#vasco fanfiction

[locomoqo]

VASCO FLUFF PLSPLSSS😭😭❤️❤️❤️

fragilility hidden in ink

— vasco x gn!reader

details: nothing but fluff, exploring each others bodies but not in a sexual way

A/N: cutie vasco fluff yum yum this has been sitting in my drafts for a while (a while literally being two days, not proofread btw :3)

Physical touch.

Touch is an essential aspect of the human experience. It’s something that strengthens bonds, may it be a simple handshake, a hug from a loved one, or even those passionate moments deep in the night.

The room was dimly lit, a soft glow from the bedside lamp casting a warm, golden hue across the sheets. Vasco lay on his back, his chest rising and falling steadily, with you nestled against him. The gentle aftermath of your intimacy wrapped around both of you like a soft blanket.

Vasco stared down at you as you moved closer into his side, his fingers trailing up and down your bare back. There was something about the way you looked in the dim lightning with the lamp on your bedside table highlighting some parts of your face.

He revered you. He thought of you as the sun, everything about you felt so warm. He felt warm around you, no matter how long you two have been dating, you still managed to make his heart beat out of his chest every single time you blessed him with even an ounce of your attention.

“You know…” Your voice pulls him out of his thoughts. What were you talking about? He wasn’t listening, he was too absorbed admiring you. “No, I don’t.” His gruff voice answers, making you huff out in amusement. “Sorry, what were we talking about?” He asks, bringing his hand from your lower back to your face to brush some of your hair out of your face.

“Your tattoos.” Your fingers tap one on his chest, “You’ve never told me the meaning behind them.” You clarify. One of his eyebrows raised in curiosity, “The meaning…?” He repeats as he looks down at where your finger tapped.

“They’re umm traditional Japanese tattoos‒oh and this one’s a bluebird.” He points at the bluebird tattoo on his chest then glances back up at you with such a simple expression on his face that clearly asked if he was able to answer your question.

“I know what those are, silly.” You smiled, “I meant like‒why did you get them? Is there a story? or did you just see some action star with tattoos and think ‘yep, i’m getting one too’.” You explained.

Vasco’s lips pressed into a line for a moment before sighing. “Yes, there’s a story to them.” His answer is quiet, internally shivering as his mind replays his memories from middle school. You catch the way the corners of his mouth seem to turn down a bit, the way his brows furrow and he subtly inhales sharply.

“...we don’t have to talk about it if it makes you uncomfy, I was just curious.” You softly say, a hand coming up to cup his face. Thumb brushing over his cheek which instinctively makes him nuzzle his face into your palm. “No, no, it’s fine. We can talk about it if you want to.” He quickly says, covering your hand with his.

“You sure? it’s fine really–”

“I’m sure.”

He stares at you firmly yet his gaze was also a window to his soul where you could see the vulnerability. You held his gaze, searching his eyes for any sign of doubt but this is Vasco we’re talking about, he never goes back on his word.

“Okay then, tell me the story behind them.” You say. He moves your hand away from his cheek, guiding it towards one of the tattoos on his left arm. “This one covers up one of my scars from back in middle school.” He starts, recalling when the bullying started.

You listen intently as he guided your hand to where each vulgar tattoo that bullies carved into his skin were, all cleverly covered up by his tattoos. You felt the texture of the ink beneath your touch, the artistry and meaning imbuing each detail with life. Vasco leaned closer, allowing you to explore each tattoo fully, fingers gliding over each intricate design.

As your fingertips trailed over his skin, he observed you. Completely in awe of you, it made you giggle sometimes when you saw how in love he was with you. Often telling him that he probably feels that way because you’re his first love, his first everything.

Vasco’s hand held yours against his skin. "It’s funny," he said after a long pause. "I never talk about these. But with you… it feels easy."

You looked up at him, your eyes meeting his, full of quiet understanding. "Thank you for sharing," you whispered, your voice as tender as the moment you both were in.

He leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to your forehead, his lips lingering there as if sealing the connection between you. And in that silence, surrounded by the warmth of your shared breaths, the stories on his skin felt as much yours now as they were his.

You traced the lines of his tattoos again, mindlessly this time. You lay there, enveloped in the quiet, taking in the intimate space you had created.

The tattoos on his skin weren’t just marks of his past; they were symbols of his strength and determination. With each gentle brush of your fingers, you felt the connection deepen, a promise that you would stand by him through whatever life threw your way.

“Each tattoo…” Vasco said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. “They remind me of where I’ve been and what I’ve overcome.”

You nodded, understanding the weight of his words. “And now they’re part of our story too,” you added, a soft smile gracing your lips.

“Exactly,” he replied, his eyes sparkling in the dim light. He shifted slightly, drawing you closer as if he wanted to shield you from the outside world. “I think of you every time I look at them. You give them a new meaning.”

Your heart swelled at his words, and you felt a warmth spreading through your chest. You nestled closer into his side, feeling safe and cherished. The vulnerability you shared in that moment was a thread that tied you together, weaving a tapestry of trust and love.

The world outside faded even further, leaving only the two of you and the stories etched in his skin, creating a cocoon of warmth and tenderness where nothing else mattered.

[therealgchu]

Chapter 1: Constellation

the first full chapter of my fic is finally published. nevermind Ao3's numbering, since they don't seem to have prologues. the chapter is here:

bit of a peak:

Hwa

New Atlantis was like nothing she’d ever seen before. Growing up on Neon, she was certainly familiar with the ocean, but never had she seen man-made pools of water that were created for the sole purpose of being pretty. Also, the much lower gravity gave her a sense of floating. This was…freedom. She grinned maniacally and ran up to the pool outside of MAST. Vasco, somehow with his electronic voice, sounded displeased. “Captain Kim. Protocol Indigo requires me to bring you to The Lodge.”

Hwa ignored the robot and jumped into the pool causing a bunch of passerbys to stare. But she didn’t care. This was so amazing and so beautiful! As someone who lived all of their life in the narrow, grungy alleys of Ebbside and the Underbelly, rarely getting to see the sun, this was her idea of heaven. She laughed uproariously and splashed and jumped like a small child. Neon was very far away, indeed.

What a turn her life had gone! Just two weeks ago she was in a shoot-out on Neon over an Aurora deal gone bad. Her superiors usually didn’t send her on jobs like that since she was too valuable an asset for street deals. But, this job required breaking into some pretty high level areas and terminals. So, they ordered her to go. At least the experience refreshed her training, which was a help when the Crimson Fleet arrived on Vectera. Barrett and Lin were shocked at how well she handled herself. She alone had taken out half the pirates. In fact, Lin looked a little scared of Hwa. Prior to the fire fight, Lin thought Hwa was just another dusty.

[ragingbookdragon]

A Sailor With Nothing

Vasco x De Sardet

Word Count: 1.4K Warnings: None

Author's Note: Hi, I started playing GF again and I'm back on my Vasco whoring shit. -Thorne

**********************************************************************

Vasco wakes slowly, like the waves that crash against the hull of the ship when they’re docked at port; it does sound unusually quiet on the ship though and something tells him to get up and go see what his men are doing lazing about, but he can’t find it in himself to rise. Sun streams through the window in his cabin as he shifts in the bed, arching his lower back as he digs his face further into the pillow. The warmth bleeds along his back and he lets out a long sigh as he begins to lull deeper into sleep once more. That is until the scent of cinnamon and leather reaches his senses, and he cracks a single golden eye open, taking in the crimson walls and unfamiliar portraits on the walls.

He realizes all at once that he is in fact, not aboard his ship nor is he in his bed in his captain’s quarters, but in an unfamiliar yet very familiar bed. He lifts his head, blinking blearily around the room, then he turns to his side where he sees De Sardet quietly flicking through a few documents that Petrus wanted him to review from the night before.

“You snore like an old dog when you’re completely exhausted,” he says without moving his sharp eyes from the pages. “Did you know that?”

Vasco blinks again, flopping over onto his side to lazily stare at De Sardet. “How long have you been awake?”

“A few hours, give or take a couple minutes.”

“You should’ve woken me,” Vasco mutters, rolling onto his back, though he inconspicuously shifts closer to De Sardet’s side. “I’m sure the others are wondering why we haven’t set out yet.”

“And yet, none have come up here to tell me that they want to, so I think we’re in the clear.” De Sardet absentmindedly curls his arm around Vasco’s head, palm flat along his toned and tan chest, thumb brushing circles in his skin. “How are you feeling?”

“Not as sore as I assumed I would be.”

“I can’t help but wonder if perhaps that is a good thing because I was thorough on preparation or if it is a bad thing because I didn’t perform well. The latter would severely damage my pride.”

Vasco can’t help but snicker and he turns his head, lips brushing against De Sardet’s hand as he replies, “Preparation was good, and you were even better.”

“Well, now I feel like you’re just stroking my ego.”

“I am, but don’t let it go to your head,” he murmurs, turning back to face him. “It’s in fact, quite large.”

De Sardet still hasn’t looked at him, and Vasco hopes that the next words that come from the Legate’s mouth after this aren’t what his worst fears are. Because he’s slept with nobles before but he also knows that this might be the last time he ever does.

He clears his throat quietly, gazing out the window as he repeats aloud, “Those who fear the waters should stay within the shore’s sight. Those who fear the pain that love procures, should shun the flames when love endures. And both shall be safe from founder and blight.” His fingers dig into his ribs in hesitation. “That’s the next part of the poem. De Sardet…are you afraid of sinking?”

“Hmm…”

It’s a quick and clean grunt that severs every muscle in Vasco’s young and fiery heart. A flame so carefully tended suddenly snuffed out, deprived of life. And it hurts. It hurts worse than the first time he’d ever gotten his heart broken.

“I understand,” he murmurs, trying not to let his heart fall out of his throat, tears in his eyes as he slips from the warmth of the noble beside him, feet touching the cold floor that causes the second break in reality as it really comes to life that De Sardet didn’t want him like he did. How could he be so foolish as to offer a noble his heart? Him, a man with nothing to his name, nothing to offer De Sardet in terms of equality. A single sailor with nothing. “I swear I won’t let this affect our work. I’ll see to it that—”

“For if water could quench loves dying embers, your love that burns and pain and severs, I would douse this fire with the sea of all my tears.”

Vasco stops dead in his tracks, staring up at De Sardet in shock, fingers stilling from where he was tying his pant laces. Did he just—

“Such an impatient lover I have,” he notes, finally looking up over the documents; his eyes pierce the very depths of Vasco’s soul as he adds, almost chastising, “You are not the only one who has read that poem more times than he cares to admit in order to one day speak it to the one he loves.”

“You…you feel the same?”

De Sardet merely raises a hand, crooks a finger in a beckoning motion that books no room for any other answer than to obey; and Vasco obeys, crawling back onto the bed as he watches the Legate set the documents on the table followed by the glasses he’d been wearing, and Vasco has half a mind to make a joke about him being hard of sight and that’s why his accuracy is terrible.

He pulls Vasco down atop him, wrapping his arms around the Naut’s bare back, one arm secured tightly around his middle, the other hand firmly at the back of his neck, thumb brushing the base of his skull.

“I thought you didn’t feel the same as I.”

