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ga-yuu · 3 years

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Genjiden~Eternal Contract Story Event~Ibuki Route

‘(Just for those who don’t know what this event is about? This is the 2nd ‘What if’ event following the Shirabyoshi Event. In this event, Yoshino(MC) is a demon from birth, and stories are formulated in such a way showing how the male leads and Yoshino will meet and fall in love if she was a demon. Imagine the real prologue without Yoshino in it, because this story is happening after that.)

The beautiful flowers of the Otherworld bloom and sways even though there is no wind.

There are similar ones in the human world, but I don’t when it is at its best there....

(Okay, I think it’s time to go to the human world.)

I’m a demon, who often visits the human world.

It’s fun to experience different landscapes and creatures from the human world.

(Of course, that’s not the only reason why I go there.)

As I wondered if today would be the day I would achieve my goal, I stepped towards the gate.

???: “You’re here again.”

(Hm?)

I see a strange man blocking my path.

He had rich long golden hair and two horns were growing out of it----

Yoshino: “-----Oni?”

His frosty eyes shine brightly.

Oni: *Smiles like a creep*

(Ummm...)

I stepped back immediately when I felt the intimidating feeling seeping out of him even when he doesn’t talk.

(I can feel that he’s not just any Oni.)

Oni: “I am Ibuki. Have you heard of that name?”

(Ibuki? Hmmm....)

Yoshino: “Are you saying that you’re the Demon King?”

Shuten Doji, Ibuki. That was the name that came to my mind.

The Demon King or more precisely Ibuki-sama looks down at me in amusement when I was looking back at him in surprise.

Ibuki: “I’ve heard that you’ve got a rare gift. I’m a busy man you know. But I still came all this way to see you, and it wouldn’t hurt to make me happy, right?”

Yoshino: “Eerrmmm....”

(Actually, it’s true that I have a one in a million rare power.)

Yoshino: “But why did you wanna see me?”

Ibuki-sama slowly takes a step towards me.

Ibuki: “Your exceptional powers might attract humans. So I thought, you would make a very interesting toy.”

I raised an eyebrow at his insinuations.

(You want to use my powers to destroy humans? How dare you!)

Yoshino: “Sorry. I can’t cooperate with that.”

Snickering at my rejection, Ibuki-sama lifts one hand casually.

Ibuki: “It seems you have mistaken. I’m not here to negotiate. I’m here to do what I want.”

(Is that thunder!?)

I had a bad feeling and quickly ducked down.

The next thing I knew, a bolt of lightning strike the spot where I was standing.

(Is that Ibuki-sama’s powers...!?)

Ibuki: “What’s wrong? Isn’t it time to run? Come on, run away and I’ll keep chasing you.”

Yoshino: “I will, even if you don’t tell me to.”

I turned my back to Ibuki-sama, and started running as fast as I could.

Ibuki: “Not bad.... It’s fun to chase someone so fast.”

(I’m totally being played. It’s frustrating.....but I have to get out of here now anyway!)

.................

I continued running till I reached my limit and then fell onto my knees in the flower field.

(No more...!)

I was breathing heavily and my legs were shaking.

Ibuki: “You’ve done well for a little girl, but that’s the end of your marathon.”

Yoshino: “Ah!”

Before I knew it, Ibuki-sama was standing right behind me, his arms holding my waist.

Like a predator, he pushed me down on the ground and held me by the nape of my neck.

(Is he going to kill me?)

Ibuki; “Don’t be so hard on yourself. What’s the point if there’s no response?”

Yoshino: “Eh?...Ah!!”

A fleshy wet thing touches the edge of my ear and a shiver runs down my spine.

(He’s also biting...!)

When I turned my head in surprise, our eyes meet and Ibuki-sama was laughing seeing my ridiculous reaction.

Ibuki: “Hehe, the face you’re making now is nasty.”

Yoshino: “M-My face...?”

Ibuki: “Your face is telling me that you can’t look at anything else but me and you’re anticipating something more.”

Then, Ibuki-sama inserts two fingers in my mouth and plays with my tongue.

Just as I was about to sink my teeth into his fingers, he sweetly tweaked the nape of my neck, and my whole body jumped in excitement.

Ibuki: “You’re resisting like a kitten. How cute.”

Yoshino: “Nnn...nnn....”

Ibuki: “Now, why don’t try saying ‘Meow.”

(No way!!)

Ibuki-sama’s long fingers tickled the sensitive parts of my mouth and laughed while watching me struggle.

After my tongue was released, I started breathing sweetly.

Yoshino: “Why....are you doing this....?”

Ibuki: “Why?”

Ibuki-sama’s wet fingers traced down my neck and I felt a chill and fear at the same time.

Ibuki: “Because your reaction is human-like and it’s very intriguing.”

(Why...)

Yoshino: “Why do you want to do terrible things to humans?”

Ibuki: “We both are demons. Isn’t it natural for demons to torment and corrupt humans?”

Yoshino: “No! I won’t do that! All I want to do is make a deal with a human.”

Shaking off his fingers on my neck, I pushed away Ibuki-sama.

Ibuki: “You want to make a deal? Did you hit your head or something?”

A glimmer of interest shines in Ibuki-sama’s eyes.

(Looks like I have to tell him what’s going on.)

I decided to give up the idea of running away and told him about my goal.

Yoshino: “...As you already know, I have the powers to heal a person. But when I heal someone, I have to take away the life force of another living being. And, I have no control over this power.”

Ibuki: “So you want to make a deal with a human to weaken your powers.”

Ibuki-sama chuckled after guessing my goal correctly.

It’s kind of embarrassing to be seen through, so I didn’t argue.

Ibuki: “You really are stupid.”

The corners of Ibuki-sama’s mouth moves up and it didn’t hide the fact that he was amused.

Ibuki: “Humans are cute but stupid creatures. Creatures who dream something beyond their reach and will do anything to achieve even if it means to get their hands dirty.”

(Of course, I’m well aware that not all humans are good...)

Yoshino: “But Ibuki-sama who has never made a deal with a human, can never understand my feelings!”

Ibuki-sama, who is so strong and can conquer different powers perfectly, is so beautiful.

I’m so disappointed that I can’t do anything but say it back to him like a sore loser.

Ibuki: “......”

I saw Ibuki-sama looking down at me emotionlessly.

(Did I offend him....? I did offend him, didn’t I? Looks like my time is over.)

I clenched my fists and mentally prepared myself to be struck by lightning.

Ibuki: “Do you want to play a game?”

(It’s not a death game, right?)

With unexpected words, Ibuki-sama pinched my forehead.

Ibuki: “If I win, you’ll agree to be my toy and let me torment you.”

.............

A month has passed since that day. Ibuki-sama brought me to the human world since then and I’ve been living with him at his base.

The rule of our game was simple-----If I don’t find a human within the next three months to make a deal with, Ibuki-sama wins. If I did find one, I win.

(And the loser has to surrender to the winner.)

(So I’ve no intention of losing!)

Ibuki-sama opened his mouth to start small talk, perhaps after seeing me trembling thinking about the wildest things that would happen if I lose.

Ibuki: “You’ve been eyeing a daughter of a noble family, weren’t you....She does charity for the poor out of vanity. But I heard behind the scenes, her attitude towards her servants is the worst. How about seducing a man with your pretty face? There was a guy asking for you-----”

Yoshino: “I don’t want to hear that.”

I slumped my shoulders thinking about the number of humans I’ve been striking off from my list in the past month.

Ibuki: “And there’s this another man, who is was an official, famous for his integrity. I did a little bit of digging and found out he got into embezzlement.”

