#this au brings me immense joy. it came to be two seconds ago

[danielsarmand]

The chat: lol you live with your grandpa?

Streamer Armand: No that's my boyfriend :)

The chat: *many people typing at once*

and then they start doing streams together where armand teaches daniel how to play so and so and he's like surely he will suck at this. surely. and proceeds to get his ass kicked by daniel at every turn

they open a youtube channel and their first video is something like *STORYTIME* HOW ME AND MY GERIATRIC BOYFRIEND FELL IN LOVE (NO CLICKBAIT)

[cakejots]

this is us trying, Chapter 3 - The Decision

In this AU, they don’t know each other outside of the suit. And in this AU, Ladybug and Chat Noir love each other. But in this AU, Chat doesn’t want their identities revealed.

Written for @ladynoirjuly 2021

notes: this is a coherent story based on all the prompts; each chapter contains at least 3 prompts

Ch 1 | Ch 2 | Ch 3 | Ch 4 | Ch 5 | Ch 6 | Ch 7 | Ch 8 | Ch 9 | Ch 10

Read on AO3

8. Admiration

Ladybug shifted from her spot at the top of Notre Dame’s North Tower, awaiting Chat’s arrival. The time it took to get in contact with him again wasn’t very long, but it was longer than the intervals between their dates. She understood that he has his own life to live, and sometimes, their schedules just really couldn’t match up. But for this time, in particular, she couldn’t help but feel that he was avoiding her.

Was it really a coincidence that he got especially busy right after he left her alone on that rooftop? She didn’t know.

Even though Ladybug had arrived 15 minutes earlier, she had that irrational fear that he wouldn’t turn up. She knew Chat wasn't like that, he always keeps his word. But she couldn’t help it, the possibility that their relationship could take a turn for the worse frightened her.

Luckily, before her thoughts could spiral out of control, Chat landed a few metres away from her.

Relief flooded her chest as Chat slowly stood from his crouched position. She was about to run over and throw her arms around him when his words stopped her.

“I’m really sorry for what I’ve done that day.” Chat wasn’t at his full height, his body posture was humbled and he was rubbing his hands.

“What I did was horrible, and I’ve no excuse for the way I treated you that day.” He had his head lowered and his eyes glimpsed at her ever so often, to see if she was listening to him. “I understand if you want to walk away, I just hope you’ll forgive me.”

Her eyes harden, posture standing even taller than before. Ladybug eyed him. This was the second time he had talked about her leaving him.

“I’m not going to walk away, Chat.” Her eyes softened as he flinched from her sudden rush of words. “But I’ll be lying if I said that didn’t hurt. I just want to know why it happened.”

Tears filled his green eyes as he fixed them on hers. His face held a sombre expression, as though it physically hurt him to be saying those next words.

“My lady,” he pleaded with a voice thick of desperation. “Forgive me, I promise I’ll tell you one day. Just… I can’t�� not now…”

Ladybug sighed.

“Please know that,” he quickly rushed to her and embraced her tightly. “I didn’t regret giving you that kiss! Never.”

Ladybug raised her arms and tightened her grip on him as he trembled.

“Thank you for your assurance, Chaton.” She pulled back and surveyed his face. “I’m aware that this is a bit insensitive, but could you wait here for 5 minutes? I’m just going to get some stuff.”

Chat grew uneasy. To be alone on a cool night? He was reasonably unsettled, especially after what had confronted him just moments ago. Ladybug said she wouldn’t walk away, but now she’s asking him to stay here? How could he not be worried?

“Just 5 minutes,” her fingers grazed his face. “I promise you’ll enjoy our date even more after I bring those things here.”

He should trust her. He knows he could trust her. After all, she had said she wouldn't leave. It happened once, it can happen again.

“We can call each other while I’m—“

“It’s okay, my lady.” He pulled back and smiled. “I’ll see you in 5 minutes.”

Ladybug wasn’t convinced that he’s okay, but she gave him a peck on the cheek to ease his doubts. “I’ll be back before you know it!”

And true to her words, she came back in 3 minutes, with two pillows, a thick blanket, and a laptop in her arms.

Chat eyed them quizzingly.

“We, are going to get comfortable and watch montages of ourselves!” She sat beside him, the Ladyblog web page now visible on her screen. “Looking at how awesome we were would give us that extra endorphins boost, don't you think?”

“We are still awesome now, what are you saying?” He wrapped the blanket around them.

She giggled. “We should do some parkour sometimes.”

Bundled up in blankets with their limbs tangled, they sat there watching the best moments they had while battling Akumas, fondness for themselves and for the other clear on their faces.

Ladybug has always been like this, trying to solve whatever issues that arise. It’s how they’ve won battle after battle. Even after the threat is gone, she’s still trying to salvage the situation, no matter how small it is in the grand scheme of things.

Chat was immensely grateful for what she had done tonight. The videos had really calmed his nerves and brought back all those euphoric memories he once had. The reason why he was doing this in the first place. The joy his lady had brought to him whenever he spent time with her. The love and admiration he felt for her as she stood up against Hawkmoth on their first day as superheroes, despite Ladybug believing that she wasn’t suited for her calling.

The love…

He tightened his hold around her.

“You alright?”

“Yeah, just mesmerised by how cool we are.”

How could he have forgotten? How miraculously amazing she was. No. She still is, up till this very day. Even after 6 years. Even after he denied her what she wanted most following Shadowmoth’s defeat. Even after what he’s done to their relationship. She never walked away from him, and is still trying to rectify the situation.

He wasn’t making it easy for her, even though it should’ve been after the final battle. It’s really unfair to her.

And yet, she’s still here, she still chose to stick with him.

This can’t go on.

He took hold of her hand and brought it to his lips. “You’re the best thing that has ever happened to me.”

9. Cinema

“Come on, come on, come on, we’re gonna be late!” Chat hurriedly pushed her into the cinema, worried that they wouldn't make it to showtime.

“Wasn’t that 5-hour binge-watch enough?” Ladybug was obviously excited about the movie, but she couldn’t allow him the satisfaction so easily.

“Of course not! This is the sequel to the series!” He continued pushing as if there’s nothing entirely wrong with his behaviour.

