#gokurakugai sanbandori no ken | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

increasinglygeeky · 1 year

Text

Special Delivery | Alma

fandom: gokurakugai

pairing: alma x gn!reader

genre: fluff / tooth-rooting fluff / a hint of angst but not too much so don't worry

notes: ooc I guess (there's not a lot of chapters), lesbian!tao cause I know that woman has sex with other women, I refer to tao and alma as brother and sister cause that's what they are to me, a lot of this are my own headcanons so I can connect some dots, spoilers for the series so far

summary: uh-oh! looks like our favorite troubleshooter has a crush on the person who delivers his food.

(08/05/2023: Good news! As of this note, we're getting serialized Gokurakugai in Shonen Jump! I'm so happy!)

"It's almost time. Do you think they got stuck in traffic? Do you think they forgot our address?" Alma mutters nervously as he paces near the front door of their office/apartment.

Tao sighs in annoyance. Her cigarette leaves her mouth and smoke billows out from her lips. Once again, her little brother is getting worked up for such an uncouth reason. So once again, she has to make sure he doesn't exhaust himself.

"Alma."

"Oh crap! What if a Maga got to them cause it smelled our food!? Aaahhh!" Alma shrieks as he grips the red strands of his hair tightly.

"Alma!" Tao stands and slams a book on her desk, making her partner in crime jump and turn towards her.

"Y-Yes, Tao?" He asks, now a bit more anxious thanks to the noise.

"It's only been thirty minutes since you ordered. So if you don't calm down, I'm sticking you with cleaning up the bathroom until I'm finished eating." Tao reminds him as the taller one nonchalantly sits back down and opens up the book that rocked the room.

Alma stares in a deadpan as his sister then takes a hit from her cigarette. The redhead was very aware that he shouldn't be acting this way. He fights monsters that crawl up from the pits of hell on a daily basis so what's getting him so worked up? Over a food delivery no less?

You see, ever since that new diner a few blocks away from the Troubleshooters opened up, where you could just about order anything from cheeseburgers to an entire salmon entree, Alma found himself infatuated.

Not just with the varieties of food on display, but with the pretty delivery person he saw in the window getting ready to head out.

The delivery person in question? That was you.

On that day, time seemed to stop as Alma watched you pack the edible items into your insulated bag. Or was it some type of cooler?

The point was, the second his baby blue eyes landed on you, the half Maga boy was frozen. His palms felt clammy, a knot churned in his gut, he could see his breath fog on the glass, and his face flushed red.

Behind him, Tao stopped her brisk walk and saw that her brother seemed to be stuck in place. Being the inquisitive person she was she headed back over to the display window, took in Alma's awestruck expression, and followed his line of sight. To where you just about finished packing signaled by the swipe of your brow.

The gunslinger grinned.

As you hefted your bag and left the back way, Tao shook Alma by the shoulder, "Wake up, Al".

The redhead rapidly shakes his head and meets his sister's glassy gaze, "Tao? What just happened?"

"I should be asking you the same thing. You okay? Your whole face is red."

"It is?" Alma placed a hand over his chest. He could feel his heart thump wildly and his Solution thrum in time with it. "My chest is beating like crazy. Oh no! I'm not coming down with something am I?!"

Tao just chuckled softly. God, the kid's innocence was downright adorable. But that didn't mean she could let him in on it right now. Not before she got the answers herself.

"You're probably just hungry again. Why don't we order something from here?" She thumbed to the diner and he seemed to like that idea.

"Yeah! You're right! I'm gonna get myself a triple cheeseburger with curly fries!" Alma happily dashed into the building with his sister following behind.

Once the overhead bell jingled, Tao had to stop herself from breaking into laughter once she noticed how her brother at the booth was swinging his legs back and forth like a five year old at an ice cream bar. "Over here, Tao!" He boomed merrily despite being a millimeter away.

It was crazy, she thought. How seeing you made the redhead's day much brighter. After all, they were almost killed during a mission earlier for the umpteenth time. It's amazing to know how resilient one person can be. Even if they needed an extra pick me up.

"In a second, Al." The silver haired woman turned to the hostess next to her, "Excuse me..." She gave your description and asked for your name. Once she got the information, she took out at least a thousand in cash and her business card.

