#pity party in frown town | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

wysteria-bloom · 1 month

Text

Hazbin Hotel but the reader is an overlord that's like Miss Argentina

Genre : Songfic

Warnings : Val. Allusions to suicide. Self harm.

A/n : yeah bro idek I thought this was a cool idea if this post flops I don't give a shit I love miss argentina and her song is the best out of the whole Beetlejuice soundtrack and I will fucking die on that hill. This is Alastor x reader focused btw.

"I was hot!" The woman exclaimed, leaning against the bar stool seductively, grinning toothily at Charlie," Went to parties a lot, yknow?" She raised her eyebrows suggestively, mimicking snorting cocaine across her forearm.

Charlie smiled nervously at the woman as she watched her spin away from the bar towards Husker gracefully," I was driving lamborghinis sippin' super dry martinis in the tiniest bikinis on a yacht," Her smile dropped and she pretended to be a damsel in distress, leaning backwards as Husk caught her in his arms with a bored expression," but I was depressed~..."

She pet Husk on the cheek good-naturedly and spun out of his arms," Oh so completely obsessed... an unhappy beauty queen who dreamed to be Miss Argentina," She gave Charlie a wink, flipping her hair before she gave her a sincere look," I had such low self-esteem, I was a mess!"

Charlie frowned in sympathy before she was pulled into a side hug very suddenly, face pressed against... a generously gifted... cleavage. Her cheeks exploded a bright colour of red and she could've sworn she heard Vaggie growl.

"So I gave it all up for the netherworld, I've been here forever, girl." She gave Charlie a wink and a ruffle of her hair," If I was more clever, girl - I would've stuck it out. Knowing what life's about."

She spun Charlie around, putting on a dramatic performance as she clutched a hand to her chest," Pain and joy and suffering," She wiped away a fake tear," Failing but recovering. I'll tell you another thing," She gestured to Charlie's ragtag group of sinners who were watching the performance with interest and amusement," Everyone here is alone!" Their faces dropped.

She cupped Charlie's face gently, grinning wryly," so if you are breathing, go home!"

She took Charlie's hands in her own, swaying her hips from side to side, engaging in a tango," If I knew then, what I know now~!" She twirled Charlie around with a joyous laugh, the princess couldn't help but laugh along with her, the woman's energy completely infectious," I would have looked within and let love in somehow~!"

She pulled Charlie back towards her, her movements sharp and jumpy," If I only knew, the truth back then," she pressed a kiss to Charlie's hand and let go, showing her wrists to Charlie with a cheeky little smile on her lips, two blatant scars across her wrists indicated to Charlie what exactly happened to (name)," I wouldn't have had my 'little accident'~"

She swayed around, ignoring the pitying look the princess sent her way," Don't be blind," She stopped in front of the painting of Charlie and her parents, gesturing to it with a disapproving frown on her painted lips," You left your whole life behind!" She then counted with her fingers as she began to list," see a shrink, call a priest, ask the recently deceased!" She pointed at Vaggie who ruffled at her uncomfortably.

She then began to push Charlie gently towards the front door of the hotel, giving Alastor an inviting grin," Death is final and you cannot press rewind~!" She cheered out with a wide grin to her voice.

The Radio Demon simply closed his eyes with a simple little smile on his lips, striding over to the woman and holding his arm out to her in a gentlemanly fashion, which made her laugh and link her arm with his.

As they walked around the town, demons chimed in to (name)'s song, following her with stars in their eyes and wide grins.

"Don't jump when the light is red!"

"Toasters should be used for bread."

"Never smoke cigars in bed..."

"Nietzsche was right, y'know, to live is to suffer, bro!"

"Don't cheat on the one you wed!!"

"Never whip a thoroughbred."

"Angry pygmys shrunk his head!"

(name) gave Charlie a gentle pat to the head with a little frown on her lips as the demons harmonised with her," Why did it take death to see that happiness was up to me?"

The woman broke from Alastor and Charlie, arms gestured out widely as if she was offering a hug to the whole of hell. She wish she could.

"If I knew then, what I know nowww~!" She spun around in a circle as demons danced around her with wide grins stretched across their faces, her energy affecting them as well," I would've laughed and danced and lanced every sacred cow!"

She turned to Alastor and Charlie, bright eyes shining at them as she waved her hands at them to follow along with her and let loose," I thought I knew, but I was wrong~!"

Alastor's grin stretched as he placed a hand on Charlie's shoulder, gesturing a hand to (name) as the two of them sang to her," 'cause life is short, but death is super long!"

Suddenly, a demon with a bomb-shaped head poked his head around (name), a mischievous little grin on his face," I exploded!" And his head did just that. But instead of brains, confetti flew around the whole of street.

It looked like a festival was happening... and with (name) it might as well have been a festival.

Demon danced and frolicked around as they cheered and chirped out, dancing in the square like no tomorrow.

Angel Dust grinned at Husk toothily and offered the cat a hand to dance which he scoffed and rolled his eyes at but took his hand anyways, a grin ghosting onto his lips.

Sir Pentious was crouched down a little as he took Niffty's little hands into his and they flailed their arms happily in an uncoordinated dance. His eggs marching around them with stupid smiles.

Vaggie offered a hand to Charlie with a shy little smile on her lips. The princess' previous grievances were forgotten as she let the happiest smile spread across her lips, pulling Vaggie close to her to begin dancing.

Alastor made his way into the middle as (name) held her hand out to him. His large claws wrapped around hers, one of his hands settled on her waist as he sang along with her.

"If I knew then, what I know now~! " She gave him a bright smile, the two of them dancing in complete sync. (name) didn't know Alastor could tango so well, that was for sure," I would've crossed every line and drank all the wine before my final bow!" At this line, Alastor dipped her, making her squeal in delight.

"If I knew, the things that now I know~!" The two of them focused on eachother's feet as they tapped and moved along to the music sharply, the demons all gaming over singing from here.

"I would ride the highs and cherish the lows! Going, it's a quick trick 'round the rodeo!"

(Name)'s arm wrapped around Alastor's neck as he lifted her up bridal style, spinning her around joyously. The woman had an arm thrown out as she sang her heart out," So before they lower the curtain, be certain to enjoy the show! That's what I knoooow~!"

He let her down as she danced herself and then gave Charlie a supportive smile," life is short but death is long," she took her hand and trailed her through the crowd to the middle of the square, standing on the stairways of the hotel," here, one minute then it's gone."

Charlie joined in the song happily," thought I knew but I was wrong," the two then harmonised," If only I knew what I know now~!!"

- 👠 -

Vox's eye twitched as he watched the screen, just about ready to explode. Vox had it frozen on the frame of (name) in Alastor's arms as they sang together with knowing smiles on their lips.

Val hummed, tapping the screen with a claw," her tits are huge, huh?"

That made the TV-man snap as he glitched out from pure adultered rage, throwing his "Fuck Alastor" mug at Val.

#alastor x y/n #alastor hazbin hotel #alastor x you #alastor x reader #hazbin hotel x reader #hazbin x reader #songfic #i love miss argentina with my whole heart #Spotify

342 notes · View notes

milunalupin · 2 months

Text

— tale as old as time

a/n: welcome to my beast!remus x beauty!reader series ! i hope you come along this journey with me and enjoy!

chapter one

remus lupin x reader ★ 1.4k words

Gowns and music filled the ballroom, the castle's servants walking around with silver trays of the most luxurious desserts in France. Beautiful and wealthy people danced around to the sound of the piano and the most famous opera singer money could buy in all of Europe.

The ballroom was decked out in glimmering jewels and fresh flora, the smell of roses strong in the air. In the middle was Prince Remus Lupin, twirling countless girls about, a smirk on his handsome powdered face. The Lupins ruled the Alsace region, their wealth apparent by their acres of meticulously landscaped property, the glimmer of the sun on the enormous castle blinding. Remus was an only child who was raised by King Lyall and Queen Hope, until the queen passed away from an illness many years ago, leading the Prince to grow up with the influence of his cold and selfish father.

Staff members were forced to turn a blind eye when they would see the young master walk through the castle with watery eyes or badly hidden bruises. No matter how much they pitied him, his father would rid them of their job in a heartbeat if they dared speak up about it. With every passing year, Prince Remus grew to be increasingly more his father, prioritizing status over everything. Remus' life was filled with anything he wanted, and obviously once you have everything, things get boring. So, he constantly hosted balls and invited only the most beautiful and influential people in France. Men and women came from all over the country dressed in the most lavish of outfits, trying to gain the attention of the young Prince.

In a silky yellow tailcoat stood the royal family's head of kitchen staff, Sirius Black. He let out an exaggerated sigh as he stood along his colleagues, James Potter and Peter Pettigrew. "How many girls will leave crying tonight, do you think?"

James, dressed in all white with embroidered lapels, rolled his eyes and frowned as he watched the Prince. "He'll never get married if he keeps acting like this, never form a true bond with anyone."

A huff came from Peter, who looked the worst out of the three of them (according to Sirius), in a simple brown waistcoat. He held his prized pocket watch in his hand, constantly checking the time to ensure the party was running smoothly. "The prince's love life isn't really any of our business, Sirius."

Peter Pettigrew, to say the least, was a suck up, and nothing but loyal to the royal family. It was in his blood; his family having served the royal family for decades. Naturally, he started working under his father in the administrative department and moving ranks until he was appointed head of house, managing the rest of the staff as His Highness' right-hand man.

James Potter credits everything he has now to his beautiful mother, Euphemia, who was an incredible seamstress who worked in the castle years prior. Now, James assists the young master with his clothing as well as leads the housekeeping staff with his mini assistant Harry, who's favorite thing to do is fold the towels into swans.

Sirius met James when they worked together at a pub in town before James accepted his position among the royal staff. He was an orphan who had run away from his abusive foster parents. Euphemia felt for the boy and had immediately taken them in like her own son. Cooking meals with his new family ignited his love for food and with help from the Potters, had gone to culinary school. Later, with James's help, began as a waiter at the castle turned kitchen manager.

Prince Remus, to be frank, doesn't love, not really once his mother had passed. Once under the orders of his father, his image, and the people he surrounded himself with became a priority. Being human was being vulnerable, and being vulnerable was being weak. That's why he found himself surrounded by attractive women, knowing that each one hanging onto his arm believed that they would be the one he fell in love with, inheriting his fortune and power. His arm was around one of the maidens' waists, loosely spinning her as his eyes scanned the room for someone more interesting.

"My lord, I can't help but believe you might have an interest in me. this is the second time we've danced tonight; you need not be so shy."

His eyes dropped back to Amelie? Emily? who blushed under his gaze, looking up at him through her fluttering eyelashes. He scoffed and retracted his hand from her waist, pushing past her towards another, ignoring her pleas and attempts to grab his arm. As much fun as he had being the center of attention and being the one everyone wanted to be with, he despised the desperate ones, none of them being worth his actual time.

"Papa, I brought the napkins you asked for!"

Sirius, James, and Peter turned to find Harry, James's son, holding a stack of cloth napkins up to him with a bright smile, his glasses sliding down his nose. James grinned as he took the napkins from Harry, pushing his glasses back up his nose and fixing his hair.

"Great job Harry, now run along."

"You've got him working already Potter? A chip off the old block, that one is." Peter chuckled, smiling along his colleagues as they watched little Harry skip away.

The doors suddenly burst open, a woman in a cloak falling to the ground, her hood slipping and exposing her ratty grey hair. The maidens closest to the door gasped and squealed as they backed up, trying to distance themselves from the old woman. The music has stopped, Prince Remus weaving his way through the crowd to stand before the elderly intruder.

"Who let you in, peasant? This ball is invite only."

The woman looked up, her cloudy grey eyes looking into the Prince's. She held up a single rose, offering him the flower for temporary shelter from the cold. Prince Remus scoffed, rolling his eyes at the woman. The party goers laughed at the old woman from the other side of the ballroom.

A smirk appeared on the old woman's face, as her body under the cloak began to glow a warm yellow, what seemed liked enchanted haze spreading towards the aghast party goers. Flower petals began to float around the woman as she transformed into a younger, more beautiful version of herself, her now bright blue eyes staring into the Prince's. The guests screamed at they scrambled to escape the sorcery they've witnessed, polished shoes trampling over expensive fabric and rose petals.

The royal staff looked on in fear, not knowing how to help their master in this situation. James weaved through the people rushing out and found Harry hiding in a corner. He picked him up and turned to head out the door but stopped when he heard a deep growl coming from the center of the room.

The cloud of magic enveloped Prince Remus, his bones cracking and expanding as his body slowly transformed him into a large, furry monster. His perfect silk robes tearing and falling off the Prince's new body. Large curved horns grew out of his head, and his perfect teeth evolved into sharp fangs. His once perfect appearance turned into one of a menacing animal.

The young Prince had failed his test from the enchantress. He had not shown kindness to a stranger in need and had confirmed his own selfishness and entitlement. He was mean and ugly on the inside, so she had turned him into who he really was, a beast. Adding on to that, she left a powerful spell on the castle and villagers, turning the royal staff into household objects for allowing the Prince's behavior, and erasing all memory of the royal castle and its inhabitants from the villagers. The curse was infinite, unless the prince managed to make someone fall in love with him.

Over the years the castle grew colder, lonelier as Remus and his staff became more hopeless for a chance to end the curse. Snow had fallen over the crumbling castle and grounds, the bitterness of the cold outside matching what Remus was feeling in his heart.

He was doomed, turned into a disgusting monster for the rest of his days, because who could ever learn to love a beast?

#marauders x reader #marauders era #marauders #remus lupin #remus lupin x reader #remus x reader #beast!remus #beauty!reader #beauty and the beast #james potter #sirius black #peter pettigrew

185 notes · View notes

spideystevie · 1 year

Note

💘 “it’s not much, but i got you this.” with stevie but friends to lovers vibes 🤭🤭 maybe u got stood up on a valentines date or smth

ruby your brain is sooooo…… the friends to lovers vibe here KILLS me! the way i was giving myself the butterflies writing this…it’s bad for me out here. mutual pining...idiots in love....love being in the little things.... yeah <3 [1.1k] | join the party!

Getting stood up sucked but something about it being Valentine’s Day rubbed just a little bit more salt into the wound. You’re not sure how many more sympathetic, pitying looks you can take.

“Sweetie, if you’re not gonna order we’re gonna have to ask you to give up the table,” your waitress says, that same sad smile on her face. Her eyes are kind and you know she means well but you can’t handle any more sympathy tonight. You smile at her tightly.

“Okay,” you relent, pushing your chair out. You pull out a few spare dollar bills you had in your purse and leave them on the table before leaving. When you’re outside and pulling your jacket around yourself to help against the wind, you’re wishing you asked to use their phone.

There’s a payphone maybe a block away you think and you start your trek to it, feeling more angry than anything else now. Stupid Bobby Skeeter, leaving you stranded like that. You scoff to yourself, kicking a pebble with the toe of your boot.

When you get to the payphone and punch in Steve’s number, you hardly expect him to answer on the first ring.

“Steve?” he responds with your name and before he can get far, you cut him off. “I’m at the payphone off Cherry and Main.” You can hear him shuffling on the other line, hear the jingling of his keys getting snatched off the counter. “Bobby didn’t….”

“I’m on my way,” is all he says and then he hangs up. You stand with the phone to your ear listening to the dial tone for a second before setting it back on the receiver.

Steve’s headlights flash over where you’re sitting on the curb when he pulls up not even ten minutes later. It should’ve taken him longer but you don’t dare question it. You rise to your feet as Steve gets out of his car and rounds it to give you a hug.

You hadn’t been all that sad before if you had to be honest with yourself but feeling Steve’s arms around you, squeezing you tight breaks some kind of dam behind your eyes. The first tear slips down your cheek as you wrap your arms tighter around Steve’s neck and hide your face against his collarbone.

He rubs a hand up your back and lets you hold on for as long as you need in the shine of his headlights. The car is still running behind you two and you can faintly hear a Bruce Springsteen song playing over his stereo. After the song ends, Steve speaks up.

“Are you hungry?”

You pull your head back with a small, wet laugh and nod. You wipe at your eyes with the sleeve of your jacket, taking a step back. It’s only then does Steve realize how pretty you look, done up for a date that didn’t deserve you. “Starving.”

He takes you to a small diner off Fifth Street on the edge of town and you fill yourselves on greasy cheeseburgers and salty french fries and Steve insists on the two of you getting milkshakes. He makes you laugh and you almost forget all about your failed date.

Afterwards, he takes you home. You sit in his car in front of your house for a minute. In the silence, it’s easy to feel sad and sorry for yourself again. You bite back the prick of tears at the corner of your eyes.

“I wasn’t even sad at first,” you say, feeling like you need to explain yourself. Steve looks at you, eyebrows slightly furrowed. “At first, I was pissed and I spent the whole walk to the payphone cursing his entire existence. And then…I don’t know,” you scrunch your nose and wipe at your eyes. “I guess it was just a way for me to hide how much it hurt me, you know?”

Steve frowns, eyes scanning over you. He grabs your hand and squeezes it three times, like an apology he doesn’t need to give and a way of letting you know he’s there and he cares.

“Barry’s an idiot,” he says, purposely getting his name wrong because he knows it’ll make you smile. You roll your eyes.

“Bobby.”

“Eh,” he shrugs. “Same syllables.”

You let out a soft laugh, looking down at your hands in your lap.

“I, um. I’ve got something for you,” he says, letting go of your hand and leaning across you to open the glovebox. He pulls out a small wrapped gift and your eyes track it, your heart slowly starting to inflate. He holds it out to you.

“It’s not much..” you look at Steve and his heart chips away in his chest from how sad your eyes look. “But I got you this.”

You sniffle and wipe your nose with the sleeve of your jacket. You take the wrapped gift from his hands, shifting against the passenger’s seat of the car.

“You got me a Valentine’s gift?” you ask, voice sounding small. Steve’s cheeks start to warm, turning a light shade of pink that he prays doesn’t show in the dark. His eyes meet yours and he nods, a tight lipped smile on his face.

“‘Course. Open it,” he nods towards it and you look down at the gift in your lap. You glance back at him once, a tiny smile starting to lift your cheeks. The wrapping is an old brown paper bag but it’s wrapped nice and neat like he took his time with it. (He did.)

You pick at a corner of it and slowly peel back the paper. It doesn’t take you long to uncover his gift to you. It’s a new cassette for your walkman, the one you’d been eyeing lately. The one you’re not even sure you’ve mentioned but one time offhandedly. You think you might start crying again.

“Oh..Steve,” you utter his name so softly, like it’s something delicate and fragile. You swallow, tracing along the album cover art. He follows the movement of your hands with his eyes and then looks back up at your face, just as you’ve wiped away a new set of tears.

“Oh god...do you..is it..” he can’t get his words out and when you look at him with a beaming smile, eyes teary, he’s truly rendered speechless.

“It’s perfect. I love it,” I love you, you want to say but you bite your tongue. Instead, you lean over and press a kiss to his cheek. “Thank you, Stevie.”

He blinks, cheeks burning furiously now. He smiles at you and nods once.

“Anything for you.”

You have to bite on your lip to contain your grin.

#steve harrington #steve harrington x reader #steve harrington x y/n #steve harrington fluff #steve harrington blurb #📝: a writes!#allie's valentine's house party <3 #allie's vday party blurbs!

522 notes · View notes

luveline · 1 year

Note

For the Steve zombie au, may i request r and Steve’s friends getting to know each other? Maybe they’re all eating together and r realizing she can trust these people and Steve is just so happy they all get along?

thank you for your request my love! steve zombie!au | fem!reader ♥︎ 1.2k

You're majorly surprised that Steve would be friends with Jonathan Byers. It probably seems like old news given the apocalyptic circumstances, but you remember the epic and tragic bumps of their love triangle. Nancy bouncing between them, and the eventual messy breakup.

You're unsure if Steve knows you'd been there that night at the Halloween party. His Risky Business costume had actually done a lot to humanise him when you first met him again in the early days, and he'd been a total jerk. He'd say something cruel and you'd remember his sunglasses and his chicken dancing and get over it.

You're not in the early days anymore. Months of hiking and fighting and zombies and, amazingly, falling in love. Steve would kick the shit out of anyone if they talked to you the way he had, and his apology for being such a grump comes everyday and in new ways.

He has his hand between your thighs, fingertips stroking circles up toward your knee.

"No, man, I'm serious, it was a shit show! First you, then Hargrove," he's saying, stomach digging into the table's edge with his enthusiasm. "Good thing, though, my ego was dead and gone when I needed to be humble."

Jonathan snorts, picking through his cards with a concentrated frown. "I'm still sorry."

"I don't want you to be sorry. I was a dick."

"Yeah, but we were seventeen. Everyone's a dick at seventeen."

You're having a hard time distrusting him, or any of Steve's friends, considering they're the ones who fought to get you back. They walked miles in the dark and the cold to save you, and bring you back to the community. If it weren't for them, you wouldn't be tucked into Steve's side, eyeing his cards and whispering instructions. Nobody's given you shit for it, while it's pretty much cheating, and you know why — there's a resounding feeling of pity wrapped around you.

You still have all the cuts and scrapes of your kidnapping. The scratches on your face have barely scabbed over, your wrists still sore and torn. It's a constant reminder. You try not to look at them.

Pity comes with a good helping of care, though.

"Hey," Robin says, bounding into the town hall with a smile. "Where is everybody?"

"We're early."

"Oh. Well, I got more cards," she says, brandishing a fresh pack, plastic wrapped and everything, "Cooper didn't wanna give 'em to me, but I told him the cards club got a bunch of new members. Hopefully he doesn't come tonight."

She pauses. "Can I sit here?"

