#i kept having to click away from the tab i was getting freaked out

[thefreakymunson]

Like I did (Eddie Munson drabble)

Summary: One late night, you get a phone call from a drunken Eddie Munson who has some choice words.

AU: This is just purely angst.

You were drawn out of your sleep by the shrill sounds of the telephone ringing in the kitchen. You sighed and pushed your boyfriends arm off of you as you crawled out of bed. You rubbed your bleary eyes and looked at the clock on the wall as you passed. 2:46 AM. Who the fuck was calling you this late?

“Hello?” You answered the phone, annoyance evident.

“Y/N” his voice was slurred, “Hi.”

“Eddie, what’s up? It’s late...you okay?”

You heard the clicking of a metal tab being pulled and then a gruff, “Nope.”

“Wha-”

“Why him?” Eddie cut you off, “You know...I know we were really only fuck buddies but why him of all people? You could have anybody in fuckin’ Hawkin’s and yet...you chose him?”

“Eddie, it’s not that deep.” You sighed, “I like him. Billy’s a nice person.”

“Billy is a fuckin’ asshole and you know it, Y/N.” Eddie laughed despite his mood, “You really chose him, huh?”

“Were you ready to commit to one relationship, Eddie?” You frowned, “You freaked out every time I brought up us becoming exclusive.”

“I didn’t freak out. I told you that I didn’t want you to be judged for being with someone like me. You know how people treat me here and I didn’t want your name to be drug through the mud as well.” Eddie sighed into the phone.

“So that’s why you kept the other girls around, yeah?” You snorted, “That makes so much sense, Munson.”

He was quiet for a few seconds before he spoke again, “Does he fuck you like I did?”

Now it was your turn to be silent. Because of course no one felt as good inside of you as Eddie did. You had long ago decided that the two of your bodies were made for one another. You felt together so well.

“Answer me...is it as good with him as it was with me? Does he get you off, baby? Because we both know I was the one to make you cum the first time in your life.” Eddie’s voice was smooth in the phone, like velvet, “What did you say?...’No one can compare to you, Eds’. That’s what you said, right, Y/N?”

“Fuck you,” you said through gritted teeth. How dare he mock you?

“Oh, princess...you’ve done that quite a lot, haven’t you?” He laughed, “He must not be that good with how angry you are right now. Maybe I need to come over...teach him the correct way to fuck my girl, yeah? Get rid of that attitude, baby, just like I used to.”

You decided then and there that you missed him. You missed every single thing about him. His voice, the way he touched you – could fuck the brattiness right out of you. Billy was good enough but it wasn’t the same. Not yet anyway. He touched you as if you were porcelain and would break if he was too rough. Eddie damn near fucked you through his mattress any chance he got.

Eddie was the first to speak and his voice was full of defeat. He cleared his throat and swallowed the lump in his throat and said softly, “I hope he treats you good, Y/N. I truly do. I’m sorry I couldn’t give you what you wanted. I’m gonna’ miss you, princess.”

He hung the phone up and you closed your eyes, willing the tears away. How could he call you like that after every time you brought up the idea of you being exclusive and he would turn you down? How could he think you would just stick around, waiting for him to come around and agree to being your boyfriend?

When you pulled into this driveway a few minutes later, he was sitting out front on the steps – 6 pack to his left, wearing only his ripped jeans and his boots. He didn’t move as you got out of the car and walked over to the steps.

“That didn’t last long,” he snorted.

“What the fuck was that, Eddie?” You glared at him, “You think you can just call me up and try to make me feel bad for being with someone who only wants me? That’s not fair.”

“And it’s not fair to me to sit and see you and him everywhere, is it?” Eddie glared at you.

“Why can’t you just be happy for me?”

“Why should I be? It’s eating me up inside, Y/N.” He shook his head, “And it’s not just the sex thing. People don’t fucking scoff when he walks buy with you on his arm. They don’t say that you’re out of his league. They don’t treat him like they treat me.”

“Why do you think I care about what everyone else has to say? I don’t give a fuck what anyone else thinks of who I’m with.” You snorted, “Except for you, obviously.”

“I love you, Y/N.” Eddie said finally.

“This isn’t how I wanted to hear you say it,” you frowned, “You should’ve said it when I wanted to hear it, Eds.”

“I know that. I know.” Eddie sighed, “I’m sorry.”

You sighed and walked over to sit beside of him. Even now, when you were seething angry at him, you hated seeing him in this state. You looped your arm around his and leaned your head against his shoulder.

“It could’ve been different for us if you stopped caring what everyone else thought.” You whispered, “Let them have their gossip. I don’t care. I only ever wanted to just be with you.”

He sniffed roughly as he finished his beer and tossed the can into the bin beside of him, his hand coming up to your face. You stared into his big brown eyes, his face barely illuminated by the distant lamp.

“You’re an amazing person, Y/N.” Eddie whispered, “He’s lucky to have you. And I was lucky too…”

He sighed and rested his forehead against yours, allowing one more brief moment of intimacy. You had every mind to lean in and kiss him or tell him you would leave Billy in a heartbeat for him if only he would agree...

“I hope he treats you good,” he said softly, “I hope when he sees your hands trembling...he holds them tightly against his chest just like I do. I hope he holds you to fall asleep just like you like. I hope he gives you the time you deserve and he treats you like you’re the only girl in his world...just like I should’ve done.”

“I’ll leave him if you’d just commit to me, Eddie.” You whispered, nuzzling your face into his warm palm, “I’d be back here in a split second.”

“I’m not going to do that because he could be a good thing for you, Y/N.” Eddie forced a smile as he drug his thumb over your bottom lip, “Something I’m not and will never be. Go-”

You knew what he was getting ready to say and you didn’t want to hear it. You didn’t want to leave. You cut him off by pressing your lips against his. He tasted like budweiser and tobacco and that other taste you could never describe as anything other than Eddie. His lips moved against yours, unable to stop himself. He slid his hand to the back of your head, pulling you against him, meshing your lips together. It took everything in him not to pull you into his lap and keep you there for the rest of eternity.

“You gotta go,” Eddie whispered against your lips, “You’ve got a boyfriend now, Y/N. Don’t keep him waiting, yeah?”

He was so stubborn. Tears of sadness and frustration fell down your cheeks as you looked over at him. He didn’t get it. Billy meant nothing if he was still in the picture.

“Eddie-”

“You shouldn’t have came here,” he said softly as he stood up, a bit wobbly from the alcohol.

“I came here to tell you I loved you.” You said softly, watching as he cleaned up the two missed beer cans.

“I know you did. But you’ve got to love Billy now, baby.” Eddie sighed, “C’mon. I’ll walk you to your car.”

He held his hand out, pulling you up against him. You didn’t want to leave. You just wanted to go inside the trailer and fall asleep on his chest like he had mentioned earlier. You wrapped your arms around his waist and buried your face in his chest, feeling his arms wrap tightly around you as he sniffed your hair.

This was goodbye.

And it hurt.

So bad.

“C’mon, don’t do this, princess.” Eddie frowned, as he felt your body shake with sobs, “Don’t cry over me.”

“Why can’t you just love me, Eddie?” You frowned up at him, “What’s so wrong with me?”

“There’s nothing wrong with you, Y/N. It’s not you at all. It’s me, baby. It’s me.” Eddie had tears in his eyes as he looked down at you, “Don’t make this harder than it has to be.”

“Why does it have to be hard in the first place?” You glared up at him, “Why are you doing this?”

“Because I’m not good enough for you, Y/N. That’s all everyone’s ever said.” He sighed, fingers curled around your arms as he looked down at you.

Your sadness turned into anger now and you gently pushed him away from you as you stepped back. He pushed his hair out of his eyes as he looked down at you in suprise. You had never shown any aggression to him but he was pissing you off and hurting you.

“Don’t call me again,” you glared up at him, “If this is how it’s going to be where we can just make up things and rules?...my rule is forget my number. Forget I exist.”

He made no attempt to stop you as you walked to your car and opened the door.

“If I leave here right now, I’m not coming back.” You glared at him, “Do you hear me?”

“I do,” he nodded, sliding his hands in his back pockets.

“I said I’m not coming back,” you repeated yourself, hoping he would at least move.

He hung his head and stepped backwards, tears of his own falling down his face, his back to you. He didn’t want to watch you drive away. It would hurt too fucking bad. He heard the door slam shut and the car crank as he squatted down, a hand clamped over his mouth to keep from sobbing.

Why was this so hard?

You stared at him for just a few seconds before you reversed your car and then sped out of the trailer park, a dirt cloud trail following your car. Tears feel freely and quickly as you got to the end of the road and pulled over, letting all your sobs and wails out. He didn’t even care enough to try and stop you. He just wanted you to leave. He got what he wanted.

When you got home, Billy was still fast asleep in your bed. You crawled in beside of him and laid down, curling your body up into the fetal position with your back to him as you covered your mouth to quiet your cries.

You had never felt so alone until that moment.

#Eddie Munson #Eddie Munson x reader #Eddie Munson x you #Stranger things #Stranger things fanfic #Eddie Munson fanfic #Joseph Quinn #thefreakymunson #Original Fics

[teruthecreator]

okay i watched some videos explaining the walten files and now im even MORE confused boy what da hell boy 

#ignorance cloud on #also yeah it was better to have someone else go through it i get scared very easily #i kept having to click away from the tab i was getting freaked out #BUT WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON #OKAY SO LIKE. FELIX KRANKEN GOT IN AN ACCIDENT AND KILLED THE TWO KIDS #AND THEN BURIED THEM OUT IN THE WOODS TO HIDE THE EVIDENCE #BUT WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED TO JACK WALTEN?????? WHY DID HE DISAPPEAR #WHY WAS FELIX ABLE TO JUST LIKE. OPEN UP THE STORE WITHOUT CONFRONTING JACK #/DID/ HE KILL JACK??????? IDK IF I BELIEVE THE YOUTUBERS EXPLANATION #i just dont think itd be like. reasonable to assume he had like a fuckin Hitlist #esp if jack was already gone #BUT YET AGAIN. HOW DID JACK OR ROSEMARY NOT REPORT THEIR MISSING CHILDREN TO THE POLICE #okay so like. the accident was on the 2nd i think???? and then jack disappeared on the 11th #so it makes sense to assume that Maybe felix killed jack bc jack tried to confront him #but that still doesnt explain how rosemary doesnt file a police report bc NOW BOTH HER CHILDREN AND HER HUSBAND ARE /GONE/????? #i cannot suspend my beliefs that fucking far dude you cant just have ur 2 kids and husband go missing and then be like 'lol anyway' #SIGH. im probably gonna have to watch the videos myself huh. goddamnit #im gonna be so paranoid if i do i just know it #BUT LIKE I DONT GET IT #ALSO THERE ARE MORE CHARACTERS TO THIS LIKE. WTF IS CHRIS DOING??? HE'S BEEN AROUND LONG ENOUGH TO KNOW SOMETHINGS UP #chris was around long enough to play the video game And to send that miles guy out to the k-9 facility #so he has to know somethings up #he has to be involved #and like. Obviously bon is the one doing all the murdering and shoving corpses in suits #but WHY #WHO IS BON???? #my Assumption is that its a malevolent spirit but WHOS malevolent spirit #idk the youtuber i watched said bon was a robot programmed for murder but that 1. doesnt make sense given the time period and #2. doesnt seem like something felix would Do like. bc bon doesnt just step out on stage and stab a kid. it specifically waits to get people #alone and then kill them bc theyre snooping around

[anonquack]

| His Merch |

Alex Quackity x Reader, Oneshot!

Word Count: 4256

Warnings: None, just some curse words. Fluff :]

Summary: Being such good friends with Quackity leads to the inevitable; catching feelings. In fear of ruining your friendship with him, you kept quiet about your feelings. Although usually good at that, after a merch drop and a slip-up on stream, you prepare yourself for the worst. Queue the incoming call from Quackity himself.

Today had been a productive day, in your opinion. You'd woken up earlier than usual, ate breakfast, cleaned around your apartment, and managed to get started on editing a video you'd recently filmed.

That's why you considered yourself very deserving of sitting down and enjoying your friend's stream as you ate some snacks.

Quackity had a fun stream planned, and had hyped up a 'big announcement' on Twitter, and the whole timeline was already speculating what it could be as they awaited for Quackity to start stream.

Being his friend had some perks though, contrary to popular belief. He'd discussed with you what the big announcement was as you sat on call with him a few nights prior to the big day. It was merch, and according to your past experience with Planet Duck products, it was sure to be soft and super comfy. You were very much looking forward to getting your hands on some of his new merch.

He'd brought up sending some to you, one of the previously mentioned perks of being his friend, but you politely declined. Much to his surprise. He'd asked why and you'd simply stated that "It was fine," and perhaps it came off as a bit rude. A 'no thanks' to his merch that you hadn't even seen.

But you had plans of your own, you wanted to acquire said merch on your own, and support him financially in the process. He didn't have to know that though, so with a small 'Oh' from him as his response, you swiftly changed topic of conversation.

Now here you sat, watching the stream as Quackity explained what he'd be doing with his friend John Smith. Riding go-karts around what looked like a storage unit. You couldn't help but worry as you watched them zoom around, occasionally getting close to crashing, and eventually doing just that.

The stream itself was rather fun to watch, but you kept your debit card beside you. This was in case he decided to drop the merch announcement out of nowhere. And that was exactly what he did. Another perk of being his friend was you grew a 6th sense for these type of things. Always had a feeling for what was about to happen when it came to Quackity.

You watched as the chat freaked out, watched as the notification from Planet Duck went out, notifying everybody that the merch had been released. You quickly typed into your computer, and the internet seemed to be taking its time to redirect you to Quackity's merch site.

After some time, it finally loaded and you began to look at all the options. The merch was wonderful, Quackity had been hyping it up to you (you'd asked for no reveals, wanting to wait like everyone else) and he had been absolutely right.

Most of the designs were new, except for the iconic Planet Duck logo, and were all very cute. You had Quackity's stream playing in the background as you maneuvered your way around the site, finally deciding on which merch you'd be buying.

As you went to purchase, a red sign alerted you that there was no shipping to your location. To which you quickly raised an eyebrow, panic starting to rush through you. Maybe you should've accepted his offer.

After refreshing multiple times and watching the Twitter timeline freak out as well over the inability to ship to several locations, it finally seemed to work, and the payment finally went through. A big "Thank you for your purchase" appearing onto the screen.

You let out a sigh of relief, clicking back onto the tab where the stream was, a small smile on your face. You'd actually managed to get it on your own. It was nerve-racking, when it seemed like you wouldn't be able to get the shipping to work, when it seemed like it'd sell out before you had the chance to buy some.

Now you finally understood what it felt like, the stress of getting your hands on merch before it sold out. It'd been an exhilerating experience.

You relaxed into your seat as Quackity's laugh filled the room. He was recreating bits from Fast and Furious, and zooming all over the place. You watched with a fond smile as he drove around, throwing random Spanish profanities at John Smith here and there.

The funky heart glasses he had on did nothing to ease the warmth that was spreading through your chest at the sight of him. You were suffering due to your confusing feelings towards your close friend, but nobody knew, or at least that is what you told yourself.

You tried to focus on something else, something that wasn't solely him. The go-karts were going pretty fast, and you remembered the scene they were recreating from the movie. Whichever random thought came to mind, you'd focus on it instead, too scared to let your thoughts wander elsewhere.

When it came to and end, you were conflicted. You were glad your heart would be able to catch a break, but you also missed him almost immediately. Sickening, really.

You took some time to reflect on what you'd done so far. Cleaned, ate your meals, worked on some editing, got some Quackity merch, and enjoyed a fun stream. It was rather productive, to say the least.

But there was still some time left in the day, and you figured you'd put the energy coursing through your body to use.

Taking a seat at your desk, you turned your monitor on before opening the twitch app. An alt stream would be perfect right now. After going live and sending out a tweet letting your followers know you were live, you patiently waited for the viewers to start coming in.

Considering this was an alt stream, you figured you'd play some random game and just chat for a bit before heading to bed. As the viewers came in, you gave your greetings before opening a tab for roblox, getting on a random server to play an obby game as you talked to chat.

There was a content smile on your face as you asked chat how their day had been, how they were feeling, your little character jumping around and passing through the beginner levels on the obby game.

"I'm actually in a really good mood, chat. My day has been going so well." You began, glancing at chat here and there, smile growing at the memory of the adventures acquiring Quackity merch.

After the chat was flooded with questions asking about what had happened, you indulged. "I was watching Quackity's stream earlier today, and it was so much fun!" The smile grew before softening as you focused on the obby. "I was also able to get some of his new merch."

The chat erupted into bits of 'friends supporting friends' to 'y/n in quackity merch???' and people yelling that they had been or weren't able to get merch.

Seeing the chat made you laugh, nodding your head a bit. "No because I was so nervous I wouldn't be able to get some-" you admitted, attention now focused solely on telling the viewers about your own experience.

"I was trying to purchase, and there was a line, and then it said it wouldn't ship to my location?? I was so worried I wouldn't be able to get some. But it finally worked. I'm excited for it to get here." You finished your small rant, a content smile on your lips.

Chat consisted of people agreeing with the technical difficulties occurring at the time of the merch drop, others saying they were too broke to buy anything. It felt nice, to see something from their perspective and also have shared an experience like this.

"Big Q actually offered to send me some, but I told him no because I wanted to get it myself.. Wanted to get it fair and square." You said as you refocused on the obby in front of you, fond smile on your face as you thought about how nice he was. He was willing to send all of his friends some of his merch, free of cost.

"Also wanted to give him my support by actually purchasing it, you know?" You added, resting your chin on the palm of your hand as it leaned against your desk. You took this time to read chat, which was exploding with what you thought was a combination of Quackity's username with yours, and 'bffs ur honor!!'.

You smiled at that, hands finally moving your character around. "Really, he has been such an amazing friend, extremely welcoming, always fun to be around. And just.. life is never dull when he's around. He's always been there for me when I needed it and well‐" A pause. "I'm glad I was able to support him in some way." You hummed softly as you finished up yet another small rant about Quackity.

At the realization that you'd been talking about him for far too long, and that he was not meant to be the focus of your alt stream, you cleared your throat and began focusing on the obby game once again.

You shifted the topic of conversation to the video you'd also been editing today, and that quickly took everyone's attention away from how affectionately and fondly you'd been speaking of your dear friend. Everyone was now excited about the new video.

Seeing how easily the chat's focus changed made you ease up a bit, and you were able to enjoy the rest of your stream playing random roblox games and discussing some stuff with chat. It lasted for a bit longer before you finally decided to end stream.

Some goodbyes and after stream officially ended, you found yourself on Twitter. Everything seemed pretty peaceful on the timeline, up until the trending page came up.

Your name was trending, along with 'QUACKITY IN CHAT' and the infamous combination of usernames. A monstrosity, really.

You heard yourself audibly gulp as you clicked on the trending topic 'quackity in chat'. Much to your dismay it was true. There was screenshots that showed Quackity was watching your stream. That meant that he'd heard you talking about him in that sickening tone. That tone that was unnecessarily sweet and fond.

You didn't know who was freaking out more, the so-called shippers, the timeline, or yourself. You gently bit at the inside of your cheek, scrolling and reading all the tweets of people trying to guess how Quackity must've felt while hearing all that. Others raising an eyebrow at how long you'd gone on about Quackity and how 'perfect' he was.

You'd fucked up, that was for sure, and it wasn't even intentional or fan service of any kind. It was an alt stream, it wasn't planned in any way, shape, or form. He'd been brought up, and you'd accidentally spilled all fond thoughts you held of him.

Your cursor hovered over a specific tweet that read, 'want someone to talk about me the way y/n talks about big q'. It was sweet, and perhaps made you smile just a little bit.

As you read it over in your head, a notification popped up on your screen, the discord notification ringing in your ears as you read who the message was from. Quackity.

You messed around with your mouse for a bit before finally closing the Twitter tab, and instead opting to open the unread message.

Quackity

hey (:

You stared at it for a bit, blinking in disbelief at how normal the message came across. Perhaps he'd tuned in during the last half of the stream. Perhaps he hadn't been able to watch while you rambled about him, and perhaps he hadn't been on Twitter either. One could hope.

y/n hi (:

It showed that he was typing almost immediately after, and you tried your best to calm your nerves.

Quackity call?

You felt yourself tense at the message. Maybe he wanted to let you down kindly. 'Hey! Saw your stream, and I just wanted to ask if you could chill the fuck out. That was kind of creepy. Maybe never speak of me ever again. Do not perceive me any longer, thanks!'

Something along those lines for sure. That's what probably awaited you if you said yes to this. But what exactly were you supposed to do instead?

y/n ofc

It only took a few seconds for the call to come through. Stalling wouldn't help, so you answered by the third ring.

He greeted you, and everything seemed normal. The calls were normal between you two, but you were just on edge due to twitter trending and the stream that took place less than an hour ago.

"How are you feeling, Quackity?" You asked with a small smile, today was a big day for him, and you were sure he'd enjoy talking about how fast the merch sold.

"I'm doing great. Really happy that the fans liked the designs and just.. we sold a lot. I'm happy." He restated the last bit, the smile was obvious in his voice. You didn't have to be seeing it to know. Another perk of being so close to him. You had a clear visual image of what he probably looked like right now. Cute smile plastered onto his equally cute face.

"I'm really happy for you, Big Q. You deserve all the success that is coming your way and more." You hummed softly. Everything you were saying, you meant wholeheartedly. There was silence for a bit before he finally spoke again.

"I watched your stream."

Fuck. There it was. You should've expected it but it still hit like a ton of bricks. You felt your mouth turn dry, could barely manage to get out the word, "Yeah?"

"Mhm." Straight to the point. There was a bit of silence, you were unsure of what to say. Why had he brought it up? It was bound to happen, but what was the reason behind bringing it up? To tease you, let you know he wasn't interested, or because roblox obbies are just so much fun?

"You didn't have to buy it, you know?" He finally said, breaking the silence.

"I wanted to." You reassured, "the merch is really pretty. Worth every penny."

"I could've sent you whichever you wanted." He stated bluntly. As if it was weird of you to have gone and bought it on your own.

"Thank you, but I wanted to buy it myself. Let me? Please?" Let me show my support this way, is what you meant to say. It came out softer than intended, and you could feel your heart beating against your ribs. You really needed to watch your tone around him.

"Of course." He responded, just as softly. He'd drive you crazy one of these days. They'd have to lock you up, and you'd never see the light of day again.

"Did you have fun riding the go-karts?" You asked, a small smile on your lips as you wandered back onto the Twitter tab, a clip of his stream now on display on the timeline.

He let out a small laugh, "I did. Did you enjoy watching it?" You nodded before responding, "Of course. Was concerning watching you crash into walls though."

He hummed softly in response, possibly contemplating what to say with how long he took before he spoke again.

"Did you really mean all the things you said on stream?"

Somehow, even with your own attempts to change topic, the focus was back on your stream and the things that had been said. You wouldn't be able to dig yourself out of the hole you'd dug.

It was entirely your fault, for even allowing yourself to consider him as anything but a great friend. It was your fault for taking the late night calls, the sweet tones, and messages the wrong way. Your interpretations were all wrong and now you'd have to sit here and apologize for practically outing yourself on stream. For letting the whole world know that you had romantic feelings for a good friend of yours. You'd probably made him so uncomfortable.

You felt yourself cringe slightly at his words, already gone quiet for far too long. You had to speak up, even if it lead to a good friendship ending a few minutes from now.

"Of course I did. You're great, Alex." The use of his name was meant to assure him you meant it wholeheartedly. It made the moment feel more intimate, too. Much to your own dismay, yet again. You couldn't help it.

The possibility that your friendship with him could come to an end real soon made you act on your feelings. It left you unhinged. If it was all going to end here, maybe you'd allow yourself to act on impulse. End it with a bang.

"Thank you, really. I know I probably wasn't meant to hear all that, but it was really nice. Made me feel nice as well. And just, seeing that you didn't accept the merch from me because you wanted to support me directly.. thank you."

His voice was soft, felt like warm honey to your taste buds. You could almost hear your heart melting inside your chest, could feel it dripping down and touching your diaphragm, oozing into every single crevice in your body. You'd never understand how he had such effects on you. How he was able to make you so fond of him.

"I meant every single word. You deserve that and so much more." You reassured yet again, a small smile on your lips. You heard him let out a small chuckle, which made you laugh as well.

Moments later, he had turned his camera on, wanting to show you all the merch. You'd asked for him to put it on, since you were a 'visual learner' and had to see it on him in order to fully understand what it looked like. He had playfully rolled his eyes, but hadn't really argued against it.

So there you were, watching as he changed from hoodie to hoodie, moving out of frame to change into the shirts. You could feel your heart thumping harshly against your rib cage at the sight of him. Some looked bigger on him, some looked just right. They all looked wonderful, and super comfy. Perhaps that was simply because they were on him, and he looked so comfy.

He looked like he could give the best hugs.

"You really think so?" His voice came out a bit sheepish, and the light pink that dusted his cheeks was becoming more and more evident. Huh?

"What?" You said, a dumb look on your face as you tried connecting the dots.

"That I could give the best hugs." He stated slowly, as if he was testing how it sounded before adding, "Do you really think that?"

Had you really said that out loud? Fuck. It took acting on impulse to a whole other level. This wasn't something you two usually did, but I guess it was okay since everything might be ending soon. Ballsy moves.

"Yeah. You make the merch look so cozy." Your throat felt dry, eyes glued to his face, wanting to catch every single second of his reaction. Wanting to see each movement of his facial muscles, to find out what it could possibly entail. "Makes me wonder what your hugs feel like." You admitted.

Your eyes scanned the entirety of his face, perking up slightly at the sight of his face flushing, leaving him with the softest tint of pink to spread across his cheeks, almost matching his pretty lips. What the hell did that even mean?

"Maybe you won't have to wonder for too long. With guidelines being lifted and all." The line. Blurred at that very moment, for sure. His eyes were glued to you as well, which only made you hesitate every single movement you could think of doing at that moment.

"And in the meantime? What am I supposed to do?" Risky. Crossing lines, jumping over hurdles. This all had to be against friend rules or something. You could feel your sanity decreasing each second this call went on. But he wasn't stopping any of this either.

"I could send you a hoodie." The sentence brought you out of your Quackity-induced haze, making you quickly shake your head. What? Before you could protest or ask what the hell that was supposed to mean, he explained.

"My hoodie. Y'know. Mine. One I wear. You can give it back when we meet up, perhaps."

Your mouth went dry again, shocked at the domestic feeling it gave. He was suggesting he send one of his hoodies. It would smell like him. It was the closest thing to giving him an actual hug. It would be paradise.

"You'd really do that?" You asked, still in disbelief, but he quickly nodded his head. "Oh." You said softly, before a smile appeared on your face. "I would like that, then."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

"I'll send it then." He hummed, smile spreading on his lips as well. Everything going on was making you feel dizzy. It felt so surreal.

You'd mentally prepared yourself for the worst, but instead were met with a flirtatious Quackity. He'd said sweet things to you before, but you never allowed yourself to take it seriously, not wanting to get your hopes up. And it never went to this extent.

