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pomegranate-pen · 1 year

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Stranded. Chapter 6. The Game's Championship.

“so you got injured?!” Jason gasped.

“yep.” It's been about three days since Eggman's attack at the pet shop. After the whole ordeal, the place got crowded again and you were busy helping everyone out. Your body felt sore, yet your heart felt quite content. You were glad to finally show your veterinary skills and helping out all those adorable animals always felt nice.

A ringtone rose in Jason’s room, taking a glance, Jacob immediately grumbled and declined it. “who was that?” you rose a brow. Jason suddenly tensed up and avoided your gaze, scratching his neck awkwardly. “No one! No one at all!” he stressed out a laugh.

There was only one person Jason would avoid talking about with you these days. Heart feeling heavy and a bitter frown evident on your face, you sighed. “was it Louis?”

Jason huffed, gulping down some guilt and nodding. “Y-yeah..it was him. He keeps calling me, I think he noticed you’re missing here.” You hummed at that. “You know…Mom called too.”

“Oh? Really? Cool. Anyway-“ the last thing you wanted was to speak to your mother again. You’d rather jump in the lava beneath you instead. In a desperate attempt to change the subject, you bring up another question. “how's Brianna? Is she doing well?”

“she’s fine. Also, she said hi.” Jason quickly answered, going back to the main topic in his mind. “Y/n, you have to tell mom.” You clicked your tongue. A grumble came out of your throat as you looked away. “Why should I? It's not like she cares about anything I do.”

“yes she does!”

“no she doesn’t and you know it!” Jason scowled a bit. “ she might’ve cared for you, Jason. But barely ever for me. Whenever she even tried acting like she cared she just ended up making things worse!” your shoulder slouched and your throat felt like its passage was blocked. “don’t tell me you forgot about the Cecilia book.”

Jason falls silent, murmuring to himself a bit in confusion. Racking through the library of memories stacked in his brain. Suddenly, he jolts up a bit in satisfied realization but soon enough, that satisfaction becomes bitter as he grimaces over the memory. “Yeah…” he nervously laughed, rubbing his neck awkwardly. “I-I remember that…you cried a lot after it.”

Taking a sharp breath, you bit back your tongue from saying anything harsh. Knuckles balling up into fists and tongue feeling like sandpaper, you tried your best to calm down. Feeling annoyed and awkward from the situation now and knowing how stubborn Jason can be, you immediately brought up an excuse to leave. “A-anyway, Jason, I gotta go now. Amy’s probably waiting for me.” Jason nodded in understanding. Though a disappointed frown was evident on his face. “alright then, see ya!”

“Yeah, see ya.”

With a few clicks and taps, your computer was turned off and closed.

Getting up, you put the computer back in your backpack and took out a rope from it. The item belonged to Tails at first, but now that you have to go up and down the summit at times, he let you borrow it.

Still, it was so tense. You were not a professional at this nor was it a normal daily thing for you. Climbing up and down the rope hoping for the best was sure to kill you at some point. But at the same time, you don’t want to bother anyone to help with this. Not Sonic with helping you climb up there, not Tails with using his helicopter for it or even Stciks to give you pro tips. You feel like you’ve just suddenly waltzed into their life wanting help. And even now, you feel like a bother to Amy. Sure your relationship is much better with her than it was before, yet you can’t help but feel guilt over it. The house barely has room for one person, let alone two.

Shaking your head, you gulped and set your feet down. Feeling relief from surviving that deadly situation, you walked down the mountain while trying to maintain your speed and not fall off. You hear a sigh a few feet away from you and turn your head to its source.

You see a small wolf kid, walking down the place and looking around in an urgent matter. Soon, the boy stops and his shoulders slouched. He groans in frustration. He suddenly notices your glance and brightens up. “Hey, Miss!” he walks up to you. “Have you perhaps seen a walrus walking around here?” you thought for a bit and shook your head. “No, I don’t think so.”

“Could you please help me find him?”

“Well…I..” you really weren’t in the mood. Not to mention, your legs felt like jelly from your whole climb mere seconds ago. Yet, as the wolf looked at you with those common puppy dog eyes children use to manipulate adults with, you sigh in defeat. “Alright…I’ll help you I guess.” The boy grins.

The kid, named Kaden, explained the situation while you were both walking around the mountain in search of his friend. Apparently, the two were playing hide and seek, and now it was Kaden’s turn to seek. Yet, no matter where he looks, he can’t find him.

“did you check the other parts of the forest?” you asked. Kaden shook his head and spoke again. “We both agreed on only hiding around this area. If he’s hiding somewhere else then that’s cheating!”

A few minutes passed and there was still no sign of the walrus kid. You’ve checked all the bushes, behind all of the rocks around the place, and even climbed the tallest and biggest trees to see if he was hiding up there. still, nothing. Now you were getting worried. What if the kid got kidnapped or something? Looking back at Kaden, who was walking beside you with a determined face, you tapped his shoulder to get his attention. “hey kid, I think it's best if you admit you lost.” The boy’s eyes widen. “what? Why?!”

“well, if he’s still here, he’d hear you and get out of his hiding spot, if not, then we have to go and tell the other adults so we could all try to find him.” Honestly, who let these kids wander off to the forest with no one looking after them?! Aren't there some pretty dangerous animals here?

Kaden looked disappointed, sighing and walking a few feet away from you. “Alright! I give up.” He yells out, rolling his eyes. “Where are you?!”

Suddenly, a giggle could be heard, yet looking around, you don’t see the kid at all either. Soon, the walrus’ hand pops out of nowhere from the mountain’s walls, and in a second, he comes out with a grin.

Kaden looked at the scene with pure shock. You, on the other hand, felt relief wash over you at the sight. The kid’s safe and sound and seems completely unscathed. for a moment, you thought the kid was injured somewhere deep within the forest with no one to help him out.

“Ta-da!”

“How did you…w-what-“

“Look! Look!” the walrus grabs the wolf’s arm and motions for you to follow him as well. Getting back at the spot he was, you find an entrance to it at its left. “behold! The best hiding spot in the world!” the kid goes in and gets engulfed in its darkness. “you can’t see me at this view because of the darkness!” the kid suddenly comes out and goes back to the spot you and Kaden were in moments before. “and you can't see me from here because it looks like its apart of the mountain!”

“a small cave…” Kaden mumbles and brings out a small notebook and pen from his pocket. “hold on,” the other kid looks at Kaden amusingly shocked. “you’re taking notes?” he scoffs.

“Well, yeah!” he pouts. Now angrily scribbling the info. “if we’re going to play hide n’ seek here, I’d like to remember all the cool hiding spots!”

“Actually,” you finally spoke, making the two kids jolt and look back at you. They seemed to have forgotten your presence. “I think it’s best if you don’t play here again. It’s pretty dangerous. You could’ve gotten attacked by a bear or something.”

“hey…wait a minute..” the walrus tilts his head a bit in curiosity, then his expression brightens up in realization. “you’re the vet lady everyone in class keeps talking about!”

“She is?!”

“I am?”

the whole swarm of customers could’ve been a sign of being the talk of the town. But you just thought that was solely because of Stacy’s posts about you. Have you gotten this big that you’re even being spoken about in schools? In school kids only talk about stressing over homework and exams, some funny or weird things that happened over the weekend or their favorite shows and media. Or at least, that’s what you talked about in there. But then again, your only friend there for most of the time was only Louis. There probably was more to talk about in school other than those things.

“I need your help! Can you heal hamsters?” asked the walrus kid.

“yeah, I can.” You hummed.” But I first need to know what's up with them.”

“her tail is constantly wet! I don’t know how it even got wet in the first place! At first I thought maybe she went for a swim,” the kid continued. “But then I was like- well that’s impossible! She’s in a cage right now and its door isn't open! So for a while, I’ve been thinking that maybe she’s a spy and she was working undercover and her hideout was in the water so she might’ve forgotten to dry her tail all this time and thought we didn’t notice so I started-“

“Stratford,” Kaden grumbled. “Please just get to the point.”

“ok, ok fine.” The walrus kid, who you now know is named Stratford, rolled his eyes. “so yeah, she has a wet tail.”

“I can actually do something to help with that.” You smiled. “just come to the pet shop with your parents and hamster tomorrow.” Stratford grinned happily and nodded his head. “Thank you, miss!”

A sudden scream made you all jolt. You all moved your heads left and right to find the source, only to hear some shuffling within the forest. The kids held on to you in fear, thinking that it might be a wild animal that finally caught them. Thankfully, it was no wild animal, yet a person, a cat it seemed so, who looked like he ran a hundred miles to get here. As his gaze went to the children, who were still right behind you and using you like a shield, a relieved sigh escaped him. “oh, thank god.” he started coughing a bit, now catching his breath. “I thought you guys were lost!-“ he coughs again.

“Mr.Fetcher!” the kids gasped. Now letting go of you and whispering amongst each other. They both nod in unison and turn back to the man who was still trying to regain his breath. “where were you kids?! I told you guys to not stray away from the group!”

“We- we just got lost!”

“y-yeah. A giant bear was attacking us all of a sudden!”

“and he had laser arms!”

“…” Mr.Fetcher looked at them speechless. A scolding expression crossed his face as the last line was spoken. You couldn’t help but let out a chuckle while Stratford and Kaden face-palmed.

As your chuckle was let out, you felt uneased all of a sudden. Glancing back at the two kids’ teacher, your heart dropped upon seeing his scowl right at you. He looked at you with seething hatred while you tried to look anywhere but his eyes. You noticed that he was fairly young, most likely around your age. His attire was filled with pastel colors from peachy pink to sunshine yellow. A small necklace was around his neck, one with small little cubes with different letters on them spelling ‘best teecher’.

If one could ignore that deepening frown and judgy eyes of his, they could presume he was a nice guy. The kids, now noticing your stares but being ignorant towards the hateful nature of it, spoke up. “Mr.Fetcher! the human said she can help Cheese Puff!” Stratford’s movements became a bit hyper from excitement. Mr.Fetcher, now zoned out from his scowl, gave a kind smile to the boy and acted surprised. “Really? That’s great!”

Kaden nodded. “she also helped me find Stratford. Without her, we definitely would’ve gotten lost.” Suddenly, the boy’s eyes lighten up. “hey! The field trip is about the animals in the lake, right? Maybe she can help!” the cat’s expression faltered. “w-well uh…we can’t really do that. I mean- miss uh…”

“L/n. it’s L/n.”

“right, L/n-” you noticed a small frown coming up to his face for a split second before shifting back. “-might have a lot of work to do right now! Right?” his stare, now widened up and looking at you warningly, made you tense up a bit from newfound stress in the matter. As much as teaching kids all the cool facts about animals and seeing their shocked, impressed, or even grossed-out reaction to it all seemed fun, you’d rather not feel the venomous gaze the teacher would send you during the whole time.

“y-yeah! I uh…” come on, think!!! Give them a good reason! “…I have some…” there it was again, those puppy dog eyes of theirs. Now doubled the power since Stratford joined forces with Kaden. No no no nooo do not let them get to you! “vet work to do! Uh- yeah- vet work!” you nervously laugh. Now walking away before they could utter another word.

“welp, goodbye now! Have fun on your trip and-” your foot hits a rock and you fumble a bit. after a solid five seconds of trying to regain your posture, you straighten up and look at them with a strained smile. “make sure to not get lost again! Hehe…”

You immediately leave the scene. Grimacing the whole embarrassing, awkward and now dreadful last ten minutes of your interaction with them. With your mind now mocking you for being so bad at this, you walk away from the forest.

----

Jason was losing his mind.

He regrets making his ringtone a favorite song of his, because now the song makes his stomach churn in annoyance and his eyes roll. Every second of the day, the same old song kept playing on his phone on a loop. Never-ending this catastrophic torture.

Most times it was all from Louis. He’d easily just silence his phone, if it wasn’t for the fact that the buzzing sound and vibration his phone kept sending him was also extremely annoying. Not to mention, he had a job and friends that would call him at times as well. He couldn’t ignore his phone now, albeit really wanting to do that sort of action.

Even now while he closed his computer, ending another weekly call with you, the phone suddenly started chanting its song. Leaving him groaning in exhaustion and almost close to crying. ‘When will this end?’ was the question coursing through his head. Grabbing the phone, he shrugs at the obvious intruder of his peace. Louis doesn’t give up, does he?

Maybe if he answered this time, and told him to fuck off, he’d finally leave him alone. He’d probably get fired from his job after that interaction, but it’d be so worth it. He’s been waiting for a good chance to cuss him out ever since y/n told him everything.

Clicking respond, he heard Louis’ voice.

“Jason,” Louis frowned, annoyed by the thousands of calls he had to make to reach him. “where is she?”

“fuck you.” Jason quickly hung up.

While snickering to himself, another call blew up his phone and he clicked respond with an amused grin.”I’m not telling you a single thing Louis, give up!”

The annoyed groan Louis let out only made him feel more prideful than before. “just..at least tell me if she’s safe or not! Is she doing well?”

Jason scowled. “a little too late to worry about her safety and well-being buddy.” With all the actions Louis pulled at her, it felt like he didn’t care for her one bit. Jason felt mad, saddened. All this time Louis was using Y/n like she was his favorite toy. One he saw as a best friend throughout the world. Only to throw her away when she didn’t do as he pleased. With that thought in mind, he hung up.

Like hell he’d ever tell him anything. Besides, y/n is technically safe. If you ignore the crazy guy who makes robots and swore revenge on her once, the citizens of the island who were not human and the fact that the Island is barely on any map.

Yeah..she’s probably safe.

He hopes so at least.

----

Walking down the sandy beach, you traced a thumb over the bandages on your arms. It was healing up, but the process was a little too slow for your taste. As you gazed down at your arm with annoyance, you remembered something that happened today and reached down to your pocket. Now within your palm, was a small toy figure. It seemed to be a puppy, a Dobermann one. You traced your hand over it a bit, noticing that its quality is quite good for a toy. During your work, Stratford, the kid you met yesterday, came in with his pet hamster. After healing her up, the kid was filled with pure joy at his healthy hamster and gave you this toy as thanks.

You chuckle a bit, putting the toy back in your pocket and continuing on your way. If you ignore the small pain you feel at times from your injuries and the whole attack thing that happened a few days ago, you had quite a good busy week. Now, nothing can beat a good week's worth of work rather than a good weekend.

You sigh at that, feeling yourself smile at the word. Weekends. Although it's only one and a half day of a break, it’s a much-needed one. Finally reaching Amy’s house, you opened the door and were greeted by the smell of paint.

Paint always had a unique sort of smell. One that was a mix of various chemicals jumbled up together and creating a sense of familiarity with it. For you, paint’s smell was always a scent that was mixed between metal, oil, and other various chemicals. Although it's probably definitely not mixed with them, its smell always resembled theirs. Yet, it also strangely had its own uniqueness to it. One that with one sniff, you could immediately guess what it was. The smell also brought back memories. Ones where you would paint your whole hand in different colors and smash it up on the paper, or those times when your whole family would start re-painting a room for a new decor or style. Bittersweetness laced your mouth as you waved at Amy, who was sitting on a small stool with a painting in front of her. She seemed to not notice you wave, too enamored by her work, so you decided to speak instead.

“Hey Amy! I’m back.” Your voice made the hedgehog stop her work and greet you back. “how was your day?” the girl asked, busying herself with cleaning up the brushes while waiting for your answer.

You shrugged. “nothing much.” Nothing really interesting comes to mind, to be honest. You took out the toy the child gave you and held it up with your palm, waving it around a bit to set Amy’s attention on it. “a kid did give me this toy, though.” You huffed a laugh. “I think its really cu-“

An extremely loud gasp makes you jolt. You look back at Amy and see her look at you in disbelief. Mouth agape and her brush on the floor. In a blink of an eye, Amy rushed up to you at such speed that it could almost rival Sonic’s. swiftly grabbing the toy from you, she looks at it with admiration and excitement. “Oh my god!!” the girl squeals. “this is Dirk Doberman! It's so rare! And a great attacker too! Once you give it the ice tiara he becomes super powerful and-“

“H-hold on a minute!” you stop her rambling, your head trying to process what she’s talking about. Amy gives a sheepish smile. “Sorry.” She puts the figure on the counter with the utmost care. “ I just got a little too excited-“

“It's fine, Amy. Don’t worry about it.” You quickly replied. “I’m just a bit confused, what is this?” a grin got back into her face with that question. She walks around the house and makes a bee-line to her room. In a few seconds, she comes out with a briefcase with paws on it. She opens it up, revealing a bunch more of those puppy figurings and accessories and a pink board neatly placed in it.

“it's called Fuzzy Puppies! It’s a strategic game challenging one’s intelligence and strategic thinking!” Amy excitedly explains everything. “I can teach you how to play if you want.” Well, you don’t have much to do anyway. This game does sound fun…you nod at her and she soon motioned you to go sit down on the pink chair and you do as obliged. Once there, she places the pink hexagon board next to you and a few puppies were placed on her side of the board. On the other side that was yours, ‘Dirk Doberman' was placed right in the middle. Amy also puts in a few dogs of her own there. “you only have one puppy, so I’ll let you borrow some of mine.”

The game Fuzzy Puppies is in short, a tabletop battle game with puppies. Each puppy has their own unique power and way to eliminate the other player’s puppies. Just like Amy said, it's all about strategy. In order to win the game, you must be cunning and know all your figures' abilities and the pros and cons of it.

For the cutesy look it has, it's surprisingly quite serious. It felt like you were playing an amalgamation of chess and trading card games. Trying to understand what the other is thinking about, what their next move is and how they want to win. Amy was incredible at it. She kept making you surprised with all the tactics she seemed to know like the back of her hand. The rules of the game were stuck in her mind in a tight grip. Every single one of them was deemed important in her eyes for a good strategy. Many of them looked like just a bore to know about, but benefited her greatly during the match. It was fun. incredibly fun.

Time went by quickly with the board taking away your attention. Amy won most rounds, but there were two rounds where you won instead. Albeit you're pretty sure Amy just went easy on those.

Amy rolls the dice, the dice shows 2 and she grins in confidence. She moves Sharleen Sharpay, a dog that can make smaller puppies get removed from the other player’s board by a bark. “since I got two, I can activate Sharleen’s skill, so..”

You sigh in playful defeat, taking out your last small dog. Amy puffs her chest in pride. “I win!”

“you’re way too good at this.” You mumbled out, pretty neutral about your defeat. “ how did you do it?” Amy shrugs. “I’ve been playing for a long time. I’m actually surprised you haven't heard of this game before. It's pretty big here.”

She starts cleaning up the table, first taking the board then looking back at you again. “is it that unpopular there?”

“Well…” you picked up the puppies in your corner of the table and started setting them in the briefcase. “ I mean- I’ve never heard of it. But I’m not really into gameboards, so there could be a chance that this exists.” Louis was more of a fan of them than you were. He’d bring a new board game every once a week to your house, using it as an excuse to hang out with you on school days while also showing off the new game he thought you’d both like. You don’t remember most of them now, only playing them once. But there are ones that become classics for you two.

With the fuzzy puppies now in the suitcase and your Doberman one sitting on the table, Amy looked at the clock and gave a shocked huff. “have we been playing for that long?” she chuckled. Glancing at the time, you were just as shocked as she was. 10 p.m.

“Well, I’m not that sleepy right now, are you?” she asked. “nope, I feel pretty energetic, actually.” Her eyes seemed to brighten up at that and she got up from the couch and went to the TV. “then let’s have a sleepover! We can start by watching a movie.” She excitedly opens a drawer and brings out a small box filled with CDs. Shuffling the neatly placed disks around a bit, she picks one out and immediately puts it in.

Oh well, sleepover it is.

----

“how thy voice is like a songbird. Let my eyes feast upon your beauty and my soul will be nourished by your love! A thousand roses would not dare to smell as sweet as you!”

The movie that Amy picked was a cheesy romantic one. It was quite the slow burn too. The number of trials and tribulations the two characters had to go through to reach this one confession was a total rollercoaster of emotions.

The male character was a secret hero. Being a normal baker in the day and a hero when danger erupts. The female character was a princess who was always curious about whom the hero was. She had a strong will and wanted to find out the truth no matter what. Much to the hero’s dismay. During it all, an S-tier villain plans to kidnap the princess and rule over the kingdom. Crazy shenanigans ensue as the princess keeps meeting the baker in the day and hero in the night, sweet talks shared with the civilian, and bickering with the knight. Completely oblivious to them being the same person.

At first, you weren’t interested in their relationship in the movie one bit. but now, even you feel relief from seeing them finally confess.

“Oh, even if thy face is hidden beneath a mask, your heart is visible to me, now and forever!”

Amy shed a tear from those words as you screeched “Yes!” as if your favorite team has won something.” took them long enough!” you sighed. Amy chuckled beside you and wiped her tears with a tissue. “Oh to have a love like theirs.” She huffed out.

As the two characters in the scene finally started dating, the movie ends. “so, what did you think? Did you like it?”

“it was pretty good.” You replied. Snacks of all sorts laid on the table and you didn’t stop yourself from taking one and munching on it. “that comedic character was too annoying though. Didn’t even make me laugh once.”

Amy nodded and stood up to take out the CD. “yeah, everyone hates him.” She chuckled.

Thinking for a bit, you noticed how you still weren’t tired at all. The night still felt young and even though your body was exhausted, your brain ignored their pleas for sleep and kept on working. Yet, the thought of watching another movie bored you.

“you wanna play truth or dare?”

From hearing that question, you visibly stiffened up a bit. Any huffed and rolled her eyes. “oh come on! It's not that bad.” You beg to differ. The most horrid game out there is truth or dare. If played with the wrong people, it could be the most traumatizing experience of your life. then again, you never really played it yourself. You’ve only heard your classmates talk about playing it. Hair getting shaved off, ice being put in one’s clothes, forced to embarrass yourself in public…any stories they gave sounded more like a nightmare than a fun night out.

