#the way i��ve been handling this course like ?? uh oh will i ever have the audacity to step a foot to my campus ever again lol | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

scaryscarecrows · 4 years ago

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Child Safety 101

AN: Continuation of ‘I Think I’ll Just Collapse Right Here, Thanks’, found in Why Do They Kick Me?

Note: Mark is a trauma surgeon, not a GP, but he’s also the only one Jason will let within doctoring range, so.

* * *

The Knight has been down and unresponsive for literal days. The first day was the diciest, because even Mark hadn’t been totally sure if he’d pull through, but his fever had gone down enough to remove him from the danger zone.

Once it had become apparent that he wasn’t going to die on them-because Antoine’s sorry, but no way is he continuing this crusade in the guy’s memory or whatever, if the boss dies, he is leaving-, they’d had a meeting and, essentially, made a chore chart for who had Knightwatch, who had Armywatch, and who got to nap.

It’s a fairly efficient rotation. And so far, at least, they’ve managed to keep the news of, well, everything under wraps. All the men know is that the boss is down but that he will be fine, carry on as normal. They don’t know that the helmet’s off.

And. Oof. Of all the crackpot theories they’ve jokingly tossed around, this wasn’t one of them. Antoine’s not sure which one he’s more stuck on: the fact that the boss is a teenager, or the fact that the boss is-was-Robin. They’re so intertwined that it doesn’t really matter, it’s just…

Antoine is not a parent. He’s happy to keep it that way; the best part of uncle-ing is dosing them up on sugar and releasing them back to the parents. So he doesn’t really get the whole ‘electrical outlets are a Great Danger’ thing. But he does get, maybe a little better than your average parent, the sick, twisted fucks of society. He’s worked with a handful. Spoken with more. He still remembers, years after the fact, that one guy...he ate people. Literally. He’d put a toddler in the oven-alive-and…

Yeah.

But this is a little different. This is...it’s one thing to hear about it. It’s another thing to be faced with it. And it’s another thing entirely to see it. That fucking tape, man…

He stretches out a bit, pops his back and rubs a hand over his side, feeling rough scar tissue. What a week. What an absolute hell of a week.

He’s on Knightwatch now, because everything outside is moving smoothly without him and Frank really, really needs the nap. The boss is finally sleeping peacefully, curled up on his side with one arm flung up to shield his face. He’s still shivering on and off, and he sounds congested as all get out, but the worst of it is over. No more screaming, no more pleading.

What now? He supposes they’ll stay the course, but he’s not sure, not really. Maybe this is the end. Maybe the boss will vanish in the middle of the night.

Jesus, that explains so much. Batman taught him all this weird shit. Batman...this is, arguably, entirely Batman’s fault. What sort of weirdo...never mind. Never mind.

As ever, he figures, this is a nasty combination of neglectful adult and opportunistic predator. This is the same thing as that one girl in his sister’s apartment complex that got kidnapped. Six years old, mother said, ‘yes, yes, go play by the road alone!’ and she got abducted and murdered. Somebody should have been watching her.

Somebody should have been watching the boss.

Doesn’t matter. People are watching him now, at least, whether he likes it or not.

He coughs and rolls over, one arm slipping off the bed. Antoine sighs and puts it back, straightens the sheets out like he’s seen Frank and his sister do, and wonders what’s going to happen now.

They could, he supposes, figure out who he-and by extension, Batman-is. Jimmy could run a facial recognition at the minimum. But they haven’t, and they don’t really intend to. Curious as they are, they owe him their lives and...and no matter how this turns out, he’s their boss and they won’t.

Antoine’s sort of lost in thought, caught up in memories of that little girl (what was her name?) and the cannibal and the utter confusion of everything, when the Knight suddenly jerks upright like he’s gonna make a break for it.

“Shit--”

He twists over and only feels a little sorry for forcing the Knight back down. The sorry feeling vanishes when the boss tries to fight him.

“No--”

“You gotta be kidding me--” It’s not much of a fight, but he’s still trying, which is incredibly unfair. “How even--there.”

Okay. There’s no easy weapons in here, which is all he can ask for. He’s not interested in being held at gunpoint again, thanks.

“You back with us, sir?”

The Knight’s quiet, breathing hard and seemingly very interested in the ceiling.

“We have an intruder,” he says, voice carefully flat. “I want every available unit search--”

Uh-huh.

“You wouldn’t have held this intruder at gunpoint, would you, sir?”

Silence. That’s what he thought. They’re professionals, for heaven’s sake. People don’t just get into their super-secret hidden base. That just doesn’t happen. Their own people have gotten lost trying to find their way back to it! Intruder, humph. That hurts.

…

Yeah, okay, he’s trying to maintain the facade of normalcy. Like. The helmet’s off, man, any weird-ass theories anybody’s had have now been put to rest in favor of the truth. But both of them are probably going to be happier if they just pretend that nothing has changed.

(Which is half-true. Baby Robin or not, the guy’s still scary.)

“What day is it,” he finally says, voice scarcely above a whisper. Antoine hits the call button.

“March third, sir.”

“Shit.”

Yup.

There’s no good response to that and the boss goes slack, one arm flung over his face. A minute later, Mark throws open the door with a grumpy, “What the fuck was that.”

“I--”

“Went the fuck down in the middle of the day thanks to a one-oh-four degree fever,” Mark seethes. “You have. The goddamn. Flu. People die from the flu, straight-up die, and you didn’t think to mention it! I’m not asking for much here. Just a little heads up. Y’know, ‘hey, Jones, I’m feelin’ pretty crappy, think you can poke your head in to make sure I didn’t die in the night?’ ‘Oh, sure thing, boss, happy to help, feel better!’” The smile he plasters on is frightening. The boss doesn’t like it, not one bit, and to Mark’s credit, he drops it pretty quick. “What were you thinking? Anything? Really, I’d love your thought process.”

“‘ve handled worse on my own,” the Knight mumbles, somewhere between sheepish and stubborn. “Thought a walk would clear my head.”

Sad thing is, Antoine believes him. The brand alone is not pretty, and while Mark hasn’t said much, what he has shared is disturbing.

And. Well. It’s not like the boss has been totally silent for the past few days. Once or twice he’d woken up screaming, the kind of awful sound Antoine associates with three-feet-thick walls and Professionals. Hell, Mark had collared Trent to come and look at something, and while neither of them are sharing, that’s Bad. Trent’s not a doctor, but he knows how to hurt people...and what they look like after.

“Well, it made you worse. You’re lucky you didn’t kill someone or yourself, parading around like that. Aight, you sit up, you clear out.”

Gladly.

“Feel better, sir,” he says. “We’ve got things handled out here, so just get some rest.”

“Oh, he doesn’t have a choice. Come on, up-up...be lucky if I let you out of my sight again after this...f’I have to give you weekly check-ups, that’s what’ll happen…”

Fuck Batman, Antoine thinks tiredly. This is his fault, things never should have advanced to the point that his...sidekick...kid...whatever ended up like this. How is Gotham not screaming about kids and guns anyway, huh? That just seems like Child Safety 101. He certainly makes sure all his toys are locked up tight when the niblings are over. He sure as hell wouldn’t give them a dull knife and tell them to, like, fight a trained mercenary. That seems like a terrible idea.

Whatever. It’s not going to go any farther. Boss he might be, but he’s just not going to be allowed to be an idiot, that’s all there is to it. No more vanishing off somewhere for three days, he’ll just have to check in or something. Frank can bully him about that. It’s for his own damn good.

THE END

#Jason Todd #Arkham Knight #Antoine Drouot #Mark Jones #identity reveal #well sorta #they're more stuck on 'Batman let a child fight crime and this happened'#(nobody is happy about it either)#Jason can kiss leaving the base after six goodbye

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vgckwb · 3 years ago

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ML: Isolation Chapter 23: Like Clockwork

It was Friday, the day of the charity auction. While Adrien was hoping for a surprise this evening, something happened after school that took the entire class by storm. “Um Mylene?” Ivan asked. Mylene looked up. “Um, before we head to the shelter today, I...oh boy, I need to say something.”

Mylene grabbed Ivan’s hand. “What is it Ivan?”

Ivan’s face grew beat red. “Um, well, uh….” He took a breath. “I know I’m a bit rough around the edges, and sometimes I find it hard to say what I mean, and I can be intimidating, but I’ve felt like this for a while now and spending time together only amplified everything. So um, what I’m saying is, um, Mylene, would you...be my girlfriend?”

Mylene was now blushing. The entire class was looking at her. She gazed upon Ivan. His size was imposing, but she knew him well enough to know that this wasn’t to be intimidating. She looked at his bashful smile and found her answer. Mylene hugged Ivan. “Oh Ivan,” she began, “of course I will.”

Ivan was surprised, but smiled, and hugged her back. The entire class started cheering. As they cheered, Ivan and Mylene stopped hugging fully, looked into each other’s eyes, and gave each other a kiss. They leaned on each other and headed out.

Adrien smiled as they left. What a lovely couple. Hopefully, things will go just as smoothly with Marinette. Of course, I have to wait. Tonight… He turned to see Lila. She waved. He waved back. Tonight I have to handle her. Let’s hope it goes well.

While that was happening, Lila was thinking. Hmm, I guess Ivan was braver than I thought. No matter. They can be a couple. After all… Lila noticed Adrien’s eyes were on her. She waved seductively. Adrien waved back. I’ve got my eyes on a bigger prize. Adrien and I would make a great power couple. I just gotta make him see that. Still, I’m sure he’ll see things my way soon enough. Especially after tonight. Soon after, the entire class disbursed.

Everyone was getting ready for the big night. Adrien had just finished putting on his formal wear. There was a knock at the door. “Come in, I’m proper!” he said. Nathalie walked in. “Oh, hi Nathalie,” he said, “ are you attending as well?”

“Yes Adrien” Nathalie said.

“Good” Adrien responded.

“Although I am wondering why you decided to come along” Nathalie interjected. “When this was first brought up, you seemed hesitant.”

Adrien froze. Right… I forgot to tell Nathlaie about all of this. After being taken aback, he just said the first thing that popped into his mind. “So um do you want the truth?”

Nathalie facepalmed. “Adrien… Please tell me you’re not doing a Cat Noir thing.”

“Well, I’m not” Adrien said, “but Kagami is.” Nathalie sighed. “I’m just there to suss out information.”

Nathalie looked up from her palm. She glared at Adrien, then walked to the door to lock it. She walked back. “We have half an hour before your parents are ready to leave, so start talking.”

Adrien was nervous, but he had total faith in Nathalie. He sighed, calmed down, and explained the entirety of the plan. After Adrien explained the ins and outs of what tonight would entail, Nathalie looked at him. She sighed. “Honestly, sometimes it seems like this is more trouble than it’s worth.”

“Trust me Nathalie” Adrien said, full of confidence, “it’s worth as much trouble as it takes.”

“What makes you so sure?” Nathalie said.

“Because…” Adrien began. “I know what it’s like to be truly and wholly alone. And I don’t want anyone to feel like that. So, I’ll do whatever it takes to help Marinette out of this.”

Nathalie smiled. She nodded. “Very well. I just wish you would have told me so I could help you more.”

“Sorry” Adrien said. “I’ve been a bit distracted with a few things. We would have liked your help tonight.”

“Oh, I’ll still help,” Nathalie said. Adrien was surprised. “I’m not your father’s assistant for nothing.” She walked to the door, unlocked it, and opened it. Before she left fully, she asked “Are you coming?” Adrien was befuddled, but upon hearing the question nodded and hurried out the door as well.

Meanwhile, as Tom and Sabine were packing up to deliver their treats, Marinette approached them in her going out look, carrying a duffle bag filled with Kagami’s costume, as well as the sign. This took them by surprise. “Sweetie…” Sabine said.

“Hey…” Marinette replied. She stopped.

After a few seconds, Sabine asked “What’s going on?”

Marinette hesitated a little, but then said “So, um, I guess I haven’t told you yet…”

“Told us what?” Tom asked.

“Well…” Marinette began. She then proceeded to stumble through an explanation of what was going on. “So, yeah… That’s, um, that’s been happening…”

Tom and Sabine were shocked. Marinette was a little ashamed and embarrassed. However, her parents gave her a hug. “We’re so proud of you,” Sabine said.

“I’m glad you’re starting to experience the world again,” Tom added.

Marinette felt immensely relieved. She gave her parents a hug back. “Thank you. For always being there for me.”

They broke the hug. “And don’t worry,” Tom said. “I’ll make sure that that Adrien boy likes you back.”

“DAAAAAAAD” Marinette said, embarrassed.

Sabine giggled. “Well, I think it’s time we get going. Are you ready?” Marinette nodded. Tom and Sabine finished loading their desserts up, while Marinette snuck into the car. Just by chance, she checked her phone.

Adrien: Hey, uh, Nathalie is in on this as well now.

Chloe: Your dad’s secretary?!

Chloe: How?

Marinete: She’s known about this for a little bit.

Chloe: Oh…

Kagami: What does that mean?

Adrien: I’m not 100% sure myself…

Adrien: BUT she did say she would help somehow tonight.

Kagami: Well that’s...good I guess.

Marinette: I like it.

Marinette: I like having another layer to this.

Marinette: That way if anything goes wrong, we’ll have more protection.

Chloe: Well, when you put it like that…

Kagami: It never hurts to be a little more prepared.

Adrien: True.

Adrien: Well, best of luck everyone.

Kagami: Thank you.

Marinette: Thanks.

Chloe: Thanks.

They put away their phones, as they set off to fulfill their mission.

Marinette’s parents were unloading their sweets, while Marinette herself snuck into the Louvre. She was careful enough to not get noticed by any of the staff, as they were preoccupied with many other things.

However, just as she was almost to the ladies’ room, she heard a voice from behind her. “Ladybug?” they called out. Marinette turned around. It was Ondine, Kim’s girlfriend, dressed to the nines in an elegant dress. “Is that actually you?”

Marinette panicked for a moment. “Umm, yeah” she answered. Why did I say anything? She’ll figure me out for sure!

“What are you doing here?” Ondine asked.

Marinette was confused. Oh, right, Ondine doesn’t really know who I am… “Well, uh, I’m helping Cat Noir” she answered nervously.

“Cat Noir? He’s here?” Ondine inquired.

“Well, he’s going to be,” Marinette responded. “I’m going to be laying in wait until the perfect moment presents itself.” Why am I saying all of this? I mean, it seems to be working, but still…

“Cool” Ondine said. “Um, why is Cat Noir coming here?”

“Well, that’s kind of complicated,” Marinette explained. “Basically, something happened a while ago where something went missing, and Cat Noir is investigating to see if he can find it.”

“I see…” Ondine responded. “Why not investigate during normal hours of operation?”

“Well, that’s also a little complicated…” Marinette stumbled. “But, I guess the best way to put it without ruining the surprise would be that the opportunity presented itself.”

“Woah,” Ondine said. She got energized. “This sounds amazing!”

“Well I’m a bit nervous about the whole thing” Marinette unloaded. “We’re not sure if we’ll be able to find anything, but we’re giving it a try.”

“Well, good luck,” Ondine said. Marinette nodded. As she was about to head into the bathroom, Ondine asked “Is there something I can do to help?”

Well, she’s already this far in. Might as well bring it on home. “Actually yes. Follow me.” Marinette led Ondine into the restroom. They approached one of the stalls. Marinette rummaged through her back and pulled out the Out of Order sign and some tape. “Here.Once I’m inside, could you tape this to the door?”

Ondine nodded. “Sure thing Ladybug! But, um, what’s this for?”

“Oh, well, this is going to be my hiding place,” Marinette explained. “Cat Noir is going to meet with me here once everything is set.”

Ondine seemed confused. “I mean, I can’t say I don’t understand the logic. No one would expect Cat Noir in the women’s restroom, but um, isn’t this a bit too bold?”

“Well, this whole plan is bold, so we figured ‘let’s go the whole nine yards’, you know?” Marinette rationalized.

Ondine smiled. “I get it.” Marinette smiled and nodded. She entered the stall and Ondine placed the sign on the door. “There.” She slid the tape under the tall. Marinette picked it up.

Ondine got a little embarrassed. “You know, I have to thank you.” Marinette was intrigued. Ondine smiled. She started fidgeting. “For a while, people have only seen me as being, well, sporty. And I agree that that’s a part of me, but I never really felt...cute. I always thought that since I wasn’t like the typical cute girl, I thought I couldn’t be.

But then I saw one of your designs. I was amazed. I tried it on, and for the first time ever, I felt adorable. I felt like I could be the person who I always wanted to be. Sporty, yes, but also cute and adorable, and well, girly at times too. It was such an eye opener. And even this dress I’m wearing now is a Ladybug original, and I feel like I couldn’t look cuter if I tried.

And that confidence instilled in me gave me the courage to say yes when Kim finally asked me out. I’ve been pining for him forever, but until I tried on your designs, I thought it was a dream that could never be. So, thank you. For everything.”

Marinette’s eyes were welling up. She sniffed. “Thank you,” she said.

Ondine was a little surprised, but quickly understood that that kind of compliment was something Ladybug needed to her. She smiled and said “You’re welcome Ladybug.” She started walking out. “And good luck on this endeavor with Cat Noir.” She left.

Marinette sniffed again. “Yeah.”

As the charity auction began, more guests started appearing. Soon, the Agrestes arrived. Adrien looked at the Louvre with a smile on his face, and determination in his heart. His father noticed. “Well, this is certainly a surprise.”

“Indeed” his mother added. “I haven’t seen you smiling at an event like this unless you were trying to run away from it.”

“Tell me son,” Gabriel asked, “what about this event makes you feel like this?”

“Well, uh” Adrien began, not knowing how to answer.

Nathalie placed her hand on his shoulder. “It’s not necessarily the event itself” she answered for Adrien. “As good a cause as this is, this is also Adrien’s first high society outing since you let him attend school publicly. Adrien has a new found energy he can bring to events like this.”

Gabriel and Emilie were stunned. “Oh. I see” said Gabriel.

“Well, if Adrien’s this excited, I think we made the right choice” Emilie added.

Gabriel smiled. “I should have figured. Remember how fed up you were with events like this until we had Adrien?”

“Gabriel” Emilie whined. Gabriel laughed.

“You didn’t like these kinds of events either?” Adrien said.

Emilie turned to her son. “Well, maybe a little. But I never did any of the shenanigans you used to pull.”

“The closest she got to anything like you did was drag me into a closet” Gabriel mocked.

“Gabriel!” Emilie whined more sternly.

Gabriel laughed slightly. “I’m sorry.”

Emilie smiled. She kissed Gabriel on the cheek. “I forgive you.” She moved in closer and whispered “You know, I’m not opposed to the closet idea tonight either.” Gabriel chuckled, delighted, and pulled Emilie in for a tight embrace. Adrien was confused, but decided to leave it be. The family continued walking in.

Soon, the evening was in full swing. People were socializing left and right. People were enjoying the provided food, and in particular, people were starting to realize just how much they missed the desserts from the Dupain-Cheng bakery.

Meanwhile, Adrien was wandering around. “Adrien!” Lila called out. Adrien turned around, saw Lila, and proceeded to walk over to her. “I’m so glad I found you. I can’t wait to show you around.” She reached out, then stopped. “Um, may I grab your arm?”

Adrien smiled. “By all means, lead the way.”

Lila smiled, grabbed onto Adrien’s arm, and said “Great! Let’s go!” Lila started walking, and Adrien followed in step.

Alright Adrien. This is all to figure out where she may have hidden the piece. Just endure it like you have before. Besides, he thought about Marinette, he looked at Lila, they say it’s always darkest before the dawn. Tonight is about facing this darkness, so I can face the beautiful dawn of tomorrow. The two kept walking.

As this was happening, Chloe was walking around as well. She was comparing the guard’s positions to her notes. She noticed nothing out of the ordinary and was relieved. “Chloe?” Sabrina said, sneaking up on her.

“Ah, Sabrina!” Chloe yelped, turning to face her. “Eh heh.”

Sabrina smiled. “Are you working on that thing you told me about?”

Chloe smiled nervously. “Ha ha, yeah.”

“I hope it goes well” Sabirna said sweetly with a smile. Chole was surprised and started blushing. “Where is Cat Noir anyway?” Sabrina had a look of realization. “Oops. I wasn’t supposed to say his name, was I?”

Chloe relaxed and smiled. “You’re fine. I don’t think anyone heard you.” She looked at Sabrina. She thought about Lila’s threat. She was scared for a second, but then thought No, it’s OK. I’m working with other people to make sure that doesn’t happen. … “Other people” huh…

Chloe reflected on this. The only other person that would even think of helping her before all of this was right in front of her. But now? She has the support of a small circle of friends. And they had hers as well. I guess I really am growing.

“Chloe?” Sabrina asked. “Is everything alright? You seem kind of worried.

Chloe shook herself back to reality for a bit. “Ah, yes, well, this mission is kind of stressful.There’s a lot to it, you know.”

Sabrina simply smiled and said “It’s OK.” She picked up Chloe’s hand. “I believe in you.”

Chloe was stunned. She relaxed a little, and then said “Thanks.” I can’t. Not now anyways. She looked back at Sabrina. But soon.

As the night progressed, the auction started. Meanwhile, Lila led Adrien around to some places around the Louvre, describing things she enjoyed. While Adrien was smiling on the outside, inside he was dying. Ugh! This is awful. Lila is just plain miserable. She’s describing everything here as if she were the authority on it, but has as much knowledge of history and art as a Capuchin monkey. Maybe less.

He glanced at Lila as she was explaining something, smiled, and let out a chuckle. Lila let out one in return. I know misery likes company, but I don’t think company likes misery back.

Despite his best efforts to pay attention, nothing Lila pointed out seemed like she had an affinity to it. It was just stuff she liked. Maybe this was a dud. Ugh. While Lila was explaining something, Adrien interrupted. “Ahem.” Lila turned her attention towards him. “Maybe we should head back.” He checked his phone. “The auction’s been going for a bit. Our parents might be worried if we’re not back before it’s all done.”

Lila smiled. “You’re right. Thanks for keeping me in check.” They started walking. “I just love art and history so much, I can’t help but get lost in it.

I wish! Adrien thought to himself.

“Still, we should come again sometime. I haven’t even shown you my favorite piece.”

Adrien was alerted. “Favorite piece”? That’s something. “What is it?”

“Well, I don’t wanna ruin the surprise…” Lila said. “Oh, what the heck. My favorite piece is the portrait of Napoleon in his regalia.”

“Why is that?” Adrien said.

“Well, I feel like it just has this energy to it, you know?” Lila answered. “Like, he is the thing he embodies in that image. The power, the prestige. It’s just amazing. Just looking at it, I find something new every time. It has many secrets, you know?”

And that was enough for Adrien to feel confident enough to pursue this lead. He smiled. “I think I do.”

Lila giggled. “I’m glad. Let’s keep going.” Lila started walking. Adrien got out his phone and started walking as well, while messaging everyone.

Adrien: I think I have something.

Adrien: The portrait of Napoleon in regalia.

Chloe: Ugh, finally. Took you long enough.

Adrien: Normally I’d shrug that off, but I’m not in the mood right now.

Adrien: You don’t know what I had to do to get this.

Kagami: That bad, huh?

Adrien: It was awful.

Chloe: ...Sorry

Adiren: It’s fine.

Adrien: Kagami, do you know where to go?

Kagami: Roger!

Adrien: Great. I leave the rest to you and Chloe.

Marinette: And ME!

Marinette: Don’t forget about me.

Adrien paused for a moment.

Adrien: Right. Sorry.

Marinette: Thanks.

Adrien put his phone down and continued walking back. Once he got to his table, he noticed it was only Nathalie there. “Where are my parents?” he asked.

“They followed through on their earlier plans” Nathalie explained. Adrien seemed confused. “Don’t worry about it.”

Meanwhile, Kagami broke off from her table. “I’m going to use the restroom,” she told her mother. “Is that alright?” Tomoe nodded. “Thanks.” She proceeded to leave. She made her way to the specific restroom Marinette was hiding in. Once inside, she found the stall and knocked on it. “Marinette, it’s me.”

Marinette opened the door. Kagami slipped in and closed the door. She started undressing. Once her dress was off, she looked at Marinette. Marinette was blocking her view with the bag. “Marinette, it’s fine. Besides, I need you to see so you can hand me my disguise.”

Marinette lowered the bag. She was blushing. “Oh, uh, OK.” She unzipped the bag and started handing Kagami her costume piece by piece.

“Thank you” said a still half-naked Kagami. She handed Marinette her dress. “Here. Be careful with that.”

“Of course,” Marinette said. “What kind of a fashion designer would I be to ruin something like this?” Kagami nodded. She got changed into her Cat Noir outfit. She grunted in confidence and headed out.

While making her way to the painting, Kagami messaged Chloe.

Kagami: I’m en route. Anything I should look out for?

Chloe: At the moment, not really. There are a few guards, but you should be able to avoid them just fine.

Kagami: Thanks.

Kagami kept moving. She encountered one or two guards, but was able to sneak past them with ease. She made it to the picture Adrien had mentioned. She looked at it for a second. Of course it wouldn’t be in plain sight. She began to feel around the frame. As she lifted it, something fell to the ground with a light ting. Kagami let go of the picture and looked down. She picked up the piece, and recognized it as part of a pocket watch. Bingo!

“Hey! Who’s there?!” A guard yelled. Kagami looked at where the voice was coming from, and then headed the opposite way.