It seemed he realized what just went down, a loud laugh escaping his lips. "Holy shit. You're gonna have one of my hoodies soon."

"I am." You chimed in, smile on your lips as well.

"And you'll wear it around." He added.

"I will."

"You'll look good, as always."

You could feel the heat rush to your face. What was going on? Was this real, or just a very cruel dream? Alex Quackity was fucking flirting with you.

"Are you flirting with me?" Bewildered tone, raised eyebrows. Your brain couldn't even begin to progress what was being said.

"What the fuck does it look like I've been doing?"

"Have you really?" Warmth spread across your chest at how blunt he was being. The line was gone. It'd been erased, never to be seen again. There was no shame in him. Admitting he was flirting with his whole chest.

"I have. Why are you so surprised though? I've subtly flirted with you before.. and I mean, were you not confessing your undying love to me on stream?" He raised a brow, feigned confusion on his face. He was teasing. You let out a groan, covering your face with your hands as he let out a laugh.

Surreal. He confessed to having flirted with you in the past. So you weren't delusional, nice to know. "Are you done?" You asked, face still covered by your hand in shame.

"I saw a tweet that was saying they felt like third wheels since I was in chat, and you were just going on about everything you liked about me." You kept your face covered. He was not stopping. Now he was the unhinged one.

He was visibly scrolling through the timeline at this point. "Oh, and one saying they want what we have. What do we have?"

You finally uncovered your face. "I don't know. Whatever the fuck this is, I guess?"

"Well, what is this?"

"Mm... whatever you want it to be." You finally answered, and there was a surprised look plastered on his face at that.

"Whatever I want?"

"Yeah." You paused. Would he regret this after he got out of this haze? What if it had just been flirting for fun? But he wouldn't play with your feelings like this, would he?

Alex Quackity was perfect though, and perhaps he had a sixth sense about when stuff was wrong with you, because he caught on to your hesitation.

"Hey." He called out softly. The teasing, flirtatious tone was gone, now replaced by the softer tone reserved for late night calls, or when everybody else in the vc had left and it was just you two.

You look at where his face was on your monitor, relaxing a bit simply by his tone and the soft gaze he held on you.

"I know everything sort of progressed pretty fast tonight.. but your stream really helped me realize a few things. I do like you, y/n. Not fucking around or anything." He said it in a firm tone, one that told you he wasn't messing around, but still felt oh so intimate.

Everything he was saying was exactly what you wanted and needed to hear. Reassurance that your feelings weren't unrequited. You couldn't believe your rambling on stream had lead you guys here.

"I like you, too. If that wasn't obvious already." You mumbled out, eyes averting before glancing to see his reaction. He had the biggest, cutest, grin on his face. Charming, and extremely contagious. You couldn't help but smile back.

Holy shit.

"Is this real?" You asked out loud, smile never leaving your face.

"It is. All thanks to your ranting on stream. How cool is that?"

You couldn't help but still feel rather embarrassed that he'd heard all of it, but it had brought you two here. All embarrassment was worth it. Especially if it meant it opened up a whole new world of possibilities for you two.

"Very cool." You mumbled, before a smile appeared on your lips. Today really couldn't have gone any better.

#alex quackity #quackity #quackity x you #quackity x reader #quackity x y/n #gender neutral reader #quackity brainrot #quackity scenario #streamer #quackity headcannons #quackity imagines #unrequited but its actually requited #down horrendous #planet duck #based on the recent neon merch drop! #the technical difficulties #quackity is amazing lets be real #confession #getting together #risky moves

[specialagentlokitty]

Harry Hart x reader - My Harry

Harry x reader. Set when we find out Harry is missing an eye/memories. She like noticed him not getting his regular suit fittings and freaking out cuz her mans is gone. Anyway, she helps him remember instead of eggsy. Then she’s like I’m joining with you, cuz someone has to watch your back and I 🥺🥺🥺. (But yeah, I’m anon from job applying reader... stopping in for part 2 idea.😊) - Anon❤️

When Harry didn’t turn one of his regular fittings, you didn’t think too much of it. You simply gave him a call and left it at that, but when he didn’t turn up to the next three you started to panic.

You were going to call Merlin when you saw him walk in. Panicked you walked up to him without a word, took his hand and started to drag him away from the counter.

“(Y/N), what’s going on? What’re you doing?” He asked.

Without a word you dragged him into a fitting room, closed the door and blocked it. Standing in front of it so he couldn’t get out.

With ready eyes, you stared Merlin in the eye and you saw him hesitate.

“Where is he...?” You whispered.

“(Y/N), you know I can’t tell you.” He sighed.

A few tears slipped down your face, you shook your head.

“Merlin... I have to know... Harry’s been gone for three weeks now...” your voice cracked, “I.. I need to know...��

Merlin sighed heavily, and he slowly walked over and placed a hand on your shoulder. You didn’t need to hear him speak to know what that meant, you shook your head in disbelief and backed up against the door.

“No... no... he.. he cant be gone...”

“I’m so sorry...”

Merlin tried to reach out to you once more but you were gone. You flung the door open and you were gone.

That was the last Merlin saw of you for months, you disappeared. Sure, he knew where you were, he kept tabs on you because he knew it was what Harry would have wanted.

When everything kicked off with the golden circle, Merlin kept one last tab In you and left.

He soon returned though, knocking on your door hastily.

“(Y/N)! I know you’re in here open the door!” He called.

He didn’t get a response and in one swift motion Merlin had your door kicked down and he stared to search the house. Thankfully he found you in the kitchen, Merlin walked right up to you and spun you around.

“Fucking Hell!!” You screamed.

You pulled an earphone out your ear and glared the Scotsman man.

“I tried to knock, I need you.”

“Piss off.”

“Please, it’s important.”

“I don’t care.”

“It’s Harry.”

You froze, turning to give him a nasty look, tears burning your eyes.

“Don’t you dare...” you whispered.

Merlin pulled out his phone, clicked around a few times and then turnt the screen to face you.

“That’s... oh god... his... what happened...?”

“He was shot in the head, he’s alive and well. He just... doesn’t remember anything... that’s why we need you.”

You stood there silently for a few moments before you slowly shook your head.

“Okay...”

Merlin took your hand and wasted no time in taking you all the way to Kentucky and to the Statesman headquarters.

“Well ain’t she a pretty sighed.” A man whispered.

“Make one move on her and I’ll rip your fucking head off.” Eggsy harshly whispered.

The man raised his hands and backed of while Merlin and Eggsy both lead you to another door.

“Remember, he doesn’t have any memories.” Eggsy said gently.

You nodded slowly and entered the room. Harry turnt to face you, but there was no recognition in his eye. He just simply stood there.

“Hello, can I help you?” He asked politely.

“I... I just came to talk...” You chocked out.

You did your best to hide the tears, but it was next to impossible, but some how you found the will not to.

“What would you like to talk about?” He asked.

You tried to think of the words but you jus couldn’t, the blank look on his voice, the unrecognisable tone in his voice.

It was Harry Hart. Everything about him was undoubtedly Harry.

Yet, he wasn’t YOUR Harry.

He wasn’t the Harry who came to the shop once a week just to see you, but pretended to get suits fitted. He wasn’t the Harry who asked how you were everyday, or made sure you had lunch, or walked you home in he rain. He wasn’t the Harry who would wipe away your tears when you were upset, or tell cheesy jokes to see you smile.

He wasn’t your Harry.

And that hurt you more than anything ever could. When you thought he was dead he was still your Harry, but it hurt knowing he was alive but he wasn’t yours. Not anymore.

Giving a pained smile, you simply just shook your head.

“It doesn’t matter, sorry to bother you.”

Walking over to Harry, who tensed when you got to close, you placed a hand on his cheek, even more pained when he pulled away.

“Stay safe, okay?”

Harry gave a confused nod and you smiled a little more.

“Good. It was nice seeing you...”

Placing a quick kiss to his cheek, you turnt around with a defeated look and started heading back to the door, you went to knock when you heard Harry speak up again.

“You has that same look on your face when you first came to the shop...” he whispered.

You froze, you couldn’t turn around. Tears started to stream down your face as you heard him approach, he placed a careful hand on your shoulder.

“Look at me darling..” he said gently, “please...”

You still couldn’t move, Harry sighed heavily and carefully spun you around, that’s when you snapped out of it.

You threw your arms around his neck and buried your face into his shirt crying heavily.

Harry didn’t say anything, but he held you, constantly pressing kisses to the top of your head.

After a while you calmed down, and Harry pulled away, placing his hands on either side of your face he wiped away the remaining tears and smiled softly.

“Still as beautiful as ever.”

You gave a watery chuckle and shook your head.

“Thank you...”

Harry smirks warmly, then leant in, pressing his lips gently to yours before he pulled away, and the door opened, Eggsy and Merlin walking in.

“Harry!”

Eggsy ran and crushed the older man into a hug while Merlin watched on with a fond smile.

Once everyone was done, Eggsy began to explain things to Harry.

“I’m joining.” You said sternly.

“No way, it’s far to dangerous.”

You huffed and crossed your arms, staring Harry down.

“Someone has to watch your back mister, so, I’m joining once you’re finished with this mission.”

Harry sighed and rolled his eyes, wrapping his arm around your shoulder.

“You’re much to stubborn to stop.”

You beamed a little and everyone laughed. This was your Harry, you had him back and you weren’t going to let anyone else hurt him

#the kingsman #the kingsman x reader #the kingsman x you #the kingsman imagine #harry hart #harry hart x reader #harry hart x you #harry hart imagine

[spiderling-space]

This started as a joke but I wanted to take it further and make a smut fic with a bit of crack at the beginning. 

I was conflicted between going through the normal route and starting the regular fanfic to introduce my MC but introducing via smut is OP and it is something I’d do.

Featuring my MC… Natalie and the horny boy Malleus

Established relationship

Italics indicate thoughts and emphasis 

Explicit content below the cut

“I bribed Grimm to leave us alone, he will be with Ace and Deuce and won’t be coming back to Ramshackle tonight and I asked the ghosts to give us some privacy.” The redhead beamed at Malleus, smiling widely, standing in her pajama shorts and top tank.

“I thought you wanted to watch just a movie. Why would you send your friends away, Child of Man?” Malleus questions Natalie’s motives. Is he dense or is he doing that to make me say it out loud?

Natalie tiptoed, closing the distance between them as she stroked his cheek. “I didn’t want anyone interrupting our date. And I don’t think calling me Child of Man would be good for the mood now… After all, it is a date.” She said cheekily before grabbing his hand and dragging him to the lounge. “Also, it isn’t one movie. There are 3… Uhm… short movies… Yeah… short movies.” She explained curtly before asking Malleus to sit as she connected her laptop to the TV. She couldn’t pass the opportunity to tease him considering the nature of the movies they were about to watch so she wiggled her butt when she was sure Malleus was looking at her way. She was disappointed when she didn’t see any reaction from him instead, he was sitting his back straight and focusing on the TV. Either way, this was no time to be focusing on trivial things, they had 3 interesting short movies to watch and she would be getting his attention at the end either way. “You can take notes while watching. In fact, I would recommend it.” She couldn’t contain the giggle that she tried to surpass whilst she was taking her position on the couch, laying on it and putting her feet on Malleus’ lap to flaunt her slender legs to him.

“Is this how humans watch a movie?” He asked curiously, “We do not have movies in the Valley of Thorns, television is not used. We have various plays in the theatres.” 

“You can watch TV however you want and whatever position that’s comfortable.” She changed into a sitting position, planted a chaste kiss on his cheek before winking at him. “I doubt you have the type of movies that we are about to watch as plays.” She wondered if he was understanding the nature of what they were about to watch and even thought of informing him but she also wanted to see his reaction. “One little info before we watch… these aren’t 100 percent real but it gives some vague ideas.”

So she pressed the play, she already knew what was going to happen so she wasn’t paying much attention to the screen, instead, her green eyes were focusing on Malleus to see his reactions.

Malleus’ eyes widened at what he was seeing on the screen. “Oh dear… Did something happen?” Natalie feigned innocence, amused by his reaction.

She paused the video when Malleus looked with a bewildered expression. “What is this?”

Natalie kept her voice neutral, trying to contain the hilarity hidden. “It is called porn. To be precise, lesbian porn.”

It seemed like Malleus had no idea what she was talking about or why she would make them watch such a thing. “Do humans enjoy watching other humans having intimate time?”

Realizing that she couldn’t explain it from her position, she was once again sitting. She took his hand in hers, making eye contact while she explained her standpoint. “Actually, I prefer soft porn over hardcore one but the circumstances demanded this.” She cleared her throat. “Before we started dating or in your words courting, I asked you if you would be okay with premarital sex since you said this is the first time you are experiencing these feelings. You said you are okay with it and Lilia told you about the intimacy between partners. While I’m sure Lilia didn’t leave any stone unturned, seeing the action is better just hearing about it. Of course, hands-on is the best way of learning but that’s a topic for another time.” She kissed his knuckles, hoping that he would see it as a romantic gesture. “To be fair, I know that porn is unrealistic but I found these that focus on female pleasure. I spent hours to find the best 3 videos. I needed to bleach my eyes after seeing some stuff.” She shivered after recalling certain cursed videos.

“Bleaching your eyes would blind you.” I should teach him 21st-century slang. 

Natalie chuckled, “It’s just an expression used when you see something that is disturbing.” At least I didn’t say cursed images… He could have taken that literally and go ‘who cursed you?!’. “Where was I?... Ah yeah, the pleasure part. It’s the part where I said you can take notes... So about that…” She grimaced, recalling that awful memory. “In short, the preparation time, or in other words foreplay, is an important part of sex. I don’t want our first time to be as disappointing, unsatisfactory and anti-climatic as my own first time.” She gave him a sheepish look, “I hope you understand. It is fine if you don’t want to watch it though, we can pick a PG13 movie or do another activity.”

Malleus had kept a stoic expression whilst Natalie was talking, which was making it hard for her to understand what he was thinking. She was wondering if she somehow ended up offending him until he finally spoke. “It is fine. As you said, one learns better when it is shown.”

Nat got back to her previous position and resumed the movie. The redhead had already watched the movies she picked so she wasn’t focusing on the screen, all of her attention was on Malleus and trying to gauge his reaction. Though there was none, no excited expression nor an absorbed one, he was just apathetic. Nat even accidentally brushed his crotch with her feet but didn’t feel any hardness. Is he really not interested in porn? Maybe he is sleeping with his eyes open… Or maybe he has experience in this, built up a tolerance against… He is quite old too though he didn’t say his real age… 

“So what do you think?” Natalie asked after all 3 videos she picked ended. She closed all the tabs, cleared the browser history before shutting down her laptop. One can never be too careful. 

Natalie withdrew one of her legs and placed it behind Malleus’ back, inching close enough for her chest to almost touch his arm. Malleus took a glance at her new position before answering her. “It was interesting.”

“How so?”

“I saw everything Lilia told me and more. You are right, seeing the action is better for learning.” Malleus turned his body in her direction, his hand found its way to her long locks, grazing them lightly, having a smug expression along the way. “But as you said, hands-on is the best way of learning.” He held her chin before closing the distance between their mouths, eyes closed as his lips started moving.

Natalie didn’t expect him to take action immediately but she wasn’t complaining. She wondered how far he would take it. Her hands were wandering on his chest, back and finally, she pulled him closer by his shirt's neck. It must have encouraged him since she heard him growl. She was proven right when he fully turned her way and slowly pressed her to the couch below. His hand started to explore her top gently under her tank top, starting from her belly and moving on to her chest, cupping one of her breasts. 

Nat patted his cheek and pulled a little away from him, “I know in porn, it is comfortable to do it on the couch but in reality, it isn’t. So-”

Before she could finish, Malleus teleported them to her bedroom, on her bed. “Is this better? I can take us to my chambers as well.”

“No, no, this is fine.” She gave him a peck. “I just have 2 more requests from you.” Malleus nodded, signing her to go on before starting to kiss her neck. I need to focus on my demands and don’t let myself be distracted. “Hehe… Wait, wait...” His hair was tickling her neck as well, making her impossible to stop giggling, so she resorted to grasping his chin and tilting up, making him look at her. “Before we go any further, I need to see your nails.” He looked confused by her request so she added a quick explanation. “Nails can scratch and tear muscle down there which would bring me great pain and maybe go to the hospital as well, so…”

“I would never harm you, Natalie.” He showed her his nails which were perfectly trimmed. “What is your second request?”

“I need you to wash your hands. You know how much of a hygiene freak I am, I just can’t stand the thought of something dirty getting inside of me.” She hoped it wouldn’t kill the mood but the thought of germs on hands just gave her goosebumps. Malleus didn’t answer her, rather he kissed her forehead before teleporting to somewhere. She was dumbfounded momentarily but soon the sound of water running from her bathroom relaxed her. “Don’t forget the 20 seconds rule!” She yelled out the reminder.

The moment the water stopped running, Malleus appeared on top of her, startling her. “I believe we wasted enough time.” Nat nodded in agreement. She was so distracted by the feeling of his lips on hers that she didn’t realize Malleus vanished their clothing with his magic. “I shall take care of you now.”

Malleus started prepping kisses all over her neck and jaw while his hands traveled to her breasts. When his lips were inches apart from hers, Natalie ran her tongue over his lips slowly, leaning towards him and capturing his bottom lip, biting it lightly as to taunt him. Malleus craved to taste her lips once again, yet he couldn’t forestall his instincts from taking over, his hands found their way to her face, holding her delicately while gazing into her eyes. Since the minx was brave enough to tease him, he didn’t need to hold back. He clashed his lips against hers frantically, their teeth clicking together. Her tongue darted, brushing his fangs before exploring his mouth. He, soon, was swirling his tongue around hers, battling for domination. He was persistent and she was too stubborn to lose, so he resorted to distracting her. His hands left her face, moving back to her perky breasts. 

Malleus’ hands were large enough to cover her each boob, rubbing them gently and his fingers were playing with her pink nipples every time he got a chance. It was too arousing for her as her moan was silenced by the kiss. Malleus took advantage of the opportunity to delve his tongue into her mouth, exploring it with his tongue. 

Natalie was never someone to gave up on the fight, including the bedroom. Two can play the game. Malleus had told her that his horns were sensitive and she was about to find out how sensitive they were. She ranked her nails through his soft hair, moving towards where his horns were connected. Her fingers moved along them softly, she was stoking his horns up and down with her hands. Malleus growled loudly, ending the kiss when it became too much for him. 

Natalie withdrew her hands from his horns, moving to hold his face between her hands. “Oh?” She purred, “Did something happen?” She asked with faux innocence while looking straight into his eyes.

Malleus had a smug smile on his face, “You are lucky I didn’t breath fire.” Nat wasn’t sure if he was joking or not but she didn’t have much time to think about it as Malleus attacked her neck with kisses once again. His kisses became harsher and quicker, covering all over her neck before he moved down to her chest. He captured her nipple with his mouth, sucking it whilst his tongue twirling around the areola while his hand was busy with her left breast. Nat arched her chest and moved her head to the side so his horns wouldn’t his her face all while biting back moans. The warmth and wetness of his tongue were becoming too hard to handle, finally, she moaned breathily. 

Satisfied to hear her reaction, Malleus switched to her left nipple, sucking it as his tongue circled the areola while his hand was messaging the previous breast. Nat tilted her head to the other side for him to move freely. Her breathing became erratic as he worked on her breasts more and more. She jolted when Malleus grazed her breast with his fangs, making her pant ruggedly. She had never been together with someone with fangs and had no one with amazing they would feel against her skin and she was more than happy to experience it with Malleus. She could feel him smirking on her skin, his chuckle confirmed that. 

Malleus was done toying with her chest, making eye contact with her as his fangs slowly grazed her skin from her chest to her groin. Natalie laughed shakily, she was a ticklish person and the way his fangs moved across her body was both tickling and arousing her. Finally, he reached his desired place, he placed his hands on her inner thighs and slowly spread them apart.

“Give me a sec,” Nat whispered, grabbing a small pillow and putting it under her butt to give a better angle to Malleus, winking at him. “Do continue please...”

His only response was kissing her inner thigh. He started from the knee, moving up to her cunt but just before reaching there, he switched to the other thigh, leaving Nat whining. He was kissing every inch until the same spot. She thought since he wouldn’t tease her anymore, oh how wrong she was. This time he was dragging his fangs along her inner thighs, making Nat bite her lips and tremble from the sensation.

After what seemed like an eternity, Malleus started to play with Nat’s wetness. He crawled over her, one hand staying between her legs while the other one was resting near her head, gazing at each other’s eyes. She leaned forward whilst pulling him towards her, giving him a lascivious kiss. He returned with pleasure as his finger entered her cunt, relishing the way she moaned into his mouth. His index finger explored her cunt was exploring her cunt, moving in a circular motion but he didn’t deem it enough. He added a second finger, making her gasp then began to scissor her as his thumb rubbed her clitoris, setting all of her nerves on fire. 

The more minutes passed, the more it became hard for Natalie to restrain herself. She was moaning between the kisses, digging her fingers on Malleus’ shoulder as to get a grip on the reality. Feeling her orgasm coming, her breathing hitched as her vaginal muscles tightened around his fingers. “Malleus…” Her moans mixed with his name as she cummed. 

She was coming down from her high, panting to catch her breath, a divine sight for Malleus, “Do not tell me you are already done, Natalie.” He was wearing a smug look on his face. Two can play the game.

“Why? Is this the best you can do?” Teasing and provoking people was her favorite pass time activity. It was all better when she was doing it to her boyfriend in the bedroom, adding some spice to sex.

His response was chuckling, not uttering any word, he trailed down kisses to her naval region. He slowly licked her slit, devouring her cum and sending shivers through her spine. He made eye contact with her before dipping his tongue into her vagina. Nat arched her back as she grabbed the sheet below. Malleus was moving his tongue in her cunt expertly as his nose was brushing her labia, his fingers were playing with her clit again. Her grip on the sheets was no longer enough, her hand found its way to his hair, raking and pulling the hair between his horns. Her actions just made him ravish her more, his tongue reaching as far as it could touching everywhere it could. Nat couldn’t help her hips but buck her hips against his mouth, his other hand moved to her belly to press her to the mattress as if he was the one in charge during sex.

Natalie wasn’t someone who would let Malleus get away with it. If he prevented her from bucking her hips, she would try to hold back another orgasm from surging, making him work on her more. Malleus must have sensed her defiance as he changed his method. He pulled his tongue back and stopped rubbing her clit, leaving Nat aching for her release. She whined and pouted at him for leaving her wanting - no needing for more. 

Malleus wasn’t a cruel fae, at least towards Natalie, he wouldn’t leave her in this state. He just wanted to observe how she would look when she was desperate for him. He swatted away her hand which was going down her cunt to finish what he started, causing her to pout once more. He would finish what he started, he deemed enough time has passed so he quickly got between her thighs again, licking her cunt, his tongue flickering around her clitoris then delving his tongue into her cunt. Nat was already on the edge of her orgasm, now the stimulation was bringing her closer to her sweet release.

With one last tongue move of his, her toes curled and her muscles tightened again, not even realizing she was pulling his hair. As Natalie cummed, Malleus ate it all up. When he finally withdrew from her groin, he made sure Nat would see him lick his lips. “Divine.”

Natalie’s breathing was erratic, trying to collect herself, balancing herself on her elbows. Her green eyes were taking in him, noticing how hard his cock was. “I guess it is your turn now.” She finally spoke after cooling down.

Malleus lifted her chin to look directly into his eyes. “Tonight was for you.” He crawled on top of her as she laid down on her bed again. His hands slid down her body down to her knees, pulling them towards his waist. Natalie hooked her legs behind his back, going towards his upper body as much as she could. “You better have a condom or you will get me a morning-after pill or potion. We wouldn’t want any surprises, would we?” She noticed his eyebrows knitting together briefly when she said condom but that was a talk for another time.

I should also ask where he practiced that tongue and finger game too.

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

Safe sex is the best and it is more than just wearing a condom. It is about preserving your health during sex. BDSM is also safe sex if people take care of safe words. Prep time or foreplay is important for people with vaginas and nails can tear your skin and get an infection. Even without the whole corona situation, don’t put unhygienic stuff to your vagina. Lastly, you can’t learn sex from porn, it is highly unrealistic and they are to show the fantasy. Please research on safe sex before having sex. 

#twisted wonderland #twst #malleus draconia #diasomnia #twst oc #twisted wonderland oc #twst mc #twisted wonderland mc #mc/yuu #My MC #Natalie Croft #malleus x oc #malleus x mc #malleus x yuu

[endless-whump]

Nick/Milo: A Whisper of Touch

CW: referenced refusal of food, starvation, fainting spells, referenced captivity, referenced torture, malnourished whumpee, shameless fluff, cuddles, referenced dissoci@tion

Masterlist

4 am gang wheeee somehow I ended up with 2k words lol I should probably sleep

---

Nick didn’t like hovering but...he really couldn't help it.  He couldn’t help the knee-jerk reaction to throw his hands out to steady Milo whenever he swayed, or seemed off balance, or got that recognizable, pale look on his face.  He didn’t like it because more often than not he got a flinch in reaction to the sudden movement, heart twisting in guilt.  He was thankful for the instinct, though, when he actually needed it.

They always came out of nowhere, the fainting spells.  One minute Milo would be fine, maybe even relaxed if they were lucky, and the next his knees were giving out, sending him crumpling to the ground with barely a second of warning.  They were happening almost every day, which was what made Nick develop the protective habit in the first place.

He was at the bar on his laptop, desperately rummaging through deficiency possibilities when his boyfriend came into the kitchen.  He quickly clicked off the tab and smiled up at Milo, sighing.  He never took a single second he could lay eyes on him for granted, not anymore.

“Hey, love.”  Nick hummed, observing Milo’s demeanor.  He seemed relaxed enough, which was good.  He still had a bit of that far away look in his eyes, though, the one that Nick despised with all his heart.  “I was planning on making some pancakes, I’ll make the kind you always like.  The one with peaches?”

Milo was quiet for a moment, fingers fidgeting with the oversized sleeves of Nick's hoodie he wore.  He nodded, turning and reaching up to grab a glass from the dishdrying rack.  That was one victory Nick was immensely proud of.  He was getting his own water without asking anymore.  Food, on the other hand, was something they were still working on.  Nick knew better than to ask if Milo wanted food, he knew the answer would be a hasty shake of the head.  It was better if he just...simply said they were gonna have food.  It was a statement, not a question.  Not something Milo really had the option of saying no to.

Nick ran a hand over his face, closing his eyes.  It made him feel awful.  He knew it was important to make Milo feel like he could say no, reassure the fact he had options and a choice, but this was the one thing he had to reinforce.  He knew that if Milo was given the option to eat or not, he’d say no every time.  They’d already tried that, thinking he’d eventually cave and say yes.  He never did.

The sound of glass shattering jerked Nick back to attention, head snapping up.  Milo’s eyes were wide, hands shaking where the glass had slipped out of his hand and shattered on the floor.

“Milo- don’t move,”  He said urgently, scrambling to his feet.  The last thing he wanted was Milo freaking out and getting glass in his foot.