“Now we know to wait before we jump to conclusions, Captain Vasco,” he retorts, tugging at a caramel strand; he sighs wistfully, hugging the sailor impossibly close as he buries his nose in Vasco’s hair, breathing in the scent of gunpowder and sea salt. “I would follow you to the ends of the earth if it meant I would be with you forever, Vasco,” he murmurs, hand shifting from the back of his neck to cup his chin, tilting the sailor’s face to look at him; he gently caresses the cheek of his lover and confesses, “I love you.”

Vasco’s entire body feels as light as the sail catching a breeze and he smiles at De Sardet. “We shall set sail on the bitter seas together, my Tempest.”

The man’s expression softens in a way that Vasco has never seen before and suddenly knows that it is only for him; he lays his head back down on De Sardet’s chest, eyes slipping shut as he breathes in deeply, all negative feelings leaving his body.

And as much as he doesn’t want to say it, he does. “And we should begin to get ready. We can’t waste daylight. We’ve too much to do.”

De Sardet lets out a long and whiney sounding groan, wallowing against the bedsheets as Vasco laughs. “I do not want to move. I want to stay here all day.”

I want to stay here all day with you. Is the unspoken that has goosebumps rising all over Vasco’s body and he rises slightly, shimmying up De Sardet’s body until he can bury his face in the noble’s neck. “We can spend one more hour here.”

“I am the Legate of the Congregation of Merchants. If I so choose to stay in bed all day with my lover then I shall.”

It makes Vasco giddy to hear him be called De Sardet’s lover. “One hour.”

“You’re no fun.”

“Someone has to keep you accountable.”

“Then in turn, someone must also keep me satisfied,” De Sardet purrs, and it takes all of one intake of breath before Vasco is staring dazedly up at the Legate who is wearing a rather hungry look. “Well, well, well, look what we have here. I seem to have found my source of satisfaction.”

Vasco squirms under De Sardet’s heavy grip, suddenly very aware of how close their hips are, practically slotted together. “De Sardet…” he starts. “We don’t have enough time for this.”

“Oh, we have enough,” he replies, dipping down to take the sailor’s lips in a searing kiss that has Vasco panting when they part, body set aflame with desire; De Sardet nudges their noses. “I love you,” he murmurs, fingers tracing at the black-inked tattoos along Vasco’s chest and abdomen.

The Naut swallows thickly, unable to fight the fluttering in his chest as he breathes softly, “I love you, my Tempest.”

[vvmylove]

Once Again, Never Again Part 3(end)

4.9k

Here you go LMAO

Pt1/ pt2

Jace noticed out of the corner of his eye how the young girl suddenly rose up to her feet, and it intrigued him. He really wanted to know what she would do, he wanted to know if she actually would go do something to him, even though he was the second in command of Burn Knuckles. But then he looked ahead back to his teacher when he noticed how his teacher was starting to distribute the assignments.

Y/N sat down as the teacher entered, embarrassed.

But then class ended, and she started to pack up her things.

The girls start to surround her, as they were wanting to question her boldness.

She smiles at the girls, before making the quick decision of walking over to Jace. she knew she was going to regret it, talking to a gang member.

But still, she couldn't forget how kind he was last night.

"Hey jace?" She asks Jim, looking away from him.

Jace was still packing up his things as the other students left the classroom. He noticed out of the corner of his eyes how everyone was gathering around Y/N and whispering to her, as she got some advice and words from them. He also saw how Y/N suddenly walked up to him and stood next to him, and it took him by surprise.

Jace looked at her as she called him. He then spoke softly when he answered her.

  "Yeah? What's up?"

The whole class stood in shock as she went up to talk to Jace. Oh how bold Y/N had to be to talk to someone so scary.

She kept a neutral expression, crossing her arms to stop her nervousness.

She didn't know how to continue the conversation though, not thinking about the consequences of her own actions. Besides, Euntae was standing right beside them, intimidating her.

"Oh uh, Hey-" she starts out.

The whole class was looking back and forth from Y/N to Jace, quite surprised at Y/N's boldness for going right over to the second in command of Burn Knuckles. Jace himself was starting to find the situation funny himself, as he realized just how bold Y/N was. He started to find her humor a little bit funny if he'm being honest.

  "Haha, I do not know what you want to say, but uh, take your time."

Jace spoke in a low tone, his tone of voice being quite different from the last night.

Y/N sighs, looking away in embarrassment. She had to think of something, quick. though, she was still thinking about last night.

Her mind went blank, "Nevermind," she murmured before scattering away. Basically running out of the classroom as she pushed the doors open.

She mentally cursed herself for putting herself in a situation, placing her head on her locker.

Jace couldn't help but chuckle as he noticed how she had suddenly scrambled from the situation right after trying to talk with him. He was really starting to find her funny, as he quickly found himself thinking about the conversations they had last night again. He had to suppress another chuckle as he imagined the situation of him going back to her at lunch or after classes just to have a conversation with her like last night.

It was now lunchtime. Y/N had tried to forget about the situation earlier, but her mind would not stop racing.

Her friends start to circle her, bargaining her with questions, asking her why she would do such a thing.

Though, she ignores them, telling them it was nothing. She pushes past them, pacing herself as she makes her way outside.

She takes a good look at the sky, just like she did last night.

Jace was still thinking back to their conversation last night as he sat down in the cafeteria and ate his lunch. He thought about how funny and entertaining the conversation was last night, but he couldn't help but feel slightly nervous as he thought about the situation that he had just gone through with Y/N. He didn't know if Euntae would come up to him and ask him about it. But he also knew that Euntae didn't tend to question him on petty matters, and that he trusted his judgment.

Jace thought about the possibilities. He could just do what he usually does whenever this type of situation occurred, which was to not pay any mind to the situation and let it slide.

However, this time, he thought the situation was somewhat unusual, so he decided to act upon it. When he finished eating, he got up and headed outside, heading in the direction that Y/N did when she ran right after her bold attempt. He had decided to go see her.

Y/N notices a presence behind her, as she thought it was probably one of her friends who had chased after her.

"What do-" she was about to complain to her friend when she noticed it was Jace who was standing in front of her.

She froze for a moment, tilting her head up to meet his eyes.

"Jace..." she says calmly, looking away from him. "What are you doing here?"

Jace looked down on her as she asked her question in a quiet and calm tone. Jace then chuckled as he replied.

  "I just wanted to check on you. Why did you suddenly run off like that after you talked with me?"

Jace spoke softly, though, his tone of voice still had that sense of humor to it, the kind of humor that seems to surprise everyone who's used to seeing him be so ruthless and violent.

She couldn't believe the guy, who last night was so kind, this morning was ruthless and bloodied, was now speaking to her.

She bites her lower lip, not knowing how to feel. "Oh uh, I was embarrassed," she admits. There it was again, her straightforwardness that Jace got used to after last night.

Jace smiled warmly at her as she admitted to her embarrassment. Jace had grown quite fond of the young lady's straightforwardness.

  "Ha, so you ran off due to embarrassment, eh?"

Jace laughed softly and nodded. He also couldn't help but laugh at the sight of seeing her bite her lower lip.

At that point, Euntae started to notice Jace's absence and noticed that Jace had left the cafeteria. He noticed that Jace had ran out. Euntae had thought that it wasn't any of his business where Jace went, but when he realized Jace had ran outside, he decided to go check up on his young crew mate. Euntae walked fast to catch up to Jace. He then watched him talking in front of Y/N.

Y/N now looked up at jace, examining the emotions in his eyes. She takes a deep breath, her fingers playing with the hem of her shirt.

Her cheeks were now tinted in pink, "It's not my fault! You're literally a gang member," she states the obvious fact.

She had not noticed Euntae, as she lowered her head.

Jace chuckled softly as she explained her reasoning. He could understand where she was coming from when she called him a gang member, she wasn't completely, wrong either, he technically was a gang member. He then replied.

  "Okay, you are right, I am technically apart of a gang. But you have to understand that this gang is only to protect people and take down injustice. Burn knuckles is a gang yes, but it's also a hero organization." Hearing that, Euntae couldn't help but laugh quietly.

Y/N rolls her eyes at the guy being defensive. She furrows her brows, looking up at the guy snd playfully hitting his shoulder.

"Whatever!" She pouts. "Besides-"

That was when she noticed Euntae in the corner of her eyes, standing in their presence.

She froze once again. Euntae was scary, his presence intimidating. He was the leader of burn knuckles anyways

Jace smirked as he felt her playful hit. It made him really think about their little encounter last night with how differently she acted around him. But then he noticed the expression on her face change slightly once she noticed Euntae.

Jace saw how Euntae's presence was quite intimidating and scary, which wasn't hard to see with Y/N being a petite young girl. Jace then noticed how she froze in place once she noticed Euntae. Euntae then gave Jace a small nod, letting him know that he was watching the situation.

Y/Ns eyes darts from Jace to Euntae, as they silently exchanged looks. She didn't know whether to be as frightened.

This time, she doesn't take a step back. If she was bold enough to talk to Jace, it should be fine talking to Euntae, right?

That is what she initially thought, until Euntae had looked over at her. Her eyes widened, but she gathered up some courage.

"Hi," she smiles, trying to untense the atmosphere.

Euntae had heard her small greeting, and he felt more amused by her attempts to lessen the tension. However, he still had his cold and menacing stare, which didn't help her at all. Though, the fact that she spoke to him impressed him, most people would've been frozen in place and too scared to speak. But not her.

Euntae nodded in response to her greeting.

  "Hello." Euntae spoke coldly.

Y/N frowns, noticing Euntae was very different than Jace. Jace had lightened up, but Euntae stayed cold.

She could detect the annoyance in his eyes, and her gut tells her that she should leave them. It seems as if Euntae did not approve of such a conversation.

Y/N smiles at Jace, "I'll get going now," she sighs, not wanting the conversation to end as she walks off once again.

Jace watched and noticed her walk away, realizing that she wasn't going to keep the conversation going with Euntae present. It seems like Y/N didn't want to keep the conversation going with the cold atmosphere Euntae had on him. When she started to walk away, Jace called out for her.

  "Hey!" Jace spoke loudly as he tried to get her attention.

Y/N freezes in her place, the tone of Jaces voice changed dramatically to a more firm tone. She places her hand on her mouth before dropping her hand. Though, she didn't want to cause a problem as she slowly turned on her heels to face them.

"Yes...?" She weakly says, her eyes meeting Jace's.

Jace noticed how she was now acting a little nervously, her voice becoming weak and her eyes meeting his. He smiled softly as he tried to relieve the tension as he got a little bit closer to her.

  "I wanted to ask if I could call you later."

Euntae notices the smile in Jace's face with his attempt to relieve the tension and immediately noticed how close he got with the young girl. Euntae also noticed that Jace had asked the young girl to call her later which didn't sit right with him.

Jace had seemed to become demanding and firm around Euntae. Maybe this was who he really was...?

Her eyes widened, "Call?" She couldn't read the room, couldn't tell the situation. It almost drove her crazy. "How about-" she pauses. "Ask me later," she says before scurrying away once again.

Of course, none of this sat right with Euntae, as Euntae had patted Jaces shoulder, a motion of warning.

