#uh but this won't happen for a couple of chapters

[doodleholic]

Too Far and Snakey

[mj0702]

The other Bronze – Pt.7.1

Okay guys... since I'm having just too much fun writing the Beach day, here are about 7k of Beach and we're not done that's why I decided to split Pt.7 into two chapters😉

I hope you have fun with this part - the next one will be coming in a couple of days ❤️❤️

Lucy parked her beloved holy Cupra in a parking deck near the Beach to one have the car away from the sun so it won't heat up so much and two give you some more time to “prepare”. As she killed the engine she turns over to look at you

“Firstly... I'm proud of you for not destroying my Car by pushing any buttons” she grinned and you rolled your eyes playfully “and secondly... it's about a five minute walk to the Beach... it COULD happen that I get recognized by fans... if so, please don't start trouble – most of them are REALLY nice and also really respectful... but you know yourself from previous encounters there are some that are rude...” she said insistently.

“Lucy... it's not the first time I'm out and about with you...” you rolled your eyes annoyed

“You once kicked a man in the knee” your sister raised her eyebrow at you

“He was inappropriate, extremely rude, loud, demanding AND intoxicated...” you defended yourself remembering this encounter

“You were 10” your sister reminded you

“Mills and Jill bought me the biggest ice cream as a reward” you grinned happily at this particular memory

“They always rewarded you for shitty behaviour... he could have hit you... he was fairly drunk” Lucy said rolling her eyes again “but we're not talking about the past... we're talking now... please don't start trouble IF we encounter fans...”

“As long as they're cool, I'm cool” you shrugged your shoulders. Just because Lucy was the older one it didn't mean you couldn't be just as protective of her as she is of you

“I'm able too handle it, okay...” she said insistently again “... I'm not even sure if we run in to them anyway”

“Yeah okay... I TRY to behave” you huffed and opened the door “I take ice cream as payment”

“You can shove that ice cream up your...” your sister started as you smirked at her

“Kinky”

“Stop it” Lucy groaned as she took your bags and locked her car “Stanway turned you into a monster... definitely going to “talk” to her about that”

“If you hurt her I'll leak baby videos of you” you threaten her light hearted

“I know you would” your sister grinned as she laid her arm around your shoulder pulling you into her side and press a soft kiss to your temple “I really missed you Bubs”

“You're too young – never thought I'm going to say THAT but here we are – for Menopause.. what's with the hormonal stuff” you looked at her pulling a face never being one for affection in public

“Just enjoy it, Devils Spawn” Lucy mocked “and remember you can ALWAYS come to me for anything... advice, talking, venting, even if you just need a shoulder to cry on... I'm here Bubs”

“I know” you whispered softly

“Okay... than lets go... as soon as we're close to the Beach you need to stumble a lot... you did that... and you had this loopy grin... uh... and you only called Keira by her name... everyone else had nicknames... Alexia was “pretty spaniard”, Atiana was “flawless spaniard” and Mapí was “colorbook spaniard”...” your sister listed off

“I left out Ona?” you looked confused

“Oh no... she was just “spaniard”... you have another hour to find a new name for her.. and you basically got everyone to scramble around for you... just... hold back with Tana... she is shy anyway and you calling her flawless probably made her a little uncomfortable” Lucy shrugged her shoulders before asking you to told back on the flirty comments towards her teammate

“No flawless spaniard... got it” you nodded seriously – today was for funnies’ anyway

“Good... they won't take you serious if you do it right anyway, so... flirt away if you can justify yourself to your girlfriend if there are clips leaked” your sister grinned evilly

“You are honestly one big bitch” you said bewildered at her implication while she just started laughing pulling you along

Of course Lucy got recognized by some fans on your way to the Beach and she patiently signed and took pictures with all of them while you waited near by. You noticed a small girl – maybe four or five – who looked longingly at your sister. You slowly shuffled towards the girl not to startle her you crouched down next to her

“Hi” you said smiling friendly as the girl just looked at you afraid “What's your name, wee one?”

The girl just keeps staring at you but at least she didn't run or scream so you took that as a win – that's until you remember that you are in Spain where small girls probably don't speak english. You didn't speak spanish.

“Y/N” you tried it the old fashion way pointing at yourself before pointing at her looking at her expectantly smiling

“Bella” she said in a tiny whisper and you smiled wider as she answered you

“Hola Bella” you know opted to sit down next to her on the sidewalk as your sister was still occupied with signing stuff. You decided to “talk” to the girl pulling out your phone for a translation app since your spanish was more than broken – or more non existent.

“Cómo estás” the robotic voice of the App suddenly spoke and you smiled at the girl

“Buena gracias” she answered shyly which you actually understood

“¿Qué estás haciendo aquí solo?” the unpersonal voice said again after you quickly tipped in your question

“Esperanto a Lucia” Bella answered and you tried your best to type in what she said and finally concluded that she said she was waiting for Lucia

“¿Es Lucía tu... hermana? ¿mamá? Tía?” you really became a fan of that App after asking the young girl if Lucia was a relative and she seems to understand what you mean.

“No... Lucía Bronze... ella estás justo ahí” the little girl shook her head and pointed towards your sister.

“oh... OH... Lucy” you said understanding suddenly before typing quickly in your app again “¿quieres conocerla?”

Bellas eyes grow big for a minute before she started to fidget with her fingers looking down ashamed “no tengo un bolígrafo” she said quietly

“Okay... now I need your help, kiddo” you mumbled before holding out your phone to the little girl signalling her to write down what she just said. After a minute she seems to understand and started typing. You waited patiently until she handed your phone back looking at the screen looking up at her surprised

“What you need a pen for?” you said more to yourself than her typing out the question already

You communicated like this for a while and you learned that Bella was actually Isabella she was 5 years and 3 month old, she lived with a lot of children and Signora Viola in a big house, they currently are on an adventure – you looked around and saw a playground near by so you put together that the girl bolted once she saw Lucy and she was a BIG Fan of the Barcelona Femeni. You asked her again if she wanted to go over where you could see your sister wrapping things up and again the little girl got all shy. You told her that there was nothing to be shy about and that “Lucia” was just a normal person like her and you. Isabella shook her head furiously looking at you shocked comparing Lucy to “normal” people. You laughed wholeheartly before holding out your hand offering it to the small girl. After a second she took your hand and you slowly walked over to where a few fans were still standing around your sister waiting patiently.

“Oi Bronze” you yelled from a few feet away grinning widely as all heads turned to you your sister not even bothering to look up where she was signing a picture of – herself

“I said.. OI BRONZE!” you yelled louder as you came closer the little girl half hiding behind your legs

“I don't react to rude fans” your sister said calmly ignoring your presence before smiling for another picture “I thought we talked about it”

“Good thing then that I'm firstly NOT a fan and secondly I have found the most precious fan you'll ever meet” you grinned at your sister carefully pushing the small girl in front of you

“Where is her mother? Please don't tell me you kidnapped a kid” Lucy looked at you pleadingly

“Just... sign something for her it'll make her day... she doesn't have a sharpie tho...” you said and your voice told you're sister that you'll talk later. She trusted you so far that you didn't kidnap a little girl and crouched down to smile friendly at her.

“Hola soy Lucy y tu quien eres?”

“Isabella” the little girl answered shyly and pressed herself against you

“Hola Isabella, ese es un hermoso nombre.” Lucy smiled at the little girl

“Muchas gracias” Isabella mumbled “Mi mamá me lo dios antes de convertirse en ángel”

“Fuck” Lucy mumbled as it dawned on her and she looked at you “She doesn't have a mom?”

“From what I got through the app she's an orphan... and she's a big fan... so.. make her day” you gritted the last part through your teeth smiling down at the girl reassuringly

“Tu mamá eligió el nombre correcto: un hermoso nombre para una hermosa niña” your sister smiled warmly at Isabella “Qué puedo hacer por ti, Conejita?”

“no tengo papel ni lapiz” the girl sounded sad suddenly which made you perk up

“I told you to make her day not to make her sad” you looked at Lucy confused

“She said she doesn't have pen and paper so I think she would like to have an autograph but has nothing where I could write it on” your sister explained looking at you annoyed but her voice didn't show it because she didn't want to give a false impression to the kid

“Can you occupy her for hot minute?” you looked at your sister and she immediately knew you had an idea

“Sure... in comparison to you I speak spanish” she smirking at you

“In comparison to you I look good” you said before pushing Isabella towards your sister smiling at her encouraging

When you were sure the girl was happy enough talking now more freely with Lucy you searched your sisters back for her wallet before grinning brightly as you found it, took some money (a lot to be honest – but hey... she gets a good salary) and went back the way you came from the parking deck. Unknowns to your sister you immediately spotted a Jersey Shop when you exited the parking space and that's where you went. You quickly found the shop again, looking at kid jerseys as a blonde salesgirl walked over to you smiling

“Stalker much?” she asked and you immediately noticed the voice turning quickly on your heels

“Caro?” you asked confused but broke into a smile quickly as you recognized your new friend

“I see you're still alive so your sister didn't kill you?” she smiled

“She was THIS close.. but no.. she didn't kill me – but she overdosed my pain meds and let me made a fool out of myself in front of the whole team” you rolled your eyes

This made the german girl burst out laughing knowing immediately which team you were talking about

“You didn't call me.. or texted...” you said faking sounding hurt

“Yeah... funny story... I paid the Uber with your 20 – forgetting what was on the back of that bill” she said embarrassed

“Are you serious?” you looked at her stunned

“Yeah... sorry” she grinned apologetic

This time it was you bursting out laughing “That is such a Me move”

“You know I'd love to chat more but my store manager is already looking over... so... what can I help you with?” Caro put on a fake smile feeling the eyes of her boss on her

“I need a Jersey... for a five year old... Bronze on the back... and a sharpie if you sell those too” you said quickly as you didn't want to get her into trouble

“Anything you want to tell me?” the blonde grinned at you as she skilfully grabbed a plain Jersey

“Just met a girl... from what I got she's an orphan... she's a fan” you said as she pushed the small jersey into your hand and led you over to the printing station

“With the number?” Caro asked not wanting to push the subject

“Yeah... go all out... my sister is paying” you grinned thankful for the topic change as you held up a bundle of bills

About you 15 minutes later you left the store grinning a small bag in your hand and your sister about 150€ lighter (110 for the jersey and 40€ tip for the staff) but in your bag was a brand new kids Jersey with your sisters name on the back of it. You were still smiling as you rounded the last corner spotting your sister immediately sitting in the shade next to Isabella with an ice cream in her hand. You stopped for a second to take in the scene before quickly taking out your phone snapping a picture before yelling over to them

“OI BRONZE... can I have an autograph?” you grinned as her head snapped up at your voice

“Everything for my biggest fan” she smirked back at you as you walked over to them snatching Lucys ice out of her hand before tossing the bag in her lap

“Sign that and make that girls day” you said as you licked the ice cream “For good heavens... what's that?” you pulled a face making Isabella giggle

“Liquorice and Lavender” your sister answers distracted as she looked into the bag “You bought a Jersey?”

“What is wrong with you??? Are your taste buds this fucked? You have disgusting taste... and yes... I... you... you bought a jersey... a kids one... UWCL version... did you know the jerseys here are freakingish expensive?” you gagged trying to get the taste of the ice cream out of your mouth as Lucy told you you just had a lick of Liquorice ice cream

“I bought a jersey?” Lucy asked you confused as she pulled said item out of the bag

“Yep.. took your money... it's your jersey, so your money” you shrugged your shoulders taking a glance at the small girl who sat beside you silently watching your interaction but became big eyes when she saw the jersey.

“We'll talk about that later” Lucy shot you a glare before signing the Jersey and holding it out to Isabella telling her something in spanish. The small girl first smiled so widely she could have lit up a whole dark alley in seconds. Then she seems to remember something as she retreated a little bit getting a sad look on her face mumbling some spanish words. Lucy frowned at that and for you it looks like she tried to reassure the girl to take the jersey. Suddenly you noticed a woman coming running out of the playground area looking franticly around.

“Luce... I think that's this Viola woman” you nodded towards the woman with your head “I think precious Bella here bolted without telling someone”

It was in the same second as the woman spotted the little girl coming running over quickly rattling spanish words a million miles an hour – which caused you to just look at her bewildered and Lucy at least tried to keep up. Isabella looked down her hands behind her back. You gathered it was a spanish scolding which sounded even worse than all the scolding you received (are still receiving) from your sister.

“What is she saying?” you mumbled leaning slightly towards Lucy not wanting to get caught in the crossfire of that womans rant

“I have no clue” your sister whispered back

“Didn't you tell me you speak spanish?” you teased Lucy under your breath

“If she would speak spanish I would probably understand enough to string together what she's saying... but that's catalan” Lucy answered and you nodded understandingly

The womans head snapped in your direction making you shuffle carefully behind Lucy as the womans look could kill a dead guy. She took a few deep breaths before starting to talk to your sister who looked lost.

“Tell her you speak bad spanish – but not catalan” you nudged her from behind making her pushing back against you roughly but followed your idea talking to the woman in spanish. She seems to understand what Lucy tried to tell her immediately slowing down on the words pronouncing them more clear. The two talked for about five minutes (which you stayed for safety reasons behind your sister – you would easily volunteer her as a tribute if you had to) before Lucy gave the woman the little jersey and it looked like she made her something promise as you made out the words “Isabella” and “Camp Nuo”. Both – the Viola woman as you named her and little Isabella – said their goodbyes before going back towards the playground.

“Soooo... what was that about” you asked after you made sure the woman was gone

“Isabella really bolted – apparently she does this quiet often... and you were right... she's an orphan, lost both her parents about a year ago due to a car accident” Lucy said sadly “This was the housemother... she told me that Isabella is a good kid – very smart... introvert... reads a lot.. and sadly gets picked on a bunch because she's not as outgoing...”

“Luce... you told me once not as long as you play professional” you said your voice low and your sister knew immediately what you meant

“It's just not fair... I was painfully shy when I was younger and she deserves someone to stand up for her and tell her it's okay” your sister replied and you noticed it really bothered her

“I know Lucy... but.... you know yourself” you tried to bring your point across

“Yeah I know...” your sister huffed defeated

“I mean... mom would lose her shit if you come home for Christmas with a little girl calling her “Grandma”... I actually dig it...” you grinned trying lift your sisters mood

“She would definitely go hard on the egg-nog” Lucy mused but you saw a small smile tugging on her lips

“So... when are you going to see Isabella again?” you ask knowingly

“I've invited them to the next game... Viola said she needs to speak to some other people about it and yeah... I hope they can make it happen” your sister shrugged her shoulders

“Will you tell Ona... sorry... will you tell the spaniard about this incident? I really need to get into the headspace of being high” you asked mumbling the last part to yourself

“Maybe... when we have a quiet, uninterrupted moment” Lucy looked at you pointingly

“I slept till nearly lunchtime...” you defended yourself

“And I didn't met Isabella until 30 minutes ago you space cadet” your sister looks at you stunned by your not-logic

“Oh yeah... didn't think of that... uh... ice cream” you started before you got distracted by a small ice cream shop

“You really rock this pretending to be high scenario” Lucy looked at you proudly

“Thank you” you grinned “now... ice cream and then beach?”

“Course” your sister laughed as she pulled a five Euro bill out of her wallet “you really took my money???”

“It's not like I'm working” you shrugged your shoulders turning to the ice cream guy pointing to the two flavours you wanted – Espresso dark chocolate and Speculoos. Your sister paid for your ice cream grumbling under her breath but smiled as she saw how happy you looked with your ice cream cone.

“Bubs... beach rules apply for Barcelona beaches as well, do you hear me” Lucy looked at you intensely

“Awww man come on....” you whined licking away on your ice cream

“No... you don't go into the water without telling either Alexia, Keira, Ona or me... I would say Ingrid too but you haven't met her officially” your sister said stern

“It's the black haired Norwegian... girlfriend of the colorbook spaniard” you grinned being proud of yourself

“How many words did you spoke with Ingrid?” your sister raised her eyebrow as she led you towards Mar Bella Beach

“Ehrm... none?” you wrecked your brain for a second

“Exactly” Lucy grinned “By the way....” she pulled out her phone “... your hour starts... now”

Immediately your whole body language changed sinking against Lucy for support gripping your cone a little tighter starting to stumble along

“Why now?” you whispered

“Because in about 2 meters we're in eyesight...” Lucy whispered back holding onto your side tightly as you rounded the last corner

Just as your sister said you spotted the Barca femeni team immediately. Some of them were playing beach volleyball while others opted for relaxing in the hot sun and you instantly made out Keira. Which wasn’t hard – the only white white person in between a bunch of lovely tanned girls and she sat under an umbrella to not sit directly in the sun. So typical english.

“Keira is so english it's embarrassing” you mumbled making your sister burst out laughing “What... even YOU have a tan”

“Without tan-lines” Lucy smirked evilly

You really wanted to gag and whine but it would have blown your cover before your prank even began

“I hate you” you growled under your breath before getting interrupted by a VERY upset spanish voice

“Really Lucia... again??” Alexia exclaimed shocked and angry

“NOT my fault this time... she overdosed herself” Lucy held both her hands up in surrender letting go of you which made you “stumble” in the sand

“holasita pretty spaniard” you grinned trying to look as loopy as possible

“Ay dios mio...” Alexia mumbled as she pinched the bridge of her nose

“You look so pretty” you “slurred” and your sister gave you a secret thumbs up

“You told me before, Cariño” the Captain huffed “But thank you”

Right this moment you heard a “cuidadosa!!” and the volleyball hit you on the side of your head making you drop your ice cream cone

“María Leon!!!” Alexia yelled turning around in anger “I TOLD you not in this direction!”

“My ice cream” you whined looking down where your ice cream hit the sand

“I'll get you new ice Bubs” Lucy jumped in deciding to play along a little bit

“Oh no you won't” the blonde (pretty) spaniard interrupted your sister “María will buy ice cream... for EVERYONE”

“Que???!!!” Mapí exclaimed while you squealed happily

“I want that one” you pointed at your melting ice cream in the sand – you really liked playing the drugged one it seems to get you free stuff.

“Bubs... you need to choose something new... the place here doesn't have Speculoos... but the strawberry is really good” Lucy found fun in your little play too “supporting” you – even if it means she would lose 50€

“But I want Spec... Specs... Loos... Specloosers” you pouted mispronouncing the word on purpose

“I know... but look... you can have strawberry now and Speculoos later okay?” Lucy tried to “negotiate”

“What have you done to her?” suddenly a very arrogated Ona stood next to the two of you with Alexia still “discussing” with Mapí about how stupid actions have stupid consequences

“I did nothing... you told her where her painkillers were” Lucy defended herself again and this time you helped her out

“Thank you friendly spaniard – you're a good friend” you smiled all teeth at Ona

“You two can't be left alone for a few hours without causing trouble??” the small woman said bewildered and you heard Keira snickering behind you “Welcome to their World, Ona.. you will have A LOT of situations like these”

“Kei” you happily exclaimed turning quickly

“Hey Bitsy... come here a second, will you... your sister has to talk to the friendly spaniard for a moment in peace” your fellow englishwoman smiled inviting and you took her up on it and stumbled over to her.

“Hey Kei” you smiled “loopy” as you plopped down beside her on a towel

“For how long do I have to pretend to not notice that you definitely not high?” she asked you smirking after she studied you for a second

“What... How... Why??” you stared at her shocked

“Bitsy please... cut me some slack... I told you before... I was always able to tell.. what did Lucy promised you if you could pull this off?” Keira grinned speaking in a low voice not wanting to out you since you seemed to have fun

“50 bucks if I could pull it off for an hour without you noticing” you huffed sadly

“It took me one look if it makes you feel better” the english grinned “but I'll play along because it's actually fun seeing what you can come up with”

“Thanks Kei...” you smiled slightly before looking up “which of them did I call flawless?”

This time it was Keira bursting out laughing as she pointed at Aitana who was relaxing in the sun wearing an orange bikini, big sunglasses and a big white hat.

“At least I got that right” you looked impressed

“Do I have to remind you already that you have a girlfriend?” Keira smirked

“Doesn't mean I can't appreciate beauty if I see...” you started before you stopped abruptly your mouth dropping wide open as you see another woman approaching “Fuck me sideways... WHO's that... she's gorgeous”

“Huh??” Keira looked at you surprised before turning around looking who literally made you speechless

“Really Bitsy? Are you really drooling over Jenni?” she asked you with a raised brow turning back to you

“Gonna name her sexy spaniard” you grinned texting Georgia immediately who you kept in the loop all the time

“You have a girlfriend” Keira stressed

“And she just said either sexy or damn girl spaniard...” you grinned showing Keira the text from your girlfriend

“You two are really made for each other” the englishwoman groaned starting to massage her temples knowing she will have a lot to put up with in the future

“Don't worry Kei... you're going to be the one giving me away when we get married” you grinned

“Your sister won't let me do that” the blonde grinned

“She won't be able to walk because she fucked up her knee even more and I'm not walking next to her hobbling self” you waved off

Keira laughed and hugged you into her side smiling as Lucy came over having finished her talk with Ona about how this time it wasn't her fault that you were “high”

“Hey Bubs... you behaving for Kei?” she asked you smiling

“She's very good” Keira confirmed not showing that she knew you were in fact very much not high or overdosed

“Good... wanna join me and Ona over there?” Lucy pointed over to where Ona just laid down on her towel

“Nope” you answered popping the “p” “... not getting involved in your lovey-dovey shit”

“You're unbelievable you know that?” your sister exclaimed rolling her eyes “I have a very high self-control so not everything is about... THAT”

“You can't even say sex around me... what will you do when you find out that I have sex?” you asked the fact that you could pretend to not know what you're talking about helped you immense to rile your sister up

“Don't remind me” Lucy mumbled shivering

“Our Kid is growing up, Luce... let her be” Keira laughed swatting her exes shoulder playfully

“It must be your influence... if it would my influence she'd die a virgin” Lucy grinned back

“It's young love...” the blonde englishwoman rolled her eyes but smiling “... should I remind you how we were...”

“Please don't” you interrupted quickly “I already got scarred for life by her”

“Keira, Lucy.. you remember Jenni, sí?” Alexia interrupted your little banter appearing out of nowhere right next to Lucy

“Sí... hola Jenni... Cómo estás?” your sister smiled friendly laying her arm around your shoulders pulling you into her side away from Keira

“Estoy bien, muchas gracias...” Jenni smiled back pushing her sunglasses into her hair

“Pretty spaniard” you whisper yelled waving over excited trying to get Alexias attention which made Jenni looking at you confused raising an eyebrow at your antics

“Sí y/n?” Alexia looked at you grabbing your good hand to stop your waving

“Who's the sexy spaniard?” you ask “whispering” nodding her head excessively towards Jenni

Alexia closed her eyes breathing deeply her hand shooting up to her forehead starting to massage it as Jenni made a surprised noise

“Who?” the dark haired spaniard asked confused and surprised

You stayed in “character” making a little squeaky noise trying to “hide” behind Lucy

“Overdose on pain meds” your sister grinned widely before pointing towards Alexia “this is pretty spaniard... Aitana over there is flawless spaniard, Mapí is colorbook spaniard and YOU apparently are... what is Jenni Bubs?”

“Very sexy” you mumbled from behind Lucy

“Very sexy spaniard... welcome to the gang” your sister laughed as Jenni continued to look confused as hell

“I... can't follow” Jenni said her spanish accent thick as she spoke english

“Dear Mary mother of god” you half moaned “she sounds very sexy too... keep talking” you peaked over your sisters shoulder looking at Jenni expectantly

“Stop drooling... you are in a relationship” your sister said as she turned her head looking at you

“I'm so sorry Jen... don't take her seriously... she's... she's a walking disaster but really lovely at the same time – she's Lucias little sister” Alexia explained “you can always ignore her”

Jenni slowly nodded her brows still raised. You peaked out behind your sister again trying your best to look as loopy as possible. You took a step around Lucy just for Alexia to push herself between you and Jenni

“Y/n no... sit with Keira in the shade and...” she tried to keep you away from Jenni as you happily interrupted her

“Colorbook spaniard!!!” you yelled across to Mapí and waved

“Baby Bronze!!!” Mapí yelled back and also waved happily “You're high again”

You stumbled around Alexia and Jenni towards Mapí and NEARLY got to her as you were hauled back as someone grabbed you around your waist

“No Bebita... we don't interact with Mapí right now” Ona said softly

“But she...” you started to pout but Ona ignored you successfully

“No no... no buts... come on.. back to your sister you go” the blonde spaniard said firmly

“You're mean” you pouted towards your sisters girlfriend

“And you're high... so nothing new on both sides” Ona replied dry as she pushed you forward her arms still secured around your waist while you started to wriggle around trying to get rid of Ona

“No Bebita” the blonde spaniard said sternly before looking towards Lucy who had an amused smile on her face “Help please?”

Your sister grinned as she made her way over and got in front of you “Behave Devil Spawn – or I'll make sure you'll behave”

“But the colorbook spaniard wants to play... she needs super...spicion” you lulled mixing up words

“Mapí can play with Pina and Patri... you can play with Keira in the shade” your sister said winking at you before pulling you away from Ona “Thanks for catching her in time Babe”

“No problem... I don't want to think about what these two would do” the blonde smiled slightly

“I'll let you drive my Cupra in the Camp Nuo parking lot if you get Jennis number in your “current state”...” Lucy lead you over to Keira whispering in your ear as she did so

“You serious?” you whispered back surprised

“Dead serious... because I REALLY want to witness that” Lucy chuckled under her breath

“Deal” you grinned and stumbled in her arms for good measure.

“Hey Kei... can you keep an eye on dopey here?” your sister said as she basically dropped you next to Keira

“What's in it for me?” the englishwoman smirked raising her brow behind her sunglasses

“What do you want?” Lucy asked as you already trying to bolt toward Mapí once again just for Keira to grab your shorts pulling you back down without even looking at you

“Nandos... for the next year... every time I'M home...” Keira smirked

“Okay... Deal...” your sister agreed quickly

“That's all I'm worth... Nandos? You could have had anything and you chose Nandos?” you exclaimed outraged

“Your sister has nothing I would want... so Nandos it is... and now be quiet I want to relax and enjoy my day off” Keira said as a matter of fact as your sister left grinning to herself

“I can go to the colorbook spaniard” you said happily knowing Alexia was watching you with hawkeyes and you have to remain “high”

“No” Keira said offhandly and closed her eyes “and don't even try it... firstly I will notice and secondly Alexia will notice too”

You huffed pouting glancing over to the blonde spaniard who was in a conversation with Jenni but you could tell she was having an eye on you

“What's the deal with them two” you asked quietly

“Huh?” Keira asked lifting her head to see what you were talking about “Alexia and Jenni? They had an... agreement for a bit...”