“Nick- Nick I can’t, I feel-”

It only took Nick a second to realize what he was saying.  He rushed over and kicked the glass out of the way as best as he could, figuring he was better protected in socks than Milo would be with bare feet.  He wrapped his arms around Milo as if in a hug, feeling him go completely limp, as if someone had turned off some switch.  He staggered with the sudden weight against him, a hand flying to the back of Milo’s neck to make sure his head didn’t fall back.

He carefully lowered Milo to the floor, setting his partner's head in his lap as he gently pressed two fingers against the side of his neck.  He wasn’t sure it was necessary, but the small action was always a small reassurance to him.  That's what kept him calm, every time this happened.  He could reassure himself his partner was breathing, that his heart was beating.  It felt stupid, but he couldn’t help himself.  He needed that reassurance to cling to.

Milo keened softly as his eyes fluttered open, brows furrowing in disorientation.  Nick ran a hand through his hair, cupping his face.

“Hey, you’re ok, love.  There you go, I’m right here.”  

It was routine now, at least for Nick.  He hooked his arms under Milo’s knees and torso, carefully picking him up.  The glass he could take care of in a minute.  Shaking fingers clutched at his shirt as he lowered Milo onto the couch, but were easily pried away to give Nick room to pull a blanket over him.  He slid his hand to the back of Milo’s head, thumb rubbing softly against skin in a soothing motion.  He stayed crouching by the couch, humming reassurances, coaxing Milo through the waves of dizziness and confusion that always lingered after he fainted.  

It made Nick feel frustrated, how helpless he was to help.  The only thing any doctor would tell them was that Milo needed to eat more, needed to rest more, whatever.  Nothing he hadn’t heard a hundred times.  He knew they were right, but it just made him feel guilty, like he wasn’t doing enough to make sure Milo recovered.  All of this felt so out of his range of capabilities.

“M..msorry, sorry-”

“Hey nothing to be sorry for,”  Nick reassured, pressing a kiss to Milo’s forehead.  “You don’t have control over that, shit happens.”

Milo reached a shaky hand out, and Nick quickly laced their fingers together and squeezed lightly.  The deep scars around his wrists were still pinkish, not yet fully paled yet.  Nick found himself staring at them, thumb brushing lightly across the raised, healing marks.

“He almost never took them off,”  Milo whispered, and Nick's gaze darted to him, brows furrowing with concern, then horror.  Milo just stared distantly, eyes fluttering shut as he took a slow, deep breath.  “They were always so..cold, and tight.  They only got warm when..when I pulled at them, and they bled.”  He nodded to his wrist, pressing his lips together.  “Those are my fault.”

“None of this is your fault.”  Nick insisted, leaning close.  “None of it, you hear me?  You can’t blame yourself for something like that.”

Milo just shrugged, eyes opening.  They locked gazes, both of their expressions soft, but grieving.

“I forgot what you looked like.”

Nick’s heart dropped at the statement, tears filling his eyes.  He brought Milo’s hand up to his lips, holding it tightly, giving Milo the space to talk.  His hands were cold, and he couldn’t resist the urge to breathe on them slightly, hoping to do at least something to ease his discomfort.

“I..I forgot what your face looked like, after a while.  It all got really blurry, I just- I couldn’t remember.  I remembered what you smelled like, what your voice sounded like; I heard it when I slept sometimes.”  A tear slipped down his cheek, a haunted look in his eyes.  “But..I couldn’t remember what you looked like, and it terrified me.  I was so scared...scared that I would never see you again, that I had forgotten it forever.”

Nick didn’t even know what to say.  He wanted to tear whoever he did this to Milo to shreds, what he could do with just a few minutes with the bastard…

“When I saw you..” Milo continued, grabbing Nick's attention again. “I thought I was dead.  At a certain point I kinda just- gave up on the idea of ever seeing you again, I guess.  I dreamed so many times about coming home...I still don’t think it's real sometimes.”

God, what do I even say to that

“I’m real,”  Nick murmured, running his other hand down Milo’s back, loving the way he smiled slightly, a little lopsidedly.  “It's all real, and you know that because if it weren’t, I wouldn’t be here, right?  Can’t dream about me if you don’t know what I look like, silly.”

Milo huffed, rolling his eyes.  “Guess not, then.”  He squeezed Nick's hand before pulling close, pressing their lips together.  Nick was a little taken aback by the move but quickly relaxed into it, sighing.  He pulled back after a moment, heart warming at the sleepy grin on the others face, the way his face had a bit more color to it amongst the pale skin and freckles, features that could never be overshadowed in Nick’s eyes, not even by the scars over the bridge of his nose and cheekbones.  This was the clearest Milo’s eyes have looked in ages, the most aware he’s seemed.

“Never forgot what that felt like,”  Milo hummed, letting his head fall back on the couch.  His neck was exposed to show the curve of his shoulder, scars wrapping around his throat, a few disappearing below his collar.  It didn’t stop Nick from wanting to kiss every inch of him, not ever.

“Me neither,”  Nick smiled in return, kissing Milo’s hand again.  “You ok here if I go clean up that glass?  Need to make some breakfast, too.”

“Mhm,”  Milo hummed, nodding.  “Can we go back to bed after?  I know you didn’t sleep, I saw you on your laptop.”

Even now Milo didn’t miss things like that, it seemed.

“Yep, I don’t have any classes to worry about.  We can spend the whole goddamn day in bed if we want.”

Milo smiled, curling up and watching Nick stand.  He made his way back to the kitchen, grabbing a dustpan to sweep up the glass on the floor, dumping it in the trash.  He made something just for the two of them, some bacon and pancakes and eggs and that gross vitamin c juice Milo always drank without a single complaint.  The sun was up now but he knew nobody would wake up for a while, it was Saturday which meant absolutely nobody went to sleep at a decent hour the previous night.  Half of the house probably wasn’t even here.

He passed Milo on his way to take the food to his room, and he almost would've guessed he was asleep if it weren’t for the way he picked at a string on the couch, fidgeting idly.  Nick smiled, quickly setting the plates down on the desk beside his bed before going back for Milo.

“You ok to walk?”  He asked, watching his partner warily.  Milo nodded, pushing himself up on his elbows to sit up, eyes tired but blessedly aware.  Nick helped him up, watching him closely for any signs he’d pass out again.  He didn’t, able to walk back to their room with little assistance and crawl back into their bed.  It was nice to call it theirs again.  It felt all too empty when Milo was gone.

Nick handed Milo his plate, crawling up onto the bed and sitting cross legged next to him with a soft smile.  He ate slowly but he was eating, which is all Nick could ask of him.  The hum of the air conditioner filled the room, a soothing sound to fill the silence as they ate.  Nick matched his pace, only finishing his own food when Milo did.  

“You feeling ok?”  He asked as he set the plates aside, watching Milo pull the blankets up around him.  Nick didn’t hesitate to join him, the two cuddling up together under the covers.

“Yea, just tired.”  Milo said quietly.  They were a tangle of blankets and legs, foreheads pressed together.  They were warm, perfectly content to lay together under the heavy covers.  Nick hummed happily, lacing their fingers together and holding on tight, happy to have his partner close.

“I never want to forget what you look like again.”  Milo whispered.  Nick squeezed his hand, leaning in closer, their chests pressing together.  “I stay awake, sometimes, just watching you sleep.  I’m scared if I go to sleep you’ll be gone when I wake up.”

Nick pressed a kiss to his forehead, then his cheek, down to his jaw.  He wrapped his arms around Milo and pulled him to his chest, a hand running up the back of his neck up to his hair, guiding his head to rest against his shoulder as they closed the space between them.

“I’ll be right here.”  Nick promised.  He felt the way Milo melted against the touch, his curls soft underneath Nick's fingers.  “I’ll be right here when you wake up, you won’t ever wake up back there.  Ever.”

Milo nodded against his shoulder, taking a slow, deep breath.  He hugged Nick back, burying his face into the crook of his neck.  He could hear the sound of the pantry door slamming closed, the floorboards creaking, a fridge opening.  The house was slowly coming to life in the late morning, but the pair only focused on each other in those quiet moments.  They both let themselves drift somewhere between sleep and wakefulness, just aware enough to be aware of each other.  Warm breath against skin, the occasional kiss against the shoulder or jaw, a hand sliding over a hip to pull the other close.  It was all a whisper of communication through touch, something neither of them shied away from.  It was a whisper that spoke louder than any words they could say, sometimes.

I’ll never let you wake up somewhere you’re scared

--

taglist

@haro-whumps@simplygrimly@insanitywishes@lonesome--hunter@deluxewhump@elisabethrosewrites@insanitywishes@iaminamoodymoodtoday @bleeding-demon-teeth @lumpofwhump@redstainedsocks @redstainedsocks @finder-of-rings @insomniacscoprio @inaridriscoll @rosesareviolentlyread @insanitywishes

#whump #angst #hurt/comfort #scars #fainting #refusing food #malnourished whumpee #fluff #comfort #nick #milo #my oc's #my writing #4 am gang #fainting spells #dissociation tw #dissociated whumpee #cuddles #scarring #couple #recovery #referenced conditioning

[salt-warrior]

WHEN EARTH TURNS TO ASHES

Masterlist

Chapter Eight: Incidents and Accidents

Rain poured outside of the school building, despite the fact that it was snowing back in Colorado. Olympia's weather was much more constant— remaining at a cool, rainy temperature year-round. Kai couldn't imagine living in a place where seeing the sun was an uncommon treasure. He needed sunshine almost as much as he needed air, but maybe that was just because he's grown up in constant sunshine.

The door to the principal's office swung open, and out stepped a large, smiling man resembling the Wolf on his door placard. Kai turned wary; he didn't much fancy going into a principal's office after all the time's he'd spent in his own.

It was always Thorne, coming up with a stupid plan and getting them sent to the principal. Kai tried fruitlessly to convince him to stop, but in the end they would always be back up in front of Principal Konn.

"Kaito Crown?" The man's voice came out as something close to a growl. "I'm Alpha Strom." Kai bit back laughter as the principal extended his hand politely— the things that some hippies did. Kai shook the man's hand, and found that he had a pleasantly business-like firm handshake. It reminded Kai of his father.

"You can just call me Kai," Kai said. "Only my dad ever calls me that; and my old school principal."

A bark of laughter split the air, and the two grinned. "I take it you don't have fond feelings for your late principal, then?"

"No, I got along with him fine. He and my father were childhood friends, and he was like another parent to me." Kai thought back on Torin. He was a kind, wise man. He had been there for Kai every moment after his mother had died. "My friend was a major troublemaker, though, so I always had to go and talk with Principal Konn."

"Ah, I see how it is then." Principal Strom winked, gesturing for Kai to enter his office. "Come in and take a seat. I imagine that for whatever reason you're here, it's important."

"You have no idea," Kai muttered. He had planned what he was going to ask the Principal on his five hour flight to Olympia. He had brainstormed about it as he had tried to sleep in his hotel. He had thought about Selene, and how much she was counting on him— or maybe Kai was just counting on himself for Selene.

Strom walked around his large, beat-up desk to sit in a high-backed chair. The seating arrangement looked uncomfortable on his large frame, even though it would have drowned Kai. The room was plain, barren. The only decoration was a flag with the wolf mascot stamped across and the bold letters of OHS. "What would you like to discuss with me today then, Mr. Crown."

"Selene Linh." Kai sat straight up in his chair, mirroring the man across from him. His father had taught him that presenting your best self was one's greatest asset in getting a business deal; Kai hoped that the same applied to gleaning information from an old High School principal.

"She went here about two years back, before–"

"Before she ran away." Principal Strom rubbed two fingers against the bridge of his nose. "I remember Selene. A brilliant girl with a tragic story."

Kai shivered at Strom's words. He didn't appear to hate the girl judging by his demeanor, but he may have just been good with facial masks. "Yes, you see, Selene recently got into a bad car accident. She lost part of her left leg and has severe nerve damage. I just– I'm trying to find someone who cares for her."

The principal stared at Kai, his dark eyes piercing. He was a kind man, but not one to be messed with either. "You may have a hard time with that," Strom said. "Before she ran away, she was constantly bullied, though she never admitted it— too proud to admit. All sorts of rumors were spread about her, and no one ever knew whether or not they were true."

"Were they about how she killed her sister?" Kai asked, his burning curiosity getting the better of him. There was something mysterious about the young girl's death. Something covered up and suspicious.

Principal Strom's face revealed nothing, but his hitched breath showed that the question was shocking. "Yes, they were about Peony Linh."

Kai sat forward in his seat. "How exactly did Peony Linh die? Do you know?"

"No one knows. No one except for the family— they were under strict orders to keep things related to Selene under the wraps until the final adoption papers were completed." Principal Strom looked grave. "Selene and Peony went somewhere; Selene came back alone. No one talked about Peony after that, except for the rumors that spread about Selene having killed her; most of them spread by Pearl Linh."

"Do you think that Selene killed Peony Linh?" Kai asked urgently.

"Personally?" Strom shook his head. "Selene was a fierce girl. I knew her well. But I do believe that she would never have harmed Peony— at least not intentionally."

"Did Selene have a violent past?" Kai cringed as the words slipped out of his mouth. He felt guilty for digging into Selene's past, but he needed to know what was going on. He needed to know her.

"Technically, I'm not supposed to tell you anything about Selene," Principal Strom looked uncomfortable. "But I am willing to tell you what I do know, as long as it's just between the two of us."

Kai nodded fervently.

"Okay, so I don't know much, except for the basics. Her Social Service worker, Liam Kinney, worked his butt off to help her, but trouble always followed Selene. The family before the Linh's, they had wanted to adopt Selene as well, but then there was an incident. I don't know what happened," Strom put his palms flat against the table, cutting Kai off before he could ask. "Kinney kept things tied up very tightly. I would give you his contact information, but I lost track of him about a year ago."

"Like I said, Selene was a kind girl, but dark things always seemed to follow her. Not many people would be willing to tell you much about her; especially not the Linh's. I can, however give you one person who might give you your best shot." Strom pulled out a piece of paper and began to write something down.

"Who would that be?" Kai asked, feeling despondent. He had hoped for more than 'she has a dark past' and 'I can't give you much information.' He wanted answers.

Strom paused from his writing. "Selene's friend. Well, someone who was once her friend." Strom glanced at his computer, clicking a few tabs and keys before he finished his note.

"Here," Strom said, handing Kai the paper. It had an address, a phone number, and a name written in barely legible writing. "She stayed here local since graduating. She was a star pupil, but and outsider; like Selene."

"Thank you for all of your help," Kai stood, and extended a hand to Strom. They shook, and Strom had a melancholy glint to his dark eyes.

"I do hope you can do something for Selene. I always– I wish that I could have done more for her." Strom patted Kai on the back. "I knew that she was being bullied, and I did nothing. I knew that she was drowning, and never did I throw her a life raft. I hope that perhaps you'll be able to accomplish what I could not."

A burning sensation filled Kai's chest. He simply nodded his head, and walked away before he had to look at more of this guilt in the old man's face.

Selene may have caused a great amount of anger and heartbreak, but she caused just as much guilt and sorrow. She was a burning pathway of destruction and loss. She was a magnet for bad luck, but also for people. She was a forest fire: calamitous and deadly, but impossible to ignore. She was a fallen angel, causing the Heavens to weep at her downfall and Hell scorn the beauteous creature in fear of her being the greatest of them all.

Kai read the note again, launching the coordinates into his phone. He would figure out what happened. He would track down Liam Kinney if he had to. But for now, he would talk to Cress Darnel.

***

"Why?" Selene's words were harsh and bitter. "I thought you were my friend. I trusted you." Betrayal twisted her words into a comfortless whisper.

Cress's big blue eyes widened, and Selene would have felt guilty under different circumstances. "You know that I didn't do it— I didn't mean for it to happen. I didn't think–" Selene choked on her words. "We– I– she was my sister. I loved her. You know that."

Selene had cornered Crescent after class, needing to speak to her one last time. She had to know if the betrayal was an act of free will or forced. She wanted nothing more than to believe that Cress didn't mean it. The look in her best friend's eyes, however, was answer enough.

"I thought I did." Cress squeaked. Her eyes were brighter than usual. "But Pearl, she told me the truth. She told me, and now the whole thing makes sense. This wasn't even the first time you've killed someone." Cress looked sick as she said the words. "Ran Kesley–"

"Don't," Selene spat the words like fire. "Don't you dare. That was–"

"An accident?" Cress cut through, her voice rising with nerves and mockery. "You and I both know that an accident like that doesn't just reoccur. You planned it all. You're a freak; a sociopath. Do you even know what love is?"

Selene flinched as if Cress had caused her physical pain. It wasn't the first time she had heard the words, but hearing them come from her best friend made then sting more than they had coming from Adri or Pearl or even Mr. Kesley.

Cress's face softened, but less out of sympathy than horror and sadness. "You tore apart families, Selene. You may not have intended it to happen, but you still caused it. You– you–" Cress covered her eyes with her small, delicate fingers.

"I don't even know why you stay here." Cress murmured, her posture hardening. "No one wants you." Cress hissed. Selene had never heard such unkind words come from the girl. Cress had always been so sweet; now she was ice and a cruel knife in the back.

Bile filmed in Selene's mouth. There were so many things that she wanted to say. Thousands of comebacks, dozens of betrayals; but nothing came.

"Me neither."

#when earth turns to ashes #wetta #a burning world #marissa meyer #tlc #kaider fanfiction #tlc fanfiction #kaider #linh cinder #selene blackburn #prince kai #emperor kai #the lunar chronicles #lunar chronicles #carswell thorne #cress darnel #konn torin #salt warrior stories

[imgoingtohellsofuckit]

Falling In Love Isn’t An Option

Hawks x Reader

Warning - Drinking but it’s of age

Summary - Hawks knows that he isn’t supposed to fall in love but when he does god he doesn’t want to let it go

Falling in love isn't something you should do when you've sold your soul into your career. Hawks knew this. He preached this to himself every time he met someone. Every girl who flirted with him. Every guy who held his hand just a beat too long. He knew it could never go anywhere. And for a while he was fine with this. A lot of heroes don't have families or wives. The career choice is extremely dangerous. Not only is his life at stake his partners is as well. Besides the commission would freak if he had a distraction from his work. So his rational side was okay with this. He was okay with this. Until he wasn't.

He met her on his birthday. He didn't have friends to celebrate with so he decided to just treat himself to a quick drink then head back home. A nice quick break to help himself relax. So he found the closet bar to his apartment then headed there. Once he got inside he saw the crowd of college kids. He couldn't help but groan at the fact that he's stuck in a college party bar. But upon a second look he could see these kids were the messy drunks he saw on TV. But rather they were pretty calm. Having a good time from what he can see. He decides to move towards the bar. Ordering his favorite drink then takes a seat while he waits.

"Hey Parker can i have a beer?"

Keigo boredly looks to the owner of the voice. His eyes widen as he spots the beautiful h/c haired girl.

"You okay dude?" She asks him.

"Yeah," He says looking back to one of the bartenders working on his drink.

"I haven't seen you around here before," She says, "you go to school around here?"

Hawks was a little taken back. She didn't know who he was? No way. She's playing dumb isn't she. He's the number two hero of course she knows who he is.

"Funny."

"What?" She asks, "too good to answer my question?"

"Oh come on does it really need a answer?" He asks snarkily. She rolls her eyes as the bartender she called Parker hands her a beer.

"Sure it does," She says, "why would I ask a useless question? I'm sure you have better things to do."

"Hmm not really," he says, "no I don't go to school. I have a job and I live in the area."

"Fun," She says, "well what brings you here to drink alone?"

"It's my birthday," He admits, "the big 23."

"Yeah like that blink 182 song," She says smirking lightly, "'nobody likes you when your 23'"

"Plenty people like me," He says at once.

"Yeah that why you're drinking alone on your birthday?"

He chuckles. Man a girl with a fun sense of humor and she's pretty. His hearts practically racing.

"Funny," he says back. She smiles. God does she have a beautiful smile.

"I like to think I am," She says, "can I drink with you? I don't think anyone should be along on their birthday. Even if they have an attitude."

"Be my guest," He says with a sly smirk, "but don't expect me to buy you a drink."

"Nah Mr. Birthday man I'll buy you a drink," She says. The other bartender the one who isn't Parker finally hands Hawks his drink. She smiles looking at the Bartender. "Kei put it on my bill."

"Sure," Kei replies, "I'll get right to it."

"I've got the money to pay for my own drinks-"

"And I don't care," She says, "happy birthday- Huh you never told me your name."

"You never asked."

"I guess I didn't," She says looking at her bottle, "so what's your name?"

He thinks for a second. Wondering if he should just tell her. Give her the hero name and burst the whole who's a hero thing or maybe he'd just tell her his real name.

'No' He thinks to himself. 'Thats a terrible idea.'

It is. I mean he doesn't tell anyone his name. It's supposed to be a secret. He shouldn't even think about this.

"Hawks," He says cockily.

"Nice name," She says, "I'm Y/n."

"You've really never heard of me before have you?" Hawks finally asks. She raises a brow clearly confused.

"Am I supposed to know you?" She asks, "are you like famous?"

"I'm a hero ya know," He tells me, "you really don't recognize me?"

She looks at him carefully. As if she's trying to figure it out. Then finally shrugs.

"I'm not big on heroes," She admits, "don't know a lot of them. Is it bothering you that I don't recognize you?"

"A little," He admits, "but it's kinda nice you know? To feel normal." She smirks.

"Yeah I get it," She says, "I'm glad I can help you feel normal."

Hawks smirks lightly. She lifts her drink taking a deep sip.

"So you come alone?" He asks, "isn't that a little sad?"

"I came with some friends," She admits, "but you seemed interesting so I decided to come over to you. Ya know?"

"interesting?"

"Cute," She admits, "someone different. This bar doesn't have that many fresh faces and well my friends are nice but you were way to cute to ignore."

"I'm cute," He says, "Well that isn't new to hear but nice coming from a cutie like you."

She smirks lightly.

"Listen I have to get back to my friends so they don't think I went missing you wanna come with?" She asks.

"Nah I've got to get home," He says.

"Well then before you leave at least le me give you my number," She says. He smiles as she moves scribbling it down on a napkin.

555 5854 - The cutie from the barn

Hawks was more than excited. So much so almost all his attention was on texting the girl. During his down time, when he had slow patrols. He was more than distracted. He didn't even need to see the girl to have her on his mind non stop. Her pretty hair, her smooth skin, her sweet voice, the way she was so confident in talking to him. And it all carried over in messages. She was just so great. So when she asked him over to her house for a movie date he couldn't refuse. I mean an amazing girl was inviting him over. He was breaking his rules. But he hasn't broken all of them yet.

"I'll be there."

He's never left his house so fast.

He held a bouquet of flowers in his hand as he knocks on the door. Once she opens it she smiles brightly at the man.

"Hawks you made it," She says happily, "oh are these for me?"

"Yeah- do people still do that on dates?"

"The people who will definitely get a second date," She says with a wink. She takes the flowers and invites him in. His eyes skin around her living room. It's nice. Neat but lived in.

"Nice place you have here," Hawks says as he moves to sit on her couch. She moves to the kitchen sitting the flowers.

"Thanks," She replies. He sneaks a glance at her moving to the fridge. When she pulls away from it she's holding to beers. Then moves to his side.

"Are you trying to get me drunk?" He asks slyly.

"Whatever gets you in my bed tonight," She says with a smirk.

"Oh you're bold," He says matching her smirk, "keep that up and you'll have me in your bed."

Things were going great with them. One date became two, became three. They were having a great time. They knew everything about each other and they loved everything about the other. After his hero work he'd come over to her house to unwind. She'd make everything worthwhile and he'd help her have fun after her boring hours of school work. They loved each other. Hawks broke all his rules but it didn't matter cause he had her.

Until- a little villain talked to much. He was fighting them. Trying to take them out quickly. He almost had them down.

"That girl Y/n! I'd hate to see something bad happen to her," The villain mocks. His eyes widen at the mention of her name. They were so careful. He was so careful to make sure she was out of the public eye. He did everything to make sure she was safe. Now how the hell did they know the name of his girl.

"Don't say her name," Hawks growls. The villain smirks.

"So she really is your weak spot," The villain says. Hawks doesn't even get them a second chance. Suddenly one of his feathers shoots the villain taking him out for good.

One of the other heroes move to clear up the scene. The cops helping cleaning up the rest. Hawks couldn't help but feel angry. Angry at the villains. Angry at himself for letting someone close to him be put in this danger. This is why he has rules! Rules keep them safe. Not only himself but the people he cares about.

"Hawks?" She asks softly. She looked so worried. He could see why. His normal fun expression was gone and replaced with the a mixed look of anger. "Babe you okay?"

"We're done," He says firmly. Her eyes widen.

"What?" She asks at once, "what do you mean we're done?"

"I mean that this little game we've been playing is over okay I'm done," He says harshly.

"Game? This isn't a game I love you," She says, "and you love me-"

"No I don't," He says harshly. He could see her body tense and tears start to well in her eyes. The look hit him to his core. Nothing hurts more than seeing her like this. He was destroying her. But he needs to keep her safe. If walking away from her keeps her alive then it's what he has to do.

"What do you mean?" She asks harshly, "Hawks come on just talk to me!"

"No I'm done talking," Hawks says, "it's over."

He didn't give her a chance to say anything else. He left and didn't come back. He went on with his life. Forcing himself to focus himself on his work. But he couldn't forget her. 1 year went by, then the next, and the next, then another and he'd still sit up at night wondering what he let slip through his fingers. For a while he left it alone. He kept his eyes focused on his career. But one night his lonely thoughts got way too loud. So he looked her up.

"How has she gotten prettier?" He asks softly. His eyes scan across her profile picture on the social media site. She's standing on a beach with a huge smile. She used to go on about how one day she wanted to go to a beach on a nice long vacation. She made him promise her that one day he'd take her. Before they broke up he was planning to take her to a private beach so they could have a great week together. He clicks off the profile picture and scrolls down to see her education tab.

"Graduated."

So she finished school. And from the looks of it she's got a new job. One that she wanted after school. She's successful. And she looks happy. God she's happy. Even after all this she's happy. She deserves it but- man he can't help but wish she there was a hint of her needing him. But he knows it doesn't matter. His life is too dangerous to have someone in it.

He sighs scrolling down her page. The first couple are pictures of her friends. Wine glasses at a fancy dinner, brunches. Living a life so calm and happy. Then he see's a picture that takes him by surprise.

'Happy Birthday Ren!'

In the picture is Y/n holding a toddler. They both are smiling as a cake sits in front of them.

She has a family. A kid at least- oh god is she married? Did she move on? He moves scrolling through her page looking for some guy any guy that could be her boyfriend or her husband. A wedding picture or something. He see's a picture of her with one of her guy friends he met. His hand's around her waist keeping a tight grip on her as he pecks her cheek. So he's it. She moved on. God she did. He wanted to be okay with it. God he really did. But he loves her and he wants to be with her.

He clicks on the guys profile. Guess it's not him after all. He's married not to her but to some foreigner named Lucy. But then who's the baby daddy? He goes back to her profile. Clicking the picture of her and her son. He's cute. He has her eyes but messy sandy blonde hair. The cakes candle has a 3 on it. So he was born not too long after he left.