“eh…I don’t really like that game.” You shrugged. “too many risks for my taste. You could literally make me do anything- and I’d have to comply.” Amy hummed. “I guess you’re right, that would be a problem…”

“then how about this!” her face brightened up, coming up with a new idea to make you agree. “we’ll put some ground rules on what we can’t ask and dare! I’ll start. I say that none of us should dare the other to physically change our appearance! For example, shaving off eyebrows, cutting hair, getting a tattoo…” she suddenly shivered in fear. “…dying your hair a color that doesn’t match you at all..”

You hummed, feeling more comfortable with that proposal in mind. “alright then.” You took a breath. Hands fidgeting a bit with what you were about to say, you physically prepared yourself for any reaction Amy might give to your kind of suspicious rule. “I say…that we do not ask too many questions about our lives before the Island.” You’d wish to say not to ask any question about it in general, but knowing how the ‘truth’ part of the game would be boring with that sort of rule and how you wished to know a bit more about Amy yourself, you merely prayed that she wouldn’t ask a heavy question that would be impossible to answer without mentioning him at least once.

“I’m not comfortable talking much about mine yet.” You quickly added. Amy gave you a worried glance, but hummed in understanding. “Alrighty then! So, shall we start?”

-----

“and then…BOOM! Just like that, Tails’ machine was destroyed and gross green slime covered everyone. It took me a week to get it all off!” you snorted at the story as she grumbled at your reaction. “oh come on! It’s not funny!”

“you’re right.” You grinned. “it's hilarious.”

“to you!” she couldn’t help but laugh with you a bit. “for me it was the most embarrassing thing in the world! People wouldn’t stop staring at my green goe sticking hair!” you held back a laugh and Amy punched your shoulders playfully. Soon she went back to her task at hand, painting your nails in your favorite color. “my turn now,” she hummed, still focused on not plastering the small brush messily on your fingers. “truth or dare?”

“truth.”

“what was the most romantic moment of your life?” she looked at you with bright stars in her eyes. It was an interesting question. one that took you a few moments to answer. What was the most romantic moment of your life? What could be considered romantic? Love? Happiness? Peace? All of them together?

That was a tough one. You didn't have much moments in your life you’d consider ‘romantic’. Quite frankly, the closest thing you ever had to a ‘romantic moment’ was when you ate falafels with Louis as he sobbed in the dark. His father and he had a big fight that led to him leaving and coming to your house at eleven p.m. you were lucky the shop was still open and the lights still lit up the sidewalks. His eyes were brimming with tears as he munched down on the sandwich like he hasn’t eaten for days. Your hands were on his back, letting him cry for as much as he wanted. After the food he’d hug you tight, crying on your shoulder for another hour as he explained what had happened between his waterfall of tears. You let him stay at your house for the night. As the sun for the next morning shined up, you remember him quietly thanking you and practically being glued to you the whole day. Hell, you don’t even consider that ‘romantic’ one bit. it was more sad than anything.

Your friendship might’ve been first started because of your parents, but it was still real.

You truly cared for him. You truly wanted to be his friend. You had fun with him, you laughed with him. Yet, Sometimes you wished you’d opened up to him more, let him see your true emotions rather than a relaxed smile and nod to everything being fine. But you couldn’t. you weren't allowed to. ‘If you show one sign of weakness it would seem like the whole family is weak and troubled!’ your mother reminded you. ‘ don’t tell them anything about our family. We don’t want gossipers.’

You don’t know where she’s gotten this behavior from. Trauma, experience, seeing it happening to someone else, whatever it was, it was strong in her. You never showed your feelings to anyone, because you were told not to. You never spoke about what happened at home, because you were told not to. You were desperate to follow the rules now. After the many scoldings and punishments, you got for breaking rules you didn’t know about, you were desperate to appeal to their standards. Follow the rules. Don’t talk back.

Maybe that’s why you never felt anything romantic for Louis. You were never yourself around him. You were perfect friend Y/n. always ready to give you a shoulder to cry on. Always there for you and always does what you want to do! Never fights with you and always laughs at your jokes!

Never speaks about herself. Never says a damn thing about her day. She was taught to be quiet, to behave. What a perfect kid!

“well...I don’t think I had a romantic moment.” You finally spoke. Amy looked at you shocked. “seriously?! Not even one?”

“nope.” You hummed. “did you have one?”

She paused for a bit, letting the nail polish dry off while she put the brush back in the small container. “…yeah I did. It was when Sonic got me a scarf as a gift.”

“oh, Sonic?” you gave a cocky smile. “do you perhaps…have a crush on him?” Amy’s eyes widened and a blush spread over her face. She looked away and mumbled up some denials of that claim.

“pfft, crush, on him? In his dreams!” she nervously laughed it off. “Amy,” you looked at her bluntly. “you have a picture of him with hearts around it.” Her face became even redder than before, yelping and looking away from your gaze. “you saw that?!”

“yeah, on accident though. It fell right out of your bag.” She sighed in defeat. “I knew I should’ve put it in the back pocket!”

You giggled, getting up from your laid-down position and grabbing a nail polish yourself. You grab her palm gently and start working on her nails. Amy’s blushing mad at the moment, head coursing with different thoughts and her expression turns from an embarrassed one to a one of annoyance. “I can’t believe how dense he is.” She grumbles.

“Maybe you should be more forward in your approach?” you suggested. She thinks for a bit and shakes her head. “I could do that, but it might make things awkward for the others. And anyway- I don’t want it to seem like I’m head over heels for him!” she snorted.

“Alright then, that’s all I got.”

“Seriously? That’s all the advice you have?”

“ehh..well..” your shoulders tense a bit. “I’m not…really the best at these love stuff. I’m like-“ you hiss in embarrassment. “horrible at it. As in ‘I never get the hints and think it's all platonic’ horrible.”

She chuckles. “So, just like Sonic huh?”

“Sadly yes.” You sighed.

A comfortable silence overtook the room for a moment. Your small little game of truth and dare is completely forgotten. Probably for the best, since you didn’t want to be dared to put ice cubes in your shirt or eat a whole glass worth of milk and hot sauce mixed together. Jacob was dared that once, he came back sick for two days.

“ Hey, are you doing anything tomorrow?”

“No, not really.” You replied. “why do you ask?”

Her face seemed to brighten up at your response. “well…yesterday, me and the gang were just talking and decided to play a bunch of games to see who’s the best player among us. Do you wanna join us?”

“you sure you want me to join?” you smiled. “I’m not that good in sports.” You huffed.

“I’d be really happy if you did!” she insisted. “it's not really about who wins, we all just wanna have fun.” Her face suddenly scrunched up into a frown. “Well…all of us..except…” she gives out a grumble.

Your movements with the small brush had gone still, curious to hear who she was mentioning. Hearing no answer, your eagerness to know increased and you rose your head up. “except who?”

She groans. “Sonic.”

---

You thought she was joking.

You honestly thought she was just joking. Yet, here you are on the beach, the sun blazing up on your skin and the sand feeling soft on your sandals, looking at Sonic who was warming up for the games. He was looking excentric. Excited, even. He was doing all sorts of stretches. From basic ones that are learned in P.E. to absolute bonkers pro moves that you just knew you’d break your back if you tried it. He had the cockiest of grins on his face, so stretched out that you almost thought that he was going to be in some sort of dental product advertisement. After his warm-ups he just kept running. His striking blue color kept making hoops of circles around the whole island and a strong gush of wind kept being left every time he passed by. He didn’t even greet you properly, only giving a wave with a ‘Hey Y/n!’ while running ten laps simultaneously.

“Sonic, don’t you think you’ll wear yourself out?” you screamed at the hoop of blue, hoping that your worry would somehow reach his ears. In the quickly blurred figure you could see of him, you noticed his head turning around in your direction. “Huh?” his voice was more strained than normal. “oh don’t worry! I’m totally fine! Just

a little excited!” he chuckled.

Excited enough to leave trails of lightning with every step, it seems. You quickly try to stay away from the path he was running from, not wanting to be electrocuted by his powerful speed. How many laps has he run by now? Fifty? Hundred? You weren't sure. You tried to keep count, but it got too quick at his fifth one and you merely became speechless in the end.

What was more surprising was how early he came. Amy said that she’d have to go there earlier than the time the others will to prepare for the challenges and you offered to help. So going to the destination and seeing Sonic already there was quite the shocker.

It's been an hour, yet he still goes on warming up. Amy seemed to have enough of it and huffed. She puts a basket full of fruits down. “Can’t you just help us instead?” Sonic’s head seemed to tilt from that question. he glances at the ground, noticing the amount of equipment still left to organize.

“eh…..I don’t know, it seems pretty boring.” He comments. Amy’s eyes furrow. “and anyway, I gotta prepare myself for my victory stance right after I win.” As he says that gloatful comment, he quickly zooms out and back to where he was, but now a mirror right in his hands and standing on an egotistical pose.

“How are you so sure you’re going to win?” you smirked. Sonic looks at you with a smug smile. “because I’m super awesome?” he says in a matter-of-factly tone.

“is that going to take you far though?” you teased. “I mean- it’s a challenge mainly full of sports games, right? Knuckles and Sticks are pretty great at that.” Sonic thinks for a moment, then gives out a huff. “I’m sure I can handle them.”

“Alright then, what if there was a puzzle game then? Pretty sure Tails would figure it out in an instant. “ he stilled, eyes a bit widened up but soon he covered his realization with another overly confident comment. “oh please! I’m pretty smart too you know!” that’s a lie. “I’m sure I can beat him if I try hard enough.” He grabs a box full of nets and walks with you to the small railing he had to attach them in. “besides,” he suddenly speaks up. “ the rules are that you have to win most of the games, not all.” His shoulders straighten up. “if I win all the games and just lose that one, I’m still going to win.”

“if. That is.” You joked. “good luck, Sonic. Let’s see if you can beat me in the game I chose.”

As you walked away, you left a shocked Sonic behind you.

“Wait- you’re joining this too?!”

---

The rules were quite simple.

The ‘Games Championship’ as Knuckles called it, is a series of games that one must participate in and try to win. There’s a leaderboard that indicates who has the most wins and the one that does become the ‘Grand Champion of all games.’ Each game is chosen by each player.

The first game was chosen by Amy. A simple card game that needs an even number of people to play it. You’ll all be separated into teams of two and will be given some cards.

the rules for this game are a bit challenging and fun. Each card has an animal with a silly expression on them. On the table, there will be six circles with each one drawn one of the animals on it, and a seventh in the middle with the logo of your game. Get all your six cards to be the same animal, then, try to hint to your teammate that you have all the cards, whether it's by imitating the animal’s expression or something else, you must hint at them before the other team realizes and takes the win instead. How can you take the win? By touching either the circle you know your teammate has all the cards of or touching the logo if you don’t know which animal it is. If your opponent does that instead they win. The winner gets four plastic coins, in the end the team with the most coins wins.

You teamed up with Amy, Sonic with Tails, and Knuckles with Sticks. The game began and tension was already high. Amy threw a bunch of cards on the table and you all hurriedly tried to find matching sets, suddenly, in one whip second, you saw a hand take a tornado card.

Lo and behold in the next round Sonic quickly took a few cards then shouted “Tornado!” as he slammed the card down. Everyone groaned, now unable to take any of the cards as the ‘tornado’ swoops them away.

“oh come on!” Sticks grumbled. “there were three cards with the animal I was hunting for on it! I could’ve won!” Sonic snickers.

“the game hasn’t even started yet!” Knuckles added.

Sonic grinned. “sorry guys, better luck next round.” The two grumbled at that.

You looked at your own cards. Seems like you’re collecting the cat one with a grumpy face the most, so best to stick with that from now on. Looking at Amy, you try to see if she’s giving you any hints. Nope, none yet.

The next round begins and everyone starts taking cards again. You take two, yet you still need one more card till you can hint at Amy. Looking back at her, you notice how she keeps breathing and…puffing her cheeks?

Oh, wait- oh shit oh wait- that’s one of the expressions! But hold on- how can you be so sure she’s hinting at you- there must be some other sign-

She glances at you with a hurried look. Within a blink, you immediately touch the circle with a pufferfish on it and she screams with joy. “YES!” you both high-five while the others grumble.

“That's four coins for us! We’re in the lead now!” Amy grins and starts up the round.

Game two, round one, and the battle started once more. This time, you were planning on searching for the sad turtle cards. Before you can snatch up any Sticks throws a tornado down and laughs.

“What?!” Sonic shrieked. “oh come on! those cards were a gold mine!”

“ah, sweet revenge. “ she grins and Sonic’s annoyed face.

Tails pats Sonic on the shoulder. “well Sonic, that’s karma for you.” He chuckled. Sonic huffed.

Round two, now with no tornados. Everything was going fine, you needed three more cards, Amy didn’t seem to give any clues and everyone else seemed calm too.

It was at round three when everything started to change. You needed just one more card and were waiting for round four to start up, yet everyone was stilled quiet. They were glancing at each other, seeing if anyone has finished up yet. The air became a bit thicker than usual. Suddenly, out of nowhere, Tails slams his hand on the snake circle, and Sonic slams his cards down with a grin. His cards were all the green snake one with his tongue sticking out.

“heck yeah! Good job buddy!” Sonic smiles.

A few games later and in the end, all teams won two times, which makes this round the last one. The all-or-nothing.

Tension was high and the drinks next to you were long forgotten. The beach waves didn’t waver your concentration one bit as you glared at your cards and opponents. You’re going to win this. You want to win this.

The cards are set on the table and the trading begins. This time you wanted to search for winking owls. Round one was fine, round two you gave a tornado, and round three went on for a small amount of time.

It was when you reached round four and took the last card you needed that made things feel a bit more tense. You hid your excitement and small stress and gave a small glance to Amy. She didn’t seem to notice it. Shit.

You glance one more time.

She’s still deep in thought on her cards.

Oh my god, for the love of god please just glance back for a second!

Alright, one more time.

You glance at her, she glances back. you give a quick wink.

She jolts, hand frantically reaching out and touching the owl circle and you both scream in victory.

“team Amy and Y/n for the win!” Amy laughs. She smirks down at the others. “that’s one win for me and one win for Y/n. onto the next games!”

It has now become noon, the sun was unwavering in its presence and right in the middle of the sky, the waves kept their unbreakable rhythm of back and forth and the sand was feeling hotter than ever.

This was the worst goddamn time for a sports game, you groaned with that thought.

Your feet were aching, begging for you to stop moving for even one second. Your body has become too warm for your liking and you felt like you were walking on lava. Not to mention, your lungs were so out of breath that you couldn’t even think straight.

It’s only been ten minutes.

Were you always this bad at sports? You never had much of a liking to it, except for the good old parkour that your child self saw as a necessity for her adventuring life in the future. Yet as much as you wanted those parkour lessons, your mother insisted that those are fake and useless and you should have no interest in such a thing. She’d rather want you to go to some volleyball or basketball classes. You know, normal stuff.

Perhaps you should’ve taken her up on that offer, because then you’d have much more stamina during this game.

“pass the ball!” Sticks screamed to Amy, running alongside her and waving her hands up in a fit of hurry. Amy raises her hand and throws the ball. the badger clutches it with the utmost strength and three steps in, left right left, and jumps! She quickly throws the ball to the goal and it hits. Well shit. That’s a point lost for you.

“Damnit!” Tails grumbled a little disappointed that he couldn’t catch the ball in time. Knuckles, who was next to him and trying to defend, came up and patted his shoulder. “It’s alright dude, you’ll get him next time.” He smiled.

You walked over to the two and frowned. “sorry,” you mumbled. “If I wasn’t so slow, I would’ve caught up to them in time.” Tails shrugged. “it’s alright Y/n, it wouldn’t have stopped them much anyway.”

Right. Handball’s rules were that you can’t take the ball away from their hand, but you can defend them when they try to reach the ring before the goal 'area', or as you know it, the six-meter area that surrounds the goalie. No one is allowed inside the six meters except them.

You wondered why of all the games, Knuckles chose this one. It's a game usually meant to be played by two teams with seven members, but, you guessed it could be played by teams of four too. Albeit it’s a little more complicated to go back and forth between the defense and attack positions like this.

“We should just change our roles,” Tails commented, his brain already racking for a solution. Knuckles nodded. “yeah, I’ll have to be on the front instead, since Y/n’s speed can’t match theirs.”

“I can’t defend though.” You felt embarrassed by your lack of sportiness, now hands crossed together and a pout apparent on your face. “I’m not much of a sporty person in general, I don’t think I can be this helpful here…”

“Hey, Don’t say that!” Knuckles punched your shoulder softly. “sure, you might not be able to play like a pro,” he shrugged. “but you can play it right. Here, let me teach you how to defend.” He pulls you to the six-meter line and stays one inch away from it.

“Alright, what you have to do is first, arms up.” He puts his arms up in a wide range and you copy. “ its best for your legs to be apart and you have to walk in this style,” he starts slowly walking left and right with the ball of his legs," it makes it easier to catch the ball or defend the goalie“

“Now you try,” you nodded and did as you were told. Hands up, stand on the ball of your feet, and walk around the six meters.

You could’ve guessed that Knuckles would be into sports, after all, he is the strength and power of the team. Yet, you never really expected him to be such a great coach in it.

But that’s probably because you haven't really ever spoken to him much. Your first conversations with him were the ones at Meh Burger.

He was mostly quiet during your first and only a small handful of meet-ups and let the others do the talking instead. So seeing him this excited and social for the first time was a nice change of pace. It made you wonder how much you don’t know about these guys yet.

Knuckles hummed and nodded. “ yeah, that’s pretty good. Just make sure to focus on the corners in the six meters. Sticks will always try to sneak up there and goal.” You nodded at that, thanking him for his help. A few seconds later and Knuckles’ eyes wandered to your bandaged-up arm.

“ How are you holding up with the injuries?”

You shrugged, fingers unconsciously touching the bandages. The fabric felt a bit old since you’ve been wearing it for hours now and sweating profusely. The scars beneath it didn’t give you the sizzling pain anymore, yet you could feel small pangs of it here and there. “it's fine, really. The laser obviously hurt but the pain isn't as bad as I thought it would be. I thought the wounds would be deeper than this.”

“you know, I don’t think this will be the last time Eggman pulls a stunt like that against you.” Knuckles frowned a bit. “since you’re our friend, he’ll try to take advantage of that as much as he can.” He’s right, Eggman most certainly will do that. But you have to wonder, what is all this for? What’s his goal in attacking the village and wanting to defeat Sonic? “you should learn some self-defense. It’ll help you hold out long enough till we come in and stop him.”

Huh, he’s right. Self-defense will certainly be helpful for next time around when the evil scientist attacks. “tell you what,” Knuckles grins. “if you ever need some tips or lessons, just come to my house and I’ll help you out.”

“Seriously?” you smiled, grateful for everything the team has done for you these days. “Thanks! I’ll take you up on that offer someday then.”

“next game of handball begins in five minutes!” Amy shouted, Sticks standing right next to her and drinking some water. “We’re definitely gonna win this! We’ve got the best team! With our great dynamic in there and Sonic’s super speed catching the ball perfectly, no one can stop us!” she suddenly puts a finger on her chin. “maybe we should go pro…”

“That would be nice, but I don’t think we’ll make it to all the competitions when there’s so much butt-kicking to do here.” Amy adds. “ the village’s safety comes first.”

“While we’re on the topic,” Tails suddenly speaks up again. “don’t you guys think you’re being a little unfair?”

“What?!”

“what do you mean? “ Amy looked at Tails in confusion. “what's so unfair about us?”

“it's obviously Sonic.” Knuckles joined in and Tails nodded.

“ he has super speed! It’s always impossible for us to goal!” Tails grumbled a bit. “ the whole match he could easily catch the ball from every corner! All of my strategies were impossible to succeed. Heck, even when he is distracted and on a whole other section of the base, he still super speeds and gets to the side we’re in and catches the ball!” Amy hums at that, now in deep thought.

“I guess his super speed is a little unfair here…” she mumbled. “but we can't do anything about it now, we’ll have to do something for the next game instead.”

“how are you gonna make it fair anyway?” Sticks asked. “it's not like we can just stop him from playing the games. That would be unfair to him.”

Tails suddenly smiled. “ I think I have an idea,” Tails looks at Amy.

----

“WEIGHTS?!” Sonic screamed.”YOU’RE GONNA MAKE ME PUT WEIGHTS ON MY ANKLES?!”

“yep!” Amy simply nodded.

A normal five-minute break has become a fifteen-minute one since Amy wanted to try out her idea. And with the way it's going, a few ten more minutes might be taken up by convincing Sonic to try them.

“B-but- that’s way too unfair for me! It’s gonna make me way too slow!” he hurriedly spoke. Amy looked at him with a judged look. “Sonic, I had to wear weights on my hands for years. “ she huffed. “It’s really not that heavy. Stop whining so much about it!”

Sonic grumbled, now defeated and begrudgingly agreeing to the new game rules. It does make the game fair after all.

“you know, we can do a test run right now to see if they make you too slow.” Tails suggested. “if they are then we’ll have to give you smaller weights or think of a new idea.”

Sonic didn’t reply, he merely started getting into position. With no second to waste, he starts super-speeding around the island. It's noticeably a little less quick than before, yet it was still fast enough to be considered super speed. Despite that, Sonic seemed quite annoyed when he stopped his sprints.

“do you feel uncomfortable in them?” you asked, a bit worried about the idea. Sure, his super speed was unfair, but Sonic’s point was also fairly right. It could get unfair for him. “if they’re hurting or bothering you, then that’s fine. You don’t need to wear them.”

Sonic’s eyes softened up a bit and he looked away, a bit embarrassed now. “what- pfft No! why would they hurt at all? I’m way stronger than I look you know.” He proudly

smirks. “fine fine I’ll wear them,” he rolls his eyes. “if that’s what makes you guys feel a little less outshined and beaten. But,” his tone gets more confident, a tinge of slyness could be sensed in it. “I’m still obviously going to be the winner. Hope you don’t mind that.” He winks, and the others grumble and roll their eyes. You couldn’t help but chuckle a bit. well, if he’s not bothered by it then all is well.

