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notbleachtea · 3 years

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Favorite Shirt

Okay time to post again. Slight warnings, mention of death, toxic relationship, slight emotional abuse.

Word count ~2.9k

"Tch, I guess it’s about time I clean my desk. I can't work with all of this crap on it." Jotaro annoyedly says.

While cleaning off the countless stacks of paper he pauses. All desire to clean is quickly knocked out of him. He sits back down in his desk chair holding the group picture you all took in Egypt. He glances over each face in the image, some happy memories, some not so much. He would give anything to go back in time to change the way things played out. So many stupid mistakes. His eyes immediately halt when he gets to yours. His face expressed sorrow and longing.

His favorite memories of the two of you start to come rushing back to his head, and for a moment, he smiles. The constant flirting that always occured between the two of you. The silent stares you each felt from one another. No matter how much the others teased you two, you still weren't sure if admitting your feelings was the best idea. You each had your own reasons for keeping distant. The mission was much more important anyway, and so was your friendship.

He recalls one of his favorite memories with you.

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It had been a long week of tiresome stand battles, the closer you got to Egypt, the more intense they became. He noticed this was taking quite the toll on you and made the gang find a hotel that night so you could get some much needed rest. In the meantime he suggested that you use him as a pillow in the car on the way there.

Honestly, you took him up on the offer. You took everything you could at the time knowing that it would never go any further no matter how bad you wanted it to. Your head rested on his large chest, which was surprisingly soft for how tough he was. Every now and then he'd tug on his hat to cover his face when in fact he was just trying to steal a few glances at your peaceful, resting figure.

"Alright, we're here, group up and we'll get going into our rooms," Joseph states.

"I ca-"

"She's staying with me. There's no discussing it." Jotaro then picks you up and carries you to your room.

You started to wake up from the movements and the background noise going on in the hotel, and the first thing you saw was Jotaro's face when you opened your

eyes.

"Clearly I must be dreaming," you thought.

"Look who decided to wake up." he scoffed at you. "Really left it up to me to carry you all the way up here."

"I'm so sorry! I won't let it-"

"That's enough. I was just kidding anyway. You fought really hard today, it's the least I could do."

You smiled back at him as he set you down on the bed. That was honestly all the thanks he needed.

"Anyway, I'm going to go get something to eat, I'll bring something back for you if you want, but you should probably get some real rest soon."

You began to crawl up into the bed in your dirty and torn clothes from the day you just had.

"Good grief, what do you think you're doing? You're really going to sleep in a nice clean bed in your dirty clothes??"

"Well, I don't really have any clean clothes left right now, so, unless you have a better ide-"

You were quickly cut off with a soft hit to the face. Jotaro threw one of his clean shirts at you.

"Here. You can use this. It'll be more comfortable anyway."

Jotaro had left to go pick up some food and when he came back he was greeted with his favorite shirt filled with his favorite person. Wearing only that shirt made you look much smaller than you actually were, it practically went down to your knees.

"Thanks Jotaro! I promise I'll get it back to you as soon as I can."

"Keep it. It looks better on you anyway." He cooly tried to say as he pulled his hat down over his eyes.

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After everything that had happened in Egypt, you just wanted to get away from it all for a while. Go out on your own to a new place with no reminder of the loved ones you lost and all the feelings you never acted on. As a thank you for your hard work, the SpeedWagon Foundation offered to pay for everything of whatever you decided to do. You thought maybe you'd try going to school in America for a while. It was great, you had all the experiences you grew up seeing in movies and on TV. You made plenty of new friends there and even dipped your toes in the dating pool.

Right after you finished school, you and your boyfriend got married. You thought that's what you ought to do, you've been with him for so long. Everyone thought you were the perfect couple. He always took you out on extravagant dates and bought you expensive jewelry. Every girl wanted to be you. But that was only because they didn't know what happened behind closed doors. He never physically hurt you, not many people could, I mean you could hold your

own in Egypt, you're pretty tough, but mentally, he knew you were weak. You would confide in him in the beginning of your relationship about all your friends back home that you missed. He never let you call home or talk to them either. The ones you could never see again. Everytime he wanted you to hurt he would just remind you that they were dead because you weren't there for them, you weren't strong enough to save them. Countless letters came in from your friends and family and he'd throw them away before you could see them. He would even tell you that no one was writing to you anymore.

Every now and then you manage to chat with Jotaro. He'd call you on your lunch break at work from time to time just to play catch up. Asking things like 'how's life?' and 'are you doing okay?' and the sort of thing. Everytime you told him you were doing great. You love your husband and you even try to brag about how well he treats you by describing all the luxurious gifts he's been buying you. Everytime Jotaro ended the call saying he was happy for you and then a

quick update on his life.

To be honest, Jotaro wasn't falling for your phone calls. He knew something was wrong, but he never knew how bad it really was. He thought it was strange that you never wrote to him or called him outside of your work hours. It was also strange how you never really went into depth about your personal life either.

One fateful day, you're having a routine call with Jotaro when your husband decided to stop by to take you out to lunch. He asked the secretary why your door was closed to which she simply responded, "Oh, she's talking to her childhood friend Jotaro! He usually calls about this time every week."

He walks into your office catching you off guard while you're still on the phone. The shock alone causes you to drop the phone with a quiet screech.

"Y/n, are you there?" Jotaro stays on the line worried about what he just heard.

Your husband shuts your office door leaving just the two of you in there and is yelling just loud enough to where your coworkers can't hear him.

"I thought I told you no one wanted to talk to you anymore? They're all fed up with you, can't believe you let your friends die back in Egypt. They'll never

forgive you for that."

"You're right I'm sorry just please don't do this here."

"What makes you think you can tell *me* what to do? That's not how this works. And who gave you permission to talk to other guys? There's going to be some serious consequences for this when you come home." He walks out of your office smiling at all of your coworkers like nothing had just happened, followed by a shut of your office door and your muffled cries.

"Y/n?? Are you still there? Are you okay? Did he hurt you?"

"Wh- what did you hear?" You managed to squeak out, choking back tears.

"I heard enough y/n, he's not a good guy. I knew something was wrong. We have to get you out of there."

"No. This is my life now. I don't need your help, I told you I'm perfectly fine."

"Y/n I'm not kidding, you have to get out of there *now* and I won't take no for an answer."

"I can't, okay! I have nowhere to go. No one would believe me if I said the things he's done to me. Anyone who I try to run to just rats me out to him and the situation gets worse."

"Y/n, go pack your most essential things while he's out of the house. I'm buying you a ticket home for tonight. You'll be safe here this time tomorrow."

The instant care Jotaro had just shown you only causes you to cry more. How could you let yourself get like this? You really weren't okay. You were just too headstrong to admit anything was wrong.

"Thank you." You were able to muster through even more tears.

After picking yourself up off the floor and drying your face, you left your office, no intention to come back. You rushed home to grab only your essential items while your husband was finishing his day at work. You grabbed a few sets of clothing, your toothbrush, hair and makeup accessories, a few pairs of shoes, and your folder of important documents. Everything else was replaceable and or retrievable at a later date.

You take a deep breath and get the courage to call a ride to the airport.

Free from your husband's control, you weren't scared to text or call Jotaro on your own phone now. You called him letting him know that you were on your way.

One short plane ride across the ocean later and Jotaro was waiting there for you to take you home. You're not sure how long he was there for but you're convinced he was waiting there since before you even took off.

"Y/n, over here." He waves you over.

You walk over shyly and ashamed of what he had witnessed just the day before. You couldn't even pick your head up enough to look him in the eyes.

"Y/n it's okay now. You're here with me, he can't get to you right now."

"Ye- yeah I guess you're right. So where do I go now?"

"C'mon, I'll take you back to my place."

"We're stopping there before the hotel?"

"I'm not letting you stay alone right now. You're staying with me at my house. The only reason I let you fly alone was because it got you out of there faster."

Jotaro takes your bag and you both head to the taxi.

"C'mon short stuff, get those legs movin' faster."

"Hey! Not everyone can be freakishly tall."

Jotaro raises one eyebrow, "So I'm a freak, aye?"

"Sorr-"

"Don't apologize, you're already more vocal when you're free around here. I like it."

The taxi drops you two off at his house. The drive felt like an eternity when in reality it was only a few short minutes. You stared out the car door window in awe.

*So this is what he's been up to this whole time*

"Well c'mon now, let's get inside."

You quickly follow after him like a lost puppy.

"There's a spare bedroom upstairs and down the hall, why don't you take this time to relax and freshen up while I make us something to eat?"

"You really don't have to do this for me Jotaro, but I appreciate it."

You head upstairs with your bag. It really was a long flight. You decide to take a quick shower and put on some clean clothes.

About an hour goes by when Jotaro comes by your room to collect you.

"Dinners ready y/n."

"Okay, I'll be right out, I just have to put some makeup on first."

"Uhh, what for? We're not going out anywhere."

"I don't know. I just always do. He always made me wear makeup, even at the house, I guess I'm just used to it."

Jotaro quickly turns around and starts heading towards the kitchen, but not without leaving a remark, "well don't. You look better without it anyway."

You follow soon after him with a fresh blank face. The table has already been set beautifully and you can already smell your favorite dish. He brings over two plates of food followed by a new bottle of wine.

"Why don't we catch up for real this time?" He asks.

Hours go by at the dinner table along with a few bottles of wine. The two of you bickering just like the old days. You missed this. You needed this.

You finally caught a glimpse of the time and stood up to help clean up the table.

"You don't need to help clean this up y/n. We can even clean it up tomorrow. Why don't we go talk in the living room for a bit longer?"

You move forward as an attempt to get to the couch, finally realizing how much you actually drank, you're quite tipsy in fact. Jotaro moves over to the couch to join you. Sitting side by side he grabs your hand with a guilty look on his face.

"Y/n, I'm so sorry this happened to you. It's all my fault."

Clearly he's a bit tipsy too if he's actually trying to admit being at fault right now.

"None of this is your fault Jotaro, what are you going on about?"

"If I was just straight with you when we were younger. If I actually had the courage to say something to you. Maybe you would have stayed. Maybe you would've ended up with me instead. Instead I thought you were too good for me."

Your eyes start to swell up. "Don't say that. Ever. I'm the one that's not good enough for you. Why would you ever want someone like me?"

"Well, you're you, that's why. You're strong, you held your own in the desert, you tried your hardest for us and you made it out. I've never met anyone as strong as you, and to know that someone took advantage of you? And I wasn't there to protect you? I'm so sorry for all of it."

Now full on ugly crying again, Jotaro wraps his arms around you and pulls you in for a hug.

"I'm so sorry Jotaro. Can you forgive me?"

He lifts up your crying head by your chin and brushes all your loose pieces of hair out of your face. He holds you here until you return the look into his deep aqua eyes. He moves forward, crashing his lips into yours. There was no hesitation on your end, you kissed him back just as hungrily. Neither of you needed words to figure out what the other one was thinking. You could feel the admittance of your love for each other from just that embrace. Jotaro pulls back and pushes your head into his chest so he can hold you once again. He pats your head.

"It's all okay now, I'm sorry it took this long," and he leaves a kiss on the top of your head.

The moment is only ended by your yawning since you've been up for lord knows how long. Jotaro picks you up and carries you in his arms to his room. He notices the slight confusion in your face.

"I was thinking maybe you sleep in here with me tonight, kinda like old times?"

"Okay, just let me go change into my pajamas. I don't want to get in the nice clean bed in my dirty clothes.".

You walk back into his room in just his old t-shirt you kept from the desert.

"You really kept that old thing?" He spouted.

"I really did. It's how I kept you close that whole time I was gone." You said with an embarrassed smile.

"It really does look better on you ya know?" He says through a full face of blush. Just seeing you again in that shirt made him think of all the things he wanted to do to you now and then.

You moved to go lay down alongside Jotaro in his massive bed. He always wanted to know what it'd be like to hold you in his arms in his own bed.

Jotaro pulls you into his chest to hold you tight, with no intention of letting you go. He places a delicate kiss on your cheek. You squeeze his hand as a subtle sign of acceptance and nuzzle into his broad figure.

“Goodnight y/n. Sleep tight.”

#jotaro kujo #jojo #jjba x reader #jjba #jjba jotaro #jotaro kujo x reader #jotaro x reader #jojo jotaro #jojosbizzareadventure #jjba pt 3

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chloelucia13 · 3 years

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Chapter 14: Suzie, Do you Copy?

Pairing: none for the moment (currently Jonathan Byers x (kinda) Platonic!Henderson!reader)

Prompt: You always thought Hawkins was the most boring town of all, stuck in a vacuum void of excitement and entertainment. Well, it seems that way until the world decided to flip upside down, literally.

Chapter Summary: Dustin’s return to Hawkins had overjoyed you, but other than that, there was no change to the normal routine of your summer. At least, that’s what you thought.

Warnings: Mostly fluff, spoilers (obvi), language, mentions of violence, injuries, pretty chill tbh

Word Count: 2764

A/N: AHHHH, I’m back finally! I’m so sorry I took so long to update this story! Hopefully I’ll be able to get back onto this series and update it regularly like I used to, but I can’t make any promises. For the time being, I hope you enjoy and make sure to keep an eye out for any updates! As always, my taglist and ask box is open!

Tags: @just-my-fandom, @nightbu-g

You couldn’t recall a time you had woken up earlier than nine a.m. in the past month.

In all honesty, you had considered just sleeping in until the very last minute scramble to get dressed, rush out the door, and get back before Dustin got home.

Unfortunately that plan could not be executed as your mother woke you up, knowing you well enough that she could predict your plans.

And that was why you were at the mall at 10 a.m., your gaze focused on the floor as you made the trek over to Scoops Ahoy. Surprisingly, there was a small line in the shop, considering it wasn’t even lunchtime yet.

As you finally stood at the counter and lifted your head, Steve visibly relaxed, his “customer service” persona fading. “Oh thank god, it’s just you,” he sighed, leaning against the counter.

“Just little ol’ me,” you hummed, absentmindedly rubbing at your eye. “God, has the day already gone to shit for you, Steve?”

“Well, he’s already struck out twice if that’s any indication,” Robin piped up, peeking through the window that peered into the back area.

“Twice? Didn’t you guys open just an hour ago?”

“Don’t rub it in,” Steve huffed, a frown sinking onto his features.

“Fine, fine.”

You and Steve had grown close in the past six months, sharing a special bond that you honestly needed. Though you couldn’t decide if the bond grew from him literally saving your life, or from your significant others (well, for Steve at least) dating each other rather than you two. Both, probably.

“Are you here to order something or just to bully me?” he spoke finally, pulling his ice cream scooper from his makeshift-holster.

“Right, right. Just a pint of cookie dough and a pint of strawberry,” you instructed, pulling a ten out of your pocket.

He nodded and began scooping the two pints of ice cream. “Who’s the cookie dough for?”

“Dustin.”

He looked up at you, his brows furrowed in confusion. “He’s coming back today?”

“Yeah!”

He sealed the lid of the cookie dough pint. “No one tells me anything!”

You rolled your eyes. “Steve, I told you this two days ago.”

You heard Robin let out a laugh in the back room and Steve pressed his lips into a line. “Do you want ice cream or not?!”

You laughed. “Come on, you know you’d never deprive your two favorite people of ice cream.”

He rolled his eyes and finished up the second pint, sliding both of them over to you as you handed him the $10 bill. “Do you work today?”

“Unfortunately. I’m just hoping I’ll be home before dark tonight because they’ve been fucking keeping me for hours after closing.”

“Doesn’t the pool close at like five?”

“Yup,” you huffed, popping the ‘p.’ “And, to top it all off, I’m stuck with Heather and Billy today.”

The two of you cringed simultaneously. “Can’t say I’d rather be you.”

“Thanks for the support.” You took the change from Steve and stuffed it into your pocket before cradling both pints of ice cream in your arms. “Well, I gotta drop these off at home and then sit in the sun for a few miserable hours. I’ll call you when I get home.”

***

Your soul nearly left your body when a chorus of screams erupted in the kitchen as soon as you stepped in the front door. They fell silent a moment later, though, and a voice echoed out, “Oh, it’s just you.”

With a hand clutched over your chest, you rolled your eyes. “Sorry to disappoint you guys with my presence, but can we avoid killing me the next time you see me?” you huffed, still struggling to take in a proper breath.

We thought you were Dustin,” Lucas explained, a party blower between his teeth.

“Yeah, I figured.” You brushed past the group and put the ice cream in the freezer. “Can someone make sure that Dustin gets his ice cream? I won’t be able to see him until later tonight.”

“I can,” Will spoke up, raising his hand in the air.

“Finally, someone I can count on.” You grabbed the drawstring bag that held all of your items and slung it over your shoulder. “How’s Jonathan enjoying his job at the newspaper?”

There was a small silence. “You haven’t talked to him about it?” Mike spoke up, and Max swatted his arm.

You shook your head, the healing scratch on your eye beginning to burn slightly. “No, not yet. We’ve, uh... We’ve both been too busy. We haven’t talked in a couple of weeks.” More like a month.

There was another silence before Will spoke. “He likes it. He has the dark room all to himself,” he explained, his voice gentle and hesitant.

“Good. That’s good. Tell him I said hi, or something.” You cleared your throat before turning to the group and giving them a smile. “I gotta head to work. You guys have fun, okay?”

***

God, you felt like vomiting.

Everything seemed to be going wrong today, like you forgetting to bring your sunscreen and sunglasses, Billy and Heather’s constant pestering and gossiping, Billy ignoring his job so he could flirt with Mrs. Wheeler, Mrs. Wheeler completely ignoring you so she could flirt with Billy, the dozens of kids that had coined multiple nicknames for you and your scar, and the 101 degree temperature that was unrelenting.

Luckily, though, the day was close to coming to an end. Most of the crowd had thinned, excluding a couple of kids who spent the whole day there anyways and adults who insisted on lingering until they absolutely had to leave.

The shriek of a whistle startled you from your thoughts, your head slipping from your hand and making you lurch forward slightly. A group of muffled cackles sounded to your right, and you rolled your eyes. “Can I help you, or are you just here to make my life a living hell,” you grumbled, snapping your gaze over to Billy and Heather.

“Well, I was gonna ask if you wanted a water, but I guess not,” Heather huffed, stubbornly crossing her arms over your chest.

You gave her a doubtful glance. “Were you really?”

She laughed. “No. Now get up, It’s my turn on deck.”

With a huff you stepped down the ladder and tucked your book and raft under your arm. Out of the corner of your eye, you saw Billy step closer. “Billy, if you push me in the pool you’re gonna wake up with no fucking mullet tomorrow.”

The pair just laughed behind you condescendingly, and you stomped away with a scowl etched on your face.

Ever since the... altercation that occurred months ago, Billy had kept his distance from you. It was a relief, knowing that he wouldn’t test your limits for the sake of his own health. But that didn’t stop him from sprinkling in some teasing every single time he spoke to you.

The hot concrete stung the soles of your feet, and you picked up your pace so you could get to the office before your feet blistered.

“Hey, no running!” You froze at the voice, your eyebrows knitting together in confusion. Slowly, you turned on your heel to face the source.

Jonathan stood behind the fence, his hands in his pockets and a shy smile on his face.

“Jonathan?” you whispered, tilting your head slightly as if you were a dog.

“Hey Y/N,” he hummed, awkwardly shifting from foot to foot.

A small smile settled on your face and you walked over to the fence, a silent sigh of relief leaving your lips when your feet settled on the grass that bordered the fence. “Hey! W-What are you doing here? I thought you got out the same time that I did?”

“I do, I just uh... I wanted to go on a walk.”

You nodded. “Oh, okay.”

“And I uh, I wanted to see you. Just see how you were doing, I mean.”

You let out a small chuckle, hooking your fingers through one of the chain links in the fence. “I’m doing good. I mean, as good as I can be sitting in the heat for five hours straight with no sunglasses. How have you been?”

“I-I’m good. Isn’t Dustin back in town?”

“He is, he just got back today. I haven’t seen him yet, though. How’s your job at the paper going?”

“It’s good, really good. I’m enjoying it a lot.”

“That’s good to hear.”

The two of you stood silently, avoiding each other’s gaze except for the spare glances you’d risk.

“I should get going,” Jonathan spoke finally, a hint of reluctance in his voice.

“Right, yeah,” you hummed, clearing your throat. “It was good to see you, Johnny.”

“You too.” His mouth opened as if he wanted to say more, but he decided against it, giving you an awkward wave before walking away.

You lingered there for a moment, an all-too-familiar ache in your chest as you watched him walk away from you.

***

After rinsing off, getting changed, and making a final check of the area, you were finally off for the night. You could feel your shoulders nearly weighing your entire body down and your eyelids were extremely close to falling shut at any moment. Silently, you made the trek through the parking lot and over to your car.

You hopped in the driver’s seat and fished your key out of your bag before putting it in the ignition and twisting.

And twisting again.

And one more time.

Shit.

You slammed your hands against the wheel and let out a groan, throwing your head back against the headrest. “Of course. Of fucking course,” you grumbled.

Then you began to weigh your options. The first idea that came to your mind was walking home, but you quickly decided against it as you were too exhausted and it was too far.

Your next idea was to walk over to The Hawkins Post and see if you could catch a ride with Jonathan. But you knew that wherever Jonathan was, Nancy would also be. For a moment, you contemplated swallowing your embarrassment and fear and just do it, but again, you decided against that option.

Then you thought about using the phone in the office to call Steve, but you had no idea if he was even home.

And after running through all of the ideas in your mind, you last ditch plan walked past your peripheral.

You shoved all of your disgust down and hopped out of your car, rushing to try and catch up.

“Billy!” you shouted, trying to stuff your keys back in your bag as you jogged over to him.

He stopped and turned to look at you, part-confusion and part-annoyance wrinkling his features. “What?” he huffed.

“Can you, um...” You shifted awkwardly, the reality of the moment catching up to you. “Would you mind giving me a ride home? My car won’t start.”

He rolled his eyes, fishing a pack of cigarettes out from his leather jacket. “Y’know, any other night I’d love to, but I’ve actually got plans tonight. Call a tow truck or something.”

“Billy, please.” Your shoulders slumped. “I don’t live that far from you.”

“Who said I was going home?”

Your jaw tightened and you pulled your bag higher up on your shoulder. “I’ll pay you $20. Just please.”

“Why don’t you ask your boyfriend to do it? I saw you talking to him earlier.”

“He’s not my boyfriend! Goddammit-” You cut yourself off, taking a deep breath and scrubbing a hand over your face. “$50.”

He stood there a moment, placing a cigarette between his teeth as he silently debated it. “Fine. But you’re paying me upfront.”

You bit your tongue and refrained from snapping at him, instead pulling your wallet from your bag and handing him a $50 bill. He snatched it from your fingers and shoved it in his back pocket before nodding his head over to his car and heading that way.

Though the anxiety from asking him was gone, it was replaced with the anxiety of being in a vehicle with a man who very clearly hated your guts. Your brain was nagging you to just walk home, but you pushed the annoying warnings away and got in the passenger seat.

Billy had exited the parking lot before you even had a chance to put on your seatbelt, the engine roaring as he tore down the empty streets. The ride was silent other than that annoying engine, his godawful music, and your heart racing so loudly and harshly that you felt as if you were about to have a heart attack.

Whether it was your panic or your swarming thoughts, you had zoned out for the first few minutes of the ride. When you finally came to, you realized that you were nowhere near your house. “Did you take a wrong turn?” you mumbled, brows furrowing confusedly.

He scoffed, pulling his lower lip between his teeth. “No, I have an errand to run,” he explained as if you were stupid, as if you were already aware of his plans.

Oh my god, he’s gonna kill me.

You gulped, gripping onto your drawstring bag. “What errand?”

“Well, I had already made plans with Karen before you decided to ask for my help, so you’re tagging along.”

Your jaw dropped and you turned in your seat to face him. “You’re making me sit in the car while you hook up with Mrs. Wheeler? You said you were gonna take me home!”

“I did, but I didn’t specify when.” He was grinning from ear to ear, and you had to move your hands under your thighs so you didn’t smack that look off of his face.

“You motherfucker. Literally.”

He rolled his eyes. “Shut up and get in the back seat. I don't want her seeing you.”

It was your turn to scoff. “Excuse me?”

“I said-”

His words were cut off by a large object hitting the windshield, making both of you jump and causing him to lose control of the vehicle. The car spun off of the road and collided into a tree on your side, making Billy’s head collide into his door and crushing your door into your body.

A slew of curses and grunts fell from your mouth as you worked your way out of the seat, feeling your ribs ache with each breath as you finally got out from between the door and the center console. You sat down on the center console and gripped onto the back of the seat for balance.

“Oh, no,” Billy grumbled from beside you, eyes wide as he took in the damage. The stereo still spat out a distorted and garbled sound that resembled the music that were playing earlier as Billy tried to restart the car, to no avail. “Piece of shit.”

You finally glanced over at him. “You’re bleeding,” you wheezed out, watching the blood drip down his forehead and into his eye.

He reached up and touched the wound, pulling away and glancing down at his fingers with disdain. “Shit.” He slammed his hand against the steering wheel before shoving his door open and crawling out. You followed behind him, collapsing to the ground beside his feet. You gripped onto his arm and heaved yourself up.

Billy left your side to attempt to pry the passenger door open, only for a spew of expletives to fall from his mouth. “Yeah, I’m good, thanks for asking,” you huffed, leaning against the car and clutching your right side as he stomped past you and over to the front of the car.

“Shut up,” he grumbled, leaning close to the windshield and gliding his finger along the spiderwebbed glass. “What the hell?”

A strange ooze clung to his finger, stretching between his hand and the windshield with a strong elasticity. “Fuck.”

A rustling in the shrubs near the building you stood by attracted both of your attention, your heart leaping to your throat.

“Who’s there!” Billy shouted, his body standing straight up.

“I don’t think it’s a who,” you grumbled, reaching for your pocket knife in your back pocket. “What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”

As you opened your mouth to explain, Billy fell to the ground and was lugged away by a snaking vine. You screamed, but before you could move onto the car and off of the ground, a similar vine wrapped around your legs and dragged you through the dirt

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wild-flower-art · 4 years

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The Old Guard- Andy x Reader (F/F)

Guess who’s back and betta than evaaa? I’m so sorry it took me almost 2 whole ass months to post the 3rd chapter. With school starting up again, the part of uni I work at got fuckin hectic. Luckily that part of my life has settled a bit (for now), and now it’s time to get back on track in other parts of my life...writing being one of them. Enjoy!

Chapter 2

Chapter 3 – Help us (I think I’m sticking to 3rd-person POV-- 2,975 word count)

Darkness engulfs (y/n) as she enters the house, only able to see and follow the light from her flashlight. Her suit is weighing heavily on her body, her helmet obstructing her vision but protecting her all the same. She does her best to get out as quickly as possible, the SCBA tank only allowing for at least 30 minutes to get in, do her job, and get out. Some of (y/n)’s team are trying to extinguish the fire that just won’t let up, and the rest of them have been sent in to get people out. (Y/n) sees there’s a basement door in the kitchen. She radios in to her team that she’s going down. She can hear screams. Girls crying out for help. The further down into the basement she goes the darker it becomes. This is where the fire started. She reaches the bottom of the stairs and can hear the screams even louder now. Her flashlight shines on another door. That’s where they are. (Y/n) tries to calmly yet quickly get the door latches unlocked with her bolt cutters. Their screams are getting louder. They know they’re being saved. Before she can get the door open there’s an explosion behind her, knocking (y/n) forward…

She awakes with a start, having almost rolled off the bed. Her heart is racing, blood running cold through your body, left side of her torso throbbing with pain. (Y/n) is damp with sweat, soaking through her shirt. She searches for her lamp, but then remembers she’s not at home. She then reaches for a candle and lighter, flinching slightly at the sight of the flame.

It was just a dream.

…But it really wasn’t. It’s a memory that not even sleep can help her escape from. Before she can focus too much on what she did wrong, and what she could’ve done better, she hears a light tapping at the door. Her breathing hitches in her throat, but then releases itself when she realize it’s Nile, the light from the main room illuminating (y/n)’s—no, not her room—the guest room, probably. Not at all decorated or welcoming. It looks like a room used for storage, not being meant for personal use.

Nile whispers, “Hey, are you okay? I thought I heard crying.”

“Yeah, I’m fine, Nile. Thank you. Just a….bad dream.”

“You have those often?”

“Yeah, too often.”

