#bro i promise it makes sense why are you being so irrational about this just let me repress bro

[carlyraejepsans]

me smiling sitting with my snacks and drinks about to watch sans blow up (emotionally…or hell physically, that guy is a disaster waiting to happen)

oh he's at the end of his fucking rope with this topic.

#like he is soo convinced his maladaptive coping strategy is soso right like bro let me just ignore it if I can't change it it doesn't matter #bro i promise it makes sense why are you being so irrational about this just let me repress bro #answered asks #(...might bring in some anomaly trauma actually) #utdrp

[dallanebbia]

blooming (3/6);

fandom: bnha pairing: kacchako; bakugou katsuki x uraraka ochako word count: 6353 warnings: mentions of violence inspiration: [link] synopsis: 

Ochako doesn’t understand much about the world outside the limits of her village, but she does know this: She loves her family, and at the end of the day, she’ll do anything to keep them safe – even if it means sacrificing herself to do it.

When she runs away to join the army in her father’s place, the only thing she leaves behind is an untouched cup of tea, and a whispered apology nobody is awake to hear.(or, in which an attempt is made to write a kacchako mulan au)

parts: [1] [2] [3] || AO3: [link]

Life continues on, a cycle of dreaming and sparring and sleeping, over and over – until time seems to slip away.

It feels odd, but Ochako has always found it satisfying when things so easily fall into a routine. The day to day monotony is something she’s accustomed to – she’s used to waking before dawn to work in the fields, something soothing about the repetition of movement – but what’s different is the relief that settles into her bones, soothing itself into her skin deeper and deeper as the days pass.

The difference is that she can run and smile and breathe in a way she never could at home. It’s that she’s respected, seen as reliable and capable and strong – worth more than the value of her body or her potential as a bride. It’s the fact that she’s finally tasted freedom, finally understood what she’s spent her whole life missing, and it makes her heart feel warm and full.

She belongs here, more comfortable amongst virtual strangers than she ever did in her village, and it’s telling. She misses home – aches, whenever she thinks of her mother and father – but she can’t bring herself to feel guilty. At the end of all this, even if she doesn’t make it back, Ochako knows she will never regret taking her father’s place.

It would’ve been easy to stay – to spend her entire life knowing only the tiny world of her village, unhappy and miserable. She would’ve never known how it feels to be broken and remade, pushing beyond her own limits and proving that she’s more than what her gender says she should be. She would have ended up married off to be someone’s quiet, submissive, dutiful wife – and thinking back on it now, the very idea of it fills her with dread.

Part of her wonders if this is why she gravitates towards Bakugou. Ochako is used to men like Monoma – men who believe in their own self-importance and disregard anyone they deem inferior, their wives included. The other recruits at camp – Koda, with his quiet, patient humility; Tokoyami, with his dark and dry humor; even Kirishima, with his effortless, sunshine-bright personality – are good and kind, men who most women would happily marry, but even as she gets to know everyone, something always brings her back to the blonde-haired captain.  

She has never met someone like Bakugou, a raw mix of aggressive intensity and fierce determination and unwavering conviction - someone who has so much faith in her, who pushes her to the edge and still dares to ask her for more. It goes beyond the way he makes her ache with longing – it’s about the way he looks at her, respect and pride and challenge all rolled into one, and as much as Ochako dreams about his touch, her heart soars whenever she finds herself standing across from him in the sparring ring, a promise and a dare lurking behind his sharp gaze.

It’s easy, being swept up into Bakugou’s strange, dangerous charisma. With Monoma gone, everyone watches as the captain slowly relaxes, his shoulders easing without the threat of eyes constantly scrutinizing his every move. He seems almost … softer, for lack of a better word – his scowls lose their harsh edge, his usual insults lack the same bite, and his newfound attitude has the entire camp in a jovial mood. The recruits start asking Bakugou to join them at mealtimes, or to participate in whatever hair-brained bonding activity Kaminari dreams up, and Ochako can see the way he tries to hold back a smile when he thinks nobody sees.  

At first, she doesn’t even realize that she’s staring until he looks back at her with a quirked eyebrow, and she has to avert her eyes in embarrassment. But then – sometimes, she catches herself tracking him as he spars with other people, memorizing the way he flows sinuously between blows. Sometimes, she watches him smirk at her frustrated face when she can’t pin him in a spar, and wonders what it’d be like to tell him the truth, hoping that he’d let her stay. Bakugou seems to blossom away from Monoma's overbearing shadow, unfurling ever so slowly, and she can't help but savor every little fragment he lays bare for the world to see.

No matter what she does, Ochako's eyes are drawn back in his direction, like a flower straining towards the sun.

At one point, Bakugou gruffly tells them to stop calling him by his title and to use his name instead. Some, like Kirishima and Kaminari, jump on the opportunity; others, like Ojiro, respectfully decline and continue to call him “captain.” She can’t decide what to do – it’s a terrible idea, especially when she considers her traitorous, fluttering heart, but the temptation is too much to resist. She wants to feel the shape of his name in her mouth, tasting the sounds on her tongue, even if it's not in the context that she dreams of.

It takes her days to work up the courage. When she finally manages to do it - a bright smile, paired with a heartfelt "thanks, Bakugou!" - all he does is blink at her for an unbearably long moment before turning away with a muttered, “tch.”

It stings for some reason, more than it should – and as it lingers for the rest of the day, she stubbornly pretends like she doesn't know why until she's alone in her tent that night.

Hurt settles heavy in her throat, the cloying pressure of rejection and disappointment pooling in her chest, and it feels like the world’s worst practical joke as Ochako realizes that she’s managed to develop feelings for the one man she absolutely cannot have.

It’s a wake-up call, reality stabbing into the irrational, tiny ball of girlish hope that she'd carefully buried deep into her heart, and as she lies on her sleeping mat, all she can feel is shame. Here she is, pining and sighing about something that she knows can never happen – letting herself get caught up in distractions and daydreams when there are far more important things at stake. She isn’t here for romance, and she isn’t here for love - Ochako is here for her parents, and she needs to get her head on straight before it's too late.

The next day, she wakes up with the lingering guilt as a reminder, and gives up her slot for her usual extra sparring session with Bakugou. The swords in her tent isn’t worth much collecting dust, and Ochako needs something to ground her - it’s time that she gets serious about learning how to use her father’s nodachi.

__

Days later, she’s practicing with a weighted bokken when she spots Bakugou pause next to the small training area, a deep scowl carved into his expression as he stops to watch. Ochako determinedly avoids the piercing red gaze boring into her cheek, focusing on keeping her movements steady even as her arms ache – the weight of the training sword is heavy to the point of being nearly too much, but she refuses to give up. 

She deliberately blocks out the tiny voice in her head, one that sounds a lot like Bakugou, telling her that she's being a stubborn idiot.

It takes a herculean amount of effort to move through the last rep of the kata sequence she’s practicing, her entire body trembling with exertion, and after pausing in the final stance, she lets the wooden sword drop limp at her side.

“How’d it look?” she pants, wiping at her dripping forehead with her sleeve. Off to the side, Kirishima grins at her with a thumbs up, a gesture that she quickly recognizes as one he uses when he’s trying to be reassuring.

“Way better, Uraraka!” he says earnestly. “You looked real manly, with that scary face you’ve got going on!” He mimics a serious grimace, and she sighs heavily.

“Thanks, Kirishima,” she says tiredly, offering him a small smile. “Are my strikes improving?” He falters for a moment before his shoulders slump.

“Ah – I wasn’t lying when I said you were better.” He rubs the back of his head. “But… if I’m being honest, bro? It looks like you’re using most of your strength on keeping your arms in position instead of putting power behind your movements. And… you don’t really swing? If that makes sense? You just kinda let the sword fall into position, especially during downward slashes.”

“So basically, I’m still terrible.”

Kirishima winces, then says, “Uh, well – yeah. Kinda.”

“Great.” Ochako exhales roughly, placing the bokken back on the weaponry rack, and bites back the urge to lash out at the redhead. It wouldn’t be fair to get mad at Kirishima for something that isn’t in his control, especially after he graciously agreed to show her the exercises in the first place.

She slumps heavily against one of the trees littered around the clearing and closes her eyes, sensing the redhead settling next to her, and the cool shade makes her feel a little better. "Maybe this was a dumb idea," she mutters.

"Hey, don't say that!" She lets her eyes flutter open, and Kirishima is studying her with a frown. "I'm serious when I said you're getting better, bro. You could barely lift one of these things when we first started training, and now look at where you are! You'll get there, you just gotta keep up the hard work." 

Ochako can't help but return his earnest smile. "Thanks Kirishima. That means a lot."

" I'm just calling it how I see it," he says, beaming. A comfortable silence falls over them, Ochako savoring the quiet, but after a moment, Kirishima clears his throat. “Um, Uraraka – if you don't mind me asking... why’re you so interested in using a nodachi anyways?”

“What do you mean?”

“I … well, don’t take this the wrong way? But usually, it’s easier to use one if you’re… taller,” he says awkwardly, shuffling his feet, before his head whips up in wide-eyed mortification. “NOT to say you can’t do it! Like I said, you're totally already improving a ton, and I’m sure you’d be awesome at it, but – I mean, you’re scary good with a tanto already, and you're good with a staff too, so it’s not like you really need a weapon with reach, so…I’m confused, I guess.”

Ochako frowns, but doesn't say anything as Kirishima continues to stumble over his words.

“… Ugh, it sounds creepy now that I’m saying it, but I just wanna… understand? If that makes sense? I mean, we’ve been here for so long and I noticed you’re always kinda by yourself, and we’re all supposed to be comrades, so I figure…” His voice trails off, face flushing in embarrassment. “You know what – never mind, totally ignore the last five minutes. My ma always told me I’m too nosy for my own good and – ”

“Kirishima.” She waits for him to stop talking, and then punches him good-naturedly in the shoulder. “You’re fine. I was the one who asked you for help, so…”

Ochako purses her mouth, stretching her aching arms as she looks through the tree canopy up at the sky – it’s cloudy, a little overcast, and there’s a distinct smell in the air she recognizes as one that always comes before rain. “It’s kind of a long story, but… my father was the one who got drafted,” she says, choosing her words carefully. “He’s not an officer or anything, but he got some kind of military award in a war from when I was a child. I guess the shogun assumed he’d be fine with fighting again.”

“Oh,” Kirishima says quietly. “Is he not … ?”

“Mmhm.” She lets her arms drop to her sides. “He has a bad leg – an old wound that never really healed right. He can barely walk without a cane, and they still wanted him to come out here? I… I couldn’t just let him go, even though he wanted to fight, so I came in his place.”

There's a distinct note of understanding in his tone as he says, quietly, “You’re doing this for your dad, huh?”

“I want to honor him, and my mother,” she says simply, and goes to pick up the bokken once more. “I’m the only child of my family, and I… I helped where I could, but my father – he’s always put his duty first, over his own life sometimes. And I feel like if I’m here in his place, I should at least uphold his values for him and honor his sacrifices."

Ochako shrugs, feeling a little sheepish, but she figures she might as finish after saying so much already. "Learning how to use his sword seems like the least I can do, even if I’m not all that great at it. I know I’m probably never going to be able to use it in a fight, but it can always be a backup, right?”

There's a loud, wet sniffing sound, and she turns to see Kirishima staring at her with tears brimming in his eyes. “That’s so manly, Uraraka,” he says, choking a little, and all she can do is yelp when the redhead sweeps her up into a spine-cracking hug. “I’m so glad that you asked me to help you!”

“Urk – ” Ochako gasps against the solid wall of Kirishima’s chest, her face squished flat. “Erm, no problem, do you think you can – ”

"Oi, shitheads! This is a training camp, not a fucking sentou!" Bakugou’s voice cuts sharp in the air, and Ochako feels Kirishima mutter, “oh, shit.” She’s promptly dropped to the ground, left to stumble as she tries to find her footing, and out of the corner of her eye she can see Bakugou stalking towards them, mouth twisted into a snarl. “Fuck around somewhere else, nobody needs to see that bullshit."

“Ah, sorry, Bakugou!” Kirishima apologizes cheerfully, a grin on his face, and Ochako stiffens when Bakugou’s gaze slides from the redhead to her. “Just taking a quick break – Uraraka asked for some pointers, so I’m just helping him out, y’know?”

“Tch.” There’s something dark written into the lines of his expression when his gaze flickers towards her, his mouth tightening when he spots the wooden bokken in her hand. “You’re still wasting your time on that shit?”

Ochako bristles at the scorn in his tone. “It’s not shit,” she says, her voice hard – she doesn’t know why he looks so angry, but she’s tired and achy and doesn’t have the patience to deal with his rudeness. “Did you need something, captain?”

Bakugou stills, staring at her for a moment, and then his nostrils flare. “If you’re so fucking set on using a nodachi, at least do yourself a favor and ask a fucking expert.”

"I don’t need an expert," she says, emphasizing each word, and leans forward challengingly. “Besides, last time I checked, someone - ”

Kirishima takes a step back, eyes nervously darting between Bakugou’s face and hers. “Uh, guys – ”

“ - Shitty Hair, out of all – ”

“ – you wouldn’t bother – ”

“ – didn’t even fucking ask – ”

“OI!” Kirishima whistles sharply, arms folded disapprovingly across his chest as he stares at both of them. “You both need to calm down. Yelling at each other isn’t manly at all!”

“Hah?” Bakugou growls, taking a menacing step forward. “The fuck did you just say to me?”

He’s a few inches shorter than the redhead, a little leaner too – but Kirishima actually squeaks, and then immediately shrinks under the force of Bakugou’s glare. “I mean – I just remembered, I promised I’d spar with – uh, Sero! Yeah, um – I’m – I’m just …gonnagonowbye!”

All Ochako can do is gape as Kirishima flashes her an apologetic wince over his shoulder before literally running out of the training area, and rounds on Bakugou as soon as the redhead is out of sight. “What is your problem?”

“You seriously cancelled on me for this?!” Bakugou demands, red eyes boring into hers as he looms over her, and she can’t understand why he’s being so belligerent. “Are you fucking kidding me?”

“Why are you getting angry at me?” She flushes, not sure if the heat in her cheeks is from exertion or anger or embarrassment at how close he’s standing to her. “I needed someone to show me some katas – ”

“Again - you decided to ask Shitty Hair?”