Jace was caught a bit off guard as Y/N had gotten a little bit close to him once again for a brief moment, which really startled him. But he still saw how she was acting nervous and a bit afraid around Euntae. The fact that she scurrying away immediately afterwards made him feel quite concerned about her. His expression softened as he watched her run away again.

Euntae then patted Jace's shoulder in a manner of warning against him talking like that with the young girl. Euntae was not impressed by at all by how brazen and bold Jace was with her.

After Y/N had ran back into the classroom, she looks outside the window, noticing Jace and Euntae keep up their cold demeanor once again.

She sighs, sinking into her chair and placing her head on her desk. There were only a few hours left of school, she reminded herself.

She pulls out her notebook, scribbling away as the teacher started to lecture, distracting herself with the lessons.

Part of her hoped Jace would not approach her due to the fact that he was a gang member with Euntae, and another part of her hoped he did talk to her.

Jace and Euntae stayed with their cold and menacing demeanors, they had returned to their usual selves after that encounter with Y/N. Euntae looked towards Jace for a little bit before turning his focus back to the teacher and the lesson. Jace also stopped paying attention to the lesson as he also started scribbling his own notes. He was already bored of the lesson, and he had his own plans in mind. He had planned to go see the young lady again.

Y/N could sense how dangerous it was to stay around Jace, especially when Euntae had not accepted such an act, such a petty little thing to do.

Her mind wanders, and she thinks it would be better to avoid Jace, avoid future problems.

When the bell rang, she didn't hesitate to pack her things and rush out the door. Her friends had noticed this odd behavior, but brushed it off.

Jace was still staring off into space once the lesson ended. The lesson was still boring him quite a bit. He was about to pack up and head home, but his attention was grabbed when he noticed how Y/N had abruptly left the classroom, as fast as she could.

Jace was curious about her sudden and quick exit. He looked towards Euntae, who was also in the process of packing up his things and was about to leave as well. Jace took a quick glance at the clock, and realized he had about a few minutes left.

Y/N started to walk home, but one of her friends caught up to her, grabbing onto her shoulder. Y/N was forced to face the girl, "what?" Y/N exclaims.

The friend started to question her actions, especially since she watched her and Jace talk.

Y/N shrugs it off, "it's nothing," she says to the girl. The girl almost wanted to cause the scene, but Y/N grabs her by the elbow.

Jace watched the entire situation from a distance, he was about to leave, but he started to get intrigued by the situation that was happening in front of him. He wanted to hear their conversation and also see how much it would take for Y/N to actually spill the beans and admit what happened between her and Jace. He had decided to stay to watch and see where this would head off to now that Y/N had actually grabbed her friends by the elbow.

Y/N steps closer to her friend, keeping a firm grip on the girls elbow. "Don't ask me anymore questions. It's nothing. Jace is just a gang member, right?" She sighs, trying to shrug it off.

She removes her grip off the girl, as she convinces herself that it's nothing. That everything from last night to this morning meant nothing to her.

Y/N turns around, walking back home.

Jace watched the whole situation take place, and he noticed how Y/N had convinced herself everything with Jace meant nothing. Though, her actions showed otherwise. Jace stayed hidden and watched as she walked away, he was disappointed with the fact that she convinced herself that everything didn't happen, and that she also considered him as a gang member. Jace knew Euntae would also keep an eye on Y/N from a distance, as he knew him very well.

Y/N had hoped now Jace would give up on her, as she had already embarrassed herself in front of him, plus Euntae probably would not allow Jace to chase after her.

She sighs, making a turn. She involuntarily walks over to the park instead of her house, to get some fresh air.

Sitting on the bench, she places her hands on the seat, staring up at the sky.

Jace witnessed the whole situation and knew now that Euntae would be keeping an eye on her the whole time. This situation was quite frustrating for him as well, after seeing how much she was trying to deny her feelings and make it seem like nothing had ever happened that morning. After a little while of not seeing her, he was starting to wonder if she had went home already. But then he noticed her sitting in the park. Jace immediately walked over to her.

Y/N had noticed the familiar presence, as she turns her head to the side, her eyes meeting Jaces once again.

This time, she decided to be cold. She knew that it would be dangerous if anything happened between them.

"You can't keep following me Jace, what do you want?" She asks in annoyance.

Jace chuckled a little bit, her new cold manner really surprised him. The fact that she seemed more angry than her usual friendly attitude came as a shock to him. Jace took a glance around him and then sat down next to her, trying to make sense of her sudden anger towards him.

  "I can keep following you if I wanted to." Jace replied in a joking manner. Jace then smiled calmly at her, and gave her a gentle pat on the shoulder.

She felt bad for being rude, it was unlike her. But hearing the way Jace talked back to her sparked an argument.

"Hey don't talk to me like that! Go back to doing whatever you were doing before!" She almost yells at him, mentioning that he should go back to his normal gang life instead of following her around.

She crosses her arms, still looking up at him, as if to convince him to leave.

Jace was quite surprised and caught off guard by her sudden angry attitude towards him. He was about to reply and be just as harsh towards her when he noticed how serious she was being. Jace looked away from her and looked ahead of them as they both sat next to each other. His expression was quite sad, and he let out a sigh. He was just about ready to leave when he heard her last sentence.

Y/N stood up from the bench, facing forward. She didn't dare look at him after her outburst.

"Are you done now or not yet?" She raises her brow at the guy. She was referring to the chasing, that he wouldn't leave her alone. it irritated her, how persistent he was.

Jace stayed silent as she stood up from the bench in silence and asked him the question about whether he was done with chasing after her. Jace was taken aback by her bold nature once again. He kept his eyes facing forward, as he knew it was best to not make eye contact with her, as it would probably lead to another argument. He simply stayed silent for a little bit before he quietly spoke.

  "I am done." Jace's voice was cold and harsh now, as he tried to match her attitude towards him.

"Good," she says to him, staying in place for a moment.

She started to overthink it. Who knew he could have such am effect on her? But she knew better, she had to, knowing Euntae would be involved if anything were to happen.

She walks off, in the other direction, clenching her bag as she does so.

Jace kept quiet as she walked off in the other direction, he knew it was best to leave since the argument they had had made everything awkward between them. He could tell that she was now trying to push him away, so it was best if he actually listened to her. It was also obvious that he was starting to gain some form of an effect towards her. Jace then walked away in the other direction, trying to keep his cool.

Euntae noticed this entire interaction, and he had made his decision that he was going to keep a close watch on Y/N now.

Y/N burys her head in her hands, finding the situation overwhelming. She wipes the tears with her sleeve, before crossing her arms and quickening her pace.

Taking a deep breath, she stops by a building and leans on the wall, supporting herself for now. She should've known better from the beginning, now it was difficult as she was emotionally caught up.

Jace had started to head home, but he was still a bit caught up on the situation with Y/N. But for some odd reason, something was gnawing on the back of his mind about her. He knew that it could just be a random thought that was bothering him, but he seemed to feel something deeper. He tried his best to resist the urge of going over to where she was, but unfortunately he lost some control over himself and he ended up turning in her direction.

Jace was about to walk towards her when he suddenly felt a hand on his shoulder and he immediately stopped and tried to look at the person who was touching him. He didn't really need to look to know who it was since he has known him for quite a while now. But he still looked up to them anyway as Euntae was staring down at him with a cold look.

"Enough of this," Euntae had enunciated. Jace knew the rules, he knew Euntae like the back of his hand.

Euntae met Jaces eyes, gesturing him to walk with him, as they had some business to finish.

Jace knew how stubborn Euntae can be, so he knew it would be best to listen to him. But there was also a part of him that wanted to go see Y/N. But he couldn't deny that it was best to listen to Euntae. Jace slowly lifted his arms up to sign that he was listening, now taking a deep breath as they began to walk.

Timeskip to the next day at school

Y/N was not able to sleep last night, twisting and turning, barely getting any sleep. She tried to best to manage, going to school and sitting in her usual spot, placing her head on the desk.

Jace walked into the classroom and his eyes quickly looked towards Y/N. He saw how she was just sitting with her head placed down on the desk. He could still see that she had a tired look in her eyes and bags under them. He didn't want to make a fuss, so he just sat in his usual spot. Euntae then walked into the classroom and sat down next to Jace in his usual sitting spot. Jace was starting to wonder if Y/N was going to approach him after their encounter the other day.

The day had gone by quickly, as Y/N had spent all day occupied by her own thoughts. She spent most of the day ignoring Jace and his stares, even though she was tempted to argue with him.

What really stopped her was Euntae, his intense staring and his cold demeanor.

She walks over to her locker, grabbing her things as her friend mindlessly rambles on about a topic she couldn't care less about.

Jace's eyes quickly looked towards her once again, but he kept most of his attention on his stuff. He had also noticed how she was keeping her distance and trying to avoid him every step of the way. Which he found quite strange as she was always a friendly person with him. Even though their argument took place, he still felt his heart beating out of his chest when he looked at her. Jace then decided to just walk over to his locker, grabbing his stuff out.

Euntae had noticed how absent minded Jace had been all day, seemingly ignoring his surroundings as Jace had his eyes on the girl.

It was frustrating, petty.

Euntae walked over to Jace, slamming his locker close. "Are you going to tell me what is going on, or shall I deal with it myself?" Euntae had seen this situation too many times, usually he would dismiss the guy, no longer making them a member of burn knuckles. But this was Jace, his best friend. He couldn't lose him.

Jace had immediately snapped out of his absent mind when Euntae came up to him and slammed his locker close. He looked over towards him with a bit of a sad expression on his face, trying to make himself seem like he wasn't looking at her. He didn't want to cause trouble between himself and Euntae, but he couldn't help but feel something for Y/N.

  "There's nothing going on." Jace replied to him, trying to keep his cool. He looked over towards his best friend for a moment.

Euntae kept his stern stare on the guy, he was ready to deal with the situation himself.

Jace could feel the weight of Euntae's stare and it started to bug him. If he kept staring, his friend would end up finding out, and that would ruin everything. Euntae couldn't find out how he felt towards Y/N, it would only make things messy. Jace was now starting to feel a bit nervous, and he didn't want to upset his friend. He stayed quiet for a little bit before finally speaking up again.

  "Seriously, nothing's going on."

Y/N turned around, noticing the two guys in an intense stare off.

Rolling her eyes, she looks over at her friend, signaling that the burn knuckles were right there. They both chuckled, Y/N distracting herself from her own emotions, her friend for the fact that it was them.

Euntae, on the other hand, had known Jace long enough to read his thoughts. "You either end things with the girl or I do it myself," he emphasized. Euntae was thinking about his group and his reputation, there was no need for distractions.

Jace felt as though the entire weight of the world was on his shoulders right now. He couldn't make a wrong move as he knew Euntae wasn't one to mess around with. He felt a bit bad for keeping his secret from his friend, and he didn't know what to do in this current situation. Euntae meant a lot to him, and so did the reputation of the Burn Knuckles.

  "The girl means nothing to me." Jace said as he broke eye contact with Euntae, hoping it would be enough for him.

It was obvious that Y/N had heard those words, as did the people around them. It was clear that problems started to spread, rumors arose after the commotion between Y/N and Jace.