“You’re not the most peaceful of sleepers then, huh? As an ex-Marine I know how that feels.”

“An ex-Marine?”

Nile stammers, “Oh, yeah, uh I was in for a few years before I got injured, and was uhmm discharged.” She tries to hold eye contact, but then looks away after a beat. (Y/n) feels like she overstepped a line she didn’t know existed.

“Oh…I’m sorry.”

“Nah, it’s okay. It was for the best, I’m sure. Maybe. I don’t know. Soooo....can I ask what you dream about?”

(y/n) sighs, “Before moving here to England I used to be a firefighter back home. We had been called out to the scene of a possible trafficking house the feds had been keeping an eye on. It had caught fire rather quickly, so we had to move just as fast, if not faster.”

(Y/n) looks down at her hands that she didn’t realize were clenched into fists. She inhales slowly so as not to cause more pain to her diaphragm, and on a shuddery exhale (y/n) releases the tension in her hands and shoulders. Fuck, my body hurts.

“I had gone down to the basement where I heard the screaming of young women and girls…kids…” A lump forms in her throat she tries to swallow down before continuing, “I was so close to getting them out, but then something went off behind me, knocking me forward. It felt like I was being tackled by a large animal or something, knocking me out cold. My dream usually ends there.”

“What happened after? In real life, I mean.”

“My team was able to get me out of there, the girls weren’t so lucky. The next thing I remember is waking up in a hospital bed about a week later. I quit shortly after when I heard the traffickers who had the girls in the house weren’t caught. I felt like I owed it to them to keep future girls from being victimized like that. I followed them here to England, but the trail ran cold about a month ago. I’ve been teaching self-defense classes to women, young girls, and non-binary kids since I’ve arrived here to be of use and pass the time, maybe make some money…oh shit, speaking of, where’s my phone? I need to contact my classes and cancel.” (Y/n) starts patting down her pockets and aimlessly checking the sheets and under pillows for her phone.

“Oh, uhm…I don’t remember you having a phone on you when we brought you. Maybe it fell out at the building?”

“Fuck. Well, I’ll contact them tomorrow when I leave from here.”

“Leave? No, you shouldn’t leave. You should stay until you’re healed up.”

“I don’t think your friends want me around for too long. I was gonna suggest I go to a hospital, but looks like you know your way around a bandage and sutures.” She says, examining her wound.

“Yeah, well, it helps to know those things out in the field. Anyway, please stay. We insist. And I’ll help you contact your class tomorrow. In the meantime, you should really get some rest. You look like shit.” She says the last part half-heartedly and with a smirk.

“Aw gee thanks, jerk”, (y/n) chuckles.

Nile starts to exit the room before (y/n) stops her. “Hey, Nile? I mean it, thank you.”

She smiles and nods before closing the door behind her. (Y/n) falls asleep as soon as her head hits the pillow and she closes her eyes, her body welcoming rest once again.

Nile makes her way up the stairs to her bedroom that she’s sharing with Andy since Andy gave (y/n) her room to recover in. That downstairs bedroom and couch in the livingroom give her easy access to the front and back doors in case something is amiss. It takes Andy too long to get settled, not used to resting in a room so far away from where possible intruders can enter. She starts to roll out of her makeshift bed to head downstairs, but Nile makes her way into the room, stopping Andy dead in her tracks.

“What do you think you’re doing?” She asks, hands on her hips.

“I can’t sleep in here, Nile. I’m sorry. I have to go downstairs and keep watch.”

“No, you don’t. Nicky and Joe agreed to take turns staying awake tonight. You need to learn how to relax. You can’t heal yourself the way we can anymore, so you need to give your body some time to rest so you don’t burn out. We’ve been over this! Any less sleep and you’ll look as exhausted as (Y/N). Jesus! You’re like a stubborn old person, too set in their w—“, before she can finish her reprimanding rant a pillow smacks her square in the face, earning a laugh from Andy, pleased that she caught Nile off guard.

“That’s not funny”, she says throwing the pillow back in Andy’s direction.

“Well, if it’s not funny then why am I still laughing?” Andy says between giggle fits. It’s becoming a common occurrence to see Andy like this. Lighthearted laughs and jokes that the guys said hadn’t ever happened this often, not in a long while, so Nile smiles and lets her have her moment before she has to dampen the mood.

“(Y/N) asked for her phone.” Andy stops laughing and instinctively reaches for the phone that lays in her coat pocket. “She teaches a self-defense class and needs to cancel for the next few days, maybe even weeks.”

“What did you tell her?”

“That I don’t remember seeing a phone when we brought her here and that she probably dropped it at the building…She doesn’t know who or what we are, so why are you keeping it?”

“You can never be too careful, Nile. She can’t just update people on where she is and expect people not to look for her. She might not know who we are, but we need to limit her access to the outside, at least for now.” This earns her an incredulous look from Nile. “Just trust me, okay?”

“Alright, boss. Now, can you please lay back down and get some sleep?” Nile asks as she gets into her bed.

It takes Andy a while to get settled, but when she finally does she can’t seem to manage to quiet her racing thoughts.

“I can hear you thinking, Andy! What is it?”

“You said if I didn’t get sleep I’d look as exhausted as (Y/N). What did you mean by that? Was she awake when you went downstairs to lock up?”

“Uhh, yeah. She was having a nightmare about something that happened when she was a firefighter. Just before she moved here her team was sent out to a burning building, turns out that was a trafficking holding house, possibly run by the same people who run the one we raided last night. But that’s just me putting two and two together. She said her trail ran cold, so she’s been keeping busy with her classes.”

“How much does she know?”

“I don’t know. I didn’t think to ask. She looked so tired and sad, I just needed to get out of her hair so she could rest. Now, sleep!” Nile tosses a pillow at Andy’s head this time.

Andy turned on to her side so Nile wouldn’t see her still awake. I should pick (Y/N)’s brain on what she knows about those people who set that house on fire. Maybe she can help us.

(Y/N) slept through the rest of the following day, not giving Andy time to ask her what she knows, but, instead, giving Andy time to talk to Nile, Joe, and Nicky about (Y/N) and if they think she’d be willing to help.

“She’s come this far to find out who hurt, and continues to hurt, those girls. I’m sure this will give her more purpose to continue on her journey”, Joe speaks up from behind his cup of coffee.

“Should we have Copley do some digging on her? Just to see where she comes from, and maybe find any paper trails to where she’s been following those disgusting human beings through?”, Nicky says as he makes his way back to the dining table, pulling a seat from across Joe and next to Andy.

“I contacted him earlier, he’s on it. He said he’d get back to us by the end of the day. Should be hearing from him any moment now.” Andy turns her head to look at her bedroom door. Still no movement. They’ve done multiple checks on (Y/N) throughout the day. Each time they were either met with groans, signaling them to go away, or with light snoring. With drool lightly dribbling from her mouth, she’s obviously getting the kind of rest Nile wishes Andy would allow herself to get. I’ll rest when I’m dead. Reminding herself and the team that she is on borrowed time, and she doesn’t want to waste whatever time she has left worrying about menial things like resting. Though (Y/N) makes it look so comfortable.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone look so peaceful while sleeping.

She’s shaken from her thoughts as Nile scoots out of her chair to stand. “Well, I’m off to bed.”

“We’ll head in for the night as well.” Joe says, getting up and wrapping his arm around Nicky and then rubbing the middle of his back.

“Goodnight, boss” they call out in unison as they head up the stairs.

“Night.”

It’s maybe about 45 minutes after the rest of the team has gone up to bed, and a couple of glasses of vodka later, that Andy receives a message from Copley with several attachments of what he found on (Y/N).

Here’s all I could find. Hope this will suffice.

Got it. She quickly types in response. She’s curious to open the files, but it’s getting late and she wants to look at this new information with the team. She double, triple checks and locks the doors, and makes sure the windows are all securely latched. She and Nile would be taking turns watching over the house, and she has first watch. She turns off all the lights, except for a lamp in the kitchen, and makes her way upstairs to grab a few things to hold her over for the next few hours. She isn’t upstairs for more than 5 minutes when she hears a door open and close, some carefully placed footsteps, and another door squeaking open before being lightly shut. Barefoot, Andy quickly and quietly grabs her labrys from its case, shoves a gun in her pants, and swiftly makes her way downstairs and out the front door.

She stops suddenly when she realizes it’s (Y/N) walking down the driveway. She runs over to her, fearing she might be in trouble. (Y/N) turns around in shock and almost screams, but grabs at her left side and hisses in pain, having twisted her body around too quickly.

Short of grabbing her arm, Andy quietly yet sternly asks, “Where the hell do you think you’re going? It’s dark out! You could get hurt! Do you not have any sense to just stay put?”

(Y/N) all but ignores Andy and turns back towards the driveway to continue walking.

Andy walks past (Y/N) and stands in front of her. “Hey, I’m talking to you! You’re not going anywhere until we know you’re okay!”

Trying in vain to push past Andy, (Y/N) replies, “I said I’d be gone as soon as I’m feeling better, and obviously I’m feeling a lot better, so if you don’t mind—.”

Andy scoffs and puts herself back in (Y/N)’s way and gently pokes at her upper left side just over her ribs, causing (Y/N) to wince and hiss in pain. “Yeah, obviously.”

“What the hell?!” (Y/N) grits through her teeth. “Do you treat everyone you help like this?”

“No, just the stubborn ones I believe have the ability to help us in return.”

(Y/N) squints at Andy incredulously, “Help you with what?”

“Help us find the guys who burned down that house with all those girls stuck inside.”

(Y/N) stands stock still and dumbfounded. “How do you know that?”

“Nile told us about your nightmares. I also had someone do some digging on you, so I’m sure those files will tell me the same thing.”

“You had someone ‘do some digging’ on me?! You guys are crazy! Now, please MOVE!”

(Y/N) shoves her hand against Andy’s shoulder and tries again to maneuver around her, using Andy’s height against her to juke her out. It almost works, but Andy is too quick to turn around and put her leg in front of (Y/N)’s leg to trip her and hook her arms around (Y/N)’s waste to keep her from falling forward. (Y/N) groans in pain and frustration as she places a heavy heel on Andy’s bare foot. With her heel still digging into Andy’s foot, (Y/N) leans her body back and shoves her hands up into the small space between her body and Andy’s arms. With a grunt she pushes her arms out, freeing herself from Andy’s grip as Andy falls backwards. Pleased with herself, (Y/N) quickly limps away from Andy, all the while Andy is on the ground smiling, trying not to laugh at the sorry sight in front of her. She gets up and half jogs up to (Y/N), catching up with her in just a few strides. To add insult to injury, Andy keeps a steady walking pace next to (Y/N), who has broken out into a sweat.

“So…where are we going?” Andy asks, trying not to laugh at how (Y/N)’s brows furrow with frustration.

(Y/N) responds with a roll of her eyes and a huff before pleading, “Please just go away and let me leave.”

“I’m afraid I can’t do that, (Y/N). We need your help and you clearly need ours. Please just come back to the house and get some rest…Do you even know where you are?”

“No idea.”

“Then how do you know where you’re going or if you’re going in the right direction?”

“I don’t, but if I keep walking I’ll get somewhere away from you guys.”

Andy picks up her pace and places herself in front of (Y/N) again, this time placing her hands on (Y/N)’s shoulders and meeting her (e/c) eyes. “Please. Help us find those girls.”

That’s all it takes for (Y/N) to give in. She puffs air out of her mouth and looks down at their feet. She notices a small bruise forming on Andy’s foot where her heel pressed down just a moment ago, a few scrapes marking her own. She feels a pull in her stomach, an obligation to those girls who needed her and a new obligation to the girls who still need her. She feels pressure building behind her eyes, her vision blurring, and her bottom lip slightly quivering. Fuck.

When she finally looks up her eyes are glossed over with unshed tears. Now’s not the time. She clears her throat and swallows hard. “Okay”, she finally whispers. And with that she turns around and walks back towards the house with Andy following close behind. They walk in silence until they reach the door. As (Y/N) reaches for the door handle, Andy places her hand over (Y/N)’s. Their eyes meet again as Andy whispers, “Thank you.” (Y/N) nods her head slightly before entering the house.

#the old guard #andromache x reader #the old guard imagine #andromache the scythian x reader #andy x reader

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boldly-ho · 4 years

Text

Another Life - Chapter 23

Fandom: What We Do in the Shadows

Pairing: Vladislav x Reader

Series Rating: E

Word Count: 1772

Chapter Summary: Reader gets jealous upon watching Vladislav seduce a woman (to eat).

A/N: Hi guys. I may not be posting every week from here on out, though that’s still the goal. With the new semester in full swing I don’t always have time to work on my fic :( Hopefully it’ll never be more than a week without updating, though. Thanks to everyone for reading! <3 As always, this is also on AO3.

“Did you fuck last night?” Deacon asked.

You didn’t look up from your laptop, still hard at work. You didn’t even know what time it was, long since having covered the small time display with a post-it, not wanting to be drawn out of fixing the work problem that you may or may not have, but definitely did, cause. The fact that Deacon was up, though, meant that more time had passed than you’d thought.

Eyes still glued to the screen, finally nearing the end of your task, you responded with a deadpan, “I’m sure you know that we did not.”

Deacon grunted. “That’s what Vlad said, too.”

“Well?” you prompted. “Why would you need to ask me, then?”

“Maybe he lied.”

“Why would he?”

“To protect your modesty.”

You snorted, finally navigating to the site for clocking in and out. “Does Vladislav seem overly invested in modesty of any sort?”

“…No.”

“So why would he lie?” you repeated, closing your laptop. “We didn’t even get-“

You froze upon turning to look at him.

“Deacon, what the hell are you wearing?”

“What’s wrong with it?”

Nothing out of the ordinary, unfortunately. That was the problem. It was just a horrid combination that you hadn’t yet seen. Somehow the color orange had become involved.

“Are you going somewhere tonight?”

“Yes. We’re going out to find victims. Do you want to join us? We’re meeting Nick at Boogie Wonderland. I think Stu might be there.”

“Stu?” You’d go if Stu was going, but you didn’t want to be the only human there. At least, the only human who wasn’t on the menu.

“Pretty sure.”

“Yeah, then I’ll go.”

And that was how you ended up watching the man who had just taken you on the best date of your life try to seduce women on a crowded dance floor. Not your best idea ever.

You scowled into your drink.

You knew you were being stupid. He was just trying to eat them. There was no reason to be jealous.

Jealous. Ugh.

You’d had one date with the man and you were jealous.

If he found out, you might just have to die of embarrassment.

You jabbed the straw into the ice and glared.

“Need another?” Stu asked, appearing behind you.

You huffed. “I guess. Struck out?” You glanced back to the table where Stu had been chatting up some cute brunette.

“I guess,” he parroted back to you.

You moved your gaze to where Vladislav and Viago stood with a gorgeous woman. She placed her hand on Vladislav’s arm and you turned your face to your newly refilled drink, loudly, angrily, sucking it up through the straw.

Stu, having followed your line of sight, offered you a sympathetic smile. “You know, I really don’t think you have anything to be worried about, Y/N.”

You sighed. “I know. I’m just working myself up.”

“You never really struck me as the jealous type.”

You shrugged your shoulders. You liked to think you weren’t usually the jealous type.

“Really,” he said, somberly, “You don’t want to be her.”

You nodded. You knew that, of course. Maybe you should slow down. The alcohol may be exacerbating your ire at the situation.

“Hey Stu!” You both looked up to find Nick standing behind you, shouting over the music. “I’m going to head out. I’ll text you tomorrow, okay?”

Stu nodded, and Nick turned his attention to you.

“How was your date last night?”

You blinked in surprise. Stu only knew about it because you’d told him tonight at the bar.

“Viago mentioned it,” he explained.

“Oh. Well, it was pretty nice, actually. We’re going out again the night after tomorrow.”

He gave you a thumbs up and left. If it wasn’t for his vampiric hearing, you’d have guessed he hadn’t been able to pick out your words over the background noise.

“I should probably head out, too.”

“No!” you protested, as Stu pulled out a few bills and laid them on the counter to cover his tab.

“I have to work in the morning.”

“So? I do too.” It wasn’t technically true, as you could get your hours at any point in the day, but Stu didn’t know that and you wanted him to stay.

“Then you should probably get home, too.”

You scowled, and Stu valiantly hid a laugh at your overdramatic response.

“Do you want to split a cab?”

“No,” you sighed, realizing you couldn’t convince him. “I want to finish my drink, and the busses are still running for a while.”

“Okay, I’ll talk to you later. Try not to let it bother you too much.” He gestured to the dance floor at large when he said ‘it,’ but you knew what he was referring to.

You turned back to your drink, trying not to glare at it again. After all, it hadn’t done anything wrong. When you looked back up, Stu was talking to Vladislav. He pointed to you. Oh crap. You looked back down, not wanting to make eye contact while Stu was very clearly ratting you out. You took back everything nice you’d ever said about him.

“Hi there,” Vladislav whispered into your ear. How did he get here so fast?

You winced into your drink.

“Hi.”

“A little bird told me someone needed a bit of attention.”

You rolled your eyes and loudly pulled more alcohol up through the straw.

“That little bird was Stu, and I’m going to kick his ass.”

Vladislav lowly laughed into your ear, and you tried not to smile as its warmth bubbled through you. You turned to look up at him and, of course, his smile was contagious. That bastard. No one would let you wallow in your misery in peace.

“Don’t be too hard on Stu. After all, it worked right? I’m here now,” he whispered in your ear, gently brushing your hair aside.

You knew he was just teasing you, but his voice was starting to make you melt, anyway.

You pulled yourself together and smacked him on the shoulder. “Take your ego down a notch and don’t be such a dick.”

For a second, you feared you’d overstepped a line. In this strange new limbo between friends and something more, you weren’t sure what was and wasn’t appropriate anymore. Thankfully, though, he threw his head back and laughed, and you actually let yourself smile. Sometimes he could be so stoic, so inexpressive. When he laughed, it was such a juxtaposition from his default state. It was warm and bubbly and you couldn’t help but feel it all the way down to your bones.

“Would you like to dance?” he asked. He grabbed your hand and yanked you over to the noisy, crowded dance floor before you could answer him.

You decided to have fun, jumping up and down, moving your body more or less in time with the thumping bass of the music. Vladislav’s dancing was… eclectic. But this was a club full of drunks, so his dancing didn’t really stand out any more than anyone else’s did.

Vladislav moved his hands to rest on your hips, and you instinctively moved forward, closing the gap between your bodies until you were flush against one another. You were more or less grinding on each other, now, and you felt that maybe you should be embarrassed. You weren’t.

He ducked his head down until you felt his lips brush against your neck. You relaxed into it, tilting your head to give him better access. A shiver ran down your body at the realization that his fangs were so close to your vulnerable, exposed neck. Vladislav gently nipped at the soft, thin flesh. It hadn’t hurt, but you yelped in surprise anyway.

He moved a hand from your hip to place it reassuringly on the small of your back and brought his lips up your ear. “Relax. I’m not going to do anything.”

You weren’t entirely certain what he meant by ‘anything.’ If a regular human guy told you he wasn’t going to do anything, you’d take that to mean he would keep his hands to himself. You very much doubted you could make such an assumption regarding Vladislav.

More likely, he’d meant he wasn’t going to do anything with respect to drinking your blood. Of course he wouldn’t. You knew that. You’d simply been startled when he’d playfully, flirtatiously nipped at you… because he was a vampire.

“Sorry!” you shouted over the music.

Vladislav chuckled lowly in your ear, and actively stated backing you off of the dance floor. It wasn’t much of a task, as you had gradually made your way towards the darkened back corner of the room over the course of your dancing. As Vladislav fluidly advanced, his hand still guiding you from the small of your back, you almost tripped over yourself as you were raced back. You were backed into the wall, and his hand moved from your back to the wall beside your head.

“You need to learn to relax and have some fun.”

You opened your mouth to respond, but his lips crashed onto yours, effectively silencing you. You brought your hand up to his open shirt, fisting your hand in the material and holding his body to yours. His tongue delved into your mouth and you moaned around it.

Soon, though, your brain moved from solely registering sensation, and you tasted him. The acrid taste of metal suddenly flooded your mouth. Your hand that had been pulling him towards you instead pushed him away while your other rose to wipe your mouth.

He hadn’t even left the club! When had he found time to-

“Y/N?” Vladislav’s concerned voice pulled you from your thoughts. He looked almost hurt.

“Shit! Sorry, I’m so sorry.”

“Are you okay?” His eyes searched your own.

“I’m fine. I’m sorry. I- it tasted like blood…” you trailed off and looked down. You weren’t sure entirely why, but you felt like a supreme asshole.

“Ah…” Vladislav began. “Yes. I just ate.”

“It’s fine,” you quickly covered. “I’m sure I taste like cheap booze…” You nervously laughed, though you weren’t sure how convincing it was.

“Y/N-“

“Really, it’s fine.”

And it was fine. It had just startled you. Of course he tasted like blood. He ate blood. You knew that.

You’d come to terms with that.

It was fine.

“Maybe we should-“

You silenced him with a kiss of your own. He stood all too still for an excruciatingly long moment. Eventually, though, he leaned into it, reciprocating, pushing you back into the wall as your hands rose to his chest.

And it was fine.

#wwdits #what we do in the shadows #vladislav x reader #vladislav #another life #al fic

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alyssawritesssfics · 3 years

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Hounded [3] 3. Earth Kills

Pairings: Bellamy x OC // Kane x daughter!OC

Word Count: 3.3K

Warnings: violence, series spoilers

Summary: When trapped in a cave together, Athena sees a new side of Bellamy. One that she might actually like.

Author’s Note: Hii, I’m back with the third chapter/episode. The cave scene has been my favourite to write thus far (I know, we’re only on episode three) and I hope you enjoy it too! Please remember to note and reblog! It really helps me see interest and therefore update the story more often. Thank you! PS. If you’d like to be tagged in future chapters, please send me an ask with your @ and I will add you to my list!

previous chapter // series masterlist

The following day I found myself behind the dropship, collecting more wood for fires. We had returned to camp with the large cat Wells had killed, Bellamy using everyone’s hunger as a way to get them to remove their wristbands. I was able to hold out, sneaking some food once everyone had piled into the dropship for the night.

I hadn’t gotten much sleep last night. Jasper spent most of it groaning in pain, while the other delinquents yelled for him to shut up. The groaning was still going on, though I’d begun to tune it out for the most part.

Grabbing my pile of wood, I headed around the dropship and towards the fire, dropping it all into the pile Wells had started earlier. Just as the wood fell to the ground, the sound of screaming filled my ears.

I ran towards the dropship, climbing the ladder to the top floor and shoving the door open.

“Hold him still, I need to cut away the infected flesh.” Clarke held a knife in her hand, while Monty, Wells and Finn held Jasper down.

“What the hell are you guys doing?” I asked.

Octavia soon climbed through the door, standing at my side. “Stop it! You’re killing him.”

“She’s trying to save his life.” Finn rolled his eyes.

“She can’t,” Bellamy spoke, joining us on the top floor. “Look at him, he might as well be dead already.”

Wells stood up, stepping in front of Bellamy. “Back off.”

“We didn’t drag him through miles of woods just to let him die,” Clarke said.

“He’s making us all crazy, Clarke,” I spoke up.

“This isn’t the Ark, Athena.” Clarke snapped. “Down here, every life matters.”

I shook my head. “I’m not saying his life doesn’t matter. Just look at him, he’s suffering. He’s not going to make it.”

Clarke shook her head, her eyes meeting Octavia’s. “Octavia, I’ve spent my whole life watching my mother heal people. If I say there’s hope, there’s hope.”

“This isn’t about hope, it’s about guts,” Bellamy said. “You don’t have the guts to make the hard choices. I do. He’s been like this for three days. If he’s not better by tomorrow, I’ll kill him myself.”

I kicked my feet and bit my lower lip, catching Wells’ eyes. “Athena, come on. You can’t be on his side.”

“I’m sorry, but I am,” I said, my eyes fixed on the metal floor beneath me. “The longer you four play doctor, the more he’s suffering for nothing. It’s time to let go.”

Bellamy and I turned to leave. “Come on, O.” He said.

“I’m staying here.”

Bellamy shook his head, climbing back down the ladder.

I turned to the group. “I hope you guys are right about this, but if you’re not…” I trailed off, shaking my head and heading down the ladder myself.

...

Later that afternoon, I watched as a group prepped to go hunting. The sound of Jasper screaming in pain was starting to give me a headache and all I wanted to do was leave camp.

When I spotted Bellamy exit the dropship to join them, I rushed to his side.

“Hey, you guys are going hunting?”

He raised an eyebrow. “We are.”

“Good, I’m in.”

Bellamy shook his head, smirking. “You want to go hunting?”

I stepped in front of him, both of us coming to a complete stop. “Look, I can’t listen to Jasper anymore. I need to get out of here. Besides, an extra hand can’t hurt, can it?”

Looking me up and down, Bellamy sighed. “Do you know anything about hunting?”

“No, but I’m a quick learner.”

“As long as you don’t get in the way, sure you can come.”

I clapped my hands together. “Let’s go then.”

...

We had been hunting for a few hours before finally coming across a boar. It was plumb, enough meat on its bones to feed all of us tonight. My mouth was watering just thinking about how good it would taste.

Bellamy pressed his pointer finger to his lips. “Shh… She’s mine.”

I watched as he stepped closer and just as he was about to attack, a stick snapped behind us. Bellamy spun around, throwing his axe in the direction of the noise as the boar ran off. The rest of the group, aside from Atom ran after it, screaming like a bunch of idiots.

Turning around, I spotted a young blonde girl peeking out from behind a tree. Her eyes were wide as she looked at the axe which had hit the tree next to her head.

Bellamy dropped his hands to his sides. “Who the hell are you?”

“C-Charlotte.” The girl mumbled.

“He could’ve killed you.” I hissed, causing the girl to frown.

Bellamy sighed, stepping forward. “Why aren’t you back at camp?”

“The guy who is dying,” Charlotte spoke, her eyes fixed on the ground. “I just couldn’t listen to it anymore.”

I couldn’t help but let out a sigh. “You and me both,”

“There are grounders out here,” Atom spoke. “It’s not safe for a little girl.”

“I’m not little.”

Bellamy and I exchanged glances. “Well then,” Bellamy said, pulling a knife out of his pocket. “You can’t hunt without a weapon.” He handed Charlotte the knife. “Ever kill anything before?”

Charlotte shook her head.

“Who knows, maybe you’ll be good at it.” Bellamy smiled before turning around and heading off to find the others.

I smiled at her as well. “Come on,”

Charlotte and I followed Bellamy and Atom through the forest. We had yet to find the others when suddenly, a swarm of bugs flew past us.

“What the hell?” Atom asked.

Rats, which I had yet to see on the ground, began scurrying in the same direction the bugs had flown. I watched as a cloud of yellow began forming in front of us, a horn sounding in the air.

“That can’t be good.” I mumbled.

“Come on! There are caves this way.” Bellamy spoke, running off.

The three of us followed Bellamy, myself being sure to keep Charlotte within my reach. I watched as Atom tripped, though I didn’t stop. I just kept running until I too fell.

My head connected with a rock, causing me to scream out in pain.

This is it. This is how I die.

Just as I accepted my fate, a pair of strong arms wrapped around me, pulling me from the ground. “Charlotte, keep going!” It was Bellamy.

I tried my best to run, though Bellamy pulled me most of the way. Finally, we reached the cave and Bellamy let go of me, closing the entrance with a larger rock. I slid down the wall of the cave, pressing my hand to the back of my head.

“Are you okay?” Charlotte asked.

I nodded, removing my hand and examining the blood on it. “Yeah, I’ll be alright.”

“What happened to Atom?” Bellamy asked.

I looked away, unable to explain how I left him behind.

Bellamy sighed. “We should be safe here for the night.”

“Should be?” Charlotte asked.

“Will be,” I spoke up. “We will be safe here.”

Charlotte frowned, and I knew she believed that as much as I did.

...

We had been stuck in the cave for a while, Charlotte having fallen asleep. Bellamy inspected the wound on my head, touching it lightly. I let out a yelp, swatting his hand away.

He moved back. “Sorry.”

“It’s okay,” I spoke, my voice shaking. “Is it bad?”

“It looks like the bleeding has stopped at least. No sleeping for you though.”

I sighed. “Not like I’ve done much sleeping down here anyways.”

We were both silent for a few moments before finally, Bellamy cleared his throat. “Do you think everyone back at camp is okay?”

