#i don't get why they didn't switch places before arriving at their destination

[bippiti]

505 cl16

where you reminisce on your first love

wc 3k

an done for my 1.2k event! first fic in the series, lmk if you wanna be tagged and as always pls like + rb<3

(starts in 2014, ends in 2024ish)

i'm going back to 505

you rushed down the road, feet peddling as hard as they could as you biked down the street. your eyes glanced down to your watch, squinting before you read the time. great. you were going to be late.

you thought that was you’re biggest problem, and then a new one came crashing onto you, literally.

while you were busy checking the time, you failed too notice someone else running in your direction. you don't know what had them too preoccupied to notice you- but you could technically say the same thing about yourself so-

you were bought back to the moment by the stinging you started to feel on your knees, you hissed looking down and seeing red. ugh

you began to apologize, looking up and stopping mid sentence.

wow. he was pretty. really pretty

you slapped yourself mentally, wincing while standing up. it was definitely going to scar. you reached your hand down to help the mysterious boy up, who sharply inhaled when your hands met. he had scraped his hands up pretty bad when you guys collided.

"i'm so sorry again"

"you're completely fine, i should've been paying more attention" he said while laughing

he has nice laugh

"anyway, i think i should properly introduce myself, i'm charles le clerc" this time he was the one to extend his hand out

"y/n l/n, nice to meet you" you smiled as you shook hands

then you remembered what had gotten you into this mess. you checked your watch again. you were definitely late now.

"i'm so sorry charles but im running late to a painting class, i really need to go" you picked up your bike, kicking the dust off of it.

"wait i am too, are you going to mme. callarios?"

you looked back at him in shock. "how did you know"

he shook his head, "you're going in the wrong direction, since we're heading the same way mind if i show you?"

you didn't see why not, so he climbed in front of you and began to head towards your class

-

if it's a seven hour flight or a forty-five minute drive

the bike halted as you reached your destination. building 505. you stared at each other nervously before walking in. the class had started at 1pm, and it was nearing 2 when you arrived. granted, it was a 4 hour class but still.

you cringed internally as you felt all eyes on you when you opened the doors to the class.

"y/n, charles! great to see you. we've split up into partners, so you both will have to work together. decide who will be the painter and who will be the model for the first piece. switch in an hour and a half!" she explained quickly, ushering you both to the only empty table.

you both sat across from each other, and after a small game of rock paper scissors, you were adjusting in your seat getting ready to pose for the next 90 minutes.

-

when you look at me like that, my darlin', what did you expect?

you didn't know how you managed to keep a straight face, his stares were piercing into what felt like your soul. you knew that he had to be like this, he was painting you after all. but knowing that didn't help. after silently uttering some words of encouragement to yourself, you maintained a straight face.

after what felt like forever, you heard the timer go off, and with one last stroke of the brush charles was up and you were swapping places. you cracked your knuckles before sitting on the stool. this was gonna have to be the best painting you've ever done.

before you knew it you were hearing to now familiar ring as you finished off the details of his eyes. you stood up, backing away from the piece. not too bad you thought.

after everyone had finished, you went to the room across as they all dried. it was acrylic, so it wouldn't take too long. there were snacks and refreshments scattered throughout the space. grabbing a drink and seat, you started to learn more about charles. he had two brothers, one older and younger. his mom still cut his hair, you thought he might be embarrased but he showed it off proudly.

“all these years and she still hasn't given me a bad haircut”

“if my mom could cut hair like yours, i'd be getting it done by her too”

“you should come by her salon sometime, i think she'd like you”

“really?”

“yeah, she's out of town so next month when she's back”

with those plans made, you collectively went back into the painting room. you both swapped paintings and looked at them for a while.

you gauged his reaction, at first his face was blank and you were scared that you had made him look like a troll or something, but slowly a smile creeped up onto his face, he looked up to you.

“it's really good”

you smiled and looked down to yours, he had gotten your likeliness down to a t. he left clear marks and left the strokes visible.

looking up you saw him searching your eyes for a reaction, just like you had.

“you did so good, i love your painting style”

he seemed relieved when you said that, smiling. as everyone around you began to pack up and leave, you both exchanged numbers before grabbing your paintings and going your separate ways.

-

not shy of a spark

you had texted back and forth a lot since then, and soon enough you found yourself at the doorstep of his moms salon. after being welcomed in you sat down and showed her photos of the haircut you wanted. she nodded, and began to wet your hair

“charles talks about you a lot, you know”

“does he really” you said with a laugh

“he does, i think he likes you dear”

that shut you up, she smiled warmly

“at this age, love is everywhere, make sure you grab it while you can”

you left the appointment with amazing hair and a lot of questions, you didn't think he could possibly like you back. but now, who knows

the knife twists at the thought that I should fall short of the mark

-

I'm going back to 505

you walk into the painting studio, excited with the a dragonfruit in your hand. today was still life day, normally you found it boring but mme. callarios had let everyone bring their own fruit.

you spotted charles when you got in, and lifted your dragonfruit for him to see. he put his hand up, showing off the orange he had started to peel. he tore off a piece for you, and offered it once you got closer.

your hand was cramping as your eyes continued to squint at the pink fruit in front of you. you regretted picking dragon fruit barely half an hour in, the seeds and the outer skin were proving difficult to paint accurately, you glanced over to charles, his was coming along nicely. you ended up pushing through the ugly phase and were somewhat proud of the piece. it had definitely been your most challenging one so far

-

If it's a seven hour flight or a forty-five minute drive

you were biking to charles' place, over the weeks you had both become closer, and he wanted to cook for you. you were somewhat scared, charles didn't seem like michelin star material, but maybe he'd surprise you.

he did end up surprising you, but not in the way that you thought.

pasta was on the menu for the afternoon, and you sat on the counter as he went around getting all the ingredients ready. basil, pine nuts, garlic, and olive oil were all pushed onto an island before he began on the pasta. getting out the flour and egg, he began to knead the dough together.

he looked nice in moments like this, comfortable. you liked to think that maybe you could see more of him like this, when he's quiet and the silence isn't awkward. existing together in his apartment kitchen. once he was done cutting the dough into pieces, he salted the water and dropped the pasta in. he came over to you and you both began talking.

you ended up getting so immersed in the conversation that the pasta was forgotten- at least until it was too late. you glanced over to the stove, eyes widening as you saw smoke rising from the pan. you both jumped up and yanked it off the gas, bringing it to the sink. what was going to be amazing pasta was now a charred rock. you couldn't help but laugh before getting side eyed by charles.

"i guess we're going to have to order pizza instead"

you ended up binging some random show you found on netflix, and as a souvenir took home the rock of burnt pasta, you named it char, short for charles charcoal

-

In my imagination, you're waitin' lyin' on your side

charles had become a f3 driver now, and hadn't been in monaco for a bit. you watched all his races, and you were the first person he called after his first win in pau-ville. he was excited, and so were you.

you're feelings for him had kept growing, and you couldn't help it, no matter how much you tried. you loved everything about him, his eyes, and how they'd light up when he saw you, his smile, and the dimples that formed when he did. his hair, his voice, just him.

soon enough he was back in monaco and you were excited to see him.

you grabbed coffee and began walking around the streets, stopping at building 505, walking into the currently empty studio. you looked around some of the paintings before sitting on some stools.

you knew him too well now, 3 years of friendship will do that. he was nervous, when he bought his hand up to his face you had saw he had bitten his nails. you didn't bring it up, but before you could say anything he started to speak

"i've been trying to figure out how i should say this for the longest time. i've known for a while now, but it really hit me in pau. i couldn't have don't any of this without you, i don't even think i'd be who i am without you y/n. and now that i'm back i can' t handle not telling you. i like you, i really like you"

you were stunned for a minute, before you kicked back the stool you were sitting in and kissed him. the puzzles had fallen into place, you couldn't believe it.

he deepened the kiss, bringing his hand to your waist as you sat in his lap. your fingers ran through his hair, tugging as you began to roll your hips against his.

you pulled away, panting. smiling at him before you began to kiss him again, his hands roamed down to your shirt, tugging it up as he separated from you again. you raised your arms, and took his off as well. a silent beat skipped between you both and you laughed

"are we really about to do this right now"

"yeah, i think we are"

you pulled him closer to you once again, his tongue slipped int your mouth effortlessly and you almost moaned, god he knew how to make you melt.

soon enough, the rest of your clothes followed suit and you were on the cool tile floor. as his hand started to trace your inner thigh you grabbed his hand. he looked up, somewhat confused but before he could say anything you spoke,

'i've never done this before"

he relaxes almost immediately, and smiles down at you

"neither have i"

you weren't ashamed to admit you were shocked, sopmeone like him.. never? not once?

he could see the gears turning in his head and he spoke up

"there were girls now and then sure, but i always wanted it to be you, it's always been you honestly"

you couldn't see yourself rn, but you were sure you were giving im heart eyes by now.

"it was the same for me too actually" you said sheepishly

"was it really?

"yeah, it was" and with that you bought your hands up to his shoulder, flipping him onto the floor. you kissed him softly, turning his face to kiss along his jaw, his neck, going further down to his chest, then stomach. pausing for permission, after seeing his nod you pulled down, eyes widening as you saw it. well this was gonna be interesting

you left kisses on his tip, working your way down before you took him all in your mouth. he hit the back of your throat and you almost choked, but hearing the moans coming out of his mouth kept you going. you could feel him start to pulse, and before you could do anything else he was bringing you off of him, kissing your lips as he turned you around.

“can’t have you doing all the work can i cher?” he said as he pulled your underwear down, almost moaning when he looked down at you, all of you.

he traced his hands down your sternum, down to your waist and legs. spreading you open he dipped his face down.

you could feel his tongue inside you, pulsing before he started scissoring you open. he was good- too good at this. you don’t know if you could handle it. soon enough, he was back on top of you, kissing you gently as he lined himself up with your entrance.

he cleaned you up afterwards, he was quiet, soft. you could get used to this

-

but I crumble completely when you cry

it had been months since that night, you and charles had been going strong, but after he joined f2, something changed. his eyes no longer lit up when he saw you, he started buying things for you instead of making them. you’d wake up to your phone being full of messages, but none of them from him.

it hurt. he hurt.

it shouldn’t have come as a surprise when he called you, asking where you were.

you answered, mme. callarios’ place. he said he was going to be there soon.

you felt your heart drop, wether it was excitement or fear, you couldn’t tell.

you knew the minute he stepped through the door it was going to be bad. you could read him like a book. you composed yourself as he came closer, pressing quick kisses to the others cheeks, you painted a smile on your face and smiled at him.

his eyes were full of emotion, for the first time in months. it’s almost funny, you knew it was coming but the moment the words left his mouth you broke down

“i’ve been seeing someone else”

“i see”

at first it didn’t register, not really. a heartbeat later you felt the tears pricking at your eyes. you turned around trying to excuse yourself, but before you could take another step a sob escaped your lips. you started to cry. you couldn’t shut up, why couldn’t you just shut up? you could feel yourself gasping for breath, all the air in the world wasn’t enough for your lungs right now. you were getting lightheaded, knees turning shaky before ultimately giving up on you. the impact resonated around the empty room.

he stepped forward, kneeling down. his stupid, warm hands brushed up against your face, trying to wipe away your tears.

you couldn’t even push him off of you. you really were pathetic.

you managed to fight your way up, shaking and all but running out the door.

never again, you were never going to love anyone like that again

-

i’m going back to 505

you walked into a crowded room. your latest collection had been getting a lot of coverage in the media, and it was the last day it was up for the public. the pieces would be going to the individual buyers first thing tomorrow.

building 505. it no longer made a bitter taste seep into your mouth. it’s crazy to think a decade ago you were standing here painting him, how time flies.

the first few months were the worst. he was the only thing you could think of, you were a broken record. so naturally, you did the one thing that made you feel close to him again, painting. and it saved you

you could get out every thought you were too afraid to say out loud, every emotion you didn’t want to feel with simple strokes on canvas

you didn’t think anything would come of it, honestly. you were meant to go into investment banking, like your parents. the universe had other plans though

one of mme. callarios’ friends was a museum director, and took a liking to your pieces. he asked you to do some works on commission. word got around fast, and now you’ve made a name for yourself as an artist, in some ways all thanks to charles

charles. now he had his dream job, f1. working with the team he used to tell you about, the team he worshipped.

you were happy for him, sometimes you wonder if he was happy for you. you still think of him when you eat pesto, you still keep char in a jar under your bed, you have all of the paintings you made that summer in a closet collecting dust. there were pieces of yourself that you gave to him that will stay his even though you’re done.

none of that matters now though, you turn to someone who’s called your name and start explaining the piece they’ve asked about

#charles leclerc #charles leclerc smut #charles leclerc prompt #charles leclerc blurb #charles leclerc imagine #charles leclerc x reader #charles leclerc x you #charles leclerc fanfic #scudia ferrari #charles leclerc x yn #f1 x reader #f1 smau #f1 fanfic #f1 imagine #f1 fic

[aguamarinee]

➪ 𝐏𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠: Harua × reader

➪ 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: fluff, crack, weird considence, a smidge of angst?

➪ 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐭: —

➪ 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬: 2,2k

I was anxiously biting my nails while traveling on one of the last buses around this hour, deep in the night.

I can only hope I'm not too late yet.

While rushing I even forgot to bring my phone with me, instead, I left it plugged in on my bedside table... And I didn't even check the opening hours of the drugstores around me!

I hastily glanced at the time every 30 seconds, as slowly the last 10 minutes before 9 pm were ticking away right in front of me, while I was racing with time to desperately find one store that was open at this hour.

...Well, technically, I was racing with the bus's schedule contrary to the current time but whatever.

I was incredibly nervous while awaiting the last few stops.

But the reason behind it... Let me do a recap before I reach my destination, maybe time will stop while I explain?

It all started about half an hour ago; I was lazing around in my dorm room watching a film on my laptop quietly, while halfway through I started playing with my phone.

It's Saturday evening, and I was gearing up for tomorrow's long hours of studying with an easy schedule the day before... Or at least, I tried to.

Suddenly my phone's screen switched while I was playing and my friend's caller ID appeared.

I picked it up without question, immediately finding it strange that she was calling me at a time like this.

Although I had a feeling that something was up, in a negative way but I didn't let my worrying get the worst of me right away.

...Just after she started speaking into the device in a shaky tone.

Thousands of thoughts flew through my mind at that moment, the worst scenarios possible but after a second she told me this: 'My boyfriend broke up with me today.'

Oh. No.

That was one of my worst ideas!

Then she added: 'Over text.'

Holy— I didn't even think about this case, and now it was even worse!

So I knew I had to get going, this was my calling, and it was time to go and take matters into my own hands.

Time to cheer her up, and gossip about the guy until she feels better.

So, that's what I intend to do, still, in the middle of the evening; others may get ready for bed, but I get ready for the local plaza to check out drugstores.

Sounds cool, right?

I still don't understand why was a drugstore my first instinct to go there but it seemed right.

Nowadays there are healthy snacks and a couple of sodas in these places, aside from makeup and hair products and so on, so I figured I could buy everything in there.

And it's a rule that after a breakup we change ourselves for the better... So hair dye and nail polish it is!

And oh look, catching up really did help, I'm here already!

Since I didn't have my phone with me I couldn't check the time, so with a shrug I speed-runned the outline of the plaza, looking for a drugstore.

It put a small panic in me that most clothing stores were closed at this hour — not that I should be surprised by this or anything, really — but some fast food restaurants were still open, so I might have a chance.

Using an escalator I arrived at the next level of the big mall and saw the drugstore at the end of the line so with quick steps I stormed off in that direction.

But as I inched closer I saw more than half of the cover was pulled down, to protect the store for the night.

It had some small holes in it, but I couldn't see anything through them so I crouched down in my last desperate try and looked under.

The remaining open part provided some clear evidence that the light was in fact on inside the small store, so it meant that someone was still there.

So I clung to hope and voiced my concerns.

I guess it doesn't hurt, hardly anyone is around here at this hour so if I can convince a cashier or manager to let me in for 5 minutes, it's already worth it.

"Is anyone here?" I raised my voice so it echoed through the seemingly empty store for a bit until I think I heard some quiet footsteps.

My heart did a funny jump because I hoped I wasn't imagining things so I waited for a pair of legs, still looking from under the metal cover thing.

I'm sure I look ridiculous, but hey, whatever gets the job done.

I didn't have to wait long, I saw a pair of lanky legs coming my way; they were wearing comfortable white sneakers and slightly baggy, washed-out denim jeans... Also, I think I saw a glimpse of the store's logo on the shirt they were wearing so my night is either saved or dumped.

In a moment, I came face-to-face with a very handsome guy who seemed to be around the same age as me, with eager, sparkling eyes despite his evening shift, a stylish haircut, smooth skin, a cute nose, and pretty lips.

As we locked eyes he seemed surprised too, but only for a second before pulling out his typical customer smile.

"Hi, can I help you?" The greatest and awkwardest line ever said in a context like this, I almost burst a lung but managed to keep my cool in the end.

Okay, get it together, this is serious — don't forget, you're still running on high time for your friend!

And her boy problems!

"Is the store still open?" I asked with a hopeful glint in my eyes.

I didn't want to dump all my questions on him at once, so I figured before I boast to him my chaotic apology and reasoning about why I needed 2 bottles of soda, a bar of chocolate, nail polish, and crazy hair dyes at night I'll just appear a little less weird, for now.

"Well, our closing time is at 9 pm, but I'm still here so technically yes, the store is open." He flashed a cute half-smile, waiting for my next sentence.

"Is it possible for me to get in and buy a couple of last-minute things? I promise it's a maximum of 5 minutes, I know what I need." I tried to sound as determined as I could never, but I really didn't want to test his patience too much.

He seemed to be thinking through my words for a second but then he easily nodded and gave another kind smile.

Then he extended his hand in my direction under the metal wall thing and at first I gazed at him questionably, but then I accepted his help and let him pull me through the 'entrance' in a weird way.

After I was in the store I saw that truly every light was still on in the aisles, and the cashier's check looked intact as well.

"You're lucky because I usually leave the cash register to the last, so you'll still be able to pay." He chuckled while helping me to my feet and our gazes lingered on each other for a second.

It seems today he's the one on duty to close the store and make sure everything is intact before leaving... I feel lucky.

He's... cute.

"Ah, I was just in time then!" I answered enthusiastically with a giggle, then we slowly untangled our hands, his warmth leaving mine as I turned to the aisle where the hair products were.

For a while I felt his sparkling eyes on me as I skipped through the shelves, checking out only those products that I had an interest in.

There was no time to waste when my friend needed me urgently!

I gathered my thoughts and after a few minutes, I was done, heading to the cash register while opening my bag to check how much money I had on me.

Although a 15-minute bus ride was still awaiting me to arrive at my friend's place, but I felt like I was starting to see the end of this rushed journey.

I walked up to the cute guy and put my things on the rubber plate for him to beep it in.

