#the reason for the being dropped joke is that actually happened. hes our bosses son and my coworker said she told him that once

[anotherpapercut]

yesterday one of the teens at work made a transphobic joke and at first I was the only one who heard him so I told him it wasn't funny and then the other teens asked what he said so he repeated it and they all started yelling at him so he said "I'm sorry alright I don't know what's okay to say. its in my blood" and I have never seen them roast anyone harder. later someone made a joke about him having been hit on the head as a baby and one of the other teens said "don't worry brain injuries run in his family like transphobia" 😭

[mianavs]

meeting the zoldycks pt. 1

part 7 of Cathexis

a/n: we’re finally here~ splitting this up into 2 parts to make it more readable.

wc: 2.2k

Cathexis

Pangs of pain from your leg jostled you awake to a foreign room. With your instincts kicking in, you tried moving only to realize your right leg was in a hard cast and the events that led to your injury replayed in your head ending with the feel of Illumi’s strong arms carrying you to his car. 

Your eyes examined the dimly lit but well-furbished room for a hint that would dispel the growing fear in your chest regarding your whereabouts only to watch a Zoldyck butler come in with a tray of medical supplies that included a syringe needle.

Before you could utter a word, the young female butler set down the tray and rushed out of the room.

Anxious, you dragged your body to the edge of the bed and ignored the growing ache in your leg. Just when you were about to set your legs over the edge, purple bruising on your arm caught your eye and halted your progress. Darting your eyes up to the syringe needle the butler brought in, your mind pieced together everything and the realization you’d been sedated broke your composure.

Like clockwork, the door opened to reveal Illumi who entered the room and closed the door behind him. He approached your bed and trailed his impassive eyes over your form, lingering on your casted leg, before breaking the silence.

“How do you feel?”

“How long have I been here?” Your voice was hoarse from disuse but that didn’t stop the questions spilling from your lips. “Why am I here? What happened to bodies? Where’s my phone?”

Illumi’s eyes narrowed the slightest before repeating his question but you disregarded his question yet again.

“I need to get out of here. Ruo Wen is prob—”

Illumi’s bloodlust cut you off as the air in the room seemed to thicken and your surroundings blurred until all you could focus on was the man before you. Beads of cold sweat dotted your skin as fear coursed through your veins in the presence of such malicious Ren. You were trembling like a leaf when Illumi spoke once again.

“How. Do. You. Feel?”

You opened you mouth to speak but nothing came out as your eyes remained fixed on Illumi’s. As if he was pleased with your shaken state of mind, the bloodlust receded and your vision and breathing returned to normal.

“…F-fine! I’m fine…can I go now?” You sputtered, still reeling from the malice that’d permeated the air seconds ago.

Illumi quirked his head. “Not in this state. Your leg needs to heal completely.”

“I can recover at home just as easily.”

Illumi’s face twisted into an eerie smile. “After your little incident, I don’t think I can trust you being on your own—at least not like this.” His eyes trailed to your injured leg and your face flushed in embarrassment at the reminder of your defeat against Saul’s men.

“It was your fault he came for me.” You muttered, avoiding Illumi’s haunting gaze.

“I know. That’s why I took the job to kill him.” He replied absent-mindedly.

“So, you weren’t tracking me?” You cringed at how the question sounded but one look at Illumi’s oblivious face eased your embarrassment.

“No, I knew you were in Meteor City and, after reading up on his recent movements, I figured he would try to harm you.”

You were quiet as Illumi’s words sunk in. Despite the twisted reasoning behind it, you had to admit he’d saved your life and you were grateful. Besides, he was right regarding your current state; you wouldn’t be able to work with your leg in a cast. If you stayed at the Zoldyck mansion, you wouldn’t have to worry about medical bills, treatment, food, or running into your parent’s if they happened to drop by your condo.

“I’ll stay here until my leg heals but—”

“I’ll be sure to compensate you for your injuries and for the time you won’t be working.” Illumi dug into his pocket and fished out your phone before handing it to you. “Your boss called you a couple days ago.”

Scrolling through your missed calls, you looked up to ask the question you’d first asked him only to see Illumi closing the door behind him. The curse on your lips died when a notification from your bank confirmed the deposit of your compensation and you lied back down with a sigh before closing your eyes and going back to sleep.

It was a week after the incident when boredom lured you out of your room with the help of the crutches Canary brought you. While Illumi was on a mission, Canary had been the one tending to your needs and providing her companionship while you recovered. You quickly grew fond of the younger girl and appreciated her friendly personality. However, you couldn’t suppress your hunter instinct any longer and decided to roam the mansion in search for intel on Illumi and the Zoldycks.

As you hobbled down the hallways of the mansion, you noticed they were as dimly lit as your room with only a few lamps adorning the stone walls. You couldn’t help but chuckle how much the home reflected the ominous reputation of its inhabitants.

The possibility of running into one of the Zoldycks was one that you welcomed regardless of how dangerous it seemed. You needed to know more about the other family members—particularly Silva and Zeno—and what better way than to do it face to face.

Just when your arms began to ache after wandering for what seemed like an hour, a flash of white hair from the corner of your eyes caught your attention and you found yourself face to face with the third son, Killua Zoldyck.

You froze, unsure of what to say to the boy, but spoke when he turned around to head in the opposite direction.

“Wait! Do you know where I can rest?” Holding your breath until he turned, you plastered a pained smile on your face and leaned against the wall. “I think I overdid it.”

He was entirely different from Illumi. Where Illumi was inscrutable, you could see a myriad of emotions on Killua’s face that ranged from surprise, confusion, and finally concession. With an exasperated sigh, he closed the distance between you.

“There’s a small library nearby. Follow me.” His tone was harsh but he walked slowly enough for you to keep up with him.

The library was brighter than the hallways, with a large window letting sunlight stream in. It was fairly large with several bookcases filled with books, a couples of lounge chairs, a table, and a lit fireplace. The room was almost cozy and you let out a sigh of relief when you collapsed on the comfortable chair. Killua took your crutches and leaned them against your armrest before taking a seat in the adjacent to you.

“Thank you…” Debating whether or not to call him by his name, you trailed off only for Killua to interject.

“Killua.” He sounded hesitant but curious, nonetheless. “You’re my brother’s fiancé aren’t you.”

“Y/N L/N. I’m not his fiancé yet. I still have a couple months left of freedom.” Adding the last bit to feel out the nature of his relationship with Illumi, you were pleased to hear the chortle that escaped the Killua.

“Guess I’m not the only one who finds Illumi suffocating.” The sadness in his eyes betrayed his joking tone and you wondered just how suffocating Illumi’s presence was to his younger brother. “So how did you get hurt?”

You told him about Rivero’s death, your job in Meteor City, and the encounter with Saul and his men ending in their deaths at the hand of Illumi. Killua was quick to point out Illumi as the root cause of your accident and you quickly found yourself warming up to him.

“Illumi will kill anyone who interferes with his plans. He also likes to control those around him.”

“So I’ve noticed.” You said and rubbed the back of your neck where Illumi’s needle had once been embedded. “Sounds like you don’t agree with his ways.”

Killua visibly tensed and you wondered if you went too far. Just when you were going to backtrack, Killua’s body deflated in defeat before scanning the room for intruders despite being the only two people present.

“Illumi and my father expect me to be an assassin for the rest of my life but I don’t want to keep killing people.” Killua admitted, fidgeting with the material of his shorts.

“And what do you want to do?”

Killua’s eyes widened as they met yours and you couldn’t help but feel for the younger boy. “I…I want to have fun.”

You reached over and placed your hand over his. “Then you should go and have fun. This is our only life so we should do the things we want to do—not what other’s want us to do.”

“Then why don’t you try to break off things with Illumi. If it’s contract-based then there should be ways to null it.”

Watching Killua wrack his brain for ways to break off your betrothal caused a surge of warmth to spread across your chest. He was nothing like Illumi or the rumors that circulated regarding the Zoldycks and you felt grateful to have met him first. With your mind clouded by emotions, you let your guard down even more and opened your mouth to tell Killua about your plan.

“Actually, my parents and I are—”

The door swung open to reveal an old man with white hair. You raised your guard and shut your mouth as Zeno Zoldyck shuffled over to you and Killua. With the opportunity to find out more about the Zoldycks and your marriage deal before you, the corners of your mouth rose to mimic a shy smile and you lowered your gaze.

“Pleased to meet you, Mr. Zoldyck.”

You looked up to find him sitting next to Killua as he regarded you before smirking. “I’m sure you are.”

He saw behind your smile and sugar-coated words but you continued the façade to avoid a confrontation you weren’t ready for. “Thank you for allowing me to recover in your home, Mr. Zoldyck, and I apologize for the inconvenience.”

“Call me Zeno,” he replied, crossing his arms. “Mr. Zoldyck is my son. As for your stay, it’s no inconvenience, after all, this will be your home soon enough.”

“Yes, I suppose you’re right.” The words tasted bitter as they left your mouth. You felt helpless in front of the man responsible for your betrothal and the urge to leave the mansion returned.

“How has your recovery been?”

“Huh?”

The question brought you back from your thoughts and you found Zeno studying your face the way Illumi did only you could see a twinge of genuine interest in his eyes.

“Oh, it’s been going well. My leg is almost completely healed thanks to Canary’s care.”

Zeno smiled at the mention of the young butler. “It’s good to hear Canary has served you well.”

“Did Illumi ask you for Canary?” Killua interjected but Zeno merely chuckled and shook his head.

“No, I offered her up when I heard what happened to Y/N.” Zeno then turned to you. “You see, Canary is under my supervision and, as your grandfather’s granddaughter, I wanted to make sure you were cared for.”

Zeno’s words caught you off guard. You’d always assumed Zeno hated your deceased grandfather for the large debt, so finding out that he personally sent one of his butlers to attend you was a revelation you hadn’t expected.

“Were you close with my grandfather?”

“Of course, I wouldn’t have lent him so much money if we weren’t” The old man laughed while you tried to make sense of the information you’d been given.

“I just assumed you held a grudge against him for the massive amount of debt.” You admitted, hoping Zeno would disclose more.

“Perhaps at one point I did, but he was a good friend despite his poor money management skills. Illumi told me he got into debt with other people and that you and your parents are paying off that debt.”

Your throat closed at the mention of the “other debt” lie you’d told Illumi. It wasn’t that you weren’t prepared to recount the lie to Zeno or the other Zoldycks but the way he said it, made you doubt it’s effectiveness.

Gone was the geniality on Zeno’s face as his eyes searched for a chink in your armor that he could exploit. Knowing you were on thin ice, you played off your surprise as embarrassment over the large amounts of debt your late grandfather owed others which seemed to get Zeno off your tail.

Killua saved you by changing the topic to your work experience as a hunter and you were more than happy to oblige with tales of your jobs from the most difficult, interesting, and just flat out weird. Killua seemed to enjoy your tales while Zeno would nod occasionally to show he was listening but never commented. Eventually, Killua asked about the Hunter Exam but just then a knock on the door interrupted you and the door swung open to reveal Gotoh, one of the butlers you were familiar with, who informed Zeno that dinner was being served.

“You should join us, Y/N.” Zeno declared and you knew it wasn’t a suggestion. “My son and his wife would like to meet you.”

[just-dreaming-marvel]

Out Of Time ~ 123

MASTERLIST

< previous chapter

Word Count: 3,800ish

Summary: A little all over the place... Sorry if you hate it.... I promise it will get better.

Y/N led Bucky to her room. But it didn’t go further than a passionate make out. Both Bucky and Y/N knew that Y/N was not ready to go any further. They both changed into comfier clothes and Bucky began to ask her questions about her powers. She was hesitant to explain the reason why she was granted these abilities or where each one was from, so she didn't. But Y/N explained what she could do, and what came from the Stone in Vision’s head and what came from the Tesseract.

“That’s… actually really cool,” Bucky commented. “And all this because you fell with that cube?”

“I guess.” Y/N shrugged.

“This power to be able to speak to the souls of the dead… have you ever used it?”

“Once. Just, this morning in fact. I… I was in New York to visit Ma and Pa’s grave. I hadn’t in a while. I… I got to see them. Like, actually touch them and talk to them.”

“What? Are you serious?”

“Very. It was… amazing. And I also got to see my baby.”

“Yo-your baby?”

“It was a boy.” She smiled. “I even got to name him, AJ.”

“AJ?”

“Anthony James.”

“J-James? You can’t be serious.”

“I am. I named him after the two great loves of my life.” Y/N sighed as she remembered holding her little boy in her arms. “He was beautiful, Buck. So beautiful.”

“I’m so glad you got to have that experience, doll.” Bucky rested his hand on hers. 

“Me, too… and thank you for being so understanding.”

“Of course, doll.”

~~~

Bucky woke up in Y/N’s bed, with her cuddled into his chest. He savored the moment of closeness. He knew he was doing the right thing by her, encouraging her to figure out a relationship with both men, but he really wanted to be selfish. But he couldn’t. He owed it to himself and to her to let her do this. Besides, her and Tony had years together, even made a baby, there’s no getting over that easily. 

Y/N stirred slightly, causing Bucky to look down and carefully watch. She was the most beautiful woman in his eyes. No one would ever be able to compare to her beauty. Even though they were older now and it was clear on their faces that they had both seen their share of things, Y/N’s beauty, in Bucky’s eyes, never faltered.

“You’re staring,” Y/N croaked out in her morning voice. 

“Am not,” Bucky defended.

“Are too…” She snuggled in closer. “It’s creepy.”

He chuckled. “Is that why you’re basically on top of me?”

She hummed with a nod. “You’re warm.”

“Whatever you say, doll.” He held her a bit tighter. “I could stay like this forever,” he whispered.

“Yeah…” Y/N breathed out, sounding a bit off.

“I’m sorry, I know I said I’m giving you time. I just—“

“It’s fine, Bucky. It’s fine really.”

“You sure?”

“I’m sure.” She leaned up and gave him a small kiss. “I promise.”

~~~

The day went by smoothly. Y/N dropped Bucky off at his hut so that they two could get ready for the day. They spent it at Bucky’s place, cleaning his house and taking care of his goats. They ate lunch and dinner under their tree. When Y/N said she should head back to the palace, Bucky quickly brought her in for a kiss.

“I’ll miss you,” he whispered against her lips. “I always do.”

“I’ll miss you too.” She gave him another kiss. “I’ve got to go though.” She stepped away.

“Yeah… you should probably go talk with Stark.”

“Yeah… I should. Maybe in the morning.”

“Let me know if you need anything.”

“I will. Goodnight, Buck.”

“Goodnight, doll.”

Y/N walked through the portal and into her room. But that night, she struggled to sleep. It wasn’t staying asleep that was the problem, it was actually falling asleep. She tossed and turned throughout the night. Not wanting to be a bother to Bucky, she stayed in her room once she had had enough and began pacing.

Realizing she was not going to get any sleep tonight, Y/N opened a portal and lept through it. The Brooklyn Cemetery was a bit breezing. But she didn’t care. She was honestly surprised she was even here in the first place. Maybe it was the closest thing she had to a gravesite for her son, the only place she could feel him. Y/N found her parents headstone fast and froze when she noticed what was next to it. 

It was a smaller headstone, clearly new, with a fresh rose laying above it. The engraving on it read: Anthony James Rogers, We Will Love You Forever. Tears sprung in her eyes as she looked down at the small headstone. She knew that Tony was the only one who could have put it there and that he had to have been there recently because of the rose. 

Hoping that she wasn’t making a stupid mistake, she opened another portal, this time into Tony’s new penthouse. She didn’t know if he would be there, she just had to see him.

“Agent Rogers,” FRIDAY’s voice greeted her. “Welcome back.”

“Thank you, FRI,” you replied. “You going to tell on me?”

“Boss has programed me to only let him know of your whereabouts if I were to ever pick up anything.”

“Where is he?”

“I’m right here.”

Y/N turned around to see Tony leaning against the wall behind her, hands stuffed in his pockets. He looked tired, so tired.

“Y/N. What are you doing—“

He never got to finish his question because, before he knew it, Y/N had thrown herself at him, holding him close and kissing him. He quickly responded to the kiss and put his hands on her waist.

“Thank you,” she whispered against his lips when they had to break for air. 

“For what?” He whispered.

“The headstone. It’s beautiful.”

“I thought that you deserved a place to remember him. I… there was no body to burying but I had found the test a few weeks after you disappeared. I buried it there.”

“I’m sorry… I’m so sorry.”

“I know.” Tony cupped her cheek, brushing it with his thumb. “I am too.” He pulled her in for another sweet kiss. “I’m sorry about the way last time I saw you went.”

“We both have made mistakes… I need to talk to you though, before anything else happens.”

“Should I be concerned?”

“Depends.”

Tony led her to the couch, still holding her hand. Y/N took a shaky breath before she began.

“I need you to stay calm, because this is very important to me.”

“Okay… you’re concerning me. Did you like find Barnes and Rogers or something?” He tried to joke. Tony quickly realized that Y/N was serious and, by her facial expressions, that he had hit a cord. “Wait, have you? Have you found them? Cause if you have, you need to—“

“This was a stupid idea.” She shook her head, standing up. “I shouldn’t have come.”

“No, wait!” He stood up, grabbing your hand to stop you. “Please, don’t go. I promise to listen and not doing anything stupid.”

“You won’t call anyone?”

“I won’t. If it gives me time with you, I won’t.”

“Okay…” The two sat back down. “I don’t know where Steve is. I haven’t seen or heard from him since Siberia. But… I do know where Bucky is and I have spent time with him.”

“You’re here to officially end this, aren’t you?”

“No, Tony,” she shook her head. “Just let me finish.” She sighed. “He wants me to give him a chance.”

Tony scoffed, “of course he does.”

“But he also wants me to give you a chance.”

“That murder thinks that yo—wait. What?”

“He wants me to give you both a chance, so that I can make a decision that I’m confident with.” Tony stayed silent. “I know it’s strange. But our life is strange. Plus, who knows if you and I will even be able to work since I’m in hiding and you… well you are— I understand if you can’t do this because of what happened with Bucky and your parents. I do have to say this, HYDRA was controlling him. It wasn’t his fault. He had no choice.” 

Tony didn’t say anything, leaving them both sitting in silence for far longer than Y/N would have liked. She could tell his was thinking about it all. His thoughts were pounding on her mind, begging for entrance, but she wouldn’t let them in. He needed to tell her his answer himself.

“I understand if I’m asking too much from you,” she continued. “If you don’t want to try—“

“I would try, if it meant a shot with you,” he interrupted.

“You would?” Y/N was genuinely surprised at that. Tony usually didn’t like sharing, especially where Y/N was concerned.

“I would do anything not to lose you again. And if this is my one shot to prove that, I’m not going to let it slip through my fingers. Not again.”

“Are you sure?”

“Y/N, honey, I still am in love with you. And that’s not going to end anytime soon. I know it. So if I have a chance to be with you again, to fight for you like I should have, I’m going to take it. Even if that means sharing with—with Barnes.” 

She could tell that Tony was going to need to have some time to get used to all this, but she was very grateful he had agreed to it. So Y/N quickly took hold of the situation, bringing her closer to Tony for a kiss. Tony was more prepared this time. He pulled her onto his lap as she wrapped her arms around his neck. It was getting heated fast, as Tony’s mouth moved down her neck.

“Tony,” she moaned. “We can’t.”

“Why?” He answered, not stopping.

“I don’t want to have sex again until I’ve chosen.”

“We’re not having sex. We’re making out.”

“Tony.” Y/N moved his head to meet her eyes. “I’m serious. If you’re going to win me over, it can’t be with sex.”

“Why?” He smirked, wiggling his brows. “Is it cause you know I’d win?”

“Seriously?” She playfully smacked him, pushing off his lap. Tony tightened his grip on her, pulling her close to him. “Tony—“

“No. We may not be able to have sex, but that doesn’t mean I can’t hold you.” He pressed a kiss to his lips. “I’m not letting you disappear on me anytime soon.”

She gave him another kiss. “Okay.”

~~~

“Tony,” Pepper called, exiting the elevator. “I’m here to collect the—“ 

She froze, seeing Tony asleep on the couch, with Y/N on top of him. This wasn’t the first time Pepper had stumbled across them like this. It was just the fact that Y/N was a fugitive and that Tony was suppose to report if he had been in contact. She walked up to them.

“Wake up!” She exclaimed, hands on her hips. Both of the adults groaned. “You two need to wake up right now!”

“Really, Pepper?” Tony groaned, opening his eyes slightly. “I was actually sleeping.”

“Same,” Y/N mumbled.

“What the hell do you two think you’re doing?!” Pepper continued.

“Sleeping,” Tony responded. “Which we would like to get back to doing. So if you don’t—“

“This is illegal! Like, globally! You both could get in serious trouble for this! Why are you risking it?”

“Because, Pepper,” Tony sat up, keeping Y/N on him, “we deserve a chance at happiness again.”

“If Ross finds out—“

“He won’t. Besides, Y/N can disappear before he could ever detain her.” He pressed a kiss to Y/N’s cheek.

“Just,” Pepper frustratedly sighed, “don’t be too reckless, you too. I don’t want to have to deal with getting you both out of Raft.” She turned around, glancing back. “It’s good to see you, Y/N.”

“You too, Pep,” Y/N softly replied. Resting her chin on his chest, Y/N looked at his face. “Thank you, Tony.”

He quirked a brow. “For what?”

“For giving this a chance. I know how hard this must be for you. And it—it just really means a lot.”

“I told you, if it gives me a chance at forever with you. I’ll take it.” He softly kissed her. “Which reminds me… I’m taking you out tonight.”

“Tony, you know you can’t—“

“I know, I know. You can’t be seen. That doesn’t mean I can’t bring it all here though.”

“What are you planning?”

“You’ll just have to wait and see.” He pulled her in for another kiss. When they pulled away, they both still kept their faces close. “Are you staying the whole day or are you leaving until tonight?”

“I’ll go. I need to prepare and do a few things. What time do you want me back?” 

“Let’s say, 5? Wear something amazing.”

~~~

Bucky had been a little antsy all day, and extremely concerned. When he woke up, he went to Y/N’s room to see if she would join him for breakfast, but she wasn’t there. All her things still were, so that was a little comforting. He didn’t want to seem weird by waiting for her in her room, so he went back to his hut to distract himself. With Y/N’s powers, there was never anyway for Bucky to know where she was or if she was even safe. That did not sit well with the former Winter Soldier.

He was out feeding the goats, just after lunchtime, when he saw Y/N walk through a portal. Bucky couldn’t help but smile at the sight of her.

“Hey, Buck!” Y/N greeted happily as she came towards the man.

“Hey, doll,” he responded. “Where’ve you been?”

“I talked to Tony.”

“Oh? How did that go?”

“He agreed to it. He’s going to allow me to give you both a chance.”

“I’m a little surprised, to be honest. Does he know it’s with me?”

“He does.”

“Wow. That’s—that’s good, doll. I’m happy for ya.”

“You don’t have to do that, Buck,” she shook her head. “You can be disappointed that he actually agreed to it.”

“I’m just sad that means I won’t have a lot of time with you. That’s all.”

“Sure… you realize I can read minds, right?” Y/N pressed a kiss to his cheek. “But, thank you, Bucky, for allowing me this.”

“Of course, doll. All I’ve ever wanted is for you to be happy.”

“Tony’s taking me out tonight. So I was thinking we could spend the afternoon together.”

“I’d like that. Anything specific you want to do?”

~~~

There had only been a few times in Tony’s life where he had been this nervous, and they all had to do with Y/N. He needed to make sure this date was perfect for her. When she suggested dating both Tony and Bucky, he honestly almost said no. But then he thought about how his life wasn’t the same without her and that she was worth the fight.

To be honest though, Y/N left and Tony did had to take out some rage about Bucky on some alcohol bottles. Basting them with the beams from a gauntlet, before focusing on getting the date ready.

He longed to whisk Y/N away to a fancy restaurant but he knew that was not going to be an option. So he ordered almost the whole menu from her favorite restaurant and made sure it was to be delivered close to the time Y/N would arrive, agreeing them to tip them good if they got there on time.

With Happy and Peter Parker’s help, lights were strung up and the apartment was cleaned.

“Mr. Stark?” The teenager called.

“Yes?” Tony replied, finishing up the last of the lights.

“I know you said this is for a date tonight. But I can’t help but wonder for who?”

“A special friend.”

“So, you’re finally moving on from Agent Rogers?”

Happy and Tony froze, looking at each other cause they knew the truth. Tony’s mouth kept opening and closing, not able to find the words to answer that.

“It’s not actually for Tony,” Happy quickly blurted, causing the other two to stare at him. “It’s for me. I asked Tony to help be plan this all. It’s for me and Pepper.”

“You and Ms. Potts?” Peter clarified.

“Right!” Tony replied, capping his hands together. “He wanted to do something special for her tonight. Especially since they’re new on the dating scene. He asked if he could use my place cause it’s nicer.”

“Right,” Happy agreed. “I really want to wow her.”

“But doesn’t Ms. Potts know that you live here, Mr. Stark?” Peter asked.

“Yes, she does,” Tony answered. “But that doesn’t matter. All that matters is that we get her to fall in love with Happy. Right, Hap?”

“Right,” Happy nodded.

Peter didn’t seem totally convinced, but decided to drop. “Okay.”

Happy and Tony let out sighs of relief and continued to get the rest of the place ready.

~~~

“Steve was the most reckless person I knew!” Bucky chuckled.

“Are you kidding?” Y/N replied, laughing. “He still is! Honestly, I’ve started to blame his stubborn ass for all of this.” Bucky grew quiet. “What is it?”

“It wasn’t his fault. It’s mine.”

“Bucky, stop that. Honestly, if he would have told Tony and I what happened sooner, I believe things could have gone smoother. I also believe that if the two hot heads would have sat down and talked about things more civilized, none of this would have all had to happen… stop blaming yourself, Buck.”

Y/N and Bucky had chosen the day under their tree, eating and laughing.

“I can’t help it,” he shrugged. “I just did so much bad.”

Y/N leaned into Buck and kissed his cheek. “But you’ve also done so much good, and have the potential to do more.” She gave him a kiss on the lips before pulling away and checking the time. “I should go.”

“Do you have to?”

“Having second thoughts? You’re the one you said I needing to be sure with my choice.”

“Doesn’t mean I necessarily like the thought of you and Stark… well, you know.”

“I gave him a no sex rule.”

“You did? How’d that go?”

“He wasn’t so happy.”

“But we can have sex?”

“Nope. That includes you too mister.”

“But we’ve never—“

“Doesn’t matter. No sex until a decision has been made.” She kissed him again. “I really have to go. I’ll let you know when I’m back.”

“I love you.”