“I’m sure they are,” I said. “They probably all hid inside the dropship.”

“Safer there than here, I guess.”

“I was sure the fog would’ve slipped through a crack of this cave.” I looked over at Charlotte. “Poor kid probably didn’t expect to almost die twice today. She’s lucky your aim sucks.”

Bellamy chuckled. “It wasn’t bad considering I wasn’t looking in that direction.”

“Alright, I’ll give you that.” I smiled, before the thought of Atom filled my mind. “I left him behind…”

“What?”

“Atom,” I said. “I saw him fall. I could’ve stopped and helped him up, but I didn’t.”

Bellamy shook his head. “You were afraid.”

“And you weren’t?” I asked, tears welling in my eyes. “You ran back to save me. You shouldn’t have. You should’ve kept going.”

“What’s done is done, Athena. You can’t change it now, so learn from it, do better next time.”

I nodded, my eyes beginning to flutter shut as a wave of exhaustion washed over me. “You almost sound like my father.”

Bellamy ignored my remark. “Hey, no sleeping, alright?”

“I’m tired.”

“Too bad,” Bellamy frowned. “Why did you get locked up?”

“What?”

“If you keep talking, you’ll stay awake. Tell me why you got locked up.”

I shook my head. “It was stupid.”

“How stupid?”

“Bellamy-”

“Athena.” His voice was stern.

I took a deep breath. “Someone I cared about, their father was sick. The Ark wouldn’t give him the medication he needed, so I stole it.” Bellamy’s eyes grew slightly wider. “I stole my mother’s keycard to get into the medicine cabinet and of course, they figured out it was me and thus I was arrested.”

“You must’ve really cared about that person,” Bellamy mumbled.

“He was like my second father,” I admitted. “I mean, you know how my dad is. When I started dating my boyfriend, his father was always nice to me. Always making sure I was okay, something my dad never really bothered to do.” I paused for a second, wiping my eyes. “I couldn’t just sit back and watch him die. Not after everything he’s done for me.”

Bellamy was silent for a moment. “Did he make it?”

“Yeah, he did.” I smiled. “Knowing that makes all of this worth it, as much as I wish I wasn’t down here right now. I would give anything to be able to see my mom again, hug her, tell her I love her.” I watched as Bellamy’s face fell. “Bellamy, I’m sorry-”

“No, it’s okay.” He said, mustering up a small smile.

I shook my head. “No, It’s not. Nothing about what they do up there is okay.”

Just as Bellamy went to speak, Charlotte began tossing, letting out a small scream.

“Charlotte,” Bellamy spoke, rushing to her side. “Wake up.”

Charlotte shot up, panting. “I’m sorry.”

Bellamy frowned. “Does that happen often?”

Charlotte nodded.

“What are you scared of?” I asked.

“It doesn’t matter,” Bellamy said. “The only thing that matters is what you do about it.”

I almost felt like he was talking to me as well.

“But, I’m asleep,” Charlotte mumbled.

“Fears are fears. Slay your demons while you’re awake, they won’t be able to get you while you sleep.”

“How?”

Bellamy looked over at me for a moment, before looking back to Charlotte. “You can’t afford to be weak. Down here, weakness is death. Let me see that knife I gave you.” Charlotte nodded, reaching into her pocket and pulling out the knife. She handed it over to Bellamy, who squeezed the handle in his hand. “Now, when you feel afraid, you hold this knife tight and say ‘screw you, I’m not afraid’.”

He handed the knife back to Charlotte, who held onto the knife as tight as she could with both hands. “S-screw you, I’m not afraid.”

“Louder.”

Charlotte looked to me, and I nodded. “Screw you. I’m not afraid.”

Bellamy smiled, patting her on the shoulder. “Slay your demons kid, then you’ll be able to sleep.”

Charlotte nodded with a small smile. Still holding the knife in her hands, she rolled back over and fell back asleep. Bellamy made his way back over to me, sitting down with his back against the cave wall.

“I think I’m starting to see where Octavia gets it from,”

…

The following morning, Bellamy pushed the rock covering the cave opening out of the way. He stepped outside, looking around.

“It’s all clear,” He said before stepping out further. “Is anyone out here? Jones?”

“We’re here!” Jones called out.

I stood from my spot, my legs shaking under me. “It’s okay, Charlotte. We can head back to camp now.”

Charlotte nodded, standing up and following me out of the cave.

“Where’d you guys go?” Bellamy asked Jones.

“We made it to a cave down there,” Jones pointed to the West.

I stepped forward. “Did you guys see Atom?”

Jones shook his head, causing me to frown.

“We’ll find him,” Bellamy assured me. “Let’s head back to camp.”

…

Most of the walk back to camp was quiet, aside from the occasional call-out for Atom. We had yet to find him, a fact that was slowly driving me insane. I could feel my fingernails piercing the palm of my hands hidden under my jacket, surly drawing blood.

A hand landed on my shoulder, causing me to jump slightly.

“Sorry,” Bellamy said, looking me over. “You’ve been quiet, I just wanted to make sure you’re alright.”

Last night had shown a different side of Bellamy I had never expected to see. I had half expected him to switch back to his douchebag persona the second we left that cave. Instead, here he was, asking if I was alright.

My cheeks began to heat up, causing me to focus on the ground underneath my feet. “I’ll feel a lot better once we find Atom.”

Bellamy nodded.

The rest of the group had fallen behind us, though Charlotte was so far ahead of us I could barely make out her silhouette through the trees. No matter how many times I had called out for her, she just kept going.

Charlotte finally disappeared from my sight and just a few moments later, her frightened screams rang out through the forest. Without hesitating, Bellamy and I sprung into action, running in her direction.

Before long we found her, standing over a body.

Atom.

“Oh my god,”

Bellamy moved closer, kneeling down and looking Atom over. He was covered in bloody boils and blisters, his skin looking as if it had been slowly burned away. His eyes were glossy, his pupils small.

I placed my hand on Charlotte’s shoulder before making my way over to the two. Atom was shaking, stuttering incoherently. Finally, he was able to get out a few broken words: kill me, please.

Bellamy stood up, taking a few steps back as the rest of the group joined us. Stepping forward, Charlotte pulled out the knife Bellamy had given her earlier. She handed it to Bellamy and whispered, “Done be afraid.”

Taking a deep breath, Bellamy cleared his throat. “All of you head back to camp. Charlotte, you too.”

The group dispersed, including Charlotte, though she was more reluctant to leave than rest had been. Bellamy eyed me, still standing just a few meters away.

“Bellamy, I can’t-”

“I know,” He spoke, nodding.

Bellamy knelt back down, holding the knife in his hand. I sat across from him on the other side of Atom, watching as Bellamy’s eyes shifted around.

Atom spoke again through broken words, begging Bellamy to do it. I watched as Bellamy sat there, unable to move. Finally, I reached over, taking the hand he was holding the knife with in mine.

Bellamy looked up at me and for a second I could see tears welling in his blue eyes. I slowly slipped the knife out of his hand and into my own, pulling my hand away and placing it at my side.

“Athena-”

“I can do this,” Taking a deep breath, I looked down at Atom. “Okay, I’m going to help you. Just breathe, alright?”

I placed my free hand on Atom’s cheek, lightly brushing it with my thumb as I moved the knife towards the side of his neck. I slowly slid the blade into his skin, pulling it out just the same.

As Atom slowly bled out, I continued to comfort him as best as I could at that moment. Finally, Atom stopped moving and I knew he was gone.

Looking up, I was met with Bellamy’s sorrowful eyes. It was at that moment that I realized I had been crying, a droplet of salt falling into my mouth.

I quickly wiped my eyes with my free hand before wiping the bloody knife on the ground and handing it back to Bellamy. “We should get him back to camp, bury him with the others.”

…

Finn, Wells and Clarke had soon found us and helped us get Atom’s body back to camp. I hadn’t spoken the rest of the way back, knowing if I opened my mouth I would only start to cry again.

The camp gate was quickly opened upon our arrival, Clarke rushing ahead of us and demanding quick action in making Jasper’s medicine. Bellamy ordered a few of the delinquents to get Clarke anything she needed, while Wells headed off to dig a grave for Atom.

Across the camp, I watched as Octavia exited the dropship. She chatted with Clarke for a moment before her face sunk and she yanked herself away, rushing over to myself and Bellamy.

“Octavia, just stay back, please,” Bellamy commanded.

“Why?”

Octavia attempted to push past Bellamy, only to fail. Upon her second attempt, she managed to get past him, her eyes quickly falling on the body whose face was covered by a jacket. She got on her knees and looked at her brother before looking back to the jacket, slowly lifting it.

Octavia let out a small gasp, tears swelling in her eyes. “Atom.”

Bellamy frowned, reaching over to touch her. “There was nothing I could do.”

“Don’t!” Octavia hissed, shoving his hand away before standing up.

“O, please let me explain-”

“I said don’t.”

With that, Octavia ran off towards the dropship.

Soon Murphy approached, earning a sigh from Bellamy. “Did you lose anyone here today?” He asked.

“No.”

“Jasper?” I asked.

Murphy glared at me. “Still breathing, barely.” He turned his attention back to Bellamy. “I tried to take him out but your psycho little sister-”

Bellamy quickly shoved Murphy before grabbing the collar of his shirt.

“Bellamy-”

“My what?” Bellamy asked before raising his voice even more. “My what?”

“Your little sister,” Murphy mumbled, shoving Bellamy off of him.

Bellamy nodded. “Yeah, that’s right. My little sister. Got anything else you want to say about her?”

Murphy stared at Bellamy for a moment before shaking his head. “Nothing, sorry.”

I watched as Bellamy looked Murphy up and down. Finally, he nodded his head towards Atom’s body. “Somebody get him out of here.”

With that, Bellamy stormed off towards his tent.

…

Later that evening I sat on the top level of the dropship where Jasper was resting. Finn took a swig of an old bottle of alcohol he had found before offering it to Monty. Monty refused, passing it to Octavia instead.

“Smooth.” He coughed.

Octavia took a sip, her face instantly crinkling. “Disgusting. I love it.”

She offered the bottle to me and I shook my head. “I’ve got guard duty later.”

“Can I, uh, get a hit of that?” A small voice spoke up.

We all looked over, Jasper’s head poking up slightly from the make-shift bed. He was smiling slightly, his eyes fixated on the bottle.

“Jasper!” Octavia cheered, rushing to his bedside.

Monty smiled, also rushing over. “Let’s start with the soft stuff.”

Finn and I joined the group. “Welcome back, buddy.”

“Was that a dream or did I get speared?”

“You’ll have a very impressive scar to prove it.” I turned my head, noticing Clarke had joined up. She was smiling, though I could tell she had been crying.

“My saviour.” Jasper smiled.

Clarke chuckled slightly. “Thank you for not dying. I don’t think I could’ve taken that today.”

“I’ll try not to die tomorrow too, if that’s cool.”

Clarke smiled, a newfound gleam in her eyes. “Sounds like a plan.”

next chapter

#the 100 #the 100 fanfiction #bellamy blake #bellamy blake fanfiction #bellamy blake x oc

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imagining-supernatural · 4 years

Text

The Work Call

Part 18 of Seventy Percent

Series Summary: When you left on your trip to Vegas, you’d planned on letting loose for one last weekend before heading back to reality and getting your affairs in order so your best friend wouldn’t be left cleaning up your mess when your cancer finally ended your life. What you hadn’t counted on was waking up married to a celebrity who has a knight-in-shining-armor complex, connections with an oncologist, and amazing insurance…

Chapter Summary: You call your boss to get some work to do in your free time and do a little flirting ;)

Word Count: 2,258

With Sebastian off in Georgia for a week, you felt like a teenager whose parents just left her home for alone for the first time. Suddenly, you could break all of the rules. Not that your rule-breaking was something that would get you in too much trouble…

Since the press seemed to have gotten it through their heads that you were off limits, you finally had your privacy and space back again. As a result, you were taking advantage of the last few weeks of autumn before the snow came. After your hospital appointments, you walked down the street to a cute little café and sat in one of the over-sized, plush chairs for a bit. You’d either bring a book or your laptop.

On Wednesday, the café cat apparently decided you were okay and hopped up into your lap, purring loudly as you read. You’d snapped a quick selfie and sent it off to Sebastian.

Me: [image attached] Don’t be surprised if you come home this weekend and I’ve catnapped ol’ Misty here

Sebastian: What if I’m allergic to cats?

Me: Sucks to be you, I guess

Me: The apartment’s lonely without you

You stared at the last text you’d sent, suddenly overthinking it. Sure, you were married. And, sure, you were wearing his ring now. But you two hadn’t really discussed what that meant, exactly. So was that last text too strong? Too forward?

Hell, you didn’t even know what you’d meant by it.

Sebastian: Don’t know how I feel about being able to be replaced by a cat

Sebastian: Maybe I need to up my game

Up his game?

Shit, it had been so long since you’d flirted with anyone. So long since you’d even considered a relationship. After your hellish life growing up, you’d put all of your focus into school. You were determined to set yourself up for a better life than the one you were born into. Then you graduated and worked hard to secure your place at your job. School only taught you so much, and you needed to be able to apply what you learned to real life.

Once you felt secure in your professional life and you were finally ready to start exploring a relationship, you found out you had cancer.

So to say you were woefully underprepared for this situation would be the understatement of the year.

Me: Luckily for you, I like Jenny’s coffee so much that I don’t want her to hate me for stealing her cat

Sebastian: You still thought a cat would replace me

Sebastian: That hurts, sweetheart

Sweetheart. In writing.

Me: I’ll find some way to make you feel better this weekend

Oh shit. Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit.

Why did you never read over your texts before you sent them?

At least you hadn’t put a winky face emoji. Now that would have been a disaster.

Not that you didn’t want your relationship with Sebastian to keep going. You did. But there was a lot more pressure riding on this than there was back in high school when you went to the prom with Brad Trayton, or in college when you slept with the guy from your Chemistry 101 lab three times before having to break it off with him because he always smelled like bacon.

This was Sebastian Fucking Stan. And you were married to the guy. And you were in a literal life or death situation. If things went badly with him, that would make the rest of your cancer treatment very awkward, to say the least.

Sebastian: I’m sure you will…

Sebastian: I gotta go to a script reading rn. Skype tonight?

Me: Of course

You’d been Skyping with Seb at least twice a day since he left on Sunday night. It was almost like he never left, in that regard.

But with him gone, you found that you had a lot of free time on your hands. With your body starting to get used to the cancer treatment, you also had a bit more energy and nowhere to put that energy to good use.

So you called your old boss back home, dialing his direct extension to avoid getting his assistant. The press might have backed off, but thanks to the updates from Jasmin, people who knew you were still reeling over your marriage.

“Plathway.”

“Hey, Brendon, it’s Y/N.”

“Y/N!” he exclaimed, and you could just imagine him leaning back in his chair. Brendon Plathway was your mentor and had grown into a close friend. Of everyone in your life, you would say he was the closest thing to a good father figure you had. “How are you doing? I’ve seen your name on Facebook a few times.”

“I’m doing pretty good, all things considered. I’m in a clinical study in New York and the doctors are optimistic that it’ll work. They’re hoping I’ll get the tumor out sometime in February.”

“Oh, that’s wonderful,” Brendon said. “And that husband of yours… he treating you well?”

“It’s not… it’s not quite like that. But yeah. He’s great.” It was a pretty decent segue into the reason for your call. “He’s actually out of town, shooting for a TV show. So I have a bit of time on my hands and was hoping—”

“Y/N Y/L/N?”

The unfamiliar voice interrupted you before you could finish. You looked up to see a guy about your age with a newsboy bag, notebook, and tape recorder.

A fucking journalist.

“I thought it was you. You mind if I ask you a few questions?” He didn’t say it like a question, nor did he give you time to respond before he sat on a stool beside you and set up shop on the small table. “If I could write an article on you, it would just—”

“I’m actually on a phone call right now.”

“Oh, I won’t take too long. I just can’t pass up this opportunity. You’re quite the enigma. No one’s gotten your side of the story.”

“And neither will you. I’m not going to answer any questions.”

He completely ignored you, flicked on the recorder, and put his pen to paper. “People have been saying that you planned your rendezvous with Sebastian Stan in Vegas. What do you say to that?”

“Nothing. Absolutely nothing. I have no comment for you.”

“I thought you’d appreciate the chance to get your story out there. There are some nasty rumors spreading—”

You cut him off before he could continue. “I know my story and the people I care about know my story. I will not be answering any questions for you today.”

“Do you feel no guilt for being the reason Sebastian Stan’s reputation has taken a massive hit?”

“I’m going to give you one more chance to leave me the fuck alone before I call the cops.” He opened his mouth, but you spoke over him, voice lowering to a red-hot hiss. “And if you write a single word of this conversation or make any sort of insinuations that I said anything at all, I will slap you and whatever blog or magazine you work for with a libel lawsuit. Don’t even think about trying to manipulate your recording because you’re not the only one who has been recording this conversation. The phone call you interrupted was with my boss and it’s company policy to record all incoming and outgoing phone calls. He’s a witness that I repeatedly rejected your attempt to start an interview and anything else you say can be construed as harassment. Have I made myself clear?”

He stared at you, wide eyed. Guess he hadn’t expected a cancer patient to be so blunt. Nevertheless, he gathered his things and stood. Just before walking away, he muttered, “You didn’t have to be such a bitch about it.”

Once he was gone, you groaned. “Sorry about that, Bren.”

“Is that something you have to deal with often? That’s horrible.”

“No. Not since I got sick because stupid reporters were sticking their germy microphones in my face and Seb threatened them with lawyers.”

Brendon hmphed. “Well, you sounded like you had that speech prepared. Sounded like you’d said it a few times.”

“Before he left, Seb made sure I knew how to threaten any reporters like that. Luckily this was the first time I’ve had to remember what he told me.” The reporter had shaken you, and it took a few deep breaths before you felt calm enough to continue with your conversation. “Anyway, back to my original reason for calling… Are there are projects I could jump on long distance? I’ll probably only be able to put in about ten to fifteen good hours of work a week, but it’d be nice to have something to do other than wait for new episodes of my shows to come on Hulu.”

“Let me poke around the office a bit. I know there’s a big one coming up next week. Rachel’s heading that one. You’ve worked with her before right? She’d probably appreciate your input. Trent is in the middle of one for a pharmaceutical company, but he’s not feeling too sure about it. I’ll see if he wants you to try and hack the system and find holes.”

“Anything. I’ve worked with both of them before and I think we work well together. I did quite a few initial proposals before I left for Vegas and I enjoyed those more than most people do.”

He promised he’d send any projects your way that he could. After a few more minutes of catching up, you ended the call and headed outside to wait for Sean in the chilly fall air.

“How was the reading?” you asked later that night. “Any juicy plot lines?”

“Not that I can tell you,” Seb replied. The phone in his hand shifted as he settled further into the hotel bed that Marvel was putting him up in. “But it was good. We’ll start shooting tomorrow.”

“Excited to lube up your arm?”

He laughed, head falling back against the headboard. “I take it you finally did some research on me?”

“A little. The hospital was running behind today, so I was there a bit longer than I planned and I fell down the YouTube abyss of interviews. Anthony seems like a fun guy to work with.”

Sebastian grinned. “He is. Speaking of work, did you call your boss?”

“Yeah.” The reminder of the phone call – or rather of the interruption – made your roll your eyes.

“Didn’t go well?”

“No, no. It did.” You knew your news was not going to go over well with Seb, so you took a minute to get settled into the bed. It had been a long day and laying down felt good. You turned your laptop on its side so your face would still be the right way on Seb’s phone. “Brendon’s gonna check around work and find some projects and work to throw my way. That’s all good.”

“Then what is it?”

With a deep sigh, you began. “While I was on the phone with him, some hipster reporter dude interrupted.”

“Son of a—”

“It took a minute to get it through his thick skull that I was not going to give him a story but he finally left. It just kinda took a bit out of me.”

“God, Y/N. I’m sorry you had to deal with that.”

“It’s okay.”

“No, it’s not.”

“Yeah, it’s not,” you agreed softly. “But you prepared me. I handled it. Then Sean made me eat dinner with him and his wife. She’s an amazing cook. Sometime when you’re home, they want to have both of us over. And when this is all over, we definitely need to think of a hell of a way to thank him for everything. He’s done so much more than a driver gets paid to.”

The two of you brainstormed for a bit about how to repay Sean for his kindness and friendship. Then your conversation moved on to different subjects, bouncing around for a bit until you yawned for the third time in five minutes.

“You seem more tired than usual. You doing okay?”

“I’m fine. I mean, I haven’t been sleeping well, but that’s your fault.”

“My fault?” he asked.

“Yeah. You made me sleep next to you for two weeks then you just up and leave me alone. It’s rude, Mr. Stan.”

Something in your words sparked something in his eyes that filled you with… excitement?

“Well, Mrs. Stan…” His words were accompanied by a wink that stopped your heart. Forget your brain tumor. Sebastian was going to be the source of your death. “You only have two more nights before I’m home for the weekend.”

Flirting? Were you flirting?

“Two nights with you and five nights without you is just not a fraction I like.”

My god, you were flirting.

“If you can convince Marvel to move their studios to New York, I’m all game. Until then, we’ll have to make the best of those two nights.”

“Make the best of them, hmm?”

“Yeah,” he said in a low voice. “Mackie’s commentary on The Voice isn’t as good as yours. I’ve been waiting to watch the new episodes until I’m with you.”

The unexpected twist made you laugh out loud. It didn’t escape your attention how his eyes crinkled at the sound, affection flooding his expression. “The Voice on Friday and Dancing With The Stars on Saturday?”

“I’ll pen it in my calendar, sweetheart.”

“Ooo. I’m pen-worthy. That’s so much better than pencil-worthy.”

“You’re white-out-worthy, baby. I’d white-out plans I have with someone else to pen in plans with you.”

Fucking hell. Baby was a new one.

If he’d put on half this much charm on you in Vegas when you were drunk, it was no wonder you’d married him.

“Then I guess I need to go erase the pencil plans I had for Saturday evening and make room for you. Maybe even buy a special pen just for you.”

“Maybe wait for tomorrow? You’ve had a long day. Seems like you need a good night’s rest.”

“You too, hun.” The pet name felt foreign on your tongue, but it somehow felt… right? “Shooting starts tomorrow. You need to be ready to keep up with Mackie’s energy.”

“He wants to meet’cha, you know. Apparently I haven’t shut up about you.’

“Gimme a few more weeks to get used to this treatment and maybe I can spend more than three seconds around him without needing a nap,” you joked. “Unless he only has that energy when there’s a camera on him…?”

Seb laughed. “That is him all the damn time.”

“Then I better let you go for the night. You’ve spent the last few weeks shlumping around with me. Gotta get your rest to keep up with him tomorrow.”

“And you gotta get your rest so you can hand out candy tomorrow.”

“I’m excited for that, actually. Trick or Treating really slowed down back in Utah lately. I think last year I got, like, maybe three groups of kids?”

“You’ll get your fill this year. A lot of the kids in the apartment complex go to every door. Just be careful, okay? I don’t want you getting sick.”

It took twenty more minutes before you were finally able to say your goodbyes and hang up. You stared at your phone for a moment before placing it on the side table beside Sebastian’s bed and turning off the light.

Houston, we've got some flirting!!! Also can we just take a minute to appreciate how amazing Sean is? But things seem to be looking up!

CHAPTER 19: THE LONG DAY

#sebastian x reader #sebastian stan x reader #bucky x reader #bucky barnes x reader #marvel fanfic #fluff

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princesstutufandemonium · 4 years

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Rapsblüte no Yoru (Princess Tutu epilogue skit) and my thoughts

Or: Why a bitch is still salty after 9 years

So, as previously mentioned on this blog, there was a skit presented at a Princess Tutu convention in 2004 by series creator Ikuko Itoh and chief director Junichi Sato called “Rapsblüte no Yoru.” It takes place about a year after the anime’s ending and serves to wrap up some loose ends about the characters and their feelings - particularly Ahiru and Mytho.

So I’ve talked about it before, but now more time has passed, so I thought I’d let the raging monster out of its slumber to REALLY address the epilogue and my own uncensored thoughts and feelings about it. Half of this ended up reading like a rant, really, but I just had to get it all out there.

Here is the skit, as recited by Japanese blogger Goma and translated by LiveJournal user csakuras, along with my reactions and thoughts, which are indicated by the blockquotes.

"Quaack.." Ahiru seems to be swimming on the river during a night with a beautiful moon It's been a while since then, and every day I'm happy. It's fun talking with my bird friends, and Madam Pelican is a little noisy, but...it's fun. And besides......whenever I look up, Fakir is always there.

So Ahiru has returned to life as a bird and has settled in well. Good for her.

Ahiru: "I've come all the way to Gold Crown Academy....somehow I feel like dancing." Saying that, Ahiru climbs onto the bank and is surprised to find the whole surface covered with rape blossoms. Ahiru: "Gwak!!" Autor: "Oh? What's this?" It seems he stepped on Ahiru.. Ahiru: "Gwakgwak!!" Ahiru protests. Autor: "Oh it's you, Ahiru-kun...isn't Fakir with you?" Autor backs away as Ahiru tries to talk to him. Autor: "Sorry, but could you not get so close? I'll start sneezing from my bird allergies." (The mystery of his dislike of birds is solved.) Ahiru: "Charon-san and Raetsel-san had a child so Fakir went to the celebration."

The idea of this seems to negate all of Raetsel’s development, but okay then.

Autor: "I see....by the way, did you come to see the Night of Rapsblüte too?" Ahiru: "Rap..Rapsblüte?" Ahiru asks curiously. Ahiru: "Rapsblüte are rape blossoms, right?" Here, Autor goes Hnph! with his nose as if making fun of her. Autor: "The Night of Rapsblüte is when once every 50 years, all the rape blossoms bloom simultaneously on a night of the full moon. According to what I've researched in the library, in the records of a student from 50 years ago, there is an eye-witness account." Ahiru heaves a sigh (lol) Autor: "And tonight, the weather, the date, everything matches with the past data!" Autor is full of confidence. "Besides that, you're in the music department so maybe you should be studying piano instead..." Ahiru mutters. Autor: "Did you say something?" Ahiru: "Huh? Autor can understand me." Hnph, he laughs at her with his nose again. Autor: "Anything can happen tonight and it wouldn't be strange." Ahiru: "The moon is so pretty..." (Here, a man wearing a mask of the moon appears from behind..it's a great hit in the assembly) Autor: "What's that? An onion?" Ahiru: "!!" Uzura: "Ho~ Ahiru zura~" *Tototon* (her drum) Ahiru: "Uzura-chan!!" Ahiru: "Uzura-chan! Where were you?" Uzura: "I've been wandering the interval of time with the old man zura."

WHAT does that even mean?! What is the interval of time?! Considering Uzura’s previous life as Edel, it’s surprising that Uzura chooses to stick with Drosselmeyer. He’s the one who put her Ahiru and Fakir through so much trouble, after all. Then again, Uzura is a child and probably has no memory or idea of the role Drosselmeyer played and the evil things he did. Uzura also isn’t human, so maybe human morals don’t bother her as much.

Ahiru: "By the old man do you mean Drosselmyer-san? Then where's Drosselmyer-san?" "Drosselmyer?!!" <--(Autor's switch is on) Uzura: "The old man is busy with updating the site zura, sorry he's so irresponsible zura." (Here, Director Satou is rolling with laughter.) Autor: "Why didn't you bring him with you?!" Clearly, his Drosselmyer otaku switch is on lol

I hate you, Autor. I try not to but I do.

Uzura: "One more is coming zura." Autor: "One more?" Mytho: ".......Tutu." Ahiru: "Mytho!!" (I can never forget Ahiru's sad voice here)

Ah, and here it is. The agony.

You know, I could possibly stomach the whole damn ending of the show if the epilogue doesn’t go on to make it entirely clear how heartbroken Ahiru still is. I mean, if Ahiru is actually happy, there’s nothing more you can want for her. But this here kind of ruins it. Like, why?! How am I supposed to be content with her situation when she’s sad at the mere sight of Mytho?!

Mytho: "It's been a while...." Uzura: "He was dancing on the balcony so I brought him zura." (....At your own pace as usual, Prince.) Autor: "Prince Siegfried from the story!! Myu...Mytho-san." (He sounds as emotional as if he were meeting Drosselmyer.) Mytho: "Are you Fakir's friend...?" Autor: "I'm Autor!" Mytho: "You were the one who helped Fakir? Thank you..." (How does he know..)