“Stress relieve agreement?” you questioned

“Yes... Alexia then met Olga” your other sister said as she laid back down closing her eyes again

“If I go to Alexia... will you stop me?” you asked already forming a plan in your head to get Jenni Hermosos number

“Oh god... what do you plan now?” Keira groaned knowing the small change in your voice

“Lucy upped the stakes” you grinned

“You will NOT hit on Alexia... I don't care what Lucy promised you, you will not embarrass you and in hindsight me since I'm responsible for you” the englishwoman said firmly

“No no no... no hitting on the scary woman... who's not so scary once you get to know her” you said quickly shutting down any concerns Keira might have

“Okay... if you go STRAIGHT to Alexia okay... I know you're not really high but I also know you AND Mapí... the two of you mean trouble” Keira pointed her finger threating at you

“I promise... and you know I keep my promises with you” you nodded your head

“Before you go... where's your sister?” the blonde asked

“Currently at the booth over there with Ona... drinking something red-ish...” you said after you spotted your sister

“You coming home with me tonight” Keira mused a smirk playing around her lips

“I am?” you asked confused

“Yes... pretty sure she's drinking Sangria... so you don't WANT to be home tonight” the englishwoman grinned as you pulled a disgusted face

“Seriously??? How do you know that??” you dry heaved

“I dated your sister for years... I KNOW what wine does to her” Keira laughed heartily as you threw out an “EW”

“Yep.... I'll definitely sleep at yours tonight” you said flatly looking over to your sister again shivering as you were “blessed” with the sight of your sisters hand on Onas ass while she drank her Sangria and laughed at something one of her teammates said (you haven't met that one now)

“Who's no.3 over there?” you asked Keira interrupting her relaxing once again

“Cata... Cata Coll... our Keeper” she answered after looking up from her position again

“Didn't she receive a yellow last game... how can a keeper get a yellow?” you remembered

“She went all Karate Kid on a player outside of her box” Keira answered patiently all your questions enjoying the interest you're showing.

You haven't showed that much interest since your last injury which she understood but it also hurted not only Keira but Lucy as well when you pulled away from them and everything that involved football. So when you started to show interest now Keira grabbed the opportunity to pull you back into it and if it was just a little bit.

“Catara Kid?” you grinned

“Basically... I'll make sure the kiddies pick up on that name” Keira laughed “I don't know what you have planned but if you want to strike you should do it now... because if you interrupt Alexia once she's relaxing you're in for it...” the blonde grinned and pointed towards Alexia who was about to sit down on her towel

“See you in a bit Kei” you quickly stood up before “stumbling” away while Keira just shook her head smiling

You knew Alexia was watching you since she twitched every time you “stumbled” ready to jump up and catch you (or pick you up). You smiled and congratulated yourself internally for doing such a good job. You came to a stuttering halt in front of her staring down on her.

“What can I do for you, Cariño?” Alexia asked carefully as you swayed slightly in the sand

“You are reeeeeaaaally pretty” you said starring down at Alexia who rolled her eyes but smiled anyways

“You came all the way over here to tell me? That's very nice of you, pequeña” the blonde spaniard smiled friendly not even trying to argue with you

“No... I want to ask you something” you mumbled looking around

“Oh... okay” Alexia looked a little taken aback ���What's your question, Cariño?”

“Where is the sexy spaniard... I want to ask her something” you grinned loopy

“You want to ask Jenni something? And what would that be?” the blonde raised an eyebrow expectantly

“It's not your business that I want to ask her how she's so sexy” you “spilled” part of your plan – which you did on purpose

“Ah... okay... you just need to turn around and ask her” Alexia grinned having seen Jenni standing behind you

You turned quickly losing your balance and stumbled backwards right over Alexia and fell into the sand with a squeak. Jenni chuckled lowly as she delicately stepped over a swearing Alexia crouching down next to you

“You okay, little Bronze?” she asked smiling as you let your head fall back with a groan

“Peachy” you groaned out kind of embarrassed but since you were smart you turned the situation into your favour “I hate sand... is everywhere” you mumbled

“Yeah... sand tends to do that if you fall into it” the black haired spaniard chuckled

“Is your fault... sneaking up on me's not nice” you slurred

“I'm sorry... I didn't mean to scare you” Jenni smiled

“You not scary... Lexia is scary... she yelled at me you know” you mumbled as you brushed some sand of your arms

“Did she now? That's not very nice Alexia” the dark haired grinned at the blonde

“Explain to her WHY I yelled.. and I didn't even yell at you – I yelled at María” the blonde answered rolling her eyes

“I know spanish, you know... wait...” you said acting like you have to remember it

“Don't hurt your head, Cariño... you promised to never say it again” Alexia quickly interrupted your thoughts as you yell out a victorious “HA” and turning to Jenni

“Cállate la Boca, matildo hijo de puta! That's it... that was what I learned” you smiled widely at the shocked face of the dark haired one

“Dios Mio...” the blonde groaned “You can't remember your own name but THAT you remember”

“Mapí taught you that?” Jenni asked still working through her shock

“Yes ma'am” you grinned proudly

“I can see why Alexia yelled at you... that's something very bad to say” Jenni said firmly “Don't say it again”

“Say what again?” you said acting like you already forgot what you said just a minute before

“The spanish phrase you just said” the dark haired answered confused

“Give up, Jen... she won't remember anyway... it's easier to play along... she tells me every time she sees me that I'm pretty” Alexia chuckled shrugging her shoulders

“You are pretty” you said coming closer to Alexias face “so pretty”

“See what I mean...” the blonde directed to her fellow spanish national teammate “... thank you, Cariño... it's always nice to get a compliment”

“Okay wow... WHAT did they give her” Jenni laughed loudly

“Ask Ona... she apparently got her the good stuff for a sprained wrist... where is your splint by the way Cariño?” the blonde answered Jennis question before noticing your missing splint

“Was uncomfortable... left it home” you mumbled shyly

“It doesn't help your recovery if you don't listen to the doctors Cariño” Alexia sighed

“Look who's talking” Jenni mumbled under her breath

“But it hurts... not a nice splint” you pouted sadly

“I know Cariño... but it helps you getting better faster” the blonde said sympathetically

“You know...” you started before throwing in a theatrical pause “... you are so pretty”

“Ugh...” Alexia huffed out at your short attention span as Jenni laughed again

“This is amazing...” the dark haired laughed

“You are very sexy” you smiled loopy

“Thank you little Bronze...” Jenni laughed “... but I think it's time for getting rid of the sand, hm?”

“Ugh...” now it was your time to huff “... I hate the sand... gets everywhere”

“I know... come on... I'll help you wash it off since you would probably drown in the shower” the dark haired laughed

“You sure? I can too” Alexia looked at the two of you sceptical

“It's okay... It's my fault she fell...” Jenni nodded smiling

“Yeah... it's her fault” you threw in for good measure

“Off you go then... don't leave her out of your sight for a second... she'll be gone, trust me” the blonde warned before making a shoo-motion with her hand

Jenni pulled you up into a standing position and you swayed around a little bit

“Huuuiii” you smiled as you swayed

“And you probably need some water too.... I'm pretty sure your circulation is low...” the dark haired spaniard smiled friendly as she grabbed your hip securely

You leaned against her letting her lead the way towards the public showers passing your sister on the way you held onto Jennis waist hearing Lucy choke on her Sangria as she realized who just passed her. You grinned to yourself knowing exactly how it must look to anyone as you held your other hand up behind your back flipping your sister off.

[writingchalamet]

Angels Like You II

Angels Like You Chapter I

A.N: Hope you enjoyed part 1, things will be heating up from here and we will be getting a lot more Y/n and Bucky interaction!

Word count: 2.6k

Warnings: Angst, Swearing, violence, blood, mentions of S/A, mentions of graphic physical abuse, fluff, y/n has a child, Bucky being protective

Chapter II

Your day had begun like any other, waking to the sound of Forrest stirring on your baby monitor. You walk into his bedroom finding him sitting in his cot a beautiful smile instantly gracing his face as you enter the room, rambling the word 'mama' or an iteration of the sort over and over, you were both all smiles all morning as you most days, getting Forrest ready for day care was perhaps your least favourite part of the day, he still cried when you dropped him off and it broke your heart in two everyday. After Forrest was dropped off at day care, you start your day at work, keeping the door to the Bakery locked until your other baker joins you in an hour, you make a start on your breads taking your premade doughs out the fridge, giving them a quick kneed before placing them in their baking trays. Then onto pastries and cakes you can whip up from scratch, deciding on lemon and blueberry cupcakes with cream-cheese frosting as your 'chefs choice' for the week.

You hear a tap on the glass door and go through kitchen into the main shop to kind your employee Kay standing at the door smiling, clutching a bunch of flowers in her arms. You unlocked the door opening enough to let her in before securing the lock again, "Hey Kay, how are you?" you embrace her in a side hug "I'm good thanks, I got these flowers for the counter, I saw them yesterday and they reminded me of you, so you know" the thought brought a smile to your face in an instant. "Oh thank you, that's so cute" You find a jug to put them in, arranging the carnations on the counter next to the till. Yourself and Kay continue baking and prepping for the day ahead, finishing off some icing and glazing before placing the first batches into the display counter and finishing setting up.

The morning flew by, your regulars came in for their morning coffee and pastries, the couple of old ladies who come by once a week to pick up a loaf of bread and some cakes stopped by and had a chat, and a few college students stopped in, you were happy with how business was going, until you saw a certain head of curls across the street, dark eyes looking your way, his figure loomed over you like a dark omen, you just knew something terrible was about to happen, you could tell by the way he sat there chain smoking and swigging from his coffee cup, that was most likely not coffee, he wore a smug smile across his face while he continued to stare at you.

"Okay Boss, I'm gonna run down the road and grab some lunch, you want anything?" You tore your gaze away from the menacing stare of your ex to meet Kay's. "Uh, no I'm good thanks" she nodded and headed out the door, down the street and out of sight. You were alone. Shit. You look up again and see that Matt had moved from his spot on the wall across your shop, and was moving hastily towards you. You clamber over the counter and try to make it to the door before him, but you're too late. The sweet ding off the bell above the door ringing leaves a bitter taste in your mouth. "Get out Matt, you can't be here" you try to be firm but your voice only comes out broken.

"Or what, you gonna call the cops? You know they won't do anything" He stalks towards you until your backed up against your counter, the hard wood digging into your back. "Matt seriously, leave me alone, please" you were willing yourself not to cry but couldn't help the few stray tears that slipped down your cheeks. Matt picked up the jug of flowers smashing them down against the counter with force causing the glass to shatter, a few shards cutting your arm in the process. "Don't you fucking cry or I'll give you something to cry about" His hands wrapped around your neck cutting off your supply of oxygen while he threw you against the window, keeping you pinned there by your neck. You sputtered out a choke as tears slipped down your face, only making him grip you impossibly tighter, "You wanna fucking cry, you ran away while you were pregnant with my child, I have a right to see them, huh, where is the little brat" He shook your neck bashing your head against the glass. You only hoped he would tire himself out, he usually didn't last long when he'd had a drink anyway.

Over all the commotion you didn't hear the bell of the door opening, and you didn't see Bucky coming to stand behind Matt but thank the lord he did. "You're gonna wanna let the lady go" As soon as you heard his voice your senses ignited, your eyes opened and the tears stopped flowing immediately. Matt loosened his grip but refused to let go. "yeah or what" he scoffed before throwing his head over his shoulder catching a glimpse of your rescuer. You could have sworn you saw him recoil into himself, something you had never once seen. However his fear was short lived and soon replaced by anger once more. "Who's this guy huh? what you just opened your legs for the first guy you said hi to here, you whor-" the second his grip tightened around your neck once more it was enough to send Bucky into overdrive.

He reached forwards wrapping his hand around Matts wrist bending it backwards until you were sure you heard a snap, while Matt screamed Bucky secured an arm around you, giving you the once over, not stopping until you gave him a nod. "Oh I'm gonna fucking kill you, you stupid bitch" in a poor attempt to throw a punch Matt practically threw himself at Bucky, who didn't seem the slightest bit phased, caught Matt by his throat with his vibranium arm, squeezing until he was red in the face. Matt coughed attempting to pull back, Bucky only pulled him closer, clenching his fist all that bit harder. He pulled him close enough that his mouth reached Matts ear. "If you come near her again, I'll fucking finish the job" with those words he pushed Matt away from the two of them, Matt scrambling away and out the door nearly falling to the floor in the process. You let out a sigh you didn't know you were holding, feeling the weight of the world fall off your shoulders for just a moment.

Hot tears spill down your cheeks again in slow steady streams, burning the skin in their wake. "Thank you" you breathed out, your shaking hands reaching up to wipe your face, it's then your realise the blood dripping from a glass made gash on your arm, dripping down your fingers and onto the floor. "Hey, let me take a look at that, make sure you don't need stitches" you pull your arm away from him recoiling into yourself, "no it's fine, you've done enough, you can go, thank you Bucky" You stare at the floor the entire time watching as small droplets of blood begin to litter the tiles. "I'm not leaving in case he comes back, in fact I'm gonna patch you up and we're gonna get Forrest and go home, okay, sound good?" His hand raised to your cheek gaining your attention from your disoriented state, he wipes away the tears as they form under your eyes, brushing them away from your skin, you close your eyes for a moment allowing the feeling to sooth you.

"Alright lets get you cleaned up"

After the incident at the bakery Sam, Bucky and Sarah had been on high alert, Sam brought up the fact that they could have Torres flown in to be your own personal bodyguard, the thought daunting, that you might actually need one. Then Sarah brough up the fact that there are two more than capable 'bodyguards' here if they want to help. And that's how you ended up here, with Bucky living in your spare room for the past two nights, seemingly watching your every move afraid you'll shatter like glass.

What shocked you the most was how quickly Forrest had taken to Bucky, usually he was shy around people for weeks, hell he’s been going to nursery for a year and still won’t let some of the day care assistants hold or play with him. In a way you were glad he was so reserved, made you think that he would never just run off with a stranger, or your psycho ex. But with Bucky he was different, he seemed to open up pretty much straight away, showing him his favourite toys, wanting to sit next to him on the sofa, wherever you looked you would see Forrest’s little hand reaching up for Buck’s trying to show him something, the sight bringing a dull ache to your chest. Maybe it was the lack of a male presence in his life that made him take to Bucky so well, but you were grateful either way.

You were settling down for the evening after feeding Forrest his dinner, the three of you snuggled up on the couch watching a Disney movie before you put Forrest down for bed. You couldn’t help the warm fuzzy feeling filling your body as you watched Forrest nuzzle into Bucky’s side, his head leaning on his chest. You found your head lulling to the side more often than watching the film, admiring the pair of them, Forrest occasionally pointing to the screen and muttering some gibberish to Bucky excitedly. Towards the end of the film, Forrest had fallen asleep, cuddled into Buck’s side. “I better get him up to bed” you sighed in content beginning to sit up from your comfy seated position. “I can take him up if you want” Bucky spoke in a hushed tone, already slipping his arms around the boy and standing from the sofa. “Why don’t we go up together?" You smiled, getting up from the sofa and following Bucky up the stairs into your sons’ room, you admired the way Bucky gently placed him down on the changing table as if he had done it a thousand times, and stood aside letting you get the baby changed ready for bed. Once he had a fresh nappy and pyjamas on, Bucky picked him up once more, leaning over the side of the cot and smoothly placed Forrest down into his bed, without him stirring once. You both stood there and smiled over the sleeping baby for a moment before retreating back downstairs.

You opened a bottle of wine grabbing two glasses, heading back into the living room finding Bucky back in his original spot on the sofa once more. “I never really got the chance to thank you for the other day, or explain…” You avoided eye contact as you sat down, fiddling with the stem of your wine glass in an attempt to distract yourself. “You don’t have to explain anything to me, I’m just glad I was able to help is all” Bucky responds coyly, wrapping a hand around yours in an attempt to stop your nervous fidgeting around the glass. “Sarah spoke to me… She said that she told you guys about Matt… That you seemed pretty upset” you plucked up the courage to look in his eyes, as you did, he looked away, shaking his head. Almost embarrassed. “I uh… I don’t know what to tell you…” There was a pause after he spoke, neither of you knowing what to say. “Why do you care so much, you don’t know me?”

Bucky scoffed, seeming taken aback by your comment, as if someone caring about your well being was a problem. “Why wouldn’t I care, especially after hearing the shit he put you through, that would be enough to make any sane person mad, no?” His response seemed valid, even if you didn’t want to admit it, if it had been you that had found Sarah pregnant and sleeping in her car, hearing her situation you would have been just as furious. You understood where he was coming from. “I guess…” Your sentence trailed off and you stared into your empty wine glass. Bucky took the hint and opened the bottle of wine, filling your glass more than you normally would have, you giggled side eyeing him, tilting the glass up to your eyeline. “You trying to get me drunk Barnes, you know there’s a sleeping toddler upstairs right” you joked, clinking your glass with his, just as full. He laughed along shaking his head.

After sinking one or two bottles of wine, you felt yourself growing more confident. The wine raising a sweet pink blush to your cheeks which Bucky found undeniably cute, he found himself drawing closer to you and you let him, there was no room between you, his arm encased the back of the sofa around your shoulders, your head occasionally falling back to rest on the limb, your thigh hunched up resting on his own, as you chatted the night away truly getting to know each other. If Sam were to look in through the window Bucky knows he would have a shit eating grin plastered on his face at the sight of his best friend this close to a girl after so many years. And you couldn’t help but admit, it felt nice to be this close to someone, especially after the only relationship you had ever been in was an abusive one, you thought you would find it hard to trust, but Bucky made you feel at ease the second you were near him.

“So, what’s it like being a superhero?” you enquired eyes wide with wonder. He scoffed again shaking his head, and attribute you would soon grow attached to. “I’m no superhero doll” you shook your head, taking his glass out of his hand and placing it on the coffee table, you place yourself directly in his eyeline, practically sitting in his lap. “Oh common! You fought Thanos’ army, helped bring down that Zemo guy and you just stopped the flag smashers! And to top it off you were sergeant of the Howling Commandos. I’d say that’s pretty superhero-esque to me” you wink at him and couldn’t help but burst out laughing at the look on his face. “Okay stalker, someone’s done their homework” he laughs out, he raised his hands in defence, lowering them to rest on your lower back and his Vibranium hand on your thigh, your hands settled on his shoulders, and you gave them a light squeeze, feeling intrigued by the feeling of the metal under his shirt.

 “Of course, I had to, I’m not gonna let some strange man I don’t know stay in the same house as my son, am I?” you tilted your head to the side, eyeing him quizzically. “Of course, not” The flesh hand holding your back began to stroke up your back and you forgot to breathe for a moment. His hand stilled in the centre of your back, laying there flat and steady. You stared into the blues of his eyes, realizing now just how deep they really are. How much history they hold behind them, how many horrors he too has seen. You felt his gaze searching your own, tracing every spec on your face, you saw his eyes linger by your eyebrow where your scar was and regrettably you tore your own pair away from his face. Removing yourself from his lap, standing before him. He sat there; brows furrowed slightly in question as to why you were leaving. “I should get to bed, I have to get back to work tomorrow, but thank you Bucky for a lovely evening, thank you for everything…” You spoke to the floor before turning hurriedly towards the stairs. “Yeah, yeah, no problem… No problem at all…” Bucky spoke shallowly to himself wondering what he had done wrong.

Tag List:

@unaxv @mrsnikstan

@ilovetaquitosmmmm

[andreafmn]

Speak | Chapter 10

Word Count: 3.5K Story Description: Bella Swan was a disaster when Edward had left. Deciding she needed a little help, Charlie Swan receives with open arms his younger daughter (Y/N) Swan. She helps Bella during her depression and becomes inseparable from her long-lost friend Jacob. What she didn’t expect was falling for a hotheaded short-tempered silver wolf. Chapter: 10/? Warnings: emotional and mental abuse A/N: can't believe I finished this on schedule! the story everyone is obsessed with for some reason just got updated😂🤍 My content will always be free, but if you’re feeling particularly generous, you can leave a tip on any of my posts to support me and my love of writing or buy me a coffee TikTok • Instagram • Business | MASTERLIST If you’d like to be tagged in this or any other story: click here Make sure you have my notifications on so you know every time I post!  Taglists for Twilight get filled quick and Tumblr only lets me tag up to a certain point. Notifications are your best bet.

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Chapter 10

"Do you want to stay over tonight?" Jacob suddenly asked as the pair made their way to his truck. "It's already so late and I don't wanna make the drive back to Forks right now."

"Uh, sure, that sounds great," she said, trying to contain her excitement. A surge of happiness took over her as she witnessed Jake trying. He was trying to keep them together, at least that's what it looked like to her. "I'll just let dad know."

"Yeah, sure."

After she had settled on the center of the seat, Jacob helped his father into the truck, stepping out to say goodbye to his friends.

"I'll let you know that there won't be any funny business under my roof, (Y/N)," Billy smiled teasingly. "Though I am glad that Jacob is seemingly trying to turn over a new leaf this new year."

"I promise we'll do nothing but sleep, Billy," she chuckled. "And I also hope this is a new start for Jake and me. That everything that happened stays in the past and we can just give it our all in this relationship."

"If it is meant to be, (Y/N), the universe will find a way," he said as mystically as he always spoke. "You deserve happiness, my child."

"People keep saying that," she responded, her eyes growing far more interested in the skin of her fingers. "Does no one think that Jake can make me happy?"

"That's not what I'm saying, (Y/N)," he smiled, his hand falling on top of the one she was picking. "All I am saying is that if the love and happiness that you deserve is with Jacob, then the universe will allow it."

"And if not?"

"Then, your paths will always align."

"Then let's hope that what's written on the stars is in our favor." And as she said that she didn't know if she was wishing that to convince him or to convince herself.

The three of them rode back to the Black residence in a comfortable silence. The sounds of the woods and the whistling of the wind filled their quiet. She wondered what they said. If they whispered words of encouragement or if they taunted her downfall. She wanted to believe it was the former, because the latter would wreck her.

"Well, you two. I trust that you will behave yourselves since you're under my roof," Billy told them, eyeing the teenagers suspiciously. "And don't start getting used to these sleepovers. This is only because it's already two in the morning and we are all tired."

"Dad," Jacob grumbled. "Just go to bed already."

"Ooh, never thought I'd be shooed away in my own home," the man chuckled. "But I will leave you two. Not because you told me so, but because I am tired. Good night, kids."

"Night, dad."

"Good night, Billy."

Billy rolled away to his bedroom, turning in for the night. He left the couple standing in the living room, a heavy and tense air blowing between them. They had yet to acknowledge everything that had happened between them, much less finally putting it to rest.

"Uh, I'll get you some clothes and you can shower first if you want," Jacob mumbled as he walked into his room before coming out with a folded t-shirt and some sweatpants. "Might be a bit big on you, but it's better than nothing. There're extra towels under the sink."

"Sure," she smiled. "Thanks."

There was still remnant awkwardness between them as they tried to waltz around unspoken words. She locked herself in the bathroom, finally allowing herself to breathe. Fresh start is what she told herself. Over and over again she told herself that they were having a fresh start. As she showered and cleaned away Paul's touch and the thought of him, she had to believe it.

Jacob was who she had always wanted. The boy she had grown up with, the one she had never forgotten. Still, her mind wondered what would have happened if Paul had been the one she had met first. If he had been the boy that was in her mind for the almost sixteen years she had been alive. Maybe she would have been standing in his bathroom instead of Jake's. Maybe she would have been wearing his oversized t-shirt.

"Hey," Jacob called softly from the living room as she opened the bathroom door. "Come here."

(Y/N) walked down the hallway to where he was, a smile stretching on her face as she was met with what Jake had done while she showered.

He had pushed aside the wooden coffee table that lived between the sofas and placed in its stead plush blankets and pillows, a pair of hot chocolate mugs in front of the fireplace. His long, wet hair was plaited back, and he had changed into pajamas. And he was waiting for her.

"What's all this?" (Y/N) smiled.

"I think it's about time we put things to rest already, (Y/N)," he said, patting the pace in front of him. "I don't like fighting with you."

"I don't like it either," she sighed contentedly as she sank into the warmth of his body, his arms wrapping around her. "I like things when they're like this. When we're together and happy."

"I know, and I want it to be like this all the time. But it can't be when I hear you're running around with Paul," he reminded her. His tone was soft, but his words were as snipping as a snake's bite. "I just can't stand the guy and it's embarrassing when it happens in front of the town."

"Jake, I..."

"Don't worry, baby, that's all in the past. As long as you promise not to see him again, (Y/N). I don't want you to fall into his trap."

(Y/N) couldn't remain quiet for long. She knew it would only work to anger him. But how could she promise something she didn't want to do? Something that her gut told her was wrong. "Of course," she lied. "I promise. Paul is a thing from the past."

"That's what I like to hear," he smiled before he turned her head to kiss her. "We need to focus more on us. Focus on our relationship."

"I would love that," she beamed. "I want this to work, Jake. I want us to work."

"Then let's," he smirked.

Jake attached his mouth to her neck, nipping at a spot that took her breath away. His hand held her head back, gripping her jaw. He took in her scent, the warmth of her skin, the sounds from her mouth. All as he imagined...

"Stop, Jake," she said, her voice treading between a moan and a chuckle. "Your dad is literally down the hall."

"He's a heavy sleeper," he chuckled against her skin. "He'll never know."

"No, Jake." She separated from him; a playful grin splayed on her mouth as she turned to face him. "Not here. Not now."

"Ugh, fine," he groaned, falling on his back. "Then, I guess we'll just sleep."

"Yes," she mused, crawling over his body and planting a soft kiss on his lips. "But together."

Jacob wrapped his arms around her and chuckled, positioning both of them comfortably on a blanket and draping another over them. Her body curled into his, his arms wrapped around her waist as he spooned her.

"We'll have to talk about taking things to the next level," he said against her ear, his breath tickling her skin. "I think it might cement everything between us."

"And I think you need to take a breather, Jacob," she chuckled. "We just got to a good place. Let's take things as they go."

"Ugh, fine," he muttered jokingly. "Then, let's just go to sleep."

"Alright, Jake. Good night."

"Night, (Y/N)."

If every night after was like this one, maybe it was the universe's way of telling her that Jake was the one. Laying there, wrapped in his arms, she could let herself believe that the tides were changing. That at the end of the day, Jacob would choose her. Maybe, just maybe.

***

"I can't believe she went home with him," Paul groaned, punching a nearby tree. The way the bark splintered helped ease his anger for a second, but the burning pain inside his chest remained. "I don't know what else I can do to make her understand what a shitty guy he is."

"You know there is," Jared teased. "You could always tell her how you feel and why."

Paul's stoic stare was clear even in the darkness of the night. He knew Jared was right. The more he pursued her without telling her the reason why, the harder it would be to explain his behavior. "You know I can't, dude," he grumbled. "I don't wanna put her in the middle of all of this bull."

"It's not that bad, man," the boy offered. "Look at me and Kim. She knows and nothing has happened to her."

"Yeah, she also liked you before you were a shapeshifting freak," he joked. "And look at Emily. She's forever scarred because didn't have a grasp on what was happening."

"Come on, you know that was an exception, Paul. What happened to her was a very unfortunate accident. But an accident, nonetheless. There's really no reason for you to be running from (Y/N)."

"Look how much shit happened to Bella in so little time, Jared. And it all started when she found out the truth about the Cullens," Paul said. "I don't know what I would do if I made (Y/N) go through any of that because of what I am."

"So you're gonna continue brooding and make our lives miserable? Just tell her, man. Maybe she'll fall in love with you and turn that frown upside down."