“Who else was I supposed to ask?” she blurts out, and he stops short, staring back at her like he can’t quite believe what she just said. Ochako knows that she’s crossing the blurred line drawn in the sand – she knows that despite Bakugou’s casual carelessness about ranks and titles, she’s being deliberately insubordinate to someone who has the power to make her life miserable, but the words are already falling out of her mouth before she can swallow them back. “You’ve made it pretty clear how you feel about this - every time I asked, all you say is that I’m wasting my time... so I went to someone who was actually willing to help me.”

Bakugou is silent for a few moments, and then exhales with a slow hiss. There’s still frustration present in his eyes, but his tone is less aggressive as he says, “I’ve seen that nodachi of yours, Round Face – it’s literally as tall as you are. You seriously think using a sword like that is fucking practical?”

Ochako grits her teeth, ignoring the way her ears turn hot. “See, this is why I – ”

“Nuh uh, shut up and listen to me.” Bakugou grabs the bokken from her hand, hefting it with an ease that makes her green with envy. “Nobody with any sense uses a nodachi for actual combat – it’s too cumbersome to carry around, not to mention that even fully grown men need two fucking hands to use it. I had to learn the damn thing as part of my training, but it’s a fucking formality. Everyone knows that the extra reach isn’t worth two hands when you get the same effect out of a katana or wakizashi.”

Ochako glowered back at him, refusing to back down. “But my father – ”

Bakugou doesn’t bother to let her finish. “I can bet you that the last time your old man used that damn sword was at least ten years ago, Round Face,” he cuts her off, ignoring her sputtering, and continues, “Nodachi haven’t been seriously used in combat since the last war – anyone who had one would’ve, at the fucking minimum, gotten the blades cut down to katana length by now. Nobody with any goddamn sense would try waving around a sword as big as the one you have – something that big is ornamental or purely for religious use, not for actual combat.”

She’s stunned silent, her mind frantically processing Bakugou’s words. What he’s saying makes sense – and the last time her father had actually been called to serve had been fifteen years ago, when she was little more than a child – but her pride burns at the thought of being wrong about the entire situation. “You say that, but then what about Kirishima, or Shoji? You taught them both – ”

“They’re twice your fucking size, Round Face!” Bakugou bellows, looking like he wants to grab her by the shoulders and shake her. “You- fuck, Shitty Hair and Squid Arms can wave a nodachi around with one fucking hand like it’s a goddamn kunai, while you can barely hold a training sword up long enough to get through a fucking kata. You wanna learn the kaiken, or the yari, or the kusarigama? I’ll get you good enough to whip anyone’s fucking ass, but I ain’t wasting my time or yours on something that you’re not even gonna be able to use to keep your dumb self alive.”

The longer he speaks, the more Ochako realizes that he’s right – when he finally spits out the last words, she doesn’t know what to say. There’s a hollow feeling in her chest, a realization that settles heavily in her heart as the words sink in, and she feels a little like a ship drifting at sea. “Then why didn’t you just say that? Instead of just yelling at me about wasting time?”

He falters, looking suddenly unsure, and grumbles, “I… I didn’t realize I had to fucking spell it out for you.” The blonde runs a restless hand through his hair. “You’re not a complete idiot. You were supposed to figure it out eventually.”

She rolls her eyes at the backhanded compliment. “One, I’m not a mind reader. Two, my parents are farmers. How am I supposed to know anything about weapons?”

Bakugou levels a deadpan look in her direction. “You’re telling me that you don’t have the common sense to realize that you shouldn’t use a sword you can barely lift above your head?”

“…” She can’t say anything in her defense because he’s right – she’d admitted as much to Kirishima earlier, out loud even. Ochako averts her eyes at his expectant expression, frustration and humiliation swirling in her belly as she stares at her feet.

“Oi.” A fist brushes against the side of her head, gentle yet forceful enough to make her look up. Bakugou still looks mad, but there’s something understanding in his eyes as he says, “Look – I heard your little heart to heart with Shitty Hair, and I get it. You wanna do right by your old man, but honor and duty ain’t worth shit if you end up dead. You’re out here, fighting for him – that’s as honorable as it gets. Don’t sabotage yourself by being a stubborn idiot.”

He claps her reassuringly on the shoulder, heat bleeding through the thin cloth of her training top for a moment before Bakugou draws his hand back. “Drop the hero worship you’ve got going on and get your shit together. Got it?”

“… Yeah.” She shifts her weight bashfully, her earlier embarrassment slowly giving way to a warmth that spreads through her body at the gruff yet comforting words. “Could… could you help me pick something then, captain?”

For some reason, he scowls at that. “Tch, save that shit for when it matters, Round Face. Just call me Bakugou.” Butterflies erupt in her stomach against her will, and despite every rational voice screaming in her brain, Ochako hopes that she’s not imagining the pink tint to his ears when he looks determinedly at a spot over her head. “You’d be fucking badass with a naginata.”

She freezes, the fluttering in the stomach suddenly replaced with panic as she feels the blood rush out of her face. Ochako is a farmer’s daughter, but she’s heard enough to know that polearms are only used by women, particularly female samurai. She can’t tell if Bakugou is trying to hint that he knows her secret, or if it’s just a coincidence, but it takes everything in her to hide her terror as she stammers, “A – a naginata? Isn’t t-that a woman’s weapon?”

Bakugou pauses, staring her as she tries not to fidget under his gaze, and it feels like hours have passed when he finally opens his mouth.

“A weapon’s a weapon – doesn’t matter what’s between a person’s legs, if they know how to use it then you’re dead either way,” he says, still eyeing her as he returns the wooden training sword back into its place. “My hag of a mother beat that lesson into me when I was a bratty little kid, and she’s one of the best fighters I know. If you actually believe in that traditionalist bullshit, I’ll make her to come down here and teach you that lesson herself – she isn’t as fucking nice as I am.”

Another person who could possibly figure out her secret? Nope, no thank you.

“A-ah – no, I’m good.” Her stomach unclenches, the blind fear slowly dissipating into a careful suspicion. She watches as Bakugou grabs a tall wood staff, curved and flat at the end, and tests the weight of it in his palm.

“Naginatajutsu builds on all the same basics of a staff.” Bakugou backs up, demonstrating a series of movements that she recalls learning weeks earlier. “You’re taking the defense of a bo and adding the stabbing and slicing potential of a kodachi onto it. A lot of what you know from the staff applies, but your offense depends on attacking while deflecting or redirecting blows.”

He tosses the staff at her, and as Ochako catches it, she can’t help but notice that it’s just as heavy as the nodachi bokken – only this time the weight, is comfortably balanced in her hands. She takes a few practice swings, the half-hearted actions quickly sliding into familiar stances as she twirls and twists. “Oh. Oh, this feels – ”

“Fucking knew it,” Bakugou mutters smugly. Ochako falls out of the kata, smiling down at the polearm as she relaxes. “Same time as our usual spars, Round Face – you’re going to be a fucking force of nature when I’m done with you.”

“Sir, yes, sir,” she says teasingly, and when she looks up, he’s watching her with an almost fond smirk curling at his mouth. The look on his face makes her stomach jump, her heartbeat faltering for a moment, and she tucks the memory of his expression away to remember for another day. No, Ochako. “I – thank you, Bakugou.”

“Just don’t fucking bail on me, Round Face.” He rolls his eyes, turning away and making his way out of the training area. She hums in agreement, and watches as Bakugou quickly disappears around a copse of trees, leaving her alone with her thoughts.

A force of nature.

Ochako grins – she likes the sound of that.

__

As expected, Bakugou turns out to be absolutely, 100% right.

Ochako takes to the naginata like a duck to water, picking up the footwork and stances with an ease that feels almost scary. After only a week and a half of instruction, Bakugou puts her into the sparring ring, and proceeds to send her smug, satisfied looks each time she disarms or defeats another recruit. It would be annoying if it wasn’t so exhilarating to win, so all Ochako does is roll her eyes in response.

She makes sure to immediately tell Kirishima about her change of heart, and he’s understanding about it, encouraging even – but it’s an offhand comment he makes later that leaves her flustered.

“You must’ve impressed him a lot, Uraraka,” he says after a particularly long spar. She lost, but considering Kirishima’s ability to tank anything short of a literal stab to the gut, she’s taking it as a win. “From what I can tell, Bakugou’s pretty invested in your training.”

Ochako’s eyebrows rise at that, feeling unsettled. She knows Kirishima is too kind for him to be implying anything, but for some reason it makes her a little uncomfortable. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Well, he’s been hard on all of us, y’know? But he’s been pretty much riding your ass into the ground since day one.” Kirishima doesn’t seem to notice her uneasiness as he continues on thoughtfully, head cocked to one side. “He probably saw some hidden potential in you! How manly is that?”

Ochako only smiles nervously, doing everything in her power to ignore the unintentional innuendo, and quickly changes the subject. Still, Kirishima’s words stay with her for days after, leaving her wondering.

Unfortunately, she doesn’t have a chance to ask Bakugou about it, because Monoma finally returns to the camp, and things take a quick turn for the worse.

Bakugou’s temper returns with a vengeance alongside the nobleman’s snippety comments, and everything contines to go downhill from there. The only positive of the situation is that Ochako isn’t dead last anymore, her improvement no longer leaving her in a position to be singled out, but in a way, it’s worse. Monoma resorts to sullenly glaring at everyone who dares to cross his path, but more often than not, ends up making borderline malicious comments meant to both criticize and undermine Bakugou’s position at camp.

The cheerful, casual atmosphere of the past month quickly disintegrates like smoke in the wind. A tenseness settles over the camp, and everyone starts tiptoeing around carefully, trying to avoid triggering the short fuse that is Bakugou’s sanity. Ochako hates it – she can’t stand the oppressive silences, the stiffness and her growing anxiety, but most of all, she hates that Bakugou looks more and more exhausted as the days pass, his features fixed permanently into a furious, bitter scowl. He’s shifting back to the man she met when she first arrived, closed off and angry and uncompromising, and the only time she sees the tension ease from his shoulders is during her naginata lessons.

“If… if you need someone to talk to,” Ochako says quietly, one night as they are walking back to the tents together, “I’m happy to listen.”

“M’fine.” Bakugou looks tired, scrubbing at his face as he sighs. “Worry about yourself; I can deal with the bastard.”

“You shouldn’t have to, though.” She stops, letting the frustration seep into her voice. “Bakugou, I – we all can see what Monoma’s doing. Can’t we report him, or file a complaint?”

“Believe me, if that had any chance in hell of doing shit, he wouldn’t have been here in the first place.” He snorts. “He’s got the favor of the shogun, Round Face. We just have to tough it out.”

She hums. “Do I need to climb another dead tree and play fetch?”

That earns her a genuine bark of laughter and a half-smirk, the stress falling away from his face for a moment. “Fuck, I wish.”

Her heart flutters at the glimpse of the Bakugou from the past month – the Bakugou who’d worked past her stubbornness and talked sense into her, who’d had enough faith in her to bet on her strength… the Bakugou who, despite her best efforts, she still has feelings for. Something lightens in her chest, her lips curling into a smile, but her thoughts are suddenly cut off by a familiar, low growl.

“Can’t even get a fucking moment of peace,” he mutters, glaring, and Ochako follows his gaze, her heart sinking. Standing in front of Bakugou’s tent is Monoma, eyeing their approach condescendingly with an official-looking scroll in his hand, and at her side, Bakugou sighs. “Get outta here, Round Face. Y’don’t need to stick around for this bullshit.”

She can’t even offer a response before Bakugou strides forward, shoulders set and a dark glower on his face as he calls out to Monoma. Dismayed, she watches as the two of them disappear into Bakugou’s tent, light blooming as a candle is lit inside, and she reluctantly moves on. Ochako only glances back once, seeing the two shadows cast on the canvas, before sighing and continuing to her tent.

__

Later, as she’s coming back from bathing in the river, Ochako deliberately sets her path to pass by Bakugou’s tent. It feels silly, but part of her hopes that she’ll run into him again – the sound of Bakugou’s laughter felt like the taste of water after a drought, and she selfishly wants to hear it again.

What she doesn’t expect is Monoma’s shadow, still moving wildly inside the captain’s tent, hours after she’d parted ways with Bakugou earlier. As she creeps closer, the conversation becomes clearer and clearer, and it’s not that she means to listen, but Monoma isn’t exactly trying to keep quiet.

“Those peasants are no more fit to be soldiers than you are to be captain,” she overhears, the cruel words said with the finality of a finishing blow, and the silence that follows Monoma’s proclamation is only punctuated by a low growl.

“Is that so?” There’s a soft, ominous quality to Bakugou’s voice, and Ochako has to bite down a shiver at the danger that lurks beneath the words. “Might wanna be careful what you say, fuckface.”

“Maybe take your own advice, Bakugou? You can strut around all you want, but at the end of the day you’re a nothing more than the bastard worth less than the clothes on your back.” Monoma either doesn’t have working ears, or any sense of self preservation, and continues talking. “You might have the general convinced, but you and your pathetic little troop will never see battle – not if I have anything to say about it.”

“Funny, then, that Hakamata’s asking me and my shitty little soldiers to join him,” Bakugou says, and through the illuminated tent, Ochako sees that he’s tossing a scroll between his hands tauntingly. “Keep being petty, fuckface – I can’t wait to report your ass to –  ”

“Pft, you and I both know that’s an empty threat,” Monoma scoffs, and she can hear the scorn in his voice. “Your word is utterly worthless, especially after the general comes around to the shogun’s point of view.”

“The fuck is that supposed to mean?” Bakugou demands.

“Don’t tell me – you didn’t even notice?” Monoma laughs meanly. “I’m not here for the recruits – I’m here for you. Did you seriously believe the shogun would let you take command again without supervision, after you sacrificed your entire company just to save your own skin?”

Ochako swallows back the gasp that gets stuck in her throat, her heart pounding. Fury and sadness and rage boil together in her gut, and she’s struck by the sudden, desperate urge to stab Monoma with a dull, rusty knife. Bakugou sounds like he feels the same way, and his voice is dangerously level as he says, “You played good little messenger pigeon. Now, get the fuck out.”

She ducks behind a tree as Monoma haughtily slips into the night air, radiating smug contentment as he trudges off in the direction of his own tent. Ochako slowly looks around, hoping the coast is clear, but darts back when Bakugou stomps out of his tent, fatigue visible in his weary expression. He stops only a few paces away from where she’s hiding, head tilted up to the sky, and she slowly starts to back away to give him some privacy.