"From now on, we'll only accept deliveries from them."

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

"What do you think they'll be wearing?" Alma asks in a dreamy voice while looking through the peephole.

"If I had to guess, the same things from the last time they were here." Tao replied, just thankful her brother wasn't roaming in a panic anymore.

"Right, the uniform." Alma leaves the door and sprawls his body over the couch. Clutching a pillow to his chest, he let his thoughts wander to something else. He calls for his sister.

"Yeah?"

"Do you think it's weird we somehow get them every single time we order?"

Tao breathes in her cigarette and exhales, "I think I remember hearing them say they're always understaffed or something."

Alma doesn't respond. He turns his body away, palm covering his ear.

Tao can't help but believe that he might figure it out. Finally. After like, weeks of this. "Do you wanna talk about anything?

"Like what?"

"I dunno. Whatever you want. Just to pass the time, I know you're getting antsy."

Alma's gulp echoes through the office. He reverses his sides so his sister can see the light dusting of pink on his cheeks. Slowly, he gets up and goes over to the chair in front of Tao's desk and sits. With his head lowered, Tao waits to see what he does next.

"I don't want them to come here!" Alma blurts out and lifts his head, tears of frustration pricking his eyes.

Tao stares in bewilderment, "Who are you talking about? You don't mean..." They both say your name at the same time.

When finally questioned, Alma breaks down and explains that he feels like he has a heart attack and straight up dies every time he opens the door for the exchange. Where he has to make eye contact with you and those few seconds feel like an humiliating eternity. He knows at that moment he has to speak, but he feels his lips are glued shut. He dances a stupid jiggly dance as the money leaves his hands and are replaced with his curly fries. Then, he can't recognize his handwriting on the receipt.

What's incredulous is that by now, you aren't scared away from his behavior. How you couldn't care less if it's Tao who answers instead of him.

He also doesn't know why the spell seems to always break when he shuts the door on your retreating form. The only things he could think of for the rest of the day is either your bright smile, your bell like voice, the way your uniform shows off your figure, or how his hands still buzz after they connect with yours.

Tao sighs deeply once he finishes the rant.

She understands completely. Now she knows why Alma seemed a bit too distracted when working jobs sometimes these past few days. Each time, they would've said goodbye to you again just before.

But hey, at least her gut feeling was right on the money earning her another win.

Speaking of distractions, The redhead looks to be off in another world.

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

"Ah! Somebody help me!" You scream as you attempt to escape the Maga that was chasing you.

When the creature's claws come down, you manage to duck and weave into a nearby alleyway. Only to stop when you realize you've reached a dreaded dead end.

You look up at the monster, it's mouth opening up; primed and ready to swallow you as their next meal. You whimper and attempt to shield yourself when... you hear your name being called from the heavens.

"Get away from them!" Alma rages from on top of a building in his Maga form.

You catch a glimpse of him despite the creature in your way, "Alma, please save me!" You cry out.

He jumps and flies down. He's able to slice the monstrosity in half with his sword. You're in shock as the Maga dissipates to reveal the Troubleshooter, looking as dashing and unbothered as ever.

"Sorry I'm late, babe." He cheekily replies as he moves his sword to his shoulder and flips his short hair.

"My hero!" You praise and rush into his awaiting arms. Once the two of you embrace, you pepper his face with grateful kisses.

"Heh, what do you say we get out of here and grab a bite?" He suggests pridefully.

You nod your head with great enthusiasm and with his hand on your waist, the two of you leave the dingy place only to come face to face with... Tao.

She is certainly not happy.

"Oh. Hey-"

"ALMA!" She roars.

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

The redhead yelps and falls back in his seat onto the wood floor. He winces in pain a little as Tao looks on in exasperation.

"You okay?" She asks.

"Yeah." Alma lifts up his chair and returns to a sitting position. "Sorry about that. I know you hate it when I drift off in the middle of something."

"You bet your ass I do." Tao grumbles through her cigarette.

"Tao, do you think I'm allergic to them? Is that even possible?" Alma wonders.

The smoker blinks a few times, before she lets out a hearty laugh. Making Alma fume in embarrassment.

"What's so freaking funny?" He demands.

Tao wipes a few tears, "No, you're not allergic, dumbass! You have a crush on them!" She reveals.

