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lcvclywon · 1 year ago

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in sickness and in health

back to masterlist

synopsis After a long fight with Jay you find yourself giving him the silent treatment. Leaving you curled up alone sick in your room, with your only comfort being the instant tteokbokki you had microwaved for yourself earlier. However it seems Jay knew where to be and what to say at exactly the right times.

warnings: mentions of food, mentions of sickness, mentions of kissing, pet names (honey), slight angst, I made YN as the 6th member of lesserafim so that the whole same building thing made sense so...js roll with it pls 😁, also not proof read!, slight fighting

genre ⋅˚₊‧ ୨୧ ‧₊˚ ⋅ hurt to comfort

pairings: idol!jay x idol!reader, established relationship

wc ୭ ˚. ᵎᵎ around 1.14k

thoughts frm yuya 💭 i know i said i was gonna go on a hiatus but i needed a serotonin boost from writing after doing a horrendous maths paper.... so semi hiatus i guess ^^ anywaysss this drabble has been rotting in the back of my mind for a while soo here u are, i'm a huge huge HUGE sucker for hurt to comfort tropes so >,<

A week. It had been a week since you and Jay had a massive argument causing the two of you to give each other the silent treatment for god knows how long. However, as if the world was out to get you, the next morning after the fight you had been plagued with a sickness that you couldn’t quite pin down, all you knew was it left you bedridden until Friday.

Due to said sickness, you obviously couldn’t join your group for schedules and barely entered the building for dance practice. You hoped Jay would at least notice your absence, send a message asking where you were or something. But to your dismay, radio silence.

“Who cares about some stupid guy anyways…” Grumbling under your breath you reached for your chopsticks to skewer another rice cake from your measly plate of instant tteokbokki and shovel it down your throat. Maybe excessive spice you couldn’t handle and soft pillowy rice cakes could solve all your problems.

Ding dong! Weird, you didn’t think the members would be back this early?

Begrudgingly ripping the covers off and placing your bowl back on your table, you went to the door. Hair still an oily mess from not showering properly and clothes stuck to your body from sweat, you clearly weren’t in pristine condition to be meeting anyone. Please don’t be a delivery man, please don’t be a delivery man.

However, after opening the door, you found yourself standing in front of the one person you’d been longing for the whole week. Park Jongseong. Your gaze softened slightly and a small smile crept onto your lips, but then you remembered that you were still mad at him. Fighting the urge to embrace him and cry out for his name, you plastered on a stoic expression of indifference.

“What are you doing here.”

“Chaewon told me you were sick,” he said before entering into your dorm, not bothering to wait for you to let him in.

Making his way over to the kitchen he placed a white takeaway bag onto the counter before emptying its contents onto the table: a warm bowl of your favourite porridge and a cup of tea from your favourite cafe.

“What’s this?” positioning yourself in front of Jay, you scanned the table to see the numerous small boxes of side dishes sprawled across.

“Porridge, it’s good for you when you’re sick.” he replied before shooting his head over to the remnants of your tteokbokki “Honey why are you eating tteokbokki, you’re sick you shouldn’t be eating instant food.” he scolded before reaching over throw your lukewarm leftovers in the trash.

“It’s not that bad…” you mumbled whilst picking at the side dishes “And why do you suddenly care, thought you weren’t talking to me” Scoffing you shot him a dirty glare.

“Correction, you weren’t talking to me; I thought you needed some space, as you usually do after a fight.” well he wasn’t wrong, you did express to him that after arguments you wanted some time to cool down by yourself, “and also, I’m not ‘suddenly’ just caring YN. Who do you think Yunjin got all those drinks, medicines, and snacks from.”

Oh… so she didn’t buy them herself. Your gaze reached his eyes as you felt your heart soften slightly, “Okay, well you could’ve sent me a text or something. You could’ve come here and given it to me yourself, why today out of all days do you decide to come huh?” meeting your glossy eyes, Jay could tell how hurt you were over his actions. He couldn’t deny that it pained him to see you this upset.

“Okay look, I’m sorry. I wanted to come over, but Sakura said whatever you caught was contagious and that you isolated yourself to make sure you got nobody else sick. As I mentioned earlier, you told me you liked to have time to cool down after fighting, but it was stupid of me not to even try to text you. Today it all just-” Jay stopped his rambling, catching his breath before sighing out, “I just really missed you YN”

That was all the confirmation you needed to run into his arms and hug him so tight he didn’t even think about leaving again. Jay was quick to reciprocate, arms wrapping around you to engulf you into his warm embrace, head buried into the crook of your neck whispering sweet nothings.

Breaking away from the embrace and tilting your head up you were graced with a warm and familiar smile painted across Jay’s face; a smile you so badly missed the entire week.

“Don’t ever do that again.” you said with a pout

“Promise I won't honey,” his hands reached to cup your face before adding, “Only if you promise to stop eating that stuff when you’re sick.”

“Hey, it’s yummy! I can’t help it that I can’t cook soup or anything, tteokbokki has never failed me.”

“Guess I’ll have to keep bringing you food then.” he replied with a smirk

“Well, I could use a personal delivery man.” giggling you reached up to mirror his actions, cupping his face with your warm hands.

“Oh really, would a delivery man do this?” and with that he pressed a playful peck onto your lips; soft and gentle, something you missed dearly.

“Jay!” you exclaimed, “You can’t do that, you’ll get sick!”

“So. What.” he said between pecks, peppering your face with kisses as you giggled and placed your hands on his chest to try and push him away. Pulling away he looked into your eyes with a warm and gentle gaze, smiling softly before leaning in to give you a proper kiss. Feeling the worry of your sickness transferring to him vanish, you melted into the kiss whilst wrapping your arms around his neck. In response, his hand found its way to the small of your back while the other reached up to cup the back of your neck. It always astonished you how easily he could pull you into his orbit, almost made you forget about the soreness of your body and the fever plaguing you.

Retreating back he giggled at your pouting face. “I’d love to continue, but I wouldn’t want the food I bought you to get cold” intertwining your fingers with his, he led you over to a chair before sitting you down. “Let’s eat okay?” he muttered before taking his spot right next to yours, hand still intertwined with your fingers. His other hand however reached over to spoon you some porridge, moving the utensil closer to your mouth.

You happily bent forward to enjoy the bite he crafted for you, an all too familiar sensation bubbling up within you—a warmth you could only describe as, home. Jay felt like home. And you hoped he would for the rest of your lives.

perm taglist ♡ (send an ask to be added!) @floweryang

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mahowaga · 2 months ago

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WHERE THE PLUM BLOSSOMS FALL | N.K. — TEASER

SUMMARY: you were born beneath a crown, nanami was raised beside a blade—two lives shaped in silence, crossing in the hush between breath and bloom.

PAIRING: general!nanami kento x princess!reader CONTAINS: slow burn, forbidden romance, angst, hurt/comfort, yearning, historical au, imperial court shenanigans, period, monarchy dynamics, political intrigue, court politics, non-sexual intimacy, mutual respect, power dynamics, repressed emotions, courtship in silence, loyalty and betrayal WC: 0.4k SERIES MASTERLIST: here

“General,” you say softly, your voice a whisper, threading effortlessly through the distance between you and him. It wraps around him–soft, precise, purposeful.

“Yes, Your Highness.” Nanami’s response is instant, respectful, calm.

You lift one graceful hand, slender fingers gesturing delicately toward the bloom. “Pluck that flower for me.”

Nanami hesitates–for just a fraction of a heartbeat, nothing more. Yet it is enough to betray the faintest ripple beneath his careful mask. Not out of defiance–Nanami would never–but because the act itself feels strangely intimate. He is a man who has cut down enemies without hesitation, who has waded knee-deep through rivers of blood for the empire’s glory. And yet, here, in the fragile sanctuary of the Garden of Tranquility, the thought of reaching upward to claim a single blossom feels somehow intrusive, sacred.

But duty–his constant companion–guides him forward without further hesitation.

Without a word, Nanami steps toward the plum tree. The worn leather of his gloves creaks softly as he reaches upward, his tall frame barely needing to stretch to grasp the branch. The flower is delicate, its petals thin as rice paper, fragile enough that even his careful touch risks bruising it. He considers the flower solemnly, brows drawing together slightly in concentration–then gently, meticulously, plucks it free.

Turning toward you, he finds your eyes already waiting, unreadable, reflecting the dying embers of the sunset. You watch his approach silently, the heavy quiet lingering between you like a tangible presence. Nanami extends the blossom toward you, his movements slow, deliberate.

“For you, Princess,” he says simply.

You do not take it immediately. Instead, your gaze drifts from the flower to his eyes and back again, quietly appraising. “Why this one?” you ask, a curious lilt in your voice.

Nanami’s golden eyes meet yours evenly. “You chose it.”

A faint, almost imperceptible smile curls at your lips, but there is no warmth in it–only something like quiet amusement. “Did I?”

He does not waver. “Your gaze lingered on it longest, Your Highness. Thus, you chose.”

“Observant,” you murmur softly, a subdued hint of approval edging into your voice. You finally reach out to take the blossom, your fingertips grazing softly against his gloved palm.

The instant your skin meets the worn leather of his glove, something sparks–quiet, fleeting, but undeniably there, a crackling charge neither of you openly acknowledges. Nanami’s jaw tightens subtly, and as your fingers brush his palm, he flexes his hand involuntarily–almost as though to erase the sensation, or perhaps to preserve it. You do not comment, though your gaze flickers briefly, knowingly, to his hand before returning to the flower.

“Thank you, General,” you say softly.

He nods, his voice steady, professional, despite the way his heart batters against his chest. “Of course, Princess.”

A/N: thank you for reading! i hope you liked this little snippet. feel free to send me an ask or leave a comment if you would like be tagged when chapters are posted! (art by ykRRR23 on X)

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pochaccoups · 1 year ago

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cw — sfw, fluff, mingi is sick and sulky, reader is smaller than mingi

It’s not entirely weird for Mingi to be waking up at 11:27 a.m. Sure, he’ll get up at seven or eight on a day full of schedules, but there’s also days where he sleeps until two, three, four p.m whether it’s from jet lag or after staying up late writing. What is weird is the fact that he’s been asleep since eight p.m. yesterday.

A text from your boyfriend is what lets you know he’s finally awake, and you’re up from the sitting room couch in an instant, darting to your shared bedroom.

He’s got the covers pulled halfway up his face with just his eyes poking out to stare at his phone screen and you wonder how a six-foot-something man can look so small.

“Morning, baby,” you say, slinking over to his side of the bed so you can sit on the edge next to him.

“Morning,” he replies, and if it weren’t for the fact that he was quite literally in front of you, you’d be convinced that someone had kidnapped your boyfriend and replaced him with a complete stranger—one with a voice so deep that it rumbles when he speaks.

Your eyes widen and you giggle, but you can’t say you’re surprised at how he sounds. His voice is notorious for dropping several octaves in the morning. Usually it’s sexy, but given that he’d spent the entire day before complaining about a sore throat, you can’t find it in you to feel anything but pity for the poor boy.

“So, I called your doctor and he said you need to stay home for the next four to five days at the least,” you tell him, reaching for his muss of silver hair to tangle your fingers through it softly.

“What-no, I’m really fine!” he whines, pushing himself up to sit against the headboard. “I have to practice for the comeback, I can’t take a break right now.”

“You’re not taking a break, Gi, you’re going on sick leave. You kept me up all night with your sneezing and coughing,” you say, crossing your arms over your chest, only to melt as soon as he gives you his big, round, puppy eyes.

“But it’s just a cold…”

“Well, the doctor ordered it. Besides, I’ve already called Hongjoong and your managers. And I took work off today and tomorrow so I can stay home with you.”

For a split second you swear his eyes well up with tears. “You did?”

“Of course,” you tell him. When Mingi is sick, he turns into a four week old puppy because he can’t be left alone, or a newborn baby who needs a pair of eyes on him at all times so that he doesn’t suffocate to death. So when you tell him you’ll go make him some food and tea, he wraps his excessively giant hands around your body and clings to you, like letting go of you would mean he’ll succumb to his illness.

“Gi, you need fluids. Please let me go,” you remind him, but he only holds you tighter and you know it’s partly out of spite and partly because he’s just like this—a velcro boyfriend.

“Mingi, I’ll be two minutes, then I’ll come right back, okay?” you tell him.

“No, you won’t, I know you,” he says, and you don’t have to look at him to know he’s pouting. It’s a permanent feature of his face by now.

“I will! Why else do you think I took work off, huh?”

He’s silent then, and a moment later his arms fall loose, and he lets you go, but you leave a kiss on his forehead as an act of promise to him and shuffle back out to your kitchen.

Spurred by your boyfriend’s neediness, you gather leftover rice from the fridge, chicken broth, and a handful of vegetables with haste and start to boil the concoction that your mother taught you how to make, the one that got you through not just fevers but through heartbreaks, losses, and cold winters.

“The most important ingredient,” she would say, “is a sprinkle of your heart”—though Mingi deserved more than just a sprinkle.

The kettle boils away and your stew bubbles with life in no time. It’s also no time before a giant, warm, sniffling body plasters itself to your back and buries his face into your neck, practically bending in half to do so.

You can’t say you don’t see it coming. Still, the spirit of your mother possesses you when you drag out his name to scold him.

“Why aren’t you in bed, dummy?” you question, though you’re careful not to have any real aggravation in your voice toward him. Admittedly, you adore the way his body heat wraps around you like a blanket, although you’re sure that’s just his fever.

“Missed you too much,” he mumbles, nuzzling his nose and lips against your shoulder.

“I told you I’d be two minutes,” you sigh.

“It’s been more than that already. You lied. I knew you’d lie.”

“It was hyperbole for ‘I’ll be super quick’.”

“Then you should have said that.”

You place your wooden spoon down on the counter, turning to face your boyfriend with a fond smile on your face.

He looks adorable. Unbelievably so. Mussed up white hair, a dusting of pink on the apples of his cheeks and the pointy tip of his nose, puffy eyes that still sparkle at the sight of you. You might be the luckiest human on the planet.

You bring your hands up to his face, grabbing at each of his cheeks and squishing them gently between your fingers.

“My poor, sick princess,” you coo, watching his dimples make an appearance when he gives you a goofy, content smile. “Do you wanna watch a movie? Or a show maybe?”

He nods his head, still smiling so sweetly.

“Go pick something and I’ll finish up your soup,” you offer.

“Can I have a kiss first?”

You stare at him, unamused, though you know this very well—Song Mingi cannot live without your kisses. It’s why he was crafted with the softest, prettiest, heart-shaped lips, so that you could kiss them over and over and over again until the end of time. There are exceptions, however.

“I’m not catching your virus! Is that what you want?”

“No, no, on my forehead again!” he clarifies, his features suddenly muddled with worry because he would suffer from this cold for the rest of his life if it meant you would be healthy for the rest of yours. You wonder, though, if he knows how badly you wish you could take his cold and suffer it for him.

“Oh, well then yeah, duh,” you say, standing on your tip toes and gently pulling Mingi’s face towards you so that you can plant an overly long kiss on his burning forehead and pull away with a “mwah!” that leaves him utterly beaming.

Finally satisfied, he shuffles off back to the room, leaving you to brew his tea and serve up the stew into two bowls.

You grab flu tablets from the medicine cabinet, noting that they’re almost all gone and you’ll need to go to the pharmacy to get more. For today you have enough, so you place them on the tray along with the stews and tea and make your way back to your bedroom.

Mingi is curled up under the covers again and it’s so cute that you hate to disturb him, but he unfurls himself and sits up as soon as he sees you with a tray in hand.

“What are we watching?” you ask, slowly settling on the bed next to him and laying the tray down on the mattress.

“I think Attack on Titan, if you want to,” he says, full of fondness as you hand him two tablets to take.

“Oh, right, you’ve been wanting to watch that! Of course I want to,” you tell him, because you could never pass up the opportunity to see Jean Kirschtein in action again. You’ve missed him dearly since the show ended, though you have no doubt of the sulking and pouting you’ll get from Mingi when he comes onscreen.

Your boyfriend’s eyes go comically wide when he tries your soup and you laugh because he almost chokes on it.

“Is it that good?” you chuckle.