Meanwhile, the auction was going off, and Gabriel and Emilie had returned looking a bit messy. Alix’s dad was heading the auction, while Alix and her brother sat at his side. “Alright everyone, it’s time for our final piece of the night.” Some handlers brought it out. “This is an 18th century grandfather clock, adorned with gold. It was commissioned by a count, and it still works. Let’s start the bidding at 75,000 Euros.” The bids started going up. Once it reached its apex, Mr. Kubdel said “Going once...going twice…”

Before he could bang his gavel, Kagami came rushing in. One by one, everyone was glancing at the figure running through the Louvre. Behind her, a pair of guards were chasing her. Kagami grinned. Almost there. She dramatically leapt onto the stage where the Kubdels were. She dashed over to Alix.

Alix looked up. “Cat Noir?” Kagami took the piece out of her pocket and showed Alix. Alix was in awe. She grabbed the piece. “Where did you find this?”

Kagami smiled. With her voice modulator on, she said “I found it behind a ruler.” Alix was slightly confused, but didn’t have time to process it before Kagami left the stage and started running again.

“What is it?” Alix’s dad asked her.

Alix was still in shock, so it took her a few seconds to answer. “It’s the missing piece,” she said. “Cat Noir found it.”

Mr. Kubdel was shocked. “You mean, from the watch?” Alix nodded. “HA! I don’t believe it!”

“Neither do I” Alix said. She looked at it and smiled. “But it’s right here.”

“Well this is splendid!” Mr. Kubdel said. Just as the guards were continuing to follow Kagami, Mr. Kubdel stopped them. “Halt!” The guards looked at him. “Where did that person come from?”

“Ehe?” the guard answered. “Um, we found them messing with one of the Napoleon portraits.”

“I see” Mr. Kubdel said. “Remember that incident from a year ago?” They nodded. “Well, it seems the missing piece has been found by that mysterious Cat Noir.”

“Oh!” said the guard.

“Although we don’t know how it ended up there” Mr. Kubdel said. “Please, investigate this as soon as possible.”

“But sir. Wasn’t it the young girl who broke it?” the guard asked.

“No” Alix said, surprising the people around her. “Our focus was on her the entire time. She had no time to hide it.” Alix looked a little frustrated.

“...I guess that’s true” the guard responded.

“Now then, we should look into what really happened” Mr. Kubdel said.

“Roger sir!’ the guard said. They headed off.

Mr. Kubdel turned his attention back to the audience. “Well, pardon the interruption everyone, but I think we can agree that that was worth it. Or at least better than last time.” The audience chuckled. “Now then, where were we?”

Kagami was rushing to the restroom. At this point, no guard was following her, but she was feeling it. She made it back and again, slipped into the stall Marinette was in. “How’d it go?”

“Perfect” Kagami siad, as she started to change out of her Cat Noir costume and back into her dress. “I’ll come pick up the costume at a later date.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Marinette said. Kagami left.

Just as Marinette was about to leave, she got a text from Nathalie. “Marinette. Don’t leave just yet.”

Marinette texted back “OK”.

After the auction was over, everyone started leaving. Alix was still staring at the piece. “Isn’t it just great that Cat Noir found it?” Mr. Kubdel asked.

“Huh?” Alix said, caught off guard. “Oh. Yeah. Of course.”

“Here” Mr. Kubdel said, holding his hand out. “I’ll fix it up right away.” Alix smiled and gave the piece to her father.

At the Agreste family table, Nathalie got up. “I’m heading to the bathroom before we go” she said. She left abruptly.

Adrien smiled. “Adrien!” Lila said. Adrien turned around. Lila rushed up to him. “I had a wonderful evening. I can’t wait to do something like this again.”

Adrien smiled. He could tell Lila was throw off a little bit. I’m not sure if she’s suspicious of me, so maybe I should just add a little more charm to throw her off the scent for a bit. “Neither can I” he said. He grabbed Lila’s hand, and gave it a kiss.

Lila blushed. “Oh my.”

“Farewell” Adrien said. Lila walked off to meet up with her mother.

Meanwhile, Gabreil turned to Emilie and said “They seem cute together, don’t they?” Emilie giggled.

In the restroom, Marinette heard a knock. “It’s me,” Nathalie said.

Marinette opened the door. “What are you doing here?”

“Move” Nathalie said. Marinette did. Nathalie revealed a hidden wrench she had on her. She got down and toyed around with the toilet. “There.”

“Um, why did you do that?” Marinette asked.

“To throw people off further,” Nathalie said. “We can leave the sign up, and the people who saw this sign will think it’s for that instead of nothing, should anyone b suspicious after what happened tonight.”

“Oh I see,” Marinette said.

“Anyways, people are leaving now,” Nathalie said. “It’ll be the perfect time to get away.”

Marinette nodded. “Thank you Nathalie.” Marinette ran off. Nathalie left soon after.

As soon as Adrien got home he rushed to his room. His parents were a little slower going to their room, as they were gearing up to continue what they were doing in the closet. Nathalie stayed downstairs to work on a few things.

Once Adrien got to his bedroom, he headed to his bathroom, found a bottle of mouthwash, and started gulping it down. After five or six gulps, he had to breathe. “Blagh! I can’t believe I kissed Lila’s hand like that.” He downed some more mouthwash. He breathed again. “No matter. Tomorrow, I’m meeting with Marinette.” He smiled. “Let’s hope it goes better than tonight.” He changed into his pajamas and went to bed.

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fenheart87 · 4 years ago

Text

Long Lost to the Present

This is Part One of my gift for the Naruto/Boruto exchange! Part Two is about half done, I just wanted to get the bulk out before our deadline. Happy Holidays! @whynoteswhispered

Sasuke mentally checked through his belongings a final time before letting out a small sigh, his mother had been tight lipped about where exactly they would be taking their winter family vacation so if he needed anything, he would just buy it. Truthfully, he was prepared for pretty much any weather they would encounter over the two weeks. The youngest Uchiha zipped the suitcase and set it on the ground, clicking the button to release the handle and grabbing his backpack with his laptop and other electronics to swing over one shoulder. A final glance determined Sasuke had everything he would need and with a barely contained sigh, he made his way down stairs where everyone would meet before loading up and leaving.

"Sasuke! Are you ready dear?" Mikoto asked, passing off her luggage to her husband. "Oh, I can't wait till we get there!"

"I'm ready." Sasuke nodded to his father and brother, taking his turn to load his suitcase into the SUV they rented. "Now if only you would tell us where we are going…"

“So, I was talking with Kushina," dread settled instantly into his stomach at the mention of the redhead, "and we agreed that it has been sometime since we last shared a holiday together and we will be spending our first week with them at Jiraiya’s house in the mountains then continue to our cabin for the other week."

"It has been a while since we’ve seen Minato and Kushina… I wonder if she ever got better at cooking." Fugaku said gruffly, a tiny sliver of humor shone through that statement.

"Hopefully we can see Naruto too, no one is sure what he’s been up to these days." Itachi chimed in, staring none too discreetly at Sasuke.

That statement didn't seem like the Naruto Sasuke knew and for a moment he had to remind himself that they had parted ways years ago. While the blond always said Sasuke was his best friend, the raven was unsure until he changed schools what exactly Naruto meant to him. That first year apart had been hell, every time a notification came through or a phone would ring set him on edge so badly, he withdrew into nothing but music only from his iPod.

"I wouldn't have the slightest idea."

"Ah, that's right." Itachi words caused the younger's feathers to ruffle but before the boy could engage in their passive aggressive argument their mother stepped between them.

"Seven days boys, I do hope I will be bringing home two sons and not leaving any to be adopted by the Namikazes." The warning was very real under her cheerful tone and both of her children backed down, following her and their father out to the car.

Sasuke was dreading this trip now, his dread easily outweighed any excitement he had previously. What was supposed to be a simple holiday trip with his family, including his ever-busy father, was now turning into a nightmare from hell. The raven was sure his elder brother had to have some hand in it. The first family trip in a handful of years and now Sasuke would have to suffer the distracting presence of one Naruto Uzumaki or risk upsetting his mother.

"You don't look excited like I thought you would…" Itachi spoke casually, face showing nothing of his amusement unless you knew how to find the slight look in his eyes.

"What am I supposed to be excited for exactly?”

“Aw, you’re hurting his feelings and we haven’t even left yet. How cruel little brother.”

“Itachi, be nice! Sasuke is finally home and I know while he loves me,” Mikoto smiled brightly and pulled her younger son into a hug, “you being mean is exactly why we cut this from two weeks to just one.”

Sasuke lingered in a half hug from his mother, a feeling of warmth that always accompanied the action sank into his tense form and relaxed the harsh lines. Identical eyes locked into a staring contest for a long moment before their father snorted and drew their attention.

"The drive is a long one, if you can't handle it then you can stay and keep the office in order." He advised, making his point with a glare before entering the car.

"Truce little brother?"

"Hn." This ride was going to be a long one indeed.

The weather seemed suspended, the snow twinkling as the sun was reflected off it and the air mild for this time of year in the mountains. Sasuke tried to remember if he had ever been to Jiraiya’s cabin before but was coming up with nothing but bits of when Naruto had shared his summer adventures.

"Sasuke! How was your summer? I bet it wasn't cooler than mine! Peavy sage and I found this pond and there's these Sakura trees and in the water there's a bunch of tadpoles! We had to keep cleaning out the petals, I feel like my back has aged twenty years."

He had to rouse himself from memory lane as they pulled up the long drive. The logs were well kept and the cabin seemed quite spacious, hopefully it would be easier to avoid a certain blond. There were various trees in bloom or dormancy, nothing like the well-kept grounds of the Uchiha main house. Sasuke could certainly see the frog motif with the at times gaudy decor and after hearing stories for years, it wasn't as bad as he was expecting.

"Looks like he did get a key after all." Itachi mused quietly, almost quiet enough for his younger brother to miss it. At the look of inquiry, he continued lightly, "Jiraiya has been having some… Extra responsibilities as of late and wasn't sure he would be here when we arrived. The good news is the house has been cleaned and aired out for us already."

"Do you remember which room is yours Sasuke?"

"It's the one to the left of the gar-" he had to pause, that was Naruto's usual room and he no longer was welcome to share like they had always planned. The silence was heavy for a moment, never had Sasuke wished things had turned out differently more than at that particular moment. "No, I do not."

"It's next to mine, we have a wonderful view of the mountains." Itachi offered, placing a hand on his shoulder and giving a light squeeze for reassurance.

"I'm fine." The younger shook off the hand and climbed out of the car, pulling his phone out as an excuse to ignore his family.

The sliding door opened, the wooden panels that made up the shade clattering angrily. A large box made its way out first then the blond holding it, carefully stepping out to the deck and nearly dropping the box with a curse. With a deep all body sigh, Naruto stood up straight and raised his face to the sun, the natural light highlighting his figure. Sasuke stated for a long moment, trying to blend the young gangly knucklehead he remembered with this adult version complete with an attractive solid build.

"Oh my, is that really my little sunflower?! Naruto, I did not give you permission to grow up without me!" Mikoto called out, leaving Fugaku to grab the bags as she hurried to the deck. Blue eyes found once familiar black orbs first before breaking their gaze and a shy smile breaking out on the tanned face.

"Ah well ya know sunflowers are, just sprout up when no one's watching." Naruto accepted the hug stiffly until she whispered in his ear that caused him to melt into the long hug.

"Keep that in mind or I will negotiate with your mother on swapping you for Sasuke."

"Aha, not the best idea Mrs. Uchiha." A long look complete with a delicate eyebrow raise had the blond sputtering with a red face. "Fine fine, I'm sorry Mimi. Please don't look at me like that." And he still pouted the same and no it wasn't cute.

"Like what sunflower?" Her tone was playful and the quick fingers to slide through his golden mop were painfully familiar.

"Mother, we've been here less than ten minutes and you're already terrorizing the poor boy."

"Oi! I am a man now, I know Teme takes after the beauty in the family but if he can pass for a man then you shouldn't have any issues seeing I am too."

"I'm not the Uchiha that likes to check you out when you're not looking." Itachi commented as he passed Naruto, leaving him blushing and splattering again.

"Naruto." The reaction was instant, gone was the blush and sputtering, spine perfectly straight complete with a respectful but curious gaze. It was rare that the eldest Uchiha addressed the blond and it had been forever since Naruto had been comfortable around the dark-haired family. "I do hope you are not causing your parents trouble."

"Of course not, I did manage to grow up in my time away. Hurt like hell to leave for almost three years and have only Jiraiya as company but it was worth all the long phone calls from ma." Yet another mystery and by the look in the azure eyes, a big piece to explain the inner calm where there used to be boundless energy.

"I forgot to ask, did Kushina get the recipe I sent her?"

"I think so but you'll have to ask her Mimi. They got delayed helping granny with her uh situation."

"Same rooms as last time?"

"Yup, I think the only one that doesn't have the sheets put on is Teme's. I can do that real quick if you want?" The question was directed at Sasuke but Naruto's gaze was looking somewhere over his shoulder before returning to his father. He was expecting things to be awkward but not painful like this.

"I'm sure Sasuke can manage, don't let us keep from whatever it was you were doing son."

"Ah, cleaning up everything, I knew I would need to get here a few days early but I didn't know it was this bad. Steer clear of the kitchen for now, there's a lot of manuscripts lying about and I haven't had time to clean it yet. I figured the rooms were the priority since you always go for a family dinner first thing." Naruto smiled brightly before stepping through a different door that led outside. It made Sasuke recall another memory where the blond had gushed about the house.

"Oh my God, why do I always get lost?"

"Maybe because you're a Dobe?"

"Shut it Teme! I spent all summer with Peavy Sage and like his house has more doors than walls I swear! He says it's because he doesn't want to break his creative pacing so he likes having tons of options to get out of the house."

"Sounds like more options to break into the house."

"Oi! Shut up you're such a bastard."

"You know my father."

"Ugh, add prissy to the list too."

Suddenly it felt like he didn't belong here and the young photographer couldn't stay a moment longer. Leaving his luggage halfway to the door and taking only his back pack he left to the woods. Pulling on every memory he had of Naruto describing the surrounding foliage, Sasuke actually found the waterfall that fed the lake the hyper boy always spoke of. The waterfall was loud in a soothing way, the water pure and clear in a way that couldn't be found anywhere but in nature. Lush green grass filled out the banks that lined the sides of the small lake and the pine trees slightly weighed with the melting snow. This place brought peace to Sasuke's troubled mind and immediately pulled at his artistic brain. Even though he had to keep the photos for his private portfolio, this beauty didn't deserve to be disturbed without reason.

With a smooth but careful move, Sasuke slipped his arm through the strap and unzipped his pack. From the top he retrieved his camera case and withdrew his camera. Quickly the raven secured the strap around his neck and zipped up his backpack. Checking the settings and with a few test shots, the photographer was fully in control as he captured the serene surroundings. As always, Sasuke lost himself in the beauty around him and it took spotting a sliver of blond hair to break him free. Pretending to check the photo he had taken, the young photographer carefully aimed and zoomed in on the blond. The picture Naruto made took away Sasuke’s breath as he clicked the shutter button.

“Don’t you know it’s rude to stare Dobe?”

“Hey I’m not the one who left his luggage for everyone else to take care of or ran out of the house instead of going out to dinner.”

“Are you going?” His voice was neutral, a complete contrast to his inner feelings. On one hand, the raven had no idea how close the blond was with the family anymore and yet it was both disappointing and relieving if the Uzumaki were to join the Uchiha dinner.

“I can’t, Pervy Sage needs my help. I might not be here when you guys get back so the spare key is-”

“‘Under the ‘speak no evil’ toad by the huge ass sliding door’ I remember.” Dutifully Sasuke kept checking his camera and carefully packing it away while ignoring the piercing blue eyes.

“Uh yeah… Cool. I’ll uh be back later. Uh if you, I mean my memory isn’t as good as yours but yanno if you and Mimi still like super spicy curry there’s a place about twenty minutes out. It’s a little hole in the wall but authentic and good portions. Don’t stay out much longer and freeze your heart any more than it is Teme.”

Left alone by the waterfall, he finally packed everything up properly and followed the footprints back, thankful the snow hadn’t melted yet. If only the same could be said about his heart, seeing the blond should not throw his emotions back in time when Sasuke wanted nothing more than to cross lines that they never would. Thankfully he only had a week, right? Maybe then he could finally let go.

Naruto was trying his hardest to not just steal the car keys and drive far far away from Tsunade as the gas tank would allow. He was already exhausted mentally due to seeing Sasuke and boy was he a sight to see. The youngest Uchiha had always favored his mother’s looks and his father in personality, after all this time though Sasuke just seemed like so much more somehow and the blond was really trying to keep his heart in his chest this time. At the very least it was only for maybe a week so he could play it safe and be fine! Totally. As if he didn’t have a hard enough time the last time, denial really suited him then and now. Absently the blond wondered where they went for dinner.

"Fine! As if I care, I'll go just to shut you up and then I can drink in peace!" Tsunade announced loudly as she emerged from her front door.

"Oi granny, tis the season and all that but we need to get a move on so I can finish cleaning the house for the Uchihas."

"Oh, is that why you really broke up with your boyfriend? I didn't know you were talking to the Uchiha brat again." Fucking hell, Naruto hoped she would be able to control her mouth when they were actually around Sasuke's family or this would be a very bad vacation.

"I'm not the one who invited them, Pervy sage started it by deciding to invite us to his cabin and mom got the bright idea to invite Mikoto which includes the whole Uchiha family. Now hurry the fuck up before I leave you, I have shit to do and I need to leave before mom makes it here." Naruto pushed himself off the car and opened the door, sliding in the driver's seat and starting the car with the slam of the door.

"Jeez give the kid a break Tsunade, this isn't anyone's ideal vacation setup. Naruto had no idea that Sasuke was coming and by what Kushina and Mikoto were loudly discussing the Uchiha boy had no clue either after being guilty in going on the vacation in the first place." Jiraiya sighed after his explanation and got in the car, leaving Tsunade to follow suit.

“Tis the season so I'll behave but you still need to give me all the details just so we're clear.” Her tone left no room for argument as she buckled in and immediately cranked the radio. Naruto took it for what it was worth and reversed the car, secretly hoping he would be able to actually talk to Sasuke when everyone returned to the cabin. Naruto really hoped no one had looked through the gift he had brought yet, the impulsive decision to bring the gift for Sasuke was starting to seem like a bad one. Shaking off the feeling, he drove his godparents back to Jiraiya’s cabin.

#narutosecretsanta2020 #sasunaru #narusasu #who put angst in my coffee #these idiots #mutual pining #part one #they all live #modern au #Fen's Plunny Corner

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oncelers-panties · 4 years ago

Text

Cheer Practice

Pairing: Oncest (College AU)

Warnings: mild coercion, general n/sfw

Ao3 Link

Once-ler loses a bet and is forced to do something quite embarrassing. To his suprise, he enjoys it.

In retrospect, accepting to race against a running back had not been the brightest idea.

But in the heat of the moment, he hadn´t thought of that. Not when said running back, a brash guy named Greed, had to become his dormmate. Living with the man was all sorts of awful. Once-ler had to get used to sweaty clothes being strewn all over their bedroom, towers of dirty dishes and take-out boxes in the kitchen, hair in the drain- all such pleasantries. But the worst of it all was being awoken in the middle of the night by either the drunk yelling of Greed´s entire football team coming from the kitchen, or the screams and grunts of lovers he brought along for a good time.

Patient and passive by nature, Once-ler tried to handle it the best he could. He´d politely tell the man to please maybe clean up after himself, to mind the curfew, to quiet down a little during the late hours. Greed would wave it off, replying that he´d see to it, but nothing about his behavior would ever change. All that was left for Once-ler was to let out a defeated sigh and do the job himself, cleaning up the messes left behind by his dormmate´s companions and quietly reciting his studies in his head every other night, hoping it would tune out the creaks of the mattress and moans sounding from a few feet away. He was about to come to terms with the fact that this is how things were going to go for the next few years. But even the meekest of people have a breaking point.

For him, it was when he came back after a particularly tedious lecture, walking straight into the kitchen to soothe his growling stomach with a quick snack, barely able to stand on his legs from exhaustion. To his immense displeasure, the meal he´d prepared the day before had mysteriously disappeared, and so had several bags of his favorite brand of marshmallows. Clenching his teeth, he dropped onto his bed without looking, and noticed too late the pair of some stranger ´s underwear lying on his mattress for some reason.

A frustrated groan sounded from his throat, soon turning into an enraged scream as he stomped into the bathroom where Greed was busying himself with his hair, and threw said underwear straight into his face.

“Dude,” the sportsman said after a few seconds of shock, throwing the piece of cloth away from him “what the fuck was that?”

“I could ask you the same thing! I´ve had it with you and your bullshit! Do you and your buddies have to behave like complete assholes every day?”

Greed gave him a nonchalant look, which only enraged Once-ler more.

“I´m talking about the messes you make constantly, and the fact that I haven´t had a good night of sleep this whole week! Can´t you fuck somewhere else? Can´t you put away your laundry and wash the dishes for once? Can you not tell your stupid friends to keep their hands off of my food?!”

“Ah, that´s what you mean. Fine, I´ll tell them, geez. Not something to throw such a fit over.”

“Maybe for you it isn´t. But some people aren´t happy about living in a pigsty! You either start acting like a normal person, keep this place clean and move your nightly orgies to somewhere else, or go rent a single room, because I´m this close to reporting you! I want to be able to sleep in peace in the room I pay for with my own money, for God´s sake!”

Despite being taken aback by his usually mellow dormmate´s sudden outburst, Greed rolled his eyes, crossing his arms before his chest.

“Look, I need to wind down after a long day on the field, alright? The games are hard, and that´s my way of relaxation. Can´t you just get earmuffs or something?”

“Oh, you poor thing,” Once-ler hissed, voice dripping with venom as he tried his hardest to not strangle the other instantly. “Running back and forth and throwing a ball around. That must be so terribly stressful.”

“As if you´d know,” Greed snarled, “You just sit on your ass inside this room all day, and probably wouldn´t be able to run twenty feet without passing out.”

The two men stared at each other, fuming in silence, until suddenly, an idea formed in the sportsman´s head, evident by the snide smile appearing on his face.

“Listen,” he drawled out, “how about a bet?”

“I´m really not in the mood for that right now.”

“Just hear me out: since you think what I´m doing is so easy, why don´t we have a race? If you can beat me- no, if you can at least somewhat keep up with me, I´ll move out of this dorm, and you won´t see my face around here ever again.”

“And if I lose?” Once-ler responded after a moment of careful thinking. Greed´s widening grin should have been enough to deter him from agreeing to his terms. In fact, he should have told him to go screw himself and report his behavior to the resident assistant. But there was a part of him that wanted to wipe that cocky expression off his face and pay him back for every single sleepless night he had subjected him too.

It went about as well as one can imagine, and as he lay on the ground after stumbling over his own legs, he wished the fall would´ve broken his neck, a preferable option to what he was about to be subjected to later…

“Well, what are you waiting for? Put it on.”

The commanding voice pulled Once-ler back into the present, and with a shudder and a crestfallen gaze, he once again took in his surroundings. Greed had ordered him to come to one of the changing rooms after his afternoon football training. Why he needed him in this stuffy, cold location that smelled like someone had overdosed on body spray, he had no idea. Probably to make this whole ordeal more embarrassing for him. At least the sportsman had been generous enough not to invite his teammates to laugh along with him.

Pressing his lips together, Once-ler lowered his head, regarding the two-piece outfit he was holding in a deadly grip. It was a cheerleading uniform, consisting of a pleated skirt and a short, sleeveless top that had the name of his college´s football team written on the front. He stared at it like one would at his worst enemy, then slowly turned his gaze to Greed, still refusing to believe that this was happening.

“Do I really have to do this?” he questioned in a desperate tone, watching as the other made himself comfortable on the bench he had taken a seat on.

“Of course,” the man replied in a falsely sweet voice, crossing his legs. “We agreed to the terms of the bet, right? And you lost, so now you gotta do as I tell you.”

Once-ler´s shoulders slumped from the heavy realization that Greed was being completely serious.

“But-“

“Don´t make such a big deal about it, the sooner you do it, the quicker you´ll be over with it.”

The amused tone those words were said in made it obvious that his dormmate was having an awful lot of fun, and it made Once-ler clutch the material of the clothes even tighter, eyes shooting daggers at the other.

“This is childish,” he hissed, shaking his head. “You´re acting like a complete jerk. I get it, you won. You´re better than me. Dozens of people have seen me fall on my face in the middle of the football field, and you and your buddies are not going to let that go until we´re out of college. Haven’t you humiliated me enough? Do you really-“

“Now, Oncie, don´t be like that. You wouldn´t be going back on your word, would you? It´s one thing to be a lousy sportsman, but to break a promise…”

Greed rested his chin on his hand, staring at the other intently, and demanded once again, less playfully this time:

“Just put on the clothes.”

A strange shiver went up Once-ler´s spine at the cold trace of dominance in the other´s voice, and he averted his eyes, suddenly not able to stand his glare. Really, though, he was right. He´d just get it out of his way, leave, and pretend it never happened. Or rather, remember it forever and be tormented by the memory every night for the rest of his life.

“Fine,” he muttered under his breath, shooting worried glances at the door. “But you won´t, like, record it or anything? And there aren´t any of your friends outside, waiting to barge in and laugh at me?”

“Of course not! No one´s ever around here this time of day. Besides, what kind of guy to you take me for?”

Once-ler just scoffed at that remark, deciding not to answer. As he was about to take off his shirt, he noticed that Greed showed no intention of looking away or closing his eyes, so he turned around, taking a deep breath before throwing off his clothes and starting to dress up.

“Where did you even get these from?” he asked during the process, having a hard time squeezing himself into the top that was obviously too tight for him. Which wasn´t surprising, considering that these clothes were made for young women much smaller than him.

