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peachhcs · 6 days

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going to worlds

hughes!sister x will smith au (samy + will)

with worlds coming up, tensions get high in the hughes’ household between luke and samy.

2k words

so this is actually more samy x luke more than samy x will but here’s the sibling angst i mentioned a few days ago! i feel like we don’t see a lot of samy’s relationship with her brothers so i wanna try and write that more but i will be writing more about worlds between will and samy as it plays out! :))

au masterlist

“no, absolutely not,” luke immediately shook his head as he walked out of the kitchen. samy was hot on his tail as she followed him into the living room, watching as he plopped himself onto the couch, remote in hand.

“why not? it’s not like i’m gonna be bothering you,” the younger hughes argued, hanging herself over the couch so she was right in her brother’s face.

the boy pushed her away, “but it will be a bother when i have to look after you the entire month there. i’m not doing that shit. i’m not gonna be some babysitter at my own hockey tournament,” luke was being harsh which samy sort of expected, but not this bad.

“i’m 19 years old. you don’t need to look after me,” the girl fired back.

“that’s not what mom and dad will say. plus, i kind of do because we’re in a fucking foreign country and i’m not that stupid to let you wander around czechia by yourself,” luke shot back even harder. a frustrated groan escaped samy’s lips. this brother was supposed to be easier than her other two.

“i won’t be by myself. plus, i went to sweden and mom and dad were fine,” samy mumbled sheepishly.

“what do you think you’re gonna do when we’re at practice almost the whole day? sit in the hotel? that’s gonna get boring real quick,” the curly-brunette shook his head, already very over the conversation and disregarding what his sister said.

“you’re being such a brat. i’m not 12 years old anymore, luke. i can take care of myself, you know. you’re not even 21 yet so right now it’s a one year age difference.”

“why do you even wanna go? don’t you have your own shit to do instead of follow me to czechia,” the middle hughes rolled his eyes. although, his words hit a nerve.

samy drew back off the couch, a frown settling onto her lips. sure, her and luke had their fair share of fights and arguments, but for some reason, his words hurt even more than any of those combined.

“jesus, when did you turn into such an asshole?” now her words hit luke’s nerve this time. the older boy whipped around so hard samy swore he gave himself whiplash. his lips were set in a straight line along with his eyebrows pinched together.

“who are you calling an asshole right now? you’re the one who needs to grow up right now,” the boy shot back quite harshly.

“so me going to every single one of your ntdp games, home games at umich mean nothing to you? you just think i’m following you around?” the girl frowned, her hurt showing more than she anticipated as her voice wavered.

“i- i..that’s not what i meant, sam. i just..it’s gonna be a bother and you just wanna go to make out with your boyfriend anyway,” luke defended himself, but his words didn’t sound any better than before.

those words hurt samy a lot more than a few minutes ago. luke never called her sam ever. the siblings stared at one another, the silence engulfing them while luke awaited a response. “so that’s what you think? you’ve just forgotten that will’s still my best friend and i’ve been supporting him since we were kids along with you? you just think i wanna go to be some bother to you and have sex with my boyfriend?” samy’s voice finally rose to the point where they both knew she was angry.

“i mean..am i wrong?” the wrong responses kept falling from the middle hughes’ mouth.

“yes! you are wrong, luke! haven’t you and will always wanted to play on the same team together since we were kids but never could because you weren’t ever in the same age group? and now that it’s finally happening, i can’t go and support my brother and best friend who are playing for the same team because all you think is that i’m going to have sex with him all the time and be some fucking bother. i only asked you because i knew mom and dad would only let me go if you said yes and i thought you would because you’d want your sister there cheering you on like i have been for your entire life. maybe this whole fame thing really did get to your head,” samy stormed off before luke could even respond. her heavy footsteps carried all the way up the stairs until the boy heard her bedroom door slam shut.

“woah, someone’s mad..” jack came out from the downstairs bedroom. his hair looked absolutely insane like he’d just woken up despite it being 2 in the afternoon.

“i don’t know what’s up with her,” luke rolled his eyes, settling back into the couch like nothing happened.

“she’s got a point, you know. you were kind of being an asshole,” jack shrugged as he wandered into the kitchen.

“oh come on, not you too. if she goes, i’m just gonna have to look after her!” luke exclaimed, head falling back onto the couch in frustration.

“she’s not some kid anymore, moosey. she’s 19. you’re not even 21. she can handle herself. she did in sweden,” jack stuck up for their little sister.

“that was different because everyone was there already. this isn’t the sam, jack. mom and dad will put me on babysitter duty because they aren’t there,” the younger brother continued his defense.

“i don’t think it would be babysitting. more like making sure she’s okay. checking in? plus, i doubt she’ll even be in the hotel room that much anyway. she’ll wanna hang with smitty and leno,” jack started making himself a sandwich with the little ingredients in the fridge. apparently, ellen and jim hardly grocery shopped when they didn’t have four kids in one house anymore.

“yeah and then that will lead to them having sex and then that becomes a whole thing,” luke rambled on.

“is this really about not wanting samy there or is it about you thinking she’s taking away your moment if she’s there?” the older hughes brother proposed a new idea. he always saw through to his siblings hidden emotions they were trying to conceal. a beat of silence passed between the brothers and jack took the silence as his answer. he stopped making his sandwich for a moment to find a seat on the couch beside his brother. luke’s gaze stuck to the ground.

“come on, rusty. talk to me,” jack nudged his brother’s knee.

“it just feels like i never get to hang out with will because samy’s always there. or..he chooses her instead of hanging with us nowadays. being able to play on team usa together has been our dream since we were kids. i love that samy’s happy and so is will..i just..i really hoped this could be a just us thing. i don’t know. sounds selfish, i know,” the younger boy mumbled almost ashamed.

“it’s not selfish, lukey. i get it. i’m still getting used to their whole dating thing too here and there. it is weird seeing one of your close friends date your sister,” jack sympathized. “i’m sure if you talked to samy she’ll understand. she’s always been your #1 supporter, luke. i know she’s not trying to come with you to wedge her way in between you guys. maybe set some boundaries?”

“maybe i just feel so disconnected because i went to college and then was hardly ever around. feels like i don’t even know her sometimes anymore or will, you know? he used to be attached to our hips as kids and now..it’s just..not the same,” the curly-haired boy’s voiced faded off. a frown appeared on jack’s lips, rubbing his brother’s arm in a soothing manner.

“talk to her, lukey. this can be your chance to reconnect with both of them the month you’re there,” the older boy encouraged.

luke finally took to his words, agreeing as he got up and shuffled upstairs to hopefully reconcile. samy’s room sounded quiet the closer he got, so he gently knocked on the door.

“go away,” he heard lowly.

“please? just wanna talk,” luke mumbled from outside.

a beat of silence passed until there was a small click and his sister’s gaze appeared through the crack, “about what?”

“me being an asshole,” the older boy admitted in defeat that she was right earlier. the door opened wider, an indication that he could go in.

luke’s gaze flicked around the room that he really hadn’t seen in..years almost. it was so similar, yet it felt so different in his eyes. so much time seemed to pass in samy’s room.

“you have five minutes to give me a good explanation,” the girl crossed her arms, snapping her brother back into reality.

the guilt crept across luke’s face as he struggled on where to start. he was never the one to admit his feeling outright like this. “first, i’m sorry. i was an asshole about the whole thing,” he began.

“yeah, you kind of were. that really hurt, luke,” samy said seriously and the boy sighed.

“i know..i don’t know why—i think i just…” he stumbled over his words and everything he just admitted to jack downstairs. “feels like i don’t really know you anymore just because i’ve been away and i hate that. we used to be so close and now it feels like we just don’t talk..same with will. i dunno. i guess i just didn’t want you there because i was being selfish and just wanted will and i there together. i realize now that you deserve to be there too to support us,” the boy continued in a long ramble that probably made no sense.

he watched samy’s expression soften up a little, “you think we aren’t close anymore?”

“i mean..not as close as we used to be. college and everything else seems to have made us drift..same with jack. same with quinn.”

yes, the hughes siblings were close, but not nearly as close when they all lived under one roof. one by one as each brother left, their bond slowly dissipated. texts became littler and littler. the time changes weren’t easy to work around sometimes.

in some ways, samy saw where luke came from because quinn and jack missed a lot of big milestones in samy’s life yet she was there for all of theirs.

“i-i’m sorry. i didn’t know you felt that way,” the girl frowned.

“no, no, it’s not your fault. i just..have been feeling weird lately. i think having you there will be really fun. maybe it can even make up for some of the time we’ve lost,” luke offered a smile.

“no, i don’t have to go. you’re right. it’s a you and will thing. something you’ve been waiting for since you were kids,” the girl shook her head.

“no, no, i want you there. i promise. plus, i think smitty would actually fight me if he knew i wasn’t letting you come. i’m serious. we can catch up. have fun in czechia together. i’m sure mom and dad would love our sibling bonding,” the two shared a laugh.

“are you sure?”

“positive. i’ve missed hanging around you,” luke opened his arms for a hug. the youngest hughes stepped into his arms and they shared a tight hug in what felt like forever.

“we’re gonna have so much fun there. i already have an intinerary planned for your off days,” the girl grinned widely when the two pulled away.

a laugh escaped luke’s lips, “of course you do. we’ll talk to mom and dad tonight, yeah?”

samy nodded and she let her brother squeeze her shoulders one last time before leaving her alone for now. she excitedly called will next to let him know the good news that they’d be able to spend the next few weeks together.

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absolutebl · 4 days

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This Week in BL - We Are Surprised

Organized, in each category, with ones I'm enjoying most at the top.

May 2024 Wk 2

Ongoing Series - Thai

Wandee Godday (Sat YT) ep 2 of 12 - Oh it’s fucking great. It could all go horribly south, of course. But it’s awesome at the moment. Messy gay and one of them is already pining? Got to love it. Including the negotiation.

I’d love a good sex negotiation, it’s almost as good as linguistic negotiation. This show makes me happy. All that said, it’s moving awfully quickly for a 12 episode run. Not sure what’s gonna happen on the backend.

My Stand-In (Thai Fri iQIYI) ep 3 of 12 eps - I’m still enjoying it but I’m ready for him to die again now.

We Are (Weds iQIYI) ep 5-6 of 16 - Toey is going after the Namgoong Award for Best Wingman this year, I see. And in exchange, literally all the rest of the friends are going to be his wingmen. It’s adorable. I also like that Phuwin got to be the aggressor for the first kiss. I like that this is mostly just boys flirting, and not really any prescribed seme/uke stuff. In general, I think these last two episodes I improved the show in my regard a lot. But then middles are always GMMTV's strong point, it’s whether they can stick the landing that’s an issue.

Two Worlds (Thurs iQIYI) ep 9 of 10 - Apparently we have the Frodo walking into Mordor episode. Also the sides were cute. In Thailand (like Taiwan) all gangsters are gay, apparently.

Only Boo! (Sun YouTube) ep 5 of 12 - It’s cute but very cringe and dorky. Silly singing. Terrible pickup lines. Still, that was a ridiculously charming confession.

Ongoing Series - Not Thai

Unknown (Taiwan Tues YouTube & Viki) ep 12fin - Oh so good. Very few shows that feature one-sided long-term pining of this kind can resolve the unevenness of that power dynamic into a more stable and equal footing with such class. We really got to see the object of the desire turn completely around and become equally besotted. An age gap, stepbrothers trope like this one is hard enough but at this length? Very well acted boys! Unknown managed to show the older brother softening in a believable way that’s pretty unusual in narratives of this type.

All in all?

Unknown is a wonderful BL with a pitch perfect portrayal of long term pining, age gap, and the stepbrothers trope. The acting and chemistry are ON POINT (especially from the leads) which made the resulting characters very believable. When it dwells in intimate family drama, it's stunning. It's slightly less successful when it leaves the home and goes gritty. It's few flaws are the result of curtailed length. It could have used more breathing room to deal with side plots, characters, and companion character development. The editing was occasionally choppy and packed with flashbacks that broke the emotional tension. Still, those are mere quibbles. This is an excellent show that I know I'm going to be recommending a lot. 9/10

Finally Taiwan hits another one out of the park.

About.

Damn.

Time.

Blue Boys (Korea Sat YouTube) 4 of ? - Oh it’s so good, and they are so tortured and it’s just charming and I can’t EVEN. I just love it. I love that Korea is giving us this right now. You’re an idiot if you’re not watching this show, it’s truly spectacular.

At 25:00 in Akasaka AKA 25 Ji Akasaka de (Japan Thurs Gaga) ep 4 of 10 - Well well well Japan. I see how you kneed. I enjoyed this episode better than the first two, and I am way into our Bad Boy second lead. I can already feel myself succumbing to the syndrome. Next week = the obligatory onsen ep!

Living With Him AKA Kare no Iru Seikatsu (Japan Thurs Gaga) ep 5 of 10 - Omg most adorbs failed linguistic negotiation.

Boys Be Brave AKA Roommates (Korea Thurs Viki) ep 5-6 of 8 - I love the side couple. It’s a shame we’re finally getting some truly great class conflict and it’s relegated to crumbs.

Love is like a Cat (Korea Mon Viki) eps 11-12fin - Well that was a waste of time. There was no connection (of any kind) between the leads. The language thing was hella weird and likely added to that. The past history of the Korean character was necessary to know from the start, its lack throughout, meant there was no depth to his character. They tried to tackle all the interesting stuff in the final 2 eps. AND they even killed the dog. I never thought I'd type this sentance, but Peach of Time is better.

I don’t know. 5/10 I guess

All in all:

A disappointing lackluster and barely cohesive BL about a jerk Thai actor (speaking Thai) who has to work for a Korean animal rescue cafe as a publicity stunt. It's difficult to believe the leads like each other, let alone fall in love. The acting is stiff, the characters lack motivation and cohesion, and there's not much to recommend this show beyond some pretty visuals. Also, they kill the dog. All in all, a disappointing and unsuccessful joint venture that mostly highlighted that between Thailand and Korea the style of BL, narrative approach, language cadence, and acting techniques all clash.

It's airing but...

Lady Boy Friends (Thai WeTV grey) 16 eps - reminds me a bit too much of Diary of Tootsies only high school. Not my thing. DNF unless it turns a corner and is truly amazing.

You Made My Day (Thai YT) ep 1 of 5 - mini series staring the I Will Knock You couple Tar & Bom, started but I couldn't find it. I also didn't try very hard.

A Balloon's Landing (Taiwan movie) trailer - A frustrated Hong Kong writer, Tian Yu, meets a Taipei street gangster, Xiang (Fandy Fan from HIStory2: Crossing the Line), and the two of them embark on a journey to find the Bay of Vanishing Whales. Along the way, they discover unexpected twists and turns and close bonds, which brings out the message that "there is always someone like you in this world who is waiting for you. This released to cinemas in Taiwan, no word on international release.

Memory in the Letter (Thai WeTV) - it's done, tell me if I should bother?

Fan's Only Corner

Someone asked in a comment (which tumblr promptly ate) about group sleepovers in BLs. It's happened a few times but the only one I can recall being noted and particularly lovely (and VERY college) was in Nitiman. There's also one in Lovesick.

Next Week Looks Like This:

5/16 Blossom Campus (Korea Thurs Gaga & iQIYI) ep 1 of 6 - Strongberry doing classic uni BL! Weeee!

5/19 OMG Vampire (Thai Sun ????) ep 1 of 10 - LeeFrank are back - not unlike the undead (as it were). But how do we feel about it? Unsure given their track record.

Upcoming BLs for 2024 are listed here. This list is not kept updated, so please leave a comment if you know something new or RP with additions.

May Releases

VBL (Taiwan) is releasing 4 'Special Episode' epilogues to their 4 2023 shows every Friday this month on Gagaoolala, Viki & Viu. Not sure on search terms or how to find these. (Or, frankly, if we need them.)

5/10 – You Are Mine

5/17 – VIP Only

5/24 – Stay By My Side

5/31 – Anti Reset

5/25 The Time of Fever AKA Unintentional Love Story 2 (Korea movie) trailer - HoTae & DongHee are back but unfortunately not in a cinema near me. Side couple from Unintentional Love Story, same actors, same character names. I love them. I NEED TO SEE THIS.

5/28 My Biker 2 (Thai movie YT?) - trailer

5/31 The Time of Huannan (Taiwan movie) - May not be BL

THIS WEEK’S BEST MOMENTS

LOVE a smile kiss. Love it. Two killer kisses from PondPhuwin. Elegantly done, boys. Thank you very much.

I love them a lot all of a sudden. (All We Are)

It's hard to give MaxTul a run on their crown as best bodies in BL, but boy these two are giving it their, erm, best. (Wandee Goodday)

(Last week)

Streaming services are listed by how I (usually) watch, which is with a USA based IP, and often offset by a day because time zones are a pain.

