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purplelescent · 12 days

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A Pair of Jokers

Pokemon Fan-Fiction: Grimsley/Reader

Summary: Now that you’ve lost a game of cards to your childhood best friend, Grimsley, you owe him a favor. Although you don’t know if you can survive the onslaught of his flirtatious teasing while spending the day with him. You’ve had sincere, secret feelings for him for years. Perhaps, it’s time to clear the air and let him know how you really feel.

Why do I always agree to play cards with him? The man's a world-class gambler and-

Ugh.

Look how pleased he is with himself. Dinner's always so nice until we get to playing cards. Sporadically, we get together to catch up every few weeks. This used to be a friend group thing, but lately, it's just been us.

Secretly, it felt kinda' romantic. It's not like I've had a crush on him or anything. For like… years…

…

I'd never admit it.

Drawing my next card, excitement hummed through my body. I had it! Victory! When we reveal our hands, I'd beat him. We bet something special tonight, a favor. We also wagered that the loser pays for dinner too, but that's clearly not as important.

When I played my hand, four of a kind, the odds were in my favor. His shock looked so genuine.

Then he revealed his hand, a straight flush of hearts.

My body’s hum of excitement turned sour and fizzled away. He flashed a coy smile, propping his chin on the back of his hand.

"How perfect." Grimsley purred.

"Yeah. Yeah…" I grumbled, trying not to blush at the tone of his voice.

"I apologize. I promise I'm not gloating. Just musing over the cards you dealt me. I’d almost think you rigged the deck. Are you trying to tell me something?”

Taking a deep breath to calm myself, I caught a faint trace of his cologne from across the table. The scent held a soft, but powerful vibe, reminding me of a summer sunset on the ocean. My heart began pounding fast as I looked into his bright blue eyes.

“We should have played voltorb flip.” I grumble.

“That’s only a one-player game.”

“Exactly.”

“You wound me.” He chuckled as he leaned forward.

Leaning away, I rested my head against the back of the chair. The ceiling was the perfect blank slate to calm my emotions down. Sure. I'm acting like a sore loser, but better than letting him find out how he's making my heart race. Now that I've lost, I realized how screwed I am. That's what I get for being confident.

If he wanted his prize he'd have to bring it up. I started to wish I hadn't agreed to our little wager. He'd choose something embarrassing for me. Now that was a safe bet.

Grimsley and I have known each other since elementary school before we even got our pokémon. I remember when his family moved into the apartments we lived in. Everyone thought they were reclusive freaks at first.

"Getta' load of those snobs." My brother mumbled in my ear.

"I heard they was rich. They pissed it away and now they're like everybody else." Jackson said, or was it Mike? One of my brother's douchebag friends said it. That much I remember.

They introduced themselves to the boys and invited them to come play. Not out of a sense of goodwill though. The new kids were the entertainment. Grimsley and his older brother slowly joined the neighborhood pack of boys, but it was always clear they were the odd ones out.

I remember the day when he fully became one of the guys though. The boys were playing truth or dare, which means they were doing stupid things to one-up each other. I didn't think much of it even when they started betting money and candy. One of the neighbor girls, I can’t remember who she was either, and I were playing catch with a stolen dodgeball from school.

"Um… excuse me."

I squealed and fumbled to catch the ball. It made a harsh “poink” as it hit me in the chest. Turing to look at him, Grimsley cheeks glowed rosy red. I must have thought he was sunburned at the time.

"Du-de! What the heck!"

He smiled a little. His blue eyes betrayed his nervousness though. In a flash, he pecked my lips with his and ran back to the group of boys who were laughing and jeering.

"Told you he'd do it! Here's the one-fifty!" One of them sneered dropping the coins on the ground.

My heart was going to burst out of my chest. I felt like I was burning up. My heart fluttered and broke in an instant. That was my first kiss- stolen and sold for less than a bottle of potion. At that age, I don't think I was even thinking about romance yet.

I whipped around seething.

"Grimsley!" I screeched.

When I remember this part, it's always in slow motion. I knew I'd get in trouble, but in my nine-year-old mind, I had no choice! This was what he deserved.

He turned to look at me as he stood up. I threw the dodgeball. It slammed him square in the face. It bounced off with the same “poink” noise it made when it hit me. Coins scattered and clinked on the ground. I stormed off before he could pull himself off the ground.

So apparently, taking a dodgeball to the face made you “one of the boys”. I had inadvertently improved his social status in the neighborhood.

Lucky little bastard.

He's been toying with me ever since. I can’t even begin to tell you when or why my feelings started for him. Yet, after that, he never left me alone.

Grimsley made it his hobby to embarrass me any chance he got. He always tries to fluster me with pickup lines and innuendos. I learned to block it out by the time we became adults. Each time he'd flash a big, cat-like grin before pulling the "Joking!" card and have a good chuckle. Then I’d chastise him with a little slap.

To him, it was just friendly banter. To me it was torture.

In a pleasant way, but since none of it is real then it all circles around to make me feel worse afterwards. If he knew I really did have a massive one-sided crush, he’d probably be weirded out. So, whenever he starts up, I just go along with it. Then I move on as if I wasn't still entertaining the romantic ideas he provoked within me. I’ll get over him, someday.

Grimsley softly called my name, "Are you falling asleep?"

"No. I'm waiting."

"For?" he asked, his voice litling playfully.

I finally ended my staring contest with the ceiling to glare at him.

Arceus.

Look at his shit-eating grin.

If I wasn’t on the hook, I’d think it was cute. When gambling, he becomes unreadable, like a perfectly still pond. He has a few tells I try to look for; a slight twitch of the left eye, sweat around the side of his cheeks, his grin tugging slightly to left when he's sure victory will be his... But he's practiced to perfection at hiding them. Yet outside of the game, when he has nothing to hide, he's quite animated.

Dramatic is a better description, in my opinion.

He wanted me to bring it up. He'd leave me dangling on this hook all night if he had to. Just like a purrloin toying with his prey.

Steeling myself for the inevitable, I asked, "What do you want?”

The winner could ask the loser to do anything within reason. The second he presented the idea, I could only visualize one thing. I was going to make him clean my apartment.

Could you imagine?

Grimsley, member of the elite four and professional gambler, scrubbing a toilet, taking out the trash, and folding socks. It was too good to pass up. It’d make a great post for my socials. I wasn't even going to make him wear an embarrassing costume! I wasn't a total savage when it came to dares. Even if a cat-eared maid dress would suit him.

I mean, it's not like I would have had him clean a dump either. Work ramped up with a new project leaving me precious little personal time for the past three weeks. It was sleep and eat only! I couldn’t even bear to look at the vacuum, I was so tired.

That being said, what could he even want to make me do? I had been waaaay too blinded by my fantasy. How could I think I’d win? Like, how could I forget I haven't beaten him since… How long has it been? Was it since I was in college?

I must have had too much to drink.

I needed to mentally prepare for the worst. So, maybe… he'd make me wear a really stupid outfit and post pictures of it? Make me participate in a Pokémon Musical? Take a bite right into an extra ripe tamato berry?

Oh no!

What if he made me hug an extra mucus-y cubchoo? Ew! No! He wouldn't!

I drank from my water glass to clear my nerves.

"Tomorrow, I want to take you-" Grimsley paused.

I nearly choke on my water. He wants to take me, like what?! On a date?! My cheeks were alight with heat.

No way!

He's about to pull his signature bait and switch. I feel it. He always tries to get a rise out of me. And damn if he didn't succeed every time. Scraping the last bit of courage inside me, I looked him in the eye. Grimsley wore a smug, satisfied grin.

Ugh. Damn it.

His eyes narrowed like a cat Pokémon ready for the kill-

"-To watch my match tomorrow at the league!"

Bingo! Just as I suspected! No way was he ever going to ask me on a date. I know him a little too well.

Although… How surprisingly tame of all the things he could ask for. I must’ve missed missing something. He's never gone out of his way to invite me to a match before. If he'd ask, I'd gladly say yes. I'm sure he knows it. As the prize for a bet… it's kind of a non-prize.

How un-Grimsley of him.

I shouldn't complain. It's nowhere near as bad as the stuff I thought up. Before and after his comment.

“O-okay.”

He stood from the table abruptly; clearly riding the high of his victory.

"Fantastic! Do you still have that blue dress you wore to my brother's wedding?"

"Uh. Why?"

Now that sounds fishy.

"Because… we like to put on a grand presentation for our challenger. I don't want you to feel underdressed. Although! If you're uncomfortable, then you don't need to!"

Oh. I suppose I’m being paranoid.

"I mean, okay. I have it."

I reached for the bill on the table to pay for tonight's dinner. I was not looking forward to this. He always gets the pricey stuff. My consolation was the bill would still cost less than if I had bet our usual prize money on our card game. My fingers barely grazed the paper when he swiped it off the table.

"Hey. I'm supp-"

"Oh, and make sure to wear comfortable shoes. I remember how much you complained about those heels you wore with the dress last time. Or? Do you want me to carry you again?" He grinned as he recalled an embarrassing moment for me.

“Oh, stop it. You only helped me to my hotel room.” I grumbled.

I threw away the offending heels after the wedding. Even if they gave me the chance to be carried like a princess. That night was a bit of a blur, but I do remember being embarrassingly obnoxious when he carried me. I couldn’t bear to look him in the eye the next morning.

He started to walk to the front of the restaurant while he talked.

"After I trounce the little upstart we can go for lunch!"

I scrambled to grab my purse. Fumbling for some cash to leave as a tip, I noticed a neatly set of folded bills tucked under the salt and pepper shakers.

Man, when he's ready to go, he's got it all covered.

I chased after him, politely saying goodnight to the staff as I passed.

"Grim, the tab-" Did he forget I'm supposed to pay?

"Relax! Don't worry about bringing any cash. I'm not going to wring you for a meal."

"But right now-"

He had already handed over the receipt and his card to the cashier by the time I caught up to him.

I gave up.

When he remembers he'll send me a text at, like, three in the morning asking me to send it via Poképay.

*****

Waiting by the front steps of the league made me feel a little bittersweet. The faint breeze brought a refreshing cool to the morning. Every kid dreamed of coming here, standing before the Elite Four, and battling your way to the top. I dreamed that too. But I'm not here by my own strength.

I couldn't cut it. I told everyone I lost interest in battling, but the truth of it is my best isn't good enough to be the best.

The guard asked me regarding my badges, assuming I was the challenger.

"Oh no. I'm here to watch Grimsley's match today." I muttered, focusing more on some imaginary spot on my dress rather than looking him in the eye.

"I see. In that case, we have a visitor's waiting room where the matches are live broadcast. If you go back toward the PMC, you'll turn-"

My name was called out from the other side of the entrance.

Oh. Grim wasn't kidding about dressing up.

I hadn't seen this outfit before. He's truly a classy card shark. He wore a white shirt and tie, but the whole ensemble was ornate. His suspenders connected with a dark navy blue high collar that had a long scarf flowing from the back.

Despite the ornate golden decorations glittering in the sun and black straps on his forearms, Grimsley made it look so casual.

He smirked when we made eye contact.

Aw… come on man! He knows he’s cool!

And I couldn’t help, but smile in return.

"This is my guest. She has special permission to watch from ringside." He said, almost purring.

The guard gave a curt nod. He stepped back and gestured to invite me in. It was only one step forward, but I faltered at the threshold. I didn't belong on the other side. I wasn't powerful. My pokémon weren't fighters. They were, to put it delicately, fat, little, spoiled couch gremlins.

A strong arm, wrapped around my shoulders. Grimsley pulled me along and up the stairs with impatient energy.

"Come along! I want to show you my new arena before the challenger arrives!" He gushed with enthusiasm. "We recently completed remodeling everything."

Our hurried steps echoed across the ancient stones as we approached his arena. He gently directed me to the entrance, holding his hand out to gesture me forward.

"Ladies first." He said with a polite gentleman's tone.

The whole room drowned in darkness, which was to be expected of Grimsley's type specialty. A loud swoosh of igniting flames caught me off guard. I spun to ask Grimsley a question, but the door had closed and he wasn't with me.

"Grim?" My voice felt small in the dark room only lit by torch light.

Only the hammering thud of my heart responded.

The moment passed and nothing happened. Turning, I decided I would go ahead and wait for him. The red carpet led me to the stairs. Imposing, curved red claws barred my path. With a flourishing snap, the claws released the pathway. My body instinctively jerked back.

I reminded myself this is only a very elaborate set. The mechanism should let me pass and not impale me. Ideally. I decided I should go ahead, I took a confident step forward, but my gut was in control of my legs. So, that step was about as confident as a wimpod.

Still, I pressed forward. My gut twisted and the hairs on the back of my neck bristled. I dashed up the stairs two at a time, mentally thanking Grim for telling me to wear comfortable shoes. My cheeks burned with embarrassment.

It's all for show. Why am I scared? No! How stupid!

I'm not scared of the dark!

I… I just…

Shut up!

The claws snapped shut at the top of the stairs. I jumped squealing forward only to be caught in an embrace in the darkness. A second later the lights from a chandelier above flickered to life.

Grimsley held me flush to himself. Violent ping-ponging beats of my heart hammered in my chest. Surely, he could feel it too given how close we were. His hand felt like it belonged on the small of my back. Once again, he looks so terribly pleased with himself. He clicked his tongue playfully. His cologne flooded my senses again. I had to catch my breath, but his damn cologne made me pleasantly light-headed.

"Aw, were you frightened?" His blue eyes glowed with mischief. He dipped his face closer to mine. "Nothing's going to hurt you, but I'll protect you anyway if you want.”

Warm tingles and shivers trailed from the top of my head and chased down the length of my spine.

Then it clicked.

This was a setup. He didn't want a ringside audience. He wanted an excuse to toy with me today! I pushed free from his grasp.

Come on brain time to get a grip!

"Oh so brave of you! How'd you even get here before me?" The beating of my heart refused to slow down. But I was satisfied I pulled out a little sass.

"A magician never reveals his secrets."

"Warp pad then?"

"So, what do you think of my domain?" He said, ignoring my obviously correct guess. He swept his hand in a grand flourish.

To an extent, it was a bizarre blend between gaudy and elegant. The green floor reminded me of the felt covers on a poker table. Golden chains suspended the platform in the air. Grimsley sauntered to a luxurious black sofa sitting on the edge of the battlefield. I followed him over while admiring the glittering chandelier.

"It's very you," I said.

"Then what do you think of me?" He said.

"Fishing for compliments?" I teased as I sat down next to him. "Well then, it's pretty cool. Quite bright for a dark-type specialist. Kinda’ unexpected."

He slid over on the sofa. I could sense another round of teasing coming. Before he could lean in to say only Arceus knows what, I pulled out my phone with the Poképay app at the ready. He tilted his head. Distraction technique successful!

"You were so wound up last night you paid for dinner." I deflected.

"Well… yeah. That's how restaurants work." He chuckled.

"Doofus. I'm talking about the bet. I was supposed to pay, remember? How much was the tab?"

Grimsley froze as if someone hit pause. His charming smile seemed thinner than usual.

"I'm… afraid I don't recall."

"You?" I scoff. "You can't remember how much money you spent? Mister "when on his Pokémon journey two years late to earn extra money before leaving home"? Mister "mental math who could do my calculus homework for me without a calculator"? You don't know how much dinner was?"

The second I saw it, a faint bead of sweat on his forehead, the lights extinguished. We plunged into darkness again. I couldn’t suppress my surprised gasp. I never was good with surprises. Only the faint light of my cell phone illuminated the couch.

A loud click resonated to indicate someone had arrived. The challenger no doubt. Grimsley's hand brushed my cheek and I gasped. My phone’s screen timed out, extinguishing the last faint light we had as Grimsley leaned forward. His lips were so close to my ear that it tickled.

"Looks like I'm first. Just sit and look pretty for me for now." He whispered in a low voice. Another rush of tingles burst inside me.

Sir.

Are you trying to kill me?

The sound of the torches at the entrance flared to life giving a dim glow to the room. He stood from the sofa, his scarf swirling dramatically as he walked to his place on the field. My heart felt like it was going to burst out of my chest. If this keeps up I'm going to have a heart attack. I only could hope the challenger wouldn’t notice how much I must be blushing when all the lights came on. My face, ears, and neck are burning. He was going hard today. It was different. Grimsley turned to look at me over his shoulder.

Even in the dim light, I could see his cat-like grin. He really just wanted an excuse to toy with me today.

How bored are you?!

The claws on the stairs unfolded and shortly after a girl with double buns came bounding up the steps. The claws snapped shut behind her. The torches and chandelier came to life. The girl didn't so much as flinch. Damn. How embarrassing that a ten-year-old has more stones than a grown adult… I wanted to curl up behind the couch.

“What will be determined here is which of us can absorb the opponent's light and shine... But who will decide that? It shall be I, Grimsley of the Elite Four, and I will fulfill my duty to be your opponent." He said,” But first, I have a special visitor today. You don’t mind having a ring-side audience do you?”

The girl leans to the side a little to get a better look at me. She must not have realized I was sitting here. I waved trying to appear casual. She cupped her chin, pointing her finger in a thumb like a checkmark and humming to herself.

“Oh, yeah! That's totes fine. I don’t mind your girlfriend watching!”

Grimsley shot a coy grin over his shoulder at me.

“Th-thank you! We're… actually friends. Not dating.”

“Ooooh! Sorry! ‘Bout that!” she laughed. The girl rubbed the back of her neck sheepishly.

His expression flattened in an instant as he turned to face his challenge. No doubt ready to get to business.

*****

Another fierce explosion shook the arena. The hot gust of rushing air flipped the hem of my dress a little more than I anticipated. I yelped, snatching it back to keep from revealing too much. When I looked up, I caught Grimsley's look over his shoulder. His eyes flitted over me from top to bottom. Then he sharply turned away back to the match.

As the debris settled, his bisharp, Philomina, lay defeated.

His shoulders slumped slightly. He slapped his forehead and dragged his hand down his face.

Thanks, kid! That's the expression I wanted to see last night. Even seeing it from behind was delightful.

It's a little mean to smile at the expense of your friend, but he's such a sore loser. Watching him squirm with frustration while trying to be a self-controlled gentleman was always funny.

