#the *s next to the trigger warnings are because those are the closest words i can think of to describe what is happening

[slashmagpie]

Blood & Snow

Pt. I

Directory: {Pt. II} {Pt. III} {Pt. IV} {Pt. V} {Pt. VI} {Pt. VII} {AO3}

Welcome to my @hermithorrorweek fic! I spent a while trying to figure out seven different fic concepts based on the prompt, and kept coming up blank, up until I decided to combine them all and write a single fic, with each prompt being the theme for a different chapter. Blood & Snow is the result, and at the time of posting it is not quite complete, but I'm excited to share it with you nonetheless. I'm hoping to post a chapter once per day, but later chapters may be delayed depending on how long it takes me to get them written. Some of this builds off concepts I played with in some of my earlier Decked Out 2 ficlets, which you can find in my writing tag. TWs for this chapter include: non-consensual body modification*, unreality*, panic attacks

I. GAME MECHANICS

Game design is simple, really.

Well, no, it’s difficult—but the principles behind it are simple. Make it fun. Make it challenging. Make it rewarding. 

Decked Out 2 is a game.

To be more precise, it’s a long-running, deck-building, dungeon-crawling game. It’s competitive. It has rewards—bragging rights, for one. Trophies, for another. If you win, you can get crowns, and buy things to make you more powerful, to make the game more fun. You get frost embers, which are used to build the deck, and—

Clank is Decked Out’s central mechanic. Trigger a shrieker, generate clank. Easy as that. Taking your artefact will also generate clank, because it angers the spirits of the dungeon. That’s another important thing about game design: atmosphere. Design. Having something that feels cohesive. So—no, max clank isn’t quite as dangerous as it should be, but very few mobs would work to replace the vex, because, well, they’re not the spirits of the dungeon, and—

Hazard is generated every thirty-seven seconds, roughly. It used to be thirty, but that lined up with card draws, and the sound cues were hard to keep track of. So. Hazard is generated every thirty-seven seconds, roughly. Hazard makes the dungeon more dangerous to traverse, by closing doors, raising pathways, and otherwise making certain routes more dangerous or downright impossible to cross. People underestimate hazard at first, but quickly find out that hazard kills. When clank maxes out, that turns into hazard too, because max clank wasn’t dangerous enough by itself, because the vexes aren’t doing their damn jobs—

There were two older systems that got replaced. Not a lot of people know that. Focus could be built up, would synergise with other cards, but it was just—it wasn’t working. It got reworked. No one would miss it. Delve was a difficulty setting, but it was dumb, just press a button to choose your difficulty, that works way better, and—

Game design is simple, really. 

Decked Out is not a game.

Had it ever been a game? In its first iteration, back in season seven, had it hungered the way it does now? Had it slept, slumbering beneath the earth, soaking in blood that would slowly, slowly bring it to life? When the idea had wormed its way into Tango’s head, a sequel—had that been his own thought? Does it matter if it was?

He’d certainly thought it was. Began drafting up plans, re-evaluating what he’d done in the past and putting better spins on them. Decked Out 2 would be huge, would be the biggest project he’d ever worked on, but it wouldn’t take that long. Surely.

…Thirteen months later, Decked Out 2 opened its doors.

Thirteen months. It had started as a hole, as many things do. A hole, a build, a plan, a citadel—Tango had thrown himself into it like he would with any huge project. And at first it had been—it had been a project. A build, a game. A giant hole filled with promise. A castle built in a week. Just Hermitcraft things. The usual.

When had it started? When he’d dug, and dug, for hours and hours upon end? When he’d carved jagged-looking scars into the landscape and dragged the citadel up from them? When he’d started building level one? When he’d begun assembling the redstone? When the ravagers and wardens began to roam its halls? When did Decked Out come alive?

…Had it always been alive?

Okay, better question: when did—

A frozen shard is placed into the barrel. The door lights up, sounds play. The door opens. The hermit—Joe?—begins to take off their armour and items and set up the game. A difficulty button is pressed. A shulker is placed into its slot. The cards begin to filter through the system. A minecart ride, and a pressure plate—

Decked Out turns on.

The Dungeon watches carefully, hungrily. A shrieker triggers. A hazard door closes. The game is running, the game is alive, the game is always alive—

The Dungeon Master floats, untethered, bodiless, watching, speaking, unheard, unseen. His body stands in the dark, empty, eyes sightless and lungs unbreathing. Why would he need to breathe? Dungeons don’t need to breathe, after all. Games don’t need to breathe. And Decked Out isn’t a game, not really, but it still works on principles of game design, and none of those principles require the game to breathe.

So the Dungeon watches, and the Dungeon Master watches, and Joe runs straight into the blood-stained horns of a ravager, and—

And—

Tango tries to blink. To breathe. A hazard door slams open and closed. The wires are crossed, that’s not—he needs to go—an attempt to step forward dispenses a stack of frost embers into the dungeon. They’re not supposed to do that. That’s a bug, he needs to fix—

He needs his hands—

Stone walls aren’t fingers, but they flex all the same, groaning under the strain—

There’s an itching in his legs. Skulk creeps up the walls. This wasn’t supposed to happen. This isn’t—

It’s dark. A warden sniffs. A shrieker howls. Stone becomes sinew becomes skulk becomes shadow becomes smoke becomes a soul. The Dungeon Master wrenches open his sightless eyes, and the Dungeon sees—

(Buildings aren’t meant to have panic attacks. Neither are dungeons. Nor games. But Decked Out is not a game, never really has been, and Tango—)

Joe and Hypno stare in bafflement at the flickering availability metre outside of the dungeon. “Tango, fix your game!” Hypno cries, and—

Ha.

Here’s a better question: when did Tango become Decked Out?

[roseblancheenfleurs]

Untold story of magic ✨ 2

Warning ⚠️⚠️⚠️

Nsfw Content, Slight Degradation, later aged characters, fanfiction, toxic, rivals to lovers to enemies to spouses 😌,Muggle insult, cursing by underage etc.

Continuation .....

You hurried to the Godric 's Hollow , Potter's house.

It wasn't like this when you came here before on the birth of your grand nephew. The predicted chosen one, Harry Potter.

You ran into the house..., "James...Lily" you called for them only to find Minerva arguing with Dumbledore .

"... you handed over Harry to them" that's what you heard after entering .

Before they looked towards you.

"Harry? Where's Harry?"

You asked fearing the worse...

"He is in safe hands , don't worry Ms. Y/s (your surname)."Dumbledore assures as Minerva cuts him off.

She says more like acussing him of a grave crime, "You literally handed them over to those people who would hesitate to provide him the bare minimum "...

"THE DURSLEYS!" You screamed...

"Am I still not alive or am not enough strong to protect him?" You considered them the second dangerous people next to him.

"You still have that confidence in yourself Ms. Y/s.... Good good" it may seem to anyone that Dumbledore is encouraging you but the sarcasm can be seen dropping from that mocking gaze.

"Are you even aware that how easily Harry could be hunted down if he stays with you? plus he is with his closest relatives and I see absolute no difference between you and durselys especially the blood. And after that it's more dangerous to stay with you" He says while giving you a side gaze from the upper side of his glasses.

"hah!" You smirk and proceed to say those things over his face, "Obviously what can be expected from a fucking manipulating man because whom all these happened if only you didn't use that rotten head of yours "

"Truth is always bitter, my dear student, try hard maybe one day you could digest that, Just a few words of mine triggered you so easily, who knows if you hand over Harry to him yourself just by some false sugar coated words " he shows himself out of the murder scene . You could feel millions of needles piercing the heart. Standing there speechless cause of the amount of trust your most inspiring teacher had on you.

A tear escaped your eye remembering that day you still couldn't believe .

Like it was a day or two ago you gaining all fame and name, an interesting fact blowed your mind that being a muggle born magician meant you had a wizard/witch ancestry , that was the time you meet Him, the most renowned yet retired cosmetic potioneer known for the invention of Sleekeazy's Hair potion in 1926.None other than Mr . Fleamont Potter and His wife Euphemia Potter with their 11 year old son, James Potter.

A conversation soared,

Both of you were on the peak of your careers Fleamont and you have meet many times before for business purposes but today it was a informal meeting without any purpose.

Sitting inside a five star restaurant having dinner talking about many daily life things one of them was the family tree, many didn't know that you are a muggle born and assumed you were a pure blood.

"If Salvius Gryffindor didn't marry a muggle we could have been relatives through your maternal side, Ms. Y/s" Fleamont laughed.

Salvius Gryffindor brother of Godric Gryffindor not much mentioned in the wizarding scriptures shared the name as your Maternal ancestor who you found to be the only wizard in your bloodline Salvius YM/s(your mother's surname).

That was something you sort of calculated and suddenly felt a little tug on your lower sleeve. It was little James with pink blush spreading on his cheeks.

"What happened little one? " You asked him softly.

Seeing him shuttering infront of you Euphemia says, "James is a great fan of your books, He has been asking to meet for many days to get a sign of yours".

You see him helding out one of your first published books with his little hands, you never gave autographs but the scene of you felt too cute to be ignored.

You bring out your personal quill and gave a sign on the front cover.

"Happy now, little one" Those pupils could be literally seen to be shining. He rushed and hugged you.

With those sparkly eyes puppy eyes looking at your face he says with a wide smile, " Thank You". And you hugged him back with little kiss on the forehead that little face of his was completely red now. With three of you laughing at the shy kid.

The rest went well but a problem arised at the parting.

It was James clinging to your skirt set on his words to go with him.

"My parents are waiting for me ,They would worry if I don't go back" You try to free yourself from his grip trying not to hurt him.

"They will also stay with us we live in a big house, everyone will live together" He tightened the grip.

Both of his parents tried to make him understand to let you go. But who listens.

You see literally no way to make him understand. You knelt to his level and say, "You will be going to Hogwarts right?"

"Yes" He answers...

"I teach there... When you get there you can meet me whenever needed" You assure him with a sweet smile .

"Really" He says.

You nod in a positive way.

And that's the start. At Hogwarts, Every student, every teacher were scared of the pranks of the Marauders but they used to be the most well behaved infront of you. Enjoying afternoon tea, collecting herbs in the forbidden forest taking care of beasts, reading in library. It was a daily routine during the break time there would be a knock on your door only to find Minerva dragging James by his collar

"How did my dear friend thought to visit me?" You ask Minerva who was still panting .

"Take your student, Or one day I may beat the shit out of him" She says pointing towards the empty coat "Wait wasn't he just here"

James who sneaked away from her standing beside you holding your sleeve giggles.

"Why do you always behind him, Minerva?"

"Ask that trouble maker" She huffs sitting at the table pouring herself a cup of tea and drinking it.

"What did you do James?" You ask.

"The other day you said Cats are lactose intolerant" James says

"Yes I did"

"So I change Mimi's cow milk for tea with flour mixed with water"

"Hahaha" You laughed hearing it,

"You are laughing it off" Minerva gives you a glare.

"It was out of concern Minerva, Cats should not be given cow milk" You somehow convey your words through your laugh "James is just concerned about Mimi, right James?"

He nods. You never really scolded James about anything you always thought if Tom and You had a son, he would have been the age of James.

After parting with Tom you were never able to love someone else. Leading to be single even now. James seemed to be fulfilled all the absence of your dream family.

You slowly forgot the loneliness due to him.

During vactional breaks there were times you would take James to roam in the Diagon Alley trying new food and drinks, sometimes showing him your new inventions.

Like any other day you were walking down the street holding James in your hand both of your identity Hidden with cloaks you collided with another hooded figure.

Losing your balance you fell on the figure revealing a mature face with the same curly bangs , dark eyes familiar to you .

Tom Marvolo Riddle!?

[yanderes-galore]

Yoooooo lets go!!!

Can I have some Rhys catching us escaping?

If possible can you make it a scenario? :)

Well, I can see what I got for this. Been forever since I played Borderlands 3.

Promise To Be Better

Yandere! Rhys Scenario/Short (Borderlands 3)

Pairing: Romantic

Possible Trigger Warnings: Gender-Neutral Darling, Yandere-like behavior, Implied kidnapping, Forced relationship, Forced touching, Anxiety, Implied dependency issues, Overprotective behavior, Delusional behavior.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN (Y/N)'S GONE!?"

The young CEO found his breathing growing uneven. He hasn't felt this panicked since the whole Maliwan/Calypso incident.

Why was he so panicked? Screaming at his employees was so unlike him....

It was because the one he held closest had managed to escape his watchful eye. His all protecting gaze left you for just a moment when he was busy...

Only to find you took your chance to leave him once he showed weakness....

Rhys wasn't sure what to feel. Should he be angry at you? Anxiety and sadness was all he felt currently.

He didn't know he relied on your presence that much-

Not until you left, at least.

"Sorry..." He cleared his throat. Normally he was so nice to his employees, wishing to not end up like Handsome Jack. He was just so upset currently-

"It's just that (Y/N) means a lot to me. I want (Y/N) safe. Did the cameras catch anything? Try looking around the building."

His security was tight enough in his company that you shouldn't have gone through. Which means someone must've let you out of your room.

That or you were just that good. No wonder he loves you!

Rhys tried to keep himself calm while searching his security footage. You weren't far, he had a feeling he could reassure himself that much. It's just he's at a loss for words.

You were kept in his building ever since Maliwan tried to take over for your safety. Next thing he knew he was keeping you here longer...

Then he fell in love with you.

Ignorant of the fact he was now trapping you here against your will. Trying to win you over with dinners and gifts. Flaunting his power and wealth to get you to cling to him.

In a way it was naive, but still a monstrous thing to do.

Rhys always did seem like the delusional type....

He refuses to believe you've overstayed your welcome. He can't get enough of you so he keeps you here.

Now he really knows he can't have you leave. The CEO slumped over his desk trying desperately to clear his head of anxiety.

It hasn't even been that long and he already misses you....

For what feels like hours, Rhys is a wreck. Refusing to work because he can't keep his mind in the right place. His employees even feel bad.

However, they still pity you.

You escaping may be your only time of freedom.

Yet there's still orders to follow.

Rhys is so thankful to his security when they claim they found you. Dragging you into his office before locking the door.

It was now only you two.

It was so awkward.

"Oh dear God, THERE YOU ARE! I've been looking all over for you- Don't run off like that! What would I do without you-"

"Live your life like normal...."

Rhys looked like a kicked puppy when you said that.

"What? No! I can't live my life without you! Why are you so upset!?"

You give him a glare, stepping forward and pressing your finger to his chest.

"What have you done? KIDNAPPED ME. ISOLATED ME. Forcing me to STAY with you against my will? Do THOSE ring any bells?"

Rhys grabs your arm softly, holding it close.

"I... I get it. I don't need to protect you anymore. I promise to be better...."

Then, for the first time in a long while, you saw Rhys narrow his eyes at you.

"As long as you also promise to be better when you're here. Your room is still all nice and tidy! I'll forgive you this time, baby~!"

Your slight hope diminishes when Rhys leans in and kisses your lips softly. As though you were fragile and would break, he tried to be gentle despite your squirming.

"I just love you so much and I'm so glad you're here with me now! Let's both be better, okay? I won't leave as often and you won't escape!"

Rhys pulls you close to him, sitting down with you in his lap. He then shoves his head in the crook of your neck. You were so close, but did you really have a chance at freedom?

"Sounds like a good deal, right baby?"

[mischiefmanaged71]

Bad Romance - Joaquin Torres X Reader

Song: Bad Romance - (961) lady gaga - bad romance ( s l o w e d ) - YouTube

Summary: The reader is an enhanced individual with the ability to replicate other people’s abilities. A member of the Avengers, she has been working alongside Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes to investigate the Flag Smashers but the man calling himself the next Captain America poses an obstacle when he takes interest in her abilities. 

Author’s Note: Hello! So this is my first time posting a fic I've written. I’ve been writing since 2018 but never had the courage to post anything so I hope you all enjoy my story. Torres has only been in ‘The Falcon and The Winter Soldier’ for like five minutes but I’m in love with him. There obviously isn’t enough fiction out there about him so I took it upon myself to write one. This is an idea I came up with in my head, aside from the plot of the show. Listen to the song for added effect. I’ve inserted timings as well :)

Pairing: Joaquin Torres X Fem!Reader

Warnings: TFATWS SPOILERS, Canon-level Violence, blood, romance

Word count: 2.5K

Darkness is all you’ve known these past hours.

It’s been almost twenty-four hours since you’ve last had contact with anyone. Sam would usually check in with you about now, but that didn’t seem a likely possibility. 

Your right eye is almost swollen shut and you’re pretty confident that you have a few broken ribs from how difficult breathing is. The sound of metal creaking echoes in the empty room as you rattle your restraints. 

You’ve been quite literally chained to the wall. 

They weren’t taking any precautions.

Especially after witnessing the dozen agents you could take down all by yourself. 

Leaning against the wall, you try to reach some semblance of comfort, laying some of your weight against the hard-rock. Your neck burns from the collar they attached when you caught you off-guard. 

It was during a recon mission, you were chasing a lead about the Flag Smashers’ next meet up when they showed. Half a dozen armed men in tactical gear. 

They snagged a collar on you, disabling your powers.

You didn’t anticipate this.

All you heard was a piercing noise and then you blacked out.

You couldn’t access your powers as soon as that light buzzed. Trying to summon fire warranted a little electric shock to your system. Little, meaning severe enough to take down an elephant. 

Yeah, so getting out of here would be tricky.

Isn’t it always?

Five guards have remained in the room for the past two days, monitoring, watching. 

For what? 

You have only the slightest idea why.

The double doors which have remained close for the past two days creak open. The blue uniform is familiar to you but the face donning the outfit is not. He’s an imposter wearing a costume, a mock of the real thing. John Walker, along with his so-called ‘American squadron’, had grabbed you as a statement. Sam and Bucky certainly weren’t going to stay out of it because someone told them to. You all followed a code, to protect those who couldn’t fight for themselves.

“Hello, Y/N, it's been a while since we met last...I’m sorry for the way you were handled on the way here but it was the only way I could get to talk to you.”, he said, looking at the bruises beginning to form.

He talked nonchalantly as if this were a normal conversation. Your wrists were raw from pulling away from the cuffs, clothes covered in dirt and dried blood. He strode up to you, pulling his helmet off and placing it carefully on a metal crate.

“Now, I know Bucky and Sam had a lot to say about me, but you, you were always silent. I thought we had an understanding.”

‘An understanding?’

You refuse to look at him.

“You talk big words for someone who couldn’t begin to understand the legacy of that uniform.”

“I earned this! I put in the work. All they want is someone to look up to. To show them that justice still exists.”, he paces in front of you.

“Justice. Is it?”, your eyes narrow.

He pauses in thought, seething with internalised spite. Pacing the floor, he turns his back to you.

“Have you had time to think about my question?”

You remain silent, glaring at his mockery of Steve’s uniform.

“No? Okay. That’s fine,”, he whispered.

Walker signalled for a guard to open the doors once more and two more men entered, dragging someone along. You squint your eyes to identify the person as they dump them in front of you. 

“No”, you whispered desperately, your breath caught in your throat.

You spot Joaquin’s dark hair and tan complexion, more so, the blood staining his clothes. The men dragged Joaquin next to Walker, letting him slump to the floor. From what you could see, he had been beaten pretty badly, the bruises already beginning to form on his face. His hands are cuffed behind him and he’s unable to hold his own weight. 

Panic fills Torres as he notices the chains securing you to the wall. The last he heard over the coms was a struggle. He and Sam had been surveilling to get anything they could on your kidnappers.

You could only hear the rapid beating of your heart in your throat as blood rushed to your face. Your breathing quickens as you don’t quite know what will happen next. 

John broke the silence,

“I’m going to ask you again.”

“Then, I'm going to count from three.”, he said, pulling a silencer out from his waistband and cocking it at Joaquin who rested on his knees.

“What are you?”

You stare at him incredulously, unresponsive. 

You look down at Joaquin as he gazes up at you, helpless to move with guns trained on you. He’s telling you to stop, to lie, to do anything but give yourself up.

“What answer do you want?”, you asked, using all your strength to lift your head up.

“You want me to say I’m a freak? A mutant? An experiment? What good does that do you? Everyone knows it.”, you huff, sharpening your glare.

He stares down at Joaquin and kicks his foot out against the ground, clicking his tongue. Walker threw his foot into Joaquin’s back, pushing him into the floor.

“Not that.”

You watch as he points the gun harder.

“Tell me. What. You. Are.”, he grits out.

You clench your jaw hard, shutting your eyes tightly. A burning sensation fights in your chest, spreading to your arms. You suck in a breath desperately, a whimper tearing from your throat as your head drops.

The click of the safety echoes loudly.

(1:26s of the song)

Your eyes shoot open, blazing red and as the chains snap free from the wall. The metal clangs loudly against the floor, triggering the five weapons now pointed at your chest. A surge of fire ignites as you swipe your leg, knocking the agents back. The two standing closest raise their guns as you tilt your head and launch a blast of fire from your hand. The next agent replaces him, firing his gun consecutively, but you strut towards him, swiping them away with blasts omitting from your hands. You send a roundhouse kick with a wall of fire, propelling him through the exit. The remaining three encircle you with their weapons, clicking the safety off.

Your hands burn, glowing red with the heightening energy,

“Okay, you got me.”

You raise your hands in surrender as one of them steps towards. Faltering a step, you inhale deeply as he grabs your arm. Once he sets a hand on you, you exhale, breathing out a stream of fire. You twirl in a circle, the fire pushing them back and blocking their sight of you as they flinch from the heat. Dropping to the floor, you strike the cement and crack the surface. The building’s structure shakes as a cloud of energy dissipates from the contact, incapacitating the last of the soldiers.

Walker fixes his gun on Joaquin but you focus your glare on him. You wait as he stares at you, knowing he has the advantage.

"I'd stop right now, if I were you."

You silently stare at him with blazing fire burning in your orbs. The clicking of the safety reverberates in your mind as all movement stops. The muzzle of the gun is inches away from Joaquin's head.

“Alright, you’ve had your show now.”

You've got mere seconds to make a decision here.

He remains still, as Joaquin’s eyes meet yours and you nod your head slightly. 

It’ll be okay because you’d never let anything happen to each other.

"Walker, you've made your point. Look, it's me you really want, not Torres.", You snipped, grabbing his attention. 

Joaquin’s heart raced faster, 

What were you doing?

You could see the gears turning in Walker’s head, his eyebrows perk up.

"C'mon, this whole thing was to get to me, right? To weaponize me. It's my power. So take it. Just let him go." 

Walker pauses in thought,

"I don't think I will." 

You knew that'd be his answer but he was too busy looking at you to notice anything else. Joaquin threw his leg out, kicking Walker’s shin to knock him off his centre.

Moving quickly, you roundhouse, knocking the gun from his hand and driving your foot into his knee. He lets out a pained yell, ducking your elbow jab and rolling behind you. You roll forwards, swooping your flames across the floor to knock Walker on his back. He rolls to the side, standing again to flick open a compact switch from his pocket. He struggles for a moment as you strut over, but he presses the button down with conviction. 

You falter in your steps as a loud piercing sound breaches your cranium and hearing. It’s overwhelming, threatening to shatter your skull. A whimper falls from your mouth as both hands grasp your head. You can faintly hear Joaquin yelling your name from behind. The pain is unbearable. Joaquin bangs the cuffs on a metal crate behind him, forcing them to break. 

Your vision blurs as you clumsily move towards Walker. Once you’re close enough to him, you throw an uncoordinated right hook but he catches it and returns with a kick to your chest, knocking you to the floor. The pain continues, eliciting a moan from you as it grows worse with each second. Joaquin watches as you scream in agony, sprinting towards Walker and tackling him to the floor. Walker loses the switch from his hand, punching Joaquin in the jaw to get him off. Joaquin hisses as his head hits the floor, but he’s quickly grappling for the switch before Walker can get his hands on it. Scanning the floor, he sights it inches away from where you’re curled up in a ball. He’s crawling over to make it but a grip on his shoulder halts him, flipping him over and punching him repeatedly. 

Over the intense clanging, you see black dots form in your sight as you want to pass out. You hear grunts nearby and the sound of a fist making contact with skin. You flicker your eyes upward to see Walker’s figure looming over someone. 

‘Joaquin...where’s Joaquin?’

You close your eyes and force yourself up, struggling to gain your bearings. Upon opening your eyes, you notice something within your reach. Crawling forward, your fingers barely touch it. You try again and again before you feel the metal beneath your fingertips. Finally, you have it in your hands and crush it. The metal crunches and the ringing ceases. A sigh of relief leaves your mouth as you push yourself off the floor.

More coherent now, you angrily send a blast of energy to knock Walker off of Joaquin. Scrambling off the floor, he brings his fists in front of him, but you've already there, standing in front of him.

"I’m going to count from three.”, you said.

Striking a wave in his direction, you blast fire into his chest, your eyes imbuing fluttering embers.

‘Three’

You continue your onslaught, attacking him with multiple blows of rage. 

Your figure looms over Walker, blocking Joaquin from his sight.  

‘Two’

Your hands emit a fiery glow as you project flames, igniting a huge blast which sends Walker crashing through the window and down below.

‘One’

Gazing down the terrace, you saw Walker’s unconscious body laying on the crushed roof of a car. The authorities would show up eventually. 

Looking back inside, you finally start to feel the adrenaline rush declining. You move away from the window to find Torres leaning against a crate. Joaquin's face is bruised and cut-up as he holds his side with a grimace. 

"Joaquin, are you okay?!", 

You rush over to hold his other arm, scanning him for serious injuries. 

He stops your moving hands to grip them,

"(Y/N), I'm okay, I'm okay. It's you I'm worried about. You almost died. How did you do that?", Joaquin asked, concern lingering in his eyes at the magnitude of your powers.

"I-I don't know. I guess my powers have always been linked to my emotions and then you were in danger. It was kind of instinctive, you know?"

"I could never let anything happen to you. Never.", She whispered silently, not noticing if he had caught it.

Joaquin moved to grasp her chin in his hand, pulling her head up so he could look into her eyes.

"You saved me."

You glanced over his face and the clear pain he was hiding from his injuries. 

"You have no idea how glad I am that you're okay. I-I was afraid...It shouldn't have been you.", You said to Joaquin, tears glinting in your sight.

"I'm not going anywhere. The last thing I want to do is hurt you.", he said, moving closer as your eyes meet his deep and endearing gaze.

"We should call Sam.", You suggested.

"I'll call him later."

Yours eyes met as he leaned his forehead on yours. You inhaled deeply as he gripped your hands tightly as if you would fall out of his grasp. Joaquin's arms encircle your waist and pull you in his embrace. Your arms rest around his neck, nestling your head against his shoulder.

You hold each other tightly in a moment of calm, seeking comfort from that person. The one person you would always seek out. 

You pull away, but his arms remain around your waist.

"You're so beautiful.", He whispers.

Your breathing shudders for a second before you decide to go for it,

"I-I love you, Joaquin."

You gauge his reaction as his eyes widen slightly. He leans in and guides his lips to yours. He kissed you slowly and passionately, his hands still gripping your waist. You sigh and stand on your tip-toes, tugging the hairs on the back of Joaquin's neck to bring him closer. You both pause, gasping for air for a moment. Kisses linger in between breaths as you both wind down from the intense 24 hours you've had, emotionally and physically.

"For the record, I love you too.", He grins, laughing at your eye roll.

"I didn't quite catch that, why don't you show me again?", You winked, biting your lip as his arms swooped around you again and tugged you closer. 

Barely brushing your lips, he looks between your eyes and then your lips.

"I think we can arrange that."

Your breath catches as your lips brush his. You smiled, closing your eyes, as does Joaquin. You swayed in his arms as his lips encased yours once more. 

Suddenly, red and blue flashing lights breach your vision from below. Sirens surrounded you both. You separated, glancing outside the broken window. 

Police cars surrounded the building. Reinforcements had arrived. His hand still grips yours and you motion to help him take some of his weight, wrapping an arm around his waist. 

"We should get of here.", You pushed open the door to exit down a flight of stairs. 

"Yeah.", Joaquin replied, grinning down at you as you walked out together.

Reblog, like, comment if you liked it and any thoughts xx

[selinakidreams]

hello hello hello ! this is my comfort piece for @doinmybesthere ‘s mental health awareness month collab! and I’d just like to say a huge thank you to emme for creating such a wonderful collab and thank you for letting me be apart of it.

paring: kirishima eijirou (I’m talking 7ft big strongman vibes) x empathic quirk f!reader (established relationship)

word count: 3.7k +

genre: hurt/comfort + fluff

warnings: mentions of anxiety & toxic friendships, instigating with means to harm- please let me know if I missed anything!!

a/n: this I think,, was the best way to approach what has tormented me for years. it was a reoccurring thing for me but I never handled it properly, and just this year, someone important taught me that I deserve more than what I’ve been putting myself through. so here it is! I also think that once my schedule clears up, I’m gonna make a sister piece to this but idk !! let me know if you guys would be interested in that!

++ the absolute biggest thank you to my betas/flow checkers @doinmybesthere @lady-bakuhoe @keishinslove BIG kith

pss. the first person who can guess my love language based off this fic wins a prize

Turning other’s confidence to despair, gloating to fear, persistence to tiredness, motivation into loss- but all you felt was drained. The overuse of your quirk left your head feeling full of cotton; Your chest heaving and vision slightly blurry. 