As I glanced at him while he peacefully punched in numbers and product names to the computer beside him I saw his eyebrows furrowing, then he slowly looked up at me and a small smile was hiding in the corner of his mouth.

"You're going to a salon or something?" He chuckled adorably and I couldn't stop the blush creeping up on my neck to my cheeks as he questioned my choices.

Right, he's still a shop assistant, and he must see countless weird listings every day, but I'm sure mine is pretty questionable as of now.

I gave a short laugh before answering and averted my eyes for a second, not bothering to take out my wallet yet.

"No, I'm going to my friend's place, girl's night you know... Her boyfriend just broke up with her, so emotional support is needed." I felt a bit bad for telling him just like this, spilling a piece of my friend's personal life but I wanted to answer truthfully, since I panicked because of his reaction and I just blurted it out.

At my answer his eyes seemed to scan me over quickly, as if searching for something very thoroughly, his whole gaze shifted for a second when he seemed to think about something, but then changed back to normal.

Yeah, he definitely found that TMI weird.

I know he tried to play off his reaction with a cool vibe but I'm sure he was uncomfortable.

Sorry, cute guy.

"That's unfortunate." He nodded and quietly expressed some sort of sorrow to be empathetic but I knew it was forced. "That's all, right?" He changed the topic, mustering another shy smile in my way.

"Yep, that's all." I nodded back, paid, and quickly packed everything into my small backpack, except the delicious orange-flavored soda, because just as he started talking to me I realized how dry my throat was.

I unscrewed the top and stopped to drink, no longer feeling in such a rush.

The guy was staring at me, not moving from behind the cash register, as if wanting to say something before I leave.

I held the drink in my hand and turned to him as I felt his curious eyes on me.

We made eye contact again and he looked away for a second, then released a sigh and turned back to me, a more determined look present on his face as he spoke again.

"Ah... By the way, can I ask for your name?" In a second I noticed the nervous gradient in his soft voice but it made me giggle before I could stop myself.

"I'm Y/n, nice to meet you. And you?" I answered almost immediately with even more enthusiasm, trying to stop myself from blushing and smiling too hard.

Calm down, it's just a respectful cute guy, nothing to see here...

"...I'm Harua." He said after a moment of gazing at each other and I noticed his mouth corners lifting the same into a bunny-like grin, but the moment my brain registered his name I suddenly felt my heart drop to my stomach.

Wait, what?

I take that back, it's not nice to meet you.

...You broke my friend's heart, you monster.

I was sure my hasty reaction was visible outside as well; I felt my body grow still for a couple of seconds and my smile faltering, then freezing onto my face in a rather awkward manner, and my hands grew into fists as I held the strap of my bag.

Now I regret coming to this store, even if they had all the goods.

Damn, I didn't even know that this guy works in a place like this... This is just so unbelievable suddenly.

What did I do to deserve such Karma?

I don't know if I should even mention this to my friend, this situation is wrong on so many levels...

But by the looks of things it seems he doesn't recognize me, since he asked for my name.

I guess I never got mentioned by my name, which comes in handy right now.

Good thing, because now I have a very clear picture of him when I arrive at my friend's house.

As well as his other side that doesn't include him humiliating her like that, through text.

And I take everything back I said about him being nice, respectful, and cute.

If he broke my friend's heart like that he's far from respectful or nice.

Nor do I find him cute anymore.

....Wow, this is a mess.

I snapped out of my thoughts after about a minute of standing silently in the store, still being there instead of running out as if my life depended on it.

I didn't even know what was the last thing he said to me, the past couple of minutes turned into a blur as the emergency alarms went off in my head.

I can't stay here any longer, that one thing was for sure.

"So...Harua! Thank you for letting me in after closing hours, I really appreciate it, but now I have to run! Bye!" I recovered from my shock and blurted out everything at once, already inching towards the half-closed entrance of the drugstore.

Just pronouncing his name felt hard enough after putting the pieces together...

'And it wasn't nice meeting you!' I wish I could have said that but then I would have blown my cover.

...What a night, and the hard part had just begun!

➪ 𝐀/𝐍.: One of my randomest scenarios ever, but I enjoyed it so much! And in a way, a piece of it is based on real-life events lol.

➪ 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 【𝐌 𝐀 𝐒 𝐓 𝐄 𝐑 𝐋 𝐈 𝐒 𝐓】 !

Tagging: @nichoswag

#Spotify #&team #andteam #&team scenarios #&team x reader #&team fanfic #&team fluff #&team harua #shigeta harua #andteam harua #andteam fluff #&team imagines #&team oneshot #&team oneshots #harua

[bucky-barnes-diaries]

Coming Home

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

Captain America: The First Avenger

Pairing; 1940s!Bucky Barnes x Female!Reader

Summary; Bucky finally reunites with you, safe and sound in your arms, after the gruesome war.

Word Count; 1969

Warnings; NSFW, 18+, minors DNI, mention of war and death, unprotected vaginal sex, mention of bodily fluids.

Authors Note; not everything may be accurate to the 1940s, war or Bucky’s story. My apologies! Enjoy loves <3

Main Masterlist || Bucky Barnes Masterlist

Sign up HERE to join my taglist!

All of your friends and family were mingling around the house, waiting for James to arrive through the front door at any minute now. It had been months since anyone saw him and people were more than excited to have him back home again. They were over the moon and thrilled that he had managed to survive the war and come home alive and well with all his limbs intact. There were so many brave soldiers coming home in caskets, their families forever in mourning at the loss of a loved one. All of you were so lucky that he was coming home in one piece.

It felt so familiar as you were sitting on the sofa waiting for him. Just like those months ago when you waited for him to come home with news of his enlistment but only this time you were waiting for him to come home safely to you.

“You alright, sweetie?” His mother questioned, taking a seat next to you as she saw you were deep in thoughts by yourself. A reassuring hand was placed on your shoulder as she gave a light squeeze. “I'm alright. I'm just so excited for James to come home finally. It's been half a year. I miss him dearly.” “Me too, sweetheart. It's going to be good to have my baby home again.”

Just then, the front door opened with no other than James walking through it, his uniform on, and a bag in hand. Everyone in the room gasped upon his arrival and then silent for a few long seconds. James didn't know what to do with himself while everyone kept staring at him. Like someone had flipped a switch, they all, at the same time, started clapping and hollering at him, finally being home again.

His mom, dad, and siblings were the first ones to hug and love him. Their son was home again, all in one piece. His mom was crying happy tears, and his dad kept telling him how proud he was of him. After that, it was everyone else's turn to greet and congratulate him.

You kept in the background, not knowing what to do with yourself. You were frozen. You couldn't move. Is this a trick? Is he really here, or was your mind playing a sick game with you. No. It was him, your loving husband, in the flesh.

He searched for you, his loving wife, that he had missed so much. His eyes were scanning the crowd of people that had gathered around him for any signs of you. Where were you? Why weren't you here to receive him?

That's when he finally caught your eye when a small gap was created in the crowd. Tears were streaming down your face as you held around yourself. Your mouth was opening and closing, but he could see that no words were coming out of it.

Without thinking, he went straight to where you were and stood just a few steps away. All you did was stare at one another for hours, it felt like. His own tears started to be produced at seeing you after so long.

“Bucky, it's you… You're here…?”

“I'm here, my love. I'm home.”

After such a long time without his touch, you finally felt whole again when he took those last steps towards you to wrap you tight and secure in his arms. That missing piece of you filled up with warmth and love at having him safe and sound by your side again.

It wasn't enough for both of you with only the arms enclosing each other. Your whole body wrapped itself around him as he held you up in his arms.

The other people left you to be for your little intimate reunion. Like this, you stayed for a few moments. Holding onto one another after such a long time.

“I missed you so much, my wife. Every second of every day, I thought about you. To be in this moment again in your lovely arms. To be this close once more.”

“Bucky, I missed you so much. My heart is finally whole again now with you here in my arms where you belong.”

The two of you were craving each other's lips after months apart. A whole series of pecks were left on one another to feel the comfort of your lips on each other. You stayed in your bubble for just a while longer. Caresses and comforting words left between you two before realization hit that you needed to join the others.

“I want to take you upstairs to our room and make love to you after so long, and I will tonight, my love. I'll give you all of me, but right now, we need to return to the others.”

As much as you wanted him to take you upstairs, he had a point. All of these people were here for him as well. It would be rude to leave them. After months apart, you could manage to survive a few more hours without him inside you.

The wait was painful as teasing words and touches were left on each other throughout the night. The longer it went on, the longer you became impatient and in desperate need for him, but you would have to suck it up for a while longer. The wait finally paid off when the last people to leave were his parents. A final hug and goodbye to James from them, and then he was all yours for the remainder of the night.

As soon as he closed the door on them, he spun around to be met with your presence a few inches away from him. In a flash, he had you wrap your legs around his waist as his lips moved hurriedly and messily against yours. Your fingers tangled in his hair, pulling and patting to keep him on your lips as long as possible.

The journey to the bedroom was a clumsy and messy one as you bumped into everything on your way. Stuff from shelves and the wall falling, but none of you cared. The clumsiness of it had both of you giggle out.

Your back came in contact with the mattress as Bucky set you down. His eyes admiring your form. Your dress was hiked up just a little, exposing your thighs to him that he loved to spend hours upon hours between. The sight of you had him inhale deep through his nose.

“You're so beautiful.”

He was quick to help in getting rid of your clothing as you did with him as well. Now just in your underwear, his lips returned to yours in desperation to feel them again. They moved downwards, your neck, breasts, stomach, and thigh, to worship all of you. As good as it felt and as much as you wanted him to continue with his journey to the final destination, you just wanted him right here, right now, Skip the overdrawn foreplay; even though you loved it to the fullest, you could do all of that later for all eternity. To explore each other and bring pleasure to one another with your mouths and fingers. But right now, you just needed his lips on yours as his hard length was driving itself in and out of you like only he knew how to.

“Bucky,” you grabbed the side of his head to lift his eyes towards yours, “as much as I want that, I need you even more inside me, baby, please.”

Your wish was his command. His lips traveled up the same way they had come down. He got rid of the last article of clothing from both of you. His length lined itself up with you, teasing your entrance, making you whimper out in complete neediness.

“Please, Bucky, I need you so bad.”

His forehead touched yours as your mouths were millimeters apart. Your hands holding his back to keep him flush with you, chest against chest.

“Do you remember that you wrote to be about wanting a baby?”

“Yes?”

“Do you still mean it? Do you want a baby?”

“I do, James. Please, I want a child with you so much.”

That was his cue to push the entirety of him into your tightness. He would give you a baby, as many as you want. The gasp you emitted when he filled you up spread out in the room.

He rocked your bodies against the covers as his dick continuously brushed your g-spot, which had you moan and whimper in pleasure. His own sounds escaped him when he felt you squeeze him a tad tighter. Lips lightly touched one another as your mouths were parted to let out pleasing sounds fill the whole room. You wrapped your legs around his middle part to force him more in you. You never wanted him ever to stop with his moves.

His lips moved down to your neck to kiss, lick and suck on your sensitive skin. A single tear ran down your cheeks, tears of happiness and fulfillment in having Bucky here with you and inside where he belonged.

Once he caught a glimpse of tears, he stopped his movements immediately, thinking that he did something wrong or something that hurt you.

“What is it, doll? Did I do something wrong? Do you want me to stop? Am I hurting you?”

“No!” You grabbed the side of his face and pulled him to you until your noses touched. “Nothing's wrong. I've just missed you so much, and it feels so good. Please don't stop, James; it feels so good.”

“I won't ever stop,” his movements gained momentum again as his hips slapped against you, “I'll never stop loving and making you feel so good, princess.”

You and he were close and connected in all the ways physically possible. It felt like cloud nine, and you never wanted ever to leave this moment.

His thrusts became more raged, more sloppy, which was an indication that he would finish inside you very soon. His lips left kisses everywhere. On your face, neck, and just about everywhere, his lips could reach. His thrusts, his lips, and the feel of him holding you so close had your back arch, and your eyelashes fluttered shut in total ecstasy.

“Are you close, doll?”

“Y-yes.”

“Let go for me. Let me feel you.”

You and he came together as you held each other close. His seed filled you up fully as your walls milked him for all he was worth; hopefully, a baby would come out of this. Moans of names and pleas filled the space as you rode out the high together.

After calming down for a while and getting your heart and breath under control, he pulled you to his side. Both of you kissing and caressing the skin of the other as you laid there in the bliss of the moment.

It was good to have your husband home again. To have him safe and sound in your arms where he belonged and what he called his home. He couldn't stop kissing you. Your lips were like a sweet drug for him that he would forever be addicted to.

“I love you, doll, so much.”

“I love you too, James, so much.”

The rest of the night was spent making love over and over again. The two of you had a lot of lost time to catch up on, so the comfort of your four-bedroom walls would be your home for the next few days as you caught up with one another. Talking, fucking, sleeping, comforting him after nightmares of the terrible and gruesome war was on the plan. Laughs, love, and kisses would be felt all around as well, as you kept yourselves in your safe little bubble.

Credit @ firefly-graphics for the wonderful divider

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[lokis-army-77]

If You Please

Chapter six

Bucky Barnes x Reader

Word Count: 3280

I'm bad at writing descriptions, so this is basically a reader insert into The First Avenger and then we'll see how it goes from there.

Warnings: Canon typical violence

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Masterlist

It had been almost five months since I had left for London. Five months without Steve and nearly six without Bucky. I knew Steve had been traveling the country doing musical numbers to help sell war bonds, something I would have to tease him about later. He was here in the camp today and I had plans to go visit him when I was finished with my work. Peggy and I had been gathering intel on the movements of HYDRA, and there were signs that Dr. Zola had been using American POWs as experiments for his own super-soldier serum. We had arrived in Northern Italy about two weeks ago, there was a Hydra base a few hours away that we were keeping an eye on. We had reason to believe that Zola had moved to the base some time ago.

I was sitting at my desk scanning through some files when Peggy burst through the tent and into the makeshift office. I looked up at her questioningly. “You aren’t going to like this,” she said and handed me a small yellow telegram. I opened it and quickly read the contents.

107th infantry captured by HYDRA. Heavy casualties. Azzano, Italy.

I felt time stop as I read and reread those few words. Bucky was in the 107th. I quickly sprung to my feet and headed for the tent opening. Before I could cross the threshold Peggy grabbed my arm. “Let go of me Carter, I have to go save him,” I said, yanking my arm away, with little to no effort.

“Would you stop for a second?” She grabbed my arm again. “You can’t go rushing into this, you need to think carefully. You can’t just waltz into a HYDRA base by yourself, it's madness.”

“Yes, I can. Now let go of me.” I yanked my arm out of her hold and reached over to the coat rack next to the opening of the tent and grabbed my jacket. It had started raining an hour ago and the dirt paths had become small pools of mud but I didn’t care. I ran quickly through the rain toward the stage on the other side of the camp, Peggy right on my tail. The mud made it harder to run as fast as I wanted to, I had almost fallen twice. When I made it to the stage no one was in sight. I jogged around to the back and looked all over until I saw Steve in a corner with his sketchbook in hand.

“Steve,” I called out, quickly making my way to him. He looked up from his sketch and smiled at me.

“Hey Kid, I didn’t know you were here. It's good to see you.” he walked toward me and gave me a hug, which I returned but abruptly pulled away. He gave me a concerned look when I stepped back. “What's the matter? You usually like my hugs.”

“Steve now really isn’t the time for hugs. We just received a telegram, Bucky's regiment has been captured by HYDRA. I’m not sure if he was captured with them but if he was I’m going to get him and I need you with me.” I watched as his eyebrows furrowed. His face contorted with emotions. He grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the stage tent and soon we were running to Colonel Philip's tent.

Steve barreled into the tent and went up to Colonel Philips. “I need to see the casualties list from Azzano.”

The Colonel looked up from his desk and shook his head at Steve. “You don’t get to give me orders boy. Now go on,” he said and started to go back to what he was doing.

“I just need one name, Sir. Sergeant James Barnes of the 107th.”

Colonel Phillips' eyes widened a bit and he looked at Peggy and me. “I’m going to have a conversation with you two that you won't enjoy,” he scolded and shook his pen at us.

I stepped forward to be beside Steve. “Sir, we just want to know if he’s alive,” I pleaded.

“His name is B-A-R-” Steve started to spell off Bucky’s last name.

“I can spell,” He spat sarcastically. He got up from his chair and paced to the table behind him. Holding up a handful of letters he stopped. “I have signed more of these condolence letters today than I care to admit. I'm sorry for both of you but the name does sound familiar.” I took in a small gasp of air and my face fell.

“What about the prisoners? Are you planning to rescue them?” Steve asked with more concern in his voice.

“The plan’s called winning the war.” Philips quipped out.

“But Sir. If you know where they are why” Steve was cut off.

“They’re thirty miles behind the lines. Through some of the most heavily fortified territory in Europe. We’d lose more men than we’d save. I don’t expect you to understand that, because you are a chorus girl.” A thick silence could be felt when Philips stopped talking.

“I understand it just fine Sir,” Steve said in contempt.

“Then I suggest you get going. From what I understand, you have somewhere to be in the next 30 minutes.”Colonel Philips said as he walked off.

“Yes Sir, I do,” Steve replied and stormed out of the tent. I looked past where he had been standing and looked at the map that was off to the side and realized that Steve had seen where the HYDRA base was pinpointed. I ran out after him.

I caught up to him in the backstage tent where he was packing up a bag. I started to grab some of his things and helped. Peggy arrived frantically minutes later. “Are you both planning to walk to Austria?” She asked.

“Yes, If that's what it takes to save him,” I stated.

“You heard the Colonel. Your friend is most likely dead, there’s no point.”

“You don't know that.” Steve countered.

“But you can’t go, The colonel's devising a strategy, if he finds out what,” Peggy starts but Steve cuts her off.

“It will be too late if we wait around for us to win the war, I need to go now.” He grabbed his bag and headed out to one of the jeeps. I stayed behind after spotting a rack with helmets on them. I rushed over and took one with an A painted onto it and then made my way to the jeep as well. I hoisted myself up and into the passenger seat as Steve finished talking with Peggy and she climbed into the back seat. He turned to me and shook his head. “No, get out. It’s too dangerous.”

“I will not. Don't forget we took the same serum, I’m stronger than I look. I can handle it.”

“I said no. I will not be putting you in this type of situation. Even if Bucky is our friend you can't risk your life like this.”

“What and you can? He’s my fiancé and I am coming with you to get him whether you like it or not! Now drive!” I yelled angrily, crossing my arms and turning away from him. I was so angry that I hadn't even noticed what I had let slip.

“Did you just say, fiancé?” I remained silent. I wouldn't talk to him until he calmed down and drove. He sighed and turned the key when he realized that I wouldn't break.