Oh.

"Oh."

A puzzle piece clicked in place in that big brain of his.

HOLY SHIT! SHE'S RIGHT I TOTALLY LOVE THEM! Alma yelled in his head as he felt coughs of surprise escape his throat.

"Jesus, dude. Here." Tao hands him a water bottle which he opened and downed eagerly.

Once he finished, he gave his sister a pissed off look. "Dammit! You knew about it this whole time, didn't you!?" He exclaimed.

Tao responded by giving a sly grin and tapping the end of her cigarette butt on her ashtray, "I may have. Sorry, but I just have to see where some things lead to." She remarks. The mischievous glint on her glasses tells Alma all he needed to know.

"Oh, you freaking-!"

Alma was cut off by the sound of their doorbell ringing.

"MOTHER FUDGE! THEY'RE HERE!" He cried and raced to his bedroom. Tao couldn't even finish calling his name when his door slammed shut.

The doorbell rang again as Tao leaned back in her seat and felt a headache forming.

You in the meantime, were waiting ever so patiently when the door to the Troubleshooter's finally opened. Which gave way to Tao's tall stature. You flashed your brightest smile at her.

"Hello again, Sister T-"

"He'll be out in a sec." She interrupts before she shuts the door with a bang.

Another one opened, behind it was Alma hiding under his bed covers. Tao just let her eyes roam over in slight concern. For him or was it the fact that when she agreed to take him in all those years ago she never once thought she had to deal with hormones? And she thought Alma in his Maga form was bad enough when he went berserk. In hindsight, this is actually much more complicated.

So what else could she do but light up again and take a seat next to him.

"Why didn't you bring in the food?" He mumbles.

"Because you're going to have to face them at some point. Might as well be now." She suggests.

Alma moved the blankets enough for his sister to see his eyes. "Could you put that out? I don't want the smell to get on my stuff." He says.

"Sorry." Tao drops it and snuffs it out with her shoe. "I don't get it. I've never seen you act this way before. Do you really feel like it's the end of the world if you... confess to them or something?"

Confess.

That word made Alma's head spin, "No. But now that I know what this is, I'm scared that they may not like me back. Not to mention I'm gonna have to let them in on my little secret. What if they... think I'm a monster?"

Tao isn't exactly an expert when it comes to romance either. Every woman she's dated either broke it off with her or the relationship fell apart on it's own. Okay, maybe she's the one who dumped them as well. Hell, it means she has learned a few things from all that.

She lays a hand on Alma's covered stomach, "It's the hardest thing to do. Airing it all out for someone you want to take a chance with."

"Yeah. Man, I forgot you would know how it feels." Alma reminds the both of them.

Tao solemnly nods.

Then, slowly, the blue eyed boy sits up, leaning against a higher pillow.

"If you ask me, those ladies missed out on someone as awesometacular as you."

His sister felt light headed all of a sudden. She turned away to cover her face as she saw the corners of her glass covered eyes become blurry with the smallest of tears.

"You good?" Her brother asks.

Immediately, Tao turns back to him, a nice smile as a greeting.

"Yeah." She takes off her glasses.

Alma concentrated hard on her next words. Tao may be 'hard at work saving the world' kind of serious most of the time, but it's only when the glasses come off that she's about to get vulnerable.

"Listen, the last thing I want to happen is for you is to grow cold and bitter from heartbreak like me. But I'd be damned if I'm gonna let you ruin a friendship just because you end up repressing shit you can't afford to keep in already. You're young and you may not think so, but you fucking deserve to be happy Alma. Even if it doesn't last." She proclaims.

Her partner in crime seemed to take this to heart. With the way his face keeps contorting, it looks like he has found his answer.

"What would I do without your kick in the pants?" He smiles gratefully.

"Probably be in some government lab."

"Oh, ha-ha."

The twosome leans over and hug each other with a warmth only they were familiar with.

Once they pulled back, Alma speaks, "But there's still a problem with me not being able to look them in the eye."

Tao thinks for a minute then leaves the bedroom. She returns with a pair of darkened sunglasses which she puts on her brother.

"You're kidding me." Alma is stupefied.

"Not really. Now get your ass moving; they've been waiting this whole time." Tao glares and shoves him a bit.

