#why must it be afternoon??? i don't think there's any attempt at explaining this in canon and it bothers me

[thefrogknight]

This is... not how water works

[markiemelon]

hiiiii~~ can i request a scenario where nerd!mark and athlete!reader are on a study date and mark finds reader so cute when they don't understand the material? also bonus points if the reader is shy and doesn't want to ask for help cus they're embarrassed

Thank you!! ur writings make me so happy

focus

genre fluff ﹋֪֢ ♡︩ · no warnings!

pairings nerd!mark x athlete!reader

4:18pm — ♡

“yn,” your math teacher addressed you, “im worried that your training is interfering with your studies.”

that wasn’t the first time you’d heard that, and yet, you still couldn’t think of a good excuse to tell. “look, yn, i’ve made it easier for you by arranging some study sessions with a classmate of yours.”

you actually felt kinda relieved to hear that. surely, some extra studying couldn’t hurt.

“in fact,” he continued, “he’s right here.” he gestured to a familiar boy walking into the room.

it was mark. you knew mark, but you never crossed paths much, considering how different your priorities were…you were all about training, and mark was all about studying…

“so i have to spend the rest of my afternoon with this nerd?” you accidentally said aloud.

“now, yn, we still have to be professional during after-school hours.” your teacher demanded.

mark just chuckled and smiled at you. his round glasses and ruffled hair added a gentlemanly charm to him that made you swoon a little.

“i’ll be off now, but feel free to stay in the classroom.” your teacher said, shuffling together some lose papers. “mark, just lock up the door as usual, i trust you as our class president.”

you widened your eyes. “he’s class president?”

“you didn’t know?” mark raised an eyebrow.

“i—uhh”

“i’ll leave you guys to it then.” your teacher nodded before he exited the room.

you approached mark. “if it makes you feel any better, i didn’t even know our vice principal until last week… so um, don’t take it personally.”

with that pathetic attempt at explaining yourself, mark sensed you were nervous. he walked up to you, his arms crossed and head nodding ever so slightly. “alright.” he said with a grin. “i won’t.” he looked at you for a second longer before pulling a chair out from the desk. he insisted that you sit, and he sat beside you.

and so the studying began… you handed mark a crumpled up page from the deepest, darkest depths of your backpack, and he looked confused “do you… want me to throw this away for you?”

“no!” you snatched it back. “that’s my calculus homework!”

“oh shoot!” he couldn’t hold in his cackle. “I’m sorry— yn im sorry.” he said it with the biggest smile on his face, weak from the laughter.

“whatever. just tell me how to solve this. or save us both some time and just tell me the answers.” you slumped in your chair.

he scanned the page briefly. “yeah, so it’s simple, really..” mark inched the graph paper closer to your side of the table.

he pointed at some numbers and rambled, of course, you couldn’t keep up. so you did the next best thing, which was letting your mind drift off to somewhere else..

“actually, he’s kinda cute..” you admitted to yourself while observing his side profile.

focus.

“it must be the glasses. he looks good with glasses.” now you were noticing things you hadn’t payed any attention to before.

focus.

“why is he so close to me…” your heart skipped a beat at the realization.

suddenly, mark’s voice became clear at the mention of your name.

“yn… focus” he cooed, not even looking up from the paper. he must have felt you staring, but oddly, you didn’t look away from him.

mark stopped his writing, but he kept his pen to the paper, holding it still as he turned to face you.

almost immediately, your confident demeanor crumbled, and now, head lowered, you depended on mark’s answer to break the silence.

“solve this one. it’s what i just showed you.” he rolled his pen to you.

“oh. okay.” you hesitantly took hold of the pen, and did your best to pretend like you understood, but mark obviously wasn’t buying it. after writing some gibberish, you gave up.

“um, mark?”

“yeah?”

“im a little embarrassed to ask… but.. can you explain it again?”

he didn’t look surprised. he looked at you endearingly. “as expected..” he chuckled, weighing his head side to side to stretch out his neck. his gaze shifted to the clock on the wall behind you. “you know, we should probably head out now.”

“already?” you looked back to see the time for yourself. he didn’t say anything for a second, he just nodded and flashed a gentle smile. “you get too distracted.” he nudged your shoulder. your cheeks burned a little when he did that. “well you’re too distracting.” you nudged him back.

mark grabbed his shoulder where you touched as if he were injured by your strength. “i’m so distracting yet you couldn’t focus on a single thing i said?” he teased you. you didn’t have a witty comeback, so you just stayed silent and stuffed some things wherever they could fit in your bag.

at that point, it was clear to both of you that the next few study sessions you had lined up, would be far more exciting…

a couple weeks of studying with mark went by, and the flirting made its way into your classes. he was getting bolder in his advances. it started with some subtle compliments but now he’s been giving you these corny winks from a across the room, and he makes it really obvious what he’s doing.

once mark started sitting next to you, hell broke loose. one time, the teacher asked the class to solve something, and you miraculously managed to figure it out before mark did. it still backfired tremendously…

“oh my gosh, i got it!” you whispered to mark. “it’s 29!”

he smiled at you for a second, before raising his hand, while simultaneously blurting out, “29! it’s 29!”

your teacher looked pleased. “that was quick, mark. as always, you never disappoint me with your calculating abilities.”

mark threw is head back laughing as quietly as he could, and you kicked his leg underneath the table.. as hard as you could.

later, you would find yourself sitting with mark, side by side, staring down at your math textbook.

“okay, so tell me, what's the answer to number 4?" mark questioned you.

you didn’t even try to hide the fact that you had no idea what was going on. “i don’t know it.”

mark paused and laughed out of disbelief. “yn, it’s a good thing you wanna be an athlete and not a mathematician.”

what he said was true, but it annoyed you regardless, so you snapped back.

“and it’s a good thing you’re cute, ‘cause that’s the only reason i haven’t killed you yet.”

“psh,” he laughed in an exhale. “are you into me or something?” he kept his eyes fixed on the paper in front of him.

you giggled, “i think that’s the first time i’ve actually known the answer to a question you’ve asked me.” you smirked to yourself, feeling proud of your smooth talking.

when he didn’t respond, you continued.

“yknow.. mark, for being top of the class, i thought you’d have a bit more common sense.”

“what’s that supposed to mean?” he didn’t even bother looking at you.

“yes, mark, i’m into you.”

he still avoided looking your way, but he couldn’t hold back his smile. you stayed staring at your cute math tutor, and you could tell it was making him shy. “yn. focus.” he tapped his pencil on the table.

you tried to pout. “but the math isn’t cute...”

he tapped his pencil more aggressively.

you didn’t try to fight back. you started jotting some things down desperately trying to figure out the equation, until he tapped his pencil again. “yn. i need you to focus.”

annoyed, you jerked your head to face him. “i am focused. im literally doing the math-” your eyes traced his features.

“no, i mean on this.”

“on what?”

he smiled and tapped his pencil to his cheek.

“i need you to focus on me.”

this ended up being longer than intended... but thank you thank you so much for requesting, im so happy to hear that you like my writingggggggggff!!!!! also sorry this took so long, im kinda backed up on requests LOL.

[maochira]

"There's nothing more cruel than to be loved by everybody - but you"

Tags: gn!reader x Michael Kaiser, kind of hopeless romantic!Kaiser, hard to get!reader, title is a Fall Out Boy lyric because sometimes all it takes is hearing one line and I get inspired to write something

Kaiser could have anyone if he wanted to - but he wants you and only you. It's quite obvious. He turns down any love confession and proceeds his attempt to get you to fall for him.

What he doesn't know, that already happened. You've fallen for him long ago when he started crushing on you. So what's stopping you for confessing your love to him and starting a relationship?

Well, you want Kaiser to be the one confessing. But he's always been too stubborn to simply say "I love you" despite his attempts to court you. And you know he's too stubborn for it. That's the fun part of it.

It's pretty much a back and fourth between the two of you. Kaiser wants you to fall for him and confess, while you play hard to get and want him to confess.

You swear there have been moments when he almost said it. Moments when the phrase "I'm in love with you" ran through his head over and over while everything in him screamed to just say it. And then he didn't.

As hard as you've fallen for him, you've always had a good grip on not letting Kaiser win. In fact, the way you act around him doesn't even give off the impression that you're in love with him just as much as he is with you.

And at some times, Kaiser feels like a hopeless romantic. Sometimes, he feels as if he'll never win your love. But he's not willing to give up. No, he can't give up after he already spent months trying to get you to fall for him. He's THE Michael Kaiser, after all.

You've never told him to stop whatever he's doing and never told him to leave you alone either. That makes him sure you must have at least a bit of interest in him. Just a spark he has to turn into a flame.

Seemingly out of nowhere, Kaiser starts putting extra effort into you. His gestures become very obviously romantic - but he's still too stubborn to verbally confess his love.

That's why you continue acting as if you're oblivious to all of his romantic intentions.

Even when today's afternoon, you open the front door to see Kaiser standing in front of you, nicely dressed with a bouquet of roses in his hand.

"What brings you here?" You hold back a giggle as you take the bouquet into your hands. It seems handmade, but you could swear it wasn't made by Kaiser. He probably made Ness do it.

"I wanted to ask you about something." Kaiser answered, his voice full of overconfidence as always.

You look at him with curious eyes. "And that would be?"

"Well, would you like to go on a date with me?"

His words sent butterflies into your stomach in an instant. Asking you to go out on a date is the farthest Kaiser has gone so far. And still, just for fun, you don't want to agree just yet.

"A date? You and me? Why's that?"

"Come on, it'll be fun." Kaiser walks a step closer to you. "Just the two of us, doesn't that sound nice?"

"It sure does, but you haven't explained why."

"I did. It'll be fun." Kaiser keeps the overconfident grin on his face, but you easily notice he's about to lose patience if you continue to ask questions instead of agreeing to his offer.

So that's exactly what you do.

"I don't really know about that," you shrug and break eye contact for a moment, "What makes you think I'd go on a date with you?"

Kaiser curses his own stubbornness in his head before he continues talking to you.

"Come on, we'll have a great time."

"I still don't see a reason why I should go with you. Why are you asking me? Why not someone else?"

You know if he asked anyone else, they'd agree immediately. But he won't because you're the one he truly wants.

Kaiser is about to lose his patience with you. It's clearly visible in his grin that's about to break.

"I want to take you on a date, (Y/N)."

"Why me? I'm pretty sure the-"

Kaiser interrupts you by grabbing your wrist and pulling you closer to himself. Your faces are only centimetres away and it'd be the perfect chance to steal a kiss. But you're not letting that happen yet. Not until he says-

"Because I love you." Kaiser's face gets even closer, but a kiss doesn't happen yet.

You didn't expect this to be the moment when he confesses, you certainly thought it'd take a bit longer to get his stubbornness to break. But it's nothing you'd ever complain about.

Sure, you could continue playing around with all of that. But you've got what you wanted.

"Okay, I'll go on a date with you. But only because I love you, too."

"Guess I finally won your heart, hm?" Kaiser leans in to finally place his lips on yours.

Once he pulls away, you look into his eyes and respond: "You won my heart long ago, idiot."

[crystalninjaphoenix]

Loop Back

Switch AU

A JSE Fanfic

More of the guys in IRIS, yay! :D Yay for us, I mean, obviously not them haha. Last time we mainly saw what IRIS had planned for JJ and Schneep, but what about the others? After all, they don't have any special powers, right? Why are they here? While those two recover from their own tests, Marvin takes an assessment. Then, when some guards appear to drag him off somewhere, he makes an escape attempt and finds something strange. Heheheh. Enjoy!

More of This AU | | First Chapter | Previous Chapter | Read on AO3 under CrystalNinjaPhoenix

Marvin spent most of the afternoon—or, what he assumed was the afternoon—trying to think of different ways to contact Jackie and Anti. After hearing those shouts outside his door, they must be nearby. He wasn’t sure where JJ or Schneep were, though. He was sure IRIS would have taken them too, but he didn’t know anything about this place outside the room he was stuck in. They could be on the other side of this compound, through thick metal walls or high up in the air. He needed to focus on Jackie and Anti first, and then the three of them could figure something else out.

But as time passed, he found he couldn’t focus on planning. His stomach was rumbling too loud, and his thoughts devolved into repeated cycles of how hungry he was.

After what must have been a few hours, that woman from before walked in. The one in the white coat, with the curly blonde hair. She must be some sort of doctor, right? “Hello again, Mr. Moore,” she said, sitting down at the table.

Marvin, previously lying on the bed, sat up straight. “You again,” he muttered, glaring. “What do you want?”

“We are doing an assessment,” the doctor said calmly. “And I’ve also brought something for you.” She sets down a small box on the table. A fabric box... a lunch box? “Please come over to the table. So you can be in view of the interview camera.”

“...you’re lurin’ me with food?” Marvin asked, eyes narrowing.

The doctor just smiled. “Please come into view of the camera.”

Marvin sighed. He stood up, testing his legs. Luckily, after resting for so long, the fatigue had faded and he was easily able to walk over to the table and chair. “Don’ expect it t’be t’is easy all the time,” he said. “My body comes and goes. I’ll only be able to walk wit’out aid sometimes. Not all the time.”

“The date is March 1st, 2020, and we are interviewing Mr. Marvin Moore,” the doctor said, not acknowledging what Marvin just said. He threw his hands up in frustration. “Use of the Dr. Hopkins Assessment has been permitted. Mr. Moore, please eat before we proceed.”

Marvin sighed. He was annoyed, but he was also hungry. His stomach was twisting just at the thought of eating. So he grabbed the lunch box and opened it up. Inside was a sandwich made of ham and brown bread, a peeled orange, some crackers, and a small water bottle. He ate quickly, not looking directly at the doctor while she sat across from him... watching him. As soon as he was done he slid the lunch box over to her. Going through some sort of test would be preferable to this silence.

“Thank you!” the doctor said in a chipper tone, pushing the lunch box to the side. She then took out a clipboard and began writing things down. “Now we will start the Assessment. We’re going to ask you a series of questions to determine your state of mind. Keep in mind we can detect if you’re lying, so please try to answer truthfully. Are you okay with this, Mr. Moore?”

“Well I s’pose I have to be, don’ I?” Marvin muttered. “You’re not goin’ to listen t’me. Or give me my fuckin’ cards back.”

“Great!” The doctor smiled.  “Now. Is your name Marvin Moore?”

“Yes.”

“Are you 29 years old?”

“How d’you know about t’at?!” Marvin gasped.

“We have done some research since we last spoke,” the doctor explained. “So please answer the question.”

“Y-yes... t’at’s my age,” Marvin said shakily. Maybe he shouldn’t answer these questions... but clearly these guys won’t listen to him. They would probably just continuously ask the questions until he caved.

“Are you taking the Dr. Hopkins Assessment right now?” the doctor asked.

“If t’at’s what t’is is.”

“On a scale of one to ten, one being the lowest and ten being the highest, how would you describe your current mental state?”

“Ah... low?” Marvin guessed.

“If you had to put a number to it?” she persisted.

“I don’ know. A... a t’ree? A three,” he repeated, making an effort to emphasize the TH sound, just so there wasn’t any confusion.

“Have you ever felt an attack of fear or anxiety?”

“A-ah, um—” Marvin really didn’t want to tell these IRIS guys about his mental problems.

The doctor stared at him more intensely. “Have you ever felt an attack of fear or anxiety?”

“C-can I choose not to answer?”

“Have you ever felt an attack of fear or anxiety?”

“I... w-well, hasn’ ev’ryone?” Marvin said.

The doctor nodded slowly and wrote something down. Was she agreeing with him? Or just acknowledging what he said? “Do you feel safe?”

“After bein’ kidnapped and torn away from my friends? Not t’mention bein’ kidnapped by people wh-who I know do terrible t’ings to others?” Marvin leaned close. “I don’ know what you want wit’ me and I don’ know what you’ve done wit’ my friends. I know you want to hurt us, though.”

“We do not want to hurt you, Mr. Moore,” the doctor insisted.

“No, but you’ll do stuff to hurt us anyway.” Marvin glared. “D’you really t’ink you deserve a ‘yes’ answer to that question?”

The doctor blinked. Then she looked down at the clipboard and continued. “Do you regret your decisions?”

“Uh...” Marvin leaned back again, confused. “I don’ understan’ the question. T’ere are a lot of decisions out t’ere. T’at I’ve made. I would regret some and not regret others, righ’?”

“Hmm.” The doctor wrote something down. “Do you know where you are?” 

“In IRIS?” Marvin guessed.

“Do you know why you’re here?”

“F-for... experiments?” Marvin whispered, scanning the doctor’s expression for a reaction. Maybe he could learn something? But, unfortunately, he was never that good with emotions. If the doctor felt any way about his guess, she didn't show it.

“Have you ever heard of ALTR 53815?” the doctor asked.

“No, I haven’,” Marvin insisted.

“What was the first time you came in contact with ALTR 53815?”

“Don’ fuckin’ ignore me!” Marvin shouted, his temper suddenly bursting. “I can’ tell you any’ting if you don’ tell me stuff first! What the fuck is an alter?! Is t’at what you call the people you do tests on?! Huh?!”

“How many pictures have been shown to you so far?” The doctor asked calmly.

“I jus’ said—” Marvin growled. But then he gave up, the anger suddenly draining out of him. They weren’t going to tell him anything. He had to stop trying. Any energy he put into resisting these guys would be diverted away from his efforts to escape. And it might be good for them to think he was cooperating. “I haven’ seen anyt’ing,” he sighed.

“How many sounds have been played for you?” the doctor asked.

“Haven’ heard anyt’ing, either.”

“Are you easily startled?”

“Ah... well... it depends?” Marvin said slowly, suddenly on guard. His eyes darted around the room. Were they going to throw something at his face?

“What’s the worst pain you’ve ever felt?”

Marvin couldn’t help but laugh. “You t’ink I’m jus’ gonna tell you t’at?” He shivered. “I-I don’ even know it off the top of my head.” Probably something Distorter did to him... something that he might not even remember.

That seemed to be a sufficient answer for the doctor. “Do you believe in God?” she asked.

Marvin raised an eyebrow. “Feel like t’at’s a bit of a departure from the rest of t’ese questions.”

“Please just answer it promptly,” the doctor said.

“Ah... I... guess?” Marvin said slowly. “But not... as in t’ere’s someone up t’ere who t’inks like a human... It might be closer to a force of nature. It’d probably be... very diff’rent. But t’ere has to be somet’ing.” He was speaking more to himself than to the doctor, sorting out his own feelings on the way. Yes, there had to be something, didn’t there? There had to be something... maybe...

“Do you believe in life after death?” the doctor asked, not noticing his introspection.

Marvin jumped slightly, snapping back to reality. “Um... sure?”

“Have you ever experienced a terrible occurrence that has impacted you significantly?”

“If you truly did research on me, wouldn’ you know?” Marvin asked.

“We may know facts, but we don’t know how you feel about all this,” the doctor explained. “I’ll ask again. Have you ever experienced a terrible occurrence that has impacted you significantly?”

Marvin nodded slowly.

“Please answer audibly for the record.”

“Y-yes,” Marvin whispered.

The doctor wrote something down, taking a long time. “Have you ever lost someone close to you?”

Marvin flinched. He didn’t want to answer. He didn’t want to answer at all. But he knew she would keep asking. She—IRIS—wouldn’t let him have the smallest bit of privacy while he was in here. “...yes,” he whispered.

More writing. Then the doctor looked up at him and smiled. “Thank you, Mr. Moore, that concludes our assessment.”

“Great... now what?” Marvin asked. “No wait, let me guess. You’re not goin’ t’tell me.”

“We will see you again, Mr. Moore,” the doctor said, tucking the clipboard under her arm and grabbing the lunch box.

“Oh I wasn’ worried abou’ t’at,” Marvin grumbled, slumping in the chair.

“Get some rest!” the doctor said cheerfully, and walked over towards the door.

Marvin started to get up from the chair, wanting to run for the door as she started to open it. But he hesitated for too long. The door was already closing. “Damn it,” he muttered. Sighing, he continued to stand up, and walked over to the bed, sitting down again.

... what if that was the only opportunity he had? What if they weren’t going to open the door again? What if he was going to be stuck in here?

No, no, that was going too far. They had to open the door to feed him. There wasn’t any other way into the room. He could wait until then. He had to.

Sighing, Marvin lied down and tried to think of a plan.

———————

Every muscle in Schneep’s body ached. After the tests—hours and hours of fighting robots with different abilities—he was too tired to even think about resisting as they dragged him back to the cell. He fell asleep for a brief moment, but he could tell that it wasn’t that long. Maybe only a few minutes. All he really knew was that they dropped him on the floor and the next thing he knew, he was opening his eyes, the guards were gone, and the manacle was around his ankle again.

He was able to drag himself onto the bed, but wasn’t able to move much after that. He laid there for a while, then lifted his head and glared at the camera. “I hope you are not going to wear me out all the time,” he said. “I cannot be a good...” His throat closed up. He couldn’t say the word that was on his mind. Weapon. “I-I cannot be good at tests if I am pushed to exhaustion.”

There was no answer, of course.

Schneep put his head down again, groaning. With all the advanced technology they’d stuck into his body, you would think IRIS would be able to keep him from feeling exhaustion. Though, to be honest, it felt like he’d been able to keep fighting for longer than usual... so maybe the technology could delay it, but not get rid of it. That made sense.

He could only hope that it also reduced his recovery time. He didn’t want to lay in bed whenever he wasn’t being forced to go through one of IRIS’s tests. Not when he could be using that time to try and escape.

There had to be a way out of here... sure, they’d learned from his last escape and added the manacle to tie him down, but there had to be a way. He refused to just give up and let them use him.

But for now... he had to rest.

———————

Deep breaths. Deep breaths. Deep breaths.

JJ pressed up against the wall, hugging his knees to his chest. His eyes kept flicking to the cameras in the corners. They were always watching him. There was never going to be anywhere to hide, never, never, never—

Deep breaths. Deep breaths.