How DOES he know? Well, there was a tiny time skip between the defeat of the Raven and Mytho and Rue’s departure to the story. Perhaps things were explained a little during then.

Autor: "No! It was an honor." (only dimly remember) Mytho: "If I remember correctly, during our ballet lessons you were asked by Neko-sensei to accompany us on piano." Autor: "Yes, I was asked to accompany you on piano by Neko-sensei 11 times, and I passed by you with Neko-sensei in the hall 27 times." (Jeez, Autor's in high spirits (lol)) Mytho: "Fakir sometimes sees cows and alligators flying in the sky, so I'm worried. Could you take care of Fakir?"

Mytho seems to naturally be a little bit of an airhead. It’s funny to see that qualities of him that we saw in the anime can be attributed not to his lack of a heart and common sense, but just to how his personality really is. Cute.

Autor: "Yes!! Mytho-san, please leave him to me." (He's been left to him without having a say, Fakir's in a pinch (lol)) Ahiru: "Mytho? How is Rue-chan?" Mytho: "Rue is doing well." Mytho: "It seems Rue is good at singing too and she's a popular princess among the people." Autor: "Rue-san?"

So Rue is a true lady of the arts, not good only at dancing but at singing too. Interesting that she’s so popular, considering that she honestly doesn’t seem to be the most sociable person. Polite, but not going out of her way to be friendly. Perhaps her time in the story with Mytho has defrosted her even more. What is the new Rue like, I wonder?

Uzura: "Mytho is rabu-rabu with Rue zura~" Autor: "Could you be quiet for a while..." His voice is lacking energy and sounds like he might cry (He knows they're rivals in love..is that okay?)

WHY is Autor so torn up over Rue still?! He never even really spent time with her. Foolish kids, I tell you. She was hardly more than a pretty face to him.

Ahiru: "Thank goodness... Mytho. "The Concluding Volume of The Prince and the Raven" got published. It's not a story without an end anymore." Ahiru: "And also, soon Fakir's going to dance an all-male version of La Sylphide with Matthew Bourne-sensei's choreography!"

Soooo this part is confusing. The concluding volume… So The Prince and the Raven was a story published in installments? The show made it look like it was just a single novel. Unless they mean that they simply published an official ending… But if the story was given an ending, wouldn’t that affect the storybook world? And who wrote the ending and got it published, Fakir? A couple of questions that remain here.

Mytho: "Fakir....I always feel like I'm connected with Fakir..the more my country becomes peaceful, I can feel him close by." (It's...mostly dim recollection. Just the nuance of it.)

Yeah, don’t act like you didn’t just up and leave him AND Ahiru once your business was finished, Mytho. Anyways, skipping the salt, does this mean that Fakir’s conclusion to the novel made things more peaceful in the story world? That’s what it sounds like to me.

Actually, isn’t it kind of scary that Fakir can still wield influence over Mytho’s world? What if he got pissed off at him? yikes

Ahiru: "Mytho...." "You should meet Fakir! He's coming back tomorrow..so then.." Mytho: "I can't..I can only come here because the interval of time is connected tonight..see, the moon is already sinking this much." (The man playing the moon sinks down (lol) The assembly bursts into laughter again) "I see..."

WHAT is with this ‘interval of time’ nonsense again! Someone explain it to me!

Also, fuck Fakir, apparently.

Mytho: "Princess Tutu.....thanks to you, I can be like this. Thank you." Ahiru: "I wanted to see you smile, so my wish is already granted." (only dimly remember)

AND THERE IT FINALLY IS!!!

“Thank you, Tutu, for risking your life to save mine and restore my happiness and holding your tongue about your feelings for me so I could do nothing for you in return and leave hours later.”

No, I’m not salty. Anyways, the abrupt ending to the show without much dialogue was due to time constraints, not necessarily a true display of Mytho’s character, which I guess this epilogue was partly written to fix. It does seem pretty heartless when you watch the anime, though.

Mytho: "Princess Tutu, I wanted to be with you longer. I wanted to talk with you like this longer....to me, you are the light....because you are someone very special..." (?? Mytho/Ahiru?)

See, this is why I just can’t do it. Like, Mytho, are you fucking kidding?! You leave her alone as a duck and now you want to sweet-talk her?!

But actually, all bitterness aside, this is really sad. They obviously care for each other, but because of circumstances and plot, never once did they have the time to really just… talk.

And he still sees her as the light. I saw some people kind of making fun of this, but of COURSE he does. There was a considerable period of time when she was the only person vouching for him, keeping him safe, acting as his voice… and ultimately saving him in every way. He can only be a real person again because of her, and she never faltered in her mission. That’s INCREDIBLE. Of course he would hold her in high regard.

Mytho: "But, I have to protect Rue. Rue needs me...." (I'm sorry, it's completely out of memory...because I was so overwhelmed..(lol) I should take my reeling in moderation)

And here’s the dagger. After talking about how highly he thinks of Ahiru/Tutu… he backtracks by saying Rue needs him.

And you know why this is REALLY fucking sad? He doesn’t say that “But, I really enjoy being with Rue” or “But, I love Rue.”

He says he has to PROTECT Rue. Rue NEEDS him.

I don’t think I need to dive too deep into the implications of his wording to spell out why this is upsetting, but I’ll sum it up quick. Instead of saying he likes being with Rue, he says Rue needs me. That’s the first thing that comes to mind.

And if it means what I think it means, that’s just fucking harsh. That’s not fair for Rue. That’s not fair for Ahiru. That’s not fair for Mytho.

I mean, we all know the prince has a savior-complex, but the implication that he chose Rue because he feels a sense of duty to protect her instead of romantic affection is kind of… tragic. That’s not a happy ending at all, really. Does Rue have any idea?

I think this is why I have an issue with Ruetho, because no matter what you can’t escape the fact that Mytho will always view her through the lens of what she suffered. It’s just in his personality as a heroic, selfless prince. Doesn’t Rue deserve someone who sees her as… more than someone to protect?

Whatever, can’t be changed now.

Mytho: "Tutu...you have done so much for me, but I couldn't do anything for you." "Is there something I can do for you, Tutu?"

WHAT on Earth could he possibly expect to be able to do for her?! I mean, short of turning her human again, but I’m guessing that’s out of the scope of his abilities. Don’t be so bait-y.

Ahiru: "......Mytho! I.........." "No, nevermind..." (Ahiru sounds incredibly sad)

AUGHHHHHHHH

What was she going to say? You know what, probably doesn’t matter anyway. We know what she wants… she can’t have it, though.

Mytho: "It's almost time..." "See you again....Tutu...." (Jeez..I don't remember any of it) Ahiru: "Can we meet again?" Mytho: "Surely we will meet again..." Mytho (or is it Yanagi-san? lol): "We can meet again, when Sakurai-kun is here." (The assembly explodes with laughter)

NOOOOOOOO

No no no

No, do NOT meet again. This is just asking for trouble. Ahiru clearly isn’t over Mytho, and Mytho… clearly does not have his priorities straightened out. If they keep meeting like this…

Well, as the anime shows, it wouldn’t be the first time they put themselves through the wringer for love. Mytho recites something in German. "Waaao!!" <--(Uzura)

What did he say? I’m curious.

Here, Mytho says his never-ending feelings for Tutu (if someone remembers this part please tell me~) And at the end, Mytho: ".......Ahiru."

……..Yeahhh, probably not a good idea to meet again.

Like, I get that this epilogue is to ‘tie up loose ends’ including the torched remnants of Mythiru that were dropped so abruptly at the end, but...

Why, oh why, Mytho, did you choose Rue if you’re still hung up on Tutu?

Additionally, we see that Mytho DOES now know that Tutu is Ahiru. That’s bittersweet too, but in more of a good way. He finally knows that the little passionate goofball was the princess all along. I wonder who told him, or how he found out. Did he just figure it out on his own? Like, the duck that was once Princess Tutu must be Ahiru because Ahiru = duck? Maybe Uzura told him? I doubt Fakir would’ve, simply because once she was back to being a duck again permanently, there was really no reason to tell Mytho. Couldn’t much matter anymore, right?

Ahiru: "I get the feeling I heard Mytho's voice at the end." I am a duck....I can't wear toe shoes, I can't dance.. (I'm sorry, I don't remember) But inside my chest there is a sparkling gem that will never be broken. The end.

And that’s it.

Sooo a lot of conflicted feelings coming at me from this, if you couldn’t tell. I guess first is the question of whether or not this could be considered canon.

Honestly? I think so. Both Ikuko Itoh and Junichi Sato, the people behind Princess Tutu, worked on this and presented it. They even had some of the Japanese VAs present to act it out. Additionally, as I’d mentioned previously, it addresses some questions that were left open due to the somewhat rushed ending of the anime’s finale. And nothing presented in this skit goes against the show’s canon or really comes out of left field (aside Charon and Raetsel man tf). It’s short and sweet.

Moving on, the first time I read this I was really happy, simply because it makes it clear that YES, Mytho does return Ahiru’s feelings. Which I guess was clear in the anime too, but this skit makes it undeniable. It’s nice to feel validated.

But as time goes on and I’ve had the chance to chew over and really digest it… It’s kind of a really crappy situation for our heroine and hero. Like, so they are in love, and they want to continue seeing each other… but Mytho is SUPPOSED to be spoken for with Rue, and Ahiru is a duck. Not to mention that Ahiru is Rue’s FRIEND. C’mon girl, chicks before dicks. Of course, they could still interact platonically, but the confession from Mytho in this skit kind of shot that possibility dead. And what about Fakir in this mess? Granted, Fakir isn’t stupid – he’s known that Ahiru loves Mytho from the beginning, and it’s not exactly like he can be in a relationship with a duck. But still.

Maybe I’m just looking too far into things, but with a piece this short and direct, I don’t know how deep you can really dive.

Anyways, my final thoughts are: Mythiru is canon but in the most tragic way possible, Rue deserves better, annnnnnd I’m still left unsatisfied.

#princess tutu #pt #tutu #ahiru #mythiru #mythotutu #rant

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slytherinbangchan · 4 years

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‘📶’ Han Jisung One-Shot (Fake Boyfriend AU)

Blog’s Masterlist

Pairing: Han Jisung x Reader.

Warnings: smut

Word Count: 9.4k

This is my last post of the year. I hope you all enjoy it!

Happy New Year everyone and I wish you all the best. I’ll be back soon posting some of your requests and updating my aus.

Thank you for following me so far and I’ll keep working as hard as I can to try and make you happy with my writing.

-So you moved into your new apartment not that long ago.

-And all these college guys/girls live in that same building.

-It's a bit busy and noisy sometimes but it's ok.

-In the apartment on your right live two guys called Jisung and Hyunjin.

-You know Hyunjin's name cause honestly, who doesn't? It's weird not to hear someone mentioning him on the hallways.

-And Jisung... Well... This is kinda awkward but lets say his bedroom is right next to yours.

-First time you heard someone moaning out his name you blushed and went back to the living room.

-But now you're kinda used to it.

-Sometimes you even shush them.

-Anyway at the apartment on your left lives some guy called Seungmin and another one called Jeongin. You've knocked there more than once asking for some help with you door since sometimes it likes not to open.

-You think Seungmin is kinda nice and cute.

-Right in front of you live Minho and Felix. Bangchan has invited them over some other time.

-Oh yeah, you have a roommante called Bangchan but most of the time he's out working or hanging out with a guy called Changbin.

-Since you're 'new' in the city you don't know a lot of people yet.

-Only these girls from work who won't shut up about guys/girls and sex and you'd wish you were more interested on that but the truth is you're not.

-Like you work so hard and your anxiety is so high you don't even think about it till they bring it up.

-And you're so tired of them trying to fix you up with someone.

-You've told them to stop trying thousands of times.

-But they won't and today is not precisely your day.

-Your head hurts like hell and you just want to go back to sleep.

-'Would you meet my cousin then?' One of your friends asks.

-'What?'. You sigh as you massage your temples. 'I told you I don't wanna meet anyone'.

-'C'moon'. She whines. 'Why not?'

-'Maybe she has a boyfriend already'. The other one says and something clicks in your brain.

-'Yeah. You know what? I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier but I do have a boyfriend so please? Stop trying to fix me up with your cousins'. You say as nicely as you can.

-'You should have told us! What's his name?'

-'What?'

-'Your boyfriend silly, what's his name?' She chuckles.

-'Oh... Uhmm, it's... Jisung'.

-You don't know why you said his name. Maybe cause last night someone else wouldn't stop moaning it and it printed into your head.

-Also how come you have to make up a boyfriend so people would stop trying to fix you up after you told them to stop so many times already?

-You're so mad about that fact right now but your head hurts even worse. You just want them to stop no matter how.

-Anyway.

-One of your friends is looking at you so excited. What is with her now?

-'Jisung huh? What about a picture?'

-'Yeah, show us!'

-'Oh... Yeah, maybe tomorrow I don't have pics of him here cause it's a new phone'.

-They look at you like they're not buying it but finally they let go.

-Back into your apartment you take a shower and lie down on your bed with the lights off trying to calm that headache down.

-Then you start hearing some music from one of the apartments.

-You feel like crying.

-You're so tired and you feel like your head is going to explode any minute now.

-So you stand up and go knock on Hyunjin's door.

-Jisung comes out and says hi to you.

-'Hey I'm like dying here could you not play music tonight? Please.'

-'Yeah you don't look so good'. He says.

-'Thanks'. You sigh. 'So could you?'

-He chuckles softly. 'Sure, don't worry'. He pats your head lightly and you blush.

-You go back to your apartment with your face still burning red.

-He didn't need to be cute.

-He behaves and don't play any music though.

-He even tells Hyunjin to be quiet.

-It's amazing how thin those walls are.

-You fall asleep at some point to wake up the next morning to Chan's worried face looking at you.

-'You look horrible' He says.

-'Okay?'

-'No, like seriously. I already made a call telling your boss you're sick'.

-'Oh... Thanks'.

-'You're welcome'. He says smiling a bit. 'I left some breakfast in the kitchen for you ok? I gotta go tho'.

-'Ok. I'm not leaving my bed anyway'.

-He chuckles as he leaves.

-A while later someone knocks at your door and you practically crawl there to open it.

-'Hey, I've bumped into these ladies on the elevator. They were asking for you'.

-You look at Hyunjin who's pointing at your friends from work waiting behind him.

-'Oh, okay. Thanks'.

-'It's nothing. Are you okay though? Jisung told me you weren't feeling so good last night'.

-Just as he says that Jisung opens the door to leave the apartment.

-You can see your friend's eyes fixing on him immediately.

-'Oh, Jisung I was just mentioning you'. Hyunjin says as he chuckles.

-'Ah really, why?'

-'Omg y/n is this your boyfriend?' Your friends ask. 'You said your boyfriend was some Jisung right?'

-Fuck.

-You just mentally facepalmed yourself.

-The guys look at you and you look at them. Your face so red.

-Hyunjin chuckles. 'I'm gonna go inside'. He says. 'Bye ladies'.

-But your friends are too busy waiting for your answer.

-'Uhm...'

-'What's wrong baby?' Jisung asks you. 'Just tell them'. He says as he walks towards you.

-His hand on your waist.

-'Uhm, okay... Yeah this is my boyfriend'.

-They let out some squeals. 'Omg, y/n he's cute'.

-'Yeah I thought he was ugly and that's why you didn't show us his picture'.

-You force a small laugh and suddenly feel so dizzy you almost faint.

-But Jisung holds you and carry you inside getting rid of your friends.

-He puts you to bed too.

-'I'm sorry about that'. You say not being able to open your eyes cause you got so dizzy.

-He chuckles softly. 'It's okay. They seem like a lot'.

-'They are. Always trying to fix me up with someone'. You sigh. 'I said your name when they asked for my so-called boyfriend. I'm sorry'.

-'It's okay, there's more people named like me'.

-'I guess but also I was thinking of you as I said it'.

-'What?' He asks.

-But you're so weak you just fall asleep.

-When you wake up a couple hours later you find a post it with a note on it. 'Text me when you wake up'. There's also a number written down.

-'Hey, it's y/n. I woke up'. You text him.

-'Hey girlfriend😉'.

-'Ahh... Stop it😩'

-'😂 So I'm not your fake boyfriend anymore?'

-'I don't know...'

-'I don't think your friends are just letting go'.

-'😩😩😩 I know'.

-'It's okay. I don't mind being your fake boyfriend'.

-'Really?'

-'Yeah but... You may have to do something for me in return'.

-'Uhm... What is it?'

-'Idk I'll figure it out I guess'.

-'Okay? Lol'.

-'Yeah, oh btw Hyunjin knows we're fake dating but dw he won't tell anyone'.

-'Oh, okay. Fine by me. Anyway I'm gonna go grab some food now I guess so... Bye bye~'

-'Bye😊'

-Suddenly you remember Chan left some food for you outside and you go check but you don't see anything but another post it on the fridge.

-'I'm sorry food is gonna be extra cold but I couldn't just let it outside'.

-That one is from Jisung too.

-You smile to yourself. Never thought he'd be that thoughtful before.

-You get some text from one of your friends asking how you're feeling and then to let her know when you're completely fine cause they want to go out on couples date.

-You sigh as you text Jisung about it.

-Then eat something and lie down on the couch.

-A while later someone knocks on your door again and you whine all the way there.

-You blush as you see Hyunjin leaning on the door's frame. 'Hey'. He says and you try to fix your hair a little.

-'H-Hey...'

-'How are you feeling?'

-'Ah.. Better I guess??'

-'Yeah? Would you come to a little party at our apartment tomorrow then?'

-'A party?'

-He nods. 'You're Jisung's girlfriend now, right?'

-'I thought he told you we're just...'

-'He did'. He says not letting you finish. 'But maybe you want to invite your friends here so we have everything under control'.

-'Oh... I see. Yeah'.

-He chuckles softly and your heart flutters a little. 'Well, see you tomorrow then'.

-You nod as you close the door.

-Why didn't Jisung just texted you that?? You look at your phone.

-Oh. He did.

-Anyway.

-Damn Hyunjin. Why did he had to come and see you like that again?

-Not that you like him or anything he's just too handsome.

-You feel bad looking that ugly in front of him.

-You text your friends about the party.

-Also you think about if you should tell Bangchan or not about the fake-dating thingy.

-He probably would think is weird you're dating Jisung for real after all your complainings about the noise.

-Maybe not. Maybe he doesn't even care about it.

-And you don't want a lot of people to know the truth just in case so...

-He doesn't come back till very late at night anyway and you're already pretty much tucked into bed by then so you won't tell him tonight at least.

-You text Jisung as you hear Bangchan trying to get some food before sleeping.

-'Hey, no girl tonight?'

-'Got a girlfriend now🙄'.

-'Not a real one😂'.

-'People don't know that😂'

-'Oh, so you're a nice guy huh?😏'

-'Of course I am😂'.

-You chuckle softly as you read his texts.

-'How are you feeling? Hyunjin said you look better'. He says.

-'Ah, really? I guess I am feeling better'.

-'You're coming to the party then, right?'

-'Already told my friends and everything'.

-'😂 Nice'.

-'Who throws a party in such small apartment anyway?'

-'Lol well, it's not exactly a party just some friends drinking at home while listening to music'.

-'So... A party?'

-'😂 Ok, maybe a very tiny party'.

-You chuckle again.

-'Ahh sorry, wifi is failing a lot. Guess I'll try to sleep now'.

-'K~ Good night then, girlfriend'.

-'😂😂Night~'

-You sleep for what it feels like an eternity and when you wake up you feel so much better.

-Thank god it's Saturday but then again you have to go to a party and pretend Jisung is your boyfriend.

-Could be fun though, right? Why not?

-It's been a while since you had actual fun with other people.

-So as the day goes by you start to feel like actually trying and put on a dress and some makeup.

-Hair looking good too.

-No one would say you were feeling like dying just yesterday.

-Chan looking at you as he hears your heels on the floor.

-'Hey, you're going to the neighbors?' He asks.

-'Yeah'.

-'To see your boyfriend?'.

-How does he know already?

-'What?'

-'I'm just kidding'. He chuckles. 'I always thought you had a crush on Hyunjin'.

-'What? I don't'. You laugh softly. 'He's just like so handsome I maybe can't stop looking at him but that's it'.

-'I see' He chuckles. 'Ah I heard Felix and some of the other guys are going to that party too'.

-'And you?'

-'Me? Nah. I gotta finish some stuff with Changbin. He'll be here any minute'.

-'Are you dating Changbin?'

-He chuckles as he playfully raises his eyebrows.

-'What does that mean?' You ask as you chuckle.

-Then someone knocks on your door.

-It's your friends and their partners.

-'Hey, it's too early? It is too early right?' One of them asks.

-You laugh. 'Yeah, I don't know. I think there's people there already'. You say. 'Hey Chan can I leave my phone etc... here? Would you open the door for me later?'

-'I'm not promising I will'.

-You roll your eyes at him. 'I'll take the keys'.

-'Love you!' He says as you close the door after you.

-'That's your roommate? He's kinda cute too'. One of your friends says.

-You smile at her words as you knock at the guys door and Jisung opens it.

-'Hey'. You say, caressing his face.

-'Hi girlfriend'. He says, leaving a kiss on your cheek.

-He smells so good.

-And what's with the skinship?

-You don't know when you got so close but?

-Well guess it's all part of the fake-dating thing but in any case you feel really comfortable around him already.

-He puts a drink in your hands as he winks at you.

-Hyunjin is sitting on one of the sofas with Felix and Minho and some girls you don't know.

-Jisung's hand on your waist as you distractedly try to follow the conversation. 'You look good'. He whispers in your ear and you blush lightly.

-'Thanks. You don't look bad yourself'.

-He chuckles. 'Thanks'.

-'Anyway, what is this party about really?' You ask.

-He srughs. 'Anything I guess. We just wanted to meet with some friends and drink'.

-'Well my friends seem happy so I won't complain'.

-He giggles. 'They seem to like the drinks at least'.

-'I think they just get kinda bored with their partners sometimes so they drink'. You joke.

-'Wow, we'll have to break up if we ever get that bored then'. He says and you chuckle.

-'Yeah I promise'.

-Someone knocks on the door. 'Oh, I'll get that'. You say as you hand your drink to Jisung and go get the door.

-'Oh, hi'. Seungmin says.

-'Hey! Didn't know you were coming'.

-'Yeah, same. Didn't expect you here'.

-'Right... I'm kinda dating Jisung now'. You chuckle.

-'Really??' He tilts his head as he looks at you head to toe. 'Thats a pity'.

-You throw a confused look at him but he just go say hi to the rest kinda ignoring you.

-Jisung walks towards you and gives your drink back. 'Do you like Seungmin?'.

-'He's cute'. You say as you sip your drink.

-'I could help you dating him when we break up if you want to'.

-'Really? I don't know I guess I'll be the same amount of anxious then and that's the reason I'm not dating anyone now'.

-'Well, at least you actually like this guy unlike your friend's cousins'. He laughs. ‘Worth trying’.

-You chuckle too. 'Yeah I guess so. I don't know. Let me think about it'.

-The rest of the night goes nicely.

-You sit on Jisung's lap as you all keep chatting and drinking.

-And you get to know him a bit better.

-It's kinda weird how natural actually feels to be on his arms.

-He's just such a warm person.

-You feel safe with him somehow.

-Suddenly you feel his forehead resting against your back and you turn around a little to try and look at him. 'What are you doing?' You ask, chuckling.

-'Sorry I'm so sleepy and drunk'.

-'Go to bed, idiot'.

-'There's too many people here I can't'. He chuckles too.

-'Hmm... Should we go to my apartment then?'

-'What?' He giggles.

-'You just want to sleep right? I know you don't like me like ''that'' '.

-He scoffs but doesn't say a word just pats your thigh a little so you'll stand up.

-You smile at him and hold his hand to leave.

-Hyunjin looks at you two with a confused face as you walk out the door.

-As you walk to you apartment you realize you're a little bit more drunk than you thought.

-Jisung and you chuckle as both of you hardly manage to reach the door without tripping.

-'C'mon open the door already'. Jisung laughs.

-You chuckle. 'I'm tryiiing'.

-Suddenly the door opens and you see Chan standing right in front of you. 'What is happening?' He asks.

-Jisung and you burst off laughing. 'Dad! You did opened the door for me'. You say as you laugh.

-'Omg y/n you're an adult'. Chan laughs.

-'Yeah, so get off my case idiot'.

-'Whatever'. He laughs again.

-'Oh, hey Changbin'. You say as you see him sitting on the couch. He waves at you.

-You enter your room followed by Jisung and clumsily take off your heels and try to unzip your dress.

-'Could you help me with this?' You ask him and he scoffs as he smiles.

-'Sure'. He says as he zips down the dress. 'I didn't know you were like this'. He says.

-'Like what?'

-'I don't know. Not that serious I guess'.

-'Oh... Well, you see, tonight I'm drunk and not having a headache so...'

-'Fair enough'.

-'Oh you didn't bring your pjs'. You say.

-'Ah, it's okay'.

-You put on an oversized shirt as he sits on the bed.

-Then you push him so he'll get under the covers.

-'Take those pants off idiot or you won't be able to sleep'.

-He laughs but does as you say.

-Then you curl up into him.

-'Ugh I'm so drunk the bed is spinning'. He says.

-'Me too'. You snuggle into him a little more. 'Ah, you smell so nice'.

-He smiles. 'Thanks, you too'.

-'Good night Sungie'. You say, leaving a kiss on his cheek.

-'Yeah... Night~'.

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

-'So, Jisung huh?'. Bangchan asks as you prepare some tea in the morning. 'You sure are more quiet that the others'.

-'That's probably cause we were just sleeping'.

-'What? Really? Why did you bring him here then?'

-'I don't know... We were tired and there was a lot of people at his apartment so... Anyway we were too drunk to do anything'.

-'Hm... Yeah he looked terrible when he left earlier'.

-'I don't feel so good myself I'm gonna take a shower after my tea'. You say as you sit. Your phone chimes then.

-'I had fun last night. Wanna come by and watch some movies with me and Hyunjin as we suffer from hangover together?😪'

-You smile to yourself as you read his text.

-'😂 Yeah, why not. Let me take a shower first tho'.

-Like half an hour later you're all tucked in a blanket with those two.

-You had never noticed how tall and big in general Hyunjin is till now that you have him right besides you.

-His hair still wet from the shower. It's dripping some water over his own face which he dries with the towel on his neck.

-He leaves for a second to grab some food and you follow him with your eyes.

-'Thought you liked Seungmin'. Jisung says.

-'What?' You blush. 'I do'.

-'Really? You looked so mesmerized as you watched Hyunjin just now'.

-'That's... His hair was soaking I was watching the water drop'.

-'Sure'. He says with a half smile.

-'Huh... Are you jealous, boyfriend?' You say as you elbow him softly.

-He scoffs. 'You wish'.

-'Sounds jealous to me'. You chuckle.

-Hyunjin is back with some snacks.

-He plays the movie and you don't mention the jealous thingy again.

-That doesn't mean you're letting go.

-Even if you think Hyunjin will never ever put his eyes on you, that's not really necessary to prove your point right?

-So after a while you just lean over Hyunjin's side a bit. Jisung notices but he doesn't seem to care.

-'Are you okay?' Hyunjin asks.

-'Sorry my head hurts a bit. Do you mind if I lean on you for a while?' You ask.

-'Ah, sure. As long as you need'. He says.

-You lean your head on his shoulder and kinda hug his arm.

-He's blushing and you can tell he's kinda nervous.

-Cute.

-Jisung scoffs softly from the other side of the couch and you smile to yourself.

-After a little while you feel how something is pulling from one of your arms. Taking it away from the hold you had on Hyunjin's.

-You look at Jisung with a satisfied smile on your face.

-'Shut up'. He says as he laces his fingers with yours.

-You chuckle softly as you rest your head on Hyunjin's shoulder again.

-Your thumb caressing Jisung's hand as he holds yours.

-And you feel some kind of butterflies as you feel the warmth of his hand on your hand.

-When the movie is over you just don't wanna move but you have to.

-'Do you guys wanna watch another movie or.. some... wine? For our hungover?' Hyunjin asks.

-'Wine sounds good'. You and Jisung say almost at the same time.

-Hyunjin scoffs amused at your synchronization and goes find the wine.

-This time there's no talking between you and Jisung. But he's not letting your hand go either till Hyunjin is back with the wine.

