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rambleonwaywardson · 8 days

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Salt Water

A Clegan (Buck x Bucky) one-shot

Summary: The boys take a trip to the beach, where Bucky learns that Gale is a little afraid of the ocean.

Word Count: 3020

Author's Note: This idea came to me out of nowhere, and I decided I don't care if it feels accurate or not because I wanted to write fluff about it. I've also never posted a fic on tumblr before, but I'm waiting until I have a larger collection of Clegan one-shots before posting them under a single work on AO3 and wanted to put this out there somehow before that happens. My AO3 is also RambleOnWaywardSon.

—

Gale is perfectly comfortable reclining lazily on a beach towel, book in one hand while he props himself up with the other, when a towering shadow blocks his sun and causes him to glance up through his sunglasses. Bucky, even through the glaringly bright light of a cloudless July day, may be the most beautiful human Gale has ever seen on this planet. Water droplets like glittering crystals cling to the pale skin of his chest and abdomen and drip from salt-water damp curls. Even today, his smile gives the sun a run for its money.

But he is, in fact, blocking Gale’s actual sun. And Gale had been perfectly happy in the sun, thanks very much.

“You’re blocking the sun,” he says matter of factly. Even so, he earmarks the corner of his paperback and sets it beside him on his towel, full well knowing that Bucky, giving him this facial expression that somehow manages to mix ‘hurt but hopeful puppy’ with ‘giddy, plotting boyfriend,’ will not be easily deterred.

He would be correct.

“You’ve barely gotten in the water all afternoon. Why the hell did we come to the beach if we’re not gonna swim?” Bucky’s puppy dog smile turns to a pout, and Gale rolls his eyes behind his sunglasses as he glances Bucky up and down.

“You’ve been swimming.”

“But you haven’t!” Bucky steps closer to Gale and grabs one of his hands, tugging insistently. “Come into the water with me,” Bucky says.

Gale lets Bucky work for it for a second, but eventually, reluctantly, allows himself to be tugged to his feet. It beats the inevitable alternative where Bucky uses his – extremely slight though not insignificant – size advantage to drag Gale into the sand before throwing him over his shoulder. “Bucky,” he sighs, running a hand through his own dry hair. “I don’t know.”

“Why not?” Bucky whines. He tugs Gale’s hand again, and Gale indulges him until they reach the shallow tide of the ocean, water lapping peacefully at their feet. Gale feels the cool water splash his ankles, the soft and gritty sand nestling between and over his toes. He stops ankle-deep in the clear water, staring at the tiny fish that dart around him as the tide pulls them forward and back.

“See?” Bucky says. “You’re not gonna melt if you get a little water on you.”

Gale looks over at him. Bucky ignores the fact that he knows Gale is rolling his eyes behind those sunglasses. Buck is sassy today. “I walked around in the water with you earlier,” Gale reminds him. “And no, I’m not the wicked witch of the west, thanks so much.”

Bucky ignores the last comment, practically having to physically force himself not to make some poorly executed joke about Gale, apparently, being a witch. A sassy witch. “You’ve been laying in the sun long enough,” he says instead, patting Gale’s cheek. This earns him another eye roll. Bucky doesn’t care. “You’re gonna burn your pretty face like that.”

“I will in the water, too.” Deadpan. Unamused.

“Gale,” Bucky pleads. “I wanna swim in the ocean with you. We don’t get to come to the beach every day, so can we please just make the most of it? For me?”

Gale sighs and looks down at his feet, shifts and presses into them until the sand is almost completely covering them, an anchor. Only when he feels Bucky drop his hand does he look up again, just in time to watch him walk away, without a word, into deeper water. Gale bites his lip and runs his hand through his hair again, trying to tamp down the feeling of abandonment rising between his ribs. This should not be such a big deal. This should not be so hard.

Once Bucky is a good few yards away, the water up to his thighs, he turns around, fully intent on calling Gale out on his bullshit. But he stops short. He doesn’t know what he really expected to see. Gale had been a little off -- difficult, sassy, John doesn’t really know — all day. But he did not expect to see Gale biting at his lip and staring down at the water around his ankles, his arms crossed protectively over his chest. Bucky tilts his head and squints.

When Gale hears splashing and glances up to see Bucky walking back towards him, wading through the waves, he feels the tight feeling in his chest begin to ebb. He drops his arms to his sides and straightens up, trying to seem nonchalant. Bucky doesn’t buy it. “Hey,” he says. He reaches out and grabs Gale’s hand in his again, this time insistence replaced with a gentleness that wasn’t there before. “It’s okay.” Gale just blinks at him, opens his mouth, closes it, looks down at his feet. “Gale,” Bucky says quietly. With his free hand, he tilts Gale’s chin up again, so he has to look at him. “You’re scared of the ocean?”

Gale shrugs uncomfortably. “Not a whole lot of ocean in Wyoming.” He’d always been a good swimmer, it’s just that he’d never had very positive experiences with the ocean itself – the unknown of it, the unknown in it, the tides, the salt water that tastes awful on his tongue.

Bucky smiles and shakes his head. “No,” he agrees. He lets go of Gale’s chin and brushes his fingers down his check just briefly, a thoughtless touch that's barely there. “Why did we come to the beach if you don’t like the ocean?”

Gale shrugs again. “You like it. Wanted to make you happy.”

Bucky about melts, and he’s not a melting type. At least, he wasn’t before he met Gale Cleven. He squeezes Gale’s hand tight and gently tugs again. Gale takes a step forward, then another. Bucky leads him a few yards out, where he’d been just a moment ago, where the water hits about mid thigh and the waves swell up to just below the waist. It’s here that he feels resistance pulling at his hand. When he turns to look at Gale, the other man is tugging back, his feet firmly planted in the rocky sand. He’s shaking his head.

“Come on, Buck,” Bucky urges. “Just a little further.”

Gale shakes his head again. “This- This is good.”

Bucky turns a little more so he’s face to face with Gale and steps towards him, so close their noses almost touch. He takes Gale’s free hand in his, so he’s firmly holding both. “It’s okay,” he whispers. He starts slowly stepping backwards, pulling Gale along with him, and is relieved when the other man follows, unsure. Bucky glances behind him at the waves. The water is fairly calm today — Bucky is thankful for that now — but earlier in the day, here and there a wave would catch him by surprise. He doesn’t need any surprises with Gale. They just go slow, so very slow, one step at a time.

By the time the water is at Gale’s midriff, splashing up towards his chest, he stops and shakes his head definitively. He will not, under any circumstances, go further than this. Bucky decides to take it. He decides that they don’t have to swim today. They can stand, float, whatever. His new task is simply to get Gale comfortable in the ocean that he loves.

“Look at me, angel,” he says. He holds his breath for a second, worried the nickname will throw Gale off. He never really could figure out what to call Gale other than, well, Gale or Buck. Sometimes the nicknames he came up with were hit or miss — baby depended on the day; princess had earned him radio silence for about an hour, but he’d convinced himself that Gale just didn’t want to admit that he kinda liked it (he is most likely wrong but will not be deterred); darling was acceptable but how fucking boring; and sweetie was a very hard no. Angel just kind of popped out now because, seriously, Gale looks so goddamn ethereal in the ocean sunlight, the highlights in his blond hair bright and glittering from the sea-spray.

But Gale does look at him. He looks amused, but John can’t tell if his cheeks are tinged pink from the sun or because he’s blushing. Reaching a hand up to Gale’s face, he pushes the sunglasses up away from his eyes so they’re sitting on top of his head. “There you are,” he says. “Just keep your eyes on me.” He tugs Gale closer, so they’re nearly chest to chest, nose to nose. Bucky can feel Gale’s hair, which has grown just a little too long in the front, tickling his forehead as Gale looks back down at the water rising and falling around them. It’s not so clear anymore; he can no longer see what’s under the surface. “Gale, look at me.”

Gale obeys, meeting Bucky’s eyes. He’s suddenly very aware of how close they are. “People are gonna look,” he mumbles.

“No one cares what anyone else is doing at the beach.”

“They might…”

“No,” Bucky reaffirms. “And to hell with them if they do. Just keep looking at me, okay? I’ve got you.”

Bucky wouldn’t admit it – it would just scare Gale off – but he secretly loves these little moments where he can be Gale’s safety. He can protect him, reassure him, let him know everything would be alright. Buck Cleven was always so in control, seemingly fearless. Bucky loves that he gets to see this side of him, the one that can be unsure, the one that needs some guidance. He likes that he’s the one Gale looks to for that.

Bucky guides Gale’s hands up so they’re wrapped around his neck and shoulders. “I’ve got you,” he repeats. “We’re just gonna stand here, okay? You and me.” Then he reaches down behind Gale's legs and picks him up, convinces him to wrap his legs around his waist so now Bucky is fully holding him, lifting him higher out of the water so he doesn’t have to contend with the waves alone.

“Bucky,” Gale starts to protest, immediately moving to disentangle his legs. He feels silly, a little too dependent. It goes against everything he tries to let the world see of himself, and everything he’s careful to ensure they don’t see.

Bucky holds tight to his waist though, keeping his arms firmly wrapped around Gale’s middle. “Just breathe, Gale. Just stay here with me.”

Gale hesitates, but nods and re-secures his legs around Bucky, leaning back in his firm embrace. The water makes him feel like he’s floating while the arms around his waist anchor him. He tries to focus on the sounds of seagulls soaring overhead, waves breaking over the sand, the distant buzz of a plane engine somewhere up above. The water is cool against his skin, leaving him almost cold where it splashes up and recedes again. Bucky’s body is warm and solid against his. He focuses on Bucky’s face, all warm eyes and a soft, encouraging smile. Gale lets that ground him, almost smiles back.

But then a larger wave comes and smacks him in the bicep, knocking him off balance and causing his breath to hitch as he tightens his grip on Bucky and shuts his eyes tight. “Bucky!” He’s a little ashamed of how nervous his own voice sounds.

Bucky just grins at him, though, totally unfazed. “I won’t let you go,” he promises.

When Gale opens his eyes again and stares straight at Bucky, Bucky’s breath catches in his throat. He feels like a teenager with a crush, the way his stomach flips at having the undivided attention of someone who may very well be the most beautiful man in the world – definitely the most beautiful in Bucky’s world. When they had first allowed their friendship to turn into more, Bucky was terrified that he wasn’t cut out for commitment. He never had been before. He was a low stakes, one night, paint the town red kind of guy. And Gale, well, Gale was not. He deserved so much better than Bucky. Even now, Bucky still beats himself up too much about whether or not he’s good enough, but slowly, slowly, slowly his anxiety over it had started to fade. Now, staring into Gale’s eyes, taking in his beautiful face, his hair, running his hands up and down his slim waist, Bucky is awestruck. Not for the first time, he can’t imagine ever wanting anyone else again. It physically pains him how much he wants to spend his entire life with Gale.

“What?” Gale asks, smiling a little shyly as he quirks an eyebrow at Bucky.

“You’re beautiful,” Bucky blurts out.

Gale’s smile grows. He opens his mouth to speak just as another wave comes and catches them off guard, spraying salt water into his face. He splutters and gags, trying to get the unwelcome taste off his tongue. Bucky can’t help but laugh.

“‘S not funny,” Gale mumbles.

Bucky surprises him by pressing their lips together for the briefest of moments, relishing in the taste of salt and sand mixed with Gale. “It’s a little funny.”

Gale rolls his eyes and unwraps one arm from around Bucky’s neck so he can check that his sunglasses are still safe atop his head before clinging on again. Bucky shifts him up an inch or two higher, a silent apology and an attempt to spare him from the bigger waves.

“Are we done now?” Gale asks impatiently. “Can I go sit on the beach again?”

“No.”

Gale huffs and looks away from Bucky, out to the great ocean and the horizon beyond, even as his fingers play mindlessly with the wet hair at the nape of Bucky’s neck. “It is pretty, I’ll give you that.” When Bucky hums in agreement, Gale frowns. “Of course, I’d rather think that from where I was on the beach.”

Bucky lifts one hand to the side of Gale’s face, runs his fingers down his cheek and then presses his thumb to Gale’s bottom lip, which he’s still been worrying between his teeth. “You’re still nervous.”

“Yes John, I’m fucking nervous,” Gale snaps, and he immediately regrets it. Then he sighs, closes his eyes. The words rattle around in his brain like gunfire. “Sorry.”

Bucky barely reacts, though. He knows Gale doesn’t do well with nerves, or with being looked after, or really anything that shows him to be less in control than he wants everyone to think he is. “You’re doing great,” Bucky says. “Now what was that you were telling me earlier about how stars die? Fusion or something. All those smart things you know so much about.”

Gale glares at him, but there’s no more malice behind it. He looks more like a petulant child who doesn’t want to be coddled anymore. “I know what you’re doing,” he says.

“And what am I doing?”

“Trying to distract me.”

“So what?” Bucky grins at him, and Gale can’t deny how much he loves that smile. How much he loves feeling their upper bodies pressed against each other as they just float. Or the way Bucky’s hand reassuringly strokes up and down his side as a silent I’m here, I’m with you, I won’t let you go. “Buck?” Bucky bumps their noses together, making Gale scoff. “Tell me about all your nerdy physics facts.”

So Gale does. He tells Bucky all about the life cycle of a star: the fact that the sun is made up of hydrogen and helium, and how hydrogen nuclei collide in a process called nuclear fusion to create helium and release energy, and how eventually the helium will start creating carbon and the star will become unstable, ejecting its outer layers into the cosmos like a fireball. Gale tells Bucky about all the types of stars and how they die in different ways to become different things — No Bucky, the sun will not become a black hole, sorry — and the fact that even the biggest stars eventually stop fusing when they inevitably create iron because they no longer have enough fuel to evade collapse. These are the stars that explode outward in a spectacular encore of literally stellar proportions, a supernova.

All of this really is over Bucky’s head, but he’ll listen for hours if it means he gets a front row seat to Gale’s unfiltered excitement. The thing that catches his attention though is when Gale smiles at him, brushes his wet hair away from his face. “That’s where everything in the universe comes from, Bucky,” he says. “The Earth, moon, planets, the sun itself. You and me. We’re all made of star stuff.”

Bucky can’t look away from this amazing, beautiful man that he’s holding in his arms. He wants to make some comment about when did you become such a poet, but all that comes out is “That must be why you’re my entire universe.”

Gale’s expression somehow manages to be long-suffering and unamused but somehow so loving. A look that says you’re an idiot but you’re mine and I wouldn’t trade you for the world.

“You doin' okay?” Bucky asks.

Gale blinks at him, then looks down at the water again. One arm still around Bucky’s neck, he lets his other hand rest on the water’s surface, bobbing up and down with the waves. He finds the motion somehow satisfying, the physics of it as well as the repetitive rocking, the cooling feeling of water adhering to his skin. He has no idea how long they’ve been out here. “I’m fine,” he concedes.

“Maybe next time we can go out a little further,” Bucky says. “Ride the waves in.” Gale looks skeptical if not a little terrified, and Bucky can’t help but laugh. “Alright, that’s a no for now.”

“I think,” Gale starts softly. He pulls his sunglasses back over his eyes and bows his head, so his forehead is resting on Bucky’s as he tightens his grip on him once again. “I think I’m okay right here.” He feels safe, secure. And he finds he doesn’t mind admitting that.

Bucky decides he’ll take it. He doesn’t need more right now. After all, he has his entire universe right here in his arms.

#I'm obsessed with sassy Gale #clegan #masters of the air #mota #gale cleven #john egan #bucky egan #buck cleven #gale buck cleven #john bucky egan #buck x bucky #bucky x buck #clegan fic #when I set out to write fluffy beach fic #I did not expect to be reviewing nuclear fusion

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iamknicole · 6 months

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Chapter Seven

A/N: Comment, Reblog & Share! Updates depend on engagement!💛🌻

Warnings: 18+, Minors DNI, cursing, violence, excuse any typos

Masterlist

Chapter 6

To celebrate his debut, Bronco organized a night out for Zilla the following night. He figured this was a good time for Trick to make a better impression on Zilla than he had in the PC. With Naio and Jon being in town for his match, they went along with him to celebrate leaving Moriah at the apartment with Trinity, Leata and Nadine. The Patio had been a great choice for their outing by Bronco. The drinks, the atmosphere and the food were putting them all in an even more celebratory mood. When Zilla and his family arrived Bronco met them by the bar, dapping up Jon and Naio.

“Listen before we get over there, I invited Trick and Christian. They wanted to celebrate with us. Cool?”

Zilla nodded slowly. At this point nobody could be any worse than his soon to be mother in law. “That’s cool but who is Christian?”

“My bad,” Bronco laughed, “Christian is Melo. He answer to both.”

After getting his approval, Brinco led them over to the section and the cheering from the other two men began. They both moved in to dap Zilla up then his family.

“Yall know Jon and this one of my brothers, Naio.”

“Damn yall look alike,” Christian joked as he dapped them both up, “That’s crazy. Congrats on the debut though. That match was crazy, man.”

“Facts. They did right putting you as the main event.” Trick praised. “Shut that show down. Ain’t leave shit for nobody else.”

Zilla shrugged bashfully, not ready to take the compliments. Noticing, Jon roughly grabbed his shoulders and shook him playfully.

“We here to celebrate so we need to get this man a drink! I’m the DD so Zilla enjoy yourself. I’ll make sure yall straight.”

While they were starting their night the right way, Nadine was making sure the opposite was happening at the apartment. Since the men left, she attempted to get to know Trinity and see what her daughter had been up to.

“So you are married to who again? Nadine asked.

“Jon, Zilla’s cousin. The one that was just here not too long ago.” Trinity answered, trying not to roll her eyes.

Nadine hummed. “And you wrestle too, right? The lil neon girl.”

“Glow, Mama. Glow,” Moriah corrected quickly.

“Glow, neon, same thing.” Nadine chuckled. “I guess Moriah could be doin worse things. At least she’s only dating one.”

Trinity frowned. “What’s wrong with being a wrestler?”

“Nothing, sweetie. It’s just not for my baby. She’s too cute to be thrown around and hurting herself like that,” Nadine explained while playing with Moriah’s hair. “But I guess better Isayah than her.”

Leata stood from her spot on the sofa, she beckoned for Moriah to follow her then walked to the kitchen.

“I know, I know,” she spoke softly.

“This is my fault,” Leata tsked, “I should’ve left her ass in Texas. I’m trying to be nice here but she’s pushing it, Moriah.”

“I know, I’m gonna say something. She’s been on one since yall got here.”

“She has and you need to put your foot down for the sake of yourself and your relationship.”

Back at the club, Zilla volunteered to order more drinks and shots for them at the bar, Trick tagged along with him. They leaned against the bar waiting for one of the bartenders to make their way down to them for their order.

“I ain’t mean no harm with what I said to you before,” Trick explained, leaning in so Zilla could hear him to which he nodded. “I just was tryna help you not make the same mistake I did when I first got there.”

“What mistake?”

“The mistake of not knowing how good I am and just letting everybody else decide how good I am instead of letting it be known.”

Zilla chuckled, glancing over at him. “I hear you. I appreciate that but that definitely ain’t what it sounded like you was sayin’.”

Trick laughed a bit, “I thought about it afterwards and realized that I prolly sounded crazy as hell. I gotta work on my approach but I meant well, forreal, big dog. So we good?”

Zilla accepted his hand slap and they briefly hugged. “Yeah we straight, man. That delivery was trash though.”

“I know, I know. But remember what I said now. We was backstage while you was out there doin ya thing so we heard just about everything. Them people know what’s up even if they don’t act like it, keep ya foot on they neck.”

The bartender came to get their order then walked away to put it in and make their shots. As push jolted Zilla, had Trick not been beside him, he would have hit the floor. Remembering where he was, he tried not to get worked up about it as he turned to see who it was and if they were going to at least apologize. He locked eyes with a man a couple of inches shorter than him. The man stared at him but didn’t offer any words.

“Yo, you good?” Zilla asked, glaring at him.

Trick looked around Zilla in enough time to see the man size both of them up. “My man, you straight?”

The man scuffed then walked off, roughly bumping Zilla’s shoulder that affected the man more than it did Zilla. Placing his hands on Zilla’s shoulders, Trick shook his head and turned him back around to the bar.

“Don’t even worry about it. That man prolly drunk off his ass and don’t realize what mistake he just made.”

Zilla shook his head, turning to see where the man looked and sucked his teeth. “For his sake he better be.”

After getting into Trinity’s business as much as she could, Nadine made it her business to get into Moriah’s business which included a bit of snooping.

Moriah had just come in from running down to their car to grab her charger and realized her mother was no longer sitting in the living room area with Leata and Trinity. She rolled her eyes and sighed.

“Where is she?”

“I’ll let you guess,” Leata chuckled, looking towards the bedroom.

Again, Moriah groaned.

Trinity laughed. “I tried to stop her and she told me that I should mind my business. I decided to let you handle it because if I do.”

“I’m sorry about her, Trin,” she said shaking her head, “I swear she thinks she runs everything. I should’ve just came to the hotel instead of offering the apartment while they’re out.”

“You’re stalling,” Trinity pointed out.

“I’m not. I was just venting,” she pouted.

