#if something says only use with adult supervision All Might wouldn’t count and you’d have to find an adultier adult

[softer-ua]

#bnha #boku no hero #my hero academia #mha #deku #izuku midoriya #allmight #all might #yagi #yagi toshinori #seriously what did he expect??? #All Mights criminally slow decline from YOUNG MIDORIYA IS DOPE AF to Wait a minute I’m pretty sure that’s not safe so like don’t #if something says only use with adult supervision All Might wouldn’t count and you’d have to find an adultier adult

[fckwritersblock]

Protection Forever - William Lennox

Lennox x Reader

Description: Running into an old flame at the worst possible time.

Warning: nah. Bad writing? Kinda. Unedited because I was excited. I’ll not when it’s been fixed. Somethings may not be fully aligned with the movie but I tried 😩

Word count: 2500+

Dedicated to @merakiaes hey fren!

All gifs from @meragifs too!

You were an EMT.

The two of you pulled up to meet with the other Autobots, you exiting the vehicle before he transformed. You were in awe as he and the rest of the cars all changed.

The biggest one, their leader, gave a rundown of everything that was happening once he confirmed Sam’s identity. This was just a recap for you as Ratchet had already explained. The teenage boy just stood there stuttering not really knowing how to process everything and you frowned again. That was when you really took notice of two teens just standing there. Having known what was expected of Sam Witwicky you frowned slightly.

“I don’t know about this Ratchet, he’s just kid.” You commented to the alien you had formed a quick bond with.

“And who might you be?” The one called Optimus inquired.

You gave him your name before the other yellow autobot, who you’d later learned was Bumble Bee, uttered something through his radio. It was hard for you to hear but the other robots seemed to be use to it as Ratchet responded immediately.

“The human. I like her.” Ratchet sounding irritated.

Bumblebee made another comment and right before Ratchet could respond one of the others chimed in.

“Wait why do they get humans?” Jazz asked incredulously. “I want one too!”

“Enough! Humans are not pets.” The one call Optimus Prime stated sternly, clearly tired of their bickering. You held your laugh, highly amused.

They were like siblings. A family.

“Exactly I’m just here to help and be a better tour guide than these kids can be.” You confirmed practically forcing your services on them. “Besides they need adult supervision. From the looks of it, you all do.” You grinned at everyone around you. Optimus gave a nod, agreeing.

“She stays. Let’s move.”

In that short amount of time things moved rather quickly. You watched the Autobots accidentally destroy Sam’s backyard when attempting to retrieve the glasses, you were all arrested, you escaped thanks to the Autobots, only to be arrested again.

Fail.

Finally you ended it some secret base. How get you weren’t alone. The government had apparently been on a roll with kidnapping civilians who “knew too much “.

Things weren’t going great but quickly went left when the Decepticons, the Autobot rivals, came to retrieve Megatron.

A war from another planet had officially made Earth its battleground.

You were nervous, trying to figure out how to calm everything down before things started to escalate. Nobody was going to get anywhere with all the bickering. That’s when you saw him.

It had been what? Two years?

Still, without even knowing it, without even knowing you were present, he was still able to make your heart be slow and fast at the same time. The army had aged him, but for the better making him all the more attractive but you couldn’t focus on that right now. Especially when you heard:

“The cryogenic system is failing! We're losing NBE One!”

All the soldiers begin to pack everything that they could to prepare in a fight the way they always did. It was an mirable the way Linux game orders in his men took them without a second thought. The trust there.

“That’s good. Get all the ammo you got.”

“Everything you can carry. Bring it.”

Tearing your eyes away from your former lover you grab Sam.

“Come on, we need Bee.” You reminded him, nodding in Simmons direction

“You got to take me to my car.” Sam said, then repeated when he was ignored. “You have to take me to my car. He’s gonna know what to do with the Cube.”

“Your car? It's confiscated.”

“Then unconfiscate it.” You stared blankly.

“We do not know what will happen if we let it near this thing! -“

“You don't know.”

“Maybe you know, but I don't know.”

You rolled your eyes at the insufferable mans rambling.

This was really was more about ego who was in control more than anything. The guy running the ship, clearly was on a power trip. Unfortunately for him he was facing off against soldiers . The Captain who’s eyes you could feel staring at the side of your face.

A Captain and his soldiers. Ones that really dont like to lose and take serving their country seriously.

The guy who arrested you earlier continue to argue with Sam about getting him back to bumblebee when Lennox finally pulled out his gun sick of the back-and-forth.

“Take him to his car!”

As soon as he did so all hell broke loose and everyone from both parties pulled out a weapon.

“Drop it!”

It wasn’t until One of the sector seven agents pointed a gun at the back of Will’s head that you disable to another agent and took his gun and pointed it directly and held it directly at the one pointing the gun at your ex.

“I really wouldn’t.” You warned.

You were no soldier, but Will have taught you plenty before you broke up. So did your brother, before he passed away. He actually served alongside Will but died in combat. Biking. That’s part of why you were so hurt when Will re-enlisted. When he got promoted to Captain and chose the army over you. You were terrified of losing him the way you lost your brother. The break up wasn’t that messy but you both said things you didn’t mean. In attempts to mask your own pain and hurt one another.

You know. Hurt people, hurt people.

It’s still came to no surprise that you put a bullet in someone to protect him. Together or not you’d never let anything happen to him.

“I'm ordering you under S-Seven executive jurisdiction-“ Simmons ranted.

“S-Seven don't exist.” You interjected, earning a quick appreciative glance from Will.

“Right. And we don’t take orders from people that don’t exist.”

“I’m gonna count to 5. Okay-“ Simmons attempted to threat yet again.

“Well, I’m gonna count to three.” Will deadpanned.

You knew that look. God did you know that look and it was so wrong that you were so turned on.

Finally the Secretary of defense interfered telling Simmons to do what was being asked of him. Everyone relaxed slight, weapons lowering.

“Y/n,”

“Captain.”

The Captain and couldn’t help but watch you how do you get up and prepare to go.

“So that’s her huh?” Epps commented as Will watched you run off with Sam.

“Yeah..” Will answered, mind racing.

While he knew he’d eventually see you again, he didn’t think it would be like this. You looked breath taking.

“Damn. Shorty had your back that entire time.”

“Gear up,”

“What I’m just saying I thought she was gonna put a cap in his.” Epps shouted after his Captain receiving no response.

Will knew you had his back, you always would, the same way he would always have yours. He thought of you often, the break up between two inescapable, never feeling like he did the right thing. You were always not too far from the front of his mind. Him wondering how you were doing. If you were happy. If you found somebody else. There was no doubt he regretted what had transpired between the two of you. It was his fault. He knew that. You knew that. He had ample opportunity to fight for you and he didn’t. When he was promoted Captain he felt he had to choose between you and the army. He didn’t choose you the way he should’ve. In reality he could’ve had both. However hr so caught up proven himself to his deadbeat dad that he possibly let the best thing that ever happened to him go.

Not to mention trying to atone for your brothers death. It wasn’t his fault, but he still couldn’t shake it. So without talking to you he reenlisted. Needless to say where that got him.

Now hear the both of you were in the middle of an alien war. Yeah. This is the last place he thought he’d see you.

You were numb. The battle on the highway enough to freak you out. For mommy, just a moment you thought this might be a dream but no. This is all very real. One minute you guys were just entering the city trying to lay low, next thing you know - BOOM! The explosion knocked all of you over, injuring some, killing a few. Bumblebee’s legs were partially blown off.

Getting up off the pavement you waited for the ringing in your ear to subside as you stood up, trying to study yourself when you felt a pair of arms hold you still.

You knew it was Will just by the way he touched you, you blinked hard trying not to go down memory lane.

“Are you okay?” The concern in his voice was enough to make your heart skip a bear.

“Yeah,” you nodded slowly. “Yeah I’m fine.”

Slowly you removed yourself from his grip and went to check on Sam and Mikaela. Ratchet on the other hand -

“Hmm. His pheromone levels are-“ you quickly turned on him and glared.

“Ratchet I’ll turn you into a can opener if you don’t shut the hell up.”

The robot nearly held his hands up in the surrendering position as he followed you. Will had arranged an aircraft to pick up Sam and the cube while everyone else defended themselves against the deceptive cons in a hurry to get the cube far far away before Megatron arrived. Sam was in a panic and so Michaela, you could see Will’s short fuse getting ready to exploded. It was then you decided to be an escort.

“Sam, you can’t do this alone.” Michaela fussed.

“He won’t be alone.” You commented, causing all parties involved to look at you.

“I’m going with you.” You declared.

“No.” Will didn’t even hesitated as he stepped closer to you.

“Captain Lennox-“

“No!” You grabbed him by the front of his beer and pushed him back.

“Do you see what going on out there?!” You continued to hold on to him and you yelled at him over there chose. “We’re at a war. One we are extremely ill prepared for. So get your shit together! Sam is my responsibility. I have to get this kid to safety.”

This time your hands slid up the side of his face forcing him to look at you.

“Y/n..” he breathed out leaning down toward you, and for the first time during all this madness you could visibly see he was afraid.

“I’ll be back, Will.” You assured him, briefly resting your forehead against his.

Gathering himself he pulled away, looking toward Sam then back at you.

“Go. Go!”

And then we were running.. With nothing but an M16 strapped to your back and the pistol in your hand, you ran faster than you ever have before.

The four of you were under attack once more, you and Sam doing what you had to, to avoid getting snatched up as a fight Ironhide and Ratchet defended you. Unfortunately you were too close to one of the cars that went up in flames and you were thrown into another car from the blast.

“Y/n!” You could feel the blood on your forehead as you slowly pushed yourself up. As you tried to stand you immediately stopped feeling the pain in your thigh. Looking down could see the damage that had been done. The blood surrounding the afflicted area.

“Wha- what, what do i do?!” Sam asked frantically once he took notice of your injury.

“You gotta keep going Sam. I’ll be fine.”

He stood fo his feet, unsure of what to do. When Ironhide told him the same thing.

“Go!” You screamed once more.

Sam left and continued to run without you as you, as quickly as possible, as you tore your focus away from him to pull the shard of glass in your leg out. Ripping a piece of your shirt off you tightly tied it around your thigh in order to stop the bleeding. There was no point in going forward now but the return back to everyone else and help them fight.

You just had to avoid getting killed in the process.

You seen a car steering wheel, a Mountain Dew vending machine and and Xbox all turn into one of those freaky ass robots right before your eyes. All of which you helped others fight off. It was so surreal. In fact, if it wasn’t for the constant ringing in your ear from all the explosions you definitely think you were dreaming. You almost made it back to Lennox and his men when another Decepticon stood between between you and your destinations. They were definitely taking a beating. You saw Epps shooting a green laser indicating the robot that doubled as a helicopter wasn’t a friendly and decided to do what you could to keep the Decepticon from getting any closer to them and hurting any more civilians. In an attempt to draw it away from everyone else, you begin to fire your weapon giving it everything you had.

Unfortunately, the side effective taking its attention off the others meant putting the attention on you.

You ran trying to duck and dodge a bullets now directed your way.

But Will. Will’s heart dropped. Seeing you there defending yourself alone. His pause was brief, the air forces plan already in motion, before he started the motorcycle and was speeding in your direction.

“William!” You screamed for him fearfully as he drove straight toward the robot.

The only thing you could hear was your heartbeat pounding in your ears. You almost couldn’t breathe, you don’t remember the last time you ever felt so scared in your life. But it wasn’t your life you feared for was it?

He rushed forward and slid under the robot continuing to firing the launcher. All you could do was watch as he drove toward you. Toward the danger your mind wondering if he did that on a regular basis. Was this the life of a soldier? What he went through day after day when he was deployed?

Standing up he only spared the parts of the dismembered robot a glance before shouting and turning looking for you. In a matter of seconds he was standing directly in front of you and pulling you into his arms.

