#damn i can't draw people hugging to save my life | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

strawberry-nugget · 3 years

Text

𝙈𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙈𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙘 | E.Kirishima x Reader

Pairing: Kirishima/ reader, Bakugo/ reader (mentioned)

Summary: You shouldn't want him and he shouldn't want you, it's sinful and forbidden. But he can't help coming back to you, and you can't do anything but take him in every single time. Until today that is.

Word Count: 3.6k

Warnings: Aged up characters (twenties), NSFW 18+, plot with some p//rn but it's not very detailed, unprotected sex (please use condoms everyone), cheating, casual penetrative sex, jealousy, the seggz is pretty vanilla though

↪A/N: tennis player Kirishima, tennis player Kirishima, idk how I came up with it but I can't get it out of my head, written for @doinmybesthere 's 3k event collab and based on The Hills by the Weeknd, don't be shy to tell me if you liked it, I almost wrote 4k in a day which is unusual for me

5.30pm [Missed Call: Red]

5.31pm [Missed Calls(2): Red]

The bubbling notifications are spamming your phone, each call, succeeding the other in persistence and length, making your phone crawl onto your coffee table in restless buzzing. To your salvation the device is on silent; you're just unable to bear the overwhelming sound of your ringtone echo through the empty walls of your apartment, to let it bounce between concrete like a slimy ball, only for it to hit you on the face with tremendous force.

It's one of those days that you can't answer Kirishima. Too perplexed in the wields of your mind, blaming yourself for this horrendous situation, delivering raw swears at him for simply existing.

You don't know how it came to this nor when was the exact moment things switched. Was it at the party that you met him? Or the thousandth time you took him in and let him ruin relationship after relationship. Either way it was horrible for not only you, but also him, and all the people that have been caught up in the sidelines of this rotten affair.

You shouldn't want this anymore and truly, you don't. You're tired of being the second choice, of hiding behind your little finger, crying yourself to sleep at night, only to put on a sultry face for every time he comes. Once, twice a month.

[New Messages: Red]

Babe, you there?

Read 5.38pm

[New Messages: Red]

Babe I got practice at 8.

I know you're reading those.

Read 5.39pm

[Red is typing…]

[New Messages: Red]

I'm outside btw

A fresh, tremendously sharp wave of anxiety rushes through you at the little notification -it can't be like this again, not today. The thudder in your chest is unbearable, heart too weak to stomach the weight of your decision, fingers too reluctant to type out your response.

He's probably smirking while staring at his phone, not a single care in his head. It's loathing to your mind as you confirm your speculation, shooting a glance out of your window, landing your eyes on his car.

He shouldn't be here.

His thousands dollar car doesn't belong in your urban street, not in your side of the town. And it's so dangerous that he's doing this to see you. You've played the worst scenarios in your head a thousand times, millions of headlines on sites and the news about this; Eijirou Kirishima, on his way to claiming a fifth Grand Slam, caught in affair with university student.

Atrocious, degrading, exposing. A hit to his career that would bother the media for a couple of weeks and paint your name in mud along the way.

Why can't he just be content with the model that he's with? You're nothing like her, not as pretty and you don't have her body, you don't have her face, but he still says he finds you better, says he knows you better, but he just can't be with you.

[You]

Can't do it today

Sorry

You're good to yourself, only when you deny him and only when you feel the satisfaction of being the one to do so. It's pointless to sulk over saying no. He can go fuck other girls, play with their hearts and leave you to your otherwise peaceful life. Even if it is just for today.

You don't have the chance to let a smile creep to your face when your doorbell rings. The jiggling sound bursts into your eardrums once and twice, three dreaded times and they're enough to make your stomach churn, your neck tight and your skin ache.

You contemplate on opening the door for him, subconsciously letting yourself feel like a vulnerable prey, who, after running away to save yourself, is choosing to walk into the wolf's den, so willingly that you can feel yourself drifting away with each step you're taking towards the door.

"Babe,"

The swing of your door handle, the crack of your wrist, the creaking of your door as it opens to reveal him; they're all embarrassing. You can't tell if they fall short on his ears, too caught up in the way he looks -all swollen muscles and tall legs. You're running out of courage to say no and he knows this.

He's not as innocent as this cheeky smile frames him out to be, he's not the sweetheart everyone wants him to be either.

He's Eijirou, who's selfishly standing on your door, who's barging his way in your apartment, who's grabbing your cheeks and slamming your face in his, biting your lips until he draws blood, just to punish you for standing up against him.

Your door is slammed behind him, one bend of his knee and it's falling into its rightful place. To shield the sins of your affair, to bring you comfort and privacy as he attacks parts of your neck, your chest. Places that only squeeze perfectly under his touch.

"Babe," He calls again, in between soft kisses. "What's gotten into you?"

You frown and try to look away, past his cocoa colored orbs, past the swelling that's taking over his lips -and yours- with a numbing, tingling sensation.

"Eijirou—"

"I don't have much time in between training, I got a game the day after tomorrow."

It's always like this, you know. He doesn't have to tell you twice or try to excuse his own self for what he does or how he acts. You're pushed between schedules, or slammed into his timetable like a truck when he feels like indulging with you again, hidden between the lines of his free time.

You're sure at this point that it's the thrill he's after. The sinful taste of your lips on his, how he feels in control while chasing after you, when you can't keep up with him.

His lips don't taste like sour cherry anymore, but you let them wiggle against yours with triumph, you let him want to catch his breath as he pulls back and you put the minimum effort in returning the passion you receive.

You pull back, ignoring the words he's whispering against your face, only to take in his features once again.

Soft black hair pulled into a low ponytail, spiky bangs that fly all over his face and his tips drowned in a fiery, foxy red. The only reminder for who he was before his tennis career blew up. For who he was before he turned into this cocky womanizer whom you're desperately after with a longing heart.

"I'm just not in the mood today."

"Well let's get you in the mood then huh?"

He smiles, nose scrunching and chapped lips hiding behind his gums as his hand moves to your thigh, tagging your shorts with furry. As if he's desperate to have you, right here and now. As if bending you over the couch will help put out a fire in him. That's how he always convinces you to keep this going.

He's making you feel like not having you this way is insufferable.

You're buried in the crook of his neck while being pushed onto the couch, nibbling a soft spot that you've found, rubbing his skin on the top of your tongue. You know how to do this without leaving a mark, you can hold back from wanting to take all you can get from him.

But today it's different. It's going to be the last time.

It's not like any other time you've told yourself that you are going to end this. Today you're going to leave a mark, you're going to bite your way into his skin and drink from his poison -the intimate attention he's only ever willing to give- and you'll get drunk in it.

"Fuck," He grunts against your lips. "Fuck, don't stop that feels good."

You don't stop, eager to listen to him, to breathe into his neck before you wrap your lips a little lower and closer to his collarbone. You should be asking if this will cause him problems, but gone is the guilt that veils your coinsense otherwise. You suckle on a spot and then another, stealing his groaning moans one by one as they fall from his lips, plushing them softly in a spongy part of your brain, where they can rest forever, until you've forgotten them.

"Get your shirt off Eijirou," You plea, ogling eyes watering from the pressure that's applied in the apex of your thighs and he's quick to follow your command, lips curling upwards in a sweetheart smirk.

You're going to miss the way the apples of his cheeks cover his eyes when he smiles like this. But there's no going back for you and him.

With legs that feel like burning rubber you hug around his horse, watching the way his muscles flex and fold with his snappy movements. His shirt, tousled and wrinkly, tossed in an unknown corner of your living room, only for him to guess where it is after he's gotten his fix of you.

Thick fingers probe at your sides, pulling your shirt downwards in a silent plea, take off your shirt, give him the satisfaction that he wants, indulge into this as much as he wants you to.

But today, you're not in the mood for this. So instead of pulling your shirt off, you unbuckle your pants, pulling them down at the most dreadful speed, making him bite his lip impatiently.

You won't miss this, the way he's expecting so many things of you.

And if he notices something's wrong, he doesn't say a word, presumably content with getting what he wants; the rear view of the gap between your legs, where he can bury himself and get lost for the next thirty minutes.

"Fuck baby," he moans. "Why do you smell so good?"

You grunt, averting your gaze from his as he pushes your bangs away from your face with the back of his hand. You want to miss his puppy eyes. Ghosting him won't be easier for you if you don't.

But damn if he couldn't read you this well, things would be easier.

"Not in the mood to talk?" You look even further away to avoid the question, "babe, you can tell me if you're not well, you'll feel better if you let it out"

You don't need someone to tell you how to feel. You've decided when the two of you are going to be through. It's set and done, even if he feels at the top of the world right now, you won't inflate his ego anymore.

"M fine Eijirou, put it in," You bite his lip, putting huge effort in making him forget about what he thinks it's bothering you. "Want you to put it in m'kay?"

Sultry, fake voice, he's heard it all before and he doesn't have the right to call you out for it. Whatever he does next, you're his for the moment and for the last time.

Repeating is your rightful way of convincing yourself of not giving up on your decision. If only he could have broken up before deciding to wet himself in you, if only you hadn't taken him so eagerly, if only you hadn't become just like him. Welcoming him despite availability status, afraid to lose him, saying that a little sex wouldn't hurt. If you could do this on repeat, then you could get rid of him quite as easily.

You're not better than him and he's taken your vulnerability to him for granted. He's loved the attention you've paid him from time to time, whenever he's given you so much as a mere call.

You should pretend to moan, to hurt his ego, but as he's delving into you, slowly, mellowy, his kisses feel like burning sunshine, August breeze against your skin, kissing your shoulders lightly. It hurts that this salvation is coming from his mouth, as it moves rhythmically against every inch of you.

"Fuck, fuck, ah, you feel so good, you know that?"

You don't answer, nor do you wrap your lips around him. You don't move them against his when he goes to kiss you, but you coo into his warm embrace once his hands come to cradle you in a tight embrace.

"I love you," He slips up and you contemplate on whether you have to start hating him from this very moment. "I just wanna be with you, I—" He grunts. “—this is why you don't believe him, but nonetheless you hold a moan in as well. "Fuck, I'll break up just for you.”

Now that's a new one. A new addition to the long list of red flags you have with his name on top. You can't fall for it. You absolutely can't. If you do, he'll treat you just like this, he'll fuck behind your back and kiss you goodnight before going off to sleep with someone else. Like he's slept with you, once, twice, thrice.

And you're going to hate being the one who's fooled, despite deserving it more than anyone else. And another girl, or guy, is going to be his subject of desire.

You shouldn't want him to be yours, but you're lewding your 'I love yous' out of your mouth like they're nothing, poisoning your heart until there's nothing left but dust and sucked up blood, all devoured by the greed he's made you feel.

"You love me too?"

"I do," You cry, rocked between him and the couch, neck hurting by the way he's digging his teeth in yours.

"I'll fucking leave everything for you babe,"

He shouldn't. He won't. You tell yourself he's only saying this because he wants to come, to make you feel dirty with his actions and fish out words that make him ecstatic or send him over the edge from your mouth.

Rhythms are peaking, his hips burning from his movements, foreheads are dripping in sweat, lips taste salty against each other. The perfect picture, the most tingling sensation, and you're too fucked to go back, or keep yourself content with him. It feels the same as the last time, a numbing knot in your stomach, commanding you to rip your heart out and throw it away, spooning mewls out of your mouth.

If you could, you'd mute him, not wanting to listen to how beautiful he sounds as he's coming down from his high. If you could, you'd look away, and wouldn't try to burn the image of his body as he's falling apart in your mind.

"That was—" The sigh that leaves his chest through his mouth is liberating, you can tell—"amazing. I still love you, so much babe."

His hand soothing the pain of his thrusts, does nothing to make you feel better. You want to shove it away, but you don't, unhappy with the way you're turning out to be.

"It's time for you to go, Eijirou, isn't it?" You remind him. A hand pushing him off of you and quickly smoothing your T-shirt over your legs to deprive him of the view that'd make him wear a smug of triumph.

"So quick to get me to go. Did you find someone else again sweetheart?"

You don't reply as you're putting on your underwear and pants, shoving his shirt into him with a heavy hand.

"You did, didn't you?"

"None of your business, go off to your practice, your girl, don't patronize me anymore."

He gruffs, beautiful features scowling in that stormy gaze that reeks of his authority, "Here I am pouring my heart on you and you found someone else"

"Eijirou, it's seven thirty, if I were you, I wouldn't be late for practice. You got a game the day after tomorrow."

No more dealing with his pouting, you're going to bawl your eyes out if you have to do it. The sooner he's out of your house, the sooner you'll get this over with; the tight lamp in your throat, the image of him smiling at you like this, him admitting feelings that he shouldn't have.

Hurting him isn't the role that suits you. Because you can't do it. You can't hurt that warm sunshine he has on his face. He has to be the one to hurt you like he's been the one to drive you away. It's too late for him to change or reverse your roles.

You don't want to fight and he knows it.

He knows you, so well, well enough to use you as he wishes to, letting you believe you're using him too. You're going to make him watch you slip away, and he won't do anything about this.

So he's eager to leave as you're pushing him out of the door, he doesn't cup your cheek with his hand, and doesn't kiss your forehead tenderly like he always does.

"You should come to this party Mina is throwing, let me meet your new guy."

Like hell you'd ever do this, he knows, but teasing won't hurt a bit. Eijirou can deal with you dating other men, he's claimed you well before, he'll do it again if he has to, especially now that he's decided to have you.

"Yeah yeah, and if I do, don't ever call me again, 'kay?"

You're too good to not do as he says, or not to fall back to him, and he's too good to not come back to you. To him, you're a match made in heaven, to you, you're a lost cause, burning in the fiery pits of hell as atonement for your sins.

He doesn't know that you'll fall apart before dressing up, how you'll tell yourself you're not doing this for him, but as a statement against him.

You're no better than him, in fact, you're worse.

…

The only problem is, that when Eijirou pulls up at Mina's party after practice, you're already there. Drink in your hand, flared jeans hugging your legs, layered tank tops that cover the bruising truth of this evening, laughing at whatever your friends are saying.

When he puts out his phone, calloused fingers furiously typing a text addressed to you, you're too far gone into another glass, dancing a little dance before grabbing everyone's cups to go for a refill, greeting them in that silent way of yours, drunken smile.

And then you'll pass him by and blink at him, you'll mutter a small greeting and he'll grab you by the hand and whisper in your ear just how hard he'll take you driving the night. You'll swoon, moan, forget about the drinks and follow him anywhere he leads you.

That's how everybody knows about the two of you.

This time, though, you don't cast a single eye on him. In fact, you're tainting him, walking past him while ignoring him, leaving him awestruck and hurt, like his confessions earlier in the day meant nothing to you.

It's a hit to his heart, how your jaw drops as you bump into Bakugo over the kitchen counter, eyes too wide at the sight of him. How your finger dances playfully on his chest and as you smile at him when he whispers something in your ear.

It's infuriating how you drop the cups near the sink and follow Bakugo outside, or how the blond waves at him with a pressed smile against his lips, signaling that he'll be busy for a while.

His insides churn, tummy aching in a feeling of guilt, one unlike anything he's felt before. Losing you doesn't taste in the way he thought he would, it's worse; sour and poisoning. It makes him flee the party, furious and bitter.

When he's back, his body is heavy, feet dragging him across his apartment, mind blank as he follows his basic routine before bed time, fixated on how easy it seemed for you to just ignore him and flee with one of his friends as soon as he came over to the party he invited you to, wondering how you could be so ruthless with him all of a sudden.

Sweet talking Kirishima with a smile of gold, the sweetheart of the professional Tennis scene and you're over him in the split of a second, pushing him away from you without an explanation or heart wrenching speech. Not giving him the satisfaction of some closure, just forcing the cold tempo of your sudden departure in the depths of his heart.

He pays no mind to the girl that sleeps beside him, back turned to him like she's oceans apart, despite the unspoken bound that's keeping them together. He'll leave her, make up for all the damage that he's done, in any way that he can manage to.

It all comes down to the fact that no one can love you like he does, no one can want you like he does. Someone can do it better, but you have to want him.

5.30am [Missed Call: Red]

5.31am [Missed Calls(2): Red]

[New Message: Red]

Fuck, with Bakugo out of everyone?

Delivered: 5.31am

[New Message: Red]

Did you have sex with him?

Babe answer me.

Delivered: 5.32am

[New Message: Red]

I'm breaking up with her tomorrow morning.

And I'll come over.

Babe.

Babe please.

Delivered: 5.33am

[New Message: Red]

I'll take you on a date and we can talk about us okay babe?