-You take the cup Hyunjin poured for you and take a sip.

-They play another movie but nobody is watching.

-You're just chatting and laughing.

-Your legs over Jisung's after the second bottle is gone.

-His hands running up your thigh keeping just the right distance.

-'Ok, ok. Can I ask something tho?' Hyunjin says, but he can't stop chuckling before asking.

-'What is iiit?' You ask as you hit his arm softly.

-'Why Jisung?' He laughs again.

-'Why Jisung what?' You ask.

-'Why did you say Jisung's name to your friends instead of mine?'

-Jisung just chuckles as he waits for an answer too.

-You blush, but you were already blushing cause of the wine. 'Why would you ask me that in front of him?' You say playfully hitting him again.

-What a drunk mess you three are right now.

-'C'mon tell us'. Jisung says. 'I'm curious too'.

-'Ah... It's kinda embarrassing'.

-'Ohh, you like Sungieee'. Hyunjin sings.

-'What? Is not that'. You laugh.

-'Then what is it?' He insist.

-'Ahh stop iiiit. It really is embarrassing to say it outloud'. You chuckle again.

-'Leave her alone Hyunjinnie. I'm sure she'll tell me sometime'.

-'Hm...' He makes a pouty face. 'Well, you said you don't like him... Then kiss me'.

-'What?' Jisung asks.

-You're just laughing at what he just asked.

-'She's pretty and we're drunk. I want a kiss. C'mon is not that serious. We're just playing around'. He says as he chuckles.

-Is really Hwang Hyunjin asking you for a kiss right now?

-Jisung scoffs. 'Whatever you two just kiss if you want'.

-Hyunjin srughs and leans over you to kiss.

-His lips colliding with yours without waiting any longer. And you thought it'd be just a quick peck but he goes for it for real and he's such a good kisser.

-He pulls away and looks at Jisung. 'Omg. She's the best kisser ever Sungie. You should ask for a kiss too'.

-Jisung scoffs. 'I'm going to bed'. He says as he leaves his cup on the table.

-You look at Hyunjin with a worried face but he looks as confused as you.

-'Uhm... Don't worry he'll be okay tomorrow. I'm sure he's just super drunk'.

-You nod and help him clean up a bit. The alcohol in your body making it so difficult to move properly but the happy feeling was long gone.

-What's with Jisung?

-You were all having so much fun.

-He should have just asked you to kiss him too and that's it.

-You go back to your apartment and get into bed.

-You hit the wall behind you in bed cause you're kinda mad at Jisung for leaving like that and you want him to know.

-Then you hear something.

-You stumble as you kneel in bed to lean over the wall so you can hear better.

-Is Jisung calling your name?

-You blush as you recognize his moans through the wall.

-He's calling your name as he whines.

-He knows you can hear him you've joked about it a couple times before.

-You feel the heat on your lower body as his cute whines fill your ears.

-You bite your lips as you doubt for a second then you run over Jisung's apartment.

-Your knocks on his door. So needy.

-He opens the door to find you wearing literally just an oversize shirt on.

-You look down and bite your lips as you notice his boner.

-Your hand palming him over his pants. 'What is this about?'

-He gives you a half smile. 'I don't know. I think I was mad at my girlfriend and then I wasn't anymore'.

-You bite his lower lip. 'Next time ask for your kiss'. Your body so close to his.

-He pulls you even closer and finally kisses you.

-Then you both walk to his room without breaking the kiss.

-You push him on his bed and climb over him.

-Biting him everywhere. Kissing him like no one ever has kissed him before.

-You take his joggers off.

-His hard dick hitting his own body as you do so.

-And you're so wet already.

-Is like you've been waiting to do this for so long even when all this started just two days ago.

-He doesn't waste any time and just grabs a condom from the nightstand.

-And you just ride him.

-So hard.

-There's nothing holding you back.

-And this time you can hear his moans directly in your ears.

-His hands grasping at your butt as he helps you with the pace.

-And you're so into it. So wet for him.

-You can feel your orgasm building already.

-You bite your lips not to moan out loud but he wants to hear you, he wants to be praised.

-'I wanna hear your voice baby'. He says. 'Let me hear your beautiful voice moaning out my name'.

-And he's making you feel so good you wouldn't deny him anything.

-You moan out his name as you reach your high.

-He hisses. His fingers going deeper on your skin as he cums.

-He's drooling. His chest going up and down as he tries to catch up his breath.

-You chuckle as you see his fucked up face and kiss him. 'You're so good Sungie. That was amazing'. You say, making him smile. His fingers running down your hair.

-He kisses you again and then you shift to sit next to him.

-His hand resting on your lower back.

-You sigh after a while. 'Guess I should go back and get some sleep before going to work'.

-'Yeah, cause this isn't a bed. It's a pool and you can't sleep in pools'.

-You chuckle as you stand up. Still a bit dizzy cause the wine.

-'You know I came here only in this shirt right? I don't want to go back to my apartment in the morning like this. The guys are always in the hallways'.

-He chuckles too. 'Right'.

-There's a brief silence where you just look at eachother for a second.

-'Let's watch some movies tomorrow too'. You say.

-'Sure'.

-'Well, I really should go now... Bye then Sungie'. You say as you wave him goodbye.

-'Wait, I want a kiss'. He says as he lightly pokes his lips.

-You chuckle softly but kiss him. 'Sleep well you idiot'.

-'I totally will'.

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

-Next morning goes by so quickly.

-You barely slept but at least you're in a good mood.

-Work hours fly.

-Soon you're at your apartment humming some song as you get out the shower.

-'So, Jisung huh?' Bangchan says as you walk to your room. 'I take back the quiet thing. You two were l o u d last night'.

-'I don't know what you're talking about'. You say trying not to blush at his words.

-He chuckles. 'Yeah sure. Hyunjin was so surprised this morning when I run into him that he told me'.

-'Told you what?'

-'He went all like 'dude Jisung told me they were just fake dating but that didn't sound fake at all'.

-'Oh god he did told you'.

-'Yeah, he thought I already knew since we're roomates like them'.

-'Are you mad I didn't tell you? I didn't wanna risk more people knowing'.

-'No, I get it but... Jisung? I guess your friends bought it cause they don't know him'.

-'What do you mean?'

-'Like, c'mon you share a wall with him. He never brings the same girl twice'.

-'So?'

-He sighs. 'You know Seungmin right? He didn't buy it at all and he's telling everyone what he thinks about it'.

-'Whatever, let him say what he wants'.

-'Well if you don't want anyone else to find out maybe you should prepare some kind of break up before this gets any further. Just an idea'. He says. 'Or maybe you could come clean with your work friends'.

-Stupid Bangchan. Why can't he just let you be happy for a while?

-'I'll think about it. But the whole idea was to avoid them to fix me with someone else'. You say.

-'Anyway what was last night about?'

-'I don't know... Guess we were just drunk'.

-'Is that so?'

-'You said yourself he's not the kind of guy to get in serious relationships. Why do I have to think about it that much anyway?'

-'I'm pretty sure you've already thought about it'.

-'Well I haven't. I honestly think he doesn't like me like that. We were joking around about him being jealous but... It can't be. He was probably just horny last night and we get along well that's why he...'

-'He what?'

-You blush as you remember how you heard Jisung through the walls moaning your name last night.

-'Nothing'.

-Chan chuckles. 'Definitively not nothing but ok'.

-You nod still blushing and keep looking for an outfit in your drawers.

-He laughs. 'Ugh, it's so weird seeing you like this. At least promise me you'll let me know if something happens. Good or bad okay?' He says before leaving your room so you can get dressed.

-'I will'.

-Hyunjin opens the door for you today.

-'Hi, you look nice'. He says.

-'Thanks, you too'.

-He chuckles. 'Thanks. Jisung is in the shower. Let's sit'.

-'Oh, okay'.

-You think it's gonna be awkward cause you kissed last night and then he said you're a good kisser etc...

-But it's not.

-He just talks to you like nothing happened.

-'Hey, are you dating Jisung for real now?' He suddenly asks. 'He won't tell me'.

-'Ah...'

-'Hey, you're here already'. Jisung says as he dries his hair with a towel. Rescuing you from Hyunjin's question.

-'Fuck off Jisung'. Hyunjin says as he chuckles. 'We were talking about something'

-'Oh, were you? I didn't notice. But I'm here now so it'll have to wait'.

-Hyunjin sighs. 'I'll go find some popcorn for the movie'.

-Jisung chuckles as he walks towards you. 'Hey'. He says, softly.

-'Hey'. You say, same way.

-'Were you able to get some rest before work?' He asks.

-'Yeah, kinda'.

-'I skipped classes and slept the morning away'. He chuckles.

-'Wow, responsible'. You chuckle too.

-'Ugh are you gonna kiss or something?' Hyunjin asks as he stands before you two.

-'Shut up'. You laugh as you kick him lightly. 'What are you doing with that?' You ask looking at the bottle of wine he's holding.

-'Thought today we could just save time and start drinking early'.

-'Will my liver survive getting to know you two?'

-'It's just wine'. Hyunjin says as he pours some on the glasses.

-You hear the door and Hyunjin goes to see who it is but you can't see from the couch.

-'Hey, it's Seungmin'. Jinnie tells you. You can hear him inviting the other one to stay.

-'Are you drinking wine this early in the day?' He asks as soon as he's in front of you.

-You can't really read Jisung right now and it feels weird not being able to but you decide to just ignore that fact.

-Seungmin sits by your side, taking Hyunjin's place.

-Jinnie pouts knowing he'll have to sit alone in the floor but doesn't say anything.

-'Hey what about if we play a game instead of watching the movie?' Seungmin asks.

-'Not a kissing game'. Jisung complains.

-'You're so boring Jisung, really'. Seungmin says.

-'What? I don't wanna kiss my roommate'.

-'So you'd kiss me?'

-'If I have to...'

-You laugh as you see them arguing about it for a while.

-'I wouldn't mind kissing y/n again'. Hyunjin says interrupting the other two.

-'Again?' Seungmin asks. 'When did you kiss her?'

-'Well, yesterday'.

-'Omg, Hyunjin seriously?' Jisung says.

-'What?? You were there. You knew??'

-'Why would you kiss Jisung's girlfriend? In front of him?' Seungmin asks.

-'Ohhhh....' Hyunjin says realizing the problem with what he said a minute ago.

-You just laugh.

-'What is going on?' He asks again. 'Jisung you don't mind Hyunjin kissing her? Can I kiss her then?'

-Jisung looks at you not knowing what to say.

-'Why would you ask him if you can kiss me?' You ask. 'I'm the one you want to kiss'.

-'Right'. Seungmin says. 'Can I kiss you?'

-This guy.

-'Nope. I've got a boyfriend'. You say, smiling at him.

-'Do you really?'

-'What does that mean?' Jisung asks. 'I'm right here'.

-Seungmin looks at him for a moment and then back at you. 'If you happen to break up with this boyfriend of yours, call me. I'll take you out on a real date'.

-You all look at him in silence cause none of you knows what to say.

-He stands up. 'I'm gonna go. I don't like this movie anyway'. He says, then he leaves.

-'What's with him?' Hyunjin asks as he chuckles. 'y/n you really are stealing every guy's heart around here huh'.

-'What other heart have I stolen?' You laugh and he blushes.

-'Ah, I don't know... I just said that'.

-'Well, Chan told me Seungmin was suspecting about us being fake and that we should break up before my friends find out too. But I don't really think he's gonna do much with something he thinks he knows'. You laugh.

-Jisung sighs and gulps down his wine.

-'Anyway, let's watch the movie'. Hyunjin says.

-This time you curl up into Jisung after a while drinking.

-He softly kisses the top of your head as he caress your shoulder.

-His body so warm and cozy.

-Your head resting on the crook of his neck now.

-You leave a kiss there, fighting yourself with all you have not to bite him or go for his lips.

-And he seems to be having some kind of internal fight too.

-Hyunjin disappears for a moment to go to the bathroom or something. You didn't really heard what he said about it. Then you talk to Jisung.

-'Sorry. I guess I'm being too much right now'. You say as you move away a little.

-'Do you still like Seungmin?' He asks right away.

-You don't know what to say.

-'I guess? He's cute but...'

-'Okay'. He says. 'I'm sorry, come here. I'm still your boyfriend for tonight'. He says as he opens his arms to take you in.

-You don't understand what is going on inside his head but also you're kinda drunk to stop and analyze his words.

-Honestly you can only think about kissing him.

-So you do kiss him once before Hyunjin comes back.

-And he didn't expect it but he's not going to pull away either.

-Hyunjin steps aproaches and you stop to look at Jisung's eyes. Then you leave a couple pecks on his lips.

-'Oh, so you're kissing without me now'. Hyunjin says.

-'Hyunjin just shut up'. Jisung says. Then you all go back to watch the movie and drink the rest of the wine.

-You stop before opening a third bottle.

-You sigh. 'I'm not gonna drink anymore. I have work in the morning'. You say, leaving your cup in the table and going back to Jisung's arms.

-'Yeah, guess I should try to sleep too and actually go to one of my morning classes'. Hyunjin says.

-You chuckle. 'Good idea'.

-'Night then guys'. He says as he takes his cup to his room to finish it there.

-You look up to see Jisung's face so close to yours and he looks down to meet your eyes. 'Don't you have morning classes'. You ask.

-'Maybe'. He says, then he kisses you. 'Don't really feel like going anywhere right now though'.

-You scoff softly and kiss him again.

-One of your legs over his lap now, his hand on your thigh.

-And the last thing you want to do is going back home.

-'Can I stay tonight?' You ask with a soft voice.

-He smiles and pecks your lips. 'You can stay'. He caresses your face. 'Let's go to bed'.

-You follow him to his room. 'Can I borrow a shirt or something to sleep in'.

-'Sure. Take whatever you need from that drawer'. He says pointing to the one besides you.

-You put in a plain black tshirt and get into bed. 'Oh, you're taking off your hoodie? Gimmiee please. It's cold'.

-He chuckles and hands you his hoodie.

-And ah, it smells so good.

-It has Jisung's aroma all over.

-You feel some butterflies as you put it on.

-'You look cute in my clothes'. He says.

-'Thanks. Now come here'. You say opening your arms for him.

-He gets into bed and the kisses start all over again till you're so sleepy.

-'I'm calling in sick tomorrow'. You say. 'I don't want to leave this bed'.

-He puts away a lock of hair from your face. 'Yeah, me too. Let's just sleep forever tomorrow'.

-His husky sleepy voice.

-You fall asleep soon after that.

-And then a couple hours later you wake up suddenly.

-Stupid anxiety.

-You look at your side to find Jisung sleeping so peacefully.

-So you snuggle into him and he hugs you back in his sleep.

-Cute.

-Next time you wake up it's still dark but it won't be for a very long time.

-You try to fall asleep again but then Jisung starts to whine softly.

-You're worried at first but then you see his hand moving to his crotch in his sleep, then you notice his boner.

-You chuckle softly and leave some kisses on his neck and cheek.

-'Jisung sweetie'. You call him. 'Baby wake up'.

-He slowly opens his eyes and looks at you. 'Hey'. He says. His voice SO husky. 'I was dreaming about you just now'.

-You chuckle. 'Yeah? And does that have anything to do with this?' You say as your hand runs to his hard cock.

-He smiles and stretches a little. 'Maybe'.

-You scoff and kiss him softly for a while.

-'I don't think it's going down'. He says between kisses.

-'Yeah I figured'. You say, then you lie in bed and take your underwear off. 'So come here'.

-He lets out a half smile as he makes some room for himself between your legs.

-A tiny soft moan leaving your mouth as he enters you slowly.

-He kisses you before starting moving.

-He hardly stops kissing you actually.

-You're surrounded by his aroma as he fucks you while you wear his own hoodie.

-And his movements are so soft.

-Nothing to do with the other night.

-But you're both just so sleepy.

-The sound of his grunts and little soft noises on your ears.

-You kiss and bite his neck and he hisses.

-And you can't help but to moan softly as he thrust into you.

-Your cheeks blushing knowing everyone is sleeping and there's so much silence.

-Ah.. Hyunjin... Bangchan too... They probably just heard you.

-Jisung smiles as he notices you biting your lips not to moan outloud.

-He shifts the position a bit and now he's hitting your g-spot perfectly.

-'Fuck'. You moan out and you can feel his dick getting harder.

-He lets out a grunt.

-His forehead resting on yours before kissing you briefly.

-The warmth of his body against yours.

-And you like everything he's doing right now so much.

-You're dripping.

-Your hips moving as he pounds into you.

-He quickens the pace and your orgasm starts building.

-You moan his name out showering him with praise.

-And he just loves that.

-You reach your high filling the room with moans and he cums as he watches you melting under him.

-Your phone chimes and after a while you sit up to check on it.

-'Wow, just wow y/n'. That's Chan texting. You laugh as you see his text but kinda blush.

-'Who is it?' Jisung asks.

-'I think we woke Chan up'.

-He chuckles and pulls from your arm so you'd fall on his chest. 'Guess we did huh?' Then he kisses your nose.

-So much lazy kissing after that.

-And you don't want to think too much about it.

-But you can't help doing it.

-Cause it feels just so good lying there just kissing and chatting about every kind of stuff.

-And you don't know how much of this is real or just a part of the fake boyfriend thing that went too far but still just a 'fake' thing.

-It feels so real though.

-Maybe it's just you wishing it being that way.

-Ugh how could you fall into this?

-Your anxiety is laughing at you so hard right now knowing what is coming.

-'Hey, are you okay?' He asks.

-'Huh? Yeah...'

-'You looked so serious just now'. He seems kinda worried.

-'Sorry. I remembered something about work'. You lie.

-'Oh... You have to go?' He sits up.

-'Not really... Do you... Want me to go?' You ask sitting up too.

-'No'.

-'Okay'. You chuckle.

-'Sorry, too serious?' He smiles.

-'Yeah, kinda'. You laugh.

-'Well that's cause I really don't want you to go'. He says coming closer to you. He's waiting for a kiss so you peck his lips.

-'Let's get some breakfast'. He says as he gets out of bed.

-You take a quick shower and meet him again outside to walk to a coffee shop.

-'You sure you're okay just with some coffee and toast?' You ask him.

-'Yeah, it's fine'.

-'Ah, shit I forgot something. Sorry. Wait for me just a minute'. You say as you run upstairs.

-As you come back to Jisung you see him talking to Seungmin but they don't see you.

-'Dude, seriously. Are you dating her for real or not?' He asks.

-Jisung sighs. 'Why are you so interested?'

-'You know exactly why'.

-He scoffs. 'Look, I'm just...'

-'Hey'. You say interrumpting them. 'Sorry for making you wait'.

-'It's okay'. He says.

-'Hi, Seungmin'. You say, then you look back at Jisung. 'Should we get going?'

-'Sure'.

-You hold his hand and start walking again.

-You're shaking so he squeezes your hand lightly and you calm down a little.

-Why didn't you let him finish?

-You had no clue of what he was going to tell Seungmin and still couldn't stand the idea of him saying something remotely close to 'I'm just her fake boyfriend and nothing else'.

-Which by the way it's the only ending to what he was saying that your brain can come up with right now.

-But he wouldn't tell him about your deal like that right?

-He would ask you if it was okay for him to tell Seungmin about it.

-Right?

-'Jisung... What did Seungmin want?' You ask without looking at him.

-'Ah... Nothing he was asking again about us'.

-'What did you tell him?'

-'Jisung?' That's another girl asking. She was inside a store but now she's walking towards you two. 'What the fuck? Who's this?'. She asks.

-'Fuck.. This girl...' He mouths under his breath before she gets there. 'Hey, how have you been?' He asks her.

-'What do you mean? I've been pissed since yesterday'.

-'What?' He looks confused but the girl seems pretty mad.

-'You texted me to meet on the same spot we always met and you didn't appear'.

-'Wait, what? No I didn't'. He looks at you. 'Y/n I didn't. I swear'.

-You let his hand go but don't say anything.

-'Then what is this?' The girl asks showing you both the texts.

-'What the fuck I didn't write those'. He says as he holds the phone to read them better.

-You feel your heart crush. 'I gotta go'. You say as you walk away as fast as you can.

-'y/n wait'. He gives the phone back to the other girl and runs after you. 'y/n I didn't write those I swear'.

-'Leave me alone. I'm so stupid'. You say. Tears falling but you're mad.

-'Don't go just... Please'.

-You stop and turn around to talk to him. 'You know, I think this game of us went too far'.

-'What?' He frowns.

-'We should break up'. More tears falling. 'Then you'll be free to go back to bring girls to your apartment and make them scream your stupid name'.

-He scoffs. 'C'mon...'

-'Is that why you did all this?' You ask him. 'You were needy but couldn't call other girls cause what the others would say about you 'cheating on me' and you thought well, why not? I'll just fuck my fake girlfriend'.

-What

-Are

-You

-Talking about?

-You're the first person to know that's not true at all.

-He looks at you. 'You really think so?' He asks.

-'I...'

-He seems hurt.

-'Fuck you'. He says. Then he walks away.

-And it hurts so much.

-Just seeing him go.

-But you feel betrayed.

-You saw the texts.

-You had your doubts before about what you meant for him and now your insecurities sky rocketed.

-And even if deep down you feel everything that happened between you two was real.

-Right now you're blinded by your insecurities and how much it hurt to see those texts.

-Your phone chimes after you've walked around the block for a while.

-Bet is Chan.

-But you don't want to go back just yet.

-You're not ready for his questions or meeting any of the guys in the hallways.

-You sit on a bench in a park and finally check the text.

-It's Hyunjin.

-'y/n Jisung told me what happened I'm so sorry but it's my fault. Can you come by when you're back and I'll explain please'.

-'I don't want to go back. I'm at the park'.

-A while later Hyunjin is sitting right besides you.

-'I shouldn't have told you where I was'. You say.

-'Look, I know what it looks like and I'd be mad too but listen to me please'. He begs. He really looks guilty. 'I was texting this girl and you know how Jisung and I went to buy our phones together and...'

-'Are you going to tell me you can't tell your phone from Jisung's? How about the lockscreen and the background picture?'

-'Yeah I know but we're always changing those to eachother as a joke'. He lets out a frustrated sigh. 'Look I realize how much this sounds like bullshit but I swear it's true'. He takes out his phone. 'See? This is the girl I was talking to. It's not the same one you met today but their names are the same and I dated this one and Jisung dated the other one'.

-'But...'

-'Yeah, I texted that one thinking it was the one I was originally texting to cause their names are the same and didn't realize it wasn't my phone cause I was so drunk'.

-You look at him in silence for a while.

-'y/n please I swear. If it wasn't really my fault I wouldn't even bother on talking to you. I would just tell Jisung to fuck off for being a dick and then I'd be a dick myself and try to hit on you after you broke up with him so please?'

-You try to keep a serious face but you chuckle at that last part. 'Ok, I believe you'. You say and he sighs relieved. 'Still I said some mean stuff. I don't think he'll forgive me that easily'.

-'I know but you have to talk to him'.

-'Yeah, I know... I'll try... But... He won't care... We were just fake dating anyway'

-He lets out an annoyed grunt. 'Oh god, I swear you two are the same amount of stupid. I'm leaving'.

-'Sorry'.

-Hyunjin sighs once more and stands up. 'It’s okay. See you later I hope'. He says and you nod as he leaves.

-You're planning to go back home at some point but you just can't leave that bench.

-Your chest hurts with anxiety.

-You really fucked up huh?

-Jisung must hate you for real.

-You texted him you were sorry a while ago and he left you on read.

-The morning goes by and you're still there.

-There's no need to eat right now since you feel like shit and your stomach is just a ball of anxiety.

-You go for a tiny walk in the park and spend some time in a coffee shop but then you're back on that bench.

-Before you can notice it's already night and still you haven't been able to leave that park.

-Then it starts to pour and you scoff as you laugh at yourself.

-Do you even deserve that rain?

-Knowing how much you love it.

-You look up and let the raindrops fall all over you as you close your eyes.

-And it feels somehow healing.

-Even if people look at you as they run away from the rain.

-They may think you're crazy.

-Your phone has been chiming for a while but you're too afraid to check.

-Your hair all drenched after some minutes under that rain.

-But now with your eyes closed and the sound of the raindrops it's the only time in the whole day you're feeling some kind of peace.

-Suddenly you stop feeling the rain in your skin and hear the sound of it hitting an umbrella over your head instead.

-You open your eyes slowly to see a guy's figure in front of you.

-Then slowly look up to see his face.

-You feel your eyes filling with tears as you see Chan's worried look.

-'Channie'. You hug him as you break into tears inconsolably. 'I fucked up'.

-He pats your back. 'It's okay, let's go home'. He says as he holds your hand so you'd walk with him.

-You're still so afraid to go back and see Jisung around.

-But Bangchan makes you feel safer as he talks to you.

-You are about to finally leave the park when you see a guy waiting under an umbrella.

-You stop for a moment before keep walking and he raises the umbrella a bit so you can see his face.

-Bangchan scoffs softly. 'If you were going to come anyway why didn't you tell me?' He asks him. 'I would have stayed home'.

-'It was a last minute decision'. He says.

-Your heart has stopped for a moment.

-Bangchan sighs. 'Anyway. I'm leaving then. Is that okay?' He asks you and you nod.

-You can feel the rain in your skin again as he walks away.

-Your legs don't want to move anyway.

-Jisung closes his umbrella and looks up.

-'W-what are you doing?' You ask.

-'Just experimenting rain your way'.

-'But... You'll get sick'.

-'And you won't?' He asks.

-'I won't. I never get colds or the flu'.

-'That's weird'. He says.

-'Okay, can you just...' You walk towards him trying to make him use his umbrella again.

-He holds one of your wrists so you'd stop.

-You look up to meet his eyes. 'Ok, I'm sorry. Be sick then'.

-He scoffs. 'I won't'.

-'You will but whatever'.

-'Ok, can we just... I didn't came here to fight you'.

-'I'm not fighting you I'm just worried cause you look so weak. I bet you have a fever the minute you're back at hom...'

-He's kissing you.

-His hands on your waist pulling you closer and your arms over his shoulders.

-You have tears falling down your cheeks again but who could tell with all that rain?

-'I'm sorry'. You say as you pull away.

-He shush you. 'I know. And I'm sorry too, okay? I was so hurt at your words but Hyunjin and Bangchan helped me understand better how you were feeling'.

-'Did you have some kind of meeting while I was away?'

-'Kinda. Chris was really worried about you not answering your phone so he came to our apartment to ask if we knew where you were'.

-'Wow, embarrassing. He really is like my dad huh?'

-He chuckles. 'Yeah, guess he is. He told me I should be the one to come get you but I wasn't sure if you'd want me to so I stayed'.

-'But you came'.

-'Well yeah I stayed for like a minute and then I run here'. He says and you scoff softly.

-Then you kiss him and he smiles.

-'So... Can we date for real now? Please'. He asks as he chuckles. 'Before I kill Seungmin at least'.

-You chuckle too. 'You've been wanting to kill him lately?'

-'Please. I fell for you as soon as you walked in my apartment the day of the party and got to know you for real. Of course I've been wanting to fight Seungmin since then'.

-'Idiot'. You say then you kiss him.

-'You know, I actually love when you call me an idiot cause I can perfectly tell you don't mean it at all'.

-He holds your hand and you both start walking home.

-'I mean it a little'. You say.

-'Nah you don't. You know I'm a genius'.

-'My genius boyfriend who would get a fever just to prove a point'.

-He laughs. 'Shut up. You'd do the same'.

-'Right. Ah so genius Sungie. You know me so well'. You say. 'My genius'. You repeat dramatically.

-'Ew, shut up. You ruined it'. He says then he chuckles.

-You laugh too. 'Sorry. Let's get home already and take a shower to get rid of the cold'. You say.

-'Hm, that sounds really nice. Ok, wanna race there?'

-You start running instead of giving him an answer and he laughs and start running too.

-As you reach the doorway to the building you're breathless and so happy.

-He gets there seconds later.

-You pull from his hoodie and kiss him.

-He picks you up against the wall to keep kissing.

-The rain still falling over you.

-Then the doorman comes out the building. 'Just go inside you're practically home already, idiots'.

-You both laugh and walk inside. 'Sorry'.

-He sneezes as soon as he's on the elevator and you laugh.

-'I knew it'. You say. 'You're sick'.

-'I'm not, shut up'.

-You both leave tiny puddles as you walk with your drenched clothes.