Everything was fine right now. They weren’t going to do anything to him.

But they were still watching.

Deep breaths. Deep breaths.

He rubbed his eyes, brushing away the tears in the corners. The moment his vision was clear again, his eyes glanced at the cameras again. He shuddered. Twisting around, he reached over to the bed and grabbed the pillow, throwing it at the nearest camera. It hit the wall nearby and fell to the ground. With that having failed, he grabbed the blanket of the bed and pulled it off.

The bedframe was fairly low; there wasn’t room enough for a person to squeeze underneath. But by draping the blanket off the side, he made a small tent to hide behind. JJ curled up beneath it. He felt ridiculous, like a child hiding from a monster in the closet. But it was the only way to block out the camera.

Deep breaths.

Deep breaths.

Everything is okay right now.

It won’t be okay in the future. But it’s okay right now.

Deep breaths.

Deep breaths.

———————

The moment the door to the cell opened, Anti lunged at the gap, pushing his way out. He made it out into the hallway but was immediately grabbed from behind by one of these guards in black uniforms. “Fucking let me go!” he growled. He tried kicking at their legs, tried wriggling against their grasp, but the two guards held tight to each of his arms. There were two more as well, pointing some sort of gun towards him. Not the type that fired bullets—dart guns, maybe?

They started dragging him down the hallway. “Fuck you! Fuck off!” Anti shouted, voice trembling slightly. His eyes darted around wildly, taking in the plaster walls and linoleum tiles, looking for anything that could help. But there was nothing.

What was happening? The other times he’d been taken out of the room, that scientist-looking guy had been there to supervise him. This time, it was just the guards. Why? Did the scientist not want to risk getting hurt in some freaky fucking experiment? Were they going to fuck with his body as well as his head this time?! The thought sent panic shooting through his heart, and he didn’t stop struggling even as the guards took him down the hallways. Keep track of the turns! Right, left, right—the walls shifted to a pale blue, bordering on white, instead of the beige they were right outside the cells.

The guards reached a set of double-doors on the left side of the hallway. One of them took a keycard off their belt and pressed it to a reader at the side of the door. There was a slight click and the doors slid open. As the guards started pulling Anti inside, he tried to hook his foot around the doorframe, but they yanked him hard and easily broke his grip.

The room beyond was a nearly empty space, with the same linoleum tiles and plaster walls that are now painted pure white. The high ceiling was made of tiles, too, but not linoleum. Instead, the office vibes continued, with the ceiling looking like ones that would be found in office buildings, or maybe schools. There was a simple card table set up in the middle—the type that folds—with some sort of sheet-covered shape on it. Some more sturdy-looking tables were set up around it in a U shape, full of strange metal boxes with lights, buttons, and dials, some with attached antenna, all with wires leading from them over to the edge of the room. Anti glanced around at all this, taking it in, but his focus was turned to the last thing in the room. A chair with leather straps attached, looking like it was pulled out of a horror game taking place in some creepy hospital

 “You are not putting me in that fucking thing!” Anti shouted, voice cracking slightly. He intensified his struggles—

Smak! One of the guards hit him in the side of the head. He slumped, instantly dazed. The guards didn’t waste any time, dragging him across the ground to the chair and shoving him in. He squirmed weakly, but was still dazed. The guards easily pulled the straps over his wrists, ankles, and chest. One even went over his forehead, pulling his head into place against a headrest. Then the guards backed up, continuing to point their dart guns at him, just in case.

“Wh-what is this?” Anti demanded. “The fuck are you going to do?!” He twisted his hands back and forth, trying to worm his way beneath the leather straps, but they were extremely tight.

The guards didn’t say anything. Nothing was moving in the room beside him. He couldn’t help but think that they were all... waiting for something.

He swallowed a lump in his throat. If he could escape from this room, he could find the others and they could get out of here. He couldn’t let this opportunity get away from him! He took a deep breath, then kept struggling.

———————

Marvin looked up as the door opened again. Huh, it hadn’t been that long since the doctor came in to do the assessment thing. But that was fine, he could try to implement his plan.

Two people in all-black gear walked into the room, their features partially hidden with cloth masks that covered the lower half of their faces. They stared at him expectantly. But he didn’t get up from the bed. The two guards glanced at each other. “Stand up,” one said.

“I can’ do t’at,” Marvin said. “Not t’at I don’ want to, I can’t.” He made sure to emphasize it.

“Try,” the second guard said.

Marvin glared at them, but did as asked, and tried to stand up. He pushed himself up, then fell down again. “T’is shoul’ be in your files abou’ me,” he said. “T’at doctor lady said it the first time she was here. ‘Muscle weakness.’ Don’ be surprised when I’m weak.”

The two guards looked at each other, unsure. They stepped away, murmuring to each other, pressing their hands to small devices in their ears. Marvin watched them, straining to hear what was going on. He couldn’t quite make it out, but it didn’t make a difference, as the guards soon stopped talking and walked over to the bed. “Try standing up again,” the first one said.

Marvin nodded. He pushed against the bed, managing to sit up, but couldn’t get any higher. 

“This isn’t some sort of trick, is it?” the second guard said, narrowing their eyes. “We can tell if you’re lying.”

“I wouldn’ lie abou’ my condition,” Marvin said. “You all shoul’ know abou’ it and how it works. I just told t’at doctor lady t’at you can’ make a schedule for t’is fatigue.”

The guards glanced at the cameras in the room. They stared at them for a while, and Marvin stared too. He wasn’t nervous. Why would he be nervous? He had nothing to be afraid of. Other than the possibility of horrible experiments happening to him.

After what felt like forever, but which was actually less than a minute, the guards turned back to Marvin. “We’ll be taking you regardless of if you can stand or not,” the first guard said.

“Fine,” Marvin snapped, folding his arms. “Do t’at.”

And they did, reaching out and grabbing him by his arms. Marvin tried to stand up straight as they pulled him upright, but the moment they lessened the pressure, he started to collapse again. The two guards gave up on keeping him up and just started dragging him across the floor and out into the hallway.

Marvin looked around. This place appeared surprisingly normal. The strangest things were the cell doors, which looked like thick metal. The hallway continued on to the left, eventually ending in a set of double doors. The guards were dragging him to the right, which eventually turned a corner. Hmm... he definitely didn’t want to go where they were taking him, but that set of double-doors looked ominous. But they didn’t seem to be locked.

As the guards approached the corner, Marvin lifted his legs into the air and slammed them down onto the ground, planting his feet firmly. The guards jolted suddenly, looking at him in surprise, and he managed to wrench an arm free, lunging and grabbing something from the first guard’s belt. Some sort of gun? But he didn’t fire it, instead slamming the end of it into the second guard’s head, causing them to let go. Then Marvin dropped it and bolted.

“Hey!” The first guard shouted. The second one shook their head in surprise and they both ran after Marvin.

He couldn’t believe he’d gotten away with that! Surely people like this would realize when he was faking being more tired than he actually was! Didn’t these WTCHR cameras have the ability to detect emotions and lies? Maybe he just got lucky and these two guards were a bit less competent than the other IRIS staff members. But even if that was true, they were almost definitely faster than him. He glanced over his shoulder—yep, they were gaining on him!

He turned back around and pushed himself to run faster, slamming through the double doors. As soon as he was through he spun around and examined them from this side. They were equipped with a deadbolt. Perfect! He slid it closed just in time for the two guards to slam into it. That should buy him some time.

This area was pretty different from the cell block he was just in. The walls and floor were made out of some sort of smooth white material. The doors were still metal, but they looked slightly different, with plaques on the front that had seemingly random numbers and letters engraved on them. The hallway continued for a short distance before ending in a pair of elevator doors.

Marvin’s eyes darted around. What could he do in here?! He needed to find where his friends were. Anti and Jackie were probably in that same cell block he was just in. He couldn’t go back now that he’d locked the door; there would probably be more guards coming from that direction. No, he had to find where JJ and Schneep were. He’d been thinking about it, and they had to be somewhere else. Schneep was one of IRIS’s experiments and JJ could be considered an anomaly, they would want both of them under tighter security than the normal humans. Maybe they were on a different floor?

He hurried down the hallway towards the elevator, trying to press the call button. But there was no sign that it was activated. It didn’t light up or ding or anything. He pressed it a couple more times, just in case, but nothing. Maybe it needed some sort of key?

Bang bang bang! Marvin spun around and saw the double doors shaking as something heavy hit it from the other side. His eyes widened. He couldn’t wait for the elevator! He had to—

What was that?

One of the doors lining the hallway opened up, and someone walked out. But... it was hard to describe it. He couldn’t quite make out the features of who opened the door. It was almost like... they were made of glass, the faintest warp in the air in the vaguest shape of a person. Marvin stared at it for a few seconds, but the strange almost-person vanished as soon as they went into the hallway. So Marvin instead rushed towards it, peering into the room beyond.

The walls, floor, and ceiling were made of the same smooth white material. But unlike the hallway outside, which was brightly lit by fluorescent lights, the room was dim. There was a circular ring light embedded in the center of the ceiling, giving off a faint blue glow, but that still left the corners in shadow. Beneath the ring light was a circular platform, and on top of that circular platform... was something strange indeed. Two small objects hovered in midair, about a foot above the surface of the platform, blue and orange light swirling around them, creating a spiral that... hurt Marvin’s head to look at. He knew it was familiar... but he didn’t know where he’d seen it before.

He closed the door of the room behind him and walked towards the platform. The running was starting to catch up to him, and he could feel the fatigue pulling at him, but it wasn’t enough to slow him down quite yet. The two hovering objects were floating at chest-height for him, rotating around each other in a lazy orbit. The strange, spiraling light was coming from both of them at the same time, strands that tie together into a larger pattern. It’s mesmerizing to look at. And maddening. Where has he seen this?!

It only took him a few seconds to walk right up to the platform. He squinted through the light, looking at the two hovering objects. They’re awfully... flat? Wait a second...

“What the fuck?!” Marvin’s eyes widened. These were his cards!

Or, not all of them. Only two. The two jokers in the deck, the cards with the strange rune on the back that he hadn’t been able to identify yet. They were floating in midair, going around and around in an endless circle, emitting this strange, spiraling light. Huh. The rune on their backs... They were an angled spiral, with an X on top. Could that be... related?

Had IRIS used these to cast some sort of spell?

No, there was no way. Marvin didn’t even know all the possible combinations for his cards. IRIS couldn’t know them when he didn’t. Maybe they... stumbled across one? While messing around with them? But what could this spell be doing? The cards had never started hovering or emitting light before! And these two were the only cards in the room, where were the rest of them? What possible spell could be cast with just these two runes?

After a moment’s hesitation, Marvin reached out to the cards, stopping just before he put his hands into the light. It wasn’t emitting any heat. Nor any cold. He couldn’t feel any strange vibrations or anything. He pulled his hand back and patted himself down. There wasn’t anything on him that he could toss into the spiral of light to test if it was safe. IRIS had apparently left his jacket and hat in the hospital after they’d abducted him. But he still had his vest.

He glanced back at the door, listening. Nobody was coming. Or at least, nobody that he could hear. He quickly unbuttoned his vest and pulled it off. He held it by the collar and dangled it over the spiraling light. Slowly, he lowered it into the swirling glow caused by the cards. Lower... lower... lower... The cloth of the vest hit one of the cards, but the card’s orbit was unaffected. It just pushed past the vest. And when the other one followed, it pushed past too, knocking the vest to the side. Marvin pulled the vest out again, looking it over. Seemed no worse for wear.

That probably meant he could touch the cards himself, right? He still wasn’t sure, but he was running out of time. The guards would be coming at any moment. And these were his cards! He had to get them back!

He hesitated for one moment more, then reached out, intending to grab one—

The spiral of light flared, and he stumbled back. Suddenly, it was all he could see, taking up the entirety of his vision no matter where he turned his head. It was even there when he closed his eyes! “H-hey!” he shouted, reaching forward again to try and disrupt the card formation—maybe if he did that, this would stop—

And then the spiral was gone.

Marvin gasped, suddenly breathing heavily, eyes darting around the room. Nothing had changed in here. The room was empty except for the platform, and the cards continued to orbit around each other, that same pattern of light coming from them, completely undisturbed by Marvin’s interference.

...but that didn’t mean that everything was the same. He patted himself down, checking for any differences, but he felt alright. He listened for noise coming from elsewhere in the facility, but couldn’t hear anything. Well... even so, he probably shouldn’t risk touching the cards again. He would need to come back with something that could knock them out of their orbit. Why did he drop that gun he grabbed from the guard?! That could have come in handy! If not for this, then for eventually fending off the guards!

Well it was too late now. There wasn’t anything helpful in this room besides the cards. He had to leave and figure out something else before the guards cornered him in here. He turned and headed back to the door, starting to push it open—

It was locked.

Frowning, Marvin looked down at the door. There was a little switch under the handle. Next to it was a tiny LED screen with “Lock” displayed on it in red letters. He flipped the switch and the screen switched to reading “Open” in green. Then he tested the door again. It opened easily this time, and he poked his head out into the hallway—

Someone was there.

Marvin ducked his head back, but—the person wasn’t a guard. And they weren’t wearing a white coat. He quickly leaned back out to get a better look at them...

...

...what?

This is... impossible.

That figure... that’s him.

Marvin walked out into a hallway, but after only a few steps, the other version of him faded away, the color draining from his body as he became a mere warping in the air and then disappeared. That same warping effect that he’d seen from the person who stepped out of the room in the first place—

Then, suddenly, a handful of black-wearing guards appeared around him. They didn’t teleport over here in a flash or puff of smoke, he didn’t blink and hear a snap or other sound, they were just there. Not even looking at him! They were heading for the elevator. He gasped, and immediately all the guards swiveled towards him, unmistakable surprise on their faces. And then there was a yell from behind him. Marvin spun around, just in time to get tackled by another one of the guards—from inside the room! He cried out in surprise, which quickly turned to a cry of pain as the back of his head hit the floor.

“Clever, getting into there while it was locked,” one of the guards said. “But not as clever coming out while we were here. Did you think you could sneak past?”

“Sir, he wasn’t in the room at all!” said the guard pinning him.

“He wasn’t? Then where did he come from?”

“I don’t know sir! He just appeared!”

Marvin blinked away the pain and started to struggle, but two other guards rushed over and stopped him, holding his arms securely as they lifted him up, sandwiching him between their tight grips. The one who the other called ‘sir’ rushed over to stand directly in front of him. “How did you appear?” They demanded. “And how did you get into the room in the first place? You don’t have the card for the lock!”

“I-I don’—I don’ know, someone—someone walked out—” Marvin stammered.

“Who?!”

“I don’ know! It—It wasn’ really a person, it was—I don’ know.”

The guard’s eyes narrowed. “And how did you suddenly appear?”

“I don’ know!” Marvin repeated insistently. “T’me it looked like you all appeared out of thin air!”

The guards all exchanged glances. “Should we report this?” one of them asked.

“We’ll take him to the test room first,” the guard in charge said. “Tell the coats who come there.”

Test room?! Oh no. Oh no no no. He knew that nothing good would come of them showing up so soon after the assessment. Marvin tried to push the guards away, but they weren’t phased at all. They quickly began walking, and he soon lost his footing, ending up being dragged along the halls. 

They went through the double-doors back into the cell block area, and from there continued down a twisting pattern. Right, left, right, right—until they reached a section with pale blue walls. They then opened up another set of double doors, these ones on the side of the hall instead of at the end, and pulled him inside—

“Marvin!”

“Anti?!” Marvin’s eyes widened as he took in the room. The tables full of strange equipment—the mysterious item beneath a sheet—and Anti, strapped down to a chair. “Wh-what did they do to you?!”

“Nothing—yet. I think they were waiting for you.” Anti struggled against the leather straps. As the guards dragged Marvin closer, he could see red marks on Anti’s wrists where he’d been pulling at the restraints. He must have been doing that for a while.

“Are you okay?” Marvin asked.

“Yeah. As much as I fucking can be. You?”

“The same. But I t’ink somet’ing very strange jus’ happened to me...”

“What?!” Anti’s eyes narrowed. “What did they do to you?!”

“I don’ t’ink it was them, actually... or, uh... not... intentionally? It might’ve been a side effect of somet’ing else they were doin’.”

While they talked, one of the guards walked over to the corner of the room, and a section of the wall slid open. They reached inside and grabbed another chair with restraints, carrying it across the ground and putting it next to the one Anti was tied to. Marvin immediately knew that was meant for him. He tried to fight against the guards, but they were much stronger than him now that he didn’t have the element of surprise on his side. They easily forced him into the chair and strapped him down. 

Anti paused in his struggles, breathing heavily. Marvin couldn’t look at him directly, with his head restrained, but he could see him out of the corner of his eyes, slumping in the restraints. “Okay, we might not have much time,” Anti said. “Look, Jackie is here. He said that we’re probably on the surface level of one of their compounds, maybe a higher floor, but he’s not sure which compound.”

“I t’ink I heard you guys shoutin’ near my cell not too long ago,” Marvin said.

“Yes! W-we were moved there!” Anti tried to nod, but couldn’t quite manage it. “So we’re all in the same area. JJ and Schneep are somewhere else. H-have these guys done anything to you? Besides whatever just happened to you?”

“Um—one of them asked me some questions,” Marvin said. Another bit of the wall had slid open, and some people in white coats were coming out, starting to use the equipment on the tables. “Some sort of assessment t’ing.”

“The Dr. Hopkins Assessment?” Anti asked.

“Yes. They did t’at to you, too?”

“The last time I was here, yes. They did it twice, th-the second one fucked with my head s-somehow—” Anti took a deep, shuddering breath. “And what was the strange shit that just happened to you?”

“W-well, I tried to get away—”

“How far did you get?!” Anti asked urgently.

“Not too far. I went t’rough some doors at the end of the hall and found a white area with a lift and a bunch of metal doors. Then—I-I don’ know what happened, but one of the doors linin’ the hall opened up, and I went inside, and t’ere were two of my cards t’ere, floatin’ and glowing wit’ t’is strange spiral light t’at—I know I’ve seen before—a-and then I touched them and the spiral was in my eyes for a few seconds, a-and t’en I left the room and—and t’ere was myself out in the hall, but the other me disappeared and... and t’ese guards... appeared...” Marvin trailed off as he noticed something. Most of the people in white coats had stopped messing with the equipment and were now staring at him. Listening.

“That’s fucking weird,” Anti muttered. “I... I-I don’t know what that could’ve been. Sorry.”

“It’s alrigh’,” Marvin said softly. “I wouldn’ expect you to know.”

The people in white coats—scientists, or whatever—slowly returned their attention to their equipment.

“You think it could help us get out of here?” Anti whispered. “If you had your cards?”

“Def’nitely,” Marvin agreed.

Anti pulled at the restraints some more, wincing slightly. “I’m guessing that whatever you just saw isn’t a normal thing they do?”

“I don’ know. I’ve forgotten so much abou’ them. But... I know I’ve seen t’at spiral. And not jus’ in Jems’ crystal ball. I saw it before then. And I know it’s important.” Marvin sighed. “I jus’ don’ remember why.”

The machines on the tables began to hum. The scientists had tablets and clipboards with them, a variety of note-taking utensils. One of them gestured at a guard, who then walked over to the strange item on the central table and quickly pulled the sheet off before retreating. The scientists and other guards quickly backed away as well, all of them staying on the other side of the U made of tables.

The item on the table was a stone tablet, like something early civilizations used to keep records. It was propped up on some sort of plastic display thing, keeping it at a diagonal. There were some sort of carvings on its surface, but even when Marvin squinted at it, he couldn’t make out what they were. They weren’t sitting that far away... why couldn’t he understand what the carvings were?

“In five,” one of the scientists said. “Four...”

“Don’t worry, Marvin,” Anti whispered. 

“Three...”

“I’m right next to you.”

“Two...”

Marvin swallowed a lump in his throat. “T’ank you.”

“One... and go.”

The humming increased. Marvin tensed up, waiting for something to happen. He noticed Anti similarly tensing next to him. But... there was nothing. Nothing visible, at least. Marvin’s eyes darted around, looking for anything out of the ordinary. He didn’t like all the scientists looking at them. But he was more worried about whatever the fuck was going to happen to him.

When his head started to swim, he didn’t immediately think it was because of all this. He thought it was from the stress. But as the dizzy feeling increased, quickly growing, he realized that it wasn’t normal. “A-Anti...?” he whispered. “Are you... feelin’ strange?”

“Hmm? A bit, I guess.” Anti instinctively tried to shake his head before the motion was stopped by the restraint.

“A bit?” Marvin was feeling more than ‘a bit’ strange. The heavy, blurry feeling in his head was so intense that it was hard for his eyes to focus on anything. And it was beginning to spread. There was weakness in his limbs already, but the strange feeling was making it worse. He wanted to struggle against the bonds, but all he could do was sit there limply. Out of the corner of his vision, he saw movement in Anti’s direction. So this wasn’t hitting him as bad as it was his.

“Wh-what do you fucks want to get out of this?” Anti demanded, the tremble in his voice giving away his nervousness. “Is this fun for you? You sick fucking bastards?!”

The scientists didn’t respond, and Marvin couldn’t read their faces with his vision going all wonky. He didn’t know if they were phased by Anti’s shouting.

The dizziness was starting to bring tears to his eyes. It felt like there was a heavy metal ball rolling around his head, putting pressure on the inside. His throat was clogging up with something. Some sort of... mucus, maybe? It was affecting his breathing, making it sound wet.

“M-Marvin, talk to me, h-how are you doing?” Anti asked.

Marvin didn’t answer. He tried, but all that came out were disconnected, slurred sounds. He couldn’t concentrate enough to form something coherent.

“Marvin?! Marvin!” Anti tried to turn to look at him, fighting against the leather strap. He could see tears falling down Marvin’s face, but it was hard to concentrate on that sight. That is... until the tears turned red. “M-Marvin! You’re bleeding!”

“Blndnwhhh?” Marvin mumbled, eyelids half-closed.

