#at some point I tripped on my friend’s foot and we both came crashing onto the concrete (the party was at our church’s parking lot)

[omg-imagine]

Loopy

Pairing: Johnny Silverhand x female!V

Summary: V is a little loopy from her anesthesia, and Johnny finds it amusing.

Words: 1.7k

A/N: Requested by @thescorpionrodriguez. Hope you enjoy!

“Come on, V, wake the fuck up already.”

Silence. Johnny swears he could hear a pin drop.

V’s body remains lax on the bed; her eyes wound shut as if she were sound asleep. Slow and rhythmic, the rise and fall of her chest were calming, lulling. For once, she looks to be in peace, a rare moment for those who live and breathe in Night City.

She had been lucky. Extremely lucky. Two or three millimeters more to the right and the bullet that pierced her abdomen would have hit an organ. By some miracle, it missed anything vital and had exited out cleanly. It did fucking hurt judging by the sound of her agonizing groans, but here she was—still kicking, still alive.

And Johnny’s relieved that she was. They may not get along at times, but he genuinely cares for V. Hell, he would even consider her a good friend. She could call him a snarky asshole as often as she wants (and she does), yet he knows that deep down, she too has grown a soft spot for the rocker boy.

It’s been hours since the mission that went awry, and Johnny was getting pretty antsy. Vik had to put V down while he worked on repairing her cyberware. Nothing major, though the anesthesia should have certainly worn out by now. Much to Silverhand’s surprise, the ripperdoc wasn’t acting all too worried about it. He thinks V could use the sleep since he’s aware of how little she’s been getting.

Unfortunately, Johnny was all but a patient man. Bored out of his damn mind, he’s tired of roaming around the operating room, waiting and waiting for V to regain consciousness. Johnny’s more than ready to leave, perhaps grab a smoke afterward. He hasn’t gone this long without one lately, and he can’t enjoy one if V’s lying here, knocked out cold.

Nearly the rest of the day flies by, and the sun begins to set. That’s when he feels it; a spark—a familiar jolt of electricity emitting in the depths of V’s mind. Johnny manifests by her bedside, watching as her body finally stirs awake. That’s my girl, he silently praises, a flicker of a smile playing on his lips. V’s eyes flutter open, taking a minute to survey her surroundings before her line of sight lands on him.

“Well, look who decided to come back to life,” Johnny quips, leaning closer. “You doing alright, kid?”

V doesn’t respond. Rather, she bursts into a fit of giggles out of nowhere.

What the fuck?

Bewildered, Johnny glances everywhere but notices nothing amusing of the sort. “Care to share what you find so funny?”

“You’re too good looking to be my nurse,” V drawls, no doubt experiencing side effects from the anesthesia.

“I’m no nurse, princess, but thanks,” he corrects her. Then, it dawns on him. “You recognize me?”

She blinks at him blearily, the gears in her head turning as she tries to put a name to the face. “I dunno, should I?”

“It’s Johnny. Johnny Silverhand. Ring any bells?”

Again, V chuckles, a light-hearted tone that Johnny rarely hears, but they were sweet music to his ears when he does.

“Nope, zero bells. Are you like my husband or something?”

Johnny’s eyes widen. “Husband? Oh, no, honey. We ain’t even gone on a date yet. I’d say, think of us as partners-in-crime.”

“Wait!” V blurts out, gasping. “I remember you. You’re from that band—Samurai, right? God, I used to listen to your songs a lot as a kid.”

“Huh, you told me you’d never heard of Samurai,” Johnny recalls, slightly entertained at this point. “Didn’t peg you as a fangirl, V. I’m flattered.”

“So, can I… y’know, get your autograph?”

Just before Johnny could continue playing around with a loopy V, Viktor strolls in with Misty in tow, both delighted to find the merc out of her prolonged slumber. He lingers by the foot of her bed as Vik explains to V what happened, but she doesn’t seem to be processing it. She stares at him, dazed, and Johnny wonders when she’ll be back to normal.

“The effects should go away in a few hours,” Vik informs Misty once he’s examined V. She’s healing nicely and isn’t complaining much, yet that could be because of all the painkillers she was jacked with. “I’d say watch over V until she can stand on her own two feet without tripping. Other than that, she’s good to go.”

“Where are we going?” a clueless V asks, looking back and forth between the two. “Is Johnny coming?”

Misty furrows her brow at her. “Johnny?”

“Yeah, mister sex on legs over there,” she points eagerly, and Johnny smirks at that. “I’m not done talking to him yet.”

Vik shakes his head before reminding Misty of the engram residing within V’s psyche. “Oh, yeah. Silverhand. Uh, I guess he could come, too. Don’t really have much of a choice there, doll.”

The walk back to V’s apartment was a journey in itself. Lucky for her, she was pushed in a wheelchair throughout it all as Johnny stays visible for her benefit. They reached the door just before the skies turned completely dark, the warmth and comfort of the room being somewhat familiar to V.

Misty carefully moves her onto the bed, propping her up with pillows behind her back before smoothing out the blankets covering her legs. Johnny observes from a distance, quiet in his pondering. He’s never seen V this vulnerable before. She’s always been incredibly independent, not to mention stubborn as hell. She won’t accept anyone’s help unless it’s dire, and even then, she’s reluctant to do so.

“You must be starving,” Misty comments once V is settled. “How about I get you somethin’ to eat downstairs. Better food than what’s here, if there’s any. Hang tight for a bit, ’kay?”

Nodding, Misty then heads out of the room, the front door sliding shut when she’s gone, leaving V in the presence of Johnny yet once again. He glitches to sit by the edge of the mattress as V stares at him incredulously. Her eyes shone what he could best describe as innocence; she truly has no clue of what they’ve gone through together in the previous months.

“Can you sing me a song?”

Johnny narrows his gaze, a small chuckle rumbling in his throat at her deliriousness. “I don’t do concerts anymore.”

“Oh, come on!” V pouts, almost child-like in her ways. “Pleeease?”

“No,” he refuses sternly before an idea comes to mind. “How about you sing to me? Said you were a fan. Give me a performance, and maybe I’ll consider it.”

V does not hesitate. On cue, she starts to serenade Johnny with one of Samurai’s greatest hits, going as far as imitating the gruffness of his voice. Off-beat and lyrics garbled, V belts out the tune confidently and loud enough that her irritated neighbors began banging on the wall, yelling at her to quit it.

She ignores them, of course.

Meanwhile, Johnny’s having the time of his life. It was quite endearing to him, although embarrassing for V if she later finds out about this. Yet, he doesn’t stop her. He encourages her even further by singing along, not giving a fuck in the world.

At the end of the song, Johnny laughs heartily along with V, who had crawled closer to him. Their eyes meet for a moment that seems to last longer than it actually did. His mouth quirks up in a smile, the kind of smile that was reserved for her and her alone.

“You’re pretty cool, Silverhand,” V mumbles sleepily, touching the cold surface of his chrome arm. Sighing, Johnny guides her drowsy self back under the covers, certain that she would crash in the next minute or two. “I think you should take me on a date. We’d be a hell of a couple together.”

“I think you’re going to regret everything that’s happened just now when you wake up in the morning,” he returns, and there was a slight pang in his chest.

V only hums in response, and he doubts he had even heard what he last said. It doesn’t matter, however. Johnny was sure she wouldn’t want to bring this up again.

---

“Fuck…” V exhales groggily, her blinking eyes wincing at the bright sunlight flooding into the room. She feels pain all over, her head throbbing immensely as she tries to gather memories of the day prior. It comes back in bits and pieces until suddenly, she remembers everything.

Everything.

“Good morning, princess,” Johnny greets after materializing before her, a cocky smirk plastered on his face. “How ya feelin’? Still loopy or need a little more refreshing from ‘mister sex on legs?’”

V’s reflexes are quick; Johnny doesn’t even register the pillow being hurled at him at first. He only realizes it when the empty glass bottles on the center table falls to the floor, shattering and making a mess.

“You’re lucky you’re just a hologram, right now,” V muttered as she stands up unsteadily.

Johnny holds his hands up. “You were the one who said it.”

Rolling her eyes, V reaches for the painkillers Misty left on the side. “Don’t remind me.”

“Alright, but at least let me tell you that you’ve got a shitty voice.”

“That’s why I don’t do karaoke,” V snorts before swallowing the pills and heading to the couch. “So, what do you think?”

“What do you mean?” Johnny questions.

“You, me, dinner?”

V waits for his reaction, smiling coyly at his confusion. When Johnny finally understands what she was referring to, he almost couldn’t believe it.

“Wait, are you fucking serious?”

She lets out a chortle. “Yeah, I’m serious. Don’t get me wrong, I’m mortified about last night, and I’m never going to let Vik knock me out with that stuff again. But hey, the truth came out. Might not have remembered you, but even while high as fuck, I knew I liked you.”

Briefly, they traded a look of longing, acknowledging at last this deeper connection they’ve felt for a while. It was much more than sharing a body, a mind. Something more profound than what Johnny and V have experienced before in their lives.

And though it was all entirely new to them, they both wanted it. They both wanted each other.

“Better get to it then,” Johnny flashes a grin, mirroring V’s own. “Wanna start with breakfast? Bet you’re hungry after skipping what Misty brought you, samurai.”

“Never going to live that one down, are ya?”

Shooting her a cheeky wink, Johnny throws on his stylish pair of aviators with ease.

“You bet your ass I’m not.”

Permanent Tags: @penwieldingdreamer @keandrews @feminine-machinegun @fanficsrusz @thehumanistsdiary @flaminasteroid @rowserein @unaspiringwritings @planetkt @breakthenight @baphometwolf666 @rdjloverxxx

Johnny Silverhand Tags: @silverse​ @overheardatthecontinental @life-is-fuucked @ataraxydreams

#johnny silverhand x v #johnny silverhand #cyberpunk 2077 #johnny silverhand x reader #johnny silverhand fanfic

[ultimatetrashyfanfic]

Non-despair AU! And ever since I watched that thirty minute anime clip with Nagito’s perspective on things, I’ve really liked the idea of him being buds with Kazuichi and Fuyuhiko. And Nagito openly talks about his past trauma on a plane so… what better way to bond than bonding over trauma? Anyway, I love these three so much. Also Komahina because I love them - Circle

(Also forgot to add this, sorry, but it’s on AO3 too) https://archiveofourown.org/works/33483538

Warning: descriptions of panic attacks, nausea, motion sickness, very mild vomiting (like barely any).

Fuyuhiko always thought Nagito was spouting a whole load of bullshit when he lamented about his talent being useless; he would’ve loved having Ultimate Luck right now.

“Haha! You got the short straw, Fuyuhiko!” Akane crowed. “Tough luck!”

“Wait, no! Can’t we do a best of three?”

“Somebody has to sit with them, man,” Nekomaru said. “You guys are already friends, it’ll be a great bonding experience.”

“I don’t want to bond with them in that situation. Because you all know it’ll be a shit show. That’s why we’re fucking doing this,” Fuyuhiko growled, glaring at each of his classmates in turn. Only two were missing, the pair who’d triggered this whole unfortunate drawing of straws in the first place.

“Why can’t you sit with them, Hajime? Nagito is always hanging off you anyway. And Kazuichi is your friend too,” Fuyuhiko said.

“I’m afraid I can’t, Fuyuhiko.”

“Why the fuck not?”

“Because I didn’t draw the short straw.”

“Go fuck yourself.” Fuyuhiko stomped away, his classmates’ laughter echoing behind him. This class trip was already more trouble than it was worth and it hadn’t even started. He was almost tempted to skip the plane journey with the rest of them and hop on a different flight to Novoselic, just to show them. It wasn’t like he needed Sonia to pay his way. But she’d been so enthusiastic about taking her friends to see her home country, and Fuyuhiko couldn’t think of any way to tell her without causing offence. He couldn’t really say he just didn’t want to be stuck babysitting Kazuichi and Nagito on a flight.

It wasn’t that Fuyuhiko didn’t like Kazuichi and Nagito. Sure, Kazuichi could be a real pain in the ass sometimes, and Nagito would go all weird and self-deprecating if you didn’t watch out, but Fuyuhiko still considered them close friends. But the flight to Novoselic was long. Kazuichi could get motion sickness on a fucking bicycle, and Nagito hadn’t set foot on a plane since his parents died on one right in front of his eyes. There was no way it could possibly go well. Fuyuhiko pictured hour after hour of Kazuichi puking and complaining and Nagito… well, he wasn’t sure what the hell Nagito would do. He’d never seen Nagito get flustered before. Hell, that was much more terrifying. He had to get out of this.

In the days before the trip, Fuyuhiko kept trying to convince his kinder classmates to take responsibility for at least one of the other men. “It’s gonna be impossible to help them both,” Fuyuhiko said. “It’ll be better for them if you help me.”

“You could sit between them,” Mahiru said. “And I’ve already promised Hiyoko I’ll sit with her. Sorry.”

Asking Twogami was a no-go too. “It’ll be more considerate to the other passengers if they’re both in one area,” he said. “To limit the disturbance if they become distressed.”

“I’m the one who’ll be feeling fucking distressed,” Fuyuhiko snapped.

Peko overheard, and came over at once. “I’ll take your burden, young master.”

“No, not you!” Fuyuhiko hated the whine in his tone - and he hated the smirk on Twogami’s face too. “You don’t have to do it. You sit with Gundham and pet his hamsters or something. I… I want you to be happy,” he mumbled, blushing fiercely.

Damn it. He could be as bad as Kazuichi sometimes.

There was no way to wriggle out of it. The morning of the trip dawned bright and sunny, and Fuyuhiko’s ticket set him directly between Kazuichi and Nagito. Fantastic.

At least check-in and security went by reasonably peacefully, the walk to their gate quiet. Only Akane and Nekomaru seemed to be properly awake this early in the day, and they stuck with each other. Fuyuhiko glanced at his two friends. Kazuichi still seemed half-asleep, curled on one of the uncomfortable chairs by the gate, watching the planes take off and land in the distance through the huge windows. Nagito was much more concerning. He was smiling brightly… but he didn’t look happy at all.

“Hey, Fuyuhiko, want to know how a plane engine works?” Kazuichi asked.

“No,” he said, but he sat down with a sigh as Kazuichi started talking anyway. He tuned out after a second, though Nagito looked like he was listening.

“Seeing you talk about your ultimate talent is so inspiring, Kazuichi,” Nagito said - and smiled. That weird smile again, desperate and strained.

“It’s nothing. I just think planes are interesting. From an engineering point of view. I really wish I didn’t have to fucking ride one,” Kazuichi groaned.

“Aha, I can’t help feeling apprehensive too. The last time I was on a flight, both my parents died.” Nagito spoke emotionlessly, as if reciting a shopping list, but that smile was still fixed on his face. “But it’s okay. That bad luck brought me a lot of good luck later on. You just have to have hope that things will work out.”

Kazuichi stared at him, mouth open. “Um. Okay. Sorry.” He caught Fuyuhiko’s eye and mouthed what the fuck? Fuyuhiko wasn’t sure if Kazuichi was just now hearing the story or if he was confused by Nagito’s weird behaviour. He shrugged helplessly.

There wasn’t much conversation after that. You couldn’t really carry on your casual chit-chat right after somebody brought up their dead parents. Fuyuhiko kept an eye on Nagito. He was bolt upright in his seat, his eyes staring straight ahead, hands clasped so tight in his lap his knuckles bleached white. With his pale hair and ashen face, he looked like all the blood had drained out of him completely.

Their flight number was called far too soon, and Fuyuhiko dragged his motley crew to the right aisle, pondering where to put everyone. Kazuichi should probably be on the end if he’d be passing vomit bags to some poor stewardess. Fuyuhiko needed to be in the middle, so that left Nagito by the window. He’d have to keep the shutter pulled down.

Hajime passed them on the way to his own seat, and stopped short when he saw Nagito’s face. He leaned right over Kazuichi and Fuyuhiko, ignoring their complaints and curses, and took Nagito’s hand. “Are you alright? You look… off.”

“Don’t worry about me, Hajime.”

“Your hands are clammy.”

“Ah, I’m sorry. How disgusting for you,” Nagito said, smiling. Always smiling.

“That’s not what I meant… Look, do you want to sit with me?”

“Can we move it along please?” somebody called irritably down the aisle.

“You’re holding up the line, Hajime. Don’t worry about me,” Nagito repeated. Hajime looked like he was worrying dreadfully, but he was forced to move along. Nagito clasped his hands again and fixed his gaze on the seat in front, smiling smiling smiling. It was freaking Fuyuhiko out. He looked like he was wearing a mask and his eyes were the only real part of him, swirling with turmoil.

“Hey.” Kazuichi nudged Fuyuhiko’s shoulder and whispered in his ear. “Are Hajime and Nagito… you know. A thing?”

“Mate, you told me you’ve seen them leave Hajime’s cabin together in the mornings.”

“They could just be having a sleepover. As bros.”

“I don’t think it’s that, Kazuichi.”

“Are you sure? ‘Cause I don’t want Hajime to get a new best friend,” Kazuichi said.

Fuyuhiko sighed. “I think you’re safe.”

There was a pause. Then another shoulder nudge a second later. “So Hajime and Nagito? Seriously? Am I the only person on my own in this class?” Kazuichi muttered.

Fuyuhiko was spared from responding by the flight attendants starting the safety briefing, demonstrating how to use the oxygen masks and the life jackets in case of emergency. He had to admit, it was pretty eerie to think that you could, however unlikely it may be, crash into the ocean or need extra oxygen to live long enough to get to land. He glanced over at Nagito nervously. His arms were now curled across his chest, hands gripping his elbows. His head was bent, a cloud of puffy hair hiding his face. Maybe that was for the best.

“Can you try not to puke as long as possible?” Fuyuhiko whispered to Kazuichi. “I feel like I might have a situation to deal with.”

“I’m never trying to puke,” Kazuichi said, but he seemed worried too, glancing past Fuyuhiko. “Hey, Nagito, you doing alright?”

“Don’t worry about me, Kazuichi,” Nagito said, eerily calmly.

“That’s not the same thing as saying you’re fine, is it?” Kazuichi whispered to Fuyuhiko.

“He’s clearly not fucking fine,” Fuyuhiko snapped.

“Should I ask Hajime to swap?” Kazuichi asked.

Fuyuhiko nodded, but before Kazuichi could even undo his seatbelt, the plane jerked and started reversing out of the gate. Fuyuhiko heard Nagito draw in his breath sharply - then he was the one fumbling for his seatbelt, standing unsteadily.

“What the fuck are you doing, man?” Fuyuhiko yelled, catching onto the back of Nagito’s coat as he tried to clamber over the seats. “Sit down!”

“I’m afraid I need to get off,” Nagito said, voice still calm despite his frantic movements.

“It’s already moving, for God’s sake! Sit down before a flight attendant sees you!” It wasn’t hard to force Nagito back into his seat - he seemed light enough for a strong gust of wind to knock him over - and Souda hastily got the belt fastened again just as the plane rolled onto the runway.

“Okay. It’s fine. You’re fine,” Fuyuhiko gabbled, trying hard not to shout or swear or scream at all his classmates for making him deal with this. “Just sit still and… I dunno, plug your ears. The takeoff part is the worst.”

There was a cacophony of whirring as the engines roared to life and Fuyuhiko would be very grateful for all that noise in a second, because Nagito started to laugh. Dry, hysterical laughter, his eyes over-bright and manic, lips bared in that grisly parody of a smile.

“Has he lost his fucking mind?” Kazuichi asked, sounding genuinely frightened.

“You must really hate me, Fuyuhiko,” Nagito gasped. “To restrain me here… You must despise me.”

“I’m not restraining you!”

“Then let me off.” He locked eyes with Fuyuhiko and for a second the manic grin faded. “Please…”

The engines roared to a crescendo and the plane shot forward so quickly everyone was pinned to their seats with the force, zooming on and on until they could feel the entire structure lurch into the air. Kazuichi groaned softly, shutting his eyes, but Fuyuhiko was far more focused on Nagito. He had his eyes squeezed shut too, but his hand clamped hard onto Fuyuhiko’s arm. Really fucking hard. Shit, maybe Nagito wasn’t as weak as he looked. Fuyuhiko cursed as his terrified companion started digging his nails into his skin, actually drawing blood. The pain prompted Fuyuhiko to try prying the hand loose a little, but Nagito clamped on harder, carving several new scratches. Fuyuhiko didn’t dare attempt again; he’d get his arm cut to ribbons.

When the plane was flying high and the swirling, disoriented feeling had eased, Fuyuhiko checked on both men. Kazuichi had his head in his hands, but he gave a shaky thumbs up when Fuyuhiko prodded him.

“‘M okay,” he mumbled. “Got through takeoff. Gets better when it’s levelling out.”

“Right, good. Try to stay that way, yeah? I’ve got a lot to handle right now,” Fuyuhiko sighed. Nagito was still shredding his arm up, but he could feel one finger tapping for attention.

“What? What do you need? Please, no bullshit, Nagito. I don’t know what the fuck I’m supposed to do,” Fuyuhiko said. He was practically yelling in his panic, and the people across the aisle turned to glare.

It was several seconds before Nagito could gather enough breath to speak. Fuyuhiko saw that awful smile stretch across his face again, like somebody had twisted his frown the wrong way round. “Aha, I’m sorry to trouble you, Fuyuhiko, but I think I might be having a panic attack.”

“What?” Fuyuhiko felt like he was going to have a panic attack too. “Why? What’s going on?”

“I can’t seem to catch my breath. And the cabin has been spinning for several minutes.”

“Jesus Christ! Why didn’t you say anything?” Fuyuhiko hurriedly pushed Nagito’s head down as far as it would go before it bumped the seat in front. “Fucking… think of things you can see or something? Shit, I don’t remember.”

“Five things you can see,” Kazuichi chimed in. “Is he really gonna pass out? Hajime is gonna kill us.”

“I’m gonna fucking kill him for leaving this shit to us! How stupid can you get?”

“Ahh, I’m such a nuisance. If I’d known I’d react in such a shameful way, I’d have been sure to take a seat away from all the Ultimates. Why are you taking care of someone like me?”

“Nagito, shut up, this isn’t your fault,” Fuyuhiko said shortly. “Stop babbling on about ultimates and do the panic attack thing. Listen to Kazuichi, he knows how to do it.”

Nagito did as he was told, working through the grounding techniques with Kazuichi while Fuyuhiko held onto his shoulders feeling helpless. Nagito was shaking so hard it was difficult not to drop him altogether. He didn’t pass out, but even after the grounding Nagito looked far from what you’d consider calm. He was grey-white when Fuyuhiko carefully hauled him back upright.

“Are you okay..?”

The smile came back, though it seemed a lot more tired than manic this time. “Ah… I don’t think so, Fuyuhiko.”

“Well. At least you’re honest. Can you tell me how you’re feeling? Physically, I mean. Clearly I see you’re fucked mentally. And please stop smiling like that, you’re creeping me out,” Fuyuhiko said.

Nagito finally released his grip on Fuyuhiko’s arm, his nails coated with blood. He bent forward slowly, carefully, like he was terrified any sudden movements would send him spiralling again, and let his elbows rest on his knees. “I still feel slightly lightheaded. And nauseous. I’d still like to get off.”

Fuyuhiko examined the long scratches on his arm, sighing and mopping the blood with his sleeve. “Well, you’d have a long drop if you tried to get off now. You should cut your damn fingernails too. I’m going to get Hajime.” He turned to Kazuichi. “Watch him for a minute, okay? I don’t fucking care about drawing the short straw anymore, I can’t handle this.” Fuyuhiko scrambled over Kazuichi’s lap into the aisle, ignoring the flight attendant yelling for him to remain in his seat until the seatbelt signs went off.

“Hey! What did you mean drawing the short straw?” Kazuichi called behind him. Fuyuhiko didn’t look back.

“Hajime!” Fuyuhiko yelled when he was still more than six aisles away from the startled man. “You’re swapping with me!” He lowered his voice when he reached Hajime’s seat, but only marginally. “I can’t handle this. I don’t know how you expected Komeada to react to this shit, but whatever you thought, it’s worse. Way fucking worse. And I can’t help him. So go fucking do it yourself.”

“Well, I was going to swap as soon as the seatbelt signs were off,” Hajime said pointedly.

“I don’t give a shit. Look at my arm! Your fucking boyfriend nearly ripped it off at the elbow.” Fuyuhiko brandished his scratched, bloodied arm, and Hajime looked genuinely shocked.

“Oh my God…” He stood up hastily, clinging to the seats in front as the plane was still slightly off-balance. “I’m sorry, Fuyuhiko. I didn’t expect him to panic so much. He never said anything much about it when I asked.”

“Yeah, well, no offence, Hajime, but you can be as thick as three short planks sometimes. So if he implied anything, I don’t doubt you missed it,” Fuyuhiko snapped, taking Hajime’s empty seat - next to Chiaki, thank goodness. She hadn’t even looked up from her Switch this whole time. Perfect.

“I have taken some offence…” Hajime mumbled, then turned to go back down the aisle, trying hard not to catch the eyes of the other passengers staring like they were all part of a circus act. He was pretty sure the whole class was going to get banned from this airline. Gundham had been in trouble already for taking his hamsters out of their little travelling cage - several times. He was insulted by the insistence of the staff that all pets had to be contained, both by their labelling of his hamsters as mere pets and from their implication that his dark devas could ever be contained.

Hajime followed the sounds of more disgruntled passengers to Nagito’s seat. He was in the middle now, hunched over one of those white sick bags, while Kazuichi awkwardly patted his back. He looked relieved to see Hajime, beckoning frantically. “Come help me! I think he’s gonna spew. Weird that it’s not me for once.”

Hajime sighed, struggling to shuffle past his friends to get to Nagito’s other side, squashed by the window. Nagito didn’t acknowledge him. Hajime could see he had his eyes closed, his face strangely calm and smooth, though his breathing was erratic.

“Hey, Nagito? You hearing me?” Hajime called, tapping the other man’s pale cheek.

“Did I drive Fuyuhiko away?” Nagito said, voice strained. “I’m not surprised. To bother the Ultimates with the problems of an insignificant nobody like me.”

“Dude, shut up,” Kazuichi groaned. “Nobody thinks that. Stop being so weird. Fuyuhiko just doesn’t know how to look after people.”

“Are you sure you don’t want to sit up? I doubt you’ll throw up, you wouldn’t eat anything this morning,” Hajime said.

At that exact moment, almost as if to pointedly prove him wrong, Nagito made a choked retching sound and ducked his head down further, cringing.

“Oookay. Or not. Um. You’re okay,” Hajime muttered, placing a wary hand on Nagito’s hair to keep it out of the way. It was strange hair; soft yet thick at the same time, and it poofed up determinedly no matter how many times Ibuki tried him out with different hairstyles.

The seatbelt signs were now off, so Kazuichi stood up hastily, trying to shield Nagito from the people hurrying up the aisle to the bathrooms. Hajime was grateful, but part of him wished he could switch places with Souda. He didn’t think he’d be having to coach Nagito through something so strangely intimate so soon into their… relationship? They’d never come out and actually said they were boyfriends, not even to each other, but their classmates seemed to think they were a couple.