Y/N smiled in response as she slipped through a portal. Bucky sighed once Y/N had disappeared. This was all going to be harder than he thought.

~~~

Tony was ready an hour early and was currently pacing in his apartment. Happy had taken Peter home not long ago, letting Tony’s thoughts begin to over do themselves. He was worried that Y/N wouldn’t show or that this would be it, that she’d already know her choice after the one date. Maybe he had overdone it? Or maybe he hadn’t done enough? Maybe he should have—

“You’re thoughts are loud,” Y/N teased. Tony stopped pacing, turning to the side to face her. “And incredibly self-deprecating.”

“Well, you know me… can’t let anything crush my ego.”

“Oh, I know.”

Tony studied Y/N briefly. “You’re wearing the dress from that Stark Gala years ago.”

“I am… I found it pushed away in a closet on the compound. I snuck over there to get it.”

“You look as gorgeous as you did seven years ago. FRIDAY, music.” Subtle waltzing music filled the room. Tony held out a hand. “May I have this dance?”

“You may.” 

Y/N set her hand in Tony’s, letting him pull her into him. His free hand held her close to him at the waist, while her free hand wrapped around his shoulder and rested at his neck. She willingly let him lead her around the room.

“Do you remember that night?” Tony asked softly.

“What night?” Y/N asked.

“The night of the gala…. I told you, you looked stunning and you called me a kid… you asked me why I grab your hand.”

“I can’t forget it.”

“You never told me and I never pressed, but why were you there that night?”

“Obadiah, I was suspicious of him.”

“And I’m guessing the old friend you were meeting up with was Coulson?”

“That’s right.”

“How is he? I haven’t talked to him since you… well, disappeared.”

“I was with him when you called. I… I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. I understand. Are you, uh, are you still with him?”

“You know I can’t tell you that.”

“I know,” Tony sighed. “Just… if you are, is he keeping you safe?”

“He was. He was really trying. But… I’m not with the team anymore. It was just too dangerous. The government actually knew where I was when I was with them. But that was also because…”

“Because what?”

“I was unconscious for six months.”

“What?” Tony stopped dancing. “Why?”

“My powers… I was gaining new ones.”

“That explains the purple coming out of your hand and breaking the bracelet.”

“Yeah… I’m still getting used to it all.”

“Boss, I have an incoming call from the private line,” FRIDAY interrupted.

“The private line?” Tony repeated. They made eye contact. “Only Coulson has that information.”

“Answer it FRIDAY,” Y/N ordered.

“Tony,” Daisy called over the speakers. “Tony, are you there?” She sounded panicked.

“What is it, Skye?” Tony answered.

“It’s Daisy now,” Y/N corrected.

“Y/N?” Daisy sounded relieved. “Thank goodness. I need your help.”

“What is it? What’s wrong?”

“It’s a long story. We just need you.”

“Go,” Tony said, looking at Y/N.

“What?” Y/N questioned, surprised.

“I can’t help them because the Accords. And Sk—Daisy wouldn’t have called here unless it was urgent and she really needed you.” He pulled her close, giving her a long kiss. “Stay safe. And don’t do anything stupid.

“I’m pretty sure you letting me go help them is stupid.”

Tony chuckled lightly. “Probably. I love you. Go be the hero I know you are.” 

“Thank you.” Y/N gave him another kiss before stepping away. “Where do you need me, Daisy?”

“Zephyr One,” she responded. “And quick.”

Y/N looked at Tony with a small smile as she backed up into an open portal.

next chapter >

NOTES: from now on the taglist when be added by a reblog. I will reblog it using my second account, @just-dreaming-marvel-2​. Just so that my main page doesn’t get too cluttered.

If you want to be added to the tag list, please dm me or send in an ask.

[apiratewhopines]

In the Offing

Summary: AU - Storybrooke - Emma Swan is drafted to help Liam Jones clear his brother’s name in the disappearance of a former flame. As she digs deeper into the rash of missing person cases, she risks losing more than just her heart as she uncovers the truth.

Chapter One - Pilot

Summary: In which our heroine embarks on an adventure

“Let the exits pass, all the tar and glass

Til the road and sky align”

-Angela, The Lumineers

If asked, Emma Swan would land firmly in the ‘It was a dark and stormy night’ camp rather than the ‘Once Upon a Time’ one.

It wasn’t that she didn’t believe in happiness and true love and good triumphing over evil. She did. Or at least she tried to believe in them, which was nearly the same thing.

It was just that in her experience, relationships were more likely to end in indifference and divergent roads at best or disappointment, deceit and violence at their worst. It rarely ended in laughter over the dinner table, surrounded by the people you loved and admired. In fact, it never ended that way for her. And she was fine with that. Or at least she tried to believe she was, which was not nearly the same thing.

So it was without the slightest bit of surprise that she made her way back to her office from yet another honey trap date, her third this week if anyone was keeping track. She didn’t anymore, had stopped wondering years ago how there were so many cheating spouses and deadbeat dads and none too bright criminals in one city. Nor did she have the energy to wonder why she found her doorway blocked by the broad form of her sometimes collaborator, sometimes competitor, always annoying quasi-neighbor.

“What do you want, Liam? I’m not staying. I’m only dropping off paperwork so I can go home and mourn the loss of human decency uninterrupted.”

“Perhaps a bath would be more helpful, lass. You smell like a walking distillery,” he replied, not bothered by her unfriendly tone and refusal to meet his eyes as she elbowed him out of the way and unlocked the door. “Were you drowning your sorrows or were they drowning you?”

“Not that it’s any of your business, but I caught the guy who did this and he smells like jail now so I would say I won,” she muttered, bristling only a little bit when he followed her inside. She would like to say that she and Liam had a complicated relationship but the truth was they tolerated each other when they had to and avoided each other when they didn’t. She could count on him to be professional, which unfortunately was not a given in their line of work, and his complete disinterest in her as a person was a quality she appreciated, having never been someone who craved attention or willingly engaged in small talk.

Now that she thought about it, he was probably one of the better connections she had made in Boston. If his self-righteous, holier-than-thou attitude chafed at times...well, no one was perfect. She had met him when her boss moved their bail bonds office operations to their current location and with his private investigation business occupying the suite next door, they would throw work each other’s way when it made sense. Despite knowing him for nearly two years, she would be hard-pressed to recall a single interaction after hours or off the job so even though she was tired and her feet were killing her from running down tonight’s skip in stiletto heels, she was a little curious about why he was there. “Barry isn’t here.”

“If I was looking for Barry, this is the last place I would be.”

She snorted as she dropped off a packet of reports on the nearest desk. The truth was that her boss, who also happened to own the business, was probably cruising off the coast of Florida at that very moment and hadn’t stepped foot in the office since they moved. But she considered absenteeism a great quality in a boss so she wasn’t complaining.

Sighing, she turned around to face him. She leaned against the desk behind her and hoped he didn’t notice her flexing her feet in an attempt to keep them from cramping. “As nice as it is to catch up, I’ve had a long night. Why don’t you tell me what you want?”

“Henry mentioned that he was going to spend the summer with his father when he came by last week,” Liam stated as if that explained everything. Henry’s capacity to make friends never ceased to astound her and was definitely a characteristic he inherited from Neal. Even curmudgeonly Liam Jones had fallen victim to her kid’s ability to engage with anyone. Little did her visitor suspect that reminding her that she had nearly eight weeks of going home to an empty apartment was not the best way for him to start a conversation.

It had been with great trepidation that she had agreed to the trip at all. After years of fielding her son’s questions about his father, she used her considerable tracking skills to finally run her ex to ground about eighteen months ago. Enough time had passed for her to forgive him, although she doubted she would ever forget, but she felt she owed Henry the chance to at least meet his father. And of course, they had hit it off as she had both hoped for and feared.

She had worried, apparently needlessly so, that Neal would quickly lose interest in the son he hadn’t know existed and was inconveniently located in a different state. However, the man who had no issues with abandoning her a decade ago had surprised her. He called Henry every day and made the trip at least once a month to visit. He had shown up and supported Henry in ways she hadn’t expected and it reminded her that not all the times had been bad and maybe, just maybe, he wasn’t a villain. When Neal had approached her about a long distance trip that spanned their son’s entire summer break, her first reaction was to forbid it but she knew Henry needed it. Although she would never admit it to Neal, she had also appreciated that he had brought it up with her first rather than sending Henry to talk her into it.

Still, it had physically hurt her to see them walking away together at the airport yesterday, similar gaits and probably with matching, wide smiles on their faces.

Now her interaction with her son would be reduced to a couple of texts a day and FaceTime calls a few times a week while Henry had the time of his life gallivanting around California with his father and future stepmother. In a flash, she went from tired and curious to tired and pissed. “Right. Glad you reminded me before I made it home and called the police about a kidnapping. Did you need something, Liam, or are you just trying to bother me?”

“Both. Obviously,” he said dryly.

“Great, he’s got jokes,” she groaned as she threw her head back in frustration. “I should warn you that I’ve already punched one jerk tonight. I’m hungry and exhausted and if you don’t get on with it, I’m not afraid to add another one to the list.”

He sighed and for the first time she noticed the tenseness in the way he was holding himself. Whatever the reason for his visit, it obviously had him wound up pretty tightly. Against her better judgement, she felt her curiosity stirring again.

“Fine, since you’re obviously not fit to be out in public,” he said with a vague gesture toward her whiskey-flavored dress, “order some delivery and let’s talk.”

—

The smell of cheese did a lot to restore her good humor. She watched him from under her lashes as he looked at the meat-lovers pizza with what approached horror in his expression. She never pegged him as a health food nut, although she could tell he took care of himself, so maybe what offended him was the grease that had soaked through the box to the papers that were stacked neatly on his desk. Tearing off a large slice, she hummed happily while she took the first scorching bite.

“I need a favor,” he stated without preamble before he too took a bite and glanced at her with a pained look in his eye.

She was pretty sure that this was the first time he had ever uttered those words in his life and that was probably the source of his discomfort rather than the molten lava cheese he just swallowed. She tried not to show any interest even though hundreds of questions wanted to escape her mouth. She wanted to ask when they started doing favors for each other and why he was acting like a caged animal. Instead, she settled for something that he would probably find a bit more in character considering their past interactions. “Would this be the type of favor that involved payment of some sort?”

“It will, if that gets the job done quicker,” Liam answered, staring intently at his half eaten slice.

“Well, that would depend on if we’re talking about an hourly rate or a flat fee,” she joked. “I have typically found that payment is the best way to insure a job gets done.”

Something was definitely bothering him and damn if that didn’t make the hair on the back of her neck stand up and chase a shiver down her spine. With a hint of disgust she threw her uneaten crust down on her plate. She already knew that whatever he was about to ask, she was going to agree to so she continued, “Might as well spit it out, I would like to go home and get some sleep sometime this century. What kind of favor do you need?

“The kind of favor that involves going away for a couple of weeks and solving a cold case.”

Of all the things she thought he was going to ask, actual work didn’t even make the top ten list so she was a little letdown. His discomfort had her prepared for anything from being a date to an ex’s wedding to a surprise twist of being asked to babysit his previously unknown kids. Even a mundane request to water his plants while he was on vacation would have been more interesting. She wasn’t entirely sure Liam was human and it would have been fascinating to see the lair he crawled back to when he wasn’t in the office.

“Why the cloak and dagger routine? You made me think something was horribly wrong,” she huffed. Picking up another slice, she thoughtfully examined his face. There was more to this request but she was afraid she was going to have to drag it out of him based on his body language. His eyes were shuttered, shoulders hunched in on himself, body twisted slightly to the side as if he had decided this was a mistake and he was on the verge of running out of the room. While she would dearly love to see Liam Jones run away from his problems like a mere mortal, she was clearly already too invested to let that happen. Quickly swiping her fingers across a napkin to rid them of the worst of the grease, she gently laid her hand on his forearm to hold him in place. “Whatever you need to say, it will go no further.”

Apparently those were the magic words to unlock whatever secret he thought he needed to keep because with a sharp intake of breath, he started his tale. “There is a town in Maine...”

—

Hours later, he was dropping her off at the entrance to her building with a promise to pick her up at six o’clock the following evening. She wasn’t crazy about starting out that late or the fact that they would hit the tail end of rush hour traffic but her mind was swimming with too many details to make her normal fuss. Honestly, she would need all the time she could get to go through the files stuffed in the briefcase he passed off to her as she emerged from the car.

Without registering the journey upstairs, she found herself opening the door to her apartment and immediately kicked off her heels with a moan while her toes curled a little to celebrate their freedom. Her dress had climbed up her thighs a bit during the car ride but she had a feeling she was the only one who noticed. She was pretty sure she could have been naked and Liam wouldn’t have paid any attention. He was just that kind of guy. Considering they were about to embark on a trip to his former hometown where they may end up having to give the impression of a relationship, she should probably be grateful that his only attraction to her seemed to be limited to her ability to find people and her reputation for being a spookily accurate human lie detector. For her part, all she wanted from him was a couple weeks of distraction from what was surely going to turn out to be a lonely summer. If she was getting paid for it, all the better.

Leaving her shoes where they fell in the entranceway, she grabbed a hair band from the narrow table that she privately thought of as their crap collector. She had never been the neatest person and she had passed that trait on to Henry so you could never predict what random stuff would be found on the table that served no other purpose than to be a catch all for the things they discarded when they arrived home.

Styling her long blonde hair into a messy bun, she pulled her ruined dress over her head and casually threw it in the direction of the laundry basket. Taking advantage of the fact that there wasn’t a ten-year-old at home that would be traumatized by her behavior, she lugged the briefcase to the kitchen island and spread the files across the countertop before walking back to her closet to slip into a pair of black yoga pants and a Red Sox tank top, not wanting to take the time to shower at the moment. Besides, she was the only one home to know how bad the smell of whiskey and sweat was after sitting for hours in a small office, stuffing her face with the unhealthiest pizza on the planet and getting drawn into the web of mystery that had made the always serious Mr. Jones even more somber.

Pouring a glass of wine, she climbed up on one of stools that formed a line that ran the length of the counter and pulled the top file to her. The photo paper-clipped to the inside showed a rundown pawn shop that might as well have had a neon sign flashing ‘Shady Place of Business.’ Below it was a list of names from various missing persons cases spanning thirty years.

Taking the first sip of wine, she murmured, “What have you gotten me into, Liam?”

She spent the next several hours combing through the files until her back hurt and her contacts felt scratchy in her eyes. It seemed like Jones Investigation had a file for everyone that lived in the town at the time of the burglary as well as newspaper clipping from the various investigations into the suspicious disappearance of citizens.

It was too much information to take in during the course of one night but Liam had been insistent that the files remain in Boston. He didn’t want to risk tipping off any suspects to the real reason for their trip should the paperwork be discovered. So, under direct orders from the former British Naval officer to memorize the facts, when she reached the end of the files, she would start over again. She sorted and resorted the files into stacks based on a variety of factors from chronological order to some distinguishing characteristic like age, proximity to crime, or possible motive.

If her attention kept wondering back to the grainy photo of one Killian Jones, brother of her dour compatriot, she blamed the wine and lack of sleep. Even the low quality of the picture couldn’t conceal that the younger Jones brother was an incredibly attractive man. However, he looked enough like Liam to make her interest unsettling and that was what finally pulled her away from her research and drove her to bed where she dreamed of blue eyes and a wicked smile.

—

For most of the trip, the only sound was of the sports commentators who nearly shouted out a play-by-play of a soccer match Liam had politely asked to listen to as they pulled out of her parking garage. The only other break in their silent commute was the subtle hum and thump of road noise occasionally making its way into the cabin. He had been unimpressed with her offer to take her car, not even bothering to acknowledge her when she suggested it and simply opening the lift gate to the large, dark colored Honda Pilot he had rented. If he noticed her surprise at finding several bags already in the truck and heard her sarcastic observation about packing light as she had to reposition some of his luggage to find a spot for her single gym sized duffel bag, he didn’t show it.

As she had predicted, they spent an hour stuck in traffic before getting beyond the city limits where the cars spread out and their follow drivers seemed to think that allowed them to indulge in NASCAR fantasies. She used the quiet to mentally go over the particulars of the case before them, secure in the knowledge that unless she magically sprouted another head Liam was unlikely to start up a conversation at this point in the trip.

Fact One: Leo and Ava Blanchard left for a date night and never returned home to their young daughter. There car was found broken down on the side of the road about a mile from their home. No sign of foul play, no trace of their whereabouts.

Fact Two: Shortly thereafter, there was a burglary at Gold’s Pawnshop on Main Street. No sign of forced entry and the owner claimed nothing had been stolen, but the alarm had been tripped from the inside. Having nothing to go on and with no stolen items to track down, the local law enforcement devoted a total of five minutes to the case. Basically as soon as the report was filed, the case was closed and life moved on.

Fact Three: Robert Nolan had a few too many at a bar one night, which apparently was a reoccurring circumstance, and never found his way back to his family. He was rumored to be involved in some illicit activities but no proof of a crime was ever found.

Fact Four: There appeared to be a bit of a lull for more than a decade and then a rapid secession of missing person reports: Regina Mills, Peter Wolfe, and finally Milah Gold.

It was the last one that seemed to drive Liam’s interest in the cases. Although he and his brother hadn’t relocated to the US until the early 2000s, it seemed his little brother quickly formed an attachment, which Emma read between the lines to mean had an affair, with the older wife of the town’s local businessman. After his wife vanished into thin air, Mr. Gold and the local police tried their best to pin her disappearance on Killian but could never come up with enough evidence to press charges.

The final piece came through sources Liam was disinclined to name. He had recently found out that a newly arrived visitor had been asking questions around town and according to his source, the visitor was a best-selling true crime author named August Booth who happened to be weeks away from publishing a tell-all book about the sordid history of the town.

Going into full protective mode, Liam had decided the best course of action was to return to the small town and solve the mystery, or potentially multiple mysteries if they were as interconnected as he thought, thereby clearing his brother’s name beyond all doubt.

If it had been anyone else who had asked for her help, she would have been flattered but she knew Liam to be practical above all else. He valued her skills but it was probably Henry’s absence that was the catalyst for this particular partnership. He needed an extra set of eyes and ears and she was a known element who was conveniently available for a long term undercover assignment. Still, he had trusted her with the family secrets, or at least his brother’s secrets, so she was trying to be mindful this wasn’t simply another case for him.

She wasn’t convinced the non-burglary and series of disappearances he seemed to think connected would turn out to be anything but she knew better than to discard possibilities this early on. She also wasn’t convinced that parading in front of his family and friends as a girlfriend was a good game plan.

“I think we need to revisit this cover story,” she said as he pulled off the highway and into the lot of a gas station.

“If you can find a more convincing reason for me to show up with a strange woman, I will gladly listen to it,” he replied before exiting the car and fading away into the dark night.

“No, I wouldn’t like anything from the store, thanks for asking,”she called out to his back, wanting to nettle him in retaliation for his rudeness although she doubted he heard her. According to the GPS, they were only about forty-five minutes from their destination, a place called Granny’s Diner. She tried to research the town, including restaurants, venues, and things to do but it was as if Storybrooke existed out of the modern age. While you could find it on maps, there wasn’t an internet presence at all. There were no tourism sites, despite the fact that most little towns that dot the Atlantic coast were in peak season for welcoming travelers. It appeared that chains and national franchises had no interest in the sleepy town either. There were no notable residents making their marks on the world at large, no complaints on business sites, no reviews of the natural beauty to be found in its forests and parks.

The sound of Liam returning to the vehicle and pumping gas broke her train of thought. Hearing the gentle chime of her phone, she took the opportunity to check her texts before they got back on the road. Smiling a little at seeing Henry’s name on her notifications, she clicked the message and was rewarded with a silly photo of him pretending to be eaten by a shark at one of the selfie stations located on a pier in whatever seaside town they were currently visiting. She text him back a thumb’s up, following it quickly with a good night and reminder that she would send him the details of where she was staying in the morning.

Running her finger gently over her son’s happy grin in the photo, she didn’t greet Liam as he climbed back into the car.

“That’s a nice picture,” he mumbled, clicking his seatbelt in place before pulling out and rejoining the dwindling line of cars heading north. “Is he having a good time?”

“Looks like it,” she answered, turning her head away somewhat embarrassed to feel the prick of tears in her eyes. She wasn’t an emotional person but she missed the kid something fierce.

Either he was being exceptionally sensitive to her distress or he didn’t notice it because they lapsed back into silence until they were about fifteen minutes from the town line. Deciding next to the last minute was as a good a time to broach the topic again as any, she picked up on her earlier comment as if it hadn’t been over half an hour ago. “Listen, I’m not saying I have a better cover but maybe we could not volunteer the girlfriend story. You know, keep our options open unless someone asks us directly. Or maybe actually tell them we are there to investigate.”

Hope for a rational debate on the merits of her suggestions was immediately crushed when he actually started to laugh. “You’ve never lived in a small town, have you?”

“No, but what does that have to do with anything?”

“Emma, I left five years ago under some difficult circumstances—“

“What circumstances? How difficult?”

“That’s need to know, lass,” he interrupted in a tone that cautioned against any further questions. “If it had anything to do with our case, I would have already told you. Let me assure you that everyone will know of our arrival within minutes of the car entering town. There will be a description of you circulating before you wake up tomorrow morning. There is no way people aren’t going to ask us directly and repeatedly the nature of our visit and relationship.”

She was about to interrupt again so he held up a hand to stall her and added, “And if we decline to provide details, they will make them up. Trust me, it’s better to control the story than to have eyes following us everywhere trying figure it out for themselves. As far as openly investigating a crime, you’re daft if you think they won’t clam up the second you start asking questions. In my experience people are more comfortable being a gossip than a snitch. If we are simply a couple enjoying a trip down memory lane, we will be able to move much more freely.”

“But your brother,” she countered weakly because she had to admit he had a point. “How can you lie to him? Surely he can be trusted with the truth. Not to mention that if we are staying with him, he’s going to notice that we don’t like each other.”

“What are you talking about? I’m quite fond of you. You’re one of my best friends,” he said in indignation.

Her jaw went slack with shock as she tried to process how she had slipped into some bizarro alternate reality. What in their past could possibly have given him the idea that they were friends, besties even. “I don’t know what—“ she sputtered. “Is this some weird British thing?”

He barked out a laugh that was so unlike him that she doubled down on her alternate reality theory. “Calm down, Emma. It was a joke. We aren’t friends exactly but I don’t dislike you. It will be fine. Pretend I’m one of your fake dates for a couple of weeks. Lucky for you, I’m an old-fashioned guy. Killian won’t think anything of us bunking separately.”

“There is old-fashioned and then there is being a monk, Liam. But whatever. I still think you should trust your brother. Especially since it’s his neck we’re trying to save.”

“I would trust him with my life. What I can’t trust is that he won’t go off half-cocked and muck up the investigation. He’ll understand why I did this as long as we get results.”

She believed that he believed what he was saying. She also believed he was wrong. As a person who always preferred the truth, no matter how painful, her gut told her that it would be a mistake to keep the younger Jones in the dark about the true purpose of their trip. However, besties or not, she knew the mulish tilt to Liam’s mouth indicated that for him the discussion was over.

At that moment, the high beams illuminated the Welcome to Storybrooke sign. She felt an ominous dread settle over her as they approached, turning in her seat to look at the sign as they passed.

It was the last thing she saw before the world exploded in glass shards, twisted metal, and smoke.

[official-weasley]

Meant to Be (Charlie Weasley x OC)

What happens when Bill brings home a girl and Charlie is completely awestruck by her?

WARNINGS: mentions of alcohol, curse words

CHAPTER 6

Charlie

One year later...

“Good morning.” I sang opening the door to the nursery.

“Charlie, hi!” Tina almost banged her head on the counter, getting up. “You’re early.”

“Did you sleep here again?” I frowned at her.

“No. I just dropped a bottle on the floor.” She was one of the clumsiest people I know. She reminded me so much of my friend Tonks from Hogwarts, except that her hair was black and not hot pink. “You know he can live without you for more than 5 hours.”

“I know. But I missed him and I couldn’t sleep anyway.” I looked at the clock on the wall.

Half-past five in the morning. I already came in later than usual.

“Okay. Let me take you to your son.” She chuckled and stepped away from the counter. “If he’s still sleeping and you’ll wake him up, you’ll be dealing with him, I’m warning you.”

“I know. I don’t mind.” I smiled.

I followed her through the corridor and waited for her to unlock the door.

“It definitely doesn’t sound like he’s sleeping.” I placed my hands on my ears to muffle the sound.

“He’s doing really well this week.” Tina said proudly.

“Hi, Aami. How are you, little guy?” I approached the fence slowly, my hand in front of me.

“Perhaps a few more days and we’ll be able to do a gender reveal.” I turned around at Tina’s words, sparks in my eyes.

“We can do a gender reveal cake then.” I giggled to myself.

“What?” Tina asked confused.

“It’s something Muggles do, I’m told.” I kneeled next to him, admiring his every move.

“Your dad told you that?” She laughed.

I hummed in reply, not taking my eyes off Aami.

“Isn’t he the most beautiful thing you have ever seen, Tina?” I said in a dreamy voice.

“I would say he got it after you, but it looks like he only got your stubborn personality.” She joked.

“Ha-ha.” I rolled my eyes at her. “Do you think he’ll ever fly?”

I slowly extended my arm through the fence so I could touch his beautiful crimson wing. Aami was collateral damage when Victor Krum accidentally made the Chinese Fireball step on her eggs while he was retrieving his golden egg. Aami’s egg was cracked but he somehow survived thanks to Tina.

She was the nurse who took care of eggs and helped premature hatchlings to grow strong. Then we had a team who would train them and help them fly. The mother dragon is usually supposed to do that but if the baby doesn’t hatch next to her, she doesn’t want it. That’s where our team steps in and helps them with everything, from feeding to firebreathing and flying.

Aami’s left wing was badly hurt due to the egg’s collision with the ground and was growing slower than his right one. Even though Tina was optimistic and said that he is showing progress every single day, we still didn’t know if his wing would ever fully grow. If it doesn’t, he would never be able to fly.

I don’t blame Viktor for what happened that day. I was watching him retrieving the egg and I know he didn’t do it on purpose. It happens. It was more our fault that we brought our mother Fireball to the tournament. It was a bad idea.

She was one of the most stubborn and untamed dragons but the Ministry insisted. We shouldn’t have allowed it. She was too attached to her eggs and she snapped, stomping on them in the process.

Aami’s wing might be damaged but we considered him lucky, even though his mother rejected him once we started taking care of him. At first, I was helping Tina because I felt bad for the little guy and I was really hoping that he’ll make it but he grew on me so quickly. With his fire-coughing and his playfulness and his green eyes. He was perfect.

“I don’t know, Charlie. His wing is still underdeveloped and even though it’s growing slowly it’s still not even close to where it should be for his age.” Tina’s face was creased in a sad expression.

I know she cared for him just as much as I did.

“I’ll be here every day until I’ll be able to take you flying.” I turned back to Aami and whispered to him.

“He’s lucky to have you.” Tina stepped closer to us and placed her hand on my shoulder. “You’ll make a great dad one day.”

“Thanks.” I murmured.

“Oh, I almost forgot!” I stood up and reached for the bag I brought with me. “I got you some fresh chicken blood and 10 bottles of brandy. I know it’s not much but…”