“And we’re heading to a cinema now. Didn’t you say you wanted us to be as discreet as possible?” She raised her eyebrow despite Chat not being able to see her face.

“Yeah, but it’s the premiere today! We won’t be able to watch it on the laptop.” They stopped at the cinema hall entrance and Chat scanned his ticket for the seat number before he continued pushing. “Also, watching in a cinema after hours of watching from a smaller screen is just a different experience, no?”

They finally arrived at the row where their seats were, but he continued resting his hands on her shoulder, guiding her to her seat before finally letting her go. “Besides, Parisians won’t kick us out after the ‘patrol’ stun we pulled.”

She rolled her eyes. “I mean we did do our job when something happened.”

Although animated films are popular in France, this particular one didn’t attract as many audiences as those action-packed animated films, which was a blessing and a curse because they would be able to get away with minimal attention on them, but also so many people are missing out on this greatness.

“Anyway, do you think we’ll cry again?” She rubbed her tear-stained eyes, “I don’t think I’ve any liquid left in me for that.”

“Nonsense, there’s definitely more in you,” he cupped her cheeks to have a better look at her. “And you still look so pretty even after all that crying.”

“Oh, quite the sadist, aren’t you? Does my crying bring you joy?”

“Come on, Buguinette, you can’t deny it was phenomenal.”

“Yeah, you’re right. It is phenomenal. But couldn’t we spread it out even more? The watch time on that series I mean.”

“I… I won’t have time for the rest of the week,” his smile fell as his hands caressed her cheeks. “I’m really sorry.”

“No wonder you wanted to spend the whole day today,” she teased. “Well, no worries about it! I love spending time with you.”

He moved his hand to hers and placed a kiss on her knuckles. “Thank you, my lady.”

And that’s when the lights started dimming. They relaxed into their respective seats, but not without interlacing their hands together.

The movie, of course, had delivered what the series had set out to do. The cinema was filled with sniffles and sobs and Ladybug and Chat Noir were certainly not spared from the experience. They were tearing like they had been all afternoon, the only difference was that they weren’t able to hold the other as tightly as they would’ve liked due to the armrest in between them.

And they didn’t realise the importance of tissues until that night. They had to go to the toilet to clean their face and clear their noses before continuing with other plans they had had for the night.

10. Moonlight

As they left the establishment, they were surprised to see how the gleaming of the silver orb that hung in the sky rivalled that of The City of Light.

Chat proposed spending the rest of the night at the top of the Eiffel Tower, given that it has been a while since they were there. And immediately regretted that suggestion when he remembered that their last memories of the Eiffel Tower were of him expressing his wishes to hold off the reveal right after the final battle.

But Ladybug eagerly agreed and was already well on her way. He had no choice but to follow through.

When he arrived, he was awestruck by the moon. He has—

“—never seen the moon this big! Wow!” Ladybug proclaimed as she took in the moon in all its beauty.

She was captivated by the glamour of the moon, but to Chat, it seemed as though she was basking in the moonlight. Her suit gave off a shimmering red glow not often seen and her dark hair looked midnight blue under it. Her back was towards him, but as she turned around to move towards the spot next to him, he felt his own heartbeat quickened. The brilliance of her blue orbs awed him, they were of a pigment he had never seen before in her eyes.

“Wow indeed.”

They moved to sit side by side on the edge and took in the view of the moon and of the city. Did they really enjoy this view of the city weekly before? Has it always been this beautiful?

“You know,” Ladybug started, breaking the silence. “I’m really glad he chose what he did in the end.”

“Yeah, they finally got together.”

She peered upwards. “It wasn’t an easy journey, but I’m so satisfied with that ending. I’m sure everyone was crying tears of joy too.”

That animated series as a whole was about conveying your feelings to the ones you love. Which he did, a lot. He was never one to shy away from declaring his love for her. But why did everything change after the final battle? Why did he change after the final battle?

His heart must’ve been tired of what his brain was trying to reason about, and thus led him to pick this series to watch, and eventually the movie. All the answers were there.

He knew his lady well enough and was certain that she wouldn't walk away. She has proved that time and time again.

So what was preventing him from being with her, when he very much desired to have a happy ending with her as well?

In some ways, his current predicament was similar to Gilbert’s. He was afraid. He was afraid that she’ll abandon him after she found out who he really was, and what he’s done.

But…

Chat looked over to see Ladybug moonbathing and enjoying the light breeze. Was it too much to hope for a happy ending himself? He knew damn well how Violet felt throughout the whole ordeal of trying to get Gilbert back by her side. Did he really want his lady to end up that way eventually, when he had the ability to prevent that?

No. That’s too brutal. The world was already cruel to him. But if he could prevent that cruelty and enable her to witness how beautiful life can be, how pleasant she had made life for him, he’d do it.

“Chaton?”

Those eyes that looked at him as though he hung the stars in her sky. Those wide blue eyes that never gave up on him despite his failure to give her what she wanted most. Those worried, concerned eyes, so full of love.

He was choked up with emotions.

“I love you.”

Ladybug inhaled sharply and stared at him unblinking, unsure if she misheard those words.

She reached out to him slowly. “Can… Can you say that again?”

“I love you.” He took her hand and squeezed it, leaning in to press his warm lips against her cheek.

He pulled back to see tears in the corner of her eyes.

“My lady?”

She still stared at him as her tears started to trickle down her face.

His hands flew to her face. “My—”

Ladybug threw her arms around him with such vitality that they toppled over. “I love you too!”

He pulled her in to close any gaps between them, so very glad that she still felt the same despite all that has happened. She planted a heartwarming kiss on his cheek as Chat landed on his back.

They basked in each other’s warmth and presence. He stroked her hair and she melted into him, happy tears flowing as her kitty was starting to declare his love for her again, verbally.

“My lady, can we meet up again tomorrow?”

“I thought you said you were busy?” She giggled.

“I did,” he grinned. “But who said anything about meeting during the hours of the day?”

