#wondering if i should slap this on a03

[thedo0zyslider]

so this post by @/weaselishmcdiesel gave me some. ideas. happy grumbo tuesday

click below for gay people

It had started out as a simple meetup between friends, it really had. But the outcome of said meetup was defiantly more than a little friendly.

Grian had invited Mumbo over to his base, still eager to catch up with the mustached man after his return to Hermitcraft. The blonde had been buzzing with excitement since he woke up, unable to stay still for a second. He'd already had a reunion with the redstoner, and it was beautiful, but he hadn't seen his best friend in like, eight months! That was a long time, and Mumbo had yet to fill Grian in on his own adventures during those months. He'd heard plenty about what had transpired on Hermitcraft in his absence, it was time Mumbo recounted some of his own adventures.

Grian never really understood all of his friend's redstone talk, having listened to many over the years, but he'd grown to miss it. He missed Mumbo dropping by his base, ranting about whatever technical inconvinces that had fallen upon him that day while Grian listened, building as he listened to some of Mumbo's worse and most frustrated rants. It had served as bonding time for them, Mumbo learning to hand Grian whatever blocks he needed at the moment, since the taller was often ranting by his shulkers. Everything about those days had become familiar, a comforting routine that Grian had found himself longing for often in Mumbo's leave. Scar had stopped by for a few chats over the months, and he loved the brunette and his disney rants dearly, he really did, it just wasn't the same as Mumbo

He hoped, that by inviting Mumbo over, they could have one of those peaceful days again. Just with less angry ranting, and Mumbo preferably talking about the eight months away. The redstoner would probably have a few tales of how he'd been an absolute spoon, which Grian was very much looking forward too.

The two would have a different kind of meeting instead, one more passionate than peaceful. And it wasn't the angry kind of passion either.

Mumbo arrived around midday, and Grian was there to meet his friend almost immediately. Mumbo barely had time to put away his rockets before a small figure was running towards him. Grian practically ran into the other, with how fast he approached. Mumbo laughed, stumbling as he tried to keep his balance when Grian slammed into him. "HI MUMBO!" The blonde yelled, wrapping his arms around the taller's middle.

Mumbo returned his hug, arms coming to wrap around Grian's own torso. "You still miss me?" He asked through giggles, beginning to wriggle out of the embrace. Grian pouted slightly at that, but it was quickly replaced with a smile upon seeing Mumbo's face properly. His black hair was windswept from his short flight over, suit a little wrinkled and the corners if his eyes were crinkled up in joy. He looked quite nice like that, Grian had to admit. The sudden butterflies in his stomach could be thought about later, now was Mumbo time.

"Yes!" Grian squeaked, barely remembering that Mumbo had asked him something. "You were gone for eight months Mumbo, eight months! That's so long!" He turned his back to the redstoner, beginning to walk through the opening to his base. The taller followed him into his base with a few more giggles, the sound of Mumbo's laughter acting like music to the blonde's ears.

"Besides, you still haven't told me what you were up too during all those months!" Grian smirked, turning his head to look back at Mumbo. "We've told all about Hermitcraft!"

Mumbo blinked, before letting out a fond sigh. "Well, I guess that's fair." He said, seemingly preparing himself to tell quite a tale. "So..."

That was how the two spent god knows how long, just talking about whatever came to Mumbo's mind. They shifted all through Grian's base as they conversed, finally settling in a room the blonde didn't really remember building. Time became a blur, the duo enjoying some much needed time together as they sat and talked.

Grian wasn't sure how the next thing happened in hindsight. All he remembered was that he was teasing Mumbo about something he'd said, getting in the taller's personal space like he normally did. This time he'd apparently gotten too closer, now practically in Mumbo's lap where he sat.

Mumbo stared back at him somewhat awkwardly, blinking. Grian on the other hand was mortified, quickly scrambling away. He hadn't mean to make Mumbo uncomfortable and ruin the day completely.

A hand on his wrist stopped him, pulling him back. Grian looked back at Mumbo, slight confusion spreading on his face. The redstoner was looking at him, almost pleading for him to stay. Grian blinked in confusion, Mumbo moving closer. The position they'd ended up in was quite awkward, both of them shuffling into a more comfortable pose ad Mumbo wrapped him into another hug.

"Sorry about that.." Grian muttered, head gently resting on Mumbo shoulder.

"No, you didn't do anything wrong." His friend's voice was barely above a whisper, tone soft and comforting. "It's fine, really." He muttered, pulling back. Grian felt a wave of relief flood through him, watching as Mumbo sat back again.

They'd ended up in a arguably worse position than before. Grian was propping himself up off the floor, and Mumbo was now straddling him. The latter hadn't backed up much either and both their faces were very close. Grian's breath hitched slightly, watching as Mumbo's gaze wandered to his lips momentarily. His own gaze did something similar before meeting Mumbo's eyes again. Mumbo was looking at him almost needily, leaning in closer so their noses touched and breaths mingled together. Grian didn't mind at all when Mumbo leaned in even more, lips pressing against his.

He happily let Mumbo kiss him into the floor, the others tongue slipping into his mouth hungrily. He tugged at Mumbo's tie, loosening it, hands fumbling for purchase against Mumbo's suit. Grian's arms eventually came to wrap around the others neck, pulling them even closer. He whined when Mumbo pulled away, listening to Mumbo's amused huff as he tried to recapture the other's lips.

Lips were pressed against his neck instead, and Grian shivered at the sensation. He let out pleased sounds as Mumbo pressed kisses against his throat, trailing down to his shoulders as well, red jumper being moved off the side of his shoulder. Mumbo's suit jacket had ended up on the floor in the chaos of the moment, and he was now in an unbuttoned undershirt. A louder, more embarrassing noise escaped the Grian's lips when the taller bit down particularly hard, a bruise already beginning to blossom against his skin. He felt Mumbo smirk into his neck, counting to press even more kisses to Grian's skin.

The two were soon interrupted by footsteps sounding in the base, and a familiar voice ringing through the air. It was then Grian remembered he had invited Scar over as well, and the brunette was later as per usual. This was possibly the worst meeting to come late too after all.

"Grian? Mumbo? Where--oh my!"

Mumbo pulled away abruptly, face turning several shades of red when he saw Scar standing at the door way. He moved so he was no longer pinning Grian, now sitting on the smaller legs instead. It didn't help the situation they were in the the slightest, but it did give Grian some breathing room.

The blonde himself was flustered yes, but he could feel the smug look spreading across his face. Scar himself was also red, gaze glancing between the two of them in surprise.

"It's...not what it looks like?" Mumbo said awkwardly, even though it was absolutely what it looked like.

"I'll just erm, leave you guys too it!" Scar said, quickly shuffling out of the rom. Mumbo spluttered something above him, while Grian just laughed

"You could always join us, Scar!" He yelled after the man, giggling more when the sounds of rockets could be heard a moment afterwards.

"Grian!" Mumbo exclaimed, burying his head into the smaller shoulder with embrassment. Grian himself just kept giggling, content to lay there for a while. They could sort this out later, when he stopped wanting Mumbo's lips against his skin.

[chosotallgf]

DOUBLE IDENTITY #2 - TOJI FUSHIGURO

🔙 previous chapter Next chapter🔜

SYNOPSIS y/n is a third year college student who is about to intern for the top business company in Japan in a week, what happens when she unknowingly cross paths with her future boss not knowing he's hiding a secret.

WARNINGS mafiaboss toji x fém!reader, geto x fém! reader, alcohol, moderate au, sexual activity, criminal activity & behavior, naoya is his own warning, angst & fluff (not really lol) not proof read

p.s my work is only on A03 & tumblr!

Fast forward arriving at the club, shoko usually gets us in faster by talking to the bouncer. So happen she found out he was the guy she fake flirts with at the gym she ‘occasionally’ goes to. She said he landed a job here not so long ago, that he needed the extra money and was helping out a friend. Finally stepping into the club it was pack as hell no wonder utahime wanted to get here as soon as possible.

This is one of the main popular clubs in the city, surprisingly it’s not just made up of college students in the area but locals come here as often too. As i squeeze through the crowd trying to keep up with my girls I can feel the loud bass of the club music in my chest. turning around shoko grabs my hand “come on I hear the the DJ is playing lots American of music tonight” she said while smiling. I haven’t listen too much to American music in my life time but if I had to pick it would be ‘Les’ by childish Gambino to be played at least once.

Reaching the other side of the club where the bar is utahime puts in a few orders of drinks than shoko, we usually always order something stronger each time we come here. not paying attention to what she was saying I happen to look down at the bartender hands, oddly his knuckles were bruise and you could tell they had been bloody by how dark they were from his pale skin but I guess that’s what happen when you work at a popular club with crazy drunks who don’t care. snapping out of my glaze when he clears his throat and utter “and what would you like ma’am?”

Now Looking up at his face trying to get out of my head “um can I have 3 margaritas and 1 rum coke pls?” I rely but soon enough utahime & shoko look at my funny they both know I have a low tolerance when it comes to drinking but I still do it anyways.

“What?” I question them “aren’t we suppose to have fun tonight like we planned, so I say fuck it” utahime smiles wides “you sure? You know you can just start off-“ but she gets cut off by the bartender guy “if she wants to have that much to drink let her life short” I nodded in agreement with him “see? nothing wrong that’s tomorrow me problem” “fine but don’t call us when you feel miserable from a hangover” utahime mumbles. “You should go find us a free section, we will bring the drinks out and find you” shoko slaps my shoulder from behind.

Off and further from where I left, I can’t find a free section maybe ‘maybe I should try the other side this club is huge tho’. Not looking forward I bump straight in to the chest of a man? I tumble backward but luckily before I could fall he catches my back. Now we are super close chest to chest i get a clear vision of his face despite the all black hoodie he’s wearing. dark dead eyes with a noticeable cut on one side of his lip. He’s staring back into my eyes This feeling of closeness is getting intimidating I wonder if he realizes his hands are clutching more firm on my lower back. I start to panic

“Omg I’m so sorry” I can feel heat in my face now. I can tell he was lost in thought too because as soon as I said that he quickly turned his face and pulls his hoodie down over his eyes and let’s go making me find my balance again. “Pay attention next time” he speaks in an aggressive but low tone. “I know I know I was just looking for a sect-“ he cuts and moves me out his way saying “tch, whatever” he mumbles as he walks to the private section area. how fucking rude I think.

Im surprise the club didn’t kick him out for being suspicious with a hoodie on in here, they honestly should after that. next think I know shoko is now in front of me yelling over the loud music clearly trispy “y/n stop standing around and come over here we found a spot” shoko starts pulling me along with her.

I get to our own section i assume but see two guys, both of them I recognize as utahime and shoko childhood friends. “since you couldn’t do a simple task I had to ask this dickhead here to let us sit” “you should be lucky, I wasn’t even planning on being here tonight, my usual dealer been Mia and I need stuff for next Thursday party” he wines.

“Anyways let’s get to drinking we’re wasting time” I grab and drowned the 2 cups of margaritas “well someone is in a hurry” I hear the other guy next to gojo say “I’m suguru geto” he reaches his hand out to me to shake. I do the same “I’m y/n and yeah I just wanna let loose tonight” his hands are so soft and firm I wonder if his long hair feels the same. “No judgement here me and satoru are about to do the same” “sooo shall we finally get started or what?” shoko utter as smoke leaves her mouth.

author note ~ if you are seeing this when it’s first posted I will post chapter 3 later on during the day it’s 5am rn for me and I can’t sleep lol. if you wanna be tagged in that just lmk :) 9/8/24

likes and reblog are appreciated

[spookyshipperfics]

Stay

Find it: a03 / Fandom: The X-Files / Rating: X

Tagging: @today-in-fic

Part of the Do You Like Scary Movies? series

What is it About? After an encounter with a terrifying ghost, Scully seeks comfort in Mulder’s bed. The issue: They both don’t want to stop, so they start sleeping together… literally. But what starts as just cuddling gets complicated as their feelings become harder to hide.

Read it: Chapter 1 (Work Complete)

Floorboards creaked beneath Mulder’s feet. The wood threatened to crumble. It felt like the abandoned house could collapse any minute. Funny enough, it was the least of their problems.  

There was something in the shadows.

A woman with white, sickly skin lurked in the darkness, slithering away before their flashlights could touch her.

“Did you see that?” Scully whispered from behind him.

Somehow, hearing the fear in her voice was more terrifying than the entity stalking them. Shame settled into his stomach. With their murder investigation wrapped, he’d lured her into the rickety Victorian house on the outskirts of Los Angeles under the pretense of a “quick look around.” Mulder had heard the stories, and she’d heard them, too, but only because he’d spent the day yammering about the spirit of a woman who preferred the shadows instead of light.  

They still had one more day of paperwork. One more night in a motel that didn’t deserve two stars, never mind three. They should be there now, watching late-night TV with a frustrating wall between them. Instead, they were here, eyes and flashlight beams jumping from shadow to shadow.

His heart slammed with excitement and fear. The prospect of uncovering something supernatural tantalized him enough to push forward. The only reason he stopped was the slap of Scully’s hand on his forearm.

“Listen,” she whispered.

Footsteps clicked and creaked in distant rooms. Laughter floated down the hallway. Teenagers had claimed the old Victorian as their next party destination. Just like that, the dread evaporated, and so did he and Scully. They exited before the kids could make them feel any stupider than they already did.

Mulder wondered if Scully had seen what he had. If the ghostly figure had sent a chill down her spine, too. A glance at her fidgety hands made him suspect it had. Yet, stubbornness plunged them into silence. The soft hum of the car radio did the only talking. Neither one wanted to argue, and that’s what it would become.

He’d thought they’d disappear into separate motel rooms without another word, but Scully paused at the doorway to say, “Don’t take me back to that house, Mulder.”

The muted TV cast shadows across his room. The darkness made him uneasy, but guilt kept him awake. Scully’s statement haunted him more fiercely than any ghost could. Once again, he’d chased monsters at the expense of her safety, her time, and her actual desires. After six years, you’d think he wouldn’t keep making the same mistake.  

Ghosts might not be real, but his feelings for his partner were. He loved Scully. Yet, he kept dragging her into the darkness. Maybe part of him feared what their life would look like if he didn’t. Perhaps if she wasn’t constantly staring evil in the face, she’d finally have the time to question why she keeps wasting her life on him.  

A knock at the adjoining door yanked him from his spiral. The door squeaked open, and Scully appeared. “Can I stay with you tonight?”

Her voice was so unlike how he’d ever heard it—soft, timid, uncertain. He wondered how long it took her to work up the courage to knock. Scully didn’t often show vulnerability these days, but he did. He dripped with it. Stank of it. And the very worst part of him wanted to suck vulnerability from her, too.  

“Of course,” he responded, eyeing the tattered armchair in the corner. “Take the bed.”

“It’s okay,” she insisted, the mattress springs groaning with her arrival. “I want you to stay.”  

Watching Scully crawl across his bed previously only existed in his tightly kept fantasies. His hopeful cock prayed she’d climb his body next. The glow of the TV didn’t reveal enough. He craved to see more of her face. To know if her cheeks burned with a blush. To decipher if she’d jumped into his bed only because she feared the dark and what lurked within it.

She slipped beneath the sheets much closer than he’d expected. “Is this okay?” she asked.

“Mm-hmm.” His nose was already lost in her sweet-smelling hair. Slowly, his arm moved around her waist. “Is this?” 

“Yes,” she whispered, and that’s how it began.

Scully stayed in his motel room the next night. Then, the night after that. Even when they returned to Washington, it continued. Movie nights on his couch lingered long after twilight. Takeout after work extended into the evening. They’d stare at each other between case talk, files spread across the coffee table, wondering who would get the courage to say it first.

It’s getting pretty late.

It was usually him to respond, “Maybe you should stay.” With cheeks tinted ballet slipper pink, she murmured excuses about taking the couch. They both knew it was a lie. That later, she’d slip beneath his sheets in silence before tugging his arm across her middle like it belonged there.   

Curves normally locked beneath power suits tempted him like sirens. He suspected her skin was as soft as her silk pajamas, but he only dared to touch her waist. Anything more was Scully’s choice. Really, it always had been.

He’d expected more stubborn silence, but the darkness made it easier to trade secret truths. Words, both pretty and dangerous, slipped between their lips.

“I like this,” she’d utter, and he’d tug her closer, whispering how beautiful she was as she fell asleep in his arms.

They were playing roles, pretending what it would be like to be something more. Something beyond Agents Scully and Mulder. And for one moment, he thought they succeeded when Scully titled her head, allowing the fairy-soft kisses reserved for her temple to continue down her jaw and onto her neck.

But it evaporated in the morning. Rolling over revealed nothing but lingering warmth. His bed. Her bed. It didn’t matter. With the darkness gone, so was Scully. He knew he’d find her at the office with a professional smile plastered on her face—and he did.

“Good morning, Agent Mulder.”

“Good morning,” he replied, knowing he’d smell his soap on her if he got close enough. That the markings of his lingering kisses hide just beneath her turtleneck. It both frustrated and excited him, so he reached for a pencil instead of her. What was another secret in a pile of many?

“We have to follow up with the detectives back in Los Angeles,” she said, extending a pair of plane tickets. “We fly out this afternoon.”

Read the rest on a03!

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[fertilize-my-eggs]

King of decay ch.3

Kidnapped a new bride

A03 ch.1 ch.2 ch.4

A/N: trigger warning this chapter get violent, shigaraki is misogyny violent individual so you have been warned!! Reader get sexually assaulted by him.

“ YOU KILL MY FAMILY!! YOU PIECE OF SHIT!!!! "You're sobbing on my back as I enter the kingdom, I smirk as I tilt my head at you.

“ Well maybe if you were single and pure this wouldn't happen. ” you blink a few times as you slam your fist on my back in rage.

“ FUCK YOU!! GO TO HELL! ” I hear you screaming loudly calling me all these names as I shrugged it off.

You're so adorable when you're aggressive, it turns me on… I smirk as I slap your ass hard.

“ if you keep this up, I'll send you to my doctor to get you fixed… would you like your ill mind to go under surgery?  ” you gasp as you stare at me in anger.

“ What the hell is that supposed to mean? Let's go!!! I'll have the king send you to the dungeon!! ” I chuckle at you as I smirk wide as I look directly at you.

“ … I am the king. What do you think you're here at my kingdom? ” I tilt my head at you as you suddenly pause as the realization hits you like a ton of bricks.

“ your…. You're…. ” you begin sobbing heavily as you cover your face with your hands.

“ you're worse than the original…” I rolled my eyes at your statement as it was close to morning, it's probably like one am.

“ sweetheart.. at least I didn't starve you and the village like he did.. ”

“ Still, that doesn't matter!!! You murdered my family for no reason. ”

“ no there is a reason baby~ ” you tilt your head as we're getting closer to my master bedroom.

“ What do you mean?!?? ”

“ well see my hands on your cute body? ” You thought about it as you looked at me.

“ yeah and? ”

“ I'm cursed with decay so it doesn't affect you when my hands touch your skin.. meaning you're the only one but everything can easily decay just by me touching them with these hands.”

“ you're immune to my curse and the reason is to make you my bride and to bring heir into this kingdom.” I smirk at you sinisterly. 

“ You'll be my queen… a special diamond for me to keep, I'll treat you well. ” you roll your eyes as you lean your head downward in pain.

“ you…. Kill my son Leon and my daughter… Felicity.. you monster. ” 

“ You should be grateful that you can survive this curse that I deal with. ”

“ be grateful?? I didn't know you existed until you bump into me.. just… ” you cry out.

“ Please just murder me so I can rest without this misery. ” I huff out air as I grab the door knob as I hear soft humming as I sighed in annoyance.

I look forward to seeing the maiden leader toga himiko as she skips freely towards me.

What the hell is she doing at this hour?

She bowed her head as I heard you plead for her help.

“ good night your Majesty~ what ya doing? ” I tilt my head as I hold you tight so you won't escape. 

“ nothing… just found myself a bride~. ” toga gasp as she clapped her hands together.

“ ohh how romantic your majesty!! Are you two going to make sweet love? ” her sinister  smile wide as her eyes narrowed in pure evil and joy.

I smirk at her as I tap your thighs.” not yet, I'm planning on marrying her and we'll do it on our honeymoon... Well I have this planned for a new child to rule this kingdom.“

Himiko gasps loudly as she puts her hands on her cheeks.

“ that wonderful your highness-..”

“ you two… are insane.”

“.... ignore her maiden, she's just a bit tired and needs rest… right my beautiful wife? ” I give you a sinister stare as you close your lips tight.

“ As I was saying.. for this honeymoon, she’ll be locked in my room for days until she's pregnant with my first child. ” tilt my head as I think, putting my thumb on my lip.

“ planned on having five or more children with her. ” your eyes widen by this as you softly cry, you grip my red cloak. 

“ aww such a big family your highness!! How sweet and romantic~!!! ” She cooed sweetly as she said.

“ I bet the children will come out as beautiful as you fair bride!! ” toga sweetly coo at you as you had a disgusting look towards her.

“ Be gone maiden, I have to rest well.. let's the others know there will be a wedding tomorrow afternoon. "She's bowing her head as she has a smile on her face.

“ as you wish your Majesty~!! ” I smile as I open the door heading inside as toga skip off to tell the kingdom about the wedding tomorrow.

I lock my door as you slap my back weakly. 

“ you're a monster… I won't give you anything!! ” I smirk at you as I put you down.

“ we’ll see about that, my love~. ” I yawn out as I grab you by the hair as you're screaming in pain.

“ WHERE ARE YOU TAKING ME LET ME GO, IT'S HURTS!!! ” I look down at you with a smirk.

“ you're flirty, I can't have you sleeping on my sheet with these old rags.”

“ stop stop stop!! Let me go, let me go immediately, it hurts.” I rolled my eyes as I dragged you into the restroom.

It's was massive as I ripped your clothes off, the decaying helped a lot easier as I saw your naked body.

I bite my lips as it's the first time I'm seeing a woman being nude in front of my eyes as I lick my lips.

I removed my clothes immediately as you scream.” no no no! I'm not letting you take advantage of me. ”

I chuckle as I grip your wrists tight as I lean in.” relax woman, we're taking a bath. I won't do anything… yet until our honeymoon begins. ” I kiss your neck as I pull you close.

“ This is what husband and wife do together, right? Spend time together and have rough intercourse like animals of the night? ”

You grind your teeth together as you growl.” you're not my husband… ”

“ not yet until tomorrow. Let's enjoy our first time taking a bath and you sleep naked with me.. ” I widened my smile.

“ I'll let you wear anything you want but in my bed, you'll sleep naked. ” 

“ as if!!! I would rather be dead than be near you!! ” I chuckle as I drag you into the bath where I focus you to clean. 

You whine as you begin to scratch my skin as I get into the tub, pulling you onto my lap.