Relief.

There was nothing like physically being about to touch someone, hold someone to really know they were okay.

“So…” you began, suddenly feeling nervous. “...That was hot-“

Before you were able to get another word in, he captured your lips with his kissing you roughly and bringing you closer, hands on the small of your back. You couldn’t help it kiss him back just as fiercely put in every emotion you had into that kiss.

Every ounce of passion he had in body, put into this kiss, your lips just as soft, kiss just as pure as he remembered. When you kissed, he knew he was a goner and could never let you go again.

It has been two years since the last time you guys have been this close. This intimate. Reconnected. The feeling it gave you, the indescribable feeling, was one neither one of you ever wanted to forgo again. Pulling back slowly, you both had smiles on your faces, Will pulling you closer to plant a kiss on your forehead.

“Excuse me,” Epps interrupted.

The both of you turning your attention on him.

“As cute as this shit is it’s highly inappropriate in the middle of the battle. I’m just saying we are trying to stay alive and shit.”

———————————————

Oh my fu- I don’t even know what this isssss

Couldn’t tell you what my original ideas was or nothing. I believed this was going to short-

I enjoyed writing it though! Shoutout again to @merakiaes for being on this lennox train with me lol

I’m just....I’m just gonna leave this mess here.

Bye

- Mo

—————————-

Tags: @merakiaes @lilythemadqueen

#transformers imagine #transformers #Captain William lennox #william lennox #Lennox x reader #sam witwicky #will lennox x reader #transformers x reader #black!reader #Sam witwicky x reader #optimus prime

[jj-babebank]

Camp Willowdale / JJ Maybank AU / PART 3

Synopsis: Camp Willowdale is buzzing with new campers. It’s Caroline Windsor’s first year as a camp counsellor after attending the camp as a camper for ten years. Little does she know that this year Willowdale Lake is going to be a little different from what she is used to it being…

Warnings: future chapters may include curse words, mentions of drugs, mentions of alcohol, mentions of sexual activities, mentions of death.

Pairings: JJ Maybank x fem OC

Part 1 ; Part 2

Part 3 -

Music was blasting in the boys’ cabin and John B made sure to keep the lights dimmed to a maximum, adding to what he referred to as ‘the groovy ambiance’. Caroline and Sarah entered the cabin, leading the way for all of their fellow girl counselors. Word spread faster than a wildfire around the Wildcat Lodge and now everyone was attending what was meant to be a welcoming party for just the boys. Caroline leaned against the ladder of one of the bunk beds and crossed her arms as her and Sarah waited in anticipation for their grand scheme to play out.

“Caroline, Sarah!” John B’s voice alerted them as he snuck up between them, hooking an arm around both their shoulders, “Right on time for the big surprise!” he said, walking dramatically towards what the girls already knew to be his luggage. He turned the music down on his way there, “Alright everybody, listen up!” he said, stopping by his bed, gathering everyone’s attention, “I’m sure to most of us, if not all of us – camp Willowdale is a token of light, a beacon of faith, an ode to nostalgia, if you will,” he spoke dramatically, waving his hands around, making Caroline and Sarah chuckle, “Which is why we have all gathered here tonight, and for that reason, I have done my due diligence and prepared a special surprise for all of us. Girls and boys, allow me to introduce to you,” his hands went to unzip the bag, “Ton-” his eyes widened in horror as he unzipped the bag, revealing it to be totally empty, except for his scarce clothes and the limp body of what appeared to be a dead owl at the bottom.

Everyone around him seemed either disappointed or confused as he frantically ran around the room, looking for his alcohol stash. Caroline and Sarah, however, gasped at the sight before them.

“Shit,” muttered Sarah, “What the hell is that? When I said I was hoping there wouldn’t be animals in there I didn’t think there’d actually be animals in there…”

Caroline shook her head, “Screw what it is! The real question is – who put it there?”

The girls were so focused on their conversation they barely noticed JJ showing up, “You girls know anything about this?” he said, making both of them jump.

“JJ!” Caroline said, trying to mask all sense of worry in her voice, “How could we possibly know anything about this?”

“We did it,” said Sarah quickly, “We stole the alcohol, but we swear to God we have no idea who put that pigeon in there!”

“Sarah!” hissed Caroline, only making Sarah shrug.

“What?” the girl said, “If there’s some psycho playing tricks on us, we might as well have a guy on our side!”

JJ raised an eyebrow, a small smile spreading on his face, “You’re telling me you two are behind this?”, he said, looking at Caroline impressed, “Gee, Carrie, didn’t picture you to be the bad type,”

Caroline’s cheeks heated up immediately as Sarah rolled her eyes and turned to look at JJ, “Earth to Maybank, are you listening to me? We only stole the booze, we didn’t put that in there!”

“Relax, girls,” said JJ, “Knowing John B, that little fucker probably sat dead at the bottom of his bag for a while before you even got to the alcohol,”

Caroline and Sarah both scrunched their noses in disgust, however what JJ was saying did make sense.

“You’re probably right,” sighed Caroline, “Booze is in our storage room, me and Sarah will go fetch it now,” she said, pulling Sarah out of the cabin.

“Are you crazy?” Sarah hissed at her, “Do you really want to give them all that alcohol back? Jesus, Carrie, how the hell do you expect me to last all summer sober? It’s bad enough I have to bunk with Madison Hague…”

“Relax, Sarah, I’m sure there’s gonna be a handful of teenagers with secret stashes of alcohol just waiting to be confiscated,”

Sarah sighed in relief, “You’re totally right, C,” she said, shaking her head as they walked the few steps up to their cabin’s door, “We’re just gonna rob our teens! What could possibly go wrong?”

As she said that and pressed onto the door handle, an ear-piercing scream echoed through the forest, making the hairs on the back of her arm stand.

“What was that?!” she quickly turned to Caroline, who was just as frozen as she was. Counselors started coming out of the boys’ cabin, the music dying down again suddenly. JJ and John B quickly made their way towards the girls, both visibly concerned.

“Are you alright?” said JJ.

Caroline nodded, crossing her arms, “I am, but whoever’s in there doesn’t sound like they are,” she said, tilting her head in the direction of the thick forest from where the scream came.

By this point, Pricilla and the rest of the head staff appeared from the staff lodge, all looking slightly tipsy as they paced through the path to the counselors’ cabins.

“What in the world is going on here?” Pricilla said, trying not to slur her words.

“Sounds like we should be asking you the same thing,” John B muttered under his breath, earning a chuckle from JJ.

“Our guess is as good as yours, Miss P,” explained Topper, shrugging, “We were all hanging out in there when we heard the scream and came out,”

“Well whose was it?” enquired Pricilla, looking slightly annoyed that her night had to be cut short for these teenagers’ shenanigans. When no one could give her an answer, she rolled her eyes and waved them over, “Come on then, off to Wildcat Lodge. We’re gonna have to do a count,”

Once everyone was gathered in the lodge, Pricilla waited for Mrs. Darbyshire, who also seemed a bit too drunk to be taking any of this seriously, to bring her a list of all the counselors’ names.

“Alright,” she said once the list was in her hands, “I’m gonna do a name call. Once we figure out who’s missing, you’re gonna go into that forest and look for them.” This earned her a bunch of annoyed comments and groans, making Pricilla snap back, “Don’t give me that shit, you lost ‘em, now you gotta find ‘em.”

“This is bullshit,” Caroline crossed her arms, “We’re literally minors, what are they gonna do?”

“They’re gonna finish their party,” interjected JJ.

Caroline shook her head in annoyance as Pricilla started reading out everyone’s names one by one.

“Jenna Kinley?”

“Here!”

“Kelce Johnson?”

“Here.”

“Barry Smith?”

“S’up.”

“Madison Hague?”

No answer.

This made Pricilla stand up straighter, looking around the pool of counselors in front of her, “Madison are you here?” when there was no reply yet again, she sighed loudly, “Has anyone seen Madison?”

“Last time I saw her, she said she was going to the girls’ cabin to pick up a jacket,” chimed in Topper.

“Oh, for the love of-” Pricilla groaned loudly, “This better not be a stupid prank, or I swear!”

“I should’ve just given her one of my jackets…” muttered Topper, “Now I feel kinda guilty,”

“Hey, it’s alright,” said Caroline, tapping him on the shoulder, “I’m sure she only saw a bug or something,”

“I trust you’ll all disperse and look for your friend now,” said Pricilla, “In the meantime, us adults will be supervising the Wildcat Lodge,”

“Supervising from what?” asked JJ confused.

“In case… Madison comes back here, of course!” Pricilla quickly lied, “Now off you go, Maybank, you ask way too many questions!”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“This is ridiculous,” moaned Sarah after bouncing down the stairs of the girls’ cabin with a bag on her arm, “As if this summer couldn’t get any worse,”

“Pipe it, princess,” bit back JJ, “If you didn’t insist on stopping by the cabin before we went into the woods, maybe we’d have called it a night by now.”

“Don’t big yourself too much, Maybank,” she said, leading their pack into the trees and looking around to see whether the coast was clear, “You see, while you were moping around outside, I picked up some provisions,” she said, a devilish smirk spreading on her face as she pulled out a bottle of whiskey from her bag.

Caroline’s jaw nearly broke off, “Sarah, are you serious?”

Sarah only shrugged, “What? I told you I’m not gonna make it through tonight sober, besides, if I’m gonna be looking for the bitch I was hoping wouldn’t be here in the first place, I’d rather be shit-faced when I find her,”

Caroline rolled her eyes, snatching the bottle from Sarah’s hands, “Yeah, well, if I’m going to be looking for the bitch with you, I’d rather be shit-faced too,” she said, taking a rather large swig of the alcohol and hissing at the taste.

“Sweet,” said JJ, picking the bottle up from Caroline, “This is better than the party,”

John B agreed as he got hold of the bottle last.

The group walked through the forest, flashlights in hand, taking the whiskey bottle in turns and laughing as they went. John B had argued that if Sarah could pick something from her cabin, then he could pick his speaker from his, and so the four of them found themselves nearing the clearance by the lake, drunk and singing along to some cheesy song that was currently playing loud enough for only them to hear.

“It’s a good thing Pricilla wanted us here a day early,” slurred John B slightly, “Now you girls have set up the bonfire area and we can chill there,”

Sarah rolled her eyes, “Yeah, you’d know all about that, wouldn’t you?”

John B raised an eyebrow and turned to Caroline, “What’s she talking about?”

Just as Caroline was about to answer, they reached the bonfire area, which much to her dismay – had been totally wrecked, once again.

“This,” she said, anger quickly replacing the previous buzz she was feeling from the alcohol.

“Whoa, who did this?” said JJ, flashing his flashlight in the direction of the discarded logs and pillows.

“What do you mean who did this?” snapped Sarah, “Why’d you think we stole your alcohol?”

“Sarah, we didn’t do this,” John B shook his head.

Sarah stopped dead in her tracks, her face becoming slightly worried “What do you mean you didn’t do this? Then who did?”

“Guys,” Caroline chimed in from across the bonfire area, where the fire was supposed to be lit the following night, “Come check this out,”

The three teens made their way towards Caroline who was flashing her light at one of the rocks at the base of the fire pit. There was something written on it with a gooey substance the origin of which none of them wanted to question.

“I don’t know who did it, but whoever it was,” said Caroline, stepping back from the rock so that her friends could see what was written more clearly on it, “Probably did this, too.”

