#we don’t pick our salvation alright

[dr-reversebeartrap]

theres (1) ONE fic about logan & mark bounding over being hcde survivrs

[doctorbitchcrxft]

Salvation | Devil's Trap | Supernatural Series Rewrite | Dean Winchester x Reader

Pairing: Dean Winchester x Reader (Eventual)

Warnings: canon violence, canon gore

Word Count: 7124

A/N: Whoop whoop! The end of season one!!! Thank y'all so much for reading and sticking with me. I've already been working on season two... ;)

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John had taped countless papers, newspaper clippings, scribblings, and charts of his research on the motel room’s walls. He sat at his paper-strewn desk with the Colt lying on it in front of him. “So this is it. This is everything I know. Look, our whole lives we been searching for this demon right? Not a trace, just, nothing. Until about a year ago. For the first time I picked up a trail.���

“And that's when you took off,” Dean said.

John nodded. “Yeah. That's right. The demon must have come out of hiding, or hibernation.”

“Alright, so what’s this trail you found?” his elder son asked.

“It starts in Arizona, then New Jersey, California. Houses burned down to the ground. It's going after families, just like it went after us.”

“Families with infants?” Sam chimed in.

“Yeah. The night of the kid's six-month birthday.”

“I was six months old that night?” the younger brother asked, eyes puppy-dog-like.

You looked at Sam sadly. You knew he still blamed himself, and it broke your heart. John nodded again. “Exactly six months.”

“So basically, this demon is going after these kids for some reason. The same way it came for me? So Mom's death… Jessica. It's all because of me?” his eyebrows turned upward even more.

“We don’t know that, Sam,” Dean argued gruffly.

“Oh really? Cause I'd say we're pretty damn sure, Dean,” the brunet threw back.

Dean shook his head frustratedly. “For the last time, what happened to them was not your fault.”

“Right. It's not my fault but it's my problem.”

“No, it's not your problem, it's our problem!” Dean yelled back.

“Boys, enough!” you commanded, standing.

All three men looked at you, surprised, but followed your directions and calmed down.

“So why's he doing it?” Sam asked after a moment. “What does he want?”

“Look I wish I had more answers, I do. I've always been one step behind it. Look, I've never gotten there in time to save....” He looked down unhappily.

Dean sighed. “Alright, so how do we find it before it hits again?”

“There's signs. It took me a while to see the pattern but it's there in the days before these fires signs crop up in an area. Cattle deaths, temperature fluctuations, electrical storms. And then I went back and checked, and—”

“These things happened in Lawrence,” Dean said softly.

“A week before your mother died,” John replied, nodding. “And in Palo Alto, before Jessica. And these signs: they're starting again.”

“Where?” Sam asked.

“Salvation, Iowa.”

***

You and the brothers had been following John closely for hours as you sped toward Salvation, Iowa. Suddenly, John pulled his truck off the road. You shot a look at Dean, who pulled off behind his father.

“Goddammit!” John cried when he got out of his truck.

“What is it?” Dean asked.

“I just got a call from Caleb.”

Dean’s shoulders tensed. “Is he okay?”

“He's fine. Jim Murphy's dead.”

Sam was surprised. “Pastor Jim? How?”

“His throat was slashed. He bled out. Caleb said they found traces of sulfur at Jim's place,” John explained.

“A demon,” you said. “The demon?”

The older man shook his head. “I don't know. Could be he just got careless, he slipped up. Maybe the demon knows we're getting close.”

“What do we do?” the older son questioned.

“Now we act like every second counts. There's two hospitals and a health center in this county. We split up, cover more ground. I want records. I want a list of every infant that's going to be six months old in the next week,” John barked.

“Dad, that could be dozens of kids. How do we know which one's the right one?” Sam challenged.

“We check 'em all, that's how. You got any better ideas?”

You all shook your heads. John nodded at you and turned back to his truck. He slammed his hand on his trunk and hung his head low.

“Dad?” Dean asked.

“Yeah. It's Jim,” John replied, never turning to face you three. “You know, I can't— This ends now. I'm ending it. I don't care what it takes.” He got back into his truck, and you and the boys followed suit. No one talked for the rest of the drive into Salvation.

***

You went with Dean as you normally had been doing on cases when you and the Winchesters split up. You headed to one of the two hospitals to search their birth records. 

Dean noticed a beautiful receptionist and walked over to her.

“Hi. Is there anything I can do for you?” she asked him.

“Oh, God, yes,” he smiled breathlessly.

You cleared your throat. “We’re working right now, so…” You held up your fake badge to show her. “Can you get us the records of every birth in the last year?”

She nodded. “Of course.” She threw one last longing look to Dean before heading off.

“You wanna keep it professional, officer?” You quirked a brow at him.

***

Later that day, you and the other Winchesters were called to meet Sam back at the motel room. He’d had another vision where the same thing that happened to him happened to a baby he’d met in his search for the six month old that would be attacked.

“A vision,” John said flatly.

Sam was rubbing his temples painfully. “Yes. I saw the demon burning a woman on the ceiling.”

“And you think this is going to happen to this woman you met because…?” his father trailed off.

“Because these things happen exactly the way I see them,” Sam explained.

“It started out as nightmares. Then it started happening while he was awake,” Dean continued, crossing to the counter behind Sam to get some more coffee.

“Yeah,” Sam winced, “It's like the closer I get to anything to do with the demon the stronger the visions get.”

“When were you going to tell me about this?” John snapped at his oldest son.

“We didn't know what it meant.” Dean looked down shamefully.

“Alright, something like this starts happening to your brother, you pick up the phone, and you call me,” John stated sharply.

Dean threw his cup back on the counter, but you spoke before he could. “All due respect, dude, but Dean did call you.” John looked at you surprised as you continued. “He called you in Lawrence. Sam called when Dean was fucking dying. He’s got a better chance at winning the lottery than getting you on the phone.”

Dean put a hand on your shoulder to stop you.

“You're right. Although I'm not too crazy about this attitude of yours, you're right,” John told you. He turned to his sons. “I'm sorry.”

“Look, guys, visions or no visions, fact is, we know the demon is coming tonight. And this family's gonna go through the same hell we went through,” Sam said calmly.

“No they're not. No one is, ever again.”

Sam’s phone rang. “Hello?... Who is this?” He shot up next. “Meg. Last time I saw you, you fell out of a window… Just your feelings? That was a seven-story drop… My Dad. I don't know where my Dad is.” He then hesitated for a moment before handing the phone to John.

“This is John,” he said. “I'm here.” A few moments passed before he breathed out a name. “Caleb?”

Sam and Dean reacted immediately, and you recognized that as the name of John’s friend they’d been using as a resource when their dad was missing. “You listen to me. He's got nothing to do with anything. You let him go… I don't know what you're talking about… Caleb. Caleb!... I'm gonna kill you, you know that?” His boys approached him, taking either side. “Okay… I said okay, I'll bring you the Colt.”

Your eyebrows shot up in surprise.

“It's gonna take me about a day's drive to get there… That's impossible. I can't get there in time, and I can't just carry a gun on the plane.” Another moment passed before John handed Sam’s phone back to him. He began to pace around the room. He explained to you that Meg had instructed him to go to a warehouse in Lincoln with the Colt alone.

“So you think Meg is a demon?” Sam questioned.

“Either that, or she's possessed by one. It doesn't really matter,” his father answered.

“What do we do?” you asked.

“I'm going to Lincoln.”

Dean scoffed. “What?”

“It doesn't look like we have a choice. If I don't go, a lot of people will die; our friends die.”

“Dad, the demon is coming tonight. For Monica and her family. That gun is all we got; you can't just hand it over,” Sam protested.

“Who said anything about handing it over? Look, besides us and a coupla of vampires, no one's really seen the gun; no one knows what it looks like.”

“So what, you're just going to pick up a ringer at a pawn shop?” Dean questioned.

“Antique store.”

“You're going to hand Meg a fake gun and hope she doesn't notice?”

“Look, as long as it's close, she shouldn't be able to tell the difference.”

“Yeah but for how long? What happens when she figures it out?” argued the older son.

“I just— I just need to buy a few hours, that's all.”

Sam shot back, “You mean, for Dean, (Y/N), and me. You want us to stay here and kill this demon by ourselves?”

“No, Sam. I want to stop losing people we love. I want you to go to school. I want Dean to have a home.” John’s voice broke. “I want… I want Mary alive. It's just— I just want this to be over.”

***

After you and the boys had handed off the fake gun to John, you headed to Monica’s house under the cover of night.

Dean and Sam sat with the gun between them, and the three of you watched through the window as Monica and her husband finished dinner.

“Maybe we could tell ‘em it was a gas leak. Might get ‘em out of the house for a few hours.”

“Sam, since when has that ever worked for us?” you countered.

“We could always tell ‘em the truth,” he suggested after a moment.

You and Dean just gave him a skeptical look. The three of you cringed and said, “Naaahhh,” in unison, making you giggle.

“I know I know. I just… with what's coming for these folks…” Sam trailed off.

 Dean shook his head at his brother. “Sam we only got one move and you know it, alright? We gotta wait for that demon to show itself, and then we get it before it gets them.”

You looked back at the house for a moment before Sam spoke again. “I wonder how Dad's doing.”

“I'd feel a lot better if we were there backing him up,” Dean admitted.

“I'd feel a lot better if he were here backing us up.”

You continued watching the house in silence.

“This is weird,” Sam broke the silence again. “After all of these years, we're finally here. It doesn't seem real.”

“We just gotta keep our heads and do our job, like always,” Dean responded.

“Yeah, but this isn't like always.”

“True.”

“Dean, ah… I wanna thank you,” Sam began.

Dean turned to his brother. “For what?”

“For everything. You've always had my back you know? Even when I couldn't count on anyone I could always count on you. And, uh, I don't know I just wanted to let you know, just in case—”

“Sam, stop it,” you said. “You are not dyin’ tonight. Nobody is.”

“Except that demon,” Dean continued. “That evil son of a bitch ain't getting any older than tonight, you understand me?”

Sam nodded, tears in his eyes. You wrapped your arms around his shoulders and laid your head on his back. You continued watching the house from your position resting against Sam, who returned your gesture by holding your arm.

Dean then called his father. “Dad's not answering.”

“Maybe Meg was late. Maybe cell reception’s bad,” you suggested.

“Yeah, well.” He didn’t sound convinced.

The radio suddenly started chattering with static.

“Guys, it’s coming.” You looked out at the light emanating from the home beginning to flicker.

The three of you sprang into action, grabbing the Colt and running into the house. Once inside, you were confronted by Monica’s husband.

“Get out of my house!” he yelled.

Dean fought against the man and pinned him against the wall with the baseball bat the man had been holding. “Be quiet and listen to me. Be quiet and listen! We are trying to help you.” He clearly had no patience.

A woman’s voice called from upstairs. “Charlie? Is everything okay?”

“Monica, get the baby!” the man yelled back.

“Don't go in the nursery!” you and Sam cried at the same time. You and Sam sprinted up the stairs after the woman and began to hear her moaning in pain. You raced into the nursery down the hall to find the woman flung back against the wall rising up to the ceiling. You saw a shadowy figure with glowing, yellow eyes standing over the baby’s crib.

“Rosie!” Monica screamed.

Sam raised the Colt and pulled the trigger. Unfortunately, the demon disappeared into curls of smoke.

Monica screamed and fell to the floor.

“Where the hell did it go?!” Sam yelled.

“I don’t know!” you yelled back.

“My baby!” Monica tried to move toward the crib, but Sam caught her. She fought him as you wrapped the baby in her blanket and pulled her out of her crib. Milliseconds later, the crib burst into flames. You held the baby to your chest and followed Sam and Monica down the stairs and out of the house.

Just as you made it outside, the nursery window exploded outward in a fiery blaze. You ran over to Dean and Monica’s husband who had just regained consciousness. 

“You get away from my family,” the husband told you firmly.

“No, Charlie, don't. They saved us,” Monica said, running into her husband’s arms. You handed her baby over to her, and she began to cry. “Thank you.”

You nodded with a sad smile. You turned to the boys who looked up at the burning house. You could see a shadowy figure in the window surrounded by the flames.

Sam tried to go back inside, crying, “It's still in there!”

You and Dean pushed him back. “No!”

“Guys, let me go! It’s still in there!” He continued struggling against you.

“No. It's burning to the ground, it's suicide!” Dean replied.

“I don't care!” Sam yelled back.

Dean shoved his brother one final time. “I do!”

You looked back up at the house and watched the demon disappear. The flames rose higher as you heard Monica’s husband calling 911.

“We’d better get out of here before the cops show up,” you told Monica. “Take care of yourselves.”

“We will. Thank you!”

You shoved the boys back to the Impala and took Dean’s keys from him.

“(Y/N), you are not driving my car.”

“I’ve already done it, Dean, and you are way too emotional to drive right now. I’ve got this.”

“Fine!” He got in the passenger’s seat next to you. “But I swear to god if it gets one scratch—”

“I know, I’m dead.”

***

You and the Winchesters still hadn’t heard from their father.

“Come on Dad, answer your phone, damn it,” Dean grumbled as he paced around. “Something’s wrong.”

Sam stared at the wall; unresponsive to his brother.

“You hear me? Something is wrong.”

Sam’s voice broke as he talked. “If you had just let me go in there, I coulda ended all this.”

“Sam, you would’ve been killed,” you said.

“You don’t know that,” he argued.

Dean walked toward his brother. “So what, you're just willing to sacrifice yourself, is that it?”

Sam stood. “Yeah. Yeah, you're damn right I am.”

“Well, that's not going to happen, not as long as I'm around,” Dean responded.

“What the hell are you talking about, Dean, we've been searching for this demon our whole lives. It's the only thing we've ever cared about.”

“Sam, I wanna waste it. I do. Okay? But it's not worth dying over.”

The brunet scoffed. “What?”

“I mean it. If hunting this demon means getting yourself killed, then I hope we never find the damn thing,” Dean spat.

“That thing killed Jess. That thing killed Mom!” Sam yelled.

“You said yourself once, that no matter what we do, they're gone, and they're never coming back.”

Sam completely lost it and threw Dean back against the wall.

“Sam, stop!” You ran to the boys and tried to pull Sam off. He shrugged your grip off him harshly. 

“Don't you say that, not you! Not after all this; don't you say that!” Sam yelled.

Dean’s voice quieted. “Sam, look. The three of us… Dad… That's all we have. And it's all I have. Sometimes I feel like I'm barely holding it together, man… And without you or (Y/N) or Dad....”

“Dad,” Sam cried and turned away. He walked across the room.

Dean stayed where he was and took a few deep breaths.

“Are you okay?” you asked Dean quietly.

He nodded, but kept his gaze on his brother.

“He should have called by now. Try him again,” Sam instructed.

Dean pushed a few buttons and raised his phone to his ear. “Where is he,” Dean spoke angrily into the phone.

You looked up at Dean, concerned, as did Sam. 

“They’ve got Dad,” Dean informed you, snapping his phone shut.

“Meg?” you questioned.

Dean just nodded.

“What’d she say?”

“I just told you, sweetheart.”

“Okay, okay,” you ran a hand over your hair.

Dean grabbed the Colt and tucked it into his jeans.

“What are you doing, Dean?” Sam asked.

Dean was already grabbing his duffel bag. “We got to go.”

“Why?”

“Because the demon knows we’re in Salvation, alright. It knows we got the Colt. It’s got Dad— it’s probably coming for us next.” Dean put his jacket back on.

“Good. We’ve still got three bullets left. Let it come.”

“No, Sam, I’m with Dean. We’re not ready,” you said, shouldering your own bag. “We don’t know how many of them are out there, and we’re no good to anybody dead. Let’s go. And we need help.”

Dean looked at you and agreed. “I know a guy.”

***

“Bobby?” you asked. You hadn’t realized he was the man Dean was referring to knowing could help. 

“(Y/N),” the man breathed out. He wrapped you in a tight hug. “How the hell are you, kiddo?”

Tears formed in the corners of your eyes. “I’m okay. Listen, we’re in a tight spot. I know Dean told you a bit, but…”

“Come on in,” he said. He checked behind you and the boys to make sure you weren’t followed.

“How do you know Bobby?” Dean asked, walking around the man’s cluttered home. Books were stacked high in every corner, and empty beer bottles covered his kitchen table. 

‘Would it kill you to clean every once in a while?’ you thought.

“He found me when I was nineteen and bleeding out in the middle of nowhere,” you explained. “Saved my life and took me in, essentially. And then, uh, I split. My stupid twenty-year-old self couldn’t admit that being alone sucked. I didn’t want anyone to think I needed help. We got in a huge fight, and I left.” You turned to Bobby. “I’m sorry, by the way. I never told you that.”

“It’s okay, kid,” the man drawled. He handed Dean a round silver flask with a cross on it. “Here you go.”

“What is this, holy water?” 

Bobby said, “That one is.” He held out the other flask he was holding. “This is whiskey.” 

You giggled while Bobby and Dean took swigs of the drink.

Dean handed the flask back to him. “Bobby, thanks. Thanks for everything. To tell you the truth, I wasn’t sure we should come.”

“Nonsense. Your Daddy needs help.”

“Well, yeah, but last time we saw you, I mean, you did threaten to blast him full of buckshot. Cocked the shotgun and everything,” the man chuckled.

“Yeah, well, what can I say? John just has that effect on people.”

“Amen,” you commented.

Dean shot you a look.

“What?” you replied.

He just rolled his eyes.

“None of that matters now. All that matters is that you get him back,” Bobby shrugged.

Sam dragged his fingers along the worn pages of the book he was reading. “Bobby, this book: I’ve never seen anything like it.”

He sat on the edge of the desk across from Sam. “Key of Solomon? It’s the real deal, alright.”

“And these protective circles. They really work?” He gestured down to the intricate drawing covering the worn page.

“Hell, yeah. You get a demon in; they’re trapped. Powerless. It’s like a Satanic roach motel.” Bobby tapped the center of the page. 

You laughed. You loved his sense of humor. You wished your dad had been more like him, and you wished you hadn’t spent so much time as a teenager trying to go it alone.

“I’ll tell you something else, too. This is some serious crap you kids stepped in.”

“Oh, yeah? How’s that?” you asked.

“Normal year, I hear of, say, three demonic possessions. Maybe four, tops. This year I hear of twenty-seven so far. You get what I’m saying? More and more demons are walking among us; a lot more.” Bobby sounded scared for the first time since you met him. 

“Damn,” you commented. “Do you know why?”

“No, but I know it’s something big. The storm’s coming, and you kids, your Daddy— you are smack in the middle of it.”

Bobby’s dog began barking outside.

“Rumsfeld,” Bobby muttered.

The dog stopped barking with a sad whine. You looked out the window to see the chain the dog was tethered to broken and the dog himself nowhere in sight. 

“Something’s wrong,” the older man said.

At that moment, Meg kicked the door open and sauntered in. Dean slipped the holy water flask out of his pocket, and you grabbed a knife out of your jacket.

“No more crap, okay?” Meg sang.

Dean tried to go after her, but Meg sent him flying into a stack of books in the corner of the room.

“Hey!” you yelled, trying to take a swing at her. She sent you flying back into Dean. You groaned in pain as you heard Meg continuing to go after Sam for the Colt.

“You okay?” Dean asked you.

You nodded. “C’mon.” You stood shakily and used the wall for support; Dean just behind you.

“First, Johnny tries to pawn off a fake gun, and then, he leaves the real gun with you three chuckleheads. Lackluster, man. I mean, did you really think I wouldn’t find you?” you heard Meg telling Sam and Bobby in the other room.

You stepped into the door frame. “Actually, we were counting on it.” You smirked and looked up at the ceiling that had a Devil’s Trap etched into it. 

Dean spat, “Gotcha.”

You set to work tying Meg to a chair in the middle of the floor. She fought you hard, but there wasn’t much she could do given her limited space to move.

“Bitch,” she spat at you.

“Yeah, ditto,” you responded dryly. You stepped back from her.

“You know, if you wanted to tie me up, all you had to do was ask,” she said sultrily.

Bobby came up next to you with a large canister of salt. “I salted the door and windows. If there are any demons out there, they ain’t getting in.”

Dean nodded and stood, moving around you to stand in front of Meg. “Where’s our father, Meg?”

“You didn’t ask very nice.”

“Where’s our father, bitch?”

You hated to admit it, but Dean’s interrogation was turning you on.

“Jeez. You kiss your mother with that mouth? Oh wait, I forgot, you don’t,” Meg smirked.

Dean lunged at her and put his hands on the chair arms. “You think this is a fucking game? Where is he?! What did you do to him?”

“He died screaming. I killed him myself!” she growled through gritted teeth.

Dean froze before slapping her across the face.

“That’s kind of a turn on; you hitting a girl,” she smiled.

‘Well, she’s not wrong,’ you thought.

“You’re no girl,” he said.

Bobby stood and moved to the older Winchester. “Dean.”

He turned away from Meg.

“You okay?” you asked him.

“She’s lying. He’s not dead,” he grumbled.

“Dean, you got to be careful with her. Don’t hurt her,” Bobby warned.

“Why?”

“Because she really is a girl; that’s why,” he explained.

You looked back at Meg and her labored breathing. Bobby explained that Meg had been possessed. Dean was furious at the idea of an innocent person being trapped inside her, and you loved that about him. You and the brothers immediately began an exorcism ritual.

“Are you gonna read me a story?” she quipped at the sight of the Book of Solomon Sam was holding.

Dean stepped in front of her. “Something like that. Hit it, Sam.”

Sam began reading the ritual off the pages of the book.

“An exorcism? Are you serious?”

“Oh we’re going for it, baby—” You’d never liked that nickname, but you loved how it sounded coming from Dean; just not directed at Meg. “—head spinning, projectile vomiting, the whole nine yards.”

Meg flinched at the Latin words coming from Sam’s lips. “I’m gonna kill you. I’m gonna rip the bones from your body.”

“No, you’re gonna burn in hell. Unless you tell us where our Dad is.” His smirk was challenging.

Meg just smiled at him.

“Well, at least you’ll get a nice tan,” Dean bit.

Meg continued to shake in pain and gasped finally. “He begged for his life with tears in his eyes. He begged to see his sons one last time. That’s when I slit his throat.”

Dean leaned down to her. “For your sake, I hope you’re lying. Cause if it’s true, I swear to god, I will march into hell myself and I will slaughter each and every one of you evil sons of bitches, so help me god!”

Sam continued reading while wind started blowing through the room.

“Where is he?!” Dean shouted.

“You just won’t take ‘dead’ for an answer, will you?”

“Where is he?!”

“Dead!” she yelled through gritted teeth.

Dean screamed, “No, he’s not! He’s not dead! He can’t be!”

You looked up at him. “Dean—”

“What are you looking at? Keep reading,” he said gruffly to his brother.

“He will be!” Meg cried.

Dean stopped Sam from reading with a raised hand. “Wait! What?!”

“He’s not dead. But he will be after what we do to him,” she explained breathlessly.

“How do we know you’re telling the truth?”

“You don’t.”

“Sam!”

“A building! Okay? A building in Jefferson City," Meg admitted, breathing laboriously.

“Missouri? Where, where? An address!”

“I don’t know,” she cried.

“And the demon— the one we’re looking for— where is it?” Sam interrogated.

“I don’t know! I swear! That’s everything. That’s all I know,” Meg whined.

Dean stalked around her, face set in anger. “Finish it.”

“What? I told you the truth!” Meg screamed, pulling against her restraints.

“I don’t care,” Dean responded.

“You son of a bitch, you promised!” She continued to fight harder despite the pain she was obviously in.

“I lied! Sam? Sam! Read.”

Sam pulled Dean aside. “Maybe we can still use her. Find out where the demon is.”

“She doesn’t know.”

“She lied.”

“Sam, there’s a girl trapped in there somewhere,” you said. “We gotta help her.”

“You’re gonna kill her,” Bobby broke in. “You said she fell from a building. That girl’s body is broken. The only thing keeping her alive is that demon inside. You exorcise it and that girl is going to die.”

“We can’t just leave her like that, though!” you protested.

“She is a human being,” Bobby said softly.

“And we’re gonna put her out of her misery. Sam, finish it,” Dean barked.

Sam hesitated.

“Finish it,” his brother commanded.

Sam obliged, taking a deep breath before continuing. Meg threw her head back and screamed, the demon leaving through her mouth in a cloud of inky blackness. It shot up into the Devil’s Trap on the ceiling, and Meg’s head fell forward.

You looked at her, unsure of whether or not it was really over. She slowly lifted her head, and you watched blood drip from her nose and lips.

“Oh, shit,” you muttered. “Call 911, get some water and blankets!” you ordered. “Boys, help me!”

Meg whispered, “Thank you.”

“Shh, shh,” you told her. “Take it easy, okay?”

The boys lifted her off the chair and she yelped in pain. You had them lower her into your lap, so you could cradle her head as a makeshift pillow.

“We’re sorry. We got you, it’s okay,” you assured her.

“A year,” she muttered sadly.

“What?”

“It’s been a year.”

“Shh, just take it easy,” Sam told her.

“I’ve been awake for some of it. I couldn’t move my own body. The things I did…  It's a nightmare.” Her voice was broken in soft sobs as blood spilled from her lips and nose.

“I’m so sorry,” you said, brushing her hair back with your hand.

“Was it telling us the truth about our Dad?” Dean asked.

“Dean—” you scolded.

“We need to know.” He looked at you sharply before looking back down at Meg.

“Yes. But it wants... you to know... that... they want you to come for him.”

“If Dad’s still alive, none of that matters.”

Bobby came back in with a blanket and glass of water. You helped Meg drink while the boys covered her in the blanket.

“Where is the demon we’re looking for?” Sam asked her.

“Not there. Other ones. Awful ones,” she answered weakly.

“By the river. Sunrise.” Her head lolled to the side in your lap, eyes never closing and reopening again. 

“ ‘Sunrise’,” Dean muttered. “What does that mean? What does that mean?”

But Meg was gone. You continued to brush her hair back with your hand, looking down at the poor girl’s face sadly. Tears rose to your eyes. You felt awful for her. Getting possessed and not being in control of your own body was quite literally your worst nightmare.

“You better hurry up and beat it. Before the paramedics get here,” Bobby told you. The four of you rose from the ground and headed to the door.

“What are you gonna tell them?” Dean asked.

“You think you guys invented lying to the cops? I’ll figure something out.” He handed the Key of Solomon book to Sam. “Here, take this. You might need it.”

“Thanks,” Sam grinned.

“Thanks... for everything. Be careful, alright?” Dean told Bobby.

“You just go find your Dad. And when you do, you bring him around, would you? I won’t even try to shoot him this time.”

You gave him a lopsided smile before pulling him into a hug again. “Thank you. I promise I’ll call.”