I put on shampoo as I began to scrub your hair and body parts. You didn't like how my hands touch inappropriately as you slap my hands away when it was getting close to your crotch area.

I pull your waist closer to my chest as I coo at you.

“ I'll destroy your mindset and you'll become my loyal obedient wife to play with. ” you gulp as you stay still and I gently rub soap on your skin.

I press a kiss on your neck as I grip your hips tight, moving it back and forth on top of my cock, I smile softly with low hooded eyes as I bite my lips.

Soon… soon I'll impregnate you but not yet.

I groan loudly feeling your bare butt touch my hard thick cock.

“ not yet.. I promise~. ” I coo at you as I hold  you still from leaving, I lean on your shoulders as I begin to rub your breast.

I pinched and pulled your nipples as you gasp out.

“ please… stop.. I don't want-.. ” I pull you into a heat kiss as I wish to take my virginity away by sticking it inside your sweet warm wall but not right now.

I groan away as I begin to clean myself as you squirm on my lap.

Once I think we're finished as I pull you up and begin to dry you off, you would slap my hand when I touch your bare ass.

“ You will let me touch whatever I want!! You're my bride and I own your body as the king!! ” I raise my voice as you flinch by my reaction as I growl at you.

You're scared by this reaction and you realize there is no way to escape from me.

Once we're dry off our bodies, I grab your wrist to drag you into the bedroom as I throw you into the bedsheets.

I pounce on top of you as I begin to wrap my arms around your body as I hear you begging and pleading quietly. 

Tomorrow will be an amazing day as I whisper sweet nothing into your ear as I cuddle your body close.

[minumi-chan]

Wish We Had Just A Little More Time... Series Masterpost

I figured it was time to create a masterpost as I continue to work on this series of stories. Guys, gals, non-binary pals~ welcome to my Fix-It series: Wish We Had Just A Little More Time...

A/N: The series is still currently in progress. Each of the fics intersect at certain points, and it's best read in the order listed as they build on each other, but they do still make sense as stand alone stories as well.

A Twin Thing ~ (Leo and Donnie focused) ~A03 link Summary: Calling them twins has always been Leo’s thing, and Don has always discredited the claim with science. No matter how many facts about their very distinctive species of turtle were spit at him though, Leonardo’s irrefutable truth since childhood was that Donatello is his twin.

Or: Four times Donatello rejects Leo's notion of them being twins, and the once (and future) time he embraces it.

Status: Complete

::CH1::CH2::CH3::CH4::CH5::CH6::CH7::

Words You Didn't Say~ (Raph and Donnie focused) ~A03 link Summary: Dad has to explain to him, when Raphael was much younger and upset himself believing that Donatello hated him, that sometimes children do not feel comfortable speaking, and so they do not. Dad tells him he should listen to Donnie with his heart, and that if he did, he would understand that Donatello does not hate him at all. Raphael takes that advice to heart, and makes an effort to understand all the alternate ways his little brother speaks to his family without words ever since.

Status: WIP

::CH1::CH2::CH3::TBC~

Everything Is Figure-outable~ (Mikey and Donnie focused) ~A03 link Summary: Mikey doesn't hug like he is taking something. He hugs like he's giving you something, small and warm and precious, and it makes his affection so much more tolerable even when Donnie is feeling at his most skittish.

Status: WIP

::CH1::TBC~

Random babblings under cut~

This series was born of a desire to process the intense emotions I was left with after marathoning the ROTTMNT series in order to watch the Rise movie with everything fresh in mind. Only to put on the film and be absolutely floored and destroyed emotionally by everything thrown at our sweet turtle boys, and especially slapped by the horrific Bad Future timeline.

I wanted to write some moments of the boys growing up and how their bonds we see in the series and film came to be, and how in that terrible future some came to an end-- but to also juxtapose that with the wonderful message of hope from the movie and family from the series and how they grabbed onto a happy ending in the face of impossible odds and refused to let it go. When I started writing it, I wasn't yet sure what the aim of A Twin Thing was, but then I realized by the mid point what I wanted in my heart to do, and that it would take several more stories to get there. So I've been writing furiously ever since, because I realized I wanted somehow to create a world where they didn't just bifurcate the timeline... They fixed it.

[littleperilstories]

The Prince of Thieves: Cross My Heart, Hope Not to Die

Mood Boards | Chapter Titles | Also on A03!

Warnings: Fantasy-esque prison setting, restraints (shackles), mention of infection/infected wound, mention of death, lady whump (w/ male whumper), physical violence, betrayal

This chapter is kind of a fun milestone (for me)! When I realized how in love I was in with Will, Bree, & Jamie's story back in October (Whumptober 2022), I became so obsessed that I ended up writing all the way to the end despite (a) knowing there was no way I could post it all for Whumptober and (b) still having more Whumptober prompts to fill for Fen & Freddie and The Curiosity Collector. This is the first part that got written to actually expand the story, not just to fill a prompt! Look how far we've come!

Previous | Masterlist | Next

Word count: 2213 || Approx reading time: 9 mins

Cross My Heart, Hope Not to Die

Teaser: His eyes narrow. “I understand what a deal is, you irritating wench. Now tell me what the fuck you want.” I open my  mouth, about to do so, when he adds, “Just remember this, Miss Cooper: I owe you nothing. Do you really think I care what happens to you? If you rot in here or if you hang?”

Bree

I fiddle with the new shackles Hatchett slapped onto my wrists after he unlocked the one chaining me to the wall. I can’t help but wonder what, exactly, he thinks I will do if my hands are free. Despite their batons and metal-studded shoes, the constables seem to be the ones who are fearful all the time.

Not me. I’m not afraid. I’m confident. Positively brimming with confidence—and with secrets. That is the air I try to exude as he pulls me into his office and closes the door.

“Sit.”

He points to the chair in front of me, and I shuffle my way over, doing my best to make the movement look dignified.

Hatchett looks me up and down, the beginnings of a sneer clawing through his mask of solemnity. “Well? What do you want?”

Off to a good start, then. “A deal.”

“I mean,” he says tartly, “what are the conditions of this deal you so desire?” He leans back in his chair. “Because I’m rather doubtful you have anything of value to give me.”

That’s what you think. If I could cross my arms, I would. I settle for a hard stare. Baden Hatchett thinks he knows everything about me. He doesn’t.

He pulls a face, unintimidated. “Cut the bullshit. Start talking, or I’m throwing you back. I don’t have the time or patience for this.”

“I’m not giving up my information for free.” I have no idea, none whatsoever, if this will work. But I have to try. I have to, because if I don’t… “I’m trading it.”

His eyes narrow. “I understand what a deal is, you irritating wench. Now tell me what the fuck you want.” I open my  mouth, about to do so, when he adds, “Just remember this, Miss Cooper: I owe you nothing. Do you really think I care what happens to you? If you rot in here or if you hang?”

Of course I’m under no illusions that he gives a damn about my fate. Why should he care?

“That man back there,” I say, hating that my words come out in a near-whisper, “he’s dying.”

He chuckles. “Ah. You’re a medical expert now, are you?”

“No,” I snap. “Anyone with any brains can see it. He’s half-delirious. Your fu… Your medic let his wounds—he—he let them get infected.”

Narrowing his eyes, he asks, “Are you suggesting our expertly trained medic is having trouble performing the duties of his job?”

Regret will surely follow my next words. “That’s exactly what I’m suggesting.”

“You dare to make accusations against Mr. Gysborne?” I fucking hate the way he’s looking at me as I talk. Still smirking. Like this is funny. Like he knows something I don’t.

“You can’t even control your own staff,” I say. It’s the first remark that comes into my head, no doubt another stupid thing to say that will piss him off. But as he’s sneering at me like that, suddenly pissing him off is the only thing I want to do. “You need to make him do what you’re paying him to do.”

His face darkens, the muscles in his face and neck tugging into rigidity. Ha. I have, indeed, struck a nerve. “Watch your step, Miss Cooper. Perhaps you ought to choose your words a little more carefully.”

Before I speak again, I take a breath. Savour the victory for a few measly moments. “You can’t let him die.”

Cruel laughter curls across his face. “That is precisely what my role is, Miss Cooper. Or were you somehow unaware of the boy’s sentence?”

My skin prickles. “So you’re all right with just…giving up? Letting him die of fever in there? I thought your role was, precisely, to get him to talk.” I swallow the sickly feeling that’s crawling up my throat. “I really thought you’d care more about the glory of being the one to get him to crack.”

Still he is unmoved. Still he seems amused. “So you’re in here today to plead…what? That I should let him live so you can watch him…hang? You want to make sure you’re in the front row? Or perhaps you’d like to be up there next to him?

The very thought makes me ill.

“That is not what I fucking mean.” I ball my hands into fists, bunching the torn and filthy material of the prison uniform. “He’s suffering.”

Hatchett smiles. “Good.”

“It isn’t,” I say through gritted teeth. “Have a heart, Baden, pl—”

The slap is so fast, so unexpected, it doesn’t even hurt—at first. I gasp and clap one hand to my cheek as it begins to sting, the other hand floating awkwardly before me in its manacle. “What the fu—”

“You,” he snarls, every trace of amusement gone, “do not get to call me by my name. We’re not friends. I’m not on your side. You gave up your right to my given name the night you—”

His words die.

Of course. That’s what this is about.

“I’m sorry,” I breathe, not because I mean it—because I’m not fucking sorry I crept away in the middle of the night without even leaving a note—but because I don’t know what else to say that will make him do what I want.

“Don’t lie to me.” Baden Hatchett takes a breath, straightenes his back, narrows his glare. “You said you had information. I will have it.”

All right. This isn’t going how I planned, but…at least I’m getting somewhere. “I told you. A trade. Make Mr. Gysborne do his job properly. And I will tell you all I know.”

“It can’t be worth much,” he says, rolling his eyes. His violent rage has dissipated as quickly as it erupted. There and gone again in the blink of an eye. “You wish him not to suffer, but you’ll betray him and his friends? Either you’re about to feed me lies or the information is so worthless, you’re willing to share. Either way, this is a bluff. Get out.”

He stands up, he reaches for me, he’s about to drag me back, he’s not going to listen.

His fingers curl around my arm. “You don’t know anything. You were just one of their little runners, a lowly thief and nothing more. You weren’t—you aren’t—worth anything to them, either.”

The final word stings more than any strike across the face ever could.

Hatchett’s eyes are cold. He stands tall, back ramrod-straight, not a fold of his blue uniform out of place. His buttons gleam, his hair cropped so neatly. The perfect picture of a constable.

No. He’s a fucking bastard, and we both know it. Respectable, a shining gold example to us all—on the outside. Inside, a rotting corpse, teeming with worms and maggots.

His throat bobs in the moment of silence as he waits for my next argument.

“After running for them for years,” I say, “I know more than you think.”

He scoffs,“I don’t have time for this,” and jerks me toward the door.

“Wait!” The cry spills out of me, panicked now, desperate. “Please. Just…just listen. Hear me out.”

Pathetic. He doesn’t have to say it. I know exactly what I am.

“I know something no other runner knows.” Does it matter if this is true? There are no other runners around to challenge my word. “About the inner circle.”

An eyebrow drifts upwards, skeptical. “Really.”

Nodding, I try to extricate myself from his iron grip, and to my surprise, his fingers uncurl from my arm.

“I know a secret about the leader. The real one.” I’m whispering now. “And I can tell you about how they work. Recruit runners. Pass messages.”

If we are doomed anyway, what is the point of holding my tongue? Fox’s brother is clever enough to have evaded capture and kept IA going for all these years. Surely he has the wits and foresight to be long gone by now. My brother’s going to kill me, he said that night. Who knows what their relationship was like? Perhaps he skipped town the moment he realized Fox had been arrested.

Hatchett says nothing, but he is listening.

“I will tell you,” I say, tears on my cheeks now. How insincere, even fraudulent, they must seem. Why should I cry? What does any of this matter—should it matter, to me? “If you just give him the help he needs. I’ll—I’ll even do it. If Gysborne is too—too—I don’t know, fucking busy, or whatever the reason is he’s been so neglectful, I’ll do it. If you’ll just let me. Give me medicine, clean water, anything.”

This is coming dangerously close to begging.

His face is impassive save for a faint glitter in his grey eyes. “And why are you going to such lengths for this boy who must die anyway, Miss Cooper?”

“He’s in pain,” I say. “It’s not fair.” It’s not right.

A childish sentiment. Pointless words. Hatchett smiles.

“How do you know him? I confess, I am curious.”

“IA. Obviously.” I can’t pull back the second word in time. Hatchett bristles but keeps his temper in check.

“Seems like more than just two thieves passing in the night.” He drums his fingers against the wall, and the sound burrows into my skull. “You’re practically throwing yourself at my feet to save his life, are you not?” There’s disgust in his words, and he’s right to feel it. “That is surely warranted by more than just the incidental acquaintance of two criminals.”

Baden Hatchett has no right to the story I wrote after I ran away, and certainly no claim to the story of that night.

But he is waiting, and watching, and waiting, and he holds Fox’s fate in his hands—and mine.

“He saved my life,” I say, shuddering slightly as the words come out. I do not want him to know anything about the night Fox saved me.

Hatchett’s head tips to one side. “Did he, now.”

Another shiver runs through me. Why do I feel like I have made a terrible mistake?

He moves on as if what I just said means nothing. “Spill your secrets, then.” Dragging me back to the chair, he shoves me hard enough that I practically fall into the seat. “Now.”

“I want your word,” I whisper. “Let me help him.”

“My prison, my rules, Miss Cooper. Speak first.”

More tears slide down my face now, hot and humiliating. What am I supposed to do?

“Fox isn’t the true leader of Iustitia aecum,” I say. Immediately, Hatchett rolls his eyes.

“That,” he says icily, “is abundantly clear. Try harder.”

Just fucking shut up and listen, then. I don’t say the thought aloud. “He answers to someone else. His family. His brother.”

He blinks.

“If you get the name of one,” I say, “you can get the name of the other.”

You’re even more of a faithless minx than I thought. How I hate that Baden turned out to be right.

“You didn’t know that, did you?”

He doesn’t rise to my jibe. “And what, pray tell, is the boy’s name?”

“I don’t know.” Even if I did, I wouldn’t tell you—a true invasion, a low to which I will not stoop. Avoiding his glare, I stare down at the scratched, weathered wood of his desk. It has been here for a long time, from the look of it. No doubt it will outlive me.

Hatchett is smiling grimly when I look up again. “You can find out, though.”

It sinks in over the course of several seconds what he’s suggesting. “No.”

“I still haven’t decided what to do with you,” he says. His voice has changed. He is coaxing me. Drizzling honey over every word. “Perhaps I could still be swayed not to send you to the gallows. If you proved still…useful.”

“No,” I repeat. That was not part of the plan. Or the deal.

His head tilts to the side. “Think on it, Miss Cooper. Perhaps you will change your mind.”

I want to run, to get away from him, to get away from the damage I’ve already done.

Becoming Hatchett’s obedient little spy is not going to make that happen.

“You owe me more,” he reminds me. “You want to play nursemaid? IA’s methods, then. Now.”

That is what I promised. But I still hesitate.

“Hurry up, Miss Cooper.” Hatchett sits again and folds his arms. “Or else I might lose patience and throw you back in your cell, alone, so you can watch the boy languish in his fever some more. I’ll have Gysborne keep him alive, but only just. And perhaps in his delirium, he’ll give us the information we need anyway.”

A gamble, and a big one at that. Now he’s the one who’s bluffing. “You won’t risk losing your informant.”

“Try me.” His fingers draw circles in the wooden desktop, impatient and lazy at once. “So you’d best speak up. If he dies of infection anyway while you’re waffling in here, we both lose, don’t we? And if that happens…” He smiles, grim as death and slick as hot oil. “Then your grand betrayal will have been worth absolutely nothing.”

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Tagging: @starlit-hopes-and-dreams, @gala1981, @kixngiggles .

[Banner ID: A narrow horizontal, rectangular banner featuring a barred archway. The bars and the stone walls evoke the feeling of a dungeon or prison. There are burning candles on either side of the archway. The title of the story, The Prince of Thieves, appears in white text in the centre of the image. The author's username, abbreviated to LPS from littleperilstories, appears in the bottom right corner in partially transparent text. End ID.]

[scuttling]

(Not So) Casual Friday

Fandom: Criminal Minds Pairings: Aaron Hotchner/Female Reader Word Count: 4,456 Tags: 18+, NSFW, Dad Bod Hotch (it's not a main component but he very much has the tummy here), Pining, Accidentally admitting attraction, Embarrassment, A little angst, Oral sex, Protected sex Summary: Your best friend Derek finds out about your feelings for Hotch and teases you mercilessly. You can manage it, though, until the first ever Casual Friday, when Hotch shows up to work in a black polo and jeans and you kind of ruin everything. Or maybe you don't? *Requested by anon Link to A03 or read below! “Okay, girlie, today’s the day,” Derek says when you set your bag and coffee cup on your desk on Monday morning. You shoot your best friend a tired smile and wonder for the—you’ve worked at the BAU for almost two years, so it’s probably the 500th time—for the 500th time why he has to be such a morning person when you would prefer not to have a conversation until at least 10 AM.

“Today’s the day for what?” you sigh, asking out of obligation, because it’s obvious that’s what he’s waiting for; he smiles, picks up your coffee and hands it to you, which must mean you sound bitchy. You take a grateful sip, close your eyes and exhale through your nose.

“For you to admit to me that you’re in love with Hotch.”

You spit out your coffee—only all over yourself, which is great, wouldn’t want to inconvenience Derek at all—and then cough so hard he has to thump on your back to help clear your airway.

It draws some attention; Hotch comes out of his office, takes a look at the two of you and probably regrets hiring the both of you, then walks down the stairs to make sure you’re okay.

“What happened? You’re wet,” he says a bit gruffly, looking at the coffee all over your chest and sleeves. You glare over at Derek, who’s clearly trying not to laugh.

“Derek made me spill my coffee.” You grab a handful of tissues off your desk and pat at the wet spot, trying to soak up the worst of it, but it’s not salvageable. You’ll have to change your shirt.

“And then you… choked on it?” Hotch asks, to clarify. Derek does laugh at that; the things Hotch is saying happen to have dual meanings, slightly sexual, and now that Derek knows—thinks he knows—about your thing for Hotch, it’s clear he finds it all so hilarious. He’s a twelve year old boy in a grown man’s body.

“Okay, I didn’t spill, I spit,” you correct, looking up at them, and Derek makes an exaggerated face of disapproval.

“Should have swallowed,” he says, trying to sound serious, and you shoot him an irritated look and reach out to slap him in the chest. Asshole.

“Do you need help getting cleaned up?” Hotch’s expression is kind, sweet, but you’d sooner die than have him blot coffee off of your boobs. It would be mortifying, especially in front of Derek.

“No, no, I think I’m okay. Thanks,” you add with a soft smile, and then you reach up and pull your sweater over your head, unzip your go bag, and search for another top.

For some reason, Hotch has a coughing fit scarily similar to the one you just had, and you turn to pat his back like Derek did for you.

“Are you alright?” you ask, looking up into his face, and he nods despite his watering eyes.

“Fine,” he croaks, and he leaves as quickly as he came. You sigh, because it’s not even nine and your day has already been so weird.

You’re wearing a tank top, and thankfully the coffee didn’t get through to that layer, so it’s quick and easy to throw another lightweight sweater over top of it; you ball up the wet one, shove it in the dirty clothes portion of your bag, zip it up and stash it under your desk. Derek looks like he’s having the best day of his life.

“You realize you just undressed in front of Hotch,” he says with a tone you don’t appreciate. You roll your eyes.

“I did not. I had a tank top on underneath.” You almost always wear an undershirt, because you’ve been a cop long enough to know that sometimes your clothes get torn or messed up in the line of duty, and you’re not trying to offer a free show while taking down an unsub. Derek wiggles his eyebrows, points at your chest.

“Yeah, one that put those little boobies on display. His eyes bulged out of his head like a cartoon character.” This time, you punch him in the arm, hard. It’s too goddamn early for this.

“Can you please shut up already? I don’t have a thing for Hotch.”

“Ah, I didn’t say you had a thing, I said you’re in love with him. And I have evidence; lots of it.” You tip your head back, groan, wondering what you did to deserve a best friend who is also such a pain in the ass, and it’s that moment that Hotch chooses to rejoin you; he looks a little flushed, probably from the coughing earlier.

“Uh. We have a case; I know not everyone is here yet, but you can head up to the briefing room, I’ll grab the others when they arrive.”

“Sure thing, sir,” you say easily, grabbing your tablet and what’s left of your coffee; you gesture for Derek and he follows, laughing and shaking his head. “Okay, what is it now? I’m so glad you find me entertaining today.”

“‘Sure thing, sir,’” he says with a high, breathy voice you assume is supposed to mimic yours. “You want his dick so bad.” You narrow your eyes at him as you head upstairs.

“Uh, because I was being respectful? I know that’s a foreign concept for you, the world’s biggest asshole, but you don’t have to read anything into it.” You take your usual seats at the table, pull up the note-taking app on your tablet, and Derek sits back, crosses his arms behind his head.

“Well you’re not calling me ‘sir’, and I’m the sexiest piece in the office, so it’s hard not to read into it.” You look over at him, elbow on the table, chin in the palm of your hand.

“Sexy is subjective, and you don’t do it for me, sorry to break it to you.” He scoffs, laughs, and you laugh too because you both know you see each other as brother and sister, buddies, and fellow former cops, and absolutely nothing else.

“Yeah, I get it, only Hotch does it for you; he’s not my type, but I can see how a young lady like yourself could be drawn to his brooding exterior.”

“I’m not drawn to his exterior!” you practically growl, and then you’re joined by Spencer and JJ.

“Good morning. What’s going on with you two?” JJ asks, loading up the monitors for the debriefing, her eyebrows raised.

“She’s in love with Hotch,” Derek says completely nonchalantly, and you rest your head on the table, on top of your forearms, and sigh.

“She’s what?” JJ’s whole face lights up, and you seriously regret everything.

“I’m not in love with anybody!” you mumble against your arms, and then you sit up, because you’re clearly going to have to defend yourself. “And I’d appreciate it if you quit saying that I am.”

“I told you I have evidence,” Derek reminds you, leaning back in his chair a little. One swift kick would have him toppling ass over tea kettle, but you’re too nice, even when he’s actively trying to ruin your life. “Shall I go over it while we wait?”

“I’ll be an objective third party,” Spencer says with a brief smile, and you sigh, wave your hand toward Derek.

“Alright, let’s hear it. I’m sure I have a perfectly reasonable explanation for whatever evidence you might think you have.” He grins like this is the moment he’s been waiting for, and you feel a little stupid for encouraging this.

“For one, you always look at him. When I’m delivering a profile, I notice you watching the locals, making sure they understand what we’re going over, since you're the queen of analyzing the micro expressions. But when Hotch is delivering a profile, your eyes are on him the whole time. Same goes for discussing theories on the jet; anyone else, and you’ve got your face in your tablet, scribbling notes, but you always look at him when he speaks.”