Grimsley returned his pokémon. A loud joyful cry rang out. The challenger jump-hugged her huge darmanitan, celebrating their victory. He took their joyful moment to recenter himself. With polite applause, he began to speak to them with his usual grace and charm.

"See, victory shines like a bright light. And right now, you and your Pokémon are shining brilliantly." Grimsley gestured to the warp pad.

With a wave goodbye, she ran on ahead to her next fight. Grimsley stood still watching patiently until the last light of the warp pad vanished. A soft quiet calm fell over the room. I didn't know if I should compliment how well he did or console him on the loss. Grim flopped on the couch, drained of any of his usual grace.

"Maaaan…." He groaned. He was squeezing the bridge of his nose.

"It was very close," I finally said.

"A loss is a loss." He sighed and he started to rub his neck. "But what the heck are they feeding kids these days? If she defeats everyone else, she'll be the third champion under the age of fourteen in a row. Crazy, man."

"Yeah, it's all over the place like Kanto and Hoenn too. They’re calling it a generation of child champions."

We sat in a lull of silence while Grim shook off his defeat. He looked at the green floors where the remnants of debris and scars from attacks littered the arena floor. His hand paused on the back of his neck.

“Okay,” he breathed out in a whisper.

“Hm?”

Grimsley stood up from the couch. We locked eyes briefly. Whatever words he had locked and loaded didn’t come. He just smiled before turning on his heel and pacing in front of the couch.

“Grim? What’s up?”

This behavior was new to me. He finally stopped in front of me. A scarlet blush covered his face from ear to ear. I recalled that little boy he used to be from years ago, cheeks burning red right before stealing my first kiss. Was he still embarrassed about losing? I should have consoled him after all.

“Hey, it’s okay. You and your team were amazing. I certainly couldn’t handle such an intense battle like that. I’m very impressed.” I said.

Grimsley tilted his head as though he didn’t hear me. Before I could say anything else, he laughed. His charming laugh echoed around the hall.

“That’s not-” he sighed. “You’re so sweet. That’s not what I’m thinking about.”

“Then what’s wrong?” I asked, ripping the bandage off.

“At the end of the battle, when you cried out, I thought you had gotten hurt. That some debris had hit you. I could never forgive myself if you were hurt on my account.”

So, that's it. He was worried about me! I hopped off the couch to hug him. This time our embrace lacked the sensual nature of the first one we had shared before the match. Grimsley kept his arms wrapped around my shoulders. He sighed relieved. I still felt warm bubbles in my chest.

Shh! Stupid crush. Can you see we are having a very healthy platonic moment between friends?

“I love you,” Grimsley whispered.

I sharply inhaled. Platonically, right?

“Love like?”

“I love you. I want to be with you.”

I like Grimsley. I do. Really. Really. Really do. But if he dares to tease me now when we were having an honest moment... I can’t let him wind up my feelings like this again. I’ve had way too much for one day. If I hear him say he's only joking again I’ll lose it.

“Hey. I… I can’t do this right now.” I said, pulling from the hug.

Grimsley immediately took his hand off of me, wide eyes.

“I’m sorry!” He said. His blue eyes were piercing, but soft. “I didn’t mean-”

Of course, he didn’t mean it. That’s how this goes.

We stood frozen staring into each other’s eyes. I don’t think I have ever seen this expression of his. Gone was his devilish smile, and the cat-like glint of his eyes. To me, he looked like he was going to be sick. I took his hand and focused my attention on it. I couldn’t say what I needed to say if I kept looking at this- worrying expression on his face.

“Listen, you always do this flirting thing, and I get you find it funny, but-” I paused. “I don’t.”

Do I admit how I feel? We are friends. Surely, he’d understand. It might upset him to know my feelings aren’t the same, but if he knew how much I liked him, then he’d stop. Then I could finally get over this one-sided crush already.

“Like, it’s fine now and again, but all at once like this is… I… feel so overwhelmed and I know you don’t mean any of it. I know you’re not trying to overwhelm me and you don’t like me this way. You’re just… playing.”

My voice began to pitch up. This is the worst. I didn’t want to cry.

“I get that it’s a joke, always just a joke, but- Arceus. I actually- do. I mean, I love-”

The rest of the words were crushed by the tightening of my throat. I shut my mouth. This was a stupid thing to say. I should have brushed it off and played along like always.

Grimsley swore under his breath as he fumbled in his pocket before pulling out a handkerchief. He dabbed the fountain of tears in the corners of my eyes, careful to press too hard. He called my name in such a soft tone as if he feared he’d startle me.

“It’s not a joke! It’s never been a joke!” Grimsley said. “I thought you didn’t have feelings for me. So, I… pretended I was joking because I didn’t want to upset you. But I kept trying because… I couldn’t let my feelings go. I hoped you’d take it seriously one day.”

He squeezed my hand. I couldn’t process it all. This… this is real?

“You’re hurt because of me after all.” He muttered.

“That’s a terrible approach to courting a lady, you know,” I said, taking the handkerchief from his hand to wipe away more of my tears myself.

“I’m so sorry.”

“This whole time… you really liked me?”

Grimsley nodded, “And you liked me?”

I nodded in return. The tears still wouldn’t turn off, yet I couldn’t stop from smiling. The whole time we could have enjoyed being together! Instead, we wasted years dancing around each other's feelings. I couldn’t stop the laughter from bubbling up. We're grown adults now! And we could even have an honest conversation? It was so absurd! Grimsley couldn’t keep the smile from growing on his face, perhaps having the same thoughts I was. The tears finally stopped.

“I always thought I’d be the king to your queen, but it seems the truth of it is we’re the pair of jokers.”

“That fits,” I said. “We’re so stupid.”

“Well, now that we’re on the same page, may I, at long last, take you on a date?” He said.

A date. This felt too good to be true. I felt a surge of confidence knowing Grimsley’s true feelings. And I knew then I had to do something to make up for all these years of cowardice.

“Yes, but-” I said in a lilting voice.

“But?” His eyebrows shot up in surprise.

“I remember you took something from me. I need it back.”

Grimsley’s lips parted ready to answer, but it was clear he was racking his brain to figure out what I meant. My heart started up a ping-pong rematch as I took a step closer.

“I… don’t know what I’ve tak-” Before the poor man could finish his sentence, I grabbed him by the collar to pull him down to meet my lips.

It was quick. Just like it was this first time, a feathery, peak on the lips. When we pulled back, his face was once again rosy red. I’m sure my face was too.

“You stole my first kiss. I had to take it back, you know.”

Moving past the surprise, once again I saw that well-known cat-like grin appear. His piercing blue eyes sparked alight with mischief. Grimsley slipped his hand onto the small of my back. He pulled me in close and pressed his forehead to my own.

“Well, such a kiss can’t be returned,” he said, his voice low and sultry. “But allow me to repay you with interest. I insist.”

Grimsley pressed his lips to mine with softness. I let my hands slip away from his collar to instead rest on his shoulders. His thumb rubbed small, gentle circles on my lower back, as his other hand came up to cup my cheek. Once more, a pleasant lightheadedness overtook me from the calming scent of his cologne.

As we pulled apart, Grimsley sighed with happiness. I couldn’t help chuckling once more.

“My, look how pleased you are with yourself.” I tease as I stand on my tip toes inviting another kiss of many more to come.

*****

Bonus: Grimsley's POV - Just before you arrive

"Grimsley!" Shauntel gasped, scandalized.

"Please. It's too early in the morning for this." I stretched with a yawn.

Curse the trainer that scheduled to come in first thing. It's not unusual for me to be so tired in the morning like this, but today it's not because I was up all night at the poker tables. No. I couldn't sleep at all thinking about my date… or well almost date.

"Yes, Shauntel. I have to agree. It's much too early." Caitlin said, shuffling into our break room.

"You remember the girl- his childhood sweetheart? The one he was finally going to ask out."

Caitlin gave a sleepy nod. Her tea cup and the kettle floated around her as she used her telekinetic ability to pour the water.

"Now hold on- we were never sweethearts before-"

"He still didn't ask her on a date! Look at him! All dressed up and nowhere to go!"

Caitlin mumbled a sad oh noise before she mentally picked up a spoon to stir her drink. She doesn't care. Despite her girlishness, she doesn't give two cents about romance or relationship gossip.

"I'm going out with her for lunch after the challenger battle." I huff. Shauntel glared at me like gum on the bottom of her shoe. "Aaaaand we were alone for dinner last night."

"He beat her at poker and forced her to come sit around as his cheerleader."

"Slander!" Of all the indecent ways to describe it! She was too creative sometimes. But it certainly shone a spotlight on my failed plans. No matter how she or I put it, it wasn’t the romantic afternoon I intended to have.

"How inelegant." Caitlin shook her head, disapproving as always.

"I was going to ask her, but I-"

"Was too afraid she'd shoot you down if you bore your sincere desires and you'd lose your dear friend to awkward, unrequited love."

The psychic girl's words cut me to the quick. I glared at Caitlin. She took a seat at her favorite spot and sipped her tea, refusing to look at me.

"I thought we all agreed you wouldn't read our minds without consent," I said.

"I didn't have to read your mind. It's all over your face."

Liar.

But Shauntel nodded in firm agreement with her. I'm outnumbered. I know when to fold.

"If she doesn't have feelings for you then why even continue to pursue her? You'd think having dinner alone together for, oh, 6 months? You’d think it would have resulted in more romantic feelings by now."

And the brutal death blow.

Caitlin may talk about grace and elegance, but the girl was savage.

Before I could respond, the doors thankfully burst open with our much too energetic Champion and Marshal. The poor guy looked like he was going to collapse. Sweat dripped off his forehead in rivers. And yet, Iris looked barely misted. I wondered how many miles they ran today. Not that I would ask for fear Iris would interpret this to mean I want to join them.

Since Adler's defeat as champion, he took to traveling. Marshal ended up latching on to Iris as his new mentor. A grown man calling a fourteen-year-old his master would be funny if she wasn't so ridiculously powerful.

"Oookay! I'm going to get cleaned up and ready to face our new challenger!" She declared. "Are you all ready?"

We all mumbled an affirmative response. Except Marshal who gave a hearty, headache-inducing, "Yes ma'am!"

"Wake up sleepy heads! It's time to rumble!!" She yelled with a growl as she ran past us to her personal locker room.

"Iris, ah, a moment." She skidded to a halt and jogged back to me. "I have a friend coming. I know it's usually only the combatants, but you wouldn't mind if she watched my battle today?"

"As long as the challenger doesn't mind, it's fine by me." She said, Iris tilted her head and narrowed her eyes. She straightened up in an instant, "Oh! Is it your girlfriend the girls told me about? That's so-"

"Exaggerated." I huffed. Shauntel and Caitlyn turned away from my firey glare.

Cowards! Look at me when you heckle!

"But he's pining with desperate hope." Caitlin chimes in, looking me in the eye as she speaks.

Not reading our minds my ass.

She just smirks.

Taking the opportunity, I excused myself to get ready. I hoped I'd go first, honestly. I wanted to get this over as quick as possible so I could spend time with her.

I only fell in love with her by chance. Right time and place as they say.

I hated other people. I hate this town, this apartment, this group of "friends". All of it.

When the pack of neighborhood boys approached us, I knew they had been talking about us behind our backs. Clarence, my older brother who was too soft and naive, appreciated the "friendship". He couldn't figure out they were making fun of us at every turn.

I tolerated it with a smile. After all, if others know your true feelings, they can use it to their advantage. They'll have power over you. My childhood "friends" must have thought I was some plucky kid, a simple sucker. It was better that way.

We made stupid bets and dares. They must have thought it was funny what I was willing to do for money, but I had a plan for my pokémon journey, I was going to be prepared. I would never come back, just like my sister, Marinette.

I hate thinking back on the stupid things we used to bet. That kiss I stole is a bittersweet memory. In my young mind, I foolishly believed she was overreacting to such a nothing act. I only chose her over her friend because everyone knew how timid she was- or so I thought.

I hated her. Even if her assault had the unintended consequence of making me look tough to the other kids. I hated her so much.

And I cringe remembering how selfish I was. That should have been the end of any friendship. Forget love or romance.

Occasionally, when I felt spiteful, I'd tease her with some veiled romantic comment to watch her squirm. I always made sure I was out of her range before she realized I was joking at her expense. Seeing her range of emotion was amusing. She's incredibly expressive. I told myself it was funny. I couldn't find any reason I would keep doing it otherwise.

My twelfth birthday approached and the guys wanted to play poker to celebrate. They congratulated me for finally getting the balls to go on my Pokémon journey. Truth was, I had only waited so long to pull together a little more cash. As the night drew on, I was becoming more and more of an unwanted guest at my own party.

“You’re a cheating little shit!”

I was beating Jackson even though he was the one cheating. I had caught his scraggy slipping him cards out of its loose skin. I didn’t say anything. It made the game more interesting.

“I’m not. It’s only luck. I can quit.” I folded my hand together, returning it to the bottom of the deck.

My accuser looked like he was going to crack his teeth from how hard he was clenching his jaw. I ignored him as I tucked my cards back into the deck. I was content to just watch at this point.

After tomorrow, I wouldn't have to deal with any of these losers again. The night dragged on and we were all asleep only when the sky began to pale with the coming of the morning sun.

This was my mistake.

I didn't wake until two in the afternoon, still groggy from last night. No one was there. A soft clattering from my nightstand was the only sound in my room. Purrloin's pokeball was missing. Hopping out of bed, I knelt on the floor. The pokeball clattered and wiggled wildly under the nightstand. Poor Purry must have been so confused being unable to let herself out. I supposed I knocked her ball off the table and didn't notice. The tight space must have triggered the emergency locks that prevent pokémon from coming out in spaces too small to fit them.

The ball burst open the second I had it free from the confined space. She hissed and spit in a wild tantrum. Her tail lashed with violent abandon It was best to leave her be, unless I wanted to end up her scratching post.

I shuffled out to greet my mother who let me know my "friends" all went home. She asked if I was sure I still wanted to head out today since it was so late. She recommended I start here with the Castelia gym, but Purry and I would be severely disadvantaged. And Nimbasa is only an afternoon's walk. I'd arrive just as the city started to light up for the night.

Purry latched onto my leg. She waved one little arm with distress and led me back to my backpack. Nothing seemed out of place. I rummaged through my supplies yet nothing caught my attention.

My wallet slapped me in the face as she threw it at me, "Purry!"

It struck me. They all left before I woke up. Tearing the wallet open, it was empty.

Even though I had a savings account with more, I wanted to save it for emergencies. And as my anger boiled over, the indignity of being robbed couldn't go unchecked!

"Bye Mother! I love you! I'll call later. I'll tell Clarence to call too if I see him. Bye!" I cried out as I dashed out the door. I don't think I had ever gotten dressed so fast before.

Purry and I split up, I knew she'd find them faster. I began checking all the usual hangouts; the lousy bodega, the arcade, Casteliacone…

A sharp chirp caught my attention over a crowd from an alley. Purry led me through a corridor of trash cans and back doors until I could hear the voices of my "friends".

Before I could turn the corner, I could hear her. She blocked their way.

"What kind of friend steals! Take it back!"

"Piss off runt. No one asked you."

I glanced around the corner to see them. She stood on the other side, blocking their path. Her brother pushed through the group yelling at her to move.

"No! This isn't okay!" She cried.

"You're just mad about it because he is your booooooyfriend~'' One of the boys mocked. Another one made sloppy kissing noises.

"Sh-shut up. He is not! Don't be gross!" She squeaked.

"We didn't go out with a wad of cash. That spoiled brat can figure it out!"

"That’s his money! He should get to use it! It's not his fault you went unprepared and couldn't cut it!"

He threw her against a trash can. He threw his own sister.

I don't remember what I said. A strange, aching fire sparked through me. My arms and legs hurt from shaking. I moved and spoke on autopilot. I challenged them all to a fight.

Purry wasn't as high-level as the other pokémon they used. However, she weaved around them like a graceful dancer, letting their clumsy partners beat each other. She only struck when a critical hit could be certain. I was lucky to have such a battle genius of a pokémon for a first partner. Despite the abysmal odds, victory was certain.

A heavy thud of the last pokémon Timburr signaled the end of my first battle.

"Give me my money." I snarled.

They threw the cash on the ground before running off. Turning, I looked at her. She flinched and shrunk back into the trash. Of all the emotions I had provoked in this girl, I finally felt guilt. I hated that look. That fear in her eyes.

"You…" I fumbled with what to say. The adrenaline was wearing off. I didn't understand why she did that. Of all the rare times she was brave and she chose to stand up for me. I offered my hand to help her.

"Thank you." I finally managed to say. I gently beckoned her. Her expression melted as she took my hand.

Money secured and one trip to the Pokémon Center later. I was ready to leave. But I waited while Nurse Joy patched her up. She had scratched her arm when she fell in the trash. Thinking about it made my blood boil. I'd never hurt Marinette or Clarence like that! I offered to walk her home, but she walked with me until we reached the gates to Route 4. She seemed nervous.

"Are you sure you want to go now? It's almost dark." She said.

"Yeah. There are more interesting pokémon at night." I grinned.

She smiled at me. Suddenly, another warmth took hold of me. I couldn’t contain the smile spreading on my face. I liked her smile.

"I know we aren't, like, actual friends. But be safe, okay?"

And that's how it started.

How I found myself coming home to see her as often as possible. I know my mother was relieved another child hadn’t left forever. It took a while for me to realize that I had developed a crush. It was only when Mother asked me in my teens if we were dating that it hit me how I felt about her. Over the past years, I keep going back trying to coax her into loving me.

Caitlin was right.

We've known each other for so long. Never once has she expressed romantic interest. Oh sure, I could fluster her to no end with flirtatious teasing. Her teasing never held return any flirty vibes. In fact, as soon as she realizes what I'm doing she begins to give me the blankest stare. I always backpedaled or played it off as a joke, anything to keep it within "Just friends" territory. Then she sighs relieved, answering my suspicions. I know I should have given up, but when a little time passed, I'd get greedy. Then I'd try again to test the waters and see if her heart had changed. I've never wanted to push for a romance if she wasn't interested.

