#the screen even faded to white when she decided to leave I kept expecting into the west to play

[asleepdeprivedtree]

Me, watching Barbie and seeing the protagonist somewhat unwillingly go on a journey to save their perfect home and the world, having an "of course you are, and I'm coming with you" moment, be chased by numerous men dressed in black, and then in the end leaving their home because they were changed by their journey and can no longer live happily in their home:

[sorry-i-ship-drarry]

Da Capo

Dialogue Prompt 16- " because I love you, is that what you wanted to hear " requested by @sunflowerishdolphin ( your last remaining request ) | TW- NONE |

Da Capo-(Italian: from the beginning); at the end of a piece of music or a section of it, means that it should be played or sung again from the beginning.

He shut the door behind him, locking immediately, putting those grocery bags on the counter and turned on the voice Machine , picking up the mails from the corner table reading who addressed them as he simultaneously heard the voice messages like his usual evening, a routine that had became a practice.

" you have 2 new messages "

" hey harry, this is Clint. Send me those pictures via e-mail, could you ? Call me when you get back "

Harry subconsciously nodded as he read the next mail addressed from the burrow.

" harry "

He stopped dead in his movements as he stared at the tiles on the floor, hearing that very familiar voice.

" I- I know I should not- you know- never mind. Uh, call me or not, whatever. Just- how do you end this-" the voice message echoed with rustling until it ended with a beep and harry couldn't bring himself to stop the beeping.

When one of the apple fell down over the ground creating a thud, harry broke free from his locked moment of strangeness and shut off the beep. He stared at the number long enough to remember his past, the horrors, the pain, the anguish, the agony of it all but he couldn't resist himself from Noting down the number on the notepad and just staring at it.

He had called, 1 year and 6 months later, he had called.

Harry left the notepad like it had been resting on the counter and went out to the garden to water his plants and get some peace from the quick Sand of the emotions that had started overwhelming in the presence of the noted down number. But it didn't help the rail of his thoughts that resulted in overflowing of the pots.

The evening had turned into a chilly night yet without a care he kept staring at the TV screen blankly, finding it hard to forget that voice message. That familiarity in the voice had almost Haunted harry every night in dreams and that un-advanced way of not knowing still how to end a voice message made harry smile if only for a moment but he was strongly reminded of how had things ended, in fights, In rush, in sadness, in heart break.

He wanted to call back and ask him why had he called, he even stood before the phone, dialing almost the entire number but could never gather the entire courage to actually call him back. How could he ? After everything that had happened, how could he?

It had been almost 1 and half year since harry moved to a small town in Paris living in a muggle suburb and still learning French but he had sat in his balcony drowning in rain, yet he never felt at home. He never wanted to leave Britain, London but what choice did he had but to leave everything behind and start new, a fresh start and yet all he felt was moving backwards. He loved it here, the neighborhood, the children on the streets, the grocery man, Adrian's little shop around the corner yet the smell of the Rain, the smell of laundry, the Blooming garden, the sunlight, nothing felt the same, not like how it was when he was with him. Nothing ever felt the same anymore .

Somewhere around blankly staring at the TV, the screen had Turned grey with no more left to watch when harry forcibly picked himself up and put himself to bed, relentlessly tossing and turning until sleep had returned to him like previous night's.

You can't stop thinking about me .

That's not true.

Do you really think so? Then why am I here ?

You tell me.

He sighed, his voice flourishing and sounding like the softest of breeze, you can feel it too, can't you, you know I will be there with you..

I can't feel anything. A pause.

You're coming?

Do you want me to ?

Harry tossed one last time, slowly opening his eyes in the silence of the night and the street light outside flickering with yellow and black. He sighed to himself as he sat right up and followed the line of sight to where the phone was kept.

" hi, draco, hi- uh, you called. I- didn't know about it- just got your message- I wanted to check what you called for so leave me a message or call me in the mor-"

" harry?"

Harry stilled with the phone pressed against his ear, his breathing sounding very clear like he had held the phone very close to himself as if holding it too close would make the conversation more real.

He stared at his feets on the ground comprehending how to respond, he had not expected draco to pick up-

" harry, you there ?"

" yeah, yeah. Uh sorry- I just- " he breathed " isn't it late ?"

" sort of yeah. I just- I came from a run "

" this late at night ?"

" yeah " he breathed.

Harry breathed.

" you called earlier ?"

" yeah " a long pause before he released a rolling breath and spoke again " I'm visiting Paris and I- I know you're there, so I was just wondering if you'd like to meet sometime if you're free of course ?"

Harry's fingers coiled to the telephone loop, a little smile forming over his lips as he whispered " Sure. When ?"

" this weekend "

" I'll pick you up ?"

" that'd be- nice " he breathed.

" okay "

" okay "

They breathed.

" I'll send the details via mail " he added

" okay "

And they finally cut the call but all harry did was stare at his feets on the ground crossed together as if it offered any peace.

_______________________________

The sun had rose like usual with the birds chirping just outside Harry's balcony, the usual ringing of his alarm clock went unnoticed as harry stepped out of the long shower. He padded across the room water dripping down his neck due to his washed hair, finally shutting off the Alarm. He stared at the watch as minutes stroke by, his mind lost in the moving of the minute hands until a shiver has ran down his spine and he dropped the clock on the bed and fetched the shirt and the pants he has decided to worn a day before. The same blue flowy shirt and the same Khaki pants.

Anxiety was not a surprise visitor anymore as harry fidgeted wearing his watch over his rest and tying his shoe laces that at some point, harry left them be thinking that if he'd fall, he'd fall. He ran all around the apartment going from one room to another to living room because his things were scattered all across until finally the clock stroke 12 and harry left the apartment in his second hand ford from 1985.

Harry leaned against his car in front of the France ministry of magic building waiting for draco to come with sun bouncing over his soft brunette hair, checking his watch every minute or two.

And there he was, the same boy walking through the door carrying 2 bags in a soft cotton red faded shirt and washed blue jeans.

" waited for long ?"he asked awkwardly.

Harry shook his head as he took his bags and dropped them in back seat.

" I- harry- I just wanted to ask something "

Harry frowned but nodded as he opened the car door for draco.

" this isn't awkward, is it ?"

Harry huffed out a breath, glancing behind draco for a moment. Was it awkward,of course but he Wanted to settle through the awkwardness and not be like one of those people who can't visit their ex.

" it is a bit but we'll settle in. After all we're friends, right ?"

Draco chuckled softly before he nodded " we can be "

Harry smiled before he stepped away and let draco take the passenger seat and settled into his driver's seat as well.

" Hungry ?" Harry asked as the ignition roared.

Draco nodded " very "

" I know just the place " harry smiled putting on his sunglasses and drove to exactly where he needed to.

________________________________

Things remained a bit awkward with draco as harry adjusted to all new information and forgot thinking of draco as an ex he scrambled away from and reminded himself more to treat him like the way he used to before the relationship happened.

But despite that the wicked angels that remained on Harry's shoulder reminded him to be careful this time and even if he harry heard them, he ignored as he served draco the croissant he has freshly picked up from the bakery around the corner.

" what about the eiffel tower ?" Draco asked as he sipped his lemon tea, taking the plate of croissant away from harry.

" it's overrated but worth it. It's better in the evening, I'll take you there " harry replied as he ate his own.

" oh shit- I forgot. I had to be at work 15 minutes ago. I'll see you later yeah " draco hurried with his baked food and picked up his bag he has came with and disapparated from within the apartment.

Harry collapsed down on the chair thinking to himself what was he doing. How could he just forget everything and move on and pretend like nothing happened like he had been doing for days. He hated the pretending, the " I'm doing fine without you " act or we're better as friends act, he hated it but as draco would come from the hotel every afternoon and sometimes stay by till the evening, harry would allow himself to relish in those moments and let be.

"the real question is do you really want to be friends or not ?" Jade asks as she dressed the mannequin with new shirt introduced in this work fashion line.

" i- i don't know jade. Do I want to forget everything and move forward, yes but I can't just look at him pretend we don't have a past " harry kicked the ground as he was leaned against the wall in the cubicle with jade and the white mannequin for display.

" Harry, the past is the past. It doesn't matter anymore. And you know the whole thing about ex's can't be friends,it's shit, I'm friends with my first boyfriend " jade replied with the pin between her lips as he tucked the buttons together.

" your first boyfriend is gay now. You're not helping jade-"

" look harry. Is it worth it ? Is it worth spending time with him? Is it worth meeting him again everyday ? Is it worth being friends with him again ? Those are the real questions " She asked with her head titled for emphasis, her hands in the air waiting for his response.

Harry sighed closing his eyes, opening them again and spoke " I think. He's changed a lot and he's different now"

" well there you go and you know what, even if you don't want to be friends or anything, he's just visiting. He's not going to stay here forever you know and you barely visit home, so friends or no friends, it won't matter much" jade shrugged as she put the mannequin the hat and stretched her neck backwards to check the entire look before nodding to herself and stepping out of the cubicle, harry following him.

" I guess you're right " harry mumbled. Jade nodded and they departed to their response departments of work.

When the evening arrived he met draco Outside his work building and strolled off to where they could disapparate from without being noticed.

" it's a beautiful place " draco suddenly said as they were walking down the streets.

" it is " harry hummed nodding, pocketing his hand.

" don't you ever-" Breath " like miss home ? Everyone else?" He asked

Harry thought for a moment before he replied with all he could think of " it's a part of starting fresh. I miss people back home but I love it here too, everyone's nice "

" but doesn't it ever get lonely ?" Draco asked as he now walked right by Harry's side.

" sometimes but other times I just forget " harry shrugged looking forward before crossing the road.

" forget what ?" Draco asked as he ran to maintain his pace with harry.

" forget that I'm lonely. The best way to not get lonely is just not to think of being lonely " harry shrugged as he for a moment looked at Draco before he entered the dark Empty alley.

" is it easy ?" Draco asked as he stood before harry taking his hand for side along disapparation.

Harry gazed at draco, allowing the free sensation of holding his hand making him feel closer to home before he took a step forward towards draco.

" no "

And disapparated.

Part 2 & 3

might turn into a series fiction. @drarrywords thanks for beta reading this..

300 followers appreciate dialogue Prompt requests open

Angst prompt requests open

[lepusrufus]

To bargain for immortality pt.2

Finally, she felt well enough to leave the infirmary room for good. Her internal organs were at peace for the most part and she could keep some food down without the risk of seeing it for a second time. Her sinuses still seemed to refuse to recover though. Occasional nosebleeds would have her head spinning and the scent of blood so often present within the castle was somehow too offensive to her senses. Nicole couldn't help but wonder how exactly she got it this screwed up, but then again the first few days of the infection were a painful blur that she'd rather not remember.

For now she was content to sit in front of the fireplace with the rest of her family. They decided to have a movie night to break her out of the mopey state she had been in and, for the most part, it was quite the success. She wasn't paying much attention to the projector screen, some sappy scene from a movie chosen by Daniela playing at the moment. Instead, she was simply enjoying the close proximity to Cassandra that she so dearly missed in the last few weeks. Nicole was in the brunette's lap, with hands loosely around her waist and leaning against her shoulder. She was vaguely aware of Laura complaining about the poor life choices of one of the characters only to be unceremoniously shushed by the youngest sister. It made her chuckle.

Bela was passing the popcorn to her mothers when a knock on the main entrance reached their ears faintly. Lady Dimitrescu narrowed her eyes in the general direction of the sound, and listened. Soon enough the rapid steps of Alexandria, their Steward, reached them.

"My Ladies, Mother Miranda's assistant is here."

The whole family got up hesitantly and tried to look as presentable as possible, given their "lazy day outfits". For some like Bela that was a baggy shirt and shorts, while for the Lady it was one of her trademark white dresses. They made their way to the main entrance of the castle, where the assistant, a woman in her late thirties and the air of an annoyed teacher, was waiting. It was Alcina the one to ask why she was there.

"Mother Miranda wants to see um… Nicole was it? Yes, to take a look at the regenerative abilities."

"Why not do it here like last time?"

"Mother Miranda's laboratory is far better equipped for whatever she may want to test. Unless you have something to say against her wishes." She finished that with a raised eyebrow that would've gained her a talon through the skull were she not there as per Miranda's wishes.

Who's talons exactly was debatable.

"I'll come too," Cassandra spoke up from just behind Nicole.

That only got her a dismissive wave. "No, I was told specifically to only bring her. Come now, we don't want to make Mother Miranda wait."

With that, the woman turned around and started walking towards a carriage that would take them away. Nicole looked briefly at her family. They all had either confusion or mild concern in their eyes. All but Alcina who looked as if she'd like to protest and snap at the woman but was holding her tongue.

She reassured Cassandra that she'd be fine and started jogging after the assistant.

---

Needless to say, that was Nicole's first time stepping foot inside the underground network of tunnels. Not that she complained. Few people went there willingly and probably fewer left the same way they came in.

The ancient looking hallways were in such stark contrast with the occasional medical equipment and the pristine looking labs with doors left slightly ajar that Nicole had to wonder if the woman had no taste for a consistent aesthetic. At least Lady Dimitrescu kept all wiring and modern devices carefully hidden or blended in with the castle's decor. Here, the harsh neon lights illuminated worn out stone so dark it was almost black. Not to mention the smell of… old that seemed to ooze off the very walls she was walking by.

She was led inside a spacious lab, the bluish lights above being too bothersome for someone who got used to the warm or natural light in the castle. The room was rather long, numerous hospital beds lined up against a wall, some separated by white curtains and some left visible. An almost imperceptible whiff of an all too familiar foul odor reached her nose, but it was mild enough to be easily ignored. Nicole had a suspicion that the unmoving person laying in one of the cots further away could be the source, but she sighed and hoped not to join them by the end of the day.

Mother Miranda was sat at a desk, microscope in front of her together with a small stack of documents and a laptop. She was typing in what could probably be notes on whatever she was looking at, when icy grey eyes finally shifted to Nicole.

"Get changed and lay down," she ordered, not even moving from her spot.

The assistant that had brought her here, pushed a hospital gown that had been pulled out from a cupboard in her arms. At least she was allowed the decency of changing into a bathroom as opposed to stripping then and there in the middle of the room. The gown was surprisingly comfortable, fabric folding around her body and being held closed by a loose ribbon that she tried at the side.

Once she was back in the lab, she was ushered to one of the beds where she laid down, nervously waiting for whatever Miranda had in mind.

It was quite odd to see her without her usual attire, especially without the gold talons that Nicole was now far more familiar with than she'd ever hoped. The white lab coat looked far too normal on her and, were it not for the unmistakable cold eyes and regal posture, the woman would’ve been unrecognizable.

She finally got up, a few documents in hand, and approached her. The papers were handed over to the assistant, along with a few other objects and finally, Nicole had her full attention.

Mother Miranda bent down, scalpel in hand, and grabbed one of Nicole's wrists. Just like she did back during the first examination, the blade was dragged across the length of her forearm. Despite fully expecting it, Nicole couldn't help flinching at the pain, but she kept her eyes fixated on her arm, at the blood slowly starting to flow from the wound.

Soon the same tingling as before took over the pain and before their eyes, the skin started to stitch itself back together.

"Time," Miranda asked while wiping the blood to allow for a closer inspection of the now good as new skin.

"Five seconds."

"Alcina's?"

"Three seconds."

Miranda hummed, seemingly pleased with the results. Or at least as pleased as the woman was physically capable of being.

"Hook her up to the cardiac monitor," she further instructed while moving to retrieve something from another cabinet.

The assistant, Emma, if the tag pinned to her lab coat was to be believed, stuck a series of electrodes to her chest and abdomen. Nicole bit her lip to stifle a yelp when one came uncomfortably close to the still sensitive skin of the scar.

In no time, the machine came to life, familiar beeping sounding through the otherwise silent room.

"I hope you're not afraid of needles," Miranda said while grabbing the same arm she had before, lips pulled into a faint smirk.

Nicole only shook her head as she saw the needle of a syringe attached to a transparent slim tube slide into her arm. How ironic would that be. The sting was close to imperceptible, taken over by the now familiar faint tingle. Unlike with the cut, it didn't fade away, most likely due to not being able to fully heal the small wound with the needle embedded in the skin and vein.

She looked away, in the direction of the other occupied bed in the room. It was far away enough that she couldn't make out any detail, only messy brown hair sprawled on a pillow. The face was turned towards the wall and body covered up to the neck. She grimaced and decided instead to focus on the beeping machine, mildly annoyed by Miranda's lack of properly separating her dead lab rats from the living ones. At least she hoped she'd stay living.

The numbers on the machine started out normal. With the slight uncomfortable feeling of blood being drained however, her heart rate started to slowly increase.

Alright. Normal enough. Especially when someone is clearly in a fucking blood draining mood.

Nicole decided not to look at exactly how much blood Miranda was drawing, keeping her eyes glued to the various color coded numbers. The heart rate kept increasing until Nicole could swear she could feel her heartbeat ringing in her ears. She gulped. Still relatively within the norm.

Two things were at odds however. First, the blood pressure remained constant, almost as if her body simply refused to acknowledge the fact that it was currently being drained. Secondly, the temperature rose from the normal 36 degrees to a staggering 41 in less time than it should have.

"What the fuck…" She couldn't keep her tongue at the weirdness of her situation, her brain thankfully choosing confusion and curiosity over the dread that it probably should've felt instead.

Mother Miranda didn't seem to care though as she turned to type something on the laptop that she brought over from the desk. She tapped her finger on the device for a few seconds and finally spoke up.

"The accelerated healing means the blood is being regenerated constantly, thus not decreasing in volume. Which explains the constant pressure." She narrowed her eyes at the monitor once again. "It doesn't, however, explain the heart rate and temperature. Any bright guesses?"

It took Nicole a second to realize the question was actually addressed to her. Miranda seemed in an oddly good mood. Not any less hell bent on causing her pain, mind you, but she also seemed genuinely curious. Being a biology nerd will do that to you, she couldn't help but think.

Nicole hummed and thought for a second. She tried to recall any information about the topic at hand that she had studied prior to running away.

"Heart rate could just be the normal body response that stayed even with the mutation. Like… like a reflex. It remains even though it's not needed." Then she tapped a finger on her chin trying to find a less random explanation. "Or maybe it's the body's way of making sure that even while healing all body parts remain at least decently functional. No idea about the temperature though," she shrugged.

Miranda once again typed something up and then, without warning, pulled the needle out of Nicole's arm. She flinched, barely holding in an angry protest as she turned towards the woman. Which was a mistake. She couldn't help the gag that raised in the back of her throat at the sight of the metal container full of blood.

No, no, blood did not bother her. That would've cut her career as a medical examiner short before she even stepped foot in med school. It was the knowledge that that was her blood that made her stomach churn. The container could easily fit three liters of liquid in it, and it was full to the brim. Not to mention the smell that assaulted her still messed up sinuses mixing oh so perfectly with mr. corpse over in the corner.

Miranda just chuckled at her sour expression. "Do you think your darling wife would like to have this?"

With a sneer, masked by Nicole turning once again towards the monitor, she couldn't help slipping an edge of snark in her reply. "No need, she likes it fresh."

The numbers were back to normal, all but for the temperature that was taking slightly longer to go down.

---

By this point her vocal cords were raw from screaming and each shuddering sob felt like clumps of spines in her throat. Nicole was curled in on herself, small frame trembling pathetically on top of the uncomfortable bed. Her hands were shaking uncontrollably, the tingling sensation feeling like needles constantly pricking at her skin around and under the wired leather cuffs wrapped around her wrists. The frantic beeping of the machine was grating to her ears.

An electric shock test.

Of course.

Mother Miranda decided to test out how the increased heart rate worked. Results? Her body vehemently refused to allow her to pass out. Even when the shocks traveled through every part of her body, causing the nervous system to short circuit. Even when damage to internal organs and muscles ripped painful sobs from her throat, that turned into gags as soon as the tingling turned to nausea. Even when she could feel her heart hammering against her ribcage so fast that she was sure the small organ would burst any second. But it didn’t.

Every muscle in her body flared up in a sensation of painful pins and needles when Miranda pushed the button to release another shock. The cardiac monitor started screaming again and Nicole brought shaky hands over her ears in an attempt to block out the sound. Her whole body was on fire while all the damaged tissue repaired itself, making her stomach turn painfully. She felt like throwing up. Not that she had eaten anything today, but bile and thick blood still coated her esophagus. It was all swallowed back with a disgusting gulp.

The nausea was oh so kindly accompanied by searing pain from her still damaged sinuses, who’s condition only worsened exponentially with the electricity. The blood that seemed to coat all the way up to the inside of her mouth felt horrible mixed with the putrid smell of death.

She swallowed again, but that proved itself a bad decision as now that same smell permeated the very inside of her nose and mouth and throat and the feeling of blood sloshing on her tongue behind clenched teeth made her head spin.

She lurched forward, a small river of dark blood flowing from her mouth and nose, into her palms that she instinctively brought to her mouth. Wet coughs made it splatter into crimson splotches on the white sheets, herself and anything else within proximity. It took surprisingly long to realize that, after the initial wave that rose up her esophagus, the rest of the blood was from her sinuses. It was cruelly invading her nose and sliding back into her throat only to come out of her mouth. Fuck fuck fuck-

“What’s wrong?” Miranda’s tone lacked any trace of sympathy.

Nicole simply coughed out the remaining fluid from her mouth and unceremoniously grabbed a piece of cloth from Emma’s hands. She pressed it to her nose, only to feel it soaked against her skin far too soon.