Anti tugged at the restraints some more. He didn’t even care that he’d already rubbed his wrists raw trying to get away before Marvin showed up. If he could just get free—If he could just get Marvin free—If he could just cause enough of a scene to maybe knock that stupid tablet away from them—Because that tablet had to be what was doing this. It and its weird fucking carvings that kept slipping out of his mind. It had to be what was messing with his head, making everything dizzy.

And that feeling, combined with the blood coming from Marvin’s eyes... It’s not identical to what Distorter did, but it was similar enough to be worrying.

“What the fuck are you guys doing to us?!” Anti blinked, fighting the dizziness that was slowly filling his mind. He had to keep concentrating! He wouldn’t be dragged down ever again!

The scientists might as well have been statues for all the response they gave.

He wasn’t sure how long they sat there, tied down, feeling the effects of whatever this stone was. It was hard to keep track of time. His awareness kept fading in and out, but even when he wasn’t fully there he fought against the water drowning his thoughts. Marvin stopped responding after a while. Even though Anti kept calling to him. He wasn’t sure if Marvin was still awake... But he had to be okay. He had to be okay. If he wasn’t... if he wasn’t...

After what felt like forever, the humming of the instruments stopped, and the guards approached, unstrapping them from the chairs. Anti turned to look at Marvin fully. He wasn’t unconscious, but he was completely limp, eyes mostly-closed. One guard lifted him up and carried him out of the room. Two more grabbed Anti, pulling him along. He tried to struggle the whole time they dragged him down the hallway, but whatever that thing was really did a number on him.

But at least he noticed which cell they carried Marvin into. It was two doors down from his own. And Jackie was across from him. This was good to know.

They dumped him on the floor and locked the door behind him. He curled up, breathing slowly. Now that he was alone again, and probably would be alone for a while, he gave up on the fight and decided to just lie there for a while. Rest. Recover a bit.

They had to get out of here soon. If this was the sort of shit IRIS had planned for them, they had to escape before it wore them down.

[skaruresonic]

Lakeside

Summary:

James Sunderland doesn't remember why he'd driven his car into the lake. He can't explain why he was rescued, or what led to his decision, but he clings to the hope that someone will help him piece it together before hell freezes over. Douglas Cartland swore he'd never set foot in that godforsaken town again. That vow gets tested when Toluca Lake begins freezing in the middle of summer, against all logic and reason, and resurrects the drowned man he'd given up for dead.

Or, "Nature is healing. Hell is freezing over."

Prologue - Tumblr / AO3 Chapter One - Tumblr / AO3

---

2.

"Power has been out to the South Vale area for a little over forty-eight hours now. Line workers are doing what they can to remedy the situation, although experts predict with the extent of the damage caused by the ice that it will be at least a week before services can be fully restored.

"Please, if you live in the area and have the ability, you are urged to move inland. Penobscot and Orono counties are pooling their resources to help the displaced find temporary lodgings, in addition to sending out crew to aid line workers.

"If you reside within South Vale, we strongly advise you to remain indoors and keep your home insulated. Wear layers when you leave. Acquaint yourself with the warning signs of hypothermia. Keep exposure to a minimum, especially for children and pets.

"Do not report outages to Pleasant River. They are well aware of the situation, as their phone lines are currently flooded.

"This channel will run numbers for relief services throughout the afternoon."

"Must be nice," mutters a sweaty mechanic.

Douglas Cartland would prefer to believe his biggest problem at the moment is replacing his brakes. Damned things screech like banshees due to worn pads grinding against the rotor: a necessary tune-up he's been neglecting for the better part of a month. And that's if they don't find anything else wrong. When all's said and done, he'll be staring down the barrel of over three hundred.

He supposes if he were smarter, he'd put that money to work on a lease. Call him a sap, he's not ready to put the Chrysler out to pasture just yet. Can't be assed to navigate the moods of a new car when he's grown used to the demands of the old.

His mundane concerns form a feeble shield against the background radiation threatening to seep in. A small black-and-white television flickers in the corner. Whispering gossips have flocked around it.

After yet another failed attempt to keep his knee from bouncing, he gets up and asks Lou where he can find the nearest payphone.

"Making arrangements, Doug?"

"Trying to. How long you think it'll be?"

"Ah," the mechanic says, wiping a hand across his brow. "I don't know, man. Your brakes are almost dust." He knows. He's been relying on his emergency brakes to the point of near-illegality. Lou frowns. "Why, you need a cab?"

Douglas shakes his head, equal parts touched by the man's concern and irritated that he still seems strapped after all this time. "Be faster to take the bus."

"Hey, I'm sorry about that, really. Any other day—"

"You got enough on your plate. I'll be back for her tomorrow."

"Yeah." Lou cranes his neck, vaguely drawn toward the television. "Hopefully the crowd'll have thinned out a little by then."

"Hopefully."

"Doug?" Lugnuts screech. Following the pause, he wags an oil-smudged hand. "Never mind. Have a good one."

---

"Don't say it." Her voice burns a crisp live wire along the coil, and he swears he can smell smoke curling up from the receiver's greasy plastic casing. "You say, 'Turn on the news,' and I swear to every god I don't believe in I'm hanging up this phone."

"I'm not calling about that," and he lays down the syllables as gently as he can, "Heather."

Remember the terms of contract: Cheryl when she's in a cooperative mood, Heather for everything else. Some part of him will always default to Heather, however. Nostalgia or force of habit, he can't say.

"Yeah, because you're so fascinated by my glamorous life. The riveting tales of slumming it in downtown Orono."

"How's the job been treating you?"

"It's a job."

"Staying cool?"

"Our AC's busted and the landlord won't fix it. You figure it out."

"What about your, uh," he wheels a wrist, pointedly avoiding a hard mound of gum stuck to the wall, "what'd you call 'em again?"

"Spider plants." Static crackle. "Dead. All three of them."

"Shame."

"Don't be. They cut up your hands." He knows, too well, the steady blow of her breath is a practiced art. "Listen, Douglas, I gotta go to work or they're gonna jump down my throat again. Either pull the trigger and get this over with, or don't bother."

"I just called to say take care of yourself."

Silence. Stretched long, stretched thin.

"You, too." Although he misses Heather something terrible, this Cheryl has got her moments. "Go to the movies. Buy yourself an ice cream cone or something."

Not a bad idea. "What do you feel about playing hooky?"

"What, from my slave job? No, they've got me booked for the next twenty years. Said I'll never see the sun again. Really sad."

A twinge of pride, mixed with bittersweetness. "Doesn't have to be today. Tomorrow works, too."

"You're... really freaked out, aren't you?"

A rough sigh heaves out of him and he runs a hand through the scant hair he has left. "Jury's still thinking about it."

---

Truth be told, they both went a little mad in the aftermath. He fell down the rabbit hole watching her struggle against a court that believed, not without due cause, that the blood painted on her vest and the sulfur in her hair pointed to a motive of arson.

How the hell could they think I murdered my father? For money? What money? He was a freelancer, for Christ's sake! Idiots, all of them!

In some ways it was easier, grappling with the chaos of the inexplicable than the more familiar structures of the manmade. You could be forgiven a lack of words in the former.

Cheryl sensed his reluctance to speak. That was when the first fissure took root.

Douglas, aren't you on my side?

I'm always on your side.

Then why won't you say anything? Tell them I did nothing wrong.

It was better if he didn't. Too much damned them already. I can't. Not because he didn't want to, but because The evidence—

Screw the evidence! It's crap! You know it's crap!

It's not on our side, Heather.

Seeing little other option, she ran. From hospitals and social services, clinics, courts. From him. For weeks at a time, she disappeared.

After the cops brought her home for the third time that month, he stared into her bloodshot eyes while the intervening officer gripped her upper arm. She wavered a little, unsteady on her scuffed knees. Heineken wafted on her breath. Park again. She went there to sit on the swings.

I'm almost eighteen, she used to argue.

Almost.

They regarded each other in mutual misery.

Say what you always do. She trudged past him toward the couch. Nothing.

Instead, he did something equally drastic. Reached under his bed, pulled out the cardboard box tucked in the farthest corner. Packed his notebook, the newspaper articles, clippings carefully curated, and the papers Heather had collected, including handwritten letters of complaint detailing Vincent's extortion and simony.

Possessed by some burning impulse, he drove to the station, dropped the box onto the chief's desk and gave them the yarn of their lives. Harry Mason was an excommunicated cult member, he blurted before his conscience could pursue, who fled with his daughter when he realized they were going to do to her what they did to Alessa Gillespie.

Cartland, what—

That's why he shot the intruder. Why he ran. He never stopped. Hell, they've been funding this manhunt for years. Look at the papers. They're all out of their goddamned minds.

(The words poured out of him, words that always died in transit from silence to sound, calcified into something perceivable, graspable.)

Harry entered witness protection, but it wasn't enough. The cult tried to lure Cheryl in again, but this time, they decided to take revenge first.

(Whispers of ghosts, screaming indecipherable white noise.)

Stabbed Harry while he slept in his chair and made a failed attempt to cover up the murder with arson. The very flames they intended to immolate Cheryl, extinguished by their own cowardice.

(Asking forgiveness, not of the God whose existence he doubted, but of Harry, whose gentle hand he felt on his shoulder, and of Heather, whose eyes he knew would burn with righteous fury.)

Cheryl's clothes bore Harry's blood because she found him dead after a trip to the mall, and she mourned the body. I know this because I escorted her home.

Yes, sir, I was on the scene. I managed to help get her out.

Christ. That poor girl.

Hammering the last nail into the coffin, he showed them a page torn from Claudia's diary.

Alessa, my sister, dearest one. Why did you choose such stubborn flesh? If only the newborn fool would open her eyes...

"Just my luck," Heather said. "Both you and my dad are liars."

The door slam still echoes faintly in his mind.

Regardless, time meandered on in its usual manner. She moved unceremoniously into an apartment on Mill Street while he stayed behind and received, with a great deal of remorse, minor celebrity status.

The force offered him an office, which he refused. All I need's my car.

One morning, out the door on his way to a meeting, he found an unadorned package on his doorstep. Inside was a Nokia phone with a phone book attached. On top, a bar napkin written in ballpoint pen:

Guess you don't really need the phone booth anymore, Superman.

---

His knee twinges on the walk to the bus station. Ever since it got broken, the bone hasn't healed quite right. Physical therapy suggested a cane he declined on the grounds of pride as well as a shoestring budget.

Can only afford to fix one thing at a time, went his reasoning, and between me and the car, I'm picking the car. At least she ferried us to town and back. My bum leg, on the other hand, just slowed me down.

Does the stereotypical old man thing, too: aches right before it rains. Since it's only grumbling a little, he's confident the day's dry sunniness will hold.

Still, the reprieve of a bench is a welcome sight. He takes the opportunity to massage some feeling back into his knee.

The presence of another human-shaped being glimpsed in his periphery spurs a mindless bout of small talk. "Gonna be another hot one today, huh?"

The only other patron seated at the far opposite end is a gaunt man clutching a wadded-up jacket in his lap. Graffiti and colorful posters advertising a concert long expired scream against his profile.

Douglas' initial impression sums him up as a homeless man, a tragic yet common sight around Orono. That's before the odor reaches his nostrils.

A powerful reek of mildew radiates outward, like the perspiration of an old aquarium. It almost pulses through the air, the effect of which causes nearby pedestrians to accelerate their pace. Heedless, the man remains impassive, gaze fixed on the ground.

The thing that now strikes Douglas is his utter quiescence in contrast to the smell. Most would fidget in this heat - and indeed, the heat bakes the smell into an acrid rancidity - but the stillness with which he holds himself borders on unnatural. The only sign of life, really, is the pull of his chest, and even that commences with a mechanical automation.

Douglas notices a translucence of complexion, bloodless gray, as if the flesh has been deprived of circulation. Stippled in small cuts, gashes, bruises. His hair, bleached slightly green by... chlorine? And, God, that awful rotting smell.

The plastic beneath him creaks as he straightens.

Perhaps it's because they've been simmering in the back of his mind since the news began covering the town, but the notion occurs to him that this man may be running from the Order. It would go some length to explain the cuts, the deteriorated, waterlogged clothing, why no passerby offer loose change. Another failed experiment, maybe. But he knows his conjecture is colored by personal bias, and guessing blindly doesn't help anyone.

Even so, that stubborn instinct to seek answers streaks through him, checked by the reins of caution. He turns. The motion prompts the mildest reflex, an oblique slide of a rheumy green eye promptly interrupted by the hiss of the bus pulling up to the curb.

The man rises, and walks so softly toward the doors it's as though he fears waking a sleeping lion.

He doesn't look at anything except the curb. "Do you," frog's croak, "go to Nor—"

"North Ashfield? No. You want the bus on Crosby and Park."

The man stands, jacket clutched to chest, without reply. The driver might as well be talking to thin air.

"I'm sorry," he murmurs to the concrete. "I just—"

"This route doesn't go to North Ashfield." The driver employs a louder, brusquer tone amidst the engine's purring, one hand clutched to the lever. "You're going to have to go to the other side of town and transfer to another bus."

"Son." Douglas' throat tightens. Though he can't explain why, the same incipient gooseflesh now rises on his nape as when he pulled the box out of its enclosure. He doesn't seize this opportunity, chance may never revisit. "Get on."

[somehow-a-writer]

Trying {Prussia X Depressed Reader}

Note: This is another one-shot. Translations at the end

I'm not really sure if my words make sense to you

But I can't really find

Any other way to form these feelings into cubes

And sort them in my mind

The negative thoughts go on the left

And the happy things on the right

And there's a little corner saved just for you

Another day of the same old thing, except today (F/N) just groaned as the sun shone through the curtains, not wanting to leave the comfort of the bed. It seemed like today was gonna be one of those days already, just like the rest of the week. You never really knew how to describe how you were feeling nor could you describe why you were feeling like this when you had so many positives in your life. You had a good job, wonderful friends, an awesome boyfriend you lived with, and a lovely family. Yet depression still turned its ugly head towards you. You roll over, laying on your back as you stare at the ceiling growing lost in thought. Pushing what you needed to get done today to one side and all the crappy depressive thoughts to the other, in an attempt to motivate yourself to get it done. There was one thought that couldn't fall to one side or the other, that was Gilbert. He noticed your behavior recently and had grown worried but trusted you when you said it was 'fine.'

Please let me know if you change your mind

'Cause inside I'm falling

And I need you to pull me out of this decline

I realize how hard on you this must seem

But trust me when I say

It's far, far worse for me

Gilbert had gone out this morning to join his brother, Ludwig, in training along with Kiku and Feliciano so he wouldn't be back for a bit still. He had offered a handful of times this week for you to join them to see if it would help but you declined each time. He was always there to help you in whatever way he could but he would often times struggle on what to do when (F/N) fell into a depressive episode. Often times when everything was silent, you would think about his efforts and silently cry, knowing you both wanted things to get better but it was just so damn difficult to even get up in the morning let alone do an activity. You felt terrible knowing he was doing his best just to even make you laugh but it was just so difficult to do even that, often over apologizing for your current state.

Please, please be here for me dear

'Cause I've never needed a friend more

And I can't stress enough

How much it means to me that you're trying

And I don't mind if you can't hold me like you used to

'Cause I've never hated myself more

And this is just a bump in the road and I promise I'm trying

I promise I'm trying

(I promise I'm trying)

(I promise, I promise)

Before you realized it, you had fallen back asleep, hugging the pillow that Gilbert used with a faint smile. A couple of hours had passed by and Gil returned home, taking a quick shower before walking towards the room you both shared in only a towel. Once he saw your sleeping form, he smiled softly and walked over, kissing your temple lightly before getting dried off and dressed. He could tell it was going to be another rough day for you so he carefully slipped into bed beside you, replacing the pillow in your arms with himself. Gilbert called your name, poking your cheek a little as he did. Groaning out at being poked, you rub your eyes and nuzzle into Gilbert's chest which earned a light chuckle from him. "Good afternoon, meine Liebe. How did you sleep?" You mumble incoherently into his chest, hugging him tightly in the process. Gil started rubbing circles on your back as he held you close to him. "It's okay, you're trying your best. That's all that matters, Liebe. This won't last forever and I'll be with you for every bump to support you."

Give me a moment to get my cards in line

'Cause I'm still trying to figure out

In what kind of order should I set 'em out

If there was a way to explain everything without a word

I'd have a full house right now without a doubt

You nod, looking up a bit and placing a peck on his lips. "Thank you… For everything, Gil, I really appreciate your support. Just a few more minutes and I'll get up, promise." Gilbert flashes you a loving smile as he continues rubbing your back. "Alright. Then afterward, jou must get up even if that means I pick jou up and carry jou to the kitchen so jou can eat." You chuckle a little, cupping his cheek. "Whatever you say, sweetie. And I swear I'll try to work on expressing how I'm feeling while like this… I see how much you worry, it's written all over you. Just might take some time." "Go at jour own pace, zhe awesome ich will always wait for jou." He says, leaving butterfly kisses all over your face, earning quiet giggles in return.

I'm trying to tear the wool from your eyes

But a part of me wants to let you be

'Cause then you wouldn't see what I've become

I'm trying to shout but no sound comes out

It's like we're in a dream state

But I should've woken up

Woken up by now

Please, please be here for me dear

'Cause I've never needed a friend more

And I can't stress enough

How much it means to me that you're trying

And I don't mind if you can't hold me like you used to

'Cause I've never hated myself more

And this is just a bump in the road and I promise I'm trying

I promise I'm trying

"Ich liebe dich so sehr, (F/N)."

~Note & Translations~ Meine Liebe - my love Liebe - love Ich - I, me Ich liebe dich so sehr - i love you so much Again, all translations are from google translate, and what bit of German I know thanks to friends

[queenmiarys]

Please excuse any errors or mistakes and I want to say thank you to whom all reads. Happy Sunday everyone.

Through  Hell and back

Trr none royal

Pairing: Olivia x Anton

Chapter summary: it's Juliana's birthday and Olivia cut loose and has some fun but confused about Anton's reaction after the party.

Warning: mentions of attempted rape, being tipsy and light profanity.

All characters belong to pixelberry I just borrowed them for my stories.

Word count 1,928

Song inspiration:

Part 2 Green eyed monster

It was Sunday afternoon. Olivia turned over and grabbed her phone, it was now 2pm. " Oh shit Liam."

She dialed his number."I'm so sorry but on the way?"

    

"Liv, we talked with Kiki earlier and she explained your date went over, so I understand I told her to let you sleep, besides you are coming to Juliana party tonight right? 

"Sure I'll be there."

Are you bringing this new guy along?" 

"I don't think so."

"Really you should invite him."

When Olivia arrived at the party, everyone was having a good time. "There you are, Max said, slurring his words." So we don't get to meet this new guy?" Kiki said that he was hot,  but I bet not hotter than me." He laughed, I could already tell he was tipsy. . 

"Babe, come with me so you can cool down some." A wicked grain from Juliana all it took and he followed her upstairs.

—------

Liam and Mia had walked over to Olivia.

"My love, would you mind if I spoke to Olivia for a moment?" Liam said to his girlfriend 

"You know I don't mind, baby." 

Once they made it outside." So you really like this guy Anton?"

"He's okay, but honestly I really don't know him well. We just went on one date."

"Have you talked with Drake at all?"

"No not at all, it's been over a year since we spoke."

"Here's the thing, remember Riley?"

l

"You mean his girlfriend??"

"Yeah her."

 

"Would you just get to the point already?"

"He asked her to marry him last week." 

"Why would you be afraid to tell me this?"

"Well No one really knows how serious the two of you were, but  I knew you both loved each other and despite him meeting this Riley girl you'll always be his first love and the same for you."

"Liam it doesn't mean anything." She couldn't stop the tears from falling.Liam just held her without saying a word for a few minutes. 

"I'm here for you, we can talk about it if you want or not."

"Did you know he was my first?"

"I figured as much, you were so  very young."

"Come on, you guys are only 2 years older than me."

"True, but you know how Drake is, you know he went against his own rules and took a chance with you only being 16, I remember right before you got together you two were always at each other's throats, I remember when he confused he had feelings for you and wanted to come forth, he thought you hated him, you know I encouraged him to just talk to you and treat you better."

.

" Thank you for that, um We should go back in before they come looking for us." She said to change the subject and to keep from reliving the past, besides he's engaged now. 

"Yeah I suppose so, so when do I meet this Anton guy?" Oh look at that smile you really like him huh?"

"He seems alright." 

They returned to the party. "Come on people let's dance the night away a very drunken Bertrand yelled out, Maxwell re entered the party with a change of clothes on, Bertrand and Maxwell broke into dancing to,  it actually look like Max had taught his brother some moves, what was impressive was that Bertrand was so drunk he threw off his shirt, and throw it over his head to Penelope who caught it and was super excited, Bertrand winked at her, until he saw Savannah walk up behind her. 

—--------------- 

Drake called Juliana on FaceTime. " Hi Drake oh hi you must be Riley?" 

She smiled. "Yes, nice to meet you."

"Same here he's told me so much about you

"Excuse me, but I called to wish you Happy birthday kid, I really wish we could've been there."

"I totally understand." She said giggling. Some things never change. Drake will always be himself, she thought.

Olivia was walking past, Juliana was talking and she heard Drake voice but also another female, she peeped in to see a woman with blonde hair and blue eyes,  her heart sunk in her chest, it's been over a long time she thought who could blame him for moving on it had been 2 years she was brought from her thoughts when she heard Juliana speaking again

"Look guys, I hate to cut things short, but I need to get back to my party."

Okay Juliana talk later."

—-----------

"So that's Maxwell's wife?" She's beautiful." 

"So are you, Brooks, and yes I was certainly surprised when Beaumont got married, he was pretty wild back in the day." 

"I've only met Liam in person, and your sister, I would like to meet everyone else, and that video call doesn't count."

"One day you will, Liam has invited you to his wedding, you know I'm the best man so I would be going down early.

" Just how early?" 

"I need to go a week in advance." 