You nod emphatically. She can do whatever she likes as far as you're concerned. She'd been there for Steve while you were gone, and she's come to find you too. You're starting to realise that your suspicion of her had been unfounded. For the two weeks you'd slept in her room, you'd stayed up sick with nerves thinking she was gonna stab you in your sleep. It's kind of hard to believe she'd bother these days.

Plus, you desperately want to like Robin. She's funny, and smart, and she has a really nice voice. You could listen to her talk about movies for hours, and you would, because Steve could do it too, though he's far more opinionated than you are.

"Thank you," she says. "I got something for you."

You sit up from Steve's side, trying your best to look like a functioning person rather than his pathetic clinger. "What?"

"Yeah, I got this bio-oil from the medic station for your face. I mean, don't get me wrong, you'd look cool with a scar, but I thought maybe that should be up to you. And this," she says, putting the bio-oil and a white packet down in front of you. "Steve said you liked the first one."

It's a small bar of Hershey's Cookies 'n' Creme. You stare at the two items, lost for words, and then you decide you have to be brave even if it's a little awkward, and even if you're still scared of things going wrong.

"You didn't have to get these for me, Robin," you say.

"I wanted to."

You slide across the bench you're sitting on slowly, so she has time to move away. "Thank you," you say, and hold your arms out for a hug.

She looks startled but happy, and is quick to accept your offering. "You're welcome," she says, arms crossing behind your back.

You nod and pull away, giving her a genuine, if guilty smile.

Just as you realise Steve has been listening, Jonathan tries to save him, roping him back into conversation. You miss his hand on your leg and consider asking for it back, and you really wish he'd stop the game altogether so you can hide under his arm again. You've been feeling rightfully fragile since you got back. Touching him makes it go away.

But you're not a loser. Robin's breaking the seal on the new pack of cards, and you're really good at card games after so many nights alone with Steve, who's really bad at them.

"You know gin rummy?" you ask her.

"I do not," she says, with an air of grandness, her smile unmissable. "I'm a quick study."

"Robs, don't let her teach you," Steve butts in, "she'll teach you how to play, but she won't teach you how to play well."

"I only taught you badly 'cause I was mad at you," you say, rolling your eyes.

"What?"

"Yeah, it was after we got stuck inside that taco truck, and you said I sound like a dying cat when I sing, even though you're the one who asked me to sing in the first place."

He chuckles easily at the memory. "Oh, yeah. God, I'm sorry, you were still sick from that bad water and your throat was all raw."

He does you the service of kissing your cheek.

"I'm sorry," he says again. "I was mean."

"I don't buy it. That's a fake apology," Robin says.

You burst into giggles as Steve gasps with indignation, and Jonathan lays his cards out flat on the table.

"I win," he says.

Steve, despite your ganging up on him, and Jonathan's poorly timed victory, doesn't seem upset at all. He's smiling one of his more secret smiles, the kind you had to dig long and hard to find, and his hand feels like love as he takes up station on your thigh again. He squeezes three times.

You cover his hand briefly with your own, rubbing the fine hairs on the back of his fingers, before turning your attention to Robin completely.

"I'm gonna make you a champion," you promise.

#steve zombie!au #steve harrington x reader #steve harrington x you #steve harrington x y/n #steve harrington #stranger things x reader #stranger things fic #steve harrington imagine #steve harrington fanfic #steve harrington fanfiction #stranger things #stranger things 4

574 notes · View notes

b7ngt4n · 4 months

Text

The Last Remaining | Part 05

-> South Korea was left abandoned after a 'zombie' virus sweeps the nation. Left to save themselves, Y/N and a group of seven men, who she's found safety in, rely on each other to stay alive as they travel to the south side of the country on the hunt for a rumoured 'z-free' haven. But nothing is ever easy. Especially when they find it's not only just zombies they need to watch their backs for.

-> A female reader x BTS zombie apocalypse AU

-> Genre: Post-apocalyptic, action

-> Warnings for Part 5: swearing, violence, gore

-> Word count: 5,357 words

-> Interactions are greatly appreciated xoxo 💖

Part 05: Code Purple 🧟

The sky was painted a pretty ombré of yellow, orange, dark blue and purple. If it weren’t for the circumstances you were in, you would’ve definitely taken a photo and stayed to watch the sun set. But the sun setting was your number one problem at the moment as you hadn’t found shelter yet. Who knows what kinds of things could go wrong at night. Or what could kill you. Eat you.

Suwon was your average zombie-town. Not a single living thing lurking around apart from zombies. But there was something off about them.

They were more slower and less aggressive. Compared to Seoul Z’s, Suwon Z’s were angels. They were a breeze to get rid of, which was very fortunate for you guys as the only weapons on you were yours and Yoongi’s pocket knives. Other than that, it was up to everyone to go old school with their good ol’ fists.

But you noticed something very odd about these zombies. Something that couldn’t just be a weird coincidence.

“Namjoon,” you stopped the person closest to you. He was confused, about to ask why you stopped him in his tracks as you both fell to the back of the group. But he noticed the slight frown on your face, and that you weren’t looking at him but something behind him.

He followed your gaze, finding himself looking down a narrow and dim alleyway. He didn’t see it at first but when he saw it, he finally understood why it had your attention.

There on the ground was the upper body of an alive zombie crawling your way with one arm. There was no lower body. It had been cut off from the hip down, leaving its pelvic bone horrifically exposed. It was using its hand to drag itself across the pavement. But it was very gradual. Like it was trying so hard to get to where it wanted to go but was on the verge of giving up. There was just something so miserable about watching it struggle.

But the pity party wasn't the problem. Ever since you arrived, every zombie you’ve come across had some parts of it missing. It could be something small like an ear or an eye or something larger like two arms or a foot.

“Tell me you’ve noticed it too, how all these zombies are missing body parts,” you remarked, glancing at him.

“Yeah I noticed,” he sighed heavily, crossing his arms as he watched the hopeless half of a zombie slowly crawl its way to you, centimetre at a time.

“It can’t just be a coincidence, right?” you speculated, sharing your thoughts with him. He agreed with you, but it was difficult to find a reasonable explanation to this.

“Maybe they started eating each other? Ran out of humans?” he suggested, shrugging his shoulders. But you weren’t convinced.

“There’s no way,” you denied, pointing at the legless and single-armed zombie as you inspected it closer, “that doesn’t look like a bite mark to me.”

Namjoon had to admit you were right. The cut was too clean to have been bitten off, which completely crosses off his assumption. Could it have been a bear? A rabid mutated bear that feeds off of zombies? Or a gigantic mother zombie who is much more ruthless compared to normal ones? Many questions were raised that he honestly didn’t want to know the answer to.

“It’s suspicious, yes,” he admitted, “but let’s not focus too much on it. We still need to find a place to spend the night. Not to mention, food, water, and weapons. These guys are somehow the least of our problems right now,” he referred to the crawling zombie who was still somehow nowhere close to you. It barely made any progress.

“Okay, yeah, you’re right, let’s go,” you sighed, agreeing with him that you did have more important things to worry about. He patted you on the shoulder as you both rejoined the group further down the street. But your suspicions still weighed in your mind.

“Joon, we found a supermarket with food, water, torches, bandages, pain-killers, and other useful supplies like that. It was unlocked but we checked and it doesn’t seem like anyone’s inside,” Hoseok informed Namjoon as soon as he arrived. He nodded, observing the supermarket’s store front before giving it the all clear.

“Good job guys. Let’s stay here for tonight and make a move tomorrow morning,” Namjoon instructed, giving Jin and Hoseok beside him a pat on the back.

Everyone settled in very easily. You tried to as well, but the odd feeling in your gut made it difficult. It just wouldn’t go away. You felt uncomfortable in this city, like something was off about this place. You didn’t know if it was because of the zombies or something else about the town was bothering you. But it was strong enough that it affected you and the way you acted. And enough for the boys to notice too.

“You’ve been quiet,” Jungkook spoke from behind you as you were mindlessly browsing the crisps aisle. You jumped, glancing back to find Jungkook’s familiar face as you held your chest in an effort to calm your racing heart. He noticed you were badly shaken by his sudden appearance, something he did not intend to do.

“Hey,” Jungkook murmured in a gentle voice, placing his hands on your shoulders to turn you around, “it’s just me.”

You made eye contact with him. His frantic eyes and pinched eyebrows made you realise just how much this zombie mess was getting to your head.

“Sorry,” you apologised, embarrassed he had to see you like that, “I’m going crazy,” you shook your head, burying your face into your hands.

Jungkook breathed out, chuckling to himself, “We all are Y/N. It’s what the apocalypse does to you.”

You lifted your head up to see a small grin had appeared on his face. He grabbed a large packet of Doritos from the shelf behind you (your favourite flavour too), ripped it open, and settled down on the floor, “so I’m guessing this is somehow connected to whatever Namjoon and you were talking about earlier.”

You joined him on the floor, sitting opposite him as you both shared the packet of chips, “Yeah, but it’s kinda stupid now that I think about it,” you reflected your honest thoughts out loud to him.

“Nothing you think or say is stupid,” Jungkook replied, staring at you.

A shy smile appeared on your face as you looked away, unable to hold eye contact as you felt your cheeks heating up.

"Come on, let me know what's going on in that pretty head of yours," he said with handsome and intriguing eyes you just couldn't say no to.

You giggled at his smooth words and the cheeky smirk he had on his face, "I just thought it was weird how every zombie here was missing body parts, that's all."

He didn't say anything, just stared at you. A sour smile appeared on your face, "I told you it was stupid."

"No, I noticed it too," he admitted, you glanced at him, "and I think it's weird too. It doesn't seem like a coincidence to me."

You sighed in content, "right? I just know there's something more to it. Just have no idea what," you quietly trailed off, eyebrows furrowing together as you still couldn't think of a reasonable explanation to your theories.

"And I'm sure we'll find out when the time's right," Jungkook assured you, reaching out to cup your hand between his, "but you will not put yourself in harms way, I won't let you."

You frowned at him but continued to listen to him as he spoke, "I know we just met, but I really like you alive Y/N. I just want you to be safe. Whatever happened to those zombies, I don't want happening to you."

Your heart may have skipped a beat or two. Did he just confess he liked you? It was like a scene from a romance movie you would watch on TV. You just never knew how much butterflies it could give you in real life.

"Okay," you nodded, frown instantly melting away as a soft smile appeared on your lips, "I understand."

"Your hands are cold. Come here," he whispered tenderly, arms outstretching towards you. You didn't really need to move as Jungkook used his muscles to bring you himself. He turned you around, pulling you close so you rested nicely on his chest. He wrapped an arm around you to keep you warm and close.

"I heard skin on skin contact can help raise body temperature," he muttered an excuse against your head, you could feel his lips touching your hair.

Just as you were about to look up at him and say something, he stopped you, "Don't move or it won't work."

It was no use arguing with Jungkook when he was like a big fluffy bunny that had wrapped you up into his own personal pillow- burrito. Not that you were against it anyways. You were so close to him that you could hear his heart pounding against his hard chest. It was beating fast, like he'd just gone for a run even though you guys have been sitting here for the past 10 minutes. You nearly burst out laughing right then and there at his cuteness. Jeon Jungkook, you're not slick.

You woke up to chatter between Namjoon and what sounded like a woman. You were in a different spot from where you last remembered, which was against Jungkook's chest. Your head was resting on towels, ones you previously saw on the shelf, and a thin blanket had been placed on top of you. The sky was no longer a pitch black but the sun shine was up and shining from the east, indicating it was the next morning.

"Yes Dr Baek, your hospitality is much appreciated but we're just about to head off-" you heard Namjoon say before being abruptly cut off.

"-Nonsense. We have showers, fresh clothes, and I will cook up a fresh soup for you all," she interrupted him, insisting him to take up her offers.

You looked around to find everyone mostly awake. You nudged the closest person next to you, Hoseok, and whispered discreetly to him, "what's going on?"

"Not that sure, I woke up to Namjoon talking to her too," he informed you, nodding toward the short, hunched-back black-and-grey-haired woman when he said 'her', "she's been telling him she and the remaining survivors of Suwon are in the city hall. And has been asking Namjoon and us to have a rest there."

You liked the sound of having a rest despite having a 5 hour sleep (which was the most you'd ever get in the apocalypse), "sounds nice. I could use a shower right now," you admitted, disliking how you've been sitting in your own dirt for a couple days now.

"Yeah, me too," Hoseok agreed quietly.

"Okay Doctor, we will stay until the afternoon. After that we will be on our way," Namjoon suggested a compromise to her. The Doctor's saggy cheeks and wrinkle lines lifted as she grinned, showing off what looked like dentures.

"Oh, everyone back at the hall will be so happy to have guests over," she gleamed, wrapping a hand around Namjoon's arm to help guide her out, taking him with her.

"Follow me, chop chop, this way!" she called behind her as Namjoon beckoned Jin to follow behind him closely. Jin was out the door as soon as he signalled for Hoseok to pack things up quickly and join them. Everything moved so fast and it didn't feel like any one of you had a choice. It was only when you counted five other heads, you noticed there were two missing.

"Jimin," you two were the last in the supermarket as Hoseok and Taehyung had already left with your bag freshly packed of supplies, "where's Jungkook and Yoongi?"

Jimin glanced behind him, as if to check there wasn't anybody around to listen, "they left earlier in the morning to see if they could find any weapons."

You nodded, unsure as to why that would be much of a secret, "okay, well we have to go find them to tell them we're going to the city hall." But Jimin gave you a 'not so sure that's going to happen' look.

"I think it's best they join us later," he told you, an evident frown appearing on your face that he cannot ignore, "let's check the hall out first. And if it's safe, we'll go get them."

You crossed your arms and sighed, "we can't just leave them," your disappointment doesn't go unnoticed by him.

He placed an arm on your shoulder to assure you, looking you dead in the eyes, "trust me I'd never leave my brothers behind," he promised you.

"Look," he revealed a permanent marker hiding in his hands. You watched as he wrote the letters 'CP' on the wall next to the door. It was small enough to not attract attention but big enough to see if you looked from the right angle.

"What does that mean?" you questioned, staring at it and thinking of all the possible meanings behind it. But Jimin shook his head with a smile as he dragged you out the store to quickly catch up with the others.

But not before he quietly whispered into your ear, "it stands for 'Code Purple'. It means trust."

Jungkook and Yoongi were happy to have successfully found handguns and rifles at the local police station. They were lucky to find all the goods in there: loaded magazines, radios, walkie talkies, and a paper map. Just about all you guys needed to get back on your feet, literally. But Jungkook's smile immediately faded when he came back to an empty supermarket.

He couldn't help but think and worry about you first before his best friends who are like family to him. Was it selfish? Probably. Did he betray bro code? Probably. He felt like shit not thinking of his bros first. Like he was betraying his family for a girl he just met. He didn't want to feel this way towards his brothers, but there was no avoiding the way his heart felt about you.

The moment he first saw you wasn't even when he first met you. No. Jimin and him had been watching you since Kang very loudly pulled up to the gas station. The two of them were just about to scavenge it out for supplies when you made a very grand and unique entrance. Jimin insisted on waiting for you all to leave to check out the gas station like planned, but Jungkook had forgotten all about the plan the moment he laid eyes on you. He thought you looked so beautiful and so graceful. But what boiled his blood was when he saw the way Kang treated you. He saw your hands tied up and him pushing you around like you were a rag doll. He was so pissed off that he was just getting away with this in broad daylight because it was the fucking apocalypse. He took his opportunity to save you when he saw Kang running towards the back of the store. He knew you were trying to make an escape. He couldn't just stand by and let you lose an unfair battle. He was up and moving before he realised it, giving Jimin no choice but to follow and help out the youngest one save you.

"Where the fuck did they go?" Jungkook exclaimed, quickly browsing down the aisles only to find it was only him and Yoongi there. He was panicking, losing his mind, while Yoongi quietly stood there examining the store.

"Relax Jungkook, they're fine," Yoongi tried to calm him while Jungkook paced around. He turned to glare at him, flames of rage in his eyes that Yoongi had never seen before in him.

"You don't know that," he said harshly, clenching his jaw as he leaned against the shelf to try and think more clearer. Yoongi knew the reason he was so worked up was because of you. Jungkook was anxious for you. He noticed Jungkook picking at the skin of his finger, a habit of his when he's anxious.

"But I do," Yoongi replied, pointing at the wall before Jungkook could ask questions. Jungkook had to pause, squint, and look closer to notice the letters 'CP' written in permanent marker. He glanced at Yoongi, unsure what happened while he was gone but knowing he just had to trust you all. But one thing's for sure, they knew they had to find you guys.

"Look," Yoongi pointed outside through the window to a street pole across the supermarket. Jungkook listened, looking closely to see the letters 'CP' written again in marker.

Yoongi heard the sound of Jungkook's boots clunking against the floor before hearing him say, "let's go."

Jimin's words had been repeating in your head ever since you left the supermarket. Trust. Trust was such a powerful thing. So powerful it could make or break something or someone. In times of uncertainty, trust was the most valuable thing a person could have. It all just came down to whether that person chooses it, or not.

Along the way, Dr Baek told you guys all about life in the city hall since the apocalypse. The communal system she had set up, led by herself, seemed to work very well for her and those living in the hall. They had assigned each other different roles, each proving its own use to their way of life. Watch guards who kept the building perimeter secure of zombies, gardeners who produced fresh greenery in their own makeshift indoor garden, radio comms who had goals of repairing their battered radio signal, the maids who assisted Dr Baek with every task she gave, and Dr Baek being the only chef of the house who prepped everyone's meals. You had to admit it was very impressive what the Dr had set up.

As soon as you had arrived, the Dr ordered the maids to take you to get cleaned up. You enjoyed a cold but refreshing shower. The feeling of water and soap running down your hair and body was all you had been yearning for. They also gave you a plain t-shirt and skinny jeans while they took your clothes for washing, which you never consented to but thanked them for anyway.

The maids took you to the entrance of the main meeting hall when you finished. You found the others to already be waiting for you, all freshly showered and newly dressed too. Nobody seemed to understand what was happening as the maids quietly gathered you all. Once you were all there, they opened the doors to the hall. Inside revealed Dr Baek who stood on the small stage, in front of a podium, and every other survivor was seated in the front row chairs facing her. Everyone's attention turned to you all, the strangers on their door step.

"Here they come now everyone," Dr Baek announced as the maids ushered the group of you down the aisle. You all listened, awkwardly making eye contact with all the survivors as you walked past them. You swiftly counted about twelve heads, thirteen if you included Dr Baek. They watched you with blank faces and black pupils that never left you for a second. You were unsure whether they were happy, scared, sad, or angry. One thing's for sure their stares made you feel uncomfortable.

"Give a round of applause for our newcomers," Dr Baek shared excitedly into the microphone as you all stood in front of her, facing the crowd. The survivors began to clap all at once, and managed to stop all at once too, something that kind of creeped you out.

"They will be staying in the east wing-" the Dr began her speech, but Namjoon stopped her.

"Um, we aren't staying," he clarified to her, glancing at the very unwelcoming crowd, "we're just passing by, like I told you before," he gently reminded the old woman.

Dr Baek tilted her head, silently thinking to herself before she let out a chuckle, "silly me, how could I forget?"

There was something suspiciously fake sounding about her voice, like she was lying straight to your faces. Even Jimin had the same odd feeling as you caught his gaze from the corner of your eye.

"Well, everyone, it's quite sad our new friends cannot stay with us for long. Hence why we shall hold a special lunch in the dining hall now to send our beloved friends off," she declared to everyone. It was silent as the crowd blankly stared at you all as usual. You all exchanged glances between each other.

"You wouldn't leave with an empty stomache now, would you dear?" Dr Baek asked Namjoon in a way that he felt like he didn't have a choice.

He mustered a smile, "of course not Dr Baek," he glanced at you all, "we'd love to have lunch with you." You could see the message in his eyes: we're leaving straight after this.

"Brilliant," she smiled with her fake teeth, "everyone please make your way to the dining hall. Maids, please escort our friends," she ordered, before disappearing into another room with the assistance of two maids.

Her maids silently took you all to the dining hall before everyone else left. They took you around the east side of the building. You glanced outside the windows, finding the sun well above your heads. It was already midday, and you all were still stuck here. Jungkook and Yoongi crossed your mind in that instant. You wondered if they were okay, if they got Jimin's message, and if you'd ever see them again. Especially Jungkook.

Speaking of Jungkook, the duo had followed the clever trail of CP's left behind. They easily recognised it to be Jimin's handwriting. When the trail stopped, they found themselves looking at Suwon City Hall. Both men were confused. Why the city hall?

That was until they spotted movement from inside through the windows. Yoongi used binoculars he found at the police station to get a closer look. And just as he had hoped, he saw you all. Namjoon, Jin, Jimin, Taehyung, Hoseok, and you. He confirmed it to Jungkook who practically snatched the binoculars out his hands to catch a glimpse of you before you disappeared again. You appeared calm, not afraid, but you were surrounded by unfamiliar people, people dressed in the same maid's uniform. There had to be about four leading the six of you. They didn't look like they've caused trouble. But the two also knew they would've been searched for to make a move all together. Obviously, they were left out the picture for a good reason. And both of them knew the reason.

They explored the perimeter from a distance, conducting their safest bet at sneaking in was through the back door. Jungkook and Yoongi were not exactly sure what they were doing. All they knew was that you all were heading to the east side of the building and right now the pair were at the south-west side.

They agreed to move to the east, mostly because Jungkook persisted and Yoongi wasn't one to say no to him. Jungkook needed his eyes on you. He had to make sure you were okay and not hurt.

They snuck between hallways, checking every corner they turned at to make sure the coast was clear. They would provide no help to you guys if they got caught. They didn't know how dangerous these people were. They had to assume the worst.