Yoshino: “I said NO!”

Ibuki: “You never do any background check before agreeing to one. Be grateful that you don’t have to deal with weirdos.”

(Yeah...It’s hard to accept it.)

I initially doubted Ibuki-sama when he told me about these facts and went to find out by myself.

No matter how many times I repeat the confirmation, I’m only reminded that the words are not false.

(I hate to admit it, but he has been sincere about this game from day one.)

Yoshino: “If only I had been able to scare humans into doing bad things like Ibuki-sama....”

Ibuki: “I don’t like doing boring things like that. I’m more into breaking them right away.”

Yoshino: “And you’re seduction skills are too good.”

(You’re strong and clever, if only you were also a good person....I might have been attracted to you.)

I sighed, but Ibuki-sama reaches out to play with my hair.

(...Hm?)

Ibuki: “Hey, Yoshino. Are you ready to admit it? That it’s better to play with humans than to make a deal with them.”

Yoshino: “I haven’t given up yet.”

Ibuki: “Good. It’s the ones who don’t give up easily are worth breaking.”

At the same time, when Ibuki-sama smiled at me----

???: “Ibuki!”

The front door opens to reveal a pale-looking man.

Ibuki: “Akihito? What’s wrong?”

(Akihito-san? For a human being, he has a very strange aura.)

Even after seeing, Ibuki-sama’s two antennas he’s calm. Looks like he’s aware of demons and the Otherworld.

Akihito: “It’s Yasuchika. He’s serious.”

Ibuki: “What?”

Yoshino: “Who is Yasuchika-san?”

(Who is he? and he’s fatally injured?)

Looking at me from the sideways, Ibuki-sama shrugs.

Ibuki: “He’s an Onmyoji and human, but I don’t think he’s someone suitable for your case.”

Akihito: “Who is this, Ibuki?”

(!!!)

I met Akihito-san’s eyes and bowed lightly.

Ibuki: “Don’t worry. She’s a fellow demon and a playmate of mine.”

Hiding me behind his back, Ibuki-sama turns to Akihito-san.

Ibuki: “More than that, What actually happened to Yasuchika?”

Akihito: “I’m not sure of the details yet. It seems like he was badly injured in a rash attempt to exterminate a demon at the request of his superior.”

Ibuki: “........Ohh?”

Akihito: “They did everything they could to treat him on the road. But on the way to Kyoto, the wound got infected and he lost consciousness. The pharmacist has told me that if things continue to go badly, he could lose his life.”

Ibuki: “.....I see.”

(So he’s suffering from a life-threatening injury.)

Ibuki: “But this news is new to me.”

Akihito: “He didn’t tell anyone about this mission because he didn’t want me to get in trouble.”

Ibuki: “That’s because.....that moron loves you too much.”

His tone was the same, but...when he said ‘moron’ I felt a different temperature, unlike the usual.

(I think I may have never seen Ibuki-sama’s face like this before.)

Akihito: “I was naive. I should have seen this coming.”

Even Akihito-san's cool countenance is now tinged with anguish.

(A human named Akihito-san, an Onmyoji named Yasuchika-san and the Demon King Ibuki....I don’t know what their relationship is nor the circumstances of these three.)

(But I can at least make out that, the person named Yasuchika-san is an irreplaceable existence for both Ibuki-sama and Akihito-san.)

Above all that----

I was moved by Ibuki-sama’s earnestness. So I made my resolve.

Yoshino: “Ibuki-sama.”

Ibuki: “What? I’m busy. We’ll play later.”

I didn’t listen to his rejection and stepped forward.

Yoshino: “Please allow me to use my powers.”

Ibuki: “What!?”

At my words, Akihito-san also blinked his eyes.

Akihito: “Your powers?”

Yoshino: “I have the powers to heal others. ...But there’s a problem.”

I gave a brief explanation of the drawback of my ‘healing abilities’ to Akihito-san.

Akihito: “I’m surprised. I never thought I would see a demon with such a rare gift.”

Yoshino: “You’re right. But when it comes to a fatally injured person, it takes a great deal of life force to heal him. If I take too much life force to heal Yasuchika-san, I might end up killing the other person I took it from.”

Ibuki: “And she can’t control her powers by herself.”

Ibuki-sama calmly points out my problem.

(When I hear him say that, I feel sorry for myself.)

But I can’t just overlook a problem because of that.

Yoshino: “I can’t control it, but Ibuki-sama, who is a demon, is sure to be immune to my Otherworldly powers.”

Ibuki: “...Yeah, so?”

Ibuki-sama narrowed his eyes at me suspiciously.

Yoshino: “Here’s the plan, I’ll use Akihito-san’s life force to heal Yasuchika-san.”

Ibuki: “......”

Yoshino: “But if heal him fully without leaving a scratch, Akihito-san’s life will be in danger. So when I go out of control, I want you to stop me with your powers.”

(It’s actually hard to guess exactly when to stop, but....)

Yoshino: “A smart demon like Ibuki-sama should know what I’m capable of and would save Akihito-san, no matter what, right?”

I could feel the intimidation raising as I openly challenged him.

Ibuki: “...Yeah, whatever.”

Akihito-san smiled softly, not taking into account the tingling atmosphere of Ibuki-sama.

Akihito: “I don’t mind. Half of my life for him is a small price to pay.”

Ibuki: “You’ll always be you, selfish.”

(Akihito-san is quite a man to be able to tame Ibuki-sama.)

Ibuki-sama sighed and shifted his gaze to me.

Ibuki: “Yoshino.”

He gives me a sharp look as if to see my true intentions.

Ibuki: “---Why are you doing this? You shouldn’t have any reason to do this.”

(There is no point in lying to Ibuki-sama.)

Yoshino: “When Yasuchika-san’s injury news came to you...for the first time I saw Ibuki-sama showing a slight difference from his usual self. Yasuchika-san must be a very important person for Ibuki-sama.”

Ibuki: “Oh, are taking pity on me?”

Yoshino: “...No.”

(I can’t suggest such a scary thing out of pity.)

If Akihito-san or Yasuchika-san were to lose their lives because of my powers, then......my legs ache just thinking about it.

I became honest towards Ibuki-sama as to why I am doing this.

Yoshino: “I’m just curious to know what kind of person Ibuki-sama, who knows so much about the negative side of humans, is worried about.”

Ibuki: “.......”

Yoshino: “...I wonder what kind of face Ibuki-sama will make if I help him. I want to see it.”

(I know I’m saying something bold. But I really want to save Yasuchika-san but....)

(Also with the same strong feeling, I’d like to see Ibuki-sama’s expressions that I don’t know.)

Ibuki: “...Heh.”

Then his thin lips gave out a smirk.

Ibuki: “So you want to have some fun with my heart? You’ve got some nerve.”

A faint heat flickered behind Ibuki-sama’s eyes.

Yoshino: “Can’t I?”

Ibuki: “It’s not a good idea to use a human’s life as a shield against a Demon King.”

The words that were supposed to be like a threat turned out to be much warmer.

(I’m supposed to be sacred, but I can’t see or hear anything but Ibuki-sama.)

A quiet heat had seized me and was about to engulf me.

Even so, I kept my face up because I was proud of what I said.

Ibuki: “It’s not good, but....it’s certainly a demon thing to do, to act on one’s own interests.”

(Ahh!!!)

Ibuki-sama big arm intertwined my faintly trembling hands and held them tightly.

Ibuki: “I’ll go play your game. So don’t be afraid to help me.”

