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is-it-madness · 4 years

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Pastries and Pain

A/N: This is for @fanfictionaries Classic Tropes Writing Challenge. Congrats on the 300 darling!!! 🥳🎉🥳 The prompt I chose was Fake Dating!AU with the charming Loki. And thank you to my darling beta @wowjeena I LOVE YOU 💜💜💜

Word Count: 6K+

Warnings: Mentions of abusive relationship, abuse, sexual innuendos

Pairing: Loki x reader

Summary: Nat and Wanda keep setting you up for dates. You need to figure out how to avoid them.

~~~

“You did what?!” You glare angrily at Natasha and Wanda.

They don’t even bother hiding their looks of amusement.

“We set you up on a blind date,” Nat tells you with a smirk.

“You said you wouldn’t do that anymore!” Last year, after they discovered you hadn't been on a date since you broke up with your abusive ex a few years ago, they felt obligated to find you a suitable boyfriend. Blind date after blind date. The dates were all just okay. Nat and Wanda made sure not to let you go out with anyone creepy, which helped, but none of the dates sparked your interest. After a few weeks of repeated fails, you asked—no begged them to stop. They only agreed when you swore you would find your own partner.

“Honey,” Nat begins, “did you ever end up finding a date for yourself?”

You glare at her in response.

“You promised us you would! You didn’t and it’s been months,” Wanda scolds you.

“I’m just too busy to be emotionally invested in someone right now, okay?” At least that was true. What with helping out on missions and working in the lab, you were always exhausted by the end of the day. You never saw anyone anymore, besides your team, and sometimes you would even go days without seeing them. You would be holed up in the lab or out in the field—you just didn’t have time to throw your emotions into the mix.

“Well not tonight,” Nat says triumphantly.

“Tonight?!” you squeak.

They both give you a wicked smile and drag you back to Nat’s room to get you ready for the evening.

You argue with your so-called friends about the date. You plead with them.

“I’ll find my own date, you guys! Just please don’t make me do this!”

Wanda laughs and shakes her head while Nat reprimands you.

“Are you seriously gonna stand him up? That is so not like you.”

You sigh. Nat is right. Of course. So you begrudgingly slip into the soft, dark green dress they laid out for you. The halter neck and deep V decolletage lead to the cinched waist showcasing your figure and the skirt reaching just above your knees. You put on some light makeup and pull your hair back into two cute buns with a few pieces framing your face. Nat and Wanda sit fussing over you, before they finally let you out of the room.

They walk you past the living room to the elevator, but you stop in your tracks when Tony calls your name. You turn to see the rest of the team lounging around. This is the first Friday in weeks where everyone’s at the Tower, not having to rush off to missions or save the world.

“Where are you guys going?” Tony asks. He gives you a double-take. “What’s with the dress?”

When he asks that, the rest of the team turns to look at you. You immediately feel the heat rising to your face.

“Nat and Wanda thought it would be a good idea if I went out for a bit,” you mumble.

“Did you two set her up for another date?” Steve questions them knowingly.

Nat smirks and Wanda nods happily.

“Well, you look wonderful,” Thor beams at you and you return the smile. “Would you not say so, brother?”

The God of Mischief sitting next to Thor gave you a once over.

He gives a single shoulder shrug and says, “Unsightly.”

You smile sweetly at him. “Oh, thank goodness! I was worried you were going to say I look as grotesque as you.”

“Alright boys, you can give your fashion critique later,” Nat says, putting a hand on your shoulder. “We have a date to get to.”

~~~

His name is Michael. He was very sweet, albeit nervous when the two of you sat down for dinner. You learn he works in the IT department for Stark Industries, he runs a hand through his short, brown hair when he’s nervous, and his deep blue eyes sparkle when he tells you about his interests.

“So, you’re part of the Avengers, right?” he asks, carding a hand through his locks.

“Yeah, I guess you could say that,” you tell him with a laugh.

“What made you decide to start dating again?”

You shake your head in amusement. “My friends are very convincing.”

The rest of the night goes along smoothly with the conversation stuttering only a few times.

When he walks you to your car, he runs a hand through his hair before placing a soft kiss on your cheek. He tells you good night and hurries back to his car.

You sigh, slightly exasperated, before sliding into your car.

~~~

“So, how’d it go?”

You release your hair from its hold and it cascades around you. “It wasn’t bad. He was nice.”

Nat smiles. “So are you gonna see him again?”

You contemplate her question. Were you going to see him again? Sure he was nice and not bad looking, but just like all your previously failed dates, there was… nothing. You didn’t feel a connection when you spoke, the both of you kept the conversation basic. You didn’t feel a spark when he kissed you. It was no different than the friendly kisses Thor would give you as greetings.

“No, I don’t think so. I’m sorry, Nat.”

“Don’t worry about it, babe. Wanda and I will just keep looking for you.”

“It’s okay, Nat. You really don’t have to do this.”

She waves you off. “What kind of a friend would I be if I didn’t help you?”

“That’s just it, Nat! You don’t have to help me. It’s not a big deal.”

But she isn’t listening.

~~~

A week goes by and so do five other dates. You had to cut the last one short because you were just too exhausted. You couldn’t keep doing this. It was too much. But you knew Nat and Wanda were relentless. Nothing would make them stop until you had a boyfriend.

You pace around your room, coming up with excuse after excuse to try to skip the impending date they have planned for you. You come to the conclusion that the only way they would leave you alone is if you were in a relationship. You abruptly stop pacing. Maybe if you had someone fill the position. Maybe… maybe someone could pretend to be your boyfriend—at least for a short time. Just to get the girls off your back. You start formulating a plan. But for this plan to work, you needed someone cunning, someone who could keep a secret, someone who was stealthy, and preferably, someone already on the team.

A name comes to you and you immediately head to the library with a smirk on your face, but the whole time your mind is screaming that THIS IS A BAD IDEA!!!

You find the God in his usual seat, his legs spread wide, and a book in hand. He sits in the far corner of the library, which also happened to be your spot too.

“Loki! I need you.”

He smirks and looks up from his book, “In your bed or mine?”

“I don’t have time for your smart mouth right now! This is serious!”

He quirks a brow.

“I need you to go on a ‘date’ with me,” you say, putting up air quotes.

He stares at you for a good thirty seconds before he gives you an eloquent response.

“What?”

You feel yourself turn bright pink. “Please, Loki! I can’t take Nat and Wanda setting me up on blind dates anymore, it’s just too much. Please? If I find my own date, they’ll leave me alone,” you explain to him, internally begging him to agree to your plan.

“I’m not sure I follow,” he tells you slowly. “You wish for me to court you, but not as a real courtship?”

You nod hastily. “Exactly.”

He squints at you. “No.”

You’re shocked. “What? Why not?”

He smirks at you. “Firstly, your team will not take lightly to the matter of us courting. Secondly, there is not a chance they would believe you have fallen for me, even with my good looks and charm,” he continues to tick off. “Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, how long would you allow this to drag out? One week? A month? A year? So no, I do not think I wish to partake in your foolish endeavor.”

“But you wouldn’t need to worry about any of that!” You continue adamantly. “I’ve already thought it out!”

He gives you an amused look. “Alright, I’ll listen to your hairbrained scheme.”

You glower at him. Maybe you should’ve picked someone else for this, but it’s too late now. He already knows what you’re planning.

“One, I won’t tell the team who I’m seeing, we can just meet up somewhere outside the building. And if I act like I’m in love with someone, and we stay… y’know, mean to each other, they won’t get suspicious. Your second point is irrelevant, because they won’t know it’s you that I’m ‘dating.’” His nostrils flare and his jaw ticks but you plow ahead. “And lastly, we won’t have to keep this charade up for long. I’ll just say you ‘broke up with me’ and I’ll be too ‘heartbroken’ to consider dating for a while.”

He pinches the bridge of his nose and sighs deeply. “Out of the goodness of my own heart, and the desire to only create mischief… fine.”

Your eyes widen, “You’ll do it?”

“I suppose I have nothing more exciting to attend to. And besides,” he looks up to give you a smirk. “I am eager to see this come crashing down around you.”

~~~

“I was thinking for your next date, you should go to the park,” Nat tells you a few days later.

You smile at her. “I don’t think that’ll be necessary.”

She glares at you. “You’re not getting out of this. How many times do I have to tell you? I’m going to keep finding you dates until we find the right one.”

You shake your head and laugh. “It’s not necessary because I found my own date.”

Her spoon falls with a clatter into her bowl of cereal. “I’m sorry, I thought I heard you say you found your own date?!”

“I don’t understand why that’s so unbelievable, Nat.” You place a hand on your heart. “I’m hurt.”

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry!” she apologizes with a laugh, but her eyes sparkle with glee. “So what’s his name?”

“It’s a secret.”

“What?! You can’t not tell me!”

“Well, this is our first date. So what’s the point of putting a name to a face if I’m not sure if this’ll work out?”

“Okay fine,” she pauses. “Well, where’d you two meet?”

“Oh, you know,” you say with a small smile and a shrug. “Around.”

She folds her arms. “I need info so I can run tests on him,” she chides. “Need to make sure he’s not a threat.”

“Don’t worry, he’s no threat.”

She sighs and throws her hands in the air. “Fine, I get it. You don’t want to talk about him yet. But if anything sketchy happens, you need to tell me immediately.”

“I promise.”

She takes her bowl to the sink and starts washing her dishes.

“And no stalking us!”

She sends you a smirk over her shoulder.

~~~

Early afternoon, the next day, you wait for Loki at a nearby cafe for your ‘date,’ but he’s nowhere to be seen. Sure, the two of you didn’t exactly get along, with his snark and your sarcasm, you would usually wage verbal wars against each other. But you didn’t think he would just leave you, he said he wanted to see your plan fail, so you thought for sure he would be waiting for you. Your smile falters a bit, but you shake your head. You don’t need him. You’ll just do this on your own. You decide to leave and head to the park instead, since it’s a pretty day out.

“Considering this was your plan, I did not assume you would leave without me,” you hear a silky voice behind you say.

You turn around to see Loki walking behind you with a smirk.

You huff. “For your information, I thought you left without me.”

“Why would I do that?”

You fold your arms. “Well, you weren’t down here. I figured you agreed to this just to make me look like a fool.”

His smirk only grows. “I would not do that, especially not when you are so desperate.”

“Are you sure you didn’t show up late just for kicks and giggles?”

“If you must know, since you’re so adamant on believing that I would just leave you, I went to purchase these for you.” He conjures a bouquet of flowers and hands them to you. You thank him sheepishly.

He nods. “I felt like it would seem strange if you returned home without a gift, as you usually returned carrying a gift from your possible suitors.”

“That’s... thoughtful of you.”

He gives you another curt nod.

“Well, let’s get this over with, shall we?”

“So, what do you wanna do?” you ask him. “You’ve never had a chance to explore when you came back from Asgard, we could see whatever you want.”

“I could not care less where we venture to, as long as we hurry up. I have reading to get back to.”

You roll your eyes. Just when you thought he was starting to be friendly, he goes and says something like that.

“Well, if you really don’t want to be here, I'll just go on a walk on my own. You’ve done your part.” You gesture to the flowers. “And you gave me evidence, so I guess I’ll see you later.”

He stares at you, emotionless.

“Enjoy your book.” You clutch your flowers, trying to reel your emotions back in and start walking in the direction towards the park.

He catches up to you and releases an audible sigh. “I suppose I could spend some time out of that helhole. It has become rather monotonous. Perhaps you would be suitable entertainment.”

You just shrug, not trusting yourself to not retort back with a scathing comment.

“So, where are we headed?”

“Preferably somewhere I won’t have to pay attention to your existence,” you snap.

His green eyes flash dangerously and he grabs you by the arm, forcing you to face him. “Listen here, mortal,” he seethes. “It may have slipped your notice, but I have done not one, but two favors for you.”

Your cool demeanor snaps in a fiery explosion. “Oh really? Is the favor you being rude to me? Or is it the fact that you can’t find it in yourself to say one, just one, polite thing to me. Oh, I know! It’s probably your side remarks that you love to make, or the fact that you say the most hurtful things to me, because apparently, you seem to think I don’t have emotions. Have you ever considered the weight of your words, even once?!” Tears begin to prick the corner of your eyes, but you refuse to cry in front of him, you refuse to give him something else to hold against you. “Have you ever thought twice about calling me ugly, or useless, or slow, or weak. Well, guess what.”

He releases his hold on you and takes a step back.

“I get it, okay?! I get it! I’m ugly? Great! You’re not the first person to tell me that! I’m useless? People who were close to me, would tell me that constantly. That’s old news to me! I’m slow? At least I stay alive during our missions! I’m weak? Okay then! I don’t know what else to tell ya buddy! I’m sorry I’m no super soldier!” Your chest is heaving from your outburst and Loki opens his mouth to speak, but you cut him off. “You know what?” You begin quietly. “I’m absolutely not as strong as the rest of the team, but I’ve been through stuff that’s made me a stronger person. I’ve learned things the hard way, and I’ve learned that I don’t need hurtful people like you in my life.”

Loki stares at you, mouth slightly agape. You spin around and toss the flowers in the trash. “Have fun reading.” You don’t look back as you continue to walk through the streets.

~~~

You return to the Tower later that evening. After your temper, you spend the most of the day in the park. You wander through the city and stumble upon a quaint little bookstore, sandwiched between a diner and a clothing store. You buy several books before heading home.

The elevator gets closer to the common floor and you take a deep breath. The elevator dings and you force a smile on your face.

“Hey beautiful!” Nat calls to you from the couch.

The entire team, sprawled around, looks up.

“How’d it go?” Steve asks you.

You internally breathe a sigh of relief. So Lo—so he didn’t blow your story. Good. The man in question was currently paying no attention to you.

“It was great!” you fib. “We went to the park, and we found a cute bookstore not far from here,” you say with a nod to the stack of books in your arms.

Wanda’s face splits into a grin. “Will you be seeing him again?” she asks eagerly.

You see Thor’s brother, in your peripheral vision, subtly turn to look at you, but you refuse to acknowledge him.

“Yeah I am! I’ll be going out for breakfast tomorrow, at the cafe. ”

“The one with the chocolate pastries?” Nat asks you.

“Yup. And no following me, Nat! I know what you’re thinking!”

She huffs and crosses her arms.

“Well, I’ve had a long day and I’m exhausted. I’ll see you guys tomorrow, yeah?”

The team bids you good night and you head down the hall to your room. You can feel the God of Mischief watching you.

~~~

Early the next morning you drag yourself out of bed and start getting ready. The reward? Pastries. You shower then hop, wiggle, and shimmie into some jeans and pull on a dark blue blouse before making your way to the elevator.

You make it outside without running into anyone. You walk a few blocks to the cafe with your favorite chocolate sweets. You discovered it a while back and later introduced it to the team. As soon as you step in, you inhale the heavenly goodness of coffee roasting, bread baking, and chocolate melting. The little old lady behind the counter recognizes you and prepares your order for you before you have a chance to say anything. You thank her and pay before you find a table in the corner of the store to sit at. You watch the world pass by through the large glass windows. It was still quiet out—or at least quiet for New York—and you close your eyes, relishing in the peace that was sorely lacking while you were in the Tower.

“You do realize it is rude to leave your date behind, yes?” Someone asks you.

You snap your eyes open to see the raven-haired god sitting across from you, the smirk as present as always.

You glare at him. “Why the hell are you here? I don’t recall inviting you.”

He conjures a dagger and splits your pastry in two. He takes a piece and sinks his teeth into it. His eyes flutter close, lashing splaying out across his sharp cheekbones and he moans slightly at the warm confection. You feel a heat rise to your cheeks and your stomach flips. This is the first time you’ve heard him make such an obscene sound. You didn’t expect it to make you press your thighs together.

“On the contrary, you did invite me.” He pauses to open his eyes, only to be met with your flushed face. He gives you a smirk. “Is something the matter?”

“No,” you scowl at him, quickly composing yourself. “And like I said, I don’t remember inviting you.”

“Oh dear, have you forgotten about your own scheme?”

“No, I haven’t,” you bristle. “But that doesn’t mean you have to be here.”

He chuckles. “Yes I do. I am fulfilling my promise I made you.”

“How gentlemanly of you,” you reply, rolling your eyes. “You made it quite clear you didn’t want to do this.”

He leans forward and folds his hands. “Listen, in light of recent events, I have taken into consideration our previous conversation. And although we do not have the, ah, best attitude towards one another, I agreed to assist you in your time of need. And I will see to it that your plan continues along accordingly.”

“Well, you’re wasting your time, ‘cause I don’t need you.”

He pinches the bridge of his nose. “At least allow me to attempt to be your faux suitor. To make up for my ghastly behavior towards you.”

You continue to glare at him with your arms crossed. You wait to see a glint of mischief in his emerald eyes, or the tell-tale sign of a smirk, but his face remains solemn.

You let out a sigh of defeat. You knew you wouldn’t be able to keep this guise up for long if you did it alone.

“Fine,” you agree reluctantly.

He sits up straight and snatches the second half of your pastry. “Excellent.”

“Hey!”

“What?” he asks innocently, already biting into your breakfast. “I am absolutely famished.”

You just grumble as he licks his fingers clean. Again, your stomach decides to flutter, without your permission.

“Hello, dear.” You look up to see the older lady has approached you and Loki. “Can I get anything else for you?”

You smile back at her. “No thank you.”

She gives a questioning look to Loki. “And who is this? I don’t think I’ve had the pleasure of meeting you, young man.”

Loki flashes her a charming smile. “Greetings madame.” He stands, gently takes her hand and places a soft kiss on her knuckles.

“This... is my boyfriend,” you tell her through clenched teeth.

She turns to look at you. You detect the slightest tinge of pink to her cheeks.

“Well, you certainly are lucky to have such a gentleman.”

You barely restrain rolling your eyes, while Loki chuckles and gives a slight shake of his head.

“I hate to contradict madame, but it is I who is the lucky one.” He sits back down and takes your hands in his. He looks at you softly. You look back at him, confused.

“The first moment I set eyes on her, my heart nearly stopped. And her smile… her smile sent me straight to Valhalla. I never believed the Fates would allow me to meet someone so kind, so gentle, so beautiful. I am grateful to have the honor to call her my beloved. She means more to me than any riches imaginable.”

You blush as the old lady places a hand to her heart and sighs.

“He’s a keeper,” she tells you. “Much better than the last one. This one won’t lay a hand on you.”

You feel Loki staring hard at you, his grip on your hands tighten ever so slightly.

You stand abruptly, Loki still refusing to let go. “Well, we really should be going. We have a few plans today.”

“Yes, of course,” Loki says.

Both of you thank the old lady. You can’t get out of there fast enough.

The sunlight hits your face as you step outside, but you can’t help the shiver that courses through you. Your past hits you in flashes. Bruised and bloodied skin. Hands raised, only to be brought down against your body with rage. Long sleeves and concealer were a must if you went out. Nights spent huddled in bed, silently crying from pain.

You dimly realize someone is shaking you by your shoulders, calling your name.

You look up to see Loki watching you intently, his brow furrowed.

“What did she mean?” he asks you, his voice a deadly calm.

“It’s nothing,” you brush him off. “It’s not like you’d care anyways,” you mumble under your breath.

Whether he heard you or not, he didn’t show.

He gives you a hard stare for another second before dropping his hands.

“What would you like to do?”

“Huh?”

He sighs. “For our outing. Where would you wish to go?”

“Oh. Yeah, right. Um. Maybe we could go to the bookstore I found?”

“Done.” He holds out his arm for you and you tentatively slip your hand in. “Lead the way.”

A smile pulls at your lips and you tug him in the direction of the bookstore.

After you both buy several books, you spend the rest of your day taking Loki to your favorite spots around the city. You take him to a garden in Central Park and he tells you about his mother’s garden. He buys you ice cream because ‘I suppose you deserve it after I took your breakfast.’

~~~

The next few weeks, you and Loki alternate taking the other places. Loki takes you for lunch, you take him to the movies. He takes you to a museum and you take him to dinner. The two of you begin bonding and slowly the animosity begins to fade. After the second month, you realize that you actually like being in his company. You made each other laugh and were able to discuss things to great lengths that you couldn’t do with anyone else on the team. The two of you would always be careful, leaving the Tower separately, coming home separately. You both also agreed to continue your banter at home, lest anyone become suspicious. But there were days when Nat would have to snap you out of your daydreams—er thoughts, and she would give you a little smirk. She never asked what you were thinking about, but the pink staining your cheeks would give her the answer she needed.

The nights you spend tossing and turning in bed become more frequent.

I’ll tell him tomorrow.

Tomorrow’s the day.

I’ll end this tomorrow.

You kept postponing the termination of this… relationship you had with Loki. Sure it would’ve been easier to do after the first week you put your plan in motion, but that would have only spurred Nat further. You didn’t need that. So you simply kept putting it off and chose to ignore it as days became weeks. Surprisingly enough, you found a kindred spirit in Loki. He wasn’t as bad as you had originally believed. He made you laugh and think critically and roll your eyes at his dramatic flair and antics. You can’t help but feel as though you and Loki connected. You can’t help but feel as though you’re falling for him. With his sparkling eyes, mischievous smile, and surprisingly, his kind heart. It shocked you at first. You always saw him as Thor’s maniacal and evil younger brother. But now that you’ve spent more time with him, you discover that it was just a facade that he put up. He didn’t want people to get close to him, he knew what they thought of him, so that’s what he showed them. It broke your heart when you found out how hurt and abused he was. Just because he never told you outright, doesn’t mean you didn’t see it. You felt awful though, for only barely realizing this. You should have paid more attention to the way he sometimes flinched or the way his eyes would slightly widen with fear at the mention of fire, or when someone on the team would mention abuse.

If only he knew about your past relationship. You never brought it up after the slip in the bakery and Loki didn’t pry, which you were extremely grateful for. You weren’t sure you could discuss it, it was too harrowing and you wanted to leave your past there. In the past. But you should have known it would rear its ugly head one of these days.

~~~

You had promised Loki you’d take him back to the little slice of Valhalla that he so fondly nicknamed the bakery.

“Please!” he practically begs you as the two of you walk down the street, hand in hand. “How else do you expect me to survive in your company? I require payment!”

“Payment?!” you repeat incredulously. “Payment for what?”

He sighs dramatically. “For having to endure your nonsense.”

You laugh. “I should be the one getting paid for having to put up with you!”

He gives you a smirk. “Come now darling, you know you love me.”

Your heart gets caught in your throat at those words. You give Loki a shaky laugh, hoping he doesn’t realize how close to the truth he was.

“Fine,” you sigh exasperatedly. “We’re heading in that direction anyways.”

He gives you another smirk and your heart flutters again. You really need to get your emotions under control. You didn’t have it in you to deal with a heartbreak, it was obvious Loki hadn’t fallen for you.

“How about you wait out here, darling?” he asks when you two reach the bakery. “I’ll be just a few moments.”

You nod and he gives you a small smile before making his way inside.

You groan slightly and rub your temple. You are not supposed to be falling for him! This shouldn’t be happening. You need to get your emotions in check, otherwise… well, you didn’t want to think about what would happen if you didn’t.

You’re lost in thought when you hear your name being called. Before you have a chance to turn around, arms wrap themselves around your waist, pulling you into a hug from behind.

Your heart drops. You knew that voice, that hug that used to give you butterflies, but now made you nauseous. When he releases you, you hurriedly take a few steps away and turn to face your ex.

“Chase.”

“Hey, baby!” he said with a cheerful grin. “How ya been?”

“Fine,” you say, even though you’re feeling far from it.

His eyes rake over you, and you physically had to hold down your vomit. “Well, you look good, baby.”

“Please don't call me that.”

“Listen,” he says solemnly. “I’m sorry for everything that happened between us, but I miss you. I need you back. C’mon, baby. We can be together again, don’t you want that?” he places his hands on your waist, making you tense.

You try taking a steadying breath. “No, Chase. I already told you before. I don’t want to be with you.”

His grip on your waist tightens and bites into you, and he gives you a look you were all too familiar with.

“C’mon, babe,” he says, a slight growl in his voice. “I know you’re not stupid. You already broke my heart once. Don’t do this to me again.”

Tears begin to well up. “I-I already told you. I don’t want to be with you anymore.”

He glares down at you and you feel yourself shaking despite the warm day.

“You really don’t have a choice, do you?” he grabs a hold of your wrist and yanks you, not hard enough to fall, but a reminder of what he was capable of doing.

“Chase, let me go!” you try to free yourself, but he yanks you again, making you stumble.

“Don’t make a scene,” he hisses. “I know we both remember how that turned out for you last time.”

You flinch. That day… that was one of the more violent days. He pulls you along with him.

“Chase stop!” you sob desperately.

That’s when he decides to backhand you. You fall to your knees, cheek stinging fiercely as hot tears stream down your face. A rough hand is placed on your shoulder, but it’s quickly pulled back. You cradle your head between your hands, trying to protect yourself. You hear Chase yelling behind you, which is soon replaced by moans, and then the sound of someone running unsteadily across the pavement.

A gentler hand is placed on your shoulder, but you can’t help but wince away. They retreat their hand and crouch in front of you. You hear a familiar, more soothing voice, calling your name softly. You release your grasp on your face and slowly look up. It was Loki. He was watching you with such sorrow and concern, his lips tight and his brows creasing.

“That’s what she meant, wasn’t it?” he asks quietly.

You nod minutely. He offers his hands out to you and you shakily take them. He helps you to your feet, his worried face never faltering. He pulls you into a tight embrace and that’s when you completely lose it. You fist his shirt as sobs wrack through you. He doesn’t say anything to you, he just lets you release your tears.

~~~

Loki walks you back to the Tower with a protective arm around your shoulder. Miraculously you don’t run into anyone. He leads you to your room. You don’t even think to question how he knows where your room is. The burning in your cheek receded, but there’s still an intense stinging.

“Wait here, darling,” Loki says, giving you a reassuring squeeze.

You sit on your bed, eyes downcast, as he heads to your bathroom. You hear the faucet running and then shut off as he returns and sits next to you. He places a finger under your chin, tilting your face up, making you look at him. He starts tending to your abused cheek, wiping it with a cool washcloth.

He growls. “That halfwit left marks on your face.”

You try for a watery smile. “Wouldn’t be the first time.”

He stops his task to look in your eyes. “I swear this will be the last.” He looks down for a moment before looking at you again, his eyes holding something different. “I… I would never hurt you.”

He looks at you so softly you nearly start crying again. You’ve never had anyone look at you with such a heartfelt gaze; it takes your breath away.

He clears his throat. “Listen darling… I realize that your plan was to keep you from having to court anyone, but… I fear I have fallen for you.”

Your eyes widen at his confession and he quickly looks away.

“I understand if you do not feel the same… no one can love a monster.”

You take his face in your hands and force him to look at you.

“Do you mean it?” you whisper, not daring to believe it.

He stares at you long and hard. You nearly drop your hands because the silence is too overwhelming.

“I do.”

A smile splits across your face and you crash your lips to his, taking in the feel of his soft lips, his steady arms, his comforting scent of lavender and bergamot. He wraps his arms around your waist and pulls you into his lap, holding you close.

You pull away to rest your forehead against his. “Well I guess that’s a good thing because I’ve fallen for you, too.”

His eyes sparkle before pulling you into another, more passionate kiss.

~~~

Later that evening, during dinner, Nat and Tony nearly lose their minds at the bruise on your face.

“WHO THE HELL DID THAT?!”

“ARE THOSE FINGERPRINTS?!”

You tell them what happened. You explain what your ex did, which only caused the rest of the team to blow up too.

“It’s okay!” You reassure them. “My boyfriend took care of him.”

Your eyes flicker to Loki, and even though he’s paying close attention to his food, you don’t miss the slight smirk on his face.

That seems to calm them down.

“At least he seems like he’s a good guy,” Wanda says thoughtfully.

“Yeah, he’s great,” you say with a small smile.

An idea occurs to you. You stand and walk around the table to Loki. You take his face in your hands, brushing your thumbs across his jaw. He looks at you, mouth slightly open in shock, unsure of what was happening.

“He’s amazing,” you whisper, before capturing his lips with yours.

