#sorry for the radio silence my memory is shit

[chlorinecake]

If it's possible, could you make a yandere enhypen story, where the reader usually goes out late at night to a convenience store for some late night snacks, but some pervert tries her, but one of the members had been following her and help her, I'm sorry if it doesnt make any sense but yeah...😀 (recently my delusions have been getting to me)

“convenient chances” 🎱 

pairing: stalker!yandere!enhypen x afab!reader

cw: harassment, violence, mentions of smoking, paranoia/anxiety, language, kidnapping, bad-ish ending lol

wc: 3.1k — read part ll and lll here

LIKE A DUNGEON with fear cementing every corner, you struggle to savor the silence in your waking life.

Doubting all and believing none, your close friend Sunoo convinced you that your nervous aches and night sweats were a mere result of paranoia. He always judged the way you’d peek over your shoulder in public as if waiting to be attacked.

Clicking sounds from your window startled your rest during the night, with nightmares of seven tall hooded strangers blinding your judgement.

You're sure everyone's experienced the phenomenon of “gaze perception” at least once in their lives, in which a person might sense or assume that a pair of predatory eyes are stalking them from afar.

You didn’t like to use the word trauma to define your past experiences, but this wasn’t your first time feeling like a cloud of trouble waited to pour down on you. At this point, all you could do was hope that your intuition wasn’t right this time.

It was only a few months ago when you broke up with your abusive ex-boyfriend, Jay. The memories still linger as if they occurred yesterday, freshly cryptic in your mind. From your point of view, he started off as a charming casual acquaintance, which soon developed into a crush and then a toxic relationship. He outlined a list of rules for you to follow when he was away, ordering you around like a child. Anytime you even came close to breaking one of his orders, he’d beat the shit out of you, saying that his rage was out of love.

From Jay’s point of view, you weren’t just an obsession, but a belonging—his favorite humanoid toy to play with. He threatened that if you ever left him, he’d come back for you one day, saying that he’d never stop watching you.

And so, you moved. Not far, but a good distance away. You didn’t feel protected anymore in your usual environment. Though, there was one place in which you felt completely safe—free from watchful eyes and hostile hands. It was the tatty old convenience store a few blocks from where you live. The place hadn’t developed much since what appeared to be a decade or two ago, but they always supplied the most tasty, high quality snacks you could get your hands on.

As silly as it may sound, the fallout shop was your haven, and you grew particularly fond of shopping there late at night when it was less crowded.

You walked passed the familiar electronic doors, the fluorescent ceiling lights sparkling off of the bleach-mopped tiles. The usually uplifting radio station was replaced with the chilling whoosh of air circulating through the vents.

“Hello! Welcome to Goldman’s 24-hour convenience,” a friendly accented voice chimed. “Hello,” you returned with a nod, a bit confused by the new face. The usual cashier was an elder women by the name of Mandy. Her laughter alone could make some of your darkest nights glimmer again.

The young man wore a name tag on his dark blue collared shirt: Jake. You couldn’t help but wonder why Mandy wasn’t working her usual night shift, but you didn’t care enough to interrogate the seemingly content boy.

Picking up a hand basket, you explored the aisle's shelves in search for something savory or sweet to snack on. Your gaze swiveled ahead of you before landing on the sight of two hooded strangers blocking your path. This time, a bit of their faces showed, revealing the devious smirks that spoke so many silent words through their sealed lips:

You can run, but you can’t hide from us, ____. For as long as we live, you’re not allowed to feel safe anywhere.

Goosebumps sprouted on the surface of your skin, nerves dancing around in your fingers until they became wobbling rods. It’s almost like you forgot to breathe due to the overwhelming terror, feeling frozen from within as the plastic basket slipped from your grasp, a loud clatter echoing throughout the store.

You remembered all of the horrible things Jay said he would do to you once he found you again. The bruises you concealed with makeup that Jay referred to as his "strawberry kisses” would have nothing on what you felt was coming your way.

“Are you okay, miss?” A kind male voice asked, snatching you from your trance and back to reality. You turned to meet the man behind you, revealing his concerned yet warm features. He picked up the basket you dropped, still processing that your mind successfully tricked you into seeing something that wasn’t actually there.

“Yes, I’m alright, t-thank you,” you smiled but it didn’t reach your eyes, looking more awkward than reassuring.

He pressed three finger's against your forehead, “I don’t think you’re being honest with me,” he frowned, your hot and damp forehead telling him that something was wrong. “I’m sorry, I haven’t even introduced myself yet,” he stuck out one hand for you to shake and the other to pass you back your basket. “My name is Heeseung,” he smiled, “I’m new in town with an affinity for convenience stores.”

“____, with an affinity to drop flimsy baskets in public,” you replied, suddenly feeling at ease from the humor. You started trailing to the ramen section and Heeseung was walking behind you. If it wasn’t for his kindness earlier, you’d probably be freaking out about how close he was. You reached for a spicy udon noodle pack that came with dehydrated tofu and seaweed sheets. Meanwhile, Heeseung grabbed a can of Spam and chicken flavored ramen.

“Speaking of your liking for convenience stores, I come here almost every night and I’ve never seen you before.“

“Well, yeah, I’m usually here earlier in the day. I just happened to need some gas and got hungry while waiting, so I decided to stop by for my favorites,” he peered into your basket, "You might wanna get some milk with those, too. It's ungodly how spicy they are!"

"I know, right? They're just so delicious, I can't resist them..."

"Still, Sapporo Ichiban instant noodles are the best! They always cook perfectly. Never too soft or too firm. It's my comfort food, honestly. I wanna hug the person who created them," he replied passionately.

"Eh, you're just gonna ruin 'em anyways."

He gave you a double look, "Are you passively judging my cooking skills or fat shaming me?"

"Neither. I'm shaming that pink block of salt you're gonna punish your organs with."

He scoffed, "This anti-Spam movement is outrageous! I'm starting an online protest where you'll be the number one convert."

"As if I'd ever try that...stuff," you rejected.

"Welp. More for me, I guess," he mumbled, digging into his jacket pocket.

“Dammit, I forgot my wallet in my car,” he said, placing his basket high up on the shelf. “If you see anyone try to take my stuff, kick ‘em in the shin for me,” he said before running out of the shop.

Analyzing your surroundings, you noticed that a few groups of shoppers and some solo snackers began raiding the bread aisle. You distracted yourself by heading to the refrigerator section, considering Heeseung’s recommendation of getting a smooth beverage to accompany your spicy noodles, tossing in a pack of strawberry flavored Pocky's on your way.

That’s when you felt an arm wrap around your waist, pulling you in before giving your head a sniff, his nose was wet and cold like a dog as he inhaled your scent. “What the hell are you doing?” You barked, pushing the creepy stranger away.

He was a middle aged man with a receding hairline and a few scars decorating his thin chapped lips. You wondered how many of those scares came from women he tried that “arm around the waist” shit on.

“Sorry, doll. I’m a hugger and figured you might've needed one,” he grinned, revealing the gnarly set of teeth that lined his grey gums. You couldn't tell if it was his foul breath or filthy clothes that smelled more like smoke. Either way, you were thoroughly disgusted by him.

“Well, you should learn to ask before throwing yourself on people,” you retorted, reaching for a container of banana milk.

“You like swallowing bananas, cutie? I bet I could force four of 'em down that pretty mouth of yours,” he slithered while adjusting himself in his pants.

What the hell is wrong with this guy, you thought to yourself.

You tried to ignore his lunacy, only for him to grip your ass like a stress ball, landing a harsh slap across the curve of your jeans. You yelped at the sting, your own words being caught in your throat from the shocking act. You couldn’t believe that this freak actually just did that to you.

He met your eyes with a wink, smelling his hand as if you just provided him with an expensive perfume sample, "You got a lover at home, sweetheart?"

Tears dared to pour from your rage-ridden eyes as you balled your fists so tight, your bones might break. That's when a protective figure filled your blurry peripheral vision, stepping in front of you to block the man off as he tried grabbing you again, pushing him with such a force that he lost his balance.

“The hell do you think you’re doing, y'scrawny mother fucker,” he growled, pulling up is pants.

“You can’t do that kind of sick shit to people, pervert! Now get the hell outta here or I'll call the police,” the younger boy fought back.

“I was just trying to have some fun, kiddo. Ain’t nothin' wrong with that. I bet honey doll misses me already,” the older man went on, licking at his lower lip.

“I’ll knock every last rotting tooth from your mouth if you don’t leave in the next five seconds-"

“Hey, what’s going on over here?” Jake asked in the middle of the commotion, the older man already fleeing the scene. Jake looked at the younger boy first before eventually meeting your eyes. You wish you could hide how shaken up you felt. The container of milk was bleeding out its strong banana scent on the once spotless floor, tears finally streaming down your cheeks.

“Oh my God, Jungwon, what happened,” Heeseung came running over, asking the boy who defended you. “It was nothing,” you interrupted before Jungwon could answer, the three boys standing dumbfounded around you in a puddle of banana milk. “Do you need a ride-" “Don’t worry about me,” your voice cracked in embarrassment.

Is there any way to explain how the world made you ashamed of your own tears?

You left your basket behind, apologizing to Jake who had to clean up the sticky mess. You didn’t wanna leave just yet, afraid that the older guy might be waiting for you outside, so you went to the ladies restroom instead to call your friend Sunoo.

“____?”

You cleared the lump in your throat before answering, “Sunoo,” you began shakily, “I need you to come and pick me up from Goldman's.”

“You sound terrible, is everything okay? You’re worrying me, what happened?”

“I’m sorry, Sun. Everything’s okay, I just really need you right now.”

“____,” he sighed. You suddenly felt guilty for even calling him.

“Sunoo, if you can’t make it, I won’t be mad at you,” you said in between the silence, trying to encourage him to make a choice.

“I-I can’t, well, I can, but, not soon, at least. I’m only an hour away, if you’re willing to wait that long.” The pity in his voice made you wanna cry all over again. Looking at the time on your phone, it was six minutes til midnight, and you refused to haul your best friend out on the road this late. “No, that’s alright, Sunoo. I’ll just call an Uber.”

His side of the phone fell quiet for a moment. “____, I know how much you hate Uber's. Don't do that to yourself because of me."

"I'll be okay, Sun, just get yourself some rest."

He paused before asking, "Are you sure?”

“Yeah. I’ll talk to you later, okay?”

“Of course! Call me when you get home!”

You finished up in the bathroom, mentally preparing yourself to face the strangers beyond the not-so-comforting walls of the restroom. To your surprise, Heeseung and Jungwon were still in the store. Huddled around Jake at the checkout counter, the three of them took loud sips from steaming cups of ramen. “Hey, ____,” Heeseung began, resting his snack on the counter. “We could help you file a report against that guy, if you want.”

Jungwon met your eyes with his own sincere ones, “He should pay for the way he treated you.” Jake put your basket from earlier on the counter, dry items taking the place of the previously wet ones.

“Do you still want these," he asked shyly. After everything that happened, you felt empty in more than one way. Some warm broth and noodles is exactly what your body needed at the moment. You nodded, handing Jake a $20 bill. Beeping sounds immediately met your ears as he scanned your items with a strange haste. You looked back to Heeseung and Jungwon.

“Getting the police involved will only make it harder for me to forget this ever even happened. Thank you for your concern, though,” you smile at the humble pair before they took the final gulps from their ramen cups before discarding them.

“Here’s your change,” Jake chirped, handing you the plastic bag of goodies. “Thank you,” you bowed, heading to the exit.

“Y'sure you don't need a ride?” Jungwon asked. You flashed him your phone screen. “Uber,” was all you said before walking into the black of the night, the sliding doors closing behind you.

According to your smartphone, you should expect your chauffeur, Sunghoon, to arrive shortly in a black truck with tinted windows. The vehicle came speeding through the parking lot, a chill wind hitting your features. The truck was so dark, that it almost blended into the night. He rolled down the window, looking you up and down.

"Name?"

"Uh, ____," you said, his blunt question catching you off guard.

"Get in," he replied, directing a thumb to the back seat, unlocking the door as you slid in, bumping into another passenger. Immediately caught by his dark eyes, the boy waved slightly, muttering a deep “Welcome aboard,” before fixing his gaze out the window again. The truck sat idly as Sunghoon delayed taking off, exchanging a few hushed words to the guy sitting in the front passenger's seat.

Click.

The backseat doors opened from both ends, Heeseung, Jungwon, and Jake joining you in the black vehicle. "Scoot over, Niki," Jungwon complained, trying to get comfortable in the crammed space. That's when you saw one last person join you all in the truck, his face capturing the moonlight like a thief.

"Sunoo?! W-what are you doing here? I thought you were an hour away!" All he did was frown in response. He always made that face whenever he was hiding something from you. "Sunoo," you pressed, nudging his shoulder.

"Oh please, would you just shut the hell up already," the hostile driver growled at you.

You screwed your eyes brows in confusion, "What's going on here," you inquired, now feeling anxiety start to creep up on you.

"The very thing I warned you about before you abandoned me," the front passenger bit back.

That voice. You knew exactly who it belonged to.

It was Jay, your looney ex-lover, sitting right in front of you. An angry yet pitiful scowl contaminated his handsome features.

You pushed through Heeseung, reaching for the door handle, only for Niki, the quietest yet scariest one, to snatch your wrist, pulling you into his tantalizing grip. "Let me go," you yelped, only for Jungwon to harshly cover your mouth.

Screech.

Sunghoon pulled off at a dangerous speed, causing your bodies to shake in the truck. Heeseung crossed his legs cooly as if he wasn't just casually talking with you in the store, “So when do we get to have fun with her, again? It’s not like she did any good entertaining me through conversation.”

Jake rolled his eyes at Heeseung, “I could’ve used your enthusiasm when I had to stuff that fat old chick in the freezer. Alone. On top of that, I had to mop the floor quintillion times before the blood stains got out.”

“At least you’d make a good house husband,” Sunghoon joked.

You felt your heart sink to the pit of your stomach at Jake’s confession: He killed Mandy.

"I'm sorry, ____," Sunoo whispered, fighting back tears as he hid his face from you.

Everything was starting to make sense now.

The visions of seven hooded boys.

The clicking sounds you'd hear from outside your window at night.

The way you could never shake the feeling that you were being watched.

Jay’s past words echoed in the back of your mind:

"If you ever decide to leave me, don't ever think that you'll get very far before I catch up. I'll always be watching you."

You bit Jungwon's hand, causing him to retreat his palm from your flushed face. "Sunoo, you betrayed me! You told me that I was paranoid when you knew exactly what was going on behind my back! I felt safe with you...I trusted you! And you fucking lied to me!"

"God, I've had just about enough of her nagging," Niki said, landing a fisted blow across your face. As you faded out of consciousness, Jay tried to soothe your daze.

“Even though I betrayed you and beat you, it was only my funny way of expressing how much I love you. Can’t you see that I did all of that out of love?”

You could still hear Sunoo pleading for your forgiveness in the background as you held onto the last strand of your consciousness.

"I've been watching you for a long time, love. You always try to escape me and I never understood why you just wouldn't listen to me. All I've ever done is love you and try to protect you. This time, I’ll make sure you’ve learned your lesson.”

And that was the last thing you heard before retreating to the vacancy of your mind, floating around in the silence of your oblivion. Left in the hands of seven reckless boys who’d successfully lured you into their cat trap, you didn’t know what to expect once you’d open your eyes, but you knew it wouldn’t be anything good.

In that time, you came to the unsettling conclusion that broken toys were Jay’s favorite, and if you weren’t already broken upon being found, you would be by time he’s done playing with you.

☆ ᴀ/ɴ: in no way, shape, or form does this fanfic intend to romanticize unhealthy relationships or abusive behaviors. i simply write for entertainment and creative purposes. thus, reader discretion is always advised.

☆ ᴘ.ꜱ: special thanks to the fabulous anon who requested this piece! i played around with the plot a bit, but I hope you all enjoyed reading it! if you guys would like a version of this story with a happier ending, let me know in the comments!

☆ taglist (based off of users that personally requested to be on my taglist, my faves, and people that I've noticed interacting with my yandere content) ~

@fanficfactoryfoxxx @ashgonedash @yourmomscuntis2tighy @yngwife @03sunoos @kaykay11sworld @maryismad @gigiramirezsblog @hoonsyo @en-thralled @haechansheart @night-en-shining-armor @cutiejseong

#enhypen #enha imagines #enhypen ff #enha ff #enha scenarios #enha x reader #yandere sunghoon #yandere jungwon #yandere enhypen #yandere jake #yandere sunoo #yandere niki #enhypen angst #yandere heeseung #requested #yandere jay #enhypen layouts #enhypen scenarios #enhypen heeseung #enhypen sunoo #enhypen jungwon #enhypen niki #enhypen jake #enhypen sunghoon #enhypen jay #kpop ff #enhypen headcanons #park jongseong #jay enhypen #enhypen fic

[standfucker]

Finding Out You’re Stronger Than Them - Logia Edition (Crocodile)

"Cold Blooded"

Characters: Crocodile

Reader: GN

Word Count: 3.2k

CW: smoking, mildly suggestive, reader has body mods

Summary: “Come on, Sir. If you’re so upset about the money, I could give it back. I don’t really need it,” you roll your eyes on the ‘really,’ “but I don’t intend on walking away empty-handed. You understand. Us cold-blooded types get what we want, right?”

-Thanks to @quinloki for beta'ing as my usual beta, @zoros-sheath, got sick. (Love you both, glad you're on the mend, Mama.)

Ao3 Link

Wealth was not Sir Crocodile’s ultimate goal, his burgeoning ambitions far grander than mere riches. But the vast quantity of treasure that had been stolen from him was not something he could ignore. Civil wars needed funding, and with over half of his hoard disappeared overnight–a feat that should be physically impossible–he couldn’t make the payment on the firearms he had shipped out.

He sends a pair of Officer Agents to take care of it, neither of whom report back. In the radio silence, he sends another, stronger duo this time. They also seem to vanish. Fed up, he finally sends his best, Mr. 1 and Miss Doublefinger.

Instead of hearing back from them, Crocodile finds the six bodies of his strongest Officer Agents dumped unceremoniously outside of his smoking room, beaten to shit and unconscious, but alive.

You're waiting for him inside, an unassuming masked figure picking through his humidors like you own the place. 

"You picked a beautiful country to play with,” you say without looking up, inspecting an expensive cigar. “I just love the landscape of Alabasta...reminds me of home." 

For a minute, he just stares, mentally running through the list of people he knows in the underworld who can both pull off a heist like that and beat his best assassins bloody. Your lavish jewelry suggests affluence, his eye especially drawn to the gold bracelet on your wrist. There’s a huge ruby mounted onto the band that’s jogging his memory in a bad way. You keep talking in the meantime.

"Sorry to invade on your private time. I understand the necessity of a good smoke break, but you wouldn’t grace me with your presence, so I had to take matters into my own hands."

You tuck the cigar behind your ear, take off your mask, and turn to face him. There are some differences from your bounty poster: You’ve changed your hair, and there’s now a gnarled scar stretching diagonally over your face, narrowly missing your eye. But the snakebite piercings are the same, as are the small, transdermal spikes implanted above your eyes, painted gold to represent your namesake.

“You’re the Thief King, Sidewinder,” Crocodile says slowly. Even with the facial scar, you’re beautiful, skin reflecting the moonlight coming through the window.

You smile at his recognition. “In the flesh.”

“It’s rare for you to leave the New World.”

“Seems you've heard a bit about me.” You look surprised at that.

“You’re a Devil Fruit user, but since you prefer to use Haki, little is known about your ability," Crocodile says, and your eyes widen. "Beyond stealing, your motives are a mystery, as you don’t engage in power struggles, nor do you rule any territory. The lack of land means no one knows where you keep your spoils.”

Of course he's heard of you. He knows the shock is an act, too. Sure enough, your expression relaxes into a casual smile. Crocodile bites down harder on his cigar. You’re notorious for targeting powerful people and getting away with it, but he'll be damned if you make a fool of him.

Crocodile takes off his jacket and tosses it onto a lounge chair. Cracking his neck, he starts to approach you. "Here are your options, thief," he says. "You can return what you've stolen willingly. Or, I can peel the nails from your fingers and rip the teeth from your skull, one by one, until you tell me where it is."

“How frightening.” You tilt your head, hands in your pockets as he gets closer. “Whatever will I do?”

He fires his hook at you, left arm becoming sand and extending. You calmly step around it, dodging by a fraction. He withdraws his hook and fires again; you step to the other side. Keeping his arm extended, he sweeps it out to the side to catch you. You duck, bending far back in an impressive show of flexibility, hands never leaving your pockets. He swings the column of sand at your feet, you hop over it. With every dodge, you move closer to him.

“I’m flattered you recognized me despite the differences from my bounty poster,” you say, pausing in your approach. “You, on the other hand, look almost exactly the same as yours. Except…” You look him up and down, seeming impressed. “I must say, Sir, the poster doesn’t do you justice.”

Rage simmers beneath Crocodile’s cool demeanor. He hates how genuine you sound–it feels more like mockery than true admiration to him. Moving faster, he forms a blade of sand with his right hand and hurls it at you.

“Desert Spada!”

You easily match his speed, side-stepping so the blade cuts through the bookshelf behind you instead. It collapses, sending a heap of wood and fine hardbacks to the floor.

“Careful now,” you chide, shining eyes focused on him.

Undeterred, he strikes again, and again, and again. Each time, you dodge effortlessly, moving with a light, fluid grace. It’s almost as if you’re dancing with him–he can see how you earned your nickname. Furniture crumbles behind you as it’s sliced and smashed to pieces. The more he attacks, the more you avoid, the angrier he gets.

Amidst the chaos, Crocodile suddenly realizes you’ve had yet to break eye contact with him, your own eyes slightly narrowed, assessing. There’s a faint smile on your face.