Y/N looked over at him, accidently catching Euntaes stare. Though she was a little frightened, she didn't look away.

Her friend, tugging her sleeve, told her that they should just leave, which Y/N complied to.

How about the same night she finally mustered up the confidence to wander the night, finding herself in the same spot of the night before. Then that is when she became endangered.

After all that, Euntae came.  “I told you to end this, didn't i?”

Jace rn:😱🤭 oh no! what shall i ever do

Y/N:💀

{You know what I really wanted to see? I wanted to get Y/N in a dangerous situation, where the next day after all the arguments she sits where she and Jace originally met up. Jace had previously warned her of the dangers of the place, especially during the night. But she refused to comply, that specific swing was her comfort spot. She ends up in danger; some former clan member walks up to her, snickering words of “whats a girl like you doing out here.” Y/N was bold, so of course she yelled back at them, not thinking much of the situation as she was already tired and overwhelmed. The guys start to grab onto her, kicking her around like nothing as she struggles against their strength. But then [surprise surprise] Jace heard, he knew. He had visited that spot every night ever since, hoping that one day he could reconcile with her. His heart dropped as the scene in front of him unfolded, the typical injustice of the night. It took him a moment to recognize her voice as he dashed over to her, not hesitating to lay his fists on every member until they were knocked unconscious. Though he was upset, he walked up to her, helping her up. He places his hand under her chin, forcing her to look up at him. “Didn’t I tell you its dangerous around here?” he says sternly, narrowing his eyes at her.] im actually delulu im going insane.

--

I forgot that i actually have to post rather than stare at my profile and hope for something HAHAH

[jjtheclown555]

Oh, Nessa Prologue

prologue | pt.1

tw. stealing, a little violence against poor vasco🥹

content. While Vasco learned about the danger of smoking, drinking, or taking substances from his mother, his best friend Jace learned by watching his sister, Vanessa, fall deeper and deeper into this rabbit-hole.

pairings. none atp

word count. 428 (actual chapters quire a bit longer)

a/n. ive been writing this for awhile just for me and my friends but now i would like to also shout out @wannaeatramyeon for inspiring me to actually post it!! enjoy the ptj crumbs folks!! (ill post the first chapter in the morning<3)

Daniel goes back over to the register as he watches a short pale girl with messy black hair and ripped baggy clothes come in looking as though her goal was to look as grimy as possible. Daniel asks what he can help her with and she starts to rustle through her pockets. “ESSE Slim Menthol cigs, whatever cheap whiskey you got, and some Soju, if you don’t mind.”

Daniel grabs the items, placing them on the counter and saying, “I just need to see some ID.” She finds what she was looking for in her pockets and hands him her ID. “Uhm, you’re 18, we can’t sell this to you.” He rubs the back of his head and she says that she’s almost nineteen so it’s fine.

“He said we can’t sell it, you’re underage, you can’t smoke or drink alcohol.” Vasco says abruptly, not letting her finish her statement. In her irritation she just mutters a small agreement before grabbing the bottles and cigarettes and running as fast as she can out of the convenience store. Vasco chases after her, shouting to return the items when he eventually catches up to her, watching her shove her items into her bag. “Return those, right now.”

She laughs, “Or what? You gonna hit me?” He shakes his head, claiming he would never hit a girl. “Cool. Then what will you do because I’m not giving these back.” He attempts to take the bag from her. In an instant, she punches Vasco, causing his nose to bleed. While he’s distracted, she grabs the bag back and starts running again until he completely loses her.

In shame, he walks back to the convenience store, looking at Daniel with the blood dripping down his lip. “I couldn’t get them back.” He sighs and Daniel pats him on the back, letting him know he appreciated the help even if he couldn’t get it.

The two of them chat a little more before Vasco heads home about an hour later. As he nears his house he gets a call from Jace. He tries to say hello but gets cut off by his friend saying, “Did Daniel sell my sister alcohol?”

[love-grove]

Whispers of the Sea

Vasco/De Sardet story.

Summary:

De Sardet gets a note to meet Vasco on his ship at night. He could never have predicted what was to come.

[gwens-fiction]

Intro Post

Hi! I’m Gwen. I’m 26, she/her, have a masters in wildlife biology and conservation management, bachelors in biology with minors of English and environmental studies. I have two younger siblings, and 8 pets (5 dogs, 1 rabbit, and 2 cats). I write a lot of fanfiction for the Penguins of Madagascar fandom, but I also write several original things, too.

Genres I write tend to fall under: fantasy, urban fantasy, sci-fi, horror, weird science, action comedy (with animal characters), mystery, poetry.

Feel free to ask to be on any tag list! WIPs below the cut.

Original WIPs

Hidden Earth Chronicles

Summary: Necromancer Vasco has just returned home to find his beloved wife missing. He and his brother-in-law set out to find her and along the way Vasco learns more about where he came from and his own abilities.

Tropical Storm

Summary: Martin along Evy and Diego, are newly moving into the San Diego Zoo. However, Martin’s life is unexpectedly rocked when a secret agent accidentally drops a piece of top secret spy equipment among his belongings. Now he’s been recruited by the local espionage squad. Together they keep the zoo safe from assorted enemies, as well as face international threats.

Also planning: Patagonia Penguins which takes place long before this but is connected via being about Martin's parents.

My Baby’s a Werewolf

Summary: Single Dad, Sebastian’s, toddler daughter, Amber, gets bitten by a “big dog” one evening and becomes a little werepup. Now her dad is handling the pressures of being a single dad as well as trying to get his daughter back to normal.

Obscure Science

Summary: Rejected scientist Dr. Darwin Rose finds new employment with an off-the-record agency that focuses on well…obscure and bizarre occurrences, whether they be paranormal, supernatural, fantastical, or seem like something from science fiction, this agency investigates it all. Darwin is paired up with another scientist, Dr. Cassidy Blue, and together they have some crazy escapades.

Shady Acres

Summary: Sydney, freshly graduated from high school, goes to spend the summer with her older brother Ryan at his cabin. They set up trail cameras for fun but soon get unexpected photos that introduce them to whole new oddities that the woods can offer.

Title Under Construction

Summary: A small town has become plagued by a mysterious creature that keeps eating the inhabitants.

Fanfic WIPs

A Scientific Romance Series

A series of Penguins of Madagascar fics about Kowalski the penguin and his invention unexpectedly pairing him up with the penguins' arch nemesis: Dr Blowhole and how they’re making this relationship work.

Spin Offs:

Scientist Overboard

Summary: Francis and Kowalski have been dating for over a year when Kowalski and the others go on a mission out at sea. Kowalski finds himself washed overboard during a bad storm, waking up without any memory on an island. He and his spirit guide then attempt to return to New York while the others try to find him.

Haunted Mansion

Summary: Blowhole, Kowalski, and their children decide to go on a family vacation, but get sidetracked by a haunted mansion's advertisement that Blowhole couldn't pass up. Will include 2 guest OCs of my friend @insert-meaningful-username. A Franski fic with bonus fankids.

Collaborative WIPs with @insert-meaningful-username

Mallory Manor (Title Under Construction)

Summary: Rose sneaks into the sketchy old Mallory Manor at the end of the street and discovers far more than she bargained for.

Clandestine Affairs

Summary: During the biggest heist they’ll ever pull off, infamous criminal duo Show Biz planned on robbing one of the richest and highly valuable connections to have, Julien Prince. However, they’ve finally been caught by their rivals. With the heroes winning this battle, surely things will now be brought to justice...until, the charges are read. Sentence to death for...murdering the Senator of Delaware?!? NOW, our heroes must team up with the baddies to end this confusion, solving the mystery of the true mastermind before the crooks are falsely put to death for the only crime they didn’t commit.

Caretaker of Madagascar (Penguins of Madagascar series)

Summary: Some believe misfortune can bring people together. Others believe that destiny has the power to interconnect lives, whether those lives wanted to or not. Call it a coincidence. Call it fate. Call it a despicable force of nature. Either way, nothing could've stopped the fact that Bridget Ailith, a cantankerous new zookeeper, found herself forced to team up with the Penguins to undo a machine's disastrous effects. Doesn't help that those penguins are now—

Do You Read Me, 00FU? (Subnautica / Neebs Gaming inspired series)

Summary: Hired aboard Alterra’s prestigious and pristine spaceship, The Aurora, space engineer rookie Appsro finally gets his opportunity to voyage across the galaxy… Until it fucking crashes onto an uncharted pelagic planet. Alone and stranded on quarantined 4546B, all Appsro has in his survival skill set is his ingenuity, some tools, stubbornness, and the aid of a few (debatable if helpful or not) Alterra HQ Operators. Can he prevail and escape the treacherous deep waters, enormous aquatic monsters, and the lethal thousand-year-old bacteria that feast upon the planet? Probably not. He’s fucked.

[tennypress]

Funny crack oneshot(thats how you call them? Idk i Dont Read fanfictions) but i Thought it would be funny to see These herculean teenagers Getting rejected by an asexual aromantic reader.

🖤🤍💜

Omg yes

How they reacted to you rejecting them

Daniel park

He’d be a little hurt but understanding

Of course you both are still friends

He offers to give you some space after the interaction between the two of you

He try to help you out when other boys and girls ask you out

Visits you during break when your playing an instrument in the music department

Jay hong

Understanding

He offer to give you some advice if you do get in a relationship

Is friendly but awkward since this is the first time someone he knows is aroace

Of course y’all are still friends

He often sees you hang out in the beauty department and would ask you to cut his hair in a friendly way

Eli Jang

Of course he’s understanding! Mans is a walking encyclopedia

Tries not to flirt with you from now on

Yes you guys are still friends and you still help him out with babysitting Yenna

Asks more about your sexuality

Would asks you to still make treats for him, yenna, and the rest of Hostel

Zack Lee

Touché. He was confused at first but brushed it off

Is still friendly with you and a bit touchy, but he would know your boundaries

You still come with him to the gym and spare with him

Asks you about your sexuality and would take mental notes

Would visit you in Vocal and dance while arguing with Vin

Euntae Vasco Lee

Is a bit hurt but he respects your decision

Big dummy so he would ask about your sexuality while Jace is there telling him more

Of course you still bring chocolate milk with him while he hands you strawberry milk

Your still friends

Would visit you whenever your in fashion or outside of school

Vin Jin

His ego is hurt and he would walk away angrily

Days later he would say hi to you or just nod at you obviously a bit hurt that you rejected the vin Jin

He knows what aroace since he knew a bit of people from cheongliang.

Your kinda friends with him but he distants himself sometimes whenever you two know each other in public or in school

Visits you in physical education department watching you play sports or asks you to compete with him. Only for him to loose every game. He won once when you guys were doing track. You only slowed down some you had a cough

[teamdilf]

🍄 🍓 🎨

🍄 ⇢ share a head canon for one of your favourite ships or pairings

Castis, as hard as he tries, never does manage to plan a properly romantic date for Cecilia - but it's a relief to her in a way, because it's so much more fun for her to tease him about his romantic incompetence, and she wouldn't know what to do on a properly romantic date!

🍓 ⇢ how did you get into writing fanfiction? 