Let me know when you wake up.

I love you.

So much.

Delivered: 5.38am

Read: 10.23pm

[You]

(Attached Image)

Sorry 'Red' even if you sound like a total douche, cheeks forgot her phone at my place.

I bet on her answering your late night drama when she takes her phone back.

[Red is typing...]

Super thanks to @celestidarling for proofreading this and giving me the biggest pump of confidence to post

↪Up Next: Dragon King Bakugo

#eijirou kirishima #kirishima x reader #eijirou x reader #eijirou kirishima x reader #kirishima x you #bnha #kirishima x y/n #bakugou x reader #Kirishima #mha fanfiction #mha #bnha fanfiction #kirishima fanfic #tw: cheating #kirishima smut #bnha smut #mha smut

589 notes · View notes

harristops · 3 years

Note

People needlessly ripping Ash apart for no reason, when she's never once shown hate or disrespect to her teammates, never once said she's the best or deserves better, has spent the better part of the last few weeks blaming herself and forcing people to blame her rather than her teammates for their club's performance, taking on the brunt of the leadership role when the coach she trusted and defended with her life against so many people up and abandons them mid-season, who was dropped off the team despite having the most consistent club season of any USWNT keeper in contention - I know I'm ranting but the fuck, man? My heart breaks for her. The one thing she was dominating at is now going to be taken away from her because Naeher killed it, and it's not because of Naeher, but because of these rabid anti-Ashlyn "fans" that would do anything to throw her in the dirt. Why can't they admit that Ash is having a great season and Alyssa is doing phenomenal at the national level? Why do we need to tear one down in order to life the other up? Why can't they give Ash a break from this constant hate when she's done nothing to provoke it, entice it, or even give any sort of validation from their claims? She's not out here saying "it should have been me" or "I'd have stopped it too". She's kept her head down, handled it with pure class and humility, and she still gets torn apart on Twitter for something that isn't even related to her and I'm honestly so choked up over it. I know that Ash is probably better at blocking out the noise but damn, it's just been blow after blow for her and I really hope that she's okay and has a good support system because if I were here and I had to wake up to this shit every damn day, I don't know if I could handle it.

THIS. THIS. THIS.

I hate this so much because Ash isn't on the team! Ash isn't there. And even if she was, she would've been the #2 or the alternate. Why are people drawing conclusions or these weird storylines that Alyssa is "competing" with Ash when both of these players have never had this attitude with each other? Why can't we celebrate these fantastic women who are carrying their teams? Why can't we give Alyssa the credit she most definitely deserves without throwing Ash under the bus at the same time? Ash probably would've known she'd have been the back up GK at the games, and she would've been cheering Alyssa on and hyping her up for those PKs and not once thinking "it should've been me". This woman has never claimed that she deserves that #1 spot. She has never even been spiteful over rejection, instead she wished the staff and the team the best and stayed silent. She cherished every cap she was given with grace and humility. She did her job as the backup support and wasn't upset that it wasn't her at the #1 when she was clearly being groomed to be Solo's replacement after her retirement. Ash has never taken anything for granted. And when it came down to show support from afar, she did it. So instead of just respecting Naeher's absolutely God-mode performance, why are people are treating it as an opportunity to trash Ashlyn for something she has no control over nor is she even directly related to?

Ash deserves better than she's been given, but damn, I genuinely don't know what she has done to deserve this. She isn't a player making snide comments about the opposition or talking shit about her federation. In fact, when other teams lose, she's the first one up to offer hugs and consolation and give them the props they deserve, something that this USWNT team is honestly lacking. She brought so much energy and hype and humility to the team that made me a fan of her, even if she got next to nothing when it came down to playing time or appearances. She's a class-act who gets treated like shit because people have nothing better to do, or have no other way to recognize talent in fantastic women like Alyssa, without trashing other women to elevate them. They don't need that; they elevate themselves. They don't need comparisons; they are stand-alones.

Alyssa had a genuinely legendary performance today. When the rest of her team was down and unable to come up, she made huge, clutch saves and then in the PKs, carried them home. She's an absolutely wonderful human, a fantastic keeper, and she's been so big for her team and deserves all the credit for her performance.

But it doesn't need to come at the expense of trashing Ash. There's no connection, no correlation, and anyone drawing inferences between them (on both sides: those claiming that if Ash had been there, she'd saved them, and those saying that Alyssa "clapped back" at Ash being the best PK GK now), are plain stupid and ignorant. There's no way to tell how Ash would've done because a) she is not there, and b) even if she was there, Alyssa would still be in net (and even then, Ash would be nothing if not the most supportive person out there, hyping her up and cheering her on until the very end).

Praise Alyssa all you want, but leave Ash out of it.

#asks #uswnt #ashlyn harris #idgaf im tagging it #im tired of the needless slander against ash as well #alyssa absolutely killed it and if you think ash is anything but ecstatic for her friend and teammate you're delusional #she is probably the most proud person out there knowing how much she cares about her team and the GK union #leave this poor woman alone and just let her focus on her career and her family and turning this pride team around #she's doing her best but damn if people aren't reaching right now #orlando pride

31 notes · View notes

itmighthavebeenintentional · 3 years

Text

We've Got Tonight - Ch 4

Summary: “It’s not your job to do this, Andy. You make people happy. I was in the diner all of ten minutes, and you knew exactly how to get me to smile. You do normal, real things like garden and sing karaoke. Saving the world is my job, Sam’s job. Sometimes it’s even Cas’s job, but it’s not yours.”

Inspired by Bob Seger’s “We’ve Got Tonight”

Warnings: Major Character Death, More Major Character Deaths (sort of?), higher than show level violence, blood, light smutting, language, demons, apocalypse, inferred suicide, cult activity.

18+ ONLY, MINORS DO NOT PROCEED

Author’s Note: This story is set hazily around season 8. Just squint a little, and it’ll settle in somewhere. I wrote this story after certain big revelations in the show, but before other big ones; you’ll most likely be able to tell which. I play with time a bit in the story itself, so if things seem out of order, they are. Hopefully, by the end, all the pieces will fit together.

What the hell, let’s give it a shot.

EXTRA WARNING: THIS CHAPTER IS THE SOURCE OF MOST OF THE WARNINGS FOR THE STORY. Please don't kill me. THIS IS NOT THE LAST CHAPTER, I PROMISE. It's not over yet. I can't promise you won't hate me when it's over, but I will not leave you here. There's more.

Image and major edits by the incomparable @there-must-be-a-lock . Heavy editing and cheering by @thoughtslikeaminefield . Thank you both so much.

In case you missed it: Chapter 3 ItMightHaveBeenintentional’s Masterlist

...

We’ve Got Tonight

Ch 4

Pre-dawn is too damn cold, she decides. She has to visually check that her fingers are actually doing up the buttons to her ragged denim jacket. She lost sensation in her hands a while back, and it’s the only way to make sure they’re actually doing their job. Her jacket is utterly unsuitable for the current temperature, but she doesn’t expect to need it for much longer.

Just before sunrise, Crowley told her.

The sky is already lightening on the horizon, the medium gray more obvious than she would have thought against the stark black, but, then, she’s never had much occasion to be out quite this late before. She’s usually done at the diner by six, singing at the club by ten, and in bed by two at the latest. She hopes Crowley is punctual. She can’t decide if the waiting or the cold is worse.

Except that, yes, she really can. The waiting is definitely worse.

The sound of shifting gravel pulls her out of her thoughts, and she turns to find the King of Hell himself smiling beatifically at her. She shivers, not bothering to search out the source of her discomfort, as she is rather spoiled for choice at the moment. She’s out in the freezing dark, about to hand over her life and soul to a demon because deranged cultists got it into their heads that they should use her blood to start an apocalypse (and who knew there was more than one of those outside of Sunnydale, seriously).

Shivering is probably the most rational reaction she’s had in a while.

“Hello, darling. Pleasant evening with the boys?”

He’s got more sass in one off-the cuff remark than she has in her entire history, and for a moment she can only marvel at the affected innocence in his expression. It's almost convincing. She opts to remain silent rather than take his bait. He smirks, the expression natural and only a touch derisive.

“No surprises, then? No sidekicks to save you at the last minute from the bad, bad demon?”

“I thought the torture didn’t start until after you kill me,” she sighs, hugging her arms tighter around herself, a futile attempt to ward off the chill. Maybe she’s got a little spark in her, after all. He laughs, a friendly, personable chuckle that would set anyone else at ease, reassure them of his honorable, benign intentions.

“Come on, Crowley, what's the hold up? I was here on time. Can we just get this over with already? I could have gotten one more round in with Dean if we were just going to stand around, shootin’ the breeze.”

Even watching for it, she can only just see the tick in Crowley's jaw, the slightest tension that betrays...something. She doesn't know what or why, but Crowley has more than a little unhealthy obsession with the elder Winchester brother, and she is pleased she managed to crack his veneer even for the briefest moment.

At least I don't have to worry about Dean, Andy thinks, relief creeping into the sea of dread that is her stomach. Her deal with Crowley was not only about stopping the apocalypse but also keeping Sam and Dean and even Castiel safe.

“Once you're gone, I won’t harm a hair on their precious heads, nor any other part of them,” he swore to her a mere eighteen hours earlier.

“I’m hurt you don't find my company more pleasant, love,” he murmurs, taking a couple of steps closer. He slides his hands in his coat pockets, the very picture of nonchalance. “I do try my best to be cordial, even congenial, after all. But since you’re so very uncomfortable, I suppose you won't object, then, that I took the liberty of inviting a few friends whose company you seem to prefer. What a lovely party we’ll have when they get here.”

As if he’s summoned them, a pair of lights appear in the distance, growing larger with every passing moment. Headlights, she realizes; a second later, she hears the distinctive roaring of a very particular car engine, and before she can turn back to Crowley, the Impala leaps out of the darkness, skidding across the hard-packed dirt road, coming to a halt bare inches from the demon’s impeccably shined shoes.

Andy stumbles back, choking in the cloud of dust the car kicks up, only to hit something solid. Impossibly strong fingers dig into her chin, lifting her face out and away as cold, thin metal is pressed to the side of her neck, and only now does she freeze.

“Let her go, Crowley,” Dean growls, his gun drawn and aimed even before he exits the car. “This isn't her fight, and you know it!” On the other side, Sam and Castiel climb out, Sam drawing his gun and moving to flank the demon.

“I do heartily protest, sir,” Crowley says, his tone mild and conversational. The blade digs in ever so slightly under her ear, and a thin trickle of warmth slides down her skin to soak into her collar. Dean doesn't flinch, but his eyes narrow, and he readjusts his aim.

“Not only is the lady at the epicenter of this fight, she's gone and made herself the brightest star in the show. Ask her yourself, if you don’t believe me.”

“How-” she manages through fear-numbed vocal cords. Dean should be unconscious, snoring blissfully away in his bed where she left him. She made sure to leave no sort of trail they could follow, and she checked that they were all asleep or otherwise occupied before she took off.

“I wasn’t asleep, Andy,” Dean replies, leveling his gun at Crowley. “And I’ve been tracking since I was seven. Gimme some credit.”

“I wouldn't do that, if I were you, Moose.” Crowley’s words freeze Sam in his tracks, and the blade on Andy’s neck digs in a little deeper. The flow of warmth down her neck widens just a touch. The sheer smugness in Crowley’s tone sets her teeth on edge, breaking through her stupor, and she grabs the hand with the knife, pulling at it with all her might. She, of course, doesn’t make a dent in the demonic strength, but she’s got to try something.

If you asked her later, Andy would swear to you that the searing pain that drags along her neck parallel to her jaw line right then is pure Hellfire. Deep down in the darkest recesses of her mind where all the worst truths lurk, she knows she’s feeling the bite from Crowley’s knife, but in that instant all she is aware of is the agony of the wound, of Dean’s enraged roar, and the juxtaposition of Crowley’s gentle touch pressing her own fingers to something hot and slippery under her jaw.

“Hold pressure there, sweetheart, or you’ll bleed out too soon. Wouldn’t want you to miss the finale.”

Her knees buckle, and she drops, but somehow she stays upright long enough to see Crowley’s demons approach out of the darkness. She tries to warn the boys, but time moves with a dreamlike lethargy that betrays every one of her good intentions, and, anyway, her voice doesn’t seem to be working at the moment. The roar of gunfire all around her sounds faint in comparison to the rushing in her ears, and she is powerless to stop Crowley’s plans from reaching fruition.

“You...said...you wouldn’t...”

“Well, pet, you aren’t dead yet, are you? I’ve got, what, at least another three minutes before you snuff it, by my count. Plenty of time to conclude my business with the Winchesters and their featherbrained friend before you expire.”

Though he was right behind her only a moment ago, Crowley appears abruptly next to Castiel, who at the moment is distracted by two lesser demons both wielding machetes. She realizes as she watches Cas easily fend them off that they, just like Andy, are only a distraction, only bait to tempt the bigger players to overextend themselves.

Too late, she sees the perfection of Crowley’s plan. In all the confusion, she loses track of Sam, and she wrenches her eyes away from Dean’s staggering form only to watch as the angel blade in Crowley’s hand bursts through Castiel’s chest. Then her gentle, confused friend is gone in a flash. The demons vanish, and she can’t find Sam or Dean, can’t reach them, can’t make her voice work to call out.

The quiet is wrong, so out of place after the violent cacophony. The roaring is gone, the gunfire silenced, and all that’s left is a terrible wheezing, gurgling sound that takes her too long to recognize as her own labored breathing.

“Crow...ley…”

“I’m here, darling. What do you need?”

“Lying...bastard…”

“Now, now, sweetheart, are those really what you want your last words to be?” He lifts her easily from the ground, carrying her the few yards to where Dean lies sprawled in the dusty gravel. His shirt is stained black in the retreating darkness, and Andy can only be thankful that she won’t make it to sunrise to see what exact shade of red is spreading over him. Dean’s far hand scrabbles on the ground, stopping its frantic search only when it finds his brother’s.

Sam’s still form doesn’t return his brother’s grip.

“After all, I’ve done you a favor; I didn’t have to give you the opportunity to say good-bye. I can’t promise you adjoining cells, but I’m sure your torture will coincide with his occasionally,” Crowley continues conversationally, “so, really, the two of you should be thanking me that you’ll at least get occasional visiting privileges. It pays to be on good terms with the king, after all. And, who knows? After a couple hundred years of good behavior, I might even be persuaded to-”

“Why?” It’s all she can manage as he lays her on the ground. Dean reaches for her with his free hand, and she is just able to find his fingers. Their eyes meet, but her vision is blurring as breathing gets tougher, and she can’t see what he’s mouthing to her. Even his eyes, such a luminescent green only hours ago, are fading into the remaining dark of the night.

“The Winchesters, dear, it’s always been about the Winchesters. Oh, the fanatics and their doomsday ritual were real enough, as was your blood. I just simply took advantage of the situation, as any intelligent monarch would do. Settled things with the apocalypse groupies, rid myself of some major pains in my rear, and now I get you, to boot! I do love when a plan comes together.”

Dean’s fingers tighten in hers, and she tries to grip his back, but the harder she holds on, the less she can feel him.

She’s not really feeling much of anything but cold now.

“Shut...up...already.”

“Always ungrateful in the end, even after everything I do for them,” Crowley grumbles from above her. But then he does shut up, and she finally feels something besides the cold.

Relief. ...

Chapter 5

29 notes · View notes

plaidbooks · 3 years

Note

Hello!☺️ I love your writing so much !! Can I request something cute and fluffy for Barba x reader? Raf being a single dad, please? I can't stop thinking about it, the idea popped into my head and it doesn't go away 😂

Fatherhood

A/N: Heya Anon! Trying to come up with a way that Rafi is a father with no one knowing was fun haha! This is fluff with the slightest bit of angst. Hope you enjoy!

Tags: child abduction

Words: 1638

Taglist: @the-baby-bookworm @beccabarba @thatesqcrush @itsjustmyfantasyroom @stardust-fray @permanentlydizzy @infiniteoddball @ben-c-group-therapy @glowingmess @whimsicallymad @averyhotchner @mrsrafaelbarba @detective-giggles @dianilaws

It was a Saturday morning, and Rafael had the day off. Everyone made their jokes about what Rafael Barba even did on a day off—catch up on paperwork, get in a fight on Twitter with a defense attorney or idiot politician, or read up on some obscure law so he could use it in a trial to sound smarter than everyone else—but no one came close to what he actually did when not at work. Dressed in a loose polo shirt and jeans, he made the trip to his sister’s house. Not even Olivia knew his sister existed, let alone anyone else he worked with. Rafael had always been a private man, but he made sure to bury this side of his life so deep down, no one could use it against him…especially after the debacle with Willard digging into his personal bank account. Rafael was smarter, though; he wasn’t stupid enough to have this tied to his public life, his main bank account, his personal cell phone.

