#oh well i can talk about this in my author’s notes pff

[asahipleaseloveme]

A Light in the Dark

Soulmate AU

Asahi x reader

Word Count: 2k

Warnings: None

Author's Note: this is my piece for @gg9183 soulmate au collab! Congrats on your milestone and thank you so much for letting me join 🥲. In this AU, people see the face of their soulmate in their dreams. Some people see a face sooner than others. As always, feedback is appreciated!

"I don't know, Asahi. I think this whole soulmate thing is just a bunch of bs," you stated matter of factly. "Everyone claims that they see the face of their soulmate in their dreams. And it’s the only face they see until they find them. Pff, yeah...okay. I'm sure some people do. But there's no way everyone can see it, right?" You questioned more to yourself than to your companion who joined you for coffee.

"Maybe you're just a late bloomer? Or it could be that you're a little impatient. But it’s most likely because you’re a goober,” Asahi playfully ragged on you. “I'm sure you'll see a face in no time," he reassuringly stated.

"That's easy for you to say. I bet you've already seen your S.M.'s face. And they are probably beautiful and perfect. I wouldn't expect anything less for you, ya big softy," you teased as you poked him in the side, causing him to jolt away from the sudden contact.

"Hmph, even if I told you I haven't seen a face yet, you wouldn't believe me. But, you're still dreaming about nothing? Just total blackness?"

You stared at your drink for a few seconds to think of how you wanted to answer his question. It's true; for the past six or seven months you've been dreaming in total darkness. It's like you're in there, but there's just nothing. Almost like a void. For a while you were really concerned that it meant you didn't have a soulmate. No one you've talked to had experienced what you were currently going through. Everyone has been dreaming about a face. Some of them have been united with the person in their dreams, while others were still waiting to find theirs.

"Actually," you cleared your throat, "last night was a little different. A light started to shine through the darkness. I woke up before it could get too bright. But I don't know what it means, you know."

You looked up at Asahi sheepishly. You felt a little silly talking about this with him. You know he's been dreaming about his soulmate, but he's just too polite to tell you.

"A light, huh. Maybe that means your soulmate is a lightbulb or something. Ohh, or the sun!" Asahi chuckled.

"Shut up, Asahi," you chuckled along with him.

Your laughs subsided, and your eyes focused on his face.

"Hey, we will still be friends after we both find our soulmates, right," you broke the silence. You panicked as you didn’t want to come off as needy or jealous. "It's just that, I've had some friends who broke off their friendships with others once they found their S.M.'s. I was hoping we wouldn't have to. You're, like, my best friend," your face was getting hot and you could tell it was glowing red.

"______, you're my best friend, too. I'd like to keep it that way," Asahi smiled so softly at you. Even though he was usually the anxious friend of your group, his words felt so relieving and calm. You let out a sigh and smiled back.

"Oh, shoot. I gotta run or I'll be late for work!" Asahi said in a panic. "Uh, I'll text you later. See ya, goober!"

“Bye, goof. Have a good day at work!”

You spent the rest of the day at the library scouring through any book or online article you could find regarding dreams. Specifically soulmate dreams. You couldn’t be the only person who was experiencing the weird phenomenon of dreaming of nothing. The more you searched, the more disheartening it became. There were plenty of stories out there. Articles about people dreaming about a face for a few months before finding them. Articles about people dreaming about a face for decades and not finding them. Accounts of people marrying someone who they didn’t dream about and still finding happiness. Even reports about people who got married to someone other than their soulmate and divorcing their “non-soulmate” once they found them. There were even studies that gave the percentage of the likelihood of ending up with a soulmate. None of these findings were able to quell the uneasiness in your mind.

You threw your hands up in the air with a disgruntled sigh. “This is hopeless. I’m hopeless.”

You began packing up your things when Ashai texted you.

~You shouldn’t worry about this whole dream thing. I’m sure it’ll come to you soon 😊 ~

-I doubt it 😠-

~Lol you’re just grumpy. Go eat some food.~

- >:P -

~Are we still on for the park tomorrow grumpy pants?~

-Duh, goob. The park is the best part of my week. I wouldn’t miss it.-

~Me neither. I was just making sure.~

You grabbed a quick bite to eat at the convenience store around the corner from your apartment building. You made your way up the three flights of stairs to get to your little flat. “Home” was starting to feel a little lonely. Maybe that’s why you tended to spend most of your days somewhere else. You chucked your keys on the counter and tossed your shoes off by the door. As you were heating up your microwaveable meal, you received another text from Asahi.

~______, I know it’s easy to say, but keep your head up. I have faith you’ll see your soulmate 🙂. ~

You smiled at his kind words. He’s always been such a good and supportive friend. He’s always so patient with you. Hell, he’s even started to tease you back when you initiate it. You weren’t lying when you told him that he was your best friend. You didn’t want to imagine him not being in your life. Maybe that’s why you were so worried about the whole soulmate thing. Once he found his soulmate, he would probably start to treat you differently. Would you do the same when you (if you) found yours? What if-

Your thoughts were disrupted by the microwave going off. You quickly ate your dinner and then got ready for bed. You stared at Asahi’s text before deciding to just leave it alone. Sleep soon hit you. Again, you started out in the darkness like you have for the longest time. A light starts to appear and the intensity is getting stronger and stronger. It’s almost too bright for you to even look at. Suddenly, a fuzzy shadow of a head blocks the view of the light. The face begins to come into focus when you wake up with a shooting pain in the back of your head.

“Are you...kidding me? A blurred out face? Typical,” you rubbed your eyes and stretched. “Can’t wait to tell Asahi about this one.”

Asahi was waiting for you by the entrance of the park with a coffee for you in one hand and a coffee for him in the other. You called out to him and ran over to meet him.

“What’s this, Asahi? Need that extra dose of caffeine to walk with me today,” you smirked.

“Oh, I-I just felt bad about poking fun at you yesterday. I just wanted to make it up to you, so you know that I was just kidding.”

You giggled, “Asahi, we poke fun at each other all of the time. I think we know each other well enough that we understand it’s just in good fun. But I will gladly accept your peace offering this time.”

Both of you turned into the park and you began your weekly stroll. Ever since the two of you met years ago, you had a weekly walk through the park to discuss anything that was on your mind.

“So, uh, I saw a face in my dream last night,” you stated ever so shyly. “But, I didn’t actually see the face. It was blurred out. I don’t even know what that means!” You expressed the words with such anger, you stopped in your tracks. “Ugh, I’m sorry. I know you must be tired of me talking about this all of the time. I’m getting kind of tired of it, too. But this whole thing has me scared. What if my soulmate is someone who I won’t even like? What if they hate cats? What if they won’t even remember my favorite coffee order? What if they are mean to other people? I just don’t think I can handle that. I-”

“______, it’s alright. I know it can be scary, but you just have to believe that your soulmate is someone you’ll like. Even if you don’t like them, there’s nothing that states you actually have to marry them, ya know? I think that-” Asahi was cut off with the warnings of distant Heads up shouts, but by the time they were heard, a soccer ball crashed right into the back of your head.

You found yourself on the ground, coffee spilled all over your pants, and a massive pain shooting through the back of your head. You can faintly hear Asahi calling out for you, asking if you are okay. You look up at him, but the sun shine was so intense that you had to squint. The shadowy figure, the same figure from your dream, blocked out the sun and your eyes started to focus on the face. The figure blocked out more of the light, the face becoming more in focus.

“Asahi?” you sat, puzzled.

“______, oh my gosh! You don’t remember me. Did the ball hit you that hard? Oh no, we need to get you to a hospital now!” He panicked as he grabbed you around the waist and lifted you up to your feet.

“No, no, no. I remember you, ya goof. It’s just that...you...your face was...is...you’re my soulmate,” you stared at him with doe-like eyes.

He smiled down at you and wrapped you in a warm embrace.

“I’ve known for a while that you were mine,” he stated with happiness erupting from him.

“How long have you known?”

“Do you remember the day you spilled coffee all over my pants? Yeah, I started dreaming about you that same night.”

“Asahi, that was the first day we met...that was over two years ago! Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“I guess I didn’t want you to feel pressured to like me. You could have been dreaming about someone else and I didn’t want to get in between that. And part of me wanted you to like me because I’m...me. Not because you felt obligated to. ”

You smiled at him, “You’re, like, the biggest goof I know. How long would you have waited for me to, you know, finally catch up?”

“For you,______, I would’ve waited forever. Because there is honestly no other goober out there for me.”

You laughed as you gave him a hard nudge to the ribs. All of the fear and anxiety you had melted away the longer you were wrapped in his embrace. Your head started to go fuzzy and you weren’t sure if what because you were so relieved or because you just got donked in the head with a ball. Either way, you knew that you and Asahi were going to make each other happy.

“Thanks for waiting for me, Asahi. And thank you for liking me as I am. I know I can be a little overbearing and grumpy at times. I’m glad that you’re my goof. Oh, my head,” you sighed before letting out a groan.

Asahi looked down at you and smiled. “Let’s get you to a doctor, goober. You got hit pretty hard.” He kissed you on your forehead gently before scooping you up in his arms. This wasn’t how he had imagined this reveal going down, but he couldn’t help to be happy that he was your soulmate and you were his. He couldn’t wait to spend the rest of his life making you happy. And you felt the same way.

#asahi x reader #azumane asahi x reader #asahi #azumane asahi #haikyuu! #haikyuu! soulmate au #gracie's soulmate collab #ahh i hope this is okay #i always get really nervous when i post my stories #🥲🥺 #i kind of based this off of the song head over feet by alanis morissette lol

[pascalscenarios]

THE ONE (Frankie Morales x Reader)

THE ONE

Frankie Morales x Reader  

Summary: Today’s your big day, your wedding day.

Warning: None

Words: 2746

Authors Note: Buckle up!!! This one… I cry. I hope you are all doing well! Please take care of yourself and stay hydrated. I’m finally on spring break thank god lol. If you are in school and have midterms I wish you luck! The school will be ending shortly, We’re almost there! Keep pushing! 

We have one more chapter left! :( Enjoy!

- K

CH 1 | CH 2 | CH 3 | CH 4 | CH 5 | CH 5.5 | CH 6 | CH 7 | CH 8 | CH 9 |

Chapter 9

Today was your wedding day. You had a sleepless night, tossing and turning. You were kept up thinking about what Santiago had said to you. You laid in your bed on your side. All your bridesmaids were up already, gathering everything they needed to start getting ready. You were getting married in a beautiful garden there was across the street.

“Let’s go! Today’s the big day!” One of them said happily as they pulled the covers off of you.

“Come on, I have to start doing your hair!” one of them shouted from the bathroom.

You groan, setting up in bed. You yawn, shaking and running your fingers through your hair.

“Gosh, you look tired! The bags under your eyes!”

“Don’t worry I’ll cover it up!” one shouted from the bathroom

“Gee thanks…” You rolled your eyes and rubbed your face. “I couldn’t sleep…” You say.

“It's probably just nerves, but it’s fine! Today is going to be one of the happiest days of your life! Now come on out of bed, we only have a few hours!”

“Can’t we eat first?” you groan.

Your maid of honor shoves a Donut in your face. You huff taking it from her, taking a bite. She drags you out of the bed, leading you to the bathroom, plopping you down in the chair in front of the vanity.

“Alright let's crackin '!”

All your bridesmaids were ready, their hair and makeup had been done. Yours was done as well. You were in the bathroom changing in your outfit.

As you slipped on your outfit. You stared at yourself in the mirror. You felt different compared to the first day you had but it was in the bridal shop. You were beaming, happy and so excited. You felt amazing. Looking at yourself now, you felt none of that. A scared and unhappy person stared back at you. That excited person was long gone.

You couldn’t call off the wedding now. You were getting married soon. You couldn’t do that to everyone, to Alex.

“You alright in there?” Your maid of honor asked through the door

“Yeah, I’m coming out.” You quickly pulled yourself together, putting on a fake smile. You walk out and all the bridesmaids gushed.

“Oh my god, you look amazing!” They helped you fit your outfit and zip up the back.

You walked over to the full body mirror continuing to stare at yourself.

There was a knock on the door, the bridesmaid opened the door. “People are arriving! It’s almost time! We’re heading down to the lobby” One of the groomsmen said peaking in the room.

“You guys go, I’ll meet you down in the lobby.”

“What? No! We have to-”

“Just go! I’ll meet you down there! I just need to do something real quick.”

“O-okay” The girls were confused but listened to you. They left the door open for you as you left.

You stared at yourself in the mirror trying to pull yourself together. You were freaking out, hyperventilating. You walk over to the window, pulling back the sheer curtain. Across the street, you could see the garden, the white tents set up for the wedding. You could see your and Alex’s friends and family walking and wait around.

“Oh god,” you signed. You shake your hands trying to get the nerves out, you walk back over to the mirror, staring at yourself.

You heard a knock on the door. You groaned, “Seriously, I want a few minutes alone is that too much to-”

“Wow” you hear a stunning voice call out behind you, you look in the mirror you were standing in front of noticing Frankie standing in the doorway. “You look beautiful Smiles…”

“Frankie” you breathed, quickly turning around to face him. “What are you doing here?”Although you invited him to a wedding a while ago, and after everything you two had been through, you thought he wasn’t going to show.

“I told you I wouldn’t this day for the world.”

Your heart began to race, your chest began to heave. “Y- you're not supposed to be in here, you're not supposed to see me, you do not suppose to be up here-”

“Pff that’s the groom.” He chuckled. You weren’t laughing. You just stared at him with wide eyes.

“Look I know I shouldn’t be in here, but I needed to see you.” He walks up to you, grabbing ahold of your hands.

“I just wanted to tell you, I’m happy for you. You deserve to be happy, and I know Alex will give you that, give you all the things you ever wanted in life. Alex is so incredibly lucky to have you.”

You continued to breathe heavily as I stared deeply into his eyes. You didn’t want to cry, but you were on the verge of tears. Your lip begins to quiver. “Frankie-” you croaked.

“Woah, hey it's okay.”

You began to sob. He places his hands against your cheek, his thumb rubbing just below your eyes, wiping the tear that fell.

“I-I can’t do this- I gotta leave-I can’t go out there-” you said quickly between sobs. He spins you around, walking you back to the bed so you can sit down.

He crouches down in front of you, still holding your hands, his thumps running on the top of them trying to help soothe you.

“It’s okay to be nervous, Smiles. You’re gonna walk out there a-and you’re gonna marry Alex. Everythings gonna be great, you’re gonna be fine-”

“Things aren’t fine Frankie…” you wailed.

“Please don’t cry. I hate seeing you cry…What’s wrong? Talk to me…”

You stared down at him. He looked up at you with worried eyes.

Listen to your heart. “...Frankie, I-”

“Come on we gotta-” Your maid of honor walked in catching you and Frankie.

Frankie drops your hands from his and quickly stands up. You stand up too, quickly whipping your eyes to cover that you’d been crying but your eyes were puffy.

Your maid of honor stands there awkwardly, not knowing what you say.

Frankie turns to you. “It’s gonna be okay. I wish you the best. I love you, Smiles.” he whispers, leaning in planting a kiss on your cheek. He quickly walks out of the room.

“Frankie!” You called after him. Your hand touches the spot on your cheek where he had kissed you.

“What was that all about? Was that him? Was that guy your ex-” She gives you a look.

“Can we not talk about it please…” You say walking to the bathroom quickly fixing your makeup.

“What happened? Are you okay?”

“I’m fine! Nothing happened” you walked out of the bathroom. “Come on let’s just go.”

…

You made it down to the lobby, the rest of the bridesmaids and Santiago stood waiting around.

Santiago could tell that something was wrong with you.

“Alright ladies, just start walking over I got, Smiles” Santiago announces. All the girls headed out the sliding glass doors of the hotel.

Once they are all gone, he turns to you.

“I saw Frankie come down. Was he up there with you? He just ran out of here so fast, he didn’t even stop to talk to me.”

“Let’s go.”

“But-”

“Santiago, please just drop it.”

“Okay,” he says, putting his hands up in defense. He bends his arm, signaling for you to take it. You look your arm around him walking out of the hotel and across the street to the garden.

“Alright Smiles is here, lets go!” One by one your bridesmaids walked down the aisle.

You felt numb as you and Santiago walked down the aisle. You spotted Frankie august the crow of family and friends. All eyes were on you, but you only seemed to notice those brown eyes you adored. You both couldn't take your eyes off each other. Your gaze was supposed to be in front of you at Alex, but Frankie was your main focus.

Alex stared at you, wondering why you weren’t looking forward to him. He looks in the direction you were looking in, noticing Frankie in the crowd of family and friends. He noticed Frankie was looking at you as well.

Frankie was looking at you like you were the most beautiful thing in the world, his mouth gaped open. Frankie quickly closed his mouth, swallowing hard. He needed to leave. He thought he could sit through the ceremony and watch you get married, but he couldn’t.

As you make it to the front, you take Alex’s hand, smiling up at him, but he gives you a frown, his eyes sad.

Frankie moved through the row, excusing himself as he walked by people. When he got to the end, he started to stealthily make his way to leave.

As you stood in front of everyone, noticing Frankie leaving the garden. Watching him walk away, you knew you needed to go after him. You loved him. You loved Frankie. You could deny your feelings any longer. Frankie was the one you wanted to be with. You didn’t care about anything else. All you knew is that you loved him and you desperately need to run after and tell him before it's too late.

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today-”

“Stop” you announce to the officiant of the wedding as they stare deeply at you. Everyone in the crowd gasped and whispered, confused as to what was going on.

“Go,” they say.

“W-what?”

“Go after him” he motions down the aisle. “I know your heart isn’t in this. It’s not with us.”

“Alex, I’m so sorry, but I can’t marry you...”

“I know...I saw the way you two were looking at each other when you were walking down the aisle. You love him and he loves you. Yeah, not gonna lie, this hurts, but I’m letting you go. Your heart was never mine, to begin with, because it’s his. It’s always been him.”

“Alex I’m so sorry for everything, I truly am...I’m sorry for stringing you along like this, I’m sorry I couldn’t amid what I truly felt earlier...Deep down I’ve always known that I was still in love with him, but I tried to deny it because of us. Part of me wanted to be with him, but I was scared of getting hurt again, but you... You’re such a great person and are so kind. I- thought I could make it work, but this isn't what I want. I’m so sorry for everything Alex and know that I do love you and you’re going to find someone who loves you so much more than I ever could.”

Alex smiles sadly.

“I just want you to be happy. I hope things work out for you and Frankie.” He kisses your forehead.

“Now go get him!”

“Thank you, Alex” You smile. A commotion started in the crowd as they watched you run down the rain down the aisle. You heard some people yelling angrily, cheering you on, or confused.

You ran out to the garden, stopping as you made it to the sidewalk right outside the entrance. You look around to see if you find Frankie around. He shouldn’t have gone far.

“Frankie!” You shouted as you turned, desperate trying to figure out what direction he had gone in.

“Smiles!’ Santiago says quickly running up behind you.

“Santi!” You grab his arms.

“I gotta find him! I gotta find Frankie! I gotta tell him I love him!” You say quickly.

“Come on, I park my car in the parking structure at the hotel!”

You quickly slip off your shoes, the two of you dash to the hotel parking structure across the street. You both hopped in the car, Santiago, swerved on out of there. “Here take my phone, try to get in touch with Frankie!” He placed his phone in your lap and she drove like a maniac.

You quickly pick up his phone dialing Frankies number.

It rang and rang, and rang. No answer.

“Ugh, come on Frankie!” You groan in frustration.

You tried calling several more times, but they all went to voicemail.

“Voicemail again”

“Try calling Lilah!”

You look for the Lilah number under contacts and dial her number.

“Hello?”

“Lilah!” thank god she answered.

“Smiles?”

“Do you know where your dad is? Is the home? I’m trying to get a hold of him!”

“No...I’m over at my friend Rehma’s- oh my god, are you going after him?” Lilah gasped. You hear her friend gasp as well.

“Yeah, I am.” You could help but smile.

Shrieking and hollering of the girls came from the other end of your phone, you pulled the phone away from your ear, you and Santiago laughed listening to them scream.

“Oh my god, I’m so happy right now-Um I'm gonna go home and see, if he does come home I’ll let you know

“Thank you!”

“Yes, of course, good luck!” The girls shout happily.

You hang up the phone.

“He’s not home, but she’ll call back if he comes back,” you tell Santiago.

You sat there thinking. Where would he have gone?

Then you remember. The lake.

“Santi, the lake. He might be there. I remember when he took me, told me he likes to go there to think.”

“We’re driving in the wrong direction then,” he quickly turns the car, making an illegal U-turn.

…

By the time you got to the lake, the sun was setting. Slight orange remained in the sky. Santiago parked right next to Frankie’s pickup truck. He was here but you didn’t know where. You get out of the car, Santiago comes to your side, learning again his car.

“I’m gonna stay here...Go get him.” He smiled.

You smiled at him and walked a few yards towards the dock on the lake. You look trying to see if Frankie was somewhere out on the lake.

Off in the distance, you notice a fire near the campsite area. You quickly walk towards the light source. As you make it closer, You see Frankie sitting on a log, in his tuxedo, roasting a marshmallow.

Frankie saw someone walking towards him. He looks up, seeing you making your way towards him.

He stood up from the log, staring at you. His face was in shock. You were supposed to be getting married. He had to be dreaming. You were quickly walking towards him.

“Smiles? What are you-”

Before he could finish the sentence, you rushed up to him, tightly gripping his loose tie, yanking him in for a kiss. He was taken by surprise, dropping the marshmallow he was roasting onto the ground, his hands grabbing your hips, pushing you closer to him. Your hands wrapped around his neck, pushing your body closer to him as well.

You pull away. “Francisco Morales, I love you.” you begin to cry.

He’s waited years to hear you say those words again. This time he pulls you into a kiss.

“Please tell me this is real..please tell me I’m not dreaming” He rests his head against yours

“It’s real…this is real.” you sobbed. He pulled you tightly into a hug.

“Say it again..”

“This is re-”

“No, that you love me...I need to hear you say it again…please say it again” he desperately moans.

You giggle through your sobs “I love you, Frankie. You and only you. It’s always been you. I’ve tried so hard to deny and ignore my feelings for you since you came back into my life, but I can't keep pushing it away. I’m crazy about you. I want to be with you, spend the rest of my life with you... I’m yours, I’ve always and forever been yours, you have my heart.”

He sighed in relief, laughing. You giggled as well, as you rested your head in the crook of his neck.  

“I’m sorry for everything, smiles. I really screwed us over all those years ago..”

“I know you are,” You say running your hands through the back of his hair.

“ and I forgive you, Frankie. The past is the past. We’re focusing on the present, right now, this very moment, we love each other, that's all that matters.”

“I love you so much, Smiles”

“And I love you”

“...So...You want a s'more?” He says as he continues to hold you in his arms.

You laugh looking up at him.

“Yes, I would love one.” You say planting a kiss him.

tags // @icanbeyourjedi @im-an-adult-ish​ @sara-alonso​ @lydiascottage​ @eternalkara​ @back0nmybullshit​ @wifeofdindjarin 

#Triple Frontier #frankie morales x reader #francisco morales #Frankie Morales #frankie #frankie catfish morales #Pedro Pascal

[lisinfleur]

MOTHERFUCKER

The request:

Author’s Notes | When I first wrote "Hey Daddy" for you, I remember I did the best I could to create the sweetest environment and the cutest scenes with Hvitserk and the child of that fiction, trying as much as I could to avoid the Reader showing any kind of love involvement with Hvitserk exactly because I wanted that to be a paternal/parental fiction as you asked me to. I even included a love relationship for him with Thora, a child to come, a great friendship... I wanted to portray the most familiar scene I could.

And I did it all because I remember I felt your sadness with his deployment. I felt the weight of your heart and I wanted with all my soul to soothe your pain.

Then he comes and ruins it. Then he comes and steps over it.

I feel like someone who cared so much for a flower just to see a bastard running over it with a car. And this fiction is the reflection of what I wanted to do with your bastard of a husband for what he did to my precious flower.

However, even crushed, it is still my flower. Even hurt, it is still my flower. And I know it's strong enough to grow back. I know you are strong enough to surpass this, love. I know, with the time and the right amount of care and love, you will bloom again. I believe in you, my sweet sweetheart. And I'll be here whenever you need, for anything I can.

I love you with all my heart. And I'll be praying to the gods to make you happy and avoiding myself from praying Thor to smite him dead!

Special thanks to @honestsycrets for helping me with the editing (and having my back during a breakdown over my English skills. You’re my everything, babe!)

Universe |Vikings

Pairing | Sigurd x Reader (implicit)

Info |Viking Age AU, requested by anon

Words | 4471

⁑ Warnings: This is part two of the fiction "Hey Daddy". If you liked the environment of the last part, I strongly suggest you stop there. This fiction will ruin the beautiful picture its previous part built AS FUCK, but reality sucks sometimes. And I'm glad we have fiction as a safe space to give some motherfuckers what they deserve (without going to jail for it).

ANGST, Betrayal, Cheating Husband, cursing, tw: homophobic/offensive slang use, mentions to violence, blood, and wounds. Caution is required: the following content may be triggering!

"Hey, dada! Lovu!"

When did everything turn that way?

A few months ago, Hvitserk was in your yard, your little girl beside him, both waving at your husband on Hvitserk's cell phone. Now, the sudden distance between the two of you completely ruined his plans of seeing your children growing together.

He never thought you would break apart from him like that, but the safety about the strength of your friendship simply vanished since your husband came home. Buying a house beside yours now sounded like a silly idea...

First, it was completely acceptable in his mind: you spent a lot of time away from your husband. It was evident that the two of you would want some privacy to share the moments you didn't have. Also, your husband would wish to properly know and try to approach his little girl. It was not his place to come and teach everything about your daughter to your husband, and Hvitserk knew that.

But the distance remained... And it was starting to bother him.

When his boy came into this world, you were there, but you were strange. Even your smiles weren't the same! You were happy for him, but it was easy to see you were hiding something Hvitserk couldn't avoid noticing under your mask of a tired mother.

"I just came to visit. I'm fine, Hvitserk! Don't worry! You know: just the terrible two..."

Hvitserk didn't buy that bullshit.

After months without a single manifestation of yours, Hvitserk started thinking your husband could've fallen for the rumors spread about the two of you. So, he decided to go to your house; but not to speak to you.

"Hvitserk?"

You opened just a breach of your door, for his major surprise: you'd never left him outside of your house before.

"Y/N? Are you ok?"

"Yes, yes I'm... I'm ok... What do you need?"

There it was... The distance. The fake smiles. You were skinnier, eyes marked by the lack of sleep. That wasn't the work of a toddler. Hvitserk could see you were hiding something, but he tried to keep the masks for you.

"Y/H/N is home?" he asked, smiling at you.

"I... I'll call him," you trembled when the voice of your daughter sounded out loud in a scream of visible annoyance.

It didn't take too long for your husband to come, seeming to be as annoyed as the little girl clearly screaming "OUT" out loud inside the door he closed behind his back, giggling at Hvitserk.

"Hey bro... Children, uh? Get yourself prepared, my man! You're gonna have some troubles at the two."

Hvitserk smiled, shaking his hand, but he didn't let pass that your husband was way better than you.

Way better...

"I was thinking about calling you for a beer, bro. So we could..."

Your husband didn't even let him finish.

"Right now. Fucking please!"

"Won't you warn Y/N?" Hvitserk asked as your husband just checked if his wallet was in his pocket before starting to walk away from the house.

"Pff... Let's go. She'll make good use of some time away from me."

Yeah. Something was terribly wrong. Hvitserk could see it screaming in every detail.

He followed your husband to the bar where they paid two beers for themselves. Hvitserk watched as your husband swallowed his beer like water, asking for another cup to the waitress with a satisfied smile.

"Fuck, bro... I was needing this. War is hella easier than being home with a two years old, uh?"

What-the-fuck-was-that? Hvitserk could barely answer with more than a speechless giggle.

"She used to love you, dada..." he said, remembering your husband of the videos they used to do for him. "What has changed?"

"Every-fucking-thing," your husband answered, tired. "Well, Y/N has her part in this too. I miss those videos, man... I wish we didn't end like this."

End like this?

"Like what?" Hvitserk asked, sipping from his cup.

Trying to understand what was happening.

"Oh, brother, you have no idea of the fucking tsunami that washed that house. Damn, bro... Keep yourself home as much as you can and don't you DARE to think about doing anything for yourself in a whole year out of anything familiar to you, dude, or they come from princesses to bitches in a second! I mean..." your husband started, catching Hvitserk's attention for the fact that he was talking about you.

You.

The sweetest woman in this world!

Your husband was speaking about you like that...

Hvitserk was starting to feel unsettled as your husband continued speaking like a radio forgotten on.

"Ok, we are married, I get it. She waited for me, I get it too, fine, ok. She's a woman, man. With a child to keep her mind occupied. I was a god's damn soldier, bro! In the fucking middle of nowhere! For a whole year, Hvitserk... Fuck, man, we have our needs!"

Hvitserk's fingers got tighter on his cup. The more he was hearing, the more he could understand what happened to you. However, he chose to keep himself silent. His mind was floating in memories from the day when Sigurd tried to make you feel better about your husband's absence. His little brother offered you an innocent hug, and you utterly refused it, almost shoving Sigurd away. It could be an innocent hug in his little brother's eyes, but you knew Sigurd had feelings for you. You didn't want to end up feeding false hopes into his heart. You kept yourself faithful to your marriage vows until the end.

"I found somebody to fuck. What's the matter? I wanted to release my balls, nothing too big. The problem is that I got the bitch knocked and now Y/N is freaking out!" he sighed as if he was the biggest victim of that whole situation.

"Hnn..." Hvitserk hummed just to get him speaking.

One of his hands on his phone texting Sigurd.

"Go to Y/N's house, tell her to pack her things, and take her out of that place. Tell her I sent you there. Call Ivar, tell him to help her with the divorce papers. Y/H/N has been cheating on her and I'm about to smack a bitch, brother..."

Your husband was still talking when Hvitserk started slowly drinking his beer. He wouldn't waste good beer... But in his mind, Sigurd had until that beer was over in his cup to get you out of that place before he could fuck your husband's life.

In the meantime,  Sigurd didn't even argue. After that message came, he took his phone and called Ivar immediately.

"What the fuck do you..."

"Call our lawyers, Ivar. And tell them to prepare Y/N's divorce. Hvitserk just told me Y/H/N has been cheating on her and I'm taking her out of that house now."

"He's been what?"

Ivar's voice was never that loud. Sigurd didn't even have to keep holding his phone to hear his little brother's exclamation as he was turning on his car.

"You've heard me, Y/N's is..."

It was Ivar's time to cut him with an answer.

"Moving. And divorced. I'll call you back later."

"Fine," Sigurd answered, driving towards your house.

His knocks on your door mixing with the sound of your daughter crying once again.

"Just a second!" you asked.