Of course, that’s when she steps on a twig, and she flinches at the snapping sound that echoes in the quiet night.

“Whoever is sneaking around like a goddamn rat has two fucking seconds to show their shitty face.”

Wincing, Ochako steps out, eyes averted, and Bakugou eyes her for a tense moment before exhales heavily. “Of-fucking-course it’s you,” he mutters, grimacing. “Scram, round face.”

She bites her lip. Ochako knows that she should go, especially considering what she’d overheard, but she still asks, “We’re being deployed?”

“Tch, were you eavesdropping the whole fucking time?” Bakugou’s glare forceful enough that she shrinks back a little.

“Just the end,” she admits guiltily, and it’s a miracle when he doesn’t say more. She doesn’t know much about Bakugou’s history, but Monoma’s words are damning, even to her ears. Ochako tries to hide her apprehension as she says, gently, “If… if you still need to talk? The offer from earlier still stands, Bakugou.”

“I’m fucking fine,” he snaps, and she can’t help the way she flinches as he rounds on her. His eyes look glassy and unfocused, reliving a memory from the past, and he snarls, “I don’t need you to play mother hen and coddle me like I’m some kid, but in case you’re still not getting the message? Fuck. Off.”

Ochako takes a half step back, swallowing the thickness that suddenly appears in her throat. It feels a lot like he’s just driven a knife into her chest, punching through her lungs as she exhales in a slow, single breath. Bakugou has already turned away, head bowed as she curls into herself, but just as she’s about to leave, she hesitates.

She glances back at him over her shoulder. It’s clear, just by looking at Bakugou, that Monoma’s words had gone straight through all of his bravado, hitting exactly where they were meant to. There’s a weight to his shoulders that she’s never seen before, a weariness written into the curve of his neck and back, and the vulnerability seems so out of place on him that she can’t help the words that fall from her mouth.

“I know my opinion isn’t worth much,” she says softly, and hopes that he’s listening. “But for what it’s worth – I trust you. And I know everyone here does too.”

Ochako doesn’t wait for a reply, instead ducking her head and quickly making her way to her tent. She forces herself to keep her eyes forward as she walks, no matter how badly she wants to look back.

__

The next morning, Kirishima breaks the news to her as she slips into the mess tent for breakfast: they’re marching to Kamino Pass to meet with the 4th regiment of the shogun’s army, led by the Bakugou’s old mentor, General Hakamata. Kirishima is too enthusiastic to notice her uneasy expression, but she’s quietly grateful – her mind is still reeling from what happened the night before, and she ignores her porridge in favor of searching the crowd for a familiar head of spiky blonde hair.

Everyone is busy packing, loading up the caravans and organizing marching orders, and despite her best efforts, Ochako is quickly swept up into the chaos. At one point, she spots Bakugou as she’s running supplies back and forth – he’s wearing a tired scowl, his otherwise normal appearance marred by the dark circles under his eyes. He doesn’t look her way once throughout the entire morning, even as she deliberately crosses paths with him, and she pushes on through the hurt that steadily simmers in her chest as the day goes on.

When the camp is packed and everyone finally sets off, she keeps her head and eyes down, quiet even as the other recruits around her whisper excitedly. She doesn’t notice Bakugou glancing back at her, and as they start marching, Ochako silently berates herself for being a silly, hopeful fool.

#kacchako #uraraka ochako #bakugou katsuki #bnha au #bnha #fanfiction #mulan au #by nebbia

[lbibliophile-mcu]

Plums

Written for: @sambuckyevents​ - Day 1: plums @whumptober2019​ - Day 1: shaky hands @buckybarnesbingo​ - Y4: Sam Wilson / Falcon

Characters: Bucky Barnes & Sam Wilson

Tags: PTSD, Bucky Barnes’ plums, Sam Wilson is a good bro

Word count: 630

Also on Ao3

_____

“Hey man, I got you something.”

Bucky looks up in time to catch the paper bag Sam tosses at him. Holding it carefully and away from his body, he raises an eyebrow.

“What? Why… oh, c’mon, do you really think I’d do something like that.” Sam crosses his arms and raises an exasperated eyebrow of his own. “Look, I promise that it’s not going to explode, it’s not going to poison you, it’s not a prank. This is me being nice. If this is the thanks I get...”

He eyes Sam suspiciously for a moment longer – more as a matter of principle than because he actually suspects the man is trying anything – then turns his attention to the gift.

It is a plain paper bag, rolled and scrunched at the top to keep the golf-ball sized globes inside from escaping. He tries to keep the growing smile off his face as he opens the bag to peer inside. Is it…? Yes! Half a dozen dark-purple and perfectly ripe plums.

Bucky loves plums.

It was one of the first things he discovered once he started the process of becoming a person again. He had walked past a tree filled with the ripe fruit, and something had prompted him to pick one. The first burst of sweet juice tasted like pure pleasure: the intensity of flavour and texture almost overwhelming. Every chance he got, he sought out more.

Later, came the memories. Preparing late-season plums for canning with his mother, sneaking slices when she isn’t looking. Counting a handful of coins, and the tart sweetness making him unable to regret the expense. Finding a fruiting tree in an abandoned churchyard somewhere in Europe, and gorging on the fresh produce.

Slowly, savouringly, he reaches into the bag and pulls out a plum. He holds it up to breathe it’s scent. He feels the smooth roundness, firm flesh just dimpling under metal fingertips. He… remembers.

Gently squeezing a plum in his gloved hand, then smiling at the stall vendor and handing over cash – lei and bani. Turning to head back to his tiny apartment, the sounds and scents of Bucharest swirling around him. Panic spiking as he hears a siren, coming towards him, then relief as it passes by without slowing. The persistent feeling of tension, paranoia rising, the certainty that people are staring at him, recognising him. He tries to talk himself down, work through his irrational anxiety, but then he sees the newspaper. Sees a photo of himself where he has never been – and it was a new photo, so he would remember, not like before. Returning to his apartment knowing it is time to run or fight or both, that the bubble of peace he has built is about to be shattered…

“- breathe. You’re ok. You’re safe. It’s just you and me. Everything’s fine. Just breathe.”

The calm voice – Sam – eases it’s way into his awareness. As he listens, the counterpoint of gasping breaths – his – gradually slows and steadies. Other senses return. He can feel the floor beneath him, solid where he slumped to his knees. The scent of plums fills the air; he looks at his hand and sees pulp coating the metal plates, squeezed through the fingers. The rest of the contents of the dropped paper bag have spilled across the floor.

Taking a deep breath, he looks up at Sam.

“’m ok now. Sorry, I just…”

Sam looks at him for a moment, then nods, intent reassurance relaxing into something more casual.

“Hey man, I get it; don’t sweat it. Note to self: I guess a bag of plums is a dangerous gift after all.”

Bucky gives a shaky laugh, as much from the release of tension as the weak joke. Carefully, he rearranges his face into a mournful expression.

“But I like plums…”

#sbweek19 #day 1 #thanks to timezones. it still is (just!) somewhere #whumptober #no. 1 #buckybarnesbingo2019 #bucky barnes #sam wilson #bucky barnes/sam wilson #winterfalcon #ptsd #bucky barnes' plums #fanfic

[woildismyerster]

Hello! I love your writing so much! I was hoping to make a request, because no one makes my heart flutter like Kevin G. I thought maybe Kevin and the reader both have feelings for each other but are oblivious to it, so someone asks the reader to the spring fling and she accepts, and after the mathlete’s competion Kevin goes to the dance and confesses his feelings and just super fluffy? Thank you so much! Love your blog!

Kevin is seriously a Good Boy.

It seemed like a societal flaw to trap members from the world’s most hormonal, unstable people group in a building together for seven hours every day.  You weren’t sure that bring in such close proximity brought out everybody’s civilized side, and the current school year had proven that point.

Teenagers are emotional.  Teenagers are devious.  Teenagers will stab each other in the back for something extreme, like for the greater good, or for something trivial, like to get the last fruit roll up.

That being said, you weren’t one to talk.  Your mad crush on Kevin Gnapoor made you as irrational as the rest of them.  You didn’t tell people, but these were rapid animals.  They could smell it.

Regina had thrown it at you in an offhanded comment while you worked on a group project with the two of them.  Kevin shot you a look, as though to tell you that laughing would only make her worse.

Tyler had noticed it right away, and though he didn’t tell anyone, you could feel the way he watched all of your interactions like a soap opera.

Marwan noticed later.  He thought that you had terrible taste, but he smiled while he said so.

Norbury reminded you, as sarcastic as ever, that there was a Mathletes competition the night of the dance.  She told you that you would fail her class if Kevin ditched to go to the dance with you.

Kevin was probably a whale or something, because he couldn’t smell the smitten on you at all.  At.  All.

It would have been funny if that didn’t allow you to pretend that you stood a chance.

“I mean, a female Doctor?  The feminists are taking over!”  Tyler had put on a nasally voice, and none of the rest of you hesitated before joining him.  “I’m an adult virgin!”

“If only we’d had developed senses of humor when Vine was alive,” Marwan mourned.

“The world couldn’t have handled all of this,” Kevin said.  He spun in leisurely circles in the computer chair.

You snorted.  “Right, that’s it.  It isn’t that you aren’t funny.”

“I’m hilarious, son.”

“Say something funny.”

Kevin grinned at you, head tilted back so he could see you upside down.  “Couldn’t possibly say something that’s funnier than your face, Y/N.”

The others cupped their hands over their mouths.  “Ooooooooh.”

“Wow,” you said.  “You’re right.  That’s totally Vine material.  You’d have been rolling in dough by now.”

“I’d be making it rain,” Kevin said dreamily.  “The ladies would be going wild.”

“If only you were old enough to hire a prostitute,” you deadpanned.

Tyler laughed.  “She got you there, man.”

“I’m tall,” he protested.  “And any honey would be willing to bend rules to get with Kevin G.”

“But here you are, single as ever,” you said.  You gave the chair an extra boost, sending him spiralling.

Kevin spread his arms, smacking Marwan in the side with every twirl.  “I’m not ready to settle down.  I’m enjoying my options.”

“It’s a Friday night,” Marwan pointed out.  “I’m not seeing any options here, unless you count Y/N.”

The four of you were sitting in Tyler’s basement, with Twilight Zone reruns playing in the background.  The boys weren’t so much as texting any girls, let alone wooing them.

“Y/N does not count,” Kevin ceded.  “Unless she wants to go up to Tyler’s room.”

“Sure,” you said sweetly.  “C’mon, Tyler.  Give me a full tour.  Show me everything.”

“Ouch.”  Kevin stopped the chair to give you a cocky smile.  “I think I could give you just as good of a tour, babe.  Kevin G can show you what you wanna see.”

“Believe me, you can’t,” you lied.  It was an easy lie to give, and it didn’t feel like it costed you much.  Tyler’s eye roll, maybe.  Marwan’s huff of disbelief.

All Kevin did was put a hand over his heart.  “You don’t mean in.  You’ll come around.”

“Try again when you’re making it rain.”

“I will,” he promised.  “But you’ll come crawling back before then.”

“Fat chance,” you said, and the grin on his face made you wonder if he knew how flimsy the words were.

“Y/N,” he said eagerly.  “Y/N, girl, lovely lady -”

“Kevin,” you sighed back.  “Kevin, bro, man ho -”

“Woof,” he grinned.  “That would be offensive if it wasn’t my dream.”

You closed your English book and gave him your full attention.  “What’s up?”

“We should go door to door tonight to collect cans for the food drive.  I want that pizza party in homeroom, yo.”

Tyler looked up from his lunch, surprised.  “I thought that you and I were -”

“Nope,” Kevin said smoothly.  His body jerked, and there was a thump under the table.

Tyler winced, leaning down to rub his foot.  “Jesus Christ, fine.”

“Y/N, let’s do this thing,” Kevin said.

You grinned.  “Alright, let’s win a pizza party.”

Tyler shot you a pointed look.  You pretended not to notice.  Kevin was too busy charting a collection route to see the dopey smile on your face.

“Y/N, I swear to God, I’m going to kill someone if you don’t put Kevin out of his misery soon,” Tyler said earnestly.

“What do you mean?”

“He’s driving me insane.  He doesn’t talk about anything else, and his raps are sappy, and he’s so busy trying to prove a point to you that he won’t share food with anyone else -”

You snorted.  Your class didn’t win the food drive competition, but Kevin bought a pizza to share with you at lunch anyways.  When Tyler and Marwan tried to get in on the action, Kevin said that it was only for the people who went collecting.

“You’re being dramatic,” you said.  “Kevin’s always weird.  It’s why he’s a good friend.”

“He’s too busy being a good boyfriend to the girl he isn’t dating,” Tyler mumbled.  “You have to fix it.”

“By doing what?”

“Tell him that you like him.  Lie, and tell him that you don’t like him.”  Tyler rolled his eyes, crossing his arms over his chest.  “I don’t care.  But you have to do something.”

“He doesn’t like me,” you said patiently.  “You’re being stupid.”

“And you’re being blind.”

You grinned.  “Believe me, Kevin would make a move if he felt something.  He’s never had any qualms about speaking his mind before.”

Tyler gave a non-committal hum.  “Tell him that you like him.  He’ll be stoked.”

“Or I won’t tell him, and I won’t be disappointed when he tries to let me down gently.”  That seemed like the far superior option.

“Because doing nothing is way better,” Tyler said.  “Totally.  That’s, like, the epitome of good seduction techniques.  Do absolutely nothing and hope that something changes.”

“Yikes.”

“It’s the truth.  Either you tell Kevin how you feel, or you try to move on.  Waiting hasn’t helped so far,” he pointed out.

That was true.  You were as single now as you had been when you first started noticing how incredible Kevin was.  Tell him, or move on.

Tell him.  You felt sick to your stomach when you imagined the horrified look on Kevin’s face when he realized that there were some decidedly not-friendly feelings mixing in the friendship.

Move on.  It didn’t feel any better to picture dating somebody else.

Okay, so both options felt awful.  That made things a little easier; you could go all Into The Woods on this and wait for something to decide for you.  You would wait for some sort of sign, and let that be the deciding factor.

You waited for a sign, and when it finally arrived, you felt worse than ever.

“If we rap all of our answers at States, the other team will be too intimidated to win,” Kevin insisted.