“You better, kid. Or I’ll hunt your ass down.”

***

About a day and a half later, you and the boys had rescued a badly beaten John from Sunrise Apartments in Jefferson City, Missouri. You’d found an abandoned cabin deep in the woods to shelter in to attempt to make a game plan to go after the demon. You could tell Dean was conflicted about the fact that he’d had to use one of the Colt’s bullets to save Sam but didn’t regret the choice at all. His confliction came from whether or not his dad would kick his ass to hell and back.

“How is he?” Sam asked. You were busy cleaning up the cuts on his badly beaten face that the demon Dean had killed gave him.

“He just needed a little rest, that’s all. How are you?” Dean questioned, referencing the beating Sam had suffered on the rescue mission.

Sam shrugged. “I’ll survive. Hey, you don’t think we were followed here, do you?”

“I don’t think so,” you said. “We couldn’t have found a more way-out-the-way place to hunker down.”

A moment of silence passed before Sam turned to his brother. “Hey, uh.... Dean, you, um, you saved my life back there.”

Dean smirked. “So, I guess you’re glad I brought the gun, huh?” That had been yet another thing the brothers had fought over.

“Man, I’m trying to thank you here,” Sam chuckled.

“You’re welcome,” the older brother replied.

“All done,” you told Sam. You crossed the room to his brother and sat down next to him.

Dean paused a moment before talking again. “Hey, (Y/N)?” 

“Yeah?”

“You know that guy I shot? There was a person in there.”

You sighed. “You had no choice, dude.”

“Yeah, I know, that’s not what bothers me.”

“Then what does?”

“Killing that guy, killing Meg. I didn’t hesitate, I didn’t even flinch. For Sam, for my dad... for you..." he couldn't stand to look at you during that admission— "the things I’m willing to do or kill, it’s just, uh, it scares me sometimes.”

You put a hand on his. “I get it. Me too.”

He gripped your hand tightly as John walked into the room. “It shouldn’t scare you. You did good.”

“You’re not mad?” Dean asked.

“For what?”

“Using a bullet.” The elder son’s face was twisted in confusion.

John chuckled. “Mad? I’m proud of you. You know, Sam and I: we can get pretty obsessed. But you, you watch out for this family. You always have.”

Something changed in Dean’s face. “Thanks.”

The wind suddenly picked up outside, and the lights in the room flickered.

“It found us. It’s here,” John breathed out.

“The demon?” Sam questioned, standing on high alert.

“Sam, lines of salt in front of every window, every door,” John ordered.

“Already done,” you said.

“Well, check it, okay?”

“Okay,” Sam said and left the room.

“Dean, you got the gun?” John asked. “Give it to me.”

Dean took the Colt out of his jeans. “Dad, Sam tried to shoot the demon in Salvation. It disappeared.”

“This is me. I won’t miss. Now, the gun, hurry,” John commanded.

Dean hesitated and looked down at the gun. You looked between the two men, confused as to what was going on.

“Give me the gun. What are you doing, Dean?”

Dean backed up. “He’d be furious.”

John turned away from the window. “What?”

“That I wasted a bullet. He wouldn’t be proud of me; he’d tear me a new one.” Dean cocked the gun and pointed it at John. He pushed you behind him, covering you with his free arm protectively. “You’re not my Dad.”

“Dean, it’s me.” John looked at him like he was crazy.

“I know my Dad better than anyone. And you ain’t him,” Dean responded.

“What the hell’s gotten into you?”

“I could ask you the same thing. Stay back.”

Sam came into the room, shocked to see Dean pointing the gun at John. “Dean? What the hell’s going on?”

“Your brother’s lost his mind,” John scoffed.

“No, he hasn’t. It’s not your dad, Sam,” you said.

“I think he’s possessed. I think he’s been possessed since we rescued him.” Dean began to get upset.

John protested, but Sam turned to you and Dean. “Dean, how do you know?”

Dean was fighting back tears. “He’s... he’s different.”

“You know, we don’t have time for this. Sam, you wanna kill this demon, you’ve gotta trust me,” John stated firmly.

Sam stepped back behind you and Dean. 

“Fine. You’re all so sure, go ahead. Kill me,” John spat, seeming emotional. He looked down and waited. Dean held the gun on him, but couldn’t pull the trigger.

“I thought so.” John looked up grinning; eyes yellow with snake-like slits running down the middle.

Sam lunged at him, but was thrown and pinned against the wall. 

“You son of a—” John threw you back against the wall next to Sam, too; cutting you off. Dean shouted your name but ended up pinned as well.

John picked up the Colt that Dean had dropped. “What a pain in the ass this thing’s been.”

“It’s you, isn’t it? We’ve been looking for you for a long time,” Sam stated.

“Well, you found me,” the demon grinned.

“But the holy water?” the younger son asked in reference to the bit he'd splashed on him during the rescue.

“You think something like that works on something like me?” he taunted.

You tried to fight against the force that had you pinned down, but couldn’t.

“I’m gonna kill you!” Sam screamed.

“Oh, that’d be a neat trick. In fact—” he put the gun down on the table, “—here. Make the gun float to you there, psychic boy.”

Sam looked down at the gun, but nothing happened.

“Well, this is fun. I could’ve killed you a hundred times today, but this... this is worth the wait.” He stalked over to Dean who struggled against his power. “Your Dad: he’s in here with me. Trapped inside his own meat suit. He says ‘hi,' by the way. He’s gonna tear you apart. He’s gonna taste the iron in your blood.”

“Let him go, or I swear to god—”

The demon cut Dean off. “What? What are you and god gonna do? You see, as far as I’m concerned, this is justice. You know that little exorcism of yours? That was my daughter. The one in the alley? That was my boy. You understand.”

Dean mockingly groaned, “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“What? You’re the only one that can have a family? You destroyed my children. How would you feel if I killed your family?” The demon smiled maliciously. “Oh, that’s right. I forgot. I did. Still, two wrongs don’t make a right.”

“You son of a bitch,” Dean spat.

“I wanna know why. Why’d you do it?” Sam asked.

“You mean why did I kill Mommy and pretty little Jess?” He turned back to Dean. “You know, I never told you this, but Sam was going to ask her to marry him. Been shopping for rings and everything.” He turned back to Sam and walked over to him. “You want to know why? Because they got in the way.”

“In the way of what?” Sam asked.

“My plans for you, Sammy. You... and all the children like you.”

“Listen, you mind just getting this over with, huh? Cause I really can’t stand the monologuing,” Dean remarked.

The demon strutted back over to him. “Funny, but that’s all part of your M.O., isn’t it? Masks all that nasty pain; masks the truth.”

“Oh, yeah? What’s that?” Dean ground out.

“You know, you fight, and you fight for this family, but the truth is they don’t need you. Not like you need them. Sam: he’s clearly John’s favorite. Even when they fight, it’s more concern than he’s ever shown you. And (Y/N)? Your thing with her is pretty pathetic, I gotta say.”

“I bet you’re real proud of your kids, too, huh? Oh wait, I forgot. I wasted ‘em,” Dean challenged, smiling. John looked at Dean and backed up, putting his head down. When he looked back up, Dean yelled in pain.

“What are you doing to him?! Stop!” you cried, fighting against your invisible restraints even harder.

Dean began bleeding heavily from his chest. “Dad! Dad, don’t you let it kill me!”

You struggled as hard as you could to get free, but you helplessly watched blood flow out of Dean’s mouth.

“Dad, please.” Dean’s cry broke your heart just before he passed out.

“Dean!” you and Sam yelped. You were suddenly let go, and you dove across the floor to Dean. He slumped to the ground, bleeding profusely.

“Dean, Dean, look at me, baby, please,” you cried. You looked up at Sam pointing the gun at John as you pulled Dean into your lap.

“You kill me, you kill Daddy,” the demon taunted Sam. 

“I know.” He fired the gun and shot it in the leg.

Sam rushed over to you. “Dean? Dean, hey? Oh god, you’ve lost a lot of blood.”

“Where’s Dad?” Dean groaned, coming back to.

“He’s right here. He’s right here, Dean.”

“Go check on him.”

You stayed with Dean, crying as you brushed a hand over his cheek. 

“Hey, sweetheart,” he smiled despite the situation.

“Shh, shh, stop it.” You shook your head. You turned the palm of your hand up that had been sitting on his chest. It was completely turned red. “Oh, my god.”

He grabbed your hand and rubbed his thumb over yours. “I’m okay.”

You turned back to John and Sam as the older man yelled, “Sammy! It’s still alive. It’s inside me, I can feel it. You shoot me. You shoot me! You shoot me in the heart, son! Do it now!”

“Sam, don’t you do it. Don’t you do it,” Dean pleaded.

“You’ve gotta hurry! I can’t hold onto it much longer! You shoot me, son! Shoot me! Son, I’m begging you! We can end this here and now! Sammy!” John begged.

“Sam, no!” you said.

“You do this! Sammy! Sam!” The demon suddenly fled from John, and the man collapsed on the ground.

John looked up at Sam accusingly. You called the brunet over to you. “You gotta help me. We gotta get him to a hospital now,” you cried. You and Sam shouldered Dean and brought him to the car while he groaned in pain.

You sat next to him in the backseat. His body was slumped over against the door, and you leaned against his chest to make sure his heart was still beating. Or, that was what you told yourself, at least. Despite the situation, you found the feeling of him against you comforting.

Sam got his father down in the car and began to speed away from the cabin.

“Look, just hold on, alright. The hospital’s only ten minutes away,” Sam told his father.

“I’m surprised at you, Sammy. Why didn’t you kill it? I thought we saw eye-to-eye on this? Killing this demon comes first— before me, before everything.”

Sam looked up at you and his brother in the rearview mirror. “No, sir. Not before everything. Look, we’ve still got the Colt. We still have the one bullet left. We just have to start over, alright? I mean, we already found the demon—”

Suddenly, the car was thrown to the side and continued to skid down a hill. You held Dean against you despite the blood soaking into your hair and clothes and silently prayed for this all to be over. You could feel the side of the car had been pushed in on top of your legs, and finally, the car stopped moving. 

“Dean!” you cried. “Guys!” No one was responding to you. “Dean!”

Series Rewrite Taglist: @polireader @brightlilith @atcamillanorrman @jrizzelle @insomnia-bookworm @procrastination20 @mrs-liebgott @djs8891 @tiggytaylor @staple-your-mouth @jesstherebel @rach5ive @strawberrykiwisdogog @bruhidkjustwannaread @mxltifxnd0m @sunshine-on-marz @big-ol-boat @mgchaser @capncrankle @chervbs @simpingdeadcharacters @nesnejwritings @stillhere197 @tearsforhan @take-it-on-the-run @iloveyou2mia @maxinehufflepuffprincess @ohgeehowdigethere @seninjakitey @berarenado @s0urw00lf @princessleahorgana @quarterhorse19 @isla-finke-blog @silverdoragon @karacaroldanvers @gayandfairycore @examishbookwyrm @star-yawnznn @real-sharena-h @fandomloverrr @metalmonki @onlyangel-444 @yu-winchester @benniwiththefanni @daisychaingirl @immagods @missmieux @yoongi-holland @littledebbieinabigworld

Whaaaaaat in the even world we reached the max number of tags!!! Thank you guys so much for the support! The taglist is now closed, and to anyone's tags that are broken or that I wasn't able to add: I'm so sorry!! Please accept my sincere apology!

If you're new to the party, please turn on my blog notifs so you don't miss an update! I love you guys endlessly; thank you so much for your support. :)

[adelaidedrubman]

wipfire wildsday. or something

was tagged for wip day by dearies @cassietrn and @direwombat, thank you! against all odds we are back on wildfire chapter 19! here’s a very shaky early draft little excerpt of jestiny being her lovable charming relatable self. warnings for violence and killing that is… not particularly gruesome or gory but perhaps particularly cruel. wildfire is a romcom as we know

“Alright.” She cut off his self-important monologuing with a press down of her thumb and a laugh, wedging the radio between her shoulder and ear to continue talking as she reached to place hands on either side of the cultist’s head. “Let’s play a fuckin’ game then, and you can show me just how much you actually fucking care.”

“Excuse me?”

“You value their lives so much? Let’s see if you can save this one.” She leaned down, so terrified sobs could be picked up by the meager speakers. “I let her limp off with no more than a broken arm. If you can do one. Simple. Thing.” She paused for effect before clarifying, “Tell me her name.”

“What on earth are you —”

“You fucking heard me,” she ground out. “Show me how much you actually care. Tell me the fucking name of the woman you sent out here to die for your fucking bullshit excuse for a cause,” she demanded. “Pale. Skinny. Ballpark five-two. Freckles. Green eyes. Curly brown hair. What’s her name?”

“Whatever infantile point you think you’re proving —”

“Would putting a voice to it help?”

She jammed a knee down on the twisted limb, grabbing a fistful of brunette curls to yank back and guide her screams towards the radio. 

“Please —! P-Please —”

“I think she’d like you to remember her name too, John,” Jestiny offered in a sugary sweet sing-song, pressing a hand back over her mouth. “What the fuck is it?”

“Do you think you’re doing anything but displaying every ounce of bloodthirsty wrath pulsing through your —”

“C’mon, surely you remember her?” she pressed with a rise. “She’s family, after all. You wouldn’t have just been bullshitting about how much you care about ‘every single soul I rip from it,’ right?” she teased in mocking falsetto. “Shoveled pig shit at the farm for y’all. Would be leaving behind a younger sister by the name of Stephanie. Guess that brainwashed cultist!”

“— can all now see it isn’t enough for the Deputy to simply take from our Family, no. She has to revel in her cruelty, to —”

“Maybe he could use a phone-a-friend, ya think?” Jestiny hummed, yanking her captive up by the hair again. “Think fast — aaanything he would remember you by?”

“I — I —” she let out a few more sobs, before sniffling and continuing. “We never talked much, sir. But I was over at your r-ranch a little while back, with B-Brother Will and Brother Nathan. When Brother Nathan h-had to be corrected for gossiping about —”

“Well, that oughta jog his memory, huh?” she said with a click of her tongue against teeth as she shoved the woman’s head back down into the dirt. “Got a name for me yet, darlin’?”

“Brothers and Sisters and wayward souls in need of salvation alike, listen to the lows this sinner who would ask to be called a savior will stoop to in order to —”

“No! Please, please, please, no —” The woman cried up at Jessie, features that had been contorted in agony seeming to sink with hopelessness as John preached on. “I don’t want to die, I’ll do — anything! Please, I —” 

“Clock’s ticking!” Jestiny chimed into the radio. “Give me a fucking name!”

“Do you think you set the rules here?” John snapped, finally breaking down to resume addressing Jestiny directly. “Do you think any of this cuteness and cleverness is going to save you when —”

“I think I’m the one asking the fucking questions!” she shouted over pained screams. “What’s her name?!”

“Deputy Rook, mark my words —”

“Her name!” she screeched, hands tensing. “What’s her fucking name?!”

“Jessie —”

“Bzzzzzzzzzzz-zzzzzt!” She kept her jaw pressed down on the talk button as she held tight onto her skull and twisted, so that telltale snap of her neck followed by the sudden absence of screaming could be heard punctuating the mimicry of an incorrect buzzer noise she drew out. 

“So sorry, Caroline. No prize this time!” She released her hands to allow the woman’s skull to drop limp to the ground as she hopped up to stand, shifting her radio into her hand. “And a special thanks to all the Hope County viewers at home,” she enthused, pacing in circles around the dead body to run out unspent restless energy. “Be sure to tune in next week for another round of ‘Does John Seed Give a Minimal Fucking Shit About the Followers He Sends Out to Die?’ when the answer will still be hell fucking nope!”

She clicked the radio off with a final sharp inhale, clipping it back to her belt. She ran a hand through her hair as she tried to slow the still frantic heaves of her chest. 

She turned in about-face to find Adelaide and Sharky having emerged from their battle positions to stand in the open space of the field, staring on at her with wide eyes and hanging jaws. 

“What?” she asked, looking between the pair and the dead body at her feet with a shrug. “Did we start doin’ capture over kill and y’all forget to tell me, or something?”

Adelaide cleared her throat. “Killing is one thing, but sugar, did you have to drag it out for the poor gal like that?” she questioned, blinking away the look of shock with a shake of her head. “Edging is supposed to be for the bedroom, not the battlefield.”

“Making John Seed look like the lying, hypocritical, scumbag, piece of shit fraud that he is live on air is more satisfying than anything I’ve ever experienced in the bedroom,” Jestiny grunted in reply, nudging the corpse’s contorted arm with the toe of her boot. “She was gonna have to die anyways. At least her death proved a point.”

“Better than anything in the bedroom? Sounds like what we really need is to find you some more gifted lovers, then,” Adelaide mused, crossing her arms and looking down at the corpse with a pink lipstick frown. “And a, uh — more willing audience for the whole public humiliation kink deal. You know they have nightclubs for shit like that, right?”

sending no pressure tags out to @belorage @hctknives @fourlittleseedlings @galaxycunt @lordundying @florbelles @josephslittledeputy @afarcryfrommymain @poetikat @voidika @captastra @confidentandgood @deputyash @blissfulalchemist @shellibisshe @thedeadthree @nightbloodbix @miyabilicious @henbased @clicheantagonist @firstaidspray @strafethesesinners @jackiesarch @v0idbuggy @orionlancasterr @stacispratt @professorpineapple @strangefable @shallow-gravy @inafieldofdaisies @corvosattano @socially-awkward-skeleton @g0dspeeed @wrathfulrook @simplegenius042 + opt in/out for the wip day tag here!

[m1ckeyb3rry]

Pomegranate Ink: IV

Series Synopsis: Unable to heal but willing to fight, with a fiancé in Kyoto and a last name that looms over everything you do, you accept an offer to study at Tokyo Jujutsu Tech. What you did not know was that your salvation and your ruination alike would soon join you at the school, neatly wrapped in the form of a boy followed by death.

Chapter Synopsis: You and Yuta go on a mission together. It does not go as planned.

Series Masterlist

Pairing: Yuta Okkotsu × Female Reader

Chapter Word Count: 6.6k

Content Warnings: angst, misogyny, naoya zenin, forbidden relationships, canon-typical violence, character death, original characters included

A/N: fun fact if you look up ‘oblivious’ in the dictionary the definition is just ‘pomegranate ink Y/N’

“Aren’t we lucky? With the addition of Tullia and Yuta, we have an even number of students in our class!” Gojo said, clapping his hands. You looked over at Maki, who looked back at you, sharing your exasperation.

“You know, despite the fact that you tried to teach us calculus the other day, you’re pretty bad at math,” she said dryly.

“What do you mean?” Gojo said.

“Well, sir, there were an even number of students even before Yuta and Tullia came…” you trailed off awkwardly. Gojo faced you, nose scrunched and lips parted in shock.

“Huh?” he said, tilting his head.

“Uh, because if you add two to an even number it stays even? So if only Tullia or Yuta had come, then we would’ve had an odd number, yeah, but because both of them came it stayed even,” you said. Gojo thought about this before shrugging.

“Math is unimportant to what we’re doing today, anyways. We’ll be having a practical jujutsu class! You all will be split up into pairs to exorcise curses. The question is how do I want to split you up? I mean, we have two fresh faces, not to mention Y/N’s not that experienced yet…but then again not everyone’s compatible with everyone and I don’t need someone crying…ugh! This is so hard! Can you guys just pick?” Gojo said, throwing his hands in the air. It was probably hard for him to try and please everyone, so you resolved to do something nice for him sometime soon, to acknowledge his efforts.

You had been staring steadily at Maki, willing her to be your partner, so you nearly leapt out of your skin when you felt a soft tap on your shoulder. You whipped around to see Yuta standing there, clasping his hands in front of him and offering you a shy smile.

“Do you think we can work together?” he said. You chanced a longing glance back at Maki, who had noticed your predicament and scowled, stomping over to pair up with Tullia, and then returned your gaze to Yuta, schooling your expression into a bright grin.

“Of course!” you said.

“Are you sure? I know you probably wanted to work with one of your friends,” he said.

“I mean, I won’t lie and say I didn’t,” you muttered before hastily amending the statement, “But we’re friends, right? So of course I’m alright with being with you.”

“Okay!” he said, sounding properly excited at the turn of events. You allowed your features to relax into a gentler, warmer smile — one that was genuine this time. Working with Yuta would be alright, probably.

It was not, in fact, alright.

Yuta was the worst partner you had ever had. Gojo had dispatched the two of you to an elementary school with some cheerful final words and a warning not to die, casting a barrier that awed Yuta for a solid five minutes. You were currently waiting for him to stop staring at the sky and wondering how it was that both the absentee Gojo and the unconscious Toge had been more efficient to be with than him.

“How is it night?” Yuta said in wonder.

“It’s a barrier technique, colloquially known as a veil. It’ll prevent non-sorcerers from randomly entering the area we’re scoping out as well as hiding us from them, and it’ll also reveal any curses in the area, making it so that they’re easier to get rid of,” you said patiently, “Are you ready to go? Kids have been going missing a lot recently, and we should really exorcise this thing before more get hurt.”

“Isn’t this an elementary school, though? Why would there be a curse here?” Yuta said.

“Schools and hospitals are notorious for cursed energy. Think about it — most people hate school, and hospitals are places of grief. The amount of negativity associated with such places means that it’s easy for curses to spawn. Other spots like these include cemeteries and abandoned buildings,” you said.

“Wow,” he said, sucking in a breath, “You sure do know a lot, Y/N.”

“Thank you. Do you see over by the front door? There are three curses; I doubt they’re above grade 3, so they won’t be too difficult to get rid of. Watch, this is how you exorcise,” you said, nodding at the curses ambling towards you, “Dissection.”

Pulling out three silver-sharp needles and aiming them at the precise weak spots glowing the brightest, you let out a breath of relief as the three burst apart in sync. It would’ve been embarrassing if you had messed up after telling Yuta to watch you as an example.

“How’d you do that? Those tiny needles just killed those huge curses!” Yuta said. His adoration felt nice, and you pretended to wave him off as if it were no big deal.

“Ah, it’s not as amazing as you’re making it sound,” you said.

“Really?” he said dubiously. You gave in, deciding that the cool and collected act was more Maki’s thing, anyways.

“No!” you cheered, “I was not sure that would work! This is only my second mission, you know. Technically, it’s my third, but the first was just retrieving you, so it doesn’t count.”

“Awesome!” Yuta said before scanning the area around you, as if making sure there weren’t any more curses lying in wait.

“Yeah! The reason I can exorcise such large monsters with my little needles is because these needles have cursed energy. What’s more, because my technique allows me to see the weak spots of any given being, I can make sure to hit them right where it hurts! Or kills, in this case,” you said.

“Could you see my weak spots?” Yuta said.

“Yes,” you said, “Unless you were dead. Then I couldn’t.”

“I’m not dead,” he said, “For now.”

You frowned at the depressing reminder that if he were to slip up, he would die. Crossing your arms, you marched into the school building.

“Then obviously I can see your weak spots,” you said, “Don’t ask stupid questions.”

“Oh, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to — you did say it already, I guess — um, I wasn’t trying to — sorry! I’m really really sorry!” he said. You looked back at him; he was shivering and cowering behind you, jumping at the creak of the floorboards under your feet. You thought it was funny that he was classified as a special-grade sorcerer. He was the strongest being this side of the barrier, and yet he was acting as if you were the only thing protecting him from the tiny curses that peeked around the corner and from inside the classrooms.

It was his presence that was scaring them all off, actually. None of them wanted to be faced with the power of a special-grade, and for all they knew, his terrified act was just that — an act. You eyed him warily, trying to determine if he was serious. Deciding that he was, you sighed and reached out to pat him on the head. He flinched away in surprise before standing uncomfortably still.

“It’s alright,” you said, “I’ll show you your weak spots once we get back, if you want.”

“Okay,” he said, hugging himself as his teeth chattered. You passed a grade four curse shaped like an oversized fly, and you could almost see his skin crawl at the sight. You stifled a laugh.

“You don’t need to worry so much. That thing can’t hurt us. It’s tiny,” you said.

“What about the curse at the end of the hallway?” he said. You paused.

“What?” you said.

“It’s been following us for a bit,” he said, “I thought you knew?”

You swore under your breath. You were not used to Yuta’s cursed signature and were therefore unable to differentiate it from other, more subtle streaks of energy. This was made worse by how overwhelmingly large his reserves were — without practice, it’d be impossible to distinguish him from the others. Screwing your eyes shut, you did your best to separate him from other. Your eyes flew open when its rough shape made itself evident.

“Crap,” you said, “Yuta, we have to run!”

You did not have to tell him twice. He took off, but unfortunately, it was in the wrong direction. You grabbed his wrist before he could get too far, dragging him along behind you as you raced towards the exit of the building. You were not the best at fighting in close quarters, and if the curse attacked before you could make it outside, then you were, for lack of a better word, fucked.

“What do we do?” he said.

“Get outside! If it attacks us while we’re in here —” you were cut off by the walls caving in. You narrowly avoided the subsequent flying rubble, letting go of Yuta to cover your head in an attempt to protect it. He stayed loyally by your side, mirroring your motions perfectly. In this way, you both were able to avoid concussions, but covering your heads meant nothing when the curse just picked you up and launched you into the air anyways.

The freefall and the air rushing through your ears was exhilarating, but the adrenaline was dampened by the fact that you were plummeting into a curse’s gaping jaw. You had no way to retaliate; twisting to see Yuta, you groaned when you realized he had gone unconscious. You reached out to grab him, holding him tightly so that he did not get hurt when you eventually landed.

As you neared the dark abyss that was the curse’s mouth, you closed your eyes, burying your face in the crook of Yuta’s neck. You could not bear to see it, actually see each glistening tooth in perfect detail, so you used him as a blindfold, waiting until the surrounding air got hot and humid before retreating from the safety of ignorance.

You were about to hit the bottom of the curse’s stomach, and you had two choices. You could break your own fall, or you could absorb the shock for Yuta, who was still blissfully unconscious. It was a split-second — if you had had time to think about it, you might’ve come up with some way that left the both of you unharmed, but there was panic in your veins, clouding your thinking even as the ground got ever closer.

You whined in pain as your left ankle took the brunt of the impact, immediately giving out. You collapsed in a heap, but that was not your concern; you were too weak to carry Yuta for any length of time, so you were forced to toss him to the ground rather than gently set him down. Thankfully, he was overall unharmed.

You could not claim the same. Massaging your ankle, you winced. It was definitely at least sprained. Nothing Shoko could not heal, but it remained that Shoko was not here, so you were essentially down for the count until you got back to Tokyo Jujutsu Tech. Not for the first time, you lamented your lack of a Reversed Cursed Technique.

“Hey, special grade sorcerer,” you murmured, nudging Yuta, “Wake up.”