The team collectively blew up for the third time tonight.

~~~

Pastries and Pain Taglist: @what-just-happened-bro @bbarnestan

Main Taglist: @thehumanistsdiary @astheworlddturns

If you would like to be added to my taglist, shoot me an ask or message me!😊💜

#Pastries and Pain #Loki x reader #FanFictionariesClassicTropeChallenge #loki x you #Loki Laufeyson #loki odinson #fake dating #fake dating!au #loki fanfic #loki fic

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whereisstevethestove · 3 years

Text

Ventricle.

Fandom: Sanders Sides

Characters: Virgil, Logan, Katrina Flores (OC), Nico Flores

Relationships: Familial Logan &Virgil, hinted at Logan x Nico

Additional Tags: abortion mention, bisexual disaster logan, teen parenting, hate sex mention, logan having an emotional breakdown in a walmart, nico being a smooth motherfucker.

Word Count: 1805

Summary: Logan made a dumb decision when he was eighteen, which led him to being saddled with a difficult choice when he was just nineteen. Now he's living everyday with the consequences.(in the accidental adoption universe, but can be read as a stand alone. no prior knowledge needed)

Notes: *me, looking at the lack of nico x logan*: Fine, I’ll do it myself. Also, I have an actual angst logan x nico fic coming out later today maybe, probably.

AO3

@psychedelicships here’s some logan and nico... at the end, but I promise it’s worth it.

He was nineteen, young and dumb when it happened-

Logan stared down at the sleeping boy in his arms, a newborn that was only five hours old, with a shock of black hair that was reminiscent of Logan’s baby photos. He was the only one awake, his ex also asleep from the sheer toll of birth on her body.

She had wanted to keep him, and then, now that Logan was holding the infant, she had admitted that she was going just… throw him into the foster system and hope that someone wanted him. Logan hadn’t wanted to keep the child, he’d begged her to have an abortion, but he’d promised in the end to still pay child support if that’s what she wanted.

But now…

Now he was holding his son. She didn’t want him, he looked too much like his dad, and Logan could feel his own heart tearing apart as he thought of giving him up.

His ex stirred and Logan looked up as she opened her eyes, a look of displeasure on her face.

“You’re looking at it all weird.”

Logan smiled softly down at the infant. “I know. He’s beautiful.”

“Easy for you to say, you’re not a teen mom.”

“You told me that you don’t want him.”

“And I don’t.” She looked up at the ceiling of the hospital room and sighed. “Where did we go wrong Lo?” Lo.

Ah yes, the nickname that she’d called him for so long, when they were first dating junior year in highschool. Logan used to look back on his past with fond memories, but now everything was tainted the smallest bit darker with the realization that he had, in fact, cut his younger phase short.

“It was the drunk hate sex, I’m sure.” He responded and she laughed.

“I can’t take him. I want a life Logan.”

Logan nodded. “I’m sorry. But if I may?”

“May what?”

The infant yawned in his sleep and Logan’s heart broke again. “I’d like to take him. You won’t have to pay child support, we can go our separate ways and never talk again if you want, but goddamnit, I want to raise him.”

She shot him a rueful look. “Take him. After I’m discharged, I never want to see you again though.”

“Of course.” Logan held back his happiness, but his face betrayed him and even she knew as she watched him hold the infant just a bit closer.

Maybe a part of her wondered how someone like Logan could have ever loved that deeply.

Maybe a part of her didn’t care.

…

Logan had a harder time the next morning convincing the nurse who was filling out the paperwork to put him down as the provider. After all, the kid was supposed to go straight to adoption, and now the father wanted him.

Not to mention the whole naming thing. She was less than impressed when Logan told her that he wanted the infant to be named Virgil.

Logan won both battles and after a talk with Virgil’s doctor, he was heading out to his car with the infant safe in a carrier, which he buckled in before getting in the driver's seat and leaving.

…

He had no idea what he was doing. Virgil was sitting in the shopping cart child spot, chattering happily in the gibberish that only babies spoke as Logan had an emotional breakdown in front of the baby food.

It’d been six months since Virgil had been born, and according to online and the various books he’d read, advice from his mother and also from his great aunt, the kid should be fine starting solids, but he didn’t know which.

Virgil babbled something and a tiny hand patted Logan’s hair. He looked up and Virgil giggled before reaching for his glasses. Logan leaned his head back a bit.

“Virgil, we’ve discussed that you cannot gnaw on my glasses. You have a teething toy or a pacifier if you’d like.”

Virgil clapped.

There was a gasp behind him and Logan looked back to see a woman, who was grinning at the pair.

“Is that your son?” She walked up to him and cooed at Virgil. “How old is he?” “Six months.” Logan said tiredly as Virgil clapped again and the woman smiled.

“He’s clapping so early. Most don’t for a good while.”

Logan pumped a tired fist in the air. “Wonderful.”

“I’m Katrina, I’ve got some little ones at home, it can be tiring. How old are you? You look a little young to be this sweetie’s daddy. What’s your name?”

Logan held out his hand for her to shake. “Logan Alt, nineteen.”

“Oh! Is your lucky bride at home?”

Logan bit his lip and looked down at the floor of the supermarket. “Ah, no.”

Katrina seemed to freeze for a moment, but it was fleeting enough that Logan ignored it as she looked up at him.

“Six months you say? He should be in prime time to start solids.” When Logan nodded, she seemed to straighten up. “Would you like some help with a list of foods that you can start him on? I also have a wonderful book in my car I can grab you.”

Logan stared at her.

Then he burst into tears and Katrina pulled him into a hug, rubbing a hand soothingly across his back.

“Hey darlin, I know how hard it can be, having a young one so early.”

Logan nodded into her shoulder and she pulled him back to arms length, a soft smile on her face. “You’re gonna be the best dad this kiddo ever has. Let me help you get him some starter foods and then I’ll give ya my number and you can call me on my phone whenever. We sure are damn lucky for these samsung flip phones, aren’t we?”

“Thank you…” Logan stuttered out as he wiped at his eyes. Katrina nodded and gave him another hug before turning to Virgil and patting his head.

“Hey buddy. I’m here to help your daddy, okay?”

Virgil babbled something and mirrored her smile. Katrina gave him another gentle pat on the head. “Thank you for letting me know that very important thing.”

Logan looked down at Virgil. “What’d he say?” Katrina’s response was simple. “That he loves you very much. Onward to the bananas!” …

Katrina and her family were there when Virgil first waddled up to Logan, and said his first word.

“Space!”

Logan blinked as Virgil made grabby hands, but he complied and lifted his son up into his arms.

Katrina leaned over. “Looks like you have a little science nerd.”

Virgil reached out and excitedly patted Katrina’s shoulder. “Space!” He crowed out and Logan couldn’t help but grin as his now one year old excitedly chirped the word again, squirming in Logan’s arms.

“Looks like you might be right. Would you like down?” Logan asked and Virgil nodded vigorously.

Logan set him down. Virgil laughed and clapped again before looking up at his dad with glee.

“Space!”

“That’s right.” Logan nodded solemnly. “Space.”

Virgil waddled off to where Katrina’s other kids were playing, and the group easily parted to include him.

“Kat.. thank you for inviting us to your Christmas celebration, you didn’t need to.” Logan looked away from Virgil and she shrugged.

“Lo, with your mom’s passing in November, you told me that you didn’t have anywhere to go, of course I’d offer you my home.” Katrina picked at a loose thread on her sweater. “Virgil deserves a good first Christmas, and you need social interaction.”

Logan laughed softly. “I guess you’re right.”

“I always am.” Katrina crossed her arms. “I need to go check on my husband, but I’ll see you around. Try talking to my younger cousin.”

Logan looked around the room. “Where are they?”

Katrina pointed to a man Logan’s age, who was sitting on the couch, surrounded by the stuffed animals that the other kids were bringing to him. “Nico Flores. He’s single.”

She winked and Logan rolled his eyes at her fondly before heading over to the couch. Nico looked up from the kid who was speaking to him, a grin splitting his face. “Hey! I could use some company!”

The kid that he’d been talking to rapidly fired something at him in Spanish and Nico laughed before responding in kind as Logan carefully moved the stuffed animals and sat next to him.

Once the kid had gone back to the others, Nico held a hand out for Logan to shake.

“Nico Flores.”

“Logan Alt.”

“That your son?” Nico pointed to Virgil, who was sitting on the ground as another one year old passed him blocks, which he promptly threw down with a laugh.

“Yeah, how’d you guess?”

“He’s the whitest child here.” Nico ran a hand through his hair and grinned at Logan. “You’re extraordinarily pale.”

“It’s the german from my father’s side.”

“Ah.” Nico laughed as a girl brought him another stuffed animal, taking one from the pile on the ground at his feet as she switched them out.

“Thank you Tio!”

“It’s just Nico, you know that Gemma!”

Gemma gave a screeching laugh as she ran off.

“So, how’d you meet my cousin?”

“I had a bit of a rough time finding Virgil, that’s my son, some food as he was about to start solids and I’ve never had a child, so I was unsure of what to buy him and she helped.” Logan smiled as Virgil looked up to find him, getting off the ground to waddle over and hold his hands up. He picked up Virgil, who pulled his glasses off his face and held them out to Nico.

“Space!”

Nico took the glasses and nodded seriously. “Space.”

Virgil, pleased, wiggled out of Logan’s grip again, but not before stealing a stuffed animal from the pile.

Nico handed him his glasses. “He’s sweet.”

“Indeed.” Logan smiled fondly before shaking himself out of it. “So, what brings you here?”

“Kat invited me because, and I quote: ‘There’s gonna be a hot boy here, I swear it.’” Nico grinned at him. “She wasn’t wrong.”

Logan felt the blush start to creep up his face and he swallowed nervously. “Oh?”

“Yeah. It’s a pity I don’t know his number.” Nico leaned back on the couch and shrugged. “It’s also a pity that there’s not really any mistletoe nearby, the cat’s allergic.”

Logan felt like he was gonna die.

“Guess I’ll never know.”

“Ifyoureallywantmynumberyoucouldhaveit.” Logan blurted out in a rush.

Nico gave him a blinding grin. “Sounds like a date.”

Yeah, Logan had made some dumb decisions in his teenage years. But if it had led him to a warm Christmas party, with a cute boy his age next to him and an adorable son playing with his friend’s kids…

Was it really dumb?

#logan x nico #nico flores #logan sanders #sanders sides fanfiction #accidental adoption au #sanders sides #dad!logan #baby!virgil #infant virgil #virgil sanders

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amydancepants-peralta · 3 years

Note

mr mendes just released a new song & i was wondering if you could write something inspired by the line: "i wonder what it's like to be loved by you" 😌✨

Ericaaa I loved this prompt! 💕 Of course I had to throw in some Pining because it’s so good ... hope you enjoy! (here it is on AO3)

to be loved by you

It’s a secret to absolutely no-one that Amy Santiago is the kind of woman that likes to excel in any skillset. Unapologetic in her badass-ery, she can (and has) chase a perp through the boroughs of Brooklyn in boots that have a higher heel than three of her male colleagues put together. Her finely tuned memory - the same one that has led Trivia Newton John to seven straight victories - helped solve a series of long-dead case files, and her problem solving skills are the reason that one of the city’s biggest kingpins is currently behind bars.

With this in mind, one could consider it safe to say that Amy regretting her natural ability to ace any situation would be up there with hell freezing over, or for a flock of pigs to soar across the sky.

But tonight, here in Shaw’s bar as she watches Jake have what seems to be a lovely date with Sophia; Amy just might be, if only maybe a little, slightly regretting her highly graded observation skills (yes, the same ones that pushed her into the highest percentile when graduating from the academy - which she very rarely brags about, and she really should - it was mentioned in the commissioners speech and everything).

To be fair, it wasn’t all bad. She could, for example; hear the jukebox in the corner, playing Come on Eileen for the fifth time in a row - unknowingly settling into a duet with squelching sneakers as a bunch of drunken frat guys danced, all of them too far gone to notice any repetition. Plus, she could pick up on the subtle click of the acrylic nails on the woman at a neighbouring table, listening to them tap against a series of her friends’ photographs, rotating between descriptions of priddy and gawgeous.

Mixed with the scent of spilled beer and day-old peanuts, it was exactly the combination that to others may appear seedy, but to Amy and the squad, just seemed … familiar. Shaw’s was their watering hole, the basement bar each could disappear into and drink to forget their days, and despite the five empty glasses on her table and the half-full one in her hand, Amy was finding it incredibly difficult to stop noticing just how sweet Jake was with his girlfriend.

Even more impossible was to stop imagining what it would be like if she were the one standing near the dart board, with Jake’s arm resting comfortably over her shoulders.

It had all started earlier today, when she had glanced over at her partner just in time to pick up on the tiny little smile that grew on his face when he noticed a text from Sophia.

(Okay, it’s possible that it had actually started back at The Maple Drip Inn, with that look he’d given her after maybe, yes, a little. It had definitely led to a series of Thoughts after Teddy’s departure, of which she’d only given herself just that night to think about.)

(Except ‘that night’ then turned into that week, and okay fine then it had turned into ‘just that month'; and now here she is, several weeks later; completely unable of getting Jake Peralta off of her mind, and it’s becoming very likely that this is more than just a little crush.)

It had been so endearing to see, that tiny glimpse of joy and enchantment as he’d read Sophia’s message - just fleeting enough for Amy to wonder if anybody had ever reacted to a message from her with such glee. (Teddy, she remembers, preferred not to text; and would instead express his affections by saving her the last bottle of his favourite pilsner, or brewing a new concoction ‘inspired by her’ … sweet, but somehow didn’t hold the same sentiment.)

So she’d kept her eyes glued to the computer screen in front of her as she listened to Jake pick up the phone and order a bunch of flowers to be delivered to Sophia’s office - using his debit card, and not a combination of the five questionably balanced credit cards under his name - which in itself is huge. Pretended not to notice the multiple kiss emojis in his reply, or the soft tune that he hummed for a few minutes after, focusing intensely on the case file in front of her as she described a recent interrogation in finite detail. Kept up the facade of all that stuff with us is in the past as he recounted a romantic weekend to their squad in the break room - laughing along in all the right places, doing her very best to keep the wistfulness out of her eyes.

And all the while, Amy’s mind had kept contemplating if she would ever get to know what it would be like to date someone like Jake: to have somebody who would take all the black and whites of her life and show her the beautiful greys in-between.

So when he’d shown up at Shaw’s this evening, with Sophia’s hand carefully wrapped around his own and a grin that announced his contentment to anyone who cared to look; Amy had felt her heart squeeze painfully in her chest. Her painted smile had just lasted until the couple retreated to the corner for a crazily competitive game of darts, and Amy had decided tonight would be a great opportunity to drown her sorrows in a few glasses of whiskey, doing her absolute best not to notice all the little things she will never have.

Like the way Jake would punctuate each congratulatory high five with a kiss, even when it meant that his girlfriend had beaten him at a game. The gentle way he steered them away from a rambunctious crowd, keeping an eye on the raised voices as his unaware girlfriend played her shot and came so close to hitting the bullseye. Or the way Sophia’s hand would rest on Jake’s chest as he held her in his arms (just the way that Amy wishes she could do), and the way she would laugh so happily as he commented on the drunk guys dancing near them.

It was all very simple, but undeniably sweet, and Amy doesn’t know how she ever doubted that Jake would be anything but.

“Your covert skills need work, Santiago.”

The chair beside Amy scrapes angrily against the worn floorboards and she turns, startled by the interruption, quietly praying that her face isn’t quite as red as it suddenly feels. Terry, far more interested in taking the last sip of his scotch than commenting on her appearance, settles in to his new location next to her, and his glass hits the soaking cardboard coaster with a slap.

“Wha-huh? Covert skills? You really must be drunk, Sarge. We’re not even on a stakeout right now. Unless you’re talking about us staking out the contents of that fridge behind the bar haha!”

(She’s rambling - she knows she’s rambling; but cannot stop the desperate need to pretend that she hadn’t just been completely busted for spending her entire evening staring at a life she may never know.)

“Ugh. Okay fine.” Her mouth stretches out into a cringe, eyes flickering to the colleagues Terry had just walked away from. “How noticeable are we talking here?”

“Noticeable enough that Charles has spent the last 40 minutes lamenting on ‘the beautiful tragedy of unrequited love’”. Dropping his air quotes, Terry rolls his eyes, one eyebrow lowering as he returns to his drink. “He lost me when he started quoting poetry. Terry loves Shakespeare, but he could do with a little less soliloquies - and a little more spirits - tonight.”

“Oh! You know what, there was just a Shakespeare play in Polonsky that starred - ” Terry overlaps her last words with his own heavy voice, and Amy’s stops in it’s tracks.

“Dianne Wiest. Terry knows. That was his segue, Amy.”

She nods, sensing the need to dig up. “Should have known. Charles loves his Wiest feasts.” Terry grunts his assent, pressing his lips together as he savours another verse-less sip, and Amy seizes the opportunity to cast another furtive glance at the happy couple.

“Seriously, though. Just because Peralta hasn’t noticed, doesn’t mean the rest of us haven’t.”

Amy brushes her hair to the side, swirling the liquid in her glass with her free hand. “Okay, so maybe I haven’t been very subtle tonight, or whatever.” Her gaze returns to Jake, drawn to him like a magnet, and her heart squeezes once more.

To his credit, Terry gives her a moment; waiting for a silence to settle over their table before leaning forward in his chair, ignoring the sticky residue of the tabletop as he rests his arms on either side of his glass.

“Out with it, Santiago.”

She shakes her head, swallowing hard to push down the burgeoning lump in her throat. “They look really happy together, don’t they? He looks … happy.”

Terry shrugs, glancing in the direction of Amy’s eye line. “Yeah, I guess so.”

“He does! All shiny and cheerful and just .. happy.”

“I don’t know. Terry remembers a time when you and Teddy looked just as content.” His look is pointed, and followed by the unsubtle raise of his eyebrows. Amy nods, draining the last of her drink. Somehow, she has a feeling that Sophia’s underwear isn’t lined with mesh like Teddy’s had been (and even if it was, it would be some kind of inexplicably sexy mesh, for sure).

“Sometimes things aren’t what they seem, sarge.”

“You know that works both ways, don’t you?”

Nodding again, Amy wipes her thumb along the smudged lipstick print on her glass, choosing to remain silent. Terry didn’t get it - none of them got it, really. She’d had her chance, the very first time the words romantic styles were uttered, and she’d let it slip away. And now, she has to live with the consequences.

Clearing his throat, Terry continues. “I mean … she is a defence attorney, you know.”

“But see, even that isn’t something that I can fault. Not fairly, anyway.” Clocking the look of disbelief on Terry’s face, Amy shrugs defensively, waving her hand vaguely in Sophia’s direction. “I know we all like to joke and call them evil, but really … all they’re doing is making us prove that our findings are beyond reasonable doubt. If anything, it’s people like her that push us to do better - to work harder to make sure that we’re definitely charging the right person. And as annoying as that can be, it’s definitely not a reason to hate her.”

“Kinda sounds like you do, though.”

She shakes her head, feeling the sense of defeat sink into her bones. “I really don’t. She’s incredibly smart, and funny and beautiful … she honestly looks like she should be in a commercial for shampoo or something. She’s perfect for Jake, and I’m just …”

“You’re just … ?”

Shrugging, Amy slots her thumbnail into the edge of the coaster underneath her glass. It, like her heart, had seen better days, and it was time for her to cut her losses. “I’m just … going home.”

“What? No. Stay! Our squad kicked butt this week, Amy. We all deserve a drink.”

Painting another smile onto her face (she really is getting good at them), Amy pushes her seat away from the table, allowing herself one more glimpse at Jake’s smile before shaking her head at Terry. “Sorry sarge, I just can’t seem to celebrate tonight.”

Heading towards the exit without a second thought, Amy doesn’t see Jake pull away from Sophia, taking a half step in the direction of the door as he watches her leave. She doesn’t notice him pull out his phone, start to type a message before hesitating, pocketing it without hitting send. The night moves on as Amy walks away, and the streets are deafeningly silent as soon as the bar door closes behind her.

The sky seems to feel just as morose as Amy this evening, tiny droplets dropping onto her grey work blazer as she waits for a cab; too lost in her thoughts to take in the frivolity of a parting crowd. As the rain increases and the splotches on her blazer turn into tiny Rorschach Tests she decides to give herself one more night - one last night of wishing for things that will never be.

In the backseat on her ride home Amy twists her hands together, linking her fingers and imagining not for the first time that one hand was Jake’s (she would imagine similar .. later). She thinks of what it could be like to have his warm presence near hers .. to have his hand resting on her leg, not out of possession but just to be near. Watching him get out of the car first, only to turn and offer a helping hand for her exit, every time without fail.

She pictures what it would be like to feel the brick exterior of her apartment against her back as Jake presses his soft lips against hers, kissing the life out of her, making her see stars before pulling her into the apartment for so much more.

He wouldn’t always be the perfect partner - and lord knows, neither would she - but Amy knows that through it all he would remain her best friend, because even through all of this yo-yo pattern of denial and admittance, thats who Jake has been for her. After all these years, he’s become the only one she wants to talk to, at any given moment of the day, who knows her coffee order better than his own and remembers her Abuela’s birthday, even when she hasn’t mentioned it in weeks.

The scent of rain lingers in her apartment as Amy readies herself for bed, casting her pantsuit aside with drunken abandonment and giving her face a half-hearted wash before stumbling towards her bed. She closes her eyes, the thoughts of what could have been still so loud in her quiet apartment, hugging the pillow beside her tightly while her mind begins to wander.

As she finally drifts off to sleep that night, Amy tries not to remember the smile that Jake gave her as they danced so long ago at the community hall - that special kind of smile, that made her think that maybe it was solely for her - and tells herself once. and. for. all. that sometimes, life just doesn’t work out the way you’d hope.

* *

It’s a rush of cool air that alerts Amy to a brand new morning, the drop in temperature squashed as quickly as it arrives by the wrapping of a warm arm around her middle. She smiles into the pillow as it completes its protective loop, letting her body get pulled closer to the human hot water bottle in the middle of her bed, and if there was a better way to wake up on a cold day, Amy is yet to see it.

She lets out a sigh of comfort as the bridge of a prominent nose digs into her shoulder blade, feeling the warmth of his breath through her old academy shirt, nestling closer until her legs are well and truly tangled amongst his. It’s late, later than she would normally allow herself to sleep, but the two of them were far too invested in basking in the afterglow of a rainy Saturday filled with sex and movies to consider leaving the bedroom anytime soon.

Jake’s voice is rough, the remnants of a deep sleep obvious in his throat. “Today’s Sunday, right?”

Amy nods, wriggling herself just free enough to turn within her boyfriend’s embrace. His hair is sticking out on all ends - unaided, she is certain, by her hands the night before - and she runs the tip of her thumb along his right cheekbone. Though his eyes are still closed, he leans into her touch, and she grins. “Definitely Sunday. A rainy Sunday, but part of the weekend all the same.”

He nods, the short and prickly fibres of his morning stubble scratching her palm. “Good. More time for time machine building.”

“… we’re building a time machine?”

“Yeah, one that lets us skip past all the boring work stuff, and leaves us with all the time in the world for more of this. Kinda like that movie Click, but a lot less ‘trying to change the past’ stuff, and a lot more sex.”

She chuckles, and his left foot rubs along the side of her calf under the blanket. “You’re crazy, Peralta.” (Although, she will admit - the ‘a lot more sex’ part did sound kinda great.)

His eyelids flutter open, gaze growing soft as a smile stretches across his face. “You’re beautiful, Santiago.”

Amy feels her cheeks begin to heat up, resisting the urge to cool herself down by tucking her hair away, completely unable to move as long as Jake continues to look at her like that. There’s a pimple growing underneath the surface of her chin that is going to rival Mount Vesuvius, and her morning breath could probably wilt the flower pots living happily on her kitchen’s windowsill. But here, in bed with her boyfriend of almost two years, she feels more beautiful than all of her best days put together.

“I don’t think I’ve told you this today, but I love you, Jake.”

Leaning forwards, Jake’s soft lips press against Amy’s, and he winks as he pulls away. “I mean, we’ve both been awake for a sum total of three minutes, so yeah, you’re pretty late with the love you’s today, babe.”

Her free hand flies out from under the cover, delivering an indignant smack to Jake’s chest, and he grabs it back before she can pull away, linking their fingers together and pressing a kiss to her knuckles. “I love you too, Ames. Even if you don’t want to build a time machine with me, I still love you.”

She laughs - a giggle that starts in her belly and bursts through her lungs, something that she’s been doing a lot more of these days - and pulls Jake in for a longer kiss, morning breath be damned.

One day, in eight or so years time, they’ll have a son - a miniature version of Jake that, much like his father, runs to the beat of his own drum; and answers to the name Mac. Amy will fall pregnant again, and when they explain to their son that he’s going to be a big brother, his response is so perfectly him that it makes Amy’s eyes tear up with laughter.

For they are, by Mac’s decree, now officially a Ninja Turtle family. He is Raphael (or ‘Rafel’), Jake Michelangelo due to his love of nunchaku, and Amy nabs Leonardo purely out of homage to one of her favourite artists. The mini-Peralta still growing in her womb is, by default, Donatello (or Donatella, depending), and even though there was a time when Amy truly felt like she could never be this lucky, she will love their little family with all of her heart.

But for now, she has Jake; and together they have warm bedsheets and no plans for a future that isn’t together - no matter what obstacles may be thrown their way.

And Amy realises, as Jake begins to trace a series of kisses along her side of her neck; truly, being loved by him is better than she could have ever imagined.

#it's all about the yearning #pining!Amy #fic prompts #has the ninja turtle family thing been done? I can't remember #b99 fanfic #peraltiago fanfiction #b99fic

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cavehags · 3 years

Note

hi! i just got here but i wanted to say thank u for that post about glee and millennials. i know the notes are kinda wild in there so i didn’t wanna add anything there but !! as a gen z millennial cusp i had never thought about how glee was a cultural marker outside of my own individual life?? like whoa they really put slurs in the first seasons of glee and now i spend my time watching wlw tiktok comps & half my friends use they/them as one of if not their only pronouns. it looked like a quote post so idk the source (& if i go check this message will disappear :( ) but ! thank u for sharing it & for the opportunity to reflect!! we have a long ways to go but seriously have come so far in the past decade and it’s always nice to realize that :) also i love running into fellow jews on this beloved hellsite so !! hello !

thanks for this very kind message! first and foremost, yes it was a quote post - it’s from the 2000s made me gay by grace perry. in particular, it’s from the end of the very last essay in the book.

i was 15 when gl** came out and its cultural significance was apparent to me immediately. i did not like the show at all, but i had spent my preteen years reading and watching anything i could find with gay characters--buffy, will & grace, the us version of queer as folk, any gay novel i could get my hands on, the musical rent. in contrast to those other media properties, glee was a mainstream all-ages broadcast show with what seemed like a huge marketing behind it and it had a gay main character who was obviously gay from the very first season. it felt like the most visible gays had ever been on tv. unfortunately, it was very terrible :/ and in the first season, at least, i felt very bothered by the gay character being presented as (imo) an unlikable, stalkerish creep. yet somehow the show had a tremendous destigmatizing effect on viewers across america. in the book, perry discusses the real changes in voter opinions that resulted from glee and some of the shows that came after it. i remember really feeling that as it took place. while gl** was just one domino in a chain, it’s hard to imagine whether major antigay policies like DOMA and DADT would have received the overwhelming backlash that led to their eventually being overturned had it not been for gl** and some of the shows that came after it.

anyway, enough about my least favorite show!! the world has changed so much, and a lot of it is for the better, but it is disorienting to look back at the past two decades and reflect on the progress. i do think there’s something unique to having experienced these changes specifically in childhood--growing up in a time when “gay” was the #1 most normal insult heard on any playground and coming of age to experience peak commercialized pride parades. i liked that this book spoke to that experience and i recommend it highly. hope you check it out!

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snowpeawritings · 4 years

Text

14. Everyday’s Great...

Philemon seems to enjoy seeing his Wild Cards live on with their lives…

insp.

Persona 4 Golden X FeMC!Reader

05/03/TUE-Daytime | Junes Foodcourt

“If the killer was trying to silence her, there might’ve been something at the scene only she would have understood. Which would mean that the culprit may be someone close to Ms. Konishi.”

The words of Adachi still rang fresh in your mind. Yesterday, you and Yosuke offered to treat Chie and Yukiko Junes’s steak meal as compensation for your Personas practically eating all of the instant noodles. When your group had given them the steaks, Adachi had came by and began rambling his mouth over precious information. The evidence that’s been compiled from the police has been keeping you awake at night. Even Izanami had caught on with your overthinking, her trying to shake you out of it last night and before you were meeting with the others plus Nanako.