He knocked on the door, a wide smile on his face as a little girl with long, black hair and his green eyes answered. “Daddy!” she yelled, throwing the door open and launching herself into his torso.

“Alma, mi vida!” Rafael laughed, picking her up and kissing her cheek. When Rafael’s girlfriend slammed the door in his face 5 years ago, leaving a swaddled baby in his arms, he had no idea what to do. He waffled on the idea of putting her up for adoption, but his Mamí would have disowned him. It’s not that he didn’t instantly love Alma. But with his hectic schedule, and with his student loans and other bills, he had no idea how to care for a child. Thankfully, his Mamí, Abuelita, and sister had stepped up to help as much as they could. And so, he was there for his little Alma as much as he could be, and his sister watched her when he was stuck at work, or when Alma wasn’t in school. He paid for everything—with a private, separate bank account—and he never talked about her…to protect her. He saw how Olivia had to deal with threats, whether against her or Noah, and he didn’t think he could handle it. Even though he was a lawyer, not an NYPD officer, he still got threats on the reg, and he slept better knowing his daughter was safe…even if that meant not seeing her as often.

“Ready to go to the park?” Rafael asked, putting her on the ground. “Go grab your jacket; the wind is chilly.”

***************

On the walk to the park, Alma filled in Rafael on everything she had done at school this week. It was her first year in school, kindergarten, and she was excited to fill him in, even though they talked every evening on the phone.

“And then I got a gold star cause I knew the wholeeeee alphabet!” Alma said happily.

Rafael smiled down at her. “That’s because you’re the smartest girl in class!”

They walked by a small ice cream stand, and Alma screamed, “daddy, daddy! Ice cream!” And how could he ever say no to her? So, taking her hand in his, he walked up to the stand, getting Alma and himself an ice cream cone—chocolate swirl for her, vanilla for him. She absolutely covered hers in sprinkles, then giggled as she licked it, covering her face in rainbow chocolate. Rafael grinned, snapping a picture on his backup cell, and pulling out his emergency wet wipes.

***************

Days like today made Rafael the happiest man in the world. He laughed as Alma yelled, “daddy, look at me!” while she was on the play structure. He never took his eyes off her, making sure she was safe…well, as safe as a five-year-old could be on a playground with a bunch of other kids. Every time she tripped and fell, he had a mini heart attack, and he forced himself to not rush over to her. But then she’d get back up, laughing, and bounding around the playground once more.

“Is that one yours?” a woman asked, pointing at Alma.

Rafael turned to her, smiling proudly. “My one and only,” he replied.

“Aww, we should schedule a playdate with my little Chelsea! Look at them; they’re already becoming quick friends!” the woman said. Rafael looked back to where Alma was playing but frowned as he didn’t see her. Panic started to blossom in his chest as his eyes scanned the playground, searching for her pink jacket.

“Alma?” he called, his voice raised almost hysterically. He started rushing around the playground, looking everywhere. He only looked away for a second; where could she have gone? “Alma?!”

*****************

You were jogging down a familiar path in the park, your music low in your ears, breathing measured. Stopping for a moment to wipe the sweat from your brow, you glanced around, taking in the sights; there weren’t many people in this part of the park, mostly just other joggers. But one thing did catch your eye; a man leading a young girl across the grass at a brisk pace. Something seemed…wrong, off. The girl was…struggling? It could just be an unruly child, but…. Following your instinct, you jogged over.

“Excuse me, your daughter is adorable,” you said cautiously, unsure how else to stop him.

“Thanks,” he replied, barely glancing at you as he tried to move passed you.

You kept in front of him. “What’s her name?”

Before he could even answer, the girl whined, “I don’t know this man!”

Heart in your throat, you made eye contact with the man for a split second before instincts took over once again, your fist connecting with his jaw. He dropped to the grass, out cold, and you reached your hand out for the little girl to grab.

“What happened, honey? What’s your name?” you asked.

She looked at you with wide eyes, but she didn’t cry; she just looked shocked. “Alma…he grabbed my arm while I was on the slide,” she explained.

Just then, the man started to stir. You glanced around at the people jogging by, and you waved your free hand. “Hey, I need someone to call the police,” you called, moving to stand on the man’s back.

A woman with blonde hair pulled back in a ponytail noticed you and came jogging over. “I’m NYPD; what’s going on here?”

You explained the situation, and she called for backup. “I’m going to take this little girl back to the playground—find her parents,” you said.

“I, uh, I know you’re trying to help. But I can’t let you leave with that child,” the woman—Detective Rollins, she had said—replied.

“Look, I’m not in the market for becoming a mother. But I’m positive Alma’s is freaking out right now, and she deserves to know her daughter is safe,” you reasoned.

Rollins weighed her options—who knew how long it would take until backup came? And what if Alma’s parents didn’t come this direction? It was a big park; it was entirely possible that they wouldn’t.

“Yeah, okay, fine. But if I see this little girl on a missing person’s report, I will personally track you down,” she promised. You nodded, taking Alma’s hand in yours and heading towards the playground.

“Who are you here with?” you asked. This poor girl; she couldn’t have been more than five…. You were going to rip apart her parents.

“My daddy! I haven’t seen him all week, so he took me to the park to play,” Alma said, giggling. Yep, you were going to kill this man. First, he doesn’t spend enough time with his daughter, and then he lets her get abducted?

You and Alma had made it halfway to the playground before she pulled from your grasp with a scream of “daddy!” and rushed to a man, who in turn yelled her name. He ran to her, scooping her into his arms and hugging her tightly, kissing her forehead. It was an endearing sight, and you felt some of your anger ebb away at the action. His eyes locked to yours, and he made his way to you. The remaining anger left when you realized how attractive he was, his bright green eyes drawing you in.

“Are you the one that found Alma?” he asked, still clutching the girl to him as if he’d lose her again.

“I am, yeah. Some guy was trying to take her; I think a Detective Rollins is still waiting for officers to arrest the guy. It’d be nice if you went and talked to her, showed her that I did return your daughter to you—”

“No, I’m taking Alma home, where it’s safe,” he cut you off. You gave him a questioning look, and he quickly changed subjects. “Thank you so much, for saving my little girl. Is there anything I can do to repay you?”

“Besides talking to that detective for me?” you smirked. He opened his mouth to reply, before he was cut off.

“Daddy, can she come over for dinner?” Alma asked, giving you the biggest grin. You felt your cheeks warm and the man’s ears turned pink.

“Ah, only if it’s okay with her,” he replied, looking at you with an eyebrow raised.

You glanced at the hand wrapped around his daughter’s back; no wedding ring, no wife to make jealous. “Y-yeah, sure. I’d love to.” How could you say no to this little girl? She was just too damn cute.

“Yay!” she cheered, almost falling from her father’s grasp before he caught her.

He turned to walk back towards the playground, and you fell into step beside him. “My name is Rafael, by the way,” he said, holding out a hand for you to shake.

#rafael barba x reader #law and order svu #law and order svu fanfic #fanfic #my writing #Anonymous

103 notes · View notes

qweeby · 4 years

Text

Nine Lives To Short Part 2: A Hero Confronts the Hypothetical

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡💔💔

Paring: Hitoshi x Reader

Genre: Angst

Tag @foxypuppy

Plot: You only have 9 days to tell him how you feel....but maybe 9 days just isn't enough

"Please be ok please be ok!" that plea kept replaying in the mind of Histoshi Shinsou as he is sitting in the waiting room of the hospital.

He thinks about your soft touch, your sweet voice and your unforgettable laugh as tears stream down his eyes his voice breaking "please be ok....please..."

The entire room is quiet....tap tap tap tap is the only thing that can be heard and its coming from Shinsou as his left leg is violent shaking.

"Shinsou....?"

The entrance to the waiting room opens it's Kaminari and Mr. Aizawa, Denki rushes to Shinsou then begins to pat him down, patting his face and chest "YOU'RE OK RIGHT NOTHING IS BROKEN RIGHT!"

Shinsou brushes Kaminari off, " I'm fine it's not me you should me worried about....it's y/n she's the one in real pain".

Aizawa puts his hand ontop of Shinsou head rubbing his hair making it messy. "Yeah but that doesn't mean you aren't hurting to kid... it's ok to cry it won't make you any less of a hero.

Shinsou looks down " I just need to see her".

Kaminari sits next to Shinsou asking "How long have you been here, Hitoshi?

"About 5 an hours, after I ran Y/n to her parents and they called the ambulance, we came here and the doctor said that the parents can come with them but friends and other relatives were to stay here".

Suddenly Hitoshi sees your parents walking down are walking down the hall he jumps up quickly and makes his way towards them in a panic.

" Is y/n ok! What happened to her! C-can I see her please!" Hitoshi is frantically blurting out all of the questions that been on his mind of the pass 5 hours until your dad stops him.

"Woah woah calm down there Hitoshi, Y/n is fine she just need rest we actually came out here so we can take you home".

Shinsou tenses up shocked that after all that waiting he's just going home with seeing you.

He was not gonna let that happen.

" Home?...... HOME! THERE NO WAY IM GOING BACK HOME AND I DONT HAVE A CHANCE TO SEE IF Y/N IS DOING OK! I-....I have to see for myself.

Aizawa steps up, " Last time I checked Recovery girl was sent here to help Y/n with her injuries so she should be up"

Kaminari holds up his hand trying to put his two cents in " Plus he's been waiting 5 whole hours".

Your mom hangs her head "Yes that is true but....y/n is gonna need more than just kiss to feel better".

Your father begins to sweat as Shinsou glares him with anger in his eyes, everyone in the room begins the feel Shinsou's uneasiness.

"Let me ask you a question sir".

Your father gulps "Yes, Hitoshi?".

His pupils begin to dilate as Shinsou uses his quirk and asks the question " What's happening with your daughter".

Kaminari quickly grabs Shinsou pulling him back, " Dude! Are you crazy you can go around using your quirk on people!".

" IM NOT GONNA STAND HERE WHY THEY LEAVE ME IN THE DARK! I NEED ANSWERS!"

" Y/n's quirk....is hurting her shmmh-" before your dad can finish his sentence Aizawa stares at Shinsou erasing his quirk while simultaneously your mom covers your dad's mouth.

" Hitoshi! Control yourself Now"

Hitoshi shoves Kaminari back as her runs pass the three adults to y/n's room.

" Wait Toshi! You...don't even know where her room is...".

Aizawa sighs " Leave him Kaminari, right now I'm gonna need you to step outside" he angrily glares at your mother and father "I need to a meeting with some parents".

Meanwhile Hitoshi is running though the hallway is he searching for your room " Where is it..HA! Found it!.

Hitoshi kicks open your the hospital door.

" Y/N!" You jump and scream " AHHHH! What the HELL HITOSHI YOU CAN'T DO THAT WHAT IF YOU BROKE IT".

Right now all Shinsou wants to do is to hug you and hold you and never let you go but...

He just stands there and yells.

"You're such a God Damn lair!"

"...who told you-".

" APPARENTLY NOT YOU! WHEN THE HELL DID YOU GET S QUIRK FROM! HOW LONG HAS IT BEEN HURTING YOU?!"

You sit up and take a beep breath, "My quirk developed last week I didn't know how I was gonna tell you".

" LAST WEEK!? THEN THAT MEANS.....t-that means..."

-Hitoshi thinks back to last week after school when he was training with Aizawa-

" Hey Mr. Aizawa Hey hey" you eagerly jump around the tired teacher circling him. " What is it now kid?"

" Can you use your quirk on me?"

Shinsou spits out his water " ppppfffft why would he do that it literally won't do anything".

You turn to Shinsou pouting " yeahh but sero says when that when you get you quirk erase it's like your soul leaves you body".

Shinsou squints his eyes at you " I think Sero was high when he told you that".

Aizawa rubs his eyes and grunts.

"Ugh! Fine come here kid but after this I don't wanna hear anything come out of you mouth until we are done training".

You nod while standing still as Mr. Aizawa uses his quirk on you but no it looks like nothing happened.

Hitoshi chuckles " See told you it would work" he looks at you and see the look of utter disappointment and defeat. " What's with the face cat?"

" I was just really hoping that something....anything would happen but...oh well".

You smack you face as you give Shinsou a big thumbs up " You gotta ge back to training-mmmpfh-!"

Aizawa wraps you up his his cloth like a mummy and gives you to Present Mic

"Here Hizashi here hold the kid"

" YOU GOT IT SHO!"

Shinsou could help but laugh at the whole situation while you freak out the Mic's arms.

-He then thinks about how you acting at lunch during that same day-

" Hey Y/n you not gonna eat?" Kaminari askes while shoving fish sticks in his mouth.

"Oh umm I'm not really hungry"

"You aren't? But I haven't seen you eat anything all day are you sure?"

"Yeah Hitoshi I'm ok".

Bakugo the reaches across the table to get in your face " HUHHH THE LITTLE KITTY DOSEN'T WANNA EATTTT? I BET IF CAT BOY OVER HERE FED YOU, YOU WOULD EAT IT ALL UP!"

You and Bakugo clash foreheads.

" SHUT UP YOU FERAL POMERANIAN"

"GRRRR....THE FUCK YOU JUST CALL ME YOU QUIRKLESS LOSER!".

Kirishima walks to the table smiling simultaneously as he sits down saying "Man it looks like it's raining cats and dogs over here".

" SHUT YOUR TRAP YOU POINTY TEETH DIMWIT!" You Bakugo scream at Kirishima at the same time then go back to arguing with each other " STOP COPYING ME!".

Shinsou watches as you don't eat anything but shrugs it off as you going on a diet.

Hitoshi falls to his knees shaking, his voice breaking.

" THAT FUCKING QUESTION WASN'T JUST A HYPOTHETICAL WAS IT!"

You get off your bed as you sit in front of him, "No it wasn't ".

"I so fucking stupid Y/n..."

You slow reach your hand to grab Hitoshi "No...don't say that..."

"But it's true! Can't you see!

Shinsou raises his head looking at you his eyes bloodshot red, see him like that startled you , so you back up but then hes says something that made you hate yourself.

"....How can I ever be a hero if I can't even save one person...I'm so weak"

Tears begin to fall down your eyes seeing your best crumble apart by your actions, you jump into Shinsou's arms crying repeatedly saying " I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry".

You feel bad for Shinsou as he may have come across one of the most hardiest trail of being a hero.

How can a hero save someone that doesn't wanna be saved....

You and Hitoshi press forehead's and stare at one other but then...you look at Hitoshi but his face begin so switch between blurry and not until everything is completely blurry in your left eye.

"S-shinsou..."

He sniffs and rubs his nose, " Yeah y/n".

"I....I can't see"....

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡💔💔

Y/n has lost her 2nd life as another day draws near. Jow can Shinsou save the unsaveable? Will y/n ever confess in time and end her suffering.....will y/n's eye sight be the only thing she loses?.... 9 days won't be enough

#my hero academia #boku no hero academia #y/n #kaminari denki #shinsou x reader #shinsou hitoshi #bnha angst #angst #bnha shinso hitoshi #shinsou x y/n #shinsou x you #shinso x reader #x reader #mha xreader

39 notes · View notes

themadauthorshatter · 3 years

Text

WELCOME BACK ONE AND ALL!

Welcome back to MY take on Toppat!Charles, the series that gives you... angst and cliffhangers in every chapter, just like Game of Thrones😅.

In case you haven't read them yet here are links to the first three parts, which I recommend you read because the brief recaps don't do them justice.

Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3:

BRIEF RECAP AND HEADCANON TO FOLLOW FOR THE POST TIME!

After his attack on Burt, Charles has caved and is now open to what Right has to say and vice versa. Henry and Gerneral Galeforce, more Galeforce, have been contacted by the Center for Chaos Containment and offered their men for one Henry Stickmin. Ellie has been good emotional support, but Henry goes against Galeforce and Ellie in order to save his friend.

Got that? Great!👍

So what's the headcanon this week? Well, @triple-threat-toppats and @azuri-the-imperfect-artist have AU's/headcanons that Toppat-ing is in Henry's blood, whether that be biological or otherwise, and we'll be meeting a new character this chapter who ties this all together perfectly😈.

We all good? FANTASTIC!

LET'S DIVE IN!!

