#it took me 4 days to eat the slice of cake she gave me and i wont eat any of the chocolate she brought since i dont like chocolate

[cinemaspoppycornuwu]

𝔏𝔦𝔰𝔱𝔢𝔫 𝔱𝔬 𝔶𝔬𝔲𝔯 𝔥𝔢𝔞𝔯𝔱 🔫❤🦋

It's been some months since Nicki has started her career as a Passione doctor/nurse after the incident of her aunt. To resume everything: aunt Diana was sick, met Giorno, learned more about stands, met the gang, entered Passione and now there she is learning more about medicine. It wasn't easy dealing with missions and public university studies at the same time, that's why she haven't entered in one yet. But still, Giorno gave her free acess to the library for whenever she wanted to go and would study there.

A knock was heard.

"Hm? Come in" she spoke in a gentle tone. Mista appeared in all of his glory. Olive tan skin, deep black eyes, (kinda messy) curly dark hair, in one of his fancy suits. Somewhat he made her heart beat faster than usual, always feeling more comfy with him than the other guys "Oh, Mista! What brings you here? Do you need anything? Any medication..."

"Thanks, Nicks, but I just came to tell you that we all are about to go home early this friday."

"I won't take too long, I promise. Are the others waiting for you?"

"They can go by themselves. I won't let a lady stay alone here."

"What a gentleman" she giggled "And... Pills in their places, first aid kits in their places... I believe I am not missing a thing. Okay, I'll leave with you" she hurried up to get her handbag and locked the door.

"Good. Liking living in Italy?"

"I do miss Brasil sometimes... But here it is too lovely... Sometimes I wish I could have went to public university there... But I need to be 18 to enter there at least..."

"How old are you?"

"Seventeen. I'll do 18 in four months."

"Oh..." Mista's shoulders tensed for a moment "...in which day?"

"June 21"

"Oh thank God it isn't june 4."

"I've never understood your relationship with that number. I know you don't like it but..."

"You ain't going to take me seriously. Only Bruno knows what happened in deep details. Plus, you'll need to get at home."

"I don't have any plans for this friday. Neither on this weekend in general. Valentine's day was yesterday and I do wanna avoid the couples in the place where I live at this moment. "

The dark eyed boy let out a laugh and said "Maybe we can get some strawberry cake."

"We'll get the cake and we can go to my house. It's kinda close so that's why I come here by walking."

(Image)

"Hm... Delicious..."

"And in the right amount. Not four. Just three. The third one we can cut in half for each."

"You promised to tell me about the number four now~" teased the honey blonde.

"Okay, okay... It all started when I was 16...? 17...? It is kinda recent. I was going on my night walks as usual. And then I saw a half naked woman getting beaten up by a guy" he stopped for a moment before continuing "My head didn't reacted right and when I realized, there was a gun in my hand. The other men, probably crooks of that one guy, tried to shoot me but for some reason none of the bullets had hit me."

"Surprisingly" she smirked.

"Watcha mean by that, shortie?" he asked messing gently her hair.

"Hehe... Sorry, I interrupted you."

"It's alright" he smiled at her but went back serious when he remembered "It was four. Four shoots. And then I was in jail" the bright in his eyes had faded for a moment "But hey that happened in 1999. It's 2002."

"I... I had no idea, Mista..."

"How could you know?"

"Why you hadn't told the others about this?"

"They wouldn't take me seriously as said. And sometimes, I'd share some things only to Bruno and Giorno."

She gazed at the rooftop of her apartment and took her plate to wash "Don't you want the last slice?"

"You can eat it or save it for later. I am about to brush my teeth and put on something comfy to sleep. You can sleep here if you wish. It is kinda late."

"Wait. You don't mind?!"

"Why would I?"

He looked to the side "May I help at anything?"

"Mista, the house is fine. Well... Maybe I got something for you to wear... I do have a large shirt from my uncle... Maybe some pants too..."

"I'll only need a blanket."

"I'll fetch both just in case" she replied with a smile and dashed to her room to get everything he needed. Nicki's room was very tidy and always smelled great. There was a couple's bed, a wardrobe for her clothes, a desk for her studies with three notebooks on it, and there was a bathroom too. It was a huge thing for her bathe in a bathtub since it wasn't common to have one in Brazil "There you go. Got you as well a toothbrush, hair brush and deodorant."

"Are ya calling me smelly, miss Vasconcelos?" He asked playfully rising his eyebrow.

"Not me, but maybe Narancia right now at this moment."

"That rascal. Pfft!"

"Well, if you need anything, just come to my room."

"Won't it be a bother?"

"Not at all. You are a loving company, Guido. Why would I be bothered?" her cheeks flushed in the same instant the words came out of her mouth, realizing what was said. But Mista's face was also in the same state as hers "N-Night, Guido, just don't forget to close the windows and turn on the air!"

[. . .]

After long minutes, Nicole still hadn't fallen asleep. She got out of her room to check on Guido and go to the balcony to get some fresh air and clear her mind. And there was was, layed there on the sofa dreaming with a smile on his face. The dark curls on his hair slightly messy made him look even more adorable. The honey blonde young lady adjusted his blanket over him and went out. The streets were peaceful, nothing too much happening. Just the same things as usual: the same couple on a date, a cop walking with their dog, more people on the streets and everything okay. After like five minutes or something, she decided to enter and go back to sleep.

"Can't sleep?"

"Did I woke you up?"

"Nah. It is okay. Is something bothering you, Nicki?"

"I've just been... Overthinking..."

"Wanna sit here and talk? I can get you something to snack or just some water."

"Thanks, Mista, but all good. I just remembered some things from my school time..."

"Akward memories?"

"Yeah... Hehe, I was kinda silly looking back then."

"But still amazing, I suppose."

"Nah. Sure, the fifth best in class but still, very akward" she rolled her eyes with a shy smile "It was when I confessed my feelings for a boy and a girl and everything went wrong‐"

"Wait. Girl?"

"...I am bissexual..." she looked down "Sorry if... It bothers you but none of the others know about it yet."

"Oh no, sorry! I can't think STRAIGHT when you're close" both giggled at his non-intentional pun. But then she realized.

"Wait, what? How so?" At this very moment he knew he might have accidentally confessed to her. He could sense his face turning all red and embarassed from his words. Sure, both had a serious crush on eachother since they had met and everyone else could see, even a blind person, but never actually told what their hearts wanted to. Well, until that moment. Her eyes shone when hearing those words.

"Uh... Nevermind..."

"You said, now speak!"

"Nicki, no!"

"Please please please please please!" She came closer to him, with puppy eyes.

"Urgh... F-Fine. I like you, silly."

"For real?"

"Yeah... Since the day you came in... I was just afraid of telling it to you for... Stupid reasons... I understand if you don't feel the same–" before he could finish the sentence, she kissed his cheek multiple times, getting him off guard "Huh?!"

"And I thought I was the only one!"

"Well, come here then, shortie!" He gently kissed her on the lips. A happy, vivid, sweet first kiss. Her stomach was filled with butterflies fluttering their wings really really fast. After a few moments, the olive-tan skinned man said "Guess Narancia will lose some of his money~"

"Wait what?"

"He thought I couldn't confess to you in one year."

"Oh, the two of you!"

"What?"

"HONESTLY, EVEN HE DOUBTED!" shouted Pistol number 3

"Number 3, the neighbours are sleeping!"

"Shut up, 5!" Said 3 hitting hard 5.

"All of you quiet or no salami for breakfast!" Said Mista and Nicki at the same time.

After long 10 minutes comforting 5, the Pistols finally got tired and slept.

"Why sleeping in a couple bed?"

"I am used to those because of my back."

"I see... Wow, it's actually comfy!"

"Glad you liked it!"

Both adjusted themselves, spooning in a comfy position where they could sleep face to face. Guido gently held her back while Nicki played gently with his beautiful (and somewhat well taken care) locks. It was such a comfy and loving sensation. It was almost like if their heartbeats were in pure sync. Mista was afraid of putting her into danger just like he was indirectly responsible for the deaths of Leone, Bruno and Naracia. Even though everything was solved up thanks to Giorno, it was a huge stress and burden he had to carry with him. But as the quote says by an unknown person: who goes into the rain is to get wet. The 19 year old young man whispers for her "Nicki~?"

"Yes, love?"

"I'll do whatever I can to protect you... It's a promise."

"But who is going to protect me from you?" Asked giggling.

"Naughty~"

"Jokes aside, this is the very first time a guy tells me that stuff..."

"What happened to that boy? The one you said you confessed to."

"He actually used me at his favour. I did all of his homework for one month."

"You what?!"

"And the girl... Well, she slapped my face."

"Please, tell me they're dead."

"I guess not."

After 15 minutes of talking, the recent made couple surrended to sleep. Next morning, it was all cuddles and sweet love words between them. Now they can be the terror of single people as well like: Giorno + Bria; Leone + Syl; Fugo + Angelica; Bruno + Aria. Yeah, now Passione has lots of couples now.

[BONUS SCENE!]

[08:00 A.M Monday]

Giorno: Buon giorno, gang...

Mista: Buon giorno, don! *came holding Nicki's hand and kissed her cheek*

Bria: Wait... Are the two of you, actually–

Nicki, revealing her matching bracelet with Mista: Ye

Narancia:

Narancia: I lost.

Mista: Now you gotta pay dinner for me and my amazing girlfriend here.

Leone: Impressive how this douchebag got a girlfriend.

Aria: It is kinda adorable see him happy like that.

Angelica: As long as they don't fuck at work or be clingy next to me, it is fine. I don't want that himbo and that whimp that close to me.

Fugo: Well, I hope that he becomes smarter at least.

Bruno: Well, congrats both of you. I am quite happy that Mista won't be flirting with any other girl anymore during some mission—

Bria: TELL ME ALL THE DETAILS, NICKI!

Nicki: But I need to open my nurse off— AA! *is pulled by Bria*

Bria: I'LL BE GOING TO THE MEETING LATER, GIOGIO!

Bruno: ...that's my piccolina.

Aria: OUR piccolina.

Bruno: You're right, my princess *kisses her hand gently*

Syl (she belongs to @syntheticseraton1n ): Sup, what have I missed here?

Abba, thinking: omg, Syl ♡

Giorno: Mista and Nicole are dating, Bria took Nicki to gossip with her and get iced capuccinos and meeting after my girlfriend comes back.

#OC: Nicole Vasconcelos #Guido Mista x Nicole Vasconcelos #my writting

[worldwake]

I swear to god if my neighbour gives me any more sweets--

#it took me 4 days to eat the slice of cake she gave me and i wont eat any of the chocolate she brought since i dont like chocolate #i love her but god damn i dont need any sweets

[xoxo-teddybear]

Adorable - Bakugou Katsuki

Bakugou x f!reader

Warnings: Fluff, Crack, Cursing, slice of life, Bakugou kinda ooc but still lovable

Summary: Honestly it’s just some scenarios of Bakugou and Y/N being an adorable couple. It’s also just some moments in their lives as a couple

“Annnddd....done!” You squealed as you got your setup ready. You were currently setting up a cupcake tower on a table after you spent days baking. UA needed some funds so they set up a little event to raise money. Students could either participate in raising money or giving money and Y/N chose to do a little cupcake sale to help out. What a sweetheart.

“It looks amazing Y/N,” Mina said as she tried to grab a cupcake. You smacked her hand away before she snatched one. “Ow!”

“Those aren’t free Mina, they’re important too.” You explained as you picked up a stack of flyers to pass out.

“I know they’re important! They’re gonna save my life! I didn’t get to eat breakfast and I’m starvingggg.” You laughed at your best friend before you took a few steps away from your table to pass out the papers.

“Well unless you pay for it, you can’t have it. Besides, I put a lot of work into them. I spent a week in the kitchen and I just spent 4 hours setting up the table. Cant let them go to waste and just give ‘em for free.” you said as you gave away the flyers.

What you didn’t realize was that behind you at your table, Bakugou and Kirishima had stumbled upon your cupcake table and silently went in to grab one. Unfortunately, they weren’t the most graceful and tipped over your entire setup. They looked at each other in shock and quickly scrambled to fix their mistake as you were distracted. The boys picked up the table and quickly went to gather the cakes.

“I put a lot of time into them. There’s sugar free, dairy free-“

“Do you have any that are just free free? I’m really hungry.” Mina whined and you gave in.

“Fine, I’ll let you have a cupcake if you help me with the sale. You can make sure the table stays neat and tidy!” you bargained to which Mina agreed. However, as you said that, Bakugou had tipped the table again after he bumped into it while picking up cupcakes and Kirishima gave him a look that screamed ‘duuudeee seriously?!’ As he was on his knees picking up the sweets.

“Hey, maybe we can get Bakugou and Kirishima to help us too!” Mina offered.

“Ehh, I don’t know. They’d probably just want to eat everything,” you warned as you hung up one flyer.

“I doubt they’d put food in their mouths if it meant helping the school.” She tried to defend them but behind your backs, the boys panicked when they didn’t know what to do and just stuffed the cakes in their mouths. They left evidence all over their hands and face.

“Well, let’s get this bake sale started!” You said and when you both turned around to face your table, you saw it on the ground along with a few cupcakes. The rest of them were in the hands and mouths of Kirishima and Bakugou as you both watched them continue to chow down on the desserts. Once they noticed you guys staring they froze, dropped the cupcakes, pointed towards each other, and spoke with full mouths at the same time.

“.....he did it.” They both said with frosting and cake all in their hands, mouths, and faces.

—

Here’s the situation. Y/N has been directed to keep a low profile due to her being targeted by a few villains. She wasn’t down for that especially since her and Bakugou were a duo. She knew Bakugou could handle himself but it made her feel better knowing they were both looking out for each other on the field. And so, to keep fighting by his side, she went under an Alias hero name, Blaze, and gave herself a new look for the time being. She wore a very subtle and natural wig, different makeup, and wore a bandana mask that covered half her face.

Bakugou of course knew who she was, along with the rest of the former students in 1-A, but they went along with it so that Y/N can continue to fight. Unfortunately, “Blaze,” grew popular as people began to notice Bakugou’s “new” hero partner and eventually, the duo got an interview that wanted an inside scoop on all things Blaze. So here we are at that interview.

“You know Dynamight, I think I like this new partner better than H/N,” the interviewer said. Bakugou and the rest of 1-A grew a shocked and fearful look on their faces once those words left the poor man’s mouth.

“Excuse me?” Y/N aka Blaze said.

“Well, Blaze, I think you just have this special something that H/N never had. And, I think you’re more talented than her.” Ironic since the man is speaking to the same girl just with a different name. Once he said that though, the former students all grew shocked faces that were the embodiment of “😧😯” as they awaited for Y/N’s reply.

“Heh...what?” Y/N laughed trying to play it off and not be detected, “H/N is brilliant. You have no idea what you are talking about,” Y/N said with a slight smile but 100% attitude. Bakugou looked at his girlfriend with hesistant eyes as he was worried she would kill the man.

“I think I do,” the man started, “see, you just bring this fresh new look for Dynamight that H/N never brought.”

Bakugou was pissed this man was talking about his Y/N like that but he was in the eye of the public and had to keep a cool cover and so he quickly jumped to try and save this interviewer from Y/N’s wrath.

“H/N was also fresh! Heh..some might even say that H/N and Blaze have the same amount of ..fre-freshness.” Bakugou tried to counter but the man kept going.

“Well in my opinion, Y/N L/N wasnt an impactful or important part of your success at all. She was overrated.” And Bakugou’s face grew worried and shocked as his head snapped towards Y/N to gaze her reaction.

“Huh! What do you know?! You don’t fight villains or save lives!” Y/N aka Blaze said as she stood from her seat and walked towards the man. “You just sit there with your over-gelled, swoopy hair as you read and ask stupid questions off of stupid cards!” She said and took the cards out of his hands and threw them at the man.

Bakugou was quick to stand and try to take the attention away from the scene. “Hey uh..my-my team will be coming out with new Dynamight merch so stay tuned for that!..heh...”

“And another thing,” Y/N said as her intense stare never left the interviewer’s. “H/N has worked too hard to be treated with such disrespect! Am I right everyone?!” She asked the crowd in the audience as they all cheered in agreement.

“See this is what I’m talking about!” The man said as he stood up with you and Katsuki. “This is that exact fire that Y/N lacks!”

“Oh I’ll show you fire!” You said as you went to jump the man but before you got a chance Bakugou was quick to grab you and throw you over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. He turned to the man and apologized and created a casual conversation as you hung from his shoulders, fist-pumping with the crowd as they cheered on your alias name.

“Goodnight everyone!” Bakugou screamed as he ran off with you and out of the building. He took you home and you both had to take a breather from the insane night.

—

“Baby?” Bakugou screamed into your dorm room as he couldn’t find you. He just got back from a training session in the forest with Aizawa and had been looking for you all day. He just wants to see his teddy bear.

“Baby?” Checked the common rooms..nothing.

“Babyyy?” Checked the kitchens...nope.

“Y/N?” Checked the school..not here either.

“Teddy Bear?” Checked the gym..you already know. Bakugou got tired and went to the rooftop.

“TEDDY BEAARRRRRRRR!!!!” He screamed to the world. He still got nothing but then he heard feet running up the stairs and the door bust open. He turned in hopes of it being his loving girlfriend but instead he saw his 4 friends.

“BAKUGOU! SHUT UP!” They all screamed at him.

“Oh shut up idiots! I’m trying to find my girlfriend here!” Bakugou said and as he was getting ready to yell again, the Bakusquad shut him up and dragged him to his dorm room.

“Did you check there?!” Mina asked and she and the rest of the squad walked away. Bakugou walked in and saw you peacefully sleeping in his bed and out of nowhere his annoyed thoughts all left him as he smiled at your slumbering state. He took off his bags and shoes as he jumped into bed with you and smothered your face in quick kisses.

You finally woke up to the ticklish feeling of your loving boyfriend and giggled as he assaulted you with his love. “Hey baby, what’s up?”

“I’ve been looking for you Princess,” Bakugou said as his lips were on your cheek. His face was smooshed into yours as he inhaled your sweet scent. He loved it here.

“You need something, love?” You asked as you turned to face him. You watched as Bakugou just nodded his head and poked his lips out. Yes. Bakugou Katsuki did all that searching and yelling for a single peck on the lips from you. It was all he craved for and he was gonna get it. You smiled as you rolled your eyes and gave in. The sweet peck was enough to make Bakugou combust as he sighed in satisfaction and flopped onto his bed, bringing you down with you him.

“Thank you!” He said with shut eyes and a contempt smile.

“Sure babe, anytime,” you said as you cuddled into him and drifted back off to sleep. Katsuki following you, dreaming about giving you even more kisses.

—

Y/N had been meditating. Due to her quirk, it was good that she’d get some R&R during these peaceful and quiet states. Until her boyfriend walked in. Bakugou Katsuki, who is very much the opposite of peaceful and quiet.

“Baby?” He asked. “Is there anything I can do to help?” He said with a pretty chirpy attitude and a small smile.

“Go away,” you smiled sweetly at him for a second before turning back around.

“THAT’S JUST MEAN!”

—

A/N: idk I thought this was cute :/

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[safaia-47]

Gojo Satoru Diaries - Stop Teasing Me

After shaking away my depressing thoughts I finish eating my fourth slice of cake.

"You should go easy on the cake Gojo-kun, I don't want you getting a stomachache." She giggles warning me then stops.

"Are you okay?" Did you get a stomachache for real?" Her voice laced with worry asked me.

"I'm great! The cake was so delicious it left me stunned." I was telling the truth I thought it was scrumptious but I didn't want to talk about him yet.

"Thank you but are you sure you are feeling well? I have medicine if you need it?" She asked again.

"No it's fine really, I feel great. I never get sick but I appreciate it though." I try to reason with her.

She smiled and joked with me. "Yeah you getting sick from eating anything sweet is very hard to believe. The day you do get sick is a day the skies start raining cats."

They all laughed at her jokes.

"You traitors! I need sweets to feed my brain. It's a totally, healthy amount." I whine to her.

"Yeah if you were Willy Wonka. You sweet loving fanatic." She teases back.

"Thank you I'll take that as a compliment. That would be amazing if I lived in a candy factory." I stuck my tongue at her.

Her funny sense of humor did helped improve my sour mood and make the kids laugh more at me.

"Ok, now that we filled our bellies and had a chance to laugh at me. It's time to learn about curse energy, line up my precious students." I yelled and stood up as I clap my hands together.

"Hai Gojo-sensei. Let me put away the containers in the basket." She answered as Ryuuga and her gathered all the containers with leftovers and dirty plates back into the baskets.

"Now gather around and listen to my great wisdom." I made jazz hands and let my round shades sit on my nose.

"Just start teaching idiot Gojo." Megumi ordered me and sat down next to Safaia-chan. This little brat.

"That's not nice Megumi-chan you have to treat your teacher kindly. Even if that teacher is Gojo-kun." She giggles to herself when she corrected him. It's great that she took my side but did she really, have to say that.

"Hey, Safaia-chan you're so mean to me. Do I have to call you princess again if you won't stop teasing me?" I throw a fit and pouted. I wasn't getting my way. So I'll just tease her even more.

She frowns at me and crosses her arms "How many times must I tell you Gojo-kun, I'm not a princess."

"Haha, I can see that Gojo your so right you are very kind and graceful like one. Our overprotective father and brothers spoil you rotten." Her bother laugh loudly and agree with me.

"That's not true at all! I'm not spoiled!" She pouts and furrower her eyebrows a little.

"Are too." He teased back.

"Am not?" She says back. They were going back and forth with each other. I thought they were having fun arguing with other. These twins never fail to amuse me I chuckle watching them. From the corner of my eye, I saw Tsumiki tugging on Safaia's dress.

"What's so wrong with being called princess Amagi-chan?" She looked up at Safaia with innocent eyes.

Turning around to face Tsumiki she smiled and answered her "It's nothing really bad about it. I just don't like when Gojo-kun teases me like that. Princess can be very smart, kind, and strong not just physical but also mentally."

"If that's the case then Safaia is a princess nothing's wrong with being called that as you said." Tsumiki-chan grins after reassuring her.

Safaia tilted her head up and stared at me "Don't think Gojo-kun is calling me that for nice reasons. I think he's just mocking me. Am I right Gojo-kun?"

Before answering, Safaia saw Tsumiki covering her arms from the wind. So she gave her sweater over to Tsumiki-chan, leaving her soft fleshy arms and round slope shoulders bare. Saying it is a little chilly still for spring. This is the first time I saw her arms, usually, she wore long sleeves or 3/4 sleeves.

"Well, of course, I love to tease you Safaia-chan but you are a princess to me," I smirked as I continue to look are her squishy biceps and other womanly assets, hiding my eyes behind my black shades.

"I know you are teasing me Gojo-kun. May we please continue our lesson? I'm sorry we got carried away with the previous conversation." She apologized and politely asked me.

Ehehehe "Since my precious students asked so nicely, let's get into the basics, shall we. I have already been teaching Megumi for about 10 months and told Safaia-chan a little about cursed energy. That only leaves Ryuuga-kun, hey did your mean sister tell you anything that I told her?"

"Yeah, she told me everything Gojo-sensei." He answered me and looked at his pouting sister.

"Okay! Now that we're all on the same page. Let's talk about controlling cursed energy. First, cursed energy is kind of like electricity. Raw curse energy can be used for blunt force. But if you use cursed energy to flow into your technique to activate your unique abilities. Do you guys understand?" I down at them sitting on the ground and asked them.

"Yep, I understand Gojo-sensei," Ryuuga-kun answered followed by Safaia-chan. Then I saw a little hand come up."

"Yes, Tsumiki-chan? What are you confused about?"

"I don't understand the example you just made Mr. Gojo." She looked embarrassed with her lips pressed together.

"That's okay Tsumiki-chan I'll make it simple for you to understand. Megumi are you sure you understand too? Never mind I'll just demonstrate for everyone to understand." I walked to the basket and took out two plastic containers. "May I use this?" I asked Safaia.

"You may" I place both empty containers on the ground side by side in front of them.

"Ok watch and learn, this one is raw cursed energy." The first container exploded. "And this one has cursed energy flowing through the technique." The second container twisted in on itself.

"Do you get it now Tsumiki-chan? I smirked when I saw her face lit up.

"Hai Mr. Gojo. I get it now, I was only asking because Megumi didn't understand. Do you understand now Megumi-chan?"

Megumi turned his face away and a ting of blush painted his cheeks.

"Awww Megumi-chan, you didn't understand? You had your sister ask for you. I thought I taught you better than that Megumi-chan. Tsk tsk." I ruffle his hair again.

"I had a feeling you were going to destroy the containers but not like this." Safaia-chan grinned looking back up at me then turned to her side to look at Megumi. "Megumi it's okay you can questions. It's better to ask than to sit back and not know how to understand or solve problems. I used to do that a lot when I was younger."

Megumi turned back around to stare back at her. "You did that too growing up?" He asked.

"Yeah, I was embarrassed and a little scared to ask for help a lot when I was younger and even now but not so much anymore. So it's okay to ask questions, Megumi-chan knowledge is power." She finishes off with a smile.

"You look like you use to be a scaredy-cat." I interrupt her and laugh. She whips her head back up at me and pouts.

Ryuuga-kun laughs and speaks up "You were such a scaredy-cat growing up. I remember you always hiding behind me when we were little." She starts blushing more from her brother teasing her.

