular. Her flaming blood and racing heart were frozen with incredulity. All the while her thoughts were spiraling.

“He wrote ME a letter?” Lin’s thoughts sputtered.

Why did he write her a letter?

What did said letter say? Surely it couldn’t be filled with the same painful regrets and grand declarations of love.

Surely, she couldn’t have meant much to a man who as far as she was concerned attempted to raise her out of pity… and left.

Above all else there was more to the story, more that she hungered for. There were truths and secrets hidden beneath the flowery phrases, secrets that refused to be shattered.

There was only one person who could give her the answers.

“What the flameo?! Come on Su.” Lin snarled.

“Wait Lin-HEY!” before Su’yin had a chance to collect herself, to try and wrap her head around the load released on her thin frame, her hand was stuck in Lin’s iron grip and her feet were stumbling across the floor.

“Slow down will you!” She howled, attempting to wriggle her hand free.

It was no use. Lin’s vision tunneled and turned flaming red. Her very being was consumed by one task and one task only;

Find Katara and get the full story. Su’yin’s wriggling and protest were nothing but a gust of hot wind and tiny bug bites.

“You’re going to break my hand!!!” Su’yin cried, rolling her shoulders back and pulling her arm back as hard. All she earned was a strong burst of pain shooting through her arm and shoulder.

“Lin please tell me what is going on?!” The graying, fuming woman swung her head over her shoulder, throwing her sister a wild glare. Su’yin felt her temperature drop as a low growl rumbled from deep within Lin’s chest.

“There’s more to this story.” Lin spat, swirling her head straight forward once more. “I suspected Councilmen Sokka

“Really Lin? Councilman? Is that what you’re going to keep calling him?”

“I suspected Councilmen Sokka was your true father for a while now. He didn’t tell us everything in that letter and he’s certainly not going to say anything in mine. Mom obviously didn’t want to tell us anything either. We have to know what happened. I….”

I want to know why he left us.

The words vanished on her tongue, mingling with the delicate air. The pair once again fell into silence, one huffing and violently red while the other slumped in defeat.

After mere moments Lin had dragged her sister to her desired location. With her free hand Lin gripped the sleek doorknob and swung the door open, letting it fly and smash against the wall.

“Lin!” Su’yin hollered.

“Oh no she looks possessed.” Lin glared at the tall, dark skinned, ebony haired young woman sitting next to Katara on the floor. The young woman stared back; her blue eyes filled with a stunned if slightly amused expression.

“Korra this doesn’t involve you!” Lin hissed. Katara threw her aged, spotted hands in the air. She stood with a surprising if cautious ease and grace. Korra could only watch in awe as Katara moved straight to the steaming Lin. She placed two hands on Lin’s shoulders and stared straight into her clouded, emerald eyes.

“First things first, let your sister go before you break her hand.” Lin whipped her head around, finally taking in her sister’s dainty features twisted in pain.

“Sorry.” She mumbled, letting her sister’s hand fall to her side.

“Good. Now let me guess you two read your letters.” Katara began, keeping her hands firmly on Lin’s shoulders. Lin crossed her arms and gave a sharp nod.

“We read Su’s and we want answers.” Lin demanded.

“You didn’t read yours Lin?” Katara asked, her soul heavy with disillusionment. Why she clung to any hope Lin would read her letter was beyond her comprehension. “I really think you shou”

“It doesn’t matter! We want the whole story.” Su’yin stepped next to her sister, gingerly cradling her aching hand.

“Please Aunt Katara? We need to know the whole story. We… we need to know why he left us.” Katara took in both of their faces-one filled with unholy determination and the other brimming with a quiet plea.

She let out a slow, foiled sigh as she finally let go of Lin’s humming frame.

“All right. I’ll tell you everything. Korra sweetie we’ll have to continue our conversation later.”

“No.” Su’yin shook her head. “No more secrets… not anymore. She can stay if she wants.” Korra beamed with glee, tucking her long strands of hair behind her ears as she sat perfect erect.

“Ooooo! I love a good story-especially if it’s about Chief Sokka. I’m in!”