We pick up where we left off with Henry outside as a receptionist, of sorts, freaks out that he called, telling everyone on the floor and shouting for an official to take the call.

Through this entire exchange, Henry rolls his eyes at how much of a fan boy the receptionist is, groans that no one can find an official at two' in the moring, and eventually takes a seat and listens as a few mid-ranking officials argue about who gets to talk to him; 10.6 anomaly, he's a pretty big deal to them.

They all fall silent when a man shouts, "Hand 'im over to me."

Henry should be scared, but he's glad that FINALLY someone is on the other end to talk to.

"Mr. Stickmin," says the official. "Nice of you to call."

"Who am I speaking with right now?" Henry asks as he stands up, not at all interested in playing games. (The irony that hit me after I typed that🤦‍♀️😂😂)

The official scoffs, "Not one for banter. I respect that. Son, name's Corporal Bill Bullet, leading official of the Center for Chaos Containment. How can we help you at this hour?"

Henry paces as he continues talking. "You talked to General Rupert Galeforce, right?"

"We did, actually. About you, but you probably already guessed that."

Henry looks back at the toppat orbital station, staring at it as he stays silent. Again, he is not in the mood for games.

Bullet sighs on the other end of the phone. "Guess you calling means you've made you're choice?"

Henry is quiet for a second and swallows a lump in his throat. "What happens if I agree to the terms?"

"Take a guess, kid."

Henry sees flashes of his life if he is in the CCC's custody and groans at the migraine said flashes give him.

"You're quite the interesting person, Henry. Robbing a bank with a bag, breaking out of prison by dogding and throwing bullets before stealinga police car, stealing a diamond by pushing yourself off a bridge, taking down the toppats, and escaping a maximum security complex with barely even a scratch."

Henry bites his tongue as he remembers those moments and their alternative paths INCLUDING the fails.

"But you didn't just get a few scratches, you did? 10.6 is a pretty high rating on our meter. Can't imagine what would happen to a person who causes as much chaos as you."

Henry shakes his head and snaps, "Just tell me!"

Bullet is silent once more, disappointed at how he can't at least tease what is essentially a rabbit walking right into an easily seen trap.

"We'll study the source of your... ability. How one person can live one life before jumping to the next, but existing like he did before that life ended.

"You may be a young man, Henry, but you've probably lived longer and died more than the rest of us put together. Why is that? How, excatly?"

Despite the knot forming in his stomach, Henry nods and hums to let Bullet know he's listening.

"There's also a certain balance to the world, one that shouldn't be bothered, 'less we want to cause A LOT of collateral damage. Lead to a lot of people getting hurt, cause a lot of casualties. You already lost one person you care about. What if you lost all of them?"

Henry gulps as he remembers the complex riot and how a robot was sent to tear down the museum he stole the Tunisian Diamond from.

Any of those people could've easily been Ellie or the General or, if he'd gone down the Toppat route, the entire clan.

Bullet may be manipulating emotionally, but he kind of has a point.

The chaos Henry causes is extremely dangerous, if what we've seen in StD, ItA, FtC, and CtM are any examples. Imagine if he had caused that sort of chaos in a major city, like real world New York or Detroit.

I don't know about you guys, but if something like any of the games happened IRL, all caused by Henry, there would easily be cities flattened to the ground with COUNTLESS fatalities.

"Helloooo? You still with me, Mr. Stickmin?"

Henry snaps out of his stupor and takes a deep breath before talking again. "Promise me you'll help. I want your honest word."

"Which I'll stay good on as long ad you keep your end of the bargain," Bullet retorts. "A quarter of our forces at your disposal to help you get your friend back as long as you turn yourself in to our facility. Deal?"

Henry is silent again, but when he speaks again, he tries something:

"Will I still talk to anyone outside? Send them any letters?"

"Not really. Think the government would handle our research well? Or what you can do?

"Last chance, deal or no deal?"

Henry stares up at the sky, counting the stars and moon, and then watches orbital station drift across the sky, covering part of the moon.

"Sir, we have a situation!" Someone yells on the other end.

Bullet does one if those angry growls or snarls. "Don't keep me waiting on your answer, Henry. Our resources are limited, too. Make your decision and call me back the second you do."

"Sir-"

"I'M COMING!"

The call ends and Henry lets out a sigh as he drops to his knees and then hugging them to his chest, shaking and now doubting whether or not he's making the right choice.

Unbeknownst to him, however, Ellie had followed him when he walked out and is struggling very badly with hiding her tears and sobbing from Henry, who is over a few feet away.

JUMP TO SOME FAN SERVICE!!😍🤩

Er, Charles. Jump to Charles. I SAID CHARLES!!!!!

Charles is mostly done showering, mostly because he's done washing and cleaning himself up, even shaving because he looks better without facial hair, and is now simply standing in the shower and letting the water fall on him.

He can't exactly remember how long it's been since he showered last, but he doesn't bother trying to because it only makes him think about how the government destroyers were blown up and anyone who managed to get on the station was killed as a message to the government and Henry and Ellie, and as an example for Charles, in case he gets any ideas.

He keeps thinking about how Henry looked at him before he went unconscious, how Henry did nothing to help him even though HE could've done something. He had before on missions, so what had stopped him then and there?

"I was wondering the same thing," Right says, though Charles doesn't hear him over the water running.

Charles gasps as he slips to the ground and realizes how he's thinking about his friend, forgetting Right was standing on the other side of the wall and curtain to keep an eye on him, just in case.

"N-no," Charles says to who he thinks is himself. "He... He wouldn't just leave me. None of them would."

Right rolls his eyes at this and steps closer to where he's in front of the curtain, though he does grab a towel. "You know, you talk to yourself a lot. 'S kind of freaky."

Charles curls into himself and into the corner of the shower and covers his ears. "Shut up! Just shut up and leave me alone!"

"How long have you been here?" Right asks as he looks up at the ceiling. "And why isn't Henry here to get you out? Aren't you two supposed to be friends?"

"Stop it!" Charles cries, curling into himself further.

Right smirks and decides to twirs the knife. "He helped that Ellie girl, didn't he? When she needed his help? I wonder if what they say is true? Birds of a feather flock together? They're both criminals, so I wouldn't really blame them for teaming up."

"SHUT YOUR STUPID MOUTH!" Charles screams. "YOU'RE WRONG! ALL OF YOU ARE WRONG! HE'S COMING TO SAVE ME, THEY ALL ARE!"

Right's smirk drops and he raises and eyebrow before drawing back the curtain.

Charles flinches back, covering his head and waiting for the strike.

But it never comes.

He looks up at Right, who's standing and giving him a look that says very clearly, 'I'm getting sick of your shit, stop.'

The two stare at each other for a bit, Charles wide eyed and scared before glaring as hard as he can.

Right keeps his bored expression because while he's probably in the best shape he's been in in a WHILE, Charles has lost at least twenty-five pounds and is cowering in the corner of a shower with long hair and clean shaven face; one lesson they teach you: you don't always need a mirror to shave your face.

The two continue their staring contest until Right slings the towel over his shoulder, takes off his top hat, and reaches into the shower with his cybernetic hand and turns off the water, flicking any off his fingers before stepping back and putting his top hat back on, Charles staring the whole time in case Right attacks him.

Right doesn't, of course, and tosses Charles the towel before pointing to a set of clothes hanging behind him and , just something neat but comfortable, not exactly a sweater and sweat pants, but close enough.

He then walks away until he's facing the door, his back to Charles.

"Hurry up and get dressed. Your room's ready."

Charles dries off and does get dressed, but he's careful to not take his eyes off Right.

First this guy got Charles captured and isolated him from everyone else, and now he's letting Charles shower and have his own room?

What's he up to?

Don't worry, he doesn't talk to himself this time.

Charles finishes putting on the clothes Right gave him, and looks at the towel he'd just hung on the hanger that held his clothes. Then he looks at Right, who's back is still turned.

You know EXACTLY where this is going.

Charles takes down the towel, careful that it doesn't hit the wall, and starts twisting it up as he sneaks up to Right, who either looks down at a wrist watch or checks a pocket watch because now he's getting a little bored.

Just as Charles is about to get the jump on him, Right pivots to face him.

"Good. You're done. It took you long enough."

Charles is absolutely speechless as he goes completely pale his face drops.

"Here, let me take that for you." Right pulls the towel out of Charles's hands and unwinds it. "Shouldn't do this to a wet towel. Could get moldy."

Right nods his head as a 'follow me' and leaves the showers.

Charles remains shell shocked for a minute and tries not to burst into tears at how his plan blew up his his face, but ultimately walks after Right, who strides ahead with a smile on his face.

Think Henry got away with that call? Weeeeeeeelll...

CUT TO THE GOVERNMENT

Galeforce SLAMS his hands on his desk, making Henry jump slightly in his chair and Ellie flinch against the wall, her arms crossed and shoulders hunched.

"HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND!? ACCEPTING THE DEAL MADE BY THOSE NUTJOBS!? WHAT WERE YOU THINKING!?"

Henry's sign is sloppy and fast, but the general still understands it. 'Wanted Charles safe.'

"So do we, Henry, but not by selling one of our best!"

Henry shakes his head and signs again, this time more clearly. 'You can't make me change my mind.'

Ellie speaks up after being silent for so long: "Henry, think about what you're doing."

'Already did. Made up my mind.'

"Son, it's not worth it."

Those words hit Henry harder than they should, making him grit his teeth.

"Trust me. Those CCC guys are nothing but trouble. We can't accept their help."

Henry shoots up to his feet. "I DON'T CARE!" He screams. "CHARLES IS TRAPPED IN SPACE WITH NO ONE TO HELP HIM AND IT'S MY FAULT HE'S UP THERE TO BEGIN WITH, SO LET ME FIX THIS!"

No one talks as Henry pants, falling back into his chair and holdong his head in his hands, pulling slightly at his hair and shaking.

"It's all I can think of doing. It's our only option. I can't think of anything else."

Ellie and Galeforce exchange glances before turning back to Henry, who leans heavily on one hand or arm as he meets their gaze.

"You're sure you know what you're doing?"

Henry looks at them both for a moment while not speaking before nodding slowly. 'I can't think of anything else. The corporal hung up before I could say yes. Someone talked about a 'situation.''

Ellie and Henry stare at each other, the former more puffy eyed than she was last night because this could very well be the last time she sees her friend.

She doesn't want him to leave, but if it's really his choice, who is she to not support him after all he did to help her?

"When do you-"

'I'm going in to visit later. Called back and told them I'd gove my answer AFTER I talked to someone.'

Both look at him incredulously.

"Talk to who?" Galeforce asks as he turns his head to look at Henry through the corner of his eye.

Henry takes in a deep breath through his nose and holds either of his hands at the top of his head, raising them up and down, gesturing a top hat to them.

BACK TO CHARLES

Right leads Charles to the room and watches him walk inside and look around, almost confused because it's been so so long since he'd last been in a normal bedroom. And because there's a chance this could all be a trick.

"Been a while since you had a decent room. Prob'ly nicer than what you're used to."

Charles takes a seat on the bed and keeps his head down, confused and tired of Right's games.

"You don't really believe Henry's gonna save you, do you? It's been a while since the last destroyer was sent and the government has more pilots. You military people are pretty easy to replace. You are just a pilot, after all."

Charles keeps his head down and lets his hair hang; it's obviously grown longer and Right gave him a razor but no scissors.

"Why are you doing this?" Charles asks. "What do you want from me?"

Right fights a smile and approaches Charles, taking a knee infront of him and waiting for the pilot to acknowledge him, which Charles does by picking up his head and meeting his eyes.

BACK TO THE CCC HEADQUARTERS!!!!!

Henry is being led by four guards and Bill Bullet. He hasn't gotten a lot of sleep, but he's good at not showing it.

"Weird request to visit someone before you make your decision. Usually we don't allow visitors." Bullet turns and sees Henry keeping up behind him, zoning out slightly but snapping out of it when he sees him looking. "You're not as talkative as you were on the phone the other night."

'Only way to contact you,' Henry signs.

Bullet smirks a little bit. "You deaf in one of your ears?"

'If I need to, I'll talk. Otherwise, I'll sign. Now where is he?'

Bullet sighs stops at an acrylic wall, seeing a doctor talking to a man.

Henry bristles slightly before calming himself back down.

"Guessing you two haven't talked in a while. I love reunions."

Henry narrows his eyes at Bill and gestures to the room. 'Private?'

"Enough. Don't worry, we won't listen in." Bill then grabs Henry by his jacket lapel and shoves him against the wall, catching the attention of doctor and occupant. "But I'm warning you right now," Bill growls as he leans close to Henry's face. "Try anything funny while you're in there, and I'll make you regret ever being born."

Henry nods and Bullet backs off him, letting him collect himself as the doctor walks out.

"Sir? He's done with his tests. His vitals and mental state are stable. He's also ready to see his visitor."

Bullet sweeps a gesture to the door. "He's all yours, Mr. Stickmin."

Henry nods and enters the room, his eyes on its occupant.

The two stare at each other for a bit, taking in each other's features.

"Hello, Henry."

The man in this room used to be moderately fit, and a REAL charmer, but years spent in the CCC's facility have taken their toll. He's gotten skinnier, his face is wrinkled and sunken in, and his hair, while it's slightly longer than Henry's, is greying and becoming thin. He doesn't look terrible by any means, but he has definitely seen better days.

He has cybernetics for both his arms and one leg, along his spine, neck to tailbone, and in part of his jaw. Where his left eye used to be, the eyelids are closed and flat; he's not even allowed to have a glass eye.

Being overthrown by Reginald Copperbottom, both literally and figuratively, forever left him with a permanent reminder.

The two stare at each other for a little while longer before Henry replies to the notorious worst leader in the toppat clan's history.

"Hi, Dad."

The two continue staring, Henry shuffling in place and Terrence rubbing his neck.

Henry signs, 'How is it here?'

"A hell hole. Nothing to do, no one to talk to, and you only get something when they say you can. Other than that, it's peachy."

Terrence's eye darts to the guards and Bill before moving back to Henry. "Guess what they said was true. You're actually coming here so you can save your friend."

"Yeah," Henry replies after a second.

I know I'm putting in a lot of pauses, but these two don't even send letters to each other, so sharing a room and having a conversation for them is awkward and extremely uncomfortable.

Back on track, Terrence scoffs at Henry's line of thinking, commenting, "And I thought these doctors were crazy. Let me guess: Reggie decided to take something from you because you took something from him? He always was a child."

'Reginald's been in prison since I arrested him.'

"You arrested him?" Terrence repeats as he stands. "The leader of the toppat clan, the most infamous group of bandits and thieves, and you just turned him in to the government? Why didn't you join him, you would've been perfectly fine!"

'Right hand man has my friend, I need to get him back. That's why I'm here.'

Terrence puts his hands on his face and groans. "No. Do not tell me I'm hearing this." He meets eyes with Henry, who nods with a shrug.

"You broke out of prison with a bar from your own cell, stole a diamond on a scooter, and escaped a maximum security prison, but you arrested the leader of the toppat clan, the son of a bitch of did this to me-" Terrence holds his arms out to gesture to his cybernetic body. "- and gave him to the government, but didn't see his lap dog wanting to settle the score or even the odds with you!?"

'A lot goes through my head on missions, okay!?'

Terrence nods, humming cheekily. "I'll bet. Think it would've gone better if you'd used that gun you had? We both know he wasn't going to do anything."

Henry sees himself charging at Right rather than throwing away his gun, but signs back, 'You don't know what he would've done. You haven't seen him.'

Terrence points to a tv in the corner of the room, one right next to the camera. "Saw how he got an upgrade. You can groom and pamper a dog all you want, its bark will still be worse than it's bite."

Henry spots Bill talking to the guards before waving at him and tapping on his wrist, more specifically on a watch. 'Don't take long.'

"Saw their orbital station, too. Like hell you're getting your friend out of space. And like hell sunglasses over there is gonna let you out of his sight if you're serious about that deal."

Henry looks Terrence directly in the eye and nods. 'I know.'

Terrence's face drops as Henry continues.

'During the mission, I hesitated because I was scared he'd kill Charles, my friend. I helped the government by giving them plans, but nothing worked. This is my last option. You are my last option. You weren't around then to tell me what to do, but I need you now because for once I have everything I could ever want, and I'm about to lose it all for being a coward. I know you're not going to like it, or even care, but I just need you to be here when they bring me in. Just be there and tell me I did enough for once, when you're really around. That's all I need right now.'

