#sometimes i get like i did today and sitting still is THE WORST THING ANYONE HAS EVER FORCED ME TO DO ACTUALLY

[doctahpants]

.

[joltai-showa]

still thinking about Obito's tendencies to hang upside down so why not talk about something even more funny

now Obito is obviously trolling the Konoha squad in that moment, acting like a complete idiot and weirdo and all, usual stuff for Tobi. Obito is being a weird little bat on purpose, it's all an act

you know who among Akatsuki, a very scary and a totally serious organization, also acted like a weird little bat, but without it all being an act?

allow me to introduce you to the final page of chapter 238

Kishimoto, why is Deidara's first appearance is him being upside down during Akatsuki's zoom meeting?

(which is supposedly the first one in 7 years since Orochimaru ditched them, but whatever, no fucking way these guys can remain semi-organized without a good old online meetup, I do not care for canon's opinion when it conflicts with my funny headcanons)

But seriously, it's been almost 10 years since I read the manga for the first time and there's still no explanation as to why Deidara did that LMAO. Logic dictates that it's simply Kishimoto not finishing up the designs for his new villains (rinnegan's design wasn't finalized until, like, Akatsuki Supression arc, I believe? there's someone TOWERING over Kisame who is 195cm already and at the end of the day remains Akatsuki's tallest member, etc etc), but I've got a PhD in overthinking Naruto details and turning them into shitposts that sometimes also turn into fanfiction, so I will take this one tiny detail and make myself laugh until I cry.

To me this moment is just so precious because it's actually a scene from OG Naruto, meaning that it's pre-timeskip, so Deidara here is only 16. And this just proves to me that Deidara's puberty (there is no exact indicator as to when Deidara was abducted recruited into Akatsuki, but I assume it happened sometime when he was 12, because during his recruitment we see Itachi (and we know that he joined Akatsuki after the massacre, so he was 13 and he's got a 2 year difference with Deidara), Kisame (who, judging by his pre-death flashbacks, joined AFTER Itachi, meaning some time had to have passed since the massacre) and Sasori (who wouldn't have a partner after Itachi joined because Orochimaru just couldn't resist trying to get that Sharingussy, but Akatsuki don't operate on their own in general, so I doubt Sasori would have been left without a partner for a long time, a year max) and during this zoom meeting 16-year-old Deidara speaks like he's very much aligned with Akatsuki's goals and grudges which would be very weird if he joined them against his will just recently, so a year or more would have to pass between Deidara's recruitment and the OG Naruto zoom meeting) was arguably one of the worst things that organization as a whole had to go through because teenage Deidara was JUST BUILT DIFFERENT.

Don't mind the fact that even as an adult he starts tweaking if he doesn't get to explode something every few hours (I would imagine that teenage rage and angst would only exacerbate this issue), but he would also just want to "look cool" and wouldn't listen to anyone in any position of authority AT ALL. Going back to this scene of Akatsuki's zoom call, we can see (and for certain characters assume because once again designs here are kind of wack) that these overly serious members like Pain, Konan, Kakuzu and Sasori are PRESENT and just... don't do anything about Deidara's antics? They just gave up at some point LMAO. And a while ago, I presume.

16-year-old Deidara, proud and puffed up as a lion: You can stay on the ground as boring old men you are, but I'm going to hang upside down today, hm!

Pain, the acting leader of this very serious and lethal organization that for some reason took in a 13-year-old and a 12-year-old because, I dunno, the real leader thought it would be funny, sighing: okay, Deidara...

I also don't believe that it was ever specified how Nagato's zoom jutsu works, but I think Akatsuki's members simply sit in whatever position they want and their projection is different from their actual position which means that. yeah. Deidara does a bat cosplay. because he wants to. baby why are you like that.

but I also like to imagine Deidara actually hanging on the ceiling during the meetup and the gang just going

Pain: Sasori, can't you grab a mop or something and swat him off of there?

Sasori, in the most dead inside voice imaginable: you are not paying me enough to do that. in fact, you would not last a minute in the asylum I'm living in. you can't give me 40 minutes of peace, can you?

honestly props to Onoki for finding a way to both continue using Deidara's skills for his goals (by just fucking paying Akatsuki and calling it a day) and keep the village intact, teenage Deidara just seems like the trial version of what Akatsuki members could expect on their missions. like, if you can't manage the stress of dealing with the (pony)tailed beast, you have no business trying to fight an actual tailed beast.

I'm also thinking that adult Deidara aka Shippuden Deidara would think himself really cringe for doing this shit when he was younger and feels kind of embarrassed in front of the other members (who unfortunately besides Hidan were there to witness his cringe bat phase of growing up in your local terrorist daycare organization), so he's pretty quiet during the zoom meetings when we get properly introduced to him.

That's, of course, until Deidara gets partnered with Tobi.

I can imagine the two of them competing who can last longer hanging upside down and now Pain really can't do anything to stop this bullshit because it's his actual boss and his clueless partner making their own bat nest during their zoom meeting. He just tiredly glances over at Konan who gives him a "I told you Yahiko was right and we shouldn't have joined forces with this guy, but when do you ever listen to me" look.

The gang would be discussing something like Kakuzu and Hidan brutally murdering Asuma (who's Obito's classmate btw and whose mother he already killed a while ago) and trying to steal his corpse to sell for some cash and in the background above them Tobi'll be yelling something like "senpai, watch what I can do" and start turning cartwheels on the ceiling.

tl;dr Obito and Deidara match each other's freak when it comes to doing weird shit for no apparent reason other than to fuck with everyone while on the job. thanks for coming to my TobiTalk

[it-happened-one-fic]

Any Weight - Idia

Author Notes: So I really didn't know what I was going to post today in terms of oneshots, so this happened. This fic has been sitting my google docs for quite while and honestly started out life as practice for writing Idia. I wrote this and edite it while listening to the song "Heavy in Your Arms" by Florence in the Machine. As per usual, reader is gender-neutral. I hope you enjoy!

Type: Gender-neutral reader/ sfw/ fluff with angst/ comfort/ romance highly implied/ Spoilers for Ignihyde Chapter

Word Count: 1539

Idia shifted slightly as you leaned against his back, reading some book as he farmed one of his games. And in easy, quiet moments like this, with the weight of your body resting gently against his, feeling like a silent but ever-present promise, it was easy to forget the truth of his situation. Of his life.

But Idia was cursed. It was a weighty, but simple truth that had hung over his head for his entire life. Because he’d never known a life where he wasn’t cursed.

Idia was cursed to remain chained to the Island of Woe, to S.T.Y.X., and to guard the remains of those who’d fallen prey to their own magic and dark thoughts, just like he almost had back when you’d come all the way to S.T.Y.X.’s headquarters after Grim and your friends.

Idia was also cursed to never be able to feel darkness’s embrace, which could hide even the greatest of shames, until the light inevitably came. Because his hair always shone that cold blue light on him. Never letting him hide away from the gaze of all those who looked upon him in horror or disgust and saw all of his many flaws.

Idia was even cursed by his own personality. Unable to tolerate being around others without shutting down and drowning in their silent gazes. Judgmental, fearful, and sometimes pitying, no matter how he felt about it.

It was disgusting, infuriating, and so many other things that left him filled with ire towards anyone and everyone who didn’t understand him or his life. If they were going to gawk at him, then he would mock them for their naive, stupid views, and avoid them. There was no use in bothering with people who would never care.

After all, his life had been decided for him from the very moment he’d been born.

And all of those reasons, as well as so many others, were why he’d pushed you away initially. A laughable thought now, considering you were sitting on his bed, with your back pressed to his in a gentle reminder of your presence that, rather than causing him to tense like so many did, made him relax into the silence that rested easily between the two of you.

But when he’d first met you, he never would have imagined this. Not with how you’d seemed so strange. 

A weirdo, to be sure, with the way your gaze had never held that crushing weight that threatened to smother him that so many others had.

Some person from another world who apparently had far greater concerns than a flame-haired freak that lived in some other dorm. And, to an extent, Idia had been able to respect that.

It had quickly become obvious that you were more than just a weirdo, though. If nothing else, you were capable of handling and surviving numerous overblots. And even as he was getting to know you, it had already been clear to Idia that you were capable of so much more than him.

And that was still clear to him even today. Because if he was a curse, then you were more akin to a blessing.

A blessing who stepped in and stopped overblots from destroying their victims rather than studying the remains of those who were already done for.

A blessing who could see people at their very worst, and still accept them.

And finally, you were a blessing in that you had a personality that was like a balm to introverts. A person he could just be himself around without having to be surrounded by the multitude of people who’d already noticed your calming demeanor.

In reality, Idia knew you weren’t a blessing. Something so good could never survive in a school like this one. And he’d experienced firsthand exactly how much of a pest you could be.

But even with that knowledge, there were still moments when you were like a protagonist with the way you stood out so glaringly from the crowd.

Of course, Idia stood out from the crowd as well, but never in a remotely good way. 

At odds with this, your only supposedly negative quality was that you lacked magic. And while it did make your life a pain sometimes, you never let it bother you. Not like how Idia let his negative qualities and anything he lacked burden him.

And it was a heavy burden. A heavy burden that Idia knew made him equally heavy and unpleasant to be around. Because Idia was no fool. He knew his presence, his friendship, and even his very existence was a weighty one. He could easily drag a person down to their doom with the curses that trailed after him, like an entourage that couldn’t and wouldn’t go unnoticed.

And all of those reasons, plus a myriad of others, were why your presence here, with him, right now ought to be strange. But it wasn’t. In fact, it was perfectly normal for you to hang out with him in the solace of his room. Sometimes gaming with him, and sometimes just doing your own thing in silent companionship.

The selfish part of him clung to both you and your presence even as he continued to face his game in silence. 

Were he just a bit bolder, it would be easy to imagine himself turning to face you and wrapping his arms around your neck, with his fingers curling around your temple as if they could crown you as he cradled you to him.

But what could he ever crown you with other than the knowledge that you deserved far better?

It was his way of betraying you, and he knew that. His betrayal was one of the reasons he never tried to cross the dotted line that strained to keep you and him from growing any closer. Similarly, it was the reason the silence remained between the two of you as Idia pondered all of the oddities that were your relationship with him.

Because you supported him. Embracing him in your arms like he was weightless, rather than the way he knew he had to be a chain tangling itself around your ankles, threatening to trip you up and drag you down.

But you didn’t let him sink, and you didn't get pulled down by him. 

It was like you were a hero in some tropey anime. Willing to plunge into the very deepest of sorrows and pull him out. Never fearing the chances of drowning in the deep darkness of his curses, but also not shunning the light that revealed all. Good and bad.

Or if you did fear it, you didn’t let that fear hold you back. And perhaps that thought was even more alarming. Because that meant you cared about him enough to not let fear hold you back.

Either way, you seemed to just accept both his good and bad traits. Taking it all on with a smile not unlike the one you’d worn when you’d first forced your way into his life.

You’d shrugged off his moody words and met his gaze with your smiling one, “Nobody’s perfect, and it’s not like you’re the only guy at NRC who has overblotted or has caused me problems.”

You were definitely still a strange one, but Idia could no longer view that strangeness as bad. How could he when you could somehow look at the chains that surrounded him, binding him to his curses and doing their best to condemn him and those he chose to tie himself to, and smile in the face of it all? 

But as frustrating as your strange but oddly charming weirdness was, it made him want to do better.

To support you just like how you supported him. To let you know that even in this world that was not your own, you weren’t alone.

If you could willingly walk into that never-ending light that constantly showed his every weakness to the entire, unforgiving, and uncaring world, then he would hide you in the darkness and carry you when it hurt too much.

Because he knew it hurt, even if you hid it well with that smile that only seemed to truly fail you when you were facing an overblot or when the mention of your home came up.

Even if you were strong enough to carry him and all his curses, Idia knew it hurt and that the nights were long for you. 

In fact, it was obvious to him.

Because that weight you carried was why, even after having made friends and forged yourself a family, you still sought your own world. And he recognized that weight’s presence. How could he not when he was all too familiar with carrying a burden all his own?

But you would never be too heavy for him. Not when he was used to carrying the weight of his own curses.

He could carry you, and you would never drag him down. In fact, he doubted your feet would ever even touch the ground. Because, just like how the weight of you leaning against him was more of a comfort than a burden, he knew that, if it was you, he could carry any weight.

[petew21-blog]

Detention

My English teacher just absolutely embarassed me in fornt of the whole class. Not the whole class, cause Joe and Chris are not here, but still. But I am glad they didn't see it. They would have made my life a living hell and called me names, but so would I.

The three of us have been friends since our mothers met on a playground one day. We have been inseperable. Sometimes literally. We even used super glue to never be away from each other. Yeah we went to the ER that night. But we all still laughed like crazy everytime we did pranks like this. We loved to do pranks on other people, but over the time we got bored, they either knew us and our pranks already or they didn't react enough to let us have the final laugh worth having.

That's why we started doing pranks on each other. It was quite brutal sometimes, like the last two prank I did on both of them, but you know, that's the game. We always want to be better than the other.

Back to present

My teacher, Mr. Lionel, called me in front of the whole class and forced me to sing. He said that I can sing Baby by Justin Bieber, cause he remembers that I once wrote that in one of my essays to be my favourite song. WHAT? I would never write that. That's one of my worst nightmares. Of course the whole class laughed.

Then the principal called out through the school radio, that my mom called and brought me new underwear, cause she knows how much I have trouble holding it in.

"That's BULLSHIT!" I yelled out during the class. The stranges thing was that Mr. Lionel didn't scold me right away as he always would, but kept on laughing. He then looked at the class and understood should have acted sooner.

"All right, Mr. Donovan. Principal's office, right now." he handed me the note for the principal and I left.

I was curious as always and took a peek. It said "For being a naughty boy. Deserves spanking. P.S. everything going according to plan so far"

What kind of a language is this. Why would Mr. Lionel write this? Is this how they always talk about us? Cause this is disturbing. I entered the office. The principal smiled at me from ear to ear. He let me sit down and immediately stood up above me

"So what was it this time, Mr. Donovan?"

"I... reacted on what you said about me in the radio. I said something I shouldn't have."

"Well. That is unfortunate. I might have bad news in that matter I am afraid that might make the situation worse. I have to inform you that we have been searching lockers of students for unwanted drugs and yours contained 5 great bags of weed. Therefore I am going to contact your parents and make you leave our school. Detention is definitely not in order. You have to understand that we don't want anyone to carry drugs to our school."

"But principal, that's not mine. I would have never done that. I have never even used it nor would I ever sell it. It must have been only some kind of prank by my friends."

"Are you trying to say we should expell them?"

"No... of course not. It's just not mine and I don't want to be expelled. Please. I'll do anything."

"Anything you say? he said and rearranged his balls in his pants

"NO FUCKING WAY IS THIS HAPPENING. I HAVE TO GET OUT OF HERE" I started panicking

"Do not worry Mr. Donovan. There is no need to panic. Mr. Lionel is coming now and we will think how to make a proper punishment for you."

We sat in silence, I would bet anything that he was still rubbing himself under the desk. I am not gonna get raped by some old perv today. Even if I would have to stab him in the eye with his pen

Suddenly the door opened. Mr. Lionel came in. The two of them still sat in silence. Then the principal said:"Ok, Mr. Lionel. Show our student here, what he's missing"

Mr. Lionel took of his shirt and started flexing at us. I had to admit that he was very good looking, but the thought that the principal was still observing me was horrible. I needed to get out.

"So, Billy. Wanna touch me? I'll let you pass"

"Sir, this is... I... NO! I won't do any of this. Leave me the fuck alone both of you, you two creeps!" I got to the door, but found out that Mr. Lionel locked it when he entered.

They looked at themsleves. And then started laughing histerically

Prinicpal:"It's just a prank, bro!"

Me:"What?!"

Mr. Lionel:"Dude, you were so scared. I bet you really do need the underwear now. Must be all wet haha"

Principal:"You still don't get it right, bro?"

Me:"Get what?"

Mr. Lionel:"Dude, it's us. Joe and Chris. And we PRANKED youuu!"

I couldn't believe it. But it was the only thing that made sense

Me:"Wait, how did you? Am I dreaming? Is it really happening?"