You thought he would startle awake, but he was quite slow about it, actually. His hand twitched first, and then his leg, and finally his eyes blinked open dreamily.

“Am I dead?” he said. You cocked your head at the odd statement.

“Nope,” you said, “Very much alive.”

“Where are we, then?” he said, sitting up and looking around. You rested your chin in your hands.

“Swallowed by that curse you sensed earlier. I’m sorry, this is all my fault. If only I had realized sooner —” you said.

“It’s not your fault. I was probably the one that messed you up, anyways,” he said. You made the choice not to tell him that he had, in fact, been the one that had messed you up. It was still your failure to carry.

“It’s fine. Once the veil comes down, Gojo and the others will come get us. We just have to wait it out until then,” you said, “How humiliating. Maki will never let me live this down. That is, once she’s done yelling at me and hovering like a mother hen.”

“Excuse me?” a soft voice said, halting your spiral of shame and disappointment.

“Who was that?” you demanded.

“Over here,” a different voice said. The two boys whose disappearance had triggered the investigation stood right across from you and Yuta, trembling with fear — or was it pain? When you narrowed your eyes, you realized that cursed energy had already taken root in their skin. You gasped.

“Oh, no,” you said, “Did the curse — did it create wounds in the two of you?”

“Yeah,” the older boy said. He was probably about nine years old, and he was better off. Infected flush curled around his arms like a tattoo, but he was not in any immediate danger. It was the younger one that concerned you. Half of his face had entirely desiccated due to the negative cursed energy in his system, and if he could not see Shoko soon, he would probably die. “Are you guys here to help us?”

“Yuta, those two, if we don’t get out of here…” you trailed off when you saw both boys looking at you curiously. You wondered if they were even aware of the predicament they were in. The youngest was no older than six, so you wouldn’t be surprised if he hadn’t realized yet; you weren’t sure if this made your heart ache more or less.

“What is it?” he said. You motioned him closer. He obliged, bending down so you could whisper in his ear.

“They’ll die. The younger only has a few minutes left; the older, probably a couple of hours at best,” you said.

“What?” he yelped. “No way! You have to do something!”

“I can’t!” you snapped, instantly feeling bad when his face crumpled, “Listen, I…I can’t do anything. I hurt my ankle when we fell in here, and even if I hadn’t, there’s nothing I could do from here, no attack or special move I could pull off. You have to be the one, do you understand?”

“I — I can’t, either,” he said wildly, looking around at the walls of the curse’s stomach and then at the children, who had picked up on your fright as well and were beginning to get antsy.

“Don’t you get tired of other people saving you all of the time?” you said bluntly, opening your arms and allowing the younger boy, the one who was probably only five years old, to run into them. You embraced him and tried to ignore the hideous way the curse was eating his face, his entire body alive. “Why’d you even try to be a sorcerer if all you were going to do was hide behind others?”

“I just didn’t want to hurt anyone anymore,” Yuta said. “I wanted to die. The world would be better off if I was gone if I just disappeared, but Gojo told me I’d be lonely if I did that.”

“Gojo’s usually right about these things,” you said.

“I agreed. I didn’t — I don’t want to be alone. I want to be with people! I want them to want me and rely on me. I want to believe that it’s okay for me to keep living, that there’s a reason for me to be here,” he said.

“I want you,” you said, and it felt like a different sort of confession when you said it like that, so you kept going, “I’m relying on you. All three of us are, because we’ll die if you don’t do something to help us. You’ll notice that the more often you do things like exorcise curses, the more friends you’ll make. Think about it — I’ve only been on two missions besides this one, and already, I’ve met you and Tullia. Everything that you want is in your reach, but you have to be the one that extends your hand and grabs it.”

“Miss,” the younger boy said, “Are we gonna be alright?”

You hugged him tighter, gazing at Yuta when you responded, having full faith in him even though he barely had any in himself. “We will be. My friend is going to save us.”

Yuta opened his jacket; you hoped that meant he was getting ready to fight. But he did nothing special, nothing fancy, nothing special-grade worthy. He just put a ring on his finger, staring at it before nodding firmly.

“Come, Rika,” he said.

Your ears began to ring from the sheer amount of energy that exploded behind Yuta in that moment. The curse burst open as a larger entity formed inside of it, and as you began to fall again, you wished that things would go your way for once — because Rika’s rescue would mean little if you were lying dead on the concrete sidewalk.

The back of your jacket was hooked onto something: a long, slender finger. Rika had caught you, and you repaid the favor by grabbing the two boys, who were screaming shrilly, in midair. Yuta nimbly landed on his feet and instantly rolled to disperse the shock to his joints, and Rika set you down next to him before letting out a shrieking giggle and busying herself with crushing the curse that had tried to eat all of you. It was like a game for her, and you watched in amazement for a moment.

“You need to carry them to Gojo,” you said to Yuta once you had refocused. He nodded, allowing the two boys to jump onto his back and then looking at you expectantly.

“Aren’t you coming?” he said.

“My ankle’s injured,” you said. “I can’t walk at the moment. Just go! You can come back for me.”

“What if something else comes and attacks?” he said. “I’m not leaving you!”

“Those kids are about to die, and there’s no way you can carry all of us,” you said.

“Yes, I can,” he said stubbornly, reaching down and swooping you into his arms, cradling you to his chest as he took off at a sprint.

“Yuta—!” you broke off, not even knowing how to argue with him.

“You said you wanted me. You said you were relying on me,” he reminded you, and even as his pace began to flag, his face set into a fierce scowl, “I — I won’t let you down!”

By the time he reached the veil, he was barely running, but he made it to the other side of the barrier regardless. Gojo, Maki, and Tullia were waiting there, Maki looking furious, Tullia playing on her phone, and Gojo seeming impressed.

“Give her to me,” Maki said, holding her hands out expectantly. Yuta shook his head.

“Take the kids,” he said, shrugging the two off his shoulders. Maki expertly caught them, one in each hand, “They need immediate medical attention. I’ve got her.”

Maki looked like she was going to yell at him, but then she narrowed her eyes, and you caught a flash of something like respect forming in her irises. She nodded shortly.

“Fine. But don’t think that this means you can replace me as her best friend or anything!” she said, marching into the car, which took off instantly. You would have to wait until Ijichi could return; privately, you hoped that the school reimbursed him for his gas expenses.

This left you, Gojo, and Yuta to watch Rika demolish the curses surrounding the elementary school. Yuta had set you down on a bench, though he stood behind you protectively; you supposed something you had said earlier had struck a chord in him. Gojo sat next to you, feet kicked up on the fence in front of him.

“This was my first time releasing her on purpose,” Yuta said.

“Nice job,” Gojo said, “You did excellent. This is exactly what I wanted to see when I sent you on this mission! Minus the whole Y/N-getting-hurt part. Speaking of which, Y/N, are you alright?”

“My ankle is hurt, but it shouldn’t take too much to fix. If Shoko’s overwhelmed with those two kids, it’s not a big deal. It can probably wait,” you said.

“Don’t be silly,” Gojo said, placing a hand on your shoulder, “I’ll make sure she sees you as soon as possible. Worst comes to worst, we’ll call your father —”

“Please don’t,” you begged, “It’ll just be an excuse for him to convince the Kamos that I shouldn’t be a sorcerer. They’re allowing it for now because Noritoshi’s on my side, but if they think that me continuing to go to school here will end up costing them their future heir, then they won’t hesitate to pull me out — Noritoshi or not.”

It almost felt like what you had said saddened Gojo, but if that was the truth, then he did not show it. He only squeezed your shoulder.

“Then Shoko will take care of you without complaint. She likes you, you know, so it’s not like it’ll be a burden. I think you remind her a lot of herself when she was younger,” he said.

“If only I had half the talent she does with using my Reverse Cursed Technique,” you said, shaking your head, “Then there wouldn’t be any problems.”

“There are no problems,” Gojo said, “You’re not a problem. You’re one of my students and therefore my responsibility. If that means I have to buy Shoko a new car to ensure she treats you on time, then so be it. It’s none of your concern; just focus on getting well.”

Your eyelids were beginning to droop shut. “I’m tired.”

“I can tell. You both must be; Yuta, why don’t you sit?” Gojo said.

“I’m fine,” he said. He was still feeling that rush of energy that came from a first mission, but unfortunately there was nothing resembling energy left in you. You allowed your head to rest on Gojo’s shoulder, surprised that you were met with cloth against your cheek — had he turned his Infinity off for you? You were overcome with a surge of affection for him as you let his conversation with Yuta lull you to sleep. In truth, without Gojo, you would still be locked away in some mansion. You often did not understand the man, but there were a few key details you could be certain of, the foremost being that he cared for his students more than anything. The last thought you had before the world faded into pleasant darkness was that you were grateful that you were one of that select group, one of Gojo’s beloved students, as much a member of his family as you were of your own.

When you woke up, the sun was shining through the blinds of the hospital wing. Maki was sitting in the chair beside your bed, slumped forward and snoring lightly. Your ankle felt like new as you rolled it in careful circles, which meant Shoko had seen you at some point. You pushed yourself into an upright position, careful not to make too much noise. But it didn’t matter — the rustling sound made Maki jolt to her feet, fumbling for her glasses as she tried to find the invisible threat that had made the noise. When she noticed it was just you, though, she relaxed.

“Hey,” she said. “How are you feeling?”

“Like nothing ever happened,” you answered, “Though I feel like I should be in pain. If it weren’t for Yuta, then I’d be dead, or at least those kids would. Wait, they’re not dead, right?”

“They’re fine. Everyone involved is perfectly healthy,” she assured you, “They went home late last night. With that out of the way, mind telling me exactly how you ended up in a curse’s stomach?”

You quickly summed up the events for her; she hummed in agreement and cringed as appropriate. After you were done, she considered the story.

“Well, it’s true that Yuta saved your ass, but he’s also kind of the reason you were even in the situation, so I wouldn’t say you should feel too bad about it. Neither of you should; he found his resolve and you found something to work on. You’ll just have to spend a lot of time with him so that you’re not caught off guard again,” she said.

“Probably,” you agreed, “But later. I want to hear about you now — how was your mission with Tullia?”

“It was easy,” she said with a shrug, “We had to text Kaito to figure out what her technique is, though.”

“Let’s hear it, then. What’s her technique?” you said.

“She’s immune to anything poisonous, and more than that, if she ingests it, it’ll temporarily boost her cursed energy. Which means she’s now going around chugging bottles of bleach before fights,” Maki said.

“That’s…interesting,” you said, “But isn’t it gross to just drink laundry detergent or whatever?”

“She seems to like it. According to her, Tide Pods taste like cotton candy, but she might’ve just been messing with me. If that’s the case, though, she has an impressive poker face,” Maki said.

“And what of you? You didn’t get hurt, right?” you said. Maki snorted, as if the question was the most ridiculous she had ever answered.

“No way. I’d never let a stupid curse lay its hands on me, let alone actually injure me in any way that lasts,” she said.

“You’re right. I’m sorry for assuming,” you said, a smile playing at your lips. She studied it carefully.

“You smile a lot,” she said, “I can’t figure it out. What’s the reason? You smile at Gojo. You smile at Toge, Panda, and Tullia. You smile at Yuta. You even — you even smile at me. Why?”

“I didn’t know that I had to have a reason to smile,” you said. “I just do it because I’m happy. And as for why I smile at you in specific, well, being around you makes me happy!”

“Really?” she said. It was a whole different side to her, a smaller side, a quieter one, a more vulnerable one.

“Really,” you said, “You’re my friend. My best friend.”

She thought about this, face in its stern resting position. Then, slowly, her lips curved up into a smile.

“You’re my best friend, too,” she said, smile growing wider as she said it, “Being around you makes me happy. Even though I’m probably pretty terrible at showing it.”

“You don’t have to show it,” you said, “I already know.”

“Now — now don’t go getting cocky!” she said, a flustered blush rising on her cheeks as she pointed at you accusingly, “You’re only my best friend through the process of elimination!”

“I wonder what Toge and Panda would think of that,” you said.

“Toge wouldn’t care, and Panda is mad at me at the moment, so I think he’d be happy to hear it,” she said.

“Why is he mad at you?” you said.

“I told him he smells and chased him around campus with a hose,” she said. You snickered.

“Nice. He does need a bath,” you said.

“That’s what I’m saying! Maybe if you tell him, he’ll actually do it. Out of shame or something,” she said.

“I’ll tell him if you go get me breakfast,” you said. She pretended to think about it.

“Only because you drive such a hard bargain,” she said, “I’ll be back soon. Don’t cause too much trouble.”

“I don’t ever cause trouble. I think it’s just good at finding me,” you said. There was a knock on the door, and Yuta poked his head in.

“You’re awake!” he said when he noticed you talking to Maki, “Uh, did I interrupt anything?”

“Nope, just proved Y/N’s point excellently,” Maki said, brushing past him, “Don’t get too comfortable. I’m going to return with food for her soon, and I expect you to leave then.”

“She’s beginning to like you,” you observed once the door had slammed shut behind her.

“Really? She just told me to leave once she came back,” he said, settling in the chair Maki had been in earlier.

“Exactly,” you said, “If she didn’t like you, she would’ve thrown you out the window for daring to cross her path.”

Yuta stiffened. You watched with amusement as he glanced at the window, then you, and then the window again.

“Really?” he squeaked out.

“There’s an eighty percent chance she would’ve, yes,” you said. “Don’t stress about it. Like I said, she’s warming up to you.”

He conspicuously scooted the chair away from the window. “All the same, I don’t — I don’t know if I’ll walk near her when there’s any w-windows around.”

“You can relax, you know,” you said, “We’re at the school. Nothing bad will happen to you here, and if something does happen, then Gojo’s here.”

��If you say so,” he said dubiously, “Anyways, I came here to thank you. Not for telling me to relax. For yesterday. I was freaking out, but you helped me realize what was important and why I was fighting and all of that.”

“You’re welcome, though really I should be thanking you. You saved me, and you pushed yourself beyond your limits in order to ensure that nothing happened to me while I was hurt. I’ll always be grateful, and if you ever need anything in return, then just tell me. I’ll do whatever I can to repay you,” you said.

Yuta rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. “It was all Rika. I just kinda stood there.”

“Tell Rika I said thank you, too. She caught me when I was falling,” you said.

“You’re the first person she’s liked since she became a curse…though that might be because you’re the first person to acknowledge her existence,” he said.

“She’s been a curse since you both were very young, right?” you said. He nodded.

“Yes,” he said, “She died in a car crash, and all of this time, I’ve thought that she’s cursed me…but I’m beginning to think that maybe it was the other way around. Maybe it’s my fault that she’s this way.”

“I won’t lie and say it’s not possible, but I’d also recommend you don’t dwell too deeply on it. Whether your fault or hers, what matters is that she is this way, and you now have the resources and power to try and help free her. You’ll drive yourself crazy trying to figure out how you could’ve done things differently if you keep thinking about the past, though,” you said.

“That’s true,” he said, but it was obvious he was still upset about the chance that he might’ve been the one to trap Rika

“Do you want me to use my cursed technique on you now? You were asking about it earlier,” you said in an effort to distract him. He perked up at the prospect.

“If it won’t tire you out too much,” he said.

“I’m not that hurt, and I already got healed, so I’ll be fine,” you said, kicking your blanket off and swinging your legs off the side of your bed. The room was cold because of the air conditioning, and goosebumps raised on your legs and arms — the thin hospital gown that Shoko must’ve changed you into did not do much to warm you. “Dissection.”

“That sounds ominous,” he said, standing and backing up a couple of steps.

“I’m not going to hurt you. That’s just the name of the technique; most sorcerers either say the name of their technique or make a hand signal when using it, as a way to focus their energy. For instance, users of the Zenin clan’s Ten Shadows technique will make shadow puppets to summon their specific shikigami,” you said, “And Toge’s family, the Inumakis, have the snake-mouth seals around their lips and on their tongues, to signify their usage of cursed speech. It can sound childish, but it’s a great method for younger sorcerers, especially. I’m still practicing, so I usually need to say it, but once I’ve gotten stronger and developed my technique more, it’s likely I won’t need to anymore.”

“You know so much,” he said, “It’s so cool.”

“I had a lot of time on my hands when I was younger and nothing else to do but read. Plus, my family is fairly important in jujutsu society, and my fiancé is the heir to one of the Big Three clans, so I know a lot about the inner workings of such things,” you said.

“I always forget you’re engaged,” he said, “Is he nice?”

“He’s very kind,” you said, “As far as future husbands could go, it could be a lot worse. I’m glad it was him and not anyone else.”

“I see,” he said.

“Moving on,” you said, not wanting to talk about Noritoshi with Yuta for some reason, “My cursed technique actually shows both natural weak spots and fabricated ones. There’s the ones everyone has, which will be white on humans and green on curses, and then there’s places of injury. If you had sprained your ankle instead of me, for instance, that would be red. I’m not sure what injuries would look like on curses; normally, they just get exorcised, and because they’re made of cursed energy, they can use Reverse Cursed Techniques to heal instantly without any strain or difficulty.”

“Do I have any red spots?” he said.

“No red spots,” you said, “You’re perfectly healthy.”

“That’s good,” he said, sounding far more relieved than he had any right to be, considering he had probably been checked over by Shoko at least briefly. The diagnosis was not news, but maybe the second opinion was comforting or something. “Where are the weak spots that everyone has?”

“There’s a few,” you said, brushing your hand against the back of his neck, “The nape of the neck is one. Does that tickle?”

“Yeah,” he said, eyes wide, throat bobbing as he swallowed hard.

“If I were to use a cursed needle on you, right here,” you said, pressing down on a spot that made his knees buckle slightly, “You’d die. If I don’t do it on that exact spot, but somewhere near it, there’s a good chance you’d pass out; a little farther and you’ll be in pain but it’ll be livable, and so on.”

“That’s really — really lovely, Y/N,” he said, “Could you stop pressing on it? I feel odd.”

“Sure thing. That’s not the only spot, anyways. Your jaw is another one,” you said, tracing his jawbone with your fingers, “A hit to the jaw can be devastating.”

“I’ll make sure not to get hit on my jaw,” he promised, frozen in place like a statue of death.

“You do that,” you said, poking him in the forehead. His brows furrowed in confusion.

“Was that another weak spot? I didn’t feel nearly as strange when you touched it,” he said.

“No, that wasn’t. I was just trying to get you to stop being so terrified,” you said.

“You’re touching my weakest spots,” he said, “Shouldn’t I be terrified?”

“I guess that’s fair. Do you want me to stop?” you said. He shook his head.

“That wasn’t all of them, right? I want to know where they all are. Then you can stop,” he said.

“There’s one more major one,” you said, placing your hand on his chest, “Would you like to guess where?”

“My heart?” he said.

“That’s right,” you said. “It’s beating pretty fast. Did you drink coffee earlier?”

“I don’t like coffee,” he said. You frowned, crouching so that you could press your ear against his heartbeat.

“Are you sure? You should probably get it checked out, then, it’s going crazy,” you said. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but he was interrupted by the door swinging open and Maki walking in with a tray of food.

“What’s all of this?” she said.

“I was showing Yuta his weak spots using my cursed technique, but then I realized he’s having heart problems!” you said.

“Really?” she said skeptically.

“Yeah,” you said, “He didn’t drink coffee, and we weren’t doing anything strenuous, so there’s not really any reason for his heart rate to be as high as it is.”

Maki raised her eyebrows at Yuta, who was staring at the floor. “Is that so? Then you had best hurry to the doctor, Yuta.”

“Let me know if everything’s alright!” you said as he shuffled out of the room. Maki stopped him, whispering something in his ear that made his face go red as he all but bolted away.

“What was that all about?” you said.

“You’re stupid,” she informed you, “He doesn’t have heart problems. He was just nervous.”

“Nervous? Why would he be nervous?” you said.

“Hm. Maybe a little imagination will do the trick. Pretend you’re standing there, and all of a sudden, a super handsome guy comes up to you and —”

“Wait,” you said, cutting her off, “For the sake of the visual, is this guy Noritoshi or not?”

“No? I said super handsome,” she said. Your jaw dropped, but she ignored it.

“Anyways, say this super handsome guy, who you kind of know — for the sake of the visual, let’s call him…Nuta — starts touching you in some very sensitive spots, like the nape of your neck and your jaw and your heart. What would you do?”

“Tell him that I’m engaged and then call Noritoshi so that he knows it wasn’t voluntary,” you said promptly. She face-palmed.

“Ugh, you are just a piece of work! Fine, no visualizing, then, I’ll just tell it to you straight! Yuta was nervous because — actually, let’s go back to the visual for a second — he was you and you were the super handsome guy!”

“Oh,” you said, “Oh.”

“Do you get it now?” she said.

“Yuta’s engaged and didn’t want to be seen as a cheater!” you said. Maki stared at you for a second before throwing a pillow at your face.

“No!” she said, “He was nervous because a pretty girl touched him for the first time in his miserable life and he doesn’t know how to act about it. Nothing to do with heart problems or engagements! Don’t take it personally — like I said, this is probably the first time he’s had a positive interaction with a female he’s not related to since he was six years old.”

“Ohhh,” you said, finally understanding what Maki had been hinting at, “No, wait, there’s no way that can be true! The whole part about him thinking I’m pretty and all of that. To hear you tell it, he has a whole crush on me or something! We’re just friends.”

“Yeah, but that doesn’t mean anything. We’re just friends, but I think you’re pretty,” she said.

“What?” you said.

“What?” she said innocently.

“Did you just call me pretty?” you said.

“Maybe,” she said. You snatched some food from the tray she had brought you, not even pausing to see what it was before shoving it in your mouth.

“I think you’re pretty, too,” you said. She looked away in a huff.

“Shut your mouth when you chew. Goodness, how are you the one that’s going to be married to a head of a Big Three clan one day?” she said.

Despite her grumpy response, you did not miss the way she smiled when she thought you couldn’t see.

[thewritersaddictions]

Prom Night ‘86: Eddie Munson- My Queen

Pairing: Eddie Munson x Fem!Reader

Pov: Reader

Warnings: Smut/Fluff, Prom night, Crowns, Ego, Shyness, D&D.

Summary: Your prom night is cut short when you and Eddie are called up to be crowned Queen, and King of the '86 prom. What everyone doesn't notice is when the two of you disappear.

WC- 3.4k

A/n- fireflygraphics for the amazing dividers

Stranger Things Master List // The Adults Master List // Series Master List // Prom Night '86 Master List

The music in the gym was loud. It was giving me a headache, but dancing here with Eddie I couldn’t care less about the headache or the ache in my feet from the two-inch heels that only gave me so much height on Eddie’s 5’9 inches.  

I had forced him to wear a suit, a black and white suit. But of course, to my own stupidity Eddie had modified his suit to fit his own personality. I loved him for doing that though. The suit which was just an easy buy from the local salvation army. Eddie had tailored to fit more like the DM he was. The ends were tailored to flare out, with small embroider pieces added.  

Regardless of that Eddie had put his hair into a large puffy bun.  

My dress was long and red with strikes of black that were hidden by the large glitter of the red. Eddie had helped me pick out the dress nearly five months before our prom. He picked me up in the van, standing at my front door flattening out his shirt and dress pants that he looked awfully uncomfy for him. He smiled as I came up to the door, opening it and letting him view the fullness of the dress. Eddies eyes grazed over the fabric and then landed on my face. Rosey cheeks. “You look... amazing. Not that you don’t always look good but you know what I mean? Don’t you?” He said stumbling over words.  

I smiled and pulled him into the foyer of my house. My parents weren’t in town and wouldn’t be for the next months. When I pulled him in, he stumbled over his feet and landed awkwardly. But nothing stopped that man from kissing me any chance he got even if he was in an awkward position.  

My makeup was minimal not wanting to take away from the dress. Eddie pulled out from behind his back as we walked further into the house, a tiny box. “You said red and black right?” He asked, I hummed and reached down the couch for my clutch. When I came back up the box was open and inside was a tiny black and red rose corsage alongside was a black and red rose that looked like a pin.  

“May I?” Eddie asked, I gave him my wrist. Wrapping the corsage around my wrist the intimate nature of his fingers grazing softly over my skin and giving me a tingling down the center of my back. “The other one?” I asked. “For me, if you don’t mind?” Eddie said. I went through the motion of undoing the pin and connecting it to the lapel of his jacket. He took the moment to kiss my forehead ever so lightly.  

When we finally arrived at the Hawkins gym the carpool line was long, and Eddies van puttered away. Prom was going to be the best night even if the kiddos weren’t here, all the others were though. Robin, Nancy, and even Steve. All having gotten dressed up and made it prom just like Eddie and I had.  

He parked the van, and I gathered my gown but was stopped as Eddie rounded the corner to open the passenger door for me. “My lady.” Eddie said in a cheeky voice. “My knight is shining armor.” I said letting Eddie take my hand to help me out of the van. The fabric of my dress bunched up at my ankles, and I swore under my breathe wishing I had gone with something else.  

“It’ll be alright.” Eddie said, I giggled and took another step forward getting my balance on the gravel ground with my heels. “You look beautiful even if you get annoyed with your dress Y/n.” Eddie said as we walked into the gym hallways. The music began to fill our ears as we made it closer into the gym.  

When we finally did make it to the gym, it was adorned with streamers and silver balloons. Sparkling lights lite our ways towards what had been created into a dance floor. The sounds of music began to pump me up, and I let Eddie guided me towards the floor. “Let’s dance.” He spoke.  

The music began a new song, and it felt like heaven starting to dance. My ankles ached but I let the pain subside. Eddies hands grazing over the sides of my waist. I wasn’t the best of a dancer, but with Eddie there I had someone to rest my head on. Slow dances were the best, just resting my head on Eddies shoulder, him humming along even though Eddie didn’t enjoy the pop music. Eddie Murphy's ‘Party all the time’ was the hit of the ‘86 year. Hairspray smell lingered around the gym and the hallways around.  

The vibrations from Eddies humming were almost lulling me to sleep. That was until the music was stopped and the mic sent sound waves through the whole building. Eddie and I were taken by surprise by the stopping music, and the suddenness that people around us had stopped dancing too. All of the sudden I felt the light tap of someone touching my shoulder. “They plan on calling king and queen Ya know.” Said Nancy behind me. “Jeez Nance Ya scared me.” I said praising to the gods that I was still holding hands with Eddie I hadn’t taken a tumble when she startled me. Eddie squeezed me hand at my startled state. “Really? It hasn’t been that long though.” I said continued the quiet conversation we were having with Nancy. “Well, it’s already been an hour since prom started so it’s around the correct time to have to lucky seniors be crowned prom King and Queen.” Nancy said as we watched a older women and man that I was pretty sure worked at Hawkins High climb up the stairs to the stage where the DJ was standing.  