It's this that makes Terrence drop the "tough loving father" act and makes him realize that this is for real. This is not his son saying, "I made a mistake, fix it for me." This is his son telling him that this is his plan and he needs support to know he's doing the right thing.

Henry is extremely shaky because this is something he does not do with his father. They aren't usually open with each other, as in they do get emotional; toxic masculinity at its finest... and daddy issues.

Regardless, Henry collects himself before signing again.

'I'm going to agree to the terms. If they can send a piece of the ground to space or erase the universe, then they can help me. It's all I can think of doing that'll work.'

Terrence is quiet for a moment, looking at Bill and the guards as they gossip about something before turning back to Henry.

"Are you absolutely sure about this?"

Hebry nods. 'It's all that I can think of that's going to work. Again, if they can send a chunk of land of space or erase the universe, then they can help me.'

Terrence steps back and shakes his head.

"You're going to die here. You know that, right? I'm telling you now it's not worth it."

Henry's face drops.

"Look, I get it. You never were good at keeping friends, but, Henry, I'm telling you, just let this guy go. Do you really want to spend the rest of your life locked in a cage?"

Henry shakes his head as he signs. 'No, but I'm not going to abandon my friend like you abandoned us.'

"I had a clan to run, Henry!" Terrence snaps. "I wanted you to stay, have an easy life, but no. You two just ran off on me!"

'Just because something's easy doesn't always make it right,' Henry signs. He begins signing something else, but stops before continuing. 'Look. I'm accepting the terms. I wanted to tell you now ao you're not disappointed later.'

Henry holds up a hand in farewell and turns to leave, ready to get back to the base and start forming a new plan.

"Henry?"

He turns to see Terrence staring once again, but also sees his throat bobbing, like he's coughing or about to be sick.

"Good... Good luck. Getting your friend back."

Henry's eyes widen and he shakily nods. 'Thanks.'

The two stare at each other like before, but this time they slowly advance towards one another, maneuver their arms until they're in an admittedly awkward, uncomfortable, but welcome embrace; again, emotion is not their strong suit.

"You're going to regret it. Turning yourself in. Life's for living, and you're throwing it away."

Henry pulls back and waves 'goodbye' once more and leaves the room.

"Took you long enough," Bill says as Henry rejoins him. "Have a nice visit?"

Henry narrows his eyes.

"Well, you got your visit. Hope you know how to get into that station."

Henry takes one last look at his father before nodding.

'The terms-'

"Same as advertised," Bill interrupts. "A quarter of our forces as long as you come quietly so we study your ability."

'AFTER my friend is rescued and safe.'

Bill waves him off. "Fine, yes. After your friend's back home and safe." He holds his hand out infront of him and Henry. "What do you say, Henry? Do we have a deal?"

Behind the acrylic, Terrence watches the two of them, his hands against the wall and his eyes on his son.

Henry keeps his eyes on Bill's hand before looking into his eyes. With a mental push, he claps his hand into the corporal's and shakes it, nodding.

"Deal."

Terrence bumps and shakes his head against the wall. "You idiot," he murmurs. "What are you doing?"

AND THAT'S A WRAP ON PART 4!!!!! Oh my goodness, did I enjoy writing this one! A lot of twists and turns and opportunities to just leave you all hanging, I'm not even joking. I haven't really written manipulation or character dynamics like Henry's and Terrence's before, and I think I did pretty well.

Again, check out @multiverse-madness and @azuri-the-imperfect-artist for their Terrence Suave AUs because they are both amazing artists and, honestly, do better with the character than me.😅

For real, all of you, thank you, thank you, thank you, so much for your patience with this one. Like I said in my update post, I have a lot going on in my personal life and just couldn't get in a good creative mindset to do this.

I know we didn't see a lot of Charles this time around, but that's gonna change in Part 5😈

ANYWAY, thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed, and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!!!!

#henry stickmin #angst tw #mild swearing tw #slight abuse tw #absent father #terrence suave #charles calvin #ellie rose #mental manipulation tw #emotional manipulation tw #completing the mission

13 notes · View notes

nothingbutfangirlsmut · 4 years

Text

The Trials of Emi

Pairing: A little Minho. A sprinkle of Frypan. Gally x Emi(OC)

Summary: Emi, her twin brother Thomas, and a small group of gladers had been rescued and taken to a safe haven. Or so it seemed. It doesn't take long for Thomas to realize something is wrong. What happens next is a true trial for all of them but Emi's trials began the moment she was ripped away from a dying Gally. Watching someone you love die right before your eyes truly takes a toll.

Finally meeting the right arm could have been the end but betrayal leads to even more chaos and loss. A new mission to rescue those taken from them leads them to a city. The last city. After Emi finally comes to terms with everything that's happened something unfolds that changes everything again. She will have to not only deal with helping her brother take down WCKD and save their friend but also deal with all the new problems in her head and her heart.

Rating: As of right now it’s at most PG13. Some strong language that’s about it but it could change.

(This is the 2nd part/book to my other story "The Maze trials: A Gally Fanfiction". This will cover the events of the scorch trails and the death cure.)

Chapter Seventeen

I sat on top of the roof with my back against the edge. I was slowly going through each of the drawings in the folder. Most of them were of me. They were all so delicate and beautiful. So perfectly drawn with so much detail. It was clear Gally had taken his time on each of them.

"Knock knock" a soft voice said from the top of the stairs.

I turned my head to see Fry standing in the doorway. I gave him a small smile.

"Can I join you?" He asked hesitantly.

I nodded then patted the spot next to me. He walked over then carefully sat down beside me.

"What's that?" He asked pointing to the folder.

I put the drawings back inside it then handed it to him.

"That man, Lawrence, gave it to me. He said they were Gally's." I said softly.

Fry opened the folder. He smiled as he flipped through the drawings.

"Wow, he got really good at this." Fry said quietly.

"You knew he could draw?" I asked him.

Fry nodded as he pulled out the drawing of me laughing.

"He always had an eye for details. Looks exactly like you." Fry smiled.

He placed the paper back in the folder then handed it back to me. I sighed.

"I'm sorry I snapped at you." I said softly.

Fry chuckled.

"You don't have to apologize Em. I get it. You're under a lot of stress." He smiled at me.

"I do need to apologize Fry. You were there for me when everyone else was busy with their own problems. You stayed up at night to keep me company. You held me when I cried. You made me laugh when all I wanted to do was tear myself apart. You confessed feelings for me that I wasn't ready to reciprocate but you still continued to stand beside me and be my friend. You've been so understanding and loving and now I'm treating you like none of that ever happened and I'm sorry. I don't ever want to forget what you've been to me in the past year. I'm just so conflicted." I felt the tears fall down my cheeks as I spoke.

Fry gently pulled the folder from my hands then laid it on the ground. He picked me up then gently sat me on his lap. I buried my face in his neck so I could let everything I felt come out. He wrapped his arms tightly around me.

"Emi, you're right, I do have feelings for you but I know what you and Gally had. What you still have. I saw it with my own eyes. I knew I'd never replace him. I never wanted to. I just want to be there for you however I can. I can't imagine what is going through your head now that we know he's alive. I just want you to know it's okay. Don't feel any guilt for wanting to run to him. He's the love of your life. A love you thought you'd lost forever but now you've got the chance at a real life with him. I'm always gonna be your friend. When we go back down there do me a favor." Fry paused to look down at me.

I sniffled then pulled away from him so I could look him in the eyes.

"You grab that dumb shank and you kiss him. Make sure he knows what you feel. Don't hesitate. Don't you worry about me either. I'll happily stand by you both." He smiled down at me.

"Thank you Fry" I whispered.

"It's what friends are for Em." He leaned forward then placed a soft kiss to my forehead.

He stood up pulling me to my feet with him. He picked the folder up from the ground then handed it to me.

"I believe this belongs to you." He chuckled.

I took the folder hugging it to me as I let him guide me back to the stairs. Once we were back in the sitting room where we first met Lawrence I saw that the others had returned. Gally and Thomas both had their backs to me. The rest of the group was sitting around the room. I saw Newt nod in mine and Fry's direction. Both Gally and Thomas turned around to face us. Gally's eyes fell the the folder I was hugging. He visibly gulped as his eyes moved to Fry's arm that was gently placed against my mid back. Fry silently guided me over to a large couch. We both sat down with the rest of the group.

“So, what’s our way in?” Brenda asked from her seat next to me.

Thomas sighed as he shifted his weight between his feet. Something was up with him. I glanced to Newt who was sitting with his arms crossed over his chest. He looked angry. Properly angry.

“Teresa is our way in. We grab her and use her as our pass through the doors. I can get us guard uniforms to blend in.” Gally explained.

Thomas shook his head as he pulled at his bottom lip. My blood boiled just from the mention of her name.

“No, there’s gotta be another way.” Thomas said.

“Like what? You’ve seen the building. She is our only way in.” Gally told him.

“You really think she’s gonna help us?” Thomas asked.

“I don’t plan on asking for her permission.” Gally said sternly.

“You’re god damn right!” I shouted as I got to my feet.

“You need someone to bash her damn head in? I’m your girl. I can promise you if I get my hands on her she won’t be able to do anything but what we say.” I said angrily.

“There you go. I’m pretty sure she can do just that.” Gally said with a small smile.

Brenda stood up beside me. She grabbed my shoulder in a small gesture to keep me calm. I knew she hated Teresa as much as I did.

“Am I missing something?” She asked Thomas.

He looked at her in clear confusion.

“This is the same girl who betrayed us, correct? Same dick?” Brenda asked Thomas.

“I like her.” Gally said pointing to Brenda.

“What’s going on?” Brenda asked Thomas softly.

Newt huffed as he stood up.

“What, are you afraid your little girlfriend is gonna get hurt?” Newt asked sharply as he turned to face Thomas.

Thomas looked completely taken back.

“Hmm? Because this has obviously never been just about rescuing Minho. Has it?” Newt asked stepping closer to my brother and his boyfriend.

“Newt, what are you talking about?” Thomas asked with hurt in his eyes.

Newt started to walk slowly as he spoke forcing Thomas to walk backwards away from him.

“Teresa. She’s the only reason that Minho’s even missing in the first place. Now we finally have an opportunity to get him back. And what? You don’t want to because of her? Because deep down inside you care about her, don’t you? Just admit it.” Newt said aggressively as Thomas stopped against the wall.

“Newt, I-“ Thomas started.

“Don’t lie to me! Don’t. Lie. To. Me.” Newt shouted as he shoved Thomas against the wall.

I jumped at his action. What the hell? In all the time I’ve known Newt he’s never been angry like this. And with Thomas of all people? Newt stepped back as he panted.

“Sorry” I heard him say faintly.

He ran a hand threw his hair as he turned to face the rest of us.

“I’m sorry” he said softly.

He turned then disappeared up the stairs to the roof. Thomas took a deep breath as he stepped away from the wall.

“You better go after him Tommy.” I said sternly.

Thomas nodded the quickly made for the stairs.

“What the hell was that?” Brenda asked.

“No clue” Fry said as he stood up.

“Maybe Newt’s a little jealous. I think he has every right to be pissed about Thomas wanting to protect her.” I said with a look of disgust as I thought about Thomas doing just that.

“Emi” Gally said suddenly.

My head snapped up to look at him. He stepped back from the group then nodded for me to follow him.

“Let’s talk” he said softly as he glanced to Fry.

I nodded then stepped up to follow him. He led me into the room I was in earlier with Lawrence. He sighed as he closed the door behind him. For some reason the air seemed to grow tense once we were completely alone. My heart raced in my chest. What did he want to talk about?

“God it’s good to see you.” He said with a small smile.

He was standing a few feet from me. He was looking at me hesitantly like I wasn’t real. Like I’d lash out at him any second. As soon as I saw that in his eyes I ran to him. I threw myself against him so hard that he stumbled backwards into the wall. My arms wrapped tightly around his neck as his arms tightly wrapped around my back. He held me tightly against him. Neither of us said a word. We didn’t need to. My mind, body, and heart were overloaded. I had forgotten how it felt to hold him. To be held against him. To feel the heat radiating from him. A sob fell from my lips as I tightened my arms around him.

“I’m sorry” I cried into his neck.

“What?” He asked.

“I’m sorry I left you. I should have stayed. I should have stayed with you in the Glade. None of this would have happened if I would have just stayed with you.” I cried.

Gally stepped away from the wall carrying me with him. I felt his hands on the back of my thighs then he gently picked me up. He sat me on top the desk his drawings had once been hiding in. He pulled my arms away from him then grabbed each side of my face forcing me to look up at him.

“No Emi, you made the right choice. I was the idiot. When you asked me to come with you I should have dropped everything. I thought the Glade was my home but I was wrong. You’re my home. Seeing you again after all that time was as much of a shock to me as it was to you. What I saw was the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. That I’d ever loved standing with my friend.” Gally took a breath as he let go of my face.

“What do you mean?” I asked softly.

“What I saw when you got out of that van was Fry immediately grabbing you. I saw the way he looked at you. I saw the way you clung to him. I need you to tell me and please be honest. Did you move on with Frypan? If you did I’m not going to be mad. I understand. You thought I was dead. You had every right to move on with your life. I just need to know.” Gally’s eyes started to water as he looked away from me.

I jumped off the desk then grabbed his shirt. I pulled him to me so I could crash my lips against his. Everything I was all that time ago in the Glade came right back to me. Every hope and dream I’d ever wanted for me and Gally.

“I’m not complaining but I don’t think that answered my question.” He whispered as he pressed his forehead against mine.

“No Gally, I never moved on. It took me a long time to make peace with you dying. Fry was there for me through it all. He was my support. I won’t lie that I did think when the time came and I was ready to move on it would have been with Fry. He knew where I stood and he respected it completely.” I explained softly.

He grabbed each side of my face then kissed me again.

“I never stopped loving you Em.” He whispered.

“I never stopped loving you Gally.” I told him.

—

I’m not gonna lie you guys I kinda feel like some of this is a bit forced but I honestly can’t tell so let me know what you think!

—

#nothingbutfangirlsmut #fanfiction #gally #gally imagine #gally smut #gally x reader #the maze runner #the maze trials #tmr gally #original character #the trials of emi

40 notes · View notes

averykedavra · 4 years

Text

Leave No Trace (Chap. 3)

[Masterlist] [Ao3]

Supper that night was salad and bread, eaten with wooden forks. The metal dishes had been taken, so they used china plates and bowls instead. Patton didn't understand why dragons only took iron objects. But he did understand, now, how they could have stolen such small objects. They'd just have to fly in, turn into humans when no one was looking, and take the dishes. A lot of things made sense now that he knew a little more about dragons.

It was a quiet supper. Virgil and Patton briefly told them about the visit to the library, but since Patton didn't want to tell his moms about Janus—he had the feeling they might not be too thrilled about it—there wasn't much else to say. Patton munched on salad and ignored Virgil's occasional piercing looks. He expected his moms to comment on the silence, but they also stared at their salad and didn't talk.

Finally Mama looked at Mom and they had a silent conversation. Mom put down her fork.

"Boys…" Mama placed her hands on the table. "There's something we need to tell you."

Virgil's hand jerked and he almost spilled salad onto the table. "What?"

Usually Mom would say 'Nothing bad, I promise.' This time she only squeezed his hand.

Virgil glanced between them, looking more and more nervous. Patton took Virgil's other hand.

"We were at the town meeting today," Mama began, drawing out each word. "Everyone's accounted for, except…"

Patton forgot how to breathe. Virgil's grip on his hand was painful. Blood pounded in his ears. He stared at his moms, trying to spy any inkling of hope, see anything that told him something that wasn't what he thought they were saying.

"Except what?" Patton asked, trying to smile. "Finish your sentences!"

"They're gone," Virgil whispered, eyes wide. "Aren't they?"

Something in Mom's expression broke, and something in Mama's eyes softened.

"No one has seen Logan or Remus since the raid."

Virgil made a little choked noise.

"That doesn't mean they're not alive," Mom hastily added. "Just that they haven't been found."

"Runa."

Mom glanced at Mama. "And…well, there have been some witnesses. It seems most likely that they've, well, been taken. By the dragons."

"What?" Patton hated the way his voice cracked. "Dragons do that?"

"Sometimes," Mama answered. "Nobody knows why."

Virgil shook his head numbly. "They're gone?"

"Hey," Patton whispered, "they're not gone. They're okay."

"'Okay?' You call kidnapped by dragons 'okay?'" Virgil's eyes were wild. "They're probably getting eaten or something!"

Patton flinched. "Kiddo—"

"Sorry," Virgil muttered.