"Be quiet, Ryuuga" She pouts some more. She blushes, and she pinches her brother's arm. Her cheeks got as red as her hair; it was adorable. This is the brightest her face has gotten since I met her. Ehehehe, I should tease her some more.

"You didn't say it wasn't true so you did use to do that?" I stare back at her soft arms and grin. "If you need protection I can gladly protect you."

"Stop teasing me, Gojo-kun and Ryuuga. That was when I was little. Can we please go back to the topic at hand?" She frowns with small blush this time.

"Stop being mean to Amagi-chan!" Tsumiki grab Safaia arm and yelled along with Megumi's famous glare.

"Of course meanies, first I want you guys to punch me with cursed energy. That way I can see how much-cursed energy control training you need. First up Ryuuga-kun." I extend my hand out so he can punch it.

"Punch you?" You won't complain later that we hit you right?" Ryuuga looked at me skeptically.

"I promise I won't cry later," I say with my finger crossed behind my back.

"You know we can see you cross your finger Gojo-sensei." Megumi frowns at me.

"Wait you called me Gojo-sensei, Megumi-chan?" I went to go hug him and he push me away.

"Amagi-chan said to treat you kindly even if you're you." He answered and look back at Safaia. This brat seriously.

"Thank you Megumi-chan for listening to me." She gave him a thumbs up.

"So you like Safaia-chan so much but not me." I pouted. He just looked away. "Forget you. Now onto the punches.

Ryuuga goes first and punches my hand and his punch had an even flow of cursed energy. The same with Safaia. Then came Megumi, his was good but it didn't hit as hard as the other two. I will have more training with Megumi and I can still train the twins with curse doll training for further practice.

I told them will continue training at a later date since I didn't bring the cursed doll to practice with. I told them about the simple barriers technique since they always fight in the open.

"You guys can practice more alone without me. The incantation for it 'Emerge from the darkness, blacker than darkness. Purify that which is impure.' Remember your surroundings will turn black so a scaredy-cat like Safaia-chan will have pull-through ok?" I tug on her soft hair.

"Stop teasing me Gojo-kun!" She whines to me.

I let them practice making their barriers as I made sandcastles with Tsumiki-chan. I made a fantastic one with all types of shells. I try to find ones that match Safaia's dress pattern.

I just wanted to goof around today.

I was the clear winner of the sandcastles competition and Ryuuga and Safaia were improving by keeping the curtain up.

It was getting close to eating dinner, so I offered if they wanted to eat at a restaurant before going home. It was my treat. Ryuuga said there was this amazing ramen shop near us. So we went there and ate dinner.

After eating dinner we walked them back home and said hi to their parents and sister. Their mother was all over the kids acting like they were her own. She gave them so many pastries from her bakery. Then packed extra for me.

Safaia and Megumi got tori paitan, Tsumiki got shio, Ryuuga got miso, and I got shoyu ramen. Dinner was nice but I'm starting to think this brat is doing it on purpose following her around. It's nice though that he's having fun.

"Megumi-chan I meant to say I like your Gabumon design shirt." She compliments him as we wait for the food to arrive.

Before Megumi could thank her, my eyes lit up and asked her. "Wait you know who Gabumon is?! You said you didn't watch Digimon?" I stand up with my hands on the table still.

"You seem to enjoy watching it, so I got curious and watched some of it in my free time. It was great just like you said it was. Now we can talk more about it together. Thank you for the recommendation Gojo-kun. And please calm down we're in a restaurant." She sweetly smiled at me.

She actually watched it on her own. I can't believe she really did that. I didn't think she was listening to my rambling about the show. I felt a little nervous and my hands got clammy. That was so cool of her to take a liking to my favorite anime.

"I'm so happy you like it. See I'm always right it's an amazing show right?" I point to fingers guns at her. She giggles answering yes to me and Megumi finishes thanking her.

She also complimented Tsumiki-chan sunflower dress saying she loves floral patterns dresses. Tsumiki got all giddy and said I bought it for her. She loves this dress so much.

"I'm surprised I didn't think you could pick out cute dresses like this Gojo-kun." She teases me while still admiring Tsumiki dress.

"I'm offended I'll have you know I have a great sense of fashion! Look I even dress both Megumi and me and we look fantastic." I huff while fishing for compliments.

"I'm kidding and yes you guys do look very charming." She finally flattery us but I didn't expect her saying that would have me so flustered. My neck was starting to feel hot.

Tsumiki-chan gave back Safaia-chan sweater and thank her for letting her borrow it.

Before we left I got Ryuuga-kun mail and teleport the kids back home.

"So how did you guys like Safaia-chan and Ryuuga-kun? I ask when putting them down to take their shoes off at front door.

"They were both very kind and funny. You have great students, Mr. Gojo. I can't wait to meet them again!" She yelled because of the sugar rush from eating all those sweets at Mrs. Amagi bakery.

"They were both very generous but Amagi-chan was a warm person." Megumi chimes walking to the kitchen to set his treats in the fridge.

I followed him to the kitchen to help put away Tsumiki share. "You think so? I think so too." I grin while closing the fridge.

#gojo satoru #gojo satoru x oc #jujutsu kaisen #writing #gojo satoru diary #gojo satoru fluff #gojo fluff #gojo satoru x amagi safaia #amagi safaia #fushigoro megumi #fushiguro tsumiki

[nalu-love-4-life]

Dragon Swan Song

Author’s Note:

It’s been a very long time since I wrote a drabble on Tumblr for NaLu. But I have had an itch lately to write something for them, because I haven’t written anything passionately in a very long time, and what could be more fun to jump back into writing than to write about my OTP?

I hope you all enjoy this short NaLu drabble where Natsu is a knight assigned to protect the princess, Lucy!

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

The skirt of my dress flowed freely around my ankles as I paced back and forth from the end of my bed to the chamber doors. A feeling of impending dread was steadily building in my stomach and each time I stopped to take a breath the anxious knots only seemed to pull tighter. The late morning sunlight streaming in from the balcony created patches of heat on the cool stone floor. While the warmth on my skin brought brief comfort, my thoughts were still troubled and they swirled in my head, going ‘round and around, making me dizzy. My pacing stopped only when I heard a low rapping on the doors behind me.

“Excuse me, Princess. I’m coming in,” a husky voice called.

I swiveled around and straightened my back, and hastily tucked a couple loose strands of hair - which had fallen over my face - behind my ear. After clasping my hands together with a firm grip, I answered, “C-come in!” There was a momentary pause before the doors opened and a familiar mess of pink hair peaked into view.

Natsu, I thought with a soft sigh. I could already feel my worries sliding off from my shoulders. As he stepped into the room, I could see his firm build. He stood almost a foot taller than me and his skin was tanned from spending long days training in the sun.

“Princess Lucy, is everything alright?” He asked. “I could hear your footsteps from the other side of the doors. Is there something on your mind?” His voice was deep and sincere, but the formality of his speech felt strange.

“Y-yes! Everything is fine, really. No need to worry. I’m just overthinking some plans that my father had proposed to me this past evening.” I did my best to brush his concern away with a smile and a curt wave of my hand, but the crease between his eyebrows remained and his lips did not move from the slight frown they were set in.

“Hmm,” he hummed aloud. “Well, though I believe you’re telling me the truth, I cannot take your words at mere face value.”

“Huh?” I questioned.

“You don’t look like you’re in full health, Princess. So I will do my own inspection to make sure you are feeling well,” he said in a raised voice while peering down the long hallway. I waited with anticipation as Natsu quietly shut the wooden doors. He paused, and I watched his shoulders rise and fall as he slowly breathed in and out. When he turned around and looked at me I could see the glimmer of mischief dancing in his onyx eyes.

“Natsu,” I said. “What are you doing? It’s the middle of the day. We could be caught!”

He smirked, briefly flashing his sharp canines. A jolt rippled down my spine and my heart beat faster in my chest.

“We’ll be fine, Luce,” he said. Natsu took a couple steps closer to me. He had a confident air about him. “Anyone who was around thinks I’m simply checking on the princess to make sure she’s feeling well. Nothing wrong with that, right?” He raised his eyebrows and the devilish flare grew in his eyes. My knees wobbled underneath the intensity of his stare. As he entered further into the room, the sunlight illuminated the details of his face. I couldn’t help myself from studying him.

The old scar that ran down his right cheek stopped at his jawline, and another stretched across the right side of his neck. The rough skin healed a bit darker than his normal shade, which only made them appear more prominent. His cheeks were dusted a soft rose giving him a healthy and youthful likeness. Light freckles speckled the bridge of his nose and under his eyes, but if you weren’t looking close enough you wouldn’t think he had any at all. There was a bit of dirt on his forehead and his hair was in mild disarray, so he had probably been training in the courtyard or tending to the horses in the stables earlier. My eyes continued to scan over his face. I didn’t want to miss a thing.

“Like what you see?”

“Huh?!” Startled, my concentration broke and our eyes locked.

Natsu chuckled and closed the little distance that was left between us. His smile was warm. “You’re cute when you get lost in thought,” he muttered bringing his right hand to rest on my cheek. It was as if there was fire in his fingertips. His touch was gentle, but every one set my skin ablaze. I could feel the rough callouses on his palm that had formed from years of hard work wielding his sword and perfecting his skills.

“Don’t tease me like that,” I pouted. My hair fell loose around my shoulders as I turned my head to the side.

“Aw, come on, Luce. I was being serious,” he whined, but the slight twitch at the corners of his mouth gave away his amusement. A gasp escaped my lips as I felt two strong arms circle around my waist and pull me forward. Our bodies pressed together and the palms of my hands rested on his chest. All I could think about was how firm and strong it felt.

“Natsu th-this is embarrassi-!”

“You really are beautiful, Princess,” he murmured. His voice was low and tender and every word sounded so sincere. I really admired that about him. Though sometimes he could be honest to a fault, it was just another one of his many charms.

He used his hand that was on my cheek to brush the hair from my face and place it back behind my ear. “There they are,” he said. “Hey, Doe Eyes.” A quiet chuckle rumbled in his throat.

“Hi,” I whispered almost breathless. Natsu smelled like warm linen and earth, with a hint of something sweet, like honey or vanilla. I wished that I could bottle that scent so I could revisit it whenever, but did my best to focus so I could at least commit it to memory. His dark eyes held me as a willing captive and I couldn’t tear myself away. As frustrating as his teasing could be at times, I was never more at ease than when I was enveloped in his embrace. Whenever it seemed like everything was turning upside down and I felt as if I could float away at any given moment, I could always count on him to tether me and bring me safely back to solid ground.

His face relaxed as he scanned over me. “Now,” Natsu said clearing his throat. “Are you gonna tell me why you were pacing so much? Your footsteps were so loud, I bet everyone in the castle thought an ogre was stomping around in here.” Natsu’s eyebrows lifted and his lips puckered ever-so slightly. I could tell he was holding in laughter.

“How dare you!” I huffed and pushed against his chest so that he would relinquish his hold on me. “And just when I thought you were being genuinely sweet for once.” I crossed my arms over my chest and marched onto the balcony.

There was a cool spring breeze and the sky was bright blue with thin white clouds floating lazily overhead. I positioned myself so that my arms rested against the thick metal railing that overlooked the castle garden. All of the flowers were in full bloom and their many scents mixed in a harmonious melody which filled the air and swirled around me. I took a deep breath in to fully appreciate the wonderful aroma. As my muscles began to relax the sound of heavy boots came closer to my turned back.

Natsu stood quietly beside me with his back leaned against the railing. He craned his neck to the side and looked across the castle grounds. “You always did enjoy the garden, didn’t you?” He asked, although it seemed like it was more of a statement to himself. “Even when we were kids, if you were ever upset you’d always go someplace where you could see the flowers.”

I glanced at him from the side. “Of course I like the garden,” I sighed. “The flowers are pretty, it’s always quiet, and I can lose myself walking around in it. I can pretend like I don’t have a care in the world—like I can do whatever I want—be whoever I want—love whoever I-” I stopped myself and turned to look at Natsu. He was smiling at me, but it was small and there was sadness underneath. Natsu shifted his eyes away from me and turned around so that he faced the garden. His broad shoulders slumped forward and his weight pressed down on his forearms that he’d rested on the railing.

“Do you remember that day?” He asked. “When we met?” I ran my eyes over his face, trying to discern what he might be thinking. “You were picking daisies in the far corner of the garden to make a makeshift crown, and I was running from Makorov ‘cuz I accidentally tore a hole right through his trousers with my sword.”

“As I recall, you caused that tear because you were sparring with Gray again over who was going to get to eat the last slice of Miss Mira’s strawberry shortcake that she’d baked earlier that day,” I mocked. “But then Erza knocked your heads together, claimed it for herself, and ate it right in front of you! So neither you nor Gray got any cake and you were both punished for fighting—no sweets for a whole month!” I raised my hand to cover my mouth as I laughed.

“Y-yeah… Erza’s scary,” Natsu muttered.

I stood with my hands on my hips and gave a disapproving stare. “I haven’t forgotten how you ran straight into me and crushed all of my daisies before I could make that crown, by the way,” I said. “And you caused me to fall face first into the dirt and ruin the new dress Father had gotten for me, too,” I huffed. Natsu grimaced and rubbed the back of his head, ruffling his hair.

“Uh, yeah, sorry,” he said. “I remember getting an earful about that too.”

I scoffed in mild amusement. “It’s fine. To be quite honest, Father always ordered the most stuffy dresses back then, anyway, and the one you ruined was particularly stifling to wear,” I said. “Especially when I was out in the garden.”

“Well, I wish you had said something back then before Erza chewed me out for that in between mouthfuls of cake,” Natsu laughed.

“Why would I when it’s so amusing to see how you and Gray shake like puppies when she scolds you?” He pretended to pout at my taunting which only made me laugh more. “Miss Erza’s not so terrible, you know,” I said gaining my composure.

“You only think that because you’ve never had to fight her. After one training session I can barely move for days whenever she’s put in charge of combat practice. She’s merciless!” He whined.

I giggled and Natsu turned his head so he could look at me. His eyes were serious when they met mine. Something about his steady gaze threw my stomach for a whirl. “W-what is it?” I asked.

Natsu shifted his weight and stood tall. His stature blocked the sun and cast a shadow over me. To someone else, he might seem scary using his full height to his advantage like this. But to me, he was no more threatening than a dragonfly.

“Lucy,” he said. His voice came off stern but his eyes were almost pleading. “Tell me why you’ve been so stressed lately. I won’t continue to pretend like I haven’t noticed.” Natsu took my hand in his. I could feel his thumb tracing gentle circles over the tops of my fingers. Unlike before, he kept a respectable distance between us and was careful to hide our clasped hands behind the railing.

We couldn’t risk the groundskeepers or any other castle attendant seeing us, and the balcony was a very public spot. Any affectionate display witnessed by the wrong person was sure to circulate through the castle grapevine, and there would surely be repercussions to face. I knew this, of course, but I still felt my heart longing.

————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Author’s End Note:

I hope you all enjoyed this first installation of this NaLu drabble as much as I enjoyed writing it! Sorry to leave you all on a bit of a cliffhanger there but it was getting much longer than originally intended haha Should I continue it and make it a real story? If you want more please like, comment, and/or DM me and let me know what you think! And make sure to follow me on here on tumblr for any updates on this story and so you don’t miss any other Fairy Tail NaLu drabbles or fanfic posts/art or story reblogs!

❤️ nalu-love-4-life

#fairy tail #angst #nalu #natsu dragneel #lucy heartfilia #gray fullbuster #romance #fanfiction #love #princess #knight #adventure #fluff #drabble #writing #story #sad #heartbreak #anime #nalu-love-4-life

[procrastinatorimagines]

Here For You Part 8 (Final)

Fandom: Chicago PD / One Chicago

Series: Here For You

Part 1 // Part 2 // Part 3 // Part 4 // Part 5 // Part 6 // Part 7 // Part 8 (Final)

Pairing: Jay Halstead x Reader

Warning/s: none

Word Count: 1,211

Summary:  Y/N’s world spun out of control after she got pregnant, uprooting her life and moving to Chicago only for her brother to get involved in a murder trial. Little did she know that that had been the beginning the beginning of the rest of her life. Now, 5 years later, still side by side with Jay in the life she fought so hard to build, she couldn’t be happier as she enters into the next chapter of her life, in more ways than one. 

Tags: @sesamepancakes​ //

Note: I feel like this is a better end to the series that the original one, open ended because I felt like it needed to be more of a beginning than an end, if that makes sense, enjoy!

5 years later 

“Are you ready for this?” Jay asked, holding out his hand for you as you took a deep breath, stepping out of the court house you’d been in many times over the years. 

Tommy had tried to again to worm his way into Lucas’ life, but he’d been declared unfit to parent around the same time he was locked up for armed robbery. To this day, you still couldn’t believe how lucky you’d gotten, you’d dodged a major bullet with Tommy, and ended up with Jay instead. 

Jay, who had been your rock, your light, your family.

And today, finally, after a long road and a minefield of paperwork, Jay had officially adopted Lucas. 

Not that he hadn’t always been Lucas’ father, ‘dad’ had been his first word, a fact that still made you as emotional to think about, realising at that moment just how blessed you’d truly been. 

Lucas had hold of Jay’s other hand, dressed in his best shirt and a cute little bow tie, beaming as he jumped down the steps two feet at a time. You were going to celebrate with lunch, back at the cafe where your water had first broke. 

It was a tradition with your little family, even after you’d moved out of your old apartment building, finally giving your brother Henry his space back when Lucas was around two and a half. You and Jay had bought a house together, with a nice garden and plenty of space for your son to spread his wings. 

Even so, there was something nice about coming back to that little cafe, especially since the waitress, Edna, had become a family friend. Lucas always got free cake or cookies whenever you visited, despite insisting it really wasn’t necessary.

“I like her,” Lucas announced happily after Edna had brought you out your food, fussing over Lucas and leaving him with an extra large slice of his favourite cake to commemorate the big day, “she always gives me free food.”

You laughed, tossing one of your chips into your mouth, “well, you were nearly born right on that seat,” you told him, gesturing to the chair he was sitting on. Well, it probably wasn’t the exact same chair, but you did always sit at the same table, so close enough.

He pulled a face, “ew, gross mommy,” he said, earning a laugh from Jay as he went back to eating his food happily. 

“I’m officially his dad,” Jay said to you with a proud smile, the fact still sinking in as he rested one arm on the back of your chair.

You put a hand on his leg and gave it a squeeze, “you’ve always been his dad,” you reminded him. When Tommy had reappeared a couple of years ago you’d... done your best to explain the situation to Lucas. It wasn’t fair to him to do anything otherwise, especially when you’d had to return to court, but it hadn’t been easy, and although he understood a little more now, he’d still barely asked about Tommy, he wasn’t the man who’d raised him afterall. 

The whole adoption had been hard to explain too, even though he was a little older now, his mind still couldn’t quite grapple with the fact that Jay wasn’t his biological father. He’d always asked how Tommy could be his dad, when he’d never met him, never bought him a father’s day present, never taken him to parent/teacher day... You and Jay had tried to find a way to explain it, but it had only made him upset, sleeping in your bed with you both for the better part of a week afterwards incase someone came to take Jay away, he’d explained. 

You would have done all this years ago, if Tommy hadn’t technically still had parental rights, but as soon as he’d lost those you’d petitioned to have Jay adopt Lucas, and never looked back. 

“Does that mean I get to have your last name?” Lucas perked up, lifting his head from where he’d been messing with the police badge Jay had given with him when he was younger. Some children had comfort toys or blankets, your son had a badge. It always melted your heart to see him with it, he said it always kept him close to Jay when he was at work. 

“What about me?” You asked, actually a little offended, “you don’t want to keep my last name?” You’d obviously never given him Tommy’s, and he hadn’t brought it up before the adoption, you actually hadn’t thought about whether he might want to be a Halstead instead.

Instead of answering, he look to Jay, an odd sense of accomplishment on his face that he always had when he did what he was told. 

You looked to Jay, puzzled. Had they talked about this without you?

“Well... if Luke wants to take my last name, I guess maybe you could take it too?” Jay suggested, a smile forming on his face as he waited for you to catch on to his meaning. 

You sucked in a breath, heart skipping a beat as you understood, Jay slipping his hand into his pocket and pulling out a small velvet box. 

Lucas was grinning from ear to ear, drumming his fingers on the table and swinging his legs in excitement. “Ask ask ask,” he whispered giddily.

 You looked from your son to Jay, who was moving off of his chair to kneel on one kneel, slowly opening up the box to reveal a beautiful ring that glinted in the sun. You stared from it to Jay in shock, your mouth practically hanging open.

“Y/N, we’re been there for each other since the day we met,” he began, taking a shaky breath to steady his emotions and nerves, “it hasn’t always been easy, but I love you, I love our family, our life together, with all my heart, and I think we’ve waited long enough. Y/N, will you marry me?”

"Yes, yes, always yes,” you blurted the second the question was out of his mouth, standing at the same time as Jay to meet him in a kiss. He clumsily slipped the ring on your finger when you broke apart; it felt right on your finger, exactly where it was supposed to be.

“I love you,” he told you, returning the sentiment yourself as he wrapped you in a hug, tears of joy slipping down your cheek. 

You heard sniffling from somewhere behind you, spotting Edna wiping his eyes from where she stood in the cafe doorway, a handful of other patrons offering you claps and congratulations.

Lucas gave out a squeal of excitement, rushing from his chair to where you and Jay were hugging, wriggling up in between the two of you as you hugged. Laughing you both bent down and scooped him up, sandwiching him in another hug, giggling as you kissed both his cheeks.

“This, right here,” Jay said, meeting your eyes, “this is all I need, just the three of us.”

You looked between your son and... fiance, with so much love and admiration your heart could hardly take it, your free hand ghosting subconsciously to your stomach.

Little did he know... three was about to become four.

#jay halstead #chicago pd #one chicago #jay halstead x reader #jay halstead imagine #chicago pd imagine #one chicago imagine #jay halstead imagines #chicago pd imagines #one chicago imagines #here for you

[goblins-riddles-or-frocks]

Prompt 4 + Genyalina

4. Kissing in the rain and getting soaked before running inside laughing

(AU where Genya leaves with Alina in the first part of S&S, and set somewhere towards the end of that book)

***

“The Sun Summoner requires some time alone,” Genya says grandly. Shooing off all the squabbling Grisha that seem to follow Alina everywhere these days. She’s holding a basket as they walk away from the Little Palace. Alina is a little terrified of what she could possibly be up to.

“I do?” Alina asks her once they’re finally alone. From a distance, Zoya throws them a stormy glance over her shoulder as she walks away. The others hadn’t needed much convincing to leave, but Zoya seemed positively offended.

“Oh yes.” Genya gives her a brilliant smile, her face lighting up with it. She leads them down to the lake, beyond the gravel path, and picks a spot, not exactly secluded but also unlikely for them to run into anyone. “You require lunch and a break from all the nonsense. I swear, they all bicker like old women.”

“It’s incessant.”

It turns out the basket is not terrifying at all. It’s filled with chilled wine, okroshka in a vacuum flask, tea sandwiches, slices of poppy seed cakes, and little pies. Alina immediately goes for a sweet pirozhki. Breakfast at the Little Palace may not include pickled herring anymore, but it’s still too much fish for her taste. This is a very welcome change.

They talk easily as they eat. It is nice to have a break, nicer still not to worry about if she’s playing her part correctly, or what people thought of her. Alina realizes that haven’t really spoken like this since they were aboard the Volkvolny. There simply hasn’t been the time.

Genya groans as they hear a roll of thunder. “I don’t know how, but I’m blaming Zoya for this.”

Alina laughs. “It’s looked like rain all day.”

The expression on Genya’s face when the first drop lands on her cheek is comical. She lowers the lid on picnic basket with a sigh.

Alina thinks she sees a movement from the corner of her eye. A flicker of darkness, maybe just a shadow. It’d most likely nothing, or so she tells herself. But she freezes anyway, heart stuttering. She doesn’t hear Genya’s reply.

“Alina?”

She looks around. There’s no one there. She takes a deep breath and tries to steady herself. But even so, the shadows cast by the silhouette of the woods around them have taken on a menacing air. The initial sprinkling of rain is quickly giving way to an outpour.

Genya reaches for her hand, and for a brief moment Alina realizes she’s expecting the rush of surety when she touches the Darkling, or that jolt she’d felt with Mal. But there is none, and she is startled by a sense of relief so intense she thinks she might cry.

“Are you alright?”

“Yes… No.” She shakes her head. “I’m not sure.”

“You can tell me, you know, whenever you’re ready.” Genya is looking at her intently. Concern written plainly on her beautiful face. There had been some strain between them in the first few days they’d returned to Os Alta. But Alina is so grateful to have her there now, even if her own sanity may or may not be slipping.

“Okay.” She gave Genya’s hand a light squeeze.

“But that goes for you too.”

Genya bites her lip, then looks away for a moment. When she turns back, it’s with her usual smile. “You’re drenched. You should let me do something with about your hair.”

“What if I like looking like a drowned cat?”

“What if I gave you purple spots in your sleep?” she replied sweetly.

Alina surprises them both and kisses her. It’s a brief, breathless thing.

Genya gives a scandalized little laugh. “Alina.”

But before she can blush or really process what she just did, Genya takes her face and kisses her again, longer this time, more certain. There's another crackle of thunder but Alina doesn’t care.

“It took you long enough. I thought you were going to wait until you’re old and grey to admit anything.”

“Not ‘we’?”

“Of course not! I’d never let my hair go grey,” Genya replies with exaggerated haughtiness before dissolving into laughter.