"I can't let them have you for a week." She teased pulling his 6"3  frame down to her 5"4 and kissed him."I love you Mr Walker."

"I love you too."

He couldn't help but to think of Olivia and the way she used to do the same, only Olivia stood 5" nothing. He closed his eyes and shook his head. 

"Baby I need to take a walk, just to clear my head." 

"Okay baby, don't be too late." 

He walked to a nearby park.

" Liv, stop, why do you act like you hate me so much?" 

"Drake please just go."  " I didn't ask you to be my knight and shining armor."

"Look at me, did Jason, just try to hurt you?" She started to cry. That was all the confirmation he needed. "That son of a b**** , "Beaumont, can you sit with Liv till I return?"

"Go ahead, I won't leave her." 

Once Drake made it inside  Jason was standing surrounded by several  females. "Just who I was looking for, I'll  teach you to never touch a lady when she says no." 

Drake punched him and he fell to the ground,  Drake continued to punch him. Until Liam jumped in front of him,  pleading with him to stop. 

"Drake you're going to kill him, come on go with me and get some air."

They got outside." What the hell happened?" 

"That sob tried to rape her, she's a mess, Liam you know how I feel about her."

Once he returned home Riley questioned him going home "Oh, so you want to go without me?"

"Brooks, it's my best friend's wedding. I can't miss that."

He pulled her over to him, and gently kissed her neck." 

"Come on, let's  go take a shower, we will meet up with your mom in a few hours.

"We can just get ready then."

Brooks, I love you, but you take forever to get ready for like 2 to 3 hours and on top of it all, you hate waking up it takes you 30 minutes to wake fully up." 

"Let's pick something to wear,  and take our shower together."

4 hours later. 

"Brooks,  get up  it's been 30 minutes, it's 9:30 we are supposed to meet your vmom in an hour. " 

"I'm up." Drake was just staring ." Don't worry it's going up in a messy bun, it's only mom."

__________________

Olivia work up to her phone Vibrating, she and Juliana, joined by Kiara and Penelope all fell asleep while watching a movie, everyone was drunk except Mia 

"Hello?" She answered. "Oh Anton, how are you?"

"I'm good, so did you have fun last night?"

"It was okay, wish you could've come, me and most of the girls ended up watching a movie falling asleep."

"So you are still there?"  A hint of jealousy came into his voice. But he quickly changed his tone

"Yes I am, 

"I have to go, talk later." He quickly hung up the phone in her face. 

She stood there in shock for a moment. "Is everything okay?" Mia asked whom Olivia didn't know was in the room.

"Yes it's fine, I got to get to work." 

"Me and Liam both too, it's a good thing I own my own business." Today I'll do 12 till 8.

"There you are my love." Liam gave her a kiss and handed her some money. Remember no ATM use, remember off limits."

She let out a sigh. "Okay I promise. "

"Gotta go." he gave her one more kiss

"What's this you not getting money from the atm?" You have new shoes and a new handbag? Olivia said, rolling her eyes. 

"It's the reason Liam went all crazy on me, and he's been very strict on what I spend, I mean the man puts my bank account to shame. He's only 22, he gave me 20 bucks and said that should be enough for lunch." 

"He's always saved up, but he's also indulged in his lavish gifts as well. "

"He's just showing me how to save and what I should invest in, well I must be going now."

Everyone rushed off to work.

—-----------------

Two weeks later,  Anton had come over for dinner. Olivia wasn't the greatest cook, but her mom taught her a few Pasta dishes and how to make the sauce to go with them. "It smells wonderful in here, I didn't know you could cook."

"Well not really,  these few dishes I know were passed down from my mom, I used to help her a lot." 

There was a knock on the door. "Ki did you forget your keys?" She said as he opened the door revealing her father and brother standing there. "Father, Joel

"We just came to see, would you like to go get a bite with us?".

 

"While father I have company, and I cooked

"You cooked as in food?"

"stop it, of course I cooked food silly .

"you must really like this new guy?" Can we meet him

"Sure brother, come in." She opened the door and they all went into the dining room and introduced them, her father knew who Anton was already

"Anton this is my father Lionel and my brother Joel

"Nice to meet you." They both said in union.

They sat and talked for a while, but it was just something that Joel didn't like about his sister new man.

"Sis I hate to run but I got some stuff to handle."her brother said as he stood up to leave.

She hugged her brother and walked him out.

"So what do you think brother?" 

"I honestly don't know yet sis, I mean so far I don't like him, he just has a negative vibe and until then I can't say what it is but I don't like this guy sis."

"You don't like anyone I date so what else is new?" Are you dating anyone ?"

"I was just hooking up with this guy named Kevin." 

"So no one special?"

Maybe when I'm old enough, 27 is still young and beside no one looking for me to marry or have a child, since I don't swing for the right team, as aunt Lucinda always tells me how it's a sin to date men and all."

"You can't listen to her, she is so wrapped up in us but doesn't see that Amber is Bi and Casey may be as well, it'll serve her right for looking down on people." 

"Thanks you're the best little sister."

"I'm your only sister." She said with a big smile..

"Let me get back to Anton." She hugged him and went back inside.

Anton sat in the dining room talking to her father but watching the scene out the window. 

"Dinner was delicious, but I must be going." He hid how angry he was that her dad and brother crashed their date.

@kingliam2019 @choicesficwriterscreations @twinkleallnight @alj4890 @kaitycole @karahalloway

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[voraciousvore]

The Giant (13/16)

------Chapter 13------

The next spell I attempted was the growth spell. To be frank, I wanted to do certain things with my boyfriend that I couldn't accomplish at my current size. However, thus far I had only been able to grow double or triple my size, and only for a couple of minutes at the most. For perspective, that meant even with the spell at its most potent I was still smaller than Chester's hand.

Disappointed, I moved on to manifesting portals, with equally limited success. Lightning spells were harder for me to use, and worked better during a storm or near electrical devices. Initially, no portals appeared at all, just little balls of electricity shedding cobalt sparks. With practice, I made tiny portals appear, keyholes to another world that I could peek through. I could see little snippets of the human world, but I felt farther away from home than ever. I kept making more portals, this time the size of windows. I managed to keep them stable long enough for me to be able to pass through, but I didn't want to travel there yet, until my spells were more reliable. I didn't want to unintentionally strand myself without any way to get back to Chester.

One afternoon, there was another lightning storm brewing, so I decided to try and make a portal outside. Chester came out with me to keep me company. He sat on the porch steps behind me, watching me practice. I made a good-sized portal that was remarkably well-casted. From this side I could see my parent's farmhouse.

"Should I go through this time?" I asked Chester.

"You might as well," he replied. "I think you've practiced enough that you should be able to come back. I'm sure your folks are very worried about you." He picked me up in his hand and gave me a kiss. "I'll be waiting for you here. Take as long as you need."

As Chester made a motion to put me back on the ground, a bolt of bright blue lightning shot out of the sky and struck the portal. The portal exploded outward in a huge wave and showered us in blue sparks. In a flash, the portal expanded exponentially and sucked up Chester, with me still in his hand. It all happened so quickly, neither of us fully comprehended what happened.

Chester toppled out of the portal and fell with a tremendous crash on his rear end in an open field. I tumbled out of his hand a short distance and landed on the ground in between his legs. The portal, after spitting us out, fizzled with a stream of sparks and vanished. I stood up, dusted off my pants, and surveyed our surroundings. My parent's house wasn't far from us; I needed to rush over there and explain to them what was going on before they saw the giant in their backyard and freaked out. I had no doubt Chester shook the whole house when he fell on the ground with his huge bulk.

"H-hey..." Chester spoke up. I looked up at his face. He looked completely bewildered to the point of almost fear. "What just happened? Why... everything is so small!" He coiled his fingers around a nearby tree, which did indeed look diminutive next to his giant hand. I recognized how confused he must be, since he had never been in a human-sized world before. I recalled how difficult it had been for me to adjust to the Land of Giants, where everything was so big.

"Chester," I explained slowly, "this is the human realm." I pointed toward the house. "My parents live in there. They are going to panic if they see you." The house probably wouldn't even come up to his knees if he stood up. "Just... stay here for a minute. Don't get up."

Chester had a look of increasing alarm in his eyes but nodded at my words. He absently ran his fingers through the field of corn next to him, like a regular person might run his hand through grass. I didn't have time to reassure him; I needed to get to the house. I started to run in that direction, but I was too late. My dad had already come out with a big shotgun, with my mom following close behind. I waved my hands above my head to get their attention.

"Dad! Mom! Everything is okay!" I yelled in an effort to deescalate the situation.

"Jackie!" they shouted in unison. A rush of emotions cycled over their faces, but I noticed fear was dominant. "Over here! Hurry, run!" My father rushed towards me with urgency, brandishing his weapon towards Chester. He raised the gun to his eye to aim, and put his finger on the trigger.

"No, Dad! Don't shoot!" I screamed at him. My mother embraced me and forced me behind her, as if she by herself could protect me from the immense giant in front of us. Seeing Chester from their perspective, I could understand how terrified they were. In response to my words, my dad cautiously lowered his weapon, not taking his eyes off the giant. I heard aggressive barks and growls and saw their two pet dogs had joined us too.

"He's friendly," I clarified. "He wouldn't hurt anyone. He saved my life." My parents looked at me in shock, then back at Chester. The dogs continued to charge towards him, barking fearlessly. The giant carefully reached out to the dogs, palm up, and let them smell his hand. The dogs sniffed, wagged their tails, barked, and ran circles excitedly around him. Seeing that their dogs weren't crushed to a pulp or swiped up and eaten, my parents lowered their guard slightly, but were still on high alert.

"Jackie, where have you been all this time? You've been missing for weeks. We thought you were..." My mom couldn't bring herself to finish. I gave her a hug and she cried. My dad wrapped his arm around both of us, but still held the shotgun in his other hand, ready to use it if needed.

"It's a long story," I said. "Anyways... I guess I should introduce you to my boyfriend. This is Chester." My parents stared at me, and then at Chester, and then back at me, incredulous. Chester sat motionless, a light blush spreading on his cheeks. He was still baffled by his miniscule surroundings and hadn't yet recovered.

"You can't be serious," my mom cried, gaping. My dad furrowed his brow and glared at the giant. This impromptu introduction was not going well at all. Chester still hadn't said anything.

"Chester!" I called. "I wanted to introduce you to my parents, Gerald and Wendy."

When I called his name, Chester finally snapped out of his daze. "Um... h-hello," he greeted them nervously, running his hand through his hair. Of course he knew they were terrified of him, and he was a bit ruffled himself. "It's nice to meet you both." We were standing at an awkwardly far distance away from the giant, but he didn't want to frighten my folks by coming closer. I gripped their hands in mine and encouraged them to move forward. Initially, they both remained rooted to the spot. The dogs ran over to us, wagging their tails, then ran back over to Chester. One of them jumped up on his shoe and began gnawing on his shoelace. The other dog allowed Chester to pet him with his finger. Seeing their dogs act without fear, my parents reluctantly stepped toward the giant.

"Now, listen here, you," my dad lectured, raising a finger in the air, "if what Jackie says is true, you better treat her with nothing but the upmost respect, you understand me?" Despite his aggressive words, and his attempt to project confidence, I could tell my dad was still terribly frightened. He was painfully aware that the giant man could squash him like an insect if angered. His hand at his side was clenched around his gun so tight his knuckles were turning white, and his legs were shaking like jello. Chester must have noticed too, but my dad's effort to act normal put him more at ease.

"Of course, sir," Chester responded, tilting his head in respectful acknowledgement. There was an uncomfortable pause as nobody really knew what to say.

To break the tension, I cleared my throat and spoke up. "Chester has been wonderful to me Dad, you don't have to worry about that." I walked up to him and sat in his palm. He lifted me up to his knee and cradled me securely in his hands. My parents couldn't help staring in wonderment at his incredible size.

"Um... I'd invite you inside, but I d-don't think you'd fit in the h-house," my mom piped up, a tremor in her voice.

"It's alright, it's a nice day today anyways." Unlike the storm we left behind in the Land of Giants, the weather here was warm and sunny. Chester looked down at my mom and smiled. She was hesitant but timidly smiled back. My dad loosened his death grip on his gun. The moment was interrupted by Chester's stomach growling, which caused both my parents to jump in terror. Chester placed his hand on his belly with a pained expression on his face.

"Sorry about that," he mumbled, clearly embarrassed.

"Aw, are you hungry sweetie? I'll fix you something right up," my mother quickly interjected. She looked at me with worry. "What does he eat?"

"He'll eat anything Mom, don't fret," I answered. "Although, we really ought to be going if he's hungry. I doubt you'd have enough food in the whole house to prepare him a meal. He could probably eat the entire refrigerator." I laughed. My parents were intimidated by the thought of the giant's appetite, and could only manage to titter nervously.

"Before you go, can we speak to you Jackie? In the house?" my dad asked. I nodded, and Chester lowered his huge hand to the ground so I could dismount. My parents and I walked to the house, and the dogs paraded over when they saw us leaving together. Once we got inside, my parents both exhaled shakily and wiped the sweat from their foreheads. I knew they had been afraid at first, but I hadn't realized just how stressed they had been around Chester.

"Is everything okay Jackie? You're not hurt? He's not holding you against your will is he?" The questions poured from their lips like a flood. "Where did he come from? Why did it take you so long to get here? Where were you? And how is he your boyfriend?!"

I took a deep breath, and began the tedious process of explaining to them everything that had transpired. Well, not everything. I didn't tell them about all the times I had been gobbled up, or the little arrangement I had with Chester to control his appetite. I didn't tell them the gruesome details of my kidnapping, and how scared I had been around other giants, or all the dangers I still faced in the Land of Giants. I didn't tell them that giants do in reality eat people, just like in the fairy tales. In fact, I left out so much of the story that I hardly told them anything.

However, I did express to them how caring and gentle Chester had been to me, how he had rescued me from a potentially horrible fate the first night I had found myself amongst giants. I told them about my ability to use magic, and how all this time I had been learning so I could come back and visit them. And, of course, I told them about how my love for Chester had naturally blossomed, and my plans to stay with him in his world, the Land of Giants.

This last point did not sit well with my folks at all, but they knew they couldn't stop me from making my own decisions, and wished me the best. We hugged and said our farewells. My parents gave me a knapsack full of items I would find useful for living in a giant world, including human-sized plates, bowls, and silverware, which I was very grateful for. My mother, despite my protests, also insisted on at least feeding the hungry giant an apple pie she had baked, even though it would barely be more than a crumb to him due to his size.

She brought the pie out to him, along with some leftover roast chicken. She was still frightened of Chester, but her motherly compassion for an empty belly won out. Chester was charmed by the tiny food and tried his best not to scare her. He allowed her to place the roast chicken on the tip of his finger and lapped it up with delight. He carefully plucked the pie from her hands with his thumb and finger and placed it on his tongue, making sure not to accidentally swallow the pie tin with the pie.

"Mmmmm, delicious! My compliments to the chef," Chester remarked, returning to her the empty pie tin. My mother twisted her apron in her hand apprehensively and looked down at her feet.

"Thank you," she answered softly. I gave her a kiss on the cheek, proud of her for being so brave. I kissed my dad too, who had been standing at her side defensively.

"Well, I suppose we ought to be going," I stated. "Love you guys, I'll visit again soon."

"Love you too," my parents affirmed. They looked a bit sad to see me go.

I focused my energy on manifesting another portal and imagined Chester's cottage in my mind's eye. A ball of cobalt sparks appeared and inflated into a portal. I continued to expand the gateway, larger and larger. My parent watched with amazement. The thought occurred to me that I had never on my own created a portal big enough for a giant to pass through. The previous portal had been struck by lightning and became unstable due to the infusion of so much extra electricity. Pushing those concerns aside, I forced more magic into the portal. It had grown large enough for Chester's head to fit through, but not the rest of his body. I started to sweat and struggle. Despite my best efforts, I couldn't get the opening any bigger. The portal flickered and died. I cringed.

We had a serious problem on our hands. I was out of magic now, and might not be capable of making a large enough portal to transport Chester home, even at my full capacity. Chester was hungry, not having eaten a sufficient meal since breakfast. He was a voracious giant, with an empty belly, surrounded by his natural prey, humans. I just hoped he could hold himself in check long enough for us to get back without eating anyone. I made my best attempt to keep calm and act like the issue was only a minor inconvenience.

"Well, I ran out of magic. I'm going to have to rest up and... try again tomorrow. Would it be too much of an imposition for us to stay the night?"

My parents looked up at the huge giant uneasily. "He'll have to sleep outside obviously. It's a good thing we live out in the middle of nowhere," my dad grumbled.

Chester knitted his brow, clearly concerned. He put his hand on his belly and winced slightly. His stomach whined again for food. He looked at me with urgency in his eyes, and I could only frown and shrug my shoulders helplessly. I felt more and more alarmed at the impending crisis that could potentially unfold if I was unsuccessful in casting a giant-sized portal, but I couldn't show it. I didn't want to scare my folks any more than I already had today. Why did Chester always need to eat so damn much?

"Hey, is it okay if I eat one of those?" Chester asked my parents, pointing to a herd of cattle a ways off. They were fenced off in an adjacent field, blissfully unaware of the giant predator nearby as they munched on some hay.

"Uh, sure? I suppose we could slaughter one for you-"

Chester had other plans. Before my mother could finish speaking, the giant stood up to his full height, quelling her into silence. My parents hadn't seen him on his feet yet, and they quaked when they comprehended just how colossal he truly was. He took a single step, making sure not to crush the fence under his boot, and crouched down near the herd. He reached down and snatched up one of the cows in his hand. The cow bellowed in terror, but the giant swiftly put it out of its misery by snapping its neck with his teeth, decapitating the poor creature in the process. He cracked the skull with his molars like a human would crack the shell of a sunflower seed. Next, he tossed the carcass into his mouth and swallowed it, not even bothering to chew.

All the humans present gaped, flabbergasted. Even I was amazed to see him gulp down an entire cow, and I had seen him inhale plenty of meals. Oblivious to how rattled we all were, Chester returned to us and crouched down.

"That'll tide me over for a little while," he announced, licking his lips with satisfaction. My parents could only nod dumbly.

By now, the sun was beginning to set, bathing the farm in a twilight glow. My parents, eager for an excuse to get away from the scary giant, bid us goodnight and retired to their home. They offered me a bed to sleep in indoors, but I declined, opting to stay outside with Chester and keep him company. Luckily, with the summer season, the night was warm, and the stars were bright. Chester bedded down in the open field left fallow, and I settled down in my usual spot on his chest.

Once we were alone and more free to speak, Chester voiced his concerns. "Jackie, do you think you'll be able to cast a portal large enough to transport me?"

"I-I don't know," I confessed. "I hope so."

Chester hesitated before finally choking out, "I'm scared Jackie. I don't want to lose control again. I'm trying to hold it back, but it's a lot harder when I'm hungry."

I rubbed his chest with my hand. "I know Chester. Stay strong, okay? We'll just have to pray for tomorrow. Don't fret." After a pause, I asked him, "why do you always need to eat so much anyways? It's like you can't go without a single meal."

Despite the seriousness of the situation, Chester had to laugh. "Have you seen the size of me, woman? It takes a lot of food to fill someone as big as me. My body needs a lot of fuel to survive." He had a point.

I laid my head over Chester's huge heart and gradually drifted off.

Chapter 14

Chapter 1

[moemoemammon]

Following that "least favorite" request could we get their reactions to being to told that they're their favorite, but to not tell the other brothers so their feelings don't get hurt? Maybe because they relate to them the most or just get along really well. Thanks!

You're My Favorite! But Don't Tell the Others-

(Feat. GN!MC and the Demon Bros)

✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

Lucifer

There are no words to explain the overwhelming satisfaction ion Lucifer’s face after you tell him that. Of course, it’s only natural that he would be your favorite, all things considered.

The Avatar of Pride won’t ever forget this moment. He carefully considers your words and agrees not to tell anyone, as much as he’d love to bring it up, because he knows more than anyone what kind of chaos would ensue should the others (especially Mammon) find out.

But they can tell something’s up when the eldest has been heard humming all day. He moves about the house with even more grace than usual, and hasn’t scowled even once.

But the REAL shocker was when Mammon tried hiding a bill right as Lucifer walked in... and the eldest let him off with a warning. A WARNING! The brothers thought the Devildom must’ve frozen over, but you and he knew different.

“MC, I would like you to accompany me to Le Pluvier this afternoon, once you've finished your studies. I've already made reservations, so be sure to get ready on time. I've made sure to consider the things you might like to eat, so I'm sure you'll enjoy yourself. Don't be late." "...I'm grinning? I don't know what you're talking about."

Mammon

The gigantic grin on Mammon’s face is so bright, it could rival the sun. You’ve seriously made his day. No, his year. Actually, he’s pretty sure he could ride this high for the next millennia! There’s nothing in this world that could dampen his spirits right now! 

He feels like he just won big at the casino! Of course he’s your favorite! He WAS your first demon, and now he’s gone and claimed his rightful spot as your number one! Good luck trying to keep him from saying anything. Mammon’s gonna throw it around in everyone’s faces for as long as he can milk it.

And you thought he was clingy before, just wait till you see how he treats you after hearing that. Despite always calling you his ‘servant’ or his ‘human’, you’d  think your roles were reversed. Mammon spoils you every chance he gets, buying you clothes and trinkets, filling the spaces in your room with the things he knows you like, monopolizing you completely until nearly everything you own is a gift from him.

Your words also help soothe that jealousy of his a little. Only a little, though. It’s easier to watch you talk to other demons when he knows he’ll always be your first man.

“Didja really have to stay after class that long? I know you were talkin' to that demon that lent you a book, but you outta ask ME for stuff! Tch... you're lucky I'm in a good mood today! But I guess I don't have to worry about some low level demon like that, seein' as I'm your favorite!"

