#whatever happened on patrol with these two was probably something silly

[batbabydamian]

inspired by Batgirl (2009) #5 and #7! i love the bonding between Damian and Steph while their mentors bicker/talk about them lol

[eldritch-spouse]

A cute human wrapped in a bow is left behind in the clergy and is assumed to be a gift, what happens to them?

[Fem reader. Minors dni. This is sort of a test.]

This one is interactive, you get to choose what happens next! [VOTE]

" Spit it out. Spit it tha fuck out, boy! "

Sybastian remains seated on the cold break room floor, chest closed tightly, albeit snarling at the cook and the group of monsters forming a cricle around him. They have him trapped, unfortunately, he recognizes this, sweating slightly beneath his display of bravery.

See, the mimic... Got lucky, you could say.

He could hardly believe his eyes this morning. Because nothing ever happens during mornings, he was just stretching, getting started for the day with a walk around the garden. The last thing Sybastian expected was to find a crowd on the flower beds around the entrance to the establishment. Whatever was happening there had gathered Hellion, the beekeeper and several of the gargoyles, even Pebble, chattering back and forth to each other.

So engrossed in their frantic murmuring, they failed to notice the mimic rapidly approaching. Trouble, it could only mean trouble. Sybastian bat and shoved his way through the group, earning angered buzzing and hissing that was swiftly ignored, though froze in place at what awaited him.

There, on the grass, a human. Not just any kind of human, a pretty little thing, scared witless, naked like a babe, wrapped in fanciful red silk- A bow on your front to top it all off. He's not stupid, he knew you could very well be some kind of honeypot. However... He would be lying if he claimed you weren't easy on the eyes, that he didn't feel a desire to just grab you.

So he did.

" Quiet. " The large mimic had snarled when the garden residents began muttering in distaste of his selfish act. He wasn't cruel enough to let you be subjected to the whims of careless savages. Well, one could say Sybastian himself is a savage, but he'd like to think there's a difference between his type and monsters like Hellion or Colmei.

The first thing he did was walk somewhere secluded with you in his arms. No one could have blamed him for the way he drooled, the amused tittering as he tickled and fondled at your body. You're just the cutest thing, it's been too long since he caught himself a gem like this. Clever too, because as scared as you were in the moment, trembling like a leaf in the wind on his arms, you didn't scream. Maybe you realized that screaming wouldn't do you any good, after all, it was probably what gathered that small group around you. And the two of you knew things could have ended very badly if he hadn't intervened.

The mimic's game with you was cut very short when he heard footsteps, tensing. He didn't know it at the time, but the angel had begun his morning patrol already. Sybastian made a shushing gesture your way and quickly opened his massive treasure chest of a maw. In you went, wrapped by his massive tongue, only having had time to fill your lungs with air, the ensuing scream muffled greatly against the walls of his mouth. Poor thing, you must have thought he was going to devour you whole, silly. The monster had crawled away at top speeds then, entering The Clergy and making it to what he assumed would be a safe spot- The break floor.

Oh, how wrong he was.

Because everyone had gathered there before their work day started. Sybastian will admit he doesn't pay too much attention to certain warnings spread around the staff team, but he's sure today must be a big day, a really big day, for everyone to already be inside the establishment. He felt himself sweat as he stepped in, having to pretend everything was perfectly fine, but naturally, it was a wasted effort as soon as you started kicking and swinging at his insides, going as far as to pinch his tongue.

It took very little for the previously conversing group to notice Syb had something lively in his bear trap of a maw. And now, they're pressing him about it...

" Syb, ya don' gotta be like that... " The shroom caging him to the wall warns. He's taller than the mimic, but Sybastian knows a well-placed jab could give him an opening to move- The problem is everyone else in the room. " Listen- We doin' this tha nice way? "

Silent moments pass, tension rises, the walls seem to shrink.

Morell claps. " Aight... Two o' y'all git up, I'mma crack him open. "

Sybastian cowers, shaking slightly before his instincts take over and he jolts to the right- Into Santi's arms. Although smaller, the demon isn't easily displaced, and by the time Syb is stepping left, his leg and arm are caught in a yellow pool, Gallon. He's trapped.

Snarling and growling past grit teeth, the mimic's thrashing manages to jostle Santi, who laughs excitedly. Patches and Nebul murmur to each other, the robot appears to be filming, Vinnel and Grimbly snicker while Belo runs hands down his face.

The chef powers forth, kneeling. Meaty blue hands grab onto Syb's jaws, powerful and painful, the mimic grunts as gaps between several teeth are taken into advantage and the shroom manages to wiggle the tips of his fingers into his mouth, pulling hard.

" Open up! " Morell shouts, flexing with the effort, glaring. Sybastian is sure he hears himself creaking with the strain.

As the monster in cuffs swings his head around desperately, jagged teeth catch those pudgy baker hands, ripping cuts into them. Morell winces slightly, but the pain is hardly enough to make him drop the attempt, soldiering on as everyone watches with bated breath. When the chest parts just a tiny bit more, the chef's discolored and slightly luminescent blood hits his tongue, the flavor distracting Sybastian.

It's then that he remembers, with no short amount of alarm, that Morell is quite poisonous.

It was over exactly in that moment. Not wanting to chance certain death, the mimic straightens, chokes, and rapidly spits out the contents within his chest, darting to the tiny sink in the kitchenette like his life depends on it.

Your saliva-soaked body collides with Morell, the two of you landing on the ground with startled noises. Santi and Gallon scramble to find their footing, almost knocking into each other. A sort of suspense appears to drop the temperature in the room.

Total, consuming, restless quiet.

And then, hollering.

It's been quite the ride so far. Not that your memory allows you to recall much of it.

In fact, right now, you're just happy to be free of that damp, horribly warm cavern of a mouth. The gaunt, large monster that apparently wasn't planning to eat you has brought you to its fiendish friends, it seems. The people you've been hearing muffled speaking from all this time, while he licked you idly.

The shivers that wrack your figure are both from the stark temperature difference and terror, as you take a good look at the people around.

A demon and an angel? A slime, a floating clown? The mimic, a man with a pumpkin for a head, someone with a cloak, a bat possibly? And one large robot sporting a glitched visor. What in the fuck is this? What kind of bizarre get-together have you just been tossed into? Is this why... Why you woke up in that blasted, cursed garden? To be the plaything of these loons? The part of you that wants to scream can't compare to the growing fear that has your throat clamping shut.

They're all staring at you, shouting and bickering and shoving, which is surprising. Even the one closest to you, this absolutely massive blue monster with a bulbous mushroom cap for a head, has this dumbfounded look on his face.

" Oh oh- Look at how pretty she is! " A noticeably higher-pitched voice rings out, making your head snap towards the smallest of the bunch, the wide-eyed guy you can only call a bat, albeit an unique one.

" Damn right, brought a present fer us, did'ja old Syb? " The spotted monster taunts, already a distance away, wrapping his palms with bandages. Upon a second thought, he looks like a butcher, something that doesn't sit well with you.

You get to see the same mimic that caught you, still gargling water by the sink, flip him off. Right, so that would be Syb.

More faces get closer to your awkwardly tied frame on the floor. You whimper in the back of your throat, eyes darting between talons and fangs.

" Have I been speaking to no one this entire time?! " The one with a large hat fumes. " We have no idea what's happening, she could be a distraction, a trap, something! "

" I second that. " The thing you can only call an angel nods beside the pumpkin man.

You're abruptly hoisted into an uncomfortable sitting position by numerous yellow tendrils, the red-eyed slime studying you from top to bottom before turning away. " Possibly. But look at her, Patches- She's scared witless, the poor thing. She's not going to hurt us. "

You couldn't even if you tried, honestly. The monster holding you up allows his appendages to roam, spreading goosebumps on your skin.

Patches, if you heard correctly, sighs. " It's not her I'm worried about, smartass. You know tonight is special, someone could be trying to jeopardize t- "

" Don't you think we would have been warned by now if this human held any relevance? " A new, imposing voice surges. Your head instantly darts to the purple cloaked figure, gazing into a pitch black abyss of a face with a swirling core of warm colors within it. His voice is mesmerizing, and you get the distinct feeling he's looking right at you, even without eyes. " Our lord isn't one for lapses of judgement, we have no reason to fear, only prepare. "

" That still begs the question, where did she come from? " Patches taps the mimic harshly, until said monster swats the offending hand away and shuts the sink off. " Well, we're waiting. Words this time. "

" Dunno. " He simply shrugs.

" Liar! " Finally, the floating thing talks, pointing an accusatory finger towards the monster in cuffs. He sounds constipated, or maybe that's just the natural- Did his mask actually change its expression for a second there? " You're full of shit! "

The mimic takes offense to this, making a strange sort of bark and slamming his hand on the counter. " True! " He spits out, hesitating for a second. " Found her... In garden. Today. "

" So that's why you were in such a hurry earlier... " The angel squints his three eyes at Syb. " You wanted to keep this a secret! "

" 5h4r3 7h3 5qu15hy! " The robot blurts something out, but you're sure there's something wrong with its voice, it's hard to understand what he's saying in between the odd pitch distortion. In fact, he's a whole other level of bizarre out of all these freaks.

" Speaking of, Fank-e dear, you don't have any uhm... " The demon, who you forgot was at your right this whole time, searches for words. He's very handsome, you have to admit, perhaps under different circumstances, you'd like to talk to him. " Advanced source tracing mechanisms? "

Said robot's visor blanks for a moment. There's a heavy clunk of metallic feet coming closer until he squats right in front of you. Scared shitless, you hold your breath and tear up when a cold hand grabs your chin. Something red flashes on the untouched corner of his visor, like a countdown. Everyone is quiet in anticipation.

CLICK

A flash goes off, blinding you momentarily. Fear molts into pure confusion.

" n0P3! " He cheerfully declares, a smiling emoticon facing you before he rises and steps back.

" Right... So, what was that? " The bat carefully questions.

" P1C7uR3. "

The entire group seems to collectively exhale in irritation and disappointment.

" Enough of this. " Mister void-face, because what else are you supposed to call him, huffs. His stride towards you is nothing short of terrifyingly imposing. There's an air to him that seems to demand your obedience. " Human. Who brought you to this place? "

You know you have to answer, but by God, you have absolutely no idea. The last thing you remember is making it home from a day's work, slipping into your bed... And that's it. The next thing you knew, you woke up stark naked, tied, in a cursed garden.

" I... I swear I have no idea. " You stammer out, able to sense how he radiates suspicion. " P- Please, I just w- waanna go home! " Fortunately, he seems to back down with a tut after a couple of moments, satisfied with whatever be saw in you.

More vague murmuring.

" Oh screw it! " The jester yells, giving you a look you don't really enjoy. " It hardly matters where our petunia's from- I say finders keepers. "

Oh no. Oh no no, you're so fucked.

There's a purr to your side. Suddenly, it's not just tendrils on your body, a warm pair of big hands strokes up and down your drool-soaked arms. You tense like a plank, at least for the first five seconds, a strange sense of calm taking over afterwards. Muscles become lax even as your brain screams that something's awfully wrong.

" Mmm, I do love the idea of her sticking around, we could all get to know her a little. " He slurs, a touch too close to your ear. Even if you were the most naive people in this world, there's no room for doubt about what he's implying. These bastards want a little fucktoy. At the same time your cheeks are set aflame, you're frozen with anxiety.

" Unhand her! " The winged one shouts, a pale but beautiful double-axed staff summoned into his hand. " This is an abnormal occurrence and she must be taken to Admin, immediately. " Who?

The demon lets go of you, groaning. " Must you be the thorn in everyone's side? "

" Ugh jeez, what a suck-up. "

" B00- "

" No one asked you, pigeon brain! "

You watch, more than a little stupefied, as this team of monsters essentially gangs up on the angel, putting him down very quickly.

" How 'bout this, I have 'er first 'cause I set 'er free. " The chef booms, hands on his waist. " Sounds fair, hm? "

Syb throws a tasteless snarl his way, standing to square up with the chef, who doesn't look too intimidated by the display. They're about to fight, and the rest of them don't seem to care to stop it, starting to argue with each other again, each one claiming you're clearly meant to be in their hands.

" CEASE. "

It feels as if every bone in your body locked into place, you can hardly wheeze in terror, not just frightened by perpetually confused it seems. Everyone else seems to tremble to a halt as well, the tendrils previously holding you receding back into the slime's core protectively.

The cloaked figure takes the center of the room. " Dim-witted fools, it's a wonder we function as a team at all. " He chastises. " We will get nowhere with this, I will finish this nonsense here and now. " There's a pause, miffed looks and petty murmurs thrown about.

" You. "

" Yes, you. " Who else, is left unsaid. " We have no time to sort you out properly. You will pick one of us to stay with for the day. Now. "

Ah yes, he's definitely looking your way. Once more, your throat dries into a desert. And, like an idiot, you mutter. " M- Me? "

If you could afford it, you'd be having a massive breakdown by now. But you can't, you have to stay minimally composed, you can't let these monsters see you in an even more vulnerable state.

" Utter madness... " The angel growls, waving.

The other gives him a sedated head tilt, as if daring him to protest further. He doesn't.

" Choose. " The swirling hues in that dark pool command you.

Well...

Let's look at the options then.

The chef is definitely scary, you're not sure how much you dig his vibes, but he got you out of the mimic's mouth, and he doesn't look like he scares easily. Maybe he's a good bet to keep the others away from you.

The slime is creepy, definitely, but he's been one of the calmest elements so far, going as far as to sound easy-going about the situation. Something about his gaze doesn't sit right with you, but he could be a safe bet.

The bat is small. Cute too. You don't think he's very aggressive, and even if you're naturally still wary of him, it's hard to feel afraid of someone much shorter than you. Who knows, maybe you can even defend yourself if need be...

The demon looks at you in a way you'd rather not linger on, but he's also been quite calm throughout this. Maybe, if you appeal to some sort of mercy in him, he could just let you run away? He looks smug.

The pumpkin-headed monster is suspicious of you, but he looks interested in getting to the bottom of why you're here. He's also on the smaller side, but you can sense there's more to him.

The angel said he'd bring you to someone called "Admin"... Maybe that could be your way out? Once they realize you're here by mistake, s-surely you'll be led away. Hopefully? He looks like an obedient worker.

The cloaked one has been able to take control of the situation several times. He's good at diffusion tension and seems to hold respect here. Maybe he'll keep you safe? He's intense and mildly scary.

The jester has been giving you nothing but alarming vibes this entire time. He's incendiary and odd, but maybe that creepiness will discourage others from trying to snatch you. He's just a weird doll, right?

The robot has been harmless to you so far. He even looks kind of goofy in the midst of all this. Sure, you can barely comprehend him, but he seems excitable and happy as opposed to predatory.

The mimic took you away from the creatures in the garden. You're not sure what his deal is, but he had a reason to hide you from these guys, right? Maybe he didn't just do it to be selfish and keep you...

[kellanved-ammanas]

Valentine's Week Fluff Day Two: Spy/Soldier - Valentine's Day

Day two of @dontneedadispenser Valentine's event.

~

The saying went ‘all was fair in love and war’ or something like that, implying that they were similar. The problem was, Soldier knew war and was good at it, but how was he supposed to navigate love? The goal of war was to win but how did one win at love? Have those feelings be reciprocated? Go on a date with the loved person? Marriage? None of those felt right. What did he know though? He was a soldier, good at war and love was not war no matter what any silly hippie saying wanted to claim.

Normally he would talk about matters of intellect and/or emotion with Spy. He was good at those things and could often explain them in a way that made at least a little bit of sense to Soldier. But how was he supposed to ask Spy the best way to fulfill his desire to make Spy his Valentine without blundering it? It simply didn’t seem possible as Spy would likely figure out his intent if he were to try to lie and say he was thinking of asking someone else to be his Valentine; Spy was smart like that. And Soldier didn’t like to lie to his allies anyway, it was un-American. So… what should he do? Well there was one other person on base who claimed to be good at romance and he just so happened to be related to Spy so he was probably Soldier’s best bet.

Finding an opportunity to talk to Scout proved to be difficult as he for some reason didn’t have a proper daily routine – how did he live his life so? – and often was with others when Soldier did find him, making a private conversation impossible. But finally, after a pointer from Demo, Soldier changed his morning patrol – an uncomfortable change but with Valentine’s day less than a week away, it had to be done – so he could wait by the base’s doors for when Scout came out for his morning run.

Scout not having a set time for this meant he had a wait for a while but Scout did eventually come out. He paused at the sight of Soldier standing by the door. “Uh, hey pal, you need something?”

If he weren’t already standing at attention, Soldier would’ve shifted to do so. “Yes. I wish to court Spy. Specifically I wish to ask him to be my Valentine this upcoming Valentine’s day. I however do not know how to do this.”

“So… you’re asking me?”

“Yes, private, I am asking you. Why else would I have sought you out?”

“Uh… yeah but why would I know how to help you with that?”

“Because I have heard you claim to be good at romance and he is your father and thus presumably you would know. If you do not however, I guess I will just have to figure out how to do it by myself.” Soldier turned to leave but before he could take more than a step though, Scout ran around to intercept him.

“Nah, nah, I can totally help. I am an expert when it comes to romance, trust me. And my dad, yeah, I totally know what you should say when asking him to be your Valentine or whatever.”

“Very well then. I’m listening.”

“All right. First, you need a bucket of chicken…”

Valentine’s Day

Finding a live chicken to put in a bucket had been the hardest part and didn’t seem to make much sense. At first he’d thought that Scout had meant a bucket of fried chicken but that couldn’t possibly be correct as Spy had expressed distaste for eating fried foods and specifically fried chicken in the past. Grilled chicken had been his next thought but again, Soldier had never seen him eat any even when it had been available. A gift of food he did not like wouldn’t make sense and thus that left only a live chicken in a bucket.

Maybe Spy wanted a chicken as a pet? Soldier could understand that, the hen he’d finally managed to acquire was quite pretty. She did not like the bucket much though and he had almost no choice but to put a lid – with air holes – on it to make her stay. After double checking to make sure it was secure, he lifted up the bucket and started for Spy’s room.

As usual, it took Spy a few seconds to answer upon knocking, but it never took too long. “Ah, greetings, Soldier. It’s always a pleasure. Come on in, I suppose.” He stepped back and Soldier followed him in.

Spy’s room was quite big, certainly more than big enough to house a pet or two. So that had to be what the chicken was for. Especially since Spy didn’t currently have any pets, making so that it must get lonely in here at night. In that case, it was quite thoughtful of Scout to suggest getting him an animal companion.

Before getting to that though… once the door was closed, Soldier straightened himself as he turned to face Spy. “Hello, cupcake!” Scout had insisted he call Spy a French nickname here but Soldier liked ‘cupcake’ better. “Va te faire foutre*.” No doubt he’d pronounced that wrong. Scout had insisted it was a very nice flirty thing to say though and thus he had to say it to Spy here so hopefully it had at least still been understandable. “Will you be my Valentine?” He lifted the bucket, holding it towards Spy.

Spy didn’t take it though. He took a sharp step back instead.

Had Soldier done or said something wrong? Perhaps he’d mispronounced the French so bad he’d accidentally said something offensive. That was French’s fault for being such a nonsensical language… but still Soldier had tried so hard. He’d wanted this to go right so badly.

“Why would you… wait no. Scout put you up to this, didn’t he?” Spy sounded almost angry. Though it was always hard to tell with him. Not that it was ever easy with anyone but always harder with Spy. Perhaps because Soldier wanted him to like him so bad.

“Correct. I asked him for help on what to say.” Soldier pulled the bucket back towards himself hugging it.

“You asked him for… oh. You are serious in your Valentine’s request?”

“Yes, sir. Did I do something wrong?” He wanted to deflate but would not let himself. He could handle defeat even in the pursuit of love. … Perhaps he should’ve stuck solely to war though, it was what he was good at.

“Y-- no, no you did nothing wrong.” Spy stepped closer to put a hand on Soldier’s shoulder. “I would love to be your Valentine.”

“Really?” Soldier almost couldn’t believe it. He’d been so sure he’d done or said something wrong.

“Really. Word of advice though, in the future, don’t ask for Scout’s help in such matters.”

“Why not?”

“Let’s just say he is not the most reliable of people. By the way, what’s in the bucket? It’s a gift, I assume?”

Soldier stepped back so he could pull the lid off the bucket. “A chicken.” He titled it, allowing said chicken to jump down to the floor. She ran a short distance away before stopping to shake out her feather and start preening herself. She really was a pretty chicken.

Spy looked to be admiring her too. “And why did you bring me a bucket with a chicken in it when asking me out?”

“Scout told me to.”

“He specified a live chicken?”

“No. He could not have meant anything else though because you do not like to eat chicken. Perhaps that is because you want one as a pet.” That made sense actually because Soldier would not want to eat raccoon meat after owning them as pets for so long. “I made sure to get one that will lay eggs too. So you will have free eggs from here on out.”

“I suppose I will. Thanks… I think.”

“You are very welcome! But… now that you are my Valentine, what are we supposed to do next?” Soldier had never really considered what would happen if he got this far.

“We go on a date. I assume you did not make reservations anywhere, correct?”

“Correct.” A date did sound nice though.

“That is fine. I can handle that part.” Naturally, Spy was better at these types of things. Hopefully he would be willing to teach Soldier some now too.

~

*This means 'go fuck yourself'.