But the door was opened minutes later, visibly after you cleaned your face from the tears you thought you could hide from whoever was your visitor.

"Sigurd?"

Hvitserk's brother at your door confused you at the same time it threw your mind into memories.

You should've accepted him. You should've left your husband months ago... Sigurd was such a sweet man! You were sure he would never do such a thing as your husband did. But you just smiled, trying to keep up your fading mask.

"What's happening? How can I..."

"I know everything," he said, directly.

Shattering your disguise in a million pieces with his blues so deep inside your eyes.

"I know what he's done to you, I know you're suffering... Hvitserk sent me here to take you and your daughter away from his reach."

You didn't want to keep playing your husband's game. You were traumatized, scared, sad, hurt, angry... You didn't want your marriage to end like that!

But was it your fault?

How long could you handle your daughter's cries begging you to send him away?

She hated him after learning he had another child. She hated the idea of him having someone else when she knew the two of you were waiting for him. She was little, but she understood what her father had done. Even a toddler knew it was wrong!

It broke your heart when Sigurd extended his hand towards you.

"Please, Y/N... Let us help you."

Along with your heart, the dam in your eyes broke down, releasing the cry of despair and disappointment you were never able to put out. Not with your husband forcing you into that play-house game you couldn't handle any longer.

"Take me outta here... Please, Sigurd, take me anywhere... I can't handle this anymore. I can't!" you crumbled, feeling Sigurd's hands embracing you when you finally opened your door for someone else that wasn't your husband.

Upon your shoulders, Sigurd could see how messy your life was: your house was a jumble of beer cans, male shoes, childish toys everywhere... Your sink was full - something he knew you utterly hated! Your daughter was sitting alone in the living room, still sobbing while watching the cartoons you always said you would never use for moments of peace to yourself.

Your dream was shattered inside that house, and you were living a nightmare.

"Make it stop... Please make it stop..." You begged, feeling Sigurd’s embrace becoming slightly tighter.

"It's over now, love. We'll take you out of this place with your child. Ivar will help you to get rid of his name and we'll set you free."

Not a single mention to his long-time wish to take your husband's place inside your heart. Not a single sign of the feelings you knew Sigurd had silenced into his heart when you chose Y/H/N.

Your heart clenched inside your chest.

"I should've married you," you mumbled, lifting your eyes to feel Sigurd's thumb caressing your face.

"You followed your heart. You did the right thing. He's wrong, Y/N. Don't blame yourself, babe. First, we save you and your child from this nightmare. Then... Then we see. Uh?" he said, tender.

You knew he was respecting your moment. Sigurd knew it wasn't time for his feelings now. He was a good man.

And he was right.

"I'll pack my things," you said.

Sigurd nodded in agreement.

"Don't mind the extra. Take your little doll's toys and clothes, your clothes, and documents. We'll help you with everything, sweetheart." he granted.

Waking your daughter to his presence when his voice echoed louder than the cartoon.

"Uncle Sigs!" she yelled, running to throw herself into his arms.

Sigurd winked at you, silently saying he would distract her so you would have time to pack everything.

You packed what was needed and Sigurd took you and your daughter "for a ride," you said - avoiding scaring the little girl. She was super excited when the two of you left home, but within the trip in his car, she fell asleep in your arms and you allowed yourself to cry silently, lulling your child.

"Don't worry," Sigurd's firm voice said when he stopped the car near the building where you knew he, Ivar, and Ubbe had some apartments. "Everything will be fine."

You nodded, allowing yourself to find some hope in his eyes.

"She's out."

It was everything Hvitserk needed to read on his cell phone for his smile to disappear from his face.

"Got yourself a troubled witch too, brother?"

Your husband was high already. Hvitserk didn't smile at his stupid jokes anymore. He just got up, drinking the rest of his beer and throwing money on the table enough to pay for the whole bill.

"Enjoy it, Y/H/N. That's the last fucking time I'm paying your ass anything."

"What? Whoa... Where the hell did it come from, brother? What..." your husband said, surprised.

Hvitserk's eyes landed on his figure with the weight of years of friendship betrayed by your husband's actions. Y/H/N didn't have cheated on you only. He'd broken Hvitserk's trust and the brotherhood he'd shared with you and your husband for years, and Hvitserk couldn't forget him for doing this.

"Don't call me brother, you motherfucker!" he said, splatting his hands on the table before pointing at your husband with his index. "Men don't have needs, Y/H/N. True men have the responsibility to deal with their dick's dryness and keep themselves faithful to the women they leave home waiting for them! You have two fucking working hands, asshole! There were plenty of things you could have done instead of cheating on the woman I saw waiting for you to come home since you were sent away, cradling your child while crying your absence! I was fucking there, you scoundrel! I saw every battle Y/N had to fight alone! I helped her! I filmed and photographed your daughter, and helped your wife to pay her fucking bills, so she could have an internet connection for you not to be alone! For you not to be away from them! And while I was watching Y/N's struggles with your daughter's sleepless nights, you were there, fucking another, making a second child while I was trying to convince your little girl her father didn't abandon her on purpose!"

Hvitserk was furious! His tone started attracting other angry faces towards your husband. The clearer it was for the people around what was that arguing about, the more ashamed your husband was with all the judgemental eyes on him.

"Fuck, man, stop yelling..." he tried.

His words just made Hvitserk louder...

"Why? Don't you like to boast around your conquers, brother?" he mocked the word for years used to put your husband in a position he clearly wasn't occupying in Hvitserk's life anymore. "Let's boast around about the bastard you are, Y/H/N! Boast around the pussy you fucked, the woman you got knocked out of your marriage while your wife was fucking crying her eyes out because you lost your child's birth! Were you there for the second one, or was it another child you left behind without even looking back, uh? You're a motherfucking asshole! And I'm ashamed of being your friend for so long! I should've kicked your balls and punched your face the first time you got close to our circle to court Y/N!"

"So what?" Your husband finally got up, reacting to Hvitserk's offensive. "So your brother could fuck her in my place, Hvitserk?"

Y/H/N's military posture wasn't enough to prevent Hvitserk from towering upon him with fierce green eyes swallowing your husband's in anger.

"Yes, Y/H/N. So my brother could've loved her, married her, and gave her what she deserves instead of the crumbs you left behind to the woman you lost."

"Well, guess what? Little Sigurd can fuck his hands, cause my wife is mine and I won't give up on her just because of one or two fights!" Y/H/N spat back, arrogant.

Hvitserk just straightened his clothes, sighing and looking back at him with contempt in his eyes.

"Y/N is not an object for you to possess! She's a free woman, and we'll grant her freedom! She's no longer in your house, she won't go back, and I won't tell you where she is now. You'll be receiving the divorce papers soon, and I suggest you sign them peacefully, my man. At this moment, my brother Ivar is reuniting everything necessary to ruin your career, and we'll put everything on your superior's table if you dare to cause Y/N any more problems! With my father's lawyer's best recommendations to kick you out for good! I can ruin your life, Y/H/N, and I will if I see you close to Y/N ever again!"

The floor disappeared under your husband's feet, and he punched the table furiously. The waitress picked up the phone to call the police, but Hvitserk lifted his hand to stop her, calm.

"Don't worry, we're leaving now. And this distinct motherfucker will remember how to behave like a gentleman and leave with me. After all, he doesn't want to get me truly angry. He never saw me truly angry.”

A warning implicit in Hvitserk's words: it was only the beginning of his possibilities to ruin your husband's life.

"Fuck it! You are all insane! She's fucking overreacting, and you're falling for this shit as if you didn't have your head sunk in the middle of dozens of legs around, you asshole! I know you, Hvitserk Ragnarsson! You're a womanizer! You always were! You know exactly how much it hurts to stay without it for too long, and I hope you have the same shitty time away from your pretty wife for you to know what I'm talking about!"

"You said it wrong, Y/H/N. I was like this. I really had my head in the middle of several legs. You're right! But I'm a married man now, and I chose to honor the wife I chose and the children she's bearing for me!That's the difference between us: I can handle one whole year with my dick dry cause I love the woman I have by my side! I'm not an irrational animal that will fuck whatever moves in front of me just because. Grow the fuck up, dude! Stop shaming yourself!"

Your soon-to-be-ex couldn't handle anymore. Hvitserk's contempt was too much for him, and he got up, throwing his hands to catch Hvitserk's collar with a violent pull that stumbled him closer. The people around squealed or took some distance in fear, and the waitress shrunk behind one of the tables wanting to call the police again.

"You listen to me closely, you little son of a bitch! I don't fucking care about what you think or what the fuck did you drink, smell, or have been injecting yourself with, but if you think you'll take my wife away from me, you are completely..."

Your husband's voice was cut by a growl of pain when Hvitserk kicked his balls as strong as he could, straightening his clothes one more time and lifting his sleeves as your husband was nursing his pained jewels. Then, a second strike came: a right hook from under your husband's chin, throwing him flat to the ground, dizzy and shrinking himself in pain; his tongue bleeding after being bitten when his teeth were violently hit against each other.

"Still wanting to play the macho-man around, brother? Uh? Get the fuck up and put yourself together! Know your crime, pay your price, you asshole! And one more thing," Hvitserk said, pulling your husband up by his collar and forcing him to stand. "Touch me again, and I'll get your life crushed! Approach Y/N once again, and I'll get your life crushed! Do anything I dislike, and I'll get your fucking life crushed! Did you listen to me well, Y/H/N??"

Hvitserk pushed Y/H/N back, releasing his collar. And your husband spat some blood on the ground, looking at Hvitserk with rage in his eyes but silent. He knew there was nothing he could do against the power of Hvitserk's family. You were lost for him, but he didn't want to give up so easily.

"That little girl is my daughter! You faggot of a brother can do whatever he wants: she'll always be my seed, and no one will take her away from me!" he tried.

"Watch me, my friend!" Hvitserk mocked, ironic. "Now get the hell out of my face! My biggest shame in life was to promise your daughter you would be the father of her dreams! But don't worry. She won't have her father to shame her with his actions, but she'll have a bunch of good uncles disposed to make her life the dream she deserves! And to turn your life into a real nightmare if you ever try to hurt her mother again. Fuck off and disappear! Or do better... Learn from your mistakes and go play the good father to the second child you found a way to produce, you piece of shit!"

Hvitserk spat near your husband's feet, disgusted. And once again, he opened his wallet, leaving some more money over the table near the frightened waitress.

"I'm truly sorry for this pitiful show. Here, for the damage, and thank you for your service," he said, leaving towards his car.

Leaving your husband behind, yelling at everyone as if the crowd didn't have a bunch of good reasons to look at him with disgust on their faces.

"What? WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT? FUCK OFF!"

Hvitserk just ignored the yelling, driving away. He was ready to really ruin your husband's career and his life if it was necessary, but now it was time to take care of what was really important.

When you arrived at the apartment, Thora was there with Hvitserk's boy, waiting for you. The little one was sleeping inside a basket so was your daughter in your arms. Sigurd entered, carrying your bags, and Thora received you with her doughy and pleasant voice, filling your heart with relief.

"Oh, thank the gods, you're here! I thought it would be harder. Are you ok, Y/N? How is this poor sweet princess?" she mumbled, caressing your daughter's back.

"She's fine, I... I'm still shocked," you answered.

"Come with me, I prepared the room for you to put your little girl to sleep. Then we can talk, love."

She was always so sweet! You couldn't thank more for the fact that she and Hvitserk crossed each other’s paths. He always deserved exactly what Thora was, and you were happy they were together.

If only your marriage was like theirs as you imagined it would be...

When your daughter was sleeping comfortably in the room, Thora took you back to the living room, and you noticed your bags weren't there anymore.

"I took everything to your room. It is right beside hers, so you don't have to worry. You can set everything tomorrow, sweetheart."

Sigurd was smiling at you, and it was so comfortable, so familiar. You smiled back at him: your first smile since your husband came back home.

But you weren't whole. Your eyes filled with tears as Thora was speaking, and she was the first one to notice it.

"I made you some food. I thought you could be hungry and... Oh, love! Don't cry!" she said, embracing you when you broke into heavy sobs once again.

"What have I done wrong?" you asked, feeling Thora's arms around you as she conducted you to the couch.

Sigurd brought you a cup of fresh water and held your free hand as you drank it slowly, trying to calm your sobs.

"You did nothing, Y/N," Sigurd answered. "You were the perfect wife, the perfect mother, and any man would be lucky to be the chosen one of your heart. Y/H/N was lucky! But he didn't know how to give you the proper value. Don't blame yourself. It wasn't your fault." he said.

"What will I tell my daughter now?" you mumbled the question that was tearing your heart apart.

How could you explain that whole situation to your child without breaking her image of what love should be?

"Tell her the truth," Thora said, caressing your hair slowly. "Gently tell her that life changes, and nothing lasts forever. But also tell her that you can rebuild your life, even when everything is crumbling, love. Tell her that you can be strong by yourself. Show her that you can do it, and she will grow to be an independent woman, strong and self-aware as you are. And if something like this ever happens to her, then she will know she can kick the asshole's ass and move on with her life without fear. She'll know she's enough to herself and needs no one else to build herself a good life."

Her words sounded full of hope to you, soothing the pain in your heart and the doubts of your mind.

"People may be bad sometimes. They commit mistakes and break other's trust sometimes. Your experience will serve to show her she must be prepared to have her trust broken once in a while, but she can surpass it like her mother is doing," Sigurd completed.

Your lips rehearsed a small smile.

"Thank you," you mumbled right before the door opened behind you.

Hvitserk getting in, a little misaligned.

"You're welcome," he smiled.

You got up quickly, throwing yourself into his arms, embracing your friend as tight as you remembered loving so bad and missing so hard.

"I missed you so much!" you said, feeling his arms around you tight.

"Don't you ever leave me out of your life again, sister!" he said. "You're my best friend, Y/N. I'll always be there for you."

Inside his arms, you felt the last drop of fear melting in your heart.

You were safe, and they would help you to rebuild your life.

That man you once thought was the love of your life could go and lick his wounds wherever he wanted! You would start over without him and make everything better for you, your daughter, and that beautiful family your friends were for you.

My dear LMAnon,

I'm not Hvitserk, nor Ivar, nor Sigurd, nor Thora...

I have no money or resources to move you from the situation you are in, nor the strong fists I wish I had to punch your bastard of a husband as much as I think he deserves.

But I have faith.

I have faith the gods will open the doors for you to leave this awful situation.

I have faith you'll find the help you need.

I have faith you'll find your strength, your identity, your self-confidence, and rebuild everything he broke with your trust and the dream you had for the two of you.

I have faith in you.

Call me whenever you need to talk. And if there is something I can do for you, anything, tell me.

Until there, I'll be here praying to the gods to fill you with strength so you can surpass this awful moment in your life and build yourself a path you will, one day, look back to be proud of.

There is no good that never ends, nor evil that lasts forever.

This will pass. And one day, he'll be nothing but a bad memory you'll see long gone in your life.

All the love and my best wishes!

Do you like my work? Support me!

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#history vikings #imagine vikings #hvitserk #sigurd #hvitserk ragnarsson #sigurd snake in the eye #sigurd x reader #godfather!hvitserk #sigurd’s fairy muses #hvitserk’s heathen feast #sister wives #shot #TW: Cheating Husband

[octupus-on-the-moon]

I`m the favorite

Pairing: Non, just the Wilson family and Red Wing.

Wordcount: 2689

Warning: Non

Author´s note: This little story is based on this post of this super cool blog @justsamwilson, check it out too.

The moon stood high above a lake bathed in darkness; only a soft light, that emerged of a house near the shore, reflected on the water surface. The air was pleasantly warm and humid, around the double-gallery house, whose blue color almost seemed black between the shadows. Crickets were chirping and fireflies humming, only the subdued sound of conversation and laughter, coming from the residence, disrupted the almost complete silence.

The Wilson family was having dinner. James Barnes or ‘Bucky’ as everyone called him, came over to spend the weekend. The kids where specially excited about Uncle Bucky’s visit, he was the only one with enough time to play. Sam and Sarah were also glad that he came over every once in a while, to help out with whatever he could.

Now after a long day of fishing, cleaning and packing up deliveries all were enjoying Sarah’s gumbo.

“The soup is amazing Sarah” Bucky praised her with a warm smile, she blushed looking down at her half full plate.

“Thank you. It´s a family recipe. I can write it down for you if you want” Sarah replied, tucking a strain of hair behind her ear, earning an annoyed look from Sam who was sitting across from her.

“That won´t be necessary, if I want some I just need to come here. It´s really good so I’ll be around a lot” Bucky chuckled tilting his head and taking another spoon full of gumbo. The boys whispered at each other giggling.

Sam sighted irritated “Okey enough flir…”

A loud melody coming from his phone in the pocket of his jeans interrupted Sam.

“Oh it´s Torres” He said tapping on the screen “Hi, what’s up?”

A distorted voice, only understandable for Sam, came out of the phone as he stood up. “I’m with my four-favorite people in this world having dinner” He explained, walking out on the porch into the friendly night.

The scraping of spoons continued unaffected.

“Of course, I’m his number one favorite nephew and person” Stated Cass out of the blue, blowing at his glasses that tarnished under the steam of the hot soup.

“Ha. You can´t even eat a soup right” AJ opposed, whose glasses where perfectly clear “I´m older than you, so I´m his favorite”

“At least I can take my glasses off and stop seeing your ugly face” Cass snapped back sticking out his tongue.

Sarah took a deep breath “Stop it you two” she scolded both, clapping her hand gently against Cass´s head, who was sitting right next to her.

“Well, I´m his partner in crime and I saved the world with him, so I would be his favorite number one” Bucky added, innocently starring at an interesting spot on the wall, while Sarah glared at him.

“That’s not fair. Just because he didn’t let me go with him” Cass pouted “I could have saved the world too”

AJ rolled his eyes behind his glasses. “You couldn´t even walk back then, dummy”

Sarah quickly chewed her last bite “Hey, we don´t talk like that in this house” extending her right arm over to the front side of the table to clap softly AJ´s head, as she did before with Cass. “And you are all wrong. I’m his sister. I know him longer than any of you. So obviously I am his favorite” She taunted, challengingly looking towards Bucky now.

Turning their eyes into the same direction, the brothers waited expectantly a response; causing Bucky to clear his throat and shift his torso to sit up right. “Oh really” he said still searching for a quick answer.

Then his eyes lit up “IIIIIIII spent five years with him in a weird glitch reality. That” Bucky paused dramatically “Makes me his number one”

The mention of that unfortunate time stiffened Sarah´s shoulders, but went unnoticed by the boys who high fived, twisting around on their seat, to see their mother´s reaction.

“Aha. After a month you probably bored him to death” Sarah countered with a serious tone “I can cook him all his favorite meals, ergo I´m the favorite”

The brothers quietly glanced over to Bucky, who did not appear amused either. The last words altered the atmosphere. It was chilly in the room, yet the temperature had not changed.

Bucky lifted his chin pretentiously “Pff. That´s nothing. Sam went two years on the run for me” his voice had a harsh undertone, that was not there before “I am his favorite”. Sarah stared back at him with ice cold eyes and the brothers hold their breath.

The tense moment passed as soon, as Sam’s heavy steps entered the room “What did I miss?” he asked with the always welcoming warm tone he had.

Bucky relaxed, as far as he could, picking up his spoon pocking the remains of his soup.

Sarah turned her head, letting down her shoulders, with a bright beam “Not much. How´s Torres doing?”

The dinner went on as before, polite conversation and more gumbo, but something unkind lurked in the air among the plates.

A silent dare between Sarah and Bucky settled.

Prove each other who was the favorite.

***

The weekend passed under an invisible contest between Sarah and Bucky.

The kids thought it was a fun idea persuading uncle Sam to admit who was the favorite number one, by doing extra nice things for him. The brothers gifted Sam some self-painted comics, with their cool uncle Captain America saving their day and helped him cleaning his super suite, among other little chores; But quickly let go of it, when their uncle Bucky and Mom took it to the extreme.

Bucky was constantly around Sam asking him at any given moment if he could help him or do it all himself instead of Sam. From renovating the whole cabin of the boat, to just serve him a coffee. Always being polite, letting out any teasing or offensive joking, which rapidly irritated Sam.

Unlike Bucky, Sarah, worked in the background: Serving the meals he most liked, bringing a refreshing lemonade under the hot sun of July or checking on the boats motor, so it would not die while Sam was out fishing. Smiling and being nice, without drawing to much attention on herself.

Sam did not mind being so well attended by his loved ones the first hours of that Saturday morning. After lunch he started to feel that something was off, apart from Bucky´s suspicious behavior. On his way back to the boat after a little break he realized, that the Boys were quieter than usual around their mother and that Bucky had not flirted with Sarah in more than 12 hours, which was nearly a miracle.

As almost every Saturday, Bucky and Sam, kept working on the boat.

“Hey Buck, can you pass me that screwdriver?” Sam asked looking straight at the doorless frame in front of him.

“Yes of course. Do you need something else? Can I help you with that?” Bucky passed him the screwdriver, looking interested on the hinges Sam was exchanging.

“No, it´s fine, you check on that doors paint” Sam replied, signing towards a freshly painted door leaning against the rail of the boat.

"Just" he stopped for a moment turning around to see Bucky in the eyes. "One question"

Bucky nodded enthusiastically, unusual for his serious persona "Of course, what is it?"

"What the hell is going on with you all?" Sam asked leaning against the doorway, crossing both arms over his chest.

"Us? Nothing. We're just doing what we do every weekend?" Bucky’s enthusiastic face fell apart, making place for his familiar icy expression. Without awaiting another word from Sam, he turned around to keep working on the paint of the door.

Sam sighted. He knew that face far too well and now he was more than sure that something was up. But Sam never got far pressing Bucky to tell him what he knew, felt or thought.

He will need to ask the boys what is going on.

Sam pressed a button on what at first sight could be a wristwatch. It was actually a remote for Red Wing. Sam made a second one for daily use. Red Wing is not only a weapon for him; he could be quite useful for many things.

"Red Wing locate AJ and Cass, tell them they should come to the boat" Sam quietly order into the remote. "Then I want you to fly over my position and take pictures"

The roof of the cabin was leaking since Sam had memory. Bucky wanted to climb on the cabin earlier this morning, since Sarah lent their ladder to one of the neighbors. But with the boat slight movement and the wet surface of the cabin roof, Sam did not want him to get hurt. With a few good pictures of Red Wing, they could see what needed to be repaired and do it the next time both had a free weekend.

***

Almost an hour passed, till Red Wings hum, announced the arrival of the two brothers.

Sam did not worry; both often went down to the village to play soccer with the other kids.

"Hey uncle Bucky, hey uncle Sam. What's up?" AJ questioned tiredly climbing on to the boat. The two were covered in mud and Cass was holding a brown round mass of what must be a soccer ball.

"You two had fun I see" Bucky said smiling at them.

"Only your mom will not be pleased when she sees you two like that" Sam added, smirking towards Bucky, who nodded accordingly. "Anyway, you need to clean up and I need to talk to you. Dinner must be ready soon" Sam answered AJ's question.

"Buck, I'll be back in a second. Then we can hang in the door and finish up for today" Sam's bracelet remote beeped. Red Wing had sent the pictures to his phone.

***

"What's going on uncle Sam?" Cass asked after all three had left the boat and were slowly walking to the back of the house to clean up their mess, before their mother saw them.

"That's exactly what I wanted to ask you too" Sam replied.

"Nothing. What should be going on?" AJ eluded him, nervously side eyeing Cass.

Sam specified his question "Why are your uncle and your mom acting so strange?"

"Oh, about that..." Cass and AJ responded in unison, looking at each other. Then both giggled. And Sam's confusion grew even worse.

Then a high pitched and blurred voice, from inside the house, screamed at them.

It was Sarah. She opened the window "Look at you two. Who is going to wash that? And the grass stains on that jeans AJ?"

"I was goalkeeper" AJ said, loud enough so only his brother and uncle could hear it.

"You’re not going to enter my house like that! AJ I heard that. No talking back to me, you know that. You two are going to wash your own clothes, just so we are clear" Sarah's frustrated tone changed immediately as she saw Sam "Oh, hey Sam, are you done for today? Dinner is almost ready, but you can shower before that if you want"

The boys went around the house to follow their mothers request and get rid of the mud, while their mom was distracted; Sam´s question already forgotten.

It took him a beat too long to respond, but Sarah waited patiently “Yes we´re almost done. I’ll shower before dinner, but don´t wait for me. Bucky probably wants to…”

“Oh, don´t worry we can wait. It´s not like we’re starving to death” Sarah interrupted him with an exaggerated laugh.

Sam sighted again. The day was pretty busy, the sun hot and he was tired.

But curiosity killed the cat, right?

“Sarah” Sam voice now a little sharper “What is going on between you and Buck?”

***

With a frustrated huff Sam let the cold water run down his body.

Nobody knew anything, but everyone acted strange, he thought, massaging his temples enjoying the cool wet.

Sarah did not answer. She gave a short explanation about her relationship with Bucky, completely missing the point of his question. Then she vanished from the window, leaving Sam with his doubts.

Now he was trying to figure it out himself. What exactly he needed to figure out was unclear too. “What did I miss?” he questioned out loud in to the empty bathroom.

Everything was perfectly fine till today morning. They couldn´t have discussed in the morning, because he was always the first up on his feet.

Absentmindedly he soaped and rinsed his hair and body.

Then it struck him. Torres´s call. They must have discussed during his call. That would explain why the boys were so obediently quiet afterwards.

“But what could they have discussed about?” another question floating unanswered in the steamy air of the bathroom.

Sam stepped out of the shower, at the moment his Red Wing remote beeped. He sent the little drone out to look for bee nests around the house. They were pretty common around here, but for AJ deadly due to his allergy.

He must have found one somewhere.

Sam made a mental note to call the beekeeper, to remove the nest safely. But he dismissed the idea almost immediately.

Red wing.

Red wing was laying on the sofa last night, he probably recorded the whole evening. Bucky complained afterwards that Sam leaves Red Wing everywhere after repairing or upgrading him. He must have recorded the discussion between Sarah and Buck.

Without wasting much more time in the bathroom, Sam rushed over to his room, where Red Wing was patiently waiting for new orders on his bed.

“Red Wing, replay the audio footage of last night between” Sam rapidly took his phone out “7.35 and 7.40”

***

AJ and Cass looking shiny new in their fresh clothes, were nervously waiting for uncle Sam. Their Mother and Uncle were ignoring each other sipping on their glass of wine. The kitchen smelled amazing with the different pregnant spices of the casserole hanging in the air.

From the top they could hear Sam´s distinguished steps coming down the stair. At the sound of it, Bucky´s and Sarah´s posture changed immediately to warm smiles and relaxed shoulders.

Sam came down with a big grin on his face and Red Wing in his hands.

“Finally” Cass sighted, already grabbing the spoon to serve himself, just to get his hand clapped away by Sarah.

“Don´t be so impatient Cass, let your uncle take a seat first”

“Oh, don´t worry about me. Cass serve yourself; I still have something to say” Sam intervened his grin growing even bigger. Sarah and Bucky exchanged for the first time a glance.

“Red Wing, had been quite useful today” Sam said laying the drone on a little side table near the stairs. “Yes, quite useful” Sam repeated with a chuckle seating himself on his usual spot besides Bucky, who seemed really preoccupied over his strange behavior.

“I think if I ever stranded on a lone island, I would hope to have Red Wing with me” Sam kept on talking, taking the spoon from AJ, who already was pouncing his plate. “He could alarm me from any wild animals or even hunt something for me, without complaining or competing” he added savoring the confused expressions of his family “Yes, he truly is my favorite” Sam finished, passing the spoon to Bucky.

Sarah choked on her wine, looking over to Bucky, who couldn´t compute what was going on.

The boys bursted out in to a laugh, Sam gladly joined.

“How?” Buck asked knitting his brows, still holding the serving spoon, then his eyes shifted to the little red drone on the side table “Oh”

“Yes” was the only thing Sam managed to say between tears.

Sarah and Bucky looked at each other for another moment completely embarrassed. Then both grinned joining the others laughs.

After everyone caught their breath again, Cass broke the silence “But uncle Sam who´s your real favorite?”

Sam smiled at his little nephew “Red wing is real isn´t he?”

All rights reserved.

#tfatws #mcu fic #sam wilson #bucky barnes #wilson family #bucky fanfic #sam fanfic #marvel #mcu #captain america

[the-last-teabender]

FANFIC: Oxventure - Duel Destinies

RATING: G

WORDS: Just under 7k

SUMMARY: Corazón gets hit on the head.

A/N: This isn’t my first time writing fanfic, but it’s my first time in literal decades writing something that a) isn’t going into a charity anthology and b) isn’t single-sentence goofs in my Gchat window with @randomthunk. So I actually am a little nervous to just yeet my work out into the world without an editor/publisher frontline protecting me from looking foolish. I do have plans to fic more tho.

I approached this as though I was writing an official tie-in because that’s my comfort zone (and occasionally my job). Which was a little challenging because there’s a lot that’s not part of the story but is part of the viewing experience. I have not mastered it in one story but the attempt was fun. Also I haven’t smashed alt-codes this obsessively while writing since I wrote about Señor 105.

Thanks aforementioned Ginger for being my beta reader and basically sitting on me to post this instead of hide it in my writing folder.

Anyway, if you like what I’m throwing out here, I have actually a lot of stuff in print and even more coming.

----------

“Right,” Dob said, pacing the length of the deck, “before we go, let’s review. Prudence, what happened yesterday?”

“We found a bad man killing off local slimes to make slime booze.”

“Good. Corazón, what happened yesterday?”

“I began my awesome new career as a detective and threw someone out a window.”

“All right. Merilwen?”

“Mow.”

“Excellent. Egbert?”

“I set a tavern on fire and got my seal very drunk on slime gin.”

“All right, that’s us caught up.”

That wasn’t the entire catch-up, but all of them knew the events of the day before well enough. The forest outside the town of Esterwell was in turmoil, according to the wizard Binbag after he tumbled unexpectedly out of a pantry. It was suddenly bereft of slimes — the cute little blobby creatures generally used for target practice by up-and-coming adventurers. As it happened, slimes had other uses. Serving as the base for a delightful high-end alcoholic brew, for one. Serving as the base of the entire local food chain, for another. If the slime population continued to plummet, eventually the other animal populations would follow suit.

An investigation of the local slime hunters (led by DCI Jeff Crimestopper, a pseudonym Corazón was becoming increasingly attached to) turned up that they were all in the employ of the same man: one Alonzo Horgan, owner of the Horgan Distillery. One especially talkative young hunter revealed that Horgan intended to “wring all the slimes out of Esterwell Forest” before upping sticks to his next hunting ground.

The goal was, in short, to stop Horgan’s machinations before he destabilized the entire local ecosystem and went on to do the same to others. Somewhere along the way, Dob had got it into his head that the goal was to start a brewery of their own and hold a cider-making contest in the Esterwell town square… an idea the group at large now referred to as “Plan C.”