“Don´t you worry about it. Turn around, get over here.”

Exhaling sharply through his nose, regretting every decision in his life that had led him to this moment, Once-ler faced his tormentor, unwilling steps carrying him forward. He was expecting the other to cackle like a hyena to the point of stomachaches, but was met with nothing of that sort.

Greed´s insufferable grin waned a little, and instead of laughing out loud he stared his dormmate up and down, gaze getting stuck at the long legs only barely covered by the scant skirt and the exposed midriff. He leaned forward with a whistle.

“Well, damn. That doesn´t look too bad. Willing to bet that my team wouldn´t ever lose a single game if we had you cheering for us in that get-up.”

Flushing at that comment, Once-ler reached for the skirt´s hem and pulled it downwards, embarrassment clear on his face.

“Ha. Very funny. Are you quite done? Can I change back now?”

“Nuh uh. You´re not done yet,” the running back replied, smugly wagging his finger. “What have we agreed upon? If you lose, you put on the uniform… and do a little cheer dance. Don´t tell me you´ve forgotten?”

Once-ler gritted his teeth. Of course he hadn´t forgotten, but he´d hoped the other wouldn´t remember. Again, luck wasn´t on his side. How was he supposed to do that, anyway? He couldn´t even do normal dances, much less gymnastic ones. When he voiced his concerns to Greed, the man just shrugged.

“Just improvise. You´re one of those creative artistic people, so it should be easy for you.”

“That´s not really how it works…”

Wondering whether the other would have held his word were he the one in this situation, Once-ler begrudgingly began to move, staring at his feet to not bear the other´s gaze. His motions were pretty sluggish, and consisted mostly of him swaying lightly from side to side, with a sour expression. It caused Greed to raise his eyebrows critically.

“You know, you´re supposed to do a cheer dance. That doesn´t look very cheerful to me. Can´t you do something that´s a bit nicer to look at?”

“Nicer to look at? What the hell do you expect me to do?” Once-ler angrily snapped at his dormmate as he came to a halt, patience wearing thin. He was already fed up with the other´s behavior, feeling like he was taking this too far. Sure, they had a bet, but Greed really was going out of his way to make it as difficult as possible. How damn childish could that guy be?!

The sportsman, however, didn´t seem to be phased by the other´s rough tone, still staring at him with a strange glint behind his eyes.

“Why not try shaking your hips? That always gets the players motivated,” he purred, and Once-ler, wanting to put an end to it all, swallowed his pride and obeyed. Not that there was much left of it at this point.

However, while he did feel like a complete idiot, there was something else as well, an unexpected sensation that made his face heat up from something other than embarrassment. It was the way Greed´s gaze travelled all over his body, lingering on ever bit of skin. The way he leaned forward, almost seeming hypnotized by how the pleated skirt swung from side to side with each of his dormmates motions, sometimes flashing way more than what would be considered modest. The rhythmic sound of his fingers tapping against the bench, the sight of his teeth sinking into his bottom lip.

What was that all about? And why did he feel like burning up under those mossy-greens, skin breaking out in goosebumps from a sudden wave of excitement washing over him?

Maybe it was because he, for some reason, became aware of the other´s attractiveness in that very moment. Before that, he´s never really had the chance to notice it, mostly because Greed´s insufferable behavior oftentimes detracted from whatever good qualities he possessed. But now, with him sitting in silence, radiating something far more intense and captivating than his usual cockiness, all of his perks shone through in an instant. And God, there were many of them.

“Well, there has to be a reason why he gets this much traction every single week,” a small voice in the back of Once-ler´s head whispered, and despite his best efforts, he could not get it to shut up. He thought back to the many nights he he´d spent awake because of the noises his roommate´s partners had made, and it caused his mind to travel to much darker places on its own. He recalled getting up a night for some water, only to catch a glimpse of Greed pushing some guy against the wall, wrapping his fingers around his neck, calling him his pretty boy as the other writhed underneath him in visible ecstasy.

The resurfacing memory made Once-ler hold his breath for a little too long, legs beginning to shake as he became aware of the direction his thoughts were taking, of how wrong this whole situation now seemed. That moment would´ve been the right time to stop, to tell Greed that he´s had enough and leave, preferably to a place where he wouldn´t have to be around his roommate for a while. But he couldn´t. There was a part of Once-ler that wanted to keep this terrible man´s attention on him, one that made him want to tempt a little more, to find out just how much it took to make Greed do more than just stare.

What would he do, if he were to tease him that much? Get all mean, make some raunchy comments, maybe even bend him over his knee in this same dressing room, lift up that skirt and spank the bad behavior out of him? Or hold him down by his throat, like he did with that other boy, have him crying and gasping from his touch?

A frustrated sound left Once-ler´s mouth, and he forced himself to snap out of it, keep these thoughts from further fogging his mind. Only now did he notice how shallow his breaths have suddenly become, his trembling hands and racing heart, the fact he´d been eating Greed up with a half-lidded gaze this entire time…

“That´s enough, I think,” he managed to stutter out, running a sweaty palm through his hair nervously. “You had your fun. I´m leaving.”

“You sure you wanna go?” the other replied huskily, looking as devious as ever. “Because it seems like I´m not the only one having fun here.”

Light-headed, Once-ler followed his eyes, his face turning pale only to burst into color a second later when he realized that this situation had excited him way more than it should´ve had.

He let out a yelp, covering himself and looking away in shame, gritting his teeth as his dormmates low chuckle echoed throughout the room. And if that wasn´t enough, he felt the man tugging at the hem of the skirt, roughly pulling it up and exposing the hardened dick throbbing beneath tight boxer briefs.

Once-ler opened his mouth to protest, but no sound other than a small whimper would come out, and he couldn´t even bring himself to push the other´s hand away, instead only watching him flick his tongue over his lip.

“Oh my… someone enjoyed dancing for me a lot. What´s the matter? Does little Oncie-Woncie have a crush on the running back?”

“Sh-shut up,” the blue-eyed man weakly shot back, not sounding threatening at all.

“You can just step away, you know. If you keep standing here like that, I might get the idea that you want me to do something bad to you,” Greed purred, fingertips lightly brushing over the bare legs as he hungrily looked back up to his roommate. “What´s it gonna be?”

The man´s words did something to him, body being shaken by a pleasant shudder as he leaned forward into the touch, heated skin aching for more contact. His clothes felt much too tight, already leaking length straining against the fabric of his underwear, and despite his better judgement screaming at him from somewhere in the back of his mind, he remained in place. Paralyzed like prey before a beast, wondering how far the other would go.

Thus, he didn´t struggle when the other grabbed him by the waist and pulled him onto his lap, making him straddle it. Greed didn´t waste any time admiring the view in silence, cold hands wandering downward, kneading the soft flesh of his roommate´s thighs before having them disappear beneath the thin material of the skirt. The way they traced the shape of his hips and the small curve of his ass forced a whimper out of his mouth, and Greed took that as an invitation to let the tip of his fingers slip under the waistband of his boxers, pulling them down with ease. Humming lowly, the running back stroked the underside of the erect member with his index finger, all the way upwards to the tip, where he rubbed it against the wet slit.

“My, I had no idea you felt this way about me. No wonder you were always so pissed about inviting people over, it´s cause you were jealous, weren´t you?” he sang, leaning towards the other to lick a bead of sweat off the underside of his jaw, teeth lightly pulling on the skin there right after. It made Once-ler clasp a hand over his mouth in an attempt to stifle another moan, and his defiant expression began to melt away with each small touch.

“As if-” he countered, voice breaking off into a sweet sigh when the sportsman´s fingers waltzed across the small of his back. “As if anyone would get jealous about an utter asshole like you. You´re the worst.”

Greed replied with a scoff, wrapping his fingers around the other´s member and giving it a few firm pumps, grinning in satisfaction at how it made Once-ler gasp and squirm in his lap.

“Then why the fuck did you get this hard from shaking your ass for me, huh? Because you are a little freak who´s into being ordered around and has the hots for me, obviously,” he mouthed back, suckling at the nape of that delicate neck as he pulled the trembling body even closer. “So drop the good boy act and behave.”

Those words went right through the blue-eyed man´s already aching loins, and not even the pout on his furiously blushing face and an attempt at an angry glare could hide how he was really feeling.

“Jerk,” was all that he could whimper, followed by a scream when Greed suddenly bit his nipple through the fabric of his tight top, brushing his lips along the narrow chest afterwards.

“Slut,” came the murmured reply as the running back fumbled with the fly of his pants, showing off the sizable bulge in his underwear the sight of which made Once-ler drop any attempt to counter his remark. “Someone might hear you if you keep being this noisy.”

“I thought no one´s around here this time of day,” the man on Greed´s lap quietly replied, holding his breath as the other took him by the wrist and, after getting his own boxers out of the way, guided his hand towards his manhood. It was hot, felt too large between Once-ler´s thin fingers, and the way it throbbed against his palm made his blood burn in the best possible way.

“That screaming of yours might still attract someone´s attention. Imagine that, getting caught jerking off a football player in the changing room… my, you´d surely get a lot of attention afterwards. I´d have to have to fight off your ‘suitors’ by the dozens,” he heard the other whisper, while his hand was being moved up and down the erect length that he couldn´t take his eyes off. “Like what you´re looking at, baby? Bet you´d much rather have that inside you, though.”

The hot air of his dormmates breath hitting the shell of his ear sent a quiver through his body, and he pressed himself against the other to keep that heat close. Something about the scent of Greed´s aftershave and his strong grip on the small of his back made him feel so, so unbearably needy. He couldn´t stand that guy and hated that smug expression of his, but damn if he didn´t want to steal some low, raspy moans from those lips, along with a kiss or two and some saccharine words of praise. Sure, he would be far from the first one to get to hear those, but he didn´t care at that point, beginning to compliantly pump the other´s dick with steady movements on his own. The action had the desired result, making Greed groan through his teeth and return the gesture with the same intensity while keeping his sight trained on his roommate´s face, taking in every twitch of his mouth and flutter of his eyelashes.

“You know, you´re really cute when you´re not constantly nagging about something,” he panted, lightly dragging his nails across the other´s spine along with his strokes. “You should join the cheer team for real, keep the players motivated. Can´t promise I won´t keep my hands to myself if you distract me too much, though.”

“God, you´re… ah- just so awful,” the blue-eyed man´s voice trailed off when he felt Greed´s tongue flick over his earlobe. Desperate for the other to touch him harder, he thrusted his hips forward, whimpering when the motion caused their cocks to touch.

“For someone that hates me this much, you sure look like you´re having a great time sitting on my lap.”

The running back wrapped his fingers around both of them, bringing their mouths close together but stopping just short of a kiss, smiling at how desperately the other was staring at his lips.

“Earn it,” Once-ler heard him order.

It was enough to make him give in, make him wrap his arms around the man´s neck for support as he steadily ground against him, fucking himself into his hand. The other´s heat was coursing through him with every movement he made, and he couldn´t help but pull on the back of his shirt, panting from how good the friction felt. It only intensified when Greed tightened his grip around the two of them, running his fingers through Once-ler´s hair with a slight pull.

“Pretty,” he softly murmured as he brought the tip of his tongue against his roommate´s mouth, having a taste before finally clashing their lips together.

Greed´s were warm and a little wet, with a talented tongue that sent sparks of pleasure through the blue-eyed man´s veins, caused him to rut against his tormentor like an animal in heat, eyes falling shut and limbs growing weak. As the room echoed with both their moans, he could feel himself getting closer to release, and it took just a few more thrusts- a few more of the running back´s touches- for climax to set in. His head fell forward, coming to rest on other´s shoulder, and he let out a muffled cry when the long-awaited sensation swept over him.

That little sound along with how his body shook with pleasure was just what was needed to push Greed over the edge as well; he groaned in delight, sinking his teeth into Once-ler´s neck again to suck on the creamy skin, catching the hot spurts of their cum in his palm.

Afterwards, it took a while for them to come down from their high, and even when their heartbeats slowed and breathing evened out, they didn´t distance themselves from each other, remaining in place as they were.

A long moment of silence followed during which Once-ler had a hard time deciding what he was supposed to be more shocked by: the fact that he´s just had a sexual encounter with his insufferable roommate, or that he had enjoyed every second of it?

Face still hidden in embarrassment as he tried to come to terms with the situation, he brought his fingers to the spot on his neck Greed had so lovingly bitten.

“If you´ve given me a hickey I´m going to fucking kill you,” he muttered, hearing the other chuckle in reply.

“Consider me a dead man, then. Besides, you should get used to those. Your performance is still lacking, and we´ll need more dancing practice to fix that, love.”

To that, Once-ler could do nothing but let out a frustrated sigh. Somehow, he had the feeling that he wasn´t going to get a good night of rest anytime soon.

#onceler #once-ler #oncest #oncelerxgreedler #n/sfw #fanfiction

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chuckepisodes · 4 years ago

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Chuck vs. The Nemesis Part 2

Bryce still had a hold on Chuck as they made their way down a hall. You, Sarah and Casey were still following them and had a team behind them as well, guns ready. "Stand down! Don't do this, Bryce. We're all on the same side here." Sarah said approaching slowly. "What side is that?" " I've got a shot." Casey said. " No, you don't." Chuck said, freaking out. "You'll be fine." "No shooting! No shooting! I'm susceptible to bullets." "Casey don't. I'm not letting you risk Chuck's life like that." You said stepping in. Bryce dragged Chuck into an elevator. "The access code! I'll kill him, Sarah!" Bryce threatened. " Between you and me, I think he means it." Chuck said. You looked over at Sarah pleading. Sarah sighed. "Five-one-six-zero-two." Bryce punched it in and the doors began to shut. "Y/N." Chuck called out for you before the doors shut.

Once the door shut, Bryce let Chuck go and laughed a little, slapping him on the shoulder. "You knew I wouldn't do it, right?" "No! No, I did not know that." Chuck said a little angry, turning to face him. "How would I know that, Bryce? What are you trying to do?" " What's Sarah doing here?" "She's protecting me and Y/N, okay. And so is Casey. We're the good guys. Look, you need to stop this right now, before someone, namely me, gets hurt." " Too soon. We're slowing down." " We don't have to do the whole thing." Chuck said pointing to his neck and then Bryce grabbed hold of him again. " Wait, don't, don't..." The door opened and there was a man standing there. "Stop this elevator..." Bryce started and stopped when he noticed who the man was. " Bryce. Who's your friend?" Chuck then flashed on the man. He was bad news. And the word Fulcrum came up. "You step back." Bryce warned. " Okay. I wouldn't want you to kill some random person. I'd feel just terrible." " Tell your people that I'm gone." "This is your chance, Bryce. This is me being reasonable. Let's go. Let's be friends again." " We were never friends." " Ouch. Now my feelings are hurt. You're gonna run, aren't you?" Bryce nodded. " Good." And then the elevator door shut and Bryce released Chuck once again. "Who was that?" Chuck asked. "Nobody." "What's fulcrum?" Bryce eyes widened. "Where did you hear that?" "The intersect." Chuck said pointing to his head. " I have these flashes." " I was right-- you can remember its intel. Is it always that fast?" " What is fulcrum, Bryce? Who are they and how do they know you?" "This is my stop." Bryce said as the elevator slowed down. " No, no, no, no. No, no, wait! I have questions, I have millions of questions." " Chuck, this is gonna sting a little." Bryce told Chuck as he injected him with the needle and the arm, which started to knock Chuck out. "Tell Sarah... It's hard to say good-bye." Bryce escaped and the elevator door opened, and you, Sarah and Casey were standing there. When you looked down though you saw Chuck, lying unconscious on the floor and ran over to him. "Chuck!" You leaned down and put both your hands on his face. "Babe, you okay?" "Heyyy..." "I think he's been drugged a little." Sarah said looking over at you. "Yeah I think so." you said, smiling a little at how he was acting. Casey then came in and Chuck screamed. "Not pretty! Ugly!" Chuck shouted, making you laugh a little.

You, Chuck and Sarah were now back at his place, walking in the courtyard. "It wasn't a full dose. It'll be out of your system in a few hours." Sarah told Chuck. "Well thank God." you said, grabbing hold of Chuck's hand which he squeezed. "Thanks. I think I can handle it from here." Chuck said. " So, are you and Casey gonna go after Bryce?" you asked Sarah, both you and Chuck turning to face her. " No. Bryce is probably halfway around the world by now. It's someone else's job to find him." "Sarah, this is Bryce Larkin we're talking about here-- your old flame." "And my old nemesis." Chuck added. " We have to do something." "We each have our own assignment." " Right. And we're yours, so what... What does this mean... For us?" you asked her. "Nothing. You're protected." "But does Bryce know anything at all about our cover as friends or..." Then Ellie came walking in and you all stopped. "Hi guys!" Ellie greeted seeing you and Chuck. Ellie has just been so thrilled ever since she found out you and Chuck were finally dating and every time she saw the two of you together she would get so happy. "Hey Ellie!" you smiled back at her. Ellie then looked over at Sarah. "Oh, hi. Hey. Hey, Sarah. It's good to see you." " You, too." " Are you coming to thanksgiving?" " Of course." Sarah said looking back at you. " Well I will see you guys tomorrow. Have a goodnight!" "And I need to get this stuff in the house. Later guys!" You and Chuck were now left alone in the courtyard and you turned to look at him. "So are you sure you're okay?" "I'm fine Y/N. Don't worry." "I can't help it. I 've always worried too much you know that." "I know." Chuck said smiling as he put his arms around you and you slid yours around his waist. "By the way... did you call me babe today?" You blushed. "You remember that?" "I do." Chuck said, smiling. "That's the first time you called me that." "Yeah it just slipped out. I won't say it if you don't want me to." "No, no no. I actually really liked it. I can get use to it." "Well okay then. I guess I will continue to call you babe." Chuck then leaned down and kissed you.

The next day you came with Chuck to the store like you said you would as they went through their Black Friday plans. You were sitting on Chuck's chair as Chuck stood behind you, hands rubbing your shoulders as you leaned back, resting your head against his chest. You and Chuck were hoping this was going to go by fast. "On black Friday, it comes down to us. Crowd control. Okay? Little test here. Jeff, emergency in sector two-- move! " Morgan started, standing on top of the Nerd Herd desk, talking in a mega phone. "Nice work, Jeff, nice work. Lester, converge on Jeff's position. Sector one. Move now. Go! People's lives are at stake here, man. Good hustle, Les. Anna, we cannot lose the doors, okay? If we lose the doors, we've lost the battle. Got it? All right. You look beautiful today, by the way. Chuck!" " Yes, Morgan, yes, I'm right here." Chuck said, looking up at Morgan and giving your shoulders a little squeeze. " Hey, pal, yeah, listen, everybody's moving way too slow. If they don't shape up, if we lose control of the store, we are gonna have a pineapple situation. " You looked at Morgan confused and Lester turned around. "What's a pineapple situation?" Lester asked. "Never say that word." Morgan said. "You just..." " It's a black swan. It's an impossible event that changes everything." Chuck said looking over at Lester. "In case something terrible happens-- nuclear strike, earthquake- anyone of you could initiate a full buy more evacuation by uttering one word." " Pineapple." Chuck said now looking down at you. "The word that cannot be spoken." " I really just want to say "pineapple."" Lester said. " Pineapples are fun-- my dad used to throw them at me." Jeff added. "Pineapple. Pineapple." " Seriously? Wow." Morgan said, not believing this. Chuck's phone began to rang and you looked over at him as he looked at his phone. " What's the matter? Who is it?" you asked. " Oh, it's Ellie. She's in Thanksgiving panic mode." "Uh oh." you said making a face. "We got to stop by the store. See you kids later." Chuck said grabbing your hand as you both headed out.

You and Chuck arrived back at his place, you all dressed for the night now, both of you carrying groceries in.

Your outfit:

"Chuck, Y/N, get ready for some turkey." Devon shouted from the kitchen. As you were both walking over to hand over the groceries, you both looked over to see Casey standing there with a drink. "What are you doing here?" Chuck asked. " Well, your sister invited me to dinner." " Really? Ellie then came over and took the groceries from both of you. " Thanks. Did you find everything? " "Yeah, we-we did. Yeah, but I need to talk to you... I need to talk to you about something later, later. " Chuck told Ellie as she walked away. "Um, hey, hey. Sorry. Uh, I have a question for you." Chuck said turning back to Casey now. "Um, what-what do you think Bryce meant when he said, "Casey, care to... Care to try again?" 'cause call me crazy, but I got the weirdest feeling like it was you who killed him." "Which would be ridiculous." you added. "Good guess." " Are you ser... " Chuck started. "Does Sarah know about that?" you asked him. "It's in my report." " Why would you... Do that? Why did you kill Bryce?" Chuck asked. " Orders. Your old nemesis is a very dangerous human being, Chuck. You get a chance to shoot Bryce Larkin, you shoot to kill." You and Chuck just stared at him. "Guys, no shoptalk tonight. We got a bird to eat. Hey, John, can you help me stuff this monster?" Devon asked. " Cosmo?" Casey asked handing the drink to you as he walked over to Devon. "Thank you, John. He's so sweet." Ellie said walking over to you both. " Like honey." Chuck said sarcastically. "Uh, sis, Morgan is bringing somebody tonight." "Like, a real someone or an imaginary someone?" Ellie asked. "Uh, real, actually, very real, and she's very nice. And, uh..." " "She"? You said "she."" Ellie said, looking over at Chuck excited. "Yes. Yes. Anna. Morgan's girlfriend." "Look at you both! You are finally with Y/N here and Morgan's got a girlfriend..." " There could be a little issue, though, because she knows about you and Morgan." " What are you talking about?" The doorbell then rang. " Just remember, it's not my fault." Chuck said quickly as you and him both walked over to answer the door. "Ah, hello, my friends! Welcome to Thanksgiving." Chuck greeted Sarah, Morgan and Anna. Sarah walked in and gave you a hug and then went over to join Casey. "Ellie! So, uh, this is Anna, my..." Morgan started to introduce. "Girlfriend." Anna finished, staring Ellie down. "Right. " "And this is my green bean casserole." Anna said handing the dish over to Ellie. You and Chuck were just standing there and looking over at each other, not believing how awkward this was. " It's good to meet you, finally." Anna said, now all over Morgan, trying to make Ellie jealous but it was not working. "Yeah. Yeah, Chuck and Y/N just told me about you and Morgan. I'm so happy." "Hussy." Anna said under her breath walking away.

You were now all seated at the table, you were sitting beside Sarah while Chuck was sitting across from you. "I am in heaven." Devon shouted as you were all eating your dinner. " This is so good." Sarah said. " It's so good." you agreed. " Glad you like. " Ellie said. " Amazing." Casey added. " Do you, uh, usually do Thanksgiving?" you turned your head asking Sarah. " Uh, not recently." " Oh, man. Okay, you know what I want for my second plate? I need critical side dish number two." Morgan exclaimed. "There you go." Devon said, handing over the dish. " Thank you." then Morgan paused looking at the dish. "There's no marshmallows on my sweet potatoes." " It's Morgan's favorite number two side dish." Anna said staring at Ellie. Chuck looked over at Ellie, widening his eyes a bit. "I'm sorry, I must have forgot." " Thanksgiving is ruined." "Wait. That's our bad, because Y/N and I did pick them up-- they're in the herder. Y/N? Come with me to go get them?" "Absolutely!" You and Chuck quickly got out of your seats and Chuck put his hand on your back as you both walked out the door. "Don't be too long." Ellie said, eyes pleading as she looked at you and Chuck.

You and Chuck got the marshmallows and were walking back together, holding hands. "Did you really need me to come along with you too to get these?" you said in a teasing tone. "No. But I figured I would save you for a little from that awkward dinner." "My hero." you said as both you and Chuck started to laugh. "Hello, Chuck." Bryce greeted, appearing from out of nowhere. He then looked over at you. "And you must be the famous Y/N. Chuck's girlfriend." " Sarah and Casey are right inside. One girlish scream from either of us, and they go into combat mode." Chuck said. "This your place?" " Ellie and I live here, yeah." " You... Live with your sister? Not your girlfriend?" "Well in Chuck and I's fairness, we just started dating. It's only been a couple weeks." "What happened? Chuck, what happened to you? Guy who wanted to be the software billionaire-- Bill Gates with style." "You got me kicked out of Stanford, Bryce." "I need to talk to Sarah. Can you bring her to me, without Casey? " Bryce asked. "No. No. Why would we help you?" You asked Bryce stepping forward a little. "Because of fulcrum. That guy in the elevator, he works for them." "Fulcrum? Chuck what is he talking about?" You asked looking at him now. "When Bryce dragged me into the elevator, I flashed on a guy and the name Fulcrum appeared." "They want the intersect, Chuck. They want you and Y/N." You and Chuck looked at each other in fear and he pulled you in, wrapping your arms tight around each other.

#Chuck Series Rewrite #Chuck #Chuck TV Series #Chuck x Reader #Chuck Bartowski #Chuck Bartowski x Reader #Zachary Levi

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afterthelastreset · 4 years ago

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Rules Of One’s Soul Ch 11 A Little Offer

(Mak belongs to @wasted-church )

Such a waste of time. Alnost four hours of walking and talking to that hammerheaded bafoon down the drain. If he would've known it would have ended up in failure then he wouldnt have gone in the first place!...But then again, he DID need an excuse to walk off all those candy calories he forced down into himself, he wouldnt become fat if he couldn't help it. The talk with Malius wasn't exactly splendid either. He insisted on being paid first so he wasn't 'scammed' out of a job and 'actually got paid for his hard work' and a whole other slew of nonsense. Of course he had TRIED to explain that he couldn't pay anything right now because he didn't HAVE anything to pay with right now, but of course the foolish worm paid no attention to his noble status or the fact he could just easily pay him later. Making the whole trip absolutely worthless.