#Avatar The Last Airbender #atla #tokka #toph beifong #sokka #toph x sokka #sokka is suyins father

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fantasyoverreality98 · 4 years ago

Text

One Simple Question

Pairing: Bryce x F! MC (Bess Daniels)

Book: Open Heart

Prompt: Question

Summary: Bess gathers up the courage to ask Bryce to take a big step in their relationship.

Author’s Note: This is the first time I’m participating in a challenge! I’m doing Day 01: question for the @choicesmonthlychallenge. Thank you as always to everyone who takes the time to read, like, reblog, and/or comment!

Tags: @anotherbeingsworld @aylamreads

Word Count: 1,180

------

Bess Daniels had never expected her life to be here. For the longest time, any visions of the future only dealt with her career. She knew she wanted to be a doctor, she knew that it would take years to pay off her tuition fees, and she had abandoned all thoughts of having any sort of personal life.

But then she met Bryce Lahela.

Two years had somehow managed to pass in the blink of an eye, and she still had no clue what she’d done right to end up with someone like him. He was practically perfect.

“You’ve got it so bad for the meathead,” Jackie said with a sigh, watching as Bess glanced across the cafeteria towards her boyfriend. “I still don’t get it. How can you stand him longer than a few minutes?”

Sienna clicked her tongue, shooting Jackie a glare. “What’s wrong with you? They’re in love! It’s adorable!”

Bess’ two roommates started to bicker, but she only had eyes for Bryce, who noticed her watchful gaze after a few minutes. He grinned, and her heart started to beat faster. Somehow, every single time, he had that effect on her.

Bryce said something to the other surgeons he was eating lunch with before standing and making his way over to their table. As soon as he pulled out a chair beside Bess, Jackie and Sienna ceased their arguing. They smiled at him, pretending as though nothing had happened.

“Hey ladies, what’s up?” Bryce slung an arm around Bess’ shoulders, focusing his attention on her. “I couldn’t help but notice you watching me across the cafeteria, staring wistfully. Did you miss me?”

Jackie scoffed, and Bryce smirked, turning to look at her for a brief moment before he sat back in his chair. Everyone was quiet for several seconds. Bess tried to steady her racing heart, the question echoing in her head. She worried that it might be too soon, or something that he wouldn’t be up for. Two years together may be a fairly long time, but she didn’t want to cross a line.

“I’ve got to get back to work soon, but I’ll see you later, okay?” Bryce pulled his arm away, and she instantly felt the absence of his warmth. “Talk to you later.” He gave her a quick kiss, shooting her another grin before standing from the table.

Once he’d walked out of the cafeteria, Sienna turned to face Bess, frowning. “What’s wrong? Why didn’t you ask him?”

Bess shook her head, poking at her fruit salad with her plastic fork. “I’m nervous. What if he says no?”

“Oh, please, you two practically live together already. I’ve gone over a week only seeing you here at work. You sleep over at his place constantly. Just ask him!” Jackie slammed her fists down, spilling some chocolate milk on the table. “If he says no, he’s an even bigger idiot than I thought.”

Bess laughed, though it quickly turned into a sigh. “I will, it’s just—” She shook her head again, thinking of the past two years. “This is a huge step.”

Sienna reached across the table to grab her hand. When their eyes met, her lips turned up in a smile. “You can do it, Bess. I believe in you.”

And, somehow, that reassurance was exactly what she needed.

----

Less than a day after the cafeteria discussion, Bess stood outside Bryce’s apartment door, pressing her arms against her body in an attempt to stop them from shaking.

You can do this. You are Bess Daniels. It will be fine.

She had faced almost losing her medical license, had survived a heartbreaking fling with Ethan Ramsey, had been betrayed by one of her closest friends, and yet the idea of asking Bryce one simple question terrified her more than any of those incidents combined.

“There you are! I was beginning to think you might cancel on me.” Bryce stepped aside after opening the door, the way he looked at her enough to dispel her worries for a moment.

Bess held up a bottle of champagne, forcing a grin before she made her way into the apartment. “Sorry, I just had to grab this on my way over.” If he said no, she could always say she’d just been in the mood for a drink.