[sakura-blossom28]

Small Gestures

AN: This is my first fan fiction so constructive criticism would be great! I don’t own Naruto, just using the inspiration 

Summary: AU where Sasuke doesn’t stay in the prison for long, and is a citizen again for a while, Sakura decides what she wants to say before he leaves on his journey

    ••••••••••  Sakura left the hospital early the day.  Having a half day should have left her with a feeling of joy, but she only felt dread and sadness.  Today was the day that Sasuke was going on his journey to “find himself” as he explained to her the week before.  The whole week, Sakura tried to prepare what she wanted to say to him.  And she couldn’t think of anything important enough to say.  She didn’t want to confess her feelings again like she did that night so many years ago, because that went so well.  

     Walking out into the sunlight, Sakura realized it was still too early to see Sasuke off, so she took a walk around the village, hoping that the fresh air and the sights of her beloved village would inspire her to think of what to say to her most precious person.  She only came back to the idea of confessing her feelings again to let the stoic boy know that she would still be waiting for him once he returned, no matter how long he was gone.  Sighing to herself, Sakura sat on an empty bench in a nearby park.  The park was silent except for the birds that kept singing from the trees.  All the flowers were in bloom, but even that didn’t help her sour mood.  Looking at the bright blue sky that she never gets to see because she’s cooped up in the hospital, she realized that she didn’t even know if Sasuke returned her feelings.  

     Sure, they had been spending more time together, but that was only because she, Naruto, and Kakashi were the only people who trusted the pardoned criminal.  Not that she minded that she was the only girl who was around Sasuke. Sakura really did enjoy his company, but it was so hard to read that blank stare that was continuously on his face. “Did he somehow develop feelings for me?” she asked herself, “No I would have noticed by now, it’s been months since we’ve been together again, and not once has Sasuke-kun shown any signs that he even likes me.”  Sighing, Sakura stood up trying to shake off the funk she was slowly falling into, and started walking again.  Maybe a trip to a more populated area would help her think.

     In this new area, there were plenty of people milling about during the lunchtime rush.  So many happy faces walked passed her, even a few greeted her, but Sakura only responded half-heartedly.  Many couples passed her holding hands and smiling at each other, and Sakura couldn’t help but feel a bit of envy at the happiness that they got to share.  

     Sakura ended up near the ramen stand where her team usually ate.  Seeing the familiar stand started to make her think back on all the times that they have dined there.  She wondered if she could remember Sasuke doing anything out of the ordinary to give himself away to how he felt about her.  Sakura was about to walk away, but she stopped.  

     By looking at the chairs at the bar, she could practically picture her team sitting there.  Thinking about their usual seating order, Sakura usually sat on Naruto’s right so he could yell at Sasuke on is left.  But hadn’t Sasuke started to sit in the middle in the last few weeks?

     “He probably switched because he was losing hearing in his right ear so he was trying to balance the loss out,” she signed to herself.  But then the sensation of having an arm brush her came to the front of her mind.  How close had Sasuke been sitting near her?  No, it must have just been once, or was it Thinking back again, Sakura realized that it happened EVERY time Sasuke sat next to her.  Blushing to herself, she started walking again.  “Really must have just been a coincidence,” she said to herself, shoving down the tiny bit of hope that was blooming in her heart.  

     Being in the poplar part of the village to eat in, Sakura walked passed a few other places that her team visited together.  Sakura stopped in front of the most recent restaurant that they went to only a few weeks ago, when she complained about not wanting to eat ramen again.  The memory slowly started to place before her in her mind….

     After another grueling training session, Sakura convinced Naruto to try a different restaurant for once.  She told him that he needed to start branching out and try new things if he ever wanted to get Hinata to go on a date with him.  Naruto just stared at his pink haired teammate with his mouth hanging open.  As a blush came over him, Naruto finally agreed.  As they continued their walk, Sakura had missed the look of relief in Sasuke’s eyes when she won the argument against the loud mouth blond.  

     As the group neared the restaurant, Sakura reached for the door, but was cut off by Sasuke holding the door open for her. Taken aback a bit, she just stood there with her mouth in a soft ‘o’ at the sight of Sasuke.  

     “Are you going to walk in, or not?” Sasuke bluntly asked her.  Blushing a bit, Sakura whispered her thanks.  Not looking back at Sasuke, Sakura didn’t see that he had let go of the door before Naruto could make his way through the door.  Having the door slammed in his face made the blond stare daggers into the Uchiha’s back.

     Making her way to a nearby table, she was again cut off by Sasuke.  Nearly bumping into him, it took her a second to realize that he was holding the chair out for her.  The blush on her face turned into an even brighter pink as she took her seat.  As she was pushed in, Sakura didn’t see the slight smirk on Sasuke’s face as he sat down next to her.  

     “Why do you always get to sit next to Sakura-chan teme?” Naruto asked as he plopped down into the seat across from them.

     “Because you stink,” was all the Uchiha said with a rather blank express.  To that, Naruto only grumbled under his breathe.  

     The rest of the meal was rather enjoyable for all. Little to no bickering was heard out of her two male teammates, leaving a pleasant smile upon Sakura’s pretty face. Both Naruto and Sasuke noticed how content Sakura was after their meal was finished. This made Naruto smile brightly at her, and Sasuke was sneaking glances at her with a trace of a smile hidden behind his hands that were neatly folded on the table.  

     Paying for the meal, the went their separate ways, agreeing to meet later in the week to train again.  As Sakura was about to leave, Sasuke’s voice called out to her.

     “Let me walk you home, I’m headed that way anyway,” he said in his usual tone.  Not sure what to say, because she was in a state of shock, Sakura only nodded.

     The walk was silent how it mostly was when the two of them were alone.  Sakura didn’t mind the quiet because she knew that Sasuke rather hear nothing than her mindless chatter.  As they were nearing her apartment, Sasuke called out to her again, startling her a bit.

     “Would you want to train tomorrow?” a simple enough request, and a normal thing to ask since they were teammates after all, but it still caught Sakura off guard, and a familiar blush crept up her face.   Thankfully it was dark out now, and it hid the color on her face quiet well.

     “Sure Sasuke-kun.  I have a long lunch tomorrow so I can bring lunch if you want,” Sakura replied thinking off the top of her head, “Will Naruto and Kakashi be there too?”