Leata pointed towards the bedroom, “Alu loa i totonu o lena potu.” (Get in that room now.)

Moriah pouted harder and stomped a few times. “I don’t know what you said but I can read between the lines

I'm going but I don't like it.”

Getting into the room, Moriah found her mother going through the nightstand on her side of the bed. She cleared her throat to get Nadine’s attention. Although she didn’t look up, Moriah knew that she’d been heard.

“Why are you in my things, Mama?”

“You got something to hide?” She asked, still not looking up.

“No but,” Moriah was cut off by Nadine.

“Okay so why does it matter if I’m looking in here?”

Biting her tongue for a moment, Moriah took a deep breath in and out to contain herself. “Because everything in there belongs to me and I wanna know why you’re going through my personal things?”

“Oh please,” she laughed, opening the second drawer, “I’m your mother, I can do what I want.”

“You being my mother doesn’t give you the right to violate my privacy, Mama. I am an adult, this is my apartment and I want you to get out of my things now. Please.”

Nadine closed the drawer with a huff finally looking over at her daughter. “Whatever you’re hiding, you might as well tell me now. You know I’m gonna find out. I always do.”

“You wanna know what I’m hiding? Fine, I’m hiding how I really feel about how you treat Zilla, my relationship and me. I’m tired of it.”

Nadine’s brows raised in surprise and humor. “Oh is that right? Well, sweetheart, if it wasn't for me doing what I have been doing for the last ten plus years then things would be mighty different for you. Wouldn’t they?”

“They would and that would be just fine with me. I didn’t ask you to do any of it, In fact, I recall begging you not to,” Moriah fussed, feeling her anger rise.

“You should be very grateful that I stepped in when I did or you would’ve been just another statistic. Is that what you wanted? To be a statistic like those other girls and like your little boyfriend.”

Moriah clicked her tongue repeatedly. “You don’t think you did anything wrong, do you, Mama?”

Nadine stared at her daughter with a proud smile. “No, I don't and I didn't. I wish I would’ve and could’ve done more but I’m making up for that now.”

“What is your problem?” Moriah yelled, unable to hold it in any longer. “What is it? Just spit it out!”

Leata pushed the door open gently, rushing over to stand between them. She faced Moriah, rubbing her shoulder to calm her down.

“Breathe, manamea. In, out.”

Reaching around Leata, Nadine jerked Moriah out of Leata’s grasp and over to her side. Leata turned quickly, a deep frown on her face.

“Nadine, don’t pull on her like that. You could hurt her,” she fussed.

“And if I do then she’ll be okay. This is my child, not yours!” Nadine yelled, pointing her finger in the other woman’s face.

Leata slapped her hand away from her face. “You better keep that finger outta my face if you wanna keep it, Nadine. It does not matter if you’re her mother, it doesn’t mean you can manhandle her because you’re angry.”

“Since they were kids you’ve been trying to undermine me with my child and it stops today! You don’t tell me what I can and cannot do to and with Moriah! For the last time this is my daughter and you can’t have her! So you go back out there and with that girl and mind your got damn business, Leata!”

Moriah pulled away from her mother, stepping in between the two women. She pushed each of them gently so they all could have more space. Trinity jogged into the room to help Moriah keep them apart and be by Leata’s side.

“Mama, chill out! Stop yelling at her! She did nothing wrong!”

“Stay out of this, Moriah! She tells you everything that you wanna hear so you’ll stay with that jailbird of a son so she doesn’t have to take care of him! All you are is a stupid girl with a check to her!”

Leata chuckled humorlessly to herself and tried to walk closer despite being held at bay by Trinity, “Nadine, one more time to talk about my child. It’s gone on too long.”

“Just breathe Auntie. It ain’t worth it.” Trinity whispered.

“Did I strike a nerve? You know it’s true that’s why you’re so upset. My baby makes more than your son ever will.”

“You don’t even know what you’re talking about, Mama. Zilla makes more than I do. You’re just making stuff up at this point.” Moriah shook her head in disbelief. “You are literally trying to find any way to make him the bad guy. If you dislike him this much then you shouldn’t have come here.”

“Oh, girl,” Nadine groaned at her daughter, “You sound about as dumb as you act, Just shut up.”

“No! You shut up!”

Moriah opened her mouth to finish her statement but Nadine’s open palm making contact with her face cut her off. The sound was enough to shock Leata and Trinity, both jumped and stare in shock. Moriah stumbled back until she hit the wall and put her hand to her face. Her cheek was warm from the collision, blood pooled in her mouth and droplets fell along with the tears in her eyes. Nadine’s eyes grew wide as she realized what she had done. She meant to slap her just not as hard as she had.

“Moriah … sweetie,” Nadine said as she attempted to approach her daughter.

“No,” she yelled, “Don’t touch me! Get out, I want you to leave.”

“Baby, just let me get you some ice.”

“I don’t want you to do anything but leave,” she responded, trying to catch the blood falling from her mouth.

Trinity rushed to the bathroom to get something to catch the blood and hopefully stop it. Leata decided to stay quiet and not make any move towards Moriah as the situation had already escalated way too far.

“Moriah, I … just let me take a look at it for you.” Nadine pleaded, reaching for her again only to have Moriah recoil from her.

“I can’t do this anymore, Mama. I love you,” she paused, wincing from the pain, “I love you but I can’t do this anymore.”

“It’s just a little argument, Rye. Mama’s sorry.”

Trinity returned with a warm rag, putting it to Moriah’s mouth to wipe the blood.

“I don’t want your sorry,” she said softly after moving Trinity’s hand, “I want you to leave. Until you can accept me, Zilla, his family and our relationship, I don’t wanna talk to you.”

It felt as though Nadine’s heart had been stepped on. All she wanted was the best for her daughter and now it was all backfiring in her face.

“I’ll give you some time, Rye.”

Leata followed Nadine out to the living room and went to her purse to grab the keys to the rental. She held them out to the other woman.

“Here, take the keys.”

Nadine dabbed at the corners of her eyes before taking the keys. “Let her know that I’ll come check on her tomorrow.”

“She was clear about what she wants from you, Nadine. Give her the space she’s asking for. She’s got a lot of shit that you did to her that she needs to work through.”

“I’ve done nothing but protect her and do what’s best.”

“What you thought was best, not what she wanted and you know that.”

“She was a child, she had no clue what was best for her. As a mother sometimes you have to make hard decisions even if your child hates you for it. I wasn’t gonna let that fly.”

Taking one last look at Nadine, Leata went back to the bedroom, closing the door behind her. Nadine grabbed her purse and fixed herself up and left the apartment with her head held high. She had two days to fix a few things.

“Yo, you know that man?” Bronco asked, pointing at the man that had bumped Zilla earlier.

All five men looked in the direction he was pointing.

“Yeah he bumped into me at the bar. Other than that ion know him,” Zilla shrugged.

“He staring hard as hell at you. I think he might know you.”

Trick laughed. “Shoulder prolly hurt from when his drunk ass tried to shoulder check Z. Prolly mad.”

“Nah, nah,” Naio said, squinting in the direction of the man. “I know him, I seen him before.”

Jon raised a brow. “Where you know em from? Maybe he thought Zilla was you.”

Naio shook his head. “Nah, he know that ain’t me. He know who lil bruh is.”

“Ion know him. Who is he?” Zilla asked, his eyes still on the man.

“That’s that dude Rye dated. Timmy … Harry … some square ass name.”

“Thomas,” Zilla corrected, a glare on his face.

“Oh he want smoke,” Christian asked quietly.

Jimmy went to stand in front of Zilla blocking his view of the man. “No, don’t nobody want smoke. Let em stare all he want, he already found out you a brick wall and I know he don’t wanna do that again.”

Just as those words left Jon’s lips, Thomas was crossing the club coming in their direction. Jon tried to talk the younger men down with some help from Naio. He knew the damage a public fight would do to their careers, especially Zilla’s since it just started.

Thomas approached Zilla with a smirk.

“Nice to meet the jailbird in person. Dr. Gardner but call me Thomas,” he said, sticking his hand out.

Jon stepped in front of his younger cousin. “Whatever you came over here for, you ain’t gettin. Gone go back to your spot over there and it won’t be no problems.”

“Oh you can’t talk for yourself,” Thomas poked, peeking around at Zilla, “I guess its still hard to adjust after being locked up so long.”

“Bitch,” Zilla yelled, trying to get out of his brother’s hold.

“Aye, aye, chill out. Dude you need to get from over here.”

Thomas tried to hide his fear behind his smirk. “Nah, I’m enjoyin myself right here. Just wanted to see the waste of time Moriah has attached to her. Disappointing up close.”

Bronco stepped forward with Trick and Christian behind him. He towered over the other man.

“It really sound like you hard a’hearin. Get your ass outta here before you get tossed the fuck outta here. This ain’t a game.”

Even though he was terrified on the inside, Thomas put on a brave face and continued pushing. He took a few steps closer, pushing Jon’s hands from his chest.

“Enjoy your time with Mo, it’ll be coming to an end real soon. It’ll be nice to have her back in bed with me.”

At that, Naio took his hands off his brother realizing that there was nothing more he could do to save the stupid man standing in front of them. Zilla barrelled forward, standing inches from Thomas and glared down at him.

“Repeat that shit you said.”

Thomas swallowed hard as he stared back, the other men stood closely behind Zilla.

“No need to get all upset. You couldn’t really think she’d stay with you after I decided to let her come back with me.”

“If you know what I know you gon stay your ass away from her. She told you once already,” he spat moving closer to him, “And if she has to say it again I’m on yo ass. I promise you that.”

“You wouldn’t wanna go back to prison, would you?” Thomas chuckled.

Zilla smirked. “You must not know me. It’s whatever behind my lady. If it mean I gotta go back then that’s what it is.”

“Spoken like a true street warrior. You a grown man now, it’s time to put that little boy, thug life stuff away.”

Zilla poked Thomas’s nose harshly as he spoke, “Fuck all that. Lemme find out ya ass don’t understand what no mean. Think I’m playin’.”

Naio whispered to his brother that they were leaving and Zilla nodded. He led the group out of the section, shoulder checking Thomas almost knocking him off his feet. As the men passed the smaller man, they made eye contact giving silent promises they were sure he understood. Bronco stopped in front of him, staring down at him. A chuckled passed through him seeing Thomas shake under his stare.

“Lakeland General a nice place. Security ain’t shit though,” he said calmly. “I want you to remember that every time you see, think about or look at Rye. Aight, lil man?”

Bronco sent a gruff slap to his back as he passed him to catch up to the group. The men stood around the Jon’s car talking about the altercation when Bronco got to him,

“You hit em?” Christian asked squinting.

“Nah, not this time.” He laughed. “What we doin?”

I was tellin them, mainly Zilla, that yall need to tell Shawn what happened before he find out from somewhere else.”

“We ain’t even touch lil dude but aight.”

“Despite that dumbass we had a good time tonight and that’s what we gon focus on for right now.” Trick smiled. “And tomorrow we can worry about Shawn chewing our asses out.”

“She what?”

Leata covered his mouth quickly. “Hush, not so loud, she’s sleep. Are you gonna be quiet?” She waited for him to nod to take her hand down. “I’m not sure how it started but Moriah … she had enough then Nadine smacked her.”

His fists clenched at his side hearing his mother’s words. The night had started off promising but had since gone to hell.

“She the one that need to get her ass slapped.”

“I agree but right now, Moriah is your focus. We’ll get to Nadine later, she isn’t important.”

“What you mean she ain’t important? She slapped Fat.”

Leata grabbed his face and spoke softly, “She is not important. There’s always time to get her. Moriah needs you right now and she doesn’t need angry Zilla, she needs comforting Isayah. Okay?”

He nodded slowly staring down at his mother.

“What was bothering you when you came in here? Cause it was something.”

“Her ex was at the club, he was tryin me.”

“You didn’t put your hands on him, did you?”

He shook his head. “Nah but I should’ve. A coincidence that almost got his ass beat.”

She leaned up to kiss his face then hugged him tight. She had a feeling it wasn’t a coincidence but she wasn’t gonna tell him that. “I’m gonna go but call if you two need me to come back. I put some extra towels and washcloths on her side of the bed and there’s one on her pillow.”

“Aight, Mama. I love you.”

After his shower, Zilla eased into the bed close to his girlfriend. When he saw the dried blood on the towel beneath her head and around her mouth, his body started to heat up from anger. He grabbed the damp rag from his bedside and gently wiped around her mouth. She whined softly at the contact.

“Shhh. It’s aight, Fat. It’s just me.” He whispered softly, still cleaning the dried blood away.

Her eyes still closed, Moriah gingerly moved over to lay her head on his chest. She hissed softly when her face made contact with his body.

“You need anything?”

“No,” she answered softly.

“I got you, aight? I ain’t goin nowhere.”

Begrudgingly, Zilla got up the next morning to go to the PC. He made sure his mother and brother would be there with Moriah in case she needed anything. First thing he did was talk to Shawn, which apparently the other guys had the same idea because they were all at his office within minutes of one another. The talk went well, Shawn promised to look into it and took their word for what happened, He trained throughout the day with a few of the trainers and before lunch he went to promo class with Bronco. For much of the class, he had to force himself to stay focused on the task at hand but his mind kept drifting back to his girlfriend, wondering if she was okay and if her mother had tried to get to her again. After class, he and Bronco talked for a bit until his brother’s school called for him and when they split Booker approached.

“I ain’t get to see you after your debut so I wanted to come congratulate you and let you know you tore the roof off that place, you hear me?” He laughed. “Boy, yo daddy so proud of you. I know he is.”

“Preciate that,” he chuckled, “I hope he is.”

“Ain’t no hopin’, he is very, very, very proud of you. Okay?”

Zilla nodded as he checked his phone, he replied to his brother’s text then looked back up at his mentor.

“What’s up? I did something?”

“You didn’t do anything wrong, I just … what happened last night?” Booker asked.

Zilla shrugged. “Got into with this dude but I ain’t hit em or nothin. I ain’t even yell. How you even knew about that?”

“Shawn asked me plus there’s a video floating around on social media. But it just looks like a very aggressive conversation.”

“Yeah, that’s pretty much what it was. He thought he was gon say what he wanted and I let em know that it don’t work that way.”

Booker put a hand on his shoulder, “I get that and I understand that especially as a man. It’s hard but sometimes you have to let people be people.”

Zilla’s face twisted at his words and he sucked his teeth. “I don’t care what he said about me but when it come to Moriah, I’m not lettin shit slide. She already let enough people do that shit, I ain’t addin to that list.”

“Listen, listen,” Booker demanded softly, “I’m not telling you to let nobody disrespect her. All I’m saying is just think about it. Act as if there’s a camera pointed at you when you’re in public. The company wants you to carry yourself a certain way.”

“It sound like you want me to do that, not the company. I said what I said and Ima stand on it. I’m not lettin no disrespect come to her.”

“I’m not tryna upset you, Zilla. I just wanna help.”

“Yeah, help.” He mumbled. “That’s all you wanted?”

“Yeah but,” Booker was cut off by the younger man.

“Cool, I’m out. I’m done for the day and I gotta get home.”

Lakeland General was buzzing as usual when Nadine slipped in. She searched the pediatric floor in search of Thomas, waving away the nurses who offered her any help. On a mission, she finally spotted him with a patient and stood at the door watching him. A smile slowly spread across her face thinking of how happy she would be if Moriah would just listen. Nadine cleared her throat gaining his attention, he wrapped up his conversation with the parents then stepped out of the room closing the door behind him.

“I wasn’t expecting you up here, Ms. Nadine.”

“Well I figured I’d come see my son in law plus we need to talk,” she said pointedly, “It’s important.”

Thomas looked around for a moment then led her to the hallway near the elevators. He stuck his hands in his pockets huffing softly.

“So I guess you heard what happened?”

“What are you talking about?”

“You heard what happened last night? I assume that’s why you’re here.”

Nadine frowned. “No but go ahead and tell me,Thomas.”

“Well,” he paused when a doctor stepped off the elevator, “I went to the club since you told me they were gonna be there. I bumped him at the bar but he didn’t really react. The guy standing next to him just wrote me off as a drunk guy.”

Thomas continued to relay the story to her, her face was stone and she showed no emotion.

“Thomas, I could have told you that trying to start something with him wasn’t a good idea. That’s what their family does and sweetie, they’re much bigger than you.” She said sweetly rubbing the side off his face. “I didn’t tell you that he would be there for you to start a fight. You leave the planning to me.”

“I was uh .. I was just trying to help.”

While they were talking, Toni was coming out of the pediatric supply closet with an arm full of items needed down in the ED. As she was approaching the elevator bank she heard Moriah’s name and Thomas’s voice, she moved to the nearest corner to listen.

“And I love that you’re helping me get my daughter away from him but like I said leave the planning to me. Just lay low for right now, we’ve hit a bump in the road.”

“Everything okay?”

“Yeah just that boy and his family are really sinking their teeth into my baby. But don’t you worry, I’ve got something in mind that will clear all of this.”

Thomas raised a brow. “Yeah? You sure it’s gonna work?”

“Oh I know it,” she smirked, “I’ve been trying to get her to leave him but she won’t. So I have to make him leave her.”

“You think he’s gonna?”

“Oh most definitely. Once I pull out my secret weapon, he won’t wanna be with her any longer. I’m sure of it.”

Thomas smiled a little. “Can I know what it is?”

“Okay but keep it to yourself.”

Toni listened extra carefully as Nadine spoke, she had to cover her mouth to muffle the gasp that left her lips. She couldn’t imagine why a mother would take such delight in ruining her only child’s relationship. A light bulb went off in her head, Thomas already knew Moriah so when he approached her in the parking garage all he was trying to do was use Toni as a pawn.

After Nadine left, Toni was able to get back down to the ED, her mind still on the conversation.

“Hey, friend.”

Looking up from her device, Toni chuckled under her breath seeing Bronco smiling at her.

“I’m gonna assume the other one isn’t here since Moriah is off. Did he send you to disrupt my ED, Bronco?”

He laughed a little gesturing behind him. “Nah, my lil brother fell at school and he needa get checked out.”

Toni glanced at the young boy and smiled then squinted at the man in front of her. “And you bought him here? Does he not have a primary care doctor?”

Bronco leaned on the encounter still smiling. “He do but I hadn’t seen my friend in a few days plus I know you gon make sure my boy straight.”

“Uhuh,” she hummed, eyeing him, “Come on, I’ll take him to 5.”

Bronco followed her with his brother right beside him. He stood back once they were in the exam room, watching her get him situated in the bed.

“Alright, a nurse will be in shortly then the doctor. Want some juice or anything, sweetheart?”

“Yes ma'am please.”

“Okay,” she winked, “I'll have the nurse bring it.”

As she was walking out, Bronco grabbed her arm gently pulling her back.

“Yes?”

Licking his lips, Bronco’s eyes swept over her. “What I gotta do to get you to be his nurse?”

“I need to run my ED.” She said, gently pulling her arm away from him.

“It'll be there. This ain't gon take but a minute.” He poked his lip out at her playfully. “Pleaaaase.”

She stared at him trying not to smile. “Fine, fine. I'll be right back. But you owe me, Bronco.”

“And I plan to pay you back and then some, friend.”

“I’m busy, Hassan. I’ll call you back later.”

“I don’t care. We need to talk,” he responded sternly.

Nadine huffed while she actually wasn’t busy, she didn’t feel like talking to him. She moved her suitcase over and sat on the side of the hotel bed.

“What do you want, Hassan?”

“I wanna know why you thought it was okay to put your hands on our daughter? Have you seen her face? You left a bruise, Nadine.”

There was a brief silence between them. She would never say that hitting her was unintentional but she did not mean for the slap to be that hard. Nadine was surprised it took him two days to reach out to her about it.

“Nothing to say now?”

Nadine sighed. “What do you want me to say, Hassan? She’s my child and I can discipline her the way I see fit. And I did not mean to hit her that hard, I apologized for hitting her that hard.”

“Do you hear yourself? Moriah is an adult. You’re apologizing for the force behind it but not the entire act? Seriously, Nadine.”

“You are just like Leata. Making excuses for her disrespect. I was not about to let her yell at me that way,” Nadine fussed. “Did she tell you that she told me to shut up? I bet she didn’t tell you that.”

“She told me everything and frankly I would’ve told you to shut your ass up too. You spent the whole night talking down to all three of them and disrespecting Moriah and our son in law’s relationship. You’re lucky she put up with you as long as she did.”

“Dammit, Hassan! Stop calling him that!”

Hassan sat quietly to gather his emotions and not get so worked up. He was never an outwardly angry man, choosing to be cool, colm and collected when it came to conflict and he was not about to let Nadine change that.

“Moriah told me what she told you before she put you out,” he relayed in his normal calm tone. “I told you this day would come if you didn’t watch the way you treated her. She means what she said.”

“What are you her spokesperson? You don’t care about our daughter’s life or her future. But I should’ve known when you picked that job over your family.”

Hassan took a slow deep breath. “I’m not about to rehash that with you because you and I both know the truth. But to answer your question, in a way I am her spokesperson. She wanted me to let you know if you have anything you wanna say to her or ask her that you need to go through me and she’ll decide if she wants to respond.”