The tag BLigade: @doorajar @solitaryandwandering @my-rose-tinted-glasses @babymbbatinygirl @babymbbatinygirl @isisanna-blog @mmastertheone @pickletrip @aliceisathome @urikawa-miyuki @tokillamonger @rocketturtle4 @blglplus @anythinggoesintheshire @everlightly @renafire

If ya wanna be tagged each week leave a comment and I will add you to the template. Easy peesy.

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theyhavetakenovermylife · 4 months

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Bayverse tmnt scolding their sons since they went a different direction or didn’t listen and didn’t follow with the orders their dad gave out, and nearly got spotted by humans while the eldest was trying to keep the middle from mucking around and go back on track?

I feel like they will be grounded after coming back to the lair and get sent to their rooms and have their mask taken off them. :D

Sons of Leonardo (Fluff/Crack-ish)

Bayverse!Leonardo x reader

A/N: I love this idea! But I decided to focus on one group of children instead of all four. I went with you and Leo’s kids (aka, my OCS), because that was the first that came to my head😂💙

Buuuuut! If you want me to do more of these with the others, I would happily do so💚

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

You and Leo are at least in your 40’s.

Warnings: Spelling, you and Leo’s sons being silly teenagers💙

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

Romeo did not like it one bit. Actually, he had been very much against it from the start, wondering how the hell Marcello had managed to get their father to agree to let them go watch the basketball game. He had probably used that eye trick uncle Michelangelo had taught him. Heck, even Gerardo knew how to make those eyes. But of course, their father wouldn’t just let Marcello and Gerardo go on their own. No, no. Romeo had to come along and make sure that his brothers didn’t do anything stupid, or worse, getting noticed by humans.

And that was how Romeo found himself stuck inside the jumbotron for hours, stuck watching a basketball game he didn’t actually want to see. If this was the “responsibility of the oldest” that his father kept talking about, he could easily understand how he could be so uptight sometimes. And as Romeo pulled 12 year old Gerardo back from the edge, he wished his father would have been more uptight that day.

As soon as the game ended, Romeo was ready to go. They had promised not just their father, but their mother as well, that they would return home as soon as the game had finished. So when Romeo had his brothers returned to the roof once more, the last thing he expected was 15 year old Marcello heading the opposite direction, leaning over the edge of the building in order to get a better look of the people walking out onto the street.

“Marcello! No! Dad told us to get home as soon as the game finished!”, Romeo commanded, pointing in the direction they had to go - away from downtown.

“Calm down, junior, I’m just watching”, Marcello said, waving his hand at his older brother. “I’m just watching”.

“Hah”, Gerardo laughed, pointing at Romeo. “He called you junior”.

“Marcello, seriously”, Romeo sighed. “You know how dad gets when he’s worried. Hell, do you remember the time you went too far out in the sewer, and dad, granddad and all our uncles almost exploded with worry? Do you remember how sad mom was?”

“Dude, I was 4”, Marcello said with a deadpan look. “Now I’m just as old as dad was when he and his brothers started going out”.

“Yeah, but they also listened to dad!”

“Haha!”, Gerardo laughed. “Donnie, Raph and Mikey listening to dad? That was a good one ‘Meo!”

“How many times do I have to tell you not to call me that?”, Romeo sighed, side eyeing his little brother.

“Relax”, Marcello said, straining his neck to get a better look at the crowd. “I’m just looking around. You never know when you see a pretty girl”.

“A girl?”, Romeo asked skeptically. “Bro, you’re 15”.

“So? Mom and dad met when they were 15”.

“18”, Romeo corrected.

“Whatever”, Marcello said, rolling his eyes, letting his hands rest on the edge of the building.

“Why do you wanna look at girls?”, Gerardo asked.

“I don’t know”, Marcello mumbled. “I just wanna look…”

“You are not going to score a human girl”, Romeo said, crossing his arms.

“Says who?!”

“Dad, who is waiting for us to get home”, Romeo said. “Come on, he knows when the game ends and how long it takes to get back”.

“That hypocrite”, Marcello said. “Mom is a human, dad is a mutant. They didn’t meet because he kept hiding away!”

“No, mom and dad met through aunt April at a house party”, Romeo said, putting a hand on his brother’s shoulder. “Now, let’s go before dad and our uncles go looking for us. Or even worse, granddad”.

“No!”, Marcello said, pulling his shoulder away from his brother, getting down to sit on the edge. “I wanna see some humans!”

Gerardo watched the interaction with unease. After 12 years he knew that his two older brothers could get into some heated arguments, just like their father and their uncle Raphael had done when they were younger. But Gerardo also knew that neither Romeo or Marcello would back down so easily.

“You have seen plenty of humans today! You watched a whole basketball game!”, Romeo exclaimed in frustration, grabbing for his brother once more. “Now, let’s go home!”

“I said no!”, Marcello exclaimed, pulling away yet again, this time with much more force. This caused Marcello to tumble forward, his weight pulling him off of the roof, down towards the big crowd of humans below. But thanks to the higher powers for Romeo’s fast reflexes, he managed to get a hold of Marcello’s hand, pressing his heels against the edge before leaning back. Gerardo yelped, running to throw his arms around Romeo, helping him pull their brother back on the roof safely.

Once Marcello was back standing on the roof, slightly shivering from the sudden shock and fear of falling from a high building, Romeo was on him in less than a minute.

“Are you okay?! Did they see you?! What were you thinking!?”

“It wasn’t on purpose, worry fart”, Marcello said, pushing Romeo off of him. “And no! No one saw me”.

“Guys, I think we should go”, Gerardo said, looking over his shoulder in unease.

“Rardo’s right”, Romeo said. “They could be checking the roof soon”. And with those words, the three brothers hurried home.

—

The three brothers entered the quiet lair, their senses heightened for any sounds of movements that would alert them to their extended family’s presence as they sneaked through the lair.

“Do you think dad has gone to bed?”, Gerardo asked.

Marcello smirked, his back straightened as if he didn’t have a worry in the world as he clapped Romeo on the shoulder in victory. “Told you that old fart wouldn’t notice a thing”.

“Look twice before using the term old fart”, a voice sounded, causing the three brothers to jump in surprise, finding their father standing right behind them. His arms crossed and a scolding expression on his face, his towering statue causing his sons to crane their necks in order to look up at him.

“H- hey dad”, Marcello smiled with a sheepish smile. “H- how long have you been standing there?”

“Long enough”, Leo said, his expression unchanging. “Where have you been?”

“At the game”, Gerardo said. “Just like we told you we would”.

“The game finished an hour ago. It only takes 15 minutes to get from the game and to the lair”, Leo said, his hands resting on his hips.

“The game stretched out”, Marcello said, feigning innocence. This caused Leo to sigh, rubbing the bridge of his beak.

Romeo sighed, knowing what this meant. “You and the others watched the game on TV, didn’t you?”

“We did”, Leo sighed, sounding more than a little frustrated.

“Okay, we might have hung around after the game and watched humans, but that’s it”, Marcello said, ignoring his brothers’ burning glares when he used the word “we”. “But it’s okay now. We’re home, safe and sound. So if you don’t mind, I think I’ll head to bed and get some sleep before heading to dinner at aunt April and uncle Casey’s tomorrow”, the middle child smiled innocently, trying to sneak past the broad form of his father.

“Oh no you don’t”, Leo said, grabbing on to the tails of Marcello’s bandana, janking him back with a small tuck, and then pulling it off of his head with a smooth flick of his wrist. “Because you’re all grounded”.

“WHAT?!”, Marcello yelled out loud, grabbing onto his bare head.

“Aww”, Gerardo said with a sad expression, not resisting as his father took the bandana off of his head. “I hate being grounded”.

“That’s the rules”, Leo said, waiting as Romeo untied his own bandana before handing it to his father. “You don’t follow the rules, you get grounded”.

“That’s not fair!”, Marcello yelled. “You went out all the time when you were 15!”

“Yes, I got grounded too”, Leo said. “You see how that works?” He gathered all bandanas in one hand before pointing in the direction of their rooms. “Now go to bed. We start training early tomorrow”.

The three brothers groaned, Gerardo and Marcello being extra loud as they did so, dragging their feet toward the metal stairs that lead to the second floor of the lair. Leo watched them leave, making sure they had gone to their rooms, before returning back to your and his shared bedroom.

In your bedroom, he found you reading a book in the bed table light, your baby daughter cuddling against your chest as she played with her teething toy. You looked up and saw the bandanas in Leo’s hand, watching as he laid them on top of the dresser.

“Grounded?”, you asked, Valentina wiggling in your arms at the sight of her father, a big smile on her face.

“Grounded”, Leo confirmed as he got ready for bed.

“Hopefully they didn’t take it too hard”, you said, closing your book before placing it on the nightstand.

“Well, Marcello wasn’t too happy about it, but the others took it pretty well”, Leo said, crawling under the covers, wrapping arm around you, before pulling you and blabbering Valentina close.

“So nothing new there?”, you asked, resting your head upon his shoulder, watching as your daughter started to hit lightly upon Leo’s plastron with a wide smile. Leo shook his head in a response, resting his cheeks against the top of your head, watching you daughter place both hands on his chest. Leo sighed with a smile, tickling the side of little Valentina, her giggles loud and happy as she hid against you.

“And you, young lady, better not be like your brothers when you get older”, he said, finding peace in her small giggles.

“That, or she’ll be even worse”, you joked, your fingers soothing her small shell.

“With three big brothers? Yeah, you’re probably right”, Leo chuckled, placing a kiss on the temple of your head.

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welikeimagines-andfandoms · 4 months

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Thorin- 9 to 5

Number 33 from this post. Requested by @ohnonotnow

Thorin was grateful to find a tavern this far out of town, especially one so quiet. Traveling alone, although slightly more relaxing compared to having 12 other dwarves with him, did seem to make him more tired. It was probably because instead of having lots of his kin to focus on, it was just him and this thoughts.

Walking through the tavern there was only two older men in the corner quietly talking to themselves. Not wanting to draw more attention to himself as a dwarf in a human village would, he quietly sat down in the corner.

Not really caring when a maid would take his order, Thorin began to stare out of the window, looking at the blue sky and birds of the early afternoon. His quiet meditation however was quickly interrupted by the sound of the tavern doors slamming open and a yell from the kitchen.

“That better be y/n!” He heard a shout from the kitchen.

“Or what?! You’ll fire me? I told you ma was sick and that I’d be starting later today! Keep your petticoat on, I’m starting now.” Her voice quieted down as she got closer to the kitchen. Such an interaction left the two once quiet men to chuckle to each other.

Of course Thorin looked up to see what all the commotion was about. As the young lady he had gathered was ‘y/n’ came into view, his eyes could not leave her face or her form. As a new king Thorin was meant to be level headed and calm always, but this young lady made his heart and thoughts race.

Not only was she beautiful but she wasn’t afraid to give people a piece of her mind, and hearing how she was taking care of her mother and the way she joked with the two old men, it seemed she was caring too.

Thorin began to panic as said young lady began to walk towards him. Was he blushing? ‘Oh please don’t blush! Kings aren’t meant to blush!’ He thought to himself as she began to come over.

“Hello, sir. How can I help you today?” She beamed at him, small notepad and pencil in hand.

Now both looking into each others eyes he began to get a little nervous. Was he staring too long? Oh Mahal he was!

“Hon?” You gently asked.

“Oh, um, hem! I- just um- pint of ale and um a pie. Please. Thank you. Ahem.” He managed to awkwardly blurt out.

Luckily for him, his awkward display just seemed to make you sweetly giggle at him.

“A pint and a pie, the house favourite. I’ll be back with that as quick as I can.” She genuinely smiled at him as she walked away.

‘Don’t stare at her behind! Don’t stare at her behind!’ He mentally chastised himself as he forced his head to look out the window again.

It was fifteen minutes before you returned again. In that time Thorin had managed to get his kingly courage and confidence back, now determined to actually have a proper conversation with you.

“Here you are, hon. A pie and a pint. Enjoy.” You once again beamed at him.

“Ma’am!” Thorin quickly called before you were able to walk away.

“Yes?” You gently asked, standing beside him once again.

“Are you working all day?” He gently asked, almost afraid to raise his voice too much in case it would scare you away.

“Nine to five, five days a week. Had to come in at twelve today but that’s because my Ma is unwell. Why you ask?”

“I’m sorry to hear about your mother and I’m glad she has someone looking out for her. I won’t be in town very long today but perhaps if I were to come back another day I could treat you to a pie and a pint.” He asked you, his kingly confidence waning the longer he spoke.

“That sounds wonderful. The company I mean, not the meal. Don’t get me wrong it’s good food but when you’ve worked here for three years it gets a little tiring. I know a nice spot you could take me to and I’ll even bring my famous cherry pie.” You smile down at him, hand lightly grazing his shoulder.

“I look forward to it.” He says proudly, his confidence quickly returning.

“You know, every now and then a new traveler will come in here and flirt with me, offering me evenings a lot more crass then the one you offered. Usually I turn them down, even the lovely offers,” getting closer he could smell a sweet floral scent as you go close to his ear, “but it’s not every day a king takes interest in me.”

As you straighten up again you wink at his shocked face.

“Guess I’ll be keeping my eye out for a handsome dwarf king to come back into this tavern.” You slyly smirk at him as you walk off.

#Thorin #Thorin imagine #Thorin x reader #Thorin Oakenshield #Thorin Oakenshield x reader #Thorin Oakenshield imagine #the hobbit #the hobbit imagine

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deathmetalunicorn1 · 4 months

Note

Have you read Percy Jackson? Of so could you do Straw Hats x 12 year old Daughter of PJO! Zeus? Thank you for your time BTW

I have only read the first book so far, so please forgive me if this isn’t written correctly.

-You had been having fun, wind surfing when a gust gave you a boost that you had easily underestimated, easily taking off with you, pulling you far from shore, farther than you were used to.

-Luckily a ship had seen you catching your big air and when they saw you panicking, they were quick to pull up beside you and you were stunned when Luffy shot his arm down, stretching it like rubber, and fished you and your board out.

-You were a lot younger than they first believed, being a young teenager as Chopper and Nami both scolded you, checking you out for any wounds as you looked a little sheepish, “Thanks for saving me- I wasn’t anticipating getting blown out to sea.”

-Franky just ruffled your hair affectionately, “IT’s okay- you caught some SUPER air out there!!” you beamed, feeling proud of yourself as you stood.

-Robin then spoke, “Do you always wind surf alone?” you shook your head, “No I’ve got others- I’m just the most advanced so I can go out farther. My friends are all on the beach doing their own activities for camp.”

-Luffy looked like a big kid, “Camp? What kind of camp?” you puffed out your chest a little bit, “Demi-god camp! We’re all here to enjoy the fresh sea air!”

-Robin lifted a hand to her lips, a soft hum leaving her, “I think I’ve heard about that. Camp Half Blood, right?” you beamed up at her, nodding, “Yup- we all came here as it’s safer compared to our world, and our parents can still contact us if the need us.”

-As the ship started towards the shore, to drop you off, Zoro spoke up, “Why is your old world more dangerous?” you scratched the back of your head, looking a bit embarrassed, “Not too many like us demi-gods, like other gods who don’t have any kids. Take me for example, Hera hates me because I’m the kid of Zeus, product of yet another affair. Hera’s tried to kill me I want to say… four times now.”

-Eyes were bulged, hearing this, Jinbei knew of the gods, who could travel between worlds, which made sense of why you were able to as well, and he knew of Zeus and his escapades.

-Once back on shore the other members of the camp were excited to meet some actual pirates of this world, ones that wouldn’t attack them, as they were all willing to spend time with you and the other kids.

-Chopper was quite popular with the girls who gushed on how cute he was, while Franky had gotten the attention of most of the boys for being a robot.

-You helped Sanji prepare the massive barbeque, to celebrate new friends between you, your friends, and the Straw Hats, and he taught you some techniques when grilling meat.

-The Straw Hats stayed for a few days, offering to teach the kids new things, like Zoro taught them how to use swords in a more effective way, Robin taught them about history and Nami with geography, and Usopp loved teaching the archery class, finding it fun and easy.

-You were sitting beside Luffy and Brook, swinging your legs back and forth, enjoying seeing all of your friends having so much fun as Brook spoke up, “I got to meet Athena earlier, she’s quite the woman yohoho- she almost attacked me when I asked to see her panties.”

-You winced lightly for him, “Yeah it’s lucky you survived- Athena can be intimidating.” Luffy grinned, wanting to meet your parent and you laughed awkwardly, “Yeah… Zeus has so many kids, he probably doesn’t know I exist. He doesn’t really care about us kids- just getting laid.”

-Luffy leaned his head on top of yours, surprising you as he grinned, “We can always come back when you’re older, you can join my crew!”