     He didn’t answer right away, but he eventually answered, “No, they’re both busy.   Meet me at our usual spot when you’re out of work.”  Without another word, Sasuke walked away.  Not seeing anything out of the ordinary, Sakura walked the rest of the way to her apartment.

     Shaking herself out of that memory, Sakura realized that she subconsciously walked all the way to the training ground that she and Sasuke met at after their team dinner.  Even though their training session happened a few weeks ago, there was still signs that the two ninja had been there.  Smirking to herself, Sakura reflected on the epic battle that she and Sasuke had.  She could still remember the look of shock on his face when her immense strength was turned on him.  Even though they caused so much damage, she still knew that Sasuke was holding back on her, which was fine with her.  Naruto and Sasuke always caused so much destruction that Kakashi was starting to make them clean up whatever they destroyed.  

     Finding the tree around the training ground that they normally rest under, Sakura sat down herself and closed her eyes against the bright spring sun.  Sitting like this caused another memory to come to her.  

     After she and Sasuke had their private training session, they rested under the shady tree.  The pair sat quietly for a while just enjoying the cool breeze that was blowing through.  Sakura looked out proudly on the kraters that she made with just her tiny fist.  Smiling to herself, she turned to look at the stoic boy laying down next to her.  

     “I really gave you a run for your money, didn’t I?” she half asked, half stated to Sasuke.  All she received was a ‘hn’ from the boy.  Seeing that they were done with fighting, Sakura took out the bento boxes that she made the night before for the two of them.  Feeling Sakura shift beside him, Sasuke sat up, ready to see what Sakura had made him.  This was the first time that Sakura had made him lunch since they were children.  Looking down at the meal that she had prepared, he realized that she made all his favorite food, and she even added a few tomato wedges.  

     “You remembered,” he quietly said, almost a whisper, with the faintest smile on his face.  

     “Of course I did Sasuke-kun, I wouldn’t forget your favorite food,” Sakura said, realizing that what she said could be taken as creepy, shoved some food into her mouth before she said anything else embarrassing.  Sasuke only replied with a soft ‘hn’, but Sakura didn’t see the soft expression in his eyes while they ate.  

     Sasuke almost forgot what it was like to have someone care about him enough to remember the little details about him.  It felt nice, and he almost enjoyed it, but he wouldn’t let Sakura know that, well at least not yet.  As they finished their meal, Sakura realized that she was needed back at the hospital and left.  Their time together ended, as did her memory.

     Not knowing where else to walk to, Sakura made her way back to the hospital, having a little bit more time to kill before she had to say her goodbye to Sasuke.  Even with these memories popping up again, she still wasn’t 100% sure that she knew how Sasuke felt about her.  For all she knew, he could have just been trying to get on her good side again after everything that happened between them, but Sakura knew that she had forgiven him the moment he apologized after he and Naruto had their last battle.  “No, Sasuke-kun isn’t the type of person to say things twice,” she thought to herself as she sat down on the hospital’s steps.  

     “Sakura, didn’t I tell you to leave already?” Sakura could tell that voice from anywhere, as her teacher, Tsunade. Seeing the look on the young girl’s face, Tsunade already knew what was troubling her favorite student.  

     “What’s got you so worked up now?  It better not be the Uchiha brat again,” she asked with a smirk.  Hearing this, Sakura could only groan and hide her face in her hands.  

     “He’s leaving and I have no idea what to say to him! We’re finally together again, and he must leave!  For once, I can’t find anything to say to him, and I have no idea what he really thinks of me.  It’s hopeless, I’m still that annoying girl in his eyes,” Sakura said dejectedly.  

     Knowing how much this boy means to Sakura, Tsunade chose her words wisely, “Well if I’m not mistaken, hasn’t that boy stopped by here at least twice a week in the last few weeks to come see you home after your night shifts AND even brought you food once or twice, hm?”  Patting the pink haired girl on the head, she made her way back into the building with a smile on her face.  

     Hearing her teacher’s words, Sakura looked down at her feet as the memories flooded her mind once again.  The late-night walks filled with light chatter mostly coming from Sakura.  The occasional shared meal in her small office.  The old Sasuke would never have done this for her.  Maybe he really had grown some feelings for her?  Some were better than none, right?  The last time that Sasuke walked her home played before her eyes.  

     As Sakura walked out into the night air she spotted a dark figure, giving off an aura that she was becoming comfortable with again.  Walking up to him, he started to walk without a word.  Used to the silent treatment from Sasuke, Sakura didn’t think anything of it.  As they walked, Sakura could feel the tension building between them, and she didn’t know why. Stopping in front of her apartment door, she turned to him to see if she could read anything from his eyes.

     Looking at Sasuke, he had his usual empty look about him, but Sakura could see that something was troubling him behind his eyes. He was so lost in thought that he didn’t see that they were at her door.  He was making no moves to speak, Sakura couldn’t stand the silence anymore. Slowly, holding her breathe, she reached out to take his hand.  That got his attention.  Taken away from his thoughts, Sasuke’s dark onyx eyes were met with determined emerald eyes laced with worry.  

     “Sasuke-kun, what’s wrong?” Sakura asked quietly, almost a whisper. Seeing the look that she was giving him, Sasuke’s softened a bit, making Sakura let go of the breath that she was holding.  

     Slightly tightening the hold on her hand, then letting go, Sasuke looked at her, making complete eye contact and said, “In a weeks’ time, I am leaving the village.  I don’t know how long I’ll be away, but it will be a long time.”

     The news had crushed her, she remembered that clearly.  Sakura was just starting to get used to having Sasuke back in her life, and she was even finding that she was looking forward to and enjoying the private time that they shared with each other.  She felt she was starting to get to know the real Sasuke.  

     “I know it’s sudden, but I need to start to right the wrongs that I have made,” he added as he saw her physically shrink when she heard his words.  

     “I understand Sasuke-kun,” she said with a sigh and dropped her head.  As she turned to her door, she saw Sasuke raise his hand, but then dropped it, not sure in his actions, a first for him, turned and walked away.  