Suddenly, Amy’s tech-watch (that’s what you decided to call them for now) started beeping and the five minutes were up. You all talked for a little bit and then went back to your spots in the game, only this time, your team switched places.

As the defender, your goal is to stop the players from reaching the six meters and shooting or, stopping them from shooting well. Somehow blocking their view or hand so that the ball would go the opposite of what they wanted or even better, making the ball fall out of their hands completely and into the grasp of your teammates.

But before you could do all that, you’ll first need to stand in the middle of the court and pass the ball to each other continuously until you reach the enemy's goal and try to shoot. All while the other team is defending the goal and goalie.

Amy Sticks stand in the middle, cautious and focusing on your every move. You look back at Knuckles as you pass the ball for the fifth time. He gives you a small nod. The ball gets passed to you once again. You quickly pass it back and block Amy’s way. Knuckles tries dodging and ignoring Sticks’ defense and shoots. The ball gets caught by Sonic.

Sonic passes the ball to Sticks. You sprint back to your goal. Knuckles tries to distract Sticks by blocking her way. She passes the ball to Amy. Amy starts to dribble with the ball and keeps getting closer to you with each second passing. You recite what Knuckles taught you in your head and get in position. She doesn’t falter.

Left, right, left and she jumps and shoots!

Hands up, eyes on the ball, watch your step and-

You got the ball!

You quickly dribble with the ball and ignore Amy’s attack to get it back. you see Knuckles is close to the goal. You throw the ball in his direction. Within a second, he catches the ball and throws it to the top area of the net. Sonic tries to jump and get it, but he failed! Goal!!!

As your team scream in victory, you all gather up and high-five. One point ahead. That’s a good start to the round for sure.

“told you you could do it!” Knuckles pats your back. you smile in response.

---

Even with the good start, your team losing seemed inevitable. Sticks was right, With her and Sonic’s competitiveness combined with Amy’s strategizing, nothing could stop them from winning this sort of game. One could say that with Knuckles added, they would be a team to fear.

Each member of the winning team gained one point. Which puts Amy in the lead for now. After a small break for some drinks, you all started walking down to the beach, right at the section where if you walk any further, you could find yourself in the forests soon enough.

Two long sticks of red with a line drawn between the two caught your attention. Orange-colored traffic cones engulfed a pathway that leads straight to the forest, but it immediately ends there. no traces of glaring orange can be seen within the forest at all.

Sonic grinned at the sight. “Finally!” he gives out a sigh of relief, but it quickly became a small panic as he realized something.

He looks down to his ankles and then looks back up to the already smirking Amy. “uh Amy…” he gives a worried snicker. “do I still have to wear these?...”

“Duh. How else would we make this fair?”

“oh come on!” he huffed. “I was the one who picked this race! It's only fair that I get to not wear weights in it!” Sonic’s foot tapped impatiently on the ground, eyes annoyed by the rule and fists clenched up from the idea of possibly losing.

Amy and the others thought for a bit. “Alright then,” Tails replied. “But, you’ll have to still wear these weights for any other games we have if the picker wanted you to.” Everyone nodded and hummed in agreement.

A newfound confident smirk was now on Sonic’s face. “Deal!”

The race’s idea was a simple one. Whoever gets outside of the forest the quickest wins. You can use any path you want, the only rule was that it has to be inside the forest. To make things a little harder, each person would be paired up with the other and have to work together to find a way out.

Sonic got paired with Tails, Knuckles with Amy, and last but not least, you with Sticks.

It was decided that five minutes will be given to talk to your teammate and plan your route. As the count started, you walked up to the badger.

“So,” you briefly smiled. “you got any plans? Since you are a forest expert.” Amy often talks about the others at the dinner table. You heard lots about Sticks’ incredible survival skills in the wild.

It took a few silent seconds before her reply, her eyes trained on the forest and her mind ticking with solutions. “I know a few shortcuts. But there’ll be lots of animals and hiking involved.” She turns back to you. “you up for it?”

“well…I never really hiked before-“ your father never really bothered to teach you anything interesting. Even though he was quite skillful in such areas. Usually, he’d leave for a few days to camp in the forest and doesn’t come back till the sun is finally up. You always did want to go with him, but it always got canceled by your mother. Something about ‘spending more time with Louis’ and ‘not wanting to get ruined by your father’ was always rambled on as the excuse. And anyway, he never really seemed to care about spending quality time. “but I will try my best.” You sigh.

She hums, eyes again getting glued to the greenery before her. “don’t worry, I’ll teach you a few tips.”

After a few talks about which way you’ll head, it was now time for the game to start.

You all stand on the red line. Everyone gets in position. You take a small glance at Sonic and you could already tell he knows he’s going to win. The machine cheers up a loud noise and you all instantly start to sprint.

You go to your left with Sticks, immediately stirring away from the rest of the gang and reach a small mountain.

Despite being labeled as ‘small’ by Sticks, you were sure it was quite the trail to hike. Bushes and rocks run over the place, some trees can be seen growing at the top of the mountain. The wild colors of green, grey and browns of different shades all mixed up together in harmony. a few pretty little plants with different monotone colors laid across the path. It was beautiful. Something you could see being on a painting.

As you took your first steps on the mountain, you felt someone hold your wrist. “hold on,” she walks a few feet ahead of you and motioned you to watch. You observe her and realize that she’s walking a bit differently than how you did. Rather than a normal straight-ahead walk, it was one where you’ll have to walk left and right in half circles continuously. “Imagine that you’re a snake of some sort. Then, when you gather enough stamina and…” she gets ready and jumps in such height that you know you could never achieve and falls a few feet high up. Your jaw drops.

She looks at you critically. “what's wrong? You look like I told you the truth about this world. This is easy! That’s something you’ll have to learn when you’re ready.”

“uh…” you look around awkwardly. “I mean- I can do the first part but I’m definitely not ready for the jump part at all.” Sticks rolls her eyes at that.

“Fine then, just do that part. But be quick! We’re wasting time like this!” and so you did, you did your best to hike up the mountain as quickly as possible. But a loud grumble from Sticks proved for it to be useless. She comes down from the hundreds of heights she was up and stands right next to you. “fine then, I guess we just have to do this instead.”

Before you could even question what she meant, you felt yourself getting lifted up and put on her shoulders. “What the- “

“hold on tight if you don’t wanna get your bones broken.”

“what do you even mean by ThAT- OH MY GOD HOLY SHIT—“

It was almost like she was flying. Going so high up and climbing the mountain as if it was nothing. You followed her tip and held on so tight on her shoulders, the fear of falling down and possibly dying by your skull getting smashed up into bits coursing through you.

“It's not that scary!” Sticks huffed. “ya don’t need to shake like a leaf right now. Jeez, how are you ever going to survive an alien attack?!”

“I’d probably be the first one to die.” You laughed out, trying to distract yourself with this conversation.

“you’d definitely be mind-controlled first.”

“and then what would happen?”

“well…” her eyes brightened up a bit, excited to finally talk about all this to someone. ” they’ll first try to use you as bait to control others and after that—“ Sticks kept rambling on, yet her skills in literally jumping around from vine to vine, tree to tree, never ceased to stop. “and then after all that, they’ll move on to another planet.”

“so, am I doomed then?”

“Nah, don’t worry.” She reassured. “I’ll be there to protect ya. Honestly, if I wasn’t alive here and now all of you would have been doomed a long time ago.”

You were about to reply back, until you heard a screeching sound to your left. With her movement stopping, Sticks seemed to hear it as well.

“What was that?” you frantically looked around in worry. “it sounded like an animal. You think they got injured?” you try your best to look at Sticks in your position. But you can only see a small bit of her expression. She seemed on high alert, but also nonchalant.

“wouldn’t be surprised if that was the case.” She mumbles. “stuff like this happens a lot. Rules of the jungle.”

“…can we go check though?”

“What?! Why?!” her gaze shifts to you with confusion and a bit of annoyance. “we’re gonna lose if we do that!”

“oh please,” you huffed. “you and I both know Sonic already won this the second we started moving.”

Sticks became speechless. But her eyes showed obvious conflict. With a groan, she facepalms and puts you down, grabs your hand and helps you slide off a tree.

“…so we’re going to help it, right?”

“no, I was planning on killing it, roasting it, and then eating it in front of you.” She looked at you with a sarcastic expression, one that soon shifts into annoyance. “of course we’re going to help it now! If we didn’t then you’d give me those sad puppy eyes you gave the first time we met.”

“sad puppy eyes-“ you gasped. “I looked like that?!” oh god, oh no. this is extremely embarrassing to hear. You couldn’t even look at her gaze when she obviously wasn’t joking about it.

“yup.” She gave a short reply, then continued. “ super scared and confused all while having some kindness or honesty to it. For a moment I thought you were faking it.”

“…oh man, this is so embarrassing.” You were at a complete loss for words. You knew you looked pathetic at that moment, but you never knew it was that pathetic.

Sticks stared at you with an alert look. “you’re doing it again— are you trying to trick me with that look?” she huffed out. “ you should really start learning some survival skills. You’re lucky we found you first. You could’ve been killed and eaten by the animals the minute you stepped in here.” With a motion using her head, she silently told you to follow.

While walking down to the source, you try to continue the conversation. “come on, cut me some slack.” You smirked. “I’m sure I could at least survive a few days. I’m pretty knowledgable in animal behaviors too, you know.” You didn’t go nose-deep into thousands of books and got graduated from that vet school for nothing.

Sticks took one more glance at you and hummed. “alright then, three days, tops.”

“I think it’d be more than two weeks, at best.”

“keep dreamin’.” She snorted.

After a short while of overthinking about the ‘what if’ situation, you spoke up again.“how long would Sonic last, then?” you curiously brought up. “I mean- what if he suddenly didn’t have super speed and was stuck in a forest? How long would he survive?”

That question seemed to intrigue Sticks as well, as she hummed and put a finger under her chin in thought. “ well, he’ll obviously last longer, but he’ll most likely die doing something extremely stupid.”

You snorted. “ and the rest?”

“well, Tails would survive the longest, Knuckles second and Amy…well— I’m not really sure. For now, she doesn’t have much of the skills for it, but she did talk about wanting to learn.”

You hummed, mind now moving up to other questions. The forest around you is in a silent harmony as the crunching of bushes and leaves beneath your feet can only be heard.

“…is it fun?”

“Hm?”

“is adventuring fun?” you couldn’t help but ask. “you know- the ruins..the secrets…the history..the fights…the mystery and all the people you meet along the way…is it fun?”

Sticks stayed silent for a bit, contemplating your question with a stern gaze. “I’m not the adventurous one in the group. That title goes to Sonic.” She replied. “but if you had to ask me, then…well— its fun, sure. But it has its dangers. Which is why you either need a professional there with you or learn it yourself. Either way has its huge chances of getting you killed by a dangerous ruin puzzle or mauled by a beast.”

She turned her head to you. “why are you asking anyway?”

You sheepishly look away and give an awkward shrug. “meh. Just curious.”

The suspicion on you must’ve grown a little bit bigger with that reply of yours. Yet you didn’t feel much bad about it. You’d rather die than talk about your feelings. Anytime you ever did, the one you told would always find ways to use it to manipulate you or win an argument. Better safe than opening up about your traumatic childhood, you thought.

You heard a small, yet still audible pained whimper and your head immediately shifted its way. Sticks grabbed your wrist and you both sprinted to your left and stopped until you finally found the injured animal.

The first thing you saw was some signs such as twigs and sticks that showed enough evidence that a tree’s branch must’ve fallen. The next thing you noticed was a fox, laying down injured up.

judging by its average height and thin body, you could guess it was in its middle years. Still quite young, but not a cub.

Slowly walking closer to it, you scan over his body and notice its injury being on his back left leg, given how it was hovering up rather than laying down like the rest of the legs, as if it hurt to move it. “is he gonna be okay?” Sticks asked, crossing her arms behind you.

You nodded. “he can heal by himself,” you frowned a bit, a concerned look on your face. “but I’m not sure if he can stay here…lots of predators out here that can kill him.” A grumble leaves your throat. “But I also can't bring him to the pet shop now— it's already closed and the animals there will freak out by seeing a fox inside, especially the rabbits. There’s also the fact that his hunter instincts and hunger could get to him and hurt the animals there and—“

“alright alright I get it!” Sticks rolled her eyes. “I’ll take him then. He can stay in my backyard for now.” Her eyes became stern, looking at the fox as if she was talking to him at this point. “but as soon as he’s healed, he’s heading out.” she scoffed. “I don’t want any animals in my home.”

“you..hate animals?”

“I don’t hate them,” she reasoned. “I just don’t trust ‘em. Trust me, if you’ve lived in the forest, you’d understand. In here, it's kill or be killed.”

You shrug, leaving the conversation at that and now gently trying to coax the fox to let you patch him up enough so he could at least stand and walk. As your hands get close, he growls, showing his sharp teeth and you flinch away. Sticks walks closer and growls louder than him, a sharp glare set on him as she did so. The fox closed his mouth and hid his teeth behind his muzzle. Soon enough, he lays his body down, only the injured leg being lifted a bit.

“thanks big guy.” You muttered, not noticing the confused look Sticks gave you in response. you gave it a quick patch using the sticks and giant leaves around you and he was able to stand again, albeit limping along the way. Soon, Sticks quickly hunted for some berries and tried to coax him into following you two to the finish line then her house.

As you two finally reached the end of the race, you were met with the group all waiting for you to come back, bored out of their mind with how long it took for you two to finally get here.

“what took so long?!” Amy huffed.

“did you guys get attacked on the way?” Tails questioned.

“miss vet over here wouldn’t let us leave until we found some injured fox we heard whimpering a few minutes into the race.” Sticks summarized your journey. “safe to say we were busy.”

Amy's eyes brightened up in excitement and she cooed, trying to get a good look at the fox and giving an affectionate smile. “he’s so cute!!”

“and best part is, you took out my biggest threat in the race!” Sonic grinned, his face quickly shifting into worry then faked up confidence. “not that I was afraid of losing- no no. heh. I knew I’d win, I mean- it’s a race. Of course I’d win.”

“I beg to differ!” Sticks smirked. “the forest is my territory, if Y/n and I weren’t caught up with the foxes, I would've beaten you for sure.”

“but didn’t we first—“

“shush.” Sticks quickly cut you off.

Amy seemed to want to join in as well, as she turned around to Sonic and gave a confident smile of her own. “don’t act so tough right now Sonic. You might’ve won this round, but the next game, oh, I wish you luck on that one.”

He stood still for a moment, his pride completely ripped away from his expression as he looked back at Amy confused. “what do you mean? Isn't the next one Sticks’? its something

doing with the forest again..something sporty-…right?”

Sticks’ smile widened. “Nope.” She chirped out. “it's puzzles.”

----

Ah yes, puzzles. The old weights for a brain’s exercise. Who didn’t like puzzles? Well- many people didn’t- but there were many out there who also did like it. and you? Well, just like everything else, you had the chance to be good at it and you were quite into the ones laid within the media you consumed concerning adventuring, but you slowly discarded any interest you had in it.

Sonic, on the other hand, seemed to have zero interest or skills in it. So much so that he’s been looking really stressed and frustrated the whole time they were setting up the puzzles on the table. He seemed so relieved to hear that everyone would be working in pairs. Yet, he still seemed a little tense.

He was paired up with Amy

You were paired up with Tails

And last but not least, Sticks was paired up with Knuckles.

Since Sticks was the one who picked the puzzles, to make things fair she was given another puzzle made by Tails.

The fox you found a bit earlier sat silently next to a tree, taking nap until you and Sticks get the time to take him to her house later, a few feet away from him, there was you and the others sitting across the picnic table from earlier breaks. there was a basket in front of your team and the others (except Sticks and Knuckles’ of course.) and each team was given a sheet of paper with riddles.

“Sticks, these aren’t puzzles” Tails perked up. Sticks looked at him confused. “what do you mean? Riddles are a part of puzzles.”

“no, they’re not. Riddles work in a way that it has to tell you a story of sorts for you to think about and solve and most of them are based on logic. You could always win those by quick thinking. puzzles, on the other hand, can require much more thinking no matter how much of a genius you are and involve putting things together so they could make sense. Also, puzzles can have their own logic while riddles must always be stuck in just one form of logic.”

“well I don’t agree!” her face scrunches up. “ A riddle is a kind of puzzle that someone asks questions that the other must find an answer to. Rather than doing physical things like shifting through wires or turning around tablets of stones or attaching some boring two pieces together- your left with giving firm verbal responses!”

“ok, first of all, “ Sonic finally speaks after half an hour of silence and grabs everyone’s attention. “you two nerds need to calm down.” He sighed. “second, Sticks, how do you even know so much about puzzles?!”

The badger shrugs. “there’s plenty of them in the forest left by the ancients. I don’t get most of them, but I didn’t manage to understand the easy ones and open its ruins here and there.”

“I knew it!” Amy joins in. “that’s why this seemed so familiar!” she lifts up the paper and looks at it in satisfied realization.

“Alright, enough chit-chat!” Sticks clicks her tech watch and sets up a timer. “you all have nine minutes to finish this up, so the game begins now!”

Soon, all eyes were on these papers. “This is a type of fruit, on which you can dine, to get another fruit, put it after pine” Tails reads the first riddle out loud and hums. “oh! Easy! It's apple.” Only a few seconds later and he’s already got the answer.

“What Am I? I’m small but I’m not a hamster. I’m found on a golf course but I’m not a golf ball. I’m a natural material but I’m not a blade of grass. I can be made into a castle but I’m not a brick. I’m grainy but I’m not an old photograph.” You hummed the question. “alright, well that’s obviously sand.”

Soon, more riddles have been answered. Yet, you didn’t feel like it was right- at least, not fully right. Looking around, your eyes land once again on the basket. Soon, everything clicks. You gave a small punch to Tails’ shoulder and grab his attention. Without uttering a word, just to make sure you were quietly ahead in the game since the other team hasn’t seemed to figure it out yet, you grab the basket and motion to the forest and beach a few feet away from you.

Tails’ eyes widen and he nods eagerly, and with that, you sprint and grab a handful of sand, put it in your basket, and quickly go inside the forest and scan the area for apples.

Luckily, the apples were found quickly a few feet away from you, most likely ones that have fallen from the tall trees all around you. You grab one and sprint back, already agreeing with Tails to finish up all the riddles then look for the rest of the items together.

‘This is a type of fruit. But it is not a lime. There are no other words. With which this word can rhyme.’ Orange.

‘Even though I have blades, I’m the one that gets cut' grass.

‘What Am I? I have eyes but I can’t see. I have skin but I can’t feel anything. I can be sweet but I’m not a piece of candy. I can be baked but I’m not a cake. I can be peeled but I’m not a carrot’ Potato.

With twenty more of these solved and nineteen items gathered up. you only needed one more thing before you win this game. The other team, however, was just starting their item-collecting part of the game. All with Sonic also being forced to put on weights for it.

So in conclusion, you and Tails didn’t rush things with the last item. It was a simple one, you just needed to look around a bit to find it. A sunflower, which Tails said he knows a place where they usually grow. So you set your sights there and followed the yellow fox.

“you know,” Tails suddenly spoke up during your walk. “you were pretty good at those riddles. And it’s a good thing you noticed the basket being important.” He gives a sheepish scoff. “I was way into the riddle solving to notice that.”

“Thanks, Tails,” you smiled. “but you did way more than I did, honestly I’d probably lose real bad without you.”

He shook his head in disagreement. “no, it was a team effort. I’d lose without you too since you were the ones who fetched the items and all. Without you, I’d be way too slow to complete all of this.” He looks at you with a small smile of his own. “we can make a pretty good team.”

Does teamwork affect things to be this much better? Does it really give more meaning or fun to a task or does it make it just more tedious? You weren't sure. But you liked this team. Team Sonic was a team full of friends. A team that must bring much great moments like this one.

“yeah, I guess we do.”

---

“Annddd Tails and Y/n won!!! That makes Amy, Tails, Y/n and Sonic all lead up to a tie! “ Amy announced. “which is great considering the next game is our last one! And it's Y/n’s pick!”

Sonic glanced at his genius friend confused, then looked back at Amy. “hold on, what about Tails? Didn’t he pick any games?” Tails gave an awkward laugh to that.

“well…I may or may not have stayed completely focused on my latest project and completely forgotten about picking a game— and there was the puzzle that I had to make for Sticks so…”

“which by the way,” Sticks looked at Tails with a bit of anger. “it was a completely unfair puzzle! I give you all easy stuff and you gave Knuckles and I some of the hardest math puzzles I ever saw.”

“Well, I heard you were going to base your puzzles on the ancients so I thought you must be going for its difficult puzzles, didn’t know there were easy ones around. Sorry.” He gives an apologetic look.

Sticks’ expression loosens up and she huffs. “forgiven, but you owe me one for rigging my own game.”Tails nods to that.

“ok, since that’s settled,” Amy speaks up again, looking at her T-watch. “it's time for the final game!”

Sonic tilts his head in curiosity. “So, what did you choose doc?” Everyone looks at you, curious about what game you’d pick as the finals, the last game that will finally prove who is the best champion out there between the six of you.

You give a small smile. “hide and seek.”

---

The rules of your game were simple. A list of names would be put in a jar, the one name that gets picked out is the seeker. The seeker has to close their eyes for ten minutes so the others could hide in the woods and they have two hours to check all of the woods for the ones who hid. If they find everyone before the time is up, they win. If they don’t, everyone else gets a point.

Before the game, you also set the rule of Sonic wearing weights, because if he becomes a hider it'd be extremely easy for him to switch up his positions when the seeker is nearby. And if he was the seeker, well, he’ll find everyone in less than thirty minutes.

It’s a rule which he groaned at, but complied with anyway.

The ball full of your names gets rolled around, shaken a few times and then, you finally lift out a number from it. You open it up and say the seeker’s name.

“Sonic.”

With that, everyone gets in position and as Sonic closes his eyes, you were all running to the forest like there was no tomorrow.