Levi

Wait wait wait....Come again? Did you seriously just say what he think you said..? That had to be a mistake! Some kind of...uh..verbal typo! Because there’s absolutely, positively, NO WAY in all of the nine layers that he could be your favorite demon. And yet you still insist that you’re telling the truth, and Levi feels like he’s died and gone to heaven. 

Red faced and stammering up a storm, Levi looks like he might die. Is it really okay for a shut-in otaku to feel this giddy? Seriously, he hasn’t felt like this since he got his hands on a signed copy of a Ruri Hana audio drama! No no, this definitely beats that!

You’ve managed to inflate his nearly nonexistent ego, and now he feels like there’s nothing he can’t do! Maybe he could even go to Majolish right now?? THAT’S how good he’s feeling!

Almost as bad as Mammon in keeping it a secret. He doesn’t tell anyone right away, but they’re suspicious when they notice how much time he’s spending out of his room. And then when he and Mammon get in another petty argument, he drops the bomb that he’s your favorite demon in the entire Devildom, and you can guess how things go from there.

“Uuuoooo...!!!!! I've decided..! Since I've got a serious stat buff, I'm going to open a booth at the next convention coming up..! I'll sell my Ruri-chan fan art and spread her influence all over the Devildom! I'd never have the guts to do it normally, but I feel like I could do anything right now! Y-you'll go too, won't you MC?"

Satan

You nearly made this man spit tea all over his book, and now he’s coughing and spluttering and trying to figure out what could’ve prompted what he’s taking as a confession. You.. do realize what you’re saying, don’t you? And you know the kind of effect your words have on him?

Satan isn’t the type that wears his heart on his sleeve, so you have to look for his subtle expressions to tell how he’s feeling. But there’s nothing subtle about the redness of his ears and how he’s begging you not to look at him right now. For the sake of his sanity, give him a minute to recoup.

When he does recover, he agrees to keep it a secret for obvious reasons. And it’s hard to tell that he’s in a good mood, other than the fact that he hasn’t tried to pull any pranks on Lucifer lately. But Asmo sees all, and literally hounds him into spilling the tea.

He tells him a lie of course, but now the other brothers are noticing just how happy he is. Satan's smiling way too much today, isn't he? And he didn't even get mad when Beel got whipped cream on his jacket! Well, not THAT mad, anyway.

"Haaah... everyone's been harassing me all day, claiming I'm smiling a lot. I'm sure I look the same as I always do, but I'll admit that I've been happy ever since you told me that this morning. Wait.. you did think I've been grinning too, do you? I have??"

Asmo

Asmo always jokes about being your favorite and announces it as if the two of you are married, but when you actually confirm that his longing for you isn’t one sided, he ends up smearing lip balm across his cheek in shock. Did you... really say that just now? He knew it all along, but hearing it like that is just...!

Ooooh, he’s so happy he can hardly contain himself! Asmo throws his arms around you, peppering your face in kisses until you feel sticky from lip balm, wipes your face clean, then marks it up all over again. Good luck getting rid of him, because he might never let go.

Immediately posts it to Devilgram. Did you really think he’d let such a momentous occasion go unannounced? You must not have been paying attention to the kind of person he is! Asmo would put you on a pedestal in front of the world like a precious jewel if he were able, but this’ll have to do. He won’t hide his love at all!

Of course, the others don’t take too kindly to it, not that he cares. He never leaves your side, pampers you like crazy, and has even attempted to get you to move into his room. Lucifer put an immediate stop to that, though. Boo...

“I just can't get enough of you, MC! Just being near you gets me so excited that I can hardly stand it! You'll take responsibility for what you're doing to me, won't you? And in exchange, I'll take my time showing you just how much I love you. After all, you're my favorite, too!"

Beel

Beel never has a problem with choking while he eats, and it comes as naturally as breathing. Unfortunately neither of that applies right now, since you just made him choke on a meatball sub.

He usually takes your words with quiet acceptance, but this might be the most emotion you've ever witness from the stoic demon. His eyes are wider than that time that laid on an entire gingerbread mansion, sparkling up with such deep emotion you wouldn't be surprised if he cried. Instead he softens up and immediately embraces you.

...And doesn't let go. Sandwich long forgotten, he's been carrying you around all day, and ignoring any questions or protests from his brothers. Also insists on feeding you throughout the day. The food tastes better when he can enjoy it with you, so why not just bring you everywhere?

When he isn't carrying you, he's following you around subconsciously, either close up against you like a protective wall, or just far enough that you're within his line of sight. As far as not telling anyone, he... tells Belphie immediately. It was an accident though, since there's not much he keeps from his twin.

"MC, I won a meal ticket for Godevil Chocolatier. Let's get something for dessert today. Ah, you can get as much as you want, too. I really want to see what things you choose. They might become my favorites."

Belphie

There's nothing in this world that can wake Belphegor from his sleep, unless he allows it. No loud noises, no amount of shaking or smacking, and not even dragging him around the house. But the moment you whisper that he's your favorite demon, the Avatar of Sloth is wide awake.

Hey, you're not just saying weird things to get a reaction, are you? Because if so, this is a new level of cruel. Yet you confirm that you mean it and swear him into secrecy, and Belphie tries his best not to show how happy he is. A smile keeps creeping up on his face that he struggles to force down. It's annoying...

As funny as it’d be to tell everyone the news, he's good at keeping secrets. Instead, you've noticed that he's been sleeping a little less that before. When he does take one of his hundreds of naps, he finds some way to be closer to you. He's even been seen sleepwalking to your exact location somehow-

It's hard for him to believe that you're not teasing, though. How could HE be your favorite demon here? Belphie doesn't do anything special to win you over, yet after everything he put you through, you like him enough to deep him your favorite?

"You're weird, MC. I mean... me? I won't deny that I'm really happy though, but I guess I'm in disbelief. You should spoil me even more until I believe you. Lend me your lap for a few hours, okay?" "...I wonder what Lucifer would think if I told him, heheh."

[imgoingtofreakoutnow]

An old friend - Part 1

Summary: You're back in London after years living in the countryside and tonight you're attending the Cowper's ball. Who knows who'll you meet there?

Pairing: Anthony Bridgerton x Fem!reader

Other characters: Violet Bridgerton, Sir Hugh Feversham (OMC)

Words: 2k+

Warnings: very slight mentions of attempt at harassment, a bit of Regency-era yearning

Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3

Not my gif, credit to the rightful owner

Whoever entered the Cowper’s estate to attend that evening’s ball would’ve been blinded by the richness of the decorations: the cristalized tears of the chandeliers glimmered in the dancing lights of the candles and at every corner colourful flowers spread their sweet and enchanting scent all around the huge ballroom.

Every person in it could just stare in silent awe of the magnificent view, taking in even the smallest detail as the music caressed their ears, a silk touch to the soul... but to you, that wonder was your last interest.

“Miss Y/L/N!”

You, right now, had the hardest task to accomplish: lose in the huge crowd a terribly improper suitor, Sir Hugh Feversham, who followed you in the gardens and tried to forcefully kiss you. Luckily the slap he received had shocked him enough to give you a ten seconds headstart before he stubbornly followed.

“Miss Y/L/N, please.” His voice was closer than before, so you tried to quicken your pace without looking like running away from anyone. ”If I could just explain myself to you...”

Part of you just wanted to turn and face him - or to be more accurate, slap him, again - and thus expose his terrible behaviour to every soul in the room. However another part of you, the thoughtful and rational one, knew that the situation in which you were tangled was very inconvenient, with or without your willingness to be part of it.

Keeping this in mind, avoiding him for the rest of the night was the best choice you had, if not the only one. Nevertheless, you couldn’t spend every second left at the ball running in circles trying to outrun him... you needed somewhere to hide.

Since the gardens were off-limits, you scanned the room, looking for a dark corner in which you could disappear or, even better, a friendly face who could save you. But having just moved back in London after years living in the countryside, you wouldn’t recognize an old friend even if you bumped into them.

As you kept walking, a kind voice reached your ears: “You must dance at least with one girl, Anthony. You can’t stand here on the side while many young ladies wait hopelessly to be asked a dance”

That name stopped you in your track, opening memories you thought you forgot. It couldn't be...

Slowly turning to the woman and the young man she was talking to, you scanned them closely, searching in their faces those features you kept for so long in your mind.

“Lady Bridgerton?”

The woman turned towards you with a gentle smile on her face, even though her eyes scanned you with a puzzled look. "Shall I know you, dear?"

"I believe not". You curtseyed, somehow remembering the manners you've been learning since you were born. "It has been a while since we last saw each other"

"Then would you please us with your name, miss?"

You moved your eyes on the young man, Anthony Bridgerton, his furrowed glare locked on you. He probably thought you were some crazy lady or whatever... he surely didn't remember.

"Of course, my lord. I'm-"

"Miss Y/L/N" Lady Bridgerton's eyes finally widened in recognition. She left her son's arm and took your hand in hers. "It has been quite some time. You left that you were just a child but now..." - she took another look at you, from head to toe - "you've bloomed into a beautiful woman"

You gently squeezed her hand. "It's a true joy seeing a friendly face in this buzzing crowd. You wouldn't believe what happened to me just-"

"Miss Y/L/N"

You tightened the grip on Lady Bridgerton's hand when Sir Hugh appeared by your side.

"I've finally caught up with you" he smiled, slick as he was in the garden. "I believe we could talk better on the dancefloor"

He stretched out his hand but you didn't want to take it; every inch of your body screamed to stay away from him. However you had no excuse to refuse him a dance without exposing yourself in the meantime.

You let go of Violet's hand, ready take Sir Hugh's, when a third hand broke in between the two of you.

"Sadly sir, miss Y/L/N is already engaged for this dance", and with that, Anthony guided you to the dancefloor, just in time for a waltz.

"I believe you just saved me" you sighed in relief, watching your suitor finally walking away. "I shall be forever in debt with you, Lord Bridgerton"

"Please, call me Anthony" he murmured with a knowing smile gracing his lips. "We know each other too well to be bothered by these titles"

You raised your eyebrows, faking surprise. "Are you to tell me you haven't changed in the slightest, my lord? Even after all these years?"

"Surely I have, but deep down I'm still the boy who ran with you down the hallways of our estate", and looking in his eyes, you caught a glimpse of the mischievous kid you once knew.

You smiled. "So you do remember me"

"My lady... you wound me". Anthony pulled you closer, leaning over your shoulder. "A gentleman never forgets his first kiss"

“A real gentleman would never discuss such matters while dancing with a lady” you reminded him. “Besides, we were nothing but two kids trying to emulate adults: I remember well the disgusted look on your face as you run back crying to your mother”

You noticed an hint of red on your partner’s face but he didn’t seem to care. “Shall I not cherish those old days regardless?” Anthony fixed your gaze in yours. “I recall adventures in the wild corners of the gardens, afternoons spent searching for treasures through my mother’s drawers and rainy days watching my father’s atlas on the settee near the library’s window...”

"...dreaming of all the places we would visit together" you finished for him, smiling fondly at those memories. "I do miss those times: everything was much more easier back then"

"Indeed" Anthony's grip on your hand slightly tightened as the look on his face grew serious. "Now, would you like to tell me what that man has done to put you in such distress a moment ago?"

You freezed in his arms, almost losing the tempo of the dance. "I don't think you would like to hear it..."

"That is for sure" he agreed. "But I need to know what happened. This way I shall find a way to help you"

"And how could you possibly help me?"

"You would be surprised by the power I have, miss Y/L/N". Then, after a twirl: "So? Are you going to enlighten me or shall I beg you?"

With a sigh, you told him what had happened in the gardens, even though the mere remembering gave you chills down your spine.

"I truly cannot understand why he did that" you told him, shaking your head. "I was just trying to make some new acquaintances and he seemed nice... but I did not gave him any hints that I fancied him!"

"I'm sure you didn't, but some men know nothing of honor and virtue". His knitted brow framed a marble face. "I shall make sure Sir Hugh Feversham is exposed for his actions. If he did something to you, rest assured that many other ladies will have more to say on the matter"

Finally, a smile appeared again on your face. "I can't find the words to convey how grateful I am to you, my lord"

"It's the least I can do for an old friend" he said, his mouth now mirroring yours.

For a moment, you just spinned around the room, letting the music guide your steps as you gazed in each other's eyes. You felt so light that it seemed your feet weren't even touching the floor.

"I know this might sound egoistical" Anthony said, breaking the silence, "but, as much as this experience must have been terrible for you, I'm delighted that it brought you back to me, Y/N". His hand moved to the centre of your back, his eyes never leaving yours. You didn't realise how disgracefully close the two of you had gotten. "I shall believe we will see each other more frequently from now on, if you still enjoy my company"

It took you a moment to realise the music had stopped and you two were now still on the dancefloor as everyone moved around like bees above flowers. A shaky breath left your lips.

"I fail to see how I could deny my presence to you after so long"

The smile Anthony gave you took away the last air in your lungs. Suddenly your corset felt too tight around your chest as he put a hand on your elbow to gently pull you to the side of the room. His mother was there, a pleased smile tugging her lips.

"You're a marvelous dancer, my dear, lighter than a butterfly" she said, before looking at you with worry. "Are you quite alright? You seem slightly overheated..."

"I'm feeling wonderfully, Lady Bridgerton. It has been a very pleasant dance, your son is very talented" you swiftly cut her off, taking the focus away from your flushed cheeks.

"I only wish he would show his hidden talents more often" she sighed, giving a side glare to Anthony who simply rolled his eyes. You stifled a laugh, curtseying once more.

"It's been the most welcome surprise meeting you here, Lady Bridgerton. Thank you for being so kind to me"

"The pleasure was all ours". She took again your hand in hers, smiling at you just like a mother would. "And I shall hope we will see you again soon. Perhaps tomorrow for tea? I'm certain your presence will be appreciated by everyone in the household"

You kindly accepted Violet's offer, promising to take her greetings to your mother.

She then eyed Benedict on the other side of the ballroom. "I shall go now and retrieve all my dear children". When Anthony offered his arm to her, she gently shook her head. "There's no need. I'm capable of wander through these rooms without a chaperone. But thank you, dear".

You watched her walk off to his second son and giggled seeing Benedict's resigned look when Violet caught his arm. Like a predator on its prey.

"Even after all those years, my family doesn't fail to make you laugh"

At Anthony's comment you felt the heat in the room rising once again. "I'm terribly sorry, I didn't mean to offend-"

"You couldn't offend us even if you tried". He smiled again at you, earning a shy smile from you as well. Then he took your hand.

"Are you to dance with me twice in a evening, Lord Bridgerton?" you asked cheekily. "I wonder what the ton would say".

"As much as I would like to be the next front-page scandal of Lady Whistledown," he said, stroking his thumb on the back of your hand, "I shall now reunite with my family as well"

You lowered your gaze, cursing your boldness more than ever. "Of course, my lord"

"But it has been a pleasure dancing with you, miss Y/L/N. And trust my word when I say that isn't something I can often admit"

He didn't wait for your answer. He took your gloved hand to his mouth, placing on the fabric over your knuckles a light kiss. As your heart pounded against the strings of your corset, you never wished so hardly your skin was bare just were he touched it.

"Goodnight, miss Y/L/N". Anthony bowed. Then, his voice the softest whisper: "Tomorrow won't come fast enough, my lady, and I shall wait impatiently for us to be in the same room again"

Breathless, you watched him walk away, his phantom touch lingering on your hand. You slowly moved it to your mouth, placing a kiss just were he did and with closed eyes, it was like kissing his lips.

"Goodnight, Anthony"

[chronicallylatetotheparty]

Stay Peachy: Kwamibuster

Summary: With Ladybug out of commission Chat Noir is the only one who can stop Kwamibuster... If only everyone would just work with him here!

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

"Let me get this straight. Tikki's captured. Ladybug's powerless and captured, I was this close to losing you too but you won't tell me where Master Fu is? Am I missing anything?" Adrien asked Plagg.

Plagg twitched nervously. "But- but-"

"You have five seconds to give me a good alternative or we're going to see Fu," Adrien announced.

"You could distract Kwamibuster while Ladybug escapes!" Plagg tried.

Adrien crossed his arms and glared. "I said a good alternative! You getting caught isn't good for anyone!"

"Might be good for Ladybug?" Plagg shrugged his arms and gave his most convincing grin.

"Sure! I'll just hand Papillon the other kwami he needs while I have to use a banana suit to protect my identity or something!" Adrien replied sarcastically.

"You'd love that wouldn't you." Plagg knew Adrien. There was a good chance-

The sound of a door being blown off it's hinges echoed down the hallway as Kwamibuster started searching the floor they were on. "Where are you, little cat? I already have a ladybug for my insect collection. Now I just need a small mammal!"

Plagg gave his best kitty cat eyes.

Adrien didn't budge.

Plagg's arms drooped. "Okay, okay! Let's just get outa here first!"

"Knew you'd see things my way." Adrien smirked.

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

Master Fu was having a nice, calming, afternoon tea with Wayzz when there was an insistent banging at his door. Wayzz hiding at the sound.

The Guardian sighed. "Who could that be?"

The banging got louder.

"Patience! I am coming! What's the big-"

A blond headed blur shot in and slammed the door shut.

"So this is where you live. Nice place ya got here. Ladybug's in trouble and I need more Miraculous!" Adrien's words tumbling out in a rush as his heartbeat jumped up his throat. Maybe I should have used the window.

"Chat Noir!?" Fu's eyes nearly popping out of his head in surprise.

"Sorry, Master." Plagg appeared, uncharacteristically serious, ears low. "It was an emergency."

"Plagg!?" This was unprecedented! Yes, the Kwami of Destruction was the most free spirited of those in the Miracle Box. But even he knew the importance of secrecy! "What are you doing-"

"Ladybug's in trouble! I just said that!" Adrien supposed he could have worded it better... But also: Ladybug was in trouble! And he was in a hurry!

The Guardian glanced from boy to kwami. Who nodded. "Very well," Fu conceded. Going to the gramophone and entering the code. Bringing out the Miracle Box which he set in its usual place when Marinette came. "Adrien Agreste, choose an ally to help you on this mission. Remember that they mist return the Miraculous once the mission is complete."

Adrien stared as the Miracle Box opened. Kneeling down in imitation of the Guardian's pose. He hadn't known there were so many Miraculous! One of them surely had the power to help! Only...

"What is it Chat Noir?"

Adrien looked up at Master Fu's face. "I dunno what most of these do."

The Guardian sighed. "This is exactly why it should be Ladybug who chooses the temporary hero."

"Hey, it's not my fault you decided she was the only one who could know things!" So this is what being Chat Noir without the mask felt like. "I'm-" Adrien paused as a thought hit him. "Oh. Oh!"

"... Yes?" Master Fu prompted.

"I just realized how dumb it is that I'm not supposed to know the temporary heroes secret identities."

Fu blinked. "Excuse me?"

Adrien shook his head to get his thought process back on track. "Anyway!"

"Chat Noir, what did you mean by-"

"No time!" Adrien pointed at the Miraculous. "Teach!"

Grumbling something about manners Fu acquiesced.

Skipping over the ones Adrien already knew the Guardian quickly ran down the list. The Pig could show you your deepest desire? Seemed like it'd be a good distraction. The Dragon had how many abilities!? Overpowered but okay. The Mouse could make little copies of you. Heh, that sounded adorable but-

"That's it!" Adrien interrupted Fu to grab the Fox and Mouse Miraculous. Which he promptly put on.

"What are you doing!?" The Guardian exclaimed. "No holder has ever used three Miraculous before! It's too dangerous!"

"Well, I don't know who Rena Rouge is and I'm not gonna spend any more time looking!" Adrien turned to the materializing Fox and Mouse kwamis. "Sorry, we're in a bit of a hurry."

"Oh, aren't we always? Name's Trixx."

"Mullo!"

"Alright. Mullo, transforme-moi!"

Multimouse took a moment to adjust to the unfamiliar magic of his new suit.

"I really don't think this is the best course of action," Fu said, attempting to dissuade the young boy.

"Relax, Master! I'll keep him out of trouble!" Trixx announced.

Multimouse nodded as he opened a window. "Thanks. Now, c'mon Trixx, Plagg. I'll explain the plan on the way!" So saying, he launched himself skyward.

Wayzz finally emerged from his hiding place, floating towards his holder.

Fu looked at his kwami. "Oh, I hope he doesn't collapse on the way."

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

"True or false? Ladybug has disguised herself as Mr. Banana!"

Marinette was not having a good day. First, Chat Noir's kwami almost reveals her identity. Then, Tikki got captured! And now that tomcat was nowhere in sight. Marinette had barely escaped from Kwamibuster the first time and now she was cornered mere meters from the exit!

"Uh, stay peachy?!" Marinette ran for it.

But Kwamibuster leapt over her and grabbed her wrist. "You can't get away from me!"

"CHARGE!"

From the doorway came a whole swarm of kwamis! Flitting about Kwamibuster and distracting her enough for Marinette to get away.

"You can't get away from me!" Kwamibuster chased after them as they sped off. "You're no match for Kwamibuster!"

"Ladybug!"

Turning around, Marinette saw Plagg and a little guy holding onto his ears. She blinked, this was the first time she saw the Mouse Miraculous in action.

"It's me!" he declared, grinning. "Chat Noir! Or Multimouse, I guess."

"Chat Noir!?" But that meant- No, no, she could panic about that later. "Well, then you must need my Miraculous." Marinette reached for her earrings.

"Uh, no? Why would you think that?"

"Because... Nevermind. What's the plan?"

Multimouse winked. "You'll see. Make your way back to the roof!" And zipped away before Ladybug could ask more questions.

"... A Chat Noir plan. This oughta be interesting."

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

"I will capture you all!"

Kwamibuster laughed maniacally as she shot her beam at the Plagg reskins. Made by Multifox with his Mirage. And that wasn't the only part of the illusion.

"I have to say. I think Ladybug will be impressed," Plagg stated. Floating directly above the supervillain so she would need to crane her neck straight up to spot them.

"It has to work first," Multimouse replied. Still standing on top of Plagg's head. His small army made their way into position.

Now!