Your cheeks get hot. He’s a captivating speaker, is all, with that deep, velvety voice, and you can learn a lot from him, so you pay attention. That’s just being smart.

“Second, you tense when he gets close to you: not like you don’t want him to touch you, but like you’re halfway to jumping him already and trying to control it. I could probably put my hand in your pocket and you wouldn't even flinch, but if he leans over you to point at something you look like you’re about to cream your pants.”

“I have seen that, actually,” JJ offers, and you look over at her, betrayed. Sure, you get a whiff of his clean, crisp cologne, or feel the heat of him at your back, and your body reacts, reminds you that this is your boss and you’re at work and you can’t get turned on by the way he smells, but that’s actually a good thing, not an indicator of feelings or anything.

“Third, there’s something up with you and the gray suits. I can literally tell that he’s wearing one before I even see him, all because of the look on your face. It’s like you’re drunk on the gray suit.”

“Okay, that’s not true,” you say with a roll of your eyes—the gray suits are god tier, but there’s no way you’re that obvious—but it’s Spencer who speaks up, this time.

“You know, I have noticed that. Your pupils tend to be more dilated when his suit is gray or blue than when it’s black.” Fuck. You sigh.

“He barely ever wears the blue. It looks so good on him,” you murmur, and then you snap your eyes shut, cover your face with your hands. “Fuck. This is so embarrassing.”

“To be fair, we are profilers,” Derek says, leaning in to pat your back. “But also to be fair, he’s been a profiler longer than any of us, so if we know, he definitely knows.”

“Not helping, Derek,” you grind out, and then you’re joined by the rest of the team. Penelope takes the seat next to you, leans in with a worried tone of voice.

“Is everything okay?”

“She’s having a small crisis, but she’ll be fine,” JJ says with a smile, and you don’t miss the way Hotch looks you over when she says it, concern in his eyes. “Alright, so we’re headed to Arkansas…”

Later that morning, when you’ve been given your instructions—yours are heading to the crime scene with Emily and Derek—Hotch pulls you out into the hall, rests a gentle hand on your arm.

“Are you alright? JJ mentioned you were having a crisis earlier. This is the first time I’ve been able to get you alone, and I wanted to check on you.” You take a deep breath, look up at him, so handsome in a black suit, white shirt, green tie—he almost never wears a green tie, and you absently think it brings out the more golden tones of his eyes—and smile softly.

“Yeah, I’m fine. It’s really nothing. Personal stuff, and I’m dealing with it.” If by ‘dealing with it’ you mean you’ve been repressing it, shoving it down day in and day out until your feelings are choking you, then yeah, you’re dealing with it. “Thanks for checking, though, that’s kind of you.”

“Of course. I’m here to help in any way I can, if you need me.” Good god, do you need him, emotionally, physically, but that’s fantasy, and this, what he’s offering, is rooted in reality. Good things do happen, but not to you.

“Thanks.” Your voice is weak to your own ears, and he swallows, nods; you see Derek hovering by the door, waiting for you, and you pull away to join him, plastering a smile on your face. You don’t talk about it again until Friday, and at that point it’s extremely unavoidable.

It’s Casual Friday, newly implemented by the bureau as a way to boost morale, and while it doesn’t really excite you, because you’re fairly casual anyway, others take full advantage of it. Others, including Hotch.

He shows up to work wearing a black polo and dark jeans, his usual watch. It’s easily the most simplistic, basic outfit a man could decide to wear on Casual Friday, but this isn’t just a man, it’s Aaron fucking Hotchner, and so naturally, you lose your damn mind.

It wouldn’t be so bad if the damn polo didn’t fit him perfectly, tight across his shoulders and chest and the little tummy he has that makes you want to be under him so badly, your stomachs pressed together while he thrusts inside you, holding you tightly, his strong thighs working against yours…

“Hello, are you alive in there?” Emily asks, waving her hand in front of your face; the two of you, along with Derek, are in Penelope’s office for lunch while Rossi, Reid, and JJ are out of the office for a seminar. You blink, shake away your thoughts and hope and pray they don’t come back—but they’ll come back, they always do.

“She’s just short circuiting because of Hotch’s Casual Friday look,” Morgan says with a wink, sitting backward in his seat. “She’s been drooling so much I’ve had to follow her around with a mop to clean up after her.” You push your wheeled chair away from them with a groan, needing space and air and, potentially, a brain transplant. You’ve gotten nothing done all day long.

“Can you blame me? The man comes in here everyday, buttoned up tight, looking incredible in a suit and tie, and then he shows up in that black polo, all snug and hot and delicious, and you expect me not to freak out? You guys are lucky I didn’t pass out.” You’re met with silence, and you blink, confused, at your friends, but they’re all just kind of staring with looks of barely concealed humor. “What? It’s not like it’s a secret that I want to climb him like a tree.”

“Pretty sure it was a secret to him,” Penelope says, looking shocked, and you whip around in your chair to see Hotch standing in the doorway, wide-eyed and a little flushed.

“Oh my god. I’m so sorry. I, uh—” He raises a hand, waves you off.

“It’s okay. No harm done; thank you, for the, uh. Compliment.” He steps forward, hands a manila folder to Penelope. “Thanks for taking care of these,” he says softly, and then, unsurprisingly, he gets the hell out of there. You wish you could disappear off the face of the Earth.

“Fuck, holy fuck,” you mutter when he’s gone, leaning forward with your head in your hands. “That’s it, I’m quitting. It’s been nice knowing you guys.”

“Okay, don’t be dramatic,” Derek says, and you look up to glare at him; he’s the one that started all this in the first place. You were fine, feelings tamped down and suppressed, until he brought it up and then told everyone you know.

“Don’t tell me not to be dramatic, Derek! This is all your fault. You never respect my boundaries, you never know when to just let me be, you always have to pick and pick until you wear me down. Maybe I had a reason for wanting to keep my feelings private, did you ever think of that?”

“I know you're upset,” Emily begins softly, because there’s some pretty thick tension between you and Derek now, but you stand up, push your chair across the room, and shake your head.

“I’m not upset, I’m fucking humiliated. I’m going home; let him know I’m sick, will you?” You exhale deeply, storm upstairs and grab your stuff and drive home with tears in your eyes. You’ve never been so embarrassed in your life, and add that to the absolute heartbreak you’re feeling? You’re just happy you make it to your apartment, so you can break down with cheesecake and a sappy, romantic comedy with a happy ending: those perfect, fictional worlds are pretty much the only place one is guaranteed. You are, as planned, hunkered down on the sofa in your softest pajamas, watching You’ve Got Mail and eating the center out of an entire cheesecake with a spoon when there’s a knock at your door. You groan, pick up your cheesecake tin, and walk over to it, fully expecting it to be Derek come to beg for forgiveness for ruining your life, so it’s no surprise you drop your dessert on the floor when it’s actually Hotch on the other side.

He looks down at the tin, then up at your face, cracks the barest hint of a smile.

“I thought you were sick; I brought soup,” he says, holding up a paper bag, and your heart thumps in your chest. You wipe a hand over your face, because you haven’t been exactly neat in your heartache cheesecake consumption, and then you kick the tin across the floor and invite him in, closing the door behind him.

“I thought it was obvious that I wasn’t actually sick, just… really embarrassed,” you say when he turns back to look at you. “I can’t believe you heard all that stuff I said… I’m really sorry I made you uncomfortable.” You take the bag from his hand and invite him to follow you into the kitchen, where you set it on the counter, lean against it. He comes close, but not so close you can’t function, which is good; your comfy pajamas are shorts and a loose tank top, so you feel a little exposed already.

“You didn’t make me uncomfortable,” he says softly, and you frown, must have heard him wrong. He presses his fingertips against the counter, as if for support. “You didn’t make me uncomfortable. It was… unexpected,” he explains, “very unexpected, but I’m not uncomfortable.”

You flush hot, and you can feel the bad decision part of your brain switching on, warning bells ringing in your head.

Whatever you do next has the potential to be extremely stupid, and you would like to avoid that at all costs; you love your job, after all, despite how physically and emotionally exhausting it can be, and you love your team. Time to think with your upstairs brain only.

“That makes me feel a little better,” you say truthfully, and despite the pep talk you just gave yourself, you move closer to him like there’s an invisible magnetic force between you; you would imagine a guy like Hotch would step back, keep his distance, but he only cranes his neck a little so he can look down at you more easily.

God, he’s tall. And he smells good, and his face is perfect, and that goddamn polo...

“Good, I’m glad. I don’t want you to feel bad about this. I’m not uncomfortable, it’s not… it’s not unwanted.” You swallow audibly, looking up at him, wondering if he knows what he’s saying, what it sounds like.

“It’s not?” you ask, and it comes out breathy; he takes a small step closer to you, brushes his fingers over your arm, peers into your eyes.

“No, it’s not. I’ve been thinking of you, too; I know you know you’re beautiful, but you’re also so smart, and strong-willed, and a force to be reckoned with. I’m proud to have you on my team, and I’d be proud… to have you climb me like a tree.” He smiles again, just the barest hint of one, and you put your arms around him and pull him closer for a kiss.

One long, slow, perfect kiss turns into another, then another, and he presses your back against the counter, his hands on your face and your hands on his thick waist; you hum into the kiss, revel in the feel of his lips on yours, his tongue sweeping past them, and when you pull back for air it feels like there’s only one question that needs to be asked.

“Bedroom?” you breathe, and he nods, and you take his hand and pull him in that direction, pausing to kiss him several times before you get there. “You don’t happen to have a condom, do you?” you ask, breathless, guiding him to the bed, and he frowns, shakes his head.

“I didn’t want to seem presumptuous.” You grin at that, lean forward and kiss him, your fingers in his hair.

“I find it so hot that you even say presumptuous. I might have one here somewhere.” You open your nightstand, move around books and toys until you find a couple; you flip them over, checking to see if they’re expired, and offer him a couple options. “They’re still good, surprisingly. You can, uh. Choose the one that would work best.”

He looks them over, picks one and hands back the rest, and you throw them back in the drawer and slide into his lap, wrap your arms around his shoulders.

“I’ve wanted you for so long,” he says, holding your waist as you look down at him, completely in awe that this is happening. “But I want to clarify: if you’re looking for something casual, I don’t think we should go any further.” You inhale softly, surprised by his straightforwardness, and you lean in, kiss him slowly.

“I don’t want casual. I want to be with you.” His eyes are so brilliant, dark in the dim light of your bedroom, and he nods, presses his lips to yours and slides his hands beneath your top, guides it over your head. Then they move to your shorts, slipping them gently off your hips, and you stand so he can push them to the ground.

You’re both breathing heavily, a little rough, and you step between his legs, kiss him again, run your hands down his chest, closing your eyes with a sigh because you finally get to feel him after a year of just imagining what it would be like. After a beat, you open your eyes, look into his, smile.

“Really grateful for Casual Friday,” you whisper. “Otherwise you might never have found out I’m kind of in love with you.” You ease the polo over his head, drop it on the ground and encourage him to stand so you can take off his pants; he does, but before you can drop to your knees as planned, he takes your face in his hands, presses one soft kiss against your mouth.

“I’m more than kind of in love with you.” Oh, if that isn’t the greatest sentence your ears have ever heard… You wrap your arms around his neck, kiss a little more, forgetting that you planned to finish undressing him; when you remember, you make quick work of it, then have him lay back against the bed and settle between his legs.

You put your mouth on him because you want to, more than anything, and his hand drops to your hair, caressing you while you suck slowly, deeply, holding him with one hand and pressing against his stomach with the other. His moans are soft and gorgeous, his body tense beneath your hand, and you’d do this all night, but he murmurs your name, coaxes you up, puts his hands on your back as you settle against him.

“You’re so incredible. I never would have imagined I’d get this, get you,” he breathes, skimming his hands over your sides and hips, and you kiss softly, steamy and sweet.

“Me neither.” You lean up, make space for him to roll on the condom, and then press him inside; your breath hitches, and so does his, and you lay on top of him, chest to chest, stomach to stomach, arms around each other tightly while you move. “Hmm. Aaron,” you sigh, hair falling around him, and he groans, digs his fingertips into your hips.

“Sounds so perfect coming out of your mouth.” You smile, but it slips away when he surges up to kiss you, leans up so he’s sitting with you in his lap. He slides a broad hand up your back, wraps it around the nape of your neck, and pumps his hips up as you sink down, eliciting a series of soft, eager moans from the both of you.

“Feels like I’ve waited so long; I’ve never wanted someone as badly as I wanted you,” you tell him, chest heaving, and he brings you to him for a kiss, something a little rougher, less refined. He’s getting close.

“Never. You make me feel so much.” You reach back against his leg for support, work harder to bring him off, and when he comes he crushes his mouth against yours, delicious and more uncontrolled than you’ve ever seen him. He chants your name, so soft and sweet rolling off of his tongue, and then gets you on your back so he can press deeply inside.

You feel so incredibly full, panting beneath him, your hands on his waist and your feet on the backs of his thighs; his perfect face is inches from yours, all shallow breaths and decadent, passionate kisses, and when you climax you pull him closer, sigh, unravel completely in his embrace.

Maybe good things do happen after all. You hold each other and talk for a while, after a quick pitstop to the restroom, and then your stomach growls—understandably, since the only thing to fill it since lunch was that stupid cheesecake—and Hotch orders takeout on his phone from bed; god bless technology.

There’s a knock at the door twenty minutes later, and you know that’s quick for your favorite Thai place, but you’re not complaining because you’re officially starving. He offers to grab it, throws on his boxers and heads for the living room; after a few minutes, you wonder what’s taking so long, pull on your robe and go to check on him.

Hotch is talking to Derek, who is standing in your living room with a piece of cheesecake and a shit eating grin.

“I came with a peace offering, but now I think I’ll wait for a, ‘Thank you, Derek,’” he says, and you roll your eyes, stalk over and take the cheesecake out of his hands. You give it to Hotch, lean up to kiss Derek on the cheek, and push him toward the door.

“Thank you, Derek. Go away, Derek,” you say with a smile of your own, and he raises his palms and retreats down the hall, laughing as he goes.

This is just one more thing he’ll tease you mercilessly about, but this time the benefits outweigh the costs. Taglist ❤️: @arsonhotchner @mrsh0tchner @ssahotchie @sleepyreaderreads @mintphoenix @meghannnnnn @disgruntledchowchow @azenpal @g-l-pierce @my-rosegold-soul @ssamorganhotchner

[rangergurlgleek1211]

Title: why does it always happen to tk???

Fandom: 9-1-1: Lone Star (TV 2020)

Relationships: Carlos Reyes/TK Strand, Tk Strand & Tommy Vega TK Strand & Original Character(s)

Characters: TK Strand,Carlos Reyes (9-1-1 Lone Star),Judd Ryder (9-1-1 Lone Star),Paul Strickland (9-1-1 Lone Star),Owen Strand,Tommy Vega (9-1-1 Lone Star),Original Male Character(s)

Additional Tags: Protective Firehouse 126 Crew,Hurt/Comfort,Protective Carlos Reyes (9-1-1 Lone Star),Hurt TK Strand,TK Strand Needs A Hug

Summary:

After a rough shift, all Tk wanted to do was chill out with his 126 family and spend some quality time with Carlos at their local bar. But his danger magnet had other plans.

Or

Tk needs saving once again, but who will save him when Carlos and the 126 family dont even realise Tk is in trouble.

Find here on A03

After a rough shift TK was enjoying his evening with his 126 family at their local honky-tonk bar. Laughing and drinking his mineral water. It had been a hard day and TK couldn't wait for Carlos to join them. He was looking forward to just being in Carlos arms.

Tk started thinking about his wonderful boyfriend , Picturing him in his hot Austin Police uniform from that very morning. Thinking about Carlos running his hands down his body, grabbing his backside and lifting him up, throwing him on to their bed. Before ravishing him from head to toe, making them both 5 minutes late for their shifts.

Oh it still feels weird to be thinking about their home. After the fire they were lucky to find a new place to live so quickly. After staying with his dad. He and Carlos agreed to start looking for a new home straight away. Mainly because his dad was being a nightmare to live with, always fretting over them both. They were lucky to find a lovely condo not too far away from both the firehouse and police station.

“TK, Hey bud you in there” Judd waved his hand in front of Tk face to get his attention.

“Huh.. sorry what were you saying” Tk replied looking at his audience, who burst out laughing at his face of confusion.

“Loverboy’s here, you can stop daydreaming now” TK shoved Judd, smiling before getting up to walk towards the bar. “Hey Baby” TK threw his arms around Carlos who pulled him close, Kissing his forehead. “Hey Tiger, how was your Day?” Carlos asked, taking his beer, putting his arm around TK and walking towards the rest of the 126 fire fam Table.

Judd Slapping a hand on Carlos' back replied before Tk had a chance too. “ Hey Man, Your boy here has had a rough day, worse than usual. Being the danger magnet he is”. Carlos looked over Tk with Concern, Raking his eyes over his Accident prone boyfriend's body. Now noticing the Bandages going up his left arm and the small laceration on his forehead.

“Baby what happened?, Why didn’t you call me?” Carlos pulled back, making sure he wasn't hurting TK more.

“Babe, Its nothing, Cap needed a Medic to come in on a warehouse call. Me being my usual self didn't watch where i was going. Tripped over some debris near the patient and fell. It’s just a few minor scratches and bruises” Tk tried to ease Carlos worries.

“That head wound doesn’t look minor Babe” Carlos carefully ran his fingers over Tk’s forehead.

“Dude you Blacked out for 2 minutes” Paul shouted over the music.

“Don’t Dude me, really you had to mention that” Glaring at Paul without any heat behind it.

“Baby you blacked out, have you been to the hospital?, you really should have called me!”.

“I said i was fine, tommy looked me over, she said I was lucky it wasn’t a concussion so i didn't go to the hospital, i hate that place.”

Carlos looked over to where tommy was standing with Owen who nodded her head after listening into Tk’s re telling of the days events.

“Kids gonna give me greys hairs” Tommy replied tapping Tk on his good shoulder as she walked by heading towards the bar.

Carlos turned back towards TK “Next time tiger, Text me or call me to let me know what happened, or better yet” Turning to The 126 Family “Will one of you make sure he calls me when something happens or better yet one of you if he doesn't. The heads up would be fantastic” Carlos shakes his head, frustrated with his accident prone boyfriend.

“Really, I’m going to get another drink” groans Tk before walking away and over to the bar.

“Can I get a mineral water please” Tk asks the bar tender. Getting a Curt nod before walking down the other end of the bar.

Tk turns around looking out into the packed bar. Watching his family smiling and laughing interacting with Carlos and a few other people who have just joined them from Carlos precinct. Tk smiled turning back to the bar paying and taking his water. “Thank you”.

Tk just pushed himself away from the bar when someone walked straight in front of him blocking his path. Shocked Tk stopped just before he walked into the man in front of him.

“Sorry have we met before, I feel like I’ve seen you before, the names Matt”

Shaking of the shock of almost colliding with the stranger in front of him. Tk realized the man was holding his hand out in front of him. Took his hand and shook it.

“It’s okay and I’m sorry I don’t think we have met before Matt. You might have seen me around Austin. I’m a paramedic and a firefighter.” Tk gave Matt a polite smile.

Tk looked at the man in front of him feeling self conscious under his gaze. Tk fidgeted with the bottle in his hand before glancing over to his table noticing everyone still chatting, not sensing Tk unease.

Tk not noticing matt undressing him with his eyes stepped a little closer into Tk's space. Matt had been watching Tk from a table near the door seeing him walk into the bar with his friends and noticing the man he was attached to at the bar when he arrived. Matt watched Tk interacting and when he saw him walk over to the bar alone thought now was his chance.

Not hearing Matt Talking to him, Tk interrupts “Sorry Matt, but I really need to get back to my table my boyfriends waiting for me”. Looking a little shocked at matts closeness Tk took a step back. Realising the predicament he’s now in, Tk tried to look for any kind of escape. Watching everyone around them having a good time, TK realised he needed to sort this out by himself, so TK moved around Matt to walk away from him.

Before TK could get very far though, Matt reached out and grabbed him by the wrist pulling him back. TK let out a yelp, surprised at the contact. Matt whispered into TK ear.

“Not so fast cutie, I wasn’t finished. Lets go for a walk!!!”

“I’m not going anywhere with you Arsehole!!”

“Now let me go!!!”

Matt started laughing, pulling TK ‘s arm, slowly moving them towards the bar door. TK looked around panicked as he struggled to get out of Matts grip. TK was losing hope the closer he got to the open door. Pulling back as hard as he could TK shouted again over the music.

“Let go of me, Get your Hands off me!!!” TK words suddenly became muffled as Matt covered his mouth with his other hand. Oh god this is it, I'm gonna die TK thought, not seeing a way out of this situation. Why isn't anyone helping me. A packed bar should see I'm in trouble. But no everyone keeps looking away from us as matt pulls me further towards the open door.

Just as Matt was about to pull TK out into the open air. People started walking through the open door, stopping matt in his tracks. Matt removed his hand from Tk face trying not to bring anymore attention to the new arrivals

Unbeknown to Matt, Tommy had walked through the door with the crowd of new arrivals probably needing some fresh air. Tommy assessed the situation in front of her before looking behind them. Waving at someone behind tk.

Tk knew that wave, it was a signal for help. Tk released the breath he was holding realising someone had finally noticed the trouble he was once again in. He was never gonna live this one down.

“ hey babe you okay?” Tommy spoke, startling Matt, not expecting someone to stop them. Matt in his shock gripped Tk’s wrist tighter. Electing a small gasp from TK.

“Everythings fine Darling, we were just going for a little walk. My friend here has had too much to drink”

Tommy raised her eyebrows at that lame excuse. Tk just looked at matt in shock, surprised at the stupidity.

Looking back over at Tommy she was starting to get angry, seeing her protective instincts kick in. Nobody messes with her family.

“ Let me rephrase that. Darling i suggest you let my dear friend here go”

“You and what army lady, i don't see anyone else coming to his rescue!!!”

“NOW THATS WHERE YOUR WRONG!!!!”

Matt froze on the spot at the sound behind him, loosening his hold on TK’s wrist.

“Now I suggest you let him go, before one of us does it for you!!”

Tk was relieved to hear a familiar voice, thankful that someone had come to his rescue.

Matt turned around to see Carlos, along with the rest of the 126 standing their ground. Arms crossed, but ready to fight if the need arose. Matt knew he was beat. Raising his hands in the air, releasing TK’s wrist. Matt stepped back towards the door, to make his escape, bolting before Carlos could even say his next word.

Carlos was so angry, without thinking he took a step forward about to follow the jerk who dared to lay hands on what was his. But Tk put his shaking hands on Carlos chest to stop him. Carlos took a deep breath coming out of his haze, looking down at TK who was slightly shaking after the ordeal. Carlos brought Tk to his chest giving him the comfort he knew he needed. And just like that the damn burst and Tk was sobbing into Carlos chest.