Alina shakes her heard, but she cannot suppress a silly smile. “Let’s go inside.”

Send me a ship and a prompt! I do not care about the fandom I’ll attempt anything

#grishaverse #alina starkov #genya safin #genyalina #shadow and bone #siege and storm #the grisha trilogy #apparently the running theme rn is...baskets? #the kotogil drabble also featured one lmao #ship prompts #prompt games #ask games #i ramble sometimes #all the bendy punctuations #*writer's cap* #a string of words

[ohhipstaplease]

Strawberry Sugar | NH

Chapter 4

CH. 1 | CH. 2 | CH. 3| Read all chapters: Ao3 / FFN

Naruto walked into his apartment, shut the door behind him, and didn’t say a word when he saw Konohamaru on his couch watching some television show. He threw the boxed cake onto his counter and went straight to bed, willing himself to replay the moment over and over in his head.

“Baka,” he said as he imagined Hinata’s perfect pink tongue against his fingertip. He grimaced, physically feeling as if he had been sucker-punched.

“Nii-chan?” Konohamaru said as he approached Naruto’s bedside. “I know you said I’m not allowed to come over when you’re not home, but you know how it is with my parents. I just wanted—”

Konohamru was going to continue, that is until he realized that Naruto looked pained—extremely pained.

“Nii-chan...are you okay? I thought you were going to be out late with Hinata.”

At the mention of her name, Naruto sucked in a breath and turned on his side, away from his protegee.

Putting two and two together Konohamaru’s worried expression quickly turned into one of mischievous glee, “Something happened, didn’t it?”

Naruto grunted in response, which only served to encourage Konohamaru’s imagination.

“I knew it! I knew it!” He said excitedly, grabbing onto Naruto’s side. He attempted to turn him back over to face him, but Naruto refused.

“You have to tell me, come on, you have to tell me what happened!”

“I...She...” Naruto sounded as if the wind had been knocked out of him, he truly could not articulate what had happened. He didn’t know how to explain it. It was so very innocent, but at the same time so incredibly intimate. His imagination began running away with him the moment her eyes met his, in that split second of panic when he realized what he had done and she had given into a capricious whim. He was sure he wouldn’t be able to think of anything but her tonight.

“Nii-chan, that isn’t an answer” Konohamaru pouted.

Naruto turned to face him and patted the space next to him. Konohamaru obliged him and sat on the edge of the bed.

“Look, you’re just too young right now for me to explain...”

Konohamaru rolled his eyes, “I know about that. I’m thirteen, not three.”

Naruto narrowed his eyes, “That’s not what I was talking about.”

“Then what, were you going to say, love?” Konohamaru said, clasping his hands together raising them to the side of his face in an exaggerated motion.

“Okay, get out.”

“No, come on! I want to know what happened!”

“Nothing.”

“You’re going to tell me you’re acting this way because absolutely nothing happened?”

“Look, squirt,” Naruto said sitting up and crossing his legs upon the bed. He faced Konohamaru and clasped his shoulder firmly, “Before this morning, I didn’t realize that Hinata had...um...that she...”

“Loves you.”

“Woah! Come on now. We don’t know that.”

A deadpan look was etched upon Konahamru’s face, “Right.”

“We can’t assume that. I was going to say that...she had...feelings? For me?”

“Acceptance is the first step, nii-chan.”

“I’m trying to be serious here, kid. Cut me some slack.”

“Alright, alright.” Naruto took a breath and ran a hand through his extremely short blonde hair, trying to compose his thoughts before opening his mouth once more.

“Look, before today I never really opened my eyes to this kind of thing. I used to be so focused on training that...”

“Girls didn’t even exist.”

“Yeah!”

“Except for Sakura onee-san”

“Hey now! I had a little crush on her, that was it. We’re more like brother and sister at this point.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Konohamaru said, waving him off.

“Anyways,” Naruto continued, “I don’t know. I just...something kind of just clicked today. But I feel like such a shitty guy because the reason it clicked was because-” He stopped abruptly, realizing who he was talking to.

“Oh come on, you can’t stop now! Why did it click!?”

“When you’re older-”

“Don’t give me that! When I’m older you’ll still be five years older than me and can use that excuse. I’m not buying it, tell me!”

Naruto sighed, but continued, “Okay, okay. I um...Well...Hinata brought me a piece of cake from Hanabi’s birthday. And, well, it had strawberries on it. I know she really likes them so I picked one off of the slice and offered it to her with my hand.”

“Alright.”

“Well, she took it.”

“And then you guys made out?”

“No!!! That’s it, that’s the story!”

“You’re telling me what did it for you was her eating out of your hand? You’re shitting me right?”

“Hey! Language!”

Konohamaru shook his head, “Don’t change the subject!”

“I’m not.”

“Well, then, continue!”

“Jeez, you’re something else, kid.”

“I don’t have all night...”

Naruto groaned in frustration, tempted to evict Konohamaru from his bed and his apartment. “Look, I don’t know how to explain to you Konohamaru because it’s just one of those things you have to feel. You think i’m insane for saying this is the exact moment I realized it, but I’m telling you, one day you’re going to go through the exact same thing and you’re not going to think I’m so crazy then.”

Konohamaru huffed as he rested his chin on the top of his knuckle, “So what did it for you? Her licking your fingers or something?”

Naruto turned as red as the crest upon his back and Konohamaru cracked up immediately, “Oh, nii-chan! You can’t be serious! Hinata...she..” One glance at Naruto’s face and he had his answer. “Shit, nii-chan, that’s pretty kinky.”

“Alright, that’s it. Out!” Naruto said, pushing Konohamaru off of his bed. The boy landed with a thud on the wooden floor.

“Hey, I’m not judging what you’re into. I just think it’s funny that she almost gave up her life for you, but it was this that made you realize you both definitely have a thing for each other.”

“Get out,” Naruto said firmly.

“I think it’s nice it’s finally all out in the open.”

Naruto got up and started throwing Konohamaru’s things into his knapsack.

“But really, hey, who would’ve thought that Hinata...you know.”

Naruto turned around sharply, “What?”

“She just...didn’t seem like the type.”

“Type?”

Konohamaru laughed, “Nii-chan, she’s been in love with you forever but never really made a move. I didn’t think that straight out the gate she’d come out and suck your fingers.”

Naruto’s face turned a deep shade of red, “She—she didn’t—she didn’t do that! It was an accident!”

“Now it was an accident, sure, boss.”

“I’m not asking you to leave again.”

Konohamaru sighed and grabbed his backpack off the floor before turning towards the door. He was about to start moving towards it, but instead turned to look at Naruto once more, “Don’t mess this up, nii-chan. She gave you the green light officially. What you do from here is probably your last chance to bag her.”

“You are such a little weasel, you really talk about girls that way?”

“What way!? I didn’t say sleep with her! I meant—” But Konohamaru didn’t get to finish his thought because Naruto opened the door, pushed him through it, and shut it abruptly behind him.

“Goodnight,” Naruto said through the door.

“Don’t mess it up, Nii-chan!”

---

Hinata paced the length of her bedroom countless times, trying to convince herself that what had happened was an accident. But at this point, she just wasn’t sure anymore.

“Hinata!” She heard Hanabi call from the hallway, “Phone call for you!”

She ran, barefooted, out into the corridor and almost slammed straight into her younger sister, “Woah! Where’s the fire? It’s just Sakura. Were you expecting someone else? Hanabi asked a smirk etched upon her face.

Hinata wordlessly grabbed the phone from Hanabi’s grasp with a furrowed brow and ran back into the safety of her room.

“Sakura?”

“Hinata-chan! I meant to call earlier, but I just got home.”

“Oh, that’s alright. I wasn’t expecting a call from you, was I?”

“No, no! I just had something to tell you about Naruto.”

Hinata’s pulse became unsteady once more and she nervously blurted out, “It was an accident! You have to tell him I didn’t mean it!”

“What!? What was an accident?”

“He...he didn’t tell you what happened today?”

“Something happened!?”

“I-I...what were you going to say?”

Hinata could hear Sakura slamming something down on her end and involuntarily flinched as her friend yelled, “Hinata what happened!?”

Hot tears of shame began welling up in the back of her eyes, she didn’t want to tell Sakura, but she knew that at this point it would be better to get some advice from someone who wasn’t directly involved.

She shakily replayed the events from earlier in detail to her friend, and stuttered as she admitted, “I want to think it was an accident, but...it just...it felt...right?”

Sakura giggled, “I can only imagine the idiot’s reaction.”

Hinata smiled, “Yes, it was...it was something.”

“Hinata?”

“Yes?”

“I know that you’re over-analyzing everything, as you always do, but can I say something.”

“Mhmm.”

“You probably gave Naruto the 5 most exciting seconds of his life so far.”

The two kunoichis burst out laughing, Hinata was thankful that Sakura had called and managed to quell her fears in one breath.

“So...so you don’t think I scared him off?”

“There’s no way!” Sakura exclaimed, “If anything, I think you solidified what he ran over to tell Sasuke this afternoon.”

Hinata flushed, “What—what did he tell Sasuke-Kun?”

“I really think you two should talk.”

“Sakura-chan, please?” Hinata pleaded.

“Hinata, trust me on this one, go talk to Naruto. For real this time.”

“O—okay.”

“Alright, have a good night then! We’ll chat tomorrow. I’ll stop by with some tea.”

Hinata sighed, “Alright Sakura. Have a good night.”

She laid back upon her bed, the phone still in hand, as she pondered calling Naruto. But she talked herself out of it, knowing she had had her fill of embarrassment for one day. She would just stop by tomorrow morning before he started training for the day.

Until then, with flushed cheeks and star-filled eyes, a conflicted Hinata would replay the feel of him upon her tongue.

#naruhina #naruto fic #naruhina fanfiction #naruhinafluff #ao3fic #ffn.net #naruto x hinata #hinata hyuga #naruto gaiden #naruto uzumaki #naruto shippuden #naruhina fanfiction rec

[disneychannie]

sing for you | d.kyungsoo

pairings: kyungsoo x female!reader

genre: fluff, nonidol!au, slice of life!au, established relationship, shy!kyungsoo, baker!kyungsoo

warnings: mild swearing but nothing intense

word count: 3.09k words

you’ve dated quite a handful of men before kyungsoo and you’ve got to say that kyungsoo was really none like the rest.

he was more preserved and preferred to keep his social status lower. yes, he was a baker which means he constantly see strangers coming in out of his bakery but he has never made it a big of a deal. even though he barely promotes his bakery, there seemed to be quite a good amount of customers daily. don’t exactly know if it was because of the cute owner with the big eyes or that his goods are actually tasty. he prefers to think the latter.

then when you met him, you weren’t that surprised when he wasn’t that touch-y or affectionate with you. to say that you were shocked was an understatement. when you first became friends, (through jongin, his best friend and one of your good friends), you could tell how he wasn’t the type to always initiate the conversation but he does like to say his input on some things once in a while. for some reason that made you attracted to him though you were kinda the total opposite. 

but hey, opposites attract right?

when you first started dating it wasn’t that awkward to your dismay. surprisingly, he was the first one to ask you out. not just you, who were surprised but jongin too. he always thought that you were the one who was gonna do all the work. he didn’t mind you being affectionate towards him, if you’ve ever decided to kiss his cheek, or a random back hug, he would accept it. 

just, he’s not use to being out of his bubble but he hopes that you know he loves you too.

-

it was 12am and an hour after closing time so kyungsoo was busy tidying up the bakery. though he refuses to accept it he acknowledges why people calls him a neat freak. it takes him at least 2 hours to make sure his small bakery is clean and spotless. he does this every single day and he doesn’t seem to get tired of it.

he was moping the floor when he heard the bell of the main entrance ringing, which signals that someone has entered his bakery. he doesn’t bother to stop what he was doing tho, cause he knows that it was you. usually, after a shift at the hospital, which was conveniently the same time where kyungsoo normally finishes cleaning, you would stop by at the bakery so that you could walk with him back to your shared apartment. 

“kyungsoooooo” you exclaimed skipping happily towards him with the biggest smile on your face. kyungsoo rested the mop against one of the tables to come and greet you. you engulfed him in a big hug immediately and out of instinct he would hug you back. “how was the shift?” he asked, going back to moping. 

you sighed dramatically as you sat down on the nearest chair. “it was sooo tiring soo, i might as well stop being a nurse and come work here with you,” you said with a smirk on your face. kyungsoo just laughed and shook his head. “the last thing i would do is let you even stand 10 cm away from a chopping board, love,” kyungsoo joked. you fake gasped but laugh a long with him. 

“i’m seriously so hungry, the hospital cafeteria served pork cutlets which i thought would taste good but ended up tasting like utter shit” you sighed plopping your head on the table which caused the sound of the impact to resonate throughout the small bakery. 

“i know you would say that, i have two sausage rolls and a red velvet cake for you on the counter,” he said simply, nodding his head towards the counter as he continued to mop the floor. you squealed excitedly and made your way towards the counter to claim your goods from the countertop. “thank you so much my baby honey bunch i love youuuu,” you said dramatically making kissing sounds as you head back to your chair before to start eating the pastries. kyungsoo blushed at your pet names for him and only replied with a small welcome. he wished he was able to call you by cute pet names too but he was too shy to do so.

you took a bite of the sausage roll and made a sound to indicate how good it was. “this is so good man,” your voice mumbled as your mouth was full of the pastry. “eat with your mouth closed y/n, you’re gonna choke on your food,” he warned before heading to the back room to put the mop away after finally getting all the corners of the bakery clean. you only made a face to him and continued on eating your food.

it was the little things that kyungsoo does to show you that he loves you when he has a hard time showing it. like this for example. he knew how bad the food at your hospital was and reminds himself to make some extras for you a half an hour before you arrived so it would still be nice and warm when you make your arrival. he immensely knows how much you prefer his food than anyone else’s, well, your mom’s cooking comes first but kyungsoo has a 89.8% chance on taking that spot from your mom.

- 

it was a week before your 4 year anniversary with kyungsoo and you couldn’t be more ecstatic about it. you already bought and even made some homemade gifts you knew kyungsoo would love. 

while you were anticipating for the day to come by, kyungsoo was shitting himself.

he had no clue what to get you for your anniversary this year. he was the worst at giving you gifts and always opted on cooking something extravagant or making top tier cakes or pastries just for you but he was scared that you would grow tired at his way of giving gifts and would eventually get tired of him too. you’ve always reassured that him cooking was already enough (which you genuinely meant) but he obviously had doubts.

he has thought about getting you jewellery before but he knew you weren’t the type to enjoy wearing jewellery much but you wouldn’t push away the thought of having a nice necklace, right? 

so here he was, at jongin’s house currently dying inside as he complains to his dearest friend about what to get you for your anniversary.  

“i’m about to go bonkers jongin, i’ve gotten her the same thing each year and i feel like if i do it again this year she’s going to break with me on our anniversary,” he said all in one breath, and may haps on the brink of tears. “wow you truly are a simp for her huh,” jongin mumbled before continuing. “i have a quite decent suggestion but i just don’t think you would like the idea of it,” 

kyungsoo shot his head up and grabbed jongin by the shoulder shaking him with determination in his eyes. “i’ll take anything you have, i mean it,”. startled by his action, jongin stuttered before talking. “well first of all, let go of me,” he said taking his friend’s hands off his shoulders. “you could try writing a song for y/n and sing it for her” jongin said shrugging. 

you never knew that kyungsoo could sing but jongin knows. back in high school, kyungsoo use to join the choir and school band and was always chosen as the lead singer for each of them. but as uni came, he became a bit shy to show his voice off and only opted on not telling anyone about it, including you. it’s not that he didn’t want you to know but he thought that you wouldn’t like his singing and think that he was a full of himself. 

“i don’t know about that man, what do i even sing about plus, would she even like my singing voice?” kyungsoo said suddenly going glum. jongin hated seeing his best friend at this state but he undeniably believe that this was a great idea.

“don’t even start soo, you know that i know that your voice is one of the finest out there, still think that you could’ve joined an entertainment company and become a singer instead,” kyungsoo nudged his friend upon what he said and jongin just laughed. “i’m serious though man, you could write about how much you love her but is too shy to show it to her,” he suggested. “you could even ask jongdae to help you with the lyrics and chanyeol to help you with the composing,” jongin continued.

“that’s actually not a bad idea,” kyungsoo mumbled. “thanks jongin, i don’t know why i’ve never came up with the idea,” he said gratefully to his friend. “no problem dude, the only way you’ll pay back to me is by giving me a niece,” he joked, which earned a hard slap on the head by kyungsoo.

-

kyungsoo spent the whole week with jongdae and chanyeol trying to come up with something good in just a week. he didn’t tell you what he was doing obviously and faked that chanyeol had just gone through a massive break up and he kyungsoo had to check up on him making sure that he didn’t do anything stupid. you were gullible and actually believed him to the point you went to the flower store to buy flowers for chanyeol and had kyungsoo to pass it to him. he felt bad about lying to you but in order to give you a special anniversary gift, he had to take one for the team.

he couldn’t thank jongdae and chanyeol enough for helping him to compose and write the song that he promised to give them free pastries from his bakery for free for 2 months. his business was shaking at the thought of that but anything for you.

the day finally came and he was nervous as fuck. he still opted on buying you the new necklace though as he thought that it would at least be something you would carry around for a long time. he kept practicing at the bakery as he was making the pastries and since he was to engrossed in practicing he forgot that there were customers in his shop but thank god he got positive feedback and some of the older customers even told him to sing at retirement homes for them which he didn’t know if it was a compliment or not but he counted it as one.

on the day of the anniversary kyungsoo had packed you a nice breakfast and for one lunch as well so that you didn’t have to eat the nasty hospital food on this special day. he even gave you a kiss on the lips and a big hug before you left for work, wishing you a happy anniversary and a good day at work before letting you go.

he decided on having one of his staff to close his store down which he usually doesn’t ask them too but thank god that they were more than happy to see their hardworking boss to give them the responsibility and for once go back home early. before he went back he stopped by chanyeol’s house to burrow his guitar for the night. once he reached home he hid the guitar in the store room and started getting ready for dinner. he thought that he would get the recipe for your favourite dish from your mother since you’ve told him that you were home-sick lately and thought that this was the perfect opportunity to bring a piece of your home to seoul. 

as he was finish setting the plates, he heard the front door open which indicated that you were home. “i’m home honeyyyy” you said dragging out the Y. you dropped your bag and jacket down on the sofa and crushed your lovely boyfriend with a big hug. “is this [your favourite food]?” you asked and observed the mouth-watering dishes on the table. “yeah, i even asked your mom for the recipe since you said that you’ve been missing home lately,” he said. you started to tear up and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “thank you so much soo, i’m gonna eat this all up till my body explodes,” you said as a tear slip from your eye and kyungsoo laughed. 

“come sit down, let’s eat,” he said and the both of you ate the delicious food he made as you talked the night away. you were talking about the patients you had to handle that day and kyungsoo took the time to admire you. you look absolutely stunning to him and he never stops thinking about how lucky he is to have such a beautiful, hard working and driven you are. you were never scared to voice your opinions out and was clearly the epitome of brave. that’s one of the thousand features that he loved about you. the thought of how brave you are was even sexy to him in some ways but we won’t talk about that.

after the meal it was finally time for the gift exchanging. you got him a new watch with his name engraved on the strap as well as new pairs of airpods with his name engraved on the casing thought you didn’t know that kyungsoo could sing, you knew how much he loves music. “y/n, this must be super expensive, thank you baby but now i feel bad,” he said, grateful that you would spend so much money on him. “don’t worry about it love, you mean the world to me i don’t care that i spend extra money if it was for you,” kyungsoo couldn’t help but when ahead and give you a chaste kiss on your lips and hugging you. “thank you y/n,” you smiled in return. 

it was now kyungsoo’s turn to give you his gift and he was beyond nervous. “i actually got you something as well,” he said. he went over to the kitchen where he hid the necklace behind the sugar jar and went over to hand it to you. “you didn’t have to soo, you worked hard cooking for us,” you pouted but he still passed te box to you. you opened the box to see a beautiful necklace with a small delicate star pendant on it. you gasped upon the beauty of the necklace and turned to your boyfriend. “soo, this is literally perfect,” you said. “i’m glad you liked it, i took almost an hour trying to find the perfect one,” he said. you laughed at that and he took the necklace from you to place it around your neck. “thank you baby,”. shit this was it. “i uh, actually have one more thing to give to you,” he said 

“what is it?” you asked curiously. kyungsoo then went to the store room to retrieve the guitar and brought it to the table. your eyes were as wide as your mouth was when you saw what he pulled out from the room. “where did you get that?” you asked. “i burrowed it from chanyeol, actually i wrote a song for you. well, jongdae and chanyeol helped me with it but i did most of the lyric writing,” he said and you kept quiet as you still didn’t know what to say, till realisation hits you. 

“you can sing?” you asked, shocked. kyungsoo suddenly got shy and placed the guitar on his lap and had his fingers ready to strum and throat ready to sing.

With my old guitar I’ll take all the confessions I couldn’t say All the things I swallowed inside And tell you right now as if I made it into a song Just listen, I’ll sing for you 

kyungsoo started off with a shaky voice cause this was the first time you have ever heard him sing but as he continued on he became more engrossed in the song. 

I love you so much but I don’t tell you that I love you It’s awkward, my pride won’t allow me I’ll take courage and tell you today But just listen without much thought, I’ll sing for you

It’s kind of funny, I only have you But sometimes, I’m worse than a stranger to you When in truth, I just wanna put my head in your arms And be held by you

you were about to cry halfway through the song because one, he had such a nice voice and two, it was because you knew that kyungsoo had trouble trying to express himself to you though you could tell by his actions that he loves you, you didn’t know it was to the point that he would make a song just to tell you how much he loves you.

When today passes, I might get awkward again But I wanna tell you today, so listen

The way you cry, the way you smile Do you know how much you mean to me? Words I wanna say, words I lost I’ll confess to you though it might sound awkward Just listen, I’ll sing for you, sing for you Just listen, I’ll sing for you

just as he finished you started to clap enthusiastically. “soo, this is absolutely beautiful,” you said, hand over your mouth still trying to wrap his head around the fact that your boyfriend had such a wonderful voice.

“do you like it?” he asked, hands already sweating. “like it? babe i LOVE it, please sing more for me in the future” you said emphasising the love. he then set the guitar down and took your hands in his and made you stand up with him.

“i know i may not be the best at being vocal about how much i appreciate you but i hope through the song you would understand how i actually fell and how much you mean to me and that i love you,” he said.

you laughed through the tears and kissed your boyfriend. he kissed back with just as much passion. the both of you pulled away and rested your foreheads together. 

“i love you kyungsoo,” you said. “and i love you more,” he replied placing another kiss on your forehead.

“so all this while chanyeol didn’t go through a breakup? he was just helping you with the song? you questioned. 

“that man doesn’t even have a girlfriend,”

#exo #exo imagines #exo scenarios #kyungsoo imagines #kyungsoo scenarios #d.o #d.o scenarios #d.o imagines #do kyungsoo #do kyungsoo imagines #do kyungsoo scenarios

[aphrodites-law]

A Bit of Clarity 🍂 (8/?) The visions had started last autumn, a year ago now. It had caused a bit of chaos for some, a bit of clarity for others. Two days ago, Clarke Griffin had been perfectly fine managing both her Café and her stress. But now she was curious - so deeply curious about the vision of herself entwined with the aloof Lexa Woods that it was leading her to complete distraction. (ao3)

[part 1] [part 2] [part 3] [part 4] [part 5] [part 6] [part 7] 

Lexa walked in ten minutes after opening time the next day. Clarke had just rung up a coffee to go when she saw her, her raincoat unzipped and revealing her sweater and the collar of her shirt beneath it. Beige this time. Clarke liked beige. Then again, she couldn’t think of a shirt Lexa had worn that she hadn’t liked. One couldn't help but wonder how large Lexa’s wardrobe was. It had to be quite the collection.

Waiting for her turn, Lexa kept her eyes on the display case. When she finally stepped up to the counter, Clarke arched a playful brow.

"Good morning," Lexa said.

"Pretty good so far."

Lexa visibly tried to contain a smile. “You changed the display."

Clarke glanced at the display, remembering all too vividly how she’d been pressed up against it. Judging by the way Lexa looked at her, she remembered it too.

“It's honey cake and croissants today - still warm,” Clarke replied, noticing just then that Lexa was fiddling with the strap of her satchel.

It was something Clarke had recently noticed about Lexa. She appeared confident, sometimes even stony-faced, but there were subtle signs showing the contrary. She was a master at hiding her nerves, but Clarke was starting to pick up on how she did it.

"Oh I meant to tell you - Wells loved Gus' honey. He was pretty die hard about his old brand but he's interested in switching."

"He did?" Lexa seemed very proud. "I'll have to let Gus know. And maybe try a slice of the cake then."

“For here?” Clarke asked, trying not to sound too hopeful.

“Yes. Please.”

“No drink?”

Lexa took out her wallet. “Coffee is fine.”

Clarke leaned closer. “Lexa, you don’t need to force yourself. You don’t like it. It’s fine - I don’t take offense.”

“I know. I just feel like a fraud staying here if I don't. Like wearing sneakers on an ice rink."

Clarke chuckled. “Well, speaking of ice, let me make you a chilled one. I'll go easy on the actual coffee part."

“You don’t have to go to the trouble-"

"It’s on the menu. You know that, right?”

Lexa looked up, as if noticing the menu above the coffee machines for the first time. It wasn't a long selection but, sure enough, there was an ice coffee and tea option.