     The rest of the week was filled with her patients taking up most of her days, and no night shifts, maybe done so by her teacher to keep her busy.  Sakura hadn’t seen Sasuke since that night because of their busy schedules.  Thinking back on all the memories that came to her earlier that day and what her teacher said, she was still at a loss of what to say. The last thing she wanted was to see her most precious person go…

     Go?  If he had to go, did she have to stay?  Didn’t she say she would go with him all those years ago?  Sure, she was weak and useless then, but now she was strong and hadn’t she proved to have matured in the time that they were separated?  Didn’t they enjoy each other’s company?  Sasuke wouldn’t spend time with people that annoyed him, well except Naruto, but that’s beside the point.  

     The idea was quickly forming in her mind, weighting the pros and cons. Jumping up from the steps she said to herself, punching her fist into her other hand, “Yes! I’ll travel with Sasuke-kun! Everything is fine here, I’ll be more useful to him than if I was in the village.  Then I can finally see how he truly feels!”  With this revelation, she ran to the front gates of the village.

     As Sakura approached the gate, she could see two figures standing there talking quietly.  She quickly recognized them as the Uchiha and her former sensei, Kakashi. The pair stopped their conversation to quickly greet her, but then returned to what they were speaking about.  

     Sakura didn’t even hear what they were saying because she was so full of nerves for what she was about to propose to Sasuke. Over and over she kept thinking about the small gestures that Sasuke had given her in these last few weeks of them being comfortable enough to be alone together.  Were these gestures enough to think that Sasuke would consider her as his traveling partner?

     There was a lull in the conversation, maybe she could convince him to stay again, “Do you really have to go?  Tsunade is almost complete with making the arm…” she blurted out.

     Sasuke turned to her with his dark eyes and said, “There is so much that I need to understand and take care of.  Many unanswered questions that I have to deal with.”

     Seeing that her first plan didn’t work, “What…what if I came along?” Sakura quietly asked with a bright pink blush coming on, not even looking at him.

     Sasuke just looked at her, expecting Sakura to say something like this, already with a prepared answer, “This journey is to atone for my sins, which have nothing to do with you.”

     Hearing his answer, all Sakura could do is give an exasperated sigh.  Deep down she knew that this would be his answer.  Suddenly, she felt Sasuke in front of her and saw how close he was. When she looked up, Sasuke poked her with two fingers, with the first real smile on his lips that she hadn’t seen since their childhood.  Once he had her attention, all he said was, ��Maybe next time.”

     “Thank you,” he said, which caused a bright flush to cover her face when she realized that those were the last words she heard from him all those years ago when she thought she lost him forever.  

     Standing there with Kakashi, watching Sasuke fade into nothing as he walked away, Sakura thought, “Now that wasn’t a small gesture.  I’ll be holding you to your word Sasuke-kun.” With this thought in her mind and heart, Sakura turned back into the village that both she and Sasuke loved, with a soft smile on her lips, thinking about the future to come.  

[serzhantkris]

The Sound of Silence

Summary: This post. soulmate au where instead of your soulmates first words to you written on your skin it’s their last words you ever hear them say so you don’t know who your soulmate is until you lose them. 

AN: A while ago i wrote this gem. Which basically broke lots of hearts. So i decided to do the prompt again. No spoilers ;) Hope you all like it!

Words: ~2900

You’re going to be okay.

This was a mantra you had been repeating to yourself from the day you turned 18 and the words appeared on your skin, standing out like a fresh scar, and just as painful. You had cried for weeks after, locking yourself in your room. The encouraging words were a painful irony, reminding you of your fate with each glance. You had gone to keeping them covered, so desperately that, once, in college, your roommate tried to host an intervention, believing you were concealing something else. Breaking down in front of all your friends had sparked something in you, and you began to accept the truth you could not change.

The words, the last thing you’d ever hear your soulmate say, were likely to be the last words you’d ever hear. And the biggest lie you’d ever be told.

Moving to New York provided you with opportunity, and the busy lifestyle you’d created allowed you to become distracted, and you were finally living closer to your brother, and that was how you met him.

You’d met through Clint, of all people, who’d dragged you to the tower for a pit-stop to grab something from his friend, Natasha. Waiting in the lobby, Bucky had run smack into you, quite literally, and apologized profusely before asking you to get coffee the next morning. You agreed just as Clint returned, eyeing you both.

Did he ask you out? His sign language was fast, trying to keep Bucky unaware he was being talked about, but you just grinned and signed back.

We’re getting coffee tomorrow. This prompted a groan from Clint and Bucky gave you a confused look before you said goodbye, scrawling your number on the back of his right hand. Everything after that was history.

Three years had passed since that moment. Bucky Barnes was your dream. Handsome and kind, with beautiful eyes and a smile that made your heart soar. But it was more than his old school charm that pulled you to him. You had gone from a small crush on a Super Soldier, to being all out in love with who you were certain was your soulmate.

Bucky, of course, had seen the words. He traced them with his fingertips while the two of you lay, tangled in each other and sheets, submerged in darkness. His lips kissed them, taking extra time to taste your flesh. The words terrified you, but Bucky treated them with care.

Laying with your head in his lap, legs stretched across the couch, you traced the small letters on Bucky’s right wrist. His other hand toyed carefully with your hair, his eyes trained on the television. His tattoo was unequivocally worse than yours, and it likely scared you more than your own tattoo. It was simple, and each time you saw it you had to second guess what you said next. The tattoo simply read:

Bucky?

You swallowed and Bucky’s eyes dropped to you, one brow quirked as your fingers stilled. “What’s wrong, doll?”

“Nothing,” you signed. He frowned, easing you up as he turned toward you. Tugging you into his lap, he placed a gentle kiss on your forehead as you snuggled into him. “Hey, Bucky?”

He stiffened and you cursed at yourself. “Yeah?”

“What if-” you paused, biting the inside of your cheek and burying your face in his chest. His arms around you tightened. “What if we… aren’t… Soulmates?”

Bucky was quiet for a long moment, brows furrowed. It made you uneasy, but then he finally spoke, softly, and you had to strain to hear him. “Would it matter? I love you. Rather you’re my soulmate or not, I’m not wasting any time. As long as you’re happy, I don’t care. I promise you, I will always be here for you. Soulmate or not.”