The mic had horrible feedback as it changed hands from the DJ to the older women. “So, this is our class of “1986’s prom, and we are now going to crown our prom king and queen, but we do want to call to the stage the 2nd and 3rd place winners from this classes list.” The lady said, her voice is thick with a southern voice it almost lulls me to sleep. “Oh, I can’t wait, I’ll have to write this for the schools paper.” I hear Nance say as she gets exciting.  

“This year's 3rd place king and queen are, Robin Buckley and Billy Hargrove.” The crowd of seniors goes quiet watching the two from climbs the stage. “Those two don’t even each other.” I hear someone say in the crowd. “Billy’s an asshole.” Another voice rings out. The two stand together but nearly as close as a couple would have. “2nd place winners for the king and queen of ‘86 is, Jason Carver and Chrissy Cunningham.” Now the crowd goes wild for the two perfect match that climb the stairs. “Yeahs, fuck yeah.” Can be heard around the entire gym.  

“Now the true king and queen of this year's 1986 prom are, Eddie Munson, and Y/n L/n.” The southern lady says. Eddie and I just stood there. Looking at each other before shrugging our shoulders. “Go up you two.” Nancy says. “No, it’s most likely not even true. That’s probably just a prank that the rest of the kids are playing on the two of us.” I speak. “Eddie Munson and Y/n L/n, you two need to come up here for your prom crowns.” The women say in a harsher and louder voice the before. “Come on love we might as well go up there.” The walk is incredibly awkward, with many jocks staring us down along with the nerd groups focusing in on the pair of us. When we make it up to the stage Eddie doesn’t let go of my hand, the two older teachers put one crown on me and another on Eddie. We stand, and the crowd is forced to clap for us.  

“Come now let's get out of the spotlight.” Eddie said as the mic gets handed back to the DJ. Nobody says anything as we reach down the stairs, or as we walk into the crowd of people. The only ones that do are our mutual friends. Eddie’s bow towards him as we pass, and Nancy alongside Robin give me a tight squeeze when we finally stop in the back of the gym. The music gets turned back on and everyone goes back to dance moves and to their life's.  

We only stand there for a few moments before I can’t help but feel like I’m being suffocated by the room, by the people, and just everything. I need some place that isn’t here right now. I can feel Eddies hand as it lays on my hip. I look up at him pleading eyes to get me out of here. “Eds. Can we go … go somewhere else?” I asked. Concerned was etched into his face, and he did the only thing a gentleman would do. Whisking me away from the large crowd and loud music towards the only calming place Eddie knew of. 

Wandering though the quiet and dark halls of the school we ended up far from the loud music and right into his D&D room. The throne was still in its place, but the table was cleaned off. “Take a seat in my spot okay doll.” He says closing the door as I take a seat. I take a deep cold breath in, and then out calming my anxiety I then only started to feel better. Eddie came back to me, take a seat just in front of me. His hands coming out, “Are you starting to feel better?” He questions me. I don’t answer right away instead taking is outreached hands. “Better baby, much better. Your chair is so comfy, did you know that?” I say enjoying the way that the chair almost sinks me into it. “Do you enjoy my throne, Doll?” Eddie asks, a seductive tone falling behind his words The crown on his head falls ever so slightly to the side. It makes me giggle even though his words are circling through my head.  

“You look so pretty in a crown baby.” Eddie says sweetly scooting a little closer to me. I hadn’t realized that I still was wearing the crown that had been placed on my head just a few moments ago. “How does it look?” I asked, trying to take it off but getting stopped by Eddie and my own hair that was pinned up. “You look the most beautiful queen I’ve ever seen.” Eddie said getting up from the chair. Bending down to meet my lips, he kisses me with a deep purpose behind them. Lips, then teeth, and then finally tongue.  

All in one kiss with Eddie.  

“Eds.” I whispered against his lips. “Hmm?” He hums looking at me behind lust intense eyes. “I asked you a question baby. How does my crown look?” I asked again. “Hm, it’s beautiful. Rose gold with green gems.” He said looking between the crown on my head and my eyes. “Can I show you something?” He asks me, it’s the arch in my brow that I can’t help.  

When he picked me up and took me from the comfort of the throne to the coldness of the cleared table in front of us. My ass landed on the table with a jiggle, all while Eddie’s hands stayed planted on my hips. “Eds what are you goanna do?” I asked drunk on his action already. If I knew anything about Eddie over the years that I had been friends with him, and now dating him. When Eddie started something, he always finished it. “Oh.. I just plan on claiming what is mine.” He said with a huff before his lips meet mine again. Rough still, but not unforgiving as I took a second to settle myself into my spot. “ 

And nobody noticed that we disappeared from the prom. Now I most definitely hated my chose in dress. Eddies hands making their way towards the back of my dress. The zipper slides down and the coldness of the basement room hit my warm skin. “Eds.” I whined under my breath. “Cold Y/n, that’s okay I’ll warm you up.” He said kissing me quickly before his nimble finger worked on getting my strapless bra from my shoulders.  

The dress had bunched around my waist, “Lift your ass for me.” He said sliding he dress down the rest of the way. He threw onto his throne. My lace panties stayed on a little longer as I could help but force the lapels of Eddies outer jacket into my hands. Sliding them down his long arms. His white button up was more than annoying as I tried to undo the first couple of buttons as Eddie pulled at his bowtie. Undo the fabric was easy enough for him. But watching me struggle must had only frustrated him. I was forced to lay back down. Watching as my boyfriend lifted his shirt from the inside of my dress pants undoing the last few buttons.  

Now here I was my breasts out nearly all naked and my boyfriend with his slacks on and a tank top on. “Eds” I whined. “Oh sweetie, it’s okay I’ll get there, but I wanna taste you first. ” He said with a wink before kneeling to the ground. Nimble fingers tickling my inner thighs, grazing over my flesh. My panties were already soaking through the black fabric giving me away for Eddie to see as he peeled the black lace panties away from my pussy. Pocketing my panties in slacks. Dirty fucker.  

“All of this for me baby?” He questions me, but doesn’t want an answer. As he blows a strip of cold air against my pussy. It gives me shiver down my spine, and makes me shriek. As if I wasn’t already cold all over. I whine at Eddie, wanting nothing more than to have him all the way between my thighs. I want his hair tickling at my plush thighs. I want his tongue on my pussy and clit teasing tonguing me and pushing me over the edge, but before all that can happen, he has to put his delicious lips on my pussy. “Please Eds.” I plead with him, reaching an open hand towards Eddie’s hair. “Come now please eat me out Eds.” I plead as I try to push his head closer to my pussy. I’m soaked and I revel in the feeling of his lips against my pussy. Wet and rough all at the same time. His hands coming to push my thighs down, keep them down while he ate me out. “Eddie, please don’t... don’t tease me.” I whined as he continued his small ministrations against my soaked core. He hums against my pussy, finally prodding my tongue into me. A hand coming around and a thumb being used to play with my clit. I tried to stay still, but his movement were getting me to riled up that I couldn’t stay still. My hips bucking up to meet Eddies tongue, and at the same time trying to get away from his teasing motion on my clit. My vision went white as I mumbled out a mixture of curses and Eddies name as I came down hard from my sweet high.  

When Eddie came up his chin was wet, and his eyes were blown out with lust. Cheeks red, and breathing hard. His cock was pressing hard into his slacks, the pressure of making you, and then watching you cum all on his tongue had gotten his just riled up. When I was released down from high, I arched up putting my weight on elbows. Looking at the mess of a man that Eddie had become all while eating me out. I let my eyes wonder down the man's slick frame. “You want me to help you baby?” I asked. Staring at his cock without shame. “No baby, I just wanna fuck you now.” He said a straight face, his hands coming u to strip himself of the rest of his clothes. My heels still resting on my feet. Maybe for comfort's sake I should take them off, but was stop again by Eddie. “No leave them.” He said, his slacks were now off and no matter how many times Eddie and I had sex I always wondered if he’d fit all the way.  

“No worry doll, you know I’ll fit. And If I don’t, I’ll make it fit.” He said, before giving his shaft a few sloppy rubs before he stepping forward rubbing the tip of his redden cock against my soaked pussy. Our bodies finally mixing together. Our bodies juices slicking him up, and he slapped his tip to my clit. Causing me to buck and shriek at the sudden and aggressive touch. Eddie winked and pushed himself to the hilt. His cock reaching a part of my pussy that I’d never be able to reach on my own.  

His first few thrusts were soft and calm, but then something always changed. Maybe it was my half-closed eyes, soft moans, or the sound of our skin slapping together with each of our thrusts. “Come on Y/n, squeeze around me baby.” He said through gritted teeth. I did as I was told and grip at Eddie cock. Making it nearly impossible for him to pull himself out of my pussy and then back in. He groaned at the way my pussy kept his cock deep within me. He always did love that fact that he could grab at any part of my body using it to his advantage.  

His hands making their way to grab at one part of my waist to be able to pull me against him, and the other landing softly around my throat. I moaned as Eddie fingers clenched around my throat. “Eds.” I moaned around Eddie fingers that were sitting on top of my lips. Sucking at them, even nibling a little at the edges. Eddie grunted as his thrusts began to falter, and that hand that made it way to my waist disappeared back down to my spent clit. A mixture of thrusts from Eddie and teasing at my clit had caused my moans to become breathy nearly gasping for air, as Eddie continued to thrust deeply into me. “You gonna cum with me Y/n?” He grunted through thrusts. “I... I’mmma cum EDDIE!” I screamed at the top of my lungs as Eddie kept his thrusts up as best as he could. “You ready baby. I want... I want you to cream all over my cock, baby!” Eddie said a few better deep thrust later I was covering Eddies cock with my cum, as Eddie came deep within my pussy.  

Hard breathing was the only thing I could hear beside my own heartbeat within my ears. “Fuck me Y/n.” Eddie whimpered out as he slipped out of my pussy. Our cum mixing together and pouring of my redden lips. I whined at the loss of him in me. He chuckled and grabbed at his white tank top to wipe clean my thighs, but not at my core rather grabbing my panties and slipping on my legs. “You get to keep that right there.” He said lightly slapping my core after slipping my panties on me. I yelped at the friction. My arm falling over my head hitting the crown that was still sitting on my head. I smile to myself, Eddie catches it. “What are you smiling about pretty girl?” He asks, “My crown.” I said simply. “Your crown. It’s still there.” He said pulling me up, slipping my bra back on my breasts, and then asking me to stand. MY heels hitting the ground first. Eddie helped me slip into my prom dress, zipping me into the fabric. He took my hand once again. “Home sweet home, so I can show you some more.” Eddie said, I blushed against his shoulder.  

Prom King and Queen had disappeared and nobody seemed to care as the music continued to play, and dancing still was happening.  The next day of school Nancy sat in the news room putting together her front page. A picture of Eddie and Y/n had been taken as the two of you linked arms walking out of the back of the high school. The title was perfect.  

“HAWKINS DISAPPEARING KING AND QUEEN ‘86”  

Completed on: 11/12/22

Posted on: 11/13/22

The Adults-

[wildflower-otome]

[Translation] Shuuen no Virche - Lucas Proust Short Story

Author: Satomi Nakayama

Source: Shuuen no Virche Error Salvation Official Fan Book

Laurier ~Glory ��� Betrayal • I won’t change until I die~

–A little while after I began helping Lucas and became friends with Nadia.

The weather had been good recently, and gentle sunshine unceasingly shone down even into the room where Nadia was hospitalised.

When I went there with Lucas to visit her in her well lit sickroom—that was when it happened.

‘Um, you know, recently I’ve been able to see “fairies.”’

‘’—............???’’

At her words, Lucas and I both couldn’t help but tilt our heads in doubt.

However, as if she had expected our reaction, she giggled with a sweet smile on her face.

‘Nadia—? By “fairies”, you mean those kinds of fairies…..?’

‘That’s right. They’re really, really cute!’

‘Cute fairies…..’

As Nadia confirmed the existence of the fairies, Lucas looked even more doubtful.

For my part, since something like the death curse existed, I thought it wouldn’t be strange even if there really were fairies. More than that…..

‘Certainly…..I wouldn’t be surprised if someone who is cute as a fairy like Nadia could see them.’

‘Fufu, you look so earnest when you say that. So much so that even I, her brother, feel bashful.’

I really had meant every word of what I had said.

‘Fufu, too bad, but that’s not it. They’re fairies that anyone can see. I think you and brother are looking at them even now.’

‘Oh, then perhaps you mean….for us to solve a riddle, Nadia?’

‘A riddle….?’

‘Not a real fairy, but a metaphor—something like that. Nadia is saying she wants us to find “something” that looks like a fairy.’

‘Something that looks like a fairy….’

I tried looking around the hospital room. And as I did, something caught my eye in the window from which tranquil sunshine entered the room. As I casually directed my gaze towards the scenery outside—

‘....Ah.’

I immediately became aware of the identity of the “fairies.”

‘What is it? Have you found a clue?’

‘Rather than a clue—I’ve found the “fairies” themselves. ….You mean those flowers, don’t you Nadia?’

Calling Lucas’s attention to the window, we looked outside together. What lay there were—very small, gold coloured flowers blooming all in a row.

‘Fufu, correct. You’re pretty amazing to find them so quickly.’

‘My, they really are lovely. If I saw them at night, I might mistake them for fairies myself.’

As if the three of us were out there walking in the peaceful garden….we gazed out at the flowers from the window.

‘—Nadia, if you like, shall I pick some of the flowers to decorate your room with?’

Nadia’s face lit up at Lucas’s suggestion. However, immediately after she shook her head.

‘I’d like that, but I think I’d feel a little bad picking flowers that look like fairies. I can see them from my bed, so it’s alright.’

Nadia murmured as if disappointed. Seeing her like that, I—

‘That’s it, then, why don’t we make “fairy flowers that won’t wither”?’

‘“Flowers that won’t wither…..”?’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Let’s recreate the flowers using cloth. If we do, we won’t need to pick the real ones, and we can use them to decorate Nadia’s room.’

‘’!!’’

Hearing my suggestion, both siblings simultaneously turned to look at each other.

‘That is a very good suggestion. If you don’t mind, would you be able to teach me how to make them as well?’

‘Yes of course. Let’s make them together, Lucas.’

‘C-Can I….help too? Doctor Capucine has forbidden me from holding things like needles since they’re dangerous, but maybe there’s something else…’

‘Of course. You can choose the cloth we’ll use, and pile them up…..There are plenty of things you can do to help.’

‘.....!’

Nadia smiled like a flower coming into bloom. Seeing her look so happy, I turned to face Lucas who was beside me—

‘....As I thought, Nadia’s smile really is like a fairy’s. …..No, even cuter than a fairy’s.’

‘Haha. People may call me an overly doting brother but—I agree.’

While chuckling, we whispered to each other in low voices.

*

A few days later. With all materials ready, I came once more to visit Nadia with Lucas.

At her bedside, I spread out the many various items—-.

‘Th-this is….quite difficult. All the more, because these are small flowers we’re replicating—ouch-!’

‘Lucas, are you alright….!?’

‘N-Not to worry…..No, although I have experience with needlework itself, I do not seem to have the skill for it at all. Each time I end up putting a hole into my finger like this. ….Is there some kind of trick to it?’

‘Hmm, let’s see, it might be a little difficult to explain with words…..might I borrow your hand for a moment?’

I covered Lucas’s hand with mine, and reenacted the fine movements of using a needle.

‘Like this, one by one, you sew firmly, checking as you go.’

‘I-I see….. I’m not sure how far I’ll get with it, but I shall try.’

A serious look on his face, Lucas once more faced down the needle and cloth.

As he did so, Nadia, who had been choosing the cloth for the leaf part, giggled while looking at the two of us with her beautiful eyes and said, ‘Fufu. Looks like you’re the teacher today, Ceres.’

‘Listen, both of you. I’m really happy right now. ….Will you keep spending such lovely times as these with me from now on too?’

In reply to Nadia’s question—

‘Of course.’

‘The bonds between us will never change, Nadia. …..Let us spend more peaceful times together in the future, all three of us.’

At our answer, our beloved fairy responded with a happy looking smile that was from the heart.

[calamityandme]

Today has been a day already lol. I went to a OBGYN appointment this morning and it went well.

In my appointment I was asked if I am eating and drinking enough. I was honest and said food has been hard recently (didn’t get too into it because I didn’t want to freak anyone out). I then talked to a social worker at the hospital and she gave me some resources in town.

Resources in hand, I picked my fiancé up from our house and we went to a local organization that provides utility assistance. The employees were really nice and helped answer our questions. Now we’re waiting for a call to see if we need to do anything else/if we’ve been approved.

After that we decided to try a food pantry. I used to go to the food pantry as a kid with my mom. I’ve also been many times as an adult, but it’s been a couple years since I’ve been.

The food pantry I used to go to made themselves primarily a mobile pantry. That isn’t that big of an issue, but because I only have one car between me and my partner it can be hard to access. I might try it again though.

The one I went to today was through the Salvation Army. Yes, the Salvation Army is a terrible organization, but they were to only ones open when we were looking.

We waited an hour to fill out paperwork. I was grateful to be able to wait indoors and not in the heat.

While we were waiting I couldn’t help but overhear a conversation between someone seeking assistance and the volunteer/employee.

“Do y’all have any fans?” The heavyset woman asked. She had a slicked back ponytail. She reminded me of myself.

“No. I’m not sure when we will be getting more,” The woman behind the desk answered.

“My house is really, really hot. Is there anyway I could get a fan?” She asked again. I could hear the desperation in her voice and it made me want to do something. The woman behind the desk shook her head no.

I thought about offering her one of our small, crappy fans we had just been using to cool down our 86 F house. I wanted to say,

“Girl I’m so sorry. We just got our air conditioner fixed and I understand living in a hot house”, but I couldn’t. I couldn’t guarantee my help would be better than what she already had.

The sad truth is also that I may need my shitty fan back. Our house is so much cooler than it was, but it’s still 77 F. It’s only going to get hotter from here. A selfish part of me knew I needed to keep my fans in case we need them.

The heat exhausted woman left. I felt empty.

Finally, we got some food. At some food pantries I’ve been to you get to choose what you get. This was a “you get what you get” sort of deal. Which is fine.

I was excited when I peaked at the four grocery bags from the pantry but decided to look completely when we got home.

Once I started putting food away did I start to feel stupid. Stupid as in, “you deserve what you’re getting for assuming your problems will be fixed with one pantry visit”.

We got a box full of glazed donuts. I was so excited until I picked the box up and noticed it was physically and visibly wet. The donuts leaked on the kitchen table. The expiration date said July 1st. Today is July 11th.

I don’t mind eating expired food but these were inedible. My partner tried microwaving one to give it a taste test. He isn’t usually squeamish with food but he couldn’t even swallow one bite.

Oh well.

The rest of the food was alright. There’s some things I’m very grateful for, like eggs, sausage patties and biscuit mix. Canned fruit cocktail. We also got some frozen catfish fillets! I have never cooked catfish before but my partner is excited to possibly fry it. Those things I’m very excited for.

There were some other things I am kind of bummed over. We got a large bag of frozen blueberries, which I’m glad to have…but we already had frozen blueberries. They happen to also be one of my least favorite fruits lol. Food is good though and beggars can’t be choosers. So now I just have an abundance of blueberries. I’ll have to find a recipe. Maybe blueberry pancakes.

I got a large can of pork from the pantry. I’ll save it in case of emergencies, but canned meat makes me feel so sick.

Picture from online for reference lol.

Now I’m home for the day and I feel like I should be doing more. Even though I’ve done a lot of things already today, I can’t help but feel time slipping through my fingers sitting on this shitty couch.

As I sit, I feel like I should go find another food pantry, hustle around town, anything that could help us survive. But my body is saying stay home.

I’ve talked to too many new people today. I don’t know if I can handle going to any more food pantries and explaining our financial situation over and over to people who have heard worse.

I’m going to fill a bowl, smoke out the window, and maybe try eating some of the new food.

I am excited for the food I can make. Now I could make breakfast sandwiches with the biscuit mix, frozen sausage patties and leftover American cheese slices from the fridge.

I know we will be okay. Every day things slowly get better.

[1introvertedsage]

Entrance(d)

I miss listening. Waiting for clues. Whispers of news. Long past over due. Said I’m done playing their fool. And by their self serving rules. Not much left for me and you. When we’re busy living Just to prove. That we’re worthy Of basic human decency. I’m tired of seeing these scenes on TV. Robotic parrots all screaming the same things. When no one really sees the discourse that it brings. And the minds that it leads.

I can’t close my eyes to these lies. As I hear the people's cries. Salvation so easily denied. Because it’s easier to deny then try To fix this fucking circus.

Rape us and take from us. Stroking our fears But your lives are made by us. What do we get in return? Balance the scales Don’t have time for those tales What goes up must come back…

Yea, you know the rest And it’s about time I get this All off my chest. Fighting and screaming Til I don’t have much left. And there you are - Lights, camera, action Some sort of so called star.

But you don’t light up the night. Most times - not so bright. Stop and look around It’s yourself you continue to fight. But it’s alright. Got me here To shine a little light On this fucked up thing we call life. These chains cut like butter With the dullest knife. Cause the shit they’re doing Ain’t right.

Got people robbing me. Living in poverty. And it’s probably Because we’re ingrained to Worship false idols. Nothing new under the Sun. And I’ve only just begun To unravel this trickery That they’ve spun. So delicately around our heads As we were fast asleep in our beds. Compounding more for us To wake up and dread. Tranced minds are much easier To be led. Just listen to What’s not being said.

More money for war As more homeless and refugees Are dropped at their doors And they still lie About what they’re even fighting for. But sign up your kids. Follow suit. Lace up your boots. It’s what your parents did. While others cut corners And hid.

Babies sent to war And returned burned. What did they learn? The world is a cold place When you play by those rules. So easy to subdue. Pretty soon we’ll have newborns in school Backpacks full of drool. Abused by more parroting fools. Or the lost ones Shooting up the schools. With nothing to lose.

But more money for war. It’s not your children We’re fighting for. Got these greedy pigs at the top Just gotta have more And feed the demon. Sure, I read the lore. That means I also know What’s in store.

From all the bricks. Picking up my sticks. Barely on my feet And you keep taking more licks. Your gluttony Makes me sick. And I’m okay with justice Being swift. Walls fall and truths lift. No more pleading the fifth. We’ll read your rights While we read your heart.

Heart vs. feather You read the script. You thought it changed Cause you gone and done a few Magic tricks. Call that dumb as dicks. Silly pricks. When I done wrong I got my ass whipped With a switch. What do you think Your creator will pick? As the devil’s dogs Lick their lips. I came here to sink ships.

Won’t drop names That’s not my game. Just know one way You’ll have your fame. Thought I was alone. More than 2 can play that game. Take a step back. Let me show you How I came.

~Osian~

[lesfeldickbiblestudy]

  Through the Bible with Les Feldick LESSON 3 * PART 1 * BOOK 58 THE NATION OF ISRAEL MUST BE JUDE I want to show my appreciation for all of you who take the time and to come in and be a part of this. For those of you out in television of course, we always like to emphasize that we’re just an informal Bible study. Hopefully, I’m not going to be preaching at you – we’re just going to be teaching the Word and let the Holy Spirit do the work. Alright, we’re in the little book of Jude, we’re winding up these Jewish epistles and this will wind up, hopefully, if the Lord tarries before the afternoon is over, Book 58. That means since we begin our television ministry we have done 696 lessons. Okay, Jude, the last of the little Jewish epistles and of course Revelation is written in the same vein. But we always like to give a little introduction to everyone of these singularly different books. Jude, now is not one of the Twelve. He was evidently a half brother of Christ. He’s a full brother of James, who wrote the little letter of James and who also was at the Jerusalem Counsel, you remember. And so Jude has a close affinity to the Twelve, but he was not a member of the Twelve. And he too, of course, is concerned about these Jewish believers, scattered out of Jerusalem now, because of the persecution that arose around Saul of Tarsus and of course they had been scattered throughout that part of the Middle East, but I always feel that primarily these little epistles were written to a congregation or maybe to several congregations in Western Turkey. We picked that up in the seven letters in the Book of Revelation, where it’s Thyatira, and Smyrna, and Pergamus and all those which are in the Western end of what is today, Turkey. So whatever you do as you read these little Jewish epistles, just realize that this is being written to Jews who as yet know nothing with Paul’s economy, they know nothing of the Gospel of the grace of God sent to the Gentile world. It’s still all based on coming out of the Old Testament, through the Gospels, through the first part of Acts. Now when we start Revelation in our next taping, I’m going to put a timeline back on the board. I just don’t feel like I have to yet, because we’ve had it up not too long ago, but again, we’re going to show the timeline, how that everything just comes right straight across and without Paul’s epistles, nothing has changed. But, we know now that back here shortly after these little epistles were written and the Apostle Paul comes up with this Gospel of the grace of God, primarily sent to the Gentile world, then we have this whole new economy of what we call the Gospel of the grace of God and that is totally around that Jesus, the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of God, was the One who went to the cross, suffered and died, was three days in the tomb and then risen from the dead. And that’s the victorious part of the Gospel, that He is not dead, He is alive evermore. And Paul emphasizes that primarily in I Corinthians chapter fifteen, the great resurrection chapter. So as I’ve said in James and Peter and the three little epistles of John, I’ll say the same thing with Jude, you won’t find any church language in these little epistles. There’s nothing concerning the Body of Christ, you’ll find nothing concerning the power of the resurrection for salvation by faith alone. But it’s still dealing with Jews who were saved by believing that Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah, the promised Christ. And that was all that was mandated. Now, these believing Jews are still under the Law. In fact they were zealous to the Law. (Acts 21:20) Never forget that. Nobody had told these Jewish believers that they’re not under the Law and they really don’t come to that until the Temple is destroyed just a few years later. Jude 1:1 "Jude the servant (or again, the Greek term is a bondslave,) of Jesus Christ, the brother of James, (now he’s writing) to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ and called:"

Now here is language that we can certainly appropriate just as well in the Age of Grace as it was back here for the Jew. That when we become a believer, we too are incorporated into Christ but in a different vein than the Jews were. We are brought in to the Body of Christ and as such, we are positioned in Christ and we’re preserved. Now that word, "preserved" is a word that most of you ladies that come out of the age of canning and everything, you know what that means. And when you sealed those jars or whatever you were putting up, hopefully, it was good for years to come. That nothing would spoil it. Well, that’s the same term here, that when believers come into a right relationship with God, God by His mercy and grace preserves us, He keeps us, and even Jude could write with that kind of language. And the true believer, now I have to emphasize the true believer, because you see, we’ve got a lot of professing believers, but they’ve never possessed. And what a difference! And if you remember, in my last newsletter I quoted from a survey, an official, professional survey, how that the vast majority of "born again" really aren’t. And I think he boiled it down to only 8 percent of 40 percent which brings it down to less than three percent. And so we have to be rather alarmed that vast numbers of people who think they are, aren’t. And it’s a sad commentary. But for those who are truly saved, whether it was back here in the Jewish economy, or whether it’s for us now in this Age of Grace, it means that we are safe – we are eternally safe – and we’re in His care. Alright verse 2. And as a believer, this certainly is appropriate for us as well as it was for the Jews. Jude 1:2 "Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied." Now verse 3 is an interesting verse. You ever stop to think about it? I imagine very few people do, where Jude says: Jude 1:3a "Beloved, when I gave all diligence…" In other words, he had every intention, as we’d say today, to write a little epistle based on salvation, which is the number one subject of this Book. And even Jude thought that was the most important thing he could present to this Jewish group of people. But then the Spirit entered in and changed everything. Jude 1:3a "Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, (in other words getting in right relationship with the eternal God,) it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for (what?) the faith…" Not A faith, but THE faith. Now I’m a stickler on words, you know that don’t you? What’s the difference between THE faith and A faith? Well if you’re basing it on A faith, you pick and choose. Whichever you happened to have landed on, that’s your faith. But that’s not what it says. It’s THE faith. There is only one. It’s an exclusive Gospel, absolutely it is. And there’s no watering it down or compromising it. Now what’s the opposite of contending for the faith? Compromising it in my book. And we’re not to compromise. We are to know what the Book says and then contend for it. Not by being contentious, but simply sticking our heels in the ground and saying "This is what the Word says and this is where I stand, and I’m not going to compromise it. I’m not going to adulterate it with some of these foolish ideas like we’re seeing today." So we’re to contend for the faith. Now, of course the Apostle Paul did it with an individual that I suppose a lot of people cringe and think "Where did he think he was coming off?" Come back with me to Galatians chapter 2, and this is of course at the Jerusalem Counsel held at about 51 or 52 A.D. and the whole purpose of the Counsel originally was that the Judiasers from Jerusalem were coming in behind Paul’s Gentile converts, undermining them with the false teaching that they now have to also practice circumcision and keep the Law or they couldn’t be saved. Now you pick all that up in Acts 15. But Paul contended for the faith and he says so plainly here that he would not give in.