Paul picked up a stick and threw it at Jared's head, laughing as the other boy tried to duck but failed to; the piece of wood bouncing off his forehead. "You'll have to put up with me for a lot longer then," he laughed, swallowing the sadness that threatened to overtake him. "I just don't think I have it in me to do that to her. She deserves to be safe and happy."

"Even if it's with Jacob?"

"Unfortunately, that decision is hers to make," he sighed. "I just wish she didn't have to get hurt in the process."

Jared remained quiet for a second. He stared as his pack brother paced before him, his mind too quiet aside for the sporadic image of (Y/N). But even if he didn't say it, he could feel Paul's sadness. He could feel the tug in his chest that called him to go to her. He had felt it too. Every time Kim had to go to a family dinner or visit family out of state, he felt like someone had taken his heart off his chest and sent it away.

But (Y/N) was so close. All he had to do was have one tough conversation and he could soften the grasp of the claws that covered his heart. "What are you so afraid of, Paul?" Jared finally said. "I know you say you don't want to hurt her and all that, but there's something else. Isn't there?"

Paul stared at his friend, wondering if he was that transparent. "I've never been a, uh, a relationship guy. Haven't had the best role models," he confessed. "I guess I think that if I let myself get close to her, I won't be able to handle when she inevitably goes. Because at the end of the day, everyone leaves."

"Not everyone, Paul. We're still here."

"Because you have to be," he shrugged. "If you had the chance to go, you would take it. And don't try denying it."

"Come on, man. You're my friend. More than that, you're my brother," Jared reassured. "But, sure, if I had the chance to leave the rez one day, I would take it. But that doesn't mean I would leave my friends behind. Much less, family."

"Jared, we wouldn't have even spoken to each other had it not been because of the shift. I'm not that delusional to think otherwise."

"Regardless of how or why it happened, life brought us together, Paul. And whether you like it or not, you're my brother now," the boy smiled, draping his arm over Paul's shoulders. "Now, you need to let that girl prove that she would stick by you as well. And it starts by having that difficult conversation you're so scared to have. She's desperate for a reason, dude. All you have to do is tell her."

"She's going to think I'm crazy, J. That I'm making up stories to get her away from Jake," Paul whined. "Why would she believe that there are shapeshifting wolves roaming around the reservation protecting humans from threats? And what if she goes to her sister with the story? Then Bella will know about vampires and shapeshifters, and it'll just add more shit on top of the mess we're dealing with."

"How about you stop overthinking yourself into the ground and finally grow some balls?" Jared teased. "Don't think of what might happen and live in the moment. I know last year's Paul would've had the courage to ask her out. Jacob or no Jacob."

"I technically already asked her out once, and it ended up with me, by myself, in the diner," he reminded his friend, red flooding his cheeks as he recalled the embarrassing moment. "This is not just about inviting the prettiest girl in school to the prom. This is about telling someone that everything they had believed is not real. It's telling her that it doesn't matter what she might have wanted, that something out in the universe decided that we are bonded for life. It's telling a girl like her that she's stuck with a guy like me."

"Man, I can't keep trying to convince you that you are a good guy," Jared sighed. "I'm not saying you're the gods' gift to mankind. Certainly not the you from a year ago. But you're not that guy anymore. You're not even the same guy from six months ago. So, it's time to pick yourself up and do what you have to do. Stop moping about this and do something."

***

(Y/N) woke up with warm arms wrapped around her and a pang in her chest she didn't understand. She was supposed to feel happy. She was supposed to wake up that New Year's Day with an overwhelming amount of joy and the sense that things were finally on the right path. Instead, there was an aching void in her heart that was trying to eat at her insides.

It was the same void that had started festering since that fateful night at the bonfire. The one that seemed to calm whenever the fluke was around. The one that called out his name and she had let go on deaf ears.

That pang filled her with guilt. As she lay in Jacob's arms, she felt guilty that her head was thinking of another guy. And it was a guy she barely knew. A boy that she had no business thinking about, much less dreaming about.

But she couldn't help it. She couldn't forget the softness of his hands against her skin, the brightness of his smile as he looked at her, the glimmer in his eyes when he listened to her. She couldn't get him out of her head.

And as if by divine intervention, the very constant thought appeared in Jacob's window. He knocked softly, motioning for her to go outside. (Y/N) couldn't believe he was there, much less that Jacob had yet to wake up. But what was harder to fathom was the fact that she was tiptoeing to the front door dragging a blanket with her.

"What are you doing here, Paul?" (Y/N) said as she closed the door behind her, wrapping the fabric tighter around her body. "If Jacob sees you here, he'll kill you."

"I thought I was supposed to be playing nice with him," he grinned teasingly. "What if I was here to extend a truce?"

"It wouldn't have mattered because he made me promise him that I wouldn't see you again," she whispered. "So, imagine what he will do if he sees you here right now."

"And did you?"

"What? Did I what?"

"Did you promise him, (Y/N)?" Paul asked sadly. "Is this your way of telling me that you're cutting ties with me?"

"No, of course not," she quickly replied. "I mean, I did promise him. But I never intended to keep it. I would just find a way to keep you two separate."

"So, what? I'd just be your dirty little secret?" he replied, anger clear in his tone. "Yeah, no, thanks. I'd rather take my chances with other friendships."

"What did you want me to say, Paul? Did you want me to tell my jealous boyfriend that I wanted to maintain a friendship with the one guy he seems to despise more than anything?" (Y/N) spoke through gritted teeth. "Would you have wanted me to tell Jake that I wanted to spend time with a guy he was close to dragging into the middle of town and beating the living daylights out of him? Sure, that would have ended great for me."

"Why would you wanna be with a guy like that, (Y/N)? If you're that afraid of his reaction over something as small as a friendship, what do you think will happen if something bigger happens?"

"He only reacts that way with you, and I don't get why," she sighed. "And I wanna be with him because I... because... because I..."

"Why, (Y/N)? Tell me!"

"Because I love him, Paul," she cried, shame cracking her voice. "I've been waiting for this chance for the better part of my life. I've been in love with him for as long as I've known what it was. And he wants me back, Paul. He wants me. And I'm not giving up at the first sign of hardship. So, if you really want to be my friend then you're gonna have to live with that."

"What if I don't?" Paul grumbled, his voice low and hurt. He got closer to her. So close she could feel how warm his body was, even through the blanket. "What if I can't stand around and watch as he mistreats you? Someone that loves you would never treat you like that."

"Don't make this harder than it already is, Paul," she whispered, warm tears falling down her cheeks. "For some reason I want you in my life. But I won't screw up what I just started with Jacob for a friend."

"I just don't wanna see you like this," he said, wiping away the tears with the pad of his thumbs. "You deserve to be happy, but not when it has rules and regulations like this. You should be allowed to still be yourself when you're in a relationship."

"Paul..."

"Listen, (Y/N)," he sighed. "I can't tell you what to do, nor would I want to. But I can't just watch in the sidelines as he treats you like shit when you deserve someone that will worship the ground you walk on."

"What are you saying, Paul?" (Y/N) croaked. "Are you saying you won't be my friend if I stay with Jacob?"

"(Y/N), I'm saying that I won't keep quiet if he keeps mistreating you."

"He doesn't," she said, but she knew it wasn't convincing. She didn't even believe it herself. "He just... he's just passionate, I guess."

"Then can you promise me something?" Paul sighed, his eyes glossing with tears. "If he ever –and I mean ever—gets physical with you, even as much as lifts his hand at you, you will tell me. The second it happens, you call me."

"I don't think it'll come to that," she forced a smile. "He would never put his hands on me."

"Just, please, (Y/N). Promise me and don't lie to me."

"Alright," she said, looking straight into the brown of his eyes. "I promise, Paul."

"I'll make sure you're always safe," he promised. His hand had not fallen from her face, his thumb caressing over her cheekbone. "No one is going to hurt you, (Y/N)."

(Y/N) had no idea why, but she believed every word he said. So, she promised. And, unlike with Jacob, she intended to keep it.

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[mediocrecowboyhat]

Set in sand - Chapter 7

We mark the year 1934 and a peculiar journal falls into your hands. It's telling the tale of an outlaw and the downfall of a gang. Some pages are torn and others are downright unreadable, but nevertheless, you are still able to make out some parts of the tragic story.

With the help of a certain time traveler friend of yours, will you be able to safe the author of the journal or will you be the cause for his demise?

Previous chapter

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Word count: 3724

Disclaimer: This is based on the side quest "Geology for Beginners" so the reader is from the future and aware of some things that happen, but not everything. The reader will also have she/her pronouns and this fanfiction follows the story of RDR2. Also English is not my first language so pls forgive me for any grammatical mistakes!

TW: end-game spoilers will be mentioned very early on in the story, 18+ MDNI, sexual themes, violence, gore, death, misogynistic themes (anything that happens in the game as well)

It's a beautiful day. Not a single cloud can be seen in the sky and the sun bathes you in a warm and comfortable light. You have snuck out of camp early this morning to head to your practice shooting spot.

Only this time you're not here with a gun, but with the time traveling device from Francis. The copper sparkles in the sunlight as you fidget with it around in your hand and you replay yesterday's events infront of your inner eye.

So the mission is finished now. Arthur is saved and won't die from tuberculosis. This means you've succeeded and it is time to return to your home, to your time.

But for some reason you can't shake off the feeling that this is horribly wrong. Maybe you have spend too much time amongst the outlaws and have gotten too used to this life. Even though it has been only a couple of months.

As you lean your head back to look up at the clear sky, you try to remind yourself of the life you have back in 1934. The friends and family. All of that seems like a distant dream as if they have never existed in the first place.

Fantastic. You've really outdone yourself this time.

Why can't you simply unscrew the lid and press the button? What's holding you back? A thousand questions rush through your mind, but you can't find an answer for any of them.

Well, it's not answers that pop up in your head, but rather mental images of the gang accompanied with the sounds and smells of the camp. Without realizing it you begin to hum one of the soft tunes Javier often plays on his guitar and if you focus enough you could hear Karen's hearty laughter as if she's right here with you.

"I knew you was a bad shot, but I didn't think you'd actually practice without a gun.", you hear Arthur's voice call out to you as he approaches with his horse. Quickly you store the small device inside your summer coat.

You lift your head to meet his gaze and he rests his hands on his weapon belt while he strolls over to you. His black hat is sitting deep in his face and he goes to rest on the rock beside you.

"Sadie told me that you lost your revolver so uh..."

The outlaw rummages in his satchel before taking out a Schofield Revolver and holding it out to you. Carefully you take it into your own hand and study it with widened eyes. "Are you giving this to me?"

"Yup. I wasn't usin' it and it would be a damn shame to have it just lyin' around. It's a fine gun."

With a wide smile, you lower the revolver and look at him. "Thank you, Arthur. This is very kind of you."

"Ah, it's nothin'", he answers and waves it off with his hand.

As a comfortable silence falls over the two of you, you take the time to inspect the Schofeld a bit closer. It's grip is made out of a smooth, dark wood and the barrel is a standard iron. Maybe it could be nice to visit the gunsmith and request to get some engravings done on it.

Almost immediately you banish the thought. Why get it customized when you will be leaving soon anyways? You should have actually done that before Arthur arrived here. This will only make your departure more difficult.

"Have you decided what to do? Regarding the letter I mean.", you break the silence and he makes a thoughtful noise.

"I ain't sure what to do.", he answers with his blue eyes set on something in the distance. "I don't know if I wanna see her, but then again..."

"You're curious." The words come out more as a statement than a question and he nods.

"I guess so."

Your fingers trace over the outlines of the gun one more time before you securely store it away and turn your head towards Arthur.

"If you don't want to do it alone then I can come with you.", you offer and he scratches his cheek as he contemplates it.

"This ain't your burden to carry.", he says with a sigh and softly shakes his head.

Your hand finds his arm and you fingers give it a light squeeze. "You're my friend, Arthur. It's not a burden. Let me help you."

Before I leave you.

He turns to meet your gaze and runs his hand over his beard before he gives you a slow nod. "Okay. Yes."

A smile forms on your lips and you both stand up from the rock you're sitting on and hop onto his horse's back. None of you talk during the ride, but that's okay.

Arthur seems to be deep in his thoughts and you don't want to disturb him. As you ride along the road and feel the wind in your face and it's grip onto your clothes you can't help, but think more and more that leaving is a bad decision.

Is it really the wrong call or is it my own selfish heart saying that it is?

"How are ya holdin' up?" The sound of Arthur's voice rips you out of your mind palace.

Your eyes fall onto the arms you got wrapped around his torso and you furrow your eyebrows in confusion. "I'm fine. I won't fall off or anything."

He shakes his head. "That's not what I meant. I meant with what happened with the O'Driscolls."

Oh, that. Now that he mentions it, you realize that you haven't given it much thought at all ever since they got you out of there. Too much has happened for you to stop and ask yourself how you're feeling about it all.

"I'm okay, I think.", you answer with a distant voice.

"I know it ain't much, but as you said we're friends. If ya need someone to talk to..." He doesn't finish the sentence, but it's not needed.

"Thank you, Arthur. It means a lot to me."

He grumbles a few words under his breath which you don't quite catch, but you assume it's something along the lines of 'it's nothing'. The usual.

It doesn't take long to get to the house the woman is staying at. Only now do you register that you've never found out her name.

"What's she called again? She never told me." Arthur jumps off his horse and gives you a hand to help you down.

"Mary. Mary Linton."

His eyes scan the house before you and you can tell that he's more than just nervous. You give his shoulder a soft squeeze and shoot him a reassuring smile. "I'll be right here if you need me."

The corner of his lips curls up ever so slightly and he slowly takes off his cowboy hat before approaching the house to knock. You're way out of ear shot and you try not to stare at the scene that's unfolding on the porch too much.

Still you can't help, but shoot a glance here and there towards their direction. The conversation doesn't seem like a heated discussion or argument, but it's obvious that both of them are having a hard time with this.

You distract yourself with Arthur's horse by giving it some pats and talking to it. "I wonder how it's going, hm?"

Then you hear steps approaching and you turn around to face Arthur who appears as if he just came out of a bar fight. No fists were flying during the conversation, but he still looks beaten up.

"So how'd it go?", you ask with raised eyebrows and he goes to check the satchels on his horse.

"I'll go get her brother." His voice sounds reluctant as if he'd rather do something else.

Your fingers brush briefly brush over his shoulder again. "I think you're doing the right thing."

Arthur mumbles a 'maybe' into his beard and then motions with his chin towards the house. As you follow his gaze you notice that Mary is still standing on the porch and she waves once you turn to her direction.

"She asks if you'd like to join her for a coffee while I get Jamie.", he tells you and you nod to yourself.

"Are you okay?" You voice is laced with a layer of concern which he waves off.

"I'm fine. I'll see ya later then."

That sounds way better than to just stand around here, waiting for Arthur to return or walk all the way back to camp by yourself. With a quick goodbye to the outlaw you jog towards the house and shoot Mary a smile. She returns it.

"It's good to see you again.", you say as she leads you inside into the kitchen and you sit down at the square wooden table in the middle.

Her back is turned to you while she prepares the coffee, but you can still imagine the distraught expression on her beautiful face. Either out of worry for her brother or because of Arthur, but it's also possible that it's both.

"I really didn't think he'd actually agree to help.", she breaks the silence and your raise a brow in surprise.

"I don't know. Arthur doesn't strike me as the type to let down a kid, because of personal grudges or such.", you answer and she takes the seat across of you while placing down the cups.

Hot steam is emanating from them and you wrap your hands around your mug, welcoming the warmth. Mary let's out a defeated sigh.

"He was never on good terms with my family. Not Jamie though. The boy did look up to him, but my father on the other hand..." The sentence trails off as if she's recalling an unpleasant memory.

Her eyes are fixed on a spot on the table and you awkwardly cough into your first. Shortly after she snaps out of her daze and let's out a flustered chuckle. "I'm so sorry. I don't mean to bother you with all this."

"No, it's okay.", you quickly chime in. "If you need an ear that listens then I'd be happy to lend you mine."

A grateful smile forms on her lips. "Thank you. You're very kind."

I'm not. I killed two men.

Staying silent, you take a careful sip from the coffee to not burn your tongue. It tastes so much better than the one in camp.

"Can I ask you something?", says Mary and you give her a nod. "Forgive me if I'm crossing any lines, but...are you working for Dutch then? Since you ride with the gang."

A thoughtful hum escapes your throat as you tilt your head to think. Are you working for him? He has never officially send you out for a job, but you have helped the girls and Arthur.

"I don't know. I guess I kinda do?" Your voice comes out unsure and you furrow your eyebrows. "I mainly help around in camp."

"So you're not an outlaw." She nods to herself while she makes the statement. You have no idea if you should agree with that to not.

I'm a thief and murderer.

The words leave an echo in your mind and you quickly try to shake them off. This isn't a path you want to go down just yet. Maybe you will never even attempt to follow it.

Mary buries her face in her hands for a moment before brushing some loose hairstrands out of her face. "I gotta pack my things. Arthur agreed to meet me at the train station after he brings Jamie back."

"Can I help you?", you ask and she shakes her head.

"It's not a lot. I'll be quick." With this she stands up from her chair and excuses herself before hurrying out of the kitchen.

You feel kind of exhausted now. The conversation has left you spiraling and dwell on things you were successfully avoiding before.

But fortunately you don't stay alone with your own thoughts for too long. Mary did right on her word when she said she'd be quick, because a short while later she comes down the stairs with a single bag.

The woman who owns the house agrees to give you two a ride to Valentine and so you make your way to the train station. The entire time you and Mary are absorbed in a conversation about her past.

You're learning a lot about Arthur. Maybe even too much. It feels kind of wrong to find out that much about him while he's absent.

"I'm so sorry to hear about your husband.", you say and a layer of sadness covers her soft features.

"Yes, it's been tough to say the least. I miss him everyday."

The two of you fall silent until you arrive at your destination and thank the woman who drove you. While Mary pays for the train tickets, you take a seat in the far corner of the station and look out of the window.

In the distance you spot a familiar horse with two people on it's back. Immediately you recognize Arthur and you assume that the younger man behind him must be Jamie.

"My boy! My sweet boy!", you hear Mary exclaim in relief after the two enter through the door.

With a delighted laugh she wraps her arms around her brother's neck and quickly inspects him for any injuries or bruises. You decide that it's for the best if you stay behind for this. The three of them share a history after all and you don't want to be the third wheel (as the fourth).

Arthur takes the bag from Mary's hand the small groups makes their way out onto the platform and your eyes follow them through one of the windows. Jamie and Mary jump onto the train and you notice how her hand lingers on Arthur's for a moment when she goes to take the bag from him.

She says some things to him while shaking her head and shortly after the train departs, leaving the outlaw standing there by himself. Seeing this stirs something within you and a voice in the back of your mind tells you, no screams at you to go out to him.

With unsure steps you walk towards the door that leads to the platform and push it open. You don't know if it's a good idea to talk to him now. Maybe he wants a moment to himself, but your legs move on their own.

And so does your hand when it reaches out for his upper arm. His muscles relax slightly under your touch and he puts his hat back on. It's more than obvious that some buried feelings and memories have resurfaced with all that's been going on today.

"How about we have a drink?", you suggest and he takes in a sharp breath through his nose.

"Sure.", is all he responds with, but it's still more than you've expected. At least he agrees to not deal with this completely alone.

Of course you didn't anticipate for him to sit down with you and have a whole therapy session. It's enough for you to let him know that you got his back.

Together you make your way towards the smaller saloon of the two which is close to the church. You assume he doesn't want to visit the big one anymore after all the trouble he has stirred up with beating a man crippled and let's not forget about all the problems him and Lenny have caused that one night.

"Have ya thought 'bout gettin' your own horse?", he speaks up and you give him a puzzled look. "Charles told me how you stole his."

An offended gasp escapes you. "I did no such thing!"

Arthur lifts his hands as he cackles. "Alright maybe he didn't use these exact words, but ya still need one."

He isn't wrong. It has become quite tiring having to prepare a wagon or asking someone to borrow their horse for the smallest of errands. Things would be so much easier if you'd just get your own, but you have no clue how to pick out the right one.

Besides it doesn't matter anymore. You will leave soon anyways. Arthur pushes open the door for you and you nod as thanks as you pass him. That's when you spot Dutch and Strauss sitting together at a round table on the whole other side.

"Ah! Join us!", the leader calls out to you. "I was just talking to Herr Strauss over here."

"I'm just worried, Mr. Van Der Linde.", the Austrian begins and Dutch lifts his hand.

"Don't worry, my friend. I got it all covered."

Strauss' expression makes it clear that he's not quite convinced, but he does not protest. With a nod the old man gets up from his chair and leaves the saloon.

"What was that all about?", asks Arthur and Dutch waves his hand around the air.

"It's nothin'-"

"Mr. Van Der Linde!", someone yells outside and the three of you share strange looks. "You don't know me, but you keep robbing me!"

Arthur and Dutch push their backs against the wall and take a peek through the windows. Your own mind is filled with questions. Robbing him? Could this be...?

"Cornwall.", you mumble with low voice and Dutch locks eyes with you.

"I think you might be right."

No one says anything for a long time until Arthur hisses a curse under his breath and motion towards the window. "They got John and Strauss."

Is this it? Did you save the outlaw just for the two of you to die in this saloon in a town no one has ever heard of? You're so occupied with imagining every possible scenario that ends with your imminent death that you don't even pay attention to what the two men infront of you are talking about.

They slowly make their way towards the exit and as you try to follow them, Arthur pushes his hand forward to stop you. "Stay here. We'll deal with it and then I'll come get you."

The tone in his voice is absolute and he makes it clear that he won't accept any protests from you. He's right and you know it. With your inexperience you'd be more hindrance than help so you nod and keep low.

While the two men head out, you stay behind and press your back against the wall next to the front door. Your heart is beating so loud in your ears that you barely understand a word Dutch is saying out there.

One moment he's talking about a misunderstanding and the next you hear shots being fired followed by agonizing screams. Fear and worry grips you as you fight to stay in place. Everything within you is demanding to step out and help the others.

After what feels like forever Arthur's head peeks through the opened crack of the door and he waves you out of the saloon. Lifeless bodies are scattered across the street and you avoid looking at then.

"We need to leave! Now!", Dutch calls and the moment he finishes, a bullet dashes past your face. Too close for your taste.

Quickly you rush towards the others and take cover behind a pile of wooden boxes. As you look around you note with relief that the others from the gang look fine. No one got shot.

Strauss is cowering behind a wall with his arms over his head while Arthur, Dutch and John have their guns out. You wonder when John got here, but that's something you shouldn't occupy yourself with right now.

Bullets are raining from all sides and you take out the Schofield Arthur has given you. You don't expect having to join the fight, but you still want to be ready just in case.

Suddenly a distressed shriek cuts through the air and you turn your head towards the source. Strauss falls to the ground, holding his leg with both hands and you run towards him to help him up.

A heartbeat later John is by his other side and together you get the Austrian to Arthur and Dutch.

"Get him onto a wagon. You two push him towards the horses and Arthur and I will hold these morons back.", Dutch orders and everyone immediately gets to work.

With all your might you push the wagon Strauss is laying on together with John. It's a struggle to ignore the projectiles flying around your head while putting all your strength into getting yourself and the injured man to safety.

A bullet hits the wagon only inches away from your face and sends splinters flying around. Sharp pain explodes on your cheek and you carefully touch the spot with your fingertips.

As you inspect the bright red liquid on your hand another shot lands close to the first one and you instinctively duck. While muttering a several curses under your breath you spit out some of the blood that has run into your mouth.

"You doin' okay?", you hear Arthur yell over the chaos and you shout back a 'yes'.

I'm doing just fantastic.

Once you arrive at the horses John hoists Strauss onto the back of his while Dutch tells you to jump on his own horse. You don't quite hear what him and Arthur are exchanging, but by the looks of it it's that the outlaw stays behind to keep the men busy while you all ride back to camp.

The thought alone is enough to make your stomach turn upside down, but you know there's not much you can do. As much as you'd like to stay and fight by his side, you're aware that it would make thinks unnecessarily difficult for him.

For a brief moment you lock eyes with him and you hope that the look on your face brings the message across.

Stay safe.

He gives you no indication that he understands what you're trying to communicate. Either way, Dutch is already sitting infront of you in his saddle and signaling his white stallion to start galloping.

You throw one last look over your shoulder before Arthur disappears into the distance and you're left hoping and praying for his safe return.

Taglist: @shackspossum

[missvelvetsstuff]

The Situation Room

Bucky Barnes x Reader

Summary: After a mission almost gone wrong, Tony brings back Bucky's former assistant, who is also Bucky's ex. Can they work together without hurting each other? Will the whole truth about their break up finally come out?

Avengers AU where Thanos never happened.

Chapter 13

Warnings: swearing, angst, I know nothing about airplanes.

Notes: I'm back! Only 1 month for this update. Life is still crazy. Waiting for the house to sell as the Phoenix summer heats up so only a couple more weeks of horses. Watching in horror as a malignant narcissist with some mental decay destroys everything good about my country. Good times.

Like my mom always said, this too shall pass. I hope.

Bucky took his bike to the same small airport where Radar had been less than a day ago and slipped his friend a wad of cash to get him across the Atlantic. Then he took a similar route to hers until he landed in Madripoor, arriving just over a day after she did. The hard part came next, figuring out where she might have gone on the island. He spoke to every contact he'd ever had before having any luck.

One of his contacts had heard whispers about the Power Broker and human trafficking, mostly women who disappeared without any trace but also children, even infants. Unfortunately the PB had multiple properties around the island and probably some that weren't known by many. He started in High Town, going from one place to another and using one of Sam's back-ups to Redwing to get closer and see more than he could on his own.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Back in New York the team was gathering in the kitchen when Sam realized he hadn't seen Bucky in the gym or on the track around the compound. "Anyone know where tin man might have gone? It's not like him to sleep late and I haven't seen him."

Everyone shook their heads no, except Steve who appeared very focused on his coffee. Unfortunately for Steve, Sam noticed. "What do you know, Rogers?"

Everyone turned to look at him and Steve rubbed the back of his neck, "I haven't seen or spoken to him today so don't know what you're trying to imply."

Natasha walked up to him and looked straight into his eyes "What do you mean you haven't seen him today? Did you talk to him last nite?"

Steve stuttered "I, I uh don't know, I mean, what do you mean?" he paused, trying to think of a good answer but before he could Nat was on to him.

She narrowed her eyes at him "You're still a shit liar, Rogers? What do you know? Spill."

Steve sighed in resignation, he knew Nat wouldn't let it go. He sat down at the table and told the team about his run in with Bucky the night before. "He asked for us to give him some time to find her on his own. He knows how to blend in and has contacts everywhere while a very recognizable team dropping in on a well known quinjet would draw attention and might make Radar or whoever she's after, bolt. Just give him a couple of days."

Tony shook his head "So we're just supposed to sit here and wait for, something? I'm not good with that. Where did he go?"

Steve tried to argue "Tony, look. Bucky-"

"No, I won't accept that. If you know where he went you need to tell me so I can at least have Friday monitor the area for anything suspicious." Tony insisted.

Steve tried again to argue "Where he went is pretty lawless so damn near everything going on is suspicious, it would be impossible to determine what might have something to do with them."

Tony stood firm "Then we can use facial recognition to search for them. Jesus Rogers, your bestest buddy has gone rogue, apparently somewhere that sounds dangerous and you just let him? He's not going to win her back by getting himself caught too. Where did he go?"