“I hadn’t..." She pinched the bridge of her nose. "Fuck.”

Clarke fully laughed then, her voice still a bit raspy from the early morning. "God, just go grab a seat. I’ll be right up with your order.”

Lexa left a crisp bill in the tip jar as she always did. She sat at her usual seat and took out her laptop and notepad. After she'd skimmed through some of her recent notes, Clarke came over with her slice of cake and iced coffee.

"Thank you."

To Lexa's evident surprise, Clarke took the seat opposite hers and propped her chin on her hand.

"I need to be sure you like it. No more grimacing in my café."

Lexa sighed bashfully. She picked up the cup and took her first sip of the chilled drink. After licking her lips and pausing for effect, she hummed.

"Hats off to the barista. This is really good, Clarke."

"Well of course it's good!" Clarke beamed, pleased with herself. "Now your funny faces can stop giving us a bad rep."

"Hardly doubt the press picked up on my expressions."

"You never know who's paying attention."

Lexa looked at her and smiled. "You?"

Clarke's cheeks felt warm. She glanced down. "That's one person."

Whatever that meant for them, Clarke didn't know. It was a strange place to be in. To know the woman sitting in front of her was responsible for the best kiss she'd had in recent memory, if not her entire life. She was aching to talk about it, but her worry Lexa would bolt was stronger.

Lexa cleared her throat and looked around. There was only a couple and an older man seated for now, but then again the sun wasn't even out.

"Not too busy yet?" She asked.

Clarke shook her head. "I give it thirty minutes. College classes and rush hour starting."

"Have you had more customers recently?"

"Definitely. I'm still not sure if it's all due to Finn's fall from grace, but I'm not complaining."

"You know what made me wonder?" Lexa asked. "He knew Echo and I were from the Gazette. He knew she and I went to his shops to write about him, but somehow he couldn't fathom it would be for anything other than praise. He wronged everyone on his staff and lied his way into smaller businesses believing it was justified. Now he's looking into suing for defamation. Can you imagine the ego?"

"Sounds like Finn Collins."

Lexa noticed a change in Clarke's expression. "Did I say something wrong?"

"No, not at all. Just bad history. Finn had me believing a lot of things too. It might be the one thing he's actually good at."

"I see."

Clarke bit her lip, unsure where to go from there. It seemed like Lexa was thinking the same.

"Are we still…" Lexa lowered her voice. "Is this weekend still happening?"

Clarke's heart leapt. "If you want it to."

"I do."

Clarke forgot all about Finn Collins, her bitterness replaced by sudden excitement. "Give me your phone."

Lexa took it out and watched as Clarke typed her number in. She then grabbed her own phone and sent Lexa a message:

Coffeemaker ☕ Nice flannel today, I'd guessed blue

"I don't have a lot of blue," Lexa chuckled, then frowned. "Bit of a reductive name. I'd definitely give you something better."

Clarke shrugged. "That's between you and your phone. Anyway, I'll send you the details. I checked the weather and there's just a small chance of rain, so we should be good. We can do the River to Nowhere hike."

"Never heard of it."

"I figured. It's kind of a local secret. The view on Costial and the mountains is amazing though."

At Lexa's silence, Clarke felt a pang of worry. "This is still good, right?"

Lexa looked up. "Yes. Of course. I'm looking forward to it."

Clarke nodded, still not entirely convinced. But at least Lexa had come back. She was here, sitting where she belonged. Clarke stood up at the ding of the bell, knowing she didn't have much time before the morning rush.

"I hope you enjoy the cake."

"Thank you, Clarke."

* * *

Lexa came into the café every day. She apologized that she couldn’t stay too long before going to work, but she still came every day. Mostly in the morning, but once in the afternoon. Clarke saw the slight, quick pout on her face when she noticed her seat was occupied that day, and practically heard her sigh when she eventually found a tight spot on the other side of the counter.

"I thought we said no funny faces," Clarke told her in passing, too busy to stop but still yearning for interaction.

Lexa looked up, realizing then how close to Clarke this new seat was, though also much noisier and not conducive to writing. "My apologies," she said, just loud enough for Clarke to hear.

Clarke smiled to herself. That was mostly how they communicated that week, pleasantries here and there, asking how work was going, how Lexa's articles were progressing, if Clarke and Wells were going to start interviews soon. It was as casual as could be, but beneath the simple nature of their brief conversations was something neither of them could deny.

Desire. The kind that had Clarke panting into her pillow at night while she touched herself. The kind that turned every look and every touch into the most excruciatingly good form of foreplay Clarke had experienced.

It was in the way their fingers brushed together when Clarke gave Lexa her drink and pastry. The way Clarke caught Lexa looking her way, or perhaps Lexa caught Clarke. In those moments, Clarke felt the same thrill she'd felt when Lexa had entered the café after closing time.

But they had yet to actually talk about it, which made Clarke both impatient and anxious for the weekend.

Lexa could run or she could stay. It was something Clarke was keenly aware of, which was why she'd promised herself to be as honest as could be. The way they'd approached things before hadn't worked. Things had been left unsaid on various occasions, piling up until they became a tangled mess. That couldn't happen again. Clarke knew it and she had no reason to doubt Lexa knew it too.

Her phone buzzed in the pocket of her apron. Clarke finished making an order for a pick-up before reading it:

Lexa I'm off to work (yes I do have a real office despite appearances), but thank you for saving a croissant for me

Clarke glanced toward the fig tree, where she saw the empty table.

Clarke Ha, I was starting to think you'd quit. You're welcome

Lexa I'll see you tomorrow?

Clarke Yep, pick you up at 11am. Wear good walking shoes

Lexa Stilettos it is. Have a good rest of the day :)

Clarke chuckled, liking this lighter side of Lexa. Hopefully - and Clarke's hope had blossomed these days - it was a facet of Lexa she'd get to see more of.

* * *

Lexa didn't wear the stilettos, though Clarke wouldn't have been too upset if she did. She had a hunch Lexa had quite the fashion sense beyond her professional attire. Not that the shirts, blazers and tight pants didn't work for Clarke. Today it was her dark green knitted hat that had Clarke melting a little.

She drove through sleepy Costial with Lexa in the passenger seat, something she would have never imagined happening just a week ago. Clarke talked about some of the resumes she'd read with Wells over the week. One in particular made Lexa laugh out loud.

"Eating is a commendable skill, Clarke."

"It was the only word in the skills section. Just eating. What do I even do with that?"

"Well, hopefully they figure out they're better off being your customer than your employee."

"I just feel bad for Wells, he takes on so much already."

"No one stood out?"

"One woman did, but she'd be out of our budget. Honestly Wells doesn't even care about fancy certificates, just passion and impeccable hygiene."

"Hm."

"What?"

"Nothing. Just thinking."

Clarke spotted the sign on the road that pointed them to the small parking area. It was a ten minute walk from the actual mountain trail, which itself was hard to find for anyone unfamiliar with it. Clarke hadn't been here in months, but it was perfect timing. The weather was kind and there wasn't a grey cloud in sight.

She parked the car and popped the trunk open.

"Are you ready?"

Lexa nodded. "Let's go."

They stored their water and food in one backpack that Lexa insisted on carrying, as the other one felt lighter than air. The trail was hidden behind a particularly spruce, but once they were on it, there was a clear grassy path snaking through the sprawling forest. In a few weeks, everything would be covered in snow. For now, it was a lovely clash of browns and greens, with shrubs and moss at the foot of pine and hardwood trees. 

"You know, I tried looking up this trail in the Gazette's search engine," Lexa said. "Not even one link. When you said it's a local secret, I didn't think you meant top secret."

Clarke smiled cheekily. "One thing you have to know about Costialites: we love tourists in our theaters and shops, not our nature."

"Any other hidden spots I might discover?"

Clarke stepped over a fallen tree, dead and yet full of life, with lichen and mushrooms covering the sides while insects skittered inside.

"Nu-uh. The inquisitive journalist's cap comes off. You can pick it up on the way back."

She heard Lexa's small laugh behind her. "If you say so."

They walked without speaking for a while, slowly going up as they appreciated the fresh air, bird chirps, and the novelty of doing something together for the first time. Clarke had been on this path with friends before; had even shown her mother - but she'd never come here with a potentially romantic partner. It was fun with friends, but there was a more intimate quality to it with Lexa. After days of only seeing each other surrounded by other people, it was a welcome change.

But Clarke remembered her earlier promise to herself.

"Lexa… I need to get something off my chest."

Lexa glanced at her, understanding this wouldn't be shoptalk.

"The push and pull between us…" Clarke started, fighting her nerves. "It really confused me."

"I know."

"It's just that, from my point of view, you sat in the café every week for six months but you were still a mystery. Then suddenly we were talking and… the mixed signals threw me off." Clarke paused, unsure how to word the next part delicately. "You run when things get too close, but then you come back and I think - this is it, she's taking a step forward. But it's not." Clarke stopped to look at her. "What I'm trying to say is I can't do that again. I don't need a label for whatever this is, but I do need to know we're on the same page. I'm sorry if this is brusque-"

"No, that's fair," Lexa interrupted. "Thank you for telling me. I want to be on the same page too."

Clarke waited for more, but Lexa turned her head toward the source of a trickling sound. "Is that the river?"

Clarke swallowed back her disappointment. "Yeah. Come on, we can follow it upstream."

* * *

If what Clarke had said had affected Lexa, she certainly didn't show it. Instead, Lexa started asking questions like she had at the café, interested in knowing about Clarke's life without divulging too much about hers in response. Clarke had to call her out on it:

"I thought you'd agreed to leave the journalist cap behind."

Lexa seemed surprised. "I can't ask about your job?"

"Can I ask about yours?"

Lexa kept her eyes on the rocky stream bed at their right, where the water flowed slowly down the slope.

"Sure."

"Did you always want to be a journalist?"

"No."

Clarke waited, then sighed. "A little more?"

Lexa slid her hand beneath the straps of the backpack. She was quiet for a while, then cleared her throat. "My grandmother raised me, but after she passed away when I was seventeen I had to grow up very quickly. I started working in a motel to save for college. Met a lot of people left behind by laws, so I had a fantasy of going into politics. Be a part of change."

Clarke startled a bit at the amount of information Lexa had unloaded in the space of a few seconds.

"I didn't know you were… I hadn't realized-" she stuttered. 

"Don't worry, I'm not a traumatized orphan, Clarke," Lexa said with a self-deprecating smile. "Anyway, it all worked out. Even got a scholarship."

"Still. That must've been hard."

Lexa nodded in acknowledgment. "When I got into college, it was like an all you can eat buffet. Politics didn't feel exciting anymore. But my counselor told me change could come from anywhere."

"So you took up writing?"

Lexa's expression suddenly changed, like she was in pain. "No, not right away."

Clarke left it at that, not wanting to push. A few minutes later, she stopped on the path and took Lexa's arm.

"Come on."

She guided her behind a pine and past a couple shrubs, where finally they reached the flat rock that overlooked Costial and its surrounding mountains. Lexa took off her backpack, stopping just a few feet from the edge.

"Jesus, Clarke."

"I know."

They took in the view for a few minutes, until Clarke laid out the quilt she'd put in her own bag. She sat down and looked up at Lexa, noticing just then there were tears in her eyes.

"Are you okay?" She worriedly asked.

"Just give me… I need a minute."

Clarke waited patiently, knowing they had both reached a point of change. She would stay here the entire night if Lexa needed it.

Lexa sat down next to her. "I never wanted to confuse you," she finally said, her voice full of regret. "It's just that I didn't expect you."

Clarke caught her eyes, hoping Lexa wouldn't look away. She didn't.

"But you took the first step."

"I was… hoping I was ready." Lexa swallowed hard. "I keep to myself and I don't get close, because… because the only three people I chose to love passed away."

Clarke froze, hardly even blinking as she absorbed Lexa's words.

"First there was Luna, my best friend since I learned how to walk. We did everything together for years. Had our best and our worst ideas together. She drowned during a family vacation." Lexa's fingers dug into a patch of grass by the quilt. "Then there was Ontari, in junior year. She was my first… everything. Most of the time she was angry because her mom was a drunk, but she was kind with me." Lexa's jaw clenched. "She was stabbed by some lunatic for seventeen dollars and her bracelet."

If Lexa had managed to keep her voice from breaking before, her efforts were in vain this time.

"And then Anya," she said tearfully.

Clarke sat closer.

"Hey, you don't have to-"

"No," Lexa abruptly said. "I want to. I need to." She wiped her eyes with her sleeve. "Anya was my sister - how I imagined a sister would be anyway. She took me under her wing in undergrad. Pushed me toward journalism when I hesitated and kept me from making bad decisions out of anger. Without her, where I am today would only be a dream." Lexa's voice steadied then as she contemplated the three blades of grass in her hand. "Four years ago Anya lost her fight against breast cancer. Her last words to me were, I fought like hell, didn't I?"

Lexa let go of the grass. "You were right that night at the bar. In a way I do use people for their stories. I eat up their words and I spit them back out because my own stories - they're no good. The good ones are all tainted. I don't talk about my past because my memories only have ghosts in them. And nothing hurts more than realizing the only people who knew you are gone."

Clarke felt stricken, overwhelmed with sadness for the woman baring her soul in front of her. She couldn't imagine losing a best friend, let alone three. She couldn't imagine having so many of her memories tarnished by sudden, senseless death. Losing Wells would be like losing a piece of her heart. He knew her fears just as well as her dreams. He knew how to make her laugh and how to get her to stop crying. If he disappeared from her life, Clarke could see how that would feel like losing a part of herself. Memories shared would be wrecked by grief.

"When the visions happened," Lexa continued, "suddenly it was like hope was on everyone's lips. Lincoln was the first to tell me his. I was on the opposite coast, living life like a robot, when my estranged cousin calls to tell me he's seen us dance together at his wedding." Lexa smiled at the memory. "I thought he was losing his mind - couldn't even remember him honestly. But then more reports came in. And he kept calling, kept talking to me about Costial, this beautiful city he'd always wished my grandma and I visited. Apparently she used to send him postcards every year. For her sake, I agreed. I reconnected with Lincoln and… I fell in love with Costial."

Clarke knew how easy that was. It hadn't taken her long to know she'd build on her dreams here. After college, leaving had never even been in question.

"I wanted to do something to honor it," Lexa said as she stared at the skyline. "I know there are already thousands of pieces on visions out there, and I know there'll be thousands more after mine, but they won't be on this place. They won't be about Indra Keene reconnecting with her brother thanks to her vision of them having dinner. They won't be about Jonathan Murphy working hard to get his GED after seeing himself graduate college. I know I haven’t been here long, but this place is the first that's felt like home. I thought it deserved to be written about."

Lexa looked at Clarke. "And you… I guess I wanted to know what hope looked like for you. You're at the café every day, always smiling at people, even the rude ones. You seem so happy, so eager to put in the work to make your dream a reality. I couldn't help but wonder what else you might dream about. But really I just transcribe what I hear. I'm no more than a typist here."

"You sell yourself short."

Lexa shook her head. "I don't mind being the one listening. I like how I fit in Costial. When I got here - when I was driving with the trunk of my car crammed with my stuff, I passed the welcome sign and I… I just felt so relieved. Like I could finally breathe. Move forward."

"And you did."

Lexa nodded. "When I found out the Gazette was hiring it all clicked into place. But the pain crept back eventually. Change isn't… Well, old habits die hard and all that."

"But you've already brought so much good here. Look at your article on the Mountain Men."

Lexa shrugged. "Hermit solidarity."

Clarke chuckled softly. "You're not a hermit, Lexa. You clearly have a talent with people… It's not just all because you listen. But you also need to be kind to yourself. Does Lincoln know?"

"Lincoln understands more than he lets on I think. He's been the best support I could ask for, but it's different with family. You… you made me want to hope again."

"You can."

"Anya said the same."

Clarke waited a beat. "Lexa… do you think you're cursed or something?"

Lexa lied back on the quilt with her hands on her stomach. "It's not like that. Clearly there are powerful unknowns out there, but I don't believe a witch placed a curse on me, no. What I do believe is that some people attract bad energy. That no matter how hard you try, your place in the world is destructive."

"No," Clarke breathed out, horrified. "I don't believe that one second."

"But wouldn't you wonder - in my position? Wouldn't you try to put your theory to the test?"

"So you're just going to be alone for the rest of your life? That's your big experiment?"

Lexa shrugged. "I have everything I need - a good job, good apartment. It's not like I don't know anyone. Lincoln's practically introduced me to half the town. I know how to be sociable. I know how to work a room. I don't need anything more."

"People talk a whole lot about what they need in this town," Clarke sighed. "But what do you want?"

Lexa swallowed thickly as she looked up at her. "Does it matter?"

"It matters to me."

Lexa reached for her hand, hesitant at first, just fingers brushing. "Your vision... if that's what you wanted from me, I could give you that. I could be that person."

Clarke knew what Lexa was offering - wish fulfillment. Sex without the next morning breakfast. Sex without intimacy. Clarke had gone down that road before. She was good at it.

"No." She said the word before she even thought it. No, she couldn't do it. She couldn't spend a night with this woman and watch her slip out into the night. She couldn't pretend it hadn't happened the next morning; that they could go back to normal. There was no normal with Lexa - there never had been. "I want all of you, Lexa. If you're not ready for that, and I understand it, then we can be friends. But you need to stop looking at me like you do because otherwise I'll..." Clarke shook her head. "I won't even be able to be that. I did the whole casual thing and frankly I'm over it."

Lexa nodded silently, then retracted her hand. Her brow furrowed in thought, but she didn't add anything.

Clarke lied down next to her and sighed. "I think you're stronger than you know and I think your vision proved it. Your future doesn't have to be some kind of condemnation to solitude."

"And what if I hurt you?"

"My father used to say pain is a part of relationships, even the best ones. It doesn't mean we stop fighting for them."

"I don't mean hurt you by forgetting to clean the oven, Clarke."

"That would definitely be a blow." Clarke turned on her side, taking in Lexa's jawline and the fading tear tracks on her cheek. "But I don't believe in curses or bad energy. I believe in people and people acting on their choices. You're not alone. Not anymore."

Lexa turned to face her as well. She brushed a finger down Clarke's temple, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

"You're very stubborn, Clarke Griffin."

Clarke smiled. "You have no idea."

* * *

They packed up quietly after snacking on some pieces of honey cake, the emotional toll weighing heavily on both of them. Clarke knew Lexa needed the space, but she'd said her piece and it had felt right. The ball was in Lexa's court.

They went down the same path they'd taken, zigzagging with the river. Clarke thought to bring up Lexa's article, but felt a strong drop crash on the top of her head and froze.

"Oh no."

Lexa frowned. "Did you forget something?"

"This is your first autumn here, right?"

"Yes?" Lexa replied hesitantly.

"Hm. Well, there's this thing called the Costial shower. Usually in the winter, but sometimes after a long week of rain it creeps up on you. Doesn't last longer than a few minutes, but yeah."

Lexa looked up. "I don't feel anything."

As soon as she said it, a downpour started. Lexa flinched at the sudden wet cold, the weight of the rain making the tip of her green hat sag.

"Lovely," she deadpanned.

"Run."

"What?"

Clarke bolted like a bat out of hell.

"Clarke!"

Before she even knew it, she started laughing as Lexa called her name behind her. Luckily the trail was more grass than mud, not yet too slippery. Lexa caught up to her.

"I'm pretty sure you can't outrun rain," she yelled before laughing herself.

Clarke hadn't felt like this in a long time; adrenaline pumping through her as she laughed like a kid on the playground. She spotted what she'd been running toward just a few feet away.

"No, but you can reach the canopy in time!"

She slowed to a stop and then pointed up. Lexa realized the rain didn't reach them anymore, though they could still hear its angry fall. They were sheltered by the dense crowns of the trees, high and thick above them.

Clarke bent down with her hands on her knees, her laugh fading. "Ah, fuck. Haven't run like that since college."

Lexa pressed her back against a tree, catching her breath as she arched her brow at Clarke. A few drops still dripped down her face, but their clothes weren’t too wet.

"What?" Clarke asked. "It was finals week and I wanted tacos before closing time."

"I know I left my journalist cap out there, but you could've mentioned this."

"I really didn't think this would happen."

A slow smile spread on Lexa's face. Clarke felt her heart race, this time not from running.

"Lexa."

"Yes?"

"I told you not to look at me like that."

"Only if I wasn't sure."

Clarke held her breath, not knowing what to say for once. Lexa crossed the path and stopped in front of her.

"I've… been running my whole life. Moving from place to place thinking it would be easier each time. Running's never made me happy." Lexa exhaled deeply, nervous but not hesitant. She let out a small laugh. "Until now."

Clarke pulled on the straps of Lexa's backpack and kissed her. She felt Lexa cup the back of her neck and moaned, this kiss nothing like the one at the café and yet just as talented at making her legs weak. This was slow, purposeful, the full meaning of it hitting Clarke like a force. Lexa nipped on her bottom lip.

"I want all of you too," she said in a low voice, as if they weren't already alone in a forest. "I can't promise I won't mess up, but I want to try."

"Okay," Clarke stuttered in response, dangerously affected by Lexa rubbing circles on the back of her neck.

"Is slow okay?" Lexa asked.

"Slow is good. Slow is perfect."

"Thank you, Clarke. For being stubborn."

"My pleasure."

* * *

On the drive back, Clarke found it hard to stop smiling. Their shoes occasionally squeaked, but the discomfort was worth the memory that preceded it. Lexa took off her hat and started braiding her damp hair, humming along with the music Clarke had turned on. Lexa insisted Clarke drive home and didn't need to drop her off, as the view on Costial had made her want to walk in its streets for a bit. Clarke desperately needed a hot shower, so didn't protest too long. 

She understood the reasoning better when Lexa followed her to her apartment door. 

"I see how it is," Clarke grinned.

"A proper first date always ends on the stoop. That's what my grandmother used to say."

Clarke leaned back against the door. "First date, huh?"

Lexa stepped closer. "Slow," she murmured.

"Absolutely."

Lexa pressed a kiss against her neck. When Clarke thought she'd pull away, Lexa instead pressed closer and started sucking slowly. Clarke's mouth parted open and she closed her eyes, dropping her keys when she felt Lexa's hands on her waist. Her arm went around Lexa's neck, breathing harder when Lexa's tongue licked over her pulse, soft and tender and yet more sensual than Clarke had felt in a long time.

Lexa pulled back with a satisfied smile. "I want to take you on another date."

"You better," Clarke rasped.

"Hmm. I'll text you."

"Are you sure you don't want a towel or something?"

"If I stay one minute longer I don't think I'll leave, Clarke."

Clarke's eyes darkened. "Fuck. Okay. Get out of here."

Lexa had the gall to smirk before she turned around, walking down the hall like she was worth a million bucks. Well, Clarke thought, she could do slow too. She could wind up Lexa Woods very, very slowly.

-

[part nine]

#clexa #f: a bit of clarity #clexaedit #clarke x lexa #w #i can't believe we're reaching the end #how a silly concept turned into this i do not know

[goldenraeofsun]

the best day with you

Part of this verse!

Dean taps Claire on the shoulder. “You got plans for this weekend?”

Claire twists on their couch to see him and sets aside her laptop. With narrowed eyes full of suspicion, she grabs the remote and mutes Dr. Sexy. “Why?”

“Because.”

“Because why?”

Dean rolls his eyes. This is why he became a teacher. To help teenagers. Not to strangle them for sassing him to his face. Sure, Claire might be a sophomore in college now, and she’s not really a teenager anymore, but Dean’s never going to see her as anything but an angsty junior in high school. Especially if she keeps up the this attitude. Dean says, as evenly as he can, “Because I want to do something with you.”

Claire grimaces. “Really? Don’t you have other boring old man friends to do things with? Like, for instance, your boyfriend?”

“No,” Dean says. “Cas is going to visit Gabriel in LA this week.”

“And you chose to stay behind with me instead?” Claire says, her eyebrows rising to her hairline.

“Yes.”

“Are you dying?” 

“What?” Dean gapes. “No!”

Claire squints at him. “Are you hoping I can score drugs for you?”

Dean rolls his eyes. “I can get my own drugs, thanks. It’s one of the perks of being a real live adult.”

“Do you need money?”

“If I did,” Dean starts incredulously, “why would I ask a broke college student?”

“I don’t know,” Claire says with a shrug. “Dementia? That kicks in about now for you, right?”

Dean’s mouth falls open. “I’m barely thirty-four!”

Claire shrugs. “Alzheimers?”

“That’s a kind of dementia,” Dean tells her flatly. He runs a hand down his face. “Look, are you free or not, kid?”

Dean is pretty sure she doesn’t have plans, judging by the way she’s religiously camped out on their couch for the past two weeks straight. She's abandoned her spot only to go to the bathroom, eat meals, and, on one memorable occasion, visit her parents for Sunday dinner. The living room her space now - which is fine with him, Dean’s been doing his summer school grading at the kitchen table. Along with her computer, Claire’s got the coding handbook Charlie Frankenstien-ed for her out of a bunch of different documents, probably all downloaded and printed illegally. On the television, she cycles through daytime soaps and CW evening dramas.

Claire grins. “On Saturday or something? Yeah.”

He rolls his eyes. “Was that so hard?”

“No, but it was fun.”

“Anyone ever tell you you’re a handful?” Dean says as he turns to head back into the kitchen. Lunch wasn’t going to make itself, and Cas was due back any minute from his errands.