“It’ll do until the next supply crate tomorrow. Thank you, Charlie.” She took the bag from me with a smile on her face.

She took out one bottle and a bag of chicken blood, gave it to me, and exited the room to give us some alone time.

I carefully took the empty bowl away from Aami and poured the contents from the bottle and the bag into it and returned it to him. I laughed at his hungry eyes.

“Here you go. Have at it.” I sat down next to his small enclosure and hugged my legs, placing my head on my knees. I felt so calm when I was watching him eat. It was my new favorite activity. Is this how it feels like when you have children? Because if it does I won’t be able to take my eyes off them.

I stayed with him until he fell asleep. I got up and quietly exited the room and went back to the nursery reception.

“There he is. Our Fireball Mother!” Peter mocked me, leaned on the counter.

“Good morning, Peter.” I ignored his remark.

Ever since I started taking care of Aami he and the mates from my team have been teasing me. Taking care of baby dragons is something women usually do around here and they found it funny how invested I was. I didn’t care because I knew they would never understand me and I enjoyed doing it so much that the fact that they called me the Fireball Mother didn’t even bother me.

“Should we transfer you to the nursery, since you’re here every morning?” He smirked at me.

“Don’t tempt me.” I pointed my finger at him.

“Your team misses you.” He looked up at the clock above me.

10 past seven.

“Fuck, I’m late for work!” I started towards the door.

I’m never late for work!

“Relax.” Peter extended his arm to stop me. “I know you were with the little Fireball. Count it as work.” He winked at me.

“Thank you, Peter.” I said thankfully.

“If you want I can make this your part-time for the time being. I’m sure your team will be able to handle the workload without you until we move Aami to his habitat.”

Did I mention that he was the best boss ever?

“I would love to, but I can handle both, Peter. Thank you for the offer.” I smiled faintly and took a step forward.

“Look, Charlie.” He stopped me yet again. “I know we are teasing you all the time but it’s only because you’re the youngest even though you are the most talented. I know this means a lot to you and since you didn’t go home for Christmas this year I couldn’t help but notice that you are working yourself even more than you did last year.”

He wasn’t wrong but I stayed quiet.

I didn’t know what to tell him. I had my reasons why I hadn’t taken a day off or visited my family for any of the holidays for the past year.

“How about you join your team at 8 for the next few weeks and be with the little guy in the morning. Call it your time off.” He winked at me. “I don’t know what goes on in that red-haired head of yours but it can’t be healthy to work yourself so hard.”

I blinked at him. I didn’t know how to reply. I didn’t expect this from him. Peter was the oldest in the Sanctuary. He was 48 and I looked up to him more than to anyone else here but we never talked about stuff like this. He teased me that I should take time off and he joked that I was a workaholic a couple of times but I never actually thought he was worried about me.

I know they teased me all the time because I was the youngest of the group and I didn’t mind that they did. We had a great time and I loved them all. But I was taken aback by his short speech.

I was fine.

I was doing okay.

I had the job that I always wanted and now I was taking care of this little guy which brought me so much joy.

What else could I want from my life?

My daily routine starts around five in the morning. I make myself some coffee and breakfast. Hike up the hill to watch the sunrise. Go to the nursery to check up on Aami and help Tina if she needs anything.

I meet my team at seven in front of my cottage and we make a full circle around the Reserve feeding the dragons. We finish around 12 every day so we go down to the tavern for launch. Then we go check on the mother dragons and see how the eggs are progressing. Then I assign a dragon to each in my team and we go and train them until four. We meet back up at my hut and go and feed them again.

Once we are done I go home to change my clothes and I either go for a run or another hike. I shower when I come back. Get some dinner and on the weekends we all grab a beer which usually ends up with me waking with a headache because it never stops after just one pint.

It might sound boring to some but I loved my work. It was busy but I love every minute of it. It’s true that I don’t have a lot of free time or take many days off but I really don’t need it. The hikes in the morning and the evening are my alone time and I don’t need more than that. I don’t even know what I would do if I had more time off.

“You know if it’s doable I would love to spend more time with the baby Fireball.” I finally answered him after a short pause.

He only nodded and finally let me go.

“Do you happen to know where my wife is?” He asked when I was almost out the door.

“She’s probably in one of the nursery rooms.” I smiled at him and exited.

Peter and Tina were one of the few couples in our Reserve. A lot of us are single, some have partners that work other jobs and have long-distance relationships. Most of us don’t think about it a lot because we don’t have that much time or the liberty to settle down.

We don’t get many recruits and when we do it’s mostly men so every time we get a new female Dragonologist everybody flips out and either scare her away or get slapped in the face. The latter happens more often.

“Where have you been, Charlie?” Andrew asked as soon as I reached them.

“Have you been looking after your son?” Theo made a kissy face.

I will murder him, I swear.

“For a matter of fact, I was.” I stuck my tongue at him. If he can be 35 and act like a child, I can be 22 and do so too. “I made a deal with Peter to join you mates at 8 so I can spend more time with Aami.”

“But you’re our team leader.” Evan looked puzzled.

“Can’t live without Charlie, Evan?” Theo mocked him. “We have the same routine every morning, I think we can manage.” He winked at me.

“It’s only until Aami can start his training.” I assured them.

I loved being the leader of a team and it was touching how much they listened to me.

I worked with 4 men. Evan, who was 28, was the only one besides me that was under 30. As I said before Theo is 35, John is 40 and Andrew is 32. Peter joins us occasionally in case we need a helping hand but they are all very skilled and good at what they do so we rarely have any problems.

I was so nervous the day when Peter told me he picked me as a group leader. I felt neither worthy nor qualified for the position and I thought they would all hate me for being their boss since I knew they were all older than me but nobody cared.

They obeyed and respected me since day one and I admired that about the Sanctuary. Here, age doesn’t matter. Talent, ambition, and skills matter. If you show how hard-working you are and that you are willing to learn and are good at your job, you can quickly earn everyone’s respect.

I told them that I would make a plan in the evening and pin it to the door for them to look through it in the morning so that they will know what to do while I’m in the nursery. Then we went to the storage room to get our protective gear and the food and we started our day.

—

“That’s it, mates.” I took off my gloves. “We’re done for today.”

“I can’t tell you how much I will enjoy my shower.��� John smelled his shirt.

“That’s what happens when you’re not looking where you’re going and you fall in dragon dung.” Theo laughed at him and the rest followed.

“Meet you down for a pint, Charlie?” Andrew asked, his hand on my shoulder.

“Sure.” I nodded and we started walking down the hill.

“Charlie!” We all turned around when we heard my name.

“What do you have for me, Ernie?” I grinned at him.

Ernie worked in our Admission Office and was usually the one who brought us mail in the morning since all the letters usually arrived at the Sanctuary Owlery. It was for the safety of the owls so the dragons wouldn’t accidentally make them their dinner.

“I couldn’t find you this morning so I hold on to your letters.” He explained.

He handed me a handful of them. I tucked them under my arm.

“Thanks, Ernie.” I waved them all goodbye and made my way to my home.

As I was walking I looked through the envelopes. I couldn’t help myself. I couldn’t wait until I was sitting in my kitchen. I couldn’t pretend that I was waiting for a letter.

Tonks’. Mum’s. Ron’s. Ginny’s. Freddie and Georgie wrote separately to me which rarely happens. Nothing from Bill…again. I sighed and unlocked my door.

I put the letters on my coffee table and went straight into the shower. I didn’t feel like a hike. I wanted to go and grab a drink and be with my friends as soon as possible. I didn’t know what would happen to me if I was alone with my thoughts.

“Charles, what took you so long!” Theo slurred when I sat down next to him.

“How long was I in the shower that he’s already drunk?” I laughed and looked at Andrew and John sitting opposite us.

“What did I miss?” Evan sat next to me and sipped on his beer.

“Charlie is here, pretty boy!” Theo sang.

I shook my head. This is going to be a long night.

“I have noticed.” Evan laughed. “How is he already that drunk?” He leaned to me.

“I think the alcohol never leaves his system.” I joked.

“Look Charlie, it’s your girlfriend.” John smirked at me and when Andrew saw who he was talking about, he covered his mouth to stop himself from laughing.

I turned around and saw April standing at the bar. I sunk in my seat.

Oh, dear Merlin let her not see me!

“Will you ever stop?” I rolled my eyes.

“Who are we talking about?” Theo leaned on my shoulder and hiccupped.

“Nobody.” I answer quickly. “They are delusional.”

“We’re talking about April.” John said and winked at me.

Theo turned around so abruptly that I thought he was going to fall off the bench.

“April! Come here, April!” He shouted toward the bar.

April looked in our direction, smiled softly at me, and waved.

“Will you keep it down!” I smacked him over the head. “If she comes here, I will strangle you, Theodore!”

“You’re the one who slept with her.” Andrew mocked.

“Twice.” John made a kissy face.

“What is the topic tonight, mates?” Peter motioned with his hand that John and Andrew should make some room for him.

“We’re teasing Charlie about sleeping with April, twice.” Evan said innocently, holding two fingers in front of my face.

He was the one who was usually quiet when the rest of my mates were making fun out of me but I know he was enjoying it just as much.

“Twice?” Peter frowned. “Didn’t you sleep with her three times?”

I slammed my hand on my forehead. “They didn’t have to know that, Peter!”

Evan, John, and Andrew all looked at me, their eyes widened and they burst out laughing.

“Charlie, mate.” Theo leaned on his hand and looked me in the eyes. “Didn’t you say she’s bad in bed? What you sleeping with her so much for?”

“Are you in love, Charles?” John made a heart with his hand and extended his arms over the table.

“Bugger off!” I rolled my eyes. “I make bad decisions when I’m drunk.”

I then turned to Theo who was still leaning on his hand but had his eyes closed now. “It’s not that she’s bad in bed it’s just…” I swallowed hard. I didn’t know how to explain it because I knew that no matter what I say they’ll laugh at me again. “…we don’t have the right chemistry. There’s no passion.”

No connection, I wanted to say bit my tongue.

“Have you looked around, Charlie?” Theo laughed. “You don’t have that much to choose from.” The hand that he was leaning on finally gave in and he slammed his head to the table.

We all burst out laughing including him.

“Thanks. I’ll rather stay single.” I patted his head, pretending to care if he got hurt.

“You’re still young, Charlie. Never forget what you want and never settle for less.” Peter lifted his glass and we all followed his lead.

Never settle for less. It’s going to be hard to find someone after what I experienced last year.

[oddlovergirl]

Giorno Giovanna Headcanons

Alright, here’s my headcanons on our Part 5 JoJo and golden boy, Giorno “GioGio” Giovanna ^_^

WARNING: There ARE spoilers and some examples of child neglect and abuse are mentioned. Please proceed with caution if you haven’t got very far into the series that is JoJo and/or have suffered from child neglect and abuse in the past.

-          Since Giorno was still a three-year-old toddler at the time when all members of the Joestar family awakened their Stands thanks to DIO, he was afflicted with the same curse that struck Holly and Josuke. The fact that his own mom was apathetic to his ordeal made it much worse.

-           A year before his mother married his stepfather, Giorno first discovered the picture of DIO that had fallen from his mom’s nightstand while playing a game of hide n’ seek (which is just his mother’s excuse to not play with her child). Though he had no idea who the guy in the picture is, it brought the kid much-needed comfort as that man in the photo has the same star-shaped birthmark as Giorno and started clinging onto the faint glimmer of hope of the guy being a much better person and parent, which is the reason he’s carrying the photo in his wallet (to think that meeting his biological father in person in Eyes of Heaven, both in Story Mode and Free Battle Mode, and seeing what he is truly like is a rather big let-down to Giorno).

-           I speculated that Giorno might be the mobster’s maternal nephew (y’know, the Mafioso whose lived was saved by Giorno and decided to help the boy with his crapsack childhood?). I don’t know why I think it might be the case, but I think the mobster might be related to Giorno as his maternal uncle, having lived in Italy with his divorced father before circumstances force him to become a Mafioso, with the man being against drugs due to the fact he used to live in Japan where there is a much firmer stance on drugs to the point that even the Yakuza viewed drug dealers as the lowest of the low. The mobster (who shall I name him Akimitsu, meaning “bright light” in Japanese to reference the fact that he was Giorno’s light in the boy’s dark past) was not aware that his sister (who shall I name Haruka) had moved to Italy with her husband (who shall I name Brutus) and son at first, but when he found out from an informant while recovering, Akimitsu decides to drop by to beat the stepdad to a pulp and give his sister a well-deserved stern talking-to, just before threatening Brutus that he will end him if he hits Giorno again.

-           After Brutus made the mistake of blaming his stepson and beating him to a pulp for being the reason the mobster forced him to stop abusing him, Akimitsu made good on his promise to end him, and because of this, the mobster decided to drop Giorno off at a Catholic orphanage where he would be well-cared for.

-           While Giorno IS the son of two British men (or more accurately speaking, one British man’s bodiless head attached to another British man with no head who had descended from a proud lineage of Highlander Warriors) and one Japanese woman, I do think that the awful, drunken shite-bag Dario Brando is an Italian immigrant since both “Dario” and “Brando” are both legitimately Italian, which makes Dio half-Italian, so I guess that technically makes Giorno quarter-Italian unbeknownst to himself and others.

-           When one of his hairs first turned from black to blonde, Giorno was reasonably confused. Is he dreaming or is this actually happening? Unaware of his father’s bloodline, he thought it was the result of severe stress. But remembering the photo of DIO, maybe this is hereditary? As the rest of hair started turning blonde, Giorno thought this is normal, but upon seeing his Stand for the first time and seeing what it can do so far, Giorno started to realize the cause for his hair turning blonde may be supernatural.

-           Even though the Mafioso he saved managed to put an end to the bullying the boy endured, Giorno is still lonely since his classmates are now terrified to be even near him out of fear of provoking his Mafioso protector into retaliating. Even at his boarding high school, his classmates are more like acquaintances to him since he’s busy building his criminal credentials to join Passione. This makes Team Bucciarati, starting first with Bruno Bucciarati and Guido Mista, his first real friends in a very long time.

-           When Team Bucciarati is given the escort mission of delivering Trish to the Boss, Giorno forged a letter to his boarding school that he had to deal with a family emergency. Since Giorno became the Don of Passione at the end of Part 5, I think he had forged a letter to his boarding school that he’ll be transferring out to a different school.

-           After Giorno became the Don of Passione, he had a chance encounter with his childhood hero (and uncle) Akimitsu, who ended up becoming one of the few people to know that Giorno is really Diavolo’s replacement. To be frank, Akimitsu was stunned to find out that the boy he helped had become a Mafioso but is nonetheless proud to know that Giorno ended the drug trade. Throughout the whole thing, Giorno is stoic on the outside but on the inside he’s like an excited fanboy exuberant to see his idol again after so long.

-           Giorno may be a serious and collected individual, but he’s still a fifteen-year-old boy at heart. He may think he can handle whatever life throws at him, but there is only so much he can realistically handle before he cracks. On a lighter note, Giorno couldn’t help but snicker at some of the inappropriate jokes usually told by Mista.

-           When Giorno learned about his biological father DIO from Polnareff, he was understandably horrified to learn that he was born to a monster not unlike Diavolo. He does get the consolation that the body DIO stole and used to sire him belonged to a morally righteous man that is Jonathan Joestar, but even then, Giorno was really worried that the spirit of Jonathan would be disgusted with him just for existing as DIO’s spawn before Polnareff assured Giorno that Jonathan is proud to have him here, especially since Giorno just overthrown the vile Diavolo and change Italy for the better.

-           Regarding the Pucci situation in Stone Ocean, it was stated by Araki that Giorno and co. were on their way to stop him when the universal reset happened. The original Stone Ocean manga ran from 2003-2004, which is seven years before the dubiously-canon Purple Haze Feedback was published in 2011, which had Giorno working alongside the Speedwagon Foundation. This is where things started to get rather iffy in that this would conflict with the main storyline since if being part of the Speedwagon Foundation is truly the case, then Giorno should’ve been alerted about Pucci and easily put a stop to him with Gold Experience Requiem. Putting that into consideration, I believe that there is a possibility that Giorno (who has been told that Pucci worked for his father DIO) arrived to Miami on March 17 (which is a day after Jotaro got his Memory Disc back and recovered) with the intention to defeat Pucci, with Mista assisting him. Unfortunately for Giorno and Mista, Pucci used Whitesnake to incapacitate them both, giving the priest free reign to achieve heaven in DIO’s eyes.

[thewildomega]

Star in the Sand Ch.22

Waking up you groaned and moved your hand to rub your throbbing head. Pushing yourself to sit up on the cold floor you cracked your eyes open and looked around the room to see metal walls, metal floors and a heavy duty metal door. Trying to recall what you had been doing earlier you blinked. You remembered training with Zoro, it hadn't been easy to convince the swordsman to teach you some spearman ship but after explaining that you were determined to be able to protect your child he had agreed to help you. 

It had been about a week since the ship had left Fishman Island and while you were excited to see Crocodile again you decided to take this opportunity to better get to know the crew. Teaching Sanji recipes from your world which Luffy enjoyed taste testing. You told Chopper stories you knew as well as exchanging jokes with Brook. Drawing sketches of different machines and explaining them to Franky while Usopp took a chance to help show you different plants he had learned about. At night Nami would explain the different weather patterns and how to better understand the signs of a oncoming storm. Before bed you talked with Robin about your world.

During that time your belly had slowly started getting a bit larger as well, your bones no longer protruding to the point that you could rival Brook. Nami and Robin had even had some lotions and oils to help with your dry skin and hair. You still looked different than you had before going into Impale down but hopefully now you might not scare Crocodile away. Sleeping in an actual bed had also helped with the deep shadows around your eyes even if you were constantly plagued with nightmares. Now that you thought about it that was the last thing you remembered doing. After sparing with Zoro a bit you had drank the vitamin infused smoothie Sanji had made you and then followed Bon's advice to go lay down and rest. 

This however was not Nami and Robin's room. You weren't chained or tied so that was a good thing. However you were only dressed in a pair of jeans and a black tank top. You didn't even have any shoes on, the sandals that Nami had gotten from Pappag. Now that you were coming to some more you realized it was actually cold, not as cold as level five but still chilly. Then it hit you. Punk Hazzard. "Oh Fuck." How the hell had you slept through the arrival, you must have really been out of it. If you were in here then that meant that Luffy, Zoro, Robin and Usopp were already on the hot side and you and the others were here. Only thing was though that you looked to be locked away in a separate room. Why was that? No matter the reason you had to find a way out of here. Standing up  you looked around the room and saw it completely bare. Trying the door just for the hell of it you weren't surprised to find it locked up tightly. Go figure. There had to be a way out, think! The walls were metal as well as the floor, looking up you saw the ceiling made of the same metal but... there was also a vent. You could work with that. 

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

Looking around the frozen wasteland, his hair blowing in the harsh wind. They had been walking around for a while now, bypassing the group of marines. Splitting his crew in thirds to go search in a different locations while Daz, Hex and himself went towards the mountains he stopped when he heard explosions. Narrowing his eyes he sensed the presents of others and started that way. When they got close enough that they could see smoke he heard yelling and turned his head to someone he wasn't expecting. 

"GATOR! Hey Crocodile!"

"Straw-hat." he spoke around his cigar. Of course, that's how she got here. 

"Over here!"

Sighing he wasted no time in turning to sand and quickly flying towards the yelling idiot. 

"You're here, that means you got Y/n's letter, she's going to be so happy!" Luff spoke with a smile as Crocodile reformed.

"AHHH NOW CROCODIE IS HERE TOO?!" Both Usopp and Chopper yelled. 

"She's with you then? She's safe?" he asked, not being able to keep the emotion out of his voice. Quickly looking around the place that seemed to be in ruins he noted a few of the Straw-hat crew, Nico Robin included along with another face, Law. However he didn't see Y/n anywhere. 

"Well no not exactly..." tilting his head and rubbing the back of his head. 

Seeing Crocodile's brow twitch Robin stepped forward some. "What he means is that she is not with us right now."

"Then where is she?"

"I duno?" Luffy shrugged. 

Gritting his teeth down on his cigar he heard as Robin offered to explain their current situation. Sighing he moved over to speak with her, hearing the Straw-hat crew go back to they previous conversations. For the next few minutes Robin explained to him how Y/n had temporarily joined them along with Bon Clay. "Bentham?"

"Yes he apparently helped her escape Impale Down. I am guessing that since she knew about us from her world, she knew where to find us in Sabaody, knew that Luffy would have no problem helping her." 

Humming he puffed on his cigar as Robin told him about everything that had happened since they had gotten here. They had apparently separated but even once they were all reunited Y/n was not with them. "How is she? How has she been?" 

Taking a deep breath Robin blinked and looked to her old boss. It was strange seeing him care about someone's wellbeing but she wouldn't comment on it. "Well I did not know her before hand but as for her health... it has improved slightly since she first arrived. I am sure our Doctor, Chopper, can tell you more at a better time." 

"Hey how about changing us back now, I can't do anything in this body." Franky yelled.

Turning his attention back to the rest of the group he watched as Trafalger Law used his Devil fruit powers to change some of the Straw-hat members back to their original bodies. After that he stood back with his arms crossed over his chest as Law explained how this Caesar Clown who used to work with Vegapunk had taken over the island and how he was experimenting on children. His main goal to change them into giants so the military could use them in war. 

"...this woman you are looking for, the one known as Firelocks Y/n, she's in the main Lab. Caesar is keeping her locked up in a separate location from where the rest of you were taken." Law explained. 

"But why? What would he want with her?" Nami asked. 

"Think about it. Caesar has been experimenting on kids for a while now and while he has had some results he hasn't gotten the ones he wants. Vegapunk himself determined the sooner a specimen started getting the drug the better the results."

"But that would mean?! NO! No he can't!" Chopper yelled. 

"What I'm not getting it." Luffy said in confusion. 

"Caesar is keeping y/n because he wants to experiment on her... because she is pregnant!"

His breath caught in his throat. Pregnant, she was still carrying their child? This whole time? Through Impale Down? Blinking and then gritting his teeth when he registered what he had just heard the cigar soon broke in half between his teeth. This Caesar was threatening his soulmate, his child. 

"This guy is a sick son of a bitch ain't e'?" Hex spoke in a growl. 

"Yes. I'm not leaving this island until Y/n and the children are all safe." Nami spoke. 

"If I leave here with Luffy are you going to stay here alone?" Law asked. 

"Wait I'm not going anywhere. If this is important to Nami and Chopper than I'll stay too. Plus Y/n is my friend and that Caesar guy has her, I'm not just going to leave her there. I mean I told her I'd help her get back with Gator. Then Sanji wants to put that Samurai back together. Look if you are going to work with us then get used to helping people." Luffy told Law as he turned towards him some.  

Seeing Law's look Usopp sighed. "Here's the thing. See most of the time when you're forming an alliance you get a couple of groups with a common goal and you negotiate the best way to get it done, does that sound right?"

"Obviously."

"So you'd think but in Luffy's world that logic get's thrown out the window completely."

"Just means I'm friends with you." Luffy butted in with a smile. "Like me and Crocodile, we're friends, right Gator?"

Blinking slowly he stayed silent, his arms crossed over his chest. 

"That's a yes." Luffy grinned. 

"You can forget about having any say in what we do. It's all up to him." 

"All up to me." Luffy beamed. 

"As soon as this guy makes up his mind about something that's it. You're along for the ride wither you like it or not. If selfness was a power he'd take out that emperor on the spot." 

"What Emperor?" Daz asked. 

"After this we're gonna go take down Kaido." Luffy grinned. 

"Fine but we have to hurry up, there's no time. Putting the Samurai back together can be your groups problem. I guess I can go investigate the drug that was given to the children. If they have already started giving it to the woman then maybe I can come up with an antidote. Now who's the ship's doctor again? You come with me, we'll do research behind Caesar's back. Crocodile, one of your men can come as well, maybe he can search around the lab for Firelocks but if they get caught it's on them."

Looking to Hex he tilted his head and saw him nod and start walking away with Law and the furball. 

"Daz perhaps you can stay here and help Nami and Usopp protect the children. Their withdrawals have been making them lash out and they coudl use the help." Robin suggested. 

Nodding once Daz looked to him he heard Straw-hat say that he was with them. 

"Now I'm gonna go kick this Caesar's ass." Luffy smiled. 

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

Crawling through the vent for sometime you grumbled to yourself as your knees started to ache. So far you hadn't been able to find a suitable room to drop down into and you were starting to wonder if you ever would. Continuing to crawl you stopped when you heard voices. Quietly moving over to look down into the vent you saw none other than Law and Monet. They seemed to be walking down what looked to be a hallway of sorts. You couldn't make out much but when you heard Law say something about leaving you knew what events were about to unfold. Shit. As they passed out of your view you heard another voice, a deep voice. As the three talk about 'Joker' you heard a pained gasp and wince, this had to be the part where Vergo shows up. That was one guy you really didn't want to be found by.

Staying as still and as quiet as a statue you watched as not too long later Monet and Vergo walked by, Vergo dragging a now unconscious Law behind him. With the poisonous gas soon to be flooding the place you didn't want to keep trying your luck with the vents. Glancing down to the floor you saw it not too terribly far down and sighed. Slowly opening the vent you peeked out to make sure the coast was clear. Easing out you hung from the vent as you tried to lower yourself down as best as you could. Taking a deep breath you let go and managed to land on your feet before falling back on your ass. Better than you stomach. Placing a hand over your baby bump you took a moment to get your barring's. Now you just had to make it to the center part of the lab so the gas wouldn't turn you to stone. Wrapping your arms around yourself you grit your teeth, cold why did it always have to be the cold? Hearing your stomach let out a growl you sighed. "I know." patting your belly gently you walked down another hall but stopped dead in your tracks when you saw two of Caeser's men standing there. 

"Hey! What are you doing out of your room?" 

"Get her!" 

Throwing your fist through the air and kicking at the other you grabbed his gun when he dropped it. Slamming the but of it into the man's gut you heard him groan. Swinging it around into the other's face you knocked him to the ground and didn't see him get up. As the other went to get up you quickly went around him, putting the barrel of the gun against his throat and pulling back. Whimpering out as he elbowed your ribs hard enough to make the breath leave you, pulling it as hard as you could you were thrashed around until he finally fell unconscious. Pulling the gun out you swung the strap over your arm and hurried on before more showed up. Passing by a door you saw words written on it out of the corner of your eye you glanced up and rose a brow. 

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

"It brings back memories to see you two in the same cell." Robin spoke. 

"Oh yea Smoky and I got caught by you and Gator in Alabasta. Kinda funny now that you both are in here with us isn't it?" Luffy laughed. 

"Forgive me if I fail to see the humor." He said with a slight roll of his eyes. 

"Shut up you damn fools!" Smoker growled. 

It shouldn't have surprised him that that feathered idiot was behind this whole operation. He wasn't even surprised to see he had managed to work a spy into the navy itself. When Caesar came into the room he grit his teeth. To think someone like him was able to defeat all of them, even when it seemed like Straw-hat had him. Hearing him tell the 'Vergo' man to start the video he saw him turn to them again and begin taunting Law. Seeing them have not only Law's heart but Smoker's as well made him raise his brow. Watching the screen he knit his brows at the giant piece of candy being laid out. Listening to Caesar go about explaining this 'smiley' creature he watched the screen as it showed the purple gas start infecting the island. When the footage showed others out on the snow running away from it he blinked when he realized it was some of his own crew along with the straw-hats and Bentham. 

"Hey that's Zoro, they're all running from the smoke." 

"Would you look at those fools, what are they doing out there and what the hell kind of run is that?" 

"Oh look the Samurai got his body back." Robin grinned.

"Yeah you're right, guess that means he isn't going to give me his legs." Luffy grumbled. "Hey wait that's not important right now Robin." Leaning up some he looked to the video "Run faster guys, that smoke will freeze ya dead! You gotta ru..ahn..ahh." Falling to the ground on his face he groaned. "Aw man I don't have the strength to yell. Damnit, dumb sea prism stone." 

"I take it those are your friends Straw-hat Luffy?" Caesar asked before laughing. 

"Yea they are my friends and they are going to be make it just like Y/n once I find out where you're keeping her. You better not have given her any of those drugged candies." Luffy growled. 