Steve gave up "I don't think there are many cameras there but he went back to the last place we looked for Radar. Madripoor."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Without looking up, Radar took the baby from Sharon and cuddled it to her chest "I believe this is mine."

Sharon glanced back towards Val, nervously laughing "She is but you should probably come inside."

Radar was enthralled by the little life in her arms but quickly glared at Sharon "I'm not leaving her. Ever."

Val scoffed "Okay Mama Bear, just come inside."

Radar slowly entered and sat on a couch across from Val who looked her up and down, assessing.

Val smirked "So. This is awkward. We weren't expecting you."

She glared at Sharon "She wasn't supposed to remember."

Radar scoffed "I don't remember a damn thing but you didn't think the team would want a medical exam on someone who disappeared for 6 months? Or that the Cradle would find evidence of a pregnancy?" she shook her head "Poor planning on your part."

Val shrugged "Obviously. That'll teach me to leave things up to Sharon. I should have learned the first time when she couldn't get Barnes even after you left."

Sharon bristled "Hey. It's not my fault-."

Val cut her off "Of course, Sharon. It wasn't your fault that Karli went rogue, not your fault that Barnes didn't want you or that your genetics weren't compatible. Nothing is ever your fault but you keep failing me. I knew you were incompetent but thought your relationship with the Avengers would give you an in. It seems that even with an advantage you failed."

Sharon tried to defend herself "I got her out of the picture but the drugs didn't work on Barnes. And I can't control my genetics."

Val scoffed "More excuses, just shut up before I decide it's not worth keeping you around."

Sharon shrank into her chair.

Radar pondered the exchange before speaking up "So. trying to make more super soldiers any way possible now, huh?"

Val barked a short laugh "Unfortunately there don't seem to be many options." her eyes narrowed "But you, you seem to be the rare woman who is compatible. I wanted to find out how to replicate that but your team got too close so we had to cut things short." she nodded at Radar and the baby "23 is one of the only ones who survived this long." then rolled her eyes "The Power Broker over there couldn't even keep a pregnancy for the first month."

Sharon cried out "That wasn't my fault!"

Val glared "Shut the fuck up, Sharon. In fact, you can go. Keep an eye out for any Avengers looking for her."

Radar had the baby on her lap, looking her over, counting fingers and toes but listening to Val, waiting for Sharon to leave. Once the door closed she spoke without looking up from the baby "23? Couldn't be bothered to give her a name? Just a subject to be analyzed and studied? Can't get attached, right?"

Val smiled but her eyes were cold "It's just business but my business is protecting the free world. I don't have the luxury of attachments. She looked at the baby "You shouldn't either, none of them have lasted a month. We hoped we'd find something in their blood, tried to recreate the serum with it but lost some local homeless kids trying."

"Right. We're all just tools for you to use as you please." Radar shook her head "I'm assuming Bucky is the father of this little Miracle? You must have found some blood and other bodily fluid samples that HYDRA had stored. You have some fucking nerve."

Val scoffed "It's easy for you to sit there and judge. You have no idea what is on my shoulders. The Avengers are too independent and can't be trusted to stick to the program. The Soviets had the right idea, start when they're young and teach them to put their country first. Like they did in the Red Room. Since you've returned, we can make more. Between the serum and the drugs we have, 6 months was adequate gestation and we were able to heal you up so that it wasn't obvious you had been pregnant."

Radar looked at her in horror as she stood and started pacing "No. I'm not going to be your Handmaid. I'm taking my baby and going home. I'm going to expose you and end your human trafficking before any more women or babies are hurt."

Radar was so worked up she didn't hear the door open and barely moved out of the way when Sharon tried to get a needle into her. "You two are unbelievable, thinking you can do whatever you- aaahhhh, fuck!' She cried as Sharon kicked her in the back, right where she had been injured, causing Radars muscles to seize up and dropping her to one knee, the baby clutched tightly against her with her right arm. "You better fucking kill me Sharon because if you don't I will kill you, now...." she felt a pinch and grabbed her neck, staring at Sharon with wide eyes "Cunt!" and slid down against the wall.

Sharon grabbed the baby as Radar slumped over and Val sighed "Took you long enough, I thought she was going to recite the Constitution or something."

The baby started crying and Val gave Sharon a dirty look "Jesus, shut that brat up and have mommy taken to the jet. We need to move again, they'll be looking for her."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bucky finally had a real lead and headed to a small house on the outskirts of High Town. Red Wing 2 helped him see that there were only 4 people in the house, one being an infant. One was laying on a bed, not moving.

As he was watching there was a sudden bustle of activity where it had been quiet. First there were two SUV's full of large, heavily armed men who swept the area before a limo showed up. A short, blonde woman in a white catsuit exited the limo and went into the house. A few minutes later she came back out followed by three women and opened the door of the limo. He was pretty sure the first ones were Sharon and Val, then a small woman he didn't know, looked like a local. With a baby in her arms. The blonde was familiar, he thought it might be Natasha's sister, Yelena, but he hadn't seen her since the Red Room. He watched until one of the men went to the other door of the limo with a woman over his shoulder. She didn't move as he set her in the car.

Bucky swore and followed them on foot to a small airfield. They parked in a hangar and started loading up a plane. When one of the men picked the unconscious woman up out of the limo and turned to board the jet, Buckys blood ran cold. She had the same color hair as Radar. He whispered a string of expletives before quickly sending a message to Steve, then sneaking across the field to wait for them to finish boarding the plane.

Thirty minutes later Bucky was working his way from the landing gear wheel well to the cargo area as the plane took off.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

At the compound, Steve was reading in his room when his phone beeped. He saw the text from Bucky and tensed. This was complicated enough but now with Val involved they were looking at a whole different level. It would be easy to go after bad guys but a US Govt official made things much trickier.

He rounded up the team and told them what Bucky had texted him. They all suited up and the quinjet was taking off 10 minutes later, following the signal of Bucky's transponder.

While they were in the air, Nat received a text from a familiar number with one word: Siberia

@unaxv @calwitch @buckitostan @cjand10. @vicmc624 @sandrab02

[chaotic-fandom-writer]

Adam x Reader P.7 (Hazbin Hotel)

Warnings: Heavy cursing, violence, ADULT THEMES, 18+

AN: I kind of want a smut next chapter?? Do we want smut next chapter? Let me knowww~

Chapters

I - II - III - IV - V - VI - VII

You

Knock, knock, knock

You awaken to a soft knocking on the door. You lay still for a moment, waiting to see who it is.

"(Y/N)? Are you awake?"

You sneer, pulling the covers over your head and turning away at the sound of Adam's voice.

He knocks again. "(Y/N), can we please talk?"

"Go away, Adam!" You shout.

"Please, I really want to talk to you. I.."

You hear him cut off and take a deep breath. "I really missed you, (Y/N)."

You laugh. "I guess that's what happens when you let your wife get killed."

"I didn't want that to happen! What was I supposed to do?

I never meant to let you get hurt. I never meant to hurt you."

You laugh again. "I'm sure you didn't, because nothing means anything to you. It's all just one big game, constantly."

You hear a thud against your door, and a big sigh. "(Y/N), can I come in and talk to you, or are we going to shout through the door?"

You get up and swing the door open, glaring at Adam, not caring that your hair and face were most likely a mess. "No, we aren't going to shout through the door, because you're going to leave me alone."

He reaches his hand for you, but you slap it away. "Seriously, stop trying to reach out for me. I don't know why you think that we can just go back to normal, because we can't, and we probably never will."

He furrows his brows. "I can't just leave things like this, though. It's going to fucking bother me. I.."

He swallows and cuts himself off again, looking away uncharacteristically. "I don't like listening to you cry."

Caught off guard, you just look away, feeling a little heat rise to your cheeks. "J-Just leave me alone."

"No, (Y/N), wait-" You cut him off by slamming the door, curling back up into your bed.

--

"We need to talk about what the plan is when Heaven comes down here, because there's no way they won't with the two of us here."

Adam stood in the center of the room, the rest of the gang lounging around, listening to the plan.

Charlie stood next to him. "As much as I hate to admit it, he's right. We are going to have to work together if we're going to survive this.

It's not going to be like normal exterminations anymore. They're going to hit us full force. We have to be ready."

Vaggie pipes up. "I've already started working on getting weapons from Carmine."

Charlie nods at this. "Good. Angel, Husk, Pentious, how are reinforcments?"

The boys all nod. "Coming along nicely." Angel replies.

"We may need more sheet metal, I noticed a couple of weak points over here.."

The buzz of the group fades into one big chatter, discussing the best defense plans. You couldn't focus on them, anymore, because all you could do was stare at Adam.

He'd decided to finally loosen up a little and remove his normal garb and mask. The problem was, seeing his normal face, seeing him in a tight black button up shirt that hugged his biceps just right -

No, no, no nono-

You shake your head, looking away and standing to grab a drink. I need copious amount of alchol right now. I can't think about him like that.

You take a seat at the bar. Husk had come back to his usual spot.

"Need a drink?"

You nod. "Please. Something strong."

Husk eyes you. "You doin' alright? With uh.."

He nods at Adam. You turn to glance at him one more time, and make eye contact. You look away first, not wanting to see if he was still looking at you.

"Not really, no."

"I'm all ears."

You sigh, playing with the rim of your glass before slamming it.

"He literally watched me die, and continued to work for them no problem. What more is there to say? He basically decided to forget I ever existed."

Husk nods. "I can see why it would feel that way. Has he told you his side of things?"

You sit up a little. "His side?"

"Yeah. Have you asked him what happened before, after, all that? I'm not saying it'll change anything, but it might give you a little closure to know how it all went down."

He pours you another shot, and you knock it back.

"I guess so."

He fills your glass again.

"Something else wrong?"

"It's just.." You look back at Adam. He's with Sir Pentious and Alastor now, pointing out weak spots in the building's interior.

You watch the way his muscles flex as he moves around, his shirt clinging to his arms and back in all the right spots.

You slam your drink. "Why does he have to walk around like-" You wave your arms dramatically in his direction.

"So hhhott??" You start to slur. You look down at your cup. "Ss-strong stuff." You giggle. Husk holds his hands out to you cautiously. "Hey now, be careful or you'll fall of the stool. That's my mistake, I should've given you something else."

You shake your head, giggling again. "Nope, I love it, and I feel better already. Anotherrrr!~"

You say sing-songy, and hold your glass. He grimaces. "One small one, and this bartender is cutting you off. Got it?"

You nod, still holding your glass like a little kid asking for water. He sighs, and fills it again. "Thank youu!~"

You knock it back and look over at Adam again.

"That's, that's it!" You slam your hands on the bar as you stand.

"What are you doing?" Husk asks.

"I'm going to give him-" You hiccup, "a piece of my mind for walking around like that!"

"I don't think you should-" Before Husk can stop you, you're already pointing a finger in Adam's face.

"Hey!" He jumps, looking at you surprised. "(Y/N)? Are you okay?"

You hiccup again. "How dare you walk around like that."

He looks around, and then down at himself before looking up at you. "Like what?" You gesture to his entire body wildly, stumbling a bit. He holds his hands out in front of you, ready to catch you.

"Like that. I'm trying to be pissed, here, how can I be mad if you make me want to-" You hiccup again, "want to fuck y-" Adam's eyes go big and he cuts you off, looking at Alastor and Sir Pentious behind him.

"Oh-kay, it looks like you've had a lot to drink. How about I get you back to your room?"

He gently grabs your arm. You giggle. "Back to my room~ huh?" He smirks a little bit. "Look, as tempting as that sounds, I think we should just get you into bed."

He tries to guide you up the stairs but you tug at his arm, whining. "Nooo, I don't want to walk up all the stairs." You sit on the first step, pouting like a child.

He laughs. "Why-" You hiccup, "why are you laughing?"

He smiles down at you, a sparkle in his eyes. "I just haven't seen you this trashed in a while, that's all." You stare up at his face quietly.

"What's the matter?"

"You're so fucking hot."

His eyes go big again, and he smiles, blushing a little. "Of course I am, babe, why do you think you married me?" You punch his knee. "Shut uppp!~" You giggle again.

He smiles at you. "Come here." He picks you up bridal style, spreading his brilliant, gold wings and flying you up the stairs to your bedroom.

Once inside the room, he helps you into bed, tucking you in the sheets. You look up at him, staring at his perfect features. Stupid, perfect man.

"What is it?" He asks you.

Don't say it, don't-

"I want you to kiss me." You mentally slap your forehead. Dammit, I'm supposed to be mad at him. I'm never drinking whatever that was again.

He smiles at you, and reaches out to you, cradling your face between his hands. He strokes your cheek with his thumb. "I want to kiss you, too, but I don't think I should while you're this drunk. I think you'll be upset about it tomorrow."

You try to look away, feeling your face get hot, but he pulls you back to look at him.

"But, if you wake up tomorrow, and decide you still want me to kiss you, come tell me, okay?" He smiles again. You smile back. "Okay, Adam."

"Get some sleep."

"Will you stay?"

He runs a hand through your hair. "Of course I will. I'll take your couch." He snags a pillow, stretching out on your couch. With his presence in the room, you drift off into a comfortable slumber.

--

The next morning, you wake up, head throbbing. Your eyes still all squinty, you slowly sit up, putting a hand against your forehead.

"Owww.."

You throw your legs over your bed, and you're about to stand, when you see a steaming hot plate of eggs, bacon, and toast sitting next to a cup of coffee on your table.

"What.."

You walk over, mouth drooling, and start shoveling food into your mouth, when you notice the note next to it.

'(Y/N,

Sorry to leave, but I had to get an early start today.

Hope you're hungry when you wake up.

-Adam'

You stop chewing for a moment, your eyes going wide as you stare at the toast in your hand, now.

Oh god, we didn't..?

You look at your clothes. You're still wearing the same thing as yesterday.

You think really hard..

And your face goes bright red.

That's so much worse than sleeping together! You think, covering your face with your hands.

--

After finishing your breakfast and getting dressed, you start to leave, pausing at the door.

'If you wake up tomorrow, and decide you still want me to kiss you, come tell me, okay?'

"Ughhhhhhhh-" You groan as loud as you can manage, burying your hands in your face and sliding down your door.

"I can't believe I did that! What do I do now?"

Well, do I want him to-

"No!" You cut off your own thoughts. No, no none of that. You think to yourself.

You stand up again. "But.." You imagine it for a second, how wonderful it would be to just have one more..

That's it! Just one more because I want it, and then no more ever again! It'll drive him crazy!

You smile, ignoring the butterflies you still feel in your stomach, and leave your room.

--

You walk down the stairs to be met by Charlie. "(Y/N)!" She comes barreling over to you, practically sceaming. You look around the room, and you spot Adam look up at you at the sound of Charlie mentioning you.

You guys make eye contact for a brief moment before Charlie yanks you down by your hand, forcing you to snap out of your haze.

"What's going on?"

"It's bad, it's bad it's ba-"

"Charlie." You grab her by the shoulders. "What's going on?"

"Adam got a message from Lute. According to her, if we can still trust her, Sera is planning an attack in 2 days from now."

You roll your eyes. "Oh, you can definitely trust her. She's extremely loyal to Adam." Charlie blinks. "Like, how loyal we talkin?" She raises her eyebrows at you.

You shrug. "Who knows? I was 'dead' for a while."

Suddenly, any feeling you had of kissing Adam is replaced by your anger again.

And speak of the devil, or, the angel, and he shall appear.

He comes up behind you and touches your elbow, making you jump and turn. "Oh. Hi."

"Hey." He scratches the back of his head. "Do you, um, remember last night at all?"

You cross your arms and look away. "Oh yeah, I rememeber everything." You see him perk up at this. "Really?"

"Yeah. I'm not sure though, might need to check with Lute on that one."

He rolls his eyes and sighs, leaning back from you. "Goddamnit, (Y/N), I don't know why you always have to do this shit."

"Me? What about you?"

He scoffs. "I didn't fucking do anything. In case Charlie failed to mention, she sent a message to warn us about Sera."

"Warn us, or warn you?"

"Oh my god, you always did this shit when we were together too. I don't fucking get it." He walks away. You follow after, ignoring how everyone in the hotel is staring.

"Well, you always fucking did this too!" You gesture at him, but he doesn't look back at you, storming outside and down the steps. "Do what?"

"Walk away! That's all you've ever done is walk away from me!"

He stops for a moment and takes a deep breath.

For some reason, all you can focus on is how sparkly his wings look between your tears. He turns to face you. "Why are you starting a fight with me right now? Did I do something? Aside from everything else?"

You shake your head. He smirks. "Why are you fucking smiling?" You ask, even more pissed off.

"So you're jealous?"

Your eyes go big and you quickly turn away from him, rubbing the tears from your face vigorously.

"N-No!"

He laughs, which makes you huff. "You're so fucking jealous!"

"I am not!" You start to turn to walk away, but you feel his arms snake around your waist tightly.

"L-Let me go!" You want to be mad, but for some reason, your heart won't stop pounding in your chest, and your face is getting hotter and hotter.

You feel him nuzzle his face into your neck, stubble brushing against your cheek.

"Then why are you blushing?"

You stop fighting him, turning your head away, defeated. "I-I'm not blushing." He laughs again. "Stop laughing at me!"

You feel the warmth of his wings wrap around you, and he turns you to face him. "You remember last night, then?"

You try to look away, but he grabs your chin. "Do you remember?"

You look into his eyes. "Yes.."

"And?"

For a moment, you say nothing. All you do is stare up at his face, studying his golden eyes, his perfect jaw line. The look in his eyes when you look at him reminds you of your wedding day.

You perfectly see it when you stare at him now, him in his tux, flower petals floating in the breeze. It truly was a perfect day.

"I want you to kiss me."

His lips come crashing into yours, almost violent. You can feel how hungry he is for you, how much he needed you, how long he had been waiting for it.

His tongue flicks against your bottom lip, and you open, allowing him in. His tongue plays with yours, and it's all you can do to keep yourself from moaning into his mouth.

One of his arms holds you tightly around your waist, pressing you hard against his body, as if he feels that you'll run away the moment he lets go. His other hand cradles your cheek, his fingers tangling up into your hair.

You wrap both of your arms around his neck, and suddenly you feel your feel dangling in the air as he lifts off.

You don't bother breaking away, kissing him passionately as he flies straight up, holding you bridal style now.

The kiss lasts for what seems like an eternity, and then finally, you feel your feet hit the pavement again, and you pull away, leaning against a wall for support..

He breaths heavily, staring down at you, eyes glazed over like an animal looking at it's prey. He leans over you, placing an arm against the wall on either side of your head.

"One more." He demands.

You smile, completely forgetting what you told yourself earlier about revenge, closing your eyes and giving him one last kiss on the lips.

He kisses back before pulling away to look at you, still leaning against the wall.

"I've been wanting that for so long, you have no fucking idea."

A small pit forms in your stomach. "Even when I died?"

His smile drops. "Especially when you died. I always missed you, (Y/N), always."

"Do you still love me?"

He blinks, and pauses.

"I-" You raise a hand. "Nevermind." You try to push past him, but he won't let you, bringing his wings on either side of you instead.

"I don't know why I asked that, just let me-" You can feel hot tears sting your eyes.

"I do still love you, (Y/N). You surprised me when you asked that. But please don't doubt that I love you.

With everything happening, I need you to know that. I don't want anything bad to happen without you knowing."

You feel a tear escape your eye, and he wipes it away with his thumb.

"I love you, (Y/N)." He pulls you close, and you bury your face into his chest.

"I love you, Adam."

--

Want a part 8? Let me know!

Don't forget, I'm always accepting requests

AN: I kind of want a smut next chapter?? Do we want smut next chapter? Let me knowww~

Chapters

I - II - III - IV - V - VI - VII

[ahgasegotarmy116]

Seven Days to Fall Again | Friday | Jeon Jungkook

Inspired by the MV "Seven" by Jung Kook ft. Latto (obvi lol) Summary:Caught in the rain, trying to get to you. You tried to go out to clear your head but he wants to make sure you know he's always looking out for you. Pairing: Reader x Jungkook (almost exes to lovers lol) Word Count: 4.3k (longest chapter so far lol) Warnings: Smut (too lazy to add specifics lol), Explicit language that's it lol a/n: Hey guys so uh...got a little carried away with this one but I said this a little while ago but Friday really didn't have much of a plot in the mv so I kinda just went with whatever felt right. I hope you like it! Let me know what you think! p.s. barely edited and written in one sitting but I figured I might as well post it lol Start from the beginning

I'm going out tonight, nothing major or anything I just wanted to go out so I can get him off my mind even if it's only for a few hours.

Walking into the restaurant I'm greeted with a big group of my colleagues and I slide in next to one of the girls while I greet everyone. A couple of minutes later we all settle back into our own separate conversations with one of the many not so comfortable ones about to start. 

"You look like shit" Kayla whispers to me. She's my best friend so I'm used to her being this honest but it still comes as a surprise sometimes. "Thanks Kay" I say sarcastically, rolling my eyes at her before taking a sip of water. 

"No but for real what's wrong? You've been ignoring me for the past few days and then suddenly you're inviting everyone out like nothings happened?" she questions, knowing that something's up. "What's wrong with inviting people out? I'm sorry I haven't been answering you, I've have a busy couple of days" I say, not necessarily lying but knowing that I had the time to respond to her if I wanted to. 

I decided to just take what I had hoped for was a step back for a second to just do me but then I ended up dealing with Jungkook chasing me around instead so everything else just seemed like it was too much. "Whatever" Kayla says taking a sip of her beer, knowing I'm lying but deciding not to push it. If it were just the two of us I know she would shake me until I spit it out but she knows better than to do that in front of everyone. 

"So y/n, how are things going? We thought that Jungkook would've come with you" one of the girls at the other end of the table says with her boyfriend right next to her nodding in agreement. "Oh he had to work late" I say giving a simple excuse hoping they'll drop it and luckily they do. Before we're able to move on though my eyes widen in horror as I see the devil himself walking into the restaurant and look around until he spots me, giving me a soft smile with an unreadable expression. 

"Hey guys" Jungkook says awkwardly but comes up to sit next to me and gives me a kiss on the cheek to make things seem normal, being able to tell from my body language alone that I haven't told anyone about the breakup yet. 

"Hi Noona" he whispers in my ear making me shiver. I scold myself for letting my body betray me but I can't really do much to change it anymore. I pull away from him and take another drink of water trying to cover up things but I can tell from the slight smile on his face he know he's still got a hold on me. 

"Oh Jungkook! Y/n was just saying how you couldn't come because you were working late" the same girl asks, curious for an explanation. I know she means well but this girl just doesn't know when to quit. "Oh I wanted to surprise her" he says draping his arm around the back of my chair. It's luckily an answer that satisfies all of them and the conversation switches to another topic soon after. 

"What are you doing here?" I turn and whisper to him, making sure the people around us definitely won't hear. "I went by the apartment and I saw that you weren't there and I got worried. You still share your location with me so I wanted to come and make sure you were okay" he says placing his hand on my thigh as a way to show his sincerity and also play the part of still being a happy couple. 

"Well as you can see I'm fine so you can leave now" I say and pull back giving him a pointed look but before he can respond another person from the group speaks up. "What are you two love birds talking about over there?" one of the guys teases. "Wouldn't you like to know" Jungkook says with a smug smile taking the burden of having to come up with an excuse off of me.

"How have things been with you guys though? It's been a while since either of you have been out with us?" another girl asks. When did tonight become a ask y/n and Jungkook 20 questions? Why can't we just drink and eat and talk about anything but us, even though there's not really an 'us' right now. 

"Things have been good, yeah we're- oh look the food is here!" I start but I'm thankfully given an excuse to turn the topic to something else as the waiters place all of the various side dishes in front of us as well as the raw meat to grill with everyone's minds are now focused on getting everything ready to eat. 

Jungkook gets a piece of meat off the grill and adds it to his ssam and I go to do the same but as soon as I'm putting the finishing touches on mine Jungkook holds his out and offers it to me. "Open" he says, urging me to let him feed me and I give him a dead pan expression, annoyed that he would even go this far. 

I look around the table and see the others taking little glances at us and commenting on how cute we are and so I turn my eyes back over to him and open my mouth for him to put in and he does so happily, watching attentively and making sure I don't choke on anything. 

Once I've chewed a bit I continue filling the one I was working on and instead overfill it and hold it out for Jungkook to eat. He looks down at it, intimidated by the size but once I cock a brow at him he opens his mouth receiving it and the next second I shove it into his mouth, leaving him coughing and struggling to get it down. 

"Is he okay?" one of the guys asks me. "Oh yeah he's fine don't worry about it. Aren't you honey?" I say, daring him to say otherwise and he simply holds up an 'okay' sign with his hand as he coughs and tries his best to chew and swallow everything down which annoyingly he's able to do. 

"How did that taste love?" I whisper to him with a sickeningly sweet smile, payback for him showing up here even though he knew I wouldn't want him here. "Was that really necessary?" he questions after taking a few gulps of water. "Was you coming here really necessary? I told you to leave me alone" I whisper to him and at this point I sound like a broken record. 

"I want to talk to you though" he responds doing just the same. "And until you let me I'm just gonna keep showing up and bothering you until you give me a chance to do so" he says, finally admitting to his nonsense tactic to getting his way, clearly making his younger age show. I stand up abruptly, and decide that I have given up on keeping up appearances and make moves to leave. 

"Sorry guys I'm not feeling well so I think I'm gonna get going" I say and open my purse and hand Kayla twenty dollars to cover my part of the bill. "You okay?" she asks and I say yes but she can clearly see that I'm not. "I'll be fine guys don't worry I'm just gonna head home and get some rest" I say and when I start to walk away Jungkook follows after also following suit to give Kayla more than enough to cover for us. 

"You can stay here and have fun with them" I says sweetly, putting up an act for them but using it as a threat to him. "No it's okay Jungkook go help take care of her we'll see you guys next time" one of them says but before I'm able to disagree Jungkook jumps in. "Thanks for everything guys" he responds before ushering the both of us towards the exit. 

Before we step outside the door though we finally notice it's started to rain, and not just rain but a full on downpour. "When did it start raining?" I ask looking at the world outside as it looks a though it had been raining for ages already. "It looked kind of cloudy when I came in but it wasn't raining yet" he says, just as shocked by the sight. 

"Lemme call us a cab" he says and pulls out his phone to do so. "No I can get one myself" I say and take a deep breath before walking out, no rain jacket, no umbrella, nothing. I just need to get away from here and away from him as soon as possible. "Y/n where are you going?" he says and runs after me and before I'm even able to try and hail a cab I can clearly see that there are none in sight. 

"Just come back inside and we can wait for one and if you want we can even take separate cabs" he offers trying to meet me halfway. "No, I don't need your help" I say and blindly start walking away, hoping he will just go back inside and leave me alone "Noona wait it's too dangerous!" he calls after me but I don't even bother looking back. 

"You know you're going the wrong way right?" he yells, hoping to get me to turn around and let him help me. "I don't care" I yell back and start walking faster. "Where are you going?" he yells, making sure to still stay close. "Away from you" I say and keep going on my journey to no where. 