With the help of the multiple times you walked here to the mountains and the help of the two kids you met a few days before, you were able to find the best hiding spot. The good old small cave that gave the illusion of being a part of the mountain itself. You could thankfully fit in, but you did feel a bit claustrophobic with the tightness it surrounded you with. You crouched down, making the space easier for you to hide in and breathe. Now all you had to do is not speak a sound and wait for the timer on your phone to strike. Piece of cake.

You wondered how long it’d get Sonic to find all of you.

---

Even with the weights on, Sonic was a force not to be challenged. A speedster with energy always coursing through him. A competitive being that always wants to win. From fighting Eggman to winning rounds after rounds of tomato potamos against his friends, he was always the winner. Losing was never really his thing.

Maybe that’s why he feels so determined to win this game now. His skills sharpened up to the max so that he can get the last point and finally get that satisfactory victory that he always gets. Maybe that’s why he found all of his teammates in less than forty minutes.

And maybe that’s why he’s panicking a bit now, looking everywhere yet unable to find you at all.

He’s searched everywhere ten times already. From the biggest of lakes to the longest of trees, he’s searched it all. Yet, he still couldn’t find you. Not even traces of where you went. You must’ve been careful not to make any twigs snap or footsteps be framed on the mud while you were hiding.

He was getting frustrated. He was getting annoyed. Where in the world were you right now?

As he reaches the summit yet again, he felt his ankles ache. Damn, the number of times he’d have to lift this while walking must be hitting him now. Great, another problem added to his path.

he slowly walks down the summit and with each step, he gets faster and faster. To the point where his speed becomes enough for him to look like he’s sliding down the mountain. as if the giant thing was just an accessory for a park.

A sturdy rock hits his feet. Before he could even react and stop, he falls head first down the mountain and hits the grassy ground. A loud ‘thud’ accompanied with it all. With the thud, seemed to also come a very worried human.

“oh my god— are you okay?!” the loud noise of his fall even worried you to the point of coming out of your hiding spot, it seemed.

“mhmm.” His muffled voice, which was still planted on the ground, answered. He slowly raises one of his fists up to give a shakey little thumps up. “totally fine, doc.”

“Can you move your legs?” you felt worry seep into your heart as you check his legs. He moves one up carefully, yet you could see his ankle was shaking due to the weights. You felt horribly guilty.

“new rule, to hell with these weights! You can take them off now.” He gave a sigh of relief from that sentence. With your help, the weights were taken off and Sonic sat still for a few moments to get his energy back.

You look at him with worry and guilt. You were the one who caused this, weren't you?

“Sonic…I’m so sorry— I didn’t know they were causing you this much pain— you seemed to relaxed during it all and—“

“oh come on Doc, why are you blaming yourself?” he looks at you confused. “you’re not the one who caused this, it's all my fault, really. I should’ve known it could get super uncomfortable at some point.”

“But— if I didn’t give that rule out then you wouldn’t have gotten hurt!” you sighed. Dread now chewing off any confidence you had. “ I should’ve known that you could’ve gotten tired at this point. Anyone would with this much weight on for the first time.”

“Well, technically, you did warn me.” He shrugged. “ I was the one who didn’t listen.”

Silence overtook the conversation. You weren't sure what to do now. But as you looked at your phone and notice how you still got time to get out and show that he’s found you, you figured you could make it up to him by doing just that.

“Can you walk, Sonic?”

He gets up a bit, only for his feet to wobble up and he collapses on the ground once more. “Nope. “ he sighs. you get up, and he looks at you confused. " what are you doing-“

Within a blink, you pick him up, just like he did when he first took you to the summit, and slowly start your walk back to the beach, making sure he doesn’t fall from your arms along the way. He seemed silent. No snarky comeback nor sarcastic joke came out of him for a solid five minutes. As you glanced back at him, you noticed how he was staring at you with widened up eyes. Still shocked by the whole situation.

“…I feel guilty for this.” You answer whatever question he has in his mind. “so I’m going to repay you by carrying you there and declaring you the winner.”

It took a few moments until he answered. “…whatever you say, doc.”

“why were you so eager to win the whole thing anyway?” you suddenly questioned. Curiosity getting the better of you. He shrugs in response. “I just…really like winning, I guess.” He looks up at the sky, it was almost sunset. The orange and purple hues made blurry memories appear in his mind. “I was put in so many win-or-die situations that it just became a regular thing for me to win, you know? I’ve always been known as the best, the hero. Losing is just… isn't really the most heroic-looking thing. And it messes up my whole personality. I feel..annoyed when I lose. I feel like I lost something important with it.”

“what about you doc?” he suddenly asked. “how do you feel about losing?”

You went into deep thought. Head now up in the same old memory lane as you try to give a good answer to that question. “well…I never really cared unless…” you weren't sure if you could say much about your family yet. It just didn’t feel right. You weren't ready. But..a little wouldn’t hurt, right? They wouldn’t use it against you somehow, they weren't like that. They weren't like them. “…unless my family wanted me to win. If they wanted me to win at something or pass an exam, then I’d do anything for it, no matter what. Because I knew I’d be in deep trouble if I didn’t. winning never felt good either. it felt the same as losing, just less worrisome. it was dull.”

You looked back at Sonic and saw his concerned stare. Shit, oh shit. Nope— change the subject now.

Before he could speak, you give out another question. one you were curious about for quite a while now. “why do you call me doc?”

His eyes remain a bit concerned, but he seems to have moved on from that subject with the question you gave him. “…well, you are a doctor— even thoughts it's for animals, still a doctor so,” he smiles. “yeah, doc seemed to fit.”

“Are you sure you didn’t get that nickname from a certain cartoon bunny saying it?”

He looks at you perplexed.

“you know, bugs bunny?”

“Who bunny??”

“you don’t know bugs bunny?!” you giggled a bit. “no,” he scoffs. “what, is he famous or something?”

“he’s sort of an icon in animation. His iconic line is ‘what’s up doc?’”

“well, he obviously copied me.”

“ah yes, the more than eighty-year-old cartoon character stole that line from you.”

“Obviously!” he smirked. “I’m just that cool.”

You couldn’t help but laugh at that, giving him a teasing glare as he looked at you with a casual smile of his own.

A few seconds passed with peace. While thinking of all the things you’ve been through today, another question pops into your mind.

“Sonic,”

“yeah?”

“what's adventuring like?”

His eyes shift from the skies to you, now looking at you with a complicated, yet soft expression. You didn’t know how to describe it. It felt like he went through thousand of adventures, yet also went through none.

It took a while for him to answer.

“it's…fun.” He shrugs. “but it's not just fun because it's supposed to be- it's fun because you make it fun.”

He continued. “it was fun for me because I got to meet the most amazing people and form the best friendships. It's fun for others because of the treasures they find. And for some people, it's no fun at all. “ he looks up at the sunset once more. The orange hue is slowly becoming more purple with each passing second. “ for me, adventuring is fun because I get to meet the most amazing people. Like you, for example.”

You looked at him with shock. “you think I’m…amazing?”

“yeah. I mean— you handled everything super well when you came here, you're kind to everyone around you..you forgot all about the race just to help the injured fox in the forest and now you’re literally carrying me so I can win, and you’re doing that because you feel guilty for something you’re not even at fault at. You asked me if it hurt, I was the one who stupidly thought the slight throb was nothing.”

You couldn’t help but give a bashful smile. “I’m still technically at fault though. I’m the doctor, I should’ve warned you better.”

He rolled his eyes. “whatever you say, doc.”

“for the record,” you continued on. “I think you’re pretty amazing too.” You were too caught up looking at the path in front of you, beautifully covered by the fading orange and the lush greens in front. You didn’t notice how his eyes lit up a bit. “and- I’d like for us to hang out more and you know- be friends.”

“aren't we already friends?”

“ I mean— yeah? We are I guess- or I hope so- I don’t wanna pressure any of you to be friends with me if you don’t want to and it's fine if—“

“Relax, doc.” He laughed. “yeah, we’re friends. You know what- how about this, you and me, next weekend, chili dogs. Sounds good?”

You smiled. “it sounds fantastic.”

Sonic looks at you in deep thought as you keep your eyes on the path. his eyes shift to himself, then the path left ahead of you. soon, he speaks again.

“hey, Y/n?”

“yeah?”

“can you not move for a few seconds?”

You looked at him with furruwed brows.

“why?...”

“Because I want you to win.”

Suddenly, before anything else could be uttered out from your mouth, explosions and fireworks erupted and you looked up at the now darkened sky that the fireworks themed with your face lit up in. a firework of ‘winner!’ next to it. Screams of cheers can be heard only a few feet and bushes away, yet you couldn’t celebrate yet. You were still too flabbergasted by the whole ordeal. Only flinching away from your mind as you hear the hedgehog in your arms chuckle.

“how…why did you—“ you really couldn’t fathom this at all. “but— but I thought you hated losing!” you looked at him completely shocked and out of answers.

He smiles and merely shrugs in response. “ well, maybe losing sometimes isn't bad at all.”

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________A/N_____________________

FUCKING FINALLY MY FUCKING GOD THIS TOOK SO LONG IM SO SORRY-

ahhh hi everyone!!!!! so so- yes, I'm alive ! and yep, your eyes don't deceive you, this chapter is 16K WORDS LONG SDKCNMNMNGNRE

this is a part of the reason why this chapter took so long to make. it just- had a lot of plot points and stories I needed to write. the reason I didn't split this was because I thought that if I just published it halfway then it'd make the whole fanfic pretty boring given how the last chapters didn't have much sonic x reader interactions as one might expect. I thought I should maybe tone down the slow burn a bit fkjnkerjngekgr

anyways, as always, finals are coming up and also, I have another fanfic I need to update, but after that I'll come back to this and write up the next chapter!!

alright alright- here's your new question given with the new chapter!!

which sonic boom episode was your favourite? for me its really hard to choose. but in terms of writing for a fanfic, I think that awardy awards episode would be a blast to write about. outside of that, I really enjoyed that one episode where Amy and Sticks get hypnotized by the totally not Justin Beiber beaver. the episode reminds me of one of bo burnham's songs lmaooo

alright, I really hoped you enjoyed this chapter. tell me if you like it being long chapters like this one or if you like the average 7 to 9 k chapters better!!

thank you all for reading!!! <333333

#sonic #x reader #reader insert #fanfiction #sonic x reader #sonic the hedgehog #sonic boom #sonic boom x reader #sonic the hedgehog x reader #tails #amy rose #knuckles #tails the fox #im so tired oml #this was fun to write tho especially the ending #Sticks the Badger

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scuderiahoney · 22 days

Text

Oscar Piastri x Reader // In Motion Pt. 4

Summary: a very bad snowstorm, bears in the ice hockey arena, and a one night only poster board pick-me-up. 6.6k words

Warnings: mentions of physical violence, small mention of alcohol

“So. You and Oscar spent a lot of time together over the break,” Lily says, carefully.

You roll your eyes and set the glue stick in your hand down, sensing this is going to be a long conversation. “We were the only ones here for like, a week. And we were bored. And then Max showed up, so it wasn’t just us.”

Lily isn’t looking at you. She has a wine glass in one hand and a magazine in the other. The two of you are making vision boards, which Max had called “glorified collages” when he called five minutes ago to ask about family dinner for tomorrow.

Lily hums. “He’s just so… quiet.”

You shrug and take a sip of your wine. “He’s not, really, once you get to know him. He’s just… it’s easier for him one on one, you know?”

Lily nods. You nod, too, and lean over to pick up another magazine. You flip through the pages, looking for whatever sticks out. Your friends collect magazines and newspapers and fun posters and give them to you, and you hoard them for days like these. A little sun drawing pops out at you from the page, and you reach for the scissors.

You clear your throat. “Nothing happened, if that’s what you were trying to say. We just. We had some movie nights, played some video games, took a couple walks. That’s all.”

Lily looks up at you and stares. “Right.”

You stare right back. “What?”

“Did you want something to happen?” She asks, and you freeze, the magazine page half turned.

“What?” You ask again.

“You said nothing happened,” she says. “Did you want something to happen?”

You stare at the wine in your glass, the way the warm light of the lamp catches on the red liquid. Your stomach swirls. Did you want something to happen? He’s your friend. Your study partner. He’s your best friends’ teammate. Did you want something to happen? He’s a sweetheart once you get to know him. He holds your hand when you walk by the soccer field and he doesn’t push you when you can’t do it. Did you want something to happen?

You shake your head. “We’re just friends. We bonded over physics trauma. We were just bored.”

Lily nods and reaches for the scissors. “Okay.”

You want to say more to defend yourself, but you think that’ll be even less convincing. So you move your focus back to the vision board and try not to think too much about what she asked you. It doesn’t matter what you wanted, anyways. He’d never see you that way, and if he did, he’s probably too scared of his teammates to do anything about it.

…..

January slips away faster than you’d expected. It’s full of syllabuses and assignments and far too much homework for this early in the semester. You do a lot of it at the kitchen table in the guys’ house, sat across from Oscar even though you’re not in a class together anymore. It’s just nice to have someone to study with, even if he has no idea what you’re talking about when you whine about your biology assignments.

February brings with it the warnings of a winter storm for the ages. On a Thursday night, you sit on the couch in the living room, giving your homework a feeble attempt. The guys are back from an afternoon practice, and everyone is settling in for the evening.

“You know who we play next week,” Carlos says, leaning over the back of the couch and looking at you.

“Can’t remember,” you answer, not even looking up from your book. “Not the Badgers.”

The Badgers are the Timberwolves’ sworn enemies. The rivalry game weekend is one of the most anticipated events on campus. It’s marked on the calendar in the kitchen with a dark red X. It’s weeks away.

“No,” Carlos says, raising his eyebrows when you finally look up at him. “The Bears.”

For just a moment, you wonder what sort of significance that’s supposed to hold. They play a lot of teams. Most of them, they’re relatively civil towards. A lot of the players grew up together on junior teams, and they’re still friends outside of game weekends. You’re about to ask if he has beef with a Bears player when you notice Oscar’s stiff posture where he sits on the floor in front of the couch. He’s been half watching the TV, half working on homework. Then you remember.

Oscar played for the Bears for two years. That was his former team. The ones who treated him so badly he quit hockey. You blink up at Carlos and pray he doesn’t take the route you think he’s going to.

“You know who used to play for the Bears,” Carlos starts, a lilting tone to his voice.

Oscar turns over his shoulder with a grimace. “Play is a strong term,” he says. “I did a lot more sitting than skating.”

Carlos shrugs and wiggles his eyebrows. “I am just saying. Maybe we should be worried that Piastri here will go easy on his friends.”

“Not my friends,” Oscar says, quietly.

You slip your hand off the couch and press it to his shoulder blade, hidden from Carlos’ view behind blankets and cushions. Oscar relaxes slightly, and his eyes flicker to yours. Carlos is just trying to rile him up, probably. There might be a hint of truth to it- trying to test Oscar’s loyalty, which is stupid.

You turn to Carlos and blink. “Don’t you have somewhere to be? Like your own apartment?”

Oscar laughs and tries to disguise it as a cough, muffling it into his elbow. Carlos grins, gaze flickering between you and Oscar, mischief in his eyes.

“Oh, Bunny has claws,” he teases.

By Sunday, everyone is panicked about the impending snow. The stores sell out of all the essentials before you can even bother to plan the week’s family dinner. You and Max will have to make do with what’s left on the bare shelves of the grocery store. The aisles are packed with people. You’ve lost Logan in the fray.

“He’ll be fine,” Max says, trying to maneuver the cart around a small child. He makes a funny face at her, and she laughs. “He will find us, and if he doesn’t…”

“Oh my god, please sound more concerned,” you say.

He shrugs and reaches for a box of Kraft Mac and cheese.

“You have to be kidding,” you say with a glare.

He nods, looking at the grocery list again. “I am. We are buying more TimTams?”

Your face grows hot against your will. You snatch the list from his hand as he eyes you, brows raised. At that exact moment, Logan, your lifesaver, appears from the crowd.

“I got so lost,” he says, eyes wide. “This place is a madhouse.”

Max nods, and he looks around, set determination on his face. “Alright. Let’s get what we need and get out. Logan, hold onto the cart.”

Logan rolls his eyes. “I’m not a child,” he says, but he grabs the cart anyways.

By the time the three of you get in the car, the first few snowflakes are falling. Max sits stiffly in the passenger seat the whole drive, like he’s worried a little snow will send you into a violent crash. You make it home safely, of course, and unload the groceries together. Charles is sitting on the couch in front of the living room window, staring at the snow, a cup of hot chocolate in hand.

“It’s already pretty,” he says, softly.

You ruffle his hair. “Is there more hot chocolate?”

He nods. “Oscar’s making it.”

You head for the kitchen, bags in hand, and find Oscar and Alex huddled around the counter. You give them a smile as you unpack the groceries, and Max and Logan do the same. Oscar looks up at you, eyes bright.

“What do you want in yours?” He asks.

You stand with your hands on your hips, thinking hard. He’s got plenty of supplies- mini marshmallows and sprinkles and caramel drizzle and whipped cream. You shrug.

“Keep it simple,” you say. “A couple marshmallows and some whipped cream.”

He nods eagerly and gets to work. By the time your bags are empty, it’s ready. He hands it off to you with a happy smile- the whipped cream sits in a perfect spiral atop the mug. He looks so proud, and it’s such a sweet gesture, you almost lean over and kiss him right on the forehead. Almost, before you remember half his teammates are here, and Max is watching, and everyone is apparently suspicious. And that it would probably be a strange thing for you to do. You just smile and thank him quietly instead.

You head back into the living room with the mug, trying to shake his soft, proud grin from your brain. Charles is there, in the loveseat next to the window, and he pats the cushion, beckoning you to join him. You sink down, turning so you can look out the window, too. He tosses a blanket over your lap.

“He gave you more whipped cream than me,” he says, pouting.

You shrug. “Maybe he likes me better.”

Charles narrows his eyes at you. “Do you remember, a few months ago, when you thought he hated you?”

You nod. “Funny how things change, huh?”

Oscar walks in then, a mug in his hands. His gaze slips to the window, brows raising on his forehead, and he smiles happily. You smile, too and turn back towards the window as he walks over.

“Pretty,” he says, softly. “Wow, it’s really starting to come down, huh?”

You sigh. “God, I hope they cancel classes tomorrow.”

Charles sighs and sits up. “That reminds me. I have an assignment due at midnight.”

He stands up and stalks off, taking his hot chocolate with him. Oscar makes a sympathetic noise, but he doesn’t hesitate to steal Charles’ spot on the couch. You smile at him when he sits down. Both of you put your legs up on the cushions so you can stare out the window. You rest your head against the back of the couch and let your knee rest against his. Outside, Logan pulls up with a full car, having offered to pick up a few of the team members who didn’t want to walk in the snow. Carlos climbs out of the front seat and leans over, already trying to scrape together a snowball. Oscar sighs. You turn to look at him, and he’s got a look of apprehension on his face. You nudge your knee against his.

“What’s up?” You ask.

He shrugs. “Maybe they’ll cancel the games next weekend, too.”

He doesn’t want to play against his old team. From what he’s told you, you can’t really blame him. He’d hinted at a toxic environment when he first told you, but the longer the two of you have been friends, the more information you’ve pulled out of him. He’d mentioned something about a scar on his upper lip, how his old team captain had left it there when he pushed him onto the ice. Your heart breaks for him.

Under the blanket, you reach out and rest your hand on his knee, lightly. “I’ll keep my fingers crossed.”

He grins widely at that, and then hides it behind his mug of hot chocolate. You smile right back. Outside, Carlos hits Logan directly in the stomach with a snowball. The others are making their way towards the house. You brace yourself for the impending chaos.

Charles and Max cook dinner, and there are enough people in the house that you end up eating in the living room on one of the couches. Lando sits next to you, while Oscar sits on the floor in front of you, his back against the couch. The news is playing on the TV, and you all steal glances at the bottom of the display, where the area snow closures are being announced.

Max pokes his head into the living room from the dining room. “Snow’s getting bad. Anyone who doesn’t live here should probably go now, yeah?”

People begin to stand up. You almost follow suit, figuring it’s about time you headed back to your apartment, and not really wanting to walk in the snow. Lando grabs your wrist and tugs, though, and Oscar’s head whips around to look at the two of you.

“Maybe you should just stay,” Lando suggests, a small smile on his face. “It’s a storm warning, you know.”

You blink softly at him, though you sit back down. “Lan, I don’t have any of my stuff. I don’t have clothes to sleep in. I have an 8am class, and I don’t want to sleep on the couch and have a sore neck-“

“Oh come on, you know they’re going to cancel classes,” Oscar says, nudging your knee lightly.

“And if they don’t, I’ll go get your stuff,” Lando suggests. He pouts. “And you don’t have to sleep on the couch, I’ll get the air mattress out. C’mon. What if your power goes out?”

“When my power goes out, yours also goes out,” you remind him.

“But we can all be powerless together,” Charles chimes in from the other end of the couch.

You groan. “You guys. I’m an adult. I can take care of myself in a little bit of snow.”

You hear Logan’s car start up outside. You try to get up again, but Lando wraps his arms around your arm, and Oscar reaches for your ankles. You let out a squeaky laugh and try to break free just as Max walks back into the living room, brows furrowed.

“Max! Tell Bunny she should stay here,” Lando calls out.

Max blinks, eyes darting over the entire situation before he turns to look at you. “There’s a winter storm. You live alone. You are not going anywhere.”

You grumble, but you go limp anyways. Lando lets go of you and high fives Max as he walks past. Oscar holds onto your legs for slightly longer, and he squeezes your calf softly before he pulls away. You try to act normal about it, though from the side eyed look Lando gives you, you’re not sure you were successful.

Eventually, you head to the kitchen to help Max clean up from dinner. Lily, Alex, George, and Oscar sit at the dining room table, playing cards, while you and Max do dishes and Lando and Charles clean counters. When your eyes stay on the Oscar for too long, watching him laugh happily, the sink nearly overflows. Max nudges your shoulder.

“You can go hangout, if you want. I can do the dishes,” he suggests.