Chris (principal):"Yeah it's real bro. We went to the town to find something for our new prank to get revenge on you and we found this talisman in an old shop. And we swapped bodies. We found out that we can swap as many times we want. And then we came up with a plan to prank you. We even planned to embarass you even more, but it would be too cruel."

Me:"Guys, what the fuck? You made me believe that my principal was about to... That was it. We're done with the pranks. No more pranking each other ok? No more revenge pranking. Anything"

Joe (Mr. Lionel):"Ok, dude. Sorry. But you gotta admit it was a great prank, haha"

Me:"Yeah, I believed it."

Chris (Prinicipal):"Guys, are you done brushing your vaginas? I need to get out of this old body like right now. It's horrible to feel this old, dry, weak."

Me:"So, we can swap with anybody, right?"

Chris:"Yeah, got anyone in mind?"

Me:"My brother got back home from college few days ago and his two friends are crashing at ours. They're kinda hot."

Chris:"Great, but you'll have to lure them out"

We stood in front of the mirror in our new college bodies. Admiring each other, flexing, enjoy the muscles, the facil hair of each other

Me:"By the way, where are your original bodies?"

Joe:"Oh, we stashed them in the school. They are tied up so there should be no problem there"

Me:"You know you're gonna have to let them go eventually?"

Chris:"But not right now. Guys, let's see whose dick is bigger!"

Story in inbox:

Hi i loooooove your story so much🥰

Could u write a story about two guys swapping body with their principal and teacher to teach their friend a lesson 🍆🍆🍆

[tokkiiibunny]

Chick Habit | Megumi Fushiguro

08: S. L. U. T

Warnings: Drugs (again), Threats, cheating(?)

Words: 2.3k

Mainlist

Oh, we're not down, I better pray

I want the high, I want the rush

Don't call it love, it's not enough

Everything is a mess, you're a mess and you have no idea how to fix things.

Megumi was furious, your date with Yuji had been a success and now he had to put up with them both acting like two lovebirds in their honeymoon, but his anger was only because he still hated you and wanted the worst for you, right?

On the other hand you knew that you should be happy, your date with Yuji was wonderful and he was wonderful, he was a sweet, gentlemanly, attentive, funny guy and who had never judged you, but... You just couldn't feel good and you knew that you were the problem because you didn't like Yuji that way and you still agreed to go out with him because well, a little love would never hurt but things were starting to get out of hand because he was more and more serious and you didn't want to ruin the friendship.

Although things between you and Megumi had been "fine" For a time where you thought you were friends you noticed how he seemed more and more distant to you, maybe it was no longer mean but sometimes you felt that he ignored you giving you a cold treatment even when nothing had happened for him to have that attitude.

During the breaks megumi was no longer with the three of you, sometimes you didn't know where he was, sometimes you saw him with a girl you didn't know. When you realized that there was something really bad going on was when he moved and now another classmate was sitting in his place and he was at the back of the classroom with another girl.

You didn't understand, you thought you were fine, it really seemed like you were fine two weeks ago but now he was like a stranger.

Yuji was at his football practice and Nobara was still in classes so you were alone in what had been your favorite place, that big tree on the edge of the forest.

You saw Megumi approach you and you probably would have been happy That he would talk to you again if it wasn't for the expression on his face, he looked annoyed, complete and pure anger. You looked with confusion at the figure of the man who was getting closer and closer to you, he came to you and he took you by the fabric of your sweater, made you get up from the ground and smashed you against the trunk of the tree, holding you with all his strength.

"wha-" You tried to say.

"I want you to stay away from Yuji, I'm not playing Yn."

"What are you talking about?"

"You heard me, Stay. Away. From. Yuji, I'm not going to say it again."

"You are not going to tell me what i have to do. I don't understand you, what are you doing this? You literally told me you were sorry about two weeks ago and now you're behaving like this" You were confused, you admired his expression for a moment, his eyes were completely dark, your gaze lowered until he noticed the small trace of white powder under his nose "Are you high?"

"It's not from your business, Yn, you are going to listened to me."

"no."

"Well, then maybe your new boyfriend will be happy to hear that you slept with his older brother." You felt a direct blow to the stomach, you had never told anyone that and you doubted that Megumi had contact with Sukuna.

"What? How did you know that?"

"Don't worry about it." He leaned into your ear, you felt his hot breath against your skin. "You're going to stay away."

You swallowed hard. "Why are you doing this?"

"My motives are none of your business."

"Of course they are." It infuriated you that he never set the record straight, everything was a mystery when it came to Megumi.

"Just listen to me and stay out of it, I don't want to see you with yuji again."

"Well I don't care what you want, I'm not going to stay away. Today I'm going to have a date with Yuji and it's going to be wonderful and you won't be able to do anything about it." You stood firm and determined, you were not going to let him get in your way, for a moment that felt eternal he remained silent staring at you and you felt the air becoming more and more tense.

His lips crashed into yours, he was kissing you and it was quite far from a soft kiss, it was rough, it was hard But you didn't refuse, you didn't stop him. You could feel all his anger, all his fury, it was hard to keep up with him but you and him fit into that mix of emotions.

Maybe you even kissed him back and got lost when you felt his hands on your waist and down your hips until they reached your butt.

In a moment of lucidity you pushed him off of you, somehow he seemed as confused as you, he probably hadn't even thought about it before doing it.

That night you went on your date with Yuji and as always he had been wonderful but your mind was still on the kiss. You could barely sleep, you felt guilty and had a reason to be, even though you and Yuji were not yet "official" he had made it clear that he was serious about this and you let his best friend kiss you.

Not only did you feel guilty you also felt stupid, Megumi had threatened you and still let him kiss you, every day you felt worse.

You and Megumi didn't speak again, it was like a silent deal where neither of you mentioned what happened. The more time you spent with Yuji the worse you felt, you couldn't help it but the anxiety was consuming you, you tried to convince yourself that it hadn't been so bad but you couldn't.

"Are you okay?" Yuji asked you as you walked hand in hand through the campus, he had noticed your lost look and the little participation you had had in the conversation, he had begun to notice it days ago but now it was more than clear. 

"Huh? Yes, of course."

"Sure?"

"Very sure." You tried to smile slightly.

"Well because tomorrow I want to invite you to dinner at Pearl Restaurant, do you want to go?" You couldn't help but feel nervous, that place was somewhat expensive and slightly out of Yuji's budget, it's not that he didn't take you to cute places he always would but Pearl was Fancy with capital letters, you didn't want to Anticipate you but you felt like it was the day when he would ask you to be boyfriend and girlfriend officially.

"Yes, that would be fantastic!" you said with a smile as big as you could force trying to contain the urge to cry, you thought that the one would get bored of you after a couple of dates but you were very wrong.

When you got home you followed your daily routine lately which consisted of lying in your bed and looking at the ceiling while reflecting on your life and all your mistakes.

You wanted to talk to someone but Choso was busy, Nobara was friends with yuji before yours, your parents were not someone you wanted to talk to about this and well your contact list was quite limited.

After thinking about it, you took your phone and sent a message to Megumi.

"Hey it's Yn, can you come? I really need something to relax in."

You didn't know if it would work and a part of you really wished he would ignore your message because you knew it was stupid what you were doing but you felt desperate, he responded by telling you that in 20 minutes he would be at your house. The nerves began to appear in the form of nausea, now you regretted it but it was too late.

You wondered what his attitude would be this time, three days before he had threatened you But you were trying to convince yourself that he had only behaved like that because he was high and not because he mean it.

As he said 20 minutes later he was standing there in front of your door, you opened it to him even with that feeling of nausea.

"You look terrible." was the first thing he said to you as he walked in.

"I feel terrible."

"Good because I have good news and bad news, I don't have PCP anymore but I brought cocaine and mj, we can use whatever you want to try." You were surprised by the normality with which he was talking about this, but you also didn't want to say anything that could upset him, you preferred this attitude.

You Both went upstairs to your room which was a mess but you didn't feel like cleaning up.

"Which one is better?"

"It depends on what you want."

"I just want to relax, Disconnecting from reality for a while." He sat on your bed dropping down, it was his third time at your house and he acted with complete familiarity.

"Have you ever smoked?"

"never."

"Okay then let's use coke." He take out a small white bag from his pocket and pour the white powder into your bedside table forming four lines with his Credit card.

"Is it safe?" you asked as you approached.

"Nothing is but you already made me come here, so there's no going back."

"What do I have to do?" You knelt in front of the table watching the lines curiously.

"Whatever you want, you can lick or snort it, it's probably easier if you eat it since you've never put anything up your nose." You nodded and ran your tongue over one of the lines, the numbing sensation was practically immediate, you swallowed and looked at him while he bent down and inhaled one of the lines. "Do you want to talk about what's wrong with you or...?"

"I think Yuji is going to ask me to be his girlfriend tomorrow." You promised yourself you'd mention it Because yuji had been the reason for the last argument between you and Megumi but you talked without thinking, you needed to get it out of you. It was Evident as his expression immediately tightened And you regretted having spoken without thinking.

"And? You should be happy, isn't that what you want?"

"I'm not saying... Well- I don't know, it's confusing."

"Why would it be? Do you like him or not?"

"Yes, but not that way."

"Then you're just playing with him."

"I'm not, but I don't want to hurt him." You felt like you'd already gone a long way in agreeing to go out with him and you wanted to ruin things with him but you knew you were just making a mess.

"Or it's because do you like the attention he's giving you?" He grabbed your chin and forced you to lift your face and look at him, "You'd fall for anyone who gave you a little attention."

You frowned at his accusation "It's not true."

"It is, if you didn't want to hurt Yuji you would have made things clear to him from the beginning and you wouldn't be playing with him this way."

"I'm not playing with him, I really want to do things right but I still feel guilty."

"Why?"

"Because you kissed me."

"No, you feel guilty because you liked me kissing you."

"No, it's not true."

"It is." He leaned toward you, his face just inches from yours. "Tell me to stop and I'll do it." Silence flooded your bedroom you didn't say anything Your eyes fixed on his trying to replicate the same defiant attitude he had, he kissed you one more time but now it was much softer than the first time.

It was just a tiny, almost chaste kiss, one that felt as good as it felt wrong.

That night you managed to relax, feel good, forget about everything that was consuming you but the next day you woke up almost at noon feeling like shit.

At least now you hadn't had a black out but it's not that the physical and moral hangover has been better, you swore to yourself that you would never do it again even if you knew that promise wouldn't last. You tried not to think about megumi but it was impossible, your mind went to the kiss over and over again. You hated yourself.

You didn't get out of bed until you had to, took a bath, put on your cutest dress and did your makeup and went to the restaurant almost like it was something mechanical, emotionless but as soon as you arrived and saw Yuji sitting in his best clothes and playing with his fingers because of nerves you felt like vomiting and banging your head against the wall, you approached and he raised a smile lighting up his face and you tried to replicate that emotion without much success, you didn't know why lately you were having such a hard time acting.

He got up from his chair, put his arm around your waist and left a kiss on your cheek. "You look beautiful." You sat down and then he sat down in front of you. "The most beautiful woman I have ever seen."

"Don't overdo it."

"I'm not, I'm serious, Yn."

"Well, you look great, really handsome." Yuji was an excellent guy, he had everything to be the perfect boyfriend and you knew you didn't deserve it.

You both had dinner, he was talking and you were practically silent barely participating in the conversation, you could tell how nervous he was and that only made you equally nervous, when he finished he paused and cleared his throat.

"Yn I know it might seem like a quick thing but I'm pretty sure with this, I'd really like to Formalize things with you." The more he talked the more you wanted to die, to disappear right then and there and never be seen again. "Would you like to be my girlfriend?"

Notes Area:

>Comments, suggestions and feedback are welcome.

>Thanks for reading!

Taglist (open):

@soobinbunnie5 @anonymity-222 @hanakalovesbnha @starrysho @sylussss7 @Shortcakebbg @Szired @briezy04764

[judasgot-it]

Hold Me Tight (and Don't Forget Me)

Scenario: Dazai takes you out on a date the day he's arrested. Slight Warning for Jouno being an ass.

Hold Me Tight - BTS

Pt. 2

1.3 k word count

Blue skies and perfect weather - the worst, because that meant that today would be the perfect day before Dazai would ruin it once again.

It was a strange feeling to have. It was too peaceful, like a flock of seagulls waiting to be chased.

There was nothing wrong. And that was what was wrong with it.

"Dazai. Did you do something?"

You knew it was impossible to ask Dazai these questions and get an honest answer - your ability didn't work on him, so it was only a force of habit to want to interrogate him.

In response, he only smiled, like a cat that was too high for the barking dog. It made your skin bristle every time, but today he was handsy - he smoothed down your sleeves, easing your nerves with a gentle touch.

"I didn't do anything that you need to worry about. We're supposed to be focused on us, remember?"

His grin was honest, almost charming. He sipped his coffee rather loudly to make his point, drinking as if to remind you with force that you were in a diner, not at the Armed Detective Agency.

"Well, yes. But I know you, and you're only hiding the inevitable. You can tell me Dazai, we are dating."

It was weak to pull a card like that with him, but it was always worth a shot anyway. As if dating would make a difference in how Dazai acted.

The man was a mystery, sitting in front of you in his casual attire - nicer because for once, he had washed them for this occasion. He looked put together as well, hair nicely done and his face looking as a man in his younger 20s should.

He typically looked a little disheveled, hidden behind his charisma but noticeable with anyone who cared for appearances. A good smile managed to hide a lot of things, and for once you didn't need to think about it.

In your mind, you knew that something was wrong from this. The last time he had taken you out like this, he had known he would almost die from an ability user, and it was his apology beforehand.

The strange sense of doom was disconcerting; but so was Dazai's cold skin. He was always bouncing so quickly between temperatures as if he were a broken heater - but being cold? On such a warm day?

"I know we are. Just enjoy yourself babe, can't you do that for me?"

His smile was warm, enough to reach his chestnut eyes - treated with a light varnish from the sunlight penetrating the windows. Whatever warmth his body did have, he must have given it to you through that smile, because now you felt just a little hot.

"I don't like you sometimes."

You averted from his gaze, still holding onto his hand despite this. Dazai didn't say anything, his fingers gently tracing patterns along the hair on your wrists.

"Your face says otherwise. Looks like you're loving my company."

He leaned in closer, careful of your plates, pulling your face to match his. It was easier to kiss him than to say you had lost.

But still, something was wrong.

Dazai kissed you as if he would walk out like this was his last dinner. It wasn't hungry and yet it wasn't polite - it was desperate and it felt like an apology for a crime he hadn't even committed yet.

Or maybe one he already had.

-

It was only the middle of the day when Dazai had decided that a good way to spend your time would be horse betting.

Gambling seemed like an odd place to have a date, but it hadn't been the worst one of his ideas. At least it was outside, and it made for good conversation - even as he insisted on staying as close to the crowd as possible.

Dazai had thrown around some big money - enough to make you worried he was going to actually kill himself tonight.

He was just...strange. As the races had gone on, he had become more and more nervous, fumbling with his pockets and becoming a sort of weird handsy with you - as if you wouldn't notice the strange clamminess his skin had become.

Cold and sweaty, a strange feeling on Dazai.

You were left stuck in deep thought as you stared at the pale white horse Dazai had bet on, a bold '9' staring right back at you.

"Excuse me"

A soft and polite voice had broken you out of your thoughts, forcing you to look away from the race - you had won, and a little bit of relief was felt knowing that Dazai was at least lucky enough to have not blown his last three paychecks on horse racing.

"Would either of you happen to know who won this race?"

His eyes were closed, while his smile seemed...off. Your ability was near constant in your mind, and you could feel how wrong this man was. He didn't really care which horse won that race.

"Number 9 won." In your silence, Dazai responded for you, smiling as if this were an idle conversation. He hadn't seemed to notice the scheming mask the man wore, like a fox ready to jump for the canary.

"So you won then, right? You seem quite pleased with yourself after all."

"Wow! How'd you know all of that?"

You tried to lean closer to Dazai, almost feeling how wrong the man was. It was almost like he knew something you didn't, and it was disturbing to you. His smile practically was still friendly, nothing wrong. But it felt almost as cutting as a knife.