"Just let me help you get home okay, please" he begs but I don't budge, I'm gonna keep walking until he gets tired and finally leaves me alone. "You know I'm not letting you walk these streets all by yourself right? As long as you're out here I'm staying with you" he say, seeing right through me but I keep walking anyway.

~~~~~~ 

I keep walking and walking until we've come to that same bookshop I had been in just yesterday, finally taking notice of just how far I've walked. I finally stop and catch my breath for a second, trying to figure out what the hell kind of point I'm trying to prove here but I can't come up with one that is big enough to do something ridiculous like this. 

He catches up to me a few seconds later and just stands beside me, not trying to get closer and not bothering to say anything since he knows it would probably just make me even more angry. 

We stand there for a second and I look up at the sky, taking a deep breath before looking back over at him where he's just standing there and looking at the wet ground around me, not making eye contact with me either, just making sure that I know that he's going to be right here standing next to me no matter what I say. 

I take another deep breath and swallow my pride before holding my hand out for him to take. He shifts his weight away from me and just stares at it for a second, trying to figure out what caused a change in heart that I would not only stop but ask for him to grab my hand. 

"So you gonna take it or not?" I ask getting irritated that he's taking too long to make up his mind and at that he reaches his hand out quickly and places it in mine before looking back up at me with a questioning gaze. Instead of responding I just tug on his hand and turn us both around to walk back the way we just came and start heading back home.

~~~~ 

Once we get to the door I immediately grab my keys and open up, letting the both of us inside. "Fuck I'm freezing" I say taking off my shoes and stripping off my sweater, forgetting the tiny tank top I'm wearing without a bra and I don't even notice until I turn back around and see that he's staring at my chest, nipples cold and hard and when he he notices I'm staring at him he looks up at me with an intensity I haven't seen in a while. 

I look at him, drinking in his figure as well seeing how soaked his white t-shirt is and how his pants are clinging to his thighs. I gulp and look back up at his face where his eyes have gotten even darker from observing how I was checking him out as well. 

He takes a few steps towards me and I stumble back against a wall and am forced to watch as he takes a few steps closer until he's looking right down at me. He takes his hand and reaches for the one he had been holding before and then brings it up to his lips giving it a kiss. 

"Why did you let me in?" he questions, his voice deeper and a bit strained from breathing in the cold air from the journey here. "I-i don't know" I whisper and my eyes flick down to his lips unconsciously and he takes that as a sign to keep going. 

He places his other hand on my cheek and I flinch a bit at how cold it is but lean into it a few seconds later, welcoming the fluttering feeling it stirs my my stomach. He leans down and rests his forehead against mine causing me to close my eyes, feeling like I'm burning under his intense gaze. 

"What are you doing to me?" he whispers and all I can do is try not to whimper in response. He tilts my chin up and brings his face closer and rubs his nose up against mine making me feel breathless at the slightest sign of intimacy no matter how small and I find myself unconsciously wrapping my arms around his neck. He in turn leans in and closes the distance between us, kissing me softly but still coaxing a whimper out of me, missing the feeling off being wanted by him. 

He moulds his lips against mine and brushes his tongue along my bottom lip and I open my mouth at the feeling, letting him use his tongue to explore my mouth, making butterflies fly in my stomach and leaving me moaning softly as I welcome him in. 

I take my hands off of his shoulders and feel for his jacket and start to push it off of him which he obliges and I reach for his shirt and push it up to help him take it off and he parts from my lips only for a second to slip it over his head. I touch his bare skin and even though we were so wet and cold his skin has already started to heat up leaving me not being able to take my hands off of him.

My hands travel up and down his abs and pecks that have both gotten more defined since the last I had seen them and before I'm able to think about it any more he trails his hands down my hips and  continues to trail them down and grabs the inside of my thighs before he breaks apart our lips again telling me to jump and I do immediately, kissing him as he walks us both back to the bedroom. 

Once we get there he helps me out of my tank top and traces his hands along my bare back while pressing me closer into him our chest now flush against each other while it almost feels like he's trying to hold me even closer, not letting go and devouring my mouth until he trails his hands along my curves and fiddles with the button of my pants and waits for me to say something before actually taking them off. 

Still kissing me I part for a second and utter a hurried 'yes' before he's unzipping them and taking everything off leaving me completely bare and I help him get out of the rest of his clothes right after. 

We both fall onto the bed together and never stop kissing and I part my legs for him to lay between. He runs a finger along my slit making me whimper against his lips as he teases my clit and then circles it around my entrance and then slowly slips a finger in making me let out a restrained moan, being sensitive from not having been touched by him for so long. 

"Shit" he says feeling how tight I am just from putting in one finger and working it in and out of me, coaxing me to stretch out for him. "Jungkook" I whimper when he adds another digit and he swears again at how much I'm clenching around them. "Relax baby" he whispers rubbing his thumb against my clit in circles to help me calm down and open up enough so he can slip another finger in. 

"I haven't fucked you properly in a while huh?" he says between kisses, curling his fingers up inside of me making a breathy moan spill past my lips as I squeeze my eyes shut. "I don't know if this tiny cunt can even take me anymore. Do you think it can?" he asks rubbing his nose up against mine while he curls his fingers inside me again.

I nod my head but he's not satisfied, "Words Noona. Do you think this pretty little cunt can take me again?" he pushes and rubs his thumb around my clit again while thrusting his fingers inside of me. "Yes" I moan out and he luckily decides not to tease any longer. 

"That's a good girl" he says before taking his fingers out of me and placing them in his mouth, savoring my taste before he leans down and kisses me again "Almost forgot how sweet you taste" he says and before I'm able to even think about responding he pushes the tip inside making me let out a breathy moan. 

"Fuck I missed this" he says pushing in a bit more, giving me time to adjust before going in further. "Jungkook" I whimper, not being able to focus on anything but the sensation of feeling him bare and going deeper and deeper. "I know baby, I know" he says pushing in more while placing a kiss on my temple before bottoming out. 

"Looks like this pretty cunt is greedy isn't she?" he says while rubbing my clit, helping me get used to him. He rests his forehead against mine and lets labored breaths in and out, relishing in the feeling of my walls clenching around him. I nod my head and he takes it as a sign to move and he pulls out half way before pushing all the way in, setting a more gentle, sensual pace that leaves my brain fogging up with thoughts of only him. 

He pulls out all the way and presses back into me inch by inch, savoring how my walls are sucking him in. "Please, faster" I say, throwing my head back on the pillow, dying from the slow building feeling of my orgasm, wanting to be granted release sooner. "Patience Noona" he taunts and he presses back in but pulls out and gives me a shallow hard thrust leaving my back arching up into him. 

He quickens his pace and starts kissing on my neck, leaving marks in his wake and soon thrusting into me harder while I let out restrained moans. "No Noona let me hear you, I wanna hear you scream my name" he growls and starts thrusting into me at an animalistic pace. "Fuck Jungkook" I moan, starting to get closer to my release.

"What is it pretty?" he says slowing down the pace, leaving me whining at the feeling of my high coming down again. "No" I say throwing my head back into the pillows, hating that he robbed me of it. "No what? I just gave you a chance to tell me what you wanted, I couldn't hear you over all of your moaning" and he punctuates his sentence with a sharp thrust earning him a choked moan coming out of me and feeling me squeeze around him. 

"Does Noona wanna cum?" he taunts, giving me another sharp thrust. "Jungkook please" I beg, pulling him closer to kiss him but he stops before our lips touch. "I don't know what you want me to do unless you tell me" he says, lips brushing against mine but not close enough to kiss. 

"I wanna cum, please" I breathe out and at that I see a mischievous glint flash in his eyes before he kisses me and pounds into me harder than he had before and swallowing all of my moans of pleasure. 

"You close?" he questions after a while, already being able to feel the answer but making me say it nonetheless. "Shit y-yes so close k-keep going" I stutter, about to tip over the edge and seconds later it all comes crashing down, leaving me arching into him and dragging my nails along his back and he groans at the feeling and cums seconds after that, fucking us both through our highs. 

Once he's emptied out he keeps on thrusting until I whine from over stimulation and kisses me while he pulls out, me hating the feeling of being empty again. He lays down on top of me for a second as we both catch our breaths but soon rolls off and lays next to me while we both take a second to slow down our breathing. 

Without a word he sits up and walks over to my side and scoops me up in his arms. "What are you doing?" I ask throwing my arms around his neck. "You need to go to the bathroom and then we need to clean up he says, making decisions for what I need to do before giving me an option like always but I decide not to mention it this time, staying silent and waiting for him to put me down. 

He sets me down on my feet and turns around to turn on the shower and walks out into the hallway to get us both towels, giving me a bit of privacy to do my business before coming back in. When he comes back he opens the shower door for me and lets me walk in, holding on to make sure I don't fall before coming in after me.                         

We both stand there in the shower getting warm under the water as the doors and mirrors get fogged up in turn. 

Neither of us talks for a while until he puts some body wash in his hands and lathers it up before rubbing it onto my back and shoulders, talking his time to wash me from head to toe, cleaning and massaging all of me to make sure to loosen me up so I won't get sore. 

He's does this every time we have sex, or had sex since it's been a while and I welcome it, hating and loving the feeling. Feeling guilty about letting him take care of me like this when all I've done is push him away. 

As he finishes up he takes my shampoo and conditioner and washes my hair as well before rinsing everything off of me and switching places with me gently so he's in the direct stream of water so he can wash himself as well.

While he has his arms up and is scrubbing his scalp I wrap my arms around him from behind and rest my cheek against his back. "This was a mistake" I mumble and at that he freezes before hurrying to rinse the shampoo out of his hair so it doesn't get in either of our eyes. 

"Is that how you truly feel?" he asks, sounding disheartened but knowing that something like this was going to happen if I still wanted to push him away. "Yeah. Well, I don't know" I say, being honest with honestly not knowing how I feel. 

He turns around to face me and looks down while cupping my face in both of his hands. "Do you want me to leave?" he asks, his eyes going back and forth between mine searching my face for answers and finding the one that says I want him to leave and he utters an silent okay before I even have a chance to say anything.

He opens the shower door and closes it behind him, taking one of the towels and drying off his hair quickly before wrapping it around his waist and walking out of the bathroom. I let out a pained sigh and feel a rush of emotions flood my system with senses of doubt in all of my dealings with this.

'Do I want him to go? Do I want him to stay? Do I want to be with him? Do I want to break up?' those as well as many more are the questions that go round and round in my head without answers. 

The thing that breaks me out of that circular train of thought though is the sound of the front door closing behind him as he walks out and the next is the sound of my sobs as I hit the floor, finally let my heart break.  

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Spiderwho?! Chapter one

Megumi said WHAT?!

Spiderwho?! mlist | prev | next

The crowd erupts in cheers and claps as White Noise has just finished their concert of the season. The atmosphere is lively, as everyone screams and cheers for their favourite members, some even asking for an encore.

You let out an offended gasp when someone bumps into you, not apologising as the girl was too busy screaming and shouting as if her life depended on it. "Geez, these people have no manners at all," you grumble to your friends.

Miwa laughs. "I doubt anyone ever cares when White Noise just dropped the best concert on campus ever? Like, are you seeing all the confetti?! " she gushes animatedly. "Their new songs are so addictive that I play them on repeat!"

"I won't be surprised if White Noise is one of your top artists on Spotify Wrapped this year, " you hum, raising your eyebrows in amusement. You don't hate their music, a couple of them show up in your personal playlist as well.

"Hey hey!" Toge yells into the mic, earning a lively response from the crowd, which also caught you off-guard, "Have you enjoyed yourselves so far?" Another loud reaction from the crowd. You swear your eardrums might’ve burst from the screaming in your ears.

Maki nudges Nobara. "Great job styling their outfits, Nobara, " she says with a slight smirk on her lips.

Nobara chuckles, crossing her arms across her chest with a proud huff. "Of course! When Yuuji told me that this concert was gonna be like no other, I knew I had to go all out this time!" As a student in the design course. Nobara was chosen to be White Noise's stylist from time to time, as recommended by Yuji. No surprise though, this wasn’t her first time.

"Nobara, I didn't know you were their stylist!" Miwa gasps. The girl is so excited you fear that her heart would just jump out.

"Aw shucks, it's nothing..." Nobara chuckles sheepishly. You find it funny how one moment, Nobara acts all proud, the next she’s shy because an acquaintance compliments her.

On the stage, Toge says something about how each of the members would say something short to show their appreciation and gratitude towards the audience–a tradition done by White Noise at the end of every concert. He adds on a few brain-rotten comments, along with a few jokes which had the crowd laughing and cheering. 

“Toge Inumaki,” he begins charismatically, “and I'm the vocalist of White Noise!” He blows a kiss to the crowd, earning a whole lot of screaming(in a good way or bad, it’s up to you). 

Toge hands the mic over to the bassist. “My name’s Yuta Okkotsu, and I’m the bass player of White Noise,” he says into the microphone politely. “Thank you all for your support, and for allowing us to make this happen.” Yuta’s kind words filled with appreciation had gotten girls swooning over him—nothing new. 

“I’m Yuuji Itadori!” He cheers, beating his drums a couple beats enthusiastically. “Thanks for coming tonight, you all are the best!” With Yuuji's lively demeanor, he is like a puppy. Ending his word of thanks, he plays a couple more beats on the drums which earns another loud roar from the crowd.

"Megumi Fushiguro, the guitarist of White Noise,” he says when it is his turn. “Uh, thanks for all your support." He backs away from the mic and looks at Yuta, who narrows his eyes, making Megumi sigh, and plays a couple of notes on his electric guitar. For someone as dry and nonchalant as Megumi, he's quite popular. Even Toge was in disbelief that Megumi was the first to receive a fan edit when they first debuted.

"That was so dry, Megumi!" Toge whines. "How do you even manage to be the most popular in the band? " He turns to the audience off-stage, a look of disbelief plastering all over his face. “I swear, I’m going to lose it if you guys vote for him in this month’s popularity ranking!”

٩(˃̶͈̀௰˂̶͈́)و

"I'm so hungry," Panda groans as he pats his stomach. The concert has ended, and people are already making their leave. 

Maki snickers, "Fatass," she mutters. Panda gasps in offence. 

"Wait!”  A voice could be heard. Yuuji and Toge approach you guys, panting as if they had just been running. The pink-haired boy’s gaze flickers amongst you guys. From you to Nobara, Maki, and then Panda. He smiles widely.

“I knew I recognised some familiar faces in the crowd." He then notices Miwa, who looks as if she is about to pass out from excitement.

"Woah, who's this?" Toge asks, approaching the blue-haired girl, as if to hit on her. Protectively, you push him away, making him yelp. “Hey! Let me have my moment!”

You click your tongue. “Smear your brain rot somewhere else, Toge,” you hiss. Regaining your posture, your expression returns neutral, a small smile appearing. “Anyways, this is my friend.” 

Miwa straightens her posture, then dips into an almost 90-degree bow. “I’m Kasumi Miwa, pleasure to meet you!” She begins, and you chuckle at how she is practically shaking, a mixture of nervousness and excitement to be able to meet her idols so up close. 

Before the two boys could say anything, another voice could be heard a little further away. “You both! We were supposed to have a meeting with Gojo after the concert!” The voice source comes from another member of the band, Yuta. He approaches them both and begins pulling them by their ears like elementary school students.

“Owwowoowo Yuta!” Yuuji whines, who desperately tries to save his ear from being torn off. 

You notice a familiar yet unpleasant figure trailing behind Yuta. You almost scoff at the sight. “Didn't know it was a real thing that the Megumi Fushiguro actually appears off-stage, given his annoying presence that might make me want to pull my ears and gouge my eyes out,” you mutter under your breath with a snicker, but loud enough to reach his earshot. 

Megumi swears he can hear a vein pop in his head, and it’s barely been two minutes since he left the dressing room. “Can’t keep your mouth shut even for a second I see,” he retorts back. “The only reason I don’t go out here after concerts is to avoid meddling idiots like you.”

Miwa raises her eyebrow, noticing how you and Megumi are internally strangling each other. 

Ignoring the tension between you both, Toge approaches Panda, bumping his fist twice against his white stomach. “Eating well?”

“No,” Panda pouts(never a sight to see). “I’m being starved by these women.”

Nobara smacks Panda’s arm. “What do you mean being starved?! You’re emptying the fridge every single day as if you’re paid to do so!"

“Like a fucking rodent,” Maki murmurs.

“I heard that!”

૮꒰ ‘⁠◉⁠⌓⁠◉⁠’⁠ ꒱ྀིა

The band is walking back to the meeting room backstage, where Gojo awaits.

Yuta looks over to Megumi, who has an annoyed, grumpy expression from the previous banter between you both. “Getting along with Yn back there, huh?”

“They were getting along? I swear I could see murder in their eyes,” poor Yuuji is clueless. 

“It was sarcasm, idiot.” Toge nudges Yuuji with a snicker. 

“Oh…”

Megumi scoffs. “I think I’d rather chop my dick off and eat it raw than touch her with a ten-foot pole.” Hearing nothing but just silence, he looks up, instantly noticing the mixture of emotions in his bandmates’ faces. “I’m kidding. But never in my life would I get along with her.”

“I think that’s the most disturbing thing I’ve ever heard in my life,” Toge murmurs.

Yuta raises an eyebrow. “Don’t you always say the most disturbing/outrageous things?” 

Yuuji nods in agreement. “Yeah! Didn’t you mention how you’d do Chris Hemsworth raw—“

“Won’t you?”

Tuning out his friends’ disturbing discussion, Megumi looks back to see you laughing with your friends. Thankfully, you didn’t notice him. He returns his gaze forward, the annoyance in him growing. Maybe he should go to that place to cool off. Maybe bring her along this time.

ಥ_ಥ

Tossing and turning in his bed, Megumi could not sleep for whatever reason. Perhaps it is the remaining adrenaline rush from the concert earlier, but that’s impossible. It normally wears off during the shower after that. 

With a small groan, he shifts himself so he lays on his side. Megumi picks up his phone, which is charging on his nightstand and begins scrolling through it, aiming to just kill time until he feels sleepy.

There are countless tweets from his friends, acquaintances, fans, about the concert, latest gossip, etcetera. But what catches his eye is your tweet. With a small ‘tch’ of irritation, he scrolls through the replies of your tweet(partially hoping someone would have the same thoughts as his). 

Megumi couldn't exactly pinpoint why he hates you, it’s just an automatic system for you both. “What a freaking chatterbox…” he mumbles quietly. His gaze stays on your username for a little before letting out a small huff, putting his phone on DND and placing his phone on his nightstand. “She never gives up, for fuck’s sake.” and with that, he manages to doze off, the adrenaline from the concert (or what he suspected) finally wearing off.

Behind the scenes...

-yn and megumi actually follow each other on social media despite their hatred for each other, mainly for stalking purposes!

-toge dm’ed miwa that night after the concert. Miwa left him on read(she forgot to reply.)

-I imagine Yuta flopping on his bed with a long sigh from exhaustion because of the shit he deals with the WN members every single day. Oh, along with their manager, Satoru! 

-WN members slept till noon that night!

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[canirove]

Back in Bluebell | Chapter 8

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Masterlist

“Mrs. Mayor?” Mason says after opening the door of his apartment.

“Please not you too” she replies, rolling her eyes.

“Uh?”

“Declan and Ben always call me like that, and it is so annoying…”

“Oh, sorry. I'll talk to them and tell them to stop, though knowing them… Anyway, what are you doing here? You haven't visited me in my apartment since…”

Since they were together. If he could call what had happened between them being together.

“I need to ask you for a huge favour. You and Emilia.”

“Both of us?” Mason says.

“It is nothing serious, don't worry. I just need you to babysit Dani during the weekend.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“Maybe it is something serious. Your eyes are about to pop from their sockets” she chuckles. 

“I mean… I…” he mumbles.

His ex, the one who just got engaged to the guy he hated for years for shattering his dream of becoming a football player, is asking him to babysit their kid. A kid that when she was pregnant, he thought could be his, and who then he ended up helping bring into the world. And she's asking him this after he and Emilia had an argument about him still having feelings for her. How did she expect him to react? 

“I wouldn't be asking you this if you weren't my last hope, Mason. I mean, not that you are the last person in the world I would like Dani to be with. What I mean is that from all the people I trust and that I know I can leave him with without worrying too much, you are the last one left on my list who doesn't happen to be busy.”

“I run a pub that gets packed during the weekends. I also am busy.”

“I know. But now you have Emilia with you, and things are a bit easier, aren't they?”

“Yes, but...”

“I'm sure you can find a way to make it work.”

“I… we…”

“He goes to bed quite early and sleeps until the morning. You won't have to worry about him for hours, just keep an eye on the baby monitor from time to time.”

“And for the rest of the day?” Mason asks.

“On Friday he's staying with a friend of his, you won't have to pick him up until after dinner. So it'll be putting him to bed and that's it. Then on Saturday he has a football game in the morning, so until lunch time you are free. For the rest of the day you'll have to be with him, but it's just a few hours. And then on Sunday morning too, because Rúben and I aren't coming back until the afternoon.”

“Wait, you are going somewhere?”

“Oh, yes, sorry. Forgot to tell you about that” she chuckles. “Rúben has booked us a weekend away to celebrate our engagement. Some very needed child free time, you know?”

“So you are leaving him with me to go on a romantic getaway?”

“Umm… yes?” she says. “I seriously wouldn't be asking you if it wasn't important, Mason. We really need this time away and alone as a couple, and no one else is available. Our nanny is sick, the others we know and trust are busy, Mrs. Smart is in the city, Lindsey has to stay at Daisy's… You are my last hope.”

“I… I don't know. This… Emilia…”

“I'm sure you'll be able to convince her. Please, Mason. Please” she pouts.

“I… ok, fine.”

“Is that a yes?”

“Yes” he sighs.

“Oh, thank you!” she says before hugging him. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

“You're welcome” he says, not moving a muscle or touching her.

“I'll keep you updated with everything, ok?”

“Ok.”

“Great” she smiles. “You are the best, Mason.”

“Yeah…” he says. The best, or the most stupid one.

━━━━━━❃━━━━━━

“I still can't believe you said yes to this, Mason.”

“I know, Emilia. But what else should I have done?”

“Say no, for example.”

“But he's just a kid. And a really good one. It's gonna be fine, you'll see” he says, giving my hand an encouraging squeeze.

“Yes. We'll see” I say as we keep walking towards Dani's friend's house. 

“This also may be a good chance for us to practise, you know?” Mason says.

“Practice what?”

“How it is to have a kid. It may help us find out if we are ready for that or not.”

“What?” I say, looking at him.

“Relax, dove” he laughs. “I was joking. But don't you want to have kids with me?”

“No.”

“What?” he says, now being the one looking at me as if I had grown another head.

“I mean… Right now I don't want to have kids with you or with anyone. In the future… I don't know” I shrug. “I've never stopped to think about it.”

“With me or with anyone? What does that mean?” he says as he stops walking.

“It's just a way of speaking, Mason.”

“A way of… speaking?”

“It means that my life is too complicated right now, and thinking about getting pregnant and bringing a kid to the world is just fucking crazy. I'm not ready. At all. So let's just focus on practicing how to make them, ok?”

“Practicing with me?”

“Who else would I practice with?”

“I don't know. Since you say you don't want to have kids with me or with anyone, maybe there is someone else” he shrugs.

“Someone… fuck you” I say, letting go of his hand.

“Emilia… Emilia, where are you going?”

“Home” I say as I start walking in the other direction.

“And Dani?”

“You can take care of him. After all, you are the one who said yes to this, not me.”

“Emilia… Emilia, wait” he says, showing up in front of me.

“Move.”

“No” he says, not letting me keep walking.

“Don't make me twist your arm, Mount.”

“Go ahead. I'm not moving until you have heard what I have to say.”

“What if I don't want to listen to you?”

“Emilia…”

“Move” I say, pushing him to the side. Though I barely manage to move him. The only thing I manage to do, is let him wrap his arms around me and basically trap me in them. 

“Emilia, I love you.”

“Yes, and?”

“And I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said what I said. It's just that… That now that we are together, I can't help but think about the future. About our future. And I see ourselves living in our own house, surrounded by a bunch of kids, and… I'm sorry. I shouldn't have made my dreams a fact when I don't know what yours are. When I haven't even asked you what you want.”

“Yeah, you shouldn't.”

“I'm sorry, Emilia. I'm really sorry” he says, moving one of his hands and caressing my cheek. “Will you forgive me for being an insensitive idiot?”

“I'm already used to you being an idiot, so” I shrug.

“True” he chuckles. “Then do you…”

“Yes. I forgive you” I sigh.

“For sure?”

“Yes. For sure.”

“Thank you” he smiles.

“You know, if our kids inherit your dimple, I guess it won't be that bad. Or maybe it will be bad. Because if I can't stay mad at you once I see it, imagine if they break something, then smile at me, I see the dimple, and I can't get mad at them and ground them. That would be a disaster!”

“What?” he laughs.

“I love your dimple in case you haven't noticed” I say, touching his left cheek. “I always have, it is my weakness. And I love you, Mason. But before making big decisions that involve us both, like babysitting your ex's son for example, can we please talk about it first?”

“We can and we will. I promise.”

“Great. And I'm sorry if I overreacted a bit when you implied I may want to sleep with someone else. I instantly thought of…”

“Him?”

“Yes” I nod.

“God, Emilia. I'm so sorry. I said it without thinking and… Fuck. I'm an idiot.”

“We already knew that, Mason” I chuckle.

“Yes, but… Urgh” he says, resting his forehead on mine. “I'm sorry, Emilia. I'm really really really sorry.”

“I know” I say before we both fall silent and forget that we are standing in the middle of the street. For a while, it is just us and nothing else. “We should probably go pick up Dani. They probably are wondering where we are” I finally say.

“We should. But Emilia…” he says, stopping me when I'm about to leave his embrace. “I love you.”

“I love you too, Mase” I smile. 

━━━━━━❃━━━━━━

“That is my bed?”

“All yours”

“It is huge, Masi!” Dani says before jumping on it. “Sorry. Mummy doesn't let me jump on my bed. I shouldn't have done that.”

“It's ok, don't worry” I smile.

“And mummy isn't here, is she?” Mason says with a cheeky smile.

“Then… Can I jump?”

“You can.”

“But be careful, Dani” I tell him.

“I will, Lilia!”

“Wait, Lilia?” 

“Yep. That's your new name. Nice to meet you, Lilia. I'm Masi” Mason smiles, shaking my hand.

“Masi sounds so… stupid” I say, whispering the last word so Dani can't hear me. 

“Then it fits me” he shrugs. “Do you think the bed will break if I join him?”

“What?” I laugh. 

“I'm gonna give it a try.”

“Mason!” I laugh again when he joins Dani on the bed and starts jumping with him.

“This is really fun, Lilia! You should join us!”

“Yes!” Dani says.

“And make you sleep on the floor because we've broken your bed?”

“I've never slept on the floor” he says.

“And today won't be the first time. C'mon, get down.”

“Don't be a party pooper, dove” Mason pouts. “Join us!”

“We have a schedule to follow, remember? His mum gave us a freaking pdf with everything we have to do. Who does that, by the way?”

“Someone who has been dating Rúben for years and is about to marry him” he shrugs. “He is a control freak, which probably is why Bluebell has been going so well since he is the mayor.”