-'Let's go to mine'. He says. 'Hyunjin is at Seungmin's'.

-As you get to his apartment he starts sneezing again.

-'Ah seriously. You got sick'.

-'I'm okay'. He says.

-'Take off those clothes already omg'.

-You get in the shower with him and he looks so dizzy.

-What an idiot. It's just as you said earlier. As soon as he stepped into the building he got sick.

-He kisses you. His hands all over your body.

-But you stop him.

-'Sungie you got a fever we have to get you into bed as soon as possible'.

-He whines and you kiss him. 'I'll cuddle you'. You say.

-He doesn't insist much more cause honestly he really feels sick and just wants you to take care of him even if he won’t admit it.

-You help him get into his pjs and take a shirt for yourself.

-'Aren't you wearing any underwear?' He asks as you tuck him into bed.

-You chuckle softly. 'Yeah, I left those at home Sungie'.

-'Ahh you're killing me. Come here. You said you'd cuddle me'.

-'And I will but let me hang our clothes first so it'll dry okay?'

-'Okay...' He pouts and you leave a peck on his lips.

-You struggle a little to find where to hang your clothes.

-When you're finally back Jisung is asleep.

-You look at him as you smile. Then you sit next to him in bed.

-He shifts to look at you and pulls from you so you'd lie with him.

-His eyes shut and his face is so close to yours.

-You caress his face softly and he opens his eyes a bit to look at you.

-'You okay?' You ask with a soft voice.

-'I love you'. He says and your heart stops for a moment. 'I know it's early to say it but I do'.

-You smile softly. 'I love you'. You kiss him. 'I don't care how early it is. I just feel that way too'.

Fin.

Seungmin’s One Shot ‘Colors’

Blog’s Masterlist

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squeeneyart · 4 years

Text

Breathe in the Salt - Chapter 7

AO3

Beta read by @thesnadger who does a great job

Tim and Martin sit out the nausea.

Martin talks to himself.

“You sure you don’t want to head home for the day?” Tim asked, picking at the grass beside him. He and Martin sat with their backs pressed against the cliff railing, facing away from the steep drop. The lighthouse loomed in front of them, barely casting a shadow as morning ticked closer to noon.

“Yeah, I’m okay,” Martin replied. He rested his arms on his knees, his chin buried into the fabric of his coat sleeves. “I don’t really feel like walking down the hill yet? I’ll at least wait for the others to get back.”

“Well, they should be here soon, unless the place Simon pointed us toward is yet another weird building that makes you feel like you’re falling into a big hole.” Tim squinted up at the sky and immediately seemed to regret it, leaning forward to drop his face between his knees. “Ugh, the Fairchild place was almost as bad as here. I’m surprised we survived the walk back down. If we didn’t have someone leading us out, we’d probably be swallowed up by the carpet! Sorry to say, but I think your whole town is fucked. Or any place owned by the weird old guy club, I guess.”

Martin grimaced. “I don’t get how Jon and Sasha seem so unbothered by it. If it were just me, I’d chalk it up to stress or something, but, well.”

Tim nodded in solemn understanding. “‘But, well’.’” He lifted his head and squinted in the sunlight. “It could be they’re faking it and I’m the only one willing to ‘fess up. If that’s the case, they’ve been really good at pretending their stomachs haven’t been dropping straight into the sea all weekend. But, between you and me, Jon can’t act for shit.”

Martin’s shoulders bobbed with silent laughter. “He seems very easy to read, yeah.”

“Oh yeah, I don’t think he’s ever successfully lied in his life, unless you count avoiding a subject altogether.” Tim smiled and leaned back against the railing, brushing a hand over his hair. “Glad you two are getting on, by the way. I’m sure Sasha already talked to you about it, but the turnaround really was impressive. I was concerned he’d just be pissy this whole week over some spilt tea.”

Martin buried the bottom of his face a degree further into his coat. “Please don’t remind me. Anyway, I’m sure having something weird to chase after helped. Means this place wasn’t a total waste of time for you.”

“Hey, it wasn’t gonna be a total waste. I can’t speak for him, but I for one love to make new connections.” He waggled his eyebrow, making Martin snort and turn a brighter shade of red. “Really, though, you’ve been a lot of help. If the walk home is that bad, you should just stay up where the sun actually hits for a while. None of us will mind if you hang around, and I need someone here to prove that my dizzy spells aren’t just me being ridiculous.”

Martin’s mouth sunk into a frown. “No, once they get back I’ll head home. Lunch won’t make itself.”

“What, don’t want to grab something with us nerds?” Tim asked, smiling broadly.

“N-No, I just, y’know, I bought groceries yesterday, and if I eat out too much, I’ll end up wasting some of it, and-” Martin searched for more excuses that wouldn’t bring his mother into the picture and failed.

Tim scrunched his eyebrows together in thought, then took out his phone and asked, “What’s your number?”

“What?”

“Your mobile? In case we need to reach you. And so I can send you dumb shit in my down time that I’ve already sent to Sasha.”

For a moment, Martin sat in stunned silence. “Um. Okay?” He said, his voice cracking in the most embarrassing way possible. Then, slowly, he took an old phone out of his coat pocket, technically a smart phone but just barely. They exchanged numbers, and Martin stared at the new contact before slipping the phone back into place.

“There, now you’re stuck with me. I’ll keep you updated if Sasha and Jon do in fact decide to do something stupid that gets us all disappeared. Speaking of,” Tim said, shading his eyes with a hand. “Here they come now, and Jon looks especially irritated.” They both stood up, grasping at the railing and sharing a weary look.

“Come on, guys,” Sasha yelled from the bottom of the steps. “Break time’s over.”

Back inside, the four of them sat around the table. From the looks on their faces, Jon and Sasha had been disappointed by their short venture. “So, how are you two doing?” Sasha asked. “How’s the nausea?

“Oh, just fine. We can almost get up without losing breakfast.” Tim said. “How was the place?”

Jon crossed his arms. “Unsurprisingly, Simon Fairchild sent us to an inaccessible piece of private property owned by the Lukas family. We couldn’t even get anyone to come to the door. For now, it may be a dead end.”

“I could try to get Peter to let us in?” Martin suggested with little enthusiasm.

Sasha looked at his obviously pained expression and shook her head. “No, bad idea. Simon was pretty clear on Peter not knowing we went to his home. I’d guess that extends to any of us going into this other place. If what you said happened back at the house is true, I don’t want that kind of risk. We’ll have to try it later and hope for an answer.”

Martin let out a relieved sigh and stood. “Good, good idea. I’ll be going then. I guess if you need me for… questions? Updates? Tim has my number.”

Sasha raised her eyebrows at Tim in amusement, while Jon rolled his eyes and scowled. With a lopsided smile, Tim shrugged and said, “What? The guy lives at the bottom of the world. We can’t drag him up and down that hill all day.”

Perhaps quicker than necessary, Martin excused himself and walked out of the building. The last bit of conversation he heard was Jon complaining about a lack of workplace professionalism, followed by Tim making a mocking comment that Martin couldn’t quite hear.

Once he had walked a little ways away, he relaxed. They really did balance each other out, the three of them. He could imagine Sasha breaking them apart in a little while, then getting them on task like before.

His hand brushed against the phone in his pocket, and he felt a little pang in his throat. He pushed the sensation down. Chances were, they wouldn’t need to call him, and it would be best to pay as little attention to his phone as he always had.

After the usual walk home, Martin approached his mother in front of the television. There was one of her Christian programs playing, the kind with the television preacher. “Hi, Mum.”

“You took much longer than usual,” she said stiffly. He could see her attempting to swallow and went toward the kitchen.

“Sorry, work ran long today. I’ll get lunch going.” He began to look through the fridge, considering his options.

“I’m not hungry. Just want a glass of water,” she said, her voice hoarse. Martin winced.

“One second.” He quickly filled a glass from the tap and brought it to her. “You will need to eat something to get your medication down. I’ll make something for both of us and we’ll see how you’re feeling then.”

She huffed in response, taking a sip of water and clearing her throat. Once food was ready, she did eat enough for her medication and then some, setting Martin at ease.

“It’s sunny today, if you’d like to sit out front,” he suggested after cleaning up the tray in front of her. She sniffed and otherwise stayed silent. “Okay… let me know if you change your mind. The fog even cleared out a bit-”

“I am not going outside today.”

“Okay.”

Martin left her alone and went back to the kitchen and set some chicken in the fridge to defrost. His future self would thank him later, he thought, and he went upstairs to figure out the rest of his Sunday.

The first order of business was to lay down and sleep for a while. Two busy mornings in a row and he was exhausted, the muscles in his legs finally catching up to all of the extra walking. As he lay down, he thanked his walls, bed, and windows for staying in place and gently drifted off to sleep.

Several hours later, Martin woke to find the sun had retreated back behind clouds and a familiar layer of fog. He reached for his phone on the bedside table to check the time. 4:30 pm. It was almost time to get dinner started, but before he could move to set the phone down, he saw there was text notification. Without his glasses, he had to squint and hold the phone close to his face. The brightness stung his eyes. The messages were from about fifteen minutes ago.

Tim: hey Tim: what do these weird knobs and buttons do anyway

Attached was a distorted photo, apparently of the upstairs console in the lighthouse.

“Shit,” Martin mumbled, tapping out an answer.

Martin: dont know, peter never told me. work the lighthouse i guess, make sure the big light is running. Martin: also what does all the static mean

Almost immediately, he got a response.

Tim: is that how lighthouses work? Tim: means its weird shit. weird shit hates digital

Martin: its the only lighthouse ive ever worked in, your guess is as good as mine Martin: oh good

No response came for a bit, and Martin took the pause to get out of bed. Halfway down the stairs, his phone buzzed.

Tim: update, stairs still bad Tim: arseholes who don’t get spooky vertigo club

Attached was another photo, still fuzzy, this time of Jon and Sasha walking ahead with Tim’s hand just barely in frame, clutching the rail. Jon was looking at the camera with a stern expression, his mouth open in the middle of saying something. Martin laughed quietly and continued walking.

In the time it took to prepare the chicken for baking, his phone vibrated in his pocket a few times. With his hands coated, there was no way to check until he slid the chicken into the oven twenty minutes later.

Tim: dont think anything stupid will happen tonight Tim: no one’s gotten too desperate yet but tomorrow is a new day Tim: will let you know if we end up getting arrested in the middle of the night for trespassing tho

Martin: haha, very funny

Tim: give it until tuesday

Martin’s eyebrow twitched, unsure of how seriously to respond.

Martin: please dont get me fired?

Tim: no promises! ;)

It felt like a lighthearted enough response to put Martin at ease. Tim liked joking. Martin knew that by now. If Tim was saying it, then it was a joke. Plus, it was clear Sasha and Jon were very by-the-books. If Jon would lecture Tim about texting, he certainly wasn’t the type to do anything illegal.

Still, the number of times Tim had joked about it made Martin irrationally nervous. That and Simon being cryptic and threatening. And the buildings trying to make him sick. And Jon-

Sliding his phone into his back pocket, Martin distracted himself with preparing the rest of their dinner. It wasn’t the time to spiral. He had chicken in the oven and vegetables to steam.

Dinner was made and eaten within the hour, and Martin’s phone stayed silent for the duration. When his mother asked to go outside after dinner, he did his best not to be outwardly irritated at her change of mind and did as she requested, covering his face to protect himself against the night wind.

It wasn’t until later when he had just about settled down for bed that Martin checked his phone, under the pretense that he was setting his alarm for the morning. There were no unread messages, so he set his phone down onto the side table to charge.

The fog rolled outside his window, illuminated by the weak light of the front porch. When sleep eventually took him, he dreamed of nothing.

When 6 am came, Martin found himself in an empty lighthouse. Under his arm was the expected box of documents he was to work with for the week, which he set on his desk. He then dragged his chair back over from the folding table, which was still littered with loose papers and three used mugs.

“Right, right. Library day. They could’ve at least remembered to clean up a bit.” Martin brought the dirty dishware to the kitchen and placed them in the sink to soak, then looked around for something clean to use for himself. He managed to find a kitschy one he’d always liked, with a tiny, smiling whale on the side.

“Looks like it’s just you and me.”

His voice echoed through the building, the final ‘me’ stretching on much too long.

Martin glared out into the main room. “Yeah, yeah, I’m alone, laugh it up.”

Again, the last ‘up’ lingered and drifted up the stairs, and he wanted to slap himself for walking right into that one. There was no point in talking back to a possibly haunted building.

He settled on silently making himself some tea, then dove into the week’s work. It was mind-numbing, as expected, but after a while it grew to be calming and familiar. The weird ache in his chest gave way to distraction, and hours ticked by without interruption. Martin began to feel normal, or his version of normal before things started to be poked and prodded. Before he knew it, he had eaten lunch and was on his way to the second half of his shift.

“...up.”

Martin jumped, almost knocking over his tea. That had been his voice. Just a single noise that hung in the air with no echo to be heard. No, he thought, no, no, no, he was not going to take any bait in this place. He righted himself in his chair and reached for the pen he had dropped.

“Me. Up.” Even with his original tone resting in those syllables, the new sense of urgency was unmistakable.

Against every part of his brain screaming at him, he took a step toward the stairs. Before he could go any further the front door swung open.

“Hey, Martin, we’re back,” Sasha said, carrying a file folder. “We- woah, are you okay?”

Martin stopped and stared at her, his jaw clenched to the point of pain. “Um. Define okay.”

The three researchers stopped and shared a concerned look. Sasha walked over to set her things on the table. “Okay, okay, clearly something happened.”

“What’s going on?” Jon asked, looking around warily.

Before Martin could open his mouth, his voice came from above. “Up.”

Everyone froze, holding their breath for a moment. Jon was first to break the silence, his voice filled with disdain. “Good. It can record us now.”

“Up. Now.”

“Oh, shut up.”

Tim gripped Jon’s shoulder and gestured insistently to the front door. They all vacated the building and stopped on the front steps, finally letting out a collective breath.

“Have you all, um, dealt with ghosts? Directly?” Martin sat on the bottom step, rubbing his hands over each other. “Ones that take the last word you said?”

“We don’t know if it’s a ghost, but no, not personally,” Jon replied, sitting a few steps up and typing on his laptop. “Can’t say I really believe in them, either.”

Tim snorted. “Yeah, sure, definitely not a ghost in there.”

“I’m inclined to suspect something more concrete. Somehow, the lighthouse was trapping the sound of our voices. According to Martin it only used the last words he uttered, and the same happened with me. With only a few things to work with, it wouldn’t be hard to-”

“To accidentally order us up the creepy staircase of the creepy lighthouse.” Tim stood, hands in his pockets.

“If it’s using ‘me’, ‘up’, and ‘now’, what else could it say? Otherwise, there was just ‘back’ and okay’ as far as I can tell.”

They continued to go back and forth, Jon being much more stubborn about the whole thing than Martin would’ve expected from a paranormal researcher. Maybe ghosts were an especially contended subject? It didn’t seem like it from Tim and Sasha’s reactions, but Martin was out of his depth. People turning into seals was a far cry from specters and mind-bending architecture.

Still, it being a ghost sounded right. There were meaning and intent behind the words repeated back to him, he was certain of it. If that was the case, maybe there was someone or something in this place trying to talk to him. That’s what ghosts did, right? Reach out to the living?

“Then we’ll just have Martin stay outside for a bit,” Jon said, closing his laptop decisively.

Martin found himself back in the conversation. “What?”

“We’re going to try the place Simon pointed us toward again. Hopefully, we’ll be let in this time and get some answers. The library didn’t have much in terms of useful information, I’m afraid.”

Sputtering, Martin replied, “So, what, I’m just going to wait out here? I still have work to do!”

Jon stared at him and sighed. “Bring it outside then. It shouldn’t rain today, and we don’t want to risk anything now that we know something is… active. You’re sure nothing like this has ever happened?”

“No, this is... new.”

“Then the safest thing is to avoid whatever is going on. It’s for your own well-being, and since we’re probably the cause of it, I don’t want to be in the business of putting people in danger.” Jon said. Martin was at a loss for arguments and nodded. “Good. If our luck hasn’t changed, we’ll be back soon. Otherwise, I suppose Tim will text you the good news.” There was a slight, acidic turn to Jon’s voice near the end that Martin couldn’t place.

Martin pushed himself onto his feet. “Okay… good luck? I guess? I’ll go get my work, then.”

Apparently satisfied, Jon placed his laptop into its case and motioned for the other two to follow him. As they left, Tim shot Martin a worried thumbs up.

When Martin walked back inside, he stopped halfway to the desk, eyes glued to the staircase. He had told Jon he would get his things and go outside.

“Hello?” Martin waited and got no response. “If you’re a ghost, now’s the time to say so.” Still nothing. He let out a noise of frustration. “Say something? Please?”

“Hello? Up. Please?”

Taking a glance back at his desk, Martin bit his tongue and internally berated himself. No use giving the place a name to call him. He really was an idiot, he thought, creeping up the staircase as if the ghost might hear his footfalls. Why had he taught it to be polite?

#tma #the magnus archives #breathe in the salt #martin blackwood #jonathan sims #sasha james #timothy stoker #peter lukas #jonmartin #au fanfic #selkie au #fanfic

22 notes · View notes

katieurah · 4 years

Text

Screening Hearts - Part 3

So, I figured on 3 or 4 parts to this originally. Now, it’s maybe 5? Who knows. These two just keep being ridiculous, so I keep writing. We’ll see and cross our fingers I can make this hot mess into something.

Also, I apologize for the number of times “check” appears in this one. Quarantine has me making lists of all the things, so I think Elide must make all the lists, too.

Let me know if you want tagged!

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Elide very carefully swiped her marker over the dry erase calendar above her desk. This is what it feels like to have finally lost it, she thought as she perfected the month and dates in the little black squares. She’d spent all last night rearranging her home office space, expanding the area to house more notebooks, a new-to-this-space jar of pens (which all work after extensively scribble-testing them), her laptop along with the desktop setup that was already there, a wall space for sticky notes, the newly mounted HD webcam, and her favorite chair. Check that off the list.

She was going stir-crazy.

It was bound to happen eventually, right? Her small apartment in a suburb of Orynth was 20 minutes from the office in a downtown business district of the city. Which she hadn’t been to in a week. She hadn’t been outside of her suburb for 5 days. She hadn’t been out of the apartment for 3. Stupid mayor. Stupid politicians. Stupid city limit rules. Stupid apartment in the crap-side of town.

Elide would feel so much better if her boss would actually contact her and give her feedback. She’d feel so much better if she were actually working with her team and not just video conferencing. She’d feel so much better if she could go blow off steam at her favorite pub. She’d feel so much better if Lorcan wasn’t the only consistent contact she’d had.

Aelin and Rowan had Elspeth and were on an extended holiday they’d planned before the merger and were now stuck due to travel restrictions. A cabin in the Staghorn mountains seemed great until you were stuck with limited internet.

Lysandra and Aedion were all the way in Rifthold where he was stationed and she was in between jobs. There were only so many video calls they could do.

Manon and The Thirteen were coordinating relief efforts in the Wastes where travel restrictions hit hardest. Dorian, of course, was there, up Manon’s butt and around the corner. She got sassy when she was stressed and anxious. And maybe a little immature, too.

She’d been organizing and creating checklists for almost two days. She kept going through her mental list of her people, adding Yrene and Chaol, Fenrys and Connall, Gavriel, Vaughn...Check, Check, Check. More people she’d had contact with, but no one to talk to. At least she knew where they were. Another thing to check off the list.

Elide hung the calendar up above her work area and booted her computer system up. She wanted to triple check that it all would work seamlessly whether she added her laptop in or not.

“Cable there...check… settings….check...audio detect...check…check, chickity-check…. check yo self before you wreck yo self….Chickity-check yo self before you wreck yo self….Yeah, come on and check yo self before you wreck yo self!”

Head bobbing and hands scratching imaginary DJ setups while she waited, Elide was so lost in her thoughts that when the video chat tones went off and startled her, she tipped over in her chair as she reached over to answer the call without thinking.

“Uh, Elide? You okay?”

Shit! Of course, she actually would have answered the dadgummed thing. As she fell over. On a chat with Lorcan. …

Lorcan watched with amusement as Elide closed her eyes and took a deep breath, righting herself in her seat and glaring at him.

“What do you want, Salvaterre?”

He struggled to keep his face straight, biting the inside of his cheek before answering. He honestly had no real reason for video calling her on Sunday evening. They weren’t even supposed to talk until after lunch tomorrow, but he found himself making up excuses anyway.

“I was just testing a new set up and wanted to make sure everything worked right. Just lucky I guess that you were available to be my guinea pig,” he teased. She regarded him suspiciously, like she didn’t quite believe his story.

“Well, you tried it. So, bye,” she quipped and began to reach to end the chat. She still looked flustered. She probably didn’t want to admit she’d been doing the same thing to her system and that’s why she could answer. And that he’d seen her wipe out at the beginning of the call.

“Hold on there, sweetheart. I have to make sure the audio is calibrated just right and that we don’t get dropped.” He adopted an arrogant tone, knowing it’d irk her and keep her on longer.

“Don’t call me that,” she hissed.

He chuckled, reading her face just fine over the screen, noting her little tells of irritation, how her nostrils flared when he got under her skin.

“First,” she continued, gritting her teeth, “you can run diagnostics with the system, you don’t need me. Second, you’re a morning guy. Why are you on here at 6 on Sunday night? Heck, we could even be doing this tomorrow before we dive in.”

“Oh, come on, El. You know as well as I do that testing systems works better with another person. And what else is there to do since we’re all kind of stuck? Perranth officially cut off travel on Friday until the tox results come back on that dinner.”

“I know… it’ll be another week before we know if we can even go back to the office,” she whined. Then she looked caught off guard “Wait… you’re in Perranth? I thought you’d be in Doranelle at headquarters?”

Damn. She didn’t know he was back in the country, then. “Rowan wanted some security updates done at the branch office here, so I stopped off on my way to the summit. Then the shit hit the fan, so I’m here until they ease up.”

“Oh. Well, that stinks...Wait, if you’re only in for that, are you seriously set up in a hotel right now?”

“Gods, no! That’d be the worst. I’m at the cottage,” he replied, referring to the second home Rowan and Aelin had purchased. Since everyone traveled so much, Rowan had set up an office for the security firm in that house. It was also a frequent place for layover flights, pit stops, and long weekends, making it a nice retreat while he was stuck.

“You didn’t seriously pack your coffee, the grinder, and the whole system with you…” She said, staring at him flatly.

“Damn straight. I wouldn’t be able to live on that cheap single-serve crap Aelin keeps here. Must be why she’s always so bitchy…”

“Hey! That’s my sister-cousin you’re talking about! And I doubt it’s the coffee’s fault...” Elide jumped to defend Aelin, even while chuckling and agreeing. She knew A could be a real piece of work.

Lorcan smiled, eager to keep up their banter. He was relaxing and it felt nice to be back to how they were. “El, I-”

“Well, it’s late and I’ve gotta get a few more things done before tomorrow. Bye, Salvaterre.” Elide rushed as though trying to stop him from speaking any more and ended the chat abruptly.

Lorcan stared at the screen, trying to catch up. He hadn’t even said anything. Had he? Even she was laughing at his rather mild jab at Aelin. Sure, A got on his nerves sometimes and their history wasn’t always good, but she was family.

He dropped his head back, rubbing his face with his hands. He let out a frustrated growl before stalking to the kitchen. Maybe there was some whisky somewhere. ....

Elide slumped over the desk, banging her head as she whined. She had to stop. Their banter was nice. She wouldn’t admit to craving it yet, though. She wasn’t so stir-crazy to go that deep into navel gazing… yet anyways. She needed distance. She had to remember that Lorcan was a self-absorbed, arrogant, dill hole. She had to remind herself of that. She brought back memories of That Night to reinforce those thoughts as her heart tried to betray her again.

She’d been upset and angry at another jerk who’d tried to get in her pants and wasn’t mature enough to handle no. Sure, he’d been a fun date and was attractive, but she just didn’t feel that urge with him yet. So she said no, he’d ghosted for a week, and then sent a text saying he thought they should see other people.

Aelin had handed her a glass of wine and cheered her up a bit, making her laugh over horror stories from past dates. Dating was hard. Elide was a catch. Guys were dumb. Then they started talking about Lorcan. “El… have you thought maybe you and Lor should try it?”

Elide had stared open-mouthed, trying to formulate a response coherent enough. Was she that obvious? She thought she hid her feelings pretty well, but… And Aelin recommending it?

“Come on, E, you two are great together. And I know you. I’ve seen you staring at him several times. Just, think about it? And that you’ve got options. This loser isn’t worth any more tears.”

“True,” Elide had agreed. “Maybe I’ll ask Lorcan for coffee or something later. But tonight I just want to finish this wine and snuggle Ellie.”

Just then, Lorcan walked in and ruined it all.

Right. He ruined it. No going back.

Elide left her mental checklist behind in favor of repeating bad things about Lorcan to herself. Even as she pointedly ignored the realization that talking to him helped she felt more grounded than she had earlier. She also ignored the realization that she’d probably fall asleep convincing herself that his laugh earlier was grating and not the best sound she’d ever heard.

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@nalgenewhore

#and they were zoomates #elide lochan #lorcan salvaterre #elorcan #elide x lorcan #tog au #modern au

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marvinswriting · 4 years

Text

fight

Prompt: “can i sleep over? my parents are fighting again.” with tiny Janis to giant Damian? ofc ofc ofc g/t mean girls

I cringed as the yelling rose over the music beating through my earbuds. I couldn't make the volume any louder and I didn't dare play the music out loud and give my parents a reason to turn the yelling to me.

The only thing worse then a screaming match between them is a screaming match where it's two against one and I've been ganged up on.

The voices get more aggressive as the argument drifted through the floor. It sounds like they're in the living room, directly under my room.

This means even if I wanted to leave the house so I didn't have to hear this- I'd have to walk right past them to get to the front door.

I frown, looking out my window.

I'd definitely be stopped on the way out.

I could hear it now.

"It's too late Janis."

"Too dark out."

"It's windy and will storm later. You can't get caught in that."

"Just put in earbuds if we're bothering you."

I laugh bitterly to myself, pulling out my earbuds. That never worked anyway.

Even at the earbuds sat in my hand, I could hear the song clearly playing.

It was that loud, yet I could still hear my parents fighting.

There's an oak tree outside my window and I jump as a branch brushing past the glass. It really is windy as fuck, huh?

Normally when my parents fight, I just leave and wander around the block. It's quiet and dark and my parents are to busy at each other's throats to ever notice.

The elements were never an issue before.

My chest tightens as I hear my name come up in the argument downstairs.

I'm a pretty common topic on nights like these.

The embarrassing lesbian who wastes all the money on therapy to my dad, and the talented artist who is worth the money to my mom.

It's not really about me, its always about the money. But I'm the one spending it.

I put my earbuds back in, trying to block out the argument and ignore the inescapable feeling that it's my fault.

The yelling doesn't cease through the beating of the bass in my ears. I turn my music off in defeat resting my forehead against the cool glass of my window.

I need to get out of this house.

But even if I did- where would I go?

It's not a nice clear night tonight. I can't just do laps around the neighborhood.

I could go to Regina's-

her parents fought some nights too. Not that its a good thing but, she'd understand.

Regina was probably with Gretchen tonight, though. I vaguely remember half listening to her talk about a big party tomorrow and how she was staying the night with the other plastic so they could get ready together.

Aaron was probably home but as close as I am with him- we aren't really crash at each other house unplanned close yet.

Obviously, my mind goes to Damian.

I knew for a fact he was home.

And I've definitely crashed at unplanned at his house numerous times.

But-

My eyes trail to the clock on my nightstand.

It was late.

And I couldn't just walk to his house.

He would have to leave and pick me up.

I wouldn't do that to him.

I'm already annoying my parents.

Not that I'd annoy Damian. I know that. I'd still feel bad though.

The yelling increases downstairs and I stiffen. It's never been this bad before.

I can't hear what they're saying but I can make out a few on the words thrown around.

Money...divorce...Janis.

My heart sinks.

Suddenly, I wasn't thinking about the weather, I wasn't worried about where I would go, I wasn't stressed about getting caught. I just need out.

I slipped on my shoes and sneak downstairs.

The fronts doors creak was nothing against the screaming ensuing behind me as I step outside. The door swings shut behind me and I take a breath as the yelling is replaced with the hiss of wind blowing past me.

I pull my jacket around me as I walk down my driveway.