-Your eyes were like stars, glittering so brightly, “REALLY?!” you cheered loudly, making Luffy laugh as he promised to come back to get you and you promised to get even better at your wind surfing so you wouldn’t need to be rescued again, making the two of them laugh loudly as you all celebrated the future.

#one piece #luffy #zoro #nami #usopp #sanji #chopper #robin #brook #jinbei #franky

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servantofthefates · 1 year

Text

The Most Useful Lenormand Tips

Where is Lenormand Better than Tarot?

Shallow but essential questions — “Should I stay at home tonight? If I attend this party, will I have fun?” “Should I bring an umbrella? Will rain overpower the sun?” Tarot knows the answers too, but it prefers questions of a profound nature over little things like the weather.

Mindless gambling and betting — When there’s a sports match I want to bet on but I’m not a fan of either players or teams, tarot will never answer me correctly, because it will feel that I’m not invested emotionally. Lenormand won’t care. It will tell the truth fair and square.

Quick yes or no — When tarot answers a yes or no question, it attaches a thesis as to why it is so. But sometimes, people’s intentions, a situation’s history and my own motivations do not concern or interest me. So I ask Lenormand instead for a snappy decree.

How to Predict Timing with Lenormand

January - Fish

February - Snake

March - Stork

April - Paths

May - Woman

June - Ring

July - Man

August - Child

September - Rod

October - Heart

November - Clouds

December - House

Soon - Rider

Temporarily - Birds

Quickly - Clover

Suddenly - Scythe

A long time from now - Anchor

About a year from today - Tree

Yes or No with Lenormand

Hearts - Yes

Clubs - No

Diamonds - Could Be

Spades - Unlikely

How to Do a Line of Five

STEP 1: Lay out the cards.

Get the first 4 cards from the top of the deck.

Use the card at the bottom of the deck as the 5th card.

Note that the middle card is the theme.

STEP 2: Read the cards.

Read them like a sentence, from left to right.

Then read them as a string, with the leftmost card as the subject, and the succeeding ones as adjectives.

Mirror them: 1 + 5, 2 + 4.

Note any possible date predictions. (See above.)

STEP 3: Read the playing card inserts.

Note the suits for yes or no. (See above.)

Add the playing card pips to get the Lenormand card number. (Ace to 10 is 1 to 10, Jack is 11, Queen is 12, King is 13.) If the sum is more than 36, add the two digits.

Then read the Lenormand card that your calculation led you to as the one message you need to remember, if you forget everything else.

When to Do a Grand Tableau

1) On December 31st, or on your birthday, to ask about your whole year ahead.

2) At the beginning of every quarter, to ask about your next three months.

But just choose one or the other. Don’t do them both together.

Recommended Lenormand Decks

The Blue Owl — This classic deck is the equivalent of a blue box vintage Rider-Waite. It is complete with playing card inserts and has no-nonsense images.

Pixie’s — As a Rider-Waite reader, I find this one great to use side by side a tarot spread. It has Pamela Colman Smith’s art, so together, they’re nice and seamless to look at.

Seventh Sphere — The perfect crossbreed between modern and classic. In look and design, it is no doubt new. But just like the older decks, it speaks clear and true.

How to Master Lenormand by Yourself

If you are the type who deeply values tradition and prefers to read almost purely through intuition, buy Andy Boroveshengra’s book, “Lenormand Thirty Six Cards”. It teaches the Near and Far method — perhaps the oldest and most valid way of reading this system.

If you are a technical learner and reader who is a stickler for the rules, look to Caitlín Matthews’ masterpiece instead: “The Complete Lenormand Oracle Handbook”. It treats Lenormand as Linguistics. You would feel like you are taking a college course.

But… if you do not wish to take Lenormand so seriously, that is, if you do not care to learn everything about it entirely, simply download the “Seventh Sphere Lenormand” by Labyrinthos from the App Store. It will teach you all the basics, though perhaps nothing historical and classic.

Have fun with Lenormand!

#Lenormand #Witch tips #Tarot tips #Divination #servantofthefates #Witchblr #Lenormand tips #Tarot #All About Divination

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polonium-snap · 1 year

Text

Bkdk Plot bunnies pt 1

Izuku is 12 and still quirkless

Katsuki is his #1 Bully being as every other day he corners Deku outside school to mock him and intimidate him

Until one day he just stops

Izuku doesn’t notice at first maybe is just one of those days Katsuki “can’t be bothered with a useless Deku”

However as time passes even Katsuki’s lackeys wonder what is wrong with him

He’s stopped complaining about Deku, and doesn’t ever mention the other boy’s quirklessness

Izuku doesn’t know how to feel about it; on one hand he is glad the harassment stopped, but somehow being completely ignored by Kacchan feels somehow worse

“I just realized; why be bothered with a quirkless extra.” Katsuki explained a week later when one of his friends asked

That’s what did it, for all the insults Katsuki had called Deku for the past six years he had never referred to Izuku as an extra

Izuku was the gum stuck in his shoe but never as inconsequential as an extra

That burned Izuku more than being called Deku ever had. But Izuku couldn’t say anything about it

One day some older kids saw the opportunity to corner Izuku on some alley and started push him around

It seemed Bakugou power was such everyone had steered clear of his “mark” but now that he was not interested in him anymore someone wanted the #1 bully position

However unlike Katsuki who used his quirk to intimidate and occasionally burn Deku’s belongings these bullies got physical. They hit Izuku a couple of times before big explosions interrupt them

Out of nowhere Katsuki appears “get away from him!” He screams in rage

He chases the older boys away then looks at Deku

Why his green eyes ask

Katsuki wears a look Deku has never seen before, guilt

Bakugou Katsuki was never guilty because Bakugou Katsuki never felt sorry and Bakugou Katsuki never made mistakes

So how come he’s looking at Deku with guilt?

Something is wrong, Katsuki is different and Izuku has to find out why

Katsuki is quieter and almost nice?

Not really he still brash and can’t be bothered with peoples names but he has less outbursts, the blond is oddly different with Deku, which is even more baffling

One day Izuku sees Katsuki at the convenience store when the boy suddenly drops everything and is practically running outside

Izuku follows

Bakugou stops a tall skinny blond old man, who looks just as surprised as Izuku

From the distance Deku can’t hear their conversation

The man tenses as he hears Katsuki talk, wary toward the younger blond, but his expressions keep changing

Katsuki said something more and the man sighs almost relieved

They seem to exchange numbers and Katsuki turns around, only just missing Izuku who had to hastily hide

His heart is racing, what was that? Why had Bakugou stopped a random man like that?

Just as suddenly Katsuki changes his routine only noticeable to Izuku who knows it like the back of his hand

Izuku sees Kachan outside a building where a small girl with white hair and red eyes of about 4 years old comes running out and into Katsuki’s arms

Strangely Bakugou welcomes the hug with a smile of his own as the underground hero Eraserhead comes out behind the child

Deku can’t believe his eyes

Soon enough Bakugou seems to express his goodbyes and Izuku takes that as his cue to hide scurrying through an alley

“So, what is your nerd brain thinking?” Bakugou’s voice sounds from the end of the alleyway izuku had hastily hidden

“I-I K-k-Kachan! Wh-what a co-coincidence to see you here! Haha” Deku fumbled. “Wh-“

“Shut up, I know you’ve been following me.” The blond acuses

Izuku closes his mouth

“I’m sure you’ve noticed something’s different, so hit me with your theories.”

“I-I do-don’t know. Nothing makes sense all the things that should be connected don’t link correctly to one another.” Izuku flounders. “One day you just changed, w-why?

Bakugou smiled bitterly. “Deku, shit’s complicated and at first I thought maybe it was for the better if you weren’t involved at all.” He looks hesitant before blustering. “But that’s obviously wistful thinking since you are a nosy little shit that won’t stay away,”

“Kacchan what is going on?

“4 years from now I died and came back in time.”

“…What?”

“I’m from the fucking future dumbass.”

“W-wait Kacchan you died?! What do you mean from the future?!”

“It’s better if All Might and I explain.”

“A-A-All Might?!?!”

“Tch, come with me” Katsuki starts to drag Deku.

“Wait Kacchan where are we going?”

“To get you a quirk.” Katsuki smiles back with a brightness Izuku hasn’t seen since they were little.

I decided to start this series because I have so many bkdk ideas I have planned out but I don’t either have the time or will to write out into an actual fanfic

Let me know what you think and if you guys like it I might write it

pt 2 |pt 2.5 |pt 3|pt 4|pt 5|pt 6

#izuku x bakugo #katsudeku #katsuki x izuku #decchan #bakudeku #dekubaku #bakudeku au #bakugo x deku #izuku mydoria #bkdk #katsuki bakugou #ktdk #dkbk

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ramspatula · 2 months

Text

Arrowheads | Nya Smith x reader

I believe that there are things out there that want to hurt me. Will hurt me. That’s a thought I can’t get to ever leave my head. But she calms them. Only her.

Next part

I had never been to Ninjago city. Cole said it was too unsafe. I was a musician. Well a songwriter. A ghostwriter to be specific. I get paid to not leave my room and write lyrics for some big artist or little artist to take credit for. I wanted to be a singer. I wanted to perform but stages weren’t a place for me to be. The world scared me. People scared me. It requires so much effort to live in the world. Especially as a girl. I needed to look perfect, act perfect, be perfect. And I wasn’t. I had too many flaws to count. My wardrobe doesn’t have a new outfit for everyday. I own more pyjamas than clothes. I talk better in rhyming words on paper than I do to people.

I wasn’t always like this. I wasn’t scared. I’m not now. But too many ghosts walk around outside for me to be comfortable. Not literally. That was years ago. And in stixx. And that was the last time I saw my brother. Granted, he was older. But after mom died and Dad drank himself into sobbing onto his music sheets, I thought we were closer. I understand he raised me. Not a job for a grieving 14 year old boy. Not a job for any teenager to be raising a horribly paranoid 8 year old. I was almost 9. Nether less, Children shouldn’t be raising children. I never got over that paranoia. It grew. It grows inside me even now. After the second round of snakes. Not the serpentine. The one who had fire powers. I covered my apartment windows in newspaper and bought 3 locks for my door. I called Cole in tears for over 4 hours. He didn’t pick up once. After all that, I got a message 4 days later, asking me if everything was okay. We called for 10 minutes before he had to go. He sounded tired and exhausted the whole time. Maybe I was too much. I had grown use to the thought he might resent me. That he wasted the rest of his youth raising me and comforting me through everything before Dad sent me to a programme in Jamankai for young music protégés after he had mailed in my notebook of lyrics and video recording of me playing various instruments and singing. All lessons he made me take. I was 11, almost 12. Cole was 18 and never came home after I left. The programme led to me getting in to a songwriting degree at 16. And last year I graduated. On the day of that snake attack. The fire one. Cole promised to be at my graduation just outside ninjago city. He lived there. He was the only reason I went. He promised to come on the stage with me if I needed him to. He didn’t turn up. Answered none of my calls. Until 4 days later with his infamous everything okay message. Later I got an ‘I’m sorry’. So a year later, I decided I’m tired. I would go to ninjago city. Talk to him myself. That’s what I was doing right now. I decided writing songs about reuniting and rebuilding relationships was not the therapeutic release I needed. It was to see my brother, now 28, as an adult, 21. I deserved to know why he treated me this way, I deserved to not be caged in my room. To see the world I feared so much. Even if the thought of the train ceiling collapsing in on me was the only thought I had right now. Luckily, the train wasn’t too busy but barely anyone lived in Jamankai these days. I might even see a ninja in ninjago. Or a dragon. I hope at least. As long as I am far away from wherever they are headed. I had his address, and I would be there, tonight! Maybe this afternoon if I sped walk.

I hate myself. This was an awful idea. He can hate me. I don’t care. I see a dragon and a ninja. And robots trying to kill me. Why did I do this? They may be on TV but that was close? Right? Ninjago city isn’t that big.

“Don’t look too worried darling, that was yesterday’s highlights. And about 50 minutes away from here.”

“Oh.” I said and walked away. I am utterly embarrassed. Why did I leave my room? Was he trying to be funny?

“Miss do you need a ride anywhere?” I looked back at him and continued walking. “No! It’s not like that! I’m Chen! I own a cab company- here’s my card-! There’s my company car-! I was just trying to do my job! I’m gay!”

“Oh, me too king.” I said and he nodded, with a smile.

“Actually?”

“Unfortunately.”

“Okay, well, front or back?” He asked and I looked at him weirdly before I realised he was talking about the car and not a weird way of asking me if I was a top or bottom.

“Front. I don’t like the back.” I said and he went to take my bag and I didn’t let him. The ratty bunny teddy I had since I was 2 was in clear view if I moved my jacket off the top and I couldn’t handle anyone seeing it. He nodded and just opened the passenger door for me.

“Where are you going?” Chen asked and I paused before telling him.

“Here.” I said and showed the address in my notes, he frowned before nodding.

“That’ll only cost a 20.” He said with a smile but I didn’t share it. Any money out was money I wouldn’t see again for a month. And I hadn’t paid my water yet.

We sat in silence whilst he played a long playlist of purely Azealia banks. I recognised some songs. And some lyrics. Although I’m sure I hadn’t wrote for her.

“Not much of a talker?” He said and I looked up at him.

“This is the first time I’ve left the house in 3 months.” I said and he nodded, surprisingly understanding.

“My mom had agoraphobia. I get it. I’m proud of you for even getting out at all. She hasn’t left the house in 4 years. The great devourer swallowed her coworkers in front of her and then when the time twins happened she got jumped by all those mini snakes and almost strangled to death so… I should not be telling you this!” I stared at him wide eyed.

“I think I might have agoraphobia…” I said and he nodded.

“Well… uhm. Just stay away from the main part of the city. It’s still pretty levelled from the sons of Garmadon but it’s every new villains favourite part. I’m taking you well out to the outskirts so… actually I’m surprised you even got a train into the city. It’s basically just forests and one blocked off area where a boarding school used to be but crumbled after the stone warriors.” Chen said and I nodded.

“So nothing that can kill me?” I said and he nodded.

“Nothing ever happens there. People don’t even call it part of ninjago city with how barren it is.” My nerves slowly calmed. Emphasis on slowly.

We parked in an empty car park with 3 beat, old cars and one truck that lucked equally beat. We both got out and Chen looked around calmly. Like he hadn’t been here in ages. I immediately called Cole. 1 ring. 2 rings. 3 rings. 4 rings. 5 rings. Voicemail. I sighed. Chen looked at me worriedly. Why would Cole give me a fake address? I sighed before debating to myself. I scrolled down. Well I didn’t have to. I only had 5 contacts. And two were my landlord and the building maintenance man. I tapped on the ‘Pearl (Cole’s girlfriend)’ contact. Were they even still together? I rung anyway. 1 ring, 2 rings, 3 wings…

“Hello?” She didn’t sound too happy.

“Uhm- hi… I’m uh-“ how the hell did I speak.

“Who is this?” She asked and I stuttered before getting my words out.

“I’m Y/n Brookstone. I’m Cole’s sister, he said he lives here but, I’m staring at an empty parking lot-“

“-Wait- Cole’s sister?!” She asked and I nodded.

“Yes, Y/n Brookstone, is this Pearl?” I asked and she took a moment before responding.

“Yes. What- sorry I didn’t catch your name, what was that?” She asked and I repeated myself again.

“Y/n Brookstone.” I said and I heard her sigh.

“That’s not Cole’s sister’s name.” She said and I froze. Yes it was?

“No, that’s my name- I have ID! I can prove it-!” I immediately defended.

“I don’t know what sick prank call this is- I get that his family are upset we didn’t invite them to the our wedding but this is- this is weird.” Pearl said and I froze.

“Cole’s married?” I asked and she sounded even more annoyed.

“Yes! To me! And if you were his sister you’d know my actual name and not just ‘Pearl’- anyone can know that!” She exclaimed and my insides tensed up. I didn’t want to argue with my brother’s apparent wife!

“That’s what he called you- he gave me your number! I have 5 contacts- I’ve tried calling him but he’s not answering-! Please! Is he there?!” I pleaded and she ignored me.

“5 contacts? That just gives burner phone! I don’t know you are- Cole’s sister’s name isn’t Y/n. And I’m not giving it to you! I’m going to block you.” She said and I let out an actual sob.

“No, please! I will send you my location! I am his sister! I don’t know what he said my name was but I wouldn’t have this address if it wasn’t me! He’s really big on privacy and security- you’d know that- but- please just let me talk to him. Is he there?!” I begged and I heard her scoff.

“No. I’m coming outside, and if you’re in that fucking parking lot-“ there was some commotion on the other line, “no it’s just some girl with a fake name, claiming to be Cole’s sister! She’s literally in the parking lot-!”

“End the call then.” It was another girl’s voice. She sounded very unbothered.