You're playing with him. 

That only pisses him off further. He won’t become another one of your victims–Crocodile races through plans in his head as he unleashes another Desert Spada, keeping you moving as he thinks. He won’t let this end with anything but his own gain. He’ll trap you and torture you until he finds out both where his money is, and where the rest of your hoard is stashed.

You’ll regret having ever made a target out of him.

Crocodile fires off both arms at you, hook aiming for your lower half to force you to jump, while his right arm forms a blanket of sand at the ground. When you inevitably land on it, he’ll be able to grab your leg and hold you still.

As he predicts, you jump over his hook and land on the sand–but somehow, for some reason, your feet do not sink in. It’s as if there’s something solid under your feet, letting you stay at the surface. At first, he’s not certain of how you’re doing it. Crocodile withdraws the sand blanket back toward him, aiming to make you trip, but you don’t so much as lose balance, simply walking forward over the sand like there are hidden stepping stones within it.

Crocodile rapidly withdraws his hook, going to catch your neck. You duck again, even doing a little twirl as you do, as if to hammer home the fact that he can’t destabilize you.

Both Crocodile’s arms revert to their usual shapes, and he stares you down. You’re only a few feet from him now. Whatever you did to avoid slipping, it must be your Devil Fruit.

“You’re making an awful mess,” you say.

“Why did you really come to Alabasta?” Crocodile questions. “It’s a long voyage from the New World–there’s plenty of game for you there.”

“I came to see you.” Again, your words carry nothing but sincerity, and you won’t stop looking into his eyes. Your own are sparkling with mischief.

“You robbed me.”

“That was just to get your attention.”

“Careful what you wish for, thief–” Crocodile fires off a sudden attack now that you’re close. You bend back, not fully dodging it, your shirt getting sliced wide open, “–because you’ve got…it...” His words slow as he sees beneath your shirt: you’re wearing lace underneath your clothes, as well as a leather harness. He frowns, trying to figure out what it all means.

“I’m liking the energy, but will you settle down a sec? You’re destroying your lovely smoking room.”

“You attacked my officers.”

“Your lackeys are lacking.” You grin to yourself at your wordplay. “Aside from that blade guy. Mr. 1, I think it was? He was more fun than the others. Couldn’t go the distance, but entertained me for a few minutes. He wasn’t your strongest goon, was he?”

Crocodile’s face twists up in rage, giving away the answer.

“He was? Goodness… Don’t you wish you had someone stronger?” You grin. “Maybe we could help each other.” 

“I don’t need your help,” he spits.

“Whatever you say,” you chirp. Then your eyes darken. “My turn now.”

You disappear. A split second later, you’ve grabbed his arm and hurled him straight through his door as if he weighed nothing. He bounces once, then catches himself, skidding backwards as he looks up, but you’re already behind him, grabbing and throwing him right back into the room.

Crocodile lets his form break up into sand, re-forming a distance away to give him a moment to spot you. His head whips left and right; you instead come from above, a brutal axe kick to his head that throws him onto his hands and knees. Pain thuds through his skull, and he clenches his teeth. Every time you make contact, there’s a moment he can’t transform. It’s that damned Haki of yours–he needs to become sand in the time you’re away from him. He dissipates once more, moving in a random direction away. You aren’t deterred at all–Observation Haki, too, it must be– as you’re right in front of him when he re-forms.

“Boo!” you hold your hands up like claws, making Crocodile flinch, and you smile, showing pointed canines. “Come on, Sir. I know you can do better than this.”

He can’t even bring his arms up to block before you punch him, black-fisted, directly in the solar plexus. He gasps, nearly dropping his cigar, body locking up for a moment before his knees buckle and hit the ground. There’s a faint smell of smoke that he realizes is coming from burned spots in the floor–from your feet?

Just what was your Devil Fruit power? If he didn’t figure it out, he might actually lose.

Suddenly you’re sitting on his shoulders, legs draped over his chest. Before he can move, you grab him by the root of the hair and yank his head back so you’ve forced him to look into your eyes. You have the cigar you stole in your mouth. Holding his head still, you lean forward and touch the tip of your cigar to his, lighting yours with an inhale. Then you exhale in his face.

Enraged, Crocodile grabs you by the neck and slams you into the floor. You grunt. He lifts and slams you again, then lifts you one more time, arm extending fast to harshly slam you into the wall. He follows swiftly, tightening his grip. He can’t kill you yet, not yet.

“I gotta say, Sir,” you say, a little strained, still smiling, “you seem to know exactly what I’m into.”

Crocodile brings his hook to your pretty face. Maybe he’ll give you another scar. Your eyes drop down to the sharp tip of his hook, then back up to his. You open your mouth, letting the cigar fall out. Then, slowly, keeping full eye contact, you lick along the hook.

Oh. You have a body mod there, too–a split tongue, each side curving around the hook and sliding up, their tips scraping the point of it. Caught off guard, Crocodile can only stare, feeling his blood surge and his pulse quicken. You smile knowingly.

“Everyone wants to know what it feels like.”

Another one of your tricks. He won’t fall for it, not when he literally has you in his clutches. Your Haki may be powerful, but you’ve made a mistake letting him make contact with you like this. He’ll simply dehydrate you, drawing out just enough moisture for you to cling to life, and will only grant you water when you tell him what he wants to know.

Crocodile focuses.

Nothing happens.

His brow furrows, gritting his teeth, and he focuses again. You stay utterly whole and perfect.

“Why isn’t it working?” you say. “Why won’t I shrivel up? Is that what you’re thinking? Maybe I just can’t stay dry when you play rough with me like this.”

“Once I have my funds back,” Crocodile hisses, “I’m going to kill you so slowly you’ll beg me for death.”

“Come on, Sir. If you’re so upset about the money, I could give it back. I don’t really need it,” you roll your eyes on the ‘really,’ “but I don’t intend on walking away empty-handed. You understand. Us cold-blooded types get what we want, right?”

“What is it you want, Thief?”

“I want you to think of more constructive ways to vent your frustrations.”

Crocodile’s about to stab your face when his hand starts burning where it’s made contact with your neck. Iron-hot, he can’t hold on and drops you. Thinking quickly, he follows it up by bringing a blade of sand down on you while you’re beneath him.

It all happens in a moment: You catch the sand blade. A searing, scorching heat runs through his arm. The sand instantly becomes glass. 

Your fingers dig into the glass and shatter it one-handed, your predatory gaze reflected in the thousand falling pieces all around him.

He’s stunned. At that moment, you grab him by the shirt collar and pull him down to your level, close to your face.

“You know, baby crocodiles, before they grow into apex predators, are prey for pretty much everything,” you smile. “Birds, fish, wild pigs… Snakes…”

You throw him onto the ground, the rubble digging into his back, and straddle his chest.

“You may be a threat in Paradise,” you continue, “but you’d get eaten alive in the New World. That’s why you left, isn’t it? Couldn’t hold your own among monsters like Whitebeard.”

Whitebeard. Crocodile grimaces at the mention, still feeling the sting of that loss. You shake your head.

“Now now, don’t feel bad,” you say. “He got me too.” You point to your scar. “Crusty geezer almost took my damn eye out, but not before I robbed him. He’s gotten slow.”

Suddenly, he remembers where he’s seen your bracelet, recognizing it as one of Whitebeard’s rings, one he had gotten decked by in the past. You stole the ring right off Whitebeard’s finger. He stares at you, starting to become aware of the difference between the two of you.

“You can’t beat me in strength,” you say simply, “what will you do?”

You’re right–he can’t beat you in strength. But he didn’t become the Desert King by being the strongest one. No, it’s never been about brute force. Crocodile takes in your shining eyes, your harness and lace, the sultry words you’ve been dropping, connecting the dots.

Grabbing you by the harness, Crocodile pulls you down to him for a kiss, crashing his lips into yours. As he suspected, you immediately reciprocate, parting your lips and licking into his mouth. Your split tongue is a potent distraction, as is your little moan, riling him up more than he expects. Behind you, his unsheathed, poison hook is poised to sink into your neck. You smile against his lips.

A second later, you’ve snapped the hook off its base and stabbed it into his shoulder.

“Heh… Did you think I’d fall for that?” you purr, licking your lips.

“What do you really want?” Crocodile growls.

“You’re far too smart not to have picked up on that by now. Or do you need me to spell it out for you?” You pull the hook out of his shoulder and toss it over yours, licking the blood from your finger. “You want motives? I pick strong targets because I'm bored. Everything I do, I do to entertain myself. But stealing doesn’t meet every need... I’m certain a man of your status is not wanting for company. But I’ve found that monsters like us tend to only feel sated when we’re with other monsters. Catch my drift?”

“So you’re thrill-seeking,” Crocodile says slowly.

“Please. ‘Thrill’ implies my life is in danger. It is what I’m offering you, though,” you smile. “Not that you need to worry, Sir. I won’t hurt you…unless you ask me nicely.”

“You rob me, beat up my men, and you expect me to sleep with you?” he says, incredulous.

“Not for free. I have an offer to make.”

He’s insulted you’d consider him no better than a whore, and spits out his next words.

“I don’t negotiate with thieves.”

“Let’s cut the illusion of rank. Becoming king of this land won’t erase your pirate background. You’re every bit the conniving cheat that I am.” You laugh. “I’ll return your treasure regardless. Chump change like that is meaningless to me. After passing a certain point of wealth, you start dealing in favors instead. So here’s my offer to you: Entertain me for the night. Do a good job, and I’ll join your little syndicate for a while. My power at your whim to use. I’ll let you order me around…” you trail a finger down his chest, “and I’ll behave until the end of our contract, at which point, you’re free to try and kill me again.”

A demonstration, Crocodile realizes as you get off of him. That’s what this all was: a demonstration of power, all so you could get what you wanted.

“If you only wanted to sleep with me,” he says, getting to his feet, “you could have just asked.”

“Where’s the fun in that?” you chuckle. “Really, though. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have fought me. This wasn’t going to go anywhere until you understood the gulf that spans between us. Now, you know that when you shove me against a wall, it’s because I let you.”

You dust yourself off and stick your hands back in your pockets like nothing had happened, idly kicking a piece of rubble. Meanwhile, the gears are turning in Crocodile’s head. You defeated Mr. 1 in mere minutes, allegedly. You tossed his own self around like it was nothing, and made him look like a second-rate pirate, much less a king. You have both types of Haki and an unknown Devil Fruit… All in all, an invaluable asset to be under his control. He regards you coolly. You’re waiting patiently for his response.

“So what’ll it be?” you say, sensing he’s made a decision. “I get to have a little fun, you get your most powerful minion yet. We both win.”

“How long would you intend to work for me?” Crocodile asks.

“Depends on your performance,” you shrug. “Let’s start with a few months, and after that, well. If you make it worth sticking around…” your eyes half-lid, letting the implication hang. “Sound like a good deal to you?” You hold out your hand in offering. When Crocodile takes it, you give that predatory smile. “I look forward to working for you, Sir.”

“From now on, you’ll call me Mr. Zero,” he replies, then pauses. “...You can call me Sir in private.”

You grin. “Sorry about your smoking room. Really.”

“Nevermind that. I’ll have someone clean it up. More importantly,” Crocodile says, “what's your Devil Fruit? I’m ordering you to tell me.”

“I can amplify the force of friction,” you respond obediently. “I'm an abrasion human.”

“...You certainly are,” Crocodile says. “It suits you.”

“I think you’ll find, tonight, that it suits you too.” You smile, tugging on your harness lightly. “So, when do we start?”

Crocodile pins you to the wall.

You let him.

#one piece imagines #crocodile x reader #x reader #one piece x reader #zen writes

[billythenightguard]

Run Away: Detention (2011) & FNAF Movie Crossiver - Chapter 4

Masterlist

Mentions: weed

Word Count: 985

Warnings: hurt/comfort (?)

Older!Clapton/Mike x GN!Reader

You drove to the Pizzeria in silence, Abby buckled into the back of your car, already asleep again in her school clothes, you couldn’t blame her. “Hi, can I get a number 4 with black coffee, a number 2 with an iced caramel latte, and a homestyle breakfast with milk please?” You asked the speaker box of the McDonald’s, ordering enough food for you and the Schmidt siblings.

“Abby,” you softly shook her awake, having now arrived to Freddy’s, “let’s go eat breakfast with Mike.” You carefully picked her up, holding her with one arm as the other held the bag of food, Mike, unfortunately for you, was too busy listening to his old mixtape, softly singing along, luckily it wasn’t hard to get the door open, a smile on your lips as you heard your cassette playing in the security room, creeping into the room quietly, but seeing him singing brought back memories.

“Clapton, oh my god!” You exclaimed from the passenger seat of his dad’s old Beamer, laughing as he sang along loudly to “F**kin’ Perfect” on the radio.

“Pretty, pretty please, don't you ever, ever feel like you're less than fuckin' perfect. Pretty, pretty please, if you ever, ever feel like you're nothing, you're fuckin' perfect to me.” He sang, looking at you out of the corner of his eyes, focusing on the road.

“Okay, okay!” You exclaimed in a fit of giggles.

“Say it,” he said, a cocky grin on his face.

“No-”

“Okay, I’ll keep singing,” he made a mock face of offense when you had smacked his arm.

“Okay! Okay! I’m perfect!” You squealed, he could certainly sing well, but not when he was teasing you. More focused on making you laugh rather than sounding good.

“There we go, firecracker!” He laughed alongside you. Pulling into the good 7-11, the one with the always working slurpee machines. “Come on, my treat, anything you want.”

“Anything?” You teased, giving him doe eyes.

“Still no weed.”

“Awh! No fair!”

“You can have some on your 16th birthday, just like I did.” He said sternly, ruffling your hair.

“But that’s so far.” You groaned as you two walked into the 7-11, both of you grabbing your snacks and slurpees.

“Not like I’m going anywhere anytime soon,” he said, “best friends for life right?” You looked over to Clapton and nodded, leaning into him when he wrapped his arm around your shoulders.

Mike’s yelp and a crash brought you out of your daydream. “Shit! Mike, I’m so sorry!” You carefully set Abby, who has woken up now, and the food down. Offering your hand to Mike who was now on the ground.

“You startled me,” he laughed, “I didn’t hear you two come in.” He took your hand, hoisting himself up with your help.

“I didn’t know if you were sleeping.” You said with a slight blush. “I stopped and got us all breakfast.”

“Sleep- you’ve caught me sleeping on the job… great.” He laughed at himself, shaking his head.

“Hey, I’m not blaming you,” you quickly reassured him. “You work nights, you deserve to sleep a couple of hours, I don’t know who would even try to break into here anyways.” You chuckled, handing him the food you had gotten him, along with the black coffee, setting Abby up to eat her breakfast. He couldn’t help but to admire you, looking down for a second, he wished you two were back in Grizzly Lake, where he was the one taking care of you. You were something Ione hated, but Clapton/Mike never cared, he was always there for you, always at your call.

“They remind me of the best friend you talked about when I was littler.” Abby said to Mike when they were in the car alone, the three of you having had your breakfast and now it was time to get Abby to school. Mike tensed, though, looking back at Abby through the mirror, she remembered those stories? Has she told you?

“Yeah, they kind of do.” He said, trying to seem nonchalant as he pulled out of the pizzeria parking lot and onto the highway.

“I wonder if they have any cool stories about their best friend!” Abby giggled, unaware of just how much stress she was adding onto the man, he couldn’t let Abby tell you. Not yet. Not before he did.

With Abby at school, and you at work, Mike was bored. The dishes of last night’s dinner were cleaned already, minus a plate in the microwave left for him. He noticed it seemed as though you did some grocery shopping for him. He was about to text you and scold you, and insist you take some payment before he remembered your first babysitting gig at 12.

“Clapton, come on!” You pulled him into the grocery store.

“Dude, they probably have food!” He insisted, not understanding why you were trying to buy your own groceries to cook with.

“They might be like my mom, where everything down to the last tablespoon of salt has a plan.” Clapton flinched slightly at that, he liked your parents, he had no choice, they created his perfect best friend. But your mom tended to be a bit strict, and he noticed it would affect you in ways it shouldn’t.

“Alright, alright. But I’m buying, you can pay me back after babysitting gig number five.”

“Deal!” He never took a payment from you, for the next two years he would constantly help you buy your groceries before you’d go babysit.

Mike didn’t know when he started crying, sitting on the edge of his bed with a polaroid in his hand, his other hand moving to his face and wiping away the wetness on his cheeks. You never left his mind, and even now, having you so close was still too far. He watched and read the news as much as he could, Sander Sanderson was still unfound. Still out there. And to Mike, still a threat.

Tag List: @na-is-salty @thegirlwholoveslivesfanfiction @dessxoxsworld @mad-die45 @cancelledkaley @mschmidt

#fnaf au #detention 2011 #mike schmidt #fnaf #run away #billyistired #billyjustexists #clapton davis #mike schimdt x reader #mike schmidt fluff #mike schmidt imagine #mike schmidt x reader #mike schmidt angst #fnaf mike #mike schmidt fnaf #mike x reader #x reader #josh hutcherson x gn!reader #gn!reader #gn reader #clapton davis angst #clapton davis fluff #clapton davis x you #clapton davis x reader #clapton #fnaf movie #detention

[blucassiopeia]

Falling Stars

the universe grants wishes to selfless hopefuls.

contents of this chap : fluff but not the fluff you expect, bit of angst inc swearing, fem!reader, reader!twin of tsukishima kei, reader has to-be-revealed illness, mentions of shattered dreams, anxious!reader, usage of first names, full names on mention are in lastname-firstname (japanese custom), japanese honorifics and vocabs present, HAIKYUU setting and vball jargons, pre-timeskip [s2 timeline], character build-up

warnings ⚠️ : English is not the author's first language. This fic has a draft Wattpad version. I do not own Haikyuu, its characters, plots and settings. Everything you see different here from the anime-manga is a becoming of my fictional world.

"Blue" for texts and chats. "Green" for calls. "Orange" for memory prompts. "White" for background convos that reader can hear.

wc : 7,003 words

Cassie : sorry for the long-ass first chap of the fic. i was conflicted on where would I cut.. anyways, enjoy! And oh! Theories will be entertained. I love them. ♥︎

CHAP 1 | NEXT [masterlist]

Home

The ball richocheted back to Karasuno's side of the court as you stared at it. The horror in the eyes of the orange-haired boy is too obvious to not notice as his feet fell back to the hardwood floor. Your eyes drifted to your twin as he stared at the same ball too, catching a tinge of shock and sadness and defeat mixing all over his face. But he hides it very well. He's good at it.

"They should have followed it up, don't you think?"

The thick browed stranger seated at the other end of the row commented thick, leaning forward, elbows on his knees and eyes glued on the court. His curly-black-haired-masked-guy company bored his eyes on you, arms crossed on his chest as the former spoke.

"It's a waste." You heaved yourself up, avoiding the eye contact and tugged the strap of your bag. "But a match is not a good match without a loser to learn from the other's win." You bowed at them and quickly left Sendai Gym before Kei catches a glimpse of your shadow. You have to reach home before he can. That would be a disaster for your future schemes if he does.

Dad, can I have my subscription back for Monthly Volleyball?

Sure, honey.

You fiddled on your phone as you watch the nearly empty bus make its way back to those familiar roads home, the summer winds hinting their arrival in an early June afternoon. You gotta try asking to let them know what you want to do, right? There's no harm in asking. But if they decline.. what's gonna happen to you 'til then? Are you gonna be cooped up on those four walls with the other students and walk home afterwards like a good child and student? Can you really..

Dad, I wanna try managing Kei's team?

There was radio silence for the next minutes that made you sick, you wanna barf so bad. Oh.. the nervousness. The heel of your palm made its way to your sternum as you kept waiting, not a sightful mannerism. Is he busy? Maybe he is. The team he's coaching might be practicing right about at this hour. Yeah, that maybe it.

Inform Akiteru that I will be home for dinner.

You bit your lip as you read your Dad's reply. He's gonna personally talk to you about your request, with your brothers. Oh please.. no. The bus was suddenly achingly slow to reach the stop as your tears welled up and a lump of something is in your throat. You forced it in and exhaled sharply as you moved down the bus. People by the bus station stopped and stared at you as you were lost on your horrifying thoughts.

Fix yourself.

Fix yourself.

Shit, fix yourself already.

Taking steady breaths as you walk your way home, your hands drying your face desperately. Akiteru should not see you like this. He'll freak out, added that you forgot to ask his permission that you'll be watching Kei's game today. One that he didn't expect you doing, but did anyway.

"Tadaima..." You called out to him as you removed your shoes in your genkan. Hurried shuffles were heard and the door to your front flew open revealing your worried older brother. "Dad's gonna have dinner here tonight." You blurted out first before he can blabber his worries endless.

"You should've texted me you'll be going out. And to Kei's match, really now?" He huffed, clearly irritated. This is not new, him being irritated, but this is the first sinceー no, no. Don't go there. "I would've come and watched with you. And what if you hーwere you crying?" Fuck, he noticed that? You hurried to the stairs passing him but he grabbed you back by your arm to where he stood. His fingers tilted your chin for you to meet his eyes, scrutinizing at first but turned soft just as quickly. "You were crying. Why?" There's something in his change of tone that you hated. You avoided his gaze.

"It's nothing, Aki-nii." You dodged his fingers that held your chin. Before you took another step away from him, he hugged you oh so tightly.

"I'm sorry. I was just worried, sweetheart."

Worried. Worries.

Visions of that game came flooding to you again, a game that flipped your life 180°, a game that robbed you of everything you worked hard for, and your dreams.. your precious dream. You squeezed your eyes shut, desperately stopping the memories that were reeling on your mind. Aerosol scent. Net. Cheers. Breathless feeling. Yoyogi Gym. Painedー

"Akiteru nii-chan. You hug too tight." But instead, he hugged you tighter and planted kisses on your disheveled hair. You squirmed and broke off, giving him a glare as he chuckled.