“Damaged sinuses, as you said,” she croaked, her voice sounding so unlike her own.

That made Miranda frown. She kept that same expression while noting down the previous results. “It should be healed by now.”

“Well they aren't,” Nicole spat. The blood and the horrid smell were clouding her mind and, as many knew, pain and holding her tongue did not mix well in her. “And did we really have to do this in the same room as a dead fucking body?!”

Nicole’s angry outburst gave the woman pause. Annoyance mixed with a hint of confusion on her face. She looked at her assistant, an eyebrow raised in a silent question.

“No. Just- just anestesia.” Emma answered promptly.

“What the fuck do you mean anesthesia? Anesthesia doesn’t make you smell like a goddamn decomposing corpse, do you have cotton stuck up your noses?!” Thankfully the bleeding was starting to subside, which meant there was nothing to stifle her steadily raising angry tone.

Miranda, now sporting a scowl, got up and grabbed Nicole’s chin between two fingers. It made her flinch back, but there was no escaping the iron grip.

“I can assure you that the man is not dead, simply under anesthesia and recovering from a bad infection.” She moved Nicole’s head from left to right, eyes scrutinizing as ever.

Afterwards, she turned back and wrote something down on a piece of paper and simply instructed Emma to wrap up and lead Nicole out. The sudden shift not only in demeanor, but also in her position from the bed to standing upright was mildly dizzying. She swapped the gown for her normal clothes as quickly as she physically could, not wanting to spend another unnecessary second in this underground grave.

While she was ushered out the door, Mother Miranda’s sickly sweet voice rang after her.

“I’ll see you in a couple days.”

Her stomach turned.

---

The trek home was short and silent, Nicole simply wanting to get home as soon as possible and get a damn hot shower and sleep.

She bid the young man that was accompanying her goodbye the moment the Castle’s entrance was within jogging distance, and hurried steps took her to the imposing doors. It was Alexandria to answer her knock, Nicole having left her own keys in her bedroom.

“Welcome back my la-” the polite smile was all but wiped off the woman’s face, replaced by wide eyes. “Are you injured?”

Nicole looked at her confused, then down at herself. A muttered curse escaped past her lips when she remembered the bloody mess on her skin. “I’m okay. Just-... just don’t tell anyone I’m here yet. I'll change first.”

Her plan went out the window when a set of hasty steps came booming toward them.

“Nico-”

Cassandra’s voice died in her throat when her golden eyes landed on Nicole’s small frame, dried dark blood on her face and arms and her clothes stained. An angry growl slipped from between bared teeth.

“What the fuck did she do to you?”

Nicole was quick to answer, too tired to deal with anything other than a few hours of sleep. “I’m okay. I’m just-...” she shook her head, then turned to the Steward. “Alexandria kindly ask a maid to draw me a bath.”

“At once.” And with that the woman turned and scurried away, most likely also not wanting to be in the vicinity of an angry Cassandra.

---

The hot water felt like pure bliss on her skin. It seemed to make every muscle relax and get rid of the awful tension. She leaned back, eyes closed and hands idly moving through the water.

It was just mildly difficult to fully relax with Cassandra muttering and pacing back and forth in the same room though.

"I'm-... I'm not letting you do this again."

Nicole simply sighed and started to scrub away at dried blood. The miniature red waterfall from earlier had gotten blood all over her arms and chest, some splatters even getting on her legs. Her face was also a mess, trails of blood going from her nose and mouth to the chin with smudges and splatters.

"What did she even do to you?"

Before she had a chance to reply, a knock came from the door and a maid entered with a few clean towels and a change of clothes from Nicole's own bedroom. The girl didn't linger, simply giving them both a courteous bow and exiting the room.

Looking for something to change the subject, Nicole focused on the pleasant honey smell. Honey with a slight citrus-y undertone, maybe lemon or orange.

"Did you get a new soap?"

Cassandra stopped pacing, brows furrowed. "No? It's the same one."

Confused, Nicole brought a hand that had just been scrubbed with that very soap right under her nose and took a deep inhale. It was indeed the same one. Chamomile and mint. She sighed in annoyance and leaned back against the cool porcelain while Cassandra came and bent down on one knee to be somewhat on eye level.

"Nose still not working properly or…?" She said while gingerly tilting Nicole's chin up with two fingers. She grimaced at one yet to be washed trail of dried blood that made its way to her wife's thin upper lip.

Nicole simply shook her head and grabbed Cassandra's hand. "Can you… go get ready. I'm beyond tired and just want to lay down with you."

Cassandra pursed her lips but nodded none the less. With a kiss on top of red hair, she turned and left the spacious bathroom, door shutting with a heavy thud.

Left alone, she scrubbed every inch of skin again and took a few extra minutes to enjoy the warmth of the water. It felt so incredibly odd to not feel any actual pain after the day's events. Any trace of what her body went through had been erased by her newfound ability, not leaving behind even the faintest mark of a scar, nor blackened skin caused by electric shocks.

She pushed herself out of the tub, grimacing at the slight pink tone the water had taken. Body and hair quickly dried with the towels, she put on the clothes, a comfortable pair of shorts and a tank top, and finally stepped out of the bathroom too.

Cassandra was waiting for her in bed, velvety dark robes hanging loosely on her shoulders and eyes fixated on the window while her fingers were tapping furiously on the cover of a book forgotten in her lap. Book that was quickly placed on the nightstand when Nicole climbed in beside her and pushed her way into the brunette's arms. She was tired and absolutely not above demanding cuddles.

Her wife wasted no time in wrapping an arm around her and pulling the soft blanket up to cover them both. Nicole interlocked their fingers, absentmentally turning the ring on Cassandra's finger. The same ring she had, albeit in a smaller size. A golden band with intricate floral patterns engraved on it. It had no protruding gem, something they both opted for so that the rings wouldn't need to be taken off while working and wearing gloves. Instead, eight small ocre gems were lined among the minuscule curled leaves.

It took Cassandra about two minutes to take a deep inhale and open her mouth. New record.

"Are you… are you hurt?"

Nicole didn't look up at her, the concern dripping from her words alone were enough to squeeze her heart painfully.

"No. I'm all healed up, just tired." She could almost feel Cassandra's question of clarification, but not wanting to go over what had happened down in the laboratory so soon, she opted for something the brunette would hopefully be just as interested in. "We did get some odd results though."

At the lack of any interruption she went on. "Accelerated heart rate whenever I get hurt. Can't pass out." Which was both a blessing and a curse, depending on the point of view and situation. "Also for some reason my temperature gets really high."

"You get one hell of a fever?"

"Yeah."

Cassandra tapped a finger on Nicole's hand, mentally going over possibilities. "Aren't fevers used against infections? Maybe that has something to do with it."

A small hum passed her lips. Could that have something to do with it? It was possible that her healing abilities caused a fever in order to fight off any possible infection before it even became one. Maybe it was her body's way of lessening damage as much as possible since, as the day's events showed, the old replaced tissue had a tendency to get purged. She grimaced at the memory of slowly choking on blood and went for something at least slightly more pleasant.

"Oh and… I can't bleed out. Blood volume stays constant."

She looked up at Cassandra with what could only be described as a shit eating grin. Her wife blinked, realization seeming to dawn on her together with the faintest hint of a blush on her cheeks. She coughed.

"Yeah well. I'll keep that in mind. For when you don't need to sleep."

"And deny me some fun now?" Nicole's pout was purely for dramatic effect and it gained her an eye roll.

Two slender fingers gripped her chin to keep it in place while narrowed golden eyes bored into her green ones. The pout slowly morphed into a smirk. Cassandra was not the kind of person who did not indulge in her own pleasures and that, although to a more careful extent, included drinking her lover's blood. A fact that Nicole was not only not complaining about, but also learned to use in order to push all the right buttons.

When Nicole turned her head in the uncharacteristically gentle grip to plant a small kiss on the soft palm, Cassandra finally gave in. Concern was momentarily put on hold in the name of the normalcy they both have been denied in the last few weeks. She bent down, their lips meeting into a kiss that soon turned needy with tongue slipping past sharp teeth and a hand scratching lightly at her nape. Soon Cassandra broke their kiss, but only to slowly trail her way across her jawline with kisses and small nips. She bit at the soft skin right under the jaw bone, eliciting a quiet groan right by her sensitive ear. Black painted lips took her down the neck and across collarbones, planting a kiss right in between them, at the base of Nicole's throat.

When she slowly made her way to an exposed shoulder, Nicole's hand at the back of her head guided her further up, right above where her pulse was. After an inquisitive hum against her skin, she spoke quietly.

"Since blood loss isn't exactly a problem… no need to avoid the neck really."

Cassandra hesitated for a moment, but ultimately decided to trust her wife. She placed a gentle kiss on the spot right above where blood was flowing in rhythm with her heartbeat. The same gentle kiss that was placed on the skin countless times before and that only Nicole had the privilege of experiencing.

Sharp fangs sunk into tender flesh, the warm blood invading Cassandra's mouth making her moan low in her throat. Being used to the feeling of the bite by now, Nicole simply closed her eyes with a sigh and let her body melt into Cassandra's arms. The familiar blissful ache was welcomed, even though, she noticed, it did not bring with it the lightheadedness she had grown accustomed to.

Although she wasn't aware of it, Cassandra was, in a way, a creature of habit. Every time she would drink her blood, her hand would come up to cup Nicole's cheek, thumb slowly tracing the jawline, right before she would pull her mouth away. Every time, without fail.

This time however, when that happened, Nicole kept her in place with the hand tangled in brunette hair, her voice coming out breathy when she spoke. "Go on."

Cassandra would never admit it, but her self control would always waver while feeding. Therefore, she didn't need much convincing, continuing to take mouthfuls of blood in between a satisfied groan. When she finally had her fill, she pulled back with a bashful look in her eyes. Concern quickly flashed on her face at the sight of the crimson mess on her wife's neck.

Nicole however, not wanting their moment to get ruined, took one of Cassandra's hands in her own and slowly placed a soft kiss on each knuckle. After that was done, and the downright ticklish sensation of skin patching itself subsided, she guided the fingers over the bloody skin.

"See? Healed," she whispered.

Cassandra gingerly traced her fingers over the spot, looking for no longer existing puncture marks. She smiled upon not finding them and turned to pull out a handkerchief from a small drawer of her nightstand. A ritual of sorts, one practiced more times than they cared to count over the years. Cassandra passed the white cloth over the skin, wiping away the crimson stains while her wife relaxed into the touch.

"Feeling good?" It was a remark meant to poke fun at how much Nicole seemed to enjoy herself, but the double meaning did not go unnoticed.

A smile tugged at Nicole's lips and she nodded.

In turn, Cassandra hummed. "You taste different." And, at her lover's furrowed brows and the slightest hint of alarm flashing in her eyes, she clarified. "Not bad. Just different. Slightly sweeter actually."

"Is that so," Nicole purred, the smile returning to her lips.

Cassandra discarded the cloth on the floor to be retrieved later and shifted both of them back down on the myriad of pillows.

"Yes. Now how about you get some sleep."

Nicole wasted no time in snaking an arm around her waist and nuzzling into her side. It would never cease to amaze her how Cassandra's presence could make her feel so at ease, as if nothing beyond the castle's walls existed. At that moment, she couldn't help but be grateful for her newfound ability, useful in far more ways than one.

She stretched slightly upwards, auburn hair like a small waterfall behind her.

"I love you," she whispered against cool ashy lips.

"I love you too," Cassandra replied, closing the almost nonexistent space between their mouths in a soft kiss.

It left behind a slight coppery taste on Nicole's lips, but she couldn't bring herself to care, instead readjusting her legs to tangle comfortably around her wife's thigh.

[hangovercurse]

Our Song

At the last show of his tour, Kells invites you on stage for a duet, but it turns into a bit more than that.

Request: “Can you do one where the reader and Colson both are music artist. I know you're doing this with "The Thing We Can't Tell Pete about. But with this one they have been dating for a while and while they are in the middle of the song Colson decides to announce they're dating and gives her a kiss in front of the crowd, and the reader is just in shock. However it ends it up to you. Love ya!!!!!!!!”

Colson Baker x Reader

Warnings: implied smut/ mentions of sex, cursing

A/N: So, I used my own lyrics in here because why not (sue me I guess)

Word Count: 2326

The last two months had been absolute hell on Earth. Yes, you loved your job. Recording your third studio album was exciting but being busy all the time was exhausting. On top of that, your boyfriend being off on tour meant you hadn’t seen him in person in two months, which was driving you even more insane.

It also meant you hadn’t had sex in almost two months.

You’d called each other every night, even if you were both drunk off your asses or faded beyond belief. It had become your routine; get home from the studio, grab something to eat, then hop into the bath and facetime your blond boyfriend.

Tonight, was no exception, but the energy on the call was different. Colson was coming home tomorrow. Granted, he would be going straight to the venue for his concert, but he’d be here.

“You’re still coming tomorrow, right princess?” He asked, a joint hanging from his lips.

You smiled, nodding, “I haven’t seen you in two months. If I’m not there, you should assume I’m dead.”

He chuckled, “good.” He hesitated before continuing, “I was thinking you could perform with me. We haven’t performed White Sea in like a year.”

You bit your lip at the thought of performing with him again. He was right, after you’d finished live performance promo for the song, neither of you had performed it together. “Yeah, I’m down.”

The song was the first one you’d written together; it was actually the whole reason you’d met. “You don’t think people will get suspicious though? I mean, people are already catching on. I feel like performing it out of the blue would add fire to the flames.”

He thought about it, the wheels turning in his head. “I think it’ll be fine. Besides, it’s not exactly a secret.”

You nodded, “I know, we’ve just never really talked about telling people.” The last two words came out softer than you had intended.

Colson and you had been together for a year and still hadn’t officially told anyone outside of your closest circles. You liked the privacy, and getting the media involved always caused problems. So, you kept it to yourself. People saw you out together, but nothing had been confirmed.

Colson left the conversation there, not having a good answer. You had both agreed a long time ago that if people figured it out or someone slipped up and told you would be okay with it, and you would. You just didn’t think it was a big deal if people knew or not.

He started talking about his day on tour, the crowd he’d played to tonight. You told him about the song you were working on. Eventually he got called away by the boys.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, babe.” He smiled at you through your phone.

You smiled, “You better. I-“ You almost slipped up. Almost said those three words so casually. But you’d caught yourself. “I can’t wait.” You covered.

He gave you a small wave before your screen went back, the sound of the line disconnecting ringing through your bathroom. You put your phone on the floor next to the tub, leaning your head back and sighing.

You don’t know why it worried you so much. You knew you loved him, and you were pretty sure he loved you too. There was just something about saying out loud that scared the hell out of you.

 The next day was amazing. As soon as he texted you that he’d gotten to the venue, you were rushing to meet him there. When you stepped into the green room where he was, he ran up to you and grabbed you by your waist. Your arms went around his neck, legs around his as he lifted you up, burying his face into your shoulder.

“I missed you so much.” He mumbled into your skin. Your hands tangled themselves in his hair, holding him closely.

“I missed you too.” You whispered. He lifted his head up and pressed a deep kiss to your lips as your feet came down to touch the floor again. His lips were so familiar, it felt like the world had shifted back into place when you felt them on yours.

He pulled away, forehead and nose still pressed against yours. Your hands travelled from his neck to his shoulders, rubbing the fabric of his t-shirt. “I didn’t think I was gonna survive another night without you.” You said with a slight giggle, making him laugh.

“Well now you don’t have to worry about that.” He said, pressing a peck to your lips.

Before you could pull him back to your lips, your moment was interrupted. “We get it, you guys are cute. Whatever. Can we get hugs from our favorite girl?” Irv joked, pulling your attention to the group of guys near the couches in the room.

One of the things you loved most about being with Colson was how accepting his friends were of you. Slim and you had bonded over your love of music production and mixing, Baze had taught you some more complicated bass riffs, and Rook was your designated adventure buddy (after Colson, of course). You felt lucky that your boyfriend’s family had taken you in as one of their own.

You ran over to them, giving each of the guys a hug. When you hugged Ashleigh, she whispered in your ear, “don’t ever leave me alone with these lunatics again.” You both giggled at that, leaving the boys confused.

After messing around backstage for a while and catching up with your friends (mostly from the comfort of Colson’s lap), it was time for the guys to perform. You set up your spot side-stage with Ash, Irv, and Andre, excited to see the set.

Before he went on, Colson came over to you and pulled you in for a very giddy kiss. Pre-show Colson was your favorite Colson, except for maybe post-show Colson, only because he was so excitable. Every time you sat show side, he demanded you give him a good luck kiss. No matter who was watching.

Watching him was magical, in fact watching all the boys was magical. The way their passion showed through the music and the performance was something that not many other artists could perfect. You felt like you’d never match their level of performing.

When Colson brought out his acoustic guitar and two bar stools, you were a bit taken aback. Normally his shows were so high energy that he never wanted to sit down, even during the slower songs. It wasn’t really his style.

“I wanted to bring out a very special guest today to help slow this down a bit.” He said to the crowd as they screamed. “I haven’t performed this song in a very long time, but I figured today would be the perfect time to do it.”

He looked over at you, a smile on his face. It finally registered in his mind that he was talking about your song. Luckily, you’d had ears put in at the beginning of the show, so that wasn’t an issue. One of the venue’s techs handed you a microphone and signaled you to go on stage.

Once you came in view of the audience they erupted into another round of cheers, making you smile. Colson met you halfway and pulled you in for a sweaty hug. He led you over to the chairs, letting you sit down while he adjusted his mic stand. “For those of you who don’t know, not that there should be anyone who doesn’t know who this is, but just in case, this is Y/S/N. We wrote this song a little over a year ago today.”

You smiled as he started to strum the familiar intro, the lights dimming just a little bit.

Drownin’ in empty space.

You started singing.

Don’t even know my name

Feels like you’re miles away

Close my eyes, see your face

It’s okay

Rook brought the drum beat in as Colson smiled at you, his verse starting

Yeah

I was drownin’ in this darkness

Feeling like I was so heartless

All these drugs makin things harder

They tried to turn me to a martyr

You loved watching him party on stage, but you loved watching this side of him, too. Completely stripped down and raw. Hearing him rap the words you wrote together made your heart flutter, even if you’d written them so long ago.

I can’t handle shit I’m just a man

I tried to tell ‘em, they don’t understand

Riptide’s pulling me away from land

I couldn’t stand till you reached out your hand

And now I can.

The rest of the music came in, the sounds mixing as you began the chorus.

Drownin’ in empty space

Don’t even my name

Feels like you’re miles away

Close my eyes, see your face

The key raised.

Out on the open sea

Feel your eyes watching me

Wanted to fall asleep

Now I believe.

The music kept playing, but Colson’s rap didn’t enter like it was supposed to. Instead, he just looked at you, a fond smile on his face. You tilted your head, questioning him, but he just placed his guitar on the ground and kept looking at you.

“I just want to let everyone here know, that today is my one-year anniversary with this amazing woman right here.” He said into the mic, causing the audience to burst into screams. Your jaw dropped, eyes widening.

He caught your expression and laughed but kept going. “It wasn’t a secret that we’ve been together, but we’ve been quiet about it. But I mean, like, fuck that shit. When you’re in love you should tell everyone, right?”

You smiled at him, your heart picking up speed. “And Y/N I am so fucking in love with you.”

You looked down, trying to hide the heat on your cheeks and the idiotic grin you were sporting. You had never expected this from him. “Like, seriously, this past year has been the best year of my life. Even when we aren’t together you are the one thing that I look forward to the most, every day. You are one of the best things in my life, and I want everyone to know that.”

During his little monologue he had walked over to your chair and pulled you up into his arms. You nuzzled your face into his bare chest, making him laugh. He pulled the microphone away from you both so it wouldn’t pick up your conversation.

“Hey, look at me.” He said softly and you complied. “I love you.”

You had tears in your eyes as you studied his perfect features, “I love you, too.” You whispered. “I’ve wanted to tell you for a while I just…”

“I know, princess.” He smiled, leaning down and pressing your lips together in a sweet, passionate kiss. The audience erupted in applause, cheers, and awes. “Are you gonna say anything?” He asked once you’d pulled away, motioning to the audience with a smile on his face. You shook your head, burying it back in his chest and laughing. He spoke into the microphone, “she got all shy now.”

The crowd laughed with him, shouting supportive comments at you both. “But she said she loves me too so that’s all that matters.” He continued, earning even more cheers.

 After the show, Colson came backstage and immediately attached his lips to yours, hands holding you close. You pulled him into one of the unused dressing rooms, mouths never leaving each other. He hoisted you onto the counter, standing in between your legs, and leaned your back against the mirror.

Finally, he released your lips from his, making you whine. “I’m sorry I didn’t talk to you about all this, but after last night I couldn’t keep it a secret anymore. And you just looked so pretty out there that I-“ You cut him off with a kiss, lips moving together slowly.

He chuckled as you pulled away. “Colson, I loved it. I was hella embarrassed because the first time you told me you loved me was in front of thousands of people, but I loved it. And I love you.”

He smiled, pressing a peck to your lips. “How much do you love me?” He asked, slyly.

You raised an eyebrow at him, knowing something was up. “Depends on your next statement.”

A laugh fell from his mouth as he reached into his pocket, pulling out a small rectangular box. “Because I really hope it’s a lot.”

“What are you doing?” You asked him, giggling.