And there on the rock, written with what looked an awfully lot like blood, were plastered four words:

Come and find me

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Part 4 here x

A/N: Finally something is happening haha I hope you're enjoying so far, let me know what you think and if you want to be added to the taglist, please notify me! Story is about to get juicy from now on hehehe

Link to masterlist here. xxxx

taglist: @k-k0129

#jj x reader #jj x y/n #jj x you #jj imagine #jj mayback x reader #jj obx #jj one shot #jj x oc #jj fanfiction #jj maybank #john b obx #jiara #john b #john b routledge #john booker routledge #sarah cameron #topper thorton imagine #obx masterlist #obx au #rafe obx #rafe cameron

[dreamerhideout]

i love you so

summary: after recovering from a messy break-up with your high school sweetheart, you’d never expect to find happiness in someone who bumped into you on the subway. but that’s where jake sim comes in.

genre: fluff, hurt/comfort, office!au

characters: jake x reader, mentions of ex-boyfriend!jay

warnings: partially proofread, but besides that, none

word count: 1946

a/n: this was supposed to be an entry for the “and then we met” @enhypenwriters writing event, but i think i lost the muse for this a bit too fast (plus, school swamped me again.) i literally wanted to base it off this song by the walters until it dawned on me that it was a heartbreak song :/ hence i made a few adjustments. i’m not quite sure if i’m fully satisfied with how this turned out, but i hope you still enjoy it~

more under the cut!

your heels clicked on the platform as you weaved your way through the crowd of people. it was a bustling monday morning, and waking up half an hour late was not how you expected to start your week. bingeing on this one political-drama show the night before began to feel like a regrettable choice, but there was no time to dwell on that when you see your train pulling up at the platform.

“oh damn, i’m so sorry.”

maybe it was because of how distracted you were from your surroundings that you hadn’t realized that someone bumped into you. as a result, you barely noticed that your coat had gotten stained from the coffee in their cup.

you gave them an apologetic smile, too rushed to get pissed. “no worries.” pausing for a second, you registered the culprit to be a man with a head of chocolate-brown hair and slightly frantic eyes before jogging towards the open subway cart door. once you got on the nearly-stuffed train, your eyes peered down towards your coat. sighing, you swiped at your coffee-stained coat with your finger; perhaps you’d be able to get it cleaned at the office later on if you weren’t getting your ear chewed off by your manager.

-

“we have a new employee joining us today.”

exiting the bathroom door with a slightly-scrubbed coat in hand, you heard your manager call out, then the chatter in the room subsiding. she was standing beside a man that you wouldn’t have vaguely remembered seeing before if it weren’t for the small smile he gave you.

“hi everyone, i’m jake sim. i’ll be working under the research department starting today. it’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

you recognized that voice a little too well, then glancing at your dampened coat. who knew that the man you hastily bumped into this morning would be working at your office?

“jake will be occupying the desk next to (y/n)’s, and he’ll also be under my supervision as he’s still on trial for the next two weeks.” almost instantly, your manager turned towards you, who was still standing in front of the bathroom door.

“oh, yes,” you replied, eyes widening slightly. you went towards your cubicle and motioned to the empty desk beside you for jake to put his things, “over here.”

he walked over and placed a box filled with his belongings on top of the table, then unpacking. “well, i never thought i’d see you here,” he chuckled, “really sorry for what happened earlier, by the way.”

“eh, it’s no big deal.” you draped your coat over your chair for it to dry, “i managed to scrub off most of the stain, so it should be fine.”

“are you sure it isn’t ruined?” he turned to face you, slightly quirking an eyebrow.

you grinned in response, “positive."

jake had placed some stationery into a pencil holder before extending out a hand towards you. “i know i’ve introduced myself earlier.” he smiled rather awkwardly, “but for the sake of us being desk-mates, i’ll do it again. i’m jake.”

your hand met his for a quick shake, a knowing smile on your face. “(y/n). nice to meet you.”

-

if you were sure about one thing, it’d be that time flies by when you’re drowning in deadlines. the sun had already disappeared, yet you still sat hunched over your laptop, fingers typing away at a report due tomorrow assigned a few hours ago. you would have argued with your manager on the matter, but the glare she gave you as you were about to open your mouth was enough to make you shrink back into your seat.

out of habit, you grabbed your phone and unlocked it, expecting to see a message notification from jay, your boyfriend, who’d usually come to pick you up from work. when you didn’t receive one, however, it only dawned on you once again that you weren’t even with him anymore. he was the reason why your routine for the past few months had been working and binge-watching on repeat, with the occasional cry session if you were feeling really out of it. moving on after said breakup had been difficult, especially when it involved the very person who vowed to marry you on the day of your high school graduation.

“working overtime?”

you peered up from your head in your hands to see jake. he had pushed his chair back and was looking at you past the divider. it was way past office hours and you swore that you heard the last of your coworkers’ chatter out the door a few hours ago, but you must have been mistaken.

“yeah.” you gave him a grim smile, “some stupid report i was told to do today.”

“ouch,” he winced, closing his laptop. jake then studied your expression, picking up on how exhausted you looked. “tell you what.” he stood up and began slipping items into his backpack, “what if we went home together? maybe i could grab you something on the way back to make up for earlier.”

you looked up from your screen to see a cheeky smile on his lips. the offer did seem tempting, but you were ways away from actually completing the report. “oh that really isn’t necessary...” you threw him a small smile as you waved a hand rather dismissively, “i might be here for a long while, and i wouldn’t want to hold you back from going home.”

“i insist, (y/n).” jake zipped up his backpack after tossing in a file, “i wouldn’t mind waiting since i have nothing due tomorrow.” he then propped an elbow up on the divider, leaning on it as he carefully took note of the obvious strain on your eyes as well as how you had a slight pout on your lips when you were focused, “and besides... you kinda look like you could use some company.”

a small hum was heard from your mouth until you finally sighed in defeat; he definitely wasn’t wrong about company. “if you say so, then.” you stretched your arms, turning away from your screen, “maybe having you around will make me work faster?”

“how so?”

“you know how sometimes kids won’t work on their homework unless there’s an adult cowering over them like a hawk? yeah, that.” 

jake brought a hand to his mouth in an attempt to stifle a laugh, which ended in him snorting instead. you could feel a smile creep up your lips.

-

the trip home was the most fun you’ve had in months. it didn’t occur to you that jake would be such an avid chatterbox, but you were sorely mistaken. he always had a conversation topic up his sleeve, whether it was about daily adult struggles to his childhood back in australia. you also noticed how he absolutely could not shut up about his beloved dog, layla; it’s a wonder how he had an entire album filled with hundreds of her pictures on his phone. slowly but surely, you also began juggling the conversation; it was as if you had reverted to your bright, happy self pre-breakup. talking with him really felt like reuniting with a long-lost friend, and it was only a matter of minutes until you had reached your apartment's front door.

jake had wanted to use your bathroom for a bit, but it ended with you suggesting for him to stay for dinner which consisted of microwaved pizza and sweet tea. you placed the pizza on the coffee table in front of the tv, then starting up the series you were bingeing on the other night.

“is that designated survivor?” jake sat on your sofa before grabbing a slice of pizza from the plate.

“mhm,” you replied, mouth stuffed. swallowing first, you then replied to him, “the synopsis made me curious.”

your remark was met with silence as you saw jake’s gazed fixed intently upon the screen. it wouldn’t have occurred to you that you’d be having a coworker (who was insanely attractive, nonetheless) over for dinner, but it didn’t bother you at all when jake made offhand comments about the characters and scenes of the series. it also occurred to you quite late that you hadn’t gotten napkins out for the both of you.

“hold on, lemme grab something.” you stood up and went towards your cabinets in search for napkins. jake’s attention broke from the screen to follow your figure before his gaze momentarily landed on a photo frame by the side of your sofa. it was a picture of you and your ex-boyfriend, with his arm wrapped around you as you both smiled brightly for the camera.

“i didn’t know you had a boyfriend?” the man teased as he saw you walk back towards him, napkins in hand. your expression dropped when you realized that throughout the time you’ve been trying to mend your broken heart, you had forgotten to put away that photo.

“we broke up.”

guilt flashed across jake’s face as he realized he had overstepped. “oh wow, i’m sorry... i shouldn’t have brought that up.”

“it’s fine. i guess i must’ve forgotten to put that away.” you smiled at him and placed the napkins on the table before flipping the frame down. taking a seat, you sighed as you tried to focus on the show playing in front of you; you could feel bits of dread wallow in the bottom of your stomach.

there was a moment of awkward pause as neither of you knew what to say. just as you were about to ask jake to leave since you could feel dread clawing at your insides, he suddenly spoke up, “you’re... really strong, though.”

turning to face him, you stared at him quizzically, “really?”

“yeah.” jake could feel your eyes on him, “i mean, if it weren’t for me finding out, i would’ve never guessed that you were going through that.” he grabbed another piece of pizza before meeting your gaze, “you’re a great person, (y/n). i think you should know that. and if you’d need someone to talk to about him... although i don’t really know the guy, i’m all ears.”

the way he gave you a soft smile at the end made your heart slightly flutter. maybe it was because there was this very charming man consoling you on your last breakup, but it was more on the fact that you knew someone had your back in your times of healing. “thanks, jake.” you smiled back, feeling your heart lighten. “i appreciate it. a lot.”

jake felt his heart flip at the sight of your smile. it wasn’t as if he hadn’t seen you smile the entire day; it was a different kind as he could see some weight visibly lifted from you. you were pretty cute when you smiled, the way your eyes crinkled at the sides when you did, and he wondered how he hadn’t realized that sooner.

“uh... jake?” you waved a hand in front of his face to break him away from his stare. he quickly snapped out of his reverie, ears tinting a shade of pink.

“oh, yeah, sorry about that...” he murmured nervously, scratching the back of his head, “guess i got a bit distracted there?”

“i noticed.” you giggled in response, turning your attention back towards the tv. you saw how he stared at you after you spoke, eyes lost in a dream-like trance, and you felt your heart go fuzzy.

perhaps you were still healing, and you might need a little more time before jumping into something new. but rest assured, you knew that jake would be waiting on the other side no matter what.

#enhypen #enhypen imagines #enhypenwriters #sim jaeyun #sim jaeyun imagines #enhypen jake #jake imagines #sim jaeyun x reader #jake sim x reader #jake sim #jake sim imagines #enhypen fluff

[thegodshavehorns]

Come Into My Parlor (4/5)

Chapter 4: A Game for Two

You don't tell Eridan. You can't - no, you don't want to, are too afraid that doing so will put your apprenticeship in jeopardy. It's also just... just plain embarrassing. You don't think this counts as self-deception, don't think the truth of the matter will stream into Eridan's head with all the subtlety of a gong. But the truth, damnably, is that you aren't completely sure.

And so, when the Thief reappears, you have nothing for her. "What a pity," she says, making an exaggerated show of disappointment. "I guess you'll just have to miss out on hearing about my sordid past with Tavros."

But she doesn't leave. The game carries on.

This is acceptable to you.

There's a loophole you've found in your agreement with the goddess, a tacit one that she's never called you out on. You don't phrase your query as a question, and she won't cut you off if you ask two.

She returns, again and again, and you query back and forth. On her end, Vriska enquires constantly about Eridan's long-term plans, of which you of course know very little, and then your plans, about which you know very little more, then about his personal life, then your personal life, all in between jabs and provocations. It's sadly predictable.

Her answers to your questions are infuriating; she responds accurately, but without real substance. Still, you are learning more about their old world, Alternia, and the interactions between the gods when they were young. Occasionally, you get hints, left in tantalizing drops, of what happened during their apotheosis. It's a very different kind of education than what Eridan gives you, and you're earning it in an entirely different way. Vriska isn't a mentor dropping nuggets of wisdom from her ivory pedestal. Vriska is a nut to be cracked.

It's hard to respect the Thief, the same way you respect your mentor. Her behavior is juvenile and erratic, and you can't resist psychoanalyzing her. You have always enjoyed books on psychology, and now that you have access to Eridan’s library your psychiatric acumen is at its finest.

She strikes you as restless. Unsettled, uprooted, unstable. Unhappy. She has all the power a divinity could ask for, and no use for it. You could almost feel sorry for her, if you could get past how utterly unsuited she is for goddess-hood.