His words made your heart thunder in your chest and you were certain Bucky could hear it. You wrapped your arms around his torso and he chuckled, resting his chin on your head as he returned his attention to the screen.

You were still thinking about his words three days later, as the two of you strolled through Grand Central Station, hand in hand. Bucky’s boots squeaked on the floor and you were laughing at something he’d said. You had just returned from visiting Clint’s farmhouse, opting to take a train into town rather than flying in one of Tony’s copters. Bucky had come to pick you up, eager to get you home and make love to you until you couldn’t see straight.

The two of you were heading to the next floor, you taking two steps at a time to keep up with him. Bucky grinned at you, his eyes glinting beautifully. At the top of the steps, Bucky suddenly looked nervous, his jaw working as he searched for the right thing to say. His hands were in his pockets, and he pulled out his right hand, the words on his wrist catching the overhead light. In his fist, a small box that reduced you to tears the moment you saw it.

“Bucky?” You nearly sobbed, hands flying to cover your mouth. Bucky looked at you with such tenderness, such devotion, there was no denying it. Whatever doubts you’d had, they were gone. You knew it. Bucky was your soulmate.

And then it was over. The joy you’d felt, the unfathomable sense of relief and comfort was washed away. It happened so quickly, you could not react. Bucky could not protect you. Somewhere on the floor below, people began screaming just as a bomb detonated. The shiny tiles under you and Bucky crumbled and you tried, in vain, to grab onto him. You both fell, toppling through the concrete. Something hit your head, so painful that the world burst into color, hues of red painting your vision. It took a moment to realize it was blood running in your eyes, and you tried to scream for Bucky, but nothing came.

You were fading in and out, trying desperately to stay awake, and you realized Bucky was there. He was picking you up, immense pain shooting through you as he held you to his chest. “You’re going to be okay,” he said, cradling the back of your head. His voice was blurry as though hearing it through cotton. Blood was streaming between his fingers as he carried you through clouds of debris. The sounds of sirens and screaming was fuzzy in your ears, and by the time Bucky burst I to the street, you only heard a distant ringing just before you finally passed out.

Bucky reluctantly let an EMT take you from him, tears running tracks down his cheeks. He rode with you to the hospital, clutching your hand between his. His tattoo seemed to burn his skin as the ambulance started to move.

Bucky paced back and forth in the hospital waiting room. His knuckles were white from clenching his fists, and he was getting a headache from grinding his teeth. Sam kept telling him to sit down, that he’d wear a hole in the floor. Steve had brought him coffee, which he’d downed the second it was in his grip. Natasha sat by the window, clutching the armrests of her chair and foot tapping incessantly. Then there was Clint, who had already yelled at two nurses and was outside, using his bow and arrow to take some of his white-hot fury out on some local trees. The rest of the team had gone to Grand Central Station to track down the attacker.

“Is Mr. Barton here?” A nurse approached them, her eyes glancing around at the team. “We’d like to speak to him about his sister.”

Natasha volunteered to get him, coming back a second later with Clint in tow. The nurse refused to speak in front of the others, whispering to Clint on the other side of a pane of glass. Bucky stared, defeated, at Clint’s face as the woman spoke. Anger faded into fear, which mutated into pain and what Bucky could only classify as regret and guilt. The nurse left a moment later and Clint returned, pinching the bridge of his nose.

“Is she…” Bucky could not finish, and when Clint opened his eyes his gaze landed right on Bucky.

“Permanent brain damage,” Clint said, his voice laced with sorrow. “They don’t know everything yet, but they’re saying she might have some sensory loss.”

“Sensory loss?” Natasha crossed her arms, standing next to Bucky. “Like, what? Blindness?”

“I don’t know,” Clint admitted, running his hand down his face.  "But she’s going to live. Whatever happens, she’s going to live.“

The words echoed inside Bucky’s head and he sank into a chair, finally, head in his hands. On either side of him, Steve and Sam shot each other a look. Sam simply nodded and Steve leaned forward, resting a palm on Bucky’s back.

“We should get you home, Bucky. Get some sleep so you can see her when she’s allowed guests.”

“I need to stay.”

“Bucky-”

“I said the damn words,” Bucky choked, sitting up suddenly. “I said the fucking words right before she passed out. She needs to know. She needs to know those aren’t the last words she’ll ever hear from me. That I’m not gonna go away. I can’t let her down.”

Steve relented, gathering his things to take the other home. Clint elected to remain as well, wanting to be there if anything changed and promising he’d call the others if something changed. In reality, he wanted to keep Bucky company and, as he was the only one who could go in and out of her room, be able to tell Bucky that he’d personally seen her and she was, as he’d said, alive.

Days passed. Bucky stayed in the hospital, even after he’d been told you were asleep and would not wake up for some time. He was there when Clint went to see his wife and kids and returned freshly shaved and showered, bringing with him some of Bucky’s clothes and some fast food. The two of them ate in silence, the wrappers from their burgers making Bucky’s ears burst at the seams.

“She’s awake,” the nurse said, poking her heading the room. Bucky stood, immediately forgetting the pain in his stomach. The nurse stopped him, however, before he could take a single step. “There’s something you should know.”

Clint stood up, then, too. The nurse looked between them, cleared her throat, then glanced down at the clipboard in her hands. “As I said, she’s suffered some damage to her sensory factors. The cerebrum took a good chunk of the damage, as well as a small part of the frontal lobe-”

“Will you speak English, please?” Clint spat, his words venom. The nurse flinched at his tone and took a breath, pursing her lips.

“Miss Barton has completely lost her hearing, as well as her ability to speak.”

Bucky had been through a lot of pain in his hundred plus years of life. He’d fallen off a mountain, into the snowy depths that should have claimed his life. He had been brainwashed, mutilated, torn apart and put back together like a taxidermy trophy. Of all the horrible things he’d endured, there was nothing like walking into the hospital room and finding you, sobbing silently in the bed. It was this moment he realized he would never hear your voice again, or you his.

The last thing he heard you say was his name. The last thing he’d said to you…

But then, he realized, that could only mean one thing.