“Just my parents, every day from age thirteen to eighteen,” Claire says casually as she reaches for the remote to resume Dr. Sexy.

Dean freezes. “Hey,” he starts, not really sure where he’s going with this.

“What?” Claire snaps as if annoyed, but her face is guarded. 

“Your parents were asshats, you know that?” Dean says. “They shouldn’t have done that to you.”

“Yeah, well, you know what they say about family,” Claire mutters as she turns up Dr. Sexy.

In the middle of her junior year of high school, Claire moved in with Cas for about six months.

Early in the year, she had an explosive argument with her parents about transferring from their preferred private school to Edlund High. She also came out to them.

Dean has the sneaking suspicion Claire doesn’t think she had it that bad. Her parents didn’t hit her. They didn’t kick her out. They didn’t even stop giving her her allowance.  But they didn’t talk to her for days on end. They ignored her until she needed something from them, or the other way around. By Christmas, Claire had had enough. She left.

Back then, Dean told Claire her parents were in the wrong as many times as she would let him - which wasn’t many.

Cas took the lead with her, instead. She was his family. He found her a therapist and encouraged her to make friends at Edlund. Dean didn’t really feel like it was his place. She was Cas’s niece, and Dean was the guy who stayed over a couple times a week when she was crashing there too. And then he became her teacher when the transfer to Edlund became official. Still, she wouldn’t consider him family.

“My uncle always said, ‘family don’t end in blood,’” Dean tells her seriously.

Claire slumps back on the couch. “Right,” she says dully.

Dean takes a step back, rubbing his neck as he swallows down his next few words. He’s not about to give a heartfelt lecture on family and healthy boundaries to someone who’s going to grumble and groan through it. He jerks his head towards the kitchen. “I’ll get started on-”

Claire interrupts, “But that’s not grammatically correct. Aren’t you an English teacher? Who gave you a license to teach?”

Dean snorts. “Just think about it, will you?”

“Uh huh,” Claire waves him off. “If you’re going to the kitchen, can you make me a sandwich?”

Dean rolls his eyes. “Yes, Your Majesty. Cas finished off the strawberry jelly while he was grading essays last night, so you’re gonna have to settle for grape.”

Claire makes a face but nods. Dean’s almost at the kitchen door when she asks, “Your uncle, was he really your uncle?”

Dean shakes his head. “Not by blood. He was a good friend of my dad’s. But he was as good as family - better than, sometimes.” He swallows. Bobby’s been gone two years now. Dean had thought the grief when his dad passed was bad, but it was a whole other beast with Bobby.

Claire squints at him, looking so much like Cas Dean can’t help the warm feeling in his chest. “This is your show, right?” she asks out of the blue, gesturing to the television.

Dean blinks. “Yeah?”

And that’s how Cas finds them ten minutes later, eating PB&Js on the couch, watching Dr. Sexy - with Claire skewering every characterization and costume choice, and Dean defending Dr. Sexy’s cowboy boots with his life.

* * *

“Minigolf, really?” Claire asks as they pull into the parking lot on a bright Saturday afternoon. The early-summer temperatures are already high enough to make Dean sweat in the Impala, and Claire’s shorts could double as bikini bottoms, they’re so small.

She adds, “You realize I have a fake ID and we could probably go to a bar or something.”

“One,” Dean says as he slams the car door shut, “minigolf is a classic American pastime. Much better for your liver than drinking. And B, don’t ever tell Cas about that fake.”

 Claire clambers out of the car. “I’m not an idiot.”

“Just making sure,” Dean says airily as he starts walking. He holds out his hand as she jobs to catch up to him. “Lemme see it.”

“Why?” she asks suspiciously as she digs for her wallet in her purse and fishes the ID out.

“Nice job,” Dean says as he holds it up to the sunlight shining overhead. “Ash?”

Claire stops short, surprised. “What?”

“Did Ash do this one?” Dean asks. “Come on,” he tells her as he nudges her shoulder to keep her moving out of the middle of the parking lot. “Nobody else does ‘em this good.”

“How do you know that?” Claire demands.

Dean laughs. “I told you I can get my own drugs.”

“Ash deals too?” Claire asks, looking hopeful.

Dean leans over to ruffle her hair. “His dope is a little out of your price range, squirt.”

“Hey!” Claire squawks as she tries to smooth everything back into place. “And nobody calls it ‘dope’ any more, you doof.”

Dean grins. “Yeah, I know.”

They enter the main building and get in line to rent the putters. It smells strongly of sunblock and worn down parental patience. A few parents wait ahead of them, all older than Dean with kids younger than Claire. A group of high schoolers are inspecting a row of putters on display on the far wall. Through the windows to the back, Dean can see a splendid display of mostly-intact astroturf and course obstacles with sun-faded paint.

The guy behind the counter is wearing an obnoxiously bright shirt and smile. “Hiya,” he says cheerily as they step up to the counter, “I’m Garth, welcome!”

“Two adults please,” Claire says quickly, like she knows Dean was going to ask for a kid’s ticket to mess with her.

“You got it,” Garth says as he bends down to grab two putters. “The bathrooms are by Hole 7, and if you want to grab lunch across the way at Fenris’s Diner, show them your receipt and you’ll get 15% off.”

Dean steps forward with his wallet. “Do you know if they have pie?”

Garth smiles wider, showing even more teeth, which Dean didn’t think was possible. “You bet! The best darn cherry pie I’ve ever tasted.”

“Awesome,” he says. “Thanks, man.”

“Thank you!” Garth says as he rings them up. “And good luck on the course!”

* * *

Dean is uncomfortably sweaty by Hole 2, and Claire piles her hair on top of her head in a messy bun to cool off her neck halfway through Hole 4.

“Swing batter, batter, swing!” Dean shouts from right behind her as she hits the ball at Hole 6.

Claire glares at him as her ball knocks against the windmill blade and skips off to the side. “That’s for baseball, idiot.”

“But you still missed,” Dean points out as he sidles up to tee. “So does it really matter? Hey!” She kicks him in the ankle as he strikes at the ball. “You cheater,” he gasps dramatically.

“So what?” Claire asks, putter swinging ominously at her side, “You gonna tell on me?”

Dean frowns. “No, but I won't buy you any pie when this is all over.” He keeps his eyes peeled for an opportunity to mess with her as she takes another stab at the windmill.

“Fine with me. I like cake better.”

Dean raises his head to gape at her. “Seriously?”

Claire throws him a funny look. “Does it matter?”

Dean’s mouth works furiously. “You ate the last slice of pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving two years ago.”

Claire’s eyebrows climb to her hairline as she leans against the windmill and watches him take another stab at it. “You remember that?”

Dean hardly watches where his ball goes. “Of course I do.”

Jimmy and Amelia had elected to have Thanksgiving at Cas’s mother’s place. Cas, whose frosty relationship with his mother wasn’t helped by her dismissive attitude towards Claire, hosted a separate Thanksgiving at the (then) new house he shared with Dean. Sam and Jess flew in from California, and Claire was, of course, invited too. They were having a fucking blast, until Claire stole the last slice of pie right out from under Dean’s nose.

Claire snickers under her breath. “You’re so weird.”

Dean glares. “I called dibs.”

“I seriously have no idea what you’re talking about, McMurphy,” Claire says, the liar. She crouches to get a better look at the windmill. 

Dean tries to suppress his smile. “Was that a One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest reference?”

Claire rolls her eyes. “I paid attention in your class, you know. Even if you gave me an A-minus.”

Dean grins. “But you got a 5 on the AP Exam.”

Claire does a little jig as her ball falls into the hole. 

* * *

“What the fuck?” Dean howls as his ball stops just short of Hole 9. Parents chaperoning a group of five kids at Hole 10 glare daggers at him.

Claire laughs uproariously. “Sucks to suck, old man.”

“Hey!” Dean glowers as she sinks a hole in one. 

“What’s that?” Claire holds her putter up in victory. “Did you see that? Did that go in the hole? I wasn’t watching. Did the ball go in the hole?”

“Shut up, kid,” Dean grumbles as Claire smirks. “It wasn’t funny the first time.” He concentrates on his next shot. God help him if he fucks up with his ball barely half a foot from the hole.

One of the toddlers at Hole 10 lets out an ear-splitting shriek, and Dean’s ball skips off in the direction of Hole 13.

Claire doubles over laughing.

“Yeah, yeah,” Dean grumbles as he sidesteps her to go fetch it, “Like you would’ve done any better.”

“I just did. Or did you miss my hole in one?” Claire asks from right behind him.

“I’m hungry,” Dean declares.

“Okay…?” Claire squints at him.

Dean nods to a hotdog stand by Hole 14. “Whaddya say to a dog?”

“Mystery meat at a roadside attraction that hasn’t been renovated since ‘97? Sign me up,” Claire says sarcastically.

Dean claps her on the back, just a shade too hard. “That’s the spirit.”

She stumbles but doesn't fall - exactly Dean’s plan - and glares at him. “If I get E. coli, it’s your fault.”

Once hotdogs are in hand, they sit and eat on a worn bench that’s more chipped paint than bench, facing a dinky little fountain. A few pennies glint dully from at bottom, almost obscured by the bright midday sunlight reflecting off the surface of the water.

“So,” Claire says after she takes her first bite. “You wanna tell me what this is all about?”

“What?”

“This whole distant dad trying to reconnect with his kid routine,” Claire says.

“I - I’m not your dad,” Dean stutters, face heating. 

“Duh. Dad was more of Church retreat guy.” She leans back on the bench, stretching out her legs, and tilts her face up to catch more sun. “I would’ve had a better time if there was no singing and 100% more hitting things.”

Dean asks haltingly, “So you don’t think this is weird?”

“What hanging out with you?” Claire asks, her smile guileless. “I heard elder enrichment is important to prevent cognitive decline, so I’m just doing my duty.” She laughs at his disappointed frown. “Relax. This has been… great.”

“Really?”

Claire finishes off her hotdog and balls up the aluminum foil wrapper. “Yeah. Don’t let it go to your head.”

Dean gets up to put her trash and his in the garbage and manages to stow his broad smile before he gets back.

* * *

“Hole in one!” Dean crows at Hole 15.

“Do you want a gold star?” Claire snarks as she tees up.

“Shut up.”

Claire swings, and they both watch as her ball deftly navigates around the bumps and turns to sink neatly into the hole.

Dean’s smile falls off his face as Claire jumps around in victory. “Lucky shot,” he tells her as they troop to Hole 16.

“Uh huh,” Claire says. “And that makes, what seven lucky shots for me? And how many holes in one have you had?”

At the next hole, they have to wait for the large family ahead of them to finish up.

“Oh my god,” Claire mutters as one of the parents demonstrates how to properly swing the putter for the youngest child, “it’s minigolf. Not the Olympics.”

“I know, right?” Dean says in an undertone. “Who cares how she hits the ball? If she wants to bowl it down the course, let her.”

“Seriously, who gives a fuck?”

“I bet she’s gonna scream before they’re done with the lesson.”

“What?”

“Water works in 5… 4… 3…”

They wait with bated breath as, sure enough, the child sits down in the middle of the course and wails. She refuses to even touch the putter.

“How did you know that was gonna happen?” Claire asks as the family moves on. She eyes him critically. “High schoolers aren’t the tantrum type.”

“Shows what you know,” Dean snorts. No matter the point of spending today with Claire, he wasn’t about to tell her how he became an expert in toddler care. Christ, he can still remember the sticky feeling of Sammy’s vomit all over his front when he cried so hard he puked. Dean’s crime? Telling Sammy his favorite blanket needed to be washed. Dean hadn’t even taken it away yet. 

Dean tells Claire instead, “I’ve seen more meltdowns over bad essay grades than I’d like. And it’s not like I can say, well, you should have read the damn book, Ava.”

“You wouldn’t say something like that,” Claire says as she bends down to set up her ball.

“Of course not,” Dean rolls his eyes, “that makes it worse.”

Claire straightens. “No, I’m saying, you would probably ask her why she didn’t have the time to read the book; if she’s tried the audiobook instead; if you should talk to Mr. Lafitte for her since she spent too long on Algebra and didn’t get to your homework.” She shrugs, meeting his eyes briefly. “You would do something like that.”

Dean blinks because she’s got him exactly right. He’s a firm believer that there’s no such thing as a lazy student. There are unmotivated students; there are students with undiagnosed ADHD or dyslexia; and there are anxious and/or depressed students. Hell, there are students with side-jobs, bills to pay, and little brothers to look after.

“Yeah,” he agrees, discomfited. Claire was his student for one year, but her presence in class was kind of eclipsed by her rocky home life. In senior year, she was back with her parents, but she also caught up regularly with Cas. In class, she faded into the background - Kaia’s blonde shadow. Cas’s stories provided Dean with more insight than any discussion on The Plot Against America ever did.

“All the seniors loved you,” Claire says. “Max Banes would’ve slept with you if he could.”

Dean hits his ball right into the mini sand pit. “What?”

Claire smirks. “You didn’t know?”

“No!”

“Uncle Cas was right, you are oblivious,” Claire says as she whacks her ball straight into the hole.

“Hey,” Dean says, but the protest is weak. “Cas wasn’t much better.”

Claire grins. “No one’s arguing that.” She waits until Dean’s mid-swing to say, “Max would’ve slept with Uncle Cas too - which, gross.”

“Dammit, Claire!”

* * *

“Okay,” Claire says as they walk away from Hole 18. “I’m gonna need to sit in AC for at least forty-five minutes.”

They’ve been out in the sun for nearly two hours now. Dean pulls his damp shirt away from his stomach with a grimace. “You down for pie?”

“Sure,” Claire says gratefully as they leave minigolf behind them.

In the diner, the air conditioning hits them like a bucket of cold water to the face. Claire throws herself into the first both they see as Dean troops off to relieve himself in the bathroom. He checks his phone - one grumpy text from Cas about Gabriel’s inappropriate choice of swimwear for a hotel pool - and exits with a smile on his face.

Back at the booth, Claire is twirling a lock of blonde hair around her finger, smiling coyly up at the waitress from lowered lashes. But Claire's inviting expression flips off like a switch as Dean drops down into the opposite seat.

The waitress’ own sunny smile takes on a distinctly plastic sheen at his arrival. “Hello!” she chirps as Dean picks up the menu. “Is there anything I can get you besides water?”

“Can I get a coke?” Dean asks the waitress - Maggie, according to her nametag. She’s tall, probably taller than Claire, and dark-haired. She seems around Claire's own age, so Dean would bet she’s only working here as a summer job.

Claire is still glaring daggers at him, so Dean asks, partly to be a dick, “And what’re you getting, Claire?”

“Water,” she says through gritted teeth.

“A coke and a water, please,” Dean says cheerfully to Maggie. 

She bobs a nod and casts a lingering look at Claire. “I’ll be right back to take your order.”

Claire kicks him under the table as she disappears into the kitchen. “You couldn’t have waited another five minutes?” she hisses “I was just about to get her number.”

Dean grins. “My bad.” 

“Now she thinks I’m here with my dad or something.” Claire crosses her arms across her chest.

Dean rolls his eyes. “You call me an old man, but I’m, what, twelve years older than you? We’re more likely to be on a date.”

Claire’s flat-out horrified face is enough to make Dean’s week. He’s still laughing as Maggie makes a return, one water and one Coca Cola in tow. 

“So what can I get you both?” Maggie asks as she reaches for her pad and pen.

“One slice of cherry pie, thanks,” Dean says brightly.

“Nothing for me,” Claire mumbles.

Maggie looks from Claire to Dean and back again. “One cherry pie,” she confirms slowly. “Should I bring out two forks?”

Over Dean’s fresh bout of laughter, Claire says loudly, “We’re not together!”

Maggie blinks a few times, and Dean can’t tell if she’s more shocked by his reaction or Claire’s. “Okay.”

As she leaves, Claire buries her head in her hands. Her voice is muffled by her hands and hair, but Dean can make out, “This is all your fault.”

“How?” Dean asks as he sucks on his straw. “It’s not my fault if you’ve got no game, kid.”

Claire slumps onto the table. “I used to.”

“Stalking doesn't count as ‘game’ or else Cas and me would have gotten together way before we did,” Dean says sagely.

Still face-down on the table, Claire flips him the bird.

“Have you spoken to Kaia lately?”

Claire doesn’t move for a long moment. When she finally raises her head, her expression is pinched. “Not since Spring Break last year. She was doing good, I guess.”

Awkwardly, Dean says, “It’s okay if you’re still hung up on her.”

Claire waves his assurances away. “It’s been a whole fucking year."

Dean sighs. “These things can take time. You were with her while a lot was going on in your life, and she was there for you through all of it. Just ’cause you're young doesn’t mean it meant less. But if you want to move on, sometimes you don’t have to wait until you’re 100% ready.”

“Thanks, Senpai.”

Maggie approaches carrying a large slice of cherry pie.

“Here you go,” Maggie says as she sets the plate down. “Anything else I can get you?”

“Nothing for me,” Dean butts in before Claire can get a word in edgewise, “But Claire, here, would like your number.”

Maggie goes bright red.

“Dean,” Claire hisses, completely mortified. “What the fuck?” She turns to Maggie. “Forget what he said. He’s a moron who doesn't know what he’s talking about.”

Maggie glances to Dean before settling back on Claire. “So… you don’t want it?”

Claire splutters, “I - no - yes, but not if-” She takes a breath, clearly trying to compose herself. “Yes, I would like your number. But not because he said so.”

“You don’t have to decide now.” Dean fishes out his wallet and takes out a five. “It won’t affect your tip,” he says with a wink as he shoves the bill under the napkin dispenser.

Maggie bites her lip. “I’ll think about it.”

Once Maggie’s left, Claire leans over the table and punches Dean, hard, in the arm. “Oh my god, are you actually braindead?”

“Hey, watch the pie!” Dean yanks his plate closer, out of Claire’s line of fire.

“What on earth possessed you to do that?” Claire demands.

Dean eyes his pie, planning his perfect plan of attack. “You needed a push in the right direction.”

Claire’s eyes flash. “I don’t need your help.”

“Tough luck, because you got it anyway,” Dean says with a shrug as portions off his first bite. “You’re only here for the summer. You don’t have the time to pine from across the softball field for a whole season.”

Claire frowns, saying warily, “I know Maggie isn’t Kaia.”

Dean points his fork, dripping with pie filling at her face. “So you gotta try a new strategy.”

“How?”

“Well, get yourself a capable wingman, for starters,” Dean says around his next bite of pie.

“Who? You?” Claire asks incredulously.

“Probably not,” Dean says, shuddering at the thought. He’d intervened with Maggie because was fucking funny as hell to see Claire get Cas-levels of awkward, but scoping out any more romantic prospects for Claire makes him feel sleazy. “I’m more of a pinch hitter.”

“What?”

“You really didn’t pay attention to a single softball game, did you?” Dean says, almost impressed.

Claire glares.

“They’re the guys called in last minute to fill in for a batter,” Dean says. He shovels the last bit of pie into his mouth, saying, “Did you keep in touch with Krissy?”

Claire shakes her head. “They were all Kaia’s friends first, so…”

“She got them in the divorce?” Dean says sympathetically.

Claire nods, her expression darkening.

“I know she’s back home for the summer too, taking care of her dad,” Dean says. “I bet she could use someone to hang with - if you ever get bored coding from our couch. Data entry for Charlie can’t be that exciting. Don’t tell her I said that.”

Claire rolls her eyes. “You don’t need to set up playdates for me, Dean.”

Dean shrugs. “Suit yourself. But none of Krissy’s other friends are back home - Josephine’s abroad, and the rest of ‘em are staying in their college towns.”

“I’ll think about it.”

Dean nods. That’s probably as good as he’ll ever get with Claire - she’s not the type to gratefully accept help. She’s more likely to complain to his face while going behind his back and doing it anyway. Which, fine, if it gets Claire out of their apartment and out of her funk.

On their way out, Maggie leaves her number on their receipt.

* * *

Claire slams the Impala door shut and relaxes in the passenger seat. “Well that was fun,” she says sarcastically as Dean twists around to pull out of the parking lot without mowing down an unfortunate 1999 Toyota Camry. “Let’s do that again soon.”

“Really?” Dean asks. At her blank stare, he adds, “I never know with you. Did you really have a good time?”

She fiddles with her seatbelt, biting her lip. “I won’t say this again, so cherish this moment: today was not the worst day I’ve ever had.” She huffs out a long breath. “It was almost fun, if you forget that shit in the diner.”

Dean laughs. “I’ll take it, I guess.” He taps his fingers against the wheel as he waits for an opening in traffic to merge onto the highway. “I’m glad.”

“Me too,” Claire mutters, so low he can barely hear her.

Dean lets the noise of the road take over for a few minutes: the reassuring rattling of the toy soldiers in the back air vent; his baby’s engine purring like a dream; the low ambient hum of her tires carrying them across miles of pavement.

Once he’s as calm as he’s gonna get, he says, “I have a question for you.”

Claire shoots him a look. “It’s not like I’m going anywhere.”

Dean shouldn’t have bothered asking. She really is incapable of being anything other than a teenager. 

“I’m thinking of asking Cas to marry me,” Dean says quickly. As Claire absorbs his words, his heart kicks up to double-time, hammering away in his chest. “Would you be okay with that?” 

“Why are you asking me?” Her eyebrows are drawn together in that same furrow that Cas always has whenever a student stumps him with a question. 

“Because you’re his family.” He’s honestly surprised he has to say this part out loud.

“Shouldn’t you be asking Grandmother instead?” Claire asks.

Dean shakes his head. “Cas doesn’t care about her opinion - or Jimmy’s.”

Claire takes another long moment to think that over. “So… are you, what, asking my permission?”

“Yep.”

“To marry my uncle.”

Dean shoots her a look. “I really don’t think the concept is that hard to understand.” Claire’s a smart kid. She’s probably drawing it out on purpose.

“Yeah, but -” Claire breaks off, “It’s weird, though.”

Dean rolls his eyes. “You literally called me a weird old man yesterday.”

“But… not this weird.”

“It’s a yes or no question, Claire,” Dean reminds her testily.

Claire waves him off. “I mean, yes, obviously, but what the hell?” Her eyes narrow, accusatory. “Is this why you made me do this weird bonding thing with you today?”

“I -” Dean stutters. “I didn’t make you-”

“It is!” Claire crows. “Were you thinking about it for all 18 holes?”

“No,” Dean says shortly.

“I don’t believe you.” Claire grins. “Were you nervous?”

“No.”

“Yeah, I’m calling BS again. You gotta work on that poker face.” She sits back in her seat, her smugness practically radiating off her in waves. 

Dean has the strangest urge to hug her.

Claire lets her hair fall over her face as she picks at her nails. “Just so you know,” she starts in an undertone, “I know it was you who convinced Uncle Cas to take me in. Back in high school.”

“Cas wanted to be there for you,” Dean says quickly, “He just didn’t know how. Honestly,” he says with a laugh, “Cas was scared he’d piss you off more, and then where would you go?”

“Really?” Claire asks, surprised.

Dean nods. “The guy is a great teacher, but he’s not great with kids if there isn’t a desk between them, you know? He's been working on it, though. Having you around taught him a lot.”

“That makes sense,” Claire says, almost to herself. “Anyway, I’ve only really known Uncle Cas while you were together. It’d be more weird if you didn’t get married.”

Dean doesn’t bother turning on the turn signal as he pulls over to the side of the road.

“What the-?” Claire starts, twisting in her seat to look out the window. “Why’d you - oof.”

Dean wraps his arms around her, squeezing tightly.

“Ugh,” she groans, “You smell.” But she hugs him back anyway.

#fanfic #supernatural fanfic #profoundnet #offscreen destiel #established destiel #claire novak #dean winchester #snark #banter #so much snark and banter #destiel fanfic #destiel #the story of us verse #rae writes fic

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Brother Dearest Pt 43

First course into second were two meals that had you out of James’ arms, from the much anticipated dancing around your waist his arms remained fixed even to the point he almost drew you onto his lap to eat. For the third course it was the dessert course where before you could turn your head James was on his feet and up he helped you for the walk over to the table tray being rolled out with the larger cake for your table and the important guests with a couple more rolling trays coated in single serving round decorated mini cakes everyone else was going to get to be served next. Right behind you he strolled with hand on your waist and feet careful to not step on your dress up to the cake where behind your back he widened your smile with his arm that slid across your stomach to hold you to his chest. Cheers and pictures captured the slicing of the cake and the joint serving of bites off the designated forks and plates of cake that you both snacked on while the cakes were served out to everyone else.

Stolen glances to your parents between the next round of dancing had you pulling away as James took up the chance to join the men in a celebratory cigar break outside. While Eddie joined him, Vic and Dawn led the ladies over to your side in your break at the bar for a refill on your screwdriver. Norma with a hand on your arm to ease herself between the stools there smiled in accepting the pretzels and ginger ale the bartender brought out for her to help her shifting stomach after her last two nights. Dawn asked lowly in your lift of your screwdriver for a sip, “Having a good time?”

You nodded, “Just needed something to drink. I like this syrup, help get that champagne taste out of my mouth.”

Dawn smirked to Dot’s saying, “I think I might talk to Grubbs about getting me another of those cakes tomorrow. Down right addictive.”

You chuckled to yourself and caught sight of Princess Elizabeth’s future fiancé Philip who strolled over to the bar. With an air of a mood where the blonde was used to being able to snap his fingers and get what he wanted he gave his drink order and over the lot of you his eyes skimmed. “Fine way to become a Mrs.”