Multimouse's invisible doubles launched their indestructible ropes at Kwamibuster. Becoming visible as they wrapped her up like Gulliver on Lilliput.

"What!? What's going on!? Oof!" She toppled none too gently.

Wasting no time Plagg zipped down.

"No! You can't beat Kwamibuster!" She freed her blaster hand.

"Mullo, Plagg, unify!"

"Aha!" Twisting upwards she aimed the beam at Multimouse.

"Cataclysm!"

Adrien's power touched the tip of her barrel and the rust spread from it to her pack. Freeing Tikki as dark mist transformed Kwamibuster back into Mme. Mendeleiev.

Adrien merged himself back together as the akuma flew past him. "Uh, Ladybug!"

A red blur shot out and caught the akuma before it could get far. Ladybug releasing a white butterfly in its place.

Multimouse grinned. "Perfect timing as always, My Lady."

"I dunno about that." Ladybug looked around at the destroyed rooftop.

"You think it'll work without a Lucky Charm?" Multimouse asked, following her train of thought.

Ladybug looked at her yo-yo. "The akuma was purified so it should." Throwing it skyward with a little more strength than usual she called out the words. "Miraculous Ladybug!"

The cure swept around them as Ladybug's yo-yo fell back into her hands.

"Knew you could do it," Multimouse praised. "Now, I've got some errands to run-" he tapped the two Miraculous necklaces "-so you take care of Mme. Mendeleiev."

He half turned. "Oh! And sorry about my kwami. No idea what he was doing at that primary school."

"It was a- lycée, yeah. Lycée."

"Right!" He grinned. "A lycée." Totally not a collège. Giving Ladybug a two finger salute he leapt off the tower. Mme. Mendeleiev's insistence on the validity of her scientific discovery fading behind him.

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

Adrien held out his index finger to shake the kwamis' hands. "You were both a big help! Thanks."

"You weren't so bad yourself, Chat Noir," Trixx grinned.

"Yeah!" Mullo agreed. "Usually Plagg's holders are no fun but you ran circles around that kwami snatcher!"

Adrien blushed a little at their praise. "Hope we can work together again someday." The kwamis waved as they reentered their Miraculous.

Master Fu closed the Miracle Box once Adrien placed them back inside. Returning it to its hiding place. "It is quite impressive that you withstood the power of three Miraculous long enough to accomplish your task."

"... Actually it was super easy. Barely an inconvenience."

The Guardian blinked. "What?"

Adrien nodded. "Yeah, I don't think occasionally using two or three Miraculous at once is all that dangerous. Maybe if you wore a whole bunch of 'em. But why would you do that?"

Fu processed that for a bit.

Adrien sipped from his tea, awkwardly. "... So does this mean I finally get Guardian training?"

Master Fu nearly slipped as he sat back down. "Huh?"

"I mean, I already know where you are. And we've seen that if Ladybug is compromised it's better if I know what to do," Adrien reasoned out logically.

"I... That is... Uh..." Fu looked desperately at Plagg, who was gorging himself on cheese.

"Hey, don't look at me. Kid's got a point." Plagg swallowed another wedge of Camembert.

Fu slumped with a sigh. Clearly outmaneuvered. "Where should we start?"

"Potions!" Adrien exclaimed, eyes sparkling. This was going to be fun. He could feel it!

[karlajoyner]

Stamps (Luke Patterson x Reader)

A/n: Hey guys so this one was rather long. I don’t know if I liked it very much but that’s just me being critical of myself. Anyways I hope you enjoy it!

Requested by: kennice1 (Wattpad)

Warnings: None

————

My eyes opened slightly to see my boyfriend laying beside me in his suit from the night prior.

We had done it.

We played the Orpheum.

And got rid of Caleb stamps.

Now we were here the very next day in Julie's garage like we'd been the past couple weeks feeling better than ever.

"Good morning beautiful" His raspy voice spoke as he to was barely opening his eyes.

"Good morning Luke" I replied staring up at the ceiling.

The bright sun rays hitting many different points of the studio since it was probably near mid day now.

"Morning? It's afternoon" Another voice in the room spoke making my head whip in their direction.

"Well then good afternoon my dear brother" I grinned sitting up only to see Reggie still passed out on the barkin lounger.

"Has Julie come in today yet?" Luke asked sitting up as well, pulling my body into his.

"Yeah. Said she was gonna go have breakfast and get dressed before coming back for practice. She also said she'll bring us something back"

"Oh to have breakfast. What a privilege we now have" I said stretching out my body.

"I sure did miss pancakes. I hope we have that" Reggie spoke in his morning voice.

"Look who's awake"

"Morning"

"Afternoon" I corrected him standing up.

"Where are you going?" Luke pouted.

"To get dressed for practice too. In case you haven't noticed I need to get out of this thing" I spoke pointing down at the long royal blue dress that sat tightly on my body.

"Or you could just stay in it. Maybe rip it up a bit make it more fitting" Luke suggested pushing the dress up my leg.

"Can you not try to sexualize my little sister in front of me?" Alex spoke.

"Sorry" Luke apologized.

"My boyfriend can sexualize me all he wants" I argued making my way towards the exit.

"Gross"

"I think it's endearing" Reggie said making me giggle.

"I'm gonna go see if Julie has anything I can barrow. And maybe a sewing machine. I think you were onto something there Lukey" I teased the boy watching a smirk take over his face before I walked out.

I giggled deciding to surprise Julie at her front door for the first time as an actual human being again.

Since I couldn't just poof into rooms anymore.

A grin formed on my face as I reached the front porch being careful to avoid any windows up the driveway.

"Look at you y/n. Looking as lovely as you did last night"

An all too familiar voice spoke from behind me before I could press the doorbell.

My heart immediately dropped as I spun around coming face to face with the devil himself.

"Caleb" I whispered.

"What are you doing here?"

"Oh I just came to pay a little visit.... Tell me how does it feel to be alive again. Oh it must feel great"

"Just leave us alone. We've already defeated you and we're not joining your stupid house band" I bravely spoke watching as he inched closer.

I gulped nervously backing up until my back hit the door behind me and he was only a few feet away.

"That's not very nice of you to say. I've offered you and your boys everything and this is how you repay me. With insults. Nice try trying to be brave sweetheart but we both know your scared out of your mind. Scared that I'll hurt you. Or your little bandmates. Am I wrong?"

"Leave us alone" I repeated attempting to stand my ground

"I can see why Luke's so infatuated with you. Your strong headed like him. Too bad you won't make it home for breakfast"

My eyes widened as he grabbed ahold of my shoulders. My eyes rolling the back of my head.

"I have a fight too" I smirked hearing footsteps coming up the pathway.

My eyes fell upon a face I recognized to be none other than Nick. Julie's crush she'd been telling me about for weeks.

"Oh there's someone here" He said noting my presence.

"Hey, you look familiar. Wait. Aren't you that other girl in Julie's hologram band?" He asked hopefully.

"That's me" I smiled at the boy.

"I'm y/n" I said sticking my hand out for him to shake. He took it smiling back at me.

“I’m Nick”

"So your here to see Julie?" I asked ringing the doorbell for the two of us.

"Uh yeah. I didn't get to see her last night after the show so I thought I'd bring her these" He said showing me the flowers in his hand.

"How sweet. The broken hearted teenager fighting for his girl" I spoke mischievously raising an eyebrow.

"I'm sorry what?" He asked.

"Julie's told me about you Nick. It seems she's canceled on you a few times now hasn't she?"

"Well yeah but that's just because she was busy"

"Are you sure about that? In all honesty she just doesn't seem that interested if you ask me"

"R-really?" He asked looking down with a frown.

I cheekily bit my lip as the front door opened.

Taking my chance and caught the boy off guard, pulling him in for a passionately rough kiss.

Making sure that he fell into the trance. The flowers in his hand fell to the ground as he held my waist pulling me closer.

"N-Nick? Y/n?!" Julie's voice rang through my ears.

"Oh Julie. I-uh didn't see you there" I panted pulling away.

Slipping a note into Nicks hand before his eyes went from purple swirls back to his normal eyes color.

"J-Julie" he stuttered going to pick up the flowers.

"I-I don't know what happened"

"I think I can explain what's going on here. Nicks just not that into you Jules. Sorry. Anyways don't tell Luke about this. Wouldn't want anyone to get hurt now would we? See you later" I smirked walking down the front path of the house. Leaving the two dumbfounded.

I made sure I was out of sight before poofing away to the one place I called home. Awaiting for my revenge.

Julie's POV

I stood there in shock as y/n walked away. Leaving Nick and I standing on my front porch.

"Julie I- I can explain. She just- She was here and we started talking. I didn't even know her. I though she was your friend"

"I did too" I mumbled in confusion. What was wrong with her?

"She left me this. It probably her number but I don't want it. Your the only girl I want Julie" He said throwing the paper on the ground.

"I-I don't know what to say Nick. I um- can we talk about this later?"

"Of course. Take all the time you need"

"I will"

"These are for you by the way" He said sticking his hand out holding a bouquet of flowers.

"Thanks" I muttered watching as he too walked down the same path out the front gate. I picked up the paper Nick dropped. Confusion coursing through me. Until I opened the paper.

She's home at last. But alone. Don't make this any harder and come join my house band or else....

~Your friend at the HGC

I read to myself. Everything making sense now. I had to show the boys.

Y/n's POV

I glared at Caleb who sat across from me. Specifically at the same table we were seated at the very first night we entered this dump.

"They're not gonna come" I stated crossing my arms.

"Really? You think so?"

"They're not that stupid"

"Y/n you underestimate your bandmates. Your Luke's girlfriend, Alex's sister, and Reggies bestfriend. Of course they're coming for you. And when they do they'll be gifted with a new stamp. Just like you" He grinned at me making me scoff.

As if on cue someone flashed into the middle of the room making me audibly groan in frustration.

"Seriously?!" I shouted.

"Told you" Caleb spoke making me roll my eyes.

"Boys welcome home"

"This isn't our home. We came for my sister and we're leaving" Alex spoke up.

"That doesn't seem to be on my schedule for the day. Why don't I have Dante help get you boys settled into your new rooms?"

"Y/n let's go"

"She's not going anywhere. She can't yet"

"Why not?"

"Show them" Caleb said as I glared dagger through him.

"Oh now you don't want to speak. Don't be rude y/n show them what I've gifted you" Caleb encouraged me again.

I simply kept quiet with my arms still crossed.

"Fine then I'll show them" I let out a scream as my arms separated from each other turning until my wrist was finally viable to the three boys in front of me.

"What did you do?" Reggie asked as they inspected the golden stamp on my wrist.

"This my dear pal Reginald is a new stamp and once activated will send shocks through y/n here once again. Only this time it'll hurt just about three times as bad. That is until you agree to become apart of my house-band. Or you could just leave her here on her own it's your choice really" Caleb spoke tapping my wrist.

My eyes widened as the stamp began to float in the air before placing itself back on my wrist.

Suddenly an excruciating pain coursed through my body immediately making me drop to my knees.

"You have until tonight's show to make up your mind" He spoke before flashing out leaving us alone in the empty ballroom. Immediately I was engulfed by a pair of strong arms as the pain tingled on my wrist.

"Y/n! Baby are you okay?" Luke asked wiping away the stray tears that had escaped my eyes

"What happened? How'd Caleb get to you?"

"It was in front of Julie's house this morning. I went to ring the doorbell. I didn't even get to do it before Caleb showed up, possessed my body, made me kiss Nick in front of Julie, and then brought me here"

"He made you do what?!" Luke shouted.

"Uh- did she not mention that?" I asked sheepishly.

"She did not"

"All she said was that you were acting really weird and that you left this note" Alex said pulling out a folded up letter from his back pocket.

"Then forget, I said it" I quickly spoke attempting to move the conversation along.

"We'll talk about his later. We need to figure out how to get this stamp off your wrist" Luke said inspecting it closely.

We sat in Julie's garage trying to come up with an idea on how to get the stamp off which wasn't going so well since it still was sending electric shocks directly through my body.

I groaned in pain as another jolt course me evidently leaving me weaker as the time passed. It was getting dark out and we were running out of time.

"Guys it's almost 8:30. The show starts at 9:00" Julie said showing us her phone screen.

"We've got to figure out how to get this thing off" Luke shouted in frustration at the rest of the band.

The three of them expressing concern on their faces.

"Okay we have to think. What happened last night? What did we do to make your stamps disappear" Julie asked as Luke helped me sit up.

"Easy. Julie said she loved us. We said it back then we hugged"

"That's it! Julie said she loved us. She connected with us and we did with her"

"So your saying Julie has to say it again and hug y/n?" Reggie asked.

"We could try it" Julie suggested walking over to me.

I nodded standing up immediately falling back down as I was zapped once more. The stamp on my wrist tingling afterwards.

"Baby are you okay?" Luke whispered holding me in his arms.

"I-I'm fine. Let's just get this over with" I spoke standing up once more.

I looked at the girl in front of me seeing her eyes filled with hope.

"I love you" She spoke softly pulling me in for a hug.

"I love you you too Jules" I whispered in her ear. We pulled back seeing the stamp flatly sitting upon my skin.

"It- it didn't work"

"Do it again" Luke demanded.

"It's not gonna work Luke"

"It has to. Do it again" He ordered. I shook my head no looking at the girl in front of me. Her eyes beginning to tear up.

"It's okay Julie. I'll be okay" I whispered wiping away the single tear that left her eyes.

"Don't worry about me"

"How could I not? I can't lose you a second time y/n. Your like my big sister and I really do love you"

"I love you too. But I guess it only worked the one time" I said before another shock hit me.

"We could always figure out your unfinished business" Reggie suggested as I regained my posture.

"We don't have time"

"I have to get the Hollywood ghost club before that show or I'll become thin air"

"I'm coming with you" Luke said standing up.

"No your not. You are staying here. With Julie. Where your safe"

"Julie's not my girlfriend you are. So I'm going with you whether you like it or not. I'm sure Caleb wouldn't mind anyways"

"Luke Patterson you are not going anywhere"

"He's not but I am" Alex spoke.

"I am too"

"Not you guys too" I groaned looking at Julie for help.

"Do you understand what'll happen if you guys come back with me? Calebs going to brand you for life"

"So what?”

"So everything we've accomplished up to now would've been for nothing"

"It's going to be nothing if your not here with us" Reggie spoke.

"Julie a little help here"

"You guys need to go with her" The girl said letting out a breath.

"No Jules. You need them here with you. It's not Julie and the Phantoms without the Phantoms"

"Forget about the band right now y/n. You need them with you. You can't live whatever life you have left without your friends, your family, and your true love" I sighed looking at the girl who smiled softly at me.

"You guys brought music back into my life and for that I'll be forever grateful. And with Flynn I'll get through this. But I will never forgive myself if I separate you from your boys" She said making my eyes water.

"Our boys" I corrected her pulling her in for a tight hug.

I sighed in content as the rest of the boys joined our hug one last time.

"I love you guys"

"We love you too"

And that's when I felt it.

The feeling from last night. I was no longer week. The tingling had stopped.

"Your shining!" Julie gasped pulling away first.

Smiles formed on everyone's faces as the stamp arose form my wrist dispersing into thin air.

"W-we did it!" We did it!" Alex shouted jumping up and down excitedly.

"It makes sense now. I didn't just hug one of you. I hugged all of you!"

"I guess love really does conquer all" Luke stated pulling me into his arms, making sure to leave space so I could still look up at him.

"We did it baby"

"We did it" I confirmed pulling him in for a loving passionate kiss with everyone cheering in the background.

————

Up Next: Charlie Gillespie x Reader

Jeremy Shada x Reader

Charlie Gillespie x Owen Patrick Joyner x Reader

Reggie Peters x Reader

Charlie Gillespie x Reader

Reggie Peters x Reader

Carrie Wilson x Reader

Sunset Curve x Reader

————

@lolychu @headheartbellarke @bookish0918 @kcd15 @ifilwtmfc @moviesbooksandfandoms @lovesanimals @lavender-writer @kaitieskidmore1 @morganayennefertyrell @iloveteenwolf @ghostofmgg @jammi13 @theravenclawlife

[hateswifi]

Duck Season

Don’t ask me about the title go ask @thecaptainthunder also it is they’re prompt.

The Master: Master List

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

“Good morning, class, as I mentioned last week we have a transfer student,” Madame Bustier greets the class, smiling wide as if it weren’t a Monday morning. Damian rolls his eyes, avoiding anyone who looked like they wanted to talk and headed up to the back corner desk, where no one was sitting. 

It didn’t take long for someone to ignore the social cues he’d dropped because there stood a tan, green-eyed girl.

“You should come sit with me, the class bully sits back here and you don’t want to get mixed up with that,” the harlot says, batting her eyelashes. 

“I’ll take my chances back here,” Damian grumbles back, but once again she doesn’t take the hint.

“Lila, you’re in my seat,” another, sweeter, voice says. The harlot’s smile falters before she retreats down the stairs to stew in anger in her seat.

“You’re late,” he reprimands, looking at the apparent ‘class bully’.

“Welcome to our class, I’m Marinette, the class president,” She smiles, it doesn’t reach her eyes, she’s faking it.

“So class bully and president? Interesting mix.”

“Interesting assumption,” Marinette shrugs, pulling out her classwork. He raises an eyebrow and does the same, who does she think she is to talk back to him.

Needless to say, their relationship didn’t start out the best but it got better.

“I can’t believe they’re such imbeciles,” Damian breaths out, an almost laugh, Marinette thinks to herself. Damian has been in the class for a week now and absolutely hates and loves the class. He hates how stupid the class, but again loves the class because of how idiotic they are.

“What’d she say this time?” Marinettes sighs, sliding into her seat. This was becoming a routine almost, she sits down right before the bell rings and usually has enough time to hear Lila’s amazing stories from Damian.

“It was a classic Jagged Stone story,” Damian sighs.

“I literally know Jagged, and they know that I know him, but yet, in the beginning, I was ‘too jealous’ and now they won’t even listen to anything I say,” Marinette shrugs.

“You know Jagged?” Damian asks, raising an eyebrow.

“That’s not important, they can look up any of the information she says without having a personal contact, now shhh, class is starting,” Marinette says, ending the conversation. She avoids talking about herself, almost as bad as he does. He doesn’t mind it too much because she doesn’t appear to be a threat, but yet again appearances can be deceiving.

A month into the hell that is his class, he ran into her during one of the many akuma attacks. She had just run into a closet he was running for, he was a bit worried about her because Lila likes to take action during the chaos. He was expecting to see some cliche scene of Lila corning her, but when he opened the door, there stood the Parisian hero.

“What the actual--” He was cut off by her quickly butting in.

“Oh my god! You can’t anything, I have to go, but-”

“I understand, go fight,” Damian says, effectively stopping her rambling.

They had an awkward conversation after her and Chat Noir defeated the akuma, she picked him up and dragged him to a secluded roof away from the public prying eyes, and the numbing idiocy of the class.

“So another way you knew she was lying is you’re Ladybug,” Damian says as soon as they touch down.

“I would’ve known it without being Ladybug, seriously a foreign girl comes in announcing that she’s best friends with a hero but she's been in the country like three days tops, it’s pretty obvious,” Ladybug huffs, dropping her transformation. “Why’d you follow me into the closet?”

“Ehh Lila likes to come up with lies during the chaos, so if you had an alibi I thought it would be helpful,” Damian shrugs.

“Aww, you care about my well being,” Marinette coos, nudging him.

“You’re bearable,” Damian mumbles, a hint of warmth spreading across his cheeks, must be the afternoon sun.

“That’s the nicest thing I’ve heard you say since you transferred,” Marinette points out.

“That doesn’t matter, now let’s leave,” he says, standing.

“You really want to go back to class?” Marinette asks, standing as well.

“No but I don’t want to sit in the sun, so let’s go somewhere else. Are going to get us down?”

“Sorry, I can’t at the moment, but we can climb down the fire escape,” Marinette says, rubbing the back of her neck.

“That will do,” Damian says, easily moving down the escape. 

“Can we stop by my house real quick I want to grab a sketchbook, if that's ok with you,” She asks, pointing at the bakery that’s just down the street from the school.

“You live above the bakery?”

“Yeah, you hungry?”

“No, I don’t like sweets.”

“Your loss then,” Marinette shrugs, entering the back door. She appears a couple of minutes later, putting cookies in her purse. He raises an eyebrow but doesn’t question it. They walk over to the park and sit under a tree in the shade. He just sits in the shade and lets sounds of the birds singing, the breezing leaves, and the light trickling water take over his sense. It was a bit later when he hears her start humming if it were practically anyone else, he would’ve snapped at her to stop it, but her humming was calming.

He honestly should’ve seen it before he responded. It was a month after the revelation of her being the Parisian hero. They were walking around the Seine near evening after the defeat of another akuma and another day of drama with the harlot and sheep. Marinette had leave early due to the akuma and he was left to deal with the idiots by himself 

“What’s the matter?” he questions. 

“Oh, sorry, I have a lot on my mind,” Marinette says quietly. He steps in front of her and lifts her chin.

“What’s on your mind?” She looks up at him, his breath hitches in his throat, her eyes are glistening in the sunset.

“I… I don’t want things to change, but,” she pauses, taking a deep breath. “I really like you, you’re kind to me, even though you don’t try to show it and-”

“Enough,” Damian cuts her off, she stands in front of him, vulnerable. She’s trying to distract her self by rolling a rock underneath her foot. “If you don't want things to change, then don't change them.” He responds sternly. 

“Umm, ok, I’m sorry, I’m just going to go home then. Umm! Good night!” She says, swinging her head up quickly, just enough to see her eyes glistening with tears before she turns her back and she rushing home. 

“Why’d I say that?” Damian asks himself he watches her back and she rushes down the sidewalk. He has a strange urge to follow her, to pull her into a hug, and to, strangely enough, apologize for making her cry. “What’s the matter with me?” He sighs and agrees to talk to her tomorrow morning before class, as normal.