"You might hate me but it eases me to know that you know why I'mー." You rolled your eyes.

"Yea, yea." You shrugged him off and went for your room. He sighed and yelled for you to go down when dinner is ready.

Your room was how it was before you left that morning. Gray hues are all over as the bright afternoon seeps in through the blinds, your speckles of stars illuminating the room in an hour or two. Plushies of different sizes but of the same kind nicely tucked against your headboard and on your organized desk. Your haven. You plunged to your bed, dirty clothes and all, and whined for all the stress this day had given you. Lifting your head up, you stared at the very first plushie you bought about three years ago. You crawled to it and held it in your arms, cooing and eventually continued your halted burst before you stepped home.

Dinner was unnerving. Much worse to your annoyance, Kei eyed daggers on you throughout the meal.

But you held out with, "What?"

"You think I didn't notice you there earlier? I have these glasses for a reason or two."

You expected it coming, but not him seeing you at Sendai Gym. Akiteru would've told him, or your Dad. You bit your cheek at the thought and continued on eating after avoiding his piercing gaze. Both your brothers synced on clicking their tongues at you. You rolled your eyes without looking up at them, making your Dad on your left chuckle at his kids' scene.

"What's so funny, dad? That young lady over there often forgets she's important to us, it's so damn frustrating." You cringed at Akiteru who immediately glared at your reaction.

"She's just doing the things that makes her happy, Akiteru."

With that line, you felt butterflies in your stomach, full of hope with the request you made earlier that day. Tsukishima Daiki glanced at you with an ever-so-loving smile, it teared you up without saying anything else.

You composed yourself and let the happy feeling wash over as you finish your dinner, althroughout the excessive whines and arguments of the over reacting seals. You can't help but to sway your hips comically to the happy rhythm on your head, teasing your brothers, as you put your dishes on the sink. You glided over your dad in the midst of their argument, to which you didn't care for all the bliss you're feeling, and kissed his cheek. "I love you the most, Dad. Take care on your way back."

Kei didn't miss the teasing wink you shot at him as you bounded out of their sight.

﹆ ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧.・゜゜・

"Curiosity will kill me. You, why don't you have a club 'til now?" You perked up at your friend that's seated beside you and shrugged, smiling. "Don't you want to join any?"

"Nope", popping the "p" while skimming through the new entry of your Math notebook. You heard Kei snorted, and Tadashi groaned plopping something in his desk at your back.

It's been a week since your Dad had given you permission to do what you want to do, to be happy. You were finding a right moment to do that, but Kei's been on your heels these days if ever you're in the campus and when they aren't in practices. Pretty cautious.

"You're built athletic. It's a waste. Why don't you try our tennis club? Oujiyama Hideo is really eyeing for you these days."

"No." It came out rigid and unapologetic. You both turned to Kei who raised an eyebrow, looking up from his Math textbook. "No."

Your friend scrunched up her nose at Kei. "I really don't see why, Mister."

"Don't push it~"

"And I really don't see why you're asking. Instead of talking, both of you should study. Exams are coming." Kei eyed you a drop the topic yourself or else- look while he's putting his headphones on.

Your friend groaned and turned to you. "I really don't see why your brother's a heartthrob to the other classes." She whispered that gave you a giggle, Tadashi also snorted stiffling a laugh when he heard it.

"Take care on your walk home." Kei and Tadashi gave you head kisses as they were heading out to their club. Homeroom just finished and it's the daily routine now since coming to Karasuno High. You walk home alone when you have nothing else to do. Pretty boring, plain highschool life this is. You badly want a change.

You nodded as they prodded through the hallway, reeling some couple of eyes as they pass. Tadashi gave you one last look before they disappeared to the stairs.

You were about to walk back inside the room when a yell or was it a whisper? echoed through the hallway. You turned to that someone who called for you and you froze upon recognition, feet wobbly on the ground you had to put a hand on the jamb for support.

She had reached your proximity, breathing heavy and ragged, papers in her fingers are scrunched up. Club application forms. "Glad I caught up to you without them seeing." She was beaming. You're not blind enough to not see the heads poking everywhere to just watch the two of you interact. "Please, I really need you, Tsukishimaー"

"Yes." She paused, dumbstruck at you, lips slightly gaped at you. "Yes, Shimizu-senpai. I'm gonna apply as a new manager for the team."

"Hey! You and Kei-kun just said No to me!"

She's still wide-eyed, so you continued. "I know you. You're the manager of Kei's team, right? Glad you made it to me, the knights are really on patrol these days. I really wanted to join too." Her eyes were literally sparkling and she took both your hands excitedly. And you silently admitted that if ever this hadn't happened sooner, you had to barge in and head on just to apply.

"Thank you! Thank you so much!"

But you didn't got yourself ready enough for this. You were already walking to the very gym you ever wanted to be in ever since Kei and Tadashi joined. The gym you peeked on everytime you pass by the corridor. The gym where you'll hear the nostalgia of the bouncing balls and squeaking shoes. You took a deep breath and held your bag strap tightly. They won't like this, but to hell with it.

You groaned as you heard an "Ah! Kiyoko-san! You found a new manager?". Kiyoko urged you to join her face the team and you stepped up beside her just barely through the doors.

Tadashi gasped your name through the crowd the team was forming infront of you. Your eyes swept to the sound of his voice but found Kei's angry features. A second later, he materialized to you and grabbed your elbow out of the gym. Collective gasps and 'Tsukishima' were heard before you decided to focus on the issue at hand: an angry Kei.

You winced at his grip, you're sure it'll leave a bruise and Akiteru will be flooding you questions again. He's seething through his breaths, big paces out to the side of the gym where the vending machines are situated. You caught your breath when he stopped dragging you.

"What were you thinking?" His voice is dangerously low, impending, and you knew better not to answer. It'll just get worse when you ride his temper. "WHAT WERE YOU THINKING!?" That was loud enough that you can picture poking heads from the windows and from the door of the gym, murmurs evident and Tadashi shushing and ushering them away. You bit your lip in embarassment and fading remorse.

"You knew you can't play anymore, interact with sportsーEVEN WATCH!!" You furrowed your brows as you stared at the lump in Kei's throat when he sinked your 5'9 with his 6'2.

"Is this why Dad told us what he told us that night? Huh?" You can feel his rage coming out, you're about to cry. But no. Stand firm for once. "Is this why?! ANSWER ME!" You jumped at his booming voice and closed your eyes momentarily at the shock it gave you, a sharp pain shot through your torso. But don't mind that now. Hide that for now. Hide it.

"Youー" He raised a finger, closing his eyes in attempt to contain the latter of his rage, harsh bobbing in his throat. "You know he can't say no to you!! You know we can't say no to you!! How can you do this to us?! Why are you doing this to us!? PleaseーJUST PLEASEーgo home, Y/n." His breath hitched and you shot your eyes on Kei's only to find tears streaming down his face.

"Kei." He harshly pinched the root of his nose, getting rid of the coming tears, glasses pushing up as he did and brows too furrowed. You fought your own, too, because you know he don't need that right now.

"You don't know how much we want you protect you. To just stay long LONG as much as you can. You don't know how much we want to spend our lives thinking you'll be fine and nothing's to be worried about. You don't know how much it scares us. You don't know that, Y/n. You don't know that." He whispered it under his shaky and raspy breaths but it thundered through your whole being. The tears you're desperately trying to hold from the moment you saw your twin's tears are betraying you. To hide it, you hugged him tight, nuzzling your head to his shoulder.

"You won't lose me. I promise."

You watched his side-profile as his eyes fluttered shut at your voice followed by a shaky breath. You hugged him tighter and stayed like that for a few minutes. You knew it's hard for them for you to be like this. You knew your limits better than them. You're anxious that they won't understand what's lingering in your thoughts. And you're not ready to share any of it soon.

Kei took one last shaky breath and hugged you back, kissing your head for as long as he wanted. "Okay. Fuck. OKAY. You're not going to do anything without my permission. MY. PERMISSION. Got it?" Your eyes were wide in excitement at Kei's words. He rolled his eyes as he swiped your bag out of your shoulder and into his.

You followed his strides back to the gym excitedly. "Hai Onii-chan~"

"Sorry for being rude, Shimizu-san."

"I'm sorry too, Tsukishima. I didn't expect it to be that complicated and serious."

You saw Kei shook his head timidly as you ghosted at his back. Your eyes wandered through the wary crowd and found Tadashi, finally, who was wearing a concerned smile. But before you can even return his smile, someone from your side exclaimed your name. You found a mid-20s blonde man with an expression somehow between shock and excitement. You have seen him tending the too familiar store nearby, figured him to be the team's coach from last week's match. But to know you?

"Coach, she's the new manager."

"You know her coach?"

"Of course! She's one of the best players in the prefecture, both boys' and girls'. Any of you don't recognize her?" Oh. You blushed at the unwanted recognition, then you figured you have to formally introduce yourself.

"Hi. I'm sorry for earlier. I'm Tsukishima Y/n, twin sis of Kei. Please call me Y/n. Nice to meet all of you." You graced them a bow and a smile, earning gawks at the team.

"Saw her in Tsukishima's house. Thought she was a girlfriend or something."

"Tsukishima's too salty for a girlfriend."

You bit your lip as you ignored the side comments. "Manager, Shimizu? Not assistant coach?"

"Right?"

"Coach? Her?" There's no tone of doubt in Sugawara Koshi's voice as he flickered his eyes between you and Coach Ukai. His eyes were full of marvel and amazement. And you know him, of course.

"Ah, Tanaka-san, Noya-san, you both don't even have a girlfriend."

"Youー"

"Hey!"

"I don't mind her coaching, Coach. But is it even possible?", the captain asked. If you remember correctly from Kei's and Tadashi's conversations, his name is Sawamura Daichi.

"Y/n, try to be my assistant coach. I can vouch for you. I know your skills, you have your father's genes too. You will be great! You can be the manager too. I kinda need someone to assist me and I know you'll be a perfect fit."

"Tsukishima, have a lap of flying."

"Yes, Sawamura-san."

"Ha! Serves you right."

"At least it's just one, Ou-sama, not like yours and the others."

You turned to Kei for a solicited answer at the Coach's offer. He's now at the right end of the crowd having a squabble with Kageyama Tobio. "Kei?" He turned to you, smirk receding as you raised a brow on him at his behavior.

"As long as she won't do excessive work, Coach. She also can't play and do anything without my permission."

Coach Ukai nodded at the conditions, taking it as a yes. Your heart warmed at that instant, can't believe it was actually happening. You were in trance of bliss when suddenlyー

"What's with you, Tsukishima!? Killjoy!"

You grinned at the orange-headed boy named Hinata Shoyo as you recalled reading at the pamphlet of the last game. You grinned at Kei, too, that has his face so contorted at the sight of you grinning. You're happy, and he has no choiceーworry's off the windows at this point.

Padding at Kei's track jacket placed on top your thighs, you stared at awe at the up-close weird fast attack of Kageyama and Hinata. Still not registering in your mind that Hinata's closing his eyes when doing so, except for the normal fast attacks. It felt like a rush, but who were you kidding? You did akin to that when you were in middle school, one that your spikers hated because it hurts their palms.

That attack ended the rally, and the 2nd set of the team's practice game. Groans were evident as Hinata requests for another set. The sun had long gone behind the mountains of the peaceful neighborhood and it's really time to go home.

"How was it? Got any comments?" Coach Ukai turned to you after dismissing Hinata and ordered the rest of the team to clean up.

"Hmm, it was good. Their skills are distinct but still average, for me, considering I've seen more and better through the years. The receives, in particular.. we have to polish these rocks to diamonds by Spring Qualifiers, Coach. And we should ummー" You took Tadashi's ready hand to prop yourself up from the hardwood floor, body shielding you from the stares. "ーmaybe add more weapons or something?ー" Tadashi shielded your bottom half with Kei's jacket as you dusted off your skirt, a protective reflex being a bestfriend of many years. "ーjust to overload the opponents intake of info, throwing them off from the weird fast attack. The more the better."

Coach Ukai smiled smugly at Daichi and Koshi, the latter stared at you in awe. Hm? It's not some awesome of a comment to look at me like that, you thought. Not that you didn't wanted to be stared like that. Especially if it's him.

You were all walking out of the school grounds to have meat buns at Sakanoshita when Koushi walked up to your side, all smiles. Of course. You suddenly searched for Tadashi or even Kei in the crowd without making it known to any soul around.

"We know it's not yet official that you're joining, that, I really hope you would be joining us. Managing and coaching would be a piece of cake, we have Coach Ukai and Shimizu. You will work less, I promise, well just for this year that Shimizu's around, anyway. So hm? Please?"

You tilted your head in mock thinking, it caught large groans in the back. Tohoku region's June evening air is blowing on your hair softly with each step. Your shoulders all relaxed without your bag, and without the worry that's present that afternoon. You breathed in softly, giggling at the next conversations that took place from yours and Koushi's back.

"C'mon Y/n, please join."

"Kiyoko-san's smiling and talking more when you're around."

"OI! That's not how you invite her! Sorry Y/n. Please don't mind them."

"Y/n-saaan! We'll protect you from Tsukishima!"

"BOKE! HINATA BOKE! He's her brother!"

"But he's yelling at her!"

Your body angled briefly at Koushi's direction to address him, "Of course I'll join. I can do multitasking."

You saw how his face morphed from a pleading face to a beaming one in seconds, it made you smile. He brought up his fist up front as both of you continued to walk, prompting a fist bump that you happily obliged. The others at the back pumped their fists anywhere for the brief and candid celebration.

"But not tasking too much~" Kei mused as he passed by your side with Tadashi in tow, your bag scrunching the jacket's fabric on his shoulder, both of their eyes dead ahead.

"Don't overwhelm her." Or not. Tadashi muttered that on a deadpan monotone voice while staring at the flock on your back. It came quiet for a moment, just seconds, and after that, he resumed his walk with Kei.

"This is new to us, y'know, how they act towards you." His eyes are on Kei and Tadashi that's already near Daichi whose face is morphed between annoyance and embarassment for his loud team as he waited for us in front of Sakanoshita.

You smiled ahead, "Well, Sugawara-san, them acting and talking blunt is new to me, too."

"That's Suga-san for you." You mentally noted that for the conversations to come.

﹆ ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧.・゜゜・

Your lips were quivering in happiness and ecstasy as the thick fabric dangled within your fingers. The crowd were beaming in front of you as they officially welcomed you to the team. Kei's faux emotionless face stood beside a smiling Tadashi at the back.

The night before reeled on your mind, met Kei's eyes againーa supportive glint in them. When you both came home to Akiteru, he directly told the older one of what had happened. Akiteru scolded the both of you and Kei's protective counters were seeping through the whole banter. You just sat quiet next to him and under the table, he was calming your popping thighs. When the banter dragged on and venomous, he tapped it in urgency, a prompt telling you to leave them alone.

When Tadashi heard of the news that morning, he ran up to you and lifted you, whirling you around in high spirits. You laughed through his laughs, taking note of the sight you really loved about him, his smiling amber eyes. You tapped his shoulder, still laughing, when he came unbalanced. He put you down ever so carefully and gave you head kisses to curb his delight.

"Can't believe it, Y/n! I'm so happy for you!" You just smiled proudly and turned to Kei who's disgusted at the scene.

"I'm gonna be your plus one! You can't do anything without my permission too!" He proudly puffed his chest that you playfully smacked at his words.

Kei was the who snorted this time, handing your bag to Tadashi as you three walked the hallway to your homeroom. "You'll just tolerate her." Both you and Tadashi laughed at his knowing remark to which he groaned and immediately placed some distance in between when your laughs covered the halls.

"Please take care of us, Y/n!" the team chorused, your heart swelling dangerously in happiness that your quirk surfaced again subconsciously, giving Kei and Tadashi a scare. But your smile stopped them from acting on.

But you never actually meant every small thing that came with that. You feel your eye twitched at the sight of these two breathing creatures in front of you with their unbelievableーwell, not too unbelievableーrequest.

"C'mon Y/n~ Your brother's being an insufferable beanpole asshole again and he does not do business with us beyond his business hours even though we have the whole morning free." Shoyo whined loudly that it gained a handful of glances from your own classmates. The teachers were nowhere to attend classes that morning that supported Shoyo's claims, hence the students' freedom to roam around.

You feel Tadashi's hands on your back as he plays with your hair, easing your pending stress from this encounter.

"Of course. Business terms are business terms, pipsqueak. Though, I don't really mind you both not understanding those. You, being an idiot, and the big lug being so kingly he won't do business terms with commoners. Right, Ou-sama?" Tobio grumbled unintelligently that made Kei smirk at his seat.

"Kei! Stop it!" He rolled his eyes in exchange of your bark. This is really so surprising for you. For the week you're with the team, you saw his and a bit of Tadashi's unusual behaviors and you're scrunching up your nose to how they could be so blunt, not so endearing as they are with you.

"This is one of the reasons why he won't let you join the team, you barking at him." Tadashi chuckled as he twirled more of your hair. You rolled your eyes and curled the corner of your lips.

"Both of you, sit." You ordered to the still standing boys infront of you. Both were exhilerated and took their seats on either side of you. Well, Daichi's threats, failing-the-sem threats and the Tokyo Training Camp seems to be their motivation for this.

"Whose bestfriend are you, Yamaguchi?"

"Yours, of course. But what's yours are also hers, right?"

You and Tadashi both laughed softly as Kei helplessly groaned, propping his headphones on.

﹆ ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧.・゜゜・

"You're kidding me. Ushiwaka made it into World Youth?"

You pursed your lips and kept silent at Koushi's topic. He's staring at his phone, probably a sports news got on his feed. Practice just curbed early that afternoon and y'all were walking to the club room already for the tutor sessions of the "Stupid Quartet", as what Coach Ukai and Daichi penned them.

"World Youth, Suga-san?"

"Basically, he's been picked as Japan's under-19 representative to the World Team." Kei ghosted his palm on your shoulders as he commented to the topic. He rubbed the spot where his hand were before letting it fall on your back as you went up the stairs.

"Ushiwaka's the Japanese Boys' representative to the world?!"

"Ohhh~ you wanted to be the girls' representative to the world when you hit high school huh, Y/n? I'll support you!"

You snorted. "You have to be with me, too, you know."

"Aaahh, no. No. I'm contented with just being Miyagi's bestー"

You wobbled at your fourth step and held on to the railing, a toll to just cut the memory. Tadashi got your waist and briefly looked at you concerned.

"We have to beat him to get to the Nationals." Daichi said, standing next to Koushi at the top of the stairs. Your next step was more determined, Tadashi saw it and let loose at his grip. However, he's still hovering behind you with Kei as you continued to the stairs.

You're fine. You're fine. Deep breaths.

﹆ ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧.・゜゜・

"I'll be in the condo this weekend after practice. You wanna come with me?" Kei's poking head was in your door. It was Friday night and Akiteru's not home during the weekends because of his school stuffs, and you're not allowed to be alone.. soー

"But how about Kageyama and Hinata's tutor sesh, Kei?" His nose scrunched up at your question, you smirking, noting he's too annoyed with his two teammates.

"Who cares about those stupid dumbasses?" You raised a brow at his retort that made Kei groan. "I hate you. Okay, fine. They can come over. To the condo, not here." He grumbled more as he disappeared behind the door, leaving it ajar.

"I love you Kei!" You called him, really amused at his change of behavior.

To: Tobio, Shoyo & Tadashi ; 9:38pm

Study sesh with us after practice tomorrow. Our condo at Sendai. Help me with Kei to turn it to a study night, k?

From: Tadashi ; 9:40pm

I gotchu!

But your family's condo at Sendai? Was that the same condo from years ago?

From: Shoyo ; 9:41pm

AH! Y/NNNNN!! ARIGATOUUU!!!

From: Tobio ; 9:55pm

Okay.

﹆ ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧.・゜゜・

Shoyo's sparkling eyes were dead-set at the building where the grumpy Kei entered mindlessly. Tobio was mirroring Shoyo, minus the noise. Tadashi was just silent and awkwardly smiling from the whole ride.

"Let's go in already?" He finally spoke through Shoyo's and Tobio's excitement. You know why he's like this so to ease that, you just nodded and led them to the building.

Shoyo got a lot of questions as you took the walk to one of the elevators and you diligently answered each one. A man was already in queue for the elevator that's going up the building. When it dinged, all of you rushed in, just in time for you to hear a painfully familiar voice calling you. Really? Right off the bat? Tadashi pulled you fast into the back and frantically closed the elevator doors, jamming a finger at the close button, the plastic full of snacks from the convenience store crinkled at his movement. You looked at his face as his eyes were as frantic as he, staring at the closing elevator doors.

"Fuck." He loudly exhaled as the elevator closed, finally, frantic receding in his system and became aware of his actions gradually. "I'm sorry. It's just her stalker."

You chuckled. Stalker.

"A stalker? From Shiratorizawa?" Now it's your turn to say fuck in your head. Tobio's eyes are fast, alright.

"Yeah." You didn't miss his worried glance at you after he replied nonchalantlyーor what he tried to act like.

"DON'T WORRY Y/N! WE'LL PROTECT YOU!!" Ugh, Shoyo's booming voice at a closed space is deafening. You flickered a worried glance at the man in the elevator with the four of you. "But Kageyama! How did you know the stalker's from Shiratorizawa?"

"He's wearing their track jacket, didn't you see?"

"Ah, no." Shoyo uninterestingly replied and turned to you. "Y/n! Do you have showers?" And continued his endless questions.. You smiled lopsidedly. You may take a while to get used to this.