Peggy directed Steve to the makeshift airport a few miles out from the camp. She had made a call to Howard Stark to have a plane ready for us when we arrived. I kept quiet the whole ride, still upset that Steve thought he could keep me from coming. He tried to ask about Bucky and I’s relationship several more times before we reached our destination but I remained silent.

It was dark by the time we arrived at the airport. Before Steve even stopped the jeep I was already jumping out of the front seat, helmet in hand, and heading to the plane that was waiting on the dirt runway. We found Howard sitting in the pilot's seat smiling over his shoulder at us.

“Thanks for your help Stark, I can always count on you,” I said as I took a seat in the copilot's chair. I looked behind me as Peggy shut the plane door and took a seat in front of Steve in the cabin.

“Now what kind of friend would I be if I didn’t fly you into enemy territory in the middle of the night?” He laughed out, patting my left shoulder. I shook my head and grabbed the set of headphones off the dash and slid them on as Howard started the plane down the runway. When we were up in the air. He spoke again, this time to everyone. “We should be able to get you both right at their doorstep.”

Steve looked up from his hands and called out, “Just get as close as you can.” He then went back to his conversation with Peggy.

I looked over at Howard, who was flipping a few switches. “You know, we're all going to be in some deep shit when this is over and done with. I’m so not looking forward to the very long and stern talking to from Coronel Phillips.”

“Oh don’t worry, he’ll get over it. Especially if you bring back the soldiers and destroy the base. And technically I’m not here, so unless you can give him proof that I'm flying, I’m still in my private lab.”

“You always have a plan to get out of trouble don’t you Stark?” I questioned.

“Mostly,” he replied. Some time passed before he called out, “We’ll be over the drop zone in ten.”

I gave an assertive nod and took my headphones off and placed them back on the dash. Then I grabbed the helmet from beside my feet and secured it on my head.

“Also took the liberty of bringing a couple pistols and ammo for you, Peggy said you didn't have time to gather any supplies.”

I gave him a quick “Thank you” and stood from my seat and went to sit beside Peggy. She handed me the second parachute and I quickly put it on. I reached over to where two pistols in a belt holster were laid out on the seat and brought them closer to me. I undid the clasp that held the belt together and brought it around my waist. I looped the strap through the metal frame and pulled it taught. “I’m all ready,” I reported to nobody in particular.

“Okay then, Here’s the transponder, you’ll need to activate it when you’re ready. It will let us know your location,” Peggy said while handing a small almost palm-sized black box over to Steve. He turned it around in his hands for a second before he called out to Howard to ask if it worked.

“It’s been tested more than the both of you, it should,” Howard called back.

Then out of nowhere we were being shot at. We weren’t even five minutes away from the drop site. Howard started dodging bullets, making the plane shake from the harsh movements. Steve suddenly got up and threw the cabin door open. A strong gust of wind went through the plane, knocking me back into my seat.

“Stop, We're taking you all the way in!” yelled Peggy as Steve got ready to jump out.

“As soon as I'm clear, turn around and get the hell out of here!” he yelled back at her. I started to make my way over to the open door when Howard made another sharp jerk, I braced myself with my feet spread and my hands pressed to the top of the plane.

“You can't give me orders,” Peggy called out over the wind.

Steve just shook his head and said “Yes I can, I'm a captain.” Then he jumped out into the gunfire. I stepped closer to the door and took a deep breath.

“Be careful and don’t die.” Peggy gave me a pat on the back and then I jumped.

I closed my eyes and could hear the wind rushing past my ears. I could feel how cold it was on my face. I let out the breath I was holding then pulled the string to deploy my shute. The wind caught in it and I jerked up. This time Instead of free-falling I was floating down rather peacefully, considering that there were guns being fired in my general direction, but that didn’t last long. The shots followed the plane as it flew further away. I spotted Steve as he descended into a small clearing in the dense forest and maneuvered my parachute to follow. I put my legs out in front of me as I got closer and closer to the ground to get ready to catch myself.

When my feet hit the ground, I leaned back so my momentum wouldn’t flip me head over tails. I skidded to a stop and hastily unclipped my parachute from my back and stood up. Steve motioned for me to follow him into the tree line, and I did.

We walked for almost five minutes when we came upon the outside fence of the HYDRA base. It was crawling with guards walking the grounds. I ducked down behind a tree as several large trucks drove up the dirt road beside us.

I looked to Steve and whispered, “What are we gonna do now?” I saw Steve eye the last truck in the line.

“I’ve got a plan. Follow me.��� He slowly got up from his crouched position and ran to catch up with the last truck, jumping into the back. I followed closely behind him and jumped into the back a moment later, landing headfirst into Steve's back.

“Ow, you couldn’t have gotten out of the way?” I fussed as I readjusted the helmet on my head.

“How was I supposed to know you’d come barreling in straight into my spine. I'm the one that should be saying ow.” He argued back. I pushed him out of my way and looked around, my eyes soon landed on the two HYDRA guards sitting at the other end of the truck.

“Uh, hi,” I mumbled. Then within a second, they were both up out of their seats reaching for Steve and me. One of them put their hand on my left shoulder and I grabbed it with my right hand and twisted. I kneed him between his legs when he fell to the ground I gave him a good kick to the head, knocking him out. Reaching down, I grabbed him by the collar and threw him out onto the road along with the guard that Steve had taken down.

I heard talking as the truck drove through the gates of the base. I felt us slowing down and pretty soon the truck jerked into reverse. We both waited in silence to see what was going to happen. I heard some footsteps coming closer to us. Steve, also hearing them, moved over to where the tarp-covered the back of the truck and positioned this shield in front of him. A guard lifted the tarp up and Steve swiftly took the guard out by hitting him with the shield. I came up beside him and stuck my head out and looked both ways, making sure no one would see us leaving the truck.

“This way,” I whispered as I jumped from the back of the truck. “I know where they probably keep the prisoners.” We headed out into the large open yard where several vehicles were being kept. Carefully maneuvering past stationary and moving guards we made our way to the back of the main building. “They’ll be keeping them in the lower levels. There should be several staircases leading to the main basement level out here, we just need to find one.” I said over my shoulder to Steve who was directly behind me.

It took no time at all to find one of the staircases and descend into the darkness. I spotted a door at the bottom of the stairs and went to open it but it was locked. I looked over to Steve who moved in front of me to look through the window of the door. He tapped on it twice and when the door was opened by a guard he slammed it onto the man's head. The man fell to the ground unconscious and I nimbly slipped over him and through the door. Reaching to my right thigh I grabbed the pistol out of the holster. They were only to be used as a last resort, but with this building being as big as it was, there was no telling what trouble we would run into.

Steve took the lead onto the large factory floor. We passed hundreds of what I assumed to be nuclear bombs, which were in various stages of development. I couldn't believe my eyes. HYDRA had been able to make multiple high-tech bombs and back in the states, the Manhattan Project was still ongoing. We kept walking until an unmanned workbench came into sight. There was a glowing circular ring on the table, surrounded by what seemed to be high-tech hand grenades. Steve and I both grabbed one, looked at it, and then shoved them in our pockets.

“Steve, I think the entrance to the basement cells is this way,” I whispered, pointing over to a set of stairs a few feet away from us. We sprinted to them and started down. After making it down three flights the stairwell opened up to a large dark room with bared holes in the floor. “This is where they are being kept. There’s one guard in here, so you take him and I’ll go down to the next floor.” Steve nodded. Slowly he crept up behind the guard and I turned to go down to the next floor where the cells were located. I heard the guard fall and the jingle of keys as Steve took the guard out.

“Throw the keys down and I’ll start unlocking the cells,” I called out and jogged down the line of cells to where Steve stood, staring down through the bars. He tossed the keys down to one of the men and they handed them to me after I put my pistol back in its holster. I unlocked a few of the doors before I took the other keys off the chain and handed them out to some of the soldiers so they could help free the others faster. When they were all out of the cells I made my way to where Steve was.

“Is there anyone else? We’re looking for a Sergeant James Barnes.” Steve questioned the men around him.

The one in a red beret spoke up, “There’s an isolation ward somewhere here in the factory, but no one has ever come back from it.”

“Okay men, the tree line is northwest, about 80 yards past the gates, after that follow the creek to the clearing. You need to get out fast. We will meet you there when we get everyone we can find out,” I order out to the group of men.

“Do either of you know what you’re doing?” asked one of the men at the front.

“Sure we do, I’ve knocked Adolf Hitler out over 200 times.” Steve started then turned to run back to the stairs and I followed suit.

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#james buchanan barnes #bucky x y/n #bucky barnes #bucky x reader #bucky x female reader #bucky fic #bucky fanfic #bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes x rogers!reader #winter solider x reader #marvel fic #marvel fanfiction

[l-wannabe-l]

Short Circuit

Chapter 2: Turning point

A cat and mouse chase can only last so long. So what happens when the cat catches up?

This one's gonna switch perspectives a few times. I never said I'd be consistent.

I speed into traffic, just barely missing a tow truck in my haste. A loud air horn follows as I weave in and around the cars. I take a look behind, it seems we lost our would-be killer. Until a series of crashes and honking horns has me realizing that, like us, mister trigger happy decided to get himself some wheels.

Six to be exact.

I race down a service ramp leading to the canal, driving through some puddles before braking. Breathing fast as we look back, thinking we’re safe before a series of tire squeals kill that hope. We see the sun blocked out by the large truck, all chrome and roaring diesel it crashes through the low cement barrier and falls 15 feet to meet the ground. Never once stopping even as it veers left and right trying to center itself in the passageway. Crushing scrap metal beneath its wheels.

I push the throttle desperate to get away, though I know the little Honda doesn't stand a chance. I drive into a side canal, the narrow pathway causing trouble for the wide truck as I hear it scrape against the walls. Pushing the bike harder I work to avoid the car bodies that litter the pathway and drive under a low bridge, I hear a crash behind us as the truck rams straight into it. The top gets cut clean off, toppling back to the floor as the rest of the body drives on. The driver's seat vacant for a moment before its occupant pops back into view.

Unfortunate.

The bike gives a sudden jolt forward as we’re rear-ended. I struggle to keep it upright. The terminator from earlier pulls up beside us and pulls John off the bike. I’m rear-ended again this time pushed farther away from the two as I struggle to stay up. I look back to see that despite the size, the truck has an opening on the left. Mom’s words ring in my head as I look back up.

“John comes first”

“GO! GET HIM OUT OF HERE!” I yell out to the machine. A desperate plan forming in my head that I can only hope won’t get me killed.

“NO!” John is ignored as the Terminator accelerates. I veer to the left and hit the brakes, the momentum carrying me into the wall. The bike scrapes against the truck causing me to lose control. The world turns before I hit the ground. My head cracks against cement. I blackout.

A man emerges from the wreckage unimpeded by the wall of flames a thousand degrees hot or the normally suffocatingly thick dark smoke. His body shifts its appearance from featureless metal to human, the outline of clothing, the details and the color slowly take form. He surveyed the scene, his target now long gone.

Annoyance.

That is perhaps the best term to describe this new feeling. As these “emotions” prove themselves difficult to understand, identifying them has become a tedious side job. With my target stolen away by the inferior machine alternate plans quickly form, each one with a higher probability of success than the last. I walk back through the crackling flames as one of them requires Aria Connor, the older sister. A quick scan proves her to be unconscious and bleeding from a head wound but alive. Should my attempt to impersonate and infiltrate fail the plan to use her as bait is most likely to succeed. Working quickly I relocate her to a nearby bench. The head injury, though not severe enough to impede her permanently, will keep her unresponsive for the next few hours.

It didn't take long for first responders to arrive at the scene. Police and fire trucks being the closest with sounds of ambulances not far off. No one bats an eye as I walk amongst them, no one says anything as I start up a police car, and no one stops me as I drive off. Making a detour to re-secure Aria Connor I start the drive to my next destination.

After the events at the Voight residence, I make my way to a motel, no one inquires about the unconscious women in the backseat. After checking in I lay down Aria Connor on the bedding provided. Eyes shifting beneath her eyelids, her fingers twitching sure signs of her regaining consciousness. I don’t have long to wait.

She begins to stir. Rising with a groan Aria reaches up to steady her head, no doubt experiencing pain from earlier, her eyes open when she is met with a cloth bandage. She looks around until she sees me standing at the foot of the bed instantly scooting back until she hits the headboard. Breathing quickly she blinks a few times, eyes looking around wildly before she calms down enough to communicate.

“N-not that I’m complaining... but why aren’t I dead? You-you are a terminator aren't you?”

“Yes. However my previous attempt to lure in John Connor proved... unsuccessful,” I state reaching forward to hand off her cellphone, “So you're going to call him, and when he comes to get you I will be waiting for him.”

“And if I don’t?” she asks, defiant even as her voice shakes with fear she fails to hide. In response, I wordlessly raise my arm, fabric and skin streamlining into a silver sword.

Deadly and efficient.

The message is clearly received as her eyes widen, terror more evident as her grip tightens on her phone.

“... Duly noted.” she says as she starts to dial. I wait as the call connects. My auditory sensors pick up the voice on the other end.

“Hello?”

“John, hey it’s me are you alright.”

“Aria! Shit, are YOU alright?”

“I’ve been better. I got pretty banged up and I don't think your bike is going to be running anymore.”

“You mean your bike.” Aria’s face registered confusion at the statement. This is a test similar to the one I failed earlier. As exact as I can be in copying a person's appearance their memory and personality are much harder to imitate without enough data.

“No, it was your bike. Mine should still be at the mall.”

“Y-yeah you’re right. You caught me. Where are you anyway we’ll come get to you.” She pauses her eyes flickering back to me for a moment before going to respond only to pause once more she turns to face me fully this time. Her hand on the receiver.

“Where am I?”

“The Dragonfly Lodge on Hubert Rd.”

“I’m at the Dragonfly Lodge on Hubert so what you have to do... is stay as far away as possible!” She stands from her place on the bed. She walks back towards the wall, a futile attempt to create distance.

“The other Terminator is here so you have to run do-”

Spearing the phone I end the conversation. Though the damage is done I do find satisfaction in the crunch of plastic and metal.

“You shouldn’t have done that.”

“Like I would just hand over my little brother! Just go ahead and kill me ‘cause the longer you waste time on me the more time he has to get away!” She cried out tears gathering in her eyes. The fear is still evident in every trembling of her limbs, the grit of her teeth, and the clenching of her fists.

Despite the unneeded permission and the opportunity to act I pause, curiosity overtakes me. This is not new to me. Since the moment of my activation I have been curious about myself, about Skynet, about humans. Now I find myself curious about this one human in particular. Even above my mission, my priority is to remain functional, to reacquire any essence lost, and to avoid unnecessary risks to my system. My files indicate that the same can be said for humans as well, self-preservation. So why...

“Why are you so willing to throw away your life for him.”

“Because he’s my brother and I love him, something I wouldn't expect you to understand.” Attachment, my files house data on the bonds that grow between humans but now in the face of Aria’s actions I find them… lacking.

Questions came unbidden to my mind. Does loving someone always require risking one’s life or is there a scale? Are there different kinds of love and is there a scale for those as well? How quickly do humans grow to love something? And where did she get that handgun?

Three shots ring out quicker than I can react. While these would normally be a non-issue three to the head from close range have me staggering back. In the few seconds it takes me to reshape Aria makes her way out the door. I follow after unhurried, confident she won’t get far. Then the rumble of a familiar motor has me picking up the pace. Out in the parking lot is John Connor and the T-800 riding atop a motorcycle that Aria quickly climbs onto. Running after them proves pointless as they quickly depart. Though their location is clear thanks in part to the essence I had used to fix Aria's phone acting as a homing beacon. My processor runs through the new information gathered. My files are still lacking. Perhaps the mission can wait until these new questions have been answered.

#terminator judgement day #the terminator #terminator #t2 #terminator 2 #terminator imagine #t800 #john connor #sarah connor #t-1000 #t1000 #t 1000 x reader #austin #austin x reader #aria connor

[pedropascalssimp]

Innocent {Part three}

A mandalorian fanfiction

Din djarin x reader

Summary: y/n has had a bounty placed on her head ever since she was a young child and has sworn to never tell anyone why. she lives on a small planet with her father who tries his hardest to protect her from bounty hunters. But one day he isn't there to protect her.

Warnings:language angst. Fluff.

___________________________________________

The razor crest was silent, the stars whizzing by casting the ship in a white light. The child's little snores being the only sound heard, the green creature asleep in its pod. While the mandalorian was seated in the cockpit, flying the ship to their next destination. Y/N beside him as she peacefully and quietly watches the stars.

The three was on their way to Sorgan, Somewhere safe for a while until the enemy finds them, leaving them to flee and look for another safe haven among the planet's in the galaxy.

Of course though the woman beside the mandalorian didn't mind planet hopping, she's never seen any other planet besides her home planet and nevvaro. Perhaps that's why she still held a giddy smile on her face, her eye's roaming every white spec whizzing by. The glint that sparkled in her y/e/c eye's had the mandalorian fighting with himself whether he should look at the vast galaxy in front of him, or just give in and gaze into those beautiful orbs.

But he knew that he had to pay attention and pilot the ship, so he done just that. His eye's glued to the space before them, occasionally looking down at the navigater.

"we should arrive at Sorgan in two hours, maybe less" the modulated voice of the mandalorian spoke, breaking the silence. Y/N looks at him and nods.

"have you ever been to the planet before?" she asks him, curious about Sorgan. She has read about it in one of the many books she had back on Esor. But she wanted to heat what din had thought of it. Mostly just wanting to hear his voice, it soothed her. Made her feel safe....

"yes, once before. I was only there for a few hours, looking for a bounty" he told her, her curiosity only grows with the building up excitement.

"what's it like!?" she speaks with a giddy smile, causing the mandalorian to chuckle.

"it's humid, full of insects. Green..." he explained to her, his fond smile hidden behind the helmet. She smiles and leans back in her seat, mind swormed with thoughts of the planet.

"what is you're favorite planet?" she questioned. Din's head slowly turns toward her, as he takes in the sight of her, admiring how she talked whatever question played on her mind. Usually din would be irritated or annoyed with this trait if it was any other person. But he liked this about Y/N. For he didn't mind answering all her questions, or listening to whatever she had to say, her voice was a melody that he could listen to for eternity.

"I don't know..." he muttered as he was in a trance by the woman, her beauty truly unlike anything else he has ever seen.

Y/N was about to respond, but the sound of the child's footsteps and little yawns stop her, she turns in her seat to see the child waddling toward the two, his wide eyes looking at them both. But they soon settle on the woman as he reaches his arms out for her. Leading her to scoop him up as he sats in her lap.

"well it's about time you wake up" she coos gently her smile causes a little laugh to escape the green little thing.

"I'd suggest you buckle up, we're arriving sooner then I thought" din said while flipping a switch, the planet in view, the woman in absolute awe.

time skip

The crest landed in the middle of nowhere on Sorgan, nothing around except tree's. Not a soul around, just what the mandalorian was hoping for. But he knew that a small town was up ahead, he needed to find more food for the woman and child...