Plan A, currently underway, was to continue the detective lark and either talk sense into Horgan or (more likely) run him out of town. Plan B was burning down the distillery.

“I’m still very much in favor of bumping Plan B up to Plan A,” said Prudence, wiggling her fingers as the group made their way back into Esterwell.

“Mrow,” Merilwen the cat grumbled from Dob’s shoulder, which translated to something like, “But that doesn’t actually solve the problem of making him stop.”

“Oh, fine,” Prudence huffed. “Detectives it is.”

Corazón pumped a fist low and (he thought) out of sight. “DCI Jeff Crimestopper back on the case, bay-bee.”

They arrived at the home of Alonzo Horgan — a palatial manor in a town that really wasn’t the sort to have palatial manors. At least half a dozen residences would have to have been knocked down to make way for the place, which stood half again as high as the buildings around it that had survived.

Merilwen hopped lightly from Dob’s shoulder, turning back into an elf again, as the half-orc tapped politely on the door.

“No, no.” Egbert shoved past him, balling up one scaly fist. “You’ve gotta really punch it.” He slammed his fist against the door several times, making it bow slightly under the pressure.

“Open up!” Corazón shouted, cupping his hands around his mouth. “We have a warrant!”

“Don’t just say we have a warrant!” Merilwen hissed.

The door was opened mere moments later by a tall, rail-thin man with an upturned nose and a downturned moustache. “Mmcan I help you?”

Corazón pushed past the man. “Yeah, you can take us to Alonzo Horgan. We’re taking him down to the station for questioning.”

“I’m afraid Mr. Horgan is not—” But the man was cut off as the rest of the group piled past and into the house.

“Where is he, then? Upstairs?” Corazón pointed up the stairwell, one foot on the steps.

The man at the door, to his credit, did his best to maintain his decorum. “Mr. Horgan is not taking visitors.”

“We’re not visitors,” Dob said gruffly, looming over the man, “we’re detectives.”

“Is that so? Well, I do hope you meant what you said about having a warrant. Otherwise I may have to take you to the authorities.” 

Alonzo Horgan’s voice silenced the group, but had it not, his presence would have. Fully six-foot-four, a stocky mix of fat and muscle generally only seen on back alley brawlers, stuffed into a fancy suit. His glare was imperious; his moustache was excellent.

Corazón swiveled and approached the master of the house. “Alonzo Horgan?”

“Yes, I’m… not sure who else I would be.” Horgan seemed put out for a moment, but recovered himself. “May I ask what business you have here?”

“DCI Jeff Crimestopper.” Corazón pulled a piece of paper from his coat, flashed it briefly, and put it away again. “This is my DI, Dob Tyler.”

Dob grinned toothily; had it not been Dob, it might have looked threatening. “Here to make sure my loose cannon superior does things by the book.”

Corazón gestured to the rest of the party. “DS Prudence, DC Merilwen. And, er, PC Egbert, he mostly makes the tea.”

“It’s really good tea,” Egbert piped up.

“No offense, sir…” Horgan gestured to Corazón. “But you look more like a pirate than a detective.”

“Deep cover, obviously. I wouldn’t expect a civilian to understand.”

Horgan waved a hand dismissively. “Even if I were to entertain the idea that you’re who you claim to be, I feel I’ve done nothing to warrant an investigation.”

Merilwen narrowed her eyes. “Nothing, Mr. Horgan?” Her voice was tense, hitting that slightly higher octave that her friends knew meant violence was quickly becoming an option. “Killing off an entire species for your own benefit is ‘nothing’? Allowing the local wildlife to starve is ‘nothing’?”

“Oh, it’s about the distillery, is it? I promise you, my dear, I’ve heard it all before.”

Dob gritted his teeth, giving Horgan a highly dramatic, highly knowing look. “I’d be careful if I was you, sir. DC Merilwen has a license to… er. Bear.”

Still, none of this seemed to faze Horgan. “If you think complaining about my methods is going to have any effect… let me assure you, it hasn’t yet. Now, unless you have any actual business with me…”

Prudence stepped up. “All right, look. Fine. We’re not actually detectives.”

“You don’t say,” Horgan deadpanned.

“That said… the whole slime issue is a real thing, and we really do need you to stop hunting them out completely. Or at least cut back.” Prudence looked back at Merilwen. “Cut back? Would that be good enough?”

“I prefer the idea of him stopping completely,” Merilwen seethed.

Prudence gestured to Merilwen. “Yeah, what she said. But I mean, it affects you, too. Do you like, uh… wild boar? I guess? Rabbit? Pheasant? I don’t know.” She spread her hands in an exaggerated shrug. “Screw up the food chain and you don’t get any of those.”

Horgan looked them all over, one by one. “You come into my home. You pretend to be something you’re not. And then you make demands of me that would effectively shut down my business. Give me one reason why I should even listen to what you have to say.”

Egbert had mostly detached from the scene in front of him, his eyes scanning his surroundings in search of something entertaining. They lighted on a pair of crossed swords on the wall, with a bronze plaque underneath: Esterwell Annual Fencing Championship, Second Place. Without thinking, he blurted out, “A duel.”

“I beg your pardon?” Horgan asked. The rest of the party fixed Egbert with confused looks.

“A duel,” the dragonborn repeated, with a little more confidence this time — confidence filled in a lot of blanks, in his experience. “If one of us bests you in a duel, you have to at least give us a proper audience.”

Much to the group’s surprise — including Egbert’s, truth be told — Horgan seemed to consider it. “Hmm. Well. I suppose it makes more sense than… whatever we’ve been doing.” He gestured at the room in general, then turned to Corazón. “On the condition that I fight this one.”

Corazón grinned. “Hell yeah. I’ll fight you. Prepare to have your whole scene wrecked by Corazón de Ballena.”

“I thought you said your name was Jeff Crimestopper.”

“I told you. Deep cover.”

Horgan sighed wearily and turned to his doorman. “See them out. Tomorrow at sunrise on the lawn. Come alone, whatever your name is. And pray you do not lose. I have no patience for time-wasters.”

The five were ushered out without another word.

“Not sure it’s wise to challenge a prizewinning fighter to a duel,” Merilwen noted when they were outside town again. “That sort of seems like the main thing he’ll be ready for.”

Egbert waved a hand. “Pff, it’s fine. The plaque on his wall said he was only second place. That means there’s at least one person better than him in town.”

“Still… What’s going to happen if Corazón if he loses?”

Corazón laughed. “Pff. Hah. Nothing. Because Corazón won’t lose.” He unsheathed his rapier and stopped to take a few jabs at a nearby tree. A heavy branch, near to breaking, creaked overhead. “You know what my crew used to call me?”

“Yes,” said Prudence, “you’ve complained about it several times.”

“I mean in battle. You know, when we captured ships. My swordsmanship is second to none. They used to call me Corazón the—”

There was a crash, and silence.

Egbert stopped walking, waiting for the punchline. “Corazón the what?”

“Er.” Merilwen pointed back toward the tree hesitantly. “Corazón the unconscious, apparently.”

Prudence turned and lifted away the branch, wincing at the sight of the pirate splayed out on the ground. “Oh, dear…” Then she looked up at the group. “So does this mean I’m captain now?”

---

The general consensus had been to let Corazón be once he’d been carried back to the Joyful Damnation and bundled into bed. He would likely be full of opinions and complaints as soon as he woke up. That, and he’d need his rest before dueling Horgan the next morning. 

There was no bleeding as far as they could tell. Just a big bruise that would get bruisier over the next few days. Egbert dropped a quick bit of healing on Corazón which, while it would likely be helpful in the long run, did nothing to wake him. Eventually, Dob took up a seat by the enormous bed in the captain’s quarters, keeping an eye on the patient and picking out a few chords to pass the time. Just as he was getting a good riff worked out... 

“Ow.”

“Ow?” Dob leaned over the bed. “Did you say ow?”

“Yes, I said ow. Because I’m in pain.”

Dob jumped up from his seat and threw the door open. “Guys! Guys! He’s awake!”

Prudence was the first to run in. “Is he okay?”

“Sounds like it.”

Egbert followed, with Merilwen bringing up the rear. They crowded around Corazón’s bed, realized at the same time that that would probably look weird from his vantage point, and backed off a bit.

“Corazón?” Dob leaned in slightly. “How’s your head?”

He squinted up at Dob. “What did you call me?”

“Oh, right.” Dob laughed. “Silly me. How’s your head, DCI Crimestopper?”

This just seemed to confuse him more. “Who… what are you talking about?” Then he pulled himself up to sitting, perhaps a little more quickly than he ought, and pressed a hand to the top of his head, looking around. “I feel like I’ve been beaned with an entire tree. Where the hell am I?”

“Your room,” Prudence offered. “We figured you’d want a nap after the bludgeoning.”

He shook his head, still sounding a bit dazed. “No… this isn’t my room. My room is bigger. And it doesn’t rock and creak. Are we… are we on a ship?” He looked up at the others again, as though seeing them for the first time.

“... who the hell are all of you?”

There was an awkward silence.

“He’s messing about, right?” Egbert grinned nervously at the others. 

“It’s Corazón,” Prudence said quickly, “of course he’s messing about. Just humor him, he’ll be on to something new when he’s tired of it.”

Dob was already on board at humor him. He pressed a hand to his forehead. “Oh, no! Corazón! All our precious memories, lost forever! Please say it isn’t so, old friend!”

If Corazón was acting, he was really leaning into the deadpan delivery. “Is this some sort of prank? It’s not a very good one, if…” His gaze wandered down to his hands resting on the bed sheet, his sleeves wrinkled back somewhat. His eyes went wide, and he made a sort of choking, stammering sound.

Then, again far more quickly than he probably should have, he threw himself out of bed, shoving past Egbert on the way to the largest of his mirrors. Carefully, he pulled his collar aside. And gasped.

“Oh, my God, I’ve been tattooed in my sleep!”

“Gosh,” Egbert said with an admiring smile, “he’s really devoting himself to the bit, isn’t he?”

Merilwen shook her head slightly. “I… don’t… know if it’s a bit.”

“Which one of you did this to me?!” Corazón pointed at the tentacle tattoo emerging from under his collar. “Why would you do that? Why… what happened to my hair!? How long have I been asleep!?” He grabbed the nearest person — Egbert — by the collar. “Are you trying to change my identity!? Am I going to be sold off to the highest bidder!? What’s your plan!? You have to tell me!”

Dob grabbed for his lute, a nervous grin plastered on his face. “Ooooh! Oh, dear! Looks like someone could use a nice lullaby.”

Merilwen held out a warning hand to Dob. “No? No. One second.” She waved a hand to Corazón, the way one might a skittish fox. “Hey, over here.”

“What!? What do you want now!?”

“Just. Okay. Calm down for a second. Calm…” Merilwen inhaled and exhaled slowly, guiding the breathing with her hands. Corazón, surprisingly did the same. That in itself was a sign that something was off.

“Okay, just keep your eyes on me, all right?”

“Sure.” Corazón’s voice was strained.

Merilwen rooted around in the pocket of one of Corazón’s jackets, folded neatly over a nearby chair. She found what she was looking for — a little leather pouch of gold coins — and poured the contents out into her hand. She showed them to Corazón, as though setting up a magic trick. He watched and nodded tensely, his jaw set.

“Dob,” she said with a sweet smile, opening the cabin window. “Would you do the honors?”

“Would I?” Without hesitation, he took the little handful of coins from Merilwen, slid over to the window, and chucked them out into the sea, one by one.

All eyes turned toward Corazón.

“Yes, and?” The nervousness was tinged with irritation. “What?”

Another awkward silence, this one longer. And awkwarder. As they all, in their own time, came to terms with the fact that Corazón was not, in fact, acting.

Prudence tapped him experimentally on the shoulder. He flinched away, balling his hands into fists and holding them in front of his face.

“Hey, hey, whoa! No, no, we’re your friends! It’s us!” Prudence smiled, gesturing around the room. “You know. The Oxventurers! Can’t you recognize us?”

Corazón lowered his fists. “If you mean could I pick you out of a lineup, then yes, I certainly could.”

“Corazón…”

“Hff… and stop calling me that! It’s weird!” He brushed off his sleeve where Prudence had tapped him. “If you’re my kidnappers, then I would hope you already know who I am.”

“Y-Yeah.... Sorry.” Prudence frowned, then smiled. “Percy?”

“Thank you. That’s more like it.” And Corazón made a break for the deck. 

---

“All I’m saying,” said the half-orc with the large hammer and the very nice hair, “is that we could be having a cider-making contest in the town square right now.”

“Or burning things,” said the tiefling, as a pair of ancient tomes played around her heels like rowdy puppies. “We could also be burning things right now.”

If this was a kidnapping, it was a very civilized one. Percy hadn’t had any practical experience with being kidnapped, to be fair. His father had suggested that it might happen once or twice in his youth, because that was just how life was for the children of rich and influential people. But after making it to adulthood without ever waking up in a dingy cellar surrounded by leering mercenaries, he’d just put it to the side.

He’d also been a bit disappointed, as escaping from said mercenaries could have been fun. But in retrospect, he might not have done as well at that as he liked to pretend.

He wasn’t tied up, or locked up. At worst, he had been prevented from leaping off the ship by all four of his kidnappers (and a seal, he was still contending with that information) piling themselves on top of him. They’d bundled him back into the captain’s quarters while they consulted with each other. Percy took the time to shave — the itch from his stubble was frazzling his already-frazzled brain — and change into a shirt that still had functional buttons.

The change had gotten a slight stare of disbelief from his captors, as though he’d gone and swapped heads, but no actual comments were made. And now, the dragonborn was sitting by him on the deck and handing him a cup of tea, and it smelled suspiciously like what he drank at home, and yes, this was absolutely one of his teacups.

“So!” the dragonborn said with a toothy grin. “Cora-... er, Percival. Percy? Mr. Milquetoast? Sorry, not sure what to call you now.” He had a cup of his own, but rather than sipping from it, he opened his long snout and splashed the contents inside. Judging by the reaction that followed, the tea was still very hot.

“Just, er… whichever? I guess?” Why was he sitting on a ship drinking tea with his kidnappers while they asked what to call him? Why had his father not been mentioned yet? Was that still incoming? His teacup rattled against the saucer.

“Mmmm… Percy. I’ve always thought you looked like a Percy.”

“Always?” Percy put his teacup down shakily on its saucer. “Then you’ve been spying on me? For how long?”

“No!” The dragonborn waved a hand frantically in front of himself. “No, no, I mean… we’re not…” He looked behind him, where the other three were peering at the scene thoughtfully. “Um, guys, I’m not doing great. Someone else try.”

The elf stepped in and tapped him on the shoulder, as though relieving him from duty. Good. As far as Percy could tell, she was the most logical of the group. She wasn’t panicking… not that he could see, at least.

“So you’re Good Cop, then?” Percy eyed her warily.

“No…” The elf sighed, a sort of long-suffering sigh that made him feel like this was not the first long-suffering sigh she’d issued him. “We’re your friends, really. And we’re just trying to figure out how to help you.”

Percy narrowed his eyes. “My friends.”

“Yes.”

“Not magical kidnappers looking for a piece of the Milquetoast fortune.”

“No. Not magical kidnappers looking for a piece of the family fortune. I promise.” 

“I mean, I have friends at home. I can just go home to my actual friends, and not whatever you guys are pretending to be.”

The elf’s face settled into an expression that somehow managed to be both neutral and confrontational, her lips pressed into a line. “Name four friends you have at home.”

Damn. “Uh, th-there’s, uh… there’s Steve… F-Friendsman.”

“Yeah.”

“There’s, a-um, Roger… M’buddy.”

The elf pressed a hand to her face. “Please, at least let us try to help you.”

She seemed absolutely genuine. It was making his head hurt. This was not how criminals acted. As far as he knew. “Fine, help me, or whatever it is you want to do.”

“All right, so…” The elf clasped her hands together. “It’s probably just a matter of jogging your memory. You got a little bop on the head, it shook things up, but we can help you connect things up again. Right?”

“Sure,” Percy said hesitantly, now with the added wrinkle of wondering when and how he’d been hit over the head. He considered asking, but he could already hear the answer. No, we didn’t hit you over the head intentionally. It was a love tap. Something like that.

The elf smiled. It didn’t seem like a kidnapper’s smile. But again, he had nothing to go on. Maybe kidnappers had really nice smiles. “Okay, good. So let’s just rattle out a few of the high points, and see what your brain latches onto.”

Percy nodded, taking a sip from the teacup he still held in a death grip.

“Okay. Spicy rat?” She paused, and he wasn’t sure what for. After a short silence, she picked up again. “No? Okay, that was a while ago, admittedly. Uh… baby-making watch?”

“Babies don’t come from watches,” Percy scoffed. “They come from under cabbage leaves.”

The elf ground to a halt in her questioning, but picked up again with a shake of the head. “What about the party? The one where you went dressed as a sexy nurse and made a teenage girl cry.”

Percy scowled. “I would never do that!”

The half-orc chuckled. “Oh, you very much did.”

“I will not allow you to paint me with the same brush as you, you… s-scoundrels!” Percy felt a chill down the back of his neck. “That’s what this is, isn’t it? You’re trying to convince me I’m one of you and whisk me away to do unspeakable crimes, is that it?”

“Hasn’t taken much trying so far, mate,” Merilwen grumbled.

“Waaaait wait wait wait.” The tiefling squeezed up next to the elf. “We’re coming at this from the wrong angle. He’s clearly forgotten stuff from before we met him, too, right? What we need to do is remind him of why he became a pirate.”

Percy looked around the ship. Then down at the clothes he’d woken up in. And the tattoo on his wrist. “I’m a pirate?”

“Yep, you are a pirate.”

“So… this really is my ship?”

“Er, our ship, yes.” The tiefling seemed to take a lot of pride in saying that. Well, being co-owner of a ship was something to be proud of… if it was true, he’d probably let himself feel a bit proud, too. “So, maybe if you can summon up the feelings that made you want to run away from home and be a pirate, the rest will follow. So, tell us about your dad.”

“He’s… dumb?” Percy shrugged. “He’s annoying? I don’t know, it’s a lot of effort to run away from him for being dumb and annoying. I’ve got nothing.” 

The tiefling leaned in conspiratorially. “Nothing about what a bad dad he is? How he has ridiculous expectations of you? Doesn’t want you to have fun and live your own life?” She paused. “How he’s got a stupid wig and he’s all stuffy and bossy?”

Percy leaned away from her. “You seem to have plenty against him already.”

“Oh, no, no. I don’t hate him. You do.”

“No, it really does sound like it’s you.”

The tiefling laughed, waving a hand. “Oh, no, that’s just because he bothers you. It’s a support thing. I’d totally love to live in his big ol’ house.”

“So you’re telling me you don’t like my father, but you do like his money, and that’s supposed to make me feel better?”

The tiefling’s face twisted into a confused frown. “Oh, man. Yeah, we do kinda sound like we kidnapped you for ransom, don’t we?”

Percy flinched away, nearly dropping his teacup. Oddly, the tiefling was once again trying to reassure him. “Which we didn’t?? Which we didn’t. I’m just saying.” She sighed. “I guess he forgot whatever happened that made him want to run away, too. How about you, Egbert? Got any paladin magic for him?”

“I’ve got something better!”

All eyes, Percy’s included, turned to the dragonborn — who was now swinging a mace from one clawed hand.

“So, you know how in all the stories, right? Someone gets knocked on the head and gets amnesia, but then they get hit in the same spot and all their memories come back. Let’s just do that!”

The dragonborn strode over to Percy, winding up the mace. Percy stumbled backwards, his teacup falling and shattering on the deck. “Don’t you dare!”

“Egbert, not that mace!” the elf shouted.

“Oh, it’s fiiiine. I had to hit whatsisname loads of times before he actually turned into a seal.”

Percy looked at the seal. The seal looked back.

“Eg.”

The dragonborn raised his mace over his head. Percy stumbled backwards towards the door to the captain’s quarters, eyes locked on the cursed weapon. He reached behind him for the doorknob and twisted frantically. The door wouldn’t give way.

The elf flung herself at the dragonborn, turning into an octopus in midair. The two hit the deck, the mace rolling harmlessly across the deck as the octopus held the would-be attacker in place. Percy finally managed to yank the door open, racing into the captain’s quarters and slamming the door behind him.

“I meant a spell!” Percy heard the tiefling yell from the other side of the door. “You’ve got more healing spells, don’t you?”

“Oh, riiiight…”

There was a gentle tap at the door. Percy eyed it nervously.

“Heeey, buddy. You okay?” It was the half-orc. “Can I come in?”

“No, you absolutely cannot come in. You’re all insane and there’s a seal man out there saying egg.”

“That’s cool, that’s cool. I’ll just sit out here, how’s that?”

Percy heard a gentle thump against the other side of the door. “So… you really don’t remember anything, do you? About us, or your pirate crew, or any of that?”

“Last thing I remember is going to bed at Milquetoast Manor and thinking tomorrow night’s party was going to be very boring. Then I woke up in bed on a strange boat, with all of you standing over me looking ready to dissect me or something.” Percy sat down, leaning on the other side of the door. His head still felt foggy. “So? Which one of you blackjacked me?”

“You blackjacked yourself with a tree.”

Percy frowned. “Is that the sort of thing I’m likely to do?”

“Oh, yes,” the half-orc said cheerfully. “Merilwen had a stack of tree puns ready to go, but under the circumstances it seemed, uh… bit tasteless.”

“Merilwen?”

“The elf. Don’t worry, you can hear them later. You know, when your head’s right again.” A pause. “Oh! Haha. Of course. I’m Dob, by the way. The tiefling is Prudence, and the big dragon man is Egbert. And we’re all your friends, and we all do super cool things together.”

Percy nodded, still not completely convinced. Then he realized Dob wouldn’t be able to see him on the other side of the door. “If you say so.”

“Gosh. Introducing myself to you. That brings back memories.” Dob stopped himself, fumbling, as if he’d just said something extremely offensive. “I mean… you know…”

Against his better judgment, Percy got up and opened the door. Dob, leaning heavily on it, tumbled backwards… but turned the tumble into a backwards somersault and landed lightly on his feet. He gave a little bow, and Percy felt he ought to clap. Just considering the effort.

“You ready to come out and talk to the others?”

Percy leaned to one side and looked out onto the deck. Egbert was on his feet again, with Merilwen (now an elf) still clinging to his back, as though uncertain whether the dragonborn could be trusted on his own yet. Prudence wore a friendly smile that seemed to say “I’m not going to sacrifice you to my eldritch god, but I’m also not not going to sacrifice you to my eldritch god.” His trusted friends. Apparently.

Before Percy could answer, Dob slapped him on the back and walked him out onto the deck. “All right. We’ve all had a little breather, a little think, and I think… and this is just me… we should back-burner the memory loss issue and focus on the bigger problem.”

“There’s a bigger problem?” Percy looked at Dob incredulously.

The group at large winced. “Yeah…” Dob continued to speak for the group, and no one seemed to mind being relieved of that duty for the moment. “See, Percy. Percival. Friend. Our good friend of so long…”

“Just tell me what’s going to happen to me.”

“You have to duel someone tomorrow morning.”

Percy extracted himself from Dob’s friendly side-arm. “What? Why? Why would I do that?”

“Again,” said Dob, “if it makes you feel better, it is extremely on brand.”

“Hsfd… it doesn’t make me feel better! I have to fight someone tomorrow and I’m not me! I mean, I am me, but I’m not this other me who went and did a thing I didn’t do!”

Amongst them, Percy’s friends(?) laid out the entire situation. All he managed to retain were slimes, collapse of the natural world, very large man, and imminent swordfight. The rest was a sort of blur, and one he was in no mood to attempt to figure out.

“I can’t do this.” It was a statement of fact. “Maybe this Corazón guy can do this, but I can’t. Horgan’s going to be expecting some jerk pirate who can swordfight.”

“We can try another refresher,” suggested Merilwen.

Egbert reached for his mace. “I could try—-”

“No,” said everyone, possibly even the seal.

“Look,” Dob said gently, “we’ll have puh-lenty of time to work on the memory thing, right? All we have to do is get through tomorrow, and if it hasn’t cleared up by then, we’ll find someone to help you, no problem.”

“How can you be so sure?” Percy asked, the fretting feeling coming back even stronger than before.

Egbert shrugged. “It’ll happen. That’s how it tends to go. A problem comes up, and then a couple days later someone comes along with a quest that’ll fix it. It’s really handy.”

“Okay, that’s great for after tomorrow morning. But what about me, tomorrow morning, with swords? What’s my guarantee I get past that alive? Because I’ve never actually stabbed a man.”

“Yes you have,” Prudence pointed out.

“Like a lot,” Merilwen added.

“Apparently you kicked a man to death once,” said Egbert. “I mean, I found out later, but I believe it.”

“But I don’t remember that!” Percy flailed an arm helplessly. “It’s… hds… that’s some future guy and I’m not the future guy, I’m the me guy. How is the me guy going to survive?”

The group fell silent.

“... did I actually kick a man to death?”

They all nodded.

“Oh…”

“And see? That’s why we believe in you, Cor… er, Percy.” Dob threw an arm around Percy’s shoulders again. “We know what you’re capable of. We know it’s in here.” He jabbed at Percy’s chest with one finger. “And in here.” At his head.

“Ow!”

“The head, Dob,” Merilwen hissed, “watch the head.”

“Right, right. Look. We’ve got tonight to train you up into a believable Corazón de Ballena. You’ve already got the look, you’ve already got the voice. That’s more than most people start with.”

Percy let out a weak groan.

“Hey! No, this is good! We can do this! And maybe, somewhere along the way, something will trigger the ol’ bean and the memories will just come flooding back. Right, guys?”

The rest of the team seemed to believe it about as much as Percy did. Which wasn’t much.

“Are you sure we can’t just…” Percy motioned to the anchor rope. “Leave?”

“No,” Merilwen said firmly. But her expression was still hesitant. “No, we have to stop Horgan. More than anything else, that has to happen.”

She was insistent. This was important to her. Percy groaned again.

“Come on, buddy.” Dob lifted his arm from Percy’s shoulders, grabbing him by both arms and staring him in the eyes. “Look me in the eye.”

“Yeah. Looking.”

“Now. Are you a Thieves Cant, or a Thieves Can?”

Merilwen, at least, seemed to appreciate what Dob was going for.

---

Plan B no longer stood for Burning. Plan B, as indicated by a wild-shaped Merilwen taking up a spot behind the topiaries on Horgan’s lawn, now stood for Bear. And possibly Bomb, and Blast, and Bard Casts Thunder Wave, depending on who got trigger-happy first.

No amount of swordfighting or storytelling brought Corazón’s memory back. Nor did any amount of actually insisting on calling him Corazón. Their last ditch hope — that he’d wake up the next morning acting like nothing had happened — didn’t pan out, either. Dob gave pep talk after pep talk as Corazón fretted uncharacteristically, the latter eventually wrapping the uneaten bacon sandwich he’d made for himself in a piece of paper and stowing it in a jacket pocket. Finally, though, they’d all had to take up their positions and leave the rest to luck.

Corazón was left to make the walk up the lawn alone, but the other four had formed a perimeter: Merilwen in the topiary, Dob in a nearby tree, Prudence behind a fence, and Egbert peering over a hedge. Dob promised to shoot Corazón an occasional prompt if things got hairy; but, by and large, it was all him.

As the sun began to rise, Corazón walked up the paved path to the appointed spot. He’d not quite gotten his own swagger down, instead walking slow, measured steps with his hands stuffed in his pockets.

Try to look like you’re too cool for the room! Dob thought; Corazón looked up and around, surprised, then seemed to remember what Dob had said about sending mental messages. He stopped where he was, pulled his hands out of his pockets, squared his shoulders, and walked even more awkwardly up the path.

Fine. It’d have to do.

Just as the light of sunrise hit its best and most aesthetic hue, Alonzo Horgan and his servant walked out. The former wore a rapier at his belt.

“Corazón de Ballena,” Horgan said broadly, his voice dripping with fake friendliness. “Or are we going by something new today?”

“No, er, that’s me.”

Dob thought another swift message.

“I mean… that’s right! That’s me, Corazón. The mighty pirate. Here to run you through like a tasty kebab and grill… grill you on the fires of justice? What the hell does that mean?”

Just go with it, Dob thought irritably, but the moment had passed. Shame. He was rather proud of that one.

Horgan eyed Corazón with amusement. “I can wait if you need a moment.”

“No, no. Erm. Yes, that’s me.” Corazón’s hand hovered over the hilt of his rapier. He was tense. He was ready. He might have been about to faint. It was hard to tell.

Horgan’s retainer’s voice was soft. None of them could hear it from their respective points along the perimeter. Corazón didn’t look especially surprised by any of it, which hopefully meant there was nothing odd about the rules of the duel.

From their spots, separated though each of them was, they all had the same thought at the same time: what would it take? What hadn’t they done? Would they need a spell? Some sort of quest? A skilled healer? Would another bop on the head really have done it?

A shrill whistle blew. Each of them was shaken out of their thoughts to see that the duel had begun, and Corazón was already flagging quickly. It was less of a duel and more of a chase, the enormous Horgan lumbering across the lawn after his smaller opponent. Corazón, for his part, was holding his ground… though “his ground” was constantly moving backwards across the lawn in zigzags.

His heel came dangerously close to a stray root, nearly hidden by the grass.

“Look out!” Egbert shouted. Merilwen, Dob, and Prudence shushed him. Horgan looked up and around for the source of the voice. Corazón, on the other hand, missed the warning entirely. His heel caught on the root, and he windmilled backwards, landing flat on his back.

Merilwen hesitated behind the topiary, one huge, clawed paw creeping around the side of the greenery. Was it go time? The others were in the same state of indecision, poised to attack but waiting to see what happened.

Corazón lifted his head slightly. The massive form of Horgan hovering over him, blade raised threatening, blocked out the faint light of sunrise. The sword hung there for a moment… then was flung across the lawn, accompanied by a disgusted sigh from Horgan.

“How very disappointing.”

The group shot each other quick glances. The message was clear. Well, clear-ish. “Stop Horgan before he can leave” was clear enough, but what would be done with him once apprehended was likely still up in the air. Corazón, unaware of any of this, propped himself up on his elbows.

“Where are you going?” he asked weakly. “We’re not done here.”

“I rather think we are.” Horgan shook his head in… amusement? Disappointment? It was hard to tell. “What a shame. You were so full of piss and vinegar yesterday, and today you’ve got no real fight in you.”

“I’ve got fight… I’ve got plenty of… hhhh.” Corazón put a hand to his head.

“Serves me right, thinking I’d get a good fight out of some puffed-up fake pirate.”

“... what did you say?” Corazón’s voice was suddenly oddly sharp and cold.