For all the heart-pounding gambles I'm willing to take, I’m unable to bring myself to risk what I have with her. Some of my gambling buddies would laugh at me if they ever knew. The stakes were too high and I say that having risked life and limb, literally.

But today is the day. I'll sweep her off her feet.

Her friendship warmed me like the sun all these years. She was my one safe spot. She’s where I felt at peace without feeling as though I was missing out on some worthwhile thrill. But I know now I need her and if there's any hope of having her by my side, then I'll have to risk everything we have. And if she turns me down, well...

Perhaps then I'd be able to move past this unrequited love.

But she's worth it.

I stopped by the front, guarded by a league staff member who kept all, but elite trainers out. She was waiting for me.

I took a deep breath to calm my nerves. She wore that cute dress like I asked. It wasn't extravagant or too formal. However, the flutter of the delicate fabric made her look like an angel.

I recalled the night of my brother's wedding when we danced together.

Her eyes sparkled under the fairy lights and her face was a beautiful blushed color. When the night was over, she cursed wearing those awful heels. They left nasty cuts on the back of her heels. She teetered unsteadily from indulging in a little too much alcohol, wincing from pain. Before I could stop myself, I had scooped her up in my arms to carry her. She giggled the entire way.

At the threshold of her hotel room, she leaned against the door frame with a wide, unabashed smile.

"Thank you my darling prince charming," she whispered, still giggly.

Oh. That had been so unfair and painful! In the most pleasant of ways. If she were sober, if she had meant it, those words would have sent me over the moon.

"Go to bed silly," was all I could respond with at the time.

I called her name as a breeze picked up, the wisps of wind playing with her hair like a lover. They flowed around framing her face like a painting. Her beautiful eyes focused on me. Is she blushing?

Man! How am I supposed to stay cool when she looks at me like that?

Then she smiled that smile I loved.

#pokemon fanfiction #ao3 #fanfic #Grimsley #self insert #self insert fanfiction #pokemon #pokemon bw #one shot

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xiaoxiongmaos · 10 months

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15 questions, 15 people!

tagged by: @pagesoobins (thank you, vivi ♡)

1. are you named after anyone? for my government name, yeah!

2. when was the last time you cried? today, actually :]

3. do you have kids? i am one, if that counts jdhfaks

4. do you use sarcasm a lot? not as often as i used to!

5. what sports do you play/have you played? currently play basketball, soccer, dodgeball, cricket; used to play volleyball, go swimming, boxing (& take karate classes if you count it as a sport!)

6. what’s the first thing you notice about people? their body language + smile/mouth!

7. what’s your eye colour? dark brown~

8. scary movies or happy endings? happy endings all the way! though i don’t mind watching scary movies ^^

9. any special talents? i can talk with my mouth closed!

10. where were you born? dammam, saudi arabia!

11. what are your hobbies? reading, drawing food, cooking, baking etc.!

12. do you have pets? no, but i wish i had a cat <|3

13. how tall are you? tall enough to ride a roller coaster >:)

14. favourite subject in school? theology/linguistics :D my professor was such a fun and intriguing lecturer, i looked forward to her classes the most!

15. dream job? cafe/bakery owner!

tagging: @itshyuka @yangsminho @get-lit @got7 @usergyu @seonghwasblr @s-uwu-binie @jeonwonwoo @jaeyxns @ambivartence @leemarkies @jaeyooniverse @alexmoons @innielove @oddinarys @awek-s @cchuu (feel free to ignore!)

#tagged.#tag games.#also hello to my new/recent mutuals :P #my family has travelled throughout and settled in so many countries in asia for intervals of 2-5 years #so all of us siblings are born in completely different countries from each other jkfdks

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slowdancingtorock · 9 months

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Ireland - Day 10

Today included a lot of walking, especially in the morning; several students got sick or suffered injuries during sports yesterday, so I had to walk them to the nurse as they shouldn't walk around without supervision. Unfortunately that meant a rather short breakfast but that's just how it is sometimes.

I got to chat a little with the nurse, an adorable lady in her 60s with seemingly no filter. When I introduced myself she said without hesitation: "Oh dear, you look dry! Did you drink enough?" which gave me a good chuckle. She is very protective of her patients and overall a very sweet person.

After having safely escorted anyone who needed medical attention to the infirmary, I did my usual roll calls and did some adjustments on the lists as some individuals, i.e. students who came here without a class swapped groups. And that was it for my morning and afternoon as I absolutely didn't want to spend my freetime joining the students on their trips since it was raining as if we were in Ire- oh wait.

Anyway, I am currently sitting in the sports hall while the others are playing football. I wouldn't mind playing but at the moment I am so exhausted since we played Dodgeball before. It's great fun and I'll join once my colleague comes back from his smoke break. We also started an after work activities WhatsApp group and everyone's just spamming bat puns because there is one who's terrorizing the girl dorms. I am getting so tired, I am really looking forward to falling asleep as soon as I lay down.

My song of the day is gonna be In the Heat of the Moment by Noel Gallagher's Flying Birds. It's a great song about companionship and the great thrills that life has in store for us. At least that's what I get from the song. And both of these things are what I am yearning for and what I have been yearning for for some time (at least the thrills, I am very blessed with the companions that I have). And maybe I will actually grow a pair and initiate moments that give me both im future. "Cheers to that" as my manager would say :)

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mymarifae · 2 years

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still stuck on the image of alphys teaching PE

like ok in my perfect little world she just teaches math and science, and if you’re really going to make me acknowledge that in chapter 2 berdly reads a passage from a tale of two cities. language arts, too. I Guess. :/ like this is still kind of insane but it’s more sensible than the idea that she teaches everything because ???. in order for this to be like. a high school that gives out High School Diplomas the kids need to be taking language arts, math, science, social studies/humanities (history and the like), and they need to have like. 9...ish... elective credits by their senior year to graduate. one person cannot be teaching all of those classes.

and in my perfect little world undyne is actually the PE teacher because *takes away her canon career choice* and because i just think she’d be well-suited to it. she’s noelle and jockington’s (and berdly’s because no one is taking this headcanon away from me) cross country coach. i don’t think hometown high has any other sport teams solely because there isn’t enough kids, but if there were more, she’d coach those other teams, too. don’t ask me who else teaches at this school btw i do not know and i will cry

but like. alphys teaching PE is literally the funniest thing on the planet . you all saw how she fumbled with the Missing Chalk Incident. and in chapter 2 she says absolutely nothing when berdly hops up onto his desk, and please note how she said “we’re continuing the reading from page 142” and the first thing out of berdly’s mouth is literally the first sentence of a tale of two cities. genuinely i think he started the whole fucking book over from the beginning and she just accepted this as her fate and that class was going not going to make any progress that day

high schoolers do not want to participate in PE. in order to be even mildly successful in teaching the subject, a PE teacher has to be high energy, confident, an encouraging force who is good at pumping up others and getting them excited for something they weren’t looking forward to 5 minutes ago - qualities that alphys does. not possess. (and tbh all of the PE teachers i had in high school lacked these qualities too. i’ve never had a PE teacher that was good at their job because they were all easily defeated by teenage stubbornness and attitude, but i think this is something undyne could easily overcome and it would be a good outlet for all her excess energy.)

like. imagine. it’s volleyball day. due to the odd number of kids alphys has decided to go with three player teams. they’ll play a match, and the losing team will switch out with the three kids sitting out, and they’ll just keep going like that. alphys gives susie the ball, because she’s the right back of the designated serving team, and she’s like, “a-alright, susie, y-you can go ahead and start us off. b-but! because th-this was an issue last time, please try to remember that we aren’t playing dodgeball-” and that’s it. ‘dodgeball’ is the only word susie hears. she holds the ball high over her head and yells “GUYS! DODGEBALL!!!!!” and she throws it at snowy. kris hops off the bleachers (they were part of the team sitting out) and goes over to the ball cart that alphys foolishly left unattended. they open it up and start tossing out balls onto the court - most of these are not dodgeballs. no one cares.

soon enough, volleyballs, basketballs, soccer balls, footballs, and like 1 and a half actual dodgeballs are flying all over the place and everyone is laughing and yelling. alphys blows her whistle. it has no effect. the balls continue bouncing off the walls. alphys puts her face in her hands and sobs. the only thing that gets this nightmare of a dodgeball game to stop is the bell ringing

and because they weren't really using actual dodgeballs, there's carnage. this carnage includes: berdly's glasses being snapped in half, catti's screen protector shattering (no matter how many times alphys tells her to put her phone away she never listens so alphys has just given up forever), temmie losing a tooth (they grow back no matter how many times she loses them), one of noelle's antlers being prematurely knocked off (shedding season), and black eyes for kris, susie, and MK

#toriel asks alphys what the hell happened after seeing like 2/3rds of the class in the nurse's office #and alphys is like tori. you don't understand. i love all of these kids so much but Help Me #alphys is soooo damn smart and a wonderful scientist and inventor and she is not surviving being a high school teacher . <3

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sleepless-rain · 2 years

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Haikyuu radio drama - Track 3 ″Interclass Match” [TRANSLATION]

Karasuno Haikyuu radio club! Original radio drama (script written by Furudate Haruichi!)

[These are fan translations. I do not consent to anyone using them for videos fanclips etc because these will be sold at a later date via CD please support the original by purchasing them when they are released.]

TRANSLATION BELOW CUT

You can listen to it here!

( it starts at 36min 47seconds)

[Radio drama 3: Class Match]

H = Hinata Shoyo Y = Yamaguchi Tadashi

H: Yamaguchi! Y: Oh! H: Did you see the volleyball class match? Y: Yeah! Class 2-1 were really strong. Tanaka-senpai really turned into the coach from hell there directing the baseball club. H: I wanted to join in those volleyball matches too! Y: No, they're interclass matches for a reason! If Kageyama ended up in one he'd do his best to hold back but then acidentally put in too much strength into a direct attack or a block enough to make everyone scatter or something like that. H: Like....the monster, despite wanting to make friends with humans, doesnt know how to control his power and acidentally crushes them? Y: Huh... ahh...I guess so...wait no, why did you have to come up with such a sad example!? H: What are you going to compete in? Y: For me, I'll be in the basketball later. How about you Hinata? H: I'll be in the soccer later! Also Hamaya is out today so I'll be hios replacement for baseball! Y: You sure are making the rounds! H: I guess so! Y:Oh! Dodgeball is starting! H:Oh! Its class 1-4 versus class 1-3. Oh my! Pfffttt... Y: Hey! Don't laugh! H: Same to you! It's Tsukishima versus Kageyama! Will they be alright? Has anyone died yet? Y: Shhh!! Look, we got glared at! Tsukki wasn't looking forward to dodgeball but he lost at rock-paper-scissors and it came down to choosing between creative dance and dodgeball. He ended up choosing dodgeball. H: Heeheehee! This is a sight to behold! He looks almost as annoyed as the time Bokuto kneed him from the back and he got his drink all over his face! Y: Kageyama is rearing to go! He's doing warm up's non-stop. He's doing warm up's non-stop!! Does he really need to jump like that!? He's jumping really high?! You don't need to jump like that in dodgeball!? He jumping like a person thats call in to be a substitute player! H: I guess he's in charge of the jump ball. Ah, I'm right. Y: Tsukki looks like he's really hating it. No, you can't do anything about it! There's nothing you can do about it, just play Tsukki! It's impossible for a 190cm volleyball club member to turn down the jump ball! H: They're glaring at each other so hard! Tsukishima is taking every opportunity to look down on Kageyama.Looking down super hard! Y: It's starting. It's starting!

*Whistle blows*

Y: Ah!!! Damn the ball got taken! H: The ball is class 1-3's. Kageyama's smug face is amazing. Kagesmugface Tobio! Y: Tsukki! Dodge it! H: Well he is a big target. Y: Those jerks in class 1-3, they're all just aiming at Tsukki!! H&Y: Oh! He recieved it! H: He was ready for it, and he caught it himself! Y: Nice recieve Tsukki! H: I see, so the ball he recieves either he or his teammates can catch it. Y: I saw this in Hunter x Hunter! H: Ughh!!! Tsukishima's smug face!! Smugishima Kei! Y: Go class 1-4! It's time to fight back! H: Kageyama's "I can do that too" face! He's definitely going to do it, he's definitely going to do it! See he did it! Kageyama did a recieve. Y: Oh... ahh he returned it near the net...not that there is one. H: If this was a match that would be a perfect first ball return. Y: But there's no one there! Ah, everyone’s just standing around... H: Kageyama's out~! Y: He should have returned it upwards so he could have caught it himself. H: A forced A pass*, even though he's always like "It doesn't have to be near the net". Y: If you can return an A pass then an A pass is fine. H: To be expected of Kageyama. Nice A pass Kageyama! OWAH!! He's totally glaring at me.

A pass = A pass returned to the setter so the setter doesnt have to move to the ball to make a set.

#leo translation #haikyuu #haikyuu broadcasting club #haikyuu radio #hinata shoyo #yamaguchi tadashi #tsukishima kei #kageyama tobio

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confessionsofa-roleplayer · 2 years

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TW: don’t read this if you’re sensitive especially to words like “burden”. i’ve been there, stay safe out there. xx

i’m going to commit the cardinal sin of telling it as it is TM (a rant)

maybe you’re just not that good.

if you’re never prioritized in your writing group. if you “play the same characters” but you “never get interactions and they do”. if “they reply once a month” and you “reply fast” and yet “everyone wants to write with them but not me” maybe you’re just a worse writer yaknow? the last person picked in gym class, there’s a reason they’re not picked first. sure some people will pick their friends first but after picking their friends they’ll pick the most talented players. you would do the same in their shoes, no? does that mean you should give up? absolutely not. a little self awareness couldn’t hurt tho.

being able to string words together is the bare effing basics of writing. just like being able to throw a ball is the basics of dodgeball. doesn’t mean you’re going to be good at dodgeball if you know how to throw a ball. literally anyone can throw a ball. in writing, especially rping, there’s technique, whether or not your characters / plots are interesting, whether you play off the other persons characters well, whether you read and truly take the time to understand the other persons writing / reply, being able to mutually forward the plot in a steady and satisfying way, among so many other things. if you’re not getting interactions, i would look inward a little bit before blaming all of it on others. because i have yet to see a good writer / rper starve for interactions. it is not other peoples responsibility to sacrifice their time and energy to accommodate you’re lack of talent (for lack of a better word) just like someone who isn’t good at their job is a burden to their co-workers or a teammate who’s bad at the game is a burden to their team. a bad rper is a burden to the other person who inevitably has to carry the whole interaction. that’s probably why they “haven’t replied in months” they agreed to write with you, likely because they felt bad rejecting you. or they got bored / overwhelmed with the thread because you weren’t carrying your fair share of the interaction. we need to start telling each other the ugly truths instead of coddling anyone who says they’re sad about not getting interactions. coddling literally helps no one and is a band-aid solution at best. makes the person feel good in the moment but ultimately doesn’t fix the underlying issue. just like anything else in life you can work on it, just because you might be bad now doesn’t mean you can’t be good in the future. but blaming it all on just “people are mean to me in particular for no reason :(” isn’t helping anyone; least of all you. at best you’re just guilt tripping people into interacting with you for a few replies before they inevitably also get overwhelmed. if you want my advice, the first step is recognizing the problem and stop shifting the blame onto others. then look at what you might be doing wrong or what you could do better. also, seek out constructive criticism. ask for it and, most importantly, react gracefully to it even if you don’t agree (unless its mean-spirited). most people don’t give it out unsolicited no matter how “communicative” they are because a lot of people are easily offended. and an unfortunate amount of people are comfortable doing some wild shit on this website out of spite for getting offended. but criticism is an opportunity for growth and not a personal attack on who you are. so, keep that in mind, seek it out point blank, work on it and bloom into the lovely rptastic flower i know you can be.

thank you for coming to my ted talk lol

#general #confessions

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lifeinavillage · 8 months

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Celluloid

Celluloid tape used to capture memories, either as moving pictures or the still ones. Nowadays, the frozen moments are preserved in pixels. But, that’s today, and I’m more a man of yesterday, of celluloid. My first contact with the celluloid pictures was when I was 7.

It was the eve before my 7th birthday. We moved to the neighbourhood about a year earlier. Long enough to make friends with kids from the buildings in our street. Long enough to start elementary school and make more friends from the class. Many of them were going to come to my birthday party the next day. And my dad thought of the way to make it memorable, and to make me shine.

On the small dining table in our small kitchen sat a large and heavy red-and-black metal box. Explaining every move with patience, dad slowly removed the black cover. It exposed the inner parts of a projector. It looked awfully complicated — a thick tube of the lens staring blindly forward set in front of a maze of cogs, wheels, spinners and screws stretching along the whole side of the machine all the way to the edge, like a face that was burned raw only on one side.

“On the top you pull up these two reel holders,” — dad was saying, pulling two long bars from their slots and clicking them upright. Next, he produced a roll of 8mm film, a Charlie Chaplin silent comedy, and showed me, step by step and cog by cog, how to feed the celluloid through the projector and into an empty reel sitting on the other holder. When everything was inserted and attached as it should be, he flipped a switch and Charlie ran and danced over the wallpapers in the kitchen. Then he rewound the film and made me do it by myself. And again. And again. On the third go, I had it all memorized and, with my small and nimble fingers, inserted the film faster than dad’s thick digits could.

“Look at him,’ — he stage-whispered to mom — “I don’t know if any of my eight-graders got it right at the first class, and our own first-grader is already better than them!”

I blushed from pleasure. Of course, he was exaggerating, but it was true that from the early age I showed curiosity and affinity for tech gadgets. I still like to tinker with anything that clicks, or has a screen, or, preferably, both.

The birthday party was a hit. We played dodgeball outside for a while, then came in and stuffed ourselves with sandwiches, sweets and the cake mom made. Too full to move, we idly played with toys I got as presents. Behind us, dad discretely dropped the red-and-black box to my room and disappeared. It was supposed to be my big moment. I approached the projector followed by every pair of eyes in the room, including Arlena’s — I’ll explain it momentarily — and unclipped the black cover. There was an awed hush when the cogs-and-wheels part was exposed and I felt the prickle of self-importance while feeding the celluloid through the machine. As soon as I flipped the switch on and Charlie appeared at the white surface of my room’s door, my mastery was promptly forgotten. At least now, partly hidden behind the projector I could steal glances at Arlena’s profile with impunity, while she was, along with everyone else, engrossed in the movie.