As Nagito really hadn’t eaten much of anything all day, the actual vomiting didn’t last too long, but the dry heaving continued for several agonising minutes, and the nausea remained indefinitely. But Nagito felt safe to lift him head, his pale cheeks dusted with pink. He smiled shakily at Hajime. “How embarrassing. I caused a scene in front of all these people. You must be lamenting the day you set eyes on me.”

“Stop,” Hajime sighed, taking the soiled bag and handing it to Kazuichi.

“Hajime!” Souda squealed, hastily handing it off to a flight attendant, who offered a bottle of water for Nagito in response. Her smile didn’t slip once. Hajime was impressed by her poker face.

“Drink,” Hajime prompted, forcing the bottle into Nagito’s hands. “I want you to try eating something later too. You’re going to pass out.”

Kazuichi sat down again, glancing at Nagito. “You feeling… okay now? Like as okay as you can?”

Nagito took a long drink of water, eyes blank. Then he smiled again, that strange, forced smile. “I really am pathetic, aren’t I? Causing such a dramatic spectacle over something that happened years ago. I don’t deserve such attention from the Ultim-“

“Stop!” Hajime took Nagito’s face in his hands, forcing him to meet his eyes. Hajime thought he saw something flicker in them, some semblance of an honest emotion. “Nagito, can you please stop trying to act like you don’t have feelings. I know you’re scared. And you know what? It’s okay. It’s completely fucking normal to feel like this right now. I shouldn’t have left you. That was me being dense, and I’m sorry. But you can stop pretending. It’s just me here - and Kazuichi, but he’ll understand too. He’s scared of everything.”

“I am not!” Kazuichi cried, outraged.

Hajime didn’t break eye contact with Nagito, both breathing heavily. Nagito glared back at first, his face twisting into a scowl, but Hajime didn’t falter.

“Let me in,” Hajime muttered. “I know you, for God’s sake. You’re not gonna scare me off. It’s okay to need help. Please.”

Another silence for several long, tense seconds. Then - finally, amazingly - Nagito made a soft frustrated noise, lunged forwards and wound his arms around Hajime’s neck so tightly that for a second Hajime thought he’d messed up so badly Nagito was trying to throttle him.

“Hey, careful,” Hajime said, but his voice was gentle and he didn’t try to pry Nagito off. Nagito let his forehead rest on Hajime’s shoulder, his hair falling to shield his face completely. Hajime snaked his own arms awkwardly around Nagito’s slender waist. He could feel Nagito shaking, feel the warm puff of his breathing against his shoulder. The shaking never eased, but as time passed the breathing seemed to calm slightly.

Nagito didn’t speak as he clung to Hajime for dear life. Not a single word. But Hajime hadn’t really expected him to. This was already a degree of vulnerability that Nagito was completely unaccustomed to showing anyone, let alone his almost-boyfriend, his classmates and an entire plane full of strangers. It was a good place to start.

Kazuichi watched them slightly bitterly. “It’s alright for some. I wouldn’t mind someone to cuddle up to,” he muttered.

“That’s your other talent. Ultimate Third Wheel,” Hajime quipped.

Their row of seats was reasonably peaceful after that, though Hajime could hear the laughter and yelling from their classmates further back. He hoped the sensible members of the group could stop them causing too much trouble. Hajime couldn’t go tell them to knock it off himself; whenever he moved at all Nagito would tighten his grip.

He sat there, hour after hour, until he had to pry Nagito off him for a bathroom break. It wasn’t easy. Nagito fought him and clung on as much as he could, though Hajime explained he’d be back in five minutes.

“Look, cling onto Kazuichi while I go pee,” Hajime suggested. Kazuichi didn’t look overly enthusiastic about that idea, but he didn’t protest.

Nagito sighed. He slowly drew back his arms, and whispered three breathy little words into Hajime’s shirt before he went, perhaps the most raw, vulnerable words Hajime had ever heard Nagito say: “Please come back.”

“I will. Don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere,” he murmured.

Nagito shifted shakily in his seat, turned to Kazuichi and lunged at him too, wrapping his arms around his neck. Kazuichi squealed and whined that he was being strangled, but he didn’t shove Nagito away. Hajime almost felt like they were new parents, passing their newborn between them: “I’ll hold him for a bit, you go to the loo.”

There was a queue for the tiny airplane bathrooms. Hajime stood impatiently, wriggling his cramped shoulders and rocking back on his heels; he was glad Nagito seemed to be trusting him more, but he was pretty stiff after sitting in the same position for hours.

Two women ahead of Hajime in the queue seemed to be having an animated discussion about something, and when Hajime caught the word “school” he started to listen properly.

“I don’t know what sort of school they come from, but they’re a strange bunch,” one lady hissed. “There’s an odd boy in the row ahead of me, one of that lot, who has a collections of rodents, all free from their cage! Running all over the seat trays! Well, that’s not very hygienic, is it? But when I told him as much, he gave me the most incredibly rude answer.”

“Young people have such foul mouths these days,” the other lady agreed.

“No, he wasn’t swearing. It was ever so strange, almost as if he was… well, you’ll think I sound silly. But it was like he was cursing me.”

It was a good job for Hajime that the toilet became available and the lady rushed inside, because he was biting his cheeks to contain his laughter. When he’d used the loo himself and gone back to release Kazuichi from Nagito’s vice grip, he recited the story for both of them.

Kazuichi laughed, poking Nagito gently. “There you are, Nagito. No need to worry. No matter how weird we are, we can always count on Gundham to be weirder.”

Nagito didn’t respond, but Hajime saw a hint of a smile - a real smile - on his lips before he buried his face in Hajime’s neck again.

#super danganronpa two #danganronpa 2 #emeto tw #nagito komaeda #hajime hinata #kazuichi souda #fuyuhiko kuzuryu #panic attacks #past trauma #komahina #fear of flying #non despair au #mod circle #our writing

[blu-joons]

He Takes Your Daughter To The Studio ~ Park Jimin

The sound of the studio door opening brought the pleasant silence in the room to an abrupt end as Jimin’s hand slipped out his daughter’s, allowing her to run into greet all of her uncles who all kneeled down to greet her into a tight hug.

“Trouble’s here,” Jimin laughed, placing the bag that he’d packed down for her on one of the benches, stripping himself down from his jacket that he’d worn from the walk to the studio.

“Mina isn’t trouble,” Namjoon protested, “she’s an angel.”

Jimin’s eyes raised questionably across at his elder, shaking his head, much to his daughter’s disapproval. “You’ve driven me up the wall all morning, I don’t know how your mother looks after you when I’m on tour.”

“Y/N’s patient,” Yoongi quickly reminded him, “she’s managed to put up with all of us for years, caring for Mina is probably a bit of a walk in the park compared to how annoying we can.”

Jimin couldn’t help but agree as he led his daughter to the corner of the studio, unzipping the beg that he carried for her. “We’ve packed up plenty of things to keep you out of mischief today.”

“The only one getting into mischief will be you,” Jin laughed, “when Y/N finds out you brought Mina here, you’re in huge trouble.”

When you asked Jimin to arrange childcare for an overnight trip you had at work, he promised you that he’d see if his parents were busy for a few days. However, when it came to calling, he just couldn’t bring himself to let his daughter leave him for a couple of days.

Despite his busy schedule, he knew that somehow, he’d be able to find some sort of balance, with the only solution to be to bring her to the studio. Even though all of the boys agreed at first, once they found out what had happened, they knew Jimin was making a big mistake.

Somehow, he’d even managed to convince Mina not to spill, but he knew what a trouble his little one could be sometimes. Even though he had her word to keep quiet, Jimin knew that once she reunited with you it might not be quite as simple as that.

“Can I play with all of you?” She asked as Jimin sat her down.

“Well,” he stuttered, looking around at the rest of the boys. “Daddy is supposed to be working, I told you that you’d have to just be patient for a while whilst daddy dances.”

“Did you really think that she’d sit and let us rehearse?” Taehyung asked at his clueless friend.

Jimin sighed, watching on as Jungkook already began to pull out the crash mats and fun bits of equipment that were lying around the studio. They knew from the moment Jimin mentioned bringing Mina to the studio that their day would end in doing nothing.

They couldn’t mask their disapproval that Jimin had gone against your request well at all, they’d nagged at him for days to reconsider, but he just couldn’t. He loved his parents, and he knew Mina loved her grandparents too, but the thought of being in the house alone, when he’d had you and her there every day for years was a thought that he just couldn’t bring himself to entertain.

“Why don’t we set up an obstacle course, and the slowest can pay for lunch?” Kook suggested.

“Can we really do that?”

The sight of the wide smile on his daughter’s face was enough for Jimin to agree, looking around at what the boys had set up.

Mina’s excitement was at an all time high as she held onto Hobi’s hand, pointing all the things that sh wanted to include in their challenge. The number of things in the studio often left her intrigued, any time that she visited she could usually be found trying to climb something or pull it down.

“I want to be able to balance,” she announced, pointing across at one of the benches. “At nursery we turn the upside down so that are small fit can fit on them probably.”

“But what about all of us who have big fit?” Yoongi asked, lifting his foot up into the air.

Mina could only shrug at him, if there was one quality, she had from Jimin, it was definitely his sass. Jin walked around and pressed a sympathetic hand to Yoongi’s shoulder before helping him pull out one of the benches and tip it upside to impress the rather demanding girl who watched on.

Jimin watched on proudly as she put Yoongi in his place, walking around the course to make sure that it was all suitable for her. As much as she loved to tell him that she loved the danger, one accident and a tantrum would be enough to disturb the whole building.

“What happens if I lose?” She suddenly asked, squeezing gently against Hobi’s hand.

Hobi’s head shook straight away, pointing across at her father who had strategically decided to slip out of the conversation to try and not shift the blame onto him. As soon as he looked around though and saw Hobi firmly pointing his finger in Jimin’s direction, he found himself quickly having to watch his words around his daughter.

“You won’t lose though,” Namjoon quickly assured her, appearing at her other side. “You’ve never seen Uncle Yoongi on an obstacle course.”

“Is he bad?” She innocently asked, noticing Yoongi’s glare looking over at the two boys. “He looks like he wants to beat you both up right now.”

The two of them fell silent as soon as they noticed Yoongi’s eyes looking back on them, changing the subject as quickly as it took Mina to run away from them out of boredom, gripping onto her father’s leg tightly instead.

“I’m happy that you brought me here,” she smiled up to him, “all my uncles are always so much fun.”

“But you have to remember our promise, there’s no telling mummy about any of this.”

Her head nodded, flashing him a toothy grin. His hand ruffled gently over the top of her head, still not entirely convinced that she was going to manage to stop herself from sharing the truth.

“When you lose though, won’t Y/N notice a big hole in your bank account?” Taehyung teased him, “to pay for eight dinners is a lot, and you know how much we all like to eat.”

Rather than answering him, Jimin walked across and whacked Taehyung over the back of the head. Aside from the quick scolding he got from his daughter, it finally seemed like the teasing he continued to receive had stopped.

One by one, the two of them made their way to the start of the obstacle course that they’d set up, watching on as Jungkook went around and demonstrated what was expected of them all at each obstacle that they reached.

“I can’t wait to win!” Mina cheered from the back of the line, “and I can’t wait for daddy to have to pay for dinner for us all.”

“Excuse me,” he grumbled from in front of her, “you’re supposed to be on my side and hoping that one of your uncles pay for dinner.”

“But you won’t get in trouble with mummy if they pay?” She pointed out to him.

“You’ve got one smart kid Jimin!”

---

Masterlist

#bts #bts imagine #jimin #jimin imagine #park jimin #park jimin imagine #bts scenario #bts reaction #bts jimin #bts drabble #bts one shot #jimin scenario #jimin reaction #jimin one shot #jimin drabble #jimin fluff #bangtan #bangtan sonyeondan #kpop #kpop imagine

[paisley-print]

Near The Water’s Edge:   Chapter Four

After fleeing your abusive husband, you find yourself in the small coastal town of July, North Carolina. Soon you meet Frankie Morales, Air Force Veteran and single dad. As the two of you grow closer, you begin to let go of your past and learn to love again. That is until a strange man shows up in town, and you ’re forced to choose between your safety or the safety of the people that you love.

Inspired by the novel “Safe Haven” written by Nicolas Sparks.

Series Master List

Frankie Morales x Female Reader Rating: 18+ / Heavy adult themes eventual smut. Trigger Warnings: Domestic Abuse, Mentions of death, PTSD, anxiety, mentions of police case, police.  Word Count: 

Note: Another heavy chapter, but things will let lighter as the chapters go on. Enjoy the first half of the beach day. 

Tag List:@qytyy @winter-fox-queen​​​​ @sherala007​​​​@inkededucatednnerdy @quica-quica-quica​​​ @hnt-escape​​​ @giizhkens-cedar​​​@heythere-mel​​​ @toomanystoriessolittletime​​

The ride passed in comfortable silence, the three of you listening to the radio and Lucy looking out the window at the cars in the next lane. All Frankie could think about was how nice it was to have someone else there to spend the day. He knew Lucy must have been feeling the same way, since he hadn’t seen her so excited about a beach trip in a long while. 

He appreciated how patient you were with her; it was something he noticed even on that first day. The way you refused help until you knew she was alright. That moment had stuck with him more than anything else. 

The memory of what Will said earlier surfaced in his mind. He shifted in his seat and glanced at you. Yes, you were beautiful. Strikingly so. A woman who could walk into a room and turn every head in the place; both men and women alike. Of course Frankie had been taken with you. He tried to suppress it, scolding himself whenever he was alone in bed at night and found his thoughts wandering.... 

His only goal right now was to be your friend because he cared for you and knew that you needed help. He wasn’t sure what kind of help, but he sensed that you were alone and at some point in your life something very bad had happened to you. He wouldn’t pry though, he would wait until you were ready to share. 

-

The beach wasn’t too packed; it was still early in the season and  the tourists hadn’t moved into their summer homes yet. The boys had done an oddly efficient job at setting everything up. When Ben and Will got into a little spat about how to sink the umbrella into the sand , Frankie simply rolled his eyes and continued to spray Lucy with sunblock. It made you laugh, they all seemed so comfortable with one another. 

The day was hot and everybody seemed eager to get into the water, everyone except you and Frankie.  You had bought a bathing suit at the store, intending on going in... but somewhere during the car ride you changed your mind. 

“You can go in if you want,” you told Frankie “I don’t mind just watching.”

He shrugged, “I don’t normally go in either.”

Then just like that the two of you were suddenly alone, both woefully unprepared for any sort of conversation.

You thought of something quickly, filling the silence “the marina was packed today.”

“Yeah, It’s always like that on memorial day. Most of the summer too, be prepared for the restaurant to start getting busy.”

“I prefer it that way. It makes the shifts go faster. So I’ve been meaning to ask, what exactly do you do? I assumed you owned the marina?”

He paused for a moment. “Uh, technically I do. It was a wedding gift from my parents. An uncle had died and left it to them. I think they just wanted to get rid of it, but I have an office manager that does all the upfront stuff….. normally I just work on repairs.”

Married. That wasn’t what you were expecting, but still no ring. “Did you go to school for that?”

“Kind of. I had training for planes, but you would be surprised just how similar the two are.” You gave him a look. He glanced at you and laughed sheepishly. “What?”

“I’m sorry, did you say planes?”

“Yeah”

“You fix planes?”

He smiled and crossed his arms, trying to seem much cooler than he actually was. “I fly them too.”

“You fly pl-....do you take constructive criticism?”

He laughed, “Of course.”

“Lead with that next time.”

He looked at you skeptically. “How am I supposed to lead with that, exactly?”

“You say, hi my name is pilot Frankie …..” 

He shook his head, grinning. “Morales,” he informed you. 

“Hi my name is pilot Frankie Morales, nice to meet you.”

He played along, “but how will I know if people actually like me for me, or they just want me to take them for a ride in a plane?”

You shrugged “it's tough being a celebrity, I don’t make the rules.”

“Oh yeah, celebrity, that’s me,” he said sarcastically. 

You kicked at the sand with your foot. “Also I liked you before I knew you had the coolest hobby in the world. So, you know that you can trust me.”

He glanced over at you and immediately noticed your smile. He had seen you smile before, but they would never quite reach your eyes. This one, he could tell, was real. He opened his mouth to speak when, in the distance, a wave crashed and Lucy squealed with laughter. Both of you turned your heads to look.

“Will Lucy be okay out there?” you asked. She had on a life vest and was being supervised in the shallows by the rest of the adults. Santi was holding onto a boogie board Lucy used to keep herself up. 

“Yeah, I know they seem like idiots but they are good men.” Frankie reached into the cooler to grab a bee and popped the cap off with the bottle opener. “Do you want one?”

You shook your head, “No thank you, but I’ll take a water bottle if you have it.” He set his beer down in his cup holder and reached into the cooler again. The bottle was freezing cold when he handed it to you. Perfect for a sunny day.

You wiped the condensation off on your dress. “Can I ask you something? It’s okay if you don’t want to answer.”

“Yeah, sure,” he said, taking a sip of beer. 

“Lucy’s mom is she….? Are you two still….? I don’t mean to pry, I guess I’m just a little confused.”

“You and I both,” he said with a sigh. “I’m married but we are not together anymore, haven’t been for a few years.”

“Oh,” you said simply, not finding any clarification in what he told you. If anything, you had more questions, but you didn’t want to push. Besides, it didn’t matter anyway…. you couldn’t, you were married as well. “Does your family live in the area?”

“Nope, they live up north. Katie never really knew her family. She grew up in the foster system and was bounced around until she enlisted at eighteen. It’s just me and Lulu now, and the guys when they find the time to travel here.”

“I’m sorry,” you said honestly. “It must be hard not having your parents support.”

He shook his head and took another sip. “I expected it, even when I was younger, it seemed as though they were only interested in keeping me alive.” He looked down and started to peel off the sticker on the bottle as he spoke. “They are both doctors, mom is an archaeologist and dad an engineer. He actually helped design parts of the international space station…. I think they valued their careers more than anything else... they still do. The only time they ever came down to see Lucy was right after she was born, aside from that it’s usually a phone call on a holiday and a card with money in the mail.”

Although he tried to play it off as if it were just another part of life, you could see that it still affected him deeply. For a moment you thought about reaching out to take his hand, but you stopped yourself. “It really is their loss, they are missing out on two wonderful people.”

Frankie adjusted the baseball cap on his head, a sheepish little smile playing on his lips at the compliment. “Well, thank you. Lucy and I could say the same thing about you. You’re great with her.”

You glanced back at the little girl. She was smiling happily as Ben pulled her along on the boogie board. “I think little girls need to be protected, but not only that - they need to be seen and heard. She is already so independent and fierce. I can see how you encourage her to be her own person and not fit into any one mold. That’s important for little girls to learn.”

He laughed, “Yeah, she definitely gives me a run for my money, that's for sure. She can already repair an engine better than most men I know.”

A large gust of wind came through and took hold of the multi-colored beach ball beside you. Both you and Frankie sprang from your seats to race after it. The thing was fast, and you could not stop it from crashing into the waves. You noticed just how much cooler it was near the water’s edge. Although the temperature outside was sweltering, the Atlantic still held that winter chill. Both of you stared at the ball as it bobbed up and down with the tide. 

Frankie waved it away with his hand and squinted in the sunlight. “It’s fine, it’ll probably just float down the beach to another family or something.”

You smirked at him “or choke a poor dimwitted sea turtle to death.”

He paused and shot you a pretend glare, then took off his hat, dropped it in the sand and reached for his shirt. 

You giggled “no, no I’m joking. I got it.” You said, starting to strip down to your bathing suit also.

“Well, you gotta be faster than that,” he said, half jogging to the water.

You slipped off your dress easily and ran straight past him into the waves. Frankie was not far behind. You two were pushing against the tide as you reached for the ball. Fingertips just barely brushed against the plastic before it slipped a couple more inches away. This left just enough time for Frankie to swoop in and grab it.

Your stomach hurt from laughing so hard “hey!”

He shrugged, “I’m sorry that I care more about the environment than you.”

You splashed him with water playfully.

-

The two of you swam for another fifteen minutes, chatting about the town and volleying the ball back and forth. Frankie pretended not to see the way the droplets of water clung to your skin and sparkled under the sunlight. When he noticed the little lace pattern on the bottom of your swimsuit, he knew he had been staring for too long and forced himself to look away. The very last thing he wanted to do was scare you away, or make you believe he had some sort of ulterior motives to helping you. 

You both dressed again before walking back up to the chairs. When the two of you returned, the group had already come back from swimming. They were passing around Tupperware full of fruit while Santi was starting up the tiny little grill he had brought. 

“You guys really don’t play around for beach days,” you mentioned to Frankie. 

“I tried to warn you,” he said with a smirk. 

Will had Lucy thrown over his shoulder, carrying her easily with one arm. “Has anyone seen Fry?”

“I’m right here!” Lucy’s little voice drifted out from behind him.

Will started turning, pretending to look for her “Fry! Fry! Where are you!”

Lucy was hardly able to speak through her fit of giggles, “I’m behind you!”

He put her down on the sand, pretending as if he had seen her for the first time. “Jesus Fry! You scared me!”

“Lulu,” Frankie said, “come here so I can put more sunscreen on you.” Frankie took the bottle from the bag and sprayed her again, making sure to get her ears and the tops of her feet as well. He sprayed some in his hands, and Lucy scrunched up her nose as he applied it to her face.

Watching the two of them together made you smile. You were reminded again just how different Frankie was from your husband. David would have felt emasculated by having to take care of a child. If he had attended today, you would be sitting beside him silently the entire time, only getting up to fetch him a beer.

“Do you want some?” Frankie asked, and you were suddenly snapped right back to reality.  

Even though you weren’t threatened by a burn yet, you figured it would be a good idea. “Yeah, thank you.” You offered him your arms, then the front of your legs.

“I used to be terrible with remembering sunblock until I got sun poisoning in Iraq, god never again.”

“Iraq?” you asked, and turned so he could get the backs of your legs.

“Yeah, with the air force” he told you, assuming you already knew. 

Breath hitched in your throat as he brushed your hair over your shoulder. You cringed at the feeling of the warm sunscreen hitting the back of your neck and jerked away. It was enough for the others to notice. You laughed and lied quickly “damn horse flies hurt when they bite. They say you should wash off the bite with soap to get it to stop the swelling. Is there a bathroom here?”

You sounded believable. Becoming an expert liar had been the only thing keeping you alive for so long. 

Frankie felt horrible. He didn’t quite know what he had done to trigger you, but he knew it was something. “It’s pretty far, I can walk with you-”

You shook your head, a wide smile still plastered across your lips. “Nope, I just need a direction.”

Santi jumped in quickly. “That building when we first came in, near the tennis courts.”

You nodded and started forward, tears stinging at the corners of your eyes. Why was this happening right now? You were fine a moment ago and now you felt as though you couldn’t catch your breath. You shivered, remembering the feeling again and putting your hand on the back of your neck to stop it.

A soldier…. it made sense. You were too stupid to have seen it, the nicknames and the holiday...... 

Thankfully, they were single stall restrooms; you pulled the door shut and locked it behind you. The bottom of the floor was disgusting and filled with wet sand. You lifted yourself up onto the counter and sat, trying to calm down. A soldier, a soldier, you kept repeating to yourself. It was too similar. The anger, the potential for violence…. just like your husband. 

You placed your head in your hands, and suddenly you were back in New Jersey. It was a bitter February, snow still on the ground. You were in your bathroom hiding as David raged in the living room and screamed at his coworker on the phone. A little boy had been killed by his father weeks ago. David was assigned to the case. When the trial came, the jury found the man innocent and let him walk free, even though all the evidence pointed to him as the killer. It was an embarrassment to David and the entire homicide unit

“God fucking dammit, y/n! y/n!”

You pulled yourself up on shaking legs, straightened your dress and walked out. David was red in the face waiting for you. “I thought I told you to call Comcast, did I not?”

“They said that they could get someone out here Wednesday because of the snow-”

He took the television remote and threw it at you as hard as he could; he aimed for your face but it hit your shoulder instead. The plastic connected straight with your collarbone. You doubled over in pain, holding it as it throbbed. He stalked up to you and you moved back, the fear evident in your eyes.

His voice was teetering on the edge of lunacy as he screamed at you.

“I give you a simple fucking job to do and you can’t even get it done. You’re a lazy fat fucking bitch.” he shoved you hard but you manged to keep standing. “Spend all day sitting on your fucking ass while I have to go to work for the both of us! I need the television because I need to see the news coverage of the fucking case! You knew this! Or would you like me to get fired and the both of us live on the fucking streets!” He shoved you again, and you fell against the stone fireplace. Your hands came up to shield your face as he picked up the remote and hit you with it repeatedly. It caught your lip, busting it open. 

You didn’t care about the blood, all you could think about was the gun still holstered in his belt. You got the television fixed the next day-

“Summer?” 

You stood quickly and wiped away the tears from your cheeks, pretending like nothing was wrong. “Yeah?”

“Are you alright?” 

It was Frankie. 

You shook your head and smiled in the dingy plastic mirror in front of you. “Yeah, why?”

He could hear that you had been crying. He pushed on the door but it was locked. 

You didn’t like that at all; you slipped off the counter and sat on the floor, against the door. Bracing it closed with your body “I’m fine-”

“You’re crying-”

“No, I’m not I- I get allergies and that horsefly hurt. I am such a baby I’ve always had a low pain tolerance-”

“If it’s something that I did -”

“Nope, it’s nothing that you did. I’m fine, I’m really, really fine I promise. I just got overwhelmed and needed some air. I’ll be back in a few minutes, and you guys can eat without me. Don’t let me hold you up.”

Frankie wasn’t convinced, but he didn’t want to force anything. “Would you like me to save you a plate?”

“Yes, please.”

You could hear his footsteps start to retreat and relaxed a little. 

“Summer?”

“Yeah?”

Frankie was about to say something, but he thought better of it. He figured it was better to let you have your space now.

#ntwewy #nearthewater'sedge #pedro fanfiction #pedro fanfic #Frankie Morales fanfiction #Frankie Morales fanfic #frankie morales #Frankie fanfiction #triple frontier #triple frontier fanfic #triple frontier fanfiction #pedro pascal fanfic #pedro pascal fanfiction

[soniaxdixon]

New Girl

Okay so I actually started writing this one based off of a prompt but got way to invested so ended up turning into a one shot.

Words count: 2470

Summary: Reader has been in love with Daryl from the beginning but never told him so when he comes back to the prison injured and with a new girl by his side, her heart shatters.

Warnings: Swearing, some gore, angst and fluff.

You paced the gates of the prison, impaling the heads of walkers that stalked the living on the inside. Worry swelled in the pits of your stomach as you waited for the familiar sound of his bike, but they didn’t come.

You made your way up to the prison for dinner, grabbing a bowl from Carol and sitting next to Rick.

“He’s not back yet?” Worry obviously etched his face too.

“No. Rick it’s almost been a week. He’s never gone this long.”