Speaking of Nanako, she was having the time of her life being at the food court despite it being, well, just a food court. You wish you could share her happiness but with how those words ring in your mind, you just couldn’t share her sentiment.

“So you’re the family cook, huh? Pretty impressive ‘Big Sis’!”

You blinked out from your thoughts, looking at Chie for a moment before shrugging. “You have to do what you have to do.”

You tried to ignore the sharp, side-eye glance from your Persona as you fiddled with the hem of your coat.

“As expected from our Leader! You’re pretty good with your hands when you made me that pork cutlet the other day!” Yosuke said, giving you a thumbs up.

Jiraiya, who was being held by the scarf by Tomoe, piped up. “’Good with your hands’...? Really, man?”

Yosuke choked, cheeks flushing red. “D-Don’t take words out of my mouth!”

You were thankful for the distraction as Izanami shook her head at the Wind-attuned Persona. “I blame the both of you for that.”

Beside her, the shivering pink Persona looked at Jiraiya and Tomoe. The muscled Persona still had Jiraiya in a strong, leash-like grip. “They’re quite close, aren’t they?”

From that comment, Tomoe sneered but held no ill will against Konohana. “As if I would be close to scum like this idiot.”

“Hey, that’s like two insults already!” Jiraiya yelled at her. “Besides, it’s not like I bug you all the time and the rest of the ladies don’t realize I exist!”

“In case you haven’t noticed, we have a new ally on our cause that I’d rather not corrupt so soon.”

Beside Yukiko, Konohana Sakuya was busy trying to catch a butterfly between her hands. It would’ve been adorable if the butterfly phased through her hands like they were nothing before she sadly sighed. She may not have realized that she was able to physically grasp things at her will but you’ll put your faith in Izanami that she’ll teach her... Even though you don’t know how they do it themselves.

Jiraiya clicked his tongue in disdain before moving his head towards Yukiko. “Hey, Amagi, was it?”

The girl in red jumped up in surprise, not expecting to be under fire. “Um, yes?”

He cocked his head (as much as he could) to your direction. “You sure you don’t have any closeted feelings for ____ here? Because I’m pretty sure Sakuya here says otherwise.”

“Dude!”

“Anyway!” Chie exclaimed before patting her hand behind Nanako’s chair loudly: A sign that there was a child in the group and, most importantly, she can’t see or hear your Personas. “I can consider myself a pretty good cook too!”

Yosuke scoffed. “You? Cook? Hard pass.”

“What, you wanna cook-off?!”

From her battle cry, Tomoe let go of Jiraiya’s scarf and raised her fist at Yosuke. “Bring it on! Chie will not be defeated by the likes of you!”

Jiraiya flexed his shoulders even though you knew that he was joking about this. “Don’t cry when you lose, woman.”

“Children, behave.” Izanami said, but not making a move to stop them at all.

Now that it sunk in, you looked back at her on why she wasn't stopping them. In fact, she was leaning on her left leg and her arms crossed like she's watching actual children fight. All you could think about was since when was Izanami so laid-back? She wasn't like this before and you didn't even know Izanami could take a joke.

As if wanting to further spiral your mind into disarray, she joined in on the festivities. "If we're speaking about culinary talents, it is my own master who will reign supreme."

Good god, since when can she gloat?

Soon, everyone has the same aghast expression on their face. With everyone looking at Izanami like she told them that your hand would be fine if you dunk it in scalding hot water, it was a wonder how Izanami wasn't buckling down from the attention. Even Yosuke, Chie, and Yukiko are looking at her like she was the goddess that she's supposed to be.

Nanako, who finished her snack with a smile, looked up to see all of you staring at something with a funny expression on your faces. She looked to where you all were staring at only to find nothing but a cat with its paws outstretched towards a fish decoration. It was clearly fake and sloppily done-the white of the paper peeking through the mismatched crayons-but the cat deemed it was tasty enough for it to try and eat it.

But the girl thinks that it was funny enough, so she copied your expressions with glee.

Eventually, Izanami noticed their staring and shrugged. "Jiraiya must be rubbing off on me."

Like a gust of wind, the frog immediately slid next to her like in those cartoons before wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "Oh, Izanami! You sly woman, how adorable that you're taking my mannerisms!"

As if to add more to the fire, his voice dipped lower, a tone that you never heard him or even Yosuke since they sound remotely the same, made you shiver. "You trying to turn me on?"

Before Izanami could say anything, a sharp spear was hooked under his scarf and yanked him away. It wasn't long before a smack was heard.

“Um… Anyway…” Yosuke steered back the conversation to them. “So Nanako-chan! With all these contenders in our group, I bet we can make something that could top your mom’s cooking!”

You and Izanami winced.

Nanako answered without flinching. “I don’t have a mom. She died in an accident.”

Everyone besides you and Izanami eyes widened at the statement. Tomoe stood even more rigid than usual, Jiraiya actually paused in his floating for once, and Konohana stopped fiddling with her petals.

It took a while but Chie nudged Yosuke with her hand. “Hey, Yosuke…”

He fumbled with his words, trying to come up with something to try and clear the awkward air, but all he could muster was the usual ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t know’ phrase.

Luckily, Nanako took it in stride. “It’s okay. Even if I don’t have a mom, I have Dad with me.”

And to put the final nail in the coffin for being how cute she was, she turned to you, a happy blush on her cheeks. “And now I have a big sister, too!”

And now to bury the coffin, she turned to everyone. “And I’m having a lot of fun today! I love Junes!”

"... I will die for this child." Jiraiya said seriously. "I will."

"For once, I agree with you frog." Tomoe said.

Even Konohana, the most emotional Persona, started bawling. "Sh-She's the sweetest!"

Izanami tried to comfort Konohana but that even croaked another cry from the pink Persona as her petals fluttered from her shaking.

Looking at your friends, you see that they also share the same sentiment, albeit not as extreme as their Personas. You were pretty sure Yosuke was about to straight up cry though.

Chie smiled at her. "We'll play with you all that you want, Nanako! Just say the word!"

Yukiko piped in. "Yeah, we should hang out more often."

"Nanako-chan!" Yosuke said to her with an easy-going smile. "How about I buy you a drink?"

She nodded gleefully at Yosuke before following him to the drinks stand. It wasn't long before Jiraiya followed them, wanting to watch over Nanako like his life depended on it. The rest of you watched them go away.

"She's a strong girl." Yukiko said after they were out of hearing range.

"Yeah," Chie replied to her, "she makes me feel like I'm the little kid."

"She'll grow up to be a strong woman. I just know it." Tomoe said softly and you couldn't help but linger for a second that Tomoe let her guard down.

Konohana looked at Tomoe then to the direction where Yosuke, Nanako and Jiraiya went. "Do you think Jiraiya may be talking Yosuke's ear off?"

A momentary silence ensued before Tomoe sighed sharply and went to the drinks stand. Konohana soon followed, at least wanting to try and calm down Tomoe. It wasn't long before Yukiko and Chie followed them, not to stop them but to buy something for Nanako.

You have a feeling your friends won't stop spoiling Nanako anytime soon.

"Nanako has them wrapped around her fingers." Izanami said.

You were sure it was a joke. It has to, with how laid-back she is right now.

"You're not going with them?" You asked her.

She paused before she turned to you with her golden eyes. "Not after you tell me what's been bothering you."

You flinched under her gaze, looking away from her piercing stare as you fiddled with your hands. "What do you mean?"

"Do not try and dissuade me. You've been silent ever since you came here with Nanako. Even you aren't immune to her charms."

You struggled to formulate a response. You weren't as eloquent like the books you've read so you can't weasel your way out of her interrogation.

With a sigh, you resigned yourself to your fate as you looked at your Persona. "I'm just… thinking about the case."

She tilted her head. "We think about it all the time."

"No, like-" You said, the temporary flare of frustration creeping up but you held it down. "I just… want to solve this case as soon as possible."

"Hasty decisions lead to dire consequences." She quoted. "We have time to figure out the truth."

"I get that, but like…" You trailed off. You suck in a breath before continuing. "I don't want this team to worry even more. We're supposed to be worrying about midterms, for god's sake. Not finding some serial killer on the loose!"

Izanami sharply said your name, reminding you that you were technically by your lonesome in the eyes of others. "I understand how you feel. You are still a child, wrapped up in responsibilities that shouldn't even be on your shoulders."

She then looked down, looking like she was mulling over on what else to say before staring at you straight in the eyes. "But you have friends that care for you, even a family to care for you. And you still have me."

For what felt like hours, you stared back into those golden eyes. They seemed to shine even brighter than before and you don't know if that was the watery sensation you're getting in your eyes.

"You still have us," She continued, "you're not alone in this."

You blinked away, trying to fight back the tears before nodding at her. "... Thanks."

She let out an amused huff before turning her head to hear footsteps coming towards your table. Nanako came back with a carefree smile on her face.

"Do you want something too?"

Thou art I… And I am thou…

Thou hast established a new bond…

It brings thee closer to the truth…

Thou shalt be blessed when creating Personas of the Justice Arcana…

Persona Time

After bidding goodbye to your friends, you, Izanami, and Nanako went back home. The little girl now has a little baggie full of snacks provided by all of your friends. You wondered briefly if her teeth would be alright with all of the sweets they bought for her but she comforted your fears by saying she won’t eat them all the time.

That being said, that didn’t stop her from eating a choco cornet. The chocolatey filling made her squeal in happiness as she savored the pastry. You two went around the shopping district, not quite ready to go home yet when the sun is still high. You thought about attempting the Mega Beef Bowl Challenge again but it wouldn’t be worth it when it wasn’t raining.

Right now, you looked at the shops, eyes lingering on an old textile shop. Recalling the news last time, there was a brawl that happened in front of the store because some punks were causing a ruckus. It was at that moment when…

“Hey,” Nanako said softly, “there’s a funny-looking guy at that shop.”

The lady’s son stood in front of the textile shop like he was protecting it from anything harmful. His bleached hair made him stand-out from the passersby as his daunting stature made him look like he was a part of a syndicate. If the news didn’t slip that he was a year under you, you would’ve kept your guard up.

You tugged on Nanako’s hand. “Let’s steer clear from that guy, okay?”

She muttered an ‘okay’ before following you. Izanami stepped ahead of you two, cleaver in her hands in case of anything that could happen. You and Nanako hurried to the nearest bus stop, trying to avoid any eye contact from him as Izanami stood guard.

For a moment, you were about to be away from the first-year before somebody stopped you. An arm darted out in front of you, belonging to an older man that you’ve no doubt want to punch his teeth in if not for a child in the vicinity.

“What’s the rush?” He slurred and you recoiled back from his breath. You quickly placed Nanako behind you as Izanami raised her cleaver.

“Leave us alone.” You spat, not bothering to give him the time of day. You tried to dodge him but that led to him sidestepping back in front of your vision. You felt Nanako shiver from behind you as you glared at the man. Izanami swung her cleaver back, ready to maim.

"No need to be afraid! I'm gonna take real good care of you two--"

Before he could even finish his sentence, a fist came and clocked him clean in the jaw. Nanako gasped, you pulled her closer as you followed the fist to see the bleach-haired first year staring down at the pervert like he was scum.

"How many times do I gotta tell ya?!" The first-year spat, kicking his foot towards the man's chest as he doubled-over in pain. "If I see ya here one more time, it won't be just your face that's gonna get a beat-down!"

The man couldn't even respond, seeing from the odd angle of his jaw. He hurried to his feet and ran away from you, not even looking back.

Beside you, Izanami lowered her cleaver. "That was… an event."

You nodded at her before looking down at Nanako. She was still shaking but not as much as before. She didn't even realize her choco cornet had been squeezed too much, the chocolate filling already staining her clothes.

But it looked like she didn't mind. Instead, she looked at the first-year with a wide-eyed smile. "Thanks mister for beating him up!"

Like a lightswitch, he immediately turned into a blushing mess. He stumbled with his words, looking away from Nanako as he stuffed his hands into his pants pockets.

"Sh-Shut up! I didn't do it for you!"

Ah, so he's that type.

"Thanks still, for chasing him away." You said to him, smiling softly. "We owe you one."

He choked. "You ain't owin' me nothin'!"

Your lips quirked upwards at his real demeanor, wanting to tease him even more but he was still a punk that socked someone without hesitation. You still had Nanako behind you and a pile of books that you need to study for midterms.

“Thanks anyway. Stay safe.” You said to him earnestly before walking to the bus stop. Nanako lagged behind a bit, looking back at the bleached boy with a smile.

“Goodbye, strong man!”

Izanami was the only fortunate soul to witness a boy combust to the ground.

#persona 4 #persona #persona 4 imagines #persona 4 x reader #yosuke hanamura x reader #yosuke hanamura #yosuke hanamura imagines #kanji tatsumi #kanji tatsumi x reader #kanji tatsumi imagines #teddie #teddie x reader #teddie imagines #x f!reader #x female!reader #start of a new fool #snowpea writings

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toomanyfandoms02 · 4 years

Text

The Transporter ~Part Three~ // Spencer Reid x Reader

Sorry this took so long!! I have been so busy with work lately, but here she is.

Word count ~ 2,900+

Hope you guys like it :))

I stepped back through the transporter to be met with an empty room. I glanced at the clock on the wall. It read 10:15, that wasn't *that* late. Christine is probably still awake.

I made my way to her room, which wasn't incredibly far from mine. Her door was cracked open and I could see her laying in bed, reading a book in the semi dim lighting. I knocked lightly, pulling her out of her fictional world of Harry Potter.

"Oh! Y/n, I didn't think you were coming back tonight. How was everything?" She gently set her bookmark in the book, placing it on her nightstand.

I couldn't hold back the smile on my face. It was the coolest day of my life, what could I say?

"It was so amazing Christine! I accidentally set myself right into an investigation that I knew about. I met all of them, and it felt different than I thought I would-"

"Did you talk to Spencer?" She asked, nudging my side. I could feel the blood rush to my face.

"Uh, yes." I smiled, looking down at her star clad comforter. "It was incredibly surreal and I can't wait to go back. It was kind of a funny interaction, the first one. He asked me to profile him, which was obviously easy because I know him like the back of my hand. Well I thought that was gonna be the end of our interaction that day. But I accidentally left my laptop at the Bureau."

"Oh yeah *accidentally*." She smiled, throwing air quotes.

"Shush, it was actually an accident." I giggled. "Anyway, he looked up my address I guess and he brought it to me. It was sweet."

"I guess now he knows where to send flowers." I shook my head with a smile. "Well I'm glad you had fun. I hope everything works out well, don't forget there's an actual case though." She winked.

"Thanks Christine, for everything." I waved as I slinked out of the room and down the hall.

I flopped down onto my bed with a simple grin, quickly falling asleep after my eventful day.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I slapped my hand over my phone as the alarm began blaring at 9:30. I wanted to fully commit to this whole thing, just like I was in real life. But in reality, I was waking up pretty late, considering I was going to go into their universe at 8:30.

It appeared that Christine was already awake, she was softly knocking at my slightly cracked door.

"Hey sweetie, I take it you wanna head out soon?"

"Yeah! And I'm gonna have to be gone for a couple of days for the case. Get all integrated and such. Is that alright?"

"Yeah of course! Just document some experiences, or anything that seems weird or off about their universe." Chris left the room, shutting my door with a light thud.

I slipped on a white button up, putting a maroon sweater over it to add my own little touch. I looked in the mirror to make sure my dress pants were fitting me correctly and stepped into my two inch black heels.

Since I would be gone for a few days, I grabbed a suitcase plus my go-bag that I had already had from my time interning. The navy blue bag was slung over my shoulder as I walked out my door, immediately bumping into someone. I looked up to see who I remembered as Violet Glynn, who went into the Zombieland Universe.

"Sorry, Violet, right?" I shook her hand. "How's your universe going? I've always loved that movie. Please tell me Columbus is just as sweet and endearing as he is in the actual film?"

I could see her eyes light up with glee, clearly she hadn't had anyone to fangirl properly to, I could tell she was about to explode with information.

"Yes! He is incredibly kind. Talahassee is already trying to dad me, Little Rock and I are already pretty good friends but Witchita is still kinda weary of me, which is understandable. I talked to Ryan, and he said I can only change a few major things so one I chose to do was to keep Columbus from killing Bill Murray. Bill is so fun to live with so far! I just - I am totally talking about myself for too long. How is everything going for you?" I offered her a kind smile of reassurance.

"It's completely fine, I get your excitement. It's really cool, kinda different from the real job I was working. Maybe that's because I'm permanently gawking at one of my coworkers." We both laughed for a moment. "But I'm gonna be gone with him for like 3 days straight so, I guess I'm gonna have to figure something out. When I come back we should talk more." Violet nodded enthusiastically and waved as we walked to our Transporter rooms.

"Of course! See you in a few days."

I could hear Christine's heels clicking not far behind me as I began typing in the date and time.

*February 12th, 8:30 am. 2009*

"Good luck, I will see you in a few days time, yeah?"

"Yep!" I shoved my 'Come back device' in my go-bag and turned on it's much larger counterpart, nodding at Chris as I stepped in.

I was immediately greeted by my apartments bedroom, I could hear my phone buzzing on my side table. I lifted it to see a text from a certain favorite person of mine, and she didn't even know me yet.

*Penelope G*

*Hey sweets! The plane will be ready to be boarded at 9:15. The team is meeting at the BAU first for a carpool, so be there or be square! Have a good time on your first mission, from what I've seen, you're pretty amazing. :)*

I held back a small smile from my lips, this world is just as good as I always wanted it to be.

*Thank you M'lady. I've heard amazing things about you. I hope we can gossip sometime! ;)*

I sent the text and slipped my phone into my back pocket. I chucked a piece of toast in the toaster, quickly spreading peanut butter on it and checking my watch.

*8:45*

I began my walk to the BAU, probably looking extremely weird walking down the street in work attire and a piece of toast slathered with peanut butter. But I was pretty content, continuing to eat it as I reached the doors of my favorite place.

I brushed my hands together to rid of the many crumbs that had accumulated there, seeing JJ and Penelope talking at Jennifer's desk.

"Y/n! Come over here." Penelope waved me over, I pulled at the sleeves of my sweater as I walked over as confidently as possible. "Are you ready for your first case?" She leaned in a little, clearly trying to search my face for a quicker answer.

"Yeah, I think I'm pretty ready. I've done this kinda stuff before but, I'm way more nervous about this."

"I wouldn't worry to much about. I think you already impressed Hotch and Spencer, you read people extremely well. Did you seriously gather all that stuff from Reid just by knowing him for a few minutes?" JJ was clearly now invested.

"Well, yeah. He's relatively easy to read, as long as you're paying attention." JJ nodded with a smirk.

"Well, you certainly made a good first impression, you honestly sound a lot like Reid, maybe you can..." I watched as she peered behind me, her words trailing off. Her eyes darted back and forth between me and whatever was happening behind me. I whipped my head around to see Spencer walking in, he was distracted my a book, which made me smile. But that smile quickly faded as I scanned my eyes over his outfit.

He was wearing a white button up with a black tie and a maroon vest over it with black dress pants. Sound familiar? All but the black tie.

"Maybe you are even more like Reid than I thought." JJ smirked at me. All the blood had run to my face and my feet felt bolted to the ground. Why this? Why on my first official day? I could hear Garcia holding back a laugh behind me.

"This is adorable I'm sorry." She said, giggling a little.

Spencer finally looked up from his book, hearing Penelope laughing. He furrowed his eyebrows, squinting a bit. Probably wondering why I looked like a deer in headlights. He looked down at himself.

Then back up at me.

Then down at himself again.

He just smiled at me and closed his book all the way, adjusting the go-bag he held on his shoulder. I nearly dropped mine.

"What just happened?" Penelope nudged my shoulder. I shrugged and shook my head.

This was clearly going to be quite the day.

I ended up carpooling with JJ, Morgan and Reid. JJ and I sat in the back while Morgan drove, Spencer spitting facts to him about cars and traffic.

"Well, according to the DC Department of Motor Vehicles, there are almost 450,000 active drivers registered in the District. However, millions more drivers commute to DC from neighboring communities in Maryland and Virginia. D.C. is also host to millions of tourists from around the world. In 2014, more than 20 million people visited D.C., many of them renting a car or driving their own vehicle to visit." He rambled.

"Reid, all I said was there was a lot of traffic today."

"I mean he's right though." I piped in. Spence looked back at me with confused eyes. "Washington D.C. is also home to some of the worst traffic in the country. Analysts estimate that the average driver will spend 7 hours a year in traffic, wasting 6 gallons of gas. However, for D.C. drivers, one estimate found the average driver is spending 67 hours a year in traffic, wasting 32 gallons of gas while sitting in traffic." I think hearing him so much on the show, made me a little bit like him in some ways, my friends always rolled their eyes at me whenever I rambled. The only real one who listens is my uncle. He had turned around, but I could tell he was smiling.

Success.

"Good lord there's two of them."

I'll take that as a compliment.

We boarded the plane and I decided on a window seat, leaning my head up against the cold glass. My hand was unknowingly gripping the armrest a little too tightly.

"Are you a nervous flier?" I would obviously know that voice from anywhere, but right now it was coming from right across from me. I leaned my head back on the headrest.

"Not necessarily, I've flown quite a few times. I've just never been in a jet."

"The key difference between jets and propeller planes is that jets produce thrust through the discharge of gas instead of powering a drive shaft linked to a propeller. This allows jets to fly faster and at higher altitudes." He loosened his tie a little. "So I wouldn't worry too much, it feels about the same."

"Well thank you."

It was silent for a bit, but once we were in the sky we began talking about the case. Emily was talking about how she wants to be cremated because being buried was gross and weird.

"I actually agree with you. I think cremation is more personal too, I want someone to sprinkle my ashes somewhere. Not have to visit my grave and waste money on flowers every year."

Me and Emily got into that conversation as the rest of the team slowly started to do their own things. Spencer was back to reading his book, one page every 5 seconds. He peered over his book for a moment, but only a moment.

"I like your outfit by the way." He mumbled, still focused on his book, he lowered it a bit. I could see a smirk creeping onto his features. My ears began burning as the blood rushed to them.

"Thanks." I really wanted to say more to him, but it felt like my jaw was wired shut.

Morgan was not so discreetly looking over at us with eyebrows raised. But I kept my eyes out the window.

We landed about 2 hours later. I had kept myself occupied by writing down everything that just happened, so I wouldn't forget, and for Christine.

"Morgan, Reid, y/l/n, you go with the police search party and find what you can. Prentiss and I will talk to their chief. Rossi and JJ, set us up in the station."

Once we were there, we were put on a search party with the police, they quickly found the body of another woman covered in mud and holding a cross necklace. We were bringing the evidence back to the station with the others. On the way back, Spencer was telling me about the history of gold cross necklaces. I could practically hear Morgan rolling his eyes the whole time, but I just loved hearing him talk.

Once we were there, Rossi showed his blatant coldness towards the psychic that was telling a scared mother that her daughter was okay. Hotch began sending us off again, and we were off to see the bodies.

Days here moved so fast.

Once we arrived I stared at the body on the table. I lightly touched her arm, cold as ice. Seeing these body through the screen was one thing, but knowing these are real people, it's even more sad. Of course I had seen many bodies in my time, but the thought that this wasn't fictional anymore made my stomach churn a little.

"I found trace amounts of seamen, but there is no sign of sexual assault."

"Are you saying this was consensual?" Spencer tilted his head a bit. No no sweet child.

"She's saying it's happening post-mortem." I said, looking down a little. Morgan nodded and Reids face scrunched. This poor woman.

I knew I couldn't change much, because that could royally screw some stuff up, si throughout the whole thing I decided I would change things little by little to move it along faster. What I did this time was make it so we didn't waste time and interrogate the random man who was accused of being a necrophiliac, because his timeline wouldn't match up.

We made it to the house just a smidge earlier, Brooke was found on the operating table in the abandoned home, completely fine.

The days had become exhausting, as soon as we got on the jet I sat in the same seat, dropping my bag down and grabbing a small pillow out of it. I set the pillow against the window and drifted off to sleep fast.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I woke up to JJ shaking my shoulder, opening my eyes to see a blanket that read *e=mc²* all over it.

"What is this?"

"Oh, I believe Spence put that on you while you were asleep. You were shivering and he happened to have it in his go-bag I guess." She shrugged. "Everyone is heading home, so you want a ride?"

"That would be amazing, thank you."

"No problem."

It was only 5 pm, and Christine wouldn't be expecting me back until tomorrow. So I decided I was gonna get some stuff done with my time, more specifically one big thing.

I grabbed the wad of money that Chris had given me and waved down a taxi. I had them take me to the nearest car dealership. I made a hasty decision and bought a 2007 Mini Cooper. Now I could do what I really wanted.

I looked up Spencer's address and grabbed his blanket, which I had neatly folded and threw on my coffee table. He appeared to live around 15 minutes away by car.

Once I was there, nerves had set in, but I ignored them as I reached the door and knocked 3 times.

I heard a faint "Coming!" From the other side of the dark oak door. He answered with his phone propped up on his shoulder, talking to someone.

"Sorry Mom, I gotta go, love you." He hung up and pulled his phone from his ear. "Hey, what are you doing here."

I presented his blanket to him.

"I figured I would return the favor of you bringing me my laptop by bringing you your blanket." I flopped it into his outstretched arms.

"We have got to stop meeting like this." He smiled, bringing the blanket to his chest. "Would you like to come in?" He brought his hand to the collar of his shirt, attempting to loosen the strain it clearly had on his neck. "I just made a pot of coffee. And since you're just about the only one who actually listens to my ridiculous amount of rambling, I figured we could ramble together? I mean I don't know you very well and I honestly want to be the first to befriend you, you're very intriguingly different. Not in any kind of bad way I just-" His face was slowly getting more red and I could see that his grip on the poor blanket was almost white knuckle.

"I would love to." I stepped into his apartment with a sigh.

Was this a dream?

Maybe.

If so, I wanna be asleep *forever*.

Taglist!!

@natibugg31

@onceupona-diamond

@buck-barn

@cyndagoaway

#criminal minds #spencer reid #spencer reid x y/n #dr spencer reid #criminal minds fic #spencer reid imagine #spencer reid fanfiction

49 notes · View notes

backslashdelta · 4 years

Note

Wert bookstore!au, meet cute, “i’m rambling again, aren’t i?”

Ahh thank you! Also not even remotely shocked that you’re requesting Wert, because we all know you’re the number one Wert shipper (even though you’re not in the Glee fandom lmaooo). Alright let’s go. (Note: I know nothing about broadway or books; the book referenced is entirely fictional and made up by me) (Another note: I wrote half of this while drunk and the other half too early and possibly still half asleep in the morning, and I haven’t proofread it, so... yeah. Enjoy the following 779 words.)

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Kurt wanders through the bookstore, a bit lost. It's not that he doesn't like reading, he just enjoys other things more, so it's not something he makes time for. But Rachel had been telling him about this really good book that he just had to read, and there were no copies left at the library, so here he is.

Is it a history book? Or would it be in the music section? How are books that fall into multiple categories sorted? Would they just have copies in each section? That seems unnecessary. He's just about to give up and go find someone to ask before he hears a voice behind him.

"Hi there, is there anything I can help you with?"

Kurt turns to see an Asian boy, about his height, looking at him with a crooked smile and friendly eyes.

"Oh, um yes actually, I was just about to go looking for someone," Kurt says, offering a tentative smile back. "My friend sent me here looking for this book, I'm not sure what section it would fall under so I don't know where I would fine it," he explains.

"That's not a problem, what the name of the book?"

"It's, uh... um," he trails off; he knew he should have written it down. "I forget," he says with a bit of a blush, "it's something about the history of Broadway? There's quotes from Barbara Streisand, Julie Andrews, Patti LuPone, Bernadette Peters – why am I telling you this? I'll just have to ask her the name again and come back, sorry for wasting your–"

"That sounds like Behind the Broadway Curtain," they boy – Wes, according to his nametag – interrupts.

"Yes, that's it! How did you know?" Kurt asks, bewildered.

"That's why they pay me the big bucks," Wes says with a smirk and an amused roll of his eyes, and Kurt barks out a small laugh. "It's over this way, follow me."

Wes leads him to the music section – so he was partially right, at least – and picks a book of the shelf, handing it to Kurt. "Here you are, one copy of Behind the Broadway Curtain."