He lifted the lid off of the box to reveal a key with your first initial painted on one side and a C on the other. “You don’t have to, but if you wanted to maybe think about moving in with me, now you have a key.” He smiled as you took the metal in your hands.

You looked up at him with wide eyes, lips open in shock. “So, you’re asking me to move in with you?” You confirmed.

“Only if you want to. But yes.”

You smiled, looking back down to the key and then up to his face before pressing a passionate kiss to his lips. Your arms went around his neck and his hands went to your waist. “Of course, I want to, dummy.” You giggled and reconnected your lips.

“We’re supposed to go out and celebrate the last night of tour tonight, you’re gonna come, right?” He asked and you rolled your eyes.

“You act like I don’t wanna be around you.” You pushed his chest playfully. “But we might be a couple minutes late.” You smirk.

Colson raised an eyebrow, “oh yeah? And why is that?”

Instead of responding you just giggled and pulled him back into a kiss.

[sisterspooky1013]

Only One Choice, Chapter 11

Read it here on AO3 / Tagging @today-in-fic

Spark.

She watches Ethan from the couch as he pulls a tin of muffins out of the oven, arranging a few on a plate. She’s been thinking a lot about what Mulder said about not having a spark with his ex. She wonders if she and Ethan have a spark, or if they did at one point. When she thinks about her relationship with Ethan, what stands out to her is commitment, dedication, stability. And love, of course, she does love him.

When they first met through mutual friends, she wasn’t particularly interested. He was perfectly nice, and good looking enough, but struck her more as a potential friend than a boyfriend. He was steadfast, kept showing up, kept gently working to get to know her, and eventually she started to grow fond of him. They’ve joked that while his attraction to her was immediate, hers to him was more of a slow burn. This is what mature, adult relationships are like, right? Measured, practical, logical. When you’re young, wild, and free, you date whoever you have the most fun with, chasing the next exciting experience and the rush of a first kiss. But the person you marry should be someone who you know will be a dependable partner, a good parent, and a lifelong support. That has always been her belief.

Ethan returns to sit with her on the couch, setting the muffins on the coffee table to cool. He picks up her feet and puts them in his lap, casting her a brief smile before he goes to work pressing his thumbs into her arches as he watches TV.

Spark.

Is that what she feels when she’s with Mulder? A spark? Is that why her stomach goes into knots when he looks at her? Why she feels the overwhelming urge to touch him? The sensation that there is an electrical current passing between them is not one she’s ever felt with Ethan, that’s for sure. There was no adrenaline in their first kiss, only contentment. Comfort, safety, security. These are good feelings, ones you can build a life on. Can you build a life on a spark?

“You still going to try on dresses tomorrow with Missy?” he asks, his eyes glued to the TV screen.

“Mhmm,” she answers over her book, which she hasn’t gotten through a page of in over thirty minutes.

“Are you gonna let me see what you pick?” he asks, glancing at her from the corner of his eye with a surreptitious smirk.

She sets the book on her stomach and gives him a chastising smile. “Of course not, Ethan. That’s against the rules.”

“Who made that rule, anyway? I’ve already seen you naked, I should be able to see you in a fancy dress before the big day,” he says with a pointed look.

She swats him with the book.

“The fact that you’ve already seen me naked is also against the rules, so I guess we’re 0 for 2. Don’t tell my mother that,” she lectures playfully.

“I’m sure she has her suspicions, given that we live together,” he says dryly.

“Leave the woman to her ignorant bliss,” she retorts, and they hold eye contact for a moment, exchanging affectionate smiles.

Not a spark, but maybe an ember. Burning steady, carrying them through the dark nights. Sparks die out quickly. She only hopes her spark with Mulder fades soon, because right now it’s burning so bright it’s distracting her from the ember sitting right at her feet.

———

She frowns at herself in the mirror.

“This one is really pretty, Sis, you don’t like it?” Missy asks, tugging at the train to straighten it out.

“I don’t know. Maybe. No.”

She looks forlornly at the rack of dresses she’s already tried on. Every length and cut, style of bodice and neckline. They all seemed wrong.

“I mean, I know you’re generally hard to please, Dana, but this is getting ridiculous,” Missy laments.

“I know, I’m sorry,” she replies, casting Missy an apologetic look.

“Which one do you think Ethan would like? Would that help you decide?” Missy offers helpfully.

Ethan. Right. She realizes that she’s been thinking about what Mulder would make of her in a white dress. She suspects he’d go for the mermaid fit.

“Can we just try again another day, maybe? I think I’m just not in the right headspace for this,” she pleads with her big sister.

“Sure, whatever you want. Let’s go get coffee or something,” Missy says as she ushers Dana back into the changing room.

They go to her favorite local spot, finding two open armchairs near the fireplace, which is off for the summer. Dana tucks her legs under her torso, sipping at an indulgent white chocolate mocha; she feels the need for small pleasures right now. Missy eyes her appraisingly, and she can feel the third degree that is about to commence.

“So what’s up with you?” she finally asks, her tone inquisitive but not abrasive.

“What do you mean?” Dana asks in reply, avoiding her eyes.

Missy’s head drops to the side in exasperation. “Are you really going to make me spell it out for you, Dana? I’m trying to be supportive of your decision to marry Ethan, but you’re making it really hard being so openly miserable all the time.”

Dana looks at her with surprise and indignation. “I am not miserable.”

“Coulda fooled me,” Missy says sarcastically.

Dana shakes her head. “I’m just...I don’t know, I have a lot on my mind.”

“Care to elaborate?” Missy asks with an expectant look.

She sighs and sets her shoulders. She needs to talk to someone about this, and Missy is literally her only option.

“Okay, but first I need you to promise me you’re not going to make a big deal about this, because it’s really not a big deal,” she prefaces with a stern look.

“You know me, I don’t do big deals,” Missy replies, working hard to hide her anticipation for whatever her little sister is about to reveal.

“Okay. So, I met this man at work,” she starts, and Missy’s eyes go as round as oranges. “Missy, don’t look at me like that.”

“I didn’t say anything,” Missy defends, “go on.” She’s leaning forward in her chair, creating less space between them.

“He’s an agent, he was just picking something up for a case he’s working on, but he asked me out, and we’ve kind of been...we’ve become friends,” she says hesitantly, glancing at Missy to gage her reaction. Missy is forcing a blank expression.

“So...you’re dating him?” she asks flatly.

“No! Oh god, no. I mean, he asked me out and I told him that I have a boyfriend, but now we’re just kind of friends, and….Jesus Christ.” She drops her forehead into her palm. Even describing what’s going on with Mulder is apparently impossible. “We are just friends, but...but I’m having a hard time reconciling how I feel about him.”

“How do you feel about him?” Missy asks.

Dana shakes her head. “I don’t know how to describe it, Missy. I love Ethan, I’m not having doubts about him, but this man...I feel so drawn to him. Being around him feels...almost electric.”

“Like you have a spark?” Missy asks, and Dana’s head snaps to look at her. She’s open, curious.

“Yeah...exactly like that,” she replies regretfully.

Missy nods in understanding, and it somehow makes Dana feel a little better, like she’s not totally crazy. “Tell me about him,” she requests, and Dana can’t help but smile.

“Um, he’s a criminal behavioral analyst, in the Behavioral Science Unit. Oxford educated. He’s funny, but in a dry, intellectual way. He has some pretty outlandish ideas, but he’s so passionate about what he believes in, it’s impossible not to take him seriously. He’s kind of intense, but really alluring.” She pauses, knowing she can’t go on much further without veering into gushing.

“Is he cute?” Missy asks, and Dana closes her eyes.

“SO good looking. Painfully so.” She opens them and Missy is smiling knowingly at her.

“Sounds like a real catch, Sis.”

“Yeah, but I’m engaged to someone who is also a great catch in his own right. I feel like I’m in a romcom.”

“So what are you gonna do?” Missy asks earnestly.

Dana looks at her with surprise. “What do you mean? I’m not going to do anything. It’s just distracting, but obviously nothing can or will come of it.”

Missy gives her a doubtful expression, but then raises her eyes to meet with someone over Dana’s shoulder, giving them a questioning look. Dana turns to see Mulder standing beside her, a cup in his hand and that damn boyish smile on his mouth.

“Hey, Scully, we meet again,” he says, glancing between her and Missy.

“Mulder, hi,” she stumbles, bringing her feet to the floor and squirming around as though he’d caught her in a compromised position. “Um, Mulder, this is my sister, Melissa. Missy, this is Fox Mulder.”

He steps forward and extends his hand to Missy, and she shakes it with a flirtatious smile. “Nice to meet you, Fox.”

“Oh, please call me Mulder,” he replies.

“Alright, Mulder, would you like to join us?” Missy asks, and Dana shoots her a look.

“Um, yeah, I can hang out for a minute,” he replies cautiously, pulling up a chair between the two of theirs.

“So, how do you and Dana know each other?” she asks, and Dana isn’t sure if she’s asking because she realizes who he is, or because she doesn’t.

“We work together, technically speaking. I’m a criminal behavioral analyst in the Behavioral Science Unit.” Missy gives Dana a look that tells her it was the latter. “What are you two up to today?” he asks, running his palm over a stubbled cheek. She can hear the scratch of the short hairs against his skin and it sets off a tingle at the back of her neck.

“We were just doing some wedding dress shopping,” Missy offers, watching his reaction closely.

“Ah,” he says, only moderately concealing his dissatisfaction, “sounds like a good time.” His tone is dry and not at all genuine. “So, Scully,” he says, directing his words to Dana, “Priscilla was wondering if you could stop by next weekend. She has something to show you.”

She smiles coyly. “Does she? Not a hairball, I hope?”

Mulder chuckles. “No, it’s a file, actually. Her personal favorite, she’d love to share it with you.”

“I think I might be free on Saturday,” she replies, “I just need to check, um…”

“Check with Ethan, right,” he finishes, his smile fading a bit.

“Right,” she confirms, her own smile quickly extinguishing.

Mulder stands. “I’ll email you, to confirm.” He turns to Missy, “It was nice to meet you, Melissa.”

Missy beams at him. “Likewise.”

Mulder turns to Scully and gives her a longing glance, then leaves. They watch him go, waiting until the door has closed behind him to speak.

Missy slaps Dana’s arm. “Oh. My. GOD, Sis!” she exclaims with wide eyes and an open mouth.

“What?” Dana returns.

“Spark? That is a goddamn bonfire. Even I could feel it,” she says with a look of wonder.

Dana gives her a pained expression then drops her head into her hands with a groan.

“Why does he call you Scully? And who the hell is Priscilla?” Missy adds.

Dana lifts her head, looking at her sister regretfully with a shrug.

“He said I don’t look like a Dana. Priscilla is his cat.”

Missy closes her eyes for a moment and gently shakes her head, her eyebrows furrowing like she’s trying to reconcile all this information in her brain.

“Whoa, so you’ve been to his place?” Missy asks incredulously.

Dana nods hesitantly.

“Sis, what are you doing? If you were to tell me that you’re going to break it off with Ethan and run away with that beautiful man I would honestly support you. But if you’re trying to keep things on the up and up here, a private rendezvous at his apartment seems like a really bad idea.” Missy is deeply confused, not used to being in the position to tell her sister what decisions are unwise. That is typically Dana’s role in their relationship.

Dana glares at her sister defensively. “We’re just friends, Missy. Men and women can be just friends.”

Missy shoots her a ‘do you think I was born yesterday?’ look.

“Sure they can, if they aren’t insanely attracted to each other. That man practically devoured you with his eyes, Dana. He wants to be more than your friend,” she says emphatically.

“Well, he’s not going to be. I’m with Ethan. And I’m an adult who can control myself enough to maintain boundaries with a platonic friend who happens to be an attractive man. I’m not a Neanderthal, Missy.” She’s using her professor voice, presenting the topic with supporting evidence. Only the facts, folks.

“Okay,” Missy says, acquiescing. “If you trust yourself then great, have fun with your friend. Does Ethan know you’re gallivanting around with a sexy behavioral analyst?”

The guilty look that overtakes Dana’s face is answer enough.

“Well,” Missy continues, “just don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” she brings levity back to the conversation with a little smirk.

“That leaves me with a lot of options, Missy,” Dana retorts, and Missy slaps her arm again.

[i-cant-sing]

Okay, Moon anon was able to contact me and I'm gonna post their chapters 3-6 here.

Daniel and YN 3 🌗🌗

Rainy days are crazy. Some of YN’s best and worst memories were on a rainy day. It was a rainy day when Daniel was born. His parents overjoyed when he decided to join the world early. The Sunny morning turned rainy when they saw something was wrong. The sky was so dark when the doctored explained that their baby didn’t get enough oxygen in the womb or when he came out. That his brain was impacted by the trauma. It took four years for Daniel’s mother to stop blaming herself, four years for her to understand that she couldn’t have known that something was wrong in her womb. Four years when they had their second child. It was a rainy day when YN and Daniel got lost. Holding each other’s hand, tightly they wandered the Kamino Ward. Hoping that their parents would be right down an alley or around the corner. That was a terrible 6th birthday for YN. The steps Daniel left in the dirt started to get deeper and more burnt. The boy slightly started to tremble. “Daniel.. it’s gonna be ok. Momma and Pop are going to find us we just have to-“ “Are you two lost?” A very tall man in a black suit asked. YN couldn’t remember his face, but his voice was eerily calm and smoothe. His head had snow white hair on it. A look at him would’ve left even the hero All Might scared. “ye…Yes. My brother and I can’t find our parents..” “Oh dear. Well I can help you. They couldn’t have gotten far.” He held his hand to Daniel. And he almost took it had YN not stepped in. “We’re not supposed to touch strangers.” “Oh yes, that’s a very good rule. Well my name is.. Shigaraki. Now what are yours?” “…yn.. and daniel..” “Now we aren’t strangers. Let’s get you two somewhere safe. Your brother’s quirk might level the neighborho-“ “YN! DANIEL!” The relieved voice of their father shouted out. And the two quickly turned away, toward his calls and open arms. Tears running down their faces, swearing to never wander off again. The day was saved. When YN went to turn to Mr Shigaraki to tell him it was fine, he had disappeared into the crowd. But one question lingered in her head. How did he know Daniel’s quirk could be dangerous? It was a sunny day at first when YN and Daniel went out to the park for their Day out. YN had already planned to tell her parents that she wanted to come back here for her 12th birthday in a few months. Daniel kept over-stimulating himself with every single thing that caught his eyes. The anthill, the trees, the way the wind carried the leaves, when he and YN jumped around over the hopscotch drawings. When the rain came down they didn’t want to leave. They wanted to splash in the wetness like a couple of ducks. But Momma was insistent it was time to go back to the apartment. Inside the car YN immediately put on her headphones to listen to nightcore covers of popular songs. It wasn’t until she noticed her mom’s terrified expression and felt her dad’s fear did she take them off. “-I DONT KNOW ITS NOT BREAKING!” “WE’RE GOING RIGHT INTO TRAFFIC! DO SOMETHING!” “..momma?..” “DANIEL! YN GET DOWN!” That was the last thing her mother said to her. The rain hit the car harder. Daniel was quick to cover his little sister as the car swerved towards a large truck. YN felt her brother shield over their bodies. The last thing she heard from her father was a yell. Before they crashed into the truck. Before YN and Daniel were flung out into the side of the road. Scratches beginning to litter their arms and cheeks. YN felt the rain on her face as she tried looking up. Tried finding her parents. It was a rainy day when the last image of her parents was the crushed front end of the car. 🌗🌗

Daniel and YN 4 🌗🌗

The incident at the cafe left a bigger mess then was intended. Of course the waitress didn’t say a word about who caused the mess, still terrified of the threat, but the manager still called the police. At the moment it was being investigated as a break in. It wasn’t until they started to bag the broken vases as evidence did they think to call a hero as they believed this was a terrorist villain trying to strike more fear. When the first cop touch the broken vases he immediately fell over and started seizing. Like someone had sent hundreds of volts up through his gloved fingers and into his blood stream. The second cop tried picking up the glass with prongs so that she wouldn’t get the same effect. But she still felt some pain and volts. Even the glass windows were giving off static. When they were examined no one could find a point of impact. It was almost like they spontaneously exploded. Worse and more confusing yet was the fact that the material seemed to give off radiation spikes. From a computer screen image, it was like a red glow was emanated from the glass. When the police tried to check the cameras, all the footage was either ruined, too melted to gather anything. It left them in a stump. So they had to make a plea to the hero society to get fresh eyes and help on the case. Not expecting any big response. Some heroes wanted to solve the mystery because it stumped them as well. This quirk residue was something unseen before. Calls and emails were left. All saying they would look into it. And it seemed like this would just be a mysterious case left forgotten. That is until the All Might showed up in the station one morning. Along with his protege Deku. They said they wanted to solve the case because if this person left such a dangerous residue after using their quirk, then they were a danger to themselves and others. No on saw the real intentions in their eyes. When they asked about the only other patron in the cafe the police said that they tried tracking them down, but they were gone into the wind. The only other patron at the cafe made their way into a compound. Holding treats meant for a little girl. But first he had to make a stop at his boss’s office. “Hey.. Kai. You won’t believe what Just saw.” Meanwhile in the station two separate rats made calls to two separate people. “Put me through to Shigaraki…. Hello. I have something interesting to tell you. Something that might please you and your Sensei.” “Oh hey there Aizawa. Detective Tsukauchi here. Look I you know about that cafe destruction a week ago? Yea well I think you outta here about this.” Indeed the cafe incident left a bigger mess than intended. 🌗🌗

Daniel and YN part 5 🌗🌗

They’d been gone for at least two months. YN’s feet hurt and Daniel missed his own bed. But they had to keep going, with no intended final destination but a goal to keep away from the previous home they ran from. After the morning at the cafe, YN and Daniel had kept to the shadows for the rest of the day. But they couldn’t keep going like this. They needed to eat today but not at a restaurant. There was only one dreaded… dreaded option. The grocery store. So after they checked in at the latest motel with kitchens in the rooms, the siblings ventured off to the store.YN couldn’t leave Daniel alone yet. He’d panic and probably have a fit. The store was minimally packed. Since it was still early in the day it seemed like they would zip in and out with relative ease. After grabbing the bare essentials, and what she could pack in a backpack without much drag, it was time to go to the candy aisle. It was a long journey thus far, a journey deserving of some sour candies. But of course there had to be another person there. Invading space and looking right at her favorites. She wanted to just grab and go. But her hand and the stranger's hand touched as they reached for the same one. “Sorry. I should’ve watched where I was going heh..” The tall redhead said. A small blush on his face as he rubbed the back of his neck. “It’s fine. Lemme just grab and go here.” She looked back for Daniel, luckily he was close by staring at the varieties of pocky they had. Turning back she noticed his uniform. UA, that might prove to be a complication. But YN was desperate for some kind words and a brief moment to talk to someone her own age. “So you go to UA? Are you a general student or a hero course student?” “Oh hero course definitely! I even have my hero name chosen!” “Wow that’s great. I hope in a few years I get to be saved by…?” “Red Riot!” “Like Crimson Riot?” “Exactly! I really admire him and I hope I live up to his-“ “OI SH**TY HAIR! WE’RE GONNA BE LATE! GRAB YOUR CRAP AND LET’S GO!” A blonde kid shouted down the aisle, also wearing a UA outfit. YN couldn’t place why but she felt like she’d known him before. That volume felt very familiar, but it startled her brother who jumped in fear causing the pocky he saw to fall off the shelving. Time to go now. “I should go anyway. It was nice meeting you.” “Wait, we could walk you and your brother to your school if you guys want?” “We have to go.” The blonde got closer and she could tell something was perpetually up his ass. “Bye.” “Wait! My name’s Eijiro Kirishima. What’s yours?” “YN. Just YN. That’s my brother Daniel.” And before he or his companion could ask anything else the two siblings fast walked toward the checkout and were out the door before they got another chance to talk to them. “YN… huh she was pretty cool right bakubro!” “What ever. Let’s get going before we show up after Deku.” But that name was familiar to him. The girl had long since faded from his mind, but how could anyone forget the day when a quirkless kid tried bashing your head into the dirt. He planned on apologizing the next day for his comments but she was gone. Gone and almost forgotten. It could be possible that this was just someone who shared the same name. But maybe.. possibly.. the universe was giving him the chance to apologize. “YN.” 🌗🌗

Daniel and YN part 6 🌗🌗

YN never really liked her neighbors. She never outright loathed them, but she was uncomfortable with how Inko kept trying to be her mother, and how Izuku had this strange obsessive stare when he looked at her. As long as they stayed in their apartment and never bothered them it would all be fine. But their parents couldn’t watch them all the time. So on days when momma and pop went out Miss Midoryia would graciously watch them. YN never liked pity. So when Miss Midoryia tried to pity and feel sorry about YN’s quirkless status, that just made her dig her heels in longer. She didn’t need people to fuss over her like she was a glass doll. At least with Izuku she could’ve had a companion. She did try to get along with him. But he was so weird. Just because they both were quirkless didn’t mean they’d would be close. “So why are you homeschooled?” “I get into fights.” “Why?” “Because people are mean and they think they’ll have no consequences to their words. I proved them wrong.” “Were they mean because you’re quirkless or because Daniel is… different?” Now obviously he didn’t mean any harm by that. But an emotional 10 year old girl is not someone to mess with. So with a sharp glare to his face the conversation quickly died. In the dining room, Daniel would usually be coloring. Or playing with his legos. Something to stim and distract his mind. Sometimes he’d just pull out a old painting his dad got him, and he’d spend hours looking at the strokes and would mentally add a new feature. Twirling the hair on his head whilst sucking/biting his thumb. “Daniel? Would you like some water?” “No miss. I want momma.” “I know sweetie but she won’t be gone forever. And you call me Inko” Though she’d prefer him to call her something more affectionate. Throughout the night Inko kept trying to mother them. She hovered over YN’s neck and tried petting her head which resulted in a swipe from the little girl. By the time YN’s parents got back, she was relieved and spent the rest of the night complaining to her mom about how she didn’t want to go over to the neighbors anymore and how she felt uncomfortable. Across the hall the two greenettes were enamored with the two kids. Inko adored how sweet Daniel was, how shy he looked to her. Izuku was star struck at this girl without a quirk who was so quick to fight against the norms put in place by a society against them. They'd soon make it a habit to try to talk to the family in the hall, or bump into them on the street. One day, after the family had been gone for a couple weeks, they saw the two with several police officers and a social worker packing away all their belongings. It didn’t take a genius to figure out that something terrible had happened. When Inko offered to watch them, the social worker confirmed the worst and took the children away. Three weeks later, as her son was at school Inko kept trying to find the legal way for her to gain custody of the kids when her door was knocked. Her husband, AFO, on the other side. She tried telling him to go away. Tried saying that he had no part in Izuku’s life anymore. But he had a bigger role than known. “How can you be so cruel my love? Especially now that I’ve opened the door for you to gain what you want?” “What do you mean?” “I’ll help you gain custody of the two children you are craving. I happen to have a fascination with them as well.” “I can’t ever guarantee that we’ll be a whole family ever again.” “Of course not. I wouldn’t expect you to. But let’s try something for now.” So Inko made a deal with the devil, to gain two angels. 🌗🌗

Now that AFO is in the story, I'm like so excited! Great work, Moon anon!