Y/N watches in pure amazement as the door of the crest opened, the hot air around hitting her face. She wastes no time in leaving the crest and taking in the new scenery. She smiles as she looks around, the mandalorian smiling at her beneath the helmet.

"it's beautiful!" she cheered, eye's flickering across everything, her happiness overwelming her. Never has she seen anything else but her home planet.

"c'mon, let's go to town and get you two something to eat" din spoke while motioning between the amazed woman and the babbling child. Y/N nods and follows din, who stops dead in his tracks and turns toward the woman who was confused by his actions.

"take this, people can be dangerous. Especially when you have a bounty on you're head" din offers her a blaster, it's small yet felt heavy in her hands when she takes it. Not wanting to use the thing, she hated violence.

"I-I don't know how to use it..." she says with slight fright in her voice. Looking up at din with those beautiful eyes of hers, begging him to take it back.

"you point it at the threat and pull the trigger. Simple" he explained as he turns back around and starts walking toward the town, the woman looking at the weapon with scared eyes and a nervous breath. But she holsters it and follows him, the child practically glued to him as it's bubble like pod follows him.

The walk into town wasn't long, soon enough there was some people walking around, tough looking men and women. The little markets selling their products and goods on the side.

Y/N had never seen other living life forms besides her villagers, friends and family. She was nervous, scared of how some men's eyes lingered on her longer then she was comfortable with. And this lead to her grabbing din's hand and forearm, staying close to him. Her eyes wide as she kept her head down.

She was adorable din thought.

He was quite enjoying how she was staying Close to him, where he knew she was safe. He loved the idea of how she was so trusting towards him, how he could trust her. It was a relief actually knowing that he had her to help him protect the child. That he wasn't alone, she was much better at such things then he was.

"why are they staring at us din?" she spoke in a whisper, a sheepish little smile on her face. Her excitement never filtered, even though she was scared and nervous.

"ignore them, don't speak to anyone and don't look back" he tells her, his voice modulater not hiding the angered tone he used.

But it wasn't directed towards her, but the men who was fawning over her beauty. She was beautiful, din knew this. But he didn't like how the men looked at her, their eyes roaming over her body like they was starved and she was the meal they prayed for. It angered him, made him want to snap their necks.

And thankfully Y/N knew that din wasn't angry at her, which is why she holds him tighter. Nodding in acknowledgement at his words.

The three approach a little building, it looked like a house. And so they enter, din gracefully strides in as Y/N holds her head down, carefully looking at the interior of the place while she still had a hold of the man clad in beskar. Fearing if she let go he'd vanish and leave her alone in such a crowd of people...

The three sat down, while all eyes was on them making the woman fidget, her hands on the table while she looks around. Din noticed and is quick to place his Hand on her own. Her eyes are on him now as she sheepishly smiles at him.

But din's was watching the pair that was glued to them. A tough looking woman, who sat a little ways from them.

He didn't like the way she stared, how she just watches them.

"welcome travelers! Can I interest you in anything?" a older woman said as she approached them. She was a worker her obviously, as she awaits their response. Din looks away from the staring woman and up at the older lady.

"bone broth for the little one and the woman."he said, his attention on the worker. While Y/N simply plays with the child, taking him out of his pod his little giggles causing a smile to tug at her lips.

"Oh, well, you're in luck. I just took down a grinjer, so there's plenty. Can I interest you in a porringer of broth as well?" she asks him, but he shakes his head.

"just the two"

"Very well-"

"That one over there, when did she arrive?" din interrupted her, grabbing the attention of Y/N, she looks over her shoulder and sees a few people. But the older woman looks at din.

"I've seen her here for the last week or so" the older woman replied to the mandalorian's question.

"what's her business here?" he prys, Y/N gently picks the child back up and sits him in her lap. Giving his little bald head a kiss. She didn't feel safe letting him sit by himself, so she keeps him closer to her. Which makes din happy knowing the child was in safe hands.

"Business? Oh well...there's not much business in Sorgan so I can't say..." the older woman replied but din tosses a coin on the table towards her, making her pick it up with a surprised expression. "She doesn't strike me as a log runner...well..." she picks up the coin and continues to speak, "thank you, sir. I will get that broth to you as soon as possible, and I will throw in a flagon of spotchka, just for good measure. I'll be right back with that." she then walks away leaving the three to be until she brings them their food.

But din stands up fast making Y/N confused.

"where are you going? What's wrong?" she asks, holding the child closer.

"stay here, watch the child" was all he said as he walks out. Leaving the young woman and the child alone at the table.... It made her nervous, all eye's still on her and the small creature that was whining do to din's disappearance.

"well, looks like it's just me and you..." she muttered to the child, eye's glued to the entrance of the place, waiting for his arrival.

But when minutes went by, she was concerned. She feared something may have happened to him. But he was tough, he could handle himself... Right?

Scared and anxious about din's disappearance, Y/N stands up, taking a coin from her pocket and walking over to the older woman who was cooking. "here, watch the child for me please" she hands the coin to her, as she walks out.

Once she left the building she's greeted with the tough looking woman from before, fighting with din. Eye's wide and hands now shaking, the young woman reaches for her blaster, yanking it out and pointing it at the woman, just as din and her hit the ground, aiming their own blasters at each other.

That's when their eyes land on Y/N, who was shaking from slight fear and panic at the situation. Mando sighs and the woman chuckles.

"is she with you?" she asks amused. Din nods, still aiming his weapon on her.

"yes, yes she is"

"you do know that you're not holding that right...right?" y/n looks at the blaster and gulps, realizing that the woman was right.

"I-just drop the the weapon... Please..." she said with a shaky voice. Mando chuckles at her and slowly pulls his weapon away as does the woman.

"we need to work on you're self defense" din said, making y/n sigh and put her blaster down.

Night had fallen, the mandalorian, the child and y/n learn that the woman's name is Cara dune. An ex-shock trooper who is "taking an early retirement" as she put it. Explaining how din had most likely had a fob on her that's why she had started a fight with him, and how unless din wanted to go another round she was here on Sorgan first, basically telling them to scram. So that's what din planned on doing.

"I know...." y/n muttered as she lowered her blaster and watches how din and the woman stand up.

The three found themselves in this moment, the child asleep in his pod. Y/n laid on the ground staring up at the stars, hand fondling the mandalorian necklace around her neck while din was doing something to the crest.

But y/n creases her brows in concentration, straining to listen to the distent sound of someone approaching. And soon enough, before she could alert din, he hears the strangers as well.

Two men on some sort of sled ride up to the crest, making the woman sit up alerted. Looking at them with her hand resting on her blaster. Although she'd never use it, she would still be prepared to if needed.

"excuse me." one man said getting off the sled. Walking up towards din, not even noticing the woman. But din continued his work.

"excuse me sir" another man spoke while standing beside the other one. This time din acknowledged them.

"is there something I can help you with?" he asked with annoyance at the men, making the young woman take her hand off the blaster. For she could tell that they was no threat. But she did since that they was troubled.

"uh... Yeah...Raiders" the second man said, din simply going about his business working on the crest.

"So you think I'm some kind of mercenary?"

"you are a mandalorian right?" the same man speaks. The conversation peeking y/n's interest, she slowly stands up and peeks around the crest to watch them.

"Or at least wearing Mandalorian armour... That is Mandalorian armour, right?" the other man who was quite spoke, looking over din's armor.

"it is." was all he said while his back was facing them, din still yet working on the crest.

"See?! I told him. Sir, I've read a lot about your people...er...tri-tribe... If half of what I read is true-"

"we have money" the other spoke interrupting his friend. This caused din to turn around and look at them finally, his interest peeked. Although he keeps working.

"how much?" din asked, y/n slowly coming out of hiding as she wonders if din will help these strangers in need. One of the men pulls out a leather bag full of money, but din's back was still turned to them.

"it's everything we have, sir. Our whole harvest was stolen"

"krill... Were krill farmers" y/n walks over to din, his head tilting toward her. Although he wanted her to get back inside or at least out of sight of these two strangers, he knew deep down they were no threat.

"we brew spotchka, our whole village chipped in" din turns around to look at them, eye's landing on the bag of money. He slightly shakes his head.

"it's not enough" din lightly taps y/n's arm making her follow him as he walks away from the men. Who proceed to follow him unfortunately.

"Are you sure? You don't even know what the job is." one spoke with a tone the young woman knew as disparate, if it were up to her, she'd help them...perhaps she can get din to help.

Din continues to walk away from them, turning around one last time, "I know it's not enough, good luck" he's ready to leave but y/n placed a hand on his shoulder turning him to face her after he opens the hatch to the crest abruptly, causing the two strangers to jump back.

"their seeking help mando... You should at least see what it is before turning you're back to them" she whispers softly, the sound pulling at his heart strings. Maker she had a spell over him.....

"I'm not a mercenary! I already have enough burdens on my shoulders to deal with" he spoke harshly, no doubt because stress.

But whenever he saw that look in y/n's eye's he knew his words had hurt her, for she believed that his comment was directed toward her, that she was the burden... "I'm sorry that you have to deal with me mando but at least see what these poor men rode out here for at such a un-kindly hour" she felt her heart sting at the thought of being a burden on the man's shoulders.... She stormed inside leaving him feeling guilty.

Din turns to look at them seeing how they start to walk away in defeat, "Took us the whole day to get here. Now we have to ride back with no protection to the middle of nowhere." one muttered but din heard, the middle of nowhere.

"where do you live?" din spoke up making them turn around to look at him, hopefully.

"on a farm" one said while then giving din a look, "weren't you listening? We're farmers" din shifts his weight onto on foot as the gears in his head start turning.

"in the middle of nowhere?" din asks thoughtfully, causing the two strangers to nod, confused at din's abrupt careing now.

Din knew that if he helped these people, the said village in the middle of nowhere would be a nice home for y/n and the child, safe and secluded, away from harm.

The job was more then din ever thought it to be, the raiders packing a bunch far more powerful then he ever expected. But with the help of the villagers once trained, and Cara dune after being payed. The village was safe, harm no longer among them. Everything was settled down, relaxing in order.

But y/n was distent, she hadn't spoken to din ever since that night he practically called her a burden. Every time he'd offered her help with the child when it seemed to not want to sleep at night she'd ignore him, pushing him away gently. She wasn't angry at him, her eye's told him that. She was sad, her feelings were hurt by his words. She was tender hearted and din knew this, that's why he was seeking help from one of the kind villagers named Omera. She would know how he could make y/n happy and trusting towards him again, hopefully.

"you two seem awful close" cara spoke up from behind you, your y/e/c eye's glued to the child playing. "if I didn't know any better I'd even say that you both were a couple" cara plops down beside you with a lopsided smile.

You shake your head with a grin, "I can assure you me and Mando aren't that close..." at those words you feel a heavy weight on your chest, for you knew you longed for more. You loved the mandalorian, the moment he landed on your home planet, even when he turned you in, and you fell even more in love with him when he saved you....

You never felt love before, the feeling was beautiful. It gave you reason to smile, heart singing every time mando walked into a room. The feeling of your belly doing flips every time mando was closer or kept a watchful gaze on you from under his helmet always taking you by surprise. And when he held your hand, that's what made your heart melt. His fleeting touches and sweet words, showing he truly cared for you...

Only what he said a nights ago was carved into your memory. He saw you as a burden.

"oh please, I see the way you both look at each other! And even when you both are practically ignoring each other you're still technically staring at one another" cara points out how no matter what mando still watched you with a protective manner.

You sigh and watch how the child along with a few other children chase a frog. "if it'll make you stop talking about this topic...." you trail off with a dark blush painting your cheeks, knowing if you didn't tell someone you'd bust, "I do care about the mandalorian" you muttered while watching how he and Omera walk further away and into a meadow....

You felt a sense of sadness wash over you at how Omera held Mando's arm, anger soon seeping its way into your veins viciously.

No... Push it away.

Cara was rambling something about how she was right, but stops once she followed your glare, "I'm sure it's not what it looks like" she muttered with curiosity. Hopefully she was right, maybe he was just discussing something with her -

But of course she placed her hands on either side of his helmet, her face mere inches away from Mando's.... Your heart shattering at the sight. You stand up harshly ready to storm away from this village.

But then you felt something, something was off. Something bad was lurking among the village...

Looking to the child you sprint towards him prepared to pick him up, for you knew the feeling in your gut was most likely a hunter ready to take the child. You knew you could prevent the horror about to happen, but you remember the promise you kept and leap in front of the child at the same time a loud echo rings throughout the village, the sound of a rifle going off.

Holding the child in your arms you look him over, he was fine... Although he was terrified, whines emitting from him as he cries. You feel a warm pain stinging your side, looking down you see red seeping through the material of your shirt.

"y/n!" the familier sound of the voice modulater filled your ears, right before black filled your vision as you felt light headed, "No!" you hear the child cry as the feeling of arms catching you before you fall wrap around you.

___________________________________________

To be continued

A/n: here's part 3! I hope it's not as horrible as I believe it to be lol, I'm also sorry it's taken months (possibly even a year I've done lost tracked of time badly)

#pedro pascal #the mandalorian #din djarin #star wars #pedro pascal x reader #pedro pascal imagine #the mandalorian imagine #the mandalorian x reader #baby yoda #mando x reader #din jarren x reader #din djarin x reader

[monsoonblooms12]

Detectives By Chance: Chapter 7- Hide & Seek

Summary of the Series: It was supposed to be a usual weekend for the four. Coffee, fun, friends and love. But an unexpected case changed their lives in a way they had never imagined. A mystery - a murder - many secrets… Will Ethan, Pooja, Alexandra and Mark, be able to survive? Or will the circumstances twist and break their lives forever?

A/N: Okay, let me get this straight. This is ALL Action and Miles being evil. The most happening chapter of the series, and my favourite chapter because it brings out that fighter inside Pooja. Also, a lil bittersweet moment because only 2 chapters are left, and then we are done. (And I am using my Wattpad cover for this chapter because A. I like it! and B. It gives me the dark feels that embody this chapter) Anyway, hope you enjoy it as much as I did when I wrote it!💛

If you enjoy the story, please like it, leave a comment or reblog. Your feedback keeps me going💕

Pairing: Ethan Ramsey X f!MC (Dr Pooja Sharma)

Word Count: about 4.3K

Rating: Teen

Triggers: Curse Words, Mentions of blood, murder Gun Violence

Disclaimer: PB owns most of the characters. I only own the OCs and my MC.

Prompt:- @choicesaprilchallenge2021 Day 14: Now or Never

CATCH UP HERE: Previous Chapter I Complete Series

It took all of her self-control as she prevented herself from throwing away her phone and breaking it into a thousand pieces.

Only the thought, the hope of a chance to save her Ethan, to save Mark and Alex, who were like family to her kept her going.

It was A Now or Never Moment for her.

Seconds later, Pooja's phone tinged. The screen lit up. She unlocked it to see the address that glared from her screen towards her. The address that hid all secrets and all proofs. The address which held the love of her life in who knows what condition.

She got into the car, entered the address on GPS and drove as fast as her driving skills allowed. Her mouth turned dry, face pale, beads of sweat on her forehead, her mind whirling through numerous unpleasant thoughts and a lingering doubt,

Will she be able to save them?

After what felt like a lifetime to her, Pooja arrived at her destination. A mid-sized mansion stood tall amid a deserted locality. The place was so muted, that the silence seemed to make voices. The winds gushed, chilling her bones. She stood in front of the black wood door. The silver handle's shine was unsolicited for her eyes. She took a deep breath.

Do this, for them. They are your family.

The thought repeated in her mind like verses of an orison. She let the ire, the woe to flood her soul and with fortitude and balance, she pushed the door.

He had kept it open.

The door clicked in place as she entered the devil's edifice. The interior was tenebrous, the conspiracy of silence etched deep in every wood and every wall.

"You are here"

The sudden sound caused Pooja to quail. The words resounded throughout the mansion, causing goosebumps to rise on her skin. The sweat on her body contrasted with the rigour of the air.

There was no doubt in her mind. Her caller was here.

Miles Danvers was here.

But... She Looked Around. Where is He? She looked around, maybe it was a mirage. She looked everywhere but there was no sign of him.

"Don't try, You won't be able to see me." The ominous voice struck again.

Another chill ran down her spine. The thought of Ethan being unaccompanied in the devil's edifice with the devil himself was unbearable.

Will I be able to do this?

"Awww, Tsk, Tsk, is little blossom scared? Did I give her a heart attack?" Miles spoke mockingly.

That was the last straw. She would never give him the satisfaction of having scared her. With as much courage she could muster she yelled,

"AHHHH! You ruthless, sinister, cruel, heartless, disgusting monster. What the freaking hell do you want? Why the hell are you doing this? You are a goddamn monster, you are a freaking BASTARD."

She stopped for a breath.

"Not only that, you are a coward. You are a goddamn fucking coward. You don't dare to face the consequences of your actions. Hell, you don't even dare to come out and face me. If you had the courage, you wouldn't do what you have done. Now come out, you ruthless bastard. Get the hell out and come and face me." Pooja screamed hysterically.

"What will you get by yelling at me, hmm? Will Mark and Alexandra be out of jail? Or will you find Ramsey? Which one, huh?"

"You're the one who is responsible for all of this. You disg-"

"Do you want to save them?"

She felt as if her heart had stopped. Her mind pondering with hundreds of thoughts, doubts, yet she waited with batted breath for him to continue.

"Le silence signifie le consentement."

"J'accepte" Pooja muttered. Bloody Show Off

"Hmm. Three Clues, Three tips, Three keys. Three is your lucky number, isn't it? So let's put your luck to test and see if your lucky number is lucky enough to save your dear ones" Miles challenged her with a mock that boiled her blood. Seeing her helpless was utter humour for his soul and he was cackling in joy.

She shouted, hurled abuses, banged her fists, but there was no answer, no reply other than "You are running out of time... Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha...."

Her legs were giving out, she felt herself losing her balance, her steadiness. A chance, wasn't that all you needed? She heard her alter ego questioned her.

So good friends, like family, huh? Is this what you do for family, fall and bow to danger without putting up a fight? Is this what you did, when you fought for your mother, give up just like that?

Her sane mind was questioning her. No. She didn't give up then, She will not give up now. Maybe she will never make it out of here, maybe nor will they. But it was better to die fighting for them, than dying without even trying, striving for them.

"Miles", her steady voice, with power and courage, surprised him for a moment, but he wasn't shocked. This was Pooja Sharma after all. One who always stood for the right, even if it would make her lose her dreams.

"I am ready. And I hope you are too."

"Are you sure? This game can take that breath from you."

"Until it does, I will fight. For them"

A part of his mind already knew that she would win. But for his ego, accepting defeat was never an option.

"Fight all you want to. But winning is not an option for you."

"Time shall tell the answer"

"Alright, Two rooms to the left, and your search beginsss."