"Thank you," Kurt says, taking the book from the other boy and flipping it open, looking through a few of the pages. It definitely seems like the book Rachel was talking about. He closes it, and when he looks up, Wes is still standing there.

"It's a really good book," Wes says, gesturing at it, "I would recommend it. I'm in this show choir at my school, and they're always choosing these pop songs, I don't know why they never go for Broadway because it's great, but they don't and they tend not to listen to my ideas when I make suggestions for god knows what reason, because all of my suggestions are amazing, seriously they are, you should hear them, amazing, not to brag but it's just that nobody really appreciates it you know? And I– what?"

Wes stops when Kurt starts giggling, actually giggling, and then Kurt clamps a hand over his mouth to try to suppress them. "Sorry, no it's nothing, I just... you're rambling a bit," he explains with a small smile.

"Oh, sorry, I tend to do that when I get a little excited about things. Usually people shut me up long before it can get to that point, I don't really know why because, I mean, usually I have good things to say, they just don't want to hear it for who knows what reason, but I will admit that if they don't shut me up that it can lead to me actually rambling, so I mean, I guess part of me kind of understands it even if really they should hear me out just a little bit more, and– I'm rambling again, aren't I?" Wes asks with a lopsided smirk when Kurt starts laughing again.

"Just a bit," Kurt says, grinning now, "but it's fine, it's... I don't mind it." He was going to say it's cute, but that might be a little too forward. He blushes at the thought anyway.

"Well why don't I bring you up to the front desk, and I can ring that book up for you, and maybe get your number?"

Kurt almost misses the question with his smoothly Wes works it in, but when he catches it his face turns scarlet – or at least, that's how it feels, there aren't any mirrors around so he can't know for sure. "Oh, um... yeah, okay. That would be nice," he agrees.

"Great! Just follow me," Wes says, beaming at him before leading him back toward the front of the store.

#thank you so much!!#this was so fun!#gemsofthegalaxy #ask #mine #writing #my writing #fanfiction #glee #kurt hummel #wes #wes glee #wes montgomery #wert

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evil-overlord-scriptology · 4 years

Text

Do You Have Power Over Me? Pt. 2 (ARCHIVED)

Document has been perserved in its original state

And now begins the wonderful part two, enjoy *bows*

vvv

Sakura screamed when she saw the familiar walls of home take place of the goblin throne room. Akanbou joined her and Sakura clutched him close sobbing. It wasn't fair. She should have realized that Kanari never intended to go home. Why else would she have told Sakura to quote her? If she truly wanted to go home, Kanari would have just spoken for the both of them. For a brief moment, Sakura hated her stepsister. She have never felt such hatred to anyone, not even Gaara when he betrayed her. Shocked and ashamed at herself, Sakura focused her loathing off of Kanari and onto King Itachi, for making Kanari stay. Why couldn't he have been a good sport and let them all go?!

Her parents came home around midnight, to find Sakura still clutching her half brother. Kizashi looked at his daughter with concern, "Sakura... is something wrong?" She waited for him to ask where Kanari was, to blame his step daughter like he usually did, but Kizashi said nothing. Sakura would have to tell them where their oldest daughter was. She gulped, "K-Kanari... is-is-is..." Could she say it? She swallowed the lump in her throat and choked out, "She's gone." Mebuki looked at her step-daughter confused, "Who's Kanari? A new friend?"

vvv POV Change vvv

Sasuke sat lazily against his brother's throne, his legs thrown casually over the elegant armrest, as he watched the crystal ball in his hand with great amusement as Sakura's struggled to realized that she was the only person in the human world who remembered Kanari. He couldn't wait until she realized why she was the only one. Sasuke hoped that she would realized it before the sickness took over. Itachi said that he couldn't bring her back unless she realized why, part of Sasuke's punishment for not keeping her under control. Sasuke thought that was a little unfair, considering it was his blasted girl, Kanari, who put the idea in her head.

vvv POV Change vvv

"So are you saying that not all of... Itachi's subjects are goblins?" I asked Temari as she piled my white-blonde hair in different styles, trying to figure which one fit me best. Temari was my new servant, being that she was the only human-like fey that was close to my age and female. She laughed, "Of course, anyone who wants to live in the Labyrinth have to submit to his rule. The Labyrinth may not be the safest or prettiest place, but it sure is the most fun! And to the fey, fun is better than safety or beauty." I shook my head ruefully, "You creatures are strange..." I laughed. Temari wrapped my in an awkward backwards hug and said, "Well you're one of us now. By staying, you automatically became one of his subjects. Well almost, Labyrinth runners are special."

My mood soured at the mention that I was now technically fey, "Thanks..." Temari, who didn't understand sarcasm, smiled, "You're welcome. Now what am I going to do with this hair?! It's too beautiful to style too casually." I rolled my eyes at her in the mirror and my somewhat new friend giggled. I couldn't help but ask, "Is King Itachi... uh... a flirt?" Temari gave me a sly look, "Why, hoping that you have the king to yourself?" I bit my lip, when she put it like that I sounded like a jealous girlfriend, and I wasn't even dating him! "Well I was wondering why he would kiss me in the Oubli-" "He did WHAT?!?!?!?" Temari suddenly shouted, making me jump. In the two hours I had known her, Temari didn't seem like the person ever to shout, she was too happy-go-lucky.

"H-he kissed me... is that wrong?" I asked in a small voice. Temari stared at me for a few more seconds then burst out laughing, "He kissed you! King Itachi kissed you!!! Oh he must really really like you!!" I blinked now, confused. "It was just a kiss." I muttered, getting angry with her obvious joy in my discomfort. Temari grinned at me, "You don't understand Kanari. Fey don't go around just kissing anyone; fey only kiss who they love. Sure, we fey can have many lovers, but that's beside the point. And as far as I know, Itachi never ever kissed anyone before!" I had to admit, for being his first kiss, he was very good at it.

As if on cue there was a knock at my door and Itachi's voice, "Kanari, may I be permitted to enter?" I opened my mouth to say yes or no, I really didn't know which, when Temari grabbed my arm, distracting me. I turned to her, surprised to see her expression so serious when only a few seconds ago she was jumping up and down in glee, "Careful Kanari... according to fey rules, once you invite someone in, they can come in whenever they want until the ownership of said room changes." I stared at her, "So how were you able to come in without my permission?" I asked. Temari flashed me a grin that cut through her seriousness, "Because I come with the room! I serve whomever owns this room." That made sense.

I glanced back at the door, where Itachi was waiting. Sighing I shook my head, "I can't turn him away for all eternity..." I whispered, more to assure myself than to convince Temari, then raised my voice and called out, "You may come in... Your Majesty." The door was pushed open to reveal Itachi leaning against the door frame, his dark eyebrows raised, "I thought I told you to call me Itachi..." He said and I gulped. I couldn't, not yet. It was too awkward. Temari hid a grin behind her hand as she arranged hairpins on the dresser, trying to look inconspicuous. Itachi straightened and came in the room. His presence seemed to take the air from the room. "Kanari if you'll please come with me..." He said politely.

Automatically I was suspicious, "...Why?" I asked cautiously. Itachi gave me a look, "Because I wish to show you something." He said as if it were obvious. I glared, "It's not an Oubliette is it?" Surprisingly he actually laughed. Even more surprising is that I liked the sound of it. "No. I wish to show you the gardens." I hesitated, I liked gardens and somehow Itachi had found out. Any other time I would have thought the gesture sweet, but I knew Itachi and his stalkerish tendencies. It was just plain creepy when it came to Itachi. Temari made the decision for me and shoved me forward, "Just go! I've got things to do!" Before I could say no and pull away Itachi had me out the door and down the hallway.

"How do you like my castle?" He asked as we walked down the corridor, his subjects in such a hurry to get out of his way. I snapped back, "I'm not saying 'piece of cake' if that's what you're looking for." Itachi looked down at me, I had never realized how tall he was compared to me, "Will you ever forget what happened in the Labyrinth?" He asked. I glared at him, "Will I ever be able to go home?" When he shook his head, I added, "You have my answer then." Itachi pulled me to a stop in the middle of the hall, towering over me, "You can't keep a grudge forever." He stated confidently. I grew angry, but he placed two fingers of my lips before I could say anything, "Don't. I do not wish to spoil your evening. Please." It was the 'please' that got me. I looked down and nodded mutely, all my anger gone in a flash.

True to his word, Itachi did show my his gardens, and I instantly found the place where I would be spending most of my time. Shrubs of the brightest green lined the ivory walk, reminding me of the maze through the bushes in the Labyrinth, opened up into a moonlit garden too beautiful to describe. I let out an involuntary gasp of delight when I caught sight of the gardens rolling out before me like an untouched meadow. Flowers of every color imaginable, and not imaginable, dotted the emerald grass in a random but artistic way. Benches made of ivory, marble, and ebony sat under drowsy trees, their branches swinging low over the ground, creating arches over the path. A glassy pond was tucked against a crop of silver-veined rocks, its surface rippling as the fish underneath it danced. A weeping willow stood at the north end of the pond, under its sweeping branches I found an ebony bench nestled against its soft trunk; I had found my favorite place in the Fey Realm. I turned to Itachi and actually dipped into a shabby curtsey, "Thank you for showing me this place." I said sincerely. He merely nodded, but I think he was glad that I liked it.

vvv POV Change vvv

"Dear, why won't you tell us who this Kanari you keep speaking of?" Mebuki asked for the hundredth time that night. Every time she asked, Sakura wanted to cry all over again. Her own flesh-and-blood daughter was gone, and the blonde haired woman couldn't even remember that she had a daughter! Mebuki couldn't remember the pain of birth, the joy when Kanari took her first step, anger over all the rebellious teen acts, nothing! It was like Kanari never existed. It tore Sakura up that her sister's sacrifice would go unnoticed to everyone except her. She pushed her dinner plate away and stood without behind excused, "I'm not hungry." It was the truth, she wasn't, and she didn't know why. She should be starving, since the last thing she ate was that cursed peach in the Labyrinth hours ago.

Sakura went upstairs to Akanbou's room. Kneeling by his cradle she began to tell her baby brother about Kanari, determined to make at least one person besides herself remember Kanari.

vvv POV Change vvv

The next day I was wondering aimlessly through the halls when I ran smack into someone. I was about to apologized when the person spoke, "Kanari!? Why are you here? I thought you went home!" I glanced up at Naruto's shocked face and frowned, "Didn't you know? I gave up my place so Sakura could go home." "But... why?" Naruto asked again. I rolled my eyes, "That peach that Gaara gave Sakura... mortals can't have fey food without consequences... I don't know, it's too complicated to explain!" I wailed, feeling the pent up tears coming. Naruto, sensing my distress, wrapped an arm around my shoulders and stayed quiet as I spilled all that had happened since I saw him last. After the strange things that had been happening, I was glad for a shoulder to cry on.

vvv

I was reading in the garden when Gaara found me. He didn't seem surprised to see me, Naruto must have told him I was here. He stood there, silently questioning. I moved my feet off the bench I was curled up on and patted the seat beside me. The red head sat and still didn't say anything, he just watched the willow branches sweep across the still pond, creating tranquil ripples. I watched him, trying to get a read on him. I hadn't been close to him like Sakura was, I had been too distrustful, but now I saw a hopelessness that stabbed at my heart. I followed his gaze to the pond and asked quietly, "You liked her, didn't you?" I saw Gaara lift his head to look at the orange tinged sky out of the corner of my eye.

"She was the first person to call me a friend." He whispered and my heart broke. Once again my little stepsister had managed to squirm under someone's skin and to their heart. I chuckled humorlessly, "She does that. Make you love her, that is." Gaara finally looked at me and raised an invisible eyebrow. I smiled sadly at my hands, "I hated her when our parents first got married. We aren't actually sisters, just by marriage. But she managed to bring down my defenses within a week of the wedding." I finally looked at Gaara, "I sometimes wonder what would have happened if we really were related by blood. Would we have been so close?" The red headed gate keeper only shrugged. We sat there quietly for a long time, watching as the willow tree swept its drooping branches across the water. I smiled, it reminded me of a child playing in the water, the branches like little fingers skimming across the silky surface of the water.

vvv POV Change vvv

Three days went by and Sakura still didn't eat. Her parents grew worried, but not matter what they tried, she just couldn't force herself to eat a thing. It was late at night, Sakura was trying to sleep when a sudden gust of wind blew her windows in. Sakura leapt out of bed and slammed the glass panels shut again before latching them together. She didn't move back to bed, instead she stared at the moon hanging high in the sky. In the three days she had come back she hadn't been able to sleep either. Her body shivered at a sudden chill and Sakura sighed. Maybe tonight would be the night that she actually fell asleep. School started tomorrow, and she didn't want to miss out on that.

Sakura turned to head back to bed and froze. In the darkest corner of her room was a pair of red glowing eyes. Sakura narrowed her own sea green ones, she knew who had come to visit her, “Don't you have goblins to torture?” She snapped. Sasuke chuckled and came into the moonlight. The pink haired girl hated how handsome and brooding he looked. “I was just checking up on you, my dear...” Sasuke murmured. Sakura crossed her arms and refused to respond. The Goblin Prince smirked and settled down on her bed, “Aren't you going to ask after your sister?”

That caught Sakura's attention. She eyed the fey suspiciously, but he didn't seem to be teasing her. “...How's Kanari?” The girl asked cautiously. Prince Sasuke leaned back on his elbows and stared at the ceiling, “Better than you.” He stated, then shot a smirk at her, “You look thin, my dear, have you been eating?” Sakura stiffened. He knew something, he had to. That question was too casual to be innocent. “You know something.” She accused. It wasn't a question. Sasuke smirked, “...Maybe...” He drawled. Before Sakura could question him further Sasuke stood, “It's been a nice chat, but I must get back. This mortal world is bad for my health.” He gave Sakura a pointed look before disappearing. Sakura stood there for a long time, blinking, wondering what he could possible mean.

vvv POV Change vvv

I was too preoccupied with the book I was reading to notice that I walked straight into the thrown room right as Itachi-san growled, “You. Did. What?” I looked up surprised at the venom in his voice. Since I had elected to stay in my sister's stead I had learned that Itachi-san was a perfect gentleman. He never did anything to remind me of the nightmarish time in the Labyrinth, and he never raised his voice. I knew Itachi's voice grew colder as he became more angry, not higher, having had witnessed it when the Goblins tried to play pranks on me in the beginning.

Prince Sasuke was looking away mulishly, sulking like a naughty child. Whatever he had done, his elder brother apparently did not like it. I was about to turn away and head back the way I came when Sasuke muttered, “You said I couldn't bring her here, you never said I couldn't visit.” There was only one person those two could possible be talking about, “What are you doing with my sister?” I asked before I could think. Both brothers turned to look at me, a smidgen of surprise in their dark depthless eyes.

When they didn't answer I knew that whatever they were hiding from me, it wasn't good for Sakura. I spun and left, marching down the hall my fists clenching. I felt the hot prick of tears in my eyes and couldn't believe myself. I wasn't crying for my sister, or for being helpless to save her. I was crying because those two had betrayed what little trust I had allowed myself to build up. These were the men that just a week ago they were trying their best to make me lose my brother. These men had bullied both Sakura and me and forced their subjects, Gaara mainly, into doing things they didn't want to to slow us down. So why was I crying over them? Why was I feeling torn for being betrayed when Sakura was in danger? Why, why, why?!

vvv POV Change vvv

“You've done it now.” Temari informed Itachi when he reached Kanari's closed doors. The servant was leaning against the doorjamb, her arms crossed. “My lady has locked herself in her room. Just like the last runner who stayed. If you don't watch it you'll be forced to send this one away just like the other one. Then where would you be?” Temari wasn't one to disrespect her monarch like her younger brother, Gaara, was; but sometimes she felt that King Itachi needed to know the flat truth.

Itachi gave Temari a red eyed glare, “I thought I ordered you never to mention that one.” He growled. Temari gave an involuntary shiver and held up her hands in surrender, “I'm just stating the facts. I actually like this one. She's not a spoiled brat like that last girl, she seems to actually care for this place and it's people. Including you. So don't muck it up with those ever twisting speeches of yours.” Temari snapped, poking the Goblin King in the chest. King Itachi didn't show any outward surprise, but inside he was shocked that Temari was able to pick up such things from her new mistress. He hadn't noticed at first, but now that he thought about it, Itachi realized that the fey girl was right. Kanari was a perfect match for this place, and for him. His eyes slowly darkened until they returned to normal. He turned to Temari, “I shall leave her in peace... for now.” The servant bowed, her face surprised. Itachi never backed down from anything, for him to do so would be like Prince Sasuke apologizing.

vvv POV Change vvv

I hadn't left my room in days. No matter how many times Temari tried to convince me, I refused to leave the safety of my room and risk getting emotionally attached again. I didn't care if I stayed in this room for the rest of my life, I wasn't going to look or speak to either member of the goblin royalty ever again. I curled up on the window seat, watching the strange fey birds circling in the orange tinted sky, their beautiful and haunting cries hypnotizing me. I laid my head against the crystal window and closed my eyes, letting the melody wash over me, to sooth my heavy heart...

Sudden knocking shook me from my trance-like state. I glared at the closed double doors, “What?” I snapped, angry to be interrupted. Instead of answering the doors burst open and I couldn't help the scream that escaped from my lips. Some... thing stood hunched over in the doorway. At first I thought it was King Itachi, but it was something else entirely. It's entire body was a shiny black, like that of a beetle's carapace, and skeletal. Red eyes, bright as blood, glowed like embers, filled with murder and malicious thoughts. Long white fangs glistened with something unnameable jutted out from the too small mouth.

The creature gave a low gurgling growl and scuttled forward. I screamed again and scrambled backwards until my back hit the window. For some reason this creature reminded me of Itachi, and I didn't know why. It opened it's horrible mouth and screamed, it was strange and horrifying to hear my own scream coming from the abomination. The creature took one more step and froze, it's swollen head tilted as if listening for something. Then I heard it, a soft and comforting voice, whispering incoherent things in my ear. A look of dim confusion passed through the creature's sunken, glowing eyes and it shrieked again, only this time out of agony; it's body began to smoke as it folded in on itself like a wet dishrag.

Slowly I followed the ghostly trail away from the creature, my mind leaving the horrid place to somewhere safe and warm. Where the soft voice belonged to...

vvv

"...nari, wake up. You're alright, safe. Kanari... wake up..." The voice that had brought me back kept murmuring, taking on a form that I recognized. Itachi. Itachi's voice had dragged me back from that strange dream world I hadn't even known I entered and back into the Fey world, back to my bed. A small whimper crawled out of me and I moved a little closer to him, clinging just a little tighter to him. I refused to open my eyes and face the possibility that maybe whatever had happened wasn't a dream and that evil thing was real. I felt the Goblin King stiffen in the slightest when I tightened my grip, then he relaxed and continued to sooth me, "It was just a dream, Kanari... it's okay, you're safe now." He whispered. I opened my mouth, but nothing came out excepted a hitching gasp. Itachi wrapped his arms around me, resting his chin on the top of my head, "Shhhh... you don't have to speak. It wasn't real, they're never real."

"What was it?" I managed to ask after a moment of silence, when my heart calmed back down to a normal pace. Itachi didn't answer for a long time, then he said, "A Nightmare." I pulled away, looking to see if he was teasing me. The king looked dead serious, "What do you mean?" I asked. Itachi sighed and slowly stood up, holding me in his arms. Slowly he lead me to the window and pointed, one arm still around my shoulders, "Nightmares. They're creatures under my rule that bring out a victim's greatest fears." He stated, but I was hardly listening to him as I watched the creatures flying in the air. What I had thought were strange fey birds were really black skeletal horses with bat-like wings soaring though the air, their mane and tail made of shadowy ribbons. I shuddered and turned my face away into Itachi's chest, they reminded me of the horrible creature in my dream. Itachi had said that they take on a person's worst nightmare. So what had mine been? I knew the creature in my dream looked like Itachi, but what did that have anything to do with it?

Itachi lead me back to bed, "Just lay down. Sleep.” He whispered, pushing me down gently. I clung to his shirt, “What if they come back?” I asked, my eyes wide with panic. Itachi stared at me for a minute, his dark eyes unreadable, then he climbed into bed beside me. I stiffened and blushed, but didn't move away. I knew I shouldn't trust him, he was the reason why I was here alone in this strange world, but I couldn't help feeling protected around him. “I'll stay with you...” He whispered softly in my ear, his arms wrapping around my waist as I started to drifted away into a dreamless sleep. The last thing I felt as I succumbed to sleep was Itachi's warm lips on my forehead, comforting me.

vvv POV Change vvv

Sakura slammed her locker closed, if one more person shot her a pointed look at her she was going to call for the goblins to take them to the Labyrinth. It wasn't her fault that she looked anorexic, she had no appetite to speak of. Sakura wanted to eat, but everything tasted like ash in her mouth and made her gag. Her parents already threatened to send her to a shrink if she didn't eat. To avoid that humiliation, Sakura learned to eat in front of her parents and hold her food in until they were out of sight. The minute Mebuki and Kizashi were gone Sakura was vomiting in the sink. The pink haired girl was really starting to hate it, not being able to eat was dragging her down; but she didn't seem able to sleep either, which added to her misery. Now it was lunch and Sakura had no clue what to do. She couldn't sit around pretending like everything was perfect then end up puking. And she couldn't skip, that would only fuel the fire that she had become an anorexic.

Sakura groaned and turned to walk toward the cafeteria, she should have thought ahead on this. Dimly she wondered if this would continue or if it was only a phase that would pass. She hoped desperately for the latter, Sakura knew she would die if she didn't eat and that scared her. To survive the Labyrinth only to die of starvation, how ironic. If it wasn't such a dire situation, Sakura would have laughed. Her friend, Hinata, was waiting for her at the large metal double doors that lead to the cafeteria, fretting as always. Sakura smiled wanly at her friend, “Hey.” She rasped. Hinata's brow pricked with worry, “Sakura, are you okay?” She whispered, her pearl eyes scanning Sakura's super thin body. It had only been four days since Sakura returned from the Labyrinth and already her clothes hung on her. “I'm-” Sakura started, but she fainted before another word could pass though her lips.

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Hinata yelped when her friend fainted, sagging under Sakura's sudden weight. “Help!” She called out, but no one heard her. Struggling to shift Sakura so she wasn't in danger of falling down, Hinata called out again, screaming. Still no one came. Hinata felt tears pricking her pearl colored eyes, was she going to have to hold Sakura up until someone came around? And how long would that be? Hinata grunted, for someone who was skin and bones, Sakura was heavy.

“Need help?” Someone asked behind Hinata, the girl turned to see a boy her age leaning against the wall of the cafeteria. Hinata should have felt relieved that someone had finally come to help, but something about this guy seemed off. It could be that she had never seen him before, and there was no rumor of a new kid. So what was he doing here? On top of that, he looked extremely dangerous. His dark blue hair was spiked in the back and his black eyes were depthless. He wore all black, from the black jeans to the black leather jacket, the only color he had was a small red and white fan charm hanging from his neck. His choice of clothing should have made him appear sickly with that pale skin, but it made him look even more dangerous.

Hinata didn't trust him, but he was her best shot in helping Sakura, “Um, yes... can you help me take her to the nurse?” Hinata asked, blowing some of her dark hair out of her face. The boy came forward and easily took Sakura in his arms, as if she weighed nothing. “I'll take her. Go eat lunch.” He said dully. Hinata frowned, it could be that it was her paranoia or the way he spoke, but Hinata got the feeling that if she let him take Sakura, Hinata would never see her friend again, “I'll go with you.” She stated. The boy frowned and Hinata swore she saw a flash of red in his eyes, “It's alright, I can do it myself.”

Now Hinata knew something was definitely wrong. This boy wouldn't turn down help so determinedly unless he had malicious intent. Still Hinata kept her face carefully polite, “You seem new, what's your name?” The boy didn't seem to like this change in tactic, instead of answering he turned and started to walk away. “Hey!” Hinata called out and reached out to grab his sleeve just as shadow enveloped him. Hinata screamed, but the outside world didn't hear her.

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Knocking on my door brought my head up from the book I was reading. Ever since the freaky Nightmare encounter last week I had asked Itachi if I could borrow books over the Labyrinth and its inhabitants. He had readily agreed. So far I had finished four books, one over the basic history of the Labyrinth, another of creatures to avoid in all the Faerie Realms, the last two were over the Seelie and Unseelie courts. Apparently the Labyrinth had once been apart of the Unseelie court, but defected centuries ago under King Fugaku, Itachi and Sasuke's father. The book I was reading now was about the goblin race in general.

“Yes?” I called and Temari slid the door open her eyes wide, “Kanari... King Itachi wants you in the throne room, now.” She said timidly. I frowned, wondering why I was needed and why Temari seemed so freaked by it. Shaking my head I placed a pressed flower in the spine of the goblin book and shut it gently. When I had asked Itachi for a bookmark he picked one of the flowers in the garden and gave it to me. I thought the gesture was oddly sweet and knew I would treasure the pressed flower for eternity. Standing I followed Temari down the long halls towards the throne room.

A voice I recognized all to well reached me long before Temari and I reached the throne room, “What is going on?! How did I- What... I-I-I-” I walked into the room and there was Hinata staring around the throne room with bewildered pearl eyes. Itachi was looming in front of his throne, glaring down at Sasuke, his eyes spinning wildly with red. Sasuke, who usually looked indifferent when he pissed his older brother off, seemed very uncomfortable; but that could have been the fact that he was wearing modern human clothes instead of his usual elegant clothing. Hinata seemed freaked out about the Goblin King's strange eyes, like I had been when running the Labyrinth, but I hardly noticed anymore, and that surprised me.

Sakura's friend spotted me before I could think about my revelation, “KANARI!!!” She shrieked and dashed for me, wrapping her arms around me. I held her close, I didn't really know Sakura's friend, but I knew that she needed someone vaguely familiar at the moment. Smoothing back her rich black hair I shushed her, feeling her whole body shake with sobs. Hinata didn't deserve this. No one did. Not Akanbou, not me, Sakura, or any of the past runners. Still I was stuck here, by my own will in my desire to save my sister. Hinata however...

I shot a fierce glare over the young girl's head at Sasuke, “Why is she here?” I growled. Sasuke looked indignant, as if he didn't want me to find a backbone, “She grabbed a hold of me when I came back here.” He snapped. I narrowed my eyes, “And why were you in the human world?” I snarled. Itachi answered before his younger brother could, “Kanari...” I glared at him, “Did you have something to do with this?” I snapped. It surprised me how desperately I wanted him to say no. Itachi glared at Sasuke as he told me, “No. My foolish little brother went into the human world without my permission.” Both Sasuke and I opened out mouths to say something, but the Goblin King spoke before we could, “You have gone against my orders, Sasuke, for disobeying I forbid you to see Sakura until I deem fit.” Sasuke looked like he wanted to argue, but knew better.

I had a bad feeling that Itachi didn't mean going into the human world to visit Sakura. I eyed him, hugging Hinata closer, “Where is Sakura...?” I asked, my eyes darting between the brothers. Hinata was the one who answered, “Sh-She... He- That thing... t-t-to-took h-h-her, a-and-” The poor girl fainted before she could finish. I yelped at her sudden weight and would have fallen over, if Itachi hadn't intervened. He wrapped one arm around Hinata, pulling her off of me, and the other arm around my shoulders, keeping me upright. Instinctively I grabbed his clothing, burying my face in his chest. I knew what Hinata was trying to say, that Sakura was here and my sacrifice was wasted because of a selfish Goblin Prince. Silently I let the tears come.

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“She'll be right as rain as soon as we get food in her belly, don't worry!” A blonde girl chirped happily as I stared at my unconscious sister. Only a week had past since I had last saw her and it looked like she had been starving herself for months. Sakura's skin sagged over her bones, having barely any nutrition. I looked up at the blonde girl, “What happened to her?” I asked hoarsely. The blonde girl, I think she said her name was Ino, never lost that smile, “That's what happens when a mortal eats Fey food and returns to the human world. She's lucky that Prince Sasuke grabbed her when he did, another hour and she would have died.” I closed my eyes to ward off a glare and crossed my arms, tucking my chin into my chest. It wasn't fair that what Sasuke did was the right thing to do. It meant I couldn't be mad at him.