Nadine scoffed. “I do not need a middle man. I can talk to my daughter whenever I want to and she will answer.”

“Goodbye, Nadine.”

#aao #zilla fatu #zilla & moriah #the samoan dynasty #the bloodline

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corvase · 2 years

Text

supportive dialogue prompts

platonic and or romantic. feel free to use :)

“you are the strongest person i know and i love you.”

one character indecisive and finally decides “i think i’m gonna do bangs instead.” and the other flippantly like “whatever your hair looks like you’re still mine.”

“you just agree with everything i say.” “that’s because everything you say is correct !!!”

them genuinely being supportive even with the smallest things like . “i think im gonna do it. i’m gonna buy strawberry flavoured gum instead of mint this time.” and their s/o is like “You’re them. ur a genius. scientists are scared of you. philosophers are terrified of your power. men are in awe of U and you’re mine.”

“i believe and support you. and it doesn’t matter what anyone else says because you and i know you’re strong as hell. don’t doubt it for a second.”

“you’re enough. it doesn’t matter if you’re enough for anyone else you’re enough for yourself and you’re enough for me and i don’t need anything from you other than for you to be right here with me now.”

one is having a bad hair day and their convo goes like “it’s awful. “it’s fine.” “i am hideous.” “it’s really not that bad.” “i can’t leave the house like this.” “you’re beautiful to me *shrug*.” “STOP LYING.”

both of them have big work events coming up and agreed they can’t make it to each other’s however they both try sneak away to support the other during the work day and end up missing each other

a random but needed moment where the character is going through something and get a message like “have i ever told you i love and appreciate you? you are one of/my favorite person.”

“i mean it when i say if you were on fire i would grab a bucket of water with haste.” “what would i do without you?”

“i don’t want you ever feeling like a decision would somehow jeopardize our relationship. i love you no matter what decision you make and i’m here for you no matter how it turns out.”

^followed by “and if this doesn’t work out, if it all goes to crap, i will be here and i’ll hold you until you feel better.”

wife x i love my wife and support everything she does to death husband

one is half asleep and the other is stressed and awake and they’re murmuring to themselves like “should i just do it?” and even half asleep the other one is like “do it. ill 100% support you”

i want to add that moments like these are important in stories (as well as my healthy relationship prompts lists). i hope this helps you all to write stories where your characters have people who make them feel like they’re on top of the world all the time :)) <3

#supportive prompts #supportive relationship prompts #writing healthy conversations #writeblr #writing #writing tips #writing advice #writing romance #writing prompts #romance prompts #dialogue prompts #romance writing prompts #writing supportive relationships #imagine your otp

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heyidkyay · 1 year

Text

I guess I'll take this pain, instead of your name

Part Eight

A/n: Just that I honestly love these two a whole lot x

Also- a change of pov in this one, so just a forewarning!

Summary: In life, things changed. The boys you'd once grown up with were men now, and famous ones at that. The type that toured the world and had millions of adoring fans.

The five of you shared a shit ton of history. But you also shared a lot of mixed emotions for one of them in particular, a certain drummer.

Warnings: Similar to the last chapter- mentions of trauma and some references to a serious but past event (not too much detail but still be mindful)

Masterlist

Ross’s face when I trailed into the pub just behind George was a right picture. Pint glass halfway to his lips as he stilled, shock freezing him in place.

“Erm, alright Y/n?” He finally greeted me, flashing a look of apparent confusion over towards George who’d just headed straight on over to the bar without saying a word.

I grinned at the bearded weirdo, snatching up a seat and settling in. “Perfect, thanks! Everything is just perfect. We’ve worked it all out and at this rate, I figure G and I will be having a springtime wedding.”

Startlingly, Ross seemed rather chuffed by the idea.

I stared back at him, gaping a tad. “I was being sarcastic, Ross.”

He pursed his lips at me, mumbling into the froth of his pint as he took a sip. “And you wonder why it all went to shit.”

In retort, I smacked him hard on the arm, catching him off guard which caused him to choke on the large swig he’d taken.

“Fuckin’ hell, Y/n!”

I gave him a mocking grin in return, paired with a narrow eyed scowl. “And you wonder why people think you’re such a tit.” I snarked back, deepening my voice to imitate him.

Ross curled his lip up in retort, wiping down the front of his now beer soaked jumper just as George padded back on over. He frowned, taking in the scene as he handed me a rum and coke. I flashed him an appreciative smile and gave my thanks.

George simply waved me off though as he took the seat beside me, raising an eyebrow over at Ross. “What happened to you?”

“Ask your missus.” Was what Ross decided on, shooting me a half glare before he shucked off the jumper completely.

I rolled my eyes at him, pleasantly sipping my drink and not paying any mind to the colour that now tinted George’s cheeks as he mumbled a quiet correction.

Ross mimicked my first action, huffing out a put upon sigh, uncaring. “Whatever. You two gonna let me in on what happened then, or am I gonna have to work it out through a round of charades? I’m guessing that it must’ve went alright though if she ended up back here with you.”

“Lovely to see you too, Ross.” I dragged out, but he merely swatted away my sarky comment, his focus on George.

“You saw me last night and- oh, did you like your present by the way?”

Frowning, I tried to recall him or any of the others gifting me anything yesterday. I’d been quite adamant about the fact that I hadn’t wanted a thing. “What present?”

His forehead wrinkled and so he moved forward to pick up his pint again, sipping at it before a look of realisation dawned on his face. He was bobbing his head as it all flooded back to him. “Oh yeah, left it in the car. I remember now. Was meant to grab it before I left for Matty’s, but G was rushing me out the door.”

I blinked slowly, glancing between the two men. George was giving Ross a vengeful stare down, whilst the latter merely grinned over at me.

“You’ll have to come by and grab it soon.” He mentioned.

I shrugged, “Yeah, alright. We can watch a couple films, order something in. Make a proper day of it.”

Ross nodded his agreement and just like that I’d invited myself over to his and our previous spat was long forgotten.

The two of us had always been like that though. Out of all of the guys, Ross and I had always shared more of a sibling dynamic. He’d been the big brother I’d never asked for in a way. Looked out for me on nights out and made sure that no one messed with me when he was about, but we also bickered and fought like no one else I knew. We’d tussle and come to actual blows sometimes, then forget about it completely at the mention of food or after all the lingering anger had worn off. No apologies, no love lost. Just snap right back to normal again.

Because really, when push came to shove, Ross was someone I could always depend on. I’d call and he’d come running. And me, I’d do just about anything for him in return.

“Um.” George started then decidedly shook his head, not wanting to waste his time questioning us further. He should’ve been used to it by now though, so it was his own fault, really.

“Okay, so come on.” Ross prompted with a jerk of his chin, “Out with it. I want to know all the ins and outs. All the gory details. Did G cry like a baby? Did you kiss and make up? Was there any slapping of any sorts?”

“Why would there’ve been any slapping?” George asked him with a bewildered look, then proceeded to regret it.

Ross cocked his head towards George, looking at him as though he thought he was stupid, then glanced back towards me from over the rim of his glass. “He says something daft. She slaps you. Pretty simple deduction, mate.”

“Why-”

But I cut the beginnings of George’s rambling questions short, unfazed by Ross on a whole.

“There was no slapping of any kind.” I informed the idiot, “There wasn’t much actual talking, in truth.”

Ross’s mouth pulled into a sly smirk, getting the complete wrong end of the stick there, before he proceeded to wag his eyebrows between the pair of us. I grimaced faintly, tilting my head in a way that said ‘really?’. He just opted for a grin.

“Not what I meant, you twat.”

The bearded giant actually looked a bit disheartened upon hearing that, but it was wiped hastily away when George cleared things up. “Actually, mate, we sort of ended up spotting Birdie’s mum.”

I peered down into the dark swirling liquid in my glass, suddenly finding it far more intriguing than the current topic at hand. But my interest was piqued not too soon after when I noted that Ross still had yet to utter a word, staying eerily silent.

When I chanced a glance back up, I found him looking more serious than I’d seen him in a very long time.

“What happened?” Was what he asked in the end, casting a long, hard glance over at George, who he knew would give him the God’s honest truth.

“Nothing.” I attempted to intervene with a scoff, “I didn’t even get the chance to speak to her.”

But it was a futile effort on my part and I should've known it.

Growing up around a bunch of clingy lads often meant that you got tuned out whenever it came to any upset which involved you. They were fairly over-protective. Over-protective being the kindest way to put it. And whilst I typically loved the fact that they cared so much, it was tiring at the best of times. Take this as an example.

“George.” Ross then prompted with a no-nonsense air, and the man in question shot me an apologetic look before he turned to tell Ross exactly what had gone down. I huffed, realising it was a battle lost and slumped in my seat, forced to trump through it all over again.

It was almost harder going through it the second time around, especially hearing it from George’s point of view. He made it seem so much bigger than it had been. When in reality, I’d just been severely caught off guard by seeing her. Which I granted to be a rather fair reaction in any case.

“So yeah, she ended up slipping out before we could really internalise the fact that she was there too.” George wrapped up and during the course of his long story, Ross’ face had only hardened. Any further and I figured he’d be made of stone.

“Good riddance, I reckon. Don’t know why you’d even want nowt to do with her after all the shit she put you through.” Ross scoffed unhappily, shaking his head as he lounged back further in his seat. But his words really rubbed me the wrong way.

“Well, that’s all good for you. Ain’t it? But you’re not the one who lived through it, so I think I’ll decide what’s best for me.”

I necked the rest of my drink then, ignoring the blunt burning sensation that stung the back of my throat as I scrapped my chair across the floor and stood from my seat.

“Headed to the loo." I mumbled, "Unless you want to dictate that too.”

—GEORGE’S POV—

George watched as she strode away, chewing harshly on the inside of his cheek. He should’ve just left it. Let Ross think that they’d talked somewhat and were on the mend. But he couldn’t. He was worried, and he supposed he had a right to be after that reaction. Still, his next breath was tinged with a smidge of regret.

Ross’s voice is what drew him back to their table, his words still fuelled by his apparent irritation.

In truth, George could understand his frustration, he really could, they’d all seen what it had done to her, they’d all had to watch on from the sidelines and allow it to play its course. Too young to do anything worthwhile, or to be heard by anyone who should’ve listened. And even now, after all these years, it was still so fucking hard having to watch her crumble at the very mention of it. To see the way she hardened so quickly in an attempt to not feel anymore hurt. But they couldn't be the jury here, they couldn't dictate her life for her. Because then they'd be just as bad as the rest of them.

“I’m right though.” Ross determined, scratching thoughtlessly at a fraying thread in his jeans. “She knows it deep down too, otherwise she wouldn’t be this pissy.”

George’s brow pinched as he tried to sympathise somewhat. “Yeah, but it must kill her, mate. I know it does me. You should’ve just seen her today. Never looked so small. Almost as bad as-”

“Don’t.” Ross cut him off before he could dredge up any old memories. One’s they all surely wished they could just burn and forget. “I know exactly what you’re about to say and I don’t want to hear it.”

“But that’s exactly why I’m saying it!" George implored, keeping his tone hushed even as he leant in a little closer, subconsciously fiddling with one of the table’s beermats. "We saw it, Ross. We were there, sure. But she fucking lived through it, mate. All of it.

“We don’t have a leg to stand on telling her how to feel about seeing her mum, or a right as to how she goes about handling it. That’s down to her. If she wants to ignore it, we’ll ignore it. If she wants to get stoned out of her mind and forget, then I’ll light the joint. But until she decides, we just have to wait.”

“But,” Ross hissed through clenched teeth, dragging an agitated hand across his face. “I just want to take it all away, you know? She’s… she doesn’t fucking deserve this crap! Never did.”

“Do you think I don’t know that?” George retorted far too quickly, venom evident in his heated whisper, “I was there, man. I was the one she called! The one who held her, just the two of us alone, sat on that curb outside her house listening to the sirens as they grew louder and nearer.”

George stopped himself short, words now clogging up his throat. He sucked in a sharp breath, allowing his eyes to meet Ross’s for a moment.

“She wouldn’t stop crying.” George choked out, saliva only thickening as a wave of nausea rolled through him at the sudden reminder. He'd blinked and it was almost like he was back there. “And me? I couldn’t do anything- say anything to make it better. I just had to be there. Me. I was the one who had to hold her hand, to whisper gently and calm her enough so that she’d let the paramedics near enough to get a good look at her, let alone touch. Me, Ross. She fell asleep in that hospital bed all those hours later, still tossing and turning, and I just remember walking silently into the bathroom and throwing up everything my stomach had to offer. Don't think I ate properly for days after that. And her? I couldn’t even imagine how she must’ve felt. Even now.”

The pub noise had since dimmed, it’d just become a frequent buzz in the background, like a fly trapped indoors. You just learned to tune it out until it was hardly there at all.

George had to work on calming his breaths. Blinking back the wetness that had welled in his eyes and turning away slightly so that Ross could no longer see. He rubbed at the bridge of his nose before picking up his pint and taking a hefty gulp. Downing what little had remained.

It seemed like so much time passed before Ross finally spoke again.

“I’ve no right to put my two cents in. But I am sorry, mate. I didn’t realise just how much more of it you’d seen.” He inhaled quietly then, and George watched as he worked his jaw, gaze flitting over the other patrons briefly. “Listen, if you ever need to talk about it, or you know-”

With a hard glower, George cut him off, having just spotted Y/n making her way back over. Her hair tied up now, eyes red and glassy once again. He felt his heart break a little more each time he looked at her, but today, she was really going for the kill.

—

The wind outside the pub had just begun to pick up as we trudged our way outside. We’d stayed for another round, tried to talk about work and other things that were going on in our lives, but after the mention of my mum and my abrupt departure it had been a difficult task.

I rubbed at the back my arm as a chill danced past us, coming to a slow halt on the other side of the pub’s garden gate.

My mouth pulled up into a soft smile when Ross dragged me in for a long hug, me on my tiptoes whilst he crouched down so that I could comfortably rest my chin on his shoulder. He squeezed me tight, acting on the words he wouldn’t say. But I understood him all the same, and doubled my hold in turn, allowing my eyes to fall shut as I stole some of his heat.

“God, you’re like a furnace!” I giggled, and Ross chuckled into my ear as he moved to press a kiss to my cheek. It wasn’t typical Ross behaviour, not with me at least, but it wasn’t unusual. It’d occurred a couple of times over the years, but only whenever the situation had called for it. Still, I found myself smiling at the faint peck.

“Here if you need anything, remember that.” Ross murmured to me softly before he pulled away and casted me one of his cheeky grins. “And make sure you keep me in the loop too, alright? I want updates on this big makeup of yours.”

I raised a brow at him, having since parted, and glanced over towards George who was just shaking his head at the bassist in turn. “Why’re you so invested, MacDonald? Been betting on the pair of us?” I queried, sharing a knowing smile with George.

“Only with Hann- he figures G will fuck up again. But I’m routing for you.”

I gave him a dirty look, wrinkling my nose and curling my lip on impulse. “That I’ll be the one to fuck it up?”

He snorted, amused. “That you’ll both stop being such dickheads and just get your shit together.”

Ross pivoted to embrace George then, clapping him heartily on the back, and the drummer shot a loaded look at me from over his shoulder that told me he was just as exhausted as I was. In the moment, we both deemed ourselves better off just letting it go and let Ross be, well Ross.

The two bandmates parted ways and Ross gave us another quick goodbye paired a flippant gesture in jest as he trailed backwards onto the street, starting his trek home. I waved and watched on as he drifted around a corner and disappeared from view, leaving George and I alone once more.

I figured it was probably about early evening now, round about the time the sun began to set, and was only proven correct when I glanced up at the sky to find a hazy whirl of colour pooling overhead. I found myself smiling at it, basking in the reminder that the day would soon end and a new would take its place. That no matter how bad things got, there was always a beginning and an end.

When I tore my eyes away, I found George just watching me- waiting, I supposed.

I stowed my hands away in the lining of my jacket to shield them from the nippy air and tilted my head up at him. “You headed home then?”

He stared back and gifted me a small smile, kicking off from the wall he’d propped himself against. “Not yet. Why, you got somewhere better to be?”

I chuckled, turning away from him for a split second when a wave of wind swarmed us, blowing some of the hair I’d thrown up in a bun earlier into my face. A hand reached out to tuck it behind my ear and out of my eyes before I could think to do it myself, and I swallowed thickly when the tips of George’s fingers gently caressed my cheek, trailing down to knock against the underneath of my chin. He was smirking down at me when I met his gaze again.

“So, have you?”

My mouth opened ajar as I blinked up at him, a little thrown. “Have I, what?”

That smirk of his only grew and he leant in closer. “Got somewhere better to be.”

I released the breath I hadn’t realised I’d been holding onto and minutely shook my head. “Nowhere as of yet.”

“Good, ‘cause I’m starving.” George grinned, then rocked back to make his way down the cobbled path, leaving me to gaze after him. He pivoted on his heel to glance back at me and jerked his head, “You coming or what?”

I had to fight the bright smile which threatened to make itself known, dipping my head slightly to hide my face from view. Then promptly fell into a small jog so that I could catch up with his much longer legs.

Because when had I ever been able to turn George Daniel down?

Part nine>

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rubyreduji · 11 months

Text

eat your young | the before pt 3

tags: hunger games!au, fake dating!au, kinda fluff warnings: mentions of death and killing in accordance with the hunger games wc: 4.0k an: actual plot is finally starting to pick up yay!

m.list

“Interview training day!” Jennie enters the dining room, even more peppy than usual. “Are you two ready for a wonderful day with me?”

You don’t even try and hide your disdain at the idea.

“You will also have time with your mentors as well. I’m sure Momo will-”

“Actually,” Soonyoung cuts in, “I’d like to oversee Y/N’s interview training.”

Now that’s something that interests you. Especially after your conversation with him and the other mentors that you had yesterday.

“Soonyoung…” Jihoon warns, but Soonyoung brushes him off.

“Jennie, you can start with Jihoon and have Y/N in the afternoon,” Soonyoung continues on. You raise an eyebrow at him. That has to be good as you’ve never seen Soonyoung be commanding once in his life. Jennie looks taken aback by this as well but Soonyoung doesn’t get a chance for her to talk as he leaves the room, gesturing for you to follow and you’re too interested to not follow.

Soonyoung leads you into an empty sitting room inside the Training Center.

“So, do you have any ideas on what your approach to your interviews is gonna be?”

You turn towards Soonyoung. “You actually want to talk about my interview? I thought you wanted to talk for another reason.”

Soonyoung looks sheepish at you calling him out. “Aish, you’re not wrong. I just wanted to ease into it more.”

“This is about Jihoon, isn’t it?”

“Yes and no. I just wanted to talk to you before you, you know.”

“Die?”

“I was gonna say enter the arena,” Soonyoung corrects you.

“It means the same thing, one just sugarcoats it more than the other, and I don’t mess with bullshit like that Soonyoung, you know that.”

“I wanted to apologize,” Soonyoung moves on, ignoring your words. “For what you heard me saying about you yesterday. It wasn’t fair and it wasn’t right. I don’t wish ill will to anyone, especially my tributes, which you are. I’ve been acting like Jihoon is the only person I have to look out for in this situation, but you’re from District 7 too and I have a duty as a mentor to train and help you as well.”

“Don’t bother Soonyoung,” you tell him. “I don’t care what kind of personal guilt you have but you said what you meant and that’s that. I’m not mad at you, I’d honestly be more mad at you if you didn’t care about Jihoon more than me. He’s your best friend. Not to mention I know Jihoon needs all the help he can get.”

“Is that why you told us to look after him more than you?”

“I told you that because I want Jihoon to win. Oh why do you look so scandalized by that, you want him to win too.”

“I mean, yeah, but…why don’t you want yourself to win?”

“I have my reasons and I don’t have to share them with you.”

“Do Jooheon and Momo know?”

“No, nobody does.” That’s a lie. Jihoon does. But you’re not going to tell Soonyoung that. “All that you need to know is that while you’re keeping Jihoon safe out here, I’ll be keeping him safe in there. Don’t think of me as one of your tributes, think of me as another person helping Jihoon win.”

“You know you don’t have to do this. I don’t know what your reasons are but you can play your own game. I want Jihoon to win, trust me I do, but you shouldn’t be giving up your own game in favor of him.”

“Jihoon already tried to talk me out of it, but it didn’t work, and he has a hell of a lot more chance of convincing me to do anything than you do. I’ve already decided last two people standing in that arena are going to be me and him, and he’ll be the final one to come out.”

“Do you have feelings for Jihoon?”

“Excuse me?” You feel your face heat up.

“I’m just trying to reason why someone like you would want to help Jihoon win.”

“‘Someone like me’ what does that mean?”

“It means that you could win this whole thing, but you’re letting Jihoon win instead. Do you have the hots for him or something?”

“Stop saying stupid stuff like that,” you hiss. “I…don’t like Jihoon.”

“You’re getting defensive.”

You glare at Soonyoung. “Even if I did have feelings for Jihoon, which I don’t, that’s not the reason why I want him to win. Just drop it Kwon.”