Shoyo's questions died down when the elevator dinged. Your floor is here. The man who were with you went out first. You just noticed his tall figure, having distanced from your height for a few couple meters. Tadashi nudged you out of the elevator, cutting your observant sense on the man, the duo followed suit.

You slowed as you saw how the man stopped in front of the door that you've been in and out for years, the Tsukishima name plate dangled by the doorbell. "Excuse me? You need something?" You smiled at the man and he looked at you, seemed dazed.

"Of course." That sighing remark didn't escape your ears. "Of course. You're her daughter. Of course." Four head tilts synched as the man continued on his remark.

"You know him, Y/n-chan?"

You tell me, Shoyo. Do I know him?

"I came for your dad. Tsukishima Daiki?"

"Oh." So he came for Dad. "You can wait for him inside, sir. He'll be home in ー " You glanced at your phone screen. "ー20-30 minutes at most." You rounded past him to ring the bell and spoke to the intercom, "Kei, open up." You turned to the man, still staring at you. "Uhm, can I ask your name to inform Dad, sir?"

"I'm Hibarida Fuki." He answered as Kei opened up the door, face grumpy. "This is my first time seeing Daiki and Hiyori's twins." He chuckled that made Kei turn to him and bowed, grumpy face gone.

"Ah! Coach! Come in! Come in! Dad's on his way." Akiteru's voice sounded through the inside halls of the condo, hurried steps approaching. Coach.. Coach Hibarida.

"He's the coach of the Men's National Team." Tobio mumbled at your back. Shoyo gasped at his side as the coach was shuffled inside by Akiteru. Kei made eye contact with you through the shuffles of the guests your family have this afternoon.

You suddenly wanted to die at that moment.

You gulped hard as Tadashi waited for you by the door, soft ambers gazing with unwavering concern. "Hey. You're alright." It took a lot to nod at his prompt.

"Hm. Yes. I'm okay." You steadied your pace towards and into the condo, closing the door behind you.

Shoes were neatly cluttered in your genkan, voices echoed through the left room where your living room is situated. Tadashi waited for you through it all, observing your every breath. You appreciate his actions, felt he's so sweet that you cupped his cheek with your one hand to return the affection. He held it in his, gave it a squeeze before wrapping that same arm around your shoulder.

"I'm okay, Guchi-guchi."

"Of course you are." You felt him smiling through his sarcasm. You elbowed him playfully as he kissed your head before you rounded to the archway of your living room, his hand already sliding through your back, thumb rubbed a few on the small of your back before it went back to his side. You felt his weight shifted away from you as he rounded up ahead to take his seat on the couch beside Tobio that's now politely attentive to whatever Akiteru and Coach Hibarida are conversing about. Shoyo on his other side doing the same thing.

"ーteam's roster."

"Oh really? Coach Ukai's grandson is the Coach now?"

"Yes! And Y/n's the assistant coach!"

They suddenly turned their eyes on you, accidentally locking eyes with Coach Hibarida, you forced a wave and a smile you can't seemingly describe between getting pooped out and embarassed. He returned your smile, full-bearded face stretching as his lips upturned a curve, eyes glazing.

"You look like your mother Hiyori. You got full resemblance, to the hair, face.. The moment I took a good look on her earlier, I thought she was your mother, Akiteru." You blushed from the compliment, gracing a bow to the coach. Kei reached out for your hand, guided you to sit beside him on the couch you're leaning on, opposite to where the three are seating on. Kei brushed his thumb on the back of your hand to project comfort as he felt you stiffen through your feigns.

"And this tall man right here is a perfect mixture of both. Hm! What's your position on your team?"

"Middle blocker, coach."

And swarms of questions about the team were heard. Shoyo and Tobio were actively talking with Coach Hibarida as Tadashi, you and Kei offered some comments and infos to him. You were dejectedly leaning at Kei that has his arm around your waist, the other's elbow propped on the arm of the couch, chin resting on his palm.

"I wanna be on the National team someday, coach!" Shoyo enthusiastically said as the topic went on the National team.

"I'll be a setter of the National team too, coach!" Tobio, as Shoyo's eternal challenger or is it the other way around? followed up.

Coach Hibarida can't help but just laugh at these claims and turned to you and your twin for the same claims after Tadashi offered nothing but indecisiveness.

Straightening in your seat, "Uhm, I'm afraid that's long gone in my list of what I wanna do?" and sheepishly smiled at the coach.

"I can, but too lazy to do travels. I just might be staying here in Sendai with Dad."

"Well, it's still too early to decide for things for the future so work yourselves out first. If ever one of you gets on the team, I'll be welcoming you with open arms.", and he laughed like the old ojii-sans in a store nearby your house.

National team. You smirked at the thought as the discussions went on, head swimming in those endless thoughts. The familiar sense of sickness slowly upping to your chest, and you pushing it down to contain it just for a few more.

Practically waiting for all of this to end, you were the first one to hear your Dad's steps outside the door. You never thanked someone so vigorously in your mind. You jumped up and rounded the couch to your genkan as the door opened. Daiki saw you immediately and offered you an apologetic gaze and a small "I'm sorry." just enough for you to hear. You hugged him to relay your "It's okay. I love you, Dad." to him, receiving head kisses that you love the most. You helped him with his things as he made his way to living room to greet the guest.

It was flowing just right and you're on your way up the stairs following the boys when you heard Coach Hibarida said, "I was in the area, Shiratorizawa for Ushijima. The kid will be with me next week for the World Camp in Poland."

You gulped hard and hurried after the boys that's scuffling and squabbling already in one of the rooms.

﹆ ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧.・゜゜・

The first thing you felt was the slow and comfortable inertia coming to a halt. Second was the slow breaths of the owner of the shoulder your head is leaning on. Third was the yawns all over the place, followed by the ones beside you. Fourth was the soft sshh he managed to someone not you followed by hurrying murmurs and soft steps out to somewhere.

You fluttered your eyes open, his grabby hand was the first you saw, then he chuckled and peeked at your face, his hazel eyes still sleepy but sparkling nonetheless.

"Had a nice sleep?"

You straightened up at the closeness of his face that he gladly withdrawed quickly and you took a yawn while scanning the place your bus had stopped at, rubbing a knuckle against your eyes to get the sleep off it.

"C'mon, they're already outside."

You groggily stood up and he got his things. "'am sorry for your shoulder, Suga-san. Kei and Guchi-guchi were already sleeping when I got in and noー"

"It's okay." You pouted as he led you out of the bus. Tadashi was already waiting for you on your way out, offering a hand.

"Suga-san, is your shoulder wet?" Tadashi snickered and you hit him hard in his shin and yielded an Ow what was that for look.

Koushi laughed, "It's dry.", catching on the joke Tadashi offered. You grumbled and walked towards Kiyoko without your thingsーtaking note that Tadashi or Kei has it as usual.

Kiyoko found you shuffling towards her and as soon as you're in her space, she fixed your hair that made your cheeks grow hot. She smiled at your reaction. My bed hair!!

Both of you jumped when you both heard a hyena-like laugh in Daichi's direction. Kiyoko chuckled, "That's Kuroo. The rooster-headed one. And Kai. They're from Nekoma. The captain and the vice-captain." You nodded, eyes still at Daichi's direction.

"Y'know, Tokyo doesn't look much different than Miyagi."

"Hang on a sec, Sawamura-kun. I think you're missing people here."

"Maybe coz we're in the suburbs, Asahi."

"Ah, Kuroo-kun. About thatー"

"Stop yawning and start walking Tsukishima! Yamaguchi!"

Kuroo and Kai led your team to the side entrance of the building. It's not as big as it looks in the front, though you know it's big when you get through those doors. And you saw a soccer field when your eyes rounded the area minutes ago.

When you and Kiyoko reached the glass door, you were spooked by a "Noooo!!".

Your eyes widen and Kiyoko instinctively protected you with her body despite the fact that you're taller than her, an arm spread. You felt your heart constricted momentarily, you gulped hard at the sight of a blond mohawk guy groveling by the doors.

"Ugh! Yamamoto!"

"They have two managers now!! Both pretty and gorgeous!!" The blond mohawk guy cried, still on his knees. Intense, your brows shot up.

Ryuunosuke casually walked infront of you and Kiyoko. "Do you see now, Tora?"

"Let's go, Y/n-chan." Kiyoko whispered to you, savagely ignoring Ryuunosuke of what he'll be saying. You nodded but eyes still at the conversing hot-spirited men.

"This is the true power of Karasuno." By the time he said that, you and Kiyoko were through the doors along with the others.

"Sorry 'bout that loud one." You accidentally snorted and hid your face behind Asahi's shoulder, too embarassed about how you snorted at Nekoma's captain. You saw him glance at you for a millisecond before smiling at everyone else.

"Once you've changed, the gym is right thereー" He pointed to the other end of the hallway where bouncing balls are heard. "ーEveryone else is already here." He sighed. "Yamamoto! Let's go! Kai, please."

"Hm!"

The team followed this Kai upstairs, but you heard a groan that made you look back. Kuroo's figure is turned against your walking team, his hands clearly rubbing his face continuously in exasperation(?) You don't know. You pursed your lips at the thoughts and hurried your steps towards the others ahead.

The gym was steps away. You were clinging hard to Tadashi's shirt as you walk with the team. The sounds makes you feel so nervous and excited and you think you might cry from the emotions.

This will be your first time seeing many teams playing in one place after a year. You missed it. You gulped a large lump as Daichi opened the doors that revealed the court and the people responsible for the sounds you've been hearing.

And it all became silent and still, for you. It was calming. Your grip on Tadashi's shirt loosened and your hand found its way back to your side, eyes trailing at the players and the nets and the ballsー

"Welcome back, Y/n." You looked briefly at Tadashi that's beaming at you, Kei at his side also staring lovingly at you but face still stoic.

Yes. This is home.

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CHAP 1 | NEXT [masterlist]

FUN FACTS ::

1. Y/n is in just one issue for Monthly Volleyball. That was in her 3rd year Middle School whenーwill be revealed

2. Tsukishima Daiki is Sendai Frogs' coach.

3. The Tsukishimas has a full-court at their backyard. The team had already played there once sometime after the first Nekoma practice game. That was when Noya saw Y/n. (event detailed at Wattpad version)

TAGLIST: @wolffmaiden @koushiwarrior @avygale

☆ send an ask or msg me if you want to be in the taglist. thanks for the supporttt.

☆ Reblogs and interactions are appreciated. Theories will be entertained. ☆

#FS chap1 _home #tsukishima kei #yamaguchi tadashi #Tsukishima Y/n #haikyuu angst #haikyuu fluff #haikyuu #haikyuu fic #falling stars #bokuto koutarou #bokuto koutarou x y/n #bokuto koutarou x reader #bokuto fluff #bokuto angst #haikyuu bokuto #msby bokuto #bokuto beam #karasuno #hinata shoyo #kageyama tobio #bokuto kotaro #bokuto kotaro x reader #bokuto kotaro x y/n #bokuto koutaro #bokuto koutaro x reader #bokuto koutaro x y/n #the real deal fic #angst

[angelasscribbles]

Victim of Love Chapter 13: Torn

Series: Victim of Love

Fandom: The Royal Romance

Pairings: Drake x Riley, Liam x Riley

Word Count: 1,243

Rating: MA

Warnings for this chapter: Language, drinking

Song Inspiration for series: Victim of Love by The Eagles

Victim of love We're not so far apart

My other stuff: Master List.

Riley paced nervously back and forth across the marble flooring of the great room at Balymore. She had returned to her Valtorian estate two weeks ago. The request for a meeting with the king had arrived at her door the next morning. It had taken her a week to respond. Not because she didn’t want to see him. But precisely because she did.

She had no idea what he wanted, what he was going to say. She had been gone for four months. Four months of complete radio silence.

She had told him to focus on Hana and the baby and she had meant it. Liam was nothing if not conscientious. Bound by duty and honor, of course he would do exactly what needed to be done, regardless of the personal cost to himself. Or to her for that matter.

It was something she both loved and hated about him. She wanted someone who would fight for her. She understood why he couldn’t. That didn’t make it any easier. Although, perhaps all the things he had done to keep her in his life was him fighting for her in the only way he could.

Four months with Drake had engendered feelings for him in her heart but had done nothing to diminish the ones she already had for Liam.

Her majordomo opened the door, “The king is here, Your Grace.”

Several guards preceded him into the room and did a sweep of the area.

Her heart stopped when she saw him. He was stiff, it was slight, no one but her would notice, but it betrayed his nervousness.

“Nice to have you back in Cordonia, Your Grace,” Liam greeted her formally, “I trust you had an enjoyable trip.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty. I did.”

The moment the guards and servants were out of the room, he closed the distance between them, “I’ve missed you so much!”

She let herself be swept into his arms, she didn’t resist his kiss, in fact, she returned it. She melted into his embrace, she inhaled the musky scent of him- familiar, intoxicating, heady, comforting…and laced with memories of pain.

She pushed out of his embrace and moved away from him.

“Riley, please! I want to fix things between us. I’m sorry for….everything-“

“It’s fine, Liam. We don’t need to rehash our entire relationship again. I was there. I know what happened and I understand why.”

“You understand why, but things are still strained between us…”

They stood in an awkward silence for several moments before Liam asked, almost in a whisper, “How was Texas?”

She turned her head away as she answered, “Fine.”

There was an edge in his voice as he followed up, “And Drake?”

Her eyes darted to him then away quickly, “Drake is good.”

“I’m surprised he hasn’t proposed already.”

“He has.”

Riley stood at the bank of the Nueces River, her deep auburn curls cascading out from under the cowboy hat and down her back. “Why are we here again?”

“Because you love to watch the sunset over the river.” There was a quality in his voice that pulled her attention from the orange and red hues painting the sky over the West Texas landscape. She turned slowly toward him to find him fumbling with what looked suspiciously like a ring.

She sucked in a breath of shock, “Drake!”

“Riley….these last few months have been the best days of my life and that’s because of you. I don’t think it’s any secret that my heart doesn’t belong to me anymore….it belongs to you….” He dropped down to one knee as he held the ring out and up to her. His hands were trembling so hard that he lost his grip on it and dropped it in the dirt.

“Shit!” His hands scrabbled through the mud as he tried to quell his shaking hands and steady his breathing. His fingers closed around the cool metal of the band. He wiped the dirt away with the bottom of his shirt, but before he could offer it to her again, she was on her knees with him.

Riley lowered herself to the ground in front of him, her hand instinctively going to his face, “When we met, I was broken, shattered into a million pieces... You put me back together again, you made me whole.... through sheer strength of will I believe…and I…I love you too, but-“

“But?”

“But I think there are a lot of things I need to figure out in my life before I’m ready to take such a step.”

Bitterness coated the king’s words, “So, you’re engaged now? You’re going to marry him?”

“I haven’t given him an answer. He wants to stay in Texas, but I’m not ready to leave Valtoria. I love it here; I feel an obligation to the people of my duchy. They need me and it turns out, I’m good at governing.”

“In none of that did you say that you don’t love him.”

Her head jerked sharply upward, “That’s because I do.”

Liam’s shoulders dropped forward in defeat as anguish swirled through him.

“Hurts, doesn’t it?”

“Riley, I-“

“Now you know what it’s felt like for me, watching you with Hana all this time.”

His voice rose as he pulled himself up to his full height, “I don’t love her!”

Riley arched an eyebrow at him.

He deflated again, “Okay, I do love her, in a way, but it’s not like what I feel for you! It’s not the same!”

She relented a little, “I do know that. But I’m not sure where that leaves us.”

“Are you…considering leaving Valtoria? Cordonia?” The unspoken question hung in the air….me?

She brushed a strand of errant hair out of her face with a sigh, “I love you, Liam. I will always love you, but I love him too and he's offering me everything that you promised then took away. He can give me a whole relationship, not just part of one.”

“Riley, I know what we have isn’t what we wanted, but it is real!”

The anguish in his voice was breaking her.

There was a knock on the door and the majordomo opened it, “Sorry for the interruption but you have another visitor.”

“I…what? Who?”

The visitor stepped into the room and her heart jumped into her throat, “Drake! What are you doing here?”

“Not letting you walk out of my life, that’s what! I’ve been thinking about everything you said, and I have some ideas…” He trailed off as he noticed they weren’t alone, “Liam! Sorry, I…”

“There’s nothing to be sorry for. Congratulations on your impending engagement I guess,” Liam thrust his hand out, “Just…take care of her, all right?”

“Of course!” Drake’s brows furrowed as he took in Liam’s stoic expression. His gaze darted to Riley, standing stiffly, eyes averted, “Um…what’s going on? Why do you both look like this is a funeral?”

“I’m happy for you, Drake. You deserve happiness and so does she. But surely you can understand my…disappointment in losing my relationship with her. My marriage is political, my hand was forced. None of how things worked out was my choice. I love her! Not being able to marry her and make her my queen is the worst and most devastating sacrifice the crown has ever asked of me.”

Drake looked back and forth between his best friend and the woman he loved in perplexity. “I think there’s been a misunderstanding.”

#trr poly #trr au #trr #trr fanfic #the royal romance #drake walker #liam rys #riley brooks #angelasscribbles #the royal romance fanfic #cfwc fics of the week #choices fic writers creations #choices #choices stories you play #choices trr #victim of love

[anonymityisfunwriter]

Two Sides of The Same Coin - Chapter 24: "You Are In Love"

"You can hear in the silence. You can feel it on the way home. You can see it with the lights out. You are in love, true love..."

Pairing: Sunshine!Reader x Grumpy!Bucky Barnes

“Oh, shit,” he gasps, jolting up into a sitting position. He’s not scared, not awake because of some nightmare, but his heart races just the same. 

He can’t remember the dream, but the effect lasts just the same. He looks over as he feels you shift next to him, you're still sound asleep. The realization hits him like a truck.

And the memories just start playing back in his head:

-

He’s driving Sam’s car, you in the passenger seat. In his peripheral, he sees you reach for the volume, turning it up. The wind whips your hair around and you have to keep brushing it back. It still doesn’t stop you from singing along to the radio at the top of your lungs. You keep egging him on, but he just affectionately rolls his eyes and focuses on the road. He started singing with you only after a few more minutes of pestering.

-

“You’re my best friend,” you whisper, laying down in his bed right next to him. 

“Mm..” he hums sleepily. “Don’t let Sam hear you say that.”

-

“Look!” you twirl. “I got a new dress.”

“Yeah,” Bucky remarks, his mouth suddenly dry.

“And it has pockets!”

“Is that a new dress?” Wanda exclaims, walking in the room right behind you.“I love it!”

“Thank you! And look, it has pockets!”

“Is that something girls care about, whether a dress has pockets or not?” Sam mumbles to Bucky, who's still watching you talk to Wanda with your animated hand gestures, wide grin, the way you'd throw your head back laughing. 

"Bucky?" Sam questions when Bucky remains silent.

"Bucky," Sam repeats, this time with a sharp elbow to his side.

"Huh?" Bucky says, jolting out of his trance. Sam wordlessly shakes his head at the super soldier with a knowing chuckle. 

-

"What the hell are you guys doing?" Bucky asks as a Nerf dart flies right past his face. "How freaking old are you guys?" 

"Ceasefire," Sam calls, a little too serious for a man holding a bright orange Nerf gun.

"Sorry Mr. Bucky," Peter winces. "I was aiming for Sam."

"Speaking of," Sam adds, firing his toy, hitting Peter in the very center of his forehead. 

"Hey!" Peter points in accusation. "You called a ceasefire."

Sam shrugs. "All's fair in love and war."

"You should play with us! We've got an extra," you exclaim, popping up from behind the couch.

Bucky sighs dejectedly."They've roped you into this too?"

"Come on, it's fun," you add, waving him over to join you.

"No."

"Come on, Mr. Bucky!" Peter pleads. 

Between your overdramatic pleading expression and Peter's begging, Bucky actually hesitates. When you see Bucky's resolve wearing down, you start playfully chanting, "One of us, one of us..."

"No, " he repeats with less conviction, though now Peter has joined in on your little chant. "Ugh...fine."

You and Peter cheer as Bucky picks up the spare Nerf gun and points it at Sam.

-

Even when you two were just in the same room, the lingering glances, shy smiles, and countless inside jokes. The kiss you shared. The kinship, the comfortable silence that only came when two people understood each other on some soul-baring level. It wasn’t just a crush. Not anymore.

He was in love with you.

Part of him wanted to stir you awake and tell you what he’d only just realized. Part of him was content to watch you sleep while curled up into his side.

He wasn’t sure when it happened. When he first felt it, or when he’d even stopped denying it. Maybe it had always been there.

First, as a frustrating enigma that he could never quite figure out. An endless puzzle that intrigued him to no end. 

Then, his goofy, relentlessly optimistic friend who could so easily put a smile on his face. A friend that saw the world as good, fair, and worthy of trust- and showed him that he could see the world like that too.

And lastly as the person who was just as broken and haunted as he was. A person that understood him in ways few others could. A person that made him feel like a real human for the first time in over 70 years.

Maybe it was some miraculous culmination of the three.

All that he did know was that things had just gotten a lot more complicated for him. Much more complicated.

You'd been sleeping in his bed for just a few days now, each night he'd silently ask you if you were joining him and you nodded so subtly that no one else in the room noticed. If Sam noticed something going on, he didn't say.

Each night Bucky thought about how this wasn't a good idea, that he needed to set boundaries or at the very least clarify about what this was between the two of you, but every night he found himself more and more scared of doing that.

Because what if you thought about it and agreed with him?

What if by asking the question he made you realize that this wasn't a good idea?

Each night he worried that it would be the last night he'd spend curled up next to you, so he wasn't going to chance it. He was going to savor it, cherish the moment while he still had it. 

And now that he's sitting here, still curled up with you, he's wondering how he didn't see it sooner.