 He could have. He could have just given in and say okay, you guys have been in authority a lot longer than I have. Evidently you have what the world needs. But he didn’t. And so in verse 5 of Galatians 2 he says: Galatians 2:5 "To whom, (that is to the Twelve in the Jerusalem leadership,) to whom we gave place by subjection, (they were pressuring him.) no, (he says,) not for an hour; so that the truth of the gospel might continue with you." He contended, he stayed with it. Alright now then some time later, after all this agreement was covered and consummated with a handshake down in verse 9, now Peter, verse 11, comes up to Antioch, where the trouble had originally started. Now Peter comes from Jerusalem to Antioch and he’s visiting Paul in the Gentile congregation there. Galatians 2:11a "But when Peter was come to Antioch I withstood him to the face…." Peter, mind you, Peter, the chief spokesman for the Twelve, who had really had all the clout at the Jerusalem church, and now this little fellow, I think Paul was small in stature, confronts him. Galatians 2:11b "…I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed." He was at fault and what was Peter’s problem? Well, until others from the Jerusalem church came up and joined him visiting there at Antioch, he had been fellowshipping and eating with Paul’s Gentile converts, realizing that now under grace, we’re not under Law, including the kosher food. And so Peter wasn’t having much problem until some men came down from Jerusalem and now he runs scared and becomes hypocritical. And now look what happened. Galatians 2:12 "For before that certain came from James, (that Jewish Jerusalem church) he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision." When those fellow believing Jews came down from Jerusalem, Peter withdrew and separated himself fearing them who were of the circumcision. Doesn’t sound like Peter does it? My, what a sad commentary. But you see, Paul wasn’t being contentious just to be contentious. He wasn’t just trying to build a case against Peter. But Peter was graphically in error and Paul calls him on it. And so that’s what we mean by contending for the faith. We have to stand uncompromisingly for that which we know is the truth of the Word of God. And remember, the vast majority of Christendom does not like the truth. They’d rather be tickled, as the Scripture says, and have things that will satisfy their itching ears, but beloved we must stand on the truth and never compromise it. You have to contend for the faith. Now back to Jude, and verse 4. Why do we have to contend for the faith. And listen, things are not one iota different today than they were Nineteen hundred and something years ago. Oh, we’ve got more technology, we’ve got more intellect, we’ve got more of this and more of that, but the human nature hasn’t changed a bit. We are just as human today as they were back then and we’ve got the same problems when it comes to the realm of the Spirit and what is it? False teachers. Now I trust most of you have read Jude often enough to know that the whole chapter is going to be dealing with false teachers. Now as I was preparing for this, I also went back and listened to our last taping and I always have to be aware that I don’t run something into the ground and repeat and repeat and repeat. We have to repeat but I don’t want to do it too much. And so all of a sudden now, I’m realizing how the Scripture is just permeated with warnings against false teachers. Paul’s got it throughout his epistles. Beware! Beware! Don’t be deceived! James was warning his folks against false teachers. Peter was warning against the false teachers. And now here comes Jude and he just puts the frosting on the cake and he almost really drums it home, that the whole problem against the truth of the Word of God are the false teachers. And listen, we are getting deluged by it today, I think like never before, because Satan knows his time is short.

Now it’s not quite at the level it will be in the last half of the Tribulation when Revelation makes it so plain, that he knows that his time is short. But nevertheless, I think we have to understand that Satan is pulling the plug on anything and everything to keep people from the Truth. You know I was so tickled in yesterday’s mail somebody sent us some tracts along with their letter and if you remember, in one of my programs, here probably a taping or so ago, I likened staying on the line of Truth to be genuinely saved and know it, I likened it to shooting the bull’s-eye with a rifle. Any of you remember that? That it doesn’t count if you go off to the side or right, up or down. You’ve got to be on the center bull’s-eye. Well, if this tract didn’t say the same thing. And I just thought well hallelujah, I’m not the only one that can make that analogy. To know the Gospel of salvation, which is by believing in your heart that Jesus died for your sins, was buried, and rose again, you have to be on target and you cannot be off 45 degrees one way or the other and still make it. I think a lot of people are hoping that. Well, maybe God will let me in. Maybe He’ll compromise. I don’t think He will. I think God is too absolute for that. Jude 1:4a "For there are certain men crept in unawares,…" Unaware! You know, after we have taught people for awhile, then they’ll tell us, "You know, Les I remember a few years ago a fellow came into our church and he said this and this and this and at the time we didn’t think anything about it. We didn’t know any better. But now that we have learned what the truth is and we think back, how did we sit there and listen to that stuff?" Well, you know why? Because they are not exercised by this need to realize that there are false teachers. And they’re not going to come in to your pulpit, I don’t care what your denomination is, they’re not going to come in to your pulpit and say, "Okay now, be careful now, I’m a false teacher!" Anything but. They’re going to come in just as sly as a fox. They’re going to come in wolves in sheep’s clothing. And unless you know the Book, you’re never going to catch it. They come in unawares, and people are just caught sleeping. In other words, we’ve been warned from time immemorial that these false teachers are coming. So it’s nothing new. Alright, and what are they doing? Jude 1:4b "…who were before of old ordained to this condemnation , ungodly men …" You don’t really expect a guy from skid row to come in to your pulpit do you? Well, that’s not the kind of ungodly people we’re talking about. You remember when we were - come back with me to Romans chapter 4 because here is where I usually define the term "ungodly" Romans 4:5a "But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him who justifies (the what?) the ungodly,…" The ungodly. Now if you remember when I taught this years ago in Romans I defined the word that whenever you put UN in front of another word, what does it simply make it? Without! When you say UN something, it’s just that without. Alright now when you use the term UNGODLY it doesn’t mean that they are falling down drunk. It doesn’t mean that they are something on skid row. It doesn’t mean that they are the bottom of the social scale. This could be someone at the very top of the social scale and they are still, what? UNGODLY. Why? They are without God in their life, see? God is not in their life. So they are UNGODLY. Alright now that’s exactly what Jude is talking about. You’re not going to have someone come in to your church or your Sunday School class and be a derelict of society. He’s not someone who is sleeping under a bridge. He can probably come in with a three-piece suit and bunch of degrees behind his name, but he’s still what? UNGODLY. He doesn’t have God in his life. He is a false teacher. And false teachers are not what you would call Godly people. Alright, so here’s the warning. These men are ungodly. No matter how much education they may have, no matter how finely they’re dressed, they’re ungodly men.

Jude 1:4c "… turning the grace of our God into (what?) lasciviousness,…" Now that’s the kind of a tough word to define, but lasciviousness is usually associated with the sexuality immorality. Isn’t that where we are today? My, I’m getting letters from all these major denominational people, heartsick at what’s going on in their denomination. Well, this is it! This is it! Ungodly men with their frocks and with all of their clout, and with all of their power, and with all of their so-called knowledge. But they are turning the grace of God into something that is contrary to Scripture. And it’s breaking the hearts of a lot of the people, but they can’t do anything about it. They can’t stop it. They can’t turn it around. Oh, they can try withholding funds, but it just doesn’t seem to do it. And like I said, I’m hearing it from all the major denominations. And you know it. It’s in your news everyday. Now continuing on in verse 4. Jude 1:4d "…they’re turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness (and at the same time) they deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ." Now what does that tell you? Who is Jesus Christ? He’s God! Now you know there are groups that can’t buy that. There are some who just don’t feel that Jesus of Nazareth was God. He was something created. He was something less than God. But listen, this Book declares that He was God. The Apostle Paul makes it so plain that He was the Creator God. And then they have the gall to say that "No He wasn’t God. He was a prophet, or He was this or He was that." But now, even Jude says, "that He is the only Lord God and He is our Lord Jesus Christ" Now in that same vein let’s come back a few pages to Titus. That’s back there in the T’s. Titus chapter 2 verse 13. This is one verse I use on these people that just adamantly reject Christ’s deity because a lot of the other verses, they’ll say, "Well, that isn’t what it means." But this says what it means and means what it says and you can’t argue with it. Titus 2:13 "Looking expectantly for that blessed hope, the glorious appearing of the great God our Saviour Jesus Christ." Now can you separate that? I can’t. I don’t think anybody else can. Our Savior Jesus Christ, out of Nazareth, born at Bethlehem, promised all the way back to the Old Testament – He’s God and He’s our Savior and He’s Lord. How can they argue with that? Oh, they’ll try. They try, but don’t give them one inch. Contend for these things. Alright back to Jude once again and our time is almost gone. And so they refuse to believe that Jesus of Nazareth was the Creator God, that He was Lord. Now verse 5. Because of what’s coming in to these little Jewish churches and it’s the same way today. Now as I said earlier in the other epistle, remember they were preparing the Jewish believers for the coming Tribulation, the day of wrath. Oh, here we are Nineteen hundred and some years later and it’s the same scenario. Once again, these little epistles are preparatory for Jews in particular, for the horrors of the Tribulation that are right out in front of the world, they are coming. So always remember that, that this is still just a appropriate today as it was Nineteen hundred and some years ago. Because of this influx of ungodly men claiming to be something that they’re not. Jude 1:5a "I will therefore put you in remembrance, (to stop and think) though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, (God the Son, Jesus of Nazareth) having saved the people out of the land of Egypt,…" And you say the Lord was in Egypt? Absolutely He was. The same one, the same God the Son that became flesh and walked the highways of Israel was the one that worked with Israel back to bring them out of Egypt. Jude 1:5b "…having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward (in other words, after they had escaped Egypt) destroyed them that believed not." Now here again, here is one of the dilemmas – Oh my goodness, we’ve only got 14 seconds left. I’ll just have to wind this down and we’ll pick it up here in our next program.

Right here in Jude verse 5.

[nyrandrea]

Of Blood and Oil - Chapter 7

Summary: The little stray cat had brought salvation to the robotic inhabitants of the Walled City in their darkest hour, now it was time for them to return the favour.

(Takes place after the events of Stray, so there will be spoilers!)

Start from the beginning here!

Also available to read on AO3!

Clementine prided herself in being able to hold her nerve, even during high pressure situations, which made her the perfect candidate for dangerous missions and impossible circumstances.

Even so, she was finding it difficult to hide the tremble in her voice as she spoke to Zbaltazar.

“...Are you still there?”  

“Hm?”

“I said that Momo has just came along to pick up the little ones.”  

“Uh huh.”

“I think he said he’s coming your way with them.”  

“Cool.”

The screens behind Zbaltazar’s limp form frowned. “Are you feeling quite alright, Clementine? You’ve barely said a word.”  

Clementine didn’t even look up at them, her eyes focused solely on Zar himself. The way he hunched over looked so...painful. Then again, he couldn’t feel anything, could he? She couldn’t imagine what that was like, to have no control over your own body to the point that thinking is the only thing you can do all day. Trapped in your own RAM with all the time in the world to hate the one that left you like this.

“...You detest me, don’t you?”  

That snapped Clementine out of it.

“What?! Of course not! Why would I?”

She didn’t even mean to sound so panicked, to sow the seeds of doubt into Zbaltazar’s head. But it felt like the more she opened her big mouth, the further into the rabbit hole she dug.

“We haven’t spoken since I got out. You have rarely looked at me since this call began. And judging by your vacant expression, I highly doubt you have listened to a word I’ve said.”  

A silence fell between them as Clementine struggled to come up with an excuse.

“If...you don’t want to be friends anymore...”  

“No! I do!”

“I would hold no ill will towards you.”  

“Ugh! Why are you like this?!” Clementine finally exploded.

“...Like what?” Zbaltazar cautiously asked, like he was tentatively stepping around a bull in a china shop.

“Like...that! So forgiving! You should be mad at me! Why aren’t you shouting...blaming...hating me?!”

Clementine sighed in defeat.

“Would it make you feel better if I hated you?”  

“I don’t know...maybe?”

“Then I hate you.”  

Clementine frowned. “Say it like you mean it, then I might believe you.”

Zbaltazar let out a hearty chuckle, forcing a small smile out of her as he did.

“You got me,” the limp robot said. “But how can I blame you when you already do so much of that for me?”  

She turned away.

“Clementine, it was only circumstances that made me like this. Bad luck. Being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Such is the way of things.”  

“But it was me that forced you into it!” She argued. “If it wasn’t for me, you’d be...”

“Still like this. Because nobody forced me into anything. I wanted to go, Clem. We both knew the risk.”  

“But you’re the one that’s had to live with the consequences.”

“In every single thing we do, we are choosing a direction. Our lives are a product of choice.”  

Clementine huffed, trust Zar to get all philosophical on her.

“Please stop punishing yourself,” he said solemnly. “And me.”  

“I’m sorry,” she said. “That wasn’t fair on you.”

“It’s water under the bridge,” Zbaltazar said, a lighter tone to his voice.“So, will you be able to come over for a visit tomorrow? I can show you my crib, as the kids would say.”  

“Sure, I’d love to.”

Zbaltazar waited a moment, like he was expecting a quick-witted remark at his expense as Clementine had a habit of doing in days gone past, frowning when it never came.

“Right, well, I look forward to it then.”  

A knock at the door made Clementine frown as Zbaltazar smirked at her from the monitor.

“Good luuuuck~” the robot sang before ending the call.

“Good luck with wha—” she threw up her hands when the connection cut. The rapping at the door continued, growing in strength and frequency.

“Alright, alright! I’m coming!” Clementine shouted as she made her way through her messy apartment. Though she was in the process of building a home outside, she couldn’t bring herself to leave Midtown just yet. The place was...charming, in its own unique, sleazy way.

“What...?” She trailed off as she swung the door open to a beaming Momo cradling the little outsider, who looked as fed up as she did.

“...do you want?” she finished. Narrowing her eyes when that big, stupid grin wouldn’t leave his screen as he rocked the feline back and forth.

“I’m not in the market for adoption,” she said, moving to shut the door and groaning when his massive foot prevented her from doing so.

“It’s just for an hour!” Momo exclaimed before pausing to think. “Or two. Puweeaase?”

She gave him a disgusted look. “Just for that, absolutely not. Besides, I got stuff to do.”

“So do I!”

“Like....?”

“...Stuff!”

She rammed the door against his foot.

“Ow! Okay, okay! I maaaaay or may not have lost the other kitties and need to go find ‘em with Guardian’s help.”

Clementine face-palmed, shaking her head.

“What? He’s insanely good at tracking.”

“I-I don’t even—God, fine I’ll take him. Give him here,” she finally caved in, holding out her hands to take the mewing furball. “You better pray that you find them.”

Momo waved a dismissive hand. “Ahhhh, I’m sure they probably wanted to go back to Zbaltazar, you shoulda’ seen it, there were colourful fishes all over his monitors!”

“Right,” she said, absent-mindedly rubbing one of the little outsider’s paws with her thumb.

“Yeah!” Momo awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck. “So, you two patched things up yet?”

Clementine raised a digital eyebrow. “There was nothing to patch up. We’re fine.”

“Right , right...” Momo nodded as he wrung his hands together before swiftly moving on, bending over slightly to wiggle his fingers at the cat. “Now yew be good for auntie Cwemmie, okay? Such a pwecious wittle—Ack!”

Slamming the door in his face, Clementine smirked as she carried her new tenant to the window, who in turn angled his head up to give her an unamused look.

“What? He deserved it,” the robot defended herself as she set the cat down onto some musty pillows. “Nobody calls me auntie Cwemmie and gets away with it.”

“Mrrrr?”  

“Okay, except maybe you,” she said, looking around the apartment to make sure Momo hadn’t magically snuck in to witness what she was about to do. “Because yew are such a cutie patootie, aren’t ya?” the robot cooed with a big heart as she gently massaged his furry cheeks. “Look at that wittle smushy face!”

She could see why Momo did this now, but the attention didn’t last long as a shrill beep came from her pocket, instantly snapping her out of baby-talk mode as she answered it.

“Yeah? What’cha got?”

...

“Awesome, I owe ya one. Whereabouts did you say again?”

Grabbing a pen and paper, she hastily scribbled down an address. Gently shooing away the onslaught of attention seeking as those same furry cheeks rubbed against her hand as she tried to write. If it were any other situation, she would have relented, but this was too important to miss.

Hanging up, she took the little outsider’s face again, looking him straight in the eyes. “Now listen closely, I’ve gotta go...run an errand. So, you’re gonna be staying here yourself a little while—hey! Pay attention...!” she tried not to give in to his cute charms as he started licking her fingers.  

“I’ll only be away for a little bit, in the meantime you take a nap or somethin’, Doc said you gotta rest, right?”

Before the orange tabby could get a word in, Clementine swiftly made her way out of the apartment and looked down at the piece of paper as she walked the neon-lit streets of Midtown, striding with new-found purpose.

‘I’m comin’ for you, Blazer.’  

xxx

Much like the rest of the city, Midtown had been mostly abandoned, with a scarce few residents like Clementine only staying because they still had some work to attend to. Most had decided to try and move their businesses to the settlements beyond the wall, and judging by the empty buildings and shuttered shops; they had succeeded.

The city was golden in the light of eventide, as if it was nurturing some happy memory of times passed. It left a somewhat bittersweet feeling in Clementine’s core; pride that they’d finally freed themselves of a life dictated to them by drones and walls, resentment that it meant some traitorous sleazebags had managed to slip through the net.

Until today.

Rounding a corner into an alleyway, Clementine scanned the immediate area, frowning when only a few rats came scampering out the dumpsters as she double- triple -checked the address that was given to her.

Crap. Had she been duped again? Was everyone out to get her these days?

Seething with rage and preparing to add another name to her hit-list, the rev of an engine and blinding headlights revealed a dump truck heading her way, stopping mere inches away as the driver killed the engine and leaned out the window.

“Hey buddy, can ya move outta the way? ‘Less you wanna be turned into scrap.”

He stopped suddenly when he realised who was in his way; pixelized sweat beads running down that familiar blushing face.

“If anyone’s gonna be getting turned into scrap today, it’s you,” she bitterly replied.

“What...? I-I don’t...Look, If I’d known you were g-gonna be here...” Blazer stuttered as he got out of the truck.

“What? You wouldn’t have come?”

“N-no. That’s not what I meant,” the older robot said, fiddling with his Hi-Vis vest as he struggled to come up with the right words. “C-Clem. Look, I—”

A smack to the face shut him up instantly.

“Do not call me that. Only my God-damn friends get to use that name. Remember that? When we used to be friends? When we had each other's backs and didn’t rat each other out?!”

Blazer retreated with his hands up defensively as Clementine backed him up against the hood of the truck. “I’m sorry, okay?! I know what I did was—”

“Terrible? Awful? Downright unforgivable?”

“All of that!” Blazer conceded, nodding vigorously. “But I was desperate for money; I... owed these guys and I didn’t see any other way to pay ‘em back.”

“What was it you said? You valued money more than friendship or camaraderie?”

“I valued my limbs! The b******* were gonna harvest me for parts if I didn’t cough up the cash!”

Clementine faltered a little. Blazer had never mentioned anything about debt when they were working together. He had always seemed so focused on the task at hand, maybe a bit too focused now that she thought about it.

She shook her head. “But you didn’t care what would happen to me or the little outsider! You threw us to the wolves! Didn’t you care about that?”

Blazer avoided her hard gaze. “Not at the time, no. I was just relieved that I was finally free of my burden. That I could walk down the street without constantly looking over my shoulder. I... I didn’t care what happened to either of you.”

The robot flinched as Clementine angrily raised her fist.

“Now, hang on! I’m not finished!” He said, sighing in relief when the impact never came. “When the city opened up, when I saw the sky for the first time, I couldn’t believe it. I couldn’t believe that you and the little furball actually managed to free us all.”

Clementine stayed silent.

“It made me realise that...this was my chance to finally clean up my act and get a proper job, try and lead somethin’ of a normal life. So... here I am.”

“A trash collector,” she deadpanned.

“Waste Collector,” he corrected. “Pays decent and... I feel like I’m actually doin’ something useful. Suppose the city’s a bit like me in a way; dirty, unlawful but with a bit of TLC could become somewhat decent again.”

Besides the terrible analogy, Clementine was almost envious of Blazer. How he managed to scrape his way out of what would have been certain death, seeing the error of his ways and bettering himself for it by providing a service to the city that would seem redundant to most.

“I’m actually glad you came this way, Clem. I know it’s a cheek to ask but...I was hoping you might forgive me.”

A memory crossed her RAM—of Zurks piling onto Zbaltazar as they crawled out of the sewers, escaping the bloodshot gazes that yearned for their deaths.

“Not a day goes past that I don’t regret what I’ve done.”

Zbaltazar’s body was heavy and limp as she dragged him into Antvillage, his head twitching and glitching as venom coursed through his circuitry.

“I know I’ll need to carry these mistakes with me for the rest of my life.”

Her core threatened to burst as she embraced him one last time.

“But I think I can be a better person, if you’ll let me.”

Not even daring to look back, she climbed up the pipes to Midtown, knowing full well that she was never returning for him.

“Clem...?”  

Clementine saw nothing but red.

“No...” she muttered. “No, you don’t get to just make those choices and expect everyone to just forgive you. Why should you get a second chance when Companions who are twice as brave, loyal and actually value your friendship are forced to live with the consequences of your actions!”  

Picking up on the tension and intensity of her voice, Blazer didn’t even bother struggling when she grabbed his vest and shoved him against the truck with so much force that there was a groaning pressure of metal being pushed upon metal.

“You don’t deserve a normal life. You don’t deserve friends and you sure as hell don’t deserve any more chances when you’ve had time and time again to make up for what you’ve done. You...have been nothing but a failure over...and over again...!”

Clementine’s grip slackened as her fists shook with...fury? Resentment? At who? Blazer?

Or herself?

It was only then she realised that Blazer’s eyes had wandered down.

“Hey!” She shouted, her hardened resolve returning in full force. “Eyes up here when I’m talking to you!”

“Uh...we uh...have company...,” was all Blazer could stutter as he pointed a shaking finger behind her. Following his gaze, her eyes fell upon the little outsider. He was just...sitting there, watching.

“How long have you been there?” Clementine demanded, making sure to tighten her grip on Blazer should he use this chance to slip away like the snake he was.

“Mreh eh?”  

“Ugh. Whatever. Just...go back to the apartment, okay? I’ll be...finished here soon enough.”

Turning back to Blazer—who was still practically sweating—she took a moment to decide what to do with him. She could just beat him up and get it done, but that just didn’t seem like enough. She wanted him to suffer, to pay—to really pay —for betraying her trust like he had.  

It seemed the little outsider had other plans.

“W-what’s it doing?” Blazer nervously asked when the cat started winding between their legs—more notably Blazers. Purring and rubbing his head against the robot’s shins, affectionately curling his tail around the ankles and gazing up at him, slowly blinking.

“He’s...forgiving you.” Clementine realised.

“What?”

“You got trash in your audio receptors?” She snapped. “I said he’s forgiving you. Though I’m not sure why.”

“I... really?” Blazer asked with a question mark as he looked down. “Even after all that s*** I put you through?”

“Mrah!”  

“...Thanks.”

Clementine observed the scene; the calm serenity of it all. The way her little recruit seemed so in-tune and understanding of Blazer’s genuine remorse and letting go of the negative emotions and memories. Moving on with whatever positives remain. Is this what Zbaltazar meant when he asked her to stop punishing herself?

“...You can go.”

Clementine released Blazer and shuffled back with her head hung low, fully expecting him to take the opportunity and scarper back into the dumpster truck, maybe even try and knock her down for good measure.

Instead, he closed the gap between them and hugged her tightly.

Blinking in shock, Clementine stiffened at the contact, instincts screaming at her to push him away in case he had a hidden knife and was intending to literally stab her in the back this time.

“I’m...so sorry.”

He was trembling ever-so-slightly, but she didn’t return the hug, and after a moment, pushed him away at arm’s length.

“I... don’t think I can ever forgive you for what you did,” Clementine said. “Justice and integrity are... important to me, and you broke those principles.”

Blazer looked down, holding his arm.

“But...my friend once told me that forgiveness brings the liberty to heal the heart, the soul and mind. That it’s a chance to begin anew and... break the shackles of self-loathing,” Clementine paused for a moment. “So... I’d like to try.”

Blazer nodded appreciatively, bent down to place his hand atop the little one’s head in silent gratitude and hopped back into the truck. He didn’t leave right away, instead tapping his fingers against the steering wheel as if he was deciding on something.

“Do you...want a lift back?” He finally asked.

She was about to refuse when the little one let out a massive yawn and laid down on his side as if he was preparing just to fall asleep in the middle of a cold alley. The pitiful sight brought a small smile to Clementine’s screen, but it made her realize that nightfall was starting to creep in. If she walked—carrying a heavy lump of fur, no less— the remaining Zurks would be prowling about before she got back, looking for an easy snack.