[foster-the-moths]

oooo dont know anything abt pacific rim but hell yeah 👀

its just "humans use big robots to fight big monsters" basically LMAO but i realized it had some parallels to tmc so. i got a bit silly lol. putting it under a readmore bc its Long

brief pacific rim summary for those unaquainted: bascially monsters start appearing from the ocean and fucking shit up so humans make these big robots to fight them BUT its really dangerous and requires 2 people who are 'drift compatible' to pilot them (basically its the ability to control a big robot with ur mind while also being in sync). thats all u really need to know for this au i think

pacific rim au: this is based purely off of my memories of the first movie (which. i watched when it first came out in uhhh 2013!!!??!?! THIS MOVIE CAME OUT IN 2013??? 10YEAR AGO A DECADE??? WHAT THE FUCKanyways. um. i'm probably missing some stuff but whatever<3 -kaijus become a thing in like. idk 1980 or so. -by the time mark and cesar are 18 the big robots exist. what are they called. JAEGERS thats it. -mark and cesar get sort of. drafted into testing it out and find out they are drift compatible!! -i think in this au they are besties but. they could be worsties. maybe. perhaps toxic if thats what canon says. but in the origin draft of the au they are besties so im going with that -anyways they fight kaijus for a bit and they are pretty good at it!! until a kaiju attacks their hometown (or something. idk how an ocean beast would get to wisconsin. WAIT lake superior AND lake michgan flank wisconsin i can use this) -okay so. a kaiju comes out of the great lakes and the government is like"???? THEY CAN DO THAT??? fuck." and send mark and cesar to deal with it since they. live there -everything goes to shit when a kaiju (altcesar) attacks mandela, their hometown, and ALSO where sarah is!!! and shes like. 5 or smth -so mark is SUPER stressed out, his sister might be dead already, and to top it off?? the kaiju can like. idk hijack their drift link or whatever idk still working on that. im trying to incorporate alternate bs into how kaijus work -anyways mark is the one the kaiju targets and it uses cesar's voice/image to fuck him up and both cesar and mark die. and sarah watches it happen. oops. -sidenote: altcesar kaiju is based off of the crab one. bc sarah is loosely based off of the main protag girl in the movie whats her name. MAKO MORI. apparently. she watches her brother die + entire county get destroyed -another sidenote: since secar apparently DOESN'T die in canon. maybe he survives in this au?? mark is dead as hell tho :(( -anyways sarah is so so traumatized by that. however she is also VERY FUCKING ANGRY because uh. turns out mark and cesar were not the only ones patrolling winconsin!! thatcher and ruth were meant to be back up but uh. they. did NOT get there in time. and sarah thinks maybe if they had gotten there in time mark wouldn't have died. -speaking of those two. ANOTHER kaiju attacks mandela not too long after altcesar does and um. thatcher and ruth DO go out to deal with it but. ruth gets knocked unconscious during the fight. and thatcher can't wake her up. so half of their jaeger is just powered down and stationary while the kaiju rips its arms off and tears into the cockpit. eventually thatcher realizes he has to evacuate to save himself. he tries to bring ruth with him but he can't. -needless to say. thatcher is DEVASTATED. he feels like a coward, even if he DID follow protocol, and he never really forgives himself for leaving ruth behind. dave supports him through it, but. he never really recovers after that.

-…and fast foward 17 years, to the actual events of the au!! -bps is founded by sarah to um. idk actually i have NO fucking clue what they are doing in this au but it IS just. VERY ILLEGAL. and they get caught -however, the government can find literally nobody to pilot the giant murder death trap robots due to A) how rare a drift link (or. whatever its called im 99% sure its called that) is and B) nobody wants to fucking do that. so they just decided to say "hey. you guys are criminals. BUT if you go in the giant death trap robot AND you can pilot it then we'll forgive your criminal charges!! :)" because of course they would do that -anyways. bps agrees to this. and it turns out jonah and adam are drift compatible!! hooray!! they get to pilot a jaeger together -…which leaves sarah. due to testing her against adam and jonah, the government knows she CAN connect to a jaeger, and pilot one. she just needs a partner. -which is were thatcher comes in. he takes the place of the guy whos brother dies in the movie. -sarah is NOT FUCKING HAPPY about this. the moment she recognizes him she freaks OUT. immediately starts chewing him out. -however, she does have a deal to uphold, and she has to at least TRY to pilot the jaeger with thatcher. so they do a testrun and. it turns out they ARE compatible. -so with that the government goes "okay cool we're sending all of you to the faciltiy (or whatever idk)" and. sarah fights this tooth and nail until she realizes they. really don't give a shit LMAO -so she's stuck with thatcher. and her two idiot coworkers but thatcher is the real issue. -so they get shipped over to the training facility and. start training. -dave and evelin take the place of those two gay scientists. dave has so many kaiju tattoos n shit and evelin is just Normal. just kidding shes weird too shes just better at hiding it lol. evelin is officially his 'assistant' and mentor but dave treats her as an equal. they are silly scientist coworkers -dave and thatcher are also still friends. not sure if its strained or not but i dont think it is they can be silly. besties even. -i also think dave is sarahs estranged but still on good terms uncle. hes is ESTATIC to see sarah!! she hates that hes friends with thatcher but she is literall incapable of being mad at dave so she just takes it out on thatcher instead LMAO -also dave sits thatcher down and is like "y'know i think this is good for you actually. being a mentor figure really helped me w moving on i think you could really bond with my cool awesome neice :D!" "dave she tries to kill me every ten seconds" -anyways the au centers around sarah and her relationship with thatcher from one-sided enemies to eventual found family :)

other things: -adam glows in the dark and is just sort of fucked up. surely this means nothing (he is not entirely human) -oh yeah jude and lynn are killed by the same alternate that kills ruth. i think. or it was six but when thatcher and ruth are sent out altthatcher double teams them and thats why they failed. -vol 2 sort of happens (the girls are fighting) but jonah does NOT die. -dave gets hooked up to a kaiju brain like the guy in the movie and like. his brain implodes a little bit and his eyes bleed but hes (mostly) fine^^ -all of the alternates are kaijus i get to be soooooo silly with designs :3 -dave and sarah lost contact when sarah started bps so they are very happy to reunite -i am just making shit up about a movie i saw a literal decade ago so. um. im probably missing a lot of important stuff but oh well lol. -i also have a barebones alt version of this au where everyone lives and nothing bad happens and they just fight monsters. bc i got sad.

[shoutaaizawas]

↳ aizawa shouta x reader → where’s my love pt. one

summary: you love aizawa shouta but he thinks your flirting is just a game. what will it take for him to realize how much you care? word count: 3.7k+ tags/warnings: angst!, mutual pining, v sad, injuries, hospitals a/n: aizawa angst requested by @winnies-headcannons​ i hope it was angsty enough! i wrote most of this while listening to wheres my love by syml (slowed + reverbed version is amazing and sad)

part two

There was something about you. Usually when people said that they meant it in a good way. You annoyed Aizawa at best. He wasn’t even sure why you always ended up running into each other so much. You were more of a typical pro hero, enjoyed the limelight. Yet you were always running into him on his night patrols. He would be taking down a villain and you would show up with that irritating smile, trailing behind him as he tried to make it clear he was leaving. But you would keep talking and laughing and flirting with him as you followed him.

The flirting was the part that annoyed him the most. You would tease him and compliment him. Were you really so cruel that it was funny to make him think you might like him? Or maybe it was just your personality. Something you did without thinking. Either way, he couldn’t stand it. He liked you but he knew there was no way you felt the same. He wished you would just leave him alone so he could try and move on.

“Evening, Eraserhead~” Your cheery tone filled his ears. You had been perched on the brick wall he was passing by. You gave him a big smile as you hopped down, landing beside him and following his pace. “How’s your patrol been tonight?”

“Shouldn’t you be somewhere doing a photoshoot?” He said in an annoyed tone. He was having a bad day, the last thing he wanted right now was to deal with your flirting.

“Silly, I got those done last week.” You never flinched at his harsh tone or words. They always rolled off your back with a teasing reply, your smile never faltering. “C’mon I just know you have some exciting story to tell me from patrol. If not patrol maybe something from your personal life. I’ll listen to whatever you have to say. With a voice like that, I’d listen to you read the dictionary.” You said with a wink.

His heartbeat always picked up when you complimented him, he wished you meant it. How could someone like you think that he was attractive? Why would a top ten hero like you, who could have anyone they wanted, want anything to do with him. He had seen you on dates with guys that were better looking than him, who were more popular heroes than him.

It was overwhelming, it felt like there was a pressure pushing in on him. He knew she never would want him no matter how much he liked her. He wished he could forget her. Between the emotions flooding through him and the bad day he had he snapped.

“You know what.” He said stopping and turning quickly towards you. “I just don’t get you. You follow me around every night like some stupid kid, getting on my nerves every way possible. Aren’t you a top ten hero, don’t you have something better to do than bother me every chance you get?” His tone was biting.

It was cruel, he knew it was. It had been a long day, it was hard to think about anything other than her sometimes. It hurt that he knew she didn’t mean anything she said. How could she mean it? Why would a young hero at the top of her game want anything to do with him? It was just salt in the wound all the flirting that she did.

It was quick, gone in a flash but he saw the hurt in your eyes. For just a moment he saw the devastation of his words before it disappeared.

“Sorry, Eraserhead.” You replied, your cheery tone still strong. “You’re probably right, I should go back to my agency and get some work done.”

How was your smile still so bright despite what he had said to you? Before he could say anything else you turned to walk away. Before you fully disappeared into the night you turned around giving another bright smile.

“Stay safe out there.” You said eyes closed grinning. The glow of the street light illuminated you, the sight of you almost made his heart stop. How were you so beautiful? Why were you so close to him but still out of reach? He was frozen as you disappeared into the night.

Fittingly a crack of lightning flooded the sky and rain began to fall down. The water started to soak his hero uniform as he continued on. What was wrong with him?

☾

It was a burden like no other to care for someone. You weren’t exactly sure how it happened. You had been going home after work when you ran into Eraserhead. You stopped to help him apprehend a criminal. You had heard of him before but never met him. As soon as you met his dark gaze you felt a pull towards him that you couldn’t resist.

You found yourself looking for him at night. You didn’t work night patrols often but after you finished up work at the agency you would try and find him on the way home. Some nights you were so tired you could barely stand but it didn’t stop you from at least popping in on him and saying ‘hello’. You weren’t very experienced with relationships. You weren’t really sure how to go about starting a relationship. You hoped that if you flirted with him enough he’d get the hint and ask you out.  

It hadn’t worked yet but it didn’t stop you from your visits. Some nights you would follow him around talking about your day. Or you’d help him with a villain. Some nights you would try and get him to talk about himself but he rarely did. There were rare occasions where you would have a moment with him, he would open up and you felt like you were getting somewhere but the next day he would be closed off again.

Today had been a long day. It felt like everything had been as stressful as possible. You had been knocked around by a strong villain earlier leaving you bruised and sore. Then at your agency, it seemed like everyone there had a question or a problem to fix. By the end of your shift, you were exhausted. You hadn’t eaten anything all day and you hadn’t slept much the night before.

It didn’t keep you from Eraserhead, the thought of seeing him put a little pep in your step even if you felt like you might fall over. You knew if you saw him your day would instantly be better.

You saw him walking down the street so you perched yourself on a wall in his path. You liked keeping your entrances creative. You didn’t want him knowing that your run-ins were intentional, that would just be pathetic.

You smiled, the sight of him warming your heart. He replied in his usual manner and you teased him in return. It was an easy dance, your retorts always on the tip of your tongue. You never took his words seriously. If he wanted to tease you about being a popular hero you’d take it in stride. You complimented his voice, his low tones always sent your heart racing no matter what he said to you.

You weren’t prepared for what happened next.

“…stupid kid…” The words rang in your head. “…don’t you have anything better to do?…”

You had thick skin, you rarely took his words to heart but the acid in his voice. The way his words dug into the flesh of your heart leaving it bleeding. You felt like the air had been knocked out of your lungs.

You were so stupid, how couldn’t you see it sooner? He couldn’t stand you. Your flirting, your following him around, he hated it. Shame flooded over you and you wondered how you hadn’t seen it sooner. Your heart was caught in your throat.

You mumbled an apology, making an excuse to leave before turning and fleeing the scene in the most normal way possible. You wouldn’t bother him anymore, you’d leave him alone. If your presence just annoyed him, put him in a bad mood, you would stay away. The thought of not seeing him again made you tear up but you remained strong. At least get out of here first before you cry.

If this was the last time you’d see him, you wanted to say one last thing. Not leave it on some excuse to run away.

“Stay safe out there.” You said giving your best smile, hoping he couldn’t see the tears welling up in your eyes.

You ran, you ran as fast as you could. Not looking back. Embarrassment and heartbreak flooded through you. Your tears ran down your face, how did you not know how stupid you were?

Rain began to pour down matching your emotions. The chill of your soaked clothes didn’t bother you, you were so lost in thought.

You were dead on your feet but you keep going, not sure exactly where you were headed. You saw the neon sign of a bar and decided it was better than going home. You sat down at the bar, ordering a drink before settling in.

“Hey, what a coincidence.” You heard a voice from beside you.

There sat Present Mic, or rather Hizashi Yamada. Of course, you would run into Eraserhead’s best friend.

“Oh, hey.” You mumbled not really wanting to talk right now.

“What’s wrong? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you without a smile on your face.” He asked. His hand moved to pat your shoulder.

“I don’t want to talk about it.” You replied, taking a sip of your drink.

“Well, then I’ll just keep you company. If you don’t mind.” He said, raising a hand to order another drink.

Hizashi rambled about his day, about the students at UA, about the villain he ran into on patrol, about his radio show. It was nice, it was easy to sip on your drink and get carried away in his stories. You realized it had been a long time since you’ve had a normal conversation with someone. Everything was always at work or you were trying your best to get Aizawa’s interest. You had so little time to yourself to just relax and unwind.

You knew that Hizashi could see something was wrong and you appreciated his attempts at distracting you. You weren’t very close with the hero but you knew each other well enough.

Maybe it was the drinks or maybe it was too crushing to hold it all in but you couldn’t stop yourself.

“You know I love Aizawa.” The words slipped out before you could stop them. Hizashi didn’t react much, just looked at you waiting for more. “I’ve been trying to get his attention for so long but he hates me.” You said, letting out a pitiful laugh. “The one person I’ve ever met that I’ve loved and they hate me…”

Your heart sunk, saying it out loud hurt more than you expected. Hizashi gave you a sad look.

“I don’t know how he feels about you exactly but I don’t think he hates you.” He said.

“Really? Because he just called me a stupid kid that follows him around and asked if I had anything better to do.” You replied. “You know I don’t even have night patrols, I just like seeing him. I like helping him out when I can.”

You looked down letting out a sigh.

“It’s not fair, I’ve tried dating other people. I thought that I made it so clear I was interested in him but he never did anything in return. I thought maybe he wasn’t interested so I tried to move on. But every date I went on all I could do was compare everything to him. How can I move on when all I can think about is him?” You let out a huff. “So I thought maybe if I hang around him enough I’ll grow on him. Maybe if he just gave me the chance that he could love me back. I’m so stupid.”

You dropped your head against the bar, leaving it there.

“Aizawa is a very complicated guy, I’ve known him my whole life. He’s been through a lot, most of it bad. I don’t think he’s the type of guy to respond to teasing and flirting. He assumes the worst in most things so he probably thought you didn’t mean it. Maybe if you told him in a more serious way, tell him in a way that leaves no room for guessing.”

“Do you think I have a chance?” You asked.

“There’s only one way to find out.” He said giving you a soft smile. "It's better to know than spend the rest of your life guessing."

Walking home that night you wondered if he was right. You hated the thought of asking him directly, to hear him reject you might be the worst thing possible. But would it be any worse than today? If he told you directly that he wasn’t interested maybe you could move on for real. Maybe you could write a letter.

When you got home you sat down at your desk, you were exhausted but you wanted to write the letter while you still had the courage to do it. Maybe you could have Hizashi look at it after you finished. Maybe he could give it to him.

Maybe you had a chance.

☾

Aizawa felt bad. The whole day he had been in a fog. His words ran through his head again and again. Why did he have to be so cruel? He didn’t mean it. He had been in a bad mood, it was wrong of him to snap. That split second of hurt in your eyes haunted him.

He promised himself he would apologize to you when he ran into you on patrol tonight. If he didn’t see you he would find you. It was his fault that he felt so insecure, he shouldn’t take it out on you.

Aizawa was grading papers at UA after class when he got the text.

Did you see the news?

The text was from Hizashi. Confusion filled him as he turned on the TV in the teacher's lounge.

“-was injured in a big fight just moments ago. The pro hero was defending civilians from a villain's devastating attacks when she was injured severely. They are currently in critical condition at a local hospital. Many fans are showing their support, hoping that she will pull through but it is still unsure.” The news reporter said in a professional tone.

The TV showed clips of the fight. You stood amongst the rubble, bloody and bruised but still standing. The villain’s attack sends you through a few cement walls before your body crumbled to the ground and the camera cut away. It showed fans standing outside of the hospital wearing your merch and holding signs of support.

It felt like everything stopped, he felt like he could throw up. Were you going to die? What if you were already dead? What if you were gone and the last thing he said to you was-

No, he had to see for himself.

Aizawa left his papers on the table and rushed to the hospital.

“She’s in critical condition, we’ve operated on her and fixed the damage we could but it’s up to her to heal the rest of the way. We’re just not sure if she’ll pull through.” The doctor’s words made him sick.

“Can I go in?” He asked.

“Yes, no one else is here to visit.” The doctor said.

Aizawa opened the door carefully. Almost scared to look. The sight of you in the hospital bed cuts and scrapes everywhere. You had a neck brace on and a tube down your throat. Wires and IV’s connected everywhere. You looked so small, so defeated. It tore him apart.

He slowly approached your bedside sitting down on the chair there.

“I’m sorry.” His voice was thick with emotion. He could barely get the words out. “I’m so sorry for what I said. I was going to tell you tonight but now I can’t-”

His voice cracked and tears streamed down his face. He wouldn’t get to tell you how sorry he was. He might never get to tell you how sorry he was.

“Shouta.” Hizashi’s voice came from the doorway.

“What are you doing here?” He asked.

“I ran into her last night, we had a pretty serious conversation. I thought I should be here.” He said. Aizawa could tell that there was something else he was hesitating to say.

“Last night, I was awful to her. I said some things I wish I could take back.” He managed to say.

“I know, I found her at a bar after. I was there for a drink but we started talking. She told me about it.” He explained. “…She wrote you a letter, she wanted me to give it to you but I don’t know if I should after what happened.”

“A letter?” He asked. Why would she have written him something? Especially after what happened last night.

“Here.” He said cautiously, handing it over. “I’ll be outside when you need me. I’ll give you your privacy.”

He opened the letter, taking in your neat handwriting. Even in your handwriting, he could feel your bubbly personality. How could he have been so cruel to someone so kind?

Dear Shouta,

I’m sorry if using Shouta is too personal but this letter is pretty personal. I spoke with Hizashi tonight. He told me that maybe my actions and words were being taken the wrong way. I’m not sure if that’s the case but at this point, I don’t have much to lose.

When I flirt with you or compliment you it’s not just a joke. It’s not a game. Not at all. From the first moment, I saw you I was drawn to you. Maybe it was your looks or your brooding personality but I couldn’t stay away. The more I got to know you, your dedication as a hero and a teacher. Everything that you do, that you are intrigued me.

Everything about you makes my heart beat faster. The more time I spent around you the more I fell. I never even worked night patrols, I just stopped by to see you after work. It made me so happy being around you. It’s probably pathetic to fall in love with a man who is never anything other than annoyed with you but I couldn’t help it.

I’m sorry if I’ve made you uncomfortable. If you don’t feel the same way, or even slightly interested, please disregard this letter. Pretend it never happened. But if you think you might be able to see me as something more than an annoying hero that interrupts your patrols then please tell me.

The letter fell from Aizawa’s hand, even more sadness descending upon him. He felt like he was drowning. This whole time she had felt the same way. She had loved him and he treated her terribly night after night. He wasn’t someone to pass the time on her patrols, she wasn’t even working when she stopped by to see him.

“All I ever thought was, I wish you would leave me alone. I wish I never had to see you again and now that’s the last thing I’d ever want. Please come back to me. Please.” He sobbed out, eyes searching your face for any sign you could hear him but you were still. “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.”

Aizawa covered his face in his hands letting the sobs out. They fell on deaf ears, your unconscious body laying there. The only other sound the beeping of the machines.

Aizawa returned every day, anytime that wasn’t spend working was at her bedside. The nurses allowed him in even when it wasn’t visiting hours. He knew they didn’t know exactly what the situation was but they felt bad for him.

Weeks passed and every day you looked less broken. Your bruises faded and cuts healed. Tubes were removed and you had fewer bandages every day. But you were still asleep.

“She’s recovering well but she’s in a coma. There’s nothing we can do more than hope she’ll wake up.” The doctor told him one day. “There’s a chance she may never wake up.” He said solemnly.

Aizawa sat at your bedside as he did every day. The doctor’s words echoed in his mind. What if you never woke up? What would he do? He pressed his eyes closed, thoughts flooding his mind.

He moved his seat closer to your side, hands grasping your cold hand in his own.

“I wanted you to be awake when I told you this but-” He let out a shaky breath, trying to gather his emotions. “I don’t know if I’ll ever get the chance. I feel the same way. I’ve felt the same way for a long time. I always liked you but I never thought it’d be possible that you’d feel the same way about me. But this whole time we both felt the same way. We wasted so much time dancing around each other and now we won’t ever get to have that time-”

Aizawa rested his forehead against her hand, tears running down his face.

“We’ll never get to go on a date together, go out to dinner and spend time alone. We’ll never get to watch a movie curled up on the couch together in each other's arms. I’ll never get to see your face when I bring you flowers. I’ll never get to know what it’s like to kiss you.” Sobs wracked Aizawa as he imagined all the things you could have enjoyed together. “I’ll never get the chance to tell you how much I love you.”

If this was a perfect world you would have opened your eyes. You would have smiled at him with that heart-stopping smile of yours. You would have told him everything is okay, we have all the time in the world to catch up on what we missed.

But this wasn’t a perfect world. Your eyes remained shut. Your face blank in your continuous slumber. The only sound in the room the muffled sobs of Aizawa.

part two 

[nincompoopydoo]

DEBRIS AND MISERY

TRUTH AND LIES ; PART 3 / ?

PAIRING: Loki Laufeyson x Female!Reader WORD COUNT: 3.5k SUMMARY: You and Loki make a trip to the open market which leads to a flurry of thievery, arrests and an almost death. A/N: Hey hey, I guess I’m just updating this series on no porper day because I’m a bitch for procrastination wohoo! There’s so much going on in this chapter, probably a little too long but I hope you like it <3 gif from this gifset by @hiddleston-daily WARNINGS: Swearing, laser rifles, electrocution, intended execution, Loki being annoying. support my writing through ko-fi💖 MASTERPOST ; MASTERLIST

“So, what do you propose?”

Loki questions, walking beside you through the winding pathways of the outskirts of the city of Sakaar. Stalls propped up on stilts, colorful fabric hung overhead as a shield from the blazing sun of the afternoon. He’s dressed like a Sakaarian, drapery of vivid and bright colors, similar to yours—both passing through, hiding in plain sight amongst the crowd of contrasting species.

The place inevitably stinks, living up to the planet’s nature.

Yet, it’s a world of textile mania. Everywhere he looks, there’s a pop of color, radiant and brilliant. Whether it’s the clothes of the locals, the paint that adorns the structure of their faces, or the streaks of blue and red cascading down the walls of the city in the glimmer of the sun.