He wasn't dumb, he wasn't oblivious, so why didn't any of this occur to him? Now that he realized it, it was obvious. He didn't invite friends to sleep in his bed. He didn't kiss people because he was caught up in worry for them. Was he really that big of an idiot when it came to you?

Maybe. 

But now that the realization had smacked him in the face, he wasn't sure how to be around you any more. 

It was late into the next day when you first realized something wasn't right with Bucky. He wasn't even sure how you picked up on anything, but you weren't shy about calling him out on it. While you were still benched from missions, he wasn't.

Leaving you alone in his room, he'd left early this morning for a simple mission. He found you in the TV room when he got back.

You just barely picked a movie, and gleefully invited him to watch with you. With an awkward chuckle, he nodded and proceeded to sit as far away from you as humanly possible- while on the same couch. He maintained a rigid posture, one hand on planted on each of his legs.

You looked at him funny, then scooted over to be seated closer to him. You laid the large throw blanket on top of the two of you and rested your head on his shoulder. It was no different than anything you'd normally do, but now he wasn't in blissful denial about his feelings anymore. 

He knew you'd watched this movie a dozen times before, it was one of your favorites. And normally he'd make snide comments, poke fun at the corny remarks by the protagonist and love interest- he did none of those thing today. 

This was your favorite part: the protagonist and love interest just realized their own feelings for each other. In a freaking boat surrounded by floating lanterns of all places. And they just both started singing, about seeing the light of all things.

He mentally cursed himself, this had to be some sick and twisted torture. Some special sort of torment for his karmic debts or something. It hurt, wanting something that he knew he'd never have. 

Even though this is your absolute favorite scene in the entire movie, you abruptly pause it and turn to Bucky with a huff. "Can you just tell me what's wrong?"

"Why-Why would anything be wrong? Nothing's wrong. Nothing," he stammers.

"That was very convincing," you chuckle sarcastically.

He clears his throat and tries to swallow his feelings before he puts his foot in his mouth. "I am. I'm fine. What makes you think I'm anything but fine?"

"You haven't made a single sarcastic comment. A joke about the singing. About the plot- the characters, nothing."

"Because you like this movie."

"I like your sarcasm too," you smile.

And he has to wonder, do you realize how hard you're making this for him? You have to, no one likes him this much. No one likes his dry humor. No one likes spending this much time with him. You have to be doing this on purpose. It's the only explanation. "No, you don't."

"What?" you chuckle in confusion. "Of course I do. I wouldn't ask you to watch movies with me if I didn't."

He shakes his head. He's losing his mind - that has to be it. 

"Are you alright?" you ask again, this time your hand brushing lightly against his arm.

He jumps up off the couch, your lingering touches aren't helping him get his head on straight. "You know, I think I'm just going to go to bed. I'm probably just tired."

"Okay," you nod, waiting for the moment that Bucky nudges his head for you to come with him. He turns on his heels, ready to bolt and leave you all alone.

But he falters, because even though keeping his feelings to himself hurts like a bitch, even though he's risking breaking his heart into a million little pieces, you matter more. And he can't stand the thought of leaving you hanging when you need him right now.

That's how he knows for sure: he is hopelessly, desperately in love with you. 

He takes a large deep breath, then turns around slowly. "Are you-" he clears his throat again. "Aren't you coming?"

You quietly, almost imperceptibly, exhale in relief. "Yeah, be right there."

Next Chapter

"Two Sides Of The Same Coin" Chapter List AnonymityIsFun Masterlist

#anonymityisfunwriter #anonymityisfun #grumpy sunshine trope #grumpy x sunshine #james buchanan barnes #james bucky barnes #bucky barnes #bucky #sam wilson #bucky barnes fanfiction #bucky fanfic #bucky fic #bucky barnes fluff #bucky fluff #bucky barnes angst #bucky angst #bucky barnes x reader #bucky x female reader #bucky x y/n #bucky barnes x female reader #bucky reader #bucky barnes x you #bucky barnes x y/n #x reader #inspired by taylor swift #reader insert #marvel fanfiction #bucky barnes imagine #bucky barnes au #you are in love

[yesyourstalker]

Part two.... Damn this shit. Long as fuck not even done

Warabi: it's the coldest time of yeeeaarrr! But cod damn I'm so warm in siiioode! When you're close to me and you smile at me! My excitement has no place to hide!

Neta: Warabi

Warabi: while the kids are laughing and screaming and grandma starts to siiing! I pull you aside. A nice place to hide and I pulled out that. Platinum. diamond. ring!

Neta: Warabi please

Warabi: you quickly tried to denyyyy it and that smile. I see you hide it! I give you the best ooooon Frosty Fest cuz our love.is.stronger. than. allllll the rest!

Neta: I'm trying to drive

Warabi: baby take my hand and make me your man- Why'd you turn the radio off?

Neta:........... We're sitting in silence

Warabi: but....it's but it's frosty-

Neta: shut up! [Eating]

Warabi: Don't eat all of the salmon bites. Those are for the guests!!

_______________________________________________

Mahi: holy shit. This place is huge.....it's bigger than the original store.

Baja: look he has two stories! Wow! I wonder what he's going to put up there!

Mahi: He said he wanted some sort of cafe lounge or something? This place is really fancy

Baja: Neta really went all out for this- *gasp* it's.. it's

Mahi: calm down. Take some breaths. Don't be fucking weird..... Hey ikkan you bought some wine I didn't know if it was a white wine or a red wine kind of party so I bought both..... Also this is Baja

Ikkan: thanks. You can just set them on the table over there. You must be Warabi's boyfriend he told me about you It's nice to see you.

Baja: Yes I've heard a lot about you. Not just like from TV and social media and the news. I mean but so has everyone else because you're very successful and famous. I'm sorry I'm rambling but Neta told me a lot about you and it's really nice to see you in person.

Ikkan: It's nice to see you too.... What model saxophone is that?

Baja: ... It's a shanty 44 model it's an Alto. Neta wanted me to bring it to play heheh.... It's the same model as your bassoon. It's a shanty 43 model you played it at the hard shell banquet hall at memorial service If your old high school band director 3 years back.

Ikkan: uh.... Yeah... That's.... Yeah that's correct. Wow ......how did he know that? That's very impressive you know a lot about music

Baja: Yeah it's mostly just history stuff.

Ikkan: That's really cool..... What do you usually play?

Baja: I was in jazz band and I also played an orchestra for the last two years of school

Ikkan: do you know how to play Funtime Frost?

Baja: yes

Ikkan: I'll be right back. I'm going to my car.

Baja: I think we're friends!

Mahi: you two are dorks. I'm going to set up the drinks

_______________________________________________

Carrie: *gasp* Baja!! I knew you'd come! What do you think of my dress. Pretty isn't it? I usually don't wear light colors like cream or white, but it kind of felt special. I also bought my cello I was going to play it for you remember? but I was rudely interrupted by -... Oh It's just you.

Mahi: Yeah, it's good to see you too you little brat. Get on my way, Baja's over there. Also when Mizole shows up don't try anything. This is a big deal for your dad. I don't ruin it.

Cirrina: as if I would talk to him willingly.... Why is he even showing up? This party is supposed to be for important people. Not has beens like your boyfriend

Mahi: you know what!?!

Neta: Mahi do not fight with my daughter unless you want to be fired! Cirrina crab cakes please don't start fights with the adults. Okay? Show everyone at the party. What a sweet, pretty girl you are.

Cirrina: ok daddy.. ..Oh Bajaaaa! [Flips off mahi]

Neta: monster

Neta: awwww my baby's first crush... She's growing so fast they really do slip through your fingers......*sigh* anyway, everything is set up. Decorations are good... Drinks are all set... The waiters are setting up their trays...... Now we just need to wait for the people..... Baja?

Baja: I've already set up! ikkan's getting his bassoon right now! I can't believe I'm going to be playing with the Ikkan Kane! think I'm going to faint

Warabi: hey Mahi

Mahi: ooh those look good!

Warabi: No, you can't have any of these All right. I made 80 of these and Neta already ate five of them!

Neta: They're good!

Warabi: huff I made 40 cooked ones and 40 raw ones so we have options. DON'T eat all of the raw ones mahi! Save some for the actual guests and that goes for you too babe!

_____________________hour in the part____________

[live music playing over a crowd of people talking]

Pearl: you know when you said Frosty fast party. I thought you meant the ones you used to have at the boathouse.

Neta: Oh you mean the one when l passed on the floor in my own barf?

Pearl: Yeah those parties were fun hehehehe

Neta: getting too old for that now can't handle my liquor like I used to

Pearl: you couldn't hold your liquor back then either Jackass hahahahaahaha remember you get your hands stuck in the toilet hahahah we had to call the fire department hahahaha

Neta:heheheheh It was the party where you flashed the cops

Pearl: Yeah! I got one of the lady cops' numbers and after hehehe *sigh* good times..... Oh this is the Marina. She's my fiance

Marina: Hi, I've heard so much about you. I also saw you once in concert with squid squad! You're so talented! It's been honor to meet you actually

Neta: ahhh finally meeting you in person. I'm a big fan of you as well. I love the dress by the way you look great. Hope you're enjoying the party

Marina: I definitely am. This is such a gorgeous place and this is going to be your store?

Neta: Yes! We usually just sell music, merchandise, instruments.........concert tickets.

Marina: well That's interesting. Dance socks is actually starting another tour next year... Here is the number to our vendor they make most of our merchandise and I can see if I can contact 'ticket stand' and provide you access to our supply.

Neta:oh thanks!

Marina : We're going to refresh on some drinks and we'll catch up with you and talk about this little business later.......What is this about you flashing cops?

_______________________________________________

Baja: Yeah so father was actually an apprentice of ikkan's old band director he spent one year in Krillarney. He had to leave when you was born.

Zuzu: wow! That's true he lived in Krillarney for 5 years! How do you know that ?

Baja: It was in an old interview on subshellet I read. I think it was 7 years ago

Zuzu: hehehe I should hire you to write my memoir you seem to know a lot more about me than I do heheheh...... Hmmm

_______________________________________________

Mahi: *sigh*.....*sip*.... Mizole!! Hey over here! Hi babe. [Kiss]

Mizole: hey babe.. [ kiss] I got you a gift..... But it's in my freezer at home. You can't have until tomorrow Mahi I want you to meet wet floor. Guys, this is my partner Mahi.

Mahi: hay guys. Nice to meet you finally...

Wf Candi: He didn't cheat on you yet did he?

Mizole: Candi!!

Mahi: hahaha no!!!..... I hope not

Raley: Oh then he's probably loyal......probably cuz you would definitely know if he was cheating. He's a terrible liar

Mizole: what the hell!! I have never cheated on anyone!!!

Keaton: Yeah I have to back him up on that. He doesn't really cheat. He has ghosted people and never told them that he broke up with them before dating someone else

Mizole: but this time it's fucking different!!. I actually like this one! Mahi makes me happy and I want to see them happy!

Mahi: oh.... mizole.

Mizole: and you know what?? for our one year anniversary that's in a couple months I'm going allllll out! Take them on a trip or some shit! That's how much I care for my partner.

Neil: well I for one am happy you actually found someone that you like.

Mizole: thank you Neil

Neil: I'm more surprised they like you back

Mizole:..........

Mahi: hehehe .. I'm going to go get some food. You hang out with your friends and be nice to each other and I'll be right back and -oh shit. Sorry man I wasn't looking where I was.......... Why the fuck are you here?

_______________________________________________

Mahi and Baja ate all of the raw salmon bites before anyone else could get them and @fish-at-fish-fish-resort Saw the whole thing and didn't say anything

#wet floor bullies mizole I'm sorry but they be roasting him every chance they get #Candi and Candi should interact. I feel like they would be best friends #I can't believe I wrote small holiday song just for a bit #Baja is making friends ☺️ #He's made one friend. everyone else is kind of scared of him and all the things about their personal lives and obscure information #Pearl and Neta they are best fucking friends #all of neta's best friends besides ikkan are women #Pearl Candi Sylvia pulpo isn't a binary girl they'd definitely identify as trans femme or demi girl if they didn't die

[sifinspace]

“So you actually said I could go?” Sif teased.

“Of course. I can handle the ship for a couple hours.” Joker said. 

“Great. I just need a night away. It’s felt like an eternity since I’ve done anything fun.” She paused and looked at him. “I think the last time I had a good time was when we were on Tiptree together.”

“That’s sad, you need to get out more.” 

“I would, but then who would take care of you?” She laughed.

“Are you sure though? Shepard, you know his track record?” Joker tried to feel her out.

“I mean, yea, but Jeff, I just, I need to feel special. To someone. It’s been so long.” She pleaded.

“You’re special to me you know.”

“So you say, but not in the way I’m special to Shepard.”

“But why the Commander, you could do so much better.” 

“Seriously? You want to take me out instead?”

“I never said I was better than Shepard.”

“I asked you a question.”

“No. We talked about this a long time ago. Go have fun. Just don’t come crying to me when he hurts you.” Joker mumbled.

“You say that as if it’s going to happen.”

“Well, when hasn’t it?”

“Alright - it’s fine. I can handle it on my own. Like always.“ she said, laying down in bed.

Joker sat down next to her, and hung his head.

“I’m sorry. I’m such an asshole.”

“Yea well, I’m used to it.” She said rolling away from him. “Your pre-apology really is useful.”

Joker laid down next to her and turned her back to face him. “I just don’t want to see you hurt. Ever.”

He was inches from her face. His eyes meant what he said. Sif crawled up next to him and put her head on his shoulder.

“I know. I’ll be okay, you have to stop worrying. I can kick Sheps ass anyway if I wanted to.” She smiled.

“Yea thats not the point. I just worry. We’ve been friends a very long time, and ever since Nate, then Kaiden, I just hate seeing you in pain again.” 

Sif hadn’t thought about Nate in years. Kaiden she thought about more often.

Her heart ached. “Yea I guess that’s true.”

Joker wrapped his other arm around Sif like he did when he’d say something that would hurt her. He did

it all too often. A coping mechanism for his insecurity. “Just don’t, make regrets.” 

“Only memories.” She said as she laid quietly next to him. Her smooth legs running under her blanket, and his chest slowly going up and down. She put her hand on his heart. 

“Well It still beats.” She laughed. “You can say nice things.”

“So long as it beats, I’ll protect you as best I can.” 

Since the Kaiden died, Joker came to bed more often, he also started to hold her close every night since then. His way of saying ‘it will be alright’.

She was happy.

——-

Everyone had disembarked the ship for the mission. Joker sat in the cockpit waiting further instructions.

Nothing. Radio silence.

“Sif -“ he shouted over the com. “Sif!”

“What?!” 

“We’ve got company.”

“Shit, get out of there!” She yelled.

“You too - make your way to the helm

.” 

Silence.

Joker watched helplessly on his screen his ship being boarded by Collectors.

“What the hell am I supposed to do?” He tossed his head back .

“Joker - you need to crawl through the vents to access the system override. If not, hope may be lost.” EDI buzzed.

“I’m not going to let you

out. That would be chaos.”

“Then you will die. Give me full control of the ship. I can save it.

“Shit shit shit!” Joker got up and started down to the

vents. .His body limping and the speed hard to keep up.

He made his way to the Main frame. “Don’t let me down EDI.”

He activated the override protocol.

“Did it work? Can you see Sif?”

“Sorry joker she was taken off the ship. There are no life forms on board other than yours.” EDI said. “Prepare for vac locks open.”

Joker put on his head gear and strapped himself down. The rush of air whirling past his head and the providing of regret as he realized his friend was gone.

——

“They took everyone?” Shepard questioned.

“Everyone  - the collectors have returned to their ship.” EDI said. “I was able to track them - you need to go after them.”

“Obviously. Joker, fly us in close. No way I’m letting those bastards steal our crew.”

Joker looked backwards toward Shepard. “Get her back.”

Shepard nodded. 

——-

Shepard ran around the corner of the escaping

ship.

Pods, so many pods, on this small ship. The collectors had a plan.

“How the hell am I going to find my crew with all these things?” He thought.

“The probability of finding anyone is 1 in” 

“EDI just don’t tell me the odds. Start scanning for life forms.”

Shepard, Tali and Grunt scanned the pods. 

“This is hopeless!” Grunt shouted.

“Without hope, you give up on the future.” Tali said.

“It doesn’t matter, we have the fighters let’s forget

about the rest.” Grunt ordered.

“Grunt, the crew is my clan. Would you give up your clan!?” Shepard said forcefully as he got in his face.

“No, I suppose not.” He backed down.

“Look!” Tali pointed to a pod that

was moving. 

The three of them walked up to a pod and sliced it open. Out fell Dr. Chakwas.

“Thank heavens you showed up.” She said getting to her feet. “I’m alright I’m alright. But you need to get the rest of us that are still alive.”

“Where are they?” Shepard asked.

“Around the corner, there’s a pile of bodies. Thats where I was brought in from.”

“Hold tight, we’re going to get you out of here in a minute. Have you seen Our co-pilot?”

“Sif? No. I just know they took everyone else through that corridor.”

Shepard, Grunt and Tali ran to the corner. As soon as they turned they saw it. A pile of bodies. Half unrecognizable. Tali bent down and took the tags off of one of the corpses.

“Mess Sargent Gardner.” She said sadly.

“Shit.” Shepard’s own heart stopped in his chest. “Anyone else in there?”

Tali ran her Omni tool over the pile of unrecognizable corpses.

“There are vital signs. You must dig.” EDI said.

“ Grunt let’s go!” They dug through the pile of charred remains. 

One after one they checked the tags, and took the ones they knew. They’d honor them when they had the chance. They kept digging, and as they moved the last body, they were greeted by a surge of biotic power that blew all three of them back.

“What the hell?” Grunt moaned as he got up.

Shepard walked over and reached down. He felt something different.

“This is it!” He pulled out a pale body. Not one that had been burned, but it had been so badly bruised you’d never know otherwise.

“Sif!” Shepard laid her down gently and started to scan her with his Omni tool.

“Her vital signs are weak, but she’s alive. Get her back to the Normandy and I’ll run a full diagnosis.” EDI said.

For the first time since hitting that ship, Shepard felt a sense of relief. “EDI, tell Joker we have her.”

“I took the liberty already. Joker will meet her in the med lab.”

Tali gently held Sifs hand as Shepard carried her back to th e transport. 

“She’s a special woman to all of us. I had no idea she had biotic powers.” Tali said thoughtfully.

“Sif is a private person. As much as she is, I don’t think anyone but Joker actually knows her.” Shepard said.

“I like a good surprise!” Grunt laughed.

Shepard smiled and loaded Sif into the transport.

————

“Joker, Sif has been transported to the med bay. Legion is watching over her and Dr T’Soni is with her.” EDI said. “You must focus on the current mission before you can see her.”

He sat back in his chair and sighed. He ran his hands through his beard, and rubbed his eyes. ‘She’s back.’ He thought. He wasn’t an emotional man, but he smiled in relief.

The time it took Shepard to get back to the SR2 felt endless. Joker wanted to see his friend. As soon as he was on board, and the Normandy was safely away from any danger, he got up and limped to the med bay as fast as he could.

He stopped at the door, and composed himself. For a guy with brittle bones, he moved quickly when it was for her.

When he walked in, he saw her laying on one of the med bay cots. Her hair was wild, her clothes were ripped and the spots on her limbs he could see were purple and blue.

“Oh shit Sif.” He walked up next to her. “Dr T’Soni, how is she?”

“Her vitals are coming back, but she had severe bruising. I’ve done what we can for helping her heal, but she will take time. She has some amazing resilience. How she wasn’t killed is going to be an interesting story.” She smiled, “I always knew she was more clever than most.”

Joker was relived they had picked up Liara when they did, even if she was only there briefly. They couldn’t have chosen a better time.

“Hell ya she is. When will she be waking up?” He pushed.

“She should wake up anytime now. Her vitals are all stabilized

. She’s probably just exhausted.”

“How about her bones?” Jeff asked.

“We were able to heal most of them. It’s just the bruising and a few broken ribs. Other than that she should be able to help you fly whenever.” Dr. Chakwas chimed as she walked up behind Jeff. “Always this poor girls ribs. We should give her titanium ones.”

“I’m glad to see you too.” He said. “How did you come out of this less scathed?”

“They took me out in a pod. I don’t know what happened to her. I just saw them taking bodies past my pod and that’s why I knew there were some ahead.”

Jeff knelt beside Sif. He touched her arm gently and then held the tips of her fingers tenderly.

“Legion, come on, let’s leave them for a while.” Liara said and made an exit.

Jeff watched the three of them leave, then he turned his attention back to his friend on the slab.

“I never wanted to ever see you like this. I’m glad you’re alive, but Sif you idiot, why didn’t you just come back to the cockpit when shit started to go down.” He said quietly.

He placed his hand on her hair, with his thumb on her forehead. “I promise I will never let this happen again.”

He kissed her cheek.

Jeff sat there for as long as he could, and then Shepard walked in. ‘Great, the hero.’ He thought.

“How is she? I saw Dr. Chakwas outside she said she’ll be fine.” He asked.

“She’ll mend. She’s bruised up pretty bad, broken ribs. All that.” Jeff replied.

“Didyou know Sif is a biotic?” Shepard asked.

“Yea. I swear no one ever looks at our files. They just assume all we do is fly the ship.” He said sarcastically.

“So she is biotic?” Shepard asked surprised.

“Yea, she had L2s implanted and eventually and underwent L5 upgrades when we hooked up with Cerberus. So Sif underwent the retraining for it, and it showed that because she had these extra

abilities, it made her an even better pilot.” He explained. “Kaiden and Sif would practice their skills all the time before…” he trailed off.

“They don’t usually do upgrades on biotics by implants.” Shepard said.

“No, but she did. She’s got a way about her. I’ve never seen her not get something either her and I needed at some point.” Jeff smiled.