You arrived late to the fight because what started as a relaxing day off quickly turned into a rush to get to the streets. Thankfully Red Riot had been on the scene, waist-deep and stalling a full-fledged fight between two combat villains until backup came. 

His tired eyes met yours and you flashed him a hopeful smile until witnessing the villain get a short-termed upper hand. They landed a solid punch, which caused you to feel not only the repercussions of the shock-inducing impact but your building guilt of being a distraction.

Years of training reminded you not to let it get to your head, your hero instincts kicking in after emotionally experiencing that strike. Heart pumping with adrenaline, you began to focus your heart and mind, simultaneously tuning into what those around you were feeling, never forgetting to keep your eyes wide and alert. 

Confidence, eagerness, perseverance, exhaustion, determination. 

Taking a breath as you ease into a rhythm, you kept your sights on the two people who were attacking the boulder of a hero and finally, a steady grasp.

Quirk at work, the familiar mental image of loose strings flowing in the wind appeared, and you grabbed a hold of them, symbolizing that you had caught hold of their feelings and wasted no time on bending and contorting to your will. You watched as their actions became slower and less motivated, making it easier for Kirishima to handle. He must have realized what was happening, a new surge of elation pumped through him as he began to knock both of the villains down a peg. 

Seeing him fight had always been such a marvel to watch; it was so easy to be mesmerized by the sheer enthusiasm he had while trying to keep the balance and execute justice. Kirishima Eijirou was a hero in all senses of the word- and not just any hero, your hero- as cheesy as it sounded.

Secured under his weight and possibly unconscious, Red Riot looked around, a bit disheveled, until his gaze found yours. Expecting to be met with the warm sincere smile that always made your heart flutter, your heart sunk when you saw his eyes turn wide and frantic as he called out your hero name. 

On top of feeling a bit dizzy from honing into those particular subjects and manipulating two people at once, a wave of distress washed over you, adding to the unfavorable aftermath of pushing your quirk. 

You were quick to whip around, finding another villain was closing in closer than expected. You dropped all previous controls and focused solely on the person in front of you. 

“You had gotten better since the last time I saw you,” they sneered as they attempted to land a hard-hitting kick to your stomach. 

Missing by a hair, you pushed past the dreariness in your head and went straight into a defensive position.

The close-cut dodge wasn’t the only thing to throw you off; now you had realized why Kirishima looked at you like that; your traumatic past, the one you had divulged to him in the safety of your home, warbling with tears streaking your cheeks, was coming back to roughhouse with the intent of ending in a knockout. 

Fear twisted into gut-wrenching anxiety; the plummeting feeling hit the bottom of your stomach with a harsh thud.

In front of you stood the unmistakable frame of someone you had considered to be one of your closest friends for a time; someone that seemed so natural to be with, someone you divulged secrets and shared smiles with, someone that had made it seem like separation was not an option- now turned villain, sporting a suited evil smirk smeared on their face. 

It was hard not to let the tears collect on your waterline, thinking about the whirlwind of your relationship as your gaze met theirs for the first time in years. Months and months of triggered breakdowns, cold sweats from various nightmares, and countless tears have been shed as time progressed, the sinking feeling of long-lost fear that they had put you through now showing its ugly head; the thought you had convinced yourself for so long- that you ended up not even being worth their time starting to resurface. 

It had been hard to learn the lessons that were dealt and see the mistakes made on both parts- not just yours, to pick up all the shattered expectations of what a true friendship is, but you had. Now you were able to sort through the wrong sorts and had gotten emotionally and mentally stronger because of it; in many ways, the ending of the friendship helped you realize that there were ways you deserved to be treated, and like shit wasn’t one of them.

However, it almost seemed like all the progress you had made swirled down the drain now that they were in front of you. It was like you were experiencing the heartbreak of them ending the friendship all over again.

“Awww! The poor little hero is still heartbroken after I left her?” their tone patronizing as they jutted out their bottom lip to form an exaggerated pout. “Look at you! I can practically see the desperation on your face- desperate for me to come back? You’ve always been so fucking clingy. But you know, the news has you pinned as like... some kind of saint… no, no. You’re nothing but a selfish attention whore playing the good guy... so I just wanted to stop by and remind you of the truth.” they sneered, really aiming to trigger your trauma. 

You had opened up to them about all your fears; from the smallest to the all-consuming ones, so for them to be targeting you like this… they must have thought that you haven’t changed- and you fucking have. You worked damn hard to do so; You’ve grown and have started appreciating yourself more, started loving yourself more, started working on yourself more. The villain was only targeting your past worries, keyword, past.

Regardless, you were already feeling too much as is and the best thing you could do for yourself right now was to control yourself. 

The urge to take it personally was beyond tempting- to make them suffer as they had done to you, to watch them break right in front of you… But there was a specific way to handle this situation, one you’ve envisioned more than enough, the perfect high route. 

Quickly looking back to see how Kirishima was fairing, you were met with the rock hero in the process of cuffing the other two offenders, allowing you to feel a rush of relief. You turned around and mentally centered yourself. The convict seemed to put together what you were about to do, so without hesitation, they began charging only a second too late.

Taking a breath, the perfect feeling to muddle their prideful feeling down surged through you as you carefully knotted their violent stings together.

It was the feeling you faced when all was said and done after, the outcome you faced after you had gone through confronting all of the trauma that was built up by this person. 

All you felt was emptiness. 

When it hit them, you saw it in their eyes as they stopped in their tracks. No smugness, no pride, no cowardness. Nothing to egg them on and yet nothing to make them feel terrible. Blank. 

Before confusion slithered its way to their consciousness, you took the opportunity and roundhoused them- your efficient ankle sweep knocking their head to the floor, deeming them unconscious.

Crouching to the floor next to their body, you made sure they were breathing before cuffing them and standing back up, turning around you double-check on the scene behind you.

The police furthest from you were tucking the Red Riot’s villains in their cars while the others jogging towards you kept their eyes on the limp body behind you, Kirishima in tow. He looked incredibly tired but couldn’t seem to keep the smile off his face. He felt proud.

A weak smile graces your lips as you try to take a step, only to see your vision blur.

Great. 

The last thing you saw was the panicked look in his eyes as his pace quickened to a run in attempts to catch you. You faded out to the sound of an urgent call of your actual name before your body hit the ground with a thud. 

The next few hours came in slow-paced blinks. 

The first time you opened your eyes post-fight, your body felt heavy… but you were moving. It didn’t take long to realize that you were being carried by the muscular arms that you wake up to every morning. Slowly peeling your eyes open, the sight of his signature spikey red hair reminded you that what had just happened. Your boyfriend, the one who was on the scene with you, had witnessed you overcome one of the people that truly had left damage on you. He wasn’t looking at you, but staring straight ahead; by the way, his fingers curled around your bicep and thighs, it had been tough for him to watch everything that had gone down. 

You tried to call out his name, but it sounded stifled, sounding more like a broken whisper than anything. After another try, he seemed to have heard you, his ears perking up even though all the commotion- or maybe it was just ironic timing. When his red eyes caught the beaming smile you attempted to comfort him with, he tried to mimic it, only you could make out the way his bottom lip quiver. Your eyelids became unbearably heavy and for the second time, unconsciousness took its hold over you.

Blink.

The next time your eyes peeled open, you were being inspected by the all-to-familiar medical team. The inside of the ambulance was much brighter than it was outside, fluorescent lighting causing you to squint. Unnamable hands were touching your head and pulse points. When they noticed your eyes open, they tried to keep you awake as long as possible, the first step was sitting you up on the gurney. The first person you made eye contact with was your designated nurse- the one with the most comforting presence, was that part of her quirk? 

With a kind smile and knowing eyes, she jerked her head in the direction of the person she knew was first to come to mind. Following the movement, your gaze landed on Kirishima, who was standing off to the side and chewing on his nail, arms crossed against his chest. 

Had he already got checked out? Was he okay? 

When he noticed you were staring, he mustered up a small smile and in return, you slightly lifted both your hands to do a loose wave in attempts to warm up his smile. It worked.

“Okay c’mon, you know how these checkups go- you can go be with your boyfriend once we know you’re okay.” your nurse teased, knowing full well that a serious approach wasn’t going to work with you being this drowsy. 

You merely nodded in response, head and eyelids still heavy.

 The rest of the examination went by speedily, you being awake making everything go ten times smoother. After everything was checked and you were clear to go home, the nurses moved to talk to Kirishima as you moved to the edge of the ambulance, waiting for them to finish. 

“I’m so lucky that you’re not only my hero but also a registered caregiver. Well actually… both are pretty super...” You mumbled, trailing off with a lazy smile, lids finally starting to accept the losing battle of staying open. 

“Nooo, you’re lucky that it’s the overuse of your quirk that’s keeping you out of the hospital and not fatal injuries. It’s not manly to push yourself too hard.” he quipped back in a light playful tone; He didn’t miss how hard you were fighting to stay awake. “Baby, can you make it to the car or do you want me to carry you?” 

It was moments like this where you appreciated how comfortable Kirishima made you feel in your relationship; feeling no shame when you revert to a clingy pile of mush. Reaching out, you let your eyes close as you mimic grabby hands to your enormous boyfriend. 

You hear him sigh as he kneels in front of you, opening your eyes in time to catch his broad back muscles shifting, “c’mon love, you need to help me with this bit.”

You clumsily climb on his back and loosely wrap your arms around his neck, standing up with ease. He quickly adjusts you against him to get a better hold on your thighs. Once he begins walking, you let yourself subside back into unconsciousness.

Blink.

You were jolted awake when you felt yourself falling, only for your behind to hit a familiar cushiony surface. Oh right, the car. Before you could fade out once again, you heard Kirishima say something about going to grab the paperwork so the both of you can file your reports later when you wake up. The last thought you were able to think was something along the lines of how incredibly lucky you were to have someone love you so deeply.

Blink.

Waking up to the view of the city lights twinkling below your balcony and the energy of a healthy 8 hours of sleep, you stretch the rest of the drowsiness out of your body till you feel ready to accept the hefty amount of paperwork that’s waiting for you in the other room. 

The only light that illuminated your bedroom was the reflection of the living room lights on the hallway floors. Before getting up, you spared a glance at your nightstand, seeing a glass of water with a note underneath, as predicted; this happened more often than not after a battle. You reach out and take the glass in hand and take a steady sip before letting in more and more water, then reading the messy little note:

 in the livingroom <3 

You smiled at the little doodle he drew- two characters that seem a lot like the two of you, kissing, with a sparkly heart over their heads.

The need to recreate this drawing was growing at an incredible speed.

With newfound determination, you push yourself up from the bed and shuffle to the living room, squinting when the light becomes a little too harsh against your eyes.

Eyes fully closed when you get to the center of the living room, purposely facing the wrong way and trying to suppress a giggle, you try to use the most monotone voice you could muster.

“Kiri - where are you I can’t see.” 

“Your eyes are closed- babe, open your eyes.” 

“No it’s too bright but I saw this cute drawing on the nightstand done by this really talented artist and I must recreate it please recreate it with me.”

You heard a bit of shuffling before his voice came close to your left side.

“Was it a pretty manly drawing?” 

“I would like to think so.”

He was much closer at this point, shifted to somewhere close in front of you right before warm lips were on yours; as quick as the peck came, it was gone in a flash followed by the sound of him plopping down on the couch.

“Wait Eijirou-” you start to pout as you turn in the direction where the couch is, eyes now fully open and set on Kirishima until the shock of pain shot through your nerve endings. 

“Ah, shit! Fuck!…” you wince, lifting your leg to hug your newly stubbed toe.

Kirishima is back by your side in an instant, really trying to suppress his laugh but doing a terrible job.

“You’re such a jerk for laughing,” you pout, giving your best attempt of a proper shove… and he didn’t even budge. 

There was a moment of complete silence then the booming of your boyfriend’s boisterous laughs bouncing off the walls. Rolling your eyes, you limped over to the spot on the couch where he was previously sitting, and as the cushion beside you dips, you sigh. 

The sight in front of you was a disheveled mess. Scribbled on papers were thrown about- most were filled out but there were a few that were blank, pens and highlighters could be spotted under and over random reports.

“I did most of the reports… but I didn’t know if you wanted to fill out yours… because of who you were fighting.” he slowly stated, as if he were walking on eggshells. You could tell that he was holding back from hitting the main issue. 

Was this something you were ready to unbiasedly talk about? Kirishima knew most of the details, but he also realized that you probably wanted to talk about it more now that you’ve not only seen them after all this time but had to fight them. 

With another sigh, you let your head fall into your palms- your elbows digging into your thighs- and you roughly rub your eyes before coming up for a new breath of air. 

“My heart was pounding…” you started, attempting to prepare for the unwanted wave of grief, but as you trailed off, oddly enough, it never came. 

When reflecting on the fight, you remembered the range of emotions you felt, but now… you just felt… empty- which was ironic. No sadness, longing, anxiety… if anything, with your caring redhead staring at you with the roundest eyes, you felt at ease. 

“But honestly? I don’t really feel much right now. Like I can say that when looking back, I think I handled myself in the best way possible- they don’t deserve to have that satisfaction of creating a rise out of me, and quite frankly… I’m tired, Ei. I’m so tired of letting them have that hold on me. I don’t deserve that kind of pain. As much as I am a hero, I need to think about myself as a person and there’s only so much I can endure. My mental and emotional health comes first.” 

After saying all of that, there was a slight hint of relief that flooded your system; you already began to feel lighter.

“I’m so proud of you. I know that must have been really hard to face but you did it, and you were so good about it,” he whispered as he reached out for your thigh. 

Accepting his comfort, you sucked in another breath and smiled up at him. He held and returned your smile for a couple of seconds before slightly leaning in, his eyes flickering from your eyes to your lips. 

“Would it be alright if I.. kiss you?” it was such a heart-warming gesture, how he was making sure you weren’t pushing yourself. 

“More than alright,” you whisper, barely getting out the last word because of how quickly the gap between you two closed. The kiss was comfort in the rawest form; his pace was slow, his large hand cupping your jaw as his tongue invaded your mouth. You were following his pace, your eyes coming to a close, melting into a relaxed state for what seemed like the first time today. 

Keeping the kiss light, he pulled away shortly, but not before placing a lingering peck on your lips, then one on your forehead and whispering, “I made you a snack. You’re probably hungry right now so I prepared you a little something filling. And while you eat, I’m gonna run a bath with some Epsom salt and lavender oil, does that sound good?” 

Overwhelming gratitude washed over you. Words couldn’t possibly measure even the bare minimum of the love you have for Kirishima Eijirou, and yet you managed to string a soft, “You are the most wonderful person in the world, and I… Eijirou I love you so much.” 

His eyes became a little teary as he looked down at you, a wobbly smile in place before whispering a returning “I love you,” before heading into the bathroom to run the water in your massive tub. 

As the thundering sound of the water filling the tub echo through your apartment, you get up and rummage the fridge to find a plate of adorably cut red apples with a glob of peanut butter off to the side. 

“Baby do you want tea?” You call out just loud enough, “I’m gonna brew that green tea with the toasted rice!” 

He came into the kitchen looking big and confused, “what did you say, baby?”

“Green tea?”

“Oh yes, please,” he said, leaning in and planting a kiss to your temple before turning back to the bathroom. 

“Kiri? Can you put on the house shows on the tv? I forgot what channel they were on.”

You didn’t need to turn around to hear tv turn on; a shout of thanks was called out before you took a bite of your snack.

It felt all very domestic, something you never thought could happen to you. Your childhood was a montage of quirk abuse, being emotionally used, following the same types of toxic people, and never learning your lesson. It all flipped somewhere in your twenties- you began to realize the pattern after being shown the kindness the world could offer. No longer world you put up with bullshit like that. You knew better now and Eijirou always reminded you of that. 

You were halfway through one of your favorite flipping shows when Kirishima came in shirtless, letting you know the bath was ready, “Okay my love, it’s ready. Take your time, I‘ll be in the tub.”

You stripped on your way to the bathroom, leaving all your clothes on the bench in the bedroom before padding into the warm-tiled bathroom.

The view you stepped in on was delicious; your huge boyfriend taking up most of the tub, his head tilted back against the wall, eyes closed.

“Gee red, you’re so sexy.” you aimed to tease, but your words came out a bit strained. He chuckles before turning to face you and groaning your name, “hurry up and come in here.”

And it’s then when you’re submerged in all the heat and laying against your boyfriend’s warmth, do you remember that life is what you make it to be. Never accept anything less than the love and care you deserve.

Blink.

[t0wnspersonb]

I Got You (Sugawara Koushi x Reader)

Anonymous said:

Are you taking requests? I was wondering if you could do a smut with sugawara. Like they get a little drunk, and YN sits in Suga’s lap. Then Suga says something like, ”i know we're just friends, so I'm sorry if I get hard.” and then you can finish it however. Thank you so much!

Anonymous said:

Hiiii I justo read tour Tsukishima post! Is just great! Would It be posible to request a scenario with suga and his S/o un which she is a bit "scared" of being intimate with him because her first sexual contacts weren't good. she was sexually harrased when younger and so She is a bit reluctant of intimate Contact or sex being afraid that it just the same she has experienced. Also being afraid if she doesn't do the do with him he Will leave her. And how would he respond to that?

~~~~~~

Word Count: 3,124

Warnings: SMUT, mentions of sexual assault, drinking, alcohol, Suga being a fucking precious bean, my shit writing

Summary: It’s been a couple of years since everyone on the volleyball team have been together, one night during a get together you end up having one too many drinks, resulting in Sugawara taking you home and confessing his feelings to you. But a situation from your past might prevent you from reciprocating those feelings. 