Premium END // Epilogue

For the Anon, who wanted to see this.

#ikemen series #ikemen genjiden #ikemen genjiden ibuki #ikemen mc #otome #ikemen series story events #ikemen genjiden story event

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sammim91 · 5 years

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Submission for day four of Chrobin Week 2019. This fanfic is the Modern Au Prompt. As always there is a link to my Ao3 down below. I hope i did this prompt justice and also made the modern versions of some Characters seem like they should

Day four Prompt- Modern AU

Pairing- Chrom and Robin(F)

Robin sighed, spinning the wine in her glass absentmindedly. It really hadn't been her idea to come out tonight. All she'd wanted to do was curl up with a good book and forget about all the stresses of the office.

Her friends Sumia and Sully had other ideas.

They had practically strong armed her, throwing clothes at her, applying make up to her fair face, teasing her unruly hair into a half up half down style. And now here she sat, half listening to Sumia as she pointed out all of the decent looking men in the bar. She glanced at her friend. There was no contest out of the three of them who was the real beauty. Sumia was fair skinned, had long wavy pale brown hair and beautiful brown eyes. She was tall and thin, her waist pulled in tonight even further by the skin tight silver dress she was wearing, that plunged in front, and stopped just above her knee's, allowing the whole room to see her long legs. She wore ridiculous heels, and Robin wasn't entirely sure that she could even walk on them.

Beside her Sully, was a completely different person. A tomboy by nature, she wore a flowing white shirt, skin tight leather trousers and a matching leather jacket. Her cropped red hair was mussed, and the minimal makeup she wore, in particular the dark eyeliner round her red eyes, make her look dangerous, ferocious, yet confident. She wore black stiletto's on her feet, which only made her taller than she already was.

In comparison, Robin decided she definitely looked like the black sheep. Her own outfit, a purple top, jeggings, and comfortable, practical boots, made her look like she'd barely made an effort.

And in hindsight, she probably hadn't. She hated the bar scene with a passion, and only really went along with it because her friends begged her to.

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"Oooh,"Sumia's voice broke her trance. She was eyeing something appreciatively. "What about those guys?"

Robin turned her head. Walking into the bar was three men. And even she had to admit they were something. One of the men was tall, at least a head and shoulders taller than the other two. He was brunette, had sharp angular features, and although he looked unapproachable, his brown eyes were soft. He was wearing a buttoned up shirt and trousers, both which looked freshly pressed, and brown loafers. A dark blazer was draped over his shoulder, hooked over his thumb as he surveyed the place.

To his left was an orange haired man, his hair a shade of ginger Robin had never seen before. His green eyes were bemused, and he rolled what appeared to be a lollipop round his mouth, his lips pulled into a smirk. He was a lot more casual in appearance than his friend. He wore a loose fitting t-shirt, some random band Robin had never heard of emblazoned on the front, black linen pants that had a lot of chains woven across the hips, and bright red trainers.

But it was the man at the front of the group that caused Robin's heart to beat rapidly. He was tall, not as tall as the first man. His hair was a beautiful shade of blue, and it matched his eyes. He also wore a loose fitting t-shirt, but he wore tight fitting jeans, and a pair of black boots. He had a leather jacket flung over his shoulder. Even from here Robin could make out the hard planes of his muscles, and the handful of scars across his shoulder. He also appeared to have a tattoo, a blue mark that she couldn't quite make out what it was. His face was warm, and he was smiling as he took in the room. His eyes suddenly flicked over where Robin and her friends sat, and he paused when his gaze fell on her, his mouth opening slightly like his breath had been taken away. Robin didn't know what had happened but she felt her face instantly heat, her mouth go dry.

She averted her gaze, suddenly the wine in her glass the most interesting thing to her. She was conscious of the men heading to the bar to order, yet what shocked her a few minutes later was the sound of their approaching footsteps.

"Hi," glancing up Robin was met by those beautiful blue eyes. He was smiling warmly. "Do you mind if we join you?"

"Oh...umm" Robin could barely speak, his beauty stunning her into silence.

"Of course we don't mind," Sumia crooned. "The more the merrier."

"Great!" The orange haired man moved around the table, grabbing a chair and sitting down next to Sumia. He smiled boyishly and held a hand out to her. "Name's Gaius, whats your name?"

"S-Sumia," Robin chuckled at her friends flustered face.

"Pretty name for a pretty gal." The tall brunette has in the meantime settled himself near Sully, currently introducing himself.

"I'm Frederick," even his manner of speaking was more formal than his friends. "Pleased to meet you."

"Sully," her red haired friend enthusiastically shook Frederick's waiting hand.

Robin jumped when a chair was settled next to her. The blue haired man sat down next to her and smiled.

"And my name is Chrom," he held out a hand to her in greeting.

"R-Robin," she took his hand, hoping, praying that her hand wasn't sweaty. If it was Chrom had the decency to not say so.

"Robin?" he looked at her confused.

"Something wrong?"

"Huh," he glanced at her, then broke into a smile. "Oh, it's nothing. Just a really pretty name, that's all."

"Oh, um, thanks," Robin must have been a bright shade of red by now. She took a tentative sip of her wine, hoping it would calm her. Yet under his warm gaze, Robin was sure she would combust.

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Several drinks later and Robin felt herself finally relaxing. She also realized they had partnered off pretty quick.

Sumia and Gaius were currently huddled together, Sumia sat on his lap, as he fed her peanuts from a bag on the table in front of them. Robin shook her head. Her friend couldn't handle her liquor, and by the looks of Sumia's brash attitude and overt sexual indeceny right now, her friend had had more than enough. She glanced away disgusted when Sumia began to suck on Gaius's fingers.

Sully and Frederick were calmly sat having a discussion on their love of whiskey. They found out, almost instantly that they both preferred the same brand, and from then on the conversation had barely drifted anywhere else. In a rather bold move by her friend, Sully had let her hand trail over Frederick leg, and much to his credit, Frederick didn't move it away, like Robin had thought he would. He'd given the impression that he was very straight laced and no into women making the first move. Clearly she was wrong.

"I get the distinct impression that you'd rather be elsewhere?" Chrom asked her, bringing her attention back to him. He was lent forward, engaged in her company fully. He smiled roguishly.

"It's not that," Robin waved a hand dismissively. "i'm just not a big bar person. Truthfully I'm only here because Sumia begged me."

Chrom chuckled. "Well I for one am glad that her begging worked." He reached for his glass and downed the last of the beer inside it.

Robin coughed. She grasped desperately for a topic, anything to change the subject, when her eyes fell on his tattoo.

"So what's the story behind the tattoo?"

"What makes you say their's a story behind it?" Chrom asked.

"Because there is always a story behind every tattoo," Robin smiled. "Unless you were really drunk when you got it, then all logic and reason goes out the window."

Chrom smiled. "Would you believe me if I told you that was what it was?"

"Not a chance. You don't seem the type to make brash decisions, even when drunk, or have I got you all wrong."

"I'm sure Frederick would disagree with you. He is constantly telling me I need to act with my head, not my heart. And he may be right, my heart has gotten me in trouble before."

"Frederick sounds smart," Robin teased.

"Maybe..." Chrom moved an inch closer, securing her hand in his. "Yet I wouldn't have met you if I'd followed my head would I?"

"True..." Robin's heart did back flips in her chest.

"So what about your tattoo?" He held up the hand he held, her left, where her own tattoo, a series of eyes in an arched pattern, sat.