“Or they’ll answer everything before us,” Marwan counted, “because we’ll be wasting our time trying to freestyle.”

“That’s a personal problem,” Kevin said.  “I don’t need time.”

“Y/N, tell Kevin that his idea is dumb AF.”  Marwan didn’t bother looking at you, and you didn’t bother giving Kevin an apologetic grin.

“Kevin, that’s a bad plan.  Winning will make you cooler than a rap will.”

He deflated for a second, but the smile returned with vengeance.  “We’ll be hot stuff when we win,” he agreed.  “You’ll have to keep your distance, unless you want to burst into flames on contact.”

“I won’t see you that night.”  You sighed, all exaggerated disappointment, in the hopes that they wouldn’t hear the real disappointment that mingled with nerves.  “I’ll be at the dance.”

“What?”  All three of the boys gaped at you, but Tyler looked the most surprised of all.  “I thought you were coming to the competition.”

“I was, but then I got asked to the dance.”

Tyler’s eyes were the size of dinner plates.  “You’re going on a date?”

All faces in the room reflected varying degrees of horror, including you.  You could only hope that a smile would mask that fact that you really didn’t want to go on this date.  “C’mon, guys.  It isn’t that crazy that somebody would want to date me.”

“No, not crazy at all,” Kevin said, his face a few shades paler than it had been before.  “Who’d you sucker into hanging out with you for the night?”

“Seth Mosakowski,” you said.

Kevin gave a scathing snort.  “Dude, he made out with Karen Smith last year.  They’re cousins.”

“Good thing I’m not his cousin, then.”

“He’s an idiot,” Marwan said.

“Good thing I’m not, then.”

“You don’t even like him,” Tyler said emphatically.

You looked at your hands.  “Good thing he likes me, then.”  The words were saturated with bitterness, and it seemed like the mood got to the guys.  Smiles were rare for the rest of the afternoon, and they never belonged to Kevin.

Dances were trippy places.  It seemed like every moment was blending together, even the moment you were living in.  The next morning, you were sure, the entire night would be a messy blur of dim lighting and warm bodies.

You were hoping so, at least, because you weren’t sure that you wanted to remember this date.

Seth was nice, and it wasn’t his fault that this sucked serious balls.  It wasn’t his fault that you didn’t like his long, pointless stories.  It wasn’t his fault that you didn’t understand the inside jokes he had with his friends, or that you weren’t interested in learning them.  The only fault you could see in him was that he wasn’t the person you wanted to be there with.

“So we were in math class,” Seth said.

You hummed in acknowledgement, though he probably couldn’t hear you over the newest Ed Sheeran song.

“Jason was making a bang list for the junior class.”

You glanced back at the gym doors, wondering if it was too early to take your third bathroom break of the night.  A tall, dark head of hair was wading through the clumps of students, and everything felt clear for the first time all night.

“He ranked Taylor Wedell over Gretchen, but only when he knew Cady was close enough to hear and report it back to her.”

You waited until Kevin get near enough to hear, and called his name.  His head whipped toward you, warm grin plastered on before he even realized it was you.  It faltered when he saw you, followed up by something that made you ache.  “Looking pretty fly, G.  Mathletes jackets are super vogue.”

“Y/N,” Kevin said, a little strangled.  “You look amazing.”

“I know, right?”  Seth grinned.  “How goes it, Gnapoor?  You must have missed the memo - we were supposed to look good for this.  You wore the wrong outfit.”

Kevin’s smile was back.  “Mosakowski.  I was surprised to hear that you asked Y/N out; the two of you aren’t related.”

“Seth, can you leave us alone for a second?”  You gave him a sweet smile, flicking Kevin an irritated look.  Neither one looked pleased, but Kevin had the sense to look nervous.  “I have to ask Kevin a question about some homework that’s due Monday.”

“Text me later,” Kevin said.  “I’ve got a thing over there.”

“Over where?”

“Anywhere but here,” he mumbled.  “Have fun, Y/N.  Seth.”

“Not likely,” you mumbled while he brushed past.  You felt him pause, surprised, but you didn’t look back.

Kevin:  Norbury’s class.  five minutes

Y/N:  Why?

Kevin:  homework

You told Seth that you had to use the bathroom, and he didn’t question it.  You couldn’t tell if he truly believed that your bladder was a waterfall, or if he just wanted time away from you too.  It hardly mattered.

The classroom door was cracked open, but the light was off.  You loitered in front of the door for a minute, wondering if you should go in, until a hand reach out, grabbed your wrist, and yanked you through.

You gave a startled scream, but Kevin’s hand pressed against your lips.

“Jesus God, Y/N.  We aren’t supposed to be in here; don’t get us caught.”

“Don’t manhandle me, then,” you snapped back.  You had to stifle a grin at the sight of him, even with the irritation fueling you.  “If you thought that I had actual homework questions, you are going to be sorely disappointed.”

“If you thought that I was dumb enough to miss the fact that you were lying,” he replied with a wry smile, “you are going to be sorely disappointed.”

You took a few steps back and settled against a desk.  The room was too dark, too quiet, for you to stand that close to Kevin without imagining things that probably never happened outside of teen porn.  “What’s up?”

“You said that you were having a bad night,” he said, closing the door.  “Ya boi is saving you from a bad date.”

You did smile at that.  “How sweet.  What are you doing at the dance?  You had States.”

“We already won, so we thought we should come over.”

“Funny,” you said.  “It’s weird that you’d come to a dance, and then lock yourself in a room with me instead of actually dancing.”

“I don’t think it’s weird at all,” he said.  In three long strides, he came to your desk, put his hands on your waist, and kissed you.

Moments in the evening had been blurring before, but now everything was perfectly clear.  You were aware of everything - the lingering taste of an orange creamsicle that he must have had on the way over, the sound of corny music playing in the distant gym, the scrape of his teeth against your lips, the bite of the desk into your thighs.

If this was the sort of thing that only happened in teen porn, you didn’t want to be living anywhere else.

“Why the hell,” he mumbled against your lips, “would you go to homecoming with Seth Mosakowski?”

You snorted, giving the hair at the base of his neck a sharp tug.  “It’s not like I had a better offer.”

“I had a competition today!”

“You still showed up,” you said.  You pulled back a little, settling your arms around his neck in a loose hug.  Kevin was smiling, bewildered and hopeful.  

“Because I knew you were here,” he said.  

“You came to the dance, just to watch me on my date?”  

“Something like that.”

You looked pointedly between the lack of space between your bodies.  “You are a terrible casual observer.”

He kissed you again.  “I can’t stand by and watch Hick Central steal my girl.”

“Your girl?”

“I bought you a pizza,” he said, rubbing his nose against yours.  “I really thought that we were almost there.”

“You should have asked me out.”

“I thought we were almost there,” he said again.  “It was an unspoken thing, Y/N.”

You looked at the ceiling, thoughtful.  “I don’t remember agreeing to anything.”

“Babe.”

“Maybe I’ll have you as my classroom hookup, Seth as my dance partner, and a couple other guys on the side -”

“Bruh.”

You beamed.  “Hey, if nobody’s asking -”

“I’m asking,” he said.  Kevin wiped the smirk away, until the hope was all there was.  “Let’s go out on a date.  A real date - a spoken thing.”

“Are you sure that you can give up your man ho ways?”

“I can’t,” he teased.  “But I’m only a ho for you.”

“Awe, babe,” you said, snorting.  “I feel like that was supposed to be romantic, but it somehow wasn’t -”

He kissed you again, all smiles and happy sighs, and you responded in kind.

#mean girls broadway #mean girls musical #mean girls #mean girls fanfic #kevin g #kevin gnapoor #kevin gnapoor x reader #ally writes

[choicesfanatic86]

TTS:  Part 42 (Liam x MC)

DISCLAIMER:  All characters belong to Pixelberry Studios, except characters unique to my story.  Those belong to me. ;)

PAIRINGS:  Riley (MC) x OC, Riley (MC) x Liam, Liam x Riley (MC) x OC, Olivia x Drake, Bertrand x Savannah, Maxwell x OC

SUMMARY:  Riley's emotions are spiraling out of control, and she’s starting to realize that her life has been a mess since coming back from Cordonia.

If you are new to the series and would like to catch up by reading previous parts, please check out my master fan fiction listing.  CATCH UP HERE

Permanent Tag List:  @umccall71 @drakelover78 @jamielea81 @bobasheebaby @speedyoperarascalparty @hopefulmoonobject @theroyalweisme @gardeningourmet @jlouise88 @hamulau @traeumerinwitzhelden @blackcatkita @mrs-simmy @kaitycole @alwaysthebestchoice @mfackenthal @trr-duchessofvaltoria @pbchoicesobsessed @alepowell

Tag List for TTS Only:  @herladyshipxx   @devineinterventions2  @captainkingliam  @cocomaxley @queencatherynerhys  @boneandfur @spetstoof @grapefrults @pessimystic-fangirl @dralenamax @mspaigemoore @jayjay879 @hhiggs @penguininapinktuxedo @topsyturvy-dream @diamond-dreamland @pnhanga @ladynonsense @mrsdrakewalkerblog @crookedslimecreatorpasta @liamxsworld @flowerpowell @bruteforcebears @withice @jared2612 @darley1101 @sleeplessescapades

6/18/18 - If Only is going to be released after work tomorrow (6pmish my time).  Two chapters! :) I was hoping to get them out this morning, but alas, my darn job is getting in the way. =P  Anyhow, I know the last few chapters have been tough, but I promise, there is a light ahead. ;)  Just be patient.  Riley needs some self-reflection, and I think after she realizes how this pregnancy isn’t just affecting her, she’ll start to come around to things.

As always, just shoot me a message or comment with requests to be added to the permanent tag or story tag. :)

Part 42 - Selfish

It was an hour later, and Riley still hadn’t gone back to the apartment.  The walk back actually hadn’t been that bad.  She paced herself, careful not to reinjure her bum leg, and made it back to the apartment in about half an hour, but she wasn’t quite ready to have another face off with Andy.  She was still seething from their earlier argument, and she didn’t want to say anything that she’d regret.  She had a few hours to kill before their flight left, and she wanted to do one last walk around the neighborhood before she left.  She had hoped to do this with Andy, but considering how she was feeling at the moment, that wasn’t going to happen, so she continued to walk.  She walked by Mr. Carmichael’s flower shop, and took in the sweet aroma of the freshly cut flowers.  Mr. Carmichael was always kind enough to throw in a single peony with every bunch of flowers she purchased because he knew it was her favorite.  A little ways down was the little Chinese restaurant that she and Andy had constantly ordered takeout from even though each time they ate it, they’d swear they’d never order from there again when they felt so completely awful a few hours after eating their food.  They’d joke later about how the food was so bad for them, but that’s what made it so good.  She was going to miss her little neighborhood.  Hell, she was even going to miss Mrs. Padakolis’, their downstairs neighbor’s, screaming when she and Andy had their music raised a bit too loud.  

She felt herself begin to tear up, and tried to stop herself.  God, why was she crying again?  Those stupid pregnancy hormones were going to be the death of her.  She didn’t feel like she had control over her body anymore, let alone her emotions . . . or her heart for that matter.  Then again . . . did she ever really?  How had things gotten to this point?  Three months ago, she was doing okay.  She had a boyfriend, her business was starting to flourish, she and Andy were inseparable . . . life was so easy.  It seemed like she had it made . . . but now . . . now . . . she was a hot mess.  There was no denying it.  She was emotional, irrational . . .hormonal.  She hadn’t been herself since coming back from Cordonia.  The morning sickness and worry about the lima bean had just made things worse.

She thought back to how she had treated Andy . . . how she treated everyone really.  She’d been absolutely terrible.  No wonder they were treating her like a spoiled teenager . . . she’d been acting like one.  Maybe Bertrand was right . . .she was a stubborn girl.  A stubborn girl who had been so focused on her own feelings that she didn’t think about how Liam was handling all of this.  This baby was going to change his life, too.  Where had things gone so wrong?  When had she become so selfish?    Liam had flown thousands of miles to see her . . .and she couldn’t even remember saying thank you to him . . . she remembered the fighting and the screaming and the accusations, but she couldn’t remember if she thanked him for reaching out to her . . .after all, that’s what she had wanted . . .she had wanted him to fight for her . . . to prove to her that he loved her.  But hadn’t he done just that?  

She didn’t know whether she was coming or going anymore.  She wished she could blame it solely on the pregnancy hormones.  While she was fairly certain they were contributing factors, she knew that there was much more to it than that.  She’d been on a rollercoaster of chaos for far too long, and she didn’t know how to get off, but instead of finding the emergency break, she just let it continue until she was spiraling out of control.

In the midst of her second pregnancy-induced hormonal breakdown, she felt her purse vibrate, and she realized that she had forgotten to switch her phone back off of silent mode.  She knew it was probably Andy calling to get her back to the apartment.  She needed to apologize . . .not just for today, but for everything prior to that.  Glancing down, she realized that it was a text message from Liam.  She had meant to text him as soon as she had gotten out of the doctor’s office, but with everything that was going on, it had completely slipped her mind.  

She slid the notification open.

LIAM:  How did the appointment go?  Is our lima bean growing?

Riley peered down at her phone, there were so many things she wanted to say to him.  I’m sorry being the first thing that came to mind.  He was probably going to think she was insane . . . and truthfully . . .she was starting to think she was losing her mind, too.  She knew he was busy, and that texting was easier, but she missed the sound of his voice.  After the trying day she had just had, she needed to hear his voice, so she took the risk and decided to call him.  It only took a single ring before he answered on the other end.

“Riley?  Everything okay?” He asked, concern lacing his voice.  “You don’t usual call this late,” he murmured.  “I figured I’d just get a text message back,” he rambled on.

“I’m sorry, I know it’s late there . . . I just . . . wanted to hear your voice,” she said, taking a seat on a bench down the street from her apartment building.

“Oh,” he murmured in surprise.  “I – well, I’m glad you called,” he said, clearing his throat.  “Are you okay?”

“Yes . . . No,” she sighed.  “I’ve made such a mess of things, Liam,” she said as she started to cry.  “And now I’m freaking crying again,” she sobbed into the phone.

“Oh, Rile.  You haven’t messed anything up,” he tried to comfort her.  “What’s gotten into you?”

“I’ve just been so awful . . . I got into this horrible fight with Andy and we both said such terrible things,” she sighed, wiping the tears from her eyes.  “I just . . . when did things get so complicated?”