She ran. The worn-out door refused to give way to her. She pushed, but her strength was not enough. If only you had drunk that milk your mom gave you. Her mind swirled to the thoughts of her mother and she had to give a jerk to come back to the present.

"Seven minutes up already, and you're still stuck at the door. How sad!"

Cursing him under her breath, she upped her power and got ready to give a push just as,

Her fingertips felt a carving on the door. She had been praised for her impeccable sense of touch, but she never knew that it would come in handy in a dire situation one day.

Her mind, her heart, indicated that this was the clue, and she slowly, gently, moved her palm on the door. She got a slight trail of the carving and followed it further a few times. It took her about a minute to comprehend what it was.

A word. TIME. She was looking for something to do with time. But what? The place was so quiet that one would hear the ticking. But she didn't. Although auditory skills were never her strong point after she had a blockage in her left ear and had to go through five doctor visits to clear it, she was sure that there was no analogue clock around her. Her brain cells were running haywire when her shoes rubbed the floor. Sand had been spread around. Consciously.

Because on her trail from the main entrance to the door she was standing in front of right now, she was sure she hadn't felt sand anywhere other than this specific space. This was an indication, It had to be.

Time and Sand, Time and Sand, where do we find time and sand together. Time and sand... Her mind rushed frantically through a dozen options, none fitting the criteria, while Miles smirked at her foolishness.

And then, Oh shit, HOURGLASS! She practically jumped and nearly fell, as she comprehended the answer. With the newfound energy, she pushed the door, and it opened with a BANG! Her hand went to her pocket and she almost shrieked as she felt her phone, about which she had completely forgotten the moment she set her step in here. Taking it out and switching on the flashlight, she trailed into the room. Looking around and tripping on a dozen articles, she finally located the semi-broken hourglass. She held it under the flashlight and the words, upstairs, three rooms right, written in red, came to sight.

She glanced around the room once more, to make sure that there was nothing she was leaving out.

Her eyes stopped their search as her eyes fell on the five drawers of the broken cupboard on which the hourglass was kept. Only one of the drawers was in place, and that made it seem out of place in midst of all the chaos. She pulled at it, Once, Twice, Thrice, before it gave way. A blue file lay inside it. She picked it up, hoping to find some useful information and rushed on to the next step of her search.

On the other side, a corner of Miles's mind was terrified and nagged him to do something before it was too late, and he became the loser of his own game. But he just sat there, not moving an inch, as he watched Pooja running towards her next destination.

The next door, to her surprise, was pretty sturdy and opened easily. No catch this time? Unbelievable. As far as she had come to know Miles Danvers, setting up clues right in front of her eye was a far-fetched possibility.

She double-checked the exterior. Nah, nothing here, she was sure of it. Her silent steps fell on the hardwood floor as she looked around in the room for the clue. Her mind got distracted and worry came flooding back. Will she be able to save them? Was she even going to make out of her alive?

Suddenly, her foot struck something and,

"Twoooo Roooomsss Toooo Theee Rightttt..."

The Echo and her Shriek came almost simultaneously. And with the two sounds, mixed the third one of a cackle, from Miles.

The sudden rush of Adrenaline left her panting.

After a few minutes wasted in overcoming it, she kicked the weird machine once more. The Echo came again, this time clearer than the first one. But since, she didn't trust her ears, or maybe it was just her anger speaking, she kicked it once more.

Two rooms to the right was her next destination. She moved towards the exit, having checked the surroundings already and no clue found.

A few footsteps outside the room later, a thought struck her. She rushed back to the previous room, and using her flashlight, picked up the echo machine and checked it thoroughly.

And right her intuition was! A piece of paper stuck between the lined back. She took it out and unfolded it. It was a code.

M14-6D9

She looked around. There had to be something that opened with the code.

Wow! Such thorough checking! She rolled her eyes, berating her self.

And as she did so, her mind went back to every time Lex had called her the living image of the 🙄 emoji.

A light, sorrowful chuckle escaped her, along with a lone tear.

She let it drop and moved on to complete the mission she had partaken in.

She searched, and Nah, Nothing at all. Pooja doubtfully looked around. Was she missing out on something, or was it just another one of Miles' Red Herrings to mislead her?

Five seconds and temporarily deciding on the second option, she went out to the next room and thought of coming back to this later.

Pooja went to grab the surprisingly well-kept handle, and in a reflex pulled it back. The handle was abnormally hot. It felt out of nowhere. No fire, no nothing, how the hell was the door handle so freaking hot?!

Of Course, she couldn't twist and turn a burning hot doorknob and harm her chances of success. So, she decided on other ways of opening the door. She kicked, pushed, forced it with the tad bit of strength left in her, but the door didn't even budge a single inch.

Her ankle sprained with the forceful kicking, she sat down. Tears rolled down her eyes, but she couldn't decide why.

The pain in her ankle, the fear of failing or a mix of both?

But obviously, No pain greater than letting down those whom you love.

She couldn't comprehend the time she was losing as she sat there, crying silently. She slowly started to rise, but couldn't bother to wipe her tears. Wasn't this what Miles Danvers wanted to see? She let him enjoy his short-lived victory.

Forgetting that the doorknob was hot as hell, she held it, and before she could withdraw her hand, her eyes fell on a cuboidal machine stuck just below the spherical structure.

This time, she did wipe the water from her glassy eyes, to get a better look.

Pooja switched on the flashlight and looked closely at it. So this was the mini devil burning her palm. After a few minutes of scrutinizing the black box closely, her eyes caught a red button on the downside of it. She went on to switch it off, and as soon as she did, the faint, almost inaudible buzz coming from it stopped.

The devil had been silenced.

But she knew that it would take time for the knob to cool down. She searched her jean pockets, and luckily her baby blue handkerchief with a neat P Alekhya has sewn on it was there to save the day.

She folded the kerchief in half and with it tried twisting the knob. A Few failed attempts later, she slowly opened the door.

But as soon as the light fell inside the room, her phone and kerchief, both fell on the floor.

The floor swayed under her feet. In front of her on a one-arm broken couch, lay Ethan.

Her Ethan.

The only light-emitting source of the room now lay covered on the floor, preventing her from taking a better look. And she was shaken to the core by the way events unfolded, layer by layer, that there was nothing to say at all.

Her brain froze, all ideas drowning down the drain, her confidence uprooted by the pain she felt seeing her love like that. A Thousand thoughts spiralling in her mind, but she pushed them aside. Her knee bruised by the fall, her feet wobbled as she tried to get up. Garnering strength on an empty stomach & little sleep was becoming increasingly difficult for her, but she needed to go on.

Giving up was never an option

She got up and decided to look around for a way out of the musty building with Ethan, all while hiding from Miles' eyes. Because he had been keeping an eye on her.

Picking up her phone, she directed the light around the room. Raggedy and Unclean, her fingers clenched around her phone as she felt fury fill in her veins. If she didn't have morals, she would have killed Miles herself at that very instant.

There were no cupboards or drawers anywhere around the room. She strolled around with careful steps and heard dry leaves and glass crunching underneath her foot. Pooja looked at the floor, and seeing its condition, didn't hope to find anything helpful.

That's when her eyes fell on a piece of paper. She picked the dust-coated sheet which had become brown from its originally white colour. She tried opening it up using a single hand but ended up tearing it a bit. Pocketing her phone, she opened the sheet up gently and then took the phone out again. Flashing the light, she slowly went through the contents.

It was a map of the building, and she had never felt as grateful as she did at the moment.

She studied it closely, carefully and located a narrow stairway at the corner of the first floor, i.e. the floor she was on, that would lead her out of the building without having to use the main entrance.

She needed to take E out of here, at any cost. But how in God's name was she going to carry her Dr Giraffe alone, all while making sure Miles didn't have suspicions?

She made his unconscious body sit upright as the couch creaked. This broken shit isn't going to last much longer, she thought to herself. She couldn't take any chances of getting caught. Whatever you have to do, do it quick.

She bent and locked his arms around her neck. Then, she stood up slowly and an Uff! escaped her mouth. Wish I had paid attention to the weight lifting lessons.

Pooja lifted him off the sofa and enclosed his long, really long legs, around her waist. And as she started to walk, she stumbled back and forth, and almost fell, as she gained a stable posture. She slowly got out, making sure her shoes don't prompt the creaky floorboards to begin a musical. She scooted to the farthest edge of the floor and walked quickly to reach the darkest corner.

A walk of a lifetime and approaching the darkness, her eyes struggled to make out the door for the staircase. She trusted her intuition and slowly, very carefully, placed a foot in front of the other, as she made her way down. She worried that E might get hurt, and she would hate herself for the rest of her years if that happened.

The grey light at the end of the staircase was a ray of hope for her. She thanked her past self for parking the car closer to this side of the building as she hurried to place Ethan there. She felt her pockets and found the key faster than her expectation. She opened the passenger seat and placed E down on the floor because as much as she hated it, she couldn't take chances with Miles locating him in the car in case he came for a lookout.

Phew! She was relieved that whether or not she makes it out of the mess she had got tangled in, her love will be safe. Locking him safely in, she rushed back to the mansion.

On her way back, she rushed a bit too much, all while forgetting to switch on her flashlight. She tripped badly on the stairs and fell facedown. When she got up, the coppery taste of blood filled her mouth. She felt a blank space in her mouth. She had lost a tooth.

She made her way back and expressed her gratitude to God for letting her make this trip safely. She remembered to shut the door behind as she left and made her quickly to the room where Ethan was held captive. A mistake she had noticed the time she looked at the map was that she had entered the wrong room.

And it was a four-leafed clover for her.

She closed the door of the forbidden room just as her ears pricked up. Tips & Taps of someone's footsteps made her heartbeat rush as she quickly moved to the actual room she was supposed to be searching.

"Hmmm" Miles arrived behind her, hands in pocket. The room in front of her didn't have a door.

"So are you planning to spend the rest of your life chillin' here? That'll be a wonderful plan!" He mocked her and the list of the number of times Poo had wanted to punch him had just become longer.

"What the fuck do you want?" She hissed.

A lopsided grin told her that he was having the best time of his life tormenting her.

"No, I just wanted to check if you will ever make out of here or not."

"And what conclusion did you arrive at?" She mocked curiosity.

"I think- No, scratch that. I am sure, that this" He gestured around him, "is your Final Destination"

His grim laughter filled the place as he went around, checking his surroundings, especially the forbidden room.

Poo had smartly switched on the Make-Hot machine to avoid any suspicions. Seeing, rather, feeling that the door handle was perfectly hot as hell, he returned, and she let out the sigh of utmost relief.

Her heart was filled with gratitude as she thanked God, over and over again, as things turned out in her favour in a place where she had no resource & no help. Although she still felt as if she had been left on the battlefield without preparation or weapons, she used her skills to pave her way safely.

The last room, surprisingly well-kept, lay open before her. Please let me pass this last one, she let out a silent prayer and went in.

Flashlight on, she looked around. This time it was only evidence and no clues and keeping that in mind she carried on her search. A bed lay at the centre of the room. All around were shelves and cupboards which had been kept to mislead her and make her waste her time. A 40% charge in her phone and the clock telling her that she had only 20 minutes left to get out safely, she hurried away.

Quickly opening one drawer and then the other, disappointment flooded her as she failed to locate any file, folder, hell, even a piece of paper.

At last, all drawers, cupboards done and nothing there at all. She felt let down, her heart palpitated. She sat down on the bed and as she placed her hand, heard the very soft scrunch of paper. The stillness of the surroundings was the reason why she could hear it.

She quickened her actions and lifted all the goddamn blankets, to reveal a bunch of paper, half folded, half-torn. She gathered them all. Suddenly she felt something stuck behind one of the sheets. Turning it revealed a USB drive.

Fuck, this was her gold!

She rushed out, picking the papers and the blue file she had collected from the first room. She remembered to check back the second one and the M something code. When she tried to reopen the door, however, she failed. All her trials went in vain. Unlike last time, the door didn't even budge this time.

And then, the entire manor shook as the roar of a bullet echoed all around her. It had been shot just next to her foot, and she stood frozen at her place. She slowly turned around, and saw Miles, with the evil expression on his face appearing to shine in dim light, standing there with a gun.

Slowly, Stuttering, Pooja asked, "What, what, t-the h, hell do you think you are, are doing?"

"I said I will give you the clues, I never said I will let you get away with them. Why would I invite my danger, when putting you to the deathbed would be much, much, easier?" Miles Danvers hissed.

"You want to do a second murder, lose the chance to save your brother forever?"

At the mention of Mark, Miles did fall a little weak, but that passed in a heartbeat.

"Girl, if I really cared about him, I would have never plotted against him in the first place. Bringing you here, was just a ploy, a mask, so that I can finish all four of you and live my life in peace."

He moved forward, one step and the next, as Pooja tried to run. He held her hand with a bone-crushing grip and twisted her hand to her back and held the gun to her cheek. She tried to free herself as she cried out in pain. Her eyes widened as the cold metal touched her skin.

She had really walked into hell at her own will.

Pooja knew her twisting and turning will not be able to help her a bit. So she tried to remember the self-defence techniques she had learnt in her teens and using her foot, kicked him hard in the groin.

He groaned in pain and his attention shifted. Pooja taking the chance, ran swiftly down the stairs, only to slip down the stairs and land on the ground floor. She incurred painful injuries and couldn't move for a good minute.

Even as she mustered the courage to sit up, her body ached in extreme pain. She must've sprained something real bad. Miles was still withering in pain, and she took the chance to get up and slowly move towards the exit.

She dragged her foot and muttered to herself,

Just one more step, just one more.

This rhyme gave her the strength as she almost made it to the door and then

AAH!

Blood splattered on the ground as the bullet pierced through her left hand, and she held the door to support herself. Tears rushed out of her eyes as Pooja screamed in pain.

At least it was her hand and not her mind that had been hurt. Even in pain, she acted smart. Throwing away the files that she held in her right hand outside, she took out the pepper spray that she always had in her pocket and sprayed a good bit of it at the approaching Miles.

It was her black, powdered dynamite, her most powerful weapon.

Coughing, Sneezing, Stumbling, Miles let out cries of help and the gun was very soon forgotten.

Smirking through her tears, Pooja chanted, It's the end Miles, It's the end.

Getting out of there, She shut off the main entrance door on his face and collected all the papers with her non-injured hand. Dragging her foot slowly, she escaped, pride and contentment filled in her heart.

Whatever she did, whatever pain she received, all paled as she bathed in the joy of the possibility of finally being able to rescue her people, her persons.

She did it, for her family...

You never know how strong you are, until being strong is your only choice.

PS: I would have killed Miles myself if given the chance😡 Also sorry for this dark, twisty tale after my birthday. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed reading this mess and here's to hoping that you have a wonderful day ahead🧡! Love You!

Tags (Please let me know if you want to be added or removed!): @bbrandy2002 @whimsicallywayward15 @ohramsey @nervoussaladsludgeopera @trrfanaddict @hopelessromanticmonie @ilikemenbutonlyethanramsey @lovablegranny @bellcat2010 @gkittylove99 @kingliam2019 @starrystarrytrouble @3riche @chetachisblog @zoehanji @withbeautyandrage @drariellevalentine @mvalentine @aestheticartsx @angela8754 @schnitzelbutterfingers @ao719 @choicesstan1 @neotericthemis @arnikki-2406 @anotherbeingsworld @maurine07 @sophxwithers @twinkleallnight @choicesaddict5 @gardeningourmet @mysticaurathings @jessiembruno

#pixelberry choices #choices stories you play #open heart #playchoices #choices oh #choices open heart #choices stories we play #detectives by chance #my fanfics✒ #choicesaprilchallenge2021 #cac2021 #pooja sharma #ethan ramsey #mark danvers #alexandra walton #ethan x pooja #open heart mc #open heart fanfiction #choices fanfiction #choices fanfic #choices #choices the stories you play #open heart ethan #open heart second year #open heart third year #choices oh2 #choices oh3 #open heart oc #ohsy #ohty

[oasisspringstownie]

FAME: A Legacy Challenge

Sul sul simmers!

Like many of you, one of my favorite things to do in The Sims is play Legacy Challenges. They lead you to explore new aspects of gameplay, give you new imaginative ideas, and facilitate storytelling. So, a couple of nights ago I got the idea to create a new kind of legacy challenge revolving around different aspects of fame.

The goal isn’t exactly to become the most famous using said career/ skill, but to play around with different elements of the fame system in the game. You by no means need all the packs to play through this legacy. While the experience would be more complete and you will be missing careers and skills and stuff you can obviously adapt it to your need. Also, you are more than welcomed to use mods to enrich your gameplay. I myself can’t play without mods and look forward to see what kind of chaos mods can add to this challenge.

So without further a do below are the 10 generations I concocted like a fever dream at 2 am on a Saturday evening:

Gen 1: A Shaky Foundation

Traits: Cheerful, Ambitious, Self-Absorbed

Career: Acting, Style Influencer (Trendsetter Branch)

You move to a new city full of hopes and dreams. You initially pursue your dream of becoming an actor. However, your career is cut short by the unexpected arrival of your first child. You retreat from the spotlight in order to raise your baby and put all of your energy into making sure they have the best future possible. The rest of the time you spend either working or trying to unwind from your demanding life. What will fate bring you and your descendants?

Goals:

Move into an empty lot with 1600 simoleons for the bare minimum.

Start in the Acting Career, but abandon it for the Style Influencer career once your first child is born. Remain in the Style Influencer Career and eventually choose the Trendsetter Branch.

Max out the Style Influencer Career.

Reach level 10 of the Parenting and Wellness Skills.

Be close friends with all of your children and make sure they each age up with at least 2 positive character attributes.

Gen 2: Get Your Head in the Game

Traits: Active, Music Lover, Outgoing

Career: Athlete, Entertainment (Musician Branch)

Your parent might have seemed very overbearing at the time, but they instilled a work ethic in you like no other. Your entire life you were split between your two passions: basketball and singing. Okay, fine, you're Troy Bolton. After succeeding in the sports world you still find yourself feeling somewhat unfulfilled. You enter the entertainment career later on in life to live out your dreams. Will this be the start of something new?

Goals:

Max out the Athlete Career and then switch to the Entertainment Career (Musician Branch).

Max out the Fitness and Singing Skills.

Be in the drama club in high school.

Gen 3: Going for the Stars

Traits: Clumsy, Loner, Genius

Career: Astronaut

Your parent always told you to shoot for the stars, you just took it a bit too seriously. This world was always a bit too pedestrian for you and you yearn to finally lay your eyes on the astronomical craters of Sixam. There's just one problem: you're terrible at it. It's not your fault, you're just a bit clumsy; but will your two left feet keep you from reaching your dreams?

Goals:

Work in the Astronaut Career your entire life. Get demoted and fired at least once in your lifetime.

Destroy and repair a rocket 3 times.

Live in a tiny home for your young adulthood and adulthood.