~~~~~~

So I decided to incorporate these two requests together, I hope you guys don’t mind! I also apologize in advance if the writing is terrible😭😭😭 also another note for you guys: IF MENTIONS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT IS TRIGGERING FOR YOU PLEASE DO NOT READ. SAME IF YOU HAVE AN ISSUE ABOUT THE DRINKING. I NEVER WANT ANY OF MY READERS TO FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE SO PLEASE DO NOT READ IF ANY OF THIS STUFF MAKES YOU UNCOMFORTABLE.  This blog is all about feeling safe and being welcoming. So please do not read if any of those warnings make you uncomfortable. Thank you all for the love and support and I can’t wait to continue writing:)

~~~~~~

The team reunion was everything that you thought it would be. 

 Complete chaos.

 It had been several years since you all had graduated from Karasuno, naturally you guys had stayed connected with everyone despite the different lives you all lead now.

 But it was like it had never changed.

 Currently Daichi was yelling at Hinata’s and Kageyama’s rivalry, both deciding to see how many shots they could take.

 Team reunions and alcohol definitely didn’t mix.

 You sat beside Asahi, watching the madness unfold before you, debating on if you should sneak out now.

 “If Tanaka and Noya aren’t careful, Daichi is going to lose his mind on them soon too.” Asahi laughed nervously as he stared at the other chaotic duo causing a scene.

 “The youth these days can’t handle their liquor.” you sighed, shaking your head.

 “You’re drunk too Y/n.” Sugawara said in amusement, taking in your flushed face and slightly dazed expression. “And what youth? They’re only a year younger than us.”

 Well… he got you there. You weren’t super drunk per say, but you were definitely feeling the effects of the alcohol you had consumed. 

 But in your defense, you were also a light weight. 

 “Don’t be rude Suga-kun.” you pouted staring at the grey-haired male. “I’ve had a long day.”

 “And I haven’t?” he teased. Sugawara was a teacher at Karasuno, and the faculty advisor for the volleyball club.

 It suited him; you had thought. Sugawara was always kind and smart, the fact that he had chosen a career where he could display those characteristics was wonderful.

 He was wonderful.

 Out of the entire team, you had remained the closest to him after you all had gone your separate ways.

 That was to be expected though, considering that you two had been close since before high school, childhood friends.

 And let’s be honest, you still harbored an enormous crush on him.

 “- Shut up you two! You’re disturbing the people around you!”

 Daichi was now yelling at Tanaka and Noya, although the people around you consisted of the old volleyball team. 

 More commotion could be heard from Kageyama and Hinata, and then suddenly you found yourself being pulled onto the lap of Sugawara; a volleyball now resting when you had just been.

 You blinked in confusion.

 “Oi! You almost hit Y/n-chan! Where did you guys even get that ball!?” Daichi yelled.

 “Boke! Hinata! Boke!” Kageyama screamed.

 “Maybe you should just sit here for now.” Sugawara murmured next to your ear, his chin resting on the top of your shoulder as he stared at the scene(s) unfolding before you guys.

 “... Yeah.” you finally uttered out. “Were they always this bad?” you asked, thinking back to your days as a Karasuno manager.

 “Definitely.” Sugawara mused. “But maybe we shouldn’t have met up at a place that serves alcohol.”

 “No kidding.” You muttered under your breath, unconsciously shifting in Sugwara’s lap, making yourself more comfortable as you leaned into his strong chest.

 You both were oblivious to the eyes of Kiyoko and Asahi. They smirked slightly at the sight before them.

 Everyone knew of the crush you guys had on each other. It was obvious. But the fact that you guys had never dated, even after high school, baffled them completely.

 Maybe tonight would change that?

 You couldn’t help the laughter that began escaping your lips as the chaos increased, Daichi had all but given up lecturing everyone and now sat beside Ennoshita.

 You were completely unaware of the way that Sugarawa had stiffened underneath you. The hands that were wrapped around your waist carefully began shifting you, so that you weren’t resting directly on his crotch anymore.

 He could feel the slight race of his heart, and - well - the rising in his pants. He prayed that you didn’t notice.

 But it was just Sugarawa’s luck.

 You could feel the heat in your face rising rapidly, your heart beating just a tad quicker as you felt a growing hardness against the curve of your ass.

 “Suga.” you whispered; your mouth felt incredibly dry right now. “Is that -” “I’m sorry Y/n.” he interrupted you. “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.” he said gently, attempting to move you off of his lap.

 You shook your head, waving him off. “I-It’s okay. Y-You don’t have to move me… unless you want to.”

 Both of you visibly froze at your words. Shit, maybe the liquid courage you had in your system made you too bold.

 “Okay.” he murmured, and carefully tugged you closer now. This caused your bottom to slide against his growing member as he attempted to adjust you comfortably on his lap now.

 Despite the growing tension and nerves between the two of you, you didn’t move. His arms were wrapped around your waist carefully, his chin returning to your shoulder as you guys continued watching your teammates/friends create havoc in the room.

 This felt natural, this felt… right. Being wrapped up in Sugawara’s arms was quite literally heaven on earth for you.

 His body heat felt extremely pleasant, despite how overheated you were feeling. The mouthwatering scent of his cologne filled your nose, you could feel his breath against your cheek as it stirred your hair, and the gentle rising and falling of his chest.

 “Kiyoko-san! Marry me!” Tanaka cried, reaching for the dark-haired female. 

 “Kiyoko-san is gonna marry me!” Noya said, shoving at his friend.

 This time it was Ennoshita that began yelling at them. 

 You could feel the rumble of Sugawara’s chest as he laughed quietly behind you. Unconsciously he pressed his face into your neck to muffle the noise. You gasped softly as you felt soft damp lips gently brush against your neck as he attempted to quiet his laughter.

 But he had heard the soft noise that escaped your mouth, his grip on you tightening just slightly.

 Sugawara couldn’t help but wonder what other noises you could make.

 This was definitely going to be a long night.

 ***

 All too soon the night had ended, but you found yourself being accompanied home by Sugawara. 

 He and the team were slightly worried about getting you home safely, considering that you were still a bit drunk, and lived the furthest away.

 But by the time you had gotten home you had sobered up dramatically, now you were just tired.

 “Would you like to come in for a bit?” you asked, gazing up at the male.

 His eyes searched your face for a moment before nodding. 

 Sugawara had been over to your home before, but for some reason it felt different. There was that slight thrill that you shouldn’t have invited him in, the air between you two still held that sexual tension.

 As you sat in the living room together, sipping on the tea you had made, it got worse.

 Should you… confess? Should you say something about earlier? 

 You were a grown ass woman for Christ sake, and you still couldn’t muster up the courage to tell your childhood friend that you’ve been in love with him since you were kids.

 “Y/n.” Sugawara said suddenly, pulling you from your brooding thoughts. He was staring at you seriously, shifting closer to you on the couch.

 “Y-Yes.” you answered back nervously, biting your bottom lip as you stared back. 

 “Can I… can I try something?” He asked softly, gently cupping the side of your face.

 Your lips parted at his sweet touch, nodding softly.

 And then he was kissing you. 

 It was gentle and sweet, his lips incredibly warm and soft as they moved carefully against yours.

 You melted against him, threading your fingers into his hair as the kiss deepened, the softness melting into something extremely passionate.

 You found yourself on your back, Sugawara hovering over your body. You could feel his hands sliding under your shirt, his soft fingers gently trailing upwards on your skin. His touch burned in a pleasant way, it left you breathless and trembling.

 A familiar burn began igniting in the lower pit of your stomach. 

 Until you felt him cup your breast carefully.

 An image you thought you had buried in the deepest pit of your memory came to the forefront of your mind, causing your body to break out in a cold sweat, you flinched hard and began shoving at Sugarawa, feeling trapped underneath his body.

 You yanked yourself away from him, feeling tears sting at the backs of your eyes as you sat up, carefully wrapping your arms around yourself.

 And then you froze, your eyes snapping over to Sugarawa who was staring at you in confusion and worry.

 “Y/n -” “I’m sorry!” you interrupted him, biting down the hysteria as you fought back the painful memories that wanted to invade your mind.

 “For what?” he asked gently, carefully moving closer to you, he gently placed a hand on your shoulder in comfort. “I shouldn’t have gone that far, I’m the one who should be apologizing.”

 You shook your head, wiping at the tears in your eyes. “You don’t need to apologize Suga… It wasn’t your fault.”

 “I find that hard to believe.” he said quietly, carefully moving the hair over your shoulder. “I shouldn’t have forced it, you should’ve told me no if you didn’t feel the same way.” he said, smiling sadly at you. “I should go.”

 Panic overtook your body and you grabbed his hand tightly, preventing him from leaving. “Don’t go!” you cried. “It’s not like that! I... I’ve liked you for a while now Suga. Please don’t go.”

 His eyes widened at your sudden confession, and then softened dramatically as he took in your hysterical form.

 “Well what’s going on. Talk to me.” he murmured, taking your hand in his. His thumb rubbing soothing circles on the top of your hand.

 You could feel your heart racing in fear, if you told him would he leave you? Would he be sickened by you? Knowing that you were broken, tainted. 

 “Hey.” he lifted your chin, forcing your eyes to look at him. His expression was soft and sweet, understanding. “I’m not going anywhere. Talk to me. Let me take care of you.” he breathed, his thumb gently dragging against the bottom of your lip. “You’ve been in my life since we were kids. I’d like you to be in my life more than that now. So please… just talk to me.”

 The sincerity in his voice, in his face, sent warmth throughout your entire being. It sent away the coldness that you felt creeping into your heart.

 “My first boyfriend…” you said quietly after a moment of silence. “He wasn’t… he wasn’t always so nice to me. Of course, no one knew.”

 Sugawara stayed silent. 

 “His touch wasn’t like yours. It wasn’t wanted at all. But it happened…” you trailed off, lips trembling slightly at the memories.

 Sugawara inhaled sharply at your words, anger piercing into his heart. He remembered that boyfriend, he had almost lost his friendship with you because of that guy. The volleyball team almost lost one of their precious managers because of that guy.

 “It was never good… he was so rough and… it always hurt. I -um - I haven’t… been with someone like that since it happened.” you finished, blinking back tears. “But… if it means that you’ll keep liking me… then I don’t mind…” you trailed off.

 Sugawara had never been more upset in his entire life. Just the idea of someone touching you without you wanting them to, hurting you intentionally… he couldn’t even fathom it. Couldn’t even begin to sort out the rage that he felt.

 But this wasn’t about him. This was about you. This was about making sure that you were taken care of, that your needs were being met.

 He carefully tugged you onto his lap, gently cupping your face as he stared at you with such an intensity it left you breathless.

 “Darling, don’t you ever, ever, say that.” he breathed out, the anger in his eyes simmering down to something sad and soft. “I would never put you in a situation where you ever had to feel that… that the only way to keep me is by…” he squeezed his eyes shut for a moment.

 He took a shuddering breath in before opening his eyes and continuing. “I don’t want to do anything that you don’t want to do. All I want from this… is to make you feel loved and happy. I’ve waited years to hear that you like me too. And now that I know you feel the same way… I just want to make you happy.” 

 He rested his forehead against yours tenderly, your eyes fluttering shut automatically. 

 “So, we don’t have to do anything that you aren’t ready for yet.” he finished. “But if you do… I can promise you that I will make you feel good… I’ll always make you feel good. Okay?” he asked, his hand gently cupping the back of your neck.

 He stared at you with so much love and adoration, it caused your heart to clench tightly, the fear and worry dissolving from your body and replaced with a feeling of warmth and safety.

 “Suga.” you whispered softly, “I want… I want to try. Please?” 

 He nodded before leaning forward and pressing a soft kiss against your lips. The kiss you two began to share never escalated to something that you couldn’t handle, it remained sweet and tender. An unspoken promise of never-ending gentleness.

 Before you knew it, both of your guys’ clothes had found their way to the floor, you had ended up in your bedroom, entangling yourselves on the bed.

 “You’re perfect.” Sugawara breathed, his eyes dancing across your naked body. He was rock hard already, but right now his priority was you. It was always going to be you.

 “Can I touch you?” he asked sweetly, gazing at your face with a loving expression.

 You nodded, swallowing thickly as his fingers began dancing across your skin, to your most intimate area.

 Sugawara watched your expression closely as he trailed his fingers over your mound, brushing softly at the top of your slit. He watched as yours fluttered shut in pleasure, his fingers gently running up and down against your soaked entrance.

 “You’re so wet for me.” He breathed in awe, carefully pushing a finger in. You gasped at the unfamiliar intrusion, but then began to melt. You were actually starting to feel good. 

 It didn’t take long until you were trembling and whimpering in pleasure at his gentle touches. Sugawara cooing to you about how beautiful you were and how well you were doing the entire time.

 Without any warning you began unraveling beneath him, the tight coil in your stomach snapping, you moaned loudly as the pleasure overtook your body. Leaving you a trembling mess as you came down from your high.

 Sugawara couldn’t tear his eyes away. You were fucking beautiful, and the fact that he was able to give you so much pleasure, the fact that he was the first one to ever give that kind of pleasure, well, he had never been more satisfied in his entire life. 

 “Do you want more?” he asked softly. You nodded in a daze, but that previous fire began igniting once more at the thought of Sugawara giving you more.

 “Can we try something?” he asked, his fingers rubbing softly at your hip. 

 “Okay.” you whispered. He tugged your body in a sitting position before laying down beside you. His member standing up painfully tall, aching for attention, for relief.

 But again, this wasn’t about him. This was about you. Which was why he wanted to do it this way. He wanted you to set the pace, wanted you to take control, wanted you to feel in control of this situation.

 “Ride me.” He breathed gazing at you with half lidded eyes. “I’m all yours.”

 Something deep within your belly twisted pleasantly at his words, and carefully you climbed on top of him, your hands resting on his strong chest as you stabilized yourself. 

 You could feel his cock brushing against your entrance, causing you to gasp loudly at the feeling. His hands rested lightly on your hips as you settled yourself and then you began sinking down on him and -

 Holy Fuck. 

 The stretch that Sugawara provided left you breathless as you sunk all the down, his cock completely engulfed in your velvety walls.

 You sat still as you began to adjust to the size of him, to the new intrusion. Your gaze found Sugawara's face and your tight walls seized up in desperation.

 His eyes were closed shut, his mouth parted in deep pleasure as he felt your walls squeeze him deliciously.

 You were warm, and you were so fucking wet. 

 “You… can… ngh… you can move if you want.” Sugawara groaned out, his eyes fluttering open. He could’ve cum at the mere sight of you, sitting on top of him, looking absolutely sinful with how beautiful you were.

 You started biting your lower lip as you began to move, gliding your hips up and down and - oh. It’s never… it’s never felt like this before. Pleasure began rippling through you as you slid up and down Sugawara’s cock. 

 Soft zaps of pleasure shooting up your spine. Sugarawa’s hands were resting on your hips, helping to guide you up and down. He knew he wasn’t going to last long, not with the sounds escaping your lips and your sweet expression that was twisted in pleasure.

 “I got you.” he breathed out. “I can feel it… just let go. I got you. Cum for me darling.” you were drastically getting tighter and tighter, your body readying yourself for another orgasm.

 So, you did.

 The euphoria that erupted within your body had you gasping for breath, your entire lower body locking down, causing Sugawara to release himself deep inside of you.

 He moaned your name out loudly, carefully bucking his hips up as he spilled into you. 

 You collapsed onto his chest, both of you trying to catch your breath. He gently began pushing your hair to the side, his hands rubbing up and down your back. Sugawara pressed a gentle kiss to the top of your head as you murmured his name softly against his neck.

 “Sleep. I’ll be here when you wake up. Just sleep.” he cooed.

 You could feel your eyes fluttering shut at his warm touch and softly spoken words, you had never been more comfortable, more content, in your entire life until now. 

 You weren’t sure what was going to happen when you woke up, but one thing that you were sure of, was that you were hopelessly in love with Sugawara.

[yuyupowers]

aristocrat!seonghwa

aristocrat!seonghwa x fem!reader

genre: fluff

trigger warning(s): patriarchal society mostly. let me know if there’s anything else!

author’s note: none of the pictures are mine!!

for reference, i’m using british peerage (hierarchy). there are five ranks: baron, viscount, earl (count), marquess, and duke - the highest being duke, and the lowest, baron.

second son of a duke

i imagine seonghwa to be someone who values tradition

unlike hongjoong who finds who finds the numerous aristocratic mannerisms pointless, hwa believes upholding these (rather stringent) rules is a sign of respect

perfect gentleman pt.1

excellent in swordsmanship, horse-back riding, and hunting

well versed in poetry, literature, art, and finance

(can maintain a conversation about politics but honestly it kinda goes over his head)

a bit on the shyer side, but a decent conversationalist

good at keeping the flow and mediating in case anyone becomes a little too heated about their opinions

definitely cares about his and his family’s image

naturally caring and tends to dote on those close to him

(translates into excellent manners)

holds the door open, offers his hand when stepping out of carriages, makes sure to walk on the side closest to traffic, diverts conversation when things are too “distressing,” wouldn’t be caught dead alone with a woman that wasn’t related to him or his fiancée/wife

and surprise, surprise !!

this is where you come in

you’re the second oldest daughter, fourth child out of six; born to an earl

hwa’s family had the highest title bestowed upon aristocracy

whereas your family accumulated more wealth and land than the park family

and since both you and hwa were prime marrying age™, your parents decided upon a mutually beneficial marriage

the first time you met seonghwa was under the watchful eye of both your parents, when the park’s invited your family for dinner

tbh, you were pretty relieved when you met him

“prime marrying age” was different for men, so you were just glad he wasn’t some old geezer

and he seemed like a decent person !!

a well put together gentleman, and his image was only consolidated throughout dinner

all in all, you didn’t have much to complain about from the initial impression

though it was kinda annoying when your little sister would not shut up about how he was the handsome man she’s ever met

even if you agreed

and didn’t she say that when she met woo?

anyways

after the first meeting with the park’s, both your parents set up multiple occasions for you two to meet

whether that be evening walks, picnics in the park, etc,,,

you learned a great deal about seonghwa 

how his favourite is black, how he loved the stars and that his favourite planet was mars

how he loved kids and doted on your youngest siblings (much to your sister’s glee)

how he enjoyed spending a quiet afternoon with you reading dickens, discussing afterwards the contrast between carton and darnay

how he was always considerate of your feelings and opinions

you liked to think you were a decent judge of character and thought overall that seonghwa was a kind and caring person

but you also noticed a few characteristics that-

you wouldn’t say it was off-putting or anything but,,,

it might bother you in the future

see, you were pretty good friends with hongjoong

and while you weren’t as extreme,

(you didn’t sneak out weekly to hang out with a bar maiden that you definitely did not have a crush on)

you certainly agreed with him on certain points

like hwa, you thought that abiding by certain mannerisms = display of respect

but unlike him, you didn’t care all that much about your image

okay, that was a lie.

you couldn’t say you didn’t care about your image

(social ostracization isn’t exactly fun ya feel)

but you thought it was,,,exhausting

it’s one thing to be respectful, but it’s another thing to say things you don’t mean

to fake humility

to undermine people that are supposed to be your “friends” or “one of you”

to be perfect, when “perfect” was such a subjective term anyways

it just felt so fake and that left a bitter taste in your mouth

even now, you could see all the efforts seonghwa made to constantly keep his image of a “perfect gentleman”

with perfect mannerisms and perfect answers and perfect-

yeah, it kinda frustrated you

not to mention how obedient he was?

of course you didn’t fault him for being a dutiful and filial son, but his loyalty blinded him

and it wasn’t like his parents were bad people !!

no, you’d say they were much kinder than the average noble family

especially considering their status

but when they made important decisions for their son without consulting him,

(because they were more experienced, because they knew better, etc,,,)

and he accepted whatever decision they handed to him?

well,,,

nevertheless, despite being his fiancée, you, by this point, had realistically had known seonghwa for a couple months

and you didn’t feel like it was your place 

(at least not yet)

to point this out

so the two of you continued your cordial but emotionally distant meetings

that is until “the incident” (as hwa fondly likes to call it)

okay, so-

one day you paid hwa a visit and the two of you decided to take a walk in his family’s garden

chattering about this and that

a lovely time !!

it was a bit overcast, but it didn’t look too threatening

so the two of you ignored the clouds looming in the horizon and wandered deep into the garden

big mistake

the weather took a turn for the worst, and soon it was pouring

by this point seonghwa was a little panicked

he knew that for women, getting ready could be excessively long and tenuous task

(courtesy of his little sister’s complaints)

and now !! you were getting rained on !! because he didn’t bring an umbrella !! just in case !!

!!!!

he turns to you, ready to shield you with his jacket and lead you back to the manor

but he’s at a loss by what he sees

he had expected you to be upset, to huddle closer to him, to,,,idk, maybe reprimand him for this thoughtlessness??

but instead, he finds you staring up at the dark sky, eyes shimmering with barely contained glee with the biggest smile he’s ever seen from you adorning your lips

he likes your smile

and if he was already confused (he was), he was about to become even more so

because the next thing he knows, you’re hiking your dress in one hand and grabbing his in the other, running through puddles of water and mud and everything in between, laughter falling from you like the rain

up until this point, you had been acting like the perfect (you hate that word) lady

polite, demure, charming-

in public settings, you only spoke when spoken to, with a voice that was purposely soft and soothing

you chatted with his mother and sisters about traditionally feminine things over tea with impeccable manners

whenever you two met, you were always prim and proper; never a strand of hair out of place

but here you were, getting not only yours but his clothes soggy and muddy, laughing without a care about how pleasant it sounded or how loud it was

seonghwa liked to think he wasn’t a judgemental person-

he wasn’t repulsed or anything by your sudden change in demeanor

just.

really confused

and when you looked back, you could tell,if his expression was anything to go by

but your grin only grew wider, because you could work with this

he wasn’t enjoying himself per say; a bit too confused and bit too stiff to do so

but he wasn’t horrified or disgusted

okay maybe he was a little grossed out; he liked to be clean thank you very much

you could work with this.

and so over the next few months, you showed him things he never dreamed of doing

some of which he liked, some of which he didn’t

some he was willing to try, some, less

like sneaking into the restricted section of the library (he’s never been so scandalized in his life)

or visiting the kitchen in the middle of the night so you could teach him how to make some basic recipes (which he surprisingly enjoyed)

or meeting hongjoong

(“of COURSE it matters if they got the colour wrong?! lord help me you’re the most insufferable person i’ve ever met-”)

and the more the two of you explored, the more he,,,real he became.

and vice versa.

gradually, the mask of perfection he worked so on hard to maintain was slipping before you

don’t get me wrong, he’s still kind and caring and a gentleman

but sometimes he would whine and complain when you encouraged him to do something he was less than enthusiastic about (usually something that involved getting him messy)

or he made The Face™ (the disgusted one) to you and when he didn’t like something or someone

or he would be stupidly stubborn about some random fact that you KNEW was wrong but he just WOULDN’T admit if even when you showed him proof

(“seonghwa for the last time toads don’t give you war-” “LALALA I CAN’T HEAR YOU” “eye-”)

once, he even playfully stole the strawberry from your cake

(big mistake. he’s never doing that again. he never knew a woman could move so fast or be so scary.)

it made you so, so happy because the two of you were finally getting to know each other

actually know each other

then one day, while the two of you were reading underneath a tree at the park

“,,,hey love?” (hwa)

“yes?”

“why are we doing this?” 

“what do you mean, dear?”

“i mean,,,i’m not complaining, but i guess,,,why did you decide to show me this part of you? the part that runs around in the rain?” hwa

you don’t reply right away

instead, you shut your book and idly stared at the willow swaying over the pond, wind running its fingers through its drooping leaves

after a few moments of silence

“,,,i wanted to know you and what you believed in. actually believed in.”

seonghwa tilts his head slightly to the side

“love, i hardly think my convictions have changed”

“but do you know what your convictions are?”

and you know when you hear something that resonates with you?

something that strikes deep in your core and makes you rethink everything you’ve know?

yeah,,,this is one of those moments

now it was seonghwa’s turn to set his book aside, falling deep in thought

after an unnaturally long stretch of silence, you began to panic a little

because ?? maybe you misread the situation and got a little too comfortable-

cause i mean you were questioning his core values, which is something he takes very seriously

o god you messed up didn’t you o crap you need to apolog-

“will you help me figure it out?”

“,,,huh??”

“will you help me figure out my convictions?” he asked

and you swear, you’ve never seen such a smile from seonghwa

one that conveyed a plethora of emotions, ranging from honesty and vulnerability, to confusion and loss, to lightness and warmth

it filled you with an unnameable feeling

like something sliding into place, fitting perfectly; like it was always meant to be there, filling you with comfort

shyly intertwining your hands for the first time, you looked up to meet his gaze with a pattering heart and a smile matching his own

“,,,of course.”

[koulakoukoula2003]

Runaway Part 2 (Levi x Reader)

Pairing: Levi x Reader, Levi x OC, Levi x You, Levi x y/n

Trigger Warnings: Mention of Corpses (just a small flashback to Levi's mom 😭), uhm... nothing else 🤷‍♀️

Genre: fluffyyyyy flufffffffff you guys basically just ✨cuddle✨, but there's angst too

Summary: (During the Uprising Arc) After rescuing you from the clutches of the MPs that had set out to wipe you out -because of the things you have discovered in titan biology- Levi takes you to the Special Ops HQ to rest for the night.

Part 1 >>> Part 2

Their squad were asleep by the time Levi and (y/n) reached the HQ. It was silent and dark, and they headed straight to bed. Some rooms were upstairs and some others were downstairs. The Captain’s room was upstairs. The two of them walked into Levi’s room. It was large enough for the two of them. The bed was a double, and there was a large desk to serve as an office. There was a fireplace as well and Levi got the fire going to bring some light in the room.

(Y/n) sighed, pressing her back against the closed door of the room. That was close. She let her muscles finally relax and she sat by the edge of the bed to take off her boots. She stood back to place her bag on top of the desk and she started taking out the samples that she had saved at the last minute. It was nothing but bottles with liquids.

“Is it okay if I put these here?” (Y/n) asked turning over at Levi as he fixed the fire with a twig. He had knelt down on one knee. The light that came from the flame graced his sharp features and (y/n) only found herself staring at him longer than she was supposed to.

“It’s our desk. You do as you like,” Levi said as he stood back up. A finger reached for his ascot, loosening it from around his neck with a single move as he approached her. His raven hair fell messily on his forehead. Sharp eyes stared down at her softly. “You’re not hurt, are you?” Levi asked again when he noticed the blood stains on her shirt and her skirt.

(Y/n) just shook her head and gave him a reassuring smile. If it wasn’t for him, she had no idea where she would be right now. His hand reached down around her waist. He brought her body closer. She was in a white buttoned shirt, and a grey long skirt.

(Y/n)’s hands reached for his ascot, untying it with delicate moves. She placed the ascot on the table beside them, and her palms rested flat on his chest, right on top of that white buttoned shirt that he was wearing beneath the black jacket.

She pushed off that black jacket down his shoulders, and she set off to place it in a nearby coat-stand. She turned around to approach him, only for both his hands to slip around her waist and bring her close once more. (Y/n) smiled at him, but he seemed deep in thought as always.

He had almost thought he lost her, today. Thank goodness, he was fast enough to get there on time. He did not doubt her skills though. She had already put up quite a fight against the MPs. Still, one wrong move could’ve ended her life, and if that had happened, she wouldn’t be there, staring with those bright (e/c) eyes at him. He wouldn’t have the chance to hold her like he was holding her now and he would be sinking in his misery, and the depression, deeper than ever. His hands tightened around her. So, so precious.

“Stop thinking,” (Y/n) said as if she had read his mind.

Both her hands found each side of his face and he sighed at the instant relief that she brought him. He closed his eyes and rested his face in her soft hands. He complied to her words and stopped thinking. He didn’t say anything. He just buried his face in her neck and he picked her up. He always picked her up so easily, as if she weighed next to nothing. Her hands tightened around his shoulders. Gentle fingers found his hair. He sat down on his chair with (y/n) in his lap and his face buried in her neck.

He didn’t know how long he held her there, or how long her fingers were gently caressing through his hair. Her skin was warm. He nuzzled his nose in her neck and breathed her in. Eyes closed. They just sat there in a large moment of comforting silence. There were no words to be exchanged. He just wanted to know that he was holding her and that she was safe because of that. It was only in such moments that he could close his eyes and his mind could know peace. Or at least, the closest thing to peace that he’d ever known.

(Y/n) pressed silent kisses in his hair, his temple, his forehead. He hummed and sighed in satisfaction. What was he going to do without her? Without these? Her gentle touch, her kisses, her warmth. He never thought he was so touch-starved. Yet again, it made sense that he’d be. The tender way his mother would hold him as she’d kiss his forehead. Memories that were so long-gone and forgotten were now brought back that (y/n) was kissing his forehead with that very same tenderness. She was so precious. So damn precious. And she was all his.

He couldn’t allow to lose her. Never again was he going to let himself suffer through the same pain that he did as he watched the corpse of his mother rotting. Still, in the end, he realised he didn’t care about himself suffering. He had done horrible things. He’d deserve to suffer. But not her. She deserved to live and be happy and he would do anything to achieve that.   

(Y/n) wasn’t going to let him fall asleep in the chair. She had let him multiple times before just because she knew he’d shout at her for waking him. She would cover him in blankets even when he’d pass out in uncomfortable positions on his office. But she wasn’t going to let him torment his body like that.

“Levi…” (Y/n) whispered softly in his ear and he finally lifted his head off her neck and looked down at her with tired eyes. “…we need to go to sleep,”  

Levi nodded in agreement. He was about to stand up and carry her to bed, but he just stopped to look down at her, and realise once more how breathtaking she was. Soft, (skin colour), plush skin. (H/c) hair that barely touched her shoulders. Bright (e/c) eyes. Soft, pink lips. So simple, yet so beautiful.

He kissed her. He had to. He wanted to meet her taste. He wanted to feel her fingers as they tightened around his shirt. His tongue met her own and she sighed in satisfaction. “I love you,” He moaned in her mouth before he let go of her lips and he trailed kisses down her chin, her cheekbone, her neck. His fingers clutched around her clothes as he pressed kisses and nips on her soft skin. (Y/n)’s hands found his hair again. She stroked them tenderly and it made him sigh against her skin. “I love you so damn much,”

(Y/n)’s heart fluttered beneath her chest. A bright blush spread across her face. I love you. She couldn’t believe this was coming from him. He had told her lots of times before but just listening to him saying it, made her heart burst and she knew that was it. He was the one. Him and no other. She wanted no other. Ever.

“I love you too, Levi,” She pressed kisses on his temple. “I really, really do,”   