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

"Dang it!" You mutter as you miss a critical moment on this particular level of Candy Crush.

You hear the door open. Locking your phone, you look up and see your cru - I mean - your good friend, Alma. Wait, why is he wearing those sunglasses?

"Hi, Alma! Finally, I thought you were never going to show up! Then I was going to have to eat all of this by myself!" You chuckle sheepishly. Stupid, this is his house. You turn away and shove your fist in your mouth.

"Sup?"

"What?"

"I said sup?"

"Oh... I'm good. Why are you wearing those glasses? We're indoors, silly." You ask, a matter of factually.

The redhead leaned against the doorframe, an obvious attempt at a 'chill, cool guy' pose. "Oh, me and Tao were trying on new accessories, no big whoop. Wanted to look nice before I came to see you."

You made a motion indicating you believed him but on the inside, the half Maga boy was freaking the heck out. Somehow, the glasses worked but that didn't stop him from feeling unworthy to once again, be blessed by your angelic beauty and presence. Especially to a lowly monster like him.

You on the other hand wore rose colored glasses, not Alma's sunglasses, mind you. But the way he presented himself made your stomach's butterflies flutter. Why were you here again? Oh, yeah. To give them their dinner... and a special surprise.

You sneaked a glance at the pink box hidden under the Troubleshooter's meals. You wondered if Alma would like it, cause that would have to mean he liked you, right?

When you first saw him staring at you from your work's window, you thought he was the cutest boy in the world. It sucked you had to be away from the diner most of the time when he and his sister came to stay for a bite. When you weren't peering over at their booth every couple of seconds, you managed to get a few words over to him. You didn't catch a lot of what he said mostly because you were entranced by the sound of his voice.

Then when you heard about his and Tao's exploits, you were stunned. It really made you admire him more... the way he put his life on the line and looked good doing it. Until the admiration turned into something much deeper. Oh god, you liked liked him. A crush as regular people called it.

He was a superhero basically. Why would he ever give you the time of day when all the action you got was taking in how people decorated their hallways or living rooms?

But you were not so easily swayed. Despite your worries, you had to shoot your shot before someone else swept him off his feet.

What's that old saying? The best way to a man's heart is through his stomach.

Luckily, you were in position to deliver just that. That's why the pink box holds the key to unlocking the next chapter of your love life.

Now let's hope Alma isn't as oblivious as he seems.

"Here, you guys must be starving." You held up the hot bag and presented their boxes with their desired dishes.

"Sweet! Come to Papa!" Alma took the box that always had his name on it.

Which you wrote... and never once forgot to bust out your fanciest cursive.

"I can always count on you. Making sure my burger and curly fries are safe from dumb goons who might want to steal them."

You giggled at his remark.

He saw your cheeks twinge pink.

His did too.

It was cute. You are so freaking cute. He thought.

Then, pressure fell over you two. It wasn't comfortable, far from it. It was so tense because there was one reason why.

You both were contemplating on making the first move.

With a few quick gulps here, eyes darting this way and that, lips pursed with elation, and sweat pouring down from your foreheads there...

"Well, I'll see you later! Enjoy!" You squeak out and started dashing down the hallway.

What was I thinking?! I can't do this! Guess your nerves got the better of you. Better luck next time.

Alma called your name and the next time you blinked, he was in front of you. Oh right, he has superpowers.

"What is it!?" You questioned, a bit more nervous now that the sunglasses were gone and you were looking him dead in his beautiful baby blues.

The redhead merely presented the payment.

"You forgot the money." His smile showed off his sharp canines. Making him look more adorable to the point where your heart went pitter patter.

You could've collapsed to your knees right then and there as you stared at the dollars and coins. "Sorry, I don't know where my head is today."

"I know that feeling."

Once the receipt was signed and the change was given out, Alma blocked you once you attempted to walk around him.

"Is something wrong?" You asked.

"Yeah..." He replied.

In the short time you've known him, you never saw him looking so damn serious.

Dear lord, was it hot the way he stared you down.

That stopped your jitters in its tracks cause it was replaced with... longing.

Then, he puffed up straight as a board and swiftly bowed down to you.

"Huh?" Needless to say, you were confused by this.