Horgan chuckled. “You heard me. You’re less convincing than the chap I hired for my niece’s seventh birthday party.” He waved a hand to his servant. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve not had breakfast yet and I’m peckish. Think I might go to the kitchen and have a bit of a graze.”

On his next step, Horgan’s booted foot slid forward, sending him falling backwards into a puddle of grease that had absolutely not been there moments ago. Now it was his turn to look up at a looming silhouette: Corazón de Ballena, sword pointing down threateningly in one hand, bacon sandwich in the other.

“How appropriate. You fight like a cow.”

Horgan spluttered, eyes bulging. “You… what nonsense is this!?”

“It’s called the power of grease, that’s what nonsense this is. Now get up and fight me so we can have our little talk. Or would you rather we just go ahead and burn your whole scene down?”

“You wouldn’t dare!”

“Yeah, you’re right, I wouldn’t. I think Prudence might, though.” Corazón shouted toward the fence. “Prudence! Plan B for burn?”

Prudence threw her hands in the air. “Plan B for buuuurn!”

Horgan had managed to pull himself up to one knee, the grease still dangerously slick beneath him. “I said to come alone!”

“Yeah, well, pirate. Don’t know what you expected.” Corazón stepped back, taking a bite of his sandwich. “So, I’m calling this a win for Team Oxventure. Which means it’s time for some negotiations concerning your, er, current business model.”

“But…” Horgan looked in the direction of his servant. He was long gone. Whether he’d run off, or whether the large bear standing where he’d stood had disposed of him, Horgan couldn’t tell.

“Oh, yes. That’s our sustainability advisor, Merilwen. She’ll be taking over from here.”

Merilwen growled.

---

“So what you’re saying,” said Egbert, “is that my plan was the best and would have worked.”

“Hff… no! Absolutely not.” Corazón was rubbing a hand over his chin, displeased with the lack of facial hair. “A one-in-six chance of being turned into an animal is not a best plan. Why did you let me shave? I hate it.”

“It’ll grow back.” Prudence poured out a mug of slime beer… the last remaining barrel, which they’d taken with them as a gratuity after aggressively convincing Horgan to discontinue his fermented slime line. She offered the mug to Merilwen, who waved a hand in front of herself emphatically.

“No, I don’t want to drink the poor baby slimes…” The rest became too high-pitched and tearful to translate.

“I’ll drink the poor baby slimes.” Dob grabbed the mug and necked half of it, much to Merilwen’s chagrin. “Anyway, what snapped you out of it? Was it hitting your head again?”

Corazón wrinkled his nose and shook his head. “Don’t know. I know I got really mad when whatsisname called me a fake pirate, and I wasn’t having that.”

Prudence’s eyes lit up. “Ohh, spite! Literally the one thing we didn’t think to try!”

“Well,” said Dob, passing Corazón his mended teacup topped off with beer, “I think we’ve all had a chance to learn something about friendship and patience and being true to ourselves.”

Egbert poured himself a pint. “I haven’t learned anything.”

“I have.”

Everyone looked at Corazón. “Have you?” Dob asked.

“Yep.” Corazón took a sip of beer from the teacup. “We are absolutely terrifying.”

Merilwen nodded sagely. 

“Yeah,” Prudence said dreamily. “It’s good.”

“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to my room, and I’m not coming out again until my good facial hair is back.” The door to the captain’s quarters slammed behind Corazón.

And that is the story of how the Oxventurers brought down a corrupt businessman with a breakfast sandwich.

#oxventure #outside xbox #i'm supposed to be writing other things but i won't tell if you won't #anyway yes i write stories a lot i do them for a living #please read them #i love approval from strangers

[miyu-hyperfixates]

Water ghouls AU!

[Part 0.5: Meeting Wei Ying]

(part 1) (part 2) (part 3)

Madam Yu and Madam Jin were in Yiling for a night hunt, where they encounter kid!WWX being chased by a group of dogs. Seeing the kid cornered and trying to protect his very small bun... Both of them couldn’t help but think of their own children in such a position and went to chase the dogs away.

Madam Jin actually brought WWX two other buns.

WWX of course was very grateful towards the two very kind [AN: I think it’s the first time I’m using Madam Yu and kind in the same sentence, pff] aunties... And when he saw that they carried swords his eyes went very wide, before hastily rummaging through the pockets of his dirty clothes. He pulled out a talisman and gave it to Madam Yu, beaming, “Here auntie, a lucky charm for you!” 

Both Madam Yu and Madam Jin looked intrigued by the ‘lucky charm’ that was actually a talisman. But they were unfamiliar with the sigils on it, and considering the slightly childish handwriting, both of them guessed that it might have been the kid’s work. It was more than probable that the kid’s parents were cultivators and he saw them writing talismans and wanted to copy them... Of course, to his small mind the sigils were probably no different from gibberish. And so he thought that he had made a proper “lucky charm” and decided to gave it the kind aunties as thanks.

Even Madam Yu had to admit that the kid was cute and endearing. So she took the talisman, thanks him and shoo him away.   [Because she could be kind from time to time, but not that kind and besides they still have a ferocious beast to hunt down.] She slid the talisman in her sleeves and will probably throw it away later when the kid wasn’t watching.

And well two hours later and the street rat and his talisman were probably the last thing on her mind. ‘Cause the lone ferocious beast that they were supposed to kill turned out to be a pack of six ferocious beasts.

At some point during the quite challenging fight, Madam Yu got momentarily distracted by something and it allowed one of the beast to rush through her defense. Considering how close it was and the direction of its jump, she barely had the time to raise one arm to protect her face. But before it could actually chunk at her arm it suddenly stopped as if it had slammed into an invisible wall. The protective barrier of course collapse barely a few seconds after because the spiritual energy sustaining it was quite low but it gave Madam Yu enough time to take a few step back and counterattack.    

Soon enough after that all the beasts were dealt with and they could finally relaxed. This was when Madam Yu took out the ‘lucky charm’ from her sleeve. It just happened that the arm she had raised to instinctively protect herself had been the one with the talisman within the sleeve. And sure enough, the talisman was still warm and the sigils were slightly bright in some parts and burnt in others. Indicating that it had been activated not so long ago.  

Madam Yu and Madam Jin looked at each other with wide eyes. Turned out what they thought were a child drawing was actually a proper protective talisman!

So of course they had to go and track WWX down again, because a kid who could write talisman that could be activated and properly worked (even if it was for merely a few seconds) was nothing short of a genius. It would be a tremendous waste not to nurture such potential.

They didn’t have any difficulty in finding the kid again, he was actually sleeping in one of the corner of the street where they had met earlier near a small makeshift tent made of dirty quilts.

The kid woke as they came closer and beamed at them, “Aunties, are you finished night hunting? Did the lucky charm help?” Madam Yu: It did. Did you write it yourself? The kid nodded enthusiastically. Madam Yu: Do you want to learn more? WWX: Can I? Madam Yu: I belong to the Yunmeng Jiang Sect. It is one of the Great Sect of the cultivation world. If you come home with me, I’ll take you in as a disciple and teach you. I won’t be kind though, so be prepared. WWX: I’ll come!! I’ll come! Please teach me!     Madam Yu: Very well, then come along. WWX rushed into the makeshift tent to take out his meager belongings (one fourth of a cinnabar, a very decrepit brush and the two buns that Madam Jin brought him earlier) and happily followed the other two. [And that’s how you catch a wild Wei Ying, *clap clap* (and she didn’t even need to bait him with watermelon)]

Because it was quite late at night and because the kid was super dirty, they decided to stay at a nearby inn, where the kid was forced to take a bath and changed clothes (that Madam Jin brought him... it was the clothes of the inn’s owner’s son and weren’t of high quality but it was definitely better than the clothes that WWX had been wearing).

After the kid looked more presentable and way cleaner, they took the opportunity to ask him about his talismans.

Turns out they were right. His parents had been cultivators  - probably rogue cultivators - and it was his mother who taught A-Ying this protective talisman. It was apparently his “job” to help them make it. Because he was “back-up” and it was a “very important job”... And she had made him make a dozens of them until he got it right and could actually activate them.

Thinking about it, the mother’s aim had probably been to provide him with a tool to protect himself just in case.

By the time, he finished talking about it, the kid was starting to nod off so Madam Yu send him to bed. But just when she did so, she suddenly realized that she didn’t actually know his full name. “A-Ying, what is your name?” WWX *sleepily*: A-Ying’s name is Wei Ying, courtesy name Wuxian. Madam Yu, suddenly filled with dread: Wei? Are your parents Wei Changze and Cangse Sanren? [By the way, at that time, news of the WWX’s parents death had not reach Yunmeng yet, which is why she didn’t make the connection immediately when she heard WWX calling himself A-Ying] WWX: Yes! Auntie, do you know them? Are you friend with them? Madam Yu: We are not friend. But I do know them. WWX: Oh...  

About eight months ago, WWX’s parents had gone to a night hunt in Yiling. And because they thought that this case might be more dangerous than usual, they didn’t take him with them for the actual hunt and made him wait for them back in the street of Yiling [in the exact corner where his makeshift tent is]. They never came back.

Madam Yu, once WWX fell asleep, very bitterly: So she’s dead... And I’m actually taking her kid in. What kind of fate is this? Is she mocking me beyond the grave?

Madam Yu could actually picture with great clarity what was going to happen as soon as WWX will arrive at Lotus Pier. JFM will welcome him with open arms. A son of a servant will be raised way above his station, not only as a mere disciple of the sect but like a son of the Yunmeng Jiang Clan. And A-Cheng will probably cease to exist in the eyes of JFM as soon as the son of Cangse Sanren would arrive.

Madam Jin seeing Madam Yu very sour face, tried to reason with her, “You’re not going to leave back in the street, are you? Outside of the fact that he is Cangse Sanren’s son, he didn’t do anything wrong and has a lot of potential.” [Those words are so going to bite her in the ass a few years later when Meng Yao comes into play, haha] Madam Yu: I am not coming back on my words.

Besides she was pretty sure that even if she left him there, as soon as words of their death reached JFM’s ears, he’d go and search the whole word for Cangse Sanren’s son. He wouldn’t give up until he managed to find him and then they’d end up exactly in the same situation (actually it was probably even a worse situation, there was no way rumors wouldn’t fly around with Jiang-zongzhu looking for and adopting the son of the woman he was rumored to be in love with).... The only way to prevent this situation was to straightforwardly kill the kid right now. But Madam Yu had not reach such a low point that she would go and murder innocent young kids no matter how troublesome their parents were.

If she’s going to have to endure the presence of Cangse Sanren’s son either way, then so be it. If she’s going to have to get used to the idea that Cangse Sanren’s son will from now on be an adoptive son of her family, then so be it. But she will make sure that both sons will be treated accordingly, even if this is the last thing that she’ll ever do! 

---------

Status Progress:

>> Wei Ying has been upgraded to adopted!

>> Madam Yu has been upgraded to on her way to become a good mother out of pure spite!

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

Author’s note: Right so remember when I said after part 3 that Meng Yao will appear next time? I lied. (Though he does make his entrance in part 4, you get this prequel/backstory first.)

So in canon (please correct me if I’m wrong) WWX’s parents died when he’s about six and he’s only found by JFM when he’s about eight or nine? That’s such a huge gap. And my personal hc to explain it is that actually JFM didn’t know they died for a long time.

I mean both of them were rogue cultivators. If there were no one around when they died how would it be possible for anyone to know that they died? My guess is that they actually send messages/letters to JFM once in a while (like every two or three years to let him know what they’re up to). Stuff like, “If after X times you didn’t get any news, then please consider us dead” or something. If they died in Yiling right after sending one of their letters, informing him of their location, then it would make sense that JFM would only notice that something is wrong a few years later with no new letters. Naturally he’ll go look for them and search at the last place they mentioned first and try to trace back what happened from there. Which is how he found WWX in the street of Yiling.  

Now in this universe Madam Yu stumbles upon WWX by pure accident less than a year after his parents’ death, which means that he actually gets adopted younger than he was in canon. Which means that by the times the event of part 1 happens, he was already living with the Jiang for something like 4 years (which explains why he has so much more lee-way and is so much more comfortable within the family).

Next time: Part 4 - Meeting Meng Yao (for real this time haha)

#mdzs #cql #my shitty au #my shitty art #wwx #kid wwx #madam yu #madam jin #madam yu is a good mom #Water Ghouls AU

[howtowhumpyourhiccup]

The Stories Scars Can Tell

Summary: A 'Hiccup left Berk' whump fic. When Hiccup left Berk for Toothless' safety five years ago, he hadn't thought about how hard life as a solo Dragon Rider would be. He hadn't realized it either, until a year after his reunion with Berk and the new Dragon Riders want to learn more about his scars.

Rating: Teen and up

Words: 6 452

Author’s Notes: This was supposed to be a 'Hiccup left Berk' whump fic one-shot, but it got way out of hand. This part alone is already 6k words long and I have other parts in the works, all of which are about Hiccup's misfortunes.

Constructive criticism is appreciated.

Enjoy!

Ao3

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"Is-is that from an arrow?"

Hiccup's honest question caused Astrid to take a pause. She'd been undressing herself, but she didn't get past her pauldrons before Hiccup asked her. They were left on the ground next to the hot spring they were planning on diving in.

Snotlout, Fishlegs, Ruffnut, and Tuffnut were all here as well and in several different stages of undress. Three of them pretty much threw their clothes off before jumping straight in. There were some surprised yelps of the water being too hot followed by Fishlegs chastising them for not taking their time to get used to the spring beforehand.

Usually, they'd be wearing nothing at all. Viking bathhouses were communal and these five young adults were familiar with each other as well. But having previously been somewhat hesitant to join them, this was the first time Hiccup was here with them, at one of the many bodies of water this island provided.

In the months since they came to live here with Hiccup, Toothless, and all the other dragons that called this place home, they had been trying to gain his trust. Hiccup's presence at the hot spring with them and without his very protective Night Fury was a sign that they were successful. As to not immediately scare him away again, the Thorston twins may or may not have compared Hiccup to a very skittish dragon more than once, they had decided to keep at least one layer of clothing on them.

It took Ruffnut a lot of convincing to go through with their plan.

It seemed to be working. At the very least, Hiccup wasn't wearing his armor, made out of Gronckle iron and dragon scales. His tunic and leather pants he did still wear. Much like his usual outer layer, they were dark in color. He had once explained it was because Toothless, a Night Fury, was a stealthy dragon. Hiccup just didn't wish to stand out on his back by wearing green or bright red.

That this was the first time was also the reason why he hadn't seen Astrid's scar before. It was located on her left shoulder, a very light pinkish line on her front. A similar one seemed to be present on the back parallel to the first one.

When Hiccup asked her about it, she glanced down at it.

"Oh yeah! In through the front and out through the back! Got it from some Dragon Hunter Viggo sent before the mysterious Dragon Master showed up to save Berk from his clutches." Astrid wasn't at all bothered as she talked about what was probably originally a very painful wound, sending Hiccup a smile when she mentioned this mystery figure. She even flexed her left arm and showed her scar with pride.

Hiccup smiled back at her, lightly shaking his head. Of course, Astrid would see her scars as achievements. That would be so like her.

The Dragon Master's war with the Dragon Hunters and Viggo uncovering his identity is what had lead him to Berk. The Grimborn brothers launching raids on the Viking village, capturing fishing boats, and cutting off their trading routes is what had then resulted in Hiccup returning to Hairy Hooligans for the first time since he had left it and his true self to be revealed.

Some hearts were broken, some were mended, there were some loud shouting matches, it had been a difficult few weeks for everybody, but in the end, Berk had been saved and Hiccup gained five new friends. Human friends.

The real reason behind the dragon raids and why they had suddenly stopped was known by now too and, needless to say, the Hooligans loved watching him come for a visit a lot more than they liked watching him leave.

"Must've been painful, though." Hiccup made a statement and cringed at the thought.

"Oh, it was! And... to be fair, I can't quite lift my left arm past my shoulder, but the kids on Berk haven't noticed. That is what matters." Nobody would ever think Astrid Hofferson, of all people, to be good with children, but the tiny Hairy Hooligans seemed to love her. A flash of regret did pass by on her face, but it was gone before Hiccup could speak of it and so he chose not too.

So that was somewhat of a sore spot to her, that she lost some of the range she used to have. She hoped her little fans would never find out their favorite warrior couldn't lift one of her arms all the way.

Astrid continued to work on the rest of her clothes. An extra pair of eyes did not make her waiver at all. She wasn't ashamed in friendly company she was close with.

An old crush and a want to still respect her decency got Hiccup to look away, even though she wasn't entirely in the nude.

This made Hiccup the only one still fully dressed. Something he was quite okay with, although he had agreed to join them at the springs this time.

Snotlout, soaked from head to toe, came stomping out of the water. Attempting to pretend like he wasn't freezing as he left the heat of both the hot spring and the steam, he took on a confident pose. Hiccup and Astrid's brief exchange had sparked inside of him the want to gloat.

"Pff! That puny thing? Let me show you a real scar!" He invited himself into the conversation. Propping a foot up on a nearby rock, he smugly pointed towards a jagged line on his inner thigh.

"Do you see that here? Got this one when I took a harpoon to the leg." Snotlout's ego simply oozed out of every spoken word. He was gloating and it looked like he had been waiting to do so for much too long.

"You did not!" Always ready to knock the Jorgenson right off the pedestal he liked to put himself on, the Thorston twins exited the spring as well. It was Ruffnut who spoke.

"Yeah, you got that scar when you accidentally destroyed that armory and that harpoon, that was just lying there, fell on you." Tuffnut followed swiftly.

"I did not! I-... Shut up, Tuffnut!" His pride hurt, Snotlout crossed his arms and looked away.

The twins grinned mischievously.

"Now check this out!" Both Ruff and Tuff pointed towards a particularly ugly-looking scar on the brother's side that didn't appear to be all that old. They were particularly happy with this one.

Walking closer, Hiccup couldn't help but notice something.

"Is that from... a Fireworm?" He asked, slightly worried.

"Uh-huh. Found some, tried to roll with them. You know how it is, being the feral dragon person that you are. Turns out they-"

"Have skin hot enough that it can melt flesh, yes, I'm aware." Tuffnut's exciting recount of the event did not help settle Hiccup's concern at all. If anything, he made a mental note to tell them which dragons to touch and which ones they should stay away from as far as humanly possible.

Or he should make that list in reverse. Knowing those two, Ruffnut and Tuffnut would absolutely seek out the ones they shouldn't ever come in contact with.

"And oh, Hiccup!" Ruffnut pulled on his sleeve excitedly before pointing towards her leg.

"And then there's this one I got on my leg from a fishing hook, that weird looking thing right here that I got when Tuff and I went Gronckle tipping-"

"That was you?!" Fishlegs' outrage was heard in an instance as Ruffnut decided to list each one of her own scars. Her body was quite littered with them.

"Yes, it was, Fishlegs! Pay attention!"

Hiccup didn't get to hear the end of their conversation as Astrid grabbed his shoulder to turn his attention towards her. She had taken note of Hiccup's stress levels rising significantly with each little anecdote Ruffnut shared and decided to save him before he bolted back towards his den where he could think of a way to "twin-proof" the island. She could see the want to do so on his face.

"You know, I had my suspicions, but they really haven't changed at all, have they?" Hiccup asked her, thankful for the save, and Astrid nodded.

"Unfortunately, they haven't. But don't worry about them, Fishlegs and I are keeping an eye out for them. And now you are too. They couldn't possibly be in any safer hands." Even after all of these months getting to know them after their reunion last year, Hiccup still wondered where this supportive side of Astrid had come from and why. He also wondered if she knew how much he appreciated it.

It made him remember that sometimes having other humans around could feel good.

There were the Defenders and the Wingmaidens, but Astrid, Fishlegs, Snotlout, Ruffnut, and Tuffnut came from a tribe that weren't originally on good terms with dragons. Dragon people were far and wide in between, at least in the far North, and sometimes a little reminder that the majority of humans weren't bad was a welcome perspective.

"I'll, uh, do my best to help." Hiccup gave her an awkward smile.

They had come here to live with him, after all. After some talking with their parents and Berk's Chief, they were here to help Hiccup and Toothless protect the dragons under their care and save the ones held captive by those that would do them wrong. They were living his life with the sole purpose of understanding it.

Although, Hiccup was well aware that there were some other, more hidden, intentions behind their actions. Hiccup knew for a fact, for example, that Stoick hoped his estranged son would reach out to him again. He wanted to reconnect, but so far he was respecting Hiccup’s need for space and time, which Hiccup was quite certain Gobber had something to do with.

"No! That one is so embarrassing!" Fishlegs yelped as he physically removed himself from Ruffnut and Tuffnut Thorston.

After the twin had run out of nicks and blemishes on their person, they decided to point out the Ingerman's. Ruffnut had taken this opportunity to say how "disappointingly untouched" he was.

It sent shivers down the spines of everyone present and Fishlegs already decided that he would spending that night with Meatlug in her nest.

"What about you?"

"Huh?"

Snotlout's question surprised Hiccup and he drew his gaze away from the three Riders.

"Do you have any scars?" Snotlout clarified his inquiry, he wasn't too happy that he needed to do so.

Hiccup was once again the center of attention, like he had been many times since the new Dragon Riders had come to live with him on what they called the "Better-than-Berk Berk".

Awkwardly, he gestured towards his prosthetic leg.

"Ugh, besides that! We know the story behind that one!" Jorgensons were often known for their temper and Snotlout was already annoyed.

Hiccup tugged on his tunic in discomfort, straightened it out as if possible crinkles mattered to him. They were all waiting on him and gazing at him expectantly. It had been a long while since he'd last felt this uncomfortable with his own body and yet the wave of embarrassment was a familiar one.

Dragons didn't care about his body. At least, the ones here didn't. He knew Toothless didn't. The Night Fury was never bothered by how weak and scrawny his partner looked, not even back when they first met. As a result, Hiccup never needed to care either.

But humans... Humans cared. A lot, from what he could remember.

"I don't..." Not even his hands quite knew what they were trying to say.

"You don't have to show us anything." Astrid decided to speak up as she took a step forward. Her hand was on his shoulder again.

"Oh, come on!"

"Is this about being scrawny? You're not that scrawny anymore! Honest!"

"And you're tall, H! Tall, handsome, and... Broad's not the word I'm looking for." The protest was instant. The only one who wasn't opposed to Hiccup listening to his boundaries was Fishlegs.

"Hiccup doesn't have to show us if he doesn't want to." Astrid hissed, unconsciously grasping for an axe that wasn't there with the way her fist clenched. She scolded the three of them. The other Riders muttered and two of them crossed their arms in disappointment. One even pouted.

Next to Astrid, however, Hiccup sighed and silently nodded to himself. He came to a decision and grabbed the back of his tunic to remove it.

"Hiccup?"

"You've shown me yours, I show you mine, right? It's only fair. And I'm doing this of my own free will. So don't worry about it." Though Hiccup tried to reassure her, Astrid's slight unease did not immediately fade away.

She felt compelled to look away at the slightest show of skin. It was unlike her, but as the tunic came off and all that remained was the leather pants, she didn't think there was any other choice.

"Damn, Haddock! Dragon riding did you good!" Ruffnut instantly piped up and Fishlegs even nodded in agreement. Snotlout was speechless, which was a feat in and of itself, and Tuffnut said something along the lines of having found someone even hotter than the skin-melting hides of Fireworms.

"Ah, thank you?" Hiccup hadn't expected any positive reactions, he'd expected neutral ones at best, but he would take it. It did his self-esteem some good. At least, for the time being.

Daring herself to look, Astrid finally willed her gaze to fall back on Hiccup and she saw what they all saw.

There were the tons and tons of freckles they already knew he had, but what was new was his figure as it was no longer scrawny as it was more toned instead. His muscles definitely weren't defined, but they were still unmistakenly there. Deceptively powerful in a lean and sleek design, that is what Astrid's keen eyes saw.

And something else that they knew weren't there before were the many, many scars on his body. For the amount alone, he had them all beat. Even Ruffnut!

As that sunk in, Astrid grew quiet while the others were delighted. Ruff, Tuff, and Snotlout in particular. As a warrior, she had numerous imperfections of her own, but she could at least say that none of them originated from a brutal whipping.

The marks on his upper back, she'd seen them before on other people and she'd heard their stories.

How vicious had it been that it created wounds that scarred? Like that especially? And more importantly, how old was he when he got them? The mostly straight lines were white, meaning they have probably been there a while already.

"So, huh, which- which one should I talk about first?" The overwhelming attention made Hiccup flush, hands not knowing what they wanted to do. And it was, for once, not in an entirely bad way. If anything, it encouraged him to open up to them even more.

Astrid pushed her new realizations to the back of her mind for the time being. She would approach the Dragon Master about them later. In privacy. The others didn't need to know that particular story in case Hiccup didn't want them to know. And if he didn't want her to know either, then so be it. She was willing to accept that.

Another reason was that Astrid didn't want this fragile trust he had in them now to break simply because they were asking questions for answers Hiccup may not want to give.

So she came to stand in front of Hiccup and scanned his body from head to toe, searching for a tale he may want to share.

Meanwhile, Hiccup needed to tell himself to breathe as she looked him over. Once upon a time, he had made himself believe he'd gotten over his crush on Astrid after leaving Berk, but her stay here certainly disproved that.

"Let's start with... These! On your hands!" Astrid suggested and took Hiccup's hands into her own. He splayed them open, palm up. They were certainly calloused from years of blacksmithing, a skill he had continued to sharpen as he did have his very own forge here on the island. But besides the callouses, the surface showed small burn scars as well.

"Oh, these!" Seeing them, Hiccup's awkwardness melted away and the biggest grin appeared on his face. It was the brightest expression they'd seen him wear thus far. Astrid and Fishlegs smiled in response.

"I've told you guys about the hatchlings Toothless and I sometimes take in, right?" They all nodded simultaneously. If there was something Hiccup liked to boast about it were his hatchlings. Some of which were still here on the island with them and others which occasionally dropped by for a visit.

"There was this one abandoned little Nightmare that we hatched and raised. She was late, so I think her parents had given up on her. This one day she discovered she could light herself up on command and... Well, I was holding her at the time." Hiccup chuckled at the memory. That same Nightmare was one of those that had taken up residence on this island.

"It scared her so bad because she thought I was fireproof this whole time and Toothless scolded her for so long! Ah, the burns were terrible, but I couldn't stay mad at her, you know? I named her Fiery because of what happened." He was going to end it there. If he didn't, he would still be talking about her hours later. He loved her so much, just like every single other dragon juvenile he'd ever taken care of and raised by hand.

But just because he wouldn't talk about Fiery, didn't mean he wouldn't talk about a different dragon of his.

"And this one," He pointed towards a bite mark on his right arm. It wasn't particularly big, but it looked like it must've once hurt, but the smile on his face didn't vanish. This one was another good memory.

"I got this one from Trouble, a Zippleback. They loved playing growing up, but then one of the heads got a little too playful during a play-fight and bit me instead of just nipping me. It was an accident, but they kept bringing me fish for an entire week as an apology." A joyous laugh escaped him.

"You could say he got a little... bitey." Snotlout was very proud of himself, but his pun was not a welcome one. Nobody laughed, they just stared.

"Shut up, Fishlegs."

"I didn't even say anything!"

"Still, shut up!"

Astrid rolled her eyes and Hiccup shook his head, but more so out of amusement. Meanwhile, the twins needed to be stopped before they started a contest of puns just to show the dishonorable Jorgenson who the real pun masters were. There was no room on this island for more than two masters in the art of wordplay.

"Ooh, what is this one?" Fishlegs was the next one to speak up. He only had eyes for the strange scarring on Hiccup's right. They looked like veins, or like red lightning etched into his skin. Like a tattoo. It started on his shoulder and went down his chest.

"Oh, that one! Yeah, I, uh, I got hit by lightning this one time when Toothless and I got caught in a thunderstorm in the middle of the ocean. Yeah, so... that- that happened." He was slightly more awkward about that one and Snotlout was wholly disappointed a mark as cool as that didn't come with an equally awesome story.

He muttered a silent "geez". That was how much he felt let down. A corrective punch by Astrid followed swiftly.

The twins were slightly more excited to have heard about that one incident that had turned their fellow Rider into a human lightning rod.

"Oh yeah, I imagine the two of you need to be careful. You both carry a lot of metal with you as you fly." Fishlegs added helpfully. Hiccup had told them of how metal was naturally attracting to lightning. It was something he had found out the hard way and more than once, apparently.

"So what about the scar here?" Tuffnut asked, pointing to the rather ugly one on the other's chin. Hiccup didn't know when the Thorston had pulled his pant leg up.

Or where his boot had gone for that matter.

Either way, Tuffnut figured Ugly marks were bound to have a nice and gruesome backstory.

Hiccup’s smile, that first appeared as genuine and then became more awkward, made way for a cringe. Just the thought of what had caused this particular blemish on his person made him wince. His slightly hunched posture told of his nervousness.

It was still very pink in coloration, indicating that it couldn't have been that old yet.

"Um, we, uh... We crashed. Some strong winds caught Toothless' wings. I broke my leg. The bone was out. Needed to set it myself, but couldn't. So Hookfang did it for me. It was very painful." There were no details, his sentences were short and to the point, and still, the faces of everyone present pulled into a grimace.

"That... could not have been a fun time," Ruffnut stated and the others agreed. Even she got goosebumps just imagining what that must've been like.

"Couldn't walk for so long. I actually just got back up on my feet when you guys sent me that T-mail asking me if you could come live here with us." Just thinking back to the time spent in bed simply because the dragons forbid him from getting up made Hiccup feel restless. Like he needed to strap the saddle to Toothless and go for a flight with him right this instance.

This, however, explained some things to the Riders. When they had first moved to the "Better Than Berk" Berk, Hiccup did seem to fatigue easily at the beginning of their stay and there had been no news of any recent rescue missions that had taken place before their arrival.

Usually, they heard about all sorts of rumors from seafaring merchants and such. That Hiccup needed some time to recover would be one reason why it had been strangely quiet on the grapevine concerning the Dragon Master.

"Is it...?" Astrid pointed to his leg.

"Oh, don't worry about it! It's good now! I'm good now! It just hurts when I run for too long."

"Define how much "for too long" is."

"Anyway, anything else you guys want to know?" Instead of answering Fishlegs' query, Hiccup gazed at three of the other Riders, who had been surprisingly silent.

Hiccup took a seat on a nearby rock. It most definitely didn't have anything to do with what they had just discussed.

Attempting to shrug away the tension that hung in the atmosphere, Snotlout and the twins circled him and looked him over. It was slightly uncomfortable for Hiccup, but if there was something they wanted to know, he was willing to share.

Fishlegs and Astrid had heard enough for the time being, though they did not leave.

"These!" Snotlout picked next.

Hiccup looked over his left shoulder to look at the scars Snotlout was referring too. He could barely see them, but he knew which ones the other was talking about.