“No, please-! I’ve tried calling Cole- I wouldn’t bother you if I didn’t have to.” I said and she ignored me again.

“I’ll tell him you called.” She said.

“Just come outside- I can prove it-“ the line went dead. I stared at my phone in shock. Pearl already hated me and I hadn’t even met her yet. She made Cole so happy. And the one thing that makes him happy, hates me.

“Hey… do you have anywhere to stay?” Chen asked and I turned around quickly, I didn’t know he was still here. “I didn’t want to leave until I knew you were safe.” He said and I sobbed. He quickly hugged me and I held onto him. I had just met him and he was already comforting me.

“No…” i practically whispered.

“Are… are you- what happened? If you don’t mind me asking.” He asked and I had to look up to try and stop the tears.

“She hates me.” I said and he frowned.

“Who hates you?” He asked.

“My brother’s wife! And she makes him so happy- and I-“ he cut me off and separated from the hug.

“Well she sounds like an asshole then. C’mon, it’s starting to rain.” Chen said and we got back in the car.

Volume: ■■■■■□□□

The monastery was unusually quiet. With the monks doing outdoors training, Wu’s barking orders couldn’t be heard. The monastery was, for once, all girls. And it was quiet. Misako was sat turning pages of her ancient scripture, Peach was nursing a headache that came from teaching over excited 6 year olds how to stay still for an hour, Cherry was busying herself trying to perfect her own nails. She had to give up getting her nails done after going into ninja-witness protections. Snowdrops was lingering somewhere in her own world of systems. Pixal was sentinel, probably with Snow in their world of digital beings. Pearl was stress-cooking, she had been thinking of the phone call since it had happened. And how she had been so rude and how the girl was so distressed.

“Try meditating, watching you stress like this is not helping my head.” Peach said, mug of some kind of tea pressed to her head.

“I’m sorry…” Pearl said but only stilled for a moment before pacing again. The curry she was making didn’t even get to bubble before it was being stirred again.

It went back to how it was, Peach had took to laying on the counter in this time. She still found it hard to sleep without Lloyd. Her dragon crooned lowly outside and she looked to the window where the eye of the dragon was visible. She smiled and the dragon raised its head again. Peace was nice. Quiet was nice. It was what everyone needed. But it never lasts long. Not in this home. To be a ninja was to be quieter than silence herself but to be a part of this family, was to be on the same volume level as a foghorn:

The bangs and clatter of ninjas coming home was undoubtedly recognisable. It was the same everytime. Groaning, complaining, whining, that all came from the men as they made their way to the living area. Pixal sprung to life again. Making Cherry jump and curse as she smudged her nails. Peach whined as she turned on her side. Pearl sighed as the familiar arms wrapped around her. She could almost ignore the grime and oder that came from the ninja when they had been on a three-week stake out. A kiss was placed on her temple and she smiled before the smell became too much and she pushed the large man off her.

“Smells good.” Cole said and she frowned.

“You don’t.” Pearl said which was backed up by Peach who made a noise of agreement.

“I’m talking about the food, you too.” He said and she smiled.

“It’s not done yet.” She said and smacked his hand that was reaching for the ladle. He laughed and put his hands up. Jay and Nya were next to come in. The recently separated fiancés were better than ever. Both relishing in not having to suffer their deteriorating relationship anymore and Nya’s confession. She wasn’t into men. Not anymore at least. She was ashamed it took her this long to realise that men were not it for her at all. Jay didn’t hold it against her. He took it better than anyone could. He loved Nya but even he could admit that their love for each other had changed. They were friends and they cared for each other. But not in the way they once had. It was refreshing to see both of them so free and happy even after a 3-week stake out.

“Who wants patrol tonight?” Cole asked to which the ninjas in the room groaned. “No one takes it, Lloyd will decide.” He added to which another groan followed.

“I’ll take it. I wasn’t really involved in that last fight.” Nya said to which they both thanked her.

“Did I just hear I don’t have to do patrol?” Kai asked, Zane in tow. Snowdrops physical form appeared to hug Zane in a way that no one was sure was possible with her form. Somehow physical but not?

“I don’t care as long as I’m not moving tonight.” Peach said.

“Well, you’re in luck! Lloyd stayed behind to check everything was still running smoothly! Won’t be back till tomorrow!” Cole said and Peach sighed.

“Perfect.” She said, unamused.

“Anything happen whilst we were gone?” Jay asked.

“Pearl’s been getting prank calls.” Peach said to which Pearl stiffened.

“What?” Cole laughed. Cherry swerved a kiss from Kai in his grimy state to which Kai reacted in outrage.

“You haven’t seen me in three weeks-“

“It was one, and some girl claiming to be your sister- she was outside and all. Used a fake name too-“ Pearl ranted and Cole froze.

“What-?” He said and Pearl nodded.

“I know-! But her name wasn’t Papita! It was some Y- thing, I can’t remember exactly-“ She said and Cole grabbed her, gently, by the shoulder.

“When was this?!” He questioned, alarm in his eyes.

“A couple hours ago- Cole!” He rushed out the room and the monastery. Pearl turned in shock.

“What just happened?!” Jay asked and Peach sighed.

“I think Pearl may have just left Cole’s sister out in the rain in a city she doesn’t live in.” Peach said, still unmoving.

“What?! Why would you do that?!” Jay asked.

“I didn’t know-! It wasn’t the name I was told-! Her name wasn’t Papita!” Pearl tried to defend herself.

“Oh my god- Papita is a nickname!” Jay said to which Pearl became speechless. “Her actual name is- uhm… Kai?!” Jay asked and Kai sighed.

“I met her a few years ago, it’s Y/n.” Kai said and Pearl’s hand found its way to her mouth, fast.

“Who’s Y/n?” Cherry asked.

“Cole’s sister.” Kai told her and she nodded.

“Where could she have gone?!” Pearl asked and turned immediately to Snowdrop and Zane.

“Her in-phone tracker says that she is in ninjago city.” Zane said and Pearl nodded, trying to process everything. How could she leave her sister-in-law out in the cold? What a great first impression.

“We have to find her!” Pearl said to which Peach finally sat up.

“This is bad.” Peach said and slid off the counter. “Let me know what happens.” She said, walking off and turning to the side to let Cole rush past on her out.

“My phone! Where’s my phone?!” Cole questioned.

“Bedside table!” Pearl said and followed him.

“I’m so sorry-! I didn’t know-“ Pearl apologised, frantically. Cole cursed at the dead phone and immediately put it on charge.

“She’s out there, all alone, in a city she doesn’t know-! This is all my fault! I should have been here.” Cole said, more to himself.

“You were on a mission-!” Pearl tried to justify but Cole ignored her.

“We were planning on coming home early- if I just hadn’t agreed to check out the east side-!” He cursed himself as he waited for the phone to have enough charge to turn back on.

“It’s my fault- I should’ve gone out there! I should’ve heard her out-!” Pearl said and Cole turned to her.

“Why didn’t you?” He asked.

“I don’t know- I just- with everything I thought it was what to do! I didn’t want to risk anything!” She said and Cole shook his head.

“How do you not know your sister-in-law’s name!” Cole asked and Pearl stumbled for an answer.

“You always call her Papita, I thought it was her name! I haven’t heard your call her anything else.” Pearl said and Cole sighed.

“It’s a nickname! It means little potato!” Cole said and Pearl shook her head.

“I’m sorry, I thought I was doing what’s right. Clearly, I wasn’t.” Pearl said and Cole sighed again. The phone lit up and he immediately unlocked it and scrolled to his contacts. Hitting one specific contact.

Volume: ■■■■■□□□

Chen took me to some diner. It was near here and we were the only two there. He had ordered us some water and had been speaking with the man behind the bar for a very long time. I couldn’t believe what had happened. Giving me a fake address? His wife yelling at me? He’s clearly been hiding a lot from me. I wondered if Dad knew. Pearl said that his family knew but I didn’t? I was part of that family. I might have to call Dad.

I tried not to jump when the drinks got sat down in front of me. Chen smiles and I had only just noticed the man had followed.

“This is my boyfriend, Reece!” Chen said and I smiled.

“I’m Y/n.” I said and the man smiled.

“Nice to meet you.” He said, politely. I nodded.

“Anyway, we were just wondering if you had any plans tonight, anywhere to go?” Chen asked and I shook my head.

“I don’t have a ticket back to Jamankai for another couple days.” I said and they nodded.

“Want to stay at ours? Until then, hotels around here are quite expensive.” Reece asked and I looked at both of them before nodding.

“Please…” I said and they smiled.

“Our apartment is above the diner so, you can put your stuff up there if you want?” Chen asked and I took a moment to consider how dangerous this is. They were strangers. Gay. But still strangers. They could kill me. We’ve been here for 20 minutes and no one has come in the diner since we sat down.

“Okay…” I said and Reece smiled before leading me to a door around the side of the kitchen which just led to a case of stairs. Reece unlocked the door and let me go through first.

“It’s not much but we don’t have much.” Reece said and I nodded. “The guest bedroom is this way!” He said, cheerily. He held the door open again for me and I looked around the room. There was a bed and a discarded vinyl player with some vinyls.

“There’s so many…” I said, not touching them, scared to get fingerprints on them.

“Oh yeah, Chen had a phase of being really into Jazz. Can you tell he was a theatre kid? Anyway-! We keep them in here because we don’t really use it anymore.” Reece explained and I nodded before the Vinyl next to the player caught my attention.

‘Lou Brookstone’s classics’

I smiled. I hadn’t seen any of my Dad’s albums in a long time. I used to love them. When Cole left and I came home for a few years, my Dad and I bonded over music and his stories of his band and his few classical hits. That life had since been forgotten and now he was a vocalist trainer and a piano teacher. I’d never seen my Dad look so proud and happy as I did when I told him what I had chosen to do my degree in. Those years were still rough. Especially without Cole. Dad had finally started sobering more and had joined Alcoholics Anonymous. I went with him sometimes. He said I reminded him of my mother. One night he slipped and got drunk again, he called me Lilly. That was my mother’s name. I was gone the next day. I went to stay in the college dorms. I should call him. He wasn’t a bad father. At least, he never had bad intent and he tries now. He sends me random musician’s biographies with notes and tags all over it for me to read and maybe gain inspiration.

“I’m going to call my Dad.” I said and Reece nodded.

“Was he a big fan of Jazz too?” He asked and I smiled.

“He’s Lou Brookstone.” I said and he gasped before nodding and walking away.

1 ring- line connected.

“Hello mon chou, it’s lovely to hear from you. Is everything alright?” His words were sincere.

“Hey… I’m in ninjago city.” I said and he made a noise of concern.

“Oh, that’s rather spontaneous.” He said and I nodded, even though I knew he couldn’t see it.

“I know… I came to see Cole.” I said.

“Ah, I see. How is he? I haven’t heard from him since he told me he married that girlfriend of his. Pearl. Very fierce woman, have you met her?” Dad asked and I paused for a moment. “Mon chou?”

“Uhm, not officially. He wasn’t home and I only spoke to Pearl over the phone… I’m at a friend’s house.” I said and he made a teasing noise.

“A girl friend’s house?” He asked and I felt my cheeks heat up.

“No… they’re guys. And gay.” I added quickly before he freaked.

“Okay… is everything alright? You don’t usually call me like this.” Dad pointed out and I sighed.

“I didn’t know Cole was married… and Pearl didn’t know who I was.” I said and he went silent.

“Your brother didn’t tell you? He- he said you and Pearl were going to meet a long time ago. At your graduation?” He pointed out and I tried not to cry.

“Cole didn’t come to my graduation. Neither did Pearl… you had food poisoning from that salmon place.” I said and he sighed.

“I’m sure your brother didn’t leave you for no reason… his job requires him to be on call at all times, you know that.” Dad told me and I shook my head.

“I don’t even know what Cole does other than security.” I said and he sighed.

“I see… well, I’m sure your brother will contact you soon. He’s not one to leave you worrying.” Dad said and I nodded.

“Okay, love you.” I said and I heard Dad chuckle.

“I love you too, mon chou.” The phone line disconnected and I sighed. I stared out the window for a while until a blue, massive dragon flew past it and made me scream. On the back of it, sat the water ninja. 4 more dragons followed and I couldn’t help the way my breathing sped up. I thought the ninja would be more in the main part of the city? I pulled out my headphones quickly and shut the door that had no lock. I wedged my bag between the door and the wardrobe so no one would be able to get in. I put my headphones in quickly before laying back down.

Volume: ■■■■■□□□

My phone buzzing made me open my eyes and freeze. I slowly raised my phone to look at the contact. Cole. I debated answering it. I really did. But then I remembered why I had came here in the first place.

“Hello?” I said and I heard a sigh of relief.

“Hey, it’s me. I’m- I was at work! I didn’t have my phone on me- are you okay?!” He asked and I paused.

“Yes.” I said, simply.

“Okay that’s good, where are you?! Ninjago city really isn’t the safest place, Papita.” Cole said and I took a deep breath in. Clearly.

“I’m at a friend’s.” I said and he went silent.

“Friend, what friend?” Cole asked and I paused.

“Chen and Reece.” I said and he didn’t sound happy.

“I’ve never heard of them- you’ve never told me anything about them.” Cole said and I looked out the window.

“I met them today.” I said and he made a noise of distress.

“Today?! And you’re staying there?!” He asked and I hummed in agreement. “Y/n, this is… that’s not safe. I’ll pick you up, see if we can find a hotel or I can see if I can clean up a room here- just-“

“I’m okay here. They’re nice.” I said and he started to sound annoyed.

“It doesn’t matter if they’re nice, you don’t know them!” He exclaimed and I laid back down. “They could be hiding anything from you!”

“Why didn’t you tell me you got married?” I asked and he went silent. “I’m not a kid anymore, Cole. You don’t have to protect me anymore. You don’t have to hide anything from me.” I said and he sighed.

“It’s not like that… I honestly forgot. It wasn’t like a ceremony or anything, we exchanged rings, we haven’t signed any papers yet! Just in traditional terms, we are married.” He said and I sighed.

“This is the first time I’ve left the house in 3 months.” I admitted and I heard his breath hitch.

“You don’t call, you don’t message and if I get a reply sometimes it’s not for months.” I said and he sounded even more stressed.

“It’s my job-! Sometimes I’m gone for months! I don’t mean to-! I’d love to see you again! See you more even!” He said and I looked to the street outside. That noodle stand looked really good.

“I haven’t seen you for 4 years. You’re like a ghost, Cole.” I said and Cole sighed.

“Can I please come and pick you up?” He asked but I ignored him.

“Why would you give me a fake address?” I asked.

“It wasn’t fake-! You have to go into the forest-!”

“Why didn’t Pearl know my actual name? Why don’t I know hers?” I questioned.

“I don’t know- I thought you both knew! I was wrong, okay! I want you both to meet. I want to see you. I want to know you’re safe. Let me pick you up.” He pleaded.

“I’ll message you my address tomorrow. If you’re not there, I’m going home and not my house! I’m moving back in with Dad.” I said and I heard the way Cole took a sharp breath in.

“Okay, fair enough. Send me it tonight and I’ll be there by 9am latest.” He said and I nodded.

“Fine…” it went awkwardly silent.

“Love you, Flump.”

“Bye.” I hated that nickname. I hung up the phone and rubbed my temples. I could smell that noodle stand. I’m getting it. With the last of my confidence, I will get it.

The noodle stand was actually further than it looked. And I chose a horrible time to go. It was getting dark, really dark, and the line was going down very slowly. Finally it was my turn.

“You’ll have to wait 10 minute, the next batch of noodles isn’t ready yet.” I nodded and sat on a bench. Directly under a street lamp. It was really dark now. And slowly getting colder. I looked up to see the man still stirring noodles and sighed. I looked up again to see him making a container for me and I shot up and watched as he put the sauce on top.

“4.65” He told me and I nodded.

“I’ll have what she’s having, it smells really good Pablo. I bet you can rival Chen’s noodles now.” That was a woman. I handed him the money and stepped to the side for her to move in. He put her noodles together quicker than I’d seen him server anyone. It wasn’t until I looked up did I notice that the woman was actually a ninja. She reached into one of the pouches on her gi.

“No! No! You know you don’t pay.” Pablo said and she shook her head.

“C’mon, I’ve been away for 3 weeks and I’m missing out on Pink’s curry which it really good. Let me pay.” She said and the guy shook his head.

“No. Payment comes in saving all our lives and the city.” He said and I didn’t want to interrupt them to tell them I had no chopsticks. So I decided to turn away and walk back home. Except I was more or less walking to the bench again. I wasn’t expecting her to sit next to me a couple moments later. I looked up in shock. This was a real life ninja. I met her eyes before she handed me a pair of chopsticks. I smiled in thanks.