A/N: Hello, loveliesssss!!! Feel free to reblog and comment below to lemme know if you liked it!!! Thanks for reading!!! 🥰

[ladyeliot]

PS I LOVE YOU

This One-shot is for @mostly-marvel-musings’s “600 follower challenge.” Thank you for doing this! 

Pairing: Tony Stark x Fem!Reader

Summary: After Tony's death he decides to create a "plan" to say goodbye to you.

Warnings: Fluff and Extremely Sad.

Word count: 2593

A/N: I cried a little bit writing it. Sorry for my spelling and grammatical mistakes, English is not my native language, I am learning.

This is perhaps the saddest, as well as the most romantic, story you will ever read. Yours. The fantastic, like the quotidian, was in your day to day life. You made the most important decision of your life, to give your heart to the one you loved, even though you knew there would come a day when he would break it. Tony Stark was not an ordinary man, in any sense, but he was the man you wanted to share your life with, the man who drove you crazy in every way, but also the man who made you smile every morning when you woke up next to him.

Like other married couples you had your ups and downs, his work at Stark Industries took up a lot of his time, but what really bothered you was his second job as Iron Man. Every time he put on that suit, your heart would crack, and it wasn't until he returned to your side that it would be forged again. Fear took over as the years went by, but all you could do was support him 100%, because it was his choice.

After the snap, you realised the opportunity that had presented in front of you, an opportunity among millions that the vast majority did not have, you were together, to move on and to have a new beginning. But still a wide guilt rolled around you, “why us?” The years passed and though you chose to drastically change your life, to move away from the big city and find a nest of love and peace, you knew that Tony's mind was still working, searching for an answer and a solution, realising it when the group of avengers came to ask for his help.

A considerable period of time has passed since all these events, but you know that it was this that triggered you to find yourself standing in front of the lake with one of Tony's closest friends right now.

"Before he left for his mission," Happy began, "he asked me to give this to you if anything happened to him.

You wiped away a tear that slid down your left cheek before you looked at him. Tony had made his choice and you supported him all the way, but you never believed that the pain could consume you like that. You focused your gaze on a small device Happy held in his hands, it was tiny, metal and had a small button. 

"What is it?" you asked, taking it between your fingers.

"I'm sorry, I have no idea Y/N."

You took a deep breath and pressed the button lightly. Instantly a hologram of Tony appeared before the two of you. You almost lost your balance in surprise, you didn't expect to find him in front of your eyes, sitting in a chair, in his Tom Ford suit.

"Hi honey!" said little hologram Tony waving his hand. "I hope you're not watching this, but in case you are, that means Happy has delivered it to you and I'm not with you right now."

You put a hand to your face trying to hide the pain you were feeling as you listened to him speak again. Little Tony was also silent for a moment.

"Anyway," he got up from the armchair he was sitting in. "I have a plan! I couldn't leave for the mission without saying goodbye to you, well in fact I just did and quite well, right now you're in the bedroom trying to pull yourself together— " Tony flashed a half smile and shook his head.

You couldn't help but smile at those words.

"Well, on to what we're going.Honey, I hope this doesn't get into your hands, but if it does, I have a thousand things to tell you and it's impossible for me to do it right now. I was hoping to have enough time to tell you for the rest of our lives, but it's not going to be possible," he sat back down and clasped his hands together. "Listen, ever since the guys came to pay me that visit and we realised we could turn things around, I couldn't get the idea out of my head that something might go wrong with the mission, and you know how I am when I get an idea in my head."  Tony laughed and it brought a smile to your face.  Tony laughed and it brought a smile to your face. "I've been planning this ever since, I've thought about all the things I'd want to tell you that I haven't told you and all those special dates I'd love to spend with you that I won't be able to. So I have a plan! And I need you, honey, to help me," the little hologram got up from the couch again and put his hands in his pocket and approached the camera. "First of all I need you to wipe the tears off your face and show that beautiful smile to the world, and Happy too, but except for the smile thing," you both let out a small laugh between tears. "Secondly, I hope you're wearing that black dress I like so much, the one with the back slit, you know," you rolled your eyes and nodded, you were wearing it."And thirdly, I wish I didn't have to ask you this, but I need you to go to the lab, in the safe you'll find a letter, it's the first of several that will be coming to you."  Tony lowered his gaze. "I can't tell you when you'll get more, but I promise they'll arrive when you least expect them.By the way, the password you already know what it is, on our wedding day— " 

In the background, your voice could be heard, urging Tony to return to the room.  

"I'm coming honey!" after he responds he turned his attention back to the camera. "Sorry, my beautiful wife claims me," you smiled and sighed approaching the camera, meeting Tony's face in its fullness. "Honey, you know you're my only weakness. I love you."

Just as he had appeared the hologram disappeared and a void formed again in your heart. You took a deep breath trying to undo the lump in your throat and taking in every word he had said. You looked at Happy who looked as puzzled as you were.

"Did you know about this?" you asked with mixed feelings.

"I promise I didn't," Happy held up his hands in innocence. 

You quickly walked away from the lake and headed towards your cabin, people had left a couple of hours ago, but Happy had chosen to stay with you. You opened the door quickly, followed by your friend and you both walked down to Tony's lab. His things were just as he had left them a couple of weeks ago, as no one had gone in there. You made your way to the safe, hidden behind one of the works of art, and entered the password.

Just as Tony had said, there it was, a white envelope with your name on it, next to a set of clothes, waiting for you to take it in your hands and open it.  Before you did so, you looked at Happy who seemed to be anxious to discover the contents as well. You didn't know what Tony's "Plan" was, nor if it would be beneficial or painful for you, but that mattered little at that moment, because all you needed was to see him, to hear him, or in this case to read what he had written.

You opened the envelope and read it:

"Hello honey, 

I guess if you are reading this envelope you will have seen the holography and I guess it is the "day", so I have a surprise prepared for you, read carefully. What I need you to do is to get everyone out of the house, Happy can stay, take off that dress, Happy won't be there when you do that, and put on the clothes I've left with the letter. 

When you're ready, just tell F.R.I.D.A.Y. to brief you on the use of your armour. I know, I know you've never been in favour of it, but you need it. F.R.I.D.A.Y will explain everything you need to know, you just let go, trust me. Go out and free yourself, eat the world.

PS I LOVE YOU"

That was one of the first letters Tony had planned for you. As time went on, they came to you once a month, as well as on special days, such as your birthday, his birthday, your anniversary, etc. He had planned every minute of those days. Tony knew you so well that he knew what you might be thinking, or how you were feeling. On the one hand, he covered the loneliness you felt without him, but on the other hand he made you feel even emptier and reminded you that he would never be with you again and you could never spend those moments together.

At first it was rewarding, but as time went on you realised that it was impossible to evolve, you had entered a loop from which it was impossible to get out. You spent your days waiting for a letter that might not arrive, and wondering when his "plan" would come to an end and if you were ready for it. Happy was supportive in that sense and tried to keep you grounded, as you both knew Tony best.

One evening you were doing what Tony had instructed you to do in the last letter you had received, the one for your fifth wedding anniversary. Along with it Tony had sent you a black dress along with a pair of high heels, informing you that you were not to leave the house before 8.00 p.m. and to head for the lakeshore when you were ready.

Happy was sitting on the couch trying to hide his concern about the situation that had dragged on for two years. After finishing your touch-ups you said goodbye to him and complied with Tony's details. You had no idea what you were going to find, but as you left, you could see a small square table in the distance, decorated with candles, waiting for you. As you arrived you noticed that a faint song began to play through a small speaker hidden behind some flowers, your song.

"I guess thanks for that, F.R.I.D.A.Y," you said looking at the diamond bracelet Tony had given you when you got engaged that was connected to his AI.

"It was me," you turned around to find Happy's voice behind you.

You frowned and looked at him, realising that he was holding a pair of white envelopes in his hands. A state of nervousness and confusion took over your body, and without being able to say a word you pointed to his hands.

"These are the last of them," he whispered, stepping in front of you and handing them to you.

You smiled, finding tears gathering in your eyes, and nodded, taking them in your hands.

"I'm sorry Y/N," Happy said with a shake of his face. "He made me promise not to tell you anything, and I couldn't refuse to help him either. Even if I wasn't totally on board with this crazy plan. You know how he is."

"I know," you bit your lower lip smiling and wiping the tears from your eyes.

"They're the last ones," he repeated again. "After today, you'll have to move on without them."

After those words Happy went back the way he had come, and instead of taking a seat at the table you approached the edge of the lake. You had before you the last words Tony had written to you. One of the letters read "To the love of my life", while the other read "To that person". Puzzled, you opened the one that said "To the love of my life" first.

"Hello again honey.

How is everything going, is Happy still keeping his nerves under control in this situation? I hope he is and that he has delivered this letter to you.By the way I don't know how the situation has developed, but don't be angry with him, I made him promise not to tell you anything until it's all over, and as you can see that's the point.

The thing is, I'm not going to be able to write any more, today is the last day before I leave for the mission, and if you've finally been getting all the letters, this has to be the last one. I just made you the recording that Happy will give you if things don't go as planned, and you are begging me to come back to our bedroom with you. 

I guess everything I needed to tell you I haven't been able to do, you know there are a lot of things I'm good at, but in expressing my feelings in words I've never really excelled.

I'd love to know what you're thinking right now, or how you feel about the "plan" I've created. Although I also don't know if you've been able to make it this far, or if you've decided not to go through with it anymore. Happy has orders that the moment you say "enough" it's all over, I don't want you to suffer. 

I just want you to be happy, I want you to be as happy as I have been by your side, I want you to show your beautiful smile to the world, I want you to get everything you want.

My honey, I'm going to dedicate these last words to tell you how you changed my life, how you offered me everything I was missing, without even knowing it. You agreed to marry me, you made us a family. And that's what I want for you.

Even though you may feel sad and insecure right now, I need you to show that you are the strongest woman I know and move forward. May you live that wonderful life you wished you had, may you do crazy things, may you meet people and fall in love. May you feel love again, may you rediscover it with someone who makes you happy and may you start a family again. 

Please don't be afraid, I am well and I will be well. Don't think of me, think of yourself, and if you think of me, know that I will be watching you and taking care of you every day. I want you to know that I couldn't leave our house without thinking that you will never feel that way about anyone again, in case I don't come back.

Having said that, honey, it only remains for me to leave you a new letter, a letter for that person who restores your faith in love, who I know you will find one day. I just want you to give it to him or her when you are sure.

So sweetheart,

PS I LOVE YOU"

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[writings-of-dumpy]

Rewrite the Stars: George Weasley x Reader

A/N: I had a nightmare I needed to process so here this is. WARNING: THIS STORY IS HEAVY. THERE IS CHILD ABUSE AND MAJOR CHARACTER DEATH. IF THESE TRIGGER YOU, PLEASE DO NOT READ THIS FIC.

Summary: Y/N is Draco’s older sister who has never fit in with the Malfoy family and befriends the Weasley Twins.

George sat down in potions class next to Fred. It was their first class in their first year at Hogwarts and the two of them already had a fair idea about what this class would be like, and they weren't looking forward to it. Next to him sat a girl wearing a Slytherin uniform. He thought that odd because Gryffindors and Slytherins don't usually sit next to each other in any class. In fact their closest proximity was in the Great Hall with Gryffindor table sandwiched between Slytherin and Ravenclaw. He didn't spend too much time looking at her, though, just long enough to make a friendly wave at her, which she returned with a small smile.

“You are to work on a potion to cure boils in your groups of three. Hopefully with three sets of eyes watching, one of them will have a brain behind it,” Snape drawled on. Geroge turned to the girl next to him and hoped for the best. He heard that Slytherins had a reputation for being truly awful, but he didn't want to make any assumptions. He did, after all, get a smile out of her.

“Hi there, I'm Geroge Weasley, this is my brother Fred,” George said as he flipped through his book to find the recipe. He noticed that she had already started to put ingredients together.

“Hi... I'm Y/N,” she said in a shy voice and sent them both a small and warm smile.

“No last name, eh?” Fred inquired and handed her the next ingredient.

“Erm... I'd rather not say...”

“Miss Malfoy...” Snape said from behind her. George's eyes went wide and he saw Y/N's face cringe and she looked up at Snape.

“Yes, Professor?” she responded. George and Fred shared an alarmed look. They knew who the Malfoys were—Lucius Malfoy had been the bane of their father's existence for quite a while, and this appeared to be his eldest daughter.

“I expect great things from you. Give your father my best,” Snape said lowly as if his words were more of a warning than encouragement.

“I will, Professor,” Y/N said and then looked at the twins apologetically. George thought she was going to cry in front of them and decided immediately that she was nothing like her father. He wanted to give her a chance.

“I'm s—”

“Don't even think about it, Y/N. Looks like it's ready to take off the heat,” Fred said with a kind smile. Y/N smiled once again, but wider this time, and took the cauldron off the flame, then added the quills.

At the end of class, a couple of Slytherin boys started laughing and pointing at Fred and George. They rolled their eyes and were perfectly happy ignoring them.

“Better fetch an owl to send those cauldrons back home, Weasleys! Your mum's gotta take a bath,” one of them jeered.

Before George could retort, Y/N—who was stood closer to them than George—spoke up.

“Back off, you ass. Or I'll stuff your inflated head into a cauldron until your skull pops,” Y/N threatened.

The boys looked dumbfounded and George was sure that if Y/N had a different last name, those boys would have pummeled her.  She walked off past them all and out of the dungeons. Fred and George followed quickly behind her with impressed smiles on their faces.

“Hey! Hey, Y/N, wait up!” Fred called after her. She turned around and looked at them and waited for them to catch up.

“Thank you for that,” George said with a smile.

“Don't mention it. Honestly, it's the least I could do... I wish... well...” Y/N said with a vague gesture. George knew what she meant and nodded his head. He wondered why she was put in Slytherin.

In their second year, George was surprised and pleased to find that Y/N was a chaser for the Slytherin team, and had snuck out a couple times to watch her practice. The team was hard on her, being the only girl, but she seemed to take it well. Fred and George did their best to not directly hit her with bludgers. After their first game, George made a point to find Y/N. It was nearly dusk by the time he saw her walking back to the Slytherin dorms alone.

“Y/N, wait!” he called after her. He was still in his uniform as was she, but she had at least taken her knee and shoulder pads off.

She turned to him and George saw that she had a nice bruise on her eye. At twelve, George wasn't sure how to react.

“I didn't do that, did I..?” he asked feeling guilty if a stray bludger that he hit may have collided with her face.

“No, it wasn't you. Dad came to visit and he doesn't like losing,” Y/N muttered. George's face went pale when he realized what she meant. He only imagined the cruelty of the Malfoys up until now, but he thought that even Lucius loved his children. He didn't know what to do. Lucius was a powerful man, and there's no way he stood a chance against him. He didn't know how to help her and it killed him.

“Y/N... I had no idea... You should tell someone, a teacher! I'm sure Professor McGonagall would—” George began, but was interrupted by that same teacher's voice.

“Mister Weasley, Miss Malfoy, what on earth are you two doing this late? It's nearly curfew,” she said.

“Professor, Y/N's in t—” George began, but Y/N interrupted him.

“I'm fine, George. I'll see you around. Congratulations, good game,” Y/N said and walked away.

Once she was out of sight, George turned to McGonagall. “Professor, you have to help her. Malfoy beats her. His own child!”

McGonagall sighed and hung her head. “As much as I want to help, I cannot. Only the head of house is able to intervene like that and unfortunately if Miss Malfoy isn't going to come forward to Professor Snape, there is nothing I or you can do.”

“But she's a student! You're a teacher, you have to be able to do SOMETHING!” George pleaded with her as they made their way back to the Gryffindor common room.

“As I said before Mister Weasley, there is nothing we can do until Miss Malfoy decides for herself. My advice to you is to be a friend to her. Merlin knows she needs someone like you,” McGonagall said. George stormed up to his room and threw his gear onto the bed.

“What's got you in a knot?” Fred asked.

“Malfoy. He beats his own kid,” George grumbled and changed into his pajamas for the night. “Y/N's got a shiner only a grown man could give.”

Fred was silent, but George could feel his rage. George went to bed that night vowing to be the best friend he could to Y/N and the three of them found themselves inseparable for the rest of the year. They shared letters over the summer after George begged Y/N to come stay with them, but her father would never allow it, so they kept in touch nearly every day.

When the sorting ceremony began for their third year at Hogwarts, George could tell Y/N was nervous. He kept sending her encouraging looks from across the tables, but he soon realized why she looked upset.

“Draco Malfoy,” McGonagall called out. George looked over and saw a small first-year step up to the sorting hat. He looked nothing like his sister, but everything like his father. He had a sneer on his face and the sorting hat barely touched his head before bellowing out Slytherin. George thought back to when Y/N had been sorted. He remembered being so nervous that it didn't even register that her last name was Malfoy, but he knew the sorting hat had been on her head for a few minutes before reluctantly saying Slytherin.

Draco made his way over to his sister and sat next to her. She smiled at him and nodded encouragingly, which seemed to help Draco relax a bit. He wondered what their relationship was like. He knew how he got along with his younger siblings, but he couldn't imagine how that family dynamic differed.

“You didn't tell us you had a kid brother,” Fred said to her during Herbology.

“You never asked,” Y/N shrugged with a cheeky grin. George let out a laugh.

“Is he anything like you?” George asked and their hands gently brushed as they both reached for the plant. George let his hand linger on hers for a moment.

Y/N shook her head and went about examining the leaves. “We used to be close, but... Once I got into Hogwarts, he started to be a daddy's boy and, well...”

Fred and George nodded in understanding. Throughout the year, Y/N and Draco would be seen eating together and George hoped that Y/N would be able to mend the relationship with her brother. It wouldn't seem that way, though, for at the beginning of their fourth year in Diagon Alley, the Weasleys had a run-in with the Malfoys.

“Oh look, Potter! Got yourself a girlfriend!” Draco teased after Ginny daringly stood up to him.

“Draco, you little shit, leave them alone,” Y/N said from beside him. “And go buy that book you just destroyed.”

“No need to be so pushy, Y/N,” a sickeningly deep and silky voice said from behind Y/N before George could greet her. Y/N's face dropped and she stood submissively behind her father. George's blood boiled at the sight of Lucius Malfoy. He had seen the bruises the man had left on his dear friend and it took every bit of strength within him to not tackle him right then. Fred looped his arm with George's to keep him from bolting forward until the Malfoys left the shop. Y/N looked back apologetically, but was then yanked away by her father's forceful hand. George saw red as he went to run after her and probably hex Lucius in the meantime, but Fred held him back with a shake of his head.

“You can't always be a hero, George,” Fred muttered. George didn't calm down until the three of them had found a compartment on the train.

“Are you alright?” George asked Y/N and sat next to her. She nodded.

“I'm sorry about him. He's...” Y/N trailed off. George looked at her with concern and gently took her hand in his. Y/N smiled slightly and allowed him to hold her hand with his gentle and soft touch.

“Awful?”

“Horrible?”

“Bigoted?”

“Evil?”

“Atrocious?”

Y/N smiled and shook her head with a small laugh at the twins' sounding off insults about her father. His hatred only burned brighter for the Malfoy patriarch when Y/N returned from Christmas holiday wincing every time she breathed. George was extra careful with her—he didn't want to hurt her worse, but he wanted her to know that his touch was one she could count on to be gentle and loving.

“Y/N you should go to Madam Pomfrey... looks like it's getting worse,” Fred said after he had made her laugh with a joke. Y/N shook her head, then bit her lip and looked at them.

“Would one of you be willing to... check?” Y/N said. “Just for a minute to make sure it's not.. worse...”

George's heart clenched and he got up from the table with her hand in his. Fred sent him and encouraging look and hung his head with furrowed brows. George knew Fred would cover for them and they headed into the abandoned girl's bathroom.

George's heart pounded as Y/N locked the door behind them and started to take her robes off to show him her injuries. He felt his breath hitch and his chest was filled with emotions. As she lifted her button-up shirt and Slytherin tie, he saw numerous dark purple, black, and green bruises along her abdomen. It was a shocking sight, and George felt his eyes well up with tears as she turned her back to show him the worst of it. Almost every part of her back was covered in linear and round bruises. He couldn't imagine what she had been through, and he wanted to kill Lucius.

“Well..? Do you see any blood?” Y/N asked.

“No, but... your whole back is purple, love...” he said and gingerly grazed his fingers along her spine. “You should go to Madam Pomfrey, please... I'll go with you.”

“No, she'll just tell Snape and then I'll get it even worse over summer,” Y/N protested.

“I don't know how it could get worse than this,” George said aloud. Y/N put herself back together and faced him with a serious expression that told George she knew it could get worse. He hurt for her and reached out to grip her hands in his. He held them for a moment and rubbed the tops of her knuckles with his thumbs.

“I can't let you go back,” he told her.

“You have to...” Y/N said. She squeezed his hands and gave him a warm smile, then left the bathroom with him gently holding her hand.

~*~

After a small argument between Oliver Wood and Marcus Flint over the Quidditch field, Draco was revealed to be the new Slytherin Seeker, which Fred and George rolled their eyes at.

“At least nobody on the Gryffindor team had to buy their way in. They all got in on pure talent,” Hermione interjected.

“Nobody asked your opinion, you filthy little Mudblood,” Draco spat.

“Draco!” Y/N gasped in disbelief and disapproval. George's jaw clenched as he saw Draco turn to her with a dark expression.

“Eat slugs!” Ron said and flicked his wand, but was sent backward. The Gryffindor team rushed to Ron and George noticed that Y/N had followed rather than staying behind with her brother and teammates who were laughing uncontrollably. George looked at her just in time for her to make a disgusted face as his younger brother puked up a slug.

“Fraternizing with the Weasleys, eh, Y/N? Father won't be pleased with that... Disgraceful,” Draco taunted. Y/N looked back at him and threw her broomstick at her brother's feet.

“This may come as a shock to you, but I'm not interested in pleasing him. I quit,” she said through her teeth and stormed off. Fred and George shared a look for a moment and ran after her.

“Y/N! Y/N wait!” Fred called. It wasn't until they reached the Black Lake that Y/N finally stopped and sank to her knees. George approached her with gentle caution and placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Y/N...? Love..?” George asked her. She looked at him with tears running down her face.

“I never even wanted to be on the team, and now he's got them all under his thumb,” Y/N sobbed. George looked back at Fred, who shrugged.

“It's going to be okay,” George said and gently patted her back.

“I was supposed to be in Ravenclaw, you know. I begged the sorting hat to put me in Slytherin because I was so scared that if I wasn't I'd never be allowed home,” Y/N cried. “And now Draco's made it okay to use that horrible language—did you see that poor girl's face?!”

George didn't know what to do, but he wanted to take her pain away. She sat down on the grass and hung her head so her chin touched her chest and shook with tears. Fred walked over and the two of them shared a look of hopelessness before wrapping their arms around her. She placed her hands on each of their arms and rested her head on George's bicep. Fred rubbed her back gently and George held her close.

~*~

It was their seventh year at Hogwarts now, and Y/N had barely written to the twins over the summer, and George was anxious to see her. With the impending threat of Voldemort's return, George wondered how the Malfoys had treated her and worried about her almost constantly. He saw her sit next to her brother in a solemn manner at the Slytherin table. He was now taller than her and he reminded George very much of Lucius. The way Y/N stood behind him was all too familiar and George hated himself for not forcing her to come stay with them after Cedric's murder. Y/N looked up at George and as soon as they made eye contact, she looked away in fear. He looked suspiciously at Draco, who smirked and patted his sister's shoulder. George's stomach went sick and he barely ate anything that night. It was several months into the school year and it seemed that Draco had been tasked with keeping Y/N in line. Every time Fred or George wanted to talk to Y/N, Draco would somehow appear and shoo them away from his sister. It wasn't until just before summer break that George was able to get Y/N alone.

It was just past curfew and George knew he shouldn't be out of bed, but he didn't care. He needed to get to the Slytherin common room and see Y/N. Things had gone from bad to worse at Hogwarts and he had to make sure she was okay.

As he passed one of the courtyards, he saw someone on a bench and heard sobs. He recognized the voice and he nearly flew over to her and placed his arms around Y/N. She must have recognized his embrace immediately because her arms flung around him and he held her close.

“I've missed you so much...” Y/N said. His heart swelled and he pulled her closer to him. He placed his face in the crook of her neck and breathed her in. He hadn't realized how much he'd missed her and longed for her touch until this moment when he had her in his arms again. He pulled back to look at her face and left one arm still wrapped around her while the other reached up and placed a hand on her cheek.

“What's wrong, darling?” he asked and wiped her tears. Y/N shook her head.

“He wants me to be a Death Eater... He's going to make me get a dark mark this holiday, I can't... I don't want that,” Y/N said through sobs. “I have no choice, George, he's going to kill me if I don't do it...”

George shook his head. There is no way he would allow this. This was the last straw. “No, you're coming to live with me and Fred. It's safe there.”

Y/N shook her head. “I couldn't... Draco would catch on.”

“You know I want you, right?” he said surprising himself. “I don't know that I've ever tried to hide it, but I need you to know for certain that you're the one for me.”

Y/N looked at him and her face crumpled into despair. “We can't, George... My family would kill you, there's nothing I can do...”

“Do you love me?”

“What?”

“Do you love me?” George repeated in desperation. He searched her eyes for any indication, and he found tears swimming in them and falling down her cheeks.

“Of course I do, George, but we—”

“Then we'll leave tomorrow. Fred and I will cause a distraction, and we'll head off. Draco's taking his OWLs tomorrow with the rest of the fifth years, yes? Well, we'll stow away then. You managed to get away from him tonight,” George reasoned and held her shoulders gently. Y/N thought it over and looked up at George.

“What about you and Fred? Graduation and everything, you'd miss it,” Y/N asked. George shook his head.

“You are the most important thing to me, do you understand? You're everything,” he said and held her face in his hand once more. Y/N's expression softened and George looked into her eyes to tell her that he was being honest and true to her. She nodded and George smiled.

“You better get back, Fred and I will come and get you tomorrow. Pack a bag, but don't be too obvious,” George instructed. Y/N nodded and smiled at him.

“Thank you, George...” she said. George swallowed hard and pulled her close to his chest, then kissed the top of her head and poured his love into it. She looked up at him after a beat and her eyes flicked from his eyes to his lips. George's heart was beating nearly out of his chest and the words he'd been longing to say were bubbling to the surface, but not coming out. Throwing caution to the wind, he shook his head slightly and pressed his lips to hers. He held the back of her head with one hand and pulled her body close to his with the other, and he felt her fingers tangle in his ginger locks. He remembered each night he yearned for her safety and the touches he gave her to reassure her that he was there over the years and put all of those feelings into this kiss. He didn't know if she meant this kiss the same way he did, but he didn't care. He poured his soul into that kiss it seemed and he drank in every move of her lips and every flick of her tongue that she gave. He knew they didn't have much time before Draco would catch on to Y/N being gone, so he ended the kiss before he wanted to.

“Tomorrow,” he promised as he broke away. Y/N nodded and George noticed her lips were swollen slightly from their kiss. They parted ways and George could hear his heart in his ears as he took the passageways back to his dorm. He was thrilled that he'd finally shown the girl of his dreams how he felt, and he was overjoyed to tell Fred of the plan.

“You alright, mate?” Fred asked when George slipped back into the room. George, slightly lovestruck and coming down from the high that was his first kiss with Y/N, nodded.

“We're busting Y/N out tomorrow and we're leaving,” George told him. Fred eyed him and smiled.

“So that's why you look like that. Wait, you snogged her, didn't you? Don't lie to me, now, I can see her gloss on your lip,” Fred said and pointed to George's lower lip. He pressed his lips together and licked the small bit of watermelon gloss she had left away.

“She was just saying thank you,” George reasoned and began to pack a bag full of his things.

“Oh I'm sure all of those longing glances and excuses to touch her totally slipped right past her,” Fred said sarcastically and mirrored George's actions with his own bag. George scoffed and rolled his eyes.

The morning after, Fred and George skipped all of their classes and followed Y/N from a distance. She was being escorted by two older Slytherins that George and Fred noticed to be seventh years.  Once it struck ten in the morning, they knew the OWLs had started. The two Slytherins were stationed outside of the charms classroom where Y/N resided inside.

“And what are you two doing?” McGonagall asked from beside them as Fred and George watched on.

“Draco's busy, so we're looking after Y/N in there,” one of them said to her. “Umbridge gave us passes.”

“Well, I say we have a talk with her then about the importance of student attendance per the Ministry's policy, hmm? Let's go,” McGonagall said and pulled the boys away from the door. They reluctantly left their posts and McGonagall made eye contact with George and flicked her head towards the classroom with a wink.

“Did you?” George asked Fred.

“No, did you?”

“No.”

They smiled and ran into the classroom as fast as they could.

“Sorry, Professor Flitwick!” Fred said and they quickly found Y/N. George helped her up and she looked slightly alarmed and put her backpack on.

“We're on a rescue mission,” George said and gripped Y/N's hand.

“Oh-um.. By all means,” Flitwick said and waved them out. “Good luck.”

“We always loved your class!” Fred said and the three of them ran out of the room.

“Accio cleansweep!” they said as they ran towards where Umbridge chained their brooms up. With a loud clang, two brooms flew through the hallways and Fred and George mounted their brooms in midair. George held his hand out for Y/N and she took it with a smile.

“Hold on tight, my love,” he told her. She nodded and gripped around his waist as they sped off toward the great hall.

“Ready, Fred?”

“Ready, George!”

The pair tossed each other various explosives as they ransacked the hall and disrupted the students. They sent a flash bomb to shatter all of Umbridge's ridiculous decrees, and set off fireworks in the sky of the hall. As a finale, they sent a dragon after Umbridge and the entire school was out in the courtyard to watch in glee at Umbridge's horrified face. They painted their logo in the sky as a final farewell to the school they loved. In the crowd, George spotted Draco, who looked extremely angry. George flipped him the bird and they sped off to the Burrow.