"After I had lost my sight, I had gained new senses - I can hear your heart rates, smell your fear, and even feel your future in my back pocket."

Swiftly, the man had handcuffed himself to Dazai, revealing a pair of sharp canines behind his wicked smile.

"And I know that you, Osamu Dazai, are going to be arrested for 138 counts of conspiracy to murder, 312 counts of extortion, and 625 counts of assorted fraud. I could keep going, but I feel like your fiancé has heard more than enough."

Dazai turned to you, his face paler than the cumulonimbus clouds that towered the sky behind you. By his expression alone, you could tell he had no idea that this would happen.

"Wait, hold on-"

You held onto Dazai's arm desperately, reaching for the handcuffs that were beginning to tear him apart from you. This felt like a dream turning into a nightmare, and that you were running too slow.

"I'm a Hunting Dog. I know more than enough about you as well, and your ability should have told you that I'm not a liar like Mr. Dazai here."

Maybe that was why he felt so off. It was more than just the way he said horrible things - over 100 counts of murder, with complete and utter truth.

"Y/n."

Dazai looked back at you with a solem look. There were so many emotions in your head, that you could only focus on the words that had come out of his mouth.

"I love you. Don't forget that, okay?"

Abruptly, you felt him pry your fingers off of his jacket, and look back to the Hunting Dog who had arrested him.

"There's no chance of escaping you, is there?"

"Even if you're hiding in the crowd, I would just kill them. I can take liberties with human life. I can kill your darling too, if you don't start walking."

Numbly, you watched as Dazai left. As if it were a dream, you were stuck in place, unable to chase after him and tell him to stop and even explain how the hell he had gotten into this situation.

You hadn't even gotten the other man's name, not so you could curse him out for taking your love away. There wasn't even the chance to scream.

It was a horribly numb feeling, stuck there in that moment, watching as Dazai walked further and further away from you.

Sorry, had this idea for a while. I was gonna use this song for Jouno, then Nikolai, then GOJO but ended up being a depressing Dazai fic once again....sigh.

[leviackermanstoes]

Let death be kinder than any x-men

Logan howlett x reader

---

ERRRRM I WOULD SAY DEADPOOL AND WOLVERINE SPOILERS BUT WERE IN DAYS OF FUTURE PAST🦅😃

-

Warnings: I still don't know 😭 the reader makes a massive mistake. Idek if this is how xaviers powers work but wtv. Major Canon divergence. 🎶 represents when Charles is talking to reader in their head.

-

I know that sometimes I ask for too much sometimes. And I think today I did. It really does depend on how you define mistakes.

I knew Charles would help me. How did I know that the 21 year old version of my old professor 60 years in the future would help me? Because I just knew Charles Xavier like that.

"You want me to what?" He scratched his jaw.

"I want you to get inside logan's head and tell me what he's thinking of," I gulped and leant against the wall.

I could only tell that this would have consequences beyond my understanding. Beyond perhaps what anyone could really understand.

"I can try. I would ask why you need this, but I already know," he grinned with his lips high to his nose.

I scoffed a laugh and looked out into the city through the trees. Dark lights and fireflies. Night-time and fireworks. Onyx that encased sparks of all colours.

"So you'll help me?"

"Of course I will. What else do have to do in this damn world?"

-

🧠

There was this one time at the mansion when I punched Scott summers in the mouth for telling Logan he was a coward. I let him drip blood on the floor and make noises of pain as he held his painful jaw that would be bruised and red by tomorrow.

"Don't you ever fucking say that shit again"

-

It was a warm night, though still cool enough for a bonfire. Even though we were supposed to be in the middle of a fight with the sister of the man, I was sitting beside and saving the other mutants, we had collectively agreed, Wade and I, that a night to sit here wouldn't hurt. And convincing Logan was not easy, but he pulled through with an offer of whiskey.

After a while, Wade passed out, and Charles was minding his own business on the grass, when we asked what he was up to he replied 'I'm on the phone' but he had no phone in sight, and it took Logan a few seconds to realise.

I didn't know what to say to Logan. I didn't feel like saying anything or if anything would even work. He probably doesn't want to say anything either. After our altercation in the void, I didn't know what the fuck was going on anymore. I wanted to ask about it, but I was afraid his answer would be exactly as I thought.

"I didn't mean it" he said suddenly "what I said in the void, I didn't mean it"

It had genuinely shook me that he was first to bring it up.

"Oh," I said. "I was gonna ask you what happened, but I wasn't sure if anytime was going to be right"

Logan chuckled. For an unknown reason, he just did and sipped his drink. "Anytime after I die is perfect for these kinds of things"

I tried to smile and act like I was cool but in reality I was dying inside. I was screaming kicking and crying and throwing up and tearing adamantium bars off jail cells.

"I don't know what came over me," he admitted. "The truth is in my universe my wife was experimented on by scientists. Fuckin mad men"

I couldn't tell in the light, mostly because I wasn't looking at him but I could hear it. He started to tear up. I could hear the tightness in his throat, the strain on his voice.

"And-" He stuttered.

"And do you know what the worst part is?"

I don't.

I should. I feel like I should. But I shouldn't. I couldn't. I didn't want to know. Or did I?

🎶 "You do"

"What's the worst part Logan?"

"They did it right in front of me. Right in fuckin front of me!" He lurched forward and slashed one of the trees, causing it to fall in threes.

He panted. Growled. Boiled with rage that set the ground alight in metaphorical fire. Raging flames, like wildfire. Upset and grief that acted fuel.

"It's not your fault, logan" I said softly

"BUT IT IS!" He yelled back at me.

He put his claws away and sighed, looking away for a moment to catch his breath "I'm sorry"

"It's alright" I replied

Logan rubbed his face "Let's call it a truce. I swear I won't try to turn you into shredded meat again" he held out his hand.

"Sure. No shredded meat" I put my hand in his, shaking it.

They were fucking hairy and calloused. And heavy. Maybe the world's manliest hands. And veiniest. Fuck what am I doing?

"No shredded meat" he repeated

And we both laughed

[kyokutsu-sama]

I love your writing especially Kenpachi! I was hoping to request when you have time kind of an arranged marriage for Kenpachi and the reader but of course they are both upset about it and don’t want it they are kind of enemies but then realized they have feelings for each other and the idea isn’t so bad.

After they finally realize that they do love one another and this marriage will be fine and they make it work it ends in a spicy night?

Thank you!

A/n: Hi @bleachbabe4ever !! I'm happy to know that you like my content here😊and let me say that I love writing something that involves enemies to lovers even more. I'm sorry if I was late with the request 😅

TW: nsfw content below

You never thought that something like that would happen in your life, when you thought everything would be a bed of red roses, after all you came across a bouquet of withered roses. He wasn't the worst, well, sometimes he could be, he had his flaws just like you, but sometimes things got to a point where you couldn't stand it and you walked away.

He had a tough personality and was sometimes arrogant and you weren't very different from him either. Stubborn and straightforward.

Even to do a simple task that required the help of both of them, things ended up going wrong.

You had just gotten home and put your things aside and took off your shoes. You looked everywhere but didn't see him, he was probably taking the afternoon off to get some sleep and you felt lucky for not crossing his path for now. It turns out that when you opened the bathroom door to go take a shower, he was already leaving and you were facing that big man with just a towel around his waist in front of you. The heat was felt significantly and it was noticeable in the redness of your cheeks. Well, maybe he wasn't that bad…

The thoughts that came to your mind dissipated when you remembered that you still had a certain grudge against him.

"What are you looking at? Do you need anything?" He asked, seeing you taking forever to say something.

"No, I just… I was going to take a shower now. I didn't think you were here too, I didn't see you when I came in" You explained in a shaky and nervous voice

"You could have said it right away, you wouldn't have to spend an hour looking at me"He said as he went to the room

"I wasn't looking…" You were about to finish the sentence but he closed himself inside the room and you sighed

"That man…I hate him so much"You muttered entering the bathroom and slamming the door

You entered the room after coming from the bathroom and he was sitting on the edge of the bed, looking at you when you entered. You were already expecting him to say something, he always did.

"I didn't think you'd come to this room today"

"This is my room too, have you forgotten that we sleep in the same bed?" You replied, closing the door.

"After the things you say…"

"Things I say that you leave me no choice but to say, if you don't like hearing them then it's all your problem" You gave him a small smile

He looked at you sideways without saying a word, knowing that you gave him a fight and weren't afraid to confront him even made him like you a little more than he should have. In your case, knowing that he was tough and stubborn like you also made things good for you, at least you had something to fight with.

"It's bad manners to look at others, you know?" You said, seeing his gaze following your body while you were getting dressed.

"You did the same to me down there"

"I was taken by surprise by an arrogant giant, it wasn't my fault"

He got up from the edge of the bed and went to you and you walked backwards to try to gain space but when his back touched the wall you felt trapped and very small next to him. Well, anyone could look small next to him.

"What is it?" You said looking at him, trying to appear confident and fearless, even though you were shaking.

"Don't you think you're talking too much to someone so small?" His voice made goosebumps run through your body.

"And what are you going to do about this, big guy? Do you think I'm afraid of you?" You faced him even though you knew it would cost you later. Maybe he would even let that go, you thought. But you were wrong

He grabbed your thighs and slammed you against the wall, suspending your body and you put your hands on his shoulders trying to get out of his arms but he barely moved.

"What are you trying to do? Put me down" You hit his shoulders but he kissed your neck and that made you stop for a moment. Of all the things you were waiting for, that wasn't one of them. As much as you wanted to hate him and keep him away from you, it was triggering something in you that you had never felt.

"Are you so quiet now? Where's all your bravery?" He teased as his lips came closer to yours and you looked him in the eyes.

You didn't know what to answer, your body was still and your voice was stuck. Move y/n, fight, do something, his brain tried to motivate her but it didn't work. Maybe you had to give in, maybe you really had to follow that desire.

He kissed you and your fingers dug into his skin as soon as he did, lips rough and desperate against yours. He put you back on the floor and removed the few clothes you had on and returned to paying attention to your lips. Your hands were all over his body, your trembling fingers took off his shihakusho and exposed his body to you. The heat was increasing more and more and you could barely catch your breath before that man, his hands held your waist and turned your body against the wall and you let out a whimper at the sudden movement.

You could feel his body so close to yours, his hands sliding down, his fingers finding your already wet slit and he teased your entrance while kissing your neck making you tilt your head back and let out little moans. You placed one hand on the back of his head and the other grabbed his forearm as he placed his fingers on you, the heat between your legs was building up and you didn't know if you would be able to stand with your legs shaking like they were.

"Ken-kenpachi…" You whimpered his name, feeling close to coming

He could also feel that you were close, which motivated him even more to give you so much pleasure until you couldn't keep yourself upright. You didn't know why he was enjoying it, you could have sworn you hated him days ago but here you were.

He lowered his pants and freed his dick, you leaned against the wall when he replaced his fingers with something that would definitely leave you unable to walk. He hadn't touched you since the two of you got married but after today, you would wish he would more often. He filled your insides, that emptiness was no longer a problem for you, your fingers held the wall while his hands held your hips as he entered and you thightened him inside you.

It took some time for you to adapt to him since he was big and it caused a twinge of pain when he thrust you. He started moving behind you, you arched your back and tilted your head back as you felt him moving. He moved one hand to your lower stomach and the other to your shoulder, his hips colliding against you. Everything was so warm and so good in there and you just wanted that feeling to last, you just wanted it to happen more often. Maybe the hatred had become what was happening between the two of you, maybe you turned him on when you turned your back on him in the middle of the conversation or maybe he turned you on when he was rude with the words he addressed to you.

He pulled you against him and bent down to kiss you, he was far from knowing what would be a slow kiss or something more loving. That man liked to go strong and knew what to do, at least in that you had to agree, even if you would never admit it out loud just so as not to feed his ego.

"I'm so close…" You moaned

"Really? I thought someone strong like you would be able to handle more but look at you now… you can barely stand up" He teased, lowering his lips against your neck. "Tch! You weak"

"You bastard!" You replied through clenched teeth, not forgetting that you two were still half enemies

He moved so fast and strong against you that it didn't take you long to come down his entire length, your breathing was uneven and your legs were tingling. He stopped moving shortly after, filling you until you could feel it dripping down your thighs. He turned you around and held your body so you wouldn't fall due to the exhaustion he caused you.

"So, are you going to keep talking to me like that or will we have to go for a second one?" He said looking at you and you smiled

"Are you threatening me?"

"I learned to do it with you"

"The only difference is that I do what I say, especially if you take me out of my mind" You raised your head and looked at him

"Let's see about it then"

[garfield-mug]

Could I maybe request some cozy comfort with Jake? A rainy day spent inside with him or something like that, whatever you’re up to, thanks in advance!

A/N: i passed my chem exam so here's a treat! idk how i feel about it, but i don't hate it. would've gotten to this sooner but had halloween plans this weekend, which were very fun. hope you like it! also, i'm getting back into using desk top and it's.... different lmao. also not proof read too hard, so please excuse any spelling or grammatical errors. also, requests are still open!

synopsis: in which you want to remember all that you can during your time with jake.

word count: 1.1k

warnings: none, just hurt/comfort and fluff, no use of Y/N

It didn't rain often in San Diego, but when it did, it poured. As was the case today, plans for spending the day at the beach long forgotten. Jake was home, which seemed to be a rare occurrence with his long shifts on base mixed with the occasional deployment. A day off for Jake was not to be taken lightly, or for granted, and you didn't intend to. So here you both sat, in your home, sharing a blanket as you watched a movie. You'd tucked yourself into his side, legs over his lap, as he rubbed gentle circles over your back. You'd felt your eyes growing heavier and heavier with each pass of his hand. You take a deep breath and nuzzle your face into his chest.

"You keep doing that and I'm gonna fall asleep."

Jake stops his ministrations, smiling softly. "Close your eyes if you're tired, honey. Not much else to do today."

You love Jake, you really do. You love most everything about him. You especially love spending time with him because time seems to be the thing you can never find enough of. You know him well enough to know that he feels the same way. You're comfortable with him in a way you aren't with anyone else, which is why you don't really know why the feeling of shy embarrassment starts to creep up your throat and crawl through your insides. It's why you can't bring yourself to look at him when you say, "Wanna spend time with you. Can't do that if I'm sleeping, lovey."

Jake exhales, pushing a small laugh through his nose and places a kiss to the crown of your head. "Baby, we have all day to spend together. You can sleep for a few hours. I'll still be here when you wake up."

You sit up straighter so you can see his face, still finding it difficult to look him in the eye. Jake's expression changes to something more serious as he takes in your change in mood. He brings a hand up to your cheek and you lean into his touch. "Honey, what's wrong?"

It takes a second for you to gather your thoughts so you can actually for coherent sentences. Even when talking with Jake, undoubtedly the love of your life, being vulnerable was difficult. You knew he would listen, and god was he a good listener. You knew he wouldn't ever make fun of you or throw it back in your face. Still, that persistent little speck of doubt took root in the back of your mind, always imagining the worst-case scenario. You take a deep breath.

"I just... I want to remember the time I spend with you because I feel like we never get enough. And I don't want you to think that I think I'm not a priority for you or that you don't try to make time for me because I don't. I don't think that. I know you try so, so hard. It's just that we both have different schedules and sometimes you're shipped off for months at a time and I know you can't control that. It's not your fault, but it just really fucking sucks when you're not here, so I want to get as much of you as I can."

Your cheeks are warm, your neck is warm. You can kind of hear the blood rushing past your eardrums and you know you're sweating. Your hands would be shaking if you hadn't pressed them together. You kind of wished you could run and hide, but you knew that wouldn't make anything better. Jake is looking at you, bright green eyes boring into yours. His gaze is intense, it always is, but especially in these instances where you have his full, unwavering attention. Jake feels his heart squeeze in his chest, almost in disbelief at what he just heard.

He knows being vulnerable is difficult for you. It's difficult for him, too. He walked around with walls up, constantly on guard and keeping those he knew (except for a few) at arm's length. Until he met you. You, who came crashing into his life with your shining eyes and radiant smile. You, who managed to tear down his walls piece by piece, brick by brick, until there was nothing left standing between you and his heart.