The only good thing about this was that it gave him time to go get more supplies and food. Dark candy and worms. How appetizing. But one thing was for sure, Rouxls Kaard was not one to ask for help when he could easily handle by himself, he didn't need anyones help. So of course it wasn't out of question to see the duke out of formal attire, on hands and knees, digging in the pitch black ground with a small shovel and a couple of glass jars. He didn't really care though. He really didn't have anything else to do right now unless he wanted to go climbing dark candy trees and get more of those too sweet things, which he had to do anyways to restock his shoppe and get more for himself to eat after eating all the ones Seam brought to him earlier. His stomach grumbled just thinking about it, and he still had a week of just living like a hermit.

"Where art thou stupid insects!," he mumbled to himself as he shoveled clump of dirt after dirt to the side. Why couldn't the stupid worms just come out already!? It rained just two days ago, shouldn't they be near the surface by now?! "Dont telleth me thine food supply tis goneth?!" He jabbed the shovel in deeper. "I REFUSETH! NAY WORMS SHANT DEFEAT ROUXLS KAARD?!"

In any other case or if he desperately wasn't afraid of getting a good(ish) food supply before he was forced to just eat candy for a week straight, he would've been chuckling at the thought of him ever doing this, but here he was. Digging in the dirt like a starved rabbick looking for carrots. Hopefully he didn't have any wondering eyes, but at this point he wouldn't have probably cared. His natural survival instinct kicking in and taking over-

"GOD D*MMIT!!" Blue hands shoved themselves into the black earth and started tossing around dirt. The yell was loud enough to catch anyones attention in a couple yard radiace, but luckily noone heard it-......Well almost noone.

To be honest, the scene was more concerning than funny. He certainly wasn't expecting to walk in on the scene of a frantic duke digging like a rabbick tossing dirt around and cussing like a royal guard on a hangover. The duke was more upset then he thought-

"He's gone mad.....Can I have his shiny stuff if his hair falls out?"

He ignored the child and mumbled a "Stay here" before catiously stepping towards the manic worm flailing around like a dying fish. Good lightners. It wasn't a long drive to have the poor guy acting like a desperate animal-....Similar to how Jevil first reacted too being.locked up...He instantly shook those thoughts from his mind. Now wasn't really the appropriate time for a trip down memory lane, especially about something that happened so long ago. He was just one or two yards from the duke who didn't seem to have noticed him at all at the moment. Some dirt bounced near his feet to which he rose a brow at. After a moment he looked back to the worm and cleared his throat-

It was like a cobra swung it's head with how fast the duke's reflexes were. Face dark blue in frustrated annoyance.

"WHAT?!"

Both froze in that moment. Both clearly not expecting the other to react they way the other did. The sudden outburst made the patched cat flinch hard and sorta just stare down at worm, button eye spinning. Rouxls however seemed to register the moment faster, old habit he developed from serving the spade king. One had to develop a fast sense of your surroundings if you didnt want to risk the king's wrath...And blinked.

"Oh.....Tis thou." His body slowly relaxed from the tense pose on his knees and eyeing the cat. ".....What doth thou want?"

Seam blinked and cleared his throat. His fur was bristled and fluffed up from the sudden outburst. "Oh...Well you seemed like you were a little stressed there-" His gaze shifted momentarily to the holes and clumps of dirt, and Rouxls's obviously dirty hands." -...and I thought you could use a cup of tea?"

"..N-No. Thank you. As y-you can clearly seeth-" He turned back around to the holes. "-I amst c-clearly busy w-with restocking mine shelves!"

"And how exactly is digging restocking? Are you selling dirt?"

"WORM! I amst gathering food to prepare mineself for living like a common criminal!" He reached back for the shovel.

" You eat dirt?"

"NAY! Likest I wouldst do anything like that?! Mine standards wouldst never sinkest so loweth!"

" Then what are you trying too-..." He trailed off when the duke groaned and pointed to a few jars next to himself. Inside one of them was a couple small pink things, they wriggled around the glass container. It didn't take too long for the old cat to figure out what exactly what he was looking at. ".....You've been eating worms?"

"Nay. I willeth eat them....sparingly. I needst enough for mineself to last for a few days.,

The thought of those wriggling things coming anywhere near his mouth made Seam gag before asking, "Are you really going to eat nothing but insects?"

"No. That tis ludacris!" The digging slowed down. "There's plenty of that disgustedly sweeteth ..c-candy growing on thine trees. I needs to restock anyways."

"What happened to the whole bag I brought?...Hehe. Don't tell me someone already bought it all."

"What doth thou thinkest I have been consuming for nutrition?"

The old plush paused for a monent, eye spinning. "Are you telling me that you plan on eating nothing but candy and....worms from now on?"

"Blame that floating bafoon for getting mineself sent away from thine castle!"

Seam held up his paws in defense. "Hey now. He was only trying to help."

Rouxls muttered something under his breath but didn't look up at Seam and just continued digging. Seam on the other hand reached up to scratch at the fluffy main of fur around his neck. This wasn't exactly what he was expecting when he first came to speak to the stressed out noble, but he guess he would've acted like this too if he was in the duke's place....Or not. Who knows?

"What art thou doing here anyways?"

The sudden question made him flinch but the worm still didnt look up from his digging."Uh...Well quite simply I came to offer my assistance on the matter. Haha." This time the worm fully turned to the taller cat in question. Making him chuckle at the confused dirt smudged face. "But maybe I came at a bad time. Perhaps I should wait until you're finished?"

"..N-Nay! Rouxls kaard-" he held a hand to his chest "-hast no needst for help! I amst perfectly capable of surviving on mine own! I nay need help from an old commoner!"

"Even if I'm offering to give you a few dark dollars and decent food?"

This caught the worms attention as he instantly snapped out of the annoyed tone and eyed the cat in front of him. Seam gave a patient smile back to the worm on the ground who still hadn't made a move and instead opted to eye the plush with a raised brow. Like how a parent would a child when they knew they were lying. Rouxls pursed his mouth to a thin line and debated the cat's words internally for a moment. Finally settling on-

"Art thou serious? Food and money?"

He shrugged. "Well better food than worms and candy. Haha. But the not without something in return of course."

Rouxls scoffed. " I shouldst' ve knowneth."

Seam gestured a paw to the Hip Shoppe. "Why don't we go inside and discuss it then? You look like you could use a break."

Rouxls contined to look up at the other darkner for a few seconds, frozen in thought, before he slowly kneeled over. For a moment Seam thought he was going to start digging again but instead slowly rose to his feet. Seam could now clearly see the rolled up pants legs and dirt covered blue skin of the worms legs, instantly he got a flash back to how he looked scrubbing the floor. He honestly looked the same way except all the dirt, and something about seeing the normally the orderly and neat freak Rouxls willingly getting dirty and acting like a 'commoner" made him chuckle again. A clicking of glass sounded as the duke gathered the jars in his arms and turning to start towards the shop,Guess he agreed to talking, with Seam silently following. It was only a matter of time before a smaller pair of footsteps came patting along behind them and the small bat hopped up to his side in a moment.

"Wipe thou's feet before comming in," he muttered. It took a few seconds of him shuffling the jars into one arm while reaching to open the door. Once inside, the two plushes went towards the count- "DON'T touch anything."

"Wouldn't dream of it."

The worm gave him but mostly the small bat a look like he didn't beleive them before rolling his eyes and disappearing into the back room. Seam chuckled as he went and turned his attention to the child who was staring into the clear glass display kit. Their face practically pressed against the clean glass as their eyes widened at the contents inside.

"Hehe. Now what might you be looking at?"

"There's shiny things in there! I want the big one!"

Curious he leaned over them to peer inside the case connected to the counter. And quickly saw what they were looking at. "Oh. Gems." A full display of gem stones adorned the inside of the case. Funny he didn't see them here the last time he visited. Rudinns would go gaga for these things. Something about impressing other female Rudinns depending on how much treasure they had. Good for selling and looking pretty but otherwise useless to the common Darkn- "Hey! You're not aloud up there."

He easily reached a paw other and grabbed the bat from off the top of the counter. "But I want the shiny! The big one!" They continued to paw at the counter as Seam set them down.

"We have to pay for those things-"

"Payest for what?"

The duke had returned. Cleaned up and wearing another suit again. How many of those did he have? He eyed the two before fixing his sights onto where Mak was staring.

"Those art for sale only. If thou wants one then thou willst have to pay for it likest everyone else."

Mak gave off a growl and reached back out for the counter- seam pulled them back again and sighed. "Can we please talk about why Im here?"

"Yes. Please do." the duke had taken his place behind the register and leaned back. "What brings the commoner to mine Shoppe? Art thou one of mine admires wo-" He stopped himself from saying that one common line which made Seam chuckle again and his face went a dark blue.

"I guess that's one way of putting it, but I think Ill save that for a later time. I actually came here to offer to pay you, in return for your services of course."

Rouxls scoffed. "And what part of mine services art thou refering to? ...This won't allow me to-" He shivered. "Be around that flying lunatic?"

"Jevil? Oh no. Just some cleaning."

"Cleaning?"

Seam nodded before explaining. "Why not? You need money don't you? And it seems like a fair trade to have my sheap spruced up."

The worm just stared dumbfounded at the cat......before a snicker came out of his mouth. Before another. And another. And another. Until the worm was lightly laughing at the utterly ridiculous request offered. HIM?! Clean up after an old grown darker that was more than capable of taking care of himself?! Absolutely ludacris!

"T-Thou actually expects mineself t-to cater to thine poor home like a common maid?! Hahaha. Thou's brain tis full of silly cotten if tbou thinkest I wouldst do anything like THAT!"

The cat to his credit didnt drop the patient smile and instead retorted with. "Well you are living like us common folk aren't you?" The worm stopped his chuckling tangent to stare at him. "And digging in the dirt and plucking what candy he can get from the trees for survival. Now aren't you?"

The duke sputtered angrily before slamming a hand down on the counter while pointing the other straight at him. "Now seest here you walking...c-child"s plaything! Rouxls Kaard tis not one to bend to thou's whim just because of mine bad luck! What I do tis nay any business of yours! I shant hereth any more nonsense of soulmates o-or ridiculous offers! And as soon as that Jevil gets thinself back Ill telleth thee what exactly I thinkest of this whole situation! If anything had happened to mine boy whilst I amst away I shall seest to it he gets turned into a jack in thine box!"

Seam hadn't even batted an eye at the rant, as if he had been expecting the entire thing from the start. "Well if I remember right, you're living just like the rest of us. Doesn't matter if you're rich or not Duke. You're still just as helpless as the rest of us-"

SLAM!

"GET OUT!" The worm angrily point a hand behind Seam towards the door in the front. But not before slamming his hands onto the counter. His soul throbbed with anger at the moment and Seam could clearly sense it by the way his eye tilted down towards his chest. Where one's presumed soul would be. "GETTEST THINESELF OUT AND DON'T EVER STEP FOOT NEAR MINESELF AGAIN!!"

Ever smiling, Seam didn't hesitate to obey the angry worn as he headed back towards the door. The little bat stumbling to follow along. The jingling of the bell came as the door opened and the cat stepped out. But not before saying-

"Ill see you tomorrow friend. Hopefully we can arrange a better meet up."

#seavil #seam x jevil #jevil x seam #jevil x rouxls #Seaxls #jeam #nosuit #rouxlvil #rouxvil #seam x rouxls #rouxls x seam #deltarune

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m0etenchandon · 5 years ago

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Here's a random request that you didn't ask for, BUT: could you maybe write something fluffy about Gwilym? Like... you're having a bad day and being really self-conscious and just feeling really bad about your body where you're at the point of almost breaking up with Gwil because you feel like he's to good for you but he calms you down and convinces you that you're perfect for him? and like.. lots of love and kisses and all that. 🥺🥺

I love random requests that I didn´t ask for haha! Especially if it means distracting me from studying. Hope this is okay, and that you are okay. I´m always here if you want to talk:)

Alright, here are 1282 words of sappy Gwilym fluff/angst. Enjoy!

“Love? Are you okay in there?”, Gwilym´s soft voice called through the bathroom door. You had been in there for almost an hour, your shower ending a long time ago. You had forgotten to bring clothes with you and you just couldn´t bring yourself to face him almost naked. You felt bloated and really unattractive today, had been for a while. The last few weeks you had tried to hide it from your boyfriend, shying away from his touches. Having sex with the light off the few times you would let him close. However, you always stopped his wandering hands, keeping them off your stomach, thighs. Every part of your body you disliked.

“Y-yeah, I uh, I forgot my clothes”, you mumbled, trying to conceal your shaky breath.

“And? What´s the problem?”, Gwilym asked. You could hear him shifting outside the door, a sense of panic flooding your body as you realized you probably hadn´t locked the door. You could see the handle slowly moving.

“Wait, can you just get them for me? They´re on the bed”, you said, reaching for the towel and hastily wrapping it around your naked body.

“Of course, my love”

You could hear his steps disappear as you franticly tried to rub the tears from your eyes. They were red and puffy, but at least drier. You would just have to dab some concealer on before facing him. You couldn´t deal with the confrontation. Not now.

However, the sound of the door opening spoiled your plans. You stopped dead in your tracks, eyes widening as you turned to look at Gwilym. His face fell the second he saw yours, the clothes in his arms falling to the floor. He quickly crossed the room, wrapping his arms around you and pulling you into his chest. You couldn´t hold back anymore, tears streaming down your face as you uncontrollably sobbed in his embrace.

Gwilym held you close, his hands soothing your back as he swayed you back and forth slightly.

“Shh, love. It´s okay, I got you”, he whispered, his voice pained. “What´s wrong, YN?”

You didn´t reply, just buried your face further into his chest, drenching his shirt in your tears.

“Please, Y/N. I, fuck, I can´t stand to see you like this. Just tell me what it is so I can try to fix it”, Gwilym said, his voice breaking as he pulled away slightly. He took in your form, his heart hurting as he reached up to wipe some of your tears away.

“You can´t fix it”, you mumbled, turning your face away from his touch. “You should just leave me, Gwilym. Get it over with”

“What? I´m not leaving you, Y/N. What has gotten into you?”, he said, furrowing his eyebrows. He grasped your chin, forcing you to meet his deep blue eyes.

“Just look at you! You´re literally perfect and I´m just this average girl. This isn´t going to last, you´re going to find someone better. Someone prettier, someone with a better body, better everything”

Gwilym´s face fell into one of sadness as a tear escaped his eye. He looked absolutely heart broken, reflecting how you felt.

“Is that why you almost haven´t let me touch you lately?”, he asked, voice low. You let your gaze fall to the floor as you nodded, feeling the lump in your throat grow even bigger.

“Oh Y/N, I love you so much. Can´t you see that? I´m head over heels for you, you are my everything”, Gwilym said, placing both of his hands on your cheeks. “I´m so sorry if I have ever made you feel unloved, unattractive. Because I think you´re the most beautiful girl in the whole world. I mean it. I don´t care that you´re not like everyone else, that´s why you´re special. Special to me. In fact, I love your body. Your stomach, your thighs, everything about you makes me love you more every day”

Gwilym´s thumbs rubbed circles onto your cheeks, his gaze burning into your skin. You reached up to pull his hands away, but he wouldn´t let you. Sighing, you reached out to play with the material of his now soaked t-shirt.

“That´s just something you´re saying to make me feel better”, you muttered.

“It´s absolutely not, Y/N. You´re perfect just the way you are. I can´t believe I´m lucky enough to call you mine”, he said, his face desperate. “Please, don´t leave me”

His voice was barely above a whisper, tears flowing down his face. This time it was your turn to wrap your arms around him and pull him close. You both just stood there, in the middle of the bathroom floor, sobbing.

“I don´t want to”, you said as you pulled away, letting your hands fall flat against his chest.

“Then don´t. Please, I´m begging you. I love you so much”

“I´m sorry, Gwilym. I-I don´t know what came over me”, you said, sniffling as you tried to stop the tears.

He offered you a soft smile, his hands rubbing circles onto your back.

“The first day I met you I knew you were the one, I knew I had to have you”, Gwilym said, reaching up to tuck a lock of your hair behind your ear. You leaned into his hand, turning to place a kiss onto the palm of it.

“Really?”, you asked, feeling your heart flutter.

“Yes, you were wearing that dress that hugs your figure so perfectly. Your beautiful laugh filling the room, my favorite sound in the entire world. And when I saw you naked for the first time I had to concentrate on not passing out, and certainly on not cumming in my pants”, he said, his face breaking into a smile at the end.

A giggle escaped your mouth, feeling your nerves slowly start to fade away.

“You really are perfect, Y/N. I fall more in love with you each day, and I can´t wait to marry you one day. Grow old with you”, Gwilym said, leaning down to press his lips to yours. The kiss was wet with both your tears, but you felt like a weight was lifted off your shoulders. Gwilym was yours, and he loved you.

“I love you, Gwilym. I´m sorry I´m such a mess”, you said as he pulled away.

“Nonsense”, Gwilym smiled before kissing you again. “You have nothing to be sorry about, we all have our off days. I just need you to tell me next time, okay? I don´t want you to deal with this on your own. I´ve been going mad these last few days thinking about what I might have done wrong”

“Okay, I will try. Thank you, Gwilym”

“That´s what boyfriends are for, right?”, he teased, raising an eyebrow and grinning at you.

“I love you so much, you dork”, you giggled, pulling him down to your lips again. You could feel the familiar sensation of his beard rubbing against your skin as he pulled you closer, slowly pushing his tongue past you lips and deepening the kiss. It was laced with so much love it almost took your breath away, completely melting into his touch.

“Come on, let’s get you dressed, you´re freezing”, Gwilym said as he ran his warm hands up and down your bare arms. “I´ll be in bed with your favorite snacks and Netflix at the ready when you come out, okay?”

You nodded, feeling his lips against your forehead for a second before he walked out. You turned around to look at yourself in the mirror again, but this time a smile spread over you face. Yeah, you might not be perfect, but you were perfect for Gwilym. And that´s all that matters.

Mastelist

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theriptidepodcast · 5 years ago

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Episode 1 Transcript

THE GIRL WITH A FEW OF THE GIFTS

SOUND: DRIPPING WATER, WAVES, GENERAL CAVE NOISES, FOOTSTEPS MUSIC: PROBABLY ROCK OR SOMETHING OF THE SORT TARRIN: (humming along with the music at first before noticing You) Oh hello. How the hell’d you get in here? Ugh, no matter. I was just about to check on my second favourite girl, I suppose you can tag along. Not like you have any way out of here. Come on. In this one she’s in Hat Yai Thailand. Summer of ‘53 by the looks of it. Oh, 1953, sorry. Centuries are kind of important I suppose. You ready? SOUND: WHOOSH, BUBBLE POPPING MUSIC: FADES SOUND: LAUGHTER AND MUMBLING AND GENERAL SOUNDS OF A SMALL TOWN, PERHAPS A CHICKEN TARRIN: What a dingy place... Oh sorry, I forgot you can't see it. I'll describe it for you, minnow. Looks like we’re in the middle of town. Look at that poor child. Oh, don’t worry. No one can see us. This is technically a memory. Technically. That being said, don’t touch anything. Don’t know what you are, but I can’t imagine timespace will be kind to you unless you’re like her and her ilk. I think they may just be timespace, y’know. SOUND: EVERYTHING QUIETS, THOUGH THERES PROBABLY STILL A CHICKEN OR TWO TARRIN: Oh, what’s this? Look, minnow. That little girl was shunned by society. Whyever would that be? Is it because she’s was orphan? Because she was quiet? Because she was blunt? Because she could see into peoples minds and pick apart their futures with a simple touch? Probably all of that. Like a good mixture of all of that. Look how scared these people were, minnow. Of a little girl, of all things. Look at how they cowered and fled and- ESME: Uh, excuse me- SOUND: DOOR SLAMMING, RUNNING FOOTSTEPS TARRIN: Pathetic, really. Oh, but what’s this now, minnow? Someone’s coming, and fast. Down through the empty stalls and over livestock. A red blur. Aaaand, straight into the little girl. Oh, she fell down. Well she didn’t get hit that hard, come on. SOUND: ESME GRUNTING, FALLING SOUNDS, NECKLACE FALLING ONTO GROUND TARRIN: The little girl felt as if she could suddenly see everything, at least in that moment. The visions were vast and varied and blurred in their hurry to be, to make their way into her mind. The only thing the little girl could make out was a redhead girl with dark skin, freckles and scars scattered along her body like comets and stars. Oh, the runner’s necklace fell off in her hurry. How unfortunate. What will the little girl do, minnow? It seems she’d been thoroughly affected by the other running into her. As if it affected her psychic powers in a bad or intense way. I imagine that probably sucked. After she recovered, she picked up the necklace. ESME: Oh, uh, miss! You dropped your.... locket. Oh... I should probably return this to her... SOUND: WHISPERS, WAVES, FOOTSTEPS TARRIN: The little girl began following after the others’ path. It wasn’t hard, the other wasn’t exactly subtle. No, she has never been subtle. Produce carts fallen over and disturbed foliage made it clear where she was going and where she had been. The path led her outside of town, towards the beach. Towards the giant building that was home to so many deaths. It might've been some sort of mansion in its heyday, who knows. It was a place of respect now, full of shrines and offerings and such. Now I’m not one to assume other cultures, I’ve been stuck in that dingy cave longer than you 've ever been, minnow. I don’t know how they felt about death in Thailand in the 1950s, but they probably in the very least respected the dead. The girl hesitated. She hadn’t brought any offerings, and she could hear... things. Whispers. Though, they weren't the same as the whispers she heard in town. In town they were mixtures of thoughts and futures, here they were just simply whispers. Must be nice. I mean I’m not a psychic, but being forced to know everyone’s thoughts and futures and then being somewhere where you would see nothing. Feel nothing. To, for once, have your thoughts be your own. Must be nice. The footsteps led up to the building. Of course they did, minnow. Where else would a mysterious stranger go? The little girl walked in, her sense of duty outweighing her uneasiness. Wonder what that’s like. Are you attached more to your duty or your feelings, minnow? Even with your answer, which one wins in the end? The little girl approached the door, and knocked. It was a dingy broken down old building, and she knocked. Can you believe that? She knocked. Who would even answer? A ghost? SOUND: DOOR OPENING NATCHAYA: (ghost effect) Oh, hello! Who do we have here? ESME: Uh, hi... I’m looking for a girl with bright red hair. Like, like a fire? Her path leads here. TARRIN: Well what’dya know? A ghost. I’ve lived long enough that you'd figure I’d know how to bite my tongue at this point. NATCHAYA: (any ghosts just have a ghost effect to them) Oh! You need the messenger for something? Come in, come in! I’m Natchaya by the way! Pleasant to have a visitor who can see us! I’m afraid we don’t have much here... Oh, and how ever will you get up to the messenger! This place hasn't exact had good building structure for a while. SOUND: WAVES BUT FARTHER AWAY, DOOR CLOSING, WHISPERS TARRIN: Natchaya led the girl into the broken down house, hand floating close to her back. The little girl let this happen, though Natchaya’s hand would have gone through her otherwise, which would have been hilarious. The little girl was polite though. Inside was bustling with people, but for once the girls head didn’t hurt from the visions. Perhaps because they were dead, and they couldn’t fully touch her. Not in the way physical people did. ESME: Um, I’m Esmeralda... I think I prefer Esme though. NATCHAYA: You think? ESME: I just need to return this necklace, miss. NATCHAYA: Yes, of course... How to get you up these beat up stairs though... Or lack of stairs I suppose, heh... Oh, Art! Hey, has anyone seen Art? ART: You rang? TARRIN: Their voice came before their body, although I suppose one can expect that from a ghost of all things. Especially one as ridiculous as Art is. They floated down from the ceiling, in a relaxed sitting position. NATCHAYA: Art, would you mind giving her a way upstairs? She needs to get to the messenger. ART: Of course, anything for a beautiful young lady. TARRIN: Art winked, as ridiculous beings are wont to do. As I am wont to do. They waved their hands around, as if creating a symphony and debris swirled around them, creating a makeshift set of stairs. It was pretty dope. NATCHAYA: That should do you just fine. Thank you, Art. Will you be able to make the journey upstairs yourself? There shouldn’t be any troubles once you get up there, she’s just in the bedroom. Second door to your left when you get up there. TARRIN: Esme nodded and started her journey up the stairs. For anyone else it would probably be trivial. One step after the other, no matter if it was made by a ghost. For a ten year old though, it probably felt like an adventure. Oh to be a child again. Not this child though. I’m already under enough stress having a girlfriend in a superpowered family, imagine being alone and superpowered and... Alone. She walked along the hallway quietly. She did everything quietly. She had to, I imagine. The door to the bedroom was cracked open, and Esme saw the girl from the intense visions. The one who bumped into her. She was a teenager. She was talking animatedly with a ghost that didn’t have a face. When she noticed Esme lurking in the doorway she brightened even more than she had already been. As if she recognized Esme. The combination of piercing red eyes and the way she acted scared Esme. MESSENGER: Oh, who do we have here? Come in, come in. Oh, don’t mind Jira, she’s not much of a conversationalist. She’s absolutely lovely once you get to know her. TARRIN: Esme walked in, nervous. The redhead was intimidatingly sweet. Intimidating in general. But for Esme... She was intimidatingly too much. Her powers needed proximity, see? Usually being across the room from someone only gets surface level things, but being this close felt too much for Esme to handle. She had a task to do though. She had to return the necklace. MESSENGER: What brings another living soul here then? I was told this was a place reserved for the dead. TARRIN: Esme didn’t answer. Couldn’t, perhaps? Could you? MESSENGER: Not a talker either, huh? Can I at least tease a name out of you? ESME: Esmeralda Chavez... MESSENGER: How pretty. May I call you Esme? TARRIN: The girl walked over to Esme, smiling. She didn’t know the effect she was having on Esme. I imagine she thought she was just making a friend. She touched Esme’s shoulder. A kind gesture, but one that sent Esme reeling both literally and figuratively. Visions came upon her, crashing like the waves outside. An ice castle- no an ice prison. The redhead grinning at a group of people, seeming to be from different eras. They were surrounded by debris and broken down buildings, the redhead was with a tall man and she picked up a bundle. A child. The redhead and a pale man, Esme thought she might recognize him from the group in the first vision? This is going by too fast. They were cuddled on a blanket on a beach, but the colours were weird. The sky purple, the water green in a bad way. The sand blue. There were lights in the sky. Esme came back when she hit her head on the wall, and the girl stepped back. NATCHAYA: Are you okay, dear? TARRIN: The redhead was sat on the bed, vague concern on her face. Natchaya was floating beside Esme, hand itching to comfort the girl. Jira, the faceless ghost, was gone. Esme nodded. Her head hurt, but it was nothing she couldn’t handle. There was a lot she handled on her own. A bump was trivial. NATCHAYA: Oh, good. Have you done what you came to do? TARRIN: Right, the necklace. Did you forget too, minnow? I know I did. Those visions were pretty intense. Esme seemed to have forgotten too. She fished the locket out of her pocket and held it out to the other. The girl touched the place where the locket would have hung. MESSENGER: (gasp) Oh, my locket! Thank you, love! Grei would kill me if I lost it! TARRIN: She moved to take it from Esme’s hands, but Esme flinched. She didn’t want to experience that again. Whatever that was. The teen understood, sitting back down. MESSENGER: Pass it to me? TARRIN: Esme nodded, tossing it over gently. It seemed it was going to land on the floor between them, when a warm gust of wind brought it over to the teen. Esme watched as she put it on again, tucking it into her shirt. MESSENGER: Thanks again, love. May I ask what happened when I touched you? Does it hurt when people touch you? ESME: Kind of. It hurt more when you did it. It’s visions... Future events and thoughts, I think. Yours were... a lot. I didn’t even see your death. You’re not normal are you? Not human? MESSEMNGER: (laughs) No, no love. Not by far. Neither are you, it seems. Not normal in the very least. TARRIN: Her laugh filled the room. It was the type of infectious laughter fathers usually had. Unashamed and loud. Esme couldn’t help crack a smile as well. Once the girl calmed down she stood and headed over to the window, seemingly intent on jumping out of it. MESSENGER: I should be getting to my next job now, Esme. Thank you, I’ll see you next time. SOUND: FOOTSTEPS, JUMPING, WIND TARRIN: With a wink the teen was out the window, and... flew off. Esme couldn’t believe any of what was happening that day, but a flying girl was an entirely different story. ESME: Who was that? NATCHAYA: I don’t know her name. She brings messages and packages to Jira sometimes, and leaves after talking for a few minutes. Busy girl, it seems... Well, we ought to get you home, don’t you think? TARRIN: Home. What was home to Esme? An orphanage that didn’t want her? Streets that were unkind? The first kindness she’d gotten in this town was from the dead. The dead she couldn’t know the thoughts or futures of. ESME: Would it be okay if I stayed here? NATCHAYA: Here? This place hasn’t been fit for the living in years, dear. Besides, won’t your family be worried sick! ESME: I don’t have a family. There’s no one to miss me in town. ART: And I’m sure with my services we can make this place fit for a princess such as the young lady. What’s the harm, Natchaya? TARRIN: Natchaya pursed her lips, looking between the two. Art looked happy to have another person here, and Esme looked hopeful. What was the harm? She would have to stay away from Jira’s room when the messenger girl came, but living with Jira herself would be pretty easy. Besides, town wasn’t far if Esme ever did find herself needing a living being. NATCHAYA: Alright. Art, start getting the master bedroom set up first and foremost. We can worry about the rest of the house later. It’s late and she probably needs rest. TARRIN: Art grinned and flew off to do just so. Esme brightened up. She felt just about as happy as the messenger had been. Natchaya couldn’t help but smile back. NATCHAYA: Well, I suppose it would be nice to have an addition to the family. ESME: Family? TARRIN: Aw, she has a family now. I always said it’s better to find your own than deal with what you were given. I mean why deal with the worst when you deserve the best? We should head back now. Let them live their lives. SOUND: WOOSH, BUBBLE POPPING, CAVE NOISES AND WATER DRIPPING AND WAVES MUSIC: FUNKY AND COOL TARRIN: Well, what did you think minnow? Was our girl entertaining enough for you? That’s all I have for now, get out of here. Perhaps next time you’ll learn more about her. Her powers, and her family. Perhaps. Until next you stumble in here, minnow. SOUND: FOOTSTEPS, HUMMING FADING AWAY MUSIC: FADING AWAY