You could pity her, almost. The past her, at least, the one that tried to psychically force others to like her, the one with so little ability to empathize with others that she literally blinded the only person who had ever befriended her. Her casual cruelty and elitism were clearly meant to cover up her terror of being of being seen as weak or useless.

Though, granted, some of it is so alien that you can't relate at all. Cradled as a child between the fangs of a spider, learning to tiptoe over webbing, then having to kill anyone weaker than herself to keep her monstrous guardian alive... not to mention the omnipresent threat of culling and the complete lack of adult supervision. You wonder what you would have done, in such circumstances.

"I had to give it all up," she admits, reclining on a couch in a way that is hilariously (and unintentionally, you think) reminiscent of old cartoons of psychiatry patients. "When I became a goddess. My lusus, my home, even my psionics."

"That sounds... difficult." By now, you've filled up dozens of pages with notes on the goddess' psyche. More pages on her mind, actually, than than on her origins.

"Well, I had plenty of incentive."

"Oh?" You wait for her to continue, but she doesn't offer anything more, so you probe indirectly. "I can't say I completely understand why you would miss that life. I realize that it may be culturally insensitive to say so, but frankly, being raised by your lusus sounds horrid. I'm amazed you didn't run away at the first opportunity." Like I did.

"Ha. Well, that is easy to say for you. But a young troll without a lusus, an orphan, made easy prey. Even I knew deep down that there were bigger and badder creatures out there than me, though of course it was my ambition to outlive them. And hey, I did! Not that it matters, now."

"Mmhm." You take notes automatically, hardly thinking about it.

"What about you, Lalonde?"

You look up from your notebook to find her meeting your gaze. "Sorry?"

"Didn't you leave anything behind for, ah, this? I know what humans tend to like. All this ice, snow, and cold hard truth can't be too comfortable for you."

You thin your lips. "There are more important things than comfort." Vriska is still looking at you, piercingly, and you fight back the desire to squirm. Eventually, you break eye contact. "I wasn't happy with my prospects at home. Eridan made a better offer."

"And your family? Your mother?"

Your gaze snaps back up. "What?"

The goddess grins. "You kept yammering about her, when we first met. Don't you miss her, here?"

"It... your behavior was reminiscent." You can't hold back a grimace. "Of some of her worse days."

Vriska sits up, resting her chin in one hand. "Is that why you keep asking me back?"

You study your notes. "No. I have already explained my motives to you. And-" you shake your head. "-it's my turn to ask."

You haven't had to interrupt a line of questioning like that in a while now. But this subject is making you uncomfortable, and-

-and you can practically hear Eridan chiding you already. Tell the truth. For yourself, if not for anyone else.

The Thief is waiting. "... It might have been a subconscious factor. I know you're not my mother, but I might be... offloading some of my inner existential frustrations onto you, in her stead. It is unwarranted, I know, but our... meetings, feel more controlled than interactions with her ever did." You look back up at Vriska. You can't quite place her expression. Her eyes have softened, but her lips are set in a thin, pensive line. Is it just you, or does she look... a bit younger?

Most likely, it's not just you. You've seen Eridan pull similar tricks.

You stare at each other, into her shocking blue irises. The silence goes on, stretching past uncomfortable and entering into.. something else.  Your next question is on the tip of your tongue, but you don't say anything. Your heart is pounding. You can't seem to look away.

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

You don't know what to think about her.

"My lusus made me do things to survive that others didn't have to. I hated it, but I told myself I liked it. Eventually, I did enjoy it. Having that power."

You don't like her. You don't like her.

"My mother always tried to make it up to me with objects. Grand gestures, extravagant even. I thought it was a way to rub her absences in my face, using generosity as a social weapon to make me forgive her."

She's reprehensible. She's cruel, conniving. Nasty, even. You don't like her.

"Of course, it's easy to look back now, and see how other people turned into objects for me. But, that's how it is for a god too, so I suppose it all just served to prepare me for godhood."

You understand her.

"Even now, admitting that my mother's motivations might be genuine, that it might be... her way of expressing love... it hurts."

Better than you'd like.

"In the grand scheme of things, why does any of it matter, cosmically?" you wonder, studying the grain of the leather on your chair. "Eridan tells me the universe is so vast even gods still discover something new on occasion. The Earth alone is larger than the human mind can easily grasp, and the Earth would fit a million times in the cores of the largest stars. Time stretches forward and back through ages mortal minds cannot comprehend, from the searing light of the Vast Croak to the final entropic void. Utter nothingness on both sides. We're sandwiched between one oblivion and another." You let out a long sigh. "And even in that sandwich, we're one molecule on a granule of salt."

The goddess sounds impassive. She doesn't seem interested in the mention of Eridan. She hardly asks about him at all anymore. "So why do you keep working so hard? Wouldn't it be easier to give up? A life of pleasure until you die works fine for most mortals I've met."

You shake your head, and look up to meet the goddess' eyes. "I cannot give in to hedonism. I don't want that. Eridan has told me about civilizations who choose to just... plug their brains in and overload their pleasure centers until they waste away in bliss. There are more important things than that. Why else do we exist?"

She smiles, less sharply than usual. "You expect me to tell you? Rose, we didn't make you with a grand moral purpose. We made you because we found a full universe more entertaining than a lifeless one. We were children. What else do you want from me?"

And you know, now, what kind of child she was. Morally deficient, fiercely competitive, cunning, jealous, abused, terrified.

You remember coming home to a 20-foot wizard statue, a work of art commissioned and installed just for you, on your 10th birthday. "Two feet... for effffery year!" your mother had slurred, then vomited on the floor.

"I don't want anything," you say, and pray that it's the truth.

-------

It's sometime after that conversation that you find out the Real Truth about who you are. What you are. And why you're here at all.

------

"Did you know?" You, breathless, wide-eyes, hands shaking. Your habitual self-control, carefully curated by necessity, has been thrown out the proverbial window.

"Nope. Never knew." She shakes her head. The Thief is calm, but looks slightly impressed. "Pretty good at keeping secrets under wraps, isn't he? Truth god, ha!"

"That's... yes, truth god. Gods. Shit."

She rests a claw on her lower lip. "I'd have thought you'd be excited. You finally have a chance to 'right' our 'wrongs.'" You can almost see the air quotes. "So, he told you everything?"

You sit down, pull up your knees, and rest your head against them. "Yes," you say, voice a bit muffled.

"Well...." She puts a hand on her hip and looks away. "I suppose I should offer condolences. Can't say I found out in the same way, but yeah, that must be rough."

"Yes." You close your eyes. "I'm not ready."

"Rose."

"I'm not. It's the truth. How could I be? There's still so much to know. And I'm not ready, I can't be a god, I can't be like you, I don't want this, I-"

"Rose."

You feel a hand on your arm. Cool, smooth, surprisingly light. You freeze, and the hand moves, sliding along the crest of your shoulder, your collar, your neck, your face. There, it stops. It's smooth. Not callused. It doesn't feel like the hand of a killer.

You note all this in a distant part of your brain. The nearer part is too shocked, she is so close, she's never laid so much as a finger on you, not since that first day you met.

Her hand cups your cheek.

"Rose," she says. "Shhhhhh."

------

The moment she leaves, you message Dave.

TG: okay but why the fuck are you telling me

TG: you think i'm some kind of god romance casanova>

TG: i mean clearly i have all the goddess babes over here

TG: worshipping at my fucking feet

TG: i'd better get used to the worshipping bit

TG: being all god in training that i fucking am

TG: god of players and babes

TG: that's gonna be my title

>TG: 'player of babes'

TT: Far be it from me to assume,

TT: But I believe that your divine connections are more involved with the 'mortal/god romance' habit than mine are.

TT: Seeing as my mentor has admitted to only rarely dabbling with mortal relationships, and never in flushed.

TG: right yeah that's a little hard to believe

TG: i mean he's had millions of years to fool around with this shit

TG: and you're saying he decided to be all 'nah that's gross' with everyone but other gods?

TG: sounds like he's just too squeamish to get up close and personal with alien junk

TG: but he is the god of truth so whatever

TT: Is this a way for you to admit that you have no knowledge of romantic quadrants whatsoever?

TT: Despite your boon companion and patron being the very literal goddess of such things?

TG: yo i didn't say that

TG: i know everything

TG: all the quadrants

TG: all of them

TG: so lay it on me

TG: what happened? she give you the ol' divine makeout session? things get hot and steamy in the prince's broom closet?

TG: does he have a broom closet?

TG: i assume he does but i dunno how much of a neat freak he is.

TG: Nep's pretty chill about it.

TT: I assure you there was no broom closet involved. Or makeouts.

TG: did she bite you in the hot tub?

TG: pap you up against the wall?

TG: shit it's like clue in here

TG: is it mrs peacock in the lounge with the  auspiticeship

TG: or mr green in the conservatory with the kissmessitude?

TG: i should patent this shit

TT: Hypothetical quadrant-related board games aside,

TT: It was indeed what is known as a 'pap.' And in my room, on the couch, if that matters.

TG: was it just a casual pap kind of thing? or was she trying to start something serious? how did she look while she was doing it?

TT: She looked, I suppose, like she was concentrating very intently. On me.

TT: Is that indicative of anything?

TG: fuck, i don't know

TG: talk to her

TG: ask her what it was all about

TG: she probably won't tell you and you might look like an idiot but it's worth a shot 

TT: And, what if her response is in the affirmative, that it was indeed meant to be a romantic solicitation?

TG: fuck if i know

TG: i'm not in a relationship with a goddess

TT: Are you quite sure? Some of the things you've said... you and the Rogue seem quite close.

TT: ...Dave? Are you still there?

TG: we're not morails rose

TG: it's platonic

TT: Protesteth thou too much, methinks?

TG: right

TG: you'd say that to any amount of protestething

TT: Why Mr. Strider, I'm wounded.

TT: In any event, thank you for the advice, limited as it may be.

>TT: I admit I find it somewhat galling that this form of relationship does not come naturally to me, and so I must fish for hints like this. But I will do my best.

TG: yeah, well, good luck

TG: hopefully she doesn't kill you when you break up

TT: Well, I would hope she would realize that I'm... relatively important to the other gods, now, and refrain. Or else not break up at all, I suppose. Or not get together in the first place.

TT: And this is one hope that I will not be telling my mentor of.

TG: good move

TG: otherwise he'll prince himself all over it

TT: A pleasure as always, Dave.

TG: seeya

-----

Still, you know with a certainty that few others can brag of that Eridan does not shy away from all mortal relationships.

There was a time, last year, when you and Eridan received a visitor at the manor, the first you could remember ever having. He was a large man wearing the sigil of Hope, showing his rank as an Angel, and not just any, but an Archangel of the Innermost Order of Truth. He didn't really look the part. You'd always imagined Angels as being somewhat scholarly, but this man looked like he belonged at a tailgate party, celebrating a sporting event somewhere in Middle America.

"Prince," he said, and knelt.

Eridan took the Archangel's hand and brought him to his feet, and you noticed his touch lingering. But no, that couldn't be right. Eridan had told you he'd never been romantically involved with a human, hadn't he? You must have been mistaken.

Eridan's Antarctic manor was his hive, a place of solitude for him alone. And for you. He'd met with other people plenty, gods and mortals alike, but never in his home. You asked him about it, and he responded unsatisfactorily.

"I like my privacy, but the highest ranking Angels know where I live."

The change in routine was jarring, seeing this other person in the halls, the library, the dining room, the study, often speaking with Eridan in a hushed voice. He stayed for days.

This was all wrong. If the Archangel was here to discuss the Order's business, why was it taking so long? And why here? Other people didn't belong here. You knew, of course, that it was Eridan's decision who should walk his halls. But having this stranger present in your 'home away from home' was decidedly galling.

Then, four days after the Angel's arrival, you sought out Eridan for the translation of an ancient extraterrestrial text, and ended up walking in on him and the Angel in the middle of a... pile.