I'd posted a teeny, tiny bit of Dragon Age fanfiction, but it was the early days of the pandemic that got me into writing at length. I'd gone through the Greedfall fics on AO3 and had read literally every De Sardet/Vasco fic on there, and realized I'd need to write my own stuff to see the content I wanted to read.

🎨 ⇢ link your favourite piece of fanart and explain why you like it

It took me a bit to find it but this is my favourite fanart! I love the colours and the wistfulness of it.

[ceeesxy-blog]

LOOKISM FANFICTION [update v.1]

Hello again, everyone! This is @_ceciliahiddlestan from Wattpad and the author of the Lookism Fanfiction titled, "Tag, You're It".

The story is updated up to chapter two! Sorry for being inactive for a while and thank you for 1k reads! I appreciate y'all! I look forward to seeing you there if you are interested in reading my work. Love lots!

Here's the link to the story: Tag, You're It (Lookism) - yoojin - Wattpad

Down below is a sneak peek at both chapters one and two!

Sneak Peek

Chapter One:

(WARNING: MENTIONS OF AB%RTION)

“What if the piggy brings his mom? Lol.”

“Then I’m gonna strip them both naked. Haha.”

“Was she happy after giving birth to him? I would have had an abortion.”

You were livid. Your clenched hands are shaking. You couldn’t take it anymore and slammed your hands on the table, leaving a few cracks on it, which, Jay only noticed.

“貴様.” You said, your face showed anger.

“Huh? What did you say?” The man asked.

“I said, you bastard.”

Chapter Two:

“Hi, Vasco! My name is (Y/N). You were so cool earlier!” You smiled widely and his face turned into a deeper shade of red if that was even possible.

She said I was cool… Vasco thought as another tear fell from his eye.

⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆ ⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆ ⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆ ⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆

Want to know what happened next? Go read "Tag, You're It" on Wattpad!

Thank you for taking the time to read this and my story!

[lacey-of-spades]

My Fanfiction Masterlist (October 17th, 2024)

So last month was the Great Purge, as I deleted a lot of fics. I only have 7 now

Jujutsu Kaisen

Devil's Advocate - Love Interest: Megumi Fushiguro

Kamiko Hone is in trouble. Her cursed technique pushes her bones out of place and regrows them, but the flesh doesn't grow back once they are out of her body. She is expected to be a special grade, but will be when she fixes that. The real issue is how. Link

Naruto

The Strongest Uchiha - Love Interest: Tobirama Senju. Myokō Uchiha was known by a lot of names. The Creator of Recon, The First Kunoichi, The Third Hokage. But none was more famous than The Strongest Uchiha. A name given to her by her father, never challenged by Uchiha after her. But how did the strongest, become the most hated. By marrying a Senju, by marrying the enemy. Part 1 of Repeats Link

The Blind Eye - Love Interest: Kakashi Hatake. Hitomi Uchiha was strange. An Uchiha by birth, but never felt any love in the clan. A war veteran, but never any fighting spirit. A mother, without one of her own. A life, even after her clan was almost completely taken out. Her story is short, squished between the great Kunoichi's before and after her, but it's a good story to be told. Any story is worth learning from. Besides, learning about the past prevents history from repeating. Part 2 of Repeats Link

Bolt - Love Interest: Sasuke Uchiha. Naomi Senju didn't have a silver spoon in her mouth. She may have been adored by the village, but she never got anything for free. She suffered more than most. From her father dying, her clan dying out, her mother dying, an arranged marriage with someone twice her age, and manipulation. No one could relate, except for Sasuke. Link

Pokemon

Something in the Orange - Love Interest: Gladion Mohn. Bellatrix Smyth has an issue. Her father is on his deathbed, and he tells her to take her 6-month-old brother and run. Part 1 of Starry Night Link

Nineball - Love Interest: Gladion Mohn. As Gladion joins team skull, he encounters a lot of people. Bella, Sirius, Ayako, Zynah, Aiden, Vasco, Guzma, and Plumeria to name a few. Most of his encounters are good, but what can he do when he gets a huge fat crush on his next-door neighbor, Bella. Part 2 of Starry Night Link

Sonic the Hedgehog

Gettin' It - Love Interest: Shadow the Hedgehog.

Tyra Blackwell, a secret agent working for G.U.N. is expendable. She knows she is, but even after facing extreme injury on a mission before her 17th birthday, she doesn't want to be on dangerous missions anymore. But when her boss sends her on a mission to keep track of Eggman and a recently released Shadow. But when does the line between facade and reality blur? When does a mission's subject become a real friend? How is it possible that when a girl goes undercover, she finds her real friends? Part 1 of Struggle Link

[ariel-seagull-wings]

@themousefromfantasyland @professorlehnsherr-almashy @the-blue-fairie

We must not forget the Luís Vaz de Camões real person fanfiction Os Lusíadas staring the sailor Vasco da Gama.

If you think about it, Shakespeare pioneered the genre of real-person fiction, paving the way for works such as Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton. Therefore, Shakespeare is directly responsible for Miku binder Thomas Jefferson. In this essay, I will

[therealgchu]

To the Shore Vignettes - Mayonnaise Jars

i had planned to publish this on friday, but life conspired to get in my way. and, by life, i mean an all-day interbutt outtage at work, which caused my friday to be insane.

so, here's the new short, inspired by a thread from the subreddit fanfiction about bad fanfiction smut tropes. this is rated explicit because of some lines, but the work is otherwise G rated.

if you want to read my other stuff, it's here on ao3.

Mayonnaise Jars sneak peek

For once, he got the drop on her and moved them out of her reach before she could snatch them from his hands. “Hah!” he shouted, laughing maniacally, and lifted the books up above her head. “I think there’s some more choice passages I could read,” he taunted, “just give me a minute to find some more!”

Hwa was so embarrassed that all of her training went out the door. “GIVE ME MY BOOKS!” she cried as she jumped up and down, trying to grab them from Sam’s uplifted hands.

He kept shifting the books from one hand to the other, but forgot that she had an excellent vertical, and she almost caught them. He knew he couldn’t keep them from her much longer and that she would remember her training soon, which probably meant a world of hurt for him. He needed an exit strategy. His eyes shot over to the ladder, and made a break for it. “Can’t catch me!” he challenged, and raced to the hatchway, jumping through the opening to the main deck. He sprinted through to the hatch, hit the release for the ramp, and ran out.

“Greetings, Sam Coe,” Vasco said as Sam raced off the ramp, the robot’s head following Sam’s mad dash. “Greetings, Captain Kim. It is good to see you survived your last sl…” Vasco trailed off as he watched Hwa tear after Sam, hot on his heels.

“GIVEMEMYBOOKS!” Hwa shrieked, loud and shrill enough to cause some birds roosting on the other side of the landing pad to take flight, chasing after him. Sam darted behind the ship then abruptly stopped, hands on his knees, panting and laughing his head off, allowing her to catch him. He could have kept running, and it was one of the few areas he far exceeded her abilities as she was a very slow runner. But, his conscience was pricking him a bit for teasing her, and wondered if she’d be upset.

[ragingbookdragon]

Still Life To Live

Vasco x De Sardet

Word Count: 2.1K Warnings: Explicit Language, Wee-bit of Angst

Author's Note: Legit this is the first female De Sardet I've written besides the one with Kurt -Thorne

**********************************************************************

She wakes with a sadness still ever-present in her chest as she stares out the window, at a bird-less, sunless sky. The sheets smell like Constantin’s soap, and she can’t help but feel tears come to her eyes. She hasn’t been able to leave his room since they returned from his burial. She misses her cousin, no, her brother. Constantin was all she had in the world other than her mother. The two young cousins growing up, thick as thieves, only for it to end in such a poetic yet so tragic way. She missed him so. Missed laughing with him. Missed being around him. And she missed the moments where she wasn’t plagued with knowing his blood was on her hands, even if in the end it wasn’t his fault but the madness.

“If you know, why do you continue to blame yourself?”

She blinks a few times, coming to realize that her dear cousin is kneeling beside her; her lips wobble as she reaches out, taking his hand. “I miss you.”

“Oh, I miss you, dear cousin,” he murmurs. “But you cannot spend the rest of your life here.” His smile is so soft. “I may not be here in flesh, but I am always with you in spirit.”

“I’m sorry.”

He shakes his head. “I will not accept something you needn’t apologize for. Cousin, you saved me. You set me free.” His hand gently leaves hers, resting on her head. “If you want to honor my memory, don’t sit here and wallow while the ones you love worry for you. If that is not enough, then you must remember who you are and what you are called to do here. You have responsibility and it isn’t going away simply because I am gone.” He pats her head. “Promise me, you will get up and go. That this pain will not hold you down. I may be gone, but you have gained the world in terms of family. That old man, Kurt, the girls.” His eyes hold a shimmer of humor as he jabs, “And that Naut.”

Her laugh is watery, tears slipping down her cheeks and he’s quick to wipe them away.

“Dear cousin, there is more life to live. Promise me.”

She swallowed thickly and nodded her head. “I promise.” As he pulls away, she grabs his hand and stares into his eyes. “I love you, brother.”

Constantin, in all his spirit, simply smiles and leans over, kissing her head. “I love you, dear sister.”

She blinks once and he’s gone, the place where he was kneeling empty, all that remains of him is merely a feeling in her chest, but something in the air has changed and she rises from the bed for the first time in almost three weeks.

Her entire body aches from not moving and her stomach grumbles like there is no tomorrow. She can tell there is loss around her body, a gauntness where muscle and fat should be, but the mind and such strong emotion could always play with the body, suppressing hunger. She pulls a dress on, tightens the fabric of the corset to fit her frame as she ties various lines of linen and silk to appear somewhat appropriate.

A quick facial wash in the basin of water is all that can suffice for now, as she follows Constantin’s orders of moving on. She has so much to do, so many people to check in with, to greet, lives to maintain, rules to enforce, treaties to sign now that she is essentially acting governor before a new one is assigned.

She inhales deeply, readying herself for the surprised faces of the people as she opens the doors and steps out. Surprisingly, there are no servants, and she takes it as a small mercy, escaping the upper floor to the stairs where she walks down quietly, thinking of how she will explain her absence.

It is only when she hits the ground and walks out into the throne room that she sees her first companion speaking with another emissary; they look up at the doors and the old man smiles at her.

“Child,” he simply greets, and she smiles back at him, a little weak but one, nonetheless.

“Petrus.” She walks over as the emissary bows and leaves them.

“It is good to see you out of your room.”

She nods. “Forgive me, for—”

“There is no need to apologize for how your grief affects you.” He looks at her. “Your cousin was the only friend you had growing up. To lose that so fast…grief is merely an understatement to what you felt.” He reaches up, brushing a stray tear. “We have simply bided our time before you came out.”

“Where are the others?” she asks, looking around curiously.

“Kurt is at the barracks training, Aphra is more than likely returning from Hikmet with new supplies, and Síora went to visit her clan.”

“And what of Vasco?” she inquires, feeling something awfully funny in her chest.

Petrus frowns. “Ah, yes, Vasco…”

“What? Is he alright?”

“Oh, he’s fine, but he is leaving port right now.”