Bryce took the bottle from her hands and started to walk towards the kitchen to open it. “I’m not sure if this will go with pizza, but that’s fine. Everyone likes to feel fancy once in a while, right?”

“Actually—” Here it was. This was the moment she’d been preparing for. Bess took a deep breath, telling herself the time would never be right. “I had a question to ask you first.”

He came to a halt, spinning around to face her. “Sure. What is it?”

Part of her wanted to turn and run from the building, but she ignored the urge. “We’ve been together for two years now, and we spend a lot of time together here in your apartment, so I was just wondering if…” Bess trailed off, watching Bryce’s face for a sign that he knew where this was headed. If he gave any indication of saying no, she would hurry to think up a different question.

“You were wondering if…?” He narrowed his eyes, taking a step closer to her. The corners of his lips twitched as he fought back a smile. “Come on, Bess. You can ask me anything.”

“I was wondering if you might want to move in together. We’ve been together for a while now, and I sleep over a lot anyway. It wouldn’t have to be here, we could go somewhere else if you wanted to. I just thought that maybe you—”

Bryce grinned, closing the distance between them, cutting off her rambling with a kiss. The tension in her shoulders eased as she wrapped her arms around his neck, sighing in relief. He chuckled against her lips, pulling her closer. Bess followed him when he took a step back and she heard him set the champagne bottle down on a side table.

“I would love it if you moved in. You pretty much live here already anyway.” He smiled, pulling back to look at her. “Honestly, I’ve been wanting to ask you for a while, but I was worried you might say no.”

Bess laughed, heat rushing to her face when her eyes filled with happy tears. She looked down, trying her best to blink them away before they could fall. “Are you sure? You can say no.”

Now it was his turn to laugh. “Why would I say no? Getting to wake up next to you every single day sounds pretty great to me.”

The tears came despite her best attempts to stop them, and Bess finally looked up at Bryce, reaching out to touch his face. Her face hurt from smiling so much. “I love you.”

Bryce leaned into her touch, pulling her closer. “I love you, too. Now, how about we celebrate with some champagne?”

#choices fanfiction #bryce lahela #bryce x mc #bryce lahela x mc #open heart #open heart fanfiction #choices: stories you play

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gem-quest · 5 years ago

Text

[ QUEST 01. — I N F E R N A ]

taglist: @ayzrules @bebemoon @atimefordragons @armadasneon @now-on-elissastillstands @interluxetumbra @pulltheskydown

Inferna was hanging out in her favorite spot in Yue City - the lousy excuse of a Chinese restaurant, because it was just so easy to market her Inferna Sauce and sriracha to players who came away disappointed by the Asian dishes with absolutely zero seasoning - when the announcement popped up in the sky.

[ . . . T O U R N E Y . A N D . F A I R . I N . W I L D F L O W E R . M E A D O W . . . L E V E L . O N E . . . ]

"Well, shit, that's just right around the corner," Inferna said out loud, putting away her sauce for the time being. She wasn't sure if she was going to compete - she'd prooobably get distracted by the free food - but it might be fun to just watch for a little bit.

So, with one over-dramatic whoosh of her hooded black capelet (which was decorated with intricate gold embroidery, because Inferna didn't wear things that were plain, thank you very much), Inferna was off.

When she got to the meadowlands, the entire place was filled with stalls and throngs of players eager to watch the tournament. Inferna decided that she'd watch the tournament after some refreshments, and immediately headed for the food stalls. She stocked up on some chicken pot pies and mead, nibbling on an apple turnover as she browsed. Eventually, she came across a wyvern being turned over a spit, and tossed the NPCs roasting the thing a coin in exchange for a hunk of meat, which she drizzled her homemade hot sauce over before biting into.

It tasted just like chicken. Then again, most meats that weren't pork or beef also tasted like chicken, in Inferna’s opinion.

Rats, for example; Inferna had been dared to eat a rat skewer in the City of Magic, once. She did it, and got a whole blueberry pie in return. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy. And that pie had been good.

Inferna wandered around for another thirty minutes, snacking on the wyvern kebab, before finally making her way over to the lists. She frowned when she noticed that there were almost no seats, instead hopping up onto the balustrade after shoving all the dumb meatheads out of the way.