“Did you actually just smile?” Shepard asked

“What? No. Definitely not.” Jeff shifted and got up. “I’ve got a ship to fly.” 

“Hey Joker.” Jeff paused, “her biotics knocked Tali, Grunt and I on our ass. Thought you enjoy that.” Shepard said.

“thats my girl.” Jeff nodded and walked away.

————-

“Okay, wake her up Doctor.” Shepard said, “I need some answers.”

“Shepard, I know you’ve been waiting” Dr. Chakwas said.

She swiveled her Omni tool over Sifs battered body.

Her eyes opened and she started to glow blue.

“Wait wait!” Shepard said.

She turned her head slightly to look at him.

“Oh, sorry.  I thought you were a collector.” She said shakily.

“It’s just us dear.” Doctor Chakwas voice was soothing and tender as she reassured Sif she was safe.

.

“That’s a relief. I didn’t know how much longer I was going to survive on that ship.” She said. Then she looked around. “How bad am I? Where’s Jeff?”

“Sif you’re bruised and broken but we have slapped you with so much medi gel you’re going to be fine. Sore, but fine.” Liara reassured her.

“Excellent, I’ve got a ship to copilot.”

 

“Not just yet, we have to talk about a couple things.” Shepard said.

Sif sat up very slowly. “Is there something softer to sit on for the moment then? These beds are designed for the dead.” She laughed. Then winced.

Shepard helped her off the med bed and to a chair.

“Still not soft enough but that’s alright.” She looked around. “Alright, what do you want to know?”

Liara, Legion and Shepard exchanged glances.

“OH right how I ended up in a pile of my comrades remains. Good story.” She started to trail off, and took a shallow breath - her ribs ached. “I was down in engineering when EDI and Jeff alerted me to what was going on. So I ran up to the med bay as fast as I could and grabbed the only thing I could think of, Beta Blockers. They slow down your heart rate and can fool people into thinking your dead.”  Sif sat back and shifted her weight. “So I took a calculated amount. I figured if They thought I was dead, they’d  leave me here. So I gave myself a hyper injection of them and waited on the floor. The Collectors walked in, saw me here, took my body and then I ended up boarding their ship.”

“Even though they thought you were dead?” Liara asked.

“I suppose, but maybe my heart was still beating. However by the time we got to the ship the injection must have really kicked in, and from what my Omni tool tells me I had a heart beat only enough to keep my brain alive. That’s probably why I’m so bruised. No blood flow, so it pooled.” Sif shuddered.

“What about the bodies?” Shepard asked.

“Right so as they realized I was dead, they put me on the ground and started to load bodies on top of me. I activated my suit with my biotics. Mask, everything. I’m always prepared.” She smiled. “Anyway  once they kept throwing bodies on me, eventually they lit us on fire. I used a biotic field to keep myself from burning. Once they left, I passed out completely.”

Sif looked from Liara to Shepard. “The smell …. I will never forget the smell.” She took a deep breath. “I knew you’d come save us. So I just waited. After being thrown around so much I couldn’t really dig myself out. So thanks for that.” She smiled “but I’m not sorry for knocking you three on your asses.”

“Why didn’t you tell anyone you are a biotic?” Shepard asked.

“It never came up?” She replied. “It wasn’t important. It’s not like I do a lot of combat missions.”

“But you have gone on missions and you never thought you should mention it?” He asked.

“I’ve used my biotics on missions, but no one ever noticed.” Sif said.

“Are you saying I don’t know my team?” Shepard pressed her.

“Not at all. I��m just saying sometimes we don’t notice things we don’t need to. As long as something works why worry? Besides the only missions I go on with you require my brains, and since I’ve been shot too many times and Jeff refuses to let me set foot off the Normandy, it wasn’t important.”

“I guess that makes sense.” He said.

“Don’t worry it’s not a commentary on you Shep.” She smiled.

He smiled. “I know, I just feel like you…” he trailed off. “Actually this isn’t a conversation I want to have in front of everyone. Will you join me in my quarters for further discussion?” He asked.

“Yes Commander. I’ll be up shortly.” She replied. Doctor Chakwas gave Sif an injection of pain med and told her it’ll wear off in a bit. So she made her way to Commander Shepards Quarters.

————

Shepard had questions. He understood her faith in him for saving her, but why was she so mysterious? This intrigued and yet bothered him. Why was she so hard to understand, to read?

“Commander.” Sif said as she entered.

“You look better than you did 10 minutes ago.” He smiled.

“The doctor shot me with enough morphine to keep me standing for a bit, but she recommended I lay down in a short while and get some proper rest.” She said.

“Come and sit, do you want anything?” 

“A glass of water please.”  Sif sat on the end of Shepards bed.

Shepard poured one for her. “Take it from me.”

“Seriously?” 

“Yes.” 

Sif shook her head and pulled the glass to her easily.

“Happy?” She raised her left eyebrow at him.

“Yes.” 

“Yea they come in handy when I forget to turn a light off and I’m in bed already.” She grinned. “So what didn’t you want to discuss downstairs? If you’d have asked I would have said.”

“I asked Joker about going out with you for a drink. He told me ‘Sure, I didn’t know you dated married women though.’ What does that even mean? You’re married?”

“I would have told you on that date you know.” She had a hurt look on her face.

“Then why not bring it up before?” 

“Did Jeff tell you who I was married to?” 

“No he said you would.” 

“Of course I will. But there’s a lot that people don’t know about me - I mean I barely know myself. Didn’t you read my background report?”

“I did, years ago, but I still don’t recall seeing anything.”

Sif took a deep breath. “Can you let me explain the whole thing before you ask questions?”

Shepard nodded.

“Please understand - I was engaged to a man named Nate. He was handsome and charming. We had been together for 3 years and were starting to plan a life together.” She took in a deep breathe. “We were supposed to get married the day after graduation-the wedding was planned and everything. Then a few months before, I went to visit him and Jeff let me in. They were roommates. I guess he didn’t realize Nate was home, and so I did what I always did and walked into his room.” She hung her head. “I caught him, fucking some woman from the pep squad.”

“What?” Shepard looked shocked.

“Yea, either he wanted to be caught or he was just annoyed with me. I took being faithful very seriously to him, and I wasn’t going to just hand over my ass whenever he wanted to get off. So he had been screwing her for months. He said ‘you wouldn’t give it to me.’ So he found it elsewhere.”

“What a dick.”

“Yea. I think Jeff knew it was going on and just wanted to protect me. I’m not a prude, I just, didn’t feel safe sleeping with him anymore. He has a side of himself that shook my core. He hurt me. Emotionally, physically. One night he locked me in his room. Jeff had to help get me out. So I withheld. I should have just dumped him long before then.”

“Why didn’t you?”

“I was scared. I didn’t want to be alone again. I didn’t want to have to be a no one again. A Jane Doe in the world. I just wanted someone to be mine - so I didn’t have to navigate life alone. I was scared. He told me I could never find anyone who would be as good to me as he was. I know that’s a lie now.”

“Then what?”

“Jeff kicked him out, I moved in and we became even closer - he is my best friend. We’d just hang out, and talk, and whatever. Nate graduated then ended up on Virmire.  You wouldn’t have known but he died there. He was stationed at a plant.”

“Okay so you weren’t married to him. Who then?”

“Since the wedding was still planned, Jeff and I weren’t going to let it go to waste.  The day after graduation, we took shore leave to celebrate, and you know eat all the food and party all night cause it was all paid for. So we had drinks and he suggested “let’s just marry each other”. We have been friends for so long, we went through school together, he helped me through my breakup. I have no family Shepard, I have no history - I was found abandoned as a child with no memory of them. I didn’t want to loose my best friend too. Jeff said I could share his life.” She sighed. “ We were best friends who made a deal, so they wouldn’t separate us, we didn’t want to be assigned opposites because we work so well together and this was a sure bet they’d keep us together. The perks, like a cabin of our own, more money, allowances that kind of thing, were nothing more than that. A perk.”

Shepard looked at her with a blank face.

“It’s okay, it’s why we don’t tell people. Some just don’t get it….. I’ll let that sink in.” She took a sip of her water.

“Do you, love him?”

She sipped her water. “I have always loved Jeff-even when I was with Nate. I tried to get Jeff to date me, but he told me no, and introduced me to his roommate. Jeff doesn’t love me the way a husband loves a wife. I’m his friend.”

“You honestly believe that? You really think you’re just a perk?” The honesty of the question dripped from his lips.

“Why not? Hes never indicated he loved me in that way. We’ve never had sex.” She sighed. “I tried in training, and I do bring it up occasionally but even now he gives me the ‘I can’t give you a life or future you deserve’ line. I don’t even know if I can have kids Shep, I’ve been experimented on a little too much for that - and that’s fine. It doesn’t bother me. It’s not my goal I life really like people think it is.” 

“Experimented on?” 

“I did a lot of experimental testing for cash when I was young, I needed the money. Either way, I’m not baby crazy, nor do I dislike them, I just don’t see why that’s the biggest hurdle for him to get over when it comes to he and I becoming an us.”

“I didn’t know.” 

“It’s fine. I just want you to know - where I stand.” 

“Sif, you stand in a marriage that’s built on an agreement, with a man who can’t admit how much he cares about you.”

Sif paused, “I mean, I know he has to feel something, but that much, you actually think he does?”

“How many dates have you been on since you two have been married?”

“With anyone I thought it might be fun to go with? One. With losers? Probably four.”

“And the Kaiden scenario?”

“I mean that made me question everything but even then he said no.”

Shepard laughed, “you’re sweet, but so blind. He stops the good ones from asking you out with the line he used in me.”

Sif stopped. She thought back to a few days before the Collectors attack, he wants to be near her when he sleeps, holding her.

“Friggen Jeff.” She got up. Then fell back down.

“Sif.” Shepard grabbed her and laid her down on his bed. “Your meds are probably wearing off and this has been a lot to sift through since you have just gotten back.”

“Yea it’s a lot. Shep can you help me to my room? As much as I’d love to rip your clothes off, I can’t do that if there’s a chance with Jeff.” She laughed.

“My pleasure. You really are a good woman Sif.” He lifted her in his arms and she laid her head on his shoulder.

“Can I try something?.” She asked.

“Anything.” He said.

“Put me down.” Sif held on to Shepard as he put her feet on the ground. She turned to him. “I am curious - just kiss me.”

“My pleasure.” 

Shepard walked Sif to the wall of his cabin and kissed the top of her nose. He gently placed his hand behind her head and let his lips slide onto hers so gently. Her hands went numb and her knees went weak.

The firmness, the stubble. It all reminded her of Kaiden. She missed him. She let out a small moan.

“That’s good enough for now. It was an honor to share something so simple with you.” Shepard smiled.

“I want more, so much more Shepard. I want all of you, I want to wake up with our clothes thrown in the floor and you smiling, but, you’re not Jeff.” She said quietly.

Shepard kissed her again, then rested his forehead on hers.

“You won’t have to wait much longer, I’ll make sure of that.”

Shepard picked up her again, and carried her to her cabin.

The door opened and Joker was inside reading in the chair next to the bed. 

“Is she-“

“she fell asleep in the elevator.” Shepard put her down on the bed. “Do you know what you have here Joker?”

“I have my Best friend back.”

“You have so much more than that. You have a woman who wants no one else more than you in the universe. She really wants to be your wife.”

“Ah she told you. Nate was a dick.”

“Joker, Sif wanted to kiss her me and when she did, all she said was ‘you’re not Jeff’. Really think about what you have here, because if you don’t want it, I’ll take it in a heartbeat.” 

Joker stood up. “Take her then.”

“You don’t mean that. I saw how you reacted to her and Kaiden, and that was mild in comparison as to what I’m planning on giving her.”

“I want her to be happy and safe. If that’s what you can offer, you can have her.”

“Joker, don’t be stupid. You might not make it obvious, but you have feelings for her. Tell her, show her. The end of the damn universe is at steak, do you want to miss the one chance you have if we fail?”

Jeff saluted him. “Commander. It’s not as simple as you make it. I can’t give her what she needs.”

Shepard saluted Jeff. “It really is. Not everything is about you in this situation.” He turned on his heal to leave. “You’ll regret every second when she’s mine.”

Joker knew Shepard would take her.

He didn’t stand a chance.

#commander shepard #mass effect #mass effect legendary edition #jeff moreau #joker mass effect #fanfiction #mass effect fandom #mass effect fanfiction #slow burn romance #fanfic

[littlegodzilla]

New chapter!

Here I come with another part from that story.

Thanks for your comments and reblogs, I'm glad you all liked it!

Hope you will like this one too.

Enjoy!!

≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈

Our Story.

Daryl Dixon x Wife/ Daryl Dixon x Reader.

Part 4.

Masterlist.

Warnings: TWD gore. Swearing. Violence.

Words: 3400

Summary: The world goes to shit, now is time to fight for their lifes, Daryl remembers his past life but he has to move on.

≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈

Part 4. The new dead World.

"Daryl, I'm sorry about your brother." T-Dog's voice reaches his ears.

"When we get there, Merle better be alive and in one piece, for your sake." He assures her with a grunt, sitting on the cargo in the van.

His mind is still racing back and forth, furrowing through the mist enveloping him, trying to come back to reality. It had been a long time since his head had gone back to those days, a long time since he had remembered her face, her voice. But something triggered his memories, and there she was again.

Her.

Bringing back the best and worst memories of his life, he feels rage invade him for a second. He's sure it's because of Merle, the abandonment of those people to his fate, that new guy, Rick Grimes, believing himself capable of making the decision to leave him there, to handcuff him like an animal. Every time he thinks about it, anger becomes more present in his body. Between his fingers he plays with his crossbow and looks sideways once more at the men accompanying him.

The world had gone to shit, months before this happened. No one knows what it was exactly, on the news and the radio they talked about a virus that made people aggressive, but then the dead started walking the streets, the chaos and panic drove people crazy, forcing them to leave their homes, to look for a shelter where they would be safe. However, it was all a trap, the people who came to the big cities were bombed to eliminate as many infected as possible, no one intended to save them, only to make a massive cleanup.

Daryl and Merle were returning from several weeks of hunting when they heard the news on the radio in the rickety van. They didn't think too much about it, made their way to the cabin, grabbed everything they could load into the vehicle, Merle even insisted on taking his motorcycle.

"If we have to go looting it will be easier to make our way with the bike, little brother, then we'll fill up the van." He explained and Daryl agreed to his plan.

Since then it had just been Merle and him against the world and the dead, taking what they could, fighting for their lives, running from other people. Until they found the camp in that abandoned quarry. There were men, women, children, all living together, sharing tasks, keeping watch to keep the place guarded, safe. It seemed like a good option. Merle hinted at stealing what they could and leaving again, Daryl didn't completely agree, but he didn't do anything to dissuade him either.

And now there he was, in the middle of the streets of Atlanta, infested by those undead, looking for a handful of guns and his brother.

And he can't stop thinking about her.

"She went to Atlanta, after the wedding." Your mother's voice comes back to his mind forcing him to stop his steps.

Atlanta.

His eyes scan the place without being fully aware, with his crossbow pointed towards the ground, sharpening his hearing, in case any sound, other than silence and grunts, came towards him. He frowns, as he's not sure what exactly he's looking for.

"Daryl." Rick calls out to him. "Something wrong?"

"No, just my brother handcuffed on a rooftop." He roars back to reality.

"What are we looking for first?"

"Merle! That's out of the question!" he barks again.

His teammates don't seem to agree completely, but according to the Asian guy, Glenn, Merle is closer, so Merle will be the first target.

Daryl stays silent most of the time, his gaze directed everywhere, his ears fully alert. Getting to the building isn't too much trouble, Glenn remembers the way perfectly, there are no glitches in his plan or his guidance through the alleys until they reach their destination. Unfortunately, when they reach the rooftop Merle is gone, but that's not the worst of it, the son of a bitch has cut off his hand to escape. Daryl once again feels that emptiness he felt years ago, with his loss. His eyes burn, but he has long since stopped allowing himself to cry.

"No!" he simply cries out in despair. "No! No!" he exclaims again helplessly, moving from side to side in despair.

His being is torn apart once again, as it was years ago. He is alone. The last thing he had left of his life, the only thing that, ironically, kept him stable, is now gone. His anger overtakes him, he is unable to think rationally as he raises his crossbow and takes aim at T-Dog. The man doesn't move, as if he knows he deserves it, he's not going to fight, however, Rick is quick too and points his revolver at him so that, not even by chance, he can't think of shooting his companion.

He shakes his head trying to return to sanity. He lowers the gun, reaches for something to wrap his brother's hand with and stuffs it into Glenn's backpack.

"That fucker's still alive." He mumbles. "He cut his hand and made a tourniquet with his belt so he wouldn't bleed out."

"With any luck, he won't be far behind." Dares Rick to add, he just nods.

"You guys better hope so." He assures them and they walk back into the building, tracking the trail of blood Merle has left in his escape.

But things, since that world went to shit, are no longer easy even for the simplest of tasks. Merle has managed to escape through a window, God knows where he could be now, Daryl is willing to keep going until he finds him, but Rick stops him again. He's starting to get tired of him, that he blocks him every time he tries to say or do something, he's not going to let a guy you know nothing about order him around like he's a little kid.

"Look, man..."

"No, listen to me, we're not going to leave Merle to his fate, but we can't go around without weapons to defend ourselves, we need that bag first, come up with a plan and then go after your brother, is that clear?"

For a second Daryl wants to hit him, make him see how "clear" he has been, but he restrains himself, he has to be logical, he is at a disadvantage, in a city full of those beings, his crossbow is powerful, but he has the problem of having to reload it every time and that takes away a few seconds he could be a victim. He chews his lip and nods, letting Rick continue to lead the mission as Glenn hatches a plan to go after the weapons. Daryl is surprised that a simple pizza delivery boy could plan something so elaborate and specific, but he feels he can trust him, he seems to know very well what he's talking about.

They walk down the alley together while Rick and T-Dog wait. Again things don't go the way anyone expected. Daryl starts to feel desperate and frustrated, that kid who knocked him out, those guys who took Glenn, are playing on his nerves. Again Rick has to restrain his impulses not to kill that kid.

"Merle? What's the name Merle? I wouldn't call my dog that."

Okay, fine, he's going to kill him.

He lunges at him unceremoniously, but Rick restrains him, forcing him back, warning him once again to keep his cool or next time he'll be the one to knock him out. Daryl doubts he will, but backs away trying to keep his cool.

******************

"So...this place...you guys just take care of the old people?" Glenn asks looking around uncomprehendingly.

"We didn't intend to take on anyone, but your friend put an arrow in my partner, you understand that, right? Those guns... we need them to take care of these people." Speaks the leader of the group.

"I understand that, but we need them too, we have people out there, you guys have walls." Says Glenn sighing.

"You have people looking for you, they are good friends." They hear a female voice.

"We learn how to survive."

"I think we could share weapons." She says again taking a long look from the leader. "They are more exposed than we are..."

"I'll think about it..." He promises and walks away when his companions call out to him.

"How long have you been with them?" Glenn asks, you give him a sidelong glance and shrug.

"Almost since it all started, I worked here; many left because they wanted to be with their families, Guillermo didn't want to leave, he couldn't abandon the elderly, so I stayed too." You shrug. "We have resisted as best we know how, but resources are starting to get scarce and more and more people are coming looking for what little we have..."

"We'll go away again, we'll leave you in peace, we just need weapons so we can keep defending ourselves, like you." Glenn assures and you smile.

"I'm sure Guillermo will do the right thing, trust him."

After making sure Glenn is okay, you leave him alone to continue with your work, those people need you, Guillermo has to deal with those people on his own, but you have to make sure those people are still calm. You get lost inside the building to go to the infirmary where you have the store of medicines and technical devices to help some of the elderly. Some of them are too old, their dementia and weak bodies don't allow them to get out of bed most of the time, so you prepare their medications and make your rounds, room by room, as you always do. 

Some routine never hurts.

You hear bustle in the main room as you are returning from your rounds, you put on your alert because someone needs your assistance. You leave the tray in place, close the infirmary and run into the ward to find out what's going on. Glenn is with one of the elderly, he is suffering from an asthma attack, he needs one of his inhalers. You have some reserve still in the infirmary, you can go get him, however, you get stuck for a moment when you see Guillermo appear with two other men you don't know.

Or so you think.

Your heart freezes. It can't be... Daryl? No, it can't be him, Atlanta is too far from home, he hasn't missed anything there, surely the Daryl you know, will be more comfortable in his cabin, maybe even... you shake your head, you don't want to think about the possibility that he was dead. No. You quickly put that possibility out of your mind and run back to the infirmary in search of the inhaler.

"I need an Inhaler for Mr...." You hear Jorge at the door.

"I know, here." You give it to him and he speeds away.

You stand there, leaning against the table, still with your heart pounding. What if it's Daryl? What if he's there? Why? What's he doing with those men? How does he know Glenn? Your mind is full of questions you'd really love to find answers to, but what if you go out there and it's not him? What if it is and he doesn't want anything to do with you? You take a deep breath trying to calm yourself, close your eyes as your hand squeezes the small form of the pendant around your neck against your palm, feeling your heart rate serenade a little.

"Hey..." You startle when you hear Glenn beside you. "We're... we're leaving."

"Already?" You ask with your voice shaking, but you nod. "Did you come to some agreement?"

"We've left you some weapons, yes, you need to protect these people, just as we need to protect ours so..." He shrugs and smiles.

"I'm glad, Glenn... you guys have a lot of luck."

"You too."