[evermorehaikyuu]

Is it ok if I request a fluff song fic for a kenma x reader where the reader has had a crush on kenma when they were kids and the reader accidentally confesses their feeling for kenma with this song?

Title: Wishing

Note: Hello! Yep, of course! I hope you’re okay with me doing childhood friends to lovers, so let’s get started!

Song: Dandelions (Ruth B.)

-

Childhood memories were full of laughter, friends, summers full of playing and occasionally sleepovers. There was always one friend that you’d care about more than anyone else and that was the one friend you could count on and them on you. For Kenma, that person was Y/N. 

Y/N was his best friend since they were little. Kuroo had been his other best friend, but the one Kenma counted on when it came to video games was her. She always offered a good challenge and he couldn’t deny it when he said that he had fun with her. On the days where their breaks had started, they’d spend a lot of time together, enjoying each other’s company. 

Through the years, they changed but their friendship never once wavered. They had gone to Nekoma High School and Kenma was known to have Y/N hanging around him while he was just quiet. It was strange to a lot of people, but Y/N didn’t think anything of it. Kenma was her best friend. Who was she to leave him behind if someone said something bad about her? 

“Kenma, have you been fighting with Yamamoto again?” Y/N sighed as she sidled up next to him at lunch. She already had his food packed, seeing as he forgot it and she set it in front of him. “You need to eat.”

“He started it,” Kenma grumbled, thinking about the fight he had had with Yamamoto earlier. He was barely a first year and he was already on someone’s bad side.

Y/N picked at her food, thinking before laughing, “You two are going to give poor Fukunaga white hairs before he’s supposed to. You’re teammates, try to get along.”

With an expression of disbelief, Kenma replied, “Didn’t you get into a huge argument with Kuroo because he wasn’t doing what you told him to do?”

“In my defense, it was air hockey! How do you fail at air hockey?! I was just giving him tips, but he said he could do it himself and the idiot didn’t let me help him!” 

Kenma’s hair fell, shielding the side of his face from her. It was a good thing because he had a smile at the time. Kuroo and Y/N were friends but there were times where it was clear that they’d strangle each other if it wasn’t for Kenma. At least they tried. 

When Yamamoto had told him that he looked like the girl from the Ring with that dark hair of his, he resorted to dying to tips blond, making him look completely different. Going to Y/N’s house for their scheduled study session, she had screamed at the sight of him before quieting down when she realized it was just him. Trying to explain to her what had happened, Kenma knew that she was internally laughing and he was grumbling the entire time before they got down to studying. 

What Kenma didn’t know was that Y/N was slowly coming to the realization that she was having feelings for him. She was having feelings for her best friend and she wasn’t ready to face them up front. After all, if Kenma rejected her, they wouldn’t be able to go back to their friendship. That was the one thing she couldn’t bear to lose. Kenma was her best friend since forever and she wouldn’t allow her feelings to get in the way of that. 

In their second year, it was clear to Kuroo that Y/N had feelings for him. Instead of teasing her about it like he wanted, he decided to pull her aside after school. “Can we talk?”

“Whatever I did, it’s not my fault, you made me do it.”

Rolling his eyes, he waved Kenma forward, saying that he’d return Y/N afterwards. He led her to a secluded place and crossed his arms across his chest, raising an eyebrow at Y/N. “Do you have a crush on Kenma?”

Her heart dropped. It was that obvious? “No, definitely not--”

“You’re doing the thing where you’re lying.” Kuroo smiled gently at her, shrugging his shoulders. “I mean, with the friendship you two have had, I expected it. But how long ago did you realize?”

“First year. Just...don’t tell him. Please. I don’t want to lose him because of my feelings for him, I couldn’t bear to have that. Kuroo, please don’t tell him.”

“I won’t. But you never know, maybe he’s just good at hiding the mutual feelings.”

If he had feelings for her, he hid it better than anything. Kenma did have feelings for her and he decided to put it aside because of the same Y/N was sparing hers for him. They didn’t want to lose each other, not after so many years being inseparable. If the rejection was too much for both of them to handle, who knew what’d happen to the both of them. 

Wishes were made by the both of them, hoping that the other would return the feelings with some sort of miracle. Whenever one of them saw the other smiling, they’d feel much more comforted in the end. It was hard to hide it from other people, it was like everyone knew about their feelings for one another except them. They were friends for a long time so the affection they had for one another did not seem romantic whatsoever, it was only seen as platonic for the both of them.  

The years kept going by and now they were in college, Kenma rising to the top faster than ever. He was already preparing his new company and was a famous Youtuber as well as a professional gamer. It seemed like he had everything figured out. The one thing that never changed was Y/N. They were both still pining after one another and it was driving everyone around them insane to know that no matter what, they’d be so utterly oblivious to their discreet ways of showing romantic love to one another. 

The first strike was during Kenma’s stream. He had been playing a game and Y/N had gone to his house because she had a key for his place (Kuroo was on the verge of tears when he heard this, he couldn’t believe she didn’t know what that meant). Walking into his room, she asked, “Kenma, where’s the jacket?”

“Which jacket?” Kenma was focused on his game, but his mind was whirring as to try and figure out what she was talking about. “Yours or mine?”

“Mine, I’m pretty sure I left it here. I’m cold.”

“You can take one of my jackets--” Kenma paused at the sight of the screen’s comments going wild from the conversation. So many of them were asking if that was Kenma’s girlfriend, what her name was and others were just screaming about the revelation. “Guys, this isn’t my girlfriend, she’s just my best friend.”

Y/N’s heart froze at that sentence. He clearly didn’t see her as anything more than a friend. But it was also quite common because Kenma had always called her his best friend. So why did it hurt more now? However, she made sure not to let that hurt show as she tugged on one of Kenma’s hoodies, bringing up a chair next to him. “Can I stay?”

“Of course you can stay.” He paused at the sight of her in his hoodie, his own heart rate increasing and it was clear to everyone else that he was head over heels for her, except her. She didn’t notice. This drove the Nekoma team insane, considering they watched a lot of Kenma’s streams. Yamamoto literally said something along the lines of them to date already because no one wanted a 500k slowburn and if they did, they were masochistic. Luckily, the rest of the comments drowned out that one comment or else Kenma and Y/N would’ve sat in awkward silence. 

“Kenma, you’re going to lose!” Y/N said, gesturing at the screen. 

Quickly turning to his game, he continued talking and playing, all too aware of Y/N next to him in his hoodie. He decided to play with her in the next stream, seeing that a lot of the followers liked her. When he asked, she eagerly agreed and left with his hoodie on. Kenma sat in his gamer chair, staring at the wall. How could he find out if she shared the same feelings for him as he did for her without any consequences?

The day of reckoning arrived for Y/N. She decided to talk to him and tell him because it was already driving her insane to know that her feelings hadn’t faded away through the years at all, they just increased. Picnic dates were Kenma’s favorite thing to do with her, so she chose to take him to their favorite spot and confess there. 

Both of them were going to the place and before long, they were joking around and laughing like they did before. Y/N almost forgot the reason why she had invited him until Kenma asked, “Why’d you invite me here? I mean, I don’t mind but usually it’s because something big is coming up. Is something wrong?” He knew her better than anyone else and it made her glow internally. 

Staring at the landscape before them, covered with thousands of dandelions. The reason why it was Kenma’s favorite place was because of his quiet fondness for dandelions. When they were younger, Y/N and Kenma would make flower crowns of dandelions and put them on one another. He never got the hang of it, but he wore his crown the entire time and even kept it afterwards. He was always sad when they wilted away but she told him that she could make some more for him. That was when they found the hill with the scenery of dandelions. It became Kenma’s favorite place and he found it to be much better when Y/N was at his side.

Y/N gathered up all her courage to say the next words. “I brought you here because I wanted to tell you something. I don’t know how to say it subtly but I don’t think subtle will work here. I like you, Kenma. I have for a long time, I can’t even remember how long it’s been. Originally, I didn’t want to tell you because maybe we’d lose our friendship, yet it’s been years. I had to tell you at some point. But if you don’t return those feelings, it’s okay. We can try to go back to our friendship.”

Kenma could have combusted right then and there from the confession. She liked him. She liked him back. All this time, those times she had been affectionate with him, it wasn’t platonic. He had been blind to it and thought that it was like any other day. Reaching for her hand, he mumbled, “I didn’t want to tell you for the same reason, but I like you too. I have for a while now and I didn’t want to believe it when people told me about you.”

Y/N turned to face him and saw the small smile on Kenma’s face. She inhaled sharply as she stared at their entwined hands. It wasn’t a dream. It was real. Placing her head on his shoulder, she reached for his other hand and when she squeezed his hand, it gave him the answer he needed. Leaning his head on hers, he just barely turned to give her the smallest kiss on the side of her head, causing her heart to race as they both gazed at the yellow field before them. It was the happiest they had been and it was because of each other. 

“I think Kuroo’s going to scream when he finds out.” Y/N mumbled.

Kenma sighed, realizing that she was right. The entire team would lose their heads at the news. However, instead of thinking about that, he wrapped his arms around her and replied, “We’ll worry about that later.” His embrace made it clear that what he wanted to do more was stay in that moment with her. He loved her more than what he thought he did. Just being in that picturesque scene was enough for him to confirm it internally. It wasn’t time yet to say those three words, but within time, he’d be able to say it easily because it was her.  They felt safer with each other than with anyone else and they knew one another like the backs of their hands. It was enough for both of them.

No matter what would’ve happened, they would always choose each other. Kenma knew that he’d choose her over anyone and with that thought in mind, he let everything else disappear and only concentrated on her comforting warmth, finally feeling happy after a long time. 

[peggyrose19]

Club Knocked Up

Um. Hello there. It’s been a minute *three months* hush you. But uh, here’s the next chapter of my Waitress AU. If you, like me, have forgotten everything that has already happened, you can find the first two chapters here. I make no promises on regular updates because, as we’ve discovered, I’m shit at those. So, as always, thank you so much for reading, and thank you for your endless patience. Characters belong to @lumosinlove. 

cw: food, pregnancy

Leo waited impatiently at the doctor’s office, a wrapped pie cradled in his lap. It had become a tradition, making a new special pie for his doctor anytime he saw her. This time was no different, despite the very different circumstances. 

He’d made the appointment a week ago. Something in him had known since then what was happening, but he had avoided thinking about it for as long as possible. He’d made the appointment on a whim, lying sick in the bathroom, fighting down another round of nausea, knowing it couldn’t possibly be normal. And so he’d called and booked an appointment with Dr. Perkins, his doctor since he was a baby. 

He didn’t want to be there. Leg bouncing up and down, he stared out the window at the sky, turning pink and orange as the sun set. He sighed. The doctor’s office was better than being at home, he supposed. 

“Leo Knut?” a nurse called, jolting him from his thoughts, and he stood quickly, following her back. Suzie, her name tag read. 

“How are you doing, honey?” she asked absentmindedly, checking something on the clipboard in her hands.

“Fine, thanks,” Leo replied politely. 

“Can you just take those shoes off for me?” she asked as they reached the alcove. Leo did as instructed and went to stand on the scale. He fought the urge to fidget as the nurse read the number and noted the number down in his chart.  

Next, he was ushered into a nearby chair and Suzie secured a blood pressure cuff around his upper arm. She read it quickly and lessened the pressure, slipping the cuff back into the basket it was in. 

“Follow me.” She led him to a nearby room and sat at the computer, typing a few things on the screen. Leo hoisted himself onto the table. As she continued typing, Leo surveyed the walls. Each room, he’d discovered, had different patterns painted on the walls. This one had a checkered pattern, in shades of green and blue. It was a little dizzying. 

“Okay honey, and what brings you in today?” Suzie asked, glancing up at him. 

“Um, well, I took a pregnancy test and it came back positive. I’d been feeling sick for a few days so uh, my friends made me. So, yeah. Now I’m here.” 

“Oh, well that’s exciting, congratulations!” Suzie said as her fingers clacked on the keys. 

“Thanks.” Leo ducked his head. 

“Alright, the doctor is gonna want to do another test, just to make sure.” Leo nodded absent-mindedly. “And if that also comes back positive, he’ll get you started on some prenatal meds and fill you in on everything you need to know, m’kay?” 

“Okay.” 

“Okay, the doctor will be with you in just a few, so sit tight.” 

Leo offered her a tight smile before she left, the door closing softly behind her. He sighed once it shut, slouching back onto the table. He did not want to be here. 

His mind wandered to the waiting room, with all the expecting mothers looking joyful and excited. He’d felt taunted sitting there earlier, by their smiles and their glow. They were all so happy, those women. They wanted their babies, probably had loving husbands at home, who would be there to support them and take care of them. They were probably loving and kind. 

A knock startled him from his thoughts. 

“Hi, Leo?” A young man said, opening the door. He had a white coat on, and held his hand under the sanitizer before taking a seat at the computer. 

“Hello,” Leo said nervously. He didn’t know this man. 

“Hi, I’m Dr. Lupin. It’s good to meet you.”

“Where’s Dr. Perkins?” 

“Oh, they didn’t tell you?” The doctor looked confused.

“No… tell me what?”

“Dr. Perkins retired. Yeah, just a few weeks ago. I’ve taken over her patients. I’m so sorry, I thought they got in touch with everyone.”

“Oh. It’s okay.” Leo studied the man in front of him, Dr. Lupin. He had sandy brown hair, stray curls falling in his eyes. He looked tall, fit. A thin scar ran from his left eyebrow to the line of his jaw. Leo didn’t want to know how he got that. 

“Alright, well, what seems to be the issue, what’s brought you in today?”

“I’m pregnant,” Leo blurted out, hastily looking away from the scar. 

“Oh?” He looked confused.

“Yeah, I’m uh, I’m trans. I don’t know if that’s marked in my chart, but… I am. Um, so. Yeah, I’m pregnant, according to the test I took this morning.”

“Oh, well congratulations!” Leo must’ve made a face because Dr. Lupin’s smile faded. “Not congratulations?” he corrected slowly. 

Leo sighed. “I don’t want this baby. It wasn’t planned. I- I don’t even know if I can support a child. But I’m keeping it. I’m keeping it and raising it to be a good person.” 

He’d decided on the busride over. He didn’t know if he could even raise a child, didn’t know how he was going to do it. But he also knew he couldn’t abort the baby. 

As a child he’d dreamed of being a parent. Even when he knew he would never be a girl, never be a mother, he knew he wanted to raise a child. He wanted to do for someone what his own mother had done for him. But somehow, somewhere along the way, he’d lost sight of that dream. Earl had ruined it maybe, or maybe life had done that. But it didn’t matter, because he was going to do it, and prove to the world it couldn’t beat him that easily. 

“Okay. Okay. Let’s get started, then.”

Dr. Lupin said a lot of things that Leo didn’t quite follow, about things to avoid and supplements to take. Leo didn’t really plan on taking any of them, didn’t have the money to afford them all. He also kept getting distracted by those slender hands brushing back stray curls. There was something oddly enticing about it. 

“Does that all make sense?” he said finally, and Leo snapped out of his daze. 

“Yeah, I think so.”

“Well, it’s all on your record, which you should have access to. And if you ever have any questions, feel free to call.” 

“Okay. Thank you.” 

Dr. Lupin nodded, and smiled.

“Wait!” Leo called out as he made to leave. “I um, I made this for you. Well, for Dr. Perkins. I always brought her a new pie when I came in for a visit. So uh, I guess it’s yours now.” Leo held out the wrapped pie, trying to hide his nerves. Carefully, Dr. Lupin took it. 

“Well that’s awfully kind of you. What flavor is it?”

“I call it Mermaid Marshmallow.”

“Well, thank you very much. I’m sure it’s delicious.” 

It was only once Dr. Lupin’s back had turned did Leo allow himself to smile.

[svtkillua]

little lion man > 4 (final)

rating: [pg-13 / angst]  pairing: bakugou katsuki x reader x todoroki shouto warnings: cursing, lots of yummy angst >:)) word count: 3k

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ch.1 + ch.2 + ch.3 + ch.4 (final) + alt. ending

It was terrifying how much could change in a year. To think that just a few short weeks could change everything about you was daunting, but true. When you had left life felt like torture, like everywhere you looked there was something waiting to mock you. You were broken, your heart all but ashes when you boarded the first flight away, but you knew it was what you needed to do. You needed time away from it all to figure out what you wanted, to figure out who you were without all of the things you’d grown so used to. It was hard, leaving it all behind, like you just gave away a piece of yourself with no plans of ever getting it back.

Loving Bakugou Katsuki was hard, but letting that love go, was harder.

The first month you’d spent crying in the hole in the wall apartment you’d rented far away from all your problems and people you knew. You were constantly in the shabby bed, eyes bloodshot and nose stopped up. You’d find yourself looking through photos of Bakugou online, like a bizarre form of torture designed to make you feel worse. Every time you looked at them the tug in your chest was stronger, the pain too fresh in your mind to process anything else. You spoke to next to no one, only telling Todoroki where you were and your family. Bakugou had tried to call once or twice, but you didn’t answer. You’d just listened to the voicemails filled with apologies and constant mumbles about how much he missed you.

The second month was spent filled with anger and resentment at Bakugou for letting his own confusion hurt you and Camie. You were angry at Kaminari for not telling you what he knew sooner, for not trying to talk some sense into your best friend. You were angry at Bakugou for never quite putting your emotions first, only thinking of himself and what he wanted. You were angry at him for not realizing he’d been hurting you so badly to the point that everything felt like pain. Angry with him for not telling you sooner how he felt, and angry at yourself for the exact same reasons.

The anger made you crazy, useless things being tossed at walls and smashing when you drank a bit too much. The pictures of him on your phone had started making your blood boil rather than making your mood plummet, so you stopped looking. It had all been coming out, the pain, the frustration, all the pent up emotions that were once locked away for so long. It felt good, it felt liberating, it felt like you were starting to be okay again without the pain clogging up your pores.

The third month was spent starting to like yourself again. You were learning that you were special and worthy of love, that you were worth working on. You started tutoring kids in piano to make some extra cash, earning a short internship at a production company to help work on songs. You started to eat better and cry less and the pain in your chest was slowly reducing away. Todoroki had come to see you, he’d brought flowers that sat on your coffee table till all the petals fell off.

Bakugou had called you, and that time you answered. The conversation wasn’t long, his voice was quiet like he was scared of making you upset. He apologized for all the pain he’d caused you, and hearing his voice made your heart soar, even if just for a few moments. You still loved him, three months later you did, it was easier to with the pain not so fresh in your mind and the things reminding you of it miles away. You forgave him, for all of it, desperate to not feel the pull of that baggage on your limbs anymore.

The fourth month was when your family forwarded you the invitation to Bakugou’s wedding.

The tiny envelope covered in a delicate pink rose design made you feel like you were back in month one, broken, full of tears, lost. It hurt to see he’d made his choice and it wasn’t you, but somewhere in the depths of your mind you knew it was what was best. You loved him, you would always love him. You would always love how his eyes wrinkled up when he laughed and how loud and boisterous he got when he was happy. You’d always love how warm he felt when he hugged you and you would always remember the feeling of his lips whispering I love you into your ear.

You would always think of him when you made his favorite cookies and could smell them in the oven. You would always think of him when you heard his favorite song fluttering over the speakers of your radio. You’d always be remembered of how deeply your love for him had dug inside you and left a hole so big it almost ruined you.

You were both victims of your fear, too scared to take that step when you should have. It was too late to give it a try because his heart had moved on. He’d never truly loved you how he loved Camie, and while it broke you, it was the punch in your gut that made the decision final in your mind. It was the last push to make you let go of the bit of his heart you were so desperately clinging onto. Bakugou wasn’t yours, and he never would be, as badly as you had wanted him to.