Then a thought occurred to me, if this fey girl knew about the rule, then both Itachi and Sasuke knew, which implied that they knew all along that Sakura would have to come back to the Labyrinth, or die alone. Anger whelmed in me and I found myself standing and walking towards the door. I didn't stop to explain where I was going to Ino when she called after me. I needed to find a certain king and give him a piece of my mind. The prince would do in a pinch though. I really didn't care who I talked to but one of the Goblin Royals was going to hear from me, and soon!

I mindlessly wandered through the Goblin Palace until I found Itachi standing under my willow tree, watching the surface of the lake ripple from the fish dancing underneath it. He glanced at me out of the corner of his eye, his onyx eyes serious and knowing, he knew why I had come here, before he turned his gaze away again. “Why didn't you tell me?!” I screamed at him, feeling the hot tears prick the backs of my eyes, but I didn't know why I was crying; was I crying because Sakura was stuck with me, or because Itachi betrayed my trust again? Itachi didn't look at me, he just kept watching the water, “For this exact reason.” He said, using the voice that had haunted me throughout the Labyrinth. “She's my sister! You should have told me! You should have-” Itachi cut me off with a fierce glare, “Should have done what? I am the king of the Goblins, you are a lowly human staying here willingly. You had the chance to go home but you wasted it on your foolish sister.” He growled, his voice icy. The tears were running freely now, pouring down my cheeks in an endless flow. Had it been only last week that this man was holding me against him, repelling those awful Nightmares? Only hours ago that he once again held me as I cried?

I slapped him. Itachi didn't even flinch or looked surprised. He just stood there, watching me, before turning back to watch the water silently. With a final sob I turned and ran away, I ran away from the man who broke my heart like it was nothing. I wanted to go home, to leave this dreadful place behind, but I couldn't. I couldn't leave Sakura here to suffer like I had. Running blindly down the halls I finally managed to escape to my room. There I pushed past Temari without explanation and flung myself down on the bed, letting the flood gates open and all the tears I had kept pent up ever since I sent Sakura back to the human realm loose.

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Hinata stayed curled up in the corner of the recovering room, or wherever she was. Sakura laid placidly on a nearby bed, bright little floating lights bobbing around her, their glows flickering periodically. Hinata had no clue what had happened. One minute she was arguing with the dark boy whether she should accompany him to the nurse's office, the next she was stuck in this twisted place.

Things had started looking up when Hinata saw Kanari walk in wearing a beautiful floor length silk green dress, like the ladies in the medieval times. That was until she started arguing with the two dark looking men, Hinata realized then that Kanari wasn't the same. As she got a closer look at the older girl, Hinata saw small things had changed. Kanari was always beautiful, she never had a problem with self-consciousness, but when Hinata saw her, Kanari looked even more beautiful. Her skin seemed to glow and her green eyes were larger and brighter, framed with even thicker eyelashes. Kanari's hair seemed more white then blonde, like the color had bled from her hair, but it worked for her. It made Kanari seem dangerous and regal, almost...fey.

Hinata shivered and hugged her knees even tighter around her, the Kanari she knew had definitely changed. Hinata wasn't sure if this new Kanari was the same as the one she knew as Sakura's stepsister.

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Soft knocking brought me out of my pity party, “Go away.” I moaned out, my voice scratching from wailing. The door opened anyway, “Um... Lady Kanari...? King Itachi said for me to tell you that you were to figure out what we should do with the human girl...” Someone I didn't recognize stuttered. I twisted to see a girl with mousy brown hair peeking around my door timidly, her eyes wide with something akin to fear. It surprised and scared me how satisfied I felt to see the poor girl frightened of me, though I did not know why. I sat up, rubbing the back of my hand across my eyes, “What are you talking about?” I asked, a little sharper than necessary. The girl fidgeted then said, “The girl... that Prince Sasuke brought back... the one who wasn't here before.”

My frown deepened, “Hinata? What do you want me to do with her?” “I-I don't know m-my lady, King I-It-Itachi said that you were to decide her f-f-ate. A-And and if you had a-any q-q-q-q-questions y-you were supposed to a-a-ask him.” The poor girl bobbed a quick curtsey and was gone before I could question her farther. I crossed my arms, I was not going near Itachi until I knew I could do so without bursting into tears. What he had said at the lake... my chin trembled just thinking of it. I shoved away my feelings, it Itachi wanted me to find a place for Hinata, I would do so without his help. “Temari!” I called and my maid/friend called in, her dark teal eyes watching cautiously. “Do you need something?”

I stood and began to pace, wanting something to occupy myself while I spoke, “King Itachi wants me to settle in Hinata, what do you think I should do?” Temari blinked at me, her eyes wide, “No one has ever asked me my opinion...” She whispered. I spun on her, my eyes wide, surprised by the fact. Temari was so wise, it was shocking to hear no one ever asked her opinion. Shaking my head I returned to the matter at hand, “But what should I do?” I insisted. Temari blinked, coming out of her own daze, and turned to me, “Can this girl be returned to the human world?” Temari asked me, I shook my head, Hinata had fainted and that qualified as sleeping in the fey realms; when I told Temari she hummed, “That complicates things. I assume that King Itachi already took her family's memories of her then, so they won't go looking for her. The best thing to do now is to just give her a room and... Lady Kanari?” She broke off when I sat down hard on my bed, suddenly unable to stand.

I had stopped listening when Temari mentioned taking memories. Tears sprang anew to my eyes, burning them. I blinked to clear them away, but they weren't leaving. Slowly I sank into the bed, “Itachi... takes people's memories?” I asked though the lump in my throat. Temari opened her mouth to say something, then stopped, unsure what to do. She stood there while I buried my face in my hands and cried once again. If what she said was true, then would Sakura even remember me? Did Itachi take her memories of me so I would suffer when Sakura was forced to come back? And what about my parents? How could Itachi cut me out of my mother's life? I was her pride and joy, how could she possibly forget me?

A gentle hand touched my shoulder and I slapped at it, I just wanted to be left alone; I had suffered enough in this hellish place. The hand grabbed my wrist, stopping my attempts to shove the person away from me. That caught my attention, if it had been Temari, she would have left me alone. And the only person I had really kept company with was...

Itachi's dark eyes stared back into my own green ones. Slowly he reached over with his free hand and brushed a stray lock from my face, “Your maid says I have been exceedingly cruel to you.” He said softly. I glanced over Itachi's shoulder in time to see Temari slipping from my rooms, the door clicking softly behind her. I didn't even hear her leave the first time to go fetch the King. I looked back into Itachi's depthless eyes, “D-Do you take memories?” I asked. His fingers brushed up my jawline, pushing my white blonde hair away from my face, “Only when it is necessary.” He said softly.

I was too exhausted to be angry, “When it's necessary? When is taking someone's memory necessary?!” I asked, but there was no fight in my voice. I was tired of fighting. Itachi tilted his head, his low ponytail curling around his shoulder, “Would you rather have your parents worrying sick and grieving about your whereabouts? Or have them blissfully ignorant that you were ever alive?” I knew the answer, but didn't say it. It would be better that my parents never knew I existed, it would save them the pain of losing their daughter. Instead of telling Itachi what he obviously already knew I asked, “Did you... take Sakura's memories?” How desperately I wanted him to say no, I would do anything for Itachi to give me what I wanted. Itachi smiled gently and leaned over to kiss my forehead, “I may be powerful, Kanari, but I am still unable to control the minds of my subjects; you're sister still retains her memories of you, do not worry.”

I looked down at my hand in my lap, “I'm tired of being left out, Itachi... You say I'm not a prisoner here, but I feel like it. I have to figure a lot of thing out by myself, but... I'd rather learn it from you.” Shyly I glanced up at Itachi, his dark eyes unusually kind, he held a hand out to me, “Walk with me and I'll tell you my reasons.” He said. I blinked, for the brief time I had known him, Itachi wasn't one to be very open about anything. I eagerly accepted his hand, wondering what he could possibly have to say.

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Itachi took me to the gardens, not that I was surprised, Itachi knew how much I loved the gardens. As we strolled along the path through the small emerald green hills, I sighed. After all the ups and downs I had rode through the past few days, the garden was a nice change of pace. Itachi was silent for a while before saying, “You're not the first runner who stayed here.” That surprised me, to say the least. “Then... why haven't I heard of her?” I asked. Itachi glanced at me, “Because I refuse to let my subjects talk about her. She was... a problem... for everyone.” I opened my mouth to say something, but Itachi held up a hand, “Please, let me finish.” He said politely and my jaw snapped shut. Itachi eyed me for a moment, as if testing if I would speak or not, and continued, “When she was running, Yakkaina seemed to be on top of things, nothing could faze her. I had never met anyone like her before. Needless to say, Yakkaina defeated the Labyrinth and got her baby sister back. I then gave her the choice of staying here. Surprisingly Yakkaina took me up on my offer, and I gave her the room you have now.

“At first I didn't notice any changes. Around me Yakkaina acted like she always did, a little clingy, but I knew I could get used to it. I trusted Yakkaina, and thus I kept no secret from her, much to my later regret. A week after she chose to stay, I began getting complaints from the cooks, Temari, and a few goblins. When I asked Yakkaina about it, she played innocent, saying she had no idea why my subjects were lying to me. I foolishly believed her and punished those who were complaining. It wasn't too long before I started getting even more complaints, but I dismissed them all. Finally my younger brother began informing me of some of Yakkaina's activities, she had been abusing the power I gave her for cruel purposes. I knew I couldn't ignore it anymore; I threw her out of the Labyrinth with the threat of death if she ever came back and made to silence my subjects in case any future runner, such as yourself, decided to stay.” Itachi finished. I stared straight ahead, trying to process what Itachi had just told me. Finally I gave a small laugh, “And here I thought I had it bad.” I said in a desperate attempt to make things light.

Itachi faced me, his expression still serious but there was a spark of need deep within his dark eyes now, “Kanari... I haven't been fair to you. I gave you everything you needed, but not the one thing you wanted.” He said softly, pushing a stray hair away from my face. I blushed and looked down, dimly wondering where the evil Goblin King from the Labyrinth had gone, not that I missed him, “And.. what is the thing I... w-want?” I asked huskily, meeting his bold gaze. The king leaned down a little so that our lips were inches apart, “My trust.” He whispered back, but he came no closer to my mouth. I was surprised how much I wanted him to kiss me, how much I needed him to. Itachi leaned in even closer, but still not kissing me, “But, I also want your trust in return.” He said so softly I almost didn't hear him.

I knew what he was asking, and I was willing to give it. I came the rest of the way and tenderly pushed my lips to his, my breath coming in fast and short. I could feel Itachi smile against my lips before he began kissing me back. Over and over again, he rained down small quick kisses upon my starved lips. I whimpered, going weak at the knees. I would have fallen if Itachi hadn't wrapped his strong arms around my waist, pulling me ever closer. Painfully close, smashing my body to his, but I did not feel the pain for my nerves were singing with a deep pleasure. My lips parted on their own accord and his tongue swept in, filling my mouth with his intoxicating taste, pushing against my own wet muscle demanding for a reaction. My tongue quivered in response and began stroking Itachi's tongue slowly, enticing a moan from the king of Goblins. This wasn't the seductive kiss Itachi gave me in the Oubliette, or the gentle kiss on the forehead on the day I had a run in with the Nightmares. It was both and more, in ways I couldn't try to explain.

Itachi pulled away, satisfied by my reaction if the smirk that graced his wonderful lips was anything to go by. I blinked up at him, “If you had kissed my like that in the beginning I would have stayed with you.” I managed to say after a while. Itachi's smirk softened into a tender smile, “But then I would not have learned your strength, I would have thought you weak to be won over by a kiss.” He said softly. I groaned a little and buried my face in his chest, rubbing my nose against the smooth fabric of his ebony shirt and inhaling his masculine scent, “Anyone could be won over by that kiss, even the most stone hearted crone.” I grumbled. I felt more than heard Itachi's chuckle, “Indeed, but I am still glad the way things have played out the way they did. Come, I am sure your sister is awake by now.” Itachi said as he began leading me back towards the castle. I should have felt pain and sorrow at the reminder that my sister had returned here, but I was too happy to care.

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Sakura flung another colored orb at the wide eyed fey girl, “Get the hell away from me, you freak!!” The pink haired girl shrieked as the colored orb shattered against the wall behind the fey girl, purple light dispersed from the glass and disappeared into thin air. Sakura reached out to grab another orb, but there was none in reach, so Sakura reached for the next best thing, a glass of water sitting on the table along side her bed, “LEAVE ME ALONE!” Sakura cocked her arm back, ready to throw, when none other than Prince Sasuke stormed in, “What is going on in here?” He snapped, dark eyes flaring red as he looked from the fey girl to Sakura then to the five shattered orbs littering the ground. Sakura aimed at him instead, but the Goblin Prince dodged more easily than the fey girl. He bared his teeth like a wild animal and began stalking towards her, his intent of harm showing clearly in his eyes.

The fey girl bravely leapt in front of her prince, “Highness, p-please... she needs rest a-and-” When Sasuke's eyes swung towards her, the fey girl paled and she cut off what she was going to say, but she still didn't move from Sasuke's path. The prince raised his arm, as if to back hand the poor girl, but Sakura screamed. Not because of the drama unfolding in front of her, but because of the two figures standing in the door way. She scrambled from the bed, the sheets tangling around her legs, and pounced on her sister, causing Kanari to fall back against the Goblin King, who caught both of them while glaring at his younger brother. Sakura clung to her older sister, “Kanari! I'm so glad you're okay, I was so worried that they were being awful to you! It's horrible, Kanari, your mom doesn't know who you are and I couldn't eat or sleep and- and...” She broke of with a sob and buried her face into Kanari's neck. Sakura hated crying, but this time she couldn't help it.

Kanari laughed and wrapped her own arms around Sakura, “It's okay, Sakura. Everything will be explained in time, you just need to get some rest.” Kanari soothed, petting her sister's pink hair as she sobbed. The king spoke behind them, “Actually, it would be more wise if she ate something.” Sakura turned runny eyes towards the king of Goblins, “I'm not eating anything here! You can't pull that one over me again!” She snapped, glaring at King Itachi. The fey shrugged, “Then you will starve for eternity. Sasuke, I wish to speak with you... alone.” Prince Sasuke shivered a little and reluctantly slouched forward, he opened his mouth as if to defend himself, but Itachi snapped his fingers and his younger brother's jaw snapped shut by itself. King Itachi then grabbed Sasuke by the collar and proceeded to drag the prince away.

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When the Goblin royals were gone Sakura straightened and grabbed my hand, “Come on, we can escape while they're occupied. All we have to do is find Gaara and he'll lead us away!” Sakura said and started to walk in the opposite direction that the direction Itachi had taken Prince Sasuke. I stayed where I was, drawing my sister up short. Sakura shot me a funny look, “Kanari? Let's go, before those two come back!” She said, sounding a little confused at my reluctance. I shook my head, “I'm not leaving, Sakura. I like it here.” Sakura shot me a disbelieving look, “Kanari, did they brainwash you or something? This is the Labyrinth! Of course you want to leave.” She said, sounding so certain, it killed me to tell her otherwise, “Sakura, you haven't seen what I seen, or did what I do. Trust me, the Labyrinth was the worst part of everything, in the castle it's so much better. Itachi is so nice, everyone is! You'll like it here if you give it a chance.” I said eagerly. It wasn't until the words left my lips that I realized how much it was true. Itachi's kingdom had it's faults, but it was still a paradise. In the back of my mind I wondered when exactly I had fallen in love with the place.

Sakura opened her mouth to argue, but I cut her off, “Hinata is here too. She grabbed Sasuke when he brought you here and ended up being dragged along.” Sakura snorted, “Then we find her and take her with us.” She said decisively, as if it were that simple. I exhaled exasperatedly, “And go where? The minute any of us return to the Mortal World, we'll die.” That didn't seem to bother Sakura, she just shrugged, “Then we'll hide out somewhere near the Labyrinth gates and warn future runners of their fate. Or maybe we can find a nice place where people treat us better.” I rolled my eyes, Sakura didn't understand how dangerous the world outside the Labyrinth was. But then, neither did I. I frowned as doubts began to wash over me, I only knew what Itachi told me. He made it seem as if the Labyrinth was the safest haven in the Faerie Realms. “I want your trust in return,” That was what he said; my trust for his. Could Itachi be lying about that? It wouldn't be the first time he lied to me, I had thought that staying in Sakura's place would save my sister, but it only trapped both of us.

Sakura tugged on my arm again, and this time I didn't balk, “It's about time you understand what I'm getting at. This place is full of lies and danger” My stepsister muttered under her breath as she dragged me though the halls. I followed her blindly, like a small child clinging to her mother's hand. Sakura, not knowing the Goblin Halls as well as I, managed to get lost in no time. Frustrated she kicked a wall and turned to me, “Kanari, you know how to get out of here, and how to find Hinata.” It wasn't a question, but I nodded anyway. Still in my hazy despair I lead Sakura to where the Goblin King had put Hinata until I could find a better place for her, it looked nothing more than a broom closet. Hinata was awake by the time we reached her, and sobbing uncontrollably. I stood there dumbly as she clung to Sakura, tears rushing from her eyes like waterfalls. Was this how I should have acted when a chance of escape was presented to me? Then why did I feel so guilty and torn? Was Sakura right and King Itachi did brainwash me into believing that he could care for me? Was it all a lie from the start?

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Itachi stared deeply into the crystal in his hand, his eyes shining red with anger as he watched the three mortal girls leave with that red haired gatekeeper. Sasuke leaned over his brother's shoulder, “That's why you dragged me away? To test that girl of yours? Seems she failed, pity. I kind of like her.” The Prince mused, deliberately mocking his older sibling. Itachi shot a withering glare at Sasuke, who looked away quickly. It wasn't often Itachi showed his anger, and when he did there was reason to fear. Not even Itachi's younger brother would be safe from his wrath. Sasuke glanced back at his brother lounging casually on the menacing goblin throne. Itachi didn't seem to have any intention of going after the girls.

Sasuke couldn't help but ease his curiosity, “You're not going after them?” Itachi shot his brother another dark look and looked intently back into the crystal ball, “Why chase after something that is sure to come back?” He asked, his voice void of all emotion. Sasuke gave a small shake of his head and left. The Prince couldn't believe that was was actually starting to miss the other Itachi, the one who seemed so... happy around Kanari. Sasuke couldn't believe he was actually wishing for the girl to return and bring back the peace that had dominated the Labyrinth while she was here.

Dimly he wondered how Sakura would fare now that she was back to full health. She always did seem stronger than her sister, the Prince had to admit reluctantly that he did admire the pink haired girl for that. But then he couldn't deny that Kanari was far more logical than her younger sister. Sakura's lack of logic would be her downfall. Sasuke grinned, the day Sakura blundered would be the day that Sasuke swooped in and picked up his prize.

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I shivered and rubbed my arms, stupid freak snowstorm in the middle of stupid no where. We all sat huddled under a snow drift, crowded together to try and preserve warmth. The snowstorm had come without any kind of warning, giving us no chance to find wood to build a fire. Gaara, knowing how to survive out in the harsh Faerie climates, was smart enough to find a leeward depression in a large rock, big enough to provide shelter out of the howling winds. Shakily I brought my hands up to my mouth to blow warm air on them. It wasn't even a minute that we had stepped out of the Labyrinth gate, with the help of Gaara, that I already regretted my decision. But Sakura and Hinata needed me, no matter how much I wanted to be with Itachi. Besides it was too late to go back now. Gaara had taken the extra step to warm me that Itachi would likely kill me the minute I showed my face to him.

Gaara was the only one who knew of my reluctance of leaving, but then he had seen how Itachi had treated me, so he could understand why I felt a false attachment to the Goblin King. Just before the snowstorm crept up on us the red head had taken me aside and warned me not to say Itachi's name out loud. When I asked him why, his answer surprised me: because I had bonded with the Goblin King and was well in danger of becoming Itachi's mate. Should I even speak his name, Itachi would know exactly where I was. But as the cold settled deep into my bones, I stared to entertain the idea of calling for Itachi's help and forgoing the risk of being killed.

Sakura moaned in the cold, pressed up against Hinata, “Where did this fucking blizzard crop up from?” She asked, her teeth chattering loudly. I glared at her, “Watch your language.” I growled instinctively, Sakura's father didn't mind what she said before he married my mother and as a result her loose tongue was a problem- a problem that my mother and I tried to fix. Sakura glared at me, ever since we had left the Labyrinth, Sakura had kept me at a distance, “Or what? Will you go tell your mom? She can't remember you ever existed!” Gaara and Hinata shifted uncomfortable, probably wishing they were anywhere but here at the moment, and not just because of the storm. At least that jab told me Itachi hadn't been lying about one thing- he really did erase me from my mom's memories.

“I would rather her not remember me then be suffering with grief and wondering where I am.” I said calmly despite my anger that was boiling under my skin. Sakura scoffed loudly over the wailing wind, “Is that you speaking, or that Goblin King of yours?” She snapped. I narrowed my eyes at her, dimly wondering why I wasn't exploding with anger yet. I hadn't been one to keep my temper in check, not even around a powerful being like Itachi. Was the cold dousing my rage? Or was it something else? I lifted my chin, “Does it matter? What I say is true.” I asked. Sakura threw up her hands, “Ugh! You're just like them! Speaking in riddles and responding to questions with vague answers. You even look like a stupid fey, all white haired and otherworldly beautiful!” Under any other circumstances I would have taken her comment as a compliment.

Gaara tried to step in then, “Now Sakura, Kanari can't help that she changed, that's what happens when a mortal becomes a subject to King Ita-” Sakura cut him off with a wave of her arms in my direction, “And that's another thing! Since when did you become that bastard's subject?! I thought no one owned you, Kanari!” My younger step sister finished with a scream that caused some snow resting precariously atop the ledge of the rock to fall. I raised an eyebrow, “Are you finished yet? Or are you determined to bury us in the snow?” I asked calmly. Given my insecure feelings about leaving Itachi, I was surprised I was so calm. How could I be, with the raging whirlwind of confusing emotions swirling in me?

Sakura was breathing heavily, but she made no move to speak again. I spoke, “Good, now listen to me. I became his subject when I gave up my freedom in bargain for yours, however wasteful it was. The King was kind to me, so forgive me if I ever had doubts about leaving the immediate second you come waltzing back into my life, rocking the world I was just beginning to settle in. Also, he does not own me, I am still myself, even if I have physically changed. So don't think for a second I will kick you into next week if you ever take that condescending tone with me!” I ended with a shout. Hinata leaned away from Sakura and I, her face white as the snow around us. Gaara snorted a laugh and shook his head ruefully, “Boy you would make a great Goblin Queen.” He muttered to himself. I frowned at the red head, “What was that?” Though I knew what he meant, I still wanted to hear him.

Gaara sneered at me and Sakura, “Still haven't figured it out yet? Why King Itachi even bothers to bring young pretty girls to run his Labyrinth? It's not for pure entertainment purposes, though that is a big part.” Sakura frowned at her friend, “Why does he bring runners in then?” She asked, by the tone of her voice it seemed that she didn't want to know. I snorted at her naivety, “For wives, idiot. That's why they gave you the peach, to insure that at least one of us stayed here.” Gaara smirked, amused, “And that's why you would make a great Queen, you seem to be on top of all this.” He said. I glared at him, “I'll have you know I do not intend to become a queen anytime in the near future.” I snapped. Gaara was enjoying this too much, “But what you plan and what King Itachi plans is two very different things.” “Then King Itachi can-” My hand slapped over my mouth before I could finish.

I had said Itachi's name out loud.

Almost as if someone had turned a switch, the blizzard stopped. The only evidence that it was even there was the snow that still covered the ground in a thick blanket. A sudden dark menacing presence radiated from behind me. I didn't have to turn to know who it was, but I did anyway. Slowly I turned my head to look over my shoulder at the man who had occupied most of my thoughts from the moment I left the castle and shivered. If I thought Itachi had been frightening before, it was nothing compared to the sinister fey before me. If looks could kill, I would already be nothing but decomposing bones six feet under the ground.

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Sasuke enjoyed the frightened looks of the two girls he currently held in chains, both waiting for their judgment from Itachi. Gaara lounged beside the Prince, having once again managed to sweet talk his way out of any punishment. Sasuke had to begrudgingly admire the red headed gatekeeper for his quick tongue, though Sasuke wondered if the gate keeper had been let off easily because Itachi wanted to rip into Kanari. Sasuke glanced at the two talking just out of ear shot. Kanari was on her knees, begging, tears visible against her cheeks, while Itachi stood there immobile, deaf to her pleas. Sasuke hadn't a clue how Kanari was going to survive this, the prince could already tell that Itachi was planning her murder.

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I had run out of things to say, now I just knelt there in the freezing snow, my tears dripping down my face, as I looked up at Itachi's blood red eyes. When it was clear I wasn't going to beg again, Itachi finally spoke. His voice colder than the snow around me, “Give me one good reason why I should trust you.” I swallowed and looked away. I couldn't think of any reason at all why the Goblin King should trust me after I betrayed him like I did. I timidly looked up at Itachi out of the corner of my eye, “I-I can't, but I will work hard to regain your trust in me.” There was no way to tell what Itachi was thinking, he still looked as expressionless as he did in the Labyrinth, if not more.

Roughly the Goblin King grabbed my arm and dragged me to a stand. Leaning down he whispered harshly in my ear, “Do not think I will hesitate to cut you down if I even hear a rumor that you plan to betray me again, understand?” I cringed when his hand tightened on my upper arm, and nodded hurriedly. Itachi pulled back to look down at me, the menacing glare he had been giving me ever since he arrived took a malicious turn and he smirked, “I think I'm going to enjoy this.” He growled and I shivered. If ever I was afraid for my life, it was now.

vvv

“Where are we exactly?” I asked as Itachi lead, more like dragged, me into a room I had never been in before. I looked around, it was an elegant bedroom, but sparsely furnished. Nothing but a large bed, desk, and a chair adorned the room. Still, despite the lack of furniture, the room remained very elegant and... kingly. My eyes widened and I spun around to face Itachi. He stood in front of the closed doors of his bedroom, arms crossed over his chest, as if daring me to try and escape. The only scrap of emotion was the small sadistic smirk gracing his face, “Like it?” He asked smoothly. I shivered and back away. I would take even the indifferent King Itachi from the Labyrinth over this dark fey standing before me. “Why did you bring me here?” I asked, my voice raising to a squeak.

Itachi took a step towards me and I took a step back, feeling like cornered prey. It didn't help that Itachi's red eyes held a predatory gleam deep within them. He took another step towards me and I took another away, maintaining the same distance between us. All too soon the backs of my knees met the edge of Itachi's bed. That was when Itachi lunged and tackled me to the bed, rendering me helpless beneath him. “Itachi... please don't.” I begged. He actually growled, “Refer to me as lord, majesty, or King Itachi; do not speak in such a familiar tone, girl.” His voice was so cutting, I wouldn't be surprised if his words scratched me. I blinked back tears, “P-please don't do this, Your Majesty. I'm begging you.”

The Goblin King tilted his head, “Do what? So far I only have you pinned to my bed.” He said mockingly. I squeezed my eyes shut to keep in the tears that were threatening to spill over. “P-p-p-pl-please...” I whimpered, barely able to form words. The Goblin King scoffed and his weight disappeared from atop of me. Cautiously I cracked open an eye then opened both when I saw Itachi sitting at the edge of the bed, glaring at me. It could have been my imagination, but he looked almost... hurt? “Do you have no faith in me?” He snapped. I could feel my anger starting to finally make a comeback. I sat up, matching his glare with one of my own, “It's kind of hard to when you drag me to your bedroom, then proceed to lay on top of me. So forgive me, my king, if my faith in you is somewhat lacking!”