"Got those from a dragon. Which I'm sure is quite obvious. This one time Trouble had wandered into a different dragon's territory and they weren't too happy about it. It was a Monstrous Nightmare and a very territorial one at that. She was about to nest and she didn't want any competition." Hiccup rubbed his shoulder. That Nightmare had found a good den and thought Trouble and Hiccup had come to steal it.

Many dragons Hiccup had met in life were good and kind beings, but there were some rotten apples he was unfortunate enough to come across. Most dragons did not hurt young juveniles.

So Hiccup remembered that incident with some unease, but Snotlout, meanwhile, looked back at those scars and was stunned.

They were claw marks that ran from his upper back all the way down to his hips. Had the claws responsible been just a tad bit more to the right, they would've taken Hiccup's spine.

Just like Astrid and Fishlegs, he was starting to have enough.

Hiccup seemed to notice. Snotlout didn't have any comments, he was now uncharacteristically quiet. But Hiccup had promised he would tell, so...

"What's this one?!" Ruffnut asked. Not having lost her curiosity just yet, she wanted to continue this interrogation as she poked at what once must've been a large gash on his right side, where his ribs were.

"That one I got from an axe, believe it or not! Got in over my head with some Dragon Hunters back when this one guy called Krogan was still alive. He was... a very cruel man. Said that, if I wanted to live like a dragon, I needed to be put down like a dragon. But I survived! So that's good!" Hiccup was slightly hesitant as he answered. His apprehension grew when he watched true horror appear on the faces of even the twins.

Suddenly, listening to Hiccup talk about several different incidents that each lead to horrific injury after horrific injury wasn't as appealing anymore.

Hiccup thought to himself that it was a good thing he wasn't naked, or they would've seen some other disfigurements he was still hiding.

Tuffnut raised his finger, as if he wanted to speak, but then lowered it again. It seemed like even he had enough by now. Hiccup wasn't kidding when he promised he was ready to tell them everything they wanted to know. And there were still quite a few scars they hadn't asked about.

Such as that thin vertical line on the right side of his abdomen. It wasn't all that short either. There were those odd spots on his lower back that looked like burns, but who knew what could cause a pattern such as that.

The Riders looked at one another, a look of new understanding on each of their faces.

Thinking of this lost Berkian as some crazy feral vigilante dragon-man had always been fun. After the years away, having fully devoted himself to dragons, he had adopted many draconic mannerisms. It was kooky, but amusing. As for the power he showed in battle, he and Toothless were like their own two-man army, you'd be an absolute fool to stand in their way. When he had first returned to Berk, they had been blown away by how much he had grown.

But now the Riders understood the kind of toll achieving such a strength and loyalty had on Hiccup, the pain he must've endured in his solo career as the Dragon Rider.

He had his dragons and they used their claws and fiery breath to keep him safe, but he didn't have any humans around. Each new injury Hiccup had to tend to himself, no matter how life-threatening.

He had human allies, such as the Defenders and the Wingmaidens, but they were never around. They didn't travel as much or as far as Hiccup did. In this manner, Hiccup was almost like their scout, their eyes in places they could not see. In return, they were a safe haven Hiccup was always welcome in, but couldn't always reach.

So Astrid figured the question she was about to ask was a fair one. Considering all their friend had gone through already in his short life, she didn't feel like she could rest easy without knowing that he was okay.

She came to stand before him while everyone else had moved away, her hand ghosting over a considerably large gash on his front that could only be caused by another dragon. It was another horrible tale, another stain on what they thought for so long had been a happy-go-lucky life without any care, stress, or worry. It would remain untold until the day the Riders got the heart to learn more.

Hiccup pushed himself back up on his feet, brows furrowed in concern.

"Hiccup... Are you sure you won't come back to Berk with us? Come back home? For good?" It was quiet at the hot spring. By now, they had all forgotten why they had come here in the first place. Something about going swimming and reconnecting with someone from their childhood.

Hiccup didn't know what to say as this question was asked. His gaze traveled to look at the others and he could see that they shared this sentiment with her. They wanted him to move back to Berk with them, permanently, and leave the home he had built here.

Some of these injuries were received after Hiccup had first returned to Berk. He could've been out there fighting with them, injured, and they would have no idea. He could've been suffering from fevers and infections while they had been in their cozy homes, enjoying the company of friends and family, of people with opposable thumbs who could help should trouble ever arise.

Tonight had been a revealing one for them.

But Hiccup already knew his answer.

"I... can't."

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Later that evening, with the moon high in the sky, Hiccup sat on the ledge of the entrance to the den he shared with Toothless, a knee pulled up to his chest.

It was a considerably sized cave in the side of a mountain that they found when they had first come to this island. There were very clear signs of both a dragon and a human living here. While it stayed mostly untouched, there was a large stone slab covered with piles of fur, there was a wall covered in paper with sketches and blueprints, there was a desk filled with parts and tools, and so much more.

It was quite high up from the base and the way there was steep too. Without a flying reptile for a best bud, it was hard to reach. That is what made it so perfect.

Fully clothed again, Hiccup had retreated here after a very tense dip in one of the hot springs with his human friends. Not feeling like sleeping yet, at night he was usually awake after having grown accustomed to Toothless' way of life, he was instead staring up to the sky and the stars.

He contemplated the events of the day, the things he'd said, and the Riders' reaction to them.

He thought he was doing the right thing by telling them all they wanted to know. He kept his life the past five years mostly hidden even when the others had come, he thought finally coming clean would strengthen their bond as the Dragon Riders. Instead, he got them to worry for him.

Honestly, he had never realized just how hard life had been on him. Even with all physical reminders blemishing his skin.

Toothless dropping his head heavily on Hiccup's lap pulled him out of his thoughts. It had been done on purpose. He crooned in question and looked up to his Rider.

When he only smiled and then proceeded to stroke the top of the dragon’s head, Toothless figured a more direct approach was needed to get Hiccup to talk.

So he picked his Rider up and all but threw him off the ledge and into their shared den. Hiccup landed with a grunt. Dragons weren't known for their gentle nature. Especially when they happened to have a close of a bond as Hiccup and Toothless had and regularly played rough with each other.

“Toothless!” Hiccup rubbed his backside.

The Night Fury gazed at him and roared in protest. It was his way of asking him what was up.

Hiccup let out a sigh as he crossed his legs. Toothless moved closer to sit down in front of him. He was quite a bit bigger than the human. Hiccup looked like he was contemplating something and Toothless wasn't pushing him. He knew his Rider would tell him when he was ready. There was hardly anything the two kept from each other, even during times when what they wanted to say to the other could not be said.

Hiccup looked up to his best friend.

"I think I did something bad, Bud. It's- it's nothing serious. I was... I was just thinking."

Toothless gave him a look and seemed to be saying "when you think it's always serious." It was an expression Hiccup often saw.

"Okay, fair point. I guess." Hiccup shrugged.

“I-I... You knew they wanted me to join them at the hot springs, right? They asked me about my scars and- and it made them really worried for my safety and..." He grew silent again and swallowed a lump in his throat.

"Do you, um... Do you think we should go back to Berk, Bud?” Hiccup finally spoke what was on his mind. Toothless cocked his head to one side.

“I-I mean, we only went back because of Viggo. And then we kept coming back whenever they needed us and-and then whenever there was a celebration or a holiday and they asked us to come... And then the Riders decided to come live here and see things from my perspective… And...” He let out a deep sigh and looked back up to his dragon, who gazed back at him with a look of understanding. He was allowing him to let it all out first.

"We have it good here, Bud. We worked so hard on this place. We can't just leave it behind."

Toothless gave him a look and a purr. With his nose, he dove underneath Hiccup's tunic to nudge the long scar on his abdomen and Hiccup's sighed deeply. Another one he hadn't told the Riders about and it didn't have such a lovely tale either. It was the one Astrid had not dared to touch.

It was caused by a Skrill they once had a scuffle with. She had been exceptionally cruel, like a dragon version of Krogan, and had come to their island in search of trouble. She had come specifically to challenge Hiccup and Toothless, this pack's alphas.

The Night Fury and the Rider won, but it had been a terrifying battle. She had been big, strong, and relentless. The fight had not ended well for her, much to Hiccup's regret. Though, he knew she left them no choice.

Hiccup was beginning to realize nearly every scar's story was a scary one. Toothless was right, the Dragon Riders did have a reason to worry for him. Hiccup knew he would've if any of them got hurt as often as he did.

He pulled a knee up to his chest and wrapped an arm around it. He looked off to the side.

He shook his head.

"No, we can't leave. This is my home, Toothless. It's our home. I-I can't leave." Toothless was comfortable with that answer and he wasn't about to argue with Hiccup. Whether on Berk or here, he wanted to be wherever Hiccup wanted to be.

That was wherever he was the most comfortable and it was clear he wasn't ready yet to return to the human settlement he was born and raised in.

Hiccup's history with fellow humans was not a good one. Toothless knew this.

He brushed with his cheek against Hiccup's as an approving gesture. Hiccup smiled. He could count on Toothless for anything.

"I'm gonna go to bed, Bud. I'm beat." As if on cue, Hiccup let out a loud yawn. After getting used to Toothless' sleeping schedule, trying to stay up during most of the day for his Riders and then the night for his dragon was proving to be a difficult feat. He was tired, exhausted. For once, he longed for his bed.

Toothless seemed to agree. As Hiccup got up to his feet, the dragon pushed him forward with the flat of his head. The former chuckled as he made his way over to the furs and promptly dropped down on top of them on his back.

Lifting his leg, Hiccup undid his prosthetic before moving further up on the pile to curl up and Toothless, who had been staying up together with him, wrapped himself around the other. He was tired as well.

Hiccup smiled up to the Night Fury and received a lick on the entire right side of his face. He groaned, but it didn't wipe his grin away as he wiped the slobber off. Grabbing Toothless' chin, Hiccup briefly touched Toothless' forehead with his own and the latter closed his eyes and purred. It was their good night and their good morning.

Rolling back onto his other side, Hiccup rested his head on his arm.

He tried to close his eyes so he could sleep, but found that something was keeping him awake. Smile replaced by a frown, he couldn't stop thinking about his evening with the Riders.

He wanted to stay, he really did. This island was his home, a place for both him and his dragons where they would all be safe. It was high up, a place only those with wings could reach.

And yet, something was nagging at him. Something was bothering him and he wasn't quite sure what.

It wasn't necessarily moving back to Berk that troubled him. He wasn't so keen on doing so, but it wasn't his main concern.

Was it the realization that his life, so far, had been difficult?

He feared water because of the sheer amount of times he had nearly drowned so far. He still avoided many human settlements and even contact for all his bad experiences with them. Berk, at some point, included. His friends even compared him to a "very skittish dragon" when they thought he wasn't around to hear it. It was true that, for as much as Hiccup trusted the Riders, he was still often cautious around them.

Rolling onto his other side to face Toothless, Hiccup scooted up to him. Without a single word spoken, the Night Fury wrapped himself tighter around him. He was already half asleep, but Hiccup coming closer wasn't lost on him.

Once comfortable, Hiccup figured he should follow his lead, and yet he still found sleep to be much too far away, in spite of his exhaustion.

He didn't want to go back to Berk, he really didn't. But this wasn't his first sleepless night, even with Toothless there to keep him safe.

He had to admit, far too many stories had been engraved into both his body and mind.

#httyd #httyd fanfic #hiccup #whump #toothless #httyd movies #rtte #race to the edge #hiccup haddock #hictooth #dragon bros #astrid hofferson #snotlout jorgenson #fishlegs ingerman #ruffnut thorston #tuffnut thorston #hiccup and the dragon riders #hiccup whump #implied whump #scars #trauma #implied trauma #au #alternate universe #hiccup left berk #my fanfics #the stories scars can tell

[awakening-girl]

Bloody Tears

(Author’s note. This was inspired by @teatitty and their awesome HCs, specifically the one about Diarmuid crying blood, but a lot of their HCs are mentioned.

Quick notes:

I love Fate, but I haven’t actually watched/read anything. Sorry if anything is OOC. Think of it as an AU if it helps.

Slight DiarCu, but it’s mostly at the end.

I’m using Ritsuka as the Master’s name. They/them pronouns.

Diarmuid here has not completely forgiven Fionn yet, he truly wants to though.

I’m also operating under the assumption that slight is the biggest contribution to Dia not getting that Holy Water(TM), even if Fionn regretted it instantly. Fionn is also not summoned yet, so they haven’t talked anything out yet.

Dia has had a bad day in general here, lots of self-loathing before the mission, bad memories + command seal trigger. I don’t touch on that, but that was my frame of mind when I wrote this.

This is like, the first thing I have ever posted. Constructive Criticism VERY appreciated.)

Diarmuid knows they'll be fine he knows it, but right now he can't believe it. They'll be fine, they'll be fine, they'll be fine. A mantra repeated wherever he goes in this godforsaken place. He hates it, he hates it, he hates it. All he wanted was to protect and serve his master like he couldn't do the last (two) times, he failed that too. He's a knight and he couldn't even protect the ones he holds so dear. Every time he closes his eyes he can see their body with that fresh, deep, red, lethal cut. Not that now is much better. The doctors are running diagnostics, so many things made of iron he gets migraines just being there but he stayed as long as he could, he had to be near his Master. He got kicked out after some time, no explanation given. Now he wanders the halls, listening to the pity of fellow spirits and staff. He can't do it anymore. 

He bolts as fast as he can down the hallway, down down down. Corridor 5 flashes by, as do 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. He stops at 10, hides in a little nook and climbs up on a crate. No one will find him here. This place hasn't been touched since they fixed the hole Beowulf made. Curling around himself, dog tags clinking slightly as they collide together he fights back a sob. He did everything perfectly! He was loyal, brave, just... he did everything perfectly and finally got his reward. A master to serve who never held him in contempt, who understood what he'd been through and didn't blame him. Didn't abandon him. And then, they were at death's door because he couldn't spot something so obvious!

Diramuid grabs his tags and chokes back another sob. He's shaking, and he hates it, he hates crying. He runs through everything he can think of to calm himself down, but he always comes back to one memory. His dear foster father Aenghus telling him that his tears are unnatural. That he cries as if his eyes bleed. In hindsight, Diarmuid understands that his father was simply warning him not to cry in front of human strangers, but as a child it imprinted. He became scared of letting anyone see him cry, to let anyone see his face as it dried. Vulnerability was a concept he didn't allow himself to personify. His father’s face flashes again and the first drops fall. Green stains red as he tries his best to stop it. To stop crying blood. He can't even hear anything until he sees a flash of blue. 

Diarmuid wipes his eyes again and looks down. A lancer stares up at him. "Hey, you okay Dia?" A soft voice asks. F*ck. Of all the people to see him, it had to be Cú. Handsome, cool, confident, amazing Cú. Just his luck. Diarmuid lowers his face into his knees. "I'm fine." He hoped it wouldn't come out chocked, but fate never seems to take him into account. Cú doesn't seem to notice. "Are you sure? Everyone is shaken up by Ritsuka’s injury. I thought you might take it worse than some other people." Of course. This is just Cú showing pity- "I know you were there when it happened. Those guys are tough as nails. All your focus was on the front or you, and Ritsuka would have been killed. You did your best, who knew that there was an assassin hiding in the woods? You did your absolute best, and that's all that matters." Another sob escapes from Diarmuid’s grasp. That gets Cú's attention. "Hey, are you crying?" Sh*t sh*t sh*t. "No... You're just imagining things." Diarmuid hugs himself a little closer, barley looking at Cú. He does manage to catch how Cú's expression softens. "You are, aren't you? Damn, I should have noticed it earlier."

The blue-haired lancer climbed up on the crate, perching himself right next to Diarmuid. He places a gentle hand on Diarmuid's back and Diarmuid can't choose between flinching away or leaning into the heat, so he freezes in place instead. Cú moves closer, closer, too close. If he wasn't focusing everything on not crying in front of his childhood crush he might have squealed. He doesn't know what would be worse, crying or squealing. "C'mon Diarmuid. It's okay, it's not your fault. Ritsuka is gonna be okay, they're strong." Diarmuid wants to believe him, to agree, instead, he turns his head away. Cú just gently turns his head towards him, a soft gracing the Ulster warriors features. "You know I'm always here for you right?" You know I'm always here for you right? That was all that was needed to break any defense Diarmuid could muster. His resolve crumbled to pieces in seconds. He started sobbing without remorse, choking from the power of an opened floodgate. Blood flowed freely from his eyes now. "Oh..." Diarmuid can feel himself being pulled into a hug, any thought of putting up resistance had vanished since long, instead, he complies and lets his head rest against Cú's chest.  His bloody tears stains every surface it touches, but the curly-haired lancer isn't in the right mind to notice. He cries and cries and cries, letting himself cry for all those times he hed it in, for his masters' betrayals and deaths, for everything and nothing, for the sake of crying. It's a strange feeling, pure relief washing over him. Cú sits there, whispering comforting words in Irish while stroking his back. The Child of Lights natural heat comforting for a lancer with skin so cold.

They sit there for what feels like hours, Diarmuid's sobs weakening to small hiccups. "You know, it's kinda cool how you cry blood." Diarmuid scoffs. "Yeah right." The blood on his face has dried, making two large streaks down to his chin. It almost looks like warpaint, nicely contrasted with skin paler than usual. The personal guard dog of Ulster simply smiles a toothy grin. "I'm serious! It looks cool, like your main character in one of those video games." The fae-raised child laughed at that. "You and I have seen very different video games." "Alright, a violent video game then. Happy?" Diarmuid nods. "Yeah. Thanks. And... I'm sorry, you really shouldn't have seen me in such a state. That was... not proper of me." Cú just shakes his head. "Nah, that's what friends are for. Besides, you looked like you needed that." Right, they're friends, Diarmuid smiles at that. "Right," he looks down on the blue lancer's shirt and chuckles, "I think I owe you a new shirt though." "Hm?" Cú looks down. Two big splotches of dried blood reside near the middle of Cú's chest. "Oh, that's nothing a good wash and some hydrogen peroxide can fix." The older of the pair climb down, motioning for the other to follow. "C'mon Dia, everyone is worried about you. Let's go back, I'll make you some honeyed toast." That got the other man's attention. He jumps down from the crate and lands next to Cú. "Pff- You do love that stuff." Diarmuid playfully jabs the other man. "Yeah, it's delicious, not that you would ever know, you refuse to try it." Cú begins to walk away, grabbing Diarmuid by the hand. "Well, I'll try it after my shirt is washed. Promise." Diarmuid suddenly laughs. "Hahaha! You realized that you made a promise to a fae right?" Said promise maker just turns back with a smile. "And I am in the habit of keeping my promises. Not going to break that one just yet."

"Hey..." Cú stops and turns towards Diarmuid. "Hm? What is it, Dia?" Diarmuid just smiled, the most sincere one the Ulster child has seen from the other. "Thank you for everything... Sétanta."

Cú Chulainn's brain shortcircuited that day.

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

#DiarCu #DiaCu #long post #oneshot #Fate #Fate Grand Order #Sorry it's not very good ^^'

[orwocolor]

Love Thy Neighbour - Chapter Two

Pairing: Gwilym Lee x Reader

Word Count: 3.1k

Warnings: Nothing.

Summary: Party time! Gwilym hosts a housewarming party and you’re one of the guests.

Author’s Note: Feedback is always appreciated :) Check my masterlist to find the preceding parts. As always, this fic is dedicated to @justgwilym.

“So, I thought that we should surprise Charlotte and throw her a birthday party,” Jane announces as soon as you pick up your phone.

“Yeah, that sounds great! Is it gonna be just an ordinary birthday party or something themed?” You hitch your bag up your shoulder and take three grocery bags into a hand while pressing the phone to your ear so that you can hear Jane. The traffic around you is crazy today. Honking of horns and a swear word here and there from nervous drivers create a cacophony of sounds in which those you wish to hear die down.

“I beg your pardon, my dear, but no celebration I hold is ordinary,” Jane scoffs and you roll your eyes.

“Ok, but is it going to be themed or not? If you want to force me into a disco-themed outfit like the last time, I wanna know beforehand, so I can pretend illness.”

“Hush, you loved it.”

You chuckle into your phone while you wait for the green light.

“But no, I plan on–” Jane’s words on the other end are drowned by the roar of a passing motorcycle.  

“Sorry, what?” you shout. Your bag keeps sliding down your shoulder and you huff as you fail to hoist it up, with one hand grasping your phone and the other full as well, as the handles of the plastic bags dig into your skin.

“I said,” Jane raises her voice to the maximum and you jerk your head away from the phone. You pity everyone who’s standing right next to her when the volume is enough for your ear to start ringing, “I plan on throwing a themed party, however, there are no costumes required.”  

“Oh, thank God!” You push your way through a group of teenagers and reach your home. “Hang on, I just…” You’re trying to figure out how to unlock and open the main door with all the stuff that you’re carrying and the phone in your hands. Jane continues in her monologue as if you didn’t say anything, but you pay her little attention. You squeeze the mobile in between your ear and shoulder, twisting your neck in a most uncomfortable angle. While the grocery bags form deep dark red lines on your right hand, you unzip the bag on your shoulder with the left, but as you dig down to fish your keys, the bag skids down the smooth material of your jacket and you barely catch it before it drops down.

You see a movement on the other side of the door through a long glass windowpane, but your own reflection blocks out the view. Suddenly, the door opens as if on its own accord.

“Hello,” Gwil greets you with a wide smile on his face and holds the door for you to come in.

“Thanks,” you mouth as Jane continues to list all perks of the last birthday party you organised for Charlotte.

“And what was so bad about your outfit? It was perfect!” she argues, quite poorly, in your opinion.

“Let’s just say that the days of me wearing spandex bell-bottoms are long gone.”

Gwilym snorts and gives you an amused look, his eyes sparkling with mirth.

“What? Why?”

“Look, I gotta go, I’ll call you later and we’ll plan everything, okay?”

Placing the bags on the floor, you say your goodbye and hang up the phone.

“Hi,” you greet Gwil properly, tossing your phone into your bag and finally digging out the keys.

“I’ll help you,” he says as you move to lift the plastic bags, but Gwil beats you to it and grasps the handles easily in his large hand.

“Thanks! And thanks for the door, too, you’re a lifesaver.” Your eyes skim over your mailbox, but there are no mails poking out of it. Good.

“You’re welcome,” he says as you begin to climb the stairs, side by side, and his lips curve in a smile matching your own. “I would just like to clarify that I was just collecting my mail when I saw you struggling out there,” he shows you the envelopes in his grasp, “I wasn’t lurking in the shadows, waiting for your arrival or anything.”

“Well, but now it sounds like you did exactly that,” you dead-pan and enjoy the way his eyebrows raise in shock.

“I really didn’t, I swear,” he protests with vigour and you can’t resist a grin.

“The lady doth protest too much, methinks,” you laugh as you reach the second floor. “I’m only teasing you,” you smirk, and he breathes a sigh of relief, a light shade of pink gracing his cheeks.

“So,” you start, “is tomorrow still on?”

“Yes, absolutely! There’ll be a few of my friends and colleagues, but nothing too big.”

“Should I bring something? A housewarming gift? What do you even like?” Damn it, you probably should, right? It would be rude to attend a party and give nothing to the host.

“Just bring your lovely self and I’ll be happy,” he flashes you a smile.

“Pff, please! That’s so cheesy! But okay, if you don’t wanna tell, I’ll figure it out myself.”

Reaching your floor, he hands you the bags and pulls out his keys.

“See you tomorrow, then.”

“At seven?”

“At seven,” he confirms.

“Bye,” you smile and turn the key in the door.

“Just one question,” Gwilym says in a suddenly very serious tone, which makes you expect the worst, “spandex bell-bottoms?”

You laugh out loud. “Don’t ask!”

~

It’s a quarter to eight when you finally get out of your apartment and ring the doorbell at Gwil’s. You didn’t want to arrive among the first guests; you wanted to be fashionably late. Okay, okay, forty-five minutes is hardly fashionable, but who could blame you? You did not dare to come when there were only a few of his friends. The only person, except for Gwil, that you know is Ben and you had to make sure that he would be there by the time you appeared. But you didn’t wish to watch the party guests heading to the flat 3C through a peephole like some kind of a pervert. So, while you were waiting, you busied yourself around your apartment, tidied up the kitchen, organised the one shelf in the hall which had been driving you up the wall every time you saw the mess inside, and watered your plants.

“You’re late,” are the first words that leave Gwil’s mouth the moment he opens the door and music reaches your ears.

You squint your eyes and nod your head. “I know, I’m sorry. There’s been a traffic jam.”

“A traffic jam. Between your flat and mine.” A small smile is playing on his lips and you catch yourself staring at his mouth. Blinking, you snap out of your daydreaming and focus on the conversation at hand.

“Uh-huh. It was awful! You should have seen it.”

“Right,” he chuckles and makes a motion for you to come in.

“Y/N!”

“Ben! Good to see you!” The blonde man wraps you in a bear hug and sways with you from side to side. It’s a bit unexpected, but once he lets go of you, you notice the bottle of beer and you guess it’s probably not his first this evening.

(What you miss, however, is the silent conversation Ben and Gwil have over your shoulder. Gwil’s eyes widen as Ben throws himself at you, and he gives him a confused, what-are-you-doing look. But all Ben does in response is raise his eyebrows in a manner that could only be translated as and-what-are-you-gonna-do-about-it.)

“I think we haven’t been introduced yet,” an unknown voice says, and you turn after the sound. You’re met with a sweet smile, kind eyes, a pointy nose, and a tuft of auburn hair. “I’m Joe, pleasure to meet you.” He squeezes your offered hand and his thumb gently strokes your inner wrist.

“Hi, I’m Y/N, Gwil’s neighbour.”

“Now, you seem like a really nice girl,” he begins and you’re listening intently, curious where this is going, “I’ve known you for only a few seconds but I can tell that you’re a good person and I don’t want you to come to harm. So, please, please, do not eat the salmon canapés. Instead, try the bruschetta, which is, in my humble opinion, far more superior. Trust me, I know what I’m talking about.” He puts a hand on your shoulder, nodding solemnly.

“Nah, someone’s just a sore loser and can’t accept that people prefer my delicious canapés,” Ben explains, “because the bruschetta he talks about? It’s inedible and guess who made it.”

“How dare you, inedible?” Joe puts his hand on his chest in faking a heart attack, “you’re gonna pay for that, Hardy!”

“I forgot to order some food that the guests could nibble on, so I asked these two idiots to bring something. Should have known that this was going to change into a pissing contest,” Gwilym whispers into your ear, leaning down to you while Ben and Joe keep bickering.

“Well, I’m having fun,” you admit, and he gives you an appreciative smile. “By the way, here’s something for you.”

You pull two gift bags from behind your back and pass them to him.

“I told you not to,” he says but quickly opens them to see what’s inside.

“I wasn’t sure whether you preferred red or white, so I’ve brought both,” you tell him, all of a sudden unsure and nervous.

“I love red, but I’ve never turned down any wine. Thank you. And what’s in this?”

He takes out a neatly wrapped parcel with a dark green ribbon tied around. Delicately unsticking the tapes that hold the cardboard-brown paper together, he unwraps it without tearing it and inspects the front cover of a book. You bite your lower lip and hold your breath, waiting for his reaction.

“The Invoice by Jonas Karlsson. Wait, isn’t he the one who wrote The Room?”

“Yes! You know him?” Your heart is pounding and you can’t believe your ears. What are the odds that Gwil would know one of your most favourite authors?

“Of course, he’s excellent! Thank you so much, I’ve been meaning to buy it for ages now!” He leafs through it briefly and almost starts bouncing on the balls of his feet. “It would probably be rude to just disappear and go read it, huh? Don’t answer,” he chuckles and turns around to put the book into his bookshelf. “Come, I’ll introduce you to my friends.”

He walks you around his living room, always stopping by small groups of people. Their names are forgotten the moment they utter them as it usually is in gatherings like these when you’re met with a lot of people in a short span of time. One of the few who catches your attention is Gwil’s brother Geraint, who, according to Gwil, wasn’t invited and decided to stop by anyway.

“Can you believe that my little brother did not send me an invite to his housewarming party? Me, who actually helped him to move in? The audacity.” He shakes his head at Gwil and gives him a playful shove. What you can’t believe is someone describing Gwilym as ‘little’, since he’s anything but that. Truth be told, Geraint is probably an inch taller than his brother, but still.

“I thought you were gonna be home with the kids?”

“Shannon’s with them. I wouldn’t have missed this,” he winks.

Eventually, you end up with Ben and Joe while Gwilym tends his other guests. With a glass of wine in your hand, you look around his flat. It’s identical to yours in terms of the room arrangement, the only exception the wall that separates the living room space from the kitchen. It’s not exactly what you imagined, though. You don’t know why, but you expected a lot of grayscale tones and minimalism. Probably because Gwil looks like he’s a model who just stopped posing for a photoshoot, even whilst wearing a plain white t-shirt and jeans. No, his living room is decorated in brown, gold and green hues with a lot of knick-knacks on every flat surface. Postcards that his friends have sent from all over the world, playbills from plays he’s been in, small clay figures and drawings that his nephews and nieces have made for him, and all sorts of keepsakes.

Even though he’s been living in this flat for only a fortnight, it is apparent that he’s taken great care to make the place his home. Yes, there are still some unopened boxes hidden from prying eyes of his guests, but the flat is already homely. (Look, it was an accident that you caught a glimpse of them when you were passing his bedroom and he had forgotten to close the door.)

“So, you’re leaving in two days?”

“Yeah, need to head back home,” Joe replies, “but first, these two are going to do a pub crawl with me!” He slings his arm around Ben’s shoulder and kisses him on a cheek, “wanna join us?” His words are slightly slurred and he shifts his weight so that he basically leans against Ben.

“Sorry, I can’t. I’ve got a movie night with my friends.”

“Really? What are you guys going to watch?” Ben asks as he pushes Joe to a nearby chair.

“Don’t know yet. We’re coming over to Charlotte’s place so she’s the one who has the right to pick something.”

“Okay guys, screw you, I’m gonna watch something with Charlotte,” Joe howls from the chair.

“Nobody’s invited you, mate,” Ben chuckles and notices Gwil watching you three intently from the other side of the room. Now or never. “Erm, Y/N?” he asks and leans closer to you, “can I ask you something?” he whispers and you involuntarily shorten the distance between you, so that you can hear him.

“Yeah, sure, what is it?” you frown, finding the shift in the mood weird.

He puts his warm palm on your bare arm and starts stroking it slowly.

“I need you to do something for me.”

“Y/N! I think you haven’t tasted the cake, yet!” You and Ben jump away from each other as Gwilym suddenly materialises right next to you.

“There’s a cake?”

“Yes, there is, come on,” he insists and leads you far away from Ben.

“What are you doing?” Joe asks, confused.

“Trust me,” Ben answers, mischief sparkling in his eyes and a delighted smile on his face.