Month five was when you decided that Bakugou Katsuki didn’t own your heart anymore. It was when you decided you weren’t going to cry over him, not ever again. He broke your heart and you broke his, and that would always be something you carried with you. The tears weren’t going to be, however, you refused. Todoroki invited you to be his date to the wedding, but you turned him down. You weren’t ready and he understood. He showed up the night after the event and you baked a cake together. His gentle voice and stone faced jokes kept your mind from self combusting and for that you were thankful.

During month six you kept yourself so busy with the work at your internship and the tutoring lessons that you found yourself barely thinking of Bakugou. You’d feel the smallest twinge of pain when you saw his face on your tv screen, being applauded for saving innocent people, but it didn’t hurt as bad. You talked to Todoroki every night on the phone, him telling you all about the new puppy he had gotten and laughing when you suggested stupid names for it.

When he’d offered to send you pictures from the wedding, you said yes. It hadn’t hurt as much as you expected to see him all dressed up beside Camie in a dazzling white dress. She looked gorgeous, and he looked so happy beside her. That ring you found in his dresser drawer that had felt like the end of the world still perched on her finger, a perfect golden band to match it on Bakugou’s. The pain was still simmering in your stomach, but the bitterness was fading. You had found yourself showing the smallest smile at the photo, and sent Bakugou a small message of congratulations. Camie thanked you when you sent her the recipe for his favorite cookies, and it felt like a peace offering. Like you were closing a chapter on a sad book you didn’t want to reread.

You didn’t ever really hate Camie, you envied her for everything she had you didn’t, but being away made you realize how stupid that had been. At the end of the day she just fell in love with Bakugou for the same reason you had, because he was so incredibly him that you just couldn’t help it. She loved him, and you knew if you weren’t going to have him be the one for you, you were glad that someone who cared for him truly, would.

By month seven, Bakugou was speaking to you more regularly again, the best friend who’d been so scared of losing you had been making an effort not to. Your heart wasn’t sore in your chest anymore, you hadn’t cried in two months and the smiles on your face were slowly becoming normal again. Todoroki came to see you more often, always bringing little gifts and snacks and flowers to decorate the shabby apartment with. He even brought the puppy over he wouldn’t let you name, but insisted you’d name the next one together.

He’d asked you out on a date that month.

And you said yes.

Months eight and nine were filled with phone calls from Todoroki and feelings of your heart starting to beat again how it used to. You were feeling like you again, but a better version. A version of you that knew life was too short to be scared, too short to let your last experience of love ruin it for you forever. You refused to make that same mistake a second time. So when Todoroki gave you his favorite sweater to keep and told you how beautiful you looked in it, you kissed him and asked to be his girlfriend.

And with the faintest blush, he said yes.

Month ten was spent finding a new apartment back in the city.  Back where you’d run away from, but when you returned the troubles weren’t so bad. You no longer felt disheartened when you saw all the places your old memories were, because your heart felt like it was healed. Were there still bandages covering the cracks in it? Of course, but they made you who you were, and Todoroki had all but paint them with red so they were hardly noticeable anymore.

During month eleven you moved in and got a full time job producing, the kind of job you’d always dreamt of having, but never thought you’d reach. Bakugou and you had lunch every Thursday afternoon, and after the first ten minutes the awkwardness had melted away. Loving him hadn’t been a mistake.  It was something you didn’t regret anymore, because it had changed you, forever. It changed you in a way you’d never reverse back, a way that moulded a part of you into permanence.

Which brought you to now, month twelve, where you were sat in front of your vanity in a silky black dress, your eyes boring into your reflection and taking in the little differences from where you were a year before. Your hair was longer, your eyes were brighter, and your smile didn’t looked as strained. Your room was new and no longer was your place to cry, but instead the place you watched movies with your boyfriend and stayed up late into the night talking about everything and nothing. There were days still when you didn’t feel confident but they were coming less and less often, and you were thankful for it.

“You okay?”

Todoroki’s voice made your eyes flutter up from where they’d been staring off into nothingness, his approaching figure visible in the mirror’s reflection. He looked handsome in his dress shirt and pants, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows and a skinny tie around his neck, undone.

“Yeah, just thinking.” You smiled up at him, swiveling around on your stool and looking up at him, your toes wiggling against the carpet under your dress. They were painted a light orange color you’d talked Todoroki into letting you paint on his thumb nail.

“About what?”

“Life.” You laughed, rising to your feet and stepping closer to him. Your fingers grabbed onto his tie, staring at it while he stared at you. You tied it effortlessly, patting his chest once it was finished and letting your eyes focus up on his, “About how much can change so fast.”

“That sounds ominous.” He said, his face stoic as usual as his hand lifted up, pushing your hair away from your face. “Not planning on leaving me are you?”

“Of course not, don’t be silly.” You laughed quietly, arms slipping around his shoulders, his arms finding their way around your middle. He held you in a way that felt secure, like he wouldn’t let anything in the world ever hurt you again. “I have to keep you around at least a few months.”

The grin on your face made him roll his eyes, your bursting out laughter making him crack a smile himself, his hand reaching up to flick your bunched up cheek. It felt dream like, having him holding you, having someone you had feelings for have them back.

“We should get going or we’re going to be late.” His voice was laced with a smile as he let you go, reaching past you to grab his keys off the dresser while you whined.

“But I don’t wanna go. Can’t we just stay here and watch movies? I’ll even cook dinner.” You pouted at him, grabbing onto his arm like a toddler who wasn’t getting their way. He didn’t miss a beat, his arm pulling from your grasp and smoothly skimming around your waist as he tugged you from the room.

“You can’t not go to your own birthday dinner.”

You grumbled at his logic, body relaxing against his side as he led you over to the couch. You leaned your backside into the back of it, watching as he disappeared to the front door for a moment, before reappearing with your heels. He easily bent down onto his knee in front of you, grabbing your ankle and slipping on your shoe for you, face even and relaxed.

The flutters in your stomach seeing him knelt down on one knee felt so different than they had when you saw Bakugou do the very same thing. When Bakugou had done it, it felt like the most painful moment of your entire life, but seeing Todoroki in the same position, even if it was for a different reason, made your lips raise up on the ends with the possibilities of the future.

He wasn’t your second choice, he wasn’t your backup since Bakugou hadn’t worked out, and you made sure he knew that. Bakugou was tsunami that had hit you all at once and washed away any sense of sanity. The love all consuming and dangerous to the point you felt like you couldn’t breathe right anymore. With Todoroki it was different. It was like a warm fire spreading through your limbs, like a cool breeze filling your senses every time he slid his hand in yours. Your feelings for him grew like a sunflower towering over everything else in the garden, and he was the one coming to water and care for it every day. He felt secure, he felt content, he felt right.

You weren’t in love with him, not yet, and you still harbored fear at idea of giving yourself like that to someone ever again. But Todoroki didn’t rush you, he never pressured you now, just like he never had before. He knew that though you were put back together, parts of you were still fragile, and he wasn’t intending on letting them get broken ever again.

Not while he was around.

“What’s with that look?”

“What look?”

“The one on your face right now.” Todoroki quipped, his body moving to stand upright in front of you again, fingers brushing your hips as he pulled you forward. His left hand moved more firmly to grip your hip, muscles flexing beneath the thin dress shirt’s fabric. His right hand raised and rested against the side of your neck, thumb brushing along your jaw as you tilted your head back to look up at him properly.

“I’m just happy.” You said quietly, smiling up at him as a faint, wistful smile spread on his own plump lips. Your body pressed into his, palms resting on his chest and memorizing the rhythm of his heartbeat. “Thank you.”

His neck craned down, forehead pressing into yours as his lips ghosted against yours before he spoke again.

“For what?”

“For being patient and not giving up on me.”

His smile was faint as he leaned in and pressed a firm kiss against your lips. It was gentle and soft but so full of emotions you didn’t understand completely yet. He was everywhere you looked but when you saw him it filled you with calm instead of sadness. You could feel him in your veins but he was spreading joy through them. He was in your brain sorting out and discarding all the bad thoughts and feelings you’d ever felt. He was in your lungs breathing oxygen into your system, and in your chest building a safety net beneath your heart to capture any chipped off pieces and put them back in place.

You wanted to memorize everything about him, from the way his cheeks bunched up and looked so full when he smiled, to the way he always watched you when you were getting ready in the morning. You never wanted to forget how good his arms felt around you or how quickly he could make your heart beat. He was pulling away the insecurities you had built up a year ago and replacing them with love, a love that though scary, was blooming in your chest more and more each passing day.

It was terrifying, giving yourself over to someone when the last time you’d tried it ended so horribly and damaged you so much. Bakugou would always be your first love even if you never got to experience it how you’d dreamed of. Maybe you’d always feel him in your chest when you smelled his cologne and maybe you’d always care if he was happy, but your heart didn’t belong to him anymore. It belonged to you, and you were slowly beginning to give away pieces to the boy holding you in his arms.

The way his lips moved to press into yours once more had your eyes fluttering shut, his lips then travelling up to your nose, then between your eyebrows, before finally landing on your forehead, lingering there for a moment. Your eyes remained closed as you exhaled a content sigh, letting yourself feel him in every part of you as he whispered into your skin.

“You were worth waiting for.”

And you believed him.

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[greaterawarness]

Moving On Ch. 12 The Palace

(Set around 6 months after order 66. AU on how Rex finds Wolffe and Gregor and ends up on Seelos.)

Wolffe

Focus. He needed to focus. When the ringing in his ears finally disappears and the sounds of past battles fade away Wolffe is finally able to see his screen more clearly. He shakes his head and checks the time. An hour this time. His blackouts were lasting much longer. He lets out an aggravated sigh and tries to finish his report. A knock at his office door pulls his attention away.

“Still at it?” Boost asks. The clone crosses his arms and leans against the doorway. Wolffe shakes his head.

“Just finishing up.” Wolffe breathes. His brother smirks before leaning over his desk.

“Come on,” He says with the toss of his chin. “Let’s get some chow.”

Not appearing to make any process with the report, Wolffe decides to follow his brother’s lead. They walk through what used to be the Jedi temple. Now it acts as Emperor Palpatine’s Palace. Wolffe still wasn’t used to all the changes. Before this place housed such warmth and safety. Now? It feels like he’s always being watched. Like everyone’s just waiting for him to mess up. He swallows while balling his hands into fists. They walk into the galley filled with white stormtrooper uniforms. While waiting in line Wolffe became uncomfortably aware of all the nonclones blending in. It gave him a sour taste in his mouth. Didn’t sit right with him. Boost has to elbow him for him to realize they had got to the front. Wolffe gets the same thing Boost gets and follows him to a table filled with familiar clones. Before he would eat with the other Commanders. And Rex. Pain shot across his head like remembering the good old days with his friend was physically painful. So, he shook his head and focused on the people in front of him. Neyo stabs at his food the same way he always did. Bacara judges Neyo silently from across the table and Boost pushes his food around mixing the things together before shoveling it into his mouth. He guessed some things never changed.

“You hear Bly’s back?” Neyo asks. Wolffe pokes at his food.

“Was he… successful?” Wolffe asks cautiously. Bacara grins with a hmph.

“It’s what I hear. Gave those traitors what’s coming to them.” Neyo chuckles while continuing to stab at his plate. Boost arches a brow at him.

“And you all say I’m childish.” He mumbles. Neyo stares at Boost while reaching over and stabbing at his bread roll before taking a bite out of it. Boost lets out a tired sigh and lets it go. It was Neyo after all. Was never right in the head. Wolffe stared down at his plate. He tries lifting a bite to his mouth when his hand begins to shake.

“Commander Wolffe.”

Wolffe squeezes his eyes shut.

“I want you to watch my back in our next mission.” He had said. “Something doesn’t feel right.”

“Of course, General. I’ll always be there to watch your back.”

Wolffe slaps his hand over his mouth dropping his fork. Everyone looks up from the table at Wolffe. He gags before leaping from the table and running for the refresher.

After vomiting essentially nothing but stomach acid, Wolffe rests with his back against the refresher stall wall. He rubs his face while waiting for his nausea to die down. The door to the refresher opens.

“Wolffe?” Boost calls out. Wolffe groans and looks to the side when his brother stands over him. “You’re throwing up again.”

“Yeah, it’s just something I ate. Don’t worry about it.” Wolffe says with a little wave like it was nothing. Boost crosses his arms and leans against the stall door.

“The thing is, Commander, I know for a fact you haven’t eaten in two days so… I know its not that.” Boost says staring down at him. Wolffe frowns deeper before trying to get to his feet. Boost helps him up so he can walk to the sink to rinse his mouth out. Wolffe stares at his reflection. He’s lost a lot of weight over the past six months. His cheeks were hollow and eyes sunken in. Wolffe used to pride himself on his health and made it a priority to stay in top physical shape. Now he was nothing more then a ghost of his former self.

“I’ll be fine, Boost.” Wolffe says once he can stand up straight. Boost doesn’t look convinced.

“Have you thought about going to the medbay?” Boost asks slowly. Wolffe shakes his head.

“I’m fine. No need.” He says. He places a hand on his brother’s shoulder. “Come on, let’s go back.”

Knowing there was nothing he could say to change Wolffe’s mind, Boost follows his Commander back to their table. Boost watches Wolffe in the corner of his eye. Wolffe is only able to stomach a nibble here and there but mostly spends his time moving his food around. When they’re done eating, they both decide to retreat to their barracks. Wolffe sits on Boost’s bunk while watching him clean his blaster. He was uncomfortably aware of the empty bunk above Boost’s bed. Wolffe looks down at his hands.

“I’m glad he’s gone.” Boost says from his seat on a crate. Wolffe frowns at him.

“What?”

“Sinker. I’m glad he’s gone.” Boost goes on. Wolffe stiffens ready to chew him out when Boost gives a sad smile. “Do you really think Sinker would be okay with all these… changes?”

“I… I suppose not.” Wolffe sighs at last.

“He wouldn’t be happy if he is here. I like to think he’s cracking terrible jokes somewhere with all the other fallen brothers.” Boost says while setting his blaster aside. “And one day we’ll be able to see each other again. And you know, hear those awful jokes of his.”

“I like that.” Wolffe says softly. Wolffe looks up at Boost. “Are you happy?”

Boost doesn’t answer at first. He crosses his arms and stares at the ground thinking.

“You know me Commander,” Boost says after a while. “I can roll with the punches. I’m more worried about you. I mean, someone has to mother hen you since…”

Boost trails off. Wolffe stares at the floor feeling his stomach churn.

“Well, you know.” Boost sighs while rubbing the back of his neck.

“Yeah,” Wolffe whispers while squeezing his hands into tight fists. “I know.”

“Commander Wolffe.” A voice cuts through Wolffe’s thoughts. Wolffe stiffens at the sight of the clone in white and blue armor. Wolffe stands.

“Commander Appo, how can I help you?” Wolffe asks. Appo gives a half smile. It was hard to believe little Appo has become the man he is today. Not many know that he and Appo trained under Alpha. Along with Rex, Cody, Gree, and many others. Most of them became commanders and captains but Appo was happy falling behind. Now look at him. He’s become one of the most feared commanders in the Empire. Boost frowns at him narrowing his eyes.

“You are being summoned.” He says plainly. All the color drains from Wolffe’s face. Boost jumps to his feet.

“But why?” Boost asks angrily. Appo frowns at him.

“When he summons you, you do not ask questions.” Appo hisses. He turns to leave before turning back. “And I wouldn’t take my time if I were you. He doesn’t like to be kept waiting.”

Wolffe watches Appo disappear out of the 104th barracks. Wolffe swallows the vomit in his throat and grabs his helmet. Boost grabs his arm.

“Why does he want you?” he asks with eyes full of concern.

“I don’t know.” Wolffe answers honestly. Boost reluctantly let’s go of his arm. Wolffe walks quickly out of the barracks and down the hall. His mind races with why he’s being summoned. He’s failed to capture Rex and that shaper girl. He tries to swallow his fear. It wouldn’t help him where he’s going. He stops in front of his door. He takes a moment to compose himself before stepping inside.

The temperature drops once inside. Wolffe stands inside the room between two others. He was not expecting to see Gregor or an inquisitor standing at the end of the long table. Gregor glances over him looking as lost as he was. Wolffe pops to attention.

“You summoned me,” Wolffe says as confidently as he could. “Lord Vader.”

Lord Vader’s breathing was the only sound in the room. The tall dark figure slowly turns to face them. Appo stands at his side looking calm and composed. Almost comfortable next to one of the most frightening beings Wolffe has ever seen.

“Commander,” Lord Vader starts. “You have been tasked with hunting down and capturing Captain Rex and the Shaper woman.”

“Yes, my Lord.” Wolffe says managing to stay calm and firm.

“So far all your attempts have ended with failure.”

“Yes… My Lord.” He says feeling his voice almost crack. Lord Vader turns to look out the window out on Courscant.

“And clone force 99?” He asks.

“Still at large, my Lord.” Wolffe says not sure if his throat was tightening or if it was just getting harder to swallow.

“I am sending you along with Commander Gregor and one of my inquisitors to apprehend these fugitives.” He goes on. “I want them back alive.”

“Yes, my Lord.” Wolffe says uneasily. He gives them the signal that they are dismissed but as Wolffe turns to leave.

“And Commander,” Lord Vader says stopping him in his tracks. “Do not fail me again.”

“Yes, Lord Vader.” Wolffe says with the last bit of composure he had left. When the doors close behind him, he lets out a shaky breath. Gregor does the same.

“He’s a bit scary, right?” Gregor grins at him. Wolffe stares at him for a moment before walking on. The inquisitor gives a laugh while walking beside him.

“I could feel your fear.” She purrs next to him.

“Get away from me.” He snarls. She only grins wider.

“I look forward to commanding you, Commander.” She says. He frowns at her before turning down a hallway. He walks back to his barracks like Vader might come after him. When Boost spots him he runs to his side.

“What happened?” He asks urgently. Wolffe takes a moment to regain himself.

“We have one last chance to find Rex.” He says while putting his hands on his hips. Boost frowns.

“Rex was one of the best soldiers in the army. How are we going to catch him?” Boost asks. Wolffe shakes his head.

“He’s still only a man, Boost.” Wolffe says. But even as he says it, he’s unsure himself. As if Rex being one of the best was bad enough, now he has that fire throwing girl at his side. He always did attract the strangest of people. Wolffe hoped with everything he had that he would be able to capture Rex. And deep down as much as he tried to hide it, he hoped that he wouldn’t.

Read the full story here at AO3

[mintchanniemint]

pairing: [still friends] bassist! Chan x (fem)reader wordcount:  ~1.5k 

[5:24 p.m]

you got a new message! 

                     bass boy chan

chan: hey

you: yes 

chan: do you wanna come over

you: right noe? 

chan: now chan: yes

you: stop correcting my typos you: can't you see it's raining

chan: you have an umbrella

you: … 

chan: do you wanna come over

you: NO NEED TO REPEAT IT

chan: I'll wait for you  chan: I'm bored and Princess is mad at me

you: omg I can't believe it

chan: I accidentally stepped on her tail

you: lol deserve you: give me 15 mins and I'll be there

chan: bring some cookies

you: yessir

You left your phone on the bed as you quickly opened the wardrobe, looking for some comfortable clothes to wear. You eyed a green sweater and grabbed it since you thought it matched the day's weather. It was raining and you thought you would have passed the day stuck at home but apparently a certain guy had different plans, as usual.  After fixing your clothes and checking yourself in the mirror, you decided you were ready to go. You got your phone, your wallet, a jar of cookies and, before forgetting it, the umbrella. 

"That guy doesn't know what warning means, huh…"  You mumbled to yourself as you held your umbrella tightly in your hands, trying not to accidentally step into any temporary puddles on your way to Chan's apartment. 

When you finally arrived, you were welcomed by your red haired friend wearing his usual all black tank top-shorts combo and, as he let you in, the whole atmosphere felt so familiar and comfortable.  You left your wet umbrella by the entrance and quickly removed your shoes as you handed the jar of cookies to him. 

"Thought you would forget."  He said as he opened it and the sounds of his munching quickly reached your ears. 

"The convenience store is literally at the end of the street, yet you ask me to bring those cookies."  He looked at you and shrugged, as he kept the jar in his hands and walked to the living room. You noticed his white, pretty cat sleeping on the couch and you tried not to laugh as you remembered his message. 

" Did you really ask me to come over just because that monster is mad at you?” 

"It would be a lie if I said no." 

"Wow, Chan. I shouldn’t even be surprised at this point..." You looked at him, blinking a few times at his response. 

That guy was quite something… 

He sat down on the couch, making sure to sit far enough from his cat, and looked at you, as his hand kept guiding some delicious cookies to his mouth. You shook your head and bit your lip as you looked around, trying to stop a smile from painting on your lips since your mind kept repeating how cute Chan looked at that exact moment.  You stretched your arms as you started walking around his living room, sometimes commenting over random stuff like paintings hung on the walls and some books on the shelf.  As you were standing in front of those books, though, you started reading out loud every single title your eyes would meet when you suddenly stopped.

"Finally…" Chan commented between a couple of bites, hinting at the fact that you finally got quiet. 

"What is this? 'Christmas 2002'? Can we watch it?"  You finally said as you examined a video tape hid among all those books. Your hands reached it and you carefully looked at it, it obviously looked old and you didn't want to ruin it. 