“Oh you're one to talk. Who promises to trust me, then goes off on some foolish adventure with her deranged little sister?” Itachi snarled at me. “And I instantly regretted it. Do not think I left happily, Itachi.” I snapped back. Itachi's gaze turned deadly and I shivered, my anger fleeing back into the dark hole where it had been hiding since the blizzard. “Call me by my name again and you'll see how lenient I have been with you so far.” Itachi said, his tone colder than that of the blizzard's biting winds. I didn't say anything, having known I was pushing it. Itachi eyed me for a minute, probably thinking I was going to snap at him again, then scoffed, “Go to sleep.” He growled. My head whipped around to stare at him, “Here?” I squeaked. Itachi glared at me, “Until I trust you again, you can either stay by my side at all times, or join your sister in the dungeon.” Sakura forgive me, but I would much rather stay out of a Goblin prison, even if it meant staying glued to the fey who probably dreamed of murdering me now.

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Sakura glared at Sasuke though the bars of her cell, “What does a prissy Goblin Prince need down here?” She growled at him. Sasuke smirked, letting the insult slide just this once, “I thought I'd tell you that Kanari is fine. I know you must be concerned for her.” Sakura stiffened, “What have you done to Kanari?” She asked, fearing the worse. After all, Kanari had the most to suffer of all of them. Sasuke snorted, “I haven't done anything to her, and neither has my brother, besides yell at her a little. Right now you sister is sleeping, not that I can say peacefully, but she is warm in a proper bed. Which is more than you have right now.” Sakura glared at the cocky prince, “Well isn't that just peachy? Now why don't you just skedaddle on out of here, now that you've played with my mind?”

Sasuke knelt so he was face to face with Sakura, “I can't do that. You see, Itachi has given me strict orders not to let you out of my sight, in case you try anything funny.” Sakura barked a short laugh, “Where on earth am I going to go in this cell?” The pink haired girl asked. Sasuke smirked, “No where, but I have Itachi's orders, and no one disobeys the Goblin King.” Sakura wanted to hit that cocky little smile off the infernal prince's face, “Tell me, does Hinata get the royal treatment? Or is she lucky?” Sakura hissed. Sasuke smiled a true smile, which surprised Sakura, “Oh, Itachi deemed that she was just blindly following your idiotic idea. So she's staying in one of the guest rooms. In fact, Itachi firmly believes that all three of them, Kanari, Gaara, and Hinata, were tricked into following you out, that's why you're here and they're not.” Sakura glared hotly at the infernal prince, “Do you ever shut up? What happened to that brooding prince in the Labyrinth?”

The Prince continued to smile, “You think I'm brooding, I'm flattered. Maybe things aren't so ruined between us as I feared.” He said in a mockingly cheerful voice. Sakura narrowed her eyes at him, “Come near me and I'll castrate you...” She threatened and suddenly she was flush against the bars, her front digging painfully into the faerie metal bars, her feet dangling in the air. He moved so quickly that Sakura didn't even see him move. The pink haired girl swallowed at the look of raw anger flashing deep within Sasuke's ruby red eyes, “Should you even speak of such an act again, and I'll kill you in the slowest most painful way possible. Do you understand me, wench?” The fey prince growled, his face feral, all mocking playfulness a forgotten memory. Sakura nodded quickly, too scared to say anything.

Without ceremony, Sasuke dropped her again and Sakura crumbled to the ground. The Prince was towering over her menacingly, he stayed there for a minute, making sure that the girl was good and scared, before he spun and left. Sakura leaned up against the brick wall of her cell, panting. Suddenly she understood why Kanari had been so fidgety during the blizzard, those Goblin Royals were dangerous. To even irritate one was to flirt with death.

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Hinata sat in her bed, knees curled up against her chest. There was no way she was going to go to sleep, not in this place. She had thought they had been safe, but then Kanari had said the king's name and suddenly they were all back where they started... well almost. Sakura didn't start out in the dungeon. And Hinata had not a clue where Kanari disappeared off to. The Goblin King had snatched her away the minute he and the Goblin Prince dragged the four of them back. Gaara had disappeared too, but he seemed to be in on the whole trick anyway. Hinata wanted to go home, this place was like a strange endless nightmare. A nightmare of dark scary men with red eyes and blizzards that jumped out of no where and left just as quickly. Where the most hot tempered girl Hinata knew begging on her knees and tears in her eyes. Hinata shivered a little at that, she could handle strange things to a point, but when the familiar became one of those strange things was beyond what she could handle.

The door opened and Hinata let out a reflexive scream and threw the closest thing to her, which happened to be a feather pillow. The person at the door let out a startled yelp and dodged the pillow with ease, “Sorry! I thought this room was empty.” Someone male said. That voice didn't belong to the king or prince or to Gaara, it was something new entirely. Hinata drew the covers up so that only her eyes and above were peaking out, “Who is that?” A bright green light came into being, illuminating a very cute boy's friendly face, “I'm Naruto Uzumaki. Sorry I bothered you, no one bothered to tell me- hey are you alright?” Naruto broke off in a panic when the girl slumped forward, her eyes fluttering closed.

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When Itachi opened the door to his room, he stopped. Kanari laid curled up on his bed exactly like he had left her, but that wasn't what pulled the Goblin King to a halt. The Nightmare that had Kanari under its influence flinched when it saw the king and made to fly away, but Itachi didn't move. He watched Kanari with cold eyes as she suffered in her dark dreams, giving no indication that he was going to save her this time. Itachi glanced at the cowering Nightmare, “What do you show her?” He asked, knowing that even if the Nightmare could speak, it would not offer up it's dark secrets.

Instead Kanari answered Itachi's question by moaning, “Itachi... no, don't.” He glared at the girl, even in her sleep she thought less of him. Was she fearing that he would attack her, or ravish her? The Goblin King was tempted to bring light to her nightmares, but his honor restrained him; even if she did not deserve his mercy. The king scoffed to himself, who was he fooling? Itachi still found the girl intriguing, to say the least. Itachi stood over Kanari as she whimpered in her nightmare, twitching from wraiths only she could see. The King of Goblins found a sick joy in watching the girl who had betrayed him suffer from her self-induced dreams, though he wished it was not true. Kanari reached out to him then, her fingers searching across his wide bed for an anchor in her nightmare, “No... don't go. Please... Itachi.” She said softly and Itachi stiffened. She wasn't dreaming of him coming toward her with a malicious intent, but leaving her.

Gently he laid his hand on hers and she sighed, the tension leaving her body as she finally found peace in her slumber. Itachi frowned, if she left him to go with her sister, then why did Kanari dream of the horror of him leaving her?

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It had been several weeks since King Itachi had brought us back from the fail escape attempt. Though he had been more patient towards me, the Goblin King was still not the same fey I knew from the gardens. The one who held me when I was suffering from the power of Nightmares, or brought me flowers to use as bookmarks. I sorely missed that version of Itachi. As I knelt beside King Itachi's throne, I wondered how many more personas the fey man had. He had already shown me three: The terrifying King who wouldn't hesitate to kill those closest to him, the master of the Labyrinth who enjoyed playing with the minds of his subjects, and the man beneath it all who gave small rare smiles and spoke of trust.

“Bring the prisoner forward.” Itachi commanded and I couldn't stop fro cringing, to hear my sister referred in such a derogatory term hurt. Two tall (for goblins) guards came forward with my sister in chains. I cringed at the sight of her dirty form, but at least Itachi hadn't been cruel enough to starve her. My sister still had her fiery spirit, I could see it sparking in her sea green eyes as she glared at everyone in the room. The goblins holding Sakura forced her to her knees in the center of the throne room. Itachi leaned back in his throne, casually placing a hand upon my head. I couldn't believe how happy I was to feel his touch. I should be angry at the king, for treating me like I was some pet curled up at his side begging for attention, not wishing that he would hold me.

Sakura seemed to be indignant enough for the both of us, “Hey, stop treating my sister like she's a beast craving your attention!” King Itachi tilted his head, “Are you ordering me?” He asked causally. Sakura glared hotly at the king, “Yes, you bastard! Let. My. Sister. GO!!” She shrieked. Prince Sasuke made a move to shut Sakura up, but Itachi help up a hand, “Let her speak.” He said calmly for someone who was just insulted, his fingers slowly combing though my hair. I pressed my lips together to suppress the moan begging to be released. Sakura didn't waste her chance, “You drag us both here, then proceed to torture us with your little mind games. Then you f***ing trick Kanari into thinking she could set me free, but dragged my ass back here and Hinata's along with it. After THAT, don't you think Kanari at least deserves some dignity to be left alone?!”

Itachi just continued to stroke my hair, watching my sister rant with a dispassionate expression. When she finished he asked, “What would you do if someone whom you trusted deserted you for an enemy?” Sakura blinked, having no clue what he was getting at, but I did. He was talking about me. “What do you mean?” My sister asked cautiously. Itachi's expression didn't change, “How would you feel if that same person who broke your trust came back, begging to be let in your good graces again?” He asked, as if he didn't hear Sakura speak. Sakura blinked her sea-green eyes, then glared, “I'd tell that person to get lost, if they broke my trust then they don't deserve to live.” Itachi smirked, “So are you saying your sister should be put to death?” He questioned coolly. Sakura's eyes widened and flicked towards mine before going back to the Goblin King, “You wouldn't dare.” She growled at him.

My king's eyes flashed red briefly, but his smirk stayed in place, “So far I have not. I am being merciful to Kanari even though, by your own mouth, she should be killed for betraying me.” He said. Sakura surged towards the king, but Sasuke grabbed her by the collar and forced her back to her knees, “That's not what I meant!” Sakura shouted. Itachi raised his eyebrows, “Oh? Then what did you mean?” Sakura snarled, “Kanari had every right to betray you, you had been tricking her and lying to her from the start! I meant if someone broke my trust with no grounds to break it, but Kanari had every grounds to break your trust. You don't deserve to even look at Kanari, she's too good for the likes of you. Do you hear me, shit-for-brains?! YOU CAN NEVER OWN KANARI!!” Sakura shrieked. Itachi remained impassive as he nodded to his brother. Sasuke smiled cruelly and withdrew a slim katana from seemingly no where. Slowly the Goblin Prince raised the sword above his head, ready to strike down my unsuspecting sister.

I couldn't move. I sat there staring at Sakura as she continued to yell at Itachi, unaware of the danger behind her. As the blade began it's decent towards my sister, I turned to Itachi. He was watching me with dark eyes, as if expecting me to do something. “Please...” The single word left my lips and I reached out for him, Itachi didn't move. He continued to watch me. My fingers gently grazed his arm, latching on to his dark shirt, “If you must kill someone, my lord, take my life...” I whispered, my eyes silently pleading. Itachi's right index finger lifted barely a centimeter, but it was enough to stop Sasuke from killing my sister. The king leaned down and hissed at me, “You would throw your life away, after begging me for it just weeks earlier?” I looked down, my fingers still curled in the soft fabric of his shirt, “To save someone else... yes.”

King Itachi leaned back, “Your sister is right, you are too good for me. Which is why...” Before I could even wonder what he was going to do, Itachi had a silver dagger at my throat, it's sharp point pricking at the tender skin, but I didn't flinch. Sakura screeched and surged against Sasuke, but the prince held her still. I just knelt by Itachi's throne, watching him with a surprising calmness. Itachi's eyes flared red and the world suddenly fell away.

vvv

I blinked and looked around at the blood red sky and barren black landscape. This was not the throne room I had been kneeling in a few moments ago. Was I dead? Or had I fainted and Itachi had dumped me here... where ever here was. “You are surprisingly calm for someone who is about to be killed.” A voice I knew too well said behind me. I turned slowly to look upon Itachi himself. The Goblin King stood before me, a black katana in each hand. I bowed my head, “Why should I be scared when I willingly give my life away?” I asked, more to myself than Itachi. The king scoffed a little, “You are starting to think like a fey.” He commented and I was reminded of our time alone in the Oubliette in what seemed like ages. So much had passed since I had been a runner in the Labyrinth. It felt like that was just a dream.

My eyes flickered to the katanas, “Is that what will kill me?” I asked. Itachi smirked, “Yes, but first I have a question for you.” I met his glowing red eyes, eyes the exact shade of the sky behind him. I couldn't help but ask, “What is this place?” I glanced around to take in the scarce environment. Itachi raised an eyebrow, “Are you stalling, or are you truly curious?” He asked instead of answering. I eyed him, “What will you do if I say both?” I answered with a question. Itachi's red eyes narrowed a bit, but he didn't answer my question, instead he answered my original one, “This is the Tsukuyomi, a tool of the Mangekyu Sharingan, a place of torture and nightmares.” A spark of fear finally embedded itself in my heart, “The Mangekyu Sharingan? Is this… the death of darkest fears?” Itachi smirked, “Yes.” I looked down at the black ground beneath my feet. “Now... My question.” Itachi said and I met his gaze, defiant yet submissive. I would answer any question he asked truthfully, even if it cost me my life.

Itachi leaned closer so that his lips were brushing my ear, “Do you trust me?” He whispered so lowly that I almost didn't hear him, even with him so close. My eyes widened and I pulled back. My mouth opened but no words left my lips. Even after all I had done to the fey king, he still wanted me to trust him? Itachi watched me for a minute, his feelings carefully guarded, though I had a impression he was hopeful that I would say yes. After a full minute passed, though it felt like a day, Itachi's expression slowly turned from blank to angry. He raised his chin, “I see.” He growled and drew back his right katana, preparing to stab me through the heart.

Suddenly I lunged forward, my body acting on it's own, just as Itachi thrust forward with the blade. I choked back on a scream when I felt the sword cut into my side, sliding painfully through my ribs and piercing my lung. I didn't care, I was where I was supposed to be. Itachi stared down at me, his red eyes wide in surprise that I would purposefully impale myself on his blade just to be close to him. Reaching up with shaky hands I cupped the Goblin Kings face and yanked him down so that our lips met in what felt like an eternity. Itachi released both swords, one clattering to the ground while the other remained inside me, and wrapped his now free hands around my waist, pulling me ever closer. I grimaced when the katana lodged in my side pulled painfully to the right, but I didn't pull away.

He pulled back after we were both breathless, “Forgive me...” He murmured against my lips, his still red eyes boring into mine. I struggled to smile, the pain in my side nagging at me, tearing at my happy moment, “Only if you forgive me.” I whispered back. Itachi kissed me again, swallowing my scream of pain when he yanked the katana from my side. He pulled away again, his eyes once again dark as a starless night, “Done.” He whispered and the world around us bled into a swirling mass of red and black. Just like Itachi's ever-changing eyes.

vvv

When I came back to reality, the pain where Itachi had stabbed me remained. Groaning I doubled over, my hand going to cradle my unharmed side, it was only the memory of the pain that was there, nothing physical. Not even a faint red mark or scar. As if nothing ever happened. As if our time spent in the Tsukuyomi was just my imagination, even though I knew it wasn't. Sakura screamed and lurched against her captor again, “You bastard, what did you do to her?!” She shrieked at Itachi. Itachi didn't answer her, instead he helped me slowly to my feet, his dark eyes only on me, like I was the most important thing to him. I gave him a shy smile, maybe I was the most important thing to the King of Goblins, it was plausible.

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Sasuke could not keep the smirk from his face as he watched his elder brother lead Kanari away, acting very much like a man in love. Sasuke knew that Itachi had used Tsukuyomi on Kanari, what had transpired in that dimension was between only the two, and would remain a secret for eternity. Not that Sasuke minded, he was glad that Itachi was back to his normal self and not the ruthless king he had been of late. Sakura struggled to follow her sister, but Sasuke tightened his grip on her, “Calm down. Your sister is in no danger.” He hissed in the pink haired girl's ear.

Sakura shot a disbelieving look over her shoulder, “Did you see the way she winced? He did something to her, I know it! I have to save her from him, I have to-” Sakura would have continued, but Sasuke asked, “Save her from what? From happiness? Did you not see her expression?” Sakura elbowed him, but he refused to let go of her, “She doesn't know what she's doing! Kanari is under a spell. She could never want to be with that bastard.” Sasuke rolled his eyes, wondering once again why he was stuck with the annoying sister. At least Kanari accepted her fate and didn't make up ridiculous excuses to explain the unimaginable.

“You would rather your sister be ignorant in your eyes than happy? What kind of selfish sister are you?” Sasuke asked. Sakura gave another ear splitting shriek and bashed her head against him. Sasuke bit back a groan and spun the hot tempered girl into a wall, pressing himself into her to keep her from moving. Sakura stilled instantly, immobilized by fear of his blood red eyes now glaring down at her. “Your sister truly fits into this world. You however...” He growled, teeth bared in anger adding a feral look to the fey prince. “You should be put out of your misery. No world will take you now that you are a Labyrinth subject, yet you refuse to bend. It is only the fact that Kanari would be miserable if you were to die that keeps you alive.” Sakura's sea green eyes widened as the gravity of her situation settled over her.

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“T-Thank you, Naruto-kun...” Hinata mumbled as she accepted the bowl of ramen from her new friend. Of all the people she had met so far, the blonde was the most friendliest and she felt safe around him. Kurama laid curled at Naruto's feet, he was the size of a large dog, though Naruto told Hinata that he grew much larger when outside the castle. When Hinata asked why he was small now Naruto said that King Itachi had a spell in place that prevented the nine-tailed fox demon from growing any larger. Hinata took the blonde's word for it, she never wanted to see Kurama at his actual size, she feared she would faint if she did. “You're welcome, Hinata! Man it's great to find another friend in this place. Gaara is always running off and Sasuke is a teme half the time so I don't get to hang out with them much. Plus Sasuke has all his princely duties and Gaara is always out leading runners astray; I'm only here to scare a few people into line so King Itachi doesn’t have to...”

Hinata giggled a little, Naruto could go on for hours explaining just one thing, but she didn't mind. He didn't try to make her speak like her friends did back home, and he definitely didn't point out her stuttering problem, which was a good thing. It was strange though, before she met Naruto she never had a problem stuttering unless she was stressed. Now she could hardly open her mouth without stuttering. “Hey, Hinata?” The pearl eyes girl looked up at her new friend. He stared fiercely at her in a way that it caused her to blush, “You're not eating your ramen. Don't you like it?” He asked and Hinata blushed even more. Why did she think he was going to ask something serious?! Shakily she handed the ramen back to him, “Y-y-y-you c-c-ca-can h-h-have i-it.” She managed to get out, her cheeks red. Naruto perked up and took the bowl back, slurping down the noodles without so much as a thank you. She looked away, staring out into the garden they sat in, silently willing her blush to go away.

Warm air brushed her right cheek and she looked up to see Naruto leaning in precariously close so that his nose almost touched her cheek. Hinata could feel her entire face warming as the blood pooled in her cheeks. Naruto frowned, “Hey Hinata, are you feeling okay? You look red...” Hinata would be surprised if there was any blood left in her body as it all rushed to her face. She closed her eyes tightly and breathed deeply, determined not to faint on poor Naruto a second time.

Peals of laughter floated around the garden and both Naruto and Hinata looked up to see Lady Kanari and King Itachi walking through the garden, arm in arm. They looked so happy. Much different from the picture they both painted of themselves only hours before. Hinata mentally sighed, wondering dimly if she and Naruto could ever that close. Hinata could not help but notice how different their coloring was from each other. King Itachi, with his dark hair and eyes, dressed in palpable shadows was the embodiment of darkness while the woman beside him, her now white hair flowing down her back and icy green eyes, was light. Hinata sighed, a small smile touching her face, so opposites did attract. Her pearl colored eyes slid to Naruto as he continued to stare at his monarch and lady, Hinata could help but wonder if Naruto and she were opposites as well.

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~Several Years Later~

Sunlight managed to filter through the dark curtains that hung over the ceiling high windows and land right across my eyes. I cracked an angry eye at the light and rolled over to evade the sunlight and try to catch a few more minutes of rest. Itachi shifted in bed beside me, his arm tightening over my waist. I mentally groaned, there was no use in sleeping now. Sighing I opened my eyes to stare deep into the darkest pair of eyes. I smiled and reached over the brush Itachi's bangs from his face, “Good morning.” I whispered. Itachi smirked and pulled me even closer, pressing his lips to mine as was his way to say good morning. I sighed happily as Itachi's mouth molded to mine, drinking in his familiar scent that intoxicated me more than any fey alcohol could. I had to forcibly remove my mouth from his, “Not today.” I said breathlessly.

Itachi narrowed his eyes and reached up to cup the back of my neck, forcing me to kiss him again. I didn't put up much of a fight. “Do not order me around. I am not your subject.” Itachi growled good-naturedly when he pulled away from me. I glared playfully back, my fingers skimming up his bare chest, “Neither am I yours.” I retorted. Itachi grunted and pushed my hand away, making me laugh.

Before either of us could say anything else a sudden weight landed across us with a small war cry. I groaned and tried to sit up, but the figure tackled me back down, “Get up get up get up! You have to get up!” Daiyu, Itachi's and my son, yelled happily. Itachi reached up and dragged our son off of me, wrestling Daiyu playfully into an loose choke hold, “Then stop jumping on us so we can get up.” My mate growled. Daiyu squeaked and tried to throw his father off, but it was useless. I laughed and slid away from Itachi and Daiyu, every morning it was the same. Itachi and I would whisper in each others arms until our son came and ruined our quiet morning with his yelling and permanent energetic nature. If Daiyu wasn't the embodiment of his father I would be worried that I had somehow gotten Naruto's child and not my own.

Before my son could notice that I wasn't in bed anymore, I slipped into my personal bedroom, which was hardly ever used anymore except on the rare occasion. Temari was grinning when I came in, “I heard a commotion...” She said mildly while I glared at her. When I became Itachi's mate in full and the Queen of Goblins, my first act was to free Temari of her servitude and promoted her to my lady-in-waiting. Though she still remained my best friend first and foremost, “You always hear a commotion every morning.” I growled at her as I sat down in front of the vanity so Temari could work her magic on my hair. Temari grinned at me through the mirror, “And sometimes in the night.” She said slyly then laughed as a blush marred my cheeks.

As my friend brushed out my glistening white hair she asked, more serious than before, “So when will you tell him?” I frowned, “I'm sure Itachi already knows.” I said sagely. It was true, there was nothing I could keep from my fey mate. His crystal scrying balls made it impossible to keep anything from the king of Goblins. Temari grinned, “Oh I'm sure he knows your pregnant but-” I shushed her before she could continue, “It's talking over such matters that reveals the secrets, dummy.” I said while Temari smirked. “I dare you to tell him over breakfast.” She challenged. I thought about it. Though Itachi could very well know that I was pregnant again, I knew for a fact that neither Sasuke or Sakura could know. Not unless Itachi told them himself, which he never did unless it pertained to them. I sighed, “But then I'll get an earful from Sakura...” I grumbled. Temari laughed again, “So what? Sasuke will shut her up if it gets too annoying, you know he will.” It was true, I had learned very quickly that Prince Sasuke had no patience for any level of annoyance and he found Sakura more annoying than anything. Temari nudged me as she finished tying off my elegant but simple braid, “Stop making excuses and tell him. At least you'll get a funny reaction out of Sasuke and Sakura.” I smiled, she was right as always.

vvv

Seven years had passed since Itachi forgave me for running off on him, yet Sakura had not adjusted completely to life as a Labyrinth subject. Or so she claimed. There were times when I would catch her looking out of her balcony smiling as the orange sun set against the Labyrinth, her expression being on of peace. Though she always denied ever being happy, I knew otherwise. In truth I believed she only did so to irritate Sasuke. My sister and brother-in-law had made up a kind of game to see who could get on each others nerves first. More often then not Itachi or I ended up yelling at the two to shut up, which ended their little game.

Like everyday, Sakura came into the dining hall being loud and obnoxious, just to irritate Sasuke- though it did a good job of annoying Itachi and I as well. My pink haired stepsister deliberately threw all table manners she had been taught out the window as another jab at Sasuke, who stood for decorum and manners more than anyone at the table. I watched as Sakura ate everything with her fingers and belched whenever she could. After seven years of eating like that for three times a day, I couldn't help but wonder if she did it on purpose anymore or if she had truly lost all manners. Being pregnant I felt queasy as I watched her gobble down the strange fey food without pausing. I pushed my own plate away, not able to eat with my sister acting like a pig.

Itachi shot me a questioning look, then followed my glare to my sister. He frowned, “Sakura.” Immediately my sister halted in her gorging to meet the eyes of her king. Sasuke smirked at her, obviously enjoying seeing my sister being reprimand like a child. Meekly Sakura picked up her silverware and began eating like a civilized person. Itachi didn't say anything else as he returned to his own meal, but my appetite was lost. I picked up my fork and began playing with my food halfheartedly. Sasuke stared at me hard, then glanced at the disinterested Itachi and back to me, his black eyes searching for answers. Itachi finished his breakfast and looked at me, raising knowing eyebrows.

I mentally sighed and rolled my eyes, I should have known he would hear Temari and me speaking, and now expected me to tell everyone that I was pregnant again. I set down my napkin and stood, bringing the attention of Sasuke and Sakura. I wasted no time, “I'm pregnant.” I said. Sakura choked on her drink and sputtered, “W-what?! Pregnant? You just had Daiyu!” She shrieked. I winced and glared at my younger sister, as did the two brothers, “Five years ago, Sakura. I had Daiyu five years ago.” Sakura grumbled something under her breath that I didn't catch, though it made Sasuke glare at her. I continued before the conversation got off hand, “And I'm carrying twins.” That gave even Itachi a pause, but only for a little bit. Sasuke and Sakura however stared at me, their mouths hanging open. Having told my news I sat back down beside my mate. Itachi gave me a soft smile and leaned down to whisper, “I love you, beloved.” I giggled like a girl falling in love for the first time, even though I had heard the same four words everyday at multiple intervals.

vvv

Over the seven years since I had become the Queen of the Goblins, Hinata and I became closer. The fact that we were both pregnant at the same time cemented our friendship. While Sakura was busy flirting/arguing with Sasuke, Hinata and I followed a more mature route and became mates to the fey men we loved. Daiyu and Minato, Naruto and Hinata's son, already acted more like brothers than friends. Kurama, retired from scaring the subjects of the Labyrinth, finally found peace from his surly nature as a babysitter. I had yet to see anyone handle Daiyu and Minato so well as the fox demon did. I trusted the nine tailed demon with my son more than with my own brother-in-law. Though Sasuke was right behind Kurama- my moody brother-in-law had turned out to be the best uncle I could ever ask for. When I asked Itachi about it, my mate said that he had learned from taking care of my own brother Akanbou back when I was still a runner.

After my family had been informed of my pregnancy, I went directly for Hinata and Naruto's rooms, since they were as close to family as I could get them. Hinata answered my knocking with a finger to her lips and lead me into the main room where I could see Naruto passed out on the couch, an arm thrown over his eyes, his son curled up beside his father snoring almost as loudly as Naruto. I suppressed the giggle raising in my throat as I followed Hinata into her private receiving room. “If I ever found Itachi snoring like that I would probably die of laughing.” I said as Hinata giggled, “Yes, I was surprised when I found out how loud Naruto is.” I smirked at her, “Did you faint?” It was a running joke that every time Naruto surprised Hinata she fainted. Naruto had started taking the sign of Hinata fainting as a yes, it was how she answered him when he asked her to become his mate.

Hinata blushed, “No.” She whispered, then giggled. “How rude of me, my lady... you wanted to speak of something with me?” She asked politely. I glared, “I won't tell you if you call me 'my lady' again. You know I hate that.” Hinata smiled, “It stopped you teasing, though, didn't it?” She asked sweetly while I glared. She had been hanging around Kurama too much, if my innocent and shy friend had started thinking like him. I squinted at her, “What happened to that stuttering girl who fainted at the mention of insidious plots?” I asked her. Hinata smiled, “She became the mate to a flamboyant knucklehead who had a grouchy demon as a pet-companion.” I shrugged, there was no arguing that point.