"They're alive," Patton amended, running his thumb over Virgil's palm. "That's better than nothing."

Virgil glared at nothing in particular. "Is anyone going after them?"

"We don't have enough willing citizens for a rescue mission," Mom murmured. "It's not safe enough for anyone to risk it. I'm sorry."

"See?" Virgil spat. "They're not dead, but they're as good as." He pulled his hand out of Patton's. "Just when I think I've got something dragons can't destroy, boom! They burn it to the damn ground."

"Virgil—"

"Forget it." Virgil kicked his chair out and stood up. "I'm—I'm going to my room, Pat. Talk to you later."

Patton opened his mouth to say something, something that would fix this. Virgil was gone before he could. His footsteps rang loud on the stairs.

"Patton," Mama started.

Patton didn't wait around to hear the rest of that sentence. Or worse, a question he couldn't help but answer. Quickly he shoveled down the rest of his salad, tossed the dishes in the sink, and sped upstairs with an "I'm tired, gonna take a nap!" Nobody followed.

Virgil's door was closed. Patton knocked on it. Nobody answered.

"I'll be here," Patton said into the keyhole. "If you need me."

He didn't sleep that night, staring at the hole in his ceiling, straining for any sign of movement from Virgil. On other nights Virgil might have knocked on his door, small and scared, and they'd end up cuddling or telling stories or playing games until Virgil felt better. Tonight there was nothing. Just a hot night filled with bugs that bit at Patton's arms.

When he finally fell asleep, his dreams were filled with dragons and fires and burning scales.

A few times he woke up, heart pounding, watching that hole like he expected to see flames lighting up the sky. Or the door, like he selfishly wished Virgil or his moms would come check on him.

But there were no fires and no Virgil. Just Patton, trying his very best to sleep.

Virgil didn't talk to Patton for a day. Patton tried not to take it personally, but it did sting. Virgil just needed time, Patton knew that. He'd be okay. They'd be okay.

And sure enough, the next day, Virgil smiled at Patton over breakfast eggs and helped him with chores. He still didn't say much, but Patton understood.

They fixed the hole in the roof, with the help of the Acevedos down the road. They ordered new plates and cutlery and tools in the mail, hoping it would come back from the city as soon as possible. Patton volunteered with some rebuilding projects and Virgil helped distribute food. Mom and Mama spent a lot of time with the town council, talking through how they could bounce back from this. It wasn't even close to perfect, but somehow Patton found his balance, mostly by focusing on what he could do and not what he couldn't. He focused on helping everyone around him, ignoring the two people he couldn't.

Roman was released from the library a few days later. It was evening, the sun setting in the distance. The library was closed to visitors. Virgil pulled Patton away from where he was grabbing eggs from the chickens and they ran to the library door. Patton had to stop himself from hugging the life out of Roman—he was still injured—and settled for a wave and a huge smile.

"Careful," Virgil said, grabbing Roman's arm and helping him down the steps.

Roman huffed. "You know, I didn't hurt either of my legs. I can walk just fine."

Virgil didn't let go. Roman's expression softened and he slipped his hand into Virgil's. Virgil looked marginally comforted. Patton skipped alongside them, looking over Roman. He was a little pale and his entire shoulder was covered in bandages, but his smile was almost as bright as ever.

"You're an idiot," Virgil mumbled, helping Roman navigate a patch of uneven stone.

"Am I now?" Roman asked, watching the sun set between the buildings.

"Yes!" Virgil snapped. "Roman, you could have gotten yourself killed!"

Roman winced. "Okay. Right out the gate, then."

"Virgil?" Patton asked, sensing trouble. "Maybe we save this until Roman's, you know, home? Maybe even wait until he's healed?"

Virgil glared at Roman. "If he's well enough to walk, he's well enough to let me yell at him."

"Don't bother, Padre," Roman said, giving a half-hearted grin. "I knew this was coming."

"You're an idiot!" Virgil repeated, throwing up his hands in the air. "I hate you so much! What were you thinking? You should have waited somewhere safe instead of throwing yourself into a fight like the reckless fool you are! Don't you have any sense of self-preservation?"

"The dragon would have killed those people!" Roman fired back weakly.

"The dragon almost killed you!" Virgil looked exasperated. "What, is your life worth less than those people? You did absolutely nothing but get yourself injured for some pursuit of glory!"

"This is not about 'glory,'" Roman argued. "It was about doing what's right."

"Yeah, because it's 'right' to throw yourself into dangerous situations—"

"Kiddos," Patton interrupted, bouncing on the balls of his feet. "Um, we really shouldn't be arguing right now—"

"I don't need your judgment!" Roman snapped, ignoring Patton entirely. "It's my life and I can make my own decisions! This is none of your business and it doesn't affect you!"

"Yes, it does!" Virgil threw out a hand. "We had to save you! Patton—"

"Please leave me out of this," Patton pleaded.

"Patton had to get you to safety! Patton attacked a dragon for you, Roman! And thanks to you and your stupidity, Remus and Logan were—"

Roman's eyes hardened. "So it's my fault that my brother and friend were kidnapped."

Virgil froze. "I—Roman, I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have—"

"It's fine." Roman snatched his hand out of Virgil's and stalked down the road. "I get it."

"Roman!" Virgil called, running after him. "I—I didn't mean that, it just slipped out, of course it's not your fault—"

"I get it!" Roman yelled. "Just stop talking! I'm going to fix it!"

"Wait, you—" Virgil stopped. "Wait, 'fix it?'"

"Fix it," Roman repeated. "I'll find them and I'll fix it."

"Find them?" Virgil blinked. "Wait—Roman, no way!"

"You just said it was my fault!" Roman said hysterically. "It makes sense!"

"But you can't just—" Virgil stepped closer to Roman, his face filled with incredulousness. "What, do you think you'll just stroll through the Iron Woods and knock on the dragons' door? You can't do that!"

"Has anyone ever tried?" Roman pointed out.

"You don't need to try drinking poison to know it'll freaking kill you!"

"Virgil." Roman's voice cracked. "Virgil, I need to do something."

"No, you don't," Virgil said. "No, you don't. You're hurt and you need to heal and you can't put yourself in danger for this."

"I—I have to!" Roman swiped at his eyes. "Virge, he's gone, they're both gone and I—"

"I know. Believe me, I know. But you can't—you're not hunting them down. I won't let you do that." Virgil sighed. "Roman, can I hug you?"

Roman nodded.

Virgil stepped forward and carefully wrapped his arms around Roman's middle, tucking his head on Roman's good shoulder. Roman lifted one arm and curled it around Virgil's shoulders, burying his face in Virgil's hair.

The sun was going down. The shadows lengthened around them. At the end of the road, the lantern lighter sent a burst of fire into the air. Half the lanterns had been taken, ripped from the ground. Nearby was a burned building, blackened and twisted.

"I hate this," Roman mumbled. "Not being able to help."

"Yeah," Virgil agreed.

Patton watched them, the sunset sending deep orange over their faces, still and silent on the cobblestone road.

Roman couldn't save them, he knew that. But if he didn't…who would?

"I'll do it."

Virgil frowned, peering over at Patton. "Do what, Pat?"

"I'll rescue them," Patton said, stepping forward.

"You're joking." Roman laughed. "You're joking, Padre."

"No, I'm not." Patton crossed his arms. "You're hurt but I'm not. It makes sense."

"It doesn't!" Virgil stared at him in disbelief. "Seriously, Pat, what? We were just saying how we can't go and rescue them—"

"You were saying how Roman can't go and rescue them." Patton's heart pounded, but he had never been more certain of anything in his life. "I can still do it."

"There are a million reasons why—" Virgil pushed himself out of Roman's arms and stalked forward, glowering. "Our moms would be mad."

"They'd understand!"

"No, they wouldn't! Because nobody would! Because you're being stupid!" Virgil threw up his hands. "Roman, back me up here!"

"I—" Roman glanced between them. "I think both arguments have…good points?"

"Thanks a lot," Virgil growled.

"I don't see what the problem is," Patton insisted. "I'll go to the Iron Woods, get Logan and Remus back from the dragons, and be back soon!"

"What do you mean you'll just get them back?" Virgil yelled. "Are you just going to ask politely?"

"Maybe?" Patton squeaked. "Nobody's actually tried diplomacy yet!"

"That's because they're dragons!" Virgil waved a hand at the burned buildings nearby. "This happened three days ago, Patton, and you're acting like you can just waltz into their home base and get our friends back?"

"No," Patton admitted. "But—I want to try."

"Pat." Virgil's eyes softened. "I get it. I really do. But I don't want you to get hurt."

"I won't get hurt," Patton protested.

"How do you know that?" Virgil huffed. "Dragons, Patton. Big with sharp teeth and fire."

Patton shrugged. "I dunno, Janus seemed okay."

"One dragon who didn't immediately murder you does not mean all the rest won't!" Virgil laughed hysterically, running his fingers through his hair. "Roman, back me up here!"

Roman looked over from where he was apparently trying to hide himself in the shadows. "Um, no opinion here, carry on with your arguing, preferably keeping me very far out of this."

"Coward," Virgil snapped.

"What do you want me to say?" Roman burst out. "Because, yes, I don't want Patton to get hurt! I think him going is a terrible idea! But you wouldn't let me go, and I don't see anyone else stepping up! I care about Patton, but I care about my brother too! And I know it's a stupid idea that will just get Patton killed…but—" Roman shook his head. "Virgil, there's a chance that it'll work. An actual chance." Roman wiped at his eyes. "And it terrifies me how much I'm willing to risk for that chance."

Virgil's expression was unreadable. "A small chance."

"A tiny chance," Roman agreed, his voice small. "But a chance, Virge."

"Yeah." Virgil swallowed, staring at his feet. "I get that."

"I won't get hurt," Patton promised. "I'll be careful. I'll bring supplies and if anything bad happens I'll turn around. Dragons don't kill people unprovoked, right? We're just collateral damage."

Virgil looked torn. "I dunno, I think sometimes—"

"They won't kill me." Patton spoke with all the conviction he didn't feel. "I can figure out why they want Logan and Remus and I can make some sort of deal with them, maybe? Or even find out why they need all that metal!"

"Fine," Virgil said grudgingly, "let's assume that by some miracle the dragons accept you as one of their own and bow before your wisdom. What about the Iron Woods?"

"Those don't actually exist, right?" Roman asked. "They're just a legend."

Virgil raised an eyebrow. "You say this in front of someone who's part faerie."

"I know, I know!" Roman held up his hands. "I'm not saying the fair folk aren't real. I'm just saying there's no evidence the Iron Woods actually are where everyone says they are."

"That's true," Virgil admitted. "But just because nobody's seen them doesn't mean they're not there!"

Roman laughed. "Don't tell Logan that, he'd get mad."

Virgil didn't laugh. Patton pressed his lips together and ignored the ugly twist in his stomach.

"But if the Fae are actually there," Roman said, "you're right. That would be a problem."

"Did you just admit I'm right? Never thought I'd see the day."

"Don't let yourself get a big head."

"Okay," Patton said, stepping between them. "I…I have an idea."

He didn't, actually. He had the start of a terrible idea that probably wouldn't work and that Virgil definitely wouldn't like. But it was a start. It was a start.

Patton knew he wasn't going to turn back. He was going to save Remus and Logan. He was going to fight on Roman's behalf. He was going to help people, because that's what Patton did. Helped and never hurt. And if he wasn't helping, he was hurting. He was going to help because it was the right thing to do.

"Hear me out," Patton said. "I'll explore some options and if it's not working, we won't do this. But I want to check out a few possibilities? If that's okay?"

"I guess," Virgil said, side-eyeing Roman. "Yeah?"

"I…" Roman winced. "I'd really like to, but I haven't been home for three days?"

"Oh!" Patton gasped. "Right! Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry!"

"It's fine." Roman waved a hand. "Actually, now that I think about it, let's do this."

"Really?" Virgil asked.

Roman winced and looked away. "My parents are…not doing very well right now."

Patton's eyes widened and he resisted the urge to glomp Roman in a hug. Roman was injured. Patton couldn't just tackle-hug him, even though he clearly really needed a tackle-hug.

"I love you," Patton said instead.

"Uh, yeah!" Roman looked confused but gratified. "Love you too, Pat!"

"Great." Patton tapped his fingers together. "And you'd love me no matter what I said we were doing, right?"

"What are we doing?" Virgil asked, looking more and more alarmed.

"Nothing that bad!" Patton said hastily. "Just…kind of not-good. By my standards, anyway."

"Yeah?" Roman looked sort of excited. "Okay!"

Patton took a deep breath.

"Help me break into the library."

It wasn't actually breaking in. It wasn't actually breaking in. It wasn't actually breaking in.

Patton recited that to himself over and over as they snuck in the back door of the library.

It was dark inside. Virgil immediately tripped and swore loudly. Patton tried to shush him while simultaneously reaching for a wall. Eventually his eyes adjusted to the dimness and he saw the shapes of the back passageway, a few boxes of books by the wall.

"Where do we go?" Roman asked.

"Shh!" Patton said again.

"I think it's this way?" Virgil said, pointing.

"I can't see where you're pointing," Roman complained. "It's dark."

"Shh!"

Virgil led the way to the rotunda, slipping through the halls and creeping around corners. Patton followed, tripping over his own feet and stumbling into boxes. Even Roman was more stealthy than him, and Roman had a wounded arm.

They stopped at the rotunda. Despite the lateness of the hour, doctors and nurses still bustled around, the candlelight throwing splashes of orange over their faces. Shadows lurked between the bookshelves, pooled across the floor, and hung from the ceiling.

"What now?" Patton asked as quietly as possible.

"Wasn't this your idea?" Virgil hissed. "I don't even know why we're here! Well, I mean, I've kind of figured it out but it better not be what I think it is."

Patton giggled. "Ah-heh, um, okay then. Right."

"They won't be able to see us in the dark," Roman pointed out. "If you're planning to walk out there, act like you belong and it'll probably be fine."

Patton was starting to regret this plan. He should have at least waited until the library opened in the morning.

"Come on," Roman said, shoving them into the rotunda. "No turning back now."

Patton squeaked and tried to look natural.

"Oh, you're coming too!" Virgil grabbed Roman's arm and tugged him forward. "No getting out of this."

Roman kicked Virgil in the knee, and Virgil swore at him. Patton frantically tried to quiet them. The nurse nearest to them slowed, her candle swinging around to face them.

"Walk," Roman whispered. "Now."

So Patton, Virgil, and Roman walked down the aisle between hospital beds. Patton tiptoed on his feet and tried to look taller than five foot three. Roman drew up his chin and Virgil tapped manically on his leg.

"So where are we going?" Roman whispered.

Patton braced himself for the explosion. "Um, we're visiting Janus?"

"I knew it." Virgil's voice was strangled. "I knew it."

"Wait, what?" Roman asked. "Who?"

"Janus," Virgil repeated. "Aka the dragon who, you know, attacked you."

"What?" Roman yelled.

A dozen candles swiveled in their direction.

Virgil swore and tugged them both into a gap between shelves, slapping his hand over Roman's mouth. Patton held his breath and prayed for the people to look away. He couldn't see whether they were looking at them, but that was a good sign because maybe they couldn't see him, either.

Finally Patton breathed a sigh of relief as nobody came over to check on them. Crime-committing was very stressful. He was never doing this again.

"What," Roman repeated calmly.

"What?" Patton asked.

"You know his name?" Roman asked.

"Yes."

"You talked to him?"

"Yes."

"Okay." Roman clicked his tongue. "I don't know how I feel about that."

"Me either," Patton admitted.

"Look." Virgil pushed himself off the shelf. "This is a terrible idea, but we're already in the library, so let's just get this over with."

"Okay." Patton said. "Where is he?"

"You're the one who talked to him!"

"Um." Patton scanned the beds. "I think he was that direction? Wait, where'd we come in from again?"

"Come on." Virgil groaned. "Pat, I love you, but this was a terrible idea."

"Sorry."

"Well, the entrance is over there," Roman said, pointing. "And my bed was there. Does that help?"

Patton stuck his tongue between his teeth and pointed at the different spots. "Okay, so if I—it was like, diagonal—got it!" Patton clapped his hands. "It's across that way!"

"You sure?" Virgil asked.

"Paw-sitive!"

"Alright then." Virgil led them across the floor, dipping around beds and avoiding as many people as possible. "This way?"

"Little more to the left!"

"There's a bed in the way to the left!"

"Not that far left!"