So, she swallowed her pride and nodded.

“Then hop on in,” Blazer said, opening the other door for her.

“Come on, little guy,” Clementine gently prodded with her foot, frowning when the furball didn’t budge.

“Meh!”  

“I’m not picking you up.”

“Eh eh...”  

Only moments later, she was hoisting herself up with one hand while the other had his highness tucked under her arm, settling him on her lap when she managed to climb into the seat.

“Fussy l’il thing, ain’t he?” Blazer said as he pulled out of the alleyway and into the moonlit road.

“You would be too if you had been nearly ripped to shreds,” Clementine bluntly answered. “No small talk, eyes on the road.”

���You uh...got it, boss,” Blazer stammered as he shut his trap and focused solely on driving.

A small part of her wanted to keep snarking at him, chastise him for every little bump and instruct him on how to actually drive. But instead, she spent what little energy she had left stroking her little charge, his purring soothing her shot nerves and lulling her into sleep-mode as the white-gold moon ascended into the black heavens.

Perhaps one day, Clementine would be able to forgive herself too.

xxx

Chapter 8 --->

[therealvinelle]

Carlisle and theology

So, there are a lot of thoughts in this fandom on Carlisle’s brand of faith, and Carlisle seeing vampirism as inherent sin, and it’s time for this Christian philosophy nerd to butt in, featuring all the quotes.

First of, let me do my usual disclaimer - the Carlisle of the books is not the Carlisle of the movies. Carlisle of the movies believes he’s damned, because while the movie does mostly quote the conversation from the books, they cut him off halfway through, completely changing the meaning. Book Carlisle is making an argument, and his conclusion is the opposite: vampires have souls.

"Edward's with me up to a point. God and heaven exist… and so does hell. But he doesn't believe there is an afterlife for our kind." Carlisle's voice was very soft; he stared out the big window over the sink, into the darkness. "You see, he thinks we've lost our souls." (New Moon, page 20)

Later in the same book when Edward believes he has died and gone to heaven, his first words are: “Carlisle was right.”

So, book Carlisle doesn’t believe they’re all damned. If he did, creating others would be to damn them. If he had doubts about their souls and decided to risk it anyway, his “I made vampires” angst would be about their souls. It’s not:

"(Choosing to turn others) is the one part I can never be sure of. I think, in most other ways, that I've done the best I could with what I had to work with. But was it right to doom the others to this life? I can't decide." (New Moon, page 21)

was it right to doom the others to this life.

He says nothing about their souls. His issue is the life they’re now living because of him: “was it right to turn others into bloodsucking demons, all of whom have a body count?”

Which is a very fair question, I’d be wondering that too. Edward, Emmett, Esme, and Rosalie are all murderers, they live in the constant pain of bloodlust, they must live in this very particular way or be nomads, and they’re not truly immortal, for sooner or later death will come in the brutal form of being torn apart and burned. Not to mention both Edward and Rosalie have very ambivalent feelings about what they became.

Carlisle wondering if turning them was the right call appears to have nothing to do with religion, and everything to do with the pragmatic reality of what it means to have created a vampire.

But if Carlisle doesn’t believe vampires are damned, what does he think then?

His backstory, admittedly told through Edward (who projects a lot onto Carlisle), is helpful.

His strength returned and he realized there was an alternative to being the vile monster he feared. Had he not eaten venison in his former life? Over the next months his new philosophy was born. He could exist without being a demon. He found himself again. (Twilight, page 160)

Carlisle had been raised to believe in witches and demons, eternal damnation for the wicked and the whole shebang. He wakes up a vampire and he knows what this means, he is now a senseless monster who kills people. 

Well, turns out this isn’t the case. He doesn’t have to kill people. More, he still has his faith in God, which by protestant doctrine is what you need to enter Heaven. (This right here is one big bone I have to pick with fanon Carlisle. People keep ascribing a very Catholic brand of theology onto him, as he believes existence is sin and one must do penance. He’s Anglican, and Anglicans adopted Protestant doctrine. Protestant salvation comes through faith.)

Now, if his existence doesn’t automatically lead to sin, and if he is still in command of himself, able to believe in God and be devout, who’s to say he’s damned?

The urge to kill people remains present, of course, but humans are tempted to sin too. All of God’s children are tempted. (And yes, he did arrive at the conclusion that vampires are among God’s children. If he didn’t, he wouldn’t believe they had souls.)

Edward specifies that Carlisle created his own philosophy. As in, he didn’t just say “I don’t have to kill people, neat. Being a monster is still horrible, though”, he sat down and went full Zarathustra.

This is where my love for theology comes in.

Christian thought is founded on the relationship between God and Man. How Man is saved, the definition of sin, absolution, all of it - it’s all built on the supposition that Man is human. Well, Carlisle just found out that there’s God, Man, and Vampire - and potentially (Carlisle at this early point in time would still think witches and such were real) others as well.

He also learned that the notion of monsters being bound to sin, or having made deals with Satan, are also wrong. He never met the guy, he has his conscience, and he lives as morally as ever.

This invalidates pretty much everything he ever learned, and Carlisle’s sitting there in the English woods realizing the same thing Nietzsche later would when science challenged religion: he has to figure out Christianity from scratch.

I think Carlisle came up with his very own doctrine.

Edward outright says so: his new philosophy was born. We see Carlisle engage in all sorts of behavior completely contrary to anything a devout 17th century priest would have been doing. He associates with heathens like Aro, Amun, or the Amazonians, allows his family to be non-believers, considers fallen women like the Denali to be wonderful people and respects them as equals, he performs abortions, he allows material luxuries under his roof, he marries a woman who committed suicide.

There’s also the fact that his was a time full of alternate interpretations of Scripture. I won’t get into this part of European history, suffice to say that with Martin Luther’s 97 theses, the Christian world exploded with different sects and branches. Anabaptism, Calvinism, Quakers, Lutherans, the list just keeps going. It wouldn’t have been a foreign concept to Carlisle to sit down and say “Alright, who is God and what does He want from us”

I keep seeing Carlisle written as a Christian parody who cries because once when he was having sex with Esme in the dark some light entered the room and he saw her ankle, and now he thinks they’re both going to hell. And if we’re talking about the movies then sure, that guy seems the type. Book Carlisle is not this, and there’s nothing in canon to indicate as much, quite the contrary. (Yes, Edward is angsty about souls, but that’s not what Carlisle believes at all. It’s made clear over and over these two don’t agree on religion, so the argument that Edward somehow downloaded his religious angst from Carlisle defeats itself.)

It seems to me Carlisle came to the conclusion that sin is to take lives for pleasure, and that vampires are neither damned nor inherently sinful. This is the only action he appears to condemn, to view as sinful. Apart from that, he will kill to defend himself or others (the newborn battle and James), he’s pro-abortion, and he did not oppose Rosalie getting her revenge.

Apart from that I’m not going to extrapolate much, in part because that’d be hard to do when we don’t have a lot to go on and I’m not actually a theologician, and in part because this post is very long now. Feel free to ask if someone wants me putting on my philosophy hat and pretending I’m a vampire with a religious crisis.

(I will say this though: the notion of vampires being inherently sinful is just Original Sin in a hat. If Carlisle believes in it, then he also believes in Original Sin for humans, vice versa if he doesn’t. Doesn’t seem to be the case, but if it is then the vampirism by itself still isn’t any more damned than humanity.)

[urimaginespimp]

Untouchable (This Love pt 8)

Bucky x reader (elemental witch)

Set during TFATWS mainly episodes 4-5

Note: Little references on You All Over Me

Previous Part: Happiness

--------

“I’m letting you go, Bucky.”

It felt like he watched a part of himself die as soon as those words left your lips. How could he have been so late to realize that he’s in love with you? And in the worst possible time ever; When you finally look like you’re in peace and ready to open yourself once more to the world.

“I’d really like to be friends with you again someday. Maybe as you’ve said before, I will thank you.” You genuinely smiled at him and he almost wanted to yell at you to take it back. To say that you still want to be together.

But that would be so cruel of him. So he merely returned a smile, hoping that it came off genuine.

“You go alert Sam. I’m gonna try my best to stall Ayo and the other women. Though I doubt I could buy you more than a few seconds once the eighth hour rolls around.” you grinned and turned to go find where the Dora Milaje were waiting.

--------

Eight hours have passed and you were now taking the Dora Milaje to where Sam, Bucky, and Zemo would be.

Only when you were outside the door, you could hear an unfamiliar man’s voice almost threatening Sam into a fight.

“He’d die before he thinks he can hurt a friend to the throne.” Ayo commented, and before you knew it, one of them have thrown their spear before the man who you now can assume as discount Captain America could even raise a fist to Sam.

You walked in beside Ayo and based on Bucky’s expression, their business with Zemo wasn’t even close to done yet.

“Even if he is a means to your end, time’s up.” Ayo declared out loud in the room. “Release him to us now.”

“Hi. John Walker. Captain America.” The man interrupted. You bit your lip to stop yourself from laughing. This didn’t go unnoticed by Bucky however, who was mentally kicking himself because now was not the time to be reminded that he knows how those felt against his. The little taste of heaven he got.

“You were like a little sister to Steve Rogers, right?” He turned his attention to you with a cheery voice. “Happy to finally meet your new big brother?” He jested.

“Sorry. That positions been long taken over ever since the potty mouth racoon started exchanging memes with me.” you retort with a shrug, which made Sam cough to hide his chuckles, and Zemo to look at you as if that was the craziest thing he’s ever heard.

“Well, let’s uh, put down the pointy sticks and we can walk this through, huh?” Walker tried to gain control over the room’s atmosphere.

“Hey, John. Take it easy.” Sam butted in. “You might wanna fight Bucky before you tangle with the Dora Milaje. Or even worse, Y/N.”

“Yeah, I think I can take some water or rocks being thrown at me.” He smirked at you, making the side of your lip twitch.

“Careful, Walker, I’m almost twitching to blend that bloodstream of yours. I can control you like a puppet and I wouldn’t even have to move an inch from where I’m standing.” You smiled at him almost eerily, and Bucky was sporting a proud look on his face.

But of course, you weren’t gonna do it. You’ve long vowed to put puppeting the living off the table unless it was a life and death situation.

Walker gulped before turning once again to Ayo. “The Dora Milaje don’t have jurisdiction here.”

“The Dora Milaje have jurisdiction wherever the Dora Milaje find themselves to be.” You could almost see steam coming out of Ayo’s ears as she spoke. She could also feel that something didn’t feel right with this man.

Looking at his companion, you could see that unlike Walker, he was getting nervous.

“Look, I think we got off on the wrong foot.” Walker played it off, before he layed his hand on Ayo.

Then all hell broke loose.

--------

Ayo literally disarmed Bucky. Both of you shared the same shocked expression.

Walker was catching his breath after they handed his ass to him, and was failing miserably to remove the spear that held the shield up on the table.

Ayo opened the doors to where Zemo had last gone into, only to find it empty.

One of the women took the spear off effortlessly and picked up the shield as Walker was now on the ground looking defeated.

“He is gone. Leave it.” Ayo told her.

Picking his Vibranium arm off the ground, Bucky was still trying to wrap his head around what just happened.

“Did you know they could do that?” Sam asked, just getting up from the floor.

“Guessing from his reaction, no.” You commented as he attached it back and tested it. “Are you alright?” you approached him. His arm worked just fine. Relief flooded him.

“Yeah. How about you? You still got cuts and bruises from Madripoor.” He reaches out and holds a side of your jaw to turn your head as if to assess the minor damages on your face, causing your breath to hitch.

This was the first time he got to touch you again after all the distancing and avoiding you’ve been doing before. He smiled at you sweetly, making you confused. Sam was also giving Bucky a questioning look.

“I think I’m gonna help them look for Zemo. You guys gonna be alright?” you stepped back away from him and turned to Sam, and he nodded before giving you a hug and told you to be safe.

You gave Bucky a smile before leaving to catch up with the Dora Milaje. As soon as you were out of earshot, Sam turned to him with a smug expression.

“Have something to share, Bucky?” He asked playfully, already having a hunch why Bucky was acting all weird.

“Sam, I’m in love with her.” He replied, still staring at the direction where you just exited.

“Yeah, I figured.” he snorted in reply. It was about damn time.

“But just when it hit me, she then says she’s letting me go. Now I’m the one caught up in her.”

“Well that’s some angsty shit right there, man. Let’s grab something to eat first and talk about how your cyborg brain finally named the feelings you’ve had all this time.” Sam pats his shoulder before muttering that he was gonna need food for this discussion.

--------

You had an inkling that Zemo was heading to Sokovia. And it seemed that Bucky had the same though as he caught up on you and the Dora Milaje on your way there.

The moment you saw him, the dried blood on his face raised your concerns, and he was trying to hide the fact that he was enjoying your attention when you insisted on patching him up, and you were oblivious to the Dora Milaje’s teasing glances thrown his way, and even when one of them mouthed the word simps to him.

He made a mental note to look up what that means later.

I thought you’d be here sooner.” Zemo spoke as he got nearer. “Don’t worry, I’ve decided I’m not going to kill you.”

“Imagine my relief.” Bucky replied, clicking the gun on his side.

“The girl has been radicalized beyond salvation. I warned Sam, but he didn’t listen to me. He’s as stubborn as Steve Rogers before him. But you... they literally programmed you to kill. James, do what needs to be done. Karli has people everywhere, and there’s only one way to make sure she cannot continue her mission.” Zemo rationalized.

“I appreciate the advice. But we’re gonna do it our own way.”

Zemo chuckled softly. “Yeah. I was afraid you would say that.”

Raising the gun to his head, there was no once of fear in Zemo’s eyes, rather it looked like he was ready to be reunited with his family. This was further shown when he actually nodded at Bucky.

Only that nothing happened as he pulled the trigger. Instead, he raised his left fist, and as he opened it, the bullets fell off, clanking on the ground.

Just then, three of the Dora Milajes marched up behind him, ready to take him away this time.

“Ladies...” he acknowledged them before turning back to him. “I took the liberty of crossing my name in your book. I hold no grudges for what you thought you had to do.” Bucky nodded, appreciating the gesture.

“Parting words of advice...” Zemo spoke again, this time lower as he knew you might be somewhere nearer and might hear what he’s about to say next.

“Like every other dollar in our pockets, you can’t change where it’s been, James. Much the same goes for you. But Y/N... She loves you nonetheless. And if my eyes don’t deceive me, I’d say you feel the same but she’s doesn’t know that.” he smiles at him

“I’d only realized it myself recently.” He confesses, only then realizing that the three women were listening and now had their brows raised in surprise.

“Don’t be too late.” Zemo grinned in satisfaction of his confession.

“I’m gonna work on that, thank you.” He returned the smile.

“Goodbye, James.”

As you saw them lead Zemo to the ship, you took that as your cue to finally approach them. You’d witness the entire thing, except that it was all inaudible from where you’ve been standing.

“It would be prudent to make yourself scare in Wakanda for the time being, White Wolf.” You heard Ayo advise him as you were finally in earshot’s way.

“Fair enough.” he replies in understanding.

Ayo nodded at you as you came closer to where they were, and she shot you a teasing wink, confusing you while Bucky cleared his throat in embarrassment.

“We’ll wait for you in the ship.” she told you.

“I didn’t know you could be so theatrical, Bucky.” You grinned teasingly at him.

“Had to give you a little inkling to what was happening since you were so far away.” He gave you a boyish smile.

“You’re gonna pick those up later, right?” you gestured at the bullets still on the ground.

“Yeah, just after all of you are gone. Don’t wanna ruin the magic of that scene.” He replied scratching the back of his head, making you laugh.

"You’re going back to Wakanda with them?” Because if you are, then the universe was definitely punishing him since he can’t really go there right now as he pleases.

“Yeah, I’m long overdue for a visit.” You answered. “Don’t worry, I’ll explain everything to them. You’d be in their good graces again in no time.” you assured.

As you spoke, the sun was just starting to set behind you, creating a golden outline of you. The sight was making his heart pound. To him you were burning brighter than the sun.

Yep, the universe is definitely fucking me. He thought to himself.

And as you stepped closer, he felt like he was coming undone when you hesitantly pulled him in for a small hug.

“Take care of yourself, James.” you whispered.

James. She called me James. Heat was rising up in him.

Breaking off from the hug, you were blushing. “It’s alright if I call you that too, right? I mean I know I said that’s what I called 1940s you when we were testing the time portal, but it’s still you, you know, and-”

“You can call me whatever you want, sweetheart.” He cut off your rambling, smiling at you. “Just not Barnes again.” He added.

“Why?”

“Well, you were mad at me the whole time you did so.”

“Okay, dipshit.”

“Y/N.” he feigned offense.

You laughed at his expense. “I’ll let either one of you know if I’m back in New Asgard.”

“We’ll have a lot of catching up to do by then.” He smiled, and you turned to head to the ship where unbeknownst to you, the women and Zemo have been watching the two of you interacting.

“Hey Y/N?” Bucky called out to you at the last second.

“Yeah?”

He was contemplating whether he’d just tell you right then and there about his feelings. It was starting to eat him up, but then he shook it off, knowing that he and Sam still had a mission to finish first.

“I... I may have another favor to ask Wakanda.”

--------

When he got to Sam’s hometown, he saw that there was a community of people helping repair a boat. It reminded him of his time working with in the docs.

He’s now offered his services to help Sam repair their family boat. He’s also met his sister Sara, nad he was surprised that when he made an attempt to be charming, it actually kind of worked.

They were now enjoying a drink together after a day’s worth of fixing.

“Talked to Y/N, yet?” Sam asked him, taking a swing of the bottle.

“She’s a lot more friendly to me now which is both a good and bad sign for me. But I haven’t told her yet. Not really a good time.” he answered in dep thought.

“You know before we got ourselves tangled into this mess, like way before Walker happened and you decided to show up, we were in constant communication.” Sam shared.

“Yeah?” he failed to hide the jealousy in his voice, causing Sam to crack up.

“Don’t get your metal panties in a twist, man. We were mostly talking about you." he clarified. “She knew you didn’t want to see her - which I beg to differ by the way – but she was somehow hoping you would at least be talking to me.”

“I’m sorry for ignoring your calls and text.” He says to Sam, which the man assured him was fine. “There were instances at night where I couldn’t sleep and my thoughts would be plagued with her. That I wish I hadn’t been so rash with making the decision to be alone and leave her the way I did.” this was the first time he talked about it to someone. His own therapist didn’t know a thing about it.

“Let me ask you something. Where do you want to stand in her life after all of this is over?” Sam knew this wasn’t what co-workers would be talking about but he knew that this was for the good of you both.

“I want to spend the rest of my years making it up to her. To let her know that while it took me long to realize it, we were actually always in the same page.” He found himself replying with no hesitation. Sam was satisfied with this answer.

“And how are you gonna convince her to give you a chance?”

He shrugged. He didn’t know just yet.

“Tell you what. The younger people around here know their stuff when it comes to matters of the heart. I’ll have them make a manuscript you could read, or a video tutorial.” He chuckles. He had no idea Sam was being serious.

“Well...” Bucky got up and clinked their bottles together. “Gotta catch my flight tomorrow. Get a hotel for the night. Crash, you know?”

“You’re just gonna set me up like that, huh?” Sam grinned, shaking his head.

“Well I don’t wanna make it weird for your family.” He shrugged.

“Just stay here. The people in this town are the most welcoming people in the world. They don’t care if you wear small T-shirts, or if you have six toes, or if your mom’s your aunt, or that I work with a reformed cyborg that’s in love with a witch that’s practically an avatar, who apparently single-handedly secured her adoptive father’s kingdom’s economy-” Bucky chuckled at Sam’s ramblings.

“Okay, I get it. I mean, you know, the people are nice.” he concedes.

“But don’t displace your feelings for Y/n by flirting with my sister.” Sam pointed at him. “Cause if you do, I’ll have Carlos cut you up, feed half of you to the fish, and send the other half to New Asgard so they could to feed you to their fish.”

“Okay.”

--------

He was gazing up at the stars, feeling the soft grass underneath his lying figure. The comfort and peace it gave him was almost nostalgic.

“How is it possible that this place also has the best set of stars for us to look at?”  A voice spoke next to him. Turning his head to where it came from, his heart fluttered as he welcomed the sight of you lying next to him, looking up the sky with such wander in your eyes.

He recognizes this scenario. He had just woken up once again from a nightmare, and couldn’t fall back asleep despite your presence. So, you proposed you’d both get some fresh air and just lay out on the field while the rest of Wakanda was fast asleep.

At first he was hesitant, not wanting to keep you up any longer, but you insisted that you haven’t been able to sleep a wink before he woke up from his nightmare. That’s how he groggily got up and took the hand you offered up to him as you lead him out of your shared hut, and into the wide field before you.

“Ayo said you’re having progress.” you turned your head to look at him. This time, he was the one stuck looking up the sky. He merely let out a small grunt as a response.

“I’m proud of you, Buck.” He could almost hear the smile from your tone. The genuineness of it all made the side of his lip twitch.

Getting up halfway to face him, you were supporting yourself up with your elbow. “We could celebrate if you want.” you suggested.

“I’m not even fully recovered yet.” he replied.

“So? Every milestone to recovery should be celebrated.” you shrugged. “C’mon old man, it doesn’t have to be grand. Any piece of treat you have in mind?”

“I’ve been meaning to try sushi.” He muttered shyly.

“Consider it done.” you beamed at him, laying back down.

There it was again. The tingly feeling he had in his stomach, which only ever occurred every time you were near. Maybe this was the feeling of gratitude. You’ve never been less than nice to him.

Yeah, that explains it. He thinks to himself.

“Why are you so fine with spending your days here anyway? Don’t you have someone waiting on you out of Wakanda? Steve said you’re more social than him.” He found himself asking.

Still looking up, you were sporting a gentle smile on your face. “I spent a great deal reading up classic romance novels when I was just learning the Midgardian ways. And I’m still in love with the whole chivalry, slow-burn romance thing. Imagine my disappointment when the first civilian man I found inherently cute outright asked me if he could have some in the bathroom.” you pursed your lips, making Bucky crack a soft laugh.

“My ma would’ve had my head if I ever said that to a lady.” he replied smiling, his eye crinkling at the thought. “...is that why you said you find me incredibly attractive?” he found himself asking, surprising both of you.

Even underneath the stars, he could see the heat rising up your cheeks. “Oh, you remember that?” you chuckled awkwardly.

“It’s not every day a girl would say that to the world’s deadliest assassin whose just been accused of a bombing incident.”  he was mentally kicking himself for even opening up the topic.

“It’s Steve’s fault. He wouldn’t shut up about how charming and a gentleman you are. And it didn’t help that you’re annoyingly handsome.”

He shifted in his position. “Bet you’re disappointed now.” he said in a low voice.

“Not really.” you argued. “If anything, you’ve added the words hot and strong to the list.” you teased, poking him on the arm. He shook his head at how casual you were being.

“Sooner or later Buck, it won’t be just me crushing on you. Maybe you’d even find yourself falling for a civilian.” There was a hint of sadness behind your smiling eyes. Everybody in the kingdom knew of her allegedly having a crush on you, curtesy of Steve’s blabbering mouth, but this was the first time she actually admitted it.

He didn’t say it, but the thought of what you just said didn’t appeal to him. It felt almost wrong to imagine himself casually being open and carefree with someone else.

Carefree. This was what your conversation now felt like. You managed to somehow make him talk, far from his usual quiet and grunting self during daytime.

He opened his mouth trying to think if a reply when you cut him off.

“Don’t respond to that. You’ve already managed to make my drowsy self, confess having a crush on you.” he turned his head to look your way again, only to find that you now had your eyes closed, a small smile playing on your lips.

Letting you finally get some sleep; he turned his attention back to the sky.

And it's like the million little stars above him were spelling out your name.

Just then he wakes up from the dream, as the little whispers by the doorway caught his attention. Sam’s nephews were playing with the shield.

“Hey!” he raised his hand to greet them while still lying down on the couch.

“Put it back.” one of them said to the other. “Hurry, hurry.” and they both took off.

Alone once more, his thought went back to the dream of a memory he had with you.

He found himself smiling.

--------

Y/N: Thanks for all the love! We're one chapter away. I'm just waiting for the last episode (brb crying) to decided where we go from here.

@eternalharry @iheartsebandchris @lizzarooni @the-ayo-lit @tanyaherondale @eliwinchester-barnes @knowyourworth-sellyoursoul @ebxny27 @just-a-littlebit-of-everything @fadingdreamersportsmaker

[little-smartass]

THE VAMPIRE LESTAT COVER ALBUM - the legendary Vampire Lestat is back and bigger and badder than ever, this time bringing a whole album of song covers ranging from classic bangers to newer fresh takes on chart hits! get your copy now, complete with a transcript of the artist's commentary on each song!

(songs I think Lestat would cover and release as an album in an attempt to re-kickstart his career and/or make some sort of dramatic statement to Louis. tracklist and "artist commentary" under the cut)

Survival - Muse

“And I’ll reveal my strength, to the whole human race, yes I am prepared, to stay alive, and I won’t forgive, and vengeance is mine, and I won’t give in, because I choose to thrive! Yeah I’m gonna win!”

Oh, I wish this song had been around back on that opening night at the Cow Palace - how apt that would have been! What a fucking anthem! They would have been rioting all night. I mean, they already were, but, like, because of the music. Not because vampires were being immolated in the middle of the crowd. Different kind of riot.

The Bitch Is Back - Elton John

“I’m a bitch, I’m a bitch, oh the bitch is back, stone cold sober as a matter of fact, I can bitch, I can bitch, ‘cause I’m better than you, it’s the way that I move, the things that I do!”

One day I want to have this play as I walk into Night Island. I’ll time it perfectly so that I throw off my coat - my denim jacket, or- oh, no, a fur! Maximum drama! - just as the chorus starts. Armand will know that I’m coming of course, but I think that’ll just make it even better. And I have good memories to this song... [muffled question] Sorry, gentlemen don’t kiss and tell, bébé. [laughter]

Everybody Loves Me - OneRepublic

"Oh my, feels just like I don’t try, look so good I might die, all I know is everybody loves me, head down, swaying to my own sound, flashes in my face now, all I know is everybody loves me”

Look, do I even need to explain this one? Didn’t think so.

Bad Reputation - Joan Jett

"I don't give a damn ‘bout my reputation, I've never been afraid of any deviation, and I don't really care if you think I'm strange, I ain't gonna change - and I'm never gonna care bout my bad reputation"

This one's fairly self-explanatory again. It could have been my personal anthem when I was mortal quite honestly. And it's an awful lot of fun to jump about and headbang to, don't you think? That's a new thing I've found out about, headbanging. People have been hopping about to music looking like fools for centuries but now there's a name for it. Fantastic.

bad guy - Billie Eilish

"I’m that bad type, make your mama sad time, make your girlfriend mad type, might seduce your dad time… I’m the bad guy. Duh.”