Your eyes seem to glow in the reflection of the sunlight; the shawl conceals the crimson scar well enough—barely recognizable in your disguise. Your gaze meets his. “Well, I propose we steal one of the Grandmaster’s ships. They're the only ones that are strong enough to enter the Anus.”

Loki flashes you a look, “You have to stop calling it the Anus.”

Your rapid steps come to halt at the foot of a stall, an extensive table with miles of crates filled with an array of vegetables and fruits. Some wiggle their way through the crowd of customers, some rigorously examining every blemish of each fruit while others attempt negotiating the prices with the distraught-looking vendor with a face of sapphire.

It’s a pastiche of a Pieter Bruegel painting. And the two of you are seemingly animate characters at the center of it.

Loki trails closely behind you—much to your dismay— shouldering a two-headed lady by accident, both heads snapping at him with blazing eyes. He mutters an apology as she quickly disappears into the crowd. He turns and nearly loses sight of you, instantly shouldering his way to stand beside your figure as you hum with amusement, brows raised. Your head tilts, eyes on him once more. “Oh, I’m sorry. Would it help if I called it the ‘giant red hole’ instead?”

He blinks. “You have somehow made it sound worse.”

You hum once more, cautiously gazing at the hectic vendor. “It’s one of my many talents.”

With a swift motion, he follows your fingers that delicately pluck one of the odd-looking blue enlarged berries from the stand, sliding it into your stash in a matter of a split second.

He’s almost impressed.

“I suppose thievery is one of your many talents.”

It’s both a question and a statement—Said in a tone of near mockery. Loki is starting to get on your nerves with the unnecessary commentary on every decision you made that led the two of you to this very moment—a routine you’ve repeated for years before his arrival. Oh and he’s well aware of the growing aggravation towards his sheer presence. It’s a feeling he’s no stranger to. It feels like home.

Your once monotony interactions are now turned into a muse for Loki’s own entertainment.

“Look, you really don’t have to announce and narrate every aspect of your silly observations like we’re in a stupid play. Especially, when I’m doing something that’s fairly frowned upon—”

“Fairly frowned upon? Really?”

A groan escapes from the scowl of your lips. You look like you’re about to kill him.

“Just shut up, for God’s sake.”

You snatch him by the wrist, forcing your way through the sea of Sakarriaans. Your grip is surprisingly firm—he scoffs, twisting his arm out of your grasp almost in a child’s manner. “Would you stop that?” he says as you lead him away from the bustling crowd, a corner where two perpendicular buildings meet. You turn to him in a somewhat exaggerated attempt to express your resentment towards him, pulling the shawl away, revealing your face as you hold your pointer finger to him like it’s a weapon. Loki instinctively staggers back in his stance. “No, you stop that!” you hiss, advancing towards him. “I told you not to mess with my shit and what you did there, that’s messing with my shit.”

Again, he finds himself caught in the act of your fury and frustration. He quickly notes that you seem to have an uncontrollable temper, and it’s unpredictable. You’re living in a constant predicament, one slight prod and you’ll burn, spontaneous combustion and you’ll burn right through everything, God or not.

You sigh, caressing your cheek. “I’m sorry, it’s just...I’ve been alone for so long and this,” You gesture between the two of you, “I never thought it’ll be possible to experience this again.”

Loki arches a beckoning brow. “Which is?”

You blink once, then twice, pursing your lips. “Company.” you punctuate it like it leaves an unpleasant taste on your tongue—you’re embarrassed to reveal a side of vulnerability. Like you have been in a constant fight to build the walls around you, to keep your guard up at all times, no matter the circumstance or cost. Whatever happened between you and the Grandmaster, destroyed the remains of your personality, your ability to feel like a human being and coping and living with the knowledge that you will never get off this planet and never return home for years. You deserve a fraction of his reverence, not sympathy.

Forced into the realm of independence with no one to cry out to. Your life oddly and eerily reflects his. He can’t help but feel that maybe it’s fate that hauled him out of the Bifrost, sending him flying into Sakaar and crashing into the very home you reside within.

His mouth runs dry for the first time because there’s nothing to say. You apologize even when you don't need to and the part of you that protrudes is your honesty—a part of you that differs from himself. You’re truthful, even to a stranger. Nevertheless, he nods.

A yell from a distance captures your attention, a man on the other end of the pathway that leads to the markets, dressed in the armor of red—a Sakaarian guard, armed with a laser rifle. The guard, unfortunately, might recognize you, with your face out in the open. Your scar makes you stand out like a sore thumb. It’s every criminal’s nightmare.

You discreetly turn your head towards the wall in a desperate attempt to hide your identity even though you very well know, there’s a significant chance it isn’t going to work. Your figure is now close to his, he can almost feel the erratic beating of your heart. You’re...afraid.

The sentry on patrol nears the two of you, expression unreadable, concealed under the mask of red strokes like warrior paint. His voice is low, authoritative. “Everything alright here?”

He must have noticed the commotion during the heat of your argument, perhaps recognizing the tone of your voice which does not help with the plan the two of you are drafting to get off this planet, or maybe, he is just genuinely concerned. The latter seems improbable by the way the guard stands, hands hovering over the trigger of the rifle.

Loki decides it would be best to negotiate and pretend everything is fine. He would much rather avoid a fight because he would hate for you to end up dying as a prisoner in the arms of the Grandmaster. Well, because you’re on his way out. Nothing more.

He turns to the sentry with his usual charming smile, palms raised to indicate he means no harm. It's an image of vulnerability. The guard seems to relax at this, fingers moving away from the trigger of his weapon although his posture remains sturdy.

He’s alone, no other guards are lurking nearby. If anything were to happen, at least it will be two against one.

How foolish.

“Everything is quite alright, kind sir. It’s just one of our...common little spats, nothing more. The missus says I don’t give her enough attention and well, you would know how that turned out—”

You nearly choke at Loki’s words. Out of all the possible reasons, he chooses a lover's spat as an excuse. An incredibly absurd and petty lover’s spat.

Now, you're his fucking missus.

The armored man is unfazed by Loki’s charm; he doesn’t seem convinced. He turns to you, gesturing to your figure with his rifle. “Show your face, ma’am.”

Loki is quick to step in. “Sir, I believe that would be rather embarrassing for her. You see, she has been crying, and it’s not a pretty sight. Red all over, bloodshot eyes—you know.”

You roll your eyes. Now, all you want to do is send your palm flying across his face. Hard.

Once more, the guard doesn’t completely believe Loki’s explanation.

Loki turns to you discretely, extending his open palm to you. He whispers lowly. “Do you trust me?”

You simply shake your head.

Nevertheless, you take his hand.

Before you know it, you’re being hurled by the arm, head first and now the two of you are in a full-out sprint, spinning, and weaving from every pedestrian. Your shawl is long gone, Loki has magically switched back to his original Asgardian outfit. The sentry tails behind the two of you, close enough to hear him speak through the telecommunication device attached to his armor. “It’s the girl—Scrapper 170!”

The two of you dive down an alley, the sentry starting to gain. Loki turns to you mid-sprint with an exasperated look. “Scrapper 170? What is that supposed to mean?”

“Now is not the time, Loki!” you groan, voice trembling with every land of your quick feet against the ground. The sentry halts and aims. A flash of purple passes you by an inch. You duck instinctively, feet stumbling and your hand leaves Loki’s. The laser beam crashes into a wall, leaving a massive hole in it. You hear a woman shriek from the other side through the hole.

You round the corner, catching the glimpse of not one but three guards running after you. You instantly spin away to see Loki just about a meter ahead. You power through, catching up to his side. The alley breaks into a clearing, leading you back to the open market that teems with the same hectic and rowdy crowd of Sakaarians. Another shot fires at the two of you; it blasts like a hand grenade—the crowd screams. Loki is shoved away from you and with a turn of your head, you completely lose sight of him. Another blast of the rifle, you duck in time as it hits the crate of fruits behind. You kamikaze down the little avenues lined with vendors and shops, careening through the labyrinth. There’s a sentry at every turn, emerging from the crowd, behind the counter, tent flaps, and crates.

Amid the chase, you halt at a dead end. Behind you, the guards are catching up. At the corner of your eye, you spot Loki on the other side of the market, a few stalls away. His eyes are wide, and you’re trying to catch your breath. You step forward, ready to make his way to him when suddenly you hear something tick by your ear, then a wave of excruciating pain burns throughout your body—muscles spasms all over, you could barely control your own body any longer. Then, complete darkness as you felt your knees give out, face hard to the ground. The last thing you heard was your scream.

-

Maybe, you are meant to live your life filled with events of deja vu—a life of full circles and time loops. Maybe, you are meant to live a life of crime with the constant disability to learn from your mistakes, having been caught on numerous occasions because as soon as your brain awakens from its weakening of electrocution torture, there’s a familiar sense of aftermath pain, the sight of colorful grand walls, the feeling your hands cuffed to a rock metal chair and the grinning smile of none other than the Grandmaster.

You are stuck in a cycle, and you’re never breaking free.

The Grandmaster calls out your name with an almost chilling enthusiasm to his tone.

“At last, we meet again, 170! I’ve missed you, you know. You, uh, you really were something, huh? Intelligent. Pretty. Brought me lots of great stuff. Like that guy—What’s his name? Oh! Ares, God of war. He was a brilliant champion. Now, look at you. All dirty, disgusting and that hideous scar, ugh—” The Grandmaster cringes, gesturing to your figure with that melt stick of his. You flinch as he nears you, deciding how much you hate that shimmering golden robe. “Though I’ll have to admit, you are good at hiding. It’s almost annoying...Do you agree, Loki?”

He turns and you follow his gaze. Loki stands by the corner, looking almost sheepish. Your eyes are now immense, face painted with hurt and betrayal albeit you don’t necessarily demonstrate it. Loki averts his gaze to the Grandmaster. “I suppose.”

The silver-haired man laughs with a wagging finger to him. “I like you, Loki. I really do.”

You cringe at his words. He turns to you, smile gone.

“Hey, now you are going to tell me—I mean, really tell me—who exactly you are and where you’re from.”

You spot the furrow of the God's brows. His voice is faint, like the time at the market, asking you to trust him. “Is she not from Earth?”

The Grandmaster seems to be taken aback by Loki’s sudden question, narrow eyes bouncing between the two of you. Then, his mouth curves into an apparent ‘o’. “Oh, I see what’s going on. Wow. You actually believed that little story of hers? That she’s from a planet called Earth and an astronaut? Oh, you poor thing,” He speaks through his chuckles, amused by Loki’s expression of bewilderment.

So much for being truthful.

“You know, I always have the intuition for liars like you. So, there was no way you could have faked it all the way through.” His attention is on you, but you’re too busy looking at your unlikely ally or you dare say your partner's unreadable manner. Blank face. Usual posture. You hope to spot a hint of sympathy or sadness in his eyes. There’s nothing.

You can’t save yourself and neither can he.

You, after all, betrayed him in terms of your unknown identity. It’s expected he wouldn’t do the same. Yet, this is Loki getting a taste of his own medicine. If it weren’t for your imminent death, you would find this situation rather amusing.

“So, are you going to tell us the truth?”

Your gaze returns to the taller man. “No.”

You’re not sure how to feel about that single word being the last word you speak.

The Grandmaster blinks then shrug coyly. “Oh well, that’s quite a pity,” he moves around, gazing at the surrounding guards, hand on his hip. “So, uh, we’re doing this, huh?”

No one in the room moves or speaks.

He sighs, extending the melt stick to you. “Yeah, okay...See ya, then!”

You shut your eyes, ready to succumb to the pain of being liquefied. You wonder if it hurts and that the past victims you have witnessed were being dramatic as they screamed for the end of their lives rather than the pain itself. In all honesty, you’re terrified although you believe you shouldn’t be. Death is inevitable, after all, and you’ve been prepared for many years, living in hiding.

This is it. This is when you finally rest.

You miss home. Wherever that is.

“Wait!”

Your eyes are wide open, they fly to Loki who has his arm stretched out, nearing the Grandmaster. The melt stick is inches away from your face. The Grandmaster spins away from you, attention directed to Loki. “Really, Loki? I was so close to having the pleasure of melting her!”

For an Elder of the Universe, he could erratically act a lot like a child. A child with an obsession with control and murder. Psychopathic child.

You observe the two enter an argument of whispers and dramatic hand movements. Then, the colorful psychopath in that hideous shimmering coat swivels in his stance, gaze at you as a heavy sigh escapes his lips. “Fine. I guess I don’t have to know who exactly you are. On behalf of Loki here who seems very keen on keeping you alive, you are pardoned,” Your mouth flies open in response. “But! I’m putting you on probation. 142 will be keeping a close eye on you. So, yeah. Lie to me again and I’ll have you executed for real.”

The Grandmaster walks away and your wrists are released from the cuffs of the chair.

Loki retains that darn smirk on that charming face of his.

-

The slave quarters seem huge from the last time you were here. In comparison to your unstable shack of a home in the outskirts of the city, anything cleaner and brighter than that shithole was enough to fulfill your heart’s desire for an ideal place of residence. It’s the same room you occupied before you fled and went into hiding. You recognize the markings on the wall, roman numerals, hidden in the corner by your bed, counting the days since you arrived on Sakaar. That was years ago, maybe a decade—you lost count.

There’s a knock on the door; it swishes open to reveal none other than Loki, dressed in a different but relatively similar outfit to his original Asgardian clothing. It’s blue instead of green. You abruptly decide you like the way it brings out the specks of blue in those irises of emerald.

You cross your arms. “So, I assume you got caught, but I want to know how the hell did you not get this thing?” You tap the obedience disk on the curve of your neck. His smile curves into a smirk. “One word: Silvertongue.”

Your snort, nearing him. “That’s two words.”

Loki simply rolls his eyes. “No, it isn’t. It’s two—it doesn’t matter.”

That deafening silence wave over the two of you. You purse your lips.

“Why did you save me back there?”

The God blinks, shoulders squaring. There’s a sudden tension in the air.

“Well,” his head tilts as he clears his throat, trying to form the right words. He wets his lips. “If someone manages to trick the God of trickery himself, maybe that someone is worth saving.”

His response startles a distinct silence from you—the silence of awe and contemplation. He says you're worthy of saving, a sentence you never thought you’ll hear from the man who crashed through your roof and proceeded to be threatened with a dagger. The man who seemed to have some sort of inclination and ambition to annoy the death out of you. It’s bizarre how life works, how two diverging lives end up intertwined with one another in the most unlikely circumstance, and how time truly heals. It mends the wounds of the lonely, the ones who were told they were never enough.

Maybe scarce and scarce turns out to be enough after all.

You see yourself in him, a complex mind and a misunderstood heart. It’s frightening how you somehow understand, and you somehow don’t simultaneously.

People are complex. Life is complex.

He watches you with that same look when he initially heard the vocals of Freddie Mercury.

You’re no Freddie Mercury, you know that.

Your voice cuts through the silence. “Thank you.”

Loki seems to snap out of what felt like forever, responding with a curt nod.

“I’ll see you at dinner then,” he says, backing away into the hallway as he readies himself to leave. “And please, wear something better than that hideous heap of trash.” He gestures to your figure; your clothes are rugged and filled with dust and sand.

It’s your turn to roll your eyes.

“We can resume our plans to getting off this planet after that,”

With a smug look, he spins on his heel and leaves. The door closes with a whirring sound. You feel heavy.

And God, you need a drink.

You quickly locate the drinking glasses, in one of the cabinets above the kitchenette. As you rummage through the rest of the drawers and cabinets in search of a bottle of something, a soft hum from the other side of the room catches your attention.

Your figure spins and you’re met by the sight of a group of materialized armored soldiers, clad in black. You heave a profound sigh of relief, a grin curving upon your lips.

“You guys finally found me! What took y'all so long? I’ve been stuck here for ages—”

“It appears to be a standard sequence violation.” one of the armored men say with an A-50 scrawled vertically on his helmet in orange.

You furrow your brows, feeling your heart stop. “Wait, what—”

“On behalf of the Time Variance Authority, I hereby arrest you for crimes against the Scared Timeline.” Hunter A-50 speaks. There’s a wave of sympathy flashes upon his expression. “I’m sorry.”

The cup falls to the floor, shattering into serrated pieces that surround your feet. Your heart begins to pound. As the other hunters grasp onto your arms, you are hauled through the translucent glowing doorway. Then, you hear the words of A-50 that struck your heart like a dagger.

“Reset the timeline.”

TAGLIST:

@lareinedususpense

@poubxlle

[moxfirefly]

Okay, I was recalling today the story of my aunt who had triplets, but the worst part of the story is that she had several ultrasounds and in all of them it appeared that she would only have one child, I would like to ask for one where s / o is pregnant but everyone thinks it's just a baby and when they are born they realize that there are three, how each boy would react to this.I know it sounds kind of silly so if you don't want to write I understand.

Ufff I see this being pretty damn cute so let’s get some cute turt!dads headcanon’s here

Listen boy thinks he’s got everything figured out, probs did the ultra sound himself but he totally misses it

So come delivery day which happens at the crack ass of dawn like he’s just coming in from patrol

And it happens, your water breaks

Donnie hasn’t gone from dead tired to AWAKE™️ so quickly

It’s a whole ordeal, you’re rushed to the lab, everyone’s helping out but you just want Don

Lads never been this scared in his life but he’s so focused on making sure you’re safe and the baby is that once that kid comes out he doesn’t register that there’s something amiss

Splinters already grabbing that grandkid and just Feels™️

That’s when Don notices that...there’s another one?

Ok now he’s actually freaking out but he can multitask lmao

Somehow with kid #2 in one arm he notices kid #3 and that’s when he loses it

Wow he helped make that? 3 whole precious babies? He’s a mess of emotions and so are you

Please picture you ko’d on the bed with two on you and Donnie next to you just as ko’d and one little bundle on him

Listen are we not aware this man will probably almost faint if not he will?

He’s already Nervous™️ not just cause he’s gonna be a dad but he’s worried for you, this won’t be a normal pregnancy and he wants you and the baby to be safe

He refuses to let you lift any above a pound. Honestly he follows you around and just does everything for you

Also let’s be real your water breaks cause the two of you were getting pretty frisky

Oh he’s a mess when you start getting those contractions any instance of pain and discomfort just absolutely makes him feel like crap

He apologizes for putting you through this, you almost laugh if you weren’t busy pushing an entire kid out your hoohaa. But man when that kid comes out and Raph sees them

TEARS™️

He holds that little thing and he’s just pleased as punch just so much pride that he almost misses the commotion that continues and Donnie saying “oh?”

And obviously that catches Raph’s attention and before he can scream at his brother what’s wrong he just pulls out another baby. Raph feels faint right then and there.

Leo basically holds him up when kid #3 comes

Once you’re safe and everything settled he’s just smitten, he’s looking at all 3 of them and telling you they got this or that from him and you. He’s so ready to lay down his life for them right then and there, it’s just instinct. These 3 kids are gonna be his life.

Ok this lad knows he’s gonna be great with kids but obviously when you tell him he feels so fucking worried and nervous

Truly fascinated with your changes, totally hands on in feeding you whatever crazy food craving you get

Was a M E S S when your water broke boy seriously thought you were dying

Cries along with you when you’re getting your contractions. Listen he hates seeing you in so much pain. He also never expected to see one his ‘favorite places’ like that

But once that first baby comes like omg he is just mesmerized. He gets handed this squishy gooey thing and he’s in love right there and then

So when baby 2 and 3 show up he’s just ovwhelemed in the most incredible way. He’s got a little gang of misfits and they are part you and part him. He’s got a little family and those nervous jitters throughout these months melt away.

Honestly if he could give birth so you don’t have to go through this pain he would

Also mesmerized by your changes but lowkey concerned over your cravings

Loves massaging those sore ankles and just generally making sure you don’t hurt yourself

Your water breaks when he’s out handling some gang fights for the cops

That man R A N like he had never run in his life I mean he broke some fucking record cause he got there a sweaty panting mess when baby one was starting to come out

He doesn’t even have time to be mad at himself because he’s on you and he’s seeing that beautiful little squishy thing and it’s in his arms and he’s a mess of sweat and tears

He doesn’t register that you’re still pushing and in pain and then there’s kid #2 and his eyes are wide as saucers, he’s goes over to see it wiggling about on the little bassinet and that’s when he sees Donnie go back in and there’s kid #3 and that’s it, his mind is absolutely blown and he’s SCARED but so in love

He’s sits that night on a bed with all 3 of them while you sleep on another bed and he’s obsessed with all the little details here and there and right then and there he’s knows that for them and you he will set the world on fire if it meant protecting them

[thepaperpanda]

Baby Sister || Sam Drake x Adler!Reader

Summary: You’re the baby sister of Rafe Adler. It’s been a while since he was imprisoned in Panama jail in an attempt to get a clue on his treasure hunting. Missing him dearly as he is the only family member that left you, you make your way into the prison to meet with Rafe. Unfortunately, he isn’t happy seeing you. The entire situation ends in you and Samuel Drake getting a bit too close to one another.

Warnings: Smut! ♥

Words: 4194

Authors: Cass & Rouge

PART 1

It has been half a year since the day your older brother, Rafael Adler, was imprisoned in Panama prison.

Missing him dearly, you begged the director of the facility to let you meet with your brother. It took you several visits to gain man's trust of not being smuggler of any kind, and in the end you've gotten a permit.

That day the gates of Panama prison opened for you widely, and two guards escorted you directly to a meeting room.

Dressed in a black, flared dress that reached half of your thighs, and flat, white sneakers, you stepped inside the outpost.

There was a horrible kind of climate of fear and paranoia there, it made a cold shiver run down your spine.

Some nasty comments addressed to you by prisoners while you were following the guards along a desolated corridor made your involuntary gag reflex harder than ever before.

Soon, the three of you have reached a huge, steel door. One of the guards opened them with a key that was previously attached to his belt. You were allowed inside, and as soon as you stepped in, you saw Rafael standing next to the window, he was peeking outside, at a prison yard.

"Rafael!," Your voice was nothing more but a quiet mumble.

Rafe wasn't happy, not even a little bit.

He knew there were problems coming when he heard from Vargas that there was a young girl begging to let her meet with a brother.

"What are you doing in here, huh? I told you to stay away from it, does your little female brain have problems with processing words?,” He growled, crossing arms over his chest. The last thing he needed now was his little sister dragging him and the whole job down.

Without regard for his rough words, you approached him and simply nuzzled to his chest.