“I don’t know,” he murmured in reply.  “How about you start with telling me what you and Andy got into a fight about, then maybe we can figure things out from there,” he suggested.

“Well . . . it was about you,” she said softly.

“Me?” He asked in surprise.

“Yes, and marrying you,” she said simply.

“Oh,” he said quietly.  “I’ve asked them to stop badgering you about that,” he replied.  “I reminded them that we weren’t in your shoes, so we don’t know how you’re feeling.”

“They’re right though . . . I’m not looking at the bigger picture,” she admitted.  “Liam . . . am I being selfish?”

There was a long pause before he formulated a clear response.  “I think you’re going through a lot right now,” he said honestly.  “And I think that you’re focused on what you’re feeling and the changes that are happening.  It’s a lot to deal with, especially when you and I weren’t exactly on speaking terms,” he stated.

“Is that diplomatic speak for ‘yeah Riley, you’re being totally selfish?’” she asked.

He chuckled on the other end of the phone.  “Your words, love.  Not mine,” he sighed.  “I think you’re allowed to be a little selfish . . .you’ve been through a lot.  I think you just got stuck on things . . .you didn’t know how to move forward.”

“I think you’re right, she said sadly.  Andy mentioned something at the appointment today . . . She said you’ve been excited about the baby.  Talking Maxwell’s ear off about things” she murmured quietly.  “I guess we never really talked about things like that . . .we’ve just kept things business-like, discussing the move and figuring out what’s going to happen afterward” she stated.

“It’s not that I didn’t want to share my excitement with you . . . I just didn’t know how to act around you,” he admitted.

“Because I kept pushing you away?”

He was quiet for a moment.  “Yes,” he said honestly.  “I didn’t want to upset you any more than I already had, and there was just nothing I could do that would make you happy, so . . . I kept my distance, and respected your wishes.  If you wanted to be friends, we’d be friends.  Even though I want more, I was willing to do that to keep you and the baby in my life,” he said frankly.  “I wasn’t going to lose you again.”

“God, Liam.  I’ve been so stupid . . . so hormonal . . . and utterly ridiculous,” she scoffed.  “No wonder you’re all mad at me.”

“No one’s mad at you . . .we were just trying to give you your space,” he reasoned.  “Well, except Bertrand,” he chuckled.  “Bertrand was convinced he’d help you see the light.”

“I guess in a way, he sort of did make sense, but it was Andy that kind of really broke through to me today.”

“She went with you to the appointment then?”

“Yeah, she wanted to see the lima bean,” she said softly.  “It was amazing Liam, I wish you were there.”

“I wish I’d been there, too.  Were you able to get pictures?”

“I was able to get something better . . .they got video for you,” she said with a bit of excitement in her tone.

“That’s going to be amazing,” he murmured.  “I can’t wait to watch it with you.  Everything else okay with the baby?  No issues?”

“He’s amazing, Liam.  His heart is so strong, just wait until you see the video . . . you can almost see his little fingers and toes.  It’s still a bit hard to make out, but if you look hard enough, you can see it,” she smiled to herself.  “I just might need help figuring out what hospital to deliver at,” she explained.

“I was actually thinking of hiring a private physician and an on-call nurse for the duration of the pregnancy.  We can arrange for them to examine you at the Beaumont estate . . . or the palace, although I’m sure that would raise some suspicions,” he explained.

“Dr. Scoggin actually recommended sticking with a traditional hospital birth,” she said.  “Because of the hyperemesis, she said that there may be some unexpected complications down the line.”

“Complications?  What sort of complications?” Liam asked, his voice cracking with concern.

“Pre-term labor, the baby being born underweight . . . she recommended finding a hospital with a neo-natal intensive care unit,” she whispered.

“Good Lord,” Liam exclaimed.  “Intensive care?  Are they expecting there to be something wrong?”

“She said it wasn’t anything like that . . . in fact she said right now she isn’t even concerned . . . she just seemed to be overly cautious, and I guess you can never be too careful, especially when you have precious cargo aboard,” she murmured.

“Well, I’ll ask Bastien which hospital has the best reputation.  There’s only a handful in Cordonia . . . and there’s only one that specializes in pediatric care.  I’ll try to find out more information.  I’d still like to hire a private physician to examine you, at least until you find a physician you feel comfortable with,” he said.

“That’s very kind of you,” she responded.  “I’d like that.  We can definitely talk more about things when I fly in . . . which is in a few short hours . . .I really should get going.  I need to make nice with Andy and apologize before we leave.  Thank you,” she murmured.  “For talking to me . . . and for coming down here when you thought I was in a dire medical state,” she chuckled.  “I never said that when you were here, and it was wrong of me not to let you know that I appreciated your concern,” she said softly.

She half expected him to say that it was no problem and brush it off, but he didn’t say anything at all.  The silence surprised her, until he spoke again.  “Can I ask you something?”

“Of course. Anything,” she hummed.

“Did you mean what you said that night at the hotel?  When you were talking to Bertrand?”

“When?” she asked, her heart beating a bit faster in her chest.

“When he pulled you out to the hallway to lecture you,” he chuckled.  “Drake and I tried our best not to listen, but Bertrand’s voice isn’t exactly easy to tune out . . . and the walls weren’t exactly soundproof.”  

“So you heard everything?” she croaked into the phone.

“You said you still loved me . . . you were just worried about how our relationship would affect raising the baby.  Was that true or did you just tell him that to get him to stop pestering you?”

Riley swallowed thickly.  “Of course I meant it,” she finally said.

He was quiet again, and it was a little unnerving.  “I love you, too, Riley . . . but I know you need time to figure things out for yourself, but I’m going to be right there waiting for you when you’re ready,” he said firmly.

“Thank you,” she whispered.   What she had really wanted to say was I love you, too, but she just couldn’t bring herself to say those words to him.  “I should really go . . . thank you again  . . for listening,” she said again.  “I’ll see you after I get settled in.”

“Of course, I’ll stop by the estate the first moment I have a chance,” he said quietly.  “Safe travels, Riley.  I’ll see you soon,” he said before ending the call.

Riley inhaled deeply.  She felt much better than she had an hour ago.  Talking to Liam had made her feel a bit more relieved about things.  She felt like she could breathe again.  Her mind drifted back to Andy, and how she hated being at odds with her.  As much as it killed her to admit, she’d been wrong.  She was acting selfishly, and was inadvertently hurting those around her.  She needed to make amends, and she needed to hash things out with Andy.  Fast.

#choices #choices: stories you play #playchoices #choices fandom #choices the royal romance #trr fanfic #trr #choices trr #trr fic #the royal romance #theroyalromance #the royal romance fan fic #royal romance #trr au #liam x mc #liam x riley

[peachiejihoonie]

yoon jisung - demigod!au; nemesis

for those who dont know, nemesis is the goddess of revenge, retribution and balance

shocked? same for jisung.

jisung was adopted by a very loving and caring family with very accepting siblings.

no one knows about his family or past; it was the cliche, he was left on rhe porch of the family in basket wrapped in a ducky blanket, something he still dearly treasures since he feels its his only connection to his biological parents.

he was home schooled, so he had a limited amount of friends which meant he was very protective and loving of his family.  

he lived a pretty normal life, and since he wasn’t exactly the most powerful of demigods, monsters didn’t really bother to chase him down.

up until he was about to finish highschool with his home school program thing that is

he was at the grocery store, picking up produce for his family since he had promised to cook dinner that night,

he was reaching for the tomatoes when a big burly hand suddenly grabbed his wrist.

slowly looking up he saw a big muscular man looking down at him with the biggest huffs and puffs coming out out of his mouth.

“y-yo-you can ha-a-ave th-the to-to-toma-tomato if yo-you want” he stuttered, gulping a lump down his throat.

slowly, he watched the big man throws his wrist down and the tomato flung out of his hand smashing into the shelf, the force creating a hole through the shelf

luckily the civilians around only saw it splatter onto the cereal boxes because of the mist but many angry customers were watching in disgust

jisung ran over to the shelf and attempted to pick up the tomato but of course in his vision it wasn’t there but behind the shelf

he looked up, about to ask why the man did that but instead was meet with a kick in the gut that flung him into shelf

screams exploded around him and he gripped his stomach painfully

the man had reached his eye level, just grunting and smirking, through his blurry vision, jisung noticed his eyes slowly combining into one and he wanted to scream, realizing he was witnessing a cyclops about to beat him to pulp

instead only tears rolled down his checks and inaudible sounds escaped from his mouth. all he could think about was his family and how theyre going to react if he suddenly died or disappeared

as the cyclops was about to grab him, he squeezed his eyes shut, (causing more tears to spill) expecting to be crushed but instead he heard another loud crash

there you were, all bad ass in just a tshirt and jeans. he had realized you had kick down the cyclops twice your size.

before the cyclops could get back up your frame was already on top of him, your dagger already aligned with it’s eyes

jisung’s sobs erupted as you jabbed your dagger in and quickly jumped off the cyclops, grabbing his hands, pulling up his knees

“stop crying we gotta go okay" you said hurriedly, trying to calm him down

he’s a child; cheeks stained red, eyes shut tightly with over flowing tears and you raise a brow

“I ha-have t-t-to c-co-co-cook din-dinner"

you end up having to drag him out of the grocery store before the cyclops could attack again, you both run blocks until you make it to a parking lot

now he’s panting, sobbing and wont stop rambling about his family

“look as much as you love your family, you’re in danger okay” you’re trying not to rolling your eyes cause honestly what the fuck

you explain to him he NEEDS to bounce on over to camp half blood because monsters are after him since he’s a demigod

he’s stubborn though, he refuses to go with you he just needs to cook for his family

and you both just keep bickering like why can’t he understand he needs to fucking leave he’s in danger

and why cant you understand that family is important and that he can’t just disappear

you guys are having major culture shocks, it just something each of you weren’t used to

you weren’t used to the idea of a loving and tightly knitted family and he wasn’t used to “fending for yourself” 

so you guys compromise, he can finish this dinner thing and then the next morning he’ll leave with you with the condition that he can come back and that you’d stop bringing up this demigod nonsense for one night

so you guys go grocery shopping together again, he notices your uptight behavior and constant glances of worries and he tries to ease you by being his good ol happy self, all meme like and jolly 

you guys also end up introducing yourselves (finally)

as you guys are the leaving the store, he apologizes about your dagger and you blinked a couple times like “wdym?????”

and he’s like “your dagger ?????? the one you left in the cyclops???????”

“OOH, dw bout it, it’s gonna come back”

he’s dumbfounded, like what the fuck are you saying ?????

“it’s reappears when I need it, it’s name it’s emfanistei"

“oh that’s cute it’s literally named reappear”

and he catches himself, he’s wide eyed

“w HY dO I kNoW THa T?????????????” he freaks the fuck out

and you’re like chiiiiiilllll it’s cause you’re greek u demigod calm down

when you make it back to his place, you’re starting telling him you’ll be back at dawn he has math equations around his head

“where are you going?” 

“finding a motel?”

this is also the first time you hear jisung go “what the fuck” and you see him with the most sassiest face that you didn’t think the crybaby happy go lucky boy could pull off

he forces you to eat dinner with his family, they’re all really sweet and all but you’ve never felt so out place

they’re all so sweet and caring it makes you feel bad for intruding

you both somehow bs an explanation and they’re convinced that he’s going to some intern summer camp thing

he insists you sleep on his bed and he takes the bean bag but you refuse, feeling bad for what you put him through all day

you both end up staying up a bit too late, discussing each other lives 

he was extremely fascinated by your demigod life

you also learn he’s adopted and that’s why hes so caring about his family

“i mean, i can’t loose two families right??”

he’s the type to suppress all his feelings in order to make other people feel better please protect the boy, hes actually sad deep down

he talked about how he used get bullied for it, how people told him how he was unwanted and useless 

it didn’t help that he was dyslexic and had adhd so he just turned to home schooling

he came to terms with it, knowing that he was loved by his family, whether or not they had the same dna and blood  

“I live a very happy and wholesome life now and that’s all that really matters right?” 

he doesn’t really hold a grudges against his biological parents, but he would just like to know why or what happened  

the next, he was all packed and ready to, packed as in just some essentials that he couldn’t survive without (his blanket)

it takes a lot of walking and buses to get to camp half blood, which makes a lot of room for conversations

there were a few awkward silences, good long talks (mainly him) and lots of exchanged jokes (also mainly him)

you guys end up talking about his potential parents and you were honest and said that he was probably demeter’s son but you really couldn’t tell

he realized that he knew nothing about your parentage so he was slightly surprised that you were ares’s child

“isn’t he like mean??? scary????? wAR??????”

and you kinda just chuckle because wow such stereotypes you’ve placed upon me

“but you’re so kind??? quiet??? i’m confused???”

and yall make it to camp half blood!!!!!

as soon as you get there your cabin mates kinda just scoff at him

“you got sooo lucky bro that they found you”

“ya, if we found you, you would’ve been done, you look like a twinkie”

and they snicker at each and you just roll your eyes

“leave him alone, its literally his first day”

he realizes that you’re really not the stereotypical ares kid

“oh shut up reject, this is why dad never sends you off to quests or gives you gifts.”

you’re walking away and jisung follows, trying to comfort you but you end up comforting him

“its fine, ares kids are always like that, just ignore them”

and this happens constantly and everytime jisung would just run by your side 

honestly since he’s so cheery and happy, he’s loved by many campers, except for the ares cabin

but he never ever drifts from you, you’re still his top priority 

you think he’s just being sweet and nice to you because you sorta saved his life

he always saves you a seat during meals and has your favorite drink already at the table 

at the bonfire, he’d always have an extra large blanket for you to share 

he even let you stay at his hermes cabin over night once because your siblings were being assholes

(he’s in the hermes cabin because he wasn’t claimed yet)

thats’ the night you realize how fast your heart races when you’re around him

you liked him

something about the two of you just clicked

it takes him a while to get claimed but he does, during a game of capture the flag

you get in a fight with your other cabin mates and they’re blaming you for losing 

even though jisung was on the other team, he came over and stood up for you

he cited how unfair your teammates were acting and insisted that they shouldn’t get to use the showers first since they were being assholes

“how does that even remotely make sense? that’s so petty, like showers???” your half siblings complained

“yea, cause you guys are complaining about something bratty, that means you get a bratty punishment”

even mr.d was amused by the solution since he was overhearing the argument

bam, he’s claimed by his mother nemesis

everyone is shook and he doesn’t understand why at first; theres a lot of scattered whispering

you have to explain to him that her children are known for being traitors, and self entitled assholes

it takes him a while to get used to, he’s angered by her because she’s kinda known for being a huge asshole and sorta evil and hes the polar opposite

but overtime he accepts himself like he always does, he realizes that he is a firm believer in balance

he doesn’t believe in irrational punishment and revenge, but he knows when its needed.

so he ends up becoming a referee for capture the flag occasionally when mr.d isn’t available because he’s “busy”

one time during another argument that involved you again, the ares cabin called him out for being your little guard dog

“so what if i stand up for them?” jisung responds “you guys are the ones treating them like shit”

“ya okay, go ahead, go to your little boy toy since you’re such a weakling and can’t stand up for yourself”

and jisung’s sassy side just goes OFF

“look here, you know damn well that y.n can literally beat the both of you into a pulp, unlike you though, they doesn’t feel the need to show off nor waste their energy on such useless statements, especially from low lifers like you guys.”

and the two ares children that were talking are furious but before they attack jisung you kinda just kick them down

“leave him alone okay, hes not my boy toy, I can genuinely for people unlike you inconsiderate assholes”

and as you two are walking away, he realized what you said

“you care for me?” he asked

“ya?” you bluntly replied

“like care care for me?”