“Wow, Gwil, it looks amazing!” you say when you enter the kitchen and spot the cake on the counter, ready to be cut. It’s a naked chocolate cake with mascarpone, blueberries and raspberries. Gwilym has also put several edible flowers to create a delicate look.

“Thanks,” he blushes and rubs the back of his neck.

“And you made it?” He says yes and you’re astonished. “You need to give me the recipe. It’s incredible! My friend’s gonna have a birthday soon and I would love to make something like that for her.”

“Sure,” he smiles and after a few minutes of contemplation he adds, “or I could help you make it if you want.”

“Yes! You’re the best. Thank you.”

He pulls out a sharp knife out of the knife holder. “Would you do the honours?”

“See, it’s clear you don’t know me that much otherwise you wouldn’t trust me with sharp objects,” you laugh, taking the knife from his hand.

“I’ll take my chances,” he chuckles and lays out a bunch of dessert plates.

Working side by side, you cut the cake and place each piece on one of the plates. Every time a blueberry falls of and rolls on the counter, you play a game of catching it and promptly eating it. The first time your fingers brush Gwil’s, you’re quick to draw your hand away and let him win that round. There are no electric shocks or sparks, but the mere touch of his skin makes your breath hitch and your hands slightly tremble. But then it happens again, and again, and soon you’re grinning and nudging each other’s shoulders.

“Here, have a bite.” Gwil pushes a fork of cake towards your face and you willingly open your mouth.

The soft texture of the sponge perfectly combines with the mascarpone and the fruit provides a tang of sourness, complementing the sweetness of the chocolate cake. You catch yourself moaning involuntarily around the fork, which makes you absolutely thunderstruck, your eyes snapped wide and a shock written in your face.

“You have a bit of mascarpone…” Gwilym says and brings his thumb to a corner of your lips. However, he stops immediately, only a few millimetres away from your skin.

The door swings open out of nowhere and the bubble you have created around yourselves pops.

“Hey guys, how are you?” Joe’s smiling face pokes out of the living room, his cheeks flushed.

Gwilym clears his throat and withdraws his hand, passing you a stack of napkins. “We’re good, just about to serve the cake.” Gwilym points to the plates in front of him and Joe immediately pushes a chair to the counter, takes one plate and starts shovelling down the piece of cake.

Wiping your mouth clean, you look at the clock. “Actually, I have to go. I work weekends and I’ve got an early shift tomorrow.”

“What? I thought…” Gwilym begins to say when Ben bursts into the kitchen.

“Joe, what the hell? What were you thinking?”

“Look, Ben, I’m going home. Hopefully, we’ll see each other again soon, okay?” You give him a hug. “And Joe, don’t get too drunk tomorrow. Travelling by plane when hungover is no walk in the park.” You turn to Gwilym and clasp your hands, tugging at your fingers in a jittery manner. “I guess we’ll run into each other soon again. See you, guys!”

And with that, you leave the kitchen and head towards the door, waving at Geraint, who reciprocates the gesture with a smile.

“Y/N, wait!” Gwil rushes after you and catches up with you right at the moment you open the door. “I just wanted to thank you, for everything. It was really nice to have you here.” He takes you by surprise when he gives you a quick hug and presses a light kiss on your cheek.

“Yeah, I had the time of my life, really,” you smile when he lets go of you, hoping that the butterflies you feel in your stomach are invisible to everyone else, “love what you’ve done with the place.”

“Thanks,” he says sheepishly. “I would love to be a gentleman and walk you home, but…” he points to the few feet between your flats.

“Yeah, I think I’ll manage,” you chuckle and move to your door, “goodnight.”

“Goodnight.”

Shutting the door behind you, your fingers touch your cheek as the ghost of the kiss makes your skin tingle with excitement.

#gwilym lee x reader #gwilym lee imagine #gwilym lee fic #gwilym lee fluff #multichapter #fluff #vee writes #*mine

[peaky-shelby]

When he sees me [1]

Read: prologue

Pairing: Chris Evans x oc

Summary: Delilah is a simple shy girl. What will happen when famous actor, Chris Evans sees her? Will she hide, will she run again? Will he make her come out of hiding instead?

Episode 1: The one with the car

Words: 2.000

Warnings: a little cursing. mentions of alcohol 

Inspired by When he sees me by Sara Bareilles

Author’s note: for the shake of the fic lets pretend Chris has a prius.

                                         “I don't like guessing games

                                              Or when I feel things                                           Before I know the feelings”

If he didn’t have work the next morning, he probably would have stayed longer. Everyone knew he was a party man and one of the best for that matter. He didn’t only know how to party, he knew how to throw the best kind of parties as well. So he was a little bumped he had to say goodbye so early but apparently he wasn’t the only one leaving early. There was a woman standing right in front of his Prius. He could only see her from the back, her long brunette curly hair and her pretty short legs in her black heels. He thought she was probably a fan waiting for a picture so he approached a little hesitantly. 

“Excuse me Ms?”

“No I don’t want a drink! Thank you very much go find someone else!”

Chris was surprised by her reply and confused. Then he noticed the car keys that she was holding her hands, similar to his and he realized what was going on. He laughed a little to himself and pulled out his car keys, he clicked the right button and the car made the familiar opening sound. Delilah sighed in relief and let out a sound of happiness “Finally!” she went ahead to open the door but Chris stretched his hand pushed the door closed. He couldn’t help but laugh. “Ms. I’m afraid you have the wrong car.” he said simply.

Delilah was quick to look at him, and finally he could see her face. Her pretty cheeks, her sparkly brown eyes, her natural beauty. “I just opened the car, so I think it is the right one-”

Chris held his keys up for her to see, making his point clear and Delilah stepped backwards in defeat. Obviously she was a little tipsy maybe a lot, Chris could noticed it by the way she struggled to keep her body still and also by the fact that she had spent the last ten minutes trying to unlock the wrong car. “Oh god, I’m sorry-”

“It’s alright” he reassured her “Do you need help finding your car?”

“No it’s fine, I got it, you should go..” Delilah stepped away and tried to walk further down the street to find her car. In her defense it was laura that parked it wherever she had parked it and she was currently in some hot dude’s apartment. Chris watched her walk away, she didn’t look well and she kept stumbling on her feet, he wasn’t gonna leave her alone and he was surely not going to let her drive. He rushed next her, placing his hand on her shoulder. She was quick to shake him off, his touch scared her, she moved away stumbling again but he caught her before she fell on the ground. “I’m sorry!” he said quickly helping her stand “Look you obviously need help and you can’t drive like this, so let me help-”

“Do i know you?”

Chris was taken aback by her question. He cleared his throat and stretched his hand out for her “I’m chris” he avoided giving his last name.

Delilah took a few seconds looking at him, up and down, there was something about him but she didn’t know what. She took his hand, shaking it gently “I’m Delilah”

“That’s a very pretty name.”

Delilah let go of his hand and let out a heavy breath “Thank you. Thank you for trying to help but like I said, I’ll be fine.” She tried to leave again but Chris held her arm gently. She turned around to look at him. 

“I can’t let you drive. If something happens, it will be on me.”

“you don’t even know me!”

“I know you are drunk and I could have stopped you from getting on the car.”

“So what do you suggest? Should I walk home?” She asked cheekily, pulling her arm away from his hold. 

Chris scoffed “I can drive you.”

Delilah laughed, shaking her head “Of course, I should get in a car with a complete stranger, what’s the worst thing that can happen?”

Chris raised his hand in the air “I’m clean! I swear! I will drop you to your house and leave”

‘That’s exactly what a perv would say!”

“I am not a perv-”

“pff, that’s an original line. Did you just thought of that?” 

Chris lowered his hands and his head. A part of him was debating leaving because he knew she wouldn’t make it easy for him but at the same time, he was too much of a gentleman to give up.

“How about this? I’ll get you an uber. Do you trust ubers?”

Delilah thought about it. Chris examined her. She looked so innocent but at the same time like she was about to hit him and she had this wall around her, he couldn’t see past that wall. He wished he could.

“well yeah.. yeah I trust Ubers”

Chris gave her a sympathetic smile and took out his phone, he clicked on the uber app and asked for her destination. Delilah took a moment to think, she wasn’t sure about the number, the alcohol had mixed up the address in her head.

“You don’t remember your address?”

“No! I do, i just need a second!” She said while she walked to the nearest pavement and sat down. Hiding her head in her knees. Chris sighed and sat down next to her. It took a while but she finally remembered the number and the street and Chris called for the Uber. “it will be here in 15 minutes” reassured her and she looked at him, thankful. She smiled, the first smile that she had given him. “thank you, you really didn’t have to”

Looking at him now she noticed his blue eyes, his beautifully structured face. “for a perv you’re really nice” she added making him laugh.

“I get that a lot” he joked back at her, making her laugh. 

“You’re a comedian too?”

“I try” he smirked. “So... You didn’t like the party?”

“oh..um. No.. I mean, My friend forced me to come, I wasn’t really in the mood anyway but then she left with a guy.. and I was alone. I felt a little weird so I thought I should go.” she paused “what about you?”

“I got work tomorrow!” He explained “I can’t afford a hangover, I just came to see a couple of friends that I hadn’t seen in a while.”

Delilah nodded, understanding.

They stayed like that for a while. They didn’t know each other, so they didn’t have much to say but the silence wasn’t awkward. When the car arrived Chris helped Delilah stand up and then sit on the passenger’s seat. He then went and talked to the driver.

“Do me a favor- make sure she’s ok when you leave her.”

The driver looked at the seat next to him, Delilah was already asleep with her head against the window, then he looked back at chris “Bud, do I look like babysitter?” 

Chris scoffed and took out his wallet, he gave the driver 10$ extra. “how about now?”

Driver shrugged and nodded “She’s in safe hands Sir.” He took the money and put them in his pocket “Should I charge the drive on your card as well?”

Chris nodded “Yeah yeah.”

When the car left, chris went to his vehicle, he saw a bracelet on the ground with a D on it. It must have fallen from her, he looked at it and a tiny smile appeared on his face. 

yay chapter one is over!! Chapter two is coming soon! Tell me if you wanna be tagged!

[ masterlist ]

@thejemersoninferno

#Chris Evans #chris evans imagine #chris evans one shot #imagine #marvel cinematic universe #marvel #steve rogers

[bw1ove]

werewolf!yoongi au, e2f!, f2l!

warnings: somewhat sexual thoughts, explicit language

a/n: this is my first semi-serious drabble on tumblr skdjsk i wrote ffs a long time ago, but i thought i’d give it a try again and i’m a little rusty. i thought of the whole story in 10 mins and this is wrote the introduction to it. idk if i’m going to continue writing, but i’ll think about it. :)

——————————————————————————

You sip on your coffee cup and eagerly type your research essay in bitter exhaustion. You wish you could focus, but you’ve been noticing that every time you look up, a pale man stares directly at you resting his head on his hand, and you catch yourself immediately panning your eyes back at the computer writing down notes. “Why the hell is he staring at me...” You whisper to yourself in annoyance and try your best to hide your face with your hand. “CRAP-“ you squeal when you peek through your fingers and hurriedly hide with cowardice after seeing his stare intensify.

You hear a soft giggle from the man and you gotta admit, that was the cutest fucking giggle you’ve ever heard. And so, you found yourself doing the same as him, staring creepily at someone you don’t know. You noticed that this man went to your campus but never actually talked to him, much less see him in this much detail up close... kind of. But—not surprisingly—you found yourself noticing other things, because of course these things are very important. Yes details such as the way he dresses with ripped black jeans, a leather jacket decorated with small tears and pins, dirty run down midnight black converse with a gray beanie with an odd poker face in the middle. These are important details, right? You noticed that all these black and grayish white tones contrast his skin almost perfectly, and the blue veins on his bony rugged hands stood out with the silver rings across his fingers on both hands. Perfect to choke with. Oh god, don’t even get started on his face and that jaw. Those pink, doll-like lips made you ask yourself if they would fit perfectly with yours. His ears filled with piercings give you a sense of edge coming from this guy, and oh—is that a fucking dragon tattoo behind his ear?? Despite checking this guy out for a full two minutes, out of all the features you found the most beautiful on this man was his eyes. Every girl in college talks about this dude’s eyes, and because every girl has a crush on this “bad boy” getup he displays himself in. You will admit, he’s attractive. Like, hot. No one in school can top to this man’s looks, and to top it off he’s friends with two of the OTHER hottest guys which makes them even more intimidating. Wait hold on, we missed the entire point of this shit... why the hell was he staring at me???

You catch yourself sighing uncontrollably against your hand and glance at him chuckling once again and probably at you. Then before you know it, he looks at you in the corner of his eyes immediately, which surprised you to the core and his fierce stare gave you shivers. And well, you decided to be bold and stood up from your seat, trying to give him the same dominant energy his eye contact had on you and you make your way over calmly. Now—you didn’t think that when you’d head over he’d STILL be staring into your retinas and looking at how your hips sway when you walk: but here you are, standing in front of the most beautiful man you’ve ever seen.

“Excuse, me... can you stop staring at me? it’s really freaking distracting,” you say as you try and give him the most realistic smile you can. “I’m trying to type a research essay. And unless you’re going to help me type it, I suggest keeping your eyes on your phone or something.”

“Does my staring cause that much of a problem for you?” he asks with a mischievous smile on his handsome face. Fuck, even his voice is hot. This is dangerous.

Now you’ve mustered up the courage to be a little more straightforward. “Yes it does. Now I asked you nicely and I expect you to do what a nice person asks, right?”

“Pff, nah.”

Wait, what? “Wait what???”

“I don’t have to listen to you and you don’t have authority over my eyes and what I look at. And also, it’s pretty hypocritical to say you’ve done the same for about five minutes. I appreciate the offer, but nah.” He waves his hand dismissively and stares back up at you like he’s already tired of this 30 second conversation. You’re taken back, especially at the “hypocrisy” part which it is and you’re starting to get irritated.

“The fuck?? so you wanna stare at girls all day like a fucking creep, and when a girl respectfully asks you to stop you won’t stop? you’re an actual dickhead.” Now, you want answers. “Why are you staring at me anyway?”

He chuckles against the low base of his throat and looks up at you in all seriousness. “What, I can’t stare at a pretty girl doing her homework in a café?”

You scoff as he tries to pull that cheap trick with you, as that’s not the first time you’ve heard stupid shit like that. You push away the fact that you’re taken aback by his smooth words and that your heart indeed fluttered, but you hardened yourself again. “Oh please, cut that shit out. Give me your name so I can report you for harassment. Now.”

“Yoongi. Min Yoongi.” He says with a gummy smile, and your face softened at the sight. “Now give me yours so I can have your number.”

“Ew, go fuck yourself. Have fun getting this report on your record, creep.” You say as you walk off with a certain sternness. You pack up all of your stuff and glare at him while he smiles at you. Yoongi continues to stare at you walking out the café with attitude. You are indeed the cutest little thing he’s ever seen. As you walk out, you kept replaying the conversation in your head, focusing on the way he talked, the way his pink lips moved around his white skin, and his brown eyes how you noticed that when light reflects into them, orange specks appear. Hmm, min yoongi, you thought. So that’s his name.

#bts scenarios #bts smut #yoongi #min yoongi #bts #bts texts #yoongi werewolf #i cant believe i uploaded this shit #e2f #bts f2l

[ongaku-ato-kakikomi]

Until we meet again

Author’s note: First imagine I’ve ever written for this site and I really hope it doesn’t suck... but if you have any advice, suggestion, or request, feel free to tell me!

Pairing: Jake Peralta x Reader

Warning: None

Word count: 4741 words

Summary: Seems like Jake and (Y/N) keeps bumping into each other over the year. Weird, huh? It must be fate, at least that’s what Jake thinks, but (Y/N), learning that he’s working at the NYPD, decides that she’ll answer him only one question per random meeting. And Jake, falling deeper in love every time he sees her, becomes more determined to make her like him too. He just needs to learn her name and his detective’s skills will find her in less than a minute… right?

Gif Source

Jake Peralta comes in the precinct with the biggest smile on his face, the man dropping his bag beside his desk before he stands in the middle of the room.

“Attention, everyone!” All eyes turn on him and he feels a rush of adrenaline. “Her name is (Y/F/N) (Y/L/N) and it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard in my entire life!”

Everyone frowns in confusion at the detective’s outburst... except for Boyle, who immediately stands up from his place and starts to applaud his friend.

“I knew you could do it, Jake!”

“Thanks, Boyle! Only took me eight tries to finally get it!”

Everyone gives the two a very confused look, Terry being the first one to talk.

“What are you guys talking about?”

“Who’s (Y/F/N) (Y/L/N)?” Jake turns to Amy Santiago, the question making his smile stretch out.

“(Y/N) is the love of my life and it is my destiny to date her! The universe has been very clear!”

“The universe doesn’t talk, you idiot.” Rosa quirks an eyebrow, looking rather annoyed by the situation. “Why would you say that?”

“(Y/N) and Jake keep meeting randomly all the time, isn’t it romantic?”

“Yes, Boyle, it is! And almost two years ago, she gave me the challenge of only asking her one question every time I would see her… and I finally learned her name this morning!”

“It took you almost two years to know that?” Rosa smirks, the rest of the team chuckling at the detective.

Jake loses his smile. “You guys should know that it was a very difficult task, okay?”

“Wait.” Gina squints her eyes, a small smile coming on her lips. “Is it the girl you randomly hugged on Halloween night?”

It’s the detective’s turn to give her a confused look. “How would you know that? You were dancing with Terry when it happened!”

“So it was her, huh. Good choice. She made the impossible thing of being cute in a Sandy Olsson costume.”

“Wait, wait, wait...” Amy points at Jake, holding her coffee with her other hand while she playfully smiles. “I wanna know why it took you two years to learn her name.”

“Almost two yea-”

“Just tell us how you meet, Jake.” The detective sighs when he hears Terry cut him off, Boyle smiling excitedly at the coming up story.

“Alright! You all asked for it!”

“I didn’t.”

He ignores Rosa’s comment. “Ladies and gentlemen, let me tell you the story of how I met the most beautiful woman on earth!”

Everyone sighs at him, the man simply continuing with a narrative voice.

“It all started with a very bad and cheap date...”

○°○°○°○°○°○

“So, ready for dinner? Here we go!” Jake turns away from his date to sit down in front of a vending machine, putting his arm in it to try and grab some stuff while he smirks at the woman. “Would you like something sweet? Or maybe savory? Apple pi- and I’m stuck.”

He looks at the ground, his arm trapped in the mouth of the evil vending machine. He notices his date leaving in annoyance, the man only looking around to try and find the owner of the bar.

“I’m stuuuuck!” His words don’t seem to drag anyone important, the detective simply putting his head against the plastic window. “Great. This is like real life. You’re trapped somewhere and you’re out of reach of sweet succulent things.”

That’s when he hears a quiet laugh behind him and he turns around to see you, smiling down at him. His brain stops for a second, your shining (e/c) eyes and your gorgeous (h/l) h/c) hair making his stomach weak in an instant.

“I won’t ask you how you got stuck in there, but… do you need help getting out?”

He beamed at you, his whole body’s tension going away. “Yes. Please save me. This mechanic monster wants to eat me for trying to steal his treasure.”

You chuckle again, Jake already getting addicted to the sound of your laughter.

“Alright.” You sit down beside him and your scent hits him; it’s sweet like flowers and honey. “I’ll try to pull your arm out, but it might hurt.”

“No problem.”

He regrets saying this when you pull his arm out, the man making a painful expression when he feels the metal squeeze his muscles. He lets out a long breath when his arm gets out, starting to massage it to put the pain away.

“I’m sorry, are you okay?” He notices your worried look and it makes his lips curl into a grin.

“I am perfectly fine! Thank you for saving my life.” You grin back as you both stand up.

“I guess I did my good action for the day, then.”

“Wait!” He stops you from leaving, his heart beating faster when he sees that you’re waiting for him to continue. “I-I.. do you… want to get a drink?”

“Sorry, my friend’s actually waiting for me outside right now.” You point at the exit door, tilting your head at him with a smirk. “I was going to step out when I saw you were in great danger.”

He chuckles, disappointment running through his veins.

“Well, again, thank you for saving me, but before you go… can I at least get your name?”

“I shouldn’t give you my name.” You cross your arms on your chest, your smile stretching out. “You just tried to steal a vending machine. How do I know you’re not an even more dangerous criminal?”

“Awn, come on! You can trust me! I promise I’m not a criminal.”

“Maybe if we meet again.” You slowly walk away, the smirk still present on your face. “Gotta make sure you’re not a creepy stalker, you know?”

“I’m not a creepy stalker!” His shouted words make him gain a few unwanted attention, the man awkwardly waving back at them while you simply leave the building.

○°○°○°○°○°○

“That’s how you met her?” Amy quirks an eyebrow, taking a sip of her beverage. “And she didn’t run away?”

“No, Santiago, she did not run away.” Jake sends her an annoyed look before he smirks. “And the second time I met her, she said you were lucky.”

Amy Santiago almost chokes on her coffee. “I’m sorry, what?”

“That’s right. The second time I saw her was when you lost our bet and we were wearing our wonderful outfits. You just left for your first bathroom break and I was about to join Boyle at the bar when...”

○°○°○°○°○°○

He stops in his tracks when he hears a familiar laugh, the detective turning around to try to spot you.

“Oh my god.” His eyes set on your face when he hears those words, the same sweetness he noticed last time still present in your eyes. “What are you even wearing?”

He feels his smile come back on his lips. “Only the most romantic outfit, of course.”

You snort and shake your head at him, not quite believing that someone would wear the top of a suit with such horrible shorts. Him, on the other, notices a drink in your hand and a beautiful (f/c) dress also wrapped around your body, making you even more attractive than before.

○°○°○°○°○°○

“Damn, she was hot in that dress.”

“Peralta, focus!”

○°○°○°○°○°○

“Are you out for a date?”

“Nope. Girls’ night. You?”

“Won a bet against my coworker and I’m now treating her to the worse date in the whole history.”

“Wait, what? I need more explanation.”

“As you wish, milady.” He bows at you and makes you chuckle again. “A long time ago, me, Jake Peralta, made a bet that I could arrest more criminals than Amy Santiago. If I lose the bet, she gets my car, but since I’ve clearly won… she’s now getting the worst date ever.”

Your grin extends to your cheeks. “That was the woman wearing the weird dress, right?”

“You’re absolutely right! You’re a good detective. Maybe you should become a cop and join me at the NYPD precinct.”

“I’ll pass for now, thanks.” You tilt your head while you think about something. “She’s kind of lucky.”

“Oh?” He feels himself smirk. “Is it because she gets to spend time with me in a romantic way?”

“Hmm…. Maybe… but no.” You shake your head at him. “I was actually thinking that your “worst date ever” doesn’t seem bad, it looks fun.”

“Well, if you tell me your name...” His smile stretches out.”...maybe I’ll treat you to one of these lucky funny dates.”

“I’m tempted.” You take a sip of your drink, looking right into his eyes. “You said you’re a detective?”

“That is correct.”

“How about this.” Your smile turns to a smirk. “Every time we randomly meet, you can ask me one question about me. And if you learn my name and we somehow meet again, I’ll go on a date with you.”

“Pff.” He puts his hands on his hips. “That’s a very easy challenge.”

“Is it really?”

“Yeah, I’m the best detective in New York City! All I need to do is to ask for your name right now, then I’ll look for you back at work and find a way to meet again!”

“But how will you do that? You already asked me questions.” He loses his proud smirk as you walk away. “Until next time, Jake Peralta.”

○°○°○°○°○°○

“I like her.” Rosa’s comment makes everyone look back at her. “She seems clever than you.”

“Okay, that was very uncalled for!”

“What is happening here?” Jake screams at the sound of Holt’s voice, jumping back to see that the captain was standing right beside him. “Why is no one working?”

“Jake is telling us how he learns (Y/N)’s name, Captain!”

“Oh.” Captain Holt turn his attention away from Boyle to set his eyes on Jake. “You finally got it.”

“Yeah, no thanks to you!” The detective’s eyes go wide at his own words and he nervously smiles. “Wait, sorry Captain. I meant... thank you very much for not ruining the challenge for me.”

Holt slightly nods. “You’re welcome.”

“Wait, wait, wait.” Terry frowns in confusion. “You know the (Y/N) is talking about, Captain?”

“Of course I do. She’s been one of Kevin’s friends for a couple of years now. Santiago even had a conversation with her at my birthday party, if I remember correctly.”

“I did?”

“She’s a writer?” Everyone turns their attention to Jake, who smiles wildly. “She’s so awesome.”

“You’ve been doing this challenge for two years and you still didn’t know that she’s an exceptional author?” Captain sends the detective a look. “What have you been doing in these random meetings, Peralta?”

“That’s what I was about to tell!” Some people start to question how his smile can even get bigger. “And like you might have guessed, our third encounter was at Captain Holt’s birthday party and-”

“Jake, I’m sorry, but I think the Captain would like us to continue working…” Terry gives his superior a small look. “...right?”

“Normally I would, Sergeant Jeffords, but I’m so curious to know why Peralta has failed to learn a simple name in such a long time… I think we absolutely need to hear the whole story.”

“Thank you, Captain!” Jake restarts talking with his narrative voice. “And then, at Captain’s birthday party, just after I failed at bonding with Kevin...”

○°○°○°○°○°○

He sees you in a long black dress across the room, talking with some random people that he doesn’t care to know. He thinks that you’re beyond gorgeous with you (h/c) hair down, your body trembling under your laughter. He walks towards you without even thinking, a smile already on his lips.

“Hey there.” His breathing almost stops when your eyes set on him, your smile getting bigger. “Fancy seeing you here.”

“Jake, hi! Nice to see you in a real suit.” You point at him and send him a curious glance. “Let me guess… Raymond’s the Captain at your precinct, right? Is that why you’re here?”

“You really should become a detective.” You just chuckle and shake your head, the man taking the opportunity to continue. “The real question though… is what you’re doing here.”

Your smirk. “Good question, Peralta.”

He loses his smile, mentally slapping himself for not asking for your name.

“But to answer you… I’ve met Kevin at Columbia University a few years ago to review some of my work, then we’ve become friends and here I am.” You take a sip of your champagne, not really wanting to go into the details. “Don’t try to ask them about my name, though. I already told them about the challenge.”

“Dammit.” He dramatically snaps his fingers. “Thought I got you there.”

“Too bad I’m one step ahead of you, then.”

“Hey, wait.” It’s his turn to point at you, a wide smile gracing his face. “Maybe you can help me.”

You quirk an eyebrow, confused. “With what?”

“I need to know how to make Kevin like me.” You snort at his comment and he frowns. “What?”

“You’re not exactly Kevin’s type of friends, you know?” You tilt your head at him as you think. “Buuuut maybe you can talk about something simple. Do you read the New Yorkers?”

“That’s it! Thank you!” He walks away, looking for Raymond’s husband. “I’ll talk to you later, I promise!”

○°○°○°○°○°○

“Aaaaand I didn’t get the chance to talk to her later, because Captain kicked us out of his house.”

“Ooooh, I remember her!” Jake gives Amy a weird look, the woman now smiling at the memory. “Yeah, (Y/F/N) (Y/L/N)… she was very sweet! We talked about arts for a while and we learned that we went to the same university! The world is so small…”

The detective opens his mouth in disbelief as Captain Holt smiles.

“Funny how you haven’t thought about questioning your colleagues, Peralta.”

“Well, as you may know, I actually did.” Jake puts his hands on his waist, losing his smile after a few seconds. “I only asked Boyle and he said he didn’t talk to her.”

“No, I didn’t.” Boyle shakes his head in disappointment before he smiles. “But we’ve had a lot of conversations after!”

“That’s right! The fourth time I saw her was when Boyle and I were out in our disguises, trying to find the tourist robber. We were about to call a cab when...”

○°○°○°○°○°○

They both hear a loud laugh beside them, turning their head at the same time to see you wearing an (f/c) jacket and holding a coffee.

“Oh my god, this is priceless.” Your smile transforms into a playful one. “I’m guessing you guys are undercover?”

“You guessed right!” Jake smile gets bigger, happiness bouncing off of him. “Seriously, become a detective, you’d be great.”

“Nah, I’ll stay with the art stuff.”

“Oh, you’re an artist? What do you d- Dammit!”

You chuckle while he mentally curses at his mistake.

“Nothing special, really. Super boring stuff. By the way...” You turn your attention on Boyle. “Who’s your partner?”

“Name’s Charles Boyle, I’m Jake’s best friend.” You accept to shake his hand, Jake waiting for the next question. “And you are?”

“Just a random girl this guy keeps meeting.” Your smile goes wider. “Nice try, but you’re not getting my name.”

“Damn, you’re good.” Boyle turns his attention to his friend. “Sorry, Jake.”

“Nah, it’s fine.” He playfully squints his eyes at you with a small smile. “I’ll get you next time.”

“We’ll see about that.” You walk past them, having to go to work. “Nice meeting you Boyle! And good luck with your case!”

○°○°○°○°○°○

“She looked really good in that jacket.”

“And I bet you looked stupid in your disguise.” Rosa smirks, trying to imagine the scene. “I’m picturing it right now.”

Jake shakes his head. “Thank you for this comment, Rosa.”

“You’re welcome.” The detective simply rolls his eyes at her.

“Sooo...” Gina puts her head on her hands, still sitting back at her desk. “What happened next?”

“Yes, Peralta. Don’t stop now.”

“As you wish, Captain! I’ve met her for the fifth time at the stationery store, in the time where Boyle was about to get married. Our friend here just left to go talk to his girlfriend at the time when...”

○°○°○°○°○°○

“Looks like your friend’s having some troubles with his fiancee.” Jake jumps up, looking behind him to see you smile at him. “And also, you’re making Amy Santiago pay for the paper?”

“She said it would be an honor.” He smiles when you sit beside him, giving him all your attention.

“Okay, tell me, why does Boyle need to talk to his bride?”

“She wants to go live in Canada, but he doesn’t.” You nod, waiting for him to continue his explanation. “He would basically leave everything behind and he has difficulties to speak for himself.”

“Well, that’s a problem.” You push a strand of hair out of your face while thinking. “I hope he finds a way to speak with her, communication in a relationship is key.”

“I guess you’re right. Besides, Canada? Who would want to live in Canada?”

“You’re only saying that because the crime rate is lower than in Disney World.” You give out a small smile. “Living in Canada isn’t as bad as you think, you know?”

“Oh, and how would you know that?”

“You’re talking to a French Canadian, sir. I’ve lived there for twenty-two years.”

His mouth opens wide, the detective not believing what he’s hearing.

“Don’t be so surprised, I’m sure you noticed the accent.”

“Why am I just now noticing that you have an accent?” A thought comes to him and makes him grin. “Does that mean that your name sounds Canadian?”

“I have no idea if my name sounds Canadian, but you won’t know about it since you already used your question.”

He sighs in disappointment, not liking that his mind never thinks of asking the most important question.