After entering and exiting out of similar hallways, Yoongi and Jungkook found themselves in what seemed like an industrial kitchen. But the first thing they both noticed was the horrid stench hitting their noses.

"What the fuck is that smell?" Jungkook cursed under his breath to Yoongi as he plugged his nose and glanced back at his older brother.

"No idea," Yoongi whispered back, his face scrunching in disapproval. Just as Jungkook saw the exit and was going to make a beeline for it, Yoongi tugged on his shirt sleeve.

"What?" he asked, turning back to find Yoongi staring in horror at the kitchen bench. Jungkook followed his gaze, and nearly threw up the instant noodles he ate before.

There on the metal table was the body of a zombie that had been violently mangled and sliced. The eyes rested on a plate, its limbs were crushed and put inside a bowl, and its legs were brutally cut up into slices and chunks.

Jungkook felt the noodles coming up, finding the nearest pot to let it out, only to find a mutated zombie boiling in water. And he swore the pupils on its eyes looked up at him. He ended up vomiting in the corner.

"We need to find them now," Yoongi told him after he finished, drawing out his gun from its holster.

Somehow, when you made it into the dining hall everybody was already seated. You noticed seating was separated by gender, boys sitting on the left side and girls sitting on the right side. The dining hall consisted of a long rectangular table facing vertically in the middle of the room. It was decorated in a classic gold table cloth with candlesticks lined down the middle. The maids sat you down in a velvet cushioned chair. You hated every awkward second that passed.

The main doors opened to reveal Dr Baek. Followed behind her was a maid pushing a tray cart filled with bowls of what appeared to be soup. A wicked stench hit your nose as the cart passed by, causing your face to scrunch up as the maid served everyone's bowls. Glancing across at the boys, they seemed to have smelt the stench too. And by glancing at everyone else and judging by their blank faces, this might just be weirdly normal to them.

Dr Baek sat at the head of the table. Unfortunately, you had the blessing of having the seat right next to her. She gave you a wide smile, showing off her dentures. You forced a smile back before looking down at your food, uninterested in making small talk. You inspected it and it did not smell or look appetizing whatsoever. The soup juice was a transparent dark green colour while there were small chunks of what looked like brown beef. You wanted to be grateful for having food during the apocalypse, but you would rather starve than eat whatever was in that bowl. No offence to the Dr but you literally felt like throwing up.

"You may all eat," the old woman announced. At that moment, all the survivors dug into their bowls, slurping up the entire thing like it was their last meal. On the other hand, you and the boys were struggling to even breathe near the food.

The old woman glanced at you, sensing how tense you were, "I made this soup myself. It's a beef soup. It's not the best but I'm just using whatever I have," she sighed, making you feel a bit bad.

Jin poked at the beef with his spoon, "and where'd you get the beef from?"

She glanced at him, hesitating before she answered, "from a can."

"This," you frowned, holding up a chunk of beef in your spoon to eye level, "is from a can?" you asked in disbelief, eyebrows raised. It looked like it had been expired, eaten, thrown up, run over, and then put into your bowl.

"Yes, it's very delicious and good for health my dear. I think you should have a bite," the Dr insisted you, "it would make me very happy. And then you're free to leave."

You fought everything inside you to not roll your eyes. Fine, you thought, if it means we finally get to leave.

But just as you were about to suck it up and take a spoonful in your mouth, the main doors burst open.

"Jungkook? Yoongi?" you exclaimed in disbelief at the two men reappearance. They stood in the doorway, pointing guns at everyone.

"Don't eat the food!" he yelled at the same time as you spoke, pointing his gun at the unfamiliar faces, unsure who his target should be, "it's made of zombies!"

You pushed the bowl away in disgust, nearly hurling right then and there. The boys did the same, quickly getting out their seats. This was your cue to leave. The survivors all crawled underneath the table, shaking in fear from Yoongi pointing a gun at them. This was your first time seeing their faces move a muscle.

Just as you were about to get up, an old flabby arm wrapped around your neck, pulling you back into Dr Baek's chest. She had you in a headlock, but you couldn't fight back when you felt the tip of a sharp knife pressed against your cheek.

"I'll rip this girls face off and make a soup out of it!" she screamed, bursting your eardrums as you flailed about in her arm. She was surprisingly strong for someone her age.

"No!" you cried, fingers trying to make room between your neck and her arm. She was going to strangle you to death before she peeled your face off.

"Get the fuck away from her!" Jungkook demanded her, aiming his gun straight at her. But there was no way he could get a clean shot without risking hitting you. And the Dr knew that.

"You seem to care about this girl a lot, young man," she noticed, her voice hiding sinister intentions you would've never expected from a small elderly woman like her, "eat my soup and I'll let your doll run free."

Jungkook glanced between the crazy woman, the soup, and you. He knew he'd reached another level of insanity when he genuinely started considering her offer. He would do anything for you and he meant it. And if that meant eating zombie chow to make sure you were safe, he'd do it.

"Okay," he muttered, lowering his gun as he stared at a bowl full of zombie soup. He felt round two of vomit coming up. But he had to do this. He had to. For you.

"No! Don't!" you yelled at him. You bit down with your teeth as hard as you could on Dr Baek's flabby wrinkly arms. Luckily it did not take much for her to pull away shrieking. At that moment you heard a gun shot. It rung in your ears. You dived to the floor, unsure where that shot hit, but the adrenaline pumping through you had you quickly crawling away.

Chaos erupted in the dining hall again as the survivors quivered in fear from the gunshot while Dr Baek screamed in agonizing pain. You found Jungkook kneel down in front of you, the same sight you saw when you first met him, giving you a sense of deja vu. He pulled you up to your feet, instructing you that you needed to go. But you were so happy to see him. You started tearing up as you pulled him into a hug. You inhaled his soft scent of cologne and men's deodorant, something that would only remind you of him. He hugged you back only tighter. But it was only a couple seconds long before you both pulled back. Jungkook's hand found yours as he quickly led you out.

You spared a quick glance back to find Dr Baek slumped over unconscious in her chair. Her entire upper body was covered in crimson red and you noticed a small bullet-shaped hole in her shirt. But what creeped you out the most was the way the survivors had crowded around her in a circle. Their creepy black pupils stared at her, not in grief or sorrow, but in hunger. The last thing you saw was the circle slowly closing in before they sunk their teeth into her raw flesh.

(a/n: well 😀 so that’s that! BAHAHA this part took a few days hope you guys didn’t mind too much 💙 but i’m so incredibly happy and proud i finally get to share this part w my beautiful readers 🫶🏽 hope it wasn’t too gross n u managed to get thru it 😭 n honestly didn’t expect the story to take such a romantic turn w y/n & jk so fast 😭😭 really it js happened n i liked the flavour it bought to the story so yeah their relationship changed a bit too fast for my liking but i think it’s cute yk hope yous like it 😊👍

and wow i js want to say props to those writers who b writing a whole as 15k wc chapter like how tf. 2000+ is good for me but WOW 5000+ took me out like i srsly thought i wrote double what i wrote 😭 IDK HOW PPL MANAGE TO WRITE SO MUCH BUT SHOUTOUTS TO YOUS 😀👍 anyways love u all so much thank u so much for the love on this series xoxo 😘)

39 notes · View notes

4townie · 1 month

Text

Road to 4☆TOWN

Warning: Strong language

Robaire read over the half finished lyrics to the song he’d been working on, finding himself completely stumped. His pity party was interrupted by the doorbell. Robaire rushed to the door. “Jan—” He frowned. ��Oh. Hey, Aaron.”

“Hey.” Z leaned on the doorframe. “I know it’s been a while since we’ve spoken, but T tells me you’re really into that girl from the hotel.”

“I mean, if you ever picked up a magazine, he wouldn’t have to tell you.” Robaire rolled his eyes. “But yeah. I am. What of it?”

Aaron held up his Polaroid camera. “I’ve got photos to show you.” He stepped inside. “Your girl…she’s got long legs, pineapple hair, wears lots of mini skirts. Amirite?”

“Uh, yeah.” Robaire looked at him in confusion. “How do you remember all that? You only saw her once.”

“I cross referenced with one of those magazines I never pick up.” Aaron raised an eyebrow. “She looked familiar when I saw her. I wasn’t sure at first, but now I am.”

“Sure of what? When did you see her?” Robaire asked.

“Olivia’s staying with us while my parents are in Aruba. She insisted we take her and Tae to the park to feed the ducks.” Aaron handed him the Polaroids. “That’s when I spotted her.”

Robaire shifted through the pictures. He could clearly see Janelle smiling and holding hands with some other guy, but he couldn’t believe his eyes. “She’s still seeing him…?” He felt a pang in his chest. “I thought…I thought he broke her heart. I thought I was the one healing her.”

“Hate to be the bearer of bad news.” Aaron shrugged. “We tried to tell you she was bad for you, man. Everyone could see it but you.”

“That’s not really helping.” Robaire shot him a glare. “I just…” he sighed and plopped onto the couch. “I thought I had a good thing going here. But this whole time I really was just a sucker. I was always her second choice.”

Aaron’s eyes shifted awkwardly. “Isn’t Jesse the one you usually go to with these problems?”

“UGH, what am I supposed to tell Jesse?” Robaire groaned. “I was being such a jerk to him but he was right all along. And my parents…” He faceplanted into a couch pillow. “I don’t know how I’m supposed to face anyone. I just feel like a total fool. How could she play me like this?”

Aaron looked between Robaire and the door, debating whether or not he should just leave him to his feelings. He sighed and sat on the floor beside him. “Listen, I get it. You must’ve been excited to have a life outside of 4☆TOWN. You just wanted us all to be happy and support you.” He shook his head. “I know it sucks a lot, but it’s not your fault.”

“It’s definitely my fault.” Robaire said quietly. “It was spelled out for me so many times but I chose to ignore it.” He stared at the photos. “Last time we spoke, we got into an argument. She told me she couldn’t be with another liar and yet…she’s the one lying to me. And here I was writing her a love song, trying to figure out how to make it up to her and she just—…” He scoffed and tossed the photos aside. “I’m such an idiot.”

“Well, I’m not gonna tell you this isn’t stupid cuz that’d be a lie.” Aaron admitted.

“Wow, thanks.” Robaire rolled his eyes. “I’m pouring my heart out to you and you tell me I’m stupid.”

“You didn’t let me finish.” Aaron narrowed his eyes. “I was going to say that even though you were being dumb, you can’t victim blame. She was manipulative and she played with your feelings and she knew exactly what she was doing. That’s a pretty fucked up thing to do to someone.” He looked over at Robaire, who was busy staring at a picture of Janelle sadly. Aaron sighed and got up. “You can stay here and feel sorry for yourself. And you can forgive her and look past it if you want. But the Robaire I know, the same jackass that stood up to our manager to protect Jesse, wouldn’t let someone like this win a fight. He’s too strong for that.” He shrugged before letting himself out.

Robaire shook his head when he was alone again. “I wish I knew where that guy was right now.”

#4town headcanons #4town fanfic #4town robaire #4town z #4town jesse #4town aaron t #4town taeyoung #turning red #turning red 4town #4town #4townie

24 notes · View notes

pleasingforharry · 2 years

Text

Coming Back Around

SUMMARY: Harry and Y/N were childhood lovers, living in the same small neighborhood, sharing the same poor, simple life. Harry grew up to become a world famous singer and hadn’t talked to Y/N in years, but the death of her father brings him back to the old neighborhood, where the two childhood lovers reconnect and rekindle the love they’ve always had for each other.

WORD COUNT: 3k

WARNINGS: Loss of family member, angst

I stood in the middle of my room, too emotionally drained to conversate with more people dripping with pity. It was too overwhelming, and I was only a second away from crying at the top of my lungs.

“Knock, knock,” my mother sadly sang, mimicking the same tune as my father. It sent shivers down my spine. I looked over my shoulder and sighed at my mother as she stalked over. She didn’t appear any more composed than I was. Dark, heavy bags and hollow cheeks with her hair pined straight because she stressed all the curls out.

“Hey,” I said, rubbing my naked arms to comfort myself. “How’s it going down there?” I motioned to the sad piano melody playing downstairs, mixed with low reminiscing conversations about the man my father used to be.

My mother shrugged and smiled the best she could. Her hand reached for my cheek, “It’s less pitiful up here. I don’t know how many more ‘thank you, we’ll be alright’ I have in me.”

“You did better than me. Every one of Dad’s colleagues had to tell me how much I’ve grown and how proud Dad was of me. I just couldn’t do it any more.”

“You don’t have to, baby. Stay up here as long as you need. I would cut the party short, but more people keep coming in with pans of food,” my mother complained as I sunk into her long chest. “Our poor refrigerator.” I laughed with thick mucus boiling in my throat. My mother wrapped her arms protectively around me and kissed the top of my head.

I had a nagging question all day that hadn't yet been answered. At neither the burial nor the reception. And as pathetic as it sounded, I was beginning to lose hope. My thoughts were not only on my father, but also on the guy I wished would come to see me now that my father was gone.

My mother pulled away to look down at me, but suddenly frowned as she could sense what I wanted to ask. “No sight of him yet, I’m so sorry, Y/N.”

“Why are you sorry? It was his decision not to show up. He’s probably taking a long bath in his wealth, right now. No time in his rich and talented schedule to come back to this town,” I scoffed with a pang of hurt. “He could’ve at least called. He knew Dad just as much as everyone else here did.”

My mother nodded in agreement, brushing my hair back like she always did to calm me down. “I’m gonna ask Anne again if she’s heard anything from him, okay?”

“Don’t bother,” I hummed, sitting down on my bed and unpinning my hair to let it fall melancholily on my shoulders. “I should only be thinking about Dad. He’s more important than him.”

“I’ll still try. I love you, babe.” With that, my mother descended downstairs to the waiting people that wanted to shove more apologies down her throat. I gave her credit for being strong enough to let them tackle her like that. I couldn’t even last thirty minutes.

My hand rested on my forehead, predicting an incoming headache. It could’ve been from the tears, the stress, the grief, or even the yearn for him to show up at my doorframe with that damn reassuring smile. Every time I saw it, I knew everything was going to be alright.

It had been a long time since I’ve seen it. Ever since he joined his world-famous band and traveled places we had only dreamed of visiting together, he never blinked an eye in my direction again. I wanted to beg him to call me, to text me, to notice me, to remember me. Anne insisted that he was always thinking about me, but I knew she was lying. He wouldn’t have abandoned me like that.

I’ve watched him throughout the years. I’ve cheered on his success, his passion, his dream. He was becoming what he always wanted to be. As kids, he was certain it would happen, and it did. I was so fucking proud, and all I wanted to do was let him know that.

My father was aware of how I felt about him. He knew from the beginning and would always fight me because I lacked the confidence to do something about my feelings. He was constantly nudging my side when I was around him and kicking me under the table with a wide smirk.

When I finally talked myself into asking him out, my father couldn’t have been more proud of me. He knew that I found a way to motivate myself through a fear. All he wanted was for me to know that I could do anything. He wanted me to do anything I put my mind to.

God I missed him.

I didn’t realize tears were falling down my cheeks until they dripped on my dress. I sniffled and quickly wiped them away. A hard blow escaped my lips, before I stood up and decided to finally join my mother downstairs.

I snuck my way into the kitchen to find her talking to an old neighbor, laughing about the grass wars he had with my father. During the spring season, they'd always compete to see who had the best-looking yard.

“Hey, kiddo. Haven’t seen you in a minute, huh?” He exclaimed as soon as he saw me. I smiled sincerely and nodded. My mother wrapped her arm around my shoulder and pulled me into her side. "Your mother was just telling me how your father used to go around the neighborhood convincing everyone that his grass was better cut than mine."

I looked over at her with raised eyebrows. She smiled. “And he always said—quoted—I put my blood, sweat, and tears into my lawn when old man Jenkins across the street actually had his son doing it for him.”

“Can you believe that, kiddo?”

I tilted my head back to laugh. “That’s Dad, alright. He was always doing stuff like that.” My mother snorted in agreement, rubbing my arm in praise. I had went mute earlier when other spoke to me about my father, but I was finally back at it again.

While my mother was picking up a new conversation, I let my mind wander. My gaze darted around the open house, noticing that everyone from our small town was there. My father was the face of the L/N family and everyone knew about him. It was a shock to the whole town that he was suddenly just gone. It happens.

With my floaty thoughts and mindlessly strolling my eyes around the room, I didn’t realize who came into frame as they entered the room. He instantly grabbed everyone’s attention. A soft gasp left my lips.

He was there. He came. He actually showed up.

Everyone knew what he had become, but never got the chance to congratulate him because he didn’t come around. It was the first time in years he acknowledged his roots, his supportive neighborhood, his bloodless family. Me.

I suddenly panicked, slithering away from my mother’s grasp to the bathroom on the other side of the house. Fortunately, it wasn’t already occupied, so I slipped inside and slammed the door shut. My breathing began to pick up as I gripped the sink. I didn’t dare to look at myself through the mirror because the young, in love Y/N would show.

I didn't have a plan, and I didn't think he'd actually show up. I wasn’t ready to face him after all. My mind was racing. I was fucking scared.

A soft knock hit the door and without needing a voice, I knew exactly who it was. “I saw you run from me, love. I know you’re mad and scared to talk, but... it’s still me. It’s just Harry.”

“Not the ‘I’m too wealthy and famous to acknowledge my ex-girlfriend and ex-best friend from birth’ you? It’s just you, huh?”

He sighed on the other side of the door and knocked again. “Let me in. Please, Y/N.”

“Why should I? So you can apologize about my dad dying and then leave to do whatever the fuck you do and forget about me once again? Hell no,” I growled at the door, pointing at him even though he couldn’t see me.

“I’m sorry. I am, love. I can’t excuse my absence because I had so many opportunities to reach out and I didn’t. I.. just.. let me see you.”

“You don’t deserve to see me.”

He chuckled slightly, which made my eyebrows furrow. “You are absolutely right. I don’t deserve for you to hear me out either, but I’m asking you with the most sincere sorry I can muster for you to let us talk this out.”

I didn’t want to, I shouldn’t have. But I felt something. Someone. My father. He was telling me to, he was scolding me to hear him out. Even when he didn’t deserve my ear, I gave it to him.

I opened the door ajar and was immediately met with his charming green eyes. They were slightly widened that the door opened at all, but squinted as he smiled. “Hey, pretty. I’ve missed you.”

“Sure you did,” I rolled my eyes as I grabbed his arm and threw him the bathroom with me. He shut the door behind him before leaning against it. We were quiet for a few moments, just taking in each other. Years apart and lots of changes had to be caught up through examining glances.

“I know this is a weird setting to say this but you look beautiful, Y/N,” He spoke first. I shrugged, continuing to give him a hard time as he deserved. “I’m sorry about your dad, I know how close you guys were.”

“You make it seem like you heard how close we were. Like you weren’t there for almost everything,” I shook my head disappointingly at him. “If you’re up for claiming the life you had before your little boyband, you were actually here. You saw us and we spent time together, the three of us. Are you okay with having those memories? Do you claim those times?” I tested him with a lift of my brow. He sighed frustratingly, pinching the bridge of his nose.

“Yes, Y/N, I claim everything that happened. I was here, I knew your father, I knew you. Do you think I’m embarrassed of you guys or something?”

I rolled my eyes, “You tell me, I wasn’t the one who completely blocked you out of my life when I became all big and popular.” I just wanted him to tell me what happened. What did I do wrong? Why did he leave me behind with no glance back?

“I’m sorry, Y/N—“

“Yeah, you keep saying that, I get it. Now tell me why you fucking did it. You were my boyfriend, my best friend, my other half. I couldn’t imagine a life without you and never wanted to. You were—“

“Don’t make it seem like I didn’t think you were my everything too because you were. We were only kids and I already knew that you were the one for me. I never forgot how you made me feel,” He spoke over me with an offended tone. I was slight taken back, but made sure he couldn’t see it in my face.

I wanted to choke the answer I needed out him. He was avoiding the question and it was so fucking frustrating. “You left me behind like I was an old toy. Not a text nor call that I was still loved. I felt disgusting, I felt used. You moved on from me so quick! Why?”

His hands reached for his hair before he tugged roughly on the roots, something I had seen many times. It was an inevitable habit, and I tried not to smile at the hint of the old him shining through.

“Y/N, stop avoiding my name. Just say it,” he suddenly whined with a hard frown.

I tilted my head, unsure if I heard him right. “What? I was literally—“

“You haven’t said my name yet. I’ve said yours several times but have yet to hear mine."

“I—I can’t,” I waved him off, “Why should I? I’m saving it for my Harry. The one who didn’t leave me here without a care. I could’ve been dead, for all you know.”

“I checked up on you, Y/N. I didn’t forget you, I didn’t mean to make you feel that way.”

“So, why?!” I finally screamed, pushing at his chest weakly. I felt tears threaten to leave my eyes, but I didn’t want him to see it. “I loved you. I fucking loved you so much. Do you know how hard it was to admit that to you, back then. I was so afraid to tell you because I didn’t want to lose you,” I confessed, staring at his gold dress shirt that I continuously hit.

“What?”

“I didn’t want to lose what we had because you meant so much to me, but my father was basically begging me to tell you. I decided to finally fight that fear and I still lost you anyway. I lost you.” The words left my mouth like vomit, emitting a tangy taste down my throat. It suddenly went dry when I realized all that I said. “Fuck.”

He didn’t reply at first and I was glad he didn’t. I needed those few seconds of silence to compose myself. To breathe.

I turned to the mirror and wiped my eyes clean. I brushed my hair behind my ears and smiled softly. Without giving him another look, I bumped passed him to reach for the door, but his hand slammed against it.

“Look at me, Y/N.”