Hearing his soulmate's name get brought up he snapped his eyes over to the man, his body tensing slightly.

"Who?" 

"I believe he is talking about the woman Joker wants." Vergo spoke in his calm voice. 

"Oh her?! I wouldn't dream of drugging her, well not if I want to keep my life. Don't get me wrong I would have loved to test the effects of my drug on her and the unborn child but Joker made it perfectly clear she was not to be touched."

"Why what the hell would he want with her?" Law asked. 

"He doesn't want anything with her, he's simply the delivery man." 

"For who? Who want's y/n?"

"Big Mom maybe, Y/n told me, Robin and Nami that she wanted to kill her." Franky added. 

"Try the other side of her family line." 

"Yes one wouldn't be able to tell she comes from such a strong bloodline just by looking at her." Caesar grinned with a small chuckle. 

"Kaido. She is Kaido and Big Mom's granddaughter." Law spoke once it clicked in his head. 

"So Two of the emperors had a baby?!"

"What can I say, they're must have been some lonely nights on Rock's ship." Vergo huffed.

Shocked by the news he felt his heart hammer in his chest. She was in even more danger than he first thought. If that were true then that would mean...

"So what the hell does Kaido want with her?!" Luffy yelled. 

"Kaido wants a strong army, she's his blood..." Law told him. 

It wasn't difficult to put together what Law was saying and once he did he felt the vein in his forehead and neck stick out, his fist clenching at his side and his teeth gritting together. Over his dead fucking body. 

"I can see this troubles you Crocodile." Vergo spoke, addressing the ex-warlord for the first time. "Knowing that the two of you were affiliated before her time in Impale Down I am going to go out on a limb and say the child growing in her womb is possibly yours. If it's any consolation Kaido may allow her to keep the child once it is born... if she behaves. If not then it will join you in the afterlife." 

"Bastard." he growled so deep it almost sounded inhuman. 

Laughing at the whole situation Caesar gave a smile. "I'll give you this one last chance to see her." Waving his hand towards the workers he saw them pull up the footage of her room, "Now say goodbye to your ahhhh where did she go?!" 

Seeing the room empty he felt hope fill him. She had made her way out. 

"Shishishi, Y/n escaped Impale Down, did you really think you would be able to hold her in there?" Luffy giggled.

"I wouldn't underestimate her if I were you." Robin chuckled

"Grahh. No matter, she will be found soon enough but I'm sorry to say that by then you all will be dead." Nodding his head he watched as the crane picked up the cage and started moving it. "Time for me to show the world that my weapon is tougher than any high bounty pirate, Marine vice admiral or Warlord of the Sea." Caesar laughed.

Getting freed by Law he stood straight and brushed off his clothes. Getting into the lab he watched as the rest of the Straw-hats, marines and his own crew hurry into the lab. 

"Alright looks like everyone's here." Luffy smiles.

As soon as he heard Law tell them they needed to get to the door with R building 66 on it he looked down to his men. "Go help the Straw-hats with the kids then get to that door."

"Oh Mr. Zero there you are. Wait where is Y/n?" Bon asked, quickly looking around for his friend. 

"I'm going to find her." he replied gruffly. Turning around he waited for no reply, refusing to be separated from his soulmate any longer. 

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

Running through the lab you held on tightly to the sword you had gotten off the most recent group of Caesar's men. After hearing one of them yell 'There she is..." you were fairly certain they knew you were missing now, which meant Caesar did as well. Assholes had made you drop your jar of peanut butter you had swiped from the kitchen as well. You heard an explosion go off earlier so you guessed the others had made it inside by now. Knowing from the manga that the gas would be spreading quickly now you pushed on to make it to building R. Wincing when your leg ached you moved your hand down to hold it over the bleeding gunshot wound there. As another round of gunfire rang out around you, you heard one yell that you were not to be seriously injured. Running behind the corner and onto the stairway you tried to outrun them but were forced to stop when more yellow dressed men showed up in front of you. 

"Now come on lady, just come with us and we won't be forced to hurt you anymore." 

Gritting your teeth you looked back and forth, you were surrounded and while you may have been able to take on five or six of them there looked to be at least a dozen. Backing into the railing you snapped your eyes behind you to see the floor far below. There was no way you would survive the fall... but there was another option. Looking back to the group you saw them inching there way closer. It was now or never. Turning around quickly you climbed the railing and jumped. 

"NO!" 

Grabbing hold of the chain you gasped as it started falling, you were not expecting a pully. Seeing the ground coming up fast you grabbed hold of the other one and let out a muffled scream when it tore away the skin on the palm of your hand. Pushing through the pain you slowed yourself down enough to not die when you hit the ground but you didn't stick the landing and were left a little dazed when your head smacked against the hard floor.  Blinking slowly as the world seemed to spin you held your belly with one hand and turned your head to the side to see the yellow suited men running down the stairs. There muffled yelling rung in your ears and you whimpered as you pushed your body to sit up. Seeing the fallen sword on the ground not to far away you crawled over to grab it and pushed yourself to your unsteady feet. 

Raising your head as the heavy footsteps grew closer you just did swing your sword in time when one of them took the chance to grab you. The man was quickly replaced with another and all too soon you found yourself in another fight but this time it wasn't looking too good. Crying out when one of them sliced at your shoulder you backed away, the grip on the sword loosening to the point you almost dropped it. Bringing your knee up and then kicking you refused to give up but you were quickly growing exhausted. Tring to swing the now heavy sword again it was blocked and smacked from your hand. Feeling a hand yank on your hair you winced and hit against the man as he stood above you. Seeing him hold out a can of what you guessed was that sleeping gas you held your breath and tried yanking out of his hold. 

"This would have been much easier for you if you would have just did as we sa... ah!" 

"AHHH!"

Feeling the hand on your locks loosen you went to fall to the floor but something held you up. Seeing nothing but black you let your eyes slip close, a heavenly smell filling your nose. Then there was a voice, a deep voice, one you had only heard in your dreams for what seemed like a lifetime. Pulling back some you looked up and saw him. After so long you weren't sure he was real. "C..croc?"

Taking care of all the filth that dared hurt his darling he looked down when he heard her trembling voice. Seeing those sea blue eyes looking up at him and hearing her say his name he couldn't help but grin. As soon as he did he felt her arms wrap around his waist, her face burring into his abdomen. 

Shaking with sobs you held onto him so tightly you only knew his clothes would be wrinkled. It was him, it was really him. 

Prying her arms from him only long enough for him to lift her up he felt her arms wrap around his neck. Holding her with his left forearm and hook he wrapped his right arm around her to return her embrace. His eyes closed momentarily, relishing the knowledge that she was in his arms once again after six months apart. 

There were so many emotions overtaking your body but none more prominent than happiness. Tears poured from your eyes, soaking into his coat and shirt but he didn't seem to mind. "I'm ssssorrryyy." you sobbed. 

Hearing her heart wrenching apology he licked his lips, swallowing the lump growing in his throat. "Why on earth are you apologizing to me? You have no reason to be sorry..." Clenching his teeth he gently rubbed the back of her head and hair. "I on the other hand don't deserve your forgiveness, everything that happened to you, all of this, it's my fault." 

Shaking your head you nuzzled your nose into his neck. "No it's no..."

"It is." he said through gritted teeth. "I failed you again... I didn't..."

Leaning up you pushed your lips to his. Holding his face in your hands you refused to let him break away. After a few moments he sighed, his lips softening to kiss you back and you knew you had won. Tears continued dripping from your eyes and no doubt onto his face. Pulling away only to peck his cheeks and lay your forehead on his you closed your eyes. You didn't know wither it was from finally being reunited with your lost love again after so much or all the injuries but you felt very tired. 

Feeling her body slacken against his he opened his eyes slightly and looked down to her. Seeing the blood on her forehead he recalled where they were and what was happening. Moving her over to the steps he sat her down and kneeled in front of her while his eyes scanned over her body. He could see blood soaking her pants leg, a gash across her shoulder and blood coming from her head. There was so much more he wanted to observe but now wasn't the time. Removing his belt he put it around her upper thigh and pulled it tight to stop the bleeding until it coudl be treated. There wasn't much he could do about her other injuries unfortunately. As his eyes fell to the small bump under the thin tank top she was wearing he felt his heart beat harder in his chest. Reaching out he ever so gently placed his hand over the majority of her stomach. Blinking he stroked her belly with his thumb, "You truly are an amazing woman." 

Grinning bashfully you looked down to his hand and placed yours overtop for a moment. That quiet moment was soon interrupted as a loud explosion shook the lab. "We have to go, now." 

Nodding he stood and removed his coat wrapping it around her slightly trembling body he lifted her up into his arms again. He would get them out of this place and then he would never have her out of his sight again. 

[betweentheracks]

can you tell us what your credentials are and what sort of studies/coursework did you have to take up to get to your position? and, if not too personal, what your day to day work life might look life in and out awards seasons or other big ticket events your clients might need styled for?

This is long and rambling, I do apologize. 

Regarding coursework and education routes into becoming a pro stylist, the thing is that there isn’t necessarily a need for a specific type of education. You could literally drop school and strive for success by the grit of your teeth and iron will alone if you really want and still could gain great acclaim. It isn’t exactly common but it does happen if you strike upon fortunate circumstances and garner experience wherever possible to form the base of your portfolio and profile which will later shape your reputation. 

As it is, most studios and clients do tend to give more consideration to those that come from an academic qualifications and learning. While experience if the foreground on which all stylists (and any other set of industry workers) tread, having the support and security of studying styles and fashion and marketing and all manner of related blather gives a sense of merit and provides opportunities for your to be selected for a job despite a lack of reputation or experience. The best stylists fall from both trees and the worst do as well; there is no guaranteed recipe for success in this field as fashion itself is too fluid in expression to be quantified. 

As for what I did; I had hands in both pots and have the educational background that assures I know what I am doing in terms of textual/technical understanding as well as experience from moments of pure luck compounded by my audacious efforts. I have a Bachelor’s compromised of fashion merchandising, fashion retailing, marketing, and visual arts. I took side courses at a fashion technical institute with a more tailored program that catered to the fundamentals of fit, body (and measurements) assessment, design and trends, media styling, and fashion industry principles. Additionally I did half a semester of social skills in a business. From there I went on to snatch up an internship and spent a bit more than a year being a shadow of the stylists for the company I work for before grasping a golden chance to become notable and step beyond that restricted role. I also have the certifications of AICI CIC and AICI CIP with hopes to one day finally snag the coveted AICI CIM (respectively; certified image consultant, certified image professional, certified image master).

I had friends that have worked in and out of this end of the industry and knew from the jump that I wanted to pad my portfolio with the safety net provided by academia and use it to bridge the gaps in my experience early on. I figured if I had the knowledge of how to deal with the business side of things as well as the styling side then I was a bit more valuable and, worst case, could go be a consultant or advisor for retailers or big wig company heads. As it is, the only reason I have any clout to my name at all is due to my internship - it paved over all the potholes in the road I was on and has been very favorable, but not everyone is as fortunate as I have been and this is not an easy path to undertake and forge into a career with any real sense of stability or security. Freelance stylists have a completely different struggle despite the majority coming from similar backgrounds as myself. 

Now, onto the daily scope and specs of wardrobe styling ~

Please take into consideration that I am an admitted workaholic/perfectionist/overachiever within the boundaries of my work. I’m quite lazy in almost every other sense of living and make existing seem like a wreck and I’m the one driving the struggle-bus that caused it, but for the job I have I am a supremely different breed (though still a lunatic). So yeah, I do a lot more than most would in my position and it is actually something that my company head both loves and hates and is rumored to be writing a clause for all employees regarding allowable working methodology due to the sheer amount of paperwork I alone generate. I am the hazard of our company, but I am also an asset. 

Anyway, I start most of my days with a lot of reading through emails that range from client comments and commands to vendors looking to use my company or clientele to bolster their credibility, to brands extending offers of product usage for marketing and campaigning reasons, and a variety of back and forths between me and the PAs or clerks of photographers, other studios, and fashion houses. Next comes hours of phone calls and reviewing schedules to ensure there is no intersections between client-oriented event slots. For one photoshoot I typically spend 3-4 weeks on the semantics of lighting quality and set features and then the rest of the time is dedicated to wardrobe and piecing out however many styles are called for, and then usually adding in at least 2 extras just for good measure. There's so many meetings my butt goes numb and touching base with the other members of my glam teams to reaffirm that we are all working on tandem and on the same page as far as vision goes. I sometimes have a turn in taking care of a new trainee or intern that is wandering our workplace like a fawn on clumsy legs and have questionable instincts.

When it comes to pulling apparel to make up sets, I have been known to be in the rack rooms and show rooms and fashion archives for over 7 hours a day. Our archivists know me as personally as I know my assistants and friends from how often I am in there territory and have to rely on their hardwork and favor. I spend days doing this until I have what I need and then dedicate every bit of my attention designing and creating looks which is another 5+ hours of one day, over the course of many. I have had days where I have been at work for 16 or 17 hours before I realize it, which is why I am such a thorn in my boss’ ass and often told to take a day off or get sent home midway through the morning - my hours alone could have business bureaus raising their eyebrows at the legality of my working hours. (This is cranked to max when shows and events are in the schedule; Awards Season is a nightmare and tours are the bastard offspring of Hell actually. The amount of hours put in are truly horrific). 

Also worth mentioning for the sake of perspective is that my job is as expansive as my clients allow; if they request me for one of their various activities in the public eye or in media, if available, I am obligated to prioritize their needs above the projects that my company has assigned to me as per our contract and am expected to either find a replacement or delegate to my assistant and apprentice when possible. The opposite is also true: if my clients have a light workload or are on break from their careers, I am typically doing the busy work of in-studio tasks or tracking rising trends and other features of the fashion forecast. I also host a multitude of temporary contracts with all manner of clientele from brand ambassadors to photographers to celebrities to commercial shoots & services. These jobs come upon official requests made through the company and then negotiated into the terms of how short the working schedule will be, what work I will be undertaking, and an assessment of skills vs revenue to maintain a balance of my time as a professional being properly valued within the sad decline of styling budgets before it will be officially taken on in my name. For these I tend to make better use of my status and hand off most of the project unless I am specifically needed. I make appearances as necessary but am mostly an advisor rather than the producer, instead focusing on my exclusive clients all while staying keyed in so that the work isn't below standard. This is all a badly kept secret of my company and myself - the clients do typically know and accept this is how I handle things in general and are aware that they are paying for an absent role of by way of my name/credentials unless they specify otherwise. There have been times when a side job like this has more prestige than all the years of my experiences combined could generate which ostensibly is treated with much more care and most of my other work pauses in deference to this. 

Being a stylist, especially a wardrobe AND fashion stylist, is just so much I don't think I could fully capture the scale of it for a proper index of what we do. 

In short, I don't have routine days. I have days that are at the beck and call of a workload that changes at the drop of a pin or the half digit uptick that dictates the emergence of a new trend or the downwind of when a trend skews into becoming mainstream. I can be paced out and looking at a light day at my desk and suddenly be crammed into a pitch meeting or called out to a set. I've also spent many days lounging on the sofa in a client's dressing room playing on my phone and cracking jokes with the glam team as we wait for our client to return between performance takes. And then there are days when I only go into work for our weekly meeting and review before heading back home. It's constant and consuming and sometimes I can't catch my breath before I'm shoved into the show room under a daunting time crunch because an entire ensemble has been misplaced or ruined. Just a matter of days before I was felled by COVID-19 I was having a nap during a photoshoot which I had already fulfilled my purpose and had no further need to participate in.

The reality is that I spend the majority of my time carving out a balance of my work life not superseding my time dedicated to being with my son and making sure he knows no matter what, he is above my hectic career always.

[twoidiotwriters1]

Pure Blood 3 (Sirius Black x Fem! Oc)

Book II

Words: 1,603

Masterlist:

Chapter 2 / Chapter 4

Percy

"I don't think you'll find friends if you're in the library all the time, Percy," says Jo. I stop and turn to see her.

“I'm looking for books, Jo. Not friends.”

"Don't you think you've spent a lot of time there?" She crosses her arms.

"How is it that every time I mention it when I'm with you it seems like you have war flashbacks?" I scoff.

“Not because I'm Ravenclaw, it means I love to read! The library is boring and you always have to be quiet…”

"Something you should try.”

She snorts.

"You are a lost case. If someone asks, I don't know you,” She says, then lightly bumps her shoulder with mine.

I watch her walk away and smile.

“See you later, Josiepad. I love you!" I scream, drawing the attention of several students.

Josephine looks at me, from my place I can notice that her ears turn red, then she runs off to avoid everyone's stares. I laugh at her reaction.

That went well.

I continue on my way to the library and enter the corridors full of books. I caress the back of some as I pass until one catches my eye. Astronomy.

I take it and go to one of the tables near a window, sit down and open it.

I don't know how long it's been when I hear someone clear her throat near me.

The first time I ignored it, but I think if someone does it three times it’s to get attention. And unfortunately for me, that person wanted to talk to me.

I sigh and take my eyes off the book, finding a girl with thick brown hair and eyes of the same color, which are staring at me, her thin lips are pursed.

"Hello?" I said tensely.

“Shouldn't you be doing your charms homework? It's for tomorrow,” She raises an eyebrow.

“Uh….” I look at her in surprise. "Sorry, do I know you?"

"No, but I know you. You’re Perseus John Singh. We’re in the same classes and in the same house. Why do you read an astronomy book instead of charms?"

I close my book and frown.

"I don't think it's healthy to know much about a person you've never talked to,” I try not to sound too aggressive... and I also try to hide my fear. "And I don't think it's very nice to scold me either, girl-I've- never seen-before.”

Her cheeks are flushed, but her gaze remains steady.

Will she be breathing still?

"I-uh," She clears her throat again. "I'm sorry. You're right,” she stands up and when I think she's going to leave, she sits next to me. "I'm Hermione Granger.” She offers her hand, which I just stare at. She sighs and drops it. "I didn't mean to be rude, sorry.”

Her tone changes completely. I shake my head.

“I-it’s okay. Uh-it doesn't matter,” I settle into my chair and reopen my book, but my interest can't go back to it. Less with Hermione by my side.

"I've finished all my homework, I'm just reading this for fun,” I sigh and then look at her.

Now she looks at me in surprise.

"It's strange to hear that from someone else,” I shrug. "Why astronomy?"

I laugh.

“My mom and I have always liked stars and constellations. My name’s a constellation. And it’s also the name of a Greek demigod, my family has the tradition of naming their children as gods and stuff like that.”

"What is your mother's?"

“Persephone."

She frowns.

"Wait, I thought you were a pureblood.”

"Uh?"

She blushes again.

“Not that I have done research on you, specifically. I, uh— Well, it's no secret that your cousins ​​Atlas, Hades, and Hercules are purebloods. Some people have become obsessed with that subject,” She says, looking away.

"Pure blood? I don’t understand.”

"Hasn't anyone explained it to you?"

“No, actually, I don't know much about the wizarding world. That's why I spend a lot of time in the library.”

It seems the girl's eyes are about to pop out.

"But you… Your cousins?"

"My mom raised me without magic.”

“Wow."

"It's something wrong?"

“No, it's just that… Sorry I'm being rude again,” She shakes her head. "I am Muggle-born,” She smiles proudly. "Professor McGonagall visited us to explain to my parents that I am a witch.”

“Cool."

“I also like being in the library. I don't understand why people think it’s boring.”

I laugh remembering Jo's words.

"I get you,” We both smile. "Uh, would you like to explain that pureblood thing to me?"

"Sure! I know a book that can help,” She says, then gets up and goes to the bookshelves.

Wait, did I just make a friend?

Persephone

"Did everyone understand?" The men sitting at the same table nod. "Miss Singh?”

I clench my teeth.

“Yes, sir.”

"Well, you can go.”

I follow my colleagues until we leave to our offices.

"Singh, wait!" I roll my eyes without stopping. “Wait!”

A blond man runs to be in front of me, I sigh.

"What do you need, Edwards?”

He smiles at me trying to calm his breathing.

"You always run out of every meeting.”

"My shift is over and I have no other reason to be here,” I try to continue my way, but the blond moves to avoid it.

"You're right, I can't stand work either.”

"Then why are you still here?" I raise an eyebrow.

He opens and closes his mouth trying to speak and then smiles.

"You always know what to say," He laughs.

I frown.

That makes no sense.

"What do you want?"

“Well, I was thinking that— uh… I heard that your son finally left to Hogwarts.”

"And?"

“Every time I offer you a drink, your answer was that you wanted to be with him and now he’s gone. Would you go for a drink with me now? It doesn't have to be formal, maybe just go to a bar or restaurant or…” His cheeks turn red. "Or if you want to go to my place?” He scratches the back of his neck.

I stir in my place.

“Connor."

"Just an hour, I promise.”

"Sorry, but no,” He looks down. "It's nothing personal, I'm not ready to go out with someone.”

That catches his attention as he returns his gaze to me, only now his eyes show no illusion. He raises an eyebrow.

“Yeah, sure. And what about the man who sometimes comes for you? Uh?"

“Excuse me?"

“I bet you’ll go with him. The others were right about you,” He huffs rolling his eyes and then leaves.

I stand in the hallway in a daze. I shake my head and keep walking toward the elevator.

As I left the building, I found Remus waiting for me. I hug him tightly when I get to his side.

"You won't believe what just happened to me.”

"Let me guess,” He says amused as we walk. He puts a hand on his chin. "Did they give you more paperwork?"

“No."

"The boss's secretary sent you another hate note?”

“Noup."

"Another colleague asked you out?”

“Bingo!"

"I guess you turned it down…”

“Yep."

"He didn't take it well?”

“He has been working with us for four weeks, he doesn't even know me, I’ve rejected him almost every day, I’ve never shown interest in anyone and he still has the nerve to claim that apparently 'the others are right about me’.”

"What does that mean? What do they say about you?"

“I have no idea and I don't want to know. I hate everyone in that office. They don't deserve my attention.”

We get to the restaurant where we always go, he opens the door for me, we ask for the usual table and we sit down.

“Oh, he mentioned you too. They keep thinking that I'm going out with you.”

He laughs.

"And they still keep asking you out?"

“They don't care about anything, Wolfie. His brain does not allow him to see beyond his own needs,” I sigh leaning back on the chair.

"Do you want me to talk to someone?" He says worried.

"Not worth it.”

We ordered our dinner and continued talking.

"Has Percy sent you a letter yet?”

I nod, searching in my bag for the letter and handing it to him. His eyes move while he reads and smiles.

"Gryffindor?" He looks at me raising his eyebrows.

"No wonder,” I reply smiling and he returns to the letter.

"Apparently he is a bookworm after all,” He grimaces and then laughs. “And his hate towards Harry is still intact,” He folds the letter and passes it to me.

"Hasn't he made any friends?"

I sigh.

"No. I'm a little worried, I thought that being in the place where he belongs, he would be more sociable,” I grimace. "Neither Sirius nor I were shy…”

"Just give it time, it's always difficult to be in a new school.”

I nod.

“You know? Maybe he's more like Apollo. Quiet, in his own world with a book in hand,” I smile. "He even reminds me of Regulus sometimes…”

"It is still part of the family.”

"I guess,” I settle into the chair. I shake my head. “You're right, he will be fine. It's just that,” I shrugg, “I thought it would be something like what you, James and Sirius had. I want him to find a family there.”

“True friendship will come when you least expect it. We met by chance.”

“Cheesy," I joke making him laugh.

“Hey," He takes my hand on the table. "Everything will be fine.”

"I hope so.”

Taglist:

@dielgonacoffee @avipshamitra @auroraawrites @findzelda @lizlil @siriusmuch @reverse-hxlland  @may-rapp @the-specific-oceans @eveft @secret-obsessions @theeicedamericano @xkonpinkx @littledeadgirlwalking @bloodorangemoonlight  @siriuslysirius1107  @madmaiden2890 @ren-ela @inkandpen22 @just-here-to-escape-from-reality @ren-ela

@treestarrrrrrrr @thagreenmoon​

@chloe-geoghegan1​

[dipplie]

Temporary list of my stories and OC’s until one day I make a comprehensive and well made list:

Blinded:

Polli: My oldest OC and fun fact was my persona till she become edgy and I wasn’t 12 anymore. Everyone’s favorite yes yes I’m aware. Yellow, energetic, eats dirt and bugs, I can’t tell if she’s evil because of a wisp possession or just crazy. Breaks the 4th wall. Is she a Mary Sue???????? Who knows.

Melody: NOT Polli’s girlfriend despite Polli’s delousions. Has an abusive mom :(. Only has one eye and then no eyes and then robot eyes or smthn idk she becomes a badass when she gets older. But otherwise trembling in her shoes all the time.

Melodys Mom/Sharren: Bitch. Okay well all I’ll say is she’s old and grumpy and probably smells bad.

Louise: Total hotty, rich kid, FtM, got bullied as a kid for his weight. Had a squad of fans basically in high school. Lived with his mom after his parents got a divorce but his mom was semi abusive, projected her femininity onto him, and wouldn’t have been supportive of his transition, so between middle and high school he went to live with his dad and got his sex change and testosterone. His best friend in elementary and middle school stopped talking to him after his transition, and became his competition for the most attractive and sought after boy in school (except Louise is a sweetheart while his friend Tommy is a dick and really gross) His dad runs a company that specializes in technology, and after meeting and falling in love with Melody (even after all her abusive trauma and losing both her eyes) he has his dad and some of the developers create a way to get her vision back and I mean honestly I love him how could you not love him he’s so perfect.

Watching:

Fick: Big nerd boy with thick glasses. I feel like he’d use Reddit but don’t quote me on that. Big crush on Vivinya. Boy don’t wander into the woods- oh look dead body with a curse on it don’t touch it- aaaand now he has a wisp that makes him kill people, way to go kid. Panic attack central.

Vivinya: True crime girl, yucky yucky. Probably had a knife collection. “uwu I’m insane” except she actually is and starts using Fick to kill people for her and treats him like her “Yandere boyfriend” or something cringe and gross oh god. She deserves jail. JAIL. Needs to learn guys need to give consent too. Just overall sucks 1/10.

Tommy: I mentioned him early to be Louises ex best friend and rival. He used to have a crush on Louise actually but that don’t excuse being a BITCH!!!! Also needs to learn people gotta give consent he is just as gross as Vivinya. Cheats on all the girls he gets with because he’s again, a bitch. Idk if he deserved to get murdered though I mean he was still a teenager but it’s fine. Thinks of the song Seventeen from Heathers actually this story does feel a tad reminiscent of heathers with vivinya being a crazy and wanting to off a bunch of students. Huh.

Suzannie: Tommy’s older sister who’s a detective. What a coincidence. Monotone and depressed. Probably because her little brother got murdered. Gets real awkward when she’s talking about her brothers murder(s) to Fick and Vivinya like “when I find who did this to him they’ll regret being born”. Kind of really pretty actually.

Adolescents (there isn’t actually a story here yet but don’t worry about it shhhh):

Nelson: HIMBO HIMBO H- Jock stupid idiot big dork god he’s so awkward and his main personality trait is having a crush on Naomi and being a dork when talking to her. Probably could benchpress you.

Naomi: Gamer or something and a nerd geek. Her main personality trait is having a crush on Nelson and also being a dork when talking to him. Probably a weeb and fandom dweller. Can’t draw but she commissions artists to draw. She does write copious amounts of fanfiction though.

Andrés: Ohhh the school bad boy babyyyy. Baseball bat with nails in it or something. There’s like... A thing between him in Charlotte and he wants to be a thing but she’s being difficult and makes it hard to talk to her or about her and ugh.

Charlotte: Princess, high school princess. She’s actually pretty nice when you get to know her- but she’s a diva. Ballerina after school. Best friends with Naomi and doesn’t know what she’s talking about when she mentions ships or OTPs but she listens anyways because she’s a good friend. There’s like... A thing between her and Andrés but she doesn’t know if she’s super into him but geez he’s really hot but she gets such mixed responses when she asks her friends about it and what if it doesn’t work outttt.