There. That’s a perfect view, she thought, satisfied. She was taking in the sight of the Moonstone player with the pretties armor she’d ever seen facing off an Obsidian player in all black, just as she felt someone flick her calf.

“What the f-” Inferna’s muttered profanity was cut off when she noticed who it was.

"Hey, what’s up? You’re Neddy, right?" she asked, grinning widely. Inferna had met Neddy back in Level Ten, AKA Finvarra’s Gardens, and honestly, Inferna thought she was the sweetest thing. And her dragon, ugh - Inferna would never! Get! Over! Jack!!!!

The other girl looked up. "Inferna?"

Inferna beamed down at her and offered her a hand up instead of answering.

Neddy took her hand, and Inferna pulled her up onto the balustrade with her. “View’s better up here,” she told her with a wink, grinning her usual shit-eating grin.

Inferna was about to go back to watching the action - the Obsidian player had easily unseated the Moonstone one - when she noticed...was that Jack?!?! Riding in a basket on Neddy’s back?????

She gave an excited half-squeal, half-exclaimation. “God, Jack is so freaking adorable! Does he still like sugar cubes?" she fired off, pulling out a sugar cube she’d gotten from the Tearoom, as well as a tiny bottle of Inferna Sauce (she’d decided that she was going to make mini bottles to carry around outside of her inventory, just for convenience). She dunked the sauce onto the sugar cube.

"How are you faring out there?" asked Neddy.

“It’s been pretty chill on my end,” Inferna replied, giving the Moonstone player a cheeky grin. “Haven’t really done anything exciting, besides get some blueberry scones from the Tearoom yesterday; they’re amazing. I was at Level 39 the other day too, but fighting the dragon is so much work, so I fucked off after a few minutes.”

Her attention strayed back to Neddy’s dragon. “Ooh, fuck, Jack is so cute. Here, you’re a good boy, aren’t you?” she said, gently tossing the sugar cube in the air and clapping with delight when Jack caught it in his mouth.

“What about you? Got anything fun going on?” she asked Neddy a moment later, tearing her eyes away from the miniature dragon.

"Nothing quite as exciting as thirty-nine," Neddy replied. "I've just gotten through floor twenty-nine by the skin of my teeth. Mermaid Cove won't be easy for me since I'm currently, you know, on my own."

Inferna nodded, grimacing. “Oh, yeah, that level’s a pain in the ass if you don’t have a party. I think I got through it by just finding a group that needed an extra person who didn’t care about Angel’s Breath. Aydina - that’s the NPC you go up against - is kind of a cunt, too. Like, I get that it’s just pre-written dialogue, but the lady could be nicer while trying to fuck us over with that dodgeball of hers, you know?”

Inferna rolled her eyes at the thought of the pirate queen. Really, though, she was a cunt, she mused to herself. Everything she said, just - ugh! So unnecessary.

It was a known fact that Inferna talked so much shit about any and all of the NPCs in the game. She was a bit infamous for it within the Obsidian Guild, actually, which was something that Inferna was immensely proud of.

"I’m not very good at dodgeball," said Neddy.

Inferna shrugged. “It was my favorite thing in gym, when I still had to take that bullshit class. All I did was dick around and throw balls at the annoying people in my grade, even if they were technically on my team,” she said, in the most solemn voice she could muster.

She continued. “I thought that level was pretty fun, besides Aydina’s totally unnecessary commentary. So I can help you, if you want,” she said, “if you bribe me somehow. Since I don’t see how helping you with dodgeball helps my Guild, after all.”

Neddy seemed surprised. "Bribe?" she managed to get out. "I don't have much in the way of coin. . . . I'm not formidable by any means. Surely, it won't hurt Obsidian any if you help little old me move through a lower floor."

Inferna narrowed her eyes, skeptical. “Little old you and a dragon,” she pointed out, gesturing towards Jack. As cute as Jack was, both miniature and at his full size, he was still a, you know, dragon.

Neddy nodded, slowly. "Yeah. Okay- well, I can give you all the apricot tartlets in my inventory if you help me out."