I owe you an explanation about Arlena. She was a girl from my class with the sea-blue eyes and blonde bangs, whom I was too shy to invite to my birthday party, so my mom had to call her mom and do it for me. For most of that first school year I watched her from the safe distance. She had infectious laughter reinforced by a couple of positively irresistible dimples. I don’t know if anyone else noticed how her eyes changed colour when she laughed, from deep-sea blue to turquoise-greenish-blue of a shallow sea. I only remember drowning in those eyes, no matter the depth their colour conveyed. Even from the distance too great to hear what she was laughing about, I found myself laughing with her. And often suffering near-lethal blushing whenever she caught me laughing. We were kids, too shy to even speak to each other. Besides, I convinced myself that she never noticed me. If she did, she never showed it.

And then at that birthday party I could feel her eyes on me, on my hands, while they were busy with the celluloid tape. I dared not to look at her from fear I’d forget the next step. Despite it all, I do think I left an impression on her, and for that alone the birthday was a success. Then I flipped the switch and the movie started.

I wish I could tell you that was the day I fell madly in love with the celluloid. It could have been, but life had other plans. The very next day dad returned the projector to school where he worked and where he borrowed it from. He never brought it home again. Mom and dad’s truce which allowed me to have a “normal” birthday didn’t hold. The shouting and beatings resumed soon after and the opportunities for another peaceful birthday party never came again. Arlena’s family moved to Germany by the end of that school year. I never heard of or from her again. Celluloid all but forgotten, I returned to things all other boys my age did — riding a bicycle and playing football.

It wasn’t until almost a decade later — by then the parents were divorced and judo was the most important thing in my life — that I came across dad’s old photo camera. Or, rather, it came across me. In our hallway, right inside the entrance to our flat, was a narrow, floor-to-ceiling closet, about a meter deep. Our winter jackets and coats hung in there permanently. The upper shelf, too high to reach without climbing on a chair, was our mini version of an attic. It was filled with cardboard boxes full of stuff we didn’t need, but didn’t have a heart to get rid of. I don’t remember what I was looking for on that upper shelf where things are more likely to be hidden from sight than stored, when a hard and heavy leather case hit me on the forehead and fell on my toes. It hurt! The case turned out to be “fed-3”, a Soviet-made photo camera, a cheap and badly done knockoff of a Leica 35mm. Dad bought it in one of those rare periods after he and mom made up for yet another “new beginning” to photograph the memories of our happy family together. None of which happened — neither memories, nor happy family and certainly not together. Camera laid among the things he never came to pick up, then was moved out of sight until it painfully reemerged and made contact with my head and toes. After the pain subsided, and with it my impulse to trash the damn thing, I opened the leather case and found the camera with quite a few dials and buttons that clicked. Now, remember what I said about my passion for the things that click? Yeah, it literally hit me on the head and I started fiddling with it.

Two things contributed to my rising interest for the camera. I’ve been crazy about judo in those days, and, if I may say so myself, was pretty good at it. I won some tournaments and collected an impressive assortment of medals — mom actually made me choose which ones to display, because we didn’t have enough space on the shelves or the wall for all. I travelled all around Yugoslavia with the judo team, but barely had any picture to show. Our coach, Marijan, was the guy with a camera. He had a Yashica, a Japanese-made photo camera which he brought straight from Japan, where he went to study judo, right at the source. He was our highest authority on everything judo and everything to do with Japan. He was the Sensei, the teacher, his word was the law, undisputed and taken almost as a commandment. Therefore, Yashica became the type of camera everyone on the team craved. (A few years later a Yashica will become my first “serious” camera.) Coach Marijan took pictures, during the medal ceremonies and of the team all together. He kept those for himself. We occasionally got a print or two from some important tournaments, but almost nothing from the places we visited. I wanted more pictures. We all did. And now I had a camera! True, it wasn’t a Yashica, but it took pictures. They may have been fuzzier, but we weren’t picky.

The second contributing thing was Fotokemika. That was the name of the factory that produced foto materials: films, chemicals and photo-lab equipment. It was located a 5-minute walk from my home. The factory store made prints cheaper than anywhere in town. It also sold cheaply photo-films by meter, which later made it possible for a not-so-well-to-do student to pursue his hobby of photography without going broke.

I started carrying the good old fed with me, first to trips with the judo team, then to personal trips and vacations too. Despite being an eternal butt of jokes, from a perfect replacement for a hammer (“can I borrow your fed, I need to hammer a nail in the doorframe”), to being a blunt weapon (“fed can crack the thickest skull”), my teammates readily straightened for a picture whenever I pointed it at them. Slowly, I learned to catch them when they weren’t posing and those pictures became much more sought after. I always made prints for them too. At the beginning I gave them away for free, but friends kept insisting on paying. Besides, giving them away put a heavy strain on my generally thin pocket-budget. Once I let them convince me to take their money, I realized for the first time that an income can be made from taking pictures. Without knowing it yet, my life started shifting toward a completely unexpected, different direction from the one I planned.

#memoir #life in a village #celluloid #photographer #photography #film

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leaderpinhead · 6 months

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Harry (OC) - Spice Is Life

“Sugar, spice, and everything nice—these are the essential ingredients to any cake!”

Harry groaned and flopped back into her chair. She didn’t care about the dirty glares the other girls shot in her direction. She absolutely adored Mother Flowers, but she equally abhorred the mother’s home economics class. It was so boring!

Which was why—for the third year in a row—Harry was subjected to this never-ending torment.

Min politely cleared her throat beside Harry. That got most of the girls to turn back towards the front where Mother Flowers never broke her stride, enthusiastically drawing a twelve-tiered, lopsided cake on the chalkboard.

When the last set of eyes turned away from them, Min leaned closer to Harry to whisper. “Harry.”

“What?”

Harry’s blunt tone made many of the girls turn back to them. Mother Flowers happily pulled out buckets of sprinkles from beneath her desk, oblivious to Harry’s obvious disgruntlement. Min sighed again. None of the girls would meet Min’s eyes when she stared straight back at them. Cowards, the lot of ‘em. This was why Harry couldn’t get a decent dodgeball team together in PE.

“I know you don’t like baking,” Min whispered, acting like they hadn’t already disrupted the class twice now, “but this is literally the last credit you need to graduate! The Head Godmother won’t allow anyone to graduate without at least one home ec class.”

“I don’t wanna bake cakes though,” Harry groaned. She flopped forward onto the table, her long ears nudging a set of mixing bowls. She expertly twitched her hare ears to knock over a bottle of vanilla extract. “Baking is boring. I’d rather just eat store-bought cake.”

“What if Maddox wanted a cake for a tea party?”

“Mads prefers jam toast.” Harry stretched her arms across the table. Her fingers tapped against a set of measuring cups. “He doesn’t love me for my baking skills. He loves me for my energetic spoon playing. Wanna see?”

Harry snatched up two wooden mixing spoons and started clanking them together. Another round of glares just made her play more aggressively. Mother Flowers giggled around her giant tub of blue frosting. “What wonderful rhythm you have, Harriet! You should play for Mother Annie. I’m sure she’d find the perfect place for you in the orchestra!”

Harry shot Min a See? I told you! look. Min sighed and shook her head. She didn’t bother speaking in whispers again. “Just bake the cake, Harry. I told Phyllis I'd be sure you passed this class this year. Do you want to have to go through this for another year?”

Harry frowned and stacked her spoons on the table. Min was right—she didn’t want to spend another year here. Not when she was only a few months away from complete freedom. Four years at the Mourning Dove Institute should be classified as torture.

Harry tucked her hands into her lap and impatiently listened to the rest of Mother Flowers’ instructions. When they were released to work on their tiered cake, she turned directly to Min. She bowed deeply at the younger girl, who only blinked back at her with confusion. “Oh, wise Kai-Ming. Share with me your secrets of the cake baking.”

Min’s pale face blossomed with color. She swatted at Harry’s ears. “Stop that! Let’s just follow the instructions Mother Flowers gave us.”

Instructions were boring though, and it quickly became apparent to Min why Harry had failed the same class twice. Harry didn’t make it a secret after all. “Why can’t we add more cinnamon to the batter?”

“Because the recipe doesn’t call for cinnamon at all.”

“Well, that’s a bad recipe then. We should fix that.”

“Harry, don’t.”

“What about this then?”

“Why did you grab red pepper flakes?”

“Mother Flowers said it herself—spice is an essential ingredient to make any cake.”

“She didn’t mean that kind of spice.”

“She should have been more specific then! Why can’t we make a carrot cake? I’d learn how to make that if it was my mum’s carrot cake.”

Min sighed and wiped her cheek with the back of her hand. The gesture left behind a streak of flour, which she didn’t notice because she was too busy placing greased cake pans in front of Harry. “Just fill these up. Mother Flowers said they don’t have to be exact measurements. You can at least do that, Harry.”

Instead of taking offense to the growing attitude Min voiced, Harry happily obliged. It filled her with unfettered glee to see the imperfect measurements across the set of pans, one pan barely filled with batter while another was near overflowing. It was a testament to how insane Mourning Dove Institute’s rigid rules made Harry. “Done!”

“Now we bake them for—Harry no!”

“Harry, yes,” Harry said with the same unfettered glee. She shook heaps of red pepper flakes across the tops of five cake pans before Min stopped her. “We need more spice.”

“We’re going to fail,” Min groaned. She whipped around to look at the clock and back again. It was just enough seconds for Harry to sprinkle more pepper flakes in the other cake pans. “We don’t have time to redo the batter and frost the cake. We’ll just have to make do.”

Min popped the back of Harry’s hand every time she tried to do anything for the rest of the class period. By the time their lopsided tiered cake was haphazardly decorated with blue frosting, Harry thought she would vibrate out of her chair. “Can I just—.”

“No.”

“Just one tiny—.”

“No.”

“All right, girls!” Mother Flowers cheerfully announced at the front of the class. “All of your cakes look absolutely scrumptious! I’ve asked Mother Mary to help me with the taste testing, so I hope you are all prepared.”

Harry’s cackle drew the attention of the entire classroom. Min slapped her forehead with enough force to leave a noticeable red mark. Just as Harry had hoped, Mother Mary made a beeline for their table, her stomping gait matching her perpetual glower. Harry gleefully held out a slice of their cake to the mother. “Mother Mary! Try ours first!”

“You better bet I’ll be judging your cake the harshest,” Mother Mary grumbled. She snatched the plate from Harry. Harry had to tuck her hands under her thighs to keep from bouncing out of her chair. “This is your third attempt at Fairy’s Birthday Cake. I expect perfection at this point.”

“Oh, it’s perfect, all right,” Harry cackled. Min had left the table to bury her face into one corner of the classroom. Mother Flowers hovered over her with concern. “Very perfect with no lack of spice.”

“There is no spice in Fairy’s Birthday Cake,” Mother Mary said around a mouthful of cake. Her thorough chewing gradually slowed. Sweat began to form on her wide brow. “What in the name of—why is it so spicy?”

“Because spice is an essential ingredient to every cake!”

Harry didn’t hear Mother Mary’s biting comments over her loud cackling. Nor did she hesitate recalling every second of the baking process later when her and Min were carted off to face the Head Godmother. The Head Godmother only sighed afterwards and turned to the huffing, puffing Mother Mary. “Really, Mary? I would think you would have learned your lesson at this point too. Were you not out an entire week with food poisoning the last time you tested Harriet’s food?”

Harry didn’t mind the passing grade she received in home ec at the end of the semester, nor did she argue with Mother Flowers when the lovely woman nervously asked her to never bake another cake again.

#twisted wonderland #original characters #twstober #day 19 spice #TwstMarchHare #TwstMulan #worldbuilding #i gave Twisted Wonderland an all girls academy #Where twst versions of the fairies from sleeping beauty teach #and their headmage is a twst fairy godmother from Cinderella #Harry is a chaos gremlin

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dailybeastarsthings · 2 years

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Chapter 28 - Slithering And Always Watching

It was a peaceful Tuesday with nothing interesting going on except for classes and the regular atmosphere in the corridors. Students of all shapes and sizes were either in a hurry to not be late or gossiped and laughed together. The park was also full with students enjoying the last warmer days before the dark emerald greens changed into warm colors of gold and bronze. During lunchbreak, as Legoshi was enjoying his usual egg sandwich, he got a text from Jack.

Jack: Hey, sorry for disturbing you but you should get back to the dorm ASAP! It’s Kabu.

Legoshi was surprised to receive a text during the day. He was even more surprised to receive a text in general, but he knew that if Jack texted him about something it was usually something serious.

Legoshi: On my way. What happened?

Jack: I think it’s better not written in text.

Legoshi raced back to the dorm. He flung open the room’s door only to find his friends gathered around Kabu’s terrarium.

‘Hey, I’m here, what happened?’ he asked worried, still panting from running so fast.

‘It’s Kabu’ Collot said, lowering his head to look at the gentle beetle.

Legoshi looked around, sorry faces everywhere. Durham walked up to him.

‘It seems he’s ready to say his goodbyes and fly off to the Great Beyond’ he said as he put his hand on Legoshi’s shoulder.

Legoshi walked up to Kabu’s terrarium and put him in his palm. The rhinoceros beetle moved a bit, which made Legoshi smile softly.

‘Hey buddy. You’re a little slower than usual but it’s alright. You’ll feel better eventually.’ It seemed as Kabu understood Legoshi or at least recognized his voice. He slowly turned towards him and made a few more steps. ‘See, you can do it! I’ll get you some extra-large sugar cubes today!’ Legoshi cheered him on. Kabu made a few tiny steps before lying down in his owner’s hand, and becoming motionless. A last buzz and he was gone.

‘Go on, Kabu, you can do it, I believe in you!’ Legoshi said.

‘Legoshi…’ Jack stepped forward to his friend.

‘Come on, Kabu, you can do it’ Legoshi said with a crack in his voice, trying to fight his tears back.

‘Let’s go guys’ Durham signaled the others. ‘Leave them alone for a bit. Jack, stay with him.’ Jack nodded and the others left the room. They all understood how difficult it would be for Legoshi to lose his pet beetle. After all, he was almost like family to him. After they closed the door, Legoshi broke down, choking on his tears.

‘Kabu, wake up! Please!’ he cried. ‘Don’t leave me!’

Jack hugged his best friend who cried loudly on his shoulders. One of his favorite pets was gone and he couldn’t do anything about it. His heart shattered.

‘It’s okay, Legoshi’ Jack tried to calm him down. ‘He’s in a better place now. We’ll give him a proper funeral, if you’d like.’

‘Please…’ Legoshi said, looking up with his red eyes.

At night, when all students were back at their dorms, the boys of Room 701 proudly marched to a large cherry tree in the school park, where Legoshi found Kabu. They quietly sang some mourning songs along the way. Legoshi held Kabu’s body, which was placed in a little coffin made by Miguno. When they arrived, they dug a small hole at the trunk of the tree and placed the tiny coffin inside. Legoshi couldn’t watch as his friend got buried, he cried on the shoulder of Jack, again. When the coffin was buried, they placed a tiny piece of paper on the tree trunk, which read: ‘Here lies Kabu – born a beetle, died a wolf’s best friend’.

The wind was gently blowing, but one would say, it had an unusual melody to it…

***

About a week later, during Physical Education, students were divided into two groups to play dodgeball. Legoshi didn’t like any sports, but he hated dodgeball the most, as it required his worst attributes: focus and reflexes. He was face to face with a red ball, moving towards him at high speeds, thrown by a kangaroo.

‘Is it coming towards me?’ he thought before it inevitably slammed into his jaw, making him dizzy.

‘Damn it, play dodgeball like a normal canine and don’t suck!’ a Thompsons gazelle yelled angrily. Their team’s situation was dire as there were only a few players left on the field.

Legoshi sat down on the side bench in defeat, his jaw still hurting. That day he learned a valuable lesson: at least try to move your head when a ball is going towards it.

Other than that, things appeared to be quite normal – Legoshi’s peaceful school life returned with mundane Marine Language classes, egg sandwiches and The Lost Souls Of Crimes, his favorite series.

‘Well, this isn’t so bad I guess’ he thought. ‘Now that I think about it, this is how I normally am… I’ve got a plain personality. I picked a fight with a tiger and the Shishigumi all because of my friendship with Haru. Yet, I couldn’t make Louis to return to school… I just miss him so much!’

That day, Legoshi was responsible for cleaning the hallway restrooms on the 3rd floor. He swept the floor then mopped it thoroughly, cleaned the toilet bowls, then wiped the mirrors and cleaned the sinks. Most students were quite squeamish and would do anything to avoid cleaning the restrooms, but Legoshi didn’t mind. Plus, it only took him about 2 hours to finish. His mind was still wondering about Louis though…

‘I think this will be the last time I try to think of anything to bring him back’ he sighed, silently admitting his defeat. ‘If what he is doing is so important that he has to drop out of school to do it, then I don’t have the right to stop him.’

As he collected all the garbage in the restrooms to carry it to the dumpster, a few students ran past him, laughing and teasing each other with pranks and jokes. It had been quite the unusual sight but lately, it has become more common. Legoshi looked after them as they became smaller with each step.

‘The attitude in this school is changing quite a bit along with the carnivore students’ Legoshi thought. ‘Still, if there’s anything I’m confident about, it is my reluctance to change my beliefs. Well, Juno has the whole school under her finger; Louis is gone to a completely different world from mine and as for me… Hmmm…’ he stopped for a second to think about where he was going with his thoughts. ‘I think my desire to live “free and strong” is simply my desire… To live a “plain and simple life”’ it echoed in his ears. ‘Wait… Did I just realize my raison d’etre at age 17? Is that even normal? Well, I tried living my life not to stand out so maybe it is…?’

‘To live a plain and simple life…’ it echoed in his head again. Well, maybe rattled would be a better word to describe the voice Legoshi heard echoing. He stopped for a moment and looked around. There was no one to be seen around him. The wind gently blew, making the branches of the park’s trees playfully wave at him. He concentrated his senses on the wind and the trees. The multicolored leaves were not the one making the sound however.