Virgil sighed and kept walking. Patton directed him as needed and soon they came to a group of beds near the wall. Patton scanned the people around them. Most were asleep. None of them were Janus.

"What does Janus look like?" Roman asked.

"Long brown hair," Patton said. "Yellow eyes. A giant burn on his face."

"What?"

"Long story."

"Um, okay." Roman looked around. "Is that him?"

Patton looked over. Yep. It was Janus, lying on his side with his hand tucked under his head. He was—oh. He was staring right at them, his eyes glittering in the candlelight.

"Um," Patton whispered. "Can dragons see in the dark?"

"What—" Virgil looked at Janus. "Oh no."

"He won't hurt us," Patton said, trying to convince himself. "He's still hurt."

"That may be," Roman said, "but I am really regretting not bringing my sword."

Janus' shoulders tensed.

Patton glanced at Roman. "I think he heard you."

"He'd better," Virgil muttered. "I don't like this, Pat. I don't."

"He's a dragon!" Patton whispered. "If anyone can tell us what dragons are like and how to get Logan and Remus back, it's him!"

"That's—" Roman paused. "Hey, that's actually a good point."

Virgil growled. "I hate that you're right. Fine, we'll try it your way. Let's talk to him."

Patton stepped around a bed and walked towards Janus, waving hello. Janus' eyes narrowed and he pushed himself off the bed so that his legs swung around to the floor.

"Are you supposed to do that?" Patton asked.

Janus snorted. "Yes, because my facial injury renders me incapable of movement."

It was true that his face looked better. Not great, but better. The bandages were smaller and the skin around the burn was starting to heal. It would leave a scar, Patton could tell, but it hopefully wouldn't leave any long-term damage.

"Okay, so hi." Patton waved again. "We need to talk to you!"

"We." Janus' eyes skimmed over Virgil and Roman. "Who is we?"

"This is Virgil, and this is Roman!" Patton pointed to Virgil. "He's my best friend and favorite human!"

Virgil winced slightly.

"And Roman's my other best friend and other favorite human!" Patton continued. "So what happened is two of my other best friends and favorite humans got kidnapped!"

Janus watched him warily. "You are ruining the meaning of the terms 'favorite' and 'best'."

"Well, I have a lot of friends!" Patton gasped. "Oh! You can be my favorite dragon!"

Somehow Janus' suspicious and contemptuous glare grew even more suspicious and contemptuous.

"So our friends got kidnapped," Patton continued, bouncing on the balls of his feet. "By some of your dragon friends? And—"

"Death or ransom?"

"What?"

"You either want to kill me or use me as a bargaining tool," Janus explained. "Which is it?"

"Neither! No!" Patton stared at him in horror. "What? That's terrible!"

"It is, but I suppose you wouldn't care about my opinion on the matter." Janus spread his hands. "Death or kidnapping? I understand if you need time to choose."

"We're not doing either of those!" Patton insisted.

"I dunno…" Virgil smirked. "I think both ideas have merit, we could just—"

"Virgil!" Patton exclaimed.

"I'm just saying it would solve our problem—"

Patton opened his mouth to firmly tell Virgil that murder or kidnapping was not the solution here, two wrongs did not make a right, when Janus stood up, chucked a candle at them, and bolted.

Oh. Oops.

"Virgil," Patton said tightly. "He's running away now."

"I was joking!" Virgil protested. "I thought it was obvious!"

"Clearly not to him," Roman said, watching Janus leap over several beds and disappear through the front door. A few doctors and nurses yelled at him but he didn't turn around.

"Great," Patton said. Okay, that was too bitter. He injected a bunch of bounce into his words and ran forward. "Fantastic! Wonderful! Let's go!"

Roman and Virgil followed. Doctors and nurses were staring at them, a few stepping forward to ask them questions.

"Sorry!" Patton called. "We committed a crime and we're very sorry! Goodbye!"

Virgil made a choked noise that could have been laughter or tears.

Roman reached the doors first and slammed them open. Virgil and Patton followed, darting around the passageway to the atrium. The man at the desk was asleep, drooling on the wood. The library doors swung in the wind. It was even darker outside than Patton remembered—he tripped twice on the way down the steps.

"Where—" Virgil panted, hands on his knees. "Where'd he go?"

"There!" Roman pointed. A small figure was running down the road. Patton ran forward, cupping his hands around his mouth and calling Janus' name. Janus didn't slow down.

"We're not going to hurt you!" Patton yelled. "I promise!"

Janus seemed to run even faster.

"Come on!" Roman complained. "You're our best shot at finding my brother and you're running away, which is very rude! I'll have you know I'm injured!"

"Not helping, Princey."

"I didn't ask for your opinion."

"Please!" Patton yelled. He was running out of breath. "Can we please talk?"

Janus finally, finally slowed down. Patton could see his silhouette as he stumbled to a stop, the last dying embers of sunlight behind him, feet planted squarely on the pavement.

Then he doubled over and his shadow lengthened.

Two wings burst out of his back, stretching into the air. They flapped once, the webbing catching the air, taller than Patton. When Patton looked back down at Janus he was gone, replaced by four strong legs and a tail curled around them. Two horns accentuated the bridge over his eyes, which glowed yellow in the lanternlight.

"Oh no," Patton whispered. "Oh no."

"He's gonna freak everyone out," Virgil added, eyes wide, his hands already shaking. "Everyone's gonna be terrified, this is really bad—"

Janus—well, the dragon, the dragon that was Janus, although it was hard to hold onto that when Patton was faced with two glowing yellow eyes and a pattern of burns over the scales—flapped his wings again, pushing off the pavement. He didn't get far. The street was narrow and his wings couldn't stretch all the way. He stumbled back to the ground, hissing at them.

"He can't take off," Patton realized.

Janus hissed again, louder, and a wisp of fire spat towards them. But it fizzled out before it reached them. Patton had a feeling that was on purpose.

"What do we do?" Roman yelled, waving his hand helplessly.

"I don't know!" Virgil said, looking equally helpless and even more terrified.

Janus lowered himself on his haunches, tail bristling, wings folded around him. His teeth were bared. He growled low in his throat, rattling Patton's bones.

But he wasn't attacking. He was just…preparing. He just wanted to defend himself.

He was scared.

Patton gathered all his courage and hoped Fae luck had his back.

He held up his hands and slowly walked forward.

"Hey," Patton said, "Janus. I get it. This is probably super overwhelming right now and it totally makes sense that you want to leave! But you can't right now. You're still injured, you can't take off from here, and we need your help."

"What are you doing?" Virgil hissed.

Patton gave Virgil a cheerful wave and continued walking, keeping his pace steady. On the first few steps Janus tensed, shrinking backwards, but he soon stopped, eyeing Patton warily.

"Our friends got taken," Patton continued, "and I'm going to go rescue them. But I don't really, well, know what I'm doing. At all. So…I figured I could ask you for help! You're a dragon, and I'm assuming those dragons are your family? You can help us, and—" An idea came to Patton. "We can help you get back to your family! I bet you miss them, and I bet they miss you. So we can find a good place for you to take off after you help! Would that make you feel better?"

Janus growled one more time and flapped his wings.

Then they shrank into his body, his tail whipped into thin air, the spines and ridges flattened, and Janus stood there, bandages still on his face, arms folded.

"You don't know a thing about me or how I feel," Janus said mildly, "and if you speak to me in that condescending tone again, I will rip your throat out."

"Oh." Patton's relief faltered slightly. "Oh! Okay! Glad you, um, changed back to human! That's really helpful and will probably lead to less town-wide freaking out!"

"It was mainly to insult you," Janus explained. "Also to leave this town by foot, since apparently you humans build all your houses too close together."

"Sorry, we didn't really plan on, y'know, dragons needing to take off." Patton shifted. "So…will you help?"

Janus stared at him. "I have absolutely nothing to gain from helping you. I can get to the dragons on my own and you're mounting an attack against my people. Why on earth would I help?"

"Because it's…it would be really nice of you?"

Janus sighed so deeply that flames licked the edges of his mouth before curling and disappearing into the air with a hiss.

Roman and Virgil approached on either side of Patton, flanking him. Patton really wished they wouldn't, it made them seem too confrontational for his tastes.

"You're not really in a position to bargain," Virgil pointed out.

"Hey!" Patton complained. "No threatening!"

"Well, clearly being nice to him isn't working!" Virgil shrugged. "Take it from a jerk: we'll only do stuff if we're forced to."

"Kiddo, don't talk bad about yourself! And Janus may be a jerk—sorry, Janus—but that doesn't mean we can't treat him with respect!"

"He can't fly."

Patton and Virgil both turned to look at Roman. "What?" Patton asked.

"You could have left," Roman said, staring at Janus. "You weren't supposed to be on the ground with us at all, were you? You could have flown away and you didn't. You can't fly, can you? At least, not very far."

"I can fly," Janus snarled.

"Are you hurt?" Patton tried to inspect him. "Injuries carry over, right? Is it an arm injury? Wait, what corresponds to your wings? Is it—"

"I can fly!" Janus snapped. "It's none of your business!"

"Sure," Virgil said, "you being really defensive about it definitely doesn't lead to the other conclusion."

"If you say so. You can fly," Patton agreed. "But, hypothetically. If you couldn't. Would you appreciate…coming with me? I could use your help on the journey and you could use a way back to your family. We could work together!"

Janus stared at him, eyes narrowed. "I am not desperate enough to spend any extended amount of time with you."

Patton shrugged. "Your loss! I'm just trying to help!"

"I'm coming too," Virgil added. "Don't know if that'll change your mind, but best to be honest about everything."

"Wait." Patton frowned. "Who said you were coming?"

"Hey, yeah!" Roman rounded on Virgil. "We did not agree on that!"

"What, you think I'm just gonna let Pat go alone?" Virgil asked. "I'm coming to help! He'll be in danger!"

"I won't be alone," Patton said. "I'll have Janus."

Virgil glanced at Janus with distaste. "Like I said, you'll be in danger."

"Rude," Janus said, inspecting his fingernails.

"I'm going," Virgil continued. "I want to protect you. You don't know how to fight, I do. I have a crossbow."

"You'll get hurt!" Patton protested.

"And if I don't go, you'll get hurt." Virgil crossed his arms. "Prove me wrong."

A million arguments bubbled up, crowding on the edge of Patton's tongue. They all boiled down to no. Virgil wasn't supposed to be in danger. He wasn't supposed to risk everything for Patton. Patton was the one that helped! He didn't need help! Virgil was going to get himself hurt!

But…but Virgil wanted to. And it was Virgil's choice.

And maybe, just maybe, Patton wanted Virgil by his side.

"Okay." Patton stared at the ground and ignored the guilty feeling in his chest. "Okay. You can come if you want."

"Wait, really?" Virgil gave a half-delirious laugh. "That was easier than I thought."

"Wait," Roman said, frowning. "How come he gets to go and I don't? If Virgil's going, then I'm coming too."

"Okay, that's where I draw the line." Patton poked a finger at Roman. "You are injured. You need to go home and rest."

"I'll be fine, I—"

"Do you want your parents to lose another son?"

Roman froze.

"Do you want that?" Patton repeated softly. "I don't think doing that to them would be a very nice thing, Ro."

Roman opened his mouth to respond and closed it again, sinking and rubbing his eyes. "I. I guess not."

"Right," Patton said firmly, giving Roman a bracing smile. "We'll be okay on our own, Roman. I promise."

"Don't make promises you can't keep," Roman teased.

"Who says I can't keep it?" Patton laughed. "Watch me, Roman."

"Alright then." Roman reached out and ruffled Patton's hair. "Never underestimate your amazingness. Got it."

"You should go home," Patton said, taking Roman's hand and gently shoving it away. "Your parents will want to see you."

"I guess," Roman said, glancing at Janus. "Shame to miss all the action, though."

"You're injured."

"Fine." Roman gave Patton a smile. "Stay safe, Patton. And…thank you. I can't even begin to say how much this means to me."

Patton beamed, feeling happiness spark inside of him. Definitely worth it.

"I'll take care of him, don't worry." Virgil stepped forward and gave Roman a quick, one-armed hug. "Hang in there, Princey."

"Will do."

Patton waved goodbye, and Roman took the hint. He walked down the road towards his house, turning back every few seconds and waving again. Finally he turned the corner and was out of sight. Patton almost sunk to the ground in relief. He'd been petrified Roman would make a last-ditch attempt to throw himself into the line of fire. Thankfully, the crisis was averted.

"Um, pardon me." Janus looked between Patton and Virgil. "This is very heartwarming and all, but I've been standing here for the past minute or so and I'm getting quite bored. Am I still relevant or can I leave?"

"Oh, I'm so sorry!" Patton turned to him, smiling. "We were just figuring out our party. Now that Virgil's along for the ride, officially, we can keep going! If you come with us, it'll be a nice threesome! All three of us together! Like buddies! Three's a nice number, don't you think? Not a crowd at all! The Rule of Three says we'll kick more butt if there's three of us."

Janus glanced at Virgil. "Is he always this bad at negotiating?"

"Janus." Patton stepped forward, holding out a hand. "I need your help. We need your help. And we can help you in return. You seem…alright. If somewhat mean. And I know you hurt Roman and I'm still very mad at you for that, and I know I hurt you and you're probably mad at me for that burn, which is fair, but—"

"Hold on. Time out." Janus' eyes hardened. "You did what?"

Fiddlesticks.

He didn't actually remember.

And of course, of course he phrased it as a question, so Patton would have to answer.

"I…um…" Patton waved a hand at the side of Janus' face and waited for death. "I did that?"

"Alright." Janus' jaw was clenched. "Glad we got that cleared up. Continue."

"Oh!" Patton tried not to look too relieved. "I don't have much else to say, really. Just that we'll get you to your family, and that we promise not to hurt you or any of the other dragons! We just want our friends back and we'll be on our way."

"Mhm." Janus nodded slowly. "Because I can absolutely trust your word, Patton Foster."

"You remembered my name?"

"You're a memorable person."

Patton was pretty sure that was some sort of layered insult, but still, awesome! "You can trust me! I can't lie, so you're safe!"

Janus frowned. "What do you mean, you 'can't lie?'"

"I'm part Fae," Patton explained, "so it's physically impossible for me to lie."

"Really?"

"Yes."

Janus gave him a searching look. "How old are you?"

"Sixteen years and eight months!"

"I'm fifteen," Virgil added.

"What's your mom's maiden name?"

"Tanaka. And she kept it."

"What's your most embarrassing moment?"

Patton flushed but couldn't stop the words tumbling from his mouth. "I peed my pants in my elementary school chorus concert?"

Janus snickered. "Second most embarrassing moment?"

"I-got-stuck-in-a-tree-trunk-once and that's beside the point!" Patton ignored Virgil's laughter. "Do you believe me now?"

"Patton Foster." Janus savored each syllable. "Do you, now or in the future, have any intentions of harming me or any dragon we encounter?"

"No," Patton responded. "I don't like hurting things."

"Hmm." Janus paused, his eyes moving as he concentrated. "I'll come."

"Wait, really?" Patton squealed. "That's fantastic!"

"Wait. Really?" Virgil grimaced. "Oh no."

"Thank you so much! You won't regret this!" Patton jumped forward for a celebratory hug. Janus grabbed his shirt and shoved him away.

"Okay, no hugs! Cool!" Patton's excitement barely dimmed. "Oh, I'm so glad! This is going to be amazing."

"I have to be with him." Virgil's voice was blank. "For an extended period of time."

"We'll all be such good friends!" Patton continued. "Come on, Virgil, this is good news! Turn that frown of yours upside down!"

Virgil did not.

"What now?" Janus asked, eyes flicking to the sky. "When do we leave?"

"Tomorrow morning," Patton decided. "We'll all need to get some rest tonight."

"Good idea, I'll just hop into my luxury queen bed." Janus deadpanned. "Oh wait, I have no place to sleep."

"Right!" Patton giggled sheepishly. "Sorry. Um—do you want to come stay at my house? Just for the night?"

Virgil made a strangled noise which Patton ignored.

"Your house," Janus repeated, eyebrows high in the air.

"Yeah!" Patton exclaimed. "It's right over that way! You can sleep there for tonight and we can leave tomorrow!"

"Are you—" Virgil seemed to be carefully keeping his voice level. "Are you sure about this, Patton? Will the moms like it?"

"I don't know," Patton said, wincing. "I kind of forgot about them."