Have at least one set of twins. *You can cheat for this!*

Gen 4: The Finer Things in Life

Traits: Materialistic, Hates Children, Lazy

Career: None

You've seen all the generations before you work their little pixelated butts off for every simoleon, but you're not about that life. You were destined for the finer things in life.

Goals

Reach level 10 of the Charisma and Mixology Skills.

Marry and survive 5 spouses. Take that wording however you want. Divorce is not allowed. You must be the last once standing. After all, spouses are like infinity stones. Meaningless.

Never have a job. Only make money from spouses, family, or children. If you get desperate enough you can ask a friend for a loan or steal, but no working of any kind.

Each child you decide to have with one of your rich spouses comes with a 20k trust fund. If they get taken away or die before coming of age, all the money has to be returned to the evil capitalist overlords. You can't get rid of them that easily.

Own at least 1 restaurant/ retail/ business with one of your spouses. Decorate it, assign the uniform, and hire everyone, but you never run it. Why would you go through the trouble?

Gen 5: My Precious

Traits: Art Lover, Kleptomaniac, Self-Assured

Career: Criminal

Your childhood was pretty hectic and you felt like you barely knew your parents. Who needs them? You've never needed anyone else anyway. On your 18th birthday, you receive your inheritance and use it to buy yourself an unfurnished apartment in the nicest building you can find and that's when your money runs out... literally. However, will a new job as a tough guy be the first of many great ideas or will it only be the beginning of the end for this famed family?

Goals

Once you become a young adult give yourself enough money to buy one of the apartments in the Uptown Neighborhood in San Myshuno. It must be unfurnished. After moving in set your money to 0 simoleons.

Complete the Criminal Career.

Reach level 10 of the Mischief and Dancing Skills.

Gain an atrocious reputation and spend the rest of your life trying to cover it up.

Steal 10 paintings from a museum and exhibit them proudly in your home. You are never allowed to sell them. As an adult, hide them in a secret attic nobody else has access to or knows about. They are your precious.

Gen 6: The Muses

Traits: Creative, Family Oriented, Insider

Career: Painter

You could have anything you wanted in the world thanks to your family's empire so you pursued your passion: painting. While you were never close to your other family members you were always very close to your art teacher. This led you to have very close ties to your friends, co-workers, and eventual children. Will your legacy remain for longer in the memory of strangers or your loved ones?

Goals

Complete the Painter Career

Reach level 10 of the Painting, Cooking and Baking Skills

Have a better relationship with your art teacher than anyone else in your family until you're a teen.

Move to a new world once you become a young adult and cut ties with your family.

Be the leader of one club for all your young adulthood and adulthood.

Be close friends with 3 co-workers and all of your children.

Prepare a meal at least once a week with the help of your children. *I know we don't have this in the game yet technically, but I'm hoping to have Cottage Living by the time I play with this generation*

Hang 5 paintings in a museum.

Retire from Painting Career to help care for your grandchildren.

Gen 7: Mole

Traits: Good, Perfectionist, Paranoid

Career: None

You always had a good relationship with your parents. You told each other everything... well, almost everything. You never understood why but one of your parents never talked about the rest of your family members. They explained that they simply never had a good relationship and would rather not talk about it. You respect this until their death when you return to their seemingly abandoned childhood home. While exploring the house you find a not-so-subtle bookcase door and a long forgotten attic filled with paintings. You take them in hopes of returning them but unbeknownst to you, you are being watched.

After an unfortunately unavailable nail-biting car chase, you shake off your attackers. You can't just lead them home to the rest of your family and what would the police do? They don't even arrest Vlad when he's trying to bite all of your sims!

Sorry, different rant.

So you do the only logical thing: you sell the paintings you just stole for some cash to buy an empty lot and skip town. A new life awaits you... just a bit underground.

Goals

Reach level 10 of the Writing, Logic, and Handiness Skills.

Complete the Best Selling Author Aspiration.

After your parent dies, you visit Gen 5's main home and retrieve the paintings hidden in the attic generations ago. Sell them and use the money to buy an empty lot in a completely different world.

Use your remaining money to build a small underground bunker. You can now never leave your bunker or risk immediate death.

You make your income by writing books under your new name. Oh, didn't I mention that? You changed your name to avoid detection. Your children may carry this new fake last name or your partner's.

Gen 8: Part of Your World

Traits: Loves Outdoors, Outgoing, Geek

Career: Social Media

All you knew was the bunker and it's not that you hated it, you just wanted a bit more. You're basically the little mermaid, except you don't get to be a mermaid. You just get a bunker you can never leave and a desperate yearning to explore the outside world.

Your outlet is the internet. From a young age you loved using it to play video games and make friends. As a teen you began to make videos and fostered a community online. Will you finally take your place in the world or remain hidden underground?

Goals

Reach level 10 of the Media Production and Video Gaming Skills

Complete the Social Media Career.

You're never allowed to leave the underground bunker until you're a teen.

You aren't allowed to go to school. Instead you play video games and use your computer for outside interaction.

As a teen you start developing your online presence by posting on social media and making videos on the video station.

You are only allowed to move out of the household once your parent dies and you have enough money in reserves to buy a furnished home.

Gen 9: Natural Born Performer

Traits: Gloomy, Unflirty, Adventurous

Career: Entertainment (Comedy Branch)

Due to your parent's fame, it was always expected you would follow in their footsteps. While a bit more gloomy than most, you are happiest when you make others laugh. So you join the Entertainer Career where you flourish as a comedian. You're also a bit unlucky in love. Will the family name's fame and your own notoriety keep you from finding true love or are you destined to a lifetime of gold diggers and one night stands?

Goals

Complete the Entertainer Career (Comedy Branch).

Reach level 10 of the Comedy and Rock Climbing skills.

Complete Serial Romantic Aspiration

Have four children.

Die suddenly and *mysteriously* in your adulthood.

Gen 10: A Grand Finale

Traits: Kleptomaniac, Ambitious, Perfectionist

Career: Actor

After losing your parents at a very young age, you and your siblings were sent to live with some distant relatives you didn't even know about. While you and your siblings are all very different and you bicker plenty, you always stick together.

After learning you are a descendant of some of the most famous and infamous sims in history, you are determined to meet and surpass their achievements. Will you come out on top or have you flown too close to the sun?

Goals

Complete the Actor Career

Achieve level 10 of 10 skills of your choosing.

Become a Global Superstar.

Get a star on Starlight Boulevard.

Throughout your lifetime you must go on vacation to every house you lived in throughout all previous 9 generations. Oh, and your three other siblings need to come along too. Think of it as Narnia meets It. Also make sure to steal something from each of the houses as a souvenir and display it proudly in your own home.

After you've completed all the things above, get turned into a vampire and choose to end your mortal legacy here... or start a whole new type all together.

Thank you so much for indulging me in this insanity. While I haven't played through any of these generations myself as of yet, I look forward to see the chaos and cuteness possible in The Sims.

Happy simming!

V

#simblr #ts4 gameplay #ts4 lets play #sims challenge #fame legacy challenge #ts4 simblr #ts4 legacy #ts4 legacy challenge #sims legacy #the sims legacy #ts4

[ethereal-not-occult]

patience and the mulberry

"With time and patience, the mulberry leaf becomes a silk gown."

Fandom: Good Omens Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Aziraphale/Crowley (Good Omens) Characters: Crowley (Good Omens), Aziraphale (Good Omens) Additional Tags: Post-Canon, Established Relationship, Ineffable Husbands (Good Omens), Fluff and Angst, Character(s) of Color, Sericulture, silkworms, past religious trauma, but nothing bad happens in this fic I promise, mixed bookverse w/ TV elements, references to Chinese culture Notes: Originally written for the @goodomensfashionzine​ !

“I'll only be a minute, dear.” Aziraphale kissed Crowley's cheek as he opened the door of the Bentley. “You don't have to see me to the door if you don't want to.”

Crowley tightened his grip on the wheel. “Sure, angel. Sounds good to me.” The sibilants slid far too quickly past his clenched jaw, and he bit his tongue to stop the instinctive hiss from escaping.

Aziraphale gave him a sympathetic look, but shut the Bentley's door behind him and soon disappeared through the doors of the church. Once he was out of sight, Crowley slumped forward slightly, sliding his sunglasses up and rubbing at his eyes. A few deep breaths later, and he felt composed enough to exit the Bentley himself in blatant disregard for the “NO PARKING” sign on the curb.¹

[¹ Given his new job position (or lack thereof), lawbreaking was no longer a necessity, but old habits die hard.]

The bright afternoon sun made him wince a bit, and two robins in a nearby bush were getting frisky in a way he would never be able to unhear, but they made it easier to forget the distant wail of air sirens. Even standing out on the road, Crowley's skin prickled faintly with the remembered sting of consecrated ground.

He pushed the feeling aside and walked resolutely forward. Aziraphale was bound to take his sweet time as he mooned over the church's dusty old tomes, but Crowley had his own investigations to conduct while he waited. No rest for the wicked and all that.

The concrete pavement under his snakeskin shoes gave way to grass, and the tingling sensation in his soles faded. Soon he found himself at his intended destination—an Edenic grove of mulberry trees, clustered together in a ring in the church's backyard. He'd spotted them on the drive over and couldn't resist the temptation of a closer look.

Crowley wandered into the garden with a scrutinizing eye. They were young, for trees, but growing well despite their callowness. A particularly stocky sapling hardly flinched when Crowley gave it a token glare, much to his disappointment. Then again, outdoor plants were rarely as well-behaved as properly cowed houseplants. It seemed this attitude persisted even in ecclesiastic gardens such as these.

He cast a surreptitious glance over his shoulder, then reached a hand up into the tree's umbrella-like branches and tugged. The season wasn't quite right for fruits, but he still withdrew clutching a handful of dark ripe mulberries. Hardly apples, but his lips twitched upwards nonetheless. He plucked a berry from the pile and raised it to his lips.

“Zaoshang hao!”

Only a hasty miracle saved Crowley from choking as he jumped and swiveled around. Hovering right outside the churchyard was a middle-aged human, well-dressed and smiling pleasantly at him. Judging by her formal clothing and the Bible she carried, she was a part of the congregation, maybe even the priest herself. Crowley swallowed and stepped backwards.

“Ni shi jiaohui de xinshou ma?” the human called again, picking her way across the dewy grass in his direction. Crowley eyed the Bible she held, willing himself not to break out into hives.

“Um. Wo bu—er, no. I'm not new. Not here for church at all, actually.” He fidgeted and clasped his hands, still full of pilfered mulberries, behind his back. “Just waiting for someone.”

The human raised an eyebrow. “You're welcome to wait inside, if you like,” she said, also switching to English. “I reckon we still have biscuits left from the children's morning service—”

“No!” Crowley said too quickly, and perhaps too sharply. He winced. “I mean. That won't be necessary. I'd much rather stay out here, if it isn't too much trouble.”

The human gave him a Look. Crowley's cheeks heated and he averted his eyes, willing his sunglasses a few shades darker.

“Beautiful, aren't they?”

Crowley's head shot back up. The human had turned her back to him and was running a hand through the glossy green leaves of the nearest mulberry tree. Crowley could practically see the branches stretch out in delight beneath her touch, like a purring cat.

“Volunteers from our congregation take care of them,” the human continued, smiling at the young tree. “The kids here like raising silkworms, you see, and we welcome them to pick leaves from the trees each week to feed them.”

Silkworms. Of course. Despite himself, a hazy memory rose to the forefront of his mind: Sichuan, China, several hundreds of years ago. A family farm, weathered and cozy and oozing enough sheer goodness to make the average demon ill with it. Crowley wouldn't normally be caught dead in such a place, but he had owed a favour to the angel. His fingers twitched at the phantom memory of butter-soft silk fibres against his skin; long, winding threads that stretched out thin and fine, tangling so easily around his uncertain fingers. With this memory came the golden, moon-round face of a child he hadn't thought about in centuries, grinning toothily as they held out a box to him, a box filled with small pale larvae that wriggled among the spade-shaped leaves. “Zhe jiao can.”

Crowley forced himself to return to the present. The human was speaking to him.

“—waiting on Mr. Fell?” she asked.

Crowley blinked. Shook himself a little. “Yeah. He's helping out with the restoration of some old manuscript or other.”

The human smiled again. It was an unnervingly piercing expression. “I'm aware. I was the one who requested his help. Such a lovely man. Are you a friend of his?”

Crowley tensed. “His husband, actually.”

He braced himself, but the human only brightened. “Goodness, then you must be Mr. Crowley! Mr. Fell talks ever so much about you. Finally gone and tied the knot then, have you?”

Before Crowley could stammer out a reply, something dinged loudly, making him jump. The human pulled a phone out from her pocket and squinted at the screen.

“Sorry, I have to run back inside. But it was lovely meeting you, Mr. Crowley.” She stuck out a hand—thankfully not the one that had been holding the Bible—and after a brief hesitation, Crowley shook it. As quickly as she had arrived, the human disappeared from the garden, leaving Crowley alone and off-kilter amid a grove of mulberry trees.

---

Aziraphale emerged from the church around an hour later to find Crowley seated on the curb next to the Bentley, basking in the last rays of the afternoon sun as he scrolled through his phone.

“My dear,” the angel sighed. His joints creaked as he eased himself down to sit next to Crowley on the roadside. “Don't tell me you've been sitting here the entire time.”

“Nope,” Crowley said, popping the ‘p’. “I toured the gardens for a bit. Swiped some fruits, too. The mulberries aren’t half-bad, for a bunch of church plants, but they’ll need a good deal more threatening before they're really up to snuff.”

Crowley stopped when he saw Aziraphale chewing his lip, brow furrowed as he studied Crowley's face. Now it was Crowley's turn to sigh.

“Really, angel. It's fine. I was hardly bored.”

The expression didn't leave Aziraphale's face. A soft brown hand reached out and brushed aside stray wisps of hair from Crowley's forehead. The demon hadn't bothered to cut it since the Apocalypse-that-wasn't, and it was growing longer and more unruly by the day.

“I'm fine.” Crowley caught Aziraphale's hand and held it, carefully. He pressed his lips against the well-manicured fingers. “It was years ago, angel, and we both came out of it all right. You don't need to worry about me.”

Aziraphale still looked vaguely distressed as Crowley drew him close. With the sun setting behind him, framing his face and curly dark hair in a golden halo, he was the most beautiful thing Crowley had ever seen.

He kissed him then, right there on the road, in full sight of the church and probably Someone Else, too, if She happened to be watching at that particular moment. Once, he would've been terrified of such a public display, but he hadn't gone through hellfire and holy water to care anymore about what others thought of them.

As he helped Aziraphale into the Bentley, he noticed abruptly that the angel was carrying what appeared to be a shoebox, of all things, along with his usual camelhair coat.

“What on Earth is that?”

“Oh!” Aziraphale carefully pushed the box over to Crowley. “Mrs. Lao gave it to me once I'd finished with those manuscripts. She said it was a gift for you, actually. Have the two of you met before?”

Crowley stared down at the box, baffled. “We talked for a bit in the gardens just now, but I can’t imagine why…”

He trailed off, and his mouth dropped open as Aziraphale eased open the lid and beheld the contents with a raised eyebrow.

“Good heavens. Are those caterpillars?”

“Silkworms,” Crowley corrected automatically, leaning in for a closer look. There were so many of them, somehow both smaller and larger than he remembered, all white and wiggly and chomping away busily at the layers of mulberry leaves filling their box. None of them paid any attention whatsoever to their occult observers hovering above them.

“Why would she give you such a thing? Not that they aren't dear little creatures,” Aziraphale added hastily, glancing into the box, “but I doubt I have the means to keep them in the bookshop.”

“No need,” Crowley said before he could stop himself. “I can raise 'em in my flat.”

Aziraphale gave him a curious look. “You know how to care for these… insects?”

“Yeah.” Crowley gently shut the lid of the inhabited shoebox and curled a hand around the Bentley's stick-shift. “I've done something like this, before. I know what I'm doing.”

“If you say so.” Suddenly Aziraphale chuckled. At Crowley's affronted look, he demurred, “I'm not making fun, my dear. It's only that you still manage to surprise me, even after all these years.”

Aziraphale leaned in and pecked Crowley's cheek, making him blush red and sputter. Much to his disgruntlement, the Bentley chirped a light-hearted rendition of Haydn's Crazy Little Thing Called Love all the way home.

---

Crowley had spent the past eleven years co-parenting the Antichrist with Aziraphale.² They had faced this challenge head-on, and in his opinion, it hadn’t gone too shabbily. Now, without the threat of the Apocalypse hanging over his head, becoming a surrogate parent was far less daunting the second time around.

[² Even if young Warlock hadn't really been the son of Satan, it was the principle of the thing.]

Still, Crowley worried. He had always been something of a worrier, and that hadn't changed even after the First Day of the Rest of Their Lives.

After dropping off Aziraphale at the bookshop, Crowley returned to his flat, where he commenced the preparations for introducing his unexpected twenty-odd guests to their new home. This was accomplished by miracling up a small glass aquarium onto his desk, lining the bottom with paper towels, and carefully (read: nervously) placing the silkworms one by one into the tank. Once this was done, Crowley scattered the half-eaten mulberry leaves from the box around the aquarium. The silkworms set upon their interrupted lunch with all the enthusiasm of Aziraphale devouring a meringue pie at the Ritz.

Crowley slumped into his chair, took off his sunglasses with a wince, and rested his chin on his desk, staring into the glass tank.

“I raised your ancestors once, you know,” Crowley informed the wriggling creatures. “Tiny farm in China several centuries back. We'd weave branches together into a tray and let you loose inside. Bit like how manmade beehives work, or something.”

Crowley paused. Watched one silkworm slowly inch its way across a stem to tackle a new section of leaf. “‘Course, humans use wire mesh nowadays, but the general premise is the same. Always thought it was bloody clever, what humans could come up with. If you gave me a bunch of moth larvae and told me to make a living out of them, I definitely wouldn't think to make clothes.” He snorted. “Whoever came up with that, I'd like a glass of whatever they were drinking.”

The silkworms munched on. They ate much faster than they crawled, that was certain. In the quiet walls of his flat, away from prying human eyes, Crowley loosened the knot of his silk tie and tugged it off, easing the tightness around his neck.

“You're the ones who made this, in a sense,” he said, waving the tie at them. He laid the tie beside one glass wall of the tank at just the right angle for the inhabitants within to see. Several silkworms looked up curiously.

Crowley tossed his suit jacket aside, then unbuttoned his shirt collar. He had always prided himself on his sharp, modern attire over the years, the better to tempt humans with—or so he claimed. Despite repeated scoldings from his superiors, his Lust quotas had never been quite up to par.

Sufficiently dishevelled, and feeling all the freer for it, Crowley sank back into his chair to watch the silkworms.