Creepy? Check. Sexy? Check. Tongue-in-cheek? Check check. This song was great and a lot of fun to cover.

Lover to Lover - Florence + the Machine

“I believe there’s no salvation for me now, no space among the clouds, and I feel I’m heading down, but that’s alright, that’s alright, that’s alright”

I don’t know, this one just felt very relevant. Also the piano was great to do. You might have noticed that I’ve picked a lot of songs with piano, and that’s because I bullied the studio into getting me a goooooorgeous grand piano for the recording space and I wanted to use it as much as possible!

Feeling Good - Muse

“Stars when you shine, you know how I feel, scent of the pine, you know how I feel, oh freedom is mine, and I know how I feel”

I just really like this song - I’ve done a cover of an excellent cover! Can- can you put emojis in this? Do people still use emojis? Well imagine I’ve put the shrug one. Wait, isn’t there- Daniel, Daniel, come here, isn’t there a shrug emoji made up of keyboard- [muffled words] yes! The shrug one! Yes, put that in the transcription. [ ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ] I just like this song.

The Man - The Killers

“I got gas in the tank, I got money in the bank, I got news for you baby, you're looking at the man, I got skin in the game, I got a household name, I got news for you baby, you're looking at the man”

I feel like this one speaks for itself too. Can you put that shrug emoji thing in here again? [ ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ] Yes!

J'ai Pas Envie - MIKA

J'ai pas envie, de faire comme si, comme les maris, qui disent oui, j'ai pas envie, j'ai pas envie, j'ai pas envie d'te faire plaisir, j'ai pas envie, j'ai pas envie, si tu m'aimes viens me le dire"

Look, I'm not going to translate the whole song for you, because it has all this clever wordplay you just totally lose in english… but the gist of it is that these two lovers are… at odds a lot. It's… it's maybe a little spiteful [laughter] but in a fun way! It's a fun song! Louis won't even be mad about it, it's MIKA.

Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy - Queen

"When I'm not with you, think of you always (I miss those long hot summer nights), when I'm not with you, think of me always, always"

[Long pause] God, I miss Freddie.

Let 'Em Talk - Kesha

Ah, full disclosure - I put this song in purely because of the expression Louis made when I played it in the car and it got to the line “can suck my dick” and she did that popping noise… it was incredible, and I just knew I had to cover it so I could see his expression when I said that. I can’t wait to play it to him. [laughter]

So What - P!nk

"So so what, I'm still a rockstar, I got my rock moves, and I don't need you, and guess what? I'm having more fun, and now that we're done, I'm gonna show you tonight, I'm alright, I'm just fine, (and you're a tool, so)"

I'm actually a big fan of nineties and noughties female stars - all that grrrrrrrl power, it's great fun, you know? I'd say this one is fairly self-explanatory, because I am still a rockstar! This is my new album! Fuck you EMP and your sniffy little article calling me "washed up"!

Little Lion Man - Mumford & Sons

"But it was not your fault but mine, and it was your heart on the line, I really fucked it up this time, didn't I my dear?"

This one could be self-deprecating, but it's also very vindictively angry at the same time, and that's a combination I definitely get. Like, oh, it's my fault, isn't it? It's my fucking fault again, what a surprise. Perhaps "learn from your mother or you'll spend your days biting your own neck" is a little on the nose… [muffled words] you've read my books, right? [muffled words] Good, good.

Missy - The Airbourne Toxic Event

"But I swear there's still some good in me, I think if you'd stuck around you'd see, all the botched attempts at integrity I once had"

Oh, I was feeling philosophical when I picked this one. No, philosophical isn't the right word… melancholy? Do people still use that word? "I swear I swear I swear I'll never get sad" is both furiously defiant and yet so self-defeatingly ironic. [Exasperated noise] Enough of that. Next!

Please Don't Leave Me - P!nk

"I don't know if I can yell any louder, how many times have I kicked you out of here, or said something insulting? I can be so mean when I wanna be, I am capable of nearly anything, when my heart is broken… (please, please don't leave me)"

Oh, we’re… we’re getting to this section now. [clearing throat] Well, I have to make up for that sucking dick line, don’t I? Get a bit vulnerable. Oh God, why did I decide to do this bit? [muffled words] [bad chicago accent] But why buy the cow? Because you love him, you really do. [sigh, laughter]

Next To Me - Imagine Dragons

"Oh, I always let you down, shattered on the ground, still I find you there, next to me, and oh, the stupid things I do, I'm far from good it's true, still I find you, next to me"

Why did I- I don’t remember putting so many of these ones in.

Run To You - Pentatonix

"I've been settling scores, I've been fighting so long, but I've lost your war, and our kingdom is gone... how shall I win back your heart which was mine? I have broken bones and tattered clothes, I've run out of time"

[Sigh] [clears throat] Yeah. I think we can move onto the next one.

Love of My Life - Queen

“Love of my life, don't leave me, you've stolen my love, you now desert me, love of my life, can't you see? Bring it back, bring it back, don't take it away from me, because you don't know, what it means to me”

I play this one sometimes on my baby grand when we've had a fight, and it's impossible for him to stay angry. He's a sucker for this sort of… formality in romance. God, I wish I'd realised that earlier. If I'd written him a letter in fancy copperplate script with scented paper and enclosed rose petals politely requesting him to bend me over his desk back in the day, it might not have taken two centuries of mutual blue balls for us to figure our shit out. Ah well, live and learn… as it were. [muffled words] Look, I did a whole bunch of vulnerable songs! Now I get to make sex jokes! [laughter] oh fuck off.

[hongjoongtrasher]

Goodbye Baby Goodbye ch.2

GENRE: Angst , smut, fluff

PAIRING: office worker!seonghwa x female reader, ceo!hongjoong x female reader, established relationship, lovers to ennemies.

OTHER: little brother!jongho, best friend!yunho, colleague!yeosang, roommate!san, office worker!mingi, manager!wooyoung.

WARNING: cheating, betrayal, manipulations, protected sex (BE SAFE KIDDOS)

Masterlist - Previous chapter

Synopsis:

It all began when your now 4 year-old boyfriend Seonghwa had an invitation to his entreprise’s party. Surprised to hear you could tag along, you met Kim Hongjoong, the CEO and close friend of Seonghwa. Rumored to be a playboy, the rich boss of your boyfriend is determined to add you to his conquests.

Indeed, Seonghwa wasn’t lying when he was saying KQ Enterprise was like an empire. You’ve never been there, and yet you were here, standing in front of the gigantic building, right after your boyfriend came to pick you up.

The preps for this evening have been like a war. Fortunately, San helped you a lot. He was a good adviser for your makeup and hairstyle. Since you had received such an expensive dress from your boyfriend’s boss, you couldn’t let the rest being down. Of course, when you called Seonghwa in a intense panic, talking about the dress you got from Mr. Kim, he didn’t seem surprised.

« Oh, actually I talked to him about the dress code, and he figured out you may be hadn’t an outfit for this occasion. But I swear I didn’t ask anything from him. »

You were still bewildered after his explanation, because it didn’t explain how he got your name and address. But Seonghwa only said:

« Mr. Kim is a man full of resources Y/N. He’s the CEO at the head of an empire, so it’s not really surprising he’d found your personal informations. But don’t worry, he won’t do anything armful to you. »

Still, you weren’t really happy with the fact your boyfriend’s CEO could find your personal infos so easily.

« Y/N…Just accept this gift. I’m sure he didn’t want to upset you, just pleasing you, in a certain way. »

« Fine, I won’t talk about it from now on » you grumbled into your phone. « But I don’t want any of those things in the future. »

And the D-day came. San had left you right after you were done, his own boyfriend came to pick him up as well. It was the first time you were meeting Wooyoung. He seemed to be a nice guy and you had this sort of feeling of knowing him for a long time even though it was the first time you were meeting. While San was still in the bathroom, Wooyoung explained to you his position in KQ Enterprise. He was the team manager of the economic team whereas Seonghwa was a manager into the CEO personal team. You were impressed by how high they were into this enterprise but Wooyoung smirked and mischievously answered:

« Because KQ Ent is mainly composed of young people. The Boss is privileging youth over oldies who will soon retire. »

San soon came to see you both, signalling his boyfriend he was ready. Wooyoung smiled at the other male who was really handsome tonight. You didn’t know San could be this hot in this all black tuxedo and hair pulled back. You were so used to see him in sweat pants and shirts with messy hair. Such a loss for the women population you had thought at this moment.

« Weeeell, I’m ready, so we’ll go ahead Y/N, see you there ! ~ » said San with a large smile which made a weird difference from his look.

You nodded and waved to the boys. Only five minutes after, Seonghwa knocked at your door. You came to open the door, trying not to step on the expensive shiny dress you were wearing. When you opened the door, you had found a subjugated Seonghwa, his mouth opened as soon as his eyes landed on your elegant figure. But he was so handsome as well. Wearing a dark blue tuxedo with a white shirt, a silky pocket tissue on his perfect blazer. His dark hair were neatly styled by some wax, and you could smell his cologne from here. You felt so lucky at this moment to have him as your boyfriend.

« You’re gorgeous » he only whispered after a moment, which made you blush.

« T-Thanks. San helped me to..mh be prepared » you mumbled back shyly, not used to wear expensive stuffs.

« You ready ? » he asked softly.

« I just have to grab some things and put my shoes and we’re good to go. »

You wearing heels was a thing to watch. Fortunately, the most suitable pair you had was almost brand new. You had bought them with your first pay check from your part time job, but soon gave up when you tried to keep them more than a whole day. You also had a classic white blazer and a small pouch that Seonghwa had gifted to you for your second couple anniversary.

« Hwa…What should I do ? I’m so nervous » you shakily said when he came to you after parking his car.

You felt his hand falling on your back as he made sure you were facing him. His eyes searched for yours as he said firmly and yet so sweetly:

« Everything’s gonna be alright Y/N. I’ll be by your side. »

His other hand gently stroke your cheek as you nodded, trying to repress your anxiety. Seonghwa took your hand to pass it around his arm. And then, you both entered the giant building where security guards were controlling the entry. They didn’t ask your name but bowed their head at your boyfriend, letting you pass easily while shouting : « Good evening sir ! »

For a second you thought being in a drama, it felt so unreal that you almost lost your nervousness. Seonghwa leaded you calmly to the reception hall, where you could already hear people chatting and the classy jazz music in the background.

« Oh my God » you repeated to yourself, squeezing Seonghwa’s arm tightly to which he responded by squeezing your hand with his free one.

The huge hall was crowded with a lot of people, most of them were employees here. You just kinda followed Seonghwa, politely greeting people he was saying « Good evening » etc. You glanced around you furtively, small standing tables were on display for everyone to get some appetizer even waiters were going through the crowd with silver trays with champagne glasses. You got one from Seonghwa. You weren’t usually drinking, or more you weren’t a good drinker, but you were feeling like drinking right now to forget your tension. As Seonghwa was talking to another manager, suddenly everything stopped and most of the others’ eyes were all directed in one direction.

A rather small man had entered the huge hall, platinum hair pulled back but with a sharp glance arrived. Even if you were at the other side of the room, you could feel his obvious charisma as he made his way through the mike stand near the small pair of musicians. You noticed his dark winey red tuxedo, perfectly fitting his body. You almost shivered when Seonghwa leaned to your ear to whisper: « It’s CEO Kim. »

Kim Hongjoong, the brilliant CEO of KQ Enterprise. He was known to be really young to be the owner of such a company, but his youth wasn’t a hurdle to rule over his company with an iron handle. The hall had gone completely silent, waiting for the host of this party to talk. He cleared his throat before offering a smug smile to the assembly, his eyes scanning the large hall.

« Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the annual party of KQ Enterprise. Tonight, is the night where we are celebrating our achievement for the past goals we were keeping in sight. I am well aware that I maybe asked for a considerable amount of efforts during those past months, but this is thanks to your hard work, perseverance and audacity that we can proudly announce that KQ Enterprise will add the brand new branch in the US market… »

A salvation of applauses erupted in the huge hall, Seonghwa clapping enthusiastically. You were a bit confused but followed the move, fairly impressed by his speech. But he wasn’t done yet.

« As you also know, I may be the CEO, but everything wouldn’t be possible without my dear sister, Hyewon - once again people applauded towards a young woman who was standing at the corner of the stage, humbly bowing her head at her brother’s words- who always find the good words to guide me. I received a lot of praises from you all tonight, but I am not the only one to be thanked tonight. You all deserve to be thanked for your hard work, and be proud to belong to our enterprise. Thank you »

A standing ovation exploded as the blonde exited the stage, bowing slightly to some people who were still applauding him.

Seonghwa looked so proud at the moment that you turned to him to congratulate him as well. « You’re amazing, I’m proud of you » you said as he chuckled in shyness. « I’m not that amazing, I’m just doing my work »

Soon the classic music returned and people began to chat between each other’s again. You gazed to the next standing table to see San with Wooyoung, champagne glass in one hand. Your roommate noticed you and made sure to lift his glass to you, which you imitated for him. After a moment, you began to think this party wasn’t so bad, until you heard the same voice earlier from the mike addressing to your boyfriend.

« Seonghwa, you came ! »

You turned quickly to see that CEO Kim was here, giving your boyfriend a brotherly embrace, his hand tapping his back as Seonghwa looked slightly surprised but soon gained his composure again. You felt your body froze suddenly.

« Congratulations, Mr. Kim » he said genuinely happy for his boss.

« I told you already to call me Hongjoong » said the blonde with a wide smile, showing his white teeth.

Then his dark eyes soon switched to your persona. You quickly bowed to your boyfriend’s boss, feeling his gaze scanning your whole body.

« You must be Y/N…I’m glad to see the dress I’ve sent you fit you so well. Not to say, you’re beautiful »

You straighten up to mumble awkward words, but the blonde took your hand to do a hand kiss, making your heart flutter.

« I…It’s nice to meet you Mr. Kim, and you shouldn’t have for the dress » you quickly said in a choked voice, making him laugh.

« It’s nothing, it was my pleasure. I hope you will keep it. »

His eyes fixed yours, making you drown into their intensity, as he softly let your hand goes. You heard your boyfriend’s greeting someone else who was no one but Hongjoong’s sister. Seeing her close, you could tell she was gorgeous. Beauty was running into the family genes you thought as your gaze hadn’t left Hongjoong’s figure.

« Hyewon, this is Seonghwa, my manager into my team, and his girlfriend, Y/N »

Hyewon smiled at Seonghwa, bowing her head slightly and to you as well.

« It’s nice to meet you. I heard a lot from my brother about you Seonghwa. »

You looked at your boyfriend who seemed fluttered by her. You had no doubt about your boyfriend’s work, and you felt proud for him. But you soon felt like about to faint, not really knowing how to follow the conversation. Unless you excused you politely to join San’s table.

« Hey, how is it going Cinderella ? » he asked you teasingly.

« Stop it » you groaned lowly once you were next to him. « Wooyoung ? »

« Went to the bathroom » answered your friend, taking a sip to his glass. « You met him right ? »

San was indeed talking about Hongjoong, and you nodded, also taking a sip of your golden liquid.

« Yeah…He…He seems nice but, he has such an aura…so charismatic » you told San openly.

« No wonder, have you heard his speech earlier ? He probably is our age, but act like a king » San chuckled before Wooyoung came back.

« Everything’s good for you Y/N ? » asked your roommate’s boyfriend, probably worried not to see Seonghwa by your side.

You nodded in confirmation as you nudged your chin behind you where Hongjoong was still talking to your boyfriend with her sister.

« He’s incredible right ? » asked Wooyoung enthusiastically.

« Yes, indeed, he’s a genius in a sense » you hummed.

« Thank you »

You gasped when you heard again Hongjoong’s voice behind your back, making you turn quickly to face him. You’ve turned so fast that you almost stripped on your dress, Hongjoong carefully stretched his arm to hold you back if you were falling. But fortunately you didn’t.

« Wow, be careful, I didn’t mean to scare you. I apologize. »

« No no, it’s fine, I’m the one who should apologize haha » you nervously croaked back, making him slightly smirk.

Wooyoung and San bowed to the impromptu visitor. Hongjoong greeted them back but it was obvious he wanted to talk to you alone, so Wooyoung gently dragged your boyfriend away, pretexting the appetizer were better at another table. Once you were alone with Hongjoong, you didn’t dare to look at him in the eyes, to shy to do it as you could feel his piercing gaze on you.

« Are you enjoying your night ? » he asked softly, his hand gently turning a darker liquid on a glass.

« Yes, absolutely, it’s…wonderful. » you answered, trying to appear as calm as you wanted.

« I’m glad you like it. I don’t like sort of …formal gathering, but Hyewon says it’s important for the employees and she’s right. »

His eyes hadn’t left you from the beginning of this conversation.

« Seonghwa is lucky to have you by his side » he commented, making you surprised to ear this from him.

After all, he was the CEO, the almighty here. He could have any woman he wanted, anything could be his in a flash. But seeing one of his close friend having such a cute girlfriend like you made him slightly jealous. Cute and beautiful. He was subjugated by your beauty as soon as his eyes landed on you.

« I’m the one who is more lucky to have him » you explained in a shy smug smile. « He is very capable in every thing. »

« Indeed…I agree » hummed Hongjoong, finally departing his eyes from you to see his sister still talking with your boyfriend.

The night went well, since Seonghwa came to find you not a long after with San and Wooyoung, Hongjoong already had left since he had more people to talk with. You were somehow in a daze. Talking to Hongjoong kind of relieved your stress but at the same time left a deep impression on you.

« Are you alright baby ? » whispered Seonghwa to your ear since your cheeks were bright red.

« I’m fine ! »

« It’s because she’s drinking her fourth glass of champagne ~ » teased San while you gave him a deathly glare.

Seonghwa frowned at your roommate’s words.

« Y/N, you know you cannot handle alcohol very well »

He wasn’t angry or anything, just worried about your current state. Actually you weren’t that drunk, just enough to be dizzy and mostly feeling the urge to go to the bathroom. You just smirked and said:

« Let me go to the bathroom, and I’ll be back. »

« We should go after. » softly said Seonghwa before watching you leave the hall.

It would be a lie to say you were walking straight, or at least in your head you were. But while you were gone into the hallway, you went to the bathroom to relief yourself and also try to refresh your face. Once you were done, you came out from the bathroom, expecting to see people, but no one was here. The silent corridor made you uncomfortable so you decided to go back to your boyfriend until you heard footsteps coming right at you. You froze when you saw Hongjoong in front of you. He looked a bit tired, but his elegant face was still expressing the same charisma as earlier. He looked up to see you and a slight smirk appeared on his face.

« Oh…isn’t it Y/N ? Are you alright ? » he asked politely.

« I…I’m doing fine, thank you sir. » you answered quietly, the ambient silence making the conversation awkward since there wasn’t music as before or people to break it.

He arched a brow at your answer as he took a step closer, now facing you. He was so close that you could smell his cologne. Suddenly, you wanted to leave right now, your heart pounding hard into your chest.

« Really ? You look a bit red. Did you drink a lot ? » his voice was soft, but somehow different.

« I maybe had too much champagne » you chuckled nervously, trying to avoid his gaze.

He didn’t answer, instead his gaze was gauging your face. God, you were so pretty. It would be difficult to deny he tried to see you each time he was near you, but he couldn’t due to others circumstances. He really like how you look gorgeous into this dress he had bought for you.

« You’re gorgeous …You know that ? »

His remarks make you gulp, your eyes slightly looking up to see his, still fixed on you, his hands in his pocket.

« T-Thank you. I’m really grateful for the dress you’ve gifted me.»

He took a moment of silence before the corner of his lips went up.

« Are you ? Well, will you do me a favour ? » he asked, still contemplating your gorgeous, so tempted to do a dangerous move.

You were kind of puzzled. A favour ? What possibly could you do for a man who had almost everything ? You slowly nodded, unsure of what you just agreed to do if you could.

« Just stay still » he said faintly.

It happened very fast. Even before you could realise, Hongjoong had you pinned on the wall nearby, his lips crashed on yours for a heated kiss. In shock, you didn’t react fast as one of his hand groped your thigh firmly. Your body was frozen, but your brain soon snapped, making you push the man who was kissing you.

« S..Stop ! What do you think you are doing right now ?! » you yelled, panting as if you’d just ran a marathon.

Your boyfriend’s boss just kissed you while he clearly knew who your boyfriend was. Astonishment soon left place for anger. Hongjoong dark eyes glanced at you with a devilish tint. You felt like a pray, caged by the predator who could eat you in a second and you hated that feeling.

« Somehow, I couldn’t help it. I wanted to kiss you as soon as I saw you. » he explained in a nonchalant tone. « Of course I know, you have Seonghwa and everything, but…You must have heard about it. I love women, and when I want something, I get it. »

His words made you shiver in horror. What kind of man could do this without any guilt ?? It was enough for you, that a neat and loud sound of a slap echoed in the empty hallway.

« You’re crazy. » you just muttered after you faced Hongjoong’s, head turned on his right as he just got slapped.

Without any words, you hurried to join your boyfriend, horrified by what happen. But you also realised you couldn’t say anything to him. You could, but it wouldn’t be a good option for him. You knew how close they were, but knowing this, he would surely fight against his boss and be fired within the next days. That’s why you decided to take the best normal face you could have and found Seonghwa at the entrance of the hall.

« Are you alright Y/N ? I almost thought something happened. » Seonghwa asked in a worried tone.

« N…No everything’s alright. I just…took time in the bathroom, sorry. » you muttered, lowering your head. You couldn’t watch him in the eyes at this moment.

Seonghwa looked also puzzled, noticing your cheeks were abnormally red. He thought it was because of the alcohol so he didn’t try to ask for more.

« Let’s go home. » he said, his hand gently pushing you by the back towards the exit.

You nodded maybe too fast, but at least he wasn’t suspicious of anything.

« What about San ? » you asked while you exited the place to your relief.

« Wooyoung drove him home too. He was quite…tipsy. » said Seonghwa next to you.

You appreciated the fresh air brushing your face, happy to head your roommate would be here once you would be home.

The trip back to your home happened in silence, your head dropped on the head back of your seat, just watching the lights and neon passing by your eyes.

« So…Did you like it ? » asked suddenly Seonghwa, making your heart dropped in a second.

« W-What ? »

« The party » he said, his eyes on the road.

« Oh…It was alright I guess…But I don’t think I would go again » you muttered, the reason was pretty clear for you but your boyfriend could think another reason.

« Sorry, I know it made you uncomfortable. Next time I won’t force you to go. »

« No it’s alright, it was fine…It’s just that …it’s a different world to me » you forced a smile for him, your hand gently pressing his shoulder.

Soon, you arrived in front of your building. Seonghwa made sure to get you safely to your door.

« Thank you for tonight » he said lowly, maybe because it was late and didn’t want to wake anyone asleep. « You did well, I’m proud of you »

His praise made you smiled genuinely while you tried to erase the flash of Hongjoong kissing you.

« I’m glad…Thank you for tonight. »

Seonghwa’s warm hands gently cupped your face, pulling you to him for a sweet kiss. This time you were relaxed, because it was him. Because his lips were the only ones which had rights to kiss you and no one else. But why your head kept sending you back to Hongjoong’s lips feeling ?

taglist: (don't hesitate to ask to be tagged) @ateezbabysitters

Also don't hesitate to comment and share :)

[jjfics]

Rosemary and Thyme - On The Run | 02

ship: Five Hargreeves x Female!Reader 

summary: The Reader has killed someone and now the Hargreeves and her have to hide. So they look for shelter in the only place they know would welcome them: The Reader’s former employer. 

series: read part 1 here

author: jane jack aka your girl jjfics 

words: 3250 

warnings: mentions of death, murder, blood and homelesness, feelings of uncertainty and anxiety, flashbacks, angst, guns, allusion to smut (does not happen though, i’ve cut it right before), smoking 

a/n: i definitely did not expect it to be seen. i know 100 notes is not a lot, but i think i did pretty well for my second imagine out there, huh. thanks guys, for reading. i hope this one is just as great (or who knows, maybe better?). let me know if anyone would like a part 3. -jj

tags: @nimusicaltrash​ :3

Vanya and Allison were asleep in the backseat. Klaus, cramped between them, waved around a magazine he picked up from the last gas station you stopped at. Luther and Diego were discussing plans in the back, on the second row of seats. 

Five took the passenger seat, he was very tired from all the driving. He refused to make any stops at all until it was absolutely necessary. The dark circles around his eyes begged him to sleep, but he couldn’t. All he could feel was stress and desperation. I have to get my family to safety, he would think. 

Your now clean hands were clenched around the wheel of the car. The city was getting closer every moment and you unconsciously pressed harder on the gas pedal.

“Hey, hey! Careful there, I can’t read well when you go that fast” Klaus whined and you sighed. Right.

You saw Five look at his watch as he started bumping his right foot anxiously. Just a couple of metres away stood the “Welcome to Dallas” board.

“On time?” you ask, trying not to panic.

“Exactly on time” he reassures you with a nod. “Are you ready?” Ready? You were terrified.

“You’ll be okay. I’ll come inside with you, just in case.”

“What do you think old John can do to harm me?” 

John was your boss in the 60s. Your salvation. He was mesmerized by your voice that day at the bakery, and he kept asking people around until he found you. It was your second night sleeping under the open sky, and little did you know it was all going to change. He made you a star. One makeover later and a lot of clothing stores you basically swapped lives with Allison. He let you live in the apartment above the club. 

And he was probably also six feet under right now. 

“Oh I wouldn’t be worried about him.” Five replies sarcastically. “Maybe he has a son. Whoever is in charge of the place, might be an issue for us.”

“What do you mean?”

“I just… What if he won’t cooperate? What if he won’t understand, or worse, give us to the police…” after he said that, he looked zoned out for a moment, as if he was going through all the possible ways your plan could fail. 

If the police found you, you would be going straight to jail. There was no doubt that the Hargreeves could pay for your bail. So no worries with the police, really. But you were never going to be a free woman. The Commission would search for you, and if you killed one of them again, they would send new men after you until they made sure you were gone for good. As gone as the one you saw bleed to death. 

You put your hand on his knee as you turned left onto the main street. If the club was still standing it should be just around the corner. 

His attention switched back to you and he scoffed quietly. “Look at us. Just a couple of hours ago you were the one having a panic attack and now it’s my turn.”

A small smile appeared on your face. “We’re a team, remember?” And he mirrored the expression just before you parked the car. 

“Alright everybody, listen up!” he shouts so that everyone would turn and look at him. The sisters woke up too. They were all on the same train now. “Me and y/n are going to walk inside this club and arrange something so we’ll sleep safely for tonight. Vanya is going to wait in the car, ready to drive away and help us escape. Diego and Luther will wait outside. Got it?” Diego raised an eyebrow but Five continued “Just in case anything happens. You never know.” 