Marlon: They/Them but they’re okay with either pronouns they aren’t sure yet, he or she is okay... Box boy box boy. Autism... He doesn’t want to admit He’s attracted to men but he’s totally attracted to men. He lives alone which is probably illegal for his age but somehow he manages. Everyone thinks he’s “the quiet kid” and he’s really sad about it no don’t make jokes like that please guys ahh-

Sing for Me:

Kat: The color pink, addahadda(adhd), angry and loud and short. For being only like 10 and being an adorable little lesbian dressing in sparkly pink dresses she actually likes screaming a lot and would totally sing heavy metal if her producers let her. Loud and mad but gets so soft around her girlfriend. “If anything happens to Brie I’m killing everyone in this room and then myself”.

Brie: French... Birds and stuff. Loves her girlfriend even though she is so loud. So fast. So much. Likes to write pretty things. Is only like an inch taller than Kat. Filled with so much love for everything.

Elliot: The girls manager. Lots of coffee. Stressed out of his MIND please help this man. Probably gay. Seems like a smug dick but he is just a tall and lanky dork that loves puppies and wants nothing more than for Kat and Brie to be happy. Accidentally brands them as sisters and then Kat kisses Brie and- oh fuck oh shit oh no what has he done. Hides the fan and non fan responses from them. Poor guy.

Horror Hosts:

Ichabod: Hot demon who’s the son of the current ruler of hell or something. I mean he’s hot, smart, and royalty, what more do you want. I very specifically hear the dub voice of Kyoya Ootori from OHHC as his voice don’t @ me. Goat legs????? Yeah??? Don’t be rude.

Barnabie: Ohhhhhhhhh big orc teddy bear I’m crying I love him????? He puts up a more confident ploy and the given stereotypical personality orcs supposedly have but he’s just a shy boy that wants to give girls flowers and call boys pretty. Help him.

Garrison: Gary Burger. Fat hairy gay man. I mean werewolf. Wouldn’t it be funny if I made the whole werewolf thing backwards and made him transform into a HUMAN only on the full moon??? Party animal, pun absolutely intended. LOUD AND FUNNY he’s a dork. Bites. Horny on main Garrison please you’re supposed pamper and flirt with the guests but not quite that much.

Vincenzo: Token Vampire but he’s Italian because I felt like it. Talk and lanky of course. Bitch face. Blood coffee? Yeah lots of coffee. Tired. Let him sleep in Ichabod. Steps on people. Can summon and reanimate corpses but has a bitter attitude towards them because they get annoyed with him as much as he gets annoyed with- everyone else. He does have a soft spot but idk where it is. When he’s talking to guests he’s more suave and sexy though.

Kai: Genderfluid haha get it because slime fluid-... I’ll stop. Probably objectively the hottest because they can look anyway they want and shift their vocals to sound like almost anything, also probably objectively the best in bed (if you’re okay with the texture of Jell-o) and honestly come on save some for the rest of us it’s not fair. This boy can SING oh my god seranade me and whisper in my ear baby. Spunky and sassy.

Hallvor: BABY OCTOPOD BOY OHHHHH I LOVE HIM HE’S SO SWEET AND IS AN ANGEL DARLING BOY SO EMBARRASSED SO SHY SOFTEST VOICE OHHH- ohhh nooo he’s got a knife ohhhhh Hallvor baby don’t be like that ohhhh... Used to work in hentai actually (I wonder why) but quit because of immoral practices and good for him we love that. Okay he’s not actually a yandere or whatever but he DEFINITELY wants to squeeze you a little too hard and has those crazy eyes.

Carla: Main character of this OHHC monster clone. She sucks I don’t like her because listen listen she kills monsters as a living and when she tries to kill our boys here, Ichabod catches her and goes “no” but then the rest (not knowing her murderous intent) fall in love with her and Ichabod is like: “shoot well I’ll keep you alive and around but I’m watching you” and blah blah romance and feelings and character development and wow she seems like she’s grown to care about them... So Ichabod removes a curse he put to prevent her from harming them or leaving... AND THEN SHE STABS THEM ALL IN THE BACK IM CRYING. I mean she might have an extra reason for needing to kill them but I haven’t decided if I want to actually put it in the story yet so.

Fingertips:

Maria/Marianna: Was this goth angry chick and the head of these losers but after a failed heist, fire, and being betrayed and dropped from a window on a 3rd or 4th story down into flames, and going to the hospital and changing her name, she changed totally and become a soft pretty girl... And then the next three boys went “HEY BOSS WE FOUND YOU” and she went “oh no” and now she’s just an anxious wreck like “no no no no no I don’t shoot people in the face anymore no no no no no” And has a fear of hands. Also was Diamontés best friend in primary school and yes all these characters went to the K-12 school all the other characters do/did. Pretty voice. The story is mostly about her being anxious around all the other characters because who was it that betrayed her and dropped her into the flames below? Find out next week on th-

Nikki: He’s that character that you see and immediately go “oh he’s gross and is angry and is a bitch” and you’re right he is and has a cockney accent and screams a lot and probably swings a knife around a lot, but he’s got a sweet interior (somewhere in there... somewhere) Screamo heavy metal. Him and the rest of these character briefly talked about having a band and then they didn’t and then at the end of the story they do and although he plays guitar mostly, if he does do lead vocals he screams a lot. Bitch.

Anthony: Pretty boy but like the “was in the army” pretty boy vibe. Probably played football in highschool. Pyromaniac. Punches Nikki a lot. Almost gives himbo vibes sometimes, almost. Kind of likes the old timey cozy aesthetic. Plays the piano sometimes but “oh I’m not very good at it” Plays extremely well

Diamonté: TALL. Purple goth boy aesthetic hellll yeahhhh. CRAZY EYES AND THEY SPEAK VOLUMES WATCH OUT. Drums. The scary kind of quiet because he just smiles at you. Crowbar. Okay but he’s actually really sweet though. Secretly loves watching Anthony and Nikki get into fights so that’s why he rarely puts a stop to it. I think he’s a sadist. Can be a gentle giant, but can also be a not so gentle giant. The only time he’s really talkative is after copious amounts of booze.

Unnamed/Undesigned 1: Literally a pimp and he’s pretty gross. Blonde hair and pink and white clothes.

Unnamed/Undesigned 2: Chick that likes to throw knives and be angry and threatens Marianna a lot but in a quiet and monotone way, Marianna is pretty scared and hopes that these are just shallow threats uhhhhh.

Unnamed/Undesigned 3: Sells guns (without a lisence of course) and wears a bandana over his face a lot. Tired. Grumpy.

Unnamed/Undesigned 4: Like Marianna, was cold hearted and cool but then got caught in the fire and got all soft. He only has one eyes but how sweet his eyepatch is a heart. Recoved along side Marianna and they are good friends good friends tha- wait Marianna are you going back with them oh god you can’t do that oh dear oh no oh-

(I don’t have a story or name for these two but they’re my comfort ship OC’s and my current hyper fixaction right now):

Rodriquéz: I literally designed him with almost all the traits I find attractive in a guy other than freckles so as you can imagine I find him super HOT. I also designed his personality on what I find attractive from a guy so as you can imagine I find him super GREAT. But anyways he’s grumpy and closed off and monotone and smug. I really could go on for hours about how I want him to step on me I’m so sorry guys. Both him and Samantha give the “21 and having immature fun” vibes. They’re a thing but they like going to bars together and splitting off and doing their own thing (or doing someone else’s thing if you get what I mean haHhahHhahGahGhaha-) But so help them if anyone doesn’t oblige by the “no” from one of these two, someone’s gonna get beat up.

Samantha: (She literally just my personality shhhhh don’t tell anyone it’s a secret) Bubbly, energetic, a little shy by extroverted, bombshell blonde or something? It took me way too much time and effort to design her but I’m really happy with how I finally designed her, I love her outfit. She could kick me in the face and I’d say thank you. Girly drinks at the bar. Got that trauma and anxiety™️ secretly though. Skips and jumps a lot. As I’m typing this I keep looking up at the drawing of her and more and more I would want her to also step on me.

(Space Story I don’t have a nice title for):

Unnamed/Undesigned 1: So... Funny story this story originally was with me and uh... My ex I guess... So I gotta replace the MC’s... Whoops ahaha... Awkward. But anyways the MC is a robot and a girl and is a slight tsundere or smthn.

Unamed/Undesigned 2: Has a space ship, works for this organization in space that protects the galaxy. Is cocky, lazy, sly, oblivious, and an idiot. The love interest- obviously. Probably accidentally committing space crimes. (Like space pirating hAHAHA-) Kind of cool when he wants to be.

Dandelion/Dandy: CAT. WITH A JET PACK. Kind of an asshole. Fun fact used to be Polli’s cat but then when the Second MC crash landed on earth she was like “fuck this noise I’m going with space boy laterz” (okay she can’t talk but she thought it).

Zizii: Lesbian alien? Yeah???? Okay but I mean her main character trait is being a dorky back alley doctor and engineer obsessed with the MC because they’re a sentient robot with emotions and a lazer arm and rocket boots WOW!!!!!!!!

Story I want to revive:

So I had a story I started writing a long time ago about this tech theatre kid that had a crush on this other theatre kid character, but in a play that other character has to kiss another person for the show, and as the story progresses the MC convinces themselves that it isn’t just a play and that their crush actually loves and is kissing that other kid. And in the play, that other character is supposed to die. Show night comes along and they die, but like actually, and by the hands of the MC (Idk maybe like a light falls on em or smthn). So it’s a grotesque scene the audience sees as just an act. (Mutters I dunno I think my idea’s cool...) So I’ve been wanting to design these characters and work more on the story but I’m busy being obsessed with Rodriquez and Samantha so. (And the Horror Host Club too I love them too still).

Other Characters that either don’t have a specific story or are kind of like background characters:

Jacqueiliquinne Merril: Sara Berry vibes from 35mm (go look up The Ballad of Sara Berry, maybe like an animatic idk the first one that comes up is nice) But otherwise rich, pretty, popular, bitch. Tries to like, steal Louise from his squad and it’s like bro that’s unnecessary who hurt you that’s so rude. She gives Nui from Kill La Kill Vibes too. Oh she knows her name is long and annoying but you have to say the whole thing.

Brianna: Jaqueiliquinne’s sister. Big titty goth gf??? She’s pretty popular too and kind of a bitch too but to a much lesser degree. Her and he sister throw hands a lot when no one is around, you know, “THEY GIRLS ARE FIGHTINNGGGG”.

The Louise Fan Club: 4 characters I haven’t named yet. One writes fanfiction of Louise and shares it with the others and with him sometimes and although he thinks it’s a bit weird he also finds it a tad endearing and supports her. One is an aspiring photographer and is constantly asking Louise to model for him. One is an artist and draws Louise all the time. And one is an aspiring musician who writes songs based of Louise’s relationships which again he finds a little weird but endearing and supports her.

The Jacquiliquinne Merril Fan Club: Genderbent-ish (I say ish because one of the characters is a little bit less defined gender wise) versions of the Louise Fan Club. Yes I’m lazy, and no they don’t get along with them, infact they hate each others club with a passion. 

Unnamed/Undesigned: I wanna make some hacker kid just because I wanna have one.

Unnamed/Undesigned: I also really wanna have a super cutesy magical girl and then a really super duper generic boring character probably like star vs the forces of evil idk I never watched that show but it looks cute.

Me: I exist in the universe fukc you I can do what I want it’s my story and I get to chose the who also if you wanna be in the mess of a universe go ahead draw yourself with my OC’s I allow and encourage and appreciate it. I literally made the Horror Host Club as a sort of Harem story and you are absolutely allowed to make out with them if you’re a monster fucker DO it GO ahead it’s canon.

and that is ALL I have FOR now Knowing me I’ll make like 12 more characters by July, and I mean I need more characters for the high school anyways so...

[avis-writeshq]

Damian Wayne x Reader: If by Fate

Oh my god she’s writing

Requested: Nope

Pairing: Damian Wayne x Fem!Reader

Summary: Things happen for a reason. People do things for a reason. According to science, there was no such thing as ‘fate’ or ‘miracles’. Soulmates don’t exist either. But maybe, just maybe, things can happen for no reason. Maybe things can occur without a solid explanation. In other words, things can happen by fate. And if love and romance can bloom from nowhere, perhaps it really was by fate.

Warnings: Swearing, fluff, and trash writing

Other: Kinda soulmate AU? But not really? Damian and Reader are 17-18 (Bc driving and stuff…)

Word count: 6,714                                                                                                   

Things you probably wanna know, for all you ‘x reader’ illiterates:

(Y/N): Your Name

(H/C): Hair Colour / Color

(E/C): Eye Colour / Color

(N/N): Nickname

 ***

You remember the day it all started. 3 years ago; the first time you had met Damian Thomas Wayne. It had been a stroke of luck, or rather, a blessing in disguise. It wasn’t the first time you had met someone on such strange accounts. If you hadn’t, you never would have met Sakura, your dearest friend. If you hadn’t met Damian Wayne, perhaps you wouldn’t be lying beside him, tucked into his side. Maybe you wouldn’t have met all your close and dear friends. If by fate this was meant to be, you were going to let it.

 *** 3 Years Ago, Gotham City, Fall/Autumn ***

 You let out a laugh as you weaved in and out of lampposts and people, Sakura on your heels. You heard her giggle from behind you, and you ducked from an old lady waving her umbrella around. Ignoring Sakura’s cry of slowing down, you ran faster to the grass areas where couples were enjoying the aesthetic of the red and orange leaves. You suddenly paused, Sakura almost hitting your back at your abrupt stop.

 “Really, (N/N)?” She frowned, but you knew she was joking.

 “Do you hear that?” Your words were quiet, contemplating your decisions.

 The girl stopped for a moment, playing with a strand of her strawberry blonde hair. She was flawless like that. Tall, Sakura had brilliant blue eyes that could charm anyone she meets. She had a few guys at Gotham Academy staring after her, you were sure. “I don’t hear anything.”

 “It’s a bird.” You were quiet again.

 “All I can hear is a baby crying,” she drawled, a smirk playing at her lips. “Are you sure you don’t need your hearing checked?”

 Ignoring her sarcastic reply, you took a few steady steps towards a bush, purple peonies growing from it.  The cry of a bird became louder to your ears and you did your best to be as quiet as you possibly could. Well, you were sure you would have gone undetected if Sakura wasn’t being the whiny and complaining girl she was.

 “(Y/N), there’s nothing here!” she whined, a pout on her face.

 You twisted your head around to glare at her. “Shut up,” you hissed before turning your attention back to the bush. Lo and behold, there truly was a small bird in the bush. With black and grey wings with an orangey-red chest, you were pretty sure you knew what it was. The small bird let out another cry, and it was then you noticed the blotchy scratches on its wing.

 “It’s so cute!” Sakura squealed, but you shot her an icy glare to silence her. “What kind of bird is it?” She whispered softly, being as quiet as she possibly could.

 “Turdus migratorius, otherwise known as the American Robin,” you recited dutifully, a small smile on your face.

 “You really know your birds, huh, (N/N)?” A smirk rose to her face.

 “I did the robin for my 6th-grade science assignment, remember?” You rolled your eyes.

 “And you got 110%! I can’t believe you got extra credit.” Her eyes lit up and she pulled you around by your shoulders. “What if this is a sign?”

 “A sign?”

 “You know, what if your soulmate, the man of your dreams, is Robin? You know… the vigilante who works with the Big Bat himself?” She grinned at you. “Isn’t he dreamy?”

 “You’ve been reading too many fan-fictions,” you mutter, pulling away from her. “And think realistically Sakura! I’ve never met this guy before in my life, and I think that’s more of a blessing than a curse. Besides, who knows how he is under the mask?” You shook your head, attention turning back to the little bird. Taking off your cardigan, you scooped the little bird up, cradling it against your chest.

 “Great. Now what, genius?”

 “There’s a pet store a few blocks away,” you answered, your eyes still trained on the small bird. It didn’t struggle as much as you would have thought; instead, it let out a small chirp, opening and closing its eyes. You knew it was still alive from its breathing- but for how long was the question?

 Racing to the pet store, you made your way to the counter.

 “Excuse me, sir?” You offered a smile to the middle-aged man. “I found this injured bird a few minutes ago. Do you know any vets that can look after it?”

 The man peered at you from behind his glasses. By now, Sakura was off looking at the little puppies being groomed. “Is it wild?”

 “Yes, sir,” you nodded.

 “It’s just a bird,” he drawled, and you glanced at his nametag. Mason.

 “It may be just a bird, but it still deserves to live, Mr Mason,” you said coldly. “It was scratched and beaten with nobody and nothing to support it. I don’t know about you, sir, but if I was lying on the side of the road, I would want to be picked up and taken to the hospital.” You shot him a harsh glare, properly scaring him.

 “Right, yes, well, I’ll see what I can do.”

 “If I find out you have put him down,” you began slowly, watching the man cower in his seat, “you will be very sorry. You got that?”

 The man nodded frantically, “y-yes ma’am.”

 You stood up straight, a bright smile on your face. “Thank you very much. Let me know what the fees are and I’ll pay for the treatment.”

With that, you walked over to where Sakura was watching you, “wowie, (N/N)! Remind me to never get on your bad side!”

 You shrugged, “he was being an ass, that’s all. I have consumer rights, ya know.”

 “I don’t think that’s in the law…” she mumbled before looking up at you. “I have the tea!”

 You raised an eyebrow. “Excuse me?”

 “I mean… guess who I saw in the pet store!” You blinked, opening your mouth to answer when she quickly cut you off. “Damian Wayne!”

 “How is that ‘tea’?” you asked, referring to her elaborate word choice moments earlier.

 “I know that’s not super important to you, but he’s drop-dead gorgeous! And he was looking right at you!” She let out a dreamy sigh. “You’re lucky, (Y/N). Damian Wayne and Robin… you can choose between them.”

 You scrunched your nose in disgust. “Why would I have to choose? I’m not gonna have either of them. Besides, I was causing a scene before. And everyone in our school goes to the pet store. He might just be looking for a pet.” She didn’t seem to be listening as her mouth was wide open, pupils dilating. She let out a few unintelligible sounds before pointing behind you. “What are you-?”

 You turned around, only to be met with fierce green eyes. “Oh, hi Damian! What brings you here?”

 The said boy shrugged. “I was just looking around. I saw you at the counter just now. You rescued a bird?”

 You nodded, “yeah, it was a robin. It is migrating season, after all. It must have hurt its wing while it was regaining some energy.”

 Damian hummed. “You seemed to be having a hard time. Are you really going to pay for the bills?”

 “I was just letting him know that he was a sorry excuse for a human being…” you mumbled, “I guess in the heat of the moment I told him I’d pay for the vet bills,” you let out a groan. “I don’t even have that kind of money! I truly am an idiot.”

 The green-eyed boy just smirked. “Remember who you’re talking to? I’ll pay for the bills.”

 Your eyes lit up. “Really? You don’t have to; the bird is my responsibility…”

 He shrugged again. “I got it. But, do me a favour?”

 With a frantic nod, you agreed.

 “Please tell your friend to stop gaping at me in the halls.” With that, he turned tail and left.

 You blinked, turning around before shooting you friend a glare. “You ‘gape at him in the halls’? Sakura…”

 “Don’t mind about me, what was that?!” She took hold of your shoulders, shaking you. “Are you secretly dating Damian Wayne?!”

 You scoffed, shrugging her hands off your shoulders. “You really don’t have a brain in there, do you?” You rolled your eyes, “he was just helping me out. Besides, he’s the son of the richest man in the world.”

 “Then why did he talk to you?!”

 You hummed, thinking to yourself. “I don’t know. I was his biology partner for a day and-” You paused when you saw Sakura looking at you with a smirk. “GET YOUR HEAD OUT OF THE GUTTER, SAKURA!”

 ***

Damian took one last glance at you over his shoulder. You seemed to be telling Sakura off about something. With a small smile and heavy heart, he put his earphones into his ears before stuffing his hands into his pockets. Ah, the things he does for love. He never wanted to admit it, but you intrigued him. Sure, he was only in your science class and he was your partner for an hour, but you were different. At least, you were to him. You actually had the courage to speak your mind and show people who’s boss, and you did it all without violence. If it were him, he would have punched the store clerk’s face in a second.

 Just as he turned the corner, he felt and arm over his shoulders. “Hey, Damian! It’s nice to see you again!”

 Taking one of his earphones out of his ear, he turned to respond, but kept walking. “TT, Grayson. What are you doing here?”

 “Ah, don’t be like that, Dami! I’m here for the Autumn Carnival like every year. Bludhaven holds one, too, but it’s nothing compared to Gotham’s. Maybe because Bruce is sponsoring it.” The man paused for a moment. “You are going, right? You didn’t go last year, and from what Bruce told me, you didn’t go 2 years ago, either.”

 “Father needs to stop telling people about me,” Damian huffed, looking away. “And to answer your question, Grayson, no, I would not be attending the carnival.”

 “Well, that’s too bad. It’s a good thing Bruce thought of something to get you to go.”

 The Arabian boy eyes his older brother wearily. “And that is?”

 “It’s either you go or you have to go to another one of Bruce’s balls. And…” Dick mimed a drum roll resulting in an eye roll from the younger boy. “I’ll tell him about (Y/N)…”

 Damian choked, trying his best to ignore the heat that rose up the back of his neck. “TT, what on earth are you talking about, Grayson?”

 “Oh, I’m sure you know what I’m talking about. (Y/N) (L/N). You’ve been crushing on her for months now.”

 “And how could you tell?” He challenged, “Do you have any evidence supporting your ridiculous claims?”

 “Well… you were at the pet store just now, correct? From what I heard of the conversation, you’re paying her vet bills.” A smirk made its way on Dick’s face.

 “You are not a clown, Grayson, you are entire circus.” With that, he put his earphone back in his ear, closing the conversation.

 When Damian arrived at the manor, Dick bombarded him with questions again. “So… when are you going to ask her out?”

 With an unamused eyebrow raise, Damian let out a huff. “Maybe you should annoy Drake. I heard he and Stephanie were going through some tough times.”

 “That is a lie and you know it!” A voice called out from the top of the stairs. “And who is Damian asking out?”

 With a pointed glare, the said boy took his leave, racing up the stairs and jumping over Tim’s sad attempt of trying to trip him. Muttering to himself, he slammed the door shut, flinching when his cat let out a yowl and jumped off his bed, scurrying away. Titus strolled up to his master, giving a pleading look. That meant either 2 things; he was either hungry or in need of pats. Damian guessed it was in need of pats.

 “Stupid Grayson,” Damian muttered as he scratched Titus from behind the ears. “Always meddling in other people’s business…” the black dog nodded its head as if to agree with his master’s comment. The boy smirked. “Even you could see it, right, Titus?”

 The canine let out a bark of agreement, lifting his head up for a moment. Damian smirked, patting Titus’s head fondly. “I suppose I should train now, shouldn’t I?” Another bark of agreement came from Titus. Rolling his eyes, the boy grabbed his suit before racing into the cave.

 ***

You let out a small yawn as you held your head on the palm of your hand, tapping your Maths textbook with the end of your pencil. It was late – too late, in your opinion, – and you were bored beyond your mind. You were doing some extra revision in your room while your parents went out for a ‘date night’. You were just about to call it a day when a shadow loomed over you.

 “What…” you spun around, only to see a figurine on top of a building. “Wait until Sakura hears this.”

 You rolled your eyes at the thought of your best friend fangirling about what you had just seen, when the figurine took out his grappling hook and left. You pushed your window open, shivering slightly when the cool night air hit your skin. The t-shirt and sweatpants weren’t doing any justice at the moment, and goosebumps prickled your skin. You leaned over slightly, your hair whipping around in the breeze. Hearing the flap of a cape, you looked up, only to be met with the white lenses of a domino mask.

 Letting out a yelp, you jumped backwards, tripping over your own feet. You saw Robin cringe at your fall, and you shot him a glare to silence him from laughing at you. “Stalker much?” You muttered to yourself, knowing full-well that he could hear you.

 “Who said I was stalking you?” Robin huffed, climbing into your room, much to your surprise.

 “Why the hell are you in my room?!” You demanded, scowling at him as you pushed yourself up from the floor. “Did Sakura put you up to this?”

 The masked vigilante feigned surprise. “Who is ‘Sakura’?”

 You shrugged, “a friend of mine. What are you doing here, anyway? Shouldn’t you be out wresting the hulk or something?”

 “Trying to get rid of me so easily?”

 “Considering the fact that you are inside my room without permission, yes, I do want to get rid of you.” You crossed your arms over your chest.

 “Fine, then. Have a good evening, (Y/N).” With that, he jumped out the window and grappled away.

 “Wait, how do you know my name?!” You yelled after him, only receiving a chuckle before silence. Yeah, Sakura was going to have a field day of fan-fiction when she hears this.                

 ***

 “ROBIN WAS IN YOUR ROOM?!” Sakura demanded, and you flinched at the cacophony she was creating.

 “Shh, not so loud!” You slapped a hand over her mouth, faking a smile when one of the juniors looked at you weirdly. “And, yes, he was in my room. But it was only for a second and by mistake.”

 “What do you mean, ‘by mistake’?! He climbed into your room.”

 You shot her an icy glare. “I fell. He was just helping me up.” You slammed your locker door shut, clutching your science books in your arms. You spun on your heel, making your way to the Science Lab, Sakura chasing after you.

 “No offence, (Y/N), but Robin has was better things to do other than help a girl up.”

 “Chivalry isn’t completely dead,” you hissed. “And even though this school is the definition of haughty, that does not mean people can’t be nice. Besides, if people weren’t nice, there wouldn’t be any Robin or Bat-guy, would there?”

 “You have a point,” Sakura nodded, “and it’s Batman.” She was quiet for a minute before her eyes lit up. “Are you going to the Autumn Carnival?”

 You shrugged, “sure. I think my parents already bought me tickets, so we can go together. They can’t come though, another shitty business trip.”

 “That’s 3 in the past month!”

 “I know. Anyway, I better head go into class. You know how Mrs Medaleve gets when we aren’t in class when she is.” You huffed before giving her a look. “Don’t say a thing about what happened last night to anyone.”

 “Alright, alright. Put in a good word to Jeremy for me!” She let out a sigh. “I caught him looking at me this morning. Do you think he likes me?”

 “Why wouldn’t he?” you challenged, “Now go to your French class!”

  “Bye!”

 With a short wave, Sakura raced down the hall to her French class on the other side of the school. You rolled your eyes, a smile gracing your features. You turned around to enter the classroom when you felt a person run into your back. You let out a yelp, falling forwards, your books dropping to the ground. “Ouchie…”

 “My apologies. Are you hurt?” A very familiar voice sounded from above you.

 “Oh, Damian. It’s not your fault, don’t worry,” you smiled, getting to your knees to pick up your books. “I’m okay, though. Thanks.”

 He nodded, picking up your biology textbooks and handing it to you. “I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation. You met Robin?”

 You sighed, “of course Sakura would be loud enough to let the world know. Anyway, to answer your question, yeah, I kinda talked to him last night. It was an accident, so no biggie.” You offered a smile, placing your books down on your desk.  

 Damian was quiet as he placed his belongings on the desk beside you. He finally opened his mouth to comment. “That’s a bit strange, don’t you think?”

 “Well, Sakura’s convinced that we’re soulmates and she’s gone off about way too many crazy things, so to tell the truth, that wasn’t the strangest thing that’s ever happened to me.” You shrugged. “But it was kind of weird. Maybe he just got bored on patrol.”

 “Maybe…”

 In reality, Damian was bored last night. He didn’t mean to talk to you last night, though, that’s for sure. He just so happened to be in the area and you caught his eye. Well, to be fair, every single time you were within a 10 metre radius of him, you always caught his eye.

 After the whole ordeal, Bruce had reprimanded him for leaving his perimeter, even though nothing really happened. For Gotham, it was a quiet night which was unknown to the established city.  

 Class ended on a boring note, and Mrs Medaleve had requested you to clean the classroom before leaving to lunch (it was really unfair to you because you always paid attention to her classes). Luckily for you, Damian stayed behind to keep you company and to help clean the mess your classmates made.

 “Thanks for staying behind, Damian,” you said once the classroom was clean.

 “Take it as an apology for running into you earlier today,” he told you as the two of you walked into the cafeteria. “If you could excuse me, I have soccer training to get to.”

 “Oh, sure thing. I’ll see you later, okay?” You smiled before walking deeper into the cafeteria, searching for a free table.

 “(Y/N) GUESS WHAT?!” A voice sounded behind you, and you jumped in the air.

 “Sakura, can you not scare me like that?” You huffed, “what happened?”

 “So, Jeremy waited for me for me to finish class just now and…” she mimed a drumroll, “he asked me out to the Autumn Carnival!”

 A grin stretched across your face. “Sakura, that’s great news!” You paused. “But what about my extra ticket?”

 Horror dropped on the girl’s face. “(Y/N), I forgot all about that! I’m so sorry! Maybe you can come hang out with me and Jeremy, and give the ticket to someone else…”

 “And ruin your first date with the guy you’ve been crushing on since freshman year? Saki, I can’t do that to you. I’ll be fine, you can go with Jeremy. I’ll find someone else to go to the carnival with, okay?”  

 “Thanks, (Y/N), you’re the best!” She wrapped her arms around you, smiling. “Come on, let’s have lunch with him and his friends. Maybe we could go on a double date.”

 You laughed but nodded. “We’ll see how today goes.”

 ***

 You came back to your home to find your parents out of the country. They had left a note on the kitchen counter explaining about what you’ll be having for lunch and dinner on the days they will be gone, as well as all the emergency numbers you can use in case of, well, an emergency.

 You threw yourself on your bed with a groan. You were way too tired to deal with all this stuff. You probably won’t be going to the Autumn Carnival, either. As much as you wanted to go and check out the festivities, you really didn’t want to go by yourself. You sighed. At least tomorrow was a weekend. Then you could wallow self-pity for as long as you would like.

 Morning came far too quickly for your liking, and you decided to take a walk. Maybe that would help let off some steam. You quickly changed your clothes and stepped outside, taking a walk to the park a few blocks down. After an hour of steady-paced walking, you took a seat on one of the park benches.

 “Oh, (Y/N)! It’s a surprise to see you here!” A masculine voice said from beside you. A man with black hair and crystal blue eyes was sitting to your left, a bright smile on his face. “Wonderful morning, wouldn’t you think?”

 “I’m sorry, do I know you?”

 He was just about to respond when a very angry person yelled out, “GRAYSON, WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU’RE DOING?!”

 ‘Grayson’ let out a giggle and you saw Damian come into view, absolutely fuming. You frowned. “Damian?”