Her eyes widen, heart breaking and panicking at the same time. “He’s leaving port right now? Like this moment now?”

“Indeed.”

“B-but he—but we!” she runs to the window, stares out to see the top of the Seahorse and she feels her chest erupting. She never meant to push him away in her grief and cause him to leave. “Oh no…”

“Child…”

“I have to stop him!” she shouts, already hiking her dress up to sprint for the doors.

“Wait!”

Petrus’ calls fall on deaf ears as she runs down the steps to the grand doors, yelling for the guards to open them and they do, just in time for her to burst down the front steps for all of New Sérène to see. It takes her all of three minutes to run like hell is at her heels to get to the docks and she passes Admiral Cabral who only looks up because a sailor gets her attention.

“Lady De Sardet?!” she calls in shock, rising from her desk to run after her. “What on earth are you doing so frenzied!”

She doesn’t answer but runs to the edge of the dock where sailors are busy moving cargo that didn’t get packed into the Seahorse; it hasn’t even made it twenty feet from the port, so she isn’t too late, but she is late.

“Vasco!” she yells, cupping her hands to her mouth for better reach. “Vasco! Wait!”

She hears something from the ship before he appears at the stern, his confusion giving way to shock but a gladness is in it. “De Sardet! What are you doing here!”

Her hands come to her chest, massaging the ache growing as tears fill her eyes. “Please, don’t leave without me,” she begs. “If you’re leaving, let me come with you. I’ll sail with you, please, don’t—”

“De Sardet! Look out!”

Her turning is too slow, and she is barreled into by a sailor carrying far too many boxes at once. And for all her balance training, she loses it all as she is knocked backwards, foot caught in her dress as she screeches, trying to catch something or someone before she falls down into the frigid water.

The world ripples above her and she tries to fight for the surface but the weight of her dress and undergarments are too heavy and she sinks despite her struggle. Water invades her lungs, and she feels like stone as darkness and cold seep into her body, even as hands reach for her.

***

“She still hasn’t come out?” he asks softly, glancing up towards the third floor.

Petrus sighs. “Of course not. She lost the last remaining family she ever had.”

Vasco bristles, as if he isn’t aware of such a thing. “I know she did.”

“Then why assume she has come out of her grief.”

“I didn’t mean it like that, I merely meant that…” he falls silent, scuffing his foot; something about being around Petrus made him feel like a child again. “I just miss her.”

The old man smiles sadly, laying a hand on his shoulder. “I know you do. Even though we all do, you do much more.” He squeezes before letting go. “Believe me, if she comes out, I will be the first to send her your way.”

Vasco nods, inhaling deeply as he puts the tricorn back on his head. “I’ll be back in a few days.”

“Safe travels to San Matheus, Captain.”

***

His heart stops in his chest the second that De Sardet hits the water and comes up once before the dress pulls her back down and Vasco is cussing a storm as he strips from his belts and coat down to his tunic, pants, and socks before diving overboard for her.

The water is freezing, shocking him to his core but the sun shines enough to lead him to the woman sinking down; he grasps her waist, pulling hard as he kicks his legs with fervor until they break the surface, and he sucks in air as a rope lands near him. He wraps it around his arm and tugs, waiting for the sailors to yank them aboard and when they do, his feet hit the ground, letting go of the rope as he lays De Sardet down on the deck.

She’s unmoving, cold, and unconscious, and Vasco yanks a sailor’s knife from his belt, cutting up the front laces of her corset, ripping it open, and she snaps awake, rolling onto her side with harsh coughs as water makes its way up her esophagus. He rubs at her back, taking the blanket from Jonas who’d gone into his cabin to get it from his bed, and lays it over her shoulders as she rests on her side, breathing heavily.

“De Sardet,” he calls softly. “Are you okay?” She nods, swallowing salt as she nods and shuts her eyes, feeling a shiver run down her body from the chill of the air on her thoroughly drenched body. Vasco gets the hint and picks her up with ease, barking, “Get us back to dock!” the sailors are in a frenzy as he makes his way to his cabin and shuts the door behind him, sitting her down on his trunk at the end of his bed.

He moves methodically, stripping her out of her wet dress and undergarments to her bareness before she can even stop him; he wraps her tight in the blanket before he goes over to his chest of drawers and changes from his own wet clothes before he returns with a long tunic and a pair of cotton pants. This time, he looks up towards the ceiling as she dresses herself, or at least tries to before she mutters, “I need help.”

Vasco looks down, sees her shaking hands, and gently helps her into the shirt and laces the pants so she’s dressed. He then takes her to the bed and situates her before he crawls in beside her, wrapping his arms and legs around her, warming her as best he can.

She breathes deeply and turns in his grip, nose brushing the column of his throat as she tries to practically get in his skin. “I’m sorry,” she whispers, and he hugs her tight.

“You have nothing to be sorry for. That jackass sailor ran into you.”

“That’s not what I’m sorry for,” she answers, and pulls back despite the warning in his throat, looking into his eyes. “I shut you out and you’re leaving. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, Vasco, I never meant to push you away.” Tears fill her eyes and she’s almost blubbering at this point. “Please don’t leave me. I need you, Vasco. If I have to give this all up to come, I will, but please don’t leave this island without me.”

“Woah, woah, woah,” he calms, gently caressing her face. “Tempest, I’m not going anywhere.”

“But you’re—”

“I’m just going on a supply run to San Matheus.” He frowns. “Didn’t Petrus tel—” his scowl is much worse. “That old bastard.” Vasco lets out a sigh and takes her face in his hands. “I was simply going to San Matheus to deliver supplies and come back.” His golden eyes bore into hers. “My Tempest, I would never leave you. And even if I were to, I would never go without saying goodbye.”

Her expression is downright pitiful as she asks, “Promise?”

Vasco huffs fondly and he leans forward, pressing their foreheads together. “My Tempest, I swear on my honor as a Naut and my love for you.” He kisses her softly. “Rest, my Tempest. I’m here.” Her fingers clench in his tunic as she buries her face back into his chest, breathing in gunpowder, sea salt, and leather, letting sleep wash over her in his comfort.

[vvmylove]

Once Again, Never Again (Always)🤞 (PART 2)

Kinda boring? idk

1.5k words.

Jace was surprised by this sudden bit of information that the young woman had suddenly told him. It was a bit of a private fact, and he couldn't figure out why she would want to even tell him that. But then he chuckled a tad as he was amused by the young lady.

  "That's actually quite sweet... I'm assuming it was your father that told them to you?"

Silence filled the air for a moment as she gathered her thoughts. She found the guy amusing, a little weirded out by him.

"Nah, just an old friend." She tells him.

"So Jace," she starts as she turns over to face him. Her eyes trail from his tattoo to his face, "Burn knuckles scares me," she chuckles.

Jace raised his eyebrows at her statement once again.

  "Is it the name or the appearance of the group that scares you? Or their way of going about things?"

Jace seemed to be amused at her reactions, as she had seemed surprised, amused, shocked, and now scared by his mention of Burn Knuckles.

  "If you do not mind... May I ask how old you are? You seem quite young, so I was just wondering."

Y/N rolls her eyes at his stupid questioning. Was he really unaware of the name Burn knuckles have created for themselves? The fact that everytime the logo of Burn Knuckles was plastered on the TV, everyone would be scared to leave the house?

Yet, she sat so casually with him, it scared her. "You guys are one of the strongest and scariest gangs out there. Especially Euntae, he's scary." She shutters at the thought.

"I'm the same age as you," she replies to his later question.

Jace chuckled again as she told him about how Burn Knuckles had gained a reputation for themselves.

  "Burn Knuckles has indeed gained a reputation as being one of the strongest and scariest gangs out there. And I definitely do not disagree with your opinion of Euntae... He truly is the boss of Burn Knuckles after all."

A slight grin crept onto his face as he continued talking with the young woman and she answered his question as well.

  "You are the same age as me, huh? If that is the case, are you a first year student like me?"

Y/N nods her head, "Yes, a first year just like you," she chuckles.

She noticed the grin on his face, tilting her head a little. He was kinda... cute. It was weird seeing a gang member so vulnerable and... human.

"Is Euntae your best friend? Do you think he's scary?" She asks him, continuing to pester him with questions.

Jace's cheeks started turning pink as he continued to smile, his cheeks blushing from her sudden compliment, and he chuckled a bit. He then thought about her question regarding Euntae.

  "I, yes I... Yes, Euntae is indeed my best friend."

Jace nodded firmly as he spoke of his best friend, but then hesitated when he tried to answer the last part of her question.

  "Hmm..."

Then he nodded again, speaking more softly.

  "... Yes. I, indeed, do think Euntae is scary."

She chuckles, "Should I call him Mister or something?" She giggles, trying to lighten the atmosphere up a bit.

She pulls out her phone, looking at the time. It was almost 12 am, they had been chatting for almost an hour. Standing up, she sighs.

"It was nice meeting you Jace," she says to him, not really wanting to end the conversation. Though, it would be dangerous to involve herself with a well known gang member.

Jace saw her checking the time and he noticed how late it had gotten. They truly had been talking for quite a while. He also realized how long he had been outside, even though it initially felt like only a short while. He then noticed how she was hesitating to leave, as she seemed to not want to end the conversation. The young man also realized that he didn't want to end the conversation either.

  "Oh uh... Same here, it was nice talking to you as well... Y/N."

She starts to walk off, looking down, thinking about the earlier interaction. She felt a little weird, as she glances back to take one last look at the guy.

the next morning,

Y/N prepares herself for school, thinking about last night. She goes to school, meeting a few of her friends.

The next morning, Jace had also woken up and headed for school. On his way to school, he also thought about last night's events. While he was still able to keep a smile on his face when he thought back to the young woman's cute expressions and her funny reactions, he knew that he had to forget her. That is, unless he wants to be in trouble with Euntae.

Jace had also met his fellow gang mates on his way to school, and he also greeted them as he proceeded to class.

Y/N was lost in thought as she sat in her usual seat. Looking out the window, not noticing one of her friends approaching her.

She turns her head to face the girl, "oop," she giggles to herself.

Her friend had asked what was wrong, why she was lost in thought.

"Oh nothing," Y/N stated.

"Though, did you hear about burn knuckles this morning? They were brutal!" Her friend said as she she shoved her phone in Y/Ns face, showing a video of burn knuckles fighting.

Jace was quietly sitting in his seat, trying to learn in class, but his thoughts had still been lingering on the young lady from last night. He was about to listen to his teacher explaining the topic when he noticed the girls talking about the recent events of Burn Knuckles.

He was suddenly curious to know what they were talking about, so he peeked his head to get a glimpse of Y/N's phone just as the video showing the fight played. His eyes widened in shock at this, as he didn't expect such a brutal display of strength from his gang.

Y/N watches the video, her eyes widening as she sees Jace, ruthless as he beats up a group of guys on his own.

Was this really the guy she had met last night? The calm and caring Jace from last night?

Jace and Euntae and the rest of burn knuckles continue to beat up the gang.

"This happened this morning?" Y/N asks her friends, as one of them starts to nod their heads.