Inferna bit her lip. Apricot tartlets? That was...that was a tempting offer. Plus, dodgeball was really fun, and plus, Inferna sort of owed Neddy, because Neddy had saved Inferna from being eternally trapped in Level Ten with that insufferable faerie prince (but the sweets on that level all looked absolutely divine, so could you really blame her?).

“Alright fine, I’ll do it,” Inferna agreed, flipping her red hair over one shoulder. “Just tell me when, and I’ll be there. But don’t make it before noon, or I’ll probably sleep straight through it. Like, I’m not even kidding; last semester I somehow slept through ten alarms and missed a 12:30 PM lab. So don’t make it before twelve.”

She narrowed her eyes, again. “Now hand over those tartlets.”

After Neddy had given her the tartlets, Inferna lingered for a little while, then decided to go find some other food to eat, nibbling on one of the tartlets as she went. She bought a steak and mashed potatoes dish, stowing it away in her virtual inventory for the time being.

A commotion by the lists caught her attention, about an hour or so later. Intrigued, Inferna crept closer, just in time to see a fellow Obsidian player wearing a flowy dress win a duel. Inferna cheered with the rest of her Guild, elbowing closer for a better view.

Hey, she thought, suddenly. Isn’t that the girl I saw yesterday?

Inferna let her gaze follow the blonde girl as she collected her prize money and went off towards one of the open areas. She took off after her, finding that it was extraordinarily easy to follow the other player when she was wearing a pretty flower crown - all she had to do was look for the flowers in the crush of people.

Once Inferna reached the grassy field, she scanned the area before finally locating the girl she met at the Descend the day before.

“Oh, hey,” Inferna said, trotting over. A quick glance at her profile said that she went by ‘Morningstar’. “I saw your duel, by the way. Congrats on winning.” She grinned.

Morningstar gave her a scathing look. Inferna ignored it and flopped down to sit on the grass next to her, dragging out a bottle of Inferna Sauce from her inventory, as well as as the steak and mashed potatoes dish she’d just purchased. She all but drenched the food with her hot sauce, because everything in the game was so damn bland - to someone who’d grown up eating spicy food, anyway.

“Do you want some, by the way?” Inferna asked, glancing up at Morningstar and grinning again. “It’s hot sauce. For when the white people food in this game gets too boring.”

She paused, for a moment. “I’ll trade you a bottle for a potion that makes me feel like I’ve just smoked some weed, if you have any. Or if you have anything like vodka? This mead and ale and stuff is fine, but jesus fucking christ, sometimes I just want to take two shots and be done.”

The two of them talked for a bit. Inferna mentioned that she’d be doing dodgeball with Neddy soon, and asked Morningstar if she’d want to join in. Then, once Inferna was hungry again, she got up and went searching for more food.

I should probably also get something if I’m going up against Aydina again, she thought. God, but she’s such a fucking cunt.

As such, Inferna found the marketplace and bought herself a few propugnatio potions, knowing that she’d need them to up her defense for the underwater dodgeball game; as a fire-mage, she was more vulnerable in aquatic environments. She also stocked up on fortissime potions, just to make sure her fiery attacks would pack an extra punch.

Satisfied with her haul, Inferna tossed the items into her inventory and went towards one of the stalls selling pastries. God, but they smelled good.

#writing #q1 #inferna #vicky #inferna story #wildflower meadow #yue city #s/o to fanfan for dialogue!!!

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yyounggoth · 7 years ago

Note

Could you maybe do a Jalex? However you want to do it

Sure sure! I had the time of my life creating this hc! Thankyou for requesting❤️

{this is set really early on in season one and I changed Alex’s brothers age to be around 26/27}

• Alex was only two steps away from his schools entrance when he heard a familiar voice call his name, his eyes automatically roll in annoyance

• “Hey Alex! Alex! I need you to do me a favour please?” Peter says desperately

• Alex turns around to see his brother running up to him holding his 3 year old daughter Maya

• “I know this is really sudden but I need you to look after Maya for me”

• Alex looks at his brother like he’s grown a second head.

• “I have school, how do you expect me to look after her?” He asks incredulously

• “I’m sure skipping one day of school won’t hurt right? No one else can have her. Mom and dad are at work, Kate is in labour as we speak and I need to drive her to the hospital Alex please please please?”