"It's just some family stuff…"  Chan mumbled, leaving the nearly empty jar of cookies on the little table in front of him. He got up and walked closer to you, inviting you to give him the cassette.  Your hands left the black object on his warm hands and you looked at his expression for a second, trying to decrypt it. 

"But if you want to watch it, then… the video recorder is over there, next to the tv-" 

"Then let's watch it!"  You said, your voice leaving your lips in a way too excited tone. You grabbed his arm and dragged him next to the recorder device he mentioned as you grabbed the remote control and turned on the tv.

He let the videocassette in the video recorder and pressed the play button before walking back to the couch and sitting right next to you, his arm automatically stretching over your shoulders.

You were so curious, you wanted to know more about your friend and you had always loved reminiscing over your childhood, so you wondered what Chan was like as a child.

 The video starts with some giggles. 

"C'mon, introduce yourself!" 

That soft voice was probably his mother's. It felt so warm and gentle you couldn't help but smile, your eyes glued to the screen. 

A black haired child waves at the camera, his eyes shining as his smile shows a beautiful pair of dimples on his cheeks. 

"Hello! I am Chan and I am five years old!"  He says, counting loudly and showing four fingers to the camera. 

"Today I am going to open all the presents! I am so happy!"  He claps his hands as he looks at his mom, behind the camera, and mumbles some undefined words. He then walks closer to the decorated Christmas tree in the living room, and starts looking at the presents with a way too focused expression.

His mother's voice is heard again in a giggle. 

"He can't even read yet but he's trying so hard to find his present!"  She says, as his father's laugh could be heard in the background as well. 

The child quietly looks at his mother and starts pointing to every single present, asking with his eyes whether it was his or not. When he finally got a positive answer, a smile painted his small lips and he started jumping on the spot as he tried to hold the decorated green box in his tiny hands. 

"So big!"  He says after huffing as his dad comes to help unwrap it. The child looks so excited and a loud laugh left his lips as he finally sees his present. 

"Yes! A guitar! Look mom!"  He smiles, looking at his mother, who was sitting on the couch, still recording him.  The video slowly zooms in, showing the child's expression more clearly. 

"Thank you!" He says, his hands in the air as he’s waiting for his father to open the box and put the batteries in his new toy guitar. The moment his dad gave him the toy, the child couldn't be stopped! He started pressing all the colored buttons his little fingers could reach, giggling at every sound it made, but before having fun with his new rock star instrument properly, he wanted to thank his parents by giving a kiss on the cheek to both. 

"Mom, mom! I am a rock star!"  He says as he runs closer to the camera, bumping his head lightly against the lens, a low, surprised "ouch!" leaving his cute lips. 

You didn't even notice the video ended, those happy giggles fading away as you felt warm tears threatening to streak your face. It all felt so nostalgic and you never expected you could see a little snippet of Chan's childhood. 

"Are you okay?"  His voice reached your ears in a low whisper and you quickly brought your attention to him, sitting next to you. 

"You were so cute, Chan! What happened… " You jokingly commented, receiving a light slap on your thigh and you smiled, your hand hesitating for a second before resting on his and distractedly playing with his fingers. 

Silence reigned over the two of you as your bodies were lightly illuminated by the bright blue screen of the tv. Your eyes completely focused on his hand as your fingers delicately traced his. 

"You know…" He started and you quickly looked at him, humming in response. 

"I brought that videocassette from home when I moved here."  He mumbled, his eyes not focusing on anything in particular, but trying their best not to meet yours. You nodded, understanding that probably moving to such a far city from home had been hard for him, but the thought he would have felt homesick never crossed your mind. 

"I often felt lonely and watched this whenever I couldn't sleep. But I can say that now I don't feel as lonely as I used to."  He finished, silence quickly coming back among the two of you as the only sound you could hear, besides the raindrops hitting gently the closed windows, was his and your breath. 

His eyes finally got enough courage to meet yours, and you felt a sparkle in your heart as his hand gently squeezed yours before you let him intertwine your fingers with his. 

You suddenly decided to hold him in your arms in a warm, soft hug. Your hand was still in his and the other slowly met with his curly hair, your fingers gently combing some locks of hair as he rested his chin on your shoulder. 

“So... thank you."  He whispered as you felt his lips gently brushing against your neck for a moment. 

[itsyou-itsme-itsus]

Gambled Away

Dark Avengers AU!

Summary: Your boyfriend Scott has a gambling issue that finally catches up with him when he plays the wrong people.

All Avengers are dark.

I don’t own any of the characters just writing for fun.

Warnings: Its a little violent and no smut yet but small hints of dubcon. Do Not read if this is not your thing!

The restaurant was the literal definition of a hole in the wall. Somewhere in the dead center of New York your boyfriend Scott brought you here. He swore up and down this was the best Italian food in all of New York. You had your suspicions. The walls were a faded red paint looked rusty, likely meant to be deep maroon at some point. Spots near the ceiling were chipped and peeling away. Risking the chance of dropping paint chips into the food or drinks. The floor tiles were covered in a greasy brownish grime. Black soot sat wedged within the cracks.

You cringed feeling lucky to have not seen any cock roaches scurry around. The night was young so you didn’t fully let your guard down yet. The cleanliness of the restaurant was questionable and there was no way a health inspector allowed this. You wondered what could have been keeping them a float. Bribes? Maybe a secret laundering service in the back.

“Oh Mr. Lang. Welcome back. Will you be having the house special?” A tall man with dirty blonde hair and glasses came out.

He sounded smart, his enunciation almost sounded robotic or artificial. He shot you a sympathetic side ways glance. He seemed so out of place to be working in a dump like this.

“We’ll be right back.” Scott said pushing the employee towards the kitchen.

“Scott wai-“ they disappeared before another word could reach your boyfriend’s ears. It was hard to hold back the audible huff of annoyance that crept up from the pit of your stomach.

Like a rancid taste in your mouth that wouldn’t go away, there was a tugging in your chest. Something felt off and it wasn’t just the sketchy nature of the restaurant. More details started to become more apparent. There seemed to be only one employee in the back and no other staff since you walked in. Feeling the need to plan an escape route you doubled checked the space between you and the door behind you. It was glass looking out into the busy streets of New York a Seven Eleven sat on the corner across from the restaurant.

Tony’s was painted across the top of the glass in white stenciled paint. Parts of it were fading a little. No one had even come out to ask you for your drink order. The urge to run out the door and home was strong. You wanted to give Scott the benefit of the doubt because he was so sweet! You would just have to put your foot down towards these kinds of situations.

“Who is all here tonight Vis?” Scott asked following Vis to the basement door.

Vis didn’t need to answer when he opened the door it had told Scott his answer. Sitting at the table was Bucky, Steve and Natasha. He had prayed that it was Tony and Sam. They often had higher payouts and were surprisingly more merciful when Scott lost or had to take a couple weeks to get the money back. It was more of fun competition among the wealthy. While the poker games with these three were often high stakes and more ruthless. They would be more likely to break your leg if you didn’t have the money to give them the next day.

“You know what. I should probably just get back upstairs.” Scott tried to hurry and escape before he buried himself.

“No, we need a fourth.” Steve spoke tapping a deck of crisp cards on the table.

“Shit.” Scott muttered to himself before smiling and agreeing. He sat down and watched as Bucky slid him over a stack of chips.

“Buy in is $300.” Natasha said pinching out a few 20s and setting them in the middle of the table. Bucky followed suit and waited for Scott and Steve.

Scott looked into his pockets. He only had about 2k on him. The pot was steep. But he swallowed hard and asked that luck be on hid side tonight. He peeled out $300 from the stack in his pocket and put it with Bucky and Natasha’s. Steve was the last to put his down.

Scott always won due to his calm demeanor and straight poker faces. It always worked in bluffs with Tony and Sam. Not with these three sharks. They were mercenaries and ex-assassins. They knew how to read through someones facade.

As Scott waited for Steve to finish shuffling the cards he let his eyes wonder. In the far corner of the room near the door was a large TV screen. On the screen was the video live streaming from upstairs. Scott could see you in the chair at the table looking around nervously. He was starting to wish he had just taken you to a real restaurant. This might cause you to break up with him.

“I’ll see your $100 and raise you $200.” Bucky said to Nat. She smirked at him fanning her cards up at eye level.

“Bet.” Scott said nervously.

“Bet.” Steve stared down Scott. They knew all about how Scott had been cleaning poker games out in different parts of New York. He had gotten infamous for taking home 500,000 to a million a game.

Steve normally wouldn’t of cared until he heard that his friends Sam and Tony had lost 2.5 million dollars to Scott last week. Steve wanted to get Scott out of the gambling world, to teach him a lesson. To Steve People like Scott were pests. An invasive little ant marching around like it owned everything in someone else’s kitchen. He figured just like an ant he’d rough Scott up and send a message to all the other ants out there. Slowly poison the nests within the area.

Scott kept playing his hand quietly and safely. For the first time in his life he had folded in one round. This pissed Steve off, fueling his fists for when they took Scott into the back Alleyway behind the dumpsters.

The air felt thick and ominous. Scott was beginning to perspire. His leg bounced uncontrollably and he kept looking up at the camera feed. Natasha caught on to this and nodded to Bucky and Steve they looked up to see a beautiful younger woman sitting in the upstairs restaurant area.

She looked nervous as she looked at the kitchen door and then back at the front entrance. Steve couldn’t help but think of how innocent and sweet she looked. Not like the usual girls who came through here. It was easy right away to tell that she had no idea what kind of place she was in.

“Vision.” Steve yelled standing.

“One moment.”

Steve met Vis at the door. They began to whisper and a vis’s face fell. He nodded, complying and left with the door shutting behind him.

“Hello, can I get you anything to drink?” You jumped startled at the sound popping up behind you.

“Sorry, I did not mean to frighten you.”

“That’s alright.”

Vis smiled and waited patiently for your order.

“Oh right. I’ll have ice water please.” Vis internally sighed the only other options would of been strong liquors, beer or wine.

“I’ll be right back with that.” Vis smiled and walked back towards the kitchen.

He had been instructed to make sure you didn’t leave. He worried what was to happen. He wanted to tell you to leave but if they caught you on camera and Bucky got to chase you, it would be far worse than if he just did his job. Vis scrambled through the fridge and realized that there was no food in the entire place. Thinking fast he decided to call the pizzeria down the block and instructed they come to the back door of the kitchen.

He came out with a smile and set down a bottle of water. You eyed it, raising an eyebrow before twisting open the cap and taking a sip.

“Thank you.” You trailed off feeling awkward. Vis smiled and excused himself to the kitchen again.

Scott had to hold back celebrating his first win. Bucky grunted pushing the pile towards Scott. Nat shot him death glares and Steve, seemed to be somewhere else. Just as they expected Scott raised the pot. He got his confidence back and had planned to rake it all in tonight and leave to take you to the kind of restaurant you deserved to eat at.

The second and third time Scott won he was all out. Smiling leaning in to pull the cash to him. He laughed and gloated while the others watched him. The more confident Scott got the sloppier his tactics were. He became more reckless with his hands.

“I need a drink.” Bucky growled. He stood and brought back three glasses to the table. Giving Nat, Steve and Scott each a glass. Bucky poured whiskey in each glass and leaned back to take a swig straight from the bottle.

“Well this has been great guys. But I’m all in!” Scott said reloading the middle of the table with the last pot.

“All in.”

“All in.”

“All in.”

Once all in everyone watched and loosely played their hands. They wanted Scott to win. Scott was the only one who was unaware of this.

“Royal fluuuuush baby!” Scott yelled flopping the cards onto the table. The others leaned back poorly feigning disappointment but Scott wouldn’t notice in his moment of glory!

Scott was so happy! He kept dropping cash as he tried to gather it all. He used his jacket as a sash to help him carry the load. He quickly shot you a text saying pick a new place to eat at, anywhere you wanted to go. While he was scooping up his earnings he hadn’t noticed that Bucky perched himself near the door, the only exit out of the basement. Steve sat on a worn leather brown couch in the back of the room, Nat sat leaning against the wall. Just behind the poker table.

Steve texted Vis to bring you downstairs using the ruse that Scott wanted her brought down. Steve relaxed his new plan would be so much better than Just breaking all of Scott’s bones.

“Thank you and goodnight guys!” Scott yelled waltzing towards the door.

Bucky stuck his metal arm out and ushered Scott to back up. Scott’s face dropped and the color drained from his face. He swallowed hard looking behind him to Steve.

“Wouldn’t want leave your girlfriend behind.” Steve’s tone was calm with something sinister hiding beneath it.

Scott’s blood ran cold. He dropped the money and looked up at the camera. You were gone from your seat. The door now had the open sign shut off. It said closed and the lights were off. He tried to reach for the handle but Bucky drove his fist into Scott’s stomach. He doubled over in pain. Gasping as he hit the ground instantly curling into the fetal position.

“Um, why are we going this way?” You clutched your hoodie to your chest as you followed Vis through the now desolate kitchen. You hadn’t noticed that Vis shut the lights off after the two of you entered the kitchen.

“Scott is leaving out the back, he asked for you to meet him down here.” Vis said his face devoid of emotion and his voice still in monotone.

It neither comforted you nor did it make you feel worse. It was the dark basement stairs that made you feel frightened. The hallway lit up as the door opened you stepped in and saw Scott slightly slouched over on a couch with a tall muscular blonde with a thick dark beard. A beautiful redheaded woman stood behind a table full of cards and poker chips. She stood with her arms crossed.

“Hello?” You said softly looking at her and she smiled warmly.

“Hi I’m Nat.” She said not moving from her spot.

“I’m Y/N.” You returned the gesture.

“That’s a beautiful name Y/N, I’m Steve.” He was stretched out with his arm along the back of the couch.

Even though you felt like something was very wrong you couldn’t stop yourself from being polite. You were never one to judge people off their appearance.

“Thank you.” You couldn’t help but blush a little. It made a carnal feeling twist inside of Steve, he subtly palmed the hem of his pants as it to adjust himself for comfort.

“Scott lets go.” You said turning to your boyfriend. That’s when you noticed. His eyes looked red and his face was pale white. He had blood on the corner of his mouth. You looked up searching for the door and Vis. Your body jolted a bit once you noticed the tall muscular man with long brown hair staring back at you from the shut door. His flesh hand held a bottle full of whiskey. His other hand was metal, it rested on his leg. 

“Whats the rush doll?” He asked addressing you for the first time. He had been so silent that you wondered if he had been there the whole time.

“I’m so, so sorry Y/N. Please I didn’t kn-“ Scott cried out to you, you could tell he genuinely shaken up. His frame shook and you tried to make sense of the situation.

“What is this?” You asked looking to everyone in the room for an answer. A deafening silence seeped into the room like a gloomy fog on a cold morning.

“Scott here is 4 million dollars in debt.” Natasha spoke. Her smile slid away but it stayed in her eyes. To her and Bucky this was like a cat playing with a mouse after it was cornered. This mouse would think it had a chance but the cat sealed its fate when it caught the mouse.

So many thing swept over you. Trying to process the severity of the situation left your mind grasping at scenarios. Part of you wanted to hug Scott and tell him it was all going to be ok.  While the other half of you wanted to scream and slap him for being so stupid! The emotions twisted within your gut like a tornado. You felt nauseous. 

“F-f four million??” Was all that you could muster to come out.

“That’s right.” Steve said pulling your attention back to the couch.

Scott couldn’t make eye contact with you, he just looked down at the floor in shame. His heart was breaking from knowing he had drawn you into something dangerous, over his addiction for gambling.

“Give me one week, i-I’ll pay it back and you’ll never see us again!” You glared at Scott warning him to follow your lead. You weren’t even sure how you would get that kind of money.

“Y-yes you’ll never see me again.” He promised looking at Steve. Steve wasn’t looking at Scott. He was staring at you.

“That doesn’t work for us.” Steve said leaning back on the couch.

“Here’s the choice. One. We beat the shit out of Scott until he’s unconscious in the hospital or you stay and be his payment.” Natasha and Bucky smirked loving how Steve had turned the tables. Your eyebrows furrowed as you looked at Steve in disgust.

“I’m calling the cops!” You yelled, with tears in your eyes. Your trembling hand dipped into your pocket gripping your phone with clammy hands. It felt slippery and you struggled to get it out of your pocket. Bucky, Nat and Steve watched you intently.

They allowed you to pull the phone out and open the screen. 9-1-1. Your thumb hovered over the call button. Steve jumped up scaring you and the phone fell to the floor. Steve wrapped his arms around you holding you tightly to his chest. He was so much taller and wider when he stood. You felt small and fragile in his grip.

“Sh sh sh... its ok.” He whispered in your ear, his lips grazed the outer shell of your ear and it made you shiver. You tried to pull away and shrink into yourself all at the same time.

“Please!” You cried out struggling to get nowhere. Steve just held you close to him. His cheek pressed against yours. His beard scraped against your skin. He was warm, it made you feel claustrophobic. He inhaled smelling the lavender shampoo in your hair.

“STOP! This doesn’t involve her! Just hurt me!” Scott cried out standing up. Steve nodded to Bucky who came up behind Scott and socked him right in the ribs with his flesh hand.

Scott wheezed and choked as he doubled over clutching his sides. His face flushed a bright red. Bucky likely broke his ribs. He tried to crawl to you. One hand holding his sides while his legs curled towards his chest. He drug himself on one arm. Nat walked up casually and smiled at you before swinging her leg violently and her foot connected with his ribs again.

Scott gasped for air as his body flopped over onto his back, he looked up at the ceiling feeling disoriented. For a moment he was in shock from the pain. A small amount of blood pooled at the corner of his mouth.

You hadn’t realized it but you were crying and shaking uncontrollably. Steve was holding you up, pulling you closer to his chest. He was trying to sooth you. As if he and his friends hadn’t been the ones hurting you and Scott. In the moment of terror you had gripped onto his strong arm to steady yourself.

“I’ll stay!! Please stop hurting him!” Once the words flew out of your mouth the air in the room seemed to thin out. Nat backed away to the table leaning on it with her fingers curled over the edges. Bucky helped Scott up who howled in pain when he went from prone to standing. He clutched onto Bucky as if his life depended on it.

Bucky hobbled Scott’s crippled body to the door. He banged on it with his metal fist. A few seconds went by before Vis opened the door looking mortified.

“Take him to the hospital.” Bucky said nodding his head to Scott who was going in and out of consciousness. 

“Wait.” Steve said causing everyone including you to look at him in confusion.

Steve shifted you slightly in his arms, you were now against his chest facing him. You had to look up at him. There was a shimmer in his eyes that made you feel sick.

“Kiss me. Like a handshake for our deal.” Steve lowered his head his lips were only a few inches away from yours. His other hand left your waist to raise your chin with one finger.

Your heart hammered in your chest, you felt dizzy. You didn’t want to kiss this awful man! Tears filled the brim of your eyes, a heavy invisible stone started to crush your chest.

Bucky lifted Scott’s head making him watch as Steve pressed his lips to yours. You didn’t fight him, you wanted to get it over with so that they’d take Scott to the hospital. Steve parted his lips when yours didn’t he slid his tongue along the seam of your lips, Prodding for entry. Reluctantly you let him. He sighed into your lips as his tongue met yours. Bile felt like it was rising up into your throat. You just wanted this to end. You kissed Steve back timidly but it seemed to appease him.

He pulled back smiling at you before peppering your soft swollen lips with a few gentle kisses. In shock you allowed Steve to set you on the couch. He turned and nodded to Vis who helped Bucky get Scott up the stairs. Nat and Steve talked in the corner for awhile.

“Alright see you tomorrow. It was nice to meet you Y/N.” Nat smiled before grabbing her jacket.

“Yeah.” Was all you could say as she walked out the door leaving alone with Steve.

Steve walked over to you, he held out his hand. You looked up at him through the tears in your eyes.

“You must be tired. Let’s go home.” He said as if you and he had been dating for years. You looked to the door weighing your options of escape. Steve followed your glance and smiled.

“You can try it if you need to.” He offered crossing his arms over his broad chest. The blue button up shirt was stretch tautly against his broad chest.

You put your head down shaking it. Tears quietly streamed from your eyes. Staining your cheeks. Scott was gone and now your were stuck with this man who terrified you. Steve offered his hand to you again and this time you accepted it. You placed your hand in his and let him pull you up.

“I can be good to you or I can be harsh. It’s really up to you.” Steve leaned over kissing you on the head as he lead you out of the restaurant. You just nodded your head letting him guide you with his hand on the small of your lower back.

Your fate had been sealed. Your boyfriend had gambled you off like a trophy piece. Now you had to go home with this man and do whatever he wanted you to. May be it would be smart to just pay off the debts and leave town forever. He would eventually get bored with you. At least you prayed he would sooner than later.

[i-did-not-mean-to]

Hello Tumblr

The subreddit has directed me here to promote my realfic(s) about actor Richard Armitage on Ao3.

I do not know the etiquette of doing this, but here I am...

Here’s the first chapter of the ludicrous romcom I’m writing right now...

°1° ­~Victoria~

Victoria, Vic to her friends and Vicky to her father and Tory to her ex-husband, walked briskly towards the little café at the end of her street, lifting her shoulders to her ears to shield herself as much as possible from the wind that cut into her skin and made her face flush an unflattering shade of windburned red.

She had no idea what Angie and Liza were up to, but apparently, she was to have high tea today, which in itself was not a reason to distrust her friends, but a little voice at the back of her head told her quite clearly that this was not going to end the way she had anticipated, and she was already annoyed before even knowing what they would spring on her.