“Well, I would not like to piss off the mayor, so c'mon. It's time to put on your pjs and wash your teeth, Dani.”

“Fine” he sighs, letting himself fall on the bed. “Masi, will you read me a story before I fall asleep? Daddy always does it.”

“I can tell you one. Do you know the story of the dove who traveled the world? It was Emilia’s favourite when she was a kid, and I would read it to her all the time before bed.”

“But Lilia is your girlfriend. Why did you read her stories before bed when she was little? Was she your girlfriend already?”

“Oh, no, no” Mason chuckles. “We were best friends when we were little, and she and her brother would sometimes sleep at my house like you are this weekend.”

“So she was your best friend, and now she is your girlfriend?”

“Yep” he smiles, looking at me. 

“Sean is my best friend. Will he be my girlfriend when I grow up?” Dani asks with a confused look.

“Let's get you ready for bed, shall we?” I quickly say. “We are already running late, and we don't want you to be tired for tomorrow's game, do we?”

“She's right, buddy. You need to rest if you want to stop all the goals tomorrow.”

“Yes!” he says, jumping on the bed again. “Will you come watch me play?”

“If we can, we will. Now c'mon, let's do as she says. She is the one in charge” Mason says with a teasing smile.

“It's ok, Masi. I like her” Dani giggles.

“You do?”

“Yep” he nods.

“Can I tell you a secret?” Mason says, lowering down his voice.

“You can, Masi” Dani whispers.

“I also like her. And very very much” he whispers back while looking at me.

“Ok, enough with being cute. Time to get ready for bed, chop chop” I say, trying to keep looking commanding while also trying my best to hide my smile. They are so cute.

━━━━━━❃━━━━━━

“Masi? Lilia?”

“Dani?” I yawn. “Dani, is that you?”

“I had a nightmare, Lilia” he says from the door. 

“Oh, come here” I say, opening the bed for him. “Do you want to tell me what it was about?”

“There was a monster” he says, curling up against me. “I was scared and called daddy to help me, but he didn't come.”

“Maybe daddy didn't go help you because the monster wasn't a bad one.”

“All monsters are bad, Lilia.”

“Not all of them. Look at the cookie monster.”

“Who?” Dani says.

“You don't know him?”

“No.”

“Well, he is a good monster who loves loves loves cookies. Do you like cookies?”

“I love them!” 

“Then what if tomorrow after your game we bake some? Would you like that?”

“Yes!” he says.

“Great” I say, gently running my hand through his hair. “Do you want to go back to your bed or stay here?”

“Stay here.”

“Ok. Then let's make you some room” I say, pushing Mason with my butt. He was still fast asleep. 

“What was that?” Dani giggles when he hears him snore.

“That's what keeps all the monsters away. They hear Mason snore, think it is another monster, and get so scared that they run away.”

“Oh, Masi” he giggles again.

“You are safe here with us, Dani. Go to sleep.”

“Ok” he says before hugging me. “Good night, Lilia.”

“Good night, Dani” I reply, hugging him back.

━━━━━━❃━━━━━━

“And Lilia and I made cookies, mummy! They were sooooooo good! We ate them all, sorry” Dani says.

“It's ok” his mum smiles.

“And then I went to the park with Masi and we played football, and then we went to the pub to help Lilia, and she gave me chocolate milk in a glass like the ones she uses, and Declan said she wanted one too, but I told him he was too old for it” he giggles. “And daddy, did you see all the drawings I made for Lilia and Masi? Look!” he says, taking Rúben’s hand and dragging him to the corner of the pub where we had put them all. “This is you and mummy, and this is Dixie running to bite Declan because he doesn't like cats, and this is Masi and Lilia, and this is the cookie monster! Did you know there are good monsters too, daddy?”

“I didn't, no” Rúben says.

“And mummy!” Dani says, letting go of his dad and running towards her again. “We made a den in Masi's living room and we had a secret dinner!”

“A secret dinner?”

“One we can't tell you about. It is our secret” Mason winks at Dani, making him giggle. 

“What…”

“Pizza” I whisper to Rúben. “Don't tell her we skipped the pdf.”

“Ok” he chuckles. 

“And today we also had breakfast in the den and we played so much, mummy! But I also help them tidy up and even clean the pub! Mason said that when I'm older, I can help him with the beers.”

“Yes. When you are older” she says, giving Mason a not very friendly look. “But it looks like you had lots of fun, didn't you?”

“Yes!” Dani jumps. “Masi and Lilia are the best! Can I stay with them again when you and daddy have to go? Please?”

“I…”

“Of course!” I smile, everyone looking at me with a surprised look. “But let us know in advance so we can organise ourselves.”

“Yes. Sure. Umm… We should get going. It is almost dinner time, Dani” his mum says.

“Fine…” he sighs. “Thank you, Masi” he says, running towards Mason and hugging him.

“You're welcome, buddy.”

“And thank you, Lilia” he says before running towards me and doing the same. “You are the best girlfriend Masi has ever had!”

“Oh. Thank you” I say. Awkward? Very much.

“C'mon, Dani” Rúben says, picking him up. “And thank you for staying with him, guys. We really appreciate it.”

“No problem” Mason smiles.

“Bye, Masi! Bye, Lilia!” Dani waves as they leave.

“Bye!” I weave back. 

“That was… unexpected.”

“What?” I say once it is just me and Mason in the pub.

“You saying of course to Dani staying with us again.”

“Well, you were right. He is a great kid” I shrug. 

“Just that?”

“Yeah” I shrug again. 

“And have you changed your mind about anything else?” he says, wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me against his body.

“Anything else?” I ask.

“Yes. Like… I don't know. Some mini versions of us running around the pub and causing chaos, for example?”

“Oh… that.”

“I don't want to pressure you or anything, but during the whole weekend I couldn't help but notice the way you looked at me when I was with Dani, and more than once I caught you taking sneaky photos and videos of us together.”

“I don't know what you are talking about.”

“Of course not, dove” he laughs. “But more importantly… I saw how you took care of him, the way you behaved around him… And Emilia, if one of the things that worries you is if you are going to be a good mum because of everything that has happened in your life, you mustn't. Because if one day we have kids, you are going to be the best mum ever.”

“You think?”

“I do” he says, caressing my cheek. 

“I also think you are also going to be the best dad ever, Mase.”

“You think?” he smiles.

“I do. I don't know when or if it'll be with me, but…”

“Emilia, I'm planning on spending the rest of my life with you. So if one day I become a father, it'll be with you or with none else.”

“But what if… What if I'm never free? I don't want you to waste your life while waiting for me, Mason. I can't do that to you.”

“What did I just say, Emilia? I'm going to spend the rest of my life with you. Only you. And I don't care how long I have to wait until you are free, because all that time would have been worth it. You are worth it.”

“Why are you so perfect, Mason?” 

“Me? Perfect? I don't know what you are talking about” he says, wiping away my tears.

“Liar” I chuckle. “I love you so much, Mason. So so much.”

“So do I, little dove” he smiles. “And speaking of doves…” he says before moving behind the counter and getting a big envelope.

“What is that?”

“A gift.”

“For me?”

“For you” he smiles.

“Ok…” I say, nervously opening it. “Mason!” I gasp when I see what is inside it. “How… what…”

“One night not long after you came back to Bluebell I was scrolling on my phone, and I somehow ended up googling it, looking if it was still available or not. I found it in a second hand shop, and didn't think twice and bought it. Since then I've kept it hidden in my place waiting for the right moment to give it to you, and after telling Dani the story the other night, I thought it was time.”

“And then you say you aren't perfect, Mase” I chuckle, wiping away my tears while looking at what was inside the envelope: a copy of the book he would read me all the time when we were kids and that I loved so much, the one about the dove travelling the world. 

“I'm not. But if you keep saying, I may start believing it” he smirks. “Do you like it?”

“I love it, Mason. I love it so much” I say before throwing myself and hugging him. “Thank you.”

“You're welcome, my little dove” he replies, squeezing me back. “You're welcome.”

[howi99]

Circus Light chapter 5.5

Doll: *enter her tent with a sigh* Sorry for earlier, Shine- *doesn't see him* ... *See's a bunch of candy on her pillow, along with a note* What's that? *Takes the note, reading it* ... *Sigh* Idiot... I should be the one to apologize...

Second-string: *looking inside* Hey, pipsqueak!

Doll: *turning around, surprised* U-uh?

Second-string: There's a guy searching for your friend. You know, the glowing one?

Doll: ... What?

_ _ _

Jaune: *covered by a bunch of snakes* I can't continue to pester her with this kind of talk, you know what i mean, right?

Snake: *eating one of the candy Jaune brought from the Store, nodding*

Jaune: *sigh* It's as if i can't keep myself from bringing back bad memories. *Lean his head against the table* And i couldn't find a single clue on where those kids would be. *Groan* I'm a failure...

Snake: "You aren't a failure, Shine. This is just something a single man can't manage on his own" - says Wordsworth *pats Jaune's back* "I don't mind helping ya! I got one of the best senses of smell in the whole world!" - says Wilde

Jaune: *turning his face towards the snake, booping it's nose* Thanks buddy, but i doubt you'd survive outside this tent. *Sad smile* You're a tropical Snake, and it's too cold at this time of year.

Snake: ... *Point to the candle illuminating Jaune's face*

Jaune: *perplexed* What is it, Snake?

Snake: "Couldn't you use your light to keep us warm? You know, like you did with Snake?" -says Emily.

Jaune: *frown* Kept you warm? *Lifting his head from the table* What do you mean?

Snake: "*chuckle* Well, when you healed Snake, your light stayed in him for a while, keeping him warm for a while." -says Emily.

Jaune: *blinking* Really? *Pensive* I know animals can use aura, my- *frown* (Weird, Why do i know that Ruby has a dog?) *shaking his head* (Well, that's not really important.) My friend has a dog with aura, so i might be able to unlock one of your snakes's... *Scratching his head* Don't know how though. *Sigh* And i'd need something to charge my scroll to learn how...

Doll: *looking inside, seeing Jaune covered in snakes* SHINE!?

Jaune: *falling down the chair from surprise, the snakes scattering* Freckles, don't scream like that, you almost gave me a heart attack!

Doll: *mumbling* Sorry about that... *Remembering what she came to do* Wait, no, nevermind that, we are leaving town.

Jaune: *blinking* ...Today!? Didn't we have 3 more days?!

Doll: *shake her head* Joker is leaving for a while and Dagger wants us to depart as soon as possible. *Looking worried* And your little magic trick is beginning to make waves, so it's best for us to skedaddle as soon as possible.

Jaune: ... Really?

Doll: *rubbing her forehead* Shine, you healed someone outside of the camp, what do you think was going to happen!?

Jaune: ... H-how did you-

Doll: *sigh* Shine, you can't go around during the night to heal the less fortunate while searching for the kids. You're gonna get yourself killed.

Jaune: But it was just one-

Doll: *deadpan* I won't forgive you if you lie to me.

Jaune: ... Ok fine, i healed a couple of people, big deal. *Shrug* I was wearing a mask so nobody would recognize me-

Doll: ... Shine, you literally shine when you heal people. A mask isn't going to change that!

Jaune: ... Uh... Oops?

[penkura]

knowing [7/8]

Summary: Sanji knew you were the one the moment he met you.

Pairing: Sanji x Reader

Warnings: None really. Normal One Piece stuff I guess.

Note: The end is near!! Wano my beloved, I love Sanji in Wano sm. Another shorter one, compared to six and eight, but we're in the home stretch!! Next chapter is the finale and I hope it will be worth it!

Taglist:

@jzkeisuke | @arcanumlaw

[Ch. 1] ● [Ch. 2] ● [Ch. 3] ● [Ch. 4] ● [Ch. 5] ● [Ch. 6]

Your arrival in Wano started with all of you separated from Luffy, navigating your way through a forested area, hoping to find a town. Sanji kept a hold of your hand the whole time, refusing to let you wander off or get left behind somehow. Of course you weren't like Zoro with your sense of direction, Sanji just wanted to be sure you didn't get separated from the group (mostly from him).

Once you did find Luffy, Kin'emon got you all up to speed on what they had been doing. You were to help recruit more Samurai and ninja for the raid on Onigashima in about two weeks. You'd have to take on a role in the city to keep a low profile, while passing out the cards with the insignia that Kin'emon had put together. He provided disguises with his technique, Nami's being a lot more showy than she liked so she had to adjust it, but you were quick to try and reject whatever he tried to dress you in.

"No no, I think I'm fine with what I'm wearing. I'm a kunoichi already."

"While yes you are, it would be better if you could take on another role for the time being!"

"Then she'll stay with me!" Sanji nodded, putting his arms around your shoulders, Franky and Usopp both still confused since you hadn't had the chance to tell them yet, "We could pretend we're married and running a stall together!"

"Hey Sanji," Usopp was a bit concerned, but did take note of how you didn't push Sanji off or anything, "Maybe she wants to go help Nami or we could see if she can help Franky get the mansion plans. There's no need for you guys to pretend you're a couple!"

"We won't be pretending we're a couple! Just that we're married! We're already together so it doesn't matter!"

"...wait what?"

Realizing what he said, Sanji blushed a bit before hiding his face in your shoulder, making you pat him on his head. You found it funny how he seemed to become so shy about it, maybe because you two hadn't gotten to actually sit and tell Usopp and Franky.

"Poor, poor boyfriend. I don't mind pretending we're married and helping Sanji."

"B…boyfriend?!"

"Yes, Sanji and I are dating."

Franky and Usopp both shouted at you, asking when that happened and being surprised when you said it'd been about two years. Telling you it was 'super' you were together, Franky started crying while Usopp couldn't believe how you kept such a secret for so long, asking who else knew.

"Everyone. You guys were the last two we had to tell."

"Whaaaat??"

+!+

After everything had been settled and you allowed Kin'emon to give you a disguise that let you blend in like a regular Wano housewife, you helped Sanji and Usopp figure out what kind of food stall Sanji would run. The lone soba stand caught your attention, and you noticed Sanji was watching them carefully, which caused you to say his name and get him out of his thoughts. He'd been watching closely after a young girl and her mother had gone up and gotten bowls themselves.

"Hey, do me a favor. Go get in line and get a bowl of that soba."

"Uh, ok, babe, I can do that."

You stood in line for a while, Sanji and Usopp off to the side talking while you waited, until the stand owners stopped taking orders just before you got up to the front. When you went back over to them, you latched back onto Sanji's arm and apologized that you couldn't get a bowl but he gave you a smile.

"Nah, don't worry. I got the information I needed, thank you."

Confused, you still smiled back and nodded, the three of you returning to where you'd be staying during your time in Wano. You'd all had dinner, thanks to Sanji of course, before turning in for the night, and you absolutely refused to go with anyone but Sanji. Might as well really play the part of husband and wife, was your excuse when Nami said you should go with her, Shinobu, and Carrot. She rolled her eyes at you and just said not to go making any babies or anything, causing you to turn bright, bright red and threaten to revoke her honorary kunoichi status while she laughed at you.

"You could've gone with the girls, it would've been fine."

You shook your head, wrapping your arms around Sanji while he did the same to you, pulling you even closer to himself.

"I'd much rather stay with you~"

His turned bright red, no matter how many times you share a bed, it still made Sanji so nervous. He still didn’t believe that you were real, that you loved him and wanted him, he’d never had anyone return his feelings and affections before you. Maybe it was crazy, to think so much about marrying you already, when you were technically his first and only girlfriend, but it seemed like you had the same thoughts, especially after the whole fiasco with his family and the Big Mom pirates.

He didn’t want to ever put you through emotional distress like that again.

“Hey, uh—”

Sanji tried to say something, but instead, he heard you snoring already, very lightly. It made him breathe in relief, with a smile on his face. You really helped him out that day with getting his soba stand ready, you must’ve been so wiped out.

“Sleep well, mon amour.”

I’ll ask you another day.

+!+

With the raid on Onigashima just days away, you and Sanji had found less time to spend with each other during waking hours. You’ve all moved elsewhere to prepare for the raid, Kin’emon and the other Samurai helping you where they could as they prepared too. Shinobu and Raizo had taken a liking to you since you were a kunoichi yourself, both being surprised but impressed to hear you were from an offshoot of Wano, asking how the village was doing and making plans to go there once Wano’s borders were opened.

Two nights before the raid, Sanji finally worked out some time for the two of you to spend and relax, he made a dinner for just the two of you, that Luffy tried multiple times to sneak a bite from until Nami pulled him away and gave him the dinner Sanji made for all of them. The last time Nami had to drag him away made you laugh, while Sanji just rolled his eyes.

“Bottomless pit, that’s what he is.”

“We’ve known that for two years now.”

You giggled, leaning into Sanji’s arm with your head on his shoulder, causing him to kiss the top of your head before you sighed happily.

“I’m glad to have this time with you…everything’s going to be insane day after tomorrow.”

“Yeah…but it’ll be okay. We’ll free this place and then be on our way again.”

“I know, it’s just…getting there is going to be a lot.”

Sanji knew you were probably worried about him, honestly about everyone, but he was the only one you were expressing those worries to. He wanted you to be relaxed and to know that everything would be perfectly fine. Robin had talked to him about how you were seeming more worried as time went on, as the raid got closer, and he got an idea of how to maybe calm you down, but it might also make you even more worried, he wasn’t sure of what to do.

Do I ask her now…? Is this a weird time to propose?

Before he even had a chance to say anything, the two of you were being called by Usopp for something about the raid, making you sigh with a slightly sad smile on your face before looking at Sanji.

“Duty calls. But,” you stopped and kissed him before getting up to go see what was going on, both of you smiling after, “This was lovely, Sanji, you’re the best boyfriend ever.”

“Stop, I’m just taking care of my beautiful girlfriend…we’ll do this again, okay?”

“Of course. I love you, Sanji~”

“I love you too, my dear.”

Later. I’ll ask her later, once everything is settled here.

+!+

"No I…I didn't do anything!"

"You're the only one who could have!"

The geishas threw things at Sanji to get him out of the room, it barely phased him as he did so, wondering what on earth just happened. He had no idea! He'd been running off from Queen and the other Animal Pirates to get his thoughts in order over the oddities he'd noticed about himself recently, so lost in thought he didn't have any clue what caused this one geisha to go flying.

Though, his greatest fear now was that he had caused her to become hurt. Maybe it really was the only thing that made sense. Was he losing himself to that Germa science raid suit?

"Let me see that Germa science, Judge's son!"

Queen kept up his attempts to rile Sanji in order to see the raid suit technology, which Sanji kept denying. This time he was still so lost in thought, wondering what you, over anyone else, would have thought seeing what just happened.

Or worse…what if I hurt [Y/N] next time?

If he hurt you because of those genetic abilities, Sanji would never forgive himself. He'd never forgive his father or Germa for anything anyway, but should their science cause him to harm the most important person in his life, all that blame would fall on his own shoulders. He'd only meant to test the raid suit, not become dependent upon it or let it awaken the monstrous abilities his brothers had from the start. He never thought that would be possible after Reiju explained why he was so different from the rest of them.

Tell me, Luffy….which would you prefer? The regular flesh-and-blood me who turns into a helpless wreck when facing a woman, or a cruel emotionless warrior of science who can kill without discrimination if you give the order? Which of these would be more useful to you, as king of the pirates?

Despite his thoughts wondering if Luffy would somehow be better served by Germa's science, Sanji's thoughts also drifted to you as he retrieved the raid suit from his pocket. Which version would you prefer? Someone willing to kill anyone without qualms if so directed, or would you still prefer the emotional mess of a man that doted on you and had your respect for sticking to his principles of not fighting a woman?

"I've made up my mind."

"Ooh," Queen's excitement over seeing the raid suit was quite obvious, "is that your raid suit?!"

"I have to assume that this thing caused the science already in my body to awaken and activate somehow," Sanji dropped the raid suit to the ground, lifting his foot while Queen watched him stomp on the canister, "Well, I can't do anything about that! But I can say no more! I won't become a Germa soldier!"

"Aww what a waste!! I wanted to see you transform!"

Pulling out a baby transponder snail, calling Zoro and letting him argue with him briefly about his reasoning for slipping it into his band, Sanji hated making such a request of Zoro of all people.

"We're gonna win this but…after the finisher if I'm not…in my right mind, I need you to kill me."

"All right, fine! I'll kill you after this is over, whatever that means!"

"And I…need you to tell [Y/N]--"

"I'm not saying anything sappy!"

There was no time to argue or fight, so Sanji just nodded. He figured it'd be a long shot anyway.

"At least I'll have something to look forward to after this. So don't die until then!"

"Thanks."

"Hey," they were short on time, but Zoro decided he'd say one more thing, "I'll tell her."

"Appreciate it."

+!+

"Oh my gosh, Sanji, what happened?!"

You had finished helping Usopp and Nami get Otama somewhere safe, and returned back into the castle to search for anyone else that needed help or to find the rest of your comrades. After finding most everyone, though you had no idea where Zoro was really and knew Luffy was on the roof, you ended up finding a room with some geishas who were tending to Sanji's injuries. You were instantly on your knees beside him asking the geisha girl next to him what happened.

"He…he fought and defeated Master Queen!! He protected me after we accused him of attacking me!"

You might have to ask him about that last bit later, but you were so relieved to hear Sanji was all right, he was just injured but was being treated by the geishas.

Of course you protected her, you sweet man..

Leaning over, you gently kissed his forehead which surprised the geisha girl, Osome, you'd later learn.

"You're so amazing. I love you, Sanji."

"O-Oh, are you two…?"

You smiled at Osome with a nod. "Yes! He's the love of my life! Thank you for taking care of him!"

"I-It's the least I could do after he saved Chuji!"

The little mouse squeaked and made you smile softly. Osome explained everything to you, while you stayed by Sanji for the moment, brushing his hair back out of his face and holding his hand. After you heard the whole story, knowing Sanji wasn't at fault for Osome being hurt and that he'd beaten Queen, you stood up when you heard some shouting about the fire.

"Can you stay with him for me? I'm going to go help some others!"

"Y-Yes!"

"Thank you!"

You ran out of the room, promising yourself and Sanji that you two would get some time alone again soon, and you'd tell him how proud you were of him.

Soon, I swear.

[sugarplumkneecaps]

Sips of Solace & Soft Spines

Shadow & Sonic Slow Burn

C/W: none A/N: thank you so much for the love for this fic <3 It truly means a lot! I want to let you know that I won't be updating here, in this format, after this chapter. It has caused a great deal of stress that I wasn't expecting. So sorry! I will keep posting updates on my AO3 every Friday though <3 You can view the work here.

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 (HERE)

Chapter 5: Teacups & Crusades

☾ ⋆･ﾟ:⋆･ﾟ☆。。☆。✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:

The polished look of the espresso machine steam spout brought Shadow a great deal of pride. He had worked the rag on it until it shone like glass, a distorted reflection of himself staring back at him as Amy and Rouge chattered behind him. It had been a couple weeks since Shadow’s housewarming party and work at the Mean Bean cafe had been going quite well. It brought him a sense of belonging where he was able to focus on each task at hand with minimal deviation from the routine he had established.

Each morning, Rouge would accompany him on his way to work, talking about various subjects from her questionable interest in Knuckles to planned get togethers she had not bothered Shadow with to new vinyl being released. He had learned that vinyl had made a comeback after losing its popularity some years ago, which for once seemed to be rather lucky for him. Over the weeks, he had gone through the selection chosen for him at his apartment, fine tuning his own taste in music which he found was not much different from Maria’s. Melodies filled his apartment during a majority of his waking hours instead of the silence he once thought he would have preferred.

His days off were spent either going to the cooking class with Sonic, followed by their long training sessions (no longer cut short by surprise parties but rather ending naturally when the moon peeked its head above the trees) or reading. Tails had shown him the town library where Shadow was able to collect a small hoard of books each week that he would spend his evenings reading. Most of his selection came from the historical section, finding that he enjoyed catching up on events that happened during his absence in stasis. The routine was somewhat mundane compared to what he had grown so used to before, but it was not unwelcome.

Rolling his shoulder back, Shadow let out a soft groan as Rouge placed a slip of paper next to him with an order scribbled onto it. “Rough session with Sonic, huh?” She had propped herself up with her hand placed along the counter, the other on her popped hip.

“He’s an adequate training partner,” the muscles in his arm screamed as the stretch deepened, causing him to wince slightly. Picking up the order, he went to work placing the grounds in the machine before it let out a small hiss and spat the coffee into a small cup. He plated the drink on the pick up counter, hitting the small service bell to alert the customer of their completed order.

Rouge hadn’t moved, raising an eyebrow at his indifferent response. “Uh huh. I know you won’t listen to me when I say this, but try to not over do it. You’re not the only one using him as a punching bag.” The scene of their training grounds came into view within Shadow’s mind, the number of smashed trees growing each week. He knew not all of them were because of him, but he did recall Sonic’s comment about Knuckles using the same space to train, as well. He hadn’t quite considered that Sonic was making an effort to train with Knuckles on days he wasn’t training with Shadow. He acknowledged Rouge’s request with a curt nod, going back to business.

The bell above the door chimed as a familiar blue figure entered the cafe. Shadow turned his attention to Sonic, stepping forward to take Amy’s usual place at the register as she was on break.

“Hey Shadow! I didn’t realize you worked here with Amy!” he flashed a toothy grin at Shadow, waving to the bat behind him. “Hiya Rouge!”

“Hi Sonic,” she called, joining Shadow’s side before giving him a soft nudge. “I’m headed to take my break. You got this, handsome?”

Shadow gave another nod as she headed toward the door. He placed one hand on the counter, glancing at the touchscreen in front of him, greeting Sonic with a deadpan tone, “what can I get you.” An awkward chuckle escaped the hedgehog stood before him before he mirrored Shadow’s stance.

“Get me whatever you like, Shadow!”

Shifting his eyes up, he gave Sonic a slow once over. “No.”

“What? Why not?!”

“You don’t need caffeine.”

“What are you, my mother?”

The dark hedgehog let out a tired sigh. This was one of the rare moments that he silently begged for a rush of customers to swarm the place, giving him enough of an excuse to hurry along this pained interaction. However, this was Green Hills and the town’s idea of rush hour was tame enough that Shadow could handle it alone without issue. In a rare moment, the universe had found in its heart to be forgiving of his plight as Amy returned from break before Shadow had to continue to explain himself. Her eyes lit up at the sight of Sonic, “oh hey Sonic! What a surprise to see you here!”

Sonic’s determination was unwavering however, his foot tapping at an increasingly rapid speed. The pink hedgehog took notice, her demeanor shifting to one of understanding and then annoyance. Her lips thinned into a straight line as she stated, “decaf.”

“WHAT?” throwing his hands up in an exasperated manner, Sonic nearly fell over from shock at the joint refusal of both Shadow and Amy. Without another word, Shadow returned to his post and began making up a cup for Sonic. “Wha- I don’t get to have a say at all in this? What happened to the customer’s always right or whatever?”

“Not in this case!” Amy beamed, high fiving Shadow before punching in the order on the touchscreen. Sonic crossed his arms in a pout, taking a seat by one of the windows as he waited for his drink. Gliding across the seating area over to him, Shadow placed the cup of decaf coffee in front of him along with a small selection of creams and sugar.

“Black, decaf coffee. Similar to what I like.” Shadow bent down close to Sonic’s face. “But I brought cream just in case.”