"Oh god," Hawks says softly, "oh god. It can't be. She's not. It's not- I have to call her."

He tried. But the call kept going to voicemail. And there is no way to say "Hey am I your kid's father?" over a voicemail. Well theres another way to do it. Find her. It took two days and a lot of internet stalking but once he found it he couldn't stop himself.

And before he knew it he was banging on the door to her house. After a couple minutes the door opens. However prepared he thought he was for this moment well that melted away the second he saw her.

"Y/n I-"

"Kei- Hawks what are you doing here?" She asks.

"I- uh- well uh," He stutters over his words. Not a single thing is going through his mind other than her. Her soft hair her sweet voice. Beautiful she's just so beautiful.

"Whats going on? Are you okay?" She asks.

She's asking about him? Of course she was. She's so sweet.

"I'm fine," Hawks manage to say, "I just need to know something-"

"Mommy!"

She sighs looking back into her apartment. Hawks moves peaking inside the house to see the small toddler he saw online sitting in the living room.  The toddler is starting to lose it. She look back to the door.

"Listen Hawks it's not a good time," She says obviously a little exhausted, "can whatever this is happen later?"

"I just wanna talk-"

Suddenly the toddler is screaming. She moves away from the door to scoop him up in her arms. Before the door slams Hawks catches it.

"Ren baby come on," She says rocking him. He starts to relax. Hawks watches her softly. Melting at the idea of her as a mother. "Hawks I really can't right now-"

"So you  have a kid," He says softly.

"Yeah," She says calming the toddler down, "I do."

"You're life really changed huh?"

"Yeah well when you left a lot changed," She says softly, "why are you here?"

"Who's kid?" He asks her. She scoffs.

"Does it matter?"

"I just wanna know," Hawks says softly, "i need to know if it's mine."

"If he's," She says harshly, "why? You wanna be involved? You wanna pay child support? You wanna be there?"

"Are you mad cause I left you?" he asks softly.

"No Hawks I'm over it," She says harshly, "I made because you think you're entitled to things you aren't."

"I should be able to know if the kids mine or not!" He says harshly, "I feel like I deserve to know!"

"I invited you to his birth Keigo!" she screams, "you we're going to see you're sun's birth and you missed it. You choose that."

"You didn't invite me?"

"Yeah I did I texted you and you told me you weren't going," She says harshly, "you said that you wanted proof it was yours before you'd do anything. You wouldn't believe me. So I wasn't gonna fight to make you."

"I never got that message and I never replied-" His eyes widened. The Commission. God dammit. "Y/n you got stuck in this stupid thing this the commission does with it controlling me. Which includes dicking me over. Just- fuck Y/n I wish I knew about him." Hawks look over the toddler smiling lightly. "He's a cute kid. And he's got an amazing mom."

"Thanks," She smiles, "if it makes you feel any better- he's got your wings." He chuckles looking at the small red wings. "I'm sorry I was so made I just- when I got the message from you after everything else I was so mad."

"No you have a right to be mad," He assures her, "I'm sorry. You guys both deserve so much better than a half rate hero."

"Shut up," She says, "you idiot." He chuckles. "Wanna meet your son?"

"More than anything else," Hawks says softly. She moves handing the toddler over to him. As he looks at the baby he moves tearing up. "He's amazing."

"He really is isn't he."

"Yeah he is."

#hawks x reader #keigo takami x reader #bnha #my hero academia #bnha x reader #hawks #keigo takami

[twilight-town-zombies]

For the ship thing. Axel and Isa. Somebodies and Hot Topic where it would differ

How do much do I ship it?: Never heard of it/ Notp / Dislike / used to ship / maybe / ship it / aww / otp / IS IT CANON YET?

2. What non sexual activities do they like to do together?

Somebodies: 

When they were kiddos, Lea and Isa spent a lot of time outside of academy hours roaming around the city and trying to sneak into places they weren’t supposed to (Their loftiest goals being the clock tower and castle). They considered this more their ‘job’ than anything, though. 

For fun, they played a lot of frisbee and tag with the other local hooligans or just with each other, which Isa preferred. They would read books and comics together late at night when Lea would sneak over to Isa’s house and often reenacted these and the stories their fathers told them on the beach or in the town square. 

Sometimes Isa’s father would take them both out in his fishing boat. Isa would help, and Lea would also ‘help,’ which often involved fumbling bait and fish over the side. Other days, one of the bartenders, cooks, or servers at the Lea’s parent’s pub would take them under their wing for an evening and let them help add spices to dishes or collect bottle caps off the floor or wash tables, which would last until one of the customer’s complained or Lea’s parents caught sight of them and kicked them out. 

In Somebodies, as young twenty-somethings, they spend most of their free time focusing on academy training and school, especially with Isa trying to steer Lea away from his delinquent friends and tendencies. Isa’s much more studious than Lea and helps him relearn material that he was too distracted to learn in class, and convinces him to take time to sit and focus on completing homework and readings. 

They love to spar and work out together on a regular basis and often give each other advice or teach each other new techniques. They’re both competitive and have some unchecked aggression, so sparring is a good outlet, and it teaches them to give their all, while maintaining self-control, because they don’t want to hurt each other much, although a few bangs and bruises have always been forgivable, and they give each other a fair amount of medical care as well.  

In their free time, Lea and Isa enjoy taking their dog Neptune on walks in the park or along the beach, going sailing, and playing frisbee for old time’s sake. 

Some nights Lea helps Isa babysit his sisters and entertains them with wild anecdotes. They both appreciate how gentle each other can be with kids and animals. Other nights, Isa visits Lea while he’s bartending, and when Lea has time, they tell each other stories about their day, reminiscence and try to make each other laugh.  

Hot Topic: 

Axel and Saix have embraced island life in a big way. Whenever they can get away from work, they spend their free time on the beach, going on long walks or jogs, or surfing and playing frisbee or soccer with Xigbar and Demyx. (They played soccer together in high school for a while.) They enjoy being active and getting fresh air, and it’s been helpful for Saix’s mental health. They often go to the gym together, spot each other and give each other advice and encouragement. 

When they need a night in, they enjoy cooking together and then Netflix and cuddle. Sometimes they watch terrible shows just to amuse each other making snide comments. They’re also very good at spending down time together, with Saix reading and Axel sketching tattoo designs, either on paper or on Saix’s skin. 

When they want to go out, sometimes the pair of them will go to a club to dance and hang out exclusively with themselves (because if Saix loses sight of Axel for two seconds he will jump to conclusions and freak the fuck out). Though they don’t have a lot of time for it, they enjoy shopping for clothes together and have been known to spend literal hours in the fitting room, making each other try on a hundred different things.

(God, this is long. I will try to be shorter)   

3. Who does chores around the house?

I would say in both stories, they try to split chore responsibilities evenly, because Isa doesn’t let Lea slack. Having a clean and organized house is incredibly important to Isa/Saix because it gives him a sense of security and control over his life. Lea/Axel is not a naturally neat person, and doesn’t entirely understand, but he recognizes how important it is to his boyfriend and tries to take his responsibilities seriously. HT Saix is a little more extreme with his organization than Isa is, (I think I mentioned an alphabetical spice rack?) so Axel has a harder time of it. Every now and then, Lea/Axel will get tired and forget to do something or leave his things lying around. Isa is more likely to shake his head and do it for Lea, while Saix is more likely to give Axel a lecture about his laziness.

4. Who’s the better cook?

Somebodies: Lea. He grew up watching cooks in his dad’s bar, he works in a pub, and he’s had to make a lot of his own food because his parents are pretty negligent. Also, he enjoys cooking and loves to try exotic foods, probably because there wasn’t always enough to go around and he occasionally had to accept food from whoever would give it to him. Isa’s mother does a lot of the cooking in his family and keeps recipes pretty simple. His father’s a fisherman so there’s a lot of seafood and bread, which are pretty much the only thing Isa feels comfortable making well. He tends to prioritize school over learning to cook and sometimes forgets to eat if Lea doesn’t remind him. 

Hot Topic: Saix. Under the advice of his therapist, Saix tries to embrace the healthy body, healthy mind lifestyle and spends a lot of time learning to make healthy and delicious foods. He’s thinking about going vegan. He approaches cooking like something to be studied and perfected. Axel can cook fairly well too, and sometimes they cook together, though Saix can be bossy in the kitchen. Axel can’t entirely blame him though. Axel is more about tastiness than healthiness and tends to burn things or make them too salty or spicy.   

5. Who’s the funniest drunk?

The funniest would probably be Lea/Axel when he’s a little buzzed, but mostly just up to his normal antics. 

When Isa/Saix is drunk and in a good mood, he gets very affectionate and clingy with Lea/Axel and forgets to care how much he dislikes/is cautious of PDA, which their friends find both funny and a little sad. If he’s tired or stressed he tends to get broody and quiet, Isa more likely to get depressed or opinionated, Saix more likely to be jealous or hostile. 

While Lea/Axel is funnier in general, and he’s more likely to make people laugh with his sense of humor, getting drunk actually tends to make him less funny, because he’s more likely to make jokes that are a little crueler, more personal, less tasteful, which he otherwise would have kept to himself, and Isa/Saix is less likely to keep him in check and more likely to get pissed about it.

6. Do they have kids?

Somebodies: No, just a dog that they are very devoted to. Lea and Isa would have liked to have adopted a kid or two in the future. 

Hot Topic: No. They’ve been on and off again enough that the topic of having kids is kind of a vague and distant concept in their minds at this point in time. Saix especially wants to focus on getting himself into a better place before he even considers the idea. Axel prefers to hang out with other people’s kids so he can give them back after. He sometimes baby-sits his friend David’s niece, Lilo. He’s a little afraid he’d mess his own kids up.  

7. Do they have any traditions?

Somebodies: They used to meet at the fountain in the local square to walk to school together every day. Even after their fake public break up, they still get together on special occasions, like birthdays, holidays, and graduations, and spend the whole day together, and they usually meet up in that same spot. 

Hot Topic: Both Axel and Saix did not have great home lives growing up, so rather than going home for the holidays, they spend them together making their own traditions, inviting their friends over, or if they’re really just not in the mood, making them as low key as possible. They only decorate for Halloween. They are an order take-out on Christmas kind of couple. Although they would probably go surfing before-hand. Attempts to break from these into a more traditional holiday tends to cause discord. 

8. What do they fight about?

Somebodies: Mainly, Lea’s bad habits, smoking, stealing that sort of deal. He has some friends like Elrena that poverty has pushed toward the criminal side, of life and Isa wants him to be successful.  Every so often, they’ll fight about the uncertainty of their future. Lea wants to be on the Castle Guard, and Isa’s also considering it, but guards aren’t supposed to be in relationships, and they don’t actually have a plan to deal with that, nor are they able to sit down and talk about it without emotions running high. 

Hot Topic: Commitment. Lea’s a bit of a flirt, and Isa’s childhood abuse has left him with an extreme sense of insecurity that manifests in his jealousy. So, Isa’s constantly questioning Lea’s commitment to him and relationships with other men and keeping tabs on him, and Lea’s questioning why the other areas of Isa’s life seem to be improving, but not Isa’s ability to let Lea be himself, spend time by himself, and make new friends.    

9. What would they do if they found their pairing tag on tumblr? (If they have one)

Somebodies: Isa and Lea would be incredibly concerned with the extreme personality changes and murder they see in their futures. (And how the hell does that lead to domestic life with two teenagers? Or are they adults? Or are they preschoolers? Isa and Lea are barely not teenagers themselves, and are not feeling ready for this.) 

Hot Topic: Saix is Concerned. Axel loves the murder and intrigue, he’s definitely going to spend hours clicking through fanart and fics and showing Saix highlights. 

10. Who cried at the end of Marley and me?

(I’ve never seen Marley & Me, I’m just going to assume a very cute dog dies)

Somebodies: Isa’s reading Marley & Me out loud to Lea, who’s lounging on the floor in front of the fireplace, hugging Neptune. Lea’s eyes start getting misty and Isa’s voice breaks. Lea brings Neptune over to Isa, who is not full on crying, but maybe about to be. Group hug and they decide to take a break from the book and take Neptune outside to play for a while. 

Hot Topic: Axel starts bitching about the ending as soon as he realizes what’s happening, but he gets quieter and quieter as the story plays out. Saix is holding him and rubbing his back and Axel thinks he’s doing okay and then abruptly Saix starts straight up sobbing into Axel’s shoulder, and Axel hushes and quiets him, and they make plans to go adopt a puppy the next day. 

11. Who always wins at Mario kart?

Both: Axel is much more into video games than Saix is but Saix somehow always comes up from behind at the last minute and beats him in Mario Kart, no matter how many times they play. 

12. One thing I like about this ship?

I love their history. They grew up together and know each other inside and out and have stood by each other through whatever life’s thrown at them. I like their personalities. I see them as two people with wildly different personalities who, nonetheless both understand and value the other person for and in spite of those differences. I like that they are both strong, loyal, and dedicated to what they believe in and care about to the point where they stand by each other when they lose their hearts and straight up commit murder because they want to be able to feel love for each other again. That’s fucking hard core. Oh that was like five things. Whoops. 

13. One thing I don’t like about the ship?

Controversial take, I know, but I’m a huge Axel/Roxas fan, so I kind of prefer to see Lea/Isa and Axel/Saix as past tense, a couple that broke up because life threw too much at them and they betrayed each other, but have happily moved on and still mean the world to each other, just in a different way.  

Sea Salt Fam: I don’t like that they’ve somehow become the Dads of the group? I always imagined them in their early twenties--at most--just a few years older than the rest of the group, so seeing them put in these parent roles, for Roxas and Xion, who tend to get treated like young children, (Daddy, braid my hair and read me a story is, like, not something any teenager has ever said), kind of weirds me out.   

14. The song I would say fits them?

Somebodies: Mars (Sleeping at Last)

Hot Topic: Kills You Slowly (The Chainsmokers)

15. Another headcanon about the pairing? (Free space)

Somebodies: Isa and Lea have never officially told anyone in their families that they’re romantically involved, because they’re not supposed to be, but they are all perfectly well aware, and do not believe for a second that they broke up. 

Hot Topic: Saix is hugely in love with Axel’s voice and guitar-playing, and even though seeing him at the front of a band makes him incredibly uncomfortable and Demyx drives Saix crazy, he’s trying really hard to be supportive of the whole endeavor and listens to the band’s EP on a regular basis.   

#asks #kingdom hearts #saix #axel #lea #isa #akusai #leaisa #my writing #somebodies #the other day at hot topic #akuroku #twilight town zombies #adult language

[choupichoups]

CHAPTER FOUR :: Previous chapters

Eliott falls helplessly infatuated with his best friend’s little brother— he knows he’s writing up his own death wish going after this boy, but fuck if Lucas isn’t the most beautiful thing he’s ever laid eyes on.

Or: Eliott’s under the impression that his best friend’s new step brother, ‘Lulu’, is a literal baby. Nobody tells him the guy’s actually a fucking babe-y.

::

His phone lays face down on the nightstand, chiming with accusing vibrations from god knows where. He hasn’t exactly kept up with the outpouring of messages since Friday night. 

Eliott doesn’t know what day it is. 

With a burst of energy that sends both dread and respite coursing through his chest, Eliott pushes himself towards the bathroom, standing under the warm pressure of the shower until it turns cold, freezing pelts numbing where his back is hunched over the tiled walls. 

He doesn’t feel any better. There’s a steely blankness in his mind, a faint ringing echoing its walls that has Eliott wondering how he’s able to move around. 

When he gets out, shivering from the cool air breezing in from his open windows, the mere sight of the light emanating from his nightstand grips him with inexplicable anxiety. The familiar drop in his stomach is so unbearable he can’t even bring himself to approach his fucking phone. His eyes search out a pack of smokes out of reflex but a spiteful voice inside his head berates him. Make it worse, why don’t you, it says, go ahead and prove them right, then. 

He goes into the kitchen and gulps down two glasses of water instead. He supposes his piece of shit brain has an effective way of keeping him in check sometimes. 

His laptop is asleep on the kitchen table when he turns around and Eliott taps on it, stares blankly at the timestamp on top of the screen— it’s Sunday afternoon. So he hasn’t been out of the grid for that long then. Not long enough to miss classes, at least. That’s good. It’s good. 

That eliminates the chances of school related emails being included in his growing pile of notifications.

He slides gingerly onto the chair, switching to his Netflix tab to resume whatever movie he’d been watching before he left for that party on Friday. Eliott watches the screen move, colours and sounds around him, none of it sticks but he appreciates the background noise. Appreciates the change in scenery. He’s gotten a little sick and tired of watching the ceiling in between bouts of fitful slumber. 

Eyes still dull from exhaustion, he follows the fast paced sequence playing in front of him until the muffled music clears up, until the teeny voices from his speakers start making sense again, until his brain latches onto the idea of the film, until he recognizes the title, remembers the bits he’d seen from Friday. 

He’s frowning down at a particular twist in the plot when his lock turns, dragging slow and soft, as if it would help mask the disruptive shriek of metal against metal. He doesn’t react much to it— only stares at the door with vague wonder, but ultimately can’t bring himself to care even when the door creaks fully open. He’s genuinely surprised to see Adrien’s head pop out from behind it, searching eyes wandering about until it lands on Eliott and a brilliant smile immediately lifts the entirety of his best friend’s face. 

So Lucas hasn’t told him anything. 

Eliott’s heart clenches. It has nothing to do with relief. 

“Hey!” Adrien sounds so excited that Eliott wants to smile, but his lips don’t get the memo. “I brought lunch. Or dinner, I guess? Whatever.”

He makes himself at home, banging around in Eliott’s kitchen as the movie plays on, now abandoned. Eliott relocates to the couch, letting Adrien’s off tune singing and his computer’s noisy faux explosions fill his head. It’s comfortable enough that Eliott’s eyes fall shut, head tilted back against the back of the couch. 

It’s dark outside the next time he wakes. His laptop’s now connected to his tv screen, playing a different movie. Adrien’s lounging beside him, spoon stuck in his mouth, eyes trained on his phone. 

“You gonna share that or what?” Eliott manages to croak out, reaching for the bowl of take out in Adrien’s lap.

Adrien practically jumps at the sound of Eliott’s voice and that finally, finally fills him with enough humour to conjure up a smile. It feels fucking good. He hopes it lasts. 

“Fuck off, yours is in the fridge,” Adrien says once he recovers, sliding his bowl far away from Eliott’s reach. 

Eliott groans, “That’s too far.”

“Your place isn’t that big, calm down.” But Adrien gets up anyway, dragging his feet as he heads for the kitchen to heat up the leftovers. Eliott isn’t hungry, truth be told, he does want to continue this streak of normalcy, though. He wants to keep smiling and feeling and eating. Maybe it would push him on a fast track to being himself again come the next day. Whatever being himself means.

Hot food is plopped down on his legs with no warning and his resulting yelp has Adrien in stitches. Eliott’s sorely tempted to dump the entire thing over Adrien’s head, see who’s laughing then, but he did bring Eliott some free food so he gets one single pass for being an asshole. Eliott flips him off, lips still curled in a smirk as he nibbles on his first bite. 

They watch the movie mostly in silence, only with the occasional commentary from Adrien, who’s prone to being very vocal about how angry the characters make him. There’s something off with his behaviour though, almost like he’s forcing the cheer into his voice. Eliott looks over just in time to catch him tapping away on his phone for the umpteenth time. 

So Eliott pauses the movie, confirming his suspicions when it takes Adrien a full minute to realize that there’s now silence where the movie villain’s cheesy droning spiel had just been. He reaches out, one hand curled into a fist, and Adrien stares at it blankly before slapping his palm against it, closing his hand over the fist, holding tight like a child afraid of the dark. He looks like a child too, Eliott’s eyes adjusting to the lack of light to find Adrien’s wide, watery gaze on him.

“I fucked up, Eli.” 

Well that’s new. It’s usually Eliott who fucks up between the two of them. “How much?”

“Big time.”

Eliott sits up from where he’s half melted into the couch cushions, kicking at Adrien’s leg until he does the same. “What happened?” 

Adrien eyes him, says, “Nothing, don’t worry about it. I’m just being stupid.” But he sounds pitiful enough that Eliott can’t not worry about it. 

“Look, Adri, we can’t both feel like shit,” Eliott says, earning a snort from the other end of the couch. “Only one at a time and I called dibs already so just tell me what’s wrong so you can feel less shitty about it.” 

Adrien wipes his eyes. Sniffs a little. “Lucas is missing.”

That’s the last thing Eliott wants to hear. “What?” he chokes out, forcing a neutral tone. His heartbeat picks up in protest. “Since when?”

“Friday, god, I should’ve gone to that stupid party—”

This is all your fault. “What do you mean he’s missing?” Neutrality out the window, apparently. Good thing Adrien doesn’t seem to notice, too busy trying to yank the hair out of his head as he is. 

“I don’t know, he’s been kinda weird recently to be honest, and now he’s not coming home or answering his goddamn phone.” Adrien nibbles on his fingernails, a nervous tick the both of them share. “I’m freaking out, like— what do I tell our parents? They can’t even leave my brother alone with me for two weeks without him going missing, fuck. I’m so useless. What if we get a baby brother? Or a baby sister? How much would I fuck up then? Jesus, I would probably drop an actual infant and—” 

Eliott shakes his head, takes Adrien’s phone away to do something. “Calm down,” he hisses, not sure if he’s addressing Adrien or himself. “Have you checked with all his friends?” 

“The ones I know of, yeah.” Adrien grabs a cushion and buries his face under it. 

A thought occurs to Eliott then, unwanted but he’d rather that than any other worse scenarios. Maybe it’s not his fault. How bold of him to assume Lucas would care that much about Eliott, just another boy chasing him around. Maybe the answer is much simpler. Maybe it’s got nothing to do with him at all. “Maybe he met someone,” he suggests, and he has no right to feel jealousy catching fire like a candle wick, rapid to burn. “Went home with them?” 

“No,” Adrien denies, muffled. “Lucas doesn’t do that.”

Flashes from Friday night’s party make him swallow, throat clicking at the image of Lucas and that guy headed fast towards the bedrooms. “You sure?”

“Uh huh. Hundred percent.” 

Adrien’s phone interrupts them with a startling ring. Instinctively, Eliott slides a finger to accept the unknown call, putting it on speaker so Adrien could hear as well. “Hello?” Eliott answers, hesitant, when Adrien looks like he doesn’t plan on emerging from his cushion any time soon. 

Confused silence, and then a timid, “Adri?”

Lucas’ voice. Eliott drops the phone on the table like it’s suddenly grown spikes. 

It’s a good thing Adrien comes alive at that moment, his cushion flying off the living room and into the kitchen. “Where the fuck have you been?!” he practically screeches in the general direction of the phone. 

There’s some static, the sound of sheets ruffling. “I don’t— I don’t kno— no, shit, hold on.”

Adrien’s face is flushed with anger. “The fuck you mean you don’t—” He rubs a hand over his face. “Are you okay?” 

“Yeah, of course.” 

Eliott sincerely doesn’t know whether to be thankful of, or lament the fact that Adrien keeps the phone call on speaker. 

“Of course? Of course? So why the hell haven’t you been answering my calls, Lulu?”

“I’m sorry, my phone died,” Lucas groans from the other end, sounding miserable. Like he’s—

“Are you hungover?” Adrien voices out the question in Eliott’s head. 

“Yes.” The one word packs such heavy attitude it almost makes Eliott laugh— until he remembers it’s Sunday evening so Lucas being hungover means he’s been drinking again on Saturday and well into the morning after. “Would you tone down a little?”

“No, I won’t tone the fuck down. Do you know what time it is? And you sound like that? Tell me where you are, I’ll come get you.” 

“I’ll be home tomorrow.”

“Lucas,” Adrien pronounces the name slowly, how he always does when upset. “Where are you?”

Unperturbed, Lucas repeats, “I said I’ll be home tomorrow, father.” And then he hangs up.

Adrien looks two seconds away from flinging his phone out the window. It’s times like this when Eliott truly appreciates being an only child. 

“Whose phone number was that?” Adrien asks, visibly holding back from redialing the unknown number.

Eliott shrugs and heads into the bedroom for his phone; there’s no harm in checking his contact list. He figures it’s time to stop avoiding the inevitable anyway. At least Adrien being present would alleviate some of the stress from checking on his unread messages. 

Turns out he doesn’t have the phone number Lucas used registered on his phone either but what he does find out is that Lucas has blocked him on Instagram. And it shouldn’t hurt. It really, really shouldn’t. It’s a fucking phone app, the act is borderline juvenile. The laugh he lets out is rusty, unfamiliar to his own ears, bitter in its quietness. He should have seen it coming, it’s what he deserves after all. But knowing so doesn’t make it feel any less horrible.

“You okay?” Right. Adrien’s there beside him, clueless as to what Eliott’s done to his precious little brother. Eliott knows he’s played a dangerous game and now Lucas holds all the cards.

“Yup, just peachy.” Eliott shoves his phone behind the couch. Out of sight out of mind. “You want a drink?” 

Adrien sweeps a hand over his eyes. “I need ten.”

“I only have cranberry juice.”

“Ugh, fuck.”

“We can use the fancy glasses and pretend it’s wine.”

“Yeah, okay, close enough. Juice me up.”

::

::

Come Tuesday afternoon, Eliott feels less like living as a hermit deep into the woods and more like throwing people deep into the woods. 

Irritation simmers at the surface of his skin like gasoline, ready to ignite at the slightest provocation. So he does his best to stay away from the crowds, and forces himself to interact only when he’s cornered, because apparently some people can’t read the atmosphere despite his closed off demeanor. 

Mysterious, some would call him and it’s so fucking stupid. Aloof. Intimidating. Cool. 

He’d laugh if he weren’t so keyed up, throat scratchy with the urge to snap, shoulders hunched to keep in a festering fury he has neither time nor will to put out. 

It doesn’t help that his hands have developed a mind of their own, obsessively checking for a message that will never show up. He’s irritated that there’s only one voice he wants to hear. He’s irritated that people still try their luck in approaching him, he’s irritated that they laugh and speak and move around him like he isn’t some ticking time bomb. He’s irritated that despite all the noise and the clamour, everything is still so goddamn boring, nothing to pull him out of his head, nothing to crack open his barrier, nothing nothing nothing. 

His most wakening moments happen during the events leading up to, and the ones following after, himself getting punched in the face. 

It’s exactly how it sounds like, but in Eliott’s defence, it's completely and utterly not his fault. Just a giant misunderstanding and too much testosterone involved in the mix. 

It happens when Eliott’s just about to leave campus, skipping out on the final half of his last class so he could catch the early bus and continue being miserable at home. Hands busy untangling his headphones, he doesn’t realize he’s got company in the hallway until he hears a very unimpressed, very familiar voice coming from the other end. Eliott throws himself into the next hallway, heart beating erratically while he stands with his back plastered against the wall. 

“Listen, Nathan,” Lucas is saying, thankfully unaware of the film worthy stunt Eliott had just pulled. He slumps down on the ground and accepts the fact that he’s officially the king of being at the wrong place at the wrong time nowadays. 