Jake sighs, "Baby, look at me." He brings a hand under your chin to get you to look up at him. "I love you. I love you so much that it hurts. I love spending time with you, too. It doesn't matter what we do or where we go, just that I'm with you. If you're sleeping, so what? It just means I get to hold you. I get to make sure you're comfortable and warm and safe. I get to rub your back and kiss your head and I get to see your face."

Jake has both hands on your cheeks, now, rubbing his thumbs gently over the soft skin under your eyes.

"You look so peaceful when you sleep." It comes out as an almost-whisper. "You may not remember, but I do. I see your face and I know I'm home, I'm safe. I may not be here as much as either of us want, and we may have schedules that don't always line up, but, Baby... any time I get to spend with you is time I wouldn't want to spend any other way. Snoozing on a rainy day or not. I got you in my arms and that's all I need, Babydoll."

Jake's cheeks are warm, his neck is warm. He can kind of hear the blood rushing past his eardrums and he knows he's sweating. His hands would definitely be shaking if he wasn't holding your face right now. He kind of wanted to run and hide, but he knew that wouldn't make anything better. You are looking at him, big bright eyes boring into his. You feel your heart clench in your chest at his words. No one has ever made you feel so loved. You're misty-eyed, smiling up at him like he's just hung the moon and stars. You bring your hands up to cup his cheeks, pulling him in. Softly, you press your lips to his. The kiss is soft and sweet.

"I love you, Jake Seresin." You rest your forehead against his. He pulls you in for another kiss, this time deeper than before, leaving you both a bit breathless. He settles back into the sofa and you follow his lead, lying on his chest. He begins to rub gentle circles over your back.

"Go to sleep, darlin'. I'll be here when you wake up." Jake places a kiss to the crown of your head as you doze off for a cozy afternoon nap.

[spiderboykingoftheives]

“Risk”

Summary: Peter broke up with you to keep you safe from his life as Spiderman but misses you.

Word Count: 2.1k

Warnings: none

He missed you more then anything. And even though he broke up with you and knew he shouldn’t be mad at the new man you dated, he still was. But the worst part of it all is that it wasn’t just some guy. You were now dating Flash Thomson of all people. Made every bone in his body sick with disgust at him. Not that he had any right to be.

He didn’t want to break up with you. You were perfect and he loved you more then anyone else; but that was exactly the issue. Anyone who figured out his identity would immediately come for you. He couldn’t let you get hurt because of him. So after a long failed fight with Kingpin he didn’t want to risk your life. On that low he left you a voicemail saying something stupid like he never loved you and to never speak to him again. He never felt worse about anything in his life. If he told you that he was actually breaking up with you because he was scared for your life, you would tell him you didn’t care about the risks. But he did and wasn't going to let that happen.

He blocked you on everything after that to make sure you couldn’t contact him. He hoped that you would hate him for it but also felt sick thinking about that.

This is the only way. He tell himself over and over until he believed it.

Of course you were stunned when you finally listened to his voicemail. Not believing it thinking it was some kind of prank. But when your number was blocked you realized what he said was true. Feeling so stupid for thinking he loved you cried for weeks. No one could pull you out of your bed or make you stop listening to breakup songs about getting dumped.

Then finally one day you did. You pulled yourself out of bed and dated the first guy you saw. Flash Thomson.

You now walked around MIT holding Flash’s hand instead of Peters. Sit with him and his friends during breaks. Laughed at his jokes. Do everything with Flash that you should be doing with him.

But Peter also swears that you don’t have that same sparkle in your eye when you look at Flash the way that you sparkles when you saw Peter. Even if it was all in Peters head, it was the only thing keeping him sane.

He never trusted Flash with you. For good reason. He believes that Flash likes the idea of you more then you. More like a trophy he can show off. He knows this because anytime they hang out Flash makes sure it’s in public and make sure to be in contact with you at all times.

Again, made him sick to his stomach. But you were safe. No super villian would go after you if you were Flash Thompson's girlfriend.

Walking down the campus hallways he always sees you. Sometimes he pretends not to notice. Other times he can’t pull his eyes away from you. You still mesmerize him, no matter how many times he tries to tell himself you don’t. Today was worse then usual. You were wearing his favorite skirt. The one you wore on your first date with him. Flashbacks took over his mind and he couldn’t stop himself. He needed to talk to you. Just be near you. Anything. Before he could register it he was standing in front of you.

���Hey,” he said before he got to scared and left. “You look pretty-”

“And you look like my ex boyfriend who told me that he never loved him and led me on for six months” she says shoving past him. Out of instinct Peter grabs her arm stopping her from leaving.

“I’m sorry about that really-“ he says trying to somehow fix the unrepairable damage he caused to you.

“I’m going out with Flash now so I’m going to need you to let go of me,” she says and pulls her arm out of Peter's grasp.

“Why him of all people?” Peter spits out before he can stop himself.

“Why not him? Why do you care, it’s not like you ever cared about me actually from what I recall from that 16 second voice message you left me months ago.” She says and Peter can hear the bitterness in her voice. His plan definitely worked but it’s horrible to see it for his own eyes.

“I care about you more then you can imagine” Peter says back suprisingly gentle compared to the venom she just spat at him.

“That’s not what you said in that voice message. You couldn’t even break up with me to my face like a real man. You’re sick in the head Parker.” she says more angry then ever.

Peter swore he would never tell you the real reason he broke up with you but now it just slipped out but he could catch his words. “I did it to protect you. I’ve always loved you. Everything I said when we dated was true.”

She stands there shocked at his words, take a few moments to register what he just said. “Parker are you lying to me cause I don’t know what I’m suppose to believe-“

“Listen to me now” Peter says not holding you’re hand and pleading “I’ve always loved you. I sent that voice message all those months ago cause I was scared that if we were dating someone bad would hurt you or… worse. After Uncle Ben I just can’t stand the thought of losing another person to my own mistake…”

“Why are you telling me this now?” She says trying to hold back tears from falling.

“Because I wanted you to hate me and never see me again. But seeing you with Flash Thomson is the worst thing I could ever imagine. I refuse to see you with a guy so horrible for another second. And the way you looked at me just now when I walked up to you, the hurt and anger. I never wanted to hurt you. I was so stupid to send that voice message.” Peter rambles on not stopping.

“Peter… I don’t know what to say. I understand your worry but I’d rather live a happy life at risk with you then a safe one without you.”

“I can’t let you get hurt. I can’t.” Peter says looking at you with pain in his eyes.

“The only thing that will ever truly hurt me is you choosing to not love me.” She says.

“I do love you”

“Then you would listen to what I said.” She says looking at him to see if he will change his mind.

But he stays silent. She knows Peter and how stubborn he is, if he refuses to be with her there was nothing she could do. She pulls away from him. “I have to go meet Flash,” she says as she turns around and leaves Peter standing there.

Walking to Flash’s car in the parking lot she greets him with a hug that makes Peter’s stomach twist in a knot.

“That went… so good” he said sarcastically and already kicking himself.

He didn’t mean to do this, but he did it a lot. When on patrols as spiderman he would end up watching you from a rooftop. Just making sure you were okay. Today you spent the whole day with Flash. That’s when he heard about the party Flash was throwing. Peter hated parties but he knew he needed to crash this one.

That night he wandered around until he “accidentally” came across the loud music and flashing lights coming from Flash’s home. When he walked in no one noticed him. Peter made sure to stay invisible and just check on you to make sure you were okay. Peter senses were almost immediately overloaded with the distaste of the party. He scanned the rooms while dodging drunk peoples jumping and crashing into each other until he saw you in the center of the living room. You had a drink in your hand and were dancing to the music without a care in the world. Peter was once again mesmerized by your beauty. He could have watched you like that all day until he heard Flash Thomson from the kitchen making drinks. He looked over to see Vodka and Powerade being poured into two solo cups.

Once again Peter felt sick at the thought of him serving you drinks and getting you drunk. He didn’t care if you were to drink, but him giving it to you was another story. Peter’s worrying thoughts immediately took over as he realized that she was a frat party where so many bad things happen. She was so trusting and always saw the best in people but this was not the place to believe someone cares about you. Peter was ready to step in and take you home somehow but Flash was already there serving her the drink. He watched as you drank it and continued to dance. Flash now joining you and making sure to be as close to you as humanly possible during it.

Peter feeling like he will throw up once again at the sight. The night continued and Peter stayed there despite being tired. He needed to make sure you were safe this entire party.

As people handed you more and more drinks Peter worries grew. He could tell you were a lightweight after the first drink and now you had about three more since then and they weren’t stopping. He sat there and wondered how he could possibly get you out of this situation.

His thoughts were empty, except for one. He went into the bathroom and called the cops. Classic snitch move. But he needed this party to end so that his girlfriend- ex-girlfriend, could be safe.

As soon as those sirens came into view everyone ran like a stampede. Peter watched and waited for her to get up and run with the rest of them but she was now passed out on the couch. Without a second thought he picked her up and swung her back home.

She seriously was tired cause she stayed asleep the whole way home somehow. Or didn’t care enough to open her eyes and say anything.

After that he left and went home. Sleeping finally knowing she would be passed out for the rest of the night.

He woke up the next day to her. “I know you took me home last night.” He didn’t know what to say to her. To that.

“Okay?” Is all he could come up with.

“Thank you for caring.” She says, and he knows she is talking about more than just taking her home.

“It’s my job” Peter replied back.

“As an Ex?” She says, hinting at wanting to hear more.

“As someone who loves you.” He replies again.

“Meet me at the courtyard in ten.” She texts. His heart is racing. He knows she just doesn’t want to have a conversation like this over the phone. He quickly threw on some clean clothes and my shoes before running out my door late, sprinting to the spot.

She is already waiting there and watching me as Peter run to her. She always was early. He was always late. It’s why they shouldn’t work but somehow when they were together, it all didn’t matter.

“What do you want?” She says looking him in the eyes with a serious look.

“I want you. I’ll only ever want you.” He answers truthfully. His heart is palpitating from looking at her.

“Are you still scared to date me?” She says and he can see the pain in her as she says it and it makes him sick.

“Honestly yes. I’m terrified of it. Of what could happen to you cause of it. But I know now that staying away from you completely is not what’s right for us. Whatever comes down our path we can face together.” Peter says, risking grabbing and holding her hand at the end. She flinches pulling it back at first but then relaxes and looks back at him.

“I cant handle anymore heartbreak from you Peter. I barely got through it the first time. I need to know you’re staying for good” she says and he can see tears forming in her eyes.

Peter stomach is in knots again thinking about the pain he caused her. Wanting to take it all away. Take back every mistake made. Every stupid decision he chose. Then he reached for her face and kissed her. His hands wrapped in her hair as he pulled her into him.

“I’ll never make the mistake of letting you go again. You’re always gonna be my one.” He says before kissing her again. When he pulls away and looks at her face to sees that usual sparkle in her eyes back.

“Good cause I still love you so much Parker,” she says before kissing him again.

[idontplaytrack]

Can I request Ajx plus-sized!reader? Where reader had a bad day at school bc of something someone said to them and reader goes to Aj's for comfort. (Totally not me projecting bc of my shitty day😅)

Thank you!!

✧ Make You Feel My Love

AJ Campos x plus-sized! fem reader

Warnings: coarse language, fluff, angst?, mentions of weight & some descriptions of bullying

“Know there's nothing that I wouldn't do to make you feel my love”

— Make You Feel My Love, Adele

After school let out for the day, you immediately left the building and made your way to AJ’s house. She goes to a different school and gets out earlier than you did today. (The two of you met at a track meet sophomore year and she asked you out first) So, you knew that she’d be home. Walking up her porch, you rang the doorbell.

“y/n! Hi, babes.” Gabi gives you a hug, “AJ’s up in her room, come on in.”

“Hi, Gabs. Thanks.” You hugged her back then let go and went upstairs to find AJ after removing your shoes and leaving them by the door.

You’ve had one hell of a day at school and you just needed AJ’s comfort— you needed her with you. Usually, you could brush off their snide remarks and stupid comments about anything regarding you, but other times, they really manage to strike a nerve. You were human after all, you were sensitive to things like this just like anyone else would.

You knock on the door, waiting on a response. “Come in.” You heard her voice then you opened her door and walked in.

“Oh, hi, baby.” She smiled at you, so brightly. But her smile fell as quickly as it formed once she noticed your body language and the expression on your face.

“Hi.” You mumbled, shutting the door behind yourself. AJ stops whatever drawing she was working on and walks up to you, holding your hands in her own. Her thumbs brush over your knuckles, “Do you wanna talk about it?”

You swallowed harshly, averting your eyes to profusely blink the tears away. Eventually, you managed to shake your head. She sits down on her mattress, guiding you to do the same— her hand never leaves yours. Sometimes, you wanted to talk about it. You’d feel better. There were also times where you didn’t want to say anything. AJ knows.

She shifts slightly and was now leaning against the headboard. You naturally laid your head onto her chest as she wraps her arm around you. “You’re okay, baby. You’re safe here.” She said softly. “Don’t let them be on your mind all the time. I know it’s hard, you’ve told me it’s hard and I hear you— I understand. And believe me when I say that I’ll do anything to make you feel my love. No matter what. I love you so much, baby. Those jerks deserve nothing but the worst for making someone like you feel special bad.”

“I love you.” You mumbled, “Thank you for always being here for me, AJ.”

“Hey, you’re my girl, aren’t you?” She says, looking down to meet your gaze unintentionally, then she plants a kiss to the crown of your head. “I’d do anything to make you smile. I love that smile. It’s adorable, it’s beautiful. Makes me smile too.”

You sniffled, “I’m sorry, I—”

She rubs your back, holding you tighter, “Don’t be. You’re allowed to feel whatever you need to feel. Cry if you feel like you need to. If you gotta let it out, you let it out. I’m right here with you.”

Even with her saying that, you were still hesitant. You hated crying because it always gave you a headache afterwards. Unbeknownst to you, you started thinking about each time from earlier today when your classmates and other students said something to your face or behind your back. You could ignore nearly everything but shit about your weight. No one knew the shit you’ve went through and is going through. They just said whatever they pleased, whatever came to mind. It’s like you weren’t human to them. Oh, and that wasn’t the extent of their bullshit. AJ’s been a pretty hot topic on their tongue a couple times. When you two first started going out, you’d proudly set a photo of you and AJ together as your lock screen: someone laughed and asked if she was your Make-A-Wish because you’d definitely die of a heart attack if you kept eating.

You were furious, that time, you were totally caught off guard and couldn’t help the tears. So they saw you tear up before you quickly ran away. Another time, you’d changed your wallpaper to a photo of her alone. Someone made an absolutely disturbing comment that utterly disgusted you.

And so, the waterworks began. The tears that you have so desperately been holding in all day, fell from your eyes in a never ending stream. You tried to keep it quiet, but noises still erupted from your throat every now and then. Admittedly, you were cringing at yourself initially, but you started to feel the relief. AJ didn’t say a thing but kept rubbing your back and holding you close, with occasional kisses to your head— just what you needed. She wanted to cry too hearing you and seeing you this upset. AJ felt everything deeply, just like you did. You knew that about her, but she kept it together and focused on you. Making sure you were okay. Especially after the one time— the worst of the worst aftermaths of a ‘bad day’ at school. You’d cried so hard that you could barely breathe and started to cough, then you threw up. AJ didn’t want a repeat of that, so she paid close attention.

Thankfully, about ten minutes later, you stopped crying. AJ stops feeling the trembling beneath her touch. She peered over to look at you, to check if you’d dozed off. You didn’t— you were awake. Just staring into space and tracing random squiggles on her torso. A tiny little smile tugs at her lips feeling the ticklish sensation through the fabric, and also at how endearing you seemed curled up against her. She runs a hand through your hair, fingertips eventually massaging your scalp. “Baby?” She hums.

You looked up at her for a second. “Do you want to take a shower?” She asks.

“Okay.” You nodded, face still pressed up against her.

You slowly got up and off of her bed. She picks out a fresh change of clothes for both of you before heading into the shower together with you.

“Can you do my hair later?” You asked while she was helping you shampoo it.

“Of course, honey.” She replies, you could hear that smile. And it made you smile.