After all of the chaos and a fairly long broom flight, they landed at the Burrow with smiles. George helped Y/N dismount and the three of them shared a big hug.

“Thank you... I owe you,” Y/N said. Fred shook his head.

“You would have done the same for us,” he said. George nodded.

“Besides... We've got a business to plan if you're interested,” George said with a wink.

Y/N smiled and nodded. The three of them walked into the house and Y/N seemed to be in awe.

“I know it's no mansion like you're used to, but... we make do,” George said, suddenly feeling bashful about the stark difference from what Y/N must be used to as calling home.

“It's perfect...” she said with her eyes glued to the towering house. George smiled and looked at her with love in his eyes. He slipped his hand into hers and Y/N looked down at their hands and then back up at George, who had a quizzical look on his face as if he were asking permission. Y/N smiled and locked their fingers together, then they entered the house.

“What on earth are you two doing here?! Oh, hello there, dear, I don't believe we've met. Did my boys kidnap you? Oh I knew you two would do something like this one day,” Molly said once they entered the house.

“This is our friend, Y/N... We couldn't take it anymore, Mum. Umbridge was making a prison out of the school. We figured missing the last month of our last year wouldn't hurt us. And Y/N... well...” Fred began and then stopped and looked at Y/N.

“I'm so sorry to intrude... Your sons saved me from a terrible fate, I owe them, and you, my life,” Y/N said. Molly's face fell.

“Oh dear, you're the Malfoy girl, aren't you?” Molly said with a hurt expression. “You can stay as long as you need, dear. I'm glad at least one person in that family has sense... Well, your father should be back from work at any moment now and we'll all have dinner, yes?”

“Oh I'm starving,” George said. He went to walk up to his room and put his things down and pulled Y/N along with him for their hands were still interlocked.

“So this is your room...” Y/N concluded and smiled at the boys' decorated room.

“We've got a bed for you!” Fred said and with a wave of his wand he made a bed appear in the middle of theirs with the mattresses almost touching.

When it was time for dinner, the four Weasleys sat down and Y/N sat between Fred and George.

“Never thought I'd see a Malfoy sat at my table, but from what I've heard, you're more like a Weasley anyway,” Arthur said with a smile to Y/N.

“Thank you for letting me stay here... You have no idea what you've saved me from,” Y/N said.

“I know very well how cruel your father can be, my dear. I hope you feel safe here. So boys... you've secured a place in Diagon Alley?” Arthur responded and changed the subject.

“Oh yeah! Right at the corner when you walk in, can't miss it!” Fred said with his mouth full.

“Excellent!” Arthur said and tucked into his food.

George smiled as he watched Y/N eat his mum's shepherd's pie like she hadn't eaten in days. For all he knew she hadn't. He took his own bites and made eye contact with his mum, who gave him a knowing look. He shook his head and blushed—the woman was too observant.

That night, George got himself ready for bed while Y/N showered in the bathroom adjacent to their room.

“You boys did a very brave thing today. Stupid, but brave and noble...” Arthur said on his way to retire for the night.

Fred and George shared a look and smiled at each other.

“We finally did it, we got her out,” Fred remarked. George smiled and nodded. Now all he had to do was tell her how he felt. When Y/N returned from the bathroom, she was wearing the shirt George had lent her and he smiled at her. Fred excused himself for a bit to give them privacy.

“How are you feeling?” George said and walked over to her. He pulled her hands to his and felt her soft skin in his palms. His eyes traveled up her arms and he saw faint bruises that resembled handprints, he assumed from being hauled around the school by her brother or his goons.

“I'm okay, I think... I'm glad I'm here with you,” she said and looked up at him. George smiled and guided her over to her bed.

“I'm sure you're exhausted, love,” he said as he sat on his mattress and she sat on hers.

“Yeah a little bit...” she said and bit her lip. George looked at her with concern.

“You're safe here, we all are. I promise,” he told her as he looked into her eyes.

“I know... I just... George, did you mean what you said yesterday?” she asked with a look of hope in her eyes.

George smiled and held her cheek. “Every word.”

Y/N smiled. “Good...”

~*~

The battle of Hogwarts was over. Harry was dead and George was sure he was about lose his life, too. He held Y/N's hand as tightly as he could and rubbed his hand over the ring that he'd placed on her finger not two months ago. They had lost so many today and he'd be damned if he lost his love, too. He'd die before he let her be cursed or killed.

“Draco... Draco! Draco, come,” Lucius spat at his son and beckoned him to join the Death Eaters.

George could see Y/N looking at her younger brother. Almost all eyes were on Draco and the boy looked torn. He looked over to where his sister stood. Y/N held George's hand and he could tell that they had made eye contact. Fred stood defensively with his brother.

“No... This has gone on long enough... I turned on the only person in my family I ever cared about, but I won't do it a second time,” Draco said and made his way over to Y/N as the Death Eaters stared in shock at Draco's insolence.

George stood in front of Y/N protectively, but she let go of his hand and stood in front of Draco.

“I'm sorry,” Draco said. Y/N wrapped her arms around her taller brother and he accepted her hug with his own.

“Avada kedavra!” George heard Lucius shout and the crowd erupted in chaos as Draco fell to the ground on top of Y/N.

“No! Y/N!! Y/N!!” Fred and George screamed for her. With panicked and shaking hands, they moved Draco's body off of her. George barely glanced at Draco's dead form and went to check Y/N.

“I'm okay...” Y/N said, which sent a wave of relief through him. George barely had time to register that Harry wasn't dead and Voldemort was throwing curses all around in frustration and anger that his adversary had bested him.

“Where are you going?!” George yelled after Y/N, who had sprinted off after her father. She dodged Voldemort's aimless explosions and made her way to the bridge.

“Go after her! I'll pull Draco into the hall!” Fred instructed. Without another thought, George ran after her and caught up just as she disarmed her father on the bridge that connected Hogwarts and the outside world.

“Expeliarmus!” she shouted and his wand flew into the ravine.

“I knew you'd turn out to be no good, but I'd rather Draco dead than sink to the depths you've sunk,” Lucius seethed.

“SHUT UP!” Y/N bellowed through tears. “You're going to Azkaban where you belong.”

Lucius laughed. “And who's going to make me? Two blood traitors?”

“Crucio!” Y/N cursed and Lucius fell onto the stone. Narcissa watched in horror and covered her sobs with her mouth at her husband's cries of pain.

“Y/N, stop... this isn't you,” George calmed with a hand on her shoulder.

“He killed my brother just as we were going to make progress. Now I'll never have that. He's ruined my life too many times for me to just let him get away,” Y/N said, continuing her curse.

“Love...” George said as he saw her eyes flood with tears and spill over onto her cheeks. He lowered her wand for her and she let him. With a flick of his wand and a muttered spell, Lucius was under the body-bind hex indefinitely. George turned her head to face his. “You're not that person.”

Y/N sobbed and George pulled her into his chest. They were there for several minutes before Fred caught up to them. He had a smile on his face as dawn broke.

“Voldemort's dead! Up in smoke. Harry's done it!” Fred said with a smile. He knelt down and held his brother and future sister in law.

Y/N composed herself long enough to watch her mother and father be hauled away with the rest of the remaining Death Eaters. George held onto her the whole time. They made their way back tot he Great Hall and Y/N sat next to Draco's body and held his hand. She said nothing, and George sat with her for as long as it took the rest of the Order to move the bodies to the mortuary, including his. Y/N took  deep breath and leaned against George.

“I want to go home,” Y/N said. George nodded and held her hand as they walked off the grounds, then apparated back to their flat above Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. There weren't words spoken between them, but George made every effort to have Y/N exert none. He undressed her and turned the bath on for them, then helped her in and supported her against him. He used a loofah and her favorite soap to wash the sweat, dirt, and blood from her body and he noticed that she had gained a few scrapes and bruises, but nothing too serious, thankfully. After washing himself, he rinsed them both off and drew a fresh bath of warm soapy water for them to relax in.

“George?” Y/N said in a small voice.

“Hm?” he responded as he mindlessly rubbed her arm with his fingers.

“Do you think less of me?” she asked. George sat up slightly and looked at her.

“Now what makes you say that?” he asked.

“I've dreamed of cursing Lucius for years...” she said.

“You and everyone else in this family, my dear,” George said and leaned his head back and closed his eyes enjoying the warmth of her skin and the water around him.

“I'm serious.”

“So am I.”

Y/N rested her head on his damp and bare chest, and George smiled and wrapped an arm around her. When they got out of the tub, Y/N seemed to be feeling better, and she greeted Fred with a warm hug when he returned to their shared flat. He retired to his room and George was sure he had the same sort of bath that George and Y/N shared earlier. It was dark outside and George wasn't really sure what time it was, but he and Y/N were tucked into bed. He held her close against his chest and her body perfectly conformed to him as it often had. In a few moments, he felt her soft and even breathing against him and he smiled knowing that she was sleeping. He kissed her forehead and thanked the stars that he was able to have her in his life.

[justcourttee]

Trigger warning: After posting one too many of Lila’s lies, the ladyblog faces severe backlash and lawsuits. One of the recent is from a respected journalist that Lila lied about being friends with their kid. Alya is facing defamation and the journalists Child had recently passed away further upsetting the latter. Alya tried to explain, but Lila quickly throws her under the bus. This is not Bashing, except actions have consequences and have to live with them. Lila salt is welcome though

I hope this is kind of what you were thinking about. I did my best to keep it as accurate as I could with French Law :)

Here

Alya couldn’t believe she was here.

As she stared at the multitude of cameras, all vying for her attention, she felt the sudden need to make herself smaller. Nino’s strong hand on her back, urging her forward gave her the strength she needed to make it up the courthouse steps. Her eyes scanned the crowd looking for one person in particular but alas, they were nowhere to be seen.

Instead, she found two people she had hoped would miss this little event. Front row stood Marinette and Adrien, they’re eyes feigned with concern as she took the last step before the entrance. If only she could reach them, get them to testify on her behalf, but why would they change their minds now? It’s not like she hadn’t begged them too at the beginning of the month before everything had gone south so quickly.

As the doors were opened, the blinding light subsided as she was quickly ushered to a small room away from her adversaries that had lined the hallways, all ready to testify against her. She couldn’t believe how many there were.

“We should be safe here Miss Césaire, you didn’t talk to anybody on your way in, right? Journalists are like sharks, one small taste of blood and they’ll turn it into a frenzy.”

Alya scoffed at her attorney. She knew how journalism worked. You needed to make the story big and eye-catching otherwise nobody would bother to read it. It’s why she loved Lila so much. With her, the LadyBlog never had a dull moment.

“We have thirty minuted to prepare. Normally, they would not allow this public prosecution, but you and your friend have managed to upset a lot of people, Miss Césaire.”

Alya bit her tongue as she sunk lower in her seat. Where was her friend now? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . “All rise for the honorable Judge Bethany Abadie.”

Alya stood slowly, trying not to let her stance waver as the sound of dozens of cameras sounded through the room.

“You may be seated.”

She felt a small hand lightly press down on her shoulder as her attorney tried to get her to sit, but she couldn’t. She felt frozen in place. Seeing the judge made everything feel so real and not seeing her made Alya see red.

“Miss Césaire, I suggest you sit down. Your charges today are quite serious under the eyes of French law and with the number of people attempting to sue your website, you better hope your defense team has an ace up their sleeve.”

It was like something snapped inside of her as she curled in on herself, trying her best to disappear in front of the courtroom.

“Now, let’s get started. In the case of the people of France vs. Alya Césaire, the defendant is charged with defamation of character and defamation of the deceased. How does the defendant plead?”

“Not guilty, your honor.”

Her eyes wandered over to her defense attorney who looked no better than she did when the words came out of his mouth.

“I see, you were given an option to accept the price that the collective individuals offered you in addition to taking down your blog, instead you chose to fight their lawsuits. You do realize Miss Césaire that if the jury finds you guilty on these charges, that could mean up to a year in jail in addition to €12.000 per assailant?”

Alya mustered enough strength to nod much to the judge's dismay.

“Very well then, the prosecution team may lead with their first witness.”

One by one, every scoop she had posted unfolded and crumbled before her eyes. Jagged Stone denying writing a song for her friend, denying ever having a ‘filthy feline’. Clara Nightingale denying her friend’s involvement in any of her choreography, claiming it would be child labor. And worse of all, Nadja Chamack and her claim that her friend never knew her daughter, that Alya saying her child was brash and rude and an overall unpleasant kid was defamation.

“And what proof do you have that my client isn’t telling lies about your daughter, you do know that every child is different when they’re away from their parents.”

Alya breathed a sigh of relief as her attorney laid into the reporter. Just maybe, she had a chance of walking out of here unscathed.

“Because she’s dead.”

An eerie silence fell over the courtroom as Alya’s face ashened. No. That couldn’t be true. She had seen Manon the other day. She just knew she had. She went over to Marinette’s and the girl was there, as bratty as ever. But now she couldn’t remember the last time she had been to Marinette’s.

“How long has she been dead?”

“Councilman, I object!” The judge’s hammer slammed down, echoing throughout the room.

“No, no, it’s alright. Those two monsters need to hear what they put me through.”

Nadja met Alya’s eyes, not even bothering to wipe the tears that streamed down her face as righteous anger poured into her stare.

“My daughter died five months ago, a terrible car accident. I begged my team to leave it out of the report and only told my closest friends and family. The funeral was a week later and my heart remained shattered at the thought that some reckless driver hadn’t paid attention to her crossing the crosswalk, just like I had taught her.”

Nadja took a breath, trying to level her voice as the lump in Alya’s throat grew bigger.

“Three months ago, I ran across the Ladyblog. While it had mostly turned into a gossip column for this Lila Rossi person, I used to check it all the time when it had just started out. I honestly considered Alya as the next big reporter as she was always at the scene throwing herself into danger to get the scoop. It was admirable.”

Her praises caused the girl to flinch as if she had been struck.

“But as I clicked on the newest video labeled ‘Angel or Devil?: Is Manon Chamack really as everyone believes her to be?’, my heart immediately sank. Both girls sat on-screen as Lila Rossi went on for ten whole minutes about the time she babysat Manon during my interview with Prince Ali. She said my baby was a horror show and Alya agreed saying the few times she had helped Marinette were nightmares.”

Nadja lost her composure as the final word fell out of her mouth. Her tears were ugly as she barely managed an audible ‘could I be excused?’. The judge nodded calling for a recess before allowing the defense team to call their testimonies on character, but Alya couldn’t move. Nadja’s face was burned into her mind. She waited until the courtroom was cleared before standing, trying her best to swallow the lump in her throat but to no avail.

As her feet trudged behind her attorney, she kept replaying Marinette’s words from the beginning of the month.

‘You don’t want me to be expert testimony to your character because I’ll tell them the truth. And I’d doubt you’d like that very much at all.’

She couldn’t understand where all that anger had come from, all that pain, but now she did. Alya didn’t even want to know what her attorney had up his sleeve because honestly? She felt like she didn’t deserve a defense at all.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

“Only one testimony?”

Her attorney nodded weakly as the judge sighed, probably already having determined Alya’s fate. She knew if it was her up there looking down on someone else, she would have given the maximum punishment the court allowed.

“The defense calls to the stand Lila Rossi.”

Alya sat up straight in her seat, her blood running cold as the sly fox breezily took the stand. Her smirk was brief and directed toward the auburn-haired girl, but it dropped into fake sympathy, a single forced tear rolling down her face.

“What can you tell us about Alya Césaire?”

“Oh goodness, where do I start?” Lila brought a tissue up to her eyes, lightly dabbing at the nonexistent tears.

“She coerced me into telling all those terrible lies about the good people of Paris. Every single one of my interviews was typed up and rehearsed several times before we even shot the tape. Here’s the proof,” With a fake sob, she handed the judge several transcripts, all seemingly printed from Lila’s email.

Alya clenched her fists underneath the table. She was lying. Straight through her teeth. Alya was wondering how Lila managed to evade the charges that were on both of them, but here it was lying in front of her. Lila was going to throw her under the bus.

“She’s a monster. She ditched her own best friend because she wouldn’t lie for her on the stand. She threatened to make everyone hate me if I didn’t keep up the lies. She knew about my disease and took advantage of it.”

Alya gritted her teeth as her attorney tried his best to get the girl off the stand, but it was too late. The damage had been done. One look at the jury and Alya knew. She was done for. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . …

The jury took a whole thirty minutes before they returned with her verdict.

Guilty.

€48.000 to settle each lawsuit, the permanent closure of her LadyBlog, and 300 hours of community service. Lila received none of it.

“That’s not fair!”

Alya’s head whipped around to where the voice came from, her eyes landing on her former best friend.

“Young lady, I advise that you sit down and allow this court to adjourn peacefully. The verdict has been decided.”

“But Lila was just as much a part of this as Alya. In fact, if you even bothered to look at the interviews, Lila egged her on, there’s no way it was all scripted. Scrub Alya’s computer, I bet you won’t find a single email.”

“Young lady, I’ll give you one more chance, Sit down.”

Marinette opened her mouth, but she abruptly closed it when she felt a soft touch on her shoulder. Her gaze shifted down to where Alya stood, a small smile peeking through her tears.

“Thank you Marinette, I really do appreciate it, but it’s time I took responsibility. I should have never trusted her too good to be true stories in the first place. I should have never hurt my best friend in the first place.”

Marinette hesitated, but as she stared into the auburn-haired girls glassy eyes, she understood as well. With a nod, she returned to her spot between Adrien and Nino, her own eyes glazing over as she watched her former best friend escorted out by her attorney and a few cops.

Once more, Alya was blinded by the flashing lights as she was ushered to her attorney’s car. As the doors shut firmly, her attorney released a sigh before jumbling his keys around, trying to find the ignition.

“Well, it could’ve gone worse if we’re honest here.”

Alya didn’t bother to respond. She simply stared out the window, her mind racing at a thousand miles a minute. Only one thought stood prominent above the rest.

Alya couldn’t believe she was here.

[rosiehunterwolf]

For the Romping and the Roaring- Part 1

Here is my submission for Day 1 of @serpentfever's Inhuman Event!

Link to read on ffn.net

This is part 1 of the story, and the rest of the parts will be posted, one each day, for the rest of the event. Because of the length of this, full story is under the cut. I've provided a little preview of the story below:

Preview

Perhaps the most strange looking thing about the scene, though, was the small boy perched on the badger’s back. Small black horns pertruded from a head of fluffy blond hair, and long, pointed, velvety black ears wiggled eagerly. Short, splayed fingers gripped the badger’s shoulders, and his small, webbed wings proved quite the contrast from Zane’s feathered ones. Perhaps the most noticeable of all, however, was the long black tail that waved behind him, curved fins flaring out at the end of it. And the delighted trills coming from his mouth were definitely anything but human.

Well, maybe it was strange-looking to anyone else. But for Kai, it was just an ordinary day.

Prompts Used: Panic, Hiding

Word Count: 10,082

Rating: T

Trigger Warnings: Imprisonment, Dehumanization, Mentions of Murder

Part 1

“Wake up, sleepyhead!”

Kai groaned, blinking awake. His sister grinned down at him, her arms dangling in his face from where she was hanging, her spotted tail wrapped tightly around one of the structural beams.

“Go away,” he mumbled, tossing a pillow in her face. “It’s too early.”

“It’s ten am.”

“So? It’s not like there’s anything to do around here, I might as well get my beauty rest.”

“Goodness knows you need it, with that dreaded mane of yours.”

He tossed another pillow at her face, which turned out to be a mistake, because now he was out of pillows.

“Why do you always have so much energy? Don’t you ever sleep?”

She shrugged. “I like to sleep in the afternoons. I guess it’s a leopard thing? They’re nocturnal, you know.”

“I know, Nya. I’ve had a half-leopard as a sister for sixteen years, don’t you think I would know that by now?”

“Debatable.”

“I’ll ignore that comment if you let me sleep for a little more.”

“Have you forgotten what day it is?” Nya chirped, beginning to swing back and forth. “Today Dr. Borg is letting us take Lloyd into the city!”

Kai sat bolt upright. “That’s today?”

“Yes, fish-brain! You should see him, he’s so excited.”

Kai scrambled out of bed, startling Nya and making her fall into the bed with a yelp. He shook his head, letting his mane cascade around his face and down his back. Huffing as half of it fell into his eyes, he wrestled it into a ponytail- part of it, anyway- and walked over to the door, Nya bounding after him. The other four beds in the room were already empty.

Opening the door revealed the same thing it always did. Another room- this one much larger than the last one, but a closed-off room nonetheless- stretched around them. There were a few other doors that led to bathrooms, a room with skylights (made with reinforced glass, of course, so no one could break it, even if they had superstrength) so they could soak in the natural light from time to time, and just some rooms with various activities- paints, notebooks, computers, puzzles, TVs, and all the books and video games they could ever want, or if they just needed some alone time away from the others for a bit.

But none of that changed the fact that the door on the far side of the room was always firmly locked.

In the kitchen, Zane was whipping up a bowl of pancake batter. Tawny-colored wings unfurled from his back, stretching freely now that he didn’t have to hide them. The feathered tufts behind his ears twitched as a loud shriek sounded out from the other side of the room.

Kai turned, a purr rumbling in his throat as he caught sight of the large badger lumbering across the room. A small yellow labrador raced after him, barking excitedly.

Perhaps the most strange looking thing about the scene, though, was the small boy perched on the badger’s back. Small black horns pertruded from a head of fluffy blond hair, and long, pointed, velvety black ears wiggled eagerly. Short, splayed fingers gripped the badger’s shoulders, and his small, webbed wings proved quite the contrast from Zane’s feathered ones. Perhaps the most noticeable of all, however, was the long black tail that waved behind him, curved fins flaring out at the end of it. And the delighted trills coming from his mouth were definitely anything but human.

Kai’s tail thrashed fondly. Well, maybe it was strange-looking to anyone else. But to him, it was just an ordinary day.

Almost.

“Lloyd, you’re here already!” Kai called, hurrying over. The small boy brightened- even more so than he already was- at the sight of him, and leapt into his arms. Kai stroked him gently, and Lloyd purred softly, his long tail thwacking against his leg.

The badger blinked at him, shaking his head, and, in a flash of light, he was gone, a young man sitting on the floor in his place. His curly black hair, with a white stripe down the middle, nearly hid the small black ears poking out. Round glasses framed his dark eyes as he grinned up at Kai, his fangs glinting. The lab jumped into his lap, and the man scratched behind his ears. With a flash, the lab turned back into a teenager, his auburn curls falling into his freckled face.

“Augh, Jay! Get off of me, you lump!” He shoved his friend off of his lap, sending him tumbling.

“Hey, Cole, you could’ve asked nicely,” Jay whimpered, even though his golden tail was wagging, and his ears were perked.

“Yeah, well next time, don’t transform back when you’re in my lap! Having a small dog sitting on me is one thing, a lanky teenager is another.”

“Stop acting like you’re so superior! You’re only four years older than me, barely out of teenagehood yourself!”

“I’m not acting like I’m superior! I’m just telling you not to sit on top of me!”

“Whatever,” Jay grumbled.

“Hey, guys,” Kai snorted.

“Mornin’ Kai,” Jay grinned. “Have a nice lie-in?”

Cole groaned, shaking his head, and Kai shot Jay a glare.

“You shut up with your damn puns, puppy boy.”

“Jeez, apparently someone’s had his pride hurt.”

“I swear, one more lion pun-”

“Fine, fine! I know when my witty quips aren’t wanted.”

Jay,” Cole sighed, “they’re never wanted. Anyways, you ready for today, Kai?”

“You bet! They brought Lloyd in early, today, huh?”

“Dr. Borg wants us to get him ready and make sure he’s behaving well before we leave.”

Kai raised an eyebrow. “And romping around giving him badger rides and riling him up is a good way to do that?”

“Aw, come on, Kai, he’ll be fine. Besides,” his voice lowered as he went on, “he deserves to have a little fun while he’s here.”

Kai instinctively tightened his grip on Lloyd. None of them knew what happened to Lloyd when their caretakers took him away at night, apart from the fact that Dr. Borg insisted he was perfectly safe, but, at the very least, he was alone, and sometimes, Kai, with his heightened sense of hearing, could hear him whimpering through the walls. Lloyd hated being alone, and Kai didn’t understand why he couldn’t just stay with them all the time.

But, like most things, Dr. Borg just kept them in the dark about it.

Not that he was being ungrateful- Dr. Borg had kept them alive.

Issac Borg, son of Cyrus Borg, had taken over his father’s company when he had died, and, as head scientist at Borg Tower, had made it his mission to help the few living hybrids left- Kai and his friends. Dr. Borg had told them stories of how the human world rejected anything that was different from them- that they feared those with different blood such as Kai and his friends, saw them as “monsters,” and would seek them out and kill them if they ever found out their secret.

But Dr. Borg didn’t think the same way as the rest of the world. He wanted to protect them, to let them thrive and grow strong. So, he took them in and helped keep them hidden. He had given them work to do, too, not normal work, but things that only they could do. Dr. Borg told them how the world wanted everyone to be the same, and to hide what made them unique, but he said that they should be able to play to their strengths. Their trainers helped them learn how to fight, and to use their unique skills to an advantage. At this point, Kai had a repertoire of fighting skills he was eager to bring to fruition, but it seemed like the time never came to use them.

They did get to use their skills in other ways, though. Jay often went out in the streets in his dog form, his quick and cunning nature allowing him to be a natural pickpocket, with the ultimate disguise. Zane’s flight abilities allowed him to scope out Ninjago City, and keep Borg posted on the government’s actions. Nya’s agility skills let her slip around nearly undetected, which kept them out of a lot of fights. Kai’s hearing allowed him to eavesdrop for information, and Cole’s strength and digging skills could break through a lot of walls and barriers.

Except for the ones of their room.

For as much as he loved Borg- he was the closest thing to a father that any of them had- he couldn’t help but feel a bit like a prisoner, trapped up in here. He just wished Borg would trust them more.

Kai was eighteen now. He was old enough to keep himself and the younger ones out of trouble.

Which Borg is depending on me to do today, he reminded himself. The others had gotten the hang of how to behave outside of the tower by now, but Lloyd was still so young and often needed reminding. And it was no secret the little oni, dragon, and human tribrid was especially clingy with Kai. It was his job to keep him under control and on his best behavior.

I can do this. I will prove to Borg how trustworthy I am.

“Pancakes are ready!”

His thoughts were interrupted as Zane chirped at them from the kitchen. Lloyd’s warm, comfortable weight vanished from his arms as he leaped to the ground and scurried towards the kitchen island on all fours, climbing up the barstool to perch on top. He clicked and chirred brightly at Zane, his red eyes glinting hungrily, and the falcon hybrid bit back a grin at his expression.

“Use your words, Lloyd.”

Lloyd’s expression dimmed slightly, and Kai frowned. Lloyd’s reluctance to use human words was probably what worried him the most about integrating him into society. But Zane had been practicing with him ever since he could crawl, and if anyone could get him to speak, it was Zane.

“Can I have pancakes? Please?”

“Yes, Lloyd, you may.”

Zane slid two chocolate chip pancakes onto his plate. The sweet scent of the pastry drifted over to them, and Kai felt his mouth water. Jay, Cole, Kai, and Nya bounded over to the island as well as Zane served them the food. Jay jumped up and dashed towards the cupboard, grabbing out a container of rainbow-colored sprinkles.

Lloyd’s eyes practically glowed as he grappled for them. Jay laughed, and sprinkled a handful onto his pancakes. Lloyd chirred delightedly and hurriedly began to devour his breakfast.

“Jay, don’t give him more sugar. He’s going to be impossible when we go into the city.”

“You’re the one watching him, not me,” Jay chirped.

Kai put his head in his hands, sighing.

“It’s okay,” Zane assured him. “A little milk can go a long way to calm him down. Here Lloyd,” he pushed a sippy cup of milk towards him, “drink some of this.”

Lloyd worked on the milk as the rest of them ate, and, by the time they were all finished, he was looking a lot less feral. Zane was a lifesaver.

Nya glanced at the clock. “It’s almost time to go. We should start getting ready.”

They walked over to the closet where they kept all their gear. The large, loose sweaters allowed them a place to tuck in their tails, and, for Zane, his wings as well. As Kai helped his friend to adjust his coat to properly hide all the feathers, Nya pulled the sleeves of hers longer down her arms, hiding the light rosette spotting there. She had been able to pass it off as a tattoo before, but they really didn’t want to take any chances, especially not with Lloyd along this time.

Cole began to help Lloyd with his jacket, but the young boy swatted his hands away. “I can do it.”

“You sure, bud? It can be tricky-”

“I do it. I do the buttons.” His ears twitched as he ran his fingers over the smooth objects.

While Lloyd worked on the jacket, the rest of them shoved hats over their heads, Kai, with some difficulty, getting his over his mane, but when they turned back to Lloyd, now sporting his lopsided-buttoned jacket, there was evidently a large issue, and it wasn’t Lloyd’s button job.

“What are we going to do about his tail,” Jay asked. “The rest of us have the self control to hold ours under our coats for the time period, but he’s four, he’s not gonna be able to do that.”

“And it’s so long,” Nya pointed out. “I remember having a lot more trouble with my tail than any of you guys did, and Lloyd’s less than half my size!”

“Didn’t we used to tie it up when you were younger?” Kai asked.

“What?” “Here,” Kai pulled a scarf out of the closet. “C’mere, Lloyd.”

The child bounded over to him, and Kai picked up his tail in his hands, examining it. “Hmm. Flexible enough.” Folding it back on itself a few times, Kai used the scarf to tie it up firmly, and then pulled the coat down over it. “That should hold for quite a while.”

Lloyd bared his teeth at him, and Kai winced. “Sorry, I know it’s not the most comfortable thing, bud, but we got to do it, okay?”

Lloyd started to grab for his tail, but his small arms couldn’t reach it. Kai stopped him, nonetheless. “Hey, bud, don’t. I’m not kidding, okay?”

Lloyd huffed dramatically, before pacing towards the door.

“Aren’t you forgetting something?”

Lloyd glanced back, his eyes narrowing as he caught sight of the small hat Kai was holding in his hands. He squwaked loudly, trying to scramble past him, but Kai swooped him up in his grip. Lloyd hissed and struggled, although his body was trembling with the familiar vibrations Kai recognized as playfulness. This was a game to him.

“Lloyd,” Kai growled through gritted teeth, tightening his grip on the squirming bundle, “Just put on the hat. It’s not the end of the world.”

“No!”

Well, that was one word he knew quite clearly.

Kai jammed the hat onto his head, but Lloyd quickly shook it off and jumped away, scrambling under the couch to hide, his red eyes glowing eerily in the darkness, his pupils narrowed into thin slits.

“Lloyd,” Kai said, letting an authoritative tone slip into his voice- which wasn’t something to be messed with, when you were part lion. “This is not an option. Either you wear the hat and behave, or we don’t go out at all.”

Lloyd’s eyes blinked, and after only a second, he was scurrying back out and reluctantly letting Kai pull the hat onto his head.

And not a moment too soon- Kai’s ears twitched as he caught the sound of movement behind the big, blocked door. His head whipped towards it, and the others quickly picked up on him, revving their gazes towards the door, too. After a few moments, they began to hear it, too. Jay cocked his head anxiously, Zane adjusted his coat, Cole pushed his glasses further up his nose, and Nya narrowed her eyes, grabbing Lloyd’s hand.