“It’s really good,” he responds.

“Good, because I put all my love into it.”

He hums, his face glowing pink as he eats another spoonful. “I can tell. Thank you for making this. And thank you for taking care of me. And for putting up with me.”

“Anything for my princess,” you giggle. “But I’m not ‘putting up with you’, idiot. Is it hard to comprehend that someone cares about you, Mingi?”

He stares up at you with his shiny eyes as though you hand-crafted the very sun, moon, and stars and placed them in the sky yourself.

“I love you,” he says, a mere whisper. It’s three words he’s said to you a million times, but right now, with his walls down and him vulnerable, it’s worth a million times more.

“I love you too,” you reply, leaning over to smack your lips against his temple. “Now watch the show!”

And he tries, he really does—but your little hospital patient is fast asleep by the third episode.

#mingi x reader #song mingi x reader #mingi imagines #mingi x you #mingi fanfic #song mingi x you #song mingi imagine #ateez x reader #ateez fanfic #ateez imagines #[୨୧] — starring: mingi

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jesswritesthat · 1 year ago

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Osamu Miya: Numbers

Fandom: Haikyuu!! — [ Masterlist ]

Summary: ~1.5k, fluff, slight angst

• When your work bestie gets a crush on Osamu, you start to realise that it might be too late for you.

Warnings: None

>>>>——————————>

In honesty setting up a work convention wasn’t where you’d expect to meet a potential partner, but it seemed your favourite confident colleague didn’t share that view.

"Woah..."

"Hm? What are you looking at?" You ceased your distraction task, scanning to match your colleagues’ line of sight.

"Mister tall dark and handsome over there."

"Who? Where?" Admittedly there was a hint of excitement bubbling inside you at the prospect but soon dispersed when Mai pointed him out.

"The guy fixing the stand, god what he could do with those hands. Who is that? He looks strong, I bet he's strong." Ramblings of an instant crush you noted, but since you knew said suspect personally you were obligated to shed some light (since you were also the one who called him here to help out in the first place).

"Oh? That's Miya Osamu, and yeah I guess he's strong. Lifting the bags of rice for his onigiri business helps I suppose."

With that, you went back to what you were doing - at least until Mai had giddily grabbed your arm filled with dire questions.

"Miya Osamu huh, is he single?"

"Um, yeah, he is."

"A business owner and he cooks too. What kind of lover does he like?"

"Ones who eat? I dunno, I'm not sure what Osamus' taste in people is." You were uninterested now, something churning deep within you, but apparently she hadn’t noticed.

"Maybe it'll be me, he's so hot though, I wouldn't know where to start."

"He has a brother!" Why did you say that?! It was the most left field tangent imaginable, a diversion almost.

"What?"

This feeling, a hint of embarrassment and a plummet in your stomach. Too late to stop now.

"Yeah, a twin brother who's more outgoing. He should be around here somewhere for you to meet." Where is Atsumu the one time you freaking need his annoying ass?

"But Osamu is—"

"—is not a famous athlete. No no, Miya Atsumu on the other hand - ooof, gorgeous specimen and... incredibly passionate too." You’d charismatically tried, as if becoming a wingman for him.

"Wow sounds like you've got a thing for him~"

That wasn't your intention, not that you're certain of the direction you were headed in the first place but convincing Mai you fancied Atsumu wasn't it.

"Hey lil' Jackal~ Ya talkin' bout me?" Speak of the devil and he shall appear, an arm slung over your shoulder in usual greeting.

"Sort of - also get off me Atsumu!"

"Ya never normally mind, is it 'cause yer all dressed up and incredibly stunnin'?"

"No I— you what? No—" Flicking between a smirking Mai and complimentary Atsumu you desperately attempted to get them to talk.

"I mean it, yer look really nice. M' sure 'Samu will agree. Have ya seen him yet?”

"Wait I want you to meet—" Too late, she’d began backing toward her desire, waving to you both with a wiggle of her eyebrows.

"I'll leave you two together, I'll catch you in a minute~"

"Mai— dammit."

"Did I miss somethin'? Seems like she's set us up and got an eye on my brother." The blonde overlooked how she’d floated over to Osamu, hand tenderly placed on his bicep to get his attention.

"It's that obvious? Do you think 'Samu will like her too?" You muttered with a hint of discomfort, eyeing the pair alongside the Setter.

"Ah, don't think so. I think his heart lies elsewhere..."

"You're right. Nothing stands in the way of Osamu and food." You confidently affirmed, Atsumu flicking to you baffled.

"Not what I was gettin' at considerin' yer the one he—"

"Especially delicious rice dishes.” You cut the blonde off with your addition, the man boredly rolling his eyes.

“Why do I even bother?”

“Don’t worry, I know your favourite food too Atsumu. It’s fatty tuna.”

“Wanna get some? This is making me sick.” Atsumu jutted his chin toward the scene of Mai flirting with his twin, and you found yourself wanting to rid the image from your mind (and heart) too.

“I second that.”

———

It was an evening after work that you’d entered Onigiri Miya near closing time, Osamu brightening upon your arrival.

"Your usual?"

"Yeah, to go please."

Osamu paused momentarily due to this unforeseen change in routine, had he missed something? An event you'd mentioned that he'd forgotten about?

"Hey so I feel a little weird talking to you about this, but it's you and—"

"—and you've probably said worse."

"Yeah..." An embarrassed laugh escaped and then you cleared your throat. "Anyway, Mai caught me yesterday, she's one of my colleagues from work."

"I know who she is." Clear and confident, of course he knew and you felt your tone lighten in pitch and speed. Were you nervous?

"Oh good, good. I guess that's because I saw you guys talking alone, and it looked pretty private so you probably found out then."

"Uh huh, where ya goin' with this?" Osamu raised a sceptical brow, slowing on preparing your order.

"She mentioned beforehand that you didn't y'know, make her want to throw up or whatever, so I figured that you two might've made date plans and that just feels kinda weird to me." That was putting it harshly, she’d spoken non-stop about how attractive he was all freaking day.

"Weird how?" Considering he was quite perceptive, you’d hoped he’d get what you were implying without so many questions but knowing him, this was for his own benefit.

"I mean if you did date, since I work with her, I'd hear things - and I don't know... I'd like my personal and work life not to crossover and ruin my perceptions of people."

He stared at you, awaiting whatever request you were trying to ask alongside these awkward descriptions.

"So if there's any way you could not date her, that would be really great."

"Y'got some nerve, 'm a grown man - ya can't tell me who to date."

"I'm not telling you who to date, I'm suggesting who not to date."

"Well ya can't tell me that either!" Was his adamant response, the atmosphere now bordering on defensive compared the one beforehand.

"I know I have no right but—"

"No you don't, and if you don't like what you might hear then don't listen." Osamu shot back as a proposal to your problem, leaving you to truly speak your subdued feelings in the matter - one’s he hadn’t thought you’d felt.

"I just thought that if something was going to affect our friendship, then you might care about it, because if the situation was reversed then I would care Osamu."

With that he diverted his attention solely toward your order with a hum, you on the other hand felt ridiculous. Maybe you were being petty, and just because the thought of constantly hearing how Osamu ‘loves’ from Mai everyday would be heartbreaking, you could endure it if he was happy. You’d force yourself to, it might even help you get over this stupid romantic attraction you’d recently discovered. In that case, you’ll have to brighten this damp mood.

"Okay you’re right. Go ahead then, date her, marry her, and make her Mrs Salmon Sushi Roll, live happily ever after for all I care. I hope you'll be delighted." You crossed your arms and turned away with a small huff escaping you once finishing your embellished claim whilst Miya blinked at you with mild bemusement.

It remained quiet for moment as he digested your words, soon enough breaking the lightened silence himself.

"By the way, I was telling Mai 'bout Volleyball serves that night. Dead romantic." It was spoken sarcastically, but also in a way to match your prior energy. "Said strong spike serves are harder to properly receive than floaters. Hot stuff I know, and then she asked for my number."

"That's so typical of you!" Came your slightly raised voice, spinning back to him with an accusing tone.

"What?"

"Everyone knows that jump floaters are far more effective at throwing off opponents because of their unpredictability. Everybody knows that 'Samu, everyone except you apparently, now goodbye." Knowing Mai had made her move was clarification enough - hence your volleyball tangent and strive toward the exit with your flourishing farewell.

"Yer food."

You fell still at the door after his victorious reminder, a few seconds passing as you thought about crawling back for the food or just abandoning it for the sake of pride.

"..."

Screw pride, you’re hungry.

But also you might’ve wanted to know one more thing, voice quietly asking for it once you’d reproached the counter and accepted the takeout bag he tauntingly held out for you to collect.

"Did you give her your number?"

"Yeah." Osamu smiled, one of relief and sincerity. "Seemed disappointed with the Onigiri Miya menu though."

You didn’t know if you’d managed to hide the brief feeling of melancholy well but you mirrored his smile all the same.

“Yeah, I would’ve been disappointed too.”

"Why? I make ya 'not want to throw up' too?" Came his mocking retort of your previous statement, leaving you to wittily respond as per usual.

"Shut up! I might gag, but otherwise no because you’re quite pretty. Besides I’ve had your number for years so I don’t need it."

“Knew ya liked me for more than my cooking, speaking of, there’s new menu items so take a look will ya?” Rolling his eyes with a scoff, he slid a menu over the counter which you gladly took and offered your goodbyes for the night.

—

After finishing your meal at home, your fingers lingered on the menu with mild curiosity, eyes skimming over it whilst hovering over the bin.

There were a few new appetiser additions, leading you to flip to the alternate side and almost drop it out of shock.

You traced the additional pen indentations with both your fingertips and eyes like precious scripture - a sentimental smile blooming at his charming stupidity.

Yer pretty too, call me later (Y/n),

(xxx-xxxx-xxxx)

<——————————<<<<

[ Masterlist ]

#miya osamu #miya osamu imagines #miya osamu x reader #miya atsumu oneshot #haikyuu #haikyuu x reader #haikyuu imagines #haikyuu scenarios #haikyuu imagine #anime x reader #anime imagine #haikyuu oneshot

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dramas-vs-novels · 4 months ago

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Love Storm Special Chapter: Payu vs A Busy Architecture Student (Excerpt)

** Rain is occasionally referred to by his real name, Warren/Varain.

8PM

Payu makes a turn to a house where all lights are on. He knows it's not his twin brother, but it's the boy who almost has moved in. He parks his vehicle, grabs everything in one hand, and walks into the house. He stops by the kitchen and finds only an empty bowl of instant noodles in the sink, but the one who ate it is nowhere to be found downstairs.

Payu shakes his head slowly at the sight he's seen. He places his belongings on the dining table, grabs a new plate and fills it with stir-fried rice, and puts it in the microwave.

While he waits for the food to be reheated, he pours water into a glass.

Ding!

Now that the meal is ready to serve, he puts it on a tray along with a spoon and a glass of chilled water, then he walks upstairs. He's going straight to his office which is now... taken over.

It used to be the room where he did his work, until one day, the boy took it over and changed it into his 'nest'.

Why is it called a nest? Well, aside from his books well-placed on shelves and the desktop computer that has been shut down for a month or so, everything else is a complete mess. The giant work desk that used to be his workstation has now served as a stand for a compact laptop and piles of documents. The floor is scattered with wood chips and paper scraps. Not to mention those tools and equipment laid randomly all over the place.

And the one who created this mess is currently focused on the mock-up in his hand. He doesn't seem to notice that his significant other is already back home.

"Rain, I'm home."

"Oh, you're back?"

Warren, the young lad who's now a sophomore, calls back while he's still busy working on the model. He doesn't even take a glance at Payu who is now placing his dinner on the desk for him.

"Did you eat?"

"Mm-hmm." And now Rain doesn't even listen to his question.

"When?" Payu shakes his head and asks.

"Mm-hmm."

"Aren't you hungry."

"Mm-hmm."

Whatever the question is, the answer would be nothing more than 'mm-hmm'. The younger man is still concentrating on his unfinished work. Payu sighs, as he doesn't know what else to do. He looks at his boyfriend; the face that used to be bright now becomes pale. The eyes that used to be lively become dull. The dark circles under his eyes makes him look like was under some voodoo influence. All in all, this is what you look like when the deadline is around the corner but your work is far from being 'done'.

Stepping up to a higher year means that workload is shifting to another level, and choosing a major is completely different to studying fundamental subjects, unlike when freshmen got themselves oriented from a high schooler to a college student. Warren needs to adapt himself, and that has turned him from an adorable, clingy boy to a busy, hard-working man.

The time when Payu goes to sleep is the time when Rain wakes up and works on his project, and the time when Payu goes to work is the time when Rain goes to sleep.

Payu knows really well what the life of an architect student is like, so he has never been mad when his boy is occasionally occupied with something else. Though in the times before, when Rain still had plenty of free time and he was busy with work- both his full-time job and his duties at the garage- Payu could still manage to spare some time to spend it with his beloved Rain. He truly understands; he used to be a student before.

Rain used to be the one who prepared his breakfast and dinner, now it is the time that he does the same in return.

If you're wondering how come Warren has dwelled himself in this place, it's not so complicated. Payu's residence is much closer to the university, and as much as he could cut off the time for travelling between the two places, he's willing to trade anything. Payu chuckles when he looks back on the day when his boyfriend first asked if he could leave his work here.

So, eventually, his house has become a dorm for his little partner.

*Pat*

"Rain, you need to eat," Payu says as he places his hand on the shoulder of the younger one who's ready to doze off any minute.

"Huh? Woah! When did you come back?" The young man who was paying attention only to his work finally looks up and makes eye contact. He acts dumbfoundedly the way he always does and gets teased by the big boyfriend. However, Payu knows better this time, so he locks his playful words away and says something nice instead.

"I have something for you here. Why don't you eat it first and then get back to work?"

Payu nods his head towards the stir-fried rice. Rain's eyes follow his direction, but...

"I'll have it later. Soon," Rain replies with extreme fatigue and returns to his work. Payu shakes his head.

*Chu*

"Anything I can help with?" The tall one bows down to kiss his boy's cheek and asks with care.

"Nah, I'm fine. I'm fine." The little one meets his eyes and forces a smile, but Payu can sense that he doesn't have that much energy left.

"I got this. Aren't you tired? Don't mind me. Go feed yourself and rest." Rain tries to make it sound lively while his eyes are turning red. Payu can't help it but hug his boy for the sake of encouragement.

"Yeah, you got this, good boy," Payu says softly.

*Grab*

Warren hugs back. He throws his arms around Payu's waist, sinks his face in that lean abdomen, takes a deep breath, and eventually lets go.

"I got this." The younger man smiles and gets back to work again. He didn't ask for help, though he knew that this big guy could be a good helper.

Meanwhile, Payu also knows that Rain is pushing himself to the limit, but the little one insists on not getting any help, so he just pats Rain's head and turns around, leaving the room and making no more distractions for the college boy.

The true owner of the house walks downstairs to have his dinner, then he gets back upstairs to take a shower. After that, he turns on his laptop, checks his work a little bit, and returns to the 'nest', just to find out that the little bird is still busy on his computer, typing continuously. It's pretty obvious that he'll stay up until morning again, like he does every day. Payu takes a glance at the meal he brought for Rain earlier...

It remains untouched.

He picks up the dish and gets it reheated one more time, then he places it back in the same spot.

The last thing he sees before he heads to his bedroom is the picture of Warren wiping his cheeks with the back of his hand as if to remove his tears.

---

The next day, Payu returns home at the same hour with two boxes of dinner and does what he has been doing these days; he reheats the food and brings it upstairs to the little bird in the nest.

"Rain! Are you all right??"

Rain, who has been working hard day after day, is now bawling his eyes out while trying to complete his task. His hands are shaking as he assembles his mock-up piece by piece. Payu puts down the tray quickly and dashes to check on his boyfriend. He grabs Rain's shoulders and forces him to meet his eyes.

"What happened? What's the matter?"

"Nothing, just let me work," Rain replies in a trembling voice and pushes away Payu's hands.

"You can come back to it later. Now, tell me what happened."

*Slap!*

"Leave me alone!"

Suddenly, the one who can't stop crying slaps the big guy's hand and shouts. His yell stuns Payu; his face becomes pale and his eyes are all red.