Patton's moms definitely wouldn't like it, would they? They didn't like dragons and they'd think Patton was in danger or something. Plus they'd ask why Janus was here, so Patton would have to tell them he was leaving, and they would probably stop him. He'd been planning on sneaking out the back door in the morning and leaving a note. Sneaky and underhanded? Yes. But it was for a good cause. Mostly.

"We'll just, um." Patton grinned, trying to hide his nervousness. "Maybe-kinda-sorta sneak Janus into the house so they don't see him?"

"I thought you couldn't lie," Janus said.

"I can't!" Patton agreed. "But, like, if they haven't technically asked me whether I'm bringing a dragon into my room, then I'm not technically lying by not telling them! Right?"

Janus tilted his head. "You are aware of how incredibly morally gray that sounds, right?"

Patton flushed and stared at his feet.

"Don't worry," Janus said, smirking, "I approve."

"Somehow," Patton said, "that doesn't make me feel better."

"Are we doing this?" Virgil asked. "Or can he sleep in a garden or something?"

"No!" Patton folded his arms. "He's my friend now—"

"I am not your friend."

"He's my friend even though he won't admit it, which means he needs a place to stay!" Patton looked Janus over. "His clothes are all torn up and his bandages probably need to be changed soon. Plus I bet he's hungry!"

Janus hissed between his teeth, eyes glinting. "Is this a trap?"

"Nope!"

Janus sighed, rubbing at his temple. "Fine. We will go to your house."

"Yay!" Patton turned to Virgil, activating the Puppy Dog Eyes and clasping his hands. "Will you help us, kiddo? Pwease?"

Virgil gave a long sigh. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but let's sneak a dragon into our house."

[Masterlist] [Ao3]

#leave no trace

8 notes · View notes

tamaki-amajiki-is-my-baby · 5 years

Text

Finally got the girlies done! :D!! Click for better quality!

This is Karite Shinsoroki, Hinagiku Bakugo-Midoriya, and Tami Togata!

I definetly did not do Tami's adorable ass outfit justice here-

There's a lot of things wrong with the outfits, but I couldn't really change;

Karite usually has a greenish color sweater she wears around her elbows, but that's very hard to draw and I didn't know how to layer the hair and everything, and not hide her!

Hinagiku should be wearing All Might merch.

Tami almost always is wearing the same cape that Tamaki wears. It just goes down to her knees, so I obviously didn't draw it since I want you to see her.

Quirks:

Karite ~ Loan

Whenever she brainwashes someone, either her ice or her fire gets transfered to them. She can't use the person's original quirk, she has to give one of her's up.

She can't choose whether she gives them ice or fire, it's a 50/50 chance, and so she usually won't make plans that aren't flexible in that aspect.

She can't use whichever quirk she gives up.

She activates the brainwashing the same way Shinso does.

Hinagiku ~ Explosion

Her sweat, tears, and pretty much everything else is the same nitroglycerin like substance as her father.

Smells even more like caramel than he does.

Tami ~ Permiation/Manifest

Nothing special; just both her dad's quirks. She has a lot more trouble using both at the same time, however, and she much prefers Permiation.

Appearances

Karite:

She has tanned skin, blue/purple and grey/purple eyes, and dark purple hair with red and white at the tips on the left and right sides respectively.

She really likes high waisted shorts with tank tops, and those are usually in greyscale, with a poofy greenish jacket to add some color.

Rocks those moccasins.

Hinagiku:

She has green eyes, pale skin, and green hair at the top with pristine blond further down, worn in two ponytails that she drapes over her shoulders.

Almost always seen in All Might merch. She's still holding onto him after over a decade.

When she's not, she doesn't have the best fashion sense and will throw a shirt under one of the many cute suspender-skirts she has.

Of course, you can't forget her bright red shoes that go with nothing she wears, but refuses to change!

Tami

Tami is a mini Tamaki — dark indigo eyes, darker skin, and indigo hair that she wears like Mirio used to in high school.

She likes cute strapless dresses that go down to a bit above her knees, and will wear a lighter color long sleeve shirt over it. They usually have some other poofy transparent fabric over those sleeves, which she only wears cos she thinks it's adorable. And it is.

She's usually wearing sandals, and her usually color palette is warm colors with a bit of very whitish-greens as accents or backgrounds.

Fun facts! :D

- Tami's cape is made with the fibers of her hair, so it permeates with her just like Mirio's cosume does!

She's actually allowed to wear the cape + hood in school as long as it's not over her head, since it helps with her self-consciousness, most of her being covered up by it.

- Mirio finds it really funny that Tami's doing the same thing with her hair as he did. She used to wear it just like Tamaki does, and then she switched to a half ponytail, and she's gone back to the Tamaki look a few times.

- Tami is demisexual and currently questioning whether she likes Hinagiku back.

Despite her having.. Y'know... Two fathers, she's still nervous to come out and hasn't yet. It's alright, Tami, take your time.

- Since Tamaki is a name you could use for either gender, Mirio really wanted to name her Tamaki!

But Tamaki got nervous, and asked the what if's like 'what if we break up and you have to say my name?'

Other than that, though, it would be confusing.

So they took the first letter of each of their names and boom! たミ! Tami!

- She has an incredible amount of respect for both dads, and she designed her hero costume after both of them.

And her fighting style. She sinks into the ground, then seems to warp just like Mirio does. Go for the gut!

- She has the same anxiety as Tamaki, it's really bad. But she still tries to smile! She doesn't want people to worry about her, so she smiles!

It also helps her whenever she's heroing, by making her feel like she can get through anything, and making the people she's saving feel safer.

But of course, like everything, this has a downside.

She hates it whenever she can't force her smiles and will get overwhelmingly angry with herself if she can't find a reason to smile about a situation.

~ Hinagiku is actually kind of an asshole, she just doesn't realize she's being really mean sometimes.

It used to really hurt her, because she had trouble keeping friends, and she's very scared of loosing Tami now.

Though, she's getting better at pinpointing behavior, apologising, and keeping an eye out for it.

~ She's still questioning. When she got close to Tami, she realized that all her previous 'crushes' weren't crushes at all! She thought she was pansexual, but she's not sure now.

She doesn't know the term for only being attracted to one person. She doesn't find any other girls pretty in that way, or boys handsome in that way.

~ Isn't very good with her volume due to her quirk. Needs and has hearing aids. Blew her ears-

She can hear without them, but just barely, and she won't be able to decipher what you're saying. She does know you're talking, though.

~ for being Japanese, she's very touchy-feely!

She loves hugs and holding hands and never leaves Tami alone even when there in public.

However, she can recognize when Tami doesn't want her to, and will stop. She's very observant in this way.

~ She's a hero fanatic. She knows everything about them all, including their real names.

She's still in absolute awe of (who she seee as) her girlfriend being the daughter of the #1 hero couple!!

And of course she's in awe of hereself being the daughter of the #1 standalone hero.

~ Hina knows sign language! When she realized she was loosing her hearing, she quickly picked up some books and started learning for her life.

It's also to understand her best friend Ogoe-de, who developed a vocal condition called aphonia when they were around four. She has a lot of trouble understanding why he's so sad about that, but it's probably because of his quirk depending on hisbvoice and him being loud. Poor thing. I'll get to him when I drae the guys.

Them being her, Karite, and him. They've known each other for a while!

• Karite is like super smart.

She's got really good problem solving skills, planning ahead, and is just snarr in general.

Because of this high bar, anything even slightly below it leaves her on her knees.

Almost literally.

• She is bisexual with a preference toward men.

Loves Ogoe-de more than she loves herself-

She hasn't told her dads about her sexuality, but she's not hiding it at all. She doesn't see the need to make it a big deal, and do she doesn't. They've never properly had a talk about it and she doesn't feel they need to.

• She's very aloof and barely shows emotions. Just like her dads.

Only exception is around her friends, where she's surprisingly sassy.

• She keeps Hinagiku under control.

“Stop harrassing Tami”

“I'm loving her!!”

• She uses the same tricks that Shinso used when he was young.

“Dad can we get McDonald's”

• She doesn't use her power willy nilly, though.

• Whenever they train, Hinagiku is usually he one she brainwashes. Both because she's very agile and because... She's really damn easy to brainwash.

She does volenteer, though! Karite wouldn't do that to her if she didn't allow it.

Ogoe-de doesn't understand why she doesn't just use him, and she tells him it's because he doesn't need the help of her quirk to become a good hero.

He disagrees.

It's one of the only things they don't agree upon, but they're working on it.

The boys and villians are coming soon, as well as the girl's hero costumes!

#bnha #bnha art #shippy drawings #shitty drawings #drawings #bnha oc #bnha fanart #ship child #ship children #rare pair #bakugo x midoriya #katsudeku #izukatsu #shinso x todoroki #shinsoroki #miritama #mirio x tamaki

18 notes · View notes

nindarts · 3 years

Text

Those Remembered, Those Forgotten

(Hi this is my first story that I've actually managed to finish!!! It was based on a prompt I found online but tbh i can't find the original other wise I would have pasted it. I hope you enjoy! :D)

Only the sound of footsteps could be heard as the hero made his way to the dungeon. As he stopped in front of the prison cell, he finally realized where he was. Below him, the witch sat on the floor, head hung low. It was almost pitiful. But this was a witch he was thinking about. They deserved no pity. Being a witch was one of the worst sins a person could commit.

The hero clutched his head as he stared at the witch. This witch… Ever since he captured her, he had gotten these headaches, little bits and pieces of what he assumes are memories playing in his head. A small boy and a slightly larger girl meet in the middle of a forest. The girl taking care of a wounded boy, smiling softly down at the child. Sitting in a vast field full of flowers, the two children making flower crowns for each other. The boy, wanting to be helpful, venturing further away from their quaint home. Bumping into a scary man, no no no don’t take me away-

He slammed his fist into the bars in front of him, panting as he was brought back into the present. The sound startled the witch, causing her to look up at the hero. The two stared at each other, face to face for the first time since her capture. It was one of the easiest hunts, in the hero’s opinion. There was no running away, no resistance. The witch just smiled at the knights, seemingly accepting her fate.

“Ah,” the witch smiled at him. The hero looked away. He didn’t want to have another migraine. “It seems that we are fated to meet again.”

The hero ignored the witch’s words. This was surely a way to manipulate him. Of course! That was why he sensed some sort of familiarity with the criminal. It must be some sort of witchcraft. “Silence witch. You will pay the price for your sins soon.”

Emotions flickered through the witch’s face. Confusion, shock, pity. “I see… It seems that you do not remember me. How pitiful.” There was that damn smile again. Seeing it made the hero feel something weird around the left side of his chest. What kind of witchcraft is the witch using on him? He’ll have to see the priest in order to rid himself of his ailment.

“So, Sir hero… May I inquire about the reason for your visit?”

The hero stilled. Why was he here? That was certainly a question. The witch was a criminal. The worst of the worst. She even cursed him, the hero of the people! Who would do such a thing? … That was the conundrum, wasn’t it? What sensible person would curse a hero? Well, could a witch be considered a sensible person in the first place? Unless… The face of the witch brought back the memories he saw just before. The girl and the witch…

“No reason in particular,” the hero responded after pulling himself out of his thoughts.

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

After getting back to his room, the hero flopped backwards onto his bed. He stared at the ceiling, lost in his thoughts. He dragged his hand down his face. It would all make sense if she was a witch that used witchcraft to bewitch him. Afterall, it was the hero who tracked down and captured the witch. It only made sense. But there was an inkling poking him at the back of his mind. The little girl from his memories popped into his head again. The hero huffed as he rolled onto his side.

It doesn’t matter in the long run, the hero thought. The witch is set to be executed tonight anyways.

As the gears slowed in his head, the hero’s eyelids drooped. Yeah. The witch was going to die soon. It doesn’t matter. The hero closed his eyes, slipping into unconsciousness as he stepped into the realm of dreams. A quick nap wouldn’t hurt.

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

Ramona searched around her frantically. Where could she have put that darn thing?! As she continued searching for her basket, she could hear someone breathing nearby. Someone… Someone?! There’s not supposed to be anyone else in the forest besides herself! She quickly scrambled to the source of the noise, discovering the body of a young boy.

“Hey! What are you doing in this-!”

Ramona stopped in her tracks. The boy was lying on the floor, covered in dirt and… some sort of dark stain. She really hoped it wasn’t blood. She got closer to the boy, checking to see if he was okay. Oh, that was definitely blood. He was burning up, Ramona noted as she gently placed her hand on his forehead. Decisions, decisions. She could leave the poor child here, suffering in the middle of the forest in order to abide by her mother’s rules. Mother said to never let anyone inside their home. But… There was a wounded boy in front of her, and her mother wasn’t around anymore, was she?

The fever had gone down, thankfully. The boy had been asleep for a couple of days, but he seemed to be getting better. Ramona took a seat on the bed, leaning over to check his temperature. All of a sudden, his eyes snapped open and he shot up, causing Ramona to shriek and fall off the bed. The boy stares at her with widened eyes.

“Uh, hello?” Ramona waved a hand in front of the boy’s face. “Um, I’m Ramona and I just turned twelve! What’s your name?”

“… Finian.”

Ramona smiled. She finally got a name! “Nice to meet you! So what were you doing all the way out in the forest? Aren’t your parents-”

The boy- Finian flinched. Fear filled his eyes as he curled himself up into a ball. “No no don’t tell them I’m here. They’ll hit me again it hurts I have to run away-”

Oh. Ramona hugged him tightly as his tears stained her shirt. “Okay, okay. You can stay here if you want. No one can get you here.”

Years passed, and the two grew up together. Finian quickly grew accustomed to forest life. Ramona did all of the housework, and Finian was in charge of the gathering and heavy lifting. But, Finian never felt content. He never got a chance to repay his savior, and whenever he asked what he could do, she just laughed and waved him off. Taking a step into the forest, FInian glanced back at the hut that sheltered him for the past three years. This time he would find a way to be helpful.

The trees blurred at the sides of his visions as he rushed through the uneven terrain. He didn’t mean to bump into the scary man. And then these people in shiny armor started to chase him, and he ran for his life. He should have listened to Ramona and never left the house. A root poking up from under the ground snagged his foot, causing him to trip. It hurt and he was tired but he could see the roof of the house. Just a little further and-

Finian felt something smack the back of his head and he lost consciousness, his vision fading to black.

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

“…-MONA!”

The hero woke up with a start, sweat trailing down his face. He remembered. Ten years of living as a soldier for the kingdom, and he finally remembered his past. Ramona. The girl who saved him from his abusive family. The girl who took care of her in that hut in the forest.

The girl he captured, who was to be executed today.

The girl who was the witch.

Finian quickly changed into a fresh set of clothes and sprinted out of his room, making his way to the dungeon.

“Where is she?!” the hero asked the guard in front of the dungeon, harshly grabbing him by the shoulders.

“Uh- What are you-”

“The witch! Where is the witch?”

The guard still looked a tad confused, but he smiled when he heard of the witch. “Oh! Do not worry, Sir hero! The witch was sent to the execution site just a while ago!”

Finian swore as he turned around, running towards the execution site. He could hear the faint cheers of the people as he got closer. His breaths were short, and his mind was a mess. He could make it. The crowd parted as he made his way to the front. Chants of “Burn the witch!” filled his ears. He could save-

A fire burned in front of his eyes, the witch tied to the stake. Finian caught Ramona’s eyes as he screamed, tears streaming down his face.

“RAMONA!”

“Ah, it seems that you have remembered me.” She smiled, looking down at him sorrowfully. Finian could barely hear her over the roar of the fire. “You did well, Sir hero.”

Just as Finian was about to respond, the fire grew, the heat causing him to fall back. The fire consumed Ramona, burning up the witch in one go. The crowd behind him cheered as he collapsed on the ground.

“The witch has been punished!”

“Praise be to the hero!”

“Burn the witch! Burn the witch!”

The crowd continued their cries of joy well into the night. The hero cried as well, but not of joy. He was kneeling in front of the ashes, staring at the remnants of what was once his past. Memories came flooding back to him as his tears fell. Their first meeting, their life together, their parting. The rush and awe of aristocracy suppressed the horrors of his past, which caused him to forget his first savior. Finian shakily got up to his feet, the crowd long gone. As he stared down at the ashes below him, he burned the image of Ramona in his mind. This time he will not forget.

He remembers sitting in the meadow, laughing with Ramona. He remembers learning how to make flower crowns. He remembered setting traps and hunting for food. He remembered Ramona taking care of him as he lay sick in bed. Finian stared towards the direction of the sun as it started to rise. This time... he will remember.

(And if you're still here, have some drawings I made :) )

#my writing #my art #god this took me longer than i thought :')

0 notes