————

She lets you wear one of her old track t-shirts which she knows you like, and a pair of your own shorts that you’ve left at her place awhile ago. You sat at her vanity to blow dry your hair, she was checking her phone for messages a mere few feet behind you, a towel draped around her shoulders. AJ looks up at caught you looking at her through the reflection. She grins. You blushed and looked away, chuckling. Tossing her phone onto her bed, she walks up behind you and wraps an arm around you.

“What do you see, baby?” She asks quietly.

“…myself?” You squinted at her, honestly a little confused. Unplugging the hairdryer, you set it down.

“Yeah.” She nods, “But, I also see more than that. Your hair, somehow always just a little messy but somehow so perfect. Your eyes, how they always light up whenever you hear a song you like on the radio, at the sight of a pretty sunset, sunrise, at me. Your lips, I’ll never stop kissing them if I could…” AJ chuckles, “I love…your curves. How you make those dresses and anything you wear look so fucking good. Then you’d just walk to me and there’d somehow be a breeze in your hair like a commercial.”

You licked your lips, looking right back at AJ in the reflection. Your hand gripping onto her forearm as it rested across your chest, a smile slowly forms on your face.

“I love all of you, every little thing about you, my love. Everything.”

“Damn.” You muttered, grabbing a tissue from the box in front of you to dab the tears away. “Fuck.” You laughed, clearing your throat, “I love you.”

“I love you.” She spun the chair around, your gaze melted into hers as she leaned down to kiss you on the lips sweetly. She holds your cheeks in her hands, “Do you want to go for a drive tonight? We can go to that place you like for dinner, then stop at the beach?”

You nodded, face still in her hands. She plants a kiss to the tip of your noise, giggling, “Okay. Do you want me to do your hair now?”

“Sure.” You agreed, smile still on your face. She spun the chair back around and started to run a brush through your hair before grabbing a couple of hair ties. This was just something you loved letting her do because AJ herself liked helping people do their hair. It started when Gabi first asked her to do her hair before a track meet. But anyway, AJ gets it done very quickly and it always looks good.

After that was done, AJ led you downstairs. You both got drinks and a bag of pretzels from the kitchen to share then headed out to the backyard to enjoy the slightly chilly weather. “Are we alone? I thought Gabi was home.”

“She let me in earlier.” You shrug, “Maybe she’s in her room.”

“Oh, no there she is.” AJ tilted her head towards the stairs, “She’s headed out.”

“Oh.” You turned your head to look as well.

“Got a date, Gabs?”

“Yep.” Gabi confirms, approaching the both of you, “You guys? Staying in tonight or heading out too?”

“Out.” AJ answers.

“Dinner then to the beach.” You quipped.

“Ooh. Sounds lovely.” Gabi replies, “Okay, you guys have a good time tonight. I’d better get going, bye loves.” She hugs you both then, she was on her way to meet Chantal. “Mom and Dad won’t be home for a week, you guys.”

You burst into a laughing fit, then pursing your lips together to stop it. AJ snorted, “Bye, Gabs. Don’t have to worry about us. Won’t let you hear a thing.”

You gasped dramatically, chiding, “AJ!”

“Kidding.” She grins, holding onto your hand then pressing a kiss on the back, “Unless…you want to, later, or now. Then, we will. If not, I’ll shut up about it.”

“Maybe later.” You couldn’t help but let a chuckle slip, leaning your head onto her shoulder while you grabbed a few pretzels from the bag.

“Okay.” She answered simply, “But in the meantime, let’s just enjoy this weather. It’s great. I’m usually sweating buckets by this time now.”

“I know.” You agreed, “Me too.”

After hanging around outside for an hour or so, you and AJ then decided to it was about time you two left the house too. Gabi didn’t take the car, because she walked to Chantal’s— so, AJ took it instead. You got into the front with her, and she lets you pick the music. She always does, but you remember to put on her favourite playlist to let her enjoy her music as well.

Dinner was great, no doubt. But what’s better was being on the beach with your girlfriend. The peace and quiet, the calming breeze and sounds of the wave crashing every now and then…it really relaxed you. That’s why you loved the beach, just like AJ did. She lays her head in your lap after awhile. You intertwined your fingers with hers in one hand, your hand and hers now resting on her torso as the two of you just emptied your minds and basked in the warmth and sheer comfort of this place.

Staying until the sun completely set, AJ then drove the two of you back home. Now, your playlist was playing through the speakers. “AJ?”

“Yeah?”

“Thank you. I feel better.”

Her hand finds its way to your thigh, resting comfortably on it, “Of course, honey. I’m glad you do.”

🏷️ Tag list:

@ashecampos @auliisflower @cheesysoup-arlo @frogs00 @reneeswif3 @ludoesartnstuffs @pda128

[undertale-writing-times]

The yandere prompt “Don’t be scared baby, I’m not mad at you, I never could be mad at you. It’s them.” with Axe would be lovely!

I decided to swap it up a little >w>

Axe has been with Y/n for a few months now. Almost a year! He was very happy that he had a datemate—someone that he could trust and someone who could love him. He was very careful with them all the time! He knew that his claws could cut and his teeth could tear.

He always worried that he would accidentally hurt them.

But the other humans? Yeah, Axe didn’t care too much about them. Some were kind, while others saw the monsters as, well, monsters. Creeps that shouldn’t be above ground. A lot of those people always shouted, “Go back to the underground!” Or “monsters should have all died down there!” and that always made Axe upset.

Sometimes he wished that he did die down there; the ones that died were the ones that got out of it the best. Luckily, slowly, monsters were healing and getting better… even if pretty often cops shot them and monsters were treated badly compared to humans. People always assumed the worst about them.

It made him annoyed.

Today he was at the park, waiting for Y/n to get there, picking at the grass beside him. He liked sitting outside! The soft smell of grass and the breeze made him pretty happy. It was nice to relax and get his mind off stuff.

He should have been paying attention, though, because suddenly he heard a voice, and when he lifted his head, it was because the person seemed to be talking to him. It was a human girl that he didn’t know, but she was glaring at him and pointing at him, “Don’t you know that monsters aren’t allowed in this park?” She spat the word monster like it would make her sick.

“Hmmm… n…no?” he slowly shakes his head, frowning as he listens to her talk. “Anyone is a…llowed here.” He had been getting better with talking over the years of being above ground, though he still sometimes had issues, as he would admit.

The girl starts to shout and yell at him, making him clench his teeth, and he digs his finger tips into the ground under him, tearing through the grass easily. His tail started to whip back and forth quickly, clearly hinting that he was starting to lose his patience. All he had been doing was sitting here! Why was this woman going out of her way to get mad at him? And now people were staring.

He sank down, as if that would make him any less noticeable. He was a giant monster! A full 8’5, giant even when sitting down.

“Hey! What the hell are you doing?” they both heard, and they both looked to see that it was Y/n! He smiled just a little and raised his hand, waving at them. They rush over and snarl at the lady, “Leave him alone, you crazy woman.”

“Cra- I am just telling this gross monster to go away! He’s breaking the law.”

“Tell me which law, or get the hell away from us!” Y/n shouted, holding up their hand in a fist. The woman seemed to not want to fight because she cursed at Y/n then turned and walked off, huffing and puffing.

Axe looks at Y/n, seeing a strange yet familiar look in their eyes. It was a look that happened whenever other people talked to Axe… he put his arms around them, pulling them close to his chest, and nuzzled them, mumbling, “You okay? Not… mad at me?” he felt like he needed to ask that.

Y/n looks at him and lets out a soft sigh before hugging back and giving him a nuzzle as they mumble, “Don’t be scared, baby; I’m not mad at you; I never could be mad at you. It’s them.” they sigh out slowly and press a kiss to his skull. “I’m sure she won’t bother you again, and if she does, tell me and I’ll handle her.” he looks at them and smiles, nuzzling them back as he purrs.

They had a strange scent to them that reminded him of blood, but he decided not to question it. He was probably just imagining things. 

[boygiwrites]

Harley D. Dixon 5

An amazing edit inspired by this story! (Cred to Cora_Line99) Harley D. Dixon's Pinterest Board! Harley D. Dixon's Playlist!

📖Chapter List.

Author's Note. This is our CDC chapter, so TW for mention of suicide in this one. It's a little graphic.

And it might be better to go in blind, but if you'd like the second TW, please check the first tag on this post.

Other than that, please enjoy reading!

Glenn exhales, "Would you look at that?"

The sun is rising.

Last night I was a dying dog and today I am Harley Dixon.

Me, Dad and Glenn are on the roof of the parked RV, watching the sky give birth to the sun, knowing that I got hundreds more sunrises waiting for me; that the worst is over, like Rick said. The morning is as fresh as peeled summer fruit, and it's all ours. I'm reminded of special breakfasts on our old porch, where my Uncle Merle and my Dad would be scooping burnt scrambled eggs into their mouths, and I'd be in Dad's lap, sipping on a box of orange juice. We had them whenever I won an award at school. I feel like I've won every award in the world.

Glenn is the one sitting next to us, now, in this new version of day-break. He fills the outline of where a ghost of a brother and an Uncle used to be. We're sharing a secret bag of old freeze-dried cherries, while everyone else sleeps. They're a small luxury, like the sun. We can make happiness out of anything.

It all feels right.

"One hundred percent mold free, this time. I swear," Glenn says, ripping the bag open and pouring me the first cherries.

"They better be," Dad jokes. "First time was free."

"Next time, you'll beat my ass?" Glenn guesses.

He looks like he's realizing his legacy is always gonna be the guy who can't make jerky.

"Damn straight."

We knock our plastic bowls together, smiling.

"To Harley."

"To Harley."

"To me!"

"What a mess this whole thing was." Glenn shakes his head, chewing. "I know I already said it, but... I'm really sorry."

"Ain't your fault you can't cook." I giggle.

"Gee, thanks." He laughs. "I guess I deserve that."

"Just learn to salt the damn meat, China." Dad says. "Then we can talk."

"Okay, okay, okay." Glenn puts his hands up, but he's still grinning. "I suck at cooking. I get it. Are Dixons always this mean?"

Me and my Daddy answer, yes, at the same time.

"Good to know." Mumbles Glenn.

"The night I got scratched," I muse, my fingers painted with crayon-red cherry juice. "You was the first person after my Dad to reach the tent."

I remember people saying that Glenn could outrun a cheetah if there were enough supplies behind the finish line. The thought makes me laugh again. When you ain't big, you gotta find other ways to elbow your way through danger. Sometimes a good brain and better legs are all you need. Sometimes people like me and Glenn get to win, too.

"I guess so." Glenn's smiling shyly. "But only because Rick was too busy reloading. And Shane was up the back. And, well, I guess— When we first got back to camp, people were saying that you were gone. That you were missing, or dead, or— We didn't know. Your Dad, he just took off into the woods. Just, vroom, y'know? Like, gone. I thought if I was gonna be like anyone, it should be him. So, I went running, too."

Dad leans over and grips Glenn's shoulder; shakes it. A gesture that says, Man to man, I respect you. Maybe even, Brother to brother.

It takes a lot to earn my Dad's respect, if you ain't his blood.

"You all looked like you was boutta faint." I snicker, 'cause it's funny now.

"W-we all thought it was too late." Glenn tries to laugh. It's been hard, I guess, bottling up that night until now. "When we first saw the tent."

I see flashes of wet eyes, and teeth, and spiders.

"I did too," I confess.

My Dad turns me around in his lap, then, and bounces his knee a little. "But I woulda never let that happen, chicken, y'hear? And I ain't never gonna let that happen. I'd have to be dead, 'fore a walker laid his hands on you." He frowns, looking me dead in the eye.

"I hear." I nod. "It was just really scary."

"C'mere, babe."

He pulls me down to his chest — his heart — and I curl up there, where I know nothin' will ever get me.

"For the record, I was about to faint." Glenn mutters.

I throw a cherry at him and he dodges it, grinning.

"I knew it!"

We all sit like this for a long while, with the sun and the rustling wheat as our friends, snacking on our sour fruit. Then they start talking again, a notch deeper, a notch outta my league. Adult to adult. I realize they must think I'm asleep — It is the ass-crack of dawn, after all — so I don't interrupt.

"I didn't mean it like that, you know." Glenn tells my Dad. "You can protect your own. I get that."

"Don't tell me what I already know, kid."

"I just..." Glenn starts, but then there's nothing.

In this long moment, I think Glenn is going to leave down the ladder, 'cause it's what anyone else would do.

People like me and my Dad — People who hoard supermarket coupons, and talk real nasty, and get called hillbillies — don't mix well with people like Glenn. People pretend there isn't, but there's an invisible cut-off on who deserves what in life, and it ends right after people who only gotta work one job. Glenn's smart, and he prolly ain't never had to go hungry to pay his water bills, not once in his life. He prolly ain't never been to jail, or snapped a squirrel's neck, or re-used the same bottle of hand soap forty times over. He's like the rest of 'em. Rick and Lori. Shane. The kids in my old classes. Their parents on parent-night. We can work well together but anything else is askin' too much.

But we're family now, right? I think Glenn might leave, but—

"Well, for what it's worth, I couldn't do it." Is all Glenn says.

He doesn't leave. In fact, I hear him settling further into his chair. It's what Uncle Merle would have done.

My Dad pauses. "Do what?"

"Look over my shoulder all the time. Worry about someone else every time I hear a gunshot. Walk around knowing I have that much to lose." Glenn sounds lost in thought, but then he surfaces. He ends his list with a simple, "Be a parent."

My Dad sighs, debating whether or not to go along with this.

"That ain't all there is to it." He eventually says.

"No?"

"Nah. It ain't some curse." Dad says. "I hear a gunshot? Sure, first thing I'm thinkin' 'bout is Harley. But that's the way it's meant to be."

"I just don't think I'd be able to handle it." I imagine Glenn gazing out at the sky. "These past few days have been stressful enough."

"Yeah, well that's why I got a kid 'n you don't." Dad's being a bit of a smart-ass. Then, he answers seriously. "You got a kid? You gotta be ready to die for 'em. But it ain't just sittin' around, waitin' to do it. It's the opposite. Every day I wake up, and I do it for her. I do everythin' I do for her. After that baby's born, who you were, what you liked doin', any plans you had — That's over. Suddenly, yer life ain't the most important thing you got, no more."

I've never heard my Dad talk like this. I wish our lives were worth the same, but I guess it don't work that way.

"And who were you?" Glenn asks, knocking back a cherry. "Before Harley?"

"A nobody. Drunk bastard with drunk-bastard friends." Dad scoffs.

"Well... That's good, then?" Glenn's guessing. "Sounds like she changed you for the better, man."

I can't imagine my Dad being anybody other than my Dad. The day I came into the world, so did he. There's nothin' before that.

"It's hard." Dad admits, prolly for the first time ever, to Glenn. "I love 'er, but it's hard as shit. Some days I wanna pull my damn hair out."

"You must have been going crazy during... everything."

"Oh, you think?" Dad jokes. "You ain't seen me fuck up that walkie?"

Glenn bursts out laughing. "It hit the RV when you threw it out the window. Scared the shit out of Dale."

I have to try really hard not to laugh. I'm meant to be pretend-asleep!

"You got any nieces, or anythin'?" Dad asks.

"No." Glenn answers. "My sisters were either too interested in their careers to have kids, or... Too young."

Glenn's sisters aren't here. Blood does everything it can to stay together. Dad taught me that. That means his sisters are both young and dead.

"That's gotta be tough, man." Dad sighs.

"No, it's alright. Sometimes I can pretend they're out there, together. Happy." He pauses. "What about you? Nieces? Nephews?"

Dad actually laughs a little. "Fuck no. Not from my side, at least. Guy like my brother ain't meant to spread his seed around. Ain't right."

Glenn starts laughing, too. "I guess not."

"Nah, Harley's my only girl." My Dad says. I feel him start playing with the end of my ponytail.

"You know, when you first showed up in camp, I thought she was Merle's." Glenn says, then quickly, "No offence."

"No shit?" Dad scoffs.

"No shit. I thought you looked too young to have a kid."

An unspoken joke makes them both laugh all over again.

"Yeah, well, I was real busy in my teen years."