“So what’s a pretty girl like you doing wandering the streets at night like this? Fella done you wrong? Or just hunger?” She asked, enthusiastically and I took a moment to respond. Perplexed that one- a woman was talking to me, two- a ninja was talking to me.

“Hunger… Fellas aren’t really my thing.” I said and she nodded.

“Me either. Well, not anymore.” She said and held her noddles up to cheers mine and I did it, awkwardly, but we did it. She chuckled. Before pulling her mask up and over mouth, I looked away quickly. She laughed. “Don’t worry, you won’t know who I am just from my mouth.”

“Okay… feels weird.” I said and she smiled. “Did you really call me pretty?” I asked, not sure what she had said as I was more in shock.

“Yes, or no- did it weird you out?” She asked and I smiled, shaking my head.

“No, it was nice.” I said the water ninja smiled.

“Then yes. And I’m serious.” She whispered the last part and I smiled harder.

“You’ve got pretty lips…” I said, hoping it didn’t sound weird or suggestive.

“Really? You from around here?” Fuck. It did sound suggestive.

“I’ve never been to ninjago before, I saw your dragon earlier… it was cool. Really scary- but cool.” I said and she smiled.

“Her name is Tidal. I can introduce you two if you want?” She asked and I shook my head.

“No, I don’t think I can handle meeting a dragon right now. Sorry” I said and she chuckled.

“No hard feelings. Dragons are intimidating, especially Peach’s dragon. Her dragon is massive! And powerful. Took down half an army of onis on her own with him.” She said and I nodded.

“I forgot about the Onis.” I said and the water ninja nodded.

“That was a tough fight.” She admitted. “Were you affected by them?” She asked and I shook my head.

“No, I live in Jamankai but I do have 3 locks on my door.” I said and she nodded.

“Not a bad idea.” She told me and I looked up at her. “I’m not going to lie to you, you should head home. Tonight’s quiet but this city is so unpredictable and I don’t think I’d be able to console myself if I heard that your pretty face got hurt.” She said and I flushed, warmth spread across my face and I just hoped she couldn’t tell how flustered I was as she pulled the bottom of her mask back down.

“I’m nearly done.” I said and she frowned.

“Wow, I should call you nibbles. You almost ate that quicker than me.” She joked and I smiled.

“I don’t think nibbles suits me then.” I said she tilted her head in thought.

“No, but dustbin isn’t as cute.” She said and I laughed, actually laughed.

“Okay, what can I call you then?” There was something so easy about talking to someone in a mask.

“Anything but squirt. My brother still calls me that and he’s almost 30.” She told me and I laughed.

“My brother calls me little potato and little cabbage.” I said and she laughed.

“What?!” She asked, amused.

“I refused to eat cabbage when I was younger so he started calling me that to spite me.” I said and she laughed again.

“My brother- fire- just calls every kid that. He still calls Green it.” She told me and I nodded.

“I’m done.” I announced and put my box in the bin.

“Hey, can I walk you home? It’d just make me feel more comfortable knowing you got home safe.” She said and I nodded.

“I’m staying right there!” I told her to which she frowned.

“The diner?” She asked.

“My friends own it, they live above it.” I said and she nodded.

We mainly walked in comfortable silence until we stopped outside the diner. The walk seemed longer, like we were both trying to stretch the moment.

“I guess I’ll see you around then, Nibbles.” The water ninja said to me and I smiled.

“See you later, squirter.” I said and she laughed.

“Squirter?!” She asked, dumbfounded.

“Because of the whole water thing…” I tried to explain before it hit me what is sounded like. “Oh no- not like that…” I tried to defend myself but she waved me off. “I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s okay. Just took me by surprise. Anyway, thank you for turning a boring patrol into a good night. I’ll be thinking of you and your cute face tonight.” She said and I smiled.

“Not that I could see your face, but you have a pretty mouth and eyes.” I said and she met my eyes. She looked smug. She winked and my face fell. This was real.

“Thank you, no one has ever said that before.” She said before disappearing into the dark alleys. Was that flirting? Did we flirt? Were we in love now? Why do I have the urge to ask her what we are?

“Did you just pull the water ninja?!” I heard a voice yell and I looked up to the see Reece and Chen, leaning out the window.

“Oh my god…” I said and rushed inside.

Volume: ■■■■■□□□

It wasn’t unusual for Nya not to talk to anyone after patrol. It wasn’t unusual for most the ninja to be catching up on sleep at this time. However, it wasn’t usual for her to bump into Jay around the monastery. He was sat on the counter, bowl of cheerios in his hands. The box itself had a cartoon ninja on. She smiled as she went in pouring a bowl for herself.

“Long patrol?” He asked and she shook her head.

“No, quiet actually. Almost boring.” She said and he laughed.

“Almost?” Jay asked, hinting something in his voice.

“Do you think it’s too soon? I mean… we were together for so long. Do you think it’s too early to even think about moving on?” Nya asked and Jay shook his head.

“No, I think it’s good.” He admitted, to her surprise. “I loved you, I really did Nya and not to say that I don’t still love you but it’s different. When we were good, we were great but… you were never as into me as I was to you, and now we know why. I don’t hold it against you. You shouldn’t hold it against yourself. You shouldn’t hold it against me.” He told her and she sighed.

“I don’t know why I feel so guilty, I was never taught what I am is wrong.” Nya told him and he nodded.

“Buts it’s not what you expect, think of for yourself. You’ve never looked at me the way you look at a girl and thats okay. We can still love each other without having a romantic aspect of our relationship. We’re family here, let’s just be family.” Jay said and Nya smiled.

“You’d be alright if started seeing someone?” Nya asked and Jay smiled.

“What if I’m already seeing someone? Would you be okay?” He asked and she laughed.

“Really?” Jay shrugged.

“I might be.” He said and she smiled.

“What’s her name?” Nya asked and Jay shook his head.

“No! No I’m not doing this! Because once you know, Kai knows and then Cherry knows and if Cherry knows, everyone knows!” Jay exclaimed and Nya nodded.

“Okay, okay, I’m sorry, I won’t ask again.” She said and Jay smiled.

“I think these cheerios are expired.”

“Yeah, me too.”

Volume: ■■■■■□□□

“Okay I have to pick Y/n up in like 20 minutes, Papita, in case you don’t know her actual name.” Cole announced to the team and Pearl rolled her eyes. “When she gets here, we’ve gotta act normal.” He announced and everyone protested.

“She doesn’t know you’re a ninja?!” Peach’s voice came out on top.

“No, and I don’t plan on telling her today.” Cole said.

“Not telling someone you love you’re a ninja? That always ends well.” Cherry commented to which Kai frowned.

“Even if we all act normal, how’d you suppose we hide the prophecies engraved in the walls? The frames of all of us in our gi? The senseis? The monks? The weapons? My dragon?!” Peach asked to which the dragon himself growled from outside.

“Lloyd was right about not keeping a dragon that can’t disappear by the way.” Kai said.

“Apologise, he saved your life.” Peach said.

“I’m not apologising to a dragon!” Kai argued.

“Apologise!” Peach demanded.

“No!” Kai protested.

“Apologise or I’m not talking to you.” Peach said and Kai shrugged.

“Don’t then!” Peach crossed her arms and faced away. “You’re not serious.” He said but she ignored him.

“I’ll be back in half an hour.” Cole said and kissed Pearl’s cheek before leaving.

Volume: ■■■■■□□□

“Thank you for letting me stay.” I said, turning go to both men as a battered truck, the one from the car park, parked itself outside.

“Anytime.” Chen said with a smile.

“Let us know if you need anything.” Reece said and I nodded before heading outside. I hadn’t seen him in years. Would he be mad? Upset? Annoyed that I even came here? I didn’t tell him, is that a problem?

Cole rushed out the truck and before I could even get a word out he pulled me into a tight hug, I returned it awkwardly before he looked me up and down.

“Have you grown or is it just me?” He asked to which I shrugged.

“I don’t think so.” He took my bag and smiled. I didn’t return it and just got in the car with him.

“I’ve uh- Pearl told me everything- Dad also rang me. She’s really sorry and he’s- he sounds good.” Cole said and I nodded.

“Are you?” I asked, he nodded.

“I was going to ask you that, are you serious about moving back in with Dad?” Cole asked and I shrugged.

“I can’t live alone anymore.” I admitted. “It’s getting worse.” I told him and he sighed.

“I’m sorry I can’t be closer.” He said and I nodded. But were you?

“Why… why can’t you?” I had to think about whether I wanted to know the answer.

“It’s… complicated. If that word even sums it up. My job is unconventional and- I’ll explain everything! -but it’s just hard to find the time to come back.” He said and I nodded.

“What is your job?” I asked as we stopped at a traffic light. He turned to look at me.

“To protect those who can’t protect themselves.” He told me and I paused. What the hell did that mean?

“What?” I asked and he laughed. “Are you a police officer?” I asked.

“No!” He laughed. “I’ll explain everything when we’re inside. The others have made it extremely clear that they won’t cover for me.” Cole said and I frowned.

“Cover what?” I asked.

“You’ll see.” He pulled into the abandoned parking lot where I had been the day before. When we got out he gestured for me to follow him into the forest.

A monastery. There was a monastery inside the forest. There were bald people outside doing chores. Monks. This place was massive. I followed Cole inside as the monks called him ‘master Cole’. It was an upgrade from McCole. Which was his nickname during his teenage years due to the fact he ordered McDonald’s almost everyday. He opened the door for me and let me walk beside him as we went down the long hallway. There were paintings on the wall and ceiling, massive paintings and it took seeing the painting of a gold figure fighting a black dragon with smoke coming off it to realise that they were paintings of the ninja and famous battles. They were murals not paintings. I looked down, not wanting to admit what might be happening here. We stopped at an archway. I looked up to see a small kitchen and then to the side and the bottom of the room was a massive living area with couches, a TV, a gaming console and many people. There was a couple on the couch, a brunette with very well styled hair and a very pretty girl whose own hair looked like it is being taken better care of than a newborn baby. There was another boy and girl on the couch although they were sat well apart with the ginger playing with a controller whilst the other girl, hair tied up high on her head as her bangs fell in front of her face, framing it perfectly. She wore a loose vest, showing off her sculpted arms and scattered tattoos. Mainly in the ancient language. That was hot. Reluctantly, I looked away from her to the two girls in the kitchen. One was eating a bowl of cereal whilst the other pulled out a tray of cookies from the other. The first girl had few scars lingering her bare arms and what looked to be a burn on her forearm and a scar on her exposed neck that looked like a bite mark. She might be a ninja. Somehow, her face remained untouched. The other girl slammed the tray down, making me jump and focus on her again. She was more dressed up than the others, well I think the girl with very nice hair was actually wearing a juicy tracksuit but she made it look like loungewear rather than an expensive tracksuit.

“How do you not burn them?!” The cookie girl complained.

“It’s only burnt on the corners.” The scarred girl said.

“You’d know all about being burnt.” The cookie girl insulted, the scarred girl hit her on the head lightly with her spoon. “Did you just get milk in my hair?!”

“I raised a dragon, what’s your excuse?” Scarred girl clapped back and Cole cleared his throat. Gaining everyone’s attention. Did she just say she raised a dragon?!

“This is Y/n, or Papita, as you may know her as.” I noticed how Cookie girl’s eyes hardened at Cole. The room went silent.

“Hi.” I said, awkwardly.

“Hey.” Scar girl said. Putting her bowl down and coming near me. “Nice to meet you.” She said.

“You too, what’s your name?” I asked. Was this Pearl? What would she do if she knew I called her scar girl in my head?!

“Everyone calls me Peach, nice to meet you Papita.” She said and I nodded.

“Y/n’s fine.” I said and she smiled.

“That’s Cherry, thats Pearl ,who you may know, and Snowdrops is around somewhere. She’s always around. You’ll catch on soon enough.” Peach winked but I didn’t catch on. Not yet at least. Was that not their actual names?

“So what’s your actual name?” I asked and she smiled, I heard Cole stifle his laugh.

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” She said and walked away. The man with very good hair spoke up and I turned to them. Cherry was the one with really good hair. I knew good hair guy. I had met him before.

“Kai, if you don’t remember. Blabber mouth here is Jay and that’s Nya, my sister. Zane is around somewhere and Pixal is out right now. Lloyd should be home soon.” Kai filled me in and I nodded.

“Hi.” I said again, trying to avoid Nya’s eyes. She was staring hard at me. I turned to face Cole again who smiled.

“As you can tell, we all live together and work together. Lloyd’s the leader, Peach is his wife-“ I looked to Peach and watched as she disappeared in a pink, purple and peach haze that I had only seen on the news before and with the peach ninja. She appeared on the counter again, no bowl in hand this time. “-she’s special.” Cole said and glared, my own mouth hung in shock.

“Don’t be mad because I showed my party trick.” She said and Pearl smiled in amusement. It started to click. It shouldn’t have took a blonde man practically shoving past us clad in green to be my final push to realise everything. He stunk and had dried blood and mud on him and in his hair, the green clothing had been torn in places. He had a dual katana holster strapped to his back with actual katanas sheathed in. The walls looked like they were coming closer. He needed that many weapons for a reason? Was there a threat?

He apologised as he slid past, not noticing my impending panic. He dapped up Cole and leaned in to kiss Peach who didn’t look pleased after. She actually frowned in disgust.

“I’ve missed you too.” He said at her face.

“When was the last time you brushed your teeth?” She asked.

“I don’t want to talk about it- who’s this?!” He asked, pointing to me. Oh my god. This isn’t happening.

“Lloyd, meet Papita, my sister.” Cole said and Lloyd nodded.

“Nice to meet you, sorry I’m all dirty and everything. 3 week stake out.” Lloyd said like I was supposed to know what that meant. “Being a ninja is a lot less cleaner than you’d think.” He tried to joke but I’m pretty sure I had the thousand yard stare right now. Suddenly the green costume with katanas made sense. It wasn’t a costume. It was gi. A green gi.

“I can smell you from over here.” Cherry commented.

“You’re the green ninja?” I asked, well more stated.

“Who would’ve thought? Lloyd Garmadon.” Peach said and Lloyd rolled his eyes.

“You’re all ninja?!” I exclaimed. I looked back at Cole in alarm who looked away from me. Then I looked back at the others and Cherry looked at them all before breaking the silence.

“I’m not! But they all are.” She confirmed, she then hit Kai’s chest.

“Fire.” Kai raised his hand like it was an ice breaker game.

“Lightning.” Jay raised his hand next.

“I don’t need to say, do I?” Lloyd said, eating some multicoloured cereal with his bare hands out the box.

“Peach.” Peach and shrugged. Like it was obvious. I looked back to Cole.

“Earth.” He admitted, my eyes watered. What the hell was going on. Everyone looked towards Pearl.

“Pink. Who else would I be?” Pearl asked.

“Y/n, are you okay?” Cole asked. I felt ill. And my heart was racing. What the fuck was happening?

“Nya! You haven’t-“ Kai’s words distorted in my head as another person walked into the room. Well, what I thought was a person.

“Can someone please check my internal hatch, I believe there is something stuck in there I cannot see.” A tall, metal man said as he walked in the room and proceeded to open his stomach open like it was nothing. Only to reveal a bunch of wires and a few boxes that wires were coming in and out of. Safe to say, I passed out.

I am never leaving my house again.

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batty4steddie · 4 months

Text

Can I Keep It?

@spicycinnabun and I's contribution to steddiebang 2023! ❤️️ We have been working hard on this project for the past year and a half hope you like it! We will be updating every week. | Chapters: 5/12 | Rating: M | Read, kudos or comment on ao3 | We have a playlist. ❤️️ | Chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Chapter 5: An Unreasonably Perky Peach

The door creaked open further when Eddie sat on his haunches, giving him a peek into the room and at what had scared Steve’s mom so badly her heart had stopped.

There was an older man who had to be Steve’s dad, eyes sunken and limbs contorted in a nauseously familiar way, lying on the bed beneath a huge, gaping portal to the Upside Down.

The gate was beating like a heart, thick black vines slithering out of it like snakes. The air was buzzing with what sounded like static electricity, even though the lights had gone out in the house.

Steve was about to turn his head, and he was going to see that, so Eddie instinctively reached out and cupped his cheek to obstruct his view, his thumb covering the soft area right next to Steve’s eye. It leaked a tear, and Eddie’s chest lurched. “Don’t look,” whispered Eddie, “Look at me, okay? We’re going to start CPR.”

Eddie let go and positioned his hands over Steve’s mom’s chest, glad for once that he didn’t have his multitude of rings in the way. “I’ve done it before.” He so wished he’d never have to do it ever again. “Count with me up to thirty. Ready?”

It wasn’t really a question—they didn’t have a choice.

Steve knew CPR, too, but Eddie was so much calmer. He nodded and took his mom’s hand.