• Alex makes the mistake of looking up at his brothers face, his puppy dog eyes on full display with the intention to manipulate his younger brother. It always worked

• “Fine, but you owe me big time” he sighs heavily and takes hold of his niece

• Alex gets a wide grin in response, peter gives one last kiss to his daughter and a thumbs up to Alex before he’s running back down the path and into the car that holds his pregnant girlfriend, taking off at high speeds to reach the hospital in time.

• “Well, looks like it’s just you and me kid” his niece lets out a sweet giggle at his words and clings tighter to him.

• Alex makes his way back down the steps that lead to the high school, about to take his usual route home before he realises he doesn’t have a ride back.

• Fucking Peter left him stranded at school with his kid, no offers of a ride in sight. He can’t take the school bus seeing as it’s 7:45am, he doesn’t have any money for an uber and as far as he knew Tony wasn’t in today so he couldn’t ask the older for a lift either.

• Just as he was about to give up and walk the 30 minutes it takes to get home, his eyes land on none other than Justin Foley, the insufferable jock that made his days at liberty high miserable. It wasn’t like the boy was mean or anything, he was quite sweet when he was on his own, but when he was with his dumb jock friends he’d say or do anything to fit in.

• For some reason Alex seemed to be the target for the group, they claim he’s weird and gay, “he must be with a nose ring like that.” Alex just chooses to ignore the boys but it’s hard to resist the urge to roll his eyes. Whenever he would get taunted by the group of athletes Justin would always laugh along with them, but once everything died down Alex could feel the boy’s heavy stare linger on him for too long, making him squirm at the attention.

• Something wriggling on his hip brought his attention back to the present, his niece thrashing her body slightly, seemingly becoming restless. She pouts heavily and tugs on her uncles hoodie, mumbles of “Uncle Lexy” falling deaf on his ears.

• Just as he’s about to start walking home, he makes eye contact with Justin. Although Alex would never admit it he could feel himself getting lost in his green eyes. They stare at each other for a while, seemingly trapped in the moment, hypnotised by one another.

• Alex breaks his focus out of the weird moment both boys share as he notices Justin making his way over to them.

• “Hey are you okay..” Justin trails off as if he wants Alex to fill in the blanks.

• “… Alex” he says annoyed

• “Yeah I know your name dummy, we share history and English classes together” Justin shoots back

• Bullshit, the only reason you know who I am is because of your stupid meathead friends, is what Alex wants to say. Instead choosing to keep his mouth shut in favour of his niece.

• “Hmm” he agrees instead

• “So are you? Okay I mean..” Justin rubs the back of his neck as a nervous habit, chewing on his lower lip as he waits for the younger to respond.

• “Not really, my brother dumped his kid on me and I have no way of getting home” dumped isn’t really the word he wants to use, he loves Maya to pieces and would do anything for the little girl. His brothers timing was just inconvenient, catching Alex when he was at his busiest, often causing him to become moody.

• At the mention of the little girl, Justin turns towards her and gives her the biggest smile, lifting his hand to play with her little fingers. Maya smiles back at the boy and giggles shyly.

• “So adorable” Justin mumbles before turning his attention back on Alex.

• Alex noticed that Maya had become calmed by the presence of the jock, no longer wriggling in his hold. Instead her face holds great happiness, her smile wide as the whole world seems to shine in her curious dark brown eyes. She reaches out for Justin’s hand, which he happily takes. It was almost cute to Alex, seeing the older boys hand completely envelope hers, tiny and petite hands resting against his large and calloused ones. This time Justin giggles along with the girl.

• “I can give you a lift” Alex snaps his eyes towards Justin in disbelief.

• “You want to give me a ride? Alex asks confused.

• "But why, don’t you like hate me?”

• Justin clicks his tongue in response.

• “Look I know I can be an ass sometimes but I don’t hate you. Take the offer it’s the least I can do.” Well it’s somewhat comforting (?) to know that the boy in front of him doesn’t completely hate him.

• Before Alex has chance to respond, Justin is already making his way to the parking lot, car keys swinging on his index finger.