“Shhhhh baby, I've got you. Your safe. No one’s going to hurt you.”

“I was so scared, i tried to get out of his grip, he was just too strong, why does it always happen to me” Tk looked at his feet feeling ashamed.

“I just want to go home” Tk sounded defeated and Carlos hated how he sounded. So small and unsure of himself.

Carlos lifted TK chin with his fingers, looking Tk in the eye.

“You are the strongest person I know, even in a situation like that I knew you would find a way to get free eventually. Sometimes though you just need a little help” Carlos tried to reassure Tk as best he could.

“Let Tommy give you a look over and then Lets get you home” TK nodded letting Carlos pull him closer. Carlos arms making him feel safe and calm for the first time all day.

Tommy gave Tk a once over, informing them that he was fine, but to take it easy and get some rest after the day he has had. Tk’s eyes dropped shut for a few seconds before Carlos took him back into his arms to steady him. The events of the day finally caught up to him.

“Let's get you home babe” Carlos spoke softly, turning to wish everyone a good night. As he walked past, Owen Laid a hand on Carlos' shoulder. “Carlos look after my boy”

Tk could hear his father in the background, as Carlos nodded his head in acknowledgement. “Always” Carlos faintly said as he walked out the bar with Tk tucked into his arms. Taking an uber straight home. To the safety of their bedroom and each other's arms.

[depressedacadamia]

I’m scared of the dark!

Summary:  Annabeth notices someone running behind her as she walks back to her dorm at 1 in the morning.  She does the only thing she can think of- Run

Warnings: This is quite a creepy piece and has dark descriptions of the reality of walking alone in the dark- It does end happily though, if thats any use.

A/N: My exams are over!! Since I didn’t post a fic last week, here’s one today!! For this, I really wanted to explore a more creepy and gothic writing style so if that isn’t your thing, feel free to pass! <3 from me!!

Read on A03

Don’t look behind you, just keep walking. Ignore those footsteps, you’re being paranoid, Just keep walking, just keep walking, just keep walking.

The words repeated themselves in Annabeth’s mind like a mantra as she walked back to her dorm, clutching her books to her chest as if her life depended on it. It was almost 1 in the morning and she had accidentally fallen asleep in the library.

She had told herself that it would only be a 5 minute nap.

5 minute nap my ass she thought as she pushed the muscles in her legs to move as fast as they possibly could without drawing any attention to herself. She could feel another presence. Everytime she passed a lamp post, she would pause, take a frantic glance around trying to find the source of the ominous sound.

Tap, tap, tap.

Her head spun around, searching for the sound. Was that a racoon? Stray cat? Do stray cats show up here? She could see her breath in the air, misty and cloudy- just like her surroundings. She was surrounded by the cold that seeped into the shadows, like a vampire draining the victim of its life.

That very well may be my life being drained if I don’t get back quickly.

Her thoughts were only exacerbating her fear and paranoia of the situation. She felt as if she was watching a horror film and any second now, the killer would jump out and the unknowing victim would be nothing but another corpse left behind for the campus to find when it was all too late.

Tap tap tap.

Her legs moved faster, she was almost breaking into a run. The transparent doors of her apartment complex were almost visible. The light was more present, she could see her surroundings.

Tap tap tap

She felt her legs take over, breaking into a run. Her head quickly turned back only to see a dark hooded figure sprinting at full speed towards her. She took no time to realise that the figure was also looking behind them as if they were being chased but instead moved so fast that she felt whiplash against her face from the cold bite of the wind.

She lunged at the double doors, stumbling past them, trying to make her way to the elevator. Her hand slapped the button, desperately pushing at it as if it could make the elevator move any faster.

“Please, please,” she whispered, her voice hoarse from the heavy breathing.

The elevator continued its slow progress as if Annabeth wasn’t about to get murdered any second now. She turned her head slightly, only to see that the hooded figure was now much closer than before and also intending on entering the same building as her.

Her body dropped into flight mode. Glancing back at the elevator, she managed to calculate that in the amount of time she had and the amount of time it would take for the elevator to arrive, the guy would have probably already murdered her.

She decided the copious amounts of stairs to her dorm were no longer as long as they had once been. She threw herself at them, skipping 2 steps at a time, her breath beating out of her with every step. Her hand slipped into her pocket, fishing for her keys.

Finally, as she arrived on her floor, she whipped her head around, checking her surroundings. The corridor was dark, only illuminated by the sliver of light that would emerge at the bottom of a door occasionally, indicating that somebody was indeed awake and therefore would hear her screams.

As to not alert anybody of her presence, she moved slowly, her foot lifting up in slow motion only to bring it back down on the carpeted floor. Her hand gripped around her keys, both for protection and to prevent the clanging sound from ricocheting across the empty corridor.

The dark was consuming each door, it was almost impossible to see which door was hers.

Shuffle shuffle shuffle.

She froze.

“W- wh-who’s th-there?” Annbeeth’s voice came out shaky, her breathing still heavy from the running. She was only answered with silence.

Tap tap tap

Her footsteps became more frequent, her worries about someone hearing her fading- someone already knew she was here, there was no point trying to hide it, she should focus on trying to get back to her apartment as fast as she could.

Her pants became quieter and quicker- just like her thoughts. They whizzed past in her mind, even too fast for even her brain to process. Her eyes were wide, darting around frantically, never finding a source of the sound.

In an odd way, she wanted to find the source, if it meant knowing what or who was there.

Ding ding ding.

Annabeth left out a shriek only muffled by her hands moving to cover her mouth and the abnormally loud opening of the elevator doors. She saw a foot step out and she felt paralysed. She couldn’t move, she wanted to run, she wanted to scream- maybe to even beg for her life, but it seemed that there was flight, fight and freeze mode; right now, unhelpfully, her body had chosen freeze mode.

Her eyes moved to the hooded figure's head and she could make out dark tufts of hair that protruded from the front of the hoodie. The hair was so dark that it blended with the night itself- the only way Annabeth could see it was due to the light from the elevator.

She watched as the doors closed, stealing the light and hope with it.

Slowly, she began to back away from the hooded figure who was staring directly back at her. Her hand tried to silently fumble with keys in her hand, ready to protect herself. As she fumbled with them in one hand, she made the mistake of letting all the keys collide and immediately the clanging sound of keys gave her away.

The figure was hooded. Hooded like Death itself. Annabeth could feel the piercing stare of the figure staring at her- She, for a brief moment, forgot about her grotesque fate and for a second, only a second, wondered what colour their eyes were- were they green, or were they piercing blue? Or maybe they were a warm brown or a dangerous black, the kind that Death would stare their victims down with.

She watched, still shuffling backwards in fear as the figure reached his arm out towards the wall. Annabeth could then make out a weird contraption underneath his other arm. It seemed to be flat but had 4 eyes- only that two were on the front and two at the back. It was flat and she could only imagine the multide of ways one could torture another with such a contreaption.

Click

If she wasn't so terrified she might have said that this was the sound of a light switch being turned on but her fear, very reasonably, was overruling her. The sound ‘click’ to her in that moment sounded like one of the worst possible things ever.

Was that a gun?

She couldn't hold in her fear anymore. She turned around, running, running for her life. Running like someone with everything to lose, running for herself and every reason she could think of for running away.

Click click click

As if she were truly in a horror film, about to meet her fate, a single light at the end of the endless corridor flickered on. For a second, Annabeth thought she was free, she thought she could see her apartment, but as she stared at the numbers on the doors, they all seemed unfamiliar.

It struck her- She was on the wrong floor.

The light flickered on and off, on and off- teasing her, luring her like a moth to a flame. Once she got to the end, she wouldn't be able to go anywhere- she’d be trapped, like a fly in a spider's web. She shivered at the thought of spiders.

“Wait!” A voice called out. “ Hey, hey!”

Annabeth did nothing of the sort. Her body was slick with sweat, the loose strands of hair around her face stuck to her face with sweat. She turned her head back, only for a second, just to see how far she was and-

-Oof!

She collided into something and her face was glued to a wall.

She pulled away from the wall, and scrambled around, trying to get off her knees.

But all was too late. As she glanced up, she was met with black hair and a hand that was offered in her face. She couldn't bring herself to take the hand- no matter what hyer fate was.

She managed to pull herself back to her feet. She turned slightly and froze- Flight, Freeze, time for Fight.

“Are you okay?” The voice asked her. The question caught her off guard. Why were they being nice? Weren’t they meant to try and kidnap her, and then mutilate her body to the point that the police couldn't recognise her?

Her voice failed her entirely. She only managed to press herself more desperately against the wall behind her. The light above her flickered again. She caught a flash of the face but it was enough to drain the life of her. It was the weirdest combination of features she had ever seen and somehow it fit.

The eyes were green, a soft green and somehow they seemed to be able to scare her, the coldness they held under the harsh flickering light in the darkness was all too similar to the brutal sea. His expression yet, seemed concerned and his mouth was set in a firm line- whether than was from concern or perhaps frustration or even anger, Annabeth was too startled to tell.

“I’m sorry, I must have scared you. I wanted to give this to you, I think you dropped it when you started running.” And surely enough, in their hands, there lay Annabeths most recently taken out book on architecture- the very book that had gotten her into this mess.

“I-'' She was about to thank him but her tone turned visceral. “Why were you chasing me?”

She could feel her stomach churning, threatening to throw up her food but she couldn't let her pride be taken away. She had run- yes, but very reasonably. Time to see his reasoning for trying to kill her. The boy looked uneasy at her question, as the light above them finally stopped flickering and finally did its job, illuminating the small space around them. Annebth looked at her perpetrator and was shocked.

“Percy?”

On recognizing that voice, Percy looked up, bewildered. “Annabeth?”

“What were you doing chasing the first girl you saw at night?” Annabeth asked, her tone very much accusative. She stood her ground with her hands resting on her hips, no longer tucking her chin into her chest and rather holding her head up.

“I-I wasn’t- I swear, I wasn't! It’s just that, that…”

“It’s just that what?”

Percy mumbled something under his breath, bringing his hood down as he ran his hand through the messy hair.

“Huh?”

I-” His ears and face tinged a light shade of pink, “I’mscaredofthedark.”

“Stop speaking so fast or I’m just going to assume you’re secretly a serial killer who stalks college girls on his Wednesdays.”

“I don’t, I swear, I’m just scared of the dark, okay!” Percy bursted out, flinging his arms in front of him. Annabeth could see that Percy seemed almost as terrified as she did, his face drained of colour, skateboard held protectively underneath his arm and hood held over his head.

“You’re…. Afraid of the dark?”

“It’s not something I pride myself on,” he mumbled, looking away.

Annabeth took a deep breath, acknowledging that she wouldn’t die because Percy couldn’t hurt a fly.

“Did I scare you?” His voice came out as a small squeak.

She rubbed the back of her head as if she was slightly embarrassed. “Uh., a bit.”

“Sorry.” he rubbed his shoe into the carpet, refusing to make eye contact with Annabeth.

“Thanks for my book...er try not to run behind girls late at night though… it can give the wrong idea…”

“I’m sorry, really really sorry. It was so dark and I was terrified and I must have imagined that it was terrifying for you as well, to just see some hooded guy in the dark just running like crazy,” Percy rambled nervously.

Annabeth let out a half hearted laugh as they walked to Percy;’s apartment door. “Yeah, when you put it like that, it’s slightly less intimidating.”

“Thanks for not killing me- I guess you were prepared though with your keys in your hand and everything.”

Annabeth raised her eyebrow and then her fist when realising she had inserted a key in between each knuckle crevice, wolverine style, in an attempt to make some sort of brass knuckle. ”Careful, I still might.”

Percy frowned when he looked at her fist. Hey reached out to key wolverine fist to readjust it.

“Hey, just a word of advice, if you actually want to do an attacker's damage, putting a key in between each knuckle won't do much. Instead, hold the biggest and sharpest key you have like a knife, and then aim somewhere like the face- it;’s more likely to destabilize them and stop them from coming after you. The key in between each knuckle thing is most likely to just slightly scratch their face when you punch it and annoy them even more.”

Annabetyh was slightly stunned. “ Uh., uh.,oh thank you, thank you.. I guess. If you don't mind me asking, how do you know this?”

Percy shrugged. “ I have a younger sister. And a few friends who have a hobby of fighting, I guess I kinda learnt how to fish them out of bad situations.”

Annabeth opened her mouth and closed it again, similar to a goldfish. They both stood outside of Percy’s apartment, as he slotted his key in and opened his door.

Percy noticed that Annabeth still looked quite shaken from what had happened earlier so he held the door a little wider.

“Do you want to come in?”

Annabeth smiled

[theyreonlynoodlesmike]

Hi my favourite a03 and tumblr author! I have a small request for you can, poly post boys dealing with an S/O or Human mate they are trying to win over that gets cat called or wolf whistled at alot, thank you and have a wonderful night

Here you go!! I hope you enjoy!!!

Poly!Lost Boys x Winning Over a Mate that gets Catcalled a Lot

When the boys saw you, they knew. You were their mate. It's why the first thing that left Paul's mouth literally .02 seconds later was a wolf-whistle and why he immediately revved his engine to get your attention before Dwayne could slap him upside the head. To make matters worse, he said, "Hey, how you doing, sugar? Lookin' fine tonight." To their surprise, you not only ignored his antics, but you didn't even respond. Verbally. You simply flipped him off and kept walking. The boys usually took that as a "no", but you were their mate! They couldn't let you walk away! What if they never saw you again?

So, Marko hopped off his bike in an attempt to win you over. He followed you, trying to chat you up and figure out your name. It was usually Paul that was bait, but you'd already denied his advances. So, it was up to him. "Sorry about my friend, he just gets overly excited when he sees pretty girls." He waited. Nothing. Not a single word. "So, um, what's your name?" Again, crickets. The only thing you gave him was a look so practiced and sharp that it nearly made him trip. He stopped in the middle of the crowd, letting you walk ahead and feeling a little bit more than frustrated. You were their mate! Why didn't you like them? When he came back empty-handed, the others were less than pleased.

David was a little conflicted. He knew that if you didn't respond to Marko and Paul, by far the most approachable of their group, that you probably wouldn't respond to him. He decided to test it when he saw you a little ways down the boardwalk later that night. He caught eyes with you, giving you his usual stare. It was usually enough to pierce and capture any sort of prey. You stared back for a moment, giving him a taste of success. But the second a smirk had graced his features, you were looking, and walking, away. Like the others, he'd failed. But really....that only left one option.

Dwayne had seen you walk into a bookstore, and he'd peeled off from the group without a word. He was the least vocal of the group, and it was the hardest for him to act as bait. Still, he was the last option. He saw you trying to reach a book, one just slightly out of your grasp, and he slid next to you and grabbed it for you. He checked the cover, humming at the title, before he was handing the book to you. "You'll hate the ending." He said, and then he was walking away. Or, at least, making it seem like it. He'd laid out his hook, and all you had to do was bite. He'd barely turned before you said, "This is my favorite book, actually." And God if that wasn't a crack at his resolve. He internally panicked, but then he saw the smile grace your features. "But you're right, I do hate the ending." And Dwayne felt a wave of relief crash over him. You bit. Now, he had to reel you in. "If you like that, then you should read this. Better ending." He said, reaching up to the top shelf and picking out another book. He knew his jacket was probably opening. And probably exposing his entire chest. But he totally didn't check to see if you were looking. Instead, he handed you another book, and gave you a small smile. The two of you chatted about the book, and Dwayne found you could actually be quite amiable when a conversation was started about your interests, not how hot you were.

Eventually, the topic of the other boys were brought up. He'd done it with a smooth, "I haven't read that, but my friend has." And you'd arched your brow. You were quick to quip, "Which one? Twisted Sister?" You joked, and Dwayne chuckled. "Nah, Paul doesn't read. David, he's the one that has read this one. He's the guy with the-" "Mullet?" You finished for him, and Dwayne smiled. You had to admit that when Dwayne smiled? It was pretty charming. "Yeah, him. I'll ask him if he liked it." He said, leaving it up to you if you wanted to know more about them. The two of you chatted some more before Dwayne offered to take you to grab something to eat, and you decided to take up his offer. The two of you ended the night walking on the beach, talking about all the books you've read and planned to read. He'd offered to take you home, but you decided to just give him your number instead.

When Dwayne succeeded in getting you to officially meet the others, he'd already apologized for all of their behavior and assured you that "you just have to give them a chance". It didn't take long for them to express how much they liked you, as Paul clearly hadn't learned from before. But, it also didn't take long for you to start dating all of them. The four of them quickly found out why you had been so against some of their advances.

You got catcalled. A lot. Even when you were with one of them. You had trained yourself on how to respond, but the boys found that they had a harder time controlling themselves. Marko was ready to rumble the second a whistle left a guys mouth. He had to be dragged back either by you or one of the others, and he'd curse up a storm the entire time. He'd threaten all kinds of things, and it had surprised you how serious he seemed. David would never fight. Well, unless provoked. All he'd do was narrow his eyes, pull you closer, and kindly tell them that you were already taken. Usually, that got them to back down. Dwayne would stand besides you, as silent as a statue and stare them down. He'd pull you closer by wrapping an arm around your shoulders, glaring at them even as they had already passed. Paul had by far the most interesting reaction. While, at first, he would get upset, he started accepting their "compliments" for you. Whenever someone would yell, "hey there, sexy" or "hey, honey, you wanna come over here", he would be the one who would respond. It would catch them off guard and always make the both of you laugh at their surprised faces. All of the boys made sure to ask if you were okay afterwards, and none of them seem pleased if you ever told them that you were "used to it". After dating them for awhile, you were positive that you started to see some weirdly familiar faces on those missing posters.

[burning-clutch]

Shielded From The Truth

Cross posted on A03: https://archiveofourown.org/works/30441042 -.-.-.-.- Warnings: Mild wounds. Number two in the phic phight! When his parents put a shield up around Casper high to keep the ghosts out, and it means that Danny’s day hardly goes to plan. And he was so close to being on time for once too…. PHIC PHIGHT 2021 For team ghost! -.-.-.-.-.- Prompt by: Silverwing013 Danny's parents have kindly offered to set up a ghost shield generator for Casper High. Hijinks ensue as Danny attempts to handle the situation. 

-.-.-.-.-.-

Danny groaned as he only half listened to his parents rattle off whatever ghost nonsense they were going on about as he ate his breakfast. A bowl of dry cereal because the milk was contaminated and he really didn’t want to chance it giving him more than a stomach ache. This had become the norm this week it seemed as his parents seemed invested more than usual into the ghost shields that they had been working on and improving.

Why only shields? They would be installing one in the school soon… but beyond that? He wasn’t sure. They probably told him, sure, but being a teenager and one that had parents that hated half of him, had the effect of making him only lightly listen to the weapons and things that were meant to fully kill him off. That and at least the ghost shields weren’t usually a hindrance to him, in fact, they had proven themselves useful on a few occasions.

Plus he had the added advantage of being able to simply return to his human form and slip through the shield with little issue. Given his parents had no knowledge of half ghosts existing, at least he hoped not, they shouldn’t be designing a ghost and human shield. After all, that would defeat the purpose, right? It wasn’t as if Amity really had any human threats anymore.

Well, regardless of the eccentricities of his parents he could at least take some comfort in the fact that Skulker couldn’t simply attack the school to get to him any longer.

Small mercies he supposed.

Danny blinked as his father said something to him before slapping him on his back causing the teen to practically choke on his cereal from the force of the smack. “Isn’t that just great Dann-o?” the large man exclaimed happily before looking at his son expectantly. Oh great, he wanted him to ask something? Great.

“S-Sure” Danny choked out as he flailed, grabbing in front of him for the orange juice he had nabbed from the fridge, it thankfully hadn’t been in there long enough to start glowing… yet…

He shook his head as he finally got his breath back without inhaling dry cereal pieces into his lungs. When he was sure he wasn’t going to sound like some dollar store squeaky toy he tried to ask his parents a question, always a dreadful time if he were honest, but hey, he would usually be late for school anyway.

“So this will go around the whole school?” Danny tried weakly.

“Yep! And the best part is it’ll sense where there's an evil ectoplasmic entity nearby and spring up instantly! We made sure there won’t be a ghost within Twenty feet of the school before that puppy jumps up to the rescue! Like a big Fenton airbag!” Jack exclaimed all too enthusiastically for what the current time in the AM should allow a normal person to exhume.

Danny hummed noncommittally and sent a glance of ‘help me’ to his sister, who, in turn, rolled her eyes at her little brother. “And the shield even uses the ghost’s power to run the shield right?” Jazz asked side eyeing her father from her own spot not wanting to fully engage in the conversation they were having.

“Oh, yea! That’s the best part!” Jack practically cheered out.

“And the stronger the evil skum is the faster the shield will react and sooner it will be picked up. It will only go off on a level three or higher.” Maddie explained with a pleasant smile as she sips at her coffee.

“And we got it all finished last night to be ready for you kids today” Jack added happily.

“Hooray, more fun on a Monday” Danny sighed out into his last bites of cereal. Jazz snorted but didn’t comment, though Danny blew her a childish raspberry.

Jack continued to go on about the more intricate details of the shield they had put up though only one thing really caught his attention in the spiel, “-And Vladdie helped with the funding to outfit the school! Even helped us get the materials we needed to make such a large shield!”

“Ah, there it is…” Danny groaned letting his head fall forward onto the table in instant defeat.

“Danny! I really wish you would learn not to stay up so late playing video games! Look at you! If I get another call from one of your teachers about you sleeping in class-” Maddie started only for Danny to cut her off jumping to his feet.

“Yep! Thanks for that, mom! Look at the time! Love you bye!” Danny prattled off quick as could be before grabbing his book bag by his feet and bolting like a scared rabbit. After all, if his mother never finished that sentence when he inevitably fell asleep he couldn’t be grounded… she never officially gave him the last warning…

That’ll work, right?

It wasn’t long when he was out of the house that he was at his usual waiting spot for Sam and Tucker. Unsurprisingly, Sam got there first though they didn't have to wait long for Tucker to lumber forward, half asleep to his friends, and together they made their way towards the school as a unit.

Things seemed well enough until he got onto the stairs leading up to the main doors. That was when all hell broke loose. A deep alarm sounded before his father’s voice rang out from the speakers, in his over the top cheery way that only Jack Fenton knew how to pull off.

“Attention kids! Guess there’s an evil spook nearby so we’re deploying the shield! This ghost protection was brought to you by Fenton-works and sponsored by your mayor!”

Danny frowned. “My ghost sense didn’t go off…” He mentioned quietly to his friends.

“Maybe the shield sensors are more sensitive than you are?” Tucker asked with a frown.

“Since when?” Sam argued incredulously.