“Now, are you going to tell me why you came or do I have to guess?” Hinata asked. I fluttered my eyelashes, “What makes you think I came here to tell you something, what if I just wanted to talk?” I asked teasingly. Hinata pursed her lips a little and said, “Because I know you, Kanari, you don't make social calls. Something that your mate rubbed off on you, I would think.” Hinata answered. I sighed, how well she knew me. I could hardly remember a time when Hinata was more of Sakura's friend than mine, back when fey and the Labyrinth was just something I read in books. “Fine. I'm pregnant again, with twins.” I said flatly. Hinata blinked her pearl eyes a few times before shrieking in happiness and flinging herself at me. I fell back in my chair, surprised by Hinata's rare display of strong emotion, just as Naruto burst into the room, Minato tucked under his arm, blinking his sleepy bright blue eyes. “What's going on in here?” He asked loudly. Hinata blushed, “F-Forgive me, Naruto-koi. I was just excited over something Kanari said.”

I waved my fingers at Naruto when he turned his gaze on me, clearly surprised to find me in his apartments and not with Itachi. It was a well known fact that I hardly left my mate's side. Minato struggled in his father's arm, waving his arms for me, “Aunt Kanari! Aunt Kanari!” He called until Naruto set his son down. Minato shot for me like a bullet and jumped up into my lap, “Aunt Kanari, where is Daiyu?” The little boy asked, his blonde head looking back and forth for my missing son. I hugged Minato close, “Sorry, honey, he didn't come with me today. He's with his father, learning about boring stuff.” Naruto snorted, “If it's coming from King Itachi, it probably is boring.” He laughed. I shot a glare at the blonde while Hinata gave him a hard elbow and disapproving look. Then I smiled, “At least it's not coming from Sasuke, he'd probably corrupt my son before the first word left his lips.” I joked, to which Naruto laughed.

vvv

Later that night as Itachi and I laid curled up together, he commented, “Sasuke and Sakura are starting to irritate me.” I snorted, it was good to know that Itachi's patience lasted about seven years before something started annoying him. “So throw them in an Oubliette and don't let them out until they have at least three children.” I said jokingly. It was frightening that Itachi actually considered it, “Maybe not three children...” He mused. I bit my lip to keep from laughing. Itachi chuckled and tightened his grip on me, “You fit in well, my queen.” He whispered in my ear, his voice coiling around me warming me from the roots of my hair to the tips of my toes. “I'm glad to hear it, my king.” I murmured back.

Itachi drew up on one elbow so he could look at me, “To think I would actually have killed you that day.” He said, referring to the first time he had cast Tsukuyomi over me. Over the years anytime we disagreed on something, Itachi would drag me to the Tsukuyomi landscape so we could hash it out. It worked perfectly, we could say what we wanted, and no one save Sasuke would know that we ever left. To our court we were unbreakable, living in a true happy ever after, when in reality we were like any other couple, mortal or fey, but we knew how to hide it.

I smiled and reached up to cup his cheek, “I trusted you that you wouldn't, even if you were fully prepared to do so.” I said softly. Itachi gave a small scoff, “You trusted me wrongly.” He stated, so confident in his answer that I would enjoy proving him wrong. I rolled flat on my back so I could face him better, “Oh really? Where were you aiming when you took a stab at me?” I asked. Itachi's eyes darkened as he remembered, “I had planned to stab you through your treacherous heart.” He growled. I decided not to take offense to that, it was in the past. I took his hand and laid it over my side, “You stabbed me in the least critical place, though. Just my side and lower half of my lung was hurt. Nothing fatal.” Itachi smirked and moved his hand, massaging the spot where his imaginary blade had pierced me and left no mark, before his hand started inching higher. I shot him an irritated look, “Stop.” I growled. Itachi leaned up and kissed me, “Make me.” He growled back. I frowned at him but made not move to do so.

Seven years had passed since I became Itachi's mate, yet neither of us had any power over the other.

vvv POV Change vvv

A little boy of seven years sat up with a gasp. He had that dream again, the one with the pink haired girl and white haired woman and their two dark companions. The dream had been plaguing him ever since he could remember, which wasn't much. The boy climbed out of his little bed and got down on his hands and knees to pull out a tarnished old book that he had found crammed under one of the old bookshelves. When he had turned four, the boy's parents had given him one of the two guest rooms. There had been large bookshelves packed with books that his parents don't remember buying. Regardless the bookshelves were removed and replaced with things found in a boy's room. Still the boy never told his parents about the little leather bound book he had found.

Slowly he opened the book to the cover page where a girl had written her name there in pretty handwriting. Somehow he knew that her name was tied to the dreams he had, but he could never remember how.

Kanari.

That was the name. The name in the book. The boy mumbled it out loud, stumbling over the simple syllables of a name he had never heard or seen before he saw it in the book. When he finally said the name correctly other words began to fill up his mind, as if that name was the key to the memories that he had forgotten he had.

I wish... I wish... I wish the Goblins would come and take you away right now.

Akanbou blinked at the sentence that flooded his mind, pushing away bizarre and strange memories of ugly twisted creatures and red eyes glowing amid a pale face and black hair. He frowned, where had he heard those words before? For some reason he knew that somehow those words had started the strange dreams and even stranger memories. Should he say them?

Akanbou opened his mouth “I wish the Goblins would come and take me away... right... now.”

^o^

*Pant pant pant pant* After a full year of writing this story... I AM FINISHED!!!!!! And you'll have to forgive me on the (probably) sucky ending, but after a year of one piddling on this thing, I was ready to quit.

Sorry for the cliffhanger, but then I'm not really. I might continue with other parts, but Part 1 & 2 are Sukoshi-NinjaFox'sBuddy Birthday Present, so I needed to get it done.

Flame Friendly! And HAPPY BIRTHDAY SUKOSHI-NINJAFOX'SBUDDY!!!!!

#Script's Archives #Do You Have Power Over Me #naruto fanfiction #fanfiction #ItaOC #SasuSaku

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justjessame · 4 years

Text

Put Me In Coach

Senior year. Three years of high school, eight years of elementary and junior high, just so I could reach this, my final year. The first day of my FINAL year in this school and I end up in the principal’s office. Seriously?

“Miss Kendall.” Principal Jones was looking over my file, I could tell because my name was almost bold and highlighted.

And I was confused. I had an impeccable record. My grades were high, my extracurriculars were all academic, there was absolutely NO way that I should be in this office today of all days.

“Yes, Mr. Jones?” I was fighting to sound calm, but this was the freaking principal and he was looking at me like I was lacking. Shit.

“Miss Kendall, it appears that you’re missing some vital credits.” What? “Just one, actually.”

“Mr. Jones, that’s impossible.” I offered, my schedule this year was packed. And it was perfect. “I-Mrs. Rosin looked over my credits, every single year.” My guidance counselor, Mrs. Rosin had worked hand in hand to make sure all my credits lined up with the college requirements of my target schools.

Mr. Jones, looking far too much like a turtle for his own good, looked over his glasses at me. “Unfortunately, Mrs. Rosin missed a required class. If you expect to graduate this year,” I felt my eyes widen. “Then you’ll have to fit this one in, Miss Kendall.”

I sighed and leaned back in my chair. “Which one?” Please, let it be math, or another history class. Don’t, under any circumstances be-

“Physical education.” Shit, shit, shit. “I’m sorry, Miss Kendall, but you seem to have missed a semester of PE.”

“I thought we were only required to take two semesters?” I got into debate mode. I’d taken Coach Negan’s hellscape of a class for both Freshman and Sophomore years, I could fucking swear it. “I took it Freshman and Sophomore year.”

“Actually, according to your records, you received an incomplete in tenth grade.” What? That rat bastard. “And that means-”

“I have to retake the class.” My voice was practically a growl. I wanted to kill that asshole. “Of course I do.” He was such a fucking irritant. Arrogant asshole. “If I could get Coach Negan,” I spit his name out like it was poison. “To agree to retest me, could I get the credit without taking the class again?” Anything, please God, anything other than seeing his smug, mocking face every fucking day for a semester.

“It’s not likely, Miss Kendall.” Mr. Jones warned, but he gave in. “If you can get him to agree, then yes, you can skip the class itself.” I nodded and started to stand, but he stopped me with another warning. “You know he’s never given the option to another student.”

“Then I’ll just have to be more persuasive than they were.” I answered, walking out of the office.

I took my revised schedule from the secretary and glared down at it. Physical education was right after lunch, because of course it was. I made my way through my classes without noticing. I took my notes, I answered questions, I did every single thing that I normally did. All muscle memory, brain and eye memory. I didn’t have to think about doing it. Or answering correctly. That was simple.

Lunch was a blur. My best friends clucking around me, not quite understanding my distraction.

“It’s not like you’re gonna be waterboarded,” Mary, the voice of reason chimed in. And I glared at her. “It’s badminton and wiffleball.”

“And the coach isn’t exactly hard on the eyes,” Eric added, giving his eyes a suggestive wiggle.

I laughed despite myself. “You could try harder to not be SO flaming.” I was picking at a muffin on my tray. The only prepackaged food that didn’t look disgusting in the cafeteria. “He’s an asshole, you both know that.”

“He’s not that bad,” Mary rolled her eyes. “Or at least he isn’t if you don’t correct his grammar every three seconds and argue about how many laps he’s made you do versus, I don’t know the cheerleaders.”

“ONE time,” I argued. “One freaking time, and he was wrong.” I was glaring again. “Why did I have to do fifteen fucking laps and that bimbo do five when she was in just as much the wrong as me?”

“Didn’t you tell Kelly that it was a good thing that she was so limber, since she’d be making her cash on, and I quote ‘the pole’ after high school?” Eric asked, grinning widely.

I groaned. “Only after she’d made a rather rude comment about my inexperience with the opposite sex.” A polite way of saying she’d compared me to Virgin Mary so many times that I was ready to rip her extensions out at the roots. “Shit. Tell me the truth, how good do you think I am at changing people’s minds?”

“You’re awesome, I’ve watched you debate.” Eric smiled. “But Coach isn’t one of the debate team students and he’s less likely to give you a pass.”

“Unless you’re prepared to use ALL your assets.” I shot Mary a look. Irony, she was named Mary and she’d probably slept with more people than Kelly.

I had to fight the urge to smack my forehead off the table. “Why me?”

“My guess?” I shot Mary another glare. “You pissed him off one too many times, this is your punishment, just you know, late.”

“You could ask him to just give your ass a nice spanking and then call it square.” Eric said as he tossed a chip in his mouth and made an indecent sound, either from the flavor or living vicariously through the image he’d created of Negan spanking me.

“Not happening.” I stood up, closing my eyes against the torture that was coming.

Mary and Eric chuckled at the martyred expression on my face. “Why are you fighting it so hard?” She asked me, a smirk on her face. “It’s not like you’re out of shape or that you can’t do it.”

“Not the fucking point.” I growled, grabbing my bag. “I already did it. I shouldn’t have to do it again. It’s not-”

“Fair.” They both finished for me with matching grins. “Yeah, but you might have to. Fair or not.” Eric stated calmly.

I straightened my back and fixed the skirt of my dress. “Or, he can pretend to be a reasonable human being instead of a rancid asshole and I can get on with my preplanned Senior year.”

“Good luck,” they called as I walked out of the cafeteria, trying desperately to believe that I had a chance at winning the battle ahead.

I found him in his office. He was leaning back in his desk chair, feet up on the surface of his desk, and looking like he was waiting for me. Shit.

“Why, Miss Kendall, whatever brings you to see me?” He was smiling and his dimples were deep with glee. Fuck. “Oh, that’s right, you’re doing a repeat.”

I forced my face into a smile. “Actually, Coach, I wanted to speak with you about that.” His eyes were twinkling and I had to fight glaring. “I think we both know that I completed my second semester, and if I could retake any of the written tests, then I could be out of your hair and on my way.” To a real class. That I really need.

“We both know?” He sat up, placing his feet on the floor, but staying in his chair. “I don’t think I’d agree with that assumption.” Shit. “After all, I’m the one who marked it incomplete.” And then, to prove that Mary and Eric were right, the zinger. “Did I say that properly, Miss Kendall? I know what a stickler you are for proper English.” Fuckity fuck fuck fuck.

“Yes, sir.” I answered, and I could have sworn that his eyes darkened. “I can’t dress for class today, I wasn’t told until I got to school that my schedule had changed.”

“That’s fine, Miss Kendall.” He stood and I stepped back, he seemed to fill the small room. “For today, you can take inventory.”

Days and days of torture. “Miss Kendall, keep your knees up.” Or “Miss Kendall, your eye isn’t on the ball.” The reminders to move faster, that I was older than my classmates, to keep up. I wanted to take the plastic bat and smack him right in his short wearing dick.

Lunch became pep talk time for my best friends. “Look you’ve made it a month.” Eric kept the countdown going. “You’ve only got three more months, and most of two of those are holidays.”

“And you’re keeping your cool,” Mary would pitch in. “You’re not calling him out on his weird shit, you’re doing what you’re told. It’s cake.”

And then I’d leave and go change and start another round of torture. Pulling on shorts and my sports bra/tank combo, tie my tennis shoes and ignore the underclassmen. It became a habit. And then to the gym to hear what our fearless coach had in store for that particular day’s hell.

“Miss Kendall,” I was stretching, getting ready for laps, not from punishment but for class. I looked up and waited. “Come here, Miss Kendall.” Don’t roll your eyes, I was telling myself, don’t roll your fucking eyes.

“Yes, Coach?” I asked, oozing perky politeness.

Negan was staring down at me, and his lip quirked. “Miss Kendall, I was thinking that another inventory is due.” Yes, I thought, fucking no sweating for me today. “Let me get the class started and you and I will head over and get started.” Wait, what?

“Didn’t I do it well the last time?” Come on, don’t make me deal with you for the entire class.

“You did fine, but I want to DIG A LITTLE DEEPER into the equipment stocks.” Damn it, did he mean for that to have the innuendo? Or was I just, shit, was I getting horny? Fuck, was Eric rubbing off on me now?

“OK,” please tell me that I didn’t sound as breathless to him as I did to myself. “I’ll just go, get the clipboard.” I wandered to his office.

I was looking for the damn clipboard when I heard him enter the office. Usually the damn thing was right on the corner of his fucking desk, but today of all fucking days, nowhere to be found. I was just about to ask him where it was when I realized that he was leaning against the closed office door. Damn it.

“Miss Kendall.” Had his voice always been this deep? “I thought we should have a private conversation, before we get started on inventory.”

I nodded, and felt like I’d run the fucking laps when I wasn’t looking. Why was I breathing so damn hard?

“You alright?” He’d moved closer and was looking down at me again. He licked his lower lip and my eyes landed on the movement. “You’re awfully quiet.”

“I can’t find the clipboard.” I offered, lamely.

He smiled. Not a smirk, not mocking, just a smile and it changed his entire appearance. “I’ll get it for you in a minute, sweetheart.” His hand moved up and he brushed my bangs away from my eyes where they’d fallen during my search. “Do you hate me, Miss Kendall?”

My eyes narrowed, was this a trick? “No, of course not, Coach.” I swallowed when the pad of his finger brushed my cheek. “I just hate gym.” And the tone you use to get your way. I added.

“I can be a bit harsh,” he sounded so quiet, so different. “I just want everyone to reach their potential.” I nodded and bit my lip. His eyes landed on my teeth worrying it. “You remind me of myself, Miss Kendall.”

Wait, what? “I’m not sure I-”

He moved past me and grabbed the clipboard off the top of his filing cabinet. Way beyond my eye level. “Smart mouth. Hates shortcuts. Willing to take the punishment if it’s worth the cost.” My stomach clenched at the way he said ‘punishment’. “Here,” he handed me the clipboard. “Let’s go get knee deep in balls.” And I found myself laughing despite myself and his grin in answer was something I found myself enjoying.

I stopped hating going to the gym after lunch as much after that day. Not that Negan had stopped being demanding. Oh that wasn’t ever likely to happen. He just started being a little less abrasive. I even convinced him that my first name wasn’t ‘Miss’.

“Amara?” Ah, there it was, my actual name. I jogged over to him from where I’d been hitting the tennis ball against the wall. Rain made the courts unusable. “Can you come after school today? I have a,” he glanced down at me and I felt my stomach flutter. “Job for you.”

“Sure, Coach.” I answered, jogging back to my place in line, knowing from the burning feeling on my back that he’d watched me go. I fixed my ponytail while waiting for another go, and glanced back to see him biting his lip as his eyes stayed on me. Dear Lord.

The end of the day found me walking back to the gym, wearing another dress, very similar to the one I’d worn on the first day of school. The building had emptied fast, it was the middle of the week, no clubs were meeting. It was raining and gross outside, so the sports teams had practice cancelled. The halls were eerily quiet, the flashes of lightning and the crashes of thunder the only noise other than my shoes on the tiles heading to his office.

If I was being honest with myself, and why not? I knew that we’d been tap dancing around something. The flirting that wasn’t overt, but it wasn’t subtle either. The way he’d stopped calling me ‘Miss Kendall’. The way he felt comfortable with casually brushing my bangs out of my face, or tugging on my ponytail when I jogged in front of him. Not in full view of the class, but when we both knew we could take notice of it.

Somehow I knew, as I finally saw his office door in view, that today was it. The climax of those touches, those comments. That when I knocked, and he invited me in, we’d finally figure out what the fuck we wanted.

I knocked and heard his low voice call out for me to come in. “Amara.” He was sitting exactly how he’d been sitting that first day of term. Leaning back in the chair, feet on the desk, and smiling up at me.

“Coach.” I answered, leaning against the other side of the desk. I saw his eyes flicker down my body, at least the part he could see now. The red plaid dress, long tight sleeves, buttoned up and belted, with the flared skirt. “You asked to see me?”

That smile, those dimples, and fuck those eyes all trained on me. “Oh, I definitely wanted to see you, princess.” Shit. Princess? “Come here, sweetheart.” His feet hit the floor and he sat up in the chair and pushed back from the desk.

I walked around his desk and he pushed his chair back and stood up. “What do you need me to do, sir?” I asked, looking up at him. He inhaled sharply at my words and I smiled when I realized my words were double edged.

“I thought we could go over,” he turned toward his desktop and I saw a pile of papers. “These.” he tapped the top. “Test grading, I fucking hate it.”

“Oh.” I turned to the pile, and felt him standing behind me, close enough to feel his heat, but still far enough back that he wasn’t touching me. “So you want me to grade these for you?”

And then he was pressed closer, his body touching my dress, but not my body. “I’ll help, of course, but yeah. If you don’t have plans?”

My eyes closed at the feeling of his warmth so close to me. I cleared my throat and fought against turning around and pulling him to me. He was my teacher for fuck’s sake. “No plans.” Breathless again, fuck. I bit my lip and waited for him to take his seat, for him to push some of the papers to the side for me to handle and let me grab a chair to do it. Instead, his body closed the small gap and I felt him. ALL of him. And boy, was there more of him than I expected. Shit.

He leaned over me and pointed to the top of the pile. “This is just one class,” I felt his breath teasing my hair. “I have a full load this semester, so it may take awhile to get through all of them.” Damn it, another double meaning. His full load...fuck.

My lip was close to bleeding by this point. His heat was one thing, but his fucking body? Yeah, that was going to fucking kill me. “I have the time.” Jesus, I sounded like a bad Marilyn Monroe impersonator. Pretty fucking soon I’d break out into a rendition of ‘Happy Birthday, Coach Negan.’

“Glad to hear it, Amara.” Did he have to say my name like that? Like he could taste it, me? Savor the letters, make a full meal out of one syllable. He still hadn’t pulled away, and before I made the conscious decision to do it, I bent over to study the papers and let my butt roll back into his body. I heard his breath hiss out of his lips and fought a smile.

Looking over my shoulder, I could see his eyes were closed, like he was fighting against something. “Guess we should get started, right Coach?” His eyes opened and found me looking at him, and those dimples came back with a smile.

“Good idea.” And then he was in his chair, and gesturing toward one of the less comfortable ones on the other side of the desk.

We worked through the piles, me wondering the entire time if he had kept the grading of all of them off until today because the piles seemed endless. Not that I was complaining, not really. Negan asked me questions as he worked through his pile, and I answered glaring at some of the papers wondering how bad these kids had to be to fuck up a quiz in gym.

“Which of my dumbass students is taking you to Homecoming, Amara?” He asked, at one point, eyes not leaving the paper in front of him.

“Homecoming?” I looked up at him. The hell did that come from? “Who said I’d be going to Homecoming?”

I saw his eyebrow raise, even with his eyes down on the paper in front of him. “You are a Senior, right?” I chuckled, well spotted.

Rolling my eyes, I turned my attention back to the paper in front of me and red lined another wrong answer. “Yep.” I popped the ‘p’, and groaned. “Don’t see why that means I have to participate in the archaic bullshit that is Homecoming.”

I heard his answering laugh, but kept grading. “No ambitions to be queen?” My eyes rolled again. “Or holding out for prom?”

“Neither.” I looked up to see him studying me. Putting the end of my red pen between my lips, I considered why he would assume I’d want either. Wow, a Senior girl, must want a tiara? I pulled the pen from my lips, pretending I didn’t notice how his had been focused on my absent sucking on a pen for shit’s sake, and smiled. “I guess you haven’t noticed, Coach, but I don’t need a crown to be a fucking queen.”

His smile turned into a full blown laugh. “Guess not.” And then we went back to grading. A few minutes passed and then, “No date?” What? On the test? I didn’t answer, thinking it was something he was asking the test. “Amara?”

“Yeah?” I looked up and met his eyes.

“Don’t have a date?” He asked, again, and I realized it had been directed at me.

I squinted, trying to pick up the conversation where we’d stopped. Homecoming. Ah. I shook my head. “No, no date.” I didn’t feel like pretending I cared about football, or the dance, for that matter. I started to return my attention to the next test, when he stopped me again.

“Must be fucking blind,” it was almost a mutter, but I looked up at him again, and saw him still studying me. “Those assholes must be fucking blind.” I felt the fluttering of butterflies in my stomach grow.

“Not sure about that,” I offered, looking back down. “I didn’t say I didn’t have offers, Coach, I said I didn’t have a date.” I was smirking at the paper in front of me, holding back a giggle. Shit, he’d looked so aghast by the mere thought of no one taking notice of me, I couldn’t help it.

“Who?” He had gone back to his own stack, and sounded almost nonchalant. Almost.

I flicked through the next few questions before asking. “Joe Malberry,” captain of the wrestling team. “Josh Grady,” one of the football players. “Oh, yeah, and Alex Ransom,” pitcher on the baseball team. I kept marking papers, but couldn’t hear his pen touching the papers in front of him. Curious I looked up to see he was watching me again. “What?” I felt self conscious.

“Collecting players from all the sports, princess?” His voice was low and sounded dark.

I shook my head again. “I don’t have a date, like I told you.” Not that I didn’t date, or that I hadn’t dated each of the guys I’d named, but he looked somewhat dangerous and I was smart enough not to poke a caged bear.

“And no boyfriend?” Ah, great, more relationship questions. Another shake of my head. “Why not?”

I kept my eyes on him. “Why get serious with a boy?” I leaned forward slightly, like I was about to share a secret. “Maybe I prefer men.” Winking at him, I went back to my stack of papers.

The silence stretched between us again, until finally, the papers were graded. I was about to grab my bag when he stopped me again. “If you could, Amara, tomorrow afternoon I’d like you to update my grade book.” I smiled at him across his desk.

“Consider it a date, Coach.” Another wink and I walked out.

Eric was staring at me during lunch with a shrewd eye. “Why do you look like you’re REALLY looking forward to gym class today?” Shit, how had he- “You keep looking at your watch like you’re doing a fucking countdown to the end of lunch.”

“Another day, another X off the days I have to be there,” I tried. Taking a long sip from my drink, and hoping beyond hope that Mary wasn’t as astute or that her attention had been on that huge ass football player she’d had her eye on all month.

She snorted and I knew that my luck wasn’t good. “Sure, Amara, sure.” I looked over to see her eyes gleaming. “You haven’t bitched about good old Coach for weeks. Or sweating. Or any of the other irritating shit you usually bitch about.” She was studying me, and when I glanced at Eric I realized he was too. “Are you hot for teacher?” She made a mock gasp of modesty. “Amara Kendall, are you thinking inappropriate things about Coach Negan?”

I could FEEL Eric’s smile before I even glanced to confirm it. “Oh shit, she’s caught it.” I glared. “You caught the horniness.” I rolled my eyes. “Wow, Amara’s human, who fucking knew?”

“Fuck you.” I hissed, trying to feel more anger than I did. Truth was I was practically bursting with it. And I hadn’t been able to tell anyone. “It’s nothing. I’m just staying after to help him-”

“Count his balls?” Eric offered, snickering. “You did say you do inventory for him after all.”

“Inspecting Coach Negan’s balls-” Mary hummed in appreciation. “Feeling pretty damn jealous, Amara.”

The bell rang and I groaned. “You two make it seem so dirty.”

“If it’s good, it’ll be very fucking dirty,” Eric whispered into my ear as his arm came around my shoulder.

“And wet,” Mary offered from my other side, “otherwise it’ll hurt.”

“You both suck,” I muttered as I pulled away and started for the gym.

“You better too!” was their parting shot and I felt the blush burn my cheeks.

Class went normally. Or as normally as class can go when you’re ignoring the teacher. Or trying desperately to ignore the teacher.

“Amara!” I looked up as a ball came straight for my face. “Keep your eye on the ball!” Fuck. I dodged just in time to not sport a black eye. “Head in the game, people, head in the game!” He was smirking at me like he knew what I was trying to NOT think about.

The game, the class, dragged on. Longest fucking gym class of my life. And as I started for the locker room, he called me over. I tightened my ponytail and jogged to where he was leaning against the wall.

“Yeah, Coach?” I asked, telling myself that I was breathless from the exertion from exercise, not from the scent of him. I bit my lip and looking up I saw his eyes were laser focused on my mouth.

“Still on for this evening?” I nodded, and his hand reached out to swipe my bangs out of my face. “Good, my grade book is feeling pretty fucking neglected.” I smiled up at him. “See you after school.”

“Later, Coach.” I turned and walked toward the locker room. Feeling his eyes on me the entire way.

I was at my locker, listening to the rowdiness of the other students slamming doors and screaming out plans for their evenings. Tugging on the silky fabric of the dress that barely peeked out from under my over-sized sweater. Knee high socks and matching boots completed the look, my hair braided over one shoulder. I sighed, and gave myself a pep talk. It was just updating his grade book. I was CLEARLY reading more into everything than he meant me to. There was NO WAY that Negan looked at me as ANYTHING more than his only upper class student with more brains than brawn.

I almost missed Eric and Mary coming by to offer their see ya laters, or their heavy handed innuendos about my after school activities.

“Remember, don’t be a hero,” Mary offered, tugging on my braid. “Not everyone can deepthroat on their first go.” I glared at her, for fuck’s sake, I wasn’t a damn virgin.

“Don’t glare, it’s good advice.” Eric continued. “We know you’ve fucked, sweetie, but Coach isn’t in the peewee leagues, he’s a MAN.” A wink and a laugh and they were off. Fuckers.

And I’d almost had my nerves under control. But they were in full bloom as I made my way down the once again empty hallways. The gym came first, then the office door, and my hand knocked gently.

“Come in.” I took a deep breath and opened the door. At ease in his desk chair, leaned back reading a magazine, with his feet up I let my breath out. See, I told myself, not interested in me at all. “Wow,” his eyes flicked to me standing framed in the doorway, and I watched him drop the magazine and take in the full vision of me. “Feel like I’m under dressed, Amara.”

I smiled. “Dress for the job you want, right Coach?” I offered, walking into the room further and putting my bag down next to the chair I’d sat in to grade papers. “Grade book?”

“What job do you want, Amara?” His eyes were still on the way my sweater was falling slightly off one shoulder, showing the thin strap of the satin and lace dress I wore underneath. I took my seat and crossed my legs, knowing that my skirt rose a bit higher when I did.

“Why don’t you guess?” I sat back, looking more confident and carefree than my stomach would indicate, I hoped.

I watched Negan bite his lip and drink me in. “Never seen anyone in any job dressed like that, sweetheart.”

“Let’s go with a student for now,” I offered, and his eyes met mine. “Isn’t that what I am?” I shrugged my shoulder, and felt the sweater slip a bit more. His eyes locked on the bared skin and I saw him swallow.

“Yeah,” he breathed and then he snapped himself out of whatever image had been playing in his mind. He reached into a drawer and pulled out a generic grade book. Walking around the desk, he leaned against the edge to open the book. “Pretty standard, but,” I leaned forward to follow his finger as he explained how he liked the grades to be entered. My hand reached out to trace a line and he stilled.

“So you want them to run linear, but you also want the grades to be both numerical and alphabetical.” I glanced up at him and saw that my hand, over the book, was right over where his crotch would be if the book wasn’t in the way. Oh. I bit my lip and he groaned.

“Shit.” He sat fully on the desktop and looked up to the ceiling. Gathering strength? Resolve? “Amara,” he looked down at me and then the grade book was tossed on the desk and my hand was on his thigh. Oops. He swallowed hard. “Honey, do you really want your hand there?”

I studied him. He wasn’t pushing my hand away, he wasn’t disgusted or pissed. He was warning me, but not the type of warning I expected. It made my next move easier. “No,” I whispered up at him. “I think I want my hand here.” I moved and cupped him through his gym shorts. “Is this alright, Coach Negan?”

His eyes rolled back as my hand pressed down a bit harder, feeling how hard he was, and was only getting harder. I licked my lips and slid my hand along the shaft I could feel through his layers. His hand covered mine, but instead of drawing mine away, he helped me find the rhythm he wanted. He swallowed a moan and I smiled up at him. “Keep that up, princess, and we’re not gonna get anything done.”