As the clarity of what I just did sets in a pause at the side of the street.

I was wearing my PJs, my jacket, running sneakers, and only grabbed my phone.

I still had a paintbrush from earlier tucked behind my ear and my hair was a mess.

If a neighbor saw me they would totally think I'm on drugs.

The wind picks up again and I grimace.

Sitting outside won't be an option for long.

I was already dreading returning home.

I pull out my phone, pressing the home button. My lock screen lights up as a photo of Damian and I grin at me. It's almost midnight.

Thunder rolls somewhere behind me and I cringe.

I knew it was going to storm.

But I was hoping not so soon.

Just my luck.

Without thinking, I pull out my phone, putting in my password and pulling up my most recent contact.

My thumb hovers over call as I pause.

Did I really want to bother Damian over this?

Why can't I just tune out my parents like a normal person?

Why is it so hard for me to just ignore them?

I look back at my house as another gust of wind blows past me.

I swallow, pushing down on the call button before I can second guess.

I raise my phone to my ear trying to will the guilt away.

Damian doesn't take long to pick up. "Jan?"

"Hey, I-"

What am I doing? It's late as fuck. I don't need to drag Damian into my own problems.

"Nevermind, man. Sorry about that." I laugh nervously, slowly lowering the phone from my ear.

"Janis. Don't hang up. What's up?"

I wince at Damian's tone. It sounds like a mix of disapproving and worried. Maybe even annoyed.

I mean- I'd be too if my friends called close to midnight only to say nevermind.

I bring the phone back to my ear, shifting on my feet. "I uh-" I don't know why it as so hard for me to ask to stay over. I practically live at the Hubbards most of the time. "My parents are fighting again," I admit meekly. "Can I come over?"

There's no hesitation in Damian's response. "Of course, Jan. I'll be there in five."

"Thank you," I say softly.

Damian didn't sound the slightest bit mad or annoyed as I hung up. I slipped my phone back into my pocket with a soft smile. For once, I didn't feel guilty as I made my way down the dark road to the end of Northshore's tiny town. Of course, Damian didn't mind. I was stupid for thinking he would.

im back on my shot updates with prompts bullshit bc of s c h o o l @realmisspolarbear @smallsoysauce @musicallygt

#tiny janis #giant damian #my go to characters tbh #prompt #g/t mean girls #g/t writing #g/t

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thisisthepartwhereyou · 4 years

Text

BEASTARS MINI-STORY #4: “A Different kind of Charity pt. 3” by JCL

--- OGUMA: "Well?" Juno blinks, but remains composed despite this unexpected development. JUNO: "Yes, yes I am. I am Juno." OGUMA: "I am sorry, I forgot introductions. I am Oguma." He then glances at Shigure. OGUMA: "And this is my assistant, Shigure." Shigure gives a curt bow without saying anything. Juno gives her a nod. OGUMA: "Are you enjoying your evening so far?" JUNO: "Well I just got here, but I have to say it is really quite something. How about you?" OGUMA: "It is as it always is." Juno discreetly examines Oguma. JUNO: "..." (Louis said he was adopted, but they have a similar feel to them) One thing in particular that she takes notice of is his eyes, which has her fixed with a sharp and unreadable expression. JUNO: (Their eyes and their tone of voice... It's like they're perceiving you from atop a great height) OGUMA: "Forgive me for being direct, but I need to ask you something: Are you the person that my son meets with twice a month?" We can see that this catches Juno a bit off her guard. JUNO: "Yes... Louis wants to keep tabs on the school and the progression of the club in his absence, so I keep him updated." OGUMA: "Is that all you do?" Juno thinks back to what Louis said to her earlier: 'You're here as my platonic friend.' JUNO: "That is mostly what we talk about when we meet." OGUMA: "Mostly?" Juno looks a little uncomfortable, thinking back to the moment when she held Louis hand and flirted with him. Oguma's hard stare does not help the situation. JUNO: "Yes." (What is this, an interrogation?) "Usually over some tea and something to eat... He has not mentioned any of this?" OGUMA: "He has, though usually without much detail. He never mentioned that you were female for instance." Juno looks down, trying to hide her growing anxiety. JUNO: (Or the fact that I was a wolf I bet) "I guess he didn't view it as an important detail." Oguma examines Juno. OGUMA: "Oh, I think he does." JUNO: "Well I... I..." (How the hell do I even respond to that?!) It is then that Louis comes into frame and joins Juno. He greets his father and his assistant. LOUIS: "Father. Shigeru." Juno looks relieved beyond words. JUNO: (Oh thank God!) Shigeru nods at Louis and Oguma greets his adoptive son. OGUMA: "Louis." Oguma examines Louis suit. OGUMA: "A red shirt huh? I never would have guessed that it was such a complimentary color on you." LOUIS: "Well, I wanted to match my company somewhat." He refers to the see-through shoal draped around Juno's shoulders, which has a shade of red. Oguma nods. OGUMA: "I see." Nobody says anything for a few seconds. Both Juno and Shigeru feel the weight of the awkward atmosphere. JUNO & SHIGERU: (Uncomfortable!) OGUMA: "I need to greet some old associates. I hope to see you again later." LOUIS: "Same here." Oguma turns to Juno, giving her a curt little bow. OGUMA: "It was a pleasure to meet you Juno." JUNO: "The feeling is mutual, sir..." Oguma then proceeds to walk away together with Shigeru. Louis sits down in his seat and leans over to talk to Juno. LOUIS: "Did he scare you?" --- Once they're out of hearing range, Oguma talks to Shigeru. OGUMA: "Shigeru, find out all you can about that young lady. Her background, her activities at school, the circles she hangs around in. Anything that'll paint up a clear image of her character and her precise relationship with my son." Shigeru adjusts her glasses. We can see a great determination burning in her eyes. SHIGERU: "As you wish, sir." She proceeds to pick up her tablet, apparently starting with her search righ away. Oguma closes his eyes and looks a little self-conscious. OGUMA: (I hate to dig around in Louis private life, but if I had been more concerned about his activites at school, or at least more involved as a parent, he might have still had both of his legs) He looks back in Louis and Juno's direction. OGUMA: (What I don't understand is, having lost a leg to them, why does he always surround himself with carnivores?) We zoom in and see that Juno is talking to Louis about something. Louis smiles a reserved but completely genuine smile. OGUMA: (He said that he sacrificed his leg to help his classmate, a wolf. Now he is together with another. A young, well-mannered and attractive wolf of the opposite sex at that) Staring at them over his shoulder, his eye narrows a bit. OGUMA: "..." (Could she be the reason?) --- We skip ahead a bit. Louis and Juno has gotten their ordered meals by now. JUNO: "I mean he was perfectly civil, but it felt like he was staring into my soul or something." Louis gives off a little laugh as he picks up some salad and feta with his fork. LOUIS: "Yeah, I know all about that. When I was younger I was afraid of misbehaving, cause it felt like if I had done something bad, he would know about it, just by looking at me." Juno smiles at this. JUNO: "My big brother Hector is like that too. He can be downright terrifying if he thinks that you're up to no good." Louis look a bit surprised. LOUIS: "You have a brother?" JUNO: "Three of them actually. Though they're actually my half-brothers, from my mom's previous marriages." Louis nods at this with some thought. LOUIS: (Marriages? As in plural?) "Doesn't it get pretty rowdy with so many siblings?" JUNO: "Oh like you wouldn't believe! Though they're good boys whenever they try. Overprotective as hell though. I tell you, if they knew where I was right now anyway, they'd probably hunt us both down." Louis looks like he understands this; the confirmation that at least Juno's family has a normal degree of intolerance in regards to herbivore/carnivore-relationships. LOUIS: "They wouldn't approve of you having dinner with a herbivore?" Juno picks up her knife and fork with an annoyed look, thinking about her brothers. JUNO: "Knowing them they wouldn't approve of me going out with any guy, no matter the kind of vore. I'm the youngest, so they always baby me. They probably think I'm too immature to date." She then takes a bite from her omelette, at which her face suddenly turns into cartoonish deligth with stars for eyes and her tail wagging intensily. JUNO: "THIS IS SO DELICIOUS! OH MY GOD!" Louis sweatdrops at Juno's overly excited expression. LOUIS: "What about your parents?" The mention of her parents seem to quell Juno's excitement a bit. JUNO: "If my mom knew that I was in love with a herbivore, she'd probably have a fit. She's the biggest worrywart." She takes a sip from her orangejuice. JUNO: "I don't really know my dad. He left when I was like five. From what I've been told he wasn't exactly father-material." This prompts a curious look from Louis. LOUIS: (Quite a tumultous family history... Is that why she was sorted into the drama club?) Louis thinks back to the other members of the club, which has all been selected and drafted for the drama club on account of their troubled backgrounds. --- We see a group-image of all the members with cracks over it, as if seen through a broken window. LOUIS: (No, that couldn't be it. Having a mother that has been married a few times and a couple of halfbrothers sounds pretty mundane compared to the history of the rest of the clubmembers. Though what could it be?) --- Going back to the present, Louis continues to stare at her, curious but reserved. LOUIS: (I want to know, but I can't ask her, in case it is very personal) Juno then puts her glass down. She now looks down with sad eyes. JUNO: "I don't like lying to them though, even if it is to spend time with you. It makes me feel like I'm sneaking around." LOUIS: "... You lied about where you were going tonight?" JUNO: "Uh-huh." LOUIS: "If they don't know that you're out here, where do they think you are?" Juno looks up. JUNO: "I told them that I was going with the rest of the dramaclub to Shima over the weekend. Bill is taking the guys out there to his uncle's beach house. I was planning to join up with them tomorrow." Louis blinks at this. LOUIS: "Why is he taking you out to Shima?" JUNO: "Because it's been a tough time lately. It hasn't been easy with the club getting suspended, and all the pressure that is now on us to keep it going." --- JUNO: "The herbivore members are picked on for intermingling with carnivores, and carnivores are picked on for intermingling with herbivores." We see a flashback of the all-herbivore basketball team picking a fight with the members of the dramaclub. Bill is held back by Aoba and Pina as he wants to fight with the smug-looking team captain, while a scared-looking Els looks on. --- We ten return to the present with Juno and Louis. JUNO: "Not even the teachers seem to have our backs. It's more like they see us as the troblemakers. Bill just figured that we could use some time away together. You know, just hang out and not feel like a bunch of freaks for a while." This makes Louis look a bit thoughtful. LOUIS: "I never did anything like that back when I was the president... Then again, Bill has different sensibilites than me." JUNO: "You wouldn't like to come too?" This makes Louis nearly choke on a cherry tomato. He looks at Juno, who gives him a hopeful look. He then closes his eyes and takes another bite from his salad. LOUIS: "I don't think me being around would change much." JUNO: "Oh don't say that. Everyone misses you." Juno gives his hand a playful poke with her finger and blinks at him. JUNO: "Especially the girls." Louis clears his throath and looks away. LOUIS: "It wouldn't feel right." Juno looks a little surprised by his odd reluctance. She takes her glass up for another sip. JUNO: "Why not? It's just old friends." LOUIS: "That is the issue though. Back when I was president, I looked out for them, did everything that I thougt was right for the club and the school." Louis puts down his fork and crosses his hands. He looks down with a dark look. LOUIS: "But truthfully, it wasn't because it was the right thing to do, or because I really cared about them." Juno looks shocked at this and lowers her glass. LOUIS: "All I cared about was myself and becoming the next Beastar. Every little speech I made, every performance and all the concern I showed, at it's core, wasn't out of the goodness of my heart. It was all about asserting myself, standing out and getting the support I needed." Louis looks down, a joyless smile forming on his lips. LOUIS: "See... In a sense, I was no different from most of the people here: doing good things for the self-serving reasons. I don't really deserve to call any of them my friends. To be honest... My kindness back then was just charity." *CRACK!* Louis looks up in surprise. We see that Juno's glass has been broken in her hand, with juice and shards spilling down on the table. Tears have formed in the corners of her eyes. JUNO: "You're horrible..." Juno the pulls her hand back, realizing that she is hurt. JUNO: "Ow! My hand!" Blood trickles from inside her palm and drips onto the table. Louis swiftly gets up and walks over to Juno's side with a concerned look. LOUIS: "Are you alright?" Juno grimaces in pain and holds her hand. JUNO: "It hurts...!" LOUIS: "Let me have a look." Louis takes her hand, opens it gently and takes a look. LOUIS: "There is glass imbedded in your hand." He grabs a napkin from the table and wraps it over her hand a well as he can. LOUIS: "The kitchen staff always have bandages. Let's go." Juno gets up though and glares Louis straight in the eye. JUNO: "I can take care of it on my own." Juno walks off while holding her hand, leaving a stunned-looking Louis behind. JUNO: "I don't need any of your charity." As she walks away, we can see that she and Louis are receiving a few stares from others in the restuarant section. ???: "Well that was dramatic." --- We then see that the unknown voice is coming from DUMAS (Peacock, male, 23 years old, black suit, foppish), who is sitting at a table a few meters away, opposite Georgette. Apparently he is her ´idiot-date´. Georgette has a glass of Chardonnay in her hand, while Dumas is eating from a plate with vegetarian spring rolls. The two are among those staring at the little spectacle that just occured. DUMAS: "Though I guess one should expect as much. I mean dogs and the like are quite emotional, not to mention lacking when it comes to a gentle touch. I bet even the females have hands like plyers. I can't for the life of me understand why anyone would want to bring any of them as company." Georgette seems to ignore Dumas ignorant ramblings, taking a note of Louis regretful expression as he grabs Juno's veil, which she has left on her chair. DUMAS: "I mean if they're here and not carrying a plate, then what is the point?" Georgette continues to stare at them with a sharp look, but also with a hint of intrigue. TO BE CONTINUED...! ---

#beastars #juno x louis #ship #romance #fanfiction #script style #grey wolf #red deer #anthropomorphic #a different kind of charity #jcl #mini story

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the-starsabove-you · 4 years

Text

The Spotlight

A/N: Sorry for the lack of update! This one is a long one so please enjoy! Feedback is always welcome Chapter 13- London Michelle opened her eyes to the sound of her phone buzzing and she saw it was morning in London. She looked over and saw it was Mat who was calling and she quickly picked up the phone as she rubbed her eyes “Hey, sorry I was sleeping” She muttered as she looked over at the clock and remembered she had a gig tonight. Michelle had been in London for two days now, she leaves tomorrow night to head back to New York. She heard voices around Mat and he excused himself and then it began to be more quiet. “Sorry, the boys wanted to go out tonight with the win.” Mat said and Michelle laughed “You deserve it! I saw that goal and literally screeched, I think I woke up a couple of people” She said “You were watching?” Mat said shyly and she nodded “I’ve been trying to watch as many games as I can when I’m on the road” She admitted and she could tell Mat was possibly smiling with happiness “I wanted to ask you a question” Mat said and Michelle sat on her bed “Yeah, everything okay?” She questioned and Mat nodded “Yeah, I just wanted to know if you wanted to come sleepover at my apartment when you come back? You come hang out with us after the game and we’ll go to a bar or something and we can go to my place.. I’m also not trying to sleep with you if anything. Just wanna spend some time with you” Mat said the last part quickly and Michelle nodded “Yeah, I would love that” She said and Mat sighed in relief “Cool, I’m glad” He said and she chuckled “You’re very cute, I hope you know that” She said and he chuckled now. “What’s your plans for today?” Mat asked and Michelle got up and started going through her suitcase “Marie and I and a couple of other girls are doing a photoshoot for Vogue over here and then some of us are going to a club.” She said “You remember to punch any guy in the face if he tries to do something with you” Mat reminded her and she nodded “I know Mat, I don’t plan on staying long.. Just showing up so the host can say our names, then hang around for a bit and leave.” She said and Mat nodded. Mat never intends to control Michelle, he never wanted to tell her what to wear, where she could go or who she could hang out with. He knew it wouldn’t make their relationship great because both of them were traveling and were meeting new people. They had to trust each other. “I know, You can take care of yourself and kick someone’s ass if you need to. Just be careful” Mat said and Michelle smiled softly as she wish she could kiss Mat right now. “I miss you so much right now” She whispered softly and he sighed “I miss you too, you literally on my mind every day” “Such a romantic” She teased and he laughed “I know, you’ve brought out the cheesy guy in me” He said and she shook her head “So you’ve approved of the colors we’re going for?” She said “Yeah, I can’t wait for you to be in your dress.. I don’t think I’ll be able to keep my hands off of you for the night.” He said and she blushed Soon she heard a female voice calling Mat “Come on Mat! We’re about to have another round!” The woman said and Michelle frowned when Mat said “Okay! I’ll be inside, I just need to say goodbye to someone” He said before the woman spoke again “Alright! We’ve also made plans to head to a nightclub after this” Mat sighed “So I need to go now, I’ll call you when I wake up. Stay safe” Mat said and Michelle nodded “Yeah.. You too.” She hung up and sighed and laid back in bed. She shouldn’t be that bothered with the fact that Mat is hanging out with girls. She knew Mat had a history with girls before and she was in another country so she couldn’t do anything about it. Michelle remembered that her and Mat weren’t really official yet, Mat could do anything he wants. Michelle could do anything she wanted to but she didn’t want to. Soon there was a knock on her door and it was most likely Marie, and there were pictures released this morning in US time of her and Mat. She knew that Marie was coming and she was ready for an early grave. “Who is it?” Michelle called and she heard a voice “You open this door right now Michelle Avery Wilson because you are in trouble” Marie said and Michelle sighed as she made her way to the door “Yes mother, I know when I’m in trouble when you’re using my whole name” Michelle muttered as she opened the door and Marie looked at her client, unimpressed. “You’re my client, I have to know your whole name. Anyways this isn’t why I’m here” Marie said letting herself in and Michelle closed the door. “What are these pictures I’m seeing on the internet with you and this random guy?” She said and Michelle sighed “That’s Mat, he’s playing hockey in New York. We’ve been talking and I like him” She said and Marie narrowed her eyes at her “Oh. That boy” She said as she walked towards the window “He’s not good for you, he’s just going to use you and drop you like he probably does to all those other girls. I don’t want to see you hurt” Marie said and Michelle sighed “Marie, I could take care of myself and Mat isn’t like that at all. He’s been treating me well and I wouldn’t be talking to him” She said and Marie shook her head “You also should be keeping that image of being single” Marie said as she gave her a look “Because I’m pretty sure Mat is doing that right now” Michelle frowned “Mat can do whatever he wants to do, he’s not my boyfriend.” “It’s good he isn’t your boyfriend because I’ve looked into him” She said and her eyes widen “What?!” “Because all he does is sleep around, ever since he got into that Hockey team. Then when he’s done with you, he’ll find someone else” She said and the words hit her as she was silent. Michelle shook her head “No, I know that won’t happen.. I know he cares about me” “We’ll see how long that lasts” Marie muttered and she shook her head at Michelle “Alright, we have to get to the Vogue photoshoot with the other girls, then we have lunch with a couple of people.. We have an interview with BBC radio and then you have to do that club thing.. Which I hope you don’t go crazy with the drinking” “I know Marie, I don’t plan on staying long anyways. I’m leaving early to go see what I can before I leave in the morning” “Good, I know your parents will want to keep in contact with you soon.. I don’t want to know your father’s reaction to knowing you’re with a hockey player” She muttered and Michelle nodded “Yeah, I know he won’t be happy about it” “That’s why I’m intending to keep him far away from him and my mother for as long as possible” Michelle muttered, thinking of the day her parents have to meet Mat. “Okay, I’ll be seeing how the other girls are and meet me in the lobby in half and hour with the others so we can go” “Copy that boss lady” Michelle said and Marie gave her a look “You know I hate when you do that” She muttered before leaving. A couple of hours later, Michelle was finishing the photoshoot and it was now the BBC Radio part. She sat in the chair as she grinned as the interviewer came in “So nice to meet you Michelle, you’re more beautiful in person” She said and Michelle grinned “Thank you so much!” “You ready to start this interview?” The woman said and Michelle nodded “Yup, let’s get this started!” “Cool” The woman said as she was checking what last moment things they needed before they were signaled that they were live. “And I’m here with supermodel Michelle Wilson, it’s so nice to have you here today” The woman said and Michelle smiled and nodded “It’s so nice to be here! I always love it here in London. It’s always so beautiful and the people are so nice” She said and the woman smiled “Thank you, I’m pretty sure you had a busy day today?” “Yup, photoshoots and interviews, followed by a good lunch. A good day overall” She said and the woman nodded “You’re always so busy, so many people love you and respect you” “I always want to give back to the people who supported me the past year, Without them, I wouldn’t be here today. I’m always happy to do these jobs too because they’re so fun” She said and the interviewer nodded “I’m sure you have so many supporters and so many men admiring you!” She said and Michelle blushed “I guess?” She laughed “Me and the Internet have been seeing pictures of you and New York Islanders’ player Mat Barzal, how is that working?” She said and Michelle knew this was a serious question, and it was important and knew Mat would be hearing about this once he woke up in the morning in New York. “Mat is an amazing person on and off the ice.” Michelle began and she grinned “I’m seriously lucky to have him in my life and he’s generally one of the best people I’ve ever met. He’s very special to me” Michelle said and the interviewer smiled “Aw! We love you two over here. I hope you guys work out!” She said and Michelle grinned “Thank you!” They kept on with the interview, questions about Michelle and what she liked to do and any crazy stories she had. Michelle waved goodbye to everyone and was making her way back to the hotel She looked at the clock and saw it was getting later, she saw that it was too late to contact Mat as he was probably sleeping still. She made her way to the hotel room and picked out a beautiful blue dress and black heels. She went to curl her hair and she grinned at herself and was very pleased with her and she walked out the door. It was already night time and she was moving her head to a song that was playing in the club. Finally the DJ finally gave her the mic for her to speak and say she was enjoying, it caused cheers. As soon as she left the booth, she was crowded with people asking her for pictures and a couple of people had offered to buy her drinks. She gladly took some pictures and she took some drinks, if Mat could have some fun, so should she. Michelle was laughing with some people with the club. It wasn’t until a random guy came up to her and started flirting with her. He had asked for her number and she had shook her head “I’m sorry, I’m seeing someone right now” She said and the man respectfully backed off. Michelle had lost time and by the time she walked out of the club, it was already dawn. Michelle grinned as she took off her jacket and slung it over her shoulder and watched the sunset. She looked at her clock and saw that her flight was in a couple of hours and she knew Mat would be awake with the USA timezone. Michelle took off her heels as she walked into the room and threw them on her suitcase. She threw herself on the bed and she groaned of happiness that she finally was in bed. She looked at her phone before calling Mat and she thought he wouldn’t answer until she heard a soft ‘Hello’ “Hey you” She whispered and she could tell Mat was smiling “Hey” He whispered and she smiled “Are you at practice? I can call you back later” She muttered “Nah, in bed right now.. We have the day off” Mat said and she grinned “You guys deserve that after that game last night” She said “I heard your little interview” Mat said and Michelle felt a bit nervous “Yeah?” She said and he sounded happy “You’re so special to me, you have no idea how much I care for you” Mat said softly and Michelle grinned “I meant everything I said” “I sure hope so” Mat chuckled and she laughed before Mat asked “What are you up to now?” He asked and she sighed “In bed, I have a flight in like 5 hours so I need to find a way to kill some time” She said and what he said next literally made her jaw drop “What are you wearing?” Mat whispered and she chuckled a bit “Mat, what are you doing?” She asked and Mat responded “I’m helping you kill some time.. Do you want me to stop?” He asked huskily and Michelle smirked as she bit her lip a bit “No”

#mat barzal #mathew barzal #mat barzal imagine #nhl #nhl imagines #nhl imagine #hockey #hockey imagines #New York Islanders

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artificialqueens · 4 years

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Underneath The Mistletoe, Part 2 (Bianca/???) - Albatross

AN: second installment of Underneath The Mistletoe! This is probably gonna end up being 4 parts in total but we’ll see.

As Bianca drove off from Willam’s apartment, she placed her phone on speaker and called up Alyssa. She only had to wait through three rings before a voice on the other line picked up with a rather unamused, “Bitch.”

“Hey, Alyssa!-”

“No, no. Nuh-uh,” she interrupted in order to start a tirade that had been stewing all day, “Don’t you talk to me like you didn’t leave my house in absolute state last night! Y’all tryna drink me out of house and home and-”

“Hey, I wasn’t the only one! Raja-”

“You and Raja! You two were the ones that broke into my liquor cabinet-”

“No, we didn’t!” Bianca squeaked out as she attempted to defend herself. “It was unlocked!”

“You both spearheaded it!” Alyssa declared adamantly. “None of the others would’ve even found those bottles if it weren’t for you two snooping around!”

Hating that she was getting sidetracked by this unwanted argument, Bianca felt obligated to point out, “We weren’t snooping!”

But that only produced another loud tangent being screamed through the phone line as Alyssa ranted away. If the car hadn’t been steadily moving along through the busy streets, Bianca might have been inclined to bang her head on the steering wheel. After her eyes rolled for the umpteenth time and Alyssa’s scolding reached it’s eighth minute, Bianca just couldn’t take it anymore. Interrupting the rant much like a wrecking ball going through drywall, she relented, “Okay! Fuck! I’m sorry, alright? I’m sorry.”

To her surprise, Alyssa actually remained quiet as she waited for her to go on. At this point Bianca expected there to be more to her bitching but it seems she was willing to listen to what Bianca had to say. After knowing the other woman for so long, Bianca knew the best and quickest solution would be to remedy the situation. Though in this case it felt like more like a bribe than anything else.

But either way it was the right thing to do and had she not needed Alyssa’s help anyway, she likely would have done something similar eventually. Allowing a decent amount of shame and guilt to tint her voice, Bianca offered, “Listen…Can I make it up to you, buy you another bottle or two? Maybe that fruity shit you like?”

She couldn’t remember the brand at the moment but she had no doubt Alyssa knew which wine she was referring to. Expensive, flashy, and hardly worth the cost in Bianca’s opinion but it’d be worth it to soothe Alyssa’s anger and get the information she desperately wanted.

But almost expectantly, Alyssa was playing hardball. She countered with a very firm, “…Four bottles.”

“Four?!?” Bianca screamed out in disbelief. That shit is pricey. She could practically hear her bank account crying in protest already. Alyssa, however, remained stubborn and brought up once again, “Excuse you, bitch. Did you see how much y’all drank last night? I can tell you right now, it was a helluva lot more than four bottles worth!”

“Ugh, fine!” She conceded, along with a mental note that Raja owes her for this. “But you gotta answer my questions.”

Joyful and smug at having been promised her favorite drink, Alyssa was all too happy to assist Bianca with her dilemma. As the hostess, she did try remain somewhat level-headed throughout the evening, more so than her roommate, and was able to recall a few names that she thought she remembered seeing towards the end of the get-together.

Running through her list, Bianca noted, “Right…so I missed…Shangie, Violet, and…”

“Nina,” Alyssa supplied absently, undoubtedly doing something else more engaging as she talked with Bianca.

Dreading the answer, Bianca began, “Which-”

“West.”

“Oh, fuck me,” she muttered to herself. She could only imagine what kind of impression she left on one of her newest friends. There was a small hope that just maybe Nina wouldn’t remember any more of the night than she or Willam had…or at least that anything she might’ve done while drunk would not come back to haunt her later. After all, she really had hoped to get to know Nina better in the coming weeks and acting like a drunken, hot mess was not in her plan.

Breaking through Bianca’s wandering mind, Alyssa took to suspiciously asking her, “Now are you gonna tell me what this is about, Miss Thing?”

“Nope!” Bianca replied briskly, “Thanks, bye!”

“Bitch, my wine-”

“I’ll drop it off tomorrow,” she assured her and right as she ended the call, let out another teasing “Bye!”

As soon as she was sure she dropped the other line, Bianca let out a groan of frustration. If she knew she could keep it, she’d have promised herself anything that she’d never drink around friends again! But that’d be a very short-lived pledge and she knew it all too well. At least she got three more names she missed from Alyssa. Though she had a feeling that none of them were her mystery kisser.

Nina was far too tall, even if she were wearing flats that night, which seemed rather unlikely. As for Violet, Bianca couldn’t really see her getting drunk enough to make out with her and just vaguely she recalled seeing Violet with red lips earlier in the night…But Shangela…she was a possibility, though very unlikely.

As soon as Bianca got home, she confirmed that Shangie had been wearing green lipstick (thanks Instagram) but what kept Bianca from officially adding her to the list was simply because of Alyssa.