"Rain?" Payu calls his little bird's name. His voice doesn't sound reprimanding, but comforting.

"What happened? I got scolded again, that's what happened! Why the fuck did I choose this school? Why the hell does he have to scold me all the fucking time? Why do I have to work on this shit that I'll never get done in time? Now that you heard it, leave! I'm busy working here! I need to work!" The sleepless one screams and breathes heavily. He locks his eyes on Payu as if he's ready to tear him to pieces.

The elder can only sigh.

*Grab*

Payu pulls Rain into the circle of his arms and holds him tightly, ignoring the way Rain tries to push him off in protest. He holds the little one like that for a moment before he lets go.

"All right, all right, I got it. I won't bother you anymore." That's all he says before he quietly leaves the room and lets the boy work on his project like he requested.

---

*Whoosh*

"I'm sorry, Payu! *sob* I'm sorry!"

Payu had just had his second bite when the upset boy ran downstairs and hugged him from behind. Rain sinks his face in Payu's shoulder and sobs hard. Payu stops eating, pushes himself a bit further away from the table, making a space big enough to let the sobbing boy sit on his lap.

"Come here."

Rain follows his partner's order without hesitation. He still keeps his face buried in Payu's shoulder as Payu rubs Rain's back.

"I'm sorry Payu. Please don't get mad. *Sob* Please, don't be mad at me!" The temperamental one who has now repented is pleading for forgiveness. His voice trembles and tears keep streaming down his face into Payu's shirt. Rain shivers, holding his arms around Payu's neck as if it's the last life preserver in a raging sea.

"I'm not mad."

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't be... throwing tantrums at you. I know you're worried about me, but I- *sob*- still went wild at you."

The more he talks, the harder he cries. Payu smiles and hugs the stubborn kid tightly. Knowing how heavy things are for Rain at the moment, Payu can't be mean to him, even just for fun.

"Apology accepted, and I'm not mad at you."

Seeing how cool his partner is, a stream of tears drips down Rain's cheeks. He shivers as if he has lost it all.

Rain has no idea how long it has been. He just keeps crying and crying until he can't anymore. He only knows that he has been tolerating things for weeks, and it's time to spill.

"I was given an earful again. Whatever I've done, it's never good enough for the professor. Whether it's too good or too bad, I've never heard anything good from him. I can't take it anymore. I keep asking myself what the hell I'm doing in this fucking shool. Why do I have to work while the others are enjoying their time with their family and friends? Why do I have to be stuck with this shit that never meant anything to the professor?!" Rain expresses everything in his mind as he still has his arms locked around his partner.

"I just want to be with you, want to spend my time with you, so I'm trying to get it done, but it's never done!" The younger man continues and sinks his face into Payu's shoulder again.

He missed this cozy hug like crazy.

They've been under the same roof for quite a while, but it seems like he hasn't talked to Payu for years.

All he has ever wanted is to have time for a bear hug like this with Payu. However, he unexpectedly got infuriated and lost his temper on someone who's been taking good care of him instead.

Meanwhile, Payu carefully reads between the lines. He looks into the boy's hollow eyes which have now turned red again and pulls Rain to his feet.

*Swoosh*

"Payu!"

Rain shouts, surprised, as Payu lifts him up and takes him back upstairs. The younger one fears that his mate might want something more than a hug. Nonetheless, he has to admit that he wants it just as much. He's also human, and he's not insensible. It's been three weeks, and right now just the touch of a hand makes his body hot from head to toe. He needs more than just a touch too, but he can't do it because tomorrow is the due date for his project. He can't do what he wants right now. Not yet.

And that thought also upsets him, making him mad at the subject he's been studying.

"Shhh. I won't do anything," Payu whispers as he puts Rain on the bed and pulls the blanket up to cover him. "You need some rest."

"But my work-"

"Just rest, at least for an hour. I'll wake you up. From what I saw, it doesn't seem like you have so much left to do."

Payu rests his arm on the pillow and rubs Rain's belly with the other hand as if he's trying to make a three-year-old go to sleep. Rain, who hasn't gotten enough sleep in days, inches closer to his partner.

He's too tired to refuse Payu's care.

Though he realizes that a whole night wouldn't be enough to finish his project, he trusts Payu's words. He believes he can make it in time.

"Get some rest, big boy. You've done your best, and you've got nothing to worry about. I know how you're feeling, and I can wait. But right now, you need to take care of yourself," Payu whispers in his ear, and it somehow sounds like a lullaby. The little owl starts his journey to dreamland bit by bit and finally snores gently.

Payu moves a strand of hair out of Rain's fatigued face. He really loves his little owl.

"How can I be mad at you when you're working so hard?"

Payu kisses his beloved bird's forehead, gets out of bed, and rolls his sleeves up to his elbows.

One thing Rain has forgotten is... Payu graduated with highest honors.

---

*Whoosh*

"Holy-!! What time is it?!"

Rain feels like he's having deja vu like when he was a freshman and woke up and couldn't hand in his work in time. This time, he wakes up to a bright sky, meaning he slept all night long, not an hour like Payu promised!

He grabs his phone and checks the time, it's 6am.

Right, there is still time for submission, but that amount of time isn't enough for him to finish his model, no matter how hard he hurries.

The young man gets up instantly and runs into the room where he left his work, feeling dreadful. However...

"Oh, you're up?"

"Payu- is that?"

His big eyes get bigger. Not only does he see Payu in the room, but he also sees... the finished mock-up in Payu's hands.

Rain literally jumps, not to the masterpiece done according to the blueprint, but to the man who's still in his unchanged clothes from yesterday.

"Were you-" Rain stammers, "Did you spend all night on this?"

Rain speaks with a shaking breath. He knows that this hour is the time when Payu gets up and gets ready for work, so it means that the man didn't sleep all night to help him with his mock-up. Rain wells up, feeling guilty for being trouble for the big man.

*Hug*

"Why are you crying? Have you forgotten what I said when I asked you to be my boyfriend?" Payu throws his arms around the little man's waist. He actually wants to wipe the tears, but his hands are too dirty.

"I told you that I can help you with anything. I didn't graduate summa cum laude (with highest honors) for nothing. If you need help, just ask for it. I'm always ready to give you a hand." Payu tries to comfort his boyfriend, but that doesn't stop him from crying.

"But I didn't want to be a bother! You were already tired from work."

"What are you to me?" Payu asks sternly.

"Your boyfriend." Rain's voice trembles. Payu just told him that it's not a bother at all to help his partner. However...

"Wrong."

Payu stands up, looking at a boy who's actually looking better than he did last night, but right now becomes wilted again when Payu tells him he's wrong.

"You're not just my boyfriend. You're my love."

The'yre actually more than that, as we all know.

Rain smiles upon hearing that and throws his arms around Payu, hugging him tightly.

"Can I really ask for your help?"

"Of course. And how can I not help my dear boy? Staying up for a night won't kill me, ya know? Been there, done that, way before you. Remember?" Payu says lightly as he squeezes the tiny young man in his embrace and rocks him gently to comfort him. Rain beams and laughs for the first time all month.

"And don't take it personally when you get scolded. I mean by the professor. But when it is too much to take, just spill. I'm always ready to be a listening ear. Understood?"

Rain shakes his head vigorously and hugs Payu tightly.

"Thank you so much Payu, really."

"I won't ask for anything in return, except..."

"Except what?" Rain looks up to meet the tall man's eyes, and Payu gives him a firm answer.

"You give me thirty minutes a day, having dinner with me. That would be enough."

That's all he would ask for.

Architecture students never have much free time. Therefore, anyone wanting to date them must understand this condition.

After hearing Payu's request, Rain hugs him tightly and accepts it with a shaky voice. Then the young one who used to fail in time management keeps apologizing for his past guilt and promises he will do better.

Payu once said that Rain must not leave out his own responsibilities just to date someone, and he forgot that he could love someone and stay committed to his school duties at the same time.

"I promise. I'll have more time with you, and I'll manage my time better."

"Don't push yourself too much. Just have me in your thoughts when you have free time. That's enough," Payu says with great affection. He kisses the shiny forehead of someone who skipped bathing last night and hugs him loosely. He looks at the younger man who is now shaking his head vigorously, knowing very well that it's almost impossible to have free time if you're studying in the architecture school. So he doesn't need much, just a couple of minutes to be in Rain's mind when Rain is tired will do. He only needs Rain to know he cares about him.

"But that's what I've been doing all of the time."

"Right? And now my baby boy needs to take a shower and get ready to hand in his work. Otherwise, all my effort will just be in vain," Payu says lightly. If he doesn't loosen his embrace, this gecko won't get off him, and they'll be late. Rain shakes his head.

"Uh-uh. I give you my word, I won't fail you this time." Rain says firmly, then lets go of the tall man, running to the bathroom.

After that, Rain gets dressed. When he comes out, he sees Payu is ready to roll. Payu used another bathroom.

"Rain," Payu calls. Rain turns around and sees a brilliant smile.

"You wanna eat something special this evening?"

"Nah," Rain shakes his head and continues with a more delighted voice.

"Everything is special when I'm with you."

Upon hearing that, Payu knows right away that he's willing to wait until the younger one has time for him.

It's okay, Rain. There's only a couple of years ahead until you graduate. I can wait.

Payu thinks as he sees Rain off in his car.

At the same time, Rain looks in the rearview mirror; Payu is standing there, waving goodbye. Then he looks at the mock-up that was completed by his boyfriend and grips the steering wheel tighter.

"I can do this!"

#rain #payu #payurain #love in the air #lita #excerpt #love storm

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ducksido · 3 months ago

Note

southern!yuu requester here! Could you possibly do a Japanese!yuu?? I love ur works!!

(This will be interesting as the boys are also Japanese, so like lets pretend that they are from what they're based off as)

Grim

“Yuu, why do you bow to everyone? That’s too much work, nya.”

Loves when Yuu makes proper Japanese food. “This rice is perfect!”

At first, he doesn’t get why Yuu takes their shoes off at the dorm entrance. Then he steps in with dirty paws and gets lectured.

The NRC Student Body

“You mean to tell me you actually enjoy natto?”

“Whoa, your handwriting is so neat. Mine looks like a kindergarten kid’s…”

“Wait, do you really eat KFC for Christmas?”

“Do you actually believe in yokai?”

“Why are your bento lunches so perfect?”

Staff Reactions

Crowley

Acts like he knows all about Japan. “Ah yes, the land of cherry blossoms and samurai!”

Tries to say some phrases in Japanese and butchers them horribly.

Crewel

Approves of their discipline and respectfulness.

But if they bow too much? “Puppy, stop apologizing for existing.”

Trein

Genuinely enjoys their deep respect for history and culture.

If Yuu practices calligraphy, he’s impressed by their skill.

Vargas

“I heard sumo wrestling is big in Japan! You ever try it?!”

Challenges Yuu to a kendo match (if they practice it).

Sam

Sells imported Japanese snacks after realizing how much Yuu (and some students) love them.

“Yuu, I got your favorite—melonpan!”

Dorm Reactions

Heartslabyul

Riddle Rosehearts

Appreciates their politeness and discipline.

“A culture with such a deep appreciation for rules? I approve.”

If they do tea ceremonies, he loves it.

Trey Clover

“You make your own mochi? That’s talent.”

Asks for help making Japanese sweets for Unbirthday Parties.

Cater Diamond

Obsessed with cherry blossoms and kimono aesthetics.

“Yuu, let’s go to a summer festival! I need some cute pics!”

Ace Trappola

“Dude, do you really eat raw eggs on rice?”

Absolutely butchers common Japanese phrases.

Deuce Spade

Respectful of their traditions. “I think it's cool how much honor you put into things.”

If Yuu does martial arts, he wants to train with them.

Savanaclaw

Leona Kingscholar

“So you’re telling me an entire culture is built on ‘not disturbing others’? Interesting.”

Secretly loves their patience but won’t admit it.

Ruggie Bucchi

“You pack a whole bento every day? Man, that’s impressive.”

Begs them to make onigiri.

Jack Howl

Highly respects their discipline.

If they wake up early for training, he joins them.

Octavinelle

Azul Ashengrotto

“Japanese cuisine is fascinating. Care to share some recipes?”

Studies their business customs to improve his deals.

Jade Leech

“Ah, so you appreciate the beauty of nature? Perhaps you would enjoy foraging with me.”

Intrigued by their belief in yokai.

Floyd Leech

“You’re so polite, it’s kinda funny~” Immediately tries to mess with them.

Loves festivals and demands Yuu take him to one.

Scarabia

Kalim Al-Asim

Loves their traditions. “So your New Year is a huge deal? That sounds amazing!”

Wants to try every Japanese dish they mention.

Jamil Viper

“I respect how much effort you put into things.”

If they know about karuta, he wants to challenge them.

Ignihyde

Idia Shroud

Terrified if Yuu is super extroverted like a festival announcer.

If they’re into gaming, instant bonding. “Wait, you like retro JRPGs too?!”

Ortho Shroud

Wants to learn about Japanese mythology to expand his knowledge.

Diasomnia

Malleus Draconia

Absolutely fascinated by their folklore and spiritual beliefs.

“You have dragons in your legends as well? How intriguing.”

Would love a tea ceremony with them.

Lilia Vanrouge

“You practice the way of the sword? Splendid! Let us duel!”

Absolutely butchers their food. “What do you mean I added too much miso?”

Silver

Respectful of their traditions and discipline.

If Yuu enjoys nature, they bond over quiet walks.

Sebek Zigvolt

“Your dedication to proper manners is commendable.”

Takes their bowing as a sign of true respect and loves it.

RSA + Noble Bell

Chenya

“So you actually believe in fox spirits? Hehehe, interesting.”

Neige LeBlanche

“Japanese fashion is so beautiful! I’d love to wear a kimono someday.”

Rollo Flamme

Mildly horrified by their love for festivals. “Why must everything be so loud?!”

Extra Chaos

Carries an omamori (good luck charm) everywhere.

Writes kanji so beautifully, everyone is jealous.

Makes handmade onigiri, shares them with everyone.

Refuses to talk while eating out of respect.

Hypes up cherry blossom season way too much.

Welcoming Japanese!Yuu

Mexican!Yuu: “Wait, so you also have legendary creatures like fox spirits and yokai? Oh, we’re gonna have some late-night storytelling sessions.” Brazilian!Yuu: “You have huge festivals with dancing, fireworks, and food? We have to go to one together!” Aussie!Yuu: “Samurai? Ninjas? You’re tellin’ me you grew up around legends, mate.” Sicilian!Yuu: “You respect family, honor, and tradition? I like you already.” Romanian!Yuu: “Tell me more about your ghosts and yokai. I bet they could give our strigoi a run for their money.” Jamaican!Yuu: “You have reggae-like music called ‘enka’? Man, play me a tune!” Southern!Yuu: “You bow as a greeting? That’s mighty polite of you, sugar. Y’all got good manners.” Florida Man!Yuu: “You’re telling me you have vending machines for literally everything? Even cursed ones? Japan sounds like a wild place.” Czech!Yuu: “You have folklore that has lasted thousands of years? I must hear these stories.” Thai!Yuu: “You also have superstitions and spirit houses? We should compare notes.” Vietnamese!Yuu: “You celebrate Lunar New Year too? Let’s combine our festivals and see how big we can make it.” Pakistani!Yuu: “You still preserve your traditional clothing and architecture? That’s beautiful.” Egyptian!Yuu: “We both have ancient civilizations. We need to sit down and compare gods.” French!Yuu: “Your fashion scene is immaculate. Paris and Tokyo are powerhouses.” Québécois!Yuu: “So you also have polite manners but a hidden chaotic side? You and I are gonna get along.” Greek!Yuu: “Philosophy? Honor? Your history is amazing.” Irish!Yuu: “So your folklore has shapeshifters and ghosts too? We should swap horror stories.” Scottish!Yuu: “I wanna see if your samurai can take on our warriors in a fight.” Italian!Yuu: “You make beautiful food that requires precision? I respect that.” Aboriginal!Yuu: “You deeply respect nature and spirits? That’s something I can understand.” Arab!Yuu: “Honor and hospitality are at the core of your culture too? We’re not so different.” Philippine!Yuu: “You have karaoke culture too? We’re going to a singing battle.” Myanmar!Yuu: “You respect tradition but also embrace modernity? That’s an interesting balance.” South Georgia!Yuu: “Your food is all about broth, rice, and precision? Sounds mighty fine to me.” Singaporean!Yuu: “We both have strict laws but a thriving street food scene. Let’s eat.” Indonesian!Yuu: “You have temples and a long-standing history? We need to go on a spiritual journey together.” Louisiana!Yuu: “Japanese!Yuu, you respect spirits? I knew we’d get along.” Chinese!Yuu: “We share so much culture—tea, kanji, Lunar New Year… We are basically cousins.”