You don’t have feelings for Jihoon…but you don’t not have feelings for him. It’s stupid, especially since you don’t know him well and you two are about to be thrown into a killing game within two days, but it’s not like you can help it.

You think Jihoon is admirable, and kind of cute. It doesn’t matter though. The only thing that matters right now is being able to get Jihoon out of the arena alive.

“Now that that’s out of the way, can you actually help me with my interview? I need as many sponsors as I can get if we want Jihoon to win this thing.”

“Yeah about that…my interview actually didn’t go so well…”

“Is that why you hate Boo Seungkwan?”

“Yes! He’s a terrible person and he did nothing, NOTHING to help me out. It was humiliating!” Soonyoung cries.

Back when you were just a viewer of the Hunger Games you were never big on watching things like interviews or opening ceremonies as they were target more towards the Capitol citizens than the districts. Even if you did watch the interviews, you rarely remember what is said in them.

“Have you ever considered…it was just you who was the problem?”

Soonyoung gasps. “How dare you? I was being perfect and charming as always, but he made a fool out of me in front of the Capitol.”

“But you still won.”

“That’s besides the point.”

“So, you’re not going to help me? Because if not, I’m just going to go find Momo.”

“Yeah, it may be best if you do that.”

Jihoon is sweating bullets.

“You’re going to do great Jihoon-ah. You’re already so cute, use it as an advantage when charming the crowd,” Junhui tells Jihoon as he gets dressed. The older man has styled Jihoon in a brown suit tonight with green leaves embroidered into the suit.

Jihoon tries to remember all of the pointers the Jennie and Momo gave him earlier, but they’re all starting to muddle the more Jihoon thinks about them.

Be humble. Be emotional. Be innocent.

Junhui leads Jihoon to the waiting area where the tributes are being lined up in district order to wait for their turn for their interview. You’re already there, speaking to Minghao in a hushed tone. Jihoon has to take a moment to take in your beauty.

Jihoon’s eyes trace over the golden branches that accent your outfit and when you turn to face Jihoon he notices you have gold eyeliner around your eyes to match.

Jihoon still has no clue what you and Soonyoung talked about earlier, but he does know that your advising session with Jennie went…less than exemplary. Jihoon doesn’t exactly blame you for that one though, as he wasn’t quite comfortable with that Jennie was asking of him either.

Jihoon is ushered into his spot in front of you in line and soon after the interviews start. Jihoon can barely pay attention to everyone going in front of him, too worried about his own interview to care. It isn’t until you nudge him in the back that Jihoon realizes the second District 6 interview is almost over.

“Lee Jihoon,” one of the backstage people call his name and Jihoon jumps. Jihoon moves to the edge of the stage and he takes a deep breath.

It’ll be fine. Just be natural.

“Next up to the stage from District 7, Lee Jihoon!” At the call of his name Jihoon starts to walk onto stage. His legs feel like they’re moving through jelly as he walks. The roar of the crowd and the blinding lights distract him for a few seconds, before Boo Seungkwan’s voice is calling out to him.

“I’m sorry?” Jihoon looks over and Seungkwan laughs.

“I was just telling you don’t be afraid to sit down.” Seungkwan gestures to the chair that Jihoon is standing in front of.

“Oh.”

“Isn’t he just adorable?” Seungkwan turns to the audience who uproars in applause. “And we’re not the only ones who thinks so. You’ve caught the hearts of many with your reaping footage. Right away we were captivated by your adorable presence.”

“Oh, uhm, thank you?” Jihoon’s not sure how to respond to Seungkwan’s statements.

“Now a little birdie has told me that you’re a songwriter, is that true?” Now this is subject Jihoon can talk about.

“Yes, it is. I spend most of my time writing music. It’s one of my favorite things to do. I think music is so important to bringing joy to mundane lives.” The crowd awes at Jihoon.

“Well, isn’t that special. You know, song writing is a very…intimate process. Is there anyone who inspires your music?”

“Like…a significant other?”

“Yes! Exactly like that. I guess what I’m asking Jihoon is…are you dating anyone?” Good. Seungkwan went down the exact path Jihoon was hoping to.

“Make up a story,” Momo told him yesterday. “Doesn’t matter if it’s true or not, just make yourself the sole focus of their attention. You evoke so much emotion in them that they can’t root for anyone but you.”

“Well…there may be someone. It’s fairly new, only about a month or so, but I’ve been…really happy with them.” Jihoon tries to put all of his (minimal) acting knowledge into this performance.

“Then I’m sure you’ll be fighting to get back to them, won’t you?”

“Not exactly Seungkwan.”

“Oh? Why not?” Seungkwan leans in, like he’s fully invested in what Jihoon has to say.

“Well because, they’re here with me.” The crowd and Seungkwan both gasp and Jihoon hopes that you’re not going to kill him after this.

“Do you know what your approach for tomorrow is?” You asked him last night.

“No,” Jihoon lied. “Do you?”

“No, but I’m sure Jennie will kill me if I come off as even a smidgen of intimidating.”

“Wait, wait, are you saying that…your district partner is your romantic partner as well?” Everyone in the room is captivated, exactly like how Jihoon hoped.

“Yes I am.”

“I- we have run out of time for you interview Jihoon,” the crowd boos, “but fortunately up next we will be talking to your partner. So, let’s her it for Lee Jihoon!” The audience goes wild and Jihoon can feel himself shaking as he walks off the stage.

Shit, shit, shit, what did he just do?

Soonyoung looks like he’s about to jump Jihoon but Jihoon can’t bother to deal with Soonyoung right now, his eyes plastered to the monitor screen as you walk on.

“L/N Y/N! What a joy to have you on my stage tonight. So, Lee Jihoon, huh?”

“What a guy, am I right?” You have a smile playing at the corner of your lips and someone in the audience gives a small whoop.

“What was going through your head during your reaping? I remember you looking quite…constipated.” Seungkwan laughs and you give him a pity laugh back.

“Well, Jihoon and I had a conversation a few days before the reaping about everything. I told him that if I get reaped, that I’ll do my best to get back to him, and if he got reaped, I’d volunteer for him. You’d imagine my horror when we both got pulled.” Jihoon is amazed by how you were able to think of that on the spot. He was expecting you to be a bit more shaken.

“Oh, I’m sure. That truly is a travesty. But what a promise, I mean, offering to volunteer for him? You must love your boyfriend very much.”

“The feelings I have for him are…immeasurable.” There’s a softness to your tone as you say the words and you almost have Jihoon believing what you’re saying is true.

“That is adorable. Now, not to get depressing or anything, but both of you can’t win the games.” The crowd boos. Seungkwan gives them an empathizing look. “So what are you plans for going forward?”

“Well, I vowed to Jihoon that I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure he gets back home. That will be my final gift to the world. The gift of Lee Jihoon.”

The whole audience coos at you, but your face is completely serious. That is one thing that Jihoon knows you’re not making up.

“That’s a very…chivalrous act, Y/N.”

“Anything for my Ji.”

“So, would you consider yourself someone fit to be able to win the games? Or, in your case, help someone else win?”

“Yes Seungkwan, I would. I mean, look at me.” You flex an arm real quick and the crowd goes wild at the sight. “I’ve been swinging an axe since I could walk. I can make a fire and find water. Jihoon is truly in safe hands.”

“It seems Jihoon has good taste.” Seungkwan winks at you.

You smile softly. “I’d like to think we both have good taste.”

The crowd screams again. “Thank you for your time, Y/N, it was truly my pleasure. Everyone give up for L/N Y/N from District 7!”

The crowd is still in an uproar by the time you make it backstage. Jihoon’s nervous. Are you going to attack him? Yell at him? He deserves it, no matter what it is. Even though you were able to work on the fly out there, he still sprung it on you and that’s not fair.

“Y/N-”

“Let’s get out of here,” you say before walking off. The trip back to the 7th floor of the Training Center is quiet and Jihoon’s nerves grow worse and worse the longer the silence goes on.

Once everyone steps off the elevator the mentors shuffle around awkwardly before Jooheon says, “I’ll leave you two to discuss this.” Everyone quickly makes their leave while you stand there in silence.

Once they’re gone you move towards Jihoon and he braces himself for you to smack him, but instead he’s being pushed up against the wall. You lean down, your mouth brushing against Jihoon’s ear. “You know Jihoon-ah, you could have just told me you have a crush on me. You didn’t have to pretend to be my boyfriend on live television, but it was quite the proposal.”

Jihoon feels his whole body heat up. “No I-, uhm, I-”

You pull away from Jihoon, laughing as you do. It’s the happiest Jihoon has seen from you since your name was reaped. “I’m pulling your leg, Jihoon. You should have told me though, really made me think on my feet there.”

Jihoon is still pressed up against the wall as he stares at you incredulously. What just happened?

It takes Jihoon a little too long to recuperate before responding. “I’m sorry Y/N-ah, please forgive me. You’re right, I should have told you.”

“You know, I wasn’t lying out there,” you say to him. “I’m going to do everything I can to get you home.”

Jihoon sighs. “Yeah, I know.”

“Well, I guess now that all of Panem thinks we’re dating, we’ll have to act the part.”

“I’ve never dated anyone before…” Jihoon admits.

“It’ll be easy. Just be…cute together? I don’t think anyone will call us out for not being all lovey when we’re literally fighting for our lives,” you say. “In all honesty though, good call on that move. It was smart.”

“Uhm, thanks.” Jihoon is so relieved you’re not upset about it. He finally did something right to help both you and him out.

“Oh my god,” you groan suddenly. “Josh is gonna be so confused.”

Jihoon is suddenly mortified. “Oh no, my whole family saw that.”

“Don’t worry Jihoon, I’m sure you can explain it to them when you get back home.”

Yeah…maybe Jihoon could.

You can’t sleep. Why could you? You’re about to be fighting for you life in less than twelve hours. There’s not much you can do about anything anymore though. The plan is set, all that’s left to do is wait.

“When the games start, run in the direction of where the mouth of the Cornucopia faces,” you told Jihoon earlier.

“What about you? Aren’t you gonna be running too?” You didn’t respond and Jihoon frowned at you. “Don’t tell me…”

“We need supplies. I’m the most capable out of our group to go in, get what we need, and get out. You have to trust me on this. Jihoon, do you trust me?” You bored your eyes into his soul, staring him down. Jihoon shifted around in his seat for a moment before sighing and nodding slightly.

“I trust you.”

“Good. Make sure the other two are with you and wait for me to come find you guys. If you run into trouble try to lose them before circling back to a place where we can meet up.”

You think about the events of this evening and how you now have a boyfriend. You were…shocked, to say the least, when you hear the words come out of Jihoon’s mouth. You didn’t get it at first. Was he making fun of you? But then Seungkwan kept talking and you understood. It was a tactic.

All of the mentors seemed shocked as well, so you guess that was an all Jihoon choice. You’re not mad at it. If anything it’s going to help you and Jihoon out loads. You’re just worried about every other factor of going into the arena.

One thing that you’ve been worried about, that you haven’t voiced to anyone yet, is allies. Seokmin and Wonwoo are both good people, you like them, but the hard truth is that they’re going to have to die in order to get Jihoon home. You just hope you won’t have to kill them yourself.

“Y/N, go to bed.” You look to see Soonyoung standing next to you.

“I could say the same to you.”

“I’m not the one going into the arena tomorrow.”

“No, not this time,” you say, without really meaning to. Soonyoung just chuckles.

“I don’t think I ever thanked you for that.”

You turn to look at Soonyoung. “For what?”

“For helping me win my games. If it wasn’t for you and your makeshift training I probably would have been toast out there.” Soonyoung was one of the winners who won by out surviving the arena, rather than the people.

Soonyoung knows how to use an axe, just not as well as you do, so he was able to make by. The careers, while they’re very physically powered, they’re not taught survival skills, so when Soonyoung was able to make a fire and find shelter, they had to rely on what they had on the Cornucopia. With Soonyoung’s games though, he was also lucky that the careers eventually took each other out after one too many disagreements.

“I also should thank you for helping Jihoon win his games as well. I know I won’t be able to thank you when Jihoon does win so, thank you.”

“Don’t thank me,” you tell him. “Just do your end of the job and we’ll be even.”

“So…you and Jihoon are ‘dating’.” There’s a sly grin on Soonyoung’s face and you have to restrain yourself from smacking him.

“Oh, shut up. If you want to hear all about it, ask your best friend,” you huff.

“I’m just messing with you. I’m not joking about going to bed though. I was going to say you have a long day ahead of you, but let’s be honest you have a long week ahead of you.”

“I know. I’ll try again soon, I promise.”

“Promise me one more thing?” You’re expecting him to say something about Jihoon, but he doesn’t. “Take care of yourself as well, yeah? I know your new focus is on Jihoon, but you’re important too.” That’s all Soonyoung says before leaving.

Unfortunately for Soonyoung, his words keep you up the whole night.

You’re still sitting in the living room when everyone else starts to wake up.

You’re swept away by Minghao before you even set your eyes on Jihoon, or your mentors for that matter. The hovercraft comes to pick you and Minghao up. You try not to wince when the tracker is placed in your arm. You’re then guided to a table with an array of food laid out. Your own personal last meal.

“You should eat up,” Minghao says to you, in a gentle tone. You remember that this is his first-time styling for the games. You’re hist first tribute and you’ve already claimed you’re not coming out. He’s not like the other Capitol citizens either. He has humility.

Instead of saying anything to the older man you just start to eat your breakfast. Halfway through you get a lump in your throat but force yourself to keep eating. You’ll need the energy, especially since you didn’t get any sleep last night.

When you get to the Launch Room Minghao leaves you to take a shower and brush your teeth. You stand in front of the mirror, naked, as you stare at yourself. This may be the last look you get at yourself. Your eyes have small bags under them, and your skin looks smooth and clean from all of the Capitol products, but it’s still you.

Knock, knock, knock. You jump. “Y/N? Are you ready?”

“Yeah.” You open the door and Minghao hands you the clothes to get into.

Over your underwear you’re put in a skintight dark gray jumpsuit that covers your legs and arms. On top of the jumpsuit you’re given a thick belt, a dark green jacket, and lightweight black boots. You’re happy for the boots. They’re the first shoes you’ve put on since you’ve left District 7 that don’t hurt your feet.

“Don’t forget this.” In Minghao’s hand he holds out a beaded bracelet to you. You stare at it for a moment. It’s your district token that Joshua gave you before you left on the train. You nearly forget about it because it was taken from you to be inspected.

You gently take the bracelet in your hand. It’s Joshua’s ‘thing’ that he makes bracelets and sells them in the market. The beads can be hard to come by at times, but that never stops Joshua.

“Thank you,” you say in a soft voice. You slip it around your ankle before slipping your foot back into your boot. The bracelet will be safer tucked into your boot rather than on your wrist.

“All set?” There’s worry in Minghao’s eyes.

“All set,” you whisper to him.

“You’re going to do amazing out there.” Minghao reaches out to straighten your jacket, even though it doesn’t really matter. You let him do it though. Neither you nor Minghao address how this will be the last time he sees you.

“Tributes please report to your launch pad. Launching will commence in one minute.” You’re not expecting to hear the voice come over the intercom and your throat tightens up when you hear it. You force yourself to breathe. Everything is going to be okay. You just need to get through the bloodbath and find Jihoon and everything will be okay.

Minghao helps you step onto the plate and you turn to face him. Minghao leans in and presses a kiss to your forehead and you close your eyes and accept it.

“Thank you,” you tell him. You’re not sure what you’re thanking him for, but Minghao seems to understand.

With one final good luck from Minghao a tube comes down around you and your plate starts to lift into the arena. Hot air hits your skin and you can already see the sun shining down onto you. Your plate finally finishes rises up from the ground and you get your first look at the arena. As you look around at your surroundings there’s only one thought on your mind.

What the actual fuck?

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parisian-nicole · 9 months

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A Justified City Primeval Ficlet: A New Day

Summary: Big news brings about a fresh start as well as new beginnings. This is a Rayolyn (RaylanxCarolyn) Fic, if they are not your drink of choice, please do not drink this kool-aid.

He had been pacing since he had entered the room to discover that she was alive. Very bruised and slightly battered but alive. He did his pacing while he had her retell what had happened to her repeatedly. She had allowed it because she could see that he was angry and volatile, and she hoped that by letting him pace about it would eventually calm him and stop him from going out and doing something illegal. Now, an hour later his pacing and questioning was starting to work her nerves.

“Raylan, would you please stop now,” Carolyn’s voice made him stop mid-step and turn to look at her. The angry mask that marred his face held fast. “You’re giving me motion sickness with all your pacing about, and I’ve told you what happen a dozen times now. There’s nothing more to tell.”

“What I’m unclear on is how the hell did Mansell even know where you live, did you have him over for tea … or a nightcap?” Raylan question and the tone and the accusatory gaze he now graced her with made clear what he was implying. The two had a stare down and their faces spoke to just how pissed they were. Carolyn caught movement out of the corner of her eye and glanced at the nurse she had forgotten was in the room with them. The nurse stood to the side filling in Carolyn’s chart with some information, and she had been quiet in her task and seemed to be unbothered by the scene before her.

“No, Marshal,” She began to reply purposely using his official title instead of his first name, which she had started calling him by since they had become intimate, and he knew it was because he had made her mad. “I did not invite him to my home. Besides my ex, ‘you’ are the only man I have ever invited to my home. Correction, you invited yourself but since you were already there, I decided to be a gracious hostess.”

“Were you being a good hostess when Mansell popped up today?”

“Gotdamnit, Raylan. I purchased my home so it’s public record, and anyone with the wherewithal can do a Google search and see my name on the property. Probably the same way you found out where I live,” She huffed out.

“Naw, I just followed you,” He replied as his tense stance softened a little. She rolled her eyes and smiled a little at his words. “The point is I told you he’s a cold-blooded killer and you should have just cut ties with him.”

“And I told you I am a defense attorney, that’s by ‘job’ and Mansell is not the first cold-blooded killer I’ve had to defend.”

“But he is the first to break into your home and do you harm, though, ain’t he?” He asked rhetorically and she sighed and averted her eyes to the side.

“Look, this time I’m not going to let it slide. I am pressing charges, and he is officially no longer my client, okay?” She stated to appease him but Raylan’s brow furrowed more deeply as he stared at her.

“This time? What do you mean ‘this time’? He’s been to your house before and but his hands on you?”

“He popped up the night you beat him up, wanting me to do something to get you to back off.”

“Well, him coming after the people I care about ain’t the way to accomplish that. First Willa and now …” He paused and he shot his eyes to the nurse who seemed to be ignoring them, but he knew how Carolyn felt about public displays of affection when there was an audience so he stepped closer to the bedside, stare down at her, and spoke in a lowered voice. “You’re someone I care about too, Carolyn. That I care a great deal about. And when I see Mansell again, I’m probably gonna fuck him up for putting his hands on you,” His words and the intensity of his gaze created flutters in her stomach and if her past relationship hadn’t taught her that showing her emotions can be used to manipulate and hurt her, she probably would have swoon and pulled him into a kiss. But the hard shell she had grown around herself over the past decade wouldn’t allow her to expose herself, though inside she was very delighted by his endearments.

“Thank you for caring, but please don’t go doing anything illegal on my behalf, because I am fine,” She said in a gentle tone as she reached out her hand and placed it on his arm. “Now, please go sit down and calm yourself,” She said this as she gave him a look that left no room for argument, so he cast her a small smile, a nod, and then trekked to the plush chair situated near the door and sat down.

“She’s right,” The young black nurse that had been in the room with them the entire time finally spoke out. She was a woman in her mid-thirties with a full afro that screamed the 70’s and winged glasses right out of the 50’s. “So far, everything looks good. You’ve just got some heavy bruising on your neck, arms, and back,” Raylan’s eye fell to the purplish bruise around Carolyn’s neck and his simpering anger began to flare again. “And you’re going to be very sore and stiff probably for a couple of weeks, but the doctor will prescribe some pain killers for that if he can. Is there a chance you could be pregnant?” The nurse questioned as she continued to scribble notes in the chart. Her question gave Carolyn pause and she quickly shot her eyes over to where Raylan sat with arched brows as he waited to hear her answer.

“Uhm … I don’t … No, no,” Carolyn finally answered as she shook her head, and then bowed her head and locked her eyes down to her clamped hands that were settled on her lap.

“You don’t sound too sure,” The nurse spoke out again as she eyed Carolyn from over the brim of her glasses.

“Yeah, I picked up on that as well,” Raylan chimed in with a scowl on his face and a playful smirk on his mouth, which made Carolyn feel that the thought of her being pregnant wouldn’t be something terrifying to him.

“I tried for 10 years to get pregnant with my husband,” She stated and instantly noticed the slight frown that fell on Raylan’s mouth. “Ex-husband,” She quickly corrected, and the corners of his mouth curved once more. “And I spent a lot of money doing IVF treatments, and I could never get pregnant, so…”

“So, you assumed or maybe that ex-husband of yours convinced you that ‘you’ were the problem?” The nurse countered and from the expression that came to Carolyn’s face, she knew it was likely the latter. “Why don’t I just test the urine sample you just gave? It’ll only take a few minutes to get the results.”

“I really don’t think that’s necessary, especially given my age,” Carolyn said.