‘My ears seem to be ringing again’ he thought. ‘This is so annoying. They’ve been ringing for days now… I should go to the infirmary to have it checked out…’

As he continued walking back to the dorm, the rattling sound didn’t become quieter. If anything, it became louder and more aggressive, as if it was chasing Legoshi. He panicked and ran back to the dorm as quickly as he could. He entered the room and shut the door behind him. His roommates were playing cards. Legoshi sat down on the bed and watched the others play their turns. Suddenly, he heard the rattling again – this time, it was a bit fainter.

‘Guys, is there something in this room?’ Legoshi asked, wondering if the others could hear the rattling or he was just simply losing his sanity. The others turned their heads toward him with curious eyes. ‘Don’t you hear that?’ he asked. The others listened for a bit, rolling their eyes in the process, but eventually, they all shook their heads. ‘Something’s definitely in this room. It’s probably been here for days!’

‘Stop, this is scary!’ Miguno said.

‘I’m not kidding! I really am hearing something…’ Legoshi continued with deadpan eyes, not even blinking just staring in front of him. ‘Can’t you guys hear it? It’s a rattling sound and it’s getting louder every day! I’ve also been feeling something staring at me lately…’

‘Jack, you’re his best friend, say something’ Durham whispered, nudging the golden retriever.

‘I don’t know how to handle his “Mystery Mode” episodes’ he replied nervously. Eventually, he stood up and walked to Legoshi, holding his muzzle in his hands. ‘Get a hold of yourself. You’re just hearing things because you’re stressed and sleep-deprived! Maybe, you’re just imagining Kabu flying in the back of your mind. I don’t know about the staring though’ he said with his voice becoming increasingly uncertain.

‘Oh, I’ve heard a ghost story about this school!’ Collot said while he sat next to Legoshi on his bed. ‘It sounds like Legoshi’s story.’

‘Seriously, you’re a second-year and you still believe in ghost stories? That’s embarrassing, man’ Durham said with a belittling tone.

‘It’s actually quite popular in Cherryton. There’s supposed to be a six-eyed ghost in the school that makes a lot of weird sounds.’

Legoshi couldn’t focus; he heard the rattling from behind him again. This time, it was loud and clear. He couldn’t bear it anymore, he wanted it to end. In a moment’s notice, he turned around and punched the wall behind him with full force, breaking a hole into it. The others jumped at each other in fear, holding onto each other’s hands.

‘Aw, crap, I made a hole in the wall’ Legoshi said. ‘Well, I don’t think it’s a ghost, I think it’s something real… I’ll go get the toolbox after getting the laundry’ he continued with his regular calmness as he exited the room.

‘What the hell was that!?’ Miguno asked, still trembling.

‘I don’t know if I want to be his roommate anymore’ Collot added.

The dorm’s laundry was in the basement. It consisted of many washing machines and dryers all lined up neatly, with detergent placed over them on shelves. There were multiple brands and fragrances to choose from. Legoshi and the boys from Room 701 usually preferred something that reminded them of water. They had no reason behind it, they just loved water. They usually went for a fragrance called ‘Blue waves’, which reminded them of the sandy beach near the outskirts of the city.

As Legoshi arrived, there was only a few minutes left of the cycle. He watched the clothes inside twirl around for a few more times before the program was over.

‘You know, we’re all alone now’ he said. ‘The least you could do is telling me your name.’ Legoshi turned around nervously. He could feel that something or someone was watching him. He almost physically felt where the eyes landed. ‘How long have you been watching me? Two weeks? Three? Everyone’s gonna think I’m a psycho at this rate!’ He nervously walked up to some T-shirts hanging on the clothesline and cautiously peeked around them. ‘You’re not really a six-eyed ghost, are you?’

BAM! Suddenly a large scaly body landed behind Legoshi. He jumped in fear and turned around only to be greeted by the view of a rattlesnake emerging from their bagel-like formation.

‘Your secret activities have driven my heart wild…’ it hissed. As they turned to Legoshi, they revealed their golden-amber eyes and a pair of pointy fangs. ‘I’ve been watching you ever since you fought that tiger on stage… I saw how wild you were in and out of school and how you turned down a female of your own species for a male deer, who is now ever so distant from you. You are a very loose cannon and a shameless fetishist. You, my dear (no pun intended) sweet wolf, are the craziest psycho in the entire school.’ As they were talking, the snake slowly slithered closer to Legoshi with an almost hypnotic look in their eyes. Legoshi got trapped in the eternal gaze. ‘I’ve kept my eye on you… Or rather, my six eyes. There is nothing I don’t know about you.’ Legoshi gulped. Do they seriously know everything? ‘I heard you dreaming about living a peaceful life. Well, if you think your school life will be peaceful, then you’re in for a terrible surprise.’

Legoshi’s eyes shot wide open. What did they mean? The snake slithered closer every second to the point where the only smell Legoshi could sense was theirs.

‘What…? What do you mean?’ Legoshi asked confused. ‘Why do you know me?’ Beads of anxious sweat started to form on his forehead.

‘I’m afraid you’re far too unwary of your surroundings’ the snake shook his head. ‘In all of the time I spent watching you, I felt something…’

Suddenly, they heard a friendly little chime from behind Legoshi. It was indicating the end of the washing and drying cycle. They both looked at the chime’s direction. Legoshi felt a slight relief that he may have some time from the intimidating encounter.

‘Oh, excuse me. Could you hold that thought? My laundry’s finished’ he said. ‘If they stay in there longer, the smell will stick.’ Legoshi bent down and started to take out the clothes from the washing machine, folding them neatly into a basket he took with him. The snake blinked in disbelief. Did this wolf really just cut them off?

‘As a snake, I’m proud of my stalking abilities’ she thought. ‘However, this wolf can show slight caution without losing his sense of reality. He even has the courage to turn his back on me despite how suspicious I appear to him… Perfect, just as I thought – this male wolf’s potential has no limits!’ The snake took a good inspection of Legoshi’s body while he was moving around with his laundry. The sight both made them excited and jealous. ‘Oh, I have a clear view of the joints in his body and the veins that make up his limbs, his thick fur covering his rough looking body. To be in his presence makes me feel like looking at a modern masterpiece!’ The snake hid their head behind a part of their body, realizing that they lost their hat during the fall. In the meantime, Legoshi was finished with folding the laundry and turned back to continue the conversation.

‘So, what do you mean you kept your eyes on me?’ he asked. ‘Who are you?’

‘You’re right, where are my manners?’ the snake said while putting the hat on. ‘I am the one and only security guard in this school. My name is Rokume’ she said as she rose up from the ground, towering over Legoshi.

‘A security guard? I didn’t even know this school had one…’ Legoshi thought.

‘During the spring performance of the Drama Club, I was hiding on the ceiling, keeping an eye out for any suspicious behavior’ she continued since there was no response from Legoshi. ‘On the second day of the performance, the audience, me included, was enchanted by the devilish radiance of a certain actor, leaving us speechless. That would be you’

‘Oh, well, you see…’ Legoshi began in embarrassment ‘I wasn’t acting… I was just suffering from temporary insanity…’

‘Oh, trust me, I know’ Rokume replied while slithering around Legoshi, enclosing him in a ring of her scaly body, slightly shimmering in the dim light of the laundry room. ‘That dwarf rabbit friend of yours was the reason of your insane actions. That’s also why you were so unhinged at the summer isn’t it? Those scars on your arm resemble feline teeth marks…’

‘Well, not actually, I was jealous of her actually, being so close to someone I like…’

‘And yet you went out of your way to save her because of your friendship. To think, that someone like you would become close friends with such a petite and immoral female… You must be as bad as she is! The more I learned about you, the more intrigued I became. You see, I’d like to see your capabilities once more for the school.’

‘For the school?’ Legoshi asked. How could he do anything good for his school?

‘Yes’ Rokume said as she leaned in closer, revealing her pointy fangs, looking hypnotically with her golden-amber eyes. ‘An animal of your caliber shouldn’t be hiding from the public. It would be a waste of potential’ she continued, while she grasped Legoshi, twisting her body around him, trapping him between her scales.

‘But, Rokume, you’re a security guard who keeps hiding from the students’ Legoshi said, struggling to let his body out of the tightening grip. ‘They only know you as a ghost story.’

‘I doubt anyone would care how I feel’ she replied with hesitation. Rokume lifted Legoshi off the ground, making him lose his flip-flop in the process. She rolled Legoshi’s shirt up with her body, revealing his toned body. She held her firmly between his legs, only to twist around him behind his back and his chest. ‘I wasn’t always a security guard’ she continued. ‘Before that, I was just an ordinary rattlesnake. For my entire life, I’ve been forced to live with the shame of having no limbs…’ her voice turned sadder. ‘Only by hiding myself can I endure living with this shame.’ Her grip became tighter, making Legoshi slightly growl in discomfort. ‘I rattle my tail every time I see a troublemaking student… My job requires me to hide and acting like a whistle… I’m jealous of you’ she hissed, letting her tongue twirl around in the air. ‘Tell me, those beautiful legs of yours… How strong are you with them?’ she asked.

Suddenly, Rokume felt she was being petted. She looked down only to see Legoshi touching her with his large hands while zoned out.

‘Is he showing interest in my body?’ she thought.

‘You know, I never knew snakes had it this rough’ Legoshi said in a friendly tone. ‘But you shouldn’t hide. You’re beautiful. And just by inspecting your scales, I’m intrigued to know how they are made…’

THUMP! Legoshi hit the floor… Hard. As he looked around, he could only see the rattles of Rokume’s tail slithering out the laundry room. He quickly got up and ran after her. Even with no limbs or wings, however, she was flying through the corridor, out the dorm and back inside the school. Legoshi had a really hard time following her.

‘My aesthetic senses were right on the money. This young wolf is like none other’ she thought. ‘Chase me, young wolf! You have what it takes, I know you do!’

Legoshi chased Rokume until they reached the lecture hall where the murder incident happened earlier that year. The rattlesnake slithered around the walls and the ceiling, arching over the lecture hall’s broken entrance. Legoshi was overcome with memories of his late friend, Tem. How they used to practice during rehearsals, how he would always ask Tem for advice and how they would enjoy shakes together in the cafeteria.

‘I assume you remember the case where your alpaca friend was murdered’ Rokume said with regret in her voice. ‘Even though I’m a security guard, I failed to capture the one responsible for his death. The culprit should still be in the school…’

Legoshi froze up as his eyes wandered from the broken window of the entrance, down the blood covered wood eventually on the floor to see the many wilted flowers and bouquets. And yet, there was one, which appeared to be fresh. He crouched down to see the card in it. It read ‘I’m sorry, Tem.’

‘Louis… It must have been him…’ Legoshi thought. His heart felt warm at the benevolent deed of the red deer.

‘I’m sorry’ Rokume said. ‘As a security guard and as a fan of yours, I want an encore in this school for you.’

‘So… You want me to find the culprit?’ Legoshi said after a moment of hesitation.

‘I wouldn’t blame you for hesitating… This must be the first time you’ve been told to do something based on your strength.’

‘No… You see, there was this upper-classman of mine who told me that I should utilize my strength… I don’t want his apology to be for nothing…’

Legoshi felt an utmost determination to find the culprit who murdered Tem. Not only to bring justice to his memory, but to save Louis’ apology from withering away…

#beastars #beastars overhaul

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motownfiction · 2 years

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aquarium

On half-day Fridays, every four weeks, Sam picks Elenore up from school. Lucy’s teaching a class until 2:30, and Will’s meeting with Dr. Farmer to talk about whatever nerdy psychology research they’re doing. Every time, Sam looks forward to it. Will might be his best friend, but even he’s got nothing on Elenore.

Today, she’s newly seven years old, rapidly coming to the end of her first-grade year. She’s in Ms. Cunningham’s class, too, and she sits in the Taurus desk clump. When Sam asks her if there’s anybody there she wants to be friends with, she says no. They’re mostly quiet boys who like Transformers and don’t give a hang about Star Wars, which is Elenore’s favorite thing in the world, besides sprinkle cookies and half-day Fridays with her godfather.

“Besides,” she says as she slides into the backseat of the old Escort, “I can’t make friends when I know I just have to move away.”

Sam’s heart shatters as he takes the wheel. They’ve all talked for a long time about how moving is going to be hard, but everyone is going to love Elenore just as much in New York as they do in Michigan. Nothing’s going to change except the miles. They repeat it so often, it starts to sound like a song that’s mostly chorus. Elenore memorizes it, but she doesn’t really know what she’s saying. Just like “Da Doo Ron Ron,” except nothing like it at all.

“I was thinking we could head over to the Belle Isle Aquarium,” Sam says, ignoring the subject of the move altogether. “You wanna?”

Elenore makes a face like she’s thinking.

“Would it be fun?” she asks, and Sam laughs.

“We’d make it fun,” he says. “It’s you and me, baby. We bring all the fun in.”

Elenore grins and nods from the backseat.

“Then let’s go!” she says, and Sam takes off for the city.

When he pulls into the parking lot, he’s surprised by how deserted it is. He remembers when he was a little boy, and his parents would take him and Sadie and Charlie to the very same place. There were tons of people there, all excited to see the fish, all excited to imagine what it would be like to breathe better underwater. Maybe the last part was just the Doyle kids. They always did their best thinking at the aquarium or in the swimming pool.

Now, the halls are echoey and lonesome. There are still fish swimming around for them to look at, but it just doesn’t seem exciting. It’s just the two of them and a little boy with his grandfather. Nobody makes eye contact. It’s like they know they’re not supposed to be there.

“Didn’t you say we could make this fun?” Elenore asks.

“There’s still time,” Sam says.

“OK, but if we don’t have fun here, I want to go to Wendy’s. And I want to get four cups of ketchup with my fries.”

Sam chuckles and claps Elenore on the shoulder just once.

“You got it, kid,” he says.

They stop in front of a tank and stare into it for a little while. Sam’s not entirely sure of the fish they’re supposed to be looking at, and he doesn’t think he cares. Elenore probably doesn’t care, either. They just keep staring at their reflections in the glass. Elenore sighs, and Sam furrows his brow.

“Are you sighing?” he asks.

“I guess I am,” Elenore says.

“You’re seven! What could you have to be sighing about when you’re seven? I think you have to be at least ten years old to earn your first sighing privileges, and even then, they have to be reserved for very special occasions, like terrible math tests or playing dodgeball in gym.”

Elenore looks at him like he’s bonkers. Maybe he is. Maybe he doesn’t care.

“Sadie’s going to have a baby,” she says plainly.

Sam nods.

“Next month,” he says. “It’s gonna be a little boy.”

“Like you.”

Sam thinks about it for a second, both amused and bemused.

“Yeah,” he says. “I guess … kinda like me. I’m more of a big man than a little boy now, I guess. But kinda like me.”

Elenore nods. She continues to stare at herself in the fish tank.

“And Carrie’s going to have a baby,” she says.

“About a month after that,” Sam confirms. “Gonna be a little girl.”

“Like me.”

Now, it’s Sam’s turn to sigh. He knows exactly where Elenore is going with this, and he hates that he didn’t realize it sooner.

“Kinda like you,” he says. “But you’re a big girl now, aren’t you? You’re almost done with first grade. That’s practically in college.”

“It is not. But I suppose … I’m not as little as I could be.”

Sam covers his mouth with his hand to keep from laughing out loud. Leave it to his friends to make a kid this smart, this terrific.

“Look, Elenore,” he says. “I know you’re worried about what’s gonna happen with you and me when you move out to New York.”

She turns to him with both relief and concern in her sweet little eyes.

“I just don’t want you to like anybody better than me,” she says – almost pleads. “Sadie’s baby and Carrie’s baby … they’re gonna be your real nephew and your real niece. I’m just Elenore, and that’s not …”

Sam spins her around and draws her close to him. When he thinks about only one half-day Friday left, he feels like he might be sick.

“Elenore,” he says again, a little firmer this time. “It doesn’t matter where you’re living or where I’m living or what. I’m never gonna like anybody better than you. You’re my best pal. The first baby. And I love you so much. You hear me?”

Elenore looks up at him and nods. A beautiful little girl. She wraps her arms around his waist and pulls him into a tighter hug.

“I hear you,” she says. “I love you.”

Sam laughs a little. It never gets old, hearing a little one say something like that.

“Even when I take you to the world’s worst aquarium?” he asks.

Elenore nods at him again. He pats her on top of her head, which makes her giggle.

“Thank goodness.”

#drabble #ch: sam doyle #ch: elenore o'connor #year: 1991 #dynamic: more today than yesterday #asks #ponyboyatreides

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sankyeom · 4 years

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tattle-tale | l.sy

pairings: lee sangyeon x reader genre: teacher au, tooth-rotting fluff summary: in which teacher!sangyeon has a crush on teacher!you and anonymously leaves little gifts for you on your desk, only to one day be caught by your entire class word count: 5.9k series: sankyeom’s 2k followers celebration

masterlist

You loved your job, you really did.

Teaching little kids all day long was an absolute joy for you. But if you said recess wasn’t your favourite time of the day, you’d definitely be lying. “Finally,” you groaned as you took a seat on a sofa in the teacher’s lounge, a large cup of coffee in your hand as you closed your eyes.

Sangyeon, Jacob and Hyunjae – three teachers at your school that you considered close friends – shared knowing smiles. “Rough morning?” Jacob asked.

“I love my students,” you said, eyes still closed. “But they can be little devils sometimes.”

Hyunjae burst into laughter as Jacob and Sangyeon grinned. “They can’t be that bad?”

You opened your eyes to observe your colleagues. “It’s Emma’s birthday today. She brought cake for the entire class, and they ate the entire thing within the first ten minutes of first period,” you recalled in a monotone voice.

Jacob winced. “Sugar rush?” he guessed.

“You have no idea,” you complained, having flashbacks to your students running around the classroom and causing absolute chaos. “I would literally kill for some coffee. Or at least maim.”

Hyunjae pointed at your mug. “What do you call that?” he teased.

“Terrible teacher lounge coffee that hasn’t been warm for, like, an hour,” you observed as you took a sip of your coffee. Then, you winced and pushed the mug away from you. “I may be desperate for a good caffeine fix, but I’m not that desperate,” you mumbled as you got up to toss the contents of your mug down the sink.