Or maybe the king of eavesdropping is more accurate?

His phone vibrates against the floor where it’s shoved inside his pocket and Eliott scrambles to kneel up, cursing under his breath as he fumbles to muffle the sound of the missed call. 

Cautiously, he peeks out, but both boys are still occupied with their conversation. Eliott ducks back into his hiding place, rationalizing if the loss of dignity he’d experience should someone catch him crab walking towards the staircase would be worth dodging Lucas’ ire.  

Maybe he simply puts the king in panicking, at this point.

“Nigel,” Nathan— or Nigel, really, corrects him. Eliott winces in sympathy. So that’s how Lucas plays it, huh. 

“Nigel. I’m sorry about the party,” Lucas continues, and Eliott knows exactly what he’s going to say next. “I was a little drunk.” Fucking hell. 

Nigel lets out a breathy laugh. “Come on, Lucas, you can’t say you felt nothing.” 

Alright, Eliott’s sympathy is quickly fizzing out. 

“Feel what?” 

“There’s something between us, Lu.” 

“We met four days ago,” Lucas deadpans, ruthless in a way that has Eliott a little taken aback. There’s no hint of the playful tone Lucas had always used around him.

“You kissed me at the party.”

“I said I was drunk.” 

“You weren’t, why don’t you just give us a chance? I could be—”

“No,” Lucas interrupts, “it’s nothing to do with you, you’re a great guy so don’t bother wasting your time on me.”

“You’re not ever a waste of time.” 

That gets a laugh out of Lucas. “That’s uh, sweet, but I’m serious. Please.” 

Eliott squeezes his eyes shut. You’d know if I was rejecting you. He thunks his head on the wall behind him, staring up at the pale ceiling as he wills for time to turn back. 

But of course it doesn’t. All that happens is that Eliott misses the rest of the conversation he’s listening in on and only realizes it’s over when shuffling footsteps make their rapid way straight towards where Eliott is squished into a corner. 

And oh shit, oh shit, oh shit—

Except Lucas rushes right past him, anticlimactically. 

Eliott knows he’s got about two seconds to decide whether he’s going to let him go or if he’s going to gather the balls to at least apologize. 

In an act of bravery that probably surprises the deities themselves, Eliott calls out for Lucas, wincing in preparation for a storm as he traces the way Lucas’ entire body tenses up. A voice in his head tells him to leave it, that they’re headed straight for corrosion and nothing he says would change anything. Eliott almost succumbs to it.

But Lucas keeps walking, not once looking back, and Eliott feels a deep-seated panic settle over him, the magnitude of it louder than the jeering from his own mind. He trips all over his own two feet and hurries to match Lucas’ pace. “Lucas, please, I just want to say—”

“Sorry?” Lucas bites out, only stopping when Eliott physically stands in front of him to block his way. “Is that what you wanna say? Or are you above apologizing to your failed conquests?” Eliott recoils, mouth opening a little but Lucas doesn’t let him speak. “Nevermind, I don’t actually care. Don’t worry, I won’t tell Adri.” 

Lucas keeps his head lowered, and Eliott’s chest constricts, hands slightly shaking where they’re hidden inside his pockets. God, he’s always been terrible at confrontations; he’s either too angry or too much of a coward to say the right thing. It has never occurred to him to apologize in exchange for Lucas’ silence, though, and he doesn’t want Lucas to think that’s all Eliott cares about. He only wants to— he wants to—

What? What exactly does he want?

Lucas steps to the side, intending to walk off again, and Eliott can’t have that. He doesn’t have the words lined up quite readily in his mind yet but he knows, for sure, that if Lucas just stays for a couple more minutes, the words will come to Eliott. He can feel it, it just—

His hand belatedly grabs for Lucas as his mind chases after the words, almost missing Lucas’ arm entirely. But just as quickly as he’s held, Lucas shakes Eliott off, stepping backwards violently enough to have him careening into the wall. It goes against Eliott’s every instinct to not reach out steadying hands as he watches Lucas stagger. It’s only the intensity of Lucas’ glower that stops him, like he���d have no problem smiting Eliott into smithereens if he dares to lay another finger on him.

“Why can’t you just leave me alone?!” Lucas throws his backpack on the ground between them and Eliott watches it skid to the tip of his boots, a dawning dread churning at the pit of his stomach. “You made it very clear where you stand, Eliott. Now why don’t you be a man of your fucking word for once and just fuck off!” 

A part of him flares at the harsh words, naturally, but Eliott understands he’s reaping his own harvest. Although Eliott is many, many terrible things, not once has he ever refused to take responsibility for the hurt he’s caused, no matter what state of mind he’d been under at the time. So Eliott shoves down the anger that heats his blood, ignores the temper pounding at his head, and swallows twice before speaking. This will not be a repeat of Friday night. 

He picks up the discarded backpack and carefully approaches, making sure to leave enough space between the two of them so as to not smother Lucas. “Please,” he says, voice quieting as he stretches an arm out to hand the bag back to its owner. “Just look at me, please?” 

Lucas’ shoulders rise and fall with each breath, the very picture of righteous fury, but when he does look up, Eliott’s met with none of the animosity he expects. Instead, Lucas’ eyes are wide and scared, tears threatening to spill from those lovely blues. Eliott is shot by the sight of it, unprepared to see Lucas — headstrong, spitfire Lucas — looking so devastated. 

He can’t comprehend how someone so beautiful could allow someone as unworthy as Eliott close enough to hurt.

“Don’t do that,” Lucas says just as softly, and Eliott flinches as a finger ghosts along below his eye. He brings his own hand up, chasing after the whisper of Lucas’ touch, and Eliott realizes he’s also crying like some pathetic echo to Lucas’ feelings. “Stop it, I’m supposed to be cussing you out right now,” Lucas scolds, snatching the bag from Eliott’s hand. “I can’t do that if—”

Eliott would have loved to hear the rest of that sentence, even if it’s just more insults hurled towards him. He’s sunk low enough to admit that anything is better than a cold shoulder from Lucas. 

As it is, he never gets to hear the full of it, because someone is pulling him back by the arm in one second, and then he’s down on the floor in the next. Eliott registers the familiar pain at the bridge of his nose once his head stops ringing.

Fuck, at least that punch literally knocks the sadness part of his rapidly cycling moods— Eliott doesn’t feel much like crying now. No, irritation comes flooding back with a vengeance and if it weren’t for the sight of Lucas’ figure standing in front of him, Eliott would’ve gotten up and returned that blow twice as hard. 

“What the fuck?” Lucas yells at the perpetrator, blocking Eliott from view when the guy tries to go in for more. Eliott sits up, one hand feeling around his nose, content to let Lucas handle whatever the hell’s going on for now. “What’s your problem?” 

“He’s bothering you!” Ah. Good old Nigel. Where did he even come from? 

“We were talking,” Lucas hisses, shoving Nigel back when he hovers too close. “Would you fucking chill? What are you even doing here—” 

“Talking?” Nigel sneers, eyes cutting towards Eliott, who waves back with a slightly bloody hand and inwardly snickers when it seems to piss the guy off even more. “I was fucking worried about you, that’s why I came back and this is what I get? Is this why you rejected me? Hung up on Demaury, are you?”

“I’d watch the next words coming out of that mouth, Nick.”

“It’s Nigel! Fuck, whatever, you want to be another notch on his bedpost? Go ahead, but don’t come crawling to me when he—”

Eliott pulls Lucas back and launches himself forward, letting the satisfying crunch of Nigel’s nose under his knuckles power him through the inevitable sting that comes after. Behind him, Lucas mutters a high pitched, Jesus Christ.  

“Stop, just stop. Sit down, Eliott.” Lucas rushes to push himself in between the two of them and it would be so, so easy to move him. Just put Lucas to the side and continue letting off some steam, but Lucas doesn’t sound like he’s playing around and Eliott would like to live until he graduates, at least. 

To Nigel’s credit, he does look like he’s regretting everything he’s said right about now. Maybe part of it’s the bleeding nose but Eliott would bet it’s mostly due to the pissed off expression Lucas is currently wearing. 

“Sit,” Lucas repeats. Eliott sits with only minor grumbling. “You.” He directs his scathing voice towards Nigel who’s halfway to quaking by now. Eliott scoffs, the guy wouldn’t survive a day as Lucas’ boyfriend. “Go to the nurse.”

“You’re making me go alone?” Nigel squeaks out.

“Want him to hold your fucking hand or something?” Eliott can’t help but pitch in, biting back the rest of his words when Lucas levels him with a look. 

“Shut up.” Lucas rubs a hand all over his hair, making a bigger mess out of them. “You know what?” he says, chuckling a little maniacally, “I don’t even want to deal with either of you.”

And then he just takes off to the end of the hall. Eliott, for the second time within the hour, falls all over himself to follow. He still hasn’t apologized and he has to do it now. 

“Lucas, I am so fucking sorry,” he blurts out once they’re alone at the stairwell. Eliott’s still standing by the door, hesitant to keep going as Lucas eyes him from the bottom of the stairs. “I was a dick on Friday and even before that I— I’m so sorry. You didn’t deserve to be treated like that.” 

“Okay.” Eliott’s head snaps up, and Lucas laughs, backing up until he hits the wall, the distance between them ever increasing. “Okay, I just. I just don’t get it. Why did you go after me if you were just going to ignore me in campus? And why did you go for someone else while I… while my dumb ass finally thought… I mean, I know you aren’t exactly a date to marry type of guy but come on, me and her? At the same time? Why?”

Eliott shakes his head against the questions, words stuck at the tip of his tongue, refusing to come out. He has so many and too little to say all at once. He wants to say that Lucas scares him so he’d taken the coward’s way out. He wants to say that he only did it to prove something to himself— wants to say that he failed to prove that exact something to himself.

“I freaked out, okay? I just, I didn’t— I don’t know how to handle you,” he forces out, voice small, vaguely aware that none of that likely made a smidgen of sense. Even so, he makes his way down the stairs with no protests coming from Lucas. 

“And?” Lucas prompts, sounding slightly less murderous this time.

“And what?” Eliott steps down the last stair, finally on level ground with him. 

“That— that’s it?” 

“I don’t know…” 

A long silence follows, like Lucas is waiting for him to continue. But it quickly becomes apparent that no follow up is coming through. “Nice. Okay. Good talk,” Lucas snorts, “see you around.” 

“Wait, wait.” Eliott truly hates himself for losing words when he needs them most. “Lucas, please, I can’t… I can’t stop thinking about you.” 

There’s a lump in his throat that threatens to choke him up every time he wants to lay it all out in the open— a well groomed defence mechanism, maybe. And the easy solution is to shift the blame away from himself, remind Lucas that Eliott’s free to do whatever he wants as long as he’s not committed to one particular person, but he knows that’s not the point here. What Lucas wants to hear is something that Eliott is yet to admit even in the safety of his own head.

The fire exit door opens to mild chattering from a group of girls heading up the stairs and Eliott doesn’t even flinch, doesn’t care about how this might look like to them. Lucas, on the other hand, takes it as an opportunity to shove past Eliott. 

“Better fix that then,” Lucas whispers, drawing close yet maintaining it so that not a single part of them is touching. “Cause you can think all you want, Eliott, but you’ll never have me.” 

Looking into his eyes, Eliott understands the phenomena of even the warmest blue oceans being unable to hide the cold black down under if you only push deep enough. They brush shoulders as Lucas slips inside the door, leaving Eliott to stand alone on the landing, struck speechless.

::

::

Eliott’s figured it out, you know. The big elusive formula to avoiding heartbreak.

He’s sitting on Sofiane’s couch, a bag of ice pressed to his smarting nose. He doesn’t think it’s broken but then again, it’s gone too numb for him to really tell. 

Going numb. That’s it, that’s the formula. 

It’s worked out so, so well for him. People can say shit all they want but Eliott still thinks he’s lived some of his best years ever since he just stopped caring. Except somewhere along the way, he’d made a mistake, had possibly gotten too complacent, too confident with the life he’s gotten used to and now—

He’s tripped up. Because he sure as hell is the furthest thing from numb right now. 

And it honestly hurts like a fucking trainwreck.

You’ll never have me.

He squeezes his eyes shut, welcoming the sting that comes with the movement. “Sof,” he calls out, a little nasal from how careful he is to not agitate his injury. 

“Yeah?” The cushions dip under Sofiane’s weight and Eliott feels a glass of water and some painkillers being shoved into his hand. 

“Why did you wait so long for Imane?” 

His question goes unanswered long enough for Eliott to remove the ice bag off his face.

“What?” Sofiane asks, rightly confused.

Eliott sighs, “You’ve had a crush on her since before high school. It’s not like you’re ugly—”

A snort, “Well thanks.”

“—and there were lots of easier options,” Eliott continues as if he hadn’t been interrupted. “Plus we’re friends with Idriss! Isn’t that, I don’t know, intimidating?” 

“I’m not looking for an easy relationship, Eli, I want a real one.” Sofiane shrugs. “Why would I be intimidated? Idriss is nice and I haven’t done anything wrong so it’s not like—” 

Eliott looks up when Sofiane cuts himself off, watching the morbid realization settle over his features. “What?” He might as well play dumb for as long as he can. 

“Who did you get in a fight with?” 

“I told you, some punk with a hero complex.” 

“Over what?” 

He puts his nearly melted bag down and reaches for the glass of water, taking his time in swallowing down the painkillers. “Nothing.”

“Eliott, I can’t help you if you won’t tell the truth.”

“Who says I need help with anything?”

“Uh, the fact that you came here with a bleeding nose for starters?” Sofiane shakes his head, watching Eliott practically drown himself with his glass of water. “Eliott.”

“Hm?”

“Please tell me you listened to what I told you at that party.”

Oh god, he really should’ve gone to Idriss. There’d be less sympathy and more laughing but at least Idriss doesn’t know that Eliott’s maybe slightly a little more than attracted to Lucas. 

“What party?”

“Stop acting dumb!”

“I’m not!” 

A pillow is thrown at the crown of his head but it thankfully misses his face, and Sofiane sounds like he’s laughing more than anything, so Eliott figures it’s safe to drop the act. “Okay, fine, no, I didn’t listen.”

“Ugh, Eliott.”

“I know. And I fucked up.”

“Already? It’s been less than a month.” 

“I know, fuck.” 

“So what happened?”

Eliott shrugs, getting up to toss his ice bag in the sink. “Nothing. He told me to leave him alone.” 

Sofiane’s got a strange constipated look on his face. Good to know some of his friends have that much faith in him. “Wait, Lucas said to leave him alone?”

“Yeah.”

“You’re sure?”

He returns to the living room and drops back down on the couch. “Unless ‘why can’t you just leave me alone’ has another secret meaning I’m not aware of then yes, I’m very sure.” 

Sofiane whistles lowly. 

“It was my fault though,” Eliott admits, poking at the threads peeking from the cushion covers. “He saw me and Eleanor.” 

“Oh.” Sofiane actually looks a little apologetic. “Sorry, I didn’t know—”

“It’s fine, nobody forced me to approach her. And I said some shitty stuff too so it’s not like it was all because of that.” 

“Adrien doesn’t know?”

“No.”

“Fuck.”

“Mhm.” Eliott pulls at the ends of his hair, only feeling slightly better now that someone else is privy to his little secret. “I don’t know what to do.” 

“I mean, nothing happened right? So is it so bad to just move on from this?” 

“Yeah. Problem is that I don’t want to move on.” 

Hearing that, Sofiane straightens his posture, turning fully on the couch so that his whole body is faced towards Eliott. He sees enough of Sofiane’s giddy smile from his peripheral to feel like he’s just activated the guy’s slumber party mode. 

“Are you saying what I think you’re saying?” Sofiane goads, grin widening when Eliott responds with a groan. 

“Shut up.”

“No, really, is the Eliott Demaury actually crushing on someone right now?”

Gross understatement. “I will eat all the food in your fridge if you don’t stop.” 

Sofiane laughs him off, arms swaying about as he wiggles in his spot and damn, are the guys really going to be so happy to see Eliott catching feelings? Well, probably not Adrien considering the context but still. 

“Are you gonna do anything about it?” Sofiane stops his bird mating dance and schools his expression into somewhat of a serious one. 

“Which part of he told me to leave him alone did you miss?” 

“Fuck, that’s right eh?” Lip caught between his teeth, Sofiane peers up at Eliott like he’s got something to say but is holding back for whatever reason. Eliott narrows his eyes at him until he continues with a hesitant, “How about give it some time? And then shoot him a text message? No harm in asking for one more chance, it’s a yes or no question.”

“He has me blocked on Instagram though, and he never gave me his phone number.”

“Oh my god.” 

“Yeah.” Eliott thunks his head back down on the couch, fingers busy tracing invisible patterns on the covers. “How did Idriss react when he found out about your crush on Imane?” 

Sofiane shrugs, slumping down on the space beside Eliott. “He got all winky and said he’d put in a good word.”

“Just like that?”

“Just like that.” A pause, and then socked feet poke against his, annoying enough to have Eliott looking away from the very interesting ceiling Sofiane’s apartment has. “But I also don’t have a, uh, colourful relationship history like you so… no offence.” 

Eliott blindly throws a cushion in Sofiane’s direction and relishes in the squawk that follows. 

“But hey?” Sofiane continues when Eliott doesn’t say anything in response, “let it rest for a while, Eli. If you still feel the same after that, then at least you’ll know it’s really serious this time.” 

He already knows. “Yeah, you’re right.” 

“Eliott.”

“Hm?”

“You weren’t always like this.” It’s a statement, not a question, so Eliott isn’t sure what he’s supposed to say in return, but it seems like Sofiane isn’t looking for a response anyway. “Adrien’s known you forever and yeah, the past couple of years might be at the forefront of our minds right now but we know you’re a good guy. Adri knows that the most.” 

Eliott quirks an eyebrow and Sofiane raises his hands, palms up as he shrugs. 

“All I’m saying is that things might not be as bad as you think they are, okay?” 

“Okay.” Eliott still thinks it’s pretty bad, but he’s not going to argue against a source for hope. 

::

::

Eliott wishes he could say he gets productive for the next two weeks that follows but really, all he’s done is drink coffee, pretend to start on his assignments, and miss Lucas’ snarky messages. Not necessarily in that order. 

Sofiane’s taken pity on him five days in and sometimes lets Eliott borrow his phone to pine over Lucas’ Instagram posts. Granted, Lucas doesn’t post much but the one photo he put up of himself looking bored at the skate park is enough to last Eliott for a few more days. 

He’s very much aware that he’s being wildly pathetic, rejecting parties left and right (he already knows they’d be boring anyway), rejecting dates left and right— also potentially boring, but he’s mostly afraid of further proving to himself that Lucas has already ruined him for everyone else and they haven’t even kissed yet— or hugged, for that matter. Pathetic indeed.  

On Friday, though, he gives into Idriss’ well-meaning and most likely accidentally set up date with one of his classmates. If only to ward off any suspicions from how weird he’s acting. Adrien’s been side eyeing him a little too much for comfort these days. 

So he’s on this date and the guy’s very cute but he’s also talking about American football like it’s a gift from the gods themselves. Eliott knows nothing about American football. This would usually be the time when Eliott would excuse himself to the bathroom and speed google some facts on the subject so as to impress his date. But right now, he doesn’t care about being unimpressive at all. 

The guy, Aron, is an exchange student from California— all tanned skin and pretty smiles and endearing accent. He’s probably what the kids these days would call a snack.

It’s too bad Eliott can’t help but think that Lucas’ smaller silhouette would look beautiful against the red backdrop of the massive booths they’re sitting in. How he keeps wishing to brush his hand against soft brown hair every time he glances up, hands lying limp on his lap when he’s met with the blond of Aron’s neatly styled coif instead. The blue of Aron’s eyes isn’t quite deep enough and Eliott can pinpoint exactly which shade it is on his dried up palette at home. He still can’t figure out the right mix for Lucas’. 

Anyway, the point is that he’s losing his mind. 

When they reach a short lull in conversation, Eliott rushes to say, “I’m just gonna run to the bathroom real quick.” And proceeds to lock himself in a stall, sit on the toilet lid, and stare at the lights blankly. 

The bathroom door slams open not long after and Eliott stands up on instinct, ready to remove himself from the vicinity should there be some kind of beef brewing, but only one set of footsteps pace to where the sinks are.

“Hey, you still there?” The person says, presumably into his phone.

Eliott reaches to unlock the stall, he’s had enough eavesdropped conversations to last him a lifetime thank you very much—

“Lulu? Can you hear me clearly?” 

You have got to be kidding me. Fate must think this is funny. He must be some kind of joke to the deities or something. 

“I’m at work, Lucas,” the guy says regretfully enough and Eliott does pull the stall door open then, keeping his head down as he tugs on the knobs of the sink, washing his hands for lack of any other excuses to stay. “Where’s Yann? Didn’t you guys go together?” The tap shuts off, Eliott reaches for the paper towels. “Oh— oh, damn, good for him but— no, you should stay there and I’ll call your brother okay— what do you mean no? Lucas, shut up you sound shitfaced.” 

If Eliott’s learned anything from his accidental sleuthing adventures, it’s that Lucas is a terribly reckless drunk. Finally raising his head, Eliott meets eyes with Lucas’ blond friend through the mirror. It’s admittedly a little funny how he gapes wordlessly at the sight of Eliott. 

Not one to miss an opportunity, Eliott takes advantage of the obvious distraction and snatches the phone from the guy’s hand — Arthur, his name tag says — he’ll apologize profusely later but Eliott really doesn’t want a repeat of Lucas going missing for an entire weekend.

“Where are you?” he says into the phone, noting that there’s no blaring music coming from the other line. If Lucas is where Eliott thinks he is right now then at least he’s outside the house already. 

“Whoa.” Lucas’ voice is slightly distorted coming from the other line but Eliott still sighs at the first sound of it after the too-long silence. “You’re not Arthur.” 

“No, so where are you?” 

“Nooo, where are you?” Lucas giggles into the phone and Eliott has to suppress a smile. Fuck, this is serious but Lucas is being an idiot. “You sound like someone I know.” If he’s being this friendly with Eliott then it only means that he’s past the point of tipsy and well into happy drunk territory. 

“Wanna take a guess?” Eliott easily dodges when Arthur tries to grab his phone, the latter flinching back in surprise when Eliott has the gall to put a finger to his lips and shush him. 

“Mmmm,” Lucas stalls, but Eliott knows he’s got the right answer. He tries not to dwell on the fact that drunk Lucas remembering his voice sends another one of cupid’s arrows straight into his heart. “Weed guy.” 

And Eliott laughs, inexplicably happy about that. “Where are you, Lucas?” 

“I don’t know…” His syllables drag as he speaks and Eliott hears some shuffling and then a worrying crash, before Lucas’ laughter can be heard from a distance. “There are two blue houses!” 

Yeah, Eliott knows exactly where he is. “Stay there, okay?”

“Why?” 

“I’m—” But he’s not sure if Lucas would only run off if given that information. “We’ll get you home.” He doesn’t wait for another response, returning the phone back to a stunned Arthur. “Remind him to stay where he is every few minutes, god knows how many times he’ll forget.” 

Eliott dashes out the restaurant like a man on a mission, bullshitting about some urgent emergency as he passes by a confused Aron. He feels bad, really, but if he doesn’t trust sober Lucas to follow any given instructions, then he trusts drunk Lucas even less. 

When Eliott gets off the bus and jogs the rest of the way to the house, it’s a relief to find Lucas’ hooded figure sitting on the pavement across from where the party is still obviously going strong.

“Lucas.” No answer, Lucas doesn’t even stir. “Lucas, come on, let’s get you home.” He reaches out gingerly, testing the waters by poking at Lucas’ arm. 

“Go ‘way,” Lucas says, sounding a lot less friendly than he’d been on the phone.

Eliott looks around and spots two empty beer bottles beside Lucas. He blinks down at them, having a hard time understanding if Lucas is actually even more drunk than he’d been earlier. 

“You can’t stay out here.” Eliott sighs, crouching down in front of him. 

“Well why not?” Lucas lifts his head off his curled arms, unfocused eyes glaring at a spot just above Eliott’s right ear. 

Without much else to do, Eliott sighs again. “Let’s go.” He tries to tug at Lucas’ sleeves to get him to stand, but only succeeds in making Lucas stumble backwards from how fast he tries to get away.

“Don’t touch me, I’m not going anywhere with you.”

Oh god, he’s dealing with a child. “I’ll tell Adrien.” 

“You won’t tell Adri shit!” Lucas stands up, finally, but only to walk up to Eliott and point unsteady fingers to his face. “You’re not even supposed to know where I am! He doesn’t even know I like— he doesn’t know you played me! You. Won’t. Tell. Him. Shit.” He pronounces each word with a hard jab to Eliott’s chest. 

And okay, fuck, he’s got a point. “Fine, suit yourself.” Eliott steps back, hesitating, but maybe it’ll be smarter to have someone else take Lucas home instead. He turns around, looking through his contacts to see if Sofiane or Idriss would be available. 

“Fine!” Lucas screams from behind him and Eliott looks over his shoulder in time to catch Lucas sitting back down on the ground, hands pressed to his eyes. 

No. Eliott can’t walk away from him like this again. 

Eliott marches back to where he came from and promptly throws Lucas over his shoulder, barely staggering even when Lucas starts kicking and punching as much as his drunken limbs would allow. 

“Let me down!”

“Not until you behave yourself.”

“Now!”

“You won’t get anywhere like this and you know it.”

“I fucking—” Lucas slumps down, body steadily getting heavier as he stops struggling in Eliott’s hold. “I hate you,” he mutters softly and that, moronically enough, is what makes Eliott stumble. He tightens his arms around Lucas, pausing to realign his balance. “I hate you,” Lucas continues, sniffing in between words. “Why are you even here? I told you to stop already.” 

Eliott slows his walk, Lucas’ hitching breaths sending freezing pelts straight to his chest. They stop moving once they reach a corner, Eliott lowering Lucas down so he can stand on his own two feet, but Lucas immediately curls up, crouching on the ground like standing is too much of a chore at the moment. 

“Hey, I’m sorry okay?” he whispers back, bending at the knees so that they’re level with each other. “I promise I just want to get you home safe, that’s it.” He digs around his pockets for his phone, placing the device inside Lucas’ hands once he finds it. “Here, Adrien is speed dial 3, call him any time you feel you need to. I don’t care if he yells at me, I won’t walk away from you again.” 

Lucas fiddles with Eliott’s phone, running his thumb along the screen once before clutching it to his chest. “I can’t go home.” He blinks, a tear escaping from his eye. 

Eliott brushes it away before he can stop himself. “Why not?” 

“My parents think I’m sleeping over at Yann’s and mom will be so disappointed if I come home like this,” he says miserably, more tears running down his cheeks. 

Ah. Shit. “Come on, get on my back.” 

Once Lucas is settled on his back, now much calmer than earlier, Eliott continues walking, but turns to a different direction this time. 

“Where are we going?” Lucas asks drowsily, lips pressed into Eliott’s shoulder. 

Where indeed. 