"I'm not sure," Robin admitted. "Truth be told, I can't remember getting it. It was the only time I got so drunk I blacked out. When I awoke I couldn't remember anything of the night before, still can't. So the tattoo is a mystery."

Chrom laughed. "I can't believe it. And you accused me of the very same thing." He smiled warmly. "I kind of like it though."

"I don't, most of the time I wear gloves, or cover it with really good foundation." The offending tattoo looked brighter in the light of the bar.

"But it's a part of you," Chrom lent down and kissed the back of her hand, right on top of the tattoo. "And I can't bring myself to hate anything about you."

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The six of them stumbled out of the bar after last orders, Sumia clearly teetering a lot more than the rest of them. She skipped down the road ahead of them all, before almost falling flat on her face, had Gaius not caught her.

"Wow, easy there Stumbles," he smiled down at her. "Can you walk? Do you want a piggy back?"

Sumia giggled. "Yay, piggy back." She grabbed hold of Gaius' shoulders as he lifted her off the ground, holding her under her thighs. "Onward noble steed," she pointed forward in the direction of the taxi rank. Frederick and Sully followed behind, both hiding their amusement behind shaking heads. Chrom and Robin brought up the rear, Robin laughing at her drunk friend as Gaius whinnied like a horse and began to run at full speed, Sumia screaming in delight.

"You know, I'm really glad I came out tonight," she mused.

"Oh yeah," blue eyes eyed her in amusement.

"Yeah, it's been... interesting to say the least."

"Glad you had fun," Chrom came to a stop turning to face her. "You know, it doesn't have to end here?"

"What did you have in mind?" Robin shot him a look. Chrom was watching her, a look of hesitation on his face, as if he longed to ask her to stay out with him, yet was afraid of her answer.

"Well, I umm..." Chrom rubbed his neck, clearly trying to find the words, glancing away from her. "I was wondering if, well I mean..."

"Chrom," Robin turned his face to hers. "I'd love to hang out with you a little longer."

"Y-you would."

"Of course I would." They glanced up at their friends, who had successfully flagged down a taxi. "We should probably let them know though. Sully will worry about me otherwise." Robin led Chrom by the hand to where their friends stood waving.

"Hey Robin!" Sumia wobbled over to her and pulled her into a hug. "Aren't you glad we came out now?" She gestured none too subtly towards Chrom, who clearly found the whole thing amusing.

"Yeah, of course," she patted her friends head. "Thanks for insisting I come." She glanced up at Gaius. "Can you make sure she gets home?"

"Sure thing," Gaius came over to take Sumia, who was starting to get sleepy, out of Robin's arms.

"Aren't you coming?" Sully asked.

"Chrom and I are going to hang out for a while longer," Robin smiled.

"Alright, just be safe you hear?"

"Always am."

"Chrom..." Frederick stepped over to the bluenette. "Don't forget we need to be in the office early tomorrow."

"Yeah, I know," Chrom rolled his eyes. "I'll see you bright and early." Frederick didn't seem convinced, but he nodded anyways, smiled towards Robin, before ducking into the taxi behind the other three.

As the taxi pulled away, the occupants all waved at the two, before they were out of sight.

"So, what did you have in mind?" Robin asked Chrom once they were alone.

"I don't live far from here actually," Chrom admitted, looking sheepish once again. "We could always head there, get to know each other better?"

"Hmmm..." Robin smirked. "I dunno, that sounds like your just after one thing." Chrom sputtered and turned red.

"That's not!" He noticed Robin smile. "Oh very funny you!" He nudged her playfully with his elbow.

"Sorry, I couldn't resist." Feeling brave, Robin reached for his hand. "Lead the way." Chrom glanced down at her and smiled.

"Sure thing."

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After walking for about 10 minutes, hand in hand the entire way, Chrom opened up the door to his apartment complex. He ushered her in, called for the lift and they stepped inside in silence.

"Well, here we are," Chrom unlocked the door to his apartment. He held the door open for her, gesturing for her to enter first.

Robin's jaw almost his the floor at the size of his apartment. The living area alone was bigger than her flat that she shared with Sumia and Sully. And it was really posh looking. Leather sofas formed a seating area with a coffee table in the center, the kitchen off to one side was dark marbles and chrome, and the coffee machine alone seemed like some sort of futuristic gadget Robin knew she would never be able to use. One whole wall was made of glass, and the view was stunning, overlooking the entire city. As she shuffled meekly into the apartment more she noticed the door to the bedroom, the huge double bed taking up most of the room.

"T-this is..." she couldn't find the words.

"It's a lot to take in, I know," Chrom had shrugged off his leather jacket, putting it on the coat rack by the door.

"Your rich!" Robin spun to face her male companion, who was stood nervously shuffling on his feet.

"Not that rich... really," he seemed awkward. "I inherited my fathers company when he died. You may have heard of Lowell Incorporated?"

"Oh my god," Robin covered her mouth in shock realization dawning on her. "Your Chrom Lowell, CEO of Lowell Incorporated. Your company makes navigation systems for cars. My car has one..." Robin gulped. "Why didn't you tell me?"

Chrom sighed, stepping forward carefully. "Because when most women discover I'm rich, it's the only thing they see. Suddenly they aren't interested in me, the man, only my wealth." He brushed her cheek. "And I really like you. I just wanted you to see me, for well, me."

Robin smiled. "I don't care about money, I never have." She wrapped her hand round his neck, locking him in close to her. "It doesn't matter to me how rich you are. I really like you too."

"You do?"

"Yeah I really do."

Chrom closed the small gap between them, snagging her lips in his for a searing, heated kiss. Robin melted against him, his lips, the warmth of his body, his smell, all feeling somewhat familiar to her. The stumbled backwards across the room until Robin's legs bumped against the sofa. Only then did Chrom release her lips, leaving them both gasping for air.

His fingers sought her hair, teasing the hair bobble out of the top of her hair, it falling down to meet the rest. He lifted one long lock and kissed it, a sweet trait characteristically him. "Why do I feel like I've known you all my life?" he mumbled against the hair. Robin stilled.

"I was just thinking the same thing," she smiled. "I feel like I already know everything there is about you. It's so weird, but even your touch, seems familiar, almost like we've done this once before." Robin traced the top of his bicep, her fingers trailing over the tattoo there.

"Do you believe in fate?" Chrom asked suddenly. "Do you believe in the possibility of two souls who are forever destined to end up together, no matter how many live's they have lived before?"

Robin chuckled. "Before tonight, I would have scoffed at that. I rely on facts and knowledge for my job after all. Yet looking at you, standing before me, seeing how real you are, and how my heart beats at your familiarity, it's pretty hard to deny that." She stole another kiss. "I'm afraid, of what it all means, but I want to find out."

"If you like," Chrom held her close, "we can figure it out together."

And as Robin looked into his eyes, eye's she now realized she'd most definitely seen before, such straightforward and bright, brimming with love, she realized there was no place she'd rather be than in his arms.

"I'd like that," she'd said, pulling him down into another kiss, her heart fluttering in excitement at what the future held.

#ChrobinWeek2019 #fchrobin

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sparkledeerfr · 5 years

Text

Excerpts from Harper’s Diary

The story of what happened to two kids from a small house, as told by their lifelong butler/caretaker.

Warnings: Child death, death mentions (neither graphic).

My work with the Whitmore family has thus far been quite easy and enjoyable. One never knows when taking a new position how exactly things will work out, but I do like taking chances with smaller upstarts such as this.