“Are you still menstruating?” The nurse probed further and Carolyn quietly nodded her head. “Okay, then you’re still ovulating. Have you recently had unprotected sex?”

“Quite a bit, actually, mostly my fault,” It was Raylan that had spoken out on this, and the nurse smiled wide as she looked over at the handsome, slim ‘cowboy’ who had rushed in earlier flashing his badge and demanding to see Carolyn. From the worry and panic in his eyes, she had deducted then that he was a romantic partner.

“Raylan!” Carolyn gasped out as she shot daggers at him, while he sent her a ‘what did I do’ look, even though he knew how private she was and that she had wanted to keep their relationship hush-hush, though he didn’t fully understand why.

“Carolyn, you should always answer honestly when a medical professional asks you a question,” He replied only half-jokingly.

“He’s right,” The nurse agreed.

“Besides, she said it’ll only take a few minutes. And we’re not going anywhere until the doctor okays your release so, we’ve got the time,” He continued as he leaned back in his seat more comfortably as if to show he wasn’t in a hurry.

“Fine,” Carolyn said with a smack of her lips. “You can do the test if only to put ‘his’ mind at ease,” She tacked on and the nurse gave a nod and a chuckle and then left the room. Once they were alone Raylan spoke out.

“I ain’t gonna be bothered if you’re pregnant, Carolyn,” He spoke more in a softer tone and she once again dropped her eyes down to her lap.

“Good, because if I am pregnant, you’re definitely the daddy and I’m going to keep it,” She stated as she looked directly at him and he simply smiled back at her.

“I wouldn’t question the paternity I know I’m the only man who’s been sharing your bed these past few weeks.”

“Yeah, probably because you’ve been tracking my every move since you got here,” She quipped.

“No,” Raylan replied as a genuine frown marred his face. “Well…” His brows rose as he rethought his words. “Actually, yes, I have been keeping track of you pretty much since I got here,” She smacked her lips again and rolled her eyes a little. “But,” He held up his right pointer finger as he began to speak his defense. “I only did so ‘after’ I saw Mansell manhandling you in your office that day. It had me concerned for your safety. But that ain’t the reason why I know I’m the only man you’ve been sleeping with.”

“Don’t get cocky now,” She cut in with a teasing smile as she pointed at him and he chuckled.

“It’s because you’re an honorable woman, Carolyn,” He stated and his words surprised her and also truly touched her. “I ain’t never met any woman as honest and up-standing as you are, or one with such conviction or as opinionated. So sassy too and I gotta tell you, that’s a major turn-on for me, makes me feel insatiable.”

“Oh, I got that memo our first night together,” Carolyn giggled as she remembered how he had awoken her ravishingly four times that night.

“I don’t recall you complaining,” He teased as he squinted and tilted his head to the side a little.

“Why would I?” She countered. In fact, she had been pleasantly surprised by his prowess. “Don’t get cocky,” She repeated her earlier statement when he had opened his mouth to do just that. He closed his mouth once more and cast her a broad smile, and it was at that moment that the nurse re-entered the room. Both Carolyn and Raylan watched the younger woman with bated breath as she walked to Carolyn’s bedside and reached into her pocket and pulled out a small bottle of pills.

“This is just a month’s worth of prenatal vitamins. When you set up your appointment with your OBGYN they’ll likely prescribe you more,” The nurse began to explain as Carolyn’s eyes widened and her mouth fell open in shock. Although Raylan was equally stunned, he didn’t let on because he didn’t want Carolyn to misinterpret it as him not being happy. He was a firm believer in the stance that just because something was unplanned didn’t mean it was unwanted. He never imagined that he would have any more children after Willa, but he had also closed his mind and heart to the idea of ever meeting a woman like Carolyn. He was quite happy at the news of becoming a father again, but also suddenly distressed about how far Florida was from Detroit. He reasoned that it would only take a couple of hours one way if he flew, which was definitely doable. Some people made that commute to work daily and by car. “Congratulations,” The nurse’s words pulled Raylan from his thoughts and he looked up and noticed she was back at the door. He gave her a toothy grin, nodded, and tipped his hat a little. The nurse then opened the door but before she exited, she focused back on Carolyn who sat in the bed with her vision blurred from the tears that had filled her eyes as she stared at the pill bottle. “Looks like the problem wasn’t you, it was your ex-husband,” The nurse declared and Carolyn laughed out a little at this and nodded her head as she regarded the nurse. “The doctor will be in shortly to check you again and he’ll probably release you.”

“Thank you,” Carolyn said as she hurriedly wiped away the tears that had spilled out. Raylan only gave a curt nod before the nurse walked out and closed the door behind her. There was a moment of silence in the room with Carolyn and Raylan just staring at each other. Then Carolyn mustered the courage to speak first. “Are you okay over there, ‘Daddy’?” A sweet smile spread across his lips at the term.

“I’m more than okay, ‘Momma’,” He tossed back at her and she smiled in kind. He then pushed himself up from his seat and moved to her bedside once again. He perched up and sat on the bed next to her and reached out and place his hand against her belly. “I’m happy about the baby, Carolyn. And I think it’ll get Willa and I back on speaking terms too, because when I tell her she’s gonna be over the moon about it. She’s always wanted a baby brother, which if you’re taking requests, I wouldn’t mind a boy myself.”

“Well, I think the sex of the baby is determined by you, so you better hope you were shooting boys out when we conceived,” She joked and they both chuckled and then she grew slightly somber. “Are you sure you’re okay with this? Because just so you know I am not expecting anything from you, you’re not obligated-”

“Hey, this is my child too, and I am absolutely obligated and I will be here for it, always, Okay?” Raylan quickly interjected.

“Okay,” Carolyn answered as she breathed out a sigh of relief at hearing his words before she spoke again. “You just looked a little distraught there for a moment.”

“Well, I was just trying to work out in my head the logistics of you living here and my living in Florida. I figure flying up here is the way to go as it’s only a couple of hours one way. I am sure I can write some of the expenses off as work-related but not all, especially if I fly up and back daily or every other day.”

“Wait, you plan to fly up every day?” Carolyn questioned in surprise.

“What you think that’s too much? I mean, if I’m spending all that money on flights, you’d likely have to put me up while I’m here, and I don’t want to crowd you.”

“No, it’s not that. You’d be welcome to stay with me,” She answered. “I’m just surprised you’d want to come ‘that’ often.”

“Well, I wasn’t always there for Winona, my ex-wife,” He interjected and Carolyn gave a nod of understanding. “When she was pregnant with Willa. Then after she had Willa and moved to Florida, it took me some time to decide to follow them from where I was stationed in Kentucky. I’m a bit older and calmer now-”

“Calmer?” Carolyn cut in. “You’re calmer ‘now’ than you used to be? Damn,” She giggled and he smirked and playfully rolled his eyes at her antics.

“My point is I plan to be more involved this time if that’s okay with you.”

“You’ll never hear me complaining about that but I won’t leave it all on you,” He frowned a little in confusion to her words. “I don’t mind flying down to Florida to see you if you don’t mind putting me up.”

“My digs are definitely not as nice as yours, but you’re always welcome in my humble abode,” Raylan said very pleased that she had even suggested it.

“I never really wanted to stay in Detroit all my life and I’ve always wanted to visit Florida. I even wanted to do some world traveling, but I never found the time, and Jamal always wanted me to stay close to home.”

“Well, I am not an insecure man, and I do not mind if my woman travels without me,” Carolyn's eyes bulged a bit as she rolled her neck some to regard him and contemplate his words.

“Oh, so I’m ‘your’ woman now?” She asked and Raylan looked at her baffled and as if she were asking him a trick question. “I don’t recall us having that particular conversation,” Her brow furrowed but the smile on her lips told him that she really wasn’t bothered at all by the idea.

“Well, I thought RJ just sealed the deal, I know he did for me, but I understand if you need more time to get used to the idea,” This made her throw her head back and laugh, which made him chuckle along with her.

“RJ, really? First of all, we don’t even know if it’s a boy…”

“You were the one who said it was up to me, so I’m just trying to speak it into reality.”

“And secondly, even if it is a boy who says he has to be named after you?”

“Well, isn’t that how it’s done?” Raylan teased with a smile.

“I didn’t hear a junior at the end of your name. So, I assume you’re not named after your father?” Carolyn asked with a smile which falter when she noticed the way his smile faded and his eyes hardened just a tad bit. She could tell at that moment that Raylan had daddy issues.

“And thank God for small favors,” Raylan replied. “My father was a piece of shit criminal who liked to beat on me and my momma for entertainment. All things I could have and would have never lived up to if I were his namesake. Besides, do you really think I could pull off the name ‘Arlo’?” He said with a disgusted look on his face and she smiled as she shook her head, no.

“I’m sorry, Raylan. I’m just teasing you. Of course, if it’s a boy we can name him after you. I like the nickname ‘RJ’, it’s cute.”

“Thank you,” He replied as he rubbed his hand across her belly.

“You’re welcome and thank you for giving me this miracle. I’ve wanted to be a mother for a very long time.”

“Oh, it was my pleasure, and I do mean that literally,” He joked and she groaned as she closed her eyes and laughed. “Too cocky?” He asked jokingly with a playful scowl on his face as he smiled at her merriment. “C’mere,” He called out to her gently as he reached out his free hand and grasped the back of her neck. She happily obliged as he tugged her while he moved in closer, and captured her lips in a delectable kiss. Before the kiss could deepen as they both had wanted it to, the door burst open.

“What the hell are you doing here, Whitebread?” Jamal’s voice filled the space and pulled them from their kiss. Carolyn glared in anger at her ex while Raylan turned to regard him in amusement.

“No, what the hell are you doing here, Jamal?” Carolyn hissed out in irritation.

“I still have friends in the police department, Carrie, and they told me you were attacked in our home. Baby, are you okay?” He said as he stepped closer to the bed.

“It’s now my home Jamal unless you want to purchase it from me because I might be in the market to sell it soon. And as you can see, I am fine so you can leave now.”

“You want me to leave but he can stay? And why are you even here, man?” Jamal directed at Raylan.

“Well, it’s normal procedure for the hospital to alert the next-of-kin when someone is brought in,” Raylan answered and his words confused Jamal but tickled Carolyn. When he felt her shake slightly from giggling, he knew that she wasn’t mad about what he had said or was implying.

“How the hell are you the next-of-kin I know you two are not married, because Carolyn will never be over me,” Jamal said with a smirk as Carolyn dramatically rolled her eyes at him.

“Oh, no I wasn’t talking about Carolyn,” Raylan stated as he made a show of rubbing her belly. The smirk instantly fell from Jamal’s face as his eyes locked on the movement of Raylan’s hand.

“What the hell is he talking about, Carrie?” Jamal asked his ex-wife but kept his eyes locked onto her belly where Raylan’s hand rested possessively.

“I’m pregnant,” Carolyn answered and she couldn’t hold back the look of elation from her face.

“By him!?!” Jamal exclaimed as his eyes enlarged and his mouth fell open.

“Well, I’ve only had two sexual partners my entire life; him and you. And you vacated that role over a year ago, Jamal. Do the math.”

“How could you do this?” Jamal said as he stood there feeling as if the wind had been knocked out of him.

“Easily it turns out,” She replied in mirth even though she could see her words had stung because Jamal flinched a bit. “After all those painful IVF treatments followed by the devastation of being told that it didn’t take. Then constantly hearing from my husband that I was the problem. Well, guess what Jamal ‘I’ wasn’t the problem. My womb was never the problem. Now, will you please go and leave me alone? And I don’t mean leave this room and pop up at my house or my office later. I mean I don’t ever want to see you again.”

“You heard the lady,” Raylan chimed in as he stood and moved closer to the foot of the bed next to where Jamal stood. Jamal clinched his jaw and turned his angry eyes from Carolyn and honed in on Raylan. “Look, you’re clearly upsetting her and that ain’t good for her or the baby. So, I’m really gonna have to insist that you leave,”

“Motherfucker,” Jamal growled out and then he swiftly swung out his fisted right hand and aimed it at Raylan’s face.

“Jamal, no!” Carolyn yelled from the bed as she watched in horror which quickly turned to surprise and awe when Raylan dip to the side to avoid the hit. He then stepped forward and delivered a brutal uppercut to Jamal’s midsection, sending Jamal crumbling to his knees.

“It’s okay,” Raylan said reassuringly as he placed a gentle hand upon Jamal’s shoulder. He then moved the hand down to gripped his arm, and helped Jamal back to his feet while the man struggled to catch his breath. “He’s fine,” Raylan looked over to Carolyn with a small smile as she clutched her right hand over her chest. “And he’s going to leave now, ain’t that right Jamal?” Jamal could only nod as he gasped for air. “Let me help you to the door,” Raylan held a firm grip on Jamal’s arm as he moved them to the door, he reached out, grasped the knob, opened the door, and then leaned in and spoke lowly to Jamal. “I don’t want to see you bothering Carolyn again. She’s made her choice, she’s with me now. So, I am gonna have to insist that you respect that. And Jamal,” Raylan called to the man beside him and waited until he looked at him before he continued. “If you cause any harm to my woman or my child I will put a bullet right between your eyes, do you understand what I’m telling you?” Jamal nodded as he averted his eyes to the linoleum floor and walked out the door. Raylan stood there a moment in the doorway watching until Jamal reached the end of the corridor and rounded the corner. He then moved back inside the room and closed the door. He placed both of his hands on his hips as he turned to regard Carolyn. “Is he someone else I need to worry about doing you harm?”

“Who, Jamal? Please,” She smacked her lips and slightly rolled her eyes. “He likes to show out like he’s big and bad and I’ve seen firsthand that he can certainly handle himself in a fight, but he’s never raised his hands or his voice to me. And speaking of handling oneself, you surprised me just then because I thought he was going to beat your scrawny little ass.”

“Well, you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover Carolyn. Don’t let my looks fool you because I know how to take care of business when I need to.”

“Yeah, I can definitely vouch for that,” She said as she giggled and patted her hand against her belly, which brought a large smile to his lips. “You know, I think it’s time for a vacation. I’ve got Mansell after me, the Albanians after me trying to get to Mansell, and Jamal isn’t going to give up so easily.”

Hey, you ain’t gotta worry about any of that because you will have round the clock protection at your home and at your office. I won’t let anything happen to you, either of you. I promise,” Raylan stated and Carolyn knew he would do his best to keep his promise, but she felt there were just too many players on the field and the best thing for her to do was to remove herself from the game entirely.

“I appreciate that but I just learn that there is something precious that I have to take care of now, and he or she has just become my priority. So, when I get out of here, I am going to make plans to close down my practice until further notice, help Hector find new employment, pack up my house … Hell, I might even put it on the market to sell it. Then, I think I am finally going to do some travelling. First stop will be Florida, at least for the next 9 months or so. You don’t mind if I stay with you while I’m there, or at least until I figure out what I’m going to do next?” Raylan’s smiled got even bigger as he shook his head no.

“Mi casa es su casa for as long as you want.”

“Yeah, and I am sure it probably needs a woman’s touch,” Carolyn began to teased.

“It certainly wouldn’t hurt, and the tenant could use some of those touches too if you’re feeling so inclined,” Raylan said suddenly in a jovial mood.

“I think I can do that,” Carolyn replied with a sweet smile.

“I was just thinking,” He spoke as he swaggered back to the bed. “About baby names…”

“Oh, Lord, help me,” Carolyn giggled out as she shifted her head back against the pillow and looked out at the dingy tiled ceiling.

“Now, hear me out,” He held up his right hand and pointer finger while the left hand rested on his hip. “If it’s a girl, I was thinking we could call her ‘Raylina’,” He then waved his right hand outward as if he had just sat a present before her and Carolyn immediately erupt into laughter. “What, is that a no?” He questioned as he chuckled along.

***

The End

#justified #justified city primeval #justified: city primeval fanfiction #raylan givens #carolyn wilder #raylan x carolyn #rayolyn

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olliethescribe · 1 year

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Well, I’m sick as hell. Don’t go to conventions, they aren’t worth it. (It’s not Covid, thankfully).

Because of this, I’ve been working on chapter two of TFTH:ACA all day. Here’s a sneak peek! Chapter two should be out by Friday, probably sooner. The artist this one’s dedicated to will be tagged the day the chapter is completed.

———

Chapter Two: Yeah, That’s To Be Expected

Donatello, in his own special way, had evaded the repercussions of his actions and decided to relax at home. There’d be no story time this week, not like he were particularly invested in more petty crime recounting after pulling off one of the most insane heists in New York’s history. No, he was fine by himself, thank you.

But the feeling of loneliness he wouldn’t admit crept up on him, and the desire to hear other people talking won in the end. Wordlessly, Dee flicked a switch on his headphones and listened in on his uncles via bug planted in their kitchen.

—

Now the proud owners of the largest diamond in the United States, Hypno and Warren settled back into mundane life in their apartment.

A massive rock didn’t change much. Not like there was anyone they could sell it to without being caught or getting immediately sent to ultra prison. Instead, it was simply a shiny centerpiece, held in a small glass display case in the center of their dining room table. Warren enjoyed tapping the glass while they ate, almost as if he expected the geological wonder to do a trick. The only thing it seemed to be good at was blinding him if the light caught it a certain way.

Dinner that particular night was takeout from a popular Australian spot in the Lower East Side, the couple taking to using a dart board to decide where to order from.

“So,” Warren started, “I’ll admit it. I shouldn’t have told Donnie about the boat arson.”

Hypno hummed back in acknowledgement, forking at his salad. “We’re terrible influences.”

“Now I wouldn’t say that. He was gonna rob that place with or without us. We’re enablers,” Stone corrected.

“That isn’t much better.”

“At least we didn’t tell him about the car we stole the day after the yacht fire.”

“And we never will. But that was a spectacular road-trip, I will admit. Extra grateful for you.” The magician snapped his fingers, their two empty plates picking themselves up and landing in the sink.

“Why? It was one car.” Warren shrugged.

“It’s more than that. You didn’t just steal a car, it’s all that came after that.”

“I know you would’ve done the same for me.”

_____

One Thursday in Late October, 4:56AM NZT

“Darling, are you sure you’ve done this before?”

“They don’t call me Warren ‘Bad Boy’ Stone for nothing. Of course I have.”

The Queen Anne factory was in Christchurch, an exceptionally long car ride away from Gisborne. A distance of that magnitude, roughly fifteen hour drive, wasn’t an issue. The only problem was neither had a car, nor had they any desire to rent one. So it was time for ol’ reliable: theft! Again.

Cars were, no pun intended, not in Hypno’s wheelhouse. This task was relegated to Warren.

Stone cracked his knuckles after selecting his victim - a flashy as hell, 1967 electric blue Chevy Corvette. Where he’d found it was a mystery that’d remain unsolved, not a care in the world as he jimmied the lock and got in without much resistance. Anyone that happened to walk by, if at all, simply ignored the news anchor while he pulled wires from under the steering wheel and taped them together.

#hypnowarren #sneak peak #warren stone #hypno potamus #fanfiction #these bastards have stolen so many things and I’m gonna talk about all of it #rise of the tmnt #rise donnie #ao3 writer #these turtles have a death grip on me

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sinemoras09 · 2 years

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chapter 101-1

I’m totally headcanoning the omakes take place AFTER this arc XDD (see?! Everyone’s fine! Bisha and Kazu are back! And Bisha’s nursing him back to health!!! Everything is gonna be fiiiiine orz orz)

I would love it someday if Adachitoka ever decides to release a breather chapter just about COVID. Like Bisha running around the manor trying to disinfect things and singing happy birthday washing her hands while her shinki are all lying about, just completely listless. Can shinki get vaccinated? lol

BISHA FELT HIS NAME FADING. as;dfkjas;ldfkja;sldkfjddd. I’m just over here shrieking and waiting for her to get to the battlefield. Meanwhile here’s Kazu putting all his power into Attack Mode and peeling away Yato’s armor. Not sure if this is a power up or if Kazu is just growing desperate to try to end it.

“Have you been holding back on me?” Trash Dad to Mizuchi - I seriously headcanon that Mizuchi is one of the most powerful shinki in the noraverse. She could probably shatter names completely if she wanted to, but why waste all that raw power when a small little crack will do? (Also, ugh, Trash Dad. Mizuchi literally told him, “I love you” as Yato was ready to kill him, and then he turns around and mistrusts her? Like, dude, you should be grateful to her!

I like Mizuchi’s save - “I’m just getting serious,” good cover, girl :)

So Trash Dad comes back from the underworld - it makes it sound like whenever his body dies, he claws his way back instead of being reborn. At first I had wondered if he was reincarnated, and if maybe Mizuchi went out looking for him, maybe even having a procedure similar to finding the Dalai Lama, showing potential candidates a few objects and seeing who picks the right ones. I figured she’d find him reincarnated, then pry open his memories of his past life, the way she did with his shinki. Now reading this makes me think after his host body dies, he climbs back out of Yomi and finds another person to possess, like how Yato took over Hiyori’s body when he used Divine Possession.