Eddie started compressions, and he and Steve counted in unison. “One, two, three, four…”

Steve used his free hand to touch her wrist, trying to find her pulse. After they got to thirty, he stopped counting. “I feel it. It’s there… It’s faint, Eddie. Keep going,” he encouraged, hoping it would wake her. He saw her eyelashes fluttering. “It’s working. She’s with us.”

A few moments later, her eyes popped open. Steve breathed the biggest sigh of relief as he felt her pulse grow steadily. Steve smiled.

Eddie stopped and backed up. Mrs. Harrington was going to live. Eddie breathed a sigh of relief, too, as her cheeks pinked up, and she started breathing on her own. For a few seconds there, he wasn’t sure. He returned Steve’s smile, watching them.

Steve was so thankful he felt like tackling Eddie in a hug. He focused on his mom and squeezed her hand gently instead. “Hey, Mom,” he said softly. She was totally out of it and didn’t even realize that a total stranger had just done CPR on her.

“Stevie,” she said, and he nodded and lifted his head to finally look.

It was clear now that a gate to the Upside Down had opened. Steve saw the black vines and his father’s legs, contorted and broken. The rest of him was completely enveloped by vines. His dad had become Vecna’s latest kill, and his mom had almost been a victim.

“Shut the door,” Steve ordered Eddie, scooping his mother up off the ground and out of the doorway.

Mrs. Harrington didn’t seem to notice Eddie in her periphery, which he was thankful for. Eddie stood up and shut the bedroom door at Steve’s command, then followed them down the stairs, mildly impressed at Steve’s strength as he carried her the whole way.

Steve laid her on the living room couch to rest. “It was just a bad dream,” he lied. “Try to go back to sleep.”

Eddie tried not to make a noise. If only it were just a dream. She would be in for a cruel awakening later. He saw Mrs. Harrington nod, and Steve pulled the blanket off the back of the couch to cover her with it.

“Watch her for a second,” Steve told Eddie. “I’m going to go get something.”

Eddie nodded, sitting in the armchair next to the sofa so he had a good view of the staircase. Steve’s mom had closed her eyes again. Her breathing was a little wheezy—Eddie hoped he hadn’t damaged any of her ribs—but she looked much better now.

Unfortunately, the same couldn’t be said for Mr. Harrington. He was definitely dead.

Steve knew that they needed a weapon if they were going to go back upstairs to see what had happened to his dad. Maybe his dad wasn’t dead, and he could fight off the vines with his nail bat. He ran back to his room and grabbed the bat from the top shelf of his closet.

“She still good?” he asked when he returned.

Eddie’s eyebrows shot up when he saw Steve holding a nail-spiked baseball bat. He hadn’t realized Steve planned on going back upstairs. “Yes.”

What were they going to do up there? This seemed like a bad, woefully unprepared idea, but Steve had more experience with this world.

“Okay, let’s go.”

Eddie swallowed hard. “Wait, I should bring a weapon too.”

He felt a little too vulnerable in Steve’s soft t-shirt, pajama pants, and bare feet.

Eddie probably did need a weapon. Steve wasn’t inviting him to take on whatever had overtaken his parents’ bedroom. He would do that himself. It may have been too much to ask, but Steve needed backup, and technically, Eddie could help if needed. By asking if he needed a weapon, clearly, Eddie was planning on participating.

Eddie looked around the living room, eyes catching on a Japanese katana with a cherry red lacquered scabbard on gleaming display above the fireplace. It seemed ludicrously expensive. Eddie pointed to it for permission, going over after Steve shrugged and grabbing the sword by the intricately designed handle, taking it off its mount. It was nice and light. In any other situation, Eddie might have spent some time dissecting its parts and playing with it like a little kid with a cool new toy.

Steve’s dad had brought that sword home from a business trip to Japan. Robert had told him never to touch it, but he had on many occasions. He had pretended to be a ninja occasionally when no one was home. What his dad didn’t know wasn’t going to hurt him. (Little did Steve know, his dad wasn’t capable of anything anymore.)

Steve didn’t know how badly his dad was hurt. Whatever had happened to him nearly scared his mom to death. He couldn’t imagine how bad it was for her heart to slow and nearly stop.

They went up the stairs, Steve taking the lead. Eddie didn’t say maybe we don’t have to do this, but it was on the tip of his tongue as Steve wrapped his fingers around the doorknob and turned it.

Steve braced himself, but even after getting the door open, it didn’t appear to be a gruesome scene. Seeing the massive crack in the ceiling and the room filling with living black vines was unsettling, but it just didn’t seem real—none of it.

He’d told his mom it was all just a bad dream, and it sure as hell felt like one, too.

Something vaguely resembling a person was tightly wrapped in the living, breathing vines. It had to be his dad.

He shook his head, unable to comprehend. He didn’t know if he could free him. He contemplated it. He looked at the bat and the vines, wondering if he could break through them by just hitting them. Would that kill them or save his dad?

“Oh my god,” muttered Eddie, eying the mummified Mr. Harrington. “Oh my fucking Christ.”

Steve didn’t have long to think. He started hitting the vines with the bat, testing it out, but thrashing them didn’t break them. That seemed to make them even more aggressive in their pursuit to take over the bedroom. One of the vines latched on to the bat and yanked it right out of his hands. Steve watched the vine wrap its way around the nails, appearing to swallow the bat whole.

“Fuck.” Steve watched in disbelief. There went his fucking weapon.

Eddie tore his gaze away from the bed because something was moving, crawling, out of the sides of the hole—a mass of somethings. There had to be dozens of them, and soon they were swarming the ceiling, hanging upside down like…

“Are those bats?”

They barely resembled bats. Their wings were half scaly, half darkly furred, and dripping with a viscous ooze. The bottoms of their bodies were made entirely of fat, pulsing, dark red tentacles that were suction-cupping themselves to the ceiling with obnoxious sucking pops.

But that wasn’t the worst thing. The worst thing was the noise they were making. It was like standing beside an electric fence, a clicking buzzing that ground so deep into Eddie’s bones that the sword vibrated in his fingers. It consumed all of the air in the room, making it feel heavy and hard to breathe.

Distracted, Steve hadn’t noticed the bats yet. He heard the awful noise they were making first, then looked up. Sure enough. Bats.

One of the bats unfolded its wings and looked directly at them, its tiny eyes glowing red. Then, the rest of them did the same, almost in unison. The one that looked at them first opened its round mouth and showed them its teeth, letting out a staticky roar.

There were hundreds of teeth, all pointed and sharp, but the two at the top were huge and hooked like fangs.

And here Eddie and Steve were, willingly standing in the same room as them. Eddie knew, distantly, that they couldn’t run—they had to protect Mrs. Harrington—but he was feeling the need to flee so hard he grit his teeth like he was gnashing on cement.

“What—what the fuck do we d—!”

Before he could even finish the question, the bats took flight. Eddie screamed, dropping the sword and crouching into a ball to cover his head as they swooped. One landed on his arm, and he screamed again as he tried to shake it off, but its tentacles circled his wrists and bound them together.

Meanwhile, a group of the bats began beating themselves against the window until it shattered.

Steve’s heart dropped. Quick as he could, he got the sword in hand, not wanting the vines to steal it. Eddie was bound up. That wasn’t a good position to be in at all. He had to help him. Steve was no longer playing a ninja. Now, he was a full-on sword-swinging killer. He slashed the bat with the sword, slicing it right in half.

The creature attached to Eddie’s arms suddenly shrieked, tentacles releasing their vice grip as it fell to the floor. It seized a few times, tentacles curling up as it died.

Steve was standing over him when Eddie finally looked up, holding the sword now dripping with slimy bat goo, blood and viscera.

They locked eyes. Eddie was still gaping. He didn’t have time to say anything before another bat was suddenly on Steve.

The wet slapping noise it made as it hit Steve’s neck would haunt Eddie’s dreams forever—if he survived this and had dreams again. The tentacles wrapped around Steve’s neck like the world’s ugliest necklace.

Eddie scrambled to his feet, letting out a terrified whimper as he tried to figure out what to do. “Jesus Christ, Jesus, Jesus…Steve…”

Steve couldn’t breathe. He couldn’t even gasp. He was being effectively choked. His hands went up, trying to pry the tentacles off, but that didn’t budge them.

The room wasn’t buzzing anymore. The rest of the bats were gone, Eddie noticed, out through the broken window. A piece of glass sliced open the sole of his foot as he stepped towards Steve, still floundering over what to do. If he used the sword, he might cut Steve’s neck. The baseball bat seemed to have fucking disappeared. But he had to do something.

Steve’s face was rapidly turning purple, and he was gurgling. Then his eyes bulged, and he let out a loud, gurgling scream.

The bat had bitten him. While Steve had felt horrible pain before, it had been nothing like this. This felt like his neck had been lit on fire.

By the time Eddie decided to try to rip the tentacles off with his damn hands, the bat suddenly let go of Steve and fell to the floor, dead.

Blood trickled down Steve’s neck, and he swayed on his feet, his face losing its purplish hue. Eddie surged forward and caught Steve just before he lost his balance, wrapping his arms around him to keep him from falling over into the broken glass. “Shit, oh shit, it’s okay, hold on to me.”

Steve was able to take oxygen in again, finally breathing. There was Eddie, smelling of fresh blood from his new foot wound. The bite hurt so bad. He was in so much pain. Tears started to pour from his eyes. He moved his hand to feel around his neck, and he nestled into the soft sleep shirt Eddie was wearing. He gripped it with his free hand. His mouth was getting dry. “We gotta get out of here.”

“While I wholeheartedly agree,” replied Eddie, heart still thundering in his chest from the adrenaline, “probably best we make sure you're stable enough to make it out the door first, big boy.”

He tried to keep his voice light instead of worried as fuck. He could feel wetness on his shoulder but didn’t mention it. Steve started listing to the side, and Eddie tightened his hold, curling his toes in the carpet to help keep them upright.

Being called big boy sounded familiar. Didn’t Eddie call him that the night he came to Family Video? Steve couldn’t feel embarrassed by it since the pain in his neck was still searing. He had stopped crying soon after he started. Figuring it was just from the awful burst of pain and pent-up emotions escaping him unwillingly. Luckily, Eddie’s shirt had soaked up all the evidence.

Eddie might be able to carry Steve like Steve had carried his mom, but more likely, his arms would give out like the useless sticks they were, and he'd drop him down the stairs, injuring him further.

He kept the one-sided conversation going. “Maybe we’ll get you a shirt while we’re at it.” He could feel Steve trembling with shivers, and his back was getting cold and clammy. That heavily furred chest wasn't doing its job insulating him. “Where’s your bathroom up here?”

“Down the hall, to the right,” Steve said. He could walk alright despite feeling woozy from being unable to breathe for so long.

Eddie adjusted their (unintentionally intimate) embrace into something they could walk with, wrapping Steve’s arm around his shoulders and his around Steve’s waist. Steve managed to snag the sword as they made their way out of the bedroom slowly, dodging the two dead bat bodies and multitudes of goo piles. He needed a weapon, having lost his bat to the vines. The sword was something he was familiar with, and it had saved Eddie in the first bat attack.

Eddie noticed Mr. Harrington’s body had disappeared from the bed, helicoptered up into the hole by the hanging vines. They could… talk about that later. Eddie shut the door firmly.

When they got to the bathroom, Eddie helped Steve sit on the toilet lid and lean against the tank while he rooted around for a first aid kit. Steve let out a sigh. Eddie lost his footing on the tiles, hastily grabbing the towel rack before he fell and cursing up a storm.

Quickly righting himself, Eddie looked down at what had caused him to slip. The tile was streaked with red, and one of his feet was the messy culprit. He had tracked blood into the bathroom.

Steve’s heart jumped. He knew he’d smelled blood.

“Ugh, did I step on one of those octobat things?” Eddie lifted his foot to check it, letting out a soft sound of surprise. There was a long, shiny piece of glass embedded in his skin. “Oh. Didn’t even feel that.”

Steve was feeling useless sitting on the toilet, just holding the sword. He set it down when it was apparent Eddie didn’t know where anything was, and his foot was clearly injured. It was bleeding enough to make stepping on the tiled floor slippery.

“Sit on the edge of the tub so that glass doesn’t go in any deeper.” That was an order from Steve. He moved to sit on the floor. From there, it was easy to access underneath the sink. That’s where the first aid kit was. He opened it up.

Eddie sat after a small internal debate over whether he needed help. Now that the adrenaline was wearing off, it was actually starting to hurt. “You’re quite bossy, Sir Harrington.”

Eddie eyed the dirty sword Steve had taken after Eddie had so spectacularly failed at using it. Maybe he deserved to be bossed around. God, how fucking pathetic had that been? Steve had to save him like he was some damsel in distress. That was twice now that he’d acted like a complete chicken—all he was missing were the feathers.

Steve grumbled. “I didn’t want to hurt you more.”

It wasn’t his first time hearing that, but even Eddie echoed that sentiment? Whatever. If being confident and taking charge made him bossy, then yeah, he was.

“Let me help you first, then you can help me,” he told Eddie as he turned towards him, grabbing the tweezers. He took hold of Eddie’s ankle, which caused the older man’s leg to jerk unexpectedly. “Hold still!” he ordered again, getting a better grip on Eddie’s ankle.

For once, Eddie wasn’t just being his usually twitchy self. “Your hand is cold!” he said. It was nothing like the warm, overly soft touch from before. It was almost like Steve had stuck it in the fridge for a while.

Steve was surprised. He didn’t feel cold. He ran hot and was rarely cold, especially inside the house.

Eddie made a childish face when he saw the tweezers but didn’t complain further. His gaze bounced around restlessly, hitting anything in the room except for the man on the floor between his legs and shirtless to boot.

Skillfully, Steve plucked the thin sliver of glass from Eddie’s foot, then grabbed the peroxide and put it on a cotton ball. He didn’t notice that being on the floor between Eddie’s legs was making him uncomfortable. If anything, that was the piece of glass in his foot doing that.

Eddie was quiet as Steve dabbed the wound gently to clean it, then slapped a band-aid on it. “All set.”

Steve threw the trash away and handed the kit over so he could be taken care of next. He didn’t even know what the bat bite looked like. He skipped looking in the mirror, which had to be the first time he’d ever done that. He usually looked at himself in the mirror any chance he got.

His neck wasn’t in pain anymore, but he still felt the remnants of the pressure of being choked for so long. There was this uncomfortable throbbing around his throat. It was going down his neck, and it felt like something other than adrenaline was flowing through his veins. He was sure his voice sounded deeper now. There was a grittiness to it, too. He couldn’t shake the feeling of something stuck in his skin that shouldn’t have been there.

Eddie put his foot back on the floor. “Chin up,” he told Steve, so they didn’t have to maintain eye contact and so he could see the damage. Steve tilted his chin up gingerly, and Eddie couldn’t contain a gasp when he saw the state of Steve’s neck.

The shocked noise that Eddie let out made Steve blink several times. It hadn’t set in. Everything that happened. The two of them getting attacked by the Demodogs’ cousins just topped the night off, and now they were here.

There were red marks from the tentacles, like a collar. Eddie also had matching sucker marks around his wrists, but, “Dude. So, um, don’t be alarmed, but I think its teeth are still inside you.”

There were two off-white circles. The blood that had been leaking from them was already starting to dry and didn’t appear to be leaking any longer, but the most concerning thing was the dark red and black veins spidering out from the wounds and working their way down Steve’s neck— actively working their way down. Eddie watched their path grow but decided not to mention that detail.

“Its teeth,” Steve repeated, making a face.

The bat had bitten him, but it was more like a bee sting. Instead of leaving a stinger behind, it had left its razor-sharp teeth embedded.

Eddie soaked a piece of gauze with the peroxide, carefully cleaning up the blood around the punctures.

Steve braced himself, expecting the peroxide to sting, but he felt nothing. He just felt the light and gentle pressure, along with the wetness of the gauze Eddie was using to clean the wound. He didn’t think he’d ever been touched so tenderly. It made him swallow.

Eddie bit his lip. “I could take them out and stitch you up if you’ve got some sewing supplies, but that’ll hurt like a bitch without lidocaine. Depending on how deep these went, they might have hit an artery too, so I don’t know if we should.”

There was also the possibility that the fangs had venom that leaked into Steve’s bloodstream.

“No. Nope. No,” Steve started rambling. Taking them out could do more harm and involve Eddie stitching him up. No, he didn’t want that to happen. The fangs could stay.

“Okay,” Eddie agreed readily. He was honestly relieved Steve didn’t want to go that route. “How do you feel?”

“It doesn’t even hurt anymore. Feels like nothing happened.” Well, not nothing, but still. Considering Steve was good as good could be, right?

Eddie didn't know if that was a good thing or a bad thing. Probably bad. He frowned. “Hm.”