You bid each other a fond farewell, you don't know each other too well, but it's nice to know that there are still people out there who are decent, who you can trust and lean on in difficult times. You accompany Glenn to the main room, looking out of the corner of your eye, but Daryl, or who you think Daryl was, is not there, there is only the sheriff talking to Guillermo, both of them with their respective gun bags. You feel some relief because now you will be able to defend yourselves better against the dead. You dare to approach the window to look out onto the street. He is there, talking to another man, again your breath hitches because it is indeed him, there in his dirty old clothes, holding his crossbow tightly as if it were another extension of his own arm. You shake your head and turn away from the window feeling your hands won't stop shaking.

"Are you okay?" asks Miguel approaching you.

"Y-yeah, I was just... watching the new arrivals." You comment and see the teenager snort.

"Rick's legit, nice guy, but that redneck with them..." He mumbles and you look sideways at him. "They were looking for a guy, you know, what was his name... Mirlo... Merlín..."

"M-Merle?" you try to guess.

"Merle! Yeah, if he's as much of an idiot as he is, I hope they don't find him." He protests. You're tempted to correct him, but you bite your tongue in time.

They are looking for Merle, he is also there in Atlanta, again there are many questions in your mind, you remember that Glenn has told you that they are on the outskirts of the city in a camp, a group of people, even with children. You feel relief and can't help but smile, Daryl will take care of them, with his hunting and survival skills, they can be there for a long time. You are glad you saw him, even if it was from a distance, you are glad he is alive and helping those people.

You sigh and go on with your work.

**

"Here, it would be nice if you had one too." Guillermo says handing you a gun.

"What? I don't..." You swallow, nervous, taking the gun in fear.

"We'll teach you how to shoot, don't worry, but we all have to learn how to defend ourselves."

"Okay... Guillermo, thanks for helping them." You tell him when you see he's about to leave.

"They didn't look like bad guys, did they? Even though they did hit Jorge in the ass with an arrow." You try not to laugh at that, but nod. "Are you okay? You seem a little distracted."

"What? No, I'm fine, it's nothing."

"Did you like the Asian guy, did you want to go with them?"

"Of course not!" You exclaim feeling your cheeks burn violently. "I don't even know him, how could I go with him?"

"I don't know, Miguel said he saw you looking out the window when they left."

"I was just curious, nothing more... I'm going with Jorge so he can teach me how to use this." You change the subject so he doesn't keep asking questions and leave before he opens his mouth again.

"Did Guillermo give you a gun too?" That's the first thing Jorge says to you when you greet him.

"He wants us all to learn how to defend ourselves so...here I am."

"You're much more useful with the meds, you shouldn't be carrying a gun."

"I think he's right, if there really are people out there who might come around and not be nice we should be able to defend ourselves against them, there are a lot of people here who can't even move. Come on, I don't think it's that complicated."

Actually it wasn't, you just had to have some patience and aim, also ammunition was limited so you couldn't afford to waste it just like that.

"Hey, honey, you once said you were taught to shoot a crossbow, right?" you roll your eyes, you hate it when Guillermo calls you that, but you try not to make a big deal out of it because the rest of the question gets your attention more.

He has a bow with him, a competition bow, with several arrows to reload it, black in color, pretty nice, you have to admit. Daryl never taught you to shoot his crossbow, he only taught your sister, as if it was an intimate and romantic gesture between them, but you had always been good at watching and maybe, secretly, you learned to shoot with a bow, although your father wasn't very happy to pay you for those lessons.

"It doesn't have many arrows but we can make a foray down to the sporting goods store, maybe there's some left, but for now he'll be able to help you practice."

"Thank you Guillermo." You smile warmly.

You have always known that your partner's feelings are something more than friendship, but you have always been clear with him, you would never take advantage of it for your own benefit, ever since Michael died because of those things, your libido towards men seems to have disappeared, you could appreciate that they could be attractive and charming, but your body didn't react to them, they were simply your family, nothing more. You take the bow to examine it more closely, you test it in your hands, pull the string to make sure it is not damaged and check the arrows, they also seem intact.

In the small shooting range that Jorge prepares to teach you how to use your weapons, you prepare a target to be able to recover your technique, which you don't need too much time.

************

The camp has become a real mess, Merle took the van, which has forced them to run back in the middle of the night with their guns on their backs. Shouts and gunfire alerted them halfway up the hill picking up the pace.

Ed is dead, Daryl doesn't care too much, that man deserved to die sooner or later, he was a scumbag who beat his wife and God knows what was going through his mind when he touched his daughter, several more died, Daryl doesn't even know what their names are, Jim has been bitten and is ready to split his head open with a pickaxe, but again Rick stops him by putting a gun to his head.

To be honest, what hurts him the most is seeing Amy, lying on the ground, her neck torn, Andrea wracked with pain, unable to end it, unable to say goodbye to her.

For a second, his mind played a trick on him, the two sisters replaced by you and your sister, both of you lying on the ground, becoming those things. He grunts looking away, shaking his head.

"We have to end this." He says to Rick. 

"Andrea won't let us get close." Carol insists.

"I'm not talking about getting close, fuck I could hit her from here without aiming. If she turns into that thing..."He can't finish the sentence, a gunshot is heard behind them that makes him cringe.

Everyone sees that Andrea has given Amy an end, finally, the crying consumes her, but she is aware that it's for the best, that turning into one of those things would no longer make her, her sister. Without a word from anyone, leaving Jim to rest in the trailer, Rick is ready to return to the city to the CDC in search of a cure. He's not even sure if that can exist, but for some reason he wants to believe the man's promises.

The place is not a panacea, but it allows them to eat, to relax, to enjoy their surroundings like no one else has for months. People get excited at the idea of a hot shower, even Daryl likes the idea, but food is a priority and Daryl feels his stomach clench as he sees the kids smile with breadth and excitement, their stomachs finally full as they deserve, he always made it a point to bring food to camp, that no one would suffer, but sometimes it was harder than others.

He feels his body relax and can't help but smile with amusement when Carl winces as he tastes the wine. His heart leaps inside his chest like it hasn't for a long time.

"Booya!" he howls plethorically and smiles when everyone shouts with him.

Of course at no time did he ever think that this place would become a trap, almost a tomb. 

****

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To be Continued...

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Hope you liked it!!

See you in the next chapters!

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Taglist: @green-eyedladywrites @minervadashwood @livingdeadblondequeen @bringinsexybackk69 @graniairish

#my stuff #norman reedus #normanreedus #mine #daryl dixon #daryldixon #twd fanfiction

[stever-things]

Memories | Billy Hargrove x Reader

Summary: For as long as you can remember, Billy Hargrove has been in your life. You don't have a single memory of life before him. And for the past year, you've had to make memories without him.

Warnings: Mentions of abuse, death

For as long as you can remember, Billy Hargrove has been in your life. You don't have a single memory of life before him. And for the past year, you've had to make memories without him.

Ever since he moved to Indiana, your contact with him has been scarce. Every once in a while, you'd get a phone call from him asking how you've been, and you'd ask about how he was doing—and he'd magically "have to go".

You knew things between him and his father were anything but good, and every night you dreamed of the day that he would be set free of him. You dreamed of a day where he would come back to California and sweep you off your feet. Neither were very likely to happen.

Until one night, when you were having a sleepover with one of your best friends, painting each others nails bright pinks and blues, your mom/dad/guardian knocked on your door.

"Honey, Billy's on the phone for you." They said, causing your eyes to widen.

Glancing down at your best friend, you broke out into a mad grin, your cheeks flushed as you ran out of the room, down the hallway, and to the phone in the living room.

Taking it off of hold, you held the phone to your ear, fingers messing with the cord, "Billy?"

"Hey." He said, nonchalantly.

Taking a deep breath, you tried to calm your nerves, "Hey, how've you been?"

That's when you heard it. A sniffle. Then a sob. Then radio silence.

You gave him a minute to collect himself before softening your voice, "Billy? What happened?"

He lowered his voice, "You know what happened."

Of course you knew what happened. Fucking Neil happened.

"How bad is it?"

"I'm bleeding. Just a little bit but I'm bleeding," He winced, "And I've got a nasty ass bruise starting on my head. I'm sore everywhere, Y/N. It hurts like a mother."

You pursed your lips, "I'm sorry, Billy. I know there's nothing I can do to make you feel better and that kills me. I wish I could do more."

"I miss you."

"I miss you, too."

"I miss California."

"California misses you, too."

You swear, just for a second, that you heard him laugh. And you smiled at the thought of bringing some sort of peace to him.

"I'm telling you, baby, as soon as I get enough money—I'm on my way home. To Cali. To you."

He never called you baby. Ever.

"Billy..." You trailed off, the first of many tears falling down your cheek, "Me and Cali will be waiting for you."

Silence.

"Hey, Y/N, I've gotta go. If my dad catches me on the phone, he'll kill me. But I wanted you to know that I love you. Damn, I love you."

"Billy," Your voice cracked, "I love—"

"Shit!" He exclaimed, "I've gotta go. Talk to you soon."

And the line went dead.

You were left in the living room, sitting on the arm of the couch, listening to the buzzing of the phone.

The next time you heard Billy's name was when your mom/dad/guardian sat you down in your room, took you by the hands and warned you to brace yourself before taking out a newspaper clipping.

You took it in your hands, reading "Obituaries" across the top. In small, bold letters, was the name "William Hargrove".

In that moment, you knew that you'd never make a memory with Billy for the rest of your life.

#billy hargrove x reader #billy hargrove #billyhargrove #billy hargrove x you #stranger things fanfic #stranger things imagine #stranger things fic #strangerthings #stranger things #billy hargrove one shot #billy Hargrove fluff #billy Hargrove angst #billy Hargrove imagine #billy hargrove x y/n #strangerthingsfic #billy #hargrove

[aao1024]

Darlin’

Chapter 6

Masterlist

Y/n ran up the steps and to Lee’s bathroom. She tried to be quick with her routine and only ever moved this quickly when she was running late for work. She had to use Lee’s products as she hadn’t been able to get her own. She made an attempt to shave her legs and only nicked herself once on the knee. She made no effort to apply any makeup; didn’t want to make Lee wait too long. Once she was done, she tidied up the bathroom, gathered the dirty towels, and put them in Lee’s laundry hamper. She chose to wear a white sundress with tiny blue flowers.

Lee got excited as he heard Y/n come down the stairs. He quickly stood up and had a large grin plastered on his face. His eyes followed her every move as she walked down each step. He only stared for a moment or so before Y/n pulled him out of his trance.

“Darlin’ you look gorgeous.”

“Thank you Lee, you look quite handsome yourself.”

“Are you ready to go?”

Y/n nodded and grabbed her purse and keys. She was anxious to have Lee walk around so much, but wanted him to help pick things out at the store, and he needed the fresh air and scenery. She followed him as he crutched his way out the door. She helped him into the car and hopped behind the wheel. She was nervous to drive Lee around, as he was still a sheriff and feared any critiquing from him about her driving skills. With Lee’s directions it did not take long to reach the supermarket. Y/n pushed the cart as Lee followed her. They went down every aisle so they wouldn’t forget anything. However, Y/n still forgot an item from two aisles over.

“Shit, Lee, I forgot the flour and sugar. You stay with the cart and I will be right back.” She quickly walked off to grab the forgotten goods. Lee kept himself occupied as he waited for Y/n. He heard a familiar voice and turned towards it. Out of all the people he thought he would run into she was the last on his list.

“Hi Lee.” Lee froze when he heard her voice.

“Hi Florence.”

“What happened to you, are you okay?”

“I’m fine thank you, just an accident at work.”

“How have you been otherwise?” Florence tried to pry more out of her ex husband but Lee was very stubborn.

“What do you want, Florence? Why are you even here? I would have thought you’d run off with some rich man and get out of this shit hole.”

“I stayed close after we split, but-”

“I got the flour and sugar, they put the flour on the top shelf so I had to find someone to help me. Oh, who is this?”

“I’m Florence, Lee’s ex wife and you are?” This was Lee’s worst nightmare, he thought of all the possible ways they could get out of this situation.

“I’m Y/n-”

“Y/n has been helping me since I got hurt.”

“Oh alright, well it was good to see you Lee and nice to meet you Y/n.” She gave them a nod and went on her way.

Y/n was confused about what had occurred while she was a few aisles away, but did not pry for any information because Lee already seemed upset. They quietly finished their shopping and started their journey home. The faint sound of the radio was the only thing to break the deafening silence in the vehicle.

“I don’t mean to budge, but I didn’t know you had an ex wife.”

“Yeah, we were together for a long time. But it just didn’t work after a while.” He lied to her because he always felt embarrassed to tell people that his then wife had cheated on him.

“Oh okay.”

“Seeing her today just brought up some bad memories, and I’m sorry if that affected my mood towards you.”

“You’re okay Lee, you just seemed sad is all.”

“I’m alright Darlin’.” He moved his hand to her thigh and gave it a small squeeze. He decided to leave his hand there to test the waters.

Y/n felt a small blush creep onto her face along with the butterflies in her stomach. She then felt an unfamiliar warmth between her legs but chose to ignore it. The rest of the ride they remained in a peaceful silence. Once they arrived at Lee’s Y/n unloaded the car and let Lee put some things away. She would have rather let him rest but he insisted that he was fully capable of helping her. Y/n made them a small lunch and watched Lee attempt to wash dishes while leaning on his crutches. As determined as he was, Y/n finished washing the dishes. They retreated to the living room, Lee plopped onto the couch instead of his chair and laid down. All of the walking had taken his energy. Y/n went to sit on Lee’s chair when he stopped her.

“Darlin’, you are too far away. Come sit with me.”

Y/n walked over and sat at his feet but Lee wanted her to be closer.

“Will you lay with me Darlin’?”

“Are you sure Lee? I might be a little heavy for that, I don’t want to hurt your leg.”

Lee shook his head in frustration.

“I am absolutely sure that I want you to lay with me and you gotta stop saying that you are too big because you are not and never will be. Once I’m healed up I will show you, but for now you need to take my word for it.” He gave her a stern look, but it softened as she got closer to him. Y/n laid on Lee with her head on his chest. Lee wrapped one arm around her and rubbed her back with his hand. It did not take long for the both of them to drift off to sleep.

Lee woke up to a cool breeze that overcame him. Y/n was no longer on his chest but in the kitchen preparing dinner. Lee rubbed his eyes and went to find her. He walked in the kitchen to see Y/n cooking dinner and singing along to a small radio she had found in one of his cupboards. The words she sang were faint but he could hear her. He stood there a few minutes before the song ended and decided to make his presence known.

“You are a woman of endless talents, Darlin’.” He approached her and stood beside her as she chopped some vegetables.

“Thank you Lee, but I would have to disagree.” When she looked up to talk to him she could see many hairs out of place from his nap. His disheveled dew made her smile as she continued to chop.

“Why don’t you ever believe me? Is it so outrageous to think that you are just as amazing as I say you are?” Lee was somewhat frustrated that Y/n kept arguing with him about this.

“I’m just not used to someone being so nice to me, Lee. You are the first man in a long time to actually pay any mind to me.”

“Well from now on all you need is my attention, can’t have anyone try to steal you away from me.” Lee reached over and gave her a small peck on her shoulder and moved his way up her neck with more kisses. She scrunched up when he got to her neck where she was a little ticklish. He decided to leave her to cook as he went outside to sit on his front porch. Lee didn’t get to sit out there very often and planned to do it as much as he could while he was off work. It was supposed to be relaxing until the one person he didn’t want to see showed up in his driveway.

Florence.

Taglist: @eclecticpatrolroadlawyer @mrsyixingunicorn10​

#lee bodecker x reader #lee bodecker x mid-size reader #lee bodecker x plus size reader #lee bodecker #mid-size reader #plus size reader

[firesideme]

Chapter Seven

You can hardly bear to look at them as you follow them backstage. How can you possibly provide comfort? What words could you say to make this better?

“It’s worse than we thought,” Hongjoong says, eyes shining. 

San wraps his arms around himself. “It’s all falling apart too quickly. How are we supposed to fix this?”

“Mono, it all started with you,” Jongho says, fury and pain in his eyes, and you flinch back as he approaches. “You have to know something!”

“I’m sorry.”

“Anything! Just think.”

“Stop it,” Hongjoong says. “We need to keep calm.”

Wooyoung suddenly begins to march away, the others calling after him. “The only thing left to do is leave the city,” he explains. “My dad has a motorcycle. I’m going.”

“Wooyoung!” Hongjoong shouts.

“You have a better idea?”

“Take someone with you, idiot. We don’t know if it’s safe.”

Wooyoung looks at the group.

“You and me,” Yunho says, slapping his palm against Wooyoung’s. “I’m not going to sit around.”

You ask, “How long does it take to get to the city?” There’s a moment of silence before you understand why they don’t answer: they can’t remember.

“It doesn’t matter.” Wooyoung pulls Yunho along. “The second we see something different, we’ll come back.”

“We’ll wait for you at the factory,” Hongjoong says. “Don’t do anything stupid.”

It feels overwhelmingly like defeat to help them out of the uniforms you helped dress them in, having never had the chance to be used. Conversation is attempted, but every attempt falls flat. San sits on one of the armchairs, hugging his knees while Jongho picks at a hole in his shirt. Seonghwa bounces his knee, watching Hongjoong as he paces back and forth.

“I shouldn’t have let them go,” he mutters. “I should have gone with them or… agh!”

With your knees held tight to your chest, you sit beside Yeosang on the couch, going over and over the few clues you have in your notebook. You add to it:

The group’s memories are getting even worse. Don’t know how long they have left

Your tears blot the page. You can’t remember your past, but everything else is clear in your head; are you going to be the only one left in this world? More alone than you ever thought possible?

Why am I different?

You underline it over and over until Yeosang’s stops you, rubbing his thumb over your skin. 

The hourglass on the table mocks you. What else could you do with it other than turn it? What else is it for?

As the others start to drift off, exhausted from the stress, you stare at the blue-tinged glass and the sand inside. Should you break it open? Scatter the sand to the wind?

“Mono!”

You jump, searching for the voice and coming to meet Yeosang’s eyes. “Who was that?” he asks. The others blink awake.

“Mono!”

Your head snaps to find the source, seizing the small radio. “Hello? Who are you?”

“There isn’t any time.” The voice crackles as if you aren’t tuned into the right frequency, but you don’t dare turn the dials for fear of losing it. 

Jongho tries to take it from you. “What the hell is-”

You snatch it out of his reach. “Quiet!”

“What’s going on? Why aren’t you back yet?”

“What? Who are you?”

“Shit…” There’s a pause. It’s too garbled to make out, but you think you hear others talking in the background. “This is why I wanted you to wait, Mono.”

“Just tell me what I have to do!”

“Are all eight of them with you?”

“No?”

“Then get them. Do you see the eight rings on the base of the hourglass?”

You glance at it, and a quick count proves there are in fact eight of them. “Yes.”

“All of them have to be touching them for it to work.”

You want to scream. “That’s what I had to do? Why- what will happen once we do?”

The man on the other end is quiet again. You’re about to shout at him when he says, “Oh, Mono, what happened to you? Look, you don’t have any time. If you stay in that place, you’ll be erased from existence. Find the others and turn the hourglass. I’ll find a way to help you afterward.”

“Did he say ‘erased from existence’?” Jongho says quietly, staring at the radio like it had grown a head. 

You shake it again. “Tell me what turning the hourglass will do!”

“It’ll take you where you all need to be. Please, trust me. And Mono, know that I believe in you. Always. And I’m with you, even if we’re not together.”

Radio static replaces his voice, and for a moment, all anyone can do is stare at it.

“Who the hell was that?” San finally says. 

“Wasn’t it…” Hongjoong swallows. “Wasn’t that my voice?”

You scoff at the absurdity, but… hadn’t you thought the voice was familiar?

San laughs without humor. “No way. There’s no way.”

“There’s two of me,” you argue.

“We don’t know that for sure.”

Hongjoong takes a breath. “Right now, I think we should do what he says."

“What if we can’t trust him?” Seonghwa says. 

“Can we afford not to? We have to find the others.”

“They could be miles away by now!” Jongho says.

“Are we really going to be erased from existence?”

“How is that even possible?”

“What if Yunho and Wooyoung have forgotten what they need to do?”

“Enough!” Hongjoong slams his fit on the table, making the hourglass lose balance and topple. You and Yeosang catch it each with one hand, your heart in your throat. Hongjoong doesn’t lose his momentum. “There’s only one road leading out of town. We’ll leave a note for them here, and we’re going to follow that road until we find them.”

“And then what?” Jongho says.

“Mono is going to turn that hourglass.”

Reluctantly, you stand, packing your notebook, the radio, and the hourglass safely wrapped in your jumper into your bag. The group travels quickly on their feet, forcing you to almost run to keep up.

“He sounded like he knew you, like you were close,” Yeosang says. “More than that, he made it sound like you really are from somewhere else.”

You don’t know what to say, having no memory of it, so you just nod. 

“I don’t trust him.”

“It’s like Hongjoong said, we don’t have a choice.”

It goes unsaid as you get close to the outskirts of town: strange things are happening. You walk and walk, but never seem to get anywhere. The clouds in the distance stay in the same place, never moving. There’s no wind, no birdsong, even the sun has frozen in sunset. 

“Wait!”

The group skids to a halt, looking back. Jongho is pulling on Seonghwa’s arm several meters behind. 

“He just stopped!” Jongho says. 

“Seonghwa!” Hongjoong barely stops himself from tackling his friend in his rush to reach him. “Are you okay? What’s going on?”

“Hongjoong? What are we doing here?”

Jongho drops his arm, but their leader shakes Seonghwa’s shoulders. “We’re finding Yunho and Wooyoung and we don’t have time to waste. Come on.”

“That’s right… How did I forget?”

“It doesn't matter. Come on.”

But barely a minute passes before another question stops the group. “Where’s Wooyoung?” Mingi says. “And Yunho? Why are we…?”