That’s not technically true- Lady Mendoza apparently comes from an illustrious lineage, since fallen on hard times as such things are wont to do, looking to reclaim some position in society by marrying a man of good standing but with little wealth to his name. One of those families that likes to hide how close they are to bankruptcy. No doubt the in laws may come around should Mendoza succeed in righting the ship. The decision to settle south, right on the border of her home flight and Plague is a bit odd, but perhaps she intends to keep her head down and out of the way of more powerful houses.

I myself prefer staying back, helping where I can, seeing how things work out. They seem a good match, and both their backgrounds means they are more grateful for ‘the help’ than others of their peerage might be. At least they hardly seem the type to be angry should they find this diary.

---

A first nest! Of course Mendoza had the good sense to wait until they were fully settled, the prospects of money in place and some saved despite Regent’s (and such an odd name, perhaps his parents had always intended for him to be a placeholder? No matter) insistence on spending it on luxury items. Always need to keep up appearances with him.

Due to my condition I stayed far away from the eggs, and will do so when they hatch. Young children are so susceptible to even the slightest change in magic, and should anyone find out about my ailment, should anything happen to the children, I know who will be blamed. The Lord and Lady might understand, being more educated, but the rumors always do start flying and it doesn’t take long for backwards notions to become ‘truth’.

‘Vampire’. Please. As though I’m some sort of blood drinking monster.

----

Sad news- it seems none of the children made it. There is a thought among the staff that being so close to Plague while not being of that flight themselves may have led to some problems, but no one knows for certain.

Mendoza of course is trying to keep a cheerful face and things running, though I can see the worry. I did do a little digging and searching- no foul play at least. Perhaps just poor luck. They’re both young and in good health, they can try again.

---

More sad news- only one child in the nest, and they did not even fully hatch. Next time I will be less cautious and try and find out more directly what is going on. It seems I can hardly make things worse.

---

The problem was more fully and quickly discovered than I expected, though again through sad means. The issue is not with disease, perhaps closer to a genetic fault, though not one of the usual ones: the children have a great overabundance of magic, simply too much to allow their mortal bodies to keep up.

The poor thing was oozing pink and red, pure concentrated energy right through her mouth and nose. She and her brother perished within two days.

At least...well at least I can be of service. Hopefully Mendoza will not take my suggestion poorly- offering to leech energy from children can come off as quite sinister.

---

Another singular child, one I kept close to and was there for his birth, the Lord and Lady eyeing me not with suspicion but a sort of worried hope. The birth seemed blessed from the start- a boy with strange Plague eyes and the spiral form of a distant relation. Incredibly lucky.

But of course I was considered lucky- the wildclaw boy from a wildclaw mother and a skydancer father. Strange dark eyes instead of whites. Lucky. Blessed. And cursed.

As I held the boy in my hands and a nurse wiped off the remains of the egg I realized- he was like me. There was no magic whatsoever. He would live but…

Did I somehow do this?

----

The boy is growing, and the parents do not seem to blame me in the slightest. In fact they seem well relieved, even if he’ll never be able to cast anything, even if he’ll have to leech energy from others to stay alive, even if it means he can never really be alone for long.

He is alive, they have a son and heir who is growing into a healthy young man. That’s all that matters to them, and they thank me for helping solve their ‘deficiencies’ (a thing said in private, a confession- poor things overly blame themselves).

They want another child, and they want me to keep close by again. I don’t have the heart to tell them no, nor to tell them what rumors will surely circulate in the future.

An essence ‘vampire’ noble. Well. At least he will be difficult to ignore.

---

Another singular egg, this time a girl, and this time with the ‘fault’ of the other children. She began coughing and shaking not long after being born, but with me around to leech some of it off she seems to have quieted into a more healthy baby. At least I can buy her time.

Her brother loves her already- they are hardly apart. Hopefully he will not lose her, and perhaps they can balance one another out.

Far too much and far too little. Perhaps there is such a thing as destiny.

---

They are both growing nicely, and one would hardly suspect that either of them have an ailment. The boy has taken to nobility quickly, though I must admit his attitude leaves something to be desired at times. He doesn’t have the patience or forgiveness of his parents, seems to have forgotten the hard work they put in to make sure he grew up wealthy and with a name.

Perhaps it is the children of other houses that he hangs around with at times influencing him. I must admit I also worry that he’s taken to his condition a little too well- yes, it can be used offensively, but he seems to consider himself better for having it. I worry that with no one (especially myself) around to watch him, he bullies others. Why ask for what you can take?

His sister on the other hand has thankfully gone in the other direction. She’s willful but kind, almost always outdoors with the animals, her nose in a book. You’d think she was a stable girl looking to up her station through education. They still balance one another out well, and hopefully will continue to do so.

---

The boy and girl had an awful falling out. It seems he thinks her wanting to seek education elsewhere, to teach somewhere, is a personal slight against him. I know she has been teaching others in private- she is a powerful creature when she chooses to be, a mix of Plague and Arcane- but actually leaving was a bridge too far for him.

I do not think this is pure selfishness on his part, whatever else I think of the boy. I believe he genuinely loves his sister and thought they would always be together. He is afraid to be alone.

---

There is something wrong, but I do not know what.

It started with the girl’s sigils- easily spotted glowing a reddish pink, popping up all over the manor. When asked, she responded that they were nothing and not to worry about it, but something in her voice and face were off. I wanted to trust her, and for her to trust me as she always had, so I left the matter alone, insisting that she could talk to me about anything.

But the situation has only gotten worse, they are near everywhere now, growing in size, scaring you half to death when you round a corner at night and see glowing runes nearly in your face. She looks worn as though from worry, lack of sleep, or both. She has taken to carrying a clock around with her, glancing at it at all hours of the day.

I have heard no rumors, no stirrings from nearby houses, no nosy cooks or housekeepers with an inkling of what is causing her to do this, as though she’s preparing for something. There are always casual threats of course, especially further to the south, but even with a smaller force such as we have it would be foolish for some band of raiders to attempt something.

Her brother has confronted her as well, so at least I can be assured that the blame for this does not lie with him.

---

I still do not know exactly what happened or why it occurred, but I will be writing in as much detail as I can lest I forget anything later.

She was tired, exhausted, sitting on a bench and drinking a near full glass of brandy and smoking a cigar. I knew that she had picked up the drinking habit heavily the prior week, but again did not know the reason why. She looked like she had been fighting something by herself- worry aging her to the point that she looked older than her brother.

I sat by her, determined again to at least attempt to get something out of her, but she surprised me by talking first. “I tried, Harper,” she said, staring ahead at nothing. “I’ve tried everything in all kinds of ways, but there’s no point. It ends the same way, so I’m going to at least save you and Ambros.”

“My love, what are you-” I started, completely unsure of what she was talking about, but knowing that she was no liar. Whatever this was, it was important, and true at least to her.

“Harper in two minutes you’re going to get Ambros and go out through the south door,” she said, reciting with a dead voice. “Two men are going to try and stop you from going forward. I need you to kill them and keep going, and you don’t stop, okay? You don’t stop for anything and you get my brother out of here.”

“And what about-”

“One minute fourty-five.”

“What about you?”

“I’m going to go north, and you’re not going to try and find me, not for a long time,” at this she looked at me, those eyes that could be mistaken for plague or arcane pink depending on the light devoid of their usual warmth.

“Love, what has caused this?”

“One minute,” she said, glancing down to the ever present clock. “I know you can do this, Harper, I’ve seen what you can do when you decide to stop putting a clamp on that ‘condition’ of yours. You’re the best to take care of Ambros. You can teach him.”

“When did you see me-”

“Again and again,” she said, standing and looking back to me. “You’re a good man, you know. Sorry I didn’t appreciate you more.”