Jace noticed how Y/N's eyes were widening as she saw him on the video. She must've been shocked by how he acted during the fight, since he acted completely differently compared to how he spoke with her last night. Jace also noticed how everyone else in the class was shocked as well, their eyes widening as they watched it. It was also quite unnerving for him, seeing him on the video acting so violently, as he saw how brutal he had become when he fights against gangs, even if they were for valid reasons.

One of the girls squeals, everyone's head turns as the doors of the classroom open. The atmosphere had seemed to tense up, as Burn knuckles entered the building.

Y/N turns her head around, confirming the fact. There stood Jace and Euntae, side by side. The aura Jace was displaying was different than how it was last night.

She was surprised to see Jace, she looked down at her desk. Of course everyone feared burn knuckles.

Jace took note of the sudden atmosphere changes as people suddenly started to tense up when they had seen him and Euntae enter the classroom. He noticed the young ladies starting to look down and hide away, as they started to feel frightened. He himself also felt quite tense as he felt all the eyes looking at him and Euntae.

Jace then quickly sat down in his seat, wanting to make sure everyone didn't get nervous due to his and Euntae's presence. That is, until he heard a few girls whispering about him...

The girls started to whisper, a mix of fear and awe.

"Jace is really hot.. so is Euntae"

"They are really scary, look how ruthless they are"

"Why are they here?"

All these questions surfaced the classroom, murmurs and rumors spreading immediately.

Y/N observes the class, as her eyes land on Jace. She didn't know how to react, as the guy sitting seemed different than the one from last nivht.

Jace's ears caught all the whispers that the young ladies were making, and it quite surprised him. He didn't think he could be considered "hot" to the girls in his class, nor was he aware that people thought he was ruthless due to how he acted when he was fighting. He turned his head forward to pay attention to his teacher, who was starting to give out some assignments. He couldn't help but feel slightly amused as he realized how different and unexpected he seemed to these girls in his school.

Y/N couldn't believe that Jace was here. She felt obligated to do something...

She didn't know whether to be bold or not. She stood up, catching her friends by surprise.

But as she was going to do * something* the teacher had walked in, giving them assignments.

[jjtheclown555]

Oh, Nessa Chapter 1

prologue | pt.1

tw. smoking weed, small family argument, Vanessa should be her own TW, especially later on😭

content. While Vasco learned about the danger of smoking, drinking, or taking substances from his mother, his best friend Jace learned by watching his sister, Vanessa, fall deeper and deeper into this rabbit-hole.

pairings. none but a little flirting with jake

word count. 4.1k words

a/n. this is very oc heavy so if you aren't big on ocs, you can scooch right along! also i did make vin jin a little less insufferable here!

Daniel asks what’s wrong, face lightening in concern. “My older sister, Vanessa, is starting today, my parents want me to keep an eye on her but she’s a headache honestly.” Daniel chuckles, implying she couldn’t be that bad. “You’d be surprised, Vasco saw her for the first time since we were like 8 last night and he knows how she is from that alone.” Some other kids pile in including Zack, Mira and Zoe.

The black-haired boxer feels his eye twitch, “You shouldn’t say that shit about your own sister,” He leans against the wall of the class, “She’s family.” He implies that he doesn’t know enough about Vanessa to make that call. “Are you really implying that she’s that bad? I know you’re exaggerating.” Zoe and Mira disagree, they state he doesn’t know her and can’t assume that she isn’t that bad and he retorts back, “Yeah, but you don’t know her either so you can’t assume she’s that bad.”

They nod along in understanding when some kind of girl-band rock plays softly in the distance, a swift tap to the back of Jace’s head with a chuckle echoing and the muffled music being more noticeably from this girl's headphones. The short raven-haired girl gives Jace a hug, excitedly greeting him and exclaiming how excited she is to start a new school. Jace rolls his eyes, lightly returning the hug. Some of the others greet her as the teacher quietly sneaks into the room before demanding attention. Jace and Vasco say their goodbyes—Vasco a little upset he didn’t get the chance to lecture her on stealing—and head to their own classroom. The teacher calls the girl who is presumably Jace’s sister to the front to introduce herself. “As I’m sure some of you have noticed, we have a new student today, please introduce yourself, miss.”

The tired thief Daniel recognizes from his other body slouches against the chalkboard with a yawn. “Hi, I’m Vanessa Park, I’m 18 years old, almost 19, and I…don’t know what else to say.” She shrugs off the whole introduction but the class doesn’t waste a moment to shoot their hands up for questions.

“Why are you almost 19 in a first year high school class?”

“Why are you like 16 and not minding your own business?”

“Do you have a boyfriend?”

“Actually, I hate men very deeply!” She says, letting sarcasm drip off her tongue.

“Why did you move here?”

“I got expelled from my last school.

“Are you really that Jace kids sister?”

“No. We look similar and have the same surname ‘cause that’s what god wanted.”

Question after question, sarcastic answer after almost each one. Vanessa doesn’t take the Q&A seriously. She doesn’t have a reason to. She doesn’t want to be here either way so why make an effort? She looks around the class at all the raised hands, the girls trying to ask embarrassing questions and the guys only wanting to know if they have a chance with her.

Vanessa chuckles, “Why do I have to answer their questions just ‘cause I’m new? Why can’t I ask them questions? Like you,” She points at Zack, his lips twitching slightly and eyes widening, “I feel like you’ve done some kind of martial arts, what kind is it?” She tilts her head with a smile and he answers, saying he does boxing. “See! I’m learning about my peers too, isn’t that only fair?” The teacher gives Vanessa a stern look and she takes her seat next to Mira.

She listens as the teacher drags on about some kind of equation. She looks between him and the group conversation on her phone. She raises her hand and asks to use the washroom, stepping out in urgency and touching her chest to ensure her pack of cigarettes and lighter are still safe in her bra.

Vanessa wanders through the hallways, looking from door to door until she finds the washroom. She pushes the door open and walks in to see a blonde girl standing against the wall with a cigarette between her fingers. Vanessa walks over, sitting up on the windowsill and pulling her own carton out and lighting one. The blonde girl looks up at Vanessa, introducing herself as Mary and asking Vanessa’s name. “I’m Vanessa Park but most of my friends call me ‘V,’” She says and Mary smiles.

“You’re Jace’s sister, right?”

“I’m glad the rumours are already spreading.”

They both chuckle before simultaneously taking deep inhales of smoke. “What department are you?” Mary asks, Vanessa responding with fashion. “That class is full of crazies, you’re in for a wild ride.” She thinks of all the fights and problems that have come from that class.

“I’m not sure, I heard a lot of issues come from the architecture department,” Vanessa says, tilting her head to which Mary agrees. Mary says that of all classes, architecture is the only one that can’t go a day without being strange or troublesome. “Not surprised, I’m probably gonna make the fashion classes rep go into the grave.” Mary rolls her eyes, exclaiming her doubt. “I’ve been expelled from multiple schools, been to rehab and the psych ward, and almost got arrested twice. I think I can shake things up quite a bit.”

Mary gapes at her, tucking a strand of blonde hair behind her ear, “I’m gonna need to hear these stories, wanna hang out at lunch?” She looks at Vanessa, eyes glistening in intrigue as she attempts to figure out what happened in each event. Vanessa opens the window she’s pressed against, blowing smoke out into the air.

Vanessa flicks the ash off her dart, pushing her thumb up into it and watching it fall to the grass outside. “I would but I’m cutting at lunch to link my friends. We’re gonna chill in my friend's car and sesh together, you can probably come if you want!” She grins, excited to have made a friend at her new school already.

Mary stands up, flicking her finished cigarette out the window. “Are you guys skipping the rest of the day?” Vanessa nods. “Sounds good, can my friend Vin Jin come? He’s annoying but he’s pretty chill.” Vanessa pulls another drag from her cigarette and asks if he’s going to try to smoke all their weed. “He doesn’t smoke weed so you’re good.”

“Alright, bet! I’ll ask them if y’all can come!”

Vanessa tosses her burning cig out the window, closing it and grabbing some perfume to spray on herself and her hands. On request, Mary spins around and Vanessa sprays her too. She places the small bottle of perfume back in her pocket, texting the group chat about the request. She gives Mary a hug before they both go their separate ways back to class. On her walk back to class, she continues the conversation with her friends.

V: can I bring my friend and her friend to our sesh??

Michael: bro, stop inviting ppl to waste our gas lol

Lucy: stfu michael

V: ya they arent even gonna smoke much if they do at all

Ena: what?? who are u bringing???

V: my new friend mary and her guy friend vin or smth

Lucy: yeee why not

Michael: fine but they can smoke someone elses shit

Ena: ur so fucking bitter, let vs friends smoke so we dont look like douches

Lucy: LMFAOOO

V: lollll theyre chill dwww

Michael: fineeee but they only get a few hits

V: okok see u in 20??

Michael: yaya

Jada: Yo, I was in class whos coming to ball up w us??

She sits through the last little bit of class, getting a small lecture from her teacher after returning 20 minutes after she left. She rests her head on the wooden desk, watching the clock tick down second by second. Once the bell rings she gets up in an instant, going to the cafeteria and ignoring the whistling from men and attempted conversations from Jace or the people in her class. She reaches the crowded cafeteria, locating the familiar blond girl from earlier at a table with a few guys rapping something loudly. One of them—his hair light brown, shirt untucked, and his tie loosened quite a bit—shoves down a fat boy with headphones in, laughing as his face is shoved into his plate of food. She doesn’t notice Jaces friend, Vasco, stand up as she goes to confront him herself.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?” The guy stops laughing, looking Vanessa up and down with a smile, asking what she means. “You just shoved him over for no reason, you better fucking apologize.” The brunette laughs loudly, leaning over the table in his hysterics and asking why he should between laughing fits. “Because if you don’t,” Her eyes darken, a soft smile gracing her face and looking up at him through her eyelids, “I will fuck you up so bad that even god will regret what she's created.” She gives him a small kiss on the tip of his nose, aggressively tapping his cheek until he walks over to help the kid up, apologizing quietly. He turns back to Vanessa, seeing her expression completely hollowed. He turns back once more to the boy he shoved, apologizing properly.

Mary laughs, standing up and greeting her. “I don’t know why I hang out with these assholes.” She says before calling Vin Jin over. He’s tall with a fair bit of muscle on him, he wears sunglasses and clothes that make him look like a rich ghetto-boy-wannabe. Vanessa rolls her eyes at his way of dressing, going unnoticed in her subtle disrespect. “She’s the girl we’re going with for the rest of the day.”

Vin looks her up and down a few times, hidden by the glasses. He observes her ragged style, the baggy band-shirt falling over a white skirt and ripped-up leggings. “Alright, you’re really pretty if only you had better style.” Vanessa grabs the cap off his head, hitting him in the face with it before putting it on her head and asking if it was better. Mary smiles as the trio walks out of the cafeteria.

The three of them walk out of the school, passing teachers who Vanessa makes small talk with to avoid suspicion. Vanessa’s confident as they step out to the parking lot, a hop in her step, spinning to look back at them occasionally. They all chat while walking to the scratched-up grey van. Vanessa opens the side door, greeting everyone loudly before slipping in the car next to a tall black girl with short blue dreadlocks and pale patches on her skin. She calls them in and they step inside. Vin shuffles past Vanessa and the girl next to her to sit on the opposite side of the girl with vitiligo. Mary, on the other hand, sits across from Vanessa, next to a dark-haired Korean girl with vibrant red nails.