But that wasn’t the case, she slid into her seat just after the bell rung. Not only was that different, she was wearing make up, not enough for a majority of people to notice, but he knows her well, and her smile doesn’t reach her eyes again. He was going to try and talk to her during lunch, but conveniently Agreste calls for her attention as the bell rings before he could get a word out, they’re already out the door.

He feels weird, he knows he shouldn’t he also doesn’t understand why or what that feeling is. His feelings have been pretty abnormal since he got to know Marinette. When he met her, he hated her, but honestly, he hates everyone he meets so he didn’t expect to end up not hating her in the end. She was different than anyone he had ever met, she was kind, without knowing who he was, her smile was contagious. She beautiful but was humble and wasn’t a harlot like other women who had attempted to his attention.

“Grayson, I have a problem,” Damian says, sitting down in the library to eat his lunch in peace.

“What’s up, Birdie, you never call me,” Dick asks.

“This girl said that she likes me.”

“It’s not the first time, you’ve never had a problem rejecting girls before what’s up?”

“She’s my acquaintance.”

“So you like her? What's the problem?”

“Like her?”

“Do you have romantic feelings for her?”

“Explain.”

“Do you like it when she’s around? Is she apart of your life and it feels like a piece is missing if she’s not there?” 

“But that could be platonic as well.”

“It could be, but do you ever have urges to hold her hand, if she is crying to wipe away the tears, or to hold her in a hug?” (I had no idea how to write this btw, almost asked for help but imma too awkward)

“She cried last night and all I wanted to do was hug her and apologize,” Damian sighs.

“You were going to apologize? She must be special.”

“She’s fantastic, a literal angel,” Damian sighs, slouching in his chair to look at the ceiling. “She takes care of and loves animals. She so good with kids, even with brats.”

“Talk to her, I’m sure she’ll understand,” Dick says, there a banging being him. “Sorry, I gotta go, Jason just walked in.” he says before hanging up.

“Talk to her?” Damian mutters to himself. “Do I have feelings for her?” 

He heads back to class early, hoping to talk to her before class. There was one problem, she didn’t show up for afternoon classes along with Agreste. 

He decides that he’ll take the work and notes to Marinette. He enters through the bakery, they had stopped there a couple of times before to pick up stuff sometimes a sketchbook and sometimes a snack. Sabine and Tom recognized him and let him in. He knocks on the trap door and hears a come in, he pushes it open and sees Agreste and Marinette in their pajamas, playing a video game.

“Agreste, Marinette,” Damian says, stepping into the room.

“Damian?” Marinette asks, turning surprisingly pale pretty quickly. 

“I brought your stuff and I wanted to talk to you,” Damian says, rubbing the back of his neck, looking at the ground.

“Ummm… sure, Adrien can you give us a minute?” Marinette says, standing up from her spinning chair.

“You hurt her again, I’ll cataclysm you,” Adrien says, opening the trap door before disappearing underneath.

“Umm first, here’s your stuff and notes,” Damian says, handing her them. “Another thing, I’m going to guess you noticed, but I’m not good with emotions in general.” 

“Yeah, I kinda figured.”

“It took me a bit, but I talked to my brother today,” Damian pauses, taking a deep breath.

“Where’s this going? I don’t want to get hurt again,” Marinette says, taking a seat of her chaise.

“I didn’t realize it before I talked to Grayson, he’s my brother, but I like you. I missed you in class and I don’t ever want to see you cry again. I want to be able to you without it being weird,” Damian says, rubbing the back of his neck, looking anywhere but her.

“You like me?” Marinette asks, standing up.

“I hate the fact that I made you cry, I never want to see sadness in your beautiful blue eyes ever again. You’re too good for me, you are an angel,” Damian says, taking a deep breath.

“I’m just me though,” Marinette says, looking at the ground. Damian steps forward, tipping her chin to look up at him.

“And you’re perfect,” Damian says, Marinette reaches on her tiptoes and kisses his cheek.

“And you owe me for playing my heart, I honestly thought you didn’t like me and I had a mini-crisis,” Marinette giggled.

“Would you like to go adopt a hamster?”

“That’s perfect if we can her name her Fluffy,” Marinette smiles.

“We’ll talk about the name,” Damian chuckles.

“I’m open to a discussion,” Marinette shrugs.

Bonus:

“I just had the weirdest conversation,” Dick says, hanging up his phone to look at Jason.

“What’d ya mean?” Jason asks, plopping down in a chair across from Dick before slouching to put his feet on the desk, taking a bite from his apple with a solid crunch.

“I think Damian in love,” Dick says, causing Jason to choke on his apple.

“What the fack did I miss?”

Bonus Bonus:

“Remember how Damian was in an emotional dilemma,” Dick asks, entering the dining room.

“Damian has emotions?” Tim asks, throwing his coffee back like a shot, or maybe it was a straight-up espresso shot, Dick wasn’t really paying attention. 

“Yeah, not the point, not only does he have a girlfriend they have a hamster named Nightingale. Probably so Bruce can’t try and turn her into a bird,” Dick says, muttering the last bit.

“Hey I wouldn’t adopt Damian’s girlfriend, give me some credit,” Bruce says, taking the phone to look at the picture.

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

@mlbchaosqueen is this angst?

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[nightshade-minho]

-Blue Book- (3)

Word Count: 1.8k

Warnings: Chan being an ass.

Over the next two days, Chan found himself spending nearly all of his time with you. You had warmed up to him a lot, but was still a little cautious. He had to build up trust...somehow.

Spending time with you was excruciatingly boring. All you seemed to do was draw, and sitting next to you while you did was getting tiring.

However, whenever he would come close to giving up, something would happen to put him right back on track- whether it was Miyoung smiling at him from across the hallway, tucking her hair behind her ear like she always did...or Minho, shamelessly asking her out for a fucking date. Right in front of his salad.

No, literally.

He watched in horror as Minho chuckled, speaking to her on the phone in that raspy voice of his that was the fakest shit Chan had ever heard.

"Yeah, okay, babe. Bye~" Minho cooed, cutting the call and putting his phone down, resuming his meal as he dug into his chicken nonchalantly.

"Babe?" Changbin asked, smirking from the opposite end of the table.

"Hmm, yeah. Got a problem with that?" Minho asked, seemingly replying to Changbin but staring right at Chan as he said it.

"No." Chan lied, voice a little shaky.

"Oh, but don't embarrass him like this, Minho. He's only been wanting to ask her out for like, two years...yet you did it in five minutes." Hyunjin said, laughing.

Chan's grip on his fork tightened. He prided himself in being a patient person, more or less...yet these two definitely had the potential to turn him into a cold-blooded murderer.

"Where are you taking her?" Jisung asked, mouth full.

"To the carnival, tomorrow afternoon. I'm going to win her one of those giant plushies. I've always been good at those games."

"How romantic~" Jisung smiled. "You know we'll be there too though, right?"

"Uh huh." Minho grinned at Chan. "Don't worry! I won't leave my best friends for a girl. We'll be right there with you, the whole time."

"Sounds great. Don't know if Chan will like that idea, though..."

Minho tilted his head, tutting.

"Channiee~ you know I'll back off if you get the book, right?"

That was it. Chan stood up, spoon and fork clattering onto his plate as he left the table, fuming. His stomach growled with hunger as he pushed open the café door, walking out onto the street with his bag slung over his shoulder.

He'd just have his dinner at home.

***

"Wow. You really pissed him off." Jeongin noted.

Minho rolled his eyes, stabbing his chicken with the fork. "I swear, he has such bland taste in girls. Miyoung is the most brainless creature I've ever met."

"Why would you put up with that, then? And why do you seem so intent on irritating him lately?" Felix asked, frowning.

"I'm not really putting up with anything. She's hot, and she has a smoking body. Brains don't matter when you look like that."

"You know Chan likes Miyoung for more than her appearance. Although I can't, for the life of me, imagine what that might be..."

"Whatever."

"You didn't answer my question."

Minho sighed, raising an eyebrow at Felix.

"I just don't like the way he's been lording over us all lately. He acts like he's our 'leader' or something. I feel like I can barely breathe around him- at least this gets him out of the way."

"See? It's a battle of the alphas, after all." Jisung guffawed, high-fiving Hyunjin.

"So this is all just some power struggle?" Felix asked, disbelief lacing his tone. "Why the fuck did you drag an innocent girl into it, then? She has nothing to do with any of it-"

"Eh, she just gets on my nerves. Two birds with one stone." He shrugged.

Felix shook his head. "You're an asshole."

He smirked. "I know."

***

Chan knew exactly where to find you.

True to form, you were on the same park bench as always, legs crossed as you listened to music with your eyes closed.

"Hey..."

You opened one eye slightly as you realized who it was. Taking the earbuds out, you smiled.

"Oh hey...I didn't expect to see you again until tomorrow morning."

"Yeah well, I kinda knew you would be here."

You patted the spot next to you, and Chan hesitantly sat down.

"Where's your book? You're not drawing?"

"It's too dark for that." You pointed out, a lopsided smile gracing your face.

"Why are you here then?"

"My mom and her date went to this fancy restaurant." You explained. "And I didn't want to be all alone at home, so I just came out here."

"Ah. This place is just as pretty at night..."

"Mmhmm."

Chan sighed as he watched you play with your hair. It was kind of cute, how you tried to mask your nervousness by occupying your hands with meaningless actions.

"So what will you be having for dinner, then?"

"Probably ramen out of a packet. I hope we still have some left..."

Chan pressed his lips together. "Would you...um, would you like to come join me for dinner? At my house?" He asked, tilting his head.

"Oh..." You blushed, looking down. "I mean, yeah, sure-"

"Great!" You looked up, the smile on Chan's face so kind that you almost teared up.

God, Y/n, get yourself together...

You had no idea why he was being so nice to you at first, and had been wary initially...but the last few days had changed that. He seemed to enjoy spending time with you, and that was somewhat of a novelty- a person showing interest in you, that is.

Chan grinned at you, grabbing your wrist as he pulled you up. "Let's go!~"

***

"This is my room."

You gasped. "Wow, it's so big!"

"Yeah." He chuckled. "It used to be a gym, I think...but my parents let me change it up."

"That's so cool." You went over to the posterboard, smiling as your eyes ran over all the polaroids and memorabilia Chan had collected over the years.

"My room isn't as personalized as yours...but this makes me want to give it a makeover." You smiled, going over to the window and marvelling at the size of it.

"Wow...you must get a lot of sunlight in the mornings..." You said in awe, pressing your nose up against the glass as you looked down.

"I do." He said, mind blank as he watched you fangirl over his room. You were so overly enthusiastic about everything...he wished he could be the same.

You turned around, that wide smile ever-present on your face. As you opened your mouth to say something else, you were interrupted by the sound of your stomach growling.

"Ah, I almost forgot. I brought you here to feed you." He winked, opening his door as he stepped back out.

"Come on, we can visit my bedroom some other time~" Your cheeks heated up at his words as he went back downstairs.

"Wait for me!" You followed him quickly as he made his way to the dinner table.

"Where are your parents?" You asked as you sat at the table.

"They're on a business trip, princess, and my siblings are at their friends'. So...we have the house all to ourselves." He winked again, and you quickly looked back down at your empty plate.

You thanked the maid as she served the food. It was pasta, and your stomach growled again as soon as you laid eyes on it.

"Wow, you're hungry, huh? Sounds like there's a baby bear living in your stomach~" He teased. You giggled, shaking your head as you took a bite.

"Oh wow, it's delicious."

"It better be, my parents don't pay her for nothing." He said, starting to eat.

There was silence for a while as the two of you filled your empty stomachs...but somehow, it wasn't awkward. Chan looked up at you from time to time, chuckling at how fast you ate.

"Slow down, babygirl."

Your eyes widened as you looked up at him. That pet name, fuck.

Chan raised an eyebrow, picking up on how affected you were by it.

"Hmm, you like that name?"

You shook your head vehemently, going back to your meal- but your cheeks never stopped burning.

He hadn't expected to see you so flustered, when he'd literally just called you a name.

Wrapped around his finger, indeed.

***

"It feels weird hanging out without Chan." Jeongin sighed, adjusting the pillow under his chin as he lay on the mattress in Felix's basement, watching as Changbin and Jisung faced off in Call of Duty.

"Yeah? I feel like it's better. I don't feel like I have to walk on eggshells." Hyunjin shrugged, prompting Minho to smile widely.

"See? He gets it."

"I don't know, Chan being here sure keeps these guys in line." Seungmin flicked his thumb towards Changbin and Jisung (the two of them mock-wrestling as the latter suspected that the former had cheated), not looking up from his book.

Changbin looked up from the headlock Jisung had him in.

"Oh shut up. Guys, I don't really understand why we pick on some random girl in school when we have our very own nerd right here." He sneered.

"There's a difference between being a nerd and having brains...something which you clearly don't know much about. I'll cut you some slack." Seungmin smirked.

"For fuck's sake, stop fighting." Jisung said as he poked Changbin's side, squeezing harder.

"Oh, the irony." Jeongin groaned, rubbing his forehead as he watched the two roll around on the floor.

Felix sighed as he buried his head in his hands, too tired to follow the conversation anymore.

What had happened to them?

***

"You should come over again."

"Yeah...I will. Some other time. My mom's expecting me, unfortunately." You said apologetically.

"At least let me walk you home?"

You paused, smiling slowly. "Alright."

The two of you walked side by side, the cool night breeze ruffling your hair.

"What are your hobbies?" You asked after some minutes of silence, curiously.

"Well. I like swimming, and also football." He paused, wondering if he should tell you more or not.

"I...I also like making music."

"Woah. That's amazing. Next time, you should show me some of your songs."

"Uh, yeah, sure. Some of them are kinda private, though..."

"That's okay. You only need to show me what you're comfortable with letting me hear." You said.

Chan smiled softly, nodding. For a second, it crossed his mind how you were willing to respect his privacy...and yet here he was, trying to violate yours by attempting to steal something that was clearly precious to you.

Miyoung. Think of Miyoung, He reminded himself.

You suddenly stopped, turning to him with a grin.

"We're here. Thanks for walking me home!"

"No problem..."

"See you later~" You waved as you walked backwards, turning around to open the gate.

"Wait-"

"Hm?" You twisted your neck to look at him questioningly.

"Uh...I was wondering, would you want to come with me to the carnival tomorrow? It'll be fun-"

"Yes! Sure!" You said, a little too eagerly.

"Great. It's a date."

"D-date?"

"Yeah." He smirked. "See you then, babygirl."

With that, he walked away, the image of your flustered face in his mind.

Miyoung would be his in no time.

[casey-v]

Valentine

Ethan x Casey

I haven’t written any fics for quite a while, but with OH3 coming soon I’m getting these vibes again….

I always wondered: what would the closing of Edenbrook mean to E x MC’s relationship? Here’s my attempt to this part of the story.

Sorry in advance for any mistakes, English isn’t my first language.

Warnings: none, I guess (maybe a few smutty thoughts)

Words: 3K

Disclaimer: all characters owned by PB

Participating in @choicesfebchallenge Day14: Valentine

“Good morning Dr. Valentine. This is your day today, isn’t it?” The nurse Rose greeted Casey as she entered the free clinic.

“Good morning. Yeah, I get that a lot.” Casey tried a friendly smile. Since she had been a child everyone referred to her last name on Valentine’s Day, making a remark or joking around. As a teenager it had made her feel special, but by now she was tired of hearing it. Especially today.

She had been in a bad mood since she woke up and it had nothing to do with her last name or Rose. But it had everything to do with the man who simply ignored this day today, probably didn’t even know it existed. 

It was perfectly clear to Casey, that these kinds of traditions meant nothing to Ethan. Nevertheless, her disappointment was huge because she had had great expectations for today. After a few difficult weeks she had hoped that a romantic dinner could bring them closer together again.

After the gala and their public kiss everything had seemed perfect and she had spent some time on cloud number nine. But then Ethan gradually became distant and a little grumpy again. They both often worked double shifts and meetings outside the hospital became rare. And they never talked about their life after Edenbrook’s closing. Whenever they got close to that topic, Ethan would change the subject. And Casey was also in denial; she hadn’t applied to any jobs outside greater Boston because she didn’t want to lose Ethan. But maybe it was too late now anyway, she didn’t even know what point in their relationship they really were at.            

“Has he told you yet?” Sienna interrupted her thoughts.

“Hi Sienna. No, I still have no idea what we’re doing tonight.”

“Oh, that’s so romantic. For sure he has something incredibly special planned for the two of you.”

Casey tried to maintain a cheerful façade even though she actually felt like crying. But Sienna’s enthusiasm was also kind of sweet, so she managed a smile.

“You seem more excited than I am.”

“I’m hosting a lonely-hearts roomie dinner tonight, so at least let me enjoy the romance in your life.”

Casey felt bad that she was being dishonest with her friend. It was silly, but she would rather spend the night at the movies on her own and then sleep in an on-call room than admit to her friend that Ethan wasn’t going to take her out on a date. Besides, talking about it would make it more real: their relationship was probably on the rocks.

 A busy morning at the clinic kept Casey occupied and gave her no opportunity to dwell on her misery. As she was preparing an IV for a patient, she suddenly sensed someone right behind her.

“Dr. Valentine, can you please run some tests on this patient and then get back to me as soon as possible?”

Usually her favorite baritone voice quickened her heartbeat, but today it sounded businesslike and not appealing at all. When she turned around Ethan didn't meet her gaze. Instead, he just thrust a patient chart into her hand and was gone before Casey even had the chance to respond.

 At first, she stood there with her mouth open, unable to move, a dreadful feeling spreading through her chest. She had barely seen him all week and that was all she got?

When her vision started to get blurred by tears, she quickly ran to a supply closet, locked the door and sank to the floor.

 What now? She couldn’t decide whether she was more sad or mad. How could it be, that things went wrong so fast after everything they had been through together? And how dare he talk to her like a random intern, shoving that patient file into her hands so rudely. He wasn't even her boss anymore.

She still held the chart clutched to her chest and now wanted to check what seemed so urgent. But what she saw didn't make any sense. There was only a last name on it and an address, but everything else was blank. As she turned the page her heart took a leap. She wiped away a few tears and stared at the blank piece of paper. Two words stared back at her.

Dinner tonight?

When she finally remembered to breathe again, she flipped back to the first page and now the pieces were falling into place.

Sorellina, Huntington Ave.

She knew the name had sounded familiar. “Sorellina” wasn't a patient's name; it was the name of a fancy Italian restaurant in the Back Bay. To be sure she pulled out her phone and searched the internet. And what she found there brought a bright smile to her face.

 …the ultimate destination if you're looking to really impress a date…

.. one of the most romantic spots in the city…

…awesome place for date nights…

 So he didn’t forget after all! But why the strange behavior? Some things didn’t add up. You don’t get a reservation like this one day in advance. He must have planned this weeks ago. A lot had changed since and now maybe he just wanted to give them one last shot? He wouldn’t be so heartless to dump her on Valentine’s day, would he?

Casey was totally confused. Was she just misinterpreting the whole situation? But she couldn’t be that paranoid. Something was brewing and she was determined to find out tonight, no matter what. This time she would confront him and for once she wouldn’t let him off the hook so easily.

But first she had to get through the day somehow, and she had to head home during her lunchbreak to choose a breathtaking dress. And pack an overnight bag, just in case. Not to forget the special brand of scotch she had ordered for Ethan. And she had to tell Sienna. And…

Okay! First of all, she had to calm down and concentrate on her work. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Then she took a pen out of her pocket and wrote below Ethan’s message.

Tell me when and where and I’ll be there 💕

After leaving the supply closet she randomly grabbed two other files, placed hers in between and handed them to an intern. “Please get this to Dr. Ramsey immediately.” Then she went back to her patient, who was still waiting for his IV.

The day seemed to drag on endlessly. In the afternoon she found the piece of paper out of the fake patient file in her coat pocket.  

Dinner tonight?

Tell me when and where and I’ll be there 💕

my office, 7 pm 😊

 He had even drawn an emoji! Smiling she added one more line.

Dessert at your place?

Then she quickly ran upstairs, sneaked into Ethan’s office, and put the piece of paper onto his desk. Her eyes fell on the big clock on the wall: 4 pm! Three more hours to go.

 *******

Ethan sat behind his desk, already dressed in his tux, trying to focus on some files. But instead of working, he kept repeating in his head what he wanted to say tonight.

It was ridiculous. Usually, he gave speeches in front of hundreds of fellow doctors and here he was, being nervous about talking to one single woman. The difference was that he felt very qualified to talk about his profession, but he was totally insecure when it came to talking about his feelings. With Casey, he wasn't Dr. Ramsey, a famous and respected diagnostician; with her, he was simply Ethan, a man struggling with the changes in his life.

The sound of high heels echoed through the hallway and announced Casey's arrival. Trying to calm his nerves Ethan busied himself with his paperwork as she entered the office. He didn't raise his head, instead he just glanced at her over the rims of his glasses. As he did, she put her hands on her hips, pushing the winter coat aside to give him full view of her stunning dress. And it had the desired effect. The small piece of black nothingness took his breath away.

 “Dr. Ramsey, don't you think it's inappropriate to look at a colleague that way?”

He swallowed hard, but he wouldn’t let her tease him like that.

“Dr. Valentine, don't you think it's inappropriate to wear something like that in your workplace?”

She smirked at him.

“Not as much as taking it off right here in your office.”

Defeated he shook his head, a smile showing at the corners of his mouth. He had to fight the urge to leap over his desk and take her right there against the office door, but instead he only sighed deeply and reached for his coat. This had to wait.

“We better get going or I don't know what I'll do!”

Together they left the office and walked to his car, holding hands. But despite their little banter just now there was an odd silence between them.

*******

The restaurant really was the perfect setting for a special date. Casey was overwhelmed and also kind of intimidated by the atmosphere. To her, it felt more like a first date with a guy she had a crush on than a dinner with the man she had been dating for month. And Ethan seemed equally self-conscious. But after some champagne, they both loosened up and had a really great time.

Almost.