I got no idea what that means, but it must be funny. Their conversation tapers from chuckling into a warm silence, and then it's just us and the sun again. It clips over a candy-colored cloud, and I can hear car doors opening and shutting, and loud yawns from down below. We're gonna be on the road again soon. I might not need a cure anymore, but we still need water, food, and walls, and the CDC's got it all. I hear someone shouting, alright, people, time to start heading out, and then a whole bunch of shuffling. The day isn't just ours, anymore.

My Dad stretches, groaning, and I pretend to be woken up by it.

He pinches my cheek. "Look who's here."

"Hey, Harley." Glenn smiles, packing up. "You enjoy the cherries?"

"Uh-huh," I smile back. "Thank you."

"No problem." He says. "There's actually some left over, if you want it."

He holds out the bag while I dig my hand into it.

I think it's funny how me, the man who made me, and the man who almost killed me are all friends, now. I learnt in science class that the more pressure you put on a rock, the more compact the molecules get. I think we're the molecules. It's bittersweet.

"Not too many." Dad warns. "You're still sick, remember? Don't want you messin' up my truck again."

"I remember," I promise, shoving a handful of cherries into my mouth. I also remember him sayin' he don't give a damn 'bout the truck.

Someone shouts out the radio channel again.

"Time to see this thing through, then." Rallies Glenn, but he looks nervous.

We say goodbye to the sunrise.

"Dad, is that—?"

"That's the CDC, alright."

We reach it by early morning. It's a monster of a building. It's like a big, white buoy in the middle of the ocean, saying, Come here, I'll keep you afloat. We ease to a stop and then we just look at it, 'cause it's all we can do. The CDC, right before our eyes. It's really there.

"It's bigger than I thought." I think aloud.

Dad just grunts, wary. "Stay close to me."

Our new walkie chimes, and Rick speaks to everyone when he says, "This is it, people. Leave your things. We're gonna walk up."

Why does the air feel so cold?

My Dad pulls both me and his crossbow out the truck, and then the whole group — one tired, beaten, hopeful force — are slowly making our way to the building. We walk through a silent field. I wish it could speak to us; tell us what it's been through.

We pass torn bags of sand and littered bullet shells. I think there's something here that we're not seeing, not yet, like a sleeping beast at the back of a cave, and when we find it, we're gonna be sorry we ever looked. We weave through big, black piles of clothes. The clothes are full, I realize. Full of hands, and legs; all white, all dead. They're bodies. They still have their human faces; they're still them, just dead, and they're studded with the bullets that the shells came from. The story tells itself, on behalf of the ghosts. They give their blood back to mother nature, dripping into the grass. I gasp. From head to toe, I go cold. My Dad shields my face, but I've already seen 'em. They're already nightmares.

Rick leads us. He leads us past trucks and barriers and blockades. Every sign the universe gives him to turn back, he ploughs through, chin up.

Maybe he's brave. Maybe he's stupid. Maybe he was designed to be both. Maybe we're walking to our deaths.

Nobody speaks. If they do, the bodies might wake up, and the graveyard we're intruding on will realize it doesn't want us here.

A crow squawks from its post on a dead soldier's helmet. If I spoke bird, I'd hear, Turn back.

We have to do this. It's what everyone's thinking, as they manage one foot in front of the other. Just one more step, and after that, just one more step. I take in the group, 'cause they ain't dead, and it's a little less awful to look at.

Morales, rifle up. Eliza, Louis and Sophia, three baby ducklings under their Mommas' shaking wings. Dale and Shane, polar opposites but in this moment, exactly the same; with their steely gaze and steady hands. Jacqui and Andrea, holding hands; two girls in women's bodies, walking through a world that wants to eat them. I catch Carl's eye. He catches mine, over the violence spread out before us. I watch him send me a thumbs up, which does nothing but turn me colder — colder than ice, colder than I've ever been — before my view is blocked for a second time, by Glenn. I'm sandwiched in; hidden, protected. I squeeze my eyes shut and hope I'll get to open them again. My Dad leads me by the shirt over the grass. I trust him.

My shoes hit something tougher, louder — Cement. Rock? Our footsteps echo, now. Are we really in a cave?

It goes double-dark, through my eyelids. Please don't leave us, I beg the sun nicely, We need you.

I squeeze my Dad's hand. He squeezes back.

Then I hear a rumble, like thunder, and I peek out from behind my Dad. It's Rick, banging on roller shutters. We all clench closer together, a fist ready to fight. Nobody does it on purpose, but me and all the other kids are pushed toward the middle. Rumble, rumble, rumble. Rick goes from one door to another to another, until he's shook down the entire row.

Guns are raised. We step back, together.

It's like knockin' on doors on Halloween. We don't know what creature's gonna answer. Maybe nobody.

"Anybody home?" Glenn mutters.

We stretch our silence for as long as we can stand it. There is no answer.

Newly determined, or maybe offended, or scared, or maybe all three, Rick beats down all the doors again like he hates 'em.

"Hey!" He calls out. "Whoever's in there, open up!"

"Nobody's here, man!" T-Dog shakes his head, but he ain't got no proof.

"Then tell me why you think all the damn shutters are down?" Rick snarls, and it's like we're in the parking lot again, and I'm scared.

And I should be.

"Walkers incoming!" Shane shouts.

Suddenly, my Dad and Glenn are whirling the other way, facing our new enemy. I grab onto the back of Dad's belt, and when I peer out between their elbows, I see one, two, six, twelve dead bodies lumbering to their feet, all dressed in military green, and dented helmets, and layers and layers of crusty black blood and loose skin. The other kids start to cry, but not me. I can't cry, 'cause I can't breathe. I hear a slicing fwip, and then one of the dead soldiers drop to the ground like the only thing holding him up were strings. An arrow marks his second deathbed.

"We can't fuckin' stay here, Rick!" My Dad's yelling. "You led us into a death-trap!"

I'm grabbing onto the back of Glenn's shirt, now, 'cause my Dad's stomping off to confront Rick and Shane. I hide my nose in my knuckles. Death-trap, I'm panicking, Death-trap. A week ago, I'd be standing here alone, but I got Glenn now. I don't know how I know that, but I do. I got Glenn.

"Glenn, I'm scared." I whine to him, and there it is, I'm crying. I think of happier things, like cherries and the sun.

"I— I know." Glenn puffs, 'cause he's scared, too. "I know."

He lets me grab his hand. It's what Uncle Merle would have done.

"Death trap or not, we're here for a reason!" Dale's arguing. "Rick made a call! We all did!"

"You want us to phase through the fuckin' doors, old man?" Dad spits. "We're stuck out here! My daughter's stuck out here!"

"Running out of time here, guys!" Jacqui's worrying.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Are those gunshots, now? Bullets are last resorts. Last resorts are only for when you're gonna die. Are we gonna—?

"Are we gonna die, Glenn?"

"No." He hurries to answer, gripping me tighter. "N—No."

"We need to leave!" A woman — Carol? — cries.

"She's right." Lori. That's Lori. "This close to the city? It's too dangerous!"

Bang! Bang! Bang!

"Fort Benning." Shane looks like he's 'bout ready to bolt, bouncin' from foot to foot. A trapped animal. "We can do it. It's still an option, Rick."

"Is it?" Glenn's shouting. "It's a hundred twenty-five miles away!"

"No fuel? Two sick kids?" Morales is shakin' his head, no, no, no. "It's impossible!"

What do we do? No, no, no. We can't leave, but no, no, no, we can't stay, neither.

"What do you wanna do, then?" Shane argues back. "What you wanna do?"

"That's it! We're done here!"

My Dad shuts the whole thing down with one angry shout, locking his hand around my wrist. He tugs me away, and for a moment, the group is tugging itself along behind us, back to the street and the cars. We're a unit again — in the wind, goin' anywhere; scared, flimsy. We take one step, and then two, and we make it all the way back to the grass, before—

"Wait!"

It's Rick.

He ain't budged. Brave or stupid? Is he nuts?

"The camera." He tells us, breathless. "It moved."

All three.

"You imagined it." Dale decides, 'cause he'll say anything to get Rick to move. "How could it have moved?"

It's a lost cause — a last-ditch attempt.

The arguing re-ignites. I hide myself again, 'cause I'd rather be anywhere else.

Rick's shouting that he saw it, he saw the camera move, and his voice hits the concrete and closes in on us, just like the field. Fwip. Bang. Bang. Bang. Each burst of noise is a ticking hand on a dyin' clock. The bodies are picking themselves up faster than we're dropping 'em. Glenn's got a knife out, now, and Shane's pleading with Rick, who's gone nuts, Man, listen, the place is gone, it's gone, it's gone, it's gone. Rumble, rumble, rumble. Fwip. Bang. Crying; shrieking, from me, from the other kids, from Lori, and Jacqui, and the air as it's cut in half by bullet after bullet after bullet. Please, we have two sick kids out here, someone's begging.

"You're killing us!" Rick tells the camera. "You're killing us!"

My Dad fists the back of my shirt and he's pullin' me away, stronger than before. I think he's saying, Fuck it, we can make it on our own; leave the bastard. This must really be rock bottom. We were on our own for weeks. He must be thinking that we can do it again. I can see Glenn struggling to decide whether he should stay with the group or follow his feet, which are already trying to run after me and my Dad. I see Jacqui doin' it, too, and then Andrea, and then Carol.

A body topples over in our path, arrow up its nose. This is chaos.

Cherries and sunlight. Cherries and sunlight.

Then—

Behind us.

A gentle rumble, rumble.

We all whip around.

The doors — They're opening. They really are.

Even Rick looks like he can't believe it. We watch them open, mouths agape, like a bunch of idiots — A portal, to another world.

At first, we think there's a catch. Nothing comes without a catch. Do we go in?

But then there's another bang, and we're reminded that we're as good as dead if we stay out here any longer. We're on the move again, but this time, we're walking into the big, white mouth of the big, white monster, praying, Please don't be worse than it is out here, please don't make us regret this. We stay close together as the doors roll back down, sealing us in. We can breathe again, but only slightly. Would I rather take my chances with the dead soldiers, or with the unknown? I'm not sure. Now it's really happening, I don't think any of us are.

"Electricity." Jacqui whispers in cautious wonder. Electricity is like a myth.

Rick nods toward an archway. "Let's keep moving."

We trickle into the belly of the beast — Down a hallway, and into a lobby with the tallest damn ceiling I ever saw. Papers are thrown all over the floor and the computers at the reception desk are all upturned, but it's pin-drop silent. It's like being in a museum for an old extinction event.

"Hello?" Rick calls out, and if there's a scary creature in here, I sure hope it eats him first. "Who's in here? Who opened the doors?"

The silence answers.

"I did."

I jump outta my skin. Dad gets himself in front of me, but I peek around his waist. There's a man at the top of the stairs. He looks like he's been here for a long, long time. Like those lonely boys in Lord of the Flies, where they'd been on an island for so long that they started going a little crazy. He's wearing a regular t-shirt. I wonder where his lab coat is, if he's a scientist. This is a building for scientists.

"What did you mean by 'sick'?" The lonely-crazy-man calls down to us. "You said you had two sick kids. Is anybody infected?"

The whole group hardens at this question. They all glance back at me. I can see our journey in their eyes.

Rick's smiling, and this time, it looks right.

"You don't know the half of it." He turns back around, chin up, like always. "No. Nobody's infected. Thank God."

Dad puts a hand my shoulder.

The scientist doesn't share the same enthusiasm.

"I'm not sure He's around, anymore." He muses, vaguely sad. Then, "Why are you here? What do you want?"

I've never been good at words, but Rick is, 'cause he comes up with the perfect answer. One he knows we'd all agree on.

"A chance."

And maybe some water. After all we been through, that can't be too much to ask. We must look like a pathetic, begging mess, 'cause that's what we are. I know I am. My hair's made outta knots and grease, just like Lori and Andrea's. We're covered in beatings from the road, like bruises from Jim's fists and eyebags from sleepless nights. We left our quarry for this. We left our fish, and our tyre swing, and we left Jim. This can't be for nothing.

The man, who stands high above us, a judging eye, takes us in. "That's asking an awful lot, these days."

All Rick can say is, "I know," and pray it works.

I think of wet eyes, teeth, and spiders while we wait for his decision.

"You'll submit to a blood test." The scientist tells us. "That's the price of admission."

A breath leaves us all.

"We can—" Rick's nodding. "We can manage that."

That's it? A blood test?

I find myself grinning, and I tug on my Dad's hand. We look at each other. He's smiling, too, just a little. We all are. The scientist doesn't know it, but he's just saved our lives. We're tired and we're dirty and we've been through Hell these past couple days, but a blood test — We can manage that. We can manage anything.

"I left one door open. If you have stuff to bring in, do it now." He says, from his perch. "Once these doors shut, they don't open."

We tell him we understand.

This place is like a magical castle.

After we give up our blood, the scientist takes us on a tour. 

Jacqui was right. We got electricity. But apparently, we also got hot water.

If electricity's a myth, then hot water is a damn hoax. I can't wait to have a shower tonight. I used to hate showers, but that's just one of them things now that I can't believe I ever hated, like spinach. I been so hungry before that I'd dream about spinach. Glenn and Lori groan like they've bitten into a big, juicy steak when they hear 'bout the showers, and we all laugh. When I ask him, the scientist says that he isn't wearing his lab coat because he only wears it to make himself look cool. He says that now that we're here, he'll have to put it back on. It makes me giggle.

I run ahead with the other kids, and we all reach a long line of doors, where the scientist says we'll be staying.

The tour is complete!

We all pick rooms to stay in and then we unpack, like we're in a hotel, and it's exciting. None of us have been to a hotel in years.

"Hey, Harley!" Sophia pops her head out the next room over, holding a bar of soap. "Look! Soap!"

I hold out mine. "I got one, too!"

Behind Sophia, Carl pops his head out. "Me too!"

And behind him, like two little owls, Eliza and Louis appear. "Us, too!"

We dash back into our rooms. Me and my Dad's room got two double beds, and I ain't never had a double bed before, so I climb on it, and I jump up and down to test it out. It don't even squeak or nothin'. Dad watches me from where he's emptying one of our back packs.

As I try touch the ceiling, I tell him, "This place is awesome!"

"Harley, come down from there 'fore you crack yer head open." He orders, like a party-pooper.

I do what he says, 'cause I don't wanna ruin the day by getting spanked. "I'm gonna have a real-life shower."

"That's right." He shakes out the yellow shirt with the dinosaurs on it. He chucks it at my head, smirking. "Get ready, then."

I grab the brush that Sophia's letting me use first and a pair of purple pyjama pants from my Dad. I take myself into the bathroom. At first, the water's like straight lava on my skin, and I yelp. Dad asks if I'm alright, and then he comes in to fix the water for me. The lava settles back down, and I scrub and wash and sud myself up until I'm almost as red as a lobster. It's the best shower I've ever had. I was getting so sick of using baby wipes and river water to wash myself. When I step out of the real-life shower, the whole room is steamed up. I draw a smiley face into the mirror just 'cause I can, and then I brush out all my hair. I smell like strawberries. I dress in my cozy pyjamas and socks.

When I come out, my Dad re-does my buttons, 'cause apparently I did 'em all wrong. I stand between his knees while he re-orders 'em.

"He said there's a games room here." I smile.

"Maybe you can scope it out after dinner." Dad says. "You gotta be hungry by now, right?"

"Oh, I forgot 'bout dinner!" There's just too many wonders to keep track of in this place! "We gotta hurry!"

My Dad loops the last button.

"Come on, come on, come on!" I nag, pulling him off the bed and out the door.

"Damn." He chuckles. "People are gonna start thinkin' I ain't feedin' you."

"I bet there's gonna be steak!"

This is the best day ever.

We reach the CDC's little cafeteria, which is in total darkness to save energy, except for a spotlight above the biggest table. Makes it feel even more special. I hear clinking forks and plates, and I think these are the two happiest days I've ever had. Me and Dad take seats next to Carol and Sophia. As potato salad — Yes, potato salad. That's almost as good as soap — and greens and meat get passed around, I'm reminded of our fish fry. My Dad is here with me to enjoy it this time, and there are walls to protect us, instead of trees. We're clean. We're safe. We're alive.