So that being said, whatever happened to Fujisaki Kouto? Not Trash Dad, but the teenage boy he possessed? Is it too late to save him? (Again, up until now, I just assumed Trash Dad was reincarnated as Fujisaki, and Mizuchi used her powers to awaken him.) Is Take gonna take down the shrine??? What’s gonna happen???? D: D:

Going back to the omake, I seriously laughed so hard IRL at Take and Bisha shopping, Take with his homemade cloth mask (with flowers on it! Awww Take!!) and Bisha trying to look for Pocari (it’s actually really tasty, one of my favs! Yea Kazu has good taste XD). I headcanon that even if gods can’t get sick, they can still spread it, which is why they’re absolutely correct in wearing masks. High five, Take!

Did Kazuma catch COVID from Yato? It wouldn’t surprise me :/

Bisha’s rocking leather pants and a button up, looking stylish as ever, same with Tenjin and his suit and T-shirt combo. Could Tenjin have brought Tsuyu shopping? I suspect since she’s a plum spirit she’d be even more useless than him. And ofc Ebisu’s buying bulk and jacking up the price as a business opportunity. (lmao LOOK AT HIS CLOTHES!! Awww baby Ebi! He’s not even wearing socks. I love how Adachitoka shows their characters through their clothes XD)

I love that Yato knows all the homemade remedies and offered to bring food for them. He IS a delivery god, it’s just been years since we’ve seen it. Aww.

ETA: I know I’ve gone on about the idea that Kazuma picks Bisha’s clothes, but dude! Look how stylish she’s dressed! I think Kazuma may have initially helped pick out her outfits in the store but Bisha has an eye for fashion as well XDD

I bet Kazu’s loving being nursed to health by her. After the hell of this arc he’s going through, he deserves being pampered *_* I just imagine Bisha feeding Kazu soup and patting a damp cloth on his forehead. He’d be in heaven right now. Poor boy deserves it.

#noragami #noragami spoilers

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aeoki · 2 years

Text

Chill Yellow - Chapter 4

Location: Seisou Hall Common Room Characters: Tsukasa, Hokuto, Keito, Rinne

TL Note:

Enka, or more specifically, modern Enka is a genre of traditional Japanese music.

Rinne: …………

Hokuto: All right, I’ve brought the villain over.

Rinne: …Hey, what’s the big deal, Kita-san?

Hokuto: Don’t give me a weird nickname. That sounds like it belongs to an Enka[*] singer.

Rinne: Aren’t ya more like a horse? Should I call you Black instead?

Keito: So you meant Amagi-senpai, I see. I had almost forgotten about him.

Tsukasa: I see. Rinne Amagi-senpai certainly fits the bill. He’s the person I’ve been told over and over by my upperclassmen to not get close to.

Rinne: Oi oi. Why do you all gotta be so rude? You call me out here just so you can say whatever you want to my face?

Anyway, aren’t you all treating me kinda sloppy? I don’t think I give off that kinda vibe.

Hokuto: We’re not treating you like that. If anything, we called you here because you’re the perfect person for this.

Rinne: Hey, didn’t you say somethin’ like, “I brought the villain over.”, in the beginning…? That’s even worse coming from you.

Well, whatever. Could ya hurry up and tell me why you brought me here? I ain’t free. I lost to a strong guy yesterday, so I’ve gotta rematch comin’ up.

Hokuto: ? A strong guy? Are you going to fight someone?

Rinne: Nope~? There’s a new machine at my usual pachinko place.

All the other guys have been hittin’ jackpot after jackpot, but it was like somethin’ wrung all the luck outta me yesterday.

So I’m gettin’ revenge!

Tsukasa: Oh! So this is the bad behaviour we should aim to imitate…!

Rinne: Why do I feel like you ain’t actually complimentin’ me…? I definitely don’t feel an ounce of respect.

Keito: Don’t mention things like pachinko or a new pachinko machine to people younger than you. I’m always telling you to be a good role model as the eldest here, aren’t I?

Rinne: Say whaat!? I just answered ‘cause he asked me why, so who do you think you are, God!? It wasn’t my fault!

Hokuto: Hasumi-senpai, wait. It would be troubling for us if you were to correct Amagi-senpai’s misbehaviour.

Keito: Oh, right… Come to think of it, that was our goal today, right?

Rinne: So what the hell is that goal?

Hokuto: Right, actually…

Rinne: So ya wanna learn the behaviours of a villain in order to act as one!?

Hokuto: That’s right.

Rinne: (Sheesh, that’s so stupid… Why do I hafta get caught up in somethin’ so annoyin’. Looks like I’ve got no choice but to take a hard pass and take revenge for yesterday instead.)

Sorry, but get someone els–

Hokuto: Please, Amagi-senpai. Help us out.

Tsukasa: Please guide us.

Keito: I’m asking as well. Can you help us?

Rinne: …Huh?

(Hmm. What should I do…?)

(Well, whatever. I thought it’ll be a pain in the neck, but it might be interesting playin’ with these three idiots.)

Alright. Fine. I’ll help ya out.

Tsukasa: R-Really!? Thank you so much, Rinne Amagi-senpai!

Rinne: It’s no biggie. Well, I’ll turn a blind eye as to why you chose me to represent a villain.

My heart is deeper than the Mariana trench, so ya better be grateful.

So? Got any idea as to what kinda training we’re doin’?

Keito: Let’s see. Why don’t we go over the definition of a villain first? It seems everyone’s idea of a villain is quite different.

The meaning of a “villain” is… “someone who always commits bad acts.”

Tsukasa and Hokuto: ……… *Looks at Rinne and nods*

Rinne: Oi, you guys. Don’t look at me when he said that.

Alrighty, now that we’ve checked what it means to be a villain, let Coach Rinne-kun decide what kinda training you guys are gonna be doin’!

Let’s head out to the pachinko parlour!

Keito: You idiot. Hidaka and Suou are still students. There’s no way I’m going to allow them to go as long as I’m alive.

Rinne: …Hey, weren’t you aimin’ to be a villain?

Keito: You cannot break the laws. How incorrigible.

Rinne: Ugh~...

Alright, Imma give you some time to think. How ‘bout you think of somethin’ evil to do and then do it in real life? Then I’ll take a look and evaluate you guys.

Hokuto: I see… Alright, Let’s split up for now. We’ll come up with a bad deed and carry it out.

← Previous Chapter ᠂ ⚘ ˚⊹˚ ⚘ ᠂ Next Chapter →

#chill yellow

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manygalaxiesinone · 2 years

Text

Panty & Stocking: Disgaea AU Pt. 18 Angel or Demon

A few days have passed since the sisters patched things up with Flonne. One afternoon, in the Anarchy household...

Panty: “Hey sis, just a heads up, Muffler’s coming over soon.”

Stocking: “I can already guess why.”

Panty: “Yup, turns out that woman from before decided to head back to give a nice tip.”

Stocking: “And you’re gonna watch?”

Panty: “Pfft. Hell no! I’m getting my own share of the booty!”

Stocking: “Never figured you for a bisexual.”

Panty: “I dabble.”

Stocking: “Alright then, guess I’ll take a walk outside.”

Panty: “Now THAT’S something rare around here.”

Stocking: “Oh shut up, sl$%.” leaves.

After buying some sweets, she starts walking and eating until she hears voices nearby.

Woman angel: “So I heard you’re really good friends with those Anarchy Sisters.”

Stocking: “Hmm?” Stops in her tracks and listens from around the corner.

Flonne: “Yes. Although we did had a fight the other day, we managed to make it up.”

Woman angel: “Really? Are they as bad as all the rumors say?”

Flonne: “While some of them are a little true, they’re good people. Instead of asking me, why don’t you find out for yourself?”

Woman angel: “Why do that when I can just ask other people about them and save myself from potential danger?”

Flonne: “I understand what you mean, but how can you tell that the person you’re learning these facts from aren’t just making it up? Everyone is prone to mistakes after all.”

Woman angel: “Well if I can’t trust Master Vulcanus, then who can I trust?”

Flonne: “Master Vulcanus is the one responsible for all of the rumors?”

Stocking: “...” (That bastard)

Woman angel: “I don’t know, but he believes everything that was said about them so why should I question it?”

Flonne: “Master Vulcanus must be mistaken. After all, there must be a reason why Master Lamington allowed them to stay in Celestia, isn’t it?”

Woman angel: “Yeah to spy and plot against us.”

Flonne: “Huh?”

Woman angel: “Didn’t you hear? Those angels are likely demons in disguise.”

Stocking: -!!-

Flonne: “Demons?”

Woman angel: “Yes, demons. You know, the lowlife scum from the rotten Netherworld. You know how dangerous they are right? After all, it’s our job to protect humans from them.”

Flonne: “You say that but...I’ve never met a demon before. So even if they are demons, I don’t really know what to think about them in that regard. Besides, does it really change who they are deep down?”

Stocking: “...”

Woman angel: “Wow, Master Vulcanus was right. You really are a naive little girl. It’s no wonder you’re still just a trainee.”

Flonne: “Call me whatever you want, but at least I don’t judge anyone without getting to know them! Besides, what have either of them done to you personally to deserve such harsh treatment?!”

Woman angel: “I suggest you watch your tone you little-”

Lamington: “That’s enough!” Appears before the two.

Flonne: “Master Lamington!”

Woman angel: “L-Lord Seraph!”

Lamington: “I believe I made it quite clear that the Anarchy Sisters are to be left alone, have I not?”

Woman angel: “B-But sir-”

Lamington: “They are angels in this world and you are well aware of the consequences of doing harm to another angel, correct?”

Woman angel: “Y-Yes sir...”

Lamington: “Good. Now hurry along. We have new souls arriving soon. Make sure to greet them with a proper warm welcome.”

Woman angel: “Understood sir!”

Flonne: “Yes, Master Lamington!”

After Flonne and the other angel leave, Lamington slowly walks over to the corner with Stocking is hiding and holds out his hand. Stocking responds by silently going in for a hug, slowly increasing her grip on his robe. Lamington just stays there and give her small pats until she’s finished.

#panty and stocking #disgaea

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wheelsup-sevenup · 2 years

Text

nothing we were ever trained for

“It’s not like she’d just disappeared, left in the night without a trace. It would have been too similar to events in her past — a station wagon drives off into the Ohio summer night, a girl with no-longer-blue hair brushes her sister’s fingertips as they pass in the hallways, before slipping out of reach.

Natasha had no intention of doing that again.”

After the combined events of Civil War and Black Widow, Natasha is left spiraling between the two families she thought she’d lost.

Chapter 3/3

“So we both don’t deserve each other. Where does that leave us?”

“Here,” Melina says simply. “Here.”

Read it on AO3

or continue reading here:

** warnings for nightmares/vomiting but other than that it should be good!

“is there anything so undoing as a daughter?”

— arcane 1x09

When she returns to the little pig farm on the outskirts of St. Petersburg, it’s late, and the house is dark save for a light shining out the kitchen window. She knows she’s being watched.

Natasha considers straightening her back, lengthening her stride, trying to shake the aura of defeat and exhaustion that must spill from every pore, but she has no idea who in the hell she’d be fooling.

Instead she slips her shoes off, and opens the door quietly, so as not to startle the half dozen skittish part woman, part Widows that sleep here. Melina is waiting, in an armchair, the soft glow of a table lamp illuminating the room.

This part of the house, at least, is empty and still.

“You are back soon,” Melina remarks, in a near whisper.

Natasha nods, uncertain.

“We should talk.”

Natasha nods again, this time, an acknowledgment. Something is not right here. Something needs to be fixed.

“In the morning,” Melina decides. “For now, sleep.”

“That sounds good,” she admits.

“Yes, yes. Take couch. Will see you in the morning, yes?”

“I’m not gonna leave again, if that’s what you were asking.” She sits down on the couch.

Melina’s expression is unreadable. “Good,” she says finally.

“Good night.”

“Good morning,” Melina corrects, then flicks off the lamp, weaving her way through the darkened room effortlessly. “Wake me if you need anything.”

Natasha considers that. Wake me if you need anything. Memories creep to the back of her mind, early mornings sipping tea, wrapped in blankets and watching one of Yelena’s favorite movies until the band constricting her chest gave way and the blood washed itself off her hands. And Melina, next to her with a cup of tea. Both of them pretending they couldn’t see the other’s demons.

Pretending they weren’t the same.

Still, though, she’d never woken Melina up. She’d always just been there, somehow.

She can see Melina’s vague shadow pause in front of her. She doesn’t say anything, just waits, arms crossed until Natasha lies down on the couch, kicking her feet up onto the armrest.

A blanket covers her shoulders, a fingertip just barely traces the bridge of her nose.

The ghost of a whisper: “Good night, big girl.”

Then she’s gone, and Natasha drifts into sleep, feeling that just maybe, they can make this a home again.

Still, she realizes barely an hour later, waking up with churning in her stomach and something crawling under her skin, just because she calls someplace home doesn’t mean it’ll ever be free from her demons.

She’s at once blinking sleep out of her eyes and trying to hold back her hair hair as she spits bile into the kitchen sink. She’s not new to this routine; she’s been doing it since she was a kid.

“Natasha.”

Soft footsteps, from behind her. She recognizes them easily — if not for the voice, Natasha would swear she was back in Ohio, with Yelena finding her sick in the middle of the night yet again.

Gentle hands sweep her hair away from her face with practiced ease. They stay there until Natasha is finished and sits down, shaking, back pressed to the cabinets as a wave of dizziness hits her.

Yelena turns the faucet on high, lets the mess wash down the drain before handing her a cup of water, sitting cross-legged in front of her.

“You’ve gotten better at this,” Natasha remarks.

“I learned.” Yelena’s voice is flat.

“I’m sorry.”

She holds Yelena’s gaze, steady as she can while her mind still races and her heart still pounds. She must have said sorry a hundred times before this — she doesn’t think she’ll ever stop.

Yelena looks away. “Rinse and spit. You know the drill.”

She does know the drill. Even as she does what Yelena asks, though, she thinks it’s funny, how her little sister is so well versed in illness, and nightmares, that she no longer flinches away in the sight of them.

“You used to always wake up Melina, when you found me… like this.”

Yelena’s face is unusually somber. “I remember.”

“I tried to keep you from seeing. Any of it. I wanted you to think — I don’t know. That we were real.”

“We were real. Are.”

Natasha pushes back the shame and disgust boiling within her to lace her fingers with Yelena’s, and when she tells her, “We were always real,” the words are a promise.

“Still,” Natasha continues. “I wanted to protect you.”

Yelena finally meets her eyes. “You did a better job than you know.”

She wants to say it again — I’m so sorry — but Yelena silences her with a warning glance.

“Okay. The time for the sappy shit is over with.” Yelena announces, and stands, holding their still-intertwined hands together. “Back to bed with you, yes?”

Natasha sighs. “We’re making progress.”

“We will make more progress when you stop apologizing all the time.” She tugs Natasha to her feet. “We will have a proper girl’s night. I will get you drunk and you will tell me your secret crush in the Avengers.”

“Sounds like an interrogation.” She squeezes Yelena’s hand and makes her way back to the couch.

“Hm.” Yelena is disinterested. “I am going to get Mom, though.”

“You are not.” She turns around indignantly.

“Yes! She always made you feel better, come on.”

“Yelena, no.”

“Get back in bed.”

She grabs Yelena’s wrist. Yelena retaliates, twisting her arm of her grasp and pushing Natasha towards the couch. Natasha manages to fight back, somewhat, but she’s still tragically dizzy and it’s not long before Yelena’s well-placed shove knocks her down into the couch cushions.

“Unfair,” she complains.

“Stay here,” Yelena cautions. “Do not make me threaten you.”

“Isn’t that a threat in itself?” Natasha asks, but Yelena is already gone. She slumps back against the cushions, more exasperated than anything else.

She sits and waits, as one pair of footsteps climbs the stairs and two pairs come down, and Yelena and Melina re-enter the living room.

Melina’s face is soft with sympathy, brows furrowed in concern. “Yelena said you were sick, big girl.”

“I’m fine.”

“You were throwing up literally five minutes ago,” Yelena deadpans from the doorway.

Natasha glares at her, gets a stuck-out tongue in response.

“Go away,” Natasha says, allowing herself to be childish. Yelena, for some reason, obliges with one last eye roll.

“May I sit?” Melina asks. Natasha nods, so she sits down on the couch, keeping a careful distance between them.

“Nightmare?” Her voice is knowing.

“Yeah.”

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“Not really.” She sighs, crosses her legs. “They’ve just been getting worse, since… you know. Everything. Seeing him.”

“I understand.”

“Yeah.”

“You are always welcome to find me, though,” Melina continues. “It is often I cannot sleep either.”

“Nightmares?”

“Your father snores like a train,” Melina replies grimly, and Natasha almost laughs. “But yes. It is also nightmares.”

The horrible, sick feeling rises in her again, seemingly at random.

“He’s not my father,” she points out. Her heart is beating a little too fast in her chest.

“I’m sorry.”

Natasha shakes her head.

“I have always thought of it this way,” Melina admits. “I am sorry if that is not what you want to hear. But he has always been my husband. And you and Yelena, always my daughters.”

Natasha bites the inside of her cheek.

“Maybe not always,” she corrects herself. “But for a long time.”

“Since Ohio?” The words come out softer than she’d like.

“It took a couple of months.”

“I do not deserve it.” The words come out ragged, her accent returning unbidden to her speech. “мне нет места в этом мире,” she quotes, and this time her voice is flat. I have no place in this world.

Melina is quiet a moment. “So that’s what this is about, yes?”

“мне нет места в этом мире.”

“Even if that were true when they told it to you,” she concedes. “You certainly made a place for yourself, no?”

Natasha sits and focuses on the way her nails bite into her palms.

“Natasha, have you ever thought that maybe it is I who does not deserve you?”

“So we both don’t deserve each other. Where does that leave us?”

“Here,” Melina says simply. “Here.”

Natasha hums in response, and relaxes into the worn seat of the couch. There’s a blanket tossed over the side, too faded to be new. Nothing in the house is new, she realizes — the furniture is chipped with use and there is dust on the windowsill. The house feels lived in, feels like a home.

“You still have that photo album?” she asks, running her fingertips over a throw pillow.

A corner of Melina’s mouth lifts up. “Of course.”

She lifts it off a nearby shelf, setting it down almost reverently on her lap. Natasha reaches over and gently leafs through the pages, flipping past the faked memories, bright red curls and dull eyes, to the real ones: blue and full of life.

She settles on one, of her and Yelena smiling in front of a big Ferris Wheel as Yelena proudly holds a cotton candy bigger than her head, and a small stuffed animal that Natasha vaguely remembers.

“Alexei couldn’t even carry all the stuffed animals you won that day,” Melina remarks, “once you’d figured out the completely rigged shooting. Do you remember?”

“We gave them out to other little kids we saw,” she says slowly, remembering the way the little boy’s face had lit up when she handed him the stuffed giraffe, the way it felt in her soul to be good. “Isn’t that Yelena’s My Little Pony?”

“Oh, yes. I remember that thing. What happened to it, anyway?”

Natasha shrugs with one shoulder. “We left it on the tarmac.”

“Yes.” Her voice is soft with the pain of the memory.

Further down on the page is another picture of them, Yelena’s face lit up with delight as their bumper car runs into someone else’s.

“My friend used to operate rides at these things,” Natasha shares, deciding to tactfully change the subject. “You would not believe the shit that goes on in there.”

“Language,” Melina admonishes, but there’s no real force behind her words.

“Sorry.”

“So.”

“Huh?”

“Your friend?”

Natasha laughs out loud at Melina’s insinuating tone. “Him?”

“What? Is crime for me to want to know about my daughter’s love life?”

“He is happily married, thank you very much. And we’ve never wanted anything more than being partners.” Quieter, she adds, “He was probably the first one to do that.”

“I am glad you found someone like him.”

“You did, too.” She reminds Melina.

“Yes, but we are very, very much in romance.”

“Ew.”

“This partner, how did you find him?”

“How come?”

“I am curious,” Melina shrugs, “to know how these things work in real life.”

“We have got to get you some trashy romance paperbacks.”

“Those are realistic?”

“I guess not. But then, I met Clint when he was assigned to kill me and decided to recruit me instead, so that’s not really normal, either.”

“Clint Barton.”

“You know him?”

“He is Avenger. I have not been completely cut off from outside world, you know.”

“He was the one who helped me kill… who helped me try to kill Dreykov.”

“I heard of him then, as well.”

Natasha’s breath comes out ragged. Melina notices; of course she does.

“Natashka?”

The soft tone and the nickname are, predictably, what break her.

“I can’t stop thinking about that day,” she admits. “I thought he was dead. I wanted him to be dead so badly, I was willing to kill an innocent little girl for it.”

Melina stays silent, so she keeps talking.

“I guess that’s what they taught me, though. Finish the mission, no matter the casualties. Maximum efficiency. That’s who I am.”

“That may have been what you were taught,” Melina corrects gently. “But that is not who you are.”

“You don’t know that.”

“I’ve known it since you were eight years old.”

“Melina.” Her tone makes it clear — end of discussion.

“I never thought I would see the day that the Black Widow is hailed as a hero.”

“I’m not a hero.”

“Must have done something to earn title of Avenger, no?”

It’s not enough, she wants to say. It’ll never be enough.