“And you a good child,” I replied, not knowing what else to say.

There was an explosion, screaming, but she just looked down to that clock and then back to me.

I did as she asked.

---

The boy blames his sister now, for everything. I do not know what else to tell him aside from that I feel it is untrue. I do not know how to comfort him at the death of his parents, his house, his future. It's all ash, aside from me, and I hardly feel a worthy substitute but at least I can teach him how to survive.

I hope his sister is well. I hope I will see her again.

Somewhere in the southern Icefield…

...a man enters what used to be a barn, converted now into a small living space. He clicks on the light and a woman looks up from a glass covered desk, bleary eyed, hands around a clock. “Cake,” Ruthers says, somewhere between a snap and a growl. “You were supposed to pick up that feed shipment hours ago.”

She stares at him, eyes half hidden by unkempt hair, her long since past caring at the state of it. “Whoops,” she replies, trying not to roll her eyes. “I’ll get it in a minute.”

“Once real winter starts-”

“I know, I know,” she says, waving a hand and looking back down at the clock. “Can’t go mistiming things.”

#sparklelore #(cake is obviously not her birth name)#but eh #'Deer did you make lore out of how many times that pair wegged you?'#yes yes I did

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immanueldid · 7 years

Note

1, 12, 13, and 19 for William Mahoney because I dig his robo-eye

>8D *Claps hands together* William “Dozer” Mahoney, Tyrant Siege Terminator

1. Their voice:William is fortunately one of the others I can easily point to an actor from a specific scene and say “THAT ONE.” William is just THE KURGAN in that scene. ESPECIALLY the sexual harassment of nuns, but with at least 20 different cusses laced throughout. He has always been crass, id-ish and while the hypnotherapy and indoctrination worked sort of, it didn’t surpress everything. He still prefers low gothic to high, but tends to sneak in low gothic curses because HE JUST CAN’T STOP. Its FUN he thinks its FUNNY that NOBODY (*elbow nudges PG13 books and general stick up ass attitude of astartes*) SEEMS TO DO IT because in the slums of the Mordian hives where he was born he was all FUCK SHIT PISS DAMNIT by 8!as long as he was out of ear shot of his mom please do not tell her he called someone shit licker he will absolutely be grounded at that stage in his life

12. Their romantic life:He might have had one bad experience, but he’d had plenty of good ones too. Mostly serfs that were equally as bored and wanted to see if an Astartes could… you know. HE WAS HAPPY TO OBLIGE. But do YOU KNOW how HARD IT IS to get a BOOTY CALL on MEDRENGARD?Because Mahoney does. Mahoney really does. His longest dry spell was probably 8000 years or so and a metal hand does not an acceptable substitute make. He has since referred to his voluntary swap of righty a “CATASTROPHIC LACK OF FUCKIN’ FORESIGHT.” But despite his behavior and Mannerism could not bring himself to take one of the legion’s ‘flesh’ up to his quarters against her will. Seemed like a step too far and WHAT WAS THE POINT if she wasn’t going to enjoy it too. But he did get out long enough to meet somebody once.And by “meet” I mean he sort of did clonk a techpriestess over the head and drag her back home. He didn’t really realize the adept was a lady at the time, he just needed someone competent he could order around his workshop and bark at. She’d already replaced much of her face, voice and her breasts so he didn’t catch on for a while. By then they’d already started becoming friends, once she got over the LOUD and SHOUTING ALL THE TIME thing. But when he did he immediately started hitting on her the only way he knew how, extremely forward and clumsily. Desperate? Yes, but he’d also never worked with women before, not that he really had the chance during the Heresy. It made him patronizing. The they are inferior and therefor need protecting sort, because he did still like them on an incredibly shallow level. He didn’t really expect them to be smart because he was the smartest person he knew, he didn’t expect them to be tough because he was the toughest he knew, so on. The humans of the IVth legion had this bad habit of dying really quickly, so Dozer never really had the opportunity to connect with any. BUT HE DID NOW and she was brilliant. Aside from the whole…pet the machine, talk to the machine, the machine wants to smell nice today shit he never let her live that down, but she was easily on par with his peers (on par WITH HIM though he’d never admit it,) and displayed an openness to learn tech the Imperium had lost. She was reluctant but eventually offered the same. He let her do things the Mechanicum never would. He let her develop. He let her experiment. They started to bond, and she helped him maintain his arsenal of digital weapons and the Augments of his Cataphractii pattern armor. He tells her things he’s never told anyone, she listens to him. He says “[He] wanted to be an obliterator. [he] thought it was what [he] was meant for.” She tells him “[she’s] glad he isn’t.” And suddenly he doesn’t feel so incomplete. What’s happening this is incredible. Physically, it was incredibly one sided. She didn’t have those parts anymore, but he didn’t care. Anything she could offer was enough for him. He returned anything she gave tenfold in saucy bits of code or incredibly precise electrical surges. It wasn’t conventional, but it was great and he loved it. … He used the L word what the fuck was happening. It was a standard day, preparing for a campaign. She’s hooking him in to his ancient suit, she has him rev his chain fist to check his new arm, he’s spewing pyrotheum smoke out his exhaust and raring to go. He looks at her, “I’ll be back soon.” She smiles with what she has left, “I know.” Oh fuck, he realizes, I can’t live without her. She’s the most incredible person ever… just like me. This…as with all things, doesn’t end well. In the ‘modern day’ of my story (some 2000~ years later,) William is EXTREMELY open casual advances, but can’t seem to form that kind of emotional attachment to someone else. He’d like to move on. He’s sure she’d want him to move on. But he’s still an Iron Warrior, and their stubbornness is in their genes.

13. Their embarrassing memory from years ago:

Dozer, unlike Thanos or his pick-n-mix brothers in the warband will openly tell you about his past stupid shit. Though if you laugh at the wrong point in the story he’ll give you a hell of a glare. His favourite go to, because it irks other marines, is that when he was 10 years old, his uncle had bought him time with a hooker. Its impossible to get into the WHY without explaining the mysterious circumstances about William’s birth. On Mordian, even back then, there were the aristocratic elite that lived up near the top. More money than they knew what to do with. One such piece of shit, his father, decided that he wanted some insurance for later in life in the form of organ donors. Cloning was still a big no-no, but sperm donation? To willing surrogates? For a price? That sounded just legal enough. He didn’t mention of course, that he would be taking the children immediately to prevent little gang-bangers from knocking on his door and demanding money. That he would basically be locking the children in some basement and let them grow up in tubes because they were not people not really. Dozer’s mom was a ganger. She was top motherfuckin’ dog of a pretty substantial section of lower hive. She took care of her people, she made sure they had a wage, even if the business was dirty. But because she wasn’t hording, she needed the cash and she wanted kid and she sure as hell didn’t want to tie down. She fully expected if she let anyone get that close to her they’d start getting ideas about who was in charge, and ruin the good thing she had going, so she bit the hook. She had the kid, and accepted the pay. She was going to do right by him. When the noble’s goons came to collect, she really wanted to just blow their heads off but kept her cool, and asked for more time. She was given a week to think about it… that they never actually gave her. The noble tried to have Dozer stolen. Now she absolutely was going to blow their heads off. She fought them tooth and fucking nail. She kept them out of her fucking territory, her entire gang backed her up, she kept this all a secret from her baby and she started raising her boy. …Who appeared to be some kind of mutant because he was 5 foot something tall by 8 years old. And SMART TOO. Especially with machines. The more tech savy of her gang saw some of the pictures he’d drawn and they were fucking schematics. (Slight implication that perhaps the genes were not the noble’s to offer, is all this is, Meheheh.) She didn’t think anything of it. She was so damn proud of her mutant Billy that she strong-armed her brother to give him a job in his Decommission business. It was, essentially, a glorified chop shop…. and also a front for the uncle’s weapon smuggling to other gangs that dozer’s mom didn’t know about. The goal of businesses like that was to receive a contract with the Imperium to decommission war vehicles, or parts of them that could be recovered, to be recycled. Because of Dozer’s aptitude for machines (and a particularly messy campaign somewhere in the sector,)that small business managed to snag such a thing. A contract to decommission a Tank. It would actually be more money than his small time weapon running.He was the “cool uncle”, of course, that let Dozer cuss and try amnsec and drink coffee and eat chocolate and stay up late to watch dirty movies, and when Dozer got them that contract… Dozer was gifted with a few hours of real life boobs for his 10th birthday. He was almost 6 feet tall by then, complete with cracking voice and acne with adult muscle structure. He thought he was plenty mature until that day. It was a complete disaster. He was NERVOUS. He didn’t have a clue what he was supposed to do. His hands were shaking. He might have cried like a bitch afterward. It was the single most awkward moment of his life and it makes him LAUGH now.