As her heels clacked on the pavement in an impatient staccato, she yanked her handbag that kept sliding off her shoulder a little harder to wrestle it back in place and slammed it into her face with full force.

“Oh, for heaven’s sake!” She cried out in the middle of the street, rolling her eyes at her own incompetence.

When she pushed open the door though, the warm smell of cinnamon and coffee wafted into her cold, numb face and she relaxed a little, especially as the young girl behind the counter gave her big, beaming smile and took the dark grey coat from her with perfect understated courtesy.

Victoria loved this place, she had loved it from the very first time her former husband had taken her here to introduce her to the owner of the little shop for whom he had a strange fascination (which turned out to be run-of-the-mill horniness, as Angie was a lesbian).

Once, this had been a townhouse much like the one Victoria lived in now, and the old doors were still clearly visible in the bright, open room where polished white tables and dainty chairs with faded blue upholstery invited for a quiet sit-down with a good book and a steaming cup of coffee or tea.

On the old mantlepiece over a disused fireplace, daisies and peonies smiled at her from a slightly kitschy, ornate vase and her favourite spot, right next to the huge windowfront looking out on a neat little courtyard with wrought-iron tables and chairs in impeccable white, was waiting for her.

Angie had worked wonders with the small, crowded rooms, making them appear more spacious without losing the cosy feeling they had once held, and every artfully decorated plate hung on the wall had a special meaning to the dreamy, romantic woman who was the owner and boss of the establishment.

As far as middle-aged women went, Victoria was a good enough catch with her reasonably attractive physique and her actually very pretty face, not to mention her considerable smarts and her undeniable wealth, BUT Victoria was also notoriously stubborn and easily angered.

Most importantly though, at least that was what Angie and her beloved Liza thought, Victoria had taken the ludicrous and completely insane decision never to date another man again after her divorce and they were having none of that nonsense.

Hence why they were about to have high tea with her to gauge how hot her distemper was still burning after months where she had shut herself away in that little house she had taken to spite her family and avoid her ex-husband, refusing to take most calls and only ever coming to the tearoom to read a script.

As a member of a highly successful production-team, Liza had decided to offer Vic a spot as proof-reader of scripts, as her friend seemed particularly good at finding mistakes or inconsistencies. Also, Liza was convinced that Vic needed a few stories in her rather dull life after the childhood and youth she had had.

Vic took her new job as seriously as she did everything else in her life, her existence as a hermit included, and this made Angie’s plan to find her nice man to at least bed increasingly hard.

“She doesn’t want a man.” Liza had rolled her eyes at her, but Angie was convinced that it was not good for a woman to leave home and hide somewhere in London in a tiny townhouse and refuse to meet any kind of new person. It made people bitter, and she definitely didn’t want Vic to become bitter.

“Jesus, Angie, listen, I see bitter old men every day at work.” Liza had laughed, but when her girlfriend’s eyes flashed a feline green, the idea had taken hold in her own head to convince Vic to change her mind after all.

Only, not only did Vic not want to meet any men, no, she had made it very clear that there was a certain type of man that she would never ever exchange a single word with again: wealthy, suave, and handsome men, which was exactly the kind of men Liza had to sell a dime a dozen.

In this very second, she watched Vic settle down in her usual spot, waiting for her friends to arrive, her eyes narrow, suspicious slits as she surveyed her surroundings with hawk-eyed distrust.

~Richard~

He was surprised to see his phone light up and when he saw the name on the screen, his amazement only grew. There was no good reason why Martin would call him up just now as they’d meet a few days hence for one of those terrible meetings where all the rich and beautiful would stand around, bored to tears.

“Hey, what’s up?” He picked up his phone, nonetheless, curious what his friend could want from him.

Martin droned on about all kinds of things before making sure that Richard would indeed show up on that fateful evening, he had just been musing about a few minutes earlier.

It was vital that the man would be there for the success of the plan that he had hatched out with a dear friend of his, which consisted of getting two boorish, middle-aged twats to have a roll in the hay.

Maybe that hay would be pure spun gold, but the roll would be the same as it was everywhere else on this planet for all kinds of people. As far as he knew, the woman Liza had pitched had been made a millionaire by her divorce…and an emotional cripple.

After having married her high-school sweetheart, she had been replaced by a woman 10 years her junior as soon as the money and the fame started rolling in. If Liza was to be believed, she had put her heart and soul into that marriage and into the platform she now owned 50% of, which made of this banker’s daughter a good catch…Only, she apparently hated all men with a burning passion now.

Enter stage left, a rather underwhelming specimen of said population: inveterate bachelor, notoriously shy and often awkward and still stunningly handsome artiste extraordinaire Richard Armitage.

Martin had no idea how much he and Liza had drunk that evening to really believe, even for a single moment, that it would be a good idea to pair a hissing, angry, and disillusioned divorcee with a man who had not even been able to convince wide-eyed ingénues of his merit, but for some reason, they had shaken hands on their game plan and he would be damned if he was the one to drop the ball on this one.

“Yes, I will come. Why?”

That makes two of them being suspicious from the get-go, Martin thought, feeling the challenge raise his hackles and light a fire within his chest. This could be great fun if they managed to pull it off.

“Just checking in on you, old horse, don’t get your panties in a bunch over it.” Martin chirped cheerily, rubbing his hands noiselessly as he popped the earbuds in to move around the house while being on the phone like the puttering busybody he was.

Richard pinched the bridge of his nose in silent exasperation, he worked too much and socialised too little, he was well aware of that, but God, what did people expect of him? Secretly, he HAD thought about ducking out of this function on the down low, but now, that was virtually impossible as at least one person would indeed be looking out for him to show up.

There was an edge to Martin’s voice that he didn’t like all too much either as it announced some mischief he could not yet fathom, but already, he could feel the shadow of those dark rainclouds falling on him and it made him frown impatiently.

He had no time to be the butt of a joke or the unsuspecting victim of some cruel prank that had been hatched in good faith, he had no doubt whatsoever about that, but he was too old to be made a fool of in public and he hoped that his friend would know that, and respect his boundaries.

Poppycock, the hell he would, Richard thought with a sigh, rubbing his forehead to dispel the headache that was building constantly behind his eyes. He really should be wearing those glasses more consistently, but he tended to forget when he was sitting around at home, lounging comfortably around with a good book and planning a productive, prolific future that would keep him from thinking too much about the things he had missed out on.

“I’ll be there, don’t you worry.” He grumbled, hoping that there would be enough mainstream artists so he could blend into the background and slip out of the crosshairs of those who were after some funny business.

“Then I’ll see you there. I’m sure you’ll look ravishing.” Martin chuckled and earned a disgruntled growl from his friend and colleague which made him laugh silently. Oh, he was smelling that something was up, Richard was too smart to be taken unawares, but he was also adorably easily to get flustered sometimes, and, if he was honest, Martin enjoyed that a great deal.

For a second, he pondered if it would be cheating to pull Ben into the fray, but he knew that he’d need help to steer poor, old Richard into the right direction and there was only so much a single man could do.

[sonderthroughthestreets]

Souls of the Underworld (Greek Myth AU)

Hi!!! I’ve been working on something for a while now and this is the first time I’m attempting something like this. This is a Greek Myth AU for sobbe and I don’t have everything figured out but I’m really excited to see where this goes! I’ll post the link but you can read it here too. I might have longer chapters going forward. Hope you enjoy reading it!

A/N: It’s an AU where they are demigods and it’s mainly centred around the Hades and Persephone myth. Enemies to Lovers, Fluff and Angst. No warnings apply (for this chapter) 1861 words

AO3

Special thanks to @to-enter-polaris (whose gifset themes had started all this) @fvae @robbesdriesen and @lieverobbe for helping me with this! I love you all dearly💞

She wasn't always like this.

It wasn’t always messy words screamed in anger and torn apart syllables. It wasn’t shattered glass and shattered parts of herself, a wreckage in the storm. And it wasn’t a stream of negligence, silence hanging in the air, unintentional at best.

In the cold nights of winter, it would feel like a ghost swallowed in the dark, like a walking corpse floating silently down the halls. The grey skies would engulf her whole being in the mornings, unable to let her move or get out of bed. She wouldn’t eat, she wouldn’t sleep, she wouldn’t tend to things that needed to be tended to. Some days she’d swear she’d burn this whole city, a bitterness in her throat as she grumbled the words lying under the covers.

But she wasn't always like this.

In the months of a new spring or in the sweet heat of the summer, she would be different, completely reborn of ashes. It was as if her body would wake up from slumber, rejuvenated and refreshed, and in the midst of her slowly healing soul, she would hold a small, little boy in her arms. She would sway him and sing him lullabies to sleep, and as he got older, she would kiss his injuries and welcome him to her bed when he had nightmares. And when he got older still, she would run her fingers through his dark hair and she would make him breakfast, cutting up fruit for him. She would lay kiwis, strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries, really any kind of berry, on a plate. Oranges and melons, apples and bananas. But as he got even older still, she told him that pomegranates were her favourite.

He would watch her slice open the rind and fiddle with the seeds, a yellow hazy glow surrounding her. The details of her face were hard to decipher, but her smile and warmth was there. It was a warmth as radiant as the sun. And that warmth would just slip away. Just when he felt like he could reach up and touch her, she always slipped away.

“Robbe,” he heard her voice, sweet as honey in the thick air. It echoed and faded into ringing.

“Robbe.”

His eyes abruptly opened and his body jolted in bed. Light peeked from the windows of his shared apartment, illuminating his room. The ringing hadn’t stopped and he realized it was the alarm on his phone buzzing. He let out a groan and turned it off. When his eyes focused on the screen, they widened to see the time. 08:35. He was late. He was very, very late.

Jumping out of bed, he threw on the shirt closest to him and headed for the bathroom. It was locked and as Robbe jostled the doorknob, he knew who was inside.

“Milan! Milan come on,” he yelled through the door. He brought his ear closer to hear him singing in the shower, completely unaware of his state of panic. Robbe sighed.

Just then, Zoë emerged from her room shuffling through the purse in her hands. She had an almost frantic look on her face as well.

“Robbe, have you seen my charger? I can’t find it and I have to meet Senne soon,” she asked him.

Sure enough, she was dressed for the fall weather, wearing a loose beige sweater layered over a fitted black full-sleeve, her blonde hair immaculately straight and her lips tainted with her favourite red lipstick. The effort wasn’t just all for Senne, but Robbe could smell the perfume he helped her buy and he noticed the extra rings she wore on her fingers. He could sense her frustration in not wanting to be late, to see him as soon as possible.

“Maybe try under the couch cushions,” he suggested. “Things always get stuck there.”

As Zoë turned into the living room to squeeze her hands through the cushions, Robbe tried knocking once more, calling out Milan’s name. When she returned with her charger, she thanked him and gave him a look of realization.

“Shouldn’t you be in class by now?” she asked.

“Slept in. And Milan is not helping,” Robbe rolled his eyes.

“Milan!” Zoë knocked. She turned back to Robbe. “He’ll be out soon. I hope,” she added. “We’re still meeting up tonight, right?”

She doubled checked her bag for her keys, her phone, and other essentials, then looked up to see how distracted Robbe looked. His mind was elsewhere, drifting through the memories of his dream, eyes fixated to the side. He could feel her watching him.

“Robbe?” Zoë asked. Robbe’s brown eyes lifted to meet hers finally and he tried to muster up the best smile he could manage.

“Yeah,” he said. Zoë didn’t look convinced but she also didn’t want to push him, especially when both of them were pressed for time and she knew how much Robbe didn’t like being late. So instead she opted to reach out and squeeze his shoulder with a solemn smile.

“I’ll see you tonight, then,” she said as she hurriedly left the apartment, the door clicking closed.

Robbe heard the shower stop and a humming Milan with a pink towel on his head opened the bathroom door.

“Finally!” he threw his hands up as he entered, ignoring Milan teasing him with a

“Wow, someone’s in a grumpy mood.” -

By the time Robbe rushed outside with his bike, the sun hid behind the clouds of grey skies. It smelled like rain, the petrichor oozing off the streets of Antwerp and as he rode, pedalling faster than ever, his energy depleted. His initial panic had worn off and now he just felt dread about going to class. As he turned a corner to the university, his mind kept seeping memories from his dream this morning. He always felt a twinge of bittersweet whenever he thought about his mother, but she never left his mind or heart.

The time spent with her in the summers, laughter floating through the air and the feeling of sadness when autumn came and she had to leave or the lonely winters when he was younger and it was just him and his papa, it all still burned in his memory. He’d just seen her the past month, but she had left again for therapy treatment. He’d speak with his dad from time to time with awkward pleasantries shared, but it just wasn’t the same, What little time he could spend with her, he cherished and whenever she left, he felt a gaping hole in his chest. God, he missed his mama.

Robbe quietly snuck into the lecture hall for his plant biology course, shaking his curls and trying not to rustle his brown jacket as he took it off. He sat in his seat next to Yasmina who gave him a squinty-eyed look.

“What?” he whispered.

“You’re late,” she whispered back.

“Yeah, and?”

“You’re never late.”

He glanced at her, her olive green hijab perfectly wrapped around her head and her pens laid on the desk neatly next to her notebook. Always on time, always prepared.

“Sorry,” was all he could say as he took out his own notebook, irritated that it was true but he couldn’t do anything about it now.

Yasmina looked like she wanted to say something but just then the door to the class opened and a student walked in. He slipped by unseen and promptly took what seemed to be the only seat available: next to Robbe. Others may not have noticed him, but Robbe’s eyes had followed him all the way until he sat down. He was donned in all black, shirt, jeans, jacket all black and his bleached blond hair looked almost white under the fluorescent lights. He had a strong jawline and perfectly tanned skin, radiating a glow Robbe didn’t know was possible.

When he glanced over at him, Robbe had turned his head back to his notebook so fast, he might have gotten whiplash. He tried to focus on the professor and his notes instead. Scribbling down the names of plants being mentioned, he also tried to slow his breathing. But that was pointless when the boy leaned over to look at his writing.

“You write the names in Latin and Greek?” he asked.

Robbe wasn’t expecting that question, yet he lifted his head to answer.

“Yeah,” he drawled slowly.

“Strange,” was all the boy said before looking straight ahead to the professor.

And Robbe didn’t know why but it irked him. For as long as he could remember, he’d been able to read and write in Greek and he would always accompany any Latin with Greek. Who was this guy, coming into class late, not even notebooks or a laptop open for notes, and what made him feel the need to comment on his notes? He hadn’t even seen him in class before now. If it wasn’t for the fact that he still felt groggy after waking up late, he’d probably say something, but instead he seethed in silence for the next hour and a half.

Once class ended and everyone packed up to leave, Robbe saw him glance over at him one more time, like he was deciding something, unsure and suspicious. Like he was sensing something. Sensing him.

Then he left.

“We’re studying Thursday for the midterm, right?” Yasmina piped up behind him. Robbe was almost startled.

“Yep,” he told her. “At 16:00?”

“Sounds good. Who was that?” she tilted her head at the now empty space where the boy had been.

“I don’t know. Never seen him before in this class,” Robbe shrugged.

“Me neither. Probably just transferred from another course or got off the waitlist for this one.”

“Probably.”

“I’m sorry I can’t make it tonight for the get-together,” Yasmina said as she lifted her bag. Robbe, his flat mates, and all their friends planned to spend some time together tonight at the apartment. It had been a while since all of them had been together, what with school and their own lives muddling in-between. Second year in uni for Robbe was turning out to be much easier than his first, but he still wanted to find time to dedicate to relaxing with his friends. Yasmina had been able to make it once before, but mostly she had to keep missing them.

“That’s ok. You know, you don’t have to apologize every time,” Robbe smiled at her.

“I know,” she returned the smile. “It’s just I really have to help out my parents and I wish I could be there.”

“Next time,” he blinked with a slight nod, lips curving up with sincerity.

“Maybe you could invite your new friend, too,” she teased.

“Again, I don’t know him,” he rolled his eyes.

While walking out of class together, he tried to ignore the nagging feeling inside of him that he would, get to know him that is. The nauseating feeling that irony would catch up to him. That feeling that there was something about that boy and he couldn’t be sure about him either.

The one that told him he sensed something in him too.

[half-bakedboy]

Clary gets hit with a spell that allows her to hear people's thoughts. She decides to go to Alec to see what dirty secrets he hides but instead hears his bad thoughts. She makes it her mission to let Alec know he's not as much of a failure he thinks he is. She starts by leaving him notes of encouragement in his office.

An Unlikely AngelRead on AO3

Clary tried to drown out the voices. It was like every single thought was leaving others minds and bouncing around inside her skull. Magnus gave her something to ease the headache and was attempting to find a cure for whatever magical annoyance caused it, but she could still hear everyone’s innermost thoughts. 

Including, but not limited to: the shadowhunters that looked her up and down and vividly described what they would do to her, Jace’s constant internal self complementing, Simon’s rambling thoughts of comic book ideas and why Captain America should have never been able to pick up Mjölnir, and Izzy’s repetitive death threats to the shadowhunters that looked her up and down. 

She snuck into Alec’s office for a little peace and quiet, sitting in one of his chairs and holding her hands over her ears, anything to drown out the noise. She still heard the door click and watched it open. In a panic, she jumped behind the chair and hid, pulling her knees up to her chest and holding her breath. 

I really can’t count on you to make this family proud, can I, Alec?

A warlock? That’s who you choose to, to, whatever two men do together. 

No one will catch us if we sneak out, just this once, Alec. Please, for me?

I will not ask again.

Clary chanced a glance around the chair and saw Alec with his head in his hands, not dissimilar to how she had been sitting moments before. With the luck she was having, she shouldn’t have been surprised that Alec chose that second to glance up, his eyes flaring with anger when he saw her. 

“What are you doing in here?” Alec shouted. Clary stood up quickly and inhaled deeply, ready to make up some excuse. Alec shook his head and walked to the door, opening it and waving his hand. “Just, get out, Clary. Go find trouble somewhere else before it inevitably finds you here,” Alec said dejectedly. Clary nodded and made her way to the door. She couldn’t stop herself from resting a hand on his arm before she left. 

“You’re going to be a great Institute Head some day, Alec. I hope you know that,” Clary said, her voice soft as if afraid to break him. Alec just glared, something Clary was used to and expecting, as she finally walked into the hallway. Before the door shut, she heard one last thought. 

It’ll be a miracle if the Clave ever lets you run an Institute, Alec. 

Alec found the first note hidden in the second drawer of his desk, one he thought he had locked. He stared at it blankly, the white of the paper almost glowing in the darkness of the drawer. 

The Institute is lucky to have you. 

He had to admit that the note made him smile, even though he didn’t quite believe it. After that, he couldn’t begin to guess who was leaving the notes. He tried, he really tried. He spent hours searching for whoever was leaving the small acts of kindness whenever he seemed to need them the most. He thought it might have been Izzy when he read the second one that was hidden under his pillow. It made him blush with every word. 

One day, you won’t be ashamed of who’s in your bed. 

Alec looked forward to the notes from then, a guessing game that kept his mind off of the circling negative thoughts in his brain. He would search around his office, his bedroom, even the bathroom. He found the third in the training room and he thought it had to be Jace. 

Don’t forget to wrap your hands!

But when he didn’t know who to turn to, his parabatai missing, his sister consorting with downworlders, he found another note, this time with a picture attached. It was one of him and Magnus, Magnus leaning against him after he had healed Luke. He thought it was impossible to have been taken, but there it was, as clear as a memory in front of him. 

He’ll drop everything to help you. Don’t be afraid to ask. 

He spent most of his nights up entirely too late, unable to think about the notes, let alone guess who was leaving them. He had too many things on his mind and too many problems to solve. His eyes were sore from reading reports and staring at the screens in the ops center, the headache so prominent that he wasn’t sure the pain would ever go away. When he finally wandered to his room, he found a note attached to a bottle of Aleve. He felt his headache alleviate just at the sight of it. 

A good night’s rest helps. 

He rolled his eyes at it, but took the Aleve just the same. A few days later, when he fell asleep, head in his arms at his desk, he woke up to a sticky note on his forehead. 

I SAID A GOOD NIGHT’S REST HELPS. 

He found himself comforted by the notes. For days, weeks, months. Even in the darkest of times, they were there, a beacon of hope in chicken scratch. They were there even as he sorted through numerous complaints from the Clave. His name was highlighted in red on all of them, blaming him for all of the wrongdoings of an Institute he barely had control of. 

You are good enough. 

It’s not your fault. 

You are doing what’s best. 

Trust your gut. 

If anyone saw him wipe his tears after the reassurances, he would deny it. Adamantly. After a while, the notes seemed to stop. They faded out with every day, but he realized that he didn’t need them any more. He had his family on his team, his parents in his corner. He had Magnus in his bed, at his side, anywhere he needed him. He didn’t need the notes anymore. 

The last one came as he opened the second drawer in his desk, expecting to see the family ring, the one he asked his mother for a few days prior. Instead, he saw the glowing white of the paper and he felt his stomach knot at the sight. 

Magnus is going to be the luckiest man on earth (and in between) with a husband like you.

He felt a sense of finality when he shut the drawer and when he looked up, he saw Clary leaning in the doorway, a soft smile on her face, her arms crossed over her chest. He scrawled out a ‘thank you’ on a scrap piece of paper and walked up to her, placing it in her hand before pressing a kiss to her forehead. They smiled at each other, both of them thankful for what had formed into a friendship over that last few months. But really, Alec felt grateful to have a guardian angel like her. 