“Still want that grade book updated, sir?” He couldn’t hold back his moan at that. He really enjoyed that ‘sir’ shit. I licked my lips again. “Hand me the book.” I took my hand away and his hands took my elbows and pulled me from my chair.

“That’s not what’s gonna get done, Amara.” And then his lips met mine and it was me trying to hold back my moans. His tongue flicked against my lips and I opened my mouth for him. One of my hands found his neck, the other was fisted his shirt both holding him to me. He pulled away slightly and I groaned. “You want this, right?” Wait, what?

“Read the room, Coach,” I muttered, and pulled his face back to me. “Do I look like I’m fighting it?” His chuckle vibrated my lips as our mouths met again.

He turned our bodies, so I was sitting on his desk and he was standing between my open knees. “Knees up, Miss Kendall.” He ordered against my mouth and I obliged. His hands slid up my boots to my raised knees, helping to put my feet on the desk. He hummed as his hands continued up my bare thighs, under the satin skirt of my dress, until his fingers hooked into the thread that constituted the waistband of my lace panties. He tried to pull them down, but it was basically a thread, and I giggled as they literally snapped in his fingers. Oops. “Fuck. I didn’t mean to-”

I shook my head, and nipped at his bottom lip. “I have more.” And his mouth left mine, kissing along my jaw, nibbling on my earlobe.

“Good,” he breathed against my ear. “I didn’t mean to, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t want to.” And then his teeth grazed the sensitive skin under my ear and my eyes closed. He kissed down my neck and his fingers, which had gone still after destroying my panties, started to explore my waist, the soft skin of my upper thighs, teasing but not touching where I was internally begging him to. “Seems like you want something, Amara,” his mouth was on my shoulder, bared before he’d even touched me. “Say it, sweetheart. Tell me what you want.”

“Touch me,” I pleaded, my fingers digging into his shoulders, pushing down, trying without words to show him.

“Where?” His nose was buried between my sweater and satin clothed breasts, breathing in my perfume. “Where, princess, where do you want me to touch you?”

“Everywhere, sir, everywhere.” I breathed, and felt his chuckle vibrate through my sternum. “But first,” my hand left his shoulder and met his under my skirt. “Here,” and pulling his hand to the center of my heat I sighed as the pads of his finger brushed my folds.

“Oh, here?” He asked, pulling back to look into my face, my eyes locked on his. And then, he let his fingers slip through the slick wetness he found with my help. “You’re wet, Amara, so fucking wet.” Between the lips, feeling the dampness grow, he licked his lips. As his thumb brushed my tightly wound bundle of nerves, my hips left the desk. His other hand moved to hold my hips down. “Now, now I didn’t say you could move, sweetheart.” Fuck. He let one long finger slide up and down my slick, and then, watching my face and my expressions, slid slowly inside. My head fell back and I practically growled at the feeling. Fuck, a finger, and I was ready to go insane. I wouldn’t fucking survive his actual dick. “How’s that feel, Amara?”

I tried rocking my hips, I tried rolling closer. His hand holding me still was like a vise. Fuck. “Not enough, that’s how it feels, Coach. Like it’s NOT enough.” I bit down on my lip as he added another finger, still not moving once I was impaled by both. Fucking tease. “Is this a fucking punishment for something?” I begged, trying once again to move my hips, to force him to move.

“Oh, sweetheart, when I punish you, you’ll fucking know it.” Shit, I just got- “You like that don’t you, princess? The idea of me punishing you.” I felt my walls clamp down on his fingers and so did he. “We’ll have to talk about that later,” he leaned forward and licked back into my mouth. “I want to taste you, Amara,” he breathed into my mouth.

And he did. He feasted on me. He used those fingers of his, and that mouth on him, to make me a shaking, moaning mess on his desk. And then, once he felt he’d had his fill of me, he stood up and helped me take off my sweater, sliding his hands over the satin of my dress before tugging it over my head and tossing it on the chair with my sweater. The bra was gone before I could contemplate it, and then, I was pulling his shirt off his body, tugging down his shorts and without any more preamble, he was thrust deep inside of me. My feet still on the desk, my knees high, my legs open, and his hands on my hips controlling the rhythm.

My hands were back on his shoulders, my mouth and tongue tasting the skin of his chest, finding tattoos I wouldn’t have known about in ordinary circumstances, but then his hips moved and I whimpered. “Is that the spot, Amara?” He growled, hitting it again and again, as I arched my hips a bit higher, trying to find friction and purchase. “That’s it, isn’t it, sweetheart?” And then again, and I was pleading by offering him his name over and over. “Come on, princess, come on.”

And it happened. Like a freight train rushing through me, I came, biting his shoulder so I wouldn’t scream and felt his thrusting stutter as my clamping and tightening body forced him over too. We were shaking and breathing hard, but he didn’t pull away. He kept holding me, his fingers sliding over my bare skin as he grew limp inside of me. His lips kissing my forehead when I pulled away from his chest to look up at him. Our bodies were slick with sweat, a sweat that I would gladly wear again and again. Our lips met, and I smiled into his kiss.

When we pulled back, his forehead pressed against mine, I had to laugh when he said, “now about that grade book.”

#negan x ofc #The Walking Dead #coach negan x student #Smut

18 notes · View notes

quirkfics · 5 years

Text

greeting shadows

commission for the darling @ghost-flakes

word count: 5k

warnings: smut, oral, touch-starved, All the Feels

pairing: Kurogiri x Reader (gender neutral) [[reader has a quirk: spectre!

The public eye never need see Kurogiri. With coordinates or clear sight, he can move himself from place to place faster than a breeze, with no one the wiser. It’s safer that way, to keep his quirk hidden from public knowledge, and Kurogiri takes little issue with it.

But even he craves being able to lose himself in a crowd, to walk amongst the tide of people and exist near others. It’s an itch, a need, that irritates him sometimes, especially as the safest way to go about it calls for rain.

Between an umbrella and a hooded coat, it’s almost too easy to remain in anonymity. Everyone is too eager to get out of the wet to look closely at passers-by - and Kurogiri gets the chance to be near others. To satisfy what he knows is a kind of skin craving, even if he’d rather dissipate than admit it.

“You look like you’re enjoying the rain almost as much as I am,” breaks through his thoughts. At first he assumes he isn’t the one being spoken to, but he glances anyway, expecting to see someone looking past him - and finds your eyes on his.

For a moment, but only a moment, he considers not answering.

“Is my glee that apparent?” He asks, and notes the way your lips part, your eyes growing large as he speaks. He assumes his appearance and demeanor will soon have you turning on your heel.

Kurogiri is incorrect.

“As is your sarcasm,” you reply with a laugh, gently touching your elbow to his forearm. His heart nearly jolts from his chest at the touch, but… Something about you is utterly charming.

He walks away from a short, but thoroughly enjoyable conversation, believing he will likely never see you again. He does his best not to visit the same place twice, and has always kept to overly crowded areas-

But it turns out that Kurogiri is wrong, twice. It's pure chance that he runs into you a second time, in a completely different city, but you capture his complete attention as surely as you did the first. You’re able to slip him your phone number without him knowing, and that is reason enough for Kurogiri to call you.

From the moment the words first passed your lips, Kurogiri found you fascinating.

It’s not the attraction to you that’s a surprise for Kurogiri though, not exactly. Day in and day out, people of all kinds are admired. For their looks, or their voice, or the way they handle a situation. Even Kurogiri has fallen prey to it on occasion - though he can say with certainty that he’s a bit more selective than most. And yet, despite his general lack of time, and his need for obscurity? The yearning for companionship still exists within him. It has always been there, simmering below the surface. Barely enough of a thought to keep shape, lingering in the back of his mind.

No, it’s not the attraction to you that’s a surprise. He finds, and has always found you lovely. The quiet determination in you, the passion in your voice- the way you made a point to greet a nameless stranger. It wasn’t who he was attracted to that made him feel as if he’d misstepped. It was how much.

Even now, Kurogiri feels like a child when he speaks to you, frozen with stage fright when faced with a crowd. Never mind that the audience is a kind and receptive one, he feels stilted and awkward. Idle chit-chat is absolutely abhorrent, as he wants you to think well of him, like him, to want-

He still isn’t sure how exactly this became his reality. Wanting you to want him.

Perhaps, it’s simply that he’s never let himself have that much before. The skin hunger, the desire to touch is almost overwhelming, and the first time your hand slips into his, Kurogiri forgets every single thought he might be harboring. Mist is not the most solid of forms, and while he is solid enough to have a body-

“It almost tickles,” you confess, smiling down at his fingers twined with yours. “Cool, but not damp?” You say aloud, mulling over the words as dark specks of mist dot your skin and vanish.

“I’m not a swamp cooler,” he says, and relishes the embarrassed smile that brings to your face. Never has he been more thankful, and yet fearful at the same time. He wishes you could read the joy on his face, as easily as he does yours - but sharing even that much of himself makes Kurogiri’s chest tight with worry.

“Obviously not,” you say, trying to keep the expression on your face under control. “Swamp coolers are hardly this attractive. And they definitely don’t sound like you.”

The things you say. Kurogiri can’t remember the last time he was around such genuine levity. The last time he felt so utterly unburdened. He leaves your side only reluctantly, and every time he does, the mere memory of you keeps him warm.

Every meeting, every conversation with you seems like a revelation. Slowly, you’ve become a lantern he finds himself seeking in the dark, a promise of pieces he thought lost, finally returned. He can’t stop whiling away all his free hours at your side, can’t stop thinking about the next time he’ll have the chance to see you, to hear your voice.

More often than not, the two of you take rambling walks through the city in the evening. Sometimes he finds himself distracted, wondering what you would think if he could tell you of his quirk, if he could whisk you away to far off vistas at your slightest whim. You rarely push for answers from him though, far too content to build this strange relationship block, by slow, steady block.

“No,” you insist.

“Why would I lie about that?” Kurogiri asks, eyes focused on a distant street corner. It looks like a cafe, and his brain is two steps ahead, wondering if he should phrase his question in some sort of official sounding way.

“You mean to tell me, you’ve never once had someone eager to catch your attention somehow?”

Kurogiri halts, and has to glance back over his shoulder to find that you’ve stopped - and you aren’t attempting to catch up with him. “Surely that isn’t surprising?” Kurogiri asks, turning back to face you. “There are few who see shadows in the dark and rush to greet them.”

You scoff, jamming your hands into your pockets and narrowing your eyes, content to watch him from a far vantage - at least for a moment. “You sound like you’re quoting a poem,” you accuse, and then shake your head, walking back to his side. “Seriously, though? The figure you cut in that waistcoat, and not one-”

“I suppose there has been one,” Kurogiri amends, and watches you absolutely light up with curiosity. You miss his entire point though.

“Yeah? Tell me about them! I bet they were some kind of fancy globe-trotter. Did they have their own je-”

Kurogiri sighs. “Why must I be attracted to such ignorance?” He mutters, too quiet for you to make out the words.

“Wait- what was-”

“I mean you,” he clarifies. Kurogiri’s mouth goes dry when he takes your hand again, amazed that his heartbeat isn’t echoing down the street. “You rushed to greet a shadow,” he says, and reels you into the circle of his arms. “And you wax poetic about my.. figure.” You laugh, and hug him, but all too soon you take a step back. Kurogiri has to keep himself from clutching at you when you make to walk again, but he doesn’t want to rush you if you’re not ready. If you’re not willing. It doesn’t stop the desperate yearning to hold you though, or the way it’s been building inside him like a dam near to bursting. He leaves you only reluctantly that night, and nearly throws all his caution to the wind when you straighten his tie- but your reasoning for ending the walk is all sound, and he too, has work to finish.

A large part of him knows that all of this is ill advised. He has goals to accomplish, not only for his own sake, but for society and yet it doesn’t stop. He can’t seem to walk away. Can’t seem to want to, not really. Days, and months pass, and each touch of your warm hand in his misty one only seems to reinforce his desire for you. To have you in his life, if not in his bed.

He’s started to dream of your face, gentle with sleep on the pillow next to his, and wonders at the fact that his errant thoughts of you haven’t become a horrible preoccupation. Kurogiri hasn’t neglected any of his duties though, and as his face gives nothing away- Mayhap to assuage his worries, he treats his time with you as an incentive to work all the harder. He wants to hoard each second like a dragon, claws clutching at gold, but it always seems to fly by.

“Sometimes,” you confess one evening, leaning on the stone windowsill of a storefront, “I used to wonder if I saw you purely because of my quirk. Never mind that I’ve never seen other- I thought you were a ghost,” you say with a laugh. “No one else ever went out of their way to acknowledge you-”

And it’s a barb in his chest, knowing why. He is nothing more than a ghost, walking streets where no one knows his face, much less his name. Kurogiri is nothing more than a shadow, with just enough mass to keep people from treading on his toes. It’s the best way, the only way, to continue to accomplish his goals, and yet… He wants people to see you together, to know that he exists, if only as your shadow.

“You did,” Kurogiri says, and feels his heart wrench when you smile. “You’ve always seen me, and I don’t believe you’ve any idea of how much that means.”

You laugh, and then hide it behind a sip of your warm drink, and Kurogiri is almost sure that you’re ready to pull away again, to sidestep the topic of feelings. He won’t force it, but he can’t seem to keep his silence, not for much longer. You’ve no idea about the things he does when he isn’t with you, and he desperately wants to keep it that way.. And yet he still wants to share it all too.

He’s been visiting here enough that he’s sure his presence has been noticed by someone. And it’s only a matter of time, really, before word spreads. Before they say something to you. Part of him hopes they’ll ignore him, realize who he is and who he works for and leave everything be- and yet he also finds himself wondering whether you already know because surely... Surely, someone would have told you. Someone would have said something already. A good Samaritan, concerned for your safety. Perhaps you ignored them, or perhaps they decided they were too scared to speak the words- Either way, Kurogiri isn’t sure he wants to know. He lets the topic die in his mind, lets his feelings take the forefront, all too eager to be shared.

“Everyone wants to be seen, Kurogiri. I- I might understand that a little more than most, is all,” you say, raising your hand. If he hadn’t been watching for it, Kurogiri might not have noticed the flicker of your skin. The way you turned diaphanous, absolutely see-through, for the space of a second. “Like a spectre,” you explain, shaking your hand as if the feeling it left behind was a bothersome one. “People weren’t stumbling into you, but it was almost like they couldn’t. Like you were intangible, or creating some kind of barrier-” You laugh. “I had to know.”

“Tangible to others or not,” Kurogiri murmurs, stepping into your space. Everything within him thrills when your legs spread, allowing him such closeness. “Your touch has always held weight to me.” His fingers close around your wrist, and it’s ridiculously difficult for him not to lean down and try for a kiss. You appear to be receptive to it, the way you look at him, lips parted, leaning into his hold on you- But this is hardly the place, even if the time feels right.

“Romantic, aren’t you?” You rasp, and make to set your cup down on the sill beside you. For a moment, Kurogiri thinks he might be willing to use his quirk, just this once- but his phone buzzes in his slacks, and the only people who have his number are not particularly patient individuals. You blink, eyelashes fluttering against you cheek when you hear the soft buzz of his phone. “Important call?” You ask, and the moment flits away on the breeze.

“Unfortunately,” he says, and barely feels guilty for the thought. He leaves you with a barely-there caress against your cheekbone, and a promise to call you again when he’s free, almost trembling with need as he walks around the corner and warps away.

Though Kurogiri usually displays endless bounds of patience, it’s all slowly falling to the wayside. Each delay leaves him longing for you so badly that his lungs feel bound with iron, and your wistful voice in his ear - when he can spare the time for a personal phone call - does nothing to stem the tide of wanting.

He worries he’ll make a fool of himself when the time finally arrives to see you again. He smooths his hands over his clothes so often, he frets about wrinkling them, and warps to the corner near your home almost ten minutes early, though there is no feasible or potential way he would ever allow himself to be late. His worry is atrociously loud in his head, white noise and anxiety, echoing around in his skull, all the way up until you open up the door.

“Are you early, or am I running late?” You ask, laughing awkwardly as you stand back to let him in. You nearly tremble when he walks by, and Kurogiri has to clench his hands to keep from reaching out to you immediately. “Honestly, I’m a little-”

“I’m afraid my own nervousness got the best of me,” he confesses, and clenches his hands tighter when he thinks about smoothing any wrinkles in his waistcoat. “I am a bit early,” he clarifies, when your eyebrows raise in surprise.

“To think, today is the day I finally see you nervous,” you tease, and the words seem to push back the tension in the air, giving the both of you enough space to breathe. A startled look suddenly passes over your face. “We talked about you stopping here first, but- but we never mentioned after-” You say, and this time Kurogiri doesn’t stop himself. He snags your tense hands in his, reveling in the warmth of you and the way you immediately relax in his hold, and takes a step closer.

“I care little for anything but time with you. If that means a walking tour of the city? So be it. If you’d like dinner, or-” A very small thought in the back of his head says that he should surprise you with food from the other side of the planet. A wiser part of him knows that this is not the moment to display his quirk and it’s… illegal uses, no matter how enticing the idea is.

You free one of your hands to wave it in a placating gesture, but… you're not stepping away. "Those all sound great, but I'm not going to lie," you say, voice a little strained, "it would be nice, maybe, if we could stay? Here, I mean.” You bite your bottom lip when Kurogiri takes your hand back in his, wishing you could see the smile he feels, just standing here with you.

“Of course,” he says, and his hand slides up your forearm- only for you to turn, tugging him towards the kitchen.

“I did pick up that wine you mentioned though. I have a friend- anyway, I owe a favor, but-” You pull away, taking the bottle off the counter and nearly brandishing it at him. Kurogiri takes it, if only to keep it from falling out of your anxious hands.

He suspects you’re ready to go on a tirade of some sort, with nerves so apparent, but he stops you with a sigh and your whispered name, setting the bottle carefully back on the counter.

“I know we haven’t exactly- we haven’t put any kind of label on things, but. There is something here, right? Between us? I never want you to feel rushed or anything, but sometimes I think-” You make a small noise of surprise when Kurogiri finally slips his arms around you, clinging to you, breathing in the scent of you. He has so much he wants to say, so much he needs to, if he wants to keep this, keep you in his life, but for now-

Kurogiri leans back until he can look you in the eye, unsure of what exactly, he intends on saying, but knowing he needs to say it. “I find it difficult to think of anything but you,” he says. The words slip free of him, but as soon as he sees the look on your face, he wouldn’t dream of taking them back. They taste of truth, anyhow, and it’s important that he tells you what truths he can. Any truths he can. “So yes. I believe there is something between us, and I would very much like to follow where this leads, if you’re willing to have me.” He isn’t sure whether it’s the phrasing, or simply the moment, but you choke on a laugh and curl your arms around him again, burying your face against him.

“That’s good,” you say, voice slightly muffled with the way you’re pressed to him. “Did you.. Did you want some of that wine?”

Kurogiri hesitantly strokes a hand over your neck, zeroing in on the way your skin shivers with gooseflesh. He wonders if the mist of his body will be unpleasant to you, too cool for more intimate settings- but you haven’t complained about it yet. “Later, perhaps. I would rather be clear-minded, this evening.” He repeats the action, cool fingers against the top of your spine and shivers himself when you clutch him closer. “I already feel out of step around you in the first place. Alcohol won’t help matters.”

“Me?” You ask with another laugh, lifting your head away to look him in the eye. “Mr.You greeted the shadows feels awkward around me?”

“Indeed. I could say something trite and cliche about stepping into the light, but I fear you don’t appreciate my poetry.”

You gasp, and smack a gentle hand against his shoulder blade, but it’s true. Kurogiri had never once gone seeking out someone of your caliber. If he admired anyone, that was where it began and promptly ended. He had little time to devote to another, little time period, but he had… He had taken the time to get to know you. In small, stolen moments where your hand slipped into his, and you smiled up at him like he meant something to you. In the ambling strolls through rainy city streets, where he felt his heart, more solid and heavy in his chest than ever before, insist that he do something, if only to keep feeling the warmth of you, to keep hearing your voice, to keep- To keep you in his life.

“Lies and slander!” You insist, laughing again, tension fading from your frame, and his heart thuds unevenly. The way you smile, the gentleness of your hands upon him… “I do appreciate your poetry. Tell me then. Am I.. sunlight or- or a moonbeam?” You ask, smile turning wry when his eyes narrow in response.

“I would think starlight a finer partner for shadows,” Kurogiri says, tone nearly reverent, and bends closer when your eyelashes flutter. He wants to kiss you, if you’re willing, wants to wrap you in the mist of his body and feel warmth that goes more than skin deep.

“I suppose shadows can reach far off stars,” you say, voice growing soft. The traces of embarrassment have vanished, leaving behind nothing but tenderness. If it had been anyone else, if it has been only a month sooner, Kurogiri isn’t sure he could have faced the immense amount of emotion in either of you and stayed.

“Reach and catch them fast,” Kurogiri murmurs, voice almost as soft as yours. “Perhaps I might have a kiss?” He asks, close enough to breathe in the taste of you.

You don’t answer with words, though a moment of panic crosses the iris of your eyes. You lean forward to kiss him, eyelids falling closed, trusting him to adjust as necessary. Some inexplicable part of him wants to laugh, but he wants your lips against his far more than that. Kurogiri leans into the kiss, eager for the taste of you, the steady spread of body heat, and presses a glancing kiss against your mouth.

It isn’t like the reel of images he’d stored in the back of his head, the silly hopes and wonders - it’s better. Having you here, listening to you breathe out another laugh before you chase his lips for more? It’s more vivid and thrilling than anything he can summon to mind.

His fears about being too cool to the touch seem to be completely unfounded. You don’t shy from the icy mist of his face, of his hands. You press close to his every caress, and your lips part willingly, tongue hot against his own.

“That was a kiss,” you gasp, pulling away and cradling your suddenly warm face. “I think you’ve been holding out on me, Kurogiri,” you tease. You nerves still betray you though. He spies your pulse thundering in your neck, and wants nothing more than to feel the steady thud of it against his tongue.

“You’ve but to ask,” he replies, and drags a knuckle over the jumping vein in your throat.

“Seriously? How do you do that? You say barely half a sentence and I feel like I should be melting into a puddle on the ground.” You take a step back, and never has Kurogiri felt the acute loss of warmth as he does now.

“You like the sound of my voice?” He asks, and his eyes narrow again as you reach out to tap the edge of a fingernail against a button on his waistcoat.

“You can’t say that you hadn’t realized. You nearly send me into shivers every time you speak. Did you think I was just a very cold individual?”

Kurogiri scoffs, and closes the distance once more, hoping you won’t turn tail and run, or change the subject. “The thought has crossed my mind. More than once, even. Though I thought I might be projecting.”

“Project all you want,” you mutter, glancing down at the floor. “Especially seeing as it’s true. You, uh-” Your hand moves from the button up to his tie, fumbling with it until it’s loose and you can tug him close again. “More kisses, please?”

“Only kisses?” Kurogiri asks, resisting the next gentle tug of his tie. He can’t deny he wants to throw all caution to the wind, but it’s been so long- he’d rather make sure you were entirely sure of it all. Entirely sure of him. The last thing he wants to do is break what little he has with you, especially if you’re not ready.

“Maybe more, if-” You blow out a breath, pausing. “If you’re interested in that too?” You finally ask, your gaze tracing the lightning of his eyes. “Because I am. Interested.”

That's all Kurogiri needed to hear. He let's your next gentle tug of his tie bring him back into the orbit of a kiss. As soon as his mouth finds yours again, dark mist dotting your face, you make a soft, small sigh that has Kurogiri's body lighting up with want. Your hands are gentle, stroking over the line of his shoulders, and Kurogiri wants nothing more than to watch your nimble fingers unbutton his waistcoat and his shirt, watch you arch into his touch- He bumps back into the fridge, and then he realizes you're both simply fumbling about in the kitchen, too enamored with each other to even think of moving.

“Oh,” you say, pulling away to catch your breath, eyes darting around the room. “I haven’t even let you get in the door and I’m already-”

“I’m not complaining,” Kurogiri murmurs. “But perhaps we should find somewhere to sit?”

Neither of you end up sitting. You keep interrupting the conversation for stolen kisses, and swift caresses, stumbling against the wall before he draws you back into the circle of his arms. He can’t seem to stop touching, eager to see your eyelashes fanning against your cheek, and the way you inhale, as if you can taste him on the air. You make it all the way to the bedroom before you lose track of time, of yourselves, shedding clothes and inhibitions smoother than the wine you left closed on the counter.

Kurogiri is careful as he lays you down on the bed, strong, cool fingers trailing down your bare thighs, heart caught fast in his throat as he parts them. He wants to kiss your knees, and draw idle patterns over your hips, he wants-

“Can I taste you?” He asks, voice rough with longing, and doesn’t miss the tell-tale shiver of appreciation that his question brings. You nod your head, slow and measure, and Kurogiri’s grip on your thighs adjusts, tightens as he leans down between your legs. His tongue is warmer than the mist of his body, but still markedly colder than most, and that first touch has you arching, fingers curling into the sheets.

“Kurogiri,” you breathe, and you tremble as he works you over with gentle touches, and strokes and sucking- And then slows, those lightning eyes focused on yours as he halts, all too soon.

“I find myself a little impatient,” he rumbles, sitting up and taking your thighs in hand. He pulls you down the bed, mussing the blankets, and hooks your legs around his hips.

“Not complaining,” you reply, breathing in deeply as he leans over you. The sight of it, the lithe angles of his shoulders, and the way his hand strokes up your chest- “Not at all.”

“Good,” he says, and laughs when your hips rock. “Is there something you’d like to ask?”

Your open your mouth to speak, hesitant, but his thumb stroking over your hip spurs you on. “Keep talking? The way you speak..” Your eyes close when he shifts, the hard length of him brushing against your thighs.

“How could I refuse?”

He doesn’t move, doesn’t leave your side, but the slightest shift of the sheets has you opening your eyes to him flicking open the top of a small, expensive looking bottle of lube. You wonder- but decide it’s a question for later. You want him too much.

“Everything about you,” Kurogiri murmurs, slicking you up expertly with careful fingers, “is exquisite.�� The lube is warm, and you can’t help the jolt of your thighs at the temperature change. “I worried you’d find me too… Cold,” he says, and for some reason, you’re unsure as to whether he means his body, or his demeanor. His fingers curl, and you gasp. “I worried you’d decide against this. Against me, and yet you’ve surprised me at every turn.” His fingers pull out of you, but before you can even mourn the loss, the head of his cock is pressed against you.

You can’t quite find the words, can only clutch at his forearm, and hook your ankles behind him, urging him to press closer. “Please,” you finally get out, gratefully accepting a kiss before he thrusts shallowly into you. At first, he’s as cool as the rest of his body, but every slow roll of his hips, every stroke of your hands over his shoulders has him warming.

You want him to speak, he knows, but Kurogiri can barely summon the breath to keep moving. The heat of you and your eager touch fumbling over his shoulders- He groans, and picks up the pace when you ask for him to speak more, to whisper what he wants in your ear-

“You,” he chokes out, voice rough. “I want you, like this. I want you to say my name, to keep looking at me-” Kurogiri loses track of everything but you. He can’t recall the exact layout of the room or the brand of wine on the counter, all he knows is how good you feel around him, how much like.. How much like a home you are, warm and inviting, and pleased to have his company.

You press an open mouthed kiss to his shoulder and gasp when he bottoms out, fingernails digging into his back, teeth catching his skin. Kurogiri curses. That hint of sharpness has him speeding, gasping, thrusting harder when you cling to him- and then you’re coming, and Kurogiri’s thighs are burning with the tension. He fucks you through his orgasm, legs trembling, but it isn’t until you gasp his name that he realizes how close he is.

“Fuck,” he groans. “The heat of you, the way-” He loses that small shred of control, shuddering as he comes, but before he can say anything else, you’re pulling him back into another kiss. The heat- He half wonders if his mist will burn away with continued exposure to the warmth of you, but he decides then and there that it’d be a lovely way to go.

#kurogiri x reader #bnha kurogiri x reader #bnha kurogiri #bnha reader insert #lemon #ghost-flakes

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