Sonic’s peach muzzle shifted to that of a light pink before he turned his attention away, rubbing his nose in silence. The door opened once more, relieving Sonic of the unexpected intrusion of his space as Shadow lifted himself to return behind the counter. Rouge reemerged from outside, walking in tandem with a small rabbit. Amy immediately recognized her little friend, Cream, and ran to greet her.

“Cream! Oh my goodness, how have you been?” Amy squealed with delight as she pulled the rabbit into a hug. Cream giggled as she returned the embrace eagerly. Shadow peered over the counter at the display, still moving about to place used dishes in the sink. He had only interacted with Cream a handful of times, but it was enough for him to develop a bit of a soft spot for her. Many of her antics reminded him of Maria and he had a hard time turning down anything she had asked of him. She was adored by Amy and her entire friend group, so they found themselves to be in a similar predicament whenever she inquired anything of them.

“I ran into her outside, she mentioned having something for all of us,” Rouge commented as she returned behind the counter alongside Shadow.

“I do!” Cream beamed. She pulled at the small bag slung over her shoulder, taking note of each person present within the cafe. Once her count was finished, she pulled out four pastel colored envelopes, each decorated with stickers and glittery handwriting. She cleared her throat before stepping back to present Amy with the first one, “I am cordially inviting you all to my tea party!”

Amy accepted the envelope gingerly, buzzing with excitement. Cream made her way to each person, approaching Shadow last. An earnest expression working her features, her eyes furrowed in her own attempt to match his own usual glare. She held the envelope out to him, “Mister Shadow, I cordially invite you to my tea party!” Shadow let out a small chortle as he accepted the outstretched invitation.

“I’ll be there.”

Her expression immediately shifted to one of joy, moving forward swiftly to hug him. With that, she skipped toward the front door, only turning back to wave and exclaim, “I expect to see you all Saturday!”

With Cream out of ear shot, all eyes were on Shadow as he put the envelope into the pocket of his apron with a great amount of care. Rouge was the first to break the silence, a teasing grin stretched along her face, “I don’t think I’ve ever heard you accept a party invitation so fast in my life. What gives?”

Shadow shrugged as he filled the sink behind the counter with soapy water, submerging the dishes completely. Unsatisfied with the lack of an answer, Amy pressed as well. “Yeah Shadow, I’m even a bit surprised.”

“And any of you would tell her no?” his tone flat as he got to work, moving the freshly washed dishes to the drying rack above the sink. His question was met with silence, only confirming his suspicion and saving him the need to justify himself. Sonic finally braved a small sip from the cup in front of him, trying to hide his reaction of disgust before adding a mix of creams that Shadow had brought him.

“It makes sense,” he pondered aloud, sipping at the coffee once more, satisfied with his additions to the cup. “Shadow may be cold, but he isn’t heartless.”

The compliment caught Shadow off guard, his ear twitching involuntarily before he tried to resume his task. Amy mumbled in agreement, apologizing to him for the insinuation on her part. Rouge watched Shadow in silence, her cheeky grin only growing as she took note of his subtle reaction.

Shadow slammed his hand down on his beeping alarm clock, shutting off the annoying alert to roust him. The day of the tea party quickly arrived and Shadow admittedly felt ill prepared. While he was among one of many that did not have to heart to decline such an earnest invitation from Cream, he still felt out of place. Swinging his legs over the side of his bed, he rummaged through his dresser to pull together a modest outfit, checking his phone as he did.

As if on cue, a text from Rouge lit up his phone.

> Rouge: Seems I won’t be able to make it today :’( give Cream my best!

That sly bat. He locked his phone and left it on the bed, irritated that his social anchor wouldn’t be present. The thought of her plotting this from the start crossed his mind; it wouldn’t be unlike her. If there was one thing he had learned from her over the years (and especially over the past few weeks) was that sudden unavailability seemed to be more socially accepted as opposed to having conflicting plans. She knew how to game the system and it just so happened that this particular instance had left him out to dry.

Trying to shake the frustration that had begun to set it, he pulled a dark sweater over his head, smoothing out its wrinkles and his own quills before heading to the kitchen. Working at the cafe had made him appreciate the different ways one could utilize coffee beans. Had his preferred method of consumption changed? No, he still enjoyed the efficiency of eating the beans straight from the bag. But he had learned to appreciate the aroma and act of sitting down with a cup of brewed coffee in order to savor the bitter notes. Making the coffee this way also seemed to make it last a bit longer, which gave him little reason to complain.

Having finished getting ready and preparing himself to face the music, he exited his apartment and headed downstairs. The invitation in hand read that the party was at a national park some ways away, which was no issue for him. A crude map featuring a simple picture of Green Hills with a line leading to a pink circle containing a large body of water was drawn on the page. It wasn’t much to go off of, but he recognized the curve of the river. He engaged his air shoes, shoving the colored paper into his quills for safe keeping as he made his way to the park.

Even with the somewhat unreliable map provided on the invitation, it would have been hard to miss where the party was to take place. Balloons and colored streamers hung from the tree branches leading to a picnic area which was equally as done up for the occasion. A long blanket lay atop one of the tables, an assortment of small sandwiches and various snack items filling the center with lines of teacups and cutlery placed at each seat. There were little name cards accompanying each set, the names scribbled down unreadable from afar. At the head of the table sat little Cream, dawning a glittery dress and a small tiara. Shadow felt a bit underdressed by comparison.

By Cream’s side was Blaze, who was instructing her on something Shadow couldn’t quite make out. However, she had Cream completely captivated as the cat would hold each bit of cutlery up, speak for a short while, and then move onto the next. Amy soon emerged from the wood line, some kind of kettle in hand as Tails trotted along behind her with a portable generator. Placing it on the table, she caught a glimpse of Shadow and called to him. “Shadow! There you are! It’s so nice to see you!”

No point in waiting by the sidelines, he supposed.

Approaching with a bit of reluctance, he watched as Tails set up the generator, plugging the cord from the base of the kettle into it. Shadow hadn’t given much thought to the intricacies of hosting a tea party out in the woods, but this crew always seemed to find some way to pull off even the most outlandish ideas. Cream took notice of everyone gathering, Shadow catching her attention immediately. “Hiya Mister Shadow!” she hopped from her seat, running over to give him a practiced curtsy. Shadow chuckled a bit before indulging the rabbit, giving her a slight bow.

“Where’s Rouge?” Amy asked, giving the dark hedgehog a quizzical look. Standing straight up again, he fished his phone out to show her the text from their coworker. Her face scrunched up, doing very little to hide the aggravation caused by Rouge’s no-show. “Of course she found a way out of this.” Shadow shrugged, returning his phone back to where it was before as he scanned the area looking for something, or someone. Rouge’s stunt only irritated him since he was usually able to cling to her at these social events. Now he had to find someone else to attach himself to. He had worked with Amy for a little while now, so using her as a temporary social anchor wasn’t a bad idea. However, they had never seemed to get around to small talk and he only overheard bits and pieces of conversation between her and Rouge. Most of their banter involved Amy pining over Sonic or her continually coming up with new events to host at her home. Shadow started to wonder if she actually enjoyed hosting all the time or if she was only doing it in an effort to get close to her love interest. Given who she got her dating advice from, it was most likely the latter.

That left Shadow with one other option, one that left him questioning his sanity for even considering it. Seeking someone like Sonic out was an insane notion, as he was obnoxious to a degree that was almost impressive. He always had something smart to say in response to any serious bit of conversation. One had to enter into every interaction with the blue blur with the patience of a saint... or be willing to punch him a few times to relieve some of the building tension caused by him. Shadow was personally quite fond of the latter, but in this instance he had found himself inadvertently searching for his rival for reasons completely devoid of violence. Amy was a good, safe anchor, but Sonic was predictable. As if to only prove Shadow’s subconscious line of reasoning, the blue hedgehog appeared in a flash, causing the blanket laid atop the table to flap about wildly.

“Sorry I’m late, Cream!” he huffed, an apologetic grin on his face. Knuckles followed closely behind, carrying what Shadow could only guess were more party supplies. For someone who claimed to be the fastest thing alive, Sonic seemed to have a regular habit of being tardy.

The small rabbit made no issue calling him out on it either, “you better have a good excuse!”

Looking rather alarmed and scrambling to respond, all Sonic could manage was to motion toward Knuckles as he approached the table, setting down the armful of stuff. “What about Knuckles?! He’s late, too!”

“I was here earlier this morning to help the rabbit set up. Do not pin your guilt on me, hedgehog,” Knuckles retorted, causing Sonic to drop his head in comical defeat.

No longer interested in Sonic’s attempt at an excuse, Cream dug through the pile placed on the table, pulling a wooden toy sword out and above her head. “Ah ha! Blaze! He brought it!” The cat moved to her side gracefully, studying the sword for a moment before giving Cream an approving nod.

“I believe this will do nicely,” she began, placing her hand on the rabbit’s shoulder and turning her away from the table. “Now, to do a proper knighting, do as I do.”

Shadow watched as Blaze continued her instruction, crossing his arms over his chest and doing his best to ignore Sonic’s approach. The blue hedgehog cleared his throat before nudging Shadow’s arm with his elbow. “You really showed! I’m almost surprised.” The dark hedgehog let out a small scoff, keeping his eyes fixed on Cream and Blaze.

“I’m not heartless,” he said plainly, quoting what Sonic had said earlier in the week.

“Ah- you’re right. Yeah.”

An awkward pause fell between them as Blaze finished her instruction, Cream’s wooden sword tapping either of her shoulders as the cat kneeled before her. “I now pronounce you Sir... Percival!” The rabbit giggled a bit as Blaze stood tall once more, giving Cream a bow as thanks. “Everyone gather around! I need to give you your titles!”

The group huddled around the small rabbit with varying looks of curiosity and glee, each taking a turn kneeling before Cream just as Blaze had as they were given their titles.

“Knuckles, I pronounce you Sir Gawain!”

“Tails, you are my trusty Blacksmith!”

“Shadow, I pronounce you Sir Lancelot!”

“Amy, I pronounce you- uh...” Cream looked around, eyes growing wide as they landed on the large body of water near the picnic area. “Lady of the Lake!”

Each member found their way to the table, the nametags at each seat coming into view as they approached. Cream had written each of their given titles on the slips of paper in the same glittery font used on the invitations. As Shadow found his seat, he took note of the nametags placed on either side of him. One, that read “Lady of Bats (Rouge)” and the other...

“What about me, Cream?” Sonic inquired, getting ready to kneel before her as the others had. The small rabbit hemmed and hawed for a short time before shrugging and giving him a wide smile, “you’re just ‘Sonic’, Sonic.”

The group stifled a joint laugh as Cream skipped over to her place at the table, leaving Sonic with his mouth hanging open and his stance frozen in a mid kneeling position. Shadow let out a rather hearty chuckle, having foreseen his rival’s lack of title based on the plain “Sonic” nametag placed next to him. The blue blur found his way to his seat and pouted for a time as the festivities kicked off. Without thinking, Shadow returned Sonic’s earlier gesture by nudging his arm and offering, “maybe you don’t need a fancy title.”

Too dejected to truly appreciate the effort from Shadow, Sonic shoved a lackluster hand towards the tag placed in front of his dark companion. “She even thought of one for you- no offense. But you don’t even like going to these types of things...”

“What makes you say that?”

Sonic thumped his head onto the table, rubbing his face about until he could turn to look up at Shadow, “oh c’mon now.” A gloved hand appeared between the two hedgehogs, fingers raising one by one as the blue hedgehog recalled each instance. “You had no interest in sticking out our D&D one shot, that I wrote specifically for you by the way. You practically ran away from me at Amy’s. Even at your own housewarming party you snuck off to brood!” Each memory tossed at him caused Shadow to wince and bare his teeth bit by bit. As much as he hated to admit it, Sonic was more perceptive than he gave him credit for. The only activity Shadow willingly participated in at this point was the combination cooking class, sparring match agreement with Sonic.

“The only thing you seem to actually like doing is beating me up every week!”

Yep, Shadow was a fool if he thought that Sonic was going to leave that bit out. Deciding it wasn’t worth it to engage with Sonic’s completely justified recounts, he took a moment to regain his cool, inhaled deeply and reached toward the center of the table to grab some of the snacks placed there. Placing a sandwich on his own plate as well as one on Sonic’s, he then placed a tea bag in either of their cups. Much of this went without any sort of acknowledgement from his brighter counterpart as the counting hand flopped onto the table with an audible thud.

“Tea?” he finally asked, hoping to get Sonic to sit up properly. Blaze was shooting daggers their way as she glared at the display and Shadow was in no mood to deal with her wrath. The gesture worked as the blue hedgehog fixed his posture to at least that of a slouch, finally taking note of the food on his plate and the tea bag in his cup, which he lifted to his face to sniff at.

“What did you put in there?” he said, the amount of disdain in his voice unfitting for his usual demeanor. Shadow placed a gentle hand atop the teacup to bring it back down to the table before pouring hot water into it. The water quickly swirled to a light shade of brown, the earthy aroma from it rising along with the steam that dissipated into the forest air. Whatever bickering Sonic had left in him was silenced as he bit into the small sandwich, no longer having the energy to continue to outwardly pout at his title-less tag.

Amy had been watching the two intently, ignoring the snacks and treats on her own plate as the two rivals interacted. She was used to Sonic’s theatrics, but Shadow’s seemingly gentle acts inspired numerous unspoken questions.

The party came to a close as Tails remarked on the time. Cream’s mother, Vanilla, was strict about the small rabbit’s bedtime, and the festivities had continued dangerously close to it. Amy shooed everyone off, insisting that they escort Cream home. “Leave the decorations to me!” she called. Shadow stayed behind to help pack up the remaining supplies, pausing as he held the “Sir Lancelot (Shadow)” tag in his hand.

“Cream really put a lot of thought into this,” Amy commented softly as she reached his side and started to get to work gathering items up into the tote that had been hidden underneath the table. He nodded, placing the nametag within his quills for safekeeping. Without a verbal response from Shadow, the pink hedgehog continued, “it’s nice to see you and Sonic getting along!”

The notion evoked a loud humph from him, his pace quickening to establish some space between him and her. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

She stopped dead in her tracks, placing a hand on her hip and scowling over at him. “You can pull that kind of crap with Sonic, but you can’t keep dodging everything everyone says to you.” The sudden abrasiveness from Amy caught Shadow off guard completely, throwing him off his rhythm of cleaning up. Dishes clanked together in a clumsy fashion as his grip on them wavered.

Seeing his slight fumble, Amy sighed as she relaxed her pose and brought her voice back to a neutral tone, “He looks up to you a lot, Shadow. And he’ll never say it, but I know he’s been enjoying the time he’s been getting with you, as much as you can’t stand it.” The last bit was an obvious jab, one that cut through his thick skin.

“It’s not that...” he hesitated, his voice coming out much quieter than he intended. “It’s not that I can’t stand him.”

Amy’s ears perked up, her attention fully on him now. “What is it then?”

Words failed him as he searched for the right ones to describe exactly what it was. Sonic drove him absolutely mad, that was for sure. Each cooking class they took together, the blue blur had an air of confidence about him that translated to gentle instruction as he went through the motions with Shadow. The silent, thoughtful gestures confused him to an annoying degree, so much so that he had to put it out of his mind completely to stay focused on the actual cooking. Then, each time they would race to the training grounds, Sonic kept up with each and every blow that was exchanged, stopping every now and again to offer Shadow water and then again to call it a night. He was annoying, stubborn, but more than anything...

“He’s reliable,” Shadow slipped out, his gaze elsewhere as his racing thoughts finally tossed together an acceptable conclusion.

A conclusion that even Amy was happy with. She smiled sweetly, grabbing the last bits of tableware from Shadow’s grasp. “That’s such a typical response, coming from you.” She sighed dreamily, “but I’d have to agree with you. My Sonic always makes an effort to be dependable!”

[david-talks-sw]

An allergy to the Prequels

While I'm putting together a post about the evolution Lucasfilm's transmedia strategies, this part kinda turned into its own thing!

So I'm not sure if anyone else noticed, but, uh... there hasn't been that much Prequel content since the Disney sale, right?

'Couple novels and comics, some episodes... but nothing meaningful.

The more I look into it, the more it feels like a deliberate avoidance to touch on anything Prequel-related - beyond the required quota, that is - to a point where they'd rather tell stories set during periods that are Prequel-adjacent (Dark Times, High Republic) than something set around Episodes I, II and III.

On-screen policy: "pretend they never happened"

I mean, this one's no secret. When The Force Awakens had been announced, with J.J. Abrams at the helm, everyone sighed in relief. "Finally, George Lucas won't keep ruining the franchise."

When Abrams had been announced as the director of Episode VII, I remember this cringey animated video started circulating online, titled "4 Rules To Make Star Wars Great Again" or "Dear JJ Abrams":

“Star Wars isn’t shiny and clean... Star Wars is a western.”

If you ask me, those two things are not mutually exclusive.

'Cause Star Wars has always been both, for many Prequel kids. Both clean and dusty, Coruscant and Tatooine. There was never a disconnect between the Original Trilogy (OT) and the Prequel Trilogy.

Even the documentary The People vs George Lucas shows Prequel-hating fans begrudgingly admit their kids felt all six episodes tied seamlessly.

Abrams, on the other hand, said: "I think [the "Dear JJ" video] was right on." Later on, he also said:

he considered "putting Jar Jar Binks's bones in the desert" on Jakku, somewhere, and

he intentionally made the lightsaber fights "rougher", "primitive" and "more powerful" unlike the fast-paced ones in the Prequels.

Later, we found out he wanted to blow up Coruscant.

It's clear he wasn't a big fan of the Prequels.

But y'know what? Not many fans over 20 were, at the time. And when The Force Awakens came out, most them celebrated it as a wonderful love letter to the OT.

Star Wars is cool again. Mission accomplished 🙌 !

However movies keep coming out, and references to the Prequels - if there are any - are literally just that... references.

Sometimes in the shape of a cameo ("hey look, Genevieve O'Reilly from the Ep. III deleted scenes is playing Mon Mothma again!")

Sometimes in a name (Luke name-dropped "Darth Sidious"!)

But nothing set during the Prequel era, and nothing treating the events that happened in that period as relevant or impactful, beyond subtextual nods.

In fact, the trend of avoiding anything Prequel-related continues as the final film in the Skywalker Saga comes out:

The Rise of Skywalker has a secret Sith society that chants the name "Palpatine" instead of his Sith name "Darth Sidious",

the film pretends the Kaminoans never existed,

and neither TROS nor Trevorrow's Duel of the Fates script even try to bring Hayden Christensen's Anakin Skywalker back on screen. Let that sink in, we're talking about the Chosen One, Skywalker Senior, whose sins caused this whole mess... and his name isn't even uttered once in the final chapter of what Disney dubbed the *Skywalker* Saga (or the entire Sequel trilogy, for that matter).

But hey, The Clone Wars got renewed for one last Season! That's cool right? So many stories had gone unfinished and somehow the animation looks even better than befo--

-- oh. It's not 22 episodes? Only 12?

Four of which had already been shown to us, but hey! We need to set-up the Bad Batch series, so let's shoehorn those episodes in there, and forget Son of Dathomir, Dark Disciple or Crystal Crisis.

*sigh* Better than nothing, I guess.

In other mediums: "just not a priority"

Now this is something that I'll explore more in the transmedia post (and purely my interpretation), but the noticeable change between Lucasfilm's transmedia strategy *post-ROTS* and the one post-Disney sale is that:

Before, the games, comics and novels were the main content. After all, Revenge of the Sith had been released, so that was it, for the movies. Thus, a variety of other content was being cranked out to keep the Star Wars franchise relevant. There were comics set 100 years after Episode 6, comics set 25,000 years prior, games set in the Old Republic era, other stories in the New Republic era, novels galore, a couple of parody films and an animated show, The Clone Wars, which sometimes received its own tie-in comics, novels and games.

After the sale and ever since, most of the transmedia products have had only one goal: promoting the films & streaming shows.

So while in 2015 you won't see an abundance of Prequel content... you'll see an avalanche of OT books and comics come out.

Why? Because the heroes of that era will be in the Sequel Trilogy movies. It provided context to the kids who hadn't seen the OT yet, and reintroduced those films to a new generation of fans, while priming them for the Sequels.

A multimedia marketing strategy that ultimately proved successful.

However, it continued even after The Force Awakens came out.

Don't believe me? Compare how many comics there have been set during the Prequel era vs the OT era.

If they make comics about the Prequels, they're limited runs.

Case in point: before the current Yoda series, the best any Disney Prequel-set comic series ever got was 6 issues.

Note: it's worth pointing out that the frequency of mini-series aren't just a Star Wars-specific thing, it's a comic book industry thing. The readership for comics is dwindling, many people are reading scans online, and so no publisher wants to commit to a story that lasts more than 4-6 issues. My problem is: there absolutely would be readership for a Prequel comic series to warrant an extended run instead of a mini-series.

Let's talk books. There have been give or 64 canon novels published since the Disney sale.

Only 11 of them are set during the Prequel era. And even those stories only came out when the planets were aligned.

Almost half of them were released while being a part of some bigger multimedia push.

Example:

Before the Obi-Wan Kenobi series was being released on Disney Plus, we'd had one novel and like two comic stories about him during the Prequels... released between 2012 and end 2021. That's about three pieces of content in almost ten years.

Clearly a low frequency.

Then, when the series is around the corner, two books and a comic story comes out in the space of months, plus an anthology book with an alt cover with his face on it and a comic with a story of him and Anakin in the first issue, all in 2022.

My takeaway: short of there being a film or series that needs to be promoted, you'll rarely get any Prequel comics or books.

And this is OBI-WAN we're talking about. The character who even the Prequel haters love. Imagine how little attention the other ones get.

Gaming-wise, Battlefront had no Prequel content at all (again, 2015 was the year where OT content was shoved down the consumer's throats to prep them for Episode VII), and Battlefront 2 only released Prequel content a full year later.

All that being said, we did seen some Prequel elements here and there. After all, some actors got to reprise their roles, books and comics came out featuring Prequel characters... but there's a catch.

The stories they appear in are set in-between Episodes III and IV, a time-period known as "the Dark Times" or the "Imperial era".

"Dark Times" being used instead of the Prequel era

It's easy to see the appeal of this era. You keep the same threat from the Original Trilogy - the Empire - but redress it with Prequel elements... while also cherry-picking the best characters of both the OT and the Prequels and giving them a chance to shine again.

The situation is more clear cut, as opposed to the complex one in the Prequels. Bad guys are stormtroopers, good guys are anyone else. And the stories no longer take place in the shiny capital, you're back on the frontier.

But at this point... it feels like a cop-out.

When you consider how much content has been set during the Dark Times, it's nothing to sneeze at. Since the sale, we've had:

2 movies (Solo, Rogue One)

4 series set in that time-period (namely The Bad Batch, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Andor, and Star Wars: Rebels).

2 video-games (Jedi: Fallen Order and Jedi: Survivor).

17 novels (such as Ahsoka, Lords of the Sith, the new Thrawn books, etc)

And just a whole bunch of comic book series & mini-series (like Kanan, Princess Leia, various Vader-centric comics including Darth Vader: Lord of the Sith, many tie-in mini-series promoting Rogue One, Jedi: Fallen Order, Obi-Wan Kenobi, etc).

There's been so much content made for this time-period that it feels like an unwillingness to do the work and create something set something during the Prequel era, let alone something that follows its Jedi.

After all, why make a story set in the Prequels (disliked by vocal fans) when you can just take the characters in that story and put them in an OT setting (which will appease the Prequel-haters)?

Maybe these stories get relegated to the Dark Times because:

there seems to be a perception that anything set in the Prequel era won't sell?

or maybe the current SW writers weren't fond of Episodes I, II and III, and don't find those Jedi characters likable, thinking they're too righteous and dogmatic which makes it hard to craft a story around them.

Or maybe it's because they're under the impression that the Prequel Jedi are bad. Like, canonically, in the narrative. Not just in a "I don't like them" sense, but also in a "the story is all about them becoming corrupted" sense.

Let's expand on that last point.

Retconning the Prequels as the "Fall of the Jedi" era

Somehow the rare stories set during the Prequels that we do get seem to automatically be about how "the Jedi lost their way/failed".

The series Tales of the Jedi is explicit about it...

... and I already explained why it contradicts what George Lucas established here and here.

You also see it in Rebels and the new season of The Clone Wars...

... in comics...

... in games...

It gets to a point where the Prequels era has now been redubbed the "Fall of the Jedi" era by Lucasfilm.

You wanna know what that period was referred to before the Disney sale? The "Rise of the Empire" Era.

Because - and I'll never get tired of saying this cuz it's factual - the Prequels aren't about the fall of the Jedi, they're about the fall of the Republic and Anakin, and rise of the Empire and Vader.

So in addition to being overdone, the "Jedi lost their way" is not even the intended narrative of the Prequels (if one puts any stock in Lucas' words). It's a minor subplot at best, hardly the focus of the films, let alone a whole time period.

But dubbing it "Fall of the Jedi" implies that there's another era in which the Jedi were in their heyday.

Because Star Wars authors are in luck! Yet another alternative has presented itself in the shape of a new transmedia initiative, and it's even better than the "let's set it during the Dark Times" solution:

A new transmedia initiative: The High Republic

You wanna deal with the Jedi before the Empire, but for some reason you wanna avoid dealing with the ones seen in the Prequels?

Look no further. Meet the Jedi of the High Republic.

Noble, adventurous, inspired by the Knights of the Round Table, they're everything the OT kids dreamed about when they heard ol' Ben Kenobi talk about the Knights of the Old Republic.

That's more like it!

Note: the High Republic was created for other reasons and has many more upsides than the ones mentioned above. Namely, a fresh new spot in the timeline that allows for creative freedom and a beautifully-coordinated transmedia storytelling effort where retcons are non-existent. However it does seem evident that not having to deal with the 'unlikable' Prequel Jedi and their "fall" is one of those upsides.

Another perk that the High Republic era offers is more freedom in terms of storytelling compared to the Prequels.

In 2016, Pablo Hidalgo tweeted he still quotes to authors the following excerpt of West End Games' guide for aspiring Star Wars writers, from 1994.

You can't write "this was the best day in Luke Skywalker's life", for example, because another author may want to write a better day than the one you just wrote.

My guess is that a similar approach applies to how all characters from the movies are treated. They're massively iconic. So you can't write a book that drastically changes how Mace or Yoda or Obi-Wan are perceived overall.

The stories need to be self-contained, disregardable if necessary, because you'll have dozens of writers coming up with new stories for those same characters, and you need to leave them some room.

Examples:

Notice how in the book Dooku: Jedi Lost we never see how Dooku turns to the Dark Side and joins the Sith.

Same goes for crossover comic book arcs of the Star Wars issues, like Vader Down or Crimson Reign... the characters don't really change by much in those comics. You could stick to just watching the movies and you wouldn't really miss anything.

But with The High Republic, you indeed can develop these characters as much as you want.

All stories featuring Avar Kriss leave an impact on her, you can nail down who she is perfectly in one book or one comic arc, both being just as meaningful to her character.

The fact that she's not as iconic/famous a character as Mace Windu means that authors can go to town on crafting an interesting and nuanced character arc for her that'll have a beginning, middle and end... something Mace will never really get.