How Japanese!Yuu Fits In:

The Samurai Spirit, The Quiet Chaos

Polite and respectful, but also unhinged when comfortable. They go from soft-spoken and proper to chaotic in the blink of an eye.

Masters of food, tea, and etiquette. Will destroy anyone in a tea-making contest.

Cares deeply about honor and respect. Will duel you in a battle of pride if you offend them.

Knows both ancient traditions and modern trends. They can teach you how to meditate or show you the latest fashion trends from Harajuku.

Can and will destroy you at any competitive game. (Looking at you, Mario Kart.)

#twst x reader #twst #twst wonderland #twst yuu #twst incorrect quotes #culture!yuu #Japanese!yuu #japanese

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asidian · 11 months ago

Text

Set breakdown time! Next up: Niko's room.

As before, I've circled the points of interest and numbered them to make them easier to talk about. Cool? Cool. Let's do this!

1: Niko's mom's name! This part is her and Niko's surname. The kanji are 佐々木.

佐 – sa, meaning help or aid

々 – an iteration mark. When you see this, basically it means "exactly what the last one said, one more time." So another sa meaning help or aid

木 – ki, meaning tree

It's really neat that they picked a last name for her that doubles down on her role in the narrative. Just like Niko is there to support and help other characters in whatever way they seem to need, her surname hammers it home by including 佐 not once but twice.

2: Riza (リザ) Niko's mother's given name. Somewhat odd here is that it's written in katakana and not kanji. Without getting sidetracked too much (you can pop over here to read more if you're interested) most Japanese people write their names in kanji.

Katakana seems like a bit of a strange choice here, unless a) Niko for some reason doesn't know the kanji for her own mother's name (weird, given that she's in high school) b) her mother is a foreigner (a possibility; foreigners usually write their names in katakana) c) the set designer/whoever prepped the letters didn't know the appropriate kanji for "Riza" (seems unlikely, given how accurate all the rest of this is) or d) some sort of personal habit. An interesting side note is that her letter to Niko also puts Niko's name in katakana.

3: Cutesy stationery, used for marking your place in a document or book

4: A cute blue purse!

5: Watermelon! Judging by the shiny material and placement near the other bag, I'm going to guess this is another purse

6: Niko's clothes :>

7: Pink luggage

8: Lots of instant noodles

9: A rice cooker

10: Rice vinegar

11: This girl LOVES her some plants

12: Probably food items…? The one on the right looks like it might be a five-pound bag of rice, but I don't recognize the brand

13: Lots of unwashed dishes

14: A toaster oven

15: Chopsticks

16: A cute octopus pillow. I think I saw someone mention that it's from Ikea :>

17: She often leaves dirty dishes sitting on the bedside table

18: A painting of what seems to be a skyscape

19: Brightly colored pillows

20: Metal art in the shape of a moon

21: A decorative window hanging

22: More plants :)

23: Candles

24: Her tv

25: Cute pens with pompoms on the end

26: Regular tape

27: A cute cat statue

28: Marble Pop Ramune, strawberry flavor. Ramune is a type of soda that's a popular festival drink in Japan. It's sealed with a glass marble and you have to pop the marble down into the little catch basin before you can drink it.

29: Anime wall décor

30: Fruit jelly cups. In Japan, small gelatin based snacks like this are popular. They're tiny, about an inch tall, and you eat them in just one or two bites.

31: Niko's laptop. She has stickers on it

32: Washi tape! It's decorative Japanese tape, often with bright colors and patterns, used for crafting.

33: A lot of cute magnets, including the bunny one, which serves double-duty as a kitchen timer

34: Niko's grocery list. The only thing on here that's here because she wants it is strawberry ice cream. The rest of the items, licorice tea, manuka honey, and Epsom salts, are all natural remedies. She's been trouble-shooting how to get rid of the effects of the sprites. She knows she's sick, but not why

35: Cutesy craft supplies! Sequins, glitter, and pompoms

36: More washi tape!

37: Niko's manga collection. She is that particular brand of organizational mess that does not put her numbered volumes in order. She has made an exception for the series that makes a complete picture when you line them up, though

38: More plants :)

39: Manga posters! Issho is one of the series that she has on her shelf

40: A decorative jar

41: Little metal bird sculptures

42: What seems to be the only framed picture in her room. The angle is wrong to see what the photo is, but it's interesting that they added just one in here. Maybe it's her family…?

#dead boy detectives #dbda #niko sasaki #edwin payne #jenny green #meta commentary #set design #netflix

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teonyjackson017 · 18 days ago

Text

sapnap boxing stream notes

He slept 14 hours, which is why the stream started late

Tony is the cameraman

18 hours of valo yesterday, but he got his Immortal back, and that's all that matters

We are not boxing anyone, no sparring or fighting anyone, no opponent today

~95% of his boxing training is at the house, all non-sparring

They have a home gym, Sap's equipment, and Dream's garage. They have weightlifting stuff, but he does not rn because he gains too much muscle mass. Boxing section with a ring he bought bc he figured that would be better. It has a water punching bag bc he prefers it, and he does not hurt his hands.

His boxing coach! Tony Blaco from Orlando Boxing Club. They have been training for 6/7 months.

What they do on a day-to-day basis (non-sparring) bc they don't want to possibly show his flaws.

(he feels cringe but he is doing it for us 🐼🧡)

Every day, he has an energy drink (he has blue Monster) and 2 Rice Krispies (cheats?) while he puts on his shoes and clothes. Instant energy.

(something about not training on a full stomach?? stream lag, he feels heavy, and he does not like it. Everyone has their own preferences.)

He trains when he wakes up (right away or 30 mins- 1 h after waking up), he does not know if that's ideal.

He lies to his coach that he was up late working, but he was really playing Valorant. He streamed it, so technically it is work. 🤣

His boxing shoes are red Nike HyperKO shoes - he thought they looked cool.

Dream and George would die if he boxed them, especially gnf, Sap would go to jail if he boxed George.

He texted Blake to come, but he did not respond

He was weight training, but his weight was not going down the way he wanted it to. He was losing fat but gaining muscle mass. They had to cut it out to drop weight

Basic leg stretches before he Jump ropes (he is lazy and swings his legs around x10 each leg)

Jump rope (2 rounds), he has HIS jump rope. Each round is 3 minutes. Usually, he does more like 4-6 rounds. He messes up (a lot) and is not very good. He does this upwards of 20-24 mins. The jump rope is to jump-start his heart and get it warmed up. Boring, but a good form of conditioning.

He runs every day (also boring). He is supposed to run every day and he obviously does it yes yes. He wishes valo counted as conditioning.

Coach Tony: You can't box if you don't run.

Coach comes over almost every day to train sapnap. If not, he is at the coach's gym sparring. Rarely will they bring someone to the house to spar sap.

He has some break days, and he plays a lot of Valorant on them.

Coach: Especially with his travel, he needs to work out in the hotel gyms, and he can take the jump rope anywhere. Sap: I hate this thing! It hits me and it hurts! Coach: I think he messes up the jump rope just so he can stop. Sap: That's not true! x3 Coach: It's tougher than it looks.

Shadowboxing in the ring! (2 rounds with weights, 2 without, sometimes more/less) The ring has ropes, so he is forced to move his head and body under it and use the whole ring. He boxes an imaginary opponent, jabs, combos, and ducks. He makes little sounds. It feels cringe with the camera. Coach watches and comments. It is tiring.

Chat: He is fighting his demons!

Coach Tony: The benefit of shadowboxing is that it is where you perfect your form and technique and visualize a fight. It's everything! Sap: It's boring!

If it were up to Sap, he would spar every day, but the coach says no! You need your brain! Sap: Fighting is more fun. This is tiring and boring; you don't get bored sparring.

Pool Noodles (2 rounds). He can hit them with his bare hands. The coach calls sequences of moves. Sometimes the combos are too long to remember.

Sap goes to get his gloves. Coach brought tape for his wrists.

So, how’s it been working with Sapnap? Coach: oh it’s been great, i’m really really proud of his progress, a lotta times u see a lot of youtubers trying to fight but they don’t train like a fighter […] if u wanna train boxing u gotta do it like u love it, u gotta do it for real. (he praises Sap for his commitment, and Sap can't take the praise, it's so cute.) Coach is super proud of him!

Sap wraps his hands with tape. Everyone does it differently.

(Yapping about valorant, Coach: What's the game about? Sap: Killing people! Coach: Oh sweet! my kinda game!)

What gloves are you running today? Sapnap: These are Winning gloves. These are nice gloves.

Paddle Work (4 rounds?). Just like noodles, except with gloves and 2 paddles. They make a louder, satisfying noise. Sap says he feels like he is cheating because they make you sound loud and strong, even with soft hits. He prefers pads.

Sap never drinks water. He could do a 1-2 hour workout, and he never drinks water. He gets tired and takes rest breaks. He does not want to train with a full stomach. (Later, he drinks a little bit after the paddles.)

Sapnap's Spanish has improved so much! They can almost have a full conversation (Sap denies this lol). He listens to Spanish music all the time and can sing the lyrics word for word.

Water Punching Bag (2 rounds). He likes the water bag because it always stays soft. It is shaped like a torso. Stikes, combos, body shots. The most exhaustive bc the bag does not get tired. (Tony says that it can't fight back either.) He hits it hard; the others are not as hard hits.

Coach occasionally spars with Sap, and Sap wins, Coach says he is 52 and Sap is young.

It's hot, and Sap wants to turn the fans bc he no longer cares about the sound on stream.

The only time he hits as hard as he can is if he gets under (the arm of the opponent) and can hit the body because the body can take it, while the face cannot. A lot of people quit when hit on the body. Blake got hit in the body and quit. Soft shots to the face can also KO if placed right (chin, jaw), it does not take much if hit perfectly.

Liver shots are really impactful and painful.

He has to keep his hands up or he could get knocked out.

They always finish with a 3-minute plank, maybe more (Sap will do this off-stream)

They are keeping it short for stream; they often do 4-6 rounds of each.

Sapnap: disclaimer i’m not an actual fighter, so please don’t cook me, i’m a noob, i’m not even an amateur. Coach: he’s training like a fighter so to me he’s a fighter, cause he’s training like one Sapnap: he’s setting my ass up. He will take constructive criticism and wants the fight to happen.

END - The stream was 1 hour long. Sorry for any mistakes!

#this took so long #sapnap #pandasblr #sapnap boxing stream #i know nothing about boxing #inspired by that person who wrote out the whole gnf shopping list the other day #this was super interesting honestly #dteam #hope u guys find it interesting

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strugglingfloralclerk · 1 month ago

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Socioeconmic Opposites| Headcannons| Todoroki Shoto x Reader|

While I love the usual dating headcannons when it comes to our resident rich boy, there is just so much uncharted territory for Todoroki Shoto dating someone who identifies as ✨️poor af✨️. Especially if reader isn't impressed with his wealth-that would give Shoto alot room to grow emotionally, romantically, and personally.

Again, thank you to those who read my little fics.

💴💴💴💴💴💴💴💴💴💴💴💴💴💴💴💴

💰Shoto doesn't understand why you have cash stuffed in an old coffee can he found in your room. However, Shoto does have a frequent habit of slipping a 50 dollar note in without you knowing. He always places the coffee can back exactly how he found it, and will never admit to anybody he contributes to your secret-coffee-can-bank.

🪙 Sometimes when you and Shoto go on coffee dates and there is a very cat- ate-the-canary expression on his face when he "allows" you to pay. If you ask him what's got him smiling like that, he'll only shake his head at you: "This tea is extra delicious today."

He'll leave out that the cash you used to pay for the drinks came out of his wallet. Besides, the tea does somehow taste better this way. He likes the idea of you treating him, so it's a win-win.

💰Shoto never paid attention to price tags anywhere, let alone the grocery store until he started to shop with you. He's used to everything being a brand name and not a generic alternative. In fact, he would insist that the generic brands aren't good enough for ✨️you✨️even if they are only groceries. It was sweet at first. Until you inform him how condescending that got after the umpteenth time.

🪙Since then you make it a habit to take Shoto to different sample booths in stores during grocery runs, and to his surprise, he prefers the generic brand teas, rice crackers, and instant ramen.

"Does it taste better because it costs less?" Shoto is sure that must be it.

Now, he is a pro at spotting deals in the produce aisle. Once Shoto and you step into your Pro-Hero careers, the public is pleasantly surprised to see Shoto in such a normal setting and so fluent in deals and savings. This unknown relatability helps with his ranking on the hero charts. Shoto will always credit you for instilling that in him, therefore, boosting your ranking as well.

💰He absolutely respects and admire your work ethic and is always proud when you win. Sometimes it tires him out how hard you work and push yourself. Yet no matter how hard you've trained, you always wipe the sweat off your brow and smile freely at him. It always makes his heart melt. Shoto will think of your resiliency whenever he needs motivation to keep up with/push past Bakugo and Midoriya. (Which Bakugo takes as a personal insult. How dare you motivate that icy-hot bastard to be stronger than him?)

🪙Todoroki Shoto will absolutely spoil you when he can, if he can. There is a very fine line with you when it comes to gifts.You once told him, "Don't buy me with Endeavor's money. I don't want it."

You're not materialistic either, so it can be hard for him to find the perfect book, necklace, or perfume bottle. Shoto's smart-he can adapt and learn quickly.

💰So rather than material offerings Shoto will go on walks with you, pick flowers with you and turn them into crowns. Shoto knows your favorite dish and he knows 3 different ways to prepare it thanks to your mom, auntie, and grandma. Shoto is more likely to gift you with vacations as the relationship matures. As time goes on, the money in his account truly becomes Shoto's with every late night shift, with every civillian saved, and every villain captured.

He always pitches his vacation ideas the same way just with different locations everytime he asks. "You've been working too hard again. I think we need a break. Do you want to go to Okinawa or Fiji?"

(PS-Todoroki Shoto will be the type of guy who believes the money in the bank is truly 'our' money once he becomes your husband. He will never withhold a single dime from you. Shoto may not always know the right things to say or do but he will damn sure provide for you once you're his partner.)

💰When Shoto comes by your old neighborhood for the first time because you're housesitting for family-you're nervous. You pray to any entity willing to listen, that this isn't what kills the relationship. Worst of all, you hope Shoto doesn't pity you when he sees where you come from.

🪙For Shoto, he feels honored to be invited to your childhood home. He wants more than anything to understand you better. He wants to know your roots because he knows how it shapes a person.

Shoto adores what a considerate and welcoming host you are.

"I know it's not much but please make yourself comfortable."

Shoto pulls you in close and whispers against the shell of your ear, "As long as you're here, I'm comfortable."

💰Shoto, who at the end of the day, doesn't care about your family name or your income bracket. He's just happy to love and cherish you because he simply wouldn't know what a rich and full life would be for him without you in it.

#shoto todoroki x reader #mha #mha fanfiction #no plot whatsoever #mha fluff #bnha fluff #mha todoroki #shouto todoroki #todoroki shouto #todoroki x reader fluff #shouto x reader #mha headcanons

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cherry012309 · 21 days ago

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Masterlist

&TEAM chaotic roommate headcanons (I apologize if I perceive them differently then whoever might read this will)

Kei

Would 100% stay up till 2am making instant ramen while watching anime a little too loud

Will walk around acting like he’s in a k-drama maybe a robe and an interesting strut going

Sudden introspective conversations and thoughts at goofy times, you’ll be brushing your teeth at 7am and he’ll pop up behind you like. “Do you think the government keeps people’s pictures of their–” “Yudai!”