[multiphandomunnies]

Mayday||Yoohyeon pt2.

Admin: Heather

Warnings: Spiders are mentioned. Very briefly but still ^^

Words: 4737

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“I see you didn’t change your mind.”

You didn’t even flinch, anticipating Handong to appear the second you stepped inside this building.

“You’re not getting rid of me that easily.”

The instructions were simple yet unusual. You have been requested to come to the mansion in real life and wait for everything to start. What was that everything? You had no idea.

Handong was looking at you from the mirror. Her demeanor was more serious today, not even a ghost of smile on her face. It mirrored the nervousness bubbling in your stomach. Entering the Dreamworld was not a stroll in a park. Nobody could predict the outcome.

Maybe that was the reason your heart kept pounding and you were getting goosebumps. Or maybe it was just Handong. What would happen to her if you failed? What would happen to all of them? Could you bear the responsibility for their fate? That is, if you lived to tell the tale.

“Go upstairs, Y/N.” Handong requested softly. “It’s almost time.”

You nodded and moved towards the stairs, getting more anxious with every step. What was waiting for you in Dreamworld? Yoohyeon? There was no guarantee that she was even there. She could have been wiped from existence forever or pushed into the deepest corner of reality.

The room designated for the ritual was spacious and almost hollow looking. Passed decades left their mark on the interior design, especially compared to how it looked in your dreams. It certainly didn’t have the unsettling emptiness, although the constant feeling of some presence also didn’t feel that amazing.

“Are you ready?” Handong asked gently from another mirror. You turned around to look at her with a slight shrug that was supposed to look convincing but probably made you appear pathetic. She frowned and crossed her arms.

“I really wish you weren’t a part of this.”

“Wow, thanks.”

She scoffed and cracked a humorless smile. Her whole expression was filled with exasperation and exhaustion. Anybody would be able to tell that she didn’t want to be here as well. But unlike you, she had no choice. To be fair, Handong wouldn’t get into this mess voluntarily. She was way too smart for that. You however were ready to jump into the Dreamworld no matter the consequences.

“Let’s just hope for the best.”

Not exactly the most optimistic statement, but still sufficient. You had no idea what was waiting for you on the other side. Nobody did.

Handong kept staring at you intensely probably waiting for some kind of comment, but there wasn’t much to say. Everything might have been a trap since the beginning. Could you trust these girls? Any of them might have been waiting for your mistake and drag you into the pits of hell. Or even worse.

“I’m glad we’re not on the same side of the mirror.” Handong suddenly spoke up and you looked at her in question. “Because I would have dragged you as far away from here as possible.”

She looked down as if to not see your reaction. Or maybe she was ashamed of her words. They weren’t very fitting for the nightmare aesthetic of their group. But if you thought about it, Handong always had this certain warmth to her. Of course there was still an aura of otherworldliness that served as a constant reminder you were dealing with a force you couldn’t fully comprehend. However in moments like that, you could see the side that has been buried under loads of secrets, fear and the inherent mystery.

“You’re staring.”

“It’s hard not to.”

A quiet chuckle was another crack in the intangible persona. It seemed as if it was on the brink of shattering and at this point you weren’t afraid of seeing what was waiting on the other side. Handong seemed so close and maybe if you tried hard enough you would actually be able to move past the mental barrier and get to her.

“Don’t.” her whisper made you snap out of the trance. You quickly moved back your hand that you unknowingly extended, almost brushing the glass with your fingertips. “I wish you could stay this way. It gives me the slightest chance to occasionally also feel like that.”

“Feel how?”

“Human.”

Before you got a chance to answer a sound of bell ringing interrupted the serene silence. You glanced to the side and saw that the clock froze just minutes before midnight. The lights flickered as a slight gust of wind passed through the room. If you saw that in a movie, you would roll your eyes at the predictability. Experiencing it first-hand made you reconsider making fun of horror film characters who went right into danger.

Handong broke the eye contact and turned a little. A shiver ran down your spine when one of the girls passed behind her in the mirror. You recognized Gahyeon who paid no attention to you and continued walking.

“Showtime.” Handong said with a sigh. “Be careful.”

The second she left, you felt all the courage starting to evaporate. Were you actually going to enter some unstable dimension with a mysterious Nightmare Weaver on the prowl? You turned around, only to catch a glimpse of Dami staring at you from the mirror on the other side of the room. She didn’t appear ashamed to be caught, nor did she look away. Almost like she wanted you to notice her in the first place, which surprisingly didn’t seem as creepy as it should. Her behavior didn’t make your skin crawl despite the constant lurking in the shadows and laconic manner of speaking. It didn’t seem as if she was stalking you. Observing, maybe. Definitely judging though.

Maybe she was trying to find any signs of hesitation in your face. Or the slightest inclination that you could possibly betray them and destroy everything they had been working on. Whatever it was, Dami seemed to be satisfied with what she noticed as she continued walking, disappearing from the mirror

A high pitched sound of bell rang through the air, followed with a brief flicker of the lights. In normal circumstances you could have blamed it on a faulty light bulb but the whole spectacle around you just screamed paranormal. Bordering on the typical horror movie aesthetic but it was a completely different experience when you weren’t just looking at it on a screen.

“Stand still and close your eyes.”

You flinched and look around at every mirror in the room. The voice belonged to Jiu, there was no doubt but she was nowhere to be seen, probably standing out of the view on purpose. You weren’t sure what it was but this girl always had a purpose and strong mastermind tendencies.

Deciding not to go against her, you closed your eyes feeling your breath hitch at the sudden gust of wind. Anything or anything could have been in this room with you and take advantage of your defenseless state. Maybe one of them was already waiting to pounce on you and claim your soul.

“Don’t open them.” Jiu’s warning came just in time as the nerves were getting the best of you. “No matter what happens, don’t open your eyes until I tell you to.”

Wow, she sure was a control freak. You quickly abandoned that thought though, just In case Jiu turned out to be a mind reader of some sorts. That wouldn’t be a big surprise at this point.

Another ring of the bell could be heard and the wind intensified. To your surprise it was neither cold or warm, completely devoid of any sensations other than the motion. You could feel it move your shirt and graze your cheeks but none of the brief touches lingered. As if it wasn’t tangible, just there.

The sound of the bell was replaced by a steady ringing that could be almost considered a hum, a bit similar to white noise that successfully made even the slightest background noises fade into oblivion. It struck you that every single one of your senses was getting dulled, leaving you with a strange feeling of disconnection from your surroundings. Even the wind stopped blowing some time ago.

You thought that maybe that was the reason Jiu didn’t want you to open your eyes too soon. Because there was literally nothing around you and it would be way too easy to get overpowered by that. The Dreamworld might have sucked your whole self into its depths and nobody would ever realize.

There was no way to tell how much time have passed before the silence was suddenly broken by a calm voice. Surprisingly you weren’t even startled by the unexpected interruption. The words sounded like they came from a distance even though you knew Jiu was just a couple steps away from you.

“Open your eyes.” She requested and you followed immediately, expecting to be blinded due to having your eyes shut for quite some time. To your surprise there was no sensory overload almost as if your insensitivity remained. You could barely even feel that your feet were on the ground. Everything seemed completely surreal but also made sense in a way that made you question your judgement.

“I know it’s a lot but we’re kind of on a deadline here.” Siyeon quipped from the side, earning a scoff from Handong.

“Let them process.” She hissed.

You looked at Siyeon first, finding her without the signature smirk or the dangerous glint in her eyes. She was deadly serious and probably growing impatient as well. The red suit only highlighted the determination displayed on her features. Another interesting thing was her positioning. Siyeon was standing with her arms by the sides of her body, not facing you and looking straight ahead.

It didn’t take you long to realize all of the girls were scattered around the room in a pattern that seemed random but was probably anything other than that. Their ritual probably required this type of odd setting, with each participant turned in a different direction. You were marveled by their ability to stay still without fidgeting.

Dami also didn’t make eye contact with you or even acknowledged your presence in any way, so you shifted your gaze to the side and gasped when you noticed

“Yoohyeon.”

She was sitting on a chair with her eyes closed and no expression on her face, looking exactly like when you last saw her. Although this time she was accompanied by Jiu standing closely behind her and slightly to the side so that Yoohyeon’s body wasn’t positioned right in front of her.

“Search for her.” Jiu didn’t explain anything to you. She was sporting the same dull expression like the rest of the group. “Just go and see what you can find.”

You didn’t comment that finding someone who was right in front of you seemed like a stupid command. There was probably some kind of powerful magic involved and your mortal head was in no way prepared to comprehend it.

“I can go wherever?” you asked to make sure there were no rules that could bring doom on all of you when broken.

“Let the Dreamworld unfold in front of you.”

“But don’t lose focus.” Handong had to quip in with a last warning. You hated that you couldn’t look into her eyes in search for some courage and comfort. It was time to focus on the task at hand.

Realizing that you were wasting time, you decided to leave the room through a door behind you. You couldn’t resist the urge to turn around one last time and the sight of Yoohyeon’s still figure gave you the last push you needed. She needed someone to save her. And you were ready to be that person.

Exploring the mansion in your new oneiric state turned out to be a completely different experience. You could feel the omnipresent energy vibrating in the air but it couldn’t touch you. Not quite. As if you were floating through a complex system of energy that softly opened in front of you, lightly touching you but never staying too long. You wondered what would happen if you allowed it to linger.

You pushed the thought away with some effort. Magnetic pull of your surroundings couldn’t distract you from the mission. Siyeon was right. You had to stay perfectly focused on your goal if this was supposed to work out.

In order to not drift away, you attempted to ground yourself in the moment by channelling all attention onto one of the objects in the room. It should have soothed your racing mind at least for a little while. So you approached an antique looking camera lying on the table. This type of equipment belonged in a house of someone roughly the age of your grandparents and had no actual purpose in this day and age. How long have these girls been trapped in their prison?

Something within urged you to turn the camera on. You felt as if you knew exactly how to operate it despite never touching this kind of thing in your life. The moment your fingers made contact with the smooth surface, the world swirled like it did when the ritual first started. You closed your eyes instinctively but this time the sensation was significantly weaker. When you looked at the table, the camera was gone but on the other side of the room stood

”Sua?” The girl tore her gaze away from a stack of papers to glance at you and nodded as if your presence here was the most normal thing on the planet. ”Where is the camera?”

Sua narrowed her eyes a bit and stroked her chin. Her casual answer made your blood run cold.

”Yoohyeon took it.” A slight smirk ghosted on her lips. ”It’s time for another shoot.”

The way her replied sounded assured you that you didn’t want to know what this “shoot” was supposed to be. So you nodded quickly and left the room in order to find Yoohyeon. It didn’t even concern you how she left the chair. Handong informed you that the Dreamworld consisted of many layers and parallel meanders that you could get lost in, not even getting close to what you were looking for

”Yoohyeon?” you called, turning to the right. How did you know it was the right way? Hard to say, but you had no doubt. However, there was no reply from the girl. You tried to search every room but you also had to keep moving. The fruitless search filled you with frustration but then you caught a glimpse of a black, flowy skirt in one of the rooms. You took a step back to enter but a familiar shift morphed your surroundings and you were once again standing with a group of six girls.  

”Handong, they were doing a good job.” Jiu remarked with a hint of warning in her tone. You glanced at Handong only for her to sigh and shake her head slightly. She must have been responsible for the sudden shift, probably trying to keep you as safe as possible.

Once again you left the room to find a trace leading you to Yoohyeon but this time you felt a strange need to go the opposite way. Since listening to the intuition proved to be effective before, you moved along the hallway, trying to figure out what your gut was telling you.

It was an empowering feeling to know exactly where to go. As if someone was leading you by the hand the whole time and showing you the right path. This time your destination turned out to be a darkroom filled with scattered photos and broken glass. Further investigation proved that the lightbulb has been shattered, making developing of the pictures impossible. Was it an accidental damage?

You decided to examine the photographs on the table. Most of them were faded and dull probably due to the passage of time that seemingly took its toll on everything in the mansion except for the seven girls. There were some pictures of them too and it was unbelievable how much they contrasted with the people performing a ritual only a couple rooms away.

The first photograph showed the faces you were already familiar with but the difference in their expression was striking. There were no sights of fiery glares or the icy indifference. Dangerous smirks and stoic seriousness were replaced by innocent grins that brought lively sparkles to the soulless eyes you were so used to. The scribble at the bottom read Bora and Singnie accompanied with a little drawing of a heart.

Second picture must have been taken in the room that years later served as a makeshift workplace for the mysterious investigator. What used to be a sunny library got turned into a gloomy room full of evidence and coffee stained notes describing every detail of the mystery.

The girl in the photo seemed to be completely invested in the book in her hands. A rouge strand of hair fell onto her forehead but she didn’t seem to notice. She probably had no idea the picture was taken in the first place which allowed the photographer to capture a moment of uninterrupted peace. The caption stated “Yoob being a nerd” and you smiled slightly at the playful banter.

But the small moment of happiness quickly faded away and morphed into a bitter sense of injustice. Every innocent caption felt like being stabbed with no way to numb the pain in between each attack.

Gahyeonie in flowers

Sweet child with chubby cheeks in a flower crown with her nose scrunched in the most adorable way. Unrecognizable during the discussion two days ago.

Bora’s birthday surprise

Sua beaming at her friends and smudging icing on Yoohyeon’s cheek. The smile was nowhere to be seen at this point of you knowing her.

Siyeon’s first concert

Slight blush on her cheeks and hands still on the piano keyboard. Soft, innocent and as threatening as a little puppy.

Bora and Dongie with a cat

Handong curled into Sua’s embrace with a serene expression and a glint in her eyes as she played with the small animal. Was that spark still there? You couldn’t tell.

Sore loser being a baby

Siyeon pouting as someone ruffled her hair, a deck of cards lying on the table in front of her.

Each one of the photographs brought you closer to tears as you tried to understand why these seven cheerful girls had to get trapped by a curse and see their own home, a silent witness of so many happy memories turn into a trap bounding them as it decayed.

Minji and Yoohyeon

You froze. The caption was simple but you couldn’t agree more with whoever decided to phrase it this way. Maybe it was the way Yoohyeon’s smile lightened up the whole room. Or how Jiu’s eyes were filled with so much unspoken affection that it could be barely contained. Or it was something about the way their hands were intertwined and the distance between them so small.

It was love. As simple as that. You didn’t care about the nature of their relationship, you didn’t need that information. They loved each other and they loved deeply. Just Minji and Yoohyeon.

You put the picture away with trembling hands, the image burned into your mind permanently. How could you not help them find the missing piece of their puzzle after seeing this? How could you not want to see these girls happy again? Did Minji smile like that since they got cursed? Did she smile at all?

To distract yourself from these thoughts you picked up a random picture from another pile and gasped when you saw your face. However you didn’t have time to analyze the meaning of the discovery when suddenly the lightbulb was working again, drowning the room in red light. You weren’t alone anymore.

Siyeon was standing by the table, carefully examining a roll of film. Nothing changed for a while before she put it away and moved to take one of the photographs hanging from the string. She examined it with a slight smile and waved her hand as if motioning someone to come closer. Suddenly Handong and Gahyeon joined her, standing one on each side of the girl as she held the picture up.

You crept a bit closer and realize in shock that this was your photo. Just like the camera before, it was gone from your hand and right now the trio looked at it with unreadable but mischievous looks on their faces. What was the meaning of this? What have they done to you? Neither of the questions got answered before the picture burst into flames and your vision turned hazy again.

“Handong stop this!” Jiu was clearly getting angry. Her stoic expression was gone as she extended her hand to the side.

“Y/N is drifting away!” Handong argued without moving from her designated spot.

“You’re doing more harm than good.”

It seemed like Handong was capable of doing something that kept pulling you away from the next levels of Dreamworld. While you were grateful for her care, you could also feel your frustration growing. You could handle this, she just needed to let you do your thing in peace.

“Handong.” You said and her shoulders tensed at the sound. “It’s okay. Trust me.”

She didn’t say anything and you would have thought that she didn’t even hear you if it wasn’t for a tear rolling down her face. Or maybe it was the lighting and your stupid feelings messing you.

Jiu unclenched her fist and salt started flowing steadily to the ground. The lights flickered and suddenly a dark, shadowy figure emerged from Yoohyeon, looming dangerously over the room before it flew away. It took a split second for you to make a decision and bolt after it.

Overcome with a bitter sweet feeling of déjà vu, you chased the smoky creature through the hallways. Some twisted sense of satisfaction came with being a hunter instead of its helpless prey. This time nobody was on your tail. It was up to you to finish this once and for all.

Even when the shadow tweaked something within the Dreamworld you easily slipped into a higher plane, intuitively getting a hold of this. Gaining even the slightest bit of control over the powerful dimension filled you with endless satisfaction.

Eventually the thick smoke turned into thin air in one of the rooms. You vaguely recognized it from somewhere but there was no time to dwell on interior design. Not when Yoohyeon was standing right in front of you, bowing respectfully.

“Please take a seat.” She motioned to a stool on your left and positioned herself behind a camera. The same one you noticed before.

Deciding to play along, you complied and sat comfortably. Yoohyeon smiled at you encouragingly and you awkwardly mirrored her expression. She seemed satisfied and clicked the button, making the light flash. And then it flashed again. No, it wasn’t the camera. The lights flickered as the whole roomed was flooded with the eerie blue hue you know all too well. Yoohyeon looked at you with fear evident in her eyes as she slowly backed out towards the wall. An enormous shadow of a spider appeared for a split second and you closed your eyes when a bright light almost blinded you.

A scream died in your throat when you noticed Yoohyeon’s unconscious form lying on the ground. You quickly dashed to help her, but instead of moving in her direction, you darted through another layer of Dreamworld.  There was almost nothing here. As if you reached the final level and were currently standing on the edge of the world. White snow covered the ground and the sky swirled in different shades of blue that shimmered from time to time. The only distinctive object was a stone ring, covered almost completely in spiderwebs. The space felt hollow and empty.

“What?”

You turned around in shock and your jaw dropped. Yoohyeon was there, wearing exactly the same thing as the motionless figure on a chair back in the mansion. Could that mean the ritual worked? Was there a possibility that the shadow monstrosity was finally gone and the curse got lifted? All the potential questions died on your lips when Yoohyeon grabbed your arm, tearful eyes bearing into your own pleadingly.

“Run.” She whispered.

“Huh?”

“Run. Just leave. Run as fast as you can. You shouldn’t be here. Tell them… tell Minji…”

You blinked and almost yelped when the familiar six girls appeared in front of you. However this time the setting stayed exactly the same. You were all occupying the hollow snow dessert. Even Yoohyeon was there, laying on a stone pedestal as the group made a circle around her form.

“Jiu?” Siyeon inquired, clearly astonished and a bit out of breath.

“Yes.” The leader whispered and looked up to the sky. “Y/N did you find her?”

“No.”

You flinched at the sudden interruption. For a second you were back with Yoohyeon, but the vision cut back to Jiu immediately.

“You can’t help.”

“Can you bring her back?”

“I’m so sorry.”

“She must be close.”

“I can’t.”

“Y/N?” Handong’s calm tone ripped you out of the dual haze brought upon you by Jiu and Yoohyeon overlapping. You looked at her, grateful for the intervention. “It’s almost over.”

And then you saw it. A vibrant blue glow illuminating the scene and highlighting the already divine physique of the girls in front of you. Slowly you turned around only to face a swirling stream of light that seemed to be gently pulling you in.

“The final part.” Jiu informed. You could barely hear her, mesmerized by the phenomena in front of you. Even after all these nights of paranormal experiences, the close presence of something so purely magical took your breath away. “She’s there. I know.”

You tore your gaze away and looked back to see their faces. It was impossible to judge what Siyeon and Gahyeon felt as they had their backs turned in your direction. But you noticed Sua and Dami looking at Yoohyeon, completely focused. However while Sua seemed detached, almost defeated, Dami seemed to be the calmest out of everyone. Almost as if she knew exactly what was going to happen.

The other two were looking right at you, both expressing two completely different desires. Jiu seemed to be wordlessly urging you to step through the portal and bring Yoohyeon back. Handong on the other hand was giving you a patient and understanding look, laced with a bit of desperation. She wanted you to back out. Even at the end.

“Sorry.” You whispered to no one in particular and crossed the magical barrier with closed eyes.

The other side looked exactly the same in an almost disturbing way. Something seemed off. Terribly off.

“Yoohyeon?” you called, frantically looking around until you caught a sight of familiar silver hair. She was running towards you and you almost laughed in joy that everything was finally coming to an end. And then you noticed her expression. A sinister smirk played on her features, making your skin crawl. In a second it switched into a conflicted mixture of fear, disbelief and hope as Yoohyeon extended her hand in your direction.

You hesitated. There was no way that terrifying smile from before was your imagination playing around. It was way too creepy. But then you remembered the small glimmer of hope in Minji’s eyes and decided to take the risk. Your hand was slightly trembling as you reached towards Yoohyeon.

And then a low rumble rolled through the air as you felt the air getting thicker, almost engulfing you like a blanket. The portal was closing. Panic flashed on Yoohyeon’s face and she quickened her pace, struggling to get to you on time. You reached out even farther when a white light blinded you completely and a yanking sensation rippled through the earth, forcing you to close your eyes.

Silence. Black spots attacked your vision when you finally opened your eyes again. You looked around dumbly as the clarity returned. The mansion. You were standing in the center of the room in the same spot as at the beginning of the ritual. But something felt different.

You were back to the starting point.

Alone.