“Well who or whatever it is, it isn’t bothering me right now and no one’s screaming, no one’s panicking, so it can wait. I’m actually going to be on time for once!” Danny says waving the notion off.

He continues his trek up the stairs and towards the doors of the school, though when he reaches the threshold of the shield he finds himself having to really push hard against the thing. It was like hitting a wall of foam or Jell-O. He could push through if he pressed hard enough but it was not pleasant or as easy as going through the air.

Once through the initial shield wall, he blinked slowly feeling sluggish and as though all his limbs were moving through water. He even sort of felt like he was having to ‘swim’ as he walked like he was both heavier and lighter than he should be, but unable to find that buoyancy happy middle ground.

“Dude…” Tucker said smartly as he frowned at his friend’s almost slow motion, yet stop motion like movements. It was eerie, to say the least, not to mention the more pressing issue that he noticed right off the hop, “Your eyes are shining, man. And your, um… Neck...”

Sam, ever prepared for whatever bull their lives seem to throw their way, slipped her bag around to her front and offered Danny a pair of sunglasses, which the halfa put on promptly, along with the spider webbed patterned black and silver scarf.  “I mean, it’s better,” Sam argued, not even giving Tucker's look of disapproval her full attention.

“They’re spider glasses.” The boy states with a shake of his head. “Not really digging the whole-” Tucker waved his arm about Danny’s head in little circles, “-pseudo goth thing” he finished finally. Though he had to admit it was at least marginally better than seeing his friend’s glowing eyes and the electric scars showing up on his neck and disappearing under his shirt collar.

“Better?” Danny asked out sluggish, his voice almost sounding like it was being drawn out on a tape deck that was starting to lack battery power and not playing at quite the proper speed making the pitch and timing slower and lower.

Sam and Tucker shared a look before offering a thumbs up to their friend, both deciding it better not to address… whatever that was… The look they shared between one another spoke of their mutual hope that this would perhaps be one of those problems that simply go away on its own.

Ignoring the problems they have usually makes it go away… Yeah, that always works out.  

Danny makes a grab for the door to pull it open again, having that weird slow stop motion effect, like he was flickering between blinks rather than making a smooth motion forward. “Ehm, maybe don’t move around too much man… it’s um… creeping me out.” Tucker offers helpfully.

“Huh?” it took Danny a minute to process, as while he looked slow to them they seemed to be hyped up on caffeine to him… “Why are you talking so fast?” He wondered, his head almost appearing to glitch into a tilted and confused look.

“I think the ghost shield is making you go all slow motion. Just stop talking.” Sam says forcefully before letting out a shudder of her own.

Sam and Tucker share a glance before they each grab onto one of Danny’s arms and half drag him off to his locker. Despite his friends’ efforts he still got many looks shot his way, and a couple of people started whispering to one another as he passed by them.

“How is this going to work if I’m already weirding everyone out?” Danny asked, voice still sounding like a slowed record as he blinked sluggishly and his head jerked almost unsteadily from side to side. From his perspective, everyone was speeding along and talking at 1.5 times the normal speed.

“Maybe I should look for the ghost that triggered this, maybe Tuck, can you look into this mess?” Danny asked after a moment of trying to figure out what was being said around him through the noise of the hall.

“Yeah that might be best…” Sam responded shifting from leg to leg as she locks eyes with a basketball jock who was staring at their group incredulously.

“I got you, man, I’ll change everything to present and, block any ‘call home’ recommendations.” Tucker pipped up already pulling out his PDA to set that up preemptively.

Danny nodded and let out a hum before glitching his way out the nearest exit and out of the shield’s bounds. Once he slipped back out through the barrier, strangely enough, a harder feat than it was getting in, but that wasn’t a problem he wanted to focus on, he already blamed Vlad so he would simply continue to do so until the fruitloop showed himself.

As soon as he was through the green line of the shield Danny practically fell forward in relief. That stifling feeling now gone from his core and bones making his movements fluid and normal, well as normal as a clumsy half ghost could be anyhow…

It was a moot point and not one Danny wanted to think on too long. He gave a quick “thanks” to his friends, before diving between the dumpster and the school’s bricks, transforming into his ghostly alter ego and taking off into the sky. He would do a few laps around the school and city as he looks for whatever ghost set off the shield.

-BREAK-

It wasn’t until lunchtime Danny returned looking much more windswept and all around more miserable. He entered the courtyard through the side joining his friends out on the picnic table they had claimed.  He made it over to them, flopped down on the bench next to tucker with a groan before his head smacked into the table before him.

“You find them?” Tucker asked around whatever horrid monstrosity of a sandwich he was eating, spewing bits of half chewed bred at Danny’s head.

“No” Came the muffled reply, filled with tired disdain.

“No ghost sense?” Sam wandered, flicking the bits of bread from Danny’s raven hair and back towards Tucker.

“No”

“Huh… You think it was you who set off the shield?”  Sam wondered with a thoughtful frown.

“When I went into the back end of the generator though it wasn’t supposed to go off for anything that low, Danny in human form is like a two at best,” Tucker argued spinning his PDA around to show what he’d found when he hacked into the motherboard of the Fenton’s latest device.

Danny groaned. He supposed had he listened to his parents he could have been more prepared for whatever lunacy his parents’ decided to toss his way but alas, his short attention span and teenage rebellion and lack of caring got the best of him yet again.

Joyous of joys.

He tuned out his friend’s back and forthing for a bit, wondering if he could get away with smashing the device as Phantom when Tucker had his a-ha moment of discovery. Danny turned his head and raised a brow at his friend who was furiously typing away at his device.

“You were right about Vlad, Sam”

“Naturally,” She agreed.

“Well, he had an over right line here specifically set for Phantom’s ecto- signature,” the boy states running his finger along the line of code he’d found in the program.

Danny’s mood instantly brightened at that. “So then we just get rid of that bit right? And BAM everything’s fine?” He asked. “Man, what happened to me? Why do I want to get into the school again?”

“To keep up the illusion of normalcy on this mortal plane.” Sam supplied stabbing at her salad a little more forcefully than she probably needed to.

“Eh, yeah, I suppose.” Danny agreed with a lacklustre shrug.

“There, that should do it” Tucker spoke, interrupting whatever tangent Sam was getting ready to spew off about how normalcy was only an illusion created by corporations or some other such thing.

“And just in time The bell just rang,” Danny says with a small grin clasping a firm hand onto his friend’s shoulder. “Nice one Tucker!” he cheered as the trio made their way over to the doors that would lead them back into the cafeteria.

Unfortunately, as soon as Danny’s hand hit the door handle the shield once again sprung to life, though this time, instead of simply having a hard time passing through the shield, he was thrown back across the field earning a cry from several students who were following the trio.  

“Grapes of wrath Mister Fenton!” Lancer, (of course it was Lancer) shouted out in worry, his shout even carrying over the prerecorded message containing his father’s voice. Lancer half jogged half waddled over to Danny who blinked up blearily to his teacher, eyes flashing green for the briefest of seconds before draining back to blue.

“Leave it to Fen-turd to get himself possessed.” Dash snorted from behind the pot bellied teacher earning a few nervous glances between the small crowd of gathering students. The mutterings of the students didn’t take long to start up after that.

“I’m not possessed,” Danny argued, though, it was rather hard to make said argument when the palm of his hand was burned and leaking ectoplasm from where he had touched the door.

“Course he’s not possessed! He’s a ghost himself!” Wes shouted pointing an accusatory finger at the youngest Fenton.

Danny glared. “Not the time Westly.” He muttered under his breath as he was hauled to his feet by his friends. He tried to brush himself off only to end up smearing the ectoplasm from his hand onto his jeans, leaving a luminescent streak across his thigh.

Seeing his chance the ginger jock was all too eager to point it out. “See look! He’s bleeding ectoplasm!”

“No, I’m not! It’s from the shield! it sputtered out at me.” Danny tried to protest, though even in his own ears it sounded like a weak argument.

“Really?” Wes argued and marched over to the shimmering shield. The teen waved his arms about freely in the shield’s range hopping back and forth pointedly across the line of the barrier before showing his hands and clothes were completely clean of any glowing goo. “See! Ghost!” he accused again after he did a little pirouette to show his lack of ectoplasm.

“Yeah? Well, it sputtered at Danny only ‘cuz it turned on with him in the threshold.” Sam tried to argue back glaring at the ginger, venom in her gaze.

“Well then, why don’t you just walk through the shield Fen-toad?” Dash said with a smarmy grin, ever eager to get his own jabs in and seemingly not wanting to be outshined by the ginger conspiracy theorist’s bullying of his favourite punching bag.

“Fine” He spat back bitterly and marched up to the shield with a huff.

Sam and Tucker exchange a glance with one another as Danny presses his hand into the shield again. Thankfully this time there wasn’t anything that blows him back but he also really had to try and push through the shield.  

Danny could see out of the corner of his eye Wes’s smug grin as he grunts and does his best to push through the shield. His persistence is rewarded and he falls to the ground on the other side jumping up and giving a quick ‘HA!’ as he faces the small gathering crowd of students shifting uncomfortably just beyond the shield.

Sam had a look of exasperation and she looked like she was trying to restrain herself from face palming. Tucker on the other hand had no such restraint. He was almost over eager to bury his face into his hands.

From Danny’s perspective, he simply smacked into the ground and stood back up, but from the other students’ perspectives, Danny fell into the shield but instantly slowed down, looking as though he were falling with the moon’s gravity rather than the earthly speed everyone was used to. It also didn’t really look to them like he had hit the ground, instead glitching his body back into an upright position before cheering in that low slow motion state as he had earlier.

And if that wasn’t damning enough his eyes were glowing a lovely shade of ectoplasmic green.

Wes smirked, seemingly very smug and content with himself and this development. “See told you all he was a ghost!”

“T-that’s enough Mister Weston… Right…” LAncer muttered to himself a few moments watching as Danny seemed to glitch about as he cheered before seemingly realizing something was wrong. “I think there was a procedure to depossess a student…I bet the teachers in Bridgestone don’t have to exercise their students in this manner…” He complains. Sure they had gym class and he would appreciate the pun and irony if he wasn’t so tired.

“I don’t get paid enough for this,” he muttered, ignoring the look of panic that spread across Danny’s face.

It took some doing, a lot of flailing limbs and pressing himself against the damn shield, but Danny soon was through back out and free. His eyes still glowed brightly as he stared at his classmates looking very much like a deer in the headlights. Eyeshine and all might he add.

A few of the students were snickering, because only in Amity park could one get possessed by a ghost and have it come across as though someone had merely said something embarrassing or misheard an instruction and was now staring blankly ahead.

“Er….” Danny stared at his classmates half panicked before simply vanishing from view.

“Moby Dick!” Lancer exclaimed, almost dropping the book he was thumbing through from the Fenton parents. Sure it was a ghost, and could potentially be dangerous, but it wasn’t attacking so there wasn’t really anyone panicking.

Instead, the teacher simply felt tired. “Right, I’ll call the Fentons and let them deal with this, Everyone back inside I do believe the lunch bell rang already!” the teacher called out shooing the students into dispersing.

Danny stood there invisibly and holding strong as he internally groaned. At least they thought he was possessed, that could be easily explained away but he was not looking forward to trying to explain it to his parents…

Still maybe if he gets ahead of this…

It was with that thought in mind that he bolted away into the treeline beside the school, transformed and headed off to his home landing in his bedroom only a few minutes later. He went human, back intangible and invisible came out the door, made sure the coast was clear before speeding his way down into the basement.

He just made it down the stairs startling his mother and father who blinked at him curiously, when the phone rang cutting off his mother’s “Honey? What are you doing home so soon?”

“It’s the school calling Mads,” Jack says, sounding disappointed as the large man sent a look of disapproval to his boy.

“Wait!” Danny jumped forward answering the phone and instantly hanging it up.

“Daniel!” His mother exclaimed abashedly.

“I wanna explain first! Do you know how all your stuff goes off on me? Well, the shield at school started doing that and they think I’m possessed! I’m not, it's just the… ya know…” Danny rambled off hurriedly hoping against hope that his parents wouldn’t try to send him to decontamination … again… (Thanks to his ghost half, it burned in places he didn’t ever want to burn)

“You’re possessed Dann-o?!” Jack exclaimed instantly pulling a Fenton gun from somewhere on his person and brandishing it towards his son.

Danny threw his hands up and waved them placatingly at his father. “NO! Just the normal stuff! The contamination from the portal accident set it off. I got too close to the sensor!” He says quickly ignoring how his parents seem to flinch slightly.

His parents shared a look before his father seemed to deflate, seemingly upset at the fact his son wasn’t possessed. “I thought we fixed that... “ Jack says with a frown. “But, we can’t let the school know we may have messed it up! I know we’ll just run the tests again and fix it in the night!”  

“Yeah, that would be- Wait what?” Danny blinks. Why couldn’t they just go down and fix it normally? Of course, his parents had to be weird about this too. “Thanks… Is there anything you need from me to help?”

And with those words said he almost instantly regretted it. “Well… We would really like to know why your ecto signature lines up perfectly with Phantom’s but perhaps that can wait.” Maddie offered with a small amused smile.

Danny sputtered at that, “Wh-What?”

“We set up a monitoring system so we can tell which ghosts most frequent the school… Phantom was the one that triggered the shield twice today. There actually wasn’t anything else that did,” Maddie explained with a deepening frown.

“You sure you’re not possessed, son?” Jack asked again this time sounding almost defeated in how, well, normal a volume he asked that. The hidden meaning was all too obvious especially after he mentioned his accident…

They thought he was dead! The portal killed him! And as the growing pit of dread grew into Danny’s stomach he couldn’t help but feel awful knowing they were correct in that assumption, well at least half right anyhow.

“Yeah… I’m… I’m me…” Danny managed out his voice cracking

“O-oh hun....” Maddie sniffed.

“But it’s not I… I’m me, I promise and I’m not all dead. I still have a heartbeat and everything!” Danny argued or rather tried to as his mother was quick to kneel before him taking his face in her hands as tears bubbled down her chin.

“Mom really I’m like … half at most. More human with a side of ghostly abilities ya know?”

“Oh, it’s okay Dann-o… You're still my son, I know ya are. It’s been almost a year since that accident and you’re mostly still you.” Jack said. “Just worse grades and more hormones and-”

“Thanks, guys really,” Danny sighed in relief both at dodging the potentially awkward birds and ghostly bees talk as well as the tepid acceptance he was getting. Awkward though it may be it was still acceptance nonetheless.  He was happy for it just the same.

“Maybe while we work on fixing up the shield to ignore Phantom’s signature you can tell us about some things?” Maddie asked sniffling again as she looked over her son’s face trying her best to hold herself together and not outright bawl at the thought she had killed her youngest child.

“Y-yeah… I’ve been wanting to tell you about this for a while now but, well, ya know…” Danny offered uselessly.

“I think it’s us who should apologize for that, son but maybe we can just all go get some triple chocolate fudge milkshakes and go deal with that shield after dinner?” Jack offered with a smile, ever the one to break up tension.

“Yeah, yeah… that sounds good.” Danny agreed. Well, it wasn't how he was expecting this to go, but he was kinda glad it ended up like this. Maybe now they could repair their strained relationship.

As Maddie ruffled up Danny’s hair the teen offered her his first genuine smile in almost a year.

-.-.-.-.-.-

Total words: 4245 Complete

[spookyshipperfics]

Different

Find it: a03 / Fandom: The X-Files / Rating: Explicit

Tagging: @today-in-fic

What is it About? “She didn’t want him to see her like this. Soft. Fragile. Broken. Their partnership was still so fresh.”

What if Ethan had stuck around and cheated on Scully? Here’s a little angsty one shot of the aftermath. (MSR-focused. This is NOT a Scully/other fic)

Read it: Ethan had cheated.

The confession was a slap, the blame colliding with her like a punch. The betrayal would surely leave her bruised.

You’re never around. You work too much. You’re always with… him.

Denial was pointless. The truth was there, but infidelity was inexcusable. It didn’t warrant picking up some woman in some bar in some nearby town. So, Scully had thrown him out, watching as he gathered his scattered items and tried not to flinch when the door slammed.

Her cheeks were sticky with tears. Acidic wine stung her lips. Angry bites of vanilla ice cream soothed them. A knock echoed through the apartment. When she didn’t answer, Mulder’s concerned voice called out. Guilt had her pulling open the door. She didn’t want him to see her like this. Soft. Fragile. Broken. Their partnership was still so fresh.

Sadness and fear corrupted Mulder’s glittery green eyes. He’d looked at her similarly only a few weeks ago. Snowflakes whipped. Wind howled. In the confinement of a storage closet, they decided to choose trust. She wondered if they could do the same now.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, ignoring the file in his hand to follow her to the couch and sit too close.

Curled in a blanket, legs crisscrossed, she told him. Mulder’s gentle “sorry” made her realize she wasn’t. Her relationship with Ethan had fractured a long time ago. He was always the victim, never the offender, even after burying his dick in another woman. She had planned to end things sooner. It’s a shame he beat her to it.

“I’m not. I don’t want to settle.” Mulder’s hand was in her lap. She moved closer, stealing his warmth, stealing his strength. “I just wish he didn’t make me feel so… worthless.”

Mulder tilted her chin until their gazes locked. “Worthless is what you should be calling him.”

“I’m ready for something different,” she choked, eyes blurring with tears.

That something different was the twisted new world she’d found herself in. The challenge had intrigued her; the mystery had seduced her. Mulder’s good looks didn’t hurt. The truth was, she hadn’t seen a future with Ethan. But she did in the X-Files. Somehow, a musty basement office and towering stacks of files had started to feel like home.

She leaned forward, pressing her lips against Mulder’s before she could think better of it. The kiss lingered, almost crackled with electricity. What came next should’ve been an apology. Instead, Mulder greedily sucked her tongue into his mouth, taking her barely spoken “sorry” with it. The tenderness complimented the ferocity.

“We shouldn’t do this,” she uttered against his mouth.

“No, we shouldn’t,” Mulder agreed but eased her backward onto the couch anyway.

Danger sparkled in the corners of her mind. White hot embers warned of turning a good thing rotten. But the throbbing between her legs felt even more dangerous. The wetness there was a welcome change from tears. She trusted Mulder with her life. Of course, she could trust him with her body.

She reached for his belt, but he caught her wrist. “I don’t want to take advantage of you.”

“I want you to make me feel good,” she whispered, lips still sliding against his.

Mulder studied her with profiler eyes. “Scully, are you su—”

“Please.” The plea cracked with desperation. “I need something different.”

Mulder growled, pinning the wrists still in his grasp above her head. He didn’t need to ask if she liked it. Her whimper betrayed her. Curious hands dove beneath her pants. He bit her neck when he found her soaked. He told her how tight she felt when he pushed a finger inside.

They took turns peeling off clothes. First her pants, then Mulder’s. At some point, her shirt joined the growing pile on the floor. Mulder kneeled before her, his head diving between her thighs. The ice cream had melted long ago. Syrupy rivers of vanilla dripped down the carton and dirtied her coffee table as his tongue danced across her clit. By the time he slipped two fingers inside, she begged for it to be his cock.

Mulder twisted for his pants, wrestling a condom from his wallet. There probably should have been a conversation, but her brain was too soft with lust to care. The edges were fuzzy, her body a live wire, sparking and so fucking hot.

She rushed to move, to rise from the couch and spin around. Mulder stopped her, pressing her back into the cushions as he climbed on top of her. “Stay just like that,” he growled. “I want your pretty mouth on mine when I push into you.”

She gushed at the words, making it easier for him to do the very thing he promised. His lips molded with hers, swallowing desperate whimpers as he filled her.

He pulled back to ask, “Is this different?”

It was. Where Ethan had been fast and careless, Mulder was purposeful and attentive. She felt every inch. Every ridge. Every velvet contour. Each snap of his hips brushed that delicate little spot inside of her that screamed for attention.

“Is this different?” he repeated.

She nodded.

“Tell me.”

“Yes,” she cried. “Oh God, yes.”

He grabbed the back of her head, yanking her forward and demanding her attention. “I want to fuck you like no one ever has before.”

Their foreheads touched, then their lips. The delicacy of the kiss didn’t match his chaotic thrusts or vulgar words. This was the man who sat on the floor instead of the bed on their first case. He’d told her secrets. Whispered truths. Maintained a boundary he could easily have crossed after she disrobed in front of him. Now, he was going to make her come.

“Oh, my God, Mulder.” Pressure built in her stomach. Warmth leaked into her extremities. She tried to draw him closer, but he leaned back to graze nimble fingertips across her clit. One touch, one measly brush, and she was gone. He didn’t slow down as she pulsed and writhed around him. If anything, he dove deeper, pushed harder.

“Fuck,” he grunted, but she barely heard him. She was overwhelmed by the sensation, still consumed by her fading orgasm. “So good, Scully. So fucking good.”

His mutterings were interrupted by a metallic click. The tilt of her head revealed the front door opening. A moment later, Ethan stepped through. Her surprised squeal was overpowered by Ethan’s dramatic grunt. “I knew it.”

Mulder pulled out, tossing her the blanket balled in the corner of the couch as if both men hadn’t already witnessed her in this primal state. She wasn’t sure if Mulder had finished. Frenzied limbs yanked off the condom and struggled with his pants. In the commotion, he stumbled, knocking the ice cream carton to the ground. The splattering of sticky vanilla across her rug matched the mess unfolding before her.

“I forgot my jacket. The good one,” Ethan announced, rummaging through the coat hook by the door.

Scully made no attempt to move. Just stared at Ethan, cold and icy, as his fingers finally closed around the garment. “Leave your key,” she demanded.

He tossed it toward the coffee table, where it landed with a sharp clattering. “Glad to see you’ve already moved on.” Sarcasm flooded his voice, overflowing as he added, “Have a nice night, Dana.”

Ethan left for the second time that evening. Again, the door slammed, and tears pricked her eyes. The blanket wrapped around her still offered comfort, only this time she was naked underneath, with Mulder standing anxiously before her.

“I’m sorry,” Mulder said, gesturing toward the overturned ice cream carton. “I’m sorry about everything.”

“It’s okay.” The small laugh she offered felt like it broke her. Surely, jagged cracks would appear on her porcelain skin at any moment. “I wanted chocolate anyway.”

“Chocolate?”

“I always get vanilla. Chocolate is different” There was that word again.

Mulder nodded. “Do you have an old towel or something? I’ll clean this up.”

It was tempting. She knew he’d stay. That he’d end up back on the couch and in her arms. “You know, Mulder. What Ethan said… I haven’t… this isn’t me moving on,” she began. “This can’t… this was a—”

“Mistake,” Mulder finished. “That’s what you were going to say, right?”

It wasn’t a mistake. It was fantastic. Too good, really. But it had to be a one-time thing. Scully didn’t want to complicate his life’s work with messy feelings and delicate beginnings. It was for his own good.