“Nice try, Jake. Nice try.” You stand up, giving him a last smile before you walk away. “Until next time, I guess.”

“Yeah, I’ll get you, you’ll see!” He waves at your leaving form, imagining a world where you would be his girlfriend.

○°○°○°○°○°○

“Seriously, Jake.” Terry shakes his head at the detective. “Even Scully and Hitchcock would have learned her name by that time.”

The idiotic duo smiles proudly from their place, exchanging a happy nod.

“Hey, it’s not my fault if she’s very clever, okay? I’m sure she silently manipulated me into asking non-important questions!”

“Yeah, yeah, believe whatever you want.” Gina smirks at her childhood friend, pointing at him. “You really suck at that challenge.”

Amy frowns, thinking. “I wonder why she didn’t stop waiting. I would have been tired of this whole thing a long time ago.”

“That’s because you’re not as amazing as her!” His smiles disappear after a few seconds. “But.. she did stop waiting. Our fifth encounter was at Halloween night when Gina and Terry were dancing together...”

○°○°○°○°○°○

“Oh my god, Farrah, stop laughing at me!”

He instantly turns his head back at you, seeing you standing next to the bar, wearing the sexiest Sandy Olsson costume he’s ever seen and pouting at a laughing purple striped cat. He runs over to you in an instant, wrapping his arms around your form to hug you.

“God I’ve missed you.” He feels your arms hug him back.

“Jake? Is that you?” He hugs you closer when you say his name, not caring that you’re not really that close. Your friend, Farrah, sends you a wink before she walks to the other side of the room, the detective getting out of the embrace to watch your face.

“God, it’s been months! Where have you been?” He smiles at your question.

“I was in an undercover mission for a while, I’ve come back at work a few weeks ago- Ow!”

He wasn’t expecting you to hit him in the arm.

“Don’t scare me like that! I was worried sick about you!”

His smile gets bigger.  “I’m very glad to know that.”

You hit his arm for the second time and he mimics an intense painful expression, massaging his arm.

“Stop being so proud.”

“I’ll be as proud as I want, thank you very much.” You feel yourself smile at his words, which makes him want to make you smile all the time. Is that even possible? Probably not, but he’s sure as hell gonna try.

“Hey, I just noticed that I’ve never asked you if you were single, so...” He moves his eyebrows in a playful way. “… are you single?”

You lose your smile, your happy expression turning into a shameful one, and he can’t help but feel like you’re going to say something that will shatter him forever.

“I… I was when we started this.”

“Oh.”

You cross your arms on your chest and avert your eyes, not wanting to see how much you just hurt him.

“I’m sorry, it’s just… you completely disappeared and my friends make me meet this guy, then one thing led to another thing and-”

“It’s okay.” He smiles, brushing away the pain crawling inside his veins. “I perfectly understand! You don’t have to apologize. We weren’t even dating!”

You look back at him, clearly seeing the damage you’ve done into his eyes, despite his effort to hide it. You open your mouth to say that you’re sorry, again, but-

“Oh my god, we need to go!” Farrah grabs your arm in panic and tries to pull you away, making you send her a shocked expression.

“What? Already? What happened?”

“It’s Cindy! She’s having troubles at her place, we need to help her!”

“Oh shit.” You turn your head back at Jake. “I’m sorry, I need to go, but-”

“Don’t worry. I’ll be fine.” His smile stretches out for a moment and he sees your expression turn to a worried one, but he keeps up the act. “Go help your friend.”

You let your friend pull you away from him, Jake watching you disappear into a cloud of costumes.

○°○°○°○°○°○

“Ouch.” Gina sends the detective a pouted look. “That must be why you were so down for the whole week.”

“I won’t lie, it was one of the worst emotional moments in my life.” Jake takes in a breath before he continues to resume the events. “Anyway, Boyle help me “move on” by trying to see other people, then I met Sophia, then we got together and it was awesome, then she broke up with me and it wasn’t so awesome...”

“I’m really sorry about that, buddy.” Boyle shakes his head to show his support. “Really wish it would have worked.”

“Yes, but no! All of this doesn’t matter anymore, because our sixth encounter was last week! I just solved the sabotage on my dad’s career and we were all about to leave Quebec to come back here when….”

○°○°○°○°○°○

“Well, well, well...” Jake turns around at the sound of your voice, seeing you coming up his way with some luggage on your shoulder. “If it isn’t Jake Peralta and Charles Boyle in Quebec! What are you doing here, detectives?”

Jake gives out a small smile, his eyes making him think that you look even more beautiful than all the times he’s seen you before. Boyle simply says hi and before he leaves to give you two some privacy.

“Just finished helping my dad with a case, nothing much.” He tilts his head at you, the memory of your last encounter coming back to his mind. “What about you? What are you doing here?”

“Ugh.” He frowns at your reaction, but simply waits for you to continue. “Just had a hard time going through a breakup, so I’ve come here to spend time with my family and old friends. It helped a lot, I won’t lie.”

He can’t stop his lips to curl into a wide grin, excitement rushing back to him. You playfully quirk an eyebrow at his reaction, knowing exactly what he’s thinking about.

“Damn, didn’t know my breakup would make someone so happy.”

“I’m sorry! I’m sorry, it’s just…. you’re single.” His smile grows bigger. “You’re single!”

“That is true, yes.”

“Wait.” He frowns. “The challenge still on, right? So I still can’t ask you more than one question?”

You feel your smile turn to a smirk. “Sorry, I can’t answer that.”

“Dammi-” He can’t finish his word that his dad arrives, telling you two that it’s time to get in the plane.

“Well, I guess this is where we say goodbye.” You smile sweetly at Jake, his heart melting at the sight. “Maybe I’ll catch you back at New York’s airport?”

“I can’t wait!” You chuckle at that and walk past the two men to get into the plane, also making the detective regret having a first class seat.

○°○°○°○°○°○

“Sadly, I didn’t get a chance to talk to her after this… but!” He points at the ceiling with excitement, continuing before anyone can stop him. “All of this brings us to this fifteen minutes ago, when I was about to step into this very building!”

○°○°○°○°○°○

He sees you walking on the other side of the street, your back facing him as you’re about to disappear from his vision. He lets go of his coffee that collapse on the ground and he sprints, almost getting himself hit by multiple cars as he gets on the other sidewalk. He continues to run towards your form, finally stopping once he gets in front of you.

“… Jake?” You smile when he silently tells you to wait, trying to take back control of his breathing. “Being a detective, I thought you’d be used to running around.”

“W-what’s… y-your… na...”

“Hm?” You tilt your head in wonder, not having heard his question. “What did you say?”

He stands back up, smiling proudly before he talks more clearly.

“I said...” He puts his hands on his waist, happiness floating in his chest. “… what’s your name?”

You can’t help but smile warmly at him, all the sweetness in the world coming right back in your eyes. Both of you thought this moment will never happen, but here you guys are: in the middle of a sidewalk, looking right back at each other while Jake Peralta waits for your answer.

Will your name sound as beautiful as he imagined it?

“My name’s (Y/F/N) (Y/L/N).” You like how his whole face just seems to glow when he hears it. “Took you long enough to ask me that, Peralta.”

“I love it.” He takes your head between his hands, taking you by surprise. “Don’t leave town.”

“Wait, wha-” You don’t have time to finish that he’s already crossing the road again, going straight to his precinct’s building. “Jake! What...”

○°○°○°○°○°○

“And now that I know her name, I can finally ask her out on a date! But first, I need you guys to help me find what and where her activities are so I can plan our next meeting.”

“Sooo… basically, you want us to help you stalk her.”

Jake makes a funny face at Amy’s comment, ignoring everyone’s long look.

“Stalk her? Whaaaaaat? This isn’t stalking! It’s… researching. For love purposes.”

“It’s stalker-ism, Detective Peralta.” Jake lowers his head at Captain’s words. “None of us will help you with that.”

“Fine!” He puts his hands in the air, some of his friends already going back to their work. “But none of this will stand in the way of me and finally dating the love of my life!”

“The love of your life? Damn.” He jumps up and looks behind him, only to see you standing there with a smirk. “Such a great title you’re giving me, Jake. But how about you take me out to dinner first?”

Snickers and chuckles can be heard around after you said this, making Jake awkwardly look around.  He sees Boyle send him a thumbs up from his place to encourage him... and the detective walks over to you.

“Hum… how much of this have you heard exactly?”

Your smirk grows. “Just enough, but… don’t you have something to ask me?”

He chuckles, liking your little impatience.

“Dear (Y/N), after almost two years...” He slightly bows, his lips stretching out into a huge grin despite his red cheeks. “Will you go out with me for dinner tonight?”

An involuntary smile settles on your face. “I would love that.”

#jake peralta #b99 #brooklyn nine nine #brooklyn 99 #jake peralta imagine #jake peralta imagines #b99 imagine #b99 imagines #brooklyn nine nine imagine #brooklyn nine nine imagines #brooklyn 99 imagine #brooklyn 99 imagines #jake peralta x reader #brooklyn 99 reader insert #terry jeffords #amy santiago #rosa diaz #ray holt #charles boyle #how did i manage to write this

[ashtontomyirwin-blog]

Michael Clifford || A First Time for Everything

Summary: You accidentally reveal to the band that Michael is still a virgin. The band start to make jokes about it and Michael storms off, pissed that you told them his secret. You feel bad about it and offer to make it up to him in a very special way. 

Wordcount: 3682

Genre: Smut, Virgin!Michael

Author’s note: This was ispired by the GIF below which reminded me of Mikey. I might make a second part if this catches on. 

Please let me know what you think.

Masterlist - Requests

The faint beat of the music that played inside the house echoed through the garden. For some reason it seemed to go in sync with the spinning of your sight. The spinning wasn’t too bad for you to get sick, but it sure gave a delighted hazy feeling. It was this thin line between tipsy and drunkenness you walked on right now. Not that it mattered, you had something to celebrate after all. Well, your best friend and the band he was in had. You remembered something about a platinum or golden or silver or whatever kind of periodic element they called their new album. Nonetheless you were extremely happy when Michael brought you the good news. You were always interested to hear about his achievements with the band. As his best friend you knew how important it was to him and how genuinely happy it made him. You were lucky to be joining the party as they happened to on this side of the world, which was scarcely these days.

“I’m bored. We should play a game,” one of Ashton’s acquaintances said. You couldn’t remember his name, but it didn’t really matter.

“We could play Truth or Dare?” Calum suggested from beside you.

You took another swig from your beer, feeling the alcohol hitting you.

“Oh, come on man. We always ask the same kind of questions and can never think of any fun dares to do,” Michael complained from your other side.

Again, you took a sip. “You’d think that a band with such incredible song-writing skills can think of a few original questions and actions to complete,” you teased.

“Wow, rude,” Michael laughed as he bumped you with his elbow, making you smirk.

However, it was true. Every Truth or Dare that you have played were always a little sexually. Not that you were prude; in fact, you were far from being prude. It was just that it was nice to have some variation.

“You’d think they’d have an app for that by now,” another unknown person suddenly suggested. You remembered him being part of the recording crew.

“Oh, wait, lemme check,” Ashton quickly chimed in and pulled out his phone to search for a Truth or Dare app.

“Great, meanwhile, I’ll get another beer,” you said, noticing your bottle was empty once again. But when you stood up, a wave of dizziness suddenly washed over you, sending you right back into the lounge seat between Michael and Calum.

“Or maybe I will not,” you giggled because of your own action.

“Yeah, maybe you should lay down,” Michael said, putting his hand on your shoulder. He was always a great friend to you. A great, great, and hot friend.

“Here, I’ll just move,” Calum suggest before moving away from the lounge and seating himself in a spare chair.

You took their hints and shifting your body. Now you were with your head in Michael’s lap and your legs dangling over the armrest on the other side. Michael instinctively moved his hand through your hair, knowing how much you loved the feeling.

“Got it,” Ashton suddenly said as he was starting up the app.

 After a while the high of your intoxication started to fade, leaving you able to actively participating in the game.

Sexual questions and assignments weren’t inevitable, but at least they weren’t constant and overused. For example, Luke and a crewmember had to switch underwear and you had to smell everyone’s socks and determining the worst smelling one.

“Michael, Truth or Dare,” Ashton still giggled from the last answer that Calum gave.

“Well, I’m not ready to let someone else wear my underwear, so I got with Truth,” he answered. Your head was still in his lap.

“Alright,” said Ashton, clicking the Truth button in the app, and read out loud, “Describe the best way to let someone of the opposite sex orgasm.”

You had your eyes closed for a moment, blocking out the dizzy sight for a moment, but you felt the anticipation of the rest of the group without even seeing them. They were obviously curious about the answer.

“Pff, easy,” Michael scoffed. “The trick is to go deep and slow. Girls always go crazy for that.”

Suddenly two conflicting feelings erupted inside you. Somewhere you felt some tension in your lower region, hearing Michael talk about sex like that. But the alcohol took over the latter feeling and your burst out in laughter.

“Dude, you’re a virgin!” You couldn’t help to laugh, completely forgetting the fact that he had once told you that in confidence, admitting that the rest of the band didn’t know it as he kept making up stories about having had sex.

The rest of the company was obviously in confusion.

“Wait, you said you had sex.” Calum was the first one to speak.

While Michael was trying to come up with a way to get himself out of this situation, he focused himself on you. “Shut up Y/N.” This only confirmed for the boys that he indeed still hadn’t had sex yet, causing not only you to laugh, but also the rest of the group.

Having the entire group drunkenly laughing and making jokes about his held up reputation of knowing exactly what girls want during sex didn’t do much good for Michael. He only got embarrassed and pissed off with you. Once you noticed this, your laughter died down. When your eyes crossed Michael’s you realized what you’ve done.

“Michael,” you softly started your sentence, not really knowing what to say now.

“Yeah, I think I’m gonna head home,” he said coldly and removed your head from his lap before standing up and barging into the house.

Shit. You didn’t mean to reveal his secret on purpose.

You quickly stand up to go after your friend, ignoring the dizziness. “Michael,” you called after him, but he just ignored you and walked through the front door into the street. You followed him suit.

“Listen to me, I didn’t know what I was saying!” you said as Michael maintained his brisk pace. Walking and focussing on Michael helped you sobering up at a record time, although the alcohol was replaced by extreme guilt. Now you cursed the extra beers you drank, which caused you to blurt out the secret.

Still there was no response from the guy in front of you. You knew how stubborn Michael could be, but so could you. So you kept following him, trying to come up with a way to make this all right.

 It wasn’t long before the two of you reached Michael’s parental home. His parents were gone for the evening. He opened his front door without a word and tried to shut it right before you. Fortunately you were quicker and placed your hands on the door, pushing it back open. For a moment your eyes crossed again. Michael didn’t look pissed as much anymore. Now he looked more hurt. You didn’t know which was worse.

He sighed in defeat and walked right towards his room. This left you able to go after him into the house, closing the door behind you.

“Alright, Clifford, enough with the ignoring,” you said sternly as you arrived in his bedroom. A familiar place to you. Here the two of you had tons of sleepovers back in middle school, which had little sleeping as both of you loved to game and were quite competitive.

“It was a secret, Y/N!” he interrupted you before you could continue. He had the right to yell at you.

“I know, and you know that I would never tell any of your secrets on purpose. I just had a lot to drink and I know that being drunk isn’t an excuse to tell it to them, but it just slipped out of my mouth,” you tried to make it up. Michael looked at you for a moment. You could see that he wanted to say so much more to you. He wanted to call you names and that you left him alone, but he couldn’t. He knew that you would never do such thing on purpose. Again he sighed in defeat and let himself fall on his bed.

For a moment you just stood there in the middle of the room. You watched Michael for a moment as he closed his eyes. A sudden thought crossed your mind. It wasn’t like you hadn’t thought about it before. Michael was incredibly attractive and you couldn’t deny the fact that he caused the occasional damp spot in your panties. The only thing that held you back from acting on it was because you didn’t want to risk the friendship the two of you had. But this might be a good way to make it up to him.

You made your way across the room and sat down next to Michael on the bed. “Look, I can’t undo the stupid things I’ve said tonight, but I might have a way to make it up to you.”

Your remark made Michael sit up straight next to you. “What do you mean?” he asked.

“Well,” you started. “We both know I make it no secret that I find you ridiculously attractive. And I, in fact, know you find me attractive as well. I’ve seen you eyeing me every time we have a sleepover or go swimming.”

You saw how Michael started to blush uncontrollably, avoiding your eyes. You chuckled softly before placing a reassuring hand on his leg. “Don’t worry, I don’t mind.”

“I don’t want your pity-sex,” Michael said softly, his eyes fixed on the hand that was on his leg.

“I don’t pity you at all.” You were a little taken aback by his remark, but were determined to continue. “I think of it more as make-up-sex. Or making-those-stories-about-you-true-sex.”

It was quiet for a moment. His gaze was now practically burning a hole in your hand. You could clearly see how he was thinking the idea over in his head.

“What about our friendship? Won’t it ruin it?” he vocalized your initial thoughts.

Well,” you started. “If we promise to keep it casual and not letting it get in our way, then I don’t see a problem.”

Again a moment of silence occurred. Michael was still thinking, doubting maybe.

“Look, you absolutely don’t have to if you don’t want to. It’s just that I know we find each other attra-” You were cut off by Michael’s lips. He had his hand placed upon yours and his other hand in your hair, pulling you into a short kiss.

“I want this,” he whispered when he pulled back a little. Your faces were close and you could clearly see insecurity in his eyes. “It’s just that … I don’t really know what I am doing.”

A small smile crept upon your face. “It’s okay,” you whispered as you gently grabbed his hand. Michael’s breath got caught in his throat when you placed his hand on your clothed breast.

“I’m here to guide you,” you breathed before bending over to reconnect your lips to Michael’s. For a moment he didn’t seem to respond and you considered if he really wanted this. The last thing you wanted was to force him into something he didn’t want to. But when you made movement to stop, Michael suddenly started to move to. But instead of breaking the kiss, he pulled you in closer and squeezed your breast. You didn’t expect that to happen so sudden and moaned a little. Michael took this as the good sign it was and moved his tongue across your lips to deepen the kiss.

You had imagined these kinds of scenes with Michael and you, but never thought they would become reality. You two knew each other from kindergarten and were inseparable from the moment you shared your Shapes with him. Growing up both your bodies started to change and while Michael wasn’t as toned as the rest of the band was, but that’s what made him so attractive. You were turned on by the confidence he slowly gained throughout the years.

A sudden pinch in your nipple brought your mind back to the present where you let out an unexpected combination between a yelp and a moan. Michael immediately pulled back, obviously a little shocked.

“Wasn’t that good?” he asked. Both of you were already breathing a little heavier because of the make-out session.

“Fuck, it was,” you breathed as you crashed your lips onto Michael’s once again. You were determined to not let yourself get distracted and to solely focus on making Michael feel good.

You shifted your position from next to Michael, to on top of his lap, all the while not breaking the kiss. Your hands wound up in his hair as his hands now both found your breasts.

Patience was running thin on your side. You had fantasized about those lips and hands all over your body and now that it was happening, you wanted it more than ever. So you shortly broke the kiss to pull off your own shirt and Michael’s shirt shortly after. He was quick to respond and return his hands to his previous position. Now that your shirt was gone, you could feel a lot more of his hands. Unfortunately the fabric of your bra was still too much of a layer between your skin and his’.

Just as you wanted to tell him to take off your bra, he had his mouth placed in your neck. At first he was just making a trail of kisses in your neck, trying to find a spot that would evoke the reaction he was aiming for. He did find that spot right below your ear when you let out a breathy moan. There was a twitch right below you. You felt how Michael’s boner was growing in his ripped jeans. And as Michael was teasing you with little love bites and even hickeys, you decided to tease him back by slowly grinding in his lap so that you weren’t the only moaning mess in the room.

“Mike, my bra,” you breathed when he was done with a third hickey in your neck. You were never a fan when guys gave you hickeys, but you found out that getting them from your best friend wasn’t bad at all.

Michael understood what you were trying to say and let his hands travel to your back, his head still buried in your neck. Loosening the clasps of your bra was more difficult than he had imagined. He let out an embarrassed chuckle when he couldn’t unhook it. You chuckled with him; to reassure him that it was okay, you grabbed his face and pulled him in for a hot kiss.

When he finally found the right movement to release your from your bra, he pulled back from the kiss. His eyes were locked on your bare breasts. You weren’t particularly fond of your cleavage, but Michael was mesmerized by it. Still he wasted no time and bend over to wrap his mouth around one of your nipples. You responded with wounding your hands in his hair, slightly pulling it. It was clear that Michael was experimenting with your nipple. Sucking on it, nibbling, letting his tongue graze the tip. All of it felt amazing and could last forever if it were up to you. But on the other hand, this was Michael’s first time and you wanted to make him feel the best he has ever had.

You pulled Michael’s hair a little harder so he had to pull back. He had a frown on his face and was about to ask if he did something wrong again if you didn’t have that incredibly teasing smirk on your face when you stood up from his lap. You let Michael have the time to completely take in the sight of you. To tease him a little more, you slowly and openly removed yourself from your jeans, leaving your panties on. Michael had his lips slightly parted and the bulge in his jeans became more prominent, only causing you to get more and more turned on.

You took Michael’s hand and guided him to stand up in front of you.

“I’m gonna make you feel good, Clifford,” you whispered as your hands were already fumbling with the zipper of his jeans. Your lips teasingly grazed Michael’s before slowly moving down to his neck. You felt his quick heartbeat in his throat as you kissed him there, letting your hand slip between his jeans and boxers. You cupped his cock for a brief moment and removed your hand again. Both your hands grabbed not only the waistband of his jeans, but his boxers as well. Slowly you moved his garments down and moved down with it, never breaking eye contact. A glint of uncertainty was still present in his eyes.

“Are you sure you want this?” you asked when you landed on your knees in front of him. You had sex before and knew well and clear what you did and didn’t like, but you could understand that Michael was still unsure about the whole affair. Still he swallowed and nodded at you. As an answer you smiled back before giving your full attention to his semi-hard cock right in front of you.

Before getting to it, you placed a gentle kiss right below his belly button. A path of kisses went down his happy trail. You switched the kissing when you reached the base of his cock and replaced it with your tongue, letting it go from the base of his cock to his tip. When you reached his tip, you let your tongue dance around it a little, causing Michael to take a short intake of his breath.

Even though you loved the teasing, you decided not to agonize him longer and let the tip slip in your mouth. First you sucked a little and then let your mouth slide over his cock as far as your mouth would allow it. A loud and long moan erupted from above you. You felt his cock swell up even more in his mouth.

“Oh, fuck, that feels good,” Michael moaned when he felt you bobbing down your head. Your hair blocked part of the sight of you sucking him off. So Michael reached out to grab your hair to keep it out of your face. Your eyes met his through your lashes as you ever so lightly grazed your teeth over his skin, earning louder moans from him. Those moans only made you wetter down there. To help yourself getting along, you reached down your panties. While you played with your clit, you tried to take Michael as deep as you could. Your own moans caused vibrations around his cock.

When you felt like Michael was completely hard and comfortable with you, you took him out of your mouth with a pop. Michael was breathing heavily and waited for what came next.

You stood back up for a short but passionate kiss. It turned Michael on that he was tasting himself through your amazing lips. But the kiss didn’t last long. With a hand on his chest, you gently pushed Michael back and let him back to the bed. As he laid down, you removed yourself of you last piece of clothing and crawled over his body. With a smirk you bend over to his ear.

“You turn me on so fucking much,” you whispered as you grabbed his cock between your bodies. Although it was slick with your saliva, you ran the tip between your folds to let him feel how wet you were. Michael took it all in, enjoying your every movement. His eyes fell shut when you finally sank down his length.

“Oh, shit,” Michael moaned, his hand automatically finding your hips. You bit your hips to stifle a quiet moan. You had fantasized about his cock inside you so many times, but in reality he was much thicker than you imagined. But God, it felt so incredible.

At first you started to move at a slow pace, letting Michael enjoy it as much as possible. You loved the sight of the moaning mess in front of you. It only motivated you to continue riding him as best as possible.

With your hands on his chest for support, you tried to increase the pace. Michael’s reaction was to dig his nails in your hips and letting out louder moans.

“Open your eyes, Michael,” you moaned. When his eyes finally opened and caught sight of you bouncing on his cock with your breasts bouncing with your movements, he knew he never wanted this moment to end.

“You’re gorgeous,” Michael breathed between moans. Unfortunately, this moment couldn’t last forever as he felt a tension building up in his stomach. The familiar feeling he only got when he got himself off. Usually he lasted longer, but it felt so much better to have his cock buried so deep inside you that he was already close to climaxing.

“Fuck, I’m going to cum,” he said. Just as he finished his sentence he reached his orgasm with a long moan combined with other profanities. For a moment you were taken aback by how beautiful he looked as he came.

Slowly you rode out his orgasm before coming to a stop. Both of you were gasping.

“Shit,” Michael suddenly said. You frowned. “Shit, shit, shit, I came inside you.”

You finally understand what this was about. That gentle smile returned on your face as you bend over, still leaving Michael’s cock inside you.

“Don’t worry about it. I’m on birth control,” you whispered before gentle kissing him. You were glad that Michael kissed you back, knowing that he was reassured.

When the kiss ended, he asked, “I don’t think you came, right?”

You smiled at his caring question, but you expected not to cum during his first time. This was about him after all.

“Don’t worry, I’ll teach you how to make a girl cum next time.”

#5 Seconds of Summer #5 Seconds of Summer Imagine #5 Seconds of Summer One Shot #5 Seconds of Summer Fluff #5 Seconds of Summer Smut #5SOS #5SOS Imagine #5SOS One Shot #5SOS Fluff #5SOS Smut #Michael Clifford #Michael Clifford Imagine #Michael Clifford One Shot #Michael Clifford Fluff #Michael Clifford Smut #Virgin Michael Clifford

[icyhotexplosionwritings]

You are beautiful

Author’s note: Hoo~ boy, insecurities are still going strong, so of course I have to write something about it, to make me feel a little bit better. 

Word Count: 2.1k

Warnings: bodyshaming parents; it gets cute tho i swear ;;

Pairing: Midoriya Izuku x (chubby, tattooed)Reader

Summary: You are home for a visit and your parents only comment about your weight and why you are single, but thankfully Midoriya saves you(kind of) from this hell and finally opens up about what he wanted to tell you since your days in middle school.

„There are so many boys out there, especially in Tokyo and a lot might find you interesting but don’t like your tattoos, so you put them off… – “Well then I guess he isn’t for me and doesn’t like me…?” – “Yeah but what if you’d have a boyfriend who would then hint at you to drop a few kilos because you are too heavy for him…” – “Then he wouldn’t be my boyfriend in the first place…?” – “Yeah but…”

You sighed inwardly, rolling your eyes slightly. Exactly at this moment you harshly got reminded why you weren’t visiting your parent’s house that often since you moved into your university dorms. It was always the same, since you were 16 and hadn’t had a boyfriend, your mother and father - ‘who only did it out of concern for you’ as they would defend themselves - would tell you why you were single in the first place.

Of course, you were too fat, your tattoos made you ugly and being the shy and quiet person you are, was also a big problem in finding the partner of your dreams. There were times where you cried yourself to sleep, because of all the nasty thoughts you had. Even though they told you, they only did it out of concern for you, it still hurt and even after scraping together all the courage you could find to tell them how much they hurt you with their words, they still didn’t stop, because “they were loving parents who wanted you to be happy”…and of course, being happy equals being very thin, having a tattoo-free body and being an outgoing person.

When the evening finally came to end, with the conversation only being about you and your weight and how, with 21, you still hadn’t had a boyfriend, and as your father would ever so kindly say, you would die as an old virgin, you decided it was time to go – quickly.

Thankfully, just when you thought of an excuse to finally leave, your phone rang and your long-time crush, but still only best friend, called you. Quickly, you excused yourself, slipping out of the door into the vestibule of your home.  

.

.

.

When you arrived at the front door of Izuku’s house, you suddenly felt so warm and fuzzy. Studying in Tokyo meant you were hardly home, which you liked on one hand since you weren’t exposed to your parent’s mental abuse, but hated on the other, because it meant not seeing Izuku as much as you used too and wanted, however the two of you did message each other frequently and also facetimed when both of you had time to spare.

Izuku opened the door and greeted you with the happiest smile you missed each day and suddenly you felt the tears well up in your eyes. You tried so hard to always smile, trying to let the words of your parent’s not cut you too deep, but sometimes the weight of those words crushed you mercilessly and when you thought you couldn’t take it anymore then there he was – your hero Izuku.

His eyes widened, when he saw the tears in your eyes and even with 21, when it came to you, he sometimes fell back into his panicky self as he stuttered a little asking you what was wrong, before instinctively pulling you into a hug. You tried to laugh it off as “Well I just missed you, dummy!” and reciprocated his hug, quickly wiping away the tears.

Finally entering the house, you met his mother again, hugging her and for once no adult made a comment about your looks, well at least not in a negative way. Inko only looked at you with sparkling eyes telling you how beautiful you’ve gotten over the one year she couldn’t see you in person, which made you blush a little, you really weren’t used to compliments. When she turned to Izuku with a “Right, Izuku?”, he also blushed, nodding frantically, his voice cracking ever so slightly with a “Yes, of course!” At that moment you could feel your face getting even warmer, but at the same time the voice in your head made it clear to you, “He’s only saying this to be nice, he would never tell you you’re ugly and fat, so of course he’d agree, it’s Izuku.”

“W-Well, Mom, we haven’t seen each other in a while, we have to catch up!” and with that you were dragged to his room. Of course, his All Might Collection was still going strong, but, you knew his room since middle school, it just grew a little over time, so it didn’t surprise you at all.

When the two of you started talking it was like old times, laughing and joking, but you could also talk about serious topics, especially about his hero work and how it sometimes was connected to losing someone or not being able to save absolutely everybody even though he tried his hardest. At times like this you realized how much you really liked him, how deeply you cared about him, but never had the courage to tell him. Getting told ever since you were a young teenager how you should lose weight to be attractive because no one would like you like this, you never dared to tell him how you felt. “He would never find me pretty or anything… or be attracted to me…”, were your thoughts and when the two of you went to different High Schools and you saw all the pretty girls he had in his class and with pretty girls came strong quirks, you just gave up completely, not wanting to make a fool of yourself as the fat loser who wanted to study marine biology and thought had a chance with a hero in training.

Your conversation died down and you both laid in his bed, staring at the ceiling, when he asked you, “You stayed with your parents this weekend, right?” – “Yeah…they wanted to see me again and right now exams are in about three months, so I thought better get it over with now… You know, Dad even told me something I’ve been thinking for a long time now.”