You shake your head. “M’fine. Just spaced out a bit.”

Max nods, though you can feel him watching you every so often. Lando and Charles start slapping each other with rolled up wet washcloths, and that distracts Max enough, at least for a few minutes. There’s music playing, and you hum along as the soapy water warms your fingers. When the dishes are done, Max ushers you to the dining room, and you take a seat in the chair on next to Oscar. Lando and Charles join, too, and you smile around at everyone. Snow is falling in the backyard, and the world feels quiet. Oscar’s fingers brush against yours when you both reach for a card, and you can’t help but smile. You’re exactly where you want to be.

At 9:30pm, just when you’re starting to yawn, and Lando is talking about going and setting up the air mattress, everyone’s phones go off. Little dings and chirps and vibration sounds echo through the dining room. Alex is the first one to open the email.

“Classes are canceled!” He calls out. “Snow day!”

The room erupts into chaos. Lando and Max hug each other, George stands up and cheers, while Charles collapses forward onto the table in relief. You turn to Oscar as he wraps an arm around your shoulders and shakes you gently. Alex leans over and kisses Lily on the cheek as she cheers. The joy in the room is infectious. Snow days have the ability to turn you all into children again, apparently.

Oscar leaves his arm around the back of your chair for the rest of the game. You try desperately to act like it’s not there, like you can’t feel the warmth of him on the back of your neck or the way his fingers brush against your shoulder. It’s consuming your thoughts, though, making it insanely difficult to focus on the card game at hand.

He’s one of the first to go to bed, and you miss the feeling as soon as he’s gone. You head up to bed eventually, and you pass Charles in the hallway on the way to brush your teeth. He gives you a sleepy half hug and stumbles into his room. You find yourself looking at Oscar’s door and wondering if he’s still awake, but you’re not sure what you’d even do if he was.

You wake up the next morning to Lando still out cold, snoring loudly into his pillow, and the early sun inching its way through the blinds. The air mattress is partially deflated, and you slide off of it and onto the floor with a soft thud. There’s a hoodie laying on the floor that seems relatively clean, and you pull it on. You know immediately it’s not Lando’s- it smells like a different laundry detergent and cologne, but it feels familiar and warm, so you leave it on. Then you wrap a blanket around your shoulders before you head downstairs.

Oscar’s sitting on the loveseat, still rubbing sleep from his eyes when you find him. He turns and blinks up at you, eyelids heavy. You blink back, long and slow, the way you’d been told to do with pet cats. It seems to work on him- he smiles. Without a word, you head for the kitchen.

You return with two mugs of tea, and he smiles up at you. He makes room for you to sit, and you do so happily, curling your legs under you and fully facing the window. It’s a winter wonderland outside. You can’t even see where the front yard ends and the street begins. Snow is still falling, though at a slower rate.

“It’s so… quiet,” Oscar whispers.

He stretches one leg out behind you on the couch, and bends his other knee up next to you. When you lean against him lightly, he doesn’t protest or move away. He just smiles.

You nod in agreement. “Pretty. I love snow.”

You blink a couple times and take a sip of your tea. Oscar’s leg is warm against your side. He reaches out to brush a stray lock of hair from your face. You sigh and let your eyelids flutter shut.

“Still sleepy?” He asks.

You nod. “Yeah, but the air mattress is deflating, and Lando’s snoring, so…”

“Here,” he says, and you blink at him in confusion.

Oscar’s hand brushes against yours where you’re holding the mug. Your grip falters, and he slips it from your hand and sets it down on the nearby table. Before you can blink again, he leans forward and wraps an arm around your middle. Then he uses it to haul you towards him, your back against his chest, side by side on the little sofa. You’re nestled between him and the back of the couch, surrounded in warmth, your skin burning up. You can feel the soft rise and fall of his chest behind you.

“Okay?” He asks.

You nod, too sleepy to form the words, too sleepy to worry about what this means or if it’s weird or if someone else will see the two of you and have questions. He lets out a little laugh, his hand slipping into the pocket of the hoodie you’re wearing.

“Is this my hoodie?” He asks. You shrug. “Think it is, there's a hole in this pocket.”

“It was on Lando’s floor,” you mumble, burrowing deeper next to him. “So it’s fair game.”

He laughs, but he lets it go. You rest your cheek against his other arm and bask in the softness of it all, blinking at the falling snow and the soft morning light. Sleep scratches at the back of your brain, and as much as you want to fight it, as much as you want to stay present, it melts over you. The last thing you feel before you fall back asleep is the press of his cheek against the top of your head.

When you wake up, he’s in the kitchen, talking lowly with Alex. There’s a pillow wedged behind you to keep you from falling over and off the couch, and the blanket is pulled up around your chin. You don’t blame him for getting up, and you’re a bit relieved that he seems to have done it before the rest of his roommates are up, because you might have never heard the end of it. Though, when Lando rolls out of bed and joins you on the couch, with Max not far behind, and the three of you squeeze onto the little sofa together, you wonder if they’d have even questioned it. Maybe they’d have seen it the same as this- friends curled up on a slow morning, sharing space and warmth. Maybe that’s all it was for Oscar, too. You’re probably the only one who felt butterflies over it.

Oscar pouts when he walks in and sees his spot taken, though. Behind him in the doorway, Alex meets your gaze with a smirk, eyebrows raised, and you start to wonder again. Eventually, the rest of the people in the house join you downstairs, and you all start to make snow day plans. You close your eyes and listen to them talk. Whatever they come up with, you’ll enjoy, you know it already.

…..

Unfortunately for Oscar, the snow clears, and the first game against the Bears goes forward as planned that week. It’s a mess. The Timberwolves are up by two by the time they’re halfway into the second period, but the Bears are playing like, well, bears. Not a lot of penalties, but cheap shots and bad moves and what looks to be exhausting hockey. They’re frustrated by their own inability to score by the third period, and that’s when the claws really come out. The refs send a Bears player to the box for slashing. He gets back on the ice, and then another one gets called for tripping. There’s a few minutes left, they’re down a player, and they’re desperate.

When Oscar gets locked into a battle for the puck with his old team captain, you hold your breath. He manages to bat it away and send it skidding towards Max, but his helmet and face mask get shoved askew in the process. Somehow, you just know. Everyone in the arena follows the puck, but you watch as the captain on the other team rips his gloves off. You grab onto Lily’s arm and watch his fist connect with Oscar’s jaw. The Timberwolves bench erupts into chaos. The fight is over before it even starts, because Oscar just pushes the guy away and doesn’t swing back. The team captain gets sent to the penalty box. Oscar gets his helmet back on and gets back in the game.

An hour and a half later, you sit at the kitchen counter in their house, a mug in front of you. The house is quiet. You’re not sure why you’re still here- Lando went to bed a while ago, and Max had retreated to his room even before that. You’d made the excuse of staying to clean up the dishes, but now you’re just… here, still. Waiting. You should really go home. It’s bordering on midnight. If you walk home much later than this and any of the guys find out, they’ll be pissed.

The front door creaks open. Soft footsteps echo down the hallway, and you look up from your mug of tea. Oscar doesn’t seem surprised when he walks into the kitchen and finds you sitting there. He stops in the doorway, shoulders dropping. There’s a bruise shadowing his jaw. You wince.

“It looks worse than it feels,” he mumbles.

You stand up from the stool and head for the fridge. You can hear him walking closer as you rummage around in the freezer, finally finding one of the ice packs they keep in there. On a whim, you also reach into a cleverly disguised bag of frozen peas, and come out with two chocolate dipped ice cream bars. When you turn back to Oscar, items in hand, he looks perplexed.

“We have ice cream?” He asks, quietly.

You smirk. “Max hides them. But he can’t keep secrets from me. He won’t mind.”

He takes a seat on the stool, and you flip the switch for the overhead lights. He grimaces.

“I already had it looked at,” he says, brows furrowed. “Trainer said it’s fine.”

You hum as you step closer, pretending your heart doesn’t thud in your chest when you come into close range. “I know,” you say, reaching up and placing the ice pack against his face gently. He hisses. “This is actually an interrogation.”

His hand comes up to hold the pack, fingers brushing against yours. He laughs, then winces. “Yeah? What about?”

You drop your hand to your side. “Why didn’t you fight back?”

He sighs heavily, looking anywhere other than your face. You roll your eyes and open one of the ice cream bars and hand it to him. Then you sit down on another stool, facing him, before you open your own ice cream, too.

“I don’t wanna get suspended,” he shrugs. “And I don’t really fight.”

You decide not to bring up the guy at the party last semester and the way Oscar had been ready to punch him. “Even if they hit you first?”

He nods and makes a little noise. You wonder if he ever fought back when they were on the same team, or if he just accepted it. Your heart aches for him. He shrugs again, eyes flickering up to yours. He looks so sweet, despite the harsh kitchen light, despite the purple tinge on his skin, even more with a bit of chocolate in the corner of his lips. You take a bite of your own ice cream in the hopes that it’ll cool you down.

“Just never felt worth it,” he admits. “I don’t know. Some people are in it for that, for the hits and the fights and the… aggression. I just like hockey. Besides, the guy got a penalty. So now he’s out for a game. That’s better than getting a hit on him.”

The tone he says the guy in is interesting- like he’s distancing himself, like it’s easier if he pretends it was just some guy and not the captain of his old team. You overheard some of Lando and Max’s hushed whispers. You know the guy said some shitty things about Oscar on the ice. And tomorrow, he has to play the rest of the team all over again. Oscar takes another bite of his ice cream and purses his lips.

“I’m okay,” he promises. “And if the guys think I'm going easy on them because I have some weird sense of loyalty, I’m really not.”

“Oh, Osc,” you say quietly, shaking your head. You reach across the gap and press your hand to his wrist, the one holding the ice pack. “Nobody thinks that.”

He shrugs. “Carlos was-“

“Carlos was being a dumbass, but he doesn’t really believe it,” you promise. “After the game, all they were worried about was you. That’s it.”

He lets out a huff and takes another bite of his ice cream, cracking through the chocolate shell. “I don’t wanna be worried about.”

You almost pull your hand from his wrist, but as soon as he says it, he winces, closing his eyes. You wait, rubbing your thumb against his skin. He takes a deep breath. You press your finger to his pulse point, and his breath hitches. You watch his shoulders move.

“I don’t mean that. It’s nice. Just. Had a bad day,” he says. “And we have to do it again tomorrow.”

You nod and squeeze his wrist. “That’s the shitty thing about the way college hockey works, huh.”

He nods. The ice pack bumps against his face, and he hisses. You muffle a laugh and reach to put your hand over his to steady it, keeping your grip gentle. He inhales through pursed lips and closes his eyes. He slips his hand off the ice pack and lets you hold it, and blood roars in your ears. It feels so trusting. Strangely intimate. His hand falls to your knee, and you try to breathe normally. You’re probably failing miserably. You swallow all the feelings down and try to come up with something to say.

“Tomorrow is a new day,” you remind him. “We can wake up and pretend today never happened. A new game, a new start.”

He sighs and closes his eyes. “I can try.”

“That’s all anyone could ask for,” you tell him. “That’s all you can ask yourself for.”

A wavering smile crosses his lips. You take a bite of your ice cream to stop yourself from leaning in to brush your own lips against his cheek. The two of you eat the rest of your ice cream bars in the peace and quiet, under the fluorescent kitchen lights. His hand stays on your knee, barely there, just resting. Your fingers go numb holding the ice pack, but you don’t complain. You can hold this for him, for a little bit. He’s holding onto enough.

…..

You wake up on the couch the next morning with an ache in your neck, because by the time you finished the ice cream Oscar insisted it was too late for you to walk home, and you hadn’t wanted to wake Lando by sneaking into his room. Upstairs, you can hear the guys starting to wake up. Soon they’ll be donning their suits and heading to the rink to get ready. You push yourself to sit up and run a hand through your hair. Then you head for the front door.

Once you’re home, you call Lily. “I have an idea,” you say, ”and I need your help.”

Lily, to her credit, doesn’t ask a lot of questions. You’re sure she sort of understands what’s going on without having to ask, but you’re grateful either way. The two of you shuffle into seats in the arena, eager to watch. You’re wearing your jersey today, hoping it brings good luck, and you’ve both gone full out with lines of blue face paint under your eyes.

When they come out onto the ice, Lando’s the first one to spot you. He does a double take, nudging at Max’s shoulder. They both stare, heads tilted. You can’t blame them. Instead of your normal seats, the two of you are in the front row, right down by the boards.

You’d sit here every game if you could, but the tickets are outrageously expensive on a college student budget, especially when you can sit in the student section for free. Today, though, you’d splurged. There’s a poster board sitting at your feet that you’ve worked painstakingly on all morning. It needs to be seen, and for that, you need to be up close.

Lily lets out a squeak when Alex skates over. “Oh! Hi!”

You roll your eyes affectionately at your friend as she makes hand gestures at her boyfriend through the plexiglass. It’s too loud for them to hear each other, especially through the glass, but Alex’s big smile says more than words ever could. For what’s definitely not the first time, you find yourself wishing you could have what they have. You want someone to smile like that when they see you. You want to feel that giddy feeling.

Lando skates over, tapping his glove against the glass. You just shrug and laugh. He points at the poster board. You shake your head, and he rolls his eyes. It’s not for him. He’s not the one who needs it. Out on the ice, Oscar’s next to Charles, heads bent together as they stretch. Max skates over and points at you, and from this close, you can see Charles' affectionate eye roll, and the way Oscar smiles. He goes from apprehension to adoration quite quickly. Something turns in your chest. Lando, who’s still standing nearby, quirks a brow, and you wonder how plainly it’s written across your face.

While they’re all looking, you take a deep breath, pick up the sign, and raise it above your head. Alex bursts into giddy laughter, Lando’s shoulders drop, and Oscar’s face lights up like the sun.

Kick Some PiASStri, it says. The letters were cut out of magazines and glued down this morning, and you’re still a bit worried it’s not dry enough, but it seems to hold for now. Max and Charles bump their heads against each other as they laugh. Oscar shakes his head, absolutely beaming. It’s a new game, a new start, another day, another chance. And maybe, what he needs is a little bit of encouragement. A reminder that there are people rooting for him.

He skates over, playfully shoulder checking Lando, who’s talking to Alex, now. Oscar takes his stick and scoops up a loose puck off the ice. He flips it over the barriers to you, and you catch it, shrieking at the temperature when it lands in your hand. It’s nearly as cold as the icepack you held to his face the night before.The bruise on his jaw is visible as he looks at you through the glass, but he’s smiling so wide all the same.

He yells something. You can barely hear, but between that and the lip reading you’ve learned to do after years of watching hockey, you think he says something about his “number one fan.”

You just smile and laugh and hold the puck up in the air, hoping the giddy feeling in your chest isn’t painfully obvious. He puts a glove against the plexiglass, and you place your hand there, too, and you know you can’t but you swear you feel the warmth of him. It’s probably just your brain playing tricks on you. He shakes his head, then pats his hand against the clear surface, and then he takes off across the ice.

When you turn to Lily, she’s smiling knowingly. “That was…”

“Shut up,” you grumble, rolling your eyes. “I don’t wanna hear it. He just needed some encouragement.”

It seems to work. He’s on fire that night, skating across the ice like it’s exactly where he belongs. You’re proud to be there, proud to hold the poster up when he scores, proud to call yourself his friend.

After the game, you find yourself in the back hallway of the arena, waiting. You can hear the music in the locker room from here, can hear the intermittent shouting and cheering from the guys. The other team is long gone. Lily’s back at the house already, getting things ready for the inevitable big party they’ll be having after a win like this. The poster you’d made leans against the wall.

Oscar’s the one to find you. His smile seems permanently set on his face tonight. His hair’s a mess, towel dried and sticking in every direction. “You kicked ass,” you call out.

He doesn’t stop at the socially acceptable distance apart. He walks close, so close you have to lean your head back just slightly to look him in the eye, so close that you can smell his shampoo and see the freckles on his cheeks. His hands are in his pockets, and your heart is in your throat. There’s something wild in his eyes. The bruise on his jaw is dark, almost blue now, and you reach up to brush a finger against the outline of it. He blinks and pulls his hands from his pockets.

“It was nice to see you in the front row,” he says.

Your pulse is pounding. “Yeah, well, don’t get used to it. Those tickets are expensive. Just needed to make sure you could see the sign.”

He juts his chin out. “Yeah?”

You swallow, then nod. “Yeah. Did it work?”

He doesn’t answer. He just reaches out, and his hand lands on your hip. His other hand comes up to cup your cheek, thumb brushing under your eye, and you hold your breath. His eyes search your face, darting between your eyes and cheeks and lips. You lean closer, closer. His cheeks are rosy and blotchy, from the game and the post game shower and- and maybe, from this, too. Is he feeling it, too? Is his heart racing, is he holding his breath, are there butterflies swirling around in his stomach?

Just when you think you can’t hold your breath any longer, he closes the gap, pressing his lips against your cheek. You wonder if he can feel how warm your face is beneath his lips, if he can hear the way your heartbeat picks up. It’s just a kiss on the cheek, but you let your eyes fall shut anyways, let the warmth wash over you, down your spine and all the way to your fingertips and toes. This is better than a thank you, better than anything, really.

There’s a loud bang of a door being flung open, and both of you break apart in a rush. You wobble, and he does his best to keep you steady. By the time you stand up straight, the two of you are standing a respectable distance apart, and the door to the hallway swings open. It’s Carlos, first, followed by the rest of the team. You try to compose yourself. Oscar’s face is bright red.

“Bunny!” Charles calls out, eager and bright eyed. “We won!”

Oscar backs away when Charles rushes up to hug you. Nobody comments on his red cheeks, or the poster sitting at your feet. You’re sure they’d teased him about it, but they won the game, so anything that got them there is seen as a good thing. Max is the next one to wrap you up in a hug, and soon you’re being pulled along in the stream of hockey players, out towards where the rest of their friends and families wait, out towards the walk back to the house where the party will already be in motion.

“Your face paint is smudged,” Lando says, pointing at your cheek.

You laugh and brush Lando’s hand away from your face. Out of the corner of your eye, you watch Oscar wipe his thumb on his pants, as discreetly as possible, and your heart flutters in your chest. There’s a blue streak of paint left behind on the fabric. It’s some sort of evidence that it really happened. It’s enough, for now.

Later that night, when you’re falling asleep in Lando’s room after a long night of celebrating, you think of deep blue bruises and bright blue face paint, and how much you wish you’d gotten the chance to mix them both together. It would look nice, you think, as you drift off. Paint smudged on his rosy, freckled cheeks. It would’ve been nice.

You dream of Oscar. You’re definitely not complaining.

a/n: happy oscar’s birthday to all who celebrate! 🥳

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hurthermore · 2 days

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He deserves someone to dote on him! Alastor who injuries his dominant hand and is unable to properly do basic tasks for a while, you come over and cook for him as well as feed him and he’s so embarrassed!! I mean let’s be honest last person to look after his was his mama. Doesn’t stop you, I mean you’re helping him dress, writing out his ideas for potential scripts for future broadcasts, scolding him for trying to use said arm…you kiss his fingers that stick out from his sling <3 he’s so greedy even after he heals he pretends that he still needs you’re help and you’re more than happy to oblige !

This is so cute >.< for this ask we will imagine that Alastor x Reader from Misconduct are in an AU where Vincent doesn’t exist and they’re romantically involved. Poorly written again because I wrote this at uni lmaooo warning for suggestive content, mention of murder and self harm

He didn’t mean to hurt his hand to this extent when he badgered his knife into the neck of a man who wouldn’t stop flirting with you; he tried so hard not to let his pain showcase when you were near him, even when you would thread your fingers through his, he tried so desperately to not make you aware of his pain.

But you were, fortunately, very perceptive of your lovers tells; and when you held his broken hand, you noticed the way his shoulders tensed ever so slightly.

It took a while, but you managed to get him to admit that he had hurt himself; whether he told you how depended on whether you knew about his morally malevolent habits or not.

You reprimanded him; obviously, it made you feel so inadequate that he didn’t feel as though you were a safe space for him to tell you of his pain, but you brushed your feelings aside to tend for the man you loved.

He struggled with everyday tasks you had come to figure out; hiding the pain he endured whilst attempting to complete those tasks. So you decided it was best to temporarily stay at his home, regardless of your own responsibilities; you wished to help and assist the man you planned to marry one day.

And he had agreed, rather quickly to your idea, seeming like a child excited with a new toy they had just been gifted.

You began completing every little task for him, even so far as washing his body and hair for him; you always ignored how he would get just a tad excited below the water whenever your bare hands scrubbed his skin clean.

He always held an arm around you as you cooked and washed his dishes for him, forcing you to always become flushed as he only spoke words of endearment into your ear whilst stroking your waist with his free hand.

Whenever he would try to help you, or give you physical affection through his broken hand, you would again, reprimend him. Scolding him like a child before you would inevitably apologise, stating you only wished for him to get better.

And when you laid in his bed, no matter what the two of you were doing during that time, you would place kisses along his broken hand, telling him of how much you loved him, how much you cared about him; how much he meant to you.

He basked in it, loved everything his broken hand had brought him; how it had brought you even closer to him, basically moving you into his home whilst you played the part of his little housewife.

A wife he would make you.

And as the weeks passed by, and his hand ultimately began to heal; he would, to simply have you always with him, break it. Purposefully.

He won’t tell you that though.

He just wants you near him.

#alastor x reader #alastor x you #hazbin alastor #alastor #hazbin hotel x reader #reader insert #x reader #hazbin hotel

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azsazz · 5 months

Text

Penance

Hockey Player!Azriel x Reader

Summary: Azriel can't keep his hands to himself. A modern hockey AU.

Warnings: Fighting

Word Count: 970 (lol i wish it was way longer)

Notes: Welcome to the Hockey AU 😏

_________________________________________

You’ll never understand how your boyfriend gets into so many fights, but here you are again, watching him pummel another player into the ice.