“If he’s not back by tomorrow we’ll head out and find him, okay?”

“Okay.”

Seconds later the doors busted open, Glenn ran in. “Where’s Hershel? We need Hershel!” Both you and Rick shot up from your seats and ran over to Glenn.

“I’ll go get him.” Rick ran off in search of the old man

“What’s happening?” You searched Glenn’s face for a sign of anything, he looked into your eyes.

“It’s Daryl.”

“Where is he?”

“Infirmary.”

The pit in your stomach grew as you pushed passed Glenn and ran towards the infirmary. Your stomach dropped when you saw him laying still on the table, blood soaked beneath him, dripping down onto the floor.

“Oh my God.” Your voice was barely audible. Your feet felt cemented to the ground, you couldn’t move.

“Excuse me.” A girl pushed passed you, sitting next to Daryl’s bed and grabbed his hand.

“Who are you?” You found your voice and walked to stand next to Daryl on the opposite side. You ran your hand threw his hair and the girl shot you a look that sent shivers down your spine.

“I’m Bella. Daryl found me a few days back.”

Your eyes were locked where she held his hand and your heart felt like it was being squeezed. You took a step back from his body.

Rick and Glenn suddenly burst into the room with Hershel following behind them

“What happened?” Rick’s voice was barely below yelling, obviously panicking as his best friend laid still on the table.

“He found me in the woods, saved me from a group of walkers. We found a cabin and he took care of me there for a few days.” She looked at you suddenly, “nursed me back to health, kept me warm.” Your brain was frazzled as you tried to piece together what she was saying. “When I felt better we started to make our way back here but we were pinned by another herd. A few pushed Daryl up against a wall and he was impaled on a pipe. I found a car and got us here as quickly as possible. Please tell me you can save him.”

“I can.” Hershel was examining Daryl’s body while she spoke. “But I need space. Rick, Glenn, you stay, y/n, take Bella to get a plate of food, she seems quite shaken.”

You glanced at Daryl one more time before guiding the new girl out of the room and towards the kitchen.

You suddenly spoke “Where’s his bike?”

“What?”

“His bike, where is it?”

“Oh, um, I guess it’s still back at the cabin.”

You went up to your cell and shuffled through your things, pulling out a map and a marker and walking back towards Bella.

“Show me where it is. Can I walk there?”

She looked at you in disbelief. “It’s just a bike.”

“Just show me where.” Your tone was harsh. You didn’t understand why but you grew frustrated with her very quickly, like your fuse was cut short and the slightest thing she did would set you off.

She grabbed the marker from your hand and circled a space in the woods about 5 miles out.

You grabbed the map and marker from her and walked over to Carol. “This is Bella, she needs something to eat.” You stormed up the prison stairs and pulled the curtain over your cell as you packed your bag for your trip the next day.

The next morning, you woke early and got dressed quickly. You scurried down the stairs with your bag on your back. You walked hastily over to the infirmary slowing your pace as you got closer, walking in quietly. His breathing had steadied and you sat next to him for a few minutes.

“Daryl. It’s y/n. I don’t know if you can hear me but I’m gonna talk anyway.” You searched his face for any signs that he was listening but he showed none.  “I was so worried about you, I thought I was going to lose you and I think that made me realise that I care about you a lot more than I thought I did. Daryl please be okay. I need you to wake up. I need you to know how much I lo-”

You heard someone coming towards the infirmary and you stood up suddenly from your seat, wiping the tears you didn’t realise had fallen and placing the most gentle kiss on Daryl’s forehead. As you went to walk away you saw the figure who was walking into the infirmary. Bella squeezed past you without saying a word, sitting in the seat you were in just moments ago and entangling her fingers with Daryl’s. The sight sent you into overdrive as you stormed away, down towards the gates of the prison. Maggie was on watch as you walked down towards her.

“Hey, where are you going?” She stepped in front of you.

“To find Daryl’s bike.”

“Alone?”

“I’ll be fine, that girl Bella circled where they stayed and it's only about 5 miles out.”

“Show me, just so I know where to find you if you’re not back soon.”

You pulled out the map and showed Maggie. She pulled you into a hug, releasing you soon after and opening the gate. Your hand remained fixed on your knife as you began your trek towards the cabin. It took you a couple of hours but you found the place she had circled. You made your way inside, scouting the place for anything you could take home. Daryl’s crossbow laid on the table, you swung it over your shoulder as you thought about the time he had taught you to use it.

——

“Okay now put your foot here to hold the bow down and pull the string back. Put the bolt here and-”

“Daryl, I got it. I know what to do.”

“Yeah alright Hawkeye, show me what ya got.”

You aimed the crossbow at the makeshift target that Daryl had set up, you took a deep breath and readied yourself for the kickback. You squeezed the trigger as the bolt flew threw the air and pierced the centre of the target.  “Oh my God, did you see that!?” You jumped for joy before placing the crossbow on the floor and running to stand next to the target. Pointing at it with the look of awe on your face.

“Yeah yeah, I saw it. It’s cause ya had a good teacher.” He said, walking over to the target and pulling the bolt out. “Do it 1000 more times, then I’ll trust ya with my crossbow.”

You could see the visible smirk on his face. “Next you have to teach me how to ride your bike.”

——

You smiled at the memory, it felt like a lifetime ago. You secured the crossbow on your shoulder as you continued to search the house, scooping everything you needed into your bag before walking out the front door and looking for Daryl’s bike. You found where he had leaned it near the side of the house. You swung your right leg over and pulled it into the upright position. Gripping the right hand brake you kicked up the stand and started the engine. Rolling it forwards a bit until you were steady enough to begin riding, just like Daryl had taught you.

Maggie heard the bike as she ran down to the gate. “She’s back!” She yelled out to the rest of your group. Everyone started walking down to greet you, including Daryl who had managed to wake up and stand. Bella gripped tightly to his arm. The sight of you on his bike sent his mind whirling. You were so beautiful. You rode through the gate and up a bit to where your group was standing. You turned the bike off and pushed the kick stand down, climbing off it as you locked eyes with Daryl.

“Thank god you’re okay.” You threw your arms around Daryl’s neck pulling him into a hug, he pulled his arm away from Bella and wrapped them both around you, gently but enough that you could feel him holding you. You pulled away suddenly and began searching his body. “What are you doing up, you should still be resting? Come on, get back to bed.”

“y/n I’m fine. When I woke up Rick came and told me that ya went to look for my bike.”

“I had to hold him down when he found out you had gone alone.” Rick said smiling at the two of you.

Daryl chuckled at the thought. “Bella calmed me down but when I heard Maggie yell out I had to come and see ya.”

He obviously hadn’t heard when you spoke to him this morning, but that could have been a good thing. “I was so worried about you, D.”

“Yeah well then you went and made me worry about ya.”

“I brought your bike back didn’t I, both me and the bike still in one piece clearly.” You motioned towards yourself and the bike.

“Thanks.”

“I know how much the bike means to you…Oh and I found this.” You pulled the crossbow off your shoulder and handed it to him but Bella reached out and pulled it over her shoulder.

“I’ll hold onto this until you’re better, you gotta teach me how to shoot it remember.”

Your stomach twisted in knots as your walls came crashing back down.

“You’ve gotta be fucking kidding me.” You spoke barely above a whisper and rolled your eyes. You pushed passed Bella making sure to bump her slightly on your way up to the prison. Rick chased after you, noticing your sudden mood change.

“y/n, y/n wait!”

You finally stopped when you got inside the main cell block. “What, Rick?”

“Are you okay? What was that?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” You turned to face him.

“Your little outburst back there.”

“That was hardly an outburst, Rick.”

“Yeah well you seem pretty hostile towards Bella.”

“We don’t know a thing about her and now she’s sleeping under the same roof as us, already making plans for Daryl to teach her how to use the crossbow. Are you kidding me?”

“Daryl says he trusts her.”

“Yeah well I’m sure he does. I wonder how many times he’s fucked her already.”

“Y/n where the hell is this coming from!?”

“I’ve been in love with him for as long as I can remember Rick, and not once has he looked at me the way he looks at her and that hurts so much because I’m the one who constantly puts my life on the line for him. I’m the one who takes care of him when he’s hurt. I’m the one who knows how to stop his nightmares. I’m the one who loves him. Not her.” Tears were steadily flowing down your face as you finally broke eye contact with Rick.

“Tell him.”

“What?”

“Tell. Him. Because you know what. He doesn’t look at you that way, no, he has a look that is set aside specifically for you. It looks like he is seeing stars when he looks at you, like you are his entire world. That bracelet on your wrist, he almost got ripped apart for that bracelet but because it says your name, he refused to leave without it. The fact that he taught how to ride his bike, how many people does he let even touch the damn thing? His crossbow. Do you really think he’s gonna teach her how to use it. The second you stormed off he ripped it off her shoulder and walked away. You might think he likes her and who knows, maybe he does, but he loves you.”

You stood there frozen as Rick poured everything out into the open. “Are you sure?”

“I’ve never been more sure about anything in my life.”

With his confession playing over and over again in your head you raced outside the prison, into the yard where you last saw Daryl but he wasn’t there. You ran into the infirmary, he wasn’t there either. Your heart began to race as you looked everywhere for him, running in and out of the cell’s searching for any sign of him until you found him, sitting on your bed.

“Hey.” His voice was quiet.

“Daryl I-”

“Stop.” He stood up off the bed and walked over to you, he pushed away the hair that had fallen in front of your face in your frantic search to find him. “Ya know I’m not good with words, especially the way Rick is, but everything he said, is true.”

You struggled to grasp at the words that were fleeting from your mind.

“How much did you hear?”

“Everything.”

“Does that mean that you heard…”

“I heard everything. I followed you and Rick back up to the prison. I heard what you said. I went to find Bella to tell her that there was nothing between her and I and when I got back to the main cellblock, you had disappeared.”

“Daryl. I tried to tell you this morning, when you were still asleep.”

“I heard that too. I felt you kiss my forehead but I couldn’t move.”

“I was trying to tell you that…” You looked up into his eyes and placed your hand carefully on his chest, above his heart. Taking a deep breath in, you spoke. “Daryl Dixon, I love you.”

He leaned down and closed the space between the two of you, his lips pressed against yours as you melted together. Your hands wrapped around his neck pulling him in closer to you as his hands found your waist.

You finally pulled away slowly, your eyes opening and looking up into his. He looked down bashfully before speaking. “I love you too. Always have and I always will.”

You spent the rest of the day wrapped in each others arms, laying on the bed and talking about everything and anything. Rick came up into your cell to let you know that dinner was ready and at the sight of you entangled with Daryl he let out a hearty laugh.

“I was right, I was so right. You do love each other.”

You just smiled and nodded at him.

#daryl dixon #daryl dixon x reader #daryl dixion imagine #daryl dixon x you #you x daryl dixon #you x daryl #daryl x you #y/n x daryl #y/n x daryl dixon #y/n #reader x daryl #twd #twd fic #twd series #twd fic series #twd fanfiction #the walking dead #the walking dead fic #the walking dead imagine

[btsmosphere]

Crossfire | KTH

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8

~summary: The night your life blew up sent you on a collision course with the campus bad boy, Kim Taehyung. Though you were well aware of his reputation, it was his doorstep you ran to when you were bleeding with nowhere to go.

~word count: 7.1k

~gang!au, mafia!au, college!au, angst, fluff, action, strangers to lovers, friends to lovers

Warnings: violence, swearing, blood, injury (warnings apply to each part individually, please read them)

~a/n: it begins! I already have the whole thing written so I can promise my updates to be regular! Also big thanks to @baojinnie​ for helping me find my feet on tumblr - go check out her amazing writing too!

The front door slammed open so hard it hit the wall, the thud reverberating around the otherwise silent apartment. In your bedroom, your head whipped around, a frown already decorating your face. You were sure your dad was already home.

Before you could even stand from you chair, footsteps were filling the air. Men were shouting.

Eyes widening, you shot up, hearing heavy steps running down the hallway at the other end of your apartment. And not just one pair. Judging by the shouts as well, there was a crowd of people swarming your apartment.

When a sickening crash sounded from somewhere, you were shaken from your frozen state. Without hesitation, you threw open your wardrobe door and dived inside, pressing against the wall, but in your haste you pulled the door shut behind you with too much force. You winced, waiting for it to crash too loudly and alert whoever was in your house of your presence, but it never came.

It was drowned out by a gunshot.

Instantly, your already pounding heart jumped to your throat. Your teeth clamped down onto your bottom lip as if that would help muffle your erratic breathing and the rush of blood through your ears.

What the hell.

Outside, the yelling had not ceased, but suddenly it became even louder. They were getting closer.

“NO!”

Your hands balled into fists as your dad’s voice suddenly broke through the other shouts, followed immediately by another thud. You winced, fighting the urge to open the door you were hiding behind, knowing it would be best if they never found you.

“Shit,” you hissed suddenly. You had left the light on in your room. You could only pray whoever was out there would overlook it.

But of course you could never be so lucky.

The characteristic sound of your door clicking open made you stiffen against the side of your wardrobe. Barely daring to breathe, you heard someone enter, wasting no time in loudly pulling out your drawers before moving onto your desk, where it sounded like they were tossing items onto the floor.

Then you truly felt your heart stop, the way it would in the moment between tripping and hitting the ground, as you heard the loud steps coming closer. You screwed your eyes shut as if it would turn you invisible. You were trapped.

Light flooded your eyelids before they flew open again, revealing a man clad in black. For a split second, he stared and you stared back, before he was lunging towards you.

At the same moment, you leapt forwards, pushing open the other wardrobe door and sending you stumbling out into your trashed bedroom. You spun around to find the intruder running towards you again. Instinctively, you raised your arms in defence just as he crashed into you, but you were too late noticing the glint of metal in his hand to throw yourself out of the way. Your body twisted in vain, and then you were being pushed back, foot catching your beside stand and sending both of you to the floor along with the table.

Scrambling away, your eyes fell on your fallen lamp which you lunged to grab, lifting it at the same time your assailant got to his feet. Your body was practically running by itself as you lifted the lamp and swung it down, striking the guy’s head, hard.

Struggling to get your breathing in check, you let the lamp drop to the floor as you stared at the man who slumped, unconscious, to the carpet. His sweater had been rumpled in the fight, and you could make out a symbol inked just under his collarbone.

Slowly, your eyes found their way to the knife that lay limp in his hand, and the blood coating it. You hadn’t even registered being stabbed, only now feeling an aching numbness seep into your side.

“Down there!”

Your gaze was snapped from the scene at the shout from down the hall.

There were others.

All you could think of was to leave. Now. Wheeling around, you threw open the curtains on your window and then the window itself. You had always fancied that you would be able to make the jump from your window to the fire escape that ran down your block. Now you weren’t so sure as you stared out into the darkness towards the metal staircase, slick with drizzle.

But then your ears tuned back in to the heavy boots coming your way down the hall, and you were already on the ledge, and you knew you had no choice. You swallowed, refusing to look down, and jumped.

In a blur, your chest had slammed against the metal and your arms were clinging on to the exterior of the railing, feet falling over each other to gain traction. The panicked flurry paid off, your arms wrapped around the top railing letting you hoist yourself over, and then you were running.

Again, you heard a door slamming hard into a wall, but now it was coming from the room you had just left behind. Ignoring the pain which had flared in your side when you jumped, you pushed yourself, flying around each corner as you spiralled downwards.

Thanks to your increasingly heavy breathing, you almost didn’t hear the words sounding from your window, by now a couple of floors above you. When you did, you slowed, falling into the shadows of the fire escape, as near to the wall as you could get. It was definitely some of the men you had heard yelling earlier.

“What the hell happened in here?”

“Do you think he found it?”

“Doesn’t look like it. I’m guessing she must have been in here.”

A pause.

“Check the fire escape.”

The voice was louder this time, presumably at the window, which of course was still open.

Once again, you were short on options. But you were down to the more expensive apartments now, and they had balconies, and there was one right beside the escape stairs. You shuffled to the railing on tiptoes and pushed your leg over the top, hopping over onto the balcony. Silently, you lowered yourself to crouch behind a sofa that was pushed close to the brick wall, subconsciously raising your hand to press against your side as you waited.

“Woah! Don’t push me!”

“Just get your head out and look!”

The voices were raised even more now. You chanced a look up, and from your very poor vantage point you could see a large shape blocking the light from your window.

“I swear there’s no one here. Maybe she fell, that’s one hell of a jump to make.”

Not willing to push your luck, you dipped your head again, hopefully out of sight in the dark.

“Well if there’s a body down there on our way out, I guess we’ll have your answer,” came a more muffled voice, making you strain to hear, “or she could be long gone already, but we have her friends’ addresses, so she can’t hide. Now let’s not leave Shinhyuk waiting.”

A grunt came in response and you heard fumbling steps followed by the slamming of your window.

You counted to ten.

Then did it again.

Then once more, but you lost count this time.

We have her friends’ addresses…

Shakily, you got to your feet, taking another precautionary glance back up towards your apartment.

And then you were moving again - over the railing and onto the fire escape, feet pounding beneath you as if running could take you away from all the questions that so suddenly needed answering after what you expected to be a normal night had exploded into pieces. But where could you go?

Before you knew it, you had hurtled out of the bottom of the fire escape into the street, but sprinted towards a nearby alley, where you would be out of sight. You slowed to a jog as you entered, mind spinning, rejecting every option as soon as it arose. They had your friends’ addresses, but your only family in the city was your dad, who was…

Up there.

Your stomach churned and you let yourself stop, leaning against the wall in the deserted alleyway. Your breaths fell short and heavy, side still aching as you pressed your hand into it, dimly aware of a warmth leaking onto your fingers.

Where could you go?

Your mind was whirling through everywhere you knew in the city, eyes occupied with scanning up and down the alley in case a black-clothed figure emerged. Knowing one could at any time, you let your feet start up again at the first destination that entered your mind, thought barely half-formed before you were off again.

Careful to stay on smaller streets and in the shadows, you barely registered your growing tunnel-vision as you sprinted to the nicer end of town.

Your lungs were burning by the time you arrived, but you were there and you ran up the steps, fist pounding on the door and not letting up despite the gnawing fear that he wouldn’t be in.

Taehyung threw the door open, knowing only a handful of people who could be knocking in such a manner at this time of night. But he was met with none of those possibilities.

He stared down at you, black hair falling into his wide eyes and mouth slightly agape.

“Please can I come in?” you breathed before he could form any words, quickly taking a look over your shoulder.

You were shocked when you looked back to see him already standing aside, holding the door open. Hurriedly, you stepped inside and he shut the door, leaving the two of you facing each other, backs against either wall in his small corridor.

His wide eyes still hadn’t left your face, unsurprisingly shocked at your sudden appearance. You had only spoken to him precisely four times before when you had a college project together last year. Which is also why you had been to his house, precisely once before.

You looked down to your feet, hair falling by your face as you tried to reign in your breathing.

“Y/N, what-“

“I’m sorry, I don’t have to stay, I didn’t know where else, I mean, you were the first person I could think of-“

“Hey, hey,” his low voice cut in, and you found his hands were gripping your shoulders. He ducked his head to catch your eyes and you found yourself at a loss for words. “What’s going on?”

“I… I don’t, some people, I don’t know who they were-“

“Fuck!” he cut you off.

You stared at him again, and found that his gaze had finally drifted. Looking down, you saw what he must be staring at: your hand, clutched to your side and covered in red as blood leaked between your fingers.

Now your eyes were on it, you couldn’t seem to tear them away, even when Taehyung’s arm was over your shoulders, tugging you with him into the front room. Absently, you looked over to see if the curtain was shut, something Taehyung didn’t miss as he moved in front of you again. He followed your gaze, but his attention was quickly back on you.

“Stay here,” he commanded.

You looked back to him dumbly and nodded.

As he took off running towards his kitchen around the corner, you stared after him, wondering why his voice had echoed after he had spoken.

You tried to turn around to look at his living room, though it was much the same as it had been last time. However, you found your feet were sluggish, legs tired from running. Now was the first time you were able to catch your breath since that man had found your hiding place, but you didn’t feel any better for it. You had a growing headache, and what felt like pins and needles pricking all over your legs.

Reminding yourself you only had to wait for Taehyung to return, you took a deep breath. You were safe now. Those people couldn’t have the address of someone you had interacted with for a week months ago.

Slowly, you blinked, but when you opened your eyes patterns were dancing there. Frowning, you blinked again, but this time your eyes did not open.

Taehyung had rushed straight to a small cupboard tucked into the corner of his kitchen, dropping harshly to his knees as he grabbed the medical bag he kept there. Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how you looked at it, he had dealt with this kind of situation before with the boys. But this, this was different. He had no idea what had happened, but he had a college acquaintance bleeding in his front room, so he wasted no time reaching to the back to grab bandages before pulling himself to his feet again and heading back. On his way, he scooped up a couple of tea towels.

But as he rounded the corner, he froze. Taking in the new sight took him a split second before he was running to your side again, where you were lying on the floor.

His hands were promptly pushing you onto your back, moving your arms away from the stab wound. Blood had stained your hoodie beyond repair, so he pushed it up, grabbing one of the tea towels instead, bunching it up and pressing it into the wound with as much weight as he dared.

“Y/N? Y/N, come on.” He muttered, glancing towards your face, where your eyes still lay closed.

He bit his lip, eyes darting between the wound and your face. Swapping to press his right hand on the wound, he pushed his left through his hair and huffed out a breath. Observing your face closer, he thought you looked pale, and noticed a slight sheen of sweat.

Conscious to keep pressure on the wound, he leaned forwards while reaching his hand out and rested it on your forehead. Not too cold. He let out a breath as he brought his hand down to your cheek.

“Y/N,” he said, more insistent this time.

After a couple of seconds, your eyes opened and he smiled down at you. You took him in, kneeling beside you with his hand cupping your face, not seeing the cause for such a brilliant grin given your current predicament.

Soon though, his eyes were diverted again, grin fading as he looked away, reaching for your hand. He took it and placed it under his over the cloth on your side, helping you to push down.

“Keep pressing down,” he instructed, and you did. Suddenly he pushed himself up to crouch, and he was bending down, sliding his arms under your back and legs.

“Come on,” he grunted slightly as he lifted you.

“Wait, what are you-?”

“Pressure.” He firmly reminded you, pointedly looking at your hand where it held the towel to your side. You shut your mouth and pressed down. He took you the few steps over to his sofa and lowered you down.

“I’ll get blood on your sofa,” you said, trying to protest.

“Wouldn’t be the first time,” he chuckled, leaning over to tug a blanket from the back of the cream-coloured seat.

“Oh my god, your carpet,” you babbled next, but again, he cut you off.

“Shut up and focus on breathing,” he told you, placing the blanket firmly over your shoulders and tucking it over them, all the while holding your gaze, “I think you’re going into shock. So just breathe, and keep pressure on your wound.”

You nodded, reassured by his unfazed manner. He continued to talk as he lifted your legs to place your feet over the arm of the couch.

“I don’t think anything important’s been hit, so we just have to worry about the bleeding,” he perched on the edge of the sofa and pushed his hand on top of yours again, this time with the blanket in between them. “You’ll be okay. If we can get you to a hospital-“

“No.”

He looked up at you, startled.

“Sorry?”

“I don’t think I can go to hospital.”

For a moment, he simply stared, but then he nodded. Of course, it had crossed his mind that there would be a reason you had come to his house rather than call for real help. As far as he knew, you were a sensible girl.

“What happened?” he asked next, “don’t tell me if it will make you stressed, though,” he added.

You swallowed. He had a right to know.

“I’m not exactly sure,” you began, “I was just at home, and suddenly a load of people broke in… I tried to hide in the closet but one of them found me, and he was the one who stabbed me.”

Taehyung’s eyebrows were drawing closer and closer together with each word you said.

“What happened to him?” he asked.

“I might have knocked him out…” you replied sheepishly, “I just panicked, I swear he was trying to kill me.”

Taehyung winced at that.

“But there were more than just him?”

“Yeah,” you nodded, “I had to jump out the window-“

“What?” his eyebrows had shot up into his hair, mouth wide, “but you live on, like, the fifty millionth floor!”

“It’s the fourteenth, calm down Taehyung,” you rolled your eyes. He had also been to your apartment once when you were working on your project and had made it very clear that he did not appreciate the height. “I just jumped across to the fire escape.”

A silence settled itself over the two of you and you took the opportunity to breathe in and out deeply a few times. The pressure on your side remained uncomfortable, but of course it was necessary.

“Why did you come here?” Taehyung broke the silence with the most obvious question of all.

You sighed.

“I, um, heard some of them talking when I was hiding on the fire escape. I could hear them from my window. It sounded like they were… I dunno, after me? It sounds weird, I know, but one of them definitely said they knew where my friends lived, so I couldn’t go to anyone, well… obvious? I guess, so I-“

“So you came to the only gang violence expert you know the address of, with the added bonus of being basically a stranger?”

You stared at him.

“That.”

It was certainly strange to hear him admit that out loud. Taehyung had been perfectly nice to you when you were partners, but you had stayed away from him before and since for a reason. At your college, it was a well-known but unspoken fact that the bangtan boys were not to be messed with. There were seven of them, including Taehyung, and while they couldn’t exactly be termed a gang, they were involved in the city’s drugs ring, which obviously brought its fair share of trouble with it.

Most of them could only be seen lurking by the gates or down backstreets after dark. You weren’t even sure if they all went to college, or if they were meant to and just never turned up. Of course no one had ever asked.

Taehyung, however, was a slight exception, often on campus and usually with his friend Park Jimin. Sometimes they would be spotted with an older student Jung Hoseok, but those were the only bangtan boys you might have a hope of recognising.

Beside you, Taehyung shuffled so he could look closer at your wound. The movement of the towel against it made you hiss, tearing your train of thought.

Eyes darting up to you, Taehyung flashed an apologetic smile, but continued looking.

“The bleeding’s slowing,” he said, straightening up again and repositioning his hand over the towel, “I’m going to need you to stay awake for me for a bit though.”

You nodded, shooting him a grimace before your eyes began to meander. For the first time since you stumbled across the threshold, you really had the time to feel awkward about your surprise visit. Especially as you now noticed he was just in sweats and a big shirt. Presumably these were his pyjamas; certainly they were very different to his usual choice of attire.

“Hey, what are you thinking about?” Taehyung squeezed your hand, cocking his head to get your attention.

“Ah, just hoping I didn’t wake you up,” you shrugged.

He rewarded you with a breathy laugh before shaking his head.

“Don’t worry about it! Though it is very nice of you to be concerned, I think you have bigger issues to think about.”

“That is true. And I meant it, I don’t have to stay. But thank you for all this-“

“We can sort it all later. I just want to talk to you, make sure you’re awake and okay, yeah?”

“Sure,” you agreed. Exactly like he said, the two of you stayed talking for what you assumed to be half an hour or more, about the classes you shared, your current project partners, and somehow ended up with him dishing dirt on your friend’s new boyfriend. Clearly his intention of keeping you awake had succeeded. He was satisfied enough to allow you to drift off eventually when it became clear you were sleepy rather than dying. It was the middle of the night, after all.