::

::

Lucas is a near dead weight behind him when Eliott finally gets his door open. It’s a struggle when Lucas refuses to cooperate and lets his legs slide down every time Eliott lets go of them to search for his keys. But eventually they do make it inside. 

Eliott drops Lucas as gently as he can on the bed, huffing once he’s successfully done so without cracking any heads in the process. 

He roots around his closet for some clothes Lucas can use for the night when the sound of jackets and pants zipping startles him from the task. He turns around, eyes wild, when Lucas starts throwing his clothes — everything— off himself. 

Eliott almost wipes out when he slips on a sock in his rush to get to Lucas before the dumbass has the chance to remove his underwear off with his jeans.

“Stop, stop, hey.” Eliott catches Lucas’ hands, laughing when Lucas opens his eyes just to glare at him.

“It’s so hot.”

“It’s really not.” Eliott huffs another laugh, waiting until Lucas’ hands go slack in his before letting go, but he does help remove Lucas’ jeans when it’s clear that the latter is going to stay irritated until they’re off. 

It’s a workout to get him to wear a shirt, what with Lucas being hellbent on removing as many clothes as possible. Eliott knows it’s bound to get cold in the middle of the night, though, and he will not be responsible for Lucas catching a cold in his bed. 

“You’re so nice,” Lucas mumbles once he’s settled, looking warm and cozy in Eliott’s loose shirt. He’s so fucking cute, and it doesn’t help when Eliott feels those arms sliding around his neck, tugging him forward. Lucas doesn’t use much force to have Eliott following along helplessly, but it’s not like it would ever take all that much to have Eliott willingly inching into his space. 

Dredging up whatever’s left of his common sense, Eliott anchors his hands on either side of Lucas to keep somewhat of a distance between them. 

He shakes his head, arms trembling not only from the strain of keeping his weight off of Lucas. “No, you’re just drunk.” 

Lucas smiles, eyes half mast, still pretty under the hint of moonlight. His fingers brush maddening strokes over Eliott’s hair. “Eliott?” 

“Hm?”

“Why have you never kissed me?” 

Eliott’s heart thuds a frantic rhythm in his chest. “You never let me, baby.” 

The fingers in his hair stop moving, and Lucas’ eyes flutter close, Eliott watching the shadows of his lashes flirt along smooth cheeks. “I’ll let you now.” 

“I know,” he whispers, leaning down inch by minuscule inch. Lucas’ breath is warm and smells of alcohol, but Eliott knows he only has to duck down and bury his face in the space between his neck and shoulder to get his fill of the scent he’s truly been missing.

He doesn’t. Maybe in the future he’d have the privilege to do so. Hopefully.

Eliott lets their noses touch, light and fleeting, before he leans up and drops a gentle kiss over Lucas’ forehead. 

“Goodnight, Lucas.” 

#skam france #elu fic #fictag #take this away from me before I reread #and change it for the 100th time #I wasn't kidding when I said it's 8k of pining #now clearly labelled to avoid '3 scarlet letters' fiasco HAHA

[sebseyesandbuckysthighs]

Three Soldiers and a Baby | Part Six

summary: Three handsome bachelors find their day to day operations disrupted when an unexpected new roommate (who comes complete with a diaper and a pacifier) shows up at their doorstep. How will they deal with this new and baffling responsibility without losing their minds or killing each other in the process?

pairings: Bucky x Reader (eventual) featuring Steve Rogers & Sam Wilson

warnings: none

a/n: And here we have part 6! Will the boys find out more about the mystery mama? When will Bucky return from his mission? Who knows! Okay, I know, but you will too soon enough! I appreciate y’all for reading this series and for those of you who have enjoyed it, I hope you like this next part and are excited for what comes next! ❤

*warning to mobile users, the “keep reading” tab may not work so apologies in advance*

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

| previously |

Sam smiled down at his slumbering friend, taking pity on him for having done his fair share of the work with little Ellie. After a handful of seconds he was done taking pity on him, though, and moved to grab Steve by the shoulders and shake him awake.

“Wake your ass up. We’ve still got work to do if this kid is gonna be interrupting our typical daily operations.”

“Thanks, Sam.” Steve said with an unappreciative groan, wiping his hands down his tired face. “Okay, what’s first.”

Sam looked down at his friend then to the cute sleeping baby. He noticed the letter was still open on the coffee table and grabbed it.

“First,” he said. “We gotta find out who the baby mama is and what kind of trouble she’s in.”

———————————————————————

Steve realized it wasn’t going to be easy to find out more about someone who had somehow managed to get into their "highly secured" penthouse level apartment to drop off the baby and then leave without anyone noticing. Though, that didn’t mean he wasn’t going to try. He was a persistent bastard. 

“Alright, what do we know about her?” Sam asked, pacing the living room space as Steve remained seated on the recliner. “What’s her name again?”

“It’s Ellie.” Steve said obnoxiously, as though it shouldn’t even be a question at this point. Sam stopped moving and looked to his friend incredulously.

“Not the kid, Steve. The woman! What’s the name of the woman in the letter. Pay attention, man!” 

“Oh. Right,” Steve mumbled, a light dusting of pink now covering his cheeks. He knew this would be hard, but he wasn’t expecting to be wiped out this early in the game. In his defense, he thought, it had been a long day. Reaching for the letter slowly so as not to wake the sleeping child, Steve read over it again one more time, just for good measure. This time paying a little more attention to the name signed at the bottom of the page. It was a name Steve couldn’t place no matter how much he tried or how far he looked back in his memory. He spoke your name aloud to Sam to see if maybe he would know. At first, Sam was just as confused as he was. The name didn’t seem to ring any bells for him either.

“Wait!” Sam exclaimed suddenly, and admittedly, startling poor Steve. “That’s it!”

Before Steve could question him or scold him for being loud enough to wake the baby, Sam was off running towards the hallway where their bedrooms were. At this point Steve had risen to his feet as well. His first instinct was to go and follow Sam wherever he went in a rush, but with Ellie sleeping mere feet away, Steve’s more acute instincts told him it would be better to wait here. He just didn’t want to leave her alone.

“Sam!” Steve called out in the loudest whisper he would dare. It was a miracle Sam’s outburst didn’t cause Ellie to stir and Steve wasn’t about to risk it a second time. After an eternity, that really only lasted three minutes, Sam came back and he wasn’t empty handed. It took a moment to process what he was holding and when the realization hit him, Steve was horrified.

“Those are Bucky’s journals!” he said in the same whisper-yell as before. “What the hell do you think you’re doing, Sam? How did you even find those?”

Sam waved him off without looking away from the pages he was turning. “I saw him hiding them one day and I tucked that little bit of information away for a rainy day. Today, my friend, is that rainy day.”

Steve looked out the windows and frowned. “But it’s perfectly sunny outside.”

Sam rolled his eyes and growled. “Metaphorically, Cap. I meant that metaphorically. What’s the matter with you?”

Steve blushed again. He was really off his game right now. “Whatever. You know Bucky’s gonna kill you when he finds out you read his stuff.”

“He’s not gonna do a damn thing.” Sam stopped reading to look at Steve with a serious expression. “Not after we’re cleaning up his mess. Besides,” Sam said quietly, “I’m gonna be the one to kill him first for getting us mixed up in this situation in the first place.” 

Of course, Steve had heard that last part, but now wasn’t the time to argue as he watched Sam look through the notebooks in his hands. The front covers were titled with dates from when he started the notebook to when he finished it. From where Steve was standing he could make out that these books were all from the beginning of the year before and some time before that. After some quick calculations in his mind, Steve realized that that was around the time that Bucky was seeing that mystery girl. It didn’t take a genius to realize that she was the mother of Ellie.

“No wonder he was so busy last year,” Steve said, looking down at the sleeping baby girl. It was still a wonder to him that his best friend was together with a woman for so long and together they had a baby he didn’t even know about yet. 

Sam’s scoff brought his attention back to the man and the journals. “Oh he got busy alright.”

“Sam, please.” Steve was tired enough as it was, he didn’t need Sam’s lude comments. “Just tell me what you can find out from that.” 

“You mean from this chicken scratch that Barnes considers penmanship?” Sam asked mockingly before turning back to the pages and skimming through the words as best he could. “Well it looks like Barnes got some ‘splaining to do.” Sam passed the notebook over to Steve and pointed to a specific passage.

“Shit,” Steve swore. “No wonder he wouldn’t introduce her to us. They were never supposed to be involved in the first place,” he said gravelly. 

It all started to click in Steve’s mind now, even the name of the woman from the note. She was a civilian from a past mission they all went on together. She was a hostage taken by agents of A.I.M. and used to negotiate with. She ended up taking out the agent holding her for ransom all by herself, not having taken too kindly to being manhandled and used. She even placed a good few swift kicks to that agents groin for good measure. It started to make sense now as to why Bucky stuck around back then to take her in for medical care and incident debriefing afterwards.

Steve kept flipping through the pages of the notebook and found dozens of sketches, all of the same face. First it had freaked him out to realize that his best friend had quite the secret artistic talent. Second was that with this little portrait Steve was instantly able to confirm that the face on the page, the name on the note, all belonged to one woman. The same woman from that mission and the mother of Bucky Barnes’ baby. You. 

Being a victim from a past mission complicated things for his best friend, though. There was to be no fraternization between victims and SHIELD agents or Avengers. It was a little bewildering that Steve didn’t pick up on it sooner with the way Bucky had been acting last year. They knew that he was seeing someone, he had confirmed only that much, but they never thought it strange that Bucky never really left the apartment in order to actually meet anyone new. The only time he would ever interact with anyone aside from their teammates and friends was when they were out on missions saving people. That paired with the fact that he was so keen on finding out about the girl who saved herself and if she would be okay being briefed by just any other agent. Steve now remembered that Bucky had even volunteered to do the briefing himself and that they had talked for hours.

“Can’t believe we didn’t notice it back then. He never stuck around for that stuff.” Sam realized.

“I guess so. Dammit.” Steve muttered under his breath. “No wonder he wouldn't introduce us to her. They were never supposed to be involved in the first place.”

As the day went on, Ellie would wake up from her naps only to be fed and to be changed. It wasn’t easy, but both men found themselves falling easily into a routine as the sun went down.

“So this is for real then?” Sam said just as they put Ellie to sleep in her bassinet for hopefully the last time before morning. “This is really happening?”

“Looks that way, pal,” Steve confirmed. “I don’t think anyone is coming to get this little girl.”

Sam nodded solemnly, the full gravity of the situation still bearing it’s burden down on him. “We gotta tell someone, man. We can’t do this ourselves.”

He didn’t even consider thinking about it, Steve was not about to risk anyone else getting involved with this. “We can’t Sam. This is on us. At least for now. When Bucky gets back–”

“He’s a dead man?” Sam interrupted.

“Among other things, yeah pretty much.”

———————————————————————

Feedback is always appreciated, leave it here!

———————————————————————

part five << part six >> part seven

———————————————————————

Series Masterlist

Full Masterlist

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tags:

@avengerofyourheart | @aboveordinarymusicgal | @absolukeyrh | @abswritesfandoms | @ashlieadelia | @a-timeheist | @avengersbabe13 | @avengerskeeper | @buckys-other-punk | @captainwinterfalcon | @crazinessgraveyardsandcartoons | @curvybihufflepuff | @depressedpolishgirl | @desigirlworld | @divinediego | @dumblani | @fab-notfat | @feelmyroarrrr | @hiken-no-stark | @hv-chw3 | @igotkatiepowers | @izzys-addiction-for-fiction | @jesusbriskets | @kindnesswins | @kingcarterprince | @lil-stark | @lbouvet | @mcuwillbethedeathofme | @meanerface | @mileysebschmidt | @miss2001babe | @mizzzpink | @rachelle-on-the-run | @rainbowkisses31 | @redqueen1221 | @rraise-a-glass-to-freedom | @rumoured-whispers | @sassylittlesamoan | @scarlettsoldier | @sexyvixen7 | @sgtbxckybxrnes | @supernatural-fan-from-lithuania | @sunmoonandbucky | @tanelle83 | @thefridgeismybestie | @this-is-mycrisis | @unlikelygalaxygiver | @verymuchclosetedfangirl | @xxloki81xx | @yallneedtrek | @yknott81 | @yourpotatotwiceremooved | @3dsaunt

#bucky x reader #bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes #steve rogers #sam wilson #bucky barnes fanfiction #avengers fanfiction #three soldiers and a baby #my writing

[pjm-com]

Strictly Business

pairing - Accountant!Jin x FBI Agent! Reader genre - smut warnings/tags - alcohol & drinking, strangers fucking, murder case mention, light spanking, cumming twice, oral sex (m. receiving), dirty talk, name calling, Jin throwing away his money summary - you and your boys had just cracked a month long murder case, and you find yourself celebrating at your local bar in which you say ‘fuck it’ and let a stranger take you home.

...

You slammed a drink, telling the waiter to bring you another as Yoongi laughed at your side. You usually never drank like this, especially not at this rate and you were honestly even surprising yourself. You did not care one bit. You had just solved a huge murder case that you had been working on for maybe the last few months, and the weight of all the files you had kept in your house was finally off your mind, so in essence, that means you were going to get wasted.

“You better slow down, Y/N before you barf over the bar.”

You groan as you punch him in his arm, throwing your badge onto the counter. “When have I ever barfed due to alcohol?”

“Our freshman year in college.” Right. You push that bile-filled night out of your mind, turning in your seat to watch Joon and Hoseok rap on the stage during karaoke. As much as they were just joking, they had really good voices and you had no idea why they wasted their talents and came to work for you under the FBI. Why the hell were you complaining? They were the best two agents under your group, and they’d be taken off your squad over your dead body. Slamming another shot, you exhale lightly and watch the crowd before a tall young man joins you at the bar. You almost didn’t notice him, but he slipped the waitress his card and told her to put your drinks on his tab. Your eyes are widened, as you snap your head in his direction.

“You didn’t have to do that,” you hummed softly, smiling. “I’m not broke.” You of course didn’t mind, and he could tell since he smiled back at you and ordered you another round.

“I know, but pretty girls like you shouldn’t have to pay for their drinks.. plus I’m whipped for a woman in uniform.” That has you laughing, cheeks red as you rolled your eyes playfully and slap his bicep softly. “Jin.” He introduces himself with charm and formality and at this point, you don’t care if he is trying to take you home. You had a thing for gentlemen.

“Oh this?” You laugh embarrassedly, your black button down shirt that’s tucked into your work pants. You were confused at first but then you remembered that you had the top few buttons down on your shirt, giving him a clear shot of your cleavage. “Yeah, I’m an agent for the FBI. I’m Y/N.” He smiles at your answer, drinking his beer slowly as you sipped on some fruity drink Yoongi recommended since you weren’t paying attention when she asked what you wanted.

“Really? I assumed cop, but an agent makes it even more sexy. What are you doing here alone?” He asks, and you move your shoulders gently, biting your lip. You’ve had boyfriends in the past, hookups even. None of them have ever been this smooth, and honestly you’re grateful. It’s always been ‘what you see is what you get’, but you’ve made an assumption that he is way more.

Before you space off too much, you decide to play coy right back, finger swirling around the rim of your drink. “Well, I usually don’t go looking for guys and hope they come to me. Being an FBI agent is tedious work.” And it was. Your last boyfriend, Taehyung, was mad cause you didn’t really have enough time for him. Sure, you felt bad but you had spent day and night working on certain cases, so your hands were tied. “Guess I’m waiting for someone to impress me?” The leg you have that’s crossed over your thigh moves slowly to rub the heel of your shoe up his leg, a curious grin playing on your lips.

“Hmm, lucky for me, no one has succeeded.” His lips say innocent, but his eyes are telling you a whole different story, maybe one that’s starting to excite your nerves. You nod in agreement, seeming to scoot closer to Jin as you sigh. “That must mean they’re either boring you, or not fucking you properly. I can do both, so take your pick.” That sentence has you panting a little harder than normal, a small sigh coming from your lips.

“I think I’ll be the judge of that.” That sentence was either life or death in your book, and thankfully Jin gave you life as he told the lady to close his tab and asked you if you wanted to order anything else. Shaking your head, he moves with a smile that could make you fall in love had he pulled the right strings tonight, before informing you he’s going to the bathroom.

“Don’t leave without me. Wanna show you a good time,” He whispers and you’re rooted to your seat. How the hell could you leave when this very well be the best night of your life. With him walking towards the restroom, you turn to Yoongi who has a grin that faintly resembles the devil.

“What?” You groan in frustration.

He laughs, shaking his head with his hands in mock surrender. “Nothing nothing! I’m proud of you, really. I don’t know when the last time you got laid was.” Punching his arm with a hiss, you flip him off in the prettiest way possible before Jin is behind you, hand on your lower back. “Call me if he’s a psycho or some Christian Grey sex freak.” You nodded in acknowledgement before holding onto Jin’s arm out of the bar. Luckily Yoongi drove you here so you didn’t have to worry about your car, but getting into Jin’s convertible was maybe the best decision you’ve made so far. Sitting on the leather seat, you thank him as he shuts the door after you before getting in on the driver side and starting the engine.  

“So.. what do you do?” You ask softly, trying to make small talk as he drives towards his house.

“Well.. I work in accounting,” he laughs, giving you a side eye. “Boring, but it pays good and I enjoy what I do.” You hum in response, head tilted in thought as you think.

“No, I like it. It might sound boring, but I enjoy men who are smart.. I think it’s sexy.” Your cheeks are red as you guys pull into driveway, hearing him kill the engine before stepping out. Your heels are clicking on the ground in time with his steps, eyes on his back as you're led to his front door. Damn he has some wide shoulders. “I love the color of your house, it looks good.” You say dryly like a fucking idiot, and you’re hoping he doesn’t tell your sorry ass to go home but the moment you’re inside and the door is shut, your back is flush against the wood. His lips are on you in an instant and you barely have time to breathe before he pounces, but you were so wound up from work, you didn’t care. Your hands were in his hair, tugging gently at the raven strands in between your fingers. It’s soft like he had conditioned it five times a day, and the sounds he makes when you pull on it are heavenly. His body is up against yours, hands on your waist which is giving him the option to grind his cock into you way easier.

“Fuck,” you whine the first chance you get to breathe air, Jin giving you a break as he works on your neck. In a million years, you never thought you’d be turned on from someone dragging their tongue slowly up your neck, but your thighs were pushing together impatiently. “Eager huh?” You laughed breathlessly, his hands grabbing the flesh of your ass roughly before giving it a rough spank that has you gasping.

“The way you looked at me in that bar really did something to me,” he groaned as he hoisted your thighs up around his waist and bringing you to what you assumed would be his bedroom. “I’m usually composed while I’m in public— in general too— but I wanted to fuck you over the bar so badly, right in front of everyone’s eyes. They can watch how easily your pussy gets wet for me.” His words had your eyes rolling in the back of your head as he dropped you on the bed. The way he was talking was not something you were expecting, but fuck it was turning you on.

His gaze runs over your body as you rip your shirt off, the buttons popping out of place before his hands are on you greedily, cupping your boobs in his hands. After flinging your bra to the curb, he follows suit, kneeling in between your legs as he strips off his blazer and his dress shirt. It’s your turn to feel him up, fingernails touching the abs that lie underneath his skin. He smiles down at you, laughing as his thumb presses against your bottom lip and this might’ve been a stretch but you open your mouth and lick the pad of his thumb, eye contact locked down. He almost growls, as he watches you wet his thumb while his other hand undoes the buttons on his pants, fumbling before successfully getting them down to where his dick was now able to be seen underneath his underwear. You were trying to see how big he really was, but his thumb was keeping your head in place until he was satisfied.

“I wanna see what else your pretty little lips can take, baby girl.” He groans out before you’re scrambling onto your knees in front of him. You’re quick to pull his briefs down, eyes bulging out of your head at the sight of his cock. It’s long which has your throat screaming for mercy, but thick which makes you want him to take you right here. Either way, you stick out your tongue in a slow trial lick making it from the base to the head in one swipe. He watches you, chest heaving only a tiny bit as you take him into your mouth.

You do your absolute best, him hitting the back of your throat even though there’s still skin showing. You bob your head slowly at first, hoping you would find the strength to take him deeper but a hand on the back of your head guides you as he bucks his hips into your mouth. Your eyes screw shut in uncomfortable pain, as you look up at him with watery eyes as he grins down at you. “God, look at you,” he moans, voice cracking. His eyes aren’t even open, closed as he’s making your lips raw. “Fucking your throat seemed like— like such a good idea at the club, and it feels just like I imagined it would be.” He’s moaning loudly, and it’s making your stomach twist. You figured he was more on the quiet side but you were in for a rude awakening.

He starts to get sloppy, and you’re relaxing your tongue ready for him to cum before he pulls off your lips with a ‘pop’, eyes lidded. “Get on your knees. Wanna cum inside that tight pussy of yours.” You were fucking whipped as you struggled to kick off your own pants and underwear, assuming position as you waited for him to do something. “Such a pretty ass,” He groans, hand smacking your left cheek. “All fucking mine.” He forgets his fingers, and considering how wet you are, you were more than happy to feel the head of his cock sliding into you. You guys moan in time, your head dropping into the sheets while Jin’s hand smacks your ass one more time once he’s all the way in. You arch your back, whining at the pressure as you push back on his dick, squeezing a moan from him as well.

“God, move,” you demand, hoping he’d just rail you already but he starts out at a slow pace that makes you want to slap him in frustration. He clicks his tongue, but you’re not having it. “Fuck me already!”

He pulls out of you and slams back in with force that screws your eyes inward, a guttural moan being ripped from your lungs as you fist the sheets. “Like that?” He growls, hands on the headboard as he fucks into you, cock hitting that one spot making you cry out. “Is that what my greedy slut wants?” You’re already too fucked out to comment on the name-calling, but if anything it’s making your body heat up even more. Your hands reach around and spread your ass so he can fuck deeper inside you, and you almost want to laugh at the thought that you’re literally face down in his mattress, but your knees giving out is a more pressing issue. Your stomach is burning, the familiar feeling of an orgasm sneaking up on you, and with one smack to your clit, you’re coming on his cock.

Crying into the sheets, he laughs against your spine where he’s currently pressing kisses, fucking you through your high before you speak. “Someone is a little wound up, yeah?” He challenges, holding your hips in place as he fucks you like he hates your guts. He gets a hand fisted in your hair, pulling your head back. He props his leg up on the bed, giving him more strength to fuck your body outline into his sheets but even then you’re feel your second high as you clench on his cock. He groans in response, a slap to the ass as you cry out again. “Mm god I’m gonna cum soon, fill up your cunt.. want it dripping when I’m done.” You nod as a weak response and right before you know it, you’re coming for a second time whining into the sheets. Jin’s thrusts become erratic as he’s fucking you, and it’s not too long until you feel him releasing inside you, his moans filling the room.

“Holy fucking shit,” you whine as he pulls out of you, and flops right down on the space next to you panting. He turns your head a little, kissing your lip softly before smiling. “What?” You laugh, turning on your side.

“Nothing, it’s just… usually I’m all for soft lazy sex or sex that isn’t so rough but god Y/N, you do things to me..” He admits and you bite your lip before resting your head on his chest.

“Well, that was fucking amazing,” you stop to laugh, Jin chuckling along with you. Even his laugh is adorable. “But, if you’re interested in showing me more in the future, then I hope you’re gonna at least put your name in my phone!” You laugh and he’s rolling his eyes, tongue peeking playfully from his lips.

“Could I also use that number for a date, too?”

A smooth man indeed, and who were you to say no?