• “Hurry up Standall we don’t have all day” he shouts to the boy behind him

• Alex picks up the pace, jogging to the other boy and getting in the car.• The two boys sit quietly in the car, the only noise filling the stifling silence was the static of the radio. Every now and then it would pick up parts of a song only to fall back onto the static, the noise making Justin physically cringe. He decides he’s had about as much as he can take and reaches over to turn it off, preferring to sit in the quiet rather than letting static swirl around in his head and let his mind haze over. He rubs his temples as he feels a headache coming on. Luckily for him the child and, not so surprisingly, her uncle had remained silent for most of the drive.

• Although he was thankful for it, the eeriness of the soundproof car was starting to irritate him. He needed verbal stimulation, needed to hear something even if it was the tapping of a foot, otherwise his mind would wander into the dark places he keeps locked away. He needed a distraction and if he wasn’t going to get it then he’d make one himself.

• “What’s the cuties name?” He glances at Alex in the passenger seat, the small child placed on his lap with the seatbelt secured around her waist. Although it wasn’t the safest option for the girl it was the only one they had. Peter hadn’t provided Alex with any type of car seat and he didn’t trust placing her in the backseat without one. So Alex’s lap it was.

• “Alex Standall” Alex joked lightly, revelling in the tiny chuckle it gained from the boy beside him

• “Very funny. I meant what’s this little cutie’s name” he reaches over to pinch her cheek to emphasise he was talking about the little girl.

• “Maya” he says fondly, Justin catches a smile on the younger boy’s face. Seeing a smile grace Alex’s features was pretty rare these days, making Justin smile in response to the beautiful sight in front of him.

• “She’ll be 4 this September. My brother’s girlfriend is actually in labour right now so it won’t be long before she’s a big sister.” He doesn’t know why he shares this information with the jock, maybe it’s because of the way Justin glances at him every now and then, softness painting his features and fondness swimming in his eyes.

• “I’ve always wanted to have siblings, I like the idea of having a big family.” Justin says out loud, not really speaking to anyone in particular.

• “I don’t want momma to have a baby” Maya chimes in.

• “What if it’s a boy? Boys are smelly!” She says, dramatically pinching her nose.

• “No they’re not! Daddy’s a boy and he’s not smelly is he?” Alex asks

• “.. sometimes” she says bluntly.

• Both boys cackle the rest of the way home.

• When they arrive at the Standall home Alex quickly makes his way to get out the car muttering a small “thanks” when a hand on his shoulder halts his movements.

• “Want me to stay with you? Help take care of Maya maybe?” Alex swears he hears a bit of desperation in the boy’s tone

• “It’s cool, you should probably get back to school or your teachers will get mad. Thanks though”

• “I don’t mind skipping. I have maths first period and I hate it so much. Plus it wouldn’t totally suck to spend time with a cutie… and Maya too” he winks at him before getting out of the car and walking to the front door of the house

• Alex sat frozen in the passenger seat. Did he just call Alex cute?

• When Alex finally gets out of the car he sees Justin leaning against the door smirking at him. Alex let’s out a scoff and rolls his eyes. That fucker.

• Justin had been at his house for an hour and a half now and he didn’t seem to be leaving anytime soon. Not that Alex minded, strangely enough he was enjoying the company of the jock more than he thought he would. He thought that it would be really awkward for the two of them to talk without the toddler as a distraction, but as it turns out the boys have a lot more in common than they thought. They both shared a love for music, they both watched the same trashy tv shows, both hated the same characters and they liked the same snacks. For Alex this made the elder a little bit more enjoyable to be around.

• They slipped into easy conversation as it was just the two of them, the television playing in the background, some tv show they’d never seen before plays at a low volume. Alex had put Maya down for a nap not long after they arrived. She started to become cranky during snack time and Alex could only take that as a sign of her tiredness so he whisked the younger away to nap on his bed.

• No matter how tired the girl was it seemed that she wouldn’t be able to sleep any time soon. She awoke from a nightmare and ran throughout the house looking for her uncle. Once she spotted the boys in the den she ran over to them as fast as her legs would carry her. She stopped short in front of them and her eyes filled up with tears.

• Alex caught sight of his niece and leaned forward to pull her onto his lap.