 “Oh, (Y/N), I would like to apologise on behalf of my idiot brother.” He pulled his older brother up by his shirt, glaring daggers into his head.

 “It’s alright,” you smiled. “I was getting lonely, anyway.”

 “Where’s Sakura?”

 “Hanging out with her boyfriend, probably,” you shrugged. “By the way, are you going to the Autumn Carnival?”

 “Damian here is a party pooper,” Grayson piped up. “He hates carnivals.”

 You deflated slightly. “Well, that’s too bad. I had an extra ticket if you wanted it.” You hummed, getting up from your seat. “I’ll see you guys around.” You waved goodbye and turned to leave when you heard someone call your name. “Damian?”

 “I’ll pick you up at 10.” Was all he said, looking away from you. He tried his best to ignore the heat rising up on his cheeks.

 “I’ll see you then!”

 As soon as you left, Dick smirked at his youngest brother. “Ooh, la la, Damian has a date.” He grinned, nudging him on the arm. “Aw, look, he’s blushing!”

 “Shut up, Grayson.”

 “Don’t be like that, Dami! I’ll get you ready for your date with (Y/N), okay? Relax; just leave everything to big brother Dickie!”

 Damian groaned. “My dream come true…”

 ***

The following Saturday, you were sitting on your couch. It was half-past 9, so you weren’t fussed about waiting. After all, it was you who was early and not him who was late. You decided to wear a pretty basic outfit that consisted of a grey coat that went mid-thigh, a Batman t-shirt, blue ripped jeans, black lace-up boots and a baby pink beanie. Because, well, why not? You were pretty calm while you were getting ready and had a decent breakfast. At Wayne Manor, on the other hand? Not so much.

  “Damian, come on, I told you that you would look good in the blue!” Dick whined, shoving the shirt in his face.

 “And I told you that I am perfectly happy looking the way I am,” Damian deadpanned, crossing his arms over his chest.

 The two men were going on about outfits since 6 in the morning while Jason did his best to not decapitate both of them for not giving him his beauty sleep. Damian grit his teeth in agitation as his older brother tried his best to ‘help’ him with his outfit. Not that the younger boy needed it. He got his impeccable sense of style from his father. I mean, who else would think of putting an extra Batarang in their suit? Only Batman himself.

 “Grayson,” Damian began slowly, “I know what I’m doing. I’m not a child. And I think I look fine in what I’m wearing, for your information.”

 In all honesty, Damian did look good in his outfit. It was a casual red and black plaid collared shirt with black jeans. His hair was gelled back in its usual style, and instead of his usual dress shoes, he went with a pair of casual converse.

 “Dammit, Dick, just let him go to his stupid date already…” Jason groaned from the other side of the wall. “He probably looks like a piece of shit like always.”

 “Shut up, Todd,” Damian growled. He plucked his leather jacket off the back of his chair and powerwalked to the kitchen. Down a flight of stairs, turn left… Grabbing a pop tart from the pantry he swiftly tore his car keys off their hook and basically leapt into his car. He had 20, maximum 22 minutes to get to your house. Then it’s rush, rush, rush to get to the carnival to avoid unneeded traffic.

 Being careful not to go over the speed limit, Damian pulled up in front of your house, doing his best to calm his nerves. The game plan was simple; ring your doorbell, walk back to the car without tripping on his feet, open the car door for you and attempt small talk. Not that hard… right? After all, Dick, Tim and Jason do it all the time with their significant others…

 With 30 seconds to spare, Damian rang your doorbell. The door opened almost instantly, leaving Damian with zero prep time. ‘Stick to the game plan, stick to the game plan…’

 “Hi, Damian!” You chirped, a bright smile on your face.

‘Shit, she’s cute…’ “Good morning, (Y/N),” Damian nodded at you. ‘Dammit, Wayne, smile for goodness sake!’

 “Good morning to you, too!” You followed Damian to his car (a very expensive looking car, mind you). Like a gentleman, the young Wayne opened up the passenger side door, allowing you to step inside. With the nerves almost getting to you, you did your best not to trip while sitting down (that’s possible, by the way). “Thanks, Dami.”

 You bit your lip through most of the car ride, trying to calm yourself down. The awkward tension was in the air and you tried your best to wrack your brains for a conversation topic. Unfortunately for you, your brain decided to die last minute without letting you know.

 From the driver’s seat, Damian cleared his throat. “Have you been to the Carnival before?”

 “I went last year with Sakura while my parents were on another business trip.” You shrugged. “How about you? I’m guessing from what your brother said, you didn’t go last time?”

 He nodded stiffly, his emerald green eyes still trained on the road. “I wasn’t one for loud places.”

 “Well then, thank you for accompanying me today. It really means a lot to me.” You leaned back in the seat. “People are always really busy… Sakura has a boyfriend now and had to bail on me last second. Both my parents are on another business trip and I guess- sorry, I shouldn’t be rambling to you!” You flushed, looking away.

 “It’s fine, I don’t mind. Is there a particular music genre you listen to?”

 “It depends on how I’m feeling,” you admitted. “Sometimes I listen to classical. I usually listen to soft pop, if you get what I mean,” you shrugged. “I’ll listen to anything as long as it isn’t overly loud.”

 Damian hummed in thought. “I think it’s one of those things you just get used to. My other brother, Jason, plays rock music on blast all day.”

 “It must be fun having all those brothers,” you said, looking out the window.

 “Sometimes,” Damian admitted. “They can be nice when they want to be.”

 ***

 Apparently, now was not one of those times. The night before Damian left to pick you up, Tim, Jason, and Dick had devised a plan to see everything that was happening. Tim, being the technology geek he is, strategically placed a hidden camera inside of Damian’s car, making sure it was properly hidden. Dick and Jason would be at the carnival; Dick wearing a full-body bear costume while Jason dressed up as a clown. They were both entirely unrecognisable. Hopefully.

 “You guys know the plan?” Tim asked through the microphone.

 Jason and Dick nodded, “absolutely.”

 The two men were situated in the middle of the carnival area, around a large fountain. They were getting their carts read that was filled with popcorn and ice-cream .

 “Let’s hope Demon Brat is too busy talking to his girlfriend to notice us,” Jason muttered through his intercom, holding onto the multitude of balloons.

 “I doubt it,” Dick said honestly, rolling his eyes from underneath the bear mask. “He’s too observant for his own good. Timmy, how’s it going in the car?”

 “They are… making a poor excuse of small talk,” Tim admitted. He could practically hear his older brothers sweat-drop. “Gah, they’re so in love it hurts.”

 “What, what are they saying?” The eldest brother asked excitedly.

 “They’re talking about… ice-cream.”

 “… ice-cream?” Jason repeated.

 “Yep… they both like boysenberry, though!”

 “This hurts more than the time Joker killed me.”

 ***

 You and Damian arrived at the Carnival, 10 minutes earlier than their opening time. Thanks to Damian being Bruce’s son, the two of you were allowed an early-bird entry, meaning you could play a few games without having to wait in a queue. Unfortunately, some of the games weren’t read yet, so you had to settle with the generic ones like darts. There was one particular game that you wanted to beat…

 “You are aware this is rigged, right?” Damian asked as you passed the man a 5 dollar note.

 You shrugged, taking the bucket of rings. “It’s still fun! Frustrating, I suppose, but fun.” You did your best to aim before launching the red ring at the glass bottle. With a clink, it fell to the side. “Aw, man.”

 Damian rolled his eyes, watching you miss time and time again. With only five more rings in the bucket, you needed to get at least four of them in to win the big prize; the big teddy bear with a red bow around its neck. You threw the ring at one of the glass bottles and… missed. Again. And you kept on missing until all the rings were gone.

 You grunted in frustration. “Dammit.” You shrugged, turning around to smile at Damian. “Oh well, there’s always next time. Come on, let’s go to another stall!”

 The green eyes boy paused. “Didn’t you want the bear?”

 “You were right, this game is rigged.” Your shoulders slumped. “It would’ve been great to get the prize, but… I don’t think anyone wins it.”

 That sounded like a challenge. “One bucket of rings, please,” Damian said finally, passing the man a 50 dollar note, “keep the change.”

 You raised an eyebrow but said nothing. Damian narrowed his eyes in concentration, gripping the ring in his right hand. With a flick of the wrist, the ring was shot right at a bottle. With a clatter, it landed right around the neck of the bottle.

 You grinned, “you’re good.”

 “Thank you,” Damian said curtly. In the span of 10 seconds, he had achieved to get four more rings around four bottles. “I believe that is the big bear, sir.”

 The man gaped at the young Wayne but said nothing. Taking the bear off its hook, he handed the bear to the young adult who smirked at you with triumph. You giggled but said nothing until Damian extended his arms to you, still holding onto the oversized bear.

 “I believe this is for you.”

 A small blush dusted your cheeks and you grinned. “Thank you.”

 “My pleasure. Now,” he stood up straighter. “Is there anything else you would like to do?”

 With a twinkle in your eye, you looked up at him. “Photobooth?”

 His smirk turned into a mischievous grin. “Absolutely.”

 ***

“Mayday, mayday, they just entered the photo booth!” Dick exclaimed.

 “Why is that so bad?” Jason asked, rolling his eyes.

 “That, my dear brother, is where couples go to do the do!”

 “That’s crazy,” Tim muttered, “They’re probably just taking a few pictures, what’s the big deal?”

 “The big deal,” Dick began, “is the fact that they are in there making memories! And not the photo kind!”

 Jason scoffed, crossing his arms over his chest. “You are the biggest idiot I have ever met. Look, they’re coming out now, giggling over some stupid photo they took.”

 The two met watched as you tucked the photo in your coat pocket before taking Damian’s arm and walking. Wait… the two of you were walking straight to where Dick and Jason were.

 “Oh no. Oh no, no, no, no, no!” Jason panicked. “WHY DID I AGREE TO THIS STUPID PLAN?!”

 “Shut up, you idiot!” Dick hissed, nudging his chest.

 From the other side of the fountain, the two men heard you speak. “Hey, Dami, do you wanna get something to eat?”

 “I believe there was a popcorn stand around here. At least, according to the brochure there is.”

 “Oh, they’re on the other side! Come on, Damian! We could get ice-cream as well!”

 The two of you walked around the fountain and looked the clown in the eye. Of course, neither of you knew that he was actually Jason Todd in disguise. You smiled cheerfully, “Hello! Can we get 2 medium-sized popcorns and 2 boysenberry ice-creams?”

 The clown nodded and took what you requested, all the while Dick watching you carefully. “That’ll be 12 dollars.”

 You fished into your purse to take out your card, but Damian beat you to it. “I’ll pay.”

 You looked up at him, raising an eyebrow. “Are you sure?”

 “If I wasn’t, I wouldn’t have offered.” He said, taking back his card from the clown. He was quiet before eying the clown sceptically. “You sound familiar… have we met before?”

 “What? No, no, no, I would have remembered if we had, ho, ho!” Jason chuckled nervously.

 Dick kicked his shin, “you’re a clown, not Santa Claus.”

 Damian blinked, before shrugging. “Come on, (Y/N), why don’t we eat at those benches?”

 “Sure. Have a nice day!” You waved at the clown and the bear before following Damian.

 As you walked beside him, you couldn’t help but feel slightly uneasy. “Is it just me, or did it seem like they knew us?”

 “You felt it too?” he smirked, lowering his voice. “They’re my brothers.”

 Your eyes widened, “Seriously? I bet they were following us. Wait… aren’t most of your brothers adults?”

 “Even though they don’t act like it, they are all adults,” he confirmed, “Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, and Tim Drake.”

 You nodded before smirking up at him. “Why don’t we play their game?”

 He raised an eyebrow but seemed intrigued. “Go on…”

 ***

Jason and Dick let out the breaths that they were holding, watching you with their youngest brother. Jason huffed, grumbling as he bounced the balloons up and down in his hand. “Damn, I can’t believe Demon-brat found a girlfriend before me. Gah! Can’t we just go home, Dick?”

 The older man scoffed, rolling his eyes. “I have it worse than you, remember? I’m burning in this suit. Get ready for deep-fried Dick.”

 Jason grimaced, shuddering. “Never say that again.”

 “Please don’t,” Tim said through the intercom. “They left the vicinity, correct?”

 “I saw them heading into the haunted house,” Dick said thoughtfully. “Do you think he’s using the rollercoaster effect?”

 “That only works if there are no feelings to begin with,” Jason grumbled with a roll of his eyes.

 “Yeah, and neither of them are scared,” Tim said, indignation in his voice. “Seriously, they’re just making fun of the dumb costumes.”

 Before Jason or Dick could respond, Tim let out a shriek. “HOLY GUACAMOLE, I THINK DEMON GOT HIS FIRST KISS!”

 “WHAT?!”

 ***

“Did you think they bought it?” You whispered, pulling the huge teddy bear away from Damian’s face.

 The Wayne boy blew some fluff from his face before nodding. “Good thing we’re in a dark room,” he murmured back. “Tim’s watching through the security cameras. I connected their intercoms to my phone. I know exactly what they’re saying.”

 You raised your eyebrows in surprise before a sly grin was plastered to your face. “Let’s hear it then.”

 Walking out of the haunted house, Damian handed you an AirPod and you both listened to the 3 grown men. Before long, both of you burst into fits of laughter as you listened to the immature grown men talk about the most hilarious topics.

 “They must really care about you,” you said, a gentle smile on your face. “Either that, or they’re really annoying.”

 “It’s always the latter,” Damian rolled his eyes, wrapping an arm around your shoulders. Leading you to a bench nearby, he quickly changed the topic. “How is the robin you rescued?”

 You shrug slightly, “I’m checking tomorrow afternoon. They sent him to the local zoo for rehabilitation. Do you want to come?”

 ***

You met Damian at exactly 1 o’clock the following day. Right outside of the aviary in Gotham Zoo, it was a strangely warm day for an October afternoon, so you were shifting your weight from 1 foot to the other in anticipation. Of course, the aviary was going to be no better; a lot of the birds they were boarding were from tropical climates. According to the vet and the staff in the zoo, everything was fine and the robin you rescued will be free within a week or 2. Meanwhile, Damian agreed (much to your disdain) that he would pay for the boarding and the hospitalization of the little bird.

 You thanked him graciously for the rest of the day, vowing that you would pay him back as soon as you could. It seemed as though you were annoying him as you saw his eyebrow twitch upon multiple occasions. In some ways, Damian found your apologies tiresome and unnecessary. His father was a billionaire; he could board a million of those birds if he wanted to. On the other hand, he found it sweet; you truly weren’t like the other girls he met. Unlike them, you had an appreciation for the money you earned and you didn’t find wasting money to be a small matter.

 When you thanked 43rd time you thanked him (yes, he was counting), Damian snapped. “You can thank me by being my girlfriend.”

 He didn’t think when he said those words. You didn’t think when you responded to his words. “Okay.”

 ***

Nevertheless, it was smooth sailing from there. Within a few weeks you found out he was Robin, and you couldn’t help but laugh at the irony from the whole ordeal. Thus, you explained to him exactly what Sakura was telling you a matter of months ago, and he couldn’t help but smile with you.

 So here you were, lying beside the youngest Wayne, his arm wrapped loosely around your torso. Within moments his eyes blinked open, revealing his bright green eyes against his sun-kissed skin. You smile at him, to which he responded the gesture.

 “What are you thinking about?”

 His voice was rough from the drowsiness and you felt a heat rush up to your cheeks. “Us,” you said, snuggling closer to him, “I’m thinking about us.”

 **End**

If you like my work, please leave a heart and reblog!

[recurring-polynya]

This is very random but I love the cast of random side characters that you made up (like Seike and Ohno) -- so much so that i am sometimes surprised when they dont actually appear in Bleach?? Anyway love that kind of consistency...would love to see it in my own writing someday skjfjsjsj

Ah, thank you so much! You are a great writer, and this is a very achievable goal!

Ha ha, believe it or not, Seike is actually canon?? I am pretty sure his name only appears in We Do (Knot) Always Love You, but I have always assumed it’s this guy:

Anyway, here are some tips for creating side characters! It’s way easier than you think!

I hate making up characters. I hate it. Much the way all great programmers are very lazy and therefore work to minimize the work they have to do over their entire lifetime, I work very hard to never have to make up anything about my characters.

Here’s a tip for names: I am not Japanese and coming up with Japanese names is hard for me and makes me nervous. If I am naming an important character, I will go to the trouble of giving them a meaningful name and working out the kanji, etc etc (by which I mean I go drop hours of my time into https://japanese-names.info/). If they are a side character, I will look up the Wikipedia article on “Japanese entomologists” or “Japanese Olympic figureskaters” and pick one surname and one given name that have the right “ring” to them. I will usually do a quick Google to make sure that name isn’t the name of an important character in some other anime/video game I wasn’t aware of. Bam. Done.

You can also cheat by naming everyone in Squad 6 Kuchiki, Ohno, or Gotou because they are all Byakuya’s relatives, or having there be six guys named Maki in Squad 11 (there are already semi-canonically 2). If you make a joke about it, everything thinks you’re a very funny person instead of just incredibly lazy.

I keep a spreadsheet. Every time I make up a detail about a character, I try to log it so I don’t have to look it up later. Here’s what the Squad 6 tab looks like:

Be minimalist. The less you make up, the less you have to remember later. Every time you bring in a character, say to yourself, what are they here for? You really don’t need to go much further than that. Ohno and Choei got introduced in one of my first fanfics, because a) I needed some exposition, and b) I wanted to show how Renji interacted with his squad. What I wanted to convey was that most of Squad 6 is lazy snobs who enjoy the benefits of nepotism and Renji’s presence is really cramping their deal: hence, Ohno. However, Renji is very likable, and I also wanted a contradicting voice that thought Renji was cool and fun and livened things up: hence Choei. I made them the 3rd and 4th seats because he would work with them a lot, and I would be able to reuse them. Ohno should be kinda important, so I made him the heir to the largest Kuchiki branch family, which explains why he’s snooty, but also always angling for Byakuya’s approval. Choei’s basic characteristic is his chill bro-ness and lack of ambition, so I made him an extraneous fifth son. He’s on the futsal team, because that gave him additional reason to like Renji. He’s openly gay because gay people are cool and I felt like it. That’s it. Two characters that I have gotten incredible mileage out of. Every story or so, I add another detail if it makes sense to. Ohno is, surprisingly, fond of dogs. Choei’s zanpakutou is a warhammer. Ohno’s dad is a huge bitch, which explains a lot about him without me having to explain anything.

My OC’s are primarily there for my protagonists to bounce off of! Like Plato’s shadows in the cave, they really, really, do not need to have a richer inner life than what our protags see of them.

One of my characterizations of Renji is that he’s very personable and knows everyone. When I’m doing his POVs, I name almost any character he comes across, and often include a fact about them. Conversely, when I’m writing Byakuya, who doesn’t notice people who are beneath him, I will frequently not use names, even on people whose names he should really know, like referring to Kira as “that dour fellow from 3.″ It’s also really interesting, particularly in the case of Squad 6, to examine the way Byakuya interacts with his underlings vs. the way Renji does.

One of the things having bit characters does is to make your world feel bigger. A related thing you can do is to casually namedrop places-- invent a name for the restaurant your characters like to go to, or refer to different parts of your setting like you are describing them to someone who lives there (”up near the art musuem” or “that noodle place north of the Eleventh”). When I write about the Seireitei, I am always thinking about my Local Large City, and how I would describe where things are.

Reuse bit-part canon characters interchangeably with your own! This works very well in confusing your audience as to who you made up and who is canon! As I mentioned, Seike is actually canon, although we don’t know much about him. Ichigo’s lesser-known classmates, like Ryo and Michiru are similar. I tend to think of characters in tiers: in my stories, the protagonists are Renji, Rukia, and to a slightly lesser degree, Byakuya, so that’s my A-tier. The B-tier are the other Bleach characters they interact with the most-- Izuru, Momo, Shuuhei, Ikkaku, Yumichika, Hitsugaya, Ukitake, etc. The C-tier are characters that are of lesser importance in the canon story, but I like them, or they are relevant to the story, so I use them, like Hanataro, Akon, Rikichi, Kiyone and Sentaro, etc. There are also the characters that are important canonically, but just aren’t as important to my stories-- Soi Fon, Kyouraku, etc. Then, there’s the D-tier, which should contain both throwaway canon characters, like, Seike, and your made up cast. If you can keep them at the same level, you’re doing the right thing! If you use any character enough, they can move up a tier! There’s also an E-tier for characters that are just a name and some minor details. It’s good and okay to have these, too! You can think about this in terms of tags, as well: your primary audience is clicking on your story for your A-tier characters, and many people may be clicking on it because they are thirsty for content of your B-tier characters, so try to scale their roles according. You’re trying to make the C-tier characters happen, and your audience is just gonna have to deal with it, so it’s your job to convince people that they are Good, Actually. D-characters are there for flavoring, and I guess if you can make people like them, that says something about you (me, I guess?) as a writer.

When I wrote Between Tides, I cut my protagonists off from their main cast so I *had* to introduce some OCs at the B/C-tier and I hated it and rolled around on the floor wailing about it for 3 months. I have gotten so many compliments on Rukia’s intense, overbearing boss, Sunadori, and Renji’s no-nonsense cooking mentor/witch friend, Mrs. Kuwashima. I have no explanation, except maybe all the anguishing did something. I think I invented them more by feel than anything else-- Sunadori’s role was to get Rukia used to the idea of being a vice-captain, and Mrs. Kuwashima’s role was to let Renji be someone’s soft son for a bit. This is more important than any particular bit of backstory. Mrs. Kuwashima didn’t even have much of a backstory, now that I think about it, and the only reason Sunadori had one is because it tied into the plot.

Also, I am a dialogue-ist, and I let my characters establish themselves through their own voices, rather than trying to enforce personalities from above.

Ha ha, I think that’s long enough. Thank you for this opportunity to bloviate about my own writing. The upshot is, worldbuilding is not just magic systems and fantasy governments, it’s also deciding that the lady who goalkeeps the Squad 6 futsal team is also Byakuya’s cousin who once pushed him in the mud as a child.

[real-jaune-isms]

RWBY Volume 8 Chapter 4 Review/Remix

A pretty good episode this time, and only 30% pain and despair so things are looking up! But when it goes mean it goes real strong with the mean. Lots to think about here, and boy oh boy do I wonder what we’ll see next week!

For a nice touch of levity, we open on Robyn telling a funny story about a time Joanna lost a fight to try and pass the time. Maybe she’s trying to cheer Qrow up too, but as someone who gets very bored at work pretty often I get the appeal of talking just to keep sane. She sees Qrow is too lost in his brooding about Clover’s pin to listen to the story, and Jacques is too busy fussing over a fly buzzing around his head (the Pence jokes write themselves). Tough crowd indeed, though her joke about Ironwood needing to pay for cell block entertainment does get a smile and a chuckle from the sad old bird. She takes this chance to apologize, possibly again and we’re just seeing this conversation now, for what happened with Clover. Many would argue it is really her fault for getting trigger happy back in the airship when Qrow was the one under arrest, but that’s an argument not worth having because the blame soup was being stirred by way too many cooks to make a clear verdict. Qrow, however, blames himself for deciding to team up with Tyrian, which was certainly a bad move. It was a heat of the moment thing, and he makes it clear he really would have preferred working with Clover to re-detain Tyrian again, but Clover just wouldn’t let up on his arrest orders. The real pain though, he admits, is that he had really started to let his guard down around this guy and thought her could actually make a partnership work again without his Semblance tossing 1,000 monkey wrenches into the mix. Feels like a fairy tale dream, vanishing like a rose petal on the wind, like every other friend. I of course added the part about rose petals, because you know he meant Summer and the unity of STRQ she probably represents in his mind. Robyn knows a thing or two about having a Semblance that impairs your relationships. Not many people like being around someone they can’t keep anything private from, and she can call out and mistruthing with a touch of the hand. Qrow has to admit he hadn’t considered someone else having that kind of personal trouble like he does, but their conversation is ended by Harriet coming in to toss Watts back in his cell. She’s pissy at Qrow and says he shouldn’t have Clover’s pin, but he retorts he has no reason not to have it since he’s not Clover’s killer. She still has a hard time believing that since Harbinger was the murder weapon, but Robyn finally raises a very good point. Miss Hill is a literal walking polygraph and all they would need to do to prove Qrow’s innocence is let her out of her cell and take her hand. But they won’t do that because they don’t want to prove what’s really true here, they want to cling to a convenient story so they don’t have to admit what really happened. Cuz if they put those glasses back on and face the facts, that means reevaluating what side their on if Clover died because he refused to help detain a serial killer before arresting a former colleague and that’s the real problem. Hare had already threatened that if she was gonna open the cell she wouldn’t use her hands for a friendly shake, and the dig at her allegiances and her ignorance towards Ironwood’s sins almost riles her up to the point of taking Robyn’s bait. But Marrow calls her back down to sensibility and she leaves in a huff. Robyn lays back and sighs at how there was almost something exciting happening.

Cutting to an actually exciting scene, Yang Jaune and Ren are outside the city chasing the Hound through a mountainous canyon on their bikes. It can fly while they have to navigate the rocks, and their bikes aren’t handling the cold terribly well. Yang laments that none of them can fly, but that inspires Jaune to pull out his shield and get closer to Ren. He’s gonna get his teammate up there, and Ren immediately understands how. Leaping off his bike and onto Jaune’s shield, he’s launched through the air by the burst of Gravity Dust in the crest and uses his grapple line blade to wrap around the Hound’s leg... and get dragged through the air like Curious George at the end of a bunch of balloons. Still, he’s weighing it down some and can climb up the line to get in close... when he’s not getting swung around against the cliffside. To further slow it down, he shoots his other line around a big rock that gets dragged behind them for about 5 seconds before the Hound flies higher up and the line comes loose. Ren gets knocked around even more while Yang finds an inclined path that gives her enough height to start shooting at the Grimm. It handles this fairly well, by dropping Oscar from its mouth into its hands and flying ahead of her with a loud roar. Apparently one of its Grimm for all Seasons abilities is to call for backup, because dozens of Centinels suddenly burrow up out of the rocks and ground around them and several Teryx swoop in above. Navigating becomes that much more difficult for the blondes, especially when one Centinel spits acid and hits the thruster of Jaune’s bike. He thinks fast and leaps off his bike to launch off another Grimm in front of him and flip onto a rocky overpass where he almost loses his balance and falls back down. Luckily Yang instead zooms by and pulls him onto her bike where they continue their pursuit. She does a great job of bobbing and weaving around the insects, but a Teryx lands in their path. Jaune tosses his shield grenade in front of a large rock and they drive onto it to tilt it into a ramp, launching over the avian foe into a spin between two more big bugs. They bump on a rock, but the Grimm cannot touch them with Yang’s driving. Unfortunately, they have a far more dangerous problem: They’re heading towards the edge of a massive cliff. Yang tries to make a quick turn but instead flips the bike over and launches both of them off to go tumbling off the precipice. Jaune tries to plant his sword in the ground as an anchor, but he doesn’t keep hold of it with their momentum and they both fall with a very believable scream. Big props to Miles and Barbara for this and the dramatic performances soon to come. Ren comes swooping in for a massive save and grapples Jaune’s sword with one weapon and the poor guy’s leg with the other. Jaune grabbed Yang by the hand so she’s fine too, but an incoming Teryx might soon negate it all. Luckily, Ren instead negates all their emotions with his Semblance and the Teryx passes them by. Less lucky, Ren being here means he’s not hanging from the Hound. He let it get away with Oscar to save his friends, and you know he’s kicking himself for it.

Shifting scenes from that tense gloom, we see Weiss decided the safest place to take Nora for the time being is her own damn mansion. Whitley answers the door and is about to try and berate Weiss for this but she is having none of it. She holds him at swordpoint and insists that they are coming inside. Whitley is very against the idea of harboring fugitives after the hit the Schnee family’s reputation has taken in the wake of its patriarch’s arrest for war crimes, and Blake is quite frustrated that this is what he chooses to complain about. The staff is all gone, Willow has retreated to her room and assumable to the bottle, you gotta admit Whitley probably feels more alone now than ever and is... coping in less than ideal ways. Weiss still seemingly carries a chip on her shoulder of wanting to prove that she is doing something actually important and she made the right move by leaving home to be a Huntress, so she insists that Whitley has no right to nag them because they are saving the Kingdom here. At least, that’s what my 2 semesters of psychology classes would tell me. Ruby plays intermediary between the Schneeblings and lays down their very minimal terms. Let them stay here a little while so Nora can rest and recover, and then they will leave him to his sulking and riches. Whitley begrudgingly accepts and asks what he has to do, and Weiss seems to relish this chance to tell him to go to his room. Finally flexing her big sister authority without Papa around to veto her in favor of his adoring son. But like Willow said last Volume, Whitley has been stuck in this house just like Weiss and Winter, and they could certainly try to treat him with a bit more fairness and sympathy. I’m sure it hurt him a little inside to have yet another authority figure bossing him around without a care for his desires. Still, he’s not giving much reason to make us sympathize so I say wait a little bit to see if he’s got any softer moments to come. Weiss directs May on where to carry Nora, and Blake checks on Ruby while they have this quieter moment. Possibly because she wants the chance to talk to her too, Blake suggests Ruby should try calling Yang to make sure things are okay, both between the sisters and in general. But that’s just it. She did it 35 minutes ago. Okay not really, but I wanted to toss a Watchmen joke in. Still, as much as Ruby worries how that half of the team is doing, she’s already trying to call them and it’s not going through.