The door slowly swung open- Kai had to resist the urge to dash out- and revealed four of their caretakers- Liam, Noah, Rahn, and Kelsey. Kai let out his breath, slowly.

“Are you ready to leave, children?” One of them, Liam, asked. His gaze flitted between each of them, scanning them carefully. He stopped on Lloyd, his eyes narrowing, but if he had a problem, he didn’t voice it. “You look wonderfully human. A job well done, and not an easy one, I’m sure.”

“Yes, but appearances are only the beginning,” Kelsey pointed out. “You must make sure you are all on your best behavior, especially the muta- Lloyd. You all have learned a lot from your human behavior lessons, have you not?”

They nodded, and Kai added, “Is Dr. Borg not going to see us off today?”

“He’s a very busy person, Kai,” Rahn reminded him. “You children are lucky that he makes as much time for you as he does.”

Kai dipped his head, falling silent.

“Don’t worry, he’ll probably check in with you when you’re back,” Noah assured. “For now, we can escort you. Are you ready?”

Yelps and purrs responded him, and Noah shot them a sharp glance. Kai felt his ears droop shamefully as he responded, in sync with the others, “Yes, sir.”

“Then let’s go.” Noah beckoned for Cole to follow him, who was closely followed by Jay, then Zane. Kai and Nya went last, Lloyd bounding between them. His eyes were both bright and wary.

Rahn cleared his throat as they passed, and Nya bent down to Lloyd, whispering, “Two feet, bud.”

Lloyd grumbled, but obliged, taking his hands off the ground and standing up on just his feet instead. His steps were a little wobbly, so Nya and Kai each grabbed a hand. That made him look a little less grumpy about the situation, at least.

The caretakers led them down the floors of Borg Tower, and for the first time in weeks, Kai saw people, more than just doctors and scientists and caretakers, at least. Employers at Borg, but these ones weren’t the higher up, didn’t know their secret. Wary glances were shot at them, but it was probably just because they were wondering what a bunch of kids were doing in Borg Tower, not because they were secretly a bunch of weird monster mutants that had to hide everything about them because no one trusted them and people wanted to hurt them, and they just wanted to be normal kids-

The point was, it was nice to be looked at like a kid, for once.

And then, there were windows, and then-

They were outside.

The little skylight in their room couldn’t bring justice to this. Sunlight streamed around them, bright and cheery and welcoming, and the crisp autumn air tickled his cheeks. There were people everywhere, not Borg employees, but just regular people, talking and laughing with each other. No one was staring at him, conversing in hushed whispers, or telling him off for smiling too much and showing off his fangs. There weren’t any trainers scolding him, or doctors whisking him off to yet another appointment, and most of all, there weren’t any walls.

Kai felt like he wanted to cry. It wasn’t his first time out, Dr. Borg let them out every so often, but…

It had been way too long.

Although he knew that, however bad it was for him, it was worse for Lloyd. While they got to go out every month or so, Lloyd only rarely got cleared to come with them, and he had only been allowed to at all about a year ago. Dr. Borg said it was because he was too young, although Kai swore that he could remember him and the others going out more often when they had been Lloyd’s age, with adult supervision, of course.

Sure enough, Lloyd’s eyes were as wide as saucers as he gazed around, taking everything in in that quiet, attentive way of his.

“Excited, Lloydster?” Kai asked him. “Wanna go to the mall?”

Borg had given them a fairly sizable chunk of money- after all, being the owner of the city’s largest science organization didn’t exactly leave him with empty pockets- to spend as they pleased (as long as it wasn’t anything too outrageous, and their bags and pockets were to be searched before they reentered the tower,) so they went shopping at the mall. Lloyd obviously wasn’t so enthralled with Macy’s, Barnes & Noble, or Hot Topic, so the ninja took turns with Lloyd while the others went shopping. When Kai was with him, he spent a lot of time going up and down the escalator. Kai was worried the behavior might be unusual among humans and draw attention to them, and although they got a few odd looks, after a little while a little girl named Raina started running up and down the escalator with him. Kai had frantically apologized to her mother, but she just laughed, telling him “kids will be kids!” Kai had allowed himself to give her a tentative smile, and had been reluctant when he had to leave with Lloyd. The woman, Jessica, had given Kai her number if Lloyd ever wanted to get together.

Kai didn’t have the heart to tell her it could never happen.

After they finished shopping, the group stopped for lunch in the food court, then headed to the park and chatted while Lloyd ran around.

The afternoon was peaceful and cool, and it was all too soon when he got the call telling them it was time to go back.

“Hey Lloyd, time to go, bud.”

The look that flitted across Lloyd’s face made his heart break. “Can we… can we come back tomorrow?”

“I don’t think so, bud. I’m sorry.”

“Oh.”

“We can watch a movie when we get home, bubs. You wanna do that?” There was a shake in Nya’s voice as she spoke, and he knew she hated this as much as he did.

“Can we watch… the one with dinosaurs?”

“We can watch whatever you want, bubs.”

The walk back to Borg Tower was grim and quiet. The silence was only broken when Lloyd pointed at the fountain in the town square, as they were walking past.

“Look!” he called, leaning over the side to peer in. “There’s so many shiny things in there!”

“People throw their coins in fountains,” Zane told him.

“Why? I use my coins to buy a lollipop,” Lloyd giggled.

Kai crouched down next to him. “They say that if you throw a coin in the fountain, you can make a wish.”

Lloyd’s eyes were wide. “A wish? Like what?”

“I don’t know. Anything you want, I guess.”

Nya crouched down on the other side of him, slipping a penny from out of her purse. “You want to make a wish, bean?”

“Yeah.” Lloyd took the coin and closed his eyes. He was silent for a moment, before tossing it in. They watched it sink, down, down, down, until it hit the bottom.

On the way home, Jay spoke up. “What did you wish for, bud?”

Lloyd was quiet for a moment.

“If I tell you, it won’t come true.”

---

After their caretakers looked through their bags, they brought the group up to the room. The walk was a quiet one. The unasked question in all of their minds hung on the air- they wanted to ask if Lloyd could stay the night, just this once. The boy had been eerily quiet since the fountain, not even protesting when he had been searched, and Nya was holding him gently in her arms now. He wasn’t asleep, but his eyes stared off into the distance, his mind obviously elsewhere.

Dr. Borg himself met them at their door. “My children! How was your day out? Were you on your best behaviour?”

“You already know,” Nya muttered.

Borg frowned. “What was that, dear?”

“Nothing.”

Kai cocked his head at her, and she gave a tiny shake of her head, her glare telling him, not now.

He stared her right back, the message clear. We’ll talk later.

“It was good, Dr. Borg, but we were just wondering- would it be okay if Lloyd stayed the night with us? He’s pretty tired, and it would just be for one night-”

“Zane, I’m sorry, but Lloyd has a very important doctor’s appointment tonight-”

Out of the corner of his eye, Kai caught Lloyd stiffen, gripping tighter to Nya’s shoulder. A low growl sounded in her throat, and she brought her hands up protectively around him.

“Another doctor, Borg?” Kai snapped. “That’s the third one this week. Is there something wrong with him? Something you’re not telling us?”

“Of course not! Kai, calm yourself. What reason do I have to hide Lloyd’s medical records from you? Nothing is wrong, we just want to do some more testing. As you know, we give you all frequent checkups so that our doctors may learn more about you and your bodies. Lloyd is even more unique than any of you, so unfortunately, that just means more appointments.”

“He’s not a test subject,” Nya growled, “He’s family.”

“I never said he was! He is just as much family to me as he is to you!” Borg’s voice softened. “Nya, I know you are protective, but I am doing this for Lloyd. Knowing his body better will help us to help him better in the future, if he is to ever get sick or something.”

Nya wilted. “I know. I’m sorry.”

“It’s alright. I know you mean well. Now, c’mon, Lloyd, it’s time to go.”

Lloyd wailed as Borg’s assistant tried to pull him away from Nya, and he clung to her as firmly as his fingers would allow, which, for someone of his genetics, was pretty tight. Eventually, Kai had to step in.

“Lloyd, please. Let go. We’re just trying to help you.”

Lloyd released Nya’s shoulder slowly, but his eyes were round and hurt as he gazed at Kai. He tried not to flinch. Lloyd didn’t understand that this was for his own good.

Kai didn’t really understand it, either.

The group filed into their room- the door locking with a sharp click behind them- and the others wandered off to do their own things. Jay flipped through the TV channels, not settling on anything for more than ten seconds, and Cole and Zane worked on a puzzle, although their progress was slow, and their heart didn’t seem to really be into it.

Kai, however, made no time for pointless hobbies, and headed over to Nya.

“We need to talk.”

“I agree. But not in here.” She pointed towards the bedroom door. “Let’s go somewhere more private.”

He followed her in, closing the door behind him, before heading to sit next to her on her bed. “What’s so important that the others can’t hear?”

“It’s not that they can’t hear it. It’s just… I don’t know if they’ll want to. I don’t know how everyone’s going to take it, and I think it’s best to not tell everyone all at once.”

“What?! Nya, you’re killing me, just tell me what’s going on!”

“Someone was following me.”

Kai froze. “What?”

“If I’m right, someone was following all of us.”

“You mean in the city today? Like, a stalker or someone?”

“More like a Borg employee.”

“...What?”

“They’re spying on us, Kai, don’t you see? Dr. Borg sent some of our caretakers out to monitor us today. It’s their own fault, really. If they hadn’t trained me to use my detection skills to their full potential, I never would’ve noticed them.”

“But why? What have we done to break Dr. Borg’s trust? We’ve done this before and never got caught, why would today be any different?

Nya narrowed her eyes at him. “Don’t be dense, Kai. He’s been doing it since day one. We’ve just never noticed before.”

Kai was beginning to feel very uncomfortable with the turn this conversation was taking. “How do you know that? Do you have proof?”

“Proof!” Nya stood up suddenly, her eyes blazing so fiercely that Kai flinched back. “What about any given day over the last sixteen years of my life, or the eighteen of yours! We’re prisoners here, Kai. One day a month outside of the tower doesn’t change that, especially when we’re being monitored even then.”

“Nya, don’t get like this again. Dr. Borg saved our lives-”

“From what? He tells us that people want to kill us, but do we have any reason to believe that’s true? What if he’s lying? How do you know he’s not just using us?”

“Dr. Borg is the closest thing I have to family! I trust him. With people like that, you just know.”

Nya’s ears pinned back, her voice wavering. “What happened to this family? True family is always there for you. Jay, Cole, Zane, Lloyd… me… we’ve all done more for you than that old fool ever has.”

Kai flinched, immediately regretting his words. “Wait, Nya, I didn’t mean- of course you’re my family, I’m sorry-” he snatched for her wrist as she began to walk away, but she easily dodged. She turned to look at him, her eyes sad.

“I know you are. You don’t want to hurt anyone- you’re just doing what you think is right, and I get that. But come talk to me again when you’re ready to reconsider.”

---

The next day, Kai had fighting training with one of his trainers. She seemed to be working him especially hard, but he only worked harder, and when he stopped for a rest, it took a moment to calm the adrenaline rippling through his veins. He had always been much stronger than the average human, but… usually it wasn’t so hard to control.

Dr. Borg showed up later in the lesson to pull him aside. “Kai. Your trainer tells me you are doing well. This pleases me. You are growing stronger.”

“I’m trying my best, sir.”

“Good. I expect nothing less. You’re eighteen now, Kai. Officially into adulthood. Soon, you will enter into a noble line of work I have to offer you. Now is no time to hold back. In fact- and keep this between you and me, if you will- I think you have the greatest potential of all your peers. What beast is greater than the lion? They don’t call it the king of the jungle for no reason. Your strength will be unmatched.”

Kai felt like he was supposed to be pleased by that, but something about the words just felt wrong.

“Sir,” he interrupted, feeling the sudden need to ask something, “What… why do I need to learn to fight like this? Who will I be fighting?” “If all goes well, no one. But this is necessary to defend yourself. Like I have told you since you were a cub, the rest of the world wants to hunt you down. You deserve a way to fight for your life and honor- and for the… weaker members of your team, don’t you?”

Kai nodded. “Of course. I was just wondering… is that all it’s for? Self-defence? Nothing more?”

Borg narrowed his eyes, but nodded slowly. “You will only have to do what must be done.”

“…Alright. Thank you, sir.” “And Kai?”

“Yes?” “If Nya’s been putting ideas in your head again, don’t listen to her. I know she means well, but she’s going through that natural ‘teenage rebellion’ stage right now, and isn’t thinking straight. Just take my word for it, alright?”

“O-okay. Have a good evening, sir.”

“Train hard!”

As Kai trodded back to the room that evening, he couldn’t stop thinking about what Borg had said. His words had been so vague. And he had been so quick to accuse Nya! Did he mean what he said, or was Nya right?

Did Borg want to use him for something more?

He still didn’t know what to believe, but one thing he knew was that he didn’t like the way that his sister had immediately been blamed. She had always been the most reluctant to listen to Borg, the most upset about their situation, but he wasn’t going to let Borg do anything to her, if that’s where this was heading.

His thoughts were interrupted as the floor suddenly heaved beneath him, and Kai was knocked to his feet. He barely bit back a scream, his breath coming in shallow pants.

What was it? An earthquake? He had never felt an earthquake before. Oh gosh. Should he be doing something? Was he going to die?!

But as quickly as it happened, it was over, and Kai got to his feet, breathless. After he was sure the floor wasn’t going to collapse beneath him, he set off towards the room in a dead sprint.

“Guys,” he gasped, “Did you feel that?”

Jay glanced up from his phone. “Like, that weird tremor thing, you mean?”

“Tremor? It was way worse than a tremor, the ground, like, bounced beneath me!” He gave a demonstration of this with his hands, but the others just blinked at him, unimpressed. “What?”

Cole shrugged. “I dunno, maybe you were just closer to the source or something. It didn’t seem that bad to us.”

“Do earthquakes even have sources?”

“First of all,” Zane said, “they do, and second, Ninjago City doesn’t get earthquakes. The geographic location makes it literally impossible.”

“But you can’t tell me that was nothing.” His voice wavered, and he caught Nya frown.

“You serious about this, bro?”

“I dunno, it’s just…” he put his head in his hands. “I don’t know what happened. It frickin’ scared me.”

Nya rested a hand on his shoulder, at his side now. “Hey, everything’s okay now. You’re safe here.”

“I know.”

“Do you want me to call Borg? I’m sure he can tell us what’s going on.”

“Thanks.”

Nya dialed, and they waited for Borg to answer. He didn’t pick up until the last ring, which was unusual for him. When his voice did come through, it was harried and distracted.

“What is it, Nya?”

“Dr. Borg, Kai was just coming back from training and he felt this weird… earthquake-type-tremor thing. We were just worried. Is everything alright?”

“Oh? Ah, yes, don’t worry, you’re perfectly safe-'' there was some muffled yelling in the background, and the phone went quiet for a minute. “There’s nothing to worry about, we’ve got it under control-”

“But what was it?”

“We’re… uh, still investigating. Maybe some sort of malfunction in the machinery, or radiation leak or something.”

“Radiation?”

“I assure you dear, it’s fine, we’ve got a whole crew on top of it. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m kind of in the middle of something-”

“What about Lloyd?” Kai asked, leaning over to speak into the phone. “Is he okay?”

“Lloyd… Lloyd’s fine.”

“Can we see him?”

“No,” Borg said quickly. “...he’s seeing people right now. Will be for a while, probably, so don’t even ask.”

By this time, the others had joined them at the phone too, and they all looked at each other at that. “Seeing people?” Nya asked. “What kind of people?”

“Just… double-checking his safety. For… the radiation.”

“Was he close to it?” Nya gasped. “I thought you said he was safe!”

“He is! It’s just a precaution-”

“Then when can we see him?”

“Nya, I told you, not now!” Another muffled shout interrupted him. “I have a lot bigger fish to fry right now, this conversation will have to continue later.” And, with that, he abruptly hung up.

“What was that,” Nya spat.

“If that was your attempt to make me feel better, it failed miserably.”

“I didn’t know he was going to be like that, did I? Ugh, Borg always is so vague, but this- this is a whole new level!”

“We need to find out more,” Zane said. “Borg isn’t giving us clear answers. We need another way to find out information.”

“Luckily for us,” Cole added, “It seems that in all the commotion, they never sent a caretaker down to lock the door after Kai returned.”

The others froze, staring at each other. Slowly, they turned their gazes to the door.

Cole was right. It was still open.

Kai immediately felt his heart begin to race. He didn’t know how to react. This had never happened before.

Zane was the first to snap out of the shock and into action. “Borg is a careful man. It won’t be long before he realizes we have free reign of the place. If we’re going to do something, we need to act quickly.”

“I say we escape,” Nya hissed. “This might never happen again. Kai’s the only one who knows this, but I saw Borg employees following us yesterday. He’s always watching. This could be our only chance to get out of here!”

There were a few uneasy looks at that. “Nya,” Zane warned, “Borg may be secretive, but he’s not a bad person. He’s protecting us.”

“Yeah, and what about the police?” Jay whimpered, his tail between his legs. “Borg told us they would kill us just for being different.”

Nya’s tail lashed. “You all are hopeless! The old fool’s got you all wrapped around his little finger! Can’t you see we’re prisoners here? I’d rather take my chances with the police.”

“Nya,” Cole said firmly, squeezing Jay’s hand, “You’re making Jay nervous.”

“I’m sorry, Jay, but it’s the truth. You’re seventeen now, it’s about time you start hearing it.”

Jay’s ears quivered. “It’s okay, Cole, she’s right.”

Cole grunted. “If we’re doing this, I won’t let no police lay a finger on you.”

“So you’ll do it?”

“I dunno. I’ve never really felt comfortable with Borg. But we’re also safe here. I want to protect you guys. I don’t know if freedom is worth the risk.”

“Well, we don’t have time to think about it. Zane’s right- if we have to act, we act now. I’m going- come or don’t.”

“Nya, come back,” Cole growled. “We’re a family. Whatever we do, we do together. I don’t want us splitting up.”

“Then do the right thing and come with me.”

The tension crackled between the two for a moment, until Cole ducked his head. “Nya-”

“Kai, you’ll come with me, won’t you?”

Four pairs of eyes turned towards him. Kai’s tail twitched, and he tried desperately to still it.

“I… I don’t know what I want to do, Nya. But I’m not leaving without Lloyd.”

Guilt flashed in her eyes. “I… I didn’t mean… of course I would never leave without him, I just didn’t even think… we can go get him, right?”

“Do you know where he is?”

Nya’s tail drooped. “Then what do we do?”

“Zane’s right- what we need is more information. Running away isn’t the answer.”

“Kai- can you just think about it-”

“I’ve been thinking about it,” he roared. “I’ve spent eighteen long years locked away in this room- don’t you think I want to leave, too? But this is about more than just me- this is about us. I have a family to protect, Nya, and this is the best way to keep them safe.”

Nya cringed back from him- something any sane person would do when a lion- or a half lion- was yelling in your face. He didn’t like to use it on his family often, but when he did, it was the quickest way to silence a room. Everyone knew you didn’t mess with a lion’s roar.

“So what are you going to do instead?” Jay asked quietly, after a moment.

“I’m going to go find Borg and listen in on what he’s doing.” Turning to his sister, he added, “Nya? Will you come with me? Your stealth will be useful.”

“You still want me?”

“Don’t be like that, Nya- I’m just doing what’s best for us. You get that, don’t you?”

“I guess.”

“So you’re not coming?”

“No, I’ll come. I’m just still upset with you, that’s all.”

Kai sighed as she whisked out the door past him. “You guys keep a lookout, alright? I’ll have my phone on silent so we don’t get caught, but I’ll be able to feel it vibrate, so shoot me a text if something happens, alright?”

“Good luck,” Zane nodded.

“Hurry back!” Jay called as Kai slipped into the hallway.

He bounded a little ways to catch up with Nya. They walked in silence for a little while until they made it back to Kai’s training room, where he had felt the tremor.

“Smell anything?” Nya asked.

“Jay’s the best tracker, but I think I can pick up Borg’s scent coming from that way.” He pointed a finger down the right hallway.

“Think?” “I don’t know. There’s a lot of foot traffic coming from that way as well.”

“Surely that’s a good sign. If there was some sort of catastrophe, a lot of people would have gone to help.”

“Yeah, but it’s strange. It mostly smells like caretakers and trainers. I would’ve thought Borg would’ve wanted more mechanics and doctors if there was a malfunction.”

“Unless he was trying to keep this a secret.”

Kai shot her a look, and she ducked his gaze. “Sorry.”

Kai shook his head, turning back towards the trail, letting Nya slink down the hallways ahead of him, checking that the coast was clear before he followed. He pointed her in the directions that the scent led, until, at last, it led to a door.

“Borg’s office?” Nya questioned. “His scent will be here all the time. Are you sure that he’s here now, or is it just leftover residue?”

Kai opened his mouth to respond, but froze when he caught the sound of footsteps. “Hide!” he hissed to Nya, and the two of them dove into an empty lab room and pulled the door shut, just as two pairs of footsteps rounded the corner. They came to a halt outside the office door, and Kai held his breath.

“What do you mean you can’t control him, that’s your job!” Borg’s voice, sharp and angry. The rooms in this part of the building were soundproofed, but Kai’s hearing could still detect their voices when he pushed his ear to the door. Nya hovered beside him anxiously, watching his face for signs.

“Sir, we’re doing everything we can, but we’ve never worked with a specimen like this before.”

“Borg,” he whispered to Nya, “and a researcher.”

“Tell me you at least have him contained?”

“He’s chained and isolated right now, sir. And under guard.”

“Did you tell him that we’d punish the others if he stepped out of line?”

“Yes, sir. He’s young, and seems to have some literacy issues, so we’re not sure if he got the entire message, but we believe we got the basic point across.”

“Good,” Borg sighed. “Hopefully that will be enough to stop him from trying anything like this again.”

“Sir, surely you’re not just going to let him stay. People could’ve died today!”

“Do you think I don’t know that?” Borg snapped. “Seven of my best researchers have been hospitalized, and now the damn police are on our back and I could get sued. I could lose millions, you know that? And to make things worse, the kids called me and are trying to see him. They suspect something’s wrong.”

Kai’s blood was roaring in his ears. Was he hearing this right?

Nya put a hand on his shoulder. “What’s wrong? What did they say?”

He shook his head, gesturing at her to be quiet. “They think Lloyd was the one responsible for the accident. People were hurt. Borg might get sued.”

“Would it really be such a bad thing to let him see them, sir? He obviously is very on edge about the testing and sampling. Seeing the others might put him at ease.”

“They’re already suspicious, and I can’t help but feel I’m losing my grip on them. They’re teenagers, I knew they’d rebel at some point, but… I don’t want to risk him telling them anything. Now that he has power over us, I’m not sure what good the threats will do.”

“Then what are we going to do?”

Borg sighed, slow and tired. “I had hoped it would never come to this, but… I think we bit off more than we could chew with this one. And he’s only four, it will only get worse as he ages. I don’t think we will ever be able to put a handle on him. I had hope, after such great success with the others, but… it just didn’t work out. Breeding oni and dragon and trying to contain it was always going to be a bad idea.”

“Are you sure, sir? There’s no going back if you decide to go through with it.”

“I’ve thought about it for a while now, and today’s accident has only solidified my suspicions. We will still be fine. The others have amazing amounts of strength, speed, stealth, and heightened senses. We can be well-equipped without him.”

“Alright. We will begin making preparations first thing, sir.”

“Make sure you keep the body so we can continue to study it. I want him euthanized first thing in the morning. The longer we wait, the more of a window we give him to act up again.”

No. No, no, no, no, no. Kai squeezed his eyes shut, slumping against the door as the door to Borg’s office was clicked shut. This couldn’t be happening, it was just some sort of sick dream, Borg would never do this-

“Kai, Kai please, answer me!”

He opened his eyes to see Nya shaking him gently.

“You were right,” he croaked, “we have to go.”

“Kai, what’s wrong, what did you hear, you’re scaring me.”

Kai stumbled to his feet, and Nya grabbed his arm as he trembled. There was no time to sit around and mope. Lloyd’s life was on the line.

“Nya, we have to go-” he reached for the doorknob and began to twist it.

“Wait, are you sure they’re gone, we can’t get caught-”

“I’m sure, we have to hurry-”

Nya skidded in front of him. “Kai, tell me what’s going on. I need to know what happend. I can help!”

“There’s no time, Nya,” he gasped, half in tears by this point. “I’ll tell you later. I’m going after Lloyd. You go and get the others. Meet me near that little diner at the edge of the city. The one we went to for your birthday last year, you know the one? We’re leaving. Now.”

“Wait, you mean you changed your mind?”

“No. I told you that I was going to do whatever it took to keep you guys safe. Before, that meant staying here. Now, it means leaving. It is the circumstance that has changed, not me.”

Nya gazed at him, tears glazing her eyes. “I wish you would tell me more.”

“I still need time to process. I’m sorry.”

“I get it. Just stay safe, okay?” She kissed him softly on the cheek, and then, she was gone.

Kai didn’t waste any time, and set right off on the researcher’s trail. Eventually, it led him to a small, closed off wing, where she had then taken a right, but Kai was more interested in the room on the left.

Two guards, armed with guns, stood attentive at it. Kai shifted into a lion, and, trying to remember stalking lessons from Nya, crept along the hallway. If they spotted him before he was within pouncing distance, he was done for. They wouldn’t hesitate with the guns, he was sure.

Luckily, Nya was an amazing teacher, and as one guard fell to the ground with a smack, the other one turned sharply, raising his gun, but Kai was already pouncing, knocking him out.

Shifting back into himself, he grabbed the keys from the guard’s pocket, and unlocked the door.

Inside, the lights were dim. Kai wished he had Nya’s night vision right about now.

When his eyes finally adjusted, Kai choked back a gasp. Lloyd was lying on the floor, chains bolted around his wrists, ankles, and tail. Metal clamps pulled back his wings, and a muzzle had been tied over his mouth.

“Oh my gosh, Lloyd-” Kai dropped to his side, trying not to look at the boy’s face. Blinking back tears- emotion was something they didn’t have time for right now- Kai ripped through the chains and pulled off the muzzle and clamps. Lloyd whimpered, looking up at him with watery red eyes, and reached for him, cooing softly. Kai scooped the boy into his arms, accidentally pulling back his shirt as he did so, and revealing a long, raw, red scar along his side. Kai quickly pulled the shirt back down, looking away, and planted a kiss on his forehead. Bolting to his feet, he took off down the hall, towards the back door.

After only a minute of running, an alarm began to flash, and Kai swore under his breath, praying that the others were already out.

After what felt like far too long, he spotted the door. As he sprinted for it, he heard someone yell out behind him, but it was too late. He was already out the door.

He didn’t stop though. He wasn’t stupid enough to think they would give up chase so easily. Heading down some of the back alleys, he ran in a crisscross of crazy patterns, taking a way which was five times longer and more complicated than necessary, but he wasn’t risking the chance of being caught, or worse, leading the Borg employees back to Nya and the others.

When he began to feel a little safer, he stopped for a rest behind a dumpster. Setting Lloyd down, he checked his phone and saw he had twenty-seven missed calls from Borg.

Shoot, he can probably track this. Cursing under his breath, he tossed the phone in the dumpster. He didn’t like being phoneless, but it was a thousand times better than the alternative.

Lloyd’s stomach growled loudly, and Kai glanced down at him. The boy looked smaller than ever, his red eyes wide and scared. Kai crouched down, pulling his trembling form close, and the two just sat there for a moment, silent. Kai breathed in Lloyd’s comforting scent.

I almost lost this. Forever.

Kai wiped at his eyes. But he hadn’t. And they weren’t safe yet. They had to keep moving, and get as far away from that phone as possible.

But first, he had to find the poor kid something to eat. He looked half-dead on his feet, and Kai felt a surge of anger as he realized that Borg probably hadn’t been feeding him well.

Jumping into the dumpster, Kai scrounged around until he was able to find half of a cheeseburger and a stale bag of pretzels. Not the most sanitary, but it would have to do.

“Here, bud, you want these?” He handed the food to Lloyd, and either the boy was really, really hungry, or his animal instincts were just kicking in, because he scarfed down the food without any reservation about the fact that Kai had literally dumpster dove for it.

As Lloyd finished the food, licking the wrapper, he spoke for the first time since Kai had found him chained up that evening.

“Am I in trouble?” His voice wavered, tears pricking his eyes. “Did I do a bad thing?”

“Honey, no, it’s not your fault,” Kai whispered, pulling him close. “You didn’t mean to do it. Your powers are too strong for your own good. But you’ll learn to control them eventually, I promise.”

“People are hurt,” he whispered. “I’m the reason we had to go.”

“You just opened my eyes to what Borg was doing to you. To his true intentions. Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

Lloyd looked at him. “He told me he would kill you.”

Kai bit his lip, and Lloyd broke down crying in his lap. Kai curled his arms protectively around him.

“I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry I let you go through that all these years and didn’t notice something was wrong.”

Lloyd buried his face in Kai’s shirt. “I just want to be normal.”

---

Lloyd fell asleep soon after that, and Kai carried him towards the meeting place. The walk was long, about two hours, but with every moment that passed, Kai was more and more grateful that he had picked somewhere far away. He was exhausted, and if Borg’s associates found him now, he was in no position to fight back.

It felt like heaven when he finally spotted the little diner in the distance, with its gleaming lights offering a cheery glow to the foreboding dusk. Reluctantly shaking Lloyd awake, he took off his hat and coat and helped Lloyd put them on to carefully mask his monster features. Since Kai hadn’t had time to grab extra, he fluffed up his hair extra (something he hadn’t ever thought he’d do, it was fluffy enough as-is) to cover his ears, and tucked his tail into his pants.

The little bell on the diner door rang cheerily as they pushed their way in. At this time of night, the diner was empty, as expected- but there was one booth in the corner where four people were sitting, eating what looked to be pancakes and bacon. They looked up sharply as the bell rung, and Nya stood up abruptly, meeting his eye.

“Kai,” she cried, running over to him as tears sprung in her eyes. “Oh my goodness, oh my spots, oh my goodness.” She threw her arms around his neck, crying into his shoulder as he squeezed her just as tightly back. “You’re alive, thank the stars you’re alive, I thought I had lost you for good.”

“I’m just as relieved to see you guys,” Kai breathed, walking over to the booth. Although it was only intended to seat four, his friends squished over to make room for him, and he scooped Lloyd onto his lap.

“Kai, what took you so long, you had me worried out of my mind,” Nya muttered, stopping to take a breath and sip from her coffee. “Don’t ever scare me like that again.”

“Sorry, we got a little held up. We got caught escaping, and were followed. I spent a good hour, at least, trying to throw them. I wasn’t going to risk leading them anywhere.”

“You could’ve at least texted me, letting me know you were alright. Why didn’t you answer any of my calls?”

“I ditched my phone. Speaking of which, you guys probably should too. I wouldn’t be surprised if Borg had a way to track these things.”

“Get rid of our phones?” Jay whimpered. “How are we going to communicate if there’s an emergency?”

“Would you rather us get caught?” Kai snapped. “We can just buy some of those burner phones from the store.”

“Kai, I think you owe us an explanation,” Cole growled. “We’re tired, hungry, scared, and don’t know why we’re here. Nya told us you overheard Borg saying something, but wouldn’t tell her what he said, and just said to run. Are you going to give us any more than that?”

“I’m sorry, but I was just so scared, and there was no time…” He took a shaky breath, drawing an arm around Lloyd and pulling him closer. In a whisper, he admitted, “Borg was going to kill Lloyd.”

The table lapsed into a stunned silence. Even Nya, who had always been heavily critical and suspicious of Borg, looked shocked and horrified.

“When?” Zane asked faintly.

“Tomorrow morning.”

Cole paled about ten shades, Jay looked like he was going to faint, and Zane just stared as if he didn’t believe what he was hearing.

“One more day,” Nya whispered. “One more day and we would’ve lost him.”

“Don’t remind me,” Kai told her, his breath hitching as he tried to focus on the weight on his lap- warm, gentle, and alive. He was here. He had saved him.

“I don’t understand,” Jay whined. “Why would he do such a thing? I mean, I know we all had our suspicions, but… kill him? Really? What changed?”

“Remember all those ‘doctor’s visits?’ Apparently they’re some sort of testing, or sampling, or something. Show them the scar, Lloyd.”