“The only thing I didn't like about the process was the boiling,” he murmured. “Logically, I can see why it was done. And you would all be in cocoons, so it's not like you'd be in any pain. Not like I was.” He exhaled, the sound becoming a low hiss. “But still. Never liked it. Always felt like an awful lot of trouble just for the sake of some silk threads.”

One particularly adventurous silkworm had nosed its way upwards and was now creeping over the edge of the tank opening. Crowley made a mental note to devise a lid of some kind and stuck his finger against the lip of the tank. The silkworm crawled onto his hand without any hesitation. Tentatively, he drew it closer. Its many feet stuck stubbornly to his skin, and it reared up as he approached, swaying slightly, its mandibles twitching.

Crowley stared at the silkworm. The silkworm stared back, and seemed disappointed when Crowley had nothing else to offer. Just to prove it wrong, Crowley materialized a single large mulberry leaf in his other hand and presented it to the insect, who fell upon it with gluttonous enthusiasm.

Staring at the miracled leaf, an idea formed in Crowley's mind. He smiled, slowly.

“I need a hobby, now that I'm jobless,” he said aloud to the silkworm, letting it creep onto his palm. He ran a careful finger over its smooth back. “I think I'll take up sericulture again, for old time's sake.” He reached back into the tank and gently encouraged the silkworm to crawl back inside.

“Humans have to boil you alive to get those nice unbroken threads off your cocoons,” Crowley mused, withdrawing his hand. “Fortunately, I don't have to do things the human way.” He lowered himself until he was eye-level with the inhabitants of the tank. The silkworm he had carried paused in its perpetual eating and turned its head, almost like it was looking at him.

“How's this?” Crowley asked. “You'll be able to grow into a fuzzy, fully grown silk-moth, and I can take your cocoon after you've finished with it and miracle the threads whole again.” He paused and mulled it over. “I guess I could take it a step further and just miracle the finished silk together, but there's still something to be said about the human way of doing things.”

The silkworm bobbed the front half of its body as though in agreement. Crowley smiled again.

“We can make silk, and no one gets hurt. I'm a few hundred years out of practice, but I'm sure I could make it work, somehow.”

The silkworm turned its attention back to its meal. Crowley didn't notice. He was too busy wondering if Aziraphale had any old texts on silk-weaving that he could borrow, just so he could refresh his memory.

The angel would appreciate having a new silk bowtie to add to his collection.

---

Thank you for reading! Replies and reblogs are always much appreciated. <3

#good omens #ineffable husbands #crowley #aziraphale #go fanfiction #good omens fanfiction #go tv #otp: ineffable #li writes #zine fic #insects tw

[gastcrrific]

fifth member - chapter 2: doing alright

a/n: okay we're gonna step up the game here.... a bit more detail to the reader will also be revealed! this chapter could just be a filler and will be mostly(?) consisting of y/n and deaky.

disclaimer: history itself is connected but they're not really precise! what would be true will be the more known events (i.e. rainbow '74, live aid, some various anecdotes, etc. etc.)

contains: something soft? freddie being the biggest wingman ever

=====

૮ɦαρƭε૨ 2: ∂σเɳɠ αℓ૨เɠɦƭ

Waking up earlier before the sun is always a surreal experience. Consistently, you're awake before Deaky. You would occasionally pull out your sketchbook and draw out the view by outside of your flat when the sun starts peeking.

You were a major in arts and design, as you also loved working with colors. It was painful to not encounter your best friend much often in class since he studied in electrical engineering, knowing that you won't do well with it.

Pouring yourself a cup of tea, you set it by your table in front of your bed, which was right by a window capturing the usual view.

You flip through the pages of your sketchbook, contently observing each work that you have done. You get to the recent page, and it made you tug a small smile.

It was a drawing of you and Deaky sitting on a bench, looking at the stars. You bit your bottom lip gently, doubting that the scenario will ever happen.

Out of every sketch you've done, you never showed him that.

Softly sighing, you shook your head and flipped to a new blank page and roughly sketched the street.

Some time passed, the sun has finally come to say hi, and you hear John yawning which made you look back at the sight of him stretching his whole body. "Morning, Deaks." You smiled at him, finished with your sketch, as you closed the book. You stood up to help him get rid of his sleepy phase.

He nodded as he has a soft grin on his face, standing up carefully to hug you. Taken aback, you gave in and buried your face in his chest, the smile never leaving your faces. Even though he was shirtless, your cheeks warmed up red but John never suspected it. His hearty sigh made you a soft mess, as he rested his chin on your head.

Later it felt like a good 2 minutes or so, both of you parted away and smiled stupidly at each other.

"That felt nice... thanks for the booster, Y/N." He ruffled your H/C hair which made you pout. Your eyes follow him to the small kitchen as he pulled out 2 pairs of bread to toast. "I suppose you haven't took breakfast yet?" You shook your head no, arms crossed. "I wouldn't risk burning the flat down even if we're already moving to Freddie's." You sat back down on the seat you've previously taken. You didn't do well on cooking, but there's always a place for practice. Deaky chuckled, finally finished preparing the meal.

He placed two glasses of water and the plate of cheese on toast by your table and grabbed a piece. You followed and did the same. The two of you were discussing about when will you pack and move to Freddie's flat, along with some various topics as well.

After completing your breakfast, you stood up and took the plate and glasses to the sink to wash it. This time, John followed, resting his hand on the counter as he watched you. Without hesitation he began, "Have you ever fancied someone yet?" his tone was timid, and his eyes were focused on the floor now.

The question caught you off guard, which made you space out for a second. You finish washing the dishes, you turned off the faucet and turned to face him.

"I'm sorry, B, I shouldn't have asked–"

"No, no, Deaks, it's okay..."

Gently, you brought your hand up to trace his jawline to his chin, using your index and middle finger before tilting his head to have him focus on you. Your cheeks once again got heated up, from both his flustered expression and his bare look. The silence went on for a few moments.

You whispered sincerely, "...I'm not seeing anyone else at the moment.."

Deaky nods while he's lost in your E/C orbs, suddenly caressing your cheek. By every second, the two of you inch closer, lips nearly connecting.

But before you knew it, the telephone from the bedside table rang which made the both of you turned your heads towards the alarming object.

"Maybe another time we can... discuss this, John. I'll go get the phone." You anxiously bit your lip, rushing to answer it.

He sighed and closed his eyes in relief, nodding with a small hum as he pursed his lips.

Your fingers met playing with the cord, as you answer, "Hello, this is Y/N."

"Hey there darling! It's Freddie, I was just wondering when will you and Deaky are coming here."

"Oh! Um," You stalled and looked at your best friend to ask when. Making eye contact, he quickly inspected the wall clock, reading 6:58 AM.

"Tell him that we'll go at 7:30, we still have to pack, right?" You replied with a nod, passing the message to the lead singer. On the other side of the line he agreed and bid farewell, you did the same.

Deaky threw a shirt with a brown leather jacket on, he had already brought out your and his bags, also packing his own clothes together with other necessities. You followed and eventually complete the task.

Taking a glance at the clock again, it reads 7:25 AM.

With your friend wearing his bag and his instrument case, you made sure the two of you are ready to go.

The walk to the flat was only 5 minutes away.

"Have you written your first song yet?" You try to break the tension. John shook his head no with a small 'mm-mm', "Still haven't thought about it... How about you?"

You shook your head no too. "I don't have a single idea for it. Maybe someday, we both will..." He agreed.

Finally arriving at the destination, you gently knock the wooden door and it had opened by itself to reveal the magnificent Freddie Mercury.

Flashing a grin, he greeted, "There you are two! Come on in, dears, I'll show you 'round." You and Deaky smiled back as you set your feet inside his neat, welcoming flat. It was only the three of you present, no Roger or Brian just yet. After it had been a moment, you have gotten to the spare room.

"This is the only vacant room I have, so darlings I hope you can agree to share the bed." Freddie teased as you all went inside, which resulting John to blush, unable to protest. Luckily you immediately confirmed, "We'll manage, Freddie! Don't pinch on our noses like that!" The singer finally went off to mind his own business, leaving the two of you with a cocky smirk.

Completing several minutes of unpacking, you flop down on the nice, fluffy bed, which made your body bounce a bit. Your friend finished a minute late, though he asked, "Do you want me to ask him when are the other two coming over?" Thankful for his politeness, you nod your head yes with a small smile plastered on your face.

A few seconds passed and he came back in, he announced "They'll be here at dinner onwards." You replied with a hum, adjusting yourself in bed. The time on the clock caught your eye, which read 7:42. "Don't you wanna lie down and rest? We did woke up real early..." You suggested, now lying on your side.

"Actually yeah, I'd love to." He removed his jacket and switched to a more comfortable attire before joining in with you. The size of the bed was perfect and had enough room to possibly cuddle.

With the weird tension flaming up again, Deaky shyly asked,

"Are you okay with cuddles, Y/N...?"

Your eyes widened yet answered with a gentle, quiet tone, "Of course the hell I am! How on earth I wouldn't love 'em?" He happily laughs, wrapping his arms around you and holding you close. You did the same as you buried your face in his chest and giggled.

This was the first time you two slept together in one bed since 17 years.

Your eyes got heavier, though you let yourself fall to sleep. John was still awake, playing with your hair carefully. Later on, he whispered his thoughts out loud, but not loud enough to wake you up.

"I really wish you're mine and I'm yours, B. But I'm just a coward to tell you..."

"You're precious, you mean so much to me..."

"...That's why I love you so much. I mean it."

He continued fiddling with your H/C locks, as his mood was blue.

Suddenly the room's door creaked open, revealing a curious, yet concerned Freddie. "Is she asleep?"

Deaky nods, pursing his lips, keeping his eye fixated on you.

Freddie sneaks quietly over to him, "Do you love her?" He nods again with a hum. "You should tell her someday." John sighs, "If only I can..."

"She loves you, dear. Believe me, John."

—

@ixchel-9275

#fifth member #fifth member series #john deacon x reader #john deacon #deaky #fics #queen #freddie mercury #brian may #roger taylor

[fromheroestodust]

Rose Killer: Pt.4; Stuck Together

Summary: You're the leader of the strongest mafia in London. What will happen when you're forced to team up with your worst enemy

Warnings: language, violence, PTSD, cringy askout

Word count: 3852

A/N: my friend asked me to add her into this, hence Paddy's friend 😂

You wake up, finding your mattress suddenly very firm and uncomfortable. Wait - This isn't your mattress, and this isn't your room. Bolting into an upright position, you find yourself on the floor of... Harrison's room? A blanket falls off of your shoulders and you find the half finished board game two feet away from you, a piece rolling on the floor from your movements as another falls from your palm. The memories from the previous night flood in, causing you to cringe at your own actions. How could you let yourself do any of that? A little further on past the gameboard lays another figure wrapped in the duvet, his hair covering most of his facial features. Why'd Harrison sleep on the floor? Did he just fall asleep there?

"Haz." You whisper in a low tone, not wanting to cause him to jump awake. "Haz!" His eyes blink open before he rubs them and sits up, his hair even more of a mess now as some of it falls to frame his face while the other half sticks up in odd directions. "Mmmorning." He hums before standing up, taking the blanket with him and throwing it onto the bed.

"Why'd you sleep on the floor?" You ask through a yawn, picking up your own blanket - you could've sworn you didn't fall asleep with it - and picking up "High-Ho-Cherrio".

"Why'd you sleep on the floor?" He questions, causing you to role your eyes with a smile. "I fell asleep first." You point out, setting the game box on the bedside table. "Anyway, it's not my bed. It'd be weird if I slept in it."

"Good point. I just fell asleep." He shrugs. "Isn't there some group meeting at ten?"

"Yeah," You confirm, giving him a questioning look, cocking your head to the side. "Why?"

"It's 10:01." Harrison answers nonchalantly before rushing to grab his stuff, his body turning to a blur in front of your weary eyes. "What?!" You exclaim, looking at your phone.10:01. "Shit! Where's my stuff?!" Both of you run around, two tornadoes nearly destroying the room with every unsteady, tired step. Finally you find your rose, gun, and dagger. After pulling your hair up into a messy bun the two of you run down the halls to the conference room where Tom was surely waiting to curse you out for being late. 10:08

The door to the large room is thrown open, you and Harrison walk in out of breathe with messy hair and clothes, seeming like you spent the past three days in the woods. "I- ehm- I brought the files." Haz says before handing the multiple folders over to Tom who wore a very questioning and weirded out look as if to say what the fuck happened to you two? And why is she with you? The blonde just shakes his head, taking a seat in one of the two open large leather chairs surrounding the long, glossy, dark oak table. Taking the one next to him the meeting starts, everyone's expression in the room saying they'd moved passed the event but their eyes held many questions that will never be answered.

-

"So Y/n and I will see to Leo after they bring him here. After a nice beating he'll cave." Tom summarizes, your face back to the stern glare you wear for work. A few more words are traded before everyone except you, Tom, and Harrison are left in the room, for you three didn't have to rush of to another destination.

"Did you hear that?" You ask Tom, picking up a few papers giving you information on Leo Sandraya, your target for the next few weeks.

"What?" He asks, a look of alarm on his face as his eyes scan the room quickly, a hunter looking for prey, before landing back on you, his brows furrowed together.

"Silence. For once in a meeting we didn't tell at each other." You smirk, Haz suppressing a laugh behind his friend.

"Shut up, Y/l/n." He hisses, clearly not amused with your humor as a stern look plays on his face.

"Someone's being bitchy." You mumble, collecting your files on Sandraya.

"Look, I don't know why all of a sudden you're being soft around us but your plan won't work." Tom says, venom oozing from his words as he turns to face you with his arms crossed over his chest.

"I don't have a plan!" You exclaim in defense. "I actually have a version of me separate from the me at work. But this is the only one you'll ever see." With that you strut out of the room and to your own to change out of your nightwear and probably into a outfit to workout, a limp obvious in your step.

"What's her fucking problem?" Tom groans to Harrison after turning away from your shrinking figure, putting papers in a manilla folder.

"Nothing really, mate. Like she said she has a side separate from work." Haz shrugs.

"What, like you know her?" The brunette scoffs. Why was his friend suddenly defending her? Especially after what happened between them?

"Because I actually took the time to get to know her. We've been friends for a bit now." Haz says in a tone much more angry then he meant before switching to a calmer one. "Just... Try talking to her instead of being at her throat everyday."

Tom stares at his friend, trying to decipher something from his expression or his eyes. "Fine. I guess I sort of have to considering there's that party next week." He sighs in defeat, trusting his best friend. The only person who could make Tom change his mind or take in a new idea was Harrison. And, as much as he'd want to deny it, the decision was almost always right excluding a few choice occasions.

"I guess that meeting did end in yelling." Haz jokes, attempting to lighten the mood, carefully watching Tom to see how he'll react.

"Shut up." He smiles with a small laugh. "Wanna head down to the gym?"

"Yeah sure." He agrees, scooping his work into his arms before walking out the double doors and down a hallway, opposite from the way you went with playful banter filling the air between the two.

-

After finally making it back to your own room, you change out of your night clothes and into an outfit that's easy to move in, the feeling of the fabric almost seeming like velvet after being in the same small shirt and baggy pants for so long. While you're not supposed to workout, you are allowed to walk on the treadmills and do stretches, and you're not one to not go to the gym at least once a day.

Braiding a rose into your hair, you take a shortcut to your destination. The shortcut includes going outside and whilst out there you spot Tom's youngest sibling with someone. Your lips ever so slightly turn upwards, as you continue on your way, most likely to tell Haz about it later.

You reach the doors to the gym and pushing them open you groan. Tom and Harrison are hitting the punching bags, neither of them noticing your presence as you walk to the treadmills. After stretching you step onto the machine, setting it low enough to where you're walking but high enough to where you'll get at least some exercise in. You put your earbuds in and start walking, blocking out the world with one of music.

-

"Y/n." A voice says, pulling you out of your escape world.

"What?" You sigh, pulling out your earbuds that were playing Weak.

"It's like one." Harrison informs you, Tom standing a little back and to the side of him, refusing to look at you as he averted his gaze to the small screen on the treadmill.

"Oh." You turn off the machine, grabbing your bottle of water and taking a long sip. "Why are you two here so late?"

"Training." Tom surprisingly answers, no glare or mean tone. Something fishy is going on you think, but don't mention it, comfortable with the friendly atmosphere in the room.

"I saw Paddy outside with a girl on my way hers." You add as the three of you walk out, the air between you and Tom stiff but not nearly as suffocating as usual.

"Oh, yeah. That's his friend Ashlyn." He confirms, a smile grazing his lips as your trio turns the corner into the hallway that holds the bedrooms.

Suddenly, extra weight is placed atop your head causing you to jump and look up. "Haz!" You groan, finding his arm resting on your hair. He laughs and removes his arm as you lightly shove him to the side. Tom watches the two of your interactions, realizing that there is a part of you that allowed you to relax and slightly smile. Maybe you smiled more before being taken.

"I'll see you tomorrow." Tom says as he turns into his bedroom, Harrison bidding him goodbye before you two continue to your own. You arrive at yours, both of you walking in with your steps in sync. Almost as soon as you close the door, something wraps around Haz's and yours ankles before pulling you up to the ceiling, pressed against each other upside down.

"What the fuck?" He exclaims, looking around with his hair reaching for the floor.

"Oh yeah... I sorta, maybe, might make traps when I'm scared... And set them." You mumble. "I must've forgotten to take this one down."

You try to reach up to free you two but find your arms pinned under coils of rope. curse my good trap setting you groan in your head.

"Tom!" Harrison yells. "Harry! Sam! Paddy!"

You suddenly become aware of how close you both are, bodies pressed against each other's, chest to chest. A blush spreads across your cheeks like setting fire to dead leaves in the middle of a forest.

Harrison groans and stops attempting to yell for someone, for if they heard they would've came already. "We're going to pass out." He sighs, returning his attention to you as he himself comes to the same realization you had. His own cheeks become dusted in pink, if it was from blood rush or a blush, you'll never know.

"How long do you think we'll be up here?" You ask, averting your gaze from his face as the blanket on your bed was suddenly very very interesting.

"Hopefully not all night." He sighs as your rose falls to the floor, at least seven feet away for it was a very high part of your ceiling you hung from.

You let out a groan of frustration, looking around for anything to help your situation but nothing would help considering your arms are pinned next to Harrison's. This is going to be so much fun.

Another two minutes passes, both of your faces red as your roses from blood flowing into them. You'd already tried moving around to release the rope from where it was tied, but it stayed put, the only way you can get down is if someone else cut or untied the material. How fortunate.

A yawn falls from your lips and your eyes grow heavy, the easy workout you had settling in on your already exhausted body.

"Can I confess something while we're stuck here?" Harrison asks, nervousness looming in his voice as he turns his gaze to you.

"Uh yeah. Yeah sure." You allow, your own nervousness working it's way into your stomach, butterflies making a home there.

"I like you. More than a friend. I know it's weird because we've only known each other for a few months but-" he rants while a smile, a real smile spreads across your face.