The gap between the two of you wasn't too big, yet he was 5 years older than you.

Since when he was gone from your family home, you had to take care of yourself, and it was rather a thankless task. You didn't know what to do, and cried thousands of years after him.

Even though his attitude towards you was always harsh, you loved him dearly. He was your only family, and he was a role model in your eyes.

You and Rafe exchanged a lot of letters, he assured in them that he missed you equally much as you did miss him.

"It's been so long, brother. I was so scared you might be hurt... You stopped responding to my letters, so I did everything to be allowed in here... I just had to check whether you're in good health or not..."

Rafe rolled his eyes, he was getting annoyed.

"Are you done with yapping? I told you I am busy with Drakes, I am not going to waste my time on silly letters," man added, looking at you. "I left you home with everything you needed. I even hired this stupid butler just to make sure you won't die out there."

Rafe tried his best to get rid of you. Yes, you were his only family member, but most of the time you were a bit too much to handle for him. Following and nagging him. "Do you need anything?"

"I missed you... That's all," you whispered sadly and quickly took a place on a metal chair standing at the tip of a metal table. "The butler won't replace my brother, in any way. The house is so huge, so empty and cold without you being there," you lowered your head.

Anytime he was raising his tone on you, he was guilt-tripping you. You were only a girl, and even your desperate attempts in getting his attention (like trying to study all the stuff he needed in his so called work), you were always pushed aside in the end.

"If that's all you can go back home. I really don't have time for sensitivity, I didn't come here for pleasure. I. Am. Working. Here!," He said loudly, hands clenched in fists.

Rafe honestly had enough of you already. You're always coming to him because you wanted to show pointless stuff, or you needed something. It was driving him crazy sometimes.

Lowering your head, you bit your lower lip hard. You closed eyes for a moment, trying your best to hold the tears back. You never knew what you have done wrong in your lifetime to deserve such a treatment from his side.

When you cooled down a little, you got up, and not looking at him you walked to the door and banged them to let guards know the visit was finished.

"It was nice to see you all well after all," you whispered.

"Sit down," Rafe said suddenly, pointing on the metal chair. "Now," he ordered harshly.

Blinking and being taken aback by his sudden interest, you looked at him above your shoulder.

In the same moment one of the guards peeked inside.

In Spanish you thanked him and assured it won't take you long, because apparently your brother wants to tell you something.

As soon as the door was closed again, you took a seat.

"Now, stay here," he muttered, briefly patting the top of your head. "Don't even move," Rafe instructed before leaving the room, he knew the guard won't be a problem. Rafe paid a lot to get himself and Drake brothers in here after all.

A few minutes later the door opened again, but this time it wasn't Rafe. It was one of Drake brothers, the older one to be exact.

"Hello? Rafe said that there might be a nice lady to talk to?," Sam hummed and looked at you with a cigarette slipped between his lips. "Hey."

You frowned, but remained quiet, and didn't even shift in your spot. You observed the man, and you did recognise him after many of your brother stories. It was probably Samuel Drake, the older from Drake brothers. The one who had to be an expert in pirate stuff that Rafe needed so desperately in his work.

You licked your lips, and tilted your head a little. "Where's Rafe?"

Sam moved the cigarette from one corner of his mouth to another. "Um, I don't know. He said there is a nice lady here, and went on with his stuff. I'd come with my little brother, but sadly he is busy as well. You would love him, he is younger and more your age, but of course not as charming as I am," he winked and sat on the chair right in front of you.

In the first impulse you wanted to get out of the room. You were all alone with a complete stranger. Rafe has left you to the wolves again, you weren't even surprised. Instead, a rage was filling your soul.

But then a realization came to your mind; if this was one of Drake brothers, you could prove your brother your real value by trying to get some information from this man. You decided to play a little game.

You rested your chin on your hand. "So you must be the older from Drake duo," whispering, you tilted your head aside and smiled on h sweetly.

Sam nodded with a smile on his lips. "Yup! Samuel Drake at your service."

Sam heard about you, mostly about how annoying you were, but here he was, right in front of you. You were sitting in front of him in this beautiful dress, you looked cute to him. "So... He left you here? All alone?"

With a little shrug a little sigh came along. "As you can see," you looked down on your hands and rubbed them together. "My brother was never an effusive person, especially not when it came to me," adding, you slowly got up from your place and walked to the window.

Sam nodded slowly. "I can tell, we spent some time together and honestly I am surprised. I am an older brother myself, I would die for Nathan," he summed up.

Listening to his words, you peeked out of the window to see a few guards with guns patrolling the yard.

You turned to the man that was trapped with you in a room, slowly bending your ass against the low windowsill. "Your brother's lucky then."

Sam watched you without saying a word.

You decided to take over control. Knowing the place he was in, you assumed it must have been a great while since he held a woman in his arms. Playing with emotions was something you were thankful to Rafe for teaching you.

You walked to the man and simply took a seat on his lap. Gently playing with his sideburn, you licked your lips. "I've heard you're a specialist from pirates. Is that true? Are you currently looking for a treasure? My brother was telling me you're good at this."

It was happening quickly, but he didn't mind at all, they all were locked down there for a bit too long, and he surely missed the woman's company. "Yes, I am a pirate expert, and yes, we are looking for a treasure. That's why our asses are stuck in here."

"I was always interested in my brother's work, though he didn't want to share anything with me," you whispered in a sad tone. "Do you know where to look for this treasure or whatever it is?," You asked sweetly after a moment of silence. Your fingers trailed up and down his chest.

Sam chuckled, placing a gentle kiss to your cheek. "Listen, little one, I know you tried to find out something so you could tell your brother, but sadly that ship has sailed. Rafe knows about everything we do," Drake shrugged, patting your hip.

You blinked a few times, his words surprised you much. Shifting slightly in your place, you bit your lower lip, and looked him in the eye.

Sam grabbed your chin, his thumb gently stroked it. "What's wrong, Y/N?," He asked simply.

"I...," You mumbled and went quiet. You felt like a complete idiot. First, you tried to seduce the man to get information about him. And he figured your plan out so quickly.

Your eyes glistened as you gazed at him; he was a handsome man.

"Want me to get you out of here? I can walk you to the guard station. Just talk to me," Drake stated, rubbing your back.

You didn't know how to behave. Taking he was an enemy of some kind, you should have kicked him right in the balls. But on the other hand, he was kind to you all the time, even if you tried to mock him. "Yes, please," you asked politely.

Sam helped you get off his lap, then he got up and walked you to the door. Sam even opened them for you. "Honestly, pity you don't want to stay longer, but it was a pleasure to meet you after all."

You stopped him from opening the door fully. You didn't know why you acted this way, but an urge grew within your body. It's been a while since you were with a man as well. You didn't know why, but this guy was turning your head upside down. "No," you whispered and closed them, you leaned your back against the steel.

Sam chuckled. "Are you like one of those typical women that don't know what they want?," He teased you.

Blushing, you turned your head aside.

Thinking about your past, you knew you made a lot of mistakes. You knew it was wrong to blindly follow your brother's will, yet you did.

But now you wanted to decide for yourself. At least once in a lifetime. If he left you alone, like a prey you seemingly were to him, you had a right to use the situation as well, hadn't you?

You wrapped your arms around the man's chest and nuzzled him.

Sam wrapped his arms around you.

You were cute, the whole 'I can't decide' thing was getting into him.

Sam grabbed your hips and picked you up to take a good look at you. "Is there something you want to tell me, sweetheart?"

"I have never met a man as handsome and mysterious as you," you mumbled openly, giggling as he picked you up.

"And I have never met a girl as sweet and small as you," Sam said, surprised at how light you were. "So, what shall I do with you now, huh?," He hummed nuzzling to you. Sam was aware of your intention but he wanted to hear it from you.

"Put me down, that's first," you asked calmly, and as soon as he did, you looked up into his eyes. He was twice your height, towering over you like skyscrapers over a block. "Second," you pretended to be thinking hardly, "if I'm Adler, and if you're Drake, then we can think about some nice way to bury the hatchet."

"Well, that would be nice if we would have any 'hatchet' to bury, love, and we have none," Sam said, looking down on you. "I have never seen you before and if you will try to play around some more I will simply leave."

"What am I supposed to say?," You whispered.

"Tell me what you want, Y/N. Rafe told me to take care of you and I will gladly do this," Sam muttered with a mischievous grin.

You smiled at him and tilted your head aside. "Take me to my brother."

Sam rolled his eyes and lit the cigarette.

Soon, he led you out of the room and took you to Rafe.

"Oh, for fuck's sake, even Drake had enough of you?," Rafe asked deeppy annoyed as soon as he spotted you entering the yard.

As your brother was sitting with a few men, you excused them and tugged on his sleeve. "What the fuck was that?," You asked him in a lowered voice. "Who the fuck I am for you? A fucking toy you can toss everywhere and to anyone you want?," You asked him as you walked aside for a bit.

"I never asked you to tag along, you always followed me like an annoying little brat you truly are," Rafe growled. "You are an adult, go get a life and stop following me," Adler said, not even trying to be quiet.

Sam frowned at the whole situation. He didn't know you too long, but he was more than sure you didn't deserve such a treatment.

Clenching teeth, you swallowed hard. And shortly after, you aimed your brother a robust slap right in the face. Glaring up at him, you snarled. "You're deluded, brother. Think about this when you'll be fucking rotting here, all alone, with no one to reach a hand toward you. A fucking lone fool. Remember, there are still things you can't buy with your bloody cash."

You were surprised by your own behaviour and the fact you dug in your heels against Rafael.

The next moment, you stormed off the yard.

Rafe didn't take it to himself, he didn't care. "One problem less," Rafe summed up before returning to his mates.

Sam was the one to run after you. "Hey, hey. Wait, you can't just walk alone. Not here," he informed you simply.

"What can happen?," You snarled in a response. "If I'd vanish once and for all, he'd be the one to dance happily on my grave."

"You can get hurt here, and please, don't say that," Sam grabbed your arm to stop you. "You can't act like this only because he's a dick."

"I'm an adult, I can do whatever I want to," you turned to face the man.

"You are an adult, you are free to do what you want, but it doesn't mean you can waste your life just because your brother is a dick. You should show you are better than he thinks you are," Sam explained.

You listen to his words. The man seemed very wise and very down to earth. Definitely your type.

Without thinking too much, you climbed on tiptoes, pulled him by a collar, and crushed your lips on his.

Sam gladly kissed you back, after a moment he pulled away with a smile. "I did not expect that," he admitted.

Your fingers intertwined with his as you grabbed his palm. With a mischievous grin, you pulled him behind you. With a corner of your eye you spotted a guard leaving one of the rooms, and you decided to risk it all, pulling the man in that direction.

Sam wasn't really sure about it, they had things to do and they were treated like normal prisoners, but he followed you anyway. After all, you were sweet. Sweet enough to make him go after you. "You are a crazy, little girl."

You simply pushed him inside the room. You decided that if there would be anyone, you'd lie quickly that the man was leading you to the exit and you two messed the way.

Fortunately, the room was empty. As soon as the door closed right behind the two of you, you pushed the man on the wall. You once again climbed on your tiptoes to kiss him, this time you let your tongue dance with his one a little. And you had to admit that he was an amazing kisser.

Sam kissed you back, grabbing your waist. He gave you the possibility of dominating him in the kiss.

But then he picked you up and soon you were pressed to the wall. "Time to change places, sweetheart."

Humming willingly, you let the man press you to the wall.

As he broke the kiss, you gasped loudly, sadly, as the contact was lost.

Sam smiled at you before dropping to his knees, he wanted to take his time with you, but sadly he couldn't. It wasn't a five star hotel, it was a prison after all. "Let's see what are you hiding there, princess," Sam hummed before moving the skirt of your dress up.

You licked your lips and parted them, observing his actions. He was so sure of what he was doing, it impressed you very much. As the blush hit your face, you let your eyes closed.

Sam teased you through your panties, just a little bit to get you ready. Then he pulled your panties aside and attacked your clit like he was a starving beast.

You gasped and instinctively muffled yourself by putting a curled hand to your lips. He gave you a new sensation. Of course, you did have sex, but only oral one and only with your former boyfriend who was just as inexperienced as you. Sam, on the other hand, was playing with you wisely, discovering a new level of desire to you.

"You like it, huh?," Sam asked, playing with your clit.

He raised to his feet, looking at you with a cocky smile.

"I wish I could eat that sweet pussy properly but looking at our poor position. This needs to wait, you are wet for me anyway," Sam winked and picked you up, pressing you to the wall.

At this moment Sam was thankful that his prison uniform was loose and easy to remove.

A soft moan escaped your lips as he picked you up a little. Your legs wrapped quickly around his hips as your hands rushed to tug his pants down. Oh, how much he was turning you on! "I need you, so much!"

"Oh you will get it, babe. I can promise you that, you will get whatever you need," Sam assured you before pulling his pants down, he wasn't wearing any underwear and his cock was standing proudly. "How much do you want it?"

"So much!," you gasped and reached out to grab his erected cock. You gave it a stroke or two, your palm wrapped tightly around his shaft. You tried to guide him right inside of you.

"But keep your hands up here, babe. I'll do the work," Sam instructed, wrapping your arms around his neck. "You simply relax and sing for me."

After those words Sam started to slowly penetrate your sweet pussy, he could feel that even if you had sex in past, a guy did a poor job.

"Hell! Fuck!," You moaned quietly, right into man's ear. A cold shiver ran along your spine. "Fuck, oh God!," You were moaning louder and louder. "You're so big! I can't take it!," You kissed the man's cheek, and moved to suck on his neck. His skin tasted with sweat, but you didn't mind.

"Oh I can bet you can take it, “ he hummed, rubbing your belly lovingly. "And a bit more than just my cock. Just relax," Sam purred, giving you one hard thrust before returning to gently pace. He didn't want to hurt you in any way.

"Ah!," You mumbled and nuzzled to his neck. Instantly, as soon as he made a hard thrust, you felt how wet you became and that your walls got loosened a bit. You tried to cool your breath down.

"You see? I told you that you can take it. Such a good girl," Sam smiled at the nice feeling of your walls loosening a bit around him. Knowing this he started to move faster, Sam knew you can take it. "You are doing a great job, babe,” he hummed, moving his hand into your hair to pull them gently.

You wrapped arms tighter around his neck and gasped right into his ear. He felt so amazing in you. He stretched you oh so well! "Fuck, fuck, so good, so hot, fuck...," You raised your tone a little and rolled head back.

Sam chuckled at your moans and cupped your cheek to make you look at him. "Oh, I know this all, sweetheart and I can say that you feel amazing around my cock,” without more unnecessary words Sam pulled you into a kiss, he was getting close to his climax.

You cupped his face in hands and kissed him. The kiss was messy, rapid. You gasped for air when you broke the kiss. "Oh, God, something is.... Oh, my God!," You mumbled as your walls started clenching.

Sam smiled against your lips.

"Oh, you poor thing, no one ever made you reach your peak? Let me show you how the real man does it, you'll love it,” he hummed, his hand moved between your bodies to play with your clit. "Just don't hold it, babe."

You rolled head back, your eyes shut closed, your lips parted and thighs squeezing man's hips. Your nails dug into his back where you scratched him. "I'm cumming!," You screamed.

"Good girl,” Sam hummed into your ear. His hips didn't stop to move even after your climax. "Now, tell me, do you want to be a good girl or do you want me to fill you up?"

"I want to be a good girl," you whispered. "Please!"

Sam let out a sad sigh, he expected a bit more from you. "As you wish. Pity ‘cuz I am not a fan of good girls,” he slowly pulled his cock out of you, Sam gave himself a few strokes before painting your clothed belly with his warm, thick seed. "That was good."

You licked your lips and gasped, immediately you went down to your knees and wrapped lips around his shaft. You only smirked and bobbed your head back and forth, sucking on him.

He moved his hand into your hair pulling at them. "This feels nice but that's enough, Y/N. You sucked me dry, babe."

 You ran the tip of your tongue along his shaft for the very last time.

Sam chuckled and helped you get up. Pulling his pants up he looked at you, of course he pulled out a cigarette from his pocket and lit it. "That was something girl," Sam hummed, puffing out some smoke.

You looked at him innocently. "Did you... Enjoy it? Truly?," You looked like you were seeking confirmation in his eyes. It was your very first time with a skilled man and you felt so exposed.

"Oh, I did enjoy it. Truly," he said and kissed your cheek. "I promise you one thing: as soon as we will be out of this hell - I will find you and we'll play some more."

"You somehow know where to look for me," you bit your lower lip.

At this moment the door to the room opened and a guard rushed inside. "What the fuck!"

"I told you she is here just wandering around. I knew she would be a problem," Rafe said to the guards with his back pressed to the wall, Nathan stood next to him completely confused.

You shrugged. "I pressed on him to go there, I thought this is where the exit is," you explained, laying smoothly

Everyone looked at you. The guards frowned and grabbed you, simply dragging you away.

Before you were pushed outside the outpost, you turned your head around. "Thank you for

guiding me

, Samuel!"

[peppersonironi]

Duke Thomas/The Signal Fic Recs

This is for @capttain-emo who saw me reblog this wonderful rec list by @stories-from-the-batcave , and asked if I knew any more. (I highly recommend those, btw, I love all the fics on that list! Yes, that includes the one I wrote in there) Duke Thomas is my favorite Batfam member, so I have a bunch! Unfortunately, there isn’t as much Duke content out there as I’d hope - people just don’t seem to like him as much for some reason? It’s sad. So, there are gonna be a couple here written by me. Rest assured, I have way more Duke content on the way - including a WIP coming out this week! (Ao3 linked out at the top of my blog)

I love recommending Fics, so hit me up in my inbox if there’s a trope or character or relationship (platonic or not) that you’d really love to read! I also write fan fiction, and my requests are always open!

1. Siblings: The Truth of the Matter by Me!

Rating: General Audiences Category: Gen Relationships: Duke & his siblings

Duke had a strange family. Two of his siblings had been raised from birth to be assassins. One was born in a circus. One had been a crime lord for a time. Yet another was the CEO of a multi-billion dollar company by the age of seventeen. All of them dressed up in spandex every night to punch bad guys.

So when he was woken up by icy water being splashed in his face, tied to a chair in nothing but his boxers, he wasn't surprised. Now, that's not to say he wasn't worried. Duke was definitely worried. Especially since it was these two.

AKA Duke gets tied up and questioned by his siblings, all while drugged with Truth Serum!

2. Bliss by Me!

Rating: General Audiences Category: Gen Relationships: Duke & Damian

Duke walks in on a sleeping assassin child in need of comfort, and takes a chance. Brotherly bonding ensues!

3. An ever growing family of birds and bats by alicecrow6

Rating: General Audiences/Teen Category: Gen Relationships: Duke & Damian

a series of Batkids Age Reversal fics where Damian comes first, then Harper, then Duke and so on.

4. look at me, all the things I can do by Aelig  

Rating: General Audiences Category: Gen Relationships: Duke & Cass, Duke & Bruce

"Duke took a bite of his toast, gaze still on Bruce. His foster father was sipping at his coffee, eyebrows frowning. To an outsider, you would think he was reading the morning news on his tablet, like always; Duke knew better. Bruce's look was a little away from the screen, his lips downward.

It was almost funny, to watch Bruce internally panic."

OR: It's the morning, and Duke is going back to school for the first time since his injury.

5. The Batchair(s) Issue by NightFlier

Rating: General Audiences Category: Gen w/ background ships Relationships: Duke & Cass, Duke & Steph, Steph/Cass Trio & Batfam

Duke Thomas feels like an outsider, and not just because he's part of the new Outsiders team roster. He's the newest member of the legendary Batclan and hasn't yet formed the close bonds that the others share. Not to mention, he's the only active Meta on the team. As if it wasn't hard enough to relate with people with such colorful, unique backgrounds.

But it's okay! Duke has a plan and it'll probably work for a while before crashing & burning. BatShenanigans ahead.

6. All That Glitters is Gold (Unfortunately) by IndefiniteIceCube

Rating: General Audiences Category: Gen Relationships: Duke & Tim, Duke & Steph

The world is gold and Duke can't breathe.

He can't breathe.

He was sitting in AP World History just a minute ago.

Was it a minute ago? It seemed like a minute ago but it could have been hours because all he can focus on is that he can’t breathe. His lungs won’t fill and- and he’s trying he swears but he just. can’t. breathe.

And the gold—

-----

Duke's powers emerge.

It doesn't go well.

7. Be the Light that Helps Others See by Ace_Corvid @ace-corvid

Rating: General Audiences Category: Gen Relationships: Duke & Batfam

Duke didn't really know what to expect from movie nights with the Bats.

He could only assume they approached this with the same determined intensity as they approached everything else. They were all so extra it was like their gauge for normal was completely broke. He wasn't really prepared for this.

And yet here he was. Surrounded.

(Alternatively; Batkid's have a movie night.)

8. I've Made a Million Mistakes by Sohotthateveryonedied

“Y’all need Jethuth.”

Rating: Teen Category: Gen Relationships: Duke & Batfam

“Don’t worry,” Dick says, throwing his arm around Duke’s shoulders. “Everyone in this room has had their teeth knocked out at one point or another. It’s a rite of passage around here.”

“I don’t know how to tell you thith, but that doethn’t happen to normal people. We acthually prefer to keep our teeth, believe it or not.”

“Wait until you get your first major battle scar. Trust me, they’re cool.”

“Y’all need Jethuth.”

9. Children (All of Them) by TheFalconWarrior

Rating: Teen Category: Gen Relationships: Duke & Batfam

In which Tim is not stupid but Jason might just be, Damian is furious, Dick kind of feels like he should be doing…something, Steph is ecstatic, and Duke wonders how long he can survive.

10. In the Dark of the Night by Aelig

Rating: General Audiences Category: Gen Relationships: Duke & Jason, Batfam

"Duke was woken up by someone sliding into his bed. Someone big judging by how the mattress shifted.

Because Duke was a well-trained vigilante, his first reflex was obviously to kick whoever was being creepy right now and push them out of his bed.

It was only when the someone landed on the floor with a yelp that Duke realized that he was at Wayne Manor, which was incredibly secure – normally. He could recognize the voice, too."

Rating: General Audiences Category: Gen Relationships: none

OR: The Batfam and their way to deal with nightmares.

11. Welcome to the Family by angstyelephant

In which Duke Thomas goes back to the beginning.

12. Family-- by incorrectbatfam

Rating: General Audiences Category: Gen Relationships: Duke & batfam

“Your assignment over the weekend is to write a poem about your family.”