“Would you like to see something?”

“Is it more experimental formulas?” Natasha asks drily. “Because we lost our guy who handles that, like, a year ago.”

Melina almost laughs. “It is not.” She digs a laptop out from under a pile of god-knows-what, types in her ridiculously long password. Natasha sighs, and leans over on the couch so her head is almost on Melina’s shoulder.

“This.” She pulls up a file filled with pictures. Girls and their families.

Most of them are young, twelve at the oldest. They smile for the camera surrounded by tears relatives, but their eyes are cautious and their faces guarded.

“These are all Widows?” Natasha asks.

“Not anymore. Thanks to you.”

The pictures keep scrolling by. Natasha tries to swallow back the building lump in her throat.

“This is what you do,” Melina tells her. “This is who you are.”

She can’t help it; she’s exhausted, and she lets her head drop onto Melina’ shoulder, and the hot, silent tears spill from her eyes. Melina doesn’t comment, just turns them slightly to wrap an arm around Natasha’s shoulders.

“So, this Barton,” Melina says after a while. “Does he want to come visit?”

“You do know we’re not dating, right?”

“Yes. Of course.”

“I don’t know. I’ll ask.”

“Good.”

Little by little, this place becomes a home again.

#natasha romanoff #marvel #black widow #mcu #yelena belova #natasha and yelena #natasha and melina #melina vostokoff #fanfiction #fluff #angst #i hope ur reading this on my blog bc it takes the line spaces out on the dash ://#my fic

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ragingstillness · 3 months

Text

Not that I’m biased (I totally am) but I went to a different hardware store today than the one I work at (I needed something we didn’t have) and god the service was so much worse.

1) the way the phone hold music works includes a ring and what sounds like people taking quietly then an ad then music much louder all over again, it gets your hopes up every time and annoyed me instantly. I also had to wait for like 20 minutes to get the answer to two yes/no questions that I really feel like the operator could have handled without transferring me. When I got to the store in person, they were NOT busy

2) the person at the front desk of the department I needed help from was on his phone and continued to be on his phone as I talked to him. He then tried to look up something for me on his phone and it took forever so he apologized because the wifi was bad (I had full bars) and then went to look it up on the computer (yeah maybe we try the thing that’s literally wired into the internet if the internet is truly the issue)

3) he decided that he couldn’t help me but was going to call someone over. Instead of using his radio, which, considering that I saw him use it eventually, was indeed an option, he just peered into the aisles and tried to call verbally but very softly for someone. Context: these aisles are each like 15ft wide and 150ft down to the end of the store, ain’t nobody gonna hear you even if you scream dude)

4) the guy who he eventually called over on his radio to help me was actually quite nice and helpful, he was just very slow moving. Luckily I wasn’t in a rush but it took me much longer to get what I needed than I expected

5) the store seemed wildly understaffed for how many people needed various services but the staff seemed unconcerned, signaling to me that this isn’t an issue of them not being able to hire enough people, the company has just contented itself with being slow

6) I went to check out with the guy at the desk from before and idk if it was him or the nice guy who helped me writing it wrong on the ticket but I bought 10 of something that he charged me for 20 of, upping my bill by about $70 and now I have to go back to correct the error

7) the signage on the shelves (towering at least 100ft high) was so small I could barely read it leaning forward and with my glasses on, with no indication of whether the description applied to items stacked above or below the label. In addition, these items are heavy and instead of having a machine to do it or just stacking them in a more accessible space, the employees have to take them down by hand one by one (I needed 20 total, bought 10 of smtg and 10 of another, to reference my previous complaint I got charged for 30 total) which feels kind of like a safety hazard

8) the employee who was nice and helped me kept his gloves on for lifting the items I needed then took them off and barehanded the razor sharp saw machine to cut my items as I needed, anxiety-inducing as hell

9) they had a massive variety of the item I needed but only asked me one two-sided question about what I was using it for, leading me to worry that they might not know exactly what I need and I could be buying the wrong thing

Normally I wouldn’t come on here to complain about smtg like this but because I work for a rival company in the exact same industry and the exact same position as the desk employee, it really ticked me off overall. I know customer service is usually a nightmare on both sides and I can’t say it’s my passion either but I take pride in being very good at my job and this wasn’t even up to par.

#me #rant tw #complaining #customer service #hardware store

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moonmargaritas · 2 years

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It’s in the tags but tw for self injury. I’m also going to be expressing some very not correct feelings about mental illness and neurodivergence because I’m furious right now and need to vent my frustration. Also as a reminder, if any of my followers don’t want to deal with my BPD rants, I try to tag them with #vent.

My 22yo sister who still lives at home tried to self harm last night because my parents are insisting on taking over her money so she’ll actually save instead of blowing everything on junk food and in game purchases. I know that sounds like an incredibly abusive thing to do, and normally I would vehemently oppose a measure like that. But she was supposed to move out a year ago and she’s taken zero measures over the past three years to grow up and deal with her problems (she has autism and ADHD in addition to depressive issues).

She has to be harassed to do her chores (cleaning litter boxes nightly and sweeping and mopping the kitchen once a week) and shower daily. She blows all her money on fast food despite my mom being totally willing to cook all her meals. She has medication for the depression and ADHD but has to be nagged to take it. She was in therapy but wouldn’t do any of the work her therapist gave her and completely wasted her time there. She’s entirely unwilling to implement any of the coping mechanisms I’ve suggested to her from my own experiences with ADHD and depression.

My parents have been incredibly patient and have done a really fantastic job of listening to my advice and educating themselves on neurodivergence so that they can support her and gently push her without damaging their relationship with her or traumatizing her. But she sabotages everything they try to do to help her and then cries about her problems when they sit her down for their twice yearly come to Jesus.

I have BPD and ADHD. I’m no stranger to the suffering neurodivergence can create. It feels like a brick wall between you and your goals. But she’s banging her head on that wall and then crying about how her head hurts and she isn’t getting anywhere and she’s so tired, and then she turns her nose up when I offer her a ladder to get over it or a map to get around it or a sledgehammer to help her break through it. I don’t begrudge her for not being neurotypical, but I’m so exhausted and enraged at her refusal to accept any kind of help.

And now we all have to deal with worrying she’ll hurt herself, because that’s gone from an abstract fear to a present reality. She’s decided to put that on all of us instead of growing a goddamn spine and getting her fucking shit together. (I know that’s not the “correct” or compassionate way to view self harm, but I’m venting my feelings here.) And I’m just so tired of dealing with her. I’ve drawn boundaries with her and my parents are good about respecting me when I tell them I don’t have the mental space at the moment, so I have measures in place to protect myself. But I’m close to my family and I can’t fully avoid it.

I am so beyond happy to support my loved ones when they’re having a tough time. But this tough time has lasted for three years, and I’m not gonna lie, it absolutely enrages me to see her cry about how hard her life is when I’ve been dealing with issues just as severe as hers if not worse while also pulling 70 hour weeks between working full time to support myself and going to school for these past three years. This period has been absolute hell for me, and all she’s been doing for most of it is school and a part time job while living at home with almost no necessary expenses. I know people have different capacities and I’m stronger than most, but it hurts so goddamn bad.

At the moment I’ve opted to distance myself because I don’t trust myself not to lose it on her and make things worse. I know pushing her away isn’t great, but I figure it’s better than screaming at her about being a weakling and a burden.

Anyway. Just needed to scream into the void for a bit.

#tw self harm #tw self injury #vent

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messers-moony · 3 years

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Home | F.H

Paring: Five Hargreeves X Fem!Reader

Summary: Five goes through everything with his best friend, and when they return with the announcement of their marriage his siblings are appalled.

Request: “I can request a FiveXreader where the reader is loving, sweet and naive, Five's best friend but the reader has no powers (You can invent a way how they became best friends and they are in love with each other, cliché but I love) One day the reader was sitting in front of the Umbrella Academy and saw Five leave in a hurry (The scene that he will travel in time) In this the reader does not abandon Five and decides to travel in time with him, they end up trapped in the apocalylipse, can you make them stay together? (Like married I don't know) And also the scene where they go back to 2019? Sorry, if this so bored”

Five couldn’t believe his eyes. After a failed mission, he and his siblings decided to sneak out. Klaus had spotted a park on the way home, and that’s where they went. For the first time in years, they felt like kids again. They were all ten years old and had never experienced a playground before. Allison had never laughed as much, and Diego seemed to finally forget his insecurities while swinging from monkey bars.

Even on occasion, Luther would help Ben cross the monkey bars. Vanya was finally included, and Klaus had never seemed so carefree in his life. But Five had his eyes on someone else. She sat at one of the navy blue tables, quite a ways away from the playground, watching the siblings with a soft smile on her face. A notebook was in front of her while she twirled a pencil in her hand.

Curiosity killed the cat. Five was too intrigued not to sit with her. So despite this probably being the only time he could experience a playground, he sat in front of her, obscuring her vision from his other six siblings. Her eyes met green ones; they looked evergreen in the dark of the night. His hair almost looked black, but she knew it had to be dark brown.

“Good evening.” Her voice, it sounded like heaven to him, “Evening.”

It felt awkward, and the silence could’ve been cut with a knife, “My names Y/n.”

“Five.”

“Five? That’s unique.” Y/n complimented, and his cheeks flushed, “Thanks….”

Her vision went back to the other kids, “You’d think they’ve never seen a playground before.”

“They haven’t.” Five stated, looking at his siblings, “Our father is strict, so we snook out to come here.”

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to come off as rude-“

“You didn’t.” Five smiled, looking at her e/c eyes.

Since then, Five would sneak out a lot more. His power was a fantastic tool. When he and his siblings began to sneak out more, Five always invited her. Klaus, Diego, and Vanya seemed taken with her. Y/n was always so kind and sweet. Her laugh radiated, and it made everyone around her smile. It was like she was Aphrodite, and he was Ares.

After becoming friends with the academy kids, Y/n had a habit of sitting outside the academy. She usually sat on the edge of the sidewalk with her notebook on her lap, pencil in hand. Five couldn’t remember a time when her hand wasn’t covered in graphite or ink from drawing. He adored it, though, because it was so her. It made him stare at his black pens, aimlessly smiling, knowing that she probably had the same color ink on her hand.

Becoming friends with Five meant knowing his ambition. Five Hargreeves was driven by his goals and wanted to do them regardless of the consequence. So Y/n knew about his dream to time travel despite his father's wishes. On a gloomy day, Y/n sat on the sidewalk. The only thing drawing her from her daydream was the slam of a gate.

“Five!”

He didn’t turn, “Five!”

Y/n grabbed his arm, “What’re you doing?”

“I’m- I’m going to time travel.” Five stated with that daze in his eyes, “And you need to stay here.”

“No! I’m not letting you go alone!” Y/n exclaimed incredulously, “Y/n, please.” Five pleaded.

She shook her head, “Absolutely not. Either we go together, or we stay here together.”

“Fine.” Five reluctantly agreed, holding out his hand for her.

Hesitantly Y/n slid her fingers through his. They were intertwining their hands together. Five was so focused on time-traveling correctly that he didn’t notice the pink flush on his best friend's face. But he did it, once and twice—finally a third time. Smoke clouded the area, and fire could be seen for miles.

Y/n dropped his hand and covered her mouth. Five circled in his spot in shock. He felt nauseous and queasy. He couldn’t believe that he let this happen. He shouldn’t have pushed himself. They were stuck. Fucking hell, they were stuck, and he couldn’t do anything. Y/n ran back to the academy, and Five followed her. The h/c haired girl stared at what used to be the Umbrella Academy. Now in ruins. Five dropped to his knees, tears collecting in his eyes.

“It’s- it’s gone….”

Y/n hugged him tightly, “It’s okay, we’re going to be okay.”

“I’m gonna- I’m gonna be-“

Five didn’t get to finish his sentence. He pushed her away and threw up to the side. When he finished, Y/n took her jacket sleeve and wiped it around his mouth—gently combing his hair from his face. Y/n had never seen Five look so drained. Seeing her in front of him, taking care of him made him break. Five broke into sobs holding onto her like a lifeline. Y/n rubbed his back and held him just as tightly.

“I’m here, Five. I’ll keep you safe.”

Being thirteen in an apocalypse seems like a death sentence, but when you grow up the way Five did, it’s more bearable. The first few months were awful. Searching for shelter, food, clothes. It was downright hell, but they made it through. On cold nights Five would hold her close to his chest, and on hot nights Y/n would always manage to get him cold water.

Years passed, and their friendship turned into a relationship. They needed each other to survive, and they just needed each other. Five couldn’t be more grateful that she insisted on coming. He couldn’t imagine doing this alone. But now, he had his girlfriend leaning her head on his shoulder while watching the fire. His arm wrapped around her shoulder, leaving occasional kisses on her temple.

“I couldn’t imagine this world without you.” Five confessed, “I couldn’t imagine my life without you.” Y/n challenged.

He smirked, “Oh, really?”

“Don’t let it go to your head, smartass.” Y/n snorted, “Too late, it’s already there, my love.” Five retorted.

She kissed his cheek, “Love you.”

“Love you too, darling.”

Five years later. They were twenty-five, and he wanted to make it official. It was a rather cold day wherever they were, and Five was holding her closer than ever. Y/n was shivering on the old mattress they had found. She was constantly snuggling closer to Five’s chest. They laid facing each other, and Y/n’s head was tucked under his chin. Five’s hand ran through her long hair - after being unable to cut it - soothing her nerves.

“Marry me.”

“What?”

“I want you - Y/n - to marry me.” Five repeated, looking down at her.

Her teeth chattered, “Are you sure?”

“It’s not like there’s anyone else to choose from.”

Y/n glared playfully, and Five chuckled, “Asshole.”

“So, what do you say? Make me the happiest man on earth and marry me?”

“I say that if my fiancé doesn’t stop being an asshole, then I won't marry him.” Y/n retorted jokingly, “I love you too, pretty girl.” Five replied, smiling softly.

He kissed her forehead and allowed her to muzzle closer into him. Gently he pulled the two plain rings he found. They were battered, of course, and the gold was dirty, but that didn’t matter. Five slipped the ring on her finger and his. Y/n placed a gentle kiss on his lips that he gladly returned. Sweet, soft, passionate, and full of love. A description of how she was.

“Love you.”

“Love you too.” Five replied, “Now get some sleep.”

Y/n was about to fall asleep when she heard Five mutter one last thing, “Y/n Hargreeves.”

29 years. 348 months. 1512 weeks. 10,585 days. Until a woman showed up in their shelter, offering them both a job. Five could remember pushing Y/n behind him defensively. The last thing he wanted was for her to get hurt in any interaction he had. The woman offered them a way home. Five turned to his wife, and she saw it. For the first time in forty-five years, she saw it. Hope.

Y/n took Five’s hand in his, squeezing it gently. The softest smile crossed his features before agreeing with the woman’s offer where both of them became assassins—partners in crime. Nothing turned Five on more than seeing his wife fend for herself, and god, was she good at it. Y/n was so naive and innocent when she was ten. But now? At the age of fifty-six, she wasn’t that girl anymore.

But when they reached the age of fifty-eight, Five finally found out the correct equation. They were at their last mission, make sure John F. Kennedy gets shot and everything goes to plan, but Five had different ideas. Taking Vanya’s book from his suitcase, he looked over the equations one last time. They were going back; Five would go home today.

“Y/n.”

“Yes, love?”

Five sighed, “Are you ready?”

“Ready for what?”

“To go home.”

Y/n’s smile was blissful; Five could’ve fainted on the spot, “Home?! Like- Like-“

“Home.” Five answered to his overjoyed wife.

Y/n kissed him more passionately than ever. Five could feel her gratefulness in her kiss. His hands placed themselves on her waist, and hers were around his neck. God Five never wanted to forget this feeling. The feeling of his wife in his arms, kissing him as she would never get enough. When they pulled apart, Five opened the portal. Gripping her hand, they jumped through and landed on the leaf-filled ground in the icy rain.

“Does anyone else see Little Number Five and Little Y/n, or is that just me?“ Klaus asked, not trusting his eyes; maybe it was an illusion from the drugs.

Five and Y/n stood up. The first thing Y/n noticed was the ring on her finger was too big now. But Five looked down at the suit he had been wearing previously. The blazer now reached his knees instead of his waist, and Y/n’s shirt was hanging off one of her shoulders. Five and Y/n looked at each other. They were thirteen all over again.

“Shit.”

He grabbed Y/n’s hand and dragged her into the academy. Y/n had only been in the academy a handful of times before, and she usually was only allowed in Five’s room because she wasn’t supposed to be there in the first place. His siblings followed aimlessly and took their spots at the table.

“What’s the date? The exact date.” Five inquired, grabbing different things around the kitchen.

“The 24th.”

“Of what?”

“March.”

“Good.”

Y/n took place beside him as Five began making a peanut butter marshmallow sandwich. The same snack he used to love as a kid. Y/n could remember him trying to eat it back at their apartment the commission provided them but complained it was too sweet. It seems that being in his teenage body again made him crave the sweetness of the snack.

“So, are we gonna talk about just what happened?” Luther questioned, but no one answered, “It’s been 17 years.”

Five scoffed, “It’s been a lot longer than that.”

The same big spatial jumped behind Luther as he began to take marshmallows from the cabinet, “I haven’t missed that.” Luther murmured.

“Where’d you two go?” Diego asked.

“The future.” Y/n answered politely, “It’s shit, by the way.” Five added spatial jumping beside her again and gently kissing her cheek.

The siblings stared in shock at Five’s sudden act of affection; Five could feel their eyes on him, “What?”

“You just kissed her.” Allison stated, “And?”

Allison didn’t say anything, “Is it a crime for me to kiss my wife or something?” Five asked agitatedly.

“Wife?!”

“Yes, wife.” Five sighed.

“Called it!” Klaus exclaimed.

“I should’ve listened to the old man. You know, jumping through space is one thing.” Five began as he looked through the fridge, “Jumping through time is a toss of the dice.”

He came back with peanut butter in his hand at the front of the table, his wife beside him; he took in the appearance of his siblings, “Nice dress.”

“Oh, well, Danke!” Klaus smiled.

“Wait, how did you two get back?” Vanya questioned.

“In the end, I had to project our consciousnesses forward into a suspended quantum state version of ourselves that exists across every possible instance of time.”

Diego couldn’t wrap his head around it, “That makes no sense.”

Five went to remark, but Y/n cut him off, “It doesn’t have to. All that matters is that we’re back.”

“How long were you two there?” Luther queried, “Forty-Five years. Give or take.”

Everyone looked at the two teens in disbelief, “So what are you saying? That you’re 58?”

“Well, not exactly. Our consciences are 58, but it appears that our bodies are back to 13.” Y/n answered.

“Wait, how does that even work?”

“It seems that Five might’ve gotten the equations wrong.” Y/n replied, and Five glared at her, “I’m not mad! I’m just happy we’re home. Appearance be damned.”

Five took notice of the newspaper in front of Y/n, “Guess I missed the funeral.”

“How’d you even know about that?” Luther inquired, “What part of the future do you not understand?” Five retorted.

“Heart failure?” Y/n asked, “Yeah/No.” Luther and Diego contradicted.

Five clicked his tongue, “Nice to see nothings changed.”

The teenage boy began to walk away, “Uh, that’s it? That’s all you have to say?” Allison questioned.

“What else is there to say? It’s the circle of life.”

Vanya was the first to get up and hug Y/n, “I’m glad you’re home.”

“Me too, Vanny. Me too.”

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scarlettriot · 3 years

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Along for the Ride PT 1

Pairing: KirishimaxF!Reader

Summary: A drunken mistake had you marking the little Plus One box to your snobby cousin's wedding. Kirishima told you not to worry, if you couldn't find a date, he'd go with you. When the wedding gets moved up, there's absolutely no time to find a date and you're now about to be traveling to America with Kirishima on a private jet no less, dreading having him meet your rude and impossibly arrogant family.

Contains: Kirishima and Reader both come from very well-off families. Plus-Sized Reader. Fluff. Hurt/Comfort.

Warnings: Kinda smutty for a minute. Minors DNI. Drunken Sex. TW: Manipulative Family Relationships. TW: Body Image Issues

A/N: This story has been rolling around in my head for a while now. I might rewrite this and repost. Or I might just post the whole thing soon. I dunno yet. It does get smuttier.

Word Count: 4,974

"What's up with Y/N?"

Eijiro stepped out of the locker room with a towel slung over his shoulder and made his way into the kitchenette where Mina was chugging a bottle of water before getting back to her patrol. His eyes were trained on their mutual friend out on the patio, pacing.

You had your phone pressed to your ear, the high neck of your hero costume unzipped to your collarbone and he noticed your gloves discarded on a chair.

"No clue." Mina shrugged. "She got back from patrol and she noticed a bunch of missed calls from her mom. She's been out there, flailing on the phone for the last fifteen minutes now."

The three of you had met in your second year at UA when you transferred into their class and were quickly accepted by their little squad of friends. You were a bit quiet at first but quickly found comfort in the group. Eijiro had grown especially close to you when you both interned with Fat Gum.