#transcript #episode 1 #trp #the riptide podcast

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writinginstardust · 6 years ago

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Pining For A Prince | Part 2

Pairing: Keith x Lance

Warnings: some swearing and mentions of drinking/sex

A/N: We must thank god for strangers who can’t keep their mouths shut for they may be the key to ending the pining of my two favourite idiots. Also I’ve not been to American Disney in forever so I’m working off very limited knowledge of how stuff works there but I’ve googled and like the tunnels and stuff under the parks are a real thing, they just might not be exactly as I’ve made them but like who cares? Let me know what you think!

Word Count: 2793

At the happiest place on Earth a new day brought with it a very tired and grumpy-looking group of 18-24 year-olds and one surprisingly chipper 20-year-old attempting to carry a frankly outrageous number of caffeinated drinks. That 20-year-old was of course Lance because apparently he was the only one who had anything close to a healthy sleep schedule.

“Morning everyone!” He greeted as he entered their favourite lounge area under the park.

“He brought coffee! Thank god, I think I might die without it!” Allura was the closest to being awake of them all and called out the second she saw him. Immediately he was charged by all his friends as they scrambled to get their caffeine fix.

“Alright guys, let me put these down and then you animals can kill each other for your coffee.” They backed off and gave him room to get to one of the tables but were back at it before he even had a chance to grab his own drink.

“Lance, sweetie, you are an angel. Thank you!” Allura pressed kiss to his cheek as she passed with Romelle who grinned and gave him a thumbs up.

“Thanks doofus!” that was Pidge who was clearly so tired she hadn't noticed her costume wasn't on right and the sight made him chuckle a bit before a warm hand clapping him on the shoulder drew his focus. He turned his head and was met with a sleepy smile from Keith. It was probably the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen in his life and he felt his cheeks flush as it brought to mind a very vivid image of what it would be like to wake up to that every morning.

“Thanks man. And thanks for ordering it the way I like, Shiro always refuses to.” Another surprising thing Lance had learned about Keith was that instead of the expected bitter black coffee, he liked the most sickeningly sweet stuff Lance had ever tasted. It was honestly disgusting and he didn't understand how Keith could drink it like that but with his odd coffee taste, who was he to judge?

“No biggie, I know what you're all like without it.”

“I'd argue that we're a delight without the caffeine but I was about ready to kill someone just for a sip when you turned up.” The statement came from Nadia and knowing her as Lance did, he absolutely believed it.

“Looks like I got here just in time. You guys enjoy, I've gotta get changed.”

“Oh shit, me too!” Apparently Keith had only just realised he was still in his own sweatpants and t-shirt rather than his costume.

“You're hopeless in the morning. C'mon dude, let's go. You too Matt, you've forgotten your tights.” Lance grabbed their hands and tugged them into the changing rooms, not thinking about the fact that he was about to see Keith in a state of semi-undress that his body likely couldn't actually handle.

It took him longer it should have to get in costume, his eyes frequently being drawn to to Keith. It wasn't his fault. Keith was really, really hot. It's not like he hadn't known that before but suddenly being confronted with the reality of Keith's abs- Lance's brain short-circuited.

“Hey Matt, come help me with this would you? Shiro normally does it for me.”

“Sorry, I've got coffee to drink and a little sister to annoy.” Matt, who had until then been doing absolutely nothing, flashed them both a cheeky grin and grabbed his untouched coffee before rushing towards the door. “I'm sure Lance would be happy to help though!” And then he was gone. Bastard.

“You mind?” Keith seemed unconcerned with Matt's sudden, odd behaviour and oblivious to Lance's internal struggle between wanting to be close to him and wanting to run away at the thought.

“...Uh, yeah okay.” He shrugged in what he hoped was a nonchalant manner and made quick work of sorting out the last of Keith's costume. He might have lingered, hands smoothing down some of the fabric for longer than was necessary, but he would deny it happened if Keith decided to call him out on it.

“Thanks.” Keith’s voice was unexpectedly quiet and strained and Lance flicked his eyes up in surprise, not having noticed just quite how close their faces were, breath mingling in the small gap between their lips. Lance was too startled to move away or in fact do anything but stare. He’d never been quite this close to Keith before and was caught in the violet of his eyes, even more beautiful up close, he could get lost in those eyes for days.

After a few more moments had passed and Lance had still failed to move or react in any way but staring in awe, Keith’s cheeks developed an adorable blush that he knew was going to be stuck in his mind all day. Keith cleared his throat and that finally broke his trance. He stepped back quickly, feeling his own cheeks heating up and praying that the older boy wouldn’t notice.

“Uh, yeah...no problem dude.” He flashed him a quick smile before hurrying to finish dressing himself, needing to not be alone with Keith any longer. Footsteps passed close behind him as Keith made his way to the door and Lance tried not to look at him, still feeling awkward. He breathed a sigh of relief when the door finally shut and closed his eyes, leaning against the wall. Images of Keith’s soft smile, his cute blush, his beautiful eyes flashed before him and he groaned, scrubbing at his eyes to try and get rid of them. They wouldn’t go.

“Fuck,” he breathed out. It was going to be a tough day.

It only got worse a couple of hours later. A little after the park opened they were all still lingering near the castle meeting guests and taking photos. Normally by then many of them would have left, Lance and Allura off to New Orleans Square, Pidge to Pixie Hollow, the princesses to Fantasyland, Matt pretty much wherever he pleased, but they’d all got caught up by the sheer number of guests wanting to meet them today.

A cute little girl in a purple dress and mouse ears came up to him, eyes wide with the wonder he saw countless times a day.

“You’re prince Naveen.”

“I am little one, what can I do for you?”

“I wanted to tell you that you’re really pretty.”

“Why thank you, you’re very pretty too.” The little girl blushed and giggled at the compliment.

“But don’t you think Tiana is the most beautiful?” Her gaze strayed to where Allura was entertaining a family with 4 young children and Lance followed it. He knew what the girl meant, Allura was stunning. Movement behind her caught his eye as he watched and he flicked his focus to it, spotting Keith leading a girl of about 11 in a little dance, both of them smiling brightly. God it was adorable.

“You’re right, Tiana is very beautiful. You want to know a secret though?”

“Yes!” The girl’s smile widened further and she wiggled about in excitement.

“I think Prince Eric is really pretty too.” He whispered it to her and she giggled again before whispering back.

“Can I tell you a secret too?” He nodded. “I think he’s pretty too.” Lance grinned.

“I think you should tell him that. Just don’t tell him what I said. Pinky promise?” He held out his little finger and she wrapped her own around it.

“Pinky promise.”

“You know, I think Princess Tiana would like to meet you, we should go see her now, it looks like she’s free.” The little girl glanced over and sure enough the family previously occupying Allura were just getting ready to head off. Lance took her hand and walked the few feet between them and Allura.

“Princess, I’ve got someone for you to meet. She thinks you’re really pretty.” The little girl blushed but smiled anyway. They spent another minute or so talking with her and allowed her parents to take some photos before they each gave her a quick hug and she skipped away in the direction of Ezor and Keith. He looked over at said boy and felt his stomach flip. He really shouldn’t have mentioned thinking he was pretty but his mind had been occupied with him and it had slipped out. It was okay though, it’s not like Keith would find out.

“Stop staring, you’re being obvious.” Allura whispered, smirking when he turned back to her. The crowd had thinned significantly and they were finally able to head off to New Orleans Square, walking slowly arm in arm.

“Maybe I will, but only if you stop looking at Romelle every 30 seconds. You’re the one that’s being obvious.” He smirked right back. Two could play at this game.

“I really don’t like it when you’re right.” She let it drop after that and they continued walking, stopping every now and then to talk to a few park guests, neither noticing their crushes gazing after them.

A gentle tug on his costume brought Keith’s attention away from his conversation with Ezor and down to a giggling little girl with mischief in her eyes.

“Hey kiddo, you need something?”

“I need to tell you something but it’s a secret so you can’t tell anyone else.”

“I promise I won’t say a word.” He crouched down and allowed her to lean in and whisper in his ear.

“Prince Naveen thinks your pretty.” Well that wasn’t what he expected at all. He felt his cheeks heat up slightly and he leaned back to look at her questioningly.

“Did he tell you that?” She nodded vigorously.

“Yep, do you think he’s pretty too?” His eyes flicked involuntarily over to Lance who was walking away with Allura and he felt a dopey, in-love smile spread across his face.

“I think he’s very pretty. You can’t tell anyone though.”

“I promise.” He didn't believe that at all, assuming she'd probably made a similar promise to Lance, but seeing as she'd already talked to him he felt his secret was probably safe. She didn't say anything more and ran off back to her parents leaving a very mentally whiplashed Keith in her wake.

He spent most of the next hour completely unable to focus. Sure he managed do his job well, pretending was second nature by now, but his mind was racing a million miles an hour. What had Lance meant by calling him pretty? Was the child being totally honest? Did this mean Lance might like him as well? Or was he reading too much into the compliment? He didn't want to get his hopes up though and wasn't sure what he'd even do if Lance did like him back, there was no way he'd ever be able to actually ask him on a date himself, even being certain of his feelings.

He groaned as he entered his usual break lounge, why did having feelings have to be so difficult? James, looking very nice in his Flynn Rider get-up, Romelle, Nyma, and Adam all looked up as he entered, the four of them calling out half-hearted greetings from where they relaxed, recovering from the heat as best they could before having to brave it again.

“Hey guys.” He grabbed some water and flopped into a seat beside Adam, making no further attempt at conversation as he continued thinking about what Lance had apparently said.

“Something on your mind?” Adam was looking at him quizzically, he'd learned to read Keith pretty well over the years they'd known each other.

“Nothing to worry about,” he lied, faking a reassuring smile that he knew Adam would see right through anyway. Luckily for him, or unlucky as the case may be, a new voice interrupted.

“So, Romelle, tomorrow: Allura, me, Nadia, James, Hunk and Shay, beach barbecue and drinks? You in?” Of course it was Lance, the one person he couldn't be around right now. “Oh, hey Keith!”

“Hey Lance,” he said it so quietly he wasn't sure the other boy even heard and shrunk in on himself at Lance's gaze on him. Lance studied him for a moment longer confused by the awkward response but shrugged it off quickly. A knowing glance between the two boys and smirk from Adam made Keith want to curl up and die.

“Romelle?” Thankfully Lance turned his attention back to the girl.

“I'd love to come, I'll need a ride though and if you're all drinking…” she trailed off. Romelle lived too far from their favourite, virtually unknown, little beach to walk.

“You could stay with Allura for a couple of days, she said she doesn't mind.” Keith could hear the plotting tone in Lance's voice. At least someone was likely to get their happily ever after soon.

“Sounds great.” Romelle was definitely blushing and Keith was with everyone else in hoping this might finally get the two girls together. “Keith should come too though. You've got the day off right?” And now everyone was looking at him expectantly, Romelle with a wicked smile. Maybe Keith wasn't as invested in her happiness as he thought.

“Uh- is there any point if I can't drink with you guys?” Keith lived as far away as Romelle and he'd never been thankful for that until now. It may just be his ticket out of a day of Lance-induced torture.

“You could stay with me if you want?” Did Lance really have to be such a considerate friend all the time? Really? Keith couldn't deny that the chance to be alone with Lance, spend the night with him, would normally have been a gift but today it seemed more like a curse. Of course now he had no good reason not to go. It would be weird not to accept the offer.

“Alright then, you're sure you don't mind?”

“Yeah it's no problem dude, everyone's still on for dinner at Hunk's tonight yeah? V can catch a ride home with Axca, Shiro can take your car, and I’ll give you a ride if that's okay? Like no offense, but I do not trust your driving.” Keith contemplated arguing in defence of his driving but ultimately just nodded his agreement to the plan. Apparently one night at Lance's was becoming two and this was really not going to be good for his heart. “Awesome. I'll see you guys later then.” He waved and left the lounge allowing Keith to relax again at last. For about five seconds. Adam leaned over and whispered to him.

“I know I'm not technically the big brother but I'm doing this on Shiro's behalf.” Keith didn't like where this was going. Anything done on behalf of Shiro was not a good thing in his books. “Have fun on your date and remember to use protection. We don't want little Keith and Lance hybrids running around just yet.” Keith so nearly smacked him for that.

“How is it that you of all people have such a poor understanding of how biology and gay sex work?” He glared. “And it's not a date.” He added as an afterthought. He kind of wished it was though.

“Sure it's not.” He couldn't be bothered to argue anymore and instead opted for rolling his eyes and shoving Adam away, sinking further into his seat and spacing out again. Lance, once again was at the forefront of his mind and he spent a long time trying in vain to figure out what on earth he had meant when he'd said he was pretty. He continued drawing blanks and had only succeeded in giving himself a headache by the time Ezor shook him back to reality.

“Come on, break time is over, we've got kids to entertain.”

“Right,” he said, still a bit dazed, “coming.” He was about to say goodbye to the others when he realised they'd all already left. If he hadn't been so preoccupied with Lance thoughts he might have realised that obviously they wouldn't still be there, his break had started later after all. However, unfortunately Lance, whether present or not, had an uncanny ability to completely scramble his thoughts and throw out any sort of logic he might have.

Sighing, Keith scrubbed a hand over his face and went to a mirror to check his appearance, touching up his costume makeup a little and smoothing his hair back in place. He followed Ezor back through the tunnels and out into the park, desperately trying to push the last lingering wisp of Lance from his mind but it clung on stubbornly, not unlike Lance himself. It was going to be a long day.

#klance #keith x lance #keith #lance #keith kogane #lance mcclain #vld #voltron #klance fanfic #voltron fanfic #klance fanfiction #voltron fanfiction #vld fanfic #disneyland AU #klance fluff #Fic - Pining For A Prince

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astroi · 6 years ago

Text

"Proliferation Contretemps."

(Part 1)

The fights we, the ninja and my father, have can get a little bloody, but luckily I handle most of the hand-to-hand combat.

“It’s seems like you’ve improved from our last fight, Green Ninja. Have you been practicing?” Garmadon and I circled another like two predators battling for a territory - not completely untrue.

“Yeah, how’d you tell?” I kicked him in the gut. He retaliated with an uppercut to my jaw. Always the damn jaw.

I had to resist saying, “Aw shit man, not again,” instead going with a reliable, “Ow!” Yet another tooth came flying out, the same one as last week.

I glared, “Do you always have to go for the teeth?”

He laughed, “I’m surprised you have any teeth left to lose, Green Ninja.” He paused to study the fallen denticle, “Didn’t you already lose this one?” He held it in his palm as if recognizing it as one of his own.

I, tired and fatigued, admitted, “Yeah, what’s it to you?”

“It’s an implant.” I added to remedy my fears of him maybe connecting the dots.

“This would be some high quality dentistry work, if you were telling the truth.” The sweat formed from our battle pressed my blond hair on my face; I brushed it back under my mask.

“Of course, I’m telling the truth; I’m a ninja.” I spat out some blood. He blinked at it as if seeing it for the first time.

“Aren’t ninja supposed to deceive?” Lord Garmadon scoffed; kids these days: throwing around the word ‘ninja’ willy-nilly.

“Awfully sangria for human blood, isn’t it?” I stared at him blankly.

He clarified almost smug, “Your blood is mulberry-colored not red, Green Ninja – or should I say, ‘La-loyd?’”

I paled, either from the blood loss or the shock, “I-I, what? What are you saying?”

Before I knew it, he had me in a bear hug – or a regular hug? Pressing my arms against my sides, he pulled my mask off with his spare hands.

“Hey! What are you doing?!” He held me so tightly, I wasn’t sure if he’d ever let go.

“We’re done fighting, La-loyd.” He gazed at me with such relief in his eyes as lava-borne flames trickled down his cheeks. The anger and tension on my face had vanished in favor of confusion. I didn’t know what to do; Uncle never taught me about this type of situation, so I rested my head on top of the crook of one of his elbows.

I looked up at him awkwardly, “Can you, um, put me down?”

“No,” His tears landed on me; they didn’t sting like I thought they would, “Not yet.” He held me closer. I couldn’t find it within myself to struggle; I sort of wanted this too.

He set me down soon enough, but didn’t let go. I tried to blink the tears out of my eyes, but that just caused one to escape. Its lime glow alerted Garmadon to it.

“La-loyd?!” His grip dropped, I jumped backwards to regain some distance.

“You’re hurt!” I frowned, and then continued searching for my mask, for it held my headset.

“Yeah,” I retorted with a bitter tone, “You caused that, remember?” In the corner of my eye I saw it, while I completely ignored the hurt expression on his face.

“And, it’s ‘Lloyd’, Dad, not ‘La-loyd.’” I rushed towards it; I had to contact the others.

“No, L-L-O-Y-D; I should know, I named you.”

He noticed me moving toward it, “Hey, stop moving while I’m talking to you, La-loyd.” I picked it up and whispered, “We’ve got a code: yellow.”

On the other lines, they were still occupied with the Shark naval and land forces.

Zane was the first to reply, “Oh no, a code yellow!”

“Oh man, that sucks.” Cole stated bluntly.

“Yeah, sorry, dude.” Nya’s response was muffled somewhat by the water spraying out from her mech.

“A code yellow?! What’s a code yellow again?” Jay asked between breaths.

“So your dad knows? Do we need to fetch you, bro?” Kai confirmed.

“La-loyd! Stop contacting your little ninja friends, and listen to me when I’m talking to you.” The Secret Ninja Force heard Garmadon as he swiped the garb from me, his son.

“Give that back, Dad!” I tried to take it back from him, but he was taller than my max jumping height. He grabbed me and I sunk my teeth in him before I could really run that plan by me.

Despite that, he didn’t let go, which just made me feel more like a ‘Garmadon’ than I had all week, “Uh, sorry. I don’t know what came over me.” I mumbled looking away, unable to rub the back of my neck, I hadn’t bit anyone since I bit Chen in third grade. I wasn’t certain, but biting people didn’t sound very befitting of a ninja.

“Those are good instincts, La-loyd; but your venom doesn’t work on me.” Had he just encouraged me to bite people?

“Ve-venom?” That explained so much, and yet so little. Had that been the reason Chen was sent to the hospital when we were younger?

“Is that why Chen hates me!?” I blurted. Whoops.

Dad hummed as he adjusted his grip and started walking toward his mech, “I don’t know who this ‘Chen’ is, but if you bit him, probably. Our bite, albeit non-fatal, inflicts excruciating pain to its victims.”

“Oh, I said that out loud. Um, I,” I didn’t tell anyone, not even Uncle Wu, about it; but I guessed that someone like Garmadon would probably understand more than he would, “bit him in third grade after he hit me for, uh, having fangs – they had just grown in. He was sent to the hospital afterwards; I thought I gave him rabies or something.” I chuckled a little.

He joined me in my laughter, “Not rabies, but you did give him a neurotoxin.”

“Aw, man,” I groaned, “No wonder he hates me.” He set me down in the spare seat of his upgraded Shark mech; was he suspecting this for awhile? The clicks of the locks on the seatbelts snapped me out of whatever trance or dopamine-induced civility I was just in.

“Uh, where are we going?” I managed to ask when he turned the mechanical shark on.

“I’m going to get your teeth and other wounds cleaned up and – I don’t know – have you spend the night at my place. I’ll call your mother in the morning when I decide on what to do next.”

“You can’t be serious. I can’t ‘spend the night at your place.’ Mom’s gonna kill me!”

“Well, I can’t send you home as you are now that I know who you are. Not in good conscience.”

I squirmed, “You’re evil! And, not to mention, you ruined my life!”

He pressed a button on his console and said rather calmly, “Retreat! We got what we came for! And someone spruce up the guest bedroom on my floor!”

He turned back to me, “How could I ruined your life; I wasn’t even there?”

I hissed in anger. Realizing my mistake, I covered my mouth in shame; Garmadon drew a monstrous side out of me that I tried so hard to push down. He chortled at my embarrassment.

The sun had just set when we arrived at his volcano lair, I gulped when he parked in one of his docks. There was no retreating, so I followed him to a room in the medical wing where he dropped me off.

“Dinner will be ready in an hour, La-loyd. I’ll show you to the dining room then.” He looked guiltily at the bruise forming on my jaw, “Let them treat you, it shouldn’t take too long.” He closed the door.

“Okay.” I wasn’t in a position to really object.

By ‘too long,’ I wasn’t expecting it to take well over 45 minutes.

It started with a skittish medical assistant entering the room, taking my vitals, handing me a plastic cup to urinate in, and then telling me that the doctor will be in shortly.

After that, the doctor arrives in a lab coat that was covered in dark red splotches. She had exam gloves on and her hair tied up in a bun like she was fresh out of surgery.

“Well, hello there, La-loyd.” She greeted me like I was a small child and mispronounced my name like Garmadon – or was that actually how he intended for it to sound?