When she just nodded, Mulder frowned. “Goodnight, Scully,” he said before kissing the corner of her mouth and the top of her head.

He left her then. Unlike Ethan, the door didn’t slam shut. It closed softly. She cried anyway.

A half-drunk glass of wine later, another knock reverberated through her empty apartment. Heart heavy, eyes blurry, she whipped open the door only to find a single pint of chocolate ice cream.

For the first time that night, she smiled.

Come show some love on a03 here.

[kijobaby]

The Unfortunate Happenings of Kijo Hyde

Series: Fullmetal Alchemist  Ship: None... Yet Plot: Kijo had terrible luck with love. After another disappointing date, she found herself moping over the minimal probability of finding someone that would bring some excitement to her life. But, she quickly learns that she should be careful about what she wishes for. Word count: 3,095 Warning: Crude jokes, swearing, violence

Hi guys! So I’m still working on my other isekai story Walking Out Of Time. That will actually be posted on A03 ( whenever i get a damn invite to make an account smh ) but I decided I wanted to start a more lighthearted, funny story. This was actually the original version of the isekai @wolffangwife and I had started, and it is ridiculous and stupid but i love it lol anyways i hope this story will make you all laugh, Envy is dumb, i take my leave

Cranberry vodka, tart.

Kijo swallowed it down, chasing after the myriad of things she wanted to say but was opting not to in an attempt to keep the peace – another wasted evening on some lame ass who interjected her sentences with devil advocacy. She couldn’t care to pay mind to what nonsense he was listing off now – his mouth moved, sure, but he might as well have been speaking in a different language.

“ I’m just saying, Metallica is far more superior than most modern music. Kirk Hammet plugged his first guitar into a shoebox that had a 4 inch speaker in it – what artist has dedication like that now-a-days?”

“ Yeah, most of them just work so hard they wind up in the hospital because of dehydration and sleep deprivation, but y’know, no dedication there...” Kijo mumbled in response before she dipped her head back, finishing off the last shot of her vodka.

“Huh?”

“ Nothing,” the alcohol burned in her chest now. “ it’s getting late. I’m gonna head out.” Kijo stood, slapping a twenty onto the table. The guy looked confused as he watched her shrug her coat on and also rose out of his chair, scratching the back of his head. “ I wouldn’t expect a second date with me. “

“Oh…. Okay. Well – get home safe.” he seemed genuinely confused and Kijo laughed, waving him off as she turned.

Kijo had been on several dates recently, and they were all with mindless, boring men that desperately tried to prove their superiority to her with arrogant opinions that reminded her of the older men that came into the sports bar she worked at. She was foolish to think lighting a candle and muttering some incoherent incantation would find her love – if anything, she was convinced it had further cursed her chances.

It’s a red flag if they think Metallica is The Shit, right? Kijo wondered to herself as she searched her bag for her keys, hovering outside of her Honda. Condensation floated up from her mouth as she fervently sifted through her bag and she squinted as it clouded her vision, I don’t even like Metallica, we would never agree on a song to listen to when I drive.

Kijo wasn’t sure what she was actually searching for. She hoped if she went on enough dates, one of the people she met would satiate that hunger that gripped at her stomach every day she woke up. She wanted adventure, spontaneity, invigorating and challenging conversation – she wanted it so badly it hurt. But as Kijo sat inside her Honda and desperately warmed her chilly hands in front of the vents, she couldn’t help but ponder if she was asking for too much. Was she doomed to be bored to tears by every person she met? Was she forever destined to substitute and compromise happiness for complacency?  Perhaps the first curse her mother laid on her was raising her on Telenovelas.

Ah, but her heart wanted what it wanted, and she was fraught with desire to meet someone who could fill her chest with fireworks.

Her phone vibrated from within her pocket and Kijo fished it out. She quickly answered when she saw it was her best friend, Kenna.

“Hello?”

“ Hey! You didn’t get murdered!”

“ Yeah, unfortunately.”

“… It went that bad, huh?”

“ Dude, I don’t even remember half of what he said. I think he’s in love with Metallica though. Like, the band as a whole. Romantically. Maybe he’s a groupie, it was unclear.”

“ Well, at least he’s passionate about something.”

Kijo laughed dryly, “ could’ve been passionate about getting some pu--”

“ Anyways,” Kenna interjected, “ I’m glad you didn’t die, I know you were worried about that.”

Did someone just snicker? Kijo felt the hair prick up on the back of her neck.

“ I fed Wednesday and Loki, and I made baked potatoes for dinner so if you want one they’re in the oven--”

Okay, Kijo swore she heard something come from her backseat. Her heart started pounding in her chest and just as she turned to look, something brushed against her hand and ripped the phone from her grip.

She could barely make out a, “I’ll see you when you get home!” from Kenna before the phone was tossed aside. Kijo didn’t even have a chance to open her mouth – the same hand had found its way to her throat from behind and she was pulled back into the seat, the headrest acting as an anchor that only encouraged the pressure against her neck. Kijo croaked.

“ Bad date, huh?”

The voice was dry and calloused and only further encouraged the goosebumps on Kijo’s skin – she gritted her teeth and began prying at the hand against her throat but it retaliated with a tightened grip. Kijo turned her head, opening her airway just enough to speak,

“ What… do you want…?”

“ Tell me where I am.”

The question was strange, but Kijo answered,

“ Portland.”

“ Portland…?” Mumbling followed as the attacker seemed to process that. Kijo’s increased heart rate did nothing to help her lack of oxygen – her mind was spinning as she tried to make sense of what was happening. One second, she was on the phone, and the next she was being strangled. Was she really going to die after being on a shit date? That was her legacy? How lame was that!

Kijo saw something move in her peripheral – and she realized it was the guy she’d just been on a date with. He was approaching her car, waving at her, and the hand suddenly let go and drifted back into the backseat.

“ I’m not here,” the voice whispered. “If you say anything, I’ll kill you.”

Kijo nodded as she regained her composure. She smiled, rolling down the window of her car,

“ Hey, whats up?”

“ Listen, I know that – that you said there wouldn’t be a second date. But… Man, its so hard to find someone straight forward like you. It’s refreshing. Is there really no chance?”

Kijo shook her head, her eyes wide as she stared at him. Thank God it was dark – the shadow over her face disguised the perspiration beading up on her forehead, and had it been the middle of the day, her normally ashen face would’ve looked much paler than usual and he certainly would’ve noticed. But he seemed more wrapped up in her rejection than anything, and Kijo clenched her fists against her thighs.

Go away already!

“ Okay, okay, alright. Hear me out though. What if we hung out – but it wasn’t a date. What if we just… Kept it chill? No strings attached.”

It took a moment for it to click, but Kijo caught up to speed. She could hear a low whistle come from behind her seat and, had the circumstances been different, she would agree with the sentiment. Instead, she was just determined to get the guy out of there so she could deal with the current threat on her life.

“ Sure, yeah, text me later. Look, I gotta get going. Have a good night.”

Kijo rolled the window up, relieved when all the guy did was pump his fist in the air and turn away. He retreated off to the car he’d came in, and Kijo sighed in relief. The relief was short lived, however – her life was still in danger, after all.

“ Drive.”

The voice commanded and Kijo relented. She shifted her car into drive and pulled out of the parking lot. Luckily, the streets were rather abandoned at this time of night – save for the lone drifter, their only company were flickering street lights and empty store fronts. Kijo’s hands were clenched so tightly around the steering wheel she was worried she was going to break it.

“ You’re a bit of a hussy, aren’t you? A bad date and you’re still going to sleep with the guy?”

“ Am… Am I being slut shamed by someone who just threatened my life?” There was a hint of exasperation in Kijo’s tone. The indignation of someone to judge her morals when their own were skewed – what was up with that?!

The voice laughed, “ nah, I’m not shaming you. I’m just amused. Anyways,”

The strangely light conversation twisted quickly when Kijo felt something cool slide against the flesh of her neck. She winced; was… Was that a knife?

“ You need to tell me more about this Portland.”

That voice… God, why was it so fucking familiar? Kijo glanced up to her rear view mirror, desperate to catch a glimpse of whoever it was hiding in her back seat. But it was too dark, and the dim street lights did little to illuminate her car. Kijo felt it wise to bide her time with idle chit chat. If she could distract them with conversation, maybe she could figure a way out of this mess. She slowed her car just enough that it wasn’t suspicious and she began her usual charming banter.

“ Well, it’s a city. That’s for sure. We’ve got our fair share of housing inequality and skyrocketing living expenses. Don’t worry, though, Portland is well known for its beer selection – if you drink enough, you won’t notice those problems.”

The owner of the voice was silent, but seemed to mull over what she was saying. She continued, realizing rather quickly that if she kept talking, they wouldn’t have much time to react or say anything.

“ There’s a guy that rides around on a unicycle while playing a bagpipe – sometimes they’re on fire. It’s pretty sick, actually. We call him the Unipiper and--”

The knife pressed against her neck harder and she felt the skin split beneath it.

“ Stop wasting my time,” their voice came out in a hiss. Kijo was silent now; it seemed her plan wasn’t as foolproof as she hoped it’d be. “ You humans always start fumbling when your life is at stake, but good God you’re the worst one I’ve had to deal with. You know, I could just slit your throat right here and find another one thats actually useful.”

“… And by, like, ‘you humans’, you’re insinuating you’re not a human?”

A laugh. The blade pulled away from her throat and Kijo felt her shoulders relax a little as she paid more attention to the street they were on. She’d been so focused on not having her jugular slit she hadn’t been paying attention to where they were. Burnside? A left turn was coming up, and Kijo suddenly had an idea.

“ Me? Human? Don’t insult me – I would sooner let myself be dipped into a vat of molten gold than be held to the same standard as you sniveling worms.”

“ You sound fuckin’ nuts,” Kijo pressed on the gas pedal and her Honda lurched forward as she approached her turn. The assailant was too focused on their wounded ego to have noticed.

“ Maybe I am! But that doesn’t matter, all that matters is that if you don’t do as I say, I’ll carve you into tiny little--”

Kijo slammed on the brakes as she took the turn, and she heard a body roll in the back seat. Skin slapped into glass and Kijo smirked, speeding up. She then took a right turn, and the same tumbling noise echoed, along with a frustrated snarl.

The car quickly came to a stop and Kijo pulled the keys out of the ignition. Without a second thought, she was turned in her seat and her mace was extended forward.

“ Alright, mother fucker, get the hell out of my car before I shove this so far down your throat you shit mace for a week straight-- ”

Kijo stopped talking. Her mouth dropped open in surprise. Green locks protruding from a tight headband, flashing malicious violet eyes, an unmistakable crop top skort combo – there was no way. This… Had to be a really good cosplayer in her car, right?

Still, she couldn’t muster the words to finish her threat. Kijo growled,

“ Is this some sort of sick joke? It was Ray, wasn’t it?” Her mace remained raised. “ Tell me this is because of Ray. I’ll call him right now – wait, he’s probably at King Pins, he won’t even answer… Ugh – Hey, no moving!” Without meaning to, Kijo triggered the mace, and the person in her backseat recoiled back with a scream. “…. Oops.”

“ ARGH – FUCK! WHAT THE HELL?!”

“ If this really is just a prank, I’m sorry dude, but you took it too far with the knife--”

“ WHAT KNIFE?! “

“ T-the… The one you...” Kijo brought her hand to her throat. Her fingers gently brushed the cut, and she scanned the back seat for the weapon. Her stomach dropped when she didn’t find it.

The person quickly recovered and, with a smirk, they lifted their arm. Sparks illuminated around the appendage, and their hand morphed into a silver blade. Kijo stared in shock.

“ Oh, you mean this knife?”

“ T-that...”

“Pretty cool trick, huh? I can do a lot more than that, too. Wanna see?”

Before Kijo could get a word out, she was suddenly staring into her own eyes. The resemblance was seamless – they’d even gotten her piercings down. But that malicious grin sat strangely on her face, and the idea of a doppelganger made her head spin. Her heart throbbed against her rib cage.

“ There’s no way,” Kijo gasped out. “ There’s no fucking away – I’m dreaming. I’m totally dreaming right now. Wake up. Wake up!” She slapped at her cheeks and closed her eyes, but when she reopened them, they were still sitting there with a bemused expression.

With a flash they were back in their original form and their hand was wrapped back around Kijo’s throat, slamming her back into the dashboard of her car. Kijo abandoned her mace and dug her nails desperately into the back of their hands, but she knew it was no use.

It didn’t make any damn sense. This was a homunculus. This was Envy the Jealous. A character she’d pined away for from the other side of the screen. They shouldn’t exist. This couldn’t be real.

But it certainly was real as her lungs were protesting out for the second time that night against Envy’s inhuman strength. They lowered their face close to hers, snarling,

“ Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t kill you right here, right now.”

One good reason?! Kijo thought, Because I don’t want to fucking die!

Her mind worked fast to think of something that would grant her Envy’s mercy. She squirmed, prying at their fingers as she thought.

Finally, it clicked.

“Wi...Tch...”

Envy tilted their head and their grip loosened enough for Kijo to gasp,

“ What was that?”

“I’m – I’m a witch!”

Silence. Envy laughed.

“ What a joke. A witch? What good does that do me? I’ve watched hundreds of you die at the stake – “

“ How do you think you got here? “

Envy stopped. This seemed to get them. They remained above her much to Kijo’s disdain, but they were now stroking their chin in thought, looking up towards the roof of the car. Then, they shrugged and sat back,

“ I have no clue how I got here.”

“It’s because of me,” Kijo said, incredulous at herself. That was a bold lie to tell Envy. Surely, they’d want her to find a way to send them back, and what would she do then?

That’s tomorrows problem, I just need to stay alive!

“ You? Hah! As if--”

“ It’s the only explanation you’ve got, isn’t it?” Kijo barked, “I’m a practicing witch. I drew a sigil and lit some candles and it brought you here. You really think Truth would just randomly dump you on the other side of the Gate?”

It was Envy’s turn to look incredulous.

“ You know about The Gate. You really aren’t lying.”

Kijo swallowed past the lump in her throat. She could feel herself getting the upper hand, but she had to be careful – even if she proved herself useful, that didn’t necessarily mean she was out of the woods. Envy was notorious for having a short fuse and a general disregard to human life; she really had to drive it in that she was their only hope of figuring out what the hell was going on.

“ Of course I’m not,” Kijo adjusted herself back into the drivers seat, her eyes remaining on Envy’s, “ what good would it do for me to lie to you? I know about The Gate, Truth, all of it – so watch yourself. I can send you pummeling into a different universe, and you won’t have any hope of getting back to yours.”

Their teeth gritted in frustration as they realized she was right. If she had the power to pluck them from the other side, then certainly, she could throw them where ever she wanted – she must’ve been an extremely powerful witch to be capable of such a feat. Not even Father could do something like that, though he so desperately tried. Envy narrowed their eyes on her before huffing and crossing their arms,

“ Then it’s settled. I’m sticking with you until you can send me back. It shouldn’t be hard, right?”

“… Right.” Kijo turned. It’d worked. Envy suddenly seemed much less hostile as they hopped over the center console and took a seat beside her, throwing their arms behind their head. Kijo stared at them for a moment – sure, she’d made it out alive, but had that been the right decision? Was this going to bite her in the ass? No, it’d be fine. She’d figure it out. She would have to stall, sure, but she was good at doing that – and Envy wasn’t any the wiser on how any of this worked.

Kijo turned her car back on and, after a moment, pulled back onto the road. She wasn’t sure if it was the cold or the adrenaline that came with being seated next to a murderous shape shifter, but she couldn’t stop shaking. She still found this whole situation hard to conceptualize.

“ So… What kind of spell did you cast that brought me here, anyways?”

“ What kind of spell? Uhh… It was….”

Kijo almost crashed the car when she remembered it’d been a Twin Flame spell.

[somerandomdutchfangirl]

Hetalia Family Week - Day 1: Hobbies

This is my entry for @hetafamilyweek day 1 - hobbies (and hugs)

Summary:  They didn't have time for family hangouts often, with them being nations and all that, but whenever they did, it was safe to say it was the most fun any of them would have that week.

Sometimes, they would just go for a coffee or lunch or have a picnic. Other times, they would binge-watch a series while cuddling on the couch. And then, there were times like this.

This has also been posted to my a03!

Disclaimer: the opinions of the characters aren’t necessarily the authors opinion. Also, some of the sentences have been translated with Google Translate. If there is any mistake, please let me know and I'll fix as soon as possible! The translations are at the end.

Names used:

Willem = Netherlands

Femke = Belgium

Laurent = Luxembourg

Antonio = Spain

Matthew = Canada

Abel = Holland, @starflight-blog oc

Sjoerd = Friesland, @starflight-blog oc

Lieke = Groningen, @starflight-blog oc

Relevant headcanons time!  

- Femke owns a cat named Mika

- Matthew and Willem are married (see end notes for more info)

- Matthew uses he/they pronouns

:readmore:

They didn't have time for family hangouts often, with them being nations and all that, but whenever they did, it was safe to say it was the most fun any of them would have that week.

Sometimes, they would just go for a coffee or lunch or have a picnic. Other times, they would binge-watch a series while cuddling on the couch. And then, there were times like this.

"Can't you two sit still for like five minutes? If you want this painting to actually look good, you're gonna have to let me actually have time to paint you!"

"What if we want it to look like Picasso?"

"Laurent, hoepel een eind op, Picasso sucks and so do his paintings."

"Don't let Antonio hear you say that."

"Antonio can go fuck himself."

"Guys, let's keep this fun, alright? I want to enjoy this day," Femke chimed in. Willem huffed but didn't complain further. Laurent grinned and continued composing a piece for the harp standing next to him.  

(When Laurent had led them towards his "inspiration room" as he liked to call it, which was just a room filled with instruments, art supplies and more, both siblings had been filled with dread at the thought of Laurent playing the tuba, or god forbid, the trombone. Willem had said: "Laurent, I swear to god, if you're going to play the tuba or the trombone, I'm going to throw both you and the instrument out of the nearest window." To which Laurent had been a smartass and replied, "Can you even lift all that weight though?" That had ended up in a chase through the house that ended when Femke tackle-hugged both.)

The comfortable silence continued for a while, broken only by the occasional sigh from one of the siblings or Laurent trying the piece on the harp.

"Hey, Fem," Laurent walked up to her while he was taking a quick break, "What're you making?"

"Well, I'm trying to embroider our pets, but this stitch just won't work, godverdomme-"

"Maybe you should take a break and come back to it later? It's getting late anyway, we should eat dinner soon," Laurent suggested. Femke nodded. When no conformation came from Willem, they turned to him.

"Hey, earth to Willem! Did you hear what we just said?" Laurent asked, walking up to him and quickly stopping next to him. "Nondikass!" He exclaimed. "Willem, that looks amazing! How'd you do that in such a short time?!"

Femke, now curious, walked up to her brothers and peeked over their shoulders. "What the fuck, Willem," she gaped at the painting in front of her. It was clearly her and Laurent doing their respective hobbies, with beautiful lighting and background. The vibrant colours of the front of the painting was a stark contrast to the background, which had much softer tones. "You told us you were rusty! What part of this is rusty?!"

Willem, who was now looking more like a tomato, opened his mouth, no doubt to point out all the things that were wrong with it, but Laurent cut him off. "Nope, Mr. Perfectionist, you're not pointing out all the imperfections of this, and that's final. This is a masterpiece, seriously. Don't give me that look!"

"You know," Femke mused, "I might actually hang this in my house once it's dry."

"Guys," Willem said, flustered, "It's not that good. Really. Thanks for the compliments, but-"

"No buts!" Femke exclaimed at the same time Laurent yelled: "Not that good?!"

"Yeah, it's... the colour's off, the perspective is weird, and-"

"I am this close to actually strangling you with your scarf, Willem," Femke cut him off, her hands on her hips. "So what if it isn't perfect? That doesn't make it look any less amazing! I'll tell you what, we're gonna take a break, then we're going to come back here, and you'll see how amazing this actually looks."  

Willem looked at her for a few seconds before sighing. "Fine..."

"Now don't go around brooding like that, it's no fun," Laurent said while shooting Femke a quick thumbs-up. Femke grinned.

"Now, come on! I'll make waffles!"

---

"Hey, Matthew replied!" Laurent exclaimed, effectively cutting off Willems' story on the antics of Abel and Sjoerd.

(Apparently, they had gotten into a fight over who had the most creative curse words. This had ended in Abel singing along to the curse word song in Dutch, until Lieke walked in. Sjoerd had promptly slapped a hand over Abel's mouth to stop him from ‘tainting Lieke's innocence’. It was weird.)

"What do you mean?" Willem asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Well, dearest brother of mine," Laurent replied with a shit-eating grin, which did absolutely nothing to ease Willem's worries. "Because you didn't seem too convinced by us literally shouting how amazing your painting was, we decided to send a picture to Matthew-"

"You what?!"

"-to see what he thinks of it," Laurent continued, unfazed. "Since, you know, you seem to care a lot about what they think, about as much as you care about what we think? I mean I would hope so, considering we're your siblings, but-"

"You're getting off track, Laurent," Femke cut him off. "Anyway, we figured that if anyone other than us would manage to convince you that your painting is amazing, it's gonna be Matthew."

"I-"

"Don't even try to deny it. We went to your wedding, remember? We know how much you care about him. Which is a good thing, by the way. So, Laurent, what did they say?"

"Well, there's an all-caps keysmash, followed by an all-caps 'what?!'. Scratch that, basically everything is in caps. So, the general train of thought is 'what the fuck, this is beautiful, how the fuck did he do this, he calls this rusty?!' And finally, 'I love it 10/10 would hang in my living room and/or show off to my family and friends. It's beautiful and I'll physically fight him on that.'"

"Awww, that's so sweet! See, Willy, your painting truly is amazing!" Femke, sporting a somehow genuine but shit-eating grin, patted her brother on the back. Said brother had his head in his hands and may or may not be crying.

"I hate you two," came the muffled reply with no real heat behind it. Femke and Laurens laughed.

"We love you too, you softie! Now come on, who's ready to spend more time together!" Femke cheered, already halfway across the room.

---

"Jezus Christus, Femke, that looks amazing!" Willem said, looking at the embroidery his sister had made. It pictured their pets, Pelutze, Mika, and Nijntje. 

"Aww, thanks Willem!"

"Wait, let me see- wow, sis, this is really good! I love it!"  

"Thank you, Lau! By the way, is your composition nearly finished? I want to hear it!"

"Me too, actually."

"Well, it's not done yet, but I can play what I have so far?"

"Yes please!" Femke smiled.

Laurent sat down and started playing the piece of music he had written on the harp. Moving his fingers delicately along the strings, the beautiful melody carried along the room. Once he was done, he looked up.

"So... what did you think- Femke are you okay?!"

"Yeah, sorry, it's just... it's so beautiful!" Femke cried, flinging herself at Laurent and crushing him in a hug.  