Fuma

The only child part really shows through when you live with him

Will wake you up barging into your room like a human alarm clock, he might even dance or try to show you a funny TikTok while yours eyes are still closed

Absolute snack thief

He will eat your snacks and leave the bag or container empty where it was before just so when you go to find them, it’s empty

Random bursts of extreme affection

Euijoo

You’d think he’s not chaotic but you’d be wrong

He doesn’t talk like crazy but one time you found him eating cereal out of a wine glass with chopsticks “Ej, what are you doing?” No smirk just serious “eating”

Midnight rituals.

He’ll be deep cleaning the living room in pyjama pants while quietly singing “Koegawari” when you look at him funny he simply says. “I felt the need to mop.”

Scares you without meaning to

Had a habit of just standing silently watching, thinking. You’ll squeal and he’ll say. “I’ve been here the whole time.”

Nicholas

Tries to act normal

Looks responsible and mature from afar(he’s faking it)

Will walk out in full fashion like boots, jewelry, heavy ass jeans just to get water. “Where are you going?” “The hallway but make it fashionable💅”

Will absolutely roast you at times no one else would

Simple good morning from you and a “bold of you to say it’s a good morning looking like that.” Which you can’t help but raise the lovely finger in the middle.

Always there for you even with all the teasing and roasting, he’ll always show up for you

Yuma

Bakes to cope and also to threaten you? He’ll slam the cookie tray down on the table. “Take one. I’m mad.”

Will randomly leave you texts like “wash the dishes or die.” “Stop touching my snacks. I know it’s you.”

Strangely sweet to you at random times. “We should go for a walk” with a grin on his face

Accidentally wakes you up when he tries so hard not to in the morning, he’ll probably fall or trip over something and swear that the world is against him.

Hungry or bored Jo? He will throw himself next to you while saying he ran out of rice.

“Jo? Why is there like 100 plushies on my couch?” “Uhhhh no?” They were on sale and he couldn’t let it go.

Harua

He seems chill at first maybe even normal but you were definitely mistaken

Judging silently “I’m not gonna say anything.”

“Do you think cats know we are emotionally unstable?”

Suddenly starts cooking up a storm in the kitchen, food delicious, kitchen a disaster

Taki

Tried to cook and set the stove on fire, it was sweet really, he was trying to make breakfast for you but instead you woke up to the smoke alarm.

Does squats while brushing his teeth?(bro can’t stop moving)

1:52am “I think that people like us are needed even if we are very weird and annoying.”

Maki

Will move the furniture inch by inch until you trip on the foot of your couch. “Weird, did a burglar come in and move the couch?”

“Maki did you clean the kitchen?” (Which he does it without asking always since he’s a clean freak but. “No I burned it down.” And you’re greeted with a spotless kitchen that smells of vanilla and jasmine somehow.

Hope you enjoyed!!! Just a random post while I write my requests and all!

#&team #koga yudai #murata fuma #byun euijoo #wang yixiang #asakura jo #nakakita yuma #shigeta harua #takayama riki #hirota riki

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alicedash2 · 1 year ago

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The "Terrible Killer" YN, who join the Straw hat crew

°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

ah...YN was so terrible, so feared, she wandered the seas alone, no one knew YN's true identity, what did they know? only that she was a fearsome killer, she had killed a Tenryuubito when they tried to kidnap her when she was younger, she killed him and impaled the body of the man who abused her in the various areas, so her value for her head was enormous, she made chaos wherever she went, she didn't need much to do what the whole Navy could do...

but really, she's just a young lass who wanted some friends or to be part of some crew, she really didn't want to be alone anymore

on a certain island, she wandered, until she came close to an ordinary neighborhood restaurant, she saw a young 19-year-old boy wearing a straw hat, she knew who he was, she stepped inside, some people knew that nothing would happen if nothing was done to her, she sat next to and looked at the young boy desperately eating a plate of meat with rice and peas

-...- she look at him

the boy, whose name was Luffy, looked at her, he stared at her as he ate, they stared at each other

-....you...- Luffy started talking

they looked at each other again...

- you're the person there who killed a Tenryuubito, aren't you? the terrible killer...-

Luffy ate while talking, YN was a little uncomfortable, but ignored.

-....Yes...-

- hmmm...-

he would go back to eating, still looking at them, the people around would be kind of scared, trying to calm down and ignore

-...Luffy...?-

YN called him, he swallowed the food and paid attention

-...I know it's sudden...but, if I buy a plate of food for you, any plate you want, I posso...me gather your crew?- she said calmly, as much as she was fearsome, she had a genuine heart

- really?! Deal!-

Luffy smiled, It warmed YN's heart a little

"so easy..."-YN thought, a little surprised, so Luffy chose the dish, after Luffy ate, YN still paid for the previous dishes Luffy had eaten, he would not miss

- you're so cool, YN! and they say you are worse than Doflamingo or Kaido himself!- Luffy said

- and-I'm not like that! YN blushed a little

- the world government and the Navy like to exaggerate! but good, so no one disturbs me! - YN smile slightly

- oooh...we're here!-

Luffy says, arriving at Sunny, where he is greeted by the other crewmen, Luffy climbs up first

- guys, I brought a new crew member!- Luffy smiles, YN coming right behind, when everyone looks at YN, they are shocked, Zoro draws his sheath from his sword ready to attack

- stay away from her, Luffy!-

Robin said, sweating with nervousness and fear

- why?!-

Luffy was shocked to see some of his friends ready to attack

- she's a killer! but she's not just any kind of killer! do you know the damage it can do?! it is equivalent to what the world government could do! stay away from her! - Nami said, almost motionless

-...what? but...- Luffy looked back, staring at YN who was looking at them with a deadly look, smiling

- m..but..-

Luffy was trying to find something to talk about, but YN just gave a silly giggle and tuned his voice a little, trying to appear harmless

- how silly they are! - YN said, gesturing with she's hand

- I'm not doing anything to you! as long as they don't do anything to me...- YN said sweetly

everyone let their guard down for an instant, Usopp was arriving, when he looked at YN, screamed and fainted

- Oh...I didn't want that to happen!-

YN said softly, yes, YN is extremely strong, with she's reward a little more than Luffy, but in fact, YN was sweeter than sugar and sticky than honey

- Why Is She here, Luffy?-

Robin asked, Luffy looked at her

- ...we made a deal, she bought me a plate of food and I let her join the gang! -

Luffy smiled, Nami slapped her own face with her hand

- you're an idiot...Luffy! - Nami advances on Luffy, slapping and pulling his hair, while Luffy apologizes and begs her to stop

a few minutes later, everyone was at the dining table in the kitchen, deciding whether YN should stay on the crew or not, even Sanji, was nervous and suspicious...

YN pouted, wanted to join the gang, everyone was quiet except Sanji, who was standing, smoking

- good... why did you decide to join the crew, YN? - Nami asked

- w-well...it's just that I don't have a crew, and...everyone who ever tried to get in, always ran away, I tried to create my own gang, but I could not... - YN said kind of nervous, shy too

- and why just ours? - Nami specified

- I just happened to meet Luffy, so I took advantage of it... -

- ...I don't think it's safe...- Nami said, until YN took a small wooden box and opened it, revealing jewels and diamonds

- please, miss Nami! I need a crew! - YN said with a whiny tone

- AAAH! yeah, you can stay, you're younger than Luffy, right? my little sister...- Nami hugged her and blushed

Zoro sighed, knowing that he now has a new member

- I'm not what they say, it's serious! yes, I have done many things, but it has never been for evil! - YN said, she was just an 18-year-old girl who wanted some friends

- SUPEEER all right, welcome to the crew!- Franky said, smiling as Brook approached

- excuse me, miss YN, will you...can I see your panties?-- Nami kicked him away

little by little they accepted YN the crew, some were suspicious, especially Robin

-there's no point in just giving jewelry, I still don't agree,- Robin said softly.

- but you did the same thing! - Usopp said

- trust me, miss Robin! YN supplicava

Robin sighed, accepting, YN blushed and smiled, finally in a crew

YN's presence was very helpful in scaring and intimidating other pirates and sailors, YN is also playful, liked to entertain Luffy and others, always gifting Nami with jewelry and gold, giving sake to Zoro, and hanging out with Robin behind unread books,

- YN!- Luffya was knocking on YN's bedroom door

- YN! he'd shout, YN open the door

- Luffy, what is it? - She asked

- let's play! it's raining and there's nothing to do - Luffy said

"go play with Usopp or Chopper," she'd say.

- they don't want to, and I've already tried with Franky, he doesn't want to either-Luffy said, he without hesitation, walked into YN's room, they both sat on the bed

- Oh... - YN sighed

- ooh, you have a different way to decorate your room! - Luffy said, YN just ignored him

- Hey...- Luffy called her, getting her attention

- yeah?-

- ...why do they think you're so bad? like...you're cool! "I don't know why almost everyone runs away from you." - Luffy

- Oh...good.... YN hesitava

- when I was younger...a few years ago, I was captured by a Tenryuubito...-

YN said, Luffy listened intently

- e...I was tortured in various ways...but I managed to escape, but I had to do something drastic...-

-what did you do?-

- ...I killed...I killed a Tenryuubito...and I impaled his body so it was a warning...but...anyway...after that, I escaped on some random pirate ship, I don't remember...but, I began to wander the seas alone, I destroyed a few islands here and there...I did other things too...but anyway...because of this, I was alone for a few years until I found you, all the things I did was out of pure defense, I never wanted to hurt anyone, I just wanted to defend myself...but the government made me a murderer, so everyone ran away or tried to kill me...- YN said, Luffy had a serious expression

reminds me a little of Robin...Nami too...- Luffy said softly, he smiles sweetly, warming YN's heart again

- but, me and the staff know that you are a good person! you have proven that you really are not someone bad! - Luffys said, making YN blush

- I'm happy...didn't want to focus alone anymore-YN smile back

- but, I have many stories to tell, some funny and even scary -

YN was up

- if I'm so bored, I can tell you! - YN said with the same determined smile

- oooh! yeah! - Luffy gets up, they both walk to the dining table, where Alice tells more about her story and adventures

°•°•°•°•°♪°•°•°°•°°••°•°•°•°•°•°•°

#one piece #one piece x reader #straw hat luffy #monkey d. luffy #one piece luffy #mugiwara no luffy #luffy fluff #luffy #robin one piece #op nami #one piece nami #nami #nico robin

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hirayaaraw · 2 years ago

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Of Taxes and Marriage

Tags: friends to lovers; marriage for convenience / fake marriage; pining

It's Saturday and you were supposed to have to watch a movie downtown with your bestfriens Wonwoo but plans were changed. Here you are in his dining table with your laptop and cramming your tax file that is due on Monday.

"Why no one has taught this in college?" You complain while you were dizzy with the amount of payslips you got from your main job and side hustle. "I'm really sorry for cancelling our plans, Won."

"It's fine." Wonwoo said before sitting next to you and peek on your laptop. You can see his grimace on your peripheral view.

"Should I call my mom's secretary to fix your tax file so we can eat our dinner now?" You roll your eyes. Wonwoo, of course, the rich kid he is, knows and have anyone to fix your tax.

"I doubt you call them to fix yours."

"Well, right." And Wonwoo, the rich kid he is, doesn't like using his connection. He likes doing his stuff on his own. "I don't even want to call my mom right now because that means another blind date to arrange with another daughter of someone."

"Poor you." You said nonchalantly. You couldn't care less about his rich boy problem because when you saw the amount of tax you will be paying. "I'm doomed."

Wonwoo pulled your laptop as you try to process the fact that you owe the freaking government a huge amount of tax. "Woah. You made that much in your side hustle?"

"Made that much, gave away so much to my family, and now I need pay so much to this government." You stressed out as you comb your hair in frustration. You are thinking to delay the payment and paying the penalties. "Not to mention my monthly rent."

"You need some help?"

"No, I'm fine. I can handle this." You said and close your laptop. "What should we eat tonight?"

"Orange chicken?"

"That sounds nice. Do you the ingredients?" You stood up and went to his refrigerator.

"Yeah, I did some grocery when you said we gonna cancel the plan tonight." He said then start preparing the utensils that will be used.

This is how your weekends usually happen. Dinner with either of your apartments. Cooking together or if you both feeling lazy, you order pizza and do some movie marathon. This started during your college days as broke students and now you two are inseparable.

Once you are done cooking, you felt a bit better as you see Wonwoo become excited about the food. He prepared the table and pull you a chair.

"Thank you for the food." He said before closing his eyes to mutter a short prayer. "Finally a real food."

"If only you can stop being lazy about cooking."

"I told you I can't cook."

"Then what did we do earlier, Mister?"

"Well, I chop and you do your magic." Wonwoo said then ate a spoonful of rice. He continued explaining how shitty he is as a cook. You just agreed he is a bad cook and settled on cooking on weekends for him so he can stay alive or else he will live through instant noodles and canned goods.

Once you finish eating, you clear the table and he wash the dishes. He notice how your aura is still gloomy despite trying to make you laugh.

"You know I can help you if you tell me." He said while rinsing the plate.

"If the government can give tax break to corporations for doing charity, why can't they do it for single women who are breadwinners?" You whined at him. "If you happen to know who to contact to lower my tax bracket, then I will gladly ask for your help."

Wonwoo wipe the plates dry and put it on the cabinet. He bit his lower lip and turn to you.

"What? Do you know how?"

"Yeah" Wonwoo said in low voice. Unsure if he should say it.

"Really? You know how?" You said excitedly and you hugged him. Wonwoo gulped as he smelled your perfume. You pulled away from him and waited for this information.

"You need to marry someone to get a tax break." He said in a matter of fact tone. You groaned and slap his chest in annoyance.

"Where can I find a husband? I've been single since we graduated." You frowned at him while he smiled at you. He ruffled your hair to annoy you more.

"You can marry me."

You blink twice at him. It seems like your brain is playing at you. You scanned his face to see any sign if he is joking or what but Wonwoo is just smiling at you.

"What did you say?"

"I sad you can marry me." Wonwoo said in a very serious tone then gave you a small smile. You can feel your heart beat jumps.

"You shouldn't joke about marriage, asshole." You pushed him towards the sink and walk to his sofa. He followed you like a lost cat.

"Hey I'm serious." Wonwoo said when he caught your hand.

"Marriage for tax? Are you kidding me?" You looked at him with disbelief on how he came up with that idea. "Marriage should happen between two people who love each other."

"We love each other!" He said as if it is the easiest thing on the world.

"Platonically."You said and Wonwoo still holding your hand slowly kneeling on one knee.

"You get a lower tax bracket, my mom will stop pestering me about blind dates."

"Insane."

"You can pay me half of your monthly rent or even nothing if we get married."

"I can believe you are talking me through this and I am seriously considering it."

"Y/N, will you marry me? For the sake of taxes and everything that bothers us." He asked you with that endearing smile. How could you say no?

"You'll help me file my tax?"

"Gladly."

"I will shoo away your blind dates."

"I am literally on my knees so please."

"Half of my rent and I cook for you everyday."

"I will be forever grateful."

"When's our wedding?"

That's how you ended up Monday morning at the city hall in your white skirt, coat, and strapped on heels. Wonwoo arrived at your appartment with a bouquet yellow tulips and to add the wedding vibe according to him. He looks handsome in his black tuxedo and slick back hairstyle.

Now you both stand in front of a judge as he precided your wedding. You drag a janitor and a court clerk to be a witness to your wedding. Wonwoo held both of your hands. You listen to the judge intenly while he looks at you endearingly.

"With the power vested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss the bride."

You and Wonwoo's eyes widen in surprise. You forgot the part where you need to kiss each other. Wonwoo slowly remove the veil from your face.

He held your cheeks gently and you look at him before closing your eyes. This is not the first kiss you shared with him. However, this is is special as you are now his wife. He lowered his head and gave you a kiss. You can feel his smile against yours and you couldn't help but reach his face with your free hand.

"Congratulations, Mr. And Mrs. Jeon!" You pulled away and hugged him. Wonwoo laughed as he hugged you tighter.

Just two idiots who will never admit they love each other romantically.

2017 December

A day before you both leave the campus dorm to celebrate the holiday. You are sitting side by side in his tiny couch with a bowl of popcorn on your lap. Love, Rosie playing on the screen.