“Hi.”

“Today, will be taking some blood specimens as we do an overall check-up.” She discarded her gloves into the biohazard bin and pressed a button on the wall. She grabbed a popsicle stick and approached me.

“Open wide, say: ‘Ah.’”

“Ah.” She pressed it to my tongue and nodded.

“Okay, I’m going to disinfect your wound.” She applied a black gel to the gap that was already filled with the beginnings of a new tooth. The gel was cool to the touch for a couple of seconds before it morphed into a burning sensation.

Fiery tears fizzled as they formed and fell, “If it burns, it’s cleaning the area. She filled a paper cup with tap water and looked at it for a moment as if to be debating something in her mind, and then she flung its contents at my face. A loud sizzling sound erupted from my face as my molten tears hardened into some sort of green silicate. She plucked some off my cheeks with a pair of plyers and dropped the gem formations into the cup. She filled another cup with water and handed it to me.

“Swish once the aseptic gel’s done.”

“Can you flick your tongue for me?” I frowned but otherwise complied. I hadn’t done so in years, so the rush of smells that followed overwhelmed me for a second. The blood, the bleach, my sweat; I gagged.

“Oh my, are you okay?” She threw the wood away into the same red bin as the gloves.

I swallowed, “I’m fine. I just wasn’t expecting it to smell so bad.” I flinched when I heard her write something down on her clipboard.

A male nurse entered with a vile and a few needles. She spoke low to the nurse, “Don’t blow any of his veins; in case you forgot, he’s the boss’s kid.”

“Oh, and Mr. Garmadon? We noticed that you’re behind on your vaccines, so we’ll gladly give them to you – your father already consented.”

“What? How would you know that? Do you have access to my medical records?”

“We have our ways.” Hacking, no doubt.

“Are, are you charging for this?”

“Not at all; you’re Lord Garmadon's son. Why would we charge you? Besides, I doubt you have any money to pay with anyway.” Not wrong; I didn’t even have my phone on me – it was still at Wu's with the rest of my clothing and school stuff.

I shrugged as the nurse drew a vile of reddish purple blood. He balked, “You really are the boss’s kid, aren’t you?” I pinched the bridge of my nose and looked up at the security cameras in the corners of the ceiling.

“Ugh, don’t remind me.” He rolled up the rest of my sleeves to give me my flu shot and my Hepatitis A shot.

After he placed the last band-aid and gave me an ice pack, Garmadon entered. Everyone, even the doctor, began to cower. My arms ached too much to move them into any battle stance. I tightened my grip on my icepack; it was starting to burn my hand.

“We-we did everything you requested, Lord Garmadon.” She bowed, he seemed to ignore her in favor of me.

Our eyes met briefly, “Even his vaccines?”

“Yes, sir.”

He stared at me, “Is this true, La-loyd?” Why was he going to take my word above his employees? We were battling not even an hour ago.

I showed him my bandages. He grabbed the hand I wasn’t using to hold my icepack to my face.

“Okay, La-loyd, let me show you where our dinner is.” After we left, there was a collective sigh that came from the room.

After several minutes of silent walking, we stopped at the dinning room. There were only two plates set on the table, despite its length suggesting it could hold at least twenty.

“Here we are, La-loyd! Take a seat right there.” The warlord pointed to a leather seat adjacent to the plate at the head of the table. I sat, but I didn’t bother masking my discomfort.

Garmadon clicked the microphone on his clothing, “Bring the food out!”

He cleared his throat indicating he was about to engage us in small talk, “So, La-loyd, how’s school treating you?”

I moved my chair away from him slightly, “It’s cool.” I said dismissively.

“What about your ninja friends? Do they treat you well?”

“Why do you care? But, yeah, they’re all I’ve got.”

The food came disrupting his window for a response. It was blue lobster with a butter glaze. It came with a side of popcorn shrimp and calamari fries.

I bit my tongue once I had a fry in my hand hoping he wouldn’t notice.

“Why are you doing that? Just eat your food; it's not poisoned or anything.” He noticed.

“Why am I doing what?” I ate a fry experimentally, “Is this squid?”

I bit my tongue again; the food smelled fine.

“Yes, but why are you biting your tongue like that? Are you trying to suppress your instincts?”

I wanted to tell him, but he never had to hide what he was. “What instincts?” I lied poorly.

I narrowed my eyes mumbling, “Well, that’s none of your business anyway, Garmadon.”

“Son.” My eyes darted to him, pupils slits before dilating again.

“You wouldn’t understand.” I ate one of the shrimp; not too shabby, could use some lime juice.

“Or would I?”

I glared, “No, you wouldn’t understand what it’s like for people to be constantly comparing you to someone you’re not.” I cut vigorously into the lobster’s shell. As bits broke off, it made loud crunching and crackling crashes. I winced.

“For people to see you as nothing more than a monster.”

“When people see me, all they ever see is you!” I clenched my fists. The floodgates were open, I couldn’t stop myself from venting.

“To have to constantly push down what feels natural, just so you can go a single day without being picked on or people pointing at you and saying, ‘I bet he’s as evil as his dad,’ or ‘Why haven’t those ninja killed him yet?’ Or, ‘Ninjago would be better off without him around.'” I rubbed the tears out of my eyes, the flames dancing on my hands was almost enough to distract me from the memories I was reliving.

“No one was there to tell me that it was normal to react the way I had.”

“La-loyd, I didn’t know.” He put a hand on my shoulder. I inched away some.

“Of course you didn’t know, you said it yourself: 'you weren’t even there!' You never bothered to know! I lived my whole life feeling like a freak. It sucks to despise your reflection and what you are!”

I started eating a large portion of the lobster, shell and all. It was oddly calming to bite into something crunchy. Garmadon watched me with worry in his eyes.

“I, you’re right.” He broke the silence.

“That it sucks?”

“Yes, that, but also that I should’ve been there for you when you were growing up.”

He grimaced, “But I wasn’t. I’m sorry, La-loyd, but we’re together now.” He squeezed my arm, but it was still tender from the flu shot. Maybe the pain was making me more aggressive than I usually was; Oni blood was weird like that.

“We’re not 'together now.’ Did you seriously think that I would move-in with you just because you captured me?”

“I just thought I could make things right. We can finally make up for lost time. There’s so much I can teach you: how to tie a tie, ride a bike, and, if you're feeling up to it, conquer a city!”

I always wanted someone to be there and do those things with me - well, not the last one - since my mom wasn’t there either, but I never saw that person being Garmadon. It was clear that he was only trying to butter me up to helping him conquer Ninjago. Of course, what was I to expect from an evil warlord?

#@lindsey-chr-not-found #nin ja go #movie!nin ja go #p c #my work

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laceymorganwrites · 6 years ago

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Gangster´s paradise

Word Count: 1,930

Pairing: None yet

Warnings: Prostitution, physical abuse, swear words A/N: With SnK (anime and manga, rip me) on hold, I thought I needed to provide you with some Levi goodness

Levi had noticed the girl before, there was something about her that wouldn´t leave his mind, but he couldn´t name it. She was interesting, a mystery and god did he hate mysteries. The first time he saw her was when Kenny found him after his mother died, she peaked through the door in front of their room. He thought she was a child of a whore too and that was why she was there, little did he know she was at work like his mother. Kenny didn´t see the girl, or so Levi thought. In reality he purposely ignored her, Levi would later find out about that girl´s fate and that you should look away from things like that, don´t get involved. Ever since that day he occasionally ran into her in spots so dark even the criminals of the underground wouldn´t go there. He hated those spots, the things he saw and had to ignore, he came to understand Kenny and why he acted the way he did around her. Levi never thought too much about that girl´s story, he wasn´t sure if he wanted to hear it, but in the end he couldn´t run from it. “I got a job for you” Kenny proposed casually and officially introduced the girl to him. “This is (Y/N)” he pointed to the girl who stood beside him. She didn´t hide behind Kenny, instead she there was a look of determination in her eyes he couldn´t read. She fascinated him, there were no other girls like her in the underground, she just stood out. “Yo, can we make this quick, I gotta get to work, can´t keep the customers waiting” she spoke impatiently. Now Levi knew what it was about her. This was the first time he actually saw her face, not only in a flash but in its whole beauty. Well, he assumed there was beauty, but it was hard to make out underneath all the bruises and wounds. She got beaten up. That fact wasn´t surprising, it was rather common. What was surprising though, was that she didn´t look scared, she wasn´t afraid and Levi thought he understood why he was drawn to her. “(Y/N), this is Levi. He´s gonna accompany you from now on to make sure you get the money. I don´t want to repeat that last costumer” Kenny told her. She rolled her eyes. “Why, it was fun while it lasted, aye?” she smirked and chuckled. Kenny frowned and walked over to Levi who raised an eyebrow. So he was supposed to stick around with her? “Oi, brat, her parents died so be fucking nice. No matter what you hear, don´t barge in, she can handle it” Kenny told him. “This is only for today, isn´t it?” Levi asked, if he´d get some payment he´d do it, but something just didn´t sit right with him. “For now at least...until we get rid of her last costumer” Kenny thought out loud. (Y/N) looked sideways uncomfortably. “Tch, I told you I can handle it...” (Y/N) pouted. “When? You told me you had to work, so I´m taking care of it” Kenny´s voice had something definite in it, Levi never saw him like this, it intrigued him. “I know...thanks...I´ll pay you back, promise!” she furrowed her brows and shook hands with Kenny, before grabbing Levi´s and dragging him along to her next costumer. “Uh, you can just wait outside I guess, it won´t take long...” (Y/N) stopped in front of a small house. “How much does he owe you?” he asked unimpressed, still not grasping the idea of her. “Dunno, depends...usually he just wants a blowjob...so I guess 10?” she thought out loud and left Levi confused. “Blowjob? I thought you were an assassin?” he told her. She chuckled, then burst out in laughter. “Well, I can handle a gun if you know what I mean...I´m a whore, always been one, probably always will be one...” she stated, she obviously didn´t want to talk about it. Levi could understand that, he probably wouldn´t want to talk about being a prostitute to a complete stranger either. “Anyhow...I´ll see you later” she went into the house and Levi awkwardly leaned at the wall beside the door. The walls were very thin and he could hear the noises, he was beyond uncomfortable. When the door opened again, (Y/N) entered with messy hair and her top was opened to reveal more cleavage. Her customer was following soon after and gave her the money without trouble. “See you next time, little mouse...” he purred into her ear and she giggled sweetly, but Levi knew she faked it. He suddenly felt empty, seeing her like this. He asked himself if she ever could feel love, or be loved. How can she feel anything true at all if she has to fake her way through life? “Make sure to take care of your pretty face, eh?” he told her and she rolled her eyes. “I´m trying...” she pouted. The customer laughed and then turned to enter his house again. “That was easy, I thought there was going to be more trouble...kind of boring, don´t you think?” Levi eyed (Y/N) sideways with a smirk, his try to attract her, but she just scoffed. “Yah” she chuckled and then smiled at Levi, in all honesty. Or so Levi hoped, he hoped she didn´t fake in front of him. “Thanks, for making sure I get the money” (Y/N) shied away and looked down, hiding behind her hair. She hated admitting she needed help and protection, she always wanted to do things on her own. “Nah, don´t mention it” Levi winked at her. (Y/N) felt a rush wandering through her body and raised an eyebrow. Arousal, huh? She didn´t think she was able to feel such a thing at all anymore. “Oh, I never got your name! What should I call you?” (Y/N) exclaimed, she was too caught up in her work to ask who was accompanying her. These things always happened to her and made her feel really stupid. But that was how she was, she forgot things like that. “Ah, yeah...the name´s Levi” he answered, scratching his head. Her timing was odd, it was so sudden, yet it made him chuckle. Silly. “Nice to meet you, Levi!” (Y/N) stretched out her hand and shook his. “So, what next?” he asked, not wanting to admit he wanted to spend some more time with her. “Now...we´re going to deliver the money to Kenny. Then he´s gonna take out the guy who destroyed my face. And after that I got another regular.” she counted the events on her fingers. “Let´s find Kenny, shall we?” Levi offered his arm, which (Y/N) gladly took. “Such a gentleman” she teased, poking his ribs playfully. The rest of the way was quiet. Levi tried to figure (Y/N) out, why she was so happy despite having such a shitty life. What it was that kept her going. “Oi, Kenny, we´re back” Levi announced annoyed as they entered the tavern. “Did you make sure she got the money, brat?” Kenny came out of the backroom to greet them. “Tch, do you think I´m stupid? Of course I did” Levi growled. “Here ya go!” (Y/N) handed over the money to Kenny, who immediately started counting. “All there, you know what that means: no more trouble for you, sweetheart” he grinned and she bowed her head. “Thanks again!” she called after him as he went out to take care of her customer. “Last customer of today” (Y/N) chirped and dragged Levi alongside her. Levi noticed the way they were going and also the house of the customer, it was a famous thug. He was surprised that (Y/N) served famous customers like him. “You can come back in half an hour, maybe forty minutes...depends on his mood today” she thought out loud again, before she waved at Levi and entered the house. Levi waved back at her and sat down at the porch, he didn´t really know what else to do. “Who did that to your face?!” the thug shouted at (Y/N) and Levi was about to barge in and save (Y/N), but then he heard her speak. “Just a customer...” she whispered, she sounded like she was scared and Levi frowned. He realized he didn´t know anything about her, he just knew that she was always around Kenny, he always dragged her along but she never talked to Levi. She just took money from Kenny. Levi now knew that Kenny made sure she got the money then, the job he did now. Still, he wondered why they never talked in all those years. The thought made him sad, he could´ve known her by now, her ambitions, her goals, her dreams, her reason to smile, everything he wanted to know. “Give me the name, I´ll take care of it” the thug´s voice brought Levi back to reality. “It´s alright, Kenny´s on it already” (Y/N) played it down. “How much?” the thug asked, followed by silence. “How much did he take for it?” the thug raised his voice again, Levi didn´t like how he yelled at (Y/N). “200...” she finally answered. “I´ll give it back to you, that Kenny guy is robbing you! I don´t like him always being around you” he growled. “He´s taking care of me...” she stated quietly. “I can´t believe he couldn´t even protect you from that damn customer!” he fumed. “He wasn´t coming with me that day, I told him I could handle it myself” she tried to reassure him. “Can you?” he teased. “I can´t, but I don´t have to. Kenny got me someone to do it. His name is Levi” she told him about him. “You can´t be serious! That brat is good for nothing, like the rat who raised him! He´s just after your money, baby. He doesn´t care about you, he doesn´t care about anything, but money! He wouldn´t care if you lay dead in some alley. You gotta be careful with guys like him” Levi felt his heart squeeze, how could he tell such lies about him to (Y/N)? “It´s fine, he´s really helpful and takes good care of me. I hate to admit it, but I need guys like him, who can protect me. And...he´s nice. Really nice. I trust him” Levi smiled slightly. “You shouldn´t trust rats like him, he´ll let you down as soon as there´s someone with more money”. There was silence again, before the thug continued speaking. “Now let´s forget about all that, baby. Let me take care of you...” he purred and Levi figured it was time to leave. He walked around the area for some time and thought about the overheard conversation. Why did (Y/N) trust him? He couldn´t get it out of his head. Soon he found himself in front of the house again. He arrived in the same instance as (Y/N) and the thug left the house. (Y/N)´s hair was messy and her shirt ripped open, her skirt was hiked up. Levi looked away from her. “Here´s your money, darling. See you next week. Take care” he told (Y/N), before turning to Levi. “You better make sure she doesn´t get hurt again, alright?” he threatened and Levi wanted to tell him off, but then the thug handed him over some money secretly. “This is the money she gave to Kenny, make sure she gets it back. But don´t make it obvious, she hates it when I pay her more” he told Levi who could only nod. He definitely had to talk to her.

#attack on titan #attack on titan levi #snk #aot #snk levi #aot levi #shingeki no kyojin #levi #levi ackerman #snk imagines #aot imagine #one shot #snk one shot #aot one shot

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silver-wields-a-pen · 6 years ago

Text

“All Twilight ” A Guardians of Las short

Miu giggled as she walked beside Avari. If one could call the stumbling around in what was definitely not a straight line “walking”. After nearly tripping over a stone on the path, her hands flew to her mouth as more giggles erupted. Those passing by gave sidelong glances. “I had too much.” She mock whispered. “Clearly.” Avari shook her head as she took Miu's arm to help steady her. She glanced over as Miu leaned heavily into her, a dramatic sigh on her lips. “Why did no one ever tell me how much fun Las parties could be?” “Yes, being in a room full of near strangers, imbibing more alcohol than necessary,” a sidelong look to Miu, “and being spun around a room is such fun.” “You,” Miu rounded on Avari and placed a finger to her chest, her voice lowering, “need to learn to let loose and enjoy yourself.” Avari looked over Miu’s shoulder before slowing her footsteps, allowing a small gap to form between them as Miu continued trekking backward. “I never said I didn’t enjoy myself.” “Did you?” She hummed in thought. “Not as much as you did.” There was a small yelp, as Miu's heel slipped on a patch of ice and she fell into a heap. Avari shook her head as she crouched beside the woman, whose shoulders began to shake before more laughter came bubbling out. “You could’ve warned me!” She sat up and gave Avari a glare with no heat behind it. “Well how else were you to learn?” “Learn what?” “Not to wear heels and drink at the same time.” She sent a pointed look to the heeled sandals Miu wore. She reached over and gently prodded her ankles, a small frown appearing. “Pfft,” Miu waved a hand at Avari’s actions. “I feel fine.” “You’ve been drinking, of course you feel fine.” She looked around for a place to take Miu so she could get off the ground. The snow she’d fallen into was already sleeping into her dress and her shawl was strewn haphazardly from the sudden fall. Nearby there were some stacked crates in the opening of an alley, probably used to store decorations once the festival was over. She helped Miu, who again insisted she was fine, up and over to sit on one. Avari didn’t see the roll of eyes as much as she heard it in the sigh as she reached down to take a closer look at her ankles. “We probably won’t know anything till morning when you’re sober, but I’m not feeling any swelling.” “We? Are you planning on watching me all night?” Avari looked up to see a smirk on Miu’s face and eyes that were half-lidded, a deeper blue seeming to overtake them. She sighed deeply, as she braced herself before standing up, her hands coming to rest on Miu's shoulders to keep her from leaning forward more than she had. “Miu.” She blinked, as the tone of Avari’s voice reached her ears, a bit of clarity coming back into them as she leaned back. “What is it?” “There is something we need to discuss.”

She frowned, cat-like ears lowering a little, as she leaned into the cold stone behind her. “It can’t wait?” “No.” “...Oh.” Miu reached a hand up to rub her neck nervously, her eyes looking anywhere but at the woman in front of her. “Tonight isn’t going to end how you want it to.” Warmth flooded Miu’s face as she peeked through her bangs at Avari. “Is it…did I do something wrong?” “No.” “Then…?” Avari took a deep breath. It’s been a long time since she’s had this talk with anyone. “I don’t want to bed you.” She held a hand up as a look of hurt flickered across Miu’s face. “Not because you’re not beautiful. You know you are. And not because I am not intrigued by you. I am,” She paused for a moment to gauge Miu’s look of silent curiosity as to where this was going. “I simply don’t feel sexual urges. The act itself holds no interest for me.” “Oh…” Miu’s ears straightened in surprised, as her eyes widened slightly. A moment passed as she mulled over the information. “So…no sharing a bed at all?” “I didn’t say that.” “…I’m not sure I follow…” Avari rubbed her chin lightly, as she thought how to explain. She took a step away from the wall of the building as an idea came to her. “Come here.” With a frown Miu slid off the crate and moved closer, until she was about a foot away.

Avari stepped forward to wrap an arm around her waist and brought her up against her, eliciting a small gasp of surprise. “Do you remember that time in the forest?” She took up one of Miu’s hands and began to slowly lead her into a simple waltz-like dance. “You wanted to see if our auras manifested in a similar manner.” “Yes.” “After I relented and finally focused my aura to my hand you also brought forth yours.” Miu nodded her head as her eyes remain fixed on Avari’s. “I recall you having a feather-light touch with your fingertips, but what overshadowed that was the way our auras intertwined.” She ceased their footsteps but didn’t release Miu’s hand just yet. “Do you remember?” Miu opened her mouth, voice cutting out as she felt her fingers, which chilled in the cool night air, begin to warm. Her head turned to see the hand that Avari held being engulfed in a soft, blue glow. Her eyes widened, as she looked to Avari and then back to their joined hands, bringing forth her own magenta glow and watched as its wispy presence mingled. A smile spread across her lips, as Avari intertwined their fingers. “This sensation of warmth and connection is the feeling that kissing and other romantic gestures produces for me. Nothing more.” Miu hummed in understanding as she leaned her head on Avari’s shoulder, keeping her gazed fixed on their hands. “I thought you didn’t like it the way you yanked your hand away back then.” “I was taken by surprise. It’s been awhile since I’ve felt…” She imagined different things to say but nothing seemed to fit. “This.” Miu lifted her head to meet Avari’s gaze before a wide grin spread across her face and she looked down in a bashful manner. “’I really don’t know what to say to that.” “You don’t have to say anything.” She released Miu's hand and rested it against Miu’s waist. In response she looped her arms around Avari’s neck to settle comfortably on her shoulders and her gaze fell to her lips before she blinked rapidly and quickly turned her head to let out a yawn. Avari chuckled at the pout Miu gave as she put some distance between them. “It’s time to finish your walk back to the Inn.” “Ugh, I don’t want to,” she whined, as her shoulders slumped forward. “That place is so cheap and there’s a terrible draft that freezes my ears off at night.” Avari hummed, as she led Miu back onto the path. “You didn’t complain about it before.” “That’s cause I thought there would be an activity happening to keep me warm before…OH my nightie! You HAVE to see it!” “Why?” “I put a lot of effort into choosing one and spent good money on it! Pleeeeeeease,” She held her hands together. “It deserves to be at least seen!” Avari rolled her eyes, but acquiesced much to Miu’s delight.

She squealed, “It’s SO PRETTY I’m sure you’ll like it!” She beamed as she excitedly led the way to the inn.

Avari’s easy smile vanished as they stepped inside and she looked around the building. There were two drunks yelling at each other by the bar and more than one table had people passed out at them. None of the workers seemed all that interested in doing anything. From above she could easily hear the creaking of wood as people walked around, some loose dust falling. Her nose bunched in disgust as it was hit with a strange odour. She looked over to Miu who rubbed her own nose a bit. “You get used to it after a while.” “Doubtful.” She gave the place another judging glance. “This is the Inn you chose to stay at?” Miu shrugged. “I did say it was cheap. The cheapest Las offers to be exact.” “It looks the part. Surely you could have afforded something else?” Miu looked down as she nervously fiddled with her own fingers. “I uh…it um…“she laughed nervously, “…it’s a really nice nightie.” “You––” Avari gaped before she shut her eyes in disbelief and took a deep breath. “Just-get your stuff, you’re staying at my place.” “Really?” “Yes, and be quick! I’ll wait outside.” She didn’t wait for a response as she turned back out the door and took a refreshing breath of crisp, clean winter air. She took a couple steps away and crossed her arms as she waited for Miu to emerge.

After a few minutes, she appeared, breathing a little heavy from rushing her stuff together.

Avari reached over and plucked the bag from her hand and easily slung it over her shoulder, beckoning Miu to follow her, which she gladly while wearing a big smile. They walked in silence until Avari spoke up when her home came into view. “…You are okay with this?” “Hmm?” Miu looked over in confusion, gaze flickering between the other woman’s eyes, before realization dawned on her. “OH!!” She waved her hand. “Pfft Oh yeah. I mean, I’m more than capable of handling my own sexual gratification but the feeling I have when I’m around you,” she reached over and grasped Avari’s free hand and gave it a squeeze, “that’s all I need.” She received a squeeze back in answer. Written by @raylenequinn

#Illthdar #Guardians of Las #writeblr #writing #fiction #fan fiction #Avari #Miu #romance #lgbt story #fantasy fiction

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scarletraven1001 · 6 years ago

Text

Detention

04 – “Do you… well… I mean… I could give you a massage?”

A High School AU Vegebul one-shot for prompt #04 on this post, for @neurodivergent-peridot, @hellsbells9000 and @amazingmeplusone

I hope you all like it!

Chapter Warning: Teeth-rotting teen fluff

Also on Ao3.

Part 1 of my HS AU: Detention / Accomplice / Confetti

All Fics in this Series: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9

8-8-8-8-8

Detention

8-8-8-8-8

Dr. Gero can go right to hell.

Vegeta sniffed in disdain as he made his way to the detention hall, imagining a multitude of ways he can – he totally can, if he tried – break the neck of the offensive Assistant Principal who dared give him detention.

Him! Vegeta Prince!

Star basketball player of Shenron High, straight-A student and hottest Junior in school, if he did say so himself.

“This is Kakarot’s fault,” he grumbled, pushing back some bangs that had fallen into his eyes, straying from the rest of his spiky, dark hair.

The fool had broken one of the large cases in the trophy room, and since his idiotic cousin had already been to detention three times in the past month and his Aunt Gine was very likely to kill him soon, Vegeta had benevolently decided to take the fall.

He knew that Principal Piccolo would have let it slide.

He had not been anticipating that the Principal was going to be on sick leave, and that the universal dick, Gero, was in charge that day.

He rolled his left shoulder, cringing at the slight pain. He had strained it during practice the day before, and Kakarot should be thankful, because if he had not been injured, the black eye that Vegeta had given him would have been bigger.

“I can’t believe I’m going into detention,” he hissed as he nudged the door open…

“I can’t believe that I’m in detention!” a voice shrilled from within the room.

Apparently, he wasn’t the only one.