The crowd screams wildly around you so loudly it’s nearly deafening. There’s a chill to the air only the ice emits, the rest of the atmosphere is filled with the heat of bodies, stench of beer and stadium popcorn, and a little bit like body odor. The mostly male fans around you clutch their drinks in their hands as they throw their arms up, egging on the brawl in the rink. You’re sure if you were sitting closer, you might be able to smell the blood splattering the pristine, white ice.

“Come on, Azriel,” you mutter, wringing your fingers together. It’s said a little in disappointment and a lot in encouragement. It’s tough to watch; a player on the Springview Wolves had checked him into the glass. It hadn’t been a nice check either, all but shoving Azriel’s face into the boards. His eyes had gone dark in a millisecond, spinning on his skate and chucking his stick to the ground, his gloves following.

The player had already turned away—Warrick, number 22, the back of his jersey reads—when Az had spun around to give him a taste of his own medicine, and the hit looked dirty on your boyfriend's side because of it, hitting a player who seemed unassuming. Tamlin, number 22’s name is, you know this because Azriel and a few of his teammates had been complaining about the blond haired player all week, saying how the coach only puts him in to start fights, the rest of the time he’s usually a duster, collecting cobwebs on the bench.

Gods, you hope Azriel doesn’t lose any teeth this time.

The pair seem to mostly be wrestling right now, trying to keep their balance as their skates slide against the slick ice and the referees try to tear them apart. But once players start tussling, there’s no breaking them up until one of them hits the ice.

The benches of both teams are going crazy, shouting and hitting their sticks against the partitions. You think you saw the team captain of the Velaris Bats, Rhysand, trying to jump onto the ice to join, but the coach had held him back by the scruff of his uniform.

Cassian had already been on the ice, a winger like Azriel. The pair were nearly untouchable on the ice. It’s as if they had twin telepathy, always scoring points off of one another. He shucked his own gloves off and started a fight with another player for the hell of it, living up to his nickname ‘bloodshed.’ It looks like he’s taking on one of the Vanserra brothers, the younger, Lucien.

You don’t know what the hell their mother ate when she was pregnant with them, three of her seven sons in the NHL. Eris, the eldest, plays on the Auburn Foxes, while her second born, Pyrolas, has been with the Badgers. That is always a team you dread watching the Bats play. With the amount of fights Pyrolas starts and finishes, it’s a surprise the hot-headed player is still welcome on any team.

Azriel knocks one of Tamlin’s legs out from under him but his competitor doesn’t go down yet, keeping himself propped up on a knee. They’re punching wildly, hitting more helmets than skin, but crimson paints the ice from split knuckles.

You chew on your lip, praying that it ends soon. It’s gruesome, and now that Cassian has joined in, grinning feral with bloody teeth, other players have joined the fray. The referees are useless, and they can only watch the onslaught of Bats players fist-fighting with the Wolves.

The coaches are screaming their heads off from the benches, but there’s too much testosterone in the air for any of the players to hear, let alone take their threats seriously. You know Cassian’s going to be punished in practice for starting a team-wide brawl, and you hope Azriel won’t be added to that punishment.

Tamlin gets in a good hit to the face, cutting the bridge of Azriel’s nose on his helmet. You sigh sadly. You love his nose, all straight and perfect. Something low in your stomach twists, thinking about a scar cutting across the bridge of it.

Azriel retaliates not with words, but his fists. He tugs the back of Tamlin’s lavender jersey over his head and pummels him, hands moving so fast the blinded player can’t keep up. His fingers scrabble for purchase, clawing into Azriel’s black jersey, but it doesn’t seem to make the man falter at all.

Finally, Tamlin takes the fall, sliding the rest of the way to the ice. Azriel has his hand pressed to Warrick’s back, keeping him pressed to the ice, his left hand cocked, ready to deliver another blow should he need to.

A referee skates in, pulling your boyfriend away from the felled player. He ushers Azriel to the penalty box while someone else collects his stick and gloves. Miraculously, his helmet sits on his head, and he’s handed a towel to wipe the blood from his face and knuckles, and Azriel looks beyond pissed off.

Cassian’s ejected from the game, but it doesn’t look much like he cares, receiving pats on the back and friendly shoves from his teammates. He thrives on the bloodshed, Mother help whoever locks him down. They’ll be dealing with eternally busted knuckles and missing teeth.

The few minutes Azriel has to spend in the sin-bin are long, but at least you can take a moment to calm your racing heart, knowing he can’t start a fight while he’s in time-out for his actions.

The only thing you have to worry about is the remaining period after he gets out of it.

#azriel shadowsinger #azriel x reader #acotar #azsazz #acomaf #acowar #azriel #azriel/reader #azriel au #hockey!azriel #modern!azriel

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kaciebello · 1 month

Text

Pigeon ball invitation

Masterlist

Badger express ★

Blaise Zabini x Hufflepuff! reader (fem)

Summary: Teaching Hufflepuff how to dance was not on Blasies to-do list

Warnings: no use of y/n,

Authors note: Haiya! This is a sequel series to the whole delivery one. This one is gonna focus on the boys separately! hope you enjoy it! English is not my first language, so I apologize for any mistakes beforehand. Proofread by me and me only (Ｔ▽Ｔ)

word count: 1.1k

Song: Box - NCT Dream

Blaise comes from a rich family. Yes, he knows their wealth comes from his mother's multiple husbands. But he was not going to spoil her fun. What was spoiling his however was attending all these balls and events. And one thing he despised even more was dancing. That's why he was frustrated as we watched the Hufflepuff girl glide on the floor. His head hung low as he watched her trip over her own feet.

Why he even agreed to teach her is beyond him. Maybe she batted her eyelashes at him or promised him a free delivery service. He can't remember.

“How are you this bad? I've seen you balance on a flying broom.” He says rubbing his temples. The girl stops and looks at him with a pout.

“That's easier.” She argues back.

“ How is balancing on a moving stick easier than moving around a solid ground.” She shrugs unable to answer him.

Right now, she was contemplating her choice of a teacher. She could have asked any of the boys really, she just wasn't sure anyone could teach her ballroom dancing but Blaise.

“Okay, one more time. And please, try to remember the steps.” He says and waves his wand so that the music plays. The girl just sings and makes her to the dummy that has been her dancing partner for the past 30 minutes.

The first few steps are now engraved in her memory and she has no problem dancing that part. It's the twist that comes after, somehow she always manages to twist her feet together. Just as she did now, in panic she even managed to trip the dummy, making it fall. When Blaise heard the thud he did not even need to turn around.

The girl looks at him with an awkward smile. He wants to say something and express his frustration, but she cuts him off.

“Maybe if I was dancing with a human!” She hurls out before thinking. That stops him in his tracks, she's not wrong. Maybe if he has her dancing with someone she will be less likely to trip them and make them face the floor. Yes, it was like 99% she would, but not 100.

“Nobody is willing to risk their feet-”

“You could.”

“EH?” He stops in his tracks. Once again, she is right. It's starting to get on his nerves. He sighs and makes his way to her.

“Fine. But only once.” He says and the girl nods. He grabs one hand to his and places the other one on her waist. She smiles up at him, making it obvious she finally got what she wanted. Blaise just huffs.

“Don't look at your feet too much.” She looks up at him to argue but just nods when she sees his serious face. With a simple wave of his wrist, the music starts to play and they start to dance. As always the first few steps are done correctly and with no problem.

He could see the girl was more nervous with every second they got closer to the twist. They got into positions and he listed his arms so she could twirl around. Her skirt flowed a bit. At the last second her feet tangled a bit, but Blaise was prepared. Not wanting to embrace her, and frankly not wanting to dance anymore he quickly stabled her by her waist and continued to dance. Giving her a mere second to comprehend what was happening before she had to follow his lead.

When he looked down he could see her smiling seemingly proud of herself. That prompted a smile on his face too. They continued dancing and when the song was nearing the end, he knew what he had to do.

on the last note, he stopped in his tracks and pulled her closer to her body. She did not even have time to react before he dipped her. Wide eyes met his leisurely smile.

“This was not in the original dance.” She says holding on to him for her dear life. She may be a witch but she is not immune to bruises. He just shrugs. Their faces were so close he could feel her talking before he heard it.

“I guess not.” With that, he straightens them up, but not letting her go just yet. She just looks at him as he swings them in this makeshift hug.

“That was hard.” She whispers just enough for him to hear. He lets out a laugh that rings throughout the whole ballroom.

“Wait till you have to do in a dress and heels.” He says and takes a few steps away from her. She lets out a whine at his words. He once again laughs. Holding his hand out for her to take. He was well aware he said only once, but he hoped she did not register that and he could impress her more. She takes it, getting into positions again.

A coo is heard throughout the ballroom making them stop in their tracks. Suddenly from one of the open windows, a dove comes down with a little paper wrapped around his leg.

“A pigeon?” he asks and the girl gives him a dirty look, before reaching into her pocket and giving the dove a treat while taking the note.

“A dove, I use them when someone can't reach me. Or when I need to deliver outside of school.” She explains making him look at her weirdly.

“We have owls?” He says and she just mumbles about it not being her style. An idea popped up in his head. He runs to his bag and quickly scribbles something on a piece of paper. He runs back and hands it to the girl. She looks at him confused and she just flashes his smile.

“I do have a free delivery, no?” he asks and she just sighs and nods taking the note from him. She goes to put it in her pocket but he stops her.

“I need it to reach my mom,” he says and her eyes just widen. Before she can ask he shooks his head and answers her.

“You have about the same foot size, she might have some shoes that would feel nice while dancing.” He says and her eyes widen again.

“How do you know this stuff?” She asks but ties the note to the dove before letting it fly away.

“God forbid man express an ounce of girlish whimsy.” He says rolling his eyes. Before extending his hand to her for another dance. She hesitates but takes it nonetheless.

“With no dipping?”

“With all the dipping honey.”

Taglist: @daisiesformylove , @klimovatereza-blog , @lafrone ,@enfppuff , @rafegfs , @frogtape , @lovelyygirl8 , @catiwinky, @anyam444 , @leeleecats , @ghostgardn , @reverse-soe , @ultramarinetovelvet , @iwishigotswallowed , @jazz-berry , @justatadbonkers , @partnerincrime0 , @schaebickel , @bunnyhopsstuff , @deluluassapocalypse

#slytherin boys x reader #slytherin boys #blaise zabini headcannon #blaise zabini x reader #blaise zabini #blaise zabini imagine #harry potter #harry potter fanfic #slytherin #slytherin boys imagine #hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry #slytherin boys x you #hogwarts au #blaise x reader #fanfic #harry potter fanfiction #slytherin x reader #harry potter imagine

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kitashousewife · 1 year

Text

be mine

an: heehee happy valentines day! there is still more to come so don't worry i'm not stopping here

pairings: timeskip!atsumu x fem!reader

warnings: little angst, lots of fluff, lots of pet names, confessions of feelings

the steady drum of volleyballs hitting the hardwood floor distracts atsumu's thoughts for a while. soles squeaking, teammates shouting, and the tune of the coach's whistle bouncing off of the walls. he's finally out of his head.

but, as always, the regular discussions in the locker room pull him right back in.

"how long has it been? three months? and you still haven't asked her out?"

atsumu hums, shutting his locker and giving hinata an exhausted look. "yeah, since before christmas."

"what's the hold-up?" bokuto pats atsumu on the back with wiggling eyebrows. "is little 'tsumie afraid?"

that makes him irritated. he knows he should have made things official weeks ago. the badgering isn't helping, though.

"shut up," he huffs and hides a frown with the hoodie that's pulled over his head. "until ya get a girlfriend kotaro, i don't wanna hear shit."

bokuto whistles. "okay, okay. but seriously, what's the issue?"

atsumu thinks for a second. he's honestly not really sure. he's been meaning to, he just can't find the right time.

but, he's pretty sure that's just an excuse.

"you don't have an excuse miya," sakusa smirks as they walk towards the parking lot. "i agree kotaro, i think he's scared."

"no!" atsumu quips, a little quickly. "i mean, i don't know. i really don't know. i want to, i just...can't."

"is it her? does she want to? are you getting mixed signals?" hinata rests against the hood of his car.

"no, she's always happy to talk to me. she gets excited to see me, buys me dinner, and responds immediately. she's perfect."

"soooo," sakusa raises his eyebrows. atsumu sighs.

"i just don't want to disappoint her."

his stomach flips. he's thought about it for months at this point. he wanted to make you his before the first date was over. but, his past got in the way, clouding his confidence just a touch.

past girls using him for the little money he makes. some girls accusing him of spending too much time at volleyball, and not providing enough attention. others just in it for attention, lusting after the instagram posts and twitter updates with their faces in them.

atsumu wants you to be his, and he doesn't want you to leave.

"atsumu, it's been three months. i think she knows you by now. besides, if she was interested in you for the wrong reasons, wouldn't she have left by now?" bokuto's words help atsumu to relax a little.

"yeah, yer right. god, what do i even do? i feel like a fuckin' high schooler," he whines, throwing his bag into his car.

"you're in luck. valentine's day is tomorrow, which means you have the perfect reason," sakusa slides into his car. "c'mon miya, where's your romantic side?"

atsumu thinks about that the entire drive home. he doesn't know what to do. he considers taking you out to a nice dinner, somewhere fancy and luxurious. but, reservations have probably been booked for months. he thinks about using a card, but that's lame. really, he wants to call you for advice, just like he does with everything, but that won't work.

he throws himself on his bed with a sigh.

maybe he'll never ask.

little does he know, you're in the same boat.

sitting cross-legged in the middle of your bedroom floor, you look like an art project gone wrong. glue sticks, markers, and different shades of pink cardstock litter the ground hiding the failed cards and notes from before. you sigh, putting the finishing touches on what you hope to be the final product.

a small, pink card with a bumble bee and hearts with the words bee mine in shaky cursive underneath. you're still deciding what to fill the inside with.

you don't want to say too much, but you also want to make sure you get your feelings out. it's been almost six weeks, and atsumu still hasn't made things official with you. you see him at least three times a week, he takes you to dinner but never calls them dates. he invites you to parties, event dinners, and even took you to his cousin's wedding last weekend.

what's taking him so long?

as soon as you see the clock on the wall, you groan. atsumu should be here any minute, and you haven't written a word on his card yet. he asked you if he could come over tonight, saying he was dying to see ya. since it's the night before valentines, you decide this may be your only shot. you quickly scribble something down, hearing his footsteps through the thin walls of your apartment. quick hands shove the evidence into a garbage bag before you scurry to wash up.

"honey, i'm home!" atsumu sings as he opens the door. "wait! close yer eyes!"

"why should i listen to someone who just entered my home without permission?" you say, eyes firmly closed from your spot on the couch.

"yet, ya listened anyway huh?" he teases when you flip him off from the couch. "keep em' closed pretty. i'm not ready yet."

your heart beats a little quicker. "o-okay, but i have to tell you something."

"alright sweetheart. just a second," he grunts, tripping over the strings of the five heart balloons that he holds in his left hand. he shuffles over to you at sets down a container of chocolate-covered strawberries (that he had to beg osamu to make), and a dozen roses. you smile when you hear the crinkle of cellophane.

atsumu's stomach is doing flips, but he can't do this anymore.

"okay, you can open." his voice sounds a lot more nervous than he would've liked. when you open them, he can't quite read your face.

"atsumu," you breathe. you aren't sure where to look.

"i know, it's a lot, but listen," he flops down next to you, grabbing your hands in his. "i didn't want to be lame but, i just wanted to tell you."

"okay," you ease him on. he takes a deep breath, before smiling wide.

"i think that ya have got to be the most beautiful girl i have ever seen in my life," he looks at you with hearts in his eyes. "from the moment i met ya, i wanted to make ya mine. i want to be the one ya come home to after a long day, i want to see ya in the stands during my games with my jersey on," his cheeks get a little pink.

"i want ya to be mine. my girlfriend."

"atsumu," you breathe, just like before. this time is a little more shaky, but with a bigger smile. "i want to be yours. i want you to be mine."

he laughs running his hand through his hair. "really?"

you nod, holding his face in your hands.

"really," you smile, pulling him in for a kiss. atsumu doesn't pull away until he absolutely has to, wanting to drown in this moment and keep it forever.

"baby, i don't think ya know how happy i am right now," he really can't stop smiling, no matter how hard he tries. he feels like a weight has been lifted off of his chest, amazed at the instant relief he feels after telling you.

"you didn't have to do all of this!" you pull at the balloons, watching them bounce off of one another.

"yes i did! plus, ya gotta try one of these. my brother made 'em and they're amazin'." you reach down to grab one, but he stops you.

"let me grab one!" you giggle, but he smirks.

"what's in your hand?"

you freeze, forgetting all about the card that rests between your fingertips.

"nothing."

"oh c'mon angel, lemme see!"

you shake your head, but he persists.

"why not!"

"because it's stupid, especially compared to all of this!" you gesture towards the flowers and berries.

"please," he begs, giving you a large pout. you roll your eyes.

"fine, but save the comments for yourself. i worked really hard on it."

atsumu pulls the card from it's envelope slowly before giving a quiet gasp.

"i know, i know, it looks like a preschooler did it. just give it back and-"

"are ya kidding me?" he practically shrieks. "this is goin' straight on my locker. 'gonna tape it right to the front."

"are you serious?"

"mhm," he hums, smirking when he reads the inside of the card.

happy valentine's day atsumu. you're the most handsome man i've ever met, and the funniest too. i hope that you will "bee mine" once and for all.

"what's so funny?"

"nothin', i'm just thinkin' that you might have a crush on me."

you roll your eyes, scooching a little closer to him on the couch. he wraps his arms around you and plants a kiss on top of your head.

"for the record, i have a crush on ya too. a huge one."

#heidslovesickevent #atsumu x reader #miya atsumu x reader #miya atsumu x reader fluff #atsumu x reader fluff #haikyuu fluff #hq fluff #hq x reader #haikyuu x reader #miya atsumu #atsumu miya

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sinfullyrosey · 1 year

Text

Feral Follies - Part 1

Floyd Leech X GN!Honey Badger!Reader

Warnings: Biting, Violence, Enemies to Lovers (who are still enemies), Hate Fucking, Rough Sex, Dom!Floyd (he tops), Dom!Reader, Eel Slime as Lube (sorry not sorry)

No smut in this part, but will in the next. I haven’t really been posting any big fics as of lately due to school, so wanted to get something out there, even if it’s not any actual smut.

Also, it’s a chance for me to try something different by asking ya’ll whether or not I should give Reader male or female genitalia for part 2 of this fic. Originally, I was just going to have the scene play out and not specify anything, but I got stuck writing it and now am considering giving ‘em female bits just to make things easier on me. Or should I stick to my original plan and leave it up in the air? I’ll be able to be more descriptive with an actual set of naughty bits.

I’ll try not to use any pronouns regardless of the final outcome though.

Your relationship with the infamous Floyd Leech is rather… complicated to say the least. The two of you didn’t have the best foot forward when meeting and this had undoubtedly caused a sort of heated rivalry between you and the Leech brother.

It had been during lunch, while you were walking over to your dormmates’ table, food in hand, when you noticed a tall, Octavinelle student looming over your friend. Said friend was cowering from the looming figure, while a few of your dormmates bristled and snarled at the stranger but didn’t move to defend the quivering beastman.

This didn’t sit well with you, so you hurried over to the table and put your tray down, before climbing onto the table to gain some leverage. This got the attention of everyone at the table, including your friend and the stranger, and before the tall asshole could say anything, you promptly bit into his shoulder without any warning, just like how you were taught back home.

All hell broke loose after that, students were panicking and hollering as the scene unfolded before them. The student, who you currently were latched onto, didn’t take too kindly to your actions and retaliated in turn. He growled and grabbed at you, attempting to pry you off, swearing at you as he did so.

You responded by biting down harder, drawing a few more droplets of blood.

The next of what happened was a bit of a blur as you had been rather blinded by your initial fury during the whole ordeal. You remember the student trying to bite you back but being unable to reach your shoulder or neck properly. He settled for simply clawing and punching at you, and at some point, began wrestling your still latched on form to the ground.

He was on top of you, trying to smother you under his weight by the time faculty arrived. A few other students also from his dorm arrived, attempting to break you two apart without getting caught in the crossfire themselves. There was even one of them who looked oddly like the jerk you were mentally maiming, though he kept his distance and tried to defuse the situation with words aimed at his lookalike.

Eventually staff was able to pull you off him and separate the two of you before matters really got out of hand. It was a wonder how neither of you got expelled, but from the looks the headmaster gave, it appeared this wasn’t the first time this sort of occurrence happened involving the said Octavinelle student.

Crowley left you off with a warning and said that since it was only you and the other who got injured and there was no property damage, you only had to help clean the cafeteria for two weeks.

Whatever, at least that jerkwad got what was coming to him, so it was worth the punishment.

Since that day, the student you now knew as Floyd, had taken to referring to you as “Barracuda” in reference to your feisty nature and stubborn, yet powerful bite. You didn’t much care for such nickname, especially after learning that the name was slightly derogatory on his part, a way to belittle and distant you from him.

No matter, you took to referring to him as “Kinyesi” in return, an obviously derogatory term of your own. He didn’t catch on until much later when one of Savanaclaw’s students told him what the term directly translated to.

Though your relationship didn’t stop at just name calling, oh no no, it spread into verbal and physical confrontations as well. That first fight in the cafeteria certainly wasn’t your last. You and Floyd had gotten into plenty of other fights over the past few months, usually taking place outside of class, away from the other students and staff. Rarely did you two ever get in a brawl where you could get caught and sent to the headmaster again.

And yet, the bruises and scars still painted a very vivid picture to anyone who saw them to what has been occurring between the two of you since that first fight. Your arms, face, and torso were littered with healed scratch marks and bitemarks. The same was for Floyd, accept he was the only one with a deep bitemark scar on his shoulder. The mereel still hadn’t managed to pay you back for that one.

That is, until today.

Floyd managed to get the upper hand by ambushing you while you were alone in one of the infrequently used hallways on campus. He snuck up behind you and unsuspectingly picked up your smaller frame by your underarms and slammed your back against the wall.