"I agree with Femke, it was wonderful," Willem chimed in, walking over to his siblings. Femke quickly included him in the hug.

"You two are so talented, what the hell!"

"Fem, you're crushing me," Laurent gasped. "And don't you dare exclude yourself, have you seen what you just made?!"

"Yeah, but-"

"No buts, remember," Willem said, parroting her words back to her with a smirk.

"Why are you like this?"

Willem laughed at this. "You still love me despite it, though!"

"That's not an answer!"

"Is it not?"

"Absolutely not!"

"Guys, please stop. This is a stupid argument," Laurent rolled his eyes.

"Rolling your eyes at us? How rude, Lau," Willem said, locking him in a headlock and ruffling his hair.

"Hey, let me go!"

"Hmmm, let's see... Nope."

"Oh, come on! Fem, help me out here!"

Femke just laughed in response.

"Betrayal!" Laurent screeched, struggling to get out of his brother's headlock. Femke just laughed harder in response, almost falling over.

"You know, you could always just say the magic word to get out."

"The magic- What am I, five?"

"You certainly act like it sometimes."

"Fëck dech."

"Real mature, Laurent."

"Oh, like asking for the magic word is so mature."

"Absolutely. I haven't heard it yet, by the way. Femke, are you doing alright?" Willem asked, as his sister was now lying on the floor, tears streaming down her face. Gasping for air, she shook no.

"Seems like you'd better let me go before we make Femke choke," Laurent commented. Willem tsk-ed.

"Fine, fine. Fem, get up," he said, letting Laurent out of the headlock and extending a hand towards Femke.

"Give- give me a... minute," she said, still gasping for air. After she managed to get enough air in her lungs and not burst out laughing after she saw her brothers standing in front of her with worried (albeit semi-irritated) looks, she finally took Willem's offered hand.

"You two are utter morons."  

Willem gasped. "Are you hearing this, Laurent? Slander, complete and utter slander!"

"Well, she's right about one of us, and it isn't me."

"Laurent, ik tyf je de Noordzee in als je niet ophoudt-"

"Try me, old man-"

"Who're you calling old you little-"

''Oh for- hou uw bakkes! If this becomes another argument, I will smother both of you!''

''You wouldn't dare,'' Willem said. After a beat of silence and a fierce glare from Femke, he added: ''Would you?''

''I don't know, why don't you find out?''

''Fem, you're scaring me a bit here,'' Laurent said nervously. Femke hummed. Laurent looked at Willem, wide-eyed. Willem just looked back and shrugged.

''Could you even reach me though?'' Willem, who apparently had a death wish, asked.

Femke whipped around, glaring at her brother. Willem just glared back.

''Guys, no, no one's getting killed today,'' Laurent interjected. ''This is supposed to be a fun family meeting, remember? If there's any way anyone's going down,'' he added on, a devilish grin on his face as he slowly inched closer to his still glaring siblings, ''It's going to be this way!'' he yelled as he quickly poked Willem in his side, who immediately yelped and tried to get away. To no avail, because Femke quickly latched onto his arm and started poking him in his side too.  

''No, Fem, wait- What did I do to deserve this?!''

''Well, uh... you took the last waffle?''

''Are you asking me, or-'' Willem started to ask, then yelped again as his siblings started to tickle him.

''No! Please, mercy!''

''Hmmm, Lau, what do you think? Should we stop?'' Femke asked, looking at her younger brother.

''I don’t know, Fem,'' Laurent answered back, devilish grin still on his face. ''He hasn’t said the magic word yet.''

''Godverdomme, natuurlijk is dat het antwoord. Kut! Laurens, stop!''

''Hmm, let me think. Nee.''

Femke snickered. ''He looks like a worm, wiggling like that.''

''How the fuck-''

''Oh my god you're so right,'' Laurent said. ''Willem the worm,'' he started to say, but burst out laughing halfway through. Femke laid on top of Willem, wheezing. Willem, meanwhile, looked absolutely mortified.

''You two are so immature,'' he said.

''Says the guy currently laying on the floor because he's ticklish.''

''I will strangle you,'' Willem threatened.

''Try me, bit- Hey!'' Laurent started to say, before Willem had reached forward and pulled him besides him.

''You know, this is actually surprisingly comfortable,'' Femke commented after a beat of silence.

''No, you're heavy. Get off me- Lau don't you dare lay on top of Femke or I swear- oof!''

''Hmm? What was that?''

''I'll kill you.''

''Aw, we love you too!''

''... Ugh, fine, if I say it, will you get off?''

''Maybe!''

''You two are gremlins, oh my god. Fine, I love you too.''

''He said it! Lau, he said it!''

''Yeah yeah, we all heard it. Now get off me.''

''I mean... technically I never promised I'd get off-''

''Off. Now. Or I'll never bring you stroopwafels again.''

This earned him a scandalized gasp from both of his siblings.

''You’re so mean! How dare you deprive us of stroopwafels?!''

''You can't do that!''

''You two are impossible. I said off,'' Willem complained, trying to sit up. Which was hard, considering Femke was literally laying on top of him.  

''Say the magic word first.''

''Are you serious right now? Femke, we are not five.''

''So?''

''... Fine. Femke, can you please get the fuck off me?''

''Fine, close enough,'' she said as she got off Willem, who immediately took a deep breath.

''Finally, oh sweet air how much I've missed you.''

''You’re so weird. Anyway,'' Femke said, turning towards Laurent. ''You recorded the whole thing, right?''

Laurent laughed and rolled his eyes. ''Like you had to ask.''

Willem gaped at them, before jumping up. ''Godver- Laurent give that camera here, right now!''

''No, I don’t want to. I must say this is great blackmail material.''

''Laurent, als je nu niet die camera hier geeft, dan-''

''Du muss mech als éischt fänken!''

Needless to say, Willem ended up chasing Laurent through the house, Femke following closely behind. In the end, all three of them ended up in a dogpile on the couch, laughing. Yeah, family meetings were fun indeed.

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

Translations:

Hoepel een eind op (Dutch) = a nice(ish) way of saying ‘fuck off’ or ‘go away’

Godverdomme (Dutch, Flemish) = goddammit

Nondikass (Luxembourgish) = used as an exclaimation, meaning something like ‘damn’.

Jezus Christus (Dutch) = Jesus Christ

Fëck dech (Luxembourgish) = Screw you

Ik tyf je de Noordzee in als je niet ophoudt (Dutch) = I will throw you into the North Sea if you don't stop. (The word ‘tyf’ is pretty rude though, albeit used by a lot of teens in my experience, so I would not recommend going around actually saying this.)

Hou uw bakkes (Flemish) = shut up

Godverdomme, natuurlijk is dat het antwoord. Kut! (Dutch) = ‘Goddammit, of course that's the answer. Fuck!’ (even though the word 'kut’ doesn’t mean ‘fuck’, it's used as a replacement pretty often. The more accurate translation would be ‘vagina’, as that is literally what it means, but it's used as a curse word more often than not.)

Nee (Dutch, Flemish, Luxembourgish) = No

Laurent, als je nu niet die camera hier geeft, dan- = Laurent, if you don't give me the camera right now, then-

Du muss mech als éischt fänken! (Luxembourgish) = youre gonna have to catch me first!

Stroopwafels are a Dutch delicacy, I love them so much. Basically, they’re waffles with syrup in between. Google them for examples and probably a better explanation.

I am physically incapable of not adding in a sprinkle of NedCan. I'm sorry (but actually not really,, as stated, Willem and Matthew are married so technically Matthew is family- *gets smacked*)

The ending is more crack and longer than I intended because I have no self-control. Sue me.

Moral of the story: don't anger short ppl. They’re angrier cuz they’re closer to hell-

Yes Willem is ticklish, I said what I said.

Bonus scene: ''Wait, so if Willem is a worm, would Matthew be like... a moose?''

''I am begging you two to stop. Laurent, stop laughing!''

[chocoluckchipz]

A Soulmate for Christmas - 2

< Previous

The Mayor had always thrown the most lavish parties in the city. The Christmas Eve Gala was the grandest of them all. Anyone who was deemed important or famous was invited. The venue sparkled and shined with extravagant decorations. Shimmering gowns of ladies whose beauty could rival the stars, handsome men in tuxedos, a multitude of servers to attend to the guests' every need; everything screamed wealth, influence, and power. With everything being of the highest quality, it was no surprise all the food was prepared on-site by the best chefs in all of Paris, including the pastries which her parents were hired to make. 

In previous years, Tom was the one who baked, while Sabine or Manon served in the ballroom. Today, however, Papa lay home with a broken leg, Manon was out of the city, and anyone else who could’ve stepped in was unavailable at such late notice. So, it was Sabine who was left to stir up a storm in the hotel's kitchen, while Marinette took the trays of sweets into the ballroom for attendees to enjoy.

The first hour went by splendidly. Neither Adrien nor his fiancée nor Chloe Bourgeois showed up. Marinette was starting to relax as she danced around the room with a tray in hand, offering attendees her Maman’s treats. It all changed when Adrien walked in the room with Kagami Tsurugi on his arm, her mother and Chloe Bourgeois following right after.

Perfect. Her torture had begun.

Marinette moved farther into the room, as far from the trio as possible. Unfortunately, being a waitress, she couldn’t remain in one spot for long. Which meant she had to constantly scan the room to be aware of Adrien's location at any given moment. His and Chloe's. Because even though she didn’t want to risk getting too close to Adrien, she’d take that over running into her high school arch-enemy. Unlike Chloe, at least, he wouldn’t recognize her.

"Excuse me? Mademoiselle?"

She peeled her eyes away from Chloe conversing with Adrien’s fiancée to look at the person calling her and froze. 

Those eyes.

Her heart took off in a panicked sprint. She knew those eyes. How did she not realize he was her soulmate before? She stared at his posters for hours at a time, days in a row. His eyes were always gorgeous but… the eyes that watched her now were the ones that haunted her dreams all these years. And that barely-there smile he was giving her was so different from his model one. Mischievous and kind, and somehow familiar. 

Butterflies raged in her belly, Marinette turned away and focused on her work. She was there to help Maman, not swoon over her unfaithful soulmate.

"I apologize, but have we met before?" He stepped in front of her, blocking her attempted escape. "I feel like I know you."

This couldn’t be happening. There was no way he recognized her! "I’m afraid, you’re mistaken, Monsieur. I don’t think we’ve met."

"Are you sure?" His hand slowly reached out for hers, the one his mark was on. "May I?"

With a swift move, Marinette slipped a serving tray between them, offering him what was left of an assortment of macarons, at the same time protecting her hand from his touch. "Of course. Which flavour would you like?"

He hesitated for a moment, then smiled. "Which one would you recommend?"

"Coconut. They’re a huge hit tonight. The white ones."

"Thank you." He took the treat and bit into it. "Oh! They are delicious."

"I’m glad you like it. Now, if you excuse me. I must get back work." Marinette gave him the most professional smile she could muster at the moment as she turned around to walk away.

He followed. Like an annoying stray. No wonder his soulmate mark was a black cat. "Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Adrien. May I ask for your name?"

"It’s confidential."

A fleeting look of bewilderment on his face, replaced by an amused sparkle in his eyes, he smirked right after. "Accept my apologies, Mlle ‘Confidential’, but may I ask if you ever visited Milan?"

He wasn’t beating around the bush. This was bad. "Curiosity killed the cat, and you’re one curious kitty, aren’t you, Adrien?"

His eyes widened just a speck, lips stretching in one of the widest grins she had ever seen in her life. "It is you, isn’t it?"

With a look of absolute innocence on her face, she looked away. "I’m sorry? I’m not following."

"Ladybug. I don’t remember your real name but your soulmate mark is a ladybug. I’ve been calling you that. I knew I would recognize you if I ever saw you. Your eyes haven’t changed. You still have those adorable freckles and that sweet smile."

Good thing Marinette and her father had taken up playing poker lately. Otherwise, she wasn't sure she'd be able to look at him with an air of indifference right then. "As I said before, I’m afraid you’re mistaken. My name isn’t Ladybug, and I don’t think we’ve ever met before. Now, if you excuse me, I have work to do." 

She walked past him. He followed.

"You called me Kitty after you saw my soulmate mark. A black cat. Right there." He pointed to her right hand. "I can prove it if you’ll allow me to touch it."

She couldn’t let this happen. He didn’t deserve to confirm his suspicions. This had already gone a lot further than Marinette ever intended for it to go. She didn’t have a choice but to cut this short and run. "I’m sorry, I have no idea who you’ve mistaken me for, but I’m not your soulmate. After all, aren’t you engaged? 

"Please, let me explain—"

"I’m sure Mlle Tsurugi won’t approve of you talking to other women, M Agreste. Especially me," she snapped. She forced herself to take a breath and a step back. "Congratulations on your impending engagement. Have a good life." 

Without giving him a chance to respond, Marinette strode away toward the kitchen. If anyone asked, it was only because her tray was almost empty, not because the hope in her heart was, too.

"Wait!" He rushed after her. "I can explain."

She didn’t want him to. She hurried away, but Adrien kept pace. Just as she was about to exit the ballroom, he caught up and grabbed her right hand. The black cat soulmate mark on the top of it burst with all the colours of a rainbow, glowing the most beautiful way Marinette had ever seen a soulmate mark to glow. 

She snatched her hand back before anyone else could notice, hissing at him. "What are you doing?"

"Begging you to let me explain."

"Your engagement is explanation enough," Marinette snapped, throwing open the door to the servers’ area and escaping him once more.

Adrien called after her, but she knew these hallways well enough to lose him. Turning a corner, she slipped into an old storage room and ducked under a desk, hoping he’d just pass by without a second thought. 

She was wrong.

"Ladybug?"

She froze in her hiding spot, careful not to make a sound. 

"Ladybug, please. I can explain. I promise I’m not—" 

"Adrien, what’s going on?" A female voice sounded closer to the door. 

"It’s her," he answered breathlessly. "I found her."

"‘Her’ as in?"

"Ladybug! I found my Ladybug! And the first thing she does is yell at me because she thinks I’m engaged to you."

"Please, don’t tell me it’s that waitress that you kept hovering over?" Another female griped. An unfortunately familiar female. 

"Oh, shut up, Chloe!" Adrien snarled. "I’m not in the mood for—"

"Calm down, both of you. No need to start a fight," the woman who Marinette guessed was Kagami Tsurugi cut in. 

"Like I’m going to fight him over Dupain-Cheng. He can have her, for all I care."

"You know her?" Adrien asked, surprise clear in his voice. "Chloe, please, tell me you know who she is?"

"Of course, I do. We suffered each other’s presence all through lycée."

"Name, Chloe! Tell me her name! Her number? Address? Anything!"

The scowl in Chloe’s voice was palpable. "Marinette Dupain-Cheng. She lived in the bakery across the street from my old school—" 

"Are you kidding me?! She’s been living less than a block away from me all these years?!"

"Just your luck." Kagami chuckled. "All the time and money you wasted on your trips to Milan. I almost feel sorry for you, Adrien." 

"You’re so kind, Kagami. Remind me, why are we still friends? "

"Because you needed a fake girlfriend."

"I think it was the other way around."

"Let’s be honest: we both benefited. Some more so than others, but who cares about the details, right?"

Adrien groaned. "I don’t have time for this. Chloe, where can I find her?"

"You remember that online fashion boutique I showed you? The one you ordered that blue scarf and a few of their Chat Noir pieces from?"

"MDC? Wait—was that her?"

"Yes. MDC is short for Marinette Dupain-Cheng."

Adrien pulled out his cellphone. "Good idea. The website should have her contact information."

"Not her personal contacts. Only a business email."

"Damn it, Chloe. I don’t have time for this. Where can I find her now?"

"Most likely in the kitchen," Chloe huffed. "Her parents’ bakery was hired to cater for the party. Tom and Sabine’s."

"Thanks." 

By the time the door shut, Marinette could hardly breathe, a single sentence played in her mind over and over and over again, 

 "Because you needed a fake girlfriend."

 What did she mean by—?

Bang!

Marinette’s heart stopped at the sudden slap of a hand on the desk she was hiding under. 

"Dupain-Cheng." Chloe leered down at her with a smile Marinette knew always meant trouble. "We need to talk."

Next >

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~(x)~

Thirty-six hours.

She has been awake for:

Thirty.

Six.

Hours.

She, along with the ever so loyal Chat Noir have taken down sixteen akumas in a span of three days. Just after battling the first five, the duo were knackered beyond words, grumpier than edgy brutes in Hollywood films and definitely stuck with panda eyes, covered by their masks. Chat Noir dropped the puns in exchange for a more...colourful set of vocabulary, which Ladybug would have scolded him for on a normal day; they're meant to be role models for children after all.

Moreover, her infamous clumsiness from her civilian side has gradually seeped into her vigilant half, making the fights harder to battle and probably causing her partner more distress than help. Scratch that- she definitely caused him a lot of distress. She collapsed from a roof into La Seine from exhaustion after releasing her cleansing light. The dirty, freezing water and the sound of Chat's desperate screams gained her another twelve hours of consciousness. (The ten minute lecture and yelling from him afterwards may have helped too but no way in hell was she going to admit that). "I can't go to sleep just like that Chat...I have school in a few hours..."

"Then skip it! Tell your parents that you're sick or something- just PLEASE get some sleep, Bug."

"I have an important test-"

"Important my ass- your health is top priority here!"

"So is yours!"

"I'm used to staying awake for so long,"

"LISTEN UP NOIR! IF I'M GONNA SLEEP, SO WILL YOU. IF YOU STAY AWAKE, SO WILL I. SO STOP YELLING AT ME-"

Of course, the pair were interrupted by another god forsaken akuma and they violently swore at Le Papillon and his never ending madness. Ladybug muttered out very morbid things such as how she was going to skin the old man alive once she gets his miraculous or something like that.

This was all two hours ago.

Marinette was on her last legs now as she struggled to get up the stairs to her form room. Quickly chugging on her tenth energy drink, Marinette disposed the can somewhere secretly (they're banned in school after all) and flopped down onto the nearest desk. She inhaled sharply, reaching for the travel mug she secured in her bag, filled with the most sweetest, sugary, coffee one could ever have. Tikki mustered up the energy to pat Marinette's collarbones with her frazzled paw, hiding in her dark turtleneck collar rather than the purse for once in order to warm up.

A few more minutes passed but they felt like seconds to the heroine in disguise, nuzzling her mug. She internally prayed that taking three showers in a row managed to get rid of the disgusting river smell out of her hair before dashing out of the house. That thought process was interrupted when she clipped the mug's lid off. She smiled for the first time in twenty-four hours and pursed her lips for a sip.

"Girl? You're early again? Wow!" Alya's energetic voice was like a slap against her face, almost causing the poor girl to drop her life saving beverage. She sent her best friend a pitiful pout, ignorant to the rush of her classmates heading to their seats. The mass majority of them gave their class president a surprised look, wondering if pigs will start flying next at the sight of her early presence. Though, there was some tension by the others, no thanks to the recent incident between Lila and Marinette's 'supposed' stealing and bullying.

"Mmhm..." Marinette warmed her cheek with the mug, hoping that the brunette could take a hint and let her indulge in the diabetes level of sugar. She almost didn't feel Alya's fingers smoothing against her pale forehead, brushing away the dark fringe with a frown on her face. She then placed a hand on her flushed cheek, shaking her head.

"Marinette, you don't look very well. You haven't been well for days. I think you should go home..." Alya was prepared for Marinette's spiteful snort, countering the blue eyed glare with her fond hazel pair. "I studied my butt off for this physics test and won't rest till I get it over and done with. Maman and Papa said that if I get full marks, they'll lift the energy drinks ban off me." The Asian pursed her lips childishly and ignored Alya's gaping face before going in for the coffee which has been torturing her poor nose with its sinful scent.

With a speed that could rival a blue hedgehog, Alya swiped the mug out of Marinette's hands. The latter reacted quite late, blinking a few times with confusion before realising what happened.

"Alya-aaaaaa..." Marinette flopped tiredly on the desk, chibi tears running down her eyes whilst she pathetically reached out for her saving grace. "Ple-eeeeeease..." "If your parents have banned you from energy drinks then I bet that they won't appreciate you drinking coffee either." Alya's frown deepened at Mari's cries.

"Let DC have her caffeine, Cesaire." Kim whooped from the back, joined by a few agreements by Nathaniel, Mylene and Rose. "She looks like shit, no offense 'nette." The boy only received a thumbs up from Marinette and a scowl from Alya. Alix simply observed with her lips sealed. Confusion wracked through her head as she evaluated the events so far. Marinette was too tired to give a damn.

"I don't know Le Chien, I've been tailing our heroes for the past few days with little sleep so I think maybe I should drink this instead and send my girl home." Alya chuckled and ate up the sight of Marinette's torn face.

"No-ooooooooo! You can't drink up the only thing I'm living for! Don't you understand? Without that cup, that specific cup of coffee, I will no longer go on. All my happiness and dreams will be crushed! My will to breathe this wretched polluted air will be dissipated and then you all will have to pay for my funeral and live on without me because ALYA DRANK MY SOUL!"

Marinette was so tired, she was delusional. The filter was gone and her limp form pretty much melted on the desk with sadness. Alya almost gave in.

"Well!" Nino's voice piped up from the doorway, walking in with a dead looking model following him like a chick. "Guess our lil' Dudette robbed my seat, again. What next? You gonna rob my locker too?" Lahiffe snickered when Marinette flipped out her middle finger at him, refusing to lift her head up from the table. A few others giggled as well whilst Nino dramatically fell to his knees, yelling how he was so 'wounded' and couldn't believe the sweetest girl in the world had the balls to do that to him!

Adrien on the other hand, let his lips upturn for the first time in a day, fondly and shook his head. He definitely knew how the girl was feeling- oh boy. If anyone could relate to her now, it was him.

He made way to her, encasing his hand over hers, beckoning her to lower her finger with a playful tut. Marinette shivered at the feel of his silver ring against her skin.

"Now, now, it's rude to pull a gesture like that. No matter how much Nino deserved it," Adrien ignored his best friend's betrayed 'Hey!' and laughed warmly. Seeing Marinette woke him up more than the pathetic cup of coffee in his hand. He felt his heart skip a beat when she slowly lifted her head up to meet his gaze.

"Can I toss him out of the windows instead?" Her tone was so innocent, it was like she was asking if she could borrow a pencil. Adrien giggled out a 'No', his smile never leaving and squeezed her hand. Marinette dropped her head back down with a groan that sounded like 'Coffeeeeee'.

"Alya?"

"No, Adrien."

"She looks like she really needs it,"

"What she needs is a warm, toasty bed with fluffy pillows and her giant cat monster teddy, Mr. Cat."

"Nino-oooo, please help me persuade your girlfriend. I'm too tired for this."