"Just tell me when." Carol tells T-Dog as she pours him some wine, while everyone is getting settled in at the table.

Carol pours for a long time and T-Dog does not say when.

People start laughing.

T-Dog gives in and goes, "Okay, when, when, when."

"Thought I was gonna be there all night." Carol scoff-chuckles, sitting back down.

When I look around, I see one big family having dinner together, and I see people I'd almost forgotten about under all that dirt.

"Hey, after the past few days we've had, I think we deserve it." Rick's smiling, holding up his hands.

"I'll say." Lori snickers.

Dale suddenly stands, glass in hand. "How about we dedicate this meal to Harley?"

Rick puts down his napkin. "I think that's a perfect idea."

I giggle under all the attention as everyone rushes to agree, finding their glasses. I hide my face behind my Dad's arm. He peels himself away, smirking, and everyone's got something to say about my red face when I'm no longer hidden. I smack Carl when he tells me I look like a tomato, and everyone's doubled over with laughter, again. It's my favorite sound ever, I decide.

Before we can toast, my Dad butts in.

"Hang on. Old man, how's about that watch you carry around?" He asks. "It got a date on it?"

"I wish," Dale smiles, "But the battery died yesterday. Why? Is there something I'm missing?"

"I reckon it's almost July, right?" Dad looks around.

Is he gonna say what I think he's gonna say?

I start grinning.

Rick nods, "I reckon so. It's probably been about a month since everything went down."

"Harley was born in July. Twenty-second. Eight years ago. Ain't that right?" Dad ruffles my hair, and I giggle, 'cause I'm just so full of happiness that I feel like I'll never be anything else again. He raises his glass; wraps a hand around my shoulders. "Close enough, am I right?"

"Absolutely, that's close enough!" Lori shouts, clapping her hands; rushing for her glass. "My God, this is perfect!"

"We got ourselves a birthday dinner, here, people!" T-Dog whoops, raising his, too.

Rick lifts his glass above his head, and it's official. "To the birthday girl!"

"To the birthday girl!"

Clink, clink, clink.

More cheering. Two toasts in one day. I must be the luckiest girl in the whole, wide world. I bump my glass of water into Dad's glass on my right, and Sophia's on my left. After the scare with the scratches, this celebration means ten times more than a regular birthday would. There's no cake here, or number-candles, but I don't need any of that to make this moment special. I got Glenn singing an off-key Happy Birthday, and I got Jacqui giggling, God, shut that boy up, and I got Sophia hugging me, and I got another year and a whole lotta more days I get to live, with everyone at this table; with my Dad. And when Rick leans over the table, I even let him give me a high-five!

"Eight." Rick raises his eyebrows at me while he sits back down, pointing at me. "Almost double digits."

"You're almost my age!" Grins Carl.

"Good luck." Lori dramatically whispers to my Dad.

He gives me a look. "Listen to me, you ain't allowed to grow any more after this, okay?"

I can't help if I grow!

"Okay, Dad." I laugh. "I promise to be eight forever."

"Good girl." He says, gulping down more wine.

"Hold up." T-Dog sticks his palm out. "This is a birthday party. You know what that means, right? We need to hear at least one embarrassing story."

"Good idea." Jacqui gasps.

Dad makes a big show of scoffing. "Damn, which one you want? I got thousands."

What a traitor!

"I mean, we have all night, here." Shane shrugs, grinning like a little smart-ass. "I'm up for a story-time. How 'bout y'all?"

"Let's hear it," Morales gestures at my Dad.

"Alright." Dad sits back in his chair, crossing his arms. I try leaning over to cover his mouth, but he bats me away, and everyone is already laughing and the story ain't even started yet. "How 'bout— Okay. Okay. Damn, this is a good one. 'Bout when she was five, we bought Harley this skateboard—" Everybody's going, Oh God, 'cause they see where this is going. "Uh-huh. We took 'er down to the skatepark near our house, and there was a bunch of other lil' kids there — 'bout her age — and I'on know how she did it, but these kids were all convinced she was this master skater who was gonna show 'em how it's done. She was coachin' 'em, I think. Showin' off her new board. End of the day, she finally goes to show 'em a trick — 'Member, first day at this damn park — and everyone's watching and—" He claps his hands, smack. "Falls flat on 'er fuckin' face, in front of all of 'em."

Ugh, why'd he have to go and tell that story?

Rick covers his mouth 'cause he's trying not to laugh, 'cause I guess he values whatever dignity I got left but Shane, he's clappin' and trying not to spit his food out, 'cause he's actually a big smart-ass. I'm laughing behind my hands, like Sophia. Glenn's resting his forehead on the table, and he's shakin', so I guess he's laughing, too. When he sits upright, he's crying, and Jacqui's gotta beat his back 'cause he's choking a little bit.

"I'm alri—" He coughs. Then he keeps laughin', which makes it worse. "I'm alright."

"Hey, I ain't even fall that bad!" I defend myself.

He chugs Jacqui's water to save himself.

"Wait—" Lori's chuckling. "Five years old?"

"Yep," Dad goes back to eating. He's satisfied with the damage he's done.

"Pretty brave for that age." Lori tells me, putting on an I'm impressed face.

"Damn, that's pretty bad." T-Dog's shaking his head. "Sorry, girl, but I'm glad I asked, 'cause shit!"

"Leave the poor girl alone." Carol giggles, quietly.

Shane looks off into the darkness, pretending there's a crowd. "Anybody got a skateboard?"

"Oh, shut up." Andrea smiles. "Settle down, or Lori's gonna have to pull that photo out."

"May I ask a question?"

We're all so isolated in this pocket of happiness, celebrating the end of our troubles, that when the scientist speaks, I think we're all a little spooked. Smiles freeze and fade. Glasses lower. Heads turn. We're not the only people in the world, we're all realizing. We'd forgotten all about the reason we came here. That's what potato salad does to people, I guess.

The conversation dies off like a guillotine sliced it in half.

"What were you going to toast to?" The scientist asks, and his voice is like a soft, chilly breeze in a forest. I'm not even sure he was sitting there the whole time. Maybe he's supernatural, and he teleported. That makes me scared. "Before you figured out it was her birthday?"

And just like that, the dinner turns awkward. 

Rick clears his throat. "Well, if I'm being completely honest, here, Harley is the reason we came out to the city in the first place. I know I told you that nobody here was infected, but there were a couple days where... we weren't sure. Harley got scratched. We left looking for a cure."

The scientist's eyes roam over to my face, but then they don't leave.

"Now we're on the subject," Shane decides to break the silence, frowning, "How about you tell us what exactly happened here, doc?"

Rick mutters, "We don't have to do this right now, Shane."

"Wait a second." Shane sighs. "You said it yourself, just now. This is why we came all the way out here, right? Figure out what happened? Put all our eggs in one basket, and uh—" He laughs a laugh that tells me nothing is funny here. "Instead we found him. We found one man, talking in riddles. Why is that, you think?"

The scientist tanks the insult. "When things got bad, people just... left, to be with their families. The rest bolted."

I remember just how shocked I was at the size of this building when I first saw it creeping up the windows. It's way too much space for one man. There must have been hundreds of scientists working in here, and now it's just a shell. A cave for a lonely monster.

"Every last one?" Shane whispers, squinting; disbelieving.

The scientist falters, for just a moment, and I can see old pains on his face. "No. Some couldn't face leaving. They... opted out."

The tables goes from quiet to silent. Opted out. I know what that means. It's another one of them things adults say to butter up the truth, and it means killing yourself. I squeak, then, like I've been kicked in the ribs. I hide behind my Dad, who cradles the back of my damp hair, but you can't hide from words once they're in your head. Suicide. Dead, but not an accident — On purpose, with pills, or a gun, or a— a— a bridge. Something snotty gets caught in my throat like a fish-hook, and I'm crying now, at my own birthday dinner. Somebody drops their fork in defeat.

"There was a rash of suicides." Mutters the scientist, immune to his own story; numb. "In a matter of days, I was alone."

"Why didn't you leave?" Asks Andrea.

Carl is crying too, now. I wish I could make him feel better, just for a moment, but I can't.

"I just kept working." Smiles the scientist, but it's not right— It's just muscles, pulling his droopy face upward. "I just wanted to do some good."

Good.

The word reaches up into the ceiling, and leaves us at the bottom, sitting in its echo.

"There is no cure here." The scientist says.

The dinner is over.

Everything comes crashing down as fast as it went flying up.

We were on top of the world just a few hours ago. We were invincible. We had the news that I wasn't going to die in our veins, and then we had hot water and soap and potato salad, and each other. We had hotel rooms and a birthday dinner. But now we just have a dead end and a long list of regrets. There is nothing here for us besides showers, lights, and ghosts. I feel like a trapped animal. I'm a hamster in a maze, going around and around and around, and I can't get out. A rash of suicides. That thing I thought was hiding somewhere, it's this, and it's out, and I'm sorry we ever looked. Please don't let it be worse than it is out here, I remember, Please don't make us regret this.

After what feels like hours, the hallways I'm running down end. I see the game room.

I run inside and corner myself under the table. A cloth hides me from the world outside, and if I pretend hard enough, I can take myself right out of here and into a nice, safe pillow fort, instead. Like the ones I used to make back home. I can be someone else. If I'm in my head, I'm not here.

But then I hear the door open, and it's just a wooden table again, and I'm in the CDC.

"Harley?" It's my Dad, 'cause of course it is. I moan into my hands, crying so hard I'm not getting enough air. "You in here?"

I don't want to be found. I want to be lost.

The cloth lifts.

"Baby, what's wrong?" My Dad asks, but I know he already knows. How could he not know?

There are lots of words that remind me of my Momma, like sunshine, and cigarettes, and the worst — Suicide.

"Get out." I tell him, using my feet to push him away. "Get out."

I should've learnt my lesson back at the quarry, on that night I hit my Dad, but I don't care. I just wanna hurt something. I'm hurting. A rash of suicides. I can't stop hearing it, and I can't stop seeing it — Over and over again, the night on the bridge. Opted out. Suicide. Killing yourself. 

Pills, guns, ropes.

Bridges.

"Baby, I know." Dad's saying, grabbing my kicking feet. "I know. Come out. I don't want you thinkin' 'bout this, so come on out."

"I can't help it!" I sob, 'cause I really can't. Something that is too big for my body is happening to me, and I can't stop it.

"H— I know. Just come out." He's begging, and now he's not just holding my feet, he's pulling 'em; pulling me, out from underneath my hidey hole and into the world, even though I want to stay in here forever. He's trying so hard to bury something that's still alive; something that has teeth and jaws, and is eating me from the inside out. He don't wanna see it, and he don't wanna hear it, and he don't wanna deal with it. I wish he'd curl up in my make-believe pillow fort, and hide from the world with me. I wish he'd understand. "You don't gotta be under there. Come out, right now."

Some days I wanna pull my damn hair out.

He's getting angry again. He's holding himself back from something very nasty that lives inside him.

"No," I'm begging him back; begging him to just listen. "No, I don't wanna come out. I don't wanna—!"

I anchor myself to the table leg. We're an unstoppable force and an immovable object, colliding head on for the first time, ever, and it's a disaster. That night at the quarry was nothing.

Furious, my Dad rips the cloth off the table and boxes of puzzles go toppling over onto the floor, breaking into a million little pieces that used to be happily fused. Newly exposed, he easily ducks under and locks his hand around my wrist. I scream, and I close my eyes so I don't have to see my Daddy like this, 'cause it ain't him anymore. He pries my little fingers off the table, one by one by one, and ow, ow, ow, it really hurts. I'm yanked away, and then he's dragging me out by the ankles, shouting—

"Stop actin' like this. You ain't a baby." I hook myself onto a second leg, and he's wrestling with me all over again. "Stop! Mind yer damn father, girl!"

I'm not a baby, but I wish I was, 'cause we were happy back then.

"Stop!" I sob, kicking at him. "J— Leav— Just leave me alone!"

"I ain't leavin' you alone — You know why?" He's seething down to me. "'Cause you need a damn spanking. That's why."

I think back to an hour ago, when I thought I'd only ever be happy for the rest of my life. What a stupid thing to think.

Don't make it any worse, his voice is warning me, from all the times he's done this before.

But it can't get any worse.

In one big pull of strength, I'm forced out from underneath the table once and for all, where I felt safe and small and alone, into the light of the game room where I feel naked, again, for all to see. My face is raw and wet and hurt, and I think one of my buttons got torn off by my Daddy when he was grabbing for me, even though he was the one to fix them before dinner, and on that night in the RV, to show me he loves me. He yanks me to my feet by the armpits, 'cause I can't stand on my own no more, and he crouches to get in my face.

"This is your last fuckin' chance, and then I'm gonna have to take my belt off." He warns me.

"I miss Momma." I whimper.

His face softens, but it's gone so quick I'm sure I imagined it. "Harley," He grinds out, "Stop this."

"You killed her!" I cry, scared, but braver than I ever been at the same time. "You made Momma kill 'erself! You made 'er jump off that bridge!"

I tried so hard to be like my Daddy, but I can't. I can't hide things like he can.

I don't care if he belts me after. I just want him to know. I want him to know that I know, and that I ain't never gonna forgive him. I'd take a thousand beatings just so I could scream the same thing up at him, until my throat bleeds, until I'm nothin' but a voice, until my Momma comes back. People who kill themselves don't wanna come back, but maybe this time, if I was a good enough girl, she might want to. I'd get on my knees, and I'd beg her, and I'd say, Please Momma, I need you. Please Momma, please. Me and Daddy can't do it on our own. She didn't love my Daddy, and my Daddy hated my Momma. He never said it, but I always knew he did. I saw it when he dropped me off at her house; how he didn't wanna leave me with her. I heard people say my Momma was sick in the brain, and that she was a bad Mom, but I loved her.

My parents might be forever separated, but on my face, they are still together. I got my Daddy's flat mouth and my Momma's green eyes. I am proof that hate can create love. I don't feel so loved right now, though. I feel like I'm nothing. I feel like when my Daddy said he loved me, he was lying.

And there it is, my Daddy's hand going for his belt, 'cause I chose to say the worst thing I could think of.

I don't wanna get beat, but sometimes it don't matter what little girls want.

"I want you to think about the way you're speakin' to me." My Dad, the same one that was crying in my baby photo, shouts in my face. "I don't know why you gotta be like this, Harley. I don't know why you gotta make me do this. You were havin' such a good day."

"I'm sorry—" I'm sayin' now. "I'm sorry, Dad."

"You shoulda thought about that before you started bringing this shit back up again. After this, never again, okay?"

He pulls me down into his chest, yanking the back of my shirt up to the base of my neck. I wait for the whip, and the burning sting afterwards.

I can take it. I'll just close my eyes and wait for it to be over.

But before it can come—

"Woah! Hey!" A man's shout. "Hey, hey! Stop!"

The whip doesn't come. I can catch my breath. 

Under my Dad's arm, the one that's in the air, poised to beat me, I see a man in the doorway. I almost can't make him out, but there he is — It's officer Shane. The room seems to slap him in the face, like he can't believe what he's just walked into. He's scared to step inside, in case the moment breaks and my Dad chooses to beat me, anyway. Shane's a bastard cop, and it's his job to save people. I never thought I'd be needing saved from my Dad. I still don't think I need saving. I brought this on myself. I wish he'd go away, so it could be over with.

My Dad stands up, his whole body clenched with muscle ready to punch.

"I'm gonna ask you put that down, man." This is the first time I'm hearing Shane's police-man voice. "And to step away from her, okay?"

I feel embarrassed.

I'm kneeling on the floor, grabbing onto the side of the sofa, tryna hide myself again. I don't belong here. I don't want Shane to see me like this. I wanna be the little girl he caught frogs with, not a ball of hurt and tears. Suddenly, this isn't a games room anymore. It's a wolf's den, and I got two of 'em right in front of me, circling each other, ready to bite. I scuttle further into the corner, like if I shrink myself enough, I can just disappear into the floor.

"You ain't askin' me shit, officer." Dad whispers, real nasty. "Ain't no rules, no more. Not so tough, now."

"I'm not gonna ask you again, man." Officer Shane warns, stepping very slowly into room.