Those two were close.

And if Bianca had kissed Shangela, she doubted very much Alyssa would not already know about it, especially considering it would have happened in her house. So for now, Shangela will just remain in the back of her mind…Maybe if no one else pans out, she’ll reconsider but for now she has four other suspects to consider and first on her list is Dela.

Of the four, Dela seemed the most likely. Bianca had always felt comfortable and open around her. If something had happened between them last night, it would have just been for fun because of the stupid mistletoe. Bianca could see herself giving into Dela for a quick peck if she had bugged her long enough. After all, it was hard to say ‘no’ to someone so bubbly and friendly, particularly if she throws in one of those infectious smiles…Plus out of all the suspects that remained, she was probably the most sober and might actually remember what all had happened…not that that really said much with Bianca’s group of friends.

But following a short conversation with her that night, Bianca learned that Dela had actually gone home shortly after 2AM. Seems Jinkx had a little too much to drink so Dela took charge of ordering a Lyft ride for both of them. She actually made a quick joke that Jinkx was trying to kiss just about everyone she found near one of the clumps of mistletoe. One person that took her up on the offer was actually Willam, not that Bianca was much too surprised by that…Though now that she’s thought about it, that’s probably how Willam’s lipstick got smudged with red…

Well, one minor mystery solved.

She thanked Dela for the information and crossed her off the list. They made plans to meet up well after the holidays but Bianca knew they’d probably see each sometime around New Year’s. Rumor had it that someone was thinking of hosting a party that night. Maybe Roxxxy, maybe not. But if not, they’ll probably find each other while bar-hopping.

For now, Bianca had to remove her from her mind and refocus on finding her mystery makeout partner. Her list already had two of the five original suspects crossed. Now who’s the next most likely? Bianca knew she’d have a chance to meet up Phi Phi in a few days, she could always ask her then but as for Trixie and Manila? Perhaps a text…or wait!

Bianca still had holiday gifts to deliver to her friends!

That was actually why she’d set up the dinner date with Phi Phi in the first place; to exchange gifts before Phi Phi left to go visit family across the country. Bianca could always use her delivery as an excuse to talk to the others…In fact, tomorrow would be perfect to visit Raja and Manila. She needs to pick up wine for Alyssa anyways, why not an extra bottle for Raja and then take it over to the couple?

And a little booze in her system might help soften the blow if Bianca had in fact kissed her girlfriend….

******

Dela: 🎶Guess who I just got a text from🎶

Mariah: Spill it baby!

Dela: Bianca…

Vanessa: Well?

Vanessa: Quit stalling and tell us the goss, girl! I got Netflix to binge!

Willam sat back and watched the conversation play out on the screen. Every so often she’d save a screenshot of a particularly hilarious comment or reaction.

‘For reference,’ she told herself. When the time comes to play all her cards.

*******

Unsurprisingly, the wine and spirits shop was quite busy when Bianca decided to drop in. Whether it was purely holiday related or just because it was after work and people wanted to get a head start on happy hour was left up to debate…probably a mix of both. Either way, Bianca had to dodge person after person in order to navigate the aisles, not to mention the occasional basket hitting her as someone unexpectedly backed up or rushed past her. But she was successful in locating both Alyssa’s overpriced shit and a suitable potential peace offering for Raja.

Right before dropping off the bottles at Alyssa’s house, Bianca made sure to text Raja and ask if both she and Manila were at home. It took nearly the entire length of her visit with Alyssa to get a response back (50 long, exhausting minutes thanks to Alyssa’s inane chatter and Laganja chiming in every now and then) but once she had her confirmation, she excused herself using the very true, if somewhat exaggerated, reason that she had other gifts to deliver tonight.

******

Manila: Three guesses who’s coming over!

Manila: she’s on her way now

Raja: We’ll keep you updated with all the juicy details 😜

Manila: 🙄

Raja: 😘😘😘😘

Sharon: Ugh. Get a fucking room

*******

Upon arriving at the girlfriends’ shared house, Bianca was greeted at the door by an immediate warm and a tad too tight hug from Manila. Not that this was anything unusual for the woman, she’d always been rather physical with her signs of affection. Raja welcomed her with a more brief embrace and relieved Bianca of the parcels she was carrying, particularly after spotting the wine bottle peeking out from the gift bag.

“You know me so well,” she complimented.

“Easiest person to shop for,” Bianca agreed. “Just pick up a bottle for you and a bottle for me.”

Once inside and settled down, Bianca let each of the women unwrap their real gifts as she watched and drank from the bottle Raja already had opened for the night. Raja’s present consisted of several odd little keys that they had found while out shopping together a few months ago. Each was unique, especially in regards to their handles. Immediately after spotting them, Raja had announced her desire to use the keys for some kind of new art project or perhaps even to make an accessory of some kind. She was entirely ready to purchase them on the spot except for one small detail; the antique store’s strict cash-only policy.

Raja just didn’t have enough cash on her at the time. Had she asked, Bianca certainly would have lent her the money that day but for whatever reason, Raja didn’t even seem to think of it. Perhaps she thought she’d just come back later and pick them up but it worked out better for Bianca either way. Shortly after departing Raja’s company, she circled back to buy the keys and only a day or two following that, she received a text from Raja complaining that the items were already gone from the shop.

The instant Raja recognized her gift, she let out an affectionate murmur of “Bitch” and pulled Bianca in for a proper hug. She fell into a distracted state, examining each one and undoubtedly forming a plan of what she wanted to do now that they were finally in her possession. Though she remained quiet and calm, Bianca could easily spot the sparkle in her eyes. The one she’d always get when she becomes absorbed in her artwork.

As Raja mulled over ideas, Bianca turned her attention back to Manila. She’d been planning Manila’s gift for quite awhile and took great pains in researching and finding just the right thing.

Much earlier in the year, when the couple moved into their new house, one of Manila’s favorite bracelets broke. It had been a gift from Raja on their first anniversary; yellow gold twisted into a unique, almost braid-like appearance. Rubies accented some of the knots while diamond chips filled in the remainder.

Manila had been wearing the bracelet, as she did almost every other day, while the pair unpacked boxes and moved around their larger belongings. At some point during the process, the bracelet caught itself on a piece of furniture and one of the links snapped at its weakest point, sending a number of its neighboring pieces clattering to the floor. Manila had been heartbroken, she took it to the same jeweler it originally came from but the style had been discontinued several years prior; they had no additional links that could replace the broken one.

Knowing how much that bracelet meant to her, Bianca questioned a number of jewelry shops in both their city and others close by. After perhaps the tenth or eleventh call, she finally found someone who still retained a few extra links in their store’s repair department and with Raja’s help, she was able to sneak out the bracelet without Manila’s noticing. The work had been completed just three weeks prior and to both women’s amazement, Manila had yet to realize her bracelet was missing from her jewelry box.

But the instant she saw her prized bracelet gleaming back at her looking just like new, her eyes clouded with tears and she pulled in Bianca for another tight squeeze. She marveled at how amazing it looked, nothing could be seen to suggest it had ever been broken, and asked how she even managed to accomplish this. Bianca downplayed the effort, preferring not to get into too much detail but she made sure to cite Raja’s help as a main reason for why she’d been so successful in keeping this a secret.

In the end, she wasn’t sure how much Manila actually heard but that didn’t matter. All she cared about was that Manila loved her gift and if the stray tears falling down her cheek or admiring grin weren’t enough to convince her, the near bone-crunching hugs she kept receiving certainly got the point across.

They spent another hour or so chatting until the bottle of wine was nearly empty. It was only at this point that Bianca felt confident enough to ask the couple what they remembered of Alyssa’s party. Much to Bianca’s surprise they’d been a good bit more sober than she was but certain details seemed to have escaped them.

“So nothing exciting or, I don’t know, interesting, happened that you remember?” she probed, trying not to feel utterly let down or disappointed.

“Not really, it was pretty tame for us, all things considered,” Raja replied back with a fond, secretive smile before taking another sip. “No one got really wild or out of hand like we do on New Year’s. One of the few parties where no one even broke anything.”

“Right,” Bianca agreed slowly. She stalled for a moment then decided to try a subtle route one final time, “But you didn’t do anything after like, 2ish? That you can remember, I mean?”

Shrugging her shoulders, Raja wandered through her thoughts for a few seconds before recalling, “I was smoking with Laganja and Adore and that’s about it. Oh, and Alaska joined, too.”

“And I was talking with Nina and Phi Phi,” Manila chimed in. A considering look flashed across her face, as if she weren’t sure if were recalling the events correctly or not, but ultimately decided to mention, “…I think…you were with Shangela. Shangela and someone else. Maybe Katya?”

Perking back up, Bianca inquired earnestly, “Anything after that?”

The couple shared another perplexed glance with each other, like neither could entirely fill in the blanks, which was fair, but Bianca had a hope there still might be something they hadn’t mentioned yet. Unfortunately, as she soon found out, there was.

“We finished the joints and came back upstairs…,” Raja stated, taking another sip of her wine, and adding in, “I went off to find Manila and then…Adore and Laganja found you.”

Feeling her eyes roll out habit, Bianca let out an annoyed groan, “Ugh. Bet that conversation was thrilling. Glad I don’t remember that.”

Chuckling at the statement, Raja insisted, “You two were getting along, actually. You were all laughing at least. Adore put her feet in your lap at some point or tried to…I think you pushed them away and she fell off the couch.”

“Oh! And Alyssa caught Jinkx making out with someone!” Manila chirped away before breaking into a case of the giggles. “Dela took her home after that, I think.”

A reluctant smile stretched across Bianca’s lips but she couldn’t find it in her heart to be as amused by the situation as she normally would be. By now it was entirely clear that Bianca was fishing for information and that was a line of questioning she dreaded having to answer. Had the two not been privy to the group chat, they might have been more tactful…but in this case, they wanted to have a little fun too.

The pair exchanged a silent, meaningful look with one another as Bianca drained her glass and released a heavy sigh. Coming to a mutual agreement to pursue this further, Raja opted to be direct and ask outright why Bianca kept harping on the events of the party. Trying to remain aloof, Bianca didn’t answer the question right away. She played it off as a simple wondering of the party’s late night events.

No, as Raja anticipated, it took quite a bit of probing (as well as some gentle encouragement from Manila) before Bianca was ready to share anything…Though the copious amount of wine rushing through her system probably helped too. It was after draining one final glass that Bianca finally revealed some of the details of what she knew happened at the party…and who one of her potential suspects might be.

Raja laughed a little, because of course she would, and even Manila couldn’t help but to smile at the thought of just how off her reasoning was. Still, she did feel a bit of sympathy for Bianca’s confusion.

“And you’re sure I didn’t kiss you?”

Reaching over to take Bianca’s hand in hers, she assured her friend with a sympathetic smile, “Pretty sure, honey.”

This time the disappointment was clear on Bianca’s face but a small part of her was still skeptical. While it wouldn’t be ideal for her to have kissed one of her closest friend’s girlfriend, Bianca would have preferred Manila over her remaining suspects. It’d be a lot less messy after all.

As she tried to bring herself to accept this answer as it is, the couple next to her exchanged a few glances. It was the kind of nonverbal communication that only occurs between people that are exceptionally close, something Bianca was a little envious of. A darting of their eyes, a tilt to the head, a soft noise of questioning and finally a nod and grin of approval.

Bianca’s mind worked to unravel the meaning but in a second, it became clear. For just a few moments, her lips were connected with Manila’s and her eyes slid shut at the sensation.

It was different from Willam’s, very different.

Her tempo was relaxed and confident, so self-assured in what she was doing. It was almost like a meeting of the minds as they instantly fell into a matching pace…but there was absolutely no spark to it. If anything it was like each was just going through the motions and in some manner, that was even more of a let down than when she had kissed Willam. There had been some trace of passion or excitement with that kiss but here there was a stark lack of any emotions. Nothing like what she’d seen when Raja and Manila had kissed in front of her.

But that was just as well, she supposed. And now she had her answer for certain.

Pulling away, she conceded with a bittersweet smile, “Definitely not you.”

“Sorry, sweetie,” Manila murmured as she ran a consoling hand across Bianca’s back, “Hope you find out who it was, though.”

“Yeah…Me too.”

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xthefandomequestrianx · 5 years

Text

Psycho - Chapter 2

A/N: Here we go with another chapter! Let me know if you want to be tagged in future updates to this fic :)

Chapter 2

The search party was over before it had even begun as the Guard plus Gordy, Kelly, Helena, Harry, and Will sprinted towards their missing leader.

“Allie,” Grizz put a hand on her shoulder, where she laid unmoving.

The group waited in anticipation, praying for her to give any indication that she would be alright. A collective sigh of relief went up when her eyes fluttered open, and she squinted at all of them as if looking through a fog. “Hey, guys,” she whispered hoarsely. Then her face went serious. “He wants Elle back. He can’t have her.” There was no chance to respond as her eyes closed again, and all evidence of consciousness gone. The sense of panic returned.

“Fuck!” Will yelled, jumping up and charging down the street in pursuit of the Jeep that was definitely gone by now.

“Hey, man,” Luke called after him. “That’s a bad idea!”

Gordy didn’t spare a look in the direction the boy had taken off, keeping his eyes glued to Allie and trying to think of what they should be doing for her in this situation. “Even if he catches Campbell, it’s not going to go well if he tries to take on that psychopath single-handed. Someone should go stop him,” he mentioned.

Jason reluctantly backed away, turning to go chase after him.

Gordy exchanged a look with Kelly, but she looked as lost as he felt. After self-appointing themselves as the doctors of New Ham, they’d really only had to deal with poisoning, which was an illness rather than an injury. They were not equipped to handle something like this.

Something like this - what even was this? Torture?

“I-” Grizz started, “I guess we should get her home?”

Luke rolled his eyes. “She needs a hospital, you dildo!”

Gordy shook his head. “There’s nothing we can do for her in the hospital that we can’t do at home.”

Kelly nodded in agreement.

“Alright, docs,” Clark looked between the two of them. “What do we do?”

“We need to transport her without moving her too much. Did anyone bring a car?” Kelly looked around at them.

Most of the time, the citizens of New Ham walked where they needed to go. Just like water and electricity, they had no way of knowing if gas was in short supply. Thus one of Allie’s new rules was that there was a limit on how much gas could be used per month. However the rule was more flexible than the others, seeing how their town was not very big and driving wasn’t a necessity. Still, everyone had grown more conservative in their means of transportation.

“I brought my car,” Harry offered, the first he’d spoken.

Kelly flashed him a grateful smile. “Thanks, Harry. Could you grab it and pull up here?”

He nodded, jogging over to where it was parked.

“Okay, so we’ll get her home. Gordy and I will stop by the hospital and get anything we might need, since it’s on the way. We’ll meet at the house and go from there,” Kelly directed.

Kelly and Gordy left to get a head start at the hospital, as Harry pulled his car up next to where they were. He put it in park and got out, walking around the front to where Allie was still laying.

“Okay,” Grizz said. “Time to move her. Carefully,” he stressed.

Harry opened up the back door, then stared down at her with the remaining people: Luke, Clark, Grizz, and Helena.

“How do we do this?” Clark asked.

Helena rolled her eyes. “God, you guys are useless.” Her frustration with the boys was only to mask the worry she felt, and her eyes softened as she looked over Allie’s still form. “We don’t know what her injuries are, so we need to keep her as still as possible. Luke, pick her up kinda bridal style. Grizz, support her head.”

Following their instructions, the boys gently lifted her, placing her in the backseat. Harry got back in the drivers’ side, Helena climbing in the passenger seat. The engine started and they drove to the Pressmans’ home.

Helena had never really gotten to know Harry - hadn’t needed to or ever really had the chance. She only knew his reputation as the selfish rich boy, had only heard his voice as he rejected all of the socialism proposed or advertised his games of fugitive that were a waste of time and frankly pretty dangerous. So she was surprised to see him glancing in the rearview mirror at Allie as he drove carefully but quickly, accelerating where it was safe and slowing way down any time they came across a bump. When they stopped in front of their destination, she made a mental note of her observations, pushing them in the back of her mind for the next time she thought about Harry Bingham. Right now, there were more pressing matters at hand.

The first time Allie woke up, it was slowly. The first feeling to flood her senses was the pounding headache she was sporting, making her clench her jaw. The pain throughout the rest of her body quickly followed.

Shit, was the first word to pop into her head.

Suddenly the memories all came back to her at once in an overwhelming hurricane of images. She remembered it all - being knocked out, locked in the basement, and all of the terrible things he had done to her.

She started to panic. Was she still in the basement? Her eyes opened quickly to check, but it was a bit too fast for her body that was still catching up. The minimal light in the room was too drastic of a change from the darkness she had just been in, causing her to slam her eyes shut again. Her breathing began to quicken, not having been able to check her surroundings in the too-quick glimpse.

It was certainly dim like the basement.

“No,” she whimpered. “No.” She’d had an amazing dream that Campbell had brought her back to her friends and she was safe now. Apparently it had all been a concussion-induced delirium.

She didn’t want to be in that basement with him and his maniacal laugh as he watched her pain. Her pain that he caused.

“Allie,” a voice was repeating. “Hey, Allie!”

“No, no, please!” she cried. “Please, don’t!”

“Allie, it’s just me! Open your eyes!”

She forced her eyes open once again, though this time she was able to keep them open. It wasn’t Campbell looming above, ready to inflict more pain on her. It was Grizz, leaning over her with wide, worried eyes.

A quick glance around the room confirmed that she was no longer in that psychopath’s basement, instead lying on her own bed in her own room. “Grizz?” she whispered.

“Yeah, it’s me,” he said, grabbing her hand. “You’re alright, Allie.”

She sighed, though her breath trembled. The dream hadn’t been a dream at all. She was really returned home.

“C-Campbell?”

“Not here,” he shook his head. “He can’t hurt you. You’re safe.”

She nodded, closing her eyes once more and surprising herself with how quickly her mind welcomed back the darkness.

“Pizza bagels?” Gordy offered to the group that had congregated in the living room. Last time he’d offered them they had just killed someone - apparently pizza bagels were the food of traumatic events.

Luke, Helena, Clark, and Jason sat on the couch, squeezed together. Elle sat in a dining room chair she had moved, Kelly sprawled across the recliner. Harry sat on the edge of the coffee table, not really partaking in any of the conversation. He kept his eyes glued downwards and his hands fiddled in his lap. Will was behaving similarly, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.

“Sure,” Clark leaned forward and grabbed one. Gordy placed the tray on the coffee table, perching himself on the opposite edge to Harry.

“What are we going to do about Campbell?” Will gritted out, breaking up the quiet conversations they’d been having with each other.

“We’re going to wait for Allie to wake up,” Gordy said obviously. “This is her decision.”

“We’re just going to let him go home tonight? Sleep in his own bed? After what he did to her?” Jason frowned.

“He would be expecting you guys to come after him tonight - I don’t think he’d go to his house,” Kelly reasoned. “And wherever he is, I’d bet money he’s got a gun with him.”

Gordy nodded. “What I’ve gathered from the text he sent to Elle was that he thinks he has some sort of bargain pending - Allie for Elle. He likely won’t act further until later tomorrow afternoon, when he realizes that we’re not sending her to be at the mercy of a sadistic bastard.” His eyes flitted over to where the mentioned girl was sitting, having been silent this whole time.

“Why are you even here, Elle? Why would Allie arrest you and not give us any reasons?” Will questioned her, his eyes narrowing. “I mean, for now, what would be the harm in giving her up? Campbell loves her, so he’s not going to kill her. But he would kill Allie probably without a second thought.”

Elle shook her head, taking a shaky breath. She refused to make eye contact with any of them. “It’s not love,” her eyes burned. “It’s not. He used me. He liked to… hurt me. He liked to watch me in pain.” She rolled up her sleeve to reveal the ‘C’ that was scabbing over, undoubtedly going to scar. “I begged Allie to arrest me so I could get away from him.”

“We’re not going to give you up, Elle,” Helena assured her. “As soon as Allie wakes up, Campbell will be dealt with.”

Elle nodded, but didn’t say anything more.

“So until then?” Luke asked.

“We wait,” Gordy sighed.

Footsteps came down the stairs, and Grizz joined their group.

“How is she?” Kelly asked him.

Harry looked up from where his gaze seemed to be permanently trained on the floor, eyes on Grizz as he awaited the answer.

Grizz said, “She woke up, just for a minute. Seemed pretty out of it, though. She thought she was still with him.”

“Thanks, Grizz,” Luke said. “Your shift’s just about up, anyways. Who’s next?”

Gordy got to his feet, grabbing one of the pizza bagels. “I’ll go,” he said. “Switch out in three hours.”

The second time Allie woke up, it felt more like waking up from a nap. This time the room was dark, too dark to take in her surroundings, but she remembered the feel of Grizz’s hand holding onto her own, assuring her that she was safe from that monster and how it was too real to have been a dream.

She stirred slightly, but quickly stopped as she remembered all of her various injuries.

“Hey, Als?”

The bedside lamp was turned on, revealing that this time it was Gordy perched in the chair next to her bed. “How are you feeling?” he asked.

She winced. “Peachy.”

He half-smiled at her humor. “He really did a number on you. Do you want to know?”

She nodded, relieved to find that her head didn’t pound quite so much anymore.

“As far as Kelly and I could tell, you broke three ribs on your right side, and bruises on your left but they don’t appear to be broken. Your right ankle is sprained and several of the toes are broken, so we splinted that foot. Pretty significant bruising on your stomach. And the blow to your head, but it doesn’t look too concerning. Aside from that, everything else is pretty superficial.”

She nodded, not seeming too concerned with the extent of her injuries. “What are we going to do?”

“That’s for you to decide,” he said.

She groaned. “For once can I just not be the one who has to make all the big decisions around here?”

Gordy smiled. “Nope.”

She rolled her eyes. “Fine… Where’s Elle?”

“Asleep. She’s perfectly safe,” he assured her.

“We need to do something about Campbell. We definitely have enough to arrest him on but then what? We can’t hold someone in jail forever. Both Sam and Elle have said that the only way to stop him is to kill him.” Her mind flashed back to the day of Dewey’s execution, how she’d been the one to put a bullet straight through his brain. “And as much as I want him dead, I can’t- I can’t do that again.”

Gordy sighed, looking at her with sympathy. “I know that it’s hard to make these kinds of calls. And remember - we’re here to help you with them. But we can go over all of our options tomorrow and figure it out. For now you should just go back to sleep.”

She resented the idea of spending any more time sleeping - there were far too many thoughts swirling around in her head to waste time being unconscious. But her body seemed to disagree with her. “Thanks, Gordy,” she looked up at him. “I don’t think I thank you all enough.”

He grabbed her hand and squeezed it. “Any time. I’m sorry that it always has to be you, but it does. You’re the only one willing to put the town first, yourself second. And I know I didn’t really know her long enough to be able to speak on her behalf, but Cassandra would be so proud of you.”

She gave a watery smile at his words. Normally reminders of her sister hurt, but this time it was a comfort. “Good night,” she settled back into a comfortable position.

“Night, Allie.”

She wakes again in the middle of the night, restless. Her mind was done with being in shutdown when there were so many important things that needed to be mulled over, and her body protesting laying down for so long.

A quick glance at her alarm clock told her that it was two in the morning, and as her eyes adjusted to the darkness she observed that it was no longer Gordy sitting with her, but Jason. She held in an amused laugh as the boy who was supposed to be keeping watch was sprawled across the chair in what must have been a terribly uncomfortable position, sound asleep.

“Jason,” she tested in a whisper. There was no response. Oh well, she could let him sleep. If she needed anything she could just yell, and every person in the house would flock to her room.

Slowly, she sat up, biting back a groan. Broken ribs weren’t fun - not at all. She inched herself towards the edge of the bed, not putting any weight on her right leg and trying to keep her middle as still and relaxed as possible. She made it to the edge with only a few more hisses in pain.

Her hand hit something hard, and as she grabbed it she realized it was a crutch. Actually, two. Perfect.

She knew inside that she should probably wake Jason up to have him help her, but decided against it. She could do this for herself.

Heavily leaning on the crutches, she made it to her feet. It felt like her whole body was throbbing and brought a few tears to her eyes, but gave her an odd sense of pride.

A few steps later and she was remembering how to maneuver in the crutches from the last time she’d needed them. As she made it to the hallway, she wondered where she was going. As if in answer, her stomach growled. Food. It had been too long since she’d last eaten anything.

She headed towards the kitchen, moving at a snail’s pace - half because it hurt and half because she didn’t want to wake anyone.

The stairs were tricky, but she’d figured out all the tricks from when she’d sprained her ankle as a kid. Though this time she was a bit bigger, with give or take a few more broken ribs.

The staircase had never seemed longer, but soon enough she was at the bottom with the exact same amount of injuries she’d started with. She’d count that as a win.

She entered the kitchen in search of food, surprised to see Harry sitting alone at the table.

“Hey,” she spoke.

He was apparently surprised to see her, too, as he whipped around in his chair. “Allie!” he whisper-shouted. “Jesus christ. Did you come down here all by yourself?! Where’s Jason?”

She shrugged. “Thought I should let him sleep. Besides, I was hungry.”

He rolled his eyes, standing up and moving over to her. “Sit down,” he told her, guiding her to a chair. After she was settled at the table, he opened the fridge and rummaged around a bit. “Leftover pizza bagels?”

“Sounds great,” she agreed. At that point she would have eaten pretty much anything.

He stuffed them in the microwave, along with a mug of water. Two silent minutes later and he was placing the plate of pizza bagels and tea in front of her.

She hungrily got to eating, as he took the seat across from her.

“Are you okay?” he asked, breaking their silence.

She sighed. “I’m going to get that question a lot over the next few days, aren’t I?”

He half-chuckled. “Yeah, probably. Humor me?”

She finished off the pizza bagels, taking a sip of the tea. “Everything hurts. Probably scarred for life.” She raised her brow, waiting for his response to her brutally honest answer. People always asked the question, but didn’t want the real, honest answer. They wanted the chipper, ‘I’m fine! I’ll be better in a few days, tops!’

She had just been tortured, for God’s sake. She didn’t particularly feel like putting energy into lying to spare people’s feelings.

He clenched his jaw, reaching across the table to put her hand in his. She was surprised to find herself allowing him to.

“I’m sorry, Allie,” he said. “I’m so sorry.”

Hot tears burned behind her eyes, and she mentally cursed herself. A good cry was long overdue, but she really didn’t want to have it in front of Harry Bingham of all people. In fact, she had just pictured herself making her way back up to her room, getting into her cozy bed with a belly full of pizza bagels and tea, and silently sobbing into a pillow hopefully without waking Jason.

No such luck, as the tears escaped and trailed down her face. A sob rose in her throat, and she made a choking sound trying to hold it in.

Harry got up, walking around the table to where she was sitting and wrapped his arms around her. The tears were coming full force now, and there wasn’t anything she could do to stop them. He just held her in his grip that was strong but still so gentle, and she noticed it was shockingly comforting to be in his arms.

A few minutes later and her quiet sobs died down. As they did, he relaxed his grip, sitting back in the seat next to her.

“Sorry,” she said sheepishly, wiping her face with her sleeve.

“Don’t be,” he said, looking at her honestly.

They were quiet for a few more moments, before he coughed, awkwardly offering, “So, um, do you want to go back to bed now?”

She nodded, feeling drained. Emotions tended to do that.

He stood, grabbing her crutches and handing them to her. She arranged them in her grip and pushed herself to her feet, setting off back towards the dreaded staircase. Upon reaching the bottom landing, she sighed. Something she’d learned from prior experience was that going down, while much more terrifying than going up, was actually a lot easier. She could feel Harry faltering behind her, wondering how she was going to do this.

She set her crutches aside, dropping down and beginning to do a backward three-legged crawl up the staircase.

Harry watched her do it, amused for a second, before rolling his eyes and moving over to her. He grabbed her, being careful not to jostle her ribs too much, and lifted her up, carrying her the rest of the way.

“Hey,” she said, lightly smacking him on the chest. “What are you doing?”

“I’m sorry, Allie. But that was pathetic.” He set her on her feet at the top where she could grab the banister while he retrieved the crutches.

“Thanks,” she said as he handed them back. “For everything.”

He nodded, giving her a smile. “No problem at all.”

She turned, crutching her way back to her bedroom and wondering if anyone else had ever seen Harry being that soft.

Tags: @probably-writing-x @spam394 @meganburr-sir

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