13. I'm Still Climbing(Even When the Rest Have Fallen) by anidear

Rating: General Audiences Category: Gen Relationships: Duke & Dick, Duke & Damian

After his first exposure to the Fear Toxin, Dick checks in on Duke.

14. The cat and the newcomer by Fleur_de_Violette

Rating: General Audiences Category: Gen Relationships: Duke & Alfred the Cat

Duke always found people talking to their pets about their problems silly. And yet here he was.

15. Duke-napped by NightOwl1600

Rating: General Audiences Category: Gen Relationships: Duke & Bruce, Duke & batfam

The others don’t really bother Duke with his business. They all care about him, he knows, but outside of the vigilante business, they don’t really care to ask aside from the typical “How was school?” or “Can you buy me some chilidogs after you’re done with whatever you’re doing?” So he’s a bit concerned if they’ll even notice when he’s been kidnapped as Duke Thomas, Bruce Wayne’s newest ward. But he’s not about to panic; as the others seem to be so determined that traumatizing new experiences are part of Bat-initiation.

Meanwhile, the rest of the family freaks out because “Did anyone go over the do’s and don’ts of getting kidnapped with Duke?!”

16. Nightmare/Hallucination by FearfulKitten @fearfulkittenwrites

Rating: Teen Category: Gen Relationships: Duke & Jason

Duke found himself staring at the ceiling again. His heart was no longer racing, but he wouldn’t exactly say that he was calm either. This is the moment after the end of a race you lost, when all of the adrenaline is starting to wear off and the hopelessness sets in. That’s it. You’re out of the competition, buddy.

Except that this isn’t a race, and Duke hasn’t just lost his spot for the finals. He had simply lost sleep.

17. Jason Todd, Big Brother Part 8792 by Gemini_00

Rating: General Audiences Category: Other Relationships: Duke & Jason, Duke & Damian

Robin and the Signal sneak along the Outlaws mission in order to steal a bazooka and hang out with Kori. Jason has to deal with two little brothers and feeding a team of outlaws. He's putting this on Bruce's credit

18. "What's wrong? What's happening?" By FearfulKitten @fearfulkittenwrites

Rating: General Audiences Category: Other Relationships: Duke & Tim

Duke runs into trouble during his daytime patrol, and ends up needing some back up. The resident over-productive insomniac bat picks up the call.

(A little bit of and Duke interaction for a nice tumblr Anon :) I hope you like it!)

19. Nightmares by FearfulKitten @fearfulkittenwrites

Rating: Teen Category: Other Relationships: Duke & Dick

Filling the nightmare square on my bingo card with the help of an anon on tumblr who asked for a fic where Duke has a nightmare and asks for the help of one of the older batboys!

"Duke checked the time again. Two minutes had passed.

Time was ticking too slowly. He was tired, but sitting alone in the dark was definitely not a good idea right now.

He’d have to ask for help."

20. Brothers in Arms by TheFalconWarrior

Rating: General Audiences Category: Gen Relationships: Duke & Batfam

...possibly against each other. Batkid prank wars are the worst.

Duke is learning. Tim is evil. So is Damian. Dick is embarrassing. Jason is dramatic. Steph is brave. Babs is all-knowing. Cass wants in. Alfred is a little amused, and Bruce is so. Tired.

21. First rule of Robin, right? By ALzzza

Rating: Teen Category: Gen Relationships: Duke & Damian,Duke & Dick

"Nothing’s going to hurt you—you got that, nothing.”

Duke doesn’t have anything better to do but it’s not like that matters. Hell, he’d drop everything and run—always in time to catch this little bird.

Or, Damian’s Been Having Nightmares, Duke To The Rescue—Dick Always With The Reassurance

22. Duke's Diary by fiery_day

 Rating: Teen Category: Gen Relationships: Duke & Batfam,Duke & Dick

This is a couple of journal entries by Duke as he learns to become Signal. He relates his thoughts on the batfamily and aspects of the vigilante life he now leads.

23. Significance of a Gala by nxttime

Rating: Teen Category: Gen Relationships: Duke & Batfam,Duke & Jason, Duke & Tim

This year’s Wayne Gala would be Duke’s first, and he had no clue how to feel about it.

 25. The cloud that looks after each other by Batmango

Rating: Teen Category: Gen Relationships: Duke & Bruce, Duke & Goliath

Duke wakes up the Bat cave after a fight with the Joker.

For MashpotatoeQueen5 as a thanks for using so many of my prompt in the excellent January Jot-Downs.

Prompt: a hurt comfort after an injury/illness? Or just cuddles. I love me some cuddles.

26. The One You’ll Know By by Redrikki

Rating: Teen Category: Gen Relationships: Duke & Bruce, Bruce & Alfred

After losing his memory, Bruce asked Alfred not to tell him about his vigilante life, but he's beginning to think his butler left a few other things out. Like, say, his kids.

27. Duke Thomas Hates Bullies by Gemini_00

Rating: Unrated Category: Gen Relationships: Duke & Steph, Duke & Tim, Duke & Bruce, Duke & Damian

Everyone loves that Duke Thomas isn't like all those other crazy Waynes. Everyone loves that the Signal isn't trying to get himself killed. Duke may not see Bruce as his dad, but he is definitely part of the bat family. and nobody is going to bully his family. Or, Duke Thomas Kicks Ass.

28. batman is dancing to fortnight and this might as well happen because vigilante life is already so *Goddamn* weird (Duke Thomas: A Memoir) by MashpotatoeQueen5

Rating: General Audiences Category: Gen Relationships: Duke & Bruce, Duke & Batfam

You may not have time to unpack all that, but Duke Thomas does.

(He doesn't get it either.)

(He loves his new crazy family nonetheless.)

29. In a World Where You Can Be Anything, Be Kind by RedHoodie1723

Rating: General Audiences Category: Gen Relationships: Duke & Bruce, Duke & Batfam

Day Six of Batfam Week 2020: Take Your Child To Work Day

It was Duke's first time visiting Wayne Enterprises, and he couldn't help but be intrigued by the Martha Wayne Foundation.

30. You’re My Brother by blackpercy

Rating: General Audiences Category: Gen Relationships: Duke & Dick

Duke's missing his parents a lot and Dick comes in to help his little brother.

And that’s it for the list! I hope you enjoy these thirty works! Once again, send me an ask if you have requests for fics, recs, or if you have general questions!

[romioneficfest]

Why am I so Ugly?

Title: Why am I so ugly?

Prompt: Day 7 - Anything goes

Tumblr name: 

Rating: PG

Brief Summary: This takes place in the 6th year when Harry drinks the Felix Felicis potion and "make" Lavender broke up with Ron. He goes out for hours in his missing to pursuit Slughorn. Meanwhile, Ron and Hermione got some time alone.

Triggers: None (’cept Ron’s mouth)

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

Why am I so ugly?

(...) “Excellent,” he said. “Really excellent. Right... I’m going down to Hagrid’s.”

“What?” said Ron and Hermione together, looking aghast. “No, Harry — you’ve got to go and see Slughorn, remember?” said Hermione.

“No,” said Harry confidently. “I’m going to Hagrid’s, I’ve got a good feeling about going to Hagrid’s.”

(...)

“This is Felix Felicis, I suppose?” said Hermione anxiously, holding up the bottle to the light. (...)

“Trust me,” he said. “I know what I’m doing... or at least” — he strolled confidently to the door — “Felix does.”

He pulled the Invisibility Cloak over his head and set off down the stairs, Ron and Hermione hurrying along behind him. At the foot of the stairs, Harry slid through the open door.

“What were you doing up there with her?” shrieked Lavender Brown, staring right through Harry at Ron and Hermione emerging together from the boys’ dormitories. Harry heard Ron spluttering behind him as he darted across the room away from them.

Getting through the portrait hole was simple; as he approached it, Ginny and Dean came through it, and Harry was able to slip between them. As he did so, he brushed accidentally against Ginny.

“Don’t push me, please, Dean,” she said, sounding annoyed. “You’re always doing that, I can get through perfectly well on my own....”

The portrait swung closed behind Harry, but not before he had heard Dean make an angry retort. (...)

[Excerpt taken from the book "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince"]

*****

"What were you doing up there with her?"

Harry was so sick of how Ron was being such a coward in the terms of breaking up with Lavender that Felix did it herself. Lavender just started to yell at him, which Ron start to argue before storming off the common room.

Hermione just stayed there, kind of surprised that this was really happening. She waited for Lavender to get back to the Girls Dormitories before she tries to catch Ron in the corridor, but he quickly disappeared. As the general mood in the common room was pretty dangerous for her, she remembers that in her last prefect patrol, she put some things in her locker in the prefects’ bathroom. So, she decides to go there and get it.

The Prefects’ Bathroom was on the fifth floor, in the fourth door to the left of that statue of Boris the Bewildered. She entries and stands in front of one of the mirrors that sats above the sinks. The Prefects’ Bathroom was a huge lavatory with a massive bathtub, almost like a pool with numerous taps. The sinks were very large, with even enough space to sit on them.

Looking at herself in the mirror, Hermione couldn’t dominate her low self-esteem thoughts. She was a 17 years old girl, and the last time a man shows any interest in her felt like ages ago. Well, without counting bloody MacLaggen, but he shows himself for every living thing. A little light of hope started to grow on her chest. Now that Ron was single, would he try something with her? Or she will have to be the one to try it?

Without thinking too much about it, she started to take off her clothes to take a bath in the giant tub.

"Hum...Mione? Is that you?"

Scared to death, she quickly covers up, not that she was in a completely embarrassing position, ‘cause she just took off her sweater, but still… it was Ron. She just got so nervous whatever they have some private moment.

"Yes, it’s me." He opens the door and got to the locker next to her and started to look for something. "Are you alright?"

"Are you kidding me? Yes. Just got rid of Lav without having to do so."

"Well, that's mature."

"What? I mean, you know I just couldn’t do it myself. Stop looking at me like that. I like her and all, but not like that."

"I understand...hum...I'm glad that you are happy now."

"Oh...hum...thanks. Now we just have to worry about Harry and his mission. I really hope that Felix works on getting the memory out of Slughorn."

"Yeah, me too. There so much going on, I was preparing for a bath here. Do you care to join me? All prefects could fit on this tub, really."

His ears became so red that it was almost indistinguishable from his hair. That certainly sounds better in her head them out loud.

"Is just that the aura in the common room is pretty dense right now. But you don't have to, really. It was silly to ask."

"But I want to."

Before the shame could take the best off both of them, she goes to the mirror and makes a bun out of her hair. Ron was untying his shoelaces when he heard:

"God. Why I have to be so ugly? This shirt looks terrible on me. I'm going to transfigure this into a toy for Crookshanks later!"

"I beg your pardon?"

"Oh, it's nothing, Ron. I was just thinking out loud."

"No, I heard you. Do you really think that you're ugly? ‘Cause, that's bullshit."

"Well, when you spend your entire youth with Malfoy and Parkinson telling you look like a chipmunk, you started to believe them."

"What about the times that I told you how beautiful you are?"

"Hum...I just figured that you and Harry were being nice to me. Besides, I don't think it was too often, so..."

"No, stop it. I never said it to be nice! I truly mean it! And maybe I don't tell you all the time, but I sure think of it every day when I see you." his face was so red he looked like he had a fever.

"...you do?"

Her feet were moving practically alone, getting herself closer to him. They were just staring at each other, not really knowing what to do next.

And then, someone walks into the bathroom and releases a big laugh.

"Ahh! Look what we have here! The mudblood and the blood-traitor! Did my eyes fool me, or did you two was about to..."

"Shut the fuck up, Malfoy! Why are you here anyway? Are you trying to cry in every bathroom in Hogwarts?"

Malfoy was so quick getting his wand that Ron probably was getting cursed if wasn't for Hermione stopping the spell.

"Please, Ron. Let's go. He’s not worth it."

Seeing themselves out of the bathroom, Ron’s expression reveals that he wore very angry and very concerned.

"Look, Mione. Maybe it's best if we go on to the Astronomy Tower. Remember how we could see Hagrid's hut perfectly when we are doing the OWLs? Ya know, for keeping an eye on Harry in case he seems to need us. Also, I bump into Dean before I was reading here. I think Ginny broke up with him. Maybe we should find her and cheer her up or something. Don't you think?"

"Hum...fine. That sounds the right thing to do right now..."

"Good. But listen, I don't want to hear you say that horse shit about being ugly ever again, okay? Or I will have to do something about you, young lady!"

"Well, in that case, maybe I'll say it again sometime."

[queen-scribbles]

Jinx!

Remember when I talked about the idea of Janine and Felix jinxing each other when they go to propose at the same time? Yeah, what better day to share the result with the world than Felix’s birthday :D

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

Janine didn’t think she’d ever seen Felix voluntarily sit still this long in all the time she’d known him. If he were human she’d be wondering if he’d fallen asleep. And they weren’t even watching a movie or anything.

That had been the plan when Nate shooed them out of the kitchen, but then they’d plunked down on Felix’s bed all cuddled up and neither could be arsed to find the remote. This was good, too. And surprised as she was at him not turning into a fidgety mess after two minutes, she was enjoying it too much to tease. They so rarely got to just be, without peril and running around and other stuff. This was nice.

“I like having you all to myself,” she commented, snuggling closer.

Felix didn’t reply, and Janine arched a brow. Maybe he had actually fallen asleep.

“Babe.” She poked him in the ribs and he yelped as he twitched away. “Ah, you are awake.”

“Yeah, sorry, I was thinking. About how amazing you are,” he added before she could ask, tone genuine and mischief in his eyes.

Janine giggled. Anyone else, she’d think they were buttering her up with a line like that out of the blue, but not him. “Well, don’t let me distract you.”

Felix grinned at her. “By all means, babe, distract away.”

“In that case...” Janine rolled from her position tucked under his arm to straddle his lap, her skirt pooling over his legs and her arms loosely around his neck. “Care to stroke my ego a little and share what makes me amazing?”

“Aside from everything?” Felix snorted, but the sincerity in his eyes belied the teasing tone. “Your smile, your laugh, the way you wanna help people...” his arms slid around her waist, “...your happiness, you have a way with words that could charm a banshee out of a snit” --he stole a kiss-- “But I’m glad you decided I was a better use of your talents.” Another kiss, slightly longer. “What else.... that little wiggly-bounce you do when you’re excited. And you have great taste in men-”

She kissed him, hands braced against the wall, then laughed, giddy, breathless, overwhelmed he’d reeled that off so quickly. “That’s quite a list.”

“Didn’t get to my favorite one yet,” Felix murmured, breath warm against her cheek. “You stuck around.”

“Felix...” She kissed him again, one hand curving the back of his neck and her thumb brushing over the hair at his nape. “I’m not going anywhere,” she promised softly, resting her forehead against his. “I like the rest of the team too much, and I love you.”

His breath caught, pulse jumping against her fingertips. “I love you, too.”

She loved when he said it like that; like it was a secret just for them, a treasure too precious by half, a truth that couldn’t be contained in words. It made her heart swell, made her want to throw caution to the wind, shout from the roof of the warehouse, something to tell him and the world how much he meant to her.

There was something. It was the very definition of throwing caution to the wind, of impulsivity, but there wasn’t anything wrong with that. “Felix-”

“Janine-”

“Will you marry me?” One question fell from two pairs of lips in the same moment, and all other emotions--surprise, elation, wild excitement--were momentarily eclipsed by playground rules from when she was six, and Janine whooped, “Jinx!”

At the same moment as Felix.

Half a second later, realization clawed out from under schoolgirl habit and grey eyes met gold, both wide with glee and horror in equal measure.

Shit. Janine clapped  hand over her mouth to hold back a giggle. What do we do?! she tried to ask with just her eyes. If vampires, werewolves, and various other supernatural forces were real, no way in hell was she messing with a jinx. It might actually give her bad luck.

Felix looked just as flummoxed--and amused--as she felt. He shrugged and bit his lip. Great.

Janine’s phone chimed as she tried to work out the easiest way to fix this  When she wiggled it out of her pocket, there was a text from Tina. Need you at the station. Should be quick 🤞. She wrinkled her nose and turned the phone to show Felix the text.

He nodded, eyes still laughing, and tugged her in for one more quick kiss before she climbed off the bed and hunted down her flats.

This might be a good thing, she mused as she headed for her car. If Tina greeted her by name it would break the jinx, she could handle this ‘quick’ problem, and come back to say ‘Yes, Felix’ and unjinx him if he still needed it. Yeah, this was good. 

---

Tina greeted her with an apologetic smile. “Hey. sorry to bother you on your day off, but the Captain decided these need to go to the big city” --she jostled the case files in her arms-- “and I need the detective’s signature.”

Janine nodded, fighting down  glower that Tina hadn’t used her name(but of course today would fall in the handful of occasions that happened). She got a pen from her desk and spread the files out to start signing off. There were only five, and Tina kept up a stream of chatter about her post-shift plans--never once saying Janine in the whole ramble. It was as she finished checking and signed the last file Tina poked her in the shoulder.

“Hey. You’re being awful quiet,” she pointed out, brow furrowed. “Are you mad at me?”

Janine shook her head..

Tina’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Just not feeling chatty today?”

Janine wrinkled her nose and shrugged, and Tina’s eyes lit up.

“Oh, my god, you got jinxed, didn’t you?!” she crowed as she collected the files.

Janine huffed grumpily and raked back hair that had fallen from her bun.

Tina grinned. “Who got you?”

Janine curved her hands to form a heart against her chest and fluttered her eyelashes.

“Felix?!” Tina’s grin went wider and decidedly mischievous “So I guess now you need to be unjinxed, huh?”

Janine nodded, pressing her palms together in a pleading gesture.

Tina tapped one finger against her chin and smirked. “Now, let’s see, what do I want in return for this favor....? Any ideas, J- oh, right, I’m on my own for this one.”

Janine pouted and lightly whacked her friend’s shoulder in protest. That’s not fair!

“I’d play nice if I were you, my friend,” Tina teased, wagging a finger. “Give me another second to think.”

Janine managed to control herself while Tina stroked her chin in exaggerated thought, but internally she was making strangling motions.

“I know,” Tina finally said with a giggle. “How’s a baker’s dozen pastries from Haley’s sound? Fair trade?”

You and your sweet tooth. Janine bit back a smile as she nodded. If that’s what it takes, fine.

“Promise?”

She rolled her eyes and made a heart-crossing gesture. Best I can do.

Tina grinned. “You’re the best, Janine.”

“No, you are,” Janine said fervently, wrapping her in a quick, tight hug. “I’ll get you the pastries tomorrow when they’re fresh, right now I have to go.” She darted for the door. “Thanks, Tina!”

“You’re making me think I should have aimed higher!” Tina hollered after her. “Like rights on being your bloody maid of honor or something!” 

Janine snorted a laugh at the irony but didn’t even slow down.  She could explain later.

----

Felix had never been good at patience, but this was even worse than usual. He paced his room with bouncing steps for all of thirty seconds before even that wasn’t enough and he headed out to find... someone.

Mason was on patrol, Rebecca had been called to some meeting.... Maybe if he tried to sneak back into the kitchen he could get Nate to scold him and that would do the trick.

But Nate wasn’t in the kitchen anymore when Felix got there. His face crinkled in disappointment and he lightly kicked the bottom edge of the counter.

He needed to be unjinxed by the time Janine got back. Even if this quick problem stayed quick to fix, he didn’t want to wait. He wanted to be able say ‘Yes, absolutely, just try to stop me!’ as soon as she walked in.

Of course, the fact they’d both asked was sort of a yes on its own, wasn’t it? Felix eyed the fresh tray of cookies sitting atop the stove and shook his head. Didn’t matter. He wanted to actually say it.

Denied freedom via scolding, Felix wandered back out of the kitchen in search of Nate or Adam or somebody. The few agents he passed in his quest nodded politely but all looked too preoccupied to stop and help him. Somewhere in his random meanderings, he started picking up the sound of rhythmic blows and he grinned. Shoulda know Adam would be working out. His route became much more deliberate as he started making his way to the training room.

Adam was clearly focused--though no doubt noticed he had company--so Felix waited by one of the benches for a... safer feeling moment to finagle what he needed out of the team leader. It didn’t take long--though it felt like an eternity to Felix--for Adam to finish the series of moves he’d been... rehearsing? Practicing? Whatever you’d call it, he’d actually left the practice dummy in one piece this time. Normally Felix would jokingly applaud his restraint just to get an eyeroll. 

“Did you need something?” Adam asked without turning around. He wasn’t even breathing hard.

Felix wrinkled his nose and hunched his shoulders. This isn’t gonna work unless you look at me, he grumbled silently.

Adam turned with a frown creasing his brow. “I do not feel like playing games, Felix. What-”

Yes! Felix pumped one fist and grinned. “No, nothing, I’m good, thanks.” That was easier than I thought it would be.

Adam’s frown deepened, suspicion mingled with annoyance now. “Then why are you here?”

“Don’t worry about it, not important anymore.” Felix started edging toward the door.

“Felix.”

“Ugh, fine.” Adam was going to think this was silly, he knew he would, but the older vampire looked ready to haul him up by his collar and let him dangle until he explained. He wouldn’t, probably, but explaining was the path of least resistance, and Felix was fond of those. Knew I shoulda looked for Nate.

Just as he opened his mouth, however, the training room door burst open to reveal Janine, loose wisps of hair hanging in her face and determined excitement burning so bright in her grey eyes it brought out the matching stripes in her dress. She hesitated a fraction of a second after catching his eye, probably worried about a repeat.

Felix was too excited to share her concern and launched himself toward her with a loudly whooped, “YES!!!”

She was giggling as he crashed into her, as she stumbled back into the door, as their hands latched onto each others’ clothes, laughing as she kissed him, deep enough he saw fireworks. Which was fitting because this deserved celebration.

It wasn’t until a deep, long-suffering sigh rumbled out of Adam they remembered they had an audience. “Do I want to know?”

Felix and Janine broke apart, grinned at each other, and both started rattling off explanations. Felix shut up a few sentences in; Janine was doing a much better job explaining that he would have. Besides, this way he got to look at her. At the way her eyes lit up, the extra wisps of hair curling and bobbing around her face as she reeled off an enthusiastic play by play of the events leading to now. She looked like she was glowing, or maybe that was just the light through the high windows, but Felix liked the thought of her glowing better.

Adam had a very skeptical eyebrow arched by the time she finished. “Jinxes are mere superstition, Detective. They cannot cause you harm because they are not real.”