“Thank you,” you said with a grin unable to think of what else to say in his thanking lift of his glass when it was given to him.

“Bet you’ll be relieved to hand over things and settle down.”

“There would be a line of losers along with you for news on that bet.” You said turning his head to catch your grin that spread in the eye contact the bartender took as a sign to turn and count his bottles to not be seen chuckling.

“From what I see you may have had fun with the run you had heading your comics and-,”

His hand rose to lift his glass for a smug sip after his comment was through but you shut him down, “No one is taking my businesses or achievements away from me. This is a ring not a leash and I doubt a man with such a tiny perspective on what women are supposedly entitled to could understand the fact that my husband is not threatened by marrying a strong successful woman.” His lips parted, “Not every man wants to lock their wife away and take everything but a spatula away from her limiting her to wife maid and mother. And to be honest for a man who may be latching himself onto a future Queen perhaps you haven’t been properly warned to this rude awakening you are in for when she wears the crown not you, with more power that you have no say over.”

“I can’t imagine you know anything about my life or how my relationship with Lizzie will turn out.” He retorted in a growl borderline statement almost more for himself than you.

You smiled wider, “You give away a great deal more than you realize. And when it all comes down to it no matter what agreement you formulate pre crown it’s going to be shattered when the country and people bump you down the list of priorities. And if all it took was one comment to ruffle your feathers over drinks then boy are you in for a body slam when she’s Queen and your role changes to support her, to uphold her legacy and public image. What a lovely wife you’ll make keeping house while she rules a chunk of the world.”

That had him huff and turn to walk off to Princess Margaret’s side where he leaned in to mutter to her only making her laugh which angered him more. The bartender having seen that bent over to hide behind your back to laugh into his arm to muffle the noise through Norma’s asking, “And he’s going to be King?”

“Oh I highly doubt they will let that happen.” You muttered before another sip, “Doesn’t seem to be favorite with the ruling clan.”

The bartender said in his lift up to peer over your shoulder, “Nail on the head Bunny. Better hope for the Poor Princess they can break him down a bit before anything concrete is locked down.” The path of the Princess in question with empty glass in hand had him moving to ready a refill for her and muttered, “Ooh. Incoming.”

With a smile you nodded your head among the other ladies in Princess Elizabeth’s stroll over. Gracefully she settled the glass on the counter trading nods with the bartender then sort of sighed out in a mustering of courage to speak, “This is such a lovely day.”

“Yes it is. I hope your wedding day has such fine weather. Must be hard to find a clear day to pick I hear it rains fairly often.”

“Yes, though there are usually a few windows that are fairly good windows of weather. Early winter most often is quite beautiful. For myself I quite enjoy the notion of a winter wedding for myself and then we could go somewhere warm for the honeymoon. Philip is set to be stationed someplace warm.”

“Well I hope he knows how lucky he truly is to have won your heart.”

That split her grin a bit wider and she asked, “Where are you honeymooning?”

“There’s a smaller cabin on our land we’re going to for a few days. To sort of deflate and hike and fish and be circled by bears and a few moose that stroll by.”

“That sounds rather lovely.” She said and you giggled to yourself.

Dawn said, “It is, weddings, even our elopings can be rather stressful, nice to just be together in the silence. Especially after living in Brooklyn where it never seems to just be quiet.”

The Princess locked her eyes on yours asking, “Do you prefer the city?”

“I miss how easy it is to travel to the library or museums, always been my place to unwind and run off to ignore the world. It is amazing here though. I really love it, our first trip here when we first came back from the war there was so much to learn how the guys take care of the land. Teaching us about the animals and hunting and clearing some trees to prevent fires and such.”

“Oh yes,” she replied, “Balmoral Castle in Scotland is our refuge. We hunt and fish as well and go on ample hikes. The palace can be quite the fish bowl at times, so many people coming and going.”

“Sounds a lot like Brooklyn then,” you said with a grin luring hers wider in accepting her new drink.

“It must be fascinating though, attending school among your peers. I was taught from tutors.”

“Well if you ever want a list of books I’d recommend your dad has my number and address.”

“Thank you,” her eyes shifted to follow yours to her sister and mother who were both looking her way and she gave you a grin and excused herself to go and see what they were speaking about. In her step away Portia smiled and slipped over to join your group to see how you were doing with smiles at your break of eye contact for Norma’s grab of your hand to lay on her stretching baby’s feet. On the ease of your eyes back to Portia yours locked with the blue pair on the blue cloaked woman dancing with her date who gave you a kind smile while the glance lasted.

 *

Warm under the sun James grinned in the first puff of his lit cigar mid chatter of the guys surrounding him. Eddie, not smoking sat sipping on his whiskey with a smile locked at the barely breaking smile on James’ face while his thumb spun the wedding band on his finger side to side with glee at finally being married. The conversation carried on while his head turned to glance inside with eyes narrowing a flinch at what he heard Philip saying to you. One of the soldiers said, “Piece of work that one.”

James looked back at the blonde’s stroll away saying, “No kidding. Lucky he brought an escort.”

Victor said, “Good thing he’s the side piece to the Princess.”

Another solder chuckled, “Not that he’s gonna take that well.”

The one next to him said, “Can’t even keep his eyes on his own date. Tried to slide up to my Kim till the girls glared him off. But I guess once you get up to a certain status who you chose to honor is a small list excluding your wife to be.”

They all smirked as the one beside him said, “Unlike the Baron here. High class Noble.”

James rolled his eyes, “Just words. Fish and hunt and mind the land like everyone else.”

Another said, “Not gonna lie, she’s earned that title. What is a Lady Baron?”

Victor chuckled, “Baroness.”

The soldier stated, “Yes, Baroness Bunny Pear Howlett, Corporal Medic and future Doctor. Not to mention her book,”

Soldier 4 asked, “Does that make her an author? If it’s just pictures?”

“It’d be photographer right?” Another asked.

James, “I would say photographer. She could do well in it if she wanted. Got a good eye.”

King George among them garnered greeting head nods and to the cigarette in his fingertips one of the soldiers brought out his lighter earning a thanks from the King, “Thank you, hope you don’t mind my joining the smoking circle.”

Victor, “Not at all, Your Majesty. More the merrier.”

Through another curiosity bubbling deep chested chortle of a try to cough the King gave out a puff of smoke from his first inhale and looked to Eddie, “You don’t smoke Eddie?”

Eddie shook his head, “No, besides, Dawn’s still got that sensitive smell thing going on since Marigold was born. Can’t even eat heavy handed pepper meals or she’s got to lay down.”

He nodded, “Ah,” and looked to Victor, “Norma, isn’t it? Your lovely wife,”

Victor nodded with a smile, “Yes.”

King George, “Her pregnancy is going well?”

Victor, “Yes, very well. She was worried about it but we’ve been hovering and keeping her calm.”

King George, “Worried about what?”

James said to Victor’s silent moment in search of words, “First time jitters mostly. Even Jaqi’s had a few come up in our talks about families when they came up. Her mom had nursing books around the apartment so she’s had plenty of information on what could go wrong. Norma’s caught some stories about hard labors too, but Doc’ll take good care of her and the baby.” He accented with a pat of his hand on Victor’s back calming his older brother who was reminded of that fact daily.

King George, “Oh yes, labor can be quite troubling for all involved. Even my girls were a bit of an ordeal for my lovely wife.” After another puff of smoke from him and James he added, “I do not doubt the both of your wives will pull well through their births as Eddie’s bride surely has.” His eyes wandered inside to his daughter chatting with the women and he asked, “Have you managed a greeting with my prospective son-in-law yet?”

James, “Not yet, Jaqi has.” He accented with a puff of smoke afterwards to the dissecting once over from the King.

“I take it he was not the most gentlemanly of guests from the drink?”

“One way to put it,” one of the soldiers said.

The King looked to your trio asking, “What is your opinion on him?”

James, “Would you mind my frank answer?”

King George, “I would greatly value your honest opinion.”

James curtly said, “Break him now.” That had the King’s brow rise and he said, “Some men admire strong women, others want one they can own. One day your baby girl is going to have to pick up a crown when she loses you, hopefully well down the line when she’s got some greys of her own. A move I know you know will be excruciating. And that little boy is not going to take it well when he realizes she rules the country and his every move will be to support her in that effort. When his legal rights as a husband over her are null and void. He will not take that well.”

Victor nodded and said, “We can only protect our daughters so much while we are here, the rest is all left to chance by who we let in the door once we’re gone.”

Eddie, “Princess Elizabeth is a sweet girl, a foot below how shy Jaqi was when she was little, and we just don’t want dead beat tethering himself to her where she can’t get out.”

King George nodded, “Thank you for your honesty. I will do my best on that front.”

Eddie joked, “If not we know a guy who’d eat him free of charge.” That had even the King chuckle. The conversation then dipped to the cabin and land which brought out a tangent on get aways in the wild.

 *

“What a beautiful wedding,” the mystery woman said in her approach to Elliot’s side as you took a break to check how he was enjoying the ceremony near to the snack table while others were still dancing.

“Thank you,” you said and asked, “Have you known Bill long, Miss?”

“Asteria,” she replied and she said with the notice of your parents that came closer on the other side of the table to Loki’s move right up behind Elliot. Heimdall freshly back from a check at the BiFrost to shoo away some curious teenagers who were trying to sneak a peek at the long since used portal they had been learning about. “I do apologize for the farce, I simply acquainted myself with Bill not long after you had returned from the war and your pictures were first in the papers. Though we never met in the news clippings in theaters I could sense your familiar aura I had felt once in my youth off of one of your children.”

Elliot spoke, “And just what situation did that meeting pertain to?”

She grinned and replied, “Not a meeting, just a passing in awe. The aura is unmistakable and knowing this is your territory upon honor and that of my sisters I wished to welcome you back.”

“Sisters?” You asked and she drew in a breath to answer.

“We are the Amazons, beloved of Aphrodite who after freeing ourselves from the slavery Hercules enforced upon us to leave the world of Men and forge our own sanctuary of an island. Though not without a price, my sisters fashioned the strongest of our armor and I chose to remain behind to face the armies roused to bring us back and give my sisters a fighting chance.”

“Must be some armor.” You muttered and her smile spread again.

“Your child intervened and turned their focus away from myself and returned to their path again. Even Aphrodite had barely heard whispers of your children herself, and to have been saved by one I wished to thank you myself and share that I have been returning kind acts into this world to protect these people as your children have. I also wished to inform you that I am entirely at your service should you require me.”

To Elliot you looked and asked, “Are Amazons on the list of topics to cover later?”

His eyes narrowed in thought at Heimdall stated, “You are a child of Paradise Island,” which earned an agreeing nod, “Clay infants granted life by those known by the Greeks to be Gods.” He looked to you, “There is a mention in our records of an island you noted upon their birth. Fairly inconsequential for other races. Though notably reluctant to leave their shores.”

Asteria, “I chose to remain behind to repay the debt of my survival and to prevent others from following myself to the shores of Themyscira. Another younger naïve sister of mine seems to have chosen to live here as well after her arrival in this world during the First World War to battle with Ares. Perhaps when she comes to her senses and understands who is here keeping us safe now that the other Gods have abandoned this coil.”

“If people don’t know about yours then why not go back now?”

“I have accepted my mortality, to return now would defeat the purpose of my life here in the world of Men.”

“Mortality, how long do your people live?”

“I have been on this planet since before the days of the rise of Greece and its fall. There is life in my bones still for quite a while yet. I am quite in awe of all you have achieved in such short time so far.” She said and to your eyes scanning over her face she added, “Perhaps the eye of the storm is not the best location to view the progress the storm brings about.” Bill called out to her and she smiled saying, “I will not impose upon you further, when you need me I am certain you will know how to find me.”

She walked to join her date to begin dancing again with him at his request while Loki stated, “Surprisingly genuine that plea for allegiance.”

You asked Elliot, “What exactly am I supposed to do with that?”

Elliot replied, “Perhaps we might take her at her word. I will consult the others who remained behind to see who might have aided her. Should be a simple task there are only so many possible of our blood who could have been outside of our territories to have intervened with any armies as she had stated.”

Heimdall spoke, “Now that she has made her presence known to you I will keep her actions noted.”

“If she’s been here this long she may be harmless in the scheme of things. Even if she did sort of sneak in to say it.”

Elliot looked to your father as he said, “She will not harm you or your rule. Once we return to Hel we will speak to their Aphrodite.”

“So the Greek Gods are real?”

Elliot shrugged, “Not in so many words. Belief based beings who dwindled in power long ago. They are of very little trouble to us now.”

Loki drew your eye, “I do believe you should be dancing. This is your day.”

“I do believe you are right Prince Loki. Now, I have to go steal my husband from a King.” The Prince smirked on your turn away in saying to Elliot, “I will let you steal more of the sweets and pretend I didn’t see.”

Elliot chuckled and returned to eyeing the treat table he had hoped to fill another plate from before taking Edie up on her offer of a couple dances later after she had finished her own spare treats. The two having hit it off as friends bonding over sharing stories and their affection for you.

Outside however a simple stroll up to the group was made and a hand on James’ back had his grin double at the turn of his head and Victor chuckled taking hold of his cigar. Over your head James’ arm eased to rest around your back at the accepted tug away from his group for the adored chance to show you off around the dance floor again. Tenderly his lips pressed to your temple in a duck under the rim of your hat to hum, “I apologize for neglecting you my Darling.”

With a finger hold on the front fold in his jacket you replied in the doorway, “You can go back to your cigar after a couple dances.”

Once his eyes locked with yours in a backwards tilt of your head he smirked to rumble, “I’d never touch a cigar again if I get to keep you in my arms.” His words melting into your lips in a lean in to steal a loving kiss his fingers framed your chin and cheek to slip free and claim your hand to guide you in front of him to let you lead the way between couples onto the dance floor. The moment possible again his hands eased yours around his neck and palm to bring you as close to his chest as possible, with a loving smile locked in place and seeping wider the longer he could hold you. The dancing lingered until you paused again to rest and ended up settled on top of his lap back in his seat for a few more snacks and a top up on your drink. Though that ended when Eddie and Erik got their chance to claim their own dances.

Some more pictures came with the friendly goodbyes to the sun setting the Nobles were the first to head out for their flight back to their waiting home in Ottowa the Prime Minister’s group tagged along for the free ride. Truman’s group was next with scattered guests who had long drives readied to leave lined up with the acceptable end of the bouquet toss. One toss and the giddy Bride-to-be waved it around as the men lined up to light the way with sparklers for the path to your waiting car. Inside however to the settling of both your hats on your lap your eyes locked with your parents’ and they nodded to remind you of their agreement to meet you at the cabin.

Eddie and Victor mastered the clean up while Dawn and Norma went home in a Brock carload to the house to get some rest and put the babies to bed. The camera crew and photographers loaded up and gave word they would send copies of the ceremony and pictures once they could be copied and printed. The guests gladly were off sharing their favorite moments of the ceremony by the time you had reached the drive to the house. Already you had handed over the veil that Mama Brock had taken to keep it safe for the next Bride who would need it to Father Thomas’ stolen few private words of well wishes for the both of you on your way to the honeymoon.

“You were brilliant you know.” You said to James who stole a smiling look your way.

“I did very little past repeating the words and comments on what to do and where to go. You are the brilliant one all our guests wanted a break with you for chats. Master hostess.”

“Weddings aren’t truly a hostess situation. If it was I’d have thrown out that blonde nimrod of a future Prince.”

“Oh I heard him, if he hadn’t shut up when he did I’d have given Squishy a signal to eat him.”

“You heard?” you asked looking at him.

“Of course I heard. Told King George they should break him now. Before he can put some damage on Princess Elizabeth.” His hand moved from the shifter to your hand in an eye locking promise of, “I am never going to take what is yours from you. Whatever you build I will do all I can to legally hoard it until we can transfer it to your name fully.”

“We are going to have to head to the bank when we get back.”

“I’ll put my name on the accounts but I’ve talked to them the other day to ready the balance consent cards that I can fill out for you to keep for big purchases so stores don’t look at you sideways if you’re out with the girls without me.”

“You really trust me with that much cash? I might start buying things left and right. Leave us broke.” In a playful raised brow glance he made you giggle at your own teasing statement and he chuckled shifting his arm to draw you a bit closer to his side so he could kiss your temple. A bit sideways you shifted to keep your skirt from blocking the shifter and yourself against his side.

“Between the two of us we will have funds for centuries with how little we spend.”

“Guess we’ll fit the penny pinching Baron stereotype then.” He chuckled again to the smooth of your fingers across the back of his hand resting against your belly. After a brief pause you said, “I’m glad my parents could come.”

“So am I. I can see where you get your looks and that adorable hint of an Irish accent of yours.”

Softly you chuckled and asked, “Would you have wanted your parents there?”

“Oh no. Would have been nothing but complaints and questions as to why your dress wasn’t bouncier.”

“Bouncier?” You asked peering up at him.

“The hoop skirt frames were mandatory at the time. To not wear them about would set off a scandal.”

“I suppose the grey corset would have bothered her too?”

“Oh no. Colored outer corseted tops were quite fashionable for a time. Could have been taken as a gown from a relative. And hats were quite respectable as well.”

Through the dark while the conversation meandered the cabin came into view and once parked he lovingly helped you out and once his hat was added again he shrugged out of his jacket to the mild chill in the air and walked you to the door that he opened and showed you in through the dark. A fire was easily built to light the room and a few of the candles around the place. The knock on the door turned you and James gladly opened it to let your parents inside to start the conversation you greatly needed. Warm hugs however came first before the nestling into couches for ample questions on random things that you had ached to have parental input. Skipping the painful question as to how he had died and left you behind. The requested dance came to the start of a radio James had found in the coat closet and you split in pairs for each parent for a few tear stirring dances that brought your father to draw you into his chest for another tight hug.

“We should let you both enjoy the rest of the night.” That had you inch back in the hug enabling him in your peer up at him to cradle your cheeks with thumbs to settle ready to wipe away any tear that would dare fall to the twitch of your lower lip. “I love you so much, My Queen of the Cosmos. And I’m always here when you need me, no more barriers you are growing stronger by the day and I couldn’t be prouder to have been granted the honor of protecting you and claim to be yours.” To the lift of your hand to touch the necklace he said, “Keep it, when you need me press it in your fist and say my name, shout or a whisper I will answer. I’m right with you, always.” You nodded in the settle of his hands onto the tops of your shoulders. “I have to return with Sarah by midnight.”

“That some Cinderella clause for her trip here?” You asked post calming sniffle.

He smiled wider and answered, “No. There is a troubling herd of three headed goats who meander into our gardens if the house appears empty.”

That had you smile and nod then turn to see your mom’s hand lower from a kind pat on James’ cheek he smiled through. She turned at the end of her comments to him and hurried to claim her own tight hug you clenched your eyes through. “I love you my Precious Bunny. Don’t you worry about anyone else. I know my son has hurt you, but you need to let go of his words. I am so sorry I was too broken to stand up for you and give you a home to depend upon when I got ill.” She hugged you tighter to the drop of a tear down your cheek. “I know you were scared and he left you alone, I am so sorry I failed you. I hoped he would know you were a piece of me no matter what he felt about his father. I thought I raised him better than to abandon a child.”

“Is he in Hel too?” You asked in her pull back and they both shook their heads.

Your father replied, “No. We are unable to find his essence or Bucky’s in any of the various dimensions mortal souls descend too or we would have drug Steve here as well.”

James asked, “So, they’re not dead then?”

Your mother, “We aren’t certain.”

Your father, “There are beings or times an essence can become trapped or sent elsewhere, perhaps their ties to you had them taken. Some of our brothers are off in search of any whisper for where they might be.”

James, “Well when they find him I owe him a blow to the jaw.”

Your father chuckled and said in his move to the door he opened revealing the silvery blue and green mist outside the door they both passed through saying, “We will keep searching, do not let this trouble you. Enjoy your retreat.” Once past into the mist it faded into the night and James eased his arm around your back in the closing of the door.

Up around his neck when you turned into his chest your hands moved for the beginning of a seemingly endless kiss. Into the back of his hair your fingers stretched as an answer to his melt against you to the symphony of the crackle of flames, the forest around you and the whisper of the radio still fading in and out to the shift of show times.

The gentle blind tug on his jacket towards the bedroom granted you a free breath of air in his murmur, “I can hold you tonight, if you want.”

With a smile you said, “Either way I need out of this corset.”

His eyes dipped and lips parted, “Ah,” in the realization, “I apologize, completely slipped my mind. Come here Darling.” He said in a turn to guide you to the bedroom that he paused to light the fire from the candle he brought with him that he settled upon the mantle and turned back to you.

Around your back he moved and with a gentle press of his lips to your shoulder. His fingers eased down the laces on the corset to find the hidden knot he loosened to relax the tension in the garment that in a reach around your chest his fingers guided the hooks apart until he could set it aside and turn his focus to the laces down the back of your dress. In the lower of the gown to your feet he guided your hand to his shoulder for your step out so he could lift up and carry the gown he laid across the armchair along the wall he left the corset underneath to keep from snagging the sheer material with the broach.

Your hands on his back widened his smile and turned his head with his body to follow. Out of his sash he dipped and stood in a loving stare to your focus shifting to the vest buttons next. His jacket out in the living room would later be added to the pile but for now all he did was remove his cuff links he tucked into is vest pocket in his shrug out of it. A tug of his shirt from his waistband came in his eyes sink over your half shadowed self in a strapless slip and stockings ended in shoes he couldn’t wait to take off of you to rub your legs and feet in the beginning of a full body massage to relieve any sort of tension from the big day. And the moment he was shirtless you giggled in his arms that looped around you to lift you off the ground to carry you to bed. “Off your feet Darling.”

“Your shirt,” you giggled out watching it slide off the chair onto the floor.

“It will wash.” He said and settled you down on the cool comforter against the pillows. With a quick peck on your lips he drew back with hand smoothing over your hip to your thigh where he found the straps for your garter belt he undid. Sideways he twisted to unbuckle your heels he dropped behind him to the floor to grant him ease in removing each stocking that was followed by the garter belt you wiggled free he smiled in adding to the pile on the foot of the bed.

To the side he turned to ease off his boots that once on the ground he turned from to sit cross legged to cradle your foot saying, “You’ve had a long day. Just relax.” By the time he had gotten to the other foot you had removed the pins and braids from your hair to settle with the pendant on the nightstand to relax back against the pillows. Each smooth of his hand lulled you to where your eyes drooped and in the back rub with you upright seated with him behind you his smile spread at the melt of your body into his chest. Into the pillows he settled you so he could blow out the candles. To the sight of you he returned with your bags from the trunk of the car and his jacket he added with his shirt from the floor to the pile of clothes soon joined by his pants he changed out of and into his pajama pants. Right beside you under the covers he nestled in for a long night’s sleep.

Pt 44

#The Reception #Dancing #Time Apart With the Nobles #Protective King #Protect the Princess #Warnings Shots Fired #Prince Philip's a Dick #Smoking Circle #Bonding with the Princess #Meeting Asteria #Figurative Olive Branch from Amazons #Protective Loki and Heimdall #Stealing Husband #Meetup with Dead Parents #Who has Bucky and Steve #Out of the Corset #Off to Bed #James Howlett x Reader OC #Battle Bunny x Wolverine

[tsukikento]

Empathetic Ch. 2

Pairing: Bakugou Katsuki x Reader

Summary: After your mom, the number 1 hero in America, gets offered a teaching position at U.A., you two pack up your things and head to Musutafu, Japan to start a new life. Pressure for you in America was at an all-time high, and now you're in Japan, where almost no one knows you, or your family's past.

This tale starts on your first day of class where your new teacher decides the best way for you to fit in is to fight against the strongest person in your class: Bakugou Katsuki.

Warnings/Genre: This piece will feature some angst and reference to an abusive parent, if you are ever worried about other tw’s feel free to send me an ask and I will let you know. There will also be fluff, slight angst, pining, and slowburn

A/N: This is also posted on ao3 under @allie_win. I’m transferring it over here, pls let me know if you like it! I love your comments! Just a note that any italics means thoughts.

(series masterlist)

~~

Aizawa-sensei had the class rearrange their desks to fit you into the equation. The rows were now 6 by 3, with 3 additional people sitting in their own 4th row. You felt bad that everyone had to move slightly to only accommodate you, but no one seemed too upset about it after seeing how well you fought today. You now sat by Iida, Kirishima, and Tsu who all assured you that no one was upset at moving seats. In fact, they all seemed happy to be able to sit by you.

Most of the class went by smoothly. You met a few other teachers, Present Mic and Midnight, who both greeted you excitedly. Everything ran smoothly, the class primarily focusing on textbook related terms like the police codes you might hear on the radio.

By the time lunch rolled around, Ashido had already invited you to sit with her and Hagakure during the lunch period. You happily accepted the offer and followed them to Lunch Rush Cafeteria.

“We don’t always sit together during lunch because sometimes Mina sits with Kirishima, I sit with Ojiro, or we both sit with the girls, but we wanted to make sure you were around good people at lunch today!” Toru explained as she grabbed food for lunch.

“And we assumed you didn’t really want to be around a bunch of people,” Ashido added as she grabbed a small slice of cake for dessert.

You nodded in appreciation and mumbled a small, “Thank you.”

They took you to a small table that could only fit the 3 of you and began giving you the run-down on everyone in the class.

“This is important information!” Ashido started. She shoved some rice into her mouth before pointing over at the purple-haired boy from before. You looked at him and then back at Ashido to see her quickly try and swallow the food. “That’s Mineta and he’s a total creep! Ugh, he is always trying to get into our pants, but it’s worse for Momo.” She gulped down a sip of water. “He clung onto her back during the obstacle course of the sports festival last year. Imagine not being able to get that pervert off you.”