You didn't even know enough at the time to be embarrassed, only exceedingly perplexed by the sight of your godly mentor reclining amongst opulent pillows, head on the Angel's lap, eyes closed and making a slow, cricket-like chirp-rasp. The human was brushing the Prince's hair and spoke in a quiet, low tone. At your entrance, the Angel had paused mid-brush, and mid-sentence, mouth open.

It was shockingly ill-considered, you think in hindsight, for them to be doing that in a public space, rather than somewhere in Eridan's quarters. Maybe Eridan hadn't wanted to open those rooms even to his moirail, or maybe he'd forgotten you were there.

You'd gotten 'the talk' after that. Not quite the one your school had given you, but interesting nonetheless.

Eridan had assured you that his moirallegiance with the Angel was a 'casual fling' and wouldn't be continuing, so you shouldn't expect to see the Angel around too much. And that was it, in terms of quadrants. He clearly didn't think it important for your education. Eridan has always been willing to answer your questions, but has offered surprisingly little information otherwise. You'd almost think he didn't enjoy romance at all, when he very clearly does.

Due to this and other factors, you determine that you are not going to ask him for advice about Vriska.

#vriska serket #rose lalonde #homestuck #homestuck fanfiction #trolls are gods #godstuck fic #godstuck #the gods have horns

[sanderssidesfanfiction]

We’ll Carry On - Chapter Six

We’ll Carry On Tag

General Content Warnings: Sympathetic Deceit Sanders, Substance Abuse, Abandonment, Minor Character Death, Transphobia, Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Dissociation, Bullying, Homophobia

August 29th, 2011

Roman sat in the back of Mom's car, and asked, “Hey Mom, what's adopted mean?”

“It means someone who wasn't born into their family was brought in later,” Mom said. “So if something were to happen to me, and some other family took you in and decided that you were going to be a part of their family permanently, even when you were an adult, you would be adopted.”

“Oh,” Roman said, swinging his legs. “Susie in my class said she was adopted when we played Two Truths and a Lie, and that was one of her truths.”

“She's a very lucky girl,” Mom said. “Sometimes, kids don't get adopted. It's sad, but then it feels like they have no one to turn to when they become an adult.”

“I'm glad I don't have to worry about that,” Roman said.

His mom looked back and gave him a smile. “I would never leave you for anything, my little knight.”

January 18th, 2019

Roman was shaking just a little. His leg was bouncing impatiently on the bench in the courthouse, Mister Emile on one side of him, and Mister Remy on the other. He was nervous. He knew this meant that he wouldn't have to go back into foster care, but it didn't mean he wasn't nervous about what this meant for him. When he was younger, he was always scared thinking about adoption. In order for it to happen, something would have to happen to his mom. Now that his mom was gone, and he was actually being adopted...well, he didn't feel great.

That's not to say he didn't trust Mister Emile or Mister Remy; he trusted them with his life most days when he went to sleep, when he turned his back to them, when he let himself ask for help with whatever he was dealing with at the moment. It just meant that...his mom was never coming back. Legally, she was gone. She wouldn't be able to come back, and Roman knew that she was never able to come back before, but he guessed that a small part of him hoped all of this had just been a long, bad dream. He didn't feel good, at all. He felt queasy and sad and more than a little overwhelmed.

Mister Emile rested a hand on Roman's knee that wasn't bouncing like a jackrabbit on a sugar high. “You're fine, Roman,” he assured. “All we're doing is signing a piece of paper. It's not a big deal. After all, you've been living with us for a little while now, and that's not going to change when we sign this.”

“I know,” Roman said with a sigh. “I'm just...”

“Nervous?” Mister Remy offered.

“Realizing” Roman said. “Realizing that I'm going to have a family again. I miss my mom, yeah, but I'm also glad to have a new family, you know?”

“Yeah, I guess that would be a shock to anyone,” Mister Remy said. “Adoption is a life-changer, even if it doesn't always seem like it. Sure you've been living with us, but now you're gonna be officially part of our family.”

Roman swallowed. Yeah, that hit the nail on the head. He nodded, adding, “I didn’t realize I was hoping that my mom might come back. Because I know she won’t. But now that I’m being adopted...it’s just...reminding me of when she left...” and there was a reason he didn’t talk about that. A very good reason. He didn’t trust himself to even think about it, let alone tell anyone else.

When their name was called, Roman wiped his sweaty palms on his new dress slacks, standing up along with Mister Remy and Mister Emile. He knew that Mister Remy felt a little uncomfortable in his button-down, but he was willing to bet that he looked twice as uncomfortable as Mister Remy did.

They walked into the room across the hall and to the left, where a judge was talking to someone, who Roman assumed was his secretary. The judge turned to smile at them as the secretary walked out after giving Roman a smile. “Sorry for the delay, sometimes those hearings take longer than I’d like.”

A flash of brown curls rushed past Roman and he flinched on instinct, before realizing it was just Sarah McGee, the social worker. “Sorry I’m late,” she apologized. “I’ll leave earlier next time, traffic was heavy for it being early morning.”

“Next time?” the judge asked in amusement.

“They’re in the process of adopting another boy,” Sarah explained, panting. “Of course, he only moved in a week ago, so it will take time.”

The judge laughed. “Well, that’s certainly going to be an interesting process! Are you looking forward to having a brother?”

Roman shrugged. “I mean, I’m looking forward to it as much as I can, I guess,” he said. “I never expected to have a brother but I’m not objecting.”

The judge offered Roman a soft smile. “I’m a middle child, myself. It can be difficult to stand out to outsiders, but good parents will always make sure you feel heard.”

Roman nodded. He didn’t have older and younger siblings, not officially, but he knew the struggles of being a middle child from foster care. Being ignored in favor of the younger or older kids was a low blow, that took a while to recover from. Eventually, you grew numb to it, but that didn’t mean that it was any better, just that you learned to compartmentalize.

“Shall we get started, then?” the judge asked.

Roman started to zone out as Mister Remy and Mister Emile started asking questions, and Sarah and the judge answered them, and then asked some questions of their own. Eventually, the judge pulled out some paperwork from his desk, and then Mister Emile and Mister Remy signed it, as well as Sarah. The judge shook hands with both men in the room and Roman blinked. “That’s it?” he asked. “Just three signatures on the paper?”

“That’s it,” the judge confirmed with a smile. “All the hard stuff was already done, so the papers just needed to be signed off.”

“Huh,” Roman said. He didn’t realize adopting someone could be that easy, or that anticlimactic.

They left the room after a brief conversation, and it took them walking to the parking lot before the magnitude of what had just happened struck him. He was adopted, he had two dads. He never had to go back to foster care.

Without any warning, his legs buckled and his knees hit the asphalt, hard. He wasn’t sure if he was breathing or not. This had completely thrown him for a loop. Now he had to comprehend the consequences.

“Woah, Roman?! You okay?!” Mister Emile asked, rushing to his side and gently touching his shoulder.

Roman blinked a couple times, suddenly pulled out of his head. He was still kneeling in the middle of the parking lot, and his knees ached. “Yeah, I’m fine,” Roman said, voice thick with emotions that Roman couldn’t pin down. “It’s just...I’m actually...adopted.”

“Yeah, you are,” Mister Emile said with a nervous smile. “I hope that’s okay?”

Roman nodded, standing with help from Mister Emile. “Yeah, it’s okay. I just never thought I’d see the day where I was adopted.”

“You just always assumed you’d age out of the system?” Mister Emile asked, and Roman didn’t fail to notice Mister Emile kept a hand on Roman’s arm as they walked.

“I always assumed I would never be in the system period,” Roman said. “Once I was in it, I...I pretty much always knew I was going to leave it one way or another. And I did. It all worked out. I just never thought it would work out this well.”

Mister Emile smiled. “I’m glad you think ending up with me and Remy is a good thing.”

“Well, yeah,” Roman said like it was obvious. “You guys actually care about me. Maybe not more than my mom when I was really little, but you still care about me a lot, and that makes a world of difference.”

Mister Emile smiled and they got in the car, where Mister Remy was waiting with the heating already starting to warm the inside. “I agree,” Mister Emile said. “And every kid should have someone in their corner.”

“I think that’s something we all agree on,” Remy said, pulling out of their parking space and getting on the road. “Now we need to get you to school, Roman.”

Roman groaned.

“No complaints, young Mister Picani,” Mister Remy said. “You need school.”

Roman sighed but ducked his head to hide his grin at the “young Mister Picani” comment that made him feel all warm and fuzzy inside. He didn’t know why it felt right, but it did.

“I saw that grin,” Mister Remy teased.

Roman stuck his tongue out at him. “So what? I was just adopted, I’m allowed to be happy!”

Mister Remy offered him a grin of his own. “I know. But I wanted to hear you say it for myself. It’s a nice thing to hear.”

Roman rolled his eyes good-naturedly and smiled as they drove to the middle school. “I hope you realize that you’re a bigger dork than Logan most of the time.”

Mister Remy gasped in mock offense and Roman couldn’t help the big grin that spread across his face at that. “I’ll have you know that I am the cool dad!” Mister Remy exclaimed.

“Yeah, no,” Mister Emile said. “You’ve never been the cool dad, Rem. Do you know exactly how many times I’ve had to veto your rules because it was something that Roman or Logan could do on their own and they really didn’t need supervision, or us making snap judgements for them?”

“No,” Mister Remy said.

“Neither do I, but I can definitively say it’s been a lot,” Mister Emile said with a laugh.

Mister Remy made an offended noise, and if Roman didn’t know any better, he would say Mister Remy was pouting when he responded with a, “If you don’t know the exact number how can you say that?”

Mister Emile turned, looked him dead in the eye and said, “Because I lost count after thirty seven.”

Roman guffawed and Mister Remy turned a dark red. “Oh, shut up,” he mumbled.

“Not a chance, Rem,” Mister Emile said, not unkindly. “If it’s not this thing, it’s something else. And we both know you’re not hurt over this; if anything you’re just a little confused. I know you always said you’d be the cool dad, but you worry too much and you have too much experience with too-strict rules to suddenly be lax about what your own kids do.”

“Are you trying to shrink me?” Mister Remy asked, tone turning offended again. “I thought we agreed you wouldn’t do that anymore!”

“You asked me not to, yeah, and I said I will do my best not to. But sometimes when you ask for an explanation that’s my automatic response. So...sorry, I guess? But you knew you were signing up for this when I told you I was going to grad school to become a therapist.”

“Yeah, I know,” Mister Remy said, and this time he was definitely sulking. “Doesn’t mean I like it when you accidentally shrink me.”

Mister Emile shrugged right as they pulled up outside the school. Roman looked out the window and sighed. He hated middle school with a fiery passion, and decided that high school and college had to be much better than this ever would be. “I can’t wait for high school,” Roman muttered.

“Only a few more months, and then you’re off for the summer and you’ll be in eighth grade. After that you’re a freshman in no time,” Mister Emile assured him. “You’ll do fine, Roman.”

Roman sighed. “I just really hate this place,” he grumbled, getting out of the car but not closing the door just yet. “Thanks for all this,” he said.

“Sure thing,” Mister Emile said. “Do you need me to come sign you in?”

“Yeah,” Roman said with a sigh. “Though in high school, you’ll only need to sign a note which I can turn in myself.”

Mister Emile nodded and got out of the car with a promise to Mister Remy that he’d be right back. Roman kicked a rock lying on the pavement into the grass and sighed. “Middle school sucks,” he said under his breath.

“I know,” Mister Emile said. “Though you might not want to tell Mister Remy that.”

“Why not?” Roman asked. “Did he like middle school?”

“Actually, he has no recollection of the eighth grade, and very little of the sixth or seventh. He was bullied a lot, from what he told me, and he suppressed all of those traumatic memories. So far, he’s had very little luck in the way of recovering them, but thanks to some talking with a therapist who isn’t me, he no longer has flashbacks,” Mister Emile said.