He moves toward us, inch by inch, like a man inside a lion enclosure.

"You don't gotta." Dad spits. "Door's right there."

"You're hittin' on little girls, now, Daryl." Shane huffs that mean laugh again. "Sorry, buddy, but that's my business. Come on. Step away."

If Shane had his gun in his holster, his hand would be on it. But we left all our weapons in the bedrooms before dinner. He stretches his fingers; tilts his head. I realize he don't need a gun. He's gonna fist-fight my Dad if he don't do what he says. My Dad, sensing this, chucks his belt on top of the broken puzzles, and stretches out his fingers, too. They're one wrong word away from beating each other to a pulp.

I wanna beg 'em to stop, but my voice is burrowed somewhere deep inside my body, and I can't reach it. 

"We don't have to do this, Daryl." Shane's half-way into the room, now. When did he get that close?

"Sure we don't." Dad snarls. "You gonna hit me? Go ahead."

Shane shakes his head. "That's not somethin' I wanna do, man. But you know I will. Step away."

A hiccup I didn't give permission to leave my mouth cuts through the room. Shane glances at me. I don't know who I'm supposed to root for.

"'Step away', huh? Step away from my own daughter?" My Dad scoffs.

Shane glances from me to my Dad, and I can see him start to realize that this angle won't work on my Dad. He holds out his hand. Something about the way he's looking at me is saying, You don't have to be afraid, but I am, and I don't wanna move. I feel like this is my fault. I watch as he flicks his fingers a little, brows raised. "How 'boutchu come over here, Harley, huh?"

Dad blocks me with his body before I can even think about it. "Hey, don't you fuckin' speak to her."

His eyes are back on my Dad. "Just tryna do what's best for everybody, here, Daryl."

My Dad cracks one of his knuckles. "Nah. Nah, I don't think you are. You got it all twisted."

"Don't think I do."

"Yeah?" Dad goads, and every second, I wait for one of them to swing. I can't stand it. "What is it you think you walked in on, then, huh?"

I think my Dad's waiting for the swing, too, 'cause he's so confident that he'll win that he wants officer Shane to try him. He wants to punish him. He wants to show him what happens when you insult a Dixon, 'cause protecting the name is more important than protecting his own body. I think about the way my Dad busted Rick's cheek; How Ronnie's Momma ain't recognise him when my Daddy was done with him.

Shane must be thinkin' the exact same thing, 'cause he starts goading my Dad right back.

"I think I walked in on you beatin' the shit outta your own kid, first of all." Shane shrugs, like it ain't his fault it's fact, and he keeps going when he notices my Dad's breathing get heavy. He's enjoying this. A smile splits his face. "I think we been worrying 'bout Jim this whole time, we been worrying 'bout the wrong man. How 'bout that? You wanted us to be so focused on him, we forget about the real monster."

"That right?" Dad side-steps Shane when he reaches the edge of the coffee-table.

"Sounds right to me, man." Shane says. "Lemme ask you this, Daryl. What is it you think I walked in on?"

I wonder where everyone else is. I wonder if at any second, one of them is gonna walk in.

"It don't matter what I think." Dad shouts, suddenly, and I shriek like I've been struck by the belt. "It's my damn business. It's my damn daughter."

"Yeah, I betchu wish it was." Shane huffs out a chuckle. "Don't want your secret gettin' out, right?"

Shane's like a wriggly little worm, needling my Dad where he don't wanna be needled.

My Dad's patience finally runs out.

He rears back to swing at Shane's head, and his fist is caught and twisted, and I hear Shane grunt in pain, and this is it, so I close my eyes—

Wait.

My eyes are open. That don't make no sense. Why is it so dark? Why can't I see?

I realize that the fight has stopped, and I feel like we've all forgotten about it and are waiting for something to happen.

There's a single murmur throughout the room.

"Was that the power?"

Author's Note.

Cliff-hanger! Mwahahha.

So, obviously, the last scene in this chapter is pretty brutal. I'd like to share why I made the decision to have Daryl act this way, because it could be a shock for some.

For starters, I think it's plausible for a number of reasons. Merle being a bad influence on Daryl, his unhealed childhood trauma and how that affects how he parents his child, and his unhealthy habit of bottling up his emotions, etc.

It's not pretty, I know, and I kind of hated writing that scene, but that brings up my second point. For the sake of the themes and arcs I want to give this story, it was necessary. This story just couldn't exist if it didn't have this scene. I've got, like, three different key subplots linked to it. Maybe you can even guess what they are, because two of them have been hinted at/set up already. They're only going to get more prominent from here on out.

So that's the explanation for anybody who wanted or needed it. You'll see all this play out in the coming chapters, anyway, but I just wanted to provide this in the mean time. :)

Rant over! Phew. Everybody take a sigh of relief.

On a more positive note, everything else in this chapter was a total joy to write! These poor guys deserve some happiness 😌

Hope you enjoyed reading, and as always, please consider sharing your thoughts! Sending love :)

[ultimateaclrecovery]

Tidbits from a week visiting with family (I’ve been here since Tuesday night and won’t leave until next Tuesday)

-I forgot how humid Michigan is I am dying. It was 70% humidity here and I am just dripping. Also my mom leaves the ac set to 78 so sometimes I start sweating just sitting inside which is something I no longer tolerate in my own house (my parents have more than enough money to lower the wc but my mom grew up poor and thus is aggressively frugal)

- my mother got me my favorite kind of donuts

- I’ve always kind of been the spoiled baby of the family which was delightful when I first would visit after college but i haven’t figured out how to shift the dynamic now. My brother and his gf will always cook dinner one night when they here and sometimes will but truthfully would rather not (I like that visits home have always been for extended potatoe time) but I don’t like being shown up by my brother and I want my mom to not have to do everything

- my dad is really struggling with his health. He has Parkinson’s and he’s been slowly declining for years now but he was hospitalized with a uti back in June and just hasn’t really recovered. He no longer even leaves his room for meals and has a commode in his bedroom. He does leave the house roughly once a week for his doctor appointments and pt but otherwise basically just goes from bed to chair to commode.

- my mother has switched from taking hour long walks around the neighborhood to doing the exercise bike down stairs to not be too far from him too often (though she does still go to church and the grocery store)

- I worry about how much my mom is a full time care taker and how hard it is for my dad to slowly loose his independence

- my mom went to a wedding and got my brother to come stay with my dad. They didn’t ask me. And like my brother is unemployed and has no pets or real responsibilities or obligations so it makes sense to ask him. And my dad often needs help with tolieting and maybe it’s easier to have your same gender child help. Or he just seems more helpful. It’s obviously easier for me to not come back and stay and caretake but I also feel bad for not

- they changed all the chairs out at church and it was very unsettling

- my brother quick mid “poetry for neandthrals” game today, a game simile to taboo but you can’t use multi syllable because he couldn’t think of good enough clues and his gf wasn’t guessing things good enough. This man is 34 years old. He also is the worst manplainer of anyone I’ve ever interacted with it and constantly tries to talk as though he’s the smartest person in the room and how it’s so sad that most people can’t be bothered to think this deeply. While he’s never worked a full time job or done anything of note 🙄 he does at least do the dishes every night we’re here. And to his credit he is often correct about whatever theory for the board game he’s currently going on about but he is absolutely insufferable about and has zero tolerance for anyone getting anything wrong ever which makes him obnoxious to play with.

- I’ve knitted half a sleeve of my sweater finished two books, slept 9-10 hours every night, eaten all the cookies and yummy snacks my heart could desire so it’s not all bad.

- and helped my mom set up the new computer, got the printer back online and transferred her files over (though it did take me several tries oops) so I haven’t been a complete potato

- anyway being home is weird

[bigdreamerpeach]

A New won Friend

_______

After a week , where flumbo is now a Part of the family now , anybody form the kindergarte loves him.

They doing things with him like reading or clean up the mess what people do.

Jumbo Josh shares his Brokkoli with him , opilas Babys playing with him , Banbaleena learns with him maths or other lessons

Even Bittergiggle spent time with flumbo , who loves the Jesters jokes

Any body are being friends with him ... Well

Only one Person don't like him...

Ban Ban wasn't happy to have Flumbo around. He is annoyed sometimes. He try to go out of his way but it doesn't make all better ..

..more worst

Ban Ban want some time alone, like always now there flumbo is around. He hear him laughing, giggling and speaking with the others. Ban ban starts getting hungry and went put to get some food , is was no flumbo around.. Well only for seconds

" Hayyyy ban ban , how are you i didn't see you at all today ,anything okay?".

"Yeah , i'm fine." He said , try not to be Sound rude or mean

" Really? You looking a bit grumpy". He said to ban ban

" i said i'm fine flumbo". He said with his food in his hands

" Well, okay then , see ya later to the Team Meeting."

Wait ... now He is on the Team Meeting now? A nightmare for ban ban came Alive , but he know he need to being friendly to him , because the others.. even he want slap flumbo in the face , he couldn't

Some hours later the Team Meeting starts, with the others and this time with flumbo. All now start talking about thing to make the Kindergarten better for childrens.

Ban ban write something on paper. Not even talk to the others.. He just writing

After a while Flumbo starts laughing. Ban ban looks up and see the others are poking him with pens. Ban ban just rolls his eyes, annoyed from the laughing

After a while he speak..

" Guys please , stop poking him with the pens okay , this Situation is serious". He said , a bit angry

The others stops without a Word. Flumbo was confused why did they stops, did they are scared from ban ban? Or what it wrong

"Come on ban ban , we just playing around , whats wrong with that?".

" Because we are wanna talk about ideas to make the Kindergarten better flumbo , we don't have time for childish games." He said , madly

" awww but its funny." He said , poking sheriff toadsters sides, making the sheriff giggling

" stop that Flumbo , now". Ban ban said this with more anger in his voice

" Fine , You're a Funstopper " Flumbo said

" a funstopper ?... A FUNSTOPPER??!!". He yelled at flumbo , who twitch because the loud noice

" i am sick of you flumbo , you are so much annoying , loud and other things , i am the only one here to be serious right now and you are just playing like a little child !!! I HATE YOU!! ."

Silence...only silence..

All looking at Flumbo , who allmost crying. Bittergiggle softly pulls him into a hug.

" Ban Ban! " The others yelled

But Ban Ban left the room , without a Word.he went back to his room.. was he to hard to Flumbo? Did he overload it? He didn't want to make flumbo crying to be honest but his anger cames over him...again

" great ban ban .. now you make a other Person cry.. why i can't control this side of me..".

He feels bad yelled this mean words to Flumbo. He knows that flumbo is more like a child and whats to play around and wanna make friend

He get kicked out of mind as somwone open his door... it was flumbo

" Hey ..you okay ? You go without a Word and-...

" I am sorry ...truly i am sorry , i didn't want to make you cry flumbo , the anger take the Overhead of me again , it happend sometimes when i am angry.. ".

" its okay , i'm not mad .. i know i acting like a little child and i maybe go to far with this hehe".

Ban Ban looks at him , Flumbo war the First one who forgives his After a few minutes , he Show with eyes contact that flumbo can sit next to him , what he does

" anyone have a little Blackout or a angerattack, thats normal and know thing to worry about."

Ban ban still feeling bad , he was happy that flumbo wasn't mad at him but he know he make someone crying and this makes Ban Ban worried

Then ban ban feel someone push him down the bed.. it was flumbo , who's sitting on him now

" Flumbo , what are the heck you doing ??".

" i just wanna help you to forget what happend a while ago , its not good to live in the past you know. " He told Ban ban as he cuddles him

Ban Ban look at him

" i'm not really a cuddler Flum-EEEEE!!!!".

He felt hands on his sides, he looks to Flumbo , who's grinning now

" Are you.... Ticklish?? ."

" No ypu just surprise mehehehahahahhh!!!".

He starts laughing as Flumbo sqeezes his sides. This was now the worst ,.only banbaleena knows he is ticklish and now a other know this , not good

" Pfffff!!!! Aaahhahhah!! Stop stop stop stop!! Flumbo please don't!!! Eeekkk!!!".

" tickle tickle tickle tickle tickle tickle heheheh i never knew that you are ticklish Ban Ban , thats so cute , coochie coochie coo ~ ".

Flumbo move his hands up to Ban ban ribs, making him more laugh

" AAAAKK!!! IIIHIIHIHIHIHHAHAHAA!!!! NO NOT THERE NOT THHEHEHEERE!!!! FLUMBO PLEASE STOHOHOHOHOP!!! I CAHAHAN'T TAKE IT!!! PLEASE!!! "

" hehehe , wooow i found your weakspot already?? Hehehe funny ."

After 5 Minutes flumbo stops his tickle attack , letting ban ban catch some air.

" ohh...my goohohod , phewww ehehe "

" you okay? "

" yep heheh , i just need some air "

----

Meanwhile, the other see all of this little tickle attack from flumbo, they are happy to see them happy. They smiling and just being happy Ban Ban and Flumbo now are friends

----

Back to Flumbo and ban ban. Both are sitting next to the other

" i will get revenge on you , mister." He touch his foot , what makes flumbo jumps back

" Oh??? I am not the only one whos ticklish".

Ban ban grinning, flumbo gets nervous

__________

There is a New story guys

Have fun , bye bye

[sangyeonsofthours]

sangyeon love language;

pairing: sangyeon x neutral reader rating: nc17 warnings: mentions of sex wc: 591 n/a: i started to think about how sangyeon would show his love and affection through the 5 love languages, so i made this teeeeeeny list really quick and didn't really proofread it. still, i hope it can fulfill some of your daydreams... soooooo let's go?

quality time (giving the other person your entire attention) sangyeon would feel really uncomfortable if spending too much time away from you. so he's the type to make time for you, turn off his phone and sit with you just to talk about your days, about how you've been, about whatever you feel like talking about. he’ll will be so happy to just be there, seeing you, hearing your voice, just standing beside you!!!!! sangyeon also makes sure to be present in your life even in the worst moments. even if he can't do or say anything to help you, he'll be there so you'll know you can count on him.

acts of service (selfless and caring acts that make a person's life easier) sangyeon, more than anyone, would be so happy to help you in any form, even when you do not ask for it. sangyeon, more than anyone, would be so happy to help you in any form, even when you do not ask for it. will buy delicious grocery items whenever he comes by your place, to make sure your fridge and kitchen cabinet are never empty. oh, when having most intimate moments, like showering together, he'll help you wash your hair. it's a series of tiny things that make you feel cared for and loved.

words of affirmation (express affection and appreciation through words – whether spoken, written, in texts or all of them) sangyeon does say he loves you whenever he has the chance and is always vocal about how you’re important to him, but there’s so many things that he says that SCREAM he loves you without saying the three little words. sangyeon words of affirmation sometimes come in a “please, be safe” or a “did you eat today?”. comes with a “it reminded me of you” with a pic of some simple thing from his day, but still, made him think about you. oh, and he will always support you into whatever you want to do. want to cut your hair? "it’ll look great”. wanna die it pink? “it will complement your skin tone”. wanna get a tattoo? “what a beautiful drawing you just chose”. wanna jump with a parachute? “you’re the bravest person i ever knew”. the most supportive boyfriend!!! ever!!!

gift-giving (tangible symbols of love and consideration) sangyeon takes pride in giving you meaningful gifts. gifts that show you that he pays attention, that he cares about your likings and anything you have your interests on. it doesn't need to be extravagant or expensive. so he will gift you with personal things, things that will remind you of an inside joke or some shared adventure. sangyeon always takes his time to choose the most thoughtful gift.

physical touch (expressing and receiving affection through touch, physical closeness, and other forms of physical connection - not sexual or sexual) skinship works in both ways when it comes to sangyeon. he gives love through affection and feels loved when receiving affection, then.....  he just can’t go a second without touching you. he's always with an arm around you or a hand on your waist. or maybe, it can be imperceptible like just your pinky intertwined on his. when you're alone (or between friends and family, and if you give him your consent, of course) sangyeon will pull you into his lap and kiss your forehead, temples, cheeks, whenever he has the chance to. it happens because the feeling of skin on skin gives both of you the feeling of being safe, grounded. values sex and sees it as a really intimate way to show you love and affection.