Sangyeon’s eyes trailed after your retreating figure, a mindless smile on his face as he observed the way you glared at your, now empty, mug in disgust as if it had betrayed you. His gaze drew towards Jacob when his colleague cleared his throat, a knowing look in his and Hyunjae’s eyes as Sangyeon gave them an innocent smile. “Are you ever going to ask her out?” Jacob asked with a lowered voice.

Although he knew he had been caught, Sangyeon still made his attempt at playing innocent. “Ask who out?”

Hyunjae rolled his eyes. “Don’t pretend. You’re a really bad liar and you’re just way too obviously in love with Teacher Y/n,” he said, imitating your students when they call out to you.

Despite his best efforts, Sangyeon couldn’t hide the blush that appeared on his cheeks. As he opened his mouth to protest, you took your seat on the sofa opposite the trio, muttering to yourself about terrible coffee. Noticing the shift in atmosphere, you raised an eyebrow at your colleagues. “Did something happen while I was gone?” you wondered.

“No,” the three men chorused, which only made you more suspicious of them. With a shrug, you dismissed their odd behaviour, deciding that it was best not to pursue your curiosity. “So Y/n, did you ever find out who your secret admirer is?” Hyunjae wondered.

A small pout appeared on your lips. “No,” you sighed, clasping your hands together to rest on your knees.

For a few months now, you had been receiving little gifts on your desk when you stepped out of your classroom for your breaks or free periods. At first, they were just little things that lifted your mood in the middle of the day; sticky notes with funny faces and encouraging quotes, or small gummy and snack packets to give you energy at the end of your long day.

Then, the gifts started becoming a little more personal.

A gift certificate to your favourite coffee chain, packs of stickers or staples that you just so happened to be running out of, muffins from your favourite bakery, and even a beautiful leather-bound journal that you had mentioned you wanted to a few friends and coworkers.

You didn’t know who the gifts were from, but you desperately wanted to meet them.

Not only did they brighten your day every single time you got a new gift, but they seemed to be presents that were specifically purchased for you.

“Has anybody else been getting gifts?” you inquired.

“Not as far as I know,” Jacob denied, Hyunjae and Sangyeon humming in agreement. “Besides, aren’t the gifts all perfect for you?”

You nodded. “Most of them are things that I vaguely mentioned, or silently pined after. Sometimes they’re just little pick-me-ups like snacks, but they still seem to know my taste perfectly.”

Jacob smiled. “That’s kind of romantic,” he mused, causing Sangyeon to choke on the water he had been sipping. He coughed, leaning forward to place his mug down, and covered his mouth as he tried to catch his breath. You, Hyunjae and Jacob gave him looks of concern, which he immediately waved off.

“I’m good,” Sangyeon assured the three of you. “You-“ he coughed. “You think it’s romantic?”

“Of course!” Jacob said cheerily. “Gifts that fit her taste without ever revealing who sent them… A secret admirer. Super romantic,” he assured his friend, sending him a subtle wink when you weren’t looking.

“I just wish I could repay them somehow,” you sighed. “I feel like they make my days easier and I don’t even have a way to thank them.”

“I’m sure they’ll reveal themselves with time,” Hyunjae told you, probably in an attempt to cheer you up. “Maybe they’re just a little shy.”

“Maybe,” you echoed half-heartedly. The bell rung, indicating that recess was over and class would start again in five minutes.

“Coming?” Sangyeon asked, standing up to walk you to your classroom. Your classrooms were in the same corridor, even though Sangyeon taught fourth grade and you taught second.

You shook your head. “My kids have Gym right now, so I have a free,” you said. “I have some grading to do, so I’m just going to hang out here.”

“Not going to hunt for a better cup of coffee?” Sangyeon teased, copying the horrified face you made when you took a sip of the cold teacher’s lounge coffee.

With a laugh, you merely shook your head. “I’m too lazy to leave campus. Plus, I should probably cut down on my caffeine consumption anyway.”

“Right,” Hyunjae nodded. “I’ll remind you of that in three hours when it’s lunchtime and you’re completely worn-out from your seven-year-old students,” he said, saluting you in lieu of a goodbye. You waved to him, Jacob and Sangyeon as they left the lounge, taking out your bag to get to grading your students’ tests.

Since they were only second graders, the grading wasn’t exactly difficult, just time-consuming. By the time the bell rang to indicate Gym class had ended, you had just finished all of their maths tests. After stretching, you made your way over to your classroom so that you could be there before your students changed after Gym class.

Entering your classroom, you could already feel a bit of fatigue kicking in, and you cursed yourself for not getting a cup of coffee after all. Before you could wallow in your regret any further, you noticed the paper take-away cup on your desk. The bright blue sticky note on the cup instantly brought a smile to your face.

Don’t let the little devils wear you down too much. x

You picked the cup up, delighted that the coffee was still warm to the touch and relishing in the taste as you took a sip. “Secret admirer, you must be from heaven,” you muttered, grateful that your secret admirer had gone out of their way to make sure you were properly caffeinated.

“Teacher Y/n!” someone shouted, barreling into your classroom. Several students trailed behind, giving you similar greetings coupled with large beams.

“How was Gym?” you asked, putting your coffee down and listening to your students’ excited stories about who won the dodgeball game that day. “Well while you guys were having fun, I was working very hard to grade your math tests! Do you want to see how you did?”

Their cheers were enough for you to burst into laughter as you took their papers out of your test. “Teacher Y/n,” one of your students, Minho, raised his hand with big eyes.

The sight was absolutely adorable. “Yes, Minho?” you smiled.

“What did your secret Santa give you today?” he asked.

“Secret Santa is for Christmas time,” you corrected. “The person leaving me presents is just a nice friend,” you explained.

“Okay,” Minho nodded, eagerly absorbing your words. “What did your nice friend give you?”

“Something warm to drink,” you explained, pointing in the direction of your take-away cup before handing the seven-year-old his test back. “The teacher’s lounge has coffee but the coffee from my friend is from my favourite store.”

“Do we know your friend?” Sana, a little girl who always wore pigtails and a huge smile, asked.

“I think so,” you mused. “They work here at school.”

“Who is it?” she wondered. “Is it your boyfriend?”

You laughed. “It’s not my boyfriend,” you assured Sana. “I actually don’t know who it is yet. It’s a mystery.”

“Like Sherlock Holmes,” Minho piped up.

“Yes, like Sherlock Holmes,” you agreed.

“We can try and solve the mystery together, then!” the boy decided. “We just need to look at the clues.”

“Alright,” you allowed, having finished handing out the tests. “We can do that after we go over this test. Does anybody have any questions on the test that they didn’t understand?”

“That’s adorable,” Hyunjae laughed as you told him, Sangyeon, and Jacob about your students’ interest in your secret admirer. The four of you were sat outside at one of the picnic tables to enjoy the last few days of sunshine that autumn had to offer you. “Did they come up with anything?”

“They actually did,” you admitted. Sangyeon’s back straightened abruptly, curious about what your students figured out. “They decided that it’s definitely a teacher.”

“Really?” Sangyeon exclaimed, earning a weird look from Jacob and Hyunjae. “What makes them think that?”

“Well, I always get a little post-it note with all of my gifts,” you explained with a laugh. “And who uses post-it notes?”

“Teachers,” your three colleagues chorused.

“That’s pretty decent detective work,” Jacob complimented.

“My class certainly liked to think so,” you allowed, amused. “Anyway, my theory is that the admirer really is a teacher,” you added. “I doubt anyone other than other teachers have heard me talk about my favourite cafe, or which of my stationary is running low. I only ever talk about those kind of things in the teacher’s lounge or when I’m on lunch duty.”

“Sherlock Holmes indeed,” Hyunjae grinned, eyes crinkling at the outer corners. “Any theories on who it is?”

You sighed, shoulder drooping. “None at all,” you confessed. “Makes me feel kind of pathetic.”

“Hey, you’re not pathetic,” Jacob denied, putting his hand on your shoulder. “A little slow? Maybe. But certainly not pathetic,” you laughed, pleased at Jacob’s attempt to make you feel better.

“Teacher Y/n!” you heard Sana’s familiar voice as she ran up to you from the playground, her best friend Emma trailing after her.

“Hi girls,” you greeted. “Are you enjoying your lunch?” the two girls nodded.

“Emma, it’s your birthday today, isn’t it?” Sangyeon recalled from your rant at recess. The girl’s eyes lit up at his question, prompting her to nod her head excitedly.

“I’m turning eight,” she told him proudly.

Sangyeon beamed at her excitement, a fond look in his eyes. “Well I hope you have a wonderful birthday, Emma. You’ll have to tell me what presents you get when you come to school tomorrow,” he asked, which she immediately agreed to.

“I will, Teacher Sangyeon!” she promised.

Suddenly impatient, Sana crossed her arms. “Teacher Y/n, is Teacher Jacob your nice friend?” she wondered, pointing to where Jacob sat across from you.

“He’s a nice teacher friend, but he’s not the one who’s leaving me gifts,” you explained to the two girls. “Why do you ask?”

“We saw him touch your shoulder,” Sana explained. “We thought that meant he was your nice friend.”

“Sadly, you have the wrong guy,” Jacob said with a shrug. “But I’m going to try to help Teacher Y/n to find out who her nice teacher friend is. You guys already did a great job at helping her,” he added. Sana and Emma looked proud at the thought before they said their goodbyes, rushing off to grab the vacant swings before anybody else did.

“They’re so cute,” Hyunjae almost whined. “Why did I decide to teach sixth grade? Those kids aren’t cute anymore, they’re just savage.”

You grinned at the idea of Hyunjae being lightheartedly bullied by his twelve-year-old students. “You adore those kids, don’t lie to me,” you retorted. “And they’re still plenty cute.”

“They’re not that cute in sixth grade,” he denied, pointing in the direction Emma and Sana went. “And they don’t look at me with big, adorable eyes, or cling on to every word I say.”

“That’s just Y/n,” Sangyeon told them, smiling to himself as he dug into lunch. “My students are just two years older, and they don’t do any of those things to me.”

“You’re being modest,” you argued. “Emma looked at you like you told her she was the most special girl in the world when you remembered her birthday.”

“Maybe because it’s her birthday,” Sangyeon allowed, looking up from his food to smile at you. “But they look at you like that every single day. And it’s not just your students, either.”

His compliment made you blush.

The gifts started coming on a daily basis after the day you got a cup of coffee.

Almost every time you had a free period, a fresh cup of coffee would wait for you when you returned to your classroom, and sometimes baked treats from your favourite bakery would accompany it.

You tried staying in your classroom to see who your gift fairy was, but on days you stayed your admirer never came. It was almost as if they knew every move you were making; like they had heard it before or could somehow read your mind.

“Is one of you giving out my plans?” you questioned your colleagues one day.

Hyunjae simply raised an eyebrow at you. “Explain.”

So you did: “I feel like my secret admirer is always a step ahead of me,” you mumbled. “If I ever wait for them, they don’t show up, and if I send students ahead to wait in the classroom, they still don’t show up. I don’t know how they do it.”

“Maybe it’s one of us,” Jacob said, causing Sangyeon to send a small kick to his ankle as a warning. Hyunjae snorted, covering it up by pretending to cough. “Have you ever considered that?”

“I hadn’t, actually,” you realised absent-mindedly. “But if it was one of you guys then you’d just tell me.”

“Sure,” Hyunjae nodded. “Eventually.”

“Right,” you said, as if this was enough evidence to suggest it couldn’t be Hyunjae, Jacob, or Sangyeon. “So I’m back to square one.”

The bell rang, indicating the end of recess, and you stood up to go back to your classroom. “I love art class,” you sighed as you waved your goodbyes to Hyunjae and Jacob, and made your way to your classroom with Sangyeon. “It’s the only time they get to be rowdy and excited and I don’t have to make them calm down.”

Sangyeon laughed. “Sounds nice,” he agreed.

“What do you have next?” you asked.

“I’m free, actually,” Sangyeon said. “I always have a free after recess.”

“How come you’re always rushing off, then?” you wondered, since he had never sat with you in the teacher’s lounge during recess.

“I use it as my lesson-planning time, which I prefer to do in my classroom because I’m always forgetting little things that I need,” he admitted.

“Well you should hang out with me in the lounge some time,” you offered. “It has terrible coffee but I hear I’m pretty good company,” you joke, stopping at your classroom.

“I might take you up on that,” Sangyeon grinned, winking at you before he made his way to his classroom a few doors down.

You cursed yourself for feeling shy at his wink. Sure, Sangyeon was incredibly handsome. But you had enough to worry about with your secret admirer; you didn’t need a schoolgirl crush on one of your closest colleagues to top it all off.

You sighed. “Control yourself, Y/n,” you muttered to yourself, entering your classroom and starting to hand out the worksheets for the period.

You regretted ever saying that you loved art class.

After a sugar-filled recess, your class was more hyper than you had ever seen them and there was nothing that could be done to stop them. You had attempted multiple times to get them to listen to music or talk quietly, even going as far as to threaten them with staying on after lunch time to make up for the time lost during art class. You were about to lose your patience out of pure irritation and frustration when a knock sounded on the door of your classroom.

Sangyeon’s head popped in, a look of mild concern on his face. “Y/n, is everything okay?” he asked.

“Not really,” you admitted, running a hand through your hair in an attempt to curb your oncoming headache. “They won’t calm down. I’ve tried literally everything I can think of.”

“Mind if I give it a try?” he asked, earning an enthusiastic nod and a grateful smile from you. Sangyeon let himself in and stood at the front of the room. “Hi everyone!” he greeted loudly, causing your students to start to quiet down at the sight of a new face. “Thanks for waiting to start art class until I came,” he smiled, as if he was supposed to be there all along. “I’m Teacher Sangyeon from the fourth grade class down the hall.”

“He teaches big kids,” you heard Emma whisper to her desk mate. Cute.

“Teacher Y/n was just telling me how advanced and mature her second graders are. She even thought that I could come and teach them a little bit of fourth grade art since you’re all so far ahead,” Sangyeon complimented.

Gasps rang around the room, and you couldn’t be more grateful to him in that moment. “But you guys were pretty noisy when I came in. I’m not sure if you guys are really mature enough,” he trailed off, a look of concern on his face.

“We are!” Sana exclaimed, shushing her classmates with a stern expression. “We promise we are!”

“Well...” Sangyeon pretended to think for a moment. “If you guys can promise to be calm and good listeners, maybe I can still teach you like I teach fourth grade art. But only if you’re well behaved.”

In that moment, you were almost as entranced by Sangyeon as your students were.

Sangyeon took their silence as a promise and made his way over to your whiteboard, writing down his name and a few bullet points down. Then, he began to talk about being in the fourth grade and how different things would be from the second grade. He spoke with an air of confidence and kindness that made you realise why he became a teacher, and why all of his students loved him so much.

He was patient and informative without being condescending, and he took any questions and comments happily at any given moment. Sangyeon was definitely in his element, and it made him glow with relaxed joy.

You had always thought Sangyeon was attractive, but this was on a different level. He commanded the attention of all of your students and the way he just swooped in, giving up his entire free period to help you, made your heart swell with something akin to admiration. Sangyeon had your students giggling at his cheesy comments, and you found yourself smiling along with them, just as enchanted by him as your students were.

When he was done teaching, your students looked at him in awe and their eyes were dripping with respect and admiration. He dismissed them to lunch with your approval, and you practically leapt onto him when all your students left.

“Woah, what did I do to deserve that?” he wondered, wrapping his arms around you to return your hug nonetheless.

“Saved my class, and myself from a migraine,” you replied, sighing in relief. “Thank you, Sangyeon. Really. I can’t even begin to tell you how much I appreciate this,” you acknowledged, squeezing your eyes shut to relish in the hug. Sangyeon tightened his grip on you and sighed back, butterflies fluttering around his stomach.

Maybe he should just tell you that he’s your secret admirer, he considered.

“Of course, Y/n. You know that I’m always here if you need anything,” he said instead, pulling away from your hug to offer you a genuine smile. He wasn’t ready yet.

“I do,” you agreed with a nod. “And I can help you out anytime as well. Thank you. Let me buy you coffee or something as a proper thank you,” you offered, grabbing your bag without letting him reply.

“Not everyone is as obsessed with caffeine as you are,” Sangyeon retorted, gently nudging you with his hip to tease you.

“Hey, until they start selling it in an IV bag, I’m going to have to get my caffeine the old fashion way. C’mon, coffee shop three blocks away. My treat,” you smiled hopefully, holding up your wallet to jokingly entice him.

Sangyeon broke out into a large smile, eyes shaped like crescent moons. “I would love that,” he agreed, starting to erase his notes on the whiteboard as you clapped.

You watched him. “Your handwriting is beautiful,” you complimented, seeing the letters disappear. “I feel like I’ve seen it before,” you thought aloud, wondering why it looked so familiar.

“Really?” Sangyeon said, eyes wide as he sped up his process of erasing his lettering. “Probably in the yearbook or something.”

“Probably,” you dismissed the thought with a smile. “Now let’s go get our coffee on.”

After Sangyeon saved your art class, and your head from a brutal migraine, he started spending more time with you during your mutual free periods. Usually, you sat in silence in the teacher’s lounge as you did any grading or class prep that needed to be done, but with Sangyeon’s presence, your free periods were much more colourful and laidback.

Sangyeon had a lighthearted way about him; everything he said was assuring kind, and didn’t fail to make your heart flutter. Usually, you only ever spent time with Sangyeon when Jacob and Hyunjae were around, but being alone with Sangyeon was a different situation entirely. You had always known he was handsome and considerate, but he exuded a different kind of energy when he wasn’t surrounded by your friends.

As he sat next to you at one of the tables in the teacher’s lounge before the school day started, you couldn’t help but admire his profile; he was practically flawless. He had a long, slender nose and high cheekbones that made Sangyeon look more angular than soft. His deep brown eyes and pillow-soft lips-

“Y/n?” you snapped out of your trail of thoughts, realising that you had been blatantly staring at your coworker. Sangyeon gave you a concerned look. “You okay?”

“Oh, I’m fine!” you promised, clearing your throat and adjusting your shirt to give your hands something to do. “Sorry. What were you saying?”