A twinge in your neck was the first thing you were aware of. Squeezing your eyes, though they were already shut, you felt a stinging dryness in them. Suddenly a burning ache bloomed in your side, making you groan.

Your attempt to move your arms to grip where the pain was revealed to you that you were buried tightly under blankets. At the same moment you felt coarse fabric underneath you and an uncomfortable sticky coating on your hands.

Gradually, memories returned to you, and once your eyelids lifted sluggishly and revealed a vaguely familiar living room they became impossible to deny. You had hoped it was all a crazily realistic nightmare. Despite the pain you felt in your side, in your head and now in your eyes as you were faced with natural light, you didn’t move. Instead, you let your eyes slide closed again, trying to take a breath and calm down.

“Hey. You awake?”

“Yeah-“ a croak came out instead of your voice. Coughing to try and rectify it only highlighted the burning in your throat, making you wince.

That was when Taehyung entered your line of sight at last, holding out a cup of water.

In a very ungraceful manner, you fought off the blanket on top of you and sat up to take it in your still bloody hands, hastily sipping some and feeling it soothe your throat. After a few more mouthfuls, you brought the glass away from your lips and looked up at your host. He was watching with wide eyes under furrowed brows. Your eyes darted to the window. The curtain was still drawn.

“What time is it?” you asked.

“It’s, uh,” Taehyung pulled a phone from his back pocket and tilted his head to look at it, “nearly midday.”

Blinking at him, you nodded, eyes wandering over to the closed curtains again, though they let most of the light through. As you looked across the room you could also see the stain you had caused on his carpet, a cloth and a bottle of some cleaning fluid sat next to it which had clearly been defeated.

“You aren’t at college.”

For some reason that was the first thing out of your mouth.

“It’s Sunday.” Taehyung’s reply made you feel all the more stupid. To your relief he moved on after only a slight pause.

“How are you feeling?”

He had yet to approach you, still standing a couple of paces away with his hands dug into the pockets of his black jeans. Taking in his clearly damp hair, still dripping a little onto his t shirt, made you realise just how tired and unclean you felt. You would kill for a shower.

“Like shit,” you chuckled, eyes falling back on the cup clasped in your hands.

“Figures,” Taehyung said, looking down at the blood on his carpet. You could only grimace.

For a moment he didn’t look back up at you, but then he sucked in a breath and raised his eyes to look at you from beneath his curls.

“Listen,” he started, “I was wondering if you… what you said about what happened to you last night, can you remember anything else?”

You found yourself unable to look away from his gaze.

“Why?”

“I just, well-“ he huffed then, breaking eye contact and looking to the side, speaking slowly and deliberately, “I’m wondering if it is what I think it is. It doesn’t exactly sound like those people were in your place by accident.”

That was definitely true. But you couldn’t wrap your head around what he was getting at. You scrunched up your face, trying to recall any more details.

“Any names?” you realised Taehyung was looking at you again as he finally stepped forwards, crouching to sit on the coffee table facing you, “Could you describe any of them?”

“I think, maybe…” you chewed your lip for a moment more, “I only saw the one of them, and he was wearing all black, hood up and everything so I didn’t see much. He was a little taller than me, and I might recognise his face but I was a bit more preoccupied with the knife… He was definitely looking for something though.”

Across from you, Taehyung gave a slight nod, looking to his lap and you couldn’t help feeling like you had disappointed him a little. Then something struck you.

“Wait! I got a look at him when he was knocked out too, and he had some symbol, a tattoo, just below his collarbone,” you were startled when Taehyung’s head suddenly snapped up again, eyes staring fiercely into yours.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, like a sort of star,” you assured him, though your eyebrows were drawing closer together in a questioning look. “You’re freaking me out, what’s going on-“

“Is there anything else you can remember?” He pressed, shifting closer so he could put his hands on your knees.

“I heard two others talking when I was outside, they might have… yeah, they did mention a name actually! What was it…” Taehyung’s eyes were darting across your face as you mouthed sounds, trying to recall exactly what the name had been.

“Shinhyuk.”

As you looked up, Taehyung met your eyes with an unreadable expression. Holding your breath, you waited for him to say something. He still hadn’t moved away from you and both his close proximity and the seriousness with which he was acting was unnerving to say the least. It was certainly different to how friendly he had been with you before.

“Please don’t hide anything from me,” he said, at last pushing away from you and settling back on the coffee table, “I need to know if you’ve been involved with anything… shady. Of all people, I won’t judge you, but… buying any drugs or something?”

“No!” you sat up a little straighter, “please will you tell me what all this is about?”

Taehyung chewed on his lip as he looked at you, giving off the air of someone young for the first time since he began his questions. The college student he is rather than your interrogator.

“I just want to know who you’ve been involved with to make someone like Shinhyuk come after you.”

“Someone like Shinhyuk?” you questioned.

“Yes. He’s not someone you want to be associated with, but being his enemy is worse. Me and the boys have… let’s just say, we’ve encountered him and his lot before. Proper organised, underground, crime. Completely ruthless. After you fell asleep last night I got time to actually think about what you said and I was worried it was him – those kinds of break-ins are just his style. He likes to scare people. Show off his fearlessness.”

Eyes flicking back to you, Taehyung registered your response as you sat still, taking in this information as best you could. You felt totally numb. This was crazy, all of it was absolutely insane.

“But he only attacks when he has a reason to.”

Groaning, you let your head fall into your hands.

“Listen, I am so sorry. Sorry for coming here, and making a mess, and dragging you into this. I get what you’re trying to say and I don’t want to bring you trouble or anything,” As you spoke you pushed the blanket further off you, gripping the arm of the sofa to pull yourself up while trying to ignore the headrush it gave you, “so thank you, but I guess I should probably get out of your way…”

It was only when strong hands grabbed your upper arms and forced you to stop that you looked up.

“Woah, Y/N slow down, where are you going?”

You merely stood, shuffling your feet and trying to dodge Taehyung’s gaze. Unsuccessfully. His eyes bored into you for a moment before his shoulders dropped and he spoke again.

“God I’m sorry, I was just worried about getting involved if you were one of Shinhyuk’s… But you’ve still been stabbed. Don’t pass out on me, okay, just sit down and I can get you some food. Shit, I can’t believe I haven’t even given you any food…”

Allowing him to push you back down onto the sofa, you watched as he headed off to the kitchen, only after hovering uncertainly for a moment first.

Just as it had been when you were last here, the kitchen was only around the corner from the sofa you were on now, the room being open plan, and so you could easily hear Taehyung rooting through the cupboards. Plates clinked together and a packet of something was crinkling. Just thinking about food had your stomach gurgling. How long ago had you last eaten?

In an effort to stop the rumbling, you reached for your water again and were reminded of the state of your hands. Taking a deep breath first this time, you lifted yourself from the couch.

“Y/N? Is-“ Taehyung raised his voice in the kitchen, but whipped around as he heard your footsteps, one arm still outstretched above his head as he got something from the cupboard.

“What are you doing?” he frowned.

“Can I wash my hands?” you asked quietly.

His eyes fell to your hands, coated in congealed blood and quickly agreed.

As you watched the dark liquid swirl down the sink, marbling with the clear water, your mind was still replaying all that Taehyung had told you today.

“Hey, is- is ramen alright?”

You blinked, noticing that the water running down the drain was completely clear now. Hurriedly shutting off the tap, you turned to Taehyung, who was holding a packet in one hand and a pan in the other.

“Uh, yeah, sure. Thanks.”

Luckily he noticed you glancing around the kitchen, hands dripping on the tile, as he passed you a towel when he turned back from the stove. Leaning back against the side, you wiped your hands, making sure to avoid the corner that was already a little bloody, presumably from last night, though you didn’t ask.

“You know you can stay here,” Taehyung said.

“Are you sure?” you asked, “I don’t want to put you in danger. If this Shinhyuk is looking for me…”

“Who says he has to find you?” he smiled over his shoulder, “We know he won’t expect you to be with me. If you go out on your own, where are you going to stay? It’d be a lot easier to track you down.”

“I guess, but I really don’t want to force you into anything.”

“You’re not. I can see it wasn’t you that brought Shinhyuk’s gang down on you, so I have no problem in helping you.”

“What could it have been then?” you leant your elbows down on the small island between the two of you.

Tae just stared down at the pot he was stirring for a moment as he thought.

“Family, maybe? You live with your dad, right?” he suggested.

“No, no, my dad would never,” you shook your head, “maybe it’s about whatever they were looking for.”

Taehyung just hummed, turning back around and setting down his spoon.

“You look kind of pale,” he informed you, “you still need a lot of rest, okay? When this is done, I’ll show you where my room is, you can eat, change your clothes and go to bed.”

“Oh! I can stay on the sofa, it’s fine,” you quickly assured him, a little flustered. Clothes did sound good however, given your hoodie was currently drenched in blood and weighing you down. Not to mention it shared your stab wound.

“But I should probably open my curtains at some point, right? And the main street is right outside,” Taehyung came straight back.

“Ah. Yes. Okay.”

He gave you a smirk before turning his back again.

Just as you were about to thank your lucky stars that he would miss your reddening face, he whirled back around again.

“Wait, you don’t have your phone, do you?”

“Uh, no,” you hurriedly checked your pockets, understanding immediately. If you had brought it with you, you could easily be traced.

“Nice,” Taehyung let out a sigh of relief before picking up the pan and heading towards you and the sink. Then he broke out into the biggest boxy smile, as if no one’s lives were on the line. “Your ramen’s ready by the way.”

By the time you had changed, then allowed Taehyung to reapply the bandage you hadn’t even been awake for him applying the first time, you were exhausted. It was more like passing out again rather than falling asleep once you were under the duvet.

Waking up was another matter.

You weren’t sure how long you had been conscious for, but the room was completely dark behind your closed eyelids. Praying that if they just stayed closed, you could drift away again proved futile. Awareness was taking you back into its jaws and it wasn’t letting go.

You weren’t sure if it would stop hurting. Unrelenting in your side, the pain seemed to have been lingering before you surfaced from sleep but was only growing with your wakefulness. An ache soon  graduated to a pronounced stabbing pain in your side, refusing to be ignored.

You weren’t sure when you had started thinking. Perhaps when you were still dipping into dreams, seeing that star tattoo on someone else… If only you could wish the thoughts away, but more just kept coming. And it made sense, didn’t it?

Opening your eyes was a mistake. It made it all real.

You were really here, for the reasons Taehyung had thought. His questions were there in your mind, and now the answer had lodged in your brain, suspicion’s roots taking hold. That phone you had left behind, the new hoodie that was in the trash downstairs, the smiles and full bellies.

Your breath was shaky as you screwed your eyes shut again.

It couldn’t be true…

If only that were true.

Hot, you were too hot. And that stabbing in your side was worse now, worse than the moment you had actually been stabbed.

Before your arms had even freed you completely, your feet were leaving the stifling heat under the covers, falling over the edge of the bed and to the floor. The force of your body twisting upright brought the pain charging through you, and in a flash you were on the floor, vision only coming back the moment you made impact.

But it wasn’t the jolt of your bones against the ground that had tears running down your face.

Just because Taehyung was no stranger to sleeping on sofas didn’t mean he was a fan of it. Calls came in like any usual night, except he couldn’t get back to sleep as fast as normal afterwards. How busy his mind was given the past day’s events certainly wasn’t helping him along.

Huffing, he opened his eyes and stared blankly at the ceiling. God, just let me sleep.

For maybe the hundredth time, he rolled his body without untucking his arms, scooting himself round in little hops, but the new position brought no comfort.

Simultaneously as his thoughts returned to his real bed again, a thud shuddered through the quiet house. Instantly, his head perked up. His eyes shifted towards the sound, but nothing followed.

Then he was out the door, blanket strewn behind him, forgotten on the living room floor. Halfway up the stairs, the sound of you gasping carried down to him. His room was directly across from the top of the stairs, so he piled straight in, crossing the landing in a single stride.

When he stopped at the door, taking in the sight of you pressed into the corner between his bed and wardrobe, you didn’t even look up. Quickly, his hand found its way to the light switch and the room was cast in a shock of yellowish light. This time you reacted, blinking as you startled, releasing another few tears from your eyelashes.

Before you could even notice Taehyung at the door, he was kneeling in front of you, hands moving fast to pull away the part of the duvet you had tugged down with you. Though he didn’t miss you flinching, his hands didn’t waver as he pushed the borrowed t shirt up to get to the bandages underneath. They were still white.

Chest heaving from his short panic, he raised his head to look at you.

“What the hell happened?!”

Your quivering lip was all that moved for a moment, your mouth open as you tried to form words when you had been dragged from your disoriented state with as much grace as being tossed into a lake. Now you were faced with Taehyung, your thoughts had suddenly frozen.

No words left your mouth.

“Are- are you hurt?” he asked, quietly this time. Although he could see your wound was okay, he still felt you shaking as his hands rested on the knees you had tucked to your torso. The wetness on your cheeks was also concerning him.

You just closed your mouth and shook your head.

Still sniffling, you cast your eyes down and never met his though they still looked at you, your gaze always wavering just below his. As he watched you, his hand lifted from your knee and his thumb landed on your cheek. Closing your eyes, you felt it move an inch or so, wiping away the tears in its path.

Then it juddered to a stop, and it was gone.

Heavy as they were, your eyelids took a second to open, by which time Taehyung already had his back to you. He didn’t turn to face you when he spoke, busy spreading the duvet back on the bed.

“You shouldn’t be moving around too much- you’re still healing. Anything you need, I can get it for you, but you should just go back to-“

“It was my dad.”

The words tumbled from your lips, the volume uncontrolled.

Silence followed for a beat, though Taehyung’s shoulders tensed.

Carefully, he turned around.

“What?”

“Exactly what you said,” you grit your teeth to control the waver in your voice, “earlier. I think he-“

But you couldn’t continue, your throat closing around a sob. Taehyung’s face softened. An arm was soon sliding gently around your back where he crouched beside you, helping to lift you up until you were sitting on the edge of the mattress.

“Did you know about this?” his voice was low and smooth, as calming as it could be when what he was asking about had just shattered all that was left of your normal world.

“No,” you whispered, not trusting your voice to do more than that, “but I was thinking about what you asked me earlier… I wrote it off straight away, but I think you were right. My- my dad’s never been able to afford much for us. It’s why I couldn’t even move out- going to college was already enough of a stretch. I didn’t really ask when he finally bought me a new phone, I was just glad to have it. And he works so much overtime that I thought maybe he was starting to make some headway on his debts, but…”

Taehyung turned his head towards you as you trailed off. Simply staring at your lap, you looked… broken. Of course he knew money didn’t come out of nowhere, of course he knew where that money may have come from, and of course he knew it was stupid of your father to accept Shinhyuk’s deals. But you had been caught in the middle, in the fallout, and he was the only one here with you as you realised it.

His hand rested on your knee.

It was light, as if ready to spring away at any moment, but you could feel it.

“I should have realised,” you mumbled, “we never go out for dinner. And I’ve never had a problem with wearing the same clothes for a while… people don’t get paid more when they’re working less…”

When you slumped forwards, head falling into your hands, Taehyung was forced to lift his hand to avoid an elbow and now it was hovering in mid-air. His mouth fell open slightly, at a loss. But less than five seconds of you crying into your hands and he let his hand fall onto your shoulder.

Forcing himself to relax beside you, he let his arm rub up and down softly.

“Where is he now?”

Taehyung sucked his lips in soundlessly, leaving your question floating in the air. Your head hadn’t even left your hands. Perhaps you knew that if he answered, it wouldn’t be of comfort.

“You should get some rest,” he said plainly.

There wasn’t enough energy in you after this bombshell to fight his hand as it guided your shoulder to the mattress. The mattress rose slightly as Taehyung stood, and soon the light had clicked off, his hand on the door handle-

“Taehyung.”

It wasn’t a whisper exactly, but you wouldn’t have been surprised if he didn’t hear you. But greeted with silence, you decided he had stopped.

“You don’t have to sleep on the sofa…”

To your relief, he didn’t laugh at you. He could spot a plea when he heard one; you hadn’t exactly been subtle, but he had no objection. The bed was double, and you didn’t want to be left alone. If he went back to the sofa, he wasn’t sure he could have slept anymore anyway.

So he turned around.

Please reblog if you enjoyed it! Comment or message me to be tagged when I update!

#kim taehyung #v #taehyung #bts kim taehyung #bts v #bts taehyung #kim taehyung mafia au #v mafia au #bts v mafia au #bts v mafia #mafia bts #bts mafia #bts mafia au #college au bts #v college au #kim taehyung college au #mafia!taehyung #kim taehyung mafia #taehyung mafia au #mafia kim taehyung #bts gang au #bts gang #bts v x reader #v scenarios #v imagine #v imagines #kim taehyung x reader #kim taehyung angst fluff #bts v angst fluff #crossfire

[emeraldbabygirl]

Mr. Pickles

Genre: smut hahahaha the bookends

Warnings/kinks: threesome, butt stuff uhhhh yeah :)

Length: it’s sweet :) haha it’s like not too much :(

“If you need us we’ll be out on the patio!” your mom called as you made your way to your bedroom. Your parents had been wanting to meet your boyfriend for a couple months now but you had no idea how to tell them that you were kind of dating two men at the same time. Hwalchan was your boyfriend as that was the story you told your parents and other family members but you never said anything to them about Uiyeon. Uiyeon was Hwalchan’s friend and to be honest you were still getting used to dating two men yourself so you never did much with him alone. Uiyeon himself was more of a watcher when it came to doing anything with you and Hwalchan. You definitely were not going to show up for the first time and tell your beloved parents that you were in a relationship with two men at once so you just said your boyfriend and his friend were coming over. Luckily they didn’t question it.

The trip upstairs was quiet. You studied Uiyeon and Hwalchan observing the house, taking in the pictures covering the walls and admiring the general setup of the house. Finally you got to your room. Upon entering you heard one of them stifle a laugh. You made your way to the bed and plopped down. “What’s so funny Uiyeon?” you questioned. Hwalchan and Uiyeon took in your room. “Well, there’s a lot of pink.” Uiyeon said walking around your room. You looked at all the pink colored items around, the pink curtains, the pink rug, the pink and white desk with the matching chair, the pink hanging lights, all the pink pillows and the pink throw you had at the foot of your bed. “I liked pink okay? I haven’t been in this room since I moved out. My parents left everything the same.”

“But princess you still like pink.” Hwalchan declared pointing to your choice of clothing. Expect for your white socks and your blue jeans your shirt and jacket and hair clips were all pink. “Well I still like pink.” you pouted. Hwalchan smiled sitting down next to you on the bed, Uiyeon joining you on the other side. “Who’s this?” Uiyeon asked picking up a stuffed pink rabbit. “That’s Mr. Pickles!” You exclaimed taking it out of Uiyeon’s arms and into yours. They both laughed. “I was three and a half when I got him and I named him pickles cause that was my favorite word.” you explained pouting. Hwalchan scooted closer to you moving your hair out of your face. “Baby you’re so precious aren’t you?” Hwalchan cooed. You froze as you felt one of his hands on your thigh. You let out the smallest gasp as his hand squeezed your thigh through your jeans. “Your room is so innocent and cute.” he said his lips grazing against your next trying to distract you from the movement that was his hand sliding up your thigh.

“O-of c-course it is. It’s my childhood b-bedroom. You stuttered feeling another hand on you. You turned your head over to Uiyeon who had his hand under your shirt slowly making his way up to your breast. Uiyeon wasn’t much of a talker surprisingly when it came to sex as he felt little comments were a waste of time. “But you’re the complete opposite. All the things you tell Uiyeon that you’re too afraid to tell me. Like how you want to be fucked on your childhood bed.” At this time you let out a much louder gasp as Uiyeon gave one of your breasts a harsh squeeze. To keep you quiet and distracted Hwalchan smashed his lips into yours his hand now cupping you right where he wanted. You squeezed your thigh shut as he started rubbing your through your jeans. Uiyeon continuing playing with your breasts his hot breath fanning against your neck followed by his soft lips leaving small kisses against your skin. 

“Y-you want to f-fuck me on my bed?” you asked when Hwalchan broke the kiss. You stared into Hwalchan’s eyes and down to his cute smile. “Of course princess. Don’t you want your two favorite men to ruin you on your cute pink bed?” Hwalchan’s words had you hungry and without another word your top was off and you were laying under them as they touch every inch of you. Uiyeon finally decided to use his lips and teeth on your breasts instead of his hands and Hwalchan’s hand was down your unbuttoned jeans teasing at your opening. 

You let out soft and needy moans as time went on. Your moans turned into whimpers when you were over Hwalchan pushing yourself down on his cock. “What if we break my bed?” you asked. Uiyeon had a grip on your hips teasing your backdoor with his tip, “we’ll be careful baby.” 

As Hwachan fucked into you you felt Uiyeon enter your ass causing you to cry out lowering yourself on Hwalchan’s chest. “Is it too much? Do want me to stop?” Uiyeon asked concerned over how uncomfortable your cry sounded. Hwalchan watched you raise up tears streaming down your pink cheeks your pussy clenching around his cock. “No, no it’s just..god Uiyeon I didn’t expect you to feel so fucking big back there.” Uiyeon chuckled pushing his cock in further. “I’m sorry you just have the cutest little pucker and it makes my cock so big and hungry. 

Uiyeon laid under you his cock now nice and snug in your ass as he held your legs apart for Hwalchan. “You’re so cute like this. God getting to fuck you like this on your pink bed hell even your cute pussy is pink isn’t that just precious.” You whined as your wall clenched around air. Your hands reached for the pink throw to give it a squeeze as it felt like Uiyeon was ripping your ass to shreds. “Hwalchan don’t say such things i-it’s embarrassing.” You looked away. Hwalchan chuckled and slid himself right into your pussy thrusting as fast as he can. “Oh I know but you like it when I say such things don’t you? You’re such a slutty little baby aren’t you. You whined at his words. 

Hwalchan’s grip on your hips was tight as he rammed his cock into you over and over again. His hair was wet with sweat and sticking to his forehead his tongue sticking out from panting. You watched through blurred vision as his muscles tensed up at each thrust. His finger tips were surely going to leave bruises. Tears streamed down your cheeks as both men chased their highs getting you closer and closer to your orgasm. Uiyeon was a mess under you as his hands were everywhere squeezing and slapping your breasts wrapping his hand around your throat. His teeth were leaving deep marks into your neck and every time your ass clenched around his cock he hissed biting you even harder. You were definitely going to be covered in bruises and you had no turtlenecks.

“Fuck baby you’re so fucking precious,” Uiyeon growled into your ear from behind you. “You like getting your holes destroyed on your childhood bed? Gonna shoot my white milk all over your pink bed.” your body shook over Hwalchan’s as the boys switched positions again. Your back arching and your breasts jiggling at each thrust from Uiyeon. He was moving your entire body with each thrust and you and Hwalchan were both close to cumming. Hwalchan looked totally fucked out himself as he lay panting under you his thrust getting sloppy and even he began to moan and whine a little. “I’m gonna cum soon princess, are you gonna cum too? Cum for me princess you can do it.” As if a switch flipped in you your orgasm came crashing fast your thighs shaking uncontrollably. Hwalchan’s cock felt like it was growing inside you before he shot his hot seed all over your insides. Hwalchan’s moaning was so hot and so lewd that it caused you to cum another time with Uiyeon following his cum shooting quickly into your ass. 

Uiyeon pulled out his cum still flying landing on your back, ass and thighs and even getting some on your bed spread and Mr. Pickles. Hwalchan was panting like crazy with cum still oozing out of his tip as well his cock twitching every time. You slowly and carefully tried to lower yourself onto your bed trying to find your balance but when your folds accidently came into contact with Hwalchan’s tip more cum came out of you. A cry came out as well as your whole body felt numb. You felt Uiyeon’s hand behind you hold you up and gently lay you down beside Hwalchan. Uiyeon didn’t take long to come down from his high and soon Hwalchan followed but you were still feeling loopy and out of it. “Do you think we went too hard with her? Maybe I shouldn’t have tried the anal huh?” Uiyeon asked moving your hair out of your face. Hwalchan’s hands ran up and down your arms gently kissing the parts of you that weren’t super sensitive like your shoulders and forehead. “No I think she’ll be alright she’s just sensitive is all.” 

When you felt back in your own body again you snuggled into Uiyeon giving him little kisses. You were still needy and now wanted more. “More, I need more.” you said turning over to Hwalchan and reaching for his cock. Hwalchan quickly grabbed your hand before you could touch him. “No princess I’m still a little sensitive myself, besides, we should probably go down and talk with your parents and all that. They’re probably wondering what’s taking us so long.” You whined turning over to Uiyeon again. You gave him puppy eyes. “He’s right sugar, we can have more fun when we go home alright? We gotta get you cleaned up before dinner, you don’t want your parents to know what the three of us were doing up here do you?” Hwalchan and Uiyeon helped you up and got you dressed and cleaned up before the three of you tidied up your room. 

“When we get home we can have all the fun you want ok princess?” Hwalchan patted your head as you all made your way out to the patio. Unfortunately for you the rest of the day you were too distracted with crazy thoughts about what you wanted Uiyeon and Hwalchan to do to you, especially after they fucked you silly on your childhood bed.

hHAhahah HAHA I just really needed something with the bookends as I’ve been hot for them recently ugh they are so big fUCK and shit I needed this getting railed on your childhood bed by the bookends as they mock you for still liking pink sksksksks it’s a whole mess cause it was just something I whipped out rq and so I’m sorry that it sucks. It’s my kink those two uwu. Just many reasons why I wrote this hahahahahh help. Also I just used their stage name just blah blah it doesn’t matter anywho I wanted to make a moodboard but it’s already hot to make moodboards for underrated groups cause I never find pics and on top of that finding pics that I want from my head is hard cause sometimes they don’t exist and of course sometimes I don’t like the way the moodboard turns out. Also also, there’s prolly a shit ton of spelling errors cause I didn’t reread it I’ll do it later blah blah blah ya’know what I’m sayin?

#great guys #hwalchan #uiyeon #jeon mingi #great guys smut #great guys fanfics #hwalchan smut #hwalchan fanfics #uiyeon smut #uiyeon fanfics #jeon mingi smut #jeon mingi fanfics #kpop smut #kpop fanfics #smut #fanfics

[sunflowersteves]

Unforgivable || ch. three

Natasha Romanoff x Fem!Reader

𝒔𝒖𝒎𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒚: Your life with Natasha seemed like pure bliss until the team mistakes you for an agent gone rogue. 

Author’s note: Here’s the last part! I’ve loved this journey trip of angst. I hope you all enjoy! Imma do a little extra with a smutty honeymoon ;))))

Warnings: angst, fluff!, swearing, angsty plot, basically the whole team is a dick

Main Masterlist

Previously:

Now you had to make a choice. Forgive Natasha or never see her again? On one hand, you wanted to be back in her arms again. Smelling her shampoo and kissing her temple all while that passion and love fill your stomach. But on the other hand, the Avengers had threatened you and your life. Natasha thought they were right. Natasha believed them, believed that you used her for information.