“Why don’t you guys just report him?” You asked, watching disgustedly as he lingered around a group of girls you didn’t recognize. One of them looked like she was about to punch him in the face.

“He’s too smart,” Toru explained. “He’s one of the smartest people in our class and never does anything too gross in front of teachers. Make sure you keep your dorm room locked because he will sneak in and take your panties.”

Ashido and Hagakure both gagged at the thought.

Fuck. What a creep.

The girls continued on from there, pointing at everyone and explaining their quirk. Some were common quirks in America like Iida’s speed, although the engine aspect was new, and Kaminari’s electricity. Others were more creative like Momo’s and Tokoyami’s.

“Oh yeah! I saw Tokoyami during the sports festival. I thought his quirk was so cool!” You interrupted.

“It’s powerful too!” Mina added.

“Yeah,” You started, “I remember seeing how easily he beat everyone until Bakugou was able to figure out his weakness. That battle was tragic, yet also amazing.” You gestured your hands to match the excitement you originally felt when watching the match. “Honestly, Bakugou must have been really focused to realize Tokoyami’s weakness.”

Ashido and Hagakure laughed at your comment. “Don’t let him hear you, Y/N. It’ll just stroke his ego even more!” Mina commented.

You laughed with them, trying to push away how obviously impressed you were by Bakugou. “Yeah, you’re right.”

The three of you continued to chat until lunch was over and you needed to make your way back to class. When you got back to class, Aizawa was waiting inside for you and told you to come with him to see Mr. President.

Ashido and Hagakure’s shoulders brushed yours and you felt them worrying, so you flashed them a smile and grabbed their hands, activating your quirk to calm them down just slightly. “Don’t worry. This probably just has to do with my class placement.”

They smiled back at you and you let go of their hands before following Aizawa into the still bustling hallway. It quickly cleared out as the final bell rang and he began talking to you about your match that day.

“You worked very well today, but your quirk is too narrow when not with weapons. I’d like for us to focus on you using your quirk more offensively besides just making people fall asleep.” He commented.

You nodded, it was a comment your mom had given you time and time again. “Wait?” You looked up at him. “‘Us?’ Does that mean I’m in 1-A?”

“Would we really have rearranged the desks if you weren’t?” He questioned back.

You laughed at yourself sheepishly, “No, I guess not.”

By then, you arrived at Mr. President’s office and Aizawa knocked on the door. When it opened, you were only greeted by Mr. President this time.

“Welcome!” He greeted. “Please come in and take a seat.” You sat down along with Aizawa while Mr. President offered you each a cookie. Both of you declined. “So be it,” He said before eating up one of the cookies himself. The silence was awkward as you waited for him to finish. Once done, he looked up at you. “Y/N, congratulations on such a great first day. Aizawa told me you were able to beat Bakugou with no problem.”

“Oh,” You spoke, “Thank you, but it really was because he didn’t know my quirk. I’m sure if he did, he would have been able to avoid my sleeping touch.”

“Nonsense! Don’t sell yourself short!” Mr. The President insisted. “Anyways! I asked you here because I wanted to give you some extra time to get your things moved into the UA dorm. I know it will take some time to move your things so I got a cart for you that will help you carry more boxes.” He gestures over to a red cart in the corner of his office.

“Ah, thank you, Mr. President-sensei.” You bowed slightly to show your appreciation.

“No problem!” He smiled happily. “I hope you get accustomed quickly. Your dorms are in building 2-A, you can find it on this map.” He handed you a map of the school which you accepted graciously. “There are 5 floors, the first being recreational and the other 4 being dorms. You are on floor 4, and your room is number 6. There is a list of the dorm rules in your room so please make sure to read up on them before your classmates begin arriving later today.” He grabbed a key from a drawer in his desk and held it out for you.

You nodded again and took the key from him, making sure to be as formal as you could at this moment.

“Now, go ahead and get to it!” Mr. President announced cheerfully.

You quickly said your goodbyes and rushed out of the room with the red cart. You started on your way to your mom’s apartment, grabbing your phone and playing some music you could dance to that also had quick tempos to keep you moving.

Most of your things were already in the box, so you would only have to spend time packing the box that held everything you used in the last three days. Once back, you quickly grabbed a few boxes to pile onto your cart. You aimed for getting almost everything over by the time your classmates were done. That gave you approximately 2 and a half hours till they were done in class. It took you 10 minutes to get all the way to your room from the apartment as well as another 10 minutes to get back so you hoped you would be able to finish in time.

You moved as quickly as you could, piling the boxes onto your floor, desk, and bare mattress. Once you had every box here, you could spend the rest of your time today reorganizing. You heard the elevator ding just as you were exiting your room to head back for your last trip.

Out walked Bakugo who looked up at you before quickly looking away and walking into the room across from yours.

God, I must look like a mess, you thought as you hopped onto the elevator. You were rather sweaty and had to put your hair up into a ponytail. After your third trip, you realized you needed to change and keep your school clothes clean. You were wearing an old sweatshirt that was your brothers and practically swallowed you up and well as a pair of athletic shorts and sneakers.

You looked in the blurry metal reflection of the elevator to see flyaways from your ponytail, a few old bruises on your legs, and the mascara you wore that day flaking off and onto your cheeks. You quickly brushed away the black specs and fixed your hair the best you could. The elevator opened and you walked out with the cart, heading back to the apartment.

Honestly, you wished your interactions with Bakugo today had gone better. You didn’t know very much about him other than what you saw at the sports festival and what few articles there were about him online. A few of them analyzed his battle skills and others were about the time he got captured by a monster that really resembled a Muk from Pokemon. Ashido told you never to bring that up in front of him so that was off-limits when it came to your list of ‘Things You Can Talk to Bakugou About’.

Dumb.

His only goal in life was to become the number 1 hero and it wasn’t likely that he would even pay attention to you. It was best to sweep the silly little crush you had under the rug before it ruined your chances to even just be friends with the handsome blond.

Could you even call it a crush? You literally just met him! Maybe it was just admiration? Or a want to be friends with someone so strong? You could definitely see yourself learning from him, but you could also definitely see yourself falling in love with him.

You groaned and told yourself you could push away the feelings easily.

Your mom still wasn’t home when you arrived to grab your last four boxes so you wrote her a short note about where you would be living now and told her you were going to be busy but would try and see her soon. You also mentioned that you already fed Jerry, your cat, his afternoon treats.

As you left the apartment, you took one last look around and your eyes settled on the yellow and incredibly uncomfortable couch. You flipped off the couch, ready to settle into the small dorm you were given.

When you got back, more people were in the dorm and they quickly greeted you, asking why you left early. You briefly explained your absence before excusing yourself to unpack. A couple of the girls offered to help you, especially Ashido because your dorm was right next to her’s, but you brushed them off, saying it wouldn’t take long.

Except it would take a while. You just wanted to spend some time alone to relish in the music that helped you block out others and your thoughts.

The first thing you did was open your window to the cool air and put on your clean bedsheets. You opted for having the school provide you with furniture because you were too lazy to bring yours from America. You asked for a white desk and a black bed frame with drawers underneath it instead of a chest of drawers. You were tempted to lay down on the fresh sheets but instead spent some time putting away your clothes before finally giving in.

You finally touched the soft fabric of your bedding just as you noticed the sun beginning to set. The sky blushed pastel pinks and warm oranges that resembled the one from this morning. You pulled out your phone to see a text from your mom about your note.

TIred. I'm so tired, you thought, barely able to read the text through your blurred vision.

Before you had the chance to reply to her, your hand dropped your phone onto the soft bed and your eyelids weighed you down. Slowly, they fluttered closed and you convinced yourself that a small nap was all you needed to get through the rest of the day.

~~

When you woke up, the sun was completely gone and stars shined brightly in its place. You groaned, knowing that you were ruining your sleep schedule. Your stomach rumbled and you couldn’t resist getting out of bed and going downstairs to see what food you might be able to eat.

You opted for using the stairs, worried the sound of the elevator might wake someone. Once downstairs, you smelled something glorious, tempting you closer and closer. As you rounded the corner, you were greeted with the appearance of Bakugou.

God, I just can’t escape him.

It was then you realized that your earbuds had fallen out of your ears while you slept and you could hear Bakugo’s thoughts. He was currently reliving your battle with him today. He was making mental notes of everything that happened and also referring to a conversation he had with Kirishima about the battle.

You didn’t want to disturb him so you started to turn away when the scent of Thai curry wafted over to you and caused your stomach to grumble.

Fuck.

Bakugo looked up and you and glared.

I’m the only person ever awake at this time and now this stupid girl is going to ruin that? Is she going to always be awake at this time?

You couldn’t resist. “Uh, sorry! I didn’t mean to interrupt. And no I’m usually not awake at this time. I-I was just so tired from moving so I fell asleep before dinner and didn’t wake up till now. Honestly! I’m really sorry. I’ll just-”

“Shut up.”

You looked up from fiddling with your thumbs. “Sorry!”

“Stop apologizing.” He didn’t even look up at you when he responded, he just kept stirring the pot and sprinkling in different spices.

“S-” You stopped yourself. “Um, anyways! That food smells good!”

“Of course it does. I made it,” Bakugou responded.

He doesn’t put much effort into conversations, does he?

You took a seat at one of the tall stools by the kitchen, too tired to stand. It gave you a good view of all the food he had spread out. And of his back. The black shirt he wore clung to his muscles perfectly. You pushed the thought away quickly, deciding to distract yourself. “Your reputation suits you, Bakugou. Cocky.” You couldn't help but snicker a little at your comment.

Like you know anything about me, he thought.

“You’re right, I don’t know much about you. Why don’t you tell me more?” You questioned, resting your chin on your hand and leaning forward in hopes that he would open up.

However, reading his thoughts, responding to them, and asking him questions seemed to be the perfect way to set Bakugou off.

“Listen here! If you are gonna sit here, you better stop responding to my thoughts so I can at least pretend you can’t hear them. Better yet, just shut your mouth altogether!” He looked back at you with his fiery red eyes, as if challenging you to speak up just so he could respond angrier.

You zipped your lips, locked them, and threw away the invisible key.

So childish, he thought, rolling his eyes and turning back to the food.

You couldn’t help but smile at his thought, but made sure to keep silent as he continued to work. You could make something to eat after he was done. You didn’t want to get in his way and make him angrier. To keep the peace, you pushed your fingers into your ears to muffle his thoughts.

After a couple of minutes, Bakugou placed the pot of curry in front of you. Then the pot of rice. You looked up at him curiously and pulled out your fingers.

“Make yourself useful and get us bowls and chopsticks.” He took a seat in the chair next to you. “And water.”

You nodded and went to get up before stopping yourself. “Wait, you are letting me eat some of this food?”

He scoffed. “I just happened to make too much and I don’t want it to go to waste.” He looked up at you and saw the smile on your face. “Don’t think we’re friends now or anything!”

You stood up, unable to hide your small smile. He was dumb to forget you could hear his thoughts and realize that he wasn’t as angry as he showed. You happily walked up to the cabinets and then looked back at Bakugou. “Where are the bowls? And chopsticks? And cups?” You bit your lip, worried that this might actually anger him.

Bakugou scoffed and got up. He pointed at a cabinet that you opened to reveal the cups. You grabbed two and turned on the sink to fill them with water. In the meantime, Bakugou had grabbed bowls and chopsticks and was already dividing up the food into two portions.

You sat down, placing a cup in front of your seat and his. Bakugou was already eating and you weren’t sure whether to thank him for the meal so you mumbled “Itadakimasu,” before grabbing your chopsticks and eating.

Bakugou stifled a laugh at your sudden shyness and mumbled back, “Hai.”

You grabbed a good bite of the curry and slurped it down. It was spicy, but- “Holy shit, Bakugou, this is amazing!”

He didn’t even look up from his food to respond to you. “Why wouldn’t it be? I made it.” His voice was oddly calm and quiet compared to how much he yelled throughout today.

You smiled at him before taking another bite. The spiciness was hardly overpowering the creaminess of the curry. You remembered reading somewhere that Bakugou liked spicy foods and decided to try and pick up a conversation based on that. “Do you like spicy food so much because it makes you sweat?” You asked.

He paused for a moment and you could hear his brain run with thoughts on why you were so insistent on talking to him and why he actually didn’t mind it too much. “No, it’s because my body controls heat better than others. When people eat spicy food, your body thinks you're on fire and releases all these endorphins that are supposed to help with the pain. I can tolerate heat better than others so I need a lot of spice to release the endorphins.”

“Ohh,” You spoke. “That’s so cool!” You shoved more rice into your mouth to stop yourself from fawning over Bakugou’s quirk right in front of him.

You were the only person in your family without an element-related quirk. All your siblings had quirks that were offensive, but yours was defensive. It made you a little obsessed with quirks that are more powerful and offensive like Bakugou’s. You knew you were lucky to have such a powerful quirk, but you sometimes resented how you got that quirk. It was a constant reminder of a past everyone wanted to forget.

Bakugou didn’t respond to you, but you didn’t worry. You could hear his thoughts.

Why does she find such a simple part of my quirk cool? What an idiot.

Your arm brushed against his and got a brief glimpse into how many emotions were running through his head in one moment. He was a little annoyed, angry, tired, and just a tad bit nervous.

Nervous. Why is he nervous? Could he be nervous to talk to-

“What are you thinking about, huh?” He asked you, glaring in your direction. “You have such a stupid grin on your face.”

“Huh? Oh, nothing!” You responded. He raised an eyebrow at you inquisitively. “Really!” You added, waving your hands to not only assure him but also to help with how suddenly hot it was.

Bakugou groaned and looked back to your food, he didn’t start eating though.

You felt like such an asshole considering you were able to read his thoughts. You tried to ignore them, but they came through clear as day. You wouldn’t respond to him though, and frankly, you didn’t want to respond to what he was thinking about right now. You shoved more rice into your mouth to hopefully drown out his thoughts.

“So,” He mumbled, “I looked up your mom.”

You practically choked trying to finish the serving of rice in your mouth. You really didn’t think he would actually bring it up. “And?” You responded, mouth half full.

“And she’s pretty powerful. So are your siblings.”

“I know. They are my family aren’t they?” You responded.

Brat, he thought.

“Why don’t you control any elements?” He asked bluntly.

Fuck. “Fuck.” You were really wishing he wouldn’t ask that. You stuffed your face with rice again, almost refusing to respond. You loved your family to death, but that was not a question someone should ask you. It brought back too many memories. “That question is quite personal,” You mumbled as you finished off the rice. You drank the creamy broth, letting the heat fill up your body. You didn’t mean to snap, but you really didn’t want to address the elephant in the room.

“Well, how the fuck would I know that?” Bakugou responded. “I was just curious!”

You let your anger get the best of you, your body feeding off of Bakugou’s anger as well. You stood up abruptly, grabbing your bowl and tossing it into the sink. “Well, let’s take a look at the facts. My family is a long line of people who manipulate one or multiple elements. I am currently the only one alive right now who doesn’t. Obviously, it’s something personal.”

Fuck, I really messed up, Bakugou thought. He looked down, grinding his teeth in confusion and frustration. He then realized that he didn’t owe you anything and there was no reason to be mad at him.

You stopped him before he could even speak up, “Just keep your mouth fucking shut!” You turned away for a moment before looking at Bakugou. “Thank you for the delicious food!”

You stormed off, rushing to the elevator. You were going to clean up the dishes as a thank you. You were going to insist you and Bakugou meet together to go over the match today and even spar again. You were going to do a lot. But then he asked a question that was just a bit too personal for you.

Once in the elevator, you faced forward so you could see him through the long hallway just one last time. He stared at you, bowl in his hands.

What’s wrong with her? He scowled at you and caught your eyes.

I know you can hear me, (Y/N). Don’t play dumb.

The doors closed just as you gasped. You felt like an idiot.

#my hero academia #my hero academy #boku no hero academia #boku no hero headcanons #bakugou #bakugo #bakugo katsuki #bakugou katsuki #katsuki #bnha bakugou #bakugou x reader #bakugo x reader #bakugou katsuki x reader #bakugo katsuki x reader #katsuki x reader #bnha

[lavenderradionoises]

Can You Hear the Winds Changing? - Part 4

More Iiaare content! I love this girl so much and cannot wait to write more but for now, enjoy the little snippet of Iiaare’s past because I despise writing strategy meetings

You can find previous parts HERE

Warnings: violence, implied body mutilation, past abuse Iiaare’s eyes flitted between the two siblings in front of her and the many sweets between them, wondering whether the two stole the sweets from the cook. Usta had stormed out of the physician’s chambers moments earlier, threatening to get Captain Nexros to string the twins up by their toes. The two ignored the princess in favor of introducing themselves to Iiaare. 

“Now that the Mistress of ticks up royal asses is gone, hi, my name is Alos, I serve in the king’s private guard,” the twin with hair curling under their ear introduced themselves before taking a bite out of a piece of cherry pie.

Iiaare nodded in greeting.

“Be nice. Usta may be haughty, but she’s still a lot better than majority of the nobility,” The twin with elaborate braids chided before turning to Iiaare. “I’m Elos. I also serve in the king’s guard, and as you may have guessed from the princess’s earlier threat, Alos and I are twins.”

Iiaare nodded again, trying to make herself more comfortable on the bed without causing the wound on her side to reopen. As she adjusted the pillow, her head spun, and vision blurred before sharply focusing on the strangers. 

“But I’m the better looking twin,” Alos said with a wink.

Iiaare raised an eyebrow, unsure whether this was normal for the short haired twin.

“Ignore them,” Elos sighed before gesturing to the mountain of sweets. “Want one?”

The servant was unsure how to respond. Since the knights held a higher rank than her, she knew that eating with them would be improper. On the other hand, she had not eaten since the previous evening, and the lack of food was certainly not helping the headache that had come and gone since she woke up. 

As if sensing her confusion, Elos quickly grabbed the nearest sweet, a honey cake, and handed it to her.

“Don’t worry about rank with us, darling. Eat to your heart’s content. With the way Alos eats, they're a practically a pig already.”

Alos, mouth full of pie, made an indignant noise, spewing crumbs across the bed sheets.

Elos raised an eyebrow at them. “Srr, sweetheart? Abysmal manners.”

Iiaare felt her cheeks and neck begin to burn, still unaccustomed to the casual flirting of the palace. As she took the slice of honey cake from Elos, the servant did not miss the mischievous glint in Alos’s eyes that reminded her too much of Aion’s manservant, Ernaeis, when he decided to dump buckets of worms into visiting noble’s beds.  

“So, little one, we told you our names. How about you tell us yours? I bet both your name and your voice are prettier than the haughty yet beautiful princess Usta,” Alos said, leaning on their interlaced fingers, elbows balanced on their knees. 

The servant’s gaze snapped from the cake in her hands to the knight as her stomach churned, and knots began to twist in her chest. It was not the first time someone had asked her to talk, but for some reason, the thought of revealing her muteness to these two, having them recoil in disgust as so many others had, terrified her"

Just as Iiaare was about to show that she had no tongue, the door burst open. A boy resembling the twins walked in with shaking hands and frantic eyes that Iiaare swore she met before. 

“If you two leave me alone to deal with another war council on my own again, I am going to find every poison in this city and make you both drink it.”

“Hello, brother dear,” Alos greeted the newcomer.

The boy huffed before closing the door and making his way over to where the group was sitting. Iiaare watched him as he sat down. Something was familiar about his brown hair and the way he spoke, but the memory trying to break through the locked rooms of her mind made her head spin even more.

Elos waved her hand in the direction of her brother, “This is our baby brother, Kuxon, the three of us are from a border village near Flatband, so you will have to excuse his accent.” 

Kuxon looked at her, and it suddenly clicked: the boy, his face, and the memory that had been tugging at her. Iiaare only managed a tiny gasp before the room spun one final time, and she fell into blackness.

~

Drums sounded as two children no older than seven were led to a platform raised and ready to be burned. Fire mages stood at the four corners, waiting. Villagers, who had gathered to watch the execution, muttered amongst themselves.

“Filthy street rats finally getting what they deserve.” 

“Are you sure it was the boy? Isn’t his family at the capitol?” 

“I heard they never wanted a third child, especially after those cursed twins were born.” 

“Kolia, the traveling merchant’s wife, also says that one of them decided to become a boy.”

“No wonder they abandoned the son. It’s bad luck to have twins, let alone twins of different genders.”

Iiaare heard all of these as she struggled to make her way to the front. She felt the wrongness in her bones, a child should not be burned at the stake because she needed food to survive, and neither should anyone who helped that child. 

The kids were being chained to the platform as Iiaare passed the last row of spectators. 

“Stop!” She yelled out. When she was ignored, she ran up onto the platform, pushing mages and guards out of the way with all her ten year old strength. 

Iiaare’s mind skipped ahead in the memory to when she was being loaded into a cart in the middle of the night with a man telling her that the village had found her a job as a servant to a noble. Iiaare wanted to protest but couldn’t from the pain in what was left of her tongue. The sizzling sound of a hot knife meeting flesh plagued her mind. When the darkness closed in around her again, it was almost a relief.

~

The memory was cut off by distant voices calling for Iiaare and a harsh light invading her vision. When she blinked her eyes open, the first thing she saw was Aion, and who she guessed was everyone from the guard in conference at the foot of the bed. The servant’s heart fell ever so slightly at the fact that Usta was not there until she felt a hand running through her hair. 

“You’re awake!” Usta’s voice exclaimed from beyond Iiaare’s line of vision, causing everybody to turn to her, “ Are you alright?” 

Iiaare nodded before attempting to sit up. With Usta’s help, she was able to maneuver herself to lean against the backboard of the bed relatively comfortably and without jolting the stab wound too much. 

Once she was properly sitting, she registered how many more people were in the physician’s office. Along with the royal siblings, two more individuals had joined: a man with a missing arm and a woman that reminded Iiaare of the statues of the goddess of the hunt.

“Are you sure you’re alright?” Elos asked, taking Iiaare’s left hand between her own. 

Iiaare nodded again. She began drawing a knife and a fire on the sheets with her free hand where Usta could see. 

“A knife and fire?” The princess questioned.

Iiaare gave her a nod in confirmation before pointing between Kuxon and herself, then making a fist with her fingers sans her thumb and sliding her thumb across her face. 

“A knife, a fire, the boy, and your tongue being cut out?” Usta asked. The twins gasped, and the rest of the guard stopped their discussion, opting to listen to the conversation. 

Iiaare tapped her pointer finger a couple times in the princess’s direction to indicate that she was correct. 

Elos’s hands tightened around Iiaare’s and Kuxon’s face when white as candle wax.

“Iiaare…cut out…” He mumbled before his eyes grew round, “It was you! You were the girl!”

“What are you talking about?” Elos questioned her brother

“Auriol and I...the day they were going to...were going to….”

“Wait, so you’re saying that Iiaare was the girl who saved you?”

“It sounds crazy, but...look, she knows!” Kuxon moves the wrist guard off his left arm, revealing old scars where handcuffs would have sat, “They told us you’d been taken away...they told us you’d been executed.”

Elos moved her hands from Iiaare’s to the servant’s shoulder and addresses her solemnly, “You saved our brother’s life. Thank you.”

The loud sound of a candle popping five times startled the occupants of the eerily quiet chambers.

“Well, I guess I should head down to the kitchens and ask them to bring up some food for us,” Aion offered before practically fleeing the room. The servant noticed the slight shaking of his hands and knew that it would be a while before the prince returned. Kuxon sat on the bench the prince was previously occupying. The younger boy began replacing his wrist guard but stopped when Iiaare signaled for him to give it to her so she could lace it up for him. 

“I suppose this is as good a time as any to introduce the Captain and Lieutenant.” Alos said, turning away from her brother’s scared wrist, before pointing at the man with a missing arm, “This is Captain Nexros. And that over there is Lieutenant Iaastil, the second in command.” 

Iiaare waved at Nexros and Iaastil. 

The door opened just as the captain was going to say something, revealing Aion and Ernaeis carrying several plates of food. Setting down the plates, Aion turned to address the rest of the occupants of the room with a grim voice.

“Well then, shall we update those who missed the meeting of their next mission?” 

#warnings: #abuse #mentions of war #past abuse #tw body mutilation #body mutilation #Can You Hear the Winds Changing

[champagne-bucky]

The Undoing: Four

Summary: The truth about a past life is unveiled.

Warnings: THIS IS A DARK STORY!! dark! Steve Rogers x reader, kidnapping, non con and dub con (or at least mentions of), dark! Bucky Barnes, Stockholm syndrome, grooming, mentions of pregnancy termination and suicide mentions (for one chapter), possibly more tags to be added!

Notes: Ahhh, so here we are, part 4 and the present time in which this story takes place. I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to get shit done, but I’ve just been so unmotivated and it sucks because I had all these things planned and ughhh procrastination sucks. Anyways enjoy part 4. Please make sure to like, comment, reblog, inbox, and follow for more!! Enjoy :)

PLEASE READ WARNINGS!!

*Present time*

“Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday dear Sasha. Happy birthday to you,” the small crowd that was Sasha’s family cheered as she blew out her candles.

Finally, her 18th birthday. A day where she is legally considered an adult. A day that her father had promised to grant her the freedoms that she saw the other kids had. A day where she would no longer be sheltered.