“Says the vampire,” Janine shot back immediately with a grin and arched brow of her own.

Felix barely swallowed a whoop as he slung an arm around her shoulders and turned to grin at Adam. “She makes an excellent point.”

“Supernatural races existing outside legend is a different matter entirely,” Adam insisted, then shook his head as if dismissing the matter entirely. He ran a searching look over the two of them. “This... development will bring up things to discuss, but,” one corner of his mouth tipped upward. “I am happy, for both of you.”

“Thanks, I’m happy for us, too,” Janine said brightly, shuffling herself and Felix out of the way as Adam headed for the door.

“Me, three,” Felix chipped in, kissing her on the cheek.

One small chuckle escaped Adam, and he offered them a single nod of approval before he left the room. Soon as the door closed behind him, Janine;s fingers dug into Felix’s scarf and she kissed him deeply, soundly, long enough to set lights sparking behind his eyes.

“Fireworks,” he whispered mischievously, and she grinned and kissed him again so they could see some more.

[the-mad-starker]

VenStarker Fic: Wires Crossed

For the Venom-X-Change-2020 event on AO3. This fic was written for @zsparz​ 💗

Length: 7292

Summary: Peter was hopelessly in love with a Tony Stark who kept him at arm's length. The reasons why are not what he expected at all.

Notes: canon divergence (venom symbiote bonded with Tony), tentacles, love confessions, idiots in love, first time, rimming, anal sex, size kink, lots and lots of tentacles

AO3 LINK

💗💗💗

There was always something different about Tony Stark. Peter knew it. The rest of the world knew it. It was his genius, his cleverness… a million and one qualities that just set him apart from the rest.

It was a fact that was harmless enough but to Peter, it took a whole other meaning when they met. The shortness of his breath rivaled the sheer excitement he felt upon seeing the older man sitting there, that familiar but foreign smirk on his face.

"Mr. Stark–" One step forward and Peter's spidey senses shot through his body in a flood of dangerdangerdanger. His knees went weak but one sticky hand on the wall kept him from buckling.

"You okay, Mr. Parker?" Mr. Stark accessed him, eyes roaming, while May's eyebrows shot up.

"Yeah, I'm– I'm alright," Peter stuttered as he fought to get his screaming senses to calm down. "Just really… Hungry. I haven't eaten since breakfast. Skipped lunch cause– you know."

It was a weak excuse but they were strangers so he didn't expect Stark to really question it. 

Mr. Stark didn't buy it and something flickered in his eyes… Concern? The older man stood and May followed, worried.

He needed to get himself under control. He was still relatively new to his superpowers so– what the fuck.

Suddenly, Peter could breathe again. As suddenly as it had come, his spidey senses went silent as though nothing was wrong. Was it a fluke? He still wasn't used to all the weird things his body was going through. Doubt and uncertainty was a familiar feeling as he filed away the anomaly for another time.

A gentle but firm hand landed on his shoulder and his heart jumped, startling him back to his meeting with his favorite hero. 

Their eyes met and the telltale signs of Peter's silly crush became evident. Heart pounding, breath shallow, and warmth infused in his cheeks. Looking into those sharp brown eyes, Peter felt… dazed?

"How about we talk in your room, Mr. Parker?" Mr. Stark suggested.

"I'll get dinner started," May offered, "If you want to join us, Mr. Stark?"

The older man gave a warm smile but shook his head. "I don't want to intrude and I'm sure you guys will have a lot to talk about after I leave."

May looked relieved but Peter knew it was only because she felt pressured to cook a decent dinner if Mr. Stark was staying.

"Mr. Parker," Mr. Stark encouraged him with a squeeze of his fingers, "if you'll lead the way."

"Congratulations on the internship, Pete," May added as he and Mr. Stark walked to his room.

Internship?

Peter didn't say a thing and he didn't need to because as soon as the door closed, Mr. Stark spoke.

"So, Spider-Man, what happened out there?"

Peter looked at him, wide-eyed and ready to deny it. It was futile, of course. Tony got him to confess his identity as Spider-man but as he watched the older man drive off, he didn't think it went too badly.

--

What Peter hoped to happen and what actually happened are two different things.

Maybe it was his silly crush on the older man, but when Tony Stark personally came to recruit him, he thought they'd actually spend time together. Not that they didn't spend time together but it was so much less than he wanted.

Not to mention that there was this thing that Tony did. It was a thing Peter hated and wanted so desperately to break through but he just didn't know how.

Tony kept him at arm's length. They spent a god-awful amount of time in the lab together and yeah, there were moments where he felt like they really connected but then Tony would reset the next day.

Peter was just his official intern. Kept at a distance. Tony wasn't so formal that he didn't joke or put on any airs but there was this barrier that meant their friendship could only go so far. He was polite in a Tony kind of way but he never took that next step that would deepen whatever it was between them.

At first, Peter was so sure that it was because his crush on the older man was that embarrassingly obvious. Why else would Tony act the way he did? And the thought plagued the younger man because he tried to be professional while being friendly but things just seemed so tangled and impossible.

Maybe, he just needed a chance, he had thought to himself. So he tried and his fumbled attempts at flirting seemed to make the other man smile. But then that thing happened and it was back to square one.

Maybe after some thought… Maybe Tony was uncomfortable with all the attempts Peter made to show his interest? But that was before he had gotten the hint that Tony wasn't interested… Maybe Peter was flirting without meaning to?

They just got along so well that these teasing little banters would start between them and Peter could swear that the older man was interested. But what did he know? He wasn't experienced in that kind of thing and as much as he wanted to rectify that, his heart was set on Tony.

Peter sighed as he entered his bedroom. His bag, filled to the brim with notebooks and books, was tossed carelessly to the side. He was ready to clock out and take a nice little nap until he went on patrol later in the evening. 

His eyes were already drooping closed when his phone buzzed with an incoming message. He checked it more out of habit than actual desire.

Come over.

Peter's eyes shot open. 

The message was from Mr. Stark and like many of his previous messages, they didn't really give him any more info beyond that. And he knew from prior experience that shooting off a "what's up?" Or "??" wouldn't get him an answer either.

If Peter was busy, he wouldn't go. Tony probably just assumed that was the case during the times his mentee didn't pop up. More often than not, Peter was able to make it though.

This time… He didn't even have to think about it. His fatigue evaporated, mind and body invigorated by the thought of spending some time with Tony.

Maybe it was a little sad that he was so eager for the older man's company but he couldn't help being opportunistic. To feel better about it, Peter took a few minutes to shower and change into something more comfortable. 

From Queens to the city, the time passed quickly. It only felt like a couple of minutes had passed by the time he was in the elevator and FRIDAY was directing him to Tony's experimental labs.

When the doors opened, he knew something was wrong. First off, Tony's favorite brand of music wasn't being blasted off the speakers. It was quiet enough that Peter could hear his steps as he walked further into the labs.

But then, there was a mounting sense of urgency growing in the pit of his stomach. It was a peculiar sensation, one that confused him because it felt like his spider senses were trying to warn him but… why would it do that here?

Peter hurried, making sure to keep his steps light just in case there really was a problem.

Then he caught sight of his mentor. Tony was standing in front of his array of holograms, hands planted firmly on the tabletop and leaning forwards. His head hung loosely between his shoulders with the shadows blurring his eyes.

On the main screen, there was some sort of formula being constructed but Peter barely noticed. That was because his entire attention was on the black fluid-like substance that was steadily seeping from Tony's back.

His breath caught and for a split second, he felt like he was in some sort of horror show. Peter could only watch as more and more of that inky darkness flowed over his mentor's trembling body. 

He would've rushed to his side but then his ears caught these sounds that Tony was making– Oh, God… Those weren't the kinda sounds someone would make if they were in pain. That sounded like– His ears turned red, heat mixing in with adrenaline as he stared and stared.

It was… hypnotic. It should've been frightening because what the fuck was that but… Detached from that sense of horror, what he was seeing was almost beautiful. The darkness spilled out, gleaming and reflecting light as it arched all around his mentor. It looked like it was forming a protective cocoon that, strangely enough, gave the impression of possessiveness.

The thing that made Peter take action though was that there was too much of it. It seemed like an endless supply of black kept seeping out of Tony's body and it was simply engulfing him.

No matter how beautiful it looked, Peter couldn't help gasping out his name.

"Mr. Stark…!"

Tony's head jerked towards him, surprised. The brown of his eyes were thin discs, pupils dilated.

All at once, that black cloud rushed back inside the older man as though being sucked in by a vortex. It happened so quickly, surprising the both of them that Peter barely had time to react when Tony dropped to his knees.

Peter was by his side in an instant, eyes rushing over his mentor's body to find any injuries, any anomalies. All the while, his brain was trying to make sense of what the fuck just happened.

"Kid…" Tony mumbled. He was crouched, one knee pressed to his chest and his head tipped down. There was sweat on his brow and his shoulder felt hot beneath Peter's palm.

"Are you okay, sir?" Peter asked. His voice sounded high-pitched to his own ears, just short of panic. "Wha–What was that?"

Tony looked up and there was a glassy sheen to his eyes. Combined with the fever, Peter came to a quick conclusion.

"Were you drugged, Mr. Stark?" He asked, trying to see what other damage had been done. "Should I call 9-1-1? Friday?"

"Kid– Peter," Tony tried to get his attention. Some of the fogginess seemed to recede but it still wasn't enough for Peter. "I know what it was."

Their contrasting reactions to the situation were just so bizarre that Peter was finding it hard to rationalize. But Tony had been an Avenger and a hero much longer than Peter so maybe dealing with stuff like this was just so typical.

"What was it?" Peter asked, trying to stay on track. 

"I was working on something and the stupid thing– Ugh, simply put, I got what essentially amounts to sex pollen into my system and–"

Peter's brain came to a screeching halt. Aphrodisiacs, he knew about those but the term sex pollen seemed to be more intense.

Still, he had to ask.

"Like an… aphrodisiac or something?" Peter hedged cautiously.

Tony grimaced. "Probably worse but nothing I can't handle."

It was only then that Peter noticed Tony's pants were undone. His crouched over position, it seemed, was deliberate in that it hid the state of his undress and more likely than not, any state of arousal the older man was in.

Heat crawled up his neck, no doubt turning his cheeks bright red. It also didn't help that some of that blood flow was directed further south.

His eyes skittered away despite wanting to affirm if Tony was hard. Peter, himself, hunched over a little, hoping to hide his own responding state.

Peter knew that the best thing to do was to retreat but some part of him didn't want to. This thing could be something they laugh about in the future or something they completely bury in the past and never talk about. Or it could be the thing he needed to get Tony to really see him.

Besides, he still had so many questions… He just shouldn't be getting hard when something was obviously off in this situation.

"And that thing that was all over you… Was that something with the um, aphrodisiac?" 

He knew he shouldn't be getting hard and yet… Peter couldn't get the sight out of his mind and his mind puzzled over it, maybe even obsessed over it. 

It was like a void had taken on a physical form but it had also looked fluid in some parts. In others, the thing had looked like it was solid. What really stuck in his mind was how sensual the whole thing appeared but maybe it was his perception of Tony that was to blame, not the way some weird liquid solid moved.

Tony's grimace only deepened and Peter felt bad for putting him on the spot when he was in such a precarious situation. But he knew… He knew that Tony would brush it off if he left now. He would reset and push Peter away.

Peter didn't want that so he clung to the situation.

"That… that was something else, Pete," Tony said hesitatingly.

Were they at a stalemate? Tony could've gotten up at any moment but he just stayed there, as did Peter. At this moment, were they both…?

"I'll explain another time, but right now..." Tony cleared his throat, "I got some things to take care of. If you don't mind."

Peter looked away but forced himself to turn back to his mentor.

"Why did you text me if you were busy, sir?" Peter asked. Then he licked his lips, boldly pushing forward, "Does it hurt or something? Is there anything I can… do to help?"

He was sure that his face was a nice cherry red color. But… He put it out there. Never had Peter so plainly offered himself. He held his breath, hoping wildly that Tony would…

"Text? I didn't..." Tony trailed off, frowning to himself. 

There was a moment of silence where Tony was just looking at him and then he squinted. Kept looking at Peter then at the cell phone on his table then at his hands. Silent microexpressions that hinted at what was going through his mind but not outright giving it away.

Peter fumbled with his own phone for proof, tapping the screen and showing the message.

Tony's eyes narrowed.

"Traitor," Peter heard him mutter, Peter heard him mutter, out of the blue.

Tony then sighed and moved into a sitting position with a groan. Peter wished that he could say he didn't look but he did.

A quick little glance confirmed that Tony was still hard. Peter swallowed the sudden influx of spit in his mouth, feeling hot and bothered.

"Ah-hem," Tony coughed, hiding a smirk behind his hand. He did arch a brow, "I got some weird alien pollen going on, what's your excuse?"

Peter squeaked in alarm, knowing he was caught off guard. He tried to play it cool anyway and subtly moved the corner of his hoodie over the obvious bulge where he was getting hard. 

"I've had a crush on you since... forever?" he admitted, unable to look Tony in the eye.

"You… You did or you… have…?" Tony asked curiously, cautiously.

Peter peeked at him, eyebrows raised. He thought his feelings were extremely obvious.

"Have."

He had the pleasure of Tony's mouth dropping into a little 'O'.

"Well… damn," the older man exhaled, laughing slightly.

They sat there for a moment longer, both a bit amused at the situation. It seemed so silly that Tony didn't know… Even so, Peter frowned at the lack of answers he was getting.

Hesitatingly, he reached over and squeezed the other man's knee.

"I really do wanna help you, Mr. Stark…" he said plainly, holding the older man's gaze, "and that thing… I wanna know what that thing was… You're obviously okay but..."

Peter continued to lock gazes with him, determined to show his mentor how serious he was.

Tony seemed to be internally conflicted, probably monologuing with himself as he tended to do. Peter, with his best puppy eyes, awaited his answer.

The older man muttered something under his breath before he finally seemed to give in.

"Only a few people know this," Tony started then seemed to backtrack when he said, "You know how I escaped the Ten Rings back in Afghanistan?"

He did. It had been all over the news and later on, when Iron man made its debut, the pieces had been put together on how Tony escaped. He'd never heard it from Tony's point of view though.

Peter nodded, leaning forward and so curious. "Yeah, it was the first Iron man prototype you created. It got you out."

Tony nodded, then a bit more solemnly, he confessed, "The thing that wasn't published was that I… kind of blew myself up. The armor was made of pieces of scrap metal, never before tested, all just theory and aspirations. Anything was better than staying there... So I got out. And I blew myself up in the process."

This was all new information for Peter. It was a hard fact to process… He couldn't imagine a world where instead of watching the news of Tony's return, it would've been a funeral. His blood chilled at the very thought of it.

Tony cleared his throat, no doubt sensing Peter's upset. "I ended up in the hospital, actually. In this little town that Rhodey took me to. They would've flown me to one of the bigger ones but I wasn't supposed to make it from the get-go. My chances of survival were… abysmal."

He lifted a hand, palm facing upwards. A dark plum of fluid spilled out, liquidy and swirling around itself. Even in this tiny form, it was fascinating and hypnotic to watch.

Peter's mind stumbled over itself trying to figure out what it was. Some sort of secret tech? He wouldn't put it past Tony to create something but even this was beyond the impressive display of nanotech his mentor created.

"It's a parasite," Tony explained calmly.

Peter inhaled sharply. "Para–"

Then the thing came alive. It swirled larger, seemingly gathering more of itself out of nowhere. It whirled together like an angry hornet's nest. Not only did it become larger but it grew eyes and a large cavernous mouth followed with tiny razor-sharp teeth.

"Parasite!?" It hissed, voice guttural and offended. Peter's mouth dropped open as the thing swirled to face Tony, flashing menacing teeth. "We are not a parasite."

His mentor was entirely unphased and what was even more confusing was the fond, almost chagrined expression on his face.

"Yes, sweet pea, it's just the scientific term," Tony said as he leaned down and kissed the top of what should be the creature's head. "Okay, fine. A symbiote."

The creature didn't seem placated but it did shrink, the mouth disappearing so only large white sinister eyes peered at them.

"We are Venom," the creature rumbled and Tony smiled, affection shining through.

"This little guy is part of an alien race called the Klyntar," Tony told him. "And sweet pea found me after the blowing up. Saved me, actually… And we've been together since."

The creature didn't confirm or deny but somehow Peter could tell that it was pleased. He wasn't even sure how he made that deduction but the… body? seemed to have settled into a lazy spiral as it swirled around itself.

"This human… intends to mate," the symbiote purred, staring at him with that strange alien gaze. Peter's eyes grew wide.

"It's a fear boner!" he blurted out.

The symbiote swirled towards Tony, almost vibrating with curiosity.

"Yeah, go ahead and search for it," Tony told the creature with a chuckle.

"Ah," the symbiote murmured knowingly after a moment.

Tony lowered his hand but instead of the symbiote retreating into his body, it traveled up his arm and settled comfortably on his shoulder. Like this, it reminded Peter of a cat for some reason.

"The reason why I told you isn't because I need your help," Tony admitted while absently petting the inky void on his shoulder. "Well, not with sweet pea and not with the, ah, sex pollen."

"Tony will need help," the symbiote disagreed, displeased.

"I will not–" Tony refuted, attention switching to the creature.

The pieces clicked into place. What Peter witnessed when he first came in… the way Tony was trembling while that massive inky cloud of blackness surrounded him.

"Was Venom helping you?" Peter dared to ask.

Tony fell silent, debating whether or not to answer. That was answer enough to Peter. He sat there, mindblown, as he digested the implications. Tony and this… creature?

"The symbiote and I have been in a state of symbiosis for… years now," Tony said softly, almost lovingly. "Sweet pea and I… We're like one entity. They can't be separated from me and I can't let them go."

The creature hummed in delight.

"We are one…" it agreed softly.

To Peter, it felt like the world was about to shatter in front of him. He didn't think he'd ever have a chance but of course, finding out would always make it hurt even more. But to find out that some alien creature– Wait.

"Then the… Text? Why did you send it when you're in this state?" Peter demanded. There was a thread of hope there but his face remained neutral.

Now it was Tony's turn to become flustered.

"We have dreams," the symbiote answered instead of Tony. "Dreams of… You. Of the spiderling."

"...Traitor," Tony muttered again. "Sometimes, my other half likes to do things when I'm not looking."

The last part was said with a pointed glare at the creature but Peter could tell there wasn't any heat in it.

"So the… alien para–" the symbiote perked up, ready to hiss when Peter remembered and amended his words, "the symbiote sent the text because you… you want me, sir? Is that right…?"

Tony was definitely flustered but he nodded firmly then clasped Peter's wrist. "But I can't have you. Not when we're like this. We're– We won't separate, Pete. It's why I've never allowed myself to… Not with anyone since Afghanistan."

Peter took a deep breath. He kept looking at Tony's hand on his wrist and thought about it. It took a tremendous amount of trust for Tony to tell him. Even if the symbiote was the one to push for this encounter… Peter didn't think that Tony was entirely unaware of what his other half wanted to do.

As he organized his thoughts, a swirl of black seemed to creep towards Tony's fingers. It… fascinated him. This was an alien creature? He found that once he accepted the revelation, it wasn't that hard to picture it. Well, then again, people like Thor and Mr. Loki existed so why not beings like the symbiote?

The symbiote's little tentacle passed Tony's knuckles and skittered to a fingertip. There, it hesitated before a thinner piece swept past and touched Peter's knuckle. It was so feather-light that Peter wouldn't have noticed if he wasn't watching. It was more like a caress, a soft touch that was just exploring.

Tony and this symbiote were one entity, they both confirmed. And they shared dreams. Did they share desire too?

Peter peered at them, heart pounding as he made a decision.

"I still want to help," Peter said softly, "and… I want more than that."

Tony seemed surprised by his answer but the symbiote swirled around his ear, hissing in amusement.

"Told you so," it teased.

--

Tony definitely needed help with the sex pollen. It started off mild enough but the symbiote explained it'd only get worse. Peter didn't want it to get worse so they got started.

It was awkward at first and as much as Peter had fantasies of getting fucked in the lab, Tony wanted a bed. His mentor said it because he was an old man but the symbiote seemed to think it was another reason.

Peter was more than happy to follow them to bed, even if he was a little apprehensive. But it was his first time, so that was easily explained. Add to the fact that he was technically having a threesome for his first time…

It was nerve-wracking and yet… When they fell into bed together, it became so easy. Tony's arms circled around him, pulling him close to a firm human body. That was normal. And Tony's lips were so soft… So soft and so hungry as he kissed Peter gently with ever growing fervor.

It was intense and perfect, their mouths slanting together, barely parting except when a moan refused to be contained. It was all perfectly normal as far as Peter could tell. He was so caught up in Tony, in the feel of his mouth, his beard scratching pleasantly against his skin… His roaming hands… It was a dream come true to Peter and he embraced it fully. But then, he started to notice other things.

Soft subtle things like Tony reacting to something other than himself. It didn't make him jealous though. In fact, it turned him on to see Tony's expression start to cloud over with pleasure.

The symbiote was making its move and directing its attention to Tony. It was expected but after a while, Peter became… curious.

So it wasn't by accident that when he encountered one of the symbiote's limbs, Peter didn't pull away. It was curled around Tony's hip and Peter explored cautiously.

It was long and solid but the girth of the limb would be thick in one part then taper off into a thinner point only to grow thicker if it joined another section. It moved sinuously and it… it reminded him of tentacles… Peter caressed it as it had done to him when they were talking. The creature seemed to understand and didn't shy away from him.

If anything, it seemed eager enough to touch him back, curling around his wrist and directly his hand to Tony's firm ass. A slight pressure had Peter squeezing and the symbiote purred, pleased. It then traveled up his wrist and then his arm, a warm sort of weight that excited Peter.

From there, the symbiote fully joined them and became an ever-present force. It was attached to Tony for sure, tentatively spilling outside of the older man's body and boldly, shameless, exploring both of their bodies.

Peter could tell it was very familiar with Tony's.   It was more careful with him. More tentative but so very curious.

He felt every tendril of inky blackness as it slid around them. He felt it brush against his chest, Tony gasping against his mouth as the symbiote teased his nipples.

"Mm…" Peter watched Tony's mouth drop open, pleasure contorting his features. A tentacle caressed his face, urging the older man to kiss Peter once again.

He moaned into it and shivered when he felt the tendril slide down his neck.

"Ah…" Peter ended up beneath the older man, starting up at him with hooded eyes and a bruised mouth.