Although, you know you’ve already made your decision.

~~

Natasha had been holding up in her room ever since she took you to the bus station. She knew she needed to keep her distance from you but she couldn’t help but sulk. She also didn’t want any confrontation with the team, she was still super pissed. Honestly, she would probably break each of their fingers right now.

She realized that you were it for her. You were the light of her life, the sunshine that shone through her terrible days. She remembered how after particularly hard missions, you wouldn’t ask and question. You’d immediately run a bath and take a loofah, gently rubbing up and down her skin.

Sometimes she would stare at you in awe, no one has ever done that before. Most of the people Nat has been with, they’d just brush her off. You on the other hand would pamper and comfort until she was happily smiling. 

Natasha would just stare blankly in front of her, the darkness of her past haunting every movement she took. You could always tell when a mission went bad or it uncovered some dark secrets. You would wrap your arms around her waist and just hold her there while she softly cried into your arms.

Normally the two of you would spend time making dinner together, laughing, and dancing around in the kitchen. However, on the days that the two of you would need each other, one of you would make the other their meal.

You always made sure to have Nat’s favorite dish ingredients on hand. You’d stir the pasta around with a fork and the pesto sauce was poured on top. On days that were particularly bad, you would feed her yourself. You’d wrap the fork around the noodles, “Open wide, sweetheart.” Tears would always prick her eyes at your gentle voice and open her mouth, watching her chew it all down.

On good days, the two of you would cuddle and watch as many movies as you could. Her favorite to watch with you was horror because you’d jump in her arms and she’d coo at you until you were no longer scared. Sometimes you would go to parks and swing together on a swing set. Nat would bring a picnic basket with both of your favorite snacks and you’d endlessly tease each other.

Natasha had never realized how much she loved you until you were gone. Sure, she was aware that she was in love with you but not hopelessly so in love that she never wants to spend the rest of her life with anyone else but you. A couple of tears escaped down her cheeks, a full sob running out of her mouth.

All she felt, as she was curled up in a ball on her bedroom floor, was heartbreak. The depth of her stomach would twist and turn as she kept thinking about you running away from everyone. Her organs felt tangled in one another and she felt like her lungs were collapsing in on her. She was drowning. Drawing in the sorrow that was the loss of the love of her life. She was drowning in the anger and disappointment of herself and her friends.

She believed their word over yours. The ones who made the mistake of thinking you were from Hydra. She should’ve trusted you. She should’ve immediately run after you, assuring you that she believed you.

But she didn’t. She didn’t run after you and envelope you into her arms. She let her friends spoil her mind into thinking that you manipulated her.

A light knock at the door disrupted her thoughts. Was it you? Had you given a tiny ounce of forgiveness? She lifted herself up from the floor and pulled open the bedroom door. “Clint.” She sighed, her stomach plummeting to the ground. She almost slammed the door in his face but he kept his foot wedged.

“Nat-”

“I don’t want to hear it, okay?” Nat sat back down onto her bed, pulling her knees up to her chest. Heavy sobs raked over her body and her shoulder flinched as Clint tried to comfort her. He did it again but this time she let him, Natasha’s wails were compressed with hurt and sorrow.

He pulled her into his arms and rubbed his hand back and forth. “I am so so sorry, Nat. I’m so sorry that we made you believe that she was a double agent. I should’ve looked better into it. This isn’t an excuse but I’m going to be honest with you. I’m in love with you, Natasha.” Her eyes snapped towards his, a gasp leaving her mouth. Her tears had slowly stopped and it slowly turned into rage.

“So that means you can just shove her away as you did? It means that because you love me, you get to drive others away?” She tried to get out of his hold but he only seemed to hug her even harder. He shook his head at her question. Sure, he was in love with Nat but he genuinely thought that you worked for Hydra.

“When I saw how happy you were, my whole world crashed. When you were introducing us to your girlfriend, I mean, I was jealous to the point of trying to find dirt on her. So when I found that file, I wanted it to be true.” She sighed, the anger was still coursing through her veins at each word he spoke but she kept quiet. Nat knew that he wasn’t done with what he was saying.

“But then I saw how hard this hit you. The pain and suffering and desperation that this whole situation made me realize how dumb I was being. I want you to be happy Nat,” He turned to look at her face, her eyes flickering between his. “Again, none of this is an excuse for my actions. I just want you to know my side. If it helps, I had all of us go apologize to her and explain your side.” 

Her whole body perked up, she grabbed onto Clint's shoulders, “What? What’d she say? Is she oka-”

“I’m not going to lie to you Nat, she looked hurt. But she seemed to understand your side of the story. We also want to make it up to her, if you two decide to rekindle.” She nodded, a couple of tears streamed down her face as she thought about the heartache you were going through. She knew how hard you took things sometimes.

“What about you, Clint?” He waved his hand up dismissively, assuring her that he’s going to be fine. “I’ll be okay. I’m still very much in love with you but I’ll be okay. I’ll move on,” A bright smile caressed his lips at the thought of his plans tonight. “I even have a date with this really cute girl named Laura.” 

The two of them giggled and talked a bit about what she was going to do to try and win you back. However, if you wanted space she'd give you that in a heartbeat. Clint eventually left to get ready for his date leaving Nat back alone in her room.

She was contemplating running in your arms right now or just letting you think over things, so she could contact you.

But what if you were thinking the same? What if you were waiting for her to react?

Oh, fuck what if’s, Nat thought. She could sit there all day wondering what you would do and how you react. Why doesn’t she just get up off her ass and ask you? Worst comes to worst and you slam the door in her face. Although, that’s still an answer.

She picked herself off the bed and grabbed her things. She ran out the door to try and run down the long hallway but was stopped by a body slamming into her. She immediately went to see if the person was okay but then she froze.

There you were, right in front of her. Your hair was framed perfectly around your face, your tear-stained cheeks were wet but Nat couldn’t help but see how adorable you looked. Sunshine had radiately off of you despite being in a very big predicament. Your clothes were rushed to be put on and your shoes weren’t even tied.

“Nat-”

She interrupted you but launched herself in your arms, screaming almost at the top of her lungs. “I am so so sorry! I shouldn’t have believed them. I should’ve come running to you. I’m so sorry. I will do anything, and I mean anything if it means you’ll give me a second chance. But also if you want me to leave, I’ll-”

You immediately shushed her, stroking her bright red hair. “I’m not going to leave. I love you, Nat. I love you so so much. I can’t see spending my life anywhere else but with you.” Large sobs from the two of you filled the air. Her grip on you was tight like you were going to disappear if she let go.

“I’m not going to forgive you easily though. We have a lot to work on and a lot to work on with the Avengers but I’m willing to give it a shot.” She held you even tighter before, and you let go of her hold just a bit. Your heat ached as a whimper left her mouth but you quickly filled her reassurance with a light, feverish kiss. 

~~

Three years later

“Tony, if you don’t shut the fuck up right now, I will stab you.” Tony was all choked up to see Nat in her wedding dress near the altar. Tony just rolled his eyes at Nat and kept sobbing to himself. “I will cry all I want.”

Now it was her turn to roll her eyes, “Just don’t fuck up the wedding photos.”

Wanda was next to her in her bridesmaid dress and a small bouquet. The music started to play and the chatter died down. A gasp left her lips as you came into view, your dad having his arm locked around yours.

You were utterly beautiful. Your white dresses pooled largely around your feet, the flowery patterns had skated up and down the dress. Your veil was covering your face but Natasha already knows that you were the most beautiful person in the world.

You walked down the aisle and your dad let go of you, walking towards Nat with a fit of giggles. She lifted up your veil and gasped, her heart swelling with love and adoration. 

The ceremony went on, saying the ‘I do’s’ to each other and holding hands. The smiles never left your faces. If you were being honest, you forgot about everyone else in the room. The only thing you could stare at was her in her wedding dress.

“You may now kiss the bride.” Natasha didn’t waste any time and she pounced on you. She grabbed your face and pressed her lips against yours. The chapel erupted with glee and shooting at the two of you officially being married. 

Her hands snaked around your waist and your nose occasionally bumped. Her tongue tasted like honey, light fireworks erupted in your stomach at the feeling of her around you. She moved her head back, the two of you panting and the cheers still roaring in your ear.

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

~~

Natasha Romanoff: @natasha-danvers

Unforgivable: @messuhp @dark-heart-no-soul @jenny-song @kangerland @izalesbean

Permanent Taglist: @hailmary-yramliah @kitkatd7 @captainchrisstan @angstysebfan

#natasha romanoff x reader #natasha romanoff #nat romanoff #natasha romanov x reader #Black Widow #black widow fanfiction #black widow x reader #angst #angst to fluff #fluff #scarlett johansson #marvel #marvel fanfiction #marvel fanfic #natasha romanoff fanfic #reader insert #unforgivable #f/f romance #f/f #f/f fanfic #lesbian fanfiction #lesbians

[bigfrozenfan-fanfics]

Chapter 13 - Kolgrimr’s Fury

Links: Chapter overview, Character list, Map, Glossar Rating: M over all Publishing cycle: each Friday at 6:00 pm CEST dst/UTC +2:00 on (link)

Remarks: all my chapters contain carefully selected music tracks. It’s your own decision if you want to use them or not while reading. The purpose is to musically support the respective mood of the plot. If you can please use a browser for reading (not the Tumblr app) due to the text formatting and music.

At some point his mother had stopped beating the drum and after a few minutes he returned from his trance state to reality. His gaze cleared up and he saw Gyda sitting right in front of him. She looked at him relaxed and with a satisfied expression on her face. He listened into himself and felt a previously unknown power within him, it was almost tangible. He smiled at her and nodded impressed. “It worked. I can feel it. Thank you, Mother.”

She briefly stretched out both arms, palms up and said, “What did you expect? It always helped your father up until that day and now it will help you.”

“Yes, indeed. It will help me to get my ...,” he broke off in the middle of the sentence and his face took on a look that was at first astonished, then annoyed. Quite automatically he had let his mind wander and realized that the Arendellians had disappeared from the camp. They had been warned!

“What have you done ...,” he gasped and pulled himself up. He stared at his mother.

“What is it, Kolgrimr? What did you see?”

“They are all gone! Fled because someone warned them! The ritual prevented me from noticing in time. I ...” He clenched his fists and looked at her fiercely, his lips trembled.

She gasped and clapped her hands in front of her mouth. Then she stood up and looked at him sadly, almost pleading. “Kolgrimr, please ... I didn't mean it. Who could have guessed it!”

For seconds they just stood facing them and stared at each other. Then he seemed to have made a decision. One could clearly see it working in his head. “Well, let's do it the other way. It will take longer and have consequences for someone, but I have no choice now. You can prepare yourself for big changes, Mother.”

He angrily grabbed his things and stormed out of the hut. His mother stood there helpless and with her mouth open, staring at the spot where he had just slammed the kota's lid behind him.

~~~

He was furious and roared as he walked through the camp, holding his deadly modified battlestick in front of him. He simply pushed the nearest Northuldra out of the way and moved towards the camp centre.

Many more men and women were already gathering there, startled by Kolgrimr's cries of rage and warning shouts echoing through the camp. Everyone stood there waiting and nervous with their birch wood sticks in their hands and those who didn't have one hurried as fast as they could to their kotas and took it.

Yelana ran up gesticulating and tried to calm her people down. “Stand back! Stay calm, folks.”

Then Kolgrimr stepped onto the small clearing, his burning gaze directed at the leader. The people groaned when they saw him for the first time. So this was Gyda's son and some of the elders here had a deja vu moment as they remembered his father's appearance. Wrapped in his almost black fur coat, he wore a hood with reindeer antlers on his head, and his huge-looking figure loomed threateningly before them.

He pointed angrily at Yelana. “You! You drew everyone's attention and warned them about me. Not only that; you have allowed this brood from Arendelle to enter into our land again and you have also have taken care of them, and treated them as if they were our own people. And then you just let them go!”

“Kolgrimr, calm down, you're making a big mess of things here. They have proved to us that they are our friends and they amended the mistakes of the past. They ...”

“Shut up!” he yelled at her and cut off her word. “They lulled you in, wrapped you around their finger and repeating to you what they did to our old leader. What they did must be avenged!”

“Kolgrimr ...,” she began, but was interrupted by him again.

“You are unworthy to rule us, an illegitimate leader of the People of the Sun and have simply usurped that position. You have betrayed our people and now you will be replaced! My mother will take her rightful position in your place and you will be banished for your deeds.”

Yelana gasped for breath and the mood of the Northuldra tipped behind her. One of the men rumbled, finally becoming enraged, ran angrily towards Kolgrimr with his battlestaff raised against him. But the latter only grinned, and then something began that hadn't happened for ages, a deadly serious battle of the Northuldra against one of their own.

~~~

Honeymaren was already halfway back to the camp when she heard excited voices from there. “What's wrong now?” she muttered and started to run.

Even before she passed the first kotas she heard the roar of an unknown person. She soon realized that this could be only one person. “Kolgrimr!” she exclaimed in horror and stopped so abruptly that she almost tripped over. Her heart began to accelerate and a deep fear seized her suddenly.

What am I going to do; she thought and crept forward carefully, far enough so that she now saw almost all of her people standing together in the clearing, with Yelana at the head. And then she saw Kolgrimr himself and her heart almost stopped at the sight of him.

She had to stand by her people now. Wasn't she the best Skalastet fighter among them? But that also meant that she might very soon find herself in a serious situation between life and death for the first time in her life. She was very afraid and just stood there like paralyzed for seconds. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes briefly to calm down again. Then her decision was made and she crept unnoticed around the crowd and Kolgrimr, towards her kota. Once there she took out her battlestick and moved silently to the hut that was right behind Kolgrimr.

Arriving there, she ducked on the ground and peeked around the corner. A soft noise made her look to the side, startled and she recognized her brother, who moved one hut away towards her, with his battlestick in the crook of his arm. She put a finger in front of her lips. Ryder nodded and now also looked forward to the clearing. Then he looked at her questioningly and she waved him over. When he was with her he whispered, “You're not planning on attacking him from behind all by yourself, are you?”

“What else can I do, little brother, I must stand by them all. But you can be sure that I'm very scared too. This looks like a real fight and it may end badly.”

“Please be careful, sister, and don't do any of those jumping-up-the-tree-and-hit-up experiments like you did with me. We don't know how good he is with the stick.”

Honeymaren nodded and looked forward again carefully, every tendon in her tensed to breaking.

And then suddenly everything went haywire without any warning.

~~~

Yelana just yelled out loud, “Don't attack him ... stop!” and spread her arms wide to hold her people back, but it was already too late.

Kolgrimr levered up his attacker's battlestick and kicked him so hard against his chest with his foot that he sailed backwards in a high arc and then lay motionless.

Now there was no holding back anymore and many Northuldra stormed him all at once. The first three did not know what happened to them when their battlestaves were knocked from their hands with such force that they themselves were torn around and hurled to the ground. At the next man Kolgrimr cut the staff in half with the blade of his hunting tip in one mighty blow, and in the same movement he struck the other end of the staff with force against his neck. The Northuldra crashed to the ground like a felled tree.

The wave of the attack came to a halt and the Northuldra became more careful now. With eyes widened in fear they looked back and forth between the men lying on the ground and Kolgrimr. Only a few seconds had passed and already five of them were out of action, two of them unconscious and three rubbed their aching arms.

They slowly moved further apart and tried to encircle him now with sticks held out in front of them. Kolgrimr smiled and let his battlestick whirl before him, so that the blades of the hunting tips flashed in the light of the low-lying sun and created a trail of light in front of him. The men hesitated.

Honeymaren still waited. He was yet a bit too far away from her and her steps would surely reveal her in the attack. She hoped that the next attack would bring him closer to her. She slightly corrected her foot position and the grip on her staff. She was ready for the jump.

And indeed, Kolgrimr retreated slightly at the next attack. Two of the more experienced fighters exchanged fierce blows with Kolgrimr at the same time. But he had no problems at all to parry the strokes. With playful ease he casually hit them against arms, legs and scored body hits. He obviously played with them and was unnaturally fast. It was almost as if he knew exactly in advance where the two men were going to strike.

“Yet a little bit closer ...,” Honeymaren whispered to herself without a sound and gripped her staff tighter.

Now the third attacker joined in, a wirily built younger Northuldra woman. She let her battlestaff slowly spin in front of her, waiting for the ideal moment to attack as she moved in a semicircle closer to the fighters. Then the moment was there, she jumped into the gap and thrust with all her might. Kolgrimr made a leap backwards.

That was the moment Honeymaren had been waiting for and left her guard. One leap, another, and her toes barely touched the ground as she jumped up behind him with her battlestaff raised and delivered a precise, powerful blow to the only exposed spot. His carotid artery. She knew it wouldn't kill him, but it would certainly incapacitate him.

She also knew at this crucial moment that her stroke was perfectly executed and would find its target. Then the unthinkable happened. Only a fraction of a second before that, Kolgrimr crouched down in a flash, spun around and looked her straight in the eyes with a terrifying, mad grin, as her strike went nowhere and she went down uncontrolled. Immediately he was above her, put his foot on her chest and pressed his hunting tip against her neck. Honeymaren was stunned and let her staff roll out of her hand.

“You!” he rumbled over her and slightly increased the pressure with his battlestick. Honeymaren groaned and a thin blood thread ran from the light cut.

“Let go of my sister at once, you monster!”

Kolgrimr slowly turned around and saw Ryder standing behind him in attack position two steps away. He raised an eyebrow in surprise and said, “Interesting. I didn't see you coming.”

“How could you, I was standing right behind you, in your blind spot. Let her go now ... please. She was just trying to defend us. We haven't done anything to you!”

Kolgrimr pondered, looked down at Ryder's sister again and then raised his eyes to look into the faces of the surrounding ones who were frozen in their movement.

One of the men whispered in the ear of the equally shocked Yelana. “How can a man be so fast. It's supernatural.”

Yelana shook her head slightly and muttered just two words, “Berserker juice.” He looked after her uncomprehendingly as she took two steps towards Kolgrimr, threw her staff from her and spread her arms wide.

“Kolgrimr. Enough! Hear me ... I beg you. I will grant your request and go into exile willingly if you release Honeymaren. You don't want to kill one of our people, do you? You are one of us, and it is not us you hate.”

Kolgrimr's attitude relaxed a little and Honeymaren dared to breathe a sigh of relief. At least she hoped fervently that he would accept Yelana's offer.

“Why not right away so? That's I wanted to hear since the beginning. Drop all your staffs and step back,” he ordered in a loud voice, turned back to Ryder and said, “You too!” He made a nodding head movement towards the ground and fixed Ryder with a piercing look.

Ryder hesitated and gave Yelana a questioning look. She nodded and breathed a sigh of relief when he finally dropped his staff.

Kolgrimr took the spearhead from Honeymaren's neck and said to Yelana in a commanding tone, “Get your belongings and get out of here! Hurry up, go on!” Yelana gave him an angry look, picked up her staff again, took a quick step to her kota and disappeared into it.

Shortly after, she came out again, with a bag over her shoulder. She took one last look around and walked with measured steps towards lichen meadows. When she was out of sight Kolgrimr also took the foot from Honeymaren's chest and pulled her up by her collar. He stood behind her in a flash and suddenly she had his long knife at her throat.

The Northuldra groaned loudly and Ryder sank to his knees in desperation. “I have no intention of killing her,” Kolgrimr shouted to the Northuldra gathered around him. “But for now, I'll keep her as hostage, you hear? Don't get any stupid ideas or you will bitterly regret it!”

Then he lowered his head to her left ear grinning and whispered in low voice, “You won't die, dearie, not yet. You will help me to bring the Arendellian royalty back to me, specially your beloved snow queen.”

All her hope seemed lost now; she thought. She realized, that she was helplessly at his mercy now. She felt his hard grip pressing her against his chest and the deadly sharp knife at her throat. Tears began to flow down her cheeks and she trembled in fear.

When Kolgrimr finally started to move and to direct her into the woods she throwed to her brother a last glance. He still kneeled on the floor, staring at her desparately. Maybe this was the last goodbye.

Her lips silently formed her last words to him, “I love you, little brother.”

~~~

---

I hope you have enjoyed this chapter! Please leave a comment if you liked the story, I would be pleased to read your opinions, even criticisms. If you want to be tagged as soon I publish the next chapter please let me know, except you are already tagged :-)

Announcement : Tomorrow a little surprise is waiting for you, so don't forget to check my blog. By the way, I plan this also for the change to the future parts, always one day later than usual. Just now part two has started... At this point I would also like to thank all those readers who have liked my story so far without comments, but are still there and also my new blog followers. THANK YOU guys!

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[crescent-yoon]

Driver's License // Hwang Yeji x Reader

I got my driver's license last week

Just like we always talked about

'Cause you were so excited for me

To finally drive up to your house

But today I drove through the suburbs

Crying 'cause you weren't around

I wanted to call her so bad, but my pride wouldn't let me. I can't help but to be stubborn in this situation. Why did she want to break up? Was I not enough? Did she fall out of love? Sure, we'd fight but we'd always make up. Maybe this time it was too much.

And you're probably with that blonde girl

Who always made me doubt

She's so much older than me

She's everything I'm insecure about

Yeah, today I drove through the suburbs

'Cause how could I ever love someone else?

I was always happy when I'd go to school and see Yeji by my locker, looking as gorgeous as always. Then, that happiness turned into jealousy whenever her classmate, Ryujin, would be lingering around her. Touching her shoulder, giving her flirtatious looks, and Yeji never saw anything wrong with that. They both had so much in common, too. Much more than her and I did. But it was so obvious that Ryujin liked her and she always became the source of our arguments.

And I know we weren't perfect but I've never felt this way for no one

And I just can't imagine how you could be so okay now that I'm gone

Guess you didn't mean what you wrote in that song about me

'Cause you said forever, now I drive alone past your street

"So, you don't trust me?" Yeji looked up in slight annoyance, her eyes getting glossy. "That's what you're saying?"

"No, it's not." I sighed, equally frustrated as I tightly gripped my hair. "But you're always with her. I mean, we're dating but we don't even spend time with each other anymore because you're always with her."

"Then maybe we need to take a break." Yeji sighed as she closed her locker.

And before I could make her stay and try to hold onto her, she walked away, walking alongside none other than Ryujin.

That's why I told my mom I was sick today because how could I go back to school with her words replaying in my mind, only to find her by that Ryujin girl's side.

And all my friends are tired

Of hearing how much I miss you, but

I kinda feel sorry for them

'Cause they'll never know you the way that I do, yeah

Today I drove through the suburbs

And pictured I was driving home to you

Maybe there was a way I could fix this? Maybe I should apologize to Yeji. She is my girlfriend and I should trust her after all.

Not caring that I was still in my pajamas, I grabbed my car keys and drove to the nearest flower shop and got Yeji her favorite flowers. I also went to the jewelry store and got her the necklace that she'd really wanted for a long time but could never really afford.

Since it was still school hours for a bit, I decided to stop by Yeji's house and drop off the necklace with Yeji's mom to give her after school so that it would be a surprise.

Then, I drove off to the school to surprise Yeji with the flowers and apologize in person. But what was waiting for me, proved that my intuitions were right.

And I know we weren't perfect

But I've never felt this way for no one, oh

And I just can't imagine how you could be so okay, now that I'm gone

I guess you didn't mean what you wrote in that song about me

'Cause you said forever, now I drive alone past your street

I walked into the school and almost immediately upon walking in, my friend Chaeryeong rushed up to me with a look of what seemed to be distress.

"Y/N, what are you doing here?" Chaeryeong chuckled almost nervously. "I thought you were sick? You even came in your pajamas."

"I'm fine, Chae." I pet her head as I walked around her. "Where's Yeji?"

"Mm, maybe we should talk somewhere else?" Her brows furrowed as she suddenly stood in front of me once again.

"Why are you acting so suspicious, Chae?" I frowned as I gently tried to move her out of my way. "I'm just gonna be quick."

"No! Wait!" She shouted as she ran after me. "Y/N!"

I stopped in my tracks when I heard a familiar voice from afar ask, "Yeji, I like you a lot and I'd just like to ask if you'd be my girlfriend."

Ryujin.

I didn't feel like staying there much longer. I couldn't help the mad scoff that left my body with a sarcastic smile. Then, my eyes met hers that I had fallen deeply in love with and I couldn't handle it.

I turned around and I could feel Chaeryeong following me with Yeji slightly behind.

"Wait, Y/N. Stop." Chaeryeong grabbed my wrist to stop me from moving further, causing me to turn around. "Don't run away. Just face it."

"Face what, Chaeryeong?" I could feel my voice gradually rising. "Face the fact that I was right? That Ryujin likes Yeji? That because I was so jealous of those two, Yeji and I aren't together anymore? Yeah, I saw. I hope those two are very happy together."

I made eye contact with Yeji once again, her sparkling orbs meeting mine. I couldn't be here, in this moment, with her.

I roughly snatched my arm out of Chaeryeong's grasp, almost causing her to fall down but I couldn't care at the moment.

I was so angry and heartbroken. I wanted to hit something and hard. I'd never hit Chaeryeong or my Yeji. Not even Ryujin, I could never hit another person. Looking down at the flowers in my hand, I threw them against the lockers and left the building.

Regardless of the fact that it wasn't good for me to drive while angry (Yeji always drove when I was angry), I got in my car and drove off anyway.

Without a destination in mind.

Red lights, stop signs

I still see your face in the white cars, front yards

Can't drive past the places we used to go to

'Cause I still fuckin' love you, babe (ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)

Before I knew it, my foot was pressed down hard on the gas pedal. My phone constantly ringing with calls between Chaeryeong and Yeji. I even got a few from Ryujin.

I wanted to hear what Ryujin had to say about this so I finally answered her.

"What do you want?" I angrily answered.

"She said no."

"What?"

"She said no. She told me that even though you two were on a break that she'd always be in love with you and nothing could change that."

"She did?"

"Yes. She's crying over you because she feels like she's done something wrong, that things can't change."

"Tell her I'm on my way."

"I will. Fix things with Yeji, please. I don't want her to be hurt anymore."

"Thanks, Ryujin."

A moment of hesitation must've come over her before she said, "of course."

I quickly pulled a U-turn but I was just a bit too slow to move out of the way of the car coming from the opposite side of the intersection.

I could feel my breath getting heavier and my heartbeat getting slower. I had realized I had crashed once I felt the pain of the sharp glass in my arm and the blood dripping down my forehead.

As the weight of my limbs began to feel heavier and heavier along with my eyelids, I could hear the familiar ringtone that I'd set for Yeji and Yeji only.

Feeling my eyelids getting heavy, I used all the energy I had left to answer the phone.

"Hey, Yej." I barely managed to let out.

Hearing the sounds of sirens and Yeji's voice before my eyes finally shut.

Sidewalks we crossed

I still hear your voice in the traffic, we're laughing

Over all the noise

God, I'm so blue, know we're through

But I still fuckin' love you, babe (ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)

When I woke up, I could see the outlines of three figures. At this point I was a pro at being able to tell Yeji apart from anyone in the world so I figured the other two were either her parents or Chaeryeong and Ryujin.