Bucky eased into the chair beside you, reaching out to take your hand. You jumped, unaware of his presence until that moment. He smiled sadly at you, thumb brushing over the back of your hand. He said something, but it only prompted you to cry harder. His lips moved and, though you couldn’t read his lips, you knew that he’d said he loved you. You tried to say it back, but you knew there was no sound. Bucky’s face fell and he leaned to you, wrapping you in his arms. Clint stood at the foot of the bed, his head hung.

It was hard, impossible, at first. It never really got easy. Clint hard convinced you to move out of your apartment and into the tower, where people could help you adjust. It wasn’t like being blind, where you couldn’t see. But you couldn’t hear clock alarms, or fire alarms. You couldn’t yell for help if, God forbid, you ever needed it. Bucky was more than willing to let you into his room, making sure you were comfortable. It was almost irritating how much he took care of you, and you hated asking for help, but you needed it until you could adjust.

Bucky was your alarm, gently nudging you awake in the mornings. He put the captions on when you watched films together and made sure you never felt left out in group conversations. He was your ears and voice when you needed to communicate with someone else, and he never once let you see how much it pained him that you couldn’t lie awake at night whispering to each other.

You had taken to writing notes to one another. You kept a notebook, where you wrote to him and he to you. It was a pain in the ass, but it worked. You’d scribble something and slide it across the table to him. He’d smile, write a response, and slide it back.

You’re beautiful, he’d write.

The voice in my head is yours, you told him.

He dotted his “i’s with hearts, just for you.

Sometimes, though, you knew how much this hurt him. His guilt was heavy and, even if you couldn’t hear him crying in the middle of the night, you knew. Some nights he didn’t sleep at all. He missed hearing you whisper his name n hs ear when you made love. He missed being able to call your name as he came home and have you come running straight to him and jump in his arms, screaming. Sometimes he forgot and would say something out loud to you, only to immediately lose his joy when he realized you hadn’t noticed him speaking. But he dealt with it, carried your burden with you. He loved you, more and more with each day, despite the difficulties.

I wish I could hear your laugh, you’d written.

I miss your voice, he replied.

He kept dotting the i’s with hearts anyway.

We need to talk, you wrote one day. Bucky frowned, looked up at you, and scribbled a response.

What’s wrong?

I know, you wrote, moving slowly. Bucky bit his lip, staring at your pencil as your hand moved across the paper. This is hurting you. Being with me is hard. You’re in pain.

Bucky stared at the words a moment before taking the pencil from you and turning to a new page. He sat back, tapping the pencil on the page before he started to write. He passed it back to you and, as you read, more tears welled in your eyes.

You are my soulmate. I have always loved you, and I refuse to give up because things are difficult. I promised you that I would be here for you.

You scribbled back, scrubbing at your tears. This won’t ever be easy, Bucky. I can’t even talk to you without having to take the time to write it all out. It takes us twice as long just to say two words to each other. You’re always having to double check me like a child. I’m a huge burden to you.

Bucky only wrote back five words: You are never a burden.

Months passed. Bucky kept to his word, never once leaving your side. You were both happy and sad at this, but the longer time went on the worse you felt. While you were slowly becoming more self-sufficient, Bucky was still having to maintain certain things for you. He was exhausted with constant circles under his eyes and you felt terrible.

Then, one afternoon while you were making dinner, Bucky came into the kitchen and caught your attention. He brought you around the counter and handed you a note, a nervous disposition about him as you read.

I know you’re afraid. You pretend that things are fine, but I can see it in your face. You worry that life won’t be the same anymore, that it’s too hard. You worry about me and how this change affects me and my feelings for you. I need you to know that you are not your disability, that you mean so much more to me than I can ever put into words.

You once asked me what it would mean if we were not soulmates, and I said I would love you no matter what. I meant what I said. I love you with all that I am and all I will ever be. You have been my rock, my fighting force, my lifeline, for so long, and I would gladly spend the rest of my life being yours.

I asked Clint a couple months ago if he’d teach me sign language. We’ve been working on it while you’re asleep, which is the reason I‘ve been so tired lately.

It isn’t much, and I’m sure it’s awful because, let’s face it, I’m not very good at this sort of thing and I promise I won’t give up trying to get better, but if you understand even a single word, it’ll be worth it.

Finishing the letter, your brows furrowed and you gave Bucky a confused tilt of the head. He took a deep breath, then, and took your hands gently as he knelt on the kitchen floor. He let go of your hands, holding them in front of him as his eyes remained on your face.

They weren’t perfect. But as you read the words as he signed them with his hands, you let out another silent stream of tears.

Will you marry me?

If you could scream, you would. But you simply nodded, covering your face with your hands as Bucky threw his arms around you and kissed you profusely. He pulled a ring from his pocket and placed it on your finger. When he let go, you scrubbed away the tears and signed back at him. He must have understood, because he grinned back at you and kissed you again.

You were right. I am going to be okay.

@bovaria @winterboobaer @lbouvet @avengerofyourheart @lbug1025 @lilasiannerd @whatthehellisacastiel @thisisthelilith @captainsebstan @mellifluous-melodramas @pimpaladestiel @lostinspace33 @poe-also-bucky @annwhojumps @sebastianstanaa @buckyywiththegoodhair @sebastianstanismyobsession @mayasmedberg @romanovoff @aenna-4  @creideamhgradochas @stovehairington @subtletynotwithstanding

[ggungabyfish]

Shuffle Challenge: Faberry!

Haven’t done this pairing in a while. Let’s go!

(click on the cut)

10. Under Pressure-Queen and David Bowie

Quinn Fabray thumbs through her old vinyl collection, sitting by herself in her apartment not too far from Princeton. She picks a record, puts in the player, and sits back to listen.

One of the memories she has of this song is sitting with Rachel on her bed, both of them sharing a pair of earbuds as this played on her bedazzled iPod…

She gets up from the sofa and goes to the kitchen. She needs a cup of tea…

With a little something else to wash away the memories.

9. Home-Michael Buble

(Inspired by dylanhart’s Should Have Asked For Directions)

Inside Rachel Berry-Fabray’s personal items is a pasteboard box. It’s got postcards from every nation in the world on it.

Inside the box are bundles of envelopes.