He peeked in through the small gap he had made in the door, and when he saw who the infuriated voice belonged to, his eyes widened as his heart beat a fierce staccato in his chest.

Shit.

Of all the people he could possibly be stuck in detention with, it had to be her.

Her long blue hair shone in the bright light of the room, her creamy cheeks flushed and blue eyes narrowed in her indignation.

She held her cellphone to her ear as she spoke animatedly to whoever was on the other line, and Vegeta felt a little hot under the collar as he watched her ruby lips wrap around her words.

Bulma. Goddamn. Briefs.

He had been harboring a major crush on her for years, but he was a “jock”, and she was the brilliant president of the Science Club and most probably the class Valedictorian once they graduate.

She had a vicious temper, but she was nice most of the time, and she wasn’t the type who looked down on or mistreated others.

They were both from well-off families, and he had first met her when he transferred from out of state due to his father’s work reassignment.

He had been twelve, and he had been flustered beyond belief at the sight of her large, bright blue eyes.

He did not know what to say, what to do, and how to deal with the almost painful slamming of his heart against his ribcage, and so, he, in his infinite tween wisdom, had decided to avoid her like the plague.

He barely spoke to her in the past five years, but he had – and this was known to absolutely no one – sometimes trailed her as she walked home when she stayed late in the Science lab, to make sure that she got back alright.

“Of course I didn’t mean to blow up the machine, Gero’s just being a dick,” she said, and Vegeta smirked.

They seemed to share those sentiments, as well.

He steeled himself, before he pushed the door open to let himself in.

Bulma heard him enter, and without turning to look at him, she whispered hurriedly into the phone.

“Chi, I got to go. Later,” she said, before she ended her call and stuck the phone into her pocket.

She turned then, and Vegeta met her eyes for the first time in a very long time.

He was shocked dumb by how the sight of those wide blue eyes staring into his made his breath catch in his throat.

By God… she was gorgeous.

His presence in the room seemed to surprise her as well, since she too just stared at him, her cheeks apparently still flushed from her earlier anger.

“Ve- Ve- Vegeta!” she exclaimed, eyes wide as saucers. “What are you doing here?”

He looked down at his shoes, away from her mesmerizing eyes. “I have detention today.”

“Oh,” she said. “So do I.”

He nodded, taking a seat at a chair near the door.

He looked pointedly at the door, refusing to turn around to regard her.

However, though she was out his sight, the scent of her cologne, fresh and intoxicatingly sweet, drifted into his nose, and he almost groaned at the injustice of it all.

To be so close to her, and unable to do anything…

How he wished he could just –

“Ne, Vegeta?” her voice rang like a bell, and his head involuntarily lifted to follow the sound.

“Hm?”

“Why are you sitting way over there?” she asked.

“Huh?” he answered, the absolute epitome of intelligent discourse.

“Come sit here,” she said cheerfully, patting the desk chair beside her. “We haven’t spoken in ages, I wanna catch up!”

Vegeta noted that her face still appeared flushed. He was beginning to think that maybe she had used one of those red powders that his mother used to keep her face pink.

He, on his part, could do nothing but nod, as he found himself slowly but obediently getting up to approach her.

She beamed brightly as he sat at a chair beside her, and he wondered where the hell the detention proctor was as he found himself seated next to Bulma, closer than he ever had before.

She was smiling as he squirmed internally, placidly sitting down as she leaned against the back of her chair.

Her smile faltered slightly as he looked straight at her, before she grinned brightly again.

“How have you been, Vegeta?” she asked.

“Umm… Fine…” he muttered.

“Good,” she smiled, and he watched curiously as she looked down at her hands, her smile stiffening the longer the silence between them dragged on.

“Uh…” he began, and she looked up, her eyes wide and…

Hopeful?

“I… uh… I’m in detention,” he said.

He blushed dark red when he realized exactly what he had said, and how so utterly god damn stupid he must have sounded.

She giggled, and he almost snarled out a defensive “what are you laughing at”, when he looked up, and his embarrassed irritation just melted at the sight of her delighted laughter.

Her eyes were pinched shut, a hand on her lips, and the same pink blush remained at the apples of her cheeks.

“Yes, me too,” she finally answered as her giggles died down. “I accidentally blew up one of the mini centrifuge machines in the Chem lab.”

“I was sent here for breaking the case for the big football trophy.”

She looked curiously at him, twirling a lock of her hair around a finger. “That’s pretty big. How did you manage that?”

“Well, I didn’t break it,” he sniffed in disdain. “I took the fall for Kakarot, err, Goku, coz if he gets into another detention this month, his mother will kill him.”

She smiled wider. “Goku is your cousin, right? That’s pretty nice of you.”

“Tch,” he said. “I just wanted to avoid the chaos. My father will most likely be part of the drama once his beloved sister starts freaking out on Goku.”

He was beginning to get the hang of this conversation, and he slouched down, leaning back on his arms.

He gasped when his arm decided to remind him that he was injured, a sharp pain resonating from his shoulder blade to his elbow.

Bulma noticed. “Are you alright?”

“Yeah,” he said, rolling his arm. “I just twisted my arm at practice yesterday. It’s nothing.”

“Doesn’t look like nothing.”

“I’m fine. It hurts but it’s nothing I can’t handle,” he retorted, his next thoughts souring his tone. “Your boyfriend slammed into me while I was trying to pass the ball.”

Bulma blinked. “Boyfriend?”

“Yamcha,” he said, an unintended growl passing from his lips.

“What?” she asked, eyes wide. “He’s not my boyfriend.”

“He said he is.”

“He’s not! Oh my God, is he still on about that? We went on one date. One,” she fumed, lips pouting slightly. “He’s not my boyfriend, I swear.”

He sat back, relieved.

“So… your arm hurts, right? Maybe I can help?” Bulma said softly.

“What? How?” he asked.

He looked at her in confusion when she started blushing again, and she looked down at her hands as she answered.

“Do you… well…,” she stuttered. “I mean…”

“Woman, just spit it out,” he said impatiently.

“I could… I could give you a massage?”

He was stunned.

The girl of his dreams was offering to give him a massage.

She was volunteering to touch him.

Without giving himself the chance to think and potentially cower away, he removed his thick denim jacket, leaving just his thin blue shirt, and turned his back to her before she saw the red hue crawling onto his cheeks.

“H- here,” he pointed vaguely at a spot behind his left shoulder.

He thought he heard her gulp.

And then, he felt her soft, thin fingers rest upon his shoulder.

He almost moaned, her innocent touch so electrifying, that it nearly stole all his senses.

He closed his eyes as he felt her move her fingers slowly, both of her hands moving to clutch the tight muscles on his upper back and arm.

His own fingers curled convulsively around his jacket, and he furiously stamped down the increasingly lustful thoughts that flowed through his mind the longer her fingers stayed on his back.

He felt her palms push down flat against a particularly sensitive spot, and he finally did groan, unable to keep the sounds to himself any longer.

Oh but this couldn’t possibly get any better…

“You like that, Vegeta?” her soft voice, low and hypnotic, whispered into his ear.

It got better.

He moaned as she worked on him, and he cannot believe how incredible this felt, how mind-numbing her touches were and how good she was at this.

“I’m glad you let me do this, Vegeta,” she said, and the sound of his name coming from her lips absolutely flooded him with unmistakable desire.

He wanted to touch her, too.

He grasped his jacket tighter, fighting the impulse to turn around and crush her small body within his arms.

“I wish you’d come and talk to me more often,” she whispered, and he felt her shift ever closer to him.

He could almost feel her heat against his back, god damn…

Vegeta groaned as she moved to knead a hard knot on his side…

He belatedly noticed that her hands had strayed from his left shoulder.

“Bulma,” he moaned, and he flushed deeply as he heard the slightly desperate note in his voice.

“Hmm?” she asked, and he turned his head, only to realize that her face was dangerously close to his own.

Her soft, pink lips, puffed her sweet breaths against his face, and his mind blanked out at the overwhelming proximity.

If he leaned towards her… just a little…

A sudden, loud bang, made them jump apart, and he quickly turned around to catch Bulma as she nearly fell off the chair that she had been kneeling very precariously on.

“Hello children,” a happy voice sounded, and Vegeta turned his fuming eyes towards the door, to the man who had dared intrude on the only moment he had ever gotten to share with his blue-eyed muse.

“Mr. Mao!” Bulma greeted, and Vegeta nearly grinned at the breathless tone of her voice.

“So, good news! You kids are lucky!” Mr. Mao said, making Vegeta roll his eyes.

He would have been luckier if he had been able to kiss Bulma, god dammit.

Mr. Mao continued. “The proctor called in sick, so since both of you are on first offense, you get to go free! Just don’t be naughty again, alright?”

Before he could even react, Bulma stood, pulling her shoulder bag on, before she basically ran out of the room after a quick thanks to Mr. Mao.

Vegeta sat stunned for a few seconds, before he gathered his wits, stood up, and ran out after her.

He looked around the hallway, and was surprised to realize that Bulma was apparently faster than he had anticipated, because she was nowhere to be found.

However, he was sure, that the girl was probably running home.

He ran full tilt, shrugging his jacket back on, using his much-celebrated speed on the court to run after Bulma.

After today, he realized… he had a chance.

And he wanted to grab that chance.

He wanted to be with Bulma. He always had.

And now he was going to make it happen.

He had been so dumb to not even think of approaching her before.

It took him no time to catch up, and he gathered the breath in his lungs to call out for her.

“Bulma!” he shouted, and she stopped running, turning around in shock as she watched him practically fly towards her.

“Hey,” he greeted as he caught up, and he grinned as he watched her grow pale in consternation.

“Vegeta, look. I’m so sorry,” she cried. “I got caught up in that, I am so embarrassed, you probably think I’m such a creep-”

“Go out with me!”

The words, so suddenly blurted from his mouth, hung heavy between them, as Bulma blinked up at him with an ever-darkening blush taking over her whole face.

“What… Vegeta, you-”

He held a hand up, cutting her off. He needed to say this before he lost his nerve.

“Bulma. Go out with me. I am asking you out on a date,” he said, and he felt his own face begin to grow hot, as if his ears were about to literally combust from all the pressure his blood was pumping into his head.

“W-w-why?” she stuttered, staring disbelievingly at him.

Now or never.

“Because I like you. I always have. And I,” he swallowed convulsively, pulling at the neck of his shirt as the material began to feel like it was trying to choke him. “I wanna see, if we can be together. Because I want us to be together.”

His heart nearly beat out of his chest when he saw her smile, and she raised a hand to twirl a lock of hair around her finger as she gazed into his nervous dark eyes.

“Ok,” she whispered.

He smiled, and he was about to say something more, when Bulma leaned up, and placed a very soft, very quick kiss on his right cheek.

He stood stunned, and he raised a hand to touch the place where her silky lips had touched him with a feather-like caress.

He was still in shock as she turned around, and began to walk back home, a giddy spring in her step.

“Bu-Bulma!” he called.

She didn’t even pause as she called over her shoulder, “Pick me up for school tomorrow, ok? See you, Vegeta!”

He grinned.

Some good things could come out of detention, after all.

8-8-8-8-8

End

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looselucy · 8 years ago

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MA / 6889 words

Childhood friends - Dunkirk Harry

Part One

Unknown number: Little Lulu Lamb, is that you? Lulu: Who the hell is this? Unknown number: Your mum passed me your number. Although the reply hadn’t exactly answered my question, I thought I might have known who it was, just because of the name. Little Lulu Lamb. It was something I hadn’t heard for years. I scowled down to my phone, because although I’d taken a guess, I manged to talk myself out of it very quickly, given it had been years since we last spoke. He’d gone off and auditioned for The X Factor, and then the boy I’d grown up with just wasn’t around anymore. I hadn’t even seen him since, and I wasn’t sure it was because we’d just missed running into each other, or because we’d never really tried to see each other. All I could think was that it couldn’t possibly be him. Why would he bother getting in touch now?

Lulu: Can’t trust Susan Lambert with anything. Unknown number: Is it true you live in Swanage now? Lulu: I’m not feeling too comfortable about revealing my location to a stranger… Unknown number: Let’s just say I went back to Holmes Chapel, bumped into your mum, she grabbed my cheeks, like she always has, and we got to chatting. “Fuck!” I squealed, throwing my phone away from me as though holding it was burning my hand, because it was him. It was actually him. I continued to curse away to myself, because I didn’t exactly know how to deal with what was happening. He’d become a bit of an enigma at some point over the years, this boy I’d known growing up suddenly becoming this world-wide celebrity. Even when he was back in Holmes Chapel, most of the time he was like a ghost. There’d be whispers of him being back, but hardly ever any proof. The boy I’d once known became the man I didn’t. Eventually, I picked my phone back up, unsure what to say, so I just went with the obvious. Lulu: Harry Styles. Unknown number: That’s Haz to you. I quickly saved his number, wanting to kick myself for getting so giddy over this miniscule interaction, but there was something so overwhelming about it. I didn’t know whether to speak like I knew him or ask the boy questions about his career, his life, what he was doing, like I was bloody interviewing him. It was like he was my friend, but at the same time, he wasn’t. Lulu: Are you stalking me? As soon as I’d sent that, I slapped my phone against my face, furious that I’d tried to crack a joke because there wasn’t a chance in hell it was funny. Haz: You’re notoriously hard to track down. Lulu: Me? That’s rich. Haz: You are! Do you ever go home anymore? Lulu: I live here now! (Yes, I live in Swanage.) Haz: Well I’ve had some time off, so I’ve been up North a lot (where you belong) and I was hoping I might have bumped into you. Lulu: Sorry to let you down. Although I was still a bit shaky, and in shock, our texting had rapidly become a natural flow. I was texting quickly, and his replies were coming through just as fast, and I could picture him, sitting there with his phone in his hand, just waiting for my replies so he could bite back, always trying to be the wittier one, the funnier one. It didn’t seem like he’d changed too much, regardless of everything. Haz: Here’s the thing, I’m going to be in Swanage over the next few days. We’re doing some filming. I figured it would just be a waste if we don’t see each other. It’s fine if you’re busy, but if not, I think it’d be really cool to catch up. I got all nervous again. Just when I’d felt myself calming down, he suggested the two of us actually meeting and I was left stranded for something to say. Of course I wanted to say yes, but I was bloody terrible with conversations at the best of times. I’d get all nervous and stay quiet, and suddenly I was speaking to a boy I hadn’t seen for six years and considering seeing him again and it seemed so ludicrous. I could meet him, yeah, easy, but could I talk to him? Totally different question. But I couldn’t pass it up. Lulu: That sounds good. Lucky for you, I’m free as a bird. Haz: Lucky me. I don’t know if being in public is the best idea, so, would you be okay with rekindling our friendship at your house? Lulu: My humble abode is just a flat, unfortunately. Will that suffice? Haz: Hm. I’m not sure. I’ll judge it when I get there. If it’s subpar I’ll just leave, is that fair? Lulu: Seems fair to me. I sent over my address, still trying to wrap my head around the fact that it was Harry I was texting, and that I was actually going to see him again. I lived down the road from him when we were growing up, and one day I’d crashed my bike outside his house, and I was crying with blood on my knees, and he ran out, first-aid box in hand, and helped me. That was beginning of our friendship. We’d play out on our bikes together, walk to and from school together, whenever he saw me in the corridors walking to and from different classes, he always tried to pull the bobble out of my hair. We’d had a really simple friendship, one that I’d cherished. Haz: So I’ll see you tomorrow? Late afternoon probably, we should be done filming by then. Lulu: Sounds great. This is weird. Haz: It is a bit. Looking forward to it though! I gotta go, jumping on the plane now. Nice to speak with you after all these years, Little Lulu Lamb. Lulu: A pleasure. See you tomorrow.

Part Two

I was sat rigidly on my sofa, tapping my feet, trying to control my breathing, but the thought that Harry Styles would be knocking on my door at any minute was making it incredibly difficult for me to relax. I kept glancing to the clock on my wall, wishing I could shush the seagulls that were causing bloody havoc outside my windows, unable to concentrate on the music I had playing because I knew he was going to be turn up soon and it was too much. It was all far too much for me to handle. I could have been meeting up with any of my old friends from Holmes Chapel who I had lost touch with over the years, and I’d be nervous. But I was meeting with the one who’d made a name for himself and become this untouchable person and he was going to be there in my home and I was freaking out. When there was finally a knock on the door I almost collapsed. “Okay. Fuck.” I whispered to myself, getting to my feet but spinning on the spot a few times. “Shit fuck shit bastard damn fuck shit OKAY!” I scurried over to the door, hoping that by the time I opened it I’d be calm, and able to act like a normal human being. Impossible. I opened my door and he was there, covered in dirt, hair wet and slicked back, smirk just about lifting his crooked smile, his right arm held above his head so he could lean against the doorframe in the outside corridor, looking down to me with those piercing green eyes. He’d grown up so much, and I’d seen a lot of it through pictures and TV appearances, but none of that compared to the real thing. He was so much taller than me now even though we’d always been a similar height when I knew him, and his cheeky grin had become this knowing smirk, and I was flustered, automatically. Eventually, I found the stamina to smile back up to him, watching his eyebrows drop. “Have you grown at all since I last saw you?” His smirk lifted even further, revealing his teeth. “Fuck you!” I gasped. “I mean… probably not, but still, fuck you!” “So tiny!” He teased. “Oh my god you’re still the worst!” I giggled. Laughing, he stepped in and wrapped his arms around me, giving me a sweet cuddle as I threw my arms around him too, the two of us swaying from side to side a little bit, the embrace only lasting a few moments. “Oh shit!” He cried, distancing from me. “I’m sorry, I totally forgot I’m totally covered in fucking dirt.” He looked at my face with caring eyes, before pressing his thumb at my cheek, wiping gently. “You’re all good.” He’d always been confident and charming, and I shouldn’t have been surprised that those characteristics had amplified as he got older. I wasn’t sure how well I’d be able to cope with him. “Why are you covered in dirt?” I asked, stepping aside, and shutting the door behind him. “Well, I was going to have a shower before I came, but the fans um… they were all outside the hotel and I just didn’t really have the energy. So, I came straight here.” He was wearing a baggy grey hoodie, some black skinny jeans and black boots, looking around my flat with a small smile, glancing through the glass windows onto my balcony. There was a small table and a couple of chairs out there, the view of the sea crashing upon the shores was perfect, and the seagulls were still fucking noisy. “I have a shower you can borrow.” I pointed my thumb over my shoulder. “Towels and everything.” “Towels and everything?” He repeated back to me with a sarcastic twist to his tone. “Someone’s doing very well for themselves.” “I own three whole towels.” I tweaked one brow. “Excluding tea-towels.” “How many tea-towels?” “Two.” “Well, you’re living the dream.” He shrugged casually. “I like to think so.” I had a fast moment of realisation, that I was actually doing well, managing to talk to him like a normal person, and that quickly stopped me in my tracks. He was smiling down to me, his overbearing grin still something that took over his entire face, and I lost myself. He was kind of easy to get lost in. He’d been in my flat for a matter of moments and I was completely wrapped up in him, bouncing off of him. It was like it just rapidly dawned on me that it was Harry Styles I was talking to, and suddenly my throat went tight. “So… Uh, my shower is… just through there… through my bedroom.” I swallowed. “You can use it if you want.” “I promise I’ll be a better guest in like, five minutes.” He smiled, unaware that internally I was melting. “Just let me get cleaned up.” “It’s okay. Take your time.” He winked at me before scooting past my frame and into my bedroom, completely confident and blind to my inner turmoil. He’d always been confident, and full of himself in the best way possible, even when we were young. I didn’t think he could ever find himself feeling awkward or stumped within a conversation, because he could always pull it back with that undeniable charm. I think I remained screwed to the same spot, trying to find my sanity until I heard that he’d turned the water on, and that’s when I finally moved, busying myself and trying not to think about him being in my shower. I pottered aimlessly around my flat for the entire time he was showering, flicking the kettle on and off numerous times and trying to find a way to occupy my body and my mind, questioning how the hell we were even going to spend our evening. If I’d had half a braincell I would have thought of something we could do that was more entertaining than just watching a film or something else just as benign, but I’d been completely unprepared. He’d knocked me off my feet the second he’d text me and I still hadn’t managed to get back up. When I heard the shower shut off I immediately jumped onto my sofa, attempting to act as nonchalant as possible, turning up my music just slightly from my phone which linked to the speakers. It was then that I made the mistake of looking towards my bedroom door, purposefully spying through the gap. I caught his profile, the towel wrapped low around his hips, and I took my eyes upwards, biting my lips as they ran up his toned body, then seeing him stroke a hand through his short hair. “Mother fucker.” I whispered to myself. Thankfully, he moved, meaning he was out of vision whilst he dressed himself, which was the only thing that could have possibly stopped my gawping. He left my room a few minutes later, unfortunately fully dressed, and squeaky clean, and I was pretending to text, trying to look uninterested. “You’re a star.” He said, jumping down on the opposite side of the sofa to me. I tucked my feet up, smiling across to him, and there was only one question I could think of that kind of summed everything up without feeling like I was just being intrusive, or asking the wrong thing. “How’ve you been?” I asked, the question casual and completely not at the same time. He grinned, totally understanding the poorly hidden implications on my question, also putting his feet up on the sofa, his toes almost touching mine. “I’ve been really good.” He said, a beautiful honesty in his voice. “Things have been… busy, since I last saw you, but… amazing.” “So, pretty quiet then?” I sneered. “Really quiet.” He joined the joke. “I’ve been laying low for a few years.” “You’ve done well. I’ve heard barely anything about you.” He smiled down to his lap, pulling at the bottom of his hoodie, and I liked that he could joke about it. I liked that I didn’t have to pretend that I didn’t already know about his life and what he’d been doing. We could just joke about it, ease the situation. “What about you?” He sighed. “How the fuck did you end up in Swanage?” “I went to Bournemouth Uni,” I giggled. “And… I dunno. I guess I just liked the change. I liked being somewhere different. I’d visited here a few times and… I liked it. So when uni finished, it was like… the perfect time to take a risk. I thought… I best do it now before I get stuck somewhere I don’t wanna be.” “A bit selfish.” He shrugged. “Selfish?” “Yeah. I missed seeing you around back home! Did you think of me once?” He tried not to crack a smile. “I’m not sure I took you into consideration, to be honest.” “I knew it. Selfish.” I kicked him with another shy giggle, and it felt like we were just kids again, poking fun at each other and hardly able to have a serious conversation. We flowed like that though, it was what we were familiar with when it came to one another. “Sorry.” I rolled me eyes. “Are you happy though?” He asked. “Being here and stuff? Does it make you happy?” “Very.” He grinned again, and I could tell it was just nice for him to hear I was doing well, in the same way it was nice for me to hear it from him. Away from cameras and the media and all that bullshit, he’d said he was happy, that he’d been doing well ever since he took off when he was sixteen. We were both happy, and even sharing that happiness in the simplest of ways, was nice.

Part Three

“I did not!” I argued, almost spilling my red wine. “Is that genuinely what people thought?” “Hands down. I believed that to be a fact until this very day.” He held up his free hand as a sign of honesty, his other hand clasped around his glass that hovered before his lips. “JAMES TURNER WAS NOT MY FIRST KISS! JAMES TURNER ATE CRAYONS! HE ATE THEM! WHY WOULD I KISS HIM?” “That’s just what I heard.” “Matthew Lord was my first kiss! You remember him? He didn’t eat crayons!” I finally informed him of the truth, after years of him and everyone else from our school thinking I’d shared my first kiss with a boy who once killed a bird out on the schoolyard. “The rumour mill was cruel to you.” Harry’s smirk creeped upwards. “I’m very sorry.” Our legs had intertwined at some point, a half-eaten tub of ice cream left abandoned on my coffee table, Harry on one side of the sofa and me on the other, facing one another. We were working our way towards the end of a second bottle of wine, Simon & Garfunkel playing as soft background music. I’d leant him some pink fluffy socks, and with our legs all tangled in the middle of the sofa, I could feel him softly brushing his foot against the outside of my thigh, back and forth, soothing me. “I can’t believe everyone we went to school with thinks that I kissed James Turner! And I’ve only just now learnt about it.” “Some people will take that fake knowledge to their grave.” He widened his eyes. “Fuck off.” I kicked him gently, watching him over the rim of my glass as I took another sip. “So who was your first kiss?” “Amy Miller.” He then grew a shy smile. “Really? Fuck, she was really pretty. Y’know she works at Disney now as one of the princesses?” He nodded, looking down to his drink as he took another hefty swig, scrunching his nose momentarily. I didn’t know that he’d done that whilst considering whether or not he should tell me what he was about to. It was the shyest I’d seen him looking all night. Fuck, it was the shyest I had ever seen him look. “I wanted you to be my first kiss.” He shrugged, not looking at me. I think he was expecting me to have something to say. I think that Harry thought that I’d be able to make a joke out of what he’d told me and twist it around so we could both laugh about it, but I hadn’t been able to hurdle the honesty within his voice. He wasn’t joking. He wasn’t just saying that. Our silence felt eternal, but Harry quickly realised that I wasn’t able to make a joke, so once again, his charisma shined through, leaving our stunned silence behind. “But then I found out that you kissed James Turner and I thought I might not be your type.” I let out a stammered laugh, kicking him again, and then going back to trying to wrap my head around what he’d told me. I downed the rest of my wine, and immediately reached for the bottle so I could fill my glass again, and Harry quickly mirrored my actions, holding his glass towards me once it was empty so I would fill his too. “You wanted me to be your first kiss?” I eventually swallowed once our glasses were full. “I did.” He admitted again, and the second time, it knocked the wind out of me. “I had a bit of… A bit of a crush on you.” “Fuck.” I gasped subconsciously. “I… I didn’t know that.” “No. I kept that one pretty quiet.” He breathed. “Until now.” “There are a lot of truths coming out tonight.” I finally managed to joke. “I know. It’s intense.” Intense felt like an understatement. He’d always been cute, the girls at school used to flock to him, with those powerful dimples and that baffling cheek he possessed. When he was in his band all the girls used to go to all the tiny shows they did, stand at the front and scream for him like he was a rock-star long before he really was. I would have been lying if I said that I hadn’t felt the pull of his magnetism, but it hadn’t even been an option that I could be the north to his south pole. The small crowd of girls at those lousy gigs had turned into thousands of girls screaming at arenas and stadiums across the world, and yet there he was, legs locked with mine and pink splattered across his cheeks, admitting to me that he had wanted me, of all people, to be his first kiss. “I went home for New Years.” I cleared my throat, feeling a need to change the conversation before I physically fainted. “I thought I might see you but… you weren’t about.” “No, I… I was busy.” “I saw.” I smiled, because I think everyone had seen the pictures of Harry on that yacht. “She’s beautiful.” “Yeah, she’s a nice girl.” “How long have you been together?” “We’re not together.” He said quite firmly. “That’s not… happening anymore.” “Oh!” I gawped. “I’m sorry.” “I’m not.” He grinned. Once more, the only thing I could do was drink much more of my wine than my delicate stomach was prepared for, seeing that he was finally coming back round, and that my flustered state was making him smug as all hell. I reached for the wine, seeing that the bottle only had a few sad drops left in the bottom. “I think I definitely need some more wine.” I heaved breathlessly, sparking a cute giggle from Harry. “I think we both do.” He said, a fucking sparkle in his eyes that was slowly driving me crazy.