"Can you give us some space please?" Yeji whispered, holding my hand.

My vision began clearing up as her parents left the room.

"Why in the hell would you do something so stupid, Y/N?" She slightly frowned as tears built up in her eyes. "Because you are upset? You should talk to me about it. What have I told you about driving when you're mad, huh?"

"Not to." I muttered before she poked my shoulder a bit harshly.

"Exactly. Stop doing scary things and worrying me. Stop making me scared that something bad will happen to you or that you'll do something that you can't reverse. I can't lose who I love the most."

"I love you too, Yej." I have her a weak smile since my body was in pain.

"No more hospital trips and no more jealousy. You're the love of my life and I can't handle anything bad happening to us. " she kissed my knuckles. "And thank you for the necklace."

I know we weren't perfect but I've never felt this way for no one

And I just can't imagine how you could be so okay, now that I'm gone

'Cause you didn't mean what you wrote in that song about me

'Cause you said forever, now I drive alone past your street

"Of course, Yej." I smiled before I kissed her. "I promise."

Yeah, you said forever, now I drive alone past your street

I'm not sure why but I got creative inspiration from Driver's License by Olivia Rodrigo. I was listening to it earlier and thought of Yeji but I didn't expect it to be so long but hopefully it was enjoyable.

#itzy imagines #itzy yeji #itzy x you #itzy x reader #hwang yeji #yeji x reader

[btswishes]

Love me for who I am now

Bucky x Reader ( Chapter 7)

Previous / Next (8)

Summary: You apply for the Stark internship and end up getting it, so now you have 5 months to make a good impression to continue working with the Avengers.

A/N:  This delay wasn’t planned everyone. My computer had enough from online classes and decided to crash on me a couple of days ago. I had to send it for repair, but we are back now. I will post a bit more often from my usual schedule for a few days to try and compensate. Hope yall like this, sorry for any mistakes made. Enjoy.

Tag list: @vicmc624  @yasminwashere​  @darkacademic2​

Word count:  4,301

Warmings: fights, harsh language, not part of the original MCU

Y/N- Your name                            

Y/L/N- Your Last Name    

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

“ I am sorry to cut this lovely reunion short, but we are still in a HYDRA base and honestly I am sure I hear a clock ticking.” You pointed in the direction of the gentle muffled clicking sounds

“Guess they plan to level this place to the ground just in case.” Bucky pinched in

“The way it sounds, I plan to watch the fireworks from inside the car on our way AWAY!”

    Peggy still in Steve’s arms, felt being lifted off the ground again like she was made from feathers, as he dashed through the now missing doors towards the premade exit. She kept silent for most of the escape, seeing how the situation was confusing as it is, there was no need to fuel the adrenalin more. The bomb was enough for now.

 The grip Cap had on Peggy loosened, letting her jump in the backseat with his shield. Bucky’s big frame settled next to Steve in the front seat, but not before he threw you towards Agent Carter, less gently than his friend did.

“I am not a bag of groceries Barnes!” you kicked his seat, yet ended up getting ignored for the most part

  With determination, Steve’s foot hit the gas making the car roar out – snow creating a cloud behind the tires.

 The empty space filled with loud beating hearts, skipping and missing beats, going one over the other – starting to calm down only after some distance was put between them and the building.

“Guess I misunderstood the tiking sou-“ the whispers coming out from your lips were engulfed by the huge explosion following the thankfully small pieces hitting the rear of the vehicle. You and Peggy ducked your heads for safety measures. The men in front seemed too immersed in the road, couldn’t even notice the musical notes coming from Bucky’s metal arm, his body leaning out the window, as particles ricocheted off it .

“Barnes!” your fingers reached over to grab onto his weapon belts, pulling him back inside. This man had no regards to his life, making one stupid decision after the other. It didn’t help that Steve wasn’t even noticing it all. Sometimes it felt like they both shared the ‘stupid’.

“Calm down doll. I am trying to see through the dust cloud. Wouldn’t want Stevie to throws us off a cliff.”

“I. Can’t.Believe.You.Are.Joking.Right.Now!” each hit perfectly timed thumping off his broad shoulders

“Stop it you two! Call Stark.” The blonde man demanded, pulling Bucky’s attention from you and onto the earpiece. The deep stern voice of authority cut your upset streak immediately. 

“Hey ladies, how was the ball?” Tony’s playboy tone rung through the car, presumably while he was twirling onto his work chair.

“Delightful.” You hissed between your teeth

“What is wrong Cinderella? Lost a shoe?”

“No, but we gained a member.”

“Calling Barnes a dog isn’t nice now.”

“Stark!” Bucky launched towards the dashboard, but Steve stopped him with his free arm, before clasping the gear stick again.

“HYDRA were doing something in there that might have worked.”Cap began talking “ Tony, we don’t plan on stopping at a safe house. I am driving us directly towards the compound. How fast can you meet us there?”

 The mic picked up on Tony’s shifting body guessed by the screeching sound of his work chair “ I don’t know. How far are you from there? Fuck, I will call Happy to get me from Stark tower.”

“I am sorry to intrude in this discussion, but do you by chance mean Stark as in Howard Stark?” Peggy placed her hands onto Steve’s seat, pulling her body closer.

“Usually people don’t think of my father first thing when they hear my name.” Tony huffed out, a bit of pride bubbling in his long blood of geniuses.

“You are Howard’s son?!” she gasped audibly

“Umm, I thought people knew that about me already, as well as handsome, playboy, genius, billionaire. Google gives a good explanation too. Steve is this our new addition? I would be worried if the answer is yes.” The car fell silent for a couple of seconds “I will take that as my answer.”

“We are close.” Cap didn’t know how to deal with all this still, he just had to cut it short till everyone was gathered and maybe ignore the problem for the time being. Very bad coping mechanism.

“How many vodka shots do I need for this?” Tony’s equivalent to pre-workout when it came to Avengers related work. Maybe the only thing keeping him sane most of the time.

“Grab a bottle for me too.” You voiced loud and clear from the leaning position your body was resting in

“A bottle?! Fuck my life.” The earpiece cut off the conversation making Bucky place it back onto his ear. Silence laced the atmosphere once more, this time with no sound, but the motion of the car to keep company. Your eyes laid over everyone inside one by one, scanning them and their calm exterior. The drive was long and a bit suffocating to a point, where you had to open the window on your side to let some fresh air in.

“Ah, sorry.” You sighed out looking at Peggy’s scattering hair “I should have asked before opening it.” Her hand gently pushed the flying strands behind her ear flashing you’re a smile.

“It’s ok. I know how much you hate tight spaces, we used to find diners with tables next to open windows because of that.” There it was again, a chunk of true information about you throw directly out of the 40s at you in the 21st century. Steve’s gaze focused onto the reflection in the car mirror switching between his love’s soft gaze and your confused look thrown back at her.

“Calm down, we are almost there” Bucky’s fingers Morse coded a quick message to his ,on the edge friend, earing a nod and refocus back on the street.

 The moment you entered the city again, Peggy’s eyes darted towards her side of the car scanning everything happening. The buildings were huge, people were dressed so different, their manners and way they carried themselves, it felt weird not what she grew up with and knew by memory. It felt lonely maybe, or sad that she had no means of going back, yet the man sitting in front of her was a dream come true. Something she had wished for for years now.

“I am not…home anymore am I?” no one answered her, giving just enough information to make her own conclusion. With a small flair Steve drove the car into the compound, parking it at its usual space. The blonde soldier opened the door slowly, reaching his hand out for the agent to take, as baffled as she still was at this point. You found it so sweet how he was showing his feelings towards Peggy without saying a word, still lost in the mission. While Bucky was fixing himself up, he noticed the way your gaze laid over the two lovebirds in a longing stare. A gentle smirk pulled on his lips, before pushing out of the car and gripping your door handle. An unlocking sound shot your head, throwing your hair in the opposite direction.

“What are you doing?” you asked him, tripping over the end of the question lightly

“Something you will never admit you want.” His flesh arm reached out for yours to take, letting you marvel at his huge stance for a moment. The hesitation dissolved with the reflection of yourself inside his ocean blue eyes.

  An old melancholic memory blew over you like a ghost, pushing your hand into his palm. Even though Bucky was the one who offered this, his body froze when you accepted his touch. His eyes ran over your hand, up your shoulder to your face, locking with you. His fingers slowly pulled your hand closer, clapped gently as he ran his thumb over your knuckles.

“I am glad that at least you brought my car back, for once.” Tony’s figure, standing next to the elevator with spread hands, pulling you two out of the time capsule. For a moment, for just a split second you saw in front of yourself a man. Short messed up dark brown hair, his smile reaching up to his eyes, shaping them slightly into crescent moons. His shirt unbuttoned tinted a dirty olive green letting his chest show – a metal chain laid upon it. His pants were messed up, his face muddy at places. It went like it came, a mist like whisper of the past.

“Tony we need to gather everyone.” Steve pushed the keys into the billionaire’s chest, letting them drop in his hands

“Already did-“ it didn’t take much time for him to notice Peggy “Is that?”

“Agent Peggy Carter.” She walked up to him with a confidant stride leaning for a handshake, which Tony didn’t hesitate to finish “Well aware of your identity agent Carter. Stark, Tony Stark.”

 She flashed him a smile with a small nod before walking into the elevator.

“F.R.Y.D.A.Y. conference room.”

   Yes Sir

   The doors slid open causing the confused agent to jump a bit. You made sure to grab onto her, stopping a potential injury inside. The big almost ceremonial hall sized room revealed itself in front of Peggy, adding to her list of amazing and possibly impossible things.

“How did the first mission go Y/N?” Nat swung her legs jumping off the table, just to be stopped in her track by the unexpecting young lady behind Steve

“Everyone take your seats. This will be a long one.”Tony rushed to pour himself a drink, downing it faster than he could refill it. Peggy took Steve’s spot as he requested of her, taking his big frame to the front of the room.

“The HYDRA base was active. Except the usual goons there were 3 men, one of them was a scientist. Y/N.” he pointed towards you, directing the attention at you for a moment “Was able to retrieve the information, hopefully all of it, from them.”

“May I?” you asked, coaxing a nod from Steve. He turned towards your empty chair ,as you took his place in front of everyone. Taking over Tony’s tech you inserted the USB, but didn’t project anything yet to them. “They are trying to re-activate plan Winter Soldier and I am worried that they are pretty close to doing that.” Bucky’s body tensed up after he heard that name uttered from your lips “ I am guessing that they are opening a portal back in time using the tesseract. I don’t know if they plan to steal the serum, but it won’t be as simple as we think. F.R.Y.D.A.Y. the projector please.”

   As you wish Miss

    The wall became illuminated by different pictures and texts meticulously organized by you on the screen under your fingers. “I found old files, but no matter how much I scan them, I can’t get any information out of them.” Your head moved from the wall over to the tablet between your palms “All I can tell you is this Phase2-“

“Winter Soldier Phase2 The Return.” Peggy spoke out, her body rising slowly from the chair

“Everyone.” Your hand let go of the tech and turned the palms up pointing at her “Agent Peggy Carter, the one who walked through that very light ring a couple of hours ago.”

“She traveled through time?” Clint looked at Rhodey shaking his hands in front of his body “Is that something we can do now? Doesn’t it mess up some time space stuff?”

“Yes, basically. Just don’t tell Strange, we should be fine” You explained 

“Noted.”

“Well since she seems to know something about this, let’s let her explain.” Tony swung his whiskey in the expensive crystal glass, the ice hitting the walls melodically.

“Before this all happened, I was on a mission to retrieve the second half of that exact document.” She began

“You have read the first part ?” Steve asked earning an positive answer from her

“The experimented soldiers were cryo-frozen for future use, I am guessing in this day and age. The first file spoke of the process and the scientists involved in the whole operation by name. They planned to use one of these men to make a super soldier embryo.”

“HYDRA wants to mingle some of their soldiers to make a baby? Wouldn’t want to be that poor girl.” the playful note was easily distinguished 

“They could inject the serum inside a pregnant mother.” Vision leaned his body onto the table offering his two cents on this already sadistic topic 

“ This whole ordeal could be a way for them to try and retrieve the lost files. Going back in time is a big thing on its own. Guess they are very confidant in this operation to begin with.” Wanda jumped in with an idea following a lead

“That is an option, considering that their plan with unfreezing those popsicles ended up with all them dying in the first place.” Tony pushed off his desk, leaving the glass to rest on the coaster empty. “What else did you find on that USB?”

“That two soldiers survived that time difference.” Pressing the screen Bucky’s file popped up on the wall “James Buchanan Barnes, as we know went through the cryo freezer, but the second soldier doesn’t have any intel on methods of survival. Yet the more I looked into it, the more information I found about him. The files are much fuller than those of Bucky, almost like they had a personal deal of sorts, which got me thinking. So turns out this mystery soldier was in HYDRA as a family business. Him and Bucky were the best duo they had, almost perfectly engineered team. Taking orders and finishing the job. Our Mr.2 didn’t go under the memory eraser as much as Bucky did, only 5 recorded cases in here.  ” You tried to dig for a picture to offer them a face, but you could only find a burned one of a dog tag with a missing name, only the numbers left “ It is almost like he had been in the organization since a child.”

“What a family.” Nat commented “Basically we have another Barnes running around out there and we don’t know what he is capable of or who he might be?”

“I don’t remember any of this.” Bucky rubbed his head, either a headache creeping onto him or the anger of not being able to be of help.

“The problem might go deeper than that.” Steve rolled his shoulders back, hands crossed in front of his chest “Peggy seems to know Y/N.”

“Pardon my French but what the actual flying fuck?” Sam laughed out “ You can time travel of something now?”

“Not that I know of.” You shrugged “I am as confused about this as you all are.”

“Peggy?” his blonde hair flew around his head, as his eyes focused onto her figure

“We, me and Y/N are friends. Both of us met awhile after Steve’s….disappearance. Probably a couple of years or so. We used to go out from time to time and enjoy some food or a casual walk. Nothing suspicious. ”

“You said we haven’t seen each other since a few months now?” you asked her

“Yes, last time we met you had to leave earlier because of family problems with your uncle. It was pure coincidence, but I saw that the man who picked you up was James.”

 It felt like something snapped your head towards Bucky, eyes meeting in a mix of shock and confusion. The whole room couldn’t take a breath in until their brains calculated all that just got released as information. Tony frozen in one place as his eyes began to widen.

“I think I will be saying the thing we all are thinking about but…” Bruce trailed off trying to delay this as much as he could this rough interruption “ If Miss Carter is 100% sure she knew Y/N, the one here right now that we see and she also has seen her and Bucky together during that time. The information we got from that USB can lead only to one possible conclusion.”

“Are yall saying I am 100 something years old!?” your exterior was mirroring your inside state “We don’t know if it is a woman or a men, but you can’t just start pointing fingers like that.”

“I am sure it was Y/N. I followed you back then. After recognizing James I thought…” her eyes looked at Cap softly “ If he was alive than maybe Steve was as well.” The atmosphere was dark, heavy, but also like thunder crackling, hitting you with buzzes of something.

“What we are saying is that you could be working for HYDRA and we would never know.” Tony took a few steps towards you, his finger of the suit trigger button “A few years off your daily life are missing under the alibi that you were living with your uncle. You show some interesting symptoms from time to time to.”

“I don’t work for HYDRA!” agitating words and lack of memory began taking a tole on you “Wanda, Wanda look inside my head. Tell them I don’t work for HYDRA!” you were shaking her body vigorously, hoping for assistance maybe at least from Vision, the walking infinity stone.  

“Ok, calm down.” You took a seat while Wanda began gently entering your mind. She was gentle, taking her time going past one memory and into the other. Seeing thoughts and unsaid wishes. After what felt as an eternity she pulled her fingers away from your head and her presence out of your mind.

“She is telling the truth.” You slumped into the chair, taking a sharp breath in after what she said. For a moment you thought you heard faintly Tony disengaging the repulsion canon on his suit.

“But…”

“But what?” eyes wandering over Wanda in expectation

“You have missing memories, not exactly forgotten maybe suppressed or hidden. Things just don’t feel natural in some places in your head. They seem periodical.”

“Now that we have calmed down.” Bruce walked over to you, helping you get up and shielding your body from Tony’s sight “Let’s take her to Stark tower. Tony your lab there is much bigger we can figure this thing out.” Everyone in the room waited for the ultimate decision, which he took his time on making.

“F.R.Y.D.A.Y. prepare the lab.”

  Yes Sir

 “Thank you, Tony.” You whispered

“Don’t mention it kid.” His hand landed onto your shoulder, giving you a reassuring squeeze, that he himself might have needed at that moment  “Barnes you will be in a car with Steve, Clint and Peggy, Y/N will be with me, Bruce and Natasha. We don’t need you two that close for now. Wanda, Sam and Vision can just fly there. Rhodey grab Happy and wait for us there. You.”he pointed at Thor “Go ask your messed up brother if he worked with HYDRA or lost the Tesseract for sometime before we made Vision .”

  Thor summoned Bifrost off Midguard, Wanda grabbed onto Vision disappearing into the wall. Everyone else headed down to the garage. The elevator was packed, the silence felt like a rope around your throat choking you with each floor passing. The space seemed tighter than before. It felt like the elevator was slowly filling with water, the pressure crushing your bones. Your body warmed up going past the normal temperature, when an icy like cooling sensation rolled up from your waist. Jolting threw you slight back hitting something soft yet firm.

“Calm down, it is me.” A deep voice whispered letting your body sink into this hold turning into pudding. He was the only thing keeping you standing, melting away the worry. Your hands crept up grabbing onto his vibranium arm, holding tight almost like he might disappear if you let go.

Sir, the garage.

   F.R.Y.D.A.Y. ‘s voice echoed sliding the metal doors open. Tony threw a pair of keys over to Steve, unlocking his own.

“I got her.” Natasha smiled at you, showing Bucky that he can entrust you to her from here on. As much as you didn’t want him to let go, you felt his body leaving yours. “ It will be ok. No one really thinks you are on their side.” She told you “We just have to make sure that if this is all true they didn’t mess with you in ways they did with the metal fossil.”

“Nat.”a jingle like giggle left your lips, tapping her arm post joke. She knew what to say at any given moment. 

“Ladies mind having your giggle fest in the car, we are busy people.” Tony snapped his fingers in a flashy way, ushering you both on the back seat.

“What is the plan then?” worried or not, there was no point trying to change something outside your grasp. You were still scared, worried but sometimes wearing adult pants was needed. You worked hard to reach this spot, there was no way you could let go of your future like this. Determination was unlocking something inside you, strength in situation most people wouldn’t be able to be composed in.

  Tony threw a look at you before continuing to drive towards Stark tower “Glad to have you back agent.” Nat rubbed your hand in partnership with Tony’s words “ These are all theories, but having Peggy Carter so sure in knowing you could have revealed something about you and or HYDRA.”

Sir, a message incoming from Falcon

 “Put him through.”

“Hey Tony! Sorry to cut your show short. I am getting a police report of a road shut down by some black jeeps heading up on yall.” Sam was flying over the cars

“Check on it.” The big metal wings shadowed over the road and flew in front, almost disappearing between the clouds.

“Who would have guessed that someone would try and stop us from going to the lab.” Bruce laughed at his comment, but Tony and Natasha seemed too serious

“We shall see how much of this was the job of a little fairy.” The car slowed down coming up on the barricade of cars standing, tinted windows not allowed a correct assumption of human number

“Smells fishy to me. Someone let the octopus out.” Natasha pulled out the gun from her case sitting calmly next to her leg. Tony prepared his bracelets.

“Dusty, you get ready too.” He shot you a serious glance “I don’t think these fine gentlemen want our autographs.”

 No one made a move for a couple of minutes, before one of the jeeps opened and threw a man out of it on the floor. Bloodied up, tied in a brutal way. His head was hanging low enough for people to figure out he was an adult male, but not enough to figure out any facial characteristics.

“Great they have a hostage.” Steve’s voice echoed from the intercoms

“It’s HYDRA.” Bucky added “Couldn’t forget these disgusting faces even if I tried.”

“ Could have guessed that much myself from the logo on them metal boy.” Tony hissed knowing damn well they had to save whoever that man was.

“Don’t be shy, we won’t shoot. Yet.”  The HYDRA agent laughed out “Do you need more motivation?” his leg generated enough kinetic energy to roll the man over to the exposed sun light, making you yell out “UNCLE!”

“What?” Bruce’s body swung towards the backseat

“Great!” Tony hit the stearin wheel aggressively “Now we gotta do something. Avengers, out of the car.”

 Like a command you jumped out of the vehicle , trying to make sure you weren’t just guessing blindly, but it was him. It actually was your uncle, could he have been kidnapped all this time? The letters he stopped answering to could have been a sign you were too blind to notice. But why him?

“Now that we have acquainted ourselves , we want a deal.” The tall man spoke out braking your thought process “Give us our soldier back and we give you this one here.”

“How about we punch you in the face and you give us the hostage ?” Bucky hissed out, his arm clenching in front of your eyes

“Honestly, I liked you better when you didn’t talk.” the smirk ripping this man’s face was disgusting, filled with pride.

“Y/N?” you uncle coughed up a bit of blood next to himself, a sight tugging on your heart strings.

“Aw such a sweet view. Almost a bit sad don’t you th-“

“Not as sad as you will be in a bit!” full speed down from the sky, Sam ripped the clouds landing a hard kick on the back of this guy’s head. Knocking him a couple of feet back. You dashed over to your uncle, who mustered enough power to get up and try to reach you. He collapsed half way, falling into your arms just in time.

“Uncle, uncle!” you kept calling out to him, brushing his hair off his sweaty forehead, who knows what this man went through at a HYDRA base by himself.

“I am ok sweetie. D-don’t worry.” You lowered your head trying to hear him better between the heavy breathing he was huffing and puffing, sending you a comforting smile.

“We should help them.” Steve and Bucky went towards you to give a hand in charring your relative.

“Steve wait!” Peggy grabbed his sleeve, when Bucky suddenly got the wind knocked out of him, his back denting one of Tony’s cars. The sheer strength needed to throw a big man like James back only possible by Steve, or another super soldier.

#marvel fanfic #marvel fic #marvel aus #Marvel AU #marvel fanfiction #marvel scenarios #marvel hero au #marvel hero imagines #marvel imagine #marvel fanfic series #marvel x reader #marvel x you #Marvel x Y/N #marvel x female reader #marvel heros x reader #avengers fic #avengers fanfic #avengers fanfiction #avengers scenario #avengers scenarios #avengers fanfic series #avengers au #avengers AUs #bucky imagine #bucky x reader #bucky fluff #bucky x you #bucky x y/n #bucky imagines #bucky fanfic

[thenameisel]

Origin Stories Part Five: Follow Me

My first impression is of the pain. Agonizing, prickling pain. Like a million tiny needles stitching me back together.

But it fades so quickly, was it even there in the first place? I’m not even exactly sure what hurt. My lungs? My ribs? My throat? Everywhere?

There's an ache in my side that's subsiding too.

What happened? Did anything happen? I feel lost. Adrift. But also weightless and uncaring like I’ve just come out of a drugged sleep.

I open my eyes.

My hands are resting in my lap. Lose, relaxed, forgotten. I’m sitting on something hard and cold. The same unyielding sensation is at my back. I find it comforting.

There's a glint of white and I jerk my head upwards to see a small flying drone less than a foot from my face. It’s star shaped, facets shifting back and forth. With something moving to focus on, the fog in my head starts to thin.

Somehow I just know it's studying me.

“Titan. Updating calculations.” The masculine voice is calm and factual. “Pleasure to meet you. I have a lot to discuss with you, but I’m going to need you to follow me. This area is not safe.”

I open my mouth to ask… and a dozen questions come to mind. But before I can decide on one a primal yell pierces the air. The ground tremors.

Any remaining shreds of apathy is chased away by a shot of cold adrenalin.

I look around quickly, absorbing my environment. I’m sitting on a wide sidewalk, concrete wall to my back. The four lane road is pitted and cracked. Rusted out cars line both sides, and various other debris litter the pavement. The buildings are tall and square. Uniform and utilitarian.

The ground tremors again. Stronger this time.

Whatever is making it, is coming this way.

The done gets even closer, filling my vision.

Somehow I can tell he's agitated.

“We need to go. Now. Whatever it is, by my figures, is approaching at a rate that would have it here in five minutes. There’s an outpost fourteen blocks from here. If we can make it there, we’ll be safe.”

“Allright.” I say, my voice sounds dry. Unused. I push myself upright, the drone bobbing impatiently. “Lets go.”

He takes off down the street, and I have to follow at a brisk jog to keep up. I manage, somehow, despite the weight of the leather and metal armor I'm wearing.

We continue for a few blocks, without seeing a soul. Each open space, intersection and break between buildings, the drone checks carefully before stepping out into the open.

Soon I pick up the habit too. I have no idea what we’re looking for, but this empty world looks abandoned and dead.

Suddenly I see movement in my peripheral vision. I stop in my tracks, absorbed with what I see.

In the cracked and pitted glass of a once reflective window, I see a man. He’s got a stern face with chiseled features. Wide square jaw. Piercing eyes set under a heavy brow. Large nose. An unkept mess of blond hair frames his face, complementing the light bronze skin. The figure fills the pane.

The drone realizes I’ve stopped and comes back to my side. He looks to the reflection and back to me and makes an odd beeping chirp.

“Yup. That’s you. That’s what you look like.” he seems slightly regretful. “I wish we had more time. But we need to keep moving.”

I tear my eyes away and we set off again. We can still feel whatever is making the ground shake, but we thankfully seem to be outpacing it. Good.

Around the halfway mark I see a figure down one of the side streets. I duck behind a vehicle and wave at the drone. But he's turned away, checking another area. I don't dare touch him, in fear of startling him into making noise.

I yearn for him to turn around.

Suddenly he does, and is beside me in a heartbeat, silent. His singular eye pulsing rapidly. A wave of worry and concern hits me like a gust of wind.

Something clicks. I understand.

I try my best to picture what I'd seen, and where. Add in a few hand gestures for good measure, hoping I can get the point across.

The drone bobs once, and I get a distinct impression of acknowledgment. Good! Not sure how he understood, but he did.

Suddenly the little drone spins as if deciding something, then zips towards my head. I throw my hands up instinctively, but before he impacts, he vanishes in a flurry of sparks!

'There. This will be easier. Don't make a sound! I'm still here. Just… not in the material 'here'. Only you can hear me. I can hear you too, if you concentrate like you just did. I'll explain more later. But just know we're linked.'

I nod. Then unsure if he could see the gesture, tried to think 'yes'.

'Good good. Just like that. And I can see what you see. And a little more. Now peek around the corner again.'

I do so and come face to face with a set of four blue glowing eyes. They blink one at a time in rapid succession.

It screams.

I punch it.

From fist to shoulder my arm is covered in arcing blue electricity. But it doesn't hurt, in fact it barely tickles.

The creature, it's certainly not human, collapses to the ground twitching. It's facial features, whatever they were, are a pulped mess of purple ichor and gore. Its neck is at an odd angle. Within moments it stops moving entirely.