The bell chimed, indicating that the school day would begin soon. You and Sangyeon stood up from your chairs and started collecting your papers. “I was just saying that I can’t stay with you during my free, I have some errands to run,” he explained, giving you a wave before he ran off to grab something from his car before class started.

You rose an eyebrow. “I don’t have a free today,” you mumbled to yourself, making your way to your classroom to start your first period class.

Sangyeon grinned, lifting the flower bouquet in his hand to smell the fragrant flowers once more, relishing in their sweet scent. You had told him about a little flower shop nearby that you noticed the other day, but you couldn’t bring yourself to buy yourself flowers because it felt a little embarrassing. Since you had a free today, Sangyeon figured it would be the perfect time to buy you some flowers and give them to you.

Anonymously, of course.

As Sangyeon snuck past the teacher’s lounge, he saw your bag on one of the chairs and quickened his steps so that you wouldn’t spot him as he made his way to your classroom. Checking the hallway, Sangyeon entered your classroom as quietly as he could as to not alert any other classes of his presence.

As carefully as he could, Sangyeon closed the door behind him and let out a relieved sigh when it silently shut. Smiling, he turned around to put the flowers on your desk.

Only to be met with the little faces of your entire class.

Sangyeon’s mouth fell open in shock, his eyes widening simultaneously as he realised the situation.

“Teacher Sangyeon,” Emma exclaimed, waving excitedly at him. “What are you doing here?”

“Um, hi class,” Sangyeon greeted awkwardly, making his way towards your desk. “I’m just leaving Teacher Y/n a little surprise, that’s all.”

Minho gasped. “You’re her nice friend that’s leaving her presents!” he realised, pointing his little finger at Sangyeon.

Knowing he was caught, Sangyeon nodded, hurriedly pulling a blue post-it note from his shirt pocket and writing you a little message to go with your flowers. “Yes, I am. But I would really like it if you guys could keep it a secret between us?” he pleaded. “Since I know you guys are so mature and clever.”

He knew that appealing to seven-year-olds’ will to be grown up was a low blow, but he didn’t have much time before you would return to your class.

“Of course,” Sana nodded her head. “We’ll keep your secret. Teacher Y/n is looking for her bag, she’ll be back any minute now!”

Sangyeon thanked her for her warning, giving your students a little wave before he darted out of the classroom and rushed to his own.

That was close. And he was probably screwed.

“Okay class, thank you so much for being patient,” you exclaimed, entering your classroom with your bag. “I’m sorry I left you guys to grab my bag but I’m so proud of you all being so mature and understanding,” you buttered up your students, feeling guilty for running around school like a mad person trying to find your bag.

“Teacher Y/n!” Minho raised his hand as far in the air as he could. “We know who your nice friend is!”

You froze in place from where you were writing on the whiteboard, knowing exactly who he was talking about. “You do?” you echoed.

“Hey,” Sana cried out. “We’re not supposed to tell!”

That’s interesting. You knew that if whoever your secret admirer was had convinced your class to keep their identity a secret, it meant that your class trusted and respected them.

“I don’t care,” Minho retorted, crossing his arms. “We’re supposed to be Sherlock Holmes and help Teacher Y/n, remember?”

You smiled; those kids were truly too cute.

“Oh,” Sana seemed to be struggling with making up her mind. “Well, I suppose you’re right. We did promise Teacher Y/n first.”

“Was my nice friend here?” you asked, spotting the bouquet of flowers on your desk, accompanied by the usual blue post-it note you received with all your gifts.

“He was,” Minho nodded. “Teacher Sangyeon came while we were waiting for you and he brought your flowers.”

Something fluttered in your stomach, excitement at the revelation of your secret admirer making your heart pound just slightly faster. “He did?” you said, so quietly it was almost a whisper.

“And he wrote you a note with a blue post-it!” Emma added. “We were right! Your nice friend is a teacher.”

You smiled, picturing Sangyeon trying to convince your students to keep his secret. He must have snuck in because he thought I had a free period, you realised. “Well, you guys are very good detectives,” you complimented. “Just like Sherlock Holmes.”

When you dismissed your students for lunch, you couldn’t help but sit at your desk as they all filed out to admire the flowers. It was a beautiful mixture of white roses, pink peonies, and beautiful green and purple wildflowers. The post-it note must have been more rushed than usual, because it had a simple message that said he hoped you liked the flowers instead of their usual buttery, warm message of encouragement.

No wonder Sangyeon’s handwriting looked so familiar, you thought as you traced the letters on the post-it note with your pointer finger. The loops of his lettering perfectly replicated those that were written on the whiteboard when he helped you with your art class a few weeks ago.

After assigning your students their work for the last class, you couldn’t help your mind from wandering to Sangyeon, and how you should confront him about being your secret admirer. Making up your mind, you got up from your chair and plucked the flowers and post-it note from your desk before exiting your classroom and walking down the hall.

Knocking on the door of Sangyeon’s classroom, you waited patiently for him to greet you at the door. “Y/n,” his eyes lit up when he recognised that it was you. “Come in, you don’t need to knock,” Sangyeon ushered you in, opening to door for you.

“Thanks,” you smiled, stepping inside. “So, I got another gift from my admirer,” you told him, holding up the flowers. “If I can even call them an admirer.”

“Why shouldn’t they admire you,” Sangyeon said with a small shrug, moving to wipe his whiteboard.

“Say,” you began, holding up the post-it note. “This looks a lot like your handwriting.”

Sangyeon dropped the whiteboard eraser with a loud clatter, cursing quietly before apologising for the noise and going to pick it up. “Oh, um, really?” he wondered, panic rising in his chest.

“Really,” you confirmed, making your way next to him and holding up the post-it for you both to compare to the white board. “See? Your lettering is super similar,” you said, as if you didn’t already know that Sangyeon was your secret admirer.

“Huh,” Sangyeon hummed. “Weird.”

“Isn’t it?” you agreed, smiling. “These flowers are beautiful though, aren’t they?”

Feeling nervous, Sangyeon only gave you a weak smile. “As long as you think so…”

“They’re from that little flower shop I was telling you about the other day,” you told him, recognising the name of the shop on the ribbon that held the bouquet together. “Isn’t that ironic? That they got the flowers from there.”

“Well it’s only a few blocks away so I’m sure other people know about it,” Sangyeon retorted, pretending to go through the papers on his desk to act as if his heart wasn’t beating at the sound of a tuba.

“I also got coffee from my favourite cafe, pastries from my favourite bakery, and any piece of stationary that I complained to you about being low on,” you listed off the different gifts you had received.

Sangyeon opened his mouth to retort, but when he lifted his head to meet your eyes, he knew immediately that he had been caught. “You know, don’t you?” Sangyeon mumbled, red flushing the tips of his cheeks and ears.

“Minho ratted you out,” you confessed, not wanting to take credit for figuring it out.

Sangyeon laughed. “Tattle-tale,” he muttered, eyes gleaming with mischief. “So you were just having fun, teasing me as if you were figuring it all out right in front of me?”

“Hey,” you exclaimed. “I figured the handwriting thing out on my own.”

“Really?”

“No. I just connected the dots after Minho told on you,” you admit, shrugging your shoulders. Sangyeon chuckled, picturing your class telling on him as you lean back against his desk. “I’m glad it’s you,” you revealed, making Sangyeon smile shyly at you.

“How come?” he wondered.

“Well, you’re pretty cute,” you teased, earning an eye-roll from Sangyeon. “And you’re just… I don’t know. You’re really special. The way you interact with your students and how you never fail to give up your free time to help me, or keep me company…” you trailed off, noticing how a more serious expression fell across Sangyeon’s face. “Why didn’t you tell me that it’s you?”

“I didn’t know if you wanted it to be me,” Sangyeon said, tucking his hands into his pant pockets. “You’re one of the most loved teachers at this school, by the students and the faculty. You’re funny, and kind, and beautiful, and I thought you were out of reach.”

“I’m not out of reach,” you shook your head, moving closer to the brunet man. “Not at all.”

“And you’re really happy that it’s me?” he wondered.

“Hm,” you pretended to think. “Let me get back to you on that one,” you teased. “Yes Sangyeon, I’m really happy that it’s you.” Sangyeon beamed, pleased with your response. “That’s your cue.”

“My cue?” he asked.

“Yes, your cue,” you emphasised, trailing your hands up his chest to play with his tie. An understanding look filled his eyes and Sangyeon leant down to kiss you, closing his eyes as you felt each other’s breath against your faces.

The door to Sangyeon’s classroom opened noisily.

“Yo, we were just-“ Hyunjae’s shriek cut off Jacob’s words as the pair realised the position that you and Sangyeon were in.

“Guys, you can’t do that during school hours!” Hyunjae exclaimed, looking scandalised. “Jacob, I’ll cover your eyes and you cover mine,” he said dramatically, causing the two of them to flail about in an attempt to cover each other’s eyes with their hands.

You rolled your eyes, releasing Sangyeon’s tie and leaning back with a sigh. Sangyeon gave you a sheepish smile but cast your friends an exasperated look. “You guys are lame,” you accused.

Jacob laughed, releasing Hyunjae. “So you finally figured it out?”

“I wish. Some little tattle-tales told me all about it after catching him,” you motion to Sangyeon.

Hyunjae cackled. “Genius. C’mon, let’s get lunch. I’m starving,” he moved on quickly, uninterested in your new relationship with Sangyeon. “No kissing on school grounds, either. Let’s go,” he cheered, marching out with Jacob in tow.

You laughed, always amused by your coworkers and friends. “Let’s get lunch,” you agreed with Hyunjae, sending Sangyeon a smile.

As you moved away, Sangyeon caught your arm and gently pulled you back. “School hours are over in two periods,” he reminded you with a cheeky smile.

“Dinner?” you offered, earning a nod.

“I’d be crazy not to go,” Sangyeon exaggerated. “You’re paying, though. I’ve bought you enough food and drinks to last at least a few dinner dates,” he winked.

Laughing, you nodded, pulling him out of his classroom by his hand. “It’s a deal.”

note: the first fic in my 2k followers celebration event is up!! i’m so excited to see what you guys think about it, please let me know and thank you again for 2,000 followers 💛🌻

#the boyz #the boyz imagines #sangyeon #sangyeon imagines #sangyeon x reader #the boyz x reader #the boyz scenarios #the boyz fanfic #deobiwritersnet #tbznetwork #lee sangyeon #the boyz fic #the boyz fluff #the boyz au #the boyz drabbles #fic: tattle-tale #2k celebration

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catkittynoir · 2 years

Text

They're Utterly Unbeatable

Read it on Ao3 as well! https://archiveofourown.org/works/37954795

Marinette was never particularly athletic. She was the type of girl who would turn up to sport, do her best, be an awesome team player, and move on.

That was, until she became Ladybug, something that no one but Adrien knew. Since then, she’d become incredibly agile, fast and kept everyone on their toes during sport classes (as well as becoming scarily competitive); facts that none of her class could fathom.

Watching Marinette play tennis with Alya against Rose and Juleka, it was clear who was winning. Marinette was racing left and right with a determined look on her face, hitting every ball that flew in their direction, and serving with perfect accuracy.

“Has Marinette always been so good at sport?” Kim pondered, asking Max. “Like, I mean, she was already good, but she’s even beating me now!” Kim pouted.

Max raised an eyebrow. “There’s a 76% certainty that she wasn’t as athletically proficient until the beginning of this year. Maybe she practised over the holidays?”

“Yeah, guys, but have you seen her with Adrien?” Alix sauntered up to them, tipping her cap.

“When Marinette and Adrien are on the same team together, it’s literally impossible to beat them. It’s like they’re a frickin’ couple!”

“Tell me about it,” Kim sighed heavily, rolling his eyes. “Just hope Mr D’Argencourt doesn’t make us do dodgeball tomorrow. They’re invincible against us!”

🐞🐈‍⬛🐞🐈‍⬛🐞🐈‍⬛🐞🐈‍⬛

Kim couldn’t believe his ears the next day. He looked at Alix and Max in utter disbelief as Marinette and Adrien smiled at each other and were high fiving their unbeatable dodgeball team.

“We will NOT lose.” Kim said determinedly. “Right, guys?” Kim looked at his already defeated team with nothing but disappointment.

It was the ‘Lucky Charms’: Marinette, Adrien, Alya, Nino, Rose, Juleka and Mylene, against ‘The Vanquishers’: Kim, Max, Alix, Ivan, Sabrina and Nathaniel. Chloe obviously sat out, making up some excuse about her not wanting to ruin her hair, and because her Daddy said she didn’t have to.

“Ready to play, m’lady?” Adrien smirked at Marinette, grinning when she winked back at him.

“Always,” She smiled and prepared for battle.

Six balls were lined up horizontally in the middle of the basketball court, with both teams giving each other the death glare.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa!” Mr D’Argencourt raised his eyebrows and dropped his whistle, startling many of the students who were already preparing to run. “I see those evil glares you’re sending toward each other. Dodgeball is a game of fun, of strategic prowess!” He chastised the usually tame class. “Not a place to make enemies and attack each other like wild animals!”

“Does that include cats and ladybugs?” Adrien whispered to Marinette, making her smile and lightly nudge him in response.

“I want to see a clean game. You all know the rules. Once you’re hit, you’re out for good. No hits above the shoulders count. No crossing the other team’s boundary, and when the last person on a team is out, it’s all over.” The entire class tuned out, already so used to this spiel, having played dodgeball together dozens of times already.

“Ready…” Marinette licked her lips and nodded to Alya. “Set…” Nino tossed his cap to the wind, and raked his hand through his hair. This meant business. “Go!” Mr D’Argencourt yelled, and the class went wild.

Marinette sprinted forward to grab two dodgeballs, and kicked another behind her to Alya. Kim managed to get one, while the rest of his team was attacked by flying pink spheres. Adrien stood in a battle pose, holding the ball above his head (with Marinette shielding him) and trying to figure out the best person to get out first. Max.

“There is a 99% chance that Adrien will attempt to get me out first but…- AAAHHHH!” Max shrieked as a dodgeball flew towards him, hitting him on the arm. “Shoot.” He grumbled, walking to the side of the room.

Adrien fist bumped Marinette before moving on to his next target, Marinette doing the same. Much of the ‘Lucky Charms’ had gotten out already because of Kim. Adrien and Marinette were the only ones left. However, they knew they could beat the opposing three people that were left in ‘The Vanquishers’; Alix, Kim and Nathaniel.

Nathaniel wasn’t a problem. There was a cacophony of shrieks every time a ball flew in his vicinity. He was still in by sheer luck and his snake-like dodging of each ball. He wasn’t picking any dodgeballs up either, so… Alix it was. Both Marinette and Adrien wanted to leave Kim last- for a final showdown.

“Same manoeuvre, kitty?” Marinette grinned.

“As usual!” Adrien replied, grabbing two balls, one in each hand and catapulting them towards Alix, one hitting her, and one hitting Nathaniel. Both students- well, just Alix really, were left fuming.

And then there was three. Adrien and Marinette vs Kim. Honestly, it wasn’t an even fight. Ladybug and Cat Noir vs Kim? He didn’t stand a chance. They knew that. He didn’t.

Adrien and Marinette had all the balls in their side of the court and Kim became visibly nervous at the prospect of him being hit simultaneously with six balls. The two superheroes did the right thing.

They chucked all the balls over to Kim’s side of the court, rolling them gently along the ground.

A cacophony of screams and shouts erupted from the sidelines, including Mr D’Argencourt himself, who had become incredibly invested in the game.

“WHAT A TWIST!” Mr D’Argencourt exclaimed. “IS IT STRATEGY OR DEFEAT?” He’d somehow become a voluntary commentator of the match.

“WHY, YOU GUYS? WHY?” Nino shouted.

“Nooooo! DON’T DO IT! DON’T BE THE BETTER PERSON!” Alya shrieked.

Kim’s eyebrows rose in suspicion as he collected the balls.

“Go ahead, all yours,” Adrien gave him the most angelic smile, before turning to Marinette and nodding determinedly.

Kim’s aim was all over the place, with him attempting to throw all six pink spheres at the same time. The blonde boy and the blue-haired girl dodged the balls with such grace and accuracy that if you’d recorded the moment in slow motion, it would have looked like it came out of a movie battle scene.

“M’lady, I give you the honours.” Adrien got down on one knee and presented Marinette with a singular pink dodgeball. “Thank you, kitty,” Marinette winked, before swiftly turning and aiming directly at Kim’s arm, while he flailed around in fear.

SMACK! Went the dodgeball against Kim’s red t-shirt. And with that, the ‘Lucky Charms’ had won. Once again.

Cheers erupted from the team, while ‘The Vanquishers’ trudged over to them, shaking their hands and congratulated them bitterly on their win.

“That was absolutely vicious, guys!” Alya cheered and high fived Marinette and Adrien. “It’s like you guys had rehearsed it or something!”

“Yeah, something like that,” Marinette grinned at Adrien, a feeling of warmth filling her up to the brim as Adrien took her in his arms and spun her around, laughing.