“No, I need to go. You need to go too,” I snarled, trying to shift to the side and squeeze past him, but his hand didn’t move from the door. I groaned under my breath and glanced an eye at him, knowing I wasn’t winning that fight. “What?”

I gave him a good look, unabashedly inspecting him from head to toe. He looked like he'd just left a celebrity party, bodied in Gucci. His hair was still matted with curls that loosely fell down his temples.

“I’m sorry,” He whispered. I went to scoff, but I realized that it wasn’t towards me. His eyes were looking up. “I wanted to reach out to you, Y/N. I wanted you by my side the entire time. My life with One Direction was fucking terrifying and I needed you, but—”

“Say it, please. Tell me what happened,” I pleaded, holding his hips to keep him in front of me. He dropped his head to look at me with a sad frown.

“Your father.”

“What? Dad? What does he have to do with anything?”

It looked like he was in pain as he spoke. “He didn’t want you involved with my very public life. He knew how rough and ruthless our fans were. The internet was a warzone, and your father didn’t want you twisted in my mess. Any girl I interacted with was getting attacked and harassed. They were tracked down, stalked... just treated horribly just because they were seen around me. Your father was trying to protect you. I wanted to protect you because I loved you too, Y/N.”

My eyes fell to the floor before being covered by my hand. “You stopped talking to me because my father told you to? Why didn’t you tell me? I would’ve tried to understand and then we could’ve worked something out.”

“Y/N, I trusted your father a lot, and I respected him a lot more because he made out to raise an amazing daughter. If he said it was the best for you, as the person who cared for you more than anything, and, god, was fucking obsessed with the ground you walked on, I’d do whatever it took to keep you safe. I wanted you to live without the harassment, the stalking, the threatening, all of that. It was my sacrifice.”

“So, what made you come back now? Because my father is gone?”

"He recently contacted me, I believe a few days before he passed. He told me to track you down and fight for our relationship again. He said he knew how much you still cared about me and felt horrible for keeping us apart for so long,” He explained. “I brought up how much I hated ending all communication between us. I told him that I just wanted him to trust me with not letting anything happen to you. Your father said he did, but I was just becoming too big in the world. He was simply being a father. A good father, for that matter.”

I suddenly wanted to break down and cry. I was angry at the both of them, but also thankful. I wasn't left behind because he didn't think I was good enough for him. He kept his distance from me because I was too good for that kind of life. And as enraged as I wanted to be at my father, I just missed him even more.

"Harry—" I began, which roused him, "I... I'm sorry for thinking you stopped caring about me. I just... thank you for looking out for me and wanting to keep me safe, but please don't leave me like that ever again. I'm an adult now, and I can handle whatever comes my way. I can’t lose you anymore.”

His hands swiftly grabbed my cheeks and pushed his body against mine. “You won’t, Y/N. I’m all yours now. I came here to bring you home to me.”

“I really thought you didn’t want me anymore, Harry. I was so fucking scared that I wasn’t enough.”

“Hey, love, don’t worry. I would’ve thought the same thing. But I thank you for letting me explain. And I thank your father for letting me get another chance with you,” He smiled sincerely, before holding my hips and lifting me to sit on the sink so we were eye level. His hands held the counter on each side of me and leaned closer to my face. “I love you, Y/N, and I’m dedicating the rest of my life to fix the hurt I’ve caused you.”

“Thank you for coming back around,” I smiled as he held my jaw.

“I’m going to treat you right, baby.” And he sealed his promise with a long but soft kiss. I slithered my arms around his neck to keep him close. I wasn’t letting him run from me again so easily.

#harry styles #harry styles x reader #harry styles fluff #harry styles angst #harry styles fanfic #harry styles oneshot #harry styles imagine #harry styles x y/n #harry

591 notes · View notes

yacinthemorning · 3 months

Text

Tailored to Your Liking

Chapter 6

[First] [prev] [next]

Summary: Tumble Town attracts all sorts of misfits looking for a fresh start on the frontier, but everyone still needs clothes. Be it extra limbs or high temperatures, Jimmy caters to every hybrid's needs.

Ships: Jimmy/Tango (slow burn romantic), Grian/Mumbo/Scar (romantic), Joel/Lizzie (romantic)

Warnings: Implied traumatic events, awkward flirting, burns, verbal fight, anxiety attack

The party was in only a few days. Jimmy had received his formal invitation, delivered just that morning. In the city someone like him would never be invited to such an event, but he supposed it would be quite a boring party if only Lizzie, Grian, Fwhip, and Beef were in attendance. With significant others included the numbers were slightly better, but certainly nothing worth making a big deal about.

That was not what really occupied his mind, though. He had asked Lizzie in advance while working on her dress just to be sure. Sure enough, the letter included an invitation to not just Jimmy.

He suspected Tango had caught on to things rather quickly when Jimmy began asking for measurements and adjustments. Now, though, he had the invitation in hand. Now he could ask, and with a formal invitation directly addressed to the man the hardest part was already done for him. Or so he thought.

“There was a letter for you.” He said, passing Tango his invitation. “One for each of us. Do you need me to read it?”

Tango took up the letter, unfolding it. He squinted at the text. “No, it’s trying me, but no.” As his eyes scrolled slowly, he formed the words on his breath, stumbling over some of Lizzie’s more verbose choices. The intent was clear, however, with the location and date attached. His eyes lit up. “Oh! The party? I’m invited?”

“Yes.” Jimmy said, stiff as a board as he watched Tango reread the letter. “Um-”

Tango looked up at him, and he froze. Come on, Jimmy, the hardest part is already done for you, he chastised himself. It made him no more able to move than he had been.

Concern began to ease into Tango’s expression. “What? What’s wrong? Did I- uh, did I miss something? Am I just going there to serve drinks or something?”

“No!” Jimmy latched onto Tango’s forearms. Red painted his face as he tried to force the words out. He took a deep breath and looked away. “I just- Um. Well, given that it is a very large party and since Lizzie was so kind as to invite us both, which is indeed very nice of her as it means that we are both able to attend this most lovely celebration individually on our own, I was nevertheless curious as to your plans for attendance, as I find in social events it is quite fashionable and advantageous to ones enjoyment if you are to be sociable in your attendance-”

“Uh, Jim? English would be nice.” Tango interrupted, a claw to his lip to prevent himself from laughing.

A wheeze escaped the avian in attempt to cool his head and clear his vision. “Would you like to go with me?” Finally escaped him, high pitched and ending almost a bit too early. “… To the party, that is.”

Perhaps he was so pathetic looking that Tango chose to take pity on Jimmy, as he managed to stop himself from nearly laughing to instead gaze fondly towards the avian. “Yeah, of course I would.”

It was as though all the air left Jimmy at once, deflating him until his wings collected dust off the floor, before he pulled himself back together. He went over to his desk and pulled from it a set of very carefully folded clothes. “Then, um, I suppose my next question is that- well, I understand if you wouldn’t want to but I happen to make this for you and would you perhaps like to wear it- them- uhm…” A high-pitched trill escaped him, trying to release the tension that was quickly rebuilding in his muscles.

To this, though, Tango frowned. He took a cautious step forward, hesitantly brushing a finger across the material. “Oh.”

“Oh?” Panic filled Jimmy. Had Tango already bought a suit like Impulse had? No, he only just found out he was going. Unless someone had let slip earlier and this was all a ruse and Grian and Scar were behind the curtains laughing to themselves at what a fool Jimmy was making of himself-

“I won’t- It looks expensive. Will they be okay? Should I even be going to party like this?” Tango mumbled, ears pinned back. His tail twitched behind him until it found his ankle and wrapped tight around it.

Right. Jimmy’s expression eased. “Of course they will be. How many pieces have I made for you? And you haven’t so much as singed a shirt yet.”

“But I will eventually-”

“Oh, yes, most certainly.” He waved off, even as Tango’s face fell. He went back to his work desk to the bag of clothing waiting there. “And Impulse will catch his trousers of his scales, Hermes will wear a hole into every knee patch no matter how thick the material, and Scott’s leather jacket will grow moldy from all the melted frost- eventually. You know what happens?” He patted the bag a bit harshly. “They come back here and I fix them! Or replace them, whichever is needed. Clothes are supposed to be worn, and quite frankly I’ve trimmed more burnt hems from Mumbo than you.”

“Yeah, but Mumbo pays you to fix them-”

Jimmy’s feathers flared. “I don’t do this to be paid, Tango. I make clothes for hybrids because everyone needs clothes. You deserve a shirt that fits you. And…”

There was a long pause where Tango waited for Jimmy to continue. “And?” He finally asked.

“And, well, they’re already made so there’s nothing you can much do about it, is there? You might as well wear them. Right now, in fact. I’d like to see how well they fit.” He insisted, patting his own pants nervously. It wasn’t quite what he’d intended to say, but Tango did not need to know that.

Luckily, it seemed that was good enough for Tango, who looked still a bit unsure but resigned to having lost this battle. “Alright.” He said as he went towards the curtains. Internally, Jimmy cheered. He went to work organizing his things for adjustments while he waited.

The curtains ruffled, and Jimmy eagerly shot his head up once more.

It felt, for the briefest moment, that this set of evening-wear had been everything Jimmy’s career had been for. Morning light cast onto the dark coat, lighting the burgundy threads of his vest that hugged comfortably to Tango’s waist. His trousers sat well on his hips, forming the silhouette with ease where they draped down to his shoes, and he brass buttons matched well to his hair. Jimmy had been unsure how well formal attire would take to Tango. Now, he wondered why he ever worried.

Tango fiddled with the sleeves, tail twitching behind him when he made eye contact with Jimmy. “So, um, what’s the diagnosis?” He tried to joke, though Jimmy could see him physically shrink into the clothing.

Jimmy shook his head and approached, pulling at the hem of the coat in a test. “I feel as though I deserve a medal of some sort. I’ve managed to get you into an outfit nearly as handsome as yourself.” He said before he could think.

A toothy grin stretched to cover pink cheeks. “Really? Well, if it’s a reward you want-”

“A medal, I said a medal!” Jimmy spun around, hiding his own flushed face under his palm. It would be just his luck to put himself in this situation. Was there any other humiliation he could heap onto the situation? “Well, i-it appears I’ve managed to get the fitting done well enough the first time, for once. Try not to get it dirty before the party.”

“I’ll do my best,” Tango said, soon followed by the rattle of curtains once more.

Double checking over his shoulder that Tango was out of view, Jimmy let himself slump against the edge of his desk, running his hands down his face as he pulled his ruffled feathers in. “Void below, just swallow me whole.” He hissed to himself.

“What was that?”

“Nothing!” Jimmy shot up, and marched towards the stairs. “I’m going to prepare lunch.” Maybe it would keep him occupied from jumping into a well.

It was at last the evening of Lizzie’s party. Grian’s carriage rolled to stop after a ride that was far too long for Jimmy’s liking. His brother filed out first, Scar at his side while Mumbo stepped after them so Grian could shield him from the long sunset as he pulled up his parasol. Jimmy followed next, holding his hand out for Tango to take. The blazeborn almost missed it entirely, busy gaping at the opulent doorway into Lizzie’s mansion.

“Oh, you’ve made it!” A bearded man in an emerald suit called to them as they approached. Behind his leg was a small boy in an equally garish violet outfit, but Jimmy bravely restrained his critique.

Instead he bowed, “Sausage... Hermes.” The young bow ducked further behind his papa, fledgling wings tucked tight over his shoulders.

“And who is this?”

Tango’s tail twitched nervously as attention turned to him. His smile stretched into an awkward thing, bowing hesitantly. “This is Tango... of the Tek variety.” His voice was barely a whisper, breaking at his own surname. Or was it a title? Jimmy had never thought to ask before. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“Oh, you’re the little house guest I’ve heard too much about!” Sausage giggled, to which Jimmy felt his ears become hot.

Tango shrugged. “I see my failures precede me.”

“Oh, shush, you have no such reputation!” Jimmy snapped, too embarrassed to have patience for his companion’s self-deprecation. Both Sausage and Tango jumped, eyes wide, before their expressions fell into amusement, Tango’s watered down by embarrassment. A look was exchanged between the two men in silence. “What?” Jimmy demanded.

“It’s nothing, dear, I’m glad you were both able to make it.” Sausage dodged entirely, moving on to greet the next arrivals while Tango ushered them towards the main party. At the first sight of the decorated venue Jimmy’s annoyance melted instantly. Redstone lamps dotted the garden like moons among the stars of candles and lanterns. Most of the guests, consisting of almost the entire town, already mulled among one another. Some had taken to dancing to the band’s lovely tune. Skirts and tails flared about, hugging to their wearers’ bodies as they stopped to spin the other way.

Jimmy spent a long extended moment enraptured by the simple dance they’d grouped to perform. He jumped as he was torn away from it by a touch to his arm. Tango looked up at him, lost and tail lashing. “So um, what do you do at a fancy person party?” He asked. A passing couple let out a small chuckle. Unrelated, as they had not even glanced Tango’s way, yet nevertheless caused Tango to shrink closer to Jimmy.

Jimmy softened, straightening the already ruffled collar of Tango’s coat before tilting his head towards a nearby servant carrying a tray of champagne, “How about we start by depressurizing you before you turn into diamond?” He teased, then guided his stunned companion over.

A few minutes later the band went quiet. Tango paused from emptying his second glass. Jimmy directed him towards the balcony, where Joel stood near the door. From the dim interior light Lizzie’s silhouette emerged until she stepped out into the torchlight. Her gown trailed like flowing water behind her, and Jimmy couldn’t help puff up his feathers at the few gasps and whispers among the crowd.

She raised her hands high. “Welcome, beloved citizens of Tumble Town, and thank you for being here! Food will be served at ten, and until then I hope we can all enjoy each other’s company.” The guessed muttered agreement, Lizzie giving them a moment before she continued. “Before we continue, however, I have some exciting news to share with you. I, your beautiful and humble mayor, have been coordinating with the Luxo Company with the aid of Mister Fwhip and Mister Goodtimes-”

A series of groans broke out among Scar’s victims. The man himself seemed oblivious, smiling widely in anticipation, while Grian had fluffed up defensively beside him. “- And starting this month they will begin the construction of the Tumble Town rail line, which will reach all the way next to our trading post. No longer will our quaint town be limited by a quarter day’s ride to the nearest station!”

Jimmy brightened up from the wariness Scar’s mention had brought. “Oh, it’s about time.” He chirped, turning to Tango, who seemed a bit perplexed. “Though, I’ll miss the quiet.”

“I suppose so.” Tango said, his gaze off in the distance. “It’ll be a lot easier to get your textiles.”

“It’ll be easier to get many things.” But the way Tango seemed distracted began to worry Jimmy. He gave the man a moment, only vaguely listening to the end of Lizzie’s speech. When it became clear Tango had no intention to speak his mind on his own he finally asked, “Are you alright?”

“Hm? Oh!” Tango’s head swivelled, a wide assuring smile directed towards Jimmy. “Yeah, maybe.”

“Maybe isn’t all that assuring.”

“No, it’s- uh, hey! Would you like to dance?”

The shift had Jimmy’s mind reeling for a moment, and only a moment, before excitement took over. In his haste towards where the guests began to return to dancing, Jimmy forgot entirely of the odd interaction, or even to reply.

They didn’t get far. Tango awkwardly took up Jimmy’s hands in some approximation of the concept of a two person dance from someone who had never danced in their lives. Then, he froze, unsure what to do next.

No, not on Jimmy’s watch. If he was honest the dancing was his main incentive to show to these parties at all. He pushed Tango’s grip away and corrected it, guiding the blazeborn’s hand to his shoulder. Tango seemed more than happy to have the lead taken from him as they began. He stumbled along after Jimmy, eyes on his feet. It was Tango, though, after all, and quickly the little genius picked up the steps.

“That’s it, just a bit shorter a step.” Jimmy chirped, picking up their pace and pulling them into the whirlpool of dancing couples. Tango yelped as the hem of a woman’s gown brushed his tail like it burnt, though his tail was the one that crackled with a stray ember. It wove itself around his waist. A frown pulled at Jimmy’s lips. “Are you sure you’re alright?”

Tango squeaked, straightening his back until he was pressed close and Jimmy had to make sure they did not trip over one another. “Ye-yeah, yeah, totally fine. Definitely fine, not combustificating at all!”

Ridiculous. Jimmy snorted. With one swift spin he corrected their stance and pulled the blazeborn further from the dense crowd. “You silly man.” He chastised while Tango recomposed, though with every ounce of affection that had spilled over his heart. “What did I do without you?”

Well, he certainly hadn’t meant to let that one slip out. Nor had Tango been expecting it either. Face beet red, he stuttered in his already unsteady steps. If not for Jimmy’s quick reaction they would have been down for the count. Not something Jimmy’s dignity would have been able to recover from any time soon. Instead Tango stumbled right into Jimmy, only held up by the avian’s grip around his waist. The world seemed to quiet, Tango staring up at him with wide eyes. Jimmy, too, was entranced in shock.

Then there was the subtle smell of burning fibre.

Both men snapped out of it to follow the scent to Jimmy’s arm, where Tango tightly held onto his sleeve. A sleeve which was currently smouldering.

Jimmy yelped, more in surprise than pain. He released Tango to smack down the flames. It had not spread, was hardly a fire to begin with, and was smothered in seconds. Tango had fully removed himself by then, hands tucked away and face twisted with guilt. “Oh my gosh, I’m sorry! I’m so sorry! Are you okay?”

“I am.” He was quick to reply. There was a blackened patch and small hole on the sleeve of his coat. Painfully noticeable, but it was not what he was worried about. Tango shrunk further away when Jimmy reached out for him. Jimmy beckoned for him but it was no use. Blown out pupils were locked on the burnt patch. “Tango, it’s completely fine.”

“It’s not fine!” Tango’s hair flared, dancing erratically while his tail wrapped tight around his leg.

There was no convincing him right now, Jimmy knew. He searched the party, noticing a few concerned stares. Out beyond a table there was a pergola leading to the back exit of the garden. Unable to reach out, he tipped a wing towards it instead. “I’ll go get something to drink, why don’t you wait there?”

Tango seemed more than happy to have a shadowy corner to retreat into. While flagging down a waiter Jimmy caught Mumbo approaching from his own dreary corner. “Is everything alright, Jim?” He asked, His concerned expression for once not illuminated red by his parasol.

“Tango just singed my coat a bit and now has silly ideas.” He sighed, taking the chance to assess the damage more thoroughly.

“He’s quite prone to that, that seems.” Mused Mumbo. When Jimmy looked up the vampire was scratching his moustache. A dangerous sign.

“I’m sorry Mumbo, but I have enough to deal with already right now, please don’t make things more complicated.”

Mumbo sputtered, “Wh- well that’s a bit rude, first of all! Second of all, I wasn’t planning to make it any more complicated. I was simply going to ask if you wanted me to accompany you back over.”

Fair enough, Jimmy supposed. “I think it would only cause him more distress, but thank you.”

“If you’re sure.” The waiter returned, and Mumbo stepped out of the way. “But I would know a thing or two about living in an unfriendly world. Poor thing.”

Jimmy paused, gaping at Mumbo, but decided to keep quiet and leave with only a solemn nod.

Back at the pergola, Tango had not even allowed himself the comfort of sitting down on a wooden bench. He hardly looked up when Jimmy approached, taking the glass from him in silence. They waited there for too long. Tango’s hair had gone from crackling to slightly disturbed. It wasn’t a sign that he had calmed, Jimmy knew, but he was in control.

“Sorry for ruining your night.” He muttered.

Jimmy raised an eyebrow. “You ought to apologize to yourself.”

“I didn’t burn myself.”

“You didn’t burn me, either.”

“But I could.”

His feathers raised. “But you wouldn’t.”

“It doesn’t matter if I would!” Tango snapped, flinching back at his own voice alongside Jimmy. He turned away, putting the glass down. Flicking his wrist towards the wooden bench, then the vine walls, then the crowds of guests twirling just out of earshot of their conversation. “I’m a bull in a china shop, Jim. The desert frontier sounded brilliant on paper, but all it really was is a box of dried kindling, ready and waiting for the first spark.”

“Tango...” Jimmy said, wanting to reach out. Tango made sure to keep a good couple feet between them.

“And what have I done since I came here, anyways? Nearly burn my coworkers alive? Almost blown up the town’s main source of income? Lose my job, become a leech, threaten your livelihood, make a scene at a party. Y’all do so much just so I can-” He huffed out smoke, turning towards the garden exit. “I shouldn’t be here...”

Jimmy lurched forward, snapping talons closed around Tango’s wrist. He scowled, startling the blazeborn enough to stop him in his tracks and allow Jimmy to yank him back away from the exit. “You stupid, stubborn fool! Would you get out of your own head long enough to actually listen for once!”

“I-”

“You think you’re unique? We live in the desert and our mayor is a fish! Do you know how much water we have to dig for? We never get less than a half-day of the harshest sunlight and Mumbo cannot take well enough care of his parasol to quite literally save his life! Cleo cannot look anyone here in the eye, and Scott might as well be an ice sculpture who can’t leave his shop until supper time! And Scar- Scar’s never made an honest copper in his life, on the rare occasion he does at all!”

Jimmy threw his hand out towards the crowd of dancers, laughing and twirling happily among each other. “If you don’t belong here, then who does? For goodness’ sake, your hair’s a ball of fire, no one is approaching you without knowing what they’re getting into. I- we want you here. We don’t care how useful or normal you are. What is so hard for you to wrap your head around that you’re allowed to exist?”

Tango gaped, red eyes wide and ears pinned back. Jimmy wasn’t leaving until he answered, whether Tango liked it or not. He glared, daring the man to say something ridiculous once more. “It-” Stuttered Tango like a machine lurching to life, trying to reconcile all its parts. “That’s just how it is. I’ve gone ‘round half the world and that’s how it always was.”