I killed it. I didn't even know what it was. What it's motives were. And I killed it. I didn't even wait to see if it was a threat. Did it have a family? Friends? And I JUST KILLED IT. MAYBE IT WASN’T HOSTILE. AND I JUST-

'Stop! Please! It's ok. It's ok.' The drone says in my head. Trying to be soothing. He manages somewhat. 'That was a Fallen. An invader from another world. And trust me, if you hadn’t struck first it definitely would have attacked.'

I shudder. Try not to think about it. But I just killed-

'Let's go. There will be more on their way.'

Ok. We resume our jog, this time the drone pointing out directions from inside my head. We don't see anything else.

Three blocks from the outpost a wave of agitation envelopes me. I don't know why.

'RUN!'

The screams come from behind, hooting and hollering. A hissing bolt flies past my head. Cold fear grips my gut.

I muster as much speed I can, weaving to keep anything between myself and my pursuers.

'LEFT! The building! Inside!'

I follow the directions, ducking through a broken door. Inside, the building has seen better days. Most of the adjacent wall is gone. A good portion of the roof too.

What purpose it served I can't tell with the rubble, especially since I'm doing my best to not trip.

'OUT! Then left again.' the drone says 'I'm trying to contact the outpost.'

I hope he's successful.

We continue ducking through buildings, trying to lose the Fallen. Or at least get some distance. But we're unsuccessful, the gap is closing.

Damn they move fast.

'Ok. I got through! They know we're coming! Just right round the next corner, down the road, and the outpost is right ahead. You can't miss it!'

I dart round the corner onto a wide avenue. More of the boring boxy buildings line each side. Ahead on a slight incline is a traffic circle. Right in the middle is a newer looking concrete bunker.

That has to be it.

Unfortunately, there is very little cover.

'Don't think just run!' the drone urges.

I nod and push myself as fast as I can. Safety is within sight.

I notice the door to the bunker open and a figure emerges. It's a little far for details, especially since I'm running for my life, but I get the impression of a large figure, all dressed in white, and a bright splash of orange at its middle.

Pain bursts through my left arm and I stumble. Somehow I manage to catch myself and keep going.

'Don't look back!'

I look back. And immediately regret not listening to the drone. There's at least a dozen Fallen behind me. The insect-like creatures jump and dart unnaturally. A few of them take shots at me with long rifles.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" a new voice. Female. "RUN YOU IDIOT."

I turn back just in time to see a white figure on top of a nearby truck. This one is much smaller than what came out of the bunker. She's wearing a white and pink cape and holding a graceful silver recurve bow.

She starts firing on the Fallen.

I stagger forward. Clutching my arm I do my best to keep moving. But I'm running out of energy.

The woman sees and chucks a grenade at me. I flinch and try to dodge. There's an odd noise and a flash. Recovering, I notice my body has developed an odd transparent shimmer.

"TRAVELER’S SAKE JUST RUN!"

I do my best. But all I can manage is a jog. With the cloaking, I hope it's enough.

We clear the halfway mark, then two thirds. The cloaking fails with a sputter. The woman with the bow a couple dozen paces behind, keeping the Fallen's attention. The sound of their rifles fills the air.

Then the ground rushes up to meet me.

I crash into the pavement. Hard.

I manage to push myself up enough to see the Fallen getting way too close. The woman is almost on top of me now.

I can hear another set of footfalls, these truly deafening, coming from the direction of the bunker.

"DOWN!" she screams as she dives towards me.

The air vibrates with a sound like a truly giant bell has been rung. One deafening peal.

Something very large and very purple flies over the two of us.

The sound of the Fallen's rifles is suddenly muffled. As if a wall was in the way.

The woman laughs and stands up. The bow is gone. In her hands is an ornate hand cannon. She turns towards the Fallen and starts firing.

I push myself up on my elbows again, and I am greeted with a hell of a sight.

Between the woman and the Fallen is a massive figure in heavy armor. The helmet has bull-like sweeping horns. Shoulder pauldrons that are almost comically large. Bright orange sash at the waist. The armor is white, but a purple aura shimmers back and forth overtop like turbulent waves at sea. The figure holds up a glittering purple shield, from which projects a large translucent wall.

Amazingly, the Fallen's shots bounce off the wall, but the caped woman's pass right through. Within moments she's killed half of our pursuers, and the rest scatter, terrified.

She waits a few moments to be sure, then leaps atop a car for a better view. She snaps off a few more shots before raising her arms and hollering in triumph.

The figure in the heavy white armor drops the shield, which dissolves into thin air, the purple aura with it.

Footsteps thunder as this behemoth turns, and walks to me. Crouches and offers me a hand.

"How ya doin, New Light?" The voice is female, and synthetic sounding. Powerful and space filling.

I take the offered hand. The armored giant pulls me up. Surprisingly she's about my height.

"You can come out now little Ghost." She booms. "It's safe. Come heal your Titan."

That's the second time I've heard that. 'Titan'.

And the first time I've heard 'Ghost'.

I want to ask who these people are, what she means, but the drone appears in a sudden burst of sparks.

He makes a humming noise and hits my bleeding arm with a blue light. A weird sensation like thousands of tiny needles prick at the wound. Before I can register the fact that not only my arm, but also the hole in the leather are being rapidly closed up, both are gone entirely, as is the pricking sensation.

I stare dumbfounded.

"You haven't been around long, eh?" The giant asks, removing her helm. Wide eyed I study her metallic, almost skull like, face. It's covered in orange and blue stripes. Her eyes glow.

"Look at that wonder!” she says, “This is why I love pulling outpost duty!"

She laughs, a full bodied laugh, and pats me on the shoulder.

"Let's go inside. We can sit and chat. I'm sure you have questions." Her hand is still on my shoulder, firmly pushing me towards the bunker.

The first woman appears suddenly beside us, flashes a thumbs up, and darts toward the bunker.

"That's Chiri Ra. She's a Hunter. Damned good one too."

Another figure appears in the bunker doorway. This one is robed like some kind of priest. His outfit is also white, but accented with sky blue. Chiri runs up to him and hugs him.

"That's Chiri's husband, Sig Ra. He's a Warlock."

The little drone keeping pace beside me is twitching. I can feel the anxiety.

"And I'm McKay. Titan and leader of this little band." McKay notices the drone and grins. Or, a close approximation of a grin on that metal face. "Go ahead little Ghost. I take it your introductions got interrupted?"

The drone bobs once.

McKay pats my shoulder again and nods.

"Go ahead. When you're done, join us inside, ok?"

With that, the giant robotic woman who called herself a Titan, went inside the bunker, ushering the other two ahead of her.

Once alone, the two of us just study each other for a few moments. His tiny body, made up of metal facets, rotates back and forth around a central sphere.

Eventually, he starts.

"I am so sorry. None of that went according to plan. At all. I tried to calculate for a stress free first day but when I found your spark… I just... I couldn't control myself. Couldn't think. I just had to…. It won't happen again."

The poor drone's voice is as twitchy as it's star-shaped form. It's clearly embarrassed by the whole thing. I can't quite grasp why though.

"Hey." I say, my voice firming as I finally use it, "It's ok. Why don't you start now? It's safe here, I think."

The drone holds position in the air, his outer shell moving in measured, clipped movements. I can tell he's thinking.

"Ok." He says, sounding more confident. More like the first time.

He does a little circle, darting a few paces away, then back. On his return he seems ready.

"Pleasure to meet you.” he does a little bob. ”You are a Titan. Strong, brave, reliable. And I am a Ghost. I brought you back, from the dead. To help protect what’s left of Humanity. I will always be there to support you however I can. I'm your Ghost, and you are my Titan. "

That helps some. But now that we have a moment to ourselves, my lack of knowledge is becoming hard to ignore. As for the complete lack of memories before today… that's disturbing. Especially the being dead part.

"Can I... ask some things? I feel a little lost."

"Of course! Anything! If I can answer it I will!"

Exhausted, I lower myself to the ground, bunker wall at my back. It's solidity makes me feel… safe.

I consider what to ask first.

On a whim I rest my hands, palm up, on my lap. The drone, no, Ghost, looks first to me, then my hands. After a moment he gracefully sinks and settles into my hands. I could close them entirely over his tiny body.

The sole eye watches me patiently, waiting for me to speak next.

Eventually I make my decision.

"What… is going on? What are you? What am I?"

The eye rotates slightly. Concern. Which dissipates to humor.

"Oh. Yes. We’ve… got a whole lot to go over don’t we?”

We talk for hours.

The sun sets.

The night sky becomes rife with stars.

Eventually my head sinks to my chest in exhaustion. He’s busily recounting some grand war, but I just can't stay awake any longer. My last thoughts before falling asleep is while I’m still rather lost, I’m glad I’ve got this little Ghost by my side. He seems to know what's what.

#Destiny #destiny the game #destiny 2 #Hunter #Titan #Warlock #Ghost

[since0202]

A monster lives here

Summary: Grace Alo is exiled to Forks, Washington after being kicked out of high school right before senior year. The recent passing of her father mixed with moving into a shared bedroom with her cousin was enough to shake up any teenager's life. But upon her return, a inevitable meeting forces her to confront who she's destined to become to protect the home and people she loves.

Status: Ongoing

Ao3; Fanfiction.net

Chapter 1: Move 

July

The summer before her senior year was when Principal Beeter officially signed off on Grace Alo's expulsion from Westmoore Highschool.

Probably for the best if she's being honest.

"Maybe I'll just get my GED and bounce off to the west coast and find something cool...there," Grace told her friend Margot between demolishing her second cherry slurpie.

"Right, because that totally works out for everyone," she mumbled back. "Imean, you didn't even do anything really. So what, one tiny trailer–"

"Can we not?" Grace interjected.

"Yeah, sorry." Margot cleared her throat and her eyes rolled up toward the sky.

"Mom's gonna kill me." Grace's eyes ran over the length of the highway. From below, she could just see the cars skirting the top of the overpass. She wished she was in one of those cars headed far from here.

Grace took one big deep breath and shook the nervous pain from her hands before grasping the handle and pushing open the front door.

Her mom was in the front hall, phone to her ear and back turned. This ought to be good. She could only make out the last bit of what she was saying:

"No, yeah, I really appreciate it. Thanks again, Charlie." Grace's mother hung up and held a hand to her eyes.

"Everything okay?"

She jumped and spun around to face her daughter, one hand still resting up on her forehead. At first, Grace thought she wasn't actually mad at her, but her body posture quickly tensed up, hackles raised, hands coming to rest firmly on her hips. Here it came.

"Grace, I have..no words," her anger was palpable. Grace had always been a little sensitive to those things, but this was new-her anger was rolling off of her in waves and making its way down the hall to crash over Grace.

"Mom, honestly, truly, I am so so sorry. I never thought-"

"No. You didn't. You never think." Harsh. Was she shaking or was that just a trick of the light?

"Mom, please. What can I do?" Grace was trembling now and a ringing sound was growing in her head. She could feel her fight or flight kicking in but had nowhere to run to. This was home.

She'd been in trouble before, but never like this. Sure, she'd never been kicked out of school before, but she was familiar with not having a plan. Not like this.

"Who was that on the phone?" she asked suddenly. Grace hadn't moved from her position from the door. The light backlit her mother's frame, the gold light washed over her, illuminating her auburn hair and pale skin. Her green eyes flashed up at me every so often with a look of determination and fatigue fazing through them. Her eyes were the only thing Grace inherited from her mother that she could place. her warm complexion, broad face, and silky black hair was reminiscent of her father. Every time her mom looked at her, she could see it and Grace would feel pain sweep through her all over again, even if it had lessened over time.

"That was your Uncle Charlie. You're moving to Forks." Her eyes were stern, but her lip quivered and she looked at Grace like it was the last time. They both knew it wasn't but her mom felt things harder than any person she'd known other than her dad. But, Grace could tell by the look on her face that she meant it.

"Wait, what?"

Charlie slammed the trunk shut as Grace settled into the front seat of his police cruiser. Sea-Tac was a bustling airport, but where she was headed was nowhere near this level of hopping. Even Oklahoma City blew Forks, Washington out of the water when it came to city centers.

Charlie settled into the driver seat and gave her a quick grin, which she tried to reciprocate quickly but it may have turned into a grimace. Grace turned her attention out the window as Charlie accelerated onto the road connecting to the highway.

"Bells is excited to see you." Charlie suddenly quipped. "And I got your registration at Forks High all squared away."

"Great, thanks." Grace kept her eyes on the deepening green protruding from the sidewalks, around bends, and over railings. They drove in uninterrupted silence for which she was thankful. Charlie was good that way-not too overbearing, didn't really hover, or force conversation. It was nice and she enjoyed the peace.

"Billy was asking about you." And just like that, the silence was gone. Grace cringed. "Billy Black. You remember him right?" A lump caught in her throat as she tried to keep her breathing even. Charlie waited a minute before continuing. "You know, he stopped by the house the day after I talked to your mom. Brought his son Jake with him, too. He's real excited that you're back in town."

Grace could feel him glance her way, mostly by the sound that his police blazer made as he looked over his extended right arm, but she didn't meet his gaze.

Billy Black.

She hadn't been back to the Quileute reservation in La Push in years. Even before dad died, Grace hadn't seen the familiar beach or sat in the quiet, dated homes, or sat around the communal fire at council meetings for awhile. But after her dad died, it became harder to go back. And once they moved to Oklahoma for his new job, her old life seemed to fade away. The reservation was always the same in her mind, like an old friend, waiting for her inevitable return. But it made her sad more than anything at this point. The comfort she once found there evaporated with her father's spirit. Going back now felt too hard.

Billy had called the house a bunch after we moved away. He was her dad's best friend. And then after her dad died, the cracks in his voice were too much to handle. So, she stopped picking up or taking the phone from her mom when he called and just let things dissipate-distance again, quiet.

The rain slicked roads sounded like a hushed whisper as we whizzed over the bridge and broke into the town of Forks. The small town was familiar too, but not home.

Charlie hadn't said much else on the drive in and once they pulled into the driveway of the Swan house, she breathed a sigh of relief and pushed the passenger door open, gulping in damp, warm air. The air was so much different here. It didn't feel like freedom, but possibility hung in the air more than in the dust of Oklahoma.

Grace hitched her backpack over her shoulder and trudged up the front steps—Charlie was close behind lugging her two heavy suitcases. She tried to reach for one but he shrugged her off with a chuckle and ushered her into the house.

When the door creaked open, Bella peeked her head around the corner in the kitchen, a warm smile breaking across her face.

"Grace!" she beamed and walked briskly across the small landing, lightly tripping over the threshold from the kitchen with a soft 'oh'. She wrapped her in a hug and Grace breathed a sigh of relief. This felt a little more like home. She smelled like soft lavender and some kind of sweet spice.

Bella and Grace grew close when she would visit the reservation and Charlie's during her two-week summers with him. When they weren't together, they wrote letters sporadically which evolved into weekly phone calls. Bella and Grace's mothers were still pretty close—they even road tripped through Oklahoma a few years ago and took them to the Phillbrooke Museum of Art. Grace hasn't laughed that much since then.

Grace had heard through her mom that Bella was moving to Forks so Renee could take off with Phil but Grace hadn't heard much aside from the occasional email here and there. Bella told her that she had met a guy and that things were "intense" but good. Grace had raised her eyebrows at that and vaguely remembered sending back something short in response. She did that a lot lately.

When they pulled back from the hug, Bella held onto the bottoms of Grace's elbows and smiled. Grace's thick plait had loosened on the flight and she felt scrubby.

"Come on, come upstairs." She clasped her hand in hers. Grace couldn't help but give a small smile as Bella tugged her up the narrow staircase and across the short hallway to her bedroom. Well, their shared bedroom now.

The size of the room wasn't bad. She had pushed her full bed up closer to the far window to make space and pushed her low dresser across from the foot of her bed. The small desk was shoved on the short wall directly to the right and Grace's bed sat under the large bay window that looked over the side yard and into the woods.

Her bed was covered in a soft, plush light green duvet with two fluffy pillows. her eyes rested on the black and white patterned blanket at the foot of the bed and her mouth drew into a hard line. Grace couldn't speak for a moment. "Is that…?"

"Yeah, Billy had Jake drop it off the last time he was here. A welcome home present, I guess. Hey, are you okay?" Bella pulled her hands from her back pockets and rested one on Grace's arm which prompted her to pull her face up and give a reassuring smile.

"Yeah, of course! This is great Bells, thanks." Charlie had been leaning against the doorframe, chaperoning her suitcases as Bella gave the tour.

She pulled open a little side closet that rested next to her bed. It held a small white chest of drawers that had little purple flowers painted on it.

"You can put your clothes in there." Bella gestured. Grace shot a look at Charlie.

"You painted those purple flowers yourself Charlie?" she teased. He held his hands up in surrender.

"Guilty." Bella and Grace laughed. She sat on the edge of her bed, fingers curling around the loose threads at the end of the blanket. Warmth rushed over her as she traced her fingers along the familiar pattern from her childhood.

This can work. She thought.

The next few days, Grace spent her time settling in, drawing, reading, and unpacking. Bella and Grace actually settled well into a routine together, sharing bathroom space, one showering while the other brushed their teeth, maximizing the bathroom space efficiently. Bella was a quiet sleeper, but Grace couldn't find it in her to sleep just yet, so she would stare up and above her head out the window trying to catch a side of the moon just waning out of sight.

Her third afternoon in Forks, Bella called from the bottom of the stairs.

"Come meet Edward!" she yelled. Grace skipped out of bed and shuffled down the steps, running a hand through her dark hair to try and tame it away from her face.

Bella had told her about Edward on her first night there. They'd stayed up too late, cross-legged on Bella's bed as she picked at pilling on her pajama pants and spoke in a hurried but elated voice about the Edward.

She had been right though, it sounded intense. While she winded her way through the last eight months, Grace couldn't help but feel bad that she hadn't been more engaged in her emails with her. Grace must have sounded pretty switched off to Bella. Faraway. She had picked up on none of this information about Edward in their email exchanges.

"He's really great. Unlike anyone I've ever met, honestly." she laughed a little at this and Grace tilted her head curiously.

"Oh yeah?" her eyes flitted onto her bed and back up toward Grace a couple times. She opened and closed her mouth as if to say something and landed on an exasperated sigh before smiling.

"Yeah, you're just going to have to meet him for yourself."

Color me interested, Bells. Grace thought.

When she landed on the bottom step, Grace looked to Bella who was standing next to a tall, pale, but generally handsome guy. Her brain hesitated over the word 'guy'. He seemed—felt—otherworldly somehow.

"Hey." she gave a tight lipped, but friendly smile. "I'm Grace, I've heard so much about you."

His eyes seemed incredibly kind and their golden hue was captivating but she still found herself tilting her head, as if she was trying to see around his eyes, golden orbs that wouldn't quite turn and reveal a hidden side. His eyes stayed focused on intently on Grace, undisturbed.

He dipped his head in response to her head tilt and smiled warmly (a hint of menace?) and held out a leather gloved hand.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Edward as Bella said. She's been very excited to have you here, so I've been really excited to meet you." Grace extended her hand to meet his.

As his hand closed around hers—light, but firm—Grace heard a low rumble, like thunder, building behind her left ear. The sound grew rapidly and felt like a building rush from a broken river coming up behind her to sweep her away. She was frozen in place thought and felt that rumble crowd into her head and start to vibrate violently.

From the top of her head, the rumble gained in speed and sound, pounding and pulling at her chest in a downward wave, crashing through her feet and rippling out around her. As the thunder left out of the bottom of her feet, the ripple manifested in a rolling wave under the floorboards, silent but moving away.

Grace audibly gasped but didn't pull her hand back, her eyes quickly scanning the floor for that outward ripple. The feeling had lasted less than 2 seconds.

"Did you see that?" her eyes shot up from the floor and landed on Edward. Grace thought she saw his lip curl ever so slightly. Bella looked unperturbed but her eyes widened in surprise.

"See what?" she looked around her. Grace took a beat and felt her heart settle as the aftershock of the ripple left her body, small vibrations smoothing into nothing.

"Nothing." she said shaking her head and letting her hand fall from Edwards. He looked nonplussed and raised his eyebrows comically at Bella.

"Well, Edward was gonna take me on a hike. Did you want to come?" Bella asked. Edward's face looked measured but somewhat surprised.

Something in Grace told her not to go.

"Nah, I'm going to check in with her mom and get some reading done." she replied, tucking some stray strands of hair behind her ear.

"Another bookworm. The likeness is growing." Edward said smoothly, a small smile peeling his mouth open and a glittering chuckle rolled out. Grace shrugged and wished them well and headed back upstairs to her room.

When she was safely behind the closed bedroom door, she let go of a full breath that caused her heart rate to spike. Her breathing became ragged and she felt an icy tingle snake slowly up her back. It felt like panic, but she wasn't sure why. Could it be what she felt when she shook Edward's hand? That was pretty weird, but it hadn't been followed by a sense of rising panic.

She put a hand over her chest and one on her stomach trying to take slow, smooth breaths like the counselor had told her. The one she'd seen when her dad died.

Focus on something still, calm your breath, calm your mind. In and out. In and out.

But every exhale came out as shuddering, then gasping breaths. Grace could feel her pulse quicken, beating against the skin of her wrist as if the blood was trying to burst through.

She collapsed onto her bed and her vision started to blur and go dark. It was over, this life, it had to be. This was it. But as the ceiling blurred in and out of focus, Grace wasn't upset or scared. As her vision faded, a warm coppery hand shimmered and reached out to her.

So she let go and reached back, relieved.

#twilight #twilight fanfic #jacob black #new mooon #bella swan #edward cullen #a monster lives here #chapter 1 #thepack #la push #fanfiction #smeyers #the pack

[mediocre-writerr]

we’re going down [leah rilke]

bring us through: leah rilke book

chapter 2: we’re going down

*not my gif*

The private jet was fancier than any plane I’ve ever been on. Seats where your feet weren’t cramped like a bunch of sardines in a sardine can. A smell that doesn’t smell like someone just ate the whole Taco Bell menu before they came on.

It was clean and polished. No spot had a stain, like it was brand new. Perfect as one would say.

Here’s the thing about perfection though: everyone has their own version of perfect.

Here’s the thing about me: I didn’t know that until much more recently.

There were many trials and tribulations with my family, especially when it came to perfection...or well perfection in my dad’s eyes. But somehow, some way, we always came out stronger. There was one time where my mom didn’t get the job we needed to really help our financial situation, and my dad got so angry that she wasn’t perfect that she had to go live with my aunt for a couple months. But when she came back with a new better job, my dad celebrated her. We went to a fancy restaurant in the city and ate the most expensive food on the menu. Then my older sister didn’t marry the guy my dad wanted her to and he disowned her for a few months. Until she came back with more money and a grandkid for our parents. He threw the baby a huge baptism party, spending loads of money buying them a house and the necessities for a baby.

My mom not getting a job? Fixed with a big celebration dinner. My sister not marrying the man my dad wants? Fixed with a huge baptism party and buying them a house.

I’m valedictorian, on the verge of going to the most prestigious school in Texas on a full ride: Rice University. And then right when everything in life seemed to be perfect, I messed everything up. There was no way coming back up from this one.

I was just sitting at the kitchen table during dinner. Eating mom’s classic country fried steak and mashed potatoes with gravy. Occasionally, participating in awkward conversation about how good the food is. I felt like I slept-walked there, barely able to recall the argument before dinner, the yelling, the screaming. Remembering for the thousandth time in the past week, that she was gone.

I sat there awkwardly, waiting for the other foot to drop. That I was just going to get kicked to the curb like everyone else who didn’t follow what my dad has planned for their life. But as my younger brothers went upstairs for bed I recognized something on my dad’s face that I had never seen since they found out. His face dressed in a big smile, like he was just told he’s going to Disney World.

As if on beat, he leaned in closer to me from across the table. And I knew that things were about to go for a crash-landing. His unusual happiness at my disobedience was going to wreck havoc into my life.

He cleared his throat hesitantly as my mother joined us back on the table. His breath smelled like his usual bourbon, “So Raleigh,” he said, crossing his fingers together with my mom’s, “We have a fun surprise for you.”

As if on cue there was a knock on the door. My father gestured for me to go get the door. I opened it revealing Shelby and her parents. I stopped short in my place, both of us frozen with confusion written all over our faces. But her parents had an unfamiliar expression: genuine happiness?

I cleared my throat, trying to piece everything together, “Hi Mr and Mrs. Goodkind. It’s a pleasant surprise. My parents are at the kitchen table.”

I open the door wider for them as the two of them say their hello’s and walk inside, “What’s going on?” I ask Shelby and she shrugs.

“I have no idea,” she whispers back, “But it can’t be good.”

The two of us sat across from our parents, as they stared at us with grins on their faces. But it’s as if the grins had a double meaning to them, “We wanted to talk to the two of you about something. We know the two of you are as thick as thieves, I mean you never shut up about each other.” Mr. Goodkind laughs, trying to ease the awkward tension, but it misses by a longshot.

Me and Shelby laugh along awkwardly, as we look at each other with a side glance. They said fun surprise. Not we’re kicking you out onto the streets. But we knew, from the way that our mom’s wouldn’t look at us or from the way our father’s faces grew more and more stern by the second, that something was about to go down.

My dad fetched something from his office. Two envelopes with our name scrawled across it, with a pamphlet in his name. The pamphlet in big bold letters saying: Dawn of Eve.

“We want you to have this,” my dad says, “It’s a gift for the two of you.”

We slowly opened the envelopes revealing a plane ticket to Hawaii, along with an itinerary, “It’s a retreat,” my mom blurted, “A beautiful month trip to Hawaii with other girls around your age. You’ll love it. Find your true self. Growing.”

Mrs. Goodkind chimes in, “Aromatherapy messages, swimming with dolphins, workshops!”

“A chance for the two of you girls to discover who you’re really ought to be.” Mr. Goodkind says.

And at that point I knew. It wasn’t just any retreat, it was a retreat to get our shit together.

I closed the overhead container, like closing the container would shut out the memories too. Looking for a distraction, I opened up Instagram on my phone scrolling through various posts of people back home and celebrities flaunting off their life.

Everyone seemed to have taken their seats. The brunette with a book sat in the back away from everyone else, holding onto the book like her life depended on it. The ‘put on your seatbelt’ sign flashed above us, as a video began playing on the screen in front of us.

“Right now, hundreds of girls just like yourselves, board charters just like this one, are on route to our retreat in Kona, Hawaii.” the middle-aged lady said.

But I wasn’t quite focused on that, but rather the girl in the back all by herself. She was staring blankly at the seat in front of her, not paying attention to anyone in the plane or the video.

“The Dawn of Eve literally waits for no man.” the lady says, causing me to catch my attention.

I looked at my best friend who was captivated by the video. I give her a look and she just shrugs. The air on the plane was tense as we lifted off into the air. It seemed like nobody wanted to be here. So Shelby did what she did best.

“I’m gonna start an icebreaker to get to know everyone.” she states, starting to get up from out of her seat.