Adrien collapsed on the seat, right next to Marinette, playfully flopping against her. He sipped his cup, eyes still closed. On any other day, Marinette would have freaked out five minutes ago. Now? She's too tired to think let alone move or speak. Nino and Alya bickered whilst the rest of the class (save for Chloe who scoffed) cooed internally at Marinette and Adrien.

"I'd let you have my coffee but this is as bitter and black as Mm. Mendelieve's soul," He earned a cute snigger from his twin tailed friend. She unconsciously moved closer to the blonde, clutching his cardigan's sleeve, half asleep. Adrien relished every touch, beaming. Though he could have sworn that Rose piped out a 'So cute!' at the back. The thought left as soon as it came. He focused on Marinette's scent and her warmth, tempted to sleep against her again. That's what friends do, right?

"I wouldn't be...able to take a sip of that without...gagging," Marinette shook her head quickly to stop nodding off. "Mine has fifteen teaspoons of sugar, lots and lots of cream, caramel, chocolate sauce, whipped cream and sprinkles..." She admitted quietly, blind to Adrien's choked face. Maybe it's a good thing Alya took that away from her!

"Are you trying to give yourself a heart attack? Diabetes? A food coma?" His shock was quickly replaced by her pitiful eyes. "D-Don't cry please-" "I just wanted to stay awake..." She peered at her coffee in Alya's hand so longingly, bottom lip jutted out (Adrien had the urge to kiss it but he quickly knocked that thought back). "I also really like...sweet things..."

"You're sweet enough already, Princess," Quickly, Adrien slapped his hand against his mouth, eyes widening at how the words slipped out. He blinked rapidly a few times before sighing in relief. Marinette didn't seem to have caught it and the others were too busy watching Nino and Alya argue. Curse his sleep deprivation...

"Princess...?" The model gulped as Mari continued. "Heh...I really like that nickname...reminds me of Chat Noir," Her lips curled into a peaceful smile and her eyes glazed even further. Adrien's demeanour softened, the subtle 'o' of his mouth curbed into the sweet smile his lips love turning into when Marinette's around.

"He has good taste. It is very fitting for the most awesome, amazing, kind girl to have the title of a princess," The boy mused. He gave a cheeky wink which prompted Marinette to roll her eyes playfully.

'Yes! Look how comfortable she is around me now! This is what I've been waiting for ever since I came here! A proper one on one Marinette time~!' Adrien celebrated internally.

"Then, since Alya and Nino act like a married couple all the time," His eyes flickered to the still squabbling pair, fussing over Marinette, before back at the petite girl. "They could be your parents, the King and Queen,"

Marinette hummed with amusement, her lips turning into a familiar smirk. For some reason, he knew she was going to banter back. He couldn't explain why.

"Then Chat Noir could be my Knight, considering how he's always used the 'I'm your Knight in shining leather' comment," Adrien felt his cheeks involuntarily redden. "And you could be..."

The older teen leaned closer to her face.

"I could be...?"

"...my..."

"Your?"

"...my prince-"

"Marinette!"

Blonde boy and Noir girl snapped out of their bubble, along with the rest of the class. They all simultaneously gasped as the Italian transfer student leaned against the door timidly.

Her left cheek had a huge, purple bruise and her arms were covered in bandages. Everyone looked at her with concern whilst Adrien cocked an eyebrow in suspicion. Marinette merely blinked.

"You...you're de-akumatised now...right?" Lila clutched her arms, hugging herself to make her smaller. Almost the whole class flinched and gawked at the designer. Alya narrowed her eyes in confusion, Nino cocked his head but Adrien...

He was fucking livid. A solid ten minutes before class, six days after her last stunt, this brat dares to antagonise Marinette again!?

Marinette let out a dumb "eh?", blinking repeatedly.

"I-I know you were mad about how I caught you cheating a while ago...but I didn't expect you to be akumatised and attack me yesterday night!" Lila burst out crying. "Why didn't Ladybug's healing powers work...why am I still hurt!" She clutched her cheek, enacting how much pain she's in.

Perhaps a week or two ago, the class would have leapt for Lila's side. However, everyone had a feeling that something's not right, something's not adding up. This feeling has been building up ever since Lila's arrival but they all seem to have brushed it away.

"I got akumatised?" Marinette rubbed her eyes and blinked at Lila again. Any other day, the girl would have leapt for her own defense. Right now, she was way out of it.

Sweet, innocent Rose furrowed her eyebrows too.

"Hold on- hold up! I've tailed every single akuma that's happened so far. There's only been sixteen these past three or four days and none of them involved you or Mari." Alya slammed the coffee down on the desk, oblivious to the Asian girl's twinkling eyes and soft "coffeeeee~". Adrien kept a protective grip on Marinette's upper arms, venturing closer, trying to keep her behind him, as if shielding her. His eyes turned acidic and rage boiled over.

"That's because she lured me out in the outskirts! She had giant needles and she looked so scary-" Lila let out a loud whimper. "It took hours for Ladybug and Chat Noir to defeat her!"

"Oho? I want giant needles...then I can stab Le Papillon with it and then I can finally sleep at night~" Marinette was painfully oblivious to her class' incredulous stares as she made googly eyes with the coffee. Nino sighed and took away the mug, placing it on Mm. Bustier's desk and then glared at Lila. No one paid mind to Marinette's suffering.

"Certainly I can't catch every single akuma, however, we've only seen the cleansing lights sixteen times. Thus, either you were hallucinating-"

"I wasn't! Where'd you think I got these injuries from!?"

"-Or! It was a non-akuma that attacked you. Some freaky criminal from the sounds of it. Ladybug's powers can't heal you if you were injured from anything other than an akuma." Alya then marched towards Marinette, sheltering her slightly too. "This girl has a terrible sense of direction so it's impossible for her to have dragged you to the outskirts and make it in time for school." Marinette simply sighed, paying zero attention to them.

She tried using her mind to get the coffee closer to her but turns out, she's not telekinetic.

If Lila was smart, she would have agreed with Alya and made up a story of the supposed criminal that attacked her. It would have bought her the coddling she wanted at the very least. However, it seems that Le Papillon's akumas kept her up at night too, making words slip out of her tongue before her brain could fully comprehend them.

"I swear on my sweet, dead grandmother's life, Alya! It was Marinette! I know it was! Would I ever lie to you?" She clutched her chest. "Even Rena Rouge and Carapace fought her too. Marinette was so strong...so evil...I think she's working with Le Papillon..."

.

.

.

Silence.

Not a single sound was heard.

Everyone held their breaths.

Internally, Lila panicked. Why wasn't everyone jumping to her side? Why was everyone so quiet? Dammit- why isn't everyone berating that damn blue eyed bitch and catering towards her!?

"Now that I think about it," Max broke the silence. Adrien, Alya and Nino immediately whipped their heads towards him, eyes wide with multiple emotions. Each of them were coming up with ways to make his death look like an accident along with Lila's if he bought the lie.

"I think I saw that horse boy running around too...what was his name again? Peggy...Pugo..." Max could have fooled strangers with his confused, calculating expression but his close friends knew way better.

Game on.

"Yes! Peggy! He was there too!" Lila exclaimed and then whimpered loudly, bringing her arms together, as if she was in agony. "He saved me! Otherwise...I'd have...lost my head...Marinette was so close to..."

"Is that so?" Adrien's voice was like thunder. It wasn't that he was loud, no; he was very startling instead. A tone which no one but Lila has heard before when he threatened her not too long ago. An icy chill was sent down everyone's spine and his emerald eyes gleamed with bloodlust. "Please do tell us more, what did our everyday Ladybug do in her akumatised state?" He wrapped an arm around her possessively. Alya and Nino stood closer to them.

Lila's face almost darkened with indignation but she quickly fixed it with the kicked puppy expression. She took a step back, clutching a fist to her chest.

"W-Why are you guys acting like this...Max? Alix? Are you seeing this? I think those four are against me now too-"

"But at least that weird monkey one was around to help you, right? If Marinette was THAT strong then I bet Ladybug and Chat Noir called the entire cavalry." Alix rested her chin on her clasped hands, glaring at the four people down. Only Lila missed the playful bump Kim and Max gave on her back.

"Y-Yes! Also the lizard, the hare and the erm...pigeon? Marinette almost won...she could have devastated Paris- no...the world! I think that's why Ladybug wasn't able to use her cleansing light- she was beaten black and blue..." Everyone else started to mutter, causing Lila to almost smirk victoriously. 'Yes...that's right, keep this up,' She cackled in her mind.

"Excuse me!" Marinette finally shouted, standing up with hands on hips. Lila's heart almost burst in excitement. Finally some fuel for her fodder! More ways to isolate Dupain Cheng! "The only devastation here is how no one's letting me drink my coffee! Nino just give me it!"

She didn't expect the smack upside behind her head from Alya, making her yelp in surprise. The bespeckled girl grabbed Marinette by the shoulders and yelled.

"YOU IDIOT GIRL! YOU'RE BEING ACCUSED OF TRYING TO MURDER ROSSI AS AN AKUMA WHILST PULVERISING TEAM MIRACULOUS IN PROCESS YET ALL YOU CAN THINK ABOUT IS A PUDDLE OF CAFFEINE FOR A DUMB MOCK TEST THAT WON'T AFFECT OUR GRADES!?"

She shook her shoulders harder, muddling Marinette's mind up even further. Adrien stammered, trying to break them up whilst Nino and the class watched with delight. They didn't miss the appalled expression Lila threw.

The way everyone brushed her off...the poor, injured...pitiful girl!

"A-A-A-AL-Y-A-A-A!" Alya finally stopped her torture and let Marinette flop into her arms. Marinette let out a groan, swirls in her eyes and the class burst out laughing.

"You did it Alya! You beat the akuma! You're a true hero!" Rose squealed out as Juleka chimed with a "Way past cool". Playing along, Alya straightened out the collar of her polar shirt, mock pride on her face with a smug smile plastered on. She handed Marinette to Adrien's waiting arms and stalked towards the back of the room.

"W-What-" Lila didn't get a chance to finish her sentence.

"Miraculous Alya Charm!" The brunette hollered, tossing a pen in the air with a cheesy grin. Kim and Alix made whooshing noises, as if to mimic the sounds of rushing magic ladybirds and everyone else cheered. "Your injuries should all be healed up now Lila! Good on ya~ now, Nino, it's time to bring that Theo artist and get him to make a statue of me for the park-"

"ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?"

Lila was now huffing and puffing. Raw animosity shone in her eyes, hands clenched into fists by her sides, knuckles whitening and teeth gritted. Adrien didn't try to hide his devilish smirk and the oddly quiet Chloe folded her arms, awaiting for the girl to show her true colours. Alas, lack of sleep made a slower, more frustrated Lila.

"I'm here, injured, traumatised! Ladybug was almost killed! This...THIS WITCH-" She pointed venomously at the knocked out Marinette in Adrien's arms. "Tried to kill ME! And you all don't care!? You're all worse than Chloe!" More crocodile tears ran down her cheeks...

Though they ran down as purple drips, somehow cleaning away the bruise? My, what magical tears indeed. Mylene and Ivan quickly opened a group chat (sans Lila and Marinette) to arrange years worth of apologies for their class president. They could be old and grey at one point but they'll still find a way to apologise to the sweet angel.

"You see Lila, everyone knows that's not true," Adrien purred out, sitting down against the chair like a spoilt royalty with a beautiful girl in his arms- who would kick everyone's asses in one go. He summoned a bit more of his inner Chat Noir.

"How would you know!? You weren't there, Adrien!" Lila hissed, banging a fist against the door. Weren't her arms in agony again?

"I suppose, but," He tucked a hair behind Marinette's ear with a grin.

"I was with her, all night,"

Everyone let out a dramatic, yet fake gasp, clutching their cheeks whilst Chloe let out a little cry "Adrikins how could you~!", one arm over her head whilst Sabrina fanned her with a book. Lila paled and sweat dripped down her face. She shook her head slightly, taking a step back.

"W-W-What do you mean? What were you doing?"

"Well, what else would two, unsupervised teenagers be doing all night? Why do you think we're so tired?" He played with Marinette's hair, smile widening. His peripheral vision caught Alya with her phone whipped out, probably not too long ago.

"T-That's a lie...you're just saying that to protect Marinette...your father would never let you out of the house at night, let alone with a no named wench like her!"

"Do I need to show my hickies as proof?" Adrien had a big bruise on his collarbone from falling onto his roof when coming home, lack of sleep messing with his coordination. It was dark enough to be mistaken as a love bite and the boy was never more grateful for it than he was now.

"Whoa du-uuuude- keep it child friendly here!" Nino winked.

"Enough of my love life now," Adrien's smile was wiped off and the dangerous frown was back on.

Lila gulped as everyone else followed suit. Some were close to exploding on the spot whilst others wore a look of pure disappointment and sadness.

"Can't you see? The gig's up Lila. You've lost. We all know you've been bullshitting from the start- well some of us anyways," His gaze swept over the class who looked terribly sheepish for a moment before reverting back to their intimidating stances. "Take a seat over there," He beckoned to the lone chair that Chloe kicked out at the front, quickly adjusting Marinette to rest her head on his lap so that she remained hidden.

"What if I don't want to." The Italian sneered, itching to run down the head teacher's office and come up with a way to save her sorry ass. If there's one thing she refuses to do, it's to accept defeat. No matter how high the odds are against her.

"I believe you don't have a choice, Rossi." He admonished, hands clasped against his mouth similarly to Alix not too long ago. "Don't make me pull a Chloe Bourgeois here and make your fucking life miserable by getting my father involved. I'm tired as hell and no one has got the time to humour you anymore. Take. A. Seat."

Keeping her steely gaze on his frame, Lila made way to the chair, plopping down and crossing her legs, trying her best to look powerful and threatening.

"Now, you're going to sit there, keep your mouth shut till I've finished talking, you got that-"

"You think that crap's going to work on me, Adrien? Hah! My mother is an embassy. You can google that for all I care, not like the rest of you googled whatever else I've said," Her smile was like a snake slithering, making everyone else feel uncomfortable.

"Did I say you could talk? Did my earlier threats fall on deaf ears? Do you love the sound of your voice so much that you're unable to comprehend simple french words from anyone else?"

"I-"

"I said keep your mouth shut."

His tone felt like a cataclysm to her heart. Immediately she snapped her mouth shut and dug her fingers into her knees. The looming presence of everyone else didn't help either. The weight of the situation finally crept up on her and the girl realised...

She's not going to get out of this one.

"Alright, so where was I...? Oh that's it!" Adrien leaned back. "I'm going to cut the chase. We're not mad because you lied, we're mad because you hurt Marinette and tried to do so again. I want you to fess up every single thing you've done in order to hurt someone so that we can record it and send it to the teachers. We have no trust in you and we know for definite that you'll chicken out if we don't do this now." His eyes were like ice now. For the first time, you would recognise Adrien as Gabriel's son for his chilly aspects, not because of his brand.

"..."

"Lila."

"I..."

"..."

"From the moment I arrived, I kept touching you and clinging onto you,"

"I had to take ten showers that day-"

"I stole your book! And threw it away!"

"...you bitch..."

"I threatened Marinette in the bathrooms to take away all her friends, especially you. That I'd make them all turn their backs on her and she'll be alone forever. That almost worked, didn't it?"

Alix was seething on the spot, desperate to break Lila's nose. The grip that Alya had on her phone almost snapped the device in half, distraught with the suffering Marinette has been through.

"That was the day I gave her that stupid advice of taking the high road huh? Should have realised how much of a psycho you were back then instead of being scared for Marinette of you turning into an akuma and trying to kill her." His instincts screamed to cataclysm Lila right this second. "Regardless, your threat didn't really work, hm? She kept fighting,"

"And that's why I faked my injury, hid the cheat sheet in her bag and put my necklace in her locker. That's all you need to know." Lila was about to stand back up but a hand clasped her shoulder from behind. She didn't need to look up to know that the perfect manicured nails belonged to the mayor's daughter.

"I didn't dismiss you yet, and also," Adrien leaned forward. "You're hiding some things, you know why I know? Because I have connections. You're better off spilling it yourself than me getting my hands dirty, Rossi."

"..."

"Rossi."

"That day when your fencer friend got akumatised..."

"The day you lied and forced yourself into my house? Yes, carry on,"

"I teamed up with her akumatised form..."

"How and Why."

"..."

"Tell us."

Everyone took a bated breath, cold sweat dripping down their heads, anger grinding in the pit of their stomachs whilst Marinette remained blissfully asleep on Adrien's lap.

"I worked with her akumatised form to take down Ladybug and give her Adrien because I hate, HATE Ladybug! I don't regret anything I've done! Never have, never do and never will! I will rise to the top and take you all down one by one!"

.

.

.

The whole class erupted in an uproar.

Obscenities were roared out.

Threats were exclaimed.

Students were restrained.

Agreste watched Rossi with hate that could rival Le Papillon's for Ladybug and Chat Noir.

Chloe struck her hand out, poised to give the brat a good smack.

"Quiet!"

A hand grasped Chloe's wrist while another tipped the cool cup of coffee down her throat.

Marinette slammed the travel mug down, gently putting Chloe's wrists back to the girl and then turned towards the class. Her eyes flickered to Lila's bewildered form for a split second and then back at everyone else.

"First off, thank you Adrien, for bringing the truth to light. I suppose waiting and planning for the right moment was a better idea than going out yelling and screaming." Marinette gave him a smile full of saccharine, making his heart skip a beat or two.

"You shouldn't be thanking me. I'm the one who let it get this bad in the first place...besides, you'd have concocted up something similar had it been anyone else getting harassed by her."

"You're not perfect. Everyone makes mistakes. Besides," She glanced back at the fuming girl behind her. "You've acknowledged it and sought a solution to fix it, rather than covering it up and lying," Lila's teeth were basically scraping each other.

"Marinette..."

"Second! As much as I'd love to beat her up for real like you guys, we are much, much better than this. Control your emotions or else Le Papillon will control you," Murmurs filled the room and everyone began to try calming down. "If I really was akumatised, Lila," Marinette began "I would have finished the job. So I think it's wise to not try and get me under Le Papillon's influences again," Her eyes were like ice, piercing Lila's weak frame.

"What do you mean again?" Adrien felt a rock hit the bottom of his stomach. The way Marinette flinched caused his paranoia to stir. "Marinette...?"

"Erm...when I got expelled? And also during the bathroom threat? But it's okay! I managed to outrun the bathroom butterfly- wait. I outran the butterfly but Lila got akumatised the next minute..." Marinette's eyes widened in threatening way, turning back to said girl. "You walked away all smug...so how did you get akumatised?"

Lila didn't answer.

"You're working with Le Papillon...?" Alya gasped out.

SLAM!

The force of Adrien's hands slamming the table as he shot up shocked the class once more. Alya moved in quickly to grab Marinette and keep her out of the way.

"Get out and never come back. If I ever see your face anywhere nearby, you're dead."

Lila immediately tripped out of the chair, feeling like she's been shot a thousand times by everyone's blood lusting looks. She scurried towards the door, only to crash into M. Damocles. No words needed to be exchanged by the looks of his infuriated eyes. A few other teachers, including Md. Bustier and Mendelieve crowded her. They all wore the same blistering look, beckoning Lila to follow them to the headmaster's office. They heard everything.

"I'll be back in a bit class," Md. Bustier spoke. Her voice lacked the usual cheerfulness and motherly tone.

With that said and done, the classroom door was closed.

Lila was gone.

Marinette has received justice.

Whoa...

.

.

.

A dizzy spell suddenly hit Marinette and Adrien, causing them both to stagger on the spot, quickly supported by their best friends as the event of what just happened came crashing down on them. Adrien was quick to recover, having managed to catch catnaps in between battles whilst Marinette took a few minutes to regain her bearings.

"Yo what the fuck just happened now..." Kim broke the silence. "The day started off good with DC getting all loopy and Agreste Jr. getting chummy with her and boom! Jr. turns into a kickass interrogator and DC pretty much admitted that she can easily kill someone!? I THOUGHT YOU TWO WERE ALL SWEET AND INNOCENT!"

"Kim, you know Maman has been teaching me various forms of martial arts since I could walk. It will only take me five seconds to snap your spine in half from where I am...well, when I'm lucid anyways," Marinette squinted slightly, almost swearing that she could see stars. The others turned to Adrien for his explanation.

"...I guess watching Naruto does have its perks..." He itched his nose shyly, his cheeks flushed slightly at everyone else's groans. "YES I'M A FILTHY WEEB. DEAL WITH IT." He folded his arms defiantly. "And Father has rubbed off on me too," This, everyone accepted. Adrien turned around again to face his friends, eyebrows furrowed and sleep clouding his vision. He really was dead on his feet.

However, one thing didn't leave his mind.

"Marinette, why didn't you tell me?"

"Hm? What?" She yawned quietly.

"That you were almost akumatised when she threatened you?" Marinette picked up some cool anger in his words, recoiling back and then put her hands on her hips. Her eyes narrowed.

"I don't know and I don't care. I don't need to tell you everything, hmmph!" Truth be told, Marinette didn't want to be seen as a scaredy-cat or a coward, so, she kept mum. She was also pretty hurt from everyone's actions and behaviour beforehand too and she felt really bad at the idea of making them even more guilty.

"What. Kind. Of. An. Answer. Is. That?"

"I don't appreciate your tone Monsieur,"

"And I don't appreciate yours either Mademoiselle,"

"Well tough."

Adrien sauntered towards her, hands in pockets and one eyebrow cocked. The stance and swagger was so identical to Chat Noir that Marinette swore for sure that she's hallucinating.

"It's okay to not be okay you know," He then gestured out to the rest of the class who observed. Everyone wore a weak smile. "In order to progress, we need to communicate. You're always looking after us, catering to our feelings. Let us do the same. We really want to make it up to you," He let a hand rest on her shoulder, giving it a squeeze.

With a sudden determination, he leaned forward and quickly brushed his lips against her cheek. Her face softened and her mouth opened in a cute gape.

"Please?"

Tears flooded Marinette's eyes, causing everyone to rush forward, hoping to calm her down. The tears never stopped streaming, no matter how much the girls dabbed her eyes with napkins.

"I...I..." Marinette began. Everyone leaned in eagerly.

"I..."

.

.

.

"I just realised how I never got to savour my coffee..." Marinette sniffed.

.

.

.

Everyone literally dropped on the floor with a groan. Of course, she wasn't lucid. She probably was never lucid from the start! Before anyone else could say anything, Alya pushed Marinette on Adrien's back, commanding him to take her home.

"Yeah sure...I think I need a day off too..." He held the snoring girl on his back, piggy style before letting out a yawn.

"Don't try anything funny with my girl~" Alya teased and ignored Chloe's bristled comments. On a normal day, Adrien would have denied this and claimed that Mari was just his friend.

This isn't a normal day.

And Adrien is tired and grumpy and sarcastic.

"Then perhaps I shouldn't mention about how yesterday was such a wild ride~"

"Agreste!"

"Bye!"

"I'm being serious!"

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~(x)~