"Do you think we will be in love at each other like them?" You asked him out of the blue. Just pure curiousity.

"I don't know. Maybe? We don't what fate holds for us."

"But is that fine with you?"

"Fine with?"

"Falling in love with me in the future."

"Yeah there's not to love about you." Wonwoo said calmly as if it is a non brainer question. You put the popcorn on the coffee table.

You don't know what went on your mind. It is suddenly hazy. You turn to him while Wonwoo is watching Rosie confess.

"I want to know something."

"Shoot."

"Can I kiss you?"

"Okay." Wonwoo looked at you. Without anytime waster, you pulled him towards you and kiss him. It took few seconds for Wonwoo to respond. His hand grab your neck to deepen the kiss. You were never kissed like this before.

You pulled away to breathe. He rested his forehead to yours before giving you a peck.

"Was it that you want to know?" He asked you with breathy voice. You stood up before you were completely trap by the spell he puts you in.

"Oh look. It's late. I have a bus to catch on tomorrow morning." You pick up your phone and ran towards the door. "Merry Christmas, Wonwoo!"

Your curiousity is satisfied. You just learned that Wonwoo has the ability to make your heart go crazy and your heart is ridiculously beating for him.

But no, you don't need love as senior college student clinging on scholarship. You set aside the feelings and burried it the whole holiday season.

It was the first but certainly not the last kiss you shared with Wonwoo as friends.

2019 July

Drinks flowing as the campus celebrated the night before the graduation ceremony. Everyone is inebriated as well as you and Wonwoo.

Wonwoo never left your side and his free arm is stucked in either your waist or shoulder. Both of you were laughing like idiots at the corner of your batchmate's house, you legs resting on his lap and your head on his shoulder. The party music blaring in the whole house.

When the laughter between the two of you ensued, you both notice how there is almost no distance between the two of you. You can smell the beer and his musky perfume.

Wonwoo raised your chin and you can see the hesitation in his eyes. You held his hand and took this as a sign. He kissed you tenderly. A little bit sloppy but you can feel his yearning as if he is scared that he will be losing you.

Once you are both out of breath, you rested your head on his chest. Hands still intertwined.

"Y/N" Wonwoo called you. You hummed against his chest. He felt that he has the whole world. He is nervous but it feels like a now or never situation. "Have I told you that I love you?"

He waited for a response but nothing came out from you. Wonwoo looked down just to see you sleeping on him.

Present

If he told the 2019 Jeon Wonwoo that he will end up marrying you, his old self will never believe it. If he told his past self that you both spent the night of your wedding playing board games, his old self will laugh at him for being loser.

He is happy and content for what he has right now. His confession can wait.

Right now, you enjoy defeating Wonwoo in every scrabble round. Your heart beats like first time you both kissed. Just like the first time you kissed, you wanted to put aside your feelings and focus on the pressing matters at hand.

#wonwoo x oc #wonwoo fluff #wonwoo scenarios #wonwoo x reader #kpop scenarios #seventeen scenarios #seventeen fluff #seventeen imagines #wonwoo imagines #seventeen fic

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kittykat-25 · 8 months ago

Text

Not Alone- an S.Coups Story

Chapter 3

Pairing: Seungcheol x F. Reader

Genre: strangers x friends x lovers, Hurt x Comfort, found family, seventeen being the best friends and brothers.

Synopsis: After begging the famous K-pop sensation S.Coups for help in the Seoul street market your life completely flips upside down, bringing you true friendship and a chance at true love.

A/N:This story is purely fiction. It talks about harsh things such as domestic violence, suicide and anxiety. This in no way represents the artist or their families. It is all made up🫶🏻

*one week later*

Scoups woke up the sounds of screaming, jumping out of bed and stumbling over his own feet. His brain was still asleep, throwing open his door, the screams coming from your bedroom. His heart fracturing at each whimper that came out. The helpless moan of you begging someone to stop. He put his hand in the door handle, still locked. Sliding down the door he started calling your name, hoping to pull you out of the darkness that plagued you at night. You had been having nightmare since you moved in and each night he did his best to help you through the door. The footsteps of his brother Seungmin sounded up the stairs, “is she okay Cheol?” He grumbled sitting down next to him. “I don’t know how to help her.” Scoups said dropping his head in his hands, “what do I do?” He brother patted his back, “just be here for her, give her time to heal.” Scoups nodded. You had seemed more lively the last few days, your job interview had gone well and being offered the job boosted your hope of a future. He was just glad to see some light coming back into your eyes. Kkuma came trotting out of his room and laid in his lap. “Get some rest, check on her tomorrow.” Seungmin said as he walked back downstairs. He played it off but Cheol knew his brother would be up the remainder of the night in case you needed anything. He had taken an instant liking to you, gaining another little sibling though with you being born in 98 he babied you as much as you would let him. Cheol leaned his head back against the door, not wanting to leave in case you started screaming again. He couldn’t get to you but he’d do whatever he could to bring you comfort.

As you woke up, your throat dry and head pounding from the night terrors that constantly plagued you, throwing on some sweats and an oversized t shirt you walked towards the bedroom door, unlocking it and opening only to be greeting with Scoups falling backwards into your legs. “What are you doing?” You asked laughing, as the older man rubbed his head where it hit the floor. Kkuma barking at the noise they made. “Shhh kkuma don’t wake up Hyung.” You whispered reaching down to pet the dogs head. “I’m awake, don’t worry.” A voice yelled back, “and I made breakfast.” Cheol chuckled, “alright let’s go” he said sitting up. You reached a hand down to help him stand, he glanced at your out stretched hand then at your face, you raised an eyebrow as if silently asking if he was going to take it. Gripping your hand tenderly he pulled himself up, not even caring that you didn’t actually help. He squeezed your hand gently and gave a smile before leading you downstairs. His hand still in yours, Seungmin gave a look before placing fried rice down. You dropped Cheols hand to reach for the plate causing the older boy to pout at his brother who chuckled. “Smooth” he whispered as he passed. Cheol reached his foot out to kick him. Laughing, Seungmin followed you into the living room to eat, leaving a pouting Scoups in the kitchen.

After breakfast you head back upstairs, hearing footsteps you look back to see Scoups following you. “Good we can finish our conversation.” You said leaning against your door frame. “What conversation?” he said mirroring your stance. “Why were you asleep outside my door?” You questioned. Scoups was impressed, asking a question boldly was a big improvement for you. While you were clenching your hands to stop them from shaking while waiting for him to answer. “You were screaming, in your sleep. And I’m not going to come into your room but I wanted to be closer if you needed me.” He said quietly. “I was screaming? I thought it was only in the dreams.” You said picking at your nails, “I’m so sorry I woke you up.” Scoups wanted to pull you into a hug, to tell you to never apologize for the trauma you endured but he pressed his body firmly into the door frame, steadying himself. “It’s alright, I just hate that you are plagued with them nightly.” You gave a halfhearted smile, “you can’t fix everything Cheol.” He shrugged, “I can try. Just know me or Seungmin are here if you need us. At anytime, our doors are always open.” Nodding you said a thank you and slipped into your room. You looked at the key hanging beside your bed. Shaking the thoughts away you walked into your bathroom to get ready for the day.

The next few weeks flew by as you got used to the routine of your job and coming home to Cheol and sometimes Seungmin. Depending on his works schedule which changed often. Today after work, you and Cheol were going to the guys dorm to have dinner and you would be lying if you said you weren’t nervous. You had been around them in groups but never all 13 since that first dinner. Sitting in the passenger seat of Scoups car you picked at your nails. “Jeonghans door in the first on the left, if you need a minute.” He mentioned, never taking his eyes off the road. “He won’t mind, or you can stick by me.” His arm rested across the center console, you squeezed him arm, “thank you for always thinking these things out.” He gave you a grin, “DK or Mingyu will want to hug you, if you aren’t comfortable tell them. They are just lovers but will respect your boundaries.” He added as you nodded along. You knew of course, Dokyeom always looked like he was busting at the seams to hug you as soon as he saw you but he never did. Mingyu settling for thumbs up. “I know Cheol they’ve never done anything to make me uncomfortable before.” You chuckled, “maybe a hug would be nice, I haven’t had one in months” Scoups pulled into the parking garage and turned off the car, “respectfully y/n, if those two get a hug before I do I will be inconsolable and pout for days.” You laughed, opening your car door. “You do that anyways Cheol.” His signature pouty lips started to form, “I do not.” You have a pointed stare which had both of you laughing. “The Maknae leader at its finest.” You say as you walked towards the doors, the older man on your heels his lips still in a pout.

You could hear the music as soon as you stepped off the elevator, Cheol guiding you down the hallway, “I forget how loud you all are.” You mummbled, sticking close to him. He smiled, “it’s always been this way.” He threw open the door and was greeted by Hoshi and Seungkwan using the karaoke machine at full volume. “Scoups-ssi, y/n!!” DK yelled as you shut the door, you waved as Scoups pulled him into a hug, while you sat your water down and found Jeonghan curled up on the couch with Minghao and Wonwoo. “Y/n, come sit with us!” Minghao called, plopping down beside Jeonghan you leaned back. “You look better.” He stated, “no offense of course.” He added as you turned towards him. “I feel better, more awake, present I guess.” You said watching the guys try to beat their previous high score. “My bedroom is the first door on the left, bathroom is on the right. If you need a minute alone.” You chuckled, “Cheol said the same thing. Thank you for looking out for me.” He bowed slightly, “y/n come join us!” Dino yelled from the karaoke machine. “You reallly don’t want me too.” You called back shaking your head. “Pleaseeeee” Hoshi begged, “she said no, respect that Soonyong.” Scoups voice rang out from the kitchen. Hoshi said sorry and turned back around, Jeonghan was trying not to laugh beside you, “he’s prickly tonight.” Wonwoo said quietly. “He was fine in the car.” You whispered back before standing up to go find the leader. “Maybe later Hoshi.” You told the energetic man as you walked by making his face light back up.

You walked into the kitchen to Cheol laughing with Joshua, DK and Mingyu. “Hey Y/n!” Joshua called causing Cheol to turn around, “hey Joshua.” You replied leaning against the counter beside their leader. “Are you okay?” He said quietly. “Are you?” You retorted, “Hoshi didn’t deserve for you to snap at him.” Cheols eyes looked towards the living room, “you had said no. There was no need for him to pressure you.” You rolled your eyes laughing, “it’s no different than you pouting when Kkuma chooses to sit with me.” “That was one time, a lapse in judgement by her.” He said jutting his lip out. “I appreciate you stepping in but I don’t want you snapping at your members to do it. I can speak up for myself.” You said patting his back. Scoups leaned back slightly into your hand, “I’m always going to speak up for you, you’re not in this alone anymore y/n.” His eyes locked on yours. You heard a throat clear and both of looked towards the source to find the other three men trying to not stare at you. “How’s living with this one?” Joshua asked. “Good, he’s not this dramatic all the time if you could believe that.” Joshua’s eyes widen as he turned his face towards his friend, “really not the type to be over dramatic. Huh interesting.” You laughed as Scoups glared at Joshua. “Him and Seungmin hyung really are the best.” You added trying to defuse the situation. “You’re 98’ right? Would that makes Scoups-ssi a hyung to you as well?” Mingyu asked, eyes cutting towards his leader. DK trying to hold on his laugher. “I- uh have never even thought of calling you that.” You said looking at Cheol. “No disrespect but just doesn’t fit.” “Please don’t.” Was Scoups response. “Cheollie Oppa has a better ring to it” Joshua said, earning a kick from Scoups. You laughed, “Scoups-ssi Oppa, maybe. We’ll see.” You said as you walked out of the kitchen back towards Jeonghan, who had a smirk on his face. Scoups turned back towards his friends. “Your ears are so red.” Joshua stated poking his ear lobe. “Shut up Shua.” He grumbled watching you walk away. “Just ask her out Cheol.” He said watching his leader out after you. Cheol whips his head to his friend, “no, she’s not ready for that and I will never put that kind of pressure on her.” He said quietly. “What if she’s never ready?” DK asked quietly. “Then I’ll be her friend, as long as she is safe and taken care of. That’s all I want for her.” Scoups replied tearing his eyes from you as you laughed at something Jeonghan had said.

Scoups watched you sing horribly with DK and Hoshi at the karaoke machine, only looking away when Jeonghan sat down beside him. “She looks better. Has she been sleeping any better at night?” Scoups shook his head, “still nightmares but they don’t seem as intense. Her screaming has stopped, more so just threshing around.” Jeonghan glanced at his friend, the way his eyes never left you, “she’s going to be okay Cheol. Y/n’s a fighter and pulled herself out of that situation.” Scoups let out a sigh, “I know, I just want to make sure she has everything she needs to heal in her own time.” Jeonghan nodded, “she does, you and Seungmin hyung have made sure of that.” Your laugh broke through their conversation as the score of the song came up. Scoups face lit up seeing you smile with his brothers. Determined to keep that smile on your face as long as he could.

Walking towards the car hours later, you were humming the song DK and Seungkwan sang, “you looked like you were having fun tonight.” Cheol said as he opened your car door. “I did.” You said smiling, “I like being around them.” Cheol smiled at that, “they all adore you. I’m glad you are comfortable being there.” You leaned back against the seat, “I’ve never felt uncomfortable around them, but tonight being around all of you just brought a lot of peace.” Your eyes closed, you were unaware of the man starring at you with tears in his eyes. “We bring you peace?” He asked, trying to control the emotion in his voice. He pulled out into the road, “You make me feel safe Cheol.” You mumbled as you started falling asleep. “Y/n, if you fall asleep now you know you won’t sleep later.” He said gently. You mumbled something incoherent that made him chuckle. “Come on pretty girl, wake up.” He said with a soft smile, he hesitantly reached a hand out to brush your hair out of your eyes. You turned your head nuzzling against his hand. Cheol could feel his heart pounding in his chest. “Y/n” he whispered not wanting to alarm you. The last thing he wanted was for you to wake up and panic. “Cheollie” you mumbled making his heart race even more. “We’re almost home pretty girl.” He said stroking your cheek gently.

Pulling into the driveway he parked the car, “y/n we’re home.” You opened your eyes, and found Cheol looking at you with so much adoration. You blinked, “sorry, I didn’t mean to fall asleep.” He opened his door as you stretched, coming around to open yours “it’s alright, I know you don’t get a lot of rest.” You shrugged as you followed him up the path, “I slept fine then.” He turned back towards you, “really? That’s good!” Opening the front door, “maybe that’s a sign tonight will be good.” You said walking up the stairs towards your room. “I hope so but I’ll be here if you need me.” He said walking to his door. “I know Cheol, you always are.” You said as you slipped into the room and bid him goodnight. Not letting yourself think about the words you just muttered or the words said in the car. Safe. You finally felt safe. You turned and walked toward the key hanging on your wall, taking another step towards fully healing.

A/N: sorry this is so late friends! The past few weeks have been a mess!! But I hope you enjoy🤍

TAGLIST:

@hi-cherry @hwasddeongbyeoli @btskzfav @ateez-atiny380 @butterfliesinthenightsky @nooniena @allisonleannn

#friends to lovers #seventeen #scoups x you #scoups x reader #svt x reader #hurt/comfort #jeonghan #seungcheol x reader

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aheckinmess · 11 days ago

Text

Symphony

Read on AO3.

Tags: Robert "Bob" Reynolds, Original Female Character(s), Ava Starr, Yelena Belova, Alexei Shostakov, John Walker, James "Bucky" Barnes, Sam Wilson, Thunderbolts, Bob x Original Female Character, Coping with Grief, OC is an Empath, Another Tower Fic, Watchtower Shenanigans, This is part of a much larger fic I'm writing with my friends, but I'm writing this because I needed to get it out, or I would explode, and then who else would feed you all this tasty Bob content?, Sam is OC's Adoptive Father, Bucky is the Best Uncle, Yelena is a Good Friend

Word Count: 6,360 words

Summary: Daffodil grew up with the Avengers after a past riddled with trauma and tragedy; after Endgame, she's trying to pick up the pieces of her broken heart and rebuild when she meets the Thunderbolts at the insistence of Uncle Bucky. She isn't prepared for how quickly she gets attached to them, nor is she prepared for Bob Reynolds, someone who understands how she feels more than she knows.