#bts #bts smut #bangtan sonyeondan #kim seokjin x reader #kim seokjin smut #kim namjoon #kim seokjin #min yoongi #jung hoseok #park jimin smut #kim taehyung #jeon jungkook

[sweetdejun]

coterie: the mini rubik’s cube (2/2)

gang!x1 x fem!reader

synopsis: you’re an ordinary girl, with an ordinary life. but what happens when you catch the gang that is famous for keeping their deeds under the table, in action?

coterie’s masterlist can be found here

pairing: kim wooseok and y/n

a/n: brief mentions of bullying, cursing, and an overall emotional rollercoaster. it’s good to be back :))

so within the next few weeks, wooseok got a new desktop mailed in along with a second swivel chair. you distinctly remember wooseok calling you over to the room, and when you stood at the doorway, he sent a broad smile your way before pushing a cardboard box over to you. “what’s this?” “oh, it’s your swivel chair that you’re going to put together.” you scoffed, “what, you’re just gonna watch me?” “not really,” he motioned his head towards the desktop. “I'm gonna set this up for you, so have fun doing that!” he handed you the toolbox and gave you one last thumbs-up before turning around to your computer. huffing, a strand of hair flew in front of your face as you sat cross-legged in front of the box and eventually assembled your new chair. the only sounds that were heard in the room were wooseok’s fast typing and your small sighs as you’d exhale after putting together one piece at a time. so naturally, to get rid of the silent and awkward air surrounding the two of you, you started the conversation. “so, I was wondering, how did you get all that information on me? like where I went to school, and what my schedule and stuff were like?” wooseok’s typing speed didn’t seize but he continued, “I’m a hacker, that’s what I do.” you snorted at his comment, and this caused him to turn his head around fully to face you. “what’s so funny?” “you sound like the guy from agent cody banks, bro,” you guffawed and shook your head. wooseok just blinked back at you. “who?” this caused you to put down the wheel and screwdriver. you looked up at him, your jaw dropped. “what? you’ve never seen that movie before? alright, wooseok, the first assignment from me to you: we have to have you watch agent cody banks. it’s a classic movie.” you started telling wooseok all about your love for movies, and how you grew up watching some of the films your parents found to be iconic and then movies that were iconic in your generation. you seemed to be so lost in your own little world, that you didn’t notice wooseok was now finished setting up what he needed to and was not diligently listening to you, watching the small twinge in your eyes only grow brighter as you progressed further. “oh, sorry, I didn’t mean to bore you or anything. movies just get me so riled up,” “no, I didn’t mind it or anything.” you were caught off guard by the tone in his voice. “you know, you’re different now than what you were two weeks ago. I was scared to even talk to you,” you mumbled the last part to yourself, hoping he wouldn’t hear but alas, a bitter smile made its way onto wooseok’s face, “yeah, well I haven’t had the best experiences with people, in general.” you did get him to watch cody banks later that night though, which he enjoyed (you thought you saw him smile).

that was one of the few non-work-related conversations you’d had with him. well, if you count work as wooseok walking you through the programs, and file systems, then yeah. but you hadn’t gotten your first real assignment until a few days later. it was three in the morning and you were sleeping soundly when you heard rapping against your door. you groggily opened your eyes, sight still blurry from sleep and you staggered out of bed, the corner of the bed bumping you just above the knee. “ah, fuck,” you mutter, rubbing the inflicted area as you continue to the door. you open the door, and squint, making out wooseok standing there, chest heaving. “what in the world?” wooseok enters your room, pushing you to the side. “may I ask what you’re doing in here, at 3 AM?” “I’ve got your first assignment, and we need this done as soon as possible.” it took you some time to comprehend his words. “wait,” you start, “you want us to start on this now?” wooseok nodded as if it was obvious. if your eyes didn’t shoot open before, they were now. “so hurry up, come out and into the computer room, I’ll give you the details there.” “can I at least bring a coffee with me?” for a second, wooseok squinted, then grunted, “fine,” before walking out of your room, leaving the door ajar. “uh, thanks for closing the door,” you grumbled, before changing out of your pajamas and fixing your appearance a bit. you went into the kitchen and began making your coffee (you only got around halfway through, though, because soonja came into the kitchen, helping you make your coffee. you thanked her and insisted she go back to sleep, but she refused until the coffee mug was in your hands.) slowly, you walked to the room with steady steps, and knocked with your other hand. seconds later, the door gently swung open and you made your way to your chair, silently praying that it wouldn’t fall apart then and there (it didn’t). after taking a swig of your coffee, you set it down and pivot your seat to face wooseok, and before you can ask him anything, he starts, “seungwoo needs some details on the military leaders, because he’s about to send dongpyo to one of their bases and we need all the information we can possibly get.” then he jotted down a list of things he needed you to get. you scanned the note and it seemed like you only needed to find who this guy was affiliated with, in terms of his friend circles. not bad, you think, before getting to work. so from three to almost five-thirty, you’re hopeless, and although wooseok offered to help, a part of you wanted to do this by yourself. so you refused, to which wooseok nodded, then said, “I’ll be heading to bed, let me know when you’re done.” you mumbled a ‘yep’, then kept going. it’s not like you didn’t know what you were doing, you thought, it’s just slightly more difficult than you perceived it to be. luckily, wooseok left you something similar to a cheat sheet, and you quickly were able to get the information. 

at this point, you were about seventy-five percent done, and just finished research on the military leader’s favorite bar’s owner, when something striked you as interesting. the bar owner was from the same high school as jinhyuk. lee jinhyuk; the guy who got you into this whole thing. after jotting that information down, you couldn’t help but let your curiosity get the best of you, as you clicked on the high school name. loads of records popped up on your screen, from student yearbooks to records on all the staff from the past 10 years and the student incidents and records. you set out to look for jinhyuk’s stuff, again, out of sheer curiosity. only then were you surprised with what you saw on the screen. a picture of jinhyuk, tall and lanky as he still was with his arm hooked around wooseok. he still looks the same, albeit his features have definitely sharpened since and dare you say, he looks much more attractive now. you don’t know if it was from the lack of sleep or the caffeine, but you pieced some things together: jinhyuk did mention to you that he was close with one of the x1 members, and you did ask wooseok how he got the information on you, it’s clear that jinhyuk and wooseok are still quite close and they probably share everything with each other. your curiosity sunk into you further, and then you went back to the database before searching up wooseok’s name under the high school. the first thing you saw made your heart stop; it was an article labeled, “student runs away from school after severe bullying”, and reading it, you learned that around five or six years ago, wooseok had transferred midway through his senior year to this high school, for “personal reasons”, and people had called him a freak and had bullied him, pulling all sorts of stunts on him. one day he just ran away from school. as you read the finishing sentence of the article, your eyes started to sting and you couldn’t look at it anymore. you quickly closed the tab, gathered all your information and sent it right away to wooseok, shaky hands hovering over the keyboard. you press enter, clear your throat and whisper ‘going to bed’ because you can’t trust your voice right now, and you hurry on back to your room, where after some difficulty, you’re able to find your languor once more and fall back into a deep slumber. 

when wooseok and you began opening up towards one another, he showed you a different side of himself. he was no longer the asshole you made him out to be when you first met him; rather, he made a complete 360 of his original impression. but now, you understand why that may have been hard for him. your mind wanders off into these thoughts and you don’t notice that wooseok has been calling you for some time. it’s only when he barges into your room, finding you on your bed, eyeing the blank phone screen in front of you. “y/n,” you flinch, and look up to meet wooseok’s concerned gaze. “what’s going on? I’ve been calling you for a while,” you clear your throat and snap your eyes away from his, before saying, “sorry, I was thinking about something, did you need something?” wooseok’s eyebrows furrowed at your sudden movements. why did it seem like you were avoiding him? had he done something wrong? maybe he upset you? these questions began to hiss at his anxious state, that he was holding together in front of you. “uh, I just wanted to make sure you didn’t have any problems last night, looking for the information,” he starts, but you stop him, reassuring him with a smile too wide and a nod too positive, but it’s convincing enough as he nods quietly, before muttering that he’s gonna go, then gently closes your door as he leaves the room. you let go of a breath you didn’t know you were holding and push your hair back with your hands. it’s hard to avoid wooseok ever since you learned of his past; you see him every day, now, because you kinda have to. not that you don’t want to see him because of course, that’s not the case. in fact, you’d say you were growing quite fond of the man for some time now. which is why avoiding him has grown to be such a difficult task for you. but seeing him will only remind you of what he’s been through. you felt guilty for learning all this information without his being aware of it, and it felt like you violated his privacy. and you did, and so whenever you saw him, that guilt went off in your head like an alarm, a reminder.

you were paying the price for your curiosity, so much so that one night, you couldn’t sleep. it was like the guilt was eating you away, so much so that it was now in the way if your everyday life. you kept your conversations with wooseok minimal and silently did as you were told because you were afraid that it would be a matter of sentences before you burst. you grunted, burying your face in your hands as you paced back and forth in your room before you decided to put on your robe and slippers, then headed out to the backyard. the sounds of the cicadas and the stars shining in the sky managed to calm your jittery state, and your breathing relaxed a bit until you heard, “y/n? what are you doing out here?” you turn and lo and behold, by the back door leaned a relaxed wooseok, hands stuffed in his pockets. “couldn’t sleep. I had to clear my head,” you tell him, turning your head back to the sky. his footsteps are approaching closer and the sound of your heartbeat starts to reach your ears. then, his hand rests on your shoulder and you turn slowly to face him. “what’s going on? you’ve been distant for some time, you never talk to me anymore... did I say something?” you shake your head instantly, reassuring him that he didn’t do anything wrong, but then his voice grows louder, “well, why have you not been talking to me then? you’re avoiding me and I don’t even know why!” shocked by the sudden outburst, you don’t realize that tears are welling up in your eyes and wooseok’s widen. “I-I’m sorry, oh no, no, please don’t cry,” and wooseok, panicked, begins walking backward. enough is enough you think, and you wipe your eyes violently and whisper, “wooseok, sit, I’ll tell you everything.” and so you do. as you tell him the story, you notice the changes on wooseok’s face, this being one of the only times he’s expressed emotions as vividly as he ever did with you. “I didn’t want to say anything because I felt guilty. I felt like I did something I shouldn’t have, and I’m really sorry,” but he cuts you off, emotion thick in his voice, “no, I’m sorry. I get it, you were only curious. I transferred midway through the year because my family was breaking apart. my dad used to gamble, and he gambled away our home. my mom was fed up, so she took me and my younger brother and we ran away from him. I don’t talk about this a lot; in fact, I only told seungwoo about it, but, the reason I left was... was because it was suffocating living like that. wake up in the morning and go to school, only for people to push you around, take your stuff, and then the whole cycle repeats itself. I wasn’t alone, though, because I had jinhyuk. I spoke to him before I left and I told him I would leave, of course; he’s more than a friend, he’s like a brother to me. that’s why he and I are still as close as we were. but anyway, that’s why I have problems when there are circumstances in which my personal space gets violated. I don’t like it when people touch my things, I don’t like it when things aren’t a certain way and seungwoo knew this before he offered me this position.

“I get it, you were only curious, that’s why you made the decisions that you did. thank you for telling me, I thought I had done something to make you upset, and so I felt .” wooseok finished, looking up to see you silently crying. his hands reach up and wipe your tears, and you choke back a sob. “why are you crying?” “because you didn’t deserve any of that, you have such a good heart, wooseok. you are such a good person and it’s upsetting to know what you went through.” then you wrapped your arms around him, tucking your face into his neck. at first, wooseok doesn’t know what to do, body freezing at your sudden action, but then he slowly melts into your embrace and reciprocates it. after you calm down a bit, you push away from his embrace, bashfully gazing to the ground. “I’m sorry about that, I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable or anything,” and wooseok smiles at your cute form. “y/n,” you look up at him through your lashes and see the grin on his mouth and wow, you didn’t think he could get more attractive. “I like you.” and although a pink hue settles on his ears, he continues, “at first I was upset you picked me. I thought I would teach you stuff, and you would just mess things up all the time, and I would have to correct your mistakes, but you proved me wrong. you’re one smart and kind young woman and I’ve had the honor and privilege to work with you. but with time, your quirks and habits grew on me, and well, so did you. so tell me, will you go out with me?” your heartbeat picks up its pace again and leaning in, you plant a small peck on his lips, and before you can pull away, wooseok’s arms wrap around your frame, pulling you in and deepening the kiss. then wooseok pulls back, cupping your face in his palm to lock his eyes with your own. “yes, kim wooseok, I’d like that very much.” and it is safe to say that since that night, you’ve experienced nothing but beautiful, radiant days, and peaceful, serene nights.

a/n: ahhh that’s over! thanks for waiting, I hope you guys liked it! this was written after my midterms so some parts of the storyline may seem a bit wonky, just fyi, but that’s all for wooseok. now, who do we want to see next? did you think it was going to be wooseok? if not, who did you associate with the mini rubik’s cube? comment down below <3

#kim wooseok #wooseok fluff #kim wooseok fluff #x1 wooseok #wooseok #kim wooseok angst #x1 series #x1 #X1 aus #x1 au #x1 angst #x1 writings #coterie #coterie by sweetdejun #sweetdejun #비상: QUANTUM LEAP #x1 quantum leap #quantum leap au #quantum leap #kpop angst #kpop writing #kpop fluff #kpop #kpop aus #kpop au #kpop series

[lavenderhyrdrangea]

Blind

Hey! This is a chapter from my fallout 3 long fic.  If you prefer to read it over on Ao3 click here.  If not then enjoy!

 At the age of twelve, Viola was convinced  that the concept of The Vault was irony personified..bunkerfied? From the point of design the vault was sterile and colorless—meant  to prioritize  order--but it cradled thousands in its womb, away from the dangers of the outside world. Her father joked that they needed  the rigid structure  since it served as a  proper protection. Had it been made of  hay or sticks they would’ve crumbled. Plus, he pointed out that she was at the cusp between childhood and adolescence where everything safe seemed plain and boring. At least she  had the vault baseball games every Friday if she  ever felt starved for excitement. Now those were a welcome bursts of color. Nothing could beat two co-op teams running, sliding and shouting across the field, claiming bases.Not even that one freaky Friday when an imposter snatched up and replaced Amata could.

They waited in the girl’s locker room, preparing for the game. Viola tested the swing of  the steel bat between her palms.

“Wood’s better,” she murmured to herself.

Even a total newbie would’ve rolled their eyes at that bright observation but the quiet had to be filled somehow. Between swats, She snuck sidelong glances towards Amata who sat on a bench, baseball clutched in hand and eyes peering at it.

Finally Viola cracked, “You’re suppose to throw it.”

Reluctantly, Amata let go of her fascination with the ball. The room with all its rickety, gray lockers suddenly existed and she’d been  plopped there.

“It would help if I had a target. Any suggestions?” She asked behind a paper-thin smile.

With her bat now slung over her shoulder and leg stretched to  rest  her foot on the bench, Viola pointed.

“Good question! The right question actually. Follow me. Let me know if you get lost.” She cleared her throat. “ One hour into the future. We’re in uniform and the doors to both locker rooms are open. Mr. Botch is standing in the center of the atrium. You know putting the teams together and pouring out  rules and stuff then he asks the BIG question. Who  pitches and who bats? Who does it first anyway. Some greasy  moron with a dumb little accent goes, ‘Yo teach I think I can handle the throwing.’ You grip the ball harder and think, Oh yeah? And-”

Her bat dropped with thunk as she sprang into a  windup position.

She raised her leg, using her knee to lead the way, drove into a turn and sent the imaginary ball flying.  Adrenaline switched on, she dashed crosswise to fill the role of the ‘victim’. She pressed her fingers together and tapped them to her lips and spread them with an obnoxious pop.

“How’s that for right in the kisser?”

Amata flashed a genuine smirk now. Elation eased its way into the room. She seemed to take a step away from her previous contemplations. “You know he’ll just tear after us. Or try. Mr. Botch is fast.” She crossed her eyes and shook her head side to side. “ ‘You’re done for, Nosebleed.’ ”

“Oh, that’ll be great. He’ll run his mouth something fierce like he always does.”Viola said, settling onto the floor. “How do you think Paul deals with it?”

“ Are you kidding? He gobbles up everything that bully says. He’s not bothered.  Now if we’re talking about Wally...”

Viola was ready to list the many reasons why she felt not one iota of sorrow for Wally when an unbidden yet hilarious thought crossed her mind.

“Imagine if the world hated us and Butch was our friend?”

This earned her a nose crinkle.

“Not funny,” Amata groaned.

Viola, puffed chest and squared shoulders, drawled in Butch fashion, “ ‘What’s the matter with you? Daddy’s making you play ball like everyone else? Or can’t you take one of my jokes? You big baby.’ “

Amata shook her head. “I can’t believe he calls what he does jokes.”

Viola watched how Amata alternated from pressing her palms  together to wringing her hands. Her sanguine nature  was beginning to fade, acquiescing  to  her hidden thoughts.

Viola covered one of Amata’s wrist with a reassuring hand. “I mean it, you know? A busted lip is the least he deserves.”

“Sometimes I wish I could solve all my problems by just hitting them.” She shifted uncomfortably under Viola’s questioning eye. “Sorry, for sounding like freaking lunkhead.”

“Who or whatever this problem is must be wearing you thin.”

On the spot, she peeped, “ You peek at the  things your dad has on his private terminal every once in a while, right?”

“Whatever isn’t behind an administrator’s password.” Viola couldn’t begin to go over the number of times she goofed  around with some of her dad’s files.  Most of them were the Vault residents’ boring and if she was being honest, invasive, medical information. “Why?” Then it hit her. She rolled her eyes. “So you went to your dad’s super secret room and went through his stuff. Seriously, Amata? It happens to the best of us.”

“That not it.” Amata took a deep breath, bracing herself. Even still she faltered when she said, “ I found baseball scores.” Before Viola could cudgel her way through the rest of the conversation with her trusty club, Sarcasm, Amata  babbled on. “I thought they were the normal ones from our games but these were... copies? Duplicates? No, that’s not right. The first time I looked at them they were the same and the second--Amata sighed. “Ms. Armstrong. Her thing with cards: cups, swords, and moons or whatever. You remember, don’t you?”

Amata’s explanation for what the heck that had to do with anything was delivered on shaky breath. The way she told it these scoreboard duplicates—shadowboards she aptly called them—elaborated on the usual stats to form estimations of  people’s personalities. Amata noted  that they followed Ms. Armstrong’s tarot model.  She’d draw up a number of cards, place them side by side, and read them to read you. She’d see  a cup card  and a sword card say it meant all you’ve ever fought would go pouring down a drain.  In the same way a stat like multiple home runs would be taken into consideration alongside a players day to day antics, so the conclusion that, perhaps, they enjoyed  taking things head on or that they were one and done type of person or that they were overachievers could be made.  

Much of  what she said seemed to be hastily patched together hodgepodge but it  meshed just enough to  take off running in Viola’s mind.

“What’s it all for exactly? Ms. Armstrong does it because she wants to ‘get’ people.”

“That’s the problem. I don’t know.”

Amata became scarce the following weeks. Whatever  spaces  in-between where they would talk  was often obscured by her aloof attitude. All their conversations made Viola felt like they were speaking to each other through a tiny hole in the wall. To add to everything,  her own newfound  curiosity about what was on that terminal lead her down paths made out of paranoia. She’d go back and forth with herself. In one minute she didn’t care if the Overseer kept tabs on them. It wasn’t any different than a manager watching over an employee. Dad made sure Jonas was doing his due diligence all the time. Then, in the next, the objections would spring out. Jonas to some extent knew what dad was doing.  Amata’s uneasiness made the situation out like the Overseer’s “notes” were supposed to be a secret. Secrets weren’t always bad. An Overseer’s kept secrets however spelled trouble.

“Hey.” A grating voice called, causing her to snap to attention.”Nosebleed. I’m talking here.”

Right. Deloria. Cafeteria. Trying to pilfer her food.

“Gimme your mash,” he demanded.

“Get your own instead of trying to mooch off me.”

“Don’t give me lip. Fork them over.”

Viola sighed and shoved the bowl his way.  She couldn’t muster the appetite to finish the by then cold meal anyway or the tic for tac energy to deal with his antics.

He gave the surrendered food a suspicious look over.  “I swear if you spat in this I’m going to sock you one good.”

“I would’ve done it in front of you. What’s with the funny talk?”

“A loser like you wouldn’t understand.” He shoveled  spoonfuls of mash down his gullet. “Where’s your girlfriend?” he sneered, white chunks clinging to the corner of this mouth.

“More like where’s yours. Having another fight I see. Tell me, who started it? You or Wally?”

He gritted his teeth.  No doubt he thought that would make her flinch back in fear but with his cheeks  full and puffed up with food, he looked like a baby throwing a tantrum. Fitting. “ You're lucky the rest of the outfit isn’t here. We’d clobber you.”

“Awwwww, you guys made up then?” She smirked.

For a split second, Butch’s fist clenched then slackened.

“Nothing but trouble and not the good kind either. You and that stick in the mud. Can’t believe I got to apologize or whatever.”

“Apologize?” Viola narrowed his eyes. “What did you do this time? And got to? Tell me who’s making you apologize so I can give them a hug.”

“Who do you think?” He angled his head towards the cafeteria doorway where Officer Gomez and Officer  Hannon stood. “Dogs ma calls ‘em. The Overseer has them stuck to me over some prank. I saw Amata hanging out with out  with Old Lady Palmer. I figured since he likes hanging with old people that she’d want to fit in. Two Words: Flour bomb.”

How did he get his hands on flour to do that?

Butch grumbled on about how she went and got her father. The Overseer was livid. Butch’s punishment was to apologize to Amata everyday for two weeks and  work under Grandma Palmer for the same amount of time.

He whispered. “I still win though. Your little friend dropped something.”

Suspicion needled away at her nerves.  She glanced at security.  This was either another prank that would land them both in trouble or something that would make her want to kick his teeth in.

He grinned, all teeth, as he yanked something out from  inside his vault suit pocket.  It left her dumbfounded when  she spotted a jagged piece of paper with scribbles in his palm.  Officer Gomez seemed to watch them intently now. Butch nudged  at her shoulder with his  open hand. She  shook it.

“So, I guess you’re apologizing to me too, huh? Probably just doing it because you’re in trouble.” She said in a level tone.

Butch mumbled under his breath at the notion of an  apology to her as Viola ‘wiped her eyes’.     In the tiniest  and most familiar scribbles the paper read, “Deathclaw.”

“Password?” She mouthed.

His helpful shrug prompted her  to believe  that this wasn’t the best way to communicate. There were napkins around to write on but no pen or pencil. What to do?  The ketchup packets in the condiment bin called to her.  Better than nothing. In poor, tomatoey scrawl she made another attempt.

Password?

Idk. Maybe important.

You know, how?

Butch ripped five napkins from the dispenser.

Secret codes are always important.

Amata’s writing.

Hah! I’m right. It’s important.

As much as she didn’t want to admit it, he was right. Amata was messing around with the Overseer’s terminal and she might not have been sharing the entire truth with her. The Shadowboards had more to them, something pivotal. She needed the info. So she bargained him for it-- His codes for her mash.

Bad deal.

Will get you out of trouble.

Who? You? Amata? No you won’t.

Officer Hannon threw a sweat inducing glare their way. Definitely wasn’t a fan of them using up vault supplies. Propping her arm up like they were arm wrestling, she leaned in for clearer conversation and less waste.  

“Come on, You’re no good with computers.” She whispered.

He gripped her hand.

“Oh, like you are?”

“Better than you.”

Arm already shaking with the force, she tried shoving his hand down.

“I’ll bet.”

“What’s stopping me from running off with this code right now? I’m trying to be nice even though you don’t deserve it.  Repay the favor.”

“I’m nothing but nice so long as I get what I want, Nosebleed.”

He overtook her but  as  what little patience she had sifted between her fingers she regained  strength, bringing them to a  stalemate.

“Just let me have it.” She hissed.

“You think that I’m just some radroach that takes off running when you stomp your feet but you’ll wake up  eventually.  The Butchman is the toughest in the vault.  Either I help or no dice.”

He didn’t sound the same as  he  had seconds prior.  His voice had grown deep and edged with annoyance  and a wisenheimer touch. Familiar and foreign.

“Fine.”

#Fallout 3 #amata almodovar #butch deloria #lone wanderer #vault 101 #vault 106 #My writing

[katarinahime]

Living Together

@sasuhinamonth

“I can’t believe you’re moving in together.” Sakura squealed, her body almost shaking with excitement, rattling the box she was carrying. She stepped in, looking up at the foyer of the house, like she had never been in there before (she had countless times), searching it with new eyes.

Hinata hid her blush by brushing her bangs away, looking down at the ground, holding the front door open for her friend. “I told you, it’s not that big of a deal.”

“Not a big deal?” Sakura scoffed. “Not a big deal! Hinata!” She dropped the box she was carrying down onto the shoe rug with a loud thud.

[[MORE]]

Hinata’s heart dropped, quickly cataloging what could have been in that particular box and if it was breakable. Sakura had been more than helpful with packing and moving all of her things across town, so she really couldn’t complain. Her friend was just… excited.

“It’s such a big deal! How could you down play this? You’re MOVING IN to Sasuke freaking Uchiha’s house!” Sakura’s voice stretched thin near the end of her sentence, not taking a breather break.

“Um, yes. I am.” Hinata replied quietly, trying to pacify and validate Sakura, while simultaneously trying to tone her down. “But, I already stay here a lot...”

“Yeah, sure.” She physically waved her hand around a little, in dismissal. “But, moving in is different. It’s permanent. It’s,” Sakura paused, grabbing onto Hinata’s arm causing her to let go of her grip on the door, letting it shut behind them. Sakura’s green eyes widened. “Commitment.” She whispered the last word with reverence.

The door swung open, knocking Hinata in the back slightly. “Sorry, I was running late. Has Forehead stopped freaking out yet?” Ino strode through the front door, a cup holder with three white coffee cups in her hand.

Without knocking.

Which was normal in Hinata’s old apartment, but she was pretty sure that Sasuke himself would have different feelings on that matter entirely.

Living here would be different. Not just for her, but for her friends as well.

“I wouldn’t be freaking out so much if Hinata was freaking out more.” Sakura argued.

Hinata looked at Ino, lips pulled together in a quiet line, conveying with her eyes only her desperate call for help. Thankfully, Ino had always been basically a mind reader.

“Get moving Forehead. We have a car full of boxes and a cranky Uchiha who gets home at six. Let’s get his girl moved in before he gets home.” Ino snapped her fingers on her free hand, urging Sakura back to action.

“Are you feeling okay, you look a little stressed?” Ino cocked her head to the side, her long blonde bangs swishing around with the movement.

“No, I’m fine.” Hinata nodded, reaching down to pick up the box that Sakura discarded on the ground.

“Are you sure? Not anything you’re stressed about?” Ino smirked, raking her fingers through her bangs, looking past Hinata at the entry way mirror on the wall behind her.

“It’s not going to be a big deal.” Hinata coached herself, more than replied.

“Not a big deal that you have more clothes than a strip mall?” She blinked her blue eyes, waiting for Hinata to reply.

Hinata gulped down her impending fears. “It’s just so clothes. He can’t care that much.”

“He can’t care that much?” She scoffed. “The guy likes to label and color code everything.”

Hinata almost snorted, letting her nose wrinkle in a little smile. She reached up and moved one of the cardboard flaps to peak in on the contents. “He’s not that - particular.” She settled on that word, feeling it was the most favorable for Sasuke.

“Particular. You mean, anal.”

“No.” Hinata frowned.

“I swear the guy thinks his house is a freaking museum. ‘Don’t touch that.’ ‘You got finger prints on that.’” Ino narrowed her eyes, lowering her voice, shaking her head like Sasuke.

Hinata decided to ignore the impression entirely. Ino was nosey and grabby. Hinata found her friends quirks endearing, but Sasuke was not so inclined. She couldn’t really blame him. They weren’t his friends.

“He just doesn’t like his stuff bothered.

“Well, you don’t think he’s going to be bothered by stuffing all these clothes into his house?” Ino asked, narrowing her eyes.

That was the real question, wasn’t it. She’d been with Sasuke for awhile. Spent a lot of time with him at his house. But he’d never seen her clothing collection. Had no clue what he was coming home to, after work today.

“No.” She breathed, trying to pep herself back up. “Because he doesn’t think ‘I’m’ a bother.”

“Well, he fucking better not.”

Hinata smiled over to her best friend, before peaking into the box she was holding.

“Pig, you’re not even helping!” Sakura stormed back into the house, another box in hand. “You’re just staring at yourself in the mirror.”

Ino glances away from the mirror, glaring at Sakura. She plucked one of the three coffees from her paper carrier. “Pumpkin spice latte for you Hina.” She waited for Hinata to situate the box back down on the floor. “And a nosey bitch latte for you, Forehead.”

“Better be a skinny, no whip, nosey bitch latte.” Sakura sniffed, also setting down her box to accept the drink.

The girls stood in the entry way for awhile, drinking their coffee, taking it all in.

“So, this is where we’re going to have to come hang out with you.” Sakura frowned.

“Yeah, and when we wanna have boozy brunch, tight ass Uchiha is going to be hovering over us, making sure we don’t drop crumbs or something.” Ino lamented dramatically, swishing her pony tail around.

“He’s such a buzz kill.” Sakura agreed.

Hinata didn’t comment.

Especially because she could still distinctly remember their obsession with Sasuke, before he was her boyfriend. Sakura and Ino gushed for hours about the new hottie in Sakura’s department. Both girls trying endlessly to get his attention, with dresses, “accidental” meetings in the copy room, their offers of showing him around getting turned down.

He didn’t become the grumpy, stick in the mud until he was swept off the market by none other than Hinata herself.

She hadn’t even realized that Sasuke was the guy they were talking about. She accidentally ran into him at a lunch meeting with some higher ups, getting sat next to each other at the table. They made small talk near the end.

A couple days later she ran into him on her floor, and he causally asked her to lunch, at this salad bar restaurant a block away.

She thought it was really cute when he over loaded his salad with tomatoes and before she knew it, she said yes to a next lunch.

And another.

And then, suddenly, they were going on real dates.

By the time her friends found out, she really liked him. Felt like she could be serious about him. So she didn’t really feel like she could back off, even if they liked him first. She didn’t mean any hard feelings towards her friends or anything, she just -

Really really liked him.

He was analytical. Quiet. Observant. Thoughtful. He was really clean, she noticed the first time coming to his place. He was consistently praised at work and put in leadership positions. His work ethic and attention to detail gained him several promotions since she knew him.

Yes, he liked things a certain way.

No, he didn’t like loud, messy women.

Who were her friends.

But he made a point to be very respectful of Hinata’s friendships. Most of the time.