19. Their reaction to betrayal:Its actually really convenient you picked this one, because the example ties in nicely to what I just had to explain.

Dozer’s uncle might have been the ‘Cool Uncle’ but he was a greedy piece of shit. He let Dozer do all those things because they’re things he would have wanted to do, not out of any real interest in Dozer’s wants. Dozer thought they were friends, he was incredibly wrong. His uncle was just happy to be making money. He absolutely kept running weapons under the counter and even pieces of the damaged tank. He even went so far as to sell out Dozer to the noble that technically ‘owned’ him. That was the last mistake he’d make.The noble had contacts, those contacts connected with gangs in surrounding territories. Offered a bounty for each head of the target gang they could provide (Chump change to the noble, of course) and a huge sum for the boy. Alive. Unharmed. The hive block didn’t do so well, really. It erupted into an outright war. It was absolutely brutal. Nobody was treated as a civilian and the LAW was content to let them sort themselves out. Mordian’s population problem would be eased if only for a while. He never found out what happened to his mom, (But it is more likely she went into hiding to try and take the heat off her boy than outright bit the dust. By the time she would have been able to contact him, he would be in hiding, or off world by then.)It was the same year as the awkward, so Dozer managed two firsts that year. He got lucky and he killed a man. He stared his uncle in the eyes as he crushed his throat. After he stopped rattling he kept squeezing anyway. When squeezing hurt his fingers he started punching. He didn’t stop until he didn’t have the strength to keep going. Out of the two new experiences, he preferred killing. And he really liked it actually. It felt ..Powerful. Good. Meat and blood looked good when he was the one causing it.This is when we get into the real meat of his revenge. For the next four years Dozer gathered up what was left of those loyal to his mom in secret. He told them he had a plan. He relocated the tank. He modified the tank into an artillery launcher. He built himself an exo-suit. He abused his uncle’s network for bullets, guns, armor. He launched a fucking 50 man raid on a hive spire, using the tank–backyard-basilisk to blow open the way. His not quite power armor protected him, got him to where he needed to go. He fucked shit up. He didn’t have an escape plan. He didn’t want to escape. He wanted to be gunned the fuck down so he didn’t have to live with any of this shit anymore. Instead, he ended up arrested and interned on a prison ship… For breaching the terms in his contract. Three years later, he would be recruited from that vessel to the Iron Warriors. … Which is actually the thing I’m writing right now.

#metalboxes #OH LOOK IT ENDED UP EVEN FUCKING LONGER #AT LEAST IT FEELS LIKE IT #ocs #william mahoney #I AM SORRY THESE THINGS ARE SO LONG #I HAVE BEEN SITTING ON THESE BOYS FOR YEARS #HE'S STILL ABSOLUTELY AN ASSHOLE #BUT I HOPE THAT HE IS STILL INTERESTING TO READ ABOUT

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twilightpony4 · 6 years

Text

Ola Americano... Turtle?: 15. Stop Calling Him That

“Oh, you’re here.” April looked up to see Casey walking into the kitchen of the reptile’s home. In her hands, she sprinkled colorful M&M candies over freshly popped, oversized bowls of popcorn. She was ready for a night in with her cotton-combo pajamas as she gathered more M&Ms into her hand. Earlier, she called him to come down and spend a Friday night with her alongside Splinter and Angel. He did not know what they had in mind to pass the time, but seeing what she was doing and how she was dressed, it was easy to figure that it was going to be a movie night. However, he felt out of place coming in in his work clothes. Only a grey t-shirt and denim for the night. “Yep, yep, yep.” His response was short and quick as he leaned against the counter. His hand picked up a single popped kernel from the bowl and threw it into his mouth. April smiled as she rolled the candy bag up. “Splinter and Angel are in there watching Get Out.” She informed as she stashed it back away in their makeshift cabinets.

“The rat’s here?” The relaxation in his posture disappeared when he jumped off the counter to look past the doorway. “It is his home.” The woman cocked an eyebrow. “And can you stop calling him ‘the rat’? He has a name.” Ignoring her, the man kept a lookout for the mutant in question. “Why don’t you like Splinter?” “Isn’t it obvious?” Casey turned. “He’s a rat!” April shushed at him, hunching both of them over. “Keep your voice down!” She sneered while whispering harshly at him. How rude of him to say such a thing. In his own home! “Right,” His eyes widened, then looked back in their original direction. From where he was, he could not see the two, but the reflected blue light and sound gave him an idea how far away they were from him. “he can probably hear me with those Mickey Mouse ears.” “Really?” The woman folded her arms in the most unamused fashion. Did he really want to get a laugh out of her like that? Probably not. How he said it, he sounded genuinely concerned. “Fine.” He breathed. April put the bowl down back on the counter. “I’m gonna tell you something I’m not too proud of.” Leaning her hip on the counter, she crossed her arms in preparation to what he had to say. It was a moment until he sighed again. “Don’t laugh or I’m leaving.” He warned, looking up from his feet. “Promise.” She stuck out her pinkie finger for him to hold onto. Casey eyed it with a judgmental demeanor. “Really?” He returned it with as much attitude as April had done earlier. The woman shrugged. “It works with the boys. I don’t break these.” Her words were a matter-of-fact. She brought her finger closer to him to link up, but he put his hand up to stop her. “I’ll take your word for it.” The woman only shrugged and put her hand down. If he didn’t want it, he didn’t want it. “I’m-.” he stopped himself before he could get it out. He began to speak too soon for he was not yet ready to say. April was patient with him as he fixed up how he wanted to express his concerns. “I’m afraid of rats.” It came out small, which was very unlike the proud demeanor of the usual Casey. He gave her a second to laugh it out before he could try to reason with her to see this was not a laughing manner. But, she never did. Surprised, he looked her in the eye. Her blue ones were as stone as they were earlier. There was no smile nor was there a frown. Just a blank slate staring back at them. “You’re not laughing.” “I did promise, right?” She replied casually. The man put his hands in his front pockets and fidgeted with them. “Would you have laughed anyways?” “No.” Her nonchalant answer confused him even more. “Aren’t you gonna say” He cleared his throat and took a couple steps forward. “‘Don’t you know where you live? How do you function everyday?’?” Casey’s voice went deep as he made up a mocking persona. April pursed her lips and shook her head. Jones relaxed and looked on with bewilderment. “Why?” She shrugged. “Raph’s afraid of roaches.” April took a small handful of the still-warm popcorn kernels on top of the bowl. Before she downed them, she stopped herself. “Don’t tell him I said that.” “No promises.” The man smiled for the first time since coming down there. She knew he just gave him some gold for next time’s spat with him. Who would’ve guessed that anyways. He also wouldn’t know how April came across that information, but that was a story for another time. “And then when he attacked me-” He quieted back down for the memories began to roll through his mind. That awful memory of seeing his fear that large and then appearing brave in front of those large children… just terrible. Then, he was out of his element, confused and lying on the ground seeing everyone staring back down at him: April looking on critically, the turtles laughing, and Splinter beaming down at him. He shuddered at the thought of it. “I’m not at all fond of him.”