Casey knew Ethan too well by now not to notice that something was strange about him tonight. She couldn’t shake that nagging feeling in her gut.

Back in his apartment, after she had given him her gift, he sat down on the couch with a serious face and asked her to sit down as well.

“I have something for you, too”

Blushing slightly, he handed her a small box and rubbed the back of his neck.

“I wanted to…, I mean this is… Oh, just open it and then I’ll explain!”

Carefully, she lifted the lid of the box and saw, lying on a tiny silk cushion, a key. From the looks of it, she assumed it was the key to his apartment. Casey gave Ethan a questioning look and waited for the promised explanation. But it didn’t come. Ethan seemed uncomfortable and pinched the bridge of his nose. Finally, he just blurted it out.

“Want to move in with me?”

Of all the things she had expected him to say, this certainly wasn’t on the list. But why now? Hundreds of different thoughts whirled through Casey’s head all at once. At first she just stared at him, then she burst into tears. For a long time Ethan looked at her helplessly, finally he ran a hand through his hair in frustration and murmured: “Obviously not.”

At that, Casey’s head snapped up. “No, no, no! I do, of course I do!” She wiped some tears from her face and explained between occasional sobs.

“The thing is: Whenever I imagined moving in with you, I got sad about not living with my friends anymore. And now I’ve just realized it doesn’t matter because in a couple of weeks they’ll all be gone anyway, scattered across the country. I’m going to miss them so much. And since I don’t know where I am going to be, there’s no point in moving in with you either.”

She shook her head, trying to keep the tears at bay.

“I’m sorry I’m such a mess, it just seems that everything is falling apart. This morning I wasn’t even sure whether you want to break up with me or not and I thought that…”

“Whoa, hold it right there. What on earth are you talking about?”

From Ethan’s shocked expression Casey could tell that it had obviously never occurred to him to break up. Slightly embarrassed she continued in an unsteady voice.

“I mean, the way you’ve been acting lately, especially this morning, you’ve been so rude….”

Ethan gently caressed her cheek with the back of his hand, wiped away her tears, and sighed.

“Oh Casey, I’m so sorry. But you know me; you know that I hate talking in front of patients. And I had a lot on my mind; I’ve been nervous all day about our date.”

He smiled shyly and shook his head. Then his gaze darkened again, guilt clearly written on his face. His brows furrowed, and he backed away a little.

“Although you’re right that I’ve been putting some distance between us lately. But I needed clarity about the whole job situation. And us. All my life I’ve planned everything three steps ahead and then suddenly it felt like I was losing control. I know I can’t ask you to stay because you have to finish your residency at one of the best hospitals in the country. Thus, I have tortured myself to figure out how we can make things work and I’ve been miserable all this time. Until I realized the answer is fairly simple.”

Casey couldn’t believe that they had both been so distraught for weeks, and instead of sharing and confiding in each other, they were just brooding over the challenges ahead, each to their own. Slowly, the uneasy feeling inside her stomach began to dissipate, although she had no idea what he was talking about.

“What answer?”

Ethan took her hand and he gently drew circles on the back of it with his thumb, his eyes following its movement.

“Edenbrook has been my home for almost 12 years now, and if they take it away from me, what else is there? Naveen, of course, and my father nearby, but other than that ….”

All this time Casey held the box with the key in one hand. Now he took it from her and raised the key to eye level. Her gaze wandered back and forth between the key and Ethan. He cleared his throat in search of words, but they didn’t come. Her heart hammered in her chest, the tension almost unbearable. Finally, his blue eyes met hers and he found the courage to speak, his voice husky and low.

“This isn’t just the key to my apartment, Casey. This key means I want to live with you, wherever that may be.”

His last words were only a whisper. “If you’ll have me, that is.”

Casey couldn’t even begin to grasp what it all meant. She would be able to apply to any hospital in the country and Ethan would be with her. Live with her.

An overwhelming feeling of happiness spread through her body.

“You really would do this for me?”

“No, if I’m honest I’m doing this not for you but for myself. I don’t want to go back to being that grumpy cynic I once was before I met you. I’m lost without you.”

The full meaning of his words sent a prickling sensation down her spine, but she was also amused.

“Ethan, you’re one of the most famous and respected physicians, you’ve managed perfectly fine without me for 36 years.”

Ethan put down the key and the box from her hand and took both her hands, his gaze intense.

“But it’s taken me 36 years to find out what it means to be genuinely happy.”

Those last words took all her breath right out of her and her heart was ready to explode. His eyes pierced hers as he waited for a response.

He moved closer und squeezed her hands tightly, his eyes still dark.

“So, what do you say?”

She couldn’t resist the temptation to mess with him.

“Let me get this straight: You’re telling me, if I said no, there would be no one to tell you if you’re acting like a goddam diva again?”

A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth realizing what she was getting at. “Probably.”

Grinning she went on. “And who would be there to help you with your social media accounts?”

“Nobody.”

Ethan’s eyes began to light up as she moved onto his lap, mischief in her smile.

“And there would be no one who would dare to tease you?”

“Right.”

Their faces were now only a breath away.

“And nobody there to make you pancakes?”

“Exactly. What would become of me?”

Her mouth moved to the side of his neck. After a line of soft kisses, she started nibbling on his earlobe and whispered. “And no one, who would do this?”

“Oh, I’m sure it’s not hard to find someb…”

She quickly backed away and punched his arm playfully. “Don’t you dare!”

Ethan was now gleaming all over his face. He tucked a finger under her chin and gently nudged her nose with his. “So is that a YES?”

“Do I even have a choice?”

“Not really!”

And then at last his lips found hers, first slowly, barely touching, until they both gave in and melted into each other. All the tension of the day, all the pent-up emotions of the past weeks fell off and there was only him and her. While the kisses grew more and more urgent, his hands started to roam over her body and slowly he unzipped her dress. As his warm hand gently slid down her back, Casey felt his hot breath on her ear.

“If I remember correctly, you promised me dessert.”

“We already had a selection of delicious Italian desserts.”

“But I’m still very hungry. And first of all, this dress has to go. The sight of it has been tormenting me all evening.”

*****

The bedroom was almost dark. Ethan lay on his back, staring at the ceiling. He was unable to put his mind to rest after the events of the day. He turned over to watch the stunning woman sleeping next to him. The moonlight on her face made her even look more beautiful. From now on, he would have the privilege of waking up to this sight every morning. That thought alone made his heart leap.

Gently, he draped the sheets over her shoulder, brushed her hair out of her face and gave her a soft kiss on the cheek; always careful not to wake her.

Smiling down at her he whispered. “I love you, Casey Valentine.”

Never before had these words left his lips. And now didn’t even count either because she couldn’t hear them. He had tried to tell her many times, but the moment never seemed right. Today would have been the perfect occasion, but he had chickened out again.

It was absurd. They had started to plan their future together. Why was it so hard? Three simple words!

Laying back down he whispered, more to himself.

“I’m going to tell you. Soon.

Maybe tomorrow.”

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Thank you if you have made it so far.

This piece has really been a challenge, it took me forever. I’ve changed it a couple of times and I am still not quite satisfied, but at some point you just have to let go.

Tagging seperately.

[helgabatwrittings]

When your world comes crashing down don't cry

Chapter 3 - Confessing

AO3

I’m baaaack!

And even though his world seemed to be crashing down at that very moment, his tired brain came up with a plan. He would get his confirmation. And after Nino told him what he already knew, Adrien would stop being selfish for once in his life. He would leave them alone. He would ask his father to take him out of school, and his classmates would never have to deal with him again.

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“Adrien, are you there? Dude, please, say something, I can’t see you…” Nino was speaking to him. Somehow, the fall his phone suffered had made it accept the call, and so Nino was currently trying to get Adrien to speak to him.

“C’mon dude, at least turn your phone so I can see you… I’m only seeing the sky, where are you?” The subconscious fear of abandonment that followed Adrien everywhere was screaming at him to say something. To let Nino know that he was there so he wouldn’t get sick of being ignored and leave. But he couldn’t find his voice!

Adrien opened his mouth, but no sound came out, only a weak strangled cry seemed to have made its way out of his throat. He wanted to let Nino know he was there, but he couldn’t show him how miserable he must have looked at that moment. Adrien felt the tears cascading down his face and saw them hit the floor beneath him through his blurry vision.

“Adrien… please… I’m worried about you…” Nino was speaking slowly as if he was deliberately giving time for Adrien’s numb brain to process the words.

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Nino squinted at his phone, but no matter where he looked all he saw was the blue sky that was covering Paris. He waited in silence, giving time for Adrien to react.

“Can we… can we just stay like this ...” Adrien’s voice quivered, but at least Nino got an answer, and he released the breath he didn’t know he was holding in relief.

“Sure, dude!” He knew how Adrien struggled to get anything out of his system, so anything to make his best friend comfortable. But still, Nino was worried. Adrien hasn’t been his normal self lately, he needed to at least know if his best friend was safe.

“But, uh… Could you tell me where you are?”

A couple of seconds passed. Nino could hear his own rushed heartbeat.

“I’m uh…” Adrien’s voice sounded despondent. “I’m on a rooftop.”

Nino’s heart stopped beating.

“You’re what?”

Now, there were plenty of reasons why Adrien would be on a rooftop. He could be just chilling. The dude was weird like that. He could have been wandering and somehow found himself on that rooftop and was now enjoying the view. He could have been kidnapped by a crazy fan who was akumatised and gained wings so that they could specifically carry Adrien to a place high enough no one could reach and now his fate was in the hands of Ladybug and Chat Noir!

Or…

He could be there because he purposedly climbed it knowing that if he took a single misstep he would fall and-

No! His brain would not go down that road. Adrien was fine! Yes, he had been a bit weird lately, but he was fine! He had to be fine. He was okay! Nino would talk to him, and maybe convince him to hang out, they would laugh all afternoon while they played videogames, or took a stroll in the city, and this would all be left behind, they would laugh about how Adrien managed to get himself on a rooftop, and that was it!

“Why are you on a rooftop?” Nino had to get to the bottom of this. He needed to make sure his best friend was safe. He waited with bated breath for Adrien to reply.

A couple of seconds went by.

“I fell…” He heard his despondent voice, and he felt a stab in his chest. His eyes widened.

“You what??!” How did he fall on the rooftop?? What the heck was he even doing on a rooftop? That was it. Nino had to see him in that very moment, or he would have a stroke from sheer stress. He was sure of it. He could already feel his heart race, his brain going a thousand thoughts per second, thinking of every possible explanation as to why Adrien was on a rooftop, how he fell, if he was safe. Nino had to see him!

“How did that happen?? Dude!! Are you okay?” He really was trying his best to be patient, to let Adrien speak at his own pace. But worriedness was consuming his entire being at an alarming rate, and if he wasn’t reassured that Adrien was safe soon, he knew, he just knew that he was not going to be able to handle all of this, he would lose it for sure.

“I don’t know…”

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He really was sick of lying, and Plagg was glaring at him, prompting him to speak.

His whole body was burning, an agonising slow fire that spread through his every muscle and gathered in his chest. His hands were shaking so badly. Dark spots were dancing right in front of his eyes. He was exhausted. So utterly exhausted from all the pain he was feeling, from all the lying and the isolation the universe had forced upon him.

He wished Nino was there beside him. He wished Nino would wrap his arms around him and tell him everything would be alright, that he didn’t hate him, that he wasn’t alone. He wished he could tell him the whole truth, but his identity must remain a secret. He couldn’t risk losing him, nor Plagg! He would never survive that loss!

Adrien gasped as he tried to gather his voice.

“I don’t know…” His voice wobbled. His eyes drifted to Plagg, who nodded at him. The dark spots across his vision were coalescing and Adrien blinked rapidly in a futile attempt to make them vanish.

He raised his right hand to his face, biting the back of it to try to keep himself grounded. He felt the tears rapidly hitting his hand.

“Adrien…” He was being so pathetic; all he could get from Nino was pity. He could tell it by the soft sigh his best friend made after he called his name in a whisper.

God! He tried to be flawless, he really did! He hid all the broken pieces deep inside his heart, covered all the cracks in his persona, because he knew, HE KNEW this would happen! He knew that the second he showed a single flaw to his friends they would get sick of him, just like his family did.

And don’t get him wrong, he did it! He managed to fool them all… he was perfect!

He just never thought his friends would also see all the ugliness he never cared to hide as Chat Noir. That was his mistake… Of course, Ladybug would never fall for that loud and obnoxious persona. Of course, his best friend would take a single look at him and immediately conclude that he wasn’t worth being around.

And even though his world seemed to be crashing down at that very moment, his tired brain came up with a plan. He would get his confirmation. And after Nino told him what he already knew, Adrien would stop being selfish for once in his life. He would leave them alone. He would ask his father to take him out of school, and his classmates would never have to deal with him again.

The pit on his stomach was growing heavier and heavier. Just one more question. He only had to ask a single question and that was it.

“Nino…” Adrien rasped, “Are you alone right now?”

“Yes! I’m in my bedroom. You can” Adrien ended the call in a rush, not caring to hear the rest.

He stood up abruptly and his head swarmed, but he would not be deterred. Just one more question.

Adrenaline flowed all over his bloodstream.

“Kid, what are you doing?” Plagg rushed to his side, looking at him as if he has finally gone mad. And maybe he had, it would explain what he was about to do anyway.

“Plagg claws out!” He wasn’t even completely transformed when he started to run.

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He hung up.

Adrien was possibly seriously injured on a conspicuous rooftop somewhere in Paris, and he hung up on him.

That call might as well have been the last time Nino spoke to his best friend, and all he could do right now was stare dumbfounded at the black screen of his phone. And so, while his body was stuck, his feet rooted to his bedroom’s floor, his mind was increasingly catastrophising any thought he was having about Adrien’s current situation.

It was like the entire world stopped working for a minute.

And then, just as fast as it stopped working, it restarted, and his feet automatically moved towards the backpack that had been carelessly thrown at his bed in his rush to call Adrien in the first place.

He grabbed it while formulating an emergency plan to find Adrien and shove some sense into him. He was so out of his depth, maybe he should call the girls. Alya and Marinette are geniuses with emergencies. They would know what to do. Marinette always knows where Adrien is, it’s like the girl has a superpower. She would find him.

And Alya would prevent them both from freaking out because he was damn certain he was on the verge of a panic attack. And Marinette was no better. Especially when it concerned Adrien.

Yeah…

He would call them, and they would find him.

His chest was burning so badly, as if someone was pulling a thick rope around it, constricting him more and more each second.

Nino threw his backpack to his back and grabbed his phone as he started walking towards his bedroom door. But as soon as he unlocked his phone; he heard a soft tap at his window. He paused and looked at the source of the noise.

Nino’s eyes widened and he released a gasp as he saw Chat Noir perched on his window. His green feline eyes were staring at him urgently like they were telling him to let him in right away.

Nino moved in his direction, and as soon as he opened the window, Chat Noir practically threw himself inside, making him jump in surprise.

“Dude…” Nino could immediately tell something was seriously wrong with him. His whole posture was wrong. Chat Noir was supposed to be this confident, larger than life hero, but his vacant green eyes and the way his shoulders hunched while he turned his back at him made him look devoid of any of the characteristics Nino knew and adored.

Yes, Nino had been a jerk to him, and he has deeply regretted behaving the way he did ever since, but he never thought that day would cause such an impact on Chat Noir. It’s almost as if he was scared of Nino! He looked like he was trying to make himself appear as small as possible... so that Nino wouldn’t explode on him. Like he did last time they interacted….

His heart panged for the hero. And he looked down in shame.  His eyes drifted to the phone in his hand and all the panic that had been momentarily interrupted by Chat Noir’s impromptu visit came back with a vengeance.

He hated to have to leave Chat when he clearly wasn’t okay. But his best friend was lost on a rooftop somewhere. And he would always prioritise Adrien.

“Dude, I’m sorry, but”

Chat Noir suddenly turned and before Nino could react, he grabbed his shoulders harshly, and somehow, being careful not to hurt him. Chat Noir was shaking so badly, and now that Nino managed to look closer at him, he saw that he had been crying. The tears’ tracks were still fresh on his masked face.

“Nino, do you really think I’m annoying?” Chat blurted. A fatalistic vibe on the air lingered between them, like Nino’s answer would determine Chat’s entire fate.

“What?” He whispered in a daze.

Nino was so confused. When had he become such an important piece in Chat Noir’s life? And how did he even come up with that question?? When did Chat Noir so wrongfully conclude that Nino found him annoying?

“I’ve asked if you really think I’m a-annoying…” Chat’s voice cracked.

“I’ve heard the first time, but why are you asking me…” Wait a minute. He remembered this conversation. He was in the school’s basement. He had been enraged because he thought Chat Noir and Alya were secretly dating. He was so unfairly mad at Chat Noir, and he had gathered all that evidence he thought was so accurate. He had ranted about it in that basement to…

His eyes widened as he finally really looked at the disarrayed boy in front of him.

“Adrien…” He whispered. The other boy flinched.

“Nino, I need to know.” Adrien’s eyes were bright with unshed tears, his lower lip trembled as he bit into it.

Suddenly all his protective senses activated, and the urge to grab the boy in front of him in a crushing hug overwhelmed him. How had he not noticed it? It was so clear! Adrien’s puns that he only shared with Nino. Chat Noir’s timid posture when he thought no one was looking. Adrien’s detached smile when surrounded by strangers. Chat Noir’s confidence when he was the centre of attention. It was so obvious! And Nino never noticed.

“Adrien, I was so mad that day… I was so unfair to you…” He released a sob. “Ever since that awful, awful day that I’ve regretted ever saying those words, ever treating you the way I did!” He pulled his best friend into a crushing hug, sending them both to the floor, feeling Adrien freeze in position.

Gradually, he felt Adrien relax in his embrace. Nino had his eyes closed for he could not look into his best friend’s eyes at that moment. He had failed him so badly. He felt like trash. Adrien was hurting, and it was all because of him.

“I’m so sorry, dude.” He sobbed, “I don’t find you annoying, I never did! Not Adrien, and not Chat Noir! I’ve always adored you! I was so stupid!”

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Adrien didn’t know how to react. Nino was hugging him. Clinging to him like he was his only lifeline. No one has ever treated him like this, he had to reassure him that he wasn’t mad. That all he ever wanted was to feel validated for once in his life, for someone to care.

“So, you don’t hate me?” He muttered in shock.

Nino immediately released him from the hug, and Adrien felt a gelid cold falling upon him suddenly. That hug was like someone had finally given him a droplet of water after years of being stranded in the desert, however, it was far from being enough for him.

Nino looked him in the eyes, and Adrien found himself looking down immediately, afraid that he had said the wrong thing.

“Adrien, look at me.” It wasn’t that stern disappointed tone his father always used when Adrien failed to meet his expectations. Those three words had been said softly, granting a strange sense of safety he had rarely been exposed to. His eyes slowly drifted upwards.

“I could never hate you. It’s literally impossible for me to hate you, dude.” Nino squeezed his shoulders.

Adrien wanted to believe him. Rationally, he knew that Nino was being completely honest with him, but everyone was leaving him behind. His family, Chloé, Ladybug…

So, no matter how sure he was that Nino’s words were sincere, there was always this small nagging part of his brain that kept telling him not to trust anyone, that he was all alone in the world and that that’s how it should be.

Nino must have noticed his hesitation as he asked, “What’s wrong?”

He looked down. Now that the adrenaline in his system was dissipating, exhaustion took hold of him, and his brain finally processed what had just happened. He already said too much. He broke the one rule that had been imposed on him ever since day one. He broke a rule that could potentially take his miraculous away from him, and strangely enough, that didn’t send him straight into a panic attack as it used to whenever he thought about that possibility. In fact, all he felt was relief.

Like a weight that had been crushing him had finally been lifted, and he was finally able to breathe! Like he finally had something to grab onto while the violent waves that had been sweeping all over him passed. And with this realisation, Adrien didn’t stand a chance. The dam was open now, and no barrier in the world would prevent the flood of words that started leaving his mouth.

“Everyone is leaving, Nino!” he took a sharp intake of breath. “Everyone is leaving, and no one cares that I’m left behind, no one cares to look back! And I can’t say anything about it because I’ll just add to the massive stress Ladybug is under and I’m supposed to be helping her! But she’s replacing me, right in front of my eyes, and I know she’s not doing it on purpose but I can’t help but think that this is exactly what people have always done. So, I don’t even know why I’m crying about this, because I should really be used to it!”

His brain was producing so many thoughts by the second, overwhelming his entire system and now that he had started speaking, he realised that he still had so much to say. But his head was going too fast for his mouth to follow, and so he found himself completely unable to utter a single word.

He pulled his hair to keep himself grounded, shutting his eyes in the process so that he could block out the entire universe, and focus on his disorganised thoughts.

Adrien felt Nino’s hands resting on top of his own, squeezing them softly, which helped him relax the tense hold he had on his hair.

“Adrien, I know that this is really hard to believe, especially how I’ve been such a terrible friend to you lately, but I promise you that I will never leave you. I love you, dude! Every single day I think about how lucky I am that you’re my best friend… If anything happened to you, I don’t think I could ever move on!” Adrien was looking so intensely at him, his brown eyes so bright, as if he was making sure the meaning of his words entered Adrien’s brain and stayed there.

“Adrien, you can always count on me,” Nino spoke slowly.

And for the first time, Adrien felt like someone cared. For the first time in his life, he knew he finally had someone on his side, who would stick with him no matter how awful things would get.

A warm wave spread across his chest, as his heart swelled with joy. Tears started to fall down his face, but for the first time in a long time, they weren’t accompanied by desperation and helplessness.

“Dude, don’t cry or else I’m going to start crying too!” Nino hugged him tight, his face was already wet as both boys burst into tears in each other’s arms.

Everything was so far from being over. Adrien still couldn’t say that he was fine. Ladybug was still leaving him behind. But now he had someone to share all his burdens with. Adrien was simply enough to someone! He was wanted! And he couldn’t find anything more perfect than that.