Your bag clattered to the floor in the process and your head spun from the impact. Once you gathered your bearings, you glared up at that stupidly, toothy grin of his.

“Hehe, hi little Barracuda.~”

You huffed, baring your fangs, ears flattened backwards in a warning to back off. Floyd was unfazed by the threat, more so amused.

“Fuck off, Kinyesi.”

His grin faltered at that, but as quickly as it fell, it curled back up, wider, and more sinister. Before you could even think to react, the eel sprung forward and clamped his jaw right into your shoulder, sinking his sharp teeth into your flesh.

Your eyes widened and a sharp hiss fell past your lips. On instinct you struggled in his grip, but was unable to free yourself, let alone gain proper leverage given your dangling position. He managed to draw some blood, much like how your own bite did to him.

Your kicking and clawing did nothing to remove the eel’s maw from your shoulder, so you were left with raging insults thrown his way as you cursed him out. The bastard was unfazed by your violent attempts and only responded by gnawing at the injury, causing more jolts of pain to shoot out along your shoulder and neck area.

But as quickly as he sunk his teeth into you, Floyd soon released himself from you and pulled away to now face you once more. He had that same annoying grin on his face, this time painted in the scarlet red of your own blood.

He licked his lips.

“Now we’re even!”

He said it so nonchalantly, like a child who just hit the kid who hit them first in retaliation. He was trivializing such a brutal display like it was nothing. You couldn’t help but growl up at him, even after he placed you back down on the ground, still grinning down at you.

Your hand raised to inspect the damage. You winced at the sharp sting and hot feeling of the small amount of blood now clotting on your shoulder. Surprisingly, it wasn’t too bad, nothing compared to the nasty bite you initially gave him, anyways.

You narrowed your eyes suspiciously. Why didn’t he cause more damage? Try to maul you or rip a chunk of your flesh out? He had the perfect opportunity and just, squandered it?!

“The fuck you mean, “We’re even?” You just bit my shoulder, unprompted, asshole!”

He merely shrugged as if it was obvious.

“You bit me unprompted and left a mark, so it’s only fair I do the same to you little Baracuda!~”

Your tail swayed in irritation at his response. He wasn’t entirely wrong in what he said, but you technically attacked him to defend your friend. He attacked you because he’s a psychotic, violent jerk! Yours wasn’t unprompted, but his sure as hell was!

“And now we match!”

Ears perked at the statement, and you could only look at him in complete bewilderment at what he just said. His sadistic grin had turned to one of playfulness and contentment, almost sounding, friendly in a way. Not a hint of mockery or threat could be heard in his tone. He sounded genuinely happy at what he had just proclaimed to you, as if he hadn’t just bit into your flesh like a predator starved.

“You are some next level batshit, Kinyesi.”

Weeks had gone by since that day, with little change between you and Floyd Leech. Well, on your part at least. You still hated the twin, and the two of you still had your weekly brawls that usually ended in either a draw or you, somehow, coming out on top. You still hated his guts and he still found joy in annoying you.

But recently the fights had somehow… shifted.

They were still violent and full of loathing, but it felt as if the atmosphere surrounding you two had a new air to it. Like the heat was no longer just about the animosity shared between you and him. As if something else, something new and unknown, was present whenever either of you landed a particularly harsh bite to the other.

The bites had become less painful, less about causing damage and more aimed towards a direction you couldn’t quite pinpoint. It was a foreign and strange feeling that built up in the pit of your stomach and festered there, growing hotter and hotter the more you fought.

The foundation of your and Floyd’s relationship had changed at some point and neither have properly acted on it, let alone, realized the shift.

You and the Leech brother found yourselves once again duking it out in an isolated spot on campus, away from the prying eyes of the other students and staff. Floyd had provoked you like he always did and before thinking things through, you had already tackled him to the ground, growling and spitting insults with every attack you threw his way.

In turn, he threw some of his own punches right back at you and had even managed to get you in a choke hold twice before you clawed your way back out again. Both of you were already gaining some new claw marks and bruises. Floyd was loving every second of it and acting as if you were merely play-wrestling, despite your expression saying otherwise.

He had managed to pin you to the ground once more, putting all his weight on you and holding your hands down so you couldn’t use them. You were spitting and hissing at him, trying to wiggle your hands free and bucking your hips to try and push him off of you, but to no avail.

Floyd was unfazed by your efforts and was sending a slew of mocking taunts and insults right back. His red-stained, pearly whites flashing in warning, possibly about to sink into your skin for the hundredth time. You growled, baring yours right back as if to say, “Try me, bitch.”

Your efforts to remove him caused you to feel something you hadn’t felt before. Something that was not just his flat pelvic area… Something sharper… pointier…

You suddenly froze, body on high alert and aware of something hard poking at your lower region. You sniffed at the air, picking up a distinct scent. You slowly, forcefully pulled your gaze away from his face and down towards his lower half to spot a noticeable tent peeking out from his pants. Your eyes widened and breath hitched.

“Is… is that..?”

Oh Great Sevens, he was popping a boner in the middle of your fight.

A heated flush took over your face, removing the redness from your anger and replacing it with embarrassment. Your eyes widened up at him in disbelief and disgust. His eccentric expression hadn’t changed, lips curling up wider in excitement.

“Oh, my fucking-ARE YOU TURNED ON BY THIS?!?!”

The mereel let out an uncharacteristic trill sound you hadn’t heard before and got closer to your face.

“Maybe.~”

Maybe your ass. His dick was harder than those weak attempt at cookies Kalim made for that one celebration a few weeks back. You huffed hot air into his sleazy face and hissed.

“Neee, I’m bored of our usual game, Barracuda, let’s play something more fun!~”

He proceeded to emphasize his point with a quick thrust of his clothed dick against your crotch. The contact sent a sharp jolt of heat to your lower stomach, and you bit your lip to keep any sound down.

“What are you-” You were interrupted when you took a sharp inhale at the pleasant feeling building in your nether regions.

“I’ve noticed a change in our little game, Barracuda. I’ve notices that you smell different whenever we wrestle, different than your usual smell. Your scent is more… inviting.~”

A blush rose to your cheeks. So, it wasn’t just you who’s noticed, huh? Something was different that even the eel jerk had taken notice and decided to act upon it by grinding his hips down onto you. And you’d be lying if you said this shift wasn’t in the least bit welcomed. You were still trying to wrap your mind around these newfound feelings, but his blunt advances in the matter were aiding to convince you easier.

But did you really want this, truly? With him of all people? The big bad eel of Octavinelle Dorm? The giant thorn in your side for the past month or so? The guy who got your heart racing and blood boiling in a mix of frustration and odd attraction. The one who currently was on top of you, still pinning your smaller body to the ground and grinning down at you in that charmingly condescending way.

The guy you so desperately wanted to kiss and let rail you right about now.

. . .

Ah, fuck it.

You threw all doubt to the wind and proceeded to aggressively mash your mouth against his, teeth clattering together and lips sloppily molding together in a mess of heated aggression and hormones. The eel was taken aback at first, but slowly grinned into the kiss before returning it with just as much vigor.

You moaned into the kiss, pushing your hips up to meet his own grinding thrusts. Heat started to pool inside you and spread throughout your body as Floyd let go of your hands to instead roam free and grope around your sides and butt. With your own free hands, you quickly wrapped them around his head and neck to pull him closer, deepening the kiss.

When he tried to pull away from your kiss, possibly to say something stupid or make some quip at how desperate you were being, you growled lowly before harshly biting his bottom lip. The sharp nip drew blood and got a disgruntled groan out of the taller male. His bicolored eyes leered down at you, taking it as a challenge and trying to bite into your tongue, albeit unsuccessfully. Instead, you bit his tongue, much gentler in comparison to the one you did on his lip.

His attempts made you pull away, a string of reddish-pink saliva connecting you two before breaking off. You licked the copper liquid from your lips, grinning up at him while he snarled down at you in return.

“What’s wrong, Floydy-boy, badger got your tongue?” You teased, tail wagging beneath you.

The eel huffed, but matched your smirk, lips pulling back to reveal more and more of his razor-sharp teeth in a show of challenge. A challenge you were willing to accept with just as much vigor, if not more so.

“No, but you’re about to have an eel have yours, Barracuda.”

#Twisted Wonderland #Twisted Wonderland Smut #TWST #TWST Smut #Floyd Leech X Reader #honey badgers really just woke up and chose violence #for those of you wondering 'kinyesi' is Swahili for 'shit' or 'fecal matter' uwu #GN!Reader

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winchesterszvonecek · 3 months

Note

“ 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐋𝐎𝐔𝐃𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 ” 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐓𝐒.

“ why don’t we hang out tonight? like we used to, you know? order in cheap take-out, watch crappy movies, go for a walk… whatever you want, right? “

Otis x fem

Loudest Silence - [ Brian ‘Otis’ Zvonecek ]

Prompt: “Why don’t we hang out tonight? Like we used to, you know? Order cheap take-out, watch crappy movies, go for a walk… Whatever you want, right?”

Word Count: 1066

Warnings: female!reader, mentions of trauma

A/N: i feel like this sucks so if it does, sorry!

Masterlist | Otis Masterlist

It was part of the job description for firefighters to see things that most people were lucky enough to go their whole life without seeing, you knew that when you signed up. You knew you’d more than likely see something that reminded you of your own history, your own trauma and pain. But to see something that was pretty much identical to how your dad died. To see another father lie atop his whole family, shielding them from the flames that so quickly took his life, well it was rough. More rough than anything you’d seen on the job and honestly, you had no idea how you were even going to recover from this.

The second you went home you knew you wouldn’t be leaving the house until your next shift, if you could even manage that as you had no clue how you could even walk back into that firehouse after seeing what you’d seen. You’d managed to stay strong the rest of the day, only had a brief moment where you cried in the shower until the next call but the second you arrived back at your apartment, the weight of the incident came raining down on you like a ton of bricks and it was a rain that you just couldn’t seem to find any shelter from.

It had barely been an hour since you arrived home that you soon heard a knock at your door, a very specific rhythmic knock that made you well aware of who was on the other side without having to look through the peephole. You weren’t surprised that Otis had shown up, he was the only one who knew about your past after all, but you were just surprised at how long it had taken him to do so as you’d expected him to show up immediately after work. Hell, you were surprised he hadn’t been waiting inside your apartment having beat you there from the firehouse.

You knew you couldn’t ignore him, couldn’t shut him out like you’d normally do. He was your boyfriend now, someone you were meant to rely on, someone who was meant to comfort you in moments like this, which is why after the second, rhythmic, knock against your door you forced yourself up and onto your feet before shuffling slowly towards the thin piece of wood that stood between you and the only person you could ever want to see right now.

The fact that you even opened your apartment door came as a surprise to Otis, who had half expected to have to use his halligan to pry it open. He knew better than to badger you when you got like this, but what you’d all seen last shift was rough, especially for you, which is why he couldn’t fathom the idea of you dealing with this alone.

“Can I come in?” Otis asked hesitantly, catching the dark circles beneath your eyes that were even more prominent now that you’d taken off what had remained of your makeup.

You nodded, biting anxiously at the skin on your lip before you stepped back, opening the door more to allow him to step inside before you closed it behind him, quickly locking it so as to not end up with more visitors coming to check on you. You already had all you needed right now so you didn’t want anyone else sticking their nose in where it didn’t belong.

“You okay?” Otis asked softly, standing behind you as you slowly turned to face the room. Your eyes shifted around your living room, becoming glassier with each second of silence that passed and with the way your lip trembled furiously, Otis already knew the answer to his question.

“Not really.” You shook your head, a shaky, hitching breath leaving the back of your throat. “I can’t… I can’t…”

“Hey, shh, it’s okay.” Otis whispered, pulling you into his arms where you immediately broke down, his shirt already stained with tears and he’d only just wrapped his arms tightly around your shaking body. “You’re okay now.”

You clung tightly to him, your chest heaving with each pained sob that left your lips, breaking Otis’s heart the second they reached his ears. He didn’t like seeing you like this, crying so much that he thought you might throw up, but if he had to choose then he’d much rather have you cry like this while he was there to hold you, to comfort you, than to even have to think about you spending a single second by yourself whilst in this condition.

“Why don’t we hang out tonight?” Otis suggested when you’d finally pulled back, your face stained with tears which you tried to frantically wipe away before he took hold of your trembling hands, placing soft kisses on your knuckles. “Like we used to, you know? Order cheap take-out, watch crappy movies, go for a walk… Whatever you want?”

“I don’t know if I’d be the best company right now.” You whispered, sniffling softly as you gripped the sleeves of his jacket tightly, afraid that he’d take your words literally and leave you. Just because you didn’t think you’d be much fun to hang out with, didn’t mean you didn’t want him to stay with you.

“You don’t have to be, sweetheart.” Otis said assuringly, wiping your tears with his thumbs. “I don’t care what we do. I don’t care if you sit in silence all day and just stare at the wall because I’m staying with you… And I’m not leaving until I know you’re gonna be okay.”

“I don’t want you to leave.” You replied so quietly that it was barely audible, your fingers tightening around the soft material that covered his arms. “I don’t want you to ever leave.”

“Good, because I’m not.” Otis shook his head, pushing a few loose strands of your hair from your face before his hand settled on the side of it. “I’m gonna stay so long that you end up getting sick of having to see my dumb face.”

“Your face isn’t dumb.” You said softly, lifting your own hand to gently brush your thumb down the side of his moustache, feeling the way his cheeks lifted a little as he couldn’t help but smile. “It’s cute… You have the cutest face I’ve ever seen and I could never, ever get sick of seeing it.”

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iwantjaketosullyme · 1 year

Text

𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐞 ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ ᴘᴀʀᴛ Ⅳ: ᴍɪʟᴋ, ʜᴏɴᴇʏ, ʜᴀʀᴍᴏɴɪᴇꜱ

➺ pairing: aged up!lo'ak x f!metkayina!reader (fluff) ➺ series summary: lovesick!lo'ak does all he can to win the heart of oblivious!reader ➺ chapter summary: ❝ Sullys stick together, so he knows that his disappointment will be cut into little pieces and divided equally amongst his family members, another burden shared. ❞ (w/c: 3.1k) ➺ warnings: kiri nd tuk bullying lo'ak (he had it coming), throwing up (minor), lo'ak is still a silly billy🤭 a/n: sully shenanigans continue ! i'm making tuk 10 yrs old in this even tho everyone else is 5 yrs older. if she was human, tuk would defo mutilate her barbie dolls then beg jake to buy her more. someone needs to save lo'ak, reader rlly thinks everything is life or death lmaooo. na'vi dictionary at the end :)

« 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬┃𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭┃𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 »

─────── ･｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───────

It is evening. Eywa has strung the stars in the sky, illuminating her dear Eywa’eveng with the same tanhi that litter the skin of her children. The constellations are visual retellings of the stories of humble Na’vi made legend after achieving exploits for their people, a reminder of the greatness found in unity.

All clan activities have wound down – the fishers have hung up their nets, divers have inspected their findings and hunters have laid down their spears. At the centre of the shore blazes a strong and defiant bonfire. Its flames are fanned and fuelled by the life that pulses in the Metkayina gathered around it who convene to share tales of the day’s events.

The soft scraping of fingertips on wooden bowls fills the air as separate family units come together to share a communal meal and enjoy the spoils of the day’s hunt. A myriad of voices can be heard; the croak of an aged elder, the babble of a babe and the peeved huff of a particular young Na’vi male.

Over the din of the clan’s combined chatter, Lo’ak’s expression of his annoyance is only heard by those that are sat right next to him. On his right-hand side sits Neteyam, who is half-concerned about what it is that has his baby bro so upset, but simultaneously trying to keep up with Tuk’s recounting of the scenarios she had made her figurines act out today.

On the other side of Lo’ak sits Kiri, who is praying to the Great Mother in her head, begging for the grace not to hit him if he sighs one more time.

“Hey Lo’ak, are you going to tell us what’s wrong or are you going to keep sitting there with a face like a slapped palulukan’s arse?” Kiri’s voice cuts off Tuk’s rambling, the girl deciding to take matters into her own hands. She couldn’t bear seeing his pinched expression in her peripheral vision for a second longer. Her remark brings the attention of the whole family onto Lo’ak, whose brow only furrows further in lieu of a response.

Scandalised by such a comment from her daughter (who typically had her head too high up in the clouds to engage in petty name-calling), Neytiri’s face flushes in shock. At the same time, Jake struggles to suppress a chuckle and manages to cover it up with a faux-stern “Kiri!”, forehead creasing into a frown that is nearly convincing enough. Nearly.

It was easy to see that something was off with Lo’ak – where he would usually have scarfed down his helping of food in the first five minutes of the meal and spent the rest of it badgering Tuk and Kiri for the food in their bowls with a cheeky ‘are you gonna eat that?’, he’d been pushing the same piece of fish around for the past thirty minutes.

If that was not enough of a sign, the clearest indication of his displeasure could be seen in his tail that hangs limply in the sand behind him, or his folded-back ears that had not even perked up at the sound of Tuk’s stories, for which he usually provided the sound effects.

It was for these reasons that nobody was truly surprised at Kiri’s outburst. They had just been hoping that Lo’ak would open up without being prompted first.

With the hubbub of the clan’s numerous conversations in the background, Lo’ak’s silence is loud. While he is embarrassed to have been caught in the act of sulking (Eywa, he couldn’t even mourn a love that died before it lived in peace), he is more so hesitant to declare his premature failure to the people who had been so ardently supportive of his romantic pursuit.

Sullys stick together, so he knows that his disappointment will be cut into little pieces and shared equally amongst his family members, another burden shared. But Lo’ak is tired of being a burden, and has been for a while.

Ever the attentive older brother, Neteyam recognises the resignation in the hunch of his shoulders. Planting a warm, comforting hand on one of them, he chances a gentle coax, “Tell us what’s up baby bro, I’m listening.”

Realising that the family will not be satisfied until he supplies an answer, Lo’ak heaves a final sigh before revealing what has been troubling him – to nobody’s surprise, you. He relays an abridged version of the conversation the two of you had in the afternoon, purposefully leaving out the part where he too had laid his soul bare.

As he discloses his grievances, Lo’ak’s eyes are cast downwards, anxious fingers fiddle with the songcord attached securely to his tewng. His new favourite pastime is pondering over which trinkets he will choose to signify your and his union, your first child and the countless other life events he longs to share with you. What he would choose, he corrects mentally.

After your proclamation of seeing him as merely a friend earlier today, his future projections of a life with you are now conditional, a distant alternative in the far-away realm of possibility.

Eventually gaining enough courage to look up from his lap, he shares the news of his relegation to the dreaded friend zone, which to him is a fate more damning than exile. He finishes by imploring somewhat desperately, “So how do I make her want me back?”

The most unlikely of advisors in the affairs of romance answers. “You can’t. And you will never be able to,” Tuk declares. Quite frankly, she is already tired of this conversation and has not forgiven Lo’ak for indirectly interrupting her storytelling. His moping around has shifted everyone’s attention away from her and onto him. She will make him pay, if it’s the last thing she does.

Flabbergasted to the point of agitation, Lo’ak’s head whips to the side to grill Tuk, beaded braids smacking his face in his haste. “And how would you know, huh?” He continues with a sing-song quality in his voice, “You’re still a baby.”

After releasing a petulant huff of indignation, Tuk replies, “Because you’re a boy so you have cooties, duh!” Endlessly tired of having her opinions disregarded because of her young age, she drives her point further. “I bet she won’t even talk to you if you don’t talk to her first!”

Lo’ak’s initial reaction is one of hurt. Still insecure in the status of his relationship with you, he is especially sensitive to criticism, even if it comes from his kid sister. In spite of this, although he would never admit it, Tuk’s childish banter breaks Lo’ak from the bondage of his melancholy and is a welcomed reprieve from the unchartered waters of love he has been struggling to navigate.

Thus, he allows himself to be enraptured by the familiar push and pull of sibling rivalry and resolves to do all he can to prove that his belief in your love is not just fuelled by fantasy.

“Oh, you wanna bet?” His sudden determination to make your feelings towards him evident becomes a quick priority, even though he is not too sure of them himself and that was the exact reason for his previous sulking. “Go on,” Lo’ak goads, “pick the forfeit.”

Knowing that there is no way that this will end well but also knowing both siblings are too far gone to be dissuaded now, Jake, Neytiri, Kiri and Neteyam separately reach the same conclusion. Better to sit back and watch it all unfold than attempt to meddle. This is gonna be a long night.

“Loser has to give up their yovo fruit for a month!” Tuk responds, a challenging glint present in her large eyes. She is well aware that yovo fruit is Lo'ak's dessert of choice and cannot wait to delight in the pained look on his face when he is denied of it.

Spurred on by the flair for showmanship that he most definitely inherited from his father, Lo’ak shakes his head and demands higher stakes. “Nah, that’s too easy. What’s something you really want?”

Not one to look a gift horse in the mouth,Tuk responds, “Well…I do need some new figurines to play with…” and looks at Lo’ak expectantly, waiting for him to connect the dots.

“Already??” Lo’ak asks, confused. “I made you a new ikran toy like two months ago, what happened to him?” Blessed with an uncanny knack for woodwork, Lo’ak was Tuk’s preferred manufacturer of the figurines that were the subjects of her elaborate storylines, some of which were cause for concern.

“She was a girl. And I just lost her tragically in battle. IED. You would know if you were listening.” Tuk likes her play time to be as realistic as possible. She quite literally simulated an IED explosion by throwing the figurine in the central fire of the marui used for cooking, when nobody was looking. All that remains of the fallen comrade is the pile of ashes Lo’ak stares at accusingly later in the night when he returns home.

“Okay, what about the toruk Dad made for Neteyam that was passed down to Kiri, who passed it down to me, who passed it down to you?” Their father had spent months crafting that particular piece and it was a cherished part of each of their childhoods. There’s no way Tuk would dare destroy it.

Undeterred, Tuk answers. “He’s senile. Not fit for flight and too slow for guerilla warfare. It’s an ikran eat ikran world out there y’know.” She completes her explanation with a casual shrug, as if to say ‘well, what can you do?’