We fade back to our three battered teens as Yang collects what scattered pieces she can from her bike, the only one they still have. But like I said, it crashed into a rock after they tumbled off and it’s in no condition to run anymore. So Jaune is trying to call for help and transport back to Mantle, but either Ironwood shut down all communication in the lower districts or they’re just so far out in the tundra that a signal just won’t reach. The latter would make sense, and explain why Ruby couldn’t reach Yang. Giving up on the call, the three instead trudge through the snow in the light of the setting sun back more or less the way they came. Jaune is dragging the bike along while Ren leads the way to an outpost he saw while getting dragged by the Hound. Yang notes how low their auras have been drained due to protecting them from the cold this long, and like a kid on a car trip asks how much longer it will be. Ren has no immediate answer so she asks again and he gives a snippy “I don’t know”. She can tell there’s something more bugging him and tries to coax it out of him after sensing the hostility in his explanation that he only got a glimpse of their intended destination before he had to abandon Oscar in favor of saving them. He refuses to discuss his deeper feelings because he thinks it’ll just waste time. This riles Yang up and she demands to know what his deal is, to which he insists she not worry about it. The argument keeps escalating from there. Things aren’t going smoothly enough for Ren? No, they’re not going smoothly at all, but boohoo Ren, that’s part of the job as a Huntsman. He doesn’t think it’s a job they should have at all, they weren’t ready for it or to make the incredibly damming decisions they’ve had to since taking that position. Sure, they had a few lucky breaks and near miss successes, but then they entered this losing streak that they can’t seem to recover from because the losses are too drastic and every choice they’ve made has been the wrong one. Yang refuses to accept such pessimism and insists that even if they haven’t done everything perfectly they still had to do something because inaction would have made things worse. But how could they be worse than they are now, Ren demands to know as they freeze to death out here. Salem has the Lamp and Oscar, and they have nothing but the cold winds. They may not have an army but they have the Maiden, Yang tries to counter, but because they haven’t let her to open the vault for Ironwood all of Atlas is just a buffet waiting to be chowed down on and it will all be their fault when that happens. Yang rightfully asks him if he seriously thinks letting Ironwood try and float Atlas away to safety will work out for him or for the people of Mantle he’s abandoning, but he argues that they shouldn’t even be the ones asked to make that call. He’s trying to spit the hard truths no one else wanted to face, but this is way too harsh and mean, especially for Ren. What are these hard truths, you ask? That Ruby is still too young to be a leader, that he himself is an orphan from a town that doesn’t exist anymore (which I guess shows how unimportant he is for someone thrust into this decision making role), and that Jaune, who by the way has been trying in vain to get the two to cut the shit and quiet down this whole time, cheated his way into Beacon. A damn low blow there, bro. Bringing back the deep wound from Volume 1. And you can tell he regrets it immediately, but to say that would mean backing down from his point. Jaune doesn’t even address the personal callout and just says alright, you don’t think we should have the job, good for you. I’m still gonna keep walking and get out of the cold because like it or not we were given a goddamn job to do. Maybe not in those words, but the meaning was there. Ren and Yang silently let him take the lead, probably feeling the hot wash of shame distracting them from the arctic chill. Yang still takes one last dig at Ren though by asking if it’s his goal to push everyone away, implying he’s being an asshole and not even Nora is sticking by him. Well... in so many words anyway.

We get another change of scenery with a dramatic violin stroke like something out of a murder mystery movie. Oscar is regaining consciousness, and he hears Ozpin try to reassure him to stay calm and that it’s gonna be okay. When he looks up, however, he sees Salem leaning in a shadowy doorframe staring at a smoky apparition in her hand and welcoming back her long lost Ozma. Judging by the childlike laughter and general shape of her smoke display, I think she was manifesting a memory of her and Oz’s dead daughters to try and reminisce about the days when they were still lovers. Oscar realizes he’s being held in the air from the Hound’s mouth and tries to struggle free as Salem notes how young and weak this new vessel is. She’s not even acknowledging Oscar, just talking through him to Ozma. It’s been what may have truly been centuries or even a millennium since they’ve last met, and dear Oz has nothing to say to his wife? Oscar does his best Ozpin impression to try and fake it till he makes it, but Salem knows her man better than anyone and sees through it to grab him by the face and call his bluff. But he really is still a separate person from Oz, so maybe he can be more cooperative to her requests than that old wizard. She still wants to know where the Relic of Choice is, since Oz clearly must have used an extra layer of deception to hide it opposed to the others, and she wants Oscar to reveal the trick. But that’s not a memory he has access to, and he tells her plainly that he doesn’t know. She believes him, knows Oz would hold that one close to the chest longest of all, so she asks an easier question. How does she go about asking the Lamp questions? She gets the standard coverup answer, the Lamp is out of questions so it’s futile to even try, but she refuses to believe that one. Instead she blasts the poor kid with an evil magic rainbow laser and lets him scream himself hoarse for a bit. His chest has scorch marks, or at least his clothes do, and he fearfully tries to pull away from her “loving” touch. Lying so easily about these things, he truly was reincarnated into a like-minded soul... but sooner or later one of the two in this battered body will break and Salem will learn what she wishes to know. He tries to insist he won’t tell her anything, but that’s why she has backup. Hazel comes in to literally gut punch this 14 year old until he coughs up his guts or the truth, whichever comes first. And he justifies it all by saying this is revenge for his defeat at Haven and from the still unforgiven death of his sister.

Salem doesn’t stay to watch the savage beating, instead walking the halls of Monstra with her lovely new pet. Cinder has been waiting in this hallway for a chance to speak with her Mistress, but is distracted by her immediate discomfort in the face of the Hound. Salem claims it is an experiment that she is quite happy with the results of thus far, and wants Cinder to get on with whatever point she had so she can get out of the way. Cinder wants to search for Penny, she thinks she can make up for the past blunder and claim the Winter powers for herself. But Salem just laughs at this. “She thinks, she wants!” It’s like hearing a cockroach tell you about its hopes and dreams. Mommy Salami does not give a fuck what Cinder wants to do, she has done nothing to earn Salem caring about that. Cinder, to her credit, does not take this dismissal lying down and tries to argue that they are doing nothing to further their plans when Cinder could be achieving a great victory for her Mistress by securing their way into the Atlas vault. Salem does not slow her pace, and says when it is time to act she will tell Miss Fall what she needs her to do. Cinder tries to argue, and is met by the snarling maw of the Hound turning on its heels to send her shrinking back. Salem has been pretty damn patient with this bratty girl, but she will not repeat herself again. You are not going the the ball, Cinderella, you are staying here and doing what your godmother tells you to because if you don’t you will learn just how easily you can be replaced and forgotten. Cinder gives up her case and assumes the position of submission, which is to say taking a knee and repeating her self-depreciating mantra that without Salem she is nothing. This satisfies Salem and she walks away with her dog in tow, leaving Neo to glare at Cinder as if wondering who is really the domesticated little pet in this place. 

Cut to Cinder immediately rebelling against her given orders and heading for the airship insisting she just wants to go check on something and then they’ll come right back before anyone knows they left. Neo just floats along behind her because like hell she’s staying in the Satan whale when it’s this bitch’s fault she’s here at all. We get the last unseen shot from the trailer as Cinder looks out over Atlas and rationalizes that Salem doesn’t know Team RWBY like she does, she wouldn’t understand how determined they would be to try and save the world, and so it falls to her to check out Amity Colosseum again and see if they’re up to something. Neo seems annoyed and disinterested at Cinder’s petty little scheme, but they’re both caught off guard by Emerald arriving behind them and offering to tag along to help. She’s been getting better with her Semblance and asserts that she would be very useful. Poor misguided lass, searching so desperately for acknowledgement and praise you’re never gonna get... Cinder seems pissed that she was eavesdropping, but she’s not gonna turn down the assist. Time for an evil girls’ night out~

Back on the ground, night has fallen as JRY have found the outpost at last. Jaune hits a heater to get it running and prevent their freezing to death as Ren broods out the window and Yang is outside working on her bike. The leader takes this time to address the tension with his teammate. Yes, he did make a bad decision and cheat his way into the Academy. But when he found himself in that bad situation he realized he needed help and he asked for it. He turned his situation around and got better, became the strong person he is now. Holding onto this ideal that being strong means doing everything on your own? That was literally the issue Jaune faced in his mini character arc back in Volume 1, and he came out of it humbled and ready to accept support from his team. From Pyrrha. But she’s not here anymore, and Jaune is. Nora is, team RWBY is here for Ren. So Ren needs to understand that he can let them in, because the more he hides from how he feels the worse it’s gonna feel and hurt him inside. Ren goes outside to sulk under a streetlight, but Yang has come inside now to say that she’s found the part she needs to fix the bike so with a little more tinkering they can get it working and ride back into the city once they’ve got some R&R. Yang does take the time to say she’s sorry Ren said what he did because of her argument with him, but Jaune dismisses it for the time being as all three of them being under a hellish amount of stress. He’s been where Ren was before, he knows how much it hurts. Yang turns back to the tool bench to work on the thruster, but she’s got some inner turmoil of her own to vent about. She wants to know if Jaune thinks “She” thinks less of Yang for making the choice she did and staying to help Mantle instead of going to help fix Amity. Playing the pronoun game like this can be tricky, and Jaune fairly assumes she means Ruby since the two of them did have the verbal disagreement before splitting off, and Yang did question her leader’s decision making and leadership. He assures Yang that her sister will always love and believe in her even if they have squabbles like this. But it would seem Vomit Boy lost the pronoun game, and Yang was not actually asking about Ruby. Judging by the purple cannister she’s wrenching into the battered thruster, she was asking if Blake would think less of her because of these recent actions. 

A lot of people seem rather torn about this choice in priorities for Yang, but allow me to explain why I think it’s not that bad of a writing decision. If there is one thing that has been consistent in this Volume it has been the confidence of other characters that Yang and Ruby will endure this clash of ideals and remain loving sisters. Usually these sentiments have been given by characters who are siblings themselves and know the strength of that bond, like Weiss and now Jaune. We’ve never actually heard either sister personally express any anguish or regrets over that argument, but we can assume they’re both still a little sour about it. But they have been there for each other to a depth that few siblings have, as evident by Yang’s story in Volume 2 about how she had to step up in raising Ruby in a lot of ways after Tai went into grieving for Summer. They’ve been each other’s best friend and closest confidant for so long, I truly believe their bond is clad in iron and they know it too. Meanwhile, a lot of Yang’s recovery arc in Volumes 4 and 5 was dealing with being abandoned by Blake in a time of need and it continued into 6 as learning to accept her back into her life and find a way to make their partnership work again. Shipping or not, they do have a strong bond that has been renewed by dealing with their combined trauma and killing Adam. And when that happened they both promised they would stick together and back each other up, but now Yang has been the one to decide she wants to split paths and do something else. She has good reason to worry this might have upset Blake, and we the audience know Blake is worried about how she’s doing. So, when faced with a color that reminds her of her partner, it makes some sense that Yang would try and get an outside perspective of if she’s fractured their bond. And if you ship them, that more magnifies the interpersonal concerns than really changes the problems.

Regardless, Jaune realizes this is a problem he’s not quite equipped to deal with and decides he’s going to get some rest in one of the beds in the outpost. He gets the strong feeling he’s gonna need it cuz it feels like things will only get worse before they get any better. As we pan out past Ren, whom Yang promises she won’t let brood himself to death out in the snow, we see cracks start to form out on the ice. That can only bode poorly for these poor kids. Many folks think this is a frozen over lake with some scary aquatic Grimm waiting in the depths like a megalodon Grimm shark or the sulfur fish Grimm that apparently were the winners of a fan design contest this past year. Personally, I’m taking a note from the opening and saying it might be a cloister of Apathy since their gross grabby hands wrapped around Team RWBY when they fell through the ice at the end of the intro. But we will have to wait and see. Thanks for reading, hope to see you and your notes soon!~

Edit: this came out a week late and we did indeed see what it really was. Boy were we not ready for the truth...

[imaginesmai]

Tony Stark-Recovery

Because this man deserved the world. Because I can’t get over him being out of MCU marvel. Because I’ve only written sad stuff about him, and because this gif it just too cute to ignore it.

Plot: Tony Stark has a problem. Actually, he has a lot of them. Tony Stark has always been surronded by problems. But now it’s different, and he has found the will of getting out of them.

Warnings: apart from alcoholism, just fluff

Tony was looking at you with longing eyes, laying down on the coach face down. He had his head propped up on his hands, and the puppy eyes he was giving you were making hard to complete your duties. That, in that moment, were going to work.

“I’m sorry, Tony” you copied his pout, adjusting your bag on your shoulder. “You know I could spend hours and hours with you here, but I have to work”

“Billionaire, ring a bell?” he raised a brow. “Come on, you could just drop out of that shitty job and I could maintain you forever. We could stay trapped in this lab forever.”

You chuckled softly, but didn’t drop your backpack. If it were for you, you would lock yourself with Tony in the lab and never leave that paradise. It wasn’t as if you were poor; but not everyone could just have what Tony had down there. Things you had never seen. Machines you would never dream to build. Materials that you didn’t even know that they existed. It was all the perfect dream; a dream that you had to wake up from.

“I’ll be back tomorrow” you assured him.

In two quick strides, you were kneeling besides the couch, faces inches apart. Tony’s beard had been taken care of in the last few months, and even his hair seemed much more trimmed than before. Maybe you couldn’t really notice the impact you had had on his life, but people around you did.

“I don’t want you to go” he turned his head so that he was looking at you.

You were already running late. What was supposed to be just a quick visit to Tony, had turned out in a four-hours stay. And it wasn’t as if you had done any work in the lab. After that, you could only hug him and spend the next few hours cuddling. Although his wrinkled t-shirt and swollen lips, and your tangled hair and blushed cheeks said otherwise.

“I don’t want to leave either” you said, cupping softly his cheek. Tony closed his eyes and smiled into your palm. He gripped your wrist to kiss your palm, and when he opened his eyes again, you didn’t think anyone had ever looked at you with so much adoration. “I’ll be back tomorrow, how does it sounds?”

“Hm, good” he mumbled. “But I don’t know if Drum-E can survive without you”

As if the robot had really feelings and could hear you, Drum-E emitted what could be a whine. It tried to get out of the cell that Tony had built to keep it out of the lab, and you chuckled.

“He will survive, so will you”

For the last time that day, you kissed Tony. It was different. Warm, slow, gentle, an anchor in Tony’s mad world. The position was not the best, but the kiss was good enough. After tearing apart, you got up and walked to the elevator. Tony whined once more, but didn’t attempt to stop you.

“Bye, Tony” you smiled at him, as the elevator’s door closed behind you.

“See you soon” Tony answered, smiling at you too.

The second the doors closed and you could no longer see him, his smile immediately dropped off his face. The lab felt way too silent, and lonely. He could almost live again the moment where you had found him that afternoon, in the same position, and that was what fuelled him to move. Tony rose up from the couch, rubbed his face and started walking to the kitchen.

His way there was really confusing. Maybe he met up with someone, maybe he was alone in the tower. When an objective as big as that was on his mind, the rest of the things were insignificant. He opened his top drawer liquor cabinet.

As if he was repeating a motion well known, he opened the first bottle. It wasn’t as full as it should had been, and the cap was slightly misplaced. Which was understandable, since he had closed it not so long ago. The strong smell hit Tony’s nostrils and he backed away. He was tempted; he was always tempted, but that day had been hard. And he wanted to put the bottle on his mouth and close his eyes. Let the consequences come back at him later. His hands itched, but he didn’t pick up the glass.

Instead, he poured the alcohol down the sink.

Then, he did the same with the next bottle. It was one of gins, he liked that one much better. And the whisky’s was a good one too. There were bottles from different sizes, flavours and even countries. Tony poured all of them down, until finally there was none left.

He panicked for a moment, thinking maybe he had made a mistake. But then, he remembered your face and knew that he didn’t. You had surprised him when you had stopped by earlier; Tony had only had a few drinks, still able to control himself. But the way you had looked at him had broken his heart.

Tony didn’t know why that look had affected him so much. Pepper, Rhodey, Happy and a lot more people had seem him like that. Seeing the look of devastation on your face had stirred something up inside him.

After all the bottles were empty, he threw them in the trash. Then, he took the trash out. Not in the common trash bag, but down the street. He didn’t want the bottles staring at him. Finally, he sat on the living room couch, face on his hands and eyes closed. A nap sounded good.

“Tones?”

He looked up to see Rhodey staring at him, confusion clear on his face.

“One and only. What can I do for you?” Tony stretched the muscles on his back.

“Uhm, I asked FRIDAY what were you doing and she said you were cleaning out your liquor cabinet? Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy” Rhodey quickly put his hands up, wide eyes. “But, what brought this on? Are you okay?”

That was the question. Was he okay? Tony had been lying so long he couldn’t remember what being okay was. The battle of New York, people getting hurt because of him, Rogers betraying him, and the constant reminder of what happened in Afghanistan. Tony couldn’t remember what being okay was. But he felt like it was something similar to laying in bed with you, hand running through your hair while watching a film.

“I’m fine” he mumbled, not sure of his words. “Not like-I’m not totally okay. But, I’m getting there. I think. I’m fine, yeah”

A smile crept to Rhodey’s lips, and the man crossed his arms in front of him. He couldn’t hide the happiness and proudness for his best friend. No longer than six months ago, Rhodey had met you. He had been looking for Tony when he had stumbled into the two of you fighting over the custody of Drum-E, and had known in that moment that you were the medicine Tony needed to be finally okay.

“Something I can do to help?”

“I don’t know, have I mentioned that I love you?” Tony shrugged, as if the words didn’t mean anything. As if it hadn’t been years since he said them.

“Love you too, Stank”

Rhodey only had time to duck his head to avoid the flying pillow thrown his way.

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

Truth was, Tony had expected you to avoid him for a while. You had called him next morning with an excuse about your boss, and his heart fell to the pit of his stomach. If he hadn’t thrown the bottles away, he knew he would have drown in alcohol; because you being angry or afraid of him terrified him. Still, you assured him and promised him you would pass by on Wednesday.

Faithful to your promise, you appeared in the lab Wednesday after lunch. He had a shorter temper than normal, and he hadn’t gotten the proper sleep his body asked him too. That wasn’t the problem, though; he knew he could keep his temper in check around you, and he was a pro at surviving on little sleep.

The thing that bothered him the most were his hands, that wouldn’t stop shaking. He had talked with Dr Cho early in the morning, and she gave him some advice and told him that, with time and therapy, it would go away. Having been hooked up so long with alcohol had its side effects. But he couldn’t really work in the lab because of his hands, and he didn’t want to see your disappointed face when he told you so.

It wasn’t as if you went there only for that, he knew you were there to see him. Yet you hadn’t done anything in the lab the previous day because of him, and he knew you loved it. So he swallowed down the pain and smiled tightly when the elevator opened.

“Hey Tony” you said as you entered the lab. You had your work clothes on, and a few hours free of your break to stay with Tony. That put a cheerful smile on your face.

You sounded normal to him. Maybe you had gotten over finding Tony drinking, or maybe you were just pretending it was fine; Tony’s fears hadn’t sound so real in years. He was half expecting you to greet him with a scowl, a disgusted look or just a nod.

However, you walked forward until you were in front of him, and pulled him down for a heated kiss. The doubts left his mind and he let himself enjoy the kiss, arms circling your waist. When you teared apart, you had still the happy smile.

“I missed you”

“You talked to me this morning” Tony chuckled, faces inches apart.

“Yeah, too long” you ran your hand across his stubble and pecked his lips again. “Well, how’s the day going?”

You set your backpack on the ground and listened to Tony talk about how Rhodey and him destroyed half of the living room a few days ago in a heated pillow fight. He didn’t give you reasons, you didn’t need them. Then, he started to talk about the new robot he was going to build; you two together, if you wanted. When he proposed it, with shy eyes and nervous cheeks, you just giggled.

“Of course!” you answered, pulling your wheeled chair closer to him. “How are we naming it?”

“Haven’t decided yet” he shrugged, hands fidgeting with a tool.

“If it’s going to be our son, it’s important for him to have a name”

“You can choose, but please. Let it not be something stupid” he joked. “No references of any characters in Star Wars, Trek, Game of Thrones, The Office, Lord of the Rings or any other thing”

You rolled your eyes playfully, and hit his shoulder. For a few minutes, you discussed different names, each one weirder than the last. You laughed, and had a good time; and Tony could hide his shaky hands on his lap. He was afraid of messing something up with them.

So he came up with the idea of guiding you through the process of building the robot. If you noticed something about him not doing much, you didn’t say anything. Ideas bounced back and forth for a while, and then you ran over the basic of the robots. Tony almost forgot about the problem with his hands. Until the nail fell and he bended down to take it.

“Damn, could you take that for me?” you asked, hands full of robot’s material.

“Sure”

When the nail was on his hands, he discovered he could just not keep it there. It kept moving from one side from another, and before he had time of steading it with his other hand, it fell to the ground once more. Two attempts later, you were done.

“Are you okay?”

Was the room too hot, or was it just him?

“Tony”

It wasn’t that hard. Only a nail. Tony bended to try again, but was stopped when you gripped his wrist. He looked up, not realised until then he had tears on his eyes. There was a knowing look on your face, and Tony didn’t have the heart in him to lie to you.

“They, uh, they just shake” he explained, retreating his hands back to his lap. “From the withdrawal.”

“Alcohol”

“Yeah” Tony sighed. “I… I threw all of it the other day. After you were gone. I-I just, it didn’t feel right to have it while I have you, you know? Thought I should get rid of it if I wanted this to go somewhere serious. But, it has not been too long, and shaky hands are only the beginning of it. I’m sorry, you shouldn’t have to deal with it, so-“

Tony was interrupted by the chair falling backwards, his body following after and your body attached to him like a magnet. He expected to see disappointment in your eyes, a sad frown or just watch you leave, as Pepper had done so many years ago. Tony Stark was no easy person. He wasn’t okay and had a long way there. But you had thrown yourself to his arms, and were hugging him with so much force he was considering the bruises he would have in a few hours.

And you had the most beautiful smile Tony had ever seen. So big that, after looking at each other for a few seconds, he smiled too.

“Thank you” you whispered, cheek pressed against his chest. There was a faint blue light on it, from its arc reactor. “And I’m not leaving, Tony. You’re stuck with me.”

Maybe, the next step would be finally getting ride of his arc reactor, a reminder of everything bad that had happened to him. Maybe, it was forgetting about his bad coping mechanisms. But for the time being, his next step would be believing there were people who loved him, and that would be there whatever happened.

Tony hugged you back, and kissed your forehead. Yeah, he would be okay.

Want to know more about me? Here is my Masterlist! Feedback is always appreciated!!

Tony Tags:

@snoopy3000​

@hannie-c​

[vergilthelibrarian]

Questions.

In Due Time | Curiosity 

Serial Killer/Yandere!Jeno x FTM!Reader

Don’t know if I should turn this into a series or not

Edit: I was so tired when writing this that I literally forgot to add the beginning of the story that I had already written but I added it so yay!

You cradled Mark’s head in your hands, crying hard.

Mark was still alive somehow but he his life was hanging on by a thread.

As punishment, Jeno forced you to stay in the basement as he mentally and physically tortured your friend.

“I’m so sorry.” you sniffled. “This is all my fault.”

“This isn’t your fault.” Mark said, his voice hoarse from screaming. “I found you… and that’s all that matters. Dying in your arms… that won’t be so bad.” and you cried harder.

Jeno had left for the day and honestly, you wanted to put Mark out of his misery yourself but you didn’t have it in you to hurt him.

Your “husband” as he liked to call himself was gonna come back soon and you couldn’t take it seeing Mark suffer like this anymore.

You couldn’t handle hearing his screams and cries, but you noticed he didn’t plead with Jeno to stopped. It sadden you that Mark had more likely accepted his fate of dying.

You pressed your lips against Mark’s forehead, kissing the bloody skin gently.

Mark breathed a shaky sigh.

He was going to miss you.

Your smile, your laugh, everything about you.

He loved you and if he was going to go, he needed to tell you.

“Y/n, before I die, I have to tell you something.”

You lifted his head up to look into his eyes.

“I’m in love with you… I’ve always been in love with you and no matter what I’ll always be watching over you.”

You bit your lip but soon gave the man a kiss on the lips.

“I love you too Mark.” and he smiled.

“Thank you… for everything.”

You closed your eyes as you heard the door to the basement open.

~~

Taeil grimaced as he dropped his coffee onto the floor.

He was so busy as of late, the Hatchet Murders taking up most of his time but that what happens when you’re a top detective.

As he bent down to pick up the cup his ears perked up as he heard a conversation his coworkers were having.

“Yeah, my son moved into a house in the country side with his fiance. Said it was a way to get away from the bustling city life.” he laughed. “His fiance is a sweet kid. Don’t know what he even sees in my son...”

Taeil frowned slightly as he stood up.

Detective Lee always seemed to talk bad about son Jeno but from the times Taeil had met the guy, he seemed like a pretty good kid.

He was intelligent, thoughtful, kind, and pretty good looking so he never understood why Mr. Lee would talk down his son but things were never as it seemed so Taeil just shrugged it off.

“Detective, did you hear? There’s was another body found at Sunset Park. It seems to be the workings of the Hatchet Killer.”

Taeil sighed, walking to the garbage can as Doyoung followed behind him.

“But get this. This time, it was a male victim.” Taeil threw the cup away.

This made him curious.

Very curious.

“A male? His victims are usually women though. What would make him want to kill a male?” he wondered out loud and Doyoung shrugged.

“I have no clue, but the boss wants you to go to the victims family to ask some questions.”

“What’s the victim's name?”

“Mark Lee. Was going to an ivy league university for music. One of his friends Johnny said he was looking for a close friend who had disappeared under mysterious circumstances. Maybe you could talk to him too.”

~~

Taeil knocked on the door and smiled when it opened.

“Johnny Suh? Hi, I’m Detective Moon Taeil. May I come in and ask you some questions?”

“Sure.” Johnny nodded, moving out of the way for the man to enter.

“Want something to drink? Coffee? Tea?”

“Some Tea would be great, thank you.”

Johnny went into his kitchen and started making the drink.

He came back out and saw that Taeil was still standing.

“Please, take a seat.” he offered, motioning towards the couch and Taeil sat down.

“So. I’m here to asked about your friend Mark.”

“Yeah.” Johnny nodded. “He uh, he disappeared about a week ago. He sent me a message saying that he loved me and that he’ll always watch over me.” Johnny ran a hand through his hair. “I didn’t think much about that text since he would always text me things like that when he was drunk ya know? So I just chalked it up to him being drunk. I should’ve called him...”

Taeil shook his head.

“Don’t beat yourself up. You didn’t know.”

“Yeah but if I called him, he’d still be here!” raising his voice, tears pricked at the corners of Johnny’s eyes.

“I’m sorry… I just… I lost one friend and now another...”

“This other friend… Who are they exactly?”

Johnny sighed.

“Y/n. One of the sweetest guys you’d ever meet. One day he told us that he was cutting contact off with us and just disappeared, saying he was tired of the transphobia he faced from his family and that he wanted to start over. I don’t know what happened to him but I know Mark was searching for him. He texted me that the day of his disappearance. Y/n… he started dating this guy, Jeno. Good kid but very strange. Before he left, Y/n had said they were fighting more, him and Jeno. He said that Jeno was being manipulative lately and even broke a plate while they were arguing once. Jeno’s a good kid but boy does he have some anger issues...”

Jeno… It can’t be… Taeil thought.

“By any chance, is this Jeno, Lee Jeno?” he asked Johnny who in turned nodded.

“Yeah, that’s the guy. The boxer.”

That had to be a coincidence that Jeno, Mr. Lee’s son, was dating the friend of one of their murder victims who just so happened to disappear.