“Thank you,” Steve said earnestly once Eddie was finished. He looked back at him and flashed him a small smile as another thanks.

Eddie’s mouth twisted as Steve gave him big, brown puppy dog eyes that were much too sincere. He hadn't done anything to deserve gratitude. If he'd fought off those octobats with the sword instead of dropping it like an imbecile, Steve wouldn’t have gotten attacked in the first place.

Steve sighed softly and closed the first aid kit. He was about to put it back before reconsidering it. He handed it to Eddie again. “We might need this.” Steve got up off the floor, giving Eddie’s knee another reassuring squeeze.

Eddie nearly dropped the first aid kit. He exhaled through his teeth. Steve had to go and touch him again, cold hand squeezing Eddie’s knee like Eddie was the one who needed to be comforted? God damn it, Harrington, he thought. Why can't you just be a jerk like you're supposed to be?

Steve picked up the sword and inspected its condition, bat goo and all. “Lost the bat. Looks like this is my new weapon. At least it was effective.” Steve chuckled and took it to the tub to rinse it off under the faucet.

Eddie watched. The bat goo gave off a rotten stench as the hot water hit it, triggering Eddie’s gag reflex. He held back a reaction just barely.

“Is your foot feeling okay?” Steve asked once he was finished rinsing it off.

“It's fine,” Eddie replied, guilt making him sound ungrateful and clipped.

He stood up, the bandaid Steve had applied cushioning any sting from before. What was a measly cut compared to a monster bat bite? Nothing to complain about, that was for certain.

Steve ran his free hand through his hair. He was stressed about his mother and the situation. “I gotta go check on my mom. We aught to get dressed, and I should probably take her to the hospital to get her checked out. I don’t think you should stay here while I do. She’s so out of it, she won’t even notice if you come. Might even think you’re Dustin.” He smirked a bit.

“Since the gate opened here, we probably shouldn’t stay here anyway. Not without any backup or weapons.” He felt pretty good about the plan, but they needed the others’ help. “We gotta let everyone know what’s going on. We need them. We can’t take Vecna on alone… let alone another bat.”

He wrapped a towel around the sword for safe travel before heading downstairs.

Steve’s plan was solid enough that Eddie didn't argue, though he did give Steve’s back a narrow eye for the Dustin comment. “I look nothing like that little shrimp, even to someone half-conscious,” he said, following him. “Grab the scabbard,” he added as they descended to the living room, pointing to the sword’s sheath still mounted above the fireplace after Steve gave him a clueless look.

Steve could store it properly and later fasten it to his hip instead of toting the blade around in a bathroom towel.

Steve unwrapped the blade to put it in its holder. It slid in so easily. Eddie was right. It was so much better. “Good idea.”

Mrs. Harrington was still asleep, so after Steve checked that she was breathing fine, they headed to the basement.

Eddie slipped his white Reeboks onto his bare feet so he wouldn't skewer himself on more glass from the broken lightbulbs, grabbed his jacket from the couch and shrugged it on.

Steve set the sword on his bed while he went to his closet. Moonlight from the sliding glass doors was illuminating it. He knew they needed some light to avoid all the broken glass, so he dug around for his old Coleman camping lantern. Once he found it, he turned it on and set it on his nightstand. Steve lost his pajama pants as he returned to the closet.

Eddie rescued his rings and chains from the bathroom sink, starting to feel a bit more stable with each piece of himself he put back on. He picked up his handkerchief last, toying with it as he returned to the bedroom.

He found Steve by his open closet doors, realizing too late that he was in the middle of getting dressed. “Don’t suppose I could borrow some je—oh—”

Eddie’s eyes dropped, mostly accidentally, to Steve’s very naked ass on display. That was a very ample bottom. That was a booty on duty. That was an unreasonably perky peach. He turned away, cheeks hot, and forced a laugh. “Shit, sorry, man. Uh. Jeans. A-And my belt. Going to need my belt.”

Where had it gone? Anywhere but that room, please.

Steve didn’t even blink. He chuckled a little when Eddie immediately started apologizing,

Steve wasn’t fazed by his ass being out and on display since he was busy trying to get the fabric up over it. His jeans always got caught on the plumpest part of it. He made a little satisfied noise when he got them all the way up and finally zipped them. “I have a pair that are a little too long on me. Would probably be perfect for you.”

Eddie was a little taller than him. Steve had noted that when Eddie had taunted him at the video store.

Still facing the closet, Steve pulled out a dark pair of jeans that had barely been worn. He turned around to hand them over when he noticed Eddie looking bashful and in the opposite direction of him. “You’re acting like you haven’t seen another man’s ass before.” He playfully jabbed the hanger into Eddie’s ribs to get him to take the jeans.

Eddie let out a soft squawk, turning back towards Steve once he realized it was safe to look again. He took the jeans. Steve pointing out how weird he was acting only made his blush spread further and his tongue tie into more knots. How could he explain himself without giving himself away?

“When I washed your clothes, I hung your belt in the laundry room with your vest,” Steve added. “Didn’t wanna wash it because of all the really cool flare.”

Eddie barely heard any of that. He escaped quickly and without a comeback, although once he found the laundry room, he huffed under his breath, “I haven’t seen a man’s ass that looks like that before .”

Eddie put on his vest, the heavy denim hanging onto him like an old friend. He sighed in annoyance, though he was relieved when his face started feeling cool again.

He knew what that flutter in his stomach was. He felt it earlier tonight, too, sitting on the couch with Steve touching his knee. It wasn’t an expired Yoohoo. It was attraction. He had no business being attracted to straight, pretty boy Steve Harrington. And at such an inappropriate time, no less. They were about to take Steve’s mom to the hospital. His dad had just died. Eddie frowned, pulling on the pants and doing up the fly. Steve was very calm right now, considering that.

After fastening his belt and sticking his hanky in his back pocket, Eddie returned to Steve with the heels of his Reeboks dangling from his fingers. With the light on, he didn’t need his shoes to avoid the glass.

Steve had returned to the closet and pulled on a polo, hoping the collar would distract from the bat bite and strangulation. He’d tucked in his shirt and finished his look with a belt and grey jacket. All that was left to put on were his shoes.

Eddie didn’t know how long they would be out or where they would go after the hospital, so he asked Steve for socks—he had to keep the tootsies warm.

“‘Course,” Steve answered. “Grab me a pair, too.” He pointed to the dresser that was closer to Eddie.

Steve grabbed his Nikes and sat on the bed, untying them.

Eddie dropped his sneakers and opened the top drawer of Steve’s dresser. Everything was organized. The socks were in neat little bundles, and even Steve’s boxers were folded. One of the sock bundles looked mishappen, and Eddie grabbed it, laughing when he pulled out a baggy with three joints inside. The one place he hadn’t looked. “We’re gonna need these,” he said, sticking it in his pocket and patting it. Don’t mind if I do.

Eddie grabbed two pairs of socks, black for him and white for Steve, before pausing. Something shiny winked at him in the corner of the drawer. Nosy, even with Steve in the room, Eddie couldn’t help himself and reached for it. The weight and shape of the cool metal were immediately familiar. He pulled it out and stared. “Is this my ring?”

Of course it was. Why would Steve have the same skull ring with the chip on the left side that Eddie had bought at Vlad’s Antique Curiosities six years ago?

“Your what?” Steve’s face contorted in confusion until he remembered finding Eddie’s ring in the candy jar the night of their first encounter. He wore it home one night.

He had been meaning to keep it at the store until Eddie came to return his movie or he saw Dustin, but he had tried it on a few times since then and ended up bringing it home by mistake. He opened his mouth and let out a soft, oh . “Yeah, it is. When you grabbed all that candy at the video store that night, it must’ve fallen off your finger because I found it in one of the jars after you left. I planned on giving it to Dustin to give back to you.”

He didn’t mention that he had worn it home, that it fit perfectly on his ring finger and that it looked awesome on him—that maybe he had been considering keeping it, and that was why it was in his sock drawer. “It’s pretty cool. Figured you might’ve wanted it back.”

Eddie was surprised by Steve’s thoughtfulness. Steve thought it was pretty cool. It may have looked like garbage to anyone else, but to Eddie, the ring was special.

Sold to him by a kind, if eccentric, shopkeeper who told him it had special powers of protection. Naive, fourteen-year-old Eddie had eaten that story right up, and it had made paying the exorbitant price he had to save up months for all the more worth it.

“Thanks for not throwing it away.” Eddie slipped it onto his empty finger, except instead of it fitting into place like usual, it was intensely uncomfortable. He hissed, wiggling his fingers. “Okay, ow.”

When Eddie put the ring on, it looked and sounded like it physically hurt him. Steve frowned softly, confused about what happened. He felt like beating up the ring for hurting Eddie. He was so sweet and silly.

When Eddie looked down at the ring, the eyes in the skull, which had previously just been hollow, were glowing blood red. “That’s new.”

It stung him, the sensation changing from uncomfortable to burning, and Eddie slipped it off, cursing. The metal cooled down, and he made a noise of utter confusion as he inspected it. Then he felt a pull he almost couldn’t resist, driving him towards Steve.

Eddie planted his feet, frightened, but the feeling persisted, and he walked right to the bed where Steve was sitting.

“This is going to sound strange,” as if this whole goddamn week hadn’t been, “but… I think it wants you to wear it.”

He knew as soon as he said it that it was true. Like his ring had wants, like his ring was alive, like his ring had real magic, just like the shopkeeper had said.

Eddie’s lips parted in shock because Steve had already lifted his hand, and Eddie was slipping it onto his finger like he was compelled—like they were both compelled—and they were staring at each other like they couldn’t look away.

Steve’s eyes weren’t their usual chocolate brown anymore. They had transformed into a deep, molten garnet red.

The ring felt like it was a part of Steve. Steve couldn’t take his eyes off Eddie. He felt his heart rate rising and saw the flush filling Eddie’s cheeks. That enticed Steve to reach out. Steve cupped Eddie’s cheek and ran his thumb over the apple of it. Steve felt the heat, warm blood pumping beneath the surface.

Eddie was going to die. If not from the spookery that was going on, then from the amount of blood rushing to his cheeks as Steve reached up and cupped one of them with his cold hand, with the warm ring, still staring at him like he wanted—well, almost like he wanted Eddie. Which couldn’t be right.

Eddie couldn’t do anything, couldn’t even swallow, as his blush steadily grew hotter, and the whole room seemed hotter, too, as he was pinned under that dark gaze. Steve started to lean up towards him, and for one delusional moment, Eddie thought he was about to be...kissed.

His heart sped up, and he was starting to lean down, too—

Then Steve’s eyes drained of their redness, and he dropped his hand.

Steve felt different. “That was intense.”

Eddie held in a small, strangled sound. “Yeah,” he croaked.

Steve looked down at the ring, moving to try to take it off, but it wouldn’t budge—like he had really become one with it.

He furrowed his brow but noticed the socks that Eddie had thrown in his direction. They reminded him they were going to take his mom to the hospital, so he unbundled them and started putting them on.

Eddie felt dizzy with how quickly his blush fell. He sat beside Steve on the bed, careful not to look at him again, and pulled on the black socks and his sneaks. His mind was racing too fast, and his body was filled with too many confused feelings to say anything more.

Eddie suddenly smelled spicy and sweet to Steve. He could feel his mouth start to water, and before he could get any more distracted by Eddie’s eyes, rings and scent, he stood up from the bed. He was ready to get out of there. “You ready? Let’s go.”

Eddie nodded as Steve grabbed his keys and led the way. He handed his keys to Eddie before he scooped up his mom from the couch. She was still soundly asleep, making Steve wonder if she was really okay. “Can you get the doors for me?” he asked softly. He still needed some help since his hands were full.

Eddie opened the front door for them and closed it behind them, finding the house key on the keyring and locking it, too. It seemed a little unnecessary now that there was a giant hole in the roof, but he did it anyway.

Steve was glad Eddie had been there tonight. As brave as he had been, he couldn’t have done this alone.

#steddie #steve harrington #eddie munson #steve x eddie #steddie fic #steddiebang23 #stranger things #stranger things fanfic

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legacygirlingreen · 6 months

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July 1890 // Farmer Sebastian Sallow x Reader (part 6)

Part 6, master list and description here

Word count: 2,000

My smile is like I won a contest

Sebastian had been encouraged to keep a closer eye on the neighbor ever since he’d been the one to bring her back home that day he found her under the willow. He could hardly forget how relieved her mother had been to see she was okay, nor the way the woman grabbed him violently, kissing his cheeks and repeatedly thanking him for his help. Despite the unpleasant circumstances surrounding Anne, he still was attempting to find moments to give attention to the neighbor girl who he’d grown so fond of.

“What house do you think you’ll be sorted into?” Sebastian asked her as he plucked a weed from the ground, rolling it between his fingers before throwing it down.

Over the last year the girl, who was nearing 12, had grown up so much. Her face continued to lose its baby fat and she gained a few inches in height. Despite that, she still her distance in age behind Sebastian, who still bore the impressions of being older than her.

“You know them better than I do… what house do you think I’d be sorted into'' she asked with a shrug.

“Hmm… as much as I’d love to say Slytherin I hardly imagine a world where you end up in the same house as me… unless of course you asked to be.” He said before glancing back over her. “You are very brilliant, you enjoy reading, so I’d put my money on Ravenclaw. But I could also see a world where you get sorted into hufflepuff for how caring and kind you are. Perhaps even Gryffindor since you put on such a brave face despite all that’s happened” he reasoned, truly unsure which house she’d end up in. He did however think more than likely in a few months he’d see her walking about the castle in blue.

Sebastian wouldn’t admit it out loud, but he was so relieved she was finally starting school. Since Solomon decided Anne would not be going back he was wildly unprepared to start school without her. Knowing the sweet girl next door would be starting soon to keep him company was a nice compromise he supposed.

“I still haven’t gotten my letter.” She said bluntly and he turned towards her hopeful.

“You’ll get it. Should be any day now… when was your mother going to take you to hogsmeade to get your wand? I remember how exciting it was when I finally got mine!” He exclaimed.

“About that… mum has been very busy with my siblings and work as of late… I’m not sure she even recalls I am to be starting education this year if I’m honest.” She mumbled out frustrated.

“I could always take you if you’d like,” he offered and she thought about it for a moment, realizing her mother likely wouldn’t care who took her, and would find that having the task completed to be a relief.

“I think I’d like that, if you don’t mind” she told him and he nodded.

“Of course, I would be honored to take you,” he said with a smile.

“I’ll pick you up tomorrow then. We can also get some things to help Anne while we are there. Maybe even swing by Honeydukes” he offered and she grew warm at the thought of being out and about in a new place with Sebastian alone.

She hardly slept that night, busy thinking about spending the day with him. There would be no chores, no distractions, and she’d get such an important element of being a witch alongside a young wizard only a few years her senior. Ever since the day he’d found her, she had felt the crush she developed long ago growing more, and more intense.

When he finally came to her door that morning, explaining to her mother his offer, she was elated. Her mother was thankful enough he was taking her, saving the trip.

It wasn’t long before she found herself walking the streets of Hogsmeade with the boy. As she took in the awe and splendor of the bustling little town, she couldn’t help but smile. She almost neglected to notice Sebastian watching her as she looked around, senses filled to the brim with new sights, sounds, even smells.

“Charming village isn’t it?” he asked her as he gestured for her to keep walking straight ahead.

“Very charming…” she said, reading a sign for the book shop.

“Mr. Ollivanders is just up and to the left. His family has been making wands for generations!” he explained as they continued.

She recalled the countless times he had proudly displayed his very simple and straight aspen wand, with its light wood, and the ornate handle that he’d picked out for it himself. The green checkered pattern with its gold details looking so striking and beautiful against the very plain wand. It was strong, unyielding, and so very Sebastian. She had recalled him mentioning it’s core so long ago, and how it was often attributed to those who could duel well. Beyond that she simply had glances of it from the times he’d twirl it out of a need to not be still, or the even rarer occasion he’d use it in front of her to demonstrate a spell.

As she stepped foot into the cramped shop, filled to the absolute brim with wands she became overwhelmed. This was such an integral moment, and while she didn’t regret allowing the neighbor to be the one to take her, a small portion of her wished she could’ve gone with her father instead…

Pushing that thought aside Sebastian spoke with the shopkeeper, explaining the situation as the man looked over her, examining things like her clothes and her demeanor before rummaging around to try and find some. As they continued to search through and try different wands, each failing more than the last to connect with her, she wanted to give up.

They’d gone through so many woods, all of the well known cores and still nothing felt right. If it hadn’t been for Sebastian’s encouraging face she’d have suggested giving up. The wand maker departed the main room, rummaging through the back as she let out a sigh.

“Hey it's fine, you just haven’t found the one that's chosen you. I’m sure we’ll find one in no time!” he explained and she let out a snort.