Roman turned silent. He didn’t know Mister Remy was bullied. “I had no idea,” he said. “He doesn’t show it.”

“Yes he does,” Mister Emile said with a sad smile. “He shows it everyday with the kindness he spreads, and the smiles we both know are a little too forced to be genuine. He doesn’t want anyone to be sad, so he makes sure that no one he knows has to be, or that no one knows he is.”

“But we both know when he is anyway,” Roman pointed out.

“That’s because he trusts us,” Mister Emile said, and they walked inside. “I hope you won’t abuse that.”

“I would never dream of it,” Roman assured.

“Good,” Mister Emile said. “Now let’s get you signed in.”

#we'll carry on #sanders sides fanfiction #roman sanders #emile picani #remy sanders #our creations #danger gays

[winterwitch611]

Gingerbread & Bloodshed

Parings: Bucky Barnes x Clint Barton, Steve Rogers x Sam Wilson, Tony Stark x Pepper Potts

Summary: Pepper asks the team to decorate Gingerbread Houses for a charity auction. She enlists the help of a local baker. Clint and Bucky think they could have a better time with her behind closed doors. Sam doesn't take kindly to their inappropriate flirting. Fists fly. Things break. Blood splatters Tony's belongings....Just another day in Avengers Tower. 

Word Count: 3166

Pepper calls them all in for a meeting, and quickly sums up the agenda. The puzzled look on all their faces tells her all she needs to know. She would need to summon all her powers of persuasion. It isn’t going to be easy to convince a team of superhumans that building gingerbread houses for charity is a great idea.

“Just think of the smiles on those little faces when they see the finished products. Not to mention all the good that will come from the money we raise when the houses are auctioned off,” she says as she bats her eyes at them. “Can’t you find it in your hearts? I mean I knooow I don’t do annnything for you all year so it’s hard for you to want to do anything for me…”

“Alright, drama queen, let me stop you right there. Is the guilt trip really necessary?” Tony asks adding an almost audible eye roll. “Whadda ya say team? I’m sure we can manage something. I mean really, how hard can it be? If I can design and build an Iron Man suit I’m sure I can build a simple gingerbread house. Clint, on the other hand, I’m sure his will find a way to explode… or implode.”

Clint is leaning back in his chair playing with the strings on the Winter Soldier hoodie he’s wearing. His head snaps up when he hears his name. “What??? Why would you say such hurtful things, Stark? I mean really, I’m wounded,” he says, placing his hand over his heart in mock hurt.

“Seriously, Tony? If anyone is going to cause explosions around here it’s gonna be you,” Bucky tries to defend his boyfriend but Sam isn’t having it and feels the need to speak up.

“Why can’t you let your boyfriend defend himself? You always have to jump in when someone says something bad about your precious.”

“Ya know what? Maybe if someone actually thought you were precious you’d have someone to defend you if the need should arise,” Bucky claps back.

“How DARE you? Steve thinks I’m beyond precious. Don’t ya?” Sam says while batting his eyes in Cap’s direction.

Natasha has had enough of this nonsense. She was pretending to play with her phone while she quietly took it all in. This isn’t the end of the world and it might even be fun. “What’s the worst thing that could happen? Gingerbread houses are probably the only activity we could engage in as a group that won’t cause bloodshed. As long as you all act like adults for a change,” she says and then turns to face Pepper. “I’m sure we can pull this off. You’ll probably have to supervise though.”

“Oh no! No supervision. I don’t need any supervision,” Tony chimes in. “I don’t do well when I’m being hovered over.”

Natasha taps her long red fingernails on the table, clearly annoyed. “And what do you know about building gingerbread houses, Stark? Don’t you think it would be helpful if we had someone here that had some experience? Maybe an actual baker?”

“I have that part covered,” Pepper explains. “Jenny, the decorator from my favorite bakery, will be here on Friday to bake the gingerbread and get everything prepared. She’s even going to build the houses for you. All you little darlings have to do is decorate them. Think you can handle that?”

“Aww, you don’t trust us to build the houses? That’s not nice,” Cap chimes in adding sad puppy eyes for an extra bit of guilt.

“It’s not that I don’t trust YOU, Steve. I don’t trust the rest of the children.” Pepper waves her arms to indicate she referring to everyone else in the room. “Tony will try to build a replica of the Tower complete with wiring for the lights. Clint’s would probably fall apart after he gets distracted and only puts up two walls. Natasha wouldn’t be satisfied unless it was completely symmetrical and perfect. Do you see the logic in my reasoning yet, or shall I continue?”

Steve bows his head and nods. “I get it. I get it. Okay, you win,” he says. “I’m going to assume Jenny is a professional and won’t judge us too harshly.”

“Yes, she is. Don’t worry everything will be fine. It’ll be fun. You’ll see!” Pepper promises.

The team leaves the room mumbling to each other about staying positive and think of the kids.

All Natasha can think is—maybe this isn’t going to end well, after all.

~~~~~~~~~~

It’s Saturday night and one by one the team arrives in the common kitchen. Some look happy, some tired, and some look a little grumpy. Pepper is in the front of room quietly speaking to a pretty girl in a black chef jacket. Her dark brown hair is tied back with Christmas colored ribbons. She looks excited and maybe a little nervous. She takes a deep breath and addresses the room.

“Well hello everyone! So glad you all decided to participate,” she begins as she puts on her bright red apron. “My name is Jenny and I’m here to guide you to greatness! Now let’s all go to our stations and get ready to let our creativity flow!”

There are few groans. Pepper can sense they may need a little shove in the right direction.

“Listen up! You will do this and you will do it with a smile on your faces! There’s a press team on the way and you better not make us look bad. Any of you…Bucky…Sam…do you hear me?” she asks. Her heels are clicking loudly as she crosses the room. Tony knows when he hears that sound she means business.

“Better listen to her. Unless you like getting beaten with a spiked heel shoe and a purse strap,” Tony adds. “And if that’s the case. Send the press team away and call my personal camera crew. I want that on high def video.”

Jenny coughs as she rearranges some of the bowls of candies and colored sprinkles. She’s a little uncomfortable with where this is going and hopes she’s can draw their attention back to her instead. Not that her curiosity isn’t peaked; but now is not the time. This event is supposed to benefit needy children not her secret desire to watch an Avenger get beaten by a woman. Or each other…naked. Okay, her mind is wandering into dangerous territory. She shakes her head to try to clear her thoughts and switches on the perky charm once more.

“Hey now, let’s get this show on the road before the press get here,” she says. “We want to have something good for them to film. Not just blank houses and awkward fumbling, right? So everyone get your aprons on and get those creative juices flowing!”

Bucky picks an apron up off the table and glances over at Steve. The look on his face says, ‘Really? Do I have to?’. Steve immediately glares back as if to say ‘Just do it. Don’t make me come over there’.  Bucky complys. As if on cue, Clint walks up behind him and wraps his arms around his waist. He whispers, a little too loudly, in his boyfriend ear, “Maybe later you can put that on, with nothing underneath, and make me dinner.”

“First of all, we already had dinner. And second of all…not a chance in hell.”

“Oh Barnes, you simple creature. He means make him dinner,” Natasha rolls her eyes as she ties the strings of her apron. “Stupid boys. Now I have to translate their flirting.”

“Okay that’s enough of that.” Sam doesn’t want to picture Bucky and Clint in action. “I think I just threw up in my mouth a little.”

“Whatever, birdbrain. You know you’d jump at the chance to get with one of us.” Bucky knows that’s not true but he loves to try to get under Sam’s skin.

“Right. Because either of you would be a fair trade off for Steve. What color is the sky in your world?” Sam asks.

Realizing the press will be there soon, Pepper needs to get these people under control. The public doesn’t need to know what goes on behind closed doors. Especially not who’s currently sharing a bed with Captain America. She’s pretty sure heads would explode coast to coast if they knew just how sexually active the Captain is. Better to keep his image pure for as long as she can. She’s already explained to Jenny that what happens in the Tower stays in the Tower. The confidentiality agreement she signed pretty much states if she talks she’ll become property of Stark Industries, and never be heard from again.

“Get this out of your system now because if I have to do damage control after the press leaves you’ll all be very, very sorry,” Pepper threatens. “Am I making myself perfectly clear?”

“Yeeees, Pep-per! Sooorry, Pep-per!” they all sing-song in unison. Jenny chuckles and ends up on the receiving end of a Murder Glare™. It’s even more terrifying than the one that Bucky is known for.

“Sorry, Miss Potts.” She bows her head and begins mixing the icing for the houses. When she looks up she catches Clint’s eye. He mouths the words ‘it’s okay, don’t worry about her.’ and adds a dismissive wave and a crooked smile. She feels her heartbeat pick up. Get it together, girl. She says to herself. You don’t have a shot, so just do your job and go home to a cold shower.  

“Okay everyone, as you can see I have all your houses built for you. I also made a sample house for you to follow or you can do whatever makes you happy,” Jenny explains. “It’s really up to you and your creativity. I’m here to help you if you need it.”

“I don’t know about this,” Sam quips, “should you really trust a lunk head like Barnes to be creative?”

“Oh, you wanna see how creatively I can rearrange your face, birdboy?” Bucky asks. The icy stare he’s throwing in Sam’s direction could probably freeze water instantly.

Clint glances over and shivers. “Glad I’m not the one on the receiving end of that look, for once.  Good luck, Sammy ol’ boy, you’re gonna need it.”

Jenny coughs and walks over to help Sam apply the icing to his house. She figures if she distracts them for a moment they will forget what they were arguing about.

Sam sighs and shakes his head. He allows her to guide his hands as he begins to work on his house. They need to focus on the task at hand, not fighting amongst themselves. The faster they get this done the faster everyone in attendance can get back to the things, or people, they would rather be doing. A sideways glance at Steve tells him that his boyfriend has the same exact thought. He winks and wiggles his eyebrows to let Sam know they’re on the same page.

“Can you two keep it in your pants until we get this done… I mean, DAMN!”

“BUCKY!” Pepper shouts and motions toward Jenny. “We have a guest. Can you not, right now?”  

“C’mon Pep, we know you have her under a gag order. She won’t say anything.” Bucky turns to Jenny. “Will ya, doll?”

Before she can answer Clint says, “She won’t talk. I’m positive that after tonight she won’t want to risk her chances of being invited back.” He makes sure she’s looking at him and without breaking eye contact he adds, “Maybe later we can test that theory. Whaddya say, Buck?”

“Copy that!”

“Are you… Are you two hitting on the baker girl?” Sam asks. “You can’t be serious right now.” He shakes his head and adds, “No class. None. You guys are unreal.”

“Excuse you?” Bucky snarls as he pushes his chair away from the table. This is escalating quickly. Nat tries to grab his arm to pull him back but he’s already walking toward Sam.

“You heard me. You got a problem with it?” he asks, rising from his chair.

“I have a problem with you!” Bucky snaps as he pushes Sam back down.

That did not go over well. The shoving becomes punching which results in two large men rolling across the floor and into the adjoining living room. Grunts and thuds echoing off the walls cause the usual head shaking from Pepper and Natasha. They’re used to the juvenile way the men around here problem solve.

“I’ve got $50 on Robocop. Any takers?” Tony asks the others.

“Really, Tony? Don’t encourage them. Act like an adult for once.”

“Lighten up, Stars and Gripes. You know the deal around here. Don’t act all shocked and offended when brawn overrules brain.” Just as Tony finishes bickering with Steve a loud crash draws all their attention. “That better not be my ninety inch TV you assholes just broke!”

There is no reply, just more grunting. They all shrug and continue with the task they’ve been charged with. It’s not like whatever it is that just shattered won’t be replaced by the end of the day. Tony has zero tolerance for broken belongings or walls for that matter. No doubt FRIDAY has already summoned the on staff contractors to repair the damage.

Jenny moves over to help Clint when Sam decides to tussle with Bucky instead of working on his house. “Is this normal?” she whispers in his ear.

“It’s reality in this place,” he whispers back. Leaning in closer to her ear he adds, “It’s kinda hot the way his body moves when he’s fighting…dontcha think?”

Clint’s breath in her ear makes her shiver. His words make her legs shake. When she woke up  this morning she had no idea she might end up in bed with, not one but two, Avengers. Her words get stuck in her throat for a moment before she replies.

“It’s the hottest thing I’ve ever seen. I wish I could…”

“Jenny? I think the others can use your help, too.” Pepper knows what’s going on. She knows that look. It’s the same look Tony had before she ended up in bed with him...and Natasha. Jenny is a grown woman and can make her own choices, AFTER they finish these damn houses, that is.

“Right. Sorry, Miss Potts.”

A sudden yelp from the other room causes her to jump slightly. She backs into Clint and stumbles into his lap. “Crap! Sorry … I’m sorry,” she says as she scrambles to get up.

“Hey, relax it’s okay. I’m not sorry.” Clint has never minded a pretty girl falling into his lap, why start now?

The yelp they heard turned into Sam yelling at Bucky. “Are you freakin’ kidding me, Barnes?! You broke my nose!!”

“OKAY, THAT’S IT!!” Tony leaps to his feet and marches into the other room. “Blood on my rug. Blood on my sofa and oh… PEPPER… look at this,” he yells. She walks through the doorway and freezes. Tony is waving his hands wildly, motioning around the room. She gasps and covers her mouth. There is destruction from wall to wall. All that thudding they heard, that was a head, and various appendages, going through sheetrock.

“Boss, the contractors and cleaning crew have already been summoned,” FRIDAY informs Tony. “I’ve also taken the liberty of ordering a new sofa and TV.”

“Perfect, thank you FRIDAY. You’re the only one worth keeping around here.”

“WHAT?” Pepper gasps. “Excuse me?”

“I didn’t mean you, dear. That goes without saying.”

“Whatever, Tony.” she says and then turns her attention to the two culprits. The look on her face as she storms across the room actually causes Bucky to take a few steps backward. That isn’t enough to save him. She grabs him by the shirt and pulls him down to her face. “Get your ass back in that kitchen and do what I asked you to do. PLEASE,” she lets him go and gives him a small shove. “And stay the hell away from Wilson.”

“Yeah!” Sam shouts as Bucky slinks out of the room.

Pepper wheels around. “And YOU…you aren’t innocent here. Get your ass down to medical. Then...get back up here and do what I asked you to do. PLEASE.” Of course she has to add, “AND when you get back up here, stay the hell away from Barnes.”

“Yeah!” Bucky shouts from the other room.