“I’ll wait with them, I need to breathe some fresh air” Allison said as she stretched her arms as far as she could in the small van. 

“Alright then” Five said, looking at the main entrance of the club through the passenger window. “Let’s get to this y/n” he gave you a small smile. 

You searched for his hand and squeezed it gently. 

The doors of the car closed behind you two as you got out of the car. Diego, Luther and Allison were pretending they were just locals talking about what not, getting closer to the big glass doors. When they stopped walking Diego turned a bit to the left and started laughing. This was it, your sign to go. 

“Hey, be safe, okay? Leave as soon as anything gets out of hand. We can find some other place to stay at.” Vanya told you when you were ready to get out of the car. Your best friend was worried about you, of course. She is always a bit anxious. But you had no other choice.

On the way here you were mentioned 8 times on the radio. You and the Hargreeves. Wanted criminals. This was your only chance to find shelter. If this didn’t work, you couldn’t really find some other place. You would pretty much have to sleep in the car or on the streets. No, impossible, you couldn’t go through that again. 

“We’ll be fine Vivi.” She chuckles sadly at the nickname you gave her in the early stages of your friendship. 

“Klaus, hand me that magazine! It’s my turn” Vanya said while tapping her fingers on the steering wheel.  

“Ah, fine.” he whined. “Turn on the radio.”

Hand in hand with Five you made your way to the front hall of the club, heading towards the bar, which was on a platform just above the empty dance floor. You took your sunglasses off as you sat on one of those black stools at the bar. Same leather like 50 years ago. It felt surreal to be here again, with Five sitting next to you. 

“What are you doing so early? And with a kid? There ain’t no party yet ms.” you couldn’t help but smile as you recognized the southern drawl. You pushed your foot on the floor and rotated the chair. There she was, with her hair pinned up the same way as always, wearing short heels that matched her dark lipstick. It had been so long since you had seen her. 

Amy Stephens, your boss John’s little sister. She should be 74 by now, and even though she was just 17 when you started working at the club, you still knew who she was. Amy was the only friend you had during those months when you were alone. You showed her how to do her make up, you went shopping together when you needed new stage outfits, you taught her how to fight, something John would’ve scolded you for if he found out.

“Hello.” you said looking kindly at your old friend. “I’m not here for any party. I’m just looking for someone.”

“Oh well, let’s see if I can be of any help to ya. What you got?” 

“Do you happen to know a Stephens?” Five asked her. 

“Stephens? Yeah, yeah, that’s me kid. With what business are you coming here?” she questioned resting her arm on her hip. 

“Are you in charge of the place?” you said putting your glasses in the pocket of your jacket.

“Sure am. Can I help you?” 

“Yeah… we… uh… a friend told us you used to give the apartment for rent? Is that… still available?” You didn’t quite know how to carry the conversation without blowing your cover. 

“Ah, yes. It’s been a long time since anyone slept in there. You knew the famous y/n Hargreeves used to live here?” Five suppressed a smile, winking at you, but the woman didn’t notice. “Do you kids even know her? You look young. Anyways, popular singer back in 62. Or was it 63?” she muttered.

“Big fans” Five told her.

Your name wasn’t Hargreeves, of course, but you had no certificate when your boss found you. So you did everything you could to associate yourself with Five and his siblings in hope you might find them.

“Would you be interested in staying here?”

“Yes, that’d be really nice” Five said eagerly.

“Follow me, I’ll show you around.” 

The door to your old apartment opened and little dust particles could be seen floating in the morning light. Amy pushed the wooden door with her shoulder and walked inside. 

“My God, we haven’t been in here since Ms Hargreeves moved out. Seems like she really was our last tenant” she whispered, but you heard her well. “But don’t worry children, the place is clean. There’s two bedrooms and a bathroom, a small kitchen and a balcony. Come come”. You knew that grin, it meant the apartment has probably been rotting ever since you left.

She led you to the bedroom that wasn’t used when you lived here. “See, two rooms, perfect for you and the kid, huh” She tried to convince you. Five chuckled and put his arm around your waist when she turned around to walk to the main bedroom.

“And this… this is the second one. There’s still a luggage full of her stuff under the bed but I can get rid of that for ya.” she slapped her hand on the mattress and more dust came out of it. “So what you thinkin’? You like it here?”

“Oh that's not a problem girl, bring them in. As long as you don’t make too much noise after 11 pm, we’re all good.”

You shared a look with Five to tell him This is the best we could do. He nodded and you both turned to look at Amy who was now staring uncomfortably at the two of you. Yeah, you would have to hide your relationship around her. He moved his hand casually and then you spoke again. “Yes, this is quite what we were looking for. But it’s not just us. We’ll be 7, including me, my boyfriend and his 5 siblings.” 

“Isn’t there noise from the party downstairs anyways at that hour?” Five asked her. The expression on Amy’s face changed as she looked down. 

“The party huh… you’re not from here are ya? Well, I was just joking earlier, kid. When y/n Hargreeves left the club, the people got angry. She was the main reason why people still came. Most stopped coming after some time, it simply wasn’t smart to keep the club partying. Now it’s nothing more than a property.” 

They… went bankrupt, because you stopped showing up? You knew people loved you, but John never told you you were the one holding up their business. A tear rolled down your cheek. All that fame, all the posters. You had bleached your hair when you returned to 2019 and you wore sunglasses everywhere. No one could know who you were. Some get their 30 seconds of fame, you got your year. One year could mean your whole life sometimes. 

You were laying on Elliot’s couch with the phone pressed between your ear and shoulder as you were trying to take off your coat. Five reached to help you mouhting I got it. He took your coat to the hanger and then disappeared into the kitchen. 

“Hello, this is John Stephens speaking.” 

“Hi, John. It’s just me, y/n. I- uh, I’m calling from a friend's house. I think I’m going to spend the night. Just thought it’ll be fine for you to know in advance.” 

“y/n, yes. So, what you’re saying is... that you won’t be here in time for tonight’s show?” he said anxiously. You didn’t know this at the time, but he was worried about losing profit.

“No no, I just- I would really want to hang out with my friend and it’ll be just for tonight.”

Gosh, you were reasoning with him as if he were your dad.

“Oh,come on, Hargreeves. Not even one song?”

You laughed at how disparate he was. “Sorry. Not even one. I’ll be gone til morning. But I’m sure no one will miss me that much. Besides, you can always ask Amy to sing. She’s been getting better. For real, John. That girl has potential.”

“There ain’t no well in hell I’m letting my sister get up in front of all these drunks to sing. She’s just 17, woman!” 

You couldn’t stop laughing now. “Goodnight, John. I’ll- Well I’ll see you on Monday if we don’t run into each other.”

“Have a nice evening, y/n” 

You hung up the phone and rose from the couch. When entering the kitchen you saw Five pouring coffee in two big mugs. You went and hugged him from behind, placing a gentle kiss on his cheek. You could feel him smiling as you kissed him again. He took the mugs and turned around to face you leaning on the counter.

“Did you miss me?” he asked innocently, making you giggle. 

You leaned in and kissed him. You could still taste the coffee on his lips. He kissed you back and you felt him smirk as you laced your hands behind his neck. 

“Did I miss you?” you asked him back rhetorically. And you could see how eager he was to meet your lips again. You gave him a quick peck on the lips, and one on his shoulder, and then you hugged him tightly. “I did. A lot.” 

“I know what it’s like to be alone. I promise you, we won’t have to go through that again. I’ll try everything I can do to be together forever.” 

“Forever?” you asked.

“Assuming you won’t kick me out, of course.” You smacked his arm.

“Idiot.” you said between laughs. “Give me one of those mugs.” 

He hands you your coffee and you take a sip. “Black?”

“We have a lot to talk about,” he said.  

You both sat back on the couch and went over anything and everything. How you got famous. Where the others were. How he just arrived. What he saw. How long everyone had been here. 

“How long do we have?” you asked, searching for his eyes. 

He leaned back on the couch. “A lot more than last time. Enough time to find out what causes it, and more importantly, how to stop it.” 

You smiled at his words. After all this time, you were finally reunited, and no one was rushing you now. You had nothing to lose anymore, except time. Your hands unconsciously inched towards his thigh and you traced small hearts on his leg. “That means we can breathe safely for a while, right?”

Five brought you closer to him, straddling him now. He brushed your hair behind your ear so you could see him better. Your fingers explored his face carefully. The bump of his nose, his cheeks, his dimples as he grinned at you. Gosh, how you had missed his dimples. You missed everything about him. 

“We have almost one full year,” he said. 

“Then we better make the best of it, right?” you said as your lips brushed against his. 

He laid his head on the fluffy cushions and you followed, not breaking eye contact. His blue eyes scanned yours and your soul ran wild. You towered over him and pressed your forehead on his. Suddenly, the sound of the cars outside stopped and it all went silent. In this moment, there was only you and him. And this moment would exist forever.

You had to make up for all the time you were apart. You kissed him passionately, closing your eyes. His hands flowed along your curves and rested on your hips, pressing you hard on his chest. The kiss tasted like his favourite kind of coffee. Every movement of yours was matched instantly by him. He didn’t need words to know. Neither did you. 

Five pulled away for a second, looking at you lovingly, desire clear in his eyes. He took your left hand in his and shifted you so that you were laid on your back. He sat on his elbows just above your head. Your hands hugged his shoulders, getting him to slowly bend down. You could feel your eyes fill with tears as you watched him watch you. A flash of worry appeared on his face, but just for a moment. 

Five wiped your cheeks with the back of his palm, and kissed your cheeks. You kissed his hand and he kissed yours back, his hot breath fanning over your sensitive skin. His kisses started to travel upwards, to your elbow, then shoulder, then neck, then down again. You closed your eyes as his kisses passed your collarbone. He tugged softly on your shirt. 

“May I?” he hummed with a boyish smirk you hadn’t seen in a long while. You nodded, brushing his hair back.

“Yes, please.” you flushed.

He started unbuttoning your shirt, enjoying every second of it. With every button, he would press one more kiss. With every breath, you would inhale his sweet scent, praying to never forget it.

The morning was cold. Diego and Lila were asleep in the bedroom, Elliot on an armchair. Oh, the poor man couldn't even sleep in his own bed. Five was on the couch, next you. You pushed the blanket closer to him and got up after pecking his forehead. 

“Goodmorning, y/n.” he whispered, not even bothering to open his eyes. 

“Morning, Five.” 

“Where are you going?” he whined.

“Oh don’t worry, I’ll be right back”

You searched for your shirt and pants only to find them underneath your pillow. Getting dressed up in a hurry, you covered your shoulders with what seemed to be another blanket… or a really long scarf. Either way, it was warm enough. You reached for a cigarette in your pocket and made your way outside. 

You sat on the cold stairs that led up to the entrance of the building and watched the people pass the alley. 

“Look at them, rushing to get to their shitty jobs in time, to get their kids to school, rushing, rushing, rushing.” you scoffed under your breath.

“Good thing we don’t have to rush anywhere, right?” a voice startled you. You turned your head to the door to see Five already dressed nicely with a mug of, probably, coffee again. How convenient it could be for him sometimes to jump through space. Always a step ahead of you.

“That's not healthy.” he pointed at your cigarette. 

“That’s not either” you said gesturing to his drink and he chuckled, amused.

“Yeah, well, at least I won’t get sick” he sat down, resting his head on your shoulder. 

“We can’t have that happen. Even a cold can be deadly for an old man like you.” You bumped your cigarette on the side of his mug smiling. “Cheers” 

Making your way back to the car you saw everyone was outside. 

“Vanya why are you not in the car?” Five asked immediately.

“It just took too long and I was worried.”

“Is it so hard to just stick to the rules? Is it? All you had to do was sit there.” he sighed.

Everyone looked worried, so you smiled softly. “We got the key guys, it’s all good. Let’s go upstairs, I’m tired.”

“Thank, God.” Allison said so relaxed, unaware of the gun pointing at her from behind a tree nearby. She walked to the club’s doors. “Let’s go.”

[sirowsky]

The Flowers Always Know

Description: When a mad scientist uses you as an experiment while you’re on holiday, the Heroics only just manage to save you. And in your recovery you become very close to the leader of the group. (Slow burn)

Rating: Mature

Warnings: Language.

Link to Masterlist

Comment: The aftermath of the confrontation leads to some unexpected fun. But also some annoyances.

Chapter 25

  When you got home, Missy and Anita were waiting for you in the living room, and you could tell that they’d been worried.   Missy had quite clearly been crying and she shot up and came to hug you the moment you stepped through the door.   When you’d left the house that morning, you’d done it absolutely terrified for her safety, and while you hoped that that threat was gone now, you didn’t know it for sure. And that made it such a relief to see her safe and sound, and untouched by the darkness from your past.

  “I’m so sorry I scared you, angel.”

  “You just took off! I didn’t know where you were, and then dad got really scared cause he knew where you’d gone, but he wouldn’t tell me and I didn’t understand what was happening!”

  She broke into tears again while she spoke, rambling everything out in a hurry as though she thought that she might not get it all out otherwise.

  “I’m sorry, sweetie. I was really scared too.”

  “Why?”

  You took a breath and looked at Marcus to see if he was okay with you telling her the truth. He nodded and took your hand.

  “The man from earlier… that was my brother. And he is not a good person.”

  She pulled back and stared at you.

  “The one you were so angry at you made the house shake? He’s your brother?!”

  “Yeah. When we were kids, he hurt me really badly, and today… he threatened to hurt you too.”

  She looked horrified, and it made your whole chest ache. Marcus’ hand tightened on yours, but he seemed to want you to do the talking. Missy was still holding you around the waist, and her grip tightened too.

  “But, why?”

  “Because you’re my daughter. Because he knew that by threatening you, I’d do what he wanted. And I did, but I did it knowing that I could, and would defeat him.”

  “Thank you, Alma.”

  “Hey, you don’t need to thank me for protecting you, that’s what families are supposed to do.”

  “I know, I was thanking you for adopting me. That’s the first time you’ve called me your daughter.”

  You smiled a little teary-eyed.

  “Actually, it’s the second time.”

  “When was the first?”

  “Telling my ass-backwards no-good piece-of-shit-family not to lay a hand you.”

   Missy smiled glowingly, but Anita scoffed.

  “Are you ever gonna stop using that kind of foul language in front of her?”

  “Sometimes, there’s just no substitute for a good expletive. Besides, have you ever heard her use one?”

  Anita just cocked an eyebrow at you.

  “Exactly. That’s because she’s smart enough to know that just because I’m beyond salvation, doesn’t mean she has to be.”

  “It’s still bad manners, mujer.”

  “And you’re still not fooling anyone. You were just as worried about me as Missy was. You can admit it, I won’t laugh at you. I might even hug you.”

  “Hah, that’ll never happen.”

  “Which part? Cause if it’s the hug you’re talking about – consider that a challenge accepted.”

  “Don’t even think about it, loco.”

  “Don’t worry. Obviously, I plan on getting you when you least expect it.”

  “You really think you can sneak up on me? Oh, that’ll be the day.”

  Your stomach suddenly growled, and Missy, being right in front of it, actually flinched and pulled away from you in shock.

  “Holy cow! You weren’t kidding, dad, that really does sound like a bear.”

  Marcus tried not to laugh, but his shoulders were shaking and his face contorted into a strained grimace.

  “You guys discussed my intestinal vocalisations? Really?”

  Marcus gave up and doubled over, laughing in earnest, while Missy tried to elaborate through her own giggling-fit.

  “Good thing, too… or I might’ve… called a… wildlife animal rescue…”

  “Alright, that’s it. I’ll give you something to laugh about!”

  You attacked them both with tickling, knowing exactly where to hit them for maximum effect, and using your ghost hands to reach them both. Which was particularly annoying to them since those hands couldn’t be waved off. You chased them into the kitchen and continued your attack while telling them to yield, and never laugh at your stomach again, to which they both shouted – never!   But after just a few minutes, your energy started to drain again, and you had to sit down on one of the kitchen chairs.

  “Hermosa? You okay?”

  “I think my body just remembered how much energy I wasted this morning.”

  Anita came into the kitchen and clapped her hands together.

  “Well, then, lunch it is. Who wants enchiladas?”

  As was becoming your routine, you ate as much as the rest of them combined, all by yourself, and then all but passed out once you were full.   You didn’t remember getting into bed, but you woke up there anyway, and the clock on the wall said 14:23. You’d slept for about two hours.   You groaned a little and rolled over, accidentally elbowing Marcus.

  “Oh, shit! I didn’t realise you were here, sorry!”

  He just hummed a laugh, and slung his arm around your waist.

  “You’ve done worse.”

  “Ugh, don’t remind me…”

  “How many times do I have to tell you, preciosa: you can attack me anytime.”

  “Well, I’d rather attack you like this.”

  You rolled on top of him and kissed him, and he made an affectionate sound in the back of his throat, but his hands came up to push your face away from his, after a few moments.   You frowned. He’d never pushed you away before.

  “Are you okay?”

  “Yes, of course. I just wanna talk to you.”

  Damn. That was always a mood-killer. You rolled off of him again and sat up and folded your legs together so that you could rest your elbows against your knees. He just pushed himself up on his elbow and laid there looking like some Greek god.

  “Okay. Let’s talk then. What’s on your mind?”

  “Marriage.”

  Gulp! Fuck… Give a girl some warning, for Christ’s sake.

  “Oh…”

  It was literally all you could choke out. But he just smiled.

  “You do remember saying yes to me, right?”

  You just nodded. Was that yesterday? Shit. What day was yesterday?

  “Well, first off, there was something missing from that moment, but it really wasn’t planned, so I didn’t have time to get it. That said, I do have a ring picked out for you, and I am going to go and get it as soon as I can.”

  You just swallowed hard, certain your voice was still non-existent.

  “Second, I’d like to know what kind of wedding you’d prefer? I’m not saying we have to start planning right away, I realise that it’s a big deal, especially for you. I’d just like to start talking about it, get comfortable with it.”

  Right. Comfortable.

  “……I hv…”

  Your voice really wasn’t cooperating. You tried clearing your throat, but it just sort of hissed. Thankfully, Marcus wasn’t fazed. He knew you well enough to know that your nervousness came from insecurity, not cold feet, and he also knew just how to help you with that.   He sat up and scooted closer to you so he could kiss you in that tender way that made you feel safe and wanted, while his current washed over your whole body.   It still came out hoarse, but at least your voice started working.

  “I’ve never… I’ve never once thought about it. I have no idea what I might like.”

  “Okay. Well, I’d like it to be small, just us and our closest friends. And I’m pretty traditional. I like the whole not seeing the dress before the ceremony, not sleeping together the night before. I don’t need a church, or an altar, just as long as there’s a priest to help me get through the vows, because I know I’ll forget how to even formulate sentences.”

  “Wow. You’re pretty clear on all this. But then, I suppose I would be too, if it wasn’t my first time.”

  “Missy’s mother and I, we did the whole celebrity wedding, and it was nice, don’t get me wrong. But it was more of a publicity stunt than our wedding-day. I always regretted that. I don’t wanna have any regrets with you.”

  “Good. But I’m gonna ask for some time to think about this.”

  He smiled.

  “You mean ‘do research’.”

  “Well, yeah, how else am I gonna figure out what I like?”

  “Take as much time as you need, mi amor.”

  You smiled and kissed him again, and this time he didn’t push you back, so you let your hand sneak under his t-shirt and lightly tickle him. He caught it and pulled you forwards until you were straddling him again, and right then, the door to the bedroom flung open and Anita scowled at you.

  “Your timing, woman…”

  “Oh, this time it’s not my timing, I’m afraid. You two had better make yourselves presentable. You’ve got company.”

  Marcus groaned under his breath.

  “Let me guess – Management?”

  “Yep. And they’re less than happy.”

  “Fuck. How much trouble am I in?”

  “That depends.”

  “On?”

  She huffed a little, but her expression was dead serious.

  “On your willingness to play by their rules.”

  Thanks to that comment, you were angry before you even entered the kitchen, where the representative from management, and his assistant, sat at the table, along with a person from the PR section, sitting by the island, a woman you’d never liked to begin with.   You might not have felt quite so confrontational towards them, if they hadn’t looked like they owned the fucking kitchen, just because they happened to be sitting in it.

  “Good afternoon, miss. You’ve had a busy morning.”

  “You have no god damned idea.”

  Marcus had moved to the corner of the kitchen, behind the island, and you knew that Anita and Missy where in the living room. But this was about you. They were here to question you.   You moved up to the table, but didn’t sit down, your energy was building with the tension in your body and you needed to be able to move around.

  “Then why don’t you tell us.”

  “Because this was a family affair, it doesn’t concern you.”

  “It does when an entire acre of lawn is destroyed by an unregistered super.”

  “Unregistered? Don’t fuck with me, Allen. I am in every record imaginable, from my time as a victim, right up until my self-appointed discharge – what? Two days ago? What you meant to say was: Unofficial. You’re only here because I’ve refused to become part of your little band of heroes (no offense, honey) which makes it that much harder for you to explain what happened, because you can’t cite it on official Heroics business.”

  They squirmed a little in their seats. They’d been trying to get you to join the Heroics ever since your assessment was completed, but you weren’t ready for the spandex just yet. You might never be. You still saw yourself as a normal person, and you’d just started getting the hang of the whole Manager-thing when all this happened. You wanted a chance to actually get good at it, before you let it go. It didn’t mean that you wouldn’t still help, if you could.

  “Your actions were witnessed by some of the staff-members at the clinic, and they’re all too happy to make statements to the press. You’re all over the news, honey. And we need to get out in front of that.”

  The PR-woman. The thing you’d always disliked about her, was her falseness. She had this plastered on softness that she probably thought was endearing, but it really wasn’t. You’d seen her real self, and she was a viper, through and through. There was no softness anywhere inside of that woman.

  “First of all – Don’t ever call me ‘honey’.”

  The kitchen started rumbling a little as your energy began to fill the available space.

  “Second – It is your job to stay ahead of the media. If you want me to make a statement, I will, but you won’t like it. Because I’m not gonna just read out whatever company-line-word-vomit I know you already have prepared in that folder of yours. I’ll tell the truth, short and simple, in my own words. Take it or leave it.”

  She just glanced at Allen and his assistant.

  “Third – I just had one of the worst mornings of my life. If you’re gonna come into my home, on a day like this… Do yourselves a favour and don’t antagonise me.”

  You could almost feel Marcus smile over in his corner. He’d always loved it when you took charge.

  “Okay, listen. You’re right. From our standpoint, this is a mess. Since you work for us, already, we can’t publicly address anything to do with your abilities without your expressed permission, and since you refuse to join the team, we can’t say that your actions were approved or valid either. So, right now, we can’t do anything to help the situation at all.”

  “So, let me make a statement.”

  They all looked extremely worried. But Allen continued.

  “What would you say?”

  “That I have a shitty fucking family that tried to exploit me, and since my powers are new, I had a little trouble controlling myself. But hey, nobody died, so yay! How about that?”

  The PR-woman actually groaned. What the hell was her name? You were usually so good with names.

  “Obviously, we’re not going to let you say that.”

  “Let me?”

  The kitchen started shaking, and you felt Marcus move towards you, but you kept him away with your power. You were angry, yes, but in complete control for once.

  “That was a poor choice of words, from Miss. Chopper.”

  Ah, right. You’d always thought of her as Hell-a-copter, that was why you couldn’t remember her name.

  “Since you’re an employee of the Heroics, you have certain obligations too.”

  “Yeah, I know. I can’t talk to the press about anything that relates to HQ without approval from Management or the PR division, don’t worry, I don’t plan to. But, let me be clear: I have no intention of being your fucking puppet either.”

  “Charming.”

  “Fuck you, Erica. I’ve seen you handle media circus’ before, remember. I know exactly how you keep people in line, and if you think I’m gonna let you control anything that comes out of my mouth – you’ve got another thing coming.”

  She glowered at you, but her usually so well-oiled mouth stayed closed. Allen just sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose.

  “Okay. How about this; we make an official statement saying that the events at the clinic were an isolated incident pertaining to a personal conflict involving a powered person. And that said incident is being investigated but since no one was harmed and the damage to the property is manageable, no legal action is being considered at this time. We don’t mention anyone by name, we don’t agree to take any comments, and you don’t use your powers in public again, without our approval.”

  “Your approval? And if a kid falls off of a balcony and I use my powers to save it, you’ll - what? Fire me?”

  “Of course not. But let’s just hope no kids fall off any balconies around you.”

  “That’s it?”

  “That’s the best I can do with what you’re offering us. Keep your powers off the radar, until the blowback from this incident has mellowed out, and then we can talk about where to go next.”

  You just shrugged. It wasn’t a great solution, but it would have to do.

  “Good. Then we’ll expect you back at work first thing Monday morning.”

  “Fine.”

  With that, they left, and you let your powers fade. You hadn’t used enough to drain yourself this time, and it made you feel a little proud of yourself.   Marcus’ arms snaked around your waist from behind, and his chin came to rest on your shoulder.

  “That was entertaining.”

  “It was annoying.”

  “You did good. If you don’t wanna be a Heroic then you’re not going to be, no matter how much they try to persuade you.”

  “Thank you, honey. Ugh… I can’t believe that bitch called me that, in my own kitchen.”

  Anita appeared from the living room, scowling at you again.

  “Don’t even go there, she is a bitch, and you know it just as well as I do.”

  “I didn’t say anything.”

  “You didn’t have to; your eyes are plenty judgemental all on their own.”

  She just walked past you, and started making a fresh pot of coffee. Marcus kissed your cheek and then let go of you to go check on Missy.

  “Hey, Anita, what day is it?”

  “It’s Saturday. Dear lord, you are terrible at keeping track.”

  “Yep. It’s a flaw in my design. Curiously, it didn’t reveal itself until after you hired me, though. What do you actually do at HQ, anyway? I never see you there, never see your name on any paperwork, never hear anyone mention your work, and yet, according to my contract - you are my closest superior.”

  “Because I am.”

  “Then why didn’t Management have a go at your scalp, too?”

  “You don’t really think anyone of those clowns has the guts to take me on, do you? Even you had them trembling in their boots.”

  She had her back to you, so you moved closer to her and was just about to slip your arms underneath hers to tug her into a surprise hug.

  “Touch me, and I’ll pour coffee over your hands.”

  “Damned it. How’d you know?”

  Even from behind, you could see her smile.

  “The flowers always know, loco.”

  You actually looked at the flowers in the kitchen window, suspiciously, wondering if they could somehow speak to her.   Shit. Now, that thought was gonna haunt you forever. There were flowers in every fucking room of the house…

Authors’ Note: I love criticism, don’t be shy to let me know if there’s anything you like/don’t like/have questions about.

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