“what does that even mean?”

“i like you” he blurts

and yall date,

and you perfectly balance each other ;-)

he’s really talkative and you’re a great listener 

he makes you laugh and relax and you keep him check 

you’re both protective of each other 

he really loves embarrassing you cause you’re still pretty shy about skinship, 

he finds you all red faced super cute

hes always sitting with the hermes cabin since he had been close with a lot of them since he wasn’t claimed for a long while and he has no one in the nemesis cabin that he isnt he afraid of 

and he always invites you over during meal times and the hermes cabin relentlessly tease you guys

he races you up the lava climbing wall and never wins

you help him with the history of greek mythology to which he always claims is boring and useless

when he sees you during sword fight class and defeating someone he would cheer so loud it almost embarrasses you 

“yEES thAtS mY ArES sIGnIFIcaNT OThER!!!!!!” “MY 10 OUT OF 10!!!!” “look did you see them just drop kicked that big guy?? tHEYrE mInE!!” 

and he’s all the way across the field near the cabin so everyone can hear him

your first kiss was at the armory while you guys were searching for a weapon for him

ya you both didn’t realize he was playing capture the flag weaponless

“what, i didn’t even do much anyways, i just kinda looked around, and if i found the flag i just told my teammates? besides, i don’t even play that often anyways”

“but yoU WeRE wEAPonlESS???? dEFenSeLeSS??????”

but you guys both find a him sword after sorting through all the too heavy and too light ones

“thanks babe youre the best! :-)))” and he kisses your cheek “perks of dating an ares child !!!!” 

god hes such a cutie

and you don’t realize that you’re staring at him, admiring his cute his smile and his half closed eyes

but he does, so he leans in to try to kiss you, but accidentally knocks down the barrel of spears, scaring the daylights out of you

he’s bright red and giggling and you just sigh and you end up kissing him, holding up the barrel of swords that was behind the spears just in cases it falls

you guys are exactly the the unexpected

the two scary mean violent cabins, dating in one peaceful harmony

how ironically fitting 

#yoon jisung #yoon jisung imagines #yoon jisung imagine #yoon jisung scenario #yoon jisung scenarios #produce 101 #produce 101 s2 #produce 101 imagines #produce 101 imagine #produce 101 scenario #produce 101 scenarios #produce 101 s2 imagines #produce 101 s2 imagine #produce 101 s2 scenario #produce 101 s2 scenarios #kpop #kpop imagines #kpop imagine #kpop scenario #kpop scenarios #kpop fanfiction #fanfiction

[authoratmidnight]

VRains Translated Script EP 4

Script and Translation from DMC3444 on NAC

The retun of Entertainment style duels! And you thought that was only in Arc V.

Yusaku: Last time on Yu-Gi-Oh VRAINS: Pigeon: They actually showed up! Shima: T-This is…! It’s Hanoi! Teacher: What’s the matter? Can you explain… Spectator: Whoa! That’s… KoH: Come on out! Playmaker! Go: Hey! Guys! I’ve have some presents for you! Hey! Go: Hmm? Is there anyone here? Where did they all go? Kid: Yay! Go: Up until yesterday, I’m the only one those kids admire, but now, they’re watching Playmaker… (Opening Sequence) GO: Let’s do this! This is… This wind is…Speed Duel. AI: There’s a massive Data Storm stream up ahead. Please be careful. GO: Hmph! Who do you think I am? I’m GO Onizuka! GO: AAAAHHHHHHH! Go’s Manager: So, you’re doing it? GO: Yeah. The battlefield might have changed, but I’m still the Champion! Go’s Manager: The world treats Playmaker as the hero who saved Link VRAINS. GO: Hmph! Not for long, though! In Dueling, victories determine who’s in the right! Go’s Manager: That’s exactly it. It’s a winner-take-all world after all. Go’s Manager: There are people who say that your way of Dueling is outdated, but you don’t need to pay attention to them. GO: Yeah. GO: I want them to look at me again. GO: I’ll make them cheer for me again! Go’s Manager: The problem is whether he’ll Duel you or not. GO: Yeah…That’s true… Akira: Taking back Ignis has nothing to do with whether the Duel style is outdated or not… If there’s a Duelist that can take down Playmaker… GO: There is, all right. There’s no Duelist more fitting for this task than me! Akira: Mr. Onizuka! I didn’t expect you to come in person! Akira: May I ask what your business is? We should be able to fulfill whatever request you have. GO: No. I just want you to set up a battlefield between me and him in Link VRAINS. That’s all. The only thing I wish for is earning a title as the man who beats Playmaker. Akira: All right, then. I can certainly promise you that. Shoichi: Yusaku! You forgot something! Yusaku: Thanks. Ai: Ohhhhhh~ Yeah, a bit more to the right! Ai: Ah Ah! There, there! Oh no~! Roboppy: Please be quiet. Or my hands will slip. Ai: You clumsy bot! You sure are an idiot! Roboppy: That’s a forbidden word! (Yusaku comes home) Roboppy: Hmm? Ai: HEH?! Is the kid ditching school or what?! Ai: *Whistles* You’re home early again…Ah! Yusaku: We’re going to Link VRAINS. Ai: Heh?! What are you going there for?! Yusaku: A Knight of Hanoi showed up. Ai: Are you going to use me as hostage again? Ai: Oh? So, there was a secret room… Yusaku: Deck! Set! Into the VRAINS! Ai: WAAAAHHHH~ KoH: You’re finally here, Playmaker. Playmaker: Hmm? Ai: Did you sense something, Playmaker? Playmaker: He’s not a Knight of Hanoi. Ai: I think so, too. KoH: HAHAHAHAHA! I was allowed to use the Knight of Hanoi disguise to lure you out! GO: I am GO Onizuka! I’m a real hero, and I’m gonna expose you for the wannabe hero that you are! Ai: I’m looking up GO Onizuka. He’s an Entertainer who has conquered the Dueling world. He’s currently ranked as the number 1 Charisma Duelist. Playmaker: I’m not interested. Ai: ‘Kay. Ai: Be careful. That’s a program that prevents you from logging out of Link VRAINS. GO: You noticed, huh? This program will only deactivate if you win against me. Playmaker: Who asked you to do this? GO: I’m not obliged to tell that to a hacker like you. If I can prove that I am stronger than Playmaker, then that’s all that matters! Ai: He’s strong. Don’t let your guard down. Playmaker: I won’t lose. Shoichi: A program made by SOL Technologies, huh? Taking this thing out is my job. Ai: Catch the wind! Playmaker! SPEED DUEL! GO: I’m going first! It’s my turn! I’m summoning Gouki Suplex Rex from my hand! When Suplex Rex is summoned, I can Special Summon a Gouki from my hand. I’m summoning Gouki Twist Cobra! I end my turn. Ai: He’s putting on an Entertainer act! Playmaker: Well, I don’t care. I’ll defeat him with my Dueling! It’s my turn! I’m set one card face-down! Playmaker: When there’s no monsters on my Field, I can Special Summon this card! Come! Linkslayer! Then, I summon Cyberse Wizard! Spectator 1: GO Onizuka, huh? It’s about time we get a new hero, huh? Spectator 2: Oh, really? I really like how GO Onizuka can turn the tables despite being cornered in a Duel. Spectator 3: That Dueling style is just lame! It’s outdated! I’m betting it on my new hero! Playmaker! Spectator 3: Give GO Onizuka a beatdown! MC: All right! A Duel between the Charisma Duelist GO Onizuka and Link VRAINS’s new hero, Playmaker, has begun! Is GO Onizuka turning from babyface to heel? Or as GO Onizuka said, is he going to unmask the new hero of justice? Now, this is a Duel you don’t want to take your eyes off! Kid 1: Playmaker! Kid 2: You’re the hero who protected Link VRAINS! Kid 3: Good luck, Playmaker! Go’s Manager: They sure are excited, huh? Teacher: Even though Onizuka-kun has done so much for us… I’m sorry. Go’s Manager: Kids are honest. They’re supporting the cool hero who fights for justice. Teacher: Yeah… But if Onizuka-kun wins just like usual, they’ll support him again. Go’s Manager: GO Onizuka’s Dueling is called Entertainment Style. He makes his enemy seems stronger, and then crushes them all with overwhelming might. Go’s Manager: Perhaps his style will triumph, even if he’s up against Playmaker. Shoichi: Found it! So this is the program that’s locking them in there… This thing’s a pain… Even if I can deactivate it, it’ll take a while. I see. So, there’s a trick to it. If I create a loophole here… (COMMERCIAL: LINKS ARE AWESOME BUY THEM AND GIVE US YOUR MONEY) Ai: Huh? GO Onizuka sure is a baffling character. He purposely lets his opponent attack him and puts himself in danger. Playmaker: I couldn’t care less about that Dueling style. GO: HAHAHA! It’s a 2v2 brawl between the monsters, eh? It’s like a tag match in Pro Wrestling! Pro Wresting is like my specialty… GO: I’ll count from one to three, and I’ll definitely win! Playmaker: We’ll see about that. I’ll target Suplex Rex and activate Cyberse Wizard’s effect! I’m switching your monster to Defense Position! Cyberse Algorithm! GO: What?! Playmaker: During the turn I use this effect, I can only attack the targeted monster, but I can inflict piercing damage! Go! Linkslayer! GO: Gouki Suplex Rex’s DEF is zero! Playmaker: You’ll take damage equal to Linkslayer 2000 ATK! Meteor Slash! GO: AAAAAAAH! Ai: GO Onizuka volunteers at an orphanage, and also donates to it. Why is he doing that? Oh! He lived in that orphanage when he was a kid. Kid 1: He did it! Kid 2: Playmaker is so cool! Ai: He uses his Entertainment Dueling to earn money. He’s basically doing it for the kids’ future. Hmm-Hmm… Playmaker: He can use Gouki Twist Cobra’s effect to strengthen itself. If he does that, he’ll also be able to negate the battle. Ai: That’s true. He took the damage on purpose. Oh, I forgot to mention, but another gimmick of GO Onizuka is that he puts himself at a disadvantage to entertain the audience, but he has never lost. It looks like he’s going to lose, but then he’ll make a big comeback and get the audience hyped up. Teacher: Onizuka-kun… Go’s Manager: He’ll be fine, ma’am. Doing something like this is proof that he’s his usual self. Go’s Manager: He’ll show off his signature move soon. Kid 1: Big Bro Onizuka is already on his knees! Kid 2: Playmaker is going to win! MC: Oh! As expected of GO Onizuka! In Pro Wrestling, when both of your shoulders touch the mat, the referee will start tapping on the mat! Kid: All right! Let’s count to three, everyone! MC: 1! Kids: 1! MC: 2! Kids: 2! MC: thre— Oh, wait! GO Onizuka managed to lift his shoulders at count 2.9! GO: When Suplex Rex is sent from the Field to the Graveyard, I can activate its effect. I can add a Gouki card, except itself, from the deck to my hand. I’m adding Gouki Rising Scorpio to my hand! Playmaker: So that was just an act after all… He’s probably planning his next move. Ai: Still, he took damage and lost 2000 Life, didn’t he? Why would he let people attack him on purpose? Humans sure make illogical choices sometimes. Playmaker: Yeah. Sometimes, a person’s heart is shaken by irrational things. Ai: Eh? What do you mean? Playmaker: Even if I explain it, I’m sure you won’t understand. Ai: GAAAH! Now I’m mad! GO: Power…I’m going to put more power into my hand! GO: All right! Let’s get fired up! I activate my Skill, Fighting Spirit! Fighting Spirit Special Summons all Gouki monsters that were destroyed through battle in this turn! GO: It’s my turn! Draw! Due to the effect of Rising Scorpio, I can summon it from my hand without releasing! Ai: Whoa! He sure made a big comeback! Playmaker: No. He hasn’t showed his trump card yet. GO: Come forth! My very own circuit! MC: There it is! A jaw-dropping Link Summon! GO: Arrowheads confirmed! The summoning condition is two or more Gouki monsters! I’m setting Suplex Rex, Twist Cobra, and Rising Scorpio into three Link Markers! Circuit Combine! Link Summon! Show yourself! Link-3! Gouki the Great Ogre‎‎! Teacher: What’s going on? Go’s Manager: Gou’s Dueling is not just about winning, but also about satisfying the audience. That is his philosophy. Teacher: What’s going to happen next? Go’s Manager: Gou will soon take the lead in this Duel. Kid 1: You’re awesome, Big Bro Onizuka! Kid 2: You can do it, Big Bro Onizuka! Kid 3: Good luck, Big Bro Onizuka! Shoichi: Seems like GO Onizuka is a real entertainer, after all. I must hurry up and create a loophole, so that Yusaku can escape. GO: Hahaha! How was it? Did my Dueling get you hyped up? Ai: What are you gonna do, Playmaker? Akira: GO Onizuka. You must win and take Ignis back. GO: I activate the effects of the Gouki monsters that were sent from the Field to the Graveyard! I can add Gouki cards besides themselves from the deck to my hand. There’s more to come. As long as Great Ogre, all face-up monsters will lose ATK equal to the amount of their DEF. Take this! Ogre Pressure! Ai: Eh! He lowered their ATKs?! GO: From my hand, I activate the Magic Card, Gouki Rematch! I can Special Summon two Gouki monsters with different Levels from my Graveyard in Defense Position! Ai: Just when I thought he was only going to Link Summon, he decides to reinforce his defenses as well! Ai: I thought he was just some flashy entertainer, but he’s unexpectedly meticulous! Playmaker: No. That’s not his aim. Ai: Heh?! GO: I activate Twist Cobra’s effect! I release Rising Scorpio, allowing Great Ogre to gain its ATK until the end of the turn! Ai: If you take that attack head-on, it’ll be 3900 damage! You’ll be left with only 100 Life! Panic a bit, would you?! Akira: Hmm… Looks like this match is over. GO: Then, by sending Twist Cobra from my hand to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon Headbutt Bat! Due to Headbutt Bat’s effect, Great Ogre will gain 800 ATK until the end of the turn. Hahaha! This is my Finishing Hold!