Part Four

I’d never known someone be so dramatic over such a minor cut. Harry had been singing along to Eye Of The Tiger, using an empty wine bottle as his microphone, and of course when he’d leapt onto the sofa in an attempt at being dramatic, he’d dropped it, and of course, it had smashed, and of course, I had cut myself whilst trying to tidy the mess. It was literally miniature, and was only accompanied by a slight sting and a microscopic amount of blood, but as Harry held my hand and under my tap, letting the cold water beat down on what could barely be considered and injury, he was treating me as though I’d nearly lost a limb. “Harry, I’m fine!” I laughed. “I’m sooooooo sorry.” He apologised for what felt like the millionth time. “I just… I get so into it. Honestly. I once sang that song on karaoke in a bar in Tokyo and got so into it, I ended up whacking a little old lady in the face.” “What?” “Flailing arms, too many drinks, please don’t ask.” I giggled away to myself, trying to retract my hand but he yanked it back under the water, his brows furrowed as he checked over the small cut. “I think it’s time to call it a night.” I smiled, reaching my spare hand and turning off the water. “Can you forgive me?” He asked, voice low, altering our wet hands so that his fingers slot between mine. After more jokes, more laughter and more reminiscing and more wine, I was suddenly finding it easier to voice my thoughts rather than keep them trapped within my timid smiles. “Haz, why do you insist on trying to make me blush?” His very best smile was the one that appeared when he was somewhere between bashful and cocky. He’d drop his head and crinkle his nose at the same time as looking completely self-assured and it made my stomach flip every single time. “I like the colour.” He said, lifting his eyes to mine. I rolled my eyes, untangling my hand and forcing my smile back to the point where it was painful. I grabbed one of my two tea-towels and dried my hands before throwing at him, knowing that his eyes followed me around the room as I moved to turn off the music and just clear things up a little, putting the ice cream back in the freezer and our empty glasses on my kitchen counter. “Thank you for having me.” He said, dropping the tea-towel down by the sink. “Hopefully, the crowd outside my hotel will have given up by now.” “You… You can stay here, if you want?” I blurted. “Wh-what?” “On the sofa!” I muttered with speed. “You can stay on the sofa, because it’s late and then… y’know… you wouldn’t have to take photos or anything.” “Are you sure? I don’t want to get in the way.” “You’re tipsy as hell and you must be exhausted. I’m doing you a favour.” “You’re amazing.” He sighed. “I’d love to stay.” Quietly cursing to myself, I scurried off into my bedroom to get the spare sheets so he could wrap up warm for the night, hating myself for being such a bumbling fool and always shooting myself in the foot. I returned a few minutes later with his things, feeling composed until I saw that he was pulling the hoodie he’d been wearing off his body, lifting it over his head and revealing his perfect, toned frame to me again. I didn’t have to spy through the gap in my door this time around, he was right there in front of me, his hair dishevelled and messy once his arms were back down by his side, his eyes back on me. I managed to drag my eyes away from him and arrange his things, making my sofa look better than any hotel bed ever had. Well, the hotels in Swanage at least. I looked back up to him once it was prepared. “So… I guess I’ll see you in the morning.” “You will.” I was backing into my bedroom, but I noticed he was following, taking small footsteps that tracked my own, the distance between us remaining exactly the same until I was finally in my room, at which point I stopped. Yet Harry continued his journey, not stopping until he was stood in my doorway, looking down to me, our bodies just inches apart. “It’s been really good to see you.” I whispered. “We waited too long.” He spoke just as quiet, his voice seeming even deeper. “Promise we won’t wait that long again.” “Maybe you should stay in one place more.” “Maybe you should come back home more.” “Fine,” I reddened. “I promise.” He leaned into me, my eyes automatically closing as he pressed the most delicate kiss imaginable to my left cheek, his lips new to me but somehow feeling incredibly familiar, like his plump lips had lavished the area numerous times before. He pulled away, and I beamed looking up to him, wetting my lips. “Goodnight, Little Lulu Lamb.” “Goodnight, Harry.” We were so quiet it hurt, our words hardly reaching past our lips they were so soft. I reached for my door without taking my eyes off him, starting to slowly close it, shutting the two of us apart for the evening and ignoring the way my stomach was twisting because I had no idea what it as trying to tell me. The door was nearly back within its slot before he spoke. “Lulu.” He simply said. I continued to gaze at him through the small gap, silent and nervous, but it was only for a split second. He forced the door open again, immediately clasping his large hand at the back of my neck and pressing his forehead to mine with force, making me stumble back, my legs crashing against my bed and my throat tight. I think he was waiting for me to falter, or ask him to move away or ask what he was doing, but I didn’t, I couldn’t, and he took that as his sign. Slowly, he moved his lips forward, my eyes falling shut as they gently pressed against mine, breathing him in, unsure where to place my hands. When his lips met mine, his grip at the back of my neck tightened somewhat, feeling the intensity of our sweet kiss. I noted how his plump lips compressed against mine, his free hand pulling at my waist so the front of my body collided with his, and the second he did that, he pulled his lips away from me, hovering close and screwing his brows tightly. “I’m sorry.” He breathed. “Shit, I crossed a line, I’m sorry, I just-” “Harry, it’s fine.” “No, I’m sorry, I-” “Kiss me again.” I gasped, a confidence I hadn’t been expecting included alongside my desperate exhale. “Just kiss me.” He didn’t take much persuading, within a second he pushed his lips back to mine, fierce this time, almost immediately widening his mouth and brushing his tongue against my lip before I widened my own and lets our tongues greet, my arms finding themselves hooking around his neck, my body rolling against his. He rapidly moved his arms, lowering them to latch at the top of my thighs, silently forcing me to jump up and wrap my legs around his hips. I let out the most pathetic squeal against his lips as I leapt, not expecting him to be able to catch me so easily, but he barely moved, his strength showing. Once I was there he held me up, and I let my fingers trace his jaw, our tongues working together wonderfully, soft and hard and eager and patient all at the same time. It felt like this was the repercussion of the two of us not kissing in our younger years, when he’d first wanted to, when I’d convinced myself I didn’t just because it just made me a part of a really long list. Kissing him felt like a dream. The way I could feel his skin twitch ever so slightly beneath my touch felt like an illusion, because in a way, this should have happened years ago. It should have happened when we were clumsy and young and hopeless, that’s when we should have shared our first kiss. But it was like something had brought us back together, like this kiss couldn’t be ignored or missed. It should have happened then, but it was happening now. He balanced his knees on the end of my bed before he fell down on top of me, the mattress bouncing beneath us and his hands searching down the side of my body. “Maybe we should stop.” I gasped, lolling my head back, but that only encouraged him to kiss my neck. “Maybe we shouldn’t.” He grunted, licking and kissing at the skin. “Harry, I don’t-” “I know I can trust you.” He panted, lifting his head and looking down at me. “It’s not often that I meet people who I know I can trust. People have fucking ulterior motives all the time, it’s… Fuck.” He’d found himself suddenly stuck between two emotions, his anger and his sorrow, maybe recalling times where people in his life had abused his kindness and fractured his trust. I hated that thought. “I’m sorry.” I shuddered. “I know I can trust you, and… I want to use that trust.” He grinned a little. “Can I?” I couldn’t even imagine what that was like, having to be able to have full faith and trust within a person even if you just wanted to spend one night with them. I’m sure years of mistakes and fake friends had brought him to this place, and to know I held his trust felt almost like an honour, and I didn’t want to break it, or even let it crack. I nodded, stroking my fingers through the short hair at the back of his head, and then he lowered his mouth back down to mine, once again consuming me with a lax kiss. I could feel that he had a soft smile, happy that I had accepted his trust and silently promised to keep it intact. Having his trust meant that we could lose ourselves for one night, and I knew not only that it would be an honour, but it would be a pleasure. I lifted my hips off the bed, my skin developing tiny bumps as his hands ran down the sides of my body again and then hooked into my pants, biting sweetly at my bottom lip, and I could see him changing, from the sparkling, foolish boy with bright green eyes, to this man with complete control, pitch black eyes and dark groans. My loose pants slipped off my legs once I’d gently kicked them off the bottom of my feet, Harry trailing his fingers up the inside of my thigh and then stroking between my folds, delicately feeling at my warm, wet heat. “Fuck.” I gasped, loving the smug confidence that appeared in the lines of his face. He suddenly pushed upwards, knelt upright on my bed, biting his lip as he unfastened his belt, refusing to take his eyes off me because he knew what he was doing to me. He fucking knew it and it almost hurt. I reached my hand down, gently touching myself as he pulled the belt from between the slots of his jeans, then taking one hand and holding together each end of the belt, before he pulled at the hoop he had created and snapped the leather together, the sharp sound causing electricity to shoot through my body. “Widen your legs.” He groaned, his voice causing my stomach to knot. I did as he asked, finally taking my eyes from his and watching him lower the belt to my core, pressing one hand down on my stomach hard. He then slapped the leather against my wetness, hard enough to make my neck snap back and a shattered whimper to mass in my throat. “Holy fuck.” I heard him whisper. He then threw the belt away, now rushing to remove his jeans whereas all the movements with his belt had been so slow and torturous. He was getting desperate, and so was I, unable to watch him undress fully as I pulled my t-shirt over my head, just about seeing him kick his jeans off, his boxers hunched with them, and then he threw himself back to me, locking the two of us in a forceful kiss, rushed and frantic and messy. I felt at his chest as he reached down and took hold of himself, feeling the eager beat of his heart as he tugged up and down just twice, and then lined himself at my entrance. He watched my face as he pushed into me, his hips slowly tilting in my direction, my mouth dropping open and a hot beat of my breath pushing outwards, fluttering the loose strands of hair that had fallen over his forehead. He stayed motionless, breathing in the moment until I pressed my hips down into the mattress to spur him, keen for some movement from him, and his body reacted to mine, pulling outwards and then crashing back into me, letting out this staggered moan as he did. He started to kiss me again as he found his pace, each thrust as harsh as the last, jolted and exact. The feel of him inside me was enough to make me whimper continuously, the noise uneven and aching, my hands searching down his back as his tongue licked into my mouth. His fingers tangled between my hair, harsh with the loose strands, seeming to grip tighter every time he was inside me fully. Having him fuck me like that felt otherworldly. He was so tender at the same time as being harsh. The way he kissed me made me feel like I was magic, and I’d cast him under my spell, like my lips were all he wanted. Yet the way he thrust into me made me feel weak, like he held every single shred of power. The desire I felt was like nothing else. “Turn around.” He demanded breathlessly once his lips left mine. “Lay on your stomach.” I did as instructed, feeling empty for the brief while he wasn’t inside me as I twisted my body and fell back down to the mattress with a thud, my cheek pressed against my pillow as he thrust back into me, laying his body on top of mine, the movements now drawn out but powerful. He brushed some of my hair away and bit down on my earlobe, his unforgiving tug leaving me close to screaming. “Fuck, Harry!” I cried. “You like it when I fuck you like this?” He grunted, each pulse of his hips weakening me further. “Yes, fuck, please-” “Tell me you want it harder.” He groaned, biting my ear again. “Harder, please, I…” I could barely speak, my words tangled within my breathy pants and my vocal bliss, but I’d been clear enough. He pinched his hands at my waist, and somehow pushed even harder into me, my wet pleasure soon proving my climax, his skin beginning to slap against mine. He then put his body upright again, dragging my hips backwards so that my knees were bent, my breasts pressed to the mattress as he slapped his hands against my bum, holding me as his pace quickened and he began to peak, each groan that he emitted music to my ears. His final few thrusts were fast and hard, his nails digging into my skin and my screams heightening. “Can I come on you?” He growled. “Yes.” Ecstasy laced with my words at the mere thought. “Turn around.” He demanded again. So I did, soon laying on my back and watching him tug at himself with his eyes scrunched shut, just a few times before he released his pleasure onto my chest, his whole body cowering and crumpling in on itself. After his final few spurts, his body collapsed, just about catching himself before he fell down onto me, his arms tense either side of me as they caught his heavy build. “Fuck.” He gasped breathlessly, his forehead glistening, eyes closed. “Fuck… And I thought I crossed a line when I kissed you.” I laughed heartily even though I was still trying to find my breath, looking down at his release that glistened on my chest and my breasts, swallowing hard, like suddenly I was nervous and awkward again. “It’s fine.” I chuckled. “Stay here.” He told me. “Let me grab you something so you can clean yourself up.” “Use the clean tea-towel!” I grinned as he jumped off me and wandered into the other half of my flat, shooting me a cheeky grin over his shoulder. I looked back down to the mess he had created, feeling it beginning to go cold on my skin, licking over my lips and hoping he knew that I had liked what had happened, his finish included. He scurried back in a few seconds later with said tea-towel, throwing it to me before he sat on the foot of my bed, running his hand through his hair. I sat up, putting my legs beneath my sheets and cleaning up, watching him in silence, seeing him trying to calm down. “That was amazing.” I commented, smiling softly. He turned his head to me, letting himself smile a little. “Yeah?” “Yeah.” I nodded. “I can get pretty intense, I’m sorry.” “Don’t be.” I sighed. “I… I loved it.” “Okay.” He let his smile grow even more. “Good. I did, too.” “You can… stay in here, if you want?” I suggested, once again wishing I could smack my head against a wall as soon as I’d opened my mouth. “I mean… you don’t have to, but-” “I’d like that.” He cooed, his cheeks red again. I hutched to one side of the bed, happy to see fucking Harry Styles of all people crawling to occupy the other, the two of us soon tucking in together, laying on our sides so we could look clearly at one another, and I swear we both had the most ridiculous, dopey smiles on our faces. He noticed mine, gently pinching at my cheek. “Doooon’t!” I tittered, playing pulling from his touch. “Can’t help it.” He smiled. “Like I said, I love the colour.” I closed my eyes, snuggling in even more, knowing that he was still watching me, but absolutely exhausted. I hitched a little closer to him, blushing even further when he reached his hands and pulled my body so it was as near to his as he could. “Will you be gone in the morning?” I asked. “No. I’ll be here. I’ll make you breakfast.” “What a gent.” “Thanks.” He sniggered. We cuddled close together, our bodies easing in seconds, somehow feeling completely natural against his frame. “I’m glad you came.” I yawned, beginning to drift. “This New Years, I promise to go back to Holmes Chapel if you do.” I opened my eyes, seeing how serious he was, that he was silently saying that this could happen again, that we could find ourselves being this frivolous again. I moved, and kissed his lips fondly, just for a moment. “I promise.” I whispered, watching his smile grow.

#THERE YOU GO ACTOR HARRY ANON #TLATL1 #sorry if it's rubbish #The Lamb and the Lion #tlatl #me #mine #1dff #harry styles one shot #harry styles #dunkirk #one direction #writing

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adleryoung · 8 years ago

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The Duchess's need to be invited struck me as rather odd .. but then again, it was a classic element of all the old ballads and folk tales, that the Unseelie monster had to be invited into its victim's house.

That was an unsettling thought.

I could not shake the feeling that it would be extremely unwise to invite Duchess Catherine onto the Listening Post premises. Then again, I was here in a semi-diplomatic capacity, and it would not do to be rude.

"Bring the other chair around from the front," I instructed Ms. Thomson. Then I turned and called out, "Come on up and sit a spell on the porch, Your Grace."

She immediately pooked into the empty chair, and I sat down in the other one which Thomson placed behind me.

"Quite an entrance, Your Grace," I remarked, removing my hat and fanning myself with it.

"Why shucks, darlin, you can call me Catherine," the Duchess simpered. "That thar swamp water is plumb nasty, so I don't like to get in it if I don't have to. We-uns as has got magick can avoid unpleasantness, am I right?"

"Sometimes we can," I agreed cautiously.

"You look right handsome in your Antglade duds," she observed, coquettishly.

"Thank you, ma'am," I acknowledged blankly. "It seems like an awful lot to wear for this climate, though. Is it always this hot here?"

"Nope," she replied. "It's usually hotter. Nobody'll object if you wanna take somethin' off."

"The, uh, Diplomatic Post is extremely tiny," I deftly changed the subject as I watched Lemmy toil up the slope of the lawn with the ungainly ham. The raccoon femme paused to daintily wring stagnant water out of her skirt. "Where exactly are the Spy and the Attache going to sleep?"

"Lemmy can bed down wherever," the Duchess replied. "It's his job to stay outta sight, anyhow. Your Attache will share your bunk, of course, since she's your diplomatic counterpart."

"There's no bunk, just a hammock," I corrected. Then, as it sunk in, I exclaimed, "I can't sleep with her! I don't even know her! Besides, she's just a child!"

"I'm almost fifty!" the raccoon exclaimed as she clambered up onto the porch. "You'd be tiny too if all you had to eat growing up was string beans and cornpone!" With a toss of her head and an irritable snort, she lugged her suitcase into the outpost building.

"I've got the strangest feeling I've seen her somewhere before," I mused.

"She was one of the Changelings you done rescued from Evan Klive's ol' Vulpy arch thangy," Catherine explained.

"How did she wind up here?" I asked.

"Luck," the Duchess shrugged.

"So," I segued uncomfortably. "Why exactly did you have to be invited up here? What is the nature of the spell that confines you to the Gladsome Antglade?"

"Technically it's a geas," Catherine explained wistfully. "I dunno who made it; maybe it was cousin-king Yngvar .. or my money's on that scalliwag Estvan Silverbrush .. or it coulda been somebody else. Basically I cain't leave the Antglade, not ever, not under any circumstances, so long as the Empire stands. But the land this here Listenin Station is on is whatcha call liminal. It ain't exactly part of the Antglade but it ain't not part of it neither. So I can come here if invited by a durn Imperial representative. That'd be you, sugar."

"Do you happen to have any .. Persoc-Itoome?" I hazarded.

"That stuff is illegal," the Duchess chuckled. "Ever since your grandpappy Adler banned it in the Empire."

"Well, my brother, King Estmere, asked me to send him some if I could."

"I can put you in touch with Matholwch, and maybe he can rustle up a few bottles," Catherine said warily. "I'm sure we got a few lyin around somewhere."

"I'd be much obliged," I stated with a nod.

"Now then, darlin, let's get down to business," she said, suddenly leaning forward in her chair. "What I hear, the Queen had it in for you. I find that thar to be mighty interestin, so tell me all about it."

"I don't know," I shrugged, mystified. "She was nice to me at first. She even got books for me from the Persoc Tor library, but as time went on she seemed to get more and more sullen and suspicious toward me. During part of my, uh, security operations during the Vulpitanian thaumaturgists' visit, I had the Marshal's assistant disguised as me -"

"Heh heh, I'd 've liked to seen that," the Duchess giggled. "But go on."

"And somebody attacked him!" I exclaimed. "Stabbed him in the back, but with a fake dagger that did no actual harm. I did psychometry on it, and it had been cleaned of all trace except for the instant before the wielder let go of it .. and that person was Queen Edessa. I have no idea why she did that, nor why she seemed so determined to see me put to death at my trial."

"Hmmm," Catherine mused. "The dagger sounds like a Vulpitanian prank item. It's a normal dagger most of the time; no way to tell no difference. But when you try to backstab somebody with it, then the blade disappears and there ain't nothin but the handle stickin' thar, and yore victim still alive and goin 'Whut? Whut?' Dadgum Vulps; only they'd think such a thang was funny. I swear, if I had a silver crown for every time I've fell for that one .."

I tried not to think of the implications of this, as the Duchess of Daisies muttered and shook her head.

"Another thang I'm minded of by your story is the Red Book of Appin," she continued after a brief pause. "It used to be kept in the Persoc Tor library, and considerin how difficult it'd be to move the durn thang, I reckon it still is. That book tells you ever'thang you'd ever wanna know about magicks and potions, and the third chapter is a chronicle of ALL of history. Anythang important that's happened, or will happen, is in thar. Trouble is, it's written in a peculiar language that only certain ones can read. I could never make heads nor tails of it, but if yore Queen Edessa could read it, and she seen somethin' about you in thar .. well .. That's just MIGHTY INTERESTIN, is what it is .."

She trailed off ominously and stared off into the swamp.

The silence was broken by a loud buzzing and crashing through the underbrush, punctuated by cries of "EEEEALAAAA!" as two enormous insects fluttered momentarily above the treetops and the crashed back into the scrub growth.

"BODB! MATHOLWCH!" the Duchess yelled. "YALL GET ON HOME NOW, YOU HEAR? I MEAN IT! QUIT FOOLIN AROUND ON THEM DAMN THANGS!" She leaned back in her chair and looked at me. "Sorry about that. Them boys has been just plain impossible since they found them accursed critters. Worst part is, they's practically impossible to kill."

I stared blankly at Catherine, unsure if she meant her son-cousins or the creatures they were riding.

"Anyhow," she continued. "I'm gettin mighty thirsty sittin here jawin with you. Ain't you gonna be hospitable and offer some refreshments? Could use a bite to eat, too."

"I don't see why not," I agreed, feeling a bit hungry myself. "Why don't you sit right there, and I'll go see what we have in the kitchen and maybe whip up a batch of stew."

"Did you say stew?" Lemmy asked, suddenly poking his head out the back door of the Outpost.

"Stew?" the raccoon femme added.

"Sounds good to me," SALV Fofox chimed in.

"I've heard good thangs about yore stew, young'un," the Duchess enthused, smacking her lips. "Cain't wait to try it."

"Unfortunately the cupboard is bare," Ms. Thomson called from inside. "Not a scrap of food anywhere."

"I know you got a great big ol' lowfolk ham," Catherine pointed out.

"As I said, not a scrap of food," Thomson reiterated.

"What, um, does one generally do for provisions around here?" I asked uneasily.

"Well, you can forage," the Duchess explained. "Thangs grow like crazy here in the swamp, and I reckon prob'ly half of it ain't poisonous. You can hunt 'n fish all you want. But mostly what we Antgladers like to do is drop into lowfolk country to get our vittles. They's so gullible. You can eat right well offa them lowfolk if you even halfway know what you're doin."

"I'll, uh, put that on my list of possibilities," I stammered uncomfortably. "Now, if you'll excuse me for a moment, Your Grace, I'll step inside and see for myself what the situation is."

I scurried into the building, to come face-to-face with Fifi Fofox as she stood back to admire some seditious posters on the wall.

"What's all this?" I asked.

"Motivational posters, silly!" she grinned. "The Young Monocled Patriot can inspire us to, like, do our best for the Republic, and stuff! Isn't he just the best?"

"You realize this is an Imperial outpost, right?"

"Um, yeah? Psh. I knew that."

"I don't know how I'm supposed to feel about the Patriot kicking a crude caricature of my great-uncle in the pants," I declared.

"It's hilarious," Fifi snickered. "Don't take it personally. Young Monocled Patriot kicks a lot of people in the pants. It's like, his thing."

"Oh really? Who? Who else does he kick in the pants"

"Let's see ... King Estmere, King Gawain, King Adler ..."

"What does L.O.L. mean?" I asked, cutting her off before she could recite the entire Imperial succession in reverse.

"Later On, Lardo!" she guffawed.

"Take that one down," I insisted.

Meanwhile, Ms. Thomson was inspecting the skeleton of the previous Border Agent.

"We owe him a decent burial," she mused aloud when she saw me watching her. "But it would be good to know exactly what happened to him first. I initially suspected foul play, but on closer inspection, this wound appears to be self-inflicted."

"What? Are you sure?" I asked, incredulous.

"Definitely," Thomson affirmed. "I studied crime-scene forensics in lieu of pole dancing at the Floozy Academy."

Before I could make a quip about Thomson squandering her education on useless frivolities, she grasped the handle of the small hatchet, and pulled it free of the skull.

Immediately the skeleton's jaw popped open and it began to emit a loud, bloodcurdling scream.

"Aw, not this again," the Duchess complained from outside. "He done enough of that awful squallin' already to last me two lifetimes. Carried on for near three weeks til he finally got that hatchet."

#furry #elves #adventure #story #swamp #southern #tboay

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