“And so what? Then it’s a good thing you’re here and not there!” Jimmy tried to soften his voice before he exploded and received the attention of the whole party, but it only caused it to crack. Maybe he’d been too harsh, maybe he shouldn’t have shouted. Under all the subsiding anger he could still feel his heart pounding, feathers still on end.

A sigh escaped him. “I’m still just a bother, here or anywhere.”

“I wish you would be more of one.” Jimmy’s voice was small. He reached out for Tango’s hand, snatching it up before he could react. “I wish you’d just let me take care of you.”

“There isn’t enough work here, Jim. You can barely take care of yourself.”

“It’ll grow soon! When more people come-”

“You can’t make more clothes than you already are.”

“I’ll increase the prices, then!”

Tango’s expression fell, “No, you won’t. You can barely stand charging people at all.”

“Tango, please,” Jimmy pulled Tango’s hand to his pounding heart. “Don’t leave.” The rim of his eyes felt hot. Why was he so pathetic?

“Oh, Jim.” Tango murmured, his tail curling around the avian’s ankle.

“At least wait- at least wait until your clothes are done. Please, at least that long.” Words poured out of his mouth from the mess made of his brain. “I just don’t understand. What’s wrong with this?”

No reply came for long while. Jimmy was beginning to panic – was even that too much to ask? - when Tango shook his hand free. For a moment Jimmy thought he was about to leave then and there right out the garden gate. He’s been so pathetic Tango couldn’t be bothered to wait another minute before running off to the next town. But Tango stayed put, and his hands went to his jacket pocket.

He pulled something out, something that glowed bright at even the smallest glance from the torches. “I’m not good with... Here.”

It was small, about the length of his thumb, shiny like gold though Jimmy wasn’t sure how it could be, in the shape of a songbird on a perch. Though clearly not made by a proper goldsmith, the delicate details were done with great care.

Jimmy’s head shot back up to Tango. His eyes were downcast, and Jimmy would have loved to say his red cheeks were from embarrassment or fondness, but the way his face was twisted it was more like shame. “This is-”

“It’s brass.” Tango intruded. “It should be gold, but I couldn’t... I was hoping it’d just be a prototype. Y’know, a stand in for the real thing once I could make it. But I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to.” He finally looked up, miserable. “That’s me, Jimmy. I’m a waste of your time, I can’t even afford to court you.”

Everything clicked into place then. It was almost embarrassing for Jimmy to admit he’d entirely put out of his mind Tango being a blazeborn, from the nether. Why nothing he could say on this particular topic made it through his thick skull.

Perhaps Tango wasn’t the only one who forgot to appreciate how disparate the townsfolk all really were.

The dinner bell rang in the distance. Tango pulled himself together. “I’ll stay until I can pay you back.” He promised.

For once Jimmy kept his mouth shut. Any of the things that might come out if he did could only make things worse, he knew. He took a deep breath and tried his best to recompose himself, holding the little brass bird to his stomach. When he thought he could move, Jimmy tentatively held out his hand. Whatever expression his face was twisted in was not nearly as calm as he wished, desperate or pathetic in all likelihood. Tango took moment, staring at Jimmy’s hand like it might turn into a snake, or maybe like it might shatter. Maybe both. He settled on taking it either way, giving it the weakest squeeze that was far from assuring.

They made their way to the dining hall in silence. Lizzie’s old grandfather clock chimed ten as they passed.

#jimmy solidarity #tangotek #trafficshipping #solidaritek #team rancher #rancher duo #traffic series #hermitpires #fanfic #fanfiction #mcyt #hurt/comfort #alternate universe #western fantasy #sharing a slice of cake

17 notes · View notes

tsunderetypea · 10 months

Text

Little Slayer 2| TLoVM x platonic!reader

Preface| Every party had their outlier. For some, most people would think it was Scanlan of the legendary group Vox Machina. Yet as we know fate has its own working on the matter.

Enter amnesiac Y/N who happened to cross their paths. For the most part they appeared utterly normal as a human could be but well as the party would soon realize there is more to them than meets the eye.

Word Count| 1766

Link to [Part 01] | [Part 03]

—

[A/N]: I’m thinking the title might change as the story progresses but who knows

Also apologies if I don’t cover everyone’s point of view, it’s not easy writing about a bunch of characters!

Also there might be violence and stuff but this is TLoVM what can you expect lol

“Wow I thought Grog losing his muscles was more depressing for him than not getting to keep the kid,” sighed Scanlan as he took a swig of his ale though not before watching Grog lay his head on the wooden table.

“Me too,” agreed Pike as she looked on with a small frown over her best friend’s state. “Our journey is not exactly for young folk,” reasoned the Matron of Ravens’ champion.

“It’s still upsetting to watch. I feel bad for him though,” Keyleth looked down at her drink.

“At least we were able to help in some form,” Percy attempted to see things from a positive perspective. “Indeed,” murmured Vex.

“Who knows, maybe we’ll see them when we leave in the morrow.”

–

Breaths from the cold night were visible as you panted from running. You weren’t running from anyone to be exact, more like you were trying to find the group that helped you earlier.

That’s if hopefully, they hadn’t left which is why you were running in the first place. You wanted to properly thank them for giving you enough money to fill the gnawing ache in your belly from hunger.

But it was futile.

It was too dark now and the moon that once illuminated your path was now dark.

Wait… there had just been moonlight a moment ago.

A strange sensation resonated in your being, that felt familiar and unfamiliar at the same time.

Yet you never thought you would be screaming a word that struck the hearts and minds of common folk with fear.

“Dragon!” you screamed as you ran into the street, hoping in some shape or form your cry of alarm would somehow alert everyone in the nick of time but it was too late.

The hard flapping of wings entered your hearing though not before blue fire spurted downwards from the sky onto the ground, burning the buildings around you as you ducked for cover from the flame.

The dragon roared as it flew above you, spreading more of its flame. The fire was unlike any that you’d seen before, as the heat of the flames made you hotter than before even though you were a good distance away from them though its damage was just as heavy as screams of terror filled the night air.

“How pitiful… you think you can escape from my grasp?” the dragon bellowed as it landed on a tower that from what you can see had to be in the center of town. Using its vantage point from there, it stayed perched on the stone structure while aiming its head to burn whatever it saw move.

Those who were trying to survive by escaping unfortunately met their demise by the blue flame.

“Let it be known that I Scargone, master of cremation, am taking this town for the Chroma Conclave!” announced Scargone as he lifted his head up to the night sky before unleashing his fiery breath.

‘I was wrong… my luck went to shit!’ you cursed as you hunkered down in the alleyway you ducked into. Your body was too scared to move, frozen in fear as much as you knew you had to leave there with your life.

“Get the others to safety!” you heard an all too familiar voice say which in that moment helped you to break free from your frozen state. Carefully you peeked out from where you hid.

“Scanlan and Percy make sure to get everyone out before joining us against this bastard. I want casualties to be at a minimum…” it was them, you finally managed to find them.

‘Wait they are going to stop the dragon?!’ now panic filled your being because even though you just met them, you didn’t want them to die!

“We just killed a dragon not long ago, had one be in our midst for a while and now we have to kill another one again!..” groaned the archer woman from earlier.

‘So they have encountered dragons before… even killed them.’ you never would have thought they were dragon-slayers as they were not what you imagined when one pictured them. You thought they would be more rough and tumbled and maybe some missing a limb. Maybe Grog looked the part but not really anyone else.

“If it is destiny dear sister then so be it. The rest of us are killing a dragon.” her brother acknowledged placing a hand on her shoulder before nodding to the others for initiation of their plan.

“Let’s go Scanlan,” ordered the man with glasses, the one that also offered to share his gold with you as he turned on his heel racing ahead of the gnome also from earlier.

“Coming, geez!” the bard bantered back as they went their separate ways.

You debated about what to do. It would be stupid to follow after them, but you also had a strange feeling inside of you other than fear if you didn’t do something.

Perhaps it was cowardice.

But they also knew what they were doing, they killed a dragon before.

Your heart began to pound faster and faster as you debated about what to do, adrenaline coursing through your veins.

‘Ugh so help me…!’ without a moment to think, you got up from your hiding spot and ran out of the alleyway as your legs seemed to have a mind of their own following in the direction of where Grog, the giant that held you earlier, went along with his part of the party.

As much as you reasoned with yourself that they could handle it; something inside of you said for you to go and there was no avoiding it.

Within a moment’s notice, it had not taken long for them to reach the center of town as much as the blue flames made an attempt to burn them from existence.

“Voluntaire!” Vex shouted as she took out her broom from her magical pouch, not wasting a moment to get on and reach to the sky so that with her added height she would be able to shoot at Scargone with Fenthras.

While they were distracted with Scargone; it was easy for you to slip by. It was not easy for you to hide as fire seemed to corner you with every step you took, but you had to make your way somehow.

“I…want to… rage!” you could hear Grog yell as he used some kind of object against the ground to launch him in the air. You were able to see him as the gauntlets on his hands glowed as he neared the beast.

Scargone having noticed him wasted no time in breathing his devastating flame to first Vex and then Grog. Vex managed to maneuver out of the way but Grog was able to feel part of the blue flames.

“Grog!” screamed Pike as she watched him fall, thinking he was not able to withstand it. But with a clap of the Titanstone Knuckles, he stopped his descent and ascended once more.

“That was nothing!” he grinned as he finally touched down onto Scargone.

“Pathetic…” the black dragon hissed as he tried to bite the half-giant though not before noticing a dark shadow move in his periphery. Vax using the newfound wings of a raven from his vestige threw his blades at the beast, though his aim was not accurate as he tried to evade the wings of Scargone as another means of attack.

“He’s stopped spewing that dastardly blue fire thanks to brother and Grog,” Vex huffed, coughing from the dark smoke from the flames Scargone had ignited earlier.

“Keyleth, we won’t be able to fight if the smoke is slowing us down, do something about it,” the half-elven twin ordered as the air Ashari did as she was told. “Pike you and I need to buy time with Grog and brother until Percy and Scanlan get here. Maybe we’ll need Mythcarver to take him down.” she rationalized as the gnome cleric chuckled before saying a “right” before heading over to help their friends.

So it was the four of them against one dragon as you watched Keyleth put out the smoke and flame with her air-druid magic. Though as much as she put them out, Scargone would go ahead and add more as he tried to aim at his attackers.

Though from your viewpoint you could tell he was growing in aggression and it won’t be long until he maybe changed course. Maybe there was a weak spot on him.

A weak spot? How had you known that? You wanted to deduce how you knew on that matter but something caught your attention.

When Scargone turned his head trying to set Vex on fire; behind his jawbone were what looked like gills almost like that of a fish. The others wouldn’t have noticed it because of the darkness of his hide and the smoke that exhumed which covered it from view.

Until you were able to see it.

“Enough!” Scargone yelled agitated as he lifted himself from his perch, rising high in the sky as he took off probably in an attempt to remove Grog from him as he was the only one who managed to be on him.

“There goes Grog again,” commented Vax as he hovered in the air, his eyes narrowing trying to spot the dragon.

“Brother he is using the night to his advantage and there is no way we can keep up with him. It's like Umbraysl all over again,” pointed out his twin sister as she hovered beside him.

“Even worse, I don’t think we’ve managed to put a dent in him…” groaned Pike as she wiped the soot from her face. “We need another change of plan. We have to keep him grounded until Percy and Scan get here like Vex said earlier.”

“You’re right, but what can we do? Even with these vestiges, it seems we are always at the shorthand of the matter…” Vax couldn’t help but voice his thoughts as he landed on the ground with a thump.

“You need to exploit his weak spot.” an unfamiliar voice spoke softly.

The eyes of both twins widened in surprise for they did not sense that there was someone else among them as they and the others with them looked over to see you illuminated by the light of the blue flame.

But it was only until recently that they discovered that Vex could not sense all dragons and now apparently they could not sense you as you approached them.

There was something off about you and they knew it.

What were you?

#tlovm fic #little slayer #the legend of vox machina x reader #the legend of vox machina #vox machina #vox machina x reader #platonic!reader #tlovm x reader #critical role the legend of vox machina #critical role

40 notes · View notes

prttydolls · 2 years

Text

newbie || eddie munson x reader ༉‧₊˚.

— reader is a new student, and doesn't know about eddie’s reputation. eddie, thinks she’s one of the preppy bullies. ༉‧₊˚.

warnings || eddie being mean, enemies to lovers, rusty writing.

author’s note || sorry for being mia on writing, i lost motivation esp when my fics flop :/.

a fresh new start at hawkins, a fresh new blank page for your life here. it seemed scary, yeah but your dad had to move to hawkins in order to expand his business.

you stepped out of the bus, and walked towards the school building. so far, your day had been pretty normal. kids seemed nice, you thought.

later, during lunch you didn't have anywhere to sit there was only a vacant seat near the boys that wore leather jackets, and had a shirt with a logo called “hellfire club."

you were about to walk to that table when you heard a boy’s voice.

“as long as your into band, or science or parties.“

the boys looked at you weirdly, “what are you doing here sweetheart?“ eddie chuckled. you looked at him confused, “uh, sorry this was the only vacant seat i could find..”

eddie looked at you blankly, before chuckling darkly. as if you told the worst joke in history, he was pitying you.

“look sweetie, you can go back to that table over there. no need to pretend to be our friend if you wanna join the popular crowd.“ he sarcastically said, again you looked at him kind of in a sad way. your heart stung as his random boy just told you to fuck off.

you stood up and muttered a sorry before leaving and going to the cafeteria.

after you left eddie felt weird, after what he had done. he felt like it was wrong telling you to fuck off. he pushed those feelings aside and covering it up with confidence in being the town and school’s freak.

but your face, your frowning face always stayed in his mind.

it only took him a few days to realize you weren't apart of the cheer squad or anything that's associated with the popular crowd.

he felt really guilty, he just rejected a lost sheepy.

he decided to make it up to you, by bringing a bouquet of flowers. he saw you at your locker, he thought it was the perfect chance to get your attention.

“excuse me, y/n right?” he called out hesitantly.

you looked at him, analyzing his face it only took you a matter of seconds that it was the same boy that made a fool out of you in the cafeteria.

“oh, its you. what do you want?” you replied bitterly, eddie flinched at how salty your tone was. “i- i would just like to apologize after what i did.. I didn't know you were a new student.. you just seemed so- pretty? you seemed like someone from the cheer team.” he blushed.

you stared at him blankly while shutting your locker door shut, “uh thank you i guess? that’s still not a reason why you should judge people so fast.” you said while grabbing the bouquet of flowers from his hands and throwing them in a nearby trash can.

you smirked as you turned to see disappointment on his face, sweet revenge. you thought.

eddie was stunned at your revelation, he really needed to get you to forgive him, because there was just something about you that wanted him to grow closer to you.

so he made it his life mission, to make you forgive him.

it had been a few months since the incident, and now it was your birthday. you had some friends to celebrate it with you in the cafeteria, they surprised you in the cafeteria with a bunch of party streamers.

you laughed and smiled with them the whole time, but something caught your eye.. it was eddie holding a small little gift box, he was smiling at you.

somehow, it made your heart flutter alot. but before you could go to him, your friend dragged you over to meet some guy with a gift for you.

“okay! this is greg, he has a gift for you!” she excitedly rambled, you awkwardly said thank you. “open it!!" she giggled.

you opened it to see a really cute but expensive necklace, you thanked the boy again before slipping away from them and finding eddie.

you tried to find him everywhere. he was gone, but you eventually found him in the drama room, sitting and sulking sadly. “uhm, hi eddie..” you waved shyly

he looked suprised to see you, “oh, hi! y/n uhm happy birthday” he greeted awkwardly, as you sat down next to him on the ground.

“what are you doing here?” he asked, “i saw you.”

he hummed a huh, in response. “i saw you, you looked like you wanted to say something to me?”

“right uh- i have a gift for you! and i need to say something to you..” he handed you the small gift box

your heart skipped, he had a gift for you.

“w-wow, thanks eddie” you smiled softly. you opened it to see the new album from one of your favorite artist. out of excitement you hugged him tightly

“oh my god eddie!, thank you!!”

he unexpectedly hugged you back making you blush alittle, he chuckled and replied “your welcome, and i just wanna apologize what i said a few months back.. i know you didn't deserve that especially from the town and schools freak.. you seem cool, like really cool and it would be cool to hangout with you sometimes..” he confessed.

you giggled, and hugged him once more “apology, accepted eddie.”

taglist ; @lazydreamer19 @thehalfbloodedwitch @peanutbutter-y-jams

#eddie munson x reader #eddie munson x you #eddie munson x y/n #eddie munson x fem!reader #ʚ♡ɞ // writings ! ༄

249 notes · View notes

theflowerofthecommonwealth · 1 year

Text

Power Armor Punch Part Sixty Two

Masterlist

TW for implied rape, sexual assault and abuse of a child.

Nick: *looks down at the pooch immediately* Dogmeat? What is it boy? What's happened? Show me. *already ready to follow wherever the dog leads*

Dogmeat: (Barks while he dashes back inside, leading the old detective and Pirate up the two flights of stairs to the attic. He trots right up to Lucille and puts his paw on her leg, wagging his tail)

Teshteal: *smiles at the friendly gesture and holds Joyce close for maximum comfort*

Joyce: (Enjoys the group hug for a couple of peaceful minutes, then suddenly gasps and looks up to her brother) “You have to eat!”

Donovan: (Quietly laughs) “You sound like Ma.”

Joyce: (Gently pushes him back) “But it’s true! You’ve been working all day! Go! Go! Go! Before it gets too late!” (Jabs her finger at the table)

Donovan: (Holds up his hands) “Alright, alright. I’ll go eat.” (Walks over to the oven to take out his plate, sitting down at the table. He wonders if he should take up a bowl for Ma so she can eat with one hand if she can’t put Jas down)

Lucille: *swiftly removed her leg from under his paw*

Nick: Lucille? What about her?

Lucille: Nothing. I'm fine.

Nick: Obviously not if Dogmeat's running to me. What's going on?

Lucille: Nick, please just leave me alone. I'm not Jasmine. I don't need to be looked after.

Nick: In your state, yeah you do.

Lucille: Nick-

Nick: Now tell me what's going on.

Lucille: *clutches her side with her good arm* Jasmine's right.

Teshteal: *rests his head on the shoulder of his Girlfriend. His arms are under hers, holding her close* Yeah, go eat. You need your strength.

Joyce: (Leans her head back a little to press it against his, then remembers that she has a bowlful of dessert on the table) “Ack! It’s gonna melt!” (Grabs Teshteals hands as she moves forwards to grab her bowl, quickly spooning ice cream in her mouth)

Donovan: (Watches the two with a slight smirk as he eats, wondering how they ended up together)

Joyce: (Beams brightly at her treat, taking a bite from a cookie) “I’m gonna want seconds!” (Eyeing the freezer already)

Teshteal: *giggles and goes to his own dessert, polishing it off*

Nick: Right about what-?

Lucille: Don't play dumb, Nick. You know what. She's right about everything she signed back there. I'm a terrible person...

Nick: No you're not. Would ya stop with the pity parties?

Lucille: *goes quiet*

Jasmine: (Sniffles and shuffles in Ma’s arms as she snoozes away, feeling a heavy weight start to grow in her chest)

Ma: (Rubs the girls stomach and sides as she frowns, thinking about all the cuts she made on herself there and on other delicate parts of her body)

Joyce: (Finishes her bowl of ice cream, rushing off to serve herself another one. She scoops up three giant spoonfuls, taking another two cookies from the very large tray that still has plenty in stock for the others to have)

Donovan: (Eating his dinner slowly as he gets into deep thought about Jas and her current situation. He’s had over 200 years to grieve and process the death of his prewar family and friends, but how long did Jazzy have? She was struggling enough with her mothers, then surely it was put on hold when she was in that awful vault. She probably found out about her siblings death recently, and now she finds out why they had died. Then everyone else in their town were also gone… That’s a lot to process, especially when she has other traumatic experiences on her mind)

Nick: This isn't like you. All this self hatred... where's it coming from?

Lucille: It's always kind of been there. Just... I had bigger things to worry about. Then Jasmine blew up and only confirmed my worst fears...

Nick: She's just one person, doll.

Lucille: That doesn't mean she's not right! What right do I have to meddle in her life? Or anyone else's? I've done nothing but cause trouble... why should I get special treatment...?

Nick: You're not getting special treatment. And most of the time you were looking after her. You had some right pry.

Teshteal: *concerned for the amount of icecream Joyce is eating*

Joyce: (Eyes glow as she nibbles on the little bits of real strawberry that had been put in the strawberry flavored part of the Neapolitan ice cream)

Donovan: (Too lost in his train of thoughts to pay attention to his little sister who gets carried away with eating things she loves, especially when she’s stressed or anxious as delicious food has a calming effect)

Joyce: (Is aware on the amount she’s eating, but today she wants to treat herself with just a little extra)

Donovan: (Partly worrying about his mama as well, wondering if he should take her up a bowl of food now)

Ma: (Thinking of ways they can help Jas get through her self harm tendencies, starting with getting to the root on why exactly she does it, and from there they can expand on calming and distraction techniques)

Jasmine: (Whimpers in fear at the dark, looming shadows towering over her small frame in her dreams, biting down on her thumb slightly)

Ma: (Automatically starts shushing her while patting her lower back in rhythm with her hushes to make a soothing pattern, still rubbing her stomach in slow circles) “Sh, sh, sh, sh…” (She’s done this sort of things hundreds of times, it’s second nature now and she can do it on autopilot while continuing to ponder other things)

Lucille: ... Even so, my suffering nothing compared to hers. I'm never going to understand everything she went through.