#yugioh vrains #vrains #translated script #vrains translated script #vrains spoilers

[vuullet-deactivated]

Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS Episode 4 Script

Taken from DMC3444 on Neo Ark Cradle.

also known as “wow i can’t believe ignis/roboppy is already a thing”

Yusaku: Last time on Yu-Gi-Oh VRAINS: Pigeon: They actually showed up! Shima: T-This is…! It’s Hanoi! Teacher: What’s the matter? Can you explain… Spectator: Whoa! That’s… KoH: Come on out! Playmaker! Go: Hey! Guys! I’ve have some presents for you! Hey! Go: Hmm? Is there anyone here? Where did they all go? Kid: Yay! Go: Up until yesterday, I’m the only one those kids admire, but now, they’re watching Playmaker… (Opening Sequence) GO: Let’s do this! This is… This wind is…Speed Duel. AI: There’s a massive Data Storm stream up ahead. Please be careful. GO: Hmph! Who do you think I am? I’m GO Onizuka! GO: AAAAHHHHHHH! Go’s Manager: So, you’re doing it? GO: Yeah. The battlefield might have changed, but I’m still the Champion! Go’s Manager: The world treats Playmaker as the hero who saved Link VRAINS. GO: Hmph! Not for long, though! In Dueling, victories determine who’s in the right! Go’s Manager: That’s exactly it. It’s a winner-take-all world after all. Go’s Manager: There are people who say that your way of Dueling is outdated, but you don’t need to pay attention to them. GO: Yeah. GO: I want them to look at me again. GO: I’ll make them cheer for me again! Go’s Manager: The problem is whether he’ll Duel you or not. GO: Yeah…That’s true… Akira: Taking back Ignis has nothing to do with whether the Duel style is outdated or not… If there’s a Duelist that can take down Playmaker… GO: There is, all right. There’s no Duelist more fitting for this task than me! Akira: Mr. Onizuka! I didn’t expect you to come in person! Akira: May I ask what your business is? We should be able to fulfill whatever request you have. GO: No. I just want you to set up a battlefield between me and him in Link VRAINS. That’s all. The only thing I wish for is earning a title as the man who beats Playmaker. Akira: All right, then. I can certainly promise you that. Shoichi: Yusaku! You forgot something! Yusaku: Thanks. Ai: Ohhhhhh~ Yeah, a bit more to the right! Ai: Ah Ah! There, there! Oh no~! Roboppy: Please be quiet. Or my hands will slip. Ai: You clumsy bot! You sure are an idiot! Roboppy: That’s a forbidden word! (Yusaku comes home) Roboppy: Hmm? Ai: HEH?! Is the kid ditching school or what?! Ai: *Whistles* You’re home early again…Ah! Yusaku: We’re going to Link VRAINS. Ai: Heh?! What are you going there for?! Yusaku: A Knight of Hanoi showed up. Ai: Are you going to use me as hostage again? Ai: Oh? So, there was a secret room… Yusaku: Deck! Set! Into the VRAINS! Ai: WAAAAHHHH~ KoH: You’re finally here, Playmaker. Playmaker: Hmm? Ai: Did you sense something, Playmaker? Playmaker: He’s not a Knight of Hanoi. Ai: I think so, too. KoH: HAHAHAHAHA! I was allowed to use the Knight of Hanoi disguise to lure you out! GO: I am GO Onizuka! I’m a real hero, and I’m gonna expose you for the wannabe hero that you are! Ai: I’m looking up GO Onizuka. He’s an Entertainer who has conquered the Dueling world. He’s currently ranked as the number 1 Charisma Duelist. Playmaker: I’m not interested. Ai: ‘Kay. Ai: Be careful. That’s a program that prevents you from logging out of Link VRAINS. GO: You noticed, huh? This program will only deactivate if you win against me. Playmaker: Who asked you to do this? GO: I’m not obliged to tell that to a hacker like you. If I can prove that I am stronger than Playmaker, then that’s all that matters! Ai: He’s strong. Don’t let your guard down. Playmaker: I won’t lose. Shoichi: A program made by SOL Technologies, huh? Taking this thing out is my job. Ai: Catch the wind! Playmaker! SPEED DUEL! GO: I’m going first! It’s my turn! I’m summoning Gouki Suplex Rex from my hand! When Suplex Rex is summoned, I can Special Summon a Gouki from my hand. I’m summoning Gouki Twist Cobra! I end my turn. Ai: He’s putting on an Entertainer act! Playmaker: Well, I don’t care. I’ll defeat him with my Dueling! It’s my turn! I’m set one card face-down! Playmaker: When there’s no monsters on my Field, I can Special Summon this card! Come! Linkslayer! Then, I summon Cyberse Wizard! Spectator 1: GO Onizuka, huh? It’s about time we get a new hero, huh? Spectator 2: Oh, really? I really like how GO Onizuka can turn the tables despite being cornered in a Duel. Spectator 3: That Dueling style is just lame! It’s outdated! I’m betting it on my new hero! Playmaker! Spectator 3: Give GO Onizuka a beatdown! MC: All right! A Duel between the Charisma Duelist GO Onizuka and Link VRAINS’s new hero, Playmaker, has begun! Is GO Onizuka turning from babyface to heel? Or as GO Onizuka said, is he going to unmask the new hero of justice? Now, this is a Duel you don’t want to take your eyes off! Kid 1: Playmaker! Kid 2: You’re the hero who protected Link VRAINS! Kid 3: Good luck, Playmaker! Go’s Manager: They sure are excited, huh? Teacher: Even though Onizuka-kun has done so much for us… I’m sorry. Go’s Manager: Kids are honest. They’re supporting the cool hero who fights for justice. Teacher: Yeah… But if Onizuka-kun wins just like usual, they’ll support him again. Go’s Manager: GO Onizuka’s Dueling is called Entertainment Style. He makes his enemy seem stronger, and then crushes them all with overwhelming might. Go’s Manager: Perhaps his style will triumph, even if he’s up against Playmaker. Shoichi: Found it! So this is the program that’s locking them in there… This thing’s a pain… Even if I can deactivate it, it’ll take a while. I see. So, there’s a trick to it. If I create a loophole here… (COMMERCIAL: LINKS ARE AWESOME BUY THEM AND GIVE US YOUR MONEY) Ai: Huh? GO Onizuka sure is a baffling character. He purposely lets his opponent attack him and puts himself in danger. Playmaker: I couldn’t care less about that Dueling style. GO: HAHAHA! It’s a 2v2 brawl between the monsters, eh? It’s like a tag match in Pro Wrestling! Pro Wresting is like my specialty… GO: I’ll count from one to three, and I’ll definitely win! Playmaker: We’ll see about that. I’ll target Suplex Rex and activate Cyberse Wizard’s effect! I’m switching your monster to Defense Position! Cyberse Algorithm! GO: What?! Playmaker: During the turn I use this effect, I can only attack the targeted monster, but I can inflict piercing damage! Go! Linkslayer! GO: Gouki Suplex Rex’s DEF is zero! Playmaker: You’ll take damage equal to Linkslayer 2000 ATK! Meteor Slash! GO: AAAAAAAH! Ai: GO Onizuka volunteers at an orphanage, and also donates to it. Why is he doing that? Oh! He lived in that orphanage when he was a kid. Kid 1: He did it! Kid 2: Playmaker is so cool! Ai: He uses his Entertainment Dueling to earn money. He’s basically doing it for the kids’ future. Hmm-Hmm… Playmaker: He can use Gouki Twist Cobra’s effect to strengthen itself. If he does that, he’ll also be able to negate the battle. Ai: That’s true. He took the damage on purpose. Oh, I forgot to mention, but another gimmick of GO Onizuka is that he puts himself at a disadvantage to entertain the audience, but he has never lost. It looks like he’s going to lose, but then he’ll make a big comeback and get the audience hyped up. Teacher: Onizuka-kun… Go’s Manager: He’ll be fine, ma’am. Doing something like this is proof that he’s his usual self. Go’s Manager: He’ll show off his signature move soon. Kid 1: Big Bro Onizuka is already on his knees! Kid 2: Playmaker is going to win! MC: Oh! As expected of GO Onizuka! In Pro Wrestling, when both of your shoulders touch the mat, the referee will start tapping on the mat! Kid: All right! Let’s count to three, everyone! MC: 1! Kids: 1! MC: 2! Kids: 2! MC: thre— Oh, wait! GO Onizuka managed to lift his shoulders at count 2.9! GO: When Suplex Rex is sent from the Field to the Graveyard, I can activate its effect. I can add a Gouki card, except itself, from the deck to my hand. I’m adding Gouki Rising Scorpio to my hand! Playmaker: So that was just an act after all… He’s probably planning his next move. Ai: Still, he took damage and lost 2000 Life, didn’t he? Why would he let people attack him on purpose? Humans sure make illogical choices sometimes. Playmaker: Yeah. Sometimes, a person’s heart is shaken by irrational things. Ai: Eh? What do you mean? Playmaker: Even if I explain it, I’m sure you won’t understand. Ai: GAAAH! Now I’m mad! GO: Power…I’m going to put more power into my hand! GO: All right! Let’s get fired up! I activate my Skill, Fighting Spirit! Fighting Spirit Special Summons all Gouki monsters that were destroyed through battle in this turn! GO: It’s my turn! Draw! Due to the effect of Rising Scorpio, I can summon it from my hand without releasing! Ai: Whoa! He sure made a big comeback! Playmaker: No. He hasn’t showed his trump card yet. GO: Come forth! My very own circuit! MC: There it is! A jaw-dropping Link Summon! GO: Arrowheads confirmed! The summoning condition is two or more Gouki monsters! I’m setting Suplex Rex, Twist Cobra, and Rising Scorpio into three Link Markers! Circuit Combine! Link Summon! Show yourself! Link-3! Gouki the Great Ogre‎‎! Teacher: What’s going on? Go’s Manager: Gou’s Dueling is not just about winning, but also about satisfying the audience. That is his philosophy. Teacher: What’s going to happen next? Go’s Manager: Gou will soon take the lead in this Duel. Kid 1: You’re awesome, Big Bro Onizuka! Kid 2: You can do it, Big Bro Onizuka! Kid 3: Good luck, Big Bro Onizuka! Shoichi: Seems like GO Onizuka is a real entertainer, after all. I must hurry up and create a loophole, so that Yusaku can escape. GO: Hahaha! How was it? Did my Dueling get you hyped up? Ai: What are you gonna do, Playmaker? Akira: GO Onizuka. You must win and take Ignis back. GO: I activate the effects of the Gouki monsters that were sent from the Field to the Graveyard! I can add Gouki cards besides themselves from the deck to my hand. There’s more to come. As long as Great Ogre, all face-up monsters will lose ATK equal to the amount of their DEF. Take this! Ogre Pressure! Ai: Eh! He lowered their ATKs?! GO: From my hand, I activate the Magic Card, Gouki Rematch! I can Special Summon two Gouki monsters with different Levels from my Graveyard in Defense Position! Ai: Just when I thought he was only going to Link Summon, he decides to reinforce his defenses as well! Ai: I thought he was just some flashy entertainer, but he’s unexpectedly meticulous! Playmaker: No. That’s not his aim. Ai: Heh?! GO: I activate Twist Cobra’s effect! I release Rising Scorpio, allowing Great Ogre to gain its ATK until the end of the turn! Ai: If you take that attack head-on, it’ll be 3900 damage! You’ll be left with only 100 Life! Panic a bit, would you?! Akira: Hmm… Looks like this match is over. GO: Then, by sending Twist Cobra from my hand to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon Headbutt Bat! Due to Headbutt Bat’s effect, Great Ogre will gain 800 ATK until the end of the turn. Hahaha! This is my Finishing Hold!

#yugioh vrains #vrains #ygo6 #ygo vrains

[anavoliselenu]

Beautiful lies chapter 17

"What?" I ask.

He releases a sigh. "Marta’s here."

Disappointment courses through me and I almost groan in frustration. I drop the hem of the shirt, covering myself once again and peek around Justin to the kitchen window, which has a direct view of the driveway. Her little red sports car is parked in the drive, but she’s nowhere to be found. Weird.

"I’m going to get dressed," I say and leave him in the kitchen. Call me old fashioned, but when one of Justin’s employees is here, I figure I should at least be wearing panties. I draw the line at removing his t-shirt though and just add undergarments and a pair of yoga pants before heading back downstairs.

I run into Marta in the hall outside of one of the guest rooms.

"Selena?" She sounds surprised and her eyebrows rise as she takes me in.

"Hi." I peek around her and see several suitcases in the guest room and stray articles of clothing on the bed. What in the hell? I don’t understand what’s going on, but rather than stay and chat with Marta, I want to talk to Justin. I head straight for the kitchen.

"Marta looks pretty cozy upstairs."

"She’s going to be staying here," he says, without further explanation.

"Why? Doesn’t she have her own place?" If he gives me some speech about companionship or the house being empty, I am going to lose it. I was already suspicious about what all their relationship entailed and after his marriage fiasco I couldn’t handle anymore bombshells of information being dropped on me at the moment.

"She has a rat infestation in her building and her condo is being restored. It’s just for a few days or so."

Rats? Ew. "Okay."

"What’s wrong? You seem upset."

"She just seemed surprised to see me here, like she didn’t know I was back in the picture."