~~~~~~~~~~

The houses are done. They press team has come and gone. The team was on best behavior while they were there. No more fighting, or flirting. Tony made up some crazy story about aliens and a suit malfunction to explain Sam’s broken nose and black eyes. It took all of Bucky’s self control to not burst out in hysterical laughter when Tony referred to it as “limp wing”. FRIDAY even helped out by projecting a hologram to cover up the destruction in the living room.

Pepper thanked them all for their cooperation and excused herself. She knew Jenny wouldn’t need to be shown out. They way Bucky and Clint were eyeing her up, that girl wasn’t going to be leaving any time soon. As long as she abides by the contract she signed, she can ‘ride the rides’ as much as she wants. Not that Pepper blames her for wanting to find out what these men are capable of. The team uses sex as a means of stress relief and she’s been involved in some extensive ‘relaxation’ sessions. She just hopes this ends well. Selfishly she’s worried about her baked goods obsession being in jeopardy.

The others begin leave the room. When Tony leaves he’s mumbling something about destruction, payroll deductions and blood stain resistant scotch guarding. Steve wraps his arm around Sam and whispers something about black eyes being sexy. They grab an ice pack from the freezer for Sam’s swollen nose and head up to their shared floor. Bucky hears Sam call him an asshole under his breath so he blows him a kiss. Jenny can’t help but laugh, and Bucky winks at her.

“So, Jenny... How would you like to join Bucky and me for a drink? Celebrate our outstanding teamwork today?” Clint asks hopefully.

“I’d love to but I don’t know if it’s such a great idea,” She says it but they don’t believe she means it. The fact that her pupils are already blown tells them she’d like nothing more than to join them for a drink…among other things.

“Is there anything we can do to change your mind?” They move to stand on either side of her. She can feel her body already begin to respond. The fact that they tower over her makes her begin to imagine the things they could do. She feels a flutter in her stomach as she searches for the right response.

“Actually, one drink can’t hurt. Right?” she asks even though she knows the answer.

“Exactly. I mean, what’s the worst thing that could happen?”   

Beta: @caramell0w

#bucky barnes #clint barton #marvel #avengers #avengers fanfiction #avengers fic #winterhawk

[bestfriendforhire]

Children of BFFH, Entry 79

 Traveling was more unique for the company around me than anything that happened in the game.  There were some enemies we fought, groups we avoided, and endless changes in our course due to terrain that the wagon wouldn’t handle well.  Even sightings of the Jaggagawaroeth—which still seemed to be following us—had become normal for me.

 More surprising to me was that several of the kids were on “lunch duty”, having to slip off a couple hours before the rest of us stopped.  Eventually, I ended up asking what they’d be doing.

 Aiko, who still was spending more time in the seat next to me than on her own, shrugged and said, “Nothing much.  Maimo’s currently finishing her tarts.  Four is in charge of the salads today.  Stormcrow made some lasagna, though Maimo doesn’t know which version.”

 “Damien can cook?” I asked in surprise.

 Aiko stared at me as if I had said something strange.  “Well, yeah.  Chef Marco gives us cooking lessons, and we have to help out in the kitchen regularly as our tests.  Doesn’t your school teach cooking?”

 “In junior high, but I don’t think it’s mandatory at my school.” I replied with a frown.  “Who’s Marco?”

 “He’s in charge of the kitchen.  Chef Marco traveled the world, learning all of the recipes he could, and ended up being hired to be Best Friend For Hire’s head chef.  Momma Mila told me that he was hired by the Institute of Autodidacticism to update the culinary classes available.  She helped him, of course, since he doesn’t really do much with computers on his own.  All of us get to learn from him directly, but it still counts toward our schooling.” she explained as if that was just typical schoolwork.

 On one hand, eating anything made by my classmates would make me wary, but they weren’t supervised by an actual chef.  I could easily imagine Four carefully dicing up vegetables, his violet eyes judging where to cut.  He probably looked really cute in an apron.  I…

 “Come on.  Let’s log out for now.  Lunch will be ready soon.” stated Aiko, interrupting my daydream.

 “Umm… okay.” I told her dumbly, thoughts of Four cooking still fuzzing up my brain.  I tried telling myself that I was under the influence of his magic, like he had warned me, but he really was the cutest.

 “Everyone ready?” asked Aid from the doorway.

 He was shorter than his brother and had auburn hair rather than chestnut, though it looked more brown in the dim light of the gaming room.  I couldn’t tell what color his eyes were, but I had to admit he was handsome for a younger boy.  He just wasn’t Four.

 After looking around at the others, I found myself staring at my screen, which now reflected my image just like a mirror would.  My hair was an ordinary, light brown.  I wasn’t particularly tall or short, and my eyes were a dull gray.  Was I plain?

 “I love your hair.  Do you straighten it?” asked Messy, who was a perfect example of what blonde and beautiful should be, even if she was rather short for her age.

 Having her compliment my hair made me smile.  I shook my head and said, “No.  Mine doesn’t want to do anything interesting…”  I had caught sight of Crazy watching us as I spoke and found myself wondering if she ever even attempted to brush her hair.

 “I have to hold mine in place with magic, or it’ll look like Crazy’s.  Normal hair products are useless on me.” she admitted with a frown.

 “What?  Really?” I asked in surprise as what she said registered.  “How do you go to a salon?”

 “I can’t.” she stated, her golden gaze looking saddened.  “Even cutting my hair takes an enchanted blade or a spell.  Besides, try picturing what I’d look like if I entered a salon with my mom.  She wouldn’t let me hide my eyes, so people would be staring.  If I enchanted the scissors for the barber, he or she still might not have sufficient strength to get through more than a strand at a time, and Mom still looks like she’s eight.  Anywhere we go that people don’t recognize her, we’re stuck explaining that she actually is an adult.”

 I had seen pictures of Aaliyah Sypher, so I could easily imagine.  Messy really did look like her… as did Crazy.

 “Umm…” came a voice to my side, making me jump.

 Looking over, I saw Valeria standing there, a hand raised as if she was going to tap my shoulder.

 Hesitantly, she asked “I…  Would…” she started, pausing after both words.  Then she took a deep breath—seeming strange to me from a vampire—and said, “I was wondering if you’d mind sitting by me at lunch.  I’ll understand if you don’t feel comfortable next to a vampire.  I wouldn’t have last year.. er… the last year I remember.”

 Having a vampire, a species I had always thought of as confident and strong, nervously ask to sit by me struck me as so odd that I laughed.  “I don’t mind at all.  You’re the one we’re all questing to save, right?”

 She grinned, and there seemed to be no transition from a small frown to the smile.  How fast was she?  “Thank you, Layla!” she exclaimed, reaching for me, stopping, and suddenly standing straight again.  “I’m still new here, and having someone more normal around is… nice.”

 “Calling us strange?” asked Messy with a smirk.

 “If I had lived in the fifteenth century one day and here in the next, I’d find everyone strange too.” insisted Aspy from behind Messy.

 Valeria, who had frowned at Messy’s words, grinned again.  “Yes!  Thank you, Aspy!  Everything is so different now!  I went from a world where I was the oddity with my private rooms, and then found myself in a place where anyone can learn to fly in one of your airplanes.  People can talk clear across the planet!  I was even reading that people have been in space!”

 “Space!?  Really!?” asked Crazy with open amazement in her wide, blue eyes.  She had suddenly appeared next to Aspy.

 He playfully hit her as Messy rolled her eyes, which made me think she wasn’t really surprised.

 Valeria just nodded, still seeming excited.  “There’s so much that I’m still learning, and… No offense to any of you, but… Having someone a little more normal around is nice.” claimed the vampire.

 I still was struggling with the idea that Valeria was hundreds of years old, but I could appreciate her bewilderment from the time difference and… other things… around here.

 “You have me too!” exclaimed Rona happily as she gave Valeria a hug.  “I’m definitely normal compared to our friends.”

 “You’re a wereraven.” flatly stated Damien.

 Rona nodded enthusiastically as she said, “Yes, and I’m still normal in comparison!”

 Wereraven?  Really?  That was a thing?  I took too long to realize I hadn’t spoken aloud.

 “Uh huh.” stated Aid dubiously.  Then he said, “We’ll be late if we walk.  Mind opening a door, Valeria?”  Seeing her hesitate, he then said, “Flat across the wall by the kitchen.”

 She seemed to think about what he was saying a moment longer.  “I have been practicing odd uses.  I think I might be able to…”

 A rectangle into blackness appeared next to her, and then an opening appeared through the first, leaving me feeling as if I was looking through a dark room at a bright area beyond.  I could see a busy kitchen with a variety of food already visible.  Then the second door seemed to speed toward us, stopping just a small step from the first.

 “Perfect.  Thanks!” stated Aid, grinning as he hurried through.

 I stared, still trying to comprehend what I was seeing as the others made their way from the gaming room into the other area in one step.  How many floors underground were we?  Was this really happening?

 “The space between is one of my private rooms.  I just chose a different location for the other door.” explained Valeria as if that was really a valid explanation for what was happening here.

 “Yep.” stated Rona from beside me.  “That’s what this place is like.” she added before following Damien through the opening.

 Valeria and I were the last ones still in the gaming room.  “That’s safe, right?” I asked, still staring at the opening.