Nick: You really think it's fair to compare yourself to others like that? Like it or not each of us goes through this hellish world differently.

Lucille: *goes quiet again*

Teshteal: *smiles at her taking joy in the smallest of things*

Joyce: (Walks over to the radio, popping out the holotape that was set on remix and switches it out for a different one, gently swaying to the next tune that plays as she nibbles on a cookie)

Donovan: (Continues to eat his meal without looking up, picking up his pace so that he can return to Ma and Jas upstairs)

Jasmine: (Cuddles up closer to Ma, desperately whining while her free hand tugs on Ma’s dress and her face presses even more to her skin. She tries to focus on her heartbeat, but its getting muffled under the endless ringing in her ears)

Ma: (Wishes she could just shoo away all nightmares that come to attack the girl, give her the sweetest and gentlest dreams instead. She begins singing another lullaby she knows was sung to the girl by her mother) “A dormir, mi niña. A dormir, mi amor. A dormir, mi niña. Que te canto yo….”

Nick: Now, I don't know exactly what Jasmine said, but considering all the shxt we've been through I think it's safe to say you have a fair amount of trauma.

Lucille: Everyone has it out here. I'm not special.

Nick: Maybe not, but that doesn't mean what you've gone through is meaningless.

Lucille: You're right. It just means I'm a mass murderer who selfishly killed hundreds of people or ruined their lives. I'm blind to other people's problems. I'm no better than the raiders I've killed or driven off.

Nick: *sighs tiredly* You've saved lives, too. Acadia, the Nucleus, and Far Harbor are all still standing. Settlers wouldn't have places to call home. Need I remind you that the Institute would still be terrorizing everyone and hunting down escaped Synths if you hadn't destroyed it?

Lucille: That's not as big a victory as you think. The entire gen 3 population is endangered because of that. They'll go extinct. And I did that.

Nick: I'm sure someone will figure out a way to make more... maybe this time with less slavery.

Lucille: If there is a next time. *shakes her head*

Teshteal: *admiring this lovely angel, swaying to the rhythm of the music while eating a cookie*

Joyce: (Turns around to face Teshteal again with a soft smile when the song comes to an end)

Donovan: (Rises from his seat at the table to take up Ma’s dinner to her, moving swiftly to transfer the food from her plate into a bowl so it's easier to eat) "Jojo, I will be back in a bit to check up on ya." (Fills a water bottle as well)

Joyce: (Without taking her adoring eyes off her boyfriend) "Okay!"

Donovan: (Heads up the stairs and back into the guest room, frowning when he hears Jas quietly whimpering while Ma sings) "Oh, what’s wrong?" (Can’t tell if Jasmine is asleep or awake from where he’s at)

Ma: (Pauses her singing, still patting and massaging the girl) "Nightmares I believe. Poor child is probably constantly plagued with them." (Dabs the back of her neck and shoulders with the rag again)

Jasmine: (Feels her chest compressing in her sleep, her throat closing while she struggles to breath normally)

Donovan: (Solemnly nods as he places the bowl and water bottle on the table by Ma so she may eat when she can find the time)

Nick: There will be. I know it. Especially with you sounding that evacuation alarm at the Institute.

Lucille: I don't t know- that seems like another version of it waiting to happen.

Nick: Not if you beat them to it.

Lucille: *eyes snap open. She turns to him in shock* Are you suggesting I use human remains to make gen 3s?

Nick: Who said it had to be human? *shrugs* No, I'm just giving you a project to think about instead. One you can't do yet but will keep you away from your self doubt... at least until you can get some professional help.

Lucille: *well now she is thinking about making a Gen 3 factory using animal bones. Might have to get her wife involved. Could get pretty messy. He's right about it shutting up her self doubt- she's not even thinking about what Jas said to her at the moment. Just building something big and ambitious she's never done before. Wonders where she can even get the plans*

Teshteal: *strolls up to her, cookie crumbs on his face* May I have this dance...?

Joyce: (Eyes widen a little bit, her smile blooming brighter) “Yes you may! But just a fair warning, I have two left feet…” (Grabs a napkin and wipes the crumbs off his face with it)

Ma: “I think Detective Valentine will be staying out until morning. A good thing as he most likely hasn’t gotten much of a breather.” (Looks down at Jazzy with worry at how she’s taking jagged breaths) “I’ll stay here with her for the night.”

Donovan: (Also looks at the teen with concern, thinking for a moment) “I’ll stay too, I can use one of the spare beds.”

Ma: (Shakes her head) “No, love. You need to rest in your own bed tonight in order to get a full nights sleep. You’ve been overworking yourself for the past few days.”

Donovan: (Narrows his good eye) “What about you? You have as well. The entire house is almost up and running again because of that, appliances and all.”

Ma: “I don’t do as much outdoor or physical labor as you. If I need a rest throughout the day, I’ll have a better chance at finding time.”

Jasmine: (Gasps and tenses in her sleep, coughing on a breath while she shuffles with a cry)

Donovan: “What if you need help with something?”

Ma: (Rubs Jas’s back in a deep circle motion) “Honey, I was able to manage eight troubled kids at once. I think I can handle one girl who’s currently incapacitated on my own. Besides, I can have Pirate fetch me things or ask one of the others for help if necessary.”

Donovan: “But-…”

Ma: (Holds up one hand to her son) “No more arguments, especially with Rosie right here.” (Turns her attention back to the teen) “Breathe Rosalinda. Relax your muscles.” (Starts up the lullaby from where she left off) Si esta niña, niña. Que tengo yo aquí. Si esta niña, niña. Quisiera dormir.”

Nick: Now, let's get your arm fixed. It looks like you've put strain on that nerve connector-

Lucille: Actually, Dad and I are going to work on that tomorrow.

Nick: Oh. *Shrugs* Well would you like me to stay with you at least? Keep you company?

Lucille: What about your real daughter?

Nick: Only about as real to me as you are. Besides. I never finished telling you about that one case I worked with the three insane witnesses and the guy who had one hell of a power complex.

Lucille: *not a second after* You mean Macbeth?

Nick: *rolls his eyes and sits on the ground next to her bed* Oh, just kill the fun why don't ya? *starts telling his own noir style story of the classic Shakespeare play*

Teshteal: Not a problem, sweet angel. We'll barely move our feet. *wraps his arms around her waist and shoulder and starts to slowly move with her in a very VERY slow dance. They're just swaying slightly and stepping around each other's feet to turn in a small circle*

Joyce: (Wraps her arms around her boyfriend as well, resting her head on his shoulder with a sweet sigh. She softly hums along with the radio that’s playing, “That’s how Strong My Love is” by Ovid as they gently sway throughout the kitchen)

Ma: “Para que se duerma. Canto un poquitín. Para que se duerma. Como un serafín.”

Jasmine: (Steadily starts relaxing again as the soft words reach her, still trembling under the looming figures that are in her dreams)

Ma: (Glances back up to Donny who’s drooping because of the lullaby) “You should go get ready for bed now.”

Donovan: (Leans up against the wall) “I’ll stay here for a bit longer. It’s still kinda early.”

Ma: (Gives him a knowing look) “Hm, with the way you’re drooping your head, I’ll say that you will fall asleep standing up.” (Gestures to the door) “Go on, we’ll be fine here.”

Donovan: (Sighs tiredly, giving in. He walks over to give his mother and Jas a hug and a kiss on the head) “Goodnight then…”

Jasmine: (Sniffles in her sleep, her nose scrunching cutely as she snuggles up in the sheet)

Donovan: (Pets Jas’s soft curls affectionally) “Heh, did you switch out kids while I was gone? Look at how adorable and precious she is…” (Stares down at the girl somberly, then starts leaving the room) “Call me if something happens…”

Ma: (Nods) “I will dear, sleep well.”

Teshteal: *nuzzles into her neck and shoulder, closing his eyes as he lets her guide him around the room in their dance as an act of trust*

Gardio: *sitting in front of the fire, watching the flames dance. Sometimes he swears they're moving to the song playing over the radio*

Joyce: (Being very careful with her motions and sways, moving her hand to lovingly caress Teshteals cheek and hair)

Ma: “Esta niña linda. Se ha dormido ya. Y un dulce angelito. Un beso le da.” (She thinks would’ve been smart for her to eat and change into pajamas before she took the girl into her arms. She stands, tenderly leaning down to place Jas on the mattress)

Jasmine: (Immediately shrieks and clutches the motherly woman tighter)

Ma: (Sits back down on the chair. Oh well, she suppose it’s alright)

Jasmine: (Tries to curl up into an even smaller ball, shaking more as her heart pounds faster and her breathing picks back up)

Ma: (Can feel this change and frowns, rocking more in the chair as she hums the next lines of the lullaby) “Mm-mm, mm-mm, mm-mm….”

Donovan: (Heads into his room and quickly changes, forgetting about dessert and checking up on his sister as he dumps himself on his mattress with a heavy sigh, completely tuckered out)

Lucille: *managed to pass out thanks to Nick distracting her from the pain she's in*

Nick: *smirks when he realizes this. Decides to slip into sleep mode for a bit to give his system a break*

Teshteal: *makes a soft and comfortable chirping noise in response. He idly and slightly rubs her sides*

Joyce: (Comes to a stop when the song ends, higging her boyfriend tightly as she sways them both side to side and kisses his head)

Jasmine: (Not having a pleasant time, her nightmare warping into something much more sinister. It’s making her tense up)

Ma: “Shhh, baby girl. You’re alright, you’re safe…” (Trying to get her to calm back down by continuing to sing) “A dormir, mi niña. A dormir, mi amor. A dormir, mi niña. Que te canto yo.”

Jasmine: (Shifts in her dream, opening her eyes to find herself on the floor of a dark and horrifyingly familiar room. She chokes on a gasp, curling into a ball with fear as one of the hulking figures that has been looming over her approaches)

Guard Leader: (Crouches besides her shivering form, amusement plastered across his face) (Mockingly) “Having fun yet, babydoll?”

Jasmine: (Growls lowly when she hears that roll off his tongue and it sparks a raging fire in her soul. Only Nick could ever call her babydoll and get away with it!)

Lucille: *luckily doesn't dream often- if she does she barely remembers most of them. Before she knows it she's up again most times. This is one of those cases*

Teshteal: *smiles lovingly into Joyces shoulder then kisses just under her jaw* You're irresistible, angel...

Joyce: (Giggles warmly, rubbing his shoulders as she quietly yawns and rests her head on his) “Am I now?”

Guard Leader: (Forcefully when Jas doesn’t answer him right away) “I asked if you were having fun yet, babydoll?”

Jasmine: (Snarls and lifts her head as she shoots daggers the man’s way, sitting up with kitten fury) “Go fuck yourself!” (Stands up on her own two feet) “And you do not get to call me that! Only my Daddy can call me that so keep it out of your filthy mouth!” (Hates this man with every fiber of her being. He was always the ringleader with the abuse that happened to her) “I will kill you!”

Guard Leader: (Tuts at the small girl, reaching down to yank her hair and force her back to the ground. He’s so much bigger than her, about 6’6 or so and his boots add to his height. There’s a reason he was chosen to be the leader, he strikes fear into the prisoners with his brutality and build) “You still don’t know when to quit, do ya little lamb?”

Gardio: *passing out in the chair. Hadn't realized how tired he was until now*

Teshteal: Incredibly. *peppers her jaw with kisses then goes back to staring up at her with wide adoring eyes*

Joyce: “Aww, you’re so sweet.” (Holds him closer, then pulls back slightly) “We should go get ready for bed now, no telling what tomorrow will hold.”

Jasmine: (Hits the ground with a low groan, scrambling to sit upright and put her back against the wall. She tries to remind herself that this is only a dream, he’s not actually here) “Go to hell and piss on yourself!! You are not even real, none of this is!” (Shakes her head) “You just keep torturing me even when you are dead!”

Guard Leader: (Crosses his arms) “What’s not real? Me or your little freak show that you call a family upstairs?” (Approaches Jas and grabs her chin, forcing her to look up at him as his nails dig into her soft skin) “A girl like you can never be loved and cared about. It’s foolish that you believe otherwise.” (Taps her cheek) “They just pity your cute face and sob story.”

Jasmine: (Spits on his face) “Bullshit!! None of them are that shallow!”

Teshteal: *looks at the kitchen and dining room table* We should probably clean up first. *looks back to her, smiling kindly* Wouldn't want to leave this place a mess for Ma to find. Then we can get to bed and cuddle. *almost wants to say "or more" but he feels that would be too forward. Instead he just studies her face and what he can see of her shoulders and collar area almost hinting at that phrase*

Joyce: (Already looking to the table, not noticing the look he’s giving her) “Ah, you’re probably right… Mama does enough work and I haven’t exactly been helpful the last week before today.” (Rushes to start putting away the food into containers and into the fridge)

Guard Leader: (Takes ahold of the girl by the neck and lifts her off the ground, making her choke and gasp for air) “DON’T, forget what you are for one second, girl! You’re toying with them, because that’s what little wenches like you do. You plant yourself in like a parasite that slowly drains them of what you want as you destroy them from the inside out.”

Jasmine: (Struggles to breathe and swat his hands off her, but she can’t seem to summon enough strength to do damage. Alarm bells start going off in her head, terror bubbling in her chest) (Weakly) “No…!”

Guard Leader: (Pulls her face in even closer) “Don’t pretend that you haven’t been doing that all this time, it’s what you’re made for. It’s in your nature. What else are you good for? Go on and tell me.”

Jasmine: (Coughs as she tries to get some breaths in, unable to respond)

Teshteal: *helps her put up the food. Assumes she didn't see the glance because of the mess and sets the thought aside while he cleans up. He starts doing dishes shortly after. His tail makes a good third hand while his actual ones scrub the hell out of the dish and cook ware at rapid speed before setting them off to the side to dry*

Joyce: (Wipes down the countertops and table with a rag, humming along with the next song that’s playing on the tape)

Guard Leader: (Tosses the teen to the ground like she’s a mere rag doll)

Jasmine: (Cries out as she smacks forcefully into the floor, her heart roaring in her ears because she knows what he’s gearing up for)

Guard Leader: (Kneels over her with each of his legs on either side of her, his hands planted by her head) “So pathetic… Good thing you’re pretty too.”

Jasmine: (Crosses her arms and legs to protect her delicate areas from the corrupted monster looming over her) (Softly pleading) “Daddy, help me please…”

Guard Leader: (Raises an eyebrow from his dominant position above her) “Now why would he help the worthless masquerader who’s caused and brought nothing but more pain and trouble to the table?”

Teshteal: *soon done with the dishes and sink, hanging the rag over the sink head to dry. He quickly goes to his girlfriend and wraps her up in his arms to give her a quick peck on the cheek then whispers* You've done much more for her and Donovan than you realize... *smiles and kisses her cheek again, distracting her from whiping down the table*

Joyce: (Laughs as she tosses aside the rag, turning to Teshteal with a bright smile) “Naw, you don’t know the full story here yet. They’ve done more for me than I can thank them for.” (Leans in to kiss his nose, then gestures to the stairs) “I’m going to go take a quick shower and change, then I have to freshen up my room, alright? Can you finish up here and wait for me to finish?”

Jasmine: (Shakily) “He loves me despite all that. I am his daughter…” (Remembers how he aided her tenderly in getting cleaned up in the bath, then how he held her as she cuddled him in the vault a few days ago. No way in hell can all that be faked…)

Guard Leader: (Simply) “No, you’re his pet project. His own good conscience won’t let him toss a “helpless” and pitiful looking little girl out with the rest of the garbage, hence why he hasn’t told you to scram yet. He feels sorry that the original Nick couldn’t save his fiancé and that he took his identity, so you’re the compensation as his pseudo daughter.”

Jasmine: (Winces at his words that cut into her heart, then snarls and raises her hand to strike him out of anger)

Ma: (Getting worried about how tense Jazzy is and how fast she’s breathing. She carefully turns the teens lower waist so she can rub her stomach better while keeping her face buried against her chest as that seems to be helping some)

Teshteal: *blushes a little at the mention of her taking a shower and the request for him to wait for her then confidently nods it away. It shouldn't take too long to whipe down the table and mop up the kitchen* Of course, Joyce. *pecks her on the lips and lets her go*

Joyce: (Smiles at him cutely and starts walking to the stairs, passing by the living room where she stops at the sight of Jas’s bear on the floor. She picks it up, then looks at Gardio who’s dozing off on the chair. She goes back to the kitchen with Winnie in her hands) “Should we wake him up so he doesn’t have a crick in his neck in the morning…?”

Guard Leader: (Catches her wrist easily with matched strength, twisting her arm painfully) “I’m just stating the hard to swallow truth! You’re on what, week one of your mental crisis after almost decade and a half of build up and he’s already has had his fill of you?”

Jasmine: (Screams out in pain at her arm being twisted into an unatural angle despite this happening so many times to the point she had gotten used to it)

Guard Leader: (Keeps attacking the girl with her deepest insecurities) “He’s snapped and has left on multiple occasions, you don't even know where he is at the moment. It’s likely he abandoned you, and why wouldn’t he? All you have done is disappoint him over and over again as you spiral further down your rabbit hole that will never end. What’s he gonna do once he sees that his project will span several months, even years before you can be truly useful to him?”

Jasmine: (Breaks her gaze with the brutal man, looking away with misty eyes)

Teshteal: Yeah we should. *scampers over to the gargoyle asleep in the chair and starts poking his face* Dio, wakey wakey!

Gardio: *midsleep uncoherent mumbles as he sits like a father passed out while the kids watched a movie*

Teshteal: *shakes his friend abruptly and surprisingly easily despite their difference in size*

Gardio: *snaps awake with wide eyes* Huh- what-?! *realizes it's Teshteal* Ah... fell asleep, huh?

Teshteal: Mhm. Might want to go to bed before you get your neck all stiff, yeah?

Gardio: *smiles* Yeah. Thanks. *gets up. Notices Joyce holding Winnie* I'll take that to Jasmine when I head up there. *smiles gently and holds his hand out to the young woman*

Teshteal: *goes back to cleaning the kitchen*

Joyce: (Hands the stuffed bear off to the old ghoul with a gentle smile in return) “Thanks, I think she’ll need this after today…” (Turns around and goes up to her room to grab her stuff for the shower, careful not to let the two puppies out so they don’t start clinging to her or Ma while they are busy)

Guard Leader: “Give him a little more time with your exasperating nonsense, he’ll soon see that Charlotte and your aunt made the right call and follow suit.” (Leans down, tugging on the roots of her hair) “And will you blame him for that?”

Jasmine: (Shakes her head, tears dripping down her cheeks) “No I will not..…”

Guard Leader: “Correct. Because it’s the call he should’ve made from the start, right?”

Jasmine: (Nods her head, her bottom lip trembling)

Guard Leader: (Pats her head condescendingly) “Good girl. Remember your place in this world, nowhere. There will never be no matter how much you try to fit in, you’ll only drag them down with you.”

Ma: (Thinking about giving Jas a massage on her chest to help her breath as she keeps halting her breathing altogether or breathing too quickly. She can’t give her a diaphragm massage as there are too many wounds on her stomach for deeper rubbing so it may be her only option other than waking her up)

Gardio: *opens the door very gently and walks in. He carefully sets the bear on the table next to Ma and heads to bed, not saying a word*

Teshteal: *wraps up cleaning and patiently waits for her, humming to the radio to keep his mind occupied*

Joyce: (Comes back downstairs and heads into the lighthouse to shower, getting to work washing herself in the tub with the shower on)

Ma: (To Gardio as she turns to him) “Thank you dear… I’m afraid the little one is having a nightmare that’s making her breathing irregular.” (Looks back at Jas) “I’ll try to help her breathe with a massage, but if it doesn’t work I’ll go find her father…” (Carefully turns the girl so she’s facing upwards)

Jasmine: (Cries out when she can’t feel the warmth anymore, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she claws in the air)

Ma: (Takes off the sheet off both of them, adjusting the neckline of her house dress) “Hush Rosa-Marie. You’re still safe but you’re breathing too quickly.” (Gently strokes her hair, casting Gardio a doleful look)

Guard Leader: (Still battering Jasmine in her nightmare, hitting every sore spot that she has) “If you truly cared about them, you would’ve pulled that trigger to keep your poison from creeping in. First one to go will be that woman you call your sister- in fact you have almost got her there. One little push and she's out of the picture, and she can join Lilac and Jie in the grave.”

Jasmine: (Hisses aggressively when he mentions her sisters, getting some spark back in her soul and she starts trying to swat at him)

Guard Leader: (Pins her entire face down on the hard floor with one hand) “Her father will probably die of grief soon after, not that he matters as you hardly know the man but hey- two birds with one stone. As for Teshteal, you know what you will do to him eventually no matter how close you two get. He fears you, he knows the horror shows you're capable of putting on.”

Jasmine: (Eyes widen as tears stream down her cheeks, feeling that he’s right on everything that he said)

Teshteal: *wonders if he should take a bath, too. He probably stinks pretty badly. He decides to let Joyce know by knocking on the door of the bathroom she's in* Joyce? I'm going to go take a bath!

Joyce: (Calling out) “Alright! I’ll be waiting if you not out before me!” (Starts rinsing out her blonde hair in the water, lathering in a peach vanilla shampoo)

Gardio: *nods sadly* If Lucille's asleep, try not to wake her...? I'm sure it took a lot of effort to convince herself to rest... *looks to Jasmine and frowns, remembering last time she screamed and woke up her supposed sister up.* That might mean leaving her here. I'll watch her as best as I can.