Late nights traveling on the train back to school, a few close calls while helping patrol, and days spent playing cards while you both healed up in the hospital left plenty of time for Eijiro to get to know you better than most. It was how he knew you had a pretty bad relationship with your family, why you hated returning home for the holidays almost as much as you hated any and all forms of tomatoes.

He considered going out there just to see if there was anything he could do but before he had the chance, you were sliding the glass door open. "Oh, good, you're back." He offered you a bottle of water for your throat that he assumed was sore after that argument. "I- um- can I borrow you for a second? Alone?"

Mina snorted a laugh. "If you guys wanna bang it out on the counter you can just say so. I gotta go to work anyways."

Eijiro threw the towel at her as she left the room leaving you two alone. "What's goin' on?"

You hoisted yourself up on the countertop while he leaned against the fridge. "You remember my cousin's wedding that's happening this winter?"

He nodded. He vividly remembered the both of you getting waste a few weeks ago when you were filling out the RSVP and accidentally marking 'plus one'. Then you ran around trying to find White Out but he'd told you if you didn't find a date or have a significant other by the time of the wedding, he'd just go with you.

You argued that your family was bat shit crazy, had more money than they could spend in their lifetime and because of that, they were among some of the rudest people you knew, and you didn't want Eijiro or anyone else around that.

The thing was, Eijiro already knew that and was still okay with going. He came from money too. A lot of it. His family was just more welcoming than yours, the wealth never really going to their heads. But, he reminded you that he'd ran into enough people like those in your family that he knew how to handle them. You finally agreed to let him accompany you, leaving the plus one box checked but the name line blank.

"Well, my cousin just found out that surprise, she's pregnant! And, obviously, she can't have a wedding while seven months along so they've decided to move the wedding up to this weekend."

He nearly choked on his own spit. "This weekend? As in four days from now?"

"Yup! Saturday at 4 in the evening. Oh! No one's supposed to know she's pregnant either. So, I'm just supposed to compliment her on how flattering her dress looks, how thin she is," Your hands strangled the water bottle between them, "And I have to find something flattering to my figure because my mother has seen me in my hero outfit and she's so glad I wear a mask because if anyone knew her daughter ran around looking like I do, well, it'd ruin her!"

You massaged your temples circling back to the actual point, "Anyways, I just wanted to bitch for a sec and let you know you're off the hook since four days is just a little short notice and I told her my plus one wouldn't be able to get the time off that fast."

He pushed off the fridge. "Well, wait, hang on! I'm not letting you go in alone to deal with them! Hell no! You need backup!" You looked almost taken aback by his abruptness, "Yeah. I can work this out. Is the wedding at the same place it was supposed to be or has it moved?"

"No, it's still that fancy lodge in California. I was planning on leaving Friday morning and then coming back either Sunday night or Monday morning since my mother insists I go to their brunch the following day. But, Eijiro, I already have this weekend off..."

"Denki owes me a favor or twelve. He's supposed to be off this weekend too, I'll just see if he can cover me."

"And if he can't?"

"Then..." He pressed the back of his hand to his forehead, "Y/N, am I feeling warm to you? I think I might be starting a fever!"

You folded your arms, shaking your head, "Thought you said lying isn't manly."

"Technically, correct. But, what would be real unmanly is for me to let you deal with your family's bullshit all alone." You watched him closely, "To be honest, I'm sure we could just explain you had a family thing come up and asked me to come along for moral support. I don't really think anyone would think twice about it. Hell, you took a few days off to console me when my turtle died suddenly!"

"Eiji, you refused to eat."

"And you brought me my favorite dumplings! Same thing!"

You might have shaken your head at him but your arms opened wide. The telltale sign you wanted affection. He walked forward, consuming you in a tight hug. Your arms latched around his neck, face buried in the hollow of his throat. "You're the best."

"I just do what I can."

>>><<<

You should have canceled. Instead of Eijiro faking sick to get out of work, you should have faked it with your mother so you didn't have to go in the first place. You crumpled to the floor of your bedroom in pure frustration amidst the twenty or so outfits and dozen pairs of shoes you'd thrown out of your closet trying to find something that your mother would deem appropriate.

It wasn't your fault you had a fuller figure. You worked out, ate right, not to mention your job kept you very active, and yet your, hips, ass, and breasts were by no means subtle.

Your mother had also insisted on the dress being floor-length and modern, "Do try not wearing all black. It's a wedding, not a funeral. And, get your hair looking natural, please." And, just like that, 70% of your wardrobe was out the window!

"It's open!" You called from the floor when the doorbell rang.

"You really should lock this." Mina tutted, walking through the door with a bag full of takeout.

"I do. At night."

"Honey, it's 9 PM."

"Night like bedtime."

Mina just rolled her eyes and walked into your tiny kitchen. "I see the dress hunt is going well."

"I actually figured it out!" You got off the floor, careful not to step on a heel as you made your way to the pink haired woman, "I'm just gonna go in my birthday suit. I figured, my mother made my body technically therefore she can't disapprove of it. Because, you know, she's never done anything wrong in her life!"

Your best friend snorted out a laugh and passed you the take-out container stuffed full of stir fry. "you're a wonderful person, you know that?" You loved the fact Mina didn't even have to ask what you wanted.

"If you'd just move closer to work then you could pick it up yourself and I wouldn't have to bring it to you."

"Too expensive." You declared after a mouthful. "You pay almost twice as much as I do per month and I just don't see the point. I have damn near the same amount of space you do for half the cost!"

You adored your small one-bedroom apartment. It was perfect. Right above a bakery that you visited each morning after your run and a little balcony that provided you with the most stunning view of the sunset.

"You and Kiri, I swear." Mina just shook her head and curled up with her food on the loveseat. "I thought he'd end up with the biggest house out of us all the moment we started making that real Pro money. You've seen his parent's house. It's massive! You could get lost in that place!"

Eijiro's place was barely bigger than your own. He lived in the same condo he had since you'd graduated UA, claiming it was perfect for him in each and every way. But, you knew that he donated a sizable amount of his paycheck every month to charities, the same as you. With savings to spare, neither of you saw the point in hoarding it and therefore the small condo was all he could afford with what he actually kept.

"Just don't understand how a guy that big can live in such a tiny little space. At least with you, it's you know, physically feasible."

Eijiro's bedroom was barely large enough to fit the king-sized bed the man needed to sleep comfortably and even then, his feet were dangerously close to dangling off the bed. And, as if the man's ears were burning, your cell phone went off under a pile of discarded shoes.

Shark-E: Figured out your dress situation? If not, I'm just gonna pack like ten different ties and hope for the best.

You: Yeah! I totally did! I'm just gonna wear this birthday suit I got and call it a night.

You chuckled at your own joke all over again. Watching the grey ellipses appear and then vanish, appear and vanish again. After a third time, you took pity on the man.

You: Joking, Ei. I still don't have it figured out but Mina's over so, hopefully, she can help.

Shark-E: Gonna give me a damn heart attack! Seriously, I wouldn't put it past you just to see the look on your mom's face. Tell Mina hi and good luck to you. I vote the dress from the Hero Gala two years ago.

You: Hi from Mina. Can't. Too much boobs.

Shark-E: You take that back right now! There is NEVER such a thing as too much boobs!

You chuckled to yourself, putting your phone down, and then finished off the last of your delicious dinner, thinking about the dress Eijiro mentioned.

You wondered if maybe there was a way you could make the thing work but it was so very low cut. So much tape had been used to make sure no slips happened but damn was it worth it! The beaded bodice with the sparkling long sleeves, gods, how you loved that dress.

"I'm inclined to agree with our shark boy. You're busty, who gives a damn. You looked hot as hell in that dress."

"My mother, that's who. As much as I'd like to not give a flying fuck what she thinks, for some dumb reason, I do. On top of her telling me that the amount of cleavage I would show would be vastly inappropriate for a wedding, she'd also say the way it hugs my hips makes them look too fat."

Mina rolled her eyes. "She's such a piece of work." Pushing herself up, she held her arms out to you, wiggling little pink fingers for you to take. "Come on then. Let's get you sorted."

"What about that one you wore to the charity art thingy with Kyoka last winter? The one with the silver top."

"Silver is too close to white." You called out from within your closet.

"What! Not true!"

"You know that. I know that. Every person with two brain cells knows that, which is why most of my family does not know that."

"Fine..." She whined and started sifting through the opposite end of your closet. "Oh, what about this?" Mina waved about the blue and green plaid skirt that made up your uniform from your middle school days when you lived in America. "Please try this on. I'm begging!"

You were pretty sure it wouldn't even go over your thighs anymore.

"It's got a better chance of fitting you!"

Mina threw it at you anyway. Slipping off the sweats you wore, somehow, someway, you were able to tug it on AND get it zipped, barely. It no longer covered your ass but you still enjoyed the way it swished around when you wiggled your hips.

"You could be fulfilling so many people's fantasies right now." Mina mused.

You pulled the skirt off and sweats back on, throwing the former back at her. "Yeah, you can take it and go fulfill Hanta's fantasies if you like. Not like I've got anyone to impress." You pulled down a dress you bought on sale a year ago but Mina was quick to dismiss it.

Too puffy, she said and then held up one that was from Momo. "I needed to get it shortened and I don't have time for that now."

"Wait..." She hummed and dropped the Momo dress. "I know what it should be!"

Mina hurried through the closet, grumbling about not finding it. "Just tell me which dress and I can tell you where it's at."

"It's that one you got for grad night and then you got sick and couldn't go!"

"Mina, Mina I can't wear that! That's actual vintage, not like, made-to-look-vintage!"

"But it's so elegant and has that off-the-shoulder sleeve thing. The wedding is at a damn sky lodge! It'll look so pretty in the snow! Ah! Found it!"

She yanked up the long, elegant gown from the garment bag you'd never removed it from. There wasn't a single wrinkle in the burgundy fabric. It looked just as beautiful as the day you found it in that second-hand store, on a mannequin with gaudy stage jewels that you just had to buy so the look was complete.

You ran the back of your hand over the velvety fabric, soft to the touch. "It'll be too tight now. If I was the same size I was at graduation-"

"Bullshit!" Mina cut you off with a dismissive hand, "You've got hips now. We aren't 18 anymore! It's not like it's some clubbing dress. And I bet no one would say a damn thing about your figure if they knew how easily you could crush them with those thighs!"

A smirk tugged at the corner of your lips. Without quirks, you gave every single one of your classmates a run for their money in hand to hand. Most were fairly easy to beat. You could usually take down Eijiro in about five or six minutes and Katsuki in half the time. Funny enough, it was Ochaco that gave you the hardest time.

"I'll consider it. But help me find something else just in case."

>>><<<

It was another two hours before you finally agreed on an a-line, empire waist green and gold number that had been the bridesmaid's dresses for Tetsutetsu's wedding. Mina thought they were a crime the first time they had to wear them, she had no idea what you were thinking.

That's why the moment you were preoccupied with trying to find yet another dress for the Sunday brunch, Mina pulled out her phone.

You: DO NOT, under any circumstances, allow Y/N to wear the green dress. She's bringing two because she can't decide. Red is the winner!

Jaws: Aw, come on. If she likes it, let her wear whatever she's comfortable in. She'll be under enough stress already.

You: Kirishima, it's the dress from Tetsu's wedding. The one that looks sparkly baby food.

It took him a second to respond.

Jaws: Alright. Understood. I thought you guys looked good but damn, she hated that dress.

You: We all did.

Mina looked at the message chain again and couldn't help but asked, "Are we just gonna ignore the fact that you and Eiji are flying all the way to America, last minute, to attend a wedding together, even though you're not together?"

"We've flown to the states before."

"For work!" She sat up eagerly. "This is different, Y/N! This is a date and not just a, like, casual date but a wedding date!"

You poked your head out of the closet. "No, it isn't. This is a friend helping another friend who stupidly mismarked an RSVP." You corrected very plainly but Mina wasn't one to give up so easily.

She whined, dragging out your name, "You guys have been doing this thing for ages. Why do you have to be so stubborn about it all!"

"What's that supposed to mean!"

Mina started ticking off points on her fingers. "He was the first person you opened up to at UA. You saved his life when he was busy saving Katsuki's life second year. You spent all that time interning together, became sidekicks together. Went to America together for three whole months, ALONE, and you honestly expect me to think there's nothing between the two of you!"

The truth of it all was simple really; 17 year old you had a massive crush on Eijiro Kirishima. He was sweet, always listening to you, providing comfort when you needed it, and always encouraging you to push your limits. He was bright and honest, a little slow in the head from time to time but that made him all the more endearing.

He was also head over heels in love with Katsuki Bakugo.

It was why you never made a move. Never spoke a word of the feelings you harbored. You didn't dare to cross that line with him because you couldn't ever hold a candle to the explosive man.

In the three years Eijiro and Katsuki spent together, your brain finally started registering Eijiro as just a friend, nothing more, and certainly nothing less. You thought your heart had followed suit but it was becoming more and more apparent that wasn't the case. Because the night he showed up at your door, tears in his ruby eyes, every lock you put on your heart broke open.

The same way you couldn't hold a candle to Katsuki, Eijiro couldn't hold one to Izuku. You knew exactly what he was feeling even if you never intended to tell him. Too overcome with fear. If Katsuki came back... that'd be it. Eijiro would go back and you wouldn't even blame him!

Still, the redhead consumed a decent chunk of your heart though, you couldn't deny that after the three months you spent together in America, gathering intel on a smuggling ring, living in the same apartment. The groggy, 'good mornings' when his voice was still scratchy with sleep, hair falling in his eyes. The late nights bandaging wounds and killing cheap bottles of wine while watching terrible American reality shows.

It was those bottles of wine that did you in on your second to last night in America. Supplying you with courage and draining your sense of reason, allowing you to crawl onto his lap, into his arms. You could still remember the pressure of his lips on yours, those sharp teeth gently dragging along your lower lip.

Scared hands tracing the curve of your ass before taking handfuls to squeeze. The laugh that came from you was unlike anything you heard before, something so genuine that you couldn't reproduce.

How it felt when he lifted you up and took you to his bed, laying you down taking his time removing your clothes, and watching with awe as you pulled away his own. The way he looked over top of you, his hair a curtain of red around you just before you closed your eyes, gasping while he filled you.

You also remembered the guilt that crept into your head during the wee hours of the morning, the doubt that was louder than the snores coming from behind you.

It made you slip from under his massive arm, gather up your clothes from his floor, you tucked the blanket around him, and pressed a kiss to his temple before padding out of the room.

You told yourself you'd talk to him about it if he brought it up, but he never did. Not the next morning, or night, not on the plane ride back home, nor anytime since. It was a memory you'd hold close to your heart, one you wouldn't let slip away or share.

"There's nothing there, Mina. We're just good friends is all." You lied with a smile on your face, something that had become surprisingly easy to do.

If only you knew that Mina saw right through it. That Mina already knew the truth of it all.

>>><<<

It was nearly one in the morning when your phone rang. The goofy picture of Eijiro with face half painted at a festival a few years back never failed to make you grin.

"It's a little late." You answered by way of greeting.

"Don't pretend like you were anywhere close to sleeping, you little night owl."

Chuckling at the nickname that had followed you since high school, "What's up, Eiji?"

"I was going over flights. You said in the office that you wanted to leave on Friday?"

"Yeah. I have patrol tomorrow and I didn't find any flights after 6 PM so, Friday is the earliest."

He was quiet on the other line for a moment. "Yeah, you don't have patrol tomorrow, or work at all for that matter."

You sat up a bit straighter in bed. "Um, yes I do."

"No, you don't. I called Mina, asked her if you'd mind taking that shift for you and, since she knows what's happening, she agreed the extra day for travel would do you some good. So, she's covering you tomorrow then you're off work until next Wednesday. As for me, thanks to all that overtime I put in when Denki, Kyoka, and Hitoshi got married, the three of them are splitting up my days so I have until Wednesday too."

Eijiro sounded impossibly proud on the other line, you could almost see the smirk on his face. "You've got this all planned out, don't you?"

"And a bag nearly packed. Just need you to tell me what ties to bring."

"Gold, burgundy, and black."

"Thought your mom said no black for you?"

"She said no black for the wedding. She said nothing about black at the brunch!"

You couldn't wait to put on the tea-length dress that had been a favorite for years. Satin with a lacy top and, best of all, pockets.

He let out a rumbling laugh that fell off into comfortable silence as you laid back in your bed, lights still on, the room still a mess. You tapped the speaker icon and laid the phone on the pillow right beside your head, listing to the various sounds of Eijiro moving around.

A door creaking open, a hanger clattering against another, and a zipper. "And just like that, I'm all set."

"Don't forget your passport or hero license."

"I have one in my wallet and the other in my backpack."

You swiped up on your iPad, off Netflix, and going to google, lazily searching through flights. "So, did you find any good flights since you've clearly been looking?"

Another chuckle, "Eijiro, why are you laughing?" More stifled giggles had you sitting up in bed again. "Just tell me a site you were on. They're just flights, what's so funny?"

"There isn't a site."

"You said you were checking flights."

"And I was... on my family's jet."

"Eiji! No! No, no, no! That is supposed to be for their business or hero things! My stupid cousin's wedding is neither of those things!"

"Relax, Y/N. My family has multiple and they don't have any business trips planned right now anyways. I already cleared it with my mom. Seriously, I just mention your name and she's likely to let me have it for a whole year at least. Plus Todoroki's is back up in working order so the agency is covered too."

Damn, why'd he have to be so good at planning from time to time! You'd completely forgotten about the second jet his family had. Always opting for the larger one since the few missions they needed it for required them to bring fifty or so heroes along.

"Besides, if we fly private, we can land at an airstrip closer to the venue and won't need to drive four hours on top of a ten-hour flight."

"Alright, okay, thank you but, let me take care of the rental car, please. It's the least you can let me do."

"Deal. I just have one more question for ya."

"What's that?"

"Wanna leave tonight?"

You nearly dropped your damn iPad in shock. "Eijiro! What the fuck has gotten into you! It's the middle of the night!"

"I'm excited!" He boomed, "I haven't had a vacation in months!"

"I hate to break this to you, buddy, but this isn't going to be a vacation. You really shouldn't get your hopes up. This isn't going to be a good time with laughs and fun memories... my family, they just, they aren't those kinds of people."

"But we are." He stated matter-of-factly. "If they want to have sticks up their asses then let them! We'll have a good time on our own, laugh and make fun memories! So, what do you say, Y/N? I can be at your place in fifteen. I just gotta put shoes on and grab my keys..."

"Wait, hang on. Are you forgetting that we need someone to, oh, I dunno, FLY THE PLANE! Actually, we need two someone's, can't forget about a co-pilot!"

He hummed happily and you rubbed your temples. "You, you have a pilot and a co, don't you, Eiji?"

"Mhm! There is a company we use. Two can be at the hanger in an hour and every hour after that. I just have to make the call and get the flight plan approved which will be done before I even get to your house."

There was literally no reason to say no. You had mostly everything packed, nothing you needed to get from the store, all you had to do was put on pants and pack up your hygiene bag and you were ready too. Maybe getting there quicker and getting the whole thing over with would be better than staying home dwelling on everything.

"Better put your shoes on."

The glee in his voice, that was enough to make this whole thing worth it, "I'll see you soon."

>>><<<

Eijiro reached into the backseat and plopped a bag down on your lap the very moment you were buckled in. "Had to make a pit stop." He explained.

"It's after two in the morning, where'd you have to..."

"Just open the bag and don't complain."

You found it filled to the brim with all your favorite snacks.

"I'm sure the plane will have a bunch of snacks we can raid but I know for a fact they don't have these." He held up a pack of cookies and creme flavored pocky that had been his favorite for as long as you'd known him, quickly followed by your favorite flavor too. You also found a massive bag of gummy worms and jolly ranchers.

"So, what you're telling me is our teeth are going to rot by the time we land? Not that I'm complaining."

You ripped open the bag of ranchers knowing that was what he'd go for first and sure enough his hand dove inside just as he pulled away from the curb. You could hear his dangerously sharp teeth biting through the rock candy like it was nothing while you still rolled one around your mouth.

Eijiro asked you about the resort you'd be going to, wondering if you'd been there before or what other stuff you guys could do when you weren't dealing with your family. "I figured we could fly back Monday night or Tuesday morning, you know, just play it by ear in case there was anything else we wanted to do."

More than anything, you wished you could just leech a little bit of that excitement from him. The glimpses of his smile you caught as you drove under the street lights made your heart ache.

"What?" He asked with that wide smile of his. You'd been caught staring, red-handed.

"I, uh, I just don't know what to tell you."

You could see the subtle change of his grin, watch as it softened and his hand came to rest on your thigh. "Hey, it's gonna be fine! And if we run into them while out doing stuff, you can just avoid them or hide behind me!" At least hiding behind Eijiro is an easy thing to do, damn mountain of a man.

His thumb slowly brushed back and forth. "'S gonna be okay. I'll beat 'em up if they're assholes!"

You snickered at his Katsuki impression and let the drone of the radio fill the air around you both. Enjoying the silence the rest of the way to the hanger with Eijiro's hand atop your leg.

#mha #bnha #kirishima x reader #kirishima x y/n #eijiro kirishima #kirishima smut #mha x reader #mha x y/n

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