• “What’s wrong bubba?” Alex asks, concerned for his niece

• “Had a nightmare” Maya’s voice wobbles as she tries to contain the sob that threatened to escape her throat.

• Alex rubs a soothing hand over her back as if to protect her from the fear of her nightmares.

• “It was just a dream love, it’s not real. You’re safe okay, you’re safe and you’re alright.” Alex’s words seemed to calm the young child. Her breathing steadied and her eyes eventually dried from the tears that were shed.

• Once she was back to her normal state the girl escaped from Alex’s lap and crawled over to where Justin was sitting, curling into his side and tugging on his shirt

• “Jusy could you and uncle Lexy please read me a story?” And there was no way that Justin could refuse, not with the cute use of the nicknames and the pout that adorned the girls face.

• He looked over at Alex to see if it was okay with him and sighed a breath of relief when Alex nodded his head in approval, a small smile on his face.

• That was all the incentive Justin needed before he lifted the girl up and swung her around in the air causing giggles to escape her lips and flow through the air. Her squeaks became louder as Justin made his way up the stairs, Alex following suit with the biggest smile Justin had ever seen.

• Both Alex and Justin placed themselves on the bed beside Maya. Justin was reading her the story that she picked out whilst Alex tickled her forehead and nose, something that helped to comfort the girl and make her sleepy. Maya kept chastising Justin for getting distracted but he couldn’t help it, not with the heart warming scene playing out before him. Alex really was amazing with kids.

• Justin did end up finally finishing the story, no matter how distracting the boy in front of him was. Just as he was reading the last few words Maya’s eyes slipped shut and her breath left her mouth in little huffs, signalling she was asleep. The boys tucked the toddler in, Justin pulled the blanket around her, tucking it into the corner of the bed whilst Alex kissed her forehead. Justin slipped the book back to its original place before sneaking off down the stairs behind Alex

• When they were at the bottom of the staircase Alex turned to look at Justin with a small smile on his face, Justin reciprocated the gesture. No matter how much Justin teased the boy he never meant it, in fact he found Alex to be a pretty great guy. He would never tell him this of course.

• “Thanks for today” Alex spoke softly.

• “To be honest I don’t think I would of been able to do it without you. She’s really taken a liking to you” he smiles wider

• Justin rubs the nape of his neck nervously, chuckling at the fondness of Alex’s words

• “It was fun, I’ve taking a liking to her as well. I’m not usually that fond of kids but she’s pretty cute” he says

• Alex just beams his beautiful smile at Justin, not saying anything in return but communicating his thoughts through his facial expressions. Justin concludes that Alex is pretty damn happy right now.

• All of a sudden Justin’s phone breaks the moment, beeping constantly as new messages roll through, all from his fellow jock friends. He takes a peek at the lockscreen to read the incoming messages

• “Shit” he curses softly

• “What’s the matter?”

• “Bryce and the guys texted me, apparently my teacher is in a super pissy mood and noticed I wasn’t in class. I’m definitely in trouble”

• “Go then” Alex spoke softly

• Justin was about to protest before Alex spoke up again

• “You’ve helped me out enough Justin, you should get to class whilst you still can. We’ll be fine.”

• “Are you sure?” He asked timidly

• “I’m positive. Now go and have a great day.”

• Justin makes his way over to the door and is about to step through the threshold but stops to turn back to Alex

• “I’ll see you tomorrow?” He asks

• “Yeah, see you tomorrow Justin” Alex smiles at him

• Justin returns a smile of his own and gives him one last wink before he’s out the door.

• Alex shuts the door and leans his head against the cool wood. He replays the scenes of the entire day over in his head, Justin spending time with him was unusual but certainly not unwelcome. It was nice to see how Justin behaved in the presence of young kids, it made his heart beat faster at the thought of how maternal Justin had been. He’d be a great father someday.

• Alex lifted his head and giggles to himself, feeling light.

• The boys had built up an unlikely friendship between the two, and Alex couldn’t be happier.

~ extra~

• Alex could feel the buzz of his phone against his leg. He fished it out of his pocket and looked at the lock screen to see a text from his brother

Peter: It’s a girl x

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