I pull her back down as fast as I could, “Shelb, really? We’re not on a mission.”

But she just pulled out of my grasp standing up. I let out a sigh, even though everyone would hate this idea, what kind of friend would I be if I didn’t support her? “So, in the interest of bringing us all together I would like to propose a little ice breaker.”

I could literally feel everyone’s eye roll in the room. An asian girl with bangs stood up suggesting ‘Never Have I Ever’. But of course peppy Shelby shot down her suggestion. She was never one for those types of games. Especially with all of the secrets she keeps hidden inside.

“Alright I’m gonna start with an introduction and play matchmaker,” she says walking up and down the aisle.

I was trying to pay attention to Shelby, but for some reason I kept looking back at that beautiful brunette. Who did not seem to be interested in anything Shelby was saying. Her nose still knee-deep in that book of hers, curled onto her side, reading like it was life or death.

“And this is my best friend Raleigh Fuller,” my best friend says, snapping out of my trance. She looks at you with the look as she follows your gaze to the girl in the back, “We’re from Dillon, Texas.”

She grabs my hand, dragging me all the way towards the back, sitting next to the girl, “You two will be paired up together. Have fun you two.” she says to me with a wink before walking back down the aisle.

The brunette didn’t acknowledge me though, but rather kept reading her book. I cleared my throat, awkwardly, trying to gain her attention.

“The Nature Of Her? By Jeffrey Galanis.” I said, squinting at the book cover across from me.

That seemed to have caught her attention, “You’ve read it?”

“No. I actually never heard of it, but it seems like it’s interesting. If you’ve been having your nose stuffed in since I accidentally ran into you.” I say jokingly with a small smile.

The flight attendant came by with a cart full of chocolate cake. We both thank him softly, before indulging in the richness of the cake.

She didn’t respond after that all she did was stick her nose in her book again. But it seemed like she wasn’t even reading the pages. After three seconds she’s already flipping onto another page.

I cleared my throat, scratching the back of my neck. I mean what am I supposed to say? The girl clearly didn’t want to be bothered. It’s like the writing in those pages were magical. The old me would just sit back in the leather private jet chair, feeling sorry for myself about her completely ignoring me. Probably thinking something like: wow, I guess I’m really not cool. Or spit out a random fact since that’s all I know like: competitive art used to be in the Olympics.

But that past me was probably dug next to the old Taylor Swift’s grave. The lyric that goes: “I’m sorry the old Taylor can’t come to the phone right now...why? Cause she’s dead.” Yeah that’s how I’m feeling on the inside, so instead I say, “You know it’s kinda rude that we’re supposed to be having a conversation, but you’re completely ignoring me.”

She let out a laugh and took one glance up from the book. Finally being met with her bright blue eyes, “Does it look like I want to be bothered right now?”

“No, but it looks like you’re reading the same page over and over again. Like it’s the only thing that can keep your heart beating,” I said, “What’s so interesting about that book anyway?”

She studied me for a brief moment. Her eyes leave the pages of that book for more than five seconds.

Finally, she said, “Look, it’s one of my favorite books. But I don’t think there’s a rule against rereading your favorite book over and over again. That’s like me telling you that you can’t read Wuthering Heights over and over again.”

Now it was my turn to stare at the girl.

She was right. She may have been a closed off book, but so was I. I used to be one of those people who would kill to ask thousands of questions about what that book was about. Or why she loved it so much. I would love to join in and lead on Shelby’s icebreakers. But now? Sometimes, I don’t even want to talk to Shelby.

I wanted to apologize for my comments. These days, I can’t control my own emotions or what I want to say anymore.

I’m sorry, I imagined myself saying, I’m sorry that I was a complete pain in the butt. I didn’t mean to judge you and how invested you are in that book. My parents found out my deepest darkest secret. And instead of accepting me with open loving arms they decided to send me to a retreat. A retreat in which I’m pretty sure is a conversion therapy camp, but they don’t want to say that out loud. So they call it a fun surprise for me and my best friend. While the girl I fell in love with is just gone. I used to be this bright bubbly girl, but now I’m not. So, please forgive me for my behavior since you probably don’t want to be here either.

That’s a little TMI, don’t you think?

I open my mouth and start to utter those meaningless two words when my best friend came rushing past.

“Shelby? Where are you going?” I ask, surprised at how fast she was moving.

“I got chocolate cake in my teeth.” she mumbles, covering her face in her hand and I immediately got the message.

“Ah got it.”

Shelby rushed back into the bathroom and I turned to the brunette in front of me again. The closed-book of a girl, opening my mouth once more ready to mumble the two most overused words. But the plane started shaking, jolting us back and forth. The two of us look at each other, tilting our heads to the side.

“Hello everyone. We’re experiencing a little turbulence.” The plane continued to jolt and it seemed like more than just a little turbulence, “Actually a lot of turbulence!” the pilot yells.

The lights flashing on and off. The brunette just shoved her face back in the book. This could be our last moments on Earth and she’s still reading that book! I get up from out of my seat, banging on the bathroom door.

“Shelby! Open the door!” I yell.

My blonde best friend came bursting out and she fell onto her knees on the floor. Praying to the God she still whole-heartedly believed in. I fell down on the ground next to her, holding her in my arms as she prayed. I didn’t pray, but rather sat there thinking that this was the end.

#leah rilke #leah rilke imagine #leah rilke x reader #leah rilke fanfiction #leah rilke book

[yeenybeanies]

A Little Lost

it’s star wars day!! what a fine day to have my heart torn from my chest with the clone wars finale :’) WELL THIS IS VERY OLD LMAO it’s been in my drafts since may 4th i did not proofread this & i probably will not do so until tomorrow EDIT i have proofread it & made my tweaks & it is Good To Go :>

star wars | rex & pomfree ( oc ) 

4,395 words

mild language warnings

reblogs > likes!! feel free to leave comments in the tags!! thanks!!

Breathe! Air and dust and dirt rush into his lungs. The clone jolts, consciousness returning like a punch to the face. If only it was a simple punch that knocked him out, though. That would have been way less painful . . ..

Soft grunts and groans fill the air as the clone trooper pulls himself from the him-shaped indentation in the dirt. He can still stand. He can move his arms and his back and his neck. Nothing seems broken ( miraculously ), but everything is sore regardless.

“ This is Captain Rex; can anyone hear me? I was––– ”  static. He looks down to the comlink on his forearm, all the buttons smashed and broken. Useless. He grimaces, then turns his attention to the surrounding jungle. Where is he? Where’s the ship? . . . Where is his helmet? A cursory glance at his immediate surroundings shows no signs of the blue-painted headgear.

Rex stands up with a final groan and takes a few steps, searching for signs of––well, of anything. Smoke, blaster fire, voices, tracks . . .. The ship was going down, and he fell out of it before it crashed. Surely it’s not too far off. He curses a little under his breath; the jungle canopies of this planet are too damn high and thick for him to be able to see anything more than a few feet away. The only option now, as far as he can see, is to start walking in the direction he thinks the ship landed in.

“ Hello? Anyone out there? ”  Even cupping his hands around his mouth doesn’t help his yells travel very far. The jungle is tight. It’s a hassle just to walk around. Rex grumbles as his boot catches on a ground vine for the umpteenth time. He hasn’t tripped yet, but––ack! Spoke too soon. Just seconds later, he’s snagged again, and falls forward, onto his hands and knees. Teeth clenched, the trooper slams a fist into the spongy jungle floor, allowing his frustration to vent for just a moment. How the hell is he going to get out of this one?

Calm. He needs to be calm. Getting mad isn’t going to solve anything. ( Blast, he sounds like a Jedi. ) Rex takes a breath and tugs his foot free yet again. He shifts himself into a crouch, runs a hand over his short, blond hair, and tries once more to assess his surroundings. In every direction, there is just more jungle. But––oh? He catches a glimpse of white amidst all the green undergrowth to his right. One brow raised, Rex pushes his way through the brush to investigate. He parts the vines and leaves and finds . . . yes! His helmet! At least something is going his way in this god-forsaken jungle. Rex leans forward to pick the familiar item up, silently praising that he managed to stumble across it ( literally ). As he brings it to his head to put it on, though, a startled cry makes him jump. Rex looks up to see a little . . . creature dangling from the helmet lip. It screams when it looks at him, and he yelps right back, immediately dropping both it and the helmet. The latter clatters to the jungle floor, but the former––unexpectedly, the former drifts down in a much more controlled manner, gliding on thin membranes––or perhaps clothing––between its arms & legs. It lands a few feet away and stares up at Rex, eyes wide.

What the hell?

Rex stares back for a long moment. It . . . isn’t running away. It’s not attacking either, though. It’s a curious-looking little thing. It looks almost human, though significantly smaller––maybe five, six inches tall at most. Slowly, tentatively, Rex kneels down to retrieve his helmet, though he doesn’t take his eyes off of the creature.

“ Easy now . . . ”  he says, hoping to placate any potential hostilities.  “ Not gonna hurt you. I’m with the Grand Army of the Republic. ”  Hell, he doesn’t even know if the damn thing speaks Basic.

“ You are a clone. ”  Ah. So it does speak. Rex blinks, a little surprised, but nods his head. The creature looks up, way up to the high canopies.  “ You came from the crashed ship? ” 

“ Huh––erm, yeah. Yeah, I, uh, fell out of it. Did you see where it landed? ”  A spark of hope flares up in his chest. This little critter might be the key to finding his comrades!

They shake their head––a gesture that nearly goes unnoticed due to their size.  “ Knocked me down from the top when it came through. Best way to see would be . . .. ”  They point up. This time, Rex follows their gaze, confused. 

The top? This thing was at the top? The trees have to be a couple hundred feet high! How could they have gotten all the way up there? So many questions flood the trooper’s mind, but he shakes his head. Focus.

“ I gotta climb all the way up there? ”  The very thought is daunting. ( Really, how could something so small make it up there? ) Rex gives the creature a disbelieving look, but they just nod right back at him.

“ It is the best chance, ”  they assure.  “ I need to go up too. It’s dangerous down here for us. I need to get back home. ” 

Rex narrows his eyes.  “ So what you really need is for me to take you up there. There’s no benefit at all for me. Just a waste of time. ” 

“ No! ”  The creature waves their little hands, alarmed.  “ No! You really can see! And it’s easier to move up there! ”  There’s obvious panic in their voice, but Rex isn’t sure if it’s because of him, or because he might leave them. He rolls his eyes and takes another look up the giant tree trunks.

One thing is for certain: he cannot see anything down there. Flares wouldn’t go above the treetops either, so they’d be useless from the ground. Rex contemplates, tossing the idea around in his head, and wrinkles his nose when he reaches a decision.

“ Alright. I’m going up there. I’ll take you too, but if this turns out to be for nothing, I’m gonna drop you back down. ”  It’s an empty threat––something the little creature quickly picks up on. They beam up at him, looking just elated. Rex dons his ( now unoccupied ) helmet and . . .––well, he isn’t sure if he should just grab them, or if he should go about carrying them some other way. Thankfully, they solve the problem for him. They’re fast; they race to his boot and scale his leg like it’s nothing, and then the rest of him, all the way up to his shoulder pauldron. He wasn’t expecting that, but . . . it works.

“ Right . . .. Hold on tight. ”  Rex pulls a blaster from his holster and attaches an ascension cable. The lowest branch on the tree before him is . . . still pretty damn high up. His grimace deepens; he isn’t sure that the cable is long enough to reach, but he takes aim and shoots. It flies out with a hiss, racing parallel to the trunk for a good few seconds before . . . yes! It just barely reaches  the branch’s underside. Were Rex a few inches shorter, he’s not sure it would have made it. 

One last check to make sure the creature is secure on his shoulder ( somehow they seem even smaller up close ), then Rex starts the climb. He has to pull himself up the trunk a few steps so he can secure the cable to his belt, but then he’s able to activate the wench that gradually pulls them up.

“ So. ”  Even with the wench, it’s still going to take a while to scale a tree this tall. Rex keeps his eyes upward, but he does nod slightly towards his company.  “ Got a name? ” 

“ Yes. I am Pomfree. My friends call me Pom. ”

“ Pom. My name’s Rex. You, uh . . . you said you live up in the canopies? How’d you get up there to begin with? ”

“ Oh, my kind comes from up in the treetops. We are many tribes that have always been up there. Those that fall to the floor . . . ”  Rex feels them shudder,  “ usually they do not come back up. It is dangerous. And impossible for us to climb so far. ”

“ No kidding . . .. ”  Rex isn’t sure he would be able to climb this thing without an ascension cable, let alone someone like Pom.  “ You can glide, though, right? ”

“ Yes, but . . . ”  they pull one of the membranes from their sides––Rex can now see from his peripherals that it is indeed clothing––and show a stitched-up tear, presumably recent.  “ I tore it on a branch in the confusion, and I hit my head shortly after, so . . .. ”

So that’s how they got to the ground. Rex feels a pang of sympathy for the little creature. He knows all about being thrown into hostile environments, but he’s a soldier. Pom, he imagines, is not.

“ Why are you here? ”  Their question pulls Rex from his thoughts. He shoots them a glance, a brow raised under his helmet.

“ Told you: I fell from my ship while it was––– ”

“ No––why are you on our planet? We are not a part of the war . . . are we? ”  There’s a twinge of fear in their voice––something Rex is, unfortunately, quite familiar with. This terrible war has ravaged many planets.

“ Erm . . . well, the Separatists have established a fort here, despite your apparent neutrality, so we’ve come in to deal with it. ”  That’s putting things a little lightly. He doesn’t really want to scare Pom more.  “ It’s pretty far from here, though. Don’t think you’ll be seeing any part of it anytime soon––if at all. ”  Hopefully. Civilian casualties happen, but Rex still would like to minimize them wherever and whenever he can.

His answer seems to calm Pom, if only a little. They look up the cable that’s pulling them along. They’ve almost reached the branch. Once Rex gets a hold on it, Pom moves to somewhere a bit more stable so the clone can have his full range of motion and climb his way up to the branch’s top. It’s easier said than done; the damn thing is thicker than Rex is tall. He nearly slips once, and gets both of their hearts racing. He does assure Pom that he’s okay and he’s got them, and manages to make it to the dorsal surface. Thank God the bark is rough and filled with handholds.

They’re not even halfway up the tree, though. Rex cranes his neck, looking up at the vertical distance still ahead of them, and sighs. The droop of his shoulders makes Pom scramble for a moment to maintain balance.

“ This . . . is gonna take a while. ”  Dismayed but determined, the captain readies his cable again, takes aim, and shoots for the next-nearest branch, way high up. It’s going to take, he suspects, at least three or four more cable trips to get up to where they need to be.

Pom is fairly chatty, full of questions. Rex answers what he can. Being an older clone, he’s a bit more aware of the universe around him, and of the nuances of the war. The little being watches him with those wide, curious eyes, soaking up all he has to say. It’s cute, in a way; Rex just wishes he had more to tell them than stories and news about violence and suffering. He’s sorry that the war has come to this planet.

Once they reach the underside of the second branch, the two rinse and repeat as they’d done with the first. Rex expels a breath bordering on exasperation as he looks upward. Only now are they about halfway up the gigantic tree. He notices that, at their current height, their surroundings look different than they had on the jungle floor. It’s brighter, if only marginally so. The foliage is comprised more of leaves and vines, as opposed to the heavy roots and trunks and ferns on the jungle floor. Rex pushes past a curtain of moss as he walks along the bough, searching for another spot to aim his cable.

“ Wait. ”  Pom knocks their little fist on the side of the trooper’s helmet.

“ What? You see something? ”  He does not like the sudden worry in their voice. Reflexively he rests a hand on the hilt of one of his blasters.

“ No, I hear . . . –––get down! ” 

Rex ducks just in time. Mere moments after their warning, a beast erupts from the foliage, its claws and teeth just barely missing his head. Rex crawls forward a few feet and twists onto his seat. Whatever it is, it seems to be only about half the size of a man, but it is mean. It looks like an alien cross between feline and reptile, and sports two sets of climbing arms and a smaller set of what appear to be prey-grabbing arms. He doesn’t get to observe much more of it before it launches at him, all arms outstretched. Rex falls backward, letting the beast sail over him again. He quickly flips himself over and jumps to his feet, ready to move, when a sharp cry brings his attention back to his passenger. The little being clings to his pauldron, legs flailing. Dammit. He’d nearly forgotten about them in the–––

“ Look out! ” 

Rex throws up an arm just as the beast reaches him, its teeth clamping down on his gauntlet. A few reach his skin, but he pays it no mind, much more distracted by the claws slashing at him.

No . . ..

The beast isn’t aiming for him; it’s aiming for Pom! The little one yelps and struggles to maintain their hold amidst the panic and the pandemonium. Rex shoves the creature off with a heavy knee to its gut and, without really thinking, grabs Pom. They squeak and struggle in his hold, but he keeps firm. He turns and dashes to put some distance between them and the creature while its still recuperating, his free hand aiming the cable launcher upward. There isn’t any time to pick an optimal branch; he selects one that looks suitable enough, shoots, and starts ascending as soon as it hooks in.

“ I’ve gotcha, kid, ”  Rex says,  “ that thing isn’t gonna–––augh! ” 

Sharp pains pierce the flesh between his armor. The beast jumped up after them, and has its claws dug into his left leg. With both hands occupied, the trooper can only curse and kick at it, quickly growing desperate to shake it off. It’s not interested in him in the slightest; it’s trying to climb him to reach Pom, now held as far out as possible.

Bastard. Rex grits his teeth and rams his heel into the creature’s face. His grip on the blaster is starting to slip; he needs to ditch this thing fast.

“ Pom, I’m gonna throw you, ”  he says. He doesn’t give the little one any time to protest before he launches them upward. Their fear-filled yell doesn’t sit well with him, but he’s left with one hand free to grab his other blaster. He shoots the beast in the shoulder, making it shriek out in pain, and pistol whips it right along its temple. Its claws unhook from his person, leaving it to fall a few feet and land bodily onto a branch below. It’s still alive, but stunned, and hopefully convinced to leave them be. Rex watches it for a second, then snaps his head upwards, eyes searching the foliage.

“ Pom? “  He doesn’t see them, which sends a pang of worry through his brain. They fixed the tear in their gliding suit; surely they managed to slow their fall . . . right?  “ Where are you, kid?  That thing’s gone now. Pom? ” 

The longer the silence persists, the more unsettled Rex grows. He stops his ascent and pulls himself up the cable enough to hook it to his belt, then looks down to the branches below. The creature is nowhere to be seen, but the same can be said for Pom.

“ Hey, Pom! Come on, kid! Tell me you’re alright! ”  What if they fell back to the floor? What if the thing ultimately managed to snatch them and run off? Dank Farrik, what if–––

“ Rex! ”  The tiny voice snaps his attention upward. Relief washes over him when he spots them perched atop a branch several feet above him. They jump, gliders spread, and drift down towards him. He meets them with both hands outstretched, giving them a platform to land on. Immediately he can feel the shivers coursing through their body. Another pang spikes in his mind. Carefully, he draws them nearer.

“ Pom, I––listen, kid, I’m sorry. I should’a given you some more warning. You alright? ”  Other than their pallid features, they don’t look any worse for wear physically. They nod, still shaking.

“ It’s––n-no, I am okay. I am just . . . I have never seen a grekesa up close . . . and I never want to again. ”  They pull their gliders in and sit in his hands, hugging their knees to their chest. Rex presses his lips together. It does make him feel a little better to know that his actions didn’t scare them so much as the beast. As a soldier, he’s faced things far worse than that  “ grekesa, ”  but he recognizes that he is both battle-hardened and far to big for most things to make a meal out of. Pom would be but a snack.

“ I’ve got you, kid. We ought’a keep moving before another one shows up. “  Were that to happen, he’d drop the bastard where it stands. Rex deposits Pom onto his shoulder where they quickly huddle up to his neck, and resumes their ascent.

Pom is much quieter now, but, after a few minutes, Rex feels their tension start to ease. A part of him wants to reach up and comfort them, but he’s not sure how he’d do that. What, would he rub their back or shoulder with his finger? Give them a little hair ruffle? How would he comfort someone so small?

“ Thank you, ”  they say, drawing Rex from his thoughts.

“ Hm? What for? ” 

Pom shrugs, though the gesture goes unseen.  “ For saving me from the grekesa. For helping me get back home. ”

A tinge of warmth fills the trooper’s heart. He shakes his head.  “ Don’t mention it. In fact, don’t thank me just yet; we still have a ways to go before we get to the canopy. ”

As they climb ever higher into the treetops, Rex takes note of the drastic changes in scenery. The difference between the jungle floor and the upper levels is like night and day––literally. While the floor was quite dark, at this height, there isn’t nearly as much foliage to block out the sunlight. Something as simple as a bit of sun has Rex feeling more optimistic that he’ll be able to see his fallen ship when they reach the top.

Once they reach their next branch, Rex pauses a moment and removes his helmet. He’s mindful of Pom as he does so, careful not to jostle them too much. He fishes into one of his pockets to retrieve a rations bar. All of this crashing and climbing and fighting with local fauna has his stomach growling. Before he takes a bite, though, he breaks off a piece and offers it to his companion, who gratefully accepts.

“ Shouldn’t be too much longer, ”  Rex says after swallowing down a few bites.  “ One more good placement of the cable and we’ll be up near the top. Any of this starting to look familiar to you? ”

Pom finishes off their piece of ration, then stands up on the trooper’s shoulder, one hand to his neck for balance.  “ Hmm . . .. Not really. I have never left the canopy before. But . . .. ”  They leap from their perch, gliders unfolding. They drift over to a cluster of leaves on a neighboring branch. Rex watches with one brow raised as they inspect the branch, looking for who-knows-what.

“ Aha! ”  They declare. They hold up a leaf that, to Rex, looks like any other dead leaf. He blinks, confused.  “ This is from my tribe! We must be approaching one of the lower villages! ”

“ That leaf . . .? ”  He tilts his head, still lost.  “ How do you know it’s not just . . . some leaf? ”

“ Because! ”  Pom jumps and glides back to Rex, who holds out a hand for them to land on. They hold up the leaf to him.  “ Each tribe grows special leaves that we graft onto trees to mark our territories. This one––see these? ”  they point to the veins in the leaf, which swirl in intricate patterns.  “ Over the generations, my tribe has designed this pattern and color. It is unique to us. ”

“ Uh hunh . . .. ”  Rex squints. Upon closer inspection, it does stand out. However, other than the color––a bright red to contrast the greens––he wouldn’t think anything of it. Then again, this isn’t his culture; he wouldn’t think to think anything of it.  “ That’s good news then. Means we’re gettin’ somewhere. ”

Pom beams up at the trooper. They scurry along his arm, back to his shoulder, and settle down for the continued journey. Rex finishes off the last of his ration bar, replaces his helmet, and takes aim at another branch. This one, he hopes, will be the last stretch. He clips himself in and activates the wench, thus resuming their ascent.

It doesn’t take long for Pom to point out more markers of their tribe. There are carvings and paintings in the bark, more clusters of leaves, and even a few abandoned homes––all of which would have gone under Rex’s radar were he alone. The more he sees, the more he realizes how resourceful Pom’s people must be to live up here.

The excitement and wonder come to a grinding halt, however, when the ascension cable lurches. Rex only has a moment to realize what’s happening before it comes loose. After a brief fall and an undignified yell, he manages to catch himself on a branch, hands clinging to the bark and legs dangling.

“ Dammit! Pom, are you––– ”  He looks to his shoulder to find it unoccupied. He isn’t given any time to process this, though. A sharp smack to the side of his helmet draws the trooper’s attention to his left, where he finds four little humanoids, each armed with a slingshot.  “ What the hell . . .? ”

“ Stop! Leave him alone! ”  Calls a familiar voice from up above. Pom drifts down, landing atop Rex’s helmet.  “ He is my friend! ”

The four beings pause, each of them looking shocked and confused.  “ Pomfree? Is that you? ”  One asks. All at once, they rush forward towards Rex and Pom. He has to stop himself from flinching as they scale his arms and shoulders. The one that spoke clambers up to meet Pom on his helmet where the two embrace. Rex feels . . . awkward.

“ We saw you fall into the dark beyond! ”  The one––Rex assumes them to be the leader of the group––says.

“ I did! I fell all the way to the floor, ”  they say.  “ I tried to stop myself, but I tore my wing and hit my head and then I woke up down there. This one––– ”  they pat Rex’s helmet,  “ helped me back up. He saved me from a grekesa too! ” 

Though he can’t see any of the little ones from where they are on his person, he can feel all of their eyes on him. Rex clears his throat.  “ Er, hi. I hate to break up the reunion, but do you mind letting me pull myself up? I don’t really want to stay hanging here. ” 

Pom is the first to disembark. The others are quick to follow. Once they’re all off, Rex hauls himself up to straddle the branch. He breathes a sigh of relief, and rolls his shoulders to work out some of the stiffness from holding himself in place.

All five of the little beings stare at him. Pom is the only one that does not look wary. Rex can’t blame them, he supposes. He clears his throat again.  “ Right. I am Captain Rex of the Army of the Grand Republic. It’s true, I met Pom down on the jungle floor. “

“ He is good, ”  Pom insists, though their companions do not seem fully convinced. They huff and approach Rex, frowning. They climb up onto his thigh and gesture to him.  “ Show your face. Let them see you. ”

With some hesitancy, the trooper complies. He pulls his helmet off and tucks it under his arm. This somehow feels even more awkward.

“ Look, I don’t want to cause you any more trouble than we already have. I’m just trying to find my squadron; Pom told me I’d have a better shot at seeing where they landed up here. Only fair I bring them up with me. ”

The four regard him with scrutiny, then huddle up to whisper amongst themselves. Every few seconds, one of them glances back at him before returning to the conversation. Rex grimaces.

“ Well, Pom, I think this is where we’re gonna have to part ways. ”  Gently, he scoops the little being off of his leg and sets them down on the branch. Before he can pull his hand away, though, they catch his thumb and wrap their arms around it. This, he realizes, is the closest thing to a hug they can share. He glances to the group, all of whom are staring at him again, then gently lets his fingers curl around their back.

“ Hey now, no need for any waterworks, kid, ”  he says, mustering a half-smile.  “ Glad I could get you back to your people. You be good now, alright? ”

Pom gives his thumb a squeeze before letting go. They take the leaf they’d kept from when they’d first found signs of their tribe and place it in Rex’s palm.  “ Thank you, Rex. I am sad I cannot do more to help you than wish you luck in finding your own people. ”

“ Don’t worry about it. ”  His half-smile grows into something softer, more genuine. Fingers close around the leaf, then he pushes himself to stand. The four new little ones retreat a few feet, and Pom joins them after a moment. Rex offers a small wave, then puts on his helmet and tucks the leaf into one of his pockets. He takes his blaster and launches his ascension cable to a higher branch.

Pom is home. That’s good. Now he needs to figure out how the hell he’s going to keep the war away from them and their people.

#g/t #g/t fiction #g/t writing #star wars #g/t star wars #rex #pomfree #hyena writes #hyena ocs #hoo boy this is a longer one