Chapter 1: Symphony

Daffodil bets money every time she steps into the communal kitchen that none of the Thunderbolts have eaten a decent meal since they moved into the Watchtower. Of course, she doesn’t exactly blame them with all the shit they’ve gone through.

Yelena and Bob frequent the kitchen for simple meals like spaghetti or hamburgers or chicken alfredo, seeing as they’re the few team members who don’t burn water. The same could not be said for Walker, Ava, or Alexei. Those three set the kitchen on fire every time they so much as glance at the stove, which is probably why they live off of frozen dinners and microwave mac n cheese.

The heavens open up and sing when Uncle Bucky steps up to the oven range. The last time he made peanut butter pie, Daffodil slid to her knees and hugged his legs like he’d hung the sun in the sky.

Only problem? Uncle Bucky rarely cooks in the Watchtower kitchen.

That might explain why when Daffy goes to slice her tomato, she cuts her thumb instead, with a dull blade as the culprit.

“Shit!” She shoves her thumb and the knife under the faucet, muttering curses that would send her father into cardiac arrest.

“Can’t find your way around a knife?” John smirks and tosses his soda in the bin. “We gonna have to start giving you safety scissors to cut your veggies now?”

“I might be able to handle a knife if you freaks would keep them sharpened!” Daffy sticks her tongue out at him. “Don’t any of you ever cook something other than instant mashed potatoes and boxed rice?”

“Come on, it’s not that bad.”

Daffodil quirks a brow and opens the cupboard above the sink. A pitiful little moth flutters from the empty vessel and she swears she hears it crying.

“Look at this! Moth families are in poverty!”

“That’s not my fault! Maybe Mr. Moth should assess his options and switch jobs to better support his family.” He digs through a drawer for the first-aid kit.

“How dare you! Mr. Moth is doing his best.” Daffodil grabs a paper towel and squeezes it around her mutilated thumb. “Careful with that Neosporin. Don’t press too hard.”

“This isn’t my first time, Daffy.”

“That’s what she said.”

“You are impossible.”

Five minutes later, Daffy finds the knife sharpener and transforms a block of sad kitchen cutlery into weapons of war. When she finishes, she returns to her mission of slicing and dicing her tomato.

“What’re you making anyway?” John pokes his head over her shoulder. “Enough to share, I hope?”

Daffodil points to the grocery bags on the counter: ground beef, lettuce, sour cream, cheese, guacamole, hot sauce, and homemade tortilla shells.

“Oh, hell yes.”

The Thunderbolts wander into the kitchen like a litter of hungry puppies as soon as the smell of cooked meat wafts through the halls. Daffy puts Walker on microwave duty with the tortilla shells since it’s the only appliance she trusts him to operate.

“Ah, yes, finally! A good cook is in the house!” Alexei cheers from the lounge. “We will eat well tonight!”

“Who says I’m sharing?” Daffy taunts.

“Are you kidding me? There is always enough to share with your favorite uncle.”

“Yeah, but that still doesn’t explain why you think she’s sharing with you.” Uncle Bucky claps the Russian’s shoulder in passing. “You’ve got enough for me, right, Ducky?”

“You people are animals.” Daffy groans, adding taco seasoning to the beef and leaning back to headbutt her uncle. “But of course you can have some.”

“I will literally drag Ava to the store with me to get more if it means you will share with all of us.” Yelena pleads.

“No worries. There’s plenty. I always buy extra for you guys when I cook here.” She smiles.

Yelena eyes the frying pan and starts gathering toppings to line up across the bar when Daffy switches off the burner. Ava sets up plates and utensils while stealing cubes of tomato.

There is one person unaccounted for and Daffodil represses the question of where he is lest Yelena look at her like she’s on an episode of Bachelorette. Instead, she busies herself with putting the meat in a bowl and setting the grease aside to cool. “Dinner’s ready!”

The Thunderbolts descend upon her taco bar, fighting each other to get a plate as if they’re starving wolves. Walker elbows Yelena, who smacks Alexei, who squeezes in front of Ava. Daffodil vaguely wonders if Valentina feeds the poor heroes.

“Did you make these tortillas yourself?” Ava asks around a dollop of sour cream. “They look homemade.”

“They are. Don’t judge me if they taste bad, it’s only my second time making them.” Daffy chuckles.

“I have never put a bite of your food in my mouth that I could not swallow.” Alexei wraps his arm around her shoulder. “You make good food. Just the right kind of food for a hungry team of heroes.”

“Hungry is right.” Bob’s soft timbre shudders down the hall as he comes into view.

Daffodil hates him.

She hates the way he makes her lips tip up and the stress melt off her shoulders. She hates when he steps closer and her body naturally opens to welcome him in the conversation. She hates how her eyes latch onto his and the world falls away for a breath because his presence hugs all of her broken pieces into a mosaic of hopeful daydreams – daydreams she has been scared to hold onto since her parents died thirteen years ago.

Daffodil hates that Bob loves her so effortlessly, because all she can do is fuck everything up.

“I was starting to worry you might be getting chased by a feral street cat.” She hands Bob a plate and ignores the soft pang of affection he emits every time he gets close.

“That was one time.” He nudges her arm.

Daffodil’s soul stitches itself together when he smiles at her.

“One time is all it takes to worry. That means your chances are statistically higher than the average citizen.” Daffodil chances a glance up at him again, wondering what it would be like to stop holding back – to stop being afraid.

She looks away as soon as his eyes meet hers.

“What are we watching tonight, Dinner Gang?” Ava asks, plopping into her usual spot in the middle of the sofa. “My personal pick is Top Gun.”

“We watched that last time!” Yelena says around a bite of taco. “Holy shit, Daffy, this is delicious.”

“I learned from Uncle Bucky.” She shrugs, shifting the attention away from her and watching everyone’s eyes pop out of their heads.

“So the peanut butter pie wasn’t a fluke?! The man is just Gordon Ramsay and never told us?” Walker scrapes up some lettuce and cheese that fell out of his shell. “You owe us.”

“It’s called following the recipe.” Uncle Bucky grouses, stuffing another bite in his mouth.

“It is an inherited family trait, how wonderful!” Alexei laughs.

“Everyone shut up and figure out what we wanna watch or we’re watching Top Gun again.” Ava whines, but pauses on the remote long enough to give Daffy a thumbs up.

“I vote we watch Sing 2 because I don’t want to be emotionally devastated by Top Gun again.” Daffy proposes.

Somehow the only open seat ends up being beside Bob. Either Yelena conspired with Ava, or maybe the universe just laughs at her every failed attempt to act normal around him.

Daffodil bites the bullet and sits by him and Ava rewards her with Sing 2.

“A kids movie?” Walker pouts.

“It’s actually pretty cute.” Bucky offers for her benefit.

Daffodil munches through two tacos before she can fully relax. Having Bob in her vicinity is a recipe for an accelerated heart rate, which wouldn’t be so bad except she’s aware he can literally hear it.

By the middle of the movie, she scoots a little closer – their sides touch and she forgets how to breathe when his arm hugs her shoulder. Bob’s love suffocates her, wrapping itself around her like a hot towel she desperately wants to clutch tighter.

Daffodil only manages three minutes against his chest before she gets up to collect peoples’ plates.

“Hey, you were the one that made dinner. We can do the dishes.” Yelena scoots forward to stand.

Daffodil shakes her head and her magic stretches out like a rubber band to fill Yelena with the warm comfort of trust. She hates fucking around with Yelena’s feelings, but if she lets herself get lost in a pool of Bob she will drown.

She hates that he makes her feel like it’s worth drowning.

“Oh, it’s alright.” Daffy smiles. “I don’t want you to miss any of the movie, it’s one of my favorites and the good part is coming up.”

Why are you running away? Yelena’s eyes ask.

I’m afraid. Daffy sighs and then ruffles the assassin’s hair before taking her plate. But I’ll try again soon.

“Fine. But next time you’re not getting out of it.”

“Deal.”

Daffodil hums along to the songs echoing into the kitchen and then focuses on pouring the grease into a cup. Once it’s properly stored, she falls into the comfortable rhythm of washing dishes.

Bob pads up behind her and brings sweeping waves of uncertainty with him.

“Let me help?” He asks.

Daffodil cannot tell Bob no.

“Sure. Dry what’s already in the rack, I’m running out of room.”

“Thanks for cooking it.” He grabs a towel and sets to work. “It’s not often we eat so well. I think everyone just gets tired of the long days.”

“No doubt about it. Walker and I checked the cupboards and they were so empty you’ve left moth families in poverty.” She tuts, smiling into the grimy pan as she scrubs. “I’m surprised they haven’t started a rebellion.”

“Moth families?” Bob laughs.

Why does he laugh so easily for her? More importantly, how does she know she’d fight the universe to save that laughter for herself?

“There was a sad little pantry moth that flew out when we opened the door. He didn’t even have any crumbs to take home to his family. What’s he supposed to do in that kind of economy, huh?” Daffodil flicks a few droplets in his direction.

“Hey!” Bob snorts and whips the towel at her shoulder. His expression dampens abruptly and it gets quiet before his next words fall as soft as snowfall, “You know, if you visited more frequently, I’d be glad to go grocery shopping so you have things to cook.”

There it is again. His emotions aren’t just feelings anymore, they’re so intense they talk. Please. They beg. Please stay. I miss you.

When did Bob become so necessary? Right now her ability to breathe hinges on whether or not he’ll tilt his head up to look at her. If he’ll say those words out loud and create a reality out of his screaming emotions.

Instead, his brows furrow and his desires are clouded by prickling concern. “Daffy? You okay?”

She blinks and turns from him in a flush.

“It’s hard to stay here right now.” The words tumble out.

It’s a half-truth. A smoke bomb in the maze of her pain she’s too afraid to traverse in his company.

“...have we done something wrong? Something to make you uncomfortable?”

“No. I love hanging out with you guys. I consider you all my family.” Daffy continues, scrutinizing a speck on a plate she’s well aware is a soap bubble. “This isn’t my first time in the Avengers Tower, though.”

Comprehension dawns on his features.

“You…you knew the Avengers. That’s right. God, I didn’t mean to…shit, I’m so sorry.” Daffodil can taste the shame swimming over his shoulders.

“Don’t.” She shakes her head. “Don’t do that to yourself. You didn’t know. I’d love to visit more, really. But even though the Watchtower isn’t exactly the same, their ghosts are still here.”

How often she’s tried to explain to her father how she can still feel Tony in the renovated lab – residue of his determination and guilt drips down the walls, fading every time she steps inside.

One day she’ll step inside and the last particles of her uncle’s snarky laughter will fail to greet her.

“The training room is the worst.” Her lips tremble.

She hands him the last dish and all but sprints down to the training room in question. He’s right behind her, a quiet but competent companion.

“People don’t realize how much emotion they leave behind in a room. Even softer emotions. They leak into the carpet, hang in the wallpaper, and I’ve even found a few hiding under the bed.” She chuffs, stepping up to an old punching bag and grazing her finger along the worn leather.

A pinch of laughter, a handful of fury, and a swarm of fortitude. All of it belongs to Steve, woven into the bag like a tapestry with Walker’s anger, Alexei’s vitality, and even Yelena’s sorrow. Every day, Steve’s thread frays a little more.

Natasha’s longing saturates the rest of the room, down to the sweat in the old mats. Longing for a better life, for a family, for a home.

“You…feel them all around this place. It’s like they’re still here even though they’re gone.” Bob frowns. “Can’t you turn it off?”

“Even if I could, I’m not sure I’d want to. It’s as comforting as it is painful.” Daffy sighs, plopping on the floor and raking her nails against the hardwood, desperate to unearth another memory.

“Do we make it worse? I mean…do we make it harder to feel them?”

“No. Everyone’s emotions feel different. Like their own unique scent or fingerprint.” She pats the space beside her and Bob sits – his elation punches her in the stomach as she holds his hands. “You, for example. Your uncertainty feels like a tide rolling in, afraid to fully breach the sand. Alexei’s feels like more of a dance, tiptoeing forward and back in rhythm.”

His thumbs graze her skin and he catches her eyes.

“What do your emotions feel like?”

Daffodil breaks.

Her ruddy sculpture of broken pieces totters and tilts.

What do her emotions feel like? Has she ever told anyone? Ever shifted the delicate balance to impress her feelings on another to share? God, it’s all she’s ever wanted. To offer up the desires of her heart to someone she loves and ask them to hold it.

Just for a little bit.

“Hey, I’m here. You can cry – I can handle it.” He whispers, thumbing a tear from her cheek. “I know you must miss them. Let me carry your emotions with you for a while.”

Grief opens its bottomless maw and Bob offers Daffodil the safety of his arms when her cries ring through the Tower.

“They feel…heavy.” She hiccups, clutching the fabric of his shirt.

She wants Tony.

She wants his quippy remarks and hidden snacks throughout the lab. Or sleepless nights when she wandered into his lab with a sleeping bag until the mutterings of his tech jargon lulled her eyes shut. By morning, Tony would still be tinkering away, or she would be tucked back in her bed.

Usually Steve was the culprit, and on the following morning he ate breakfast with her. He always made time for Daffodil – without fail. The mundane would become mesmerizing as he shared tales of the past over a plate of eggs and bacon. Steve was the sole reason Daffy passed American History her sophomore year.

Bruce helped her pass Chemistry. She texted him every day to ask where he was since Thanos – a string of one-sided questions and updates on life that begged him to answer, or at least let her know he wasn’t gone like everyone else. Daffodil always found him on the roof, one of his favorite places to relax. If he felt frustrated about a particular science struggle, she offered her ears to listen while he talked out formulas, offered possible problems in measurements, and Daffodil sat there and listened.

Natasha would have hurt when Bruce left, too. She asked Nat to train with her extensively every day after Ultron, the first time Bruce disappeared, knowing without it being said that she needed a distraction. Daffodil felt Nat’s absence like a lure bobbing atop a stagnant pond, always searching for fish but never finding a catch.

Daffodil added her to the list of people she never got to say goodbye to.

Clint and Thor’s absence hurt even knowing their general whereabouts. It’s worse knowing they’re still around and she still doesn’t see them. What she wouldn’t give to hear another of Thor’s Asgardian drinking songs, or melt into Clint’s arms after a bad day at school.

Every memory, every shared laugh, every tear stain, every snappy quip pours through the Tower as her magic spreads her sentiment out to Bob and the Thunderbolts in the living room.

Shock colors her features as she calms down and a group hug swallows her. Bucky and Alexei sit behind her at Bob’s side, both taking turns rubbing her shoulder. Yelena and Ava take post at her legs, resting their heads on her lap as Yelena hums a lullaby and Ava pats her knee. Then there’s Walker, usually awkward as hell but sitting at Bob’s other side and murmuring soft reassurances.

“We’re here. You don’t have to hold it all alone.”

Daffodil isn’t sure when her body goes limp and her exhausted body succumbs to sleep, but three more words reach her before she submits to the void.

“We love you.”

. . . . .

Daffodil refuses to return to the Watchtower for weeks. It’s not that she fears being weak in front of them – she’s an empath, for heaven’s sake – it’s that she fears belonging.

Half of her family died. She knows they’d want her to move on and make friends and laugh again. She knows they want her to keep fighting and dream new dreams, and forge a new family to bridge the gap in her heart.

So why does it feel like a sin to move on? Why is she so scared to be happy?

“You’ve got that look on your face again, babygirl.” Sam comments over breakfast. “What’s going on in that big brain of yours?”

Daffodil shrugs, knowing her dad is tapping into his VA therapy skills for her benefit but having no idea how to answer him.

But his concern floods her senses and she knows she has to try.

“I still miss them.” She starts, because that’s the easy part. That’s always the easy part. Everything after that gets messy. “I don’t know what to do without them.”

Daffodil knows it’s stupid. It’s been four years. Four years to mend and recover. Four years to move on and find something new to aspire to. Four years of constant distraction so she wouldn’t have to face the influx of regret and guilt and emptiness that plagued her every time she thought about six cold graves in the ground, six empty places at the table.

Six infinity stones that fucked with her universe.