The boy looked up at him hesitantly, before slowly pulling up his jacket and shirt to reveal the long scar Kai had seen earlier. Four sharp intakes of breath sounded as it came into view.

“Oh, Lloyd, honey,” Nya whispered.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s what they were doing at our doctor’s appointments, too, but for some reason they are really obsessed with Lloyd. Something about his lineage, I guess… but it was too much for him. He…”

Kai glanced at Lloyd, who was nibbling at the bacon Cole had slipped him. He didn’t seem too invested in the conversation, but he still kept his voice low.

“That tremor we felt? Apparently, Lloyd caused it. People were injured, and… the police came to investigate… Borg was furious. He decided Lloyd had caused more trouble than he was worth. Lloyd was chained and muzzled when I found him, and I… I couldn’t… I wouldn’t deny it any longer. Borg doesn’t care about us. He never has. He’s just using us.”

Silence gripped the table as his friends stared at him. Jay wiped at his eyes, which were bright and wet.

“What do we do now, Kai?” Nya asked, her voice barely audible.

“What do we do? We survive. You got some money, I hope?”

“We’ve been stashing it. Any time Borg gave us money on an outing that we didn’t use, we kept it. We brought everything we could find. And a few valuable items as well. We can sell them if we need to. Hopefully this will last us a while, if we stick to the necessities.”

“Good. Because we’re going to need every penny we can get. I have no idea how long we’ll have to be out here.”

“As long as Borg is hunting us, nowhere is safe,” Cole warned. “He’s got amasses of people at his disposal. I don’t know where we’re going to go that he can’t reach.”

“I know a place.”

---

“Are w-we al-almost there, K-k-kai,” Nya hissed, her teeth chattering. “I’m freezing.”

“We’re here.”

Jay stopped beside him. “An old warehouse?” “Hey, I remember this place,” Cole said, stepping up beside him. Lloyd was fast asleep in his arms- he had been out cold before they had even left the diner, and when Kai had tried to carry him, Cole had told him off, saying he had already done more than his fair share for the night, and that he ought to give someone else a turn before he keeled over from exhaustion. Kai was grateful for the gesture, although they still had needed to walk another hour to get to his destination.

“When we were younger, Cole and I used to take a bus down here sometimes on our days out to play around in this abandoned warehouse.” Jay raised his eyebrow, and Cole laughed. “When you’re a twelve year old boy, those kinds of things sound a lot cooler than they actually are. Still, I’m grateful you thought of it now. Who would’ve thought, when everyone else failed us, it’s the old warehouse that held through.”

“It’s nothing special,” Kai said as they tramped inside, “but it’s sheltered, it’s sturdy, and, most important of all, it’s unsuspecting. I doubt Borg would ever think to look here.”

“It’s perfect, Kai,” Nya sniffed, “Thank you.”

“I don’t know why you’re thanking me,” Kai sighed, lowering himself onto the ground and wincing at the ache in his back. “I was the one who kept trying to convince you that the child-murdering psychopath actually cared about us.”

“It’s not your fault, Kai. Borg tricked all of us. If it weren’t for your jump into action, we’d have lost our baby brother.”

“I just can’t stop thinking,” he whimpered, squeezing Nya’s hand tighter, and watching Lloyd from where Cole cradled him across the room, stroking him gently, “what would have happened if I hadn’t gotten there in time, or if I had decided to stay back in our room.”

“You can’t spend time dwelling on the past, Kai. You didn’t do those things, and everything worked out- well, as best as we could ask for, at least. You have to have more faith in yourself. We’re scared and confused, and we’re looking to you. I know that’s not fair, that you’re struggling just as much as any of us, but it’s the way things are. We need someone strong, like you, to keep us going.”

“I want to protect you guys, and keep you safe, more than anything else in the world. But I’m lost. I don’t know what to do, and I can’t do this alone.”

“Oh, Kai. No one would ever ask you to do anything alone. Whatever happens next, we’re all right here.”

[poormeowmeowcollector]

Spooked, But Not In A Good Way

Warnings: panic attacks, meltdowns, sensory overload

Characters: Loki, Tony Stark

Summary: inspired by this post. Loki is always hiding when on the tower, but agrees to be on the Halloween party. Until things go bad.

Notes: Yes, Thor and Loki are autistic in my headcannon. Yes, I use the word autistic, as an autistic person. And, yes, I will bite you if you attack me because of those things. Tagging @consultingcriminalatyourservice.

Getting along with the new members of the team is not as hard as Tony imagined. Wanda and Sam are pretty okay, and Bucky is somewhat silent but not a problem. Loki's another story…

When Thor brought him here, fresh from a battle and with blood on his chest and back, he promised that Loki's quiet. And, holy shit, no one expected Loki being so introverted. It's a miracle if he appears on the "family tables", as Steve calls them. It's not hard to even forget that he's here, he's either off to a mission or locked in his room.

And even after he was proved to be mind controlled during the attack and declared innocent in every single court he was dragged into, he still didn't feel comfortable enough to be with anyone other than Thor, and maybe Bucky.

But Thor managed to convince him to come over to the Halloween party. And Loki even got dressed up, with a historically accurate costume of Dracula. He was just sitting on the bar, sipping on his wine and fidgeting with his fingers, but being in a room crowded with people and loud music was a huge step.

"Hey, Count," Tony yells as he walks closer, trying to make his voice louder than the music. Loki jerks in his seat, almost spilling his drink, before he smiles at Tony. "Oh sorry, did I scare you?" He asks, lowering his voice since he's closer.

"No… it's just, I was drifting off," Loki mutters, his voice just heard with all the noise. Tony nods and sits beside him, even though the Han Solo suit is quite tight around his waist.

"Again, thank you. Goodnight," He smiles. Tony smiles back and mutters a goodnight before leaving and closing the door. He doesn't even go back to the party, he just drags his feet to his room and crushes on the bed, falling asleep the moment his head touches his pillow.

"You know, it's good you're here…" He hums, letting a small smile. Loki makes a small throaty sound, releasing his left hand to take a sip of his wine.

"You can thank Thor for this… if it were on me, I would be still locked in my room," He scoffs a bit, forming a small smile for a brief moment.

"Still, it's nice seeing you out. You know, it almost feels like you aren't here," Tony admits. Loki does lower his eyes for s moment, the air around him getting cold. Shit, this shouldn't have happened.

"Yes… it's not that I don't like being with you… but…" He clenchs his jaw while taking, his hands holding his ears.

Before Tony can say or do anything, Loki vanishes. But he leaves a path of cold air behind him. Tony follows it to the bathroom, seeing Loki sitting on the floor in a loose fatal position, his hands covering both his ears and eyes.

Tony sits down in front of him, letting plenty of air between them. He can feel the vibrations of the bass on the floor. "Loki, bud, can you hear me?" He asks, his voice carefully low. Loki doesn't react, but he doesn't flinch either.

Tony leans his hand to Loki's knee, squeezing just enough to show that he's here. It's probably the noise. That's why Loki's always hiding, the tower is too damn loud. And being here must be a torture for him. Just the thought of how he let Loki tolerate this in silence makes Tony's stomach twist.

"Too loud…" Loki mutters, his hands pressing his ears harder and harder. Tony can feel the air in his lungs getting thinner. No, he doesn't need a panic attack now. Not while his friends is like this.

"Do…" He tries to bring air in his lungs, but it seems impossible. "How can I help?" He manages to ask. Loki raises his hand and stares at him with watery eyes. Then, he throws himself into a tight hug, breathing heavily for the next moments.

And Tony starts gasping for air.

Loki lets go of the embrace, but still holds Tony's hands. Tony lifts his head, seeing Loki breathing slowly, green smoke making the air visible. He's trying to instruct him to breathe. But why isn't he speaking?

Tony follows the instructions, feeling his lungs slowly filling with air. And Loki's hands start getting colder again as the music from the central room gets louder.

"Hey, hey. It's ok. Do you want to go somewhere quiet?" Tony asks, squeezing Loki's hands. He nods, letting Tony's hands go as they both stand up. Loki leads the way to his room, Tony beside him and still trying to compose himself, watching as Loki's fingers attack each other.

As soon as Loki opens the door to his room, Tony storms in and opens the closest window, poking his head out and trying to breathe in the cold air. Fresh air from outside always helps with his panic attacks.

"Was it that bad?" Loki asks, his voice low. Tony turns to face him and smiles. Speaking after a meltdown is a good thing, right? Loki is sitting on his bed, his makeup fading where tears dripped and still stimming with his hands, but he added lip chewing on the game too.

"No… Not really. Can I ask, is this why you're hiding in here all the time?" Tony's voice gets louder, more like him. Loki nods, looking down at his hands. Tony sits beside him on the bed, careful not to invade his personal space.

"Look, buddy, I'm sorry. We should have asked about this when you came here. It's stupid thinking that humans and Jötnar have the same hearing," He rumbles. This time, Loki lets a small scoff again.

"It's not a Jötnar thing, nor an Æsir one. I guess I'm the only one like this. And, there's nothing to apologize for. You didn't do something wrong and I thought Earth would be more quiet that Asgard," He corrects Tony, a faint smile on his lips. So, aliens can be on the spectrum too?

"Whatever, but making you an outcast is still not good… Hey, do you happen to know what your triggers are? I can make the tower more accessible," Tony suggests. He sees a light appearing in Loki's eyes as he turns his face around and stares right into Tony's eyes.

"Loud noises, mostly. They are painful. Sudden things too. And, intense smells, they make both me and Thor nauseous," He smiles. Maybe he wasn't asked this question before.

"Thor? He's in the spectrum too?"

Loki lets his eyebrows tangle with each other and his smile fade. "What spectrum?"

"I'm really not the man to explain this, but, he is sensitive too?" He corrects the answer. And, to this, Loki makes a nod.

"He likes things louder, but yes. Except for the smells, of course," He shrugs one shoulder.

"Great. I can make you some sound cancelling headphones, you decorate them, obviously, and keep the tower more quiet. How does it sound?" He asks, smiling widely. Loki lets his smile turn to a grin.

"Keep talking dirty," He purrs. Tony would make a move back, if the aroace flag wasn't hanging behind them.

"And, in case you get one of those fits again, what helps, usually?"

"Someone holding me down. Thor used to do it when we were small and it kind of sticked. You can tell the others too, if you like." He relaxes his face again, leaning back on the wall, his eyes still pinned on Tony.

"Good. And, when I get one of mine again, can you just give me space to breathe? They usually fade away after I manage to take a few deep ones,"

Loki hums at Tony's answer, a green light making his boots disappear as he pulls his legs on the bed. "Thanks you a lot, Tony… But, those things tend to be tiring, so, I think I might crash," He breaks eye contact, his hands stimming again.

"Yeah, same with the panic attacks. So, can you be at the lab tomorrow? I'll make sure the machines are quiet and I need your help to make the headphones," Tony gets up, allowing Loki to spread his long feet on the bed.

[91percentpynch]

lonely heart - kevaaron au pt 4

oh look it‘s me, coming out of my dark hole to make you suffer with a super sad chapter with a nasty cliffhanger:) so get your tissues ready and enjoy!! okay first of all sorry that i didn‘t update this in a g e s and that it‘s rather short and for the cliffhanger, but i‘ll try to update it more regularly now:)

check this out for the other parts:)

trigger warnings: drug abuse, mention of suicide, mention of mental health issues, very sad aaron, mention of blood

“You were too good for me”, Aaron whispered into the void. “You were way too fucking good for me. You made me a better man. And I fucked up”

Aaron got up as he felt the tears burning in his eyes. He knew he wouldn‘t be able to sleep alone tonight. Like every single goddamn night since he left Kevin. Like every single goddamn night since he made the biggest mistake of his life.

„Taylor?“, the blonde haired boy murmered, „You up?“

„Babe, you know I‘m up. My girlfriend lives three states away, we talk every single day at the same time as you call your man. Not that I would be able to sleep when you call him, cause a) i love Day and b) you‘re always sad and high and end up in my room anygays, so did he take the phone darling?“

Taylor was Aaron‘s roommate and the closest thing he had to a best friend. She had been there for him every single day, cuddled him, held him while he cried and dried his tears afterwards. And Aaron did the same when she misssed her girlfriend too much.

„You do realize he is not my man anymore, I fucked that up. Big time. He did actually take the phone just to tell me to fuck off and stop calling“

„You could always go over there and say it in his pretty face. Didn’t say you can’t come over did he?Pro point: Might lead to making out“, Taylor said while taking him in her arms. „Plus another pro point: you‘d get sober again. And you‘re less moody. No offense but a Kevin-less Aaron is hardly managable, like you‘re either a whiny little bitch or you‘ll give me the death glare of the cenutry. Legit worse than Andrew‘s and I called him a cute little baby boo once when I was drunk and he almost stabbed me right there with a look on his face like I just murdered Neil in front of him“

„Tay, I take that as a compliment. And we both know Kevin’s a bit of a dumbass so he did not exactly tell me Not To Come over just stopp calling. Anyways I don‘t even know where he lives. And stop talking about me getting high, you do the same shit“

„Yeah but I know my limits and I have not the same history as you. And for the i DoN‘t EvEn KnOwS wHeRe He LiVeS, phone number. Now“

„O- okay“, Aaron said and told her Kevin‘s phone number while Taylor calmingly stroked his back.

„Neat, got him“, Taylor said after a while. „He‘s with the scary big dude and his adorable little boyfriend I think? I have their address right here, I think we‘re gonna visit them tomorrow cause it‘s like 4 am right now and we don‘t wanna rob him his beauty sleep plus we don‘t want to wake the scary big dude. And I‘m pretty sure the adorable small golden retriver boy could and would stab us“

„Did you just stalk my ex and located his phone at 4 am like fucking Garcias in Criminal Minds?“, Aaron said confused.

„Anything for you big guy. And as I said I miss Day‘s pretty face, preferably in your pretty face so you shut the fuck up about how stressed and depressed and lonely you are.“, Taylor chuckled as Aaron looked at her shocked.

„Well I miss Casey, preferable in your face so YOU shut up“, Aaron was never as good in witty remarks as his brother. Especially high Aaron.

„Babe I think it‘s time for you to go to bed, you‘re not fun when you‘re sad, high and tired. Come here, let me cuddle you, while you whiney little bitch sleep“

Aaron slowly went over to Taylor and into her loving arms, laying down, trying to fall asleep.

After a long while aaron drifted into sleep, just to be greeted by familiar smaragd eyes. In his dream Kevin and he never broke up. Kevin was on top of him, his hands gently discovered Aaron‘s body, touching him as if he was sacred, something to worship. Kevin‘s lips were at Aaron‘s ear whispering sweet nothingness. Aaron‘s hips moved against Kevin‘s loving touch. „Stress release“ Kevin called these holy moments in dawn. „Highlight of my day“ Aaron called them.

The dream was as beautiful as it was cruel. It was as if his body, his mind were as much refusing as able to believe that Kevin was gone. It was his own fault, Aaron knew it. But the ever present voice of his mother, disapproving and disgusting, in his head was just too much for him to handle. He thought - foolish as Aaron was - that the pain of living without Kevin would be better, less cruel, less painful. But he never knew real love and therefore never experienced its lost. Until that faitful day. Until Kevin took his bags and left.

Aaron was used to pain. The hot one after an extraordinarily vicious hit. The cold one when his mother died. The numbing one when the hunger was growing more and more unbareable. But nothing was even slightly as hard to handle as the loss of Kevin in his life.

Kevin was the first good thing Aaron had. He gave him a will to stay, to try, to give this stupid sport everything he got. And Exy turned into more mundane things like getting his eating routine under control or getting a more or less acceptable sleeping schedule. The dark days were still there, for both of them, and they would probably never leave them completely alone, but they got less. And when they did happen they would hold each other together.

Ever since he fucked up things with Kevin, Aaron had more and more dark days. The voice of his mother telling him he‘s a failure, the bored stare of his brother and Aaron convincing himself Andrew wouldn‘t even bet an eye if he died, the voice telling him the world would be a better place without him growing louder and lourder every passing day.

Logically he could say that the death of a single person wouldn‘t change much for the over all world population, expect maybe it‘s some kind of insane mademan dicator or someone important, but still. It made sense. All he did after all was fucking up, being a failure, never good enough, never perfect.

His lonely heart only screamed Kevin‘s name and he knew if Kevin didn‘t take him back, his life wouldn‘t make much sense anymore. Well he would definetly not tell Kevin that. He would not manipulate Kevin into loving him, because that wouldn‘t be much better than not having him at all.

Aaron woke up the next day around noon. He didn‘t really feel like getting up, like getting up was simply too much. But Aaron knew he had to. He didn‘t want to worry Taylor more than he already did. And it would end today. One way or the other.

So he got up, put on the first pair of black jeans he could find and the first sweater his hands could find. Ironically it was one of the sweaters Kevin gave him, on the third of december last year. It was one of Aaron‘s favourites as well.

„Ready for the big Day, small guy?“, Taylor said winking at him.

„Not really? What the fuck am I supposed to do there anyways?“, Aaron replied on his way to the coffee maker.

„Talk to him? Deliver one of those borderline cringe big speeches. Get im flowers. Break into his bedroom and say ‚Draw me like one of your french girls‘, naked of course“, Taylor laughed at the face Aaron made, listening to her suggestions.

„I think I like the big speech. I mean I‘m shit with words, but I‘m sure you want to help your boy getting ‚his man‘ back, right? Also what kind of flowers would you give someone you dumped cause the voice of your dead mother told you it was wrong and disgusting, which you never told him for obvious reasons?“

„Honey, you‘re so fucked up sometimes, I love you but you should go to a therapist or something. Also I‘d say sunflowers or roses? I don‘t speak flowers man, I‘m the tech nerd. Not the romantic one, the nerd. But we‘re gonna make a snazzy speech and you‘re gonna get your man back“

After their typical breakfast - if Aaron didn‘t forget to eat again - they sat down together on the living room floor, paper and pen ready, trying to write the world changing speech.

„Why is this so fucking hard? Why can I only tell him how much I love and miss him when I‘m high off my ass“, Aaron complained.

„What about you don‘t think about him that much. Just tell me what you love about him and then we write that down?“, Taylor suggested.

Aaron took a deep breathe and closed his eyes. „I loved him because he was the first one who saw me. Aaron Minyard. And not just the other Minyard, the lesser twin, the shadow of Andrew. He looked at me and somehow chose me. Even if he could have had everyone else. He chose me, even though I‘m not special. Kevin chose the failure when he could have had the first prize. He looked at me and saw something worth loving, worth keeping around. Hardly anyone could tell Andrew and me apart. But it took him less than a day to do so. Kevin is strong, so so strong and somehow chose the most fragile thing he could find, took it and made it worth soemthing. Kevin made me feel something. Not numbness. Not pain. Something warm and beautiful and living. He gave me a reason to stay alive. Kevin made my life bearable, he made my life beautiful. We were both broken and we would probably still be broken if we were together but we softened each other‘s edges. Kevin believed in me when no one else would. He knew how I felt, knew what I needed and when I needed it. Kev gave me love and safety and I kicked it with my feet. This man is like a god who fell for whatever reasons for a homeless man. And I know I don‘t deserve him but I also know I cannot live without him. And I know that I must tell him that before it‘s too late. If it‘s not too late already“

Taylor wipped a tear out of her eyes. „That‘s it. You tell him that and we‘ll get him back“, she said. „Can I hug you?“

„Sure you loser“

„Ah there is my boy“

They spent the rest of the afternoon writing down the speech, making edits here and there. In the end Aaron collected the pages and went to his room to change. He replaced Kevin‘s sweater with a simple black jumper, put on his Docs, got his keys and left.

Aaro did feel a little uncomfortable, stalking Kevin like that. But he knew this was his chance to fix things. This was his chance to get Kevin back, to make his life worth living again. Which to be fair was a bit selfish, but you are allowed to be a little selfish sometimes, aren‘t you?

Jean and Jeremy‘s apartment complex was a 15 minute drive away from the flat Aaron shared with his three roommates. Theirs was fanzier, obviously. After all Jeremy was a professional Exy player and Jean was some kind of semi famous artist or fashion maker or whatever. They could give Kevin the world. They could give him what he desereved. All Aaron had to offer was an apology and his love. No money. Not yet anyway. Just anxiety, depression and stress.

But if Kevin was willing to take his love, to give Aaron one more chance, he promised himself Aaron would make it count. He will tell Kevin how much he loves Kevin every single god damn day. Aaron will get therapy and work on his issues. Sober up and this time for good. He will do anything to be worth of god‘s love. Just that god in his case was a twenty two year old boy with black hair, forming soft waves at the end and a smile that will make the sun jealous. Eyes made out of smaragd. Lips so sinful and kissable.

Aaron sat down in front of the door, waiting for his courage to come back to him. He could do this. He would get his man back.

Hours passed, or maybe it were only minutes or seconds after all before someone came closer. Ever so slowly Aaron lifted his head, just to look in the ever so familiar green eyes, big with shock.

„You said to stop calling. You never mentioned face to face conversations“, Aaron said, his voice hoarse.

Kevin stared at him as if he was a ghost, a reminder of his past life, something he rather wanted to forget.

„Look I know I fucked up. I know I‘m not good enough for you. I know you deserve the world and I cannot give it to you. And when you look me in the eyes and tell me you don‘t feel anything for me anymore, no love or hate or affection or whatever humans feel, I will turn away right now and go and never come back. Never bother you again. But if you allow me to apologize, if you however decide to gieve me one last chance, I prepared this whole ass speech for you“

Aaron was sure they could hear his heart beating against his chest, roaring, screaming to return home. To return to Kevin where it belonged.

Kevin‘s eyes wandered to the floor, his fingers automatically closed around his left wrist. A nervous habit. Just another little part that makes Aaron‘s heart ache.

Slowly, almost painfully slowly, he lifted those unbelieveable beautiful eyes and met Aaron‘s golden ones. Kevin studied him and the world around them stopped.

Out of the corner of Aaron‘s eyes he could see Jean going still, his breathing too calm, too even. It‘s the same thing Andrew does when someone fucks with Josten. At least his death would be fast. Or slow. Whatever. Aaron didn‘t really care, without Kevin it wasn‘t worth anygthing anyway.

„Why“, Kevin said after what feels like forever, „Why would I forgive you? Why would I give you another chance? Why would you think you can come back here just to fuck me over again? Aaron I loved you, I really did. I always will. You were my first love and maybe, yeah maybe, my last one. But right now I can‘t. I just, I just can‘t. Please leave. Please leave me alone. For now. Maybe, one day we can talk about it. But right now I cannot handle the thought of you to leave me. To tell me all these beautiful lies, to cut me open and leave me to bleed out. I love you“, tears were running down Kevin‘s cheek. Tears Aaron one day, a long time ago, promised himself he would never let Kevin feel again. Pain. Sadness. Everything because of his failure, because of his weakness, because he‘s a fucking piece of shit.

„Thank you for giving me a reason to stay. Jusst remember that you were my light, my warmth, my happiness and I never stopped loving you. Never will. Please just be happy“, Aaron replied as he turned around to walk to his cars.

When he was sure he was out of ear shot, he let himself feel. Feel the pain. Feel the loneliness. Feel the numbness and the cold and the hatred. It was in that moment, that moment where he was alone and nothing more to lose, that he decided that it was enough. He would end it. End it tonight.

„Thank you“, he texted Taylor. „I‘m glad I didn‘t eat you in the womb“, he texted Andrew. „You were not so bad after all“, he sent to Neil. And lastly „Thank you for taking me under your wing“, to Nicky. They would understand. It would take them some time but in the end they would feel better. They would be happier without them. Because at the end of the day he caused them pain and wasn‘t really worth a thing.

So when he got in his car, tears running uncontrallably down his cheeks, he knew what he had to do.

[loudblonde]

Peter Parker x Male!Stark!Reader

Trigger warning: angst, mentions of murder and death, bad communication between father!Tony and son!reader, depression, recovered self-harmer, self-harm scars, hydra mention, homophobia.

Reincarnation AU, where lovers who were destined to be together will always find each other after they die. They will feel naturally drawn to each other, like magnets. No matter who they are in this life, they always share some of the same physical traits.

(Y/N) pulled the hood further over his head, desperately wanting to escape the situation. The lawyers’ words stitched together, into a long string of nothingness, no meaning came from it, not to a kid.

(Y/N)’s mother had died not even two days ago, killed in front of (Y/N). Now his uncle fought for rights to custody over his father. A pointless battle, (Y/N) didn’t know this at the time, but he would be lucky he ended up with his father.

(Y/N) had never seen his father, he didn’t like him, or at least his mother hadn’t liked him. She had always talked about how arrogant he was and how he would rather just sleep around instead of being a father. How parties were his priority and not his own son. So no, (Y/N) didn’t like his father, not with those words in mind.

The black-haired boy looked over at the lawyer with tears in his eyes, he wanted to get away. He wanted his mother. But even he knew, she was never coming back.

That day had been far too long. (Y/N) had barely even registered the trial ended or that he was escorted out of the room and into a car. Once (Y/N) finally registered what was happening, a burger was offered to him. (Y/N) took it.

“Cheeseburger.” Tony said, unsure how to react, he was not fit to be a father. But he was rich. How would he ever provide what the kid needed emotionally? He wasn’t ready to be a father, but before Catharina had died, Tony had been in the hospital room with her. She had begged him to take in their son, to not let her brother get him.

Something had just screamed at him to take care of her son, no, their son. Something about the desperateness in her voice and eyes or how she had spent her last breath asking him to promise it to her.

But no, Tony was not ready to be a father, he wasn’t even sure he would do a good job, but he would try his best.

He watched as (Y/N) slowly ate. A sigh came from Tony. “I know that this is hard… I’m sorry kid.” Tony didn’t get a respond, not that he thought he would. He looked towards Happy who shrugged. “Drive us home.” Tony looked out of the window.

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

11 years passed quickly, (Y/N) Stark. The only known son and heir to the company. A genius like his father, just in other ways. He had spoken 7 languages at age 10. By the age of 15, that number was up to 16. The media had no pictures of him after his 13th birthday. They could never quite find him or else he was just hidden from the naked eye.

Now, (Y/N) just avoided the public as much as he could. He looked too much like his father. Who wanted a camera in their face 24/7. Definitely not (Y/N). It did help that he was sent off to a boarding school ever year.

Oh, and there was also this little detail called, he was fucking a mutant. A powerful one at that. He could read peoples minds and warp their senses. It’s tiring and often resulted in him getting a nosebleed. Yet he kept practicing, payed off on the exams.

(Y/N) knew very well, that if the wrong people found out, he would be taken away and used for some crazy science experiment. By hydra or someone worse. Someone Shield had no idea were around, (Y/N) was sure it could happen.

So, (Y/N) remained closeted in multiple ways.

Even if he had some destined lover out there, he wouldn’t wanna be with them. He doubted he had one, but just to be safe, he had an escape plan… however if the stories proved true… He didn’t think about that too much, it was not gonna happen.

Which he had been fine with until he came home and saw a guy his age in his fathers’ current workshop. He normally never went in there but felt as though he needed to do it.

“Erm, excuse me, but who are you?” (Y/N) asked the rather cute brown-haired boy.

Peter looked up with wide eyes. For a second, he thought he had seen Tony, but this man was so much younger. Peter scratched the back of his head. “I’m Peter Parker, Mister Starks intern.”

(Y/N) raised his eyebrow at that. “Who are you? I-if you don’t mind me asking!” (Y/N) found something cute about the nervous edge to the young man. (Y/N) smirked ever so slightly.

(Y/N) chuckled as he walked further into the workshop, his body reacted without him wanting it to. He walked all the way over to Peter and looked at what he was doing. Homework? Or… something else? It seemed strangely familiar; though Peter covered it up before he could see anymore.

“I’m (Y/N) Stark.” He said with a friendly smile. (Y/N) looked up as two other people walked into the workshop, his pretend girlfriend and father, happily chatting away about some scientific thing.

“Oh, (Y/N), didn’t see you there. You never told me your girlfriend was smart.” Tony said.

“Well Tony, you never bothered to ask asked.” (Y/N) shrugged as he sat on a table his legs dangling slightly, they didn’t have the best relationship, (Y/N) had never called him father.

Not even to his friends. His pretend and also very closeted fake girlfriend walked over and stood between (Y/N)’s leg, (Y/N) placed his arms around her shoulder, ignoring the hurtful look in Tony’s eyes. He had seen it a lot.

“You never do ask about anything, I didn’t think you would care enough about who I was dating.” (Y/N) shrugged. Peter felt very uncomfortable, he just looked down, hoping to just avoid the whole family mess.

Tony on the other hand sighed. “Look kid-“

“Don’t kid me. I lost all sense of that word that night.” (Y/N) said, without even raising his voice. (Y/N) had forgiven Tony long ago, though he didn’t know if Tony knew this. Being taken away from his uncle, whom he had cared for a lot, to never see him again. Turned out his uncle had killed his mother… yeah that was not fun to know at age five.

“The only reason I’m home now is because I’m required too, I will stay out of your way, as always. Have fun with your intern.” (Y/N) said as he jumped down from the table. He landed soundlessly. Peter caught onto that.

“(Y/N)….” Tony looked after them, but they left towards the direction of his sons’ room, not even bothering to look back.

He loved (Y/N), but something was off, there was something (Y/N) never told him. It bothered Tony, but he didn’t know how to get a bond with (Y/N), he had never taken to science. Or anything else they could bond over. Tony had tried but eventually… just given up.

Not even Pepper could bond with (Y/N) and she had tried. The closest had been one moment when (Y/N) almost opened up.

Tony looked over at Peter, who averted his eyes. “Sorry about that… where did we come from?”

(Y/N) listened as Tony dropped the subject and sighed. What had he expected? A confession that his father Truly cared but just didn’t know how to approach a moody teenager. Or perhaps Tony saying that he had never been a father to him, nor he ever would.

They walked into a living room and sat down, (Y/N) hoped for silence. “He still doesn’t know. Does he?” Elena asked him, she placed a hand on his leg, comforting him.

(Y/N) sighed. “Why would he? It isn’t as though he cares anyway.” (Y/N) wasn’t sure if that was what he truly believed or hoped. “Why would I ever tell him I’m bi. Sure, he is. But why would he care about me?” (Y/N) leaned back in the couch scowling to himself, thinking about his father.

Though he smiled when he heard a familiar pair of heals enter the room.

“What have the two of you been up too?” Clint asked from behind Natasha.

(Y/N) chuckled as he stood up, Elena did the say, they all shared hugs. “Not much, just planning world domination,” (Y/N) joked.

“Yeah, letting the queer people rise up and overthrow all the governments.” Elena joined in. They all chuckled.

“(Y/N)-“ Natasha began but was interrupted. She let (Y/N) speak, knowing damn well he was being an edgy teenager that she would beat the next time he asked to spare with her. Which for some reason he never seemed to learn from.

“Save it, please. I don’t need any pity. He found someone else when he was ready. I was literally thrown at him 11 years ago. He wasn’t ready to be a father and if he is now, then lucky for Parker..” (Y/N) shrugged, pretending it didn’t hurt him.

Of course, Natasha and Clint saw right through that. They shared a look before closing the door to the room and sat both kids down. Somewhat ready to have this conversation.

“Your father doesn’t hate you.” Clint said and sighed. “He just-“ (Y/N) shook his head.

“Doesn’t know how to reach me? I have heard that from seven different psychologists.” (Y/N) leaned his head against the table. Not wanting to have this conversation with two others.

“I was gonna say, afraid. You are distant, he cherishes the little you two have and always get sad when you leave. Just having you around cheers him up, even with your harsh rejections of him.” Clint said, catching (Y/N) off guard.