He turned his head to you, to look at your side view, seeing the ways you forced a laugh when you told him “He said, I’m going to die as an old virgin, pff~, well can’t say anything against that!” and even though you tried to laugh, he could see how hard you tried not to sound hurt. “I don’t know why he would say that…you’re really pretty, (Y/N).” His cheeks flushed again, but when you looked at him, taken aback by his words, he didn’t break the eye contact, however you did when you waved him off, looking the other way. “Oh come on, Izuku, I know you just wanna make me feel better, it’s okay though, he’s probably ri-“, but he cut you off.

“No, (Y/N). I really mean it, you’re really pretty…” Izuku grabbed your hand, squeezing it a little, before turning his head the other way, his face feeling hot and when you turned your head slightly to look at his wild hair, you thought you could see steam… He was really embarrassed, however at the same time, your face also flushed 50 shades of red, but you didn’t want to acknowledge his words, all your life you were told otherwise, by your parents, relatives and schoolmates, so you also grew a little angry, tears coming back.

“No, I am not, okay? I am really fat and my tattoos make me really ugly and just… I am not, Izuku! I am… not pretty… at all!” and at last you just sobbed, breaking out into tears you held back for so long and for once you realized how bad your parents messed you up. In just two days, being with your parents made you feel utterly disgusted by yourself.

Izuku was shocked, seeing you burst out into tears, he completely forgot about being embarrassed, he immediately sat up, taking both of your hands into his own, talking calmly, but also sternly, so you would listen to him.

“(Y/N), listen to me, you are not ugly at all. No one should tell you to lose weight unless you want it yourself and being bigger does not make you ugly, nor should it even be something others should talk about, as it is your body. When you showed me your new tattoo the other week, you were so happy, so how can you say that now? You said yourself you felt more pretty with them and you are, you are so pretty with them on your skin. They make you look even more beautiful than you already are. I don’t understand why your parents even do this, but please…don’t think you are ugly, you’re really not. You are the most beautiful girl, from the first day we met, I thought you were amazing. You always such mean things about yourself, but I could think of so, so many other adjectives that I could describe you with, intelligent, loyal, kind, amazing, humorous, ambitious...” he gently wiped away your tears as you tried to control yourself again, when he sat you up as well and made you look up at him, but you were completely in awe at the moment, no one ever told you something like this. “…and so, so beautiful on the inside as well as on the outside… Remember the times I called you behind the school?”, he laughed. Totally stunned, you could only blink and nod, of course you remembered, he would show you a new All Might figurine all the time. To be honest, at first you thought about the chance that he would confess the first time he called you behind the school, but it was just to show you his new item and not be teased about it by the others, so you just never thought of anything else after that.

Izukus cheeks flushed again, but this time not chickening out, he softly pushed a strand behind your ear, looking into your beautiful (e/c) eyes, he whispered, since he was sure his voice would crack if he’d try to say it any louder, “At times like this I always wanted to…to c-confess to you…That I really, really like you, but… when I saw you coming I just felt like running, like how would someone as amazing as you even like me…and…I just always chickened out, so I told you I wanted to show you my new Figurine.” – “W-Wait…what?”, now your voice broke, you couldn’t even believe what he said, but then he cupped your cheeks and said it again, “I’m saying, I tried to confess to you since middle school but I never did it because I am a huge idiot who were to afraid of rejection, but I really need you to know that I’ve liked you for so long… and when high school came around, so much happened, a-and I just didn’t know how to do it anymore… Well, anyways…W-Won’t… you try going out with me, I know I am probably really awkward and there are probably better men out there for you and me being a hero is really stressful and you being in Tokyo to study and-“

Hearing him say all of this made your heart jump and your stomach turn, did your long time crush just tell you he also crushed on you since day 1? You slowly started to realize all of this and by the end he really was just rambling, so you only did the thing that for sure would make him shut up. You kissed him on the corner of his mouth and he instantly stopped, his heart beating like crazy. You smiled at him and for once you felt tears running down your cheek out of happiness when you told him “I’d love to go out with you…”, before burying your face into your hands, leaning gently on his chest you sniffled, “I liked you for so long too… We are both stupid…”.

“(Y/N)… Sorry, that I didn’t realize sooner, but… from now on… I’ll be here for you, I promise!”, he hugged you tightly and swore to himself that he’ll help you with everything that was tormenting you, every time your parents would say something mean, he wanted to tell you otherwise, because to him, you were perfect, ever since kindergarten when you didn’t laugh at him for having no quirk, to middle school when you would defend him in front of some bullies, he found you beautiful and strong. You had perfect imperfections and he could never thank you properly for all the nights you listened to him and his insecurities with his new quirk, you being the only person he ever told about his deepest fears and worries. And now, he would give it all back, even if it would mean stepping up to your parents in the future.

#Midoriya Izuku x reader #Midoriya imagine #Midoriya scenario #bnha imagine #bnha scenario #chubby reader #tattooed reader #x reader #reader insert #bnha #boku no hero academia imagine #Midoriya Izuku

[fates-end-does-vns]

Nogi Wakaba is a Hero: 1/2

that's a familiar looking face. sister or ancestor? sister or ancestor? 

that's a pretty karinish face there 

Second hero diary? What was the first?

>Nogi Sonoko joined the Sanshu Middle School Hero Club.

Starting in the present, I see.

>The Nogi Household's rose bath was like a hot spring.

ahh, wait, that illustration is for this scene isn't it yeah, now I see the black eyes instead of purple

>"That's a cute reaction~ I'm sure the readers would love a character like you~ my creative urges are rising~"

sononononono, don't break the fourth wall

unless you're making fanficion of your friends like fiw twilight, in which case I implore you to reconsider.

>"Yeah, that combination does sound like it could work. So next, how about Nogi?"

do not give sonoka a position of authority outside of combat. it will not end well.

>But yeah, right now, I think that out of all four candidates, I'd recommend Karin as club president. It'll probably be hard for her, but she is the 'perfect hero' after all, so I'm sure she can manage somehow."

ah right karin's more mellowed out now.

>"Okay, I'll read your fortune! ...Okay, I've got the results. This looks like it'll be a good romance!"

show me how you fucked up the tarot itsuki. I won't get too mad.

>"Well~ I'm not sure what I like exactly, but someone who's diligent and takes good care of others would be lovely~. It'd be even more fun if they were way too serious and got reckless from time to time, huh~"

sonogo you're just describing togou

>I wanted some material for my novels, so I asked for some history books to sent in from my family house's archive, and they sent me a huuuumongous amount of them.

HISTORY BOOKS GOTTEM

>"Books that escaped censorship... Those exist?"

fffucking taisha

burnin books too

>It was the same title as the diary Sonoko had recorded when she was worshiped, the Hero Diary.

ahhh so hero diaries are what the taisha make heroes write after they've reached their expiration dates

>It says the diary began to be recorded in July 2015.

so the treepocalypse happened in Next Sunday AD.

>"Nogi... Wakaba... Is she my ancestor~? If she wrote this diary, then does that mean my ancestor was a hero?"

caaaallllled iiiiiiit

y'alright there yuuna

(Prologue: End)

apocalypse magical girls from the far off future of 2018

what the fuck yuuna's is yuuna a time traveller a reincarnatee a cryogenically frozen supersoldier from the distant past

or is this just a coincidence

>Nogi Wakaba, a fifth grader at the time 

>a fifth grader at the time 

>fifth grader at the time 

>fifth grader 

are you fucking kidding me 

that was a joke

so nogi wakaba is basically blond sumi right 

why do these ten year olds have boobs

>One of the star-like objects fell onto the roof of the kagura-den. It was definitely not a bird at all. Its entire body was an almost unnatural white, its size far more gigantic than a human, with an ominous mouth-like organ.

and here's the vertices

>On unsteady feet, Hinata stood up. A strange light imbued her eyes and hex-like words leaked from her mouth.

ahh hinata's got the old possession style sayakafication fairies

I see they're taking the opportunity to do what they can't show on television.

>When she snapped back to her senses, Wakaba was standing up with that very sword in hand. She could've sworn the blade was rusted, but before she  had realised it, the blade was tinged with a vibrant, almost living brilliance.

we sure this is still the magical girl genre? this is giving me Eternity Sword vibes more than anything

>Some changed into a form like the edge of a section of body tissue, stiffening and rising up. (...They're... evolving...?)

that's not how evolution works.

>Three years later-- Nogi Wakaba was now a second year in middle school.

not expecting a time skip of all things. I'll be honest, I was enjoying the hellhole thing.

>Uesato Hinata is a Miko, one who hears divine voices.

miko, huh? interesting.

chapter 1 end.

the fuck is a doi

>After the invasion, a special tree by the name of "Shinju" appeared in Shikoku, and a giant wall made of plant tissue surrounded the island. It is said that the Shinju was the incarnation of the local gods, and the wall was a barrier it put up to stop the Vertex.

"appeared", "it was said". hm, hm, hm~♪

>"Uranophobia."

pff, uranus. but apparently it's "fear of heaven"

>Although it said "hearing the voice of the gods," it was not through common speech, but rather in the form of symbols and suggestive hints that instructions were transmitted to her.

symbols and suggestive hints, huh... so basically it's a horoscope.

>Only the purest of girls

"purest of girls"? what the hell does that even mean in this case

> are able to come in contact with the gods who detest impurity.

oh, the gods are fucking Lunarians.

>An area of the southeastern part of Lake Suwa in Nagano was, like Shikoku, also protected by a barrier where people could live.

...Another barrier? A second tree, or???

noodle discourse

>It let her feel safe knowing there was a friend out there fighting as well.

she's gon die isn't she

oh fuck I'm going to need to memorize at least five sets of speech patterns aren't I

>"I'm not fondling them! I'm trying to tear them off!"

i see hinata has more in common with togou than her hair color

this'll be a joy to get straight 

we even have multiple soft-spoken girls with long black hair 

interesting to note that yuuna's not pictured yet.

>Normal weapons were useless against the Vertex, only those that the Heroes wielded could inflict damage upon them.

so do the weapons have fairies in them or what

>"Taisha" was written with the characters for "Great Shrine," wait a fucking second is this a different organization

yeah yuuna's a time traveller.

chapter 2 end

guess blossoming is already a thing

for some strange reason I feel like wakaba's the only character who matters here.

>And yet Yuuna was less concerned about herself, and more concerned with Chikage who hadn't participated in the battle at all.

yuuna being yuuna

>The next moment, the cylindrical Vertex began forming a clear red plate-shaped structure.

cancer?

>Out of the infinite records available to her, the one Yuuna now chose was "Ichimokuren".

wait, so yuuna's choosing her fairy?

and stuffing it in herself, which is bad.

>Wakaba had dodged the Vertex's charge with the least necessary movement, and at the same time, she bit off part of the enemy's body with her teeth.

don't bite the alien wakaba

>"Wakaba-chan! You can't go eating weird things like that, okay!?"

pff.

chapter 3 end

so is she referring to actual blossoming here or what

>A foul smell hit her the moment she stepped inside.

welp

chikage's in a bad place

chikage's in a really bad place

>They both cursed her existence.

yikes

>Those who had hurt her once were now trying to get on her good side.

garbage people, the lot of them

>(My worth... is in being a hero...)

oh no this won't end well

>It allowed her to exist in seven different places at once. She wouldn't die unless all seven were killed at the same time.

and this is even one of the fairies mentioned in that report.

chapter 4 end

??? I don't get it

oh hey gemini

>"I see! So then maybe we can use the udon as a diversion if it reacts to it!" there is absolutely no way this will work.

>untamarable what kind of pun is that

chapter 5 end

wait a second is that part talking about udon did they censor udon and intelligent? why the hell would the taisha censor information about instant noodles 

>The one who saved her was Yuuna. She suddenly appeared in the midst of the swarm and started holding them off instead of Wakaba. are you sure yuuna's not the protagonist here

so to temporarily stop the vertexes the taisha allegedly went aztec on what were allegedly six mikos those wouldn't happen to actually be these six characters somehow, would they? and I guess Yuuna would be a zombie...?

end of chapter 6

so apparently the divine tree is blaming humans too? fuck that tree.

guess hinata's hair is purple now.

>"...Her consciousness still hasn't returned." so are comas normal for yuuna

this group is a lot less stable than the other ones.

>Now that it had been denied... just how should she fight from now on?

wakaba freaking out about her girlfriend leaving is cute

ah, anzu's trying to cheer her up by point out how many people she’s been helping.

>(But now... I have to get over it.) :V guess the therapists all got eaten

and Chapter 7 ends with another timeskip.

>And perhaps they would keep on changing. *glances at gin's funeral*

>Aki Masuzu clamoured in misery as she changed clothes. oh boy another new character

>However, all communications with Suwa had ceased after last September.

and another tree circle is confirmed just to be killed off lemme guess, they'll disappear one by one until shikoku's all that's left?

>Finally, the Shinju appeared at the end of the path. hup

even in a light novel, the tree isn't described

>Several of the small stars combined into a brilliance unlike anything I've ever seen... leo again?

>There are two kinds of honetsukidori. Chick uses spring chickens while hen uses more mature chicken meat. Chick is more plump, tender, and easier to eat, while hen has a deeper flavour that oozes out the more you chew on its tougher meat. stop it, you're making me hungry

>All Yuuna was doing was cheerfully humming as she cleaned Wakaba's ears-- but not even Hinata was a match for a technique like that. even in other characters' stories, yuuna reigns supreme

>The fierce battle foretold in the oracle in the midst of the war of humanity's last stand would later be called the Battle of Marugame Castle. Oh, so we're getting into a fight that's actually important?

[End of chapter 8]

hmm. you know what, there's only so long you can string me along with splotches of whiteout before I get desensitized to it.

>Would they just blindly increase in size, or would they guide their evolution into an intentional form? The latter.

>By that time, the black shadows wrapping around her foot had already disappeared. what the heck

>Suddenly, Tamako collapsed to her knees. really shouldn'tve tempted fate back there.

>The fairy she had extracted from the Shinju was Minamoto no Yoshitsune, a general with superhuman martial arts thought it was a divine tree, not a throne of heroes.

end of chapter 9.

So are they going on a "trip" outside the wall? Wonder if it's as much of a primordial hellscape as it is in present times...

>Many buildings had been blown out from the inside as if a chemical explosion had occurred within, and traces of heat-deformation could be seen. That's the first unpleasant thing they saw? Guess the vertexes haven't done... whatever to destroy the atmosphere yet.

>For dinner, they were boiling water in a pot to cook some udon they had brought from Shikoku. It was a dry-noodle kind of Sanuki udon that kept well. of course they're eating udon.

>After dinner, everyone went into the river to wash off their sweat. oh boy another fanservice scene bet there's a cg for this too yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep.

>"If I become a hero and do my best fighting the Vertexes, I can save people. If we keep saving people, then we can slowly but surely take back the world and bring it back to normal. At least that's what I think!" Yuuki Yuuna is a Hero, after all.

>After the heroes had annihilated the Vertexes, they decided to resume moving for the day. even the story is getting bored.

>"Th... there was supposed to be an Osaka-famous rare book store here! How terrible! The last copies of incredibly precious books could be lost to the world now!" all that devestation, and that's what makes you freak out?

>Instead-- they found a heap of several skeletons. That's... odd. They haven't found any bodies so far, have they? I figured the Vertex don't leave anything behind.

>Wakaba noticed a notebook on the floor. She picked it up and looked inside. It was the diary of someone who took refuge in this underground mall.

oh are we going to read a diary in a diary?

chapter 10 end

#noyublog #nogi wakaba is a hero #nogi wakaba wa yuusha de aru

[julia-highstorms]

If Jane Was Here (Noah’s POV) - Ch. 10

Summary: ILITW by Noah’s point of view. Previous chapters here

Author’s Note: all characters belong to Pixelberry Studios. From now on, I'll be writing with a gender neutral MC. I'll try to update all the previous character with the proper pronouns. And in next chapter the betrayal of our favorite beanie boy starts! [cries in emo]

Rating: PG-13 (language)

Pairing: Noah x MC

Word count: 2279

Tagging @kurbqa @miragemeister @yertletheturtle04 @mysteriouslady4 @klaudiana-beaumontkk @katiehawkeyebishop @melchann @imgoingtocurnyscho @jadedpixiescribbles @gameofstrangerwars @american-duchess @blackheartdreams @indiacater

If you want to be tagged, let me know!

Chapter 10 - I'm Not Scared

The nightmares kept coming, especially after Lily’s disconcerting text about the basketball game that happened that evening. Noah dreamed about Jane, Mr. Red, spiders and the darkness.

He woke up feeling more exhausted than when he went to sleep. He and Mom had a little argument, as usual, and he left for school. There, MC caught up with him as he walked up the front steps. They looked as tired as him.

“Wow, you look as bad as I feel. Didn’t sleep well?”

“Nightmares. You too?” – he nodded ruefully, rubbing his eyes.

“I can barely think straight. Pretty sure I called my mom a fascist for asking me to take out the garbage this morning.” – he said, as they stepped through the front doors.

As both of them walked down the hall, they spotted Andy walking in the opposite direction.

“Hey! How’re you holding up?” – MC asked the short boy.

“Hangin’ in there. How about y—”

“Hey, ‘King Kang’, you throw that game on purpose, or are you just an one-hit wonder?”

“But you’re glad those spiders showed up, huh? Nice excuse for ditching the game early!” – Andy flinched as the mocking voices shouted down the hall.

“Wha... Hey! You wanna say that to my face?!” – and then he walked past them, chasing the mocking laughter.

“We’ve gotta do something about this Mr. Red situation before one of us cracks.” – Noah observed.

“Well, I for one am done taking hits. It’s time we start hitting back.” – MC said with a determinated frown on their face.

“Yeah, totally!” – he felt slightly inspired by them. – “So uh... what do you want to do?”

“Homework.” – and then, they started furiously typing on their phone. Noah’s own phone vibrated inside his pocket. He fished it and read the group text.

MC: “ATTENTION LITTERALLY EVERYONE!”

MC: “Mr red is going to come after us all”

MC: “Which is definitely my fault and im sorry”

MC: “But I think we can all agree that we need to find a way to stop him”

MC: “Im going to the library tonight to get to the bottom of this”

MC: “To find some way to stop/banish/kill him.”

MC: “Can I count on you?”

Stacy surprisingly was the first one to text back:

Stacy: “I’ll be there.”

Noah: “You don’t have cheer practice or something?”

Stacy: “Duh, of course I do.”

Stacy: “But this is more important.”

Stacy: “C u after class!”

Noah would be lying if he said that the cheerleader’s text didn’t make him a little happier and hopeful.

He looked away from his phone screen. MC’s eyes were already on him and they had a small grin on their lips.

“We’re going to do this, Noah.”

“Yeah... we’re going...” – he couldn’t hold back a smile too.

The two teenagers kept walking down the hall and parted ways. He entered his Biology class and sat on his desk, when his cellphone suddenly buzzed on his hand. An audio blasted from the speakers – which was weird, because Noah always left his phone on vibrate mode only – and a video started playing...

“I HATE my life! Everyone thinks we’re this perfect little family...” – he watched an angry Stacy shouting madly.

Uh, why he was watching it? He reopened the group chat:

Noah: “Anyone else’s phone acting weird? This video of stacy just started auto-playing at full volume”

Andy: “I got it too, and I’m p sure I just saw her run down the hall”

Andy:  “what’s going on?”

MC: “It was Mr. Red. Has to be. Somehow he got that video and sent it to everyone”

MC: “We’ve gotta watch each other’s back today. Something tells me he’s not done yet...”

Andy: “Speaking of, anyone seen Ava?” – hmm, Noah hasn’t.

MC: “I haven’t...”

MC: “You don’t think something happened?!”

Lucas: “Something did”

Lucas:  “But it wasn’t Mr. Red...”

Andy: “what do you mean?”

But Lucas never answered.

Noah haven’t seen any of his friends the whole day and they didn’t texted if they were going to be there at the library, but at least he got MC’s back. After school, he headed towards the Main Street and did his homework at the library while he waited until it was the meeting time.

MC entered the library and headed straight to him.

“Hey, Beanie Boy.” – they whispered at him.

“Hey. Glad to see that at least someone showed up.” – he greeted them back. They pulled the chair beside his and sat down.

“Of course I’d show up. It was me the one who called this meeting, did you forget?” – he rolled his eyes, making MC chuckle.

He appreciated that MC wasn’t much the talking type like him. Or maybe they was, but knowing that he wasn’t, they said nothing else and both of them fell into a comfortable silence.

The minutes passed and no one else arrived. MC started pacing anxiously around the library as Noah drummed his fingers on the table. Where the hell was everyone?

He was starting to feel frustrated and disappointed again.

“...Think anyone else will come?” – they murmured.

“I knew this was gonna happen. I just knew—” – then, before he finished that sentence, the door banged open and Lucas stormed in:

“I got suspended!”

“What? Why?” – MC asked in shock.

“Because even though I tried to do the right thing, Mr. Red is determined to ruin my life. Point is, if there’s anything in this library that can kill that bastard, Im gonna find it if it takes me all year.” – he stopped and looked around them. – “Where’s everyone else?”

“Here.” – they heard someone say.

Turning to the front door, they saw Andy walking with the girls following him. Stacy shuffled beside the Asian boy, her face red from crying. She dropped a half-eaten pint of ice cream in the trash.

“I hope you guys don’t mind if I just curl up on the floor in a ball.”

“As long as I can join you.” – Lily told the cheerleader, dropping a garment bag from the dress store over the back of a chair, before sighing heavily. – “Guys, I’m not so sure about Britney...”

“Wow. You guys... you actually came!” – Noah was surprised to see everyone there that he had to say it out loud. For the first time in years, he felt like he had their support. He had his friends back.

“Of course we came! Why wouldn’t we?” – Stacy looked confused at him. Lily grinned sheepishly:

“We need to stick together now more than ever.”

“Wow, this is getting dangerously close to group hug territory.” – with one hand still on the door, Ava tried to back out of the room, but Stacy grabbed her by the collar.

“Oh no you don’t.”

“You’re not escaping that easily.”

“Ugh. UGH.”

“You all made it...” – it was MC who said this. They was smiling widely. – “Group hug. Seriously.”

“Nooooo...” – Ava complained.

“Yes. Get in here.” – the boys chuckled as they watched MC and the girls hugging each other, with Ava sighing heavily and rolling her eyes the whole time.

“Seeeee? Not so bad.” – Stacy told her.

“Nope. I hate this. You’re all gross.”

“Aww... we love you too, Ava.” – Lily giggled.

“Okay. So here’s what comes next.” – MC said as they pulled out. – “We’re looking for anything we can find on Redfield, or his weird monsters. Or cults from the 1800s... Or coma epidemics followed by multiple deaths... Oh, or some guy named Goddard Filleus.”

Okay, that was oddly specific.

“Who’s that?” – Noah asked.

“A scholar who came to Westchester in the 1800s. He was looking for a monster that lived in the woods... and I think he found it.”

“How’d you hear about him?”

“A little Bird told me.” – they grinned at him. Whatever the hell they meant with it, Noah decided to stop asking questions and start looking for answers.

“Alright! That should be more than enough to crack this thing. Let’s get to it.” – Lucas said, looking excited for the first time in a long time.

But again, it was being useless. Hours had passed, the searching was being fruitless and morale was running low.

“We haven’t found anything on Mr. Red. Anyone have any bright ideas?” – MC asked, closing another ancient book.

“My idea-maker is fried. I haven’t eaten anything all day...” – Lucas said. – “...and I can’t stop thinking about pizza.” – Noah’s stomach growled.

“I’d settle for a cup of coffee... and maybe a new identity.” – Stacy looked as tired as him.

“I just want to go outside for a walk.”

“Pff. Okay, grandpa.” – Ava rolled her eyes to Andy. – “Personally, I just want to break something. Preferably with a hammer. And I do know a warehouse nearby where I can do just that.”

MC turned to Lucas.

“Hey, Lucas! It’s pizza time.”

“But what about—”

“Pizza. Time.”

“Okay, okay. Let’s go.” – he said, holding up his hands in defeat.

“Hey, make sure you bring enough to the class!” – Noah reminded them. He was starving too.

“Will do.” – MC winked at him as they and Lucas headed out.

The rest of the gang kept looking for something useful, but they got nothing. After twenty minutes, MC and Lucas were back.

“Did anyone ordered pizza?” – the Class President looked a litte less tense.

“Hell yeah!” – Andy shouted excited. The librarian shushed him. She was already being kind enough to let them eat inside.

As they dived into their pizzas – which were delicious –, Noah saw MC walking out with Ava. He wondered where in Westchester would there be a warehouse where you could just break stuff. Maybe he should ask its address to Ava later.

Ava and MC returned after a while.

“Come on, Stacy.”

“Huh?”

“You. Me. Coffee. Now.” – MC grinned at her. The cheerleader giggled.

“Gosh, how can I refuse such an eloquente invitation?”

“Can you bring me a chai?” – Lily asked them.

“Sure. Everybody text us your orders.”

They returned after other fifteen minutes. Noah’s iced coffee was great, and he felt a little energized with it.

He watched as MC and Andy left the library for a walk while he sipped on his drink. Unconsciously, his eyes would always follow and search for MC in a crowd.

“Don’t you want to take a break too, Noah?” – Lily asked him.

“Nah. I think it’s better if I keep on searching.” – he shrugged. And, to be honest, he was happy to be there, reunited with his friends.

Andy and MC soon rejoined them.

“All right, let me at those books!” – MC said, plopping down on the chair next to him. Their energy was so infectious that everyone seemed revitalized, attacking their tasks with renewed enthusiasm.

“Ooh! I just remembered there’s a rare books room in the back. Someone want to check it out with me?” – Lily proposed. Ava nodded.

“Aw yeah, if there are any ancient tomes of dark and forbidden magic in this place, that’s where they’ll be.”

“Need someone to help carry? I feel like I could lift about twenty books right now.”

“Only twnety? I thought your record was twenty-five.” – Stacy teased Andy, who rolled his eyes, still grinning.

“Let me know if you see ‘Volume II of Westchester Through the Ages’ back there. I’m almost through Volume I.” – Lucas asked the trio before they headed to the back of the library.

Noah nudged MC by his side with his elbow.

“Pass me that book, wouldja?” – he couldn’t contain a smirk too.

“Sure thing.” – they gave him the book and they dove back into research with contented smiles on their faces.

A while later, Noah heard Lily and MC talking about a children’s book. Andy approached them, telling something about a Mud Dude story.

“That’s the dirt monster! The thing that attacked me in my room!” – MC said, shock in their face. The rest of the gang clustered around them, Lily and Andy to look. They flipped through pages of unfamiliar illustrations and poems.

“’Never trust a bear’?”

“’Spiders, Snakes and Slimy Things’?” – Lucas and Stacy read some of the titles. Noah caught one too.

“’How to Teach a Dead Dog Tricks’? What kinda freaky kids’ book is this?” – he certainly had never saw or heard about it before.

MC flipped the book over to its cover, reading its title out loud:

“’Things That Live in the Woods. Poems and Drawings by... Cora Pritchard’?” – uh, that name rang a bell.

“Why does that sound so familiar?” – Lily asked, looking at her friends’ faces. Ava suddenly jumped by her side.

“I know that name! Cora Pritchard... That’s Pritch the Witch!”

“How would some old crackpot know about all this stuff?” – Noah asked her. But it was MC who answered him:

“I don’t know... but I know one way to find out.”

He saw that determined expression on their face. He knew excatly what they meant.

“We going where I think we’re going?” – MC nodded at him.

“Time to pay Pritch the Witch a visit.”

Noah and Lily shared a worried look, but they all agreed that they had to go to the old woman’s house. At least they were all going to do it. Together.

They climbed on Stacy’s and Lucas’ cars and they drove to a gravel road on the city outskirts.

“Why are we stopping?” – Andy asked from the passenger sit as Stacy parked and shut off the engine.

“There’s a gate. We’re gonna have to walk.”

“Yeah, sure, why not? How could anything bad happen to a bunch of teens all alone in the woods in the night?” – Noah said sarcastically from the backseat.

Then, he felt something warm on his hand. He looked to his side and MC looked back at him. They nodded at him, squeezing his hand slightly. That somehow was reassuring and he felt brave enough to go face Pritch the Witch.

They all piled out of Stacy’s car. Lily, Ava and Lucas did the same from his.

“So... can we just... go in?” – Lily asked, nervoulsy glancing to the woods around them.

“I’m not sure... What does that sign say?” – Lucas said, narrowing his eyes, trying to read it. Ava scrutinized the hand-painted sign partially obscured by a branch:

“Trespassers will be...’” – she lifted the branch. – “’...sacrificed’?”

“Cool. Cool cool cool.” – Noah said, as if saying it out loud would actually turn it cool and not just freaking terrifying like it was.

It wasn’t cool.

All of them tensed, sharing nervous glances.

“We’ve come this far. We can’t give up now.” – MC said, with that brave face of theirs.

Lucas held up the gate’s rusty iron chain, letting everyone duck underneath it. The gang walked deeper into the woods, surrounded by the sound of the wind. None of them said anything and Noah walked the whole way there with one hand around MC’s forearm. He felt less scared feeling their presence right next to him.

A few minutes later, they crouched in the brush outside a run-down cabin. Smoke curled from the chimney. Amber light flickered from the windows.

“Who wants to be the brave one?” – he whispered to his friends.

“I’d do it... but I don’t wanna.” – Andy whispered back.

“What if the stories are true? What if she cooks us into little clay coffins?!” – Lily was just about to freak out. Noah didn’t blame her. He wanted to get the hell out of there the minute Stacy parked the car.

...Actually, the minute MC proposed them to go there. That was the most stupid idea they have ever had.

“Maybe we can peek inside?”

“I’ll take a look.” – Ava told Lucas. Everyone turned to watch her, who remained motionless.

“...Well?” – Stacy asked.

“...Any second now.”

“I’ll do it. I’ll knock on the door.”

“MC, wait!” – Noah said, but MC was already stepping into the clearing and climbing the porch steps. They lifted their arm and knocked on the door, but got no answer. – “Hello? M-Miss Pritchard?” – they knocked again, harder, but still no answer. – “Huh. Hey guys, I don’t thinks she’s—”

But as they turned away from the door, a creature suddenly slank out from around the back. The moss creature growled at the group, ready to attack.

“Holy crap!” – Andy shouted.

“Watch out, MC!” – Lucas told them as they backed away, rejoining them. The creature stalked forward, teeth bared.

“What do we do? MC, WHAT DO WE DO?!” – Stacy yelled, freaking out. Noah was pretty sure that he had just shitted his pants.

“I...”

But then the cabin door swang open, revealing a thin figure silhouetted against the light inside.

“Holy crap... it’s her...” – the beanie boy gasped, recognising Pritch the Witch.

The old woman looked over the group... then scowled.

“Looks like we’ve got some tresspassers. You’ve got thirty seconds to tell me what yer business is... before I let my dog rip you to pieces.”

#if jane was here #noah marshall #noah x mc #ilitw noah #it lives in the woods #ilitw #playchoices #ilitw fanfic #choices fanfic #choices fanfiction #playchoices fanfiction