“Happy birthday, sweetheart,” her mother came up to the young woman and gave her a kiss on the cheek. Her father followed suit, a side hug and kiss as she worked on cutting the cake.

“I want the first piece,” one shouted.

“I want a really big piece,” said another.

The shouting amongst her siblings didn’t subside until her father quieted them down with the threat of “no cake at all.”

While her mother busied herself in the kitchen, Sasha’s father was helping his youngest children get their slices of cake. Birthdays and holidays were the only times the Rogers’ family got to indulge in sweet treats. Steve had made it clear that his children were to only eat the healthiest of foods, and his doting wife always complied.

A knock on the door caught Sasha’s attention. While the family was in momentary disarray, Sasha was the only one who ended up hearing the faint series of knocks.

Therefore, she wiped her hands of sweet buttercream icing and made her way to the locked door. The knocks continued on even after she told them to wait a minute. A peek through the peephole revealed a stranger. To be fair, everyone was a stranger to the Rogers’ family. No frequent visitors, friends, even family, the Rogers’ only knew each other.

“Daddy, someones at our door,” Steve abandoned the youngest child to meet Sasha at the door.

Steve glanced through the peephole and for a minute it seemed like he saw a ghost. “It can’t be,” Steve swung open the door so fast that Sasha feared she would get knocked out by it.

“Bucky,” Steve looked at the stranger on the other side of the door.  

“Been a while huh?” The man, Bucky, gives a half grin at Sasha’s father.

“Wow,” Bucky turns to Sasha, “she’s all grown up,” Bucky invites himself in, but before he could get halfway past the threshold Steve stops him.

“Why all of a sudden have you turned up?” Steve gives Bucky a look that says “don’t say too much.”

“Because there’s a party going on,” Bucky then turns to Sasha. “Happy birthday sweetheart. My god, look at you,” Bucky looks her up and down. Sasha looked very taken back by the strange man. Who was he and why did he know your father?

Steve cleared his throat, “uhm, Y/N is in the kitchen cutting the cake. Why don’t you stay for some,” Bucky obliged and made his way into the kitchen.

“Dad, who is he?” Steve was quick to dismiss her question by replying that he’d been an old friend that knew him back when Sasha was first born.

Buck had made his way into the small kitchen, nothing had changed since Steve had brought his now wife here. In that kitchen were a bunch of children, some big and some small, all asking for a slice of Sasha’s birthday cake.

And then there was her, the young women that Bucky once knew, now all grown up with a family of her own. Bucky couldn’t help but smile at how pleasant she looked while serving the youngest children slices of their cake. She turned once she felt a presence at the door. A mix of emotions flashed through her eyes for a moment, but then her confused expression turned into a smile. She gladly walked over to the long time friend and greeted him with a huge smile and open arms.

“Bucky, it’s great to see you,” not a hint of sarcasm or an urgent surge of rage coursed this beautiful woman. She was genuinely happy to see the man that ruined her life prematurely.

“You haven’t aged a day since I last saw you,” Bucky smiled as he hugged her back. She looked nice in her freshly ironed dress and brand new heels her husband had demanded she wear around the house at all times.

“Please, come sit down while we have some cake. Kids, get to the dining room now please,” the herd of small children rushed out into the dining room with their sweet treats in hand.

__

Bucky was observant throughout dessert. Upon dodging judgemental and questioning looks from Steve, Bucky got to know more about the rest of the Rogers family.

“Last time I was here you had just had Gwynedd, yes?” Their mother nodded as a carbon copy of Steve Rogers looked up at him with a smile. She was going to be 17 soon, as she mentioned to the family a handful of times about birthday party ideas.

Then there was the third oldest, Max, a short haired, freckly 15 year old who had dreams of becoming an engineer. Reid was approaching 13 years old in the next couple of months, he was adamant on a firetruck themed party seeing as he wanted to be a fireman when he grew up. 11 year old Jocelyn had the same physique as her mother, but her personality was all Steve, she was sassy and always helping out her younger sibling. Last, and probably won’t be the least, was 9 year old Sarah Rogers, named accordingly after Steve’s long departed mother of course, she was the prized baby of the family that no one could touch.

Then there was Sasha, the oldest Rogers. Sasha was 100% her mother, from looks to personality. It was almost like someone hit a copy and paste button on everything Y/N Rogers and stamped it perfectly onto Sasha. Bucky couldn’t believe that the once small baby girl he held in his hands had grown into a beautiful, young woman. Bucky was snapped out of his thoughts when Steve called his name.  

“So, um, Bucky, what plans do you have for the summer?”

“Daddy says we might be able to go to the seashore this summer if we all behave,” Sarah shouted with her mouthful of cake. Her mother scolded her for interrupting Bucky and Steve.

“Well that sounds a lot more exciting than what I’m doing, Sarah. I’ll be fixing up this old house I bought a few blocks over from you guys. I got it for cheap so I want to do some remodeling and maybe sell the place before autumn.”

“Why would you buy a house just to sell it again in a few months?” It was Gwenyd’s turn to interrupt this time.

“It’s called house flipping Gwen, people buy crappy houses and pour all their money into it so they can get stinkn’ rich off the place,” Sasha finally spoke up.

“Sash, remember we don’t use words like that in front of the younger ones,” her mother reminded her before putting her head down and eating the rest of her cake slice.

“You’re very correct Sasha. Think of this as a new hobby of mine, Steve, taking something old and run down and forming it into something new and modern.”

“So what are you going to do to it?” Gwenyd asked.

“Well I'm going to redo the whole structure of the outside, maybe add in a pool and deck area in the backyard. The inside I’m planning on gutting the whole thing and putting in my own personal touches,” the children all ooh’d and ahh’d at the idea.

The wheels in Bucky’s head were turning for a moment. He looked at sweet Sasha and the other kids. He couldn’t just leave them caged up in this house for the summer. He knows Steve. He knows that he’ll keep them locked up inside for fear of one of the children saying something about their unusual situation. He didn’t want to leave Sasha most of all. 18 years old and definitely hasn’t gotten a chance to explore the world. He wanted to help them.

“Say, kids, redoing a big house is a lot of work for one man. How about you guys help me out and I’ll give you some money for your seashore trip,” Reid jumped out of his chair all excited.

“Daddy, Mommy, please please please let us help Bucky. Please!” Steve quieted Reid down.

Their mother kept her head down. She would love for them to get out of the house for a bit, but Steve makes all the rules.

“I’ll have to think about it, Bucky,” Steve said which caused the younger siblings to groan.

“I think it’ll be fun, dad. We get a little bit of work experience, we’ll be kept busy for a couple weeks, and we can make our own money,” Sasha spoke up and Gwenyd was giving her dad a thumbs up to agree with her older sister.

“I said I’ll think about it, girls,” Steve said sternly while finishing off his cake.

Steve couldn’t help but glare at Bucky throughout the rest of dessert. Something just wasn’t right about Bucky’s abrupt visit. Steve’s wife didn’t seem to care much because she enjoyed getting visitors, but Bucky wasn’t a frequent visitor in their home.

Bucky left Steve soon after Gweyndd was born. He stayed around because Steve needed someone to help take care of Sasha while he was busy breaking in his wife. Steve never told Bucky to leave him after that, he would’ve preferred if Bucky stayed around to be in their lives. However, one morning he took off and never came back, he even went as far as breaking all contact with Steve.

Dessert was over and the kids were helping their mother clean up. Steve offered to help, but the kids hopped right to it, cleaning down the table and loading the dishes into the sink. While they were busy, Steve led Bucky into their family room with a couple beers in his hands.

“So, why are you really here?” Bucky laughed.

“Stevie, I just said I was stopping by. Sasha’s 18th birthday is a pretty big deal. No longer a young girl, but a grown woman,” Steve seethed at his response.

“So after all these years of no contact you just decided to show up again after like everything is okay?” Bucky looked at their surroundings to see if anyone was listening. When the coast was cleared he finally spoke up.

“I had the cops on my ass since that first week. That stupid family next door had cameras showing me getting Y/N to come outside with me. Lucky I convinced Sam to pull those traffic cameras and delete the evidence or we both would’ve been caught.”

“The cops were snooping around and you didn’t think to tell me?” Steve heart rate picked up. He did get questioned by the cops one day, but already rehearsed a solid alibi. Who would've guessed that taking that one drama class in high school gave him solid acting skills.

“I had to lay low. I’m pretty sure they tapped my phone and had P.I.’s following me everywhere I went. Once I was cleared of anything I got a new job and skipped town.”

The case went cold after a few years, Steve guessed that they were trying to pin the disappearance on Bucky, but considering Bucky is standing in front of him today it seems he got off.

“So what do they think happened?” Steve whispered.

“A classic runaway case. The family refuses to accept that she’s gone for good. I got to town every now and then and I hear that the parents go looking for her every night on their own. Everyone gave up on them,” Steve let out a breath of relief. He feared that the cops were still after his wife after all this time. It’s refreshing to find out that the case is really over.

“So, you really taking the kids to the beach?” Bucky smirked already knowing Steve’s response.

“They’ve been hounding me all year that they wanted to get out of the house and do something fun. Had to tell them something to get them off my back.”

“When are you gonna break the news to them?”

“Probably a week before I told them we would go. I’m sure Reid or Joce will do something that’ll make me “change my mind”,” Steve smirked. He really couldn’t risk them going out of the house.

“Why don’t they come with me,” Steve laughed.

“I’m serious, Steve. All that time in the house with the kids, how do you and the missus have any “free time”,” Steve rolled his eyes.

“What we do is none of your business. Plus, I don’t want any of these kids to run their mouths like Sasha did,” Bucky asked what he meant by that. Sweet Sasha would sell out her family like that?

Steve explained the whole situation. She took playing house a little too far and took the kids outside to play. Just as bad luck would have it, the neighbors were also outside when they noticed a bunch of unattended children running around and playing. The nosy bastards kept asking Sasha questions. Did you kids just move in? Where are your parents? You’ve been living here how long?

Fucking CPS got involved and wouldn’t let up on the family. Steve’s wife sure as hell got a punishment of a lifetime. She also had to stay in the basement anytime a social worker would have random visits. Couldn’t risk anything.

To get them off their backs, Steve promised that he would enroll all the children in real schools so they would get more social interaction from their age groups. Yeah, that lasted about a month or two until the social workers stopped coming by. Everyone of them got pulled out of school except for Sasha. She enjoyed learning so much and was already making her way into high school.

It took months of convincing her mother to help her out to convince Steve to let her go to high school. Long nights and heated arguments between the couple was giving Steve major migraines. He finally agreed, but only on a string of strict conditions. Luckily, Sasha was already well behaved at this point so he wasn’t too worried about her fucking up again.

“I think it’ll be a good idea to let the kids come with me. They can learn new things and it’ll get them out of your hair. Think of all the time you and Y/N will have. So much time that you could be giving the kids and new brother or sister,” Steve did perk up at that idea. He has been on his wife for a while now about wanting a new baby, they just aren’t getting many opportunities to try with all the kids around.

Steve thought for a moment, “You’ll make sure they won’t get into any trouble right?”

“I’ll watch them like hawks,” Bucky promised as he saw Sasha coming out of the kitchen to head upstairs.

“Hey daddy, I’m gonna go to bed, but I just wanted to say goodnight. Thank you for a great birthday,” Sasha kissed her father’s cheek.

“It was nice meeting you Bucky,” Bucky smiled at her as she walked upstairs.

“You raised her well, Stevie.”

“Fine,” Bucky was surprised.

“Fine what?”

“You can have the kids help you, but don’t get into anything stupid or I’ll have your head,” Steve threatened as the other children started to come in to say goodnight.

“I’ll be here 8 sharp then,” Bucky got up to leave soon after the kids were getting ready for bed.

Bucky had his own planning to do, and he would make sure he would keep Steve’s word.

__

For something that the children were so excited about, they were relieved that helping Bucky out was over.

What they thought was a couple week project turned into the whole summer. A few fights and temper tantrums later and the house was almost done. However, Bucky wouldn’t need their help any longer. Instead, he agreed that he would keep them longer so Steve had a good excuse to say why their trip wasn’t happening this summer. The kids were so upset that their beach trip got canceled, but Bucky made it up to them by buying them ice cream and letting them watch movies all day one day.

Not only did they get endless amounts of ice cream, but they had a new addition to expect in the next 9 months. Yes, their mother got pregnant again with another child. Bucky could tell Sasha was a little upset by this, but the others were thoroughly excited about a new brother or sister joining the family.

The nights got cooler and the days were getting shorter meaning fall was approaching them. Which meant Sasha would finally be able to get back to school. While most kids dreaded going back Sasha didn’t. She loved school, her teachers, classes, and most of all was getting new books. There has never been a kid who enjoyed reading a European World History book more than Sasha Rogers. Also she couldn’t wait to get some peace and quiet away from her brothers and sisters.

“Sash,” Bucky stopped her before she could walk out of his new house.

“Yeah, Buck,” they had grown rather close during this time, almost as if they were long lost friends.

“I got you something. Think of it as a late birthday present,” Bucky pulled out of his back pocket a rectangular device. Sasha had seen them on TV all the time. In fact, she begged for one for so many years, but her father yelled at her to drop it before he got even more angry.

“I’m not supposed to have one of these. Dad will kill me, he’ll kill you,” Bucky laughed and shoved the phone and its box in her hands.

“It’ll be our secret. Hide this in and don’t tell anyone. Don’t tell mom or Gwen, even your friends at school,” Bucky urged her to take it.

“But I can’t pay for it,” Sasha wasn’t allowed to have a job either.

“I’ll take care of everything. Just to make sure we are clear, don’t do anything stupid with this phone. You tell no one about it at all. If I find anything bad on this phone I won’t hesitate to tell your father, understand?” Sasha gulped and shook her head out of fear of what her father would do.

“Uhm, uh, thank you so much Bucky,” Sasha hugged him.

“It’s no problem at all, Sash.”

Now with a phone in her hand and access to contacting her, Bucky had his own plan in motion.

Tags to be added in comments!!

#Dark Avengers #dark captain america #dark steve rogers #dark Steve rogers x reader #dark Steve rogers fic #dark marvel #mcudarklibrary #dark bucky barnes #dark james barnes #dark winter soldier

[pureimaginefic]

October 3, 1991

"Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you..." everyone sang as Kevin stood in front of a large cake, Kellie by his side. He leaned in and blew the candles, everyone cheered.

"Happy Birthday" she said kissing his cheek "Ooh" she said, putting her hand to her stomach.

"Are you alright dear?" Ann asked.

"Yeah, yeah I'm okay" Kellie said smiling.

"Why don't you have a seat and relax?" Anne asked her.

"No, really, I'm fine, this has been happening a lot lately" Kellie said smiling.

"Mom's right, plus the doctor said you should be taking it easy, come on" Kevin said helping her into a chair "Do it as a birthday present to me" he said to her. "There you go" he said putting a pillow under her feet "Want some cake?" he asked.

"Duh" Kellie said to him.

"I'll be right back" he said as she put her feet up.

"I'll get you a nice tall glass of milk" Ann said following him into the kitchen.

"You look comfy" Vicki said sitting across from her.

"Far from it" Kellie said "I've never been more uncomfortable in my life" she said "My back is killing me, the hormones are driving me crazy and I haven't seen my feet in months...my shoes match right?" she asked.

"Yes" Vicki said laughing.

"Here you are my dear" he said handing her a giant slice of cake.

"Thank you, just what I need" she said taking it from him "Mmm...cake" she said eating.

"Now can I get you anything else?" he asked.

"No, go, enjoy your party" she said eating.

"Are you sure? Are you comfortable? Do you need another pillow?" he asked.

"I'm fine, I promise" she said.

"Alright, but I'll be back to check on you" he said.

"Oh I know you will" she said eating her cake.

"Wow, that must be nice" Vicki said to her.

"He's so sweet but to tell you the truth he's really getting on my nerves" Kellie said eating her cake.

"I'm actually surprised he had a party what with happened to his dad this summer..." Vicki said sadly.

"Yeah I know, he's doing so much better with it now" Kellie said, still shoveling cake into her mouth.

Vicki reached over to stick her finger in the frosting, Kellie slapped her hand away.

"I'm pregnant too you know!" Vicki said to her, licking the frosting from her fingertip.

"Get your own!" Kellie said to her "Ooh...oh..." Kellie said sitting up and putting the cake down.

"You okay?" Vicki asked.

"Cramping" Kellie said to her, she took a deep breath "Okay" she said relieved.

"You okay now?" Vicki asked concerned.

"Yeah" she said before groaning in pain "Or not" she said.

"Kev!" Vicki yelled.

"Kel? You okay?" Kevin asked rushing over to her.

"No don't worry I'm..." she said before groaning again "Fine" she said to him.

"No you're not" he said to her.

"Oh no" Kellie said as her face went blank.

"What? What happened?" he asked nervously.

"My water just broke" she said.

"Oh god...okay, we got to get you to the hospital, can you stand up?" he asked.

"Not really" she said as he helped her up.

"What's going on? Are you alright dear?" Ann asked.

"Kel's in labor" Kevin said to her.

"My goodness! We've got to get you to the hospital, come on sweetheart" Ann said helping Kellie outside.

"Wait! Wait, you need to call my parents" she said.

"I got it" Vicki said picking up the phone and dialing "Go!" she said to them.

~*~

Ken and Lynda rushed into the emergency room with an overnight bag.

"Can I help you?" a nurse asked them as they approached the desk.

"Yes, we're looking for Kellie Mitchell, she was just brought in, she's having a baby" Ken said to the nurse.

"Are you family?" the nurse asked.

"We're her parents" Lynda said to her.

"Room 219" the nurse said.

"Thank you" they said hurrying to the elevator.

Kellie lied in her hospital bed, taking slow deep breaths.

"I just checked with the desk, your parents are here, my mom's going to bring them in" Kevin said to her.

"Hold my hand" she said to him, she squeezed it tightly as she took more deep breaths.

"Kellie, Kellie" Lynda said bursting into the room "Oh honey" she said rushing to her side.

"Mom" Kellie whined as her mom came to her side.

"You okay?" Lynda asked.

"Oh yeah, just great" she said rolling her eyes.

"Kellie" Ken said coming into the room "Hi princess" he said kissing her forehead "You doing okay?" he asked, Lynda shook her head at him.

"Can we get you anything?" Lynda asked.

"I'm going to get you some ice chips" Kevin said leaving the room.

"I don't want ice, I want drugs!" she yelled at him.

"I'll get the ice chips first" he said leaving the room.

"Mom" she whined "This really hurts" she said.

"Oh I know, I know it does, but it's all worth it, you'll see" she said grabbing a cloth and dabbing Kellie's forehead with it.

"Well Kellie, good to see you again" the doctor said coming into the room, snapping on a pair of rubber gloves.

"Oh doc, please tell me I'm close to delivery" Kellie said to her.

"We're about to find out" she said throwing a blanket over her knees and examining her.

"Well?" Kellie asked hopefully.

"You're at 3 centimeters" she said "Just sit back and relax, you're going to be here for a while" the doctor said pulling her gloves off.

"Yeah that's what I want to hear" Kellie said irritated.

"Try to get some rest okay? I'll be back to check on you in a little while" she said leaving the room.

"Here, got the ice chips" Kevin said handing her a Styrofoam cup.

"Just relax honey okay" Lynda said to her.

"I'll try" Kellie said putting a few ice chips in her mouth.

Kellie soon fell asleep, her parents and his mom slept out in the waiting room and he was slumped over in the chair next to her bed, listening to the steady beeping of the monitors.

October 4, 1991

The dark night sky turned into a cool blue, a few stray stars twinkling above, the blue then faded into a pale pink, the early morning sun was just over the horizon. Kellie opened her eyes in time to see the sun peak when she began to feel mounting discomfort.

"Kev, Kev" she said waking him up.

"You okay?" Kevin asked jolting awake.

"I think this is it" she said.

He stood up and raced out into the hallway.

"Honey? Are you okay?" her mom asked.

"It's time" Kellie said.

Kevin followed closely behind the doctor, she examined Kellie "Eleven hours, you're a trooper" she said "You're ready for delivery".

"Mom" Kellie said reaching out for Lynda.

"Don't worry honey I'm right here" Lynda said taking her hand.

"So am I" Kevin said taking her other hand and kissing it.

"This is it" she said to him.

"This is it...time to meet our son" he said to her smiling.

"I love you" she said.

"I love you too" he said to her.

A nurse entered the room and the doctor closed the door behind her.

"Okay Kellie, on your next contraction I want you to start pushing okay?" the doctor asked sitting at the foot of the bed.

Kevin and Lynda held her legs up as she squeezed their hands tightly.

"Okay Kellie...and push" the doctor said, Kellie clenched her teeth together, screeching coming from her throat. "Keep pushing, come on you can do it" the doctor said. Her grunts and groans became louder with each push. "One more push, just one more" the doctor said to her.

"Come on you can do it, I know you can" Kevin said to her.

"If you don't shut up, I'm going to tear your eyebrows right off!" Kellie said to him.

"Fine, you can do that later" he said to her.

"Come on Kellie, keep going, good girl" the doctor said, she fell back to the pillows trying to catch her breath. A loud wailing cry came from her feet, she sat up "Here he is" the doctor said holding him up, he continued to cry out when the nurse took him. Tears streamed down Kevin's face as well as Lynda's.

"Here he is" the nurse said handing him to Kellie.

She bundled him up in her arms "Hi" she said happily "Hi" she said as he kissed her forehead.

"Six am on the dot" the doctor said to her glancing up at the clock.

"Oh my god" Kellie said happily.

Later, Kellie sat with the baby cradled safely in her arms, looking down at his tiny face.

"Mom, I want you to meet someone" Kevin said bringing Ann into the room.

"Oh" she said happily "Would you look at him" she said.

"You want to hold him?" Kellie asked.

"Please" Ann said holding her arms out, Kellie carefully passed him over "Oh hello little boy" she said rocking him gently in her arms "He looks just like you did" she said to Kevin, she gave him a kiss on the cheek and kissed Kellie's cheek as well.

Her parents then came in the room "oh...Look at our grandson" Ann said to Ken and Lynda.

"He's absolutely perfect" Lynda said "May I?" she asked.

"Oh of course" Ann said passing him over.

"Hello angel" Lynda cooed "Ken, look at this little face" she said.

"Hey there little guy" Ken said "I'm grandpa" he said happily.

"Isn't this great? You get to share a birthday with your son" Ann said to him.

"Kinda" Kevin said "Just missed it" he said "can I?" he asked Lynda.

"Here's your daddy" Lynda said passing him over.

"Yep, I'm your daddy" he said sitting next to Kellie, his little hands were balled into fists, he let out a tiny yawn. His little eyes peered open as he looked up at them.

"Hi" Kellie said "I'm your mommy" she said to him.

Bronson and Kristy came into the room, out of breath from rushing down the hallway, still clad in their pajamas.

"Are we late?" Bronson asked frantically.

"No course not" Kellie said to him "Come say hi to your nephew" Kellie said ushering them into the room.

"He's so cute" Kristy said getting closer.

"He is, isn't he?" Kellie asked.

"Everyone, we want you to meet, Kyle Michael Richardson" he said to everyone as Kellie smiled, holding his little hand.

"Richardson?" Ken asked.

"Ken..." Lynda said in a warning tone.

"Richardson...great" he said.

~*~

A few days later Kellie was packing everything up to leave the hospital.

"Hey" Melissa said as she and AJ came into the room.

"Hey, what are you doing here?" Kellie asked.

"We had a doctor's appointment and figured we'd stop in and meet little Kyle" Melissa said.

"Hey" Kevin said softly as he gingerly carried Kyle into the room, Melissa gasped "Here he is" Kevin said.

"Look at him" Melissa said.

"Well he's definitely yours, he's got the eyebrows to prove it" AJ said "Poor kid" he said.

"Shut up" Kevin said.

"Oh he is so precious" Melissa gushed looking at him.

"Want to hold him?" Kevin asked.

"Please" she said as Kevin passed him over to her.

"I'd give you a cigar if I were able to buy them" AJ said patting his shoulder.

"Thanks" Kevin said as they laughed.

"So dad? How do you feel?" AJ asked putting his arm around Kevin's shoulders.

"Amazing, I can't even describe how happy I am, he's everything" Kevin said.

"What about you? mom?" Melissa asked Kellie.

"I'm exhausted but I'm happy" Kellie said smiling.

"Here you go, here's your momma" Melissa said handing him back to Kellie.

"Thanks for coming guys, we really appreciate it" Kellie said to them.

"Of course, you guys heading out?" Melissa asked.

"Yep, time to get Kyle home" Kellie said.

"Congratulations, he's perfect" Melissa said hugging Kellie.

"Thanks for coming guys" Kevin said to them.

"Congratulations old man" AJ said patting Kevin's shoulder once more.

"We'll see you later" Melissa said as they left.

"Can't believe how small he is" Kevin said.

"Didn't feel small" Kellie said as they looked down at him.

"Oh yeah I asked my mom to bring this over" he said holding up his football jersey.

Kellie laughed "Very nice" she said.

"It's like a bookend" he said wrapping Kyle up in it "You were wearing this when we made him and now...he's wearing it" he said, Kellie laughed.

"Okay sweetie, you ready to go home?" she asked setting him in a carrier "Ready?" she asked as he picked up her bag and the carrier.

"I think we are" he said as they left the room.- Pomp & Circumstance ch. 24 "Kyle Michael Richardson"

#jr. bsb series #original characters #bsb fan fiction #pomp and circumstance #kyle birthday spam #jr. bsb birthday