A slight gasp came from him as he looked up at Clint, unsure if Clint was actually telling the truth. “Tony likes having me around?” (Y/N) looked at Elena for comfort, she placed a hand on his thigh.

Natasha and Clint shared a look before nodding. “Yes, he is always talking about the next time you come home, how he wants to spend more time with you.” Clint said with a small smile.

“Yes, he smiles widely, just like the moments when he discovers something new.” Natasha said, a ghostly smile on her lips. (Y/N) knew that smile, he had seen it a few times. It always warmed his heart when he thought about it, his father actually being happy for once.

No matter how much (Y/N) claimed he didn’t care, he really did care. Seeing his father happy was always something he remembered. For two reasons, always the same two reasons.

One, seeing Tony smiling widely and not drinking was rare.

And two… it hurt. Seeing Tony get a sense of happiness when he didn’t think (Y/N) was around, a sense of happiness that (Y/N) previously wrote off as simply being a dislike for him.

They had some catching up to do, and it seemed as though Clint had read his mind.

“You should talk with him later when Peter goes off to sleep. I know you don’t sleep that much, both of you.” Clint said, waving a finger between them, making the small group last.

(Y/N) thought about it, one hand, he wanted a relationship with his father, but on the other hand. Tony must think (Y/N) hates him…

An idea popped into his head.

He knew what he must do, he stood up, a determined glint in his eyes. “I have to go, Elena, you know the code to my room. I will be back in two hours.” (Y/N) rushed out and into the garage, he grabbed his car keys and drove away to get something he knew his father loved.

Elena wandered off into the compound, looking for Wanda when she found Peter sitting on a couch, she plopped down next to him. “So, you’re starks intern?” She asked curiously. Her eyes glanced over Peters features.

Peter looked at her with a small smile. “Yeah. You are his sons’ girlfriend, right?” Peter asked.

Elena nodded as she shifted slightly, not being a good liar. “Yeah, we are.” She responded, a bit too distracted, Peter caught on.

“Unless there is trouble…?” He asked, really not looking forward to getting between them.

“Oh? No!” She chuckled and closed her eyes. She didn’t feel anyone around. Once she opened her eyes, she smiled. “I listen to girl in red.” She said. Peter nodded, knowing what it meant.

“And he covers?” Peter asked, suddenly wanting to know more about the other. She nodded.

“Yes, he covers for me. We have a whole breakup story planned once we both graduate at the end of the year. The darlings of the school practically married already. No one will see it coming.” She laughed softly; Peter chuckled slightly at it.

“Does Mister Stark know?” Peter asked, she instantly shook her head.

“No, Natasha and Clint know… and now you do. I trust that you won’t tell.” She held out her pinkie finger. Peter gently held her finger with his own.

“I promise and to trade knowledge. I’m bi. I’m Peter by the way.” He said with a huge smile, happy to have made a friend. “What school does the two of you attend?”

“Oh, that old thing?” She dropped her pinkie. “Institute auf dem Rosenberg.” She said with a proud smile.

Peters face dropped.

She chuckled softly at it. “Both of our families are rich; we are both smart. I mean, (Y/N) can’t really do science, but he can learn any language in three weeks. I take after my dad. Hank McCoy.” She beamed. She too was a mutant. She had the ability to feel the presence of others.

“What is it like on the school?” He asked. Everything she had said baffled him. She seemed so nonchalant about it as well.

“Oh, it is really a lot of fun. All the students there are super nice to be around. I mostly enjoy the horse riding or the various biology classes. The instructors are so good. Campus life is amazing. I have my own bedroom and bathroom.” She explained with a huge smile, just happy to be talking about it. She didn’t notice the sky darken outside.

“A-and your father is Hank McCoy?” Peters inner nerd was showing. He turned towards her, not noticing how dark it was getting.

“Yeah, I don’t see him much, but yes. I take more after my mother, I’m not all that blue.” She leaned back and closed her eyes, she felt a presence besides them, a familiar one, so she wasn’t worried.

They kept talking for an hour before Peter had to sleep, he had been up early. Elena just wandered off the bedroom.

Meanwhile (Y/N) had finally gotten home with the cheeseburgers. He walked into his fathers’ shop and placed one down besides Tony. “Tony… dad…” (Y/N) looked away as Tony looked at him shocked.

“I know I haven’t been the best son… or person and I’m sorry for that.” (Y/N) looked down.

“Kid…” Tony began but stopped at (Y/N) raised his hand.

“I don’t blame you for not being close with me. I pushed you away, I’m sorry for that dad.” (Y/N) looked over. “I shouldn’t have pushed you away… but I was just too scared what would happen if we tried to get closer again. Last time we tried anything father son like, you got blown up.” He nodded towards the reactor on Tony’s chest.

“I guess… my mother dying and you almost dying… I couldn’t afford to lose anyone I cared for, not again.” Tony hugged (Y/N) who just stood there, not knowing how to respond to the hug.

Tony pulled away and looked to (Y/N), he gently wiped (Y/N)’s tears away, leaving slightly oily marks on (Y/N)’s cheeks. (Y/N) hadn’t even noticed he was crying. He scrunched the sleeve of his hoodie up and wiped the rest of his tears away.

“You don’t have to be sorry… I haven’t done my part either… I thought you hated me and that you rather wouldn’t see me… I should have reached out instead of just letting you be alone.” Tony smiled gently and sat on the chair, (Y/N) jumped up on the table as he opened his cheeseburger.

“We were both not good at communicating.” (Y/N) sighed. There was so much to say and so little time to say it in. Or at least that was what it felt like.

“Dad?” (Y/N) looked towards Tony unsure.

“Yes?” Tony questioned and stopped opening his burger up.

(Y/N) bit his lip before shaking his head. “I’m gay.”

Tony looked confused. “What about Elena?”

“She’s also gay… We date as a cover. It is easier than anything else.” Tony nodded, understanding the need to keep it hidden.

“You know, it seems to run in the family.” Tony chuckled, catching (Y/N) off guard. “I’m bi. The news just doesn’t report the men I have slept with.” Tony shrugged as he took a bite off the burger.

“I can also read peoples minds.” (Y/N) muttered as he took a bite of his own burger.

However, Tony had heard it. “Read peoples mind?” Tony asked unsure if he heard it properly.

(Y/N) looked at him and nodded, his eyes shifted into a cloudy white colour, it looked as though someone had poured drops of milk into water, the white curled around his iris before finally overtaking his eyes.

“You hope I’m lying and joking around, you want to comfort yourself with that thought but deep down you know the truth, you know that there has always been something off, something you couldn’t see or explain and it wasn’t my sexuality. Something that pushed you away.” (Y/N) said, his voice sounded as though he spoke from somewhere else.

Tony watched as (Y/N) tilted his head to the side. “But you aren’t scared of me, of this. It caught you off guard but you…” (Y/N) shook his head. “You actually want to protect me.” (Y/N) couldn’t believe what he heard. Why would anyone ever protect a monster like him?

Something so vile, that could freely enter and probe around in someone’s mind.

“Of course, I would help you and keep you safe.” Tony took his sons hands in his. “Even with your gift, it isn’t something to be ashamed off.” Tony smiled.

(Y/N) smiled before shaking his head. “I… Why? Why keep me safe?” (Y/N) asked, unsure. His school had a few mutants, but those out was socially isolated and for a school priding itself with creating future relationships for their careers.

Tony looked confused at that question; something just didn’t seem right. Tony had a bad feeling where the conversation was going. “Because it’s the right thing to do and you are my son. If I didn’t protect you… I would be no better than hydra.” Tony said while looking into his sons’ eyes.

The word hydra made (Y/N) flinch and close his eyes. Imaginations of what happened. He had spoken with James for a few hours, before he had been whisked off to Wakanda and then again, every single time he was in Wakanda. He knew what hydra could do and with powers like his…

“(Y/N), I would never let hydra get to you.” Tony said sternly. “And, if they do get you, I will rain hell down upon them before they touch you.”

The words didn’t comfort (Y/N). Tony had essentially said he couldn’t promise safety, that hydra could very much just get to him. That he would never be safe. But (Y/N) put on a fake smile, not wanting to worry his father too much for one night. “Thank you.” Tony didn’t see through the smile.

(Y/N) faked a yawn, he needed to get some fresh air. “I should head towards the bed. I have had a long flight.” He stood up and threw his half-eaten cheeseburger out. “Don’t stay up too late.” (Y/N) joked at Tony who in turn chuckled.

“I was going to say, be safe. But I don’t need that.” Tony finished his own cheeseburger as (Y/N) walked out of the room.

(Y/N) walked into his room and out on the balcony, unbeknownst to him, Peters bedroom was right next to his own. (Y/N) took the hoodie off and dropped it down, scars littered his arms, but (Y/N) knew no one would see that here. It was a blind spot; no cameras could see his balcony.

A sigh came from him as he ran his fingers over the jagged scars, all healed and all going to stay. He had been clean for over a year. He had found a way to distract himself, singing. It sounded stupid when he thought about it. But singing helped him get away from his feelings, for just that moment.

He started off with a quiet song, one he had written himself. A song about a lost boy, trying to find his way home. Trying to live in a world with constant hate towards him.

Peter who had trouble with sleeping, heard someone sing outside his window. A beautiful, almost angelic voice. He looked outside and saw the young stark standing there shirtless and just singing, Peter had been too caught up in it he hadn’t noticed (Y/N) stopping and looking at him.

(Y/N) turned towards Peter with scared eyes. “H-hey Peter.” He chuckled as he scratched the back of his head. “Sorry if I woke you up.”

Peter fell inside his room before walking outside, rubbing his shoulder. “N-no. You didn’t. I just couldn’t sleep-“ he noticed the scars but said nothing, “and then I heard you sing. W-which you are really good at!” Peter exclaimed.

(Y/N) walked over to where their balconies met and leaned on the edge, Peter sat in the chair right next to it. “Come here often?” (Y/N) asked softly. “Every other weekend.” Peter proudly said. “Mister Stark wanted to teach me how to properly make my suit, but he is mostly always busy, so instead I train with the avengers.” Peter looked genuinely excited about that.

(Y/N) laughed softly before shaking his head. “That is what my dad is like. Tell me Pete. Why did my father pick you? He isn’t exactly one to get interns.” (Y/N) knew he was onto something, but he didn’t want to probe Peters brain.

Peter blushed, giving (Y/N) all the confirmation he needed to know he was indeed onto something. “I-“ Peter stopped himself.

“No need to tell the secret if it is.” (Y/N) placed a finger on Peters lips. Keeping him quiet and blushing. “But if you want to, then I never tell a secret.” (Y/N) winked as he removed his finger.

“I’m spiderman.” Peter whispered, (Y/N) heard it.

He moved over the balcony and sat next to Peter. “Really? That is so cool!” (Y/N) said in a voice that was maybe too loud, it made him flinch slightly and calm down.

“You think I’m cool?” Peter asked baffled. His blush only growing.

“Of course. At my school we watched your videos and used them in math, seeing how someone in a split second can change and twist their body. It is honestly amazing.” (Y/N) said without realising what he had just confessed too. But it was fine, right? He had said that they had done it in math class. Totally didn’t sound creepy. Right?

However, Peter blushed madly, even in the dimly lit night, (Y/N) could easily tell Peter was blushing, it made him blush as well. “Erm, sorry if that is weird.” He chuckled softly and scratched the back of his head.

“N-no. I just never imagined that someone that handsome and smart would ever be interested in what I did, nevertheless the only son of my mentor. I always wanted to impress really smart people but to actually-“ (Y/N) placed a hand over Peters mouth, which shut Peter up immediately.

“Pete, you are rambling, it’s cute.” (Y/N) removed his hand just as Elena walked outside. Peter didn’t notice it, instead he just heard the words over and over again. (Y/N) Stark thought he was cute? Or at least what he did was cute.

“Would you two please quiet a bit down. I have a meeting soon.” She pleaded while looking at the two.

“Of course, Elena. Sorry.” (Y/N) waved at her as she walked back in. ”Mind if I stay over on this side for an hour or two? Elena has a meeting.” (Y/N) looked at Peter.

“You can stay!” Peter said somewhat loudly, making (Y/N) smile. He stood up and bend over the balcony wall to get his hoodie. (Y/N) put it on and followed Peter into his room.

The room was decorated with some hero merch. It was honestly charming. To see someone, work this close with the avengers and still be a fan. It reminded him about Phil.

(Y/N) sat on the bed as he looked around the room amazed, the twin sized bed was small, but (Y/N) didn’t mind it. Peter sat next to him, maybe a bit too close, but neither of the boys noticed that.

(Y/N) leaned into Peter. “I really love your room.” He said softly.

Peter placed an arm around (Y/N)’s shoulder. “Really? It isn’t too… I don’t know, childish?” Peter asked, suddenly very insecure about his room. Why was Peter doing this? The most likely very straight (Y/N) Stark was this close, close enough for Peter to just- no, he couldn’t think like that.

“No?” (Y/N) turned his head slightly to look at Peter, his eyes travelled down to Peters lips before looking back into his eyes. “It isn’t childish, at all. It’s normal to have imagery of someone or something you idolise.”

Peters eyes widened slightly as he saw (Y/N)’s eyes travel down again before coming up, so he took a chance and cupped (Y/N) face. Peter leaned down almost all the way, leaving less then an inch between their lips. (Y/N) was quick to fill in the gap. He may not have known Peter for long, but it just felt right.

The kiss sparked a memory he didn’t know he had.

The sun was setting. Two young men had snuck away and into the forest to watch the sunset from the tallest tree. The tallest man had his hands around the others face, while the shorter had his arms around the waist of the other.

“I love you, (Y/N).”

(Y/N) pulled away from the kiss with wide eyes. He looked at Peter with a panicked expression. Peter shared the equally panicked expression. “I’m sorry!” (Y/N) halfway yelled, this time it was Peters turn to place his hands over (Y/N)’s mouth.

“You saw that too, right? I’m not the one going crazy here.” Peter asked, (Y/N) melted under Peters touch, he tried to say something, but Peters hand was still over his mouth.

“Right, sorry.” Peter removed his hand.

“If you talk about the two of us, in these old clothing, sitting in a tree and… kissing. Then yes.” (Y/N) said, moving slightly away from Peter. (Y/N) instantly regretted it, not feeling the warmth of Peter.

“… The reincarnation.” Peter stood up and started pacing the room. “So, it is true, I have heard stories, but they were hard to believe.” Peter stopped and looked at (Y/N) who just blankly stared at the wall.

“I’m a mutant. You should know that before you decide if you want to stay with me. The stories have always been true… never imagined me to be one of those.” (Y/N) stood up and was immediately hugged by Peter.

“Pete, what are you doing?” (Y/N) asked unsure as to why people kept hugging him.

“Oh… sorry!” Peter pulled away slightly but kept (Y/N) within arms range.

“No reason to say sorry.” (Y/N) smiled. “Why don’t we just, sit down and talk this through?” (Y/N) asked as he took Peter with him over to the bed.

They spent the next night just talking about everything they could think. About (Y/N)’s power, Peters school, mental-health, and childhood stories, how they both shared having seen someone they cared about get killed.

At some point during the night, they fell asleep while cuddling on the small bed.

[crimsonwolfie]

“I Can’t Lose You” — Hamish Duke x Reader (The Order)

Hi! So this is my first ever completed fanfic i have ever written so please give me feedback and if you want me to write more! This is a “The Order” fanfic because i’ve recently become obsessed with this show and in specific, Hamish Duke. Darn he’s so cute! Also there needs to be more fanfics for this fandom so i thought i’d try! Hope you guys like it!!! Sorry this one is a bit of a sad one, but sometimes sad ones are THE ones you know?

Warnings: character death, guilt, just overall sadness tbh. Don’t read if you’re in a good fluffy mood lmao

Word count: 3,500

Pairing: Hamish Duke x Reader (also slightly Knights x Reader)

Masterlist

Edward (or should i say, grand Magus)’s plan for world domination was going too smoothly, and everyone was worried. The Knights of St Christopher and Alyssa knew they had to do something, even if it meant death. Even though you were only human, not a knight nor a member of The Order, you still wouldn’t let anything happen to your friends. Especially Hamish - he’s different. You have a soft spot for him, an unrequited love even...never mind if he’s a little older than you.

You walk into the knights’ house to see Vera pottering around the room, searching through books and handling strange objects in her hands.

“The hell is she doing here?!” Lilith screams, eyes changing with rage.

“It’s okay, she’s here to help” Alyssa replies, shrugging Randall’s hands off of her shoulders

“...fuck that WHY ARE YOU HERE DAMNIT?! Lilith practically roars after hearing and seeing Alyssa’s presence. Yeah her memories came back, but so did emotions linked to them.

“Lilith please, you have to calm down.” Alyssa reaches her hands out in an attempt to comfort Lilith, only to realise it made things way worse. You stand there unable to trigger what is even happening...heck you even felt betrayed when you found out Alyssa wiped Lilith’s memories of the order...now she feels like someone you used to know. You look down and notice Lilith’s claws start to come out and quickly you run over to stop “Kilith” making an appearance.

“Lilith i’m so glad you’re okay, what happened??” You ask, hugging your friend who surprisingly returns the hug.

“Thank YOU for noticing i’m alive. SEE I CAN SAVE MYSELF, THANKS FOR YOUR HELP GUYS!” She shouts, knowing the boys can clearly hear her.

“They’re just dumb, stupid idiots who messed with the wrong Knight, that’s all.” She smirks

“Well i’m glad you’re okay. We had a plan, you know” I say, gently squeezing her shoulder

“Why wouldn’t you. You can’t survive without me” she laughs, although she’s got a point.

Alyssa looks over to us, hovers her gaze and then looks away. Even though i can’t read her mind, i still see how she looks at me and Lilith and remembers painful memories of how they used to be this close. I just don’t understand why she doesn’t listen to us when we all say that The Order is bad for her, it’s just going to destroy her humanity. Even Jack agrees.

Randall, Jack and Hamish run over slightly shocked to see Lilith standing in the doorway. See here’s the thing, when i see Randall, i get happy. But in a comfortable way, like a sibling like love. When i see Jack, i just get annoyed and aggravated since he’s always up to no good...but when i see Hamish, it’s like the world is in slow motion. Nothing else matters until you see his face, or know he’s okay. He’s like your safe house, your anchor that brings you back to comfort and reality.

“Oh my god Lilith you’re here! How are you? Are you hurt? What the fuck are you wearing?” Randall blabs on, checking Lilith everywhere for marks or enchanted knife stabs

‘Okay since when has Randall shown so much care towards Lilith?’ You think...seems a bit forced in your opinion but oh well.

“Lilith! Urm...we kidnapped a child for you” Hamish stutters, happy to see Lilith but also confused about what is happening right now

“I’ve been kidnapped?!” a small child pipes up from the corner chair, eyes wide open and comic book stretched over his chest

“Oh for god’s sake” Vera huffs whilst flicking her finger towards the small child, instantly knocking him unconscious

“You what?” Lilith chokes, slapping Randall’s hands away from her face “why would you do that? Wait...he thinks his son is his only son right? So when he gets the child back he’ll still lose at his plan?”

“Exactly. Wait we’re letting an innocent child get killed? Isn’t there some fool-proof plan to make sure no one gets killed?!” You remark, earning a few sorrowful glances at your humanity

“There isn’t another way. It’s the only plan we have i’m afraid” Hamish replies, stepping towards you.

Alyssa and Jack look towards each other in synchronisation, as if they have a plan.

“Okay i think i have an idea, but Alyssa i’ll need your help” Jack says, nodding his head hopefully. “Whatever happens, make sure no one gets hurt”

After Jack and Alyssa leave, you step to the side and begin thinking of ways that you can not only save thousands of innocent lives, but also help save those you hold closest - Hamish, Lilith, Randall and Jack. If Edward wants to sacrifice his own son, then what if...

“Y/N, what’s wrong?” You turn around to see Hamish behind you, looking down at you with eyes of concern and care. His hand is on your shoulder, rubbing small circles with his thumb

“Nothing, just worried that’s all” you reply, hoping he doesn’t see through your act. You know he wouldn’t approve of your thoughts, so you keep them to yourself.

“It’s going to be okay, he doesn’t know Jack is his first born and without him, he’s failed. We’re gonna be okay.” He pulls you into his chest, instantly calming your nerves. It feels like forever when he hugs you, and how you wish you could freeze time in that moment as you lean into his warm touch and burry your face into his chest, his grip tightening on your upper and lower back for support. You can hear his heart beating, making you smile into his chest.

“You know, you really are a special human being” he hums as he gently strokes your head with his thumb “not just because you have a heart of gold, but because you manage to light a room up even if tragedy occurs”

You can’t help but coo at his words, smiling a smile so big into his chest. You look up to see that adorable little smirk he does, with his hair hanging down and his eyes fixated into yours.

“Awhh, Hamish. Thank you” your cheeks blush as he chuckles, before he lets go of you. Moments like this are your favourite, always.

You look over to see Vera staring outside the window, a panicked look on her face. You’ve never known The Order as you’re not a member, but you’ve heard plenty enough from Hamish and the others to know they’re no good. And that goes for Vera - she only helps if she gets something out of it. None of them have any genuine good in their hearts unless it involved selfishness.

“Okay we’ve got a problem, you have visitors” she turns around, announcing like some high monarchy jester...you can’t help but roll your eyes at her.

“What do you mean? Who’s coming?” Randall asks

“It’s the Order, they’re here for the child” Vera replies

“Well they aren’t getting him. We have to stop them” Lilith cries, actual seriousness in her voice...’damn i’m so proud of her’ you think as you remember how she felt no remorse in killing before.

“She’s right. C’mon” Hamish agrees. As Randall and Lilith go out and their hides come out, Hamish pulls you to the side.

“Y/N, you have to stay in here. It’s too dangerous and i don’t want to lose you okay? We need you here” he looks restless and panicked, a look you haven’t seen on his face so genuine before.

“I’ll be right here, it’s fine. Go!” You reply, kissing him on the cheek as a way to say ‘i’m not losing you either, idiot’. He leans into your kiss, holding his cheek with a smile after and then steps out of the door.

Vera seems to be the only one left inside, so you ponder over to her in an attempt to begin a conversation with her. ‘Maybe she isn’t as bad as the others?’ you think.

“Hey, Vera?” You ask hesitantly

“Urm...yes? Y/N isn’t it?” She replies whilst looking into her book of potions and concoctions

“Yeah, i was just wondering about a spell that could shape shift you into something...or someone else...is there one?” You ask, weary of trusting her

“Of course there’s such spell, it’s like the basics of magic” she replies “why?”

“I was just wondering. I mean, i don’t think this whole plan will work and...”

“You want to help.” She finishes your sentence

“...yeah. I know i’m no knight or member of The Order but i still want to help.” You stutter, playing with your fingers, twirling them around each other

“I see. So you want to shapeshift into someone else?” She replies, turning towards me in curiosity

“I guess...” you begin as you trail on about your plan in order to save everyone and especially, to save Hamish.

Time goes by and you receive a call from Jack

“Jack what’s wrong?” You ask as you hear Jack’s heavy breathing on the other end of the line

“It’s Alyssa, Edward’s got her. He’s got her and won’t give her back until he gets his son back...” he’s running it seems, panic set in his tone and regret “It’s all my fault, it’s my fucking fault. An innocent person is going to die either way because of me now. It’s Alyssa or his second child” he chokes up, clearly about to break down

“Jack, hey, Jack listen to me...it’s NOT your fault, you tried to save everyone and it doesn’t work that way, much like magic - There’s always a price to pay.” You look up to Vera, who sympathetically smiles at you with a sad smile

“Just get back here and we’ll figure something out okay? We’ll get her back, Jack. I promise” you softly say, hearing Jack calm down and agree. You hang up and linger for a second on your home screen - a picture of you and your friends. Hamish is sitting next to you with his arm around you tightly and his other arm holding a cocktail. He’s staring down at you laughing. Randall is on the other side of you, laughing with his head up as if he was mid throwing his head back in laughter. He’s holding one of your hands whilst his other arm is near Lilith. You’re leaning into Hamish’s chest, giggling and looking down with a blushed cheeks, whilst Lilith is sitting next to Randall but not touching anyone (no surprise there) and looking down at Jack laughing. Jack is in front of you all, making a silly face and lying on his side, with one leg up in the air and arm tucked under his head. You’ve all got smiles on your faces and look like a proper family, which is exactly how you see them all.

Vera sees you staring down at your phone, aware that you’re doing something she has never seen anyone willing to do before “You don’t have to do this, there must be another way” She pleas, but you both know no other way is guaranteed to fail Edward of his task. “It’s not too late. Think of what you’re losing”

“Vera i know, but i’m thinking of what i’m earning for those i love” i reply, tears welling in my eyes. Vera understands my position and agrees to help me.

An hour later

“Where’s Y/N? She should be here! She said she would keep safe” Hamish runs up and down the house looking for you, unaware of what’s to come. He’s beginning to get restless and worried more than ever now

“It’s okay, she said she went to get supplies for me. She’ll be back” Vera lies

“We don’t have anymore time. Edward will need a sacrifice by 12, which means we have 20 minutes. And if we don’t give him a sacrifice he’ll kill Alyssa” Jack cries

“I need to give him someone. Guys scrap the plan, i need to go. I have to. I’d never forgive myself if Alyssa dies. Not because of me” Jack screams, anger venting inside him. Randall approaches and tries to calm Jack down before things get messy or before something he regrets happens.

“I need to know Y/N is safe, i couldn’t live if she got hurt” Hamish joined in, gaining looks towards him in surprise but also...guilt...from Vera.

Hamish notices Vera’s guilty look and instantly begins changing into Tundra through anger built inside of him but also...fear.

“WHAT DID YOU DO TO HER?” He practically growls at Vera, who holds her hands up to defend herself (as if that’s gonna stop a werewolf pftt). Vera begins to back away in fear of getting eaten alive, but Randall and Jack start to hold Hamish back, as his hide begins to hide again even as he fights against Jack and Randall’s grips

“It was her idea. She’s gone to stop Edward” Vera replies, eyes wide and hands ready to cast a spell as blood seeps from her palm.

“NO we need to stop her” Hamish cries as he breaks free from the boys’ arms and runs out the door, with the others following.

—

Jack enters the temple to see Edward preparing for his final task - the sacrifice. Alyssa is standing to the side, hands behind her back. She’s been enchanted from performing any spells, as Edward clearly saw he couldn’t trust anyone anymore. Upon Jack’s entrance, Alyssa runs up to him and hugs him, suddenly realisation sets into her glare.

“Jack what are you doing here, you can’t be here he’ll kill you!” She whispers, gripping onto his arm.

“It’s okay, at least you and everyone else will be safe” he replies, rubbing her hand on his arm

“Jack, i don’t see my child...you do know what a trade means don’t you?” Edward mocks, standing straight and tall in an attempt to threaten Jack.

“Grand Magus, you need your first born for the spell to work. Correct? Therefore, i’m here.” He stands tall and strong, stepping in front of Alyssa in a way to protect her. Edward looks around sheepishly, confused at what is happening. He takes a step forward and demands Alyssa tells him the truth. “Is this true, Alyssa? Don’t lie to me. I will know.” He booms, face inches away from Alyssa’s.

Alyssa hesitates before Edward threatens to come closer “okay it’s true. Yes, Grand Magus. He’s your son” she cries, tears threatening to spill as her words came out.

“Very well. Honourable of you, Jack. I must admit. However, that is not a quality you pursue from me.” Edward mocks, as he drags Jack towards the table where the book is. Jack climbs onto the table, as Edward starts summoning words and phrases, eventually producing a knife. Magus takes out the knife from the book

“NO!” Alyssa cries out, tears streaming and hands trembling. Edward ignores her screams and raises the knife in the air, thickening the suspense. Footsteps can be heard from behind the temple doors, lots of them. They sound as if they are quickening towards the door. Jack’s face drops a single tear as Edward releases his arms from the air and stabs him in the chest with the knife. As soon as the knife has been released, the doors burst open and Jack appears. Edward double takes towards Jack, who is standing by the door with Hamish, Vera, Randall and Lilith. He then looks towards his “son” in front of him, only to see him fade into Y/N. Alyssa screams as she falls to her knees. Edward’s timer chimes, as he roars in pain and anger at his failure

“NO. THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT” he screams at Y/N’s motionless body on the table. As he stares into the eyes of those before him, he directs his words at Jack

“See you in hell, son.” before he demises away. Hamish and the others run towards Y/N on the table, blood seeping out from her mouth and stab wound. Tears are shed from each person in the room, even Vera. Hamish holds you in his arms, praying that there is a way Y/N can be saved. “You promised me you’d keep safe. You promised me you wouldn’t get hurt” he chokes as tears pour from his bloodshot eyes.

“I...i’m sorry” you stutter, blood quickly spilling as you speak. “I need-“ you’re struggling to speak without choking on your own blood. “I needed to...to make sure you were...were safe” you cough up a pile of blood, as Hamish holds you tighter.

“We need you, i need you” he loudly wails as everyone surrounds you

“I love you, Hamish Duke” you manage to say before coughing even more and gasping for a breath

“Y/N why did you do this” Jack asks as guilt and fear cloud his voice. He grabs your hand and wipes your hair out of your face. His face is completely wet with tears, as well as everyone else’s.

“It’s the only way, to know you’d all be safe” you reply, your voice breaking with tears “and it worked” you half heartedly chuckled

“There’s got to be a way we can save her” Lilith cries out, looking towards Vera and Alyssa. They hang their heads low as their tears drop to the floor. There wasn’t a way, and you knew that. That’s why Vera warned you, but you knew the price you had to pay.

“What...what about a hide? What if that will heal her?” Randall pleads, looking up to his fellow Knights, to which they shake their head. A hide wouldn’t want a dying host.

“I love you so much and I didn’t get to tell you how i felt, Y/N. You’re the one person who makes me smile like never before and we never got the chance to go on dates” Hamish is rocking from side to side holding you in his arms, you look up to him and faintly smile at his confession

“It’s okay” you reply, bringing a bloody hand up to his face as you stroke his cheek with the last of your energy. He cups your hand with his hands, wet with his tears and your blood. His face has lost colour from watching the love of his life dying in his arms

“No it’s not okay. You can’t leave me, i can’t lose you. Y/N don’t close your eyes, don’t you dare close your eyes” he screams as his body shakes violently from shock and tragedy.

“Hamish, i’m alw-“ you’re interrupted from a violent coughing fit, as your face loses colour even quicker. “-always with you” you carry on “i have always loved you, and will till my last breath” you whisper as tears fall towards your pale, cold cheeks. Lilith and Randall are holding each other as Lilith is trying to stop your bleeding. It’s not working though. Hamish leans down and kisses your forehead, lingering for a moment as if he is treasuring this moment for an eternity to come.

“I’m thankful for you all” you begin, slightly lifting your head to see your family around you “you’re all my family, and i love you all so much” as you’re addressing them all, they whimper in pain and grab your hands, squeezing them tightly. Randall kisses your cheek and puts his forehead on yours, leaving a final kiss on your forehead. Lilith grips your hand tighter than ever before, thinking of your friendship and how she sees you as a sister, and to see her sister dying in front of her is something that will always haunt her. Hamish doesn’t want this to be real...he planned how he would tell you he loved you, where he would take you for your first date, the places you two would travel for road trips, the pets you two would get together, where he would propose to you...now he can’t. He never planned on telling you he loved you on your death bed, it’s destroying him.

“Thank you for everything, my family” you mutter faintly as your energy is leaving you. As you see the faces around you, you see what you always imagined you’d see before you die - your family surrounding you. That’s how you wanted it. With that, you smile one last time at Hamish, stroke his cheek with your thumb, then everything goes black and your body becomes numb. Your hand falls to the floor, and the Knights howl into the air with grief, pain and anger. They knew the Order was to blame for your death, and they would not let your death be in vain. You’d always be remembered in their pack, and with every moment they lived, they’d take a moment to think of you, and think of their love for you. How you saved people you didn’t know, and how you did it for them. Hamish never stopped thinking about you, even years after your death. He was different after that, they all were.

Hope you guys liked it! Let me know if you want me to do more and who you want me to write about :) love always 🖤