"Beautiful…"

"Beautiful…"

Host and symbiote had murmured the same word, sharing the same thoughts while Peter panted up at them.

Tony kissed him again and he arched into it, whimpering when something wrapped around his erection. It wasn't a human hand, but as Peter's hips jerked into the touch, he found that he could care less. It felt warm and tight and perfect.

"Tony…" Peter whined. Was this how it felt for Tony when the symbiote touched him?

"It's okay…" the older man murmured against his mouth. "Anything you don't like, tell us…"

His hips bucked into the tight grip and his entire body spasmed as the symbiote rippled around his erection, squeezing gently and massaging his cock like a living fleshlight.

"It's good…" Peter hissed, "so good, sir… Mmm… Want you to touch me too, please…"

Tony groaned, captivated, breath exhaled in a soft sigh. "Oh, sweetheart, you're a treasure…"

Tony took his request and his hands roamed all over Peter's body, learning all the spots that made him shiver and squirm in their hold. And if he felt the symbiote mimicking Tony's touches, Peter didn't protest. He was far from protesting.

"How far do you wanna go," Tony murmured against his jaw. 

He was sucking love bites onto Peter's skin, playing with his healing factor and doing it harder and harder until Peter cried out. It was a miracle that Peter could even process what he was saying.

"We can do it like this… Just running against each other… Making you feel good makes us feel good…"

Peter looked at him through the slits of his eyes. He licked his sore lips and pressed eagerly into the older man's touch. Tony's cock against his hip felt so hot and ready.

"Anything," Peter answered then amended, "everything…"

"Hmm…" Tony's response was a hum of consideration. 

There was some hesitation in that one note though and it was something Peter wanted to eradicate. If Tony and the symbiote were one person, he wanted them and everything they could give him. He was so sure of this, of Tony. Of Tony and the symbiote. 

"There's more," Tony admitted softly as though doing so would scare him away.

"I want more…" Peter almost begged.

Tony's eyes were so dark. He felt like he should be able to see the symbiote lurking there but he saw nothing. Feeling though… He could feel the symbiote now, feel the way it watched him through Tony's eyes.

Peter shivered and spoke to them both. "I want more… I want both of you. I want… Venom."

The answer seemed to be the right one. The hunger in Tony's eyes grew and he took in Peter's trembling body.

"Turn around…" It was said so softly that Peter would've missed it if not for his spider enhanced hearing.

He did so eagerly and when he felt Tony's hands on his waist, he almost melted into the bed. Instead, Tony kept his hips up in the position he wanted while Peter buried his face into the pillows.

Admittedly, Peter had never felt so exposed as he did right then. Tony and the symbiote could see everything, from his cock bobbing in the air between his trembling thighs to the tiny untouched hole between his cheeks.

"Mr. Stark…" he moaned when he felt Tony spread him open.

"We want a taste, Pete," Tony said, breath fanning over his sensitive hole. "Can we…? Wanna taste you on our tongue... Make you fall apart all around us..."

Oh, God…

"Yes, yes…" Peter babbled. "Do it, sir, do it–"

His words trailed off into incoherent squeaks and moans when they began. A wet, agile tongue licked him there and it was the most surreal experience Peter had ever had.

His breath came in shuttered gasps and his palms curled into fists. One pressed against his mouth as though it was possible to stop the dirty little moans he made from escaping.

The older man's tongue swirled around his hole, teasing and licking. Slurping. All these obscene sloppy noises assaulted his ears as Tony made quick work out of him, reducing him into a babbling, moaning mess.

And just when he forgot about the symbiote, it reminded him. While Tony started tongue fucking him, a wet tendril wound itself back around his cock and two smaller ones attached themselves to his nipples.

He whined when he felt them somehow suck on them, like small little mouths teasing every bit of pleasure they can get out of him.

Peter whimpered when Tony pulled away. The tentacles didn't stop though and he squirmed, hips swaying as the symbiote continued, sucking his nipples, pinching them, stroking his cock...

"Get ready, baby, this is gonna be… something," Tony warned. 

Peter barely caught a glimpse of him over his shoulder but what he saw… Maybe any sane person would've been terrified but all Peter saw was Tony. It was a different kind of Tony that was melding with the symbiote but nevertheless, he was still Tony.

He didn't know what Tony was talking about but he trusted him.

The next time he felt Tony's tongue, he did go boneless against the bed. Tony licked him gently, his tongue teasing the sensitive muscle. 

"Give it to me…" Peter whispered. 

A tendril caressed his cheek and he nuzzled against it. Tony had said pleasuring Peter gave them pleasure. Did that mean they shared pleasure just as they did thoughts and body…?

It was a curious thought, one that was blasted away when Tony pushed his tongue back inside. With some repetition, Peter thought he could get used to the feeling but for now, he tried to stifle a gasp and failed.

Then something changed and– Peter cried out as Tony's tongue grew and elongated, filling up the space in his body and brushing against this sensitive spot inside him. He felt it... Reaching so deep inside him where he didn't think it was possible...

"O-Oh…!" Peter stuttered out in a whine. "Oh, God…!"

Then he remembered how the symbiote's form was fluid-like and seemed to expand and shrink at its desire. He did a full-body shiver with the realization that Tony was doing that to him… Tongue fucking him along with the symbiote.

He was truly a mess now. Tears leaked from the corner of his eyes as that long, fleshy tongue played with his sweet spot.

He had asked for more and he was getting it…

"M-Mister… Starkk…!" He moaned, incoherent. 

The symbiote continued to caress his face with gentle tendrils but Peter, teased beyond his limits, didn't want gentle. Just as Tony was licking and tonguing him, Peter, too, put his mouth to good use.

Pleasure… He wanted to make them feel good, both of them.

He kissed the tentacle closest to his face, curled his arm closer so that it was nudged closer. It jerked at the contact but then eagerly traced along his lips as though asking for permission.

Peter moaned and kissed it again. It slipped into his mouth and even though it wasn't a cock and it didn't have the girth of one, Peter still felt so dirty and lustful taking it in. He sucked it like it was a cock, moaning when he heard Tony cry out in pleasure.

Tony's assault continued and it nearly drove Peter crazy. His tongue was reaching in deep inside him… Then he felt something else nudging against his hole alongside Tony's tongue and it was being gentle by slowly working itself in but it was also thicker… He was being stretched even more and it eased itself in, fucking him gently.

He didn't know if it was more of the symbiote's tentacles or if it was Tony's fingers. He couldn't bear to look… The sight of Tony eating him out while he was being fingerfucked would make him come. And he wanted to last, at least until Tony fucked him.

"Mmm–" His words were muffled around the tentacle in his mouth but as soon as he tried, it withdrew. He was left gasping, mouth open in a drawn-out moan.

"Wait…" he groaned desperately, "m gonna come, M-Mr. Stark…"

"Come then, baby…" Tony encouraged him when he pulled away. "We'll lick you clean..."

Even without his tongue, the other insertion continued to pump in and out of him. It was joined by another and another... Slimmer than the first but he still felt it, the way all three moved and pumped in and out of him in varying motions.

Tentacles then…

Peter's head swayed side to side, words escaping him as his hips pushed back in needy little jerks.

"Fuck me…" Peter gasped out. "Please, Mr. Stark… Need it…"

Tony groaned behind him and Peter was almost certain he'd go back to rimming him but then he was hauled up to his knees by a very strong grip. He gasped, shock and pleasure shooting through him like a jolt of thunder.

The hand that gripped his waist was black with the symbiote's flesh and larger than a normal human's. 

He felt Tony's cock press between his cheeks, rubbing against his wet hole. He shuddered and wondered if the pollen could transfer… Via spit or other fluids… If it could, he was certain he'd been dosed too. But the reality was, he was just this needy for the older man, this hungry to get fucked by Tony and his symbiote.

Tony shifted a bit and the large, heavy girth of his cock pushed between Peter's soft inner thighs. Tony was more than human in this state, and his cock, like the rest of him, was being supplemented by the symbiote.

"I could fuck you like this… Or I could fuck you as just myself…" Tony murmured, soft and intimate in his ear. He gently led Peter's hand between his legs, let him feel just how much his cock was different when he was like this. It felt… massive and pressed between his thighs, it looked impossible.

And yet, Peter wanted it. He wanted everything Tony could give him. Even with his breathing shallow, his mind balanced on the dangerous edge of fear and excitement, he wanted it.

"Will it fit? It's so big..." Peter asked, breathless. His fingers curled around the fat tip, rubbing along the sensitive undersides. 

Tony gave a breathy moan of pleasure before he said, "It'll fit, baby, we'll make it fit…"

Peter took in one last shuttered breath before nodding. "Do it…"

Tony was oh so gentle with him when he finally fucked him. Peter felt the strength restrained in his limbs as he did and knew Tony was being gentle on purpose. It was… Peter's first time, after all.

It was a lot to take in but as Tony promised, they made it work. The rimming had helped and, with a flushed face, Peter could admit that the extra attention the symbiote gave him helped too. Properly prepared, Peter's body still struggled to take him in but they were determined to do it. Inch by inch… Tony carefully pushed into him, breath ragged as he took Peter's first time.

Peter gripped anything within reach which was Tony's arms as he took his first cock. White knuckled, he bore through the sensation of being penetrated and God, he felt so full… He whimpered when he felt the press of Tony's hips against his ass and his head lolled against the older man's chest.

"Taking us so well, sweetheart…" Tony praised into his ear, "every damn inch…. Fuck, baby… We can feel it... Feel you squeezing down on us, ah– You wanna get fucked so badly... So fucking perfect for us..."

He felt the warmth of that praise but all Peter could do was moan, helpless and speared open on their cock.

"Let go, baby," Tony murmured. Peter vaguely noted his voice was rougher and deeper. "We'll take care of you… Make you feel so good..."

Some part of him remembered that he was the one that was supposed to be helping Tony but the words escaped him. With his head against Tony's chest, Peter looked at him with glazed eyes. The face staring back at him was monstrous, gleaming black clinging to Tony's tanned flesh and those teeth... Venom's white pupilless eye on one side and Tony's familiar brown in the other.

Peter came with a strangled cry. The combination of the symbiote stroking him and Tony fucking him was too much. He had waited so long that he was surprised he didn't come earlier. 

His release spurted into open air and all over the symbiote's tentacles that had been touching him. More dribbled down his pulsing cock, only to be collected and carried to Tony's lips. Tony kept his promise and licked away every drop.

Even soft, Peter wanted Tony to keep going. He knew he'd be hard in no time.

"Please…" Peter moaned, tipping his face up and hoping for a kiss.

They answered him, leaning down and giving him the kiss he didn't know he was craving. It was wet and savage, Venom's long alien tongue running over his human one. Even then, his lover was careful with his teeth. Peter never once felt the deadly sharp edge of those teeth, just the wet agile glide of their tongue as his eyes slipped closed.

He was fucked gently at first. Every push and pull felt like he was being turned inside out with Venom's alien cock dragging along his soft insides. He was probably ruined for any other, he couldn't imagine sex being anything but this…

His senses were dialed up to a hundred and every caress, every sloppy kiss, every nudge of Venom's cock against his sensitive prostate was just short of overwhelming. The only thing he could do was breathe through it and adapt.

It was a struggle but he was reminded at every turn that this wasn't just a fuck. The gentleness was almost lovemaking and when he finally got used to it… He craved more.

He craved the feeling of Venom/Tony's muscles flexing under his hands, craved the punishing thrusts that he knew his lover was capable of.

Peter worried that the next time he begged for more, he'd be denied. He was never so happy to be wrong.

Once they knew he was capable of taking them, they gave him the more he wanted. Manhandled and practically lifted into the air, each wrist and ankle held firmly by Venom's tentacles, they fucked Peter with careful abandon. He was Spiderman and more than capable of taking a beating but they were Venom and they weren't going to risk hurting him besides bruising up his lips with kisses, his skin with their teeth, and his insides with their cock.

It was more than enough. Tentacles were touching every part of his body, teasing his nipples, rubbing against his cheeks, fucking his mouth, massaging his cock… And smaller but still substantial tentacles pushing in and out of his body, sometimes syncing up with Tony's thrusts and other times moving in contrast to it.

He felt… So… full…

His second orgasm was dragged out of him and by the time the last pulses of cum spurted out of him, he was boneless in Venom/Tony's hold.

"Come…" he murmured against a tentacle teasing his mouth  "Inside me, please…"

He felt Tony's body shudder, his chest working hard to draw breath as he chased after his orgasm. Peter's eyes slipped closed, focusing on the way his lover's thrusts went from smooth and precise to short and sloppy.

He let out a soft cry when he felt Tony come inside. A flood of heat warmed his worn body and it came in several loads as Tony groaned, helpless and vulnerable as he filled Peter up.

They were a mess after. Tony's bedsheets were ruined for sure.

Sweaty and exhausted, but feeling beyond sated, Peter murmured, "Okay, now?"

The older man pressed a kiss to the corner of his lips.

"More than," he replied. He carried Peter into a spare bedroom but instead of leaving him there, Tony joined him under the covers. Now that Peter knew about the symbiote, he could feel its presence like a slight tickle in the back of his mind, his spider senses licking something up that wasn't quite human.

Tony's arm, entirely human, wrapped around his waist and dragged him back so they were pressed Peter's back to Tony's front.

"Round two in ten?" Peter teased with a soft hum.

He felt Tony chuckle against his ear, "That can be arranged." 

The soft tickle of a tentacle along his neck was all he needed to know the symbiote was in sync with those plans as well.

[sparklingpax]

On this episode of Kuni presenting some dumb headcanons that have probably already been done but she didn’t know: 

Sorry for any grammar mistakes, typos, punctuation misusages, plot holes (??) out of character-ness, or any kinds of things that I did wrong but these are ramblings based on an idea I’ve had for a while so uhh.. 

I’ve always thought Optimus and Ratchet would go on dates to drive-thru theaters. 

Like, they sneak out when the night is uneventful with Decepticon activity and leave the others and the children to do whatever they want (which usually results in some kind of movie night/party or an impromptu rock concert started by Miko :DD) in the base. 

They just pull up in the distance if the parking lot is packed (kinda like how the Rescue Bots did sometimes?? Idk if Im the only one who remembers but they had that side exit from the firehouse where they could chill and see the movie screen from a distance :3 Something like that~) or if it’s empty, they pull into the actual parking lot. They roll to a stop with their wheels just a tad bit over the separation lines. After all, they are on a date....screw the parking space lines if they wanna be close... <3 

Sometimes Ratchet picks the movie, sometimes Optimus--tho Optimus likes to let Ratchet choose which movie they attend the screening of...mainly because he likes to see his lovely date happy and peaceful, and because he doesn’t really care which movie is playing as long as they’re together :))

Sometimes Optimus falls asleep!!! Between the steady dialogue of some cheesy romance movie and the near-silent, rhythmic purring of Ratchet’s vehicle engines, he is easily able to doze off. I mean, he’s the leader of the Autobots!! He gets tired all the time regardless :( 

Ratchet notices, and most of the time, chuckles to himself and lets the tired leader sleep. It’s partially amusing when he suddenly jolts awake and after the movie, tries to act like he was never asleep, completely embarrassed when Ratchet raises an eyebrow, giving him a knowing look. The old medic is simply happy to have his partner’s presence. 

He only wakes Optimus up if there’s an important moment he wants Prime to see. Like, for example, if the two lost lovers are going to be finally reunited, or if the single human was able to succeed in overthrowing an entire regime. He does so by tapping into their comm system and whispering that he just saw a cat walk across his hood. 

Which, by the way, that did happen once! Optimus was awake for it too!! <33 A stray, fluffy white cat was wandering through the lot and it jumped up on Optimus’s hood, falling asleep instantly to the soothing hum of the Prime’s engines, and the warmth he gave off. It took literally everything Optimus had in him not to make a single noise, but all he wanted to do was gush about the creature, transform, and hold it in his digits, cradling it softly. 

Of course, he gushed to Ratchet all the drive back to base, and Ratchet simply listened, pleased it had been such a perfect night :) 

And that brings me to my next point! They drive to and from. Always. It’s just a fun experience and they enjoy that much more than bridging over. On the drive, they talk. They note the scenery, they take a new route and enjoy the nature they pass. Sometimes, they take a detour and sit together on some rocks overlooking a river, pointing out the stars and discussing something philosophical. Or silly :)

Finally, they’ve never taken any of the children or bots on this date, and have never even hinted that it even happens. For all the others might know, Optimus and Ratchet are simple taking an “outing” together, or doing the night patrol together. Even while the kids are convinced it’s some kind of date, no one knows what exactly they do or where they go....and the Autobot leader and his medic are fine with it this way. 

If they can have just one thing to themselves, this would be it~ 

💗💖💖💖💖💖

///

If any of that makes sense. ^^’’

sorry this got away from me; if you read this garbage idea , thank you so freaking much ily QwQ I know it became incoherent rambling but I just love this idea and I can clearly see it happening also sorry again for any typos or grammar things djsdksdkj I’m trying to look like im paying attention in this class but ya know...I’m not lmfao :’D

I hope you liked it <3 

[almost-correct-bnha-quotes]

I love you

Request/tags: @reality-is-often-disappointing

Ship: Aizawa x Reader

Summary: After some tough weeks at work, a haircut you weren’t really proud of and some mean comments, you breakdown under the pressure. Luckily, Aizawa is there to comfort you.

____________________________________________

Your breath was shaky as you doodled something on a piece of paper, in an attempt to distract yourself from the blue emotions whirling in your head. You got a haircut recently that wasn't perfect, but was okay, in your opinion. Not everyone seemed to agree. You had a few negative thoughts when looking in the mirror, and the comments you gained from certain family members managed to bring you down a lot.

In another time, you would have resisted better, perhaps, but you did have some difficult weeks at work that didn’t really help your mood up, either. Eventually, you felt your emotions get the best of you. You felt how the lump in your throat grew tighter and more irritating as your eyes began stinging. God, no, you thought. 

For a moment, you checked your phone. It was 5 PM and you expected your boyfriend, Aizawa to enter the house any minute. He finished his classes around this hour, and you hoped he wouldn’t get called for a Pro Hero meeting, patrol or some other job-related business that evening. Those things usually ate up all the evening (and often the night as well), along with all his energy. You wondered, for a moment, if it was selfish of you to ask this much from the universe. In truth, it wasn’t. The unverse seemed to notice your struggle, as keys jingled in the front door, allowing the person you were expecting to enter the house.

“Y/N, I’m home!” He called out, tiredness audible in his voice. 

Youbit your lip, unsure how to respond for a moment. You didn’t want to worry him, but God you needed a hug and some reassurance from him.

“Eh… great!” You said, your voice slightly hoarse from the lump of emotions in your throat, “How was your day?”

Aizawa sighed as he took his jacket off. As much as you tried, you still couldn’t fool him. He’s known you for a solid five years now and dated you for three of them. He probably knew you the best. 

“My day was fine, the usual schoolwork.” he said as he walked up the stairs. He pushed the door to your office open and looked at you softly. “Now, how was your day?”

He walked up to you and rubbed your back slowly. You always found it comforting but this time, even if it still remained comforting, it only resulted in you bursting in tears. 

“Oh dear,” he muttered, “Oh no.”

“I- I’m sorry,” You said. God, you felt like a burden.

“No, no, don’t apologise. Why are you sorry? You didn’t do anything wrong. Come, let’s lay down.”

You stood up slowly and let him carry you to your bedroom, taking slow steps between sobs.The two of you lay down in bed as, unnoticed until then, your cat, a fluffy grey Siberian tomcat named Pogo, followed you into your bedroom. He jumped on the bed at your feet and looked at you curiously, probably wondering why you were so sad. If he could’ve fully understood why you were so upset that day -and week, to be fair- he would’ve said the nicest things to you.

Luckily for you, Pogo was a smart cat. He knew you were upset and although not knowing why you felt the way you did, he made sure to cuddle to your feet, rubbing his fur to your legs. It was something that resulted in you snorting a little in amusement, much to everyone’s relief.

“So, what happened?” Aizawa asked, playing with your hair.

You began to tell him all about those mean comments you received from your family, the tough days with school in which you were literally drowning under the work and pressure to get all your tasks done and the insomnia nights in which blasting music in your earphones felt like the best medicine in the world against the endless daylight frustrations and occupations. Aizawa smiled, a soft chuckle escaping his mouth.

“Silly kitten,” he said, calling you the nickname he always used when amused with you and comforted you, “Going through all this and telling me nothing? Those people who raised you must be blind and dumb. You are beautiful, especially with this new hairstyle. It gives you a fresh look, you know? A cool look. It doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful. Whatever you do or say is already perfect.”

“But… that won’t stop them from being rude to me.”

“You’re right. They might not stop. But let’s try not to put their comments to the heart, shall we? You have me with you.”

You nodded. “Okay.”

“Good girl, kitten,” he said. 

He bopped your nose and wrapped his hands around you. You pressed your head against his chest. Through his soft, dark blouse, you could hear the rhythmical, calming beats of his heart. 

“Everything’s going to be okay,” he whispered in your ear, “I promise, Y/n. Everything’s going to be okay. I love you.”

[dex-xe]

if you’re still taking requests i’d love to see “Hey, look at me. Focus on me alright?” with alison and thomas cause u know that lil bitch gets panic attacks/meltdowns and i feel like alison’d be hella good at talking him thru em

Thomas, Alison, Pat & the Captain General #23: “Hey, look at me. Focus on me alright?”