 “Of course.  Why wouldn’t it be?” she inquired, seeming confused by the idea.

 Ignoring her confusion, I then asked “Are you going to be drinking blood next to me?”  The realization that she might hit me sometime during the craziness.

 She grinned, shaking her head.  “I only get blood once a week.  I can’t handle much.  Momma Cosette encourages me to eat food, since my ability to taste is dramatically improved.”

 “Is using larger than normal words a requirement here?” I continued, unable to keep all of the questions in as I slowly stuck an arm into the opening.  Nothing.  I felt nothing at all in my way.

 “I… don’t know what you mean.” she claimed, looking apologetic.

 I took a deep breath before saying, “Okay.”  Telling myself this would be fine, I stepped through the first “door” and out the second.  I really was in a different area of the mansion and finally recognized some of what I had been smelling, food!

 My jaw dropped open as I stared at the laden table and carts.  There were countless types of food available.  The other kids were moving through as if this was a buffet, taking a table from the stack and loading it with whatever they wanted.  This part seemed easy enough, but choosing which dishes was tough.  Everything looked amazing!  Had I really thought they’d be impressed by my mom’s pancakes this morning?

 “Ah!  You must be the Layla, no?” stated a man in casual dress clothes.  He was grinning widely.  “I am Marco.  If you have any complaints or requests, just a let me know, okay?”

 I nodded, though I couldn’t imagine complaining about anything short of my stomach not being large enough.  I took a little of some type of roasted bird with a sauce on it, some mashed potatoes, assorted vegetables, a buttered roll, and a couple things that I couldn’t name, though they looked good.  Then I realized I’d have to come back for dessert if I was still hungry.  Oh… salad… There were several types of salad, and I didn’t know which one Four had made.

 “Need a hand?” questioned Aspy.

 Suddenly, I lost my grip on my plate and nearly jumped for it before I realized it was floating.  

“I’ll take it into the dining room for you.” he told me, not seeing anything amiss as he turned and walked away with my plate floating behind him.

 “Here.  Utensils.  We don’t eat with our hands much around here.” stated Valeria as she handed me a couple forks, knives, and spoons and a cloth napkin.

 I almost told her that was too much when I realized they were different shapes and sizes.  I had heard of using different forks for different foods, but I didn’t know the rules.  Would they care?

 After getting my salad, I hurried after Valeria, following her into a large room with several very long tables.  I ended up between Rona and Valeria, which was fine.  I hadn’t expected Four to sit by me, though he wasn’t that far away.  When I took my first bite, even Four left my mind.

#Children of BFFH #Children #of #BFFH #Jovial Times #Jovial #Times #Fantasy #Fiction #Story

[shsl-shipper-gamer-fangirl]

A/N Imagine you living in a post-apocalyptic world with eyeglasses and optometrists are dead, wouldn't that suck when you lose or break them? As a side note, what if the only reason Seiko has braces is because the dentists are dead? So many dilemmas.

Toukomaru: date | unexpected fantasies | talk less | friendship underwear | ultra despair girlfriends |

Touko Loses Her Glasses and Can't See Shit ft. Komaru

There were things in life that you could live without but you'd rather not and such was the nature of eyeglasses.

Wearing eyeglasses was both a blessing and a curse. It was a double-edged sword for any wielder that much for sure. As great as it was to finally read off the words from that sign across the street, it was downright annoying to barely read it because the lenses have fogged up. There's nothing quite like the feeling of staring at a blurred face and then placing one's glasses atop the bridge of the nose and magically have a clear vision of said face-- unless the said pair of glasses hadn't been cleaned and only added a dusted layer of blurriness. It was annoying at best and crippling at worst.

Point was, unless you're one of those bastards who got off lucky with perfect vision or one of those strong ones who can tolerate contact lenses then you are most likely wearing glasses as if your life depended on it. This was the case of Touko Fukawa who was currently having a crisis on her hands or rather on her eyes.

Touko was missing her pair of eyeglasses and she was already losing her shit.

"Dammit, Komaru! Are you sure it's not in our room?" Touko more like yelled rather than asked in her frustration.

"What do you think we've been doing this past hour?" Komaru just sighed as she checked the drawer for the nth time and already gave up on hoping it would magically spit out the wanted spectacles.

"I don't know about you but I've been properly searching." Touko remarked with all the sarcasm in her body.

"Hey, rude!" Komaru gasped and then turned towards her, pouting even though she knew her friend couldn't see it. "I don't think it's fair for you to say that when I'm the one who can see between the two of us."

"Are you mocking me?" Touko raised her voice, more in anger rather than hurt. She raised a finger and pointed forward. "Just because I don't have my glasses doesn't mean I've gone blind!"

That would have made Komaru feel guilty for assuming but it hardly had any effect when she was right.

"Yeah, um, about that..." Komaru started hesitantly, unsure of how to gently lay it down for her friend. For a moment, she thought it might be better to spare Touko from the embarrassment but decided against that. True friends would correct each other before anyone else would see their stupidity. Then again, it wasn't like there was anyone else who would see them but that's besides the point. Komaru took a deep breath and then timidly, she whispered, "Turn around. I'm on your other side."

Touko paused and then immediately flushed right after. Salvaging whatever's left of her dignity, she proudly turned around and stuttered in her defense, "I-I knew that! I was j-just testing you!"

"Uh-huh, suuure you are." Komaru teased and even lightly poked her already high strung friend. She giggled when Touko yelped in surprise.

"W-Whatever! Let's just get going already!" Touko all but hissed. "I don't care if we have to go through whole Towa City just to find them but I am dead set on wearing them before the sun sets!"

"Haha, yeah right." Komaru laughed her off but still followed suit. "Wait, you're not serious, are you?"

After thoroughly checking one building later, Komaru found out that touko was in fact, serious.

"I don't get why you're so insistent on getting back your old pair." Komaru spoke up during one of the lull moments of their search. "Like can't we just walk in a glasses shop and get you a new one?"

"Must be nice to be born with perfect eyesight." Touko grumbled and maybe even muttered a curse or two. "Tell me, is ignorance just as blissful as they say? Because you'd definitely know."

"Hey what's that supposed to mean!" Komaru whined at the insult.

"You know what I mean. Unless you're that ignorant." Touko smirked at her.

"Wow, Touko, your tongue is still sharp as ever even without glasses." Komaru rolled her eyes at her, only realizing after that her friend probably couldn't see that.

"Just because my vision's impaired doesn't mean I'd go soft on you." Touko snapped back and then raised her chin in an effort to look down on Komaru even though she could only make out her outline in front of her. "Do you even know how prescription glasses are made?"

"Um, you buy them at the shop?" Komaru offered cluelessly.

"If it were just common reading glasses then those would suffice." Touko narrowed her eyes at her or at least tried to. It lacked its usual sharpness since her aim was slightly off but it was the thought that counted. She continued to explain, "But it's mostly seniors who need that. In most cases, people need personal prescription glasses crafted with the supervision of optometrists."

"Then all we have to do is find you an optometrist!" Komaru suggested all too eagerly, much to Touko's skeptimism.

"Do you see any adults running their day jobs as optometrists or any adults at all?" At Komaru's knowing slump of shoulders, Touko huffed in agreement. "I thought so."

"Can't we just, you know, learn how to do this stuff?" Komaru tried again, her voice weaker and less sure.

"Oh, sure we can." Touko replied and Komaru almost smiled at that until Touko added, "But that doesn't mean I'll trust anything we make. I'd rather go blind than ruin my eyes because we decided to play doctor."

"So back to eyeglasses hunting it is then. Yay." Komaru cheered unconvincingly, not like it mattered to Touko anyways.

Searching for a pair of eyeglasses in a collapsing city filled with aggressive monokuma proved to be just as challenging as it sounded. It wasn't even guaranteed that the glasses had yet to be broken because if they were then Komaru's certain that whatever sanity left of Touko would break next. As they meticulously ransacked the city, they grew more desperate with every search. Well that much was true for one of them.

Was it wrong that Komaru also found Touko's predicament funny sometimes?

"Hey, Komaru! I said, did you or did you not see anything?" Touko almost hissed her words. "Why are you so quiet? Hey I'm talking to you!"

"Um, Touko... I'm right here." Komaru was torn between pity and amused as she watched Touko raised her voice over a potted plant. This was an improvement from the last one. At least the leaves moved with the wind unlike when she was reprimanding a lamp post from before.

"Don't you think I know that! Just because I'm blind doesn't mean I'm deaf!" Touko yelled in her defense, unaware that her rage was being received by an inanimate object.

"Yeah, I know that. But I'm right here." Komaru still tried to gently correct her.

"Are you making fun of me?!" Touko actually turned to her side but only slightly so she was facing one of the on display toilets in this department store. Now Komaru could have sworn she was just doing this on purpose now if only Touko didn't look so serious.

It was at this new angle did Komaru finally notice something unusual.

"Wait, hold it." Komaru ordered as her eyes did a double check. She blinked multiple times as if in disbelief but it wouldn't go away. She tentatively took a few steps closer and murmured, "I think I see it."

"Huh? You can? Where?!" Touko demanded as her head turned as if she could see anything clearer with the action.

"Hold still." Komaru reached forward.

And plucked the eyeglasses perched on top of Touko's head all this time.

"Aaand here they are." She happily put them on Touko with a big smile. "Ta-dah!"

Touko let out a sigh of relief as soon as her eyes adjusted to the familiar feeling of the eyeglasses. When her vision was clear again, the first thing that greeted her was Komaru's stupidly wide grin. She looked so proud of herself and for a moment, Touko was tempted to smile in return as well. Except she returned a scowl instead.

"You're an idiot." Touko all but snarled at her. "Why didn't you just get them when they were there all along? I can't believe we wasted a whole day over your stupidity."

"What?" Komaru's smile dropped and soon her mouth formed an 'o' in shock. Whatever gratitude she had expected was replaced with this and she felt cheated. "Hey! I'm not the one who was wearing them all day long and didn't feel a thing!"

"I wasn't wearing my glasses, what did you expect? Lowered senses and all that." Touko explained haughtily.

"That excuse only works for eyesight!" Komaru retorted.

"Shut up. You're the one with eyes who didn't see them the first time so what's your excuse?" Touko shot back.

"Cut me some slack, Touko!" Komaru pouted as she clutched onto her.

Had it been anyone else, Touko would have shoved any person who dared encroach on her personal space. But this was Komaru. And aside from the fact that it was her friend, she begrudgingly admitted that she owed her for finding her stupid glasses. She still couldn't believe that they were right there all alone but at the same time, she could. This wasn't the first time this has happened after all since she had the habit of wearing her glasses to bed and she may have an irregular bathing schedule so her glasses hardly get off in the first place.

Touko sighed as her hand reluctantly patted Komaru on her head. "Okay, I'll let you off easy since you did find them in the end."

"And?" Komaru urged her on with a small grin forming on her face.

"What? What else do you want me to say?" Touko tried to dodge Komaru's pleading gaze but she couldn't and so she gave in with a sigh. "Fine. T-Thanks. For finding them and for helping me out." She muttered the last words.

It sounded forced but Komaru knew better and heard it as heartfelt. Pleased with Touko's words, Komaru couldn't help but wrap her arms around her in a bear hug. "See, that wasn't so hard now was it?"

"Sure it was easy so long as you admit that you were stupid about it." Touko grumbled and was thankful that the close proximity was not only comfortable but effective in hiding her blush.

"Oh, come on, Touko! Just let it go already." Komaru groaned.

Touko couldn't have been happier to have her glasses on when a pained expression passed through Komaru's face. Worth it.

#shsl prompt #touko fukawa #komaru naegi #toukomaru #tokomaru #toko fukawa #dangan ronpa #danganronpa #dr:ae #another episode #dangan ronpa another episode #ultra despair girls #dangan ronpa ultra despair girls