“Not surprising. What wand would want to be stuck with such a -” she started, degradation heavy in her tone as he frowned immediately, preventing her from continuing that sentence.

“Stop. Whatever you were about to say, just stop. You’re nothing short of brilliant, even untrained. I’m sure all the wands we’ve tried are simply just feeling anxious about working with such a talented witch.” he said and she looked down.

As she tried to find her bearings she heard the old man in the other room say “ah ha!” before rushing back towards them. In his hands contained a very dusty box, much more ornate than the ones in the main room. She could tell this wand in particular was very old in comparison to the others.

“This one has been waiting for the right owner for nearly a century now… perhaps you are its rightful owner,” he said, opening the black box. Nestled inside the silk lining was a slightly twisted wand, with a beautiful light but slightly reddish hue. When she lifted it, she could almost feel the connection instantaneously - as if the wand was speaking to her directly.

“Go ahead try it out” the wand maker encouraged as she lifted it, unsure what she wanted to cast, or even how to use it. Regardless she lifted it, waving it and thinking about how wonderful a connection it felt to her very essence. Thinking of how lovely the songbirds outside sounded, she waved it, producing a small ball of light, resembling a bird but made of gold dust, that repeated the same song as those outside.

“Wow…” she said, finally realizing that this wand must've been a long lost companion of hers, despite being made many years ago.

“I think we’ve found a winner. A very rare wand indeed. Willow wands are often sought after for their beautiful appearance but it's nearly impossible to find one that trusts their owner enough to use. Willows usually go for witches and wizards that need to grow a sense of confidence in themselves. They also are usually wielded by those who have aspirations of healing or protection. As for the core… I hardly see thestral tail hair cores being made anymore, as they are usually quite unpredictable but they are extremely powerful. This wand is quite an eccentric one, but it seems to be just what you need” he said, closing the box back for her.

She nodded, finding it odd that the wand that chose her would be so unique, but hardly questioned it. Shelling out the money given by her mother that morning, she finally collected the wand and turned to Sebastian who nodded towards the door.

“Just head out, I will be out in a moment” he explained while looking at the handles and she thought nothing of it. His wand handle had started to look worse for wear over the time he’d been using it so she stepped out, sitting one one of the steps as she waited.

Sebastian didn’t keep her waiting long, and eventually joined her before ushering the both of them off in search of some herb he’d read about that might help Anne’s curse.

When they returned to Feldcroft for the evening she started to part ways with Sebastian for supper when a very elegant Owl swooped down from the sky near her head, dropping a note for her. As she moved to pick it up off the ground from where it had fallen she looked at the front, detailing her name in cursive on the light blue envelope. She flipped it over to the back and when she saw the crest detailed in the wax seal her stomach dropped.

No this wasn’t right.

Ripping open the letter she quickly discovered her fears.

Bonjour Y/f/n,

It is with great pride that we welcome you to study and grow your magic at Beauxbatons, where magic meets excellence…

She stopped reading after that. Looking up at him, knowing that Beauxbatons wouldn’t have sent a letter if Hogwarts intended for her to receive one as well, she realized quickly that they would in fact not be attending school together in September. Worse than that, they’d be separated by the English channel and too many miles for floo travel, or for him to aparate - a skill he very recently mastered.

She had almost not even realized Sebastian had leaned into her, reading the letter over her shoulder but she soon felt his breathing disrupting the baby hairs escaping her plait along her neck. Turning around quickly, she discovered trying to hide it from him proved useless as Sebastian already looked upset.

“I-” she tried to reason, pushing aside her own disappointment in turn for focusing on him in the moment.

“You’re not going to Hogwarts.” he spoke, seemingly devoid of emotions as if he didn’t want to admit it to himself.

“Not by choice, I told you I never received my letter, and -” she explained to him as he looked down at her, sadness looming in her eyes and she wished more than anything she could fix the situation. It’s not like she really wanted to go to Beauxbatons. Although, the thoughts of attending the school her father had, back in her home country did have some appeals…

“I’m going to be alone.” he said flatly.

“That’s not true, you’ll have Ominis and -” she tried to reason once more and he stopped her again.

“You don’t understand. If you’re not there… I… I need to go” he quickly spouted out before aparting away from her without so much as a warning, leaving her there in the hamlet alone as her mother called her home, tears beginning to fall down her face.

#hogwarts legacy #sebastian sallow x reader #sebastian sallow x you #sebastian sallow #sebastian sallow/reader #sebastian sallow x slytherin!reader #fluff #hogwarts legacy fandom #anne sallow #ominis gaunt #hogwarts legacy sebastian #sebastian sallow x mc #sebastian x reader #farm boy sebastian sallow #farmer sebastian sallow

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spinnysocks · 5 months

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young tlg crocodiles aus

i didn't realise i couldn't save ask answers as drafts! :( but anyway, @devilsrecreation asked: So what exactly are your ideas for the baby crocs in The Lion Guard I’m really curious 👀 so here's my response!!

as she already established in her hcs, pua is basically everyone's adoptive dad! in this context to makuu, kiburi, tamka, nduli and neema! he has different relationships with all of them but he's closest to makuu and kiburi for sure

i like to think that makuu is older than the other four; i was going to say don't question me on ages but i just found out it takes ~12-15 years for nile crocodiles to reach full adulthood! so it checks out that makuu could be a year older and still hang out with them. there's probably so many non-mature members of the float that they have younger groups within it

speaking of that, i actually think makuu didn't get along very well with the other crocodiles his age. but, one day, he briefly interacts with the younger kiburi's group and gets to know them really well. he kind of becomes their secondary charge behind pua. no danger was gonna get close to those four lmao

i think crocs are pretty wholesome & innocent when they're babies but get more into the crocodile way as they mature. it's just really cute to think of baby kiburi, tamka, nduli and neema innocently interacting

there's this song i fell in love with while coming up with the mjuzi nduli au called little fang by avey tare! for me personally it fits my ideas for that au, i think it's also sweet as a lullaby/poem that pua sings to the five kiddos. i really recommend it it's an adorable song

i'm a sucker for crack/uncommon ships, i saw pua x basi once and it kinda stuck with me. i'd just enjoy seeing their dynamic as two leaders who work together when it's the time of year for the crocs to share with the hippos. because of their bond (platonic or romantic idrk), i imagine one of the reasons beshte is so friendly is bc he grew up around and got to know the crocs when they'd share big springs with the hippos. he says "I know it's crowded, Kiburi. But it really is a good spot" because he remembers the crocs' younger years and knows they can be reasonable, but things changed that weren't under his control and he couldn't do anything about it.

he feels kinda dissapointed about how things changed, cuz to him the crocs were like the neighbour's family you get to know really well. to stir up some more sadness, it's almost always beshte who's kicking out kiburi's float. beshte sends them back to the outlands himself so they don't hurt his friends, even though he remembers when they were 'good' or more understanding/just before makuu and kiburi's rift in general

since it takes so many years for crocs to mature, i imagine the younguns would spend ALL THE TIME playing. pua has a soft spot for the five of them so their playtimes and adventures become kind of like a bluey episode where they learn something valuable. kiburi listens to him more than anyone, while makuu's a bit more like "Yeah, yeah" bc he thinks being older means he doesn't need to learn anything new

one of pua's lessons would be not to judge or underestimate someone for being different, such as neema for being mute or nduli for not being born in the float (my own hc is that he's from an outsider float that was really struggling which is why he's so small. he was found by pua really young and his parents agreed he'd have a better life in the pridelands)

pua taught the five a lot of good lessons but obviously not all of them stuck. i haven't come up with what caused the rift between makuu and kiburi exactly, but i think kiburi's float would still want to be friends with makuu, and even more so after he redeems himself. despite being fully grown now they still kinda see him as a cool older brother that they can learn from but they'll always stick with kiburi because, at the end of the day, it's them four against the world lol

whew. that's it for now! i could write for days about these guys. and i probably will make a follow-up post at some point

#the lion guard #tlg #tlg outlanders #tlg crocodiles #pua #makuu #kiburi

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stillsaltyaboutmcr · 1 year

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The Crash: Bradley Bradshaw Part 3

Part one

part two

Part 3!!!! This is where things kinda kick off- hope y’all like it!

Warnings: cursing, mild violence, some innuendos and angsty Rooster with his Dad

Taglist: @fandom-life-12

“What the fuck?” Bradley looked so pissed despite having his dad back. Goose had sat everyone down in the living room. The barbeque had finished and everyone went home. Sat in the room was Goose, Maverick, Penny, Hangman, Rooster and myself. I let Goose do most of the talking, afraid I’d let out insults and just fuel the fire already burning. Rage was consuming me seeing everyone just fine without me, but Goose on the other hand was calm and collected. He was much older than me, and had a lot more history with the two men I felt a hatred for, but yet he didn’t seem to feel any sort of anger.

“I know this is hard to take in, but I’m real, so is she. We’ve went through a lot to find you guys and I for one am very ready to try to rekindle what we all had. I know you probably feel abandoned Brad, but I found my way back to you and I want to be your father again.” Bradley scoffed at his father’s words, looking disgusted that he’d even say that.

“Bradley, don’t.” Maverick spoke up. “You have no idea what happened that day. It was a freak accident. If Goose had the chance to come back that day, he would’ve. Don’t act like he left you.”

Bradley seemed to soften his expression at those words and that just absolutely enraged me. “I’m sorry.” Everyone turned to me. “Last time I checked you’re supposed to be MY dad, not his. His is sitting right here.”

“Honey, you know that I see Bradley like a son. I have since he was born.”

“Don’t ‘honey’ me. Goose has been more of a father to me in the year I’ve spent with him than you have my entire life. You left me for dead! You didn’t even bother to check if I was alive! You only cared if Bradley was and then you both left! What kind of father does that??Goose found me, took me in when he was barely taking care of himself and took me across the globe to find you. That’s what a father does, so don’t ‘honey’ me and lecture me about your view of Bradley.” I was seething at this point. Jake ended up taking me out of the room to let Goose handle it without any further disruptions from me.

“Y/N, I know this is a lot, and I bet this is incredibly hard for you right now, but yelling at everyone isn’t going to get us anywhere right now. Why don’t we go sit upstairs and let you relax huh? I’m sure you’ve had so much stress this past year, why don’t you go lay down?” Jake was soft and tender with me, and usually I’d melt right into him, let myself relax in his arms.

“You don’t know Jake. No one ever thought to check if I made it out alive. No one thought to send rescue out for me when they returned without me.” I had tears running down my face now, I was at a breaking point. “I just wanna know how everyone can be so okay with letting me die?” My voice had softened as the question left my mouth and Jake immediately engulfed me into a hug as I sobbed onto his cotton t-shirt. “Why did they leave me? Why didn’t anyone come to find me?”

“I don’t know baby, I don’t know.” He was rubbing my back and holding me, letting me get it all out.

After awhile Goose came into the kitchen where we were. “Hey kid, you okay?”

“Not really, no. I just wanna go home.”

Goose sighed and looked down. “About that.”

“What about it?” My eyes widened, almost begging him not to say what I think he’s about to say.

“Bradley is coming to live with me, so it’ll be the three of us. Your dad asked for you to move here but I told him you’d need more time, I hope that’s okay.” While I appreciated him standing up for me and letting me stay with him, living with Bradley was not my ideal situation.

“Goose, no. I’m not living with Bradley I’m sorry.”

“Kid, I get it. If I have a say in it, my goal is to keep you both apart as much as possible, maybe try to fix whatever misconception there may be.” I shook my head but knew deep down it’d be better than living with my dad.

“You can always come live with me babe. We’ve been together for awhile now.” Jake spoke up. My head snapped in his direction. Did he really think I’d just fall back into his arms after this? Yes, I may have just cried into his shoulder but that does not mean we’re still together after everything.

“Jake-and I mean this respectfully- how could you think we’re still together after everything that happened? You thought I was dead and now that I’m not, you think we’re just gonna be a couple again? I’m sorry but we’re starting from the bottom here. Everyone here is except for Goose.” Jake’s expression fell.

“Are you breaking up with me?”

“We broke up when you all buried an empty casket.” I walked out, bumping into Goose and headed straight for the car. I wanted to go home, even if that meant I had to deal with Bradley.

Soon after Bradley and Goose were exiting the house with a bag in Bradley’s hand. I sighed as they approached the car. “Get out of my seat.” Bradley opened the car door and motioned for me to move but I stayed put. “Are you deaf? I said move.”

“Hey, Brad. Just sit in the back for now, okay kid?” Bradley rolled his eyes and scoffed, climbing into the backseat. “Thank you. Let’s go home kids.”

Goose drove us back to the place the VA gave him to stay until he found a more permanent solution. “Bradley, let me show you to your room, Y/N, go relax for a bit, I’ll come get you when dinners ready okay?” Goose shot me a small smile and I returned it and headed to my room. I knew they both had a lot to talk about and catch up on, even if Bradley didn’t reciprocate the efforts Goose was making.

I could tell he wanted to reconcile with his son, having been gone for decades from his life. Goose wanted nothing more than to find Carol, have a good relationship with his son and pick up where he could, make things semi- how they were. He asked a lot of questions about Bradley during our travels, and he learned about how Bradley and I interacted in our day to day lives. To say Goose was disappointed was an understatement, he even told me once after a late night conversation about it: “Mav and I always joked that you two would end up married in the future. How we were both terribly wrong.”

That statement has stuck with me since. Bradley and I married? I could never see it. I couldn’t see myself getting married to anyone for that matter.

Just as I was about to jump in the shower, my phone went off. “Oh fuck.” I answered begrudgingly, knowing the terror that was about to strike me.

“Y/N? Please tell me this isn’t some sick joke.” Her voice was quiet, broken, tear-ridden. It was Natasha, one of my best friends. I had fully expected her to scream at me and call me a bitch for not calling her sooner, but this was almost worse.

“Hey Nat, it’s really me.” I heard her sobs through the phone as my heart broke. I had forgotten that this affected more people than just my dad and Bradley.

“Oh my God. When Hangman called me, I thought he was playing with me. Oh, Y/N…” Hangman called her, of course he did. Who else did he call?

“Nat, hey it’s okay. I’m okay.”

“I’m sorry, I just. I needed to hear your voice, confirm it was true.” Before I could get another word out, she spoke again. “I’ve, I’ve-uh. I’ve spoken to Bob. He won’t answer my calls. I think he’s in shock that you’re alive. He took it really hard when you didn’t come back, we all did. I would love to see you, we all would. I know you have a lot going on, I’m sure of it, but- um- I really need to see your face.” I sighed, tears falling from my own eyes at the mention of Bob’s name. Sweet, sweet Bob. His voice still rings through my ears, yelling at Rooster not to take me down with him.

“For sure Nat, we’ll get together, I have a lot to catch you up on.” A knock appeared at my door. “I have to go though, dinner calls.” I hear her laugh a little and my heart swells.

“Enough said, go eat. I’m sure you’re in need of a good meal.” With that, the call ended and I answered my door to see Bradley.

“What do you want?”

“Goose- er, Dad says that dinners ready, if you want to come down.” I could see it on his face, he was struggling just as much as I was.

“Uh- yeah. I’ll be down in a second.” He nodded and disappeared down the stairs. I couldn’t be feeling sorry for him, could I? After what he did?

—

Dinner went well, until Goose told us we were in charge of dishes. We both sighed, but agreed. “Good. You two need to learn to get along because I will not have this constant battle going on in my house.” There’s that dad voice I’ve been waiting to hear.

“Yes sir.” We both spoke before we caught what we said.

“Now get at it. Dishes won’t clean themselves.”

Bradley and I mostly washed and dried in silence, not daring to speak knowing it would only cause trouble. It was going smoothly and we were almost done until he nearly dropped a plate into the rinse side of the sink. “God Bradley! Watch what you’re doing! You incompetent prick.” I caught it and quickly dried it off, placing it with the other in the cabinet above my head. When I came down to my flat feet, an arm wrapped around my waist and spun me around, pinning me to the counter.

“Don’t speak to me like that.” Bradley was inches away from my face. “Shut your mouth.” His practically hissed when he spoke, venom dripping from his mouth.

“Make me.” I straightened up, bringing our bodies flush against each other. “What’re you gonna do? Huh?”

His hand wrapped around my throat and he brought his mouth up to my ear and whispered in a low, hushed tone. “You don’t wanna know what I would do to you.” He released me and moved away before washing the last two dishes and walking out of the kitchen, leaving me speechless. What just happened?

What was I feeling just now? Why did he react that way? Grab me that way? Did I cross a line? Or did he just tell me what the problem has really been all these years?

#jake seresin #top gun maverick #bradley bradshaw #top gun rooster #top gun au #jake seresin x reader #jake seresin x you #hangman seresin x reader #hangman seresin smut #bob floyd x reader

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