He shrugs. "You just came back yesterday. I haven’t gotten around to telling her yet."

His response makes sense, I just don’t like the idea that with Justin newly single, Marta’s wasted no time in moving herself in. And judging by the three giant suitcases she brought with her, she’s planning on being here for more than just a couple of days.

Marta chooses that exact moment to enter the kitchen and help herself to a coffee mug from the cupboard. I know it’s irrational, but her familiarity with this man and his home bugs me. "Ready for work, boss? We can ride in together." She treats him to a wide smile.

Justin gives me a peck on the lips and his eyes implore mine to let it go before he turns to face Marta. "Actually, I figured we’d probably be working different hours, so we’d drive in separate."

"No, that’s okay. I don’t mind if you have to work late, I’m game for whatever.  Plus, it’ll be a good time for us to catch up. I can bring you up to speed on the renovations I have planned for the pool house."

"What renovations to the pool house?" I inquire.

"Justin didn’t tell you?"

I shake my head.

"One of the pumps malfunctioned and the pool house flooded. I’ve taken over redecorating it since … never mind." Marta smiles coyly, sharing a secret look with Colt.

"Since what?" I ask.

She shrugs. "Since Stella is the one who decorated it and I didn’t think the purple and gold décor went with Justin’s taste, I figured it was time for a makeover."

Justin slides his warm palm against my limp one, a gesture meant to calm and reassure me. I have no idea why I’m acting so territorial over a man I’m not even sure is mine, but seeing Marta here this morning has all my senses on high alert. If I am going to have an actual relationship with Justin, I need the women of his past to stop showing up here unannounced. I make a mental note to ask Justin for details about his relationship with Marta.

I stand near the front door in my pajamas and watch as Justin and Marta climb into her little red sports car. They pull out of the gated driveway and onto the road and the sound of blaring music lingers until they disappear from sight.

I sigh and shut the door. My new life is going to take some getting used to.

Chapter Seven

Justin

As a successful entrepreneur who runs two companies, who regularly deals with top executives and negotiates with fierce competitors, I find it almost laughable how worked-up one small girl, dressed only in my t-shirt can get me. As Marta drives my thoughts drift to Selena, as they often do.

I type out a text message to her.

I miss you already.

Her reply is almost instant.

Miss you more.

I smile and type out my reply. We’ll have fun tonight.

You promise?

Her response makes me chuckle.

All you can handle, sweetness.

"So, Selena’s back?" Marta asks, adjusting the volume of the radio down and pulling my attention away from my phone.

I’m detecting a hint of jealously stewing between them – something I need to put a stop to right the fuck now.

"Yes, she’s moved back in – for good, I hope."

Marta lowers her sunglasses and looks over at me. "Wow. That’s a big step."

"Indeed," I confirm. "I’m crazy about her, Marta, and I need to know that you understand that. You and I have a complicated past, but that’s where it needs to stay – in the past."

"I see." I detect a hint of disappointment in her voice.

I can’t say I’m surprised by her reaction, I’ve long suspected she’s wanted more with me.

"I value you as a friend, and an employee, but Selena’s a game changer for me. In fact, I’m finally dealing with Stella."

"I get it, Colt." Her voice takes on a slightly exasperated tone. "Things were over between us long before Selena came into the picture. And I’m a big girl. I can deal."

"I know you can. Thank you for that." I’m glad that she seems to understand. The last thing I’d want is for things to get weird between her and Selena. Or between her and I for that matter.

"Besides, it was only a few times," she remarks.

We both gaze out at the road and I sense that she’s recalling the few times we were intimate with vivid detail.

"It’s in the past," I confirm. I just hope it stays there. Marta doesn’t respond. "It’s all but forgotten, right?"

She lets out a short chuckle. "I wouldn’t go that far, Justin. I don’t think I’ll forget anytime soon that you’re the biggest man I’ve ever been with or how harsh and commanding you can be when you’re aroused."

Our encounters aren’t as memorable in my recollections. I only recall that in the months after Stella left, I was depressed and lonely. Marta was there and willing and I allowed her to take the edge off a few times, but we never had sex. "I’m serious about this, Marta. If you make things difficult for Selena, or if you dredge up things from the past..."

She turns to me sharply. "Relax, boss. Leave me with my fond memories and I promise not to say anything."

We share a tense ride to work and I make a mental note to tell Selena everything tonight when I return home. Now that she’s back and trusting in me to do the right thing, I won’t have something so inconsequential ruining our progress.

***

The day drags by at a snail’s pace as I anticipate my evening with Selena. My brothers break up the afternoon by surprising me with lunch. Things at work have been so busy that I’ve been pushing off our weekly lunch date. Today they take no chances, bursting into my office with my assistant trailing behind them apologetically.

"They just barged in, sir," he says, looking troubled.

"It’s okay, David."

My assistant, David, is a bit of a nerdy and frail type, and I got the sense he’s overwhelmed in the presence of my brothers. But he’s the best assistant I’ve ever had so I won’t admonish him for the interruption.

"You’ve gotta eat," Pace says, holding up a bag of takeout from one of my favorite sushi restaurants. "And I need an update on what’s going on with sweet Selena."

He had flown to Italy with me on a whim, so perhaps I did owe him an update. "Is there a spicy tuna roll in that bag?" I ask.

He nods and begins removing the containers of food.

I join him and Collins at the large marble table in the center of my office.

"So?" Collins ask. "Was your impromptu trip to Italy wasted? Or did you get the girl?

"Selena’s moved back in," I confirm.

"Fuck yeah." Pace’s wide smile lights up his entire face. He’s always worn his emotions directly on his sleeve. It’s both a blessing and curse. He’s a real estate developer, so his gregarious personality often helps him win over clients, but can be a hindrance when he’s negotiating big deals. All the cards are face up on the table with him. You can see every fleeting thought passing through his brain. 

"And Stella?" Collins asks.

My older brother has been riding me for years about divorcing her. Even though he’s only two years older, he’s always acted more like a father-figure to both me and Pace. "I signed the papers."

Pace jumps to his feet. "Holy fucking shit! We need some goddamn champagne up in this bitch."

"Sit the fuck down," I grumble, but am unable to hide the crooked smile lifting one corner of my mouth. "Yeah, yeah, I know. It’s about fucking time."

"I’m so fucking glad Selena’s in your life," Collins says, helping himself to some of the pickled ginger on my plate. It's obvious he attributes her presence in my life to this change. And of course, he's right.

"We need to celebrate, bro. Seriously," Pace says.

"It’s not a horrible idea. A big bash to mark your freedom from the mega bitch," Collins says, chewing thoughtfully.

"Drop it, boys. I’ve signed the papers and sent them over to my lawyer. That’s celebration enough." No need to celebrate the anal raping my bank account is getting just to pay her to go away.

We eat in comfortable silence for several minutes. At the lull in conversation, my mind automatically wanders to Selena and what will happen tonight when I get home.

"Marta’s single, right?" Pace asks, popping a piece of sushi into his mouth.

"Why do you ask?" I inquire, folding a napkin across my lap.

"She looks like she could use a good hard ride." He grins.

I set down my chopsticks. "Don’t fuck my employees. Why is that so hard for you to understand?"

He rolls his eyes. "Fuck, dude. You’re worse than a woman. First you curse me out for trying to get with Selena’s sister Becca, and now you’re whining about me noticing Marta’s pert little ass."

"I’m not whining. I’m pointing out that surely your pickup skills extend beyond the couple of women in my inner circle that I’d prefer not get fucked over by you and then come crying to me. I know your history with women, asshole."

Collins chimes in, coming to my defense. "He’s right, dipshit, your track record is zero and what a hundred?"

"What the hell does that mean?" Pace momentarily stops chewing.

"You’ve had zero successful monogamous relationships and over a hundred sexual partners," Collins says.

Pace shrugs. "I stopped keeping track once I reached the triple digits."

"Listen, asshole. I told you. Marta works for me, so don’t fuck her. And in regards to Becca, she has cancer. She doesn’t need any additional stress in her life from someone who will hit it once and walk away. Not to mention she’s my girl’s sister. If you deflower her and then pull a disappearing act, I’d have to deal with the fallout."

He sulks, sinking deeper into his chair, but doesn’t retort.

Collins and I share a quick look of triumph.

I have no idea if Becca’s a virgin, like Selena is, and it doesn’t matter. I don’t want Pace anywhere near her. His history with women is deplorable.

"Is Selena still a virgin?" Pace asks.

"Not for long," I confirm.

Chapter Eight

Selena

When Justin and Marta arrive home, I’m showered, dressed and waiting in the kitchen, just opening a bottle of white wine and setting out long-stemmed glasses. I frown looking down at the third glass on the island. Three’s a crowd.

When they enter the kitchen, Marta excuses herself, immediately going upstairs to change, leaving Justin and I all alone. Bliss. I’ve been waiting for this moment all damn day, and I don’t feel like I can wait a minute longer.

He stalks over to me, looking delectable in his suit. I might have exercised restraint this morning when I barely avoided tearing it off of him, but I will show no such patience tonight.

Without saying a single word, his hands cup my cheeks and he pulls my face to his, pressing his lips to mine and giving me a long kiss. When he pulls away, I’m dizzy and filled with longing.

"How was your day?" I ask.

"Way too fucking long. I missed you," he says.

I feel the exact same way. "Would it be rude if we skipped dinner and went straight to bed?" I think about the plates in the warming tray that Beth has left for all three of us. Apparently the household staff knew Marta was staying here. Of course, as his personal assistant, Marta probably told them.

Justin runs his hands down my body, stopping at my hips and securing my body to his. "Dinner is the last thing on my mind." He’s looking at me like he’s already picturing me naked.

A warm shiver runs through me. I'd wondered if it was going to bother me that Marta was here in the house for our first time, but now, I don’t care if she hears me screaming down the house. She can stuff it.

"I’ve been hard all fucking day," Justin groans, bringing my hand down below his belt and pressing it into the gigantic bulge there. I close my hand around him and hear him grunt.

It takes every ounce of willpower I have not to drop to my knees and take him into my mouth. Even if I don’t care about Marta hearing our sounds of pleasure behind closed doors, I don’t want her to see my man’s package. That is not something I plan on sharing. Now or ever.

His hips rock forward as my palm moves up and down over him. "I can’t wait to be inside you," he whispers low near my ear.

My panties flood with moisture.

"Let’s go upstairs. I’ll help you change out of your suit." I give him a playful look.

Footsteps round the corner and I know we’re no longer alone. I turn to face Marta, making sure I remain in front of Justin to block the view of his raging erection. Apparently we’re on the same page, because his hands circle my waist, silently communicating that I need to stay put.

My eyes wander behind her to the suitcases stacked together on the floor.

"My landlord says the mouse infestation is all cleared up, so I’m going back home," she says.

"I thought it was rats?" I ask.

"Oh, right. Mice, rats. Same thing." She smiles, but her cheeks flush slightly, knowing she’s been caught in a lie.

I get the sense that she’d only been staying here in my absence to make a move on Justin, and now that I’m back, she knows she’s missed her chance.

She tows her suitcases behind her, stopping to stretch up on her tiptoes and to give Justin a quick peck on the cheek. "Thanks for your hospitality. And I’m totally on board with what we talked about in the car."

He nods silently, his mouth drawn into a firm line.

A few minutes later the door closes behind her and we hear her little red sports car drive away, the noise fading into the distance until the only sounds are our heartbeats and ragged breathing.

I spin to face Justin again. He’s watching me with an intense expression. "That was rude of me not to help her take her suitcases out, but I couldn’t very well do that with my cock hard. What are you doing to me, baby?" he groans in frustration.

I giggle and lift up on my toes to kiss him. "I’m sure it’s okay. She looked like she had them handled."

He shrugs. "I suppose she did."

"What did you guys talk about in the car?" I ask, remembering what Marta said just before she left.

"Huh?" he asks.

"She said she was totally on board with it…" I try to jog his memory.

He runs a hand through his hair. "Come on, we need to talk."

He leads me to the den and motions for me to sit on the sofa next to him.

My belly churns with nerves. Justin’s entire mood has changed. I think whatever he’s going to tell me has something to do with him and Marta. I take a deep breath and prepare myself for the worst. I might have told him just yesterday that I was his and that no matter what I trusted him. Now I want to swallow all those words and curl up in a ball with the hurt that is already threatening to overtake me.

"Take a deep breath, Selena," Justin murmurs. I’m sure he can see the hurt and worry written all over my face. "After Stella left, I had a short rebound fling with Marta," he says.

My stomach drops to my toes as my worst suspicions are confirmed. I pull another deep breath into my lungs at Justin’s urging and fight to remain in control by reminding myself that it was in the past.

"I was destroyed after my divorce," he explains. "She was there and available and I regret it now, but we messed around a couple of times."

"Oh." I’m speechless and gutted and feel like crying. I've been jealous of Marta and her good looks and close relationship with Justin from day one. And now all my hunches are confirmed.

"We never had sex," he adds.

This news makes me feel marginally better. "What did she mean earlier? What did you guys talk about in the car that she was on board with?"

"I told her that I’m fucking crazy about you. And while she’s known for a long time that I’m not interested in her, I let her know that I wouldn’t tolerate anything getting in the way of you and I. Good employees are hard to find, but if she tried to interfere in any way…"

He leaves the rest unspoken. Geez, he’d threatened to fire her if she made things difficult for me and him?

Her cryptic message and then hightailing it out of here today must mean that she accepts Justin’s relationship with me and has no intention of interfering.

"I wanted to be honest with you about my past. I want a real future with you, Soph. Tell me how you’re feeling," he says.             

"I'm glad you opened up and told me about Marta." But deep down I know the issue with Marta is the least of my worries. I can accept his need for a rebound fling. Growing bold, I straighten my spine. "But if you wanted a real relationship with me, you wouldn’t be holding up your own divorce. And don’t give me this guilty crap about money for the Africa project – if your finances were in that precarious a state, would you have really spent a million on a sex slave, oh excuse me, I mean mistress? By the sounds of it, Marta is not someone you had true feelings for, and I can get over it, but if you want this with me, you’re going to have to show me that I’m worth the risk. I can’t share you with Stella."

"You’ll never share me." His dark eyes implore mine, possessive and filled with longing.

"I am sharing you – the memory of her scowling at me in the pool and telling me to get off her property is firmly branded into my mind. Did you notice that I can’t even go near the pool?"

s: �|��