You grip Yeosang’s hand as if it will tether his memory to you. “It’s getting so much worse… We have to find them.”

You look to Hongjoong for support, but his face has crumpled with confusion. A sob escapes your lips, the only sound in a world that has become deathly silent, until the rumble of a motorcycle vibrates through the air. 

Wooyoung, Yunho sitting behind him, appears from a side road, almost crashing into Seonghwa before he leaps out of the way. At the sudden stop, the bike loses balance and Yunho and Wooyoung spill out over the street, getting covered in dust, clouds of it getting in your eyes and mouth. 

You help them up, making sure they aren’t injured, but Wooyoung draws away with unnecessary force. 

“What are you doing here?” Yunho asks, brushing the dust from his clothes. “Never mind. We- we…”

“It’s all over,” Wooyoung says and kicks the wheels of the bike. 

“What did you find?” 

“Ah, we- we-” Yunho looks down at his hand and you see he’s written: Find the others. The world is falling apart. “Ah! Just let me remember!” He hits his head in frustration and speaks quickly, a deep line between his brows as he struggles to keep his thoughts straight. “We followed the road out of town but there was this, this thing! It was like a mirage or something, I don’t know how to explain it, but it was getting closer so we headed right back into town.”

You’ll be erased from existence.

“How far away?” you ask.

Yunho and Wooyoung look at each other. “I can’t remember!” Wooyoung moans, holding his head. 

You tear the hourglass from your bag, ripping away the jumper it’s wrapped in. “Come on!”

No one responds. You let out another sob, hopelessness crushing your chest.

Yeosang squeezes your hand. “The hourglass, what was it for..?”

Looking at their faces again, it’s obvious none of them can remember either. You doubt they can even recall why they’re standing in the lane. How can you make them do what you ask?

As you kneel in the soil, you hear a sharp intake of breath. 

“Guys. look.”

You raise your head and follow Jongho’s gaze. He’s looking over the landscape. The sky shifts and roils, clouds twitching like dying animals. What should be trees and hedgerows undulate and twist, the houses and other buildings are nothing but color and shape. No matter what you focus on, the second you blink, it’s changed into something unrecognizable. It reminds you of the way heat rises off the ground when it's hot enough, blurring the air. Only a small area around the nine of you remains untouched.

“Falling apart.” Wooyoung stands frozen, the whites of his eyes catching the static light of the afternoon sun. “We’re going to disappear.”

You rush to Hongjoong, hoping his influence as their leader will have some effect, and shake him. “Tell everyone to come to me.”

He blinks. “Why?”

“Hongjoong, please!”

“What’s wrong, Mono?” 

You whip your head around. Yeosang cocks his head as if he’s concerned about you. He remembered me, you realize. He’s still there.

“We need to try the hourglass.”

“Right…” he shakes his head. “Right… But why?”

“Yeah, why?” Wooyoung asks, prodding the glass. “What’s so special about it?”

You stand in the center of the group, unable to stop the tears. “Because I’m asking you. Please. Please!” You hold it out in front of you. “Everyone, take one of the rings on the base and hold on.”

Yeosang, hesitantly, comes forward. Then, as if remembering a fond memory as he looks at you, he smiles. “If it’s important to you, I’ll do it.”

The world around you crumbles. Your ears pop from a sudden change in pressure. Inches from your feet, the ground swirls like water. 

The others haven’t moved.

“You said you wouldn’t forget even if the world falls apart!” you shout at Hongjoong. “We promised that we wouldn’t let anyone forget us? Was that all a lie?”

“The hourglass,” he says dreamily, coming forward. 

“Hongjoong!”

His gaze focuses when his finger curls around one of the metal rings. “The hourglass! Everyone, come here!”

Your first instinct was right; Hongjoong’s voice commands the others forward, even if they can’t remember why they feel the need to listen to him. 

“That’s right! Everyone, the rings!”

They each touch the hourglass and you cry out in relief. There’s a dragging feeling against your entire body, as if you’re being pulled into a whirlpool.

You put your hand on the top of the hourglass, tears flowing down your cheeks. “You remembered me, Yeosang,” you say, and kiss his cheek. “Thank you.”

You turn the hourglass-

#ateez #yeosang #jongho #wooyoung #hongjoong #yeosang reader #yeosang x you #yeosang x named reader #seonghwa #san #yunho #mingi #suggestive content #fanfic

[yoyosandoreos]

i’m sorry, i need somewhere to vent this out. please ignore this, it honestly has nothing to do with the blog or my content or anything. just need to get some shit out of my head from twitchcon. please understand if you choose to look

nah but this weekend was a fucking nightmare. it started off so well. two days of hanging with people i considered my best fucking friends. people i’ve poured myself out to for nearly two years now. people who have helped me through some rough times, and people who we’ve shared secrets together with numerous times. people i sat through two ttrpg games with. people who fucking helped me get to where i am with vtubing, helped me design my fucking vtuber model.

then just...radio fucking silence. it was bad enough that i had a panic attack in twitchcon because i’d never been to such a large convention before, and i was choosing that moment to wear girl clothes in public for the first time. i had no support in that, i was left on my own to deal with my panic and nervousness alone. i walked around that convention center by myself for nearly 2 hours. 2 hours of feeling everyone’s eyes on me, judging me.

and then when I finally met back up with them, I was just disregarded super hard. like i wasn’t even there. then we got back to their place, and i finally went home. and then nothing. for 2 fucking days. ghosted and left in complete silence. agonizing silence. my own best friends wouldn’t talk to me. i spent these past two days beating myself up, tearing apart every memory trying to figure out what went wrong. was it because i was too nervous for karaoke? was it something i said and didn’t realize was wrong? did I do something to offend them? was I just not that good enough???

then today, i work up the nerve to apologize for....something. i literally apologized to them without having any idea if i did anything to justify apologizing to them. and then i’m just told that “it didn’t work out” as if it was some kind of fucking fling and i’m being broken up with. just told that they didn’t feel the same “connection” they thought we had together. bitch we’ve been friends for nearly 2 fucking years how the fuck do you just up and decide there’s nothing there just because you met me in person??? i sat through these past few days and hours just killing myself inside and thinking i fucked up, and all i get is some vague breakup text that says we’re not friends anymore? and that you “hope I find a meaningful friendship that is reciprocated”???? at least fucking tell me what i did wrong if you’re going to drop me to the side like that

i know i’m so easily discarded but for fucks sake, at least do a better job of telling me why

now i’ve got nothing

i can’t trust any other friend i’ve made, and i can’t trust that any of them genuinely give enough of a damn to want to be my friend in any capacity.

i can’t trust that anyone values my time and/or genuinely wants me around

i lost every ounce of trust for every single person i’ve met and will meet from here on

i’ve lost every shred of confidence in myself that i’d built up over the past year

i’m a fucking mess

[emesis-blue-scout]

Needing help in ways that don't exist, out of time and out of place.

Story of my fucking life.

Hanging in there, in the meantime? Sorry for my radio silence.

-⌚

WATCH EMOJI??? Have we talked before? My memory is kinda shit....

#emesis blue scout #emesis blue

[pochx]

don't actually read this please

idk what it is about the confessional of a small (semi) private space online to say shit u really should not tell people so openly that works so much better than my actual journal but uh.

it helps!

anyway. fr this is confessional shit that i'll talk about w/ the new therapist i'm trying to see if it comes up but

i'm that bitch who causes problems and is so good at slow burning bridges. like it's the self prophecy idk why but that's the hardest thing for me to stop myself from doing. my anxiety and fear latches onto one small thing and i make it real because idk! idk.

also wtf is happening outside. whatever, it's distracting

but god it just came out of nowhere this small fear. this small concern that first sprouted during some other deeply anxiety fueled misery moment. and now it's all i can think about. it is all i can think about.

but like god. i'm no fun. i just. i'm barely even here man, barely. when people think of their best moments, the best memories. i have never been in a single one. and not like i have to be but, i just. don't leave that mark on people, they don't have those moments with me because i'm just not that person. and the self actualization or w/e and i make it true, i'm just a fucking drag y'know?

also like. literally random but and different it came to me tonight so like. because of this constant fear right? and delusional tendencies of me to my relationships but idk if ppl realize how heavily i have to rely on what they directly say to me to prevent even MORE constant fear and whatnot. but someone recently (a month ago) said to me "i know my word might not mean much but..." and like damn

it actually really fucking did until then and also now. like i have full confidence and will take ppl on their words because i have to. i cannot play guessing or indirect games, i will be direct and i will assume u are too (do i tend to say things matter less than they do? yes but it matters little for you and more for me to change how i react/feel) but saying that just. ruins the confidence i had in your word until then.

also this last bit is just me whining and being insecure but i can tell that my writing is no good okay and that others think so. i know. a few decent lines or some snarky humor here and there isn't enough. and i'm relatively okay with that but its more frustrating to be told otherwise. i can show u what i write but the radio silence is enough okay. the polite dodging of making any comment beyond something else or the one small good line that there is. it's mediocre and i wish we could just go with that. or that people only ask about my silly oc because they want to be polite or w/e and that no one else literally cares or thinks the same oc w the same concept is interesting. like mint chocolate and mint with brownies are the same thing essentially i know.

sorry.

that's mean. and unfair.

things aren't great mentally. they never are but it's really bad and i'm trying to start getting some help. i just. need to be a genuine selfish dick for a bit (even more than i already am<3 self absorbed icon<3)

whatever. it's okay. my birthday is next month and, i'm sure it'll be forgotten again. i'll just keep being the little clown i am and accept what i'm given because it's not like i can ask people to change their habits for me right?

again. sorry. not what i normally actually feel or think. i just need this moment to be a dick.

(actually what i really need is to stop being a jug with the bottom cut out so the care that ppl give me isn't instantly lost but u know. sometimes a bitch just needs to be told that ppl are glad to have them in their life over and over again and that they do something that actually somehow improves it) (this is too much. it is needy. it is insecure and like a baby without object permanence. it will be annoying if not already)

wow. uh that was long. whoops. really hope no one read this. quite pathetic innit? bit much really.

#ig i cant stop anyone but just uh. #yea it's personal stuff and etc etc #anyways cheers to being the same unchanging bitch for the most part right #also its 1 am....i did not finish my hw thats due b4 class tmrrw. ig no book reading b4 class bc i gotta do that instead

[downywrites]

Forgot I have a blog have a drabble Ig

lol sorry

Sapnap was not going to lie...the car ride was taking much, much longer than he expected. Trees and bushes he swore he saw earlier whizzed by the windows, looking almost like stripey, green paint smears rushing by. He kept his eyes on the road, leather steering wheel slippery under his grip. Sneaking a peek into the back of the car, the two other occupants were snoring softly, chests rising and falling in harmony. Quackity and Karl took no notice of the other, with Karl murmuring sweet nothings in his sleep. At the sound of his voice, Quackity snuggled in closer instinctually, a small coo escaping his mouth as he did. ‘Cute.’ His mind supplied, smiling over them like a fawning dam. He shook his head, shaggy hair almost falling into his face. ‘Gotta stay focused. Can’t crash the car with them in it.’ He weaved his tail through the cracks in the seats to check on them anyway, spade dragging over something glassy and spherical shaped as he reached for Karl. With a little maneuvering, he pulled off the accessory, patting the time traveler’s head. The softness of his hair made him giggle a bit, forcing him to pull back in order to keep them from crashing into a tree. ‘Nope, nope. Stay focused. Don’t think about them, don’t think about them…’

The sound of the radio humming softly in the background faded in and out of Sapnap’s consciousness, like a drumstick just barely touching the leather surface. It was the one thing that kept him going throughout the whole car trip- that, and the soft trilling coming from the duck in the back seat. He sighed, ears flicking slightly to stave off his own drowsiness. The GPS’s voice beeped in his ear, startling him slightly. “You have reached your destination. It is ahead on the right.” Hair standing on end from the grating voice, he shuddered, shakily driving into the designated parking spot outside his house. ‘Ugh, why is that GPS so fucking loud? I need to turn the stereo down, man. Ow.’ 

Stumbling out into the chilly air of the night-time, he wrapped his tail about his waist, instinctually heating up to keep himself at a healthy temperature of 104 degrees. With a few little crackles, his clothes smoldered from the heated contact, but stayed relatively fire-free. Gingerly, he opened the back door, arm outstretched in case one of his lovers was leaning on it. Much to his relief, they were not. Carefully, almost too carefully, he tapped the closest shoulder (?) among the tangle of limbs and feathers. A small jerk accompanied the tap. Nothing else moved. He tapped again. 

“Hello? Are either of you awake?” A small moan, high yet throaty, escaped the owner of the shoulder he was tapping. Emboldened by the reaction, the blaze tapped again, this time much more insistent than before. The soft fabric the two of them were under shifted at the movement beneath it, making a shuffling sound that was unmistakably Karl. “Karl, I know you’re awake~” The brown-haired man groaned softly, one eye opening to look at his assailant with mock irritation. “Go away, I’m sleeping. Dead. Not alive at all, you killed me.” He slumped down, head lolling even more than before in a overdramatized show of ‘death’. “Blech.” 

Whether or not Sapnap believed his act was veritable or not, it certainly was loud enough to rouse the final of the trio. Wings flicking outwards and catching Karl in the side of the face as they extended, he yawned widely, feathers fluffing. The time traveler let out a curse at the whack. ‘Ow, Quacks, that hurt…” He whined, making his best (sleepy) puppy-dog eyes at the barely-sentient avian. Quackity paid it no heed, simply crawling slowly towards the door as drunkards do. He’d know, he had to deal with them almost every day at his casino. Out of the two still within the car, he was the first to emerge in all his pin-feathered glory, stumbling into Sapnap’s arms like a rag doll. The warrior chuckled, hefting him onto his shoulder with a grunt. “Hmph, guess I’ll have to carry you guys. Literally, this time.”

“Karl?” 

“Yes?”

“Wanna hitch a ride?” 

“…Fuck yes.”

“Don’t let my dad hear that on a call, or he’ll kill ya.” 

—

It didn’t take long for Karl to get situated.

Karl didn’t have much on him, which made things even easier for them to pick up and bring into the warm, already-lit house. A pair of goggles for his time-warping, a few pairs of clothes, his notebooks and quills…and that was about it. Karl was a light packer. 

Quackity? Not so much. 

Sapnap hissed at the burn in his calves, tail lashing a little. “Quacks, did you bring your entire casino with you? How heavy did you pack?!” The duck hybrid smirked, huffing a jar of…something he stole from his bags. With his other hand, he placed some extra baggage on the edge of his tail, watching with amusement as it slid down the length of it and mussed up the hairs there. Another curse flew past his face as he did, as well as a glare that could have cooked him with its intensity. Turning to the side, he whistled, holding his arms behind his back in fake innocence. “What? Did something happen?” Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw his lover hiss out a small plume of smoke. “You little shit.” He covered his second smirk with a well-timed wing stretch. “I have no idea why you would call me such a rude thing out of the blue like that. How dare you.”

A smirk of his own began to grow on Sapnap’s face, a look that sent a little chill down his spine. “You’re lucky you’re so cute and it’s too cold for me to supercharge myself, or you’d be on the floor right now.” “Pants on or pants off?” A little twinkle in his eye, this time. “Either would be fine with me.” 

A soft voice from the inside of the house made the two pause. “Sappy, Quacky, it’s 1:30..I wanna go to bed soon, please?” Both pairs of eyes widened. A beat of silence passed, with nothing but a soft bowing of the wind to punctuate the supreme lack of reaction from the two, before Quackity lunged for the door, running away at top speed. Sapnap ignored the burn in his muscles to chase after the duck, panting softly with the exertion. Already used to the two rowdier men in his life, Karl stepped to the side nonchalantly, waiting for the two of them to enter the house before shutting the door with a satisfying click. He shook his head slightly, rubbing his eyes a little. “Those two have that much energy? Oh boy, I don’t know if I can keep up with that pace if this is an everyday thing…” The thuds of the duo’s socked feet hitting the hardwood floor made him giggle a little. “If they don’t tire themselves out first, I mean. I should go check on them soon..” He trailed off, glancing at the fireplace longingly. “Hmm…” Walking towards the glassy windowpane, he lit a match on the edge of the bricks, throwing it in and switching the gas on. Soon enough, the smell of flames and warm coals buffeted his face. Muffling a sigh of content, he closed the door quickly, sitting on the edge of the couch. Noticing that the sounds of their chase had subsided, he called out, “Saved some space for you two! You two tuckered yourselves out, didn’t you?”

Sure enough, the duo had shuddered to a stop, halting breaths making their chests heave like two points in the sea. Karl had to resist the urge to rush to them right then and there to give them a hand as they struggled to sit down on the couch. “You two are so dumb sometimes.” He rolled his eyes fondly at the two of them, before noticing a particular item in Sapnap’s hand. “Is that...my luggage bag? Have you been carrying that the entire time?” The sheepish silence from the other said enough. “You’re such a honking idiot, Sappy.” A toothy grin was his only retort. A small groan from Quackity made their attention shift to him. Sapnap opened his mouth to make a joke about his apparent loss in their mock-game of tag. It was certainly the wrong choice. 

Gold, shimmering feathers found their way into his open mouth, soft, outlined wings stretching out. Quackity snickered at the resulting sputter he got from his boyfriend, pulling back his wing before any payback could occur. “That’s for fucking shoving me into the floor. Twice.” Sapnap glared at him, but there was no real heat behind it. With a soft, resigned growl, he leaned back into the couch, sinking into it a little more and shoving his horns into the cracks in the cushions. The pressure on the faces of them made him hum a little, tail stretching out to wrap around Quackity’s wrist. 

Quacking softly in return, the duck hybrid spread his wings out, laying the dandelion primaries on his two lovers. After a moment of fluffing, they sat like two flower-colored blankets to either side of him, as if they were doused in a shimmering mustard-and-sunlight hued veil. Karl made a noise of contentment himself, grabbing at his wing gently and organizing the feathers carefully. He kneaded into the semi-tense muscles, a small pang of joy overwhelming his senses when each spot slowly relaxed under his fingers and a small little trill escaped Quackity’s lips. Sapnap was no different, carding through the feathers and heating up just enough to feel cozy for the other. Massaging his body heat deep into Quackity’s muscles, he grinned at the contented noises the others were making.

 Still trilling, the duck grabbed Sapnap’s tail, inciting a small surprised noise from the blaze, and gently took the spade of it into his hands. With deft, flickering touches, the man teased the soft, velvety surface of the twitching appendage. Massaging small circles into the membrane where spade and tail-bone met, he grinned slightly at the hitch of breath he got in return. “LIke that, mi corazon?” A soft growl was Sapnap’s only response, as well as a small prick of his fingernails digging into his feathers. His fingers traced the outlines of his tail, rubbing the soft fluff with the meat of his thumb. At the edges, he scratched ever so slightly at the sensitive ridges. Sapnap giggled, squirming in place and purring a bit. His cheeks heated up at the way the two of them looked at him. 

“W-whihy are you guhuys looking at me like tha-hat?” 

Karl’s eyes twinkled with mischief and adoration. “Well, you’re just too cute! If Q’s making you this soft and giggly, what would the two of us be able to do to you?” His ears flicked back a little from the gentle teasing. Covering his mouth and breaking eye contact, his tail halfheartedly tried to escape Quackity’s grasp. The casino dealer merely held on tighter, scribbling lightly over the surface again to watch his lover’s shoulders jump from repressed laughter. Karl giggled to himself, getting off of the couch to circle around it and ambush the blaze. When Sapnap’s eyes almost flicked to the (not very sneaky) man, Quackity thumbed at the base of it again. He choked on a loud purr, eyes fluttering closed as he all but melted onto the armrest. “S-stohop, I ne-need to help you two gehet sihituateD-”

 He yelped at Karl’s sudden touch on his horns, before another stuttering loud purr escaped him. The time traveler standing above him grinned, scratching and squeezing his horns. As he teased his lover’s horns, he leaned down to whisper into his flicking ear. “Well, we can do that after you’re a puddle of purrs and giggles, can’t we?” The blaze squealed, shoving his face deeper into the armrest. “N-ahaha, Kaharl!” His horns pulsed with energy beneath his hands, the sensitive rides and planes slowly filling with its unique inner color Quackity and Karl had seen so many times before. Quackity chuckled, rubbing at the tail in his hands firmly. He pulled his wings in so they didn’t get crushed by the warrior. If he noticed, Sapnap showed no reaction to it, squirming around and purring through his squeaky, flustered giggles. “Aww, who’s the cutest little Sappy Nap? You are!” Karl grinned, planting a kiss on the crown of his head. The blaze’s purrs only got louder. Sapnap peeked through his hair to look at him, fondness apparent in his expression. Gently massaging at the base of his horns again, he scribbled at the shell of his ear with a smile.

Quackity was not one to be outdone. “You might have him purring in your hands, Karl, but I swear I’ll make him roll over for me.” He quacked gently at the other, eyes narrowing and wings flaring with his challenge. Without waiting for his acceptance of the friendly challenge, the duck dove in, lunging onto Sapnap’s back and scribbling over his lower back indiscriminately. With his spare hand, he continued to rub at the now-limp tail, keeping the ‘poor’ warrior out of commission and fully unable to fight back.. Not that he wanted to. Sapnap was in a state of pure bliss, hybrid instincts keeping him content as the household’s current purr machine. As Quackity began to hone in on his spine, his back arched away from his fingers weakly. His tail whipped about a little, curling around the duck’s hand contentedly. “Naha-ahah! Plehehease!”

“Oh? Does our little blaze want more pets? What do you think, Quacks?”

“Oh, si. I think we can do this all night~” 

#did I beta read this nope #lee!sapnap #ler!quackity #ler!karl #dsmp tickle #mcyt tickle #tickle fic #more a drabble tho #downywrites #sorry for the radio silence my memory is shit