“You don’t have to know.” Sam reaches across the table to squeeze her hand. “You spent years with these people, Daffodil. Years to build your schedule around them and plan for the future. That’s not something you recover from overnight.”

“It’s been four years, Dad.”

“And for all four of them you’ve tried to ignore it.” Sam chuckles whenever her eyes widen. “I notice more than you think. Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful you wanted to get an education – and I know Bucky appreciates you helping him get on in Congress – but it was the most obvious display of escapism I’ve ever seen.”

Daffodil goes quiet. Her father knows more than he lets on. And if he does, maybe the others do too. Maybe they won’t hold it against her for maintaining her distance.

“I’ll go visit them today.” She decides at last.

“Good.” He pats her hand one more time and then finishes his breakfast. “I know they’re not going to replace the others, but it’s okay to get close again. Even if it hurts.”

Daffodil grins and hugs her father on the way to put up her plate. With a smirk, she looks at him over her shoulder.

“I’m impressed. Did you borrow Uncle Bucky’s speechwriter?”

“You could say that. I hear we’re a favorite of hers.”

Daffodil finds Asterin draped over the couch when she finally makes it to the Watchtower. Her head snaps up as she raises a finger at Daffy.

“You, ma’am!” Asterin begins. “I have a bone to pick with you!”

Maybe she should have stayed home.

“What did I do? I just stepped off the elevator.” Daffodil scoffs, tossing her bag onto the other end of the couch.

“You had an emotional breakdown without me!” She throws arm across her forehead. “With everyone on the team except me! And there was even a group hug?! The betrayal!”

Daffodil smiles when Asterin peeks out from under her arm with a smirk. It elicits a laugh at the very least, and she tosses a pillow at Asterin’s face.

“It wasn’t planned, I assure you.” Daffodil waves her off. “As it stands, it appears I’ve run everyone off. Where is everybody?”

“On a mission. I got here about thirty minutes too late to go with them; Bucky said they were dealing with clean-up and should be done within the hour.” Asterin leans over the couch and finishes chugging a bottle of Jack Daniels.

“Didn’t take you for a day drinker.”

“Long day. Needed to relax.” Asterin shrugs, before pointing towards the fridge. “Plenty more in the fridge and on the top shelf. I grabbed the alcohol. Bob stocked the pantry on Thursday – he knows you like to cook.”

His thoughtfulness slaps Daffodil in the face despite his absence and she heads to the fridge for a screwdriver and a frozen margarita.

By the time the Thunderbolts return, Astern and Daffodil both belt out lyrics into a brush and a wooden spoon.

“I’m just a man! Who’s trying to go hooome! Even after all the years away from what I’ve known!” They both drag out the lyrics, languid movements dramatizing the moment as Walker drops his shield with a thunk.

“What the hell did we walk into?” He looks between Daffodil and Asterin, both of whom pay no attention to the rag tag team in the midst of their emotional musical display.

“Judging from the bottles, I’d say this is a party I’m sad I missed.” Yelena snorts, grabbing a Buzzball and throwing it back. “Give me a few minutes and then I’ll tag in.”

“Yelena!” Daffodil chirps at the end of the song. She tackles the assassin in a bear hug and rests her head on her shoulder. “I love you guys so much. I missed you.”

“Oh, you’ve definitely been drinking.” Yelena snorts, rubbing Daffodil’s back. “We missed you too.”

“Yay, Drunk Daffy! She’s my favorite.” Asterin giggles, flopping over the side of the couch. “How was the mission, guys? Anyone need the med bay?”

“Standard procedure. Nothing bad. Mostly scrapes and bruises.” Bucky waves the girls off with a bemused grin. “And even if we did, I’m not trusting you with a needle in your current state.”

“I am the vision of sobriety!” Asterin whines as she turns over too far and faceplants onto the carpet. “Fuck.”

“Uncle Bucky!” Daffodil’s next target is her uncle, who chuckles as he pulls her into his arms. “Please don’t be mad at me…”

“Why would I be mad at you, Ducky?” He coos, patting her hair.

“I dunno…” Daffy huffs, closing her eyes briefly to soak up her uncle’s attention. “I didn’t visit you guys for a while…”

“I would never be mad at you for that. If anything, I’m jealous. Have you tried wrangling this circus of monkeys?” He ruffles her hair.

She misses this feeling of normalcy and banter. She misses her happy Avenger family and how no matter who was in the Tower, it was always home. God, she wants the Thunderbolts to feel like home, too.

It’s just too fucking scary.

“Daffodil, this is splendid! You’re so candid this way. We should all drink together more often.” Alexei pours himself a glass of vodka and throws it back.

“I second that!” Ava whoops, dancing to the new playlist Yelena has on in the background.

Daffodil blends into the music and laughs from her belly. Walker hangs out with Bucky and Alexei, the girls all dance while singing at the top of their lungs, and Bob?

Nothing could stop Daffodil when she finally catches sight of him stepping off the elevator.

“Bob, you’re here!”

“Yeah, I was a little late. Oh, hey!” He beams as his arms are suddenly full of her.

Daffodil loves him.

She loves the way his eyes sparkle when he glances her way. She loves the fire crackling in her toes when she sees him, like her feet can’t wait to jump over and get close. She loves how his eyes always travel to her lips like he’s waiting for her to finally, finally tell him that she wants to stay by his side forever because she’s always wanted to – to draw out the words like a ballad only she can sing.

Daffodil loves him so much she wants to be better, to be everything he deserves.

“Asterin said you filled the pantry for me.” She doesn’t even think twice about wrapping her arms around his neck. “That mean you’ll help me cook sometimes?”

“If you want me to.” Bob smiles and cups her hands against his cheeks. “You were in quite a state last I saw you. Are you sure you’re alright?”

“I’m fine! Really! Just emotionally constipated.” She promises, stretching her fingers up to play in his hair. The excitement under his skin hums and she giggles. “Your hair is really soft. Mine is too! Wanna feel?”

But before he can answer she’s tugging his hands into her long, curly strands. Daffodil leans into his probing fingers with a sigh, enjoying the scalp massage while it lasts.

“You’re right, very soft.” He shakes his head as she gazes up at him. “We should get you some water.”

“No.” Daffodil refuses, swallowing thickly as his emotions threaten to submerge the Watchtower. “Not yet.”

“Why not?”

“I may lose my nerve.”

“Lose your nerve?”

She kisses him. It’s quick and barely lasts more than a few seconds, but she kisses him.

“Sorry. I, um…” She pulls back with her neck buzzing and glances behind her as she stumbles back. “I can leave you alone now.”

“Wait, come back.”

Bob brushes her cheek and leans back in. He takes his time – he drops his hand to steady her at the hip while he reorients Daffy’s center of gravity. He kisses Daffodil the same way a summer breeze sways against blades of grass.

Delicate, intentional, curious.

He rewrites her genetic code; it’s as if she’s known him since before the world was born. Her hands settle against his chest when they pull back, breaths shallow.

The Thunderbolts sit on the couch opposite of the accent wall hiding them; Walker’s playful jibes creep around the corner, but they remain otherwise oblivious.

All except Uncle Bucky, who stares Bob down from the corner with a glare that promises death. Daffodil sobers up the moment his feed tromp in their direction.

“You break her heart and I’ll break your goddamn neck. Void be damned.” The threat is quiet but assured. When he turns to Daffodil, his expression melts into a lopsided grin. “I won’t tell Sam, but I demand video footage when you finally tell him.”

It’s so antithetical to how Uncle Bucky should react. Nevermind that she’s cursed to doom everyone around her to an early grave, but to have Uncle Bucky believe she’s deserving of someone like Bob?

“Do you think Dad will be disappointed in me?” Her face crumples, her nose twitching. “Do you think he won’t want me anymore when he finds out?”

“He might tease you a bit after he finishes the Obligatory Dad Freak Out.” Uncle Bucky laughs, slacking his stance. “But he will never not want you, Ducky. Of that, I’m certain.” When he hugs her and she cries, he rolls his eyes. “I forget how emotional you get when you drink.”

“You’ve seen her like this before?” Bob clears his throat.

“Are you kidding? Sam and I were the ones to take her out drinking with her friends for her 21st birthday. Asterin and Ned went with us.” Uncle Bucky steps aside to grab a glass of water and hands it to Daffodil, who drinks it obediently. “You think she’s affectionate now? She kept crying over every small thing, things like accidentally bumping elbows with Sam or grabbing Asterin’s fork by mistake. Kept saying, ‘I don’t ever want you to be sad! I just want you to be happy!’”

Daffodil finishes her water just as Uncle Bucky completes his impression of her voice.

“But I do want you to be happy.” She pouts, looking at the floor.

“It’s not a bad thing, Ducky, it’s adorable.”

Thus reassured, she hugs Uncle Bucky’s metal arm and steadies her muddy thoughts with daydreams of cuddling up to Bob. As if reading her mind, Bob’s hand rests at her waist.

“Is it okay if I love him?” She murmurs.

“You asking yourself or me?” Uncle Bucky raises an eyebrow.

Damn him. Damn her uncle and her father for knowing her so well.

“I don’t know anymore.” She groans, before the voice of Patrick Wilson serenades her from the lounge. “They’re watching Phantom of the Opera! It’s my favorite, come on!”

She drags Bob to the last available couch and curls into his side with a blanket draped over her. Yelena smirks in her direction, but Daffodil sings along with the movie, unaware of her friend’s taunting expressions.

Daffodil cries at the end, just like she does every time she watches it, only this time she’s not alone. This time when she cries it is without shame, and Bob pauses every few minutes to dab them away with the sleeve of his sweatshirt.

Alexei, Uncle Bucky, and Asterin conspire to torture the Thunderbolts with Sweeney Todd as the next musical movie choice. Halfway through the movie, the alcohol loses its potent grip on Daffy's brain – though, perhaps it’s less sobering up and more of the feeding people human meat pies that does the trick.

A peek up at Bob reveals he’s engrossed in the movie before him, half mixed between horror and fascination, offering Daffodil the perfect time to escape out onto the roof for some air. When she steps out into the cool, autumn wind her shoulders droop and a smile paints her lips. She sits on the edge of the balcony, legs dangling over New York between the safety bar around the edge.

Another set of footsteps pad up to her.

“Running away again?” Yelena asks.

“Not intentionally.” Daffodil chuckles, patting the spot beside her. “Actually, I just needed some air.”

“Sounds like you’re sobering up.” Yelena takes the offered seat and leans her chin on the safety bar as she looks over the city. “You finally going to make a move?”

Daffodil doesn’t say a word, not sure if she wants to tell Yelena about the impromptu kiss earlier.

“Do I deserve to?” She asks instead.

“What do you mean, Daffy?”

“Do I deserve to move on? Why do I deserve to have a normal life when they didn’t live to get that chance?”

Yelena doesn’t need to ask, and Daffodil doesn’t have to explain. Yelena lost Nat, too, after all. Daffy loses her thoughts to the drowning chorus of cars down below.

“Because they died to give us that chance.” Yelena finally says, looking at her with eyes twinkling in the darkness. “And we’d be rude as hell to shit on it.”

Daffodil presses her forehead to the cold metal and lets the sounds of the city suffocate the guilt still pooling in her chest. A strain in her nostrils grows into a dull ache as she struggles not to cry – three times is quite enough for one day, thank you.

“Do you want to see him? See what he was like?” Daffodil asks, pulling her Iron Man necklace from her yellow hoodie.

“Show me.” Yelena nods.

Daffodil turns around and clicks the sides of the little Iron Man helmet. The eyes glow and beams out a hologram of Tony himself onto the floor of the balcony. Tony’s hologram stares dead into her soul, the same way he did on that last, fateful day.

She misses him. It’s like her heart draws in a shuddering breath as he reappears in front of her for the first time in four years, brown hair askew and contrasting the high-end blue blazer resting on his shoulders.

“Everyone wants a happy ending, huh, kiddo?” The cold numb prickling of nostalgia sweeps through Daffodil’s nervous system, swirling into a volatile hurricane as it clashes with the warm longing of being home again. “If you got this message, Dandelion, I’m sorry to say your ending wasn’t quite as joyful as I’d hoped.”

The following sigh as Tony’s hologram steps closer hollows out the rest of Daffodil’s fragile psyche.

“I’ve been where you’ve been, Dandy. No family, alone, no one to rely on but myself. And even if you’re the only one left after the dust settles, I want you to know something.” She doesn’t know how the hologram figures out how to gaze at her with such precision, but he does. “None of this is your fault.” His eyes crinkle with mischievous intent. “Not even the fact that I’ve been calling you the wrong flower for years. It’s not your fault. I don’t doubt there will be hundreds of reasons for you to ask ‘what if,’ but it’s done now. There’s nothing you could do.”

“But there was.” Daffy whispers, hugging herself in an effort to smush together her broken pieces. “You were right there.”

“Knowing your stubborn ass, you don’t believe that for a minute, but I made this message to remind you as many times as you need that it’s not your fault. Don’t beat yourself up, kid. Keep living. Even when it hurts, keep living. Keep doing the things you want to do, even if you’re not sure what they are anymore.”

Yelena hugs Daffodil’s arm and leans against her shoulder. Tony smiles at her one more time.

“You’re part of our family, our home. Always have been. So go kick ass, Dandy. And do it with my fucking seal of approval.”

Round four of tears is inevitable but Daffodil doesn’t care. She tucks the charm back in her hoodie and wails into Yelena’s shoulder with Tony’s dead eyes glowing behind her eyelids.

Daffodil doesn’t know when she fell asleep, but between the copious alcohol in her system and listening to Tony’s message she is not surprised when she wakes up staring at a familiar ceiling inside the Watchtower.

She’s really got to stop falling asleep crying on people.

When she lifts her head, it’s clear Yelena took charge of her sleeping arrangement.

Bob lays beside her snoring in short bursts through his nose – a glance around reveals Uncle Bucky and Asterin on one couch with Walker, Ava, and Yelena splayed across the other.

Alexei’s feet hang on the trio’s couch as he lays belly up, snoring at the ceiling, one hand resting on his stomach.

She grins and decides to make breakfast for everyone, but not before giving herself another look at Bob’s sleepy face. Since no one’s awake, one kiss on his forehead seems innocent enough, and she settles into the kitchen with practiced ease.

Several batches of pancake mix later, everyone stirs from their well-earned slumber. Asterin wakes first with Uncle Bucky, who truthfully probably only pretended to sleep this long for her comfort.

Daffodil giggles when Asterin thunks her head against her shoulder.

“How you doin’ this morning?” She yawns.

“Better than before I fell asleep.” Daffodil confesses. “How about you? Need something to eat? I’m making pancakes.”

“You’re a fucking saint.” Asterin praises, picking up a whole pancake with her hands and chomping into it like a savage. “Shit. Needs syrup and butter.”

As she puts a plate together, Bob creeps up behind Daffodil and she almost paints the ceiling with a half-cooked pancake when his arms circle her waist – she succumbs to the weight of his presence and lets him kiss her cheek.

“Smells good.” He hums, grabbing a towel and swiping a few crumbs from the counter into the trash bin. “Want me to get you something to drink?”

“Orange juice, please.”

Daffodil serves the pancakes just as Walker and Ava stumble in.

“I knew there was a reason we kept you around.” Ava snags a plate and drowns it in syrup. “We’re gonna have to pay you before long.”

“Keep the moths fed and I’ll consider it adequate.”

“Moths?”

Walker snorts in his cup of milk. Bob giggles.

“I feel like I’m missing crucial information.” Asterin pouts around a mouthful of breakfast.

“I’ll explain later.” Daffodil rolls her eyes and finds her seat at the dining table, but not before Bob pulls out her chair for her.

Uncle Bucky smirks and Yelena winks at Daffy as she joins the breakfast squad. Alexei’s snores still echo in the background as white noise.

It’s not Tony. It’s not Tony throwing a napkin across the table or Bruce subtly offering her an extra fry. It’s not Natasha communicating to her entirely through facial expressions or Clint doing trickshots with his leftover food into the trash can. It’s not Thor shattering his mug and crying, “ANOTHER!” or Vision explaining that it is scientifically impossible to have fecal matter for a brain.

No, it’s not quite her family as she knew it.

But it’s a start.

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