“Everyone this is Mary and Vin Jin!” Vanessa says, pointing at each of them as she says their names. Each person in the car greets them and the man in the drivers seat reaches back. He places a tray on Vanessa’s lap that has 2 containers, a piece of plain white paper, and small transparent papers on top. She nods at him, opening up one of the containers to reveal small herbal chunks with a strong grassy smell.

As she places the weed inside the other container—which has now been noted to the pair she met today as a grinder—she introduces her friends to Mary and Vin. She motions to the driver with her head, “That’s Michael,” She says. Michael has short blonde hair that waves a little at the ends. His skin is tanned, with small scars and blemishes covering it. Mary is drawn to his eyes. They’re blue with bags dragging them down, which is something she certainly isn’t used to seeing. She notes him as particularly unusual when her attention draws to the piercings on his ears. He dresses in a silk black shirt and ripped jeans. Vin’s eyes glance down to Michael’s hands, noticing the bruises and breakage along his knuckles.

Before Vin can ask anything, Vanessa points to the pink-haired girl in the passenger seat next to him before returning to pouring crushed up weed on the folded paper. “That’s Lucy.” Lucy waves, a soft smile gracing her features. Her black roots show at the top of her head where the dye needs to be touched up and the array of dark freckles are clear on her cheeks, nose, and shoulder. She has a white tube top on, one shoulder covered by a cropped black sweater that matches in colour with her pleated skirt and knee-high platform boots.

Mary waves back at her and Vin nods his head up in acknowledgement. They look back at Vanessa who’s now attempting to roll a joint, struggling slightly with her long checkered nails. She then introduced the girl next to her with blue dreadlocks as Jada. Jada yawns through her greeting to them, leaning against Vanessa’s shoulder. Her eyes are half-lidded and baggy, her fists resemble Michaels, littered with bruises and scrapes as well as a burn mark between her fingers. She’s wearing shorts and a brown band tee, a leather jacket lazily draped on her lap.

Vanessa’s fingers fidget with the piece of rolling paper, licking at the side while closing it shut. When she finally finishes the joint, tying it off at the end, she points it at the girl next to Mary. “And that is Ena.” She excitedly greets them, with an outgoing smile and cheery tone. She takes the joint from Vanessa, pulling a lighter out of her pocket. She lights it and puts it out a few times, claiming it helps it burn even. She seems the most put-together. She’s in a typical school uniform, white and green with some black accentuating it. Her bag and blazer are placed neatly beside her. Her skin is textured, allowing Mary and Vin to notice the bumps of her acne scars beneath her foundation. Aside from the others, she looks like a typical korean girl. She has soft features, dark hair and eyes, and a more conservative style. All of this contrasts the splif between her glossy lips.

Ena passes the lit joint to Jada who takes a few drags before passing it along to Michael, who passes it to Lucy, who finishes by passing it to Vanessa. “Wow, I put in all the work of rolling and I get it last,” She breathes the smoke in deeply, holding it in her mouth for a few seconds before blowing it out, filling the van with smoke and the sound of her coughing. “How rude.” She says through her hacking. She takes another two pulls, putting her hand out to Mary and Vin. “Do either of you want some?”

Mary shakes her head, “I smoke cigs but I’m not sure about weed.” Michael explains the high, also explaining it’s not chemically addictive and one hit won’t turn her into a stoner. She listens carefully, before taking the joint from Vanessa, “So, inhale just like a dart?” Jada nods, still resting on Vanessa’s shoulder. Mary inhales the smoke but when she blows it out she starts coughing. She passes it to Vin next, listening to him claim he won’t cough only to hack harder than she did after his drag. They all laugh at him, feeling their minds clear as the weed calms them.

The group drives around town, joking around and fighting over what music to play. It’s peaceful, everyone thrilled to be together. At the end of the school day, though, Michael drops Mary and Vin back home, everyone saying goodbye and insisting they can stay longer. They all complain about the pair leaving when Michael gets a call. “Okay, y’all need to shut the fuck up, it’s my boss.”

Everyone goes quiet and Michael turns off the music. “Jake, what’s up?” He listens for a moment, tapping his foot in the car. “Okay, I have it in the car but I’m with my friends, should I drop them off first or-” He pauses for a moment after being cut off. “Okay, I’m coming right now.” He hangs up the phone, placing it back down and rerouting the car. “We need to go meet my boss, all of you need to calm down while I’m talking to him.” Everyone nods, understanding the situation all too well.

They arrive pretty quickly, watching as Michael leaves the car, grabbing something from the trunk and giving it to Jake. They talk for a few minutes and Vanessa watches them, more particularly Jake. She smiles at his tall frame, daydreaming as she observes each feature from the small wounds on his arms and fists to the scuff marks on his shoes. She can’t stop staring, something that both Jada and Ena subtly call her out on. Michael walks back to the car, offering to give him a ride back to his place since he didn’t seem to have a car in the area. Jake agrees with a thank you, stepping into the back and sitting across from Vanessa where Mary had been before.

Vanessa leans back in her seat, “You’re Jake, right?” She asks, already knowing the answer when he nods. “I’m Vanessa Park, you can just call me, ‘V,’ though!” She lifts her legs up, crossing them and leaning forward while tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. “You’re the head of Big Deal, right? The gang?”

“Did Michael tell you that?”

“Nope! I just figured out from the very obvious context clues!”

“Is she being sarcastic?”

“We never know,” Lucy mutters.

“I was being serious.”

“Good to know, V,” Jake says, laughing a little. “So, you know about Big Deal, then?”

“Yup!” She exclaims before tilting her head on the window with a smile, “But I’d like to know more about you-” She gets cut off by Lucy commenting on her rizz. Vanessa sneers, “Shut up, Luce, I’m trying to make a new friend.” She says, slightly lapsing in the innocent demeanour she tried to push. Jake watched, holding in a laugh at her antics. As she continues flirting with him.

“Can you cool down on the hormones, V? You’re embarrassing me, yourself, and everyone else.” Michael says, a small snicker escaping Jada at the comment. Vanessa leans over to him, lighting smacking him on the head. “Ow!” He overdramatically calls out. “Don’t be a dick, V, I’m just being honest!”

Jake lets out the laugh her was holding before, “Trust me, Michael, I don’t mind beautiful women flirting with me.” A series of ‘Oooo’s come from her friends, the kind you hear from immature boys in a 7th grade classroom. She tells them to shut up, pouting as she stares out the window. “They’re just teasing, Vanessa, it’s pretty funny.” She continues to pout, Jada tapping her shoulder causing her to look back and see Jake handing his phone over.

He watches Vanessa take the phone, and look at the screen showing an open message and space to type. “Can I have your number?” Vanessa’s eyes widen before she smiles, typing her number into the top section and handing the phone back to him. Jake takes the phone back, typing a quick message along the lines of ‘hi, this is jake btw’ and putting her contact in. “Thanks, I’ll call you later?” He phrases it like a question and Vanessa nods, watching him step out of the car at his stop.

The moment he leaves, entering his home, Vanessa squeals. “He’s so fine! I have his number-” Vanessa gets cut off by the blonde boy.

“Yeah, so do I.”

“He’s your boss, I have it in a romantic way!”

“You have it in a, ‘talking stage,’ way, dumbass.”

“You’re just jealous I pull more bitches than you.” Vanessa accuses causing Michael to scoff, claiming he actually does pull more than her. “You don’t even pull more women than me, and most people are straight.” Jada agrees, and each person in the car starts shouting about how Michael pulls no one. “If we really wanna talk about who pulls, let’s talk about Ena.” Michael starts driving to Jada’s house, preparing to drop her at home. “Ena pulls without trying. Her sweetheart flirty personality gets everyone hooked, I’d date Ena, and I know you all would too.”

Everyone agrees, making Ena blush a little. “Shut up, I don’t even.” Vanessa makes a joke about how many boyfriends Ena’s had, and Ena fakes out a punch at Vanessa. Vanessa finches before doing the same back to Ena. “Oh shit, she hit me, jump her ass,” Ena says and Vanessa responds by daring them to.

Lucy tells them to calm down in the back, finding it a little entertaining either way. Michael keeps driving in silence, dropping Jada off at home. Each person gives her a hug, exclaiming their love for her and watching her walk to her door and disappear inside. They do the same for Ena and then Vanessa as well.

Vanessa says her goodbye over and over, saying bye one final time before shutting the door and heading inside. She tips into the house, walking past her mom and brother on her way to her room. Her mom makes an attempt to stop her. “Where the hell have you been all day? It’s way past your curfew.” Vanessa says that she just got caught up with friends after school and her phone died so she couldn’t see the time or call. “That’s bullshit. Not only do I know you always have a charger on you, but your friends would have phones too, and Jace told me you weren’t at school from lunch to the end of the day.”

“Fuckin’ snitch!” Vanessa shouts at her brother, watching her mom get up to talk face to face with her. “Look, I don’t give a fuck about this school, why go if it’s all dumb shit I can learn online?” Her mom seethes at her and Vanessa shrugs her shoulders. “What do you want from me, mom.”

Her mom sighs, “What were you doing with your friends?” Vanessa tells her, leaving out a few small details about a gang leader and marijuana. “Is that so? You weren’t doing drugs again?” Her mom raises her brow, insisting on an honest answer. “Look me in my eyes and tell me you aren't doing drugs.”

Vanessa looks over at Jace who has a cold look, his face still noticeably scrunched up in a vague worry. She looks back at her mom, staring into her eyes, “Mom, I haven’t done any drugs since rehab, I’m actually clean.”

Jace pipes into the conversation, “And you weren’t starting fights either, right? Mom doesn’t need to hear about another assault charge, y’know.” Vanessa rolls her eyes before affirming she wasn’t fighting. “Okay. And you’re being careful? You’re taking you meds?”

“Yes. I’m being safe, I’m not going off on my own and I’m taking my meds.”

“All of them?” Her mom quips.

“Yes, all of them, can I go to my room and sleep now, or what?”

Her mom smiles before taking a few pieces of paper off the coffee table. “Actually, your teachers asked Jace to bring these home for you, please finish your homework before going to bed.” Vanessa groans, snatching the papers from her moms hands and grumbling as she goes to her room to work. “Make sure to give me a call if you’re going to be late getting home!” Her mom sits back down with Jace, lifting a cup of chai to her lips. “She’s going to be the death of me.”

Jace nods, a fake smile on his face. “She tends to be that way doesn’t she?” Their mom affirms, beginning to complain about a headache stemming from Vanessa’s attitude but all Jace can think about is what would have happened if she didn’t get home safe, if she was with her sketchier friends, if she overdosed again. His mind doesn’t leave thoughts of her. He hates arguing with her, but he just wants her to be okay. All he wants is to come home knowing she’s safe. All he wants is the safety of his family. But he knows better than anyone that if there’s one person who doesn’t give two shits about Vanessa, it’s Vanessa. And that thought terrifies him.