She heard the door click, but also saw both of her friends stop and turn, like dogs pointing. They might’ve said they didn’t have a crush on him anymore, but Hinata knew better. Not that her friends were ever disrespectful to Hinata, they’d never make a move on him.

But the tabs they kept on her boyfriend were bordering on more than just friendly.

He entered the bedroom, tall, straight backed. His relaxed face turned immediately into a frown upon noticing the other women his his bedroom.

Hinata stood up from the floor and her pile of clothes.

“How’s the unpacking going?” He questioned, surveying all of the still unpacked boxes.

He didn’t look at her as she hugged him, his eyes still on the partially unpacked piles on the floor as he kissed the top of her head.

“I thought you’d be done by now. We have dinner reservations.” He reminded her.

Ino and Sakura looked at each other silently before standing up and taking their leave, saying good bye.

The absence of her friends made her even more nervous. Not because she was afraid of Sasuke or anything like that. She would just now have to face the actual music. Explain. The truth.

“Um, I kind of ran out of space.” Hinata’s mouth ran dry.

“What? I gave you half the closet. And your own dresser? How could you run out of space?”

She bit her lip watching him glance around the room. He took a step over to her new dresser, opening up the top drawer.

The entire thing was filled with different kinds of underwear sets. Some lacey. Some frilly. Other comfy and cotton. All of them, folded and matched, crammed in. Dozens and dozens of pairs.

Sasuke stared at it blankly, before looking at her. Not questioning, but completely blank. Like he had absolutely no idea what to think.

Without another word, he shut the drawer, moving onto the next one with quick precision. He found it completely filled with night clothes. Each one, meticulously matched and folded as small as possible. The drawer still filled to the brim. There was no possible way to fit another pair of pajamas in there. Even pulling one out would tug out the others around it, which is exactly what Sasuke did.

He plucked out one of them, that was silk, but still more on the tame side. A petal pink, tank top and shorts set.

“I’ve never seen you wear this.” It was almost an accusation.

Like he was mad she never wore it? Well, they had spent the night together countless times before this. But he had never looked in her drawers or her closet before. Plus, she had so many pajamas, there were some in there she never wore.

He set the pair on top of the dresser, shutting the drawer and moving to the next one. Socks. Maybe fifty pairs of socks, all paired, folded and stuffed in. Wool, no shows, fuzzy. All kinds.

“This is absurd.”

Hinata wrung her fingers together, biting her lip. This was not going well. She didn’t know exactly how springing the news that she was a shopaholic to her boyfriend would go, but -

“I really like clothes.” She finally settled

for.

“You wear the same thing every day.” Sasuke rebutted. Clearly thrown with his findings.

That wasn’t exactly true. She would never wear the same thing every day that’s gross. But maybe she settled for a tame, classic outfit for work.

“They always look so cute one everyone on else. I see them on models, or Instagram, and then I order them. I don’t have credit card debt or anything like that.” She wanted to reassure him. “I love them. But then when I get them...”

How could she explain insecurities to someone like him. A man, first off, who could never understand the intricacies or nuances of being a woman. But a man like him, who was so sure of himself. Confident. Could pull off anything.

“It just never looks the same on me.”

“The closet is full too?” He double checked, looking at all the boxes still on the floor of his bedroom.

She nodded.

This isn’t how this was supposed to go. Moving in together was supposed to be a happy day. They were taking a major step in their relationship.

And she had been lying to him. Lying might’ve been a strong word. Having a lot of clothes didn’t change her as a person. As the person he was in love with.

But he did like things a certain way. Was very clean.

Maybe this is what would be their incompatibility? She desperately hoped not.

Sasuke walked into the closet, staring at her side. This was one of the first times he seemed off kilter. Bewildered.

“Dresses?” He blinked. “You don’t even wear dresses.”

“I still like them.” Just not on herself.

Sasuke reached up, and grabbed a dress off the hanger. It was simple, black, short with spaghetti straps. “You’ve worn this?”

...

More at:

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13353220/1/

#sasuhinamonth2019 #shmonth2019 #sasuhina

[erintoknow]

Cat

Fallen Hero: Rebirth Fanfiction ~ 4.1k words (wtf?) Sidestep-era. No animals harmed. [ao3]

–––

It started with a soft sound at the door Friday night. November, and it’s finally starting to get cold at night. Close the eyes, get a feel, try not to let your heart get away from you. This house is abandoned, boarded up –mostly– there shouldn’t be anyone else here. The traps you’ve set out ought to dissuade any like-minded lookers, too many close calls in the past year.

Can still remember the hands. Should have broken more than a nose.

But no – focus. A soft sound, something scratching at the door. Not human. Good? Bad? Animal. Probably harmless? But then what about that goat? …You don’t think it’s a goat. One day you’ll ‘forget’ to turn in your gun back to the Ranger’s armory, and you’ll instantly feel a 100% more safe.

Human or not, first priority is to make sure you’re fully dressed, shirt pulled down, tights and shorts haven’t suddenly vanished. Even without a light, nothing’s truly dark in this city. Ground light always. Grab your knife, hold it ready. You take up position to the side of the door, holding your breath as you slowly turn the knob, crack it open.

It happens before you realize what’s happening.

Something small squeezes through the door before it’s even an eighth of the way open. Rubs it’s side up against your leg, and you almost drop the knife. “Oh.” You laugh, tension draining out of you. “It’s– It’s just a cat.”

The cat purrs, that weird vibrating not-noise. Just a cat. You’re fine. You’re safe, or – no, not safe, how did a cat get in here? Then you remember, the other bedroom on the second floor; the broken window by the tree.

Huh.

Alright.

Well, you can board that up, or cut back the branch maybe. You slide down against the wall, run your hand through its fur. Thanks cat.

Saturday evening, you come back to the room and the cat is sitting on the bed. Ears alert, eyes immediately zeroing in on you as you open the door. “Uh… h–h–hi?” The cat makes a chirping noise and leaps off the bed. You’re still a little buzzed from drinking with Ortega. Voice a little sore. Can feel yourself coming off the adrenaline high hard. Can’t believe you did that. What on earth where you thinking? But.. Ortega needed… you don’t know. She needed something, hopefully tonight had been an acceptable substitute. Not knowing what she’s thinking means you have to work so much harder; really pay attention. Are you guessing right? How do you check your work on something like that?

You unsling the bass guitar, prop it up against the dresser, drop your backpack on the floor next to it. The cat keeps rubbing against your leg, making its little purring noises.

Should you… should you feed it? What do cats eat? Tuna fish or something, right? You’ll figure it out later. It’s not like you have any food on you right now, and you’re tired, and not thinking straight. Flop on to your bed, face-first into the pillow. Before you can roll over, there’s a noise and then four little paw-fulls of knives land on your back. The cat settles into place, sitting on the small of your back.

Guess this is your life now.

–––

You’ve been at this house for a coming on half a year now, and it’s past time you pack your things and find a new place to squat. You’ve spied a couple suits poking around now. The hack job you did hooking back up the water and power wasn’t going to go unnoticed forever. You knew that.

Would have been nice to have had more time.

Cat chirps insistently at you, rubbing your leg. You wince. “R–right. Sorry, Cat.” You stop rolling up clothes and dig out a can of cat food from a side pocket in your backpack. Pull the tab back, then it’s grabbing Cat’s dish bowl and tapping the contents out.

Cat stares up at you expectantly the whole time. Once the bowl is back on the ground, they chirp again and lick the food, once, twice, before wandering away. You shake your head and go back to folding clothes. Cat will come back when they’re good and ready.

You already scoped out a new place this morning. You should be all set to move in. Except–

Cat is back, they’ve decided they’re hungry after all.

–You hadn’t really planned on it but… you’ve gotten used to having Cat around. Days where they don’t show always end up leaving you a little tense. Not that Cat can’t handle themself but…

When you’re all packed and Cat is done eating, you sling your backpack and guitar over your arms. Adjust to make sure nothing’ll slip and then scoop up Cat before they wander too far away. “Alright you,” You hoist Cat up, press them close to your chest. “H–how do you feel about new digs?”

–––

A month later and you’re at her apartment. Ortega is trying to teach you how to make ‘real’ salsa when the call comes over the phone, slicing the conversation in half. Catastrofiend.

“Shit.” You hiss, putting the knife down.

Ortega gives you a grim look, as she hangs up. “So much for an evening off.”

“Where are we headed this time?”

Ortega side-eyes you as she quickly washes her hands. “Stough Canyon. That’s not far from your usual haunts. You familiar with the area?”

“Ah– Uh, a little.” You lie. 

You’ve kept your skinsuit on under your clothes, so changing is just a matter of getting out your mask and jacket from your backpack while Ortega changes in her bedroom. Ortega makes more phone calls on her brick of a cellphone as the two of you rush down the stairs. 

Riding on the back of Ortega’s motorcycle is never not a jarring experience. Helmet on, cling to her for dear life. Traffic laws? That’s for other people. The Marshal has places to be. It’s no surprise, then, when the two of you are first on the scene.

The scene being: the multiarmed nightmare of the Catastrofiend tearing through a group of men unloading semi-automatic rifles on it to little effect. Five men– no, four now as one of the Catastrofiend’s bladed arms bisects the nearest gunner.

“Are those guys Wolfpack?” Ortega puts a foot down on the asphalt to hold balance as the two of you assess the situation from a safe distance.

You squint, loosening your grip around Ortega’s middle. Should have gone for googles, could have included a magnification element. “I… think so? What could possibly compel them to attack like that?” You don’t dare reach your mind out to them, less the collection of poisoned razors the Catastrofiend calls a psyche sends you into a panic attack. Again.

“Hollow Ground…” Ortega growls.

“You still on that?” You sigh, take a quick glance around. This fight is taking uncomfortably close to your place. Worry for Cat enters your head and you have to shake it out of your mind. “Come on, no sense letting them die, gangsters or no.”

Ortega hunches her shoulders, you can see her grin in the sideview mirror. “Let’s show them how the Rangers get things done.” She revs the engine.

“Wait– what–” is all you manage to get out before Ortega takes off again and you have to cling on for dear life, motorcycle speeding straight at the mess.

The gunfire stops and the Catastrofiend turns to face you, raising one bladed arm. You pull Ortega hard to the left and the two of you swerve past, bloodied metal slicing the air where the motorcycle should have been. Ortega whoops at the top of her lungs, puts the kickstand down and fist pumps the air.

You clamber off the bike, “Are you f–f–freaking crazy!?”

Ortega looks back at you with a manic grin. “Got her attention didn’t we?”

The Catastrofiend stalks towards the two of you, it’s bottom two blade arms click-clacking against the asphalt in tandem with its legs.

“Yes!” You glance about, where did the those wolfpack gangsters go? “Good work! N–n–now what you asshole!?”

Ortega readies her gun, “Keep her from running before the rest of the team gets here.” She lines up a shot and fires. The Catastrofiend’s shoulder jerks back as the bullet ricochets off a metal limb.

“I– I don’t have a gun on me!”

“Plenty here, then!” Ortega fires off another shot as the Catastrofiend picks up speed. 

Cursing Ortega under your breath, you zero in on the nearest body. Blood pooling in the street. Shit. No coming back from that. Dash over, try not to look as you pry the rifle from still warm fingers. “Sorry, sorry, I’m so sorry.” 

Look back up, and Ortega has broken into a run, the Catastrofiend giving chase. Tension vibrates through you like a chord. Half expected her to try fist-fighting. Thank god not even Ortega is that reckless.

Line up the sights, breath in, lead the shot. Squeeze and breath out. The banging rings in your ears and the Catastrofiend stumbles, stops. Did you hit her? She turns to face you. A low guttural growl rolls out across the street and your stomach drops out from under you. Oh. “Fuck.”

It sprints back down the street at you. “Fuck!” Toss the gun to the ground and jump a fence to duck past two houses. Behind you, you can hear Ortega yell something, the report of her gun. The Catastrofiend stays focused on you, can feel rusty metal at the edge of your awareness. Behind and getting closer.

You’ve got one advantage here:

You know this neighborhood. Jump fences, swing around trees. Heart in your throat. Where the hell even is Ortega at this point? You risk a few precious seconds to reach down and grab a rock. Next turn you make, you risk a few more precious seconds to throw it. The rock bounces harmlessly off the Catastrofiend’s chest. She doesn’t slow down.

Well. Had to make sure she was still motivated to kill you. Motivation confirmed.

Take off running again, and you can feel the burn in your lungs, legs. Run another block and realize: that’s your place at the end of the street. Damn. How far have you run?

–Wait, the plasma caster. You had the plasma caster stored in your room. Fuck. Yes. That’ll fix this thing. Push yourself harder, not much farther to go. When you hear the echo of a motorcycle bouncing off the houses a prayer of thanks is in order to whomever might be listening.

You duck to the side to give Ortega a clear shot and the rapport of her gun rings out. The Catastrofiend lets out a furious hiss and turns, but not in time to avoid being slammed broadside with Ortega’s motorcycle as the Marshal dives clear. Monster and machine crumble into a mess of metal and limbs and slide across the street for a few feet.

You slow to a stop, gasping for air. Find Ortega, getting up off the ground, checking her hands for burns. “Is… is that– is that it…?”

Ortega gives you a thumbs up, “See? Easy as burning years of my salary.”

“Sorry about the bike.”

“Worth it.”

A spike of anger pokes through your song and you drop into a defensive stance. “Shit.”

Ortega tenses up upon seeing you. “What? What?”

Metal limbs curl up, slicing through the twisted remains of Ortega’s motorcycle.

“Oh, mierda. Not cool!” Ortega stamps her foot and quickly starts reloading her gun as the Catastrofiend pulls herself to her feet again. Its gurgling voice is thick and distorted and barely human.

f̵̧̛̠͚̫̫͈̓͊͊̀̀̏̈́̀̇͛́͂͜͝͠o̷̢̞̙͖̖̲͈̭͌̿̈́̋̉͐͋͑͠o̴̜̥̥͍͚̼̖̦͚̙͋͂̈́l̸̠̣̥͔̍́͜į̵̙͇̰͎̯͙̫̎š̸̢̛͇͍͎̱̠͇̳̼͚̰͌̍̇̋̊̑̏̇ͅh̶̩͎͔̖͖͈̔̀̎

Oh.

Fuck.

Back to plan Plasma Caster it was then.

“Ortega!” You yell back to her as you start running again, “Keep it busy!”

“Yeah, that’s the idea!”

At the house, run around to the back door. Turn knob pull up on the door then out and finally push back in and the door swings up. Jump over the tack paper booby trap, around the stringwire alarm can system, and up the stairs. Cat meows at you in greeting as you tear into the room. Stop a moment, have to acknowledge Cat with a pat. “H–hi Cat.”

They rub up against you as you slide down on your knees, “R–r–really not the time right now!” You gently push them away and reach for the box under your bed. Ortega’s going to be pissed with you when she realizes. Hopefully saving her life is apology enough.

Look out the window and… Ortega is fist-fighting with the Catastrofiend. Goddamnit. If you opened the window and kicked out the screen, you’d have a decent angle from here. Clear shot, no cover.

Cat chirps and rubs your leg again. You are back so it must be dinner time, right?

“N–not–not now, Cat.” You hiss. “S–sorry! I’ll make it u–up to you. Promise.” You can’t shoot from here. Can’t risk putting Cat in harm’s way. Damnit. Give Cat a scratch behind the ears and then you’re off again. Down the stairs, out of the house. Flick off the safety, dial up the power.

Ground level and the dance between woman and nightmare has only picked up in speed. You need a clear shot, you need a clear shot, you need–

It’s like everything moves in slow motion. Ortega dives right to avoid one arm, but the Catastrofiend has caught on, bringing a bladed limb in sharp and low. It buries itself into her gut. Someone screams, and it might be you.

B̷̨̤̺̗͓̘͎̭̰̀͛̚͝ę̷̼̜̖̜̹̞͉͕̥̠͖̃̅̿͆̿̐͂́͜ğ̷̼͕̱̤͚͚̹̳̼̺̫͍̑́͒̇͒̐͒̋̈́̇̌͘̚͜ ̸̢̧͇̘̩̗̳͍̫̤̲͙͛͒ͅf̷̢̤̬̺̥͎̭̰̹̩̱̼̰̔̔͂o̶̢̯̭̖̙͛̍̑͘ŗ̴͖̲̞͙͖̦̻̗̺͈̟͕̜̊̌̒̾̽͊̈̍̿̍̔̚͝͝͠ ̷̪͙́̽̀́̕̚ṁ̶̨̛̩͓͔͕̜̬͓̐̍̔̓̀̊̚͜͜ȩ̸̥͇̃r̷̨̧̲̹͕͉̯̝̐͛̒ḉ̸̢̠̘͍̜̙̥̤͙͗̑̐̑ͅy̵̨͈̩̤̝̯̗̲̬̰̙̝̬͂͑́͌̔̂͘͘͘͝.̸̡͉͍͈͒͐̒́.̶̨̨̨̥͔̝̞͇͇̜̞̜̔͘͠ͅ.̵̡̜̣͎̞̥̲̩̪̻̗̹̇̓̈́̅̃͐̐́͊̓̚̕

Ortega coughs blood, laughs as she grabs the blade in her abdomen, slowing forcing it back out. The Catastrofiend raises another arm, ready to strike.

No!

No. No. No.

You cast out with your mind, any pretension to music abandoned and grab hard on the pile of rusty nails that make up the Castrofiend’s mind. You can feel the headache already threatening but that’s not important. Forget Ortega. Ortega’s not important. Look at you. You’re the threat here. Just. Stop.

The arm jitters in place as if held there. Enough time to line up the shot. Fire. Flash of green and the bolt hits the Catastrofiend square in the chest, singed flesh curling smoke. And… now her focus is squarely on you. Fuck. Shit. Damnit. Step backward and fire off another shot. This time it blocks with an arm, metal joints glow red and melt together. It makes this ungodly screeching noise, like nails on chalkboard giving feedback into a microphone and you trip; fall backwards on your ass.

The monster races towards you and toss your gun to the side and roll in the opposite direction as three metal points penetrate the earth where you had just been. The fourth catches you with the flat of the blade, buffeting you against the wall of a house and knocking the breath from your lungs.

This is it. This is it. Couldn’t even save Ortega.

Fuck.

Fuck.

Fuck…?

Something yowls and there’s a hissing noise. Open your eyes. Cat is sitting in the windowsill, hackles raised and hissing at the Catastrofiend. She stops, arms still raised and turns her head to stare at Cat. When she hisses back, Cat yowls and scrambles off the windowsill, running for cover.

There’s a deep-throated noise coming from the monster as it turns back to you. Is it… is she laughing?

B̸̨̛̘͉̠̳͕̪̹̪̹̪́̈́̆̅͜͝ḛ̴̮̠̎̄̀g̷̛̥̫̜̺͍̹̤̭̐̒̉́͆

You flinch.

A sharp burst of wind and a flash of heat wash over you, open your eyes and see the monster struggle to stay upright.

Turn your head to in the direction of the source; Sentinel and Sunstream are running towards you. The Catastrofiend screeches again and Sunstream pulls a laser down from a nearby streetlight, carving a line down the face. Can’t be worse than a weak sunburn but it must be bad enough because it drives the Catastrofiend back.

Still running towards you, Sentinel summons another burst of wind and the Catastrofiend screeches. …Frustrated? She backs up further before turning tail and running.

Sentinel drops down by your side, offering a hand to get you back to your feet. “You okay, Sidestep?”

“Yeah– wait, no, Ortega!” Stumble to your feet and out of Sentinal’s hand. “Charge is hurt!” You dash across the street. “Ortega– Charge!”

Please be okay.

Sunstream is propping Ortega up. Too much blood, has to try to hold the wound shut.

No. No. No. “Ortega!?”

Sunstream gives you a fearful look, you can feel the worry shooting through her mind. “She’s hurt pretty bad.”

“Ambulance!?”

She shakes her head. “Already on it’s way, but it’s a drive to the nearest hospital.”

You spin on your heel as Sentinel gets near. “Can you fly her?”

He nods, “That’s normally the plan but…” He looks over you, at Ortega’s prone form. “We need to do something to staunch the bleeding or moving her is going to make things worse.”

You hug yourself, shaking. Ortega isn’t going to die. You refuse to let this happen.

Wait.

Your space. Medical supplies. Field surgery kits.

“Sentinel, Sunstream. Keep an eye on Ortega, I’ll be right back.” You don’t wait for a response before taking off. Back to the house, back to your room, don’t bother closing the doors. Take the steps two at a time. Grab the medkit, anything else? You can see the glint of Cat’s eyes under the bed. Hiding? “I’m s–sorry.” You manage to choke out and then it’s running again. Three steps at time down, back to the street, back to Ortega.

Sunstream and Sentinel are debating the merits of trying to use Sunstream’s power to cauterize the wound. Push Sentinel aside as you drop to the ground beside Ortega, pop open the first-aid kit. “I’ve got it, this’ll help.”

You grab the can from the top of the bag and give it a hard shake. Should still be enough.

You can feel Sentinel’s surprise from behind you. “Biofoam? Sidestep, that’s military grade, where you did get that?”

Try to hold back your frustration. “Does it really freaking matter right now!?” You really don’t have it in you to argue the ethics of theft in this moment. You stick the nozzle of the can close to Ortega’s wound. “Hey– hey, Julia? This is gonna fucking hurt.” Ortega groans something.

Good enough. 

You press down on the nozzle and a pale pinkish foam pours out with a hiss, quickly expanding into and over the open wound in Ortega’s abdomen. Sunstream gives you a worried look as she holds onto Ortega’s shoulders, doesn’t let her turn over as she groans.

When you finish applying the foam you fall back on your legs. You feel dizzy. Nauesous. “S–s–she still lost a lot of blood.” You say, stating the obvious.

“Still,” Sunstream is looking straight at you. You have to look away. “You might have just saved her life with that.”

You try to keep your hands from tensing up. “I… not saving wasn’t an option.” Glance back and up at Sentinel. “Can carry her now?”

Sentinel nods, face grim as he stoops down. “Oof, our Marshal is a little heavier than I remember.” He adjusts his hold on her as he stands back up. “All that mod work adds up.”

A spike of fear shoots through you. “Can you still do it?”

“Yeah.” Sentinel nods, squares his shoulders, gives you a look. “Anything else isn’t an option.” The wind gathers around him and you and Sunstream watch him slowly lift off the ground. “Closest hospital is the Pacifica?”

You glance at Sunstream for confirmation. She nods.

“Right,” He nods back. “See you kids there.” The wind whips around you as Sentinel takes into the sky.

You let go of your breath and collapse, falling backwards against the pavement.

“Sidestep!?” Sunstream moves towards you, and you hold up a hand.

“I’m… I’m okay. I think?” You laugh. Oh god. That could have gone real bad. “Orte– Charge will be okay now, right?”

“Yeah. Of course.” Sunstream says, but you can feel the doubt in her head. Ah. Fuck. Sunstream shuffles over to look at your first aid kit. You want to tell her off for it, but– “This is pretty well stocked.”

“Yeah.”

“How’d you know this would be around here?”

“Ah– W–w–well…”

This is bad. You can already feel the logic chain assembling in her head when something rubs up against your shoulder. Turn your head, “Cat?”

Sunstream looks over to you, and her thoughts are instantly derailed. “Oh! Kitty!”

Cat hops on top of you, absolutely no thought to your comfort in mind and they walk across your chest. As usual. “Hi Cat.”

Sunstream kneels down next to you and scoops Cat up in her arms. “Hey you, what are you doing here? It’s dangerous.” Cat chirps in protest, legs outstretched.

You prop yourself up on your elbows. “You like cats?”

“Like? I’m allergic!” Sunstream fakes a laugh. “Who’s your owner cutie-pie?” She shifts Cat in her arms to get a better hold. “No collar huh?”

“There’s… uh, a lot of strays these days.” You cautiously put out there.

“Yeah, but look how healthy he is! Somebody has been taking care of this little angel, huh?” Cat chirps again. Does this lady have any food? No?

“Maybe they’re local.”

“To this half empty neighborhood? I doubt it.” Sunstream runs a hand down Cat’s back, gently pulling the skin. “Should at least have an RFID chip. I can get that scanned and we’ll see this sweetie gets home safe. Tomorrow, I guess.”

This is getting out of hand. “Um– I can– I can do it.”

“Sidestep?”

“You said you’re allergic, right? So… I can take Cat. Uh, the cat.” Your heart is pounding as heavy as it was while fighting the Catastrofiend.

Sunstream gives you a curious look. “Oh? You don’t mind watching the cat? Okay.”

“We can… –tomorrow, we can meet up at the Ranger HQ, get Cat – uh, the cat – checked and then maybe… visit Ortega?” You’ll have to make sure you have enough money to pay for a pet license and for one of those chips. Cat saved your life tonight. Ortega’s life. Both your lives.

Might as well make it official.

Sunstream gives you a tired smile. “Sounds good to me, Sidestep.”

The plan would have worked perfectly except–

Cat has a chip. When the Vet called the registered number, You could hear the ecstatic screaming on the phone from across the counter. It only got louder when the woman told them who had come in with their cat.

You thought you’d wait there at the Vet office with Sunstream, meet the lucky family. Cat curled up on your lap, purring as you stroked their fur. But– you feel a little sick. Face hurts. It wasn’t fair. You don’t want to give Cat back. Can’t stand everyone stealing glances in your direction.

“Sunstream?”

“Sidestep?”

“C–c–can you hold onto Ca– Dorothy for me? I’m.. going to t–take a walk.”

That gets a note of concern from her. “You okay there, Sidestep?”

“I’m fine.” You gently pour Cat into her lap. “I–I–I just need to c–clear my head.” You get to your feet and rock back and forth on your heels. “Maybe I’ll see you at the Hospital.”

“Alright…” Sunstream frowns, “If you’re sure?”

“Y–yeah.” You ruffle Cat’s ears. Listen to them purr in Sunstream’s lap. “Bye, Cat.” You whisper, and then make a quick exit. You’re not crying. And anyway, your mask in on, so no one could ever tell even if you were. Which you aren’t.

–––

You dim the lights in Ortega’s hospital room, close the door behind you. Still out, like the nurse warned you.

You pull a chair over to her bed, sit on it backwards so you can rest your head on the back. “Glad y–you’re okay.” You whisper. She had needed a blood transfusion last night. Was absurdly lucky not to have injured any major organs. Would she had made it if you hadn’t used the last of that biofoam? It wasn’t clear. The wound was stitched shut now in any case. Was probably going to leave a god awful scar, even with Ortega’s ‘top-rate’ healthcare.

Breath in. Breath out. “I’m really glad.” You run a hand across your upper leg, tracing patterns. “Th–that’s again I’ve saved your butt, Sparkles. Stop sca–scaring me like this.”

You chew your lip.

“Actually… You’ll n–never believe who saved both our butts…” You can feel yourself smile. “S–see, like, in November, I–I–I found this cat…”

#fallen hero #fallen hero: rebirth #fhr #fallen hero fanfic #fanfiction #wlw fanfic #fhr/Ariadne #mc #ortega #sunstream #sentinel #catastrofiend #cat