(So this is a fic for these three, I couldn’t decide who to write so here’s all three of them trying to deal with an upset Thomas. Also,, for some reason these are getting no interaction on ao3, yes they’re on there as well, so if anyone wants to go check out some of my stuff on there pls do @/littlemouseinapartyhat :))) Also I know all the fics so far have focussed on a select few characters but the next one will be the Button House women on a sleepover,, spoiler alert Fanny joins in and has fun :P)

Prompt list

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Far too many times, Pat and the Captain had discovered Thomas buried to his eyes in the murky green water of the lake. It was hardly a surprise to either when Thomas had bolted from the house and dove into the water with the arrival of a new Lord Byron with film crew in tow. As soon as his overwhelming emotional meltdown had begun, Pat and the Captain had shared one single glance across the film set, a knowing glance of full understanding of what they must do later. Their usual nightly patrol was punctuated by a detour to the lake where they, like usual, would sit on the grassy bank beside the water for two hours persuading Thomas to come inside. They’d eventually peacefully appease him and watch as Thomas took the long and silent walk back to the house where he’d dramatically flop into his bed - and remain there for days on end. Pat waited until the Captain had finished gawking after Adam to catch his arm and drag him swiftly towards the lake. They stood on the shoreline watching Thomas huff and puff in the dark water, running his fingers repeatedly through his soft curly hair. “So what do we do exactly?” Someone asked. Unaware they had been followed, both men spun around to find Alison behind them, hands on hips gazing out at Thomas. Pat turned back to face the lake, stepping up the algae ridden waterline. “Thomas!” He called. “Thomas! Are you alright?” Thomas didn’t respond. Instead ducking further below the surface to drop his nose under the water too. “Listen, Thorne!” The Captain shouted out to him. “It’s getting dark, you must come inside at once.” “Does he listen?” Alison asked. “Eventually,” the Captain sighed. “You might care to take a seat, Alison. He can take a little while, whiny child.” Alison perched on the edge of the bank, picking at the grass as she rested her chin on her knees, ready to watch whatever Pat and the Captain had planned for the poet. “Thomas, do you want to talk about it?” Pat shouted. “I get you’re upset, mate. But come out and we can have a chat, yeah? What’s wrong?” Thomas stayed silent, staring blankly back as if not a single thought was running through his mind. “I know you don’t feel well, and I won’t pretend to know what’s happening in that little brain of yours but talking it out will make you feel a thousand times better, I promise,” Pat told him. “Now listen here, Thomas. I demand you listen to Patrick and vacate the water with haste,” the Captain yelled towards him. “The film crew’s left, Tom, nothing left here to worry about,” Pat said. “You can come inside and calm down a touch, yeah? Letting it all out will do you the world of good.” “The sun is setting, Thorne. Whatever this silliness is, you had better push it down deep and come inside!” “Captain, that’s not exactly the best advice at the moment,” Pat told the Captain covering his frustration with a small chuckle. “We’re here to fetch him from the water, not provide a therapy session.” Pat turned fully towards the Captain and held his hands out to try and placate him, hoping he wouldn’t resort to his idea of talking never helping - as he had insisted with Fanny only weeks earlier. “If we find out what is troubling him, we can get him out.” “But-“ Alison stood up abruptly and stepped between the two of them. “Okay, well you guys aren’t helping him in the slightest,” she said. “What? I’m helping?” They said simultaneously, snapping to face each other and shoot incredulous looks. “You’re not doing anything!” “Okay, my turn,” Alison returned to watching Thomas’ morose face above the water. She took her phone from her back pocket and dropped it onto the bank before pulling off her heavy green jumper. She stepped into the lake, muddy water splashing about her ankles and coating the cuffs of her jeans. She sighed at the thought of slaving over laundry the next morning to recover her best jeans. “What the bally hell are you doing?” The Captain questioned. “You can’t seriously be going out there?” Pat said. “Fetch Mike if I start to drown, hey?” She said before wading deeper into the water. She was pleasantly surprised that she could keep her feet planted firmly on the silty bottom of the lake as the freezing winter water pooled around her legs, then hips, all the way up to her shoulders, and to the point where she had to push up onto her tiptoes to keep her head above the surface. Reaching Thomas within a matter of moments, Alison stopped in front of him and dropped ever so slightly so she was eye to eye with him. “Thomas,” she said quietly. “Hey, look at me. Focus on me, alright?” She reached a dripping hand from out of the water and reached as if to cup his cheek, hovering millimetres away. “Can you hear me, Thomas?” Thomas nodded jerkily, trying not to break his eye contact with Alison. “Good, you don’t need people shouting advice at you from the shoreline. You need someone to bring you back down, don’t you?” He nodded again. “You’re floating, aren’t you? Well above the lake and you feel like you can’t come down because everything that’s happening in that head is keeping you up. I’m right, aren’t I?” “Yes,” his voice cracked. “I’ve been there, Thomas,” Alison confessed quietly. “I’ve felt that: where you desperately need someone to catch hold of your leg and just pull you back down. It’s a panic attack, Thomas, or something similar; I’m not sure but it’s nothing to be afraid of. I just need you to focus on me, yeah? And the water. The water? The water! It makes you feel sick, doesn’t it? Can you feel it, can you feel that nauseous feeling like when you touch someone living? It’s there, isn’t it?” A thought overtook Alison, a simple but risky idea. It could bring Thomas straight back to reality, or it could make him feel a thousand times worse. Her hand stayed in position close to Thomas’ face, as she flicked her attention to it slightly. Leaning forward, her hand pressed into his cold form fading through his skin momentarily. Thomas took a deep breath, he had no need to but the overwhelming emotion had stopped his breaths for so very long. “Can you feel it? Does it make you feel, Thomas?” She whispered, trying hard to keep her balance on the lake bed and not fall straight through Thomas. “Fair Alison,” Thomas whispered. “I- I feel sick.” “Good, it’s called ‘grounding’. Using the things around you to bring you back to reality. I’m right here with you, so use my touch, my voice,” Alison said calmly. She couldn’t help but think about the first anxiety attack she’d ever experienced. Year eleven, minutes before a presentation on igneous rocks - Mike had been the one to sit on the corridor floor with her and coach her through it, using the very same techniques she was employing for Thomas. “When there are people in the house, people who work to mock me, it is as if every noise, every colour, every person is simply too vibrant,” he whispered, barely audible to Alison. “It is as if every bone in my body is being accosted by the senses, too many senses.” “I know, I know,” Alison muttered. “I know, Thomas. But you mustn’t drown yourself in the lake! This doesn’t feel particularly pleasant for me, let alone the undead. So, don’t drown yourself, please. One of the best things about my near-death and questionable spiritual abilities is that I can help you.” “None of the others understand this horrific feeling,” Thomas said. “Patrick and the Captain, they do their best. But Captain is rather harsh and Pat insists on talking nonsense and then trying to hug me. I do not feel I need that.” “Then come to me, Thomas,” Alison urged. “Don’t drown yourself, what kind of a solution is that? Find me and we’ll talk.” “I do not wish to disturb when you are-,” Thomas started. “No, you’re not a disturbance. If you need me, I’ll be there.” Thomas nodded gently, trying not to put pressure on the cold spot where Alison was touching his face. “Now, I’m freezing to death out here, and I’m fairly sure there’s a fish in my jeans. Let’s go inside, you can choose a film, yeah?” “Yes please.” The light had dropped quickly, the orangey grey light of the evening had been replaced by darkness. They began the trudge back to the shore where Pat and the Captain were sat side by side on the bank, trying slightly too hard to seem nonchalant a hide their eavesdropping. Pat jumped up as he realised they were coming back, and the Captain uncrossed his legs to stand beside him. “Fantastic work, Alison!” Pat said, reaching out to take Thomas by the arm. He cowered away slightly, only to be guided slowly forward by Alison; more herding him than actually touching his waistcoat. Pat retreated holding his hands up in surrender. “That’s probably a record!” “Whatever did you say to get him away so quickly?” The Captain asked. “Stop being so nosy,” Alison chuckled, ringing the water out of her dark hair. “Thank you for your help, Pat, Cap. But just leave him be for a little while, okay? Come on, back in with you,” she said turning to Thomas. “I could do with a hot shower and some clothes that don’t contain ten gallons of pond water and an aquarium of creatures. Will you be okay sitting with the others for a bit while I get changed, Thomas?” Thomas contemplated and then nodded once at her beginning the long walk to the safety of the house. He was still away with the fairies, still flying high above the lake waiting for his feet to return to solid ground. But concentrating very hard, focusing on Alison in front of him - her voice and her touch, he could almost feel the very tips of his toes skimming the waterline. 

[the-hilda-librarians-wife]

Much Ado About Nothing

Summary: On Valentine’s Day, Johanna’s visit to the library takes longer than expected due to ... unforseeable circumstances.

Snowed in Valentine’s Day sketchbook AU

Notes: Okay this fic was written and revised at the quickest speed I could manage so it’s probably not the best, but in my defence I wasn’t even going to write it before I saw @kaminos-hangout-corner ‘s post about v day being cold like, three days ago, so it’s the best I could do :3. Happy Valentines, hope you enjoy it! (also please keep in mind I live in a place where snow is not a thing, so sorry if this is too inaccurate)

Read it on ao3  I  Read last year’s Valentine’s sketchbook fic

The library’s closing time had long since passed by, yet the lights inside it were still lit, something that was becoming recurrently common these days. With it being a Sunday, the library’s doors were supposed to have been locked at five in the afternoon, but the librarian had found herself… otherwise engaged.

Johanna had walked in earlier that day, bringing a basket of cookies to give her and of course, bringing her lovely self. Even if she wanted to do so, Kaisa wouldn’t have had the heart to tell her to go away when the time had come for her to close the library, and she very much hadn’t wanted to.

Sometimes the kind woman came to doodle; on the occasion when Kaisa had mustered up enough bravery to ask her about it, back when the two of them barely spoke at all, Johanna had said she liked the peace and quiet of the library, as well as finding it an inspiring place. The librarian had had to agree, there was something about the place that inspired not only knowledge, but also imagination, but she didn’t dare say that it was probably the vestiges of magic in the air.

Other days, which Kaisa had to admit were her favourite, Johanna came simply to check out a book and she always made time to exchange a few words with the librarian; the baked goods were new, but Kaisa was definitely not about to complain.

Of course, she supposed she shouldn’t really be talking during her working hours, nor giving all her attention to one single library patron, but it wasn’t like anyone else but Johanna seemed to even want the librarian’s attention, and besides that they always kept their voices down so as not to disturb anyone. Seeing as the situation seemed completely unproblematic, Kaisa didn’t stress about it, and even felt flattered that Johanna had chosen to spend some more time with her on that date, since she certainly had better things to do. The problem came when, hours after the library had been closed, when they had already spent hours chatting alone in her break room and eating the cookies, Johanna looked at the clock and  suddenly excused herself, saying that she needed leave.

“Do you want any help?” Kaisa asked after a couple of seconds of watching the woman struggle to push the library doors. It seemed like a very unusual occurrence, in Kaisa’s eyes. Big as they were, those doors had never given her much trouble, and she knew for a fact that Johanna was a strong woman. She still remembered the time she’d let a pile of books fall from her cart and Johanna had picked all of them up for her at once, which considering how lengthy and heavy the books had been, was no small feat.

“I think I do, actually.” Johanna adjusted her grip on the handle in a way that allowed Kaisa to grasp it too. For a moment, the librarian’s fingers brushed against Johanna’s hand, allowing her to feel how soft they were. Were she not in Kaisa’s presence, she would have huffed at herself for noticing such a small thing in the situation she was in; she really had it bad.

They attempted to open the door again, together that time, being unsuccessful once more. Kaisa’s brow creased. Granted, she hadn’t expected her limited strength to be of much help, but this shouldn’t be this hard either.

“Together on a three count?” Johanna suggested and Kaisa nodded. They both took a wider stance, and when Johanna reached the ‘three’, they dumped all their body weight into the door, but to no avail. They would have had more luck moving a boulder.

The two of them were heaving with the effort when they stopped, Kaisa going as far as leaning forward and placing her hands on her knees to rest.

“What on earth…” Kaisa breathed, before connecting the dots and immediately coming back to an upright position as if she had been startled. “Oh no.”

Johanna gasped when the librarian began running away to the closest window. She’d known it had been snowing, but she really hadn’t given this matter much thought. Spending her days inside the library, it wasn’t often that the weather became a hindrance to her, so it hadn’t even registered in her mind that it might become on that specific day.

“Tell me something.” Close as she was to the window, the tip of her nose nearly touching it, Kaisa’s words and breathing caused condensation to spread on the glass. “Was it already snowing when you got here?”

Approaching the window as well, Johanna grimaced at the amount of white flakes falling quickly to the ground outside. “It was, yes.”

“Damn it.” She whispered softly, trying to keep her cool while inside she was already cringing at having to deliver these news. “I’m sorry, Johanna, but it looks like you’re snowed in with me.”

_#_#_#_

If Kaisa had stopped to think properly, she would have noticed that she was stressing about the situation a lot more than Johanna herself was. This gave the artist conflicting feelings at best. She didn’t know what to think about how desperate Kaisa seemed to be to get rid of her.

For her part, the librarian couldn’t get out of her mind that she had ruined Johanna’s Valentine’s Day. Surely, for her to have asked to leave so suddenly earlier, it was because she had a date (or at least something that was worth her time more than keeping the lonely librarian company), and Kaisa told herself that if she hadn’t been so selfish and had stuck to the rules, asking her to leave the library at the time everyone else was supposed to, this wouldn’t have happened. Now Johanna was stuck with her as company.

Johanna had asked if there wasn’t any other way out that she could use, even though seeing Kaisa’s distress was already enough of an answer. Kaisa had had to bite her tongue and say that no, there weren’t any other ways in or out, even though she could list other five just from the top of her head; the Witches Tower wasn’t exactly open for visitors, and Kaisa would prefer it if Johanna did not end up in the void of no return.

Together, they had tried forcing the door open a few more times, even though they both knew it would be no use. For the first time since she’d known her, Kaisa wished Johanna would stay away from her, if only for one second. If she got distracted for long enough, maybe she could figure out a spell to melt the snow outside. Or to blow the door away and blame it on a new variation of mutant book worms, whichever seemed more believable. No such luck, however, since Kaisa had worked herself into a fine state of panic, and worried for her, Johanna made sure to stay close.

Kaisa’s next grand idea was to call the Safety Patrol. They were the ones responsible for operating Trolberg’s snowplows, so hopefully they would be able to help them out quickly. There was a phone behind the circulation desk, and a sticky note with useful numbers glued on it. The librarian took a moment to thank her past self for jotting down the patrol’s contact number, even though she couldn’t imagine herself in any other situation in which she’d ask for their help. Still, it was good to know that at least at some point in her life she’d been competent.

Her fingertips tapped against the wood anxiously as the phone ringed three, four, five times before someone picked up.

“Safety Patrol, what is your emergency?” The voice on the other side was heavily accented, and Kaisa sent a silent prayer to whatever deity was listening in gratefulness that it wasn’t the leader of the patrol that had picked up. She wouldn’t trust that man to open a jar.

“Good evening, I need to have the snow removed from the library doors immediately.”

“The library? Sorry ma’am, it says here that the library is closed. There’s no one there anymore, so there are places that will be needing the snowplow with more urgency.”

Kaisa rolled her eyes, which caused her to look up at Johanna. The woman was looking somewhat uncomfortable, and Kaisa took it that it was because, as she had mentioned before the librarian picked up the phone to make that call, she didn’t want to bother the Safety Patrol. Though she had insisted that there was no need for such haste, Kaisa knew she was only trying to be kind, or maybe to make Kaisa herself feel like she wasn’t such bad company. But she wasn’t who Johanna wanted to be with at that moment, so she would do whatever it took for the woman to get what she really wished for.

“I am at the library.” She answered, irritation making her tone harsh like the cold outside.

“You are?” The woman on the other side didn’t sound suspicious, only surprised. “Why? Who are you?”

“I’m the librarian.”

There was a beat of silence as the officer understood the situation. “Oh. I see. Well, I’m afraid that doesn’t change many things, ma’am. This amount of snow caught us all by surprise, many places weren’t ready for it. So, you see, there are people snowed in without supplies, and people snowed in on risk areas. Of course, there are also the main roads which need to be cleaned up. You have a private office with water and some food, don’t you? We will solve your problem when we can, but it might take a while.”

“Listen to me.” Kaisa summoned up her most threatening tone, wishing she’d never allowed Erik’s administration to make that silly inspection in the library, or at least that she could threaten to turn whoever she was talking to into a toad. She highly doubted Johanna would appreciate it, though. “I need you to let me out right now. I don’t care if all you bring is a machete so you can break one of the windows, just-”

So absorbed she’d been in trying to sound convincingly intimidating, something Kaisa was most certainly not used to, she was startled when Johanna grabbed the phone right out of her hand.

“Good evening officer, sorry for the bother.” She was leaning on the circulation desk, propped up on her elbows and sounding remarkably calm. “We will wait, don’t worry about us. Good luck with all the snow tonight. Goodbye.”

The officer said something else, but after that Johanna put the phone back in its hook. When she met the librarian’s gaze, Kaisa felt as if a blow had been delivered to her chest. Johanna looked sad with her, and she couldn’t fathom why. If she was only trying to help…. than the problem must be that Kaisa had allowed this to happen in the first place. Kaisa looked down, not wanting to look at Johanna’s face and see the disappointment in her any longer. She didn’t mean to be the wrong person for her to spend Valentine’s day with, she thought as a blush covered her cheeks, making matters worse, but she could hardly apologize for that, could she?

“Kaisa.” Johanna sighed. “There’s no need for all of this, really. Just… just let me make a call, will you?”

“Of course.” The librarian got up from the chair and walked around the desk, switching places with Johanna. Meaning to give her privacy, she walked a little further away, but couldn’t help but hear the first words she said.

“Hi, sweetie.” Johanna said softly.”I’m afraid I won’t be able to make it for dinner tonight-”

A sudden wave of cold washed over her, and Kaisa wrapped her cape tighter around herself. This conversation really wasn’t something she wanted to hear.

Figuring a hot drink would serve her well, she went back to her office and put some water to boil in the kettle. Some black tea would serve her well, but Johanna looked like the sort of person who drank red berries tea. She didn’t even dare to pick the flavour for her, however, since she had no intention of adding one more screw up to the night.

Johanna joined her right as the water finished boiling. “I already told her I won’t make it tonight.” She said as Kaisa gestured for her to choose a tea bag, allowing the librarian to pour the water on her teacup. “So no worries. I hope.”

“Ah.” Kaisa ran her thumb on the porcelain of her cup. She wanted to take a sip so she would have an excuse not to say anything, but that would certainly cause her to burn her tongue. The atmosphere between them was one she didn’t like, even if she reluctantly had to admit that she’d been the one to create it; it was heavy with discomfort and with words left unsaid, but at least for that last part there was something she could do.

“Johanna, I am sorry.” She said finally, making the other woman look at her with an eyebrow lifted in confusion. “It’s my fault that you’re stuck here right now.”

Looking exasperated, Johanna shook her head. “Kaisa, truly, you don’t have to worry about it. It doesn’t really matter that much, she’ll be fine-”

“It does matter!” Kaisa didn’t know why she was arguing against herself, but she felt like she needed Johanna to be angry at her, because otherwise she’d be the one who would continue being angry with herself. “I should have paid more attention to the time and to the weather. But it was so nice to talk to you privately for a longer while that I… forgot. And now your date is ruined because of that!”

She was gripping the mug so tightly that if it were slightly more frail she’d worry that it might break. Biting the inside of her cheek in an attempt to hold back the tears that were threatening to choke her, Kaisa looked out at the small window in her break room. The snow continued to fall stubbornly, caring not for any of them. Apologizing always sucked; whenever she had too much she wanted to say, it tended to come out all at once in ridiculous manifestations of emotion, leaving her feeling like a fool. At least it was done, and now all she did was wait for Johanna to say something.

“My date?’ Johanna half mumbled, half laughed after a second. “I don’t have a date.”

Kaisa whipped her gaze back to her. “Of course you do.” She said without even thinking about her words, an unusual thing for her to do. “You just called her, did you not? It’s Valentine’s day, who wouldn’t want to be with you?”

To her utter surprise, Johanna laughed, a bubbling sound that began in her chest until it spilled out of her, filling the room with its warmth. Kaisa didn’t even care that the laughter was at her expense; Johanna wasn’t sad anymore and that was what mattered most.

“Kaisa, that wasn’t my date. I was calling my daughter.”

The librarian blinked in surprise, hoping her hair hid the pink spreading on her face. “But… when you noticed the time, you said you needed to leave immediately.”

Johanna’s mug could barely hide her satisfied grin behind itself as she took her first taste of the reddish beverage. Now that she knew exactly what Kaisa’s panic had been about, and that it had nothing to do with wanting Johanna to go away, she was admittedly enjoying the situation way more that she thought she should.

“Yes, because my daughter has an inclination to chaos and would take my being late as an excuse to meddle around the kitchen and possibly set the house on fire.” Watching realization dawn in Kaisa’s face was like watching the sun rise, so deep the transformation was. “I just told her to order in to avoid accidents.”

Holding her steaming cup with her left hand, the librarian used her right one to cover her face. She really hoped there were no witches going through any of the secret passages at the moment that had heard that exchange. They would never let her live this down.

“Oh my goodness.” Her words were muffled by the heel of her hand, and in a show of compassion, Johanna held her giggles back. “I’m so sorry for the way I acted, that was honestly pitiful. I just wanted to make sure you could spend your Valentine’s day - well, Valentine’s evening, I suppose, with the person you wanted.”

Internally repremending herself, Kaisa didn’t dare look at Johanna; she hated how vulnerable and emotional she sounded, and it ought to have made the other woman uncomfortable. She brought her cup to her lips and immediately regretted it when Johanna spoke.

“Who’s to say I didn’t? I did come here to talk to you, didn’t I?”

The witch nearly spilled her tea all over the tiles. When she stared at Johanna, finding her looking right back at her, the woman only smiled calmly, as if the implications of what she’d said weren’t more than enough to shake Kaisa to her core. Still tranquil, she glanced at the book which was sitting on the counter of Kaisa’s kitchenette.

“Is this the book you told me you were reading?” She asked as she lifted up Much Ado About Nothing for the librarian to see. “When we were talking earlier?”

Realizing she still had her cheeks pouched with tea, Kaisa forced herself to gulp it down and nod. “It is. I have already read most of his plays but not this one, so I figured it was worth a shot.”

“We still have some time here, don’t we?” Once more, Kaisa nodded, fearing she looked like a stupid string marionette. “Would you read it to me? I find drawing while listening to stories very cosy.”

“That’s-” Kaisa’s lips slowly bloomed into a smile. “A wonderful idea.”

While the librarian sat down on one of the two chairs of the break room’s table, Johanna produced a sketchbook and a pencil from her pocket. Too distracted finding the place she’d stopped, Kaisa failed to notice most of the doodles in the drawing pad were of her. To that day it had never failed to surprise Johanna that she really believed she went all the way to the library just to doodle in peace.

“Would you like me to begin again so you can keep up with it better?”

“Don’t worry about it.” Johanna was already planning what she would draw. She’d sketched Kaisa so many times, admiring her from afar as she sat in one of the library’s tables, but the evening’s event had made her more confident that her feelings weren’t one sided. Surely a drawing was a more straightforward gift than a batch of cookies, she thought. “Just pick up where you left, it’s perfect.”

After taking a deeper breath, the librarian began.

“I do not love nothing in the world so well as you - is that not strange?”