"I'velikedyousincethemomentwemet! Wouldyoudomethehonorofgoingonandate withme!?" The way he was saying this is like his keyboard was smashed in.

You processed what he said...

HOLY CRAP!

DID HE JUST ASK YOU OUT FIRST!?

You let out a gasp, a sigh, and a relived chuckle.

Alma lifted his head up to you laughing at him.

Oh no, laughing at him?

He left his bowing position and frowned.

"I guess this means no?"

You quickly stopped and took in his saddest expression.

You knew how to remedy this. Your crush just did you a huge favor.

"Alma, I have something I want to give you. Here." You reached in the bag and took out the pink box.

Thankfully, he accepted it. He took out the note from the envelope attached to the box. In the same cursive he recognized from his dinner boxes, it said:

"Dear Alma,

I want to get to know you better because I think you're really cool. I'm so lucky for our visits at work and at your home. I appreciate what you do to protect our town and I can see us being more than friends.

I can't deny it anymore. The truth is, I like you a lot.

I hope you accept what I have in the box. So I can take it as a sign that you feel the same way about me.

Would you maybe like to see a movie together one day?"

He read the "Love" ending out loud and opened the box right after.

Inside it, was cookies in the shape and decorated of you and himself. They may be a bit crude but the little figures were holding hands.

He took out his and met your gaze. You were twiddling your fingers with a face as red as his hair.

"Go on, you can say it. I'm so corny. I wasn't planning on being here when you opened it." You giggled again.

His stern focus on you never wavered as he placed the cookie back in the box and set them both down.

He didn't want to know what would happen if he looked away for even a second.

"Alma?" You were a little worried since he wasn't talking.

He stands back up, closes the gap between the two of you, gently grabs you by the shoulders... and kisses you.

It's soft and tender as hoped by you both.

Small and meager you were since he overshadows in height. He smells like everything the sun would be if it weren't lethal. Alma thinks you smell like the embodiment of everything that's sugary and pure.

The only sound was both of your heartbeats drumming in your ears.

It feels like an eternity passed in the empty hallway when you finally broke apart.

Trembling breaths were exhaled.

Now you were locked onto each other for real, minds slowly coming in for a landing from being on cloud nine.

"You free tomorrow? Seven?" Alma asked, panting a bit.

"Yeah, I am." You responded, trying to catch up as your body was still shaking from this giddy feeling.

Alma is gleefully laughing before he picked you up with those strong arms of his and twirled you around. He let you go safely and grabbed the cookie box.

"Great! I'll pick you up!" He waved goodbye and went back into his apartment.

When you heard the door shut, that's when you dropped to you knees.

You touched your lips which were still tingling from the kiss.

Guess there was nothing to worry about after all.

You silently squealed to yourself. You felt like anything was possible.

Now that your friendly neighborhood Troubleshooter has agreed to go out with you.

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

"HELL YEAH!"

The second he got back, Alma went straight to the couch in order to have a one man jumping party on it.

He was ecstatic! You liked him! You really liked him enough to make sweets with his face on it! He was never going to forget this moment. He didn't know what came over him when decided to go for it and outright kiss you, but he sure as hell enjoyed it! All his troubles seem to go up in the flames of first love now that he was going on his first date with you.

What about the part where he'll have to tell you his Maga secret? Well, that's a problem for future him. Right now he needs to bask in this high for as long as possible.

"Pinch me! I must be dreaming-- OW!" he stopped jumping to rub his side in which Tao earned a glare from him.

"My bad, thought you were serious."

She sat at her desk and started working on her bowl of tomato basil soup.

"Aren't you going to ask me how it went?" The redhead tapped his foot impatiently.

The silver haired woman lets out a sigh, "I take it went well?"

"More than well! We kissed! They made me cookies and we're going to the movies tomorrow!" The happy boy resumed his jumping and cheering.

"Congrats, you picking them up?"

"Yeah!"

"So you know where they live?"

That's when Alma remembered he didn't. Plus, he didn't have your phone number nor that you had a shift tomorrow either. Did you even agree on a movie? Verbally?

"Aw, crap..."

As she watched her brother sink into the couch cushions, Tao groaned and opened her phone to call the diner for your number.

Ah, young love.

Really does make fools of us, doesn't it?