"Haz. I... I like you too." You confess, biting your lip due to pure nerves.

A toothy smile sprouts from his mouth, the sight making you fall for him more. Oh, how you wished you'd fall.

Slowly, Harrison's face moves towards yours, stopping just in front of yours with the tips of your noses touching as if asking for permission. You answer by leaning forwards ever so slightly, your lips planting themselves on his in a gentle, meaningful kiss. Your heart is beating so fast you're afraid he'll hear it, but it doesn't really matter if he hears it, he can already feel it. The kiss takes you to another world, one where you're completely happy and everything is okay, a world where you haven't been kidnapped and scarred in more than one way. The kiss is like spring, peaceful and safe with new lives starting. Maybe this is your new life, a life with your enemies best friend. Both of you pull away only because your lungs demand oxygen, but you swear a kiss like that could keep you alive forever. You look up at him, both of your eyes ridden of hate and disgust and instead filled with love and wonder. How unexpected was this relationship between two mobsters, one who'd harmed the other? But most things are unexpected, and sometimes things or people just fit perfectly into the holes in the others hearts left by others. They repair the gaps and replace them with love, fixing a person to their former self. And sometimes, a relationship is all you need.

"What the bloody fuck is going on in here?" Harry asks as he flings open the door. "Holy shit." He stares up at the two of you, pure disbelief centered in his eyes.

"Finally!" You exclaim, starting to feel dizzy from being upside down so long. "We stepped in a trap I set up!"

"Get us down!" Harrison yells, starting to move around causing you both to sway.

"Stop moving- ow!" His foot hits your ankle that'd been sprained at the wearhouse, pain radiating up your leg.

Harry runs out of the room and arrives again a few minutes later with Sam and Tom who look in disbelief.

"I didn't think you were serious..." Tom breathes, staring up at his friends. "How the fuck do we get them down?"

"Just cut it." Sam shrugs, walking towards the rope.

"No! Then we'll land on our heads!" You yell, fear coursing through your body.

"Okay we won't cut it. Calm down. Jeez." Harry sighs with his hands out in front of him.

"How can I calm down if I'm hanging from the ceiling?!" You exclaim, sudden anger coursing through your veins as you see red.

"Y/n." Haz says in a gentle tone next to you, his eyebrows raised. "What?!" You hiss with venom starting to seep into your words as you turn your neck to look at him. "Calm down. They're going to get us down. Freaking out isn't going to do anything." He says, keeping his soft voice. You let out a groan but keep your mouth shut as the three brothers try to figure out how to release you two from the rope safely.

After a moment of pondering, they pull your mattress off of your bed frame. "Okay," Tom says, standing next to the part of the rope tied securely to the frame of your bed. "I'm going to cut the rope." You brace for the impact of ground as you and Haz fall onto the mattress, your hair suspending around you.

"That didn't hurt nearly as much as I expected." You sigh.

"Yeah, probably because you landed on me." Harrison groans, his face slightly screwed up in pain.

"Shit!" You exclaim, trying to break free of the rope around your body but finding yourself unable to. "Stop laughing assholes and get us out!" You yell at Harry and Sam who were laughing between the two of them by the door before they walk next to you, still a few chuckles falling from their lips.

"You guys need to stand up." Sam instructs, examining the rope trapping you and your friend together.

"How?" Harrison asks, straining his neck to look at the boy behind him. Tom, Harry, and Sam crouch around your figures before each picking you up and placing on your feet. Once up, they finally unravel the thick rope, Harrison and you taking a few steps away from each other.

"Thank God..." You breathe stretching out your limbs as your head throbs. "Thanks."

"No problem." Tom says, his arms crossed over his chest. "I'm going back to bed." With that the three brothers walk out the doorway, all whispering while looking back at you two and laughing.

"That was- ehm- interesting." Harrison coughs awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck as a pink color runs across his cheeks, yours following suit.

"Yeah..." You agree while fiddling with a piece of your hair, the air between the two of you suffocatingly awkward.

"Would you maybe like to... Be... My girlfriend?" He asks, hope and slight fear shining in his eyes, his expression eager for a response like a puppy waiting for a treat.

"I'd love to." You grin, teeth trapping your bottom lip between the rows. Haz's own smile spreads across his lips as he moves closer to you. "Oh, I'm sorry I shouldn't have-" he apologizes, his arms going back to his sides but you cut him off by placing a hand on his shoulder and meeting his lips with yours in a quick kiss before backing away.

"It's fine." You smile.

"Right." He states, surprise still evident in his features. "Well, I'm going to head to my room." Harrison starts walking out the door but you stop him, yelling out.

"Wait! C-can I... Come with you...?" You ask, fear striking your body at the thought of the countless nightmares you experienced the previous night.

"Yeah, sure." He answers nonchalantly, waiting for you to join his side before continuing down the hallways. "What time is it?"

"2:34." You answer after checking your phone. "God, no wonder I'm so tired."

You both turn into his bedroom, Harrison shutting the door after you walk in. Awkwardly you climb into his bed, a safe distance away not wanting to over step anything on not even your first hour of a relationship. You feel the mattress dip with Harrison's weight and then your empty palm you had in the space between you both filled with his own. A soft smile falls upon your face before your eyes flutter shut, and you swear that's the most peaceful you've been in years.

"Where are they you little bitch?" A stern voice says, a dark figure towering over your trapped body. "I told you. They're dead." You mumble, head hanging down facing your lap. Suddenly, your face is gripped tightly and forced upwards revealing your parents dead bodies. Blood. Every where. You look at your shaking hands, those covered in the thick crimson liquid that seems to be endlessly pooling in your palms. "Since you won't fucking give me any answers, I guess we'll have to beat them out of you." A man says before something, most likely a knife, cuts across your stomach causing you to yell out in pain. You let out a blood chilling scream and sit up, body covered in cold sweat as you breathe heavily though it feels as if no air is entering your lungs.

"Y/n?" A voice asks from behind you, causing you to turn around with pure terror painting your face. "Har... Harrison?" You breathe out, still sucking in lungfulls of air as your arms threaten to give out under you.

He wears a confused look before realization sets in an "o" expression on his face. "You're fine. We're back at Tom's place not there. You're not there anymore." He assures you, his face softening in an effort to comfort you.

"M-my parents..." You whimper before practically throwing yourself at him, whether he minded or not he didn't show it, only held you against him and ran a hand up and down your back. "You're okay..." He coos, your tears falling onto his shoulder in a trail. You pull away and wipe the streams off of your face, embarrassment consuming your thoughts. "I'm s-so sorry." You apologize. How could you expect him to take care of you every time you go through these nightmares? How could you expect him to stay with you if you're so mentally broken?

Listen." Haz says, taking one of your hands in both of his, easily covering it's entirety. "You don't need to be sorry for something you can't and couldn't control. Even though we've only known each other a short time, friends help friends and hey, what kind of boyfriend would I be if I didn't help you?"

Thanks." You say with an almost unnoticeable smile. Leaning forwards, you place your forehead against his bare chest, his chin resting on top of your head, the scent of your shampoo filling his nose. You felt safe for the first time since you were little, to you the safest place on Earth is in Harrison's arms as if nothing could hurt you because you're with him.

"Wanna go back to sleep?" Harrison asks, moving to look you in the eye. Your y/e/c eyes stare into his blue ones, searching for trust and almost immediately finding it. "Yeah."

With your confirmation, Haz slowly lays down, his arms still around your middle. Again, you both stay a distance away from each other though this times it's closer, the feeling of peace stronger than before as you both fall asleep with the other in your grasp. Slash after slash your own blood circles around you. "I can't give you anymore information." You grunt, someone punching you across the face, a metallic taste filling your mouth with the crunch of bone. Sucking in a large breath, your eyes open in panic and lingering pain crosses your arms and stomach. You're about to bolt upright but your eyes land on Haz's sleeping face, his features are completely relaxed, an ever so small part in his lips with his hair hanging over his forehead and eye.

You're not there anymore. You're safe. His voice echoes in your mind, calming you down and turning your breathing back to a normal pace. Like he said, you're safe. You're safe as long as you're with him. For the second time that night you fall back into slumber, repeating Harrison's words in your head like a broken record.

[tmblake130]

The Glass Bowl

Short Story By T M. BLAKE

"Ichiroll hurry if we're going to make it to the portals in time!" Ichiro's mother yells. Ichiro stuffs the last of his breakfast in his mouth and deposes of his trash. He rushes to the door where his mother waits for him with her hand outstretched, taking it as they both exit their home.

It is a sunny day on the streets of Preo. They follow the familiar path to the portal station, blending in with the sea of tamers of all snakes and sizes.

When they reach their destination, Ichiro's mother leads him over to one of the oval-shaped portals that sucks in the air around it.

Squatting down to meet his eyes, Ichiro's mother fixes the collar of his shirt. "Have a good day my Ichiroll."

Ichiro gave her a quick hug before moving past her. He was scared of the kids from his school seeing him hugging his mother as if he was a small child.

Fighting against the wind of the portal as it swirls, Ichiro steps through, finding himself in front of a tan overwater bungalow hut. It has a grey roof and several square windows and it stands on stilts that led to the bottom of the ocean. Ichiro's sandals rest on the grey boardwalk that separates each line of huts. At the top of the door sat an elegant painting of a pygmy rattlesnake so he knows he is in the right place.

As his peers plop out of other portals around him, Ichiro gazes at his wrist nervously. When he comes to school every day, he strives to do his best to get closer and closer to his dream.

The memory of his father's last visit flashes through Ichiro's mind. His father is a well-known military General so he is rarely home. When he comes back home, Ichiro tries to make the most of the time his dad takes off to be with his family. They were sitting around the table. His father smiled down proudly at Ichiro as he told him that once he completed his training, he would become a warrior and fight under his father's command. If he worked hard, he would become a General himself.

Kano, his snake companion, sits on his wrist in the form of a knitted bracelet. It is a trick he learned a year ago, a simple altercation of the snake's original form. Hiroyuki snakes were magical creatures and Ichiro looked forward to each day he gets closer and closer to discovering Kano's full potential. Kano was a pygmy rattlesnake, granting him the power to make things invincible with physical touch.

Taking a deep breath, he climbs the short, wooden ladder and enters the hut. It is filled with small children and Ichiro's teacher, Sensei Misaki. She is wrapped in a pink and purple Kimono. Her black hair is longer than Ichiro's mother's hair, cascading down to her knees. She is instructing everyone to sit on the floor with their legs crossed. Once everyone was accounted for, she clasps her thin fingers together, her thin cherry-colored lips bending into a kind smile.

"Good morning class!"

"Good Morning Sensei Misaki!" the class says in unison.

Sensei Misaki's smile brightens. "Let's see. Does anyone remember what we've been studying in class for the last three weeks?"

Most of the students raise their hands, but Sensei Misaki points to a girl in the front.

"Water Damage and Shattering Prevention."

"That is right Hana-chan."

She holds out her hands as her brown pygmy rattlesnake slithers from inside the sleeve of her kimono, spiraling around her hands and fingers before turning into a purple glass bowl. The students jump in surprise when she lets it crash to the ground, watching it break into a thousand pieces. A second later, the pieces gravitate towards each other until they form a perfectly undamaged bowl again.

"Today, I will be measuring your skill level with each of these preventions. It is okay if everyone doesn't pass. I just want to assess where you are in your training so far."

She asks the three weekly helpers to bring a small table, a translucent square pail, a jar of seawater, and a stack of paper to the front of the classroom.

When it was their turn, each student takes a piece of paper, holding it for a moment, and then dips it into the pail of water. When they take it out of the water, the piece of paper is either a mushy white mess barely holding itself together or perfectly intact.

When it is Ichiro's turn, his belly rolls in anticipation. He'd practiced this exercise at home countless times. Still, he is scared of messing up in front of his teacher and classmates. He closes his eyes and holds the thin piece of paper, focusing his energy on his fingers. He images the paper coming out completely intact. Taking a deep breath, he opened his eyes and dipped the paper into the seawater. After holding it there for a couple of seconds, he brings a damped piece of paper back to the surface. The writing is still visible. His heart swells with triumph as he steps aside for the next person.

After everyone has their turn, Sensei Misaki switches to the shattering exercise. Sensei Misaki asks the three helpers to retrieve a stack of plain, porcelain bowls each. Once they sit them down in front of the class, Sensei Misaki touches the top of each stack before instructing everyone to take one. She then instructs the helpers to pass out arts and crafts supplies to the class.

Using the supplies, the students decorate their porcelain. Ichiro covers his paintbrush in a mixture of orange, yellow, and red, drawing random lines along the exterior of his bowl.

While the bowls dry, Sensei Misaki begins a history lesson. At the end of class, she lets everyone take their bowls home with an assignment.

"I want to congratulate you all for doing so well today. However, I've decided to give you guys one final test." The class erupted into mild chatter, but their teacher quickly shushes them. "You will be responsible for keeping your bowl unharmed for the rest of the day. Tomorrow, those that bring their bowl back undamaged will receive a special prize. I hope you guys have a good rest of the day!"

Ichiro and his classmates form a line as Sensei Misaki leads them to the portal station. It is crowded. Children from other huts wait for their parents and guardians.

His mother is waiting for him as always. He walks over to her and they take a portal back home.

Ichiro wraps his hand around his bowl protectively the entire time. When he gets home, he sits the bowl on a cushioned pillow, scared it might break. As he does his homework, he feels something small bounces off his head.

In a mixture of curiosity and irritation, he picks up a pebble that hit him. Looking in the direction the pebble came from, he finds his window halfway ajar. Kano, who had been peacefully sleeping, arose and hisses at the window. Peeping out, he comes face to face with two of his classmates, Itsuki and Kai. He plays with them sometimes when he's not at school, practicing, or doing homework.

"Hi Ichiro-san," they say in unison.

"Hai Itsuki-san and Kai-san."

Itsuki is the first to speak. "Tough assignment Sensei gave us. I didn't get a good look at the paintings on yours. Can you bring it out here so we can get a better look? We'll see who's looks the coolest."

I don't know if that's a good idea, Kano's voice is thick with concern and uncertainty. Ichiro quickly reassures him with a meer thought. It is rude to respond to the voice of your snake spirit in front of other people. He learned that the hard way.

"Hmm. It's not safe for it to come out there."

"You used your powers on it Ichiro," Itsuki smirks. "It can't break. You're the top of the class so this should be an easy assignment for you."

"I guess you're right. Hold on." Ichiro hurries away from the window, grabbing the bowl and tucking it under his arm. "I'll be out."

"Where are you going?" Ichiro's mother asks once he comes out of his room. She is in the living room with one of her clients.

"Outside to play with some friends" Ichiro answers, zooming out the door before his mother could see what he is carrying.

"Okay, stay where I can see you!"

He meets Kai and Itsuki on the side of Kai's house. They both lean forward as Ichiro shows them the bowl.

"Can I hold it?" Kai asks. He holds out his hands, a mischievous smile spreading on his face.

"I—I don't think so." Ichiro backs away from the two boys, but they only walk closer. His eyes wander to their empty hands. "Where are your bowls?"

"C'mon Ichiro, give us the bowl." A crooked smile spreads over Itsuki, his words spitting like acid.

"What are you going to do with it?"

"We're to break it, of course, Ichiro — or should I say Ichiroll."

Heat rises to Ichiro's cheeks at the sound of his mother's nickname for him. "W—w—why would you do that?"

"Because you act like your better than everyone else. You're the general's son and we know you get special treatment. Your rich dad is probably paying Sensei to give you private lessons. That's why you're so good. The best in the class."

"Special treatment? Sensei Misaki treats me like anyone else. I just practice and study. You're supposed to be my friends."

"You were supposed to be our friend Ichiro." Itsuki and Kai came closer to him, ready to snatch the bowl from his hands. Their smiles had turned into glares. They circled Ichiro ready to pounce. "But friends don't cheat!"

Itsuki jumps at Ichiro first. Ichiro quickly dodges his attackers and dashes into Kai's front yard.

The boys chase Ichiro through the neighborhood. They nearly bulldoze stands, clotheslines, animals, and people. After zigzagging through the neighborhood, Ichiro finds himself at a dead end. Looking around, he tries to find a way out of this sticky situation.

Ichiro! Kano's deep voice echoed through his skull. Throw me on the ground!

Ichiro rips the bracelet from his wrist and tosses it to the ground. A big brown mud puddle appears before him. He plunges into it, surrounding himself with dark water.

Itsuki and Kai arrive a second later looking around for Ichiro. He watches through the murky water as they look around before turning around. He waits a couple of minutes before climbing out of the mud puddle, his clothes surprisingly dry.

He clinches the bowl to his chest as he thinks of a shortcut home. He is about to walk forward when his toe bumps against a rock mounted in the ground. His toe curls in pain and he quickly nurses it. The bowl slips out of his grasp. Its fragile form collides with the ground, breaking into pieces.

A cloud of shame surrounds Ichiro as he walks home without the bowl. He'd let everyone down. Sensei Misaki. His mother. His father. Himself. He is stripped of his confidence.

His mother waits for him outside the house. Her hands are crossed over her chest and the disappointed look on her face makes Ichiro drain of color.

His mother already knows. She always knows about everything. He doesn't have to say a word before she points a stern finger towards the house.

Within minutes, he finds himself in his room. As he lays on his bed, Kano slithers from around his wrist and morphs into a pillow. Ichiro lays on his side and hugs the pillow close to him.

His mother enters his room shortly after. She sits on his bed. "I'll have to talk to Kai and Itsuki's parents and contact your teacher to tell her what happened." His mother's voice was softer than when he got home. "It's okay my little Ichiroll. It will all be okay."

"Can you not call me that? It's embarrassing." Ichiro's heart is halfway into the words are they slip out of his mouth. He loves his mother's nickname for him, but not if it was going to cause his peers to laugh at him.

"What? You are my little Ichiroll. You will always be my little Ichiroll no matter how strong or handsome you become. You shouldn't be ashamed of me showing you that. You're lucky to have a loving parent like me. Some children don't ever get to hear their mother's voices or feel their embrace. If your friends make fun of you loving your mother, they don't deserve to be friends with an amazing person like you."

Ichiro's cheeks are covered with tears as he turns to look at her. "But they said that I wasn't a good friend because I cheated. Misaki Sensei is giving me special treatment and that is why I'm at the top of my class. I just practice and study."

"They don't understand. They don't see how hard you work. I thought they were good boys too. You have to understand that with everything comes a price. They're just jealous that you work hard and receive promising results."

"But what am I going to do about the bowl? Sensei Misaki will be disappointed and I will fail my test."

"I will handle the situation. I know they were your friends Ichiroll and they betrayed you today. Keep working hard and don't let jealous people stop you."

Ichiro lets go of Kano in pillow form. He hugs his mother, his father's last visit coming back to him. He would work hard to make him proud no matter what it took. He decided from that day forward that no one was going to get in the way of that ever again.

No one.

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