April could see the pain in his face. Despite Casey being this hard cop, it was a little unsettling to see him so distraught about someone she truly cared about. Whether or not Splinter took him down, what hurt him was that Splinter physically was a large fear of him and that the image he was supposed to uphold was compromised. One thing April hated the most was being stopped, so when Casey felt that his own masculinity was being stopped by old gender norms to be brave, she knew she had to amend his pain. “Master Splinter was my pet rat before they mutated.” Casey hadn’t raised his head, but he was listening. April continued. “He raised those four boys by himself, took Angel and I into their family and acts like the wise grandpa in kung fu movies. He really is a beautiful human being. With a little fuzz is all.” “I’d wanna try but I don’t think i’m up for it.” “You aren’t being forced to like him.” She picked up the popcorn bowls carefully to not drop them. Casey helped out by grabbing the last bowl after she successfully balanced three others in her arms. “Although, it’s going to be awkward that you keep coming into his home with thoughts like that.” Point taken. “The least I want it to be is tolerable.” He explained, which was a noble thought to have. The man did not need to be forced to like the rat. Only a good relationship was in order for him to work with his sources to put people away.

“SH*T!” They heard Angel scream in the other room. They jumped themselves, but did not spill any precious kernels. April led the way to see what was up. “‘Scuse me, Splinter.” They heard her apologize before they entered the living room. There they were, Angel and Splinter side by side in the dark. Light from the biggest TV illuminated their outlines as it showed two people driving a car. “What happened?! Anything good?” April jogged in. From behind the couch, she lowered each of their bowls down into their hands. “They hit a deer.” Splinter exclaimed as he took his into his hands. “Naw, uh uuh! That thing came flying in, it wasn’t runnin’!” April could only put it in her lap for the girl was too stunned to take it. Then, she began to rock back and forth with crossed legs, shaking her head. “Nope, I don’t like it.” Her mantra became of that sentence as the interracial couple got out of the car to check on the animal. It was now dead in the woods, surrounded by brush and golden leaves. “See, and he goes to check on it when he know he in a horror film.” “It’s not real.” Casey urged her as he took a seat on a nearby bean bag chair. “Naw uh, nope, historically incorrect.” Angel repeated, ignoring him due to the cloud of suspense and disbelief. “You’re really scared of that?” He extended a hand towards the TV that was depicting a bright, clear day for a film that was supposed to be a horror/thriller. Suddenly, Angel began to feel around her. Putting her popcorn bowl on the ground, she began to frantically pat around her. Lifting up blankets and pillows set on the couch, she tore up the comfy spot. Splinter moved his body to the side to help her find whatever she was looking for. “I can't find it!” She exclaimed desperately. “Find what?!” Casey asked in a similar fashion. Suddenly, she stopped all movements. Her face was stone cold on him matched with a monotone voice. “Where I asked for your opinion.” April had to cover her mouth with her hand to hide her smile. Oh, snap! Allowing him to bask in her words, she re-picked up her popcorn bowl and settled down.

The wise rat put a gentle hand on the Chicana’s knee. With a blown up face of kernels, she looked at him. “Be nice, child.” He asked of her. She smiled sheepishly, but with a puffed up face, Splinter smiled back warmly. “Look, the police have come.” He pointed out. “Oh yeah.” She spoke between chews. The officer had a type of odd swagger as he approached their vehicle.“Watch ‘em ask for his ID or somethin’ ‘cause of the boy’s color.” No sooner than she mentioned it, her prediction came true. “See?!” April patted her shoulder.

“You act much like my children.” Splinter spoke as the stereotyping began. “Gone or not, I still get their spirits through you.” “How so?” April asked as she went to take a seat on the floor in front of them. Her back pressed against the couch with the exception of a fallen pillow that she used as support. “Well, Leonardo-” He teased as he handed a blanket for her to wrap herself around in. Ironically, it was the leader’s bed blanket that he handed her. “You try to keep out but have a say as Michelangelo over here” He put his hand back on Angel’s knee and shook it playfully. “calls out Raphael.” Then, he nodded to Casey. The man was slightly shaken that he was mentioned, but was playing it off to the best of his abilities. “Been around him so much I be actin’ like ‘im.” Angel’s excuse was only a pure fact. One couldn’t argue that those two were meant to be the friends they are today. Splinter nodded gracefully.

“I don’t me to interrupt our feature any more than I have-.” He was nodding towards the movie that was continuing without them. Angel nudged him with her elbow. “Check this out.” In no time, the remote was already in her hand. She lifted her arm up and pressed pause. “Go on.” she encouraged. The elder rat smiled warmly at her appreciation. “I really do appreciate you all coming to see me.” “We like showing up.” The Chicana nudged in closer to wrap an arm around his shoulders to embrace him. “Just ‘cause I usually come by for your sons and daughters, you just as cool as them.” “All their lives, they’ve constantly been home,” He reminisced briefly. The ghosts of his children growing up played before him. Although this was not the house they grew up in, he could see the toddlers run, children with capes and coloring, and then pre-puberty (which was a weird time for everybody). It warmed his heart greatly to remember how far he and his children had come so far. “but now that they are travelling and saving the world for extended time periods, it does my heart well to spend time with others. Without you, I would be by myself.” He paused for a cleansing breath. The two girls beamed, enjoying themselves fully as they heard his story. Although distant, the message was getting to Casey who attentively listened. “How at times I have prayed that the home be quiet, but once it’s over a week, I cannot stand it.” “I could imagine how hard it could be.” April chimed in. She then hugged his small feet that barely dangled off the edge of the couch. “We love you, Splinter.” Angel pulled him in closer. “Yeah, grandpa.” She giggled. Splinter could not help himself to smile as the two girls embraced him. How lucky was he anyways? He and Casey were thinking the same thing. From humble beginnings, he raised four extraordinary boys with hearts of gold from what little he knew from parenting by watching April’s own father. His contribution alone warded the Shredder off, kept the New York streets safer, and acts as a totem of wisdom to eight young individuals who love him back all the same. After a few minutes of silence, Casey had to admit that it was very awkward. Upon clearing his throat, the attention was diverted to him. Because of it, he shifted uneasily and brought his gaze directly to the TV. “Wanna hit ‘play’?” He asked shyly. His suggestion jogged the girl’s memory that they were indeed in the middle of watching a horror during ‘happy hour’. Angel unwrapped herself from Splinter and hit the ‘play’ button. The officer continued the interrogation with the lead male as his girlfriend tried her best to defend him. “I feel like she gonna turn on him.” Angel pointed at the screen as she put another buttery, chocolate handful in her mouth.“Just sayin’.”

#tmntfanfiction #tmnt2014 #tmnt2016 #olaamericanoturtle

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