Though it seemed suspicious, Taeil knew he couldn’t investigate any future, seeing as how it appeared that your reason for leaving seemed to be that you were tired of being hurt and wanted to move on with your life.

After talking some more and drinking the tea he had made, Taeil left Johnny’s house with more questions than answers.

He was curious about Jeno though and decided he would ask Mr. Lee if he could ask his son some questions.

~~

Taeil looked around his surroundings, the smell of incense filling the air.

Mr. Lee had said it was okay for Taeil to interrogate Jeno, so as long Jeno agreed to it, which surprisingly he did.

So here Taeil was in Mr. Lee’s apartment, Jeno sitting at the chair opposite of him in the dinning room. You had just given Taeil a cup of coffee you had made for him and went to sit down on the couch to watch some TV.

“Jeno… I’m here because I heard some interesting information from Mark Lee’s friend. I wanted to know about your relationship with Y/n?” and Jeno smiled.

“Oh, me and Y/n… We’re deeply in love. He wanted to move with me to the country side because he was paranoid about the Hatchet Killings, he suffers from schizophrenia.”

“Mhm.”

“We’ve been together for about 9 months now. We’re not actually engaged since it’s still pretty early in our relationship but I plan on proposing to him in about 2 years.” he smiled dreamily.

Taeil nodded as he took notes.

Jeno seemed to be in love with you but he wanted to hear how you felt.

“I know I said I was only going to ask you some questions but I was wondering if Y/n would be fine with answering some questions?” he asked and Jeno nodded.

“Not at all. Yo babe!” he turned around to look at you, your attention now on Jeno. “Mr. Moon wants to ask you some questions.”

You got up and walked to the table. Jeno got up and you took his seat, he went to the couch but made sure to keep an ear out on you 2s conversation.

“Y/n, I wanted ask about your relationship with Jeno.” you smiled shyly.

“Well… Me and Jeno had been dating for 9 months now and despite the downs we have, we do have a lot of ups. I really love him.”

“That’s lovely.” he smiled. “I also wanted to ask about your relationship with Mark Lee.”

Your smile faltered.

“Oh.”

“I’m sure you heard the news.”

“Yes. I have. I can’t get over it… He’s really gone.” your voice cracked. “He was so sweet and nice. I use to joke around about how much of a good catholic boy he was but honestly, that’s the best way I could describe him. He was a soft hearted man who went after his passions. I just can’t believe he’s not here anymore.”

You jump slightly as you felt hands on your shoulders. You look up to see Jeno massaging your shoulders, comforting you. You smiled up weakly at him before turning your attention back to Taeil.

“This is the last question I’m gonna ask you. I wanted to know why you left?”

You shook your head.

“Oh well, it’s mostly because my family is a piece of shit and I wanted to get away from them and start over. I love my friends but I needed to get away from them too ya know? I just had to start over.”

Taeil nodded, finishing up the notes he took.

“That’s all the questions for today.”

~~

You rubbed your arm as Jeno closed the door to the house.

“Honestly, I’m surprise you didn’t tell him what I did.” he said which stopped your motion. You turned around looking back at him.

“What? Why is that?”

Jeno chuckled.

“I saw the way you use to look at Mark… You loved him, didn’t you?”

You didn’t answer.

“Hmph. It’s a good thing I got rid of him then. You only need me… Do you understand that?” and you nodded your head.

“Yes.”

“Good.” he said, walking ahead of you only to stop and turn around, his brown eyes softening when it made contact with your own. “Now come on. I know you’re hungry.”

[ofsinnersandsaints]

palate cleanser (aka rebound sex)

rating: E total word count: 5596 one shot

Raven divorces her cheating husband, and after everything is finalized, she fucks her divorce attorney who is none other than John Murphy.

AO3

Raven hated that she was here, that she had to do this at all, but after finding out her husband of eight years was cheating on her, what else was she supposed to do? He’d begged her to stay, to work it out, telling her over and over how he was willing to fight for them.

She’d almost been convinced by that until she remembered he was the reason all of this had happened in the first place. If he’d really wanted to fight for them, he wouldn’t have given into temptation and broken his marriage vows.

Jesus, he’d signed a fucking rental lease with his girlfriend and now he wanted to fight for their marriage?

Bullshit.

Feeling more certain about her decision she texted Bellamy to let him know she was there. He was the one who had recommended the lawyer she was about to see, they’d apparently gone to school together and Bellamy said he was the guy to go to.

I’M HERE. JUST WAITING. ANYTHING I NEED TO KNOW BEFORE I MEET HIM?

BELLAMY: HE CAN BE AN ASSHOLE, BUT SOMETIMES IT’S GOOD TO HAVE AN ASSHOLE IN YOUR CORNER

Raven smiled as she typed out a response.

THAT’S WHAT I TELL PEOPLE ABOUT YOU!!

He sent back an emoji rolling it’s eyes and Raven was plotting a response when the receptionist called from her desk. “Mr. Murphy will see you now.”

Grabbing her jacket and big purse she walked down the short hallway to the door which said MURPHY on the frost glass, but before she could knock it opened. The man in front of her was a few inches taller than her, his posture relaxed, but his eyes were serious. For some reason when she looked at him, she thought of a 1950s greaser in a leather jacket and combat boots lounging in a booth diner.

“Raven Collins?”

She nodded and took his offered hand before he gestured for her to come into his office. “Bellamy told me you were looking to get divorced, is that right?”

Divorced, what an awful word, but she nodded again and finally found her voice. “Yes. Do you do a lot of them?”

“Enough of them,” he answered as he settled at the little table in the corner rather than his desk. Grateful, because it made the entire thing feel less formal, Raven sat across from him. “I’m a jack of all trades type of lawyer. I do a little bit of everything. What’s the reason for the divorce?”

“Infidelity.”

He nodded, but she was pretty sure she heard him mutter ‘ass’ under his breath as he made a note on his legal pad. She’d always pictures lawyers as cold and heartless, maybe a little formal, but she wasn’t getting any of those vibes from him. She wondered how long it would take for him to be an asshole.

“How long were you together?”

“Fifteen years, but we were only married for eight.”

“You meet him when you were twelve?” he joked.

“Eleven, actually.” He’d been the only person in her world for years, and Raven was just now beginning to understand how bad that was. “We married when we were eighteen. I worked, I’m a mechanic.”

“That’s hot.” The observation was so casually tossed out Raven almost missed, and he was grinning at her when she met his gaze. “That’s not professional to say.”

Okay, that was a little assholey because it wasn’t an apology, but Raven decided she wasn’t offended. Whoever this man, he didn’t appear to be the kind who kept his thoughts to himself which was refreshing after years of trying to understand Finn. “He went to college, I helped pay for some of it, and now he’s a strategist for a politician.”

She didn’t know why she was telling him this, he didn’t ask. He probably didn’t need to know her life story in order to get divorced but she was feeling particularly vulnerable and he was nearby. It probably wasn’t the first he’d had someone dump emotional baggage on him.

“Wife in town, girlfriend in DC?” he guessed.

Raven hated how easy it was for him to figure out what had taken her years. “Yes.”

He nodded and leaned back in his seat, resting his hands on his stomach as he watched her. “How badly do you want me to kick his ass?”

The question was enough of a surprise she blinked at him. “What?”

“There’s a more polite way to word the question, but you don’t seem the type to want to tiptoe around.”

“No,” at least she wasn’t anymore.

“What’s the endgame you’re looking for,” he asked. “After you file for divorced do you want to split everything down the middle and call it good? Or would you rather do whatever you have to do in order to get it done quickly? Or do you want to squeeze his balls until he calls uncle?”

“I don’t know, to be honest,” Raven said even as she laughed at the image. “I didn’t know squeezing his balls was an option.”

“It is.” He pushed his notepad to the side. “You paid for him to go to college, and now he’s what, spending the money on his girlfriend? That’s a dick move. If you want to get out quick, I get it, and we can make that happen, but if you want something else let me know.”

“I want my own shop,” she told him, shocking herself.

That had been her private dream, something she had mentioned to Finn only once or twice, something she hadn’t even told Bellamy about. And yet for some reason she was telling a complete stranger.

“Your own shop?” he repeated, making more notes. “You mean your own mechanic’s shop.”

“Yes,” she answered because he had taken the admission in stride, hadn’t looked surprised or wary of a woman owning her own place. Raven was beginning to wonder if anything phased him. “I was hoping once Finn, my husband, got a job we could start paying down some of the student loans so I’d be able to start my own place. It never happened.”

“How much does he make?”

“A lot.”

He nodded and made a note. “Do you have financial information?”

When she’d made the appointment she’d asked what she should bring and they’d basically said everything you’ve ever done during your marriage so she pulled out the manilla envelope from her massive purse and handed it to him. “Yes.”

“Prepared, I approve.” He took the package and leaned back to drop it on his desk, then leaned back in his chair to grab a business card. “And I’ll get started on the papers. What address would be the best place to serve him at?”

She knew the address of his apartment in DC, the one he’d shared with his girlfriend, but she didn’t know if he was still staying there. She wondered what he’d tell his colleagues about the divorce. If even told them about it at all. “Can you serve him at his job?”

He laughed so hard Raven was a little worried he was going to fall out of his chair. “Hell yes, I can. I think we’re going to get along just fine Mrs. Collins.”

“Reyes,” she corrected, knowing she was going to go back to maiden name the moment she could. “It’s Reyes.”

Murphy smiled like he understood, leaning forward with his hand out. “Nice to meet you, Raven Reyes.”

Murphy was walking through the bar on his way out when he spotted Raven sitting by herself at the one of the high tables. She was wearing a simple black dress and her hair was down, which he’d never seen before, and before he realized what he was doing he was walking towards  her. “Raven.”

She looked up, a bright smile covering her face when she recognized him, and immediately Raven got off the chair and reached out to hug him. “What are you doing out on a school night?”

The casual affection surprised him, set him a little off balance, but he’d made a career out of pretending to be unaffected. “Job offer,” he answered.

“Are you heading out? Do you want a drink?” she gestured to the chair next to hers and without thinking too closely about why, he sat. “What kind of job offer?”

Murphy grabbed a waitress and put in an order for a beer before turning back to Raven. Her hair was much longer than he’d realized, nearly touching her lap as she sat next to him. Combined with the glossy lips and hint of cleavage, she was drop dead gorgeous. “There’s a firm here in town who wants me to join up.”

“Are you going to accept the offer?”

He thanked the waitress when she dropped the glass and bottle at the table, but he drank straight from the bottle. “Nope. I like being my own boss, and I have a problem with authority, so I’d likely just get myself fired. But it was nice to be asked.”

She laughed and lifted her martini to her lips.

“Are you out celebrating?”

“First chance to toast the divorce,” she explained. “I was working my ass off last week and was too tired.”

Murphy looked around the bar. “Are you here with anyone?”

“Nope,” she popped the ‘p’ as she answered. “I don’t have a lot of friends anymore. Bellamy would have come out, but he hasn’t been able to get away from work.”

“That’s depressing, Reyes.”

She grinned, as she always did, when he called her by her maiden name. “I’m aware, but I have mozzarella sticks coming so it’ll be less depressing then.”

“Got any plans for your settlement money?”

He’d managed to get more than enough from the cheating son-of-a-bitch to set Raven up for years. Instead of Finn paying back the money Raven had spent while he’d been going to school, Murphy had convinced him to pay the attorney fees, and then a large lump sum which was big enough to make her ex blanche.

“I’m still thinking about the shop,” she admitted. “There’s a place not far from here, it’s a good spot, good space. Wouldn’t take much work to get it up and running.”

“What are you going to call it?”

“I don’t know, Reyes?” she shrugged. “There’s no reason to get fancy about it.”

The food came then and Raven pushed the plate between them. “I know you just had dinner, but have at these if you want.”

Murphy ate one and could feel Raven’s eyes on him the entire time. “I know I’m sexy, Reyes, but the staring isn’t exactly subtle.”

“Is our professional relationship over?”

It wasn’t the question he’d been expecting but he nodded. “Yeah. Finn’s in charge of paying me, and you’re officially divorced, so my part is done. Why?”

She bit her lip which was distracting. “I came here to pick up someone.”

Every rational thought he’d ever had, and granted there weren’t a lot to begin with, disappeared as she made the admission. “Oh.”

“Finn was the only person I’d ever been with,” she admitted, meeting his gaze. “And – I can stop oversharing.”

He absolutely did not want her to stop because he had a pretty good idea what was coming at the end of the conversation and he desperately wanted to get there. “We don’t have attorney-client privilege,” he managed to get out. “But if you’re about to tell me about your sex life, you can’t just leave me hanging like that.”

She smirked and took another drink from her glass. “Sex with Finn was okay, and I thought our relationship was good enough the rest didn’t matter.”

“But you’re starting to think it matters,” and if he was half hard already, no one would be able notice from where he was sitting.

Raven nodded. “At the vey least I want a palate cleanser.”

Murphy put his arms on the table and leaned forward, keeping his voice down so anyone walking by wouldn’t be able to hear him. “Raven, if this conversation isn’t going to end with you asking me to fuck you, please tell me now. I’d rather disappoint my dick sooner rather than later.”

She rubbed her lips together and nodded. “That’s where this was going, yeah.”

He reached into his back pocket and dropped way too much money on the table; he’d been a waiter while getting through school, he knew how much it sucked. “Your place or mine?”

“Yours,” she answered, sliding off the chair. “Are you good to drive?”

“I didn’t drink at dinner and didn’t finish the beer,” he assured her, putting his hand low on her back to guide her out of the restaurant. “Did you drive?”

“No,” she shook her head. “I wasn’t sure how much alcohol it was going to take to get up the nerve to hit on someone.”

He stopped walking and studied her. “You’re not drunk, are you?”

“Just the one drink, and it takes a hell of a lot more than that to get me drunk.”

Satisfied he walked with her to the parking lot and stopped at his car, unlocking it as soon as he was close enough. “This is me,” and since she was already opening her door he wasn’t going to push her out of the way just for chivalry points.

“Did you have anything in particular in mind?” he asked as he started the engine.

“In mind?” she asked he pulled onto the street.

“For the fucking,” he reminded her and blatantly put his hand so high up on her thigh the only thing keeping him from cupping her was the stretch of the dress across her lap. “I’d hate for you to be disappointed.”

Her gaze was staring at his hand, but he didn’t do anything more. He wasn’t sure if she was skittish or just nervous, but he didn’t want to push it. Not yet anyway.

“I don’t know.”

“Come on,” he encouraged. “You’ve got to have had some fantasies. I’ll go first, my favorite thing to get off to is fucking someone in my office.”

She turned to look at him, and he couldn’t tell because it was too dark in the car, but he was pretty sure she was turned on. Something about the air between them had changed, electrified. “Your office?”

“Yeah, someone comes to bring me lunch and it turns out she’s not wearing any underwear and just came over for a quickie on the desk.” He lowered his voice as they came to a stoplight, “You have to be quiet, you know? Because there’s other people around you don’t want to get caught.”

The streetlights let him see her swallow and nod. “I always wanted to get fucked from behind.”

He was immediately hard as stone but tried keep his voice casual as he drove towards his apartment. “Dickwad wouldn’t do it?”

“Once, but he said he didn’t like it.”

“It’s an ego thing,” Murphy scoffed, because he’d met the man who was dumb enough to lose Raven Reyes. “If you’re not looking at his pretty face than you might forget who’s inside you. But don’t worry, you won’t forget who’s fucking you. I talk a lot.”

“Dirty talk?”

“Filthy talk,” he corrected with a grin. “There’s a subtle, but important difference.”

Raven shifted on the seat, her hand moving his until it was just under the hem of her dress. A wave arousal hit him so hard he nearly groaned. “Give me an example.”

“Dirty talk is like ‘I’m going fuck you with my fingers until you’re desperate to come,’” he explained, his finger twitching against the bare skin of her thigh. “Filthy talk is more ‘I’m going to bury my fingers in your wet pussy until my hand is soaked and you’re begging to come and then you’re going to lick your arousal off me so you know how good you taste.”

She was breathing hard, her hips moving so slightly he wouldn’t know except for the hand he had on her. “You’re right, there’s a difference.”

“Are you wet, Reyes?”

“Yes.”

“Good.”

Raven was almost unbearably aroused by the time Murphy opened the door to his apartment. After he’d asked her if she was wet they’d spent the rest of the car ride in silence, but his hand has been an ever present weight on her thigh. It was a tease, a promise, and it would have been entirely to dangerous for him to finger him while he drove, but she’d nearly broken and asked him to touch her.

“Want anything to drink?” he asked as he tossed his keys in the general direction of his couch.

“No.”

He turned to face her, “Nervous?”

Raven thought about the question seriously and was surprised to find she wasn’t. “No.”

“Raven Reyes,” he grinned with a shake of his head. “You’re a badass.”

“Thank you.”

“When was the last time you had an orgasm?”

“Last week.”

He snorted. “When was the last time you had an orgasm that made your toes curl?”

“A while,” she admitted.

“The original plan was to bring you here, bend you over the kitchen table and immediately fuck you senseless.” She liked how calm and casual he was about all this, like they’d been planning on eating in but he’d changed his mind at the last minute. He put his hands in his pockets and watched her. “But I have a feeling you’ve got a hell of a lot of need bottled up inside that amazing body of yours.”

Raven shrugged. She’d been honest with him earlier when she’d said sex with Finn had always been fine, but the kind of wild and rough sex he was talking about was something they’d never come close to. She was beginning to suspect there was a deep well of desire in her she’d never even touched, but she’d bet her divorce money Murphy would be able to find the bottom.

“You’re probably right.”

“Come here,” and it should have sounded like an order but instead it reached her ears like a suggestion, a seduction, and Raven pictured herself as the fly being lured into a web. She moved towards him, but he didn’t kiss her like she’d been expecting, instead he ran his hands over every part of her body. Down her back, over her ass, the briefest caress over her breasts.

“I’m not going to lie, I pictured fucking you in my office.”

She was surprised. She’d always been weirdly attracted to him, like the high schooler in her recognized had a former bad boy, but she hadn’t been aware the attraction and been reciprocated. “You did?”

His hand slid up between her thighs. “A couple of times. After you came by to finalize everything I went home and pictured you on your knees, but that’s a pretty basic male fantasy.”

“Do you want me to-“ she started but he was already shaking his head.

“You’re here to get fucked, Reyes, that’s the priority.”

Murphy reached under her dress and pulled down her underwear and she was just a little irritated because those had been expensive and sexy and he hadn’t even seen her in them. Then his hand was between her legs again the irritation melted away.

“I can’t wait to see my cock sliding into your pussy,” he told her and while she’d never pictured herself as the type to enjoy filthy talk, Murphy was quickly bringing her over to his side of thinking. The images his words conjured were enough to make her squirm. “But I want to see what you look like when come.”

She felt a finger brush against her and Raven swayed on her heels. “Let me take my shoes off.”

He didn’t move his hand so as she shifted to kick off her heels the contact moved and changed in unexpected ways.

“You’re soaked, Reyes,” he murmured against her temple, the tip of his finger finding the slit of her folds and shifting so gently and slowly it barely counted as moving. “Is all this just for me, or would you get this wet for anyone?”

Raven reached up to hold onto his shoulders, not trusting her balance. “Just for you.”

As if rewarding her for the answer he increased the pressure of his finger, sliding through the slickness and circling her entrance but going nowhere near her clit which was now needy for him. “You’re going to come so quickly, aren’t you? You’re not even going to make me work for it.”

Desperate to get more contact Raven reached behind her and slid the zipper down so she could push the fabric down to her hips. His finger paused for just a moment as he looked her breasts, barely encased in a nearly see-through lace bra.

“Fuck,” he murmured as he reached up to roughly touch her. His hand covered her, kneading the flesh, pinching the nipple. “Take it off, I want to see you.”

“Give me a finger,” she negotiated.

His grin was quick and sharp, full of amusement and hunger. “Fair is fair.”

The intrusion was slow and welcomed, her inner muscles instinctively trying to clench around him. It wasn’t enough, but it was more than she’d had in months, so she unhooked the bra and dropped in on a nearby chair.

“I’ve been wondering for weeks what color your nipples are,” he told her, and now that there wasn’t anything separating his hand from her body, the contact was nearly electric. The nail of his thumb scraped against the hard bud, and while she didn’t understand his fascination, she enjoyed knowing he’d fantasized about her too. “You’re gorgeous.”

When she reached for his shirt he shook his head. “In order to this off I’d have to move my hand and I’m not doing that until you come. How many fingers can your pussy take?”

She didn’t think that was a question which actually required an answer so she simply reached beneath his shirt to press her palms against his back. His skin was impossibly hot beneath her touch.

Murphy leaned forward and took one of her nipples into his mouth the same instant his finger began to move inside her.

All train of thought was lost.

She moved against him, but her rhythm was erratic because he wasn’t matching his movements. He’d lick her nipple and then drive his finger deep into her, but never at the same time. It was a constant stream of stimulation with the background of his voice telling her all the things he wanted to do to her.

“That’s right, Reyes, fuck my hand.”

“Another finger,” she told him. “I need more.”

She’d barely finished the sentence before two fingers began to slightly stretch her. Since she’d found out about Finn cheating on her she’d taken solace with her vibrator, but the little thing was meant just for clitoris stimulation. It had been a while since anything, or anyone, had been insider her.

When he pulled out and then slid back in again she didn’t hold back the moan.

“Fuck, that was hot,” he muttered half a second before he kissed her.

The contact was a shock, which Raven realized was ridiculous because he was literally finger fucking her, a kiss should hardly feel more intimate. His lips were dry and insistent, his tongue a warm pressure against the seam of her mouth.

She opened for him, the sweep of his tongue a demanding thing and she responded in kind. It was a sexy, sloppy kiss, and Raven wondered how he managed to do so many things to her at once. His fingers drove her closer to orgasm even as his mouth plundered.

“Another one,” he asked against her mouth and she nodded.

Murphy tugged at her dress, pulling it up so the entire thing was above her hips. “I want to see it,” he told her, and his voice sounded as wrecked as she felt. “Let me hear you, Reyes.”

Raven could feel his fingers sliding out of her, her fingers gripping so tight on his shoulders she wondered if she might leave bruises behind. Then three of his fingers were pushing in her and she gasped at the feel of them.

“You good,” he asked, voice tight as he dragged his eyes away from her pussy to her face. She kissed him and then nodded.

“It’ll be better when it’s your cock.”

His eyes went blazing hot, his fingers filling her so quickly and roughly she nearly came right then. “Oh my, God.”

“You’re so close,” he encouraged. “Another night, I might drag it out, make you so needy you forget how to talk but I need to be pounding into before I come in my slacks. If you come, Reyes, we both get what we want.”

Raven nodded but she needed more, “My clit.”

He wrapped his arm around her waist to keep her upright. “Do it yourself, I want to watch you touch yourself while you get off on my fingers.”

She moved her own hand between them, her fingers brushing against his wrist. When she touched her clit her whole body jerked at the pressure, “Oh my god.”

“That’s it, don’t be gentle.”

His fingers continued to pump into her as she pressed against the hard nub of her arousal, and her orgasm was like a tsunami, crashing into her with almost nowhere.

“Fuck,” she yelled as her entire body went tight with the force of the climax.

Murphy’s hand shined from Raven’s arousal, and while he’d told her in the car she’d lick it off of him, he knew he didn’t have that kind of time. Desperate need clawed inside, so raw and primal it felt like drowning; he needed to be inside her or he’d die.

He pushed the dress off her body and turned her around to face the kitchen table. “Bend over,” he ordered, as if he had any control over what was happening. When she put her elbows on the wood, her ass stuck out and the only reason he didn’t come right then was because he wanted to be inside her.

Stubbornness had always been his strong suit.

“Don’t move, I’m getting a condom.”

“My bra,” she said, her voice cracked. “I had a condom in my bra.”

Looking down he found the foil pack on the ground near his feet and tore it open carefully. Not wanting to waste any time, he pulled his cock out of his pants and left the rest of his clothes intact. Once the condom was on, he used the slickness on his hand to lube it. “Ready?”

“Yes.”

It was the only word he needed to hear.

Murphy stepped up behind her, put one hand on her hip and used the other to guide his erection to her entrance. “I’m going to try and give you another orgasm,” he promised. “But I’m so fucking turned on I don’t know how long I’ll last.”

“It’s fine,” she assured him, her hips moving back.

He moved the hair from her back so he could kiss the place at the base of her neck. “Do you mind if I pull on your hair?”

Murphy waited while she thought about it. “If I change my mind?”

“Just say stop,” he assured her, trying to remain just a little bit sane with the tip of his cock between the folds of her vagina. “That’s goes for everything.”

She nodded again and he ran his fingers down her spine so he could grip her hips with both hands. “Rough, right?”

“Don’t hold back.”

Taking her at her word he took a deep breath and buried himself to the hilt in one thrust.

She let out a strangled cry and he was about to check in with her when she moved back, pressing her ass into his crotch. “I don’t think you have to worry about me not coming again,” she managed to get out between unsteady breaths. “I’m so fucking close already.”

He could feel the muscles surrounding his cock flutter.

“Do you feel that? Feel how deep I am in your pussy?” he asked, rotating his hips to go just a little deeper. “Fuck, you feel good around my cock. So hot and wet, your pretty ass just begging to spanked.”

“Do that, and I’ll cut off your dick.”

He laughed but took the warning seriously.

Murphy pulled back and slammed into her again, the gasp of shock and arousal from Raven enough to spur him on. He fucked her over and over, the speed so quick and desperate Raven stopped trying to meet his thrusts and just took it.

In the car he’d bragged about being a filthy talker, but nothing he said could be as erotic and raunchy as Raven bent over the kitchen table taking his cock like they’d been born to fuck just like this.

He shifted her hips, pulling them up a little so she nearly on her toes and this time when he drove into her, he found her g-spot. “Fuck, fuck. Do that again, Murphy, I’ve never felt anything like that.”

Murphy repeated the action and she nearly screamed; the kitchen table moved with the force of their joining, but Raven didn’t appear to notice as she asked, “Didn’t you say something about my hair?”

She was flat on stomach now, and he hoped she wasn’t getting burns on her skin from the friction. He wanted to give her dick, not be a dick.

“Decided you were into it, huh?” He wrapped the long strands of her hair around his fist as he teased her. Murphy pulled her hair just a little until her torso was off the table. “I should have fucked you in front of a mirror.”

“I didn’t even think of that,” she admitted.

“I’d get to see your tits while I fucked you, your face while you come. You’d see how fucking hot you are while I drive into you from behind.”

“Fuck, Murphy. I’m close.”

So was he. Honestly, he should get a fucking metal for not having completely blown his wad by now.

He reached below the table, finding her clit with his hand. The movement forced Raven’s head back, her hair still held in his fist, her back arched and he was truly regretting the lack of a mirror.

His fingers pressed against her clit where he kept his strokes short and rough as he pleasured her to edge.

“There,” she moaned. “Fucking shit, you’re good at this.”

“I was inspired,” he told her honestly. He almost pulled out completely out, timed it so when he thrust in all the way he was pinching her clit at the same time.

“Fuck!” she nearly screamed, her entire body shaking with the force of the orgasm.

She was clenched so tightly around him he could barely move inside her, but he didn’t need much more incentive to come. Raven’s tight pussy was pulsing around him and a few seconds later he exploded inside her.

The orgasm was the strongest one he’d ever experienced and felt never ending.

When he finally managed to catch his breath and come back to his body he released Raven’s hair and all but petted her. He ran his hands down her back, along her ribs and waist, trying to soothe them both after what felt like a near death experience.

“Still with me?” he asked when she didn’t move.

“Yes,” she answered and took a deep breath. “I think I stars with that last one.”

There was more than a little male ego in his smile, so he was glad she couldn’t see it. “I’m going to pull out now and take care of the condom. Bathroom’s down the hall on the left.”

As he tossed out the condom he grabbed a towel and cleaned himself up, keeping an eye on Raven as she walked towards the bathroom. When he was certain she wouldn’t fall over he poured them both a glass of water and had already down his by the time she came back out.

Still naked.

“I don’t have the ability to fuck you again right this moment, but damn does my body want to.”

Her smile was amused but he thought he saw a little bit of a blush on her cheeks. “Right back at you.”

Murphy walked to her and handed her the water while he moved around the room to pick up her clothes so she wouldn’t have to bend over and do it. Getting fucked like that was fine, but no one felt cool picking clothes up off the floor.

“Thanks.” She got dressed in front of him, so he didn’t feel particularly bad about enjoying the view. When she pulled on her dress and turned away from him he took the hint and reached for the zipper.

“Is this a one-time thing, Reyes?” he asked, letting go of the dress and taking a step back.

She pushed her hair back over her shoulder, turning to look him straight in the eye. “I don’t know,” she answered, but there was a twinkle in her eye and mischief at the corner of her mouth. “Maybe I’ll come by for lunch at your office one these days.”

With those words, Murphy was fairly certain he had actually died during that orgasm and was now in heaven.

“Yeah,” and in that moment John Murphy realized he was no longer unaffected. “That’d be cool.”