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keroujack · 3 years

Note

This is dumb and 100% unprompted but i was thinking about steve and billy playing dodgeball in pe and how they play in opposite teams and always are the last ones standing and how steve is really good and dodging and billy always catches the ball in the air that is all. The game is absolute hell for everyone else bc they are both really good and it’s endless

oh my god don’t u dare call this dumb, it’s GENIUS, okay? i can see it so clearly and i LOVE IT

and like. i feel like they’d both love it, too. billy loves it because it’s the one time of day steve has to pay attention to him, just him. and steve loves it because it’s the one place he knows he can get even with billy, fair and square

it starts out super hostile, just this way of them emptying their tanks and letting go of the aggression (at the world, at each other), but it doesn’t exactly stay hostile. at some point it becomes kinda. kinda fun. friendly competition. bleeds outside of the gym. turns into them teasing each other in the hallway and in class, all, you were really off your game yesterday, huh, Harrington? you gonna be any better today? and lookin’ awful tired there, Hargrove. you ready to get your ass kicked later?

and suddenly they both find themselves really looking forward to it. genuinely. regardless of who wins. billy loves the way steve’s eyes light up when he wins and steve loves the way billy’s smile goes all big and wide and real when he does

before they know it, both their days revolve around the two of them being the last ones left in a stupid game of dodgeball

but maybe one day something goes wrong

billy throws a ball aimed steve’s face, is expecting him to dodge it like he always does, because he always does, but he doesn’t move quick enough today

doesn’t move out of the way and gets nailed. square in the nose

it’s like the whole world pauses while steve doubles over, holds his hands up to his face. billy can see the blood dripping from between his fingers and onto the floor and he can’t move. can’t breathe.

can’t think about anything that’s not november and the fact that he made steve bleed again and that he promised himself he’d never make steve bleed again and that he didn’t mean to take it that far and that steve is probably gonna go back to hating his guts and-

he offers to take steve to the nurse before their gym teacher even has to say it. pulls steve up off the floor and drags him into the locker room, down the hall and over to the nurse’s office. sits in a chair on the other side of the room while she pokes and prods at his face, asks “how does this feel?” and “how about this?”

and steve doesn’t flinch, not really. maybe once or twice when she pushes at a spot high on his cheekbone, already a nasty shade of burgundy, but otherwise he just shrugs. shakes his head and says, “it’s really not that big a deal. i’m fine.”

she gives steve a clean towel to wipe the blood off his face and billy watches him, watches all the red disappear from his nose, his mouth, his chin, and wishes he could do it for him. wants to sit steve down and tip his head back and watch his eyes close

wants to help him

wants to clean up the mess he made

billy doesn’t move, nor he doesn’t say a word

not until they’re back in the locker room a couple minutes later. there’s 15 still left in the period, so nobody’s around. nobody’s around to see the way billy watches steve as they each go over to their lockers to change, just a few feet apart

nobody’s around to see the way billy’s eyes roam over his face, land on the dark red, nearly purple that he’s got staining the skin under his left eye, along the side of his nose

nobody’s around to hear the way billy whispers, “sorry,” into the dead air between them

nobody but steve

steve, who looks over at him and says, “what for?” with this tiny, little wrinkle between his brow, pinched. this confused, little smile pulling at his lips, a laugh somewhere under the words

like he doesn’t totally hate billy’s guts

but billy’s still having troubling breathing over it, having trouble controlling himself. his guilt.

forgets about his locker, about changing, about anything that’s not steve and the fact that he fucked up and that he’s guilty, he so guilty and takes a step closer

reaches up to hold steve’s cheek in his palm. soft. bruised skin warm. swipes the pad of his thumb over the dark red, almost burgundy under his eye, careful not to press on-

“that,” he says, and steve’s eyes are wide. they’re so wide. billy can’t help but say it again. "i’m sorry,” and he doesn’t miss the way steve swallows when he runs his pointer finger over the shell of his ear. “for everything.”

for that

for november

for hurting you

“it’s okay,” steve says, more a whisper than anything else, but billy can’t take steve sounding like that, steve looking at him like that

he wants to say it again. but he’s not sure how to help his voice find the words

so he closes his eyes. leans forward. replaces his thumb with his lips and brushes them over the warm, bruised skin under steve’s eye. hears steve’s breath catch with it. feels his heart skip a beat. feels the whole word go quiet

and if he thought steve’s eyes were big before, they’re flat out bambi-like when he pulls back. wide and open and earnest and so so pretty billy can’t stand it

is going to leave. is going to pull his hand away and step back and grab his bag and leave the locker room without changing because he can’t believe he just did that, why did he do that, why did he do that?

but he only backs up half a step before steve gets a hand on the nape of his neck, pulls him in and presses his lips to billy’s. stops him dead in his tracks

billy’s almost ashamed of the way he melts into it, after he feels steve’s fingertips scratching at his skin. inviting. encouraging

brings his other hand up to hold the side of steve’s neck and pushes until steve’s got his back against the lockers, leans against him so that he can feel steve’s chest against his, steve’s heartbeat against his

isn’t sure he’s still awake when they come up for air. breathing heavy, eyes still half closed

open just far enough that billy can see that steve’s got a smile pulling at his lips. can’t believe his ears when steve breaks the silence

“you know,” he says, “you didn’t have to nail me in the face if you wanted to kiss me.” and it doesn’t sound like he hates billy’s guts at all. it sounds like, it sounds like steve wants this. “you coulda just asked.”

and billy laughs at that. easy. light. runs his tongue over his lips and can’t quite believe his eyes when steve’s fall to watch it. can’t believe this is happening, that he’s opening his mouth to say, “can i kiss you?” and that steve’s nodding

saying, “please,” and sneaking a hand under the hem of billy’s t-shirt

so billy does

kisses him until i’m sorry becomes it’s okay becomes how long? becomes since forever

billy never imagined getting the chance to kiss steve harrington, let alone it coming from a situation as stupid as this one, but he can’t say he’d trade it, either

not for anything in the world

#harringrove #harringrove hc #my hc #billy hargrove #steve harrington #ask #anon #Anonymous #harringrove fic #my fic

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viastro · 4 years

Text

kiss later | yoon jeonghan

ミ★ synopsis: by you putting jeonghan into a chokehold over him taking your banana milk, you and him were assigned to clean the classroom for two hours after classes ended. it doesn’t help that jeonghan is your sworn enemy, now does it?

ミ★ genre: enemies to lovers!au, humor, fluff, slight spice

ミ★ warnings: jeonghan’s just a little shit

ミ★ word count: 2,655

ミ★ pairings: jeonghan x female reader

ミ★ notes: hi guys! it’s been a while since i’ve written a oneshot, my apologies hehe. i’ve been spending a lot of my time in trying to finish my upcoming jun series, remember us. i’d like to thank you guys again because i just hit 1,000 followers today! that’s a huge ass number and i never expected it to happen HBKSHTE but yeah that’s enough being sappy. i hope you guys enjoy this oneshot!

“You’re the absolute bane of my existence.” You seethe, glaring at the handsome guy who’s cleaning the whiteboard across the room. Jeonghan just flashes you a shit eating smile, the type that makes his eyes disappear, before replying, “I feel the exact same way, sweetheart.”

You bite the inside of your cheek in an attempt to prevent yourself from going feral, and Jeonghan turns back towards the whiteboard, spraying more cleaner onto the surface. You glance at the desk, frowning at the dirty wood as you begin wiping it again with a sponge.

Here the two of you are. An hour after classes ended, cleaning the whole classroom as punishment for what occurred earlier in the day. It doesn’t help that you and Jeonghan are quite literally enemies. How the feud began? You don’t know. That’s actually a lie, you know exactly when and why the two of you began hating each other.

“Jeonghan! Hannie!” Jeonghan glances up from his journal at the call of his name, noticing Seungcheol speedily passing through the other students filing into the classroom. He lets out a small smile once his friend makes it to his desk, practically panting at how fast he sped over. “Good morning to you too, Cheol.”

“Did you hear?”

“About your rash? Cause I did. Do you want my cream-”

“No! This isn’t about- wait. How did you even hear about that?” Seungcheol asks, now looking more confused. Jeonghan gives him a grin, waving his hand to try and change the subject. “Not important, what did you sprint over here for?”

“Oh yeah. There’s a pretty new student being transferred to our class today. She came from Jeju Island. I feel kinda bad because it’s already our last year in high school and she has to make new friends.” Jeonghan raises an eyebrow in interest, about to ask where Seungcheol heard the news, only to turn his head when he hears their professor announce his presence.

“Good morning class, today we have a new student joining us.” He states, placing his papers down onto the podium in the front of the class. Seungcheol pats Jeonghan on the back, before walking over to his own desk. “You can come in.”

You let out a breath, pushing your hair behind your ear, before stepping into the classroom. Immediately the whispers begin, and you feel your heart fall at the thought that your classmates may be making fun of you already. Jeonghan raises an eyebrow in interest, leaning forward onto his desk in an attempt to try and get a better look at you since you’ve been staring at the floor since you stepped into the classroom. You walk up beside the podium, and turn to face the class.

“Introduce yourself.” Your professor whispers, and you nod your head. You finally look up at the class, and you feel warmth rise to your cheeks when you hear some of them comment on how they think you’re pretty. You let out a smile, and the class lets out a quiet, ah, at the sight.

“Hi, I’m yln yn. I moved here from Jeju Island, and I hope that you guys will take care of me.” You state, and your professor begins discussing the basic things he’s supposed to when introducing a new student to the class. You glance around the classroom, and lock eyes with a- holy shit he’s so fucking beautiful.

The ethereal looking boy you locked eyes with has black hair that falls over his forehead softly, and piercing eyes that are staring directly back at you. He has high cheekbones, and soft, pink lips, and-

you’re staring.

You turn away, feeling heat rush to your face, and Jeonghan lets out a small smile when he takes notice of your gaze looking at everything but him. He leans back into his seat, feeling intrigued by you once you refuse to glance his way after the teacher leads you to your desk.

You sit down, placing your backpack beside your chair. You unzip it as quietly as you can, before reaching into your bag to grab your journal and pencil pouch. Once they’re in your possession, you sit back up straight and place them onto your desk. Glancing up from the tabletop, you feel a pair of eyes on you, and you turn your head to see the handsome guy from earlier looking at you with a small smile on his face.

You bow your head towards him, before turning back and attempting to pay attention to your professor’s lecture. You raise your hands to your face and cup your cheeks, covering the oncoming warmth.

Jeonghan grins, resting his chin on his hand, taking small glances at you for the rest of the period.

Jeonghan was apparently so intrigued by you, that he didn’t know how to properly display it. His way of showing interest in a person, is being an annoying shithead. He had to explain that to Seungcheol when they first became friends because he was always offended whenever Jeonghan would cheat during one of their games. Or the time where he was so annoying when they’d play league that Seungcheol actually left the discord server once, so Jeonghan went to apologize. That’s just how Yoon Jeonghan is, he’d do anything to beat the people he cares about in a game.

but he never explained that to you.

“Dodgeball? Shouldn’t that game be banned…” You ask Tzuyu as you line up on the opposite side of the gym as the other team. She shrugs her shoulders, picking up a green ball and handing it to you, “It really should be. I heard that last year a girl got a whole ass black eye from this game.”

“If I get a black eye from dodgeball, I’m absolutely going to hate the person who threw that ball.” You mutter, and Tzuyu lets out a laugh, shaking her head. You look at who’s competing against you on the other side of the gym, only to lock eyes with Jeonghan. His lips quirk up at the corner, and you raise an eyebrow at the sight.

what is he planning? You wonder once he looks away. You glance down at the floor, trying to fight back the warmth rushing to your cheeks, cursing yourself for still being so affected by the ethereal looking man. While Jeonghan watches you from his side of the gym once the PE coach places the whistle in his mouth, grinning at the thought of getting you out of the game.

“Let’s go.” Jeonghan mutters under his breath once the sound of the whistle resonates through the room, and he chucks the ball in your direction.

The last thing you see is the ceiling as everyone begins to surround you, asking if you’re okay.

You glare at the memory of Jeonghan chucking the ball at your face, still managing to feel the embarrassment you felt that day all the same. You scrub the desk more aggressively, feeling anger coursing through your veins at the fact that Jeonghan is the reason you’re even here after hours anyways.

After Jeonghan made you blackout within the first few seconds of dodgeball, your guys’ dynamic did a complete 180 since he never apologized. Which may have been your fault since you started to be aggressive towards him but that’s a secret you’ll never tell. It went from the two of you smiling whenever you made eye contact, to you and Jeonghan getting into each other's faces when the other made a snarky comment. From asking each other for help on questions, to mocking each other when the latter would get the answer wrong. Instead of borrowing a pencil from the other, it’s now attempted murder with a 0.1 led mechanical pencil whenever it’s deemed necessary.

god. you loathe that handsome ass bitch.

Alright, you may still find Jeonghan incredibly attractive and quite literally your ideal type, but you will never admit that.

You bite the inside of your cheek, before slamming the sponge down onto the desk, causing Jeonghan to turn to look at you with a bored expression on his face. “You know what!”

“You have something else to complain about?” Jeonghan asks, and you internally scream. You walk up to him, and his eyes slightly widen at the close proximity between you two when you stand a few feet away from him.

“We’re only stuck here cleaning the whole fucking clasroom because you’re an imbecile!” You shout, and Jeonghan’s eyes immediately squint at you.

“An imbecile? Says the one who thought I stole her banana milk and decided to choke me!”

“You literally did! It was on my desk when I went to the bathroom, and I came back to it being gone and in your hands!”

“Finders keepers.”

“That’s not how it works!”

You step back into the classroom after using the restroom, walking over to your desk and taking a seat. You frown when you notice the banana milk you brought no longer sitting at the corner of your tabletop, and you look around your desk to see if it may have fallen, but it’s nowhere in sight.

“Where the fuck-” You look up once you hear that familiar god forsaken laugh, and your eyes land on the banana milk you brought in Jeonghan’s hands as he talks to his friend, Seungcheol. You squint, standing up and walking over to his desk without a second thought.

“Oh, hi...” Seungcheol begins, but trails off once he notices how angry you are. Jeonghan glances up at you, flashing a smirk.

“Hey yn.”

“That’s my banana milk.”

“Is it? I just found it around the classroom.” Jeonghan responds boredly, and you feel your eye twitch.

“Yeah. On my desk.” You state, and Jeonghan smiles at how annoyed you look. You clench your fists in an attempt to stop you from doing what you’re thinking, and it almost works. Until Jeonghan decides to open his mouth again.

“Guess you shouldn’t have left it out.” You reach out and grab the banana milk, squeezing it tightly and watching as it explodes onto Jeonghan’s face and uniform. Seungcheol raises a hand to his mouth in shock, and you just let out a quiet laugh at Jeonghan’s reaction. He reaches up and wipes his face with his hands, standing up from his seat and looking down into your eyes.

“What the fuck is your problem yn?” Jeonghan asks in a cold voice, anger apparent in his voice as he stares at you. You give him a smile, “Oops. I didn’t even notice it was full.”

Jeonghan lets out a laugh, before reaching down and grabbing the banana milk. He pours the rest over your head without another word, and your mouth drops open at the action. Jeonghan leans down so that you’re eye to eye, and gives you a shit-eating grin. “It’s what you deserved.”

You attempt to count to three, you truly do. However, next thing you know, you’re being pulled off of Jeonghan by Seungcheol, and the professor is assigning you and Jeonghan detention.

The punishment? Staying at school for two hours after classes ended to clean the classroom.

“You know, I’m not the only one to blame. You reacted like a fucking child when you saw that I took your drink, when you could’ve just asked for it back.” Jeonghan states, snapping you out of your memory. Your eyes practically bulge out of their sockets at the complete lie he just told you, wishing to just remember you choking Jeonghan for those godly few seconds.

but alas...

“No you wouldn’t have! You absolutely would not have given it back if I asked because you’re a shithead!” You shout, taking a step closer and getting into his face. Jeonghan glares down at you, not backing down from the challenge.

“Maybe if you weren’t so fucking infuriating. After what happened during gym a few months ago you always had such a horrible attitude towards me! You didn’t even give me the chance to explain or apologize!” You gape at Jeonghan, struggling to find words to retaliate with. He rolls his eyes, reaching back out towards the towel to begin cleaning the whiteboard again.

“Oooo! You wanna kiss me so bad!” Jeonghan turns to glance at you, frown apparent on his features.

“What?”

“You want to kiss me!! You wanna kiss me so fucking bad!!” You shout once more, and Jeonghan clenches his fist at his side.

“You, Yoon Jeonghan, want to kiss me!” Jeonghan’s tongue darts out to lick his lips, and you feel your heartbeat rapidly beat against your chest as the two of you stare at each other in silence. “Say that one more time, I fucking dare you.” Jeonghan states, and your eyebrows furrow as more rage builds up within your body.

You open your mouth to say it again when suddenly Jeonghan’s reaching out and resting his hand on your neck, pulling you close and pressing his lip to yours. Your eyes immediately widen at the contact, before you slowly melt into his arms and entangle your hand into his hair.

The kiss is full of anger, the two of you clashing and biting each other's lips. However, you can’t deny the feeling of butterflies in your stomach. While Jeonghan can’t hide the fact that he’s literally blushing and the goosebumps rising onto his skin the more he kisses you.

“You’re so,” Jeonghan’s hands fall onto your hips and lift you up onto the desk mid-sentence. “fucking,” You bite his bottom lip and he pinches your waist in retaliation, eliciting a squeal from you. “infuriating.”

“Me? Infuriating?!”

“Just be quiet and kiss me.”

“You’re the one who’s annoying!”

After a moment of the two of you bickering in between kisses, you both pull away, foreheads resting against the others as you stare into each other's eyes. You have a lot of questions, as does Jeonghan, but do you want to ask them right now?

“You’re annoying.” You state, feeling the anger simmer down. Jeonghan laughs at the pout on your lips, pressing a kiss onto the tip of your nose. “It’s my brand, pretty. I like riling up the people I’m interested in, but I may have went a bit too far with you.”

“You think? You made me pass out during dodgeball.” You tell him, and Jeonghan smiles.

“I’m sorry for chucking the ball too hard at you and for apologizing so late. I was too embarrassed to go up to you and tell you I was sorry.” Jeonghan explains, and you shrug your shoulders.

“I guess it’s okay, I never really gave you a chance to anyways.” You mutter, and he giggles, making your heart flip within your chest at the sound. Jeonghan leans back to his full height, glancing around the empty classroom, before turning his head to look at the clock.

5:45 PM.

Jeonghan turns his head back toward you, and gives you a mischievous grin. You raise an eyebrow at the sight, already beginning to feel suspicious at that familiar look, “What?”

“Do you wanna spend the last 15 minutes cleaning the exact same desks you already cleaned? Or do you wanna make out on this table?”

Feeling heat immediately rush to your face at the question, you raise a hand up to your cheek. Jeonghan’s mouth drops open slightly in awe at sparkles in your eyes, feeling his heart warm slightly. You grin at him, “I think there’s an obvious answer to that question.”

Jeonghan smiles, raising his hands up to cup your face, and you stare into his eyes. “You know we still need to talk about us after, right?”

“Of course.”

“Okay, great.” You let out a breath, and Jeonghan chuckles soon afterwards. He shakes his head, before leaning in and capturing your lips once again.

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