Ma: (Nods at the other ghoul) “Let’s hope this works then…” (To Jasmine, stroking her hair some more) “Rosie, baby? I’m going to touch you so I can help you relax, alright?” (Rests her hand on her collarbone, waiting to see her reaction)

Jasmine: (Whines in her sleep, not trying to swat away Ma as she reaches to cling back to her for comfort)

Ma: (Very gently used three fingers to massage the girls sternum and collarbone to help her chest muscles relax, avoiding her breasts to her best ability) “Breathe, sweetheart. I’m not going to hurt you…”

Jasmine: (Whimpers and takes in a sharp breath, the tension melting away slightly as the nightmare she’s in continues)

Guard Leader: (Pins her down by the neck, squeezing the breath out of her as his knee presses down on her stomach and pelvis) “You deserve this you know, it was never once unfair in your part. Just for those whose blood got spilled by your hands, they are the real victims here. Not you.” (Hands start trailing to unbutton her top and fondle her chest, then slip down to her trousers)

Jasmine: (Closes her eyes, ready to accept her deserved fate when she suddenly remembers her fathers reaction when he heard about this kind of horrible assault happening to her, followed by the thought on what this sick man had done to her and her baby right before the war. She hisses and screams with raging kitten fire, grabbing the man by the shirt and throwing him across the room to get him off her with all her strength) “YOU STAY THE FUCK AWAY FROM ME YOU SICK SON OF A BITCH!!!!”

Teshteal: *happily skips away to the bedroom to get his pajamas. He stops and moves slowly in case Jasmine's sleeping. He quickly and wordlessly slinks in and grabs his clothes then back to the bathroom where he sets up his soak*

Gardio: *doesn't say a word to him as he does this. Linus tended to be very easily distracted before the war. He's probably even more so now... he thinks.*

Ma: (Keeps up the gentle massage, wincing when Jas’s bandages move slightly and she can briefly see the words she made on her skin, and the scars she has over her heart) “Oh, mi vida…”

Guard Leader: (Smacks against the wall with a loud snapping sound, groaning as he clutches his side)

Jasmine: (Wastes no time in running over and kicking his face, beating him into a pulp just like he has done so many times to her)

Guard Leader: (Covers his face to try and protect himself from receiving what he is so deserving of) “THIS DOESN’T CHANGE ANYTHING! YOU’RE STILL A BLOOD THIRSTY KILLER AND KILLING ME WONT FIX THAT!!”

Jasmine: (Through her tears) “SHUT UP! SHUT UP! SHUT UP! SHUT UP!” (She doesn’t want him to be right, although he is. But that doesn’t mean shit to her right now as she keeps beating him, making it as painful as possible so maybe he can feel a mere fraction of her pain)

@lucilleandherrobots

#fallout #fallout 4 #fo4 #fallout original character #fallout oc #fallout roleplay #fallout rp

36 notes · View notes

daggzandarrowsnew · 7 months

Text

Let’s go on Dreaming

Every time I listen to the song So Close and think of the scene it is from in Enchanted, I think of Outlaw Queen during that bloody painful Frozen arc and I HAVE to write something.

So we’ll pretend that Marian was really Marian and after she gave her blessing to Regina, nothing else happened in the town of Storybrooke. There was no Zelena issue to resolve but our Regina wasn’t quick to forgive Robin for things that happened during that time.

I’ve left descriptions of clothing etc. out of it purposefully. When I’m reading a fic, I usually like to visualise some of my favourite characters looks and just go with that so when descriptions come into it, it either muddles my brain or I just ignore them 🙈 that is only me though! If you prefer descriptions, let me know and I will include them in the future.

—————————

“I’m fine right here, sweetheart,” Regina smiled at Henry. Waving him away when he attempted to lead her to the table that Emma and her parents were sitting at. “Go have some fun.”

She had only agreed to come because Henry had refused to go without her.

If there was one thing Snow White loved, it was a victory party. She almost found herself wondering how many had been thrown over the years she’d attempted to kill the girl but decided not to take herself down that path tonight. They were in an extremely healthy place now. They’d never be the young princess and her kindhearted rescuer again, too much had happened. But they’d become something of a family once more.

She smiled over at the woman in question, shaking her head when Snow frowned at her resistance to join them.

Almost subconsciously, her eyes drifted to where Robin stood with his back to her and his eyes trained on his whiskey glass at the bar. When she looked back to Snow, she found sympathy there but no pity and for that, she was grateful.

She and Robin hadn’t spoken much since Marian had given her blessing. Regina hadn’t seen much point in it. They’d missed their time many years ago in a land far different than this one and they’d been fools to think otherwise. She’d been the biggest fool of all.

Darkness hadn’t yet touched her heart when she’d first laid eyes on him in that tavern. Sure, she’d had the first suggestions of darkness shrouding her thoughts but her heart had still been pure, much like Robin’s was. But now…she was the furthest thing she could have been to what he deserved. How she’d ever believed it could work was ridiculous. Of course he’d choose another over her. Of course he would.

It was a deep ache that threatened to steal her breath entirely every time she allowed herself to think too much into it. Tonight wasn’t about that though. Tonight was about spending time with her son and the people he loved and who loved him, even if they didn’t all love or even like her. So she took a deep breath and swallowed against the lump in her throat. She’d weathered the storm before, she would do so again with the help of Henry this time to keep her on the right path. On the only path she wanted to be on.

When a glass was placed in front of her, amber liquid swirling within, she took a deep breath, readying herself to look into shining blue eyes and refuse the offer of a drink only to release it swiftly and in no way subtly when she found Granny to be standing before her.

“Knock it back quick, girl.”

Regina frowned up at the woman before realising how she was standing right in front of her, her bulking frame hiding Regina from view of any who may be looking over. She smiled gratefully before picking up the glass and tipping the whiskey into her mouth, swallowing like she was a dying woman and this was the elixir of life. “Thank you,” she coughed lightly, placing the glass in Granny’s hand.

“Atta girl.”

And with nothing more than a comforting squeeze of her hand around Regina’s, she was moving off towards the bar once more.

——————

A short while later, Regina found another glass in front of her. This one easily identifiable by the smell that reached her instantly. Tequila.

“Miss Swan, I’m-“

“You may look fine, Regina,” Emma interrupted as she lowered herself into the booth opposite her, her own shot glass in her hand, “but I know I’d prefer a friend in this situation.”

Robin had since moved from his place at the bar to sit beside his (now) ex-wife and son. Their gazes had met a couple of times, holding only for one painful instant before she was looking anywhere else but at him despite the feeling of those eyes still on her.

“It’s been a hard few weeks for everyone,” she continued, her fingernails tapping at the glass in her hand now resting on the table in front of her. And Regina blinked.

Though she’d initiated the search that had helped stop Emma from relinquishing her powers - a ridiculous notion that the Charmings had somehow entertained for a terrifying moment - she’d been too wrapped up in her own issues with Robin to remind Emma that magic was in the very fabric of her being. So she nodded and lifted the shot glass in front of her, smiling when Emma mirrored her and knocked them together with a satisfying clink before they were sinking the tequila without so much as a grimace.

Emma’s eyes moved back over to her family and Regina studied her for a moment. Here was a woman who’d finally found everything she wanted - the son she’d been too afraid to keep, the parents she’d always searched for and the love she’d always craved from other partners but never found. Yet, much like Regina, she’d been unable to accept it and had tried to change herself.

Regina shook her head, knowing that she too should be accepting that she was simply enough as she was despite her past but it was so much easier to give advice rather than take it.

“If ever you should need my help with anything, Emma…” she began tentatively, lifting her eyes from the table when the blonde turned her attention back to Regina. “I may not be the most approachable, but I am always here…whenever you need.”

Emma nodded gratefully before chuckling softly to herself and eliciting a frown from Regina. “You may not have been approachable when I first got here, Madame Mayor,” she grinned, able to laugh at their initial rivalry now despite how both were nearly killed numerous times during those first couple of years, “but you’re most definitely not as scary now as you were then.”

Dark eyes flashed with a dangerous humour as a perfectly tweezed brow lifted. “You think I’ve gone soft, Miss Swan?”

“Okay, no,” Emma laughed, lifting herself from the booth. “Let’s leave the Evil Queen in her cage, shall we?”

Regina merely shrugged in response as Emma began backing off with a much easier smile than when she’d first sat down. “The night’s still young.”

“Yes,” Emma nodded, that smile softening as she cocked her head towards where Robin now sat alone, “it is.”

——————

She was on her way back from the bathroom, weaving slowly through those who’d chosen to get up and dance - Henry and Emma among them, she noted with a smile - when small fingers curl around her hand suddenly.

“Dance with me, R’gina!”

“Roland, use your manners,” Marian’s admonishment came instantly as Regina turned to find the two behind her.

“Dance with me please, R’gina!” he amended adorably, Regina’s heart growing two sizes as she crouched to his level with a warm smile.

“By the looks of your rosy cheeks,” she tapped at the side of his face, eliciting a shriek of laughter from him, “I’d say you’d already been dancing.”

He nodded before reasoning, “But I haven’t danced with you yet!”

“You can’t just abandon your mama,” she replied, not wanting to step on Marian’s toes with their checkered past. “Who will she dance with?”

The woman in question laughed easily, shaking her head as she explained, “You’d be doing me a favour,” she raised a hand to her forehead for Roland’s benefit as she added, “I’m all danced out, I’m afraid.”

Roland looked from his mother and back to Regina excitedly as she looked up at Marian with her eyebrows raised in question, asking if the woman really was sure. When she merely smiled wider and nodded, Regina looked back to Roland.

“Well I guess that’s settled then.”

And with that, she hefted the giggling toddler onto her hip and began turning them in circles, revelling in the same excited shrieks this kind of dancing had once pulled from her own son when she’d twirled him around the kitchen as a child.

—————-

She was almost out of breath and quite ready to call it a night. Roland had allowed her a moment of reprieve, running to his mother to ask if she’d been watching their two, three, four different dances (which, of course, she had). She was about to turn and start making her way back towards her table when she felt it. She felt him. Standing behind her.

“May I have this dance, milady?”

Regina turned slowly on the spot, quite sure at least four pairs of eyes were on them already as she finally locked a steady gaze on the man she’d been unable to look at all night.

His smile was so earnest, so full of hope as he stood before her that she found herself automatically nodding despite the lump rising in her throat.

Robin gave her a long moment more to change her mind before he was slowly and tentatively stepping into her space with his hands held up palm outwards.

She shouldn’t, Regina knew she shouldn’t but somehow, her hands lifted of their own accord. One found its way onto his shoulder, curving over the muscle there as she felt him cup her waist, while the other laid gently atop his waiting palm.

There was a moment in which their eyes locked once more. One filled with every single word they’d never been able to say to one another, never been brave enough to voice in these last few heartachingly awful weeks. And then, without any more thought to it (because what needed to be said right now, here in this frozen moment between them) they pulled one another closer and began to move, feeling for the first time in a long time that perhaps things wouldn’t have to be so difficult anymore. Perhaps for once, things could be easy.

Just this once.

#outlaw queen #regina mills #ouat #oq ff #once upon a time #oq au #robin hood #daggzandarrows #ouat ff

10 notes · View notes

winter-dayz · 6 months

Text

Best Halloween Ever

Pairing: BamBam x Reader (ft. Mark Tuan, others) Halloween Party; Non-Idol AU Genre: Fluff Words: 1138

Masterlist | Fictober Masterpost

Taglist: @soobin-chois

“Bam, seriously, you couldn’t have told me we were throwing a party, I don’t know, before the party is supposed to start?” You asked incredulously at your roommate who was tidying up the kitchen.

“I forgot…” He grimaced, putting away some of our more fragile items.

“Forgot? We went costume shopping together. That would’ve been a great time to tell me. Or maybe even this morning would have been the least you could’ve done. Not literally minutes before your friends are going to arrive–”

“They’re your friends too.” He interrupted, frowning. You had met your roommate’s friends on several occasions but still didn’t like to claim them as friends of your own out of respect. You didn’t want BamBam to think you were trying to steal his friends, and you didn’t want anyone inviting you places out of obligation or pity. So, instead, you often distanced yourself. BamBam hated that.

Especially because BamBam had been not only trying to incorporate you into the friend group since you both began living together, but also because he had been trying to figure out how to tell you for months that he had an embarrassingly large crush on you.

“Go get ready. I’ll finish cleaning and setting up.” He said, shooing you off.

🎃

You didn’t emerge for another hour. It hadn’t taken you that long to get ready, though. Your costume was a simple dotted dress, puppy ears, and black and white makeup. You elected not to wear the collar that you bought as a joke. BamBam had wanted to wear matching costumes this year but also really wanted to gender-bend Cruella de Vil, so you offered to be a dalmatian.

The party was definitely in full swing by now, made quite obvious from the music and loud talking heard through the thin walls of your shared house, but you had not worked up the courage to emerge from the safety of your room. You had no doubts, however, that if you took any longer, your energetic roommate would come drag you from your confines.

So you quietly snuck from your room to the kitchen, needing to have something in hand while you braved the actual party, whether that be snacks or alcohol.

When you did finally make your way out into the living room, you realized just how much effort BamBam had put into this party.

He had really gone all out, which of course he had, and many in attendance had matched his energy with their costumes. As you searched for your costume partner, your eyes roamed the attendees, picking out your favorite costumes among the faces that were familiar to you.

On one of your couches, Taehyung dressed as a robot sat chatting to Namjoon and his new girlfriend. They were wearing a cute matching dryad set. You spotted Lisa and her fianceé in matching vampire costumes, staring each other down like they wanted to literally take a bite out of one another. Yugyeom was on the dance floor with his best friend, oddly wearing couple costumes of an angel and a devil. You wondered what was going on there…

A tap on your shoulder brought you out of your search and you turned to find someone covered in a white bedsheet with the eye holes cut out standing behind you.

“Boo.” Your roommate’s best friend said in a kind yet monotone voice. Mark, also a bit of an introvert, had unfortunately come alone. His new roommate wanted to hand out candy to the trick-or-treaters since it was her first Halloween living in a smaller town where kids actually went out at night.

“Have you seen Bam?” You asked him, comfortable with him enough that you didn’t feel rude asking. He merely shrugged.

“He’s everywhere. You know how he is during parties.” He then gestured to your cup. “Need a refill? It’s hot under the sheet, I’m gonna go cool off in the kitchen.”

You shook your head, tilting the cup to show its fullness. “I only just now joined everyone. I shouldn’t go into hiding yet.” He chuckled and nodded before heading off to the kitchen.

You resumed your scanning, spotting Youngjae and his friend both wearing witch costumes. Near them were Yuna and Ryujin laughing next to the makeshift bar, dressed as a mummy and purple alien respectively, while Minho smirked at his own joke, golf club splattered with fake blood perched on his shoulder. You weren’t exactly sure who he was supposed to be, but it was festive regardless.

Finally you spotted your roommate, chatting lively with a twisted-fairy version of Felix. You walked over to the pair, matching Felix’s bright smile when he saw your approach.

“Hi, Y/N, you look so cute!” He stated before looking between BamBam and you, connecting the dots. “Oh, I see.” He mumbled with a knowing smirk before walking away.

You watched in confusion, “What was that about?”

“Don’t worry about it, you know how Felix can be.” Bam joked, smiling and secretly checking you out. “Where have you been?”

You scoffed, jokingly glaring. “As if you even knew I wasn’t out here. You’re always running between conversations.” He frowned slightly at your statement, but you took a sip of your drink at the same time and didn’t notice.

🎃

You had somehow gotten roped into a debate over the correct way to eat an Oreo. Werewolf-Yeonjun was arguing that biting into the sandwich cookie was perfectly normal, but Medusa-Soobin and his statue-girlfriend were on the side of pulling it apart. You didn’t really have an opinion either way but took to arguing Yeonjun’s side with him just for the sake of fairness.

You were in the middle of nodding along to Yeonjun’s point when suddenly you were being dragged away by your wrist. You were about to protest and snap when you realized it was just your roommate.

“We need to take pictures.” He stated, bringing you along to a moody lit corner. Mark’s sheet lay discarded at his feet and he was holding up BamBam’s phone, ready to take pictures.

You and BamBam took several in-character pictures, and when he started looking through them over Mark’s shoulder, you moved to leave. Bam grabbed you and brought you back over, though, before you got too far.

“Just a few more.” He said and wrapped his arms around your waist from behind, pulling you flush against him. You looked over your shoulder at him confused, but he only tilted his head and smirked. The flash of the camera went off and then Bam leaned in, kissing you passionately. The angle was a bit awkward, but you were happy enough to deal with it.

The camera flashed several more times before BamBam released his lips from yours and smiled down at you.

“Happy Halloween.”

“Best Halloween party ever.”

#got7 #bambam #reader #bambam x reader #got7 x reader #fluff #halloween party #non-idol au #oneshot #fictober

13 notes · View notes

twomanyideas · 1 year

Text

Santu Claus is Coming to Town

A collaboration by @mdelpin and @oryu404 @becausewritingshouldbefun January 2023 Challenge Prompt: New Beginnings Pairing(s): Gray x Natsu, Sting x Rogue, Lyon x Erza (mentioned) AO3 | Ch 1 | Next: Ch 2

Summary: It's the most wonderful time of the year... supposedly. Natsu, in his absence, has taken Gray's Christmas spirit with him, and an unfortunate event from Rogue's childhood has him dreading the holiday altogether. Needless to say, they're not particularly excited about attending their Aunt Ur's annual Christmas eve party. But the night turns out to be full of surprises, making it one they certainly won't be forgetting anytime soon.

Chapter 1: Santa Bring My Bastard Back to Me

Christmas had always been Gray’s favorite holiday. That often surprised people, given he wasn’t exactly the most cheerful person to be around, but there was just something in the air that never failed to lift his spirits.

But this year was different, and while he hadn’t yet reached ‘Bah, humbug’ levels of bitterness, he was skirting fairly close.

The reason was simple.

Natsu, his childhood best friend and boyfriend, had gotten himself stuck on another fucking continent with no chance of getting home before Christmas. And yeah, Gray knew all too well that he was being unreasonable for feeling this way. It wasn’t Natsu’s fault they’d canceled all flights out of Rivera because of a massive snowstorm.

But after five years of only being able to see each other on the occasional weekend and during school breaks, Gray had been looking forward to spending more time together now that he was back home. Instead, they both got swept up by work. Gray was lucky enough to have landed an entry level position at an architectural firm soon after he'd graduated, and while Natsu still worked for his dad, he’d gotten promoted last year. Now he traveled along with Igneel for work so often, it felt like Gray saw him even less than before.

Was spending Christmas together really too much to ask?

“Please tell me that’s not what you’re planning to wear to your aunt’s party.”

Gray looked up to find his mother frowning at him. It took a minute for her words to pierce through his self pity, but when they did, it just added to his misery.

He’d completely forgotten all about his aunt’s Christmas Eve party.

“I don’t suppose there’s any way I could just stay home?” he asked. The last thing he felt like doing was feigning cheer at a loud family party.

“If he’s not going, then I’m not either,” his younger brother Rogue said as he plopped down on the sofa next to him, destroying any chance Gray might have had of his mother taking pity on him. The smug look Rogue flashed him let him know the bastard knew it, too.

Great. Thanks a lot, half-pint.

“You're both going, and that’s final. Now, go change into something a little more festive,” Mika directed, putting her hands on her hips as she looked back and forth between Gray’s sweatpants and Rogue's all black getup. “How about those Christmas sweaters I bought you?”

Gray touched a hand to his forehead. “Will you look at that? I think I have a fever. I must be coming down with something.”

“Yeah, me too.” Rogue said, faking a cough.

“Oh come on guys, it’ll be fun,” their mother badgered as she paced to the kitchen and back, gathering all the food she was bringing to the party. “This is the first time in a long while the whole family will be together. Even Ultear made it.”

That touched a nerve. What was she talking about? The whole family would not be there.

Besides, what did Gray care if Ultear and her asshole husband had graced them with their presence when Natsu wasn’t around to make fun of them?

“Wow. Nice, mom.” Rogue rolled his eyes and sighed.

“What?” She paused, her eyes widening as she finally realized her mistake. “Oh honey, I’m sorry!”

“Don’t worry about it,” Gray grumbled, even though it did kind of hurt that she’d forgotten Natsu’s absence so easily. You’d think she’d notice. The guy had only been terrorizing their pantry since they were ten, and they’d been a couple since his freshman year of college.

He got up from the sofa and headed off to his room to change into something his mother wouldn’t give him a hard time over. Rogue followed, looking about as thrilled as he felt. Gray doubted either of them would be wearing those Christmas sweaters.

It took some searching, but he found a shirt that was ironed and wouldn't have him sweat to death. He’d just located a clean pair of pants when the doorbell rang, soon followed by the elated sounds of his mother greeting their visitor.

He knew it couldn’t be Natsu. He hadn’t rung their doorbell since he was twelve, just made his way in through whatever door was open. Even so, Gray couldn’t quite silence the part of him that desperately hoped his boyfriend had somehow made it home in time.

He quickly finished dressing and went back downstairs, skipping the last steps when he caught the sounds of someone rummaging through the fridge. For a second, he truly believed he’d find Natsu grabbing the makings of one of his monstrous sandwiches with whatever leftovers he could find, but his mother shattered that illusion before Gray could even come out to see for himself.

“For God’s sake Sting, get out of my fridge,” she complained, “I swear you’re as bad as Natsu!”

“Lay off him, Mika, he’s sixteen. You know better than anyone that teen boys are always hungry,” his father snickered, tossing Sting an apple from the fruit basket that sat on the counter.

“Thanks, Mr. F!” Sting inhaled the apple while peering into the multiple shopping bags full of food and drink Mika had lined up, no doubt studying their contents and making a mental list of what he was going to eat first.

“Are you sure you’re bringing enough?” Silver glanced at Mika as she packed a box with as many bottles of wine as she could safely fit.