CONCLUSION:

Back in 2015... let's not kid ourselves. The Prequels were unpopular and Disney is a multi-billion dollar corporation. Opting to make as much money as possible is what they do.

It's the same reason they decided not to go with George Lucas' original plans for the Sequels, in 2012.

I mean, imagine you're Disney. You just dropped 4 billion dollars, with a B, on this franchise. Your next Star Wars movie needs to be worth the price tag. Now, you can pick between two options:

Option #1 is uncharted territory and it explores the midi-chlorians (the cursed word…!) and the guy who presented you with this option also openly admits that a big chunk of customers won’t like it, but he wants this to be done because it’s his vision.

Option #2 is very simple: a soft reboot, that plays on nostalgia that the same chunk of customers (aka the 'boomer and Gen-X fans who grew up with the Original Trilogy and now have kids, grandkids and MONEY) will like.

It's a no-brainer. They gave the customers what they wanted.

But time has passed, the fans who were children when the Prequels first came out have grown up, and grew up with characters like Yoda, Mace, Plo Koon, Kit Fisto and other Jedi as their heroes, aside from main characters like Anakin and Obi-Wan and Ahsoka.

Can we maybe expand on them, flesh them out more?

No, let's either ignoring the storytelling potential of these characters or reducing it to them being "righteous, arrogant and dogmatic".

God forbid we get a story showing the Prequel Jedi in a *gasp* more positive light? One where their POV is more understandable, instead of the same old "we brought this on ourselves" storyline.

There's a whole decade between The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones... you're telling me there's no space to show us Anakin's training and how he formed bonds with the Jedi we later see in The Clone Wars? I tried my hand at it here:

Interesting or fun Prequel-set ideas from other pro-Jedi fans on Tumblr can be found here, here and here.

And y'know, part of the Star Wars intent is for fans to take the ideas in the movies and come up with their own stories. You're supposed to create headcanons.

What I'm saying is fans of the Prequels are being given less "imagination food" than the rest, and many of us who like the Jedi in particular are forced to rely on headcanons only. "Better than nothing" is no longer an acceptable standard.

There's a range of recognizable Jedi characters that have already been established in films and TCW, can we maybe expand on them, flesh them out more, instead of whole new ones?

[zorosangell]

⛥ﾟ・。 protector: chapter twenty-five

synopsis: " you were supposed to stay a crewate, just another back to watch, " he tightened his hold, " i didn't even notice the change until i woke up one day and realized i'd take a bullet for you "

cw: violence, gore, fighting, mature themes, profanity, MAJOR/MINOR ANIME SPOILERS, follows the plot of the anime, slowww burn.

a/n: reposting from another account

"You know, I oughta punch you for scaring us like that," Nami scolded, a hand on her hip as Usopp sat up in the bed.

"Yeah, no kidding," Sanji agreed, "Though it looks like you've taken enough punches already, if you ask me."

He took a drag from his cigarette.

"What were you thinking taking those guys on alone?"

"Yeah, you can't just run off and fight whoever you want," Zoro crossed his arms

You scoffed with a smirk, "That's a good one coming from you..."

Luffy laughed loudly at your joke, but Usopp didn't look in the joking mood.

"This wouldn't have happened if I was strong like you guys. I'm sorry!" he sniffled, looking down at the sheets, "It's all my fault! I'm so ashamed of myself!"

He quickly got off the bed, dropping to his knees and hugging Zoro's legs, crying into his pants.

"Hey, hey, stop! I get it! I know you're sorry, but you don't have to get all touchy-feely on me okay?!" Zoro exclaimed, uncomfortable, as he tried to shake the boy off.

"But all our savings! All that trouble we went through! What about the Merry?!"

You breath hitched at the mention of the ship, now remembering that Usopp had no idea of her condition.

'Shit...'

"Take it easy! You shouldn't be out of bed yet!" Chopper tried to calm him down, ushering him to bed.

"C'mon, calm down. Stop your whining and listen to the doctor," Nami agreed.

"So..." he started, sitting back down, "Is there a chance we might get our money back after all?"

"Well... maybe," Luffy smiled, "We won't know for sure 'til that Franky guy shows up."

Usopp hung his head, "I see. I'm sorry."

"Hey, even if we can't get the rest back, we still have a hundred million berries! Don't worry!"

The captain broke out in a couple chuckles, but Nami wasn't having it.

"Yeah, but he lost twice that much!"

"Nami..." You warned, wanting to spare the sniper's feelings.

She suddenly realized what she said, dialing it back, "Eh. Sorry, Usopp."

"No, it's fine," he assured, "More importantly, is Merry gonna be okay?"

The room suddenly fell silent, and everyone turned to each other, nervous.

"I mean, can we get her repaired with the money we have left? We're lucky we have all these awesome shipwrights to work on her. But I know things are gonna get rough out there, so I want her to be stronger than ever before."

No one knew how to break it to him.

No one wanted to be the one to break it to him.

But it was cruel to let a friend believe something untrue.

"We gotta do a lot more than just a little touch up. So do you think those guys'll still do a good job if we only have a hundred million to pay with? You talked to them about it, right?"

"Uh, yeah," Luffy started, taking a deep breath, "But we aren't having them repair it."

Usopp cocked a brow, confused.

"We decided to get a new ship instead."

The sniper's face quickly morphed into shock, somehow not understanding.

"I know that we probably should've asked you first, but we didn't have much choice. Either way, I've made up my mind," Luffy sighed, "The Going Merry has taken good care of us. But it looks like our journey with her has to end here."

Usopp still had the same shocked expression stuck on his face, and you could feel in your gut that something was wrong.

'Crap...'

He was silent.

Too silent.

"Anyway," Luffy tried to start back up, picking up a magazine full of ship prices, "Ice Pops gave us this awesome ship catalog to flip through. There's all kinds of different ships we could pick from in here. And if we decided to shop for a used model, we could go bigger than the Merry, and still keep our budget under a hundred million."

"Wait," Usopp cut through, suddenly smiling, "I get it, Luffy, but the joke's gone on long enough, okay? See? Chopper doesn't know you're kidding."

Your eyes went wide.

'Oh shit...'

"Look how upset this is making him. Jeez, Captain, you should know better than to treat your crew like that. C'mon, (y/n), back me up here."

You were at a loss for words.

It was clear the poor boy was in denial, and doing his best to deflect from the reality of the situation.

But when he landed his eyes on Luffy's dead serious face, his own features fell.

"Hold up, does that mean we... don't have enough for repairs? It's 'cause I lost the two hundred million, isn't it?! And now we can't afford the work on the Merry! Is that what this is about?! After all, a first-class shipyard is gonna cost a lot, right!"

"Would you stop and listen to me?!" Luffy tried to calm him.

"What is it?! Tell me! Don't try to sugarcoat it!" Usopp shouted.

"I'm not, okay?! I don't even care that you lost all the money, that's over now!" Luffy shouted back.

"If that's how you feel then what's with all this crap about buying a new ship?!

"Both of you, stop it!" Zoro quickly interjected, wanting to stop things before they got ugly, "Fighting isn't gonna help! Just calm down for a sec."

"I don't see what I'm doing wrong! He's the one saying all this dumb stuff!" Usopp scoffed.

"I know how you feel, but you shouldn't get so worked up right now," Nami chimed, worried.

"Listen to Nami, Usopp, if you don't get any rest, you're not gonna get better!" Chopper agreed.

"Who cares about me?!" he stood up, "How can you just sit here when he's making jokes about getting a new ship?!"

"I'm not joking about anything! This was a hard decision for me, too!" Luffy exclaimed, starting to get frustrated with Usopp's stubbornness.

"Oh, yeah, I feel really sorry for you!" Usopp snatched the catalog out of Luffy's hands, throwing it on the ground, "Already window shopping for a new toy!

Luffy was shocked for a moment, glancing down at the magazine before looking back up at his sniper, clearly upset.

"You trying to pick a fight with me?!"

"I don't want your damn pity, got it? If you tell me it doesn't matter that I lost the money, then why are you talking about buying a new ship?! Just spit it out already! If we can't afford the repairs 'cause I screwed up, then tell me! Don't show me some stupid catalog and change the subject! I want the truth!"

So Luffy gave him the truth.

The hard, sad, and ugly truth.

The sniper was devastated, and clearly spiraling at the news.

So much so that he had to sit down.

"Wha... What did you just say?"

"Don't make me repeat myself," Luffy clenched his fists, "I told you, the Merry can't be repaired any more. No matter what we do... we can't fix her. Otherwise, I wouldn't say something like that."

"You mean this ship?! This ship that we're riding on right now is broken?!"

"That's right. It's only a matter of time before she sinks."

Usopp scoffed, turning away, "What're you talking about Luffy? That's nuts."

"No, I'm serious. The shipwrights took a look at the Merry themselves. They said she wouldn't even hold out until the next island."

"And it's settled? So that's it? A bunch of strangers tell you to scrap your ship and you don't even ask any questions?!" Usopp glared.

"That's enough..."

"I understand that these guys know what they're talking about, but this is just wrong! Don't give up on the Merry!" the sniper shouted.

Luffy's breath hitched at the sight of tears welling in his crewmate's eyes.

He hated seeing his friends cry.

"What about all the adventures we've gone one together?! What about all the battles we've fought?! She's our friend! She's one of us! Are you gonna abandon her for another ship without a second thought?!"

Usopp's scowl was set directly on Luffy, his brows furrowed angrily.

"After all we've been through, is that how little the Merry means to you, Luffy?!"

Tears began to stream down the boy's cheeks, and Chopper moved to rest a hoof on his shoulder. 

"I know you're upset, Usopp, but you need to calm down," the reindeer tried again.

"Sorry, but no," the sniper denied, "I'm not backing down 'til we settle this."

This entire situation had got from bad to worse in a matter of minutes.

And you could only imagine just how far it could tank.

"Usopp, please," Nami begged.

"What? So you know better than the shipwrights? If we had someone on the crew who knew about this stuff, we wouldn't have asked them in the first place!" Luffy exclaimed, looking down at Usopp.

"Then forget them! We don't need those guys telling us what to do," the sniper scoffed, "I'll repair the Merry myself, just like before! We've made it this far, so there's no reason why we can't go on that way."

He started to scoot towards the door.

"Here, I'll get started right now. C'mon, guys, help me out."

"That's not gonna work," Sanji's tone rose, starting to get frustrated.

"That's right, we don't have enough lumbar, do we? I better go buy some at the shipyard. We got a lot of work to—" "You're not a shipwright, Usopp, you hear me?!" Luffy shouted.

"Stop it, Luffy!" you exclaimed.

"Yeah, you're right, I know," Usopp grabbed the papers from the catalog, "But so what?! I don't see why you're so hung up on everything those stupid shipwrights say! If they knew what she'd gone through, they wouldn't give up on the Merry so easy! They just want your money!"

"Usopp..." Nami tried again, keeping her tone soft and calm.

"The Merry's our ship so it's our job to take care of her without someone else butting in! I'm not giving up! I won't let them take the Merry away from me!"

He weakly stood up, turning to look at Luffy angrily.

"The Luffy I know wouldn't cave to some sales pitch from a total stranger! He'd believe in the strength of the Merry and the strength of his crew!" 

He stormed over, yoking up Luffy by his shirt.

"But here you are, acting like you know everything and ignoring your friends! I can't believe that's the kind of captain you turned out to be! I thought you were better than that!"

"You're not being fair, Usopp. Luffy felt the—" "You stay out of this!" Luffy shut Nami down, staring down Usopp.

"It was my call and I stand by it! There's nothing you can do! This is the end of the road for the Merry!"

"I'm not leaving her here! I don't care what you say!" Usopp shouted, shaking the captain, "I know you're always trying to think about the future, but not everyone on the crew is like that! I see the Merry as one of our friends, got it?! And I won't abandon her when she's hurt!"

"Don't be stupid! Even if she is a friend, that doesn't make her a person!"

"She is to me! And she still has the strength to live! But you wouldn't understand that, 'cause all you care about is getting a new ship to play with!"

"Alright, that's enough!" Sanji interjected, stepping forward, "Just calm down and we can settle this later!"

"Would you listen to yourself!" Luffy tackled Usopp, sending each other to the ground.

"Luffy!" you exclaimed, standing up.

This was getting out of hand.

If it went on like this, they were going to hurt each other.

"Don't act like you're the only one who's torn up about this! We all feel the same way!"

"If that was true, then you wouldn't be looking for a new ship!"

"Alright, fine! If you don't like the way your captain does things, why don't you go ahead and get off-" Sanji was quick to kick Luffy away before he could finish the sentence, you, Nami, and Chopper going wide eyed.

"Sanji!" Chopper exclaimed, in utter shock as Luffy went straight through a table.

The cook let the dust settle for a moment, allowing everyone to catch their breath in the tense air.

"This is going way too far! What the hell is wrong with you?!" he scolded, specifically at Luffy, "If you don't watch it, you're gonna say something you can't take back! So calm down!"

The man was panting, the look in his eye very telling of how he saw the argument going down if Luffy had finished.

You walked over, and placed a comforting hand on the cook's shoulder, silently asking him to calm as well.

And he did, taking a deep breath, and allowing his shoulders to drop.

"I'm sorry," Luffy apologized, sitting up and dusting off the debris, "I don't know what I was thinking."

"You don't have to apologize," Usopp stated, his tone far away, "'Cause that's how you really feel, isn't it?"

"That's not true!" The captain was quick to correct, not wanting his friend to get the wrong idea.

The sniper rolled over, carefully pushing himself off the ground, "Just get rid of your dead weight and move on before they can slow you down."

'Shit, shit, shit, don't say it...'

"If you're gonna throw away the Merry, might as well through me away, too."

[my-great-big-book-of-fan-fiction]

The Taming of Man: chapter eight - Dragon Shifting!Katsuki Bakugou x F!reader

Hey, so I know this took a little longer, but I hit a wall, lol. Hope you enjoy this chapter, let me know your thoughts!

Words: 2,753

This is incredibly based on the song The Willow Maid by Erutan, I highly recommend giving it a listen for the best experience.

Warnings: Cursing, reader is She/Her and will be AFAB in later chapters, angst, reader faces verbal/emotional abuse from her mother, Mitsuki is kind of ooc

"So...Uh, what is this about," you asked, trying to keep your tone nonchalant, your back turned to your mother, the queen of the Faerie people. She had requested to play with your hair, like she used to do when you were a little girl, a serene smile on her face as she began to give you an English braid.

"Well, I have some news for you," she said sweetly. You let out a silent sigh of relief, you were worried she found out about your adventures outside, with a Dragonborne no less. She began to hum mindlessly to herself, that same song you had heard so many times over.

"What...is it," you gently prompted, to which she perked up a little. "Ah, right...well, as you know, I've gone and visited each and every duke you met all those weeks ago, quite a large task mind you, and you won't believe what happened!"

Judging from her tone, you knew what she was going to say. It made your insides feel hollow, the anxiety and anticipation for her next words. "Do tell," you said cheerily. She wouldn't like it if you sounded nervous.

"The duke of Silverstone has offered an enormous dowry for your hand! You'll be married in less than a month, dear!"

Your heart sank. No, no this can't happen...You knew you'd be getting married soon, you were turning twenty in a couple weeks, but you didn't think it'd be so soon! It was tradition, once the heir turned twenty and married they'd take the throne, and taking the throne...you wouldn't be able to leave again. To see Katsuki.

Your hands were shaking, your lips quivering. You were glad she couldn't see your face right now. You can't let this happen, you have to do something you haven't done in a very, very, very long time. Maybe she's changed after all these years.

"Um, M-mom?"

"Yes, (y/n)?" She gently undid the braid she just made, running her long nails through your hair.

"W...what if I, uh, I didn't want to marry him..."

She stopped, freezing in place. You didn't want to turn around and see her face. Your hands gripped the fabric of your dress, scrunching the lace in your fingers.

"I...I feel so foolish..." she began, her voice calm and quiet.

Please don't do it, please be reasonable.

She shakily stands up, looking at you as if you were a ghost.

"After all the things I've done for you, after everything you've put me through, I thought maybe you would be able to do something for me," she whispers, her eyes glossy with tears.

"M-mom, That's not what I-"

"And to think, your father died for a daughter like you! If he could see you now he'd certainly regret it," she shouts, standing over you with a look of pure disgust.

"Mother, please-"

"No! I understand! I must be a terrible mother! How could a good one raise someone so utterly selfish and-"

"I was just kidding, Ok? It was just a joke, 'm sorry, please don't be mad," you shouted, squeezing your eyes shut and shrinking back.

silence.

slowly, you opened your eyes back up, peaking at your mother's shocked face.

"Well..." she sighed, delicately sitting back down next to you. "That wasn't a very funny joke, now was it," she giggled, conjuring up a couple blooms of baby's breath and braiding it into the front of your hair.

"The dressmaker will see you tomorrow morning, to help you pick out the style you'd like," she said kindly, a soft and gentle smile on her face.

"Yes, Mother."

When Katsuki walked into the palace he knew so well, practically stumbling with emotional exhaustion, the last thing he expected was to hear his mom was looking for him. "Hah? What does that old hag want with me," he asked Kirishima, who was already dragging him to the throne room. "Dunno, she just said she wanted to see you," he shrugged.

When they arrived, Queen Mitsuki of the Dragonborne was sitting upon her great throne, looking down at her son with a regal expression. She wore a wine red dress, the color complimenting those ruby eyes passed down generation after generation. Her horns, like that of an antelope, started with an ivory white at the base of her head and became a deep shade of crimson at the tips. Finally, her long, thick, spiked red tail was lazily lying beside her seat.

"Katsuki," she started, her voice firm. To anyone else, she might sound mad, But Katsuki knew better than anyone that wasn't the case. He stepped closer, Joining his mother and standing right in front of her.

"Be honest with me."

"Spit it out already!"

"Don't talk to your mother that way," she scoffed, smacking him upside the head. Katsuki yelped and glowered, but didn't try to interrupt her again.

"Now, Tell me..." she looked him deep in the eyes, her nostrils flaring slightly. She was smelling the air around him closely.

"Have you found a mate?"

Katsuki immediately turned about as red as his mother's dress, giving him away. "Aha! I knew it! My boy is finally becoming a man!"

"Ma," Katsuki shouted, his mother standing straight up to give him a tight hug. "Get off of me, who said I found anyone," he shouted, pushing away his mother with all his strength, and yet to no avail. If Kiri blabbed, He's a dead man.

"You don't think I know when my son's trying to get a mate? Look at yourself," she scoffed, grabbing his half-scaled arm and holding it up as evidence. "I mean, you absolutely reek of pheromones," she supplemented, gesturing to him vaguely. All Katsuki could do was stand there and try to think of a response. "Well...that's...you..."

"Enough, I already know, So go ahead and tell me who this person is," she said, grabbing his face in her hands with a wide smile.

"...you won't believe me." He didn't know how his mother would react...fae were largely regarded as myth.

"Try me."

"She's...she's not a dragonborne," he muttered, testing the waters.

"So? she could be mermaid for all I care, as long as you make me some grandbabies!"

"MA!"

Mitsuki rolled her eyes, giving him an unamused frown. "What? You're not a hatchling anymore, you're twenty-three! It's about time!"

"Well, she's...she's a faerie." No point in beating around the bush.

"A faerie...?" His mother seemed utterly confused, blinking a couple times and composing herself.

"And...you've managed to court her?"

"What's that s'pposed to mean," Katsuki huffed, crossing his arms.

"Answer me."

"Yeah, What about it..."

"Well that's...that's wonderful! Thank God you've found yourself someone who can put up with your bullshit, I mean really I was getting worried-"

"Hey! I'm fuckin' delightful!" Katsuki barked, tensing and glaring at his mother.

"Yeah yeah, We just have to go see the oracle, to find a good mating date of course," She said, waving him off and giving him a toothy smile as she dragged him to the oracle room.

"I just started dating her! We're not mating yet!"

"Not with that attitude, How do you expect her to stay if you don't commit?!"

You learned this morning that every dress the dressmaker offered to you was preapproved by your mother, because why wouldn't they be, and while you were able to keep a smile on your face during the meeting, you were absolutely crumbling inside. You and Katsuki just started dating, and now you were to be married some guy you met once last month? What could you possibly do to stop this...

two hours of mindless chatting with the dressmaker later, you had a solution. Or, rather, a way to help you cope a little. You'd spend the next couple weeks enjoying your time with Katsuki, making the most of it, say goodbye, and live the life you were destined to live. Yeah, that was good, right? A win-win for you and your mother...right?

You'd go and see Katsuki around noon again, but this time he has something to ask of you. Or, rather, tell of you.

"Come and eat lunch at the palace," he says, cupping your face in his hands and scowling down at you. "Right now," you asked with a bit of a giggle, your hands meeting his. It was surprising how touchy you both got so soon, but something just felt so...comfortable to you. Both of you.

He didn't really want to admit it, but if you'd let him he'd have his hands on you constantly. He couldn't say it so much with words yet, but he did care about you, so to show it he wanted to be touching you always. He felt like he earned it, after working so hard to court you.

"When else?" He scanned your face, looking for clues as to how you felt. "I mean...sure," you shrugged, smiling up at him. "But, wait, what about your family? Won't they see me...?"

"well no shit...my mom wants to meet with you."

You had no idea he even told his mother about you, and you immediately looked down at yourself. "T-today? But, I'm not even dressed," you said, clearly nervous. You needed to be dressed far more formally than this to meet not only your boyfriend's mom, but also the Queen of the Dragonborne.

"Don't worry about it, you look g-good," he responds, his voice catching on "good" because he was still getting used to speaking so fondly of someone. It's what he felt, though, and he was no liar, so he'd tell you what he thought. Of course, he wouldn't look at you when he said it.

"Well...do you think she'll like me?" You pouted up at him, nervously tugging at your clothes.

"I wouldn't take you if I didn't think she'd like you." He released your face, instead putting his hands on your forearms. "If we're going, we gotta go now," he added, his voice a little quieter.

"Yeah...yeah, ok," you said, trying to hype yourself up. One long walk later, and you were at the front of the palace. It felt odd, not sneaking around. You felt like everyone was staring at you, even though you were sure no one but the armed guards were. You both were allowed clearance, your hand clutching Katsuki's muscled arm, and you finally got to see the inside of his Castle.

The ceilings were extremely high up, so high you had to crane your neck to se them, and they all came to a point. The incredibly deep red of the stone walls, accompanied by the flames of chandeliers and torches lined up in the hallways, made for a dark, almost sultry ambiance. It was warm, but not as warm as it was outside, and as you walked through the palace you could feel the gaze of the armed guards locked on you. It was unsettling, the look in their eyes almost inhumanly defensive.

A man with spikey red hair, about as spikey as the Stalagmite shaped palace you were within, walked up to the both of you excitedly. "Hey! You must be Katsuki's girlfriend! It's great to finally meet you for real, I mean I've heard so much about you-"

"Shut up," Katsuki barked, clearly embarrassed about the fact that he talked about you to Kiri so often.

This man was highly energetic, his voice and smile warm and friendly. It put you at ease, knowing at least one person besides Katsuki was ok with you being here. "I-I'm (y/n,)" you said quickly, holding out your hand for him to shake. He took it, giving your hand a gentle but firm shake up and down, a toothy grin on his face. "Name's Ejiro Kirishima, but you can call me Kiri. The Queen is waiting for you two!"

You nodded with a smile, hands fiddling with the fabric of your dress as you and Katsuki followed Kirishima to the dining room. "Are you sure she'll like me," you whisper. Katsuki sighs and pats your back a bit. "Relax, she will...And if she doesn't, who cares?"

"I care," you mutter, watching as guards open the double doors leading to the dining room. Katsuki's mom was already standing there, an excited smile on her face. "Hi! You must be (y/n)!" she immediately takes your hands in hers, eyes darting all across your face. "H-hi! You must be Katsuki's mom," you say, trying to match her energy. "Come with me, I have so much to talk to you about," she says, pulling you away from Katsuki and to the large table.

You, Mistuki, and Katsuki spent the entire afternoon sitting around, eating at nearly every national dish, as the Queen wanted you to be able to eat in case you disliked anything.

The conversation was lead by Mitsuki at first, but as you got more comfortable, it became a lot easier to talk, especially with her detailed (and rather embarrassing) stories about Katsuki as a child.

I mean, who would have guessed he accidentally melted his toys when he was sick, and cried about it for a week? He got particularly red hearing that story again.

Watching their dynamic was particularly interesting, seeing as while the two of them yelled at each other, they didn't seem to particularly dislike each other. It was the complete opposite of your relationship with your own mom.

Your mother was quiet, a sinister energy following her even when she seemed perfectly happy. Katsuki's mother was loud, but her energy was bright and intense, like Katsuki himself.

After an hour of great conversation and great food, It was time for you to go, if you stayed any longer you wouldn't make it home in time. Leaving the palace, giving Mitsuki a hug as if you were old friends, you were nothing but smiles. It went nothing like how you thought it would! Katsuki was walking out with you, his hand in yours to tug you along.

"So, how come your mom has horns but you don't? Is it like a sexual dimorphism?" You had so much to ask about.

"Nah, It's just somethin' that happens to everyone when you mate," he replies, walking confidently through the entrance to Böse. He only started to hold onto you near the start of Eisen, he knew his way around this section.

"Really? Aren't we mated," you ask, almost a little nervous to bring it up.

"No, not yet. We're just dating."

"Oh...but, haven't you said we're mated? Didn't you go through a whole ritual for it?"

"That's to court you. Right now, It's like...we're seeing if we want to mate."

"So, it's like a marriage?"

"...sure." Katsuki didn't have the patience to explain the nuances of mating to you.

after a beat of silence, you started talking again, wanting to drum up conversation.

"Your mom is great," you complimented. "She's alright," he grumbled, his eyes sliding over to look at you. "She seems like a truly kind person," you remark, your voice just a little quieter as you looked to the flowers growing in the brush.

"She's not any different from other moms," he countered, picking up a pyre pine twig and dragging it through the dirt. "She is! She's different from my mom," you say, balancing on acrimony roots. "You're mom's not nice," he asks mockingly, not taking you too seriously.

"No, she's nice...but I said your mom was kind. My mom isn't kind." You look to the ground, your smile remaining but having a certain emptiness to it. Katsuki stared at you for a moment, realizing what you were getting at. After another few seconds he muttered, "'m sorry." He was quiet, staring at the ground as he walked just as you did.

"N-no It's ok! I'm ok," you laughed quickly, trying to play it off. The less he knew, the better. "I should meet your dad next time," you follow up, trying desperately to change the subject.

"You can't. He's not around anymore," he says bluntly, his eyes remaining on the dirt.

"oh, s-sorry," you mumble, looking away in a ton of embarrassment. After some silence, you spoke up again. "Uh...my dad isn't around either," you mention, hoping to give him some comfort.

"Yeah," he asks, looking at you now. He was intrigued.

"Uh huh," you say, gaining a bit of confidence. "He was...well, it's a long story."

"We got time," he grumbles, getting just a little closer as the two of you walk.

"Well...ok, uh...where do I start..."

You guys, I feel like the plot is moving too quickly...what are your thoughts on that? Leave a comment letting me know, I read and respond to all of them (or try my best to)!

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