They’re the letters that she wrote to Quinn when they were apart…and never had the nerve to send.

They’re full of anger, or heartbreak, of sadness.

One day, she’ll show them to Quinn.

One day.

But not today.

8. Hound Dog-Elvis Presley

Needless to say, Quinn’s perfect impersonation of Elvis’s number 1 hit was…well, a big hit.

And Rachel admitted that she enjoyed it immensely.

But when the music slowed, Quinn glanced over at her girlfriend, did a perfect curled-lip smile, and began to gyrate her hips in time to the music amid hollers and whoops from the others (and a slightly exasperated groan from Mr. Schuester).

Rachel could have melted right into her seat.

She was going to kill Quinn later.

Right after she would kiss her senseless.

(Come on, we all know that would have been awesome)

7. The Continental-Artie Shaw

(20s Gangster AU, which may or may not be a full-fledged fic one day)

Quinn watches the dame that came in with Hudson sitting by herself at the bar. The big lug had been dragged off to go speak to Schue, so there was his lady.

All by her lonesome.

The blonde thinks for a minute and then gets up from her seat, smoothing down her collar and adjusting her fedora.

Be it far from her to leave a pretty lady in the lurch.

6. Foxy Lady-Jimi Hendrix

Hendrix’s strings wail through the air. Rachel leans back and listens.

This song evokes memories of a warm night in the backseat of a blue VW Bug, where she was entwined in a passionate embrace, and green eyes the color of a jungle cat’s burned a pleasurable haze into her soul.

She gets up and goes to the kitchen. She needs a drink.

5.  Don’t You Forget About Me-Simple Plan

(I was inspired by Anna Kendrick’s reaction in Pitch Perfect)

“See why I like this movie?”

“Quinn, while this movie was made in the 80s, I can’t exactly see how this pertains to our current high school situation.”

“Just watch.”

(End credits roll)

“Rachel? Baby, are you crying?”

“Y–yes! Oh, my god, that was brilliant!”

“Almost as good as Funny Girl ?”

“…well, that’s up for debate, but it’s close.”

4. Always Something There To Remind Me-Naked Eyes

(Let’s pretend for a second that Quinn did actually make it to the wedding.)

She was thinking about it.

She knew they all were; all were waiting for the cue: “ if there is anyone who objects to the union, speak now or forever hold your peace.”

But who would have the guts to say it? 

They all kept glancing over at her because they all knew (except the two getting married) that Quinn had been in love with Rachel for the longest time. And the singer? Well…

Strangely enough, it was Finn who spoke. He suddenly let go of Rachel’s hands and said: “We can’t do this.” 

Everyone stared dumbfounded at him.

“Wait a minute, didn’t he ask her to marry him?” A confused Blaine asked an equally confused Kurt. His boyfriend nodded yes.

“…what? Finn, what are–what are you saying?” Rachel asked, with a tension in her voice everyone except herself had noticed.

The quarterback breathed in deeply and took her hands again in his. “Rachel, tell me the truth: do you really want to marry me?” He asked, eyes flickering over to all in attendance. For some reason, they stopped on Quinn.

“What? Y-yes, of course, I do. I want to be with you, I love you–”

“No, you don’t,” Finn answered, his voice firm and quiet.

Now everyone’s mouths were open or half-open in shock.

“That boy’s smarter than I give him credit for,” Mercedes muttered to Santana, who nodded agreement.

Finn silenced Rachel’s protestations by holding up his hand. “You’re marrying me because you don’t want to face the truth. You’re marrying me for all the wrong reasons, and the fact that…” he took a deep breath and said in a tremulous tone “…that you’re in love with someone else.” He glanced back at his former girlfriend. “And I think–no, I know that you’ll be happier with that person.” He then kissed her on the forehead, and then turned and walked out of the courtroom.

Much later, Quinn would thank Finn for what he did. Because of later that day, Rachel came by her house, and they had a good, long talk.

3. Half Of My Heart-John Mayer (I like this song, what can I say?) Quinn finally closes her laptop and leans back into the sofa, taking off her reading glasses.

“Finished,” she breathes, glad to have finally graded all the papers for her class. It’s not easy being one of the best teachers at New Mexico State University, but it pays off.

Her phone suddenly buzzes, and she looks to see that it’s a number that makes her grin broadly. She hits the green button and brings it up to her ear. “Hi, baby.“

“Hi, Quinn.” There are sounds in the background of the call; Rachel’s currently out of state with a touring company of Cinderella.

“So did you get the email, too?” Quinn asks, setting her computer aside

“I did. High-school reunion: should we go?”

“Hmm…yeah. Yeah, we should. Besides,” the professor says, a grin tilting her lips “I wouldn’t mind seeing the place where I gave you my heart so long ago.”

“Oh good grief, you’re a sappy romantic, do you know that?”

“Yeah, but you love it.”

2. Sugar-Maroon 5

(I can’t help but wonder if Rachel and Quinn’s wedding would have been one of the weddings the band hit up in the video, so here ya go!)

Quinn and Rachel were a little confused as to why all of a sudden, these people started setting up a stage in the middle of their reception.

And then they were asked by a gentleman to come over to the stage. He told them that there was a little surprise for them.

Although it really couldn’t be classified as a “little” surprise when the curtain fell down to reveal Maroon 5 playing a song. Yeah, they were all there: Adam, Jesse, Mickey, and James.

Rachel screamed in joy and awe, and Quinn whooped delightedly as Adam, grinning, motioned them over to the stage. All the guests leaped up from their seats and started dancing.

The two of them would later recall it as one of the best days of their life, bar none.

1. Summer Sunshine-The Corrs

Quinn was really good at picking songs.

This one that she was singing right now, she had picked from going through a playlist she’d found on one of Rachel’s many Pandora stations. And she figured that this would be a great one to perform.

Finn played the drums, Sam and Puck handled guitars, and some of the classical music club joined in. Quinn really enjoyed singing it for her Glee-mates.

But really, Quinn was doing it for Rachel, who was watching with slight tears in her eyes and a smile so bright it could have lit up the whole room.

She loved Rachel-Barbara Berry.

And Rachel loved her back.

-------------------

Finito!

Hope you guys enjoyed it.