Mika stopped what she was doing and gazed at Silver worriedly. “Do you think I should bring more?”

Gray had never figured out whether his mom was really oblivious to his father’s sarcasm or whether she just enjoyed playing dumb. Either way, he rarely got a rise out of her.

“I think we should go.”

“Not yet. We’re waiting for the boys.”

“Gray still moping around?”

“I am not moping, I’ll have you know,” Gray said, entering the kitchen before his parents got too comfortable talking about him. “Of course,” he sighed, taking in Rogue’s best friend and his ridiculous Christmas elf costume, complete with red suspenders, bells on his hat, and even bells on his bright green shoes. Of course he would, and of course it would have been Sting. Gray had been a fool to think otherwise. The guy practically lived at their house, hanging around his brother like the two couldn’t function without each other for longer than a day.

And speak of the devil, Gray heard his brother coming down the stairs. He turned to look, fully expecting some sort of passive aggressive move to protest having to change, but for once, it looked like Rogue had actually put in some effort.

While he was still wearing the black jeans, he’d found a clean white button-down shirt to go with them, and he’d even tied back half of his hair into a ponytail, revealing the side of his face Gray couldn't remember seeing in forever.

“Nice!” Silver complimented him. “And perfect timing! Why don’t you help me load the car? Gray and Sting, you too.”

"Sure thing," Sting said, jingling with each step as he grabbed a couple of bags, but he knocked one of them straight into the counter when Rogue walked into the kitchen. “Ow! Hi! Sorry!” “Hey,” Rogue briefly flashed him a smile before he nodded at the bag Sting had just savaged. “Careful with that. You don't want to mess with my mom when she's full of ‘Christmas spirit’.”

Gray snorted at that, and while his father shot them both a warning look, he didn’t disagree.

“I heard that!” Mika called out, already running around the house and turning off lights, but stopping to come at Rogue with a face that had Gray struggling to hold back his laughter.

“My, who’s this handsome young man?” She crooned, cupping Rogue’s cheeks, and fondly gazing into his eyes as if she'd never see them both at the same time again. “Are you done?” Rogue huffed, glaring and red-faced as he let her pluck at him, taming a few rebellious strands of hair and making sure his shirt was tucked in nicely from all angles.

“No!” she said, pulling her phone out from her jacket pocket. “You have a face. We need to take pictures.”

“What are you talking about? I always have a face.”

Now, normally Gray wasn’t a big fan of pictures, but Rogue’s hatred of them was legendary. And given how he was stuck going to this party because Rogue had opened his big mouth, he felt a little payback was in order.

“I think pictures are a great idea!” he said, mustering up as much enthusiasm as he was able, just to piss him off. “How about by the tree?”

“That’s a lovely idea, Gray!”

“How about by the tree?” Rogue mocked in what sounded absolutely nothing like Gray's voice at all, and stuck out his tongue.

“Rogue!” Mika scolded as she ushered them all out of the kitchen. “It’ll just take a minute. Besides, I have so few pictures of you.”

“Oh, right. My bad,” Rogue said, pointedly looking at the walls, which were covered in family pictures, and at the digital frame that displayed a constant slideshow of shots.

Gray wasted no time in standing in front of their Christmas tree, a huge Isvan pine that stretched all the way to the ceiling and took up a sizable chunk of the living room, but his smile froze as soon as a picture of him and Natsu grinning like idiots as they tried to shove a s’more into the other’s mouth popped up on the digital frame.

He could remember that day clearly. The two of them had spent the afternoon building a firepit in the backyard for his mom. They’d broken it in that evening, roasting s’mores from their deck chairs with the rest of the family. Then, after everyone else had gone inside, they’d stayed by the fire, kissing until–

“You know he’d be here if he could,” his father said, patting him on the shoulder and offering him a smile.

“Yeah,” he said, still wrapped up in his boyfriend’s face and the memories of that night until the picture switched to one of him, Rogue, Ultear and Lyon on Lyon and Erza’s wedding day.

“And Rogue, can we please get this over with? I’d like to leave soon.”

Rogue sighed long and deep–the closest to a yes that most would get from him these days–and followed their mother's instructions for the pictures she wanted.

Seeing the discontent on Rogue’s face as he struggled to pose and smile to please their mom made it worth having to do the same thing, as well as keeping his mouth shut when he had to sit through the round of pics his mom shot of Rogue and Sting together.

Look at that, the little bastard could actually smile after all.

Rogue bolted as soon as she'd uttered the word “Alright,” grabbing Sting's hand and the car keys from the table.

“We’ll start loading the food.”

“Can someone please grab the presents?” Mika called out as she went to get more bags from the kitchen.

Gray figured he might as well do that, so he quickly sorted through the tower of presents, grabbing the ones meant for his aunt’s house and placing them into boxes which he set in the entryway to be loaded along with everything else. Then he got to work arranging the remaining presents underneath the tree.

He paused when he got to his present for Natsu. He’d bought him the usual ridiculous amount of candy and snacks, and he’d found a plush red dragon that he knew his boyfriend would go bonkers over. But the envelope the dragon was holding in its arms was his big present, and Gray couldn’t wait to see Natsu’s reaction when he opened it.

When he’d heard of a new resort opening up on Mt. Hakobe, Gray had taken advantage of their introductory specials to book them a four-night stay. Then he’d gone a little crazy with the extras: tickets to their onsen, a one-hour couple's massage, lift tickets and equipment rentals, and passes to their indoor water park.

Yet for as much fun as all those sounded, it was the thought of having Natsu to himself for those four nights that thrilled him the most. They’d finally get to try out all the things they never got to do because they both lived with their parents.

He put the present down along with the others, trying very hard not to think about how much he’d wanted to give it to him tonight.

“Oh good, you’re still here,” his mom said as she entered the room, dragging a box behind her. “Can you please take this to the car for me? I can finish up here.”

“Yeah, sure.” Gray peered at the contents before picking the box up carefully to keep from breaking any of the bottles. “That’s a lot of liquor.”

“Tis the season,” Mika smiled, grabbing presents and rearranging them to her liking.

Fair point. He was definitely planning on having more than a few drinks. He left her to it and carried the precious cargo to the car.

It wasn’t long before they’d filled up the trunk completely and were strapped into their seatbelts, each of them carrying something on their lap that didn’t fit in the back.

“Will your father be joining us later?” Mika asked Sting once they’d backed out of their driveway.

“Yeah, he just sent me ahead cause he said I was driving him nuts.”

“Wow, shocker,” Gray muttered under his breath, earning himself a glare from both Rogue and his mother. Sting, however, gave no sign he’d heard him.

His Aunt Ur’s house was visible from a distance. She’d always put up lots of decorations, but it looked like she’d kicked things up a notch this year. Huge inflatables and dancing animatronics covered every inch of her front yard, and how she wasn’t causing a town-wide power outage with the amount of lights strung about basically everywhere was a mystery.

Ahead of them, cars slowed down as they passed the house, while others parked and got out to examine the display up close. The whole spectacle caused them to have to park further than expected, which wasn't helping Gray’s mood in the slightest, seeing as his mother had laden him down with boxes to take inside.

As he got closer, he discovered the animatronics played music, too. It literally looked like someone had thrown up Christmas on his aunt’s lawn. And was that a dragon?

God, if Natsu were here, he’d fucking love this. Gray could almost hear his excited cries as he oohed and aahed over every little thing. Come to think of it, shouldn’t Sting be doing the same thing right about now? He glanced over to see Sting was indeed taking in the spectacle, but he wasn’t bouncing on his feet with excitement like Gray expected him to. He was just sort of gaping at it, not a thought behind those blue eyes. “I might lose you in there,” Rogue joked, flicking the bauble replacing Sting’s regular stud earring. “You blend right in.” Gray watched Sting nearly jump out of his skin, trip over his own feet and almost drop the box of presents he was holding. Thank God it wasn’t the liquor. “Stupid shoes,” Sting laughed nervously.

Yeah, the shoes… real smooth, Sting. Gray peered over at his brother to see what he thought of this bullshit, but the idiot looked none the wiser. As he followed his father to the front door, he could only hope that he and Natsu hadn’t been this lame.

“Uncle Silver, Gray!” Ultear opened the door before they could ring the doorbell. “Come in. We’ve been waiting for you guys.”

“Yeah, sorry about that. We had to park kind of far.”

They filed in, moving out of the way so the others could come inside. Ultear greeted them all with enthusiasm.

“Isn’t it wild?! It’s been like that all day. Someone even left a donation earlier,” she laughed.

Gray was happy to see his cousin, but he was more interested in putting the boxes down somewhere, so he made his way into the kitchen, following the sound of laughter set to a backdrop of Christmas music.

He counted no less than three fully decorated trees on his way there, and even though he still wished Natsu was by his side, he could feel the Christmas spell start to grab hold of him.

0-0

A/N: Well we're back with a new story and our first official collaboration for the year! This one, like most of our stories, started out as a drabble and now looks absolutely nothing like the original idea. 🤣

We had a lot of fun creating a world for them to inhabit (and we wonder why things grow outside of our control) and might revisit it at some point. You never know.

If you like it, let us know! If you have any questions about this world, ask us. You have no idea how much background we create for even the simplest story. Seriously, it's a problem!

Anyhow we hope you enjoy this first chapter, and know that the following three are already written. We'll upload them as we edit them and we plan to start on the last one in the next day or two. So bright side, we hopefully won't leave you hanging for the conclusion!

#becausewritingshouldbefun #gratsu #gray x natsu #stingue #sting x rogue #fairy tail #other #fics #multi #Christmas

15 notes · View notes

awktalk · 2 years

Text

Halloween Ends with Me and You

A Corey Cunningham x Allyson Nelson Fic (gifted specifically to @xmichaelmyers because they are practically the corey content god rn)

Summary: After the Halloween Party, Allyson convinces Corey to let her drive him home at the very least. Then comes a sequence of events that probably shouldn't have happened. (AKA ALLYSON KILLS SOMEBODY. )

Very Light Warnings for blood and violence

Allyson watched as Corey walked away in distraught, his shoulders ridden high up and the grimace on his face so stretched that she could see it from behind. It’s infuriating, the things the people in the town said about Corey, about herself, and her grandmother. She raised her shaky hands up to palm away her tears and took a deep breath.

“Corey!” She choked out again, exhaustion already engraved into her voice.

“You can’t fix me,” Corey said back, angry.

“I’m not trying to. Just—” Allyson took three long steps towards him and yanked at his sweater. He jerked away from her and let out a breathless laugh.

“Oh, so there’s no bit of pity driving you to look at me? You’re doing all this shit because I’m a good guy? I’m not some edgy high school crush, Ally,” He half-heartedly taunted, turning around just enough to show her his disbelief.

Allyson clenched her fists and glared at him. Corey scoffed and looked about to spit more vitriol, but she cut him off before he could.

“Goddamnit, Corey! I don’t want to fight. You and I know that I did nothing wrong. You know that you didn’t do anything wrong. We can have this talk later if you really want to, but right now I’m not going to let you walk home in the middle of the night alone. Let me drive you home, at least?” Allyson asked, her demanding tone becoming more of a plea at the end.

Corey looked around, stared for a few seconds down the dark road, and sighed. He raised an arm to wipe over his face in a child-like fashion. Licking his lips, he made an attempt to look at Allyson but ended up settling his gaze a little over her shoulder. It reminded her of the time she would avoid meeting people’s eyes after having so many deaths follow it.

“Fine,” Corey bit out. He swallowed and ducked his head before murmuring a short apology.

Allyson nodded once, satisfied, and outstretched his hand. Corey stared at it, awkward. She smiled and tried to sound less strained.

“Take it. We’re still on a date, after all. Walk me to my car and maybe we can share a kiss on the doorstep when I drop you off,” Allyson teased.

Slowly, Corey reached out and took the hand. He relaxed, somewhat, and grinned back just as clumsily. It’s so easy to like him, Allyson thought, her own smile relaxing further.

“Everything’s going to be alright,” Allyson said, out of the blue.

Corey wiped at his nose with the back of his thumb and nodded.

The air was lighter once they were both in her car. Allyson hummed and reflexively turned on the radio, but then a ridiculous Christmas song came on. Corey huffed unexpectedly, and when she turned to look she found him smothering a laugh at the radio station’s audacity. Allyson just raised a brow at him and gestured to the sound.

“Well, I think it’s nice. I’ve never liked Halloween anyway, it always seems to go a bit wrong for me,” She said jokingly.

“Jesus, oh my god,” Corey said in response, immediately placing the dark humor. His eyes glossed over as he stared ahead before he joked back in a flat tone, “Yeah, I don’t either. There’s too many kids running around,”

Allyson laughed, startled, and soon Corey joined in with his own hiccuping laugh.

They slowed down at a stop, still laughing, when Allyson glanced over at her tank and frowned.

"I've got enough to take you back to your place, but I'd rather not have to get gas later. Do you mind if I fill up real quick?"

Corey smiled and waved a hand, muttering about how he didn't mind at all. She started pulling into a familiar gas station, semi-seriously murmuring the lyrics to the Christmas tune under her breath. She looked over to Corey and frowned, seeing the way he had suddenly tensed up and sunk into his seat.

"What's wrong? Are you cold or…" Allyson trailed off. She followed Corey's line of sight and frowned when she saw a teen with a fancy-looking car also filling his tank.

She squinted and glanced between Corey and the guy before she quietly asked if that was one of the teens that messed up Corey's hand earlier.

"You know about that?” Corey asked lowly, embarrassed. Allyson smiled softly and gives a conspiratorial look.

"Laurie likes to gossip," Allyson explained.

"Yeah, uh, he's trouble so be careful. Do you want me to fill up the gas?" Corey offered. Allyson drove into a lane, her hands tight on the wheel.

"No, it's alright. If he tries anything I can handle myself," Allyson assured him before she parked.

She got out, slammed her car door a tad more harshly than she knew she should, and headed over to pull out a gas nozzle. The teen startled at the noise and chewed up some gum before spitting it out onto the concrete towards her. He had a phone in his hand, but it's not like Allyson had any reason to care about who the kid was talking to.

"…yeah so I'll be there in maybe ten minutes to pick all you guys up, I swear to god you better be ready. And tell Margo that it's her turn to give me gas money. I need it if I'm going to be driving y'all around with all these fuckin' freaks roaming the town," the teen said into the phone, eyeing Allyson, before he hung up.

Allyson sighed and shifted the gas nozzle to sit securely in her car before meeting the bully's eyes head-on.

"Y'know, it's not cool to be throwing words like that around," she said with annoyance.

The bully openly scowled at her.

"What, you want me to compliment you? I bet you were very pretty when you sobbed over Michael Myers stabbing your parents to death. Huh, I think I know what my Halloween costume is going to be this year, sweetheart," the bully said, faux flirty, before he collapsed in on himself in laughter.

Allyson rolled her eyes, taking a deep breath and letting it out. She turned back to her car and smiled at Corey, who stared back through the window with worry. Glancing at the gas counter and pausing for a moment before clicking off and unplugging the nozzle, Allyson got ready to go back into her car and leave. Before she could, the teen hollered something at her.

"Hey! You have that psycho in your car! You plan on fucking him? Like your grandma wanted with Myers?”

Allyson scowled, her hand flattening against the car as she turned around to bark back.

"Actually yeah, right after we fucking murder your ass and leave you in a ditch," Allyson shouted threateningly, not really meaning it.

Her eyes widened when she realized the teen had his phone pointing at her. Incredulous, she took a step away from her car and towards him in anger.

"Are you seriously recording me?”

Behind her, Corey opened and stumbled out of the car, walking around the front to stand a little behind Allyson. He looked shaken but concerned. He tugged at her sleeve.

“Let’s just go, I should probably be home by now, my mom’s probably worried,” Corey whispered to her. She huffed and took another step toward the teen, who continued to record them.

“We aren't your dumb fuck marching band, “ Allyson says aloud, spitting at the teen, “You don’t get to pick on us as a fucking hobby,”

“Oooh,” the teen said, wavering his voice like a cartoon ghost, “I’m so scared,”

The teen rolled his eyes. He waved his phone before clicking it off and stopping the recording. He eyed the expression on Allyson’s face and put two hands up mockingly.

“Hey, maybe we got off on the wrong foot. You can apologize by helping me get some drinks for me and my friends, how about that?” the teen asked, gesturing towards the gas station store. The cashier inside was visibly sleeping.

Allyson scowled further and stomped forward to push at the teen’s shoulders. He stumbled back onto his car hood and laughed. He whistled, looked her up and down then over her shoulder at Corey.

“You got more dignity than that pedo at least, why don’t you try me out for a ride instead?” the teen flirted. Allyson reared back in disgust.

The teen scoffed and straightened up before he flinch-checked her. He reared his shoulders up and made a short, threatening movement in her direction. When she flinched back, he laughed in her face. He turned his back towards her and made a show of unlocking his door.

“I’ll see you later,” he said, ducking down to step into the driver’s seat. He didn’t even look around before starting his car and driving out too quickly to be polite.

Allyson let out a frustrated shout and bent down, picking up a rock. She threw it hard in the direction of the little shit’s car, and let out a satisfied breath when she heard a thud and a clank. The sound of tires skidding reached their ears. She straightened up and turned to Corey.

“I fucking hate this town,” Allyson said, heading back to her car. Corey followed and tried to ask if she was alright, to which she just told him to get in the car. Corey’s eyes kept squinting back, trying to see the teen’s car.

They get back into Allyson’s car and she started up the engine, backing up with more care than her mood should indicate. Corey leaned forward and lowered the volume of the new Christmas song playing. He cleared his throat and watched as Allyson calmed herself down.

“I hate this town too,” Corey offered quietly.

Allyson blinked back watery eyes and squared her jaw. Corey eyed the frame of her face, drinking in her fury. His eyes felt good on her, even if she was pissed to all nine levels of hell then.

“I want to leave this year, actually,” Corey confessed, abruptly, watching for Allyson’s reaction.

She breathed in and out again and she relaxed

“I’d love to do that,” Allyson said sardonically, not meaning to be rude. Corey didn’t take any offense.

“Why don’t you?”

Allyson glanced over at Corey and her eyes flickered over him critically before softening.

“Let’s have a few more dates before you ask me to move in,” Allyson said, teasing lightheartedly. She laughed suddenly, tense energy leaving her body for the second time that night.

She drove carefully around the corner, her turn signal clicking rhythmically. Corey said something under his breath nervously and she made a confused sound. She asked him to repeat himself.

“Your lights are off, you have to have them on,” Corey said. Allyson blinked, realizing why the road ahead of her looked so dark. She flicked the lights on and the front illuminated.

Ahead of them, the teen’s recognizable car sat off the road at an odd angle. Only the back of it was really visible, with the front dipped down into, well, a ditch. As they drove closer, Allyson’s heart beat faster again, her knuckles white on the wheel. Corey was silent, his hands fidgeted with each other as he also tried to look.

Ally slowed the car down next to the crash, but she didn’t leave the car. She gazed out of her side window and finally caught a clear view of the teen in his car. He was slumped over his own wheel, the back of his head glittering wetly under the limited light of the moon. The front of his car was totaled and a small amount of smoke drifted up into the air.

“I-I think I hit him,” Allyson said, the words coming out as she realized them. Her body was twisted, and her torso was turned towards her car door as she stared at the teen’s slumped body. Behind her, Corey swallowed something thick in his throat.

He reached out and placed a cold hand on her warm shoulder.

“It’s just an accident,” Corey whispered, Allyson continued to stare. Beyond her focus, Corey told her to take deep breaths like before.

"I need to, to call the cops or—” Allyson said, hands not moving towards her phone.

Corey tugged her away from the window, and his hand moved from her shoulder to her hand.

"He's probably just passed out or something. We could…" Corey trailed off and tore his eyes away from the mess behind her. She blinked, trying to focus.

"We could just. Drive off?" Allyson whispered back, eyes wide. They stared into each other's eyes.

Corey's thumb brushed over the back of her hand comfortingly.

"There's no way you threw that rock that hard, really. And it's not like people would even think something like that happened," Corey muttered, lip quirking up slightly.

"His phone," Allyson said suddenly, jerking away from Corey and unlocking her car door.

Corey glanced around carefully as Allyson, determined, left the car and stepped down the steep hill towards the teen. Allyson took her phone out and shined the camera flash over the slumped teen.

She huffed—pulled her sleeve over her fingers—before she reached in and palmed around the teen's pockets, fruitlessly digging at pants pockets before her eyes caught the rectangular shake under his front jacket pocket. Iron filled her nose and mouth as she leaned forward to push him slightly, reaching into that pocket and pulling out the teen's phone.

With the phone in hand, she ran back up to the car and locked the door behind her. Dropping it in the cup holder between her and Corey, she put her car back into drive and started leaving.

Adrenaline shot through her and she tapped the tips of her fingers over her wheel sequentially. Beside her, Corey took in heavy breaths.

Out of the corner of her eye, Allyson watched as Corey took the phone and fished out the sim card, before rolling down the window. When they drove over a short bridge, Corey chucked the phone over the ledge.

“Snap it,” Allyson said rushed.

Corey pressed on the thin sides of the sim card between his thumb and forefinger and a tiny snapping sound got lost in the rustling and clicking of her car over the gravelly street.

“He’s just passed out,” Allyson said softly. Her voice carried awkwardly off the plastic and glass around them.

“It was an accident,” Corey affirmed. His hands rubbed down over the front of his jeans. He wordlessly pressed on his side’s window button to have it roll back up. Another silent moment passed and he cleared his throat again, “Your turn signal is on,”

She smiled in response, just a small one, and turned it off.

#corey cunningham x allyson nelson #corey cunningham #allyson nelson #one shot #dark allyson nelson #halloween ends #corey x allyson

15 notes · View notes