Caught in the crossfire, Jake willfully ignores that she looks at him when saying the word senile. She had been taking advantage of every chance to remind him of his age ever since he and Neytiri made the terrible mistake of trying to introduce her to the idea of them having another baby. Her firm belief in her right to be the baby of the family was not to be questioned. Ever.

Lo’ak groans and throws his head back in exasperation. He misses the days when the best comeback Tuk had was sticking her tongue out at him. As the years go by, more and more of Kiri’s effortless sass rubs off on her and he always seems to be her victim of choice. Eywa’s justice for him teasing her mercilessly when she was little, he admits to himself, albeit begrudgingly.

“Fine!” He relents, “bet’s on! I’m gonna make her fall for me and you’re gonna kiss my big, blue, striped a-”

“Lo'ak te Suli Tsyeyk’itan!” “Boy if you don’t-”

Neytiri and Jake’s respective exclamations of admonishment cut Lo’ak off swiftly, identical disapproving glares putting an effective end to the verbal tug of war he and Tuk had been engaged in.

Naturally assuming the role of peacemaker, Neteyam raises both his hands in a sign of caution, attempting to diffuse the situation before it escalates any further. He then turns to Lo’ak and with a teasing smirk tells him, “Forget all this bet talk, bro. You’d better go pray to the Great Mother because your skxawng ass needs all the help you can get.”

His gaze softens when he becomes serious again, smirk melting into a genuine smile. “If you get her blessing, your courtship is sure to succeed, baby bro!”

Ruled by his propensity to act rashly, Lo’ak does not detect the sincerity in Neteyam’s advice and brushes him off. “Nah bro, I got this. Lemme let Eywa have a rest day for once, alright?”

Neteyam and Kiri share an incredulous look; was this the same man that looked one prod away from tears a few moments ago?

He will do this his way. A Sully man through and through, Lo’ak ups the ante.

With renewed vigour, Lo’ak crams handfuls of fish into his mouth as he devises a plan to get your attention, his appetite returning with a vengeance. As he plots, Tuk resumes her storytelling and the family falls back into the lull of easy conversation.

(*for atmosphere, you can play 'na'vi river journey ride through' here*)

Soon after, the long, low and heavy note of the clan horn carries over the shore, signalling the end of the communal meal and the prompt beginning of communal worship. Designated Na’vi make their way around the bonfire, collecting the gourds that the meal had been served on. The gathered Metkayina set their used bowls aside, placing them behind the logs they are sat on before rising to their feet.

This moment coincides with Lo’ak’s thoughts aligning, finally settling on the plan he will put in motion.

Subtlety is key, he surmises. He needs to be suave, mysterious, intriguing. No lady can resist the charm of a smouldering gaze, after all. With the image of every elusive male protagonist in the tawtute romance films he had watched at the forefront of his mind, Lo’ak fixes his face into what he thinks to be a firm, guarded expression and sets his gaze on you. To him, he looks like he is brooding in the corner of the evening gathering, veiled countenance emitting an allure that is sure to attract you to him.

When the singing has commenced and you still have not turned to face him despite him practically burning holes into your face with the strength of his stare, he beckons you over in his head. As he struggles to keep the intense look on his face for an extended period of time, a vein bulges prominently from his forehead. For the first time, he finds himself jealous of Payakan, wishing he had the ability to communicate with echolocation like the tulkun.

Swaying in time with the rhythm of the beat being drummed by the clan percussionists, you are brought out of your reverie by a short nudge from Tsireya. Once she has your attention, she points a clandestine finger in Lo’ak’s direction. Focus shifting to where she is pointing, you observe Lo’ak and the expression on his face. He appears to be…pained?

Your eyes are full of concern as they meet his, look to your left, look to your right and meet his again, noticing that his unwavering gaze remains on you. You pat Tsireya’s back, indicating your exit before crouching down and slinking towards Lo’ak, weaving between the singing Metkayina around you.

He sees you coming his way and thinks well, looks like Tuk owes me a whole lotta yovo fruit. As the distance between the two of you reduces, his anticipation for what you will say mounts to the point where he feels he could almost burst. For the second time today, he awaits your words with baited breath.

“Oh my Eywa, Lo’ak are you constipated?” Up close, he looks even more disturbed than he did from afar. The pinched together eyebrows, clenched fists and pursed lips – from your training as a healer you recognise these as the telltale signs of constipation. “Good thing I always keep a stash of paywll leaves on me!” You reach into the pouch of herbs slung around your torso, medical mode activated and ready to treat him.

His hand shoots forward to stop you from going any further with your movements, touching yours in the process. He becomes so overwhelmed by the direct skin on skin contact that he gets all flustered, looking worse than he already did. He wants to tell you that he’s perfectly fine and this is a big misunderstanding but he can’t. Riddled with nerves, his throat swells up and blood rushes to his cheeks in embarrassment. He’s blushing.

Continuing your spontaneous medical examination, you press a hand to his cheeks. His temperature is burning hot. How could you be so silly? You chide yourself mentally. He’s clearly suffering from food poisoning!

Thinking back, you remember that the hunting party had returned to the village with the catch of the day a little later than usual. Perhaps the cooks were in such a hurry they undercooked some of the fish?

Before he can so much as say ‘I’m a silly skxawng’, you’re dragging him by the wrist until you are a short distance away from the gathered clan, behind the cover of a tall tautral plant.

He does not get the chance to ask you to explain yourself before you turn him around to face you and shove two of your three fingers down his oesophagus. If he thought the first time he met you was the most embarrassing moment of his life, this current moment quickly proved him wrong.

Not only was he forced by the triggering of his gag reflex to pass up the contents of his stomach, he was doing it in a spot that was not far enough away to ensure no other clan member would hear the nauseating sounds, even over the sound of singing. Making matters worse, in his sorry attempt to psych himself up before executing his plan, he had eaten a behemoth amount of food. And now, there is a behemoth amount for him to pass up.

When he appears to have fully emptied the contents of his stomach, you crouch down to be level with his bent-over figure.

“All better?” You ask.

“Y-yeah,” his voice cracks pitifully. “Much better.” He nods his head, as if convincing himself. “Thanks.”

Lo’ak looks up to find a dopey smile on your face and he knows that you must be happy to have saved him again, because he is happy to have been ‘saved’ by you again. Even though things didn't go as he had planned, as he looks into the depths of your eyes he cannot bring himself to regret a single thing.

He returns to the fellowship after a little while, painfully aware that at least parts of the debacle had been audible. He is met by sympathetic looks from his family, barring one person. Tuk.

She refuses to give him anything even though he had technically won the bet – you did talk to him first. Adamant, she insists that he still owes her a month’s worth of yovo fruit and a new toy. When he presses, attempting to stand his ground, she narrows her eyes menacingly and calls for Neytiri with a mighty “Sa’nu!” and Lo’ak knows that the odds are woefully against him.

As he predicted, Neytiri forces him to make the toy for her anyway.

Knowing he is now at her mercy, Tuk demands, “I want this one to be a tsurak. Blue, yellow and green.” Lo’ak turns to leave, but she is still going. “And don’t you dare cut corners this time!”

He turns back to find her in a bossy little pose, arms crossed over her chest. “I noticed the smudge in the paint on the last one, penis face.”

Lo’ak pivots to look to his mother for support, but she is already walking down the pathway, inwardly questioning why she decided to have four children.

─────── ･｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───────

na’vi dictionary

eywa’eveng- na’vi word for pandora // tanhi - na’vi bioluminescent freckles // palulukan - thanator // tewng - loincloth // yovo- type of Na’vi fruit // ikran - mountain banshee // toruk- great leonopteryx // marui - tent // skxawng - idiot // paywll - dapophet (healing plant) // tautral- beanstalk palm // sa’nu - mummy // tsurak- skimwing

☼ 𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵:

@heirtothekingdom , @bebkyu , @amiah24 , @inlovewithpandora , @alathan13 , @girlnred , @ggujkie , @aemondhoe , @malandrinhass , @itsyagirl01 , @mookiepookiesblog , @idekstopasking , @thelxnelyworld , @whitch123 , @camila-alejandra26 , @draiochtwrites , @leoloeleosworld , @seokmin130 , @apple-law-pie , @daddyvinniesleftnut , @flwrsatsuns3t , @thehoneymushroomhealer , @marsbars09 , @andraga12 , @randxmthxughts , @awriana , @izuoyarmin , @cumikering , @manzana-nita , @sakura-onesan

𝘭𝘮𝘬 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘢 𝘣𝘦 𝘢𝘥𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰/𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵 <3

#✦•·.· 𝘮𝘺 𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘴 ·.·•✦#lo'ak x reader #lo'ak fic #atwow x reader #avatar imagine #atwow fluff #avatar #avatar fanfiction #avatar x reader #lo'ak x fem!reader #lo'ak imagine #lo'ak fanfiction #lo'ak fluff #atwow #avatar twow #avatar x you #avatar x y/n #avatar x metkayina!reader

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sbdskate · 1 year

Text

Laws Of Attraction (part 1) - DR x lawyer!fem!reader

Summary: McLaren is in breach of contract, dr3 hires a lawyer to deal with the aftermath. Tropes ensue. Slow burn. Enemies(kind of)-> Friends/colleagues->Lovers

Pairing: lawyer!fem!reader x Daniel Ricciardo

Warnings: language, eventual smut

Word Count: 4,177

A/N: Very self-serving fanfic of everyone’s favorite honey badger. I thought it was going to be a oneshot, but it ended up taking on a life of its own so expect Part 2 and maybe even 3. This is my first time writing, so please provide feedback! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

“Write the fanfic you wish to read in the world” or whatever Gandhi said.

When McLaren pulled the rug out from under Daniel Ricciardo in the middle of the 2022 season, he knew he needed to lawyer up. The mental toll of the sport alone was enough even in a good year without this contractual mess. To add an uncertain 2023 season and strained professional relationships in his current workplace despite almost three months left before Abu Dhabi was truly a low blow. He needed to find a home at another team and deal with the ramifications of McLaren’s contract breach.

You were a mid-level associate at the law firm you’d been with since you graduated law school. You had enough experience that you were finally gaining confidence in your practice and work product, but relatively speaking you were still young in your career. Which is why you were shocked when the partner picked you to be backup for such a high-profile client as Daniel Ricciardo. Time for client meetings would be difficult since it was the middle of the season and Daniel was still balancing races and the associated travel and training. The firm would simply have to meet Daniel at the race locations in order to get time with him and hold negotiations with McLaren and other teams.

The time finally came for the first client meeting and as much as you tried, you couldn’t seem to suppress your nerves. You had read through Daniel’s employment contract dozens of times over the last few days to the point that you had practically memorized it. You panic-bought a new suit to try to put you at ease, finally settling on a well-fitted light pink pantsuit. Professional yet feminine, understated but powerful. You threw on a pair of nude pumps and hoops – who didn’t feel confident in heels and hoops? Yet as you looked yourself in the mirror you kept fidgeting and tugging at your sleeves. You had to shake it off. You stopped, power posed in the mirror for thirty seconds and repeated your mantra to yourself. “I am a boss ass bitch, I am kind, I am smart, I am important,” you muttered over and over again hoping it would stick. Finally you let your arms slump at your sides. “Welp. This is as good as it’s going to get,” before heading out the door.

Your phone went off as you were in the cab heading to the paddocks. You saw it was the partner and quickly picked up.

“Good morning Joe, I’m on my way now. I should get there -”

He cut you off, “That’s great y/n. I’m going to need you to handle this one, I got pulled into a new deal that’s urgent and won’t be able to make the meeting.” Your heart dropped.

“But sir –“

“You got this, I wouldn’t have brought you in if I didn’t think you could handle it. Remember, this is just a client meeting, there’s no opposing counsel.”

You gulped, your throat suddenly feeling very dry. You had to put on a brave face. “Understood. I’ll let you know how it goes.”

With that, the partner hung up. You continued to fidget the rest of the ride. You arrived at your destination fifteen minutes early, as you had planned. A McLaren employee showed you to Daniel’s space and you got yourself set up.

You checked your watch, he was late. Five minutes, you thought it was just another meeting he was in that went over. Ten minutes, you thought he was stuck in traffic. At twenty minutes though, you were fuming and considering leaving. I better be able to bill for this you thought to yourself. The swelling annoyance actually helped calm your nerves. At the end of the day, the handsome and charismatic driver was actually just another entitled celebrity.

Finally the door swung open and Daniel strode in. He gave you his signature thousand-watt smile and stuck his hand out. You wanted to melt into the floor but maintained your professionalism.

“Hi it’s nice to meet you, I’m Daniel.” As if he needed to introduce himself. Nor did he bother to apologize or offer an explanation for his tardiness. It didn’t matter that he was even more handsome in person. You adjusted your posture, standing up a little straighter.

“Nice to meet as well, I’m y/n. Shall we get started?”

He gave you a confused look. “I think we’re still waiting for Joe. I’ll take a coffee though please.”

Your heart dropped. Of course he thought you were an admin or a paralegal. Despite pushing thirty, you looked young for your age and were just barely above five feet tall. You silently smacked yourself, you’re sure the pink suit didn’t help. In a field dominated by men, it wasn’t the first time this had happened over the course of your career and you knew it wouldn’t be the last. Nonetheless, it didn’t make his comment any less infuriating or hurtful.

You unclenched your jaw and cleared your throat, doing your best to remain calm and level your voice. “Actually, I’m the associate attorney that’s been assigned to your case. Joe had something else come up and he will not be joining us today.”

His eyes widened, clearly realizing his mistake. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t know… I mean I didn’t – “

You raised your hand to stop his stammering. “It’s fine, let’s just get on with the meeting. We have a lot to go over.”

After going through the McLaren contract, you paused. “Next, we need to discuss what your goals are for next year before we approach other teams. What’s your bottom line?”

He looked down. It had only been a few days since McLaren informed Daniel he would be replaced for 2023, surely this was all still very new for him and he was still processing. Or so you thought. After a few moments he seemed to regain his confident persona and started listing off salary minimums he would consider, other compensation metrics, and various conditions.

You stared at him blankly as he was rambling. You finally interrupted him, choosing your next words very carefully.

“Mr. Ricciardo, with all due respect, I don’t think you fully appreciate the position you’re in. I need to know your real bottom line. I have immense respect for your skillset, and what McLaren has done to you is terrible. But what I don’t think you realize is that through all of this, McLaren has put your reputation in question. You and I know that your subpar performance this season has not been due to your skill as a driver, but on them for refusing to invest in you. A reasonable person in this industry, hopefully including other drivers and other teams, can see through this and get to the same conclusion. However, that’s not a guarantee and the rest of the world does not know that.”

You paused, checking his reaction. Seeing none, you continued.

“Your real bottom line. You are not in a position to be negotiating salaries. To best represent you, I need to know whether you would rather be on any team that can take you if it meant you could drive, including lower tiers like Haas and Williams, or would you rather sit out next season.”

You knew this hurt his ego. Going from the highs of Red Bull, to falling to mid tier teams like Renault and McLaren, and now this. It couldn’t be easy. Despite your awkward meeting earlier, you couldn’t help but feel bad for him. He was quiet and focused on his hands. You studied him. You always wondered whether the world got to see the real Daniel Ricciardo or whether it was all an act. You had a sudden urge to reach out for his hand across the table but immediately pushed the thought away. How incredibly unprofessional.

You broke the silence. “Look, I know it’s been a long day, we’ve been at this for almost four hours. Why don’t you sleep on it and let’s set up another meeting and go over strategy later in the week.”

Whatever trance he was in broke, again regaining his signature peppiness. He looked relieved, dramatically letting his head roll back as he ran a hand through his hair. “Oh, thank GOD.”

“You mean you didn’t think this was fun? I had a great time,” you said sarcastically, trying to break the previous tension.

“Of course you had fun, I’m paying you $600 an hour.” You both chuckled.

“How about we do it all again on Thursday?”

“I’ll see you in Belgium on press day then,” he confirmed.

“Sounds like a plan.” You shook hands again as you got up to leave. “Here’s my business card, my cell is there. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything or have any questions.”

“Don’t threaten me with a good time,” he said with a coy smile.

You were sure he was being sarcastic, yet you couldn’t help the blush creeping its way to your face and you turned away to hide it. “It was nice meeting you Mr. Ricciardo, I’ll see you Thursday.”

You hated press. You didn’t want to draw attention to yourself, especially since news was just starting to become public about Daniel’s situation and didn’t want to get hounded with questions as his lawyer. A sensible and boring gray skirt suit it was.

Daniel was in the middle of an interview when he spots you as you arrive at the paddock. He grins and waves. You make your way over when you realize the media personnel around him, your smile quickly fading. How stupid of you, you forgot to prep him for how to handle interviews as all of this unfolds, especially when you knew your meeting would be on press day. The only thing that brings you solace is the knowledge that he has a PR person and you pray whoever it is isn’t an idiot.

As you approach he gives you a quick up and down, his eyes not lingering long enough for it to be inappropriate but you notice. You keep walking.

“Hello Mr. Ricciardo.”

“You can call me Daniel.”

In your focus you miss his attempted familiarity, burdened by the stress of your recent oversight. “Let’s get set up somewhere private.”

“Wow, you’re not going to buy me dinner first?” he says mockingly trying to keep up with your pace as you power walk towards his garage. With furrowed brows you shoot him a stern warning glance, but say nothing.

As soon as the door closes you jump right to business. You were pleasantly surprised by how the meeting goes. You hadn’t been sure whether your words from the first meeting had stuck, but it was clear Daniel had done his homework. He was articulate about his desires and through a series of follow up questions you were able to tease out any ambiguities and refine the list. You felt more at ease about the prospect of going into negotiations with other teams at the very least.

As you pack up your stuff, you feel his eyes on you again.

“I liked the pink better,” he says out of nowhere.

“Excuse me?”

“The pink suit,” he said, as though it was the most obvious thing in the world.

You felt heat rise to your cheeks. You look down at your gray ensemble. Sure it was boring, but it got the job done and you didn’t think it was that terrible. You pouted your bottom lip, “I don’t see how my outfit has to do with anything.” You pivoted, uncomfortable with the focus on your appearance. “But if you must bring attention to it, this is sensible and low key - which is exactly how we should be acting out there.”

He scoffed. “I’m not sure if you’ve met me, but low key and sensible are not really my thing. And from what I can tell, it doesn’t seem to be your thing either -”

You ignored the latter part of his comment, cutting him off. “I’m serious Daniel, it’s in your best interest to keep a low profile right now. The media is going to have a lot of questions until you find a team for next year. You risk violating one of the plethora of NDAs you’ve signed any time you open your mouth.”

Satisfied with your deflection, you attempted to leave again. “We’ll be in touch about next week, we should get a meeting on the books with McLaren –“

“You’re not staying for the rest of the weekend?” Those darn puppy dog eyes made your heart skip a beat.

“I wasn’t planning on it, I have a lot of work to do.”

“Just work from the paddock. And I can get you tickets for qualifying and the race on Sunday.”

You thought about it, he had a point. The beauty of your work was that you could work from anywhere as long as there was wifi and a power outlet. Plus it meant more facetime with the client and you were sure the firm would support that. And yet, you actually did have a lot of work to do and couldn’t afford the distraction.

“I appreciate the offer, but I really need to catch up on the rest of my work and I need to debrief Joe.” You didn’t miss the slight disappointment on his face. “I know it’s shocking, but I do have other clients you know.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah, excuses,” he played off.

You gave him small smile. “Good luck this weekend, I know you’ll do great.”

As you walked out, you didn’t notice passing the other papaya driver. Lando did a double take as you walked by and saw Daniel smiling stupidly to himself.

“Who was that?”

“My lawyer.” Lando raised an eyebrow.

“Um, usually people aren’t this happy when they need a lawyer” elbowing his teammate. Sure it was a little awkward between them at first when all this unfolded, but Lando was more sympathetic than anything else. He knew he would miss his friend next year and wanted to make the most of the time they had left.

Daniel rolled his eyes. “It’s not like that, she’s been nothing but professional.”

“Sure man, whatever you say.”

You worked out of the hotel with the race coverage on in the background throughout the weekend. Daniel handled himself well enough during the interviews, though he was clearly downtrodden after his performance on Sunday. You took a sip of coffee as you watched his post-race interview. It dawned on you – perhaps a more experienced lawyer would have picked up on it immediately, but dr3 was your first celebrity client. You had been approaching and planning your strategy as though F1 operated in a vacuum, when it clearly does not. Especially with the uptick of viewership due to DTS, public opinion held its own value and was something you could leverage. You refueled with another cup of coffee, opened a new document and began furiously taking notes with a new sense of confidence.

At 6am you received the first draft of the severance agreement from McLaren in the form of a passive aggressive email from Zak Brown’s lawyer. Happy fucking Monday. Within minutes your phone pinged, a text from an unknown number.

Hey, did you see the email?

It’s dr btw.

You groaned, it was too early for this shit. Why wasn’t he reaching out to the partner? Surely he went out partying the night before, you cursed that he wasn’t sleeping off his hangover. You rubbed the sleep out of your eyes and begrudgingly got yourself up.

Good morning. Joe and I will review today and get back to you to go over our suggested redlines.

You showered and got ready for the day. You checked your phone again, seeing another text from Daniel.

I was thinking we could go over it together?

Seriously, what was wrong with this boy.

Pretty sure you pay us the big bucks so you don’t have to thoroughly read a 150 pages in a day.

It was a little sassy and risky to send to a client you just met last week, but you hadn’t had your coffee yet. You tried to balance it with a follow up professional text.

We’ll be in touch by EOD.

You packed your bag and went to the local café. You put your headphones in and hunkered down, going through the contract. You couldn’t help rolling your eyes at half the language McLaren tried to sneak in. You were deep in thought, trying to find a professional way to say “fuck you” when you felt a tap on your shoulder. You paused Megan Thee Stallion to find your client sitting across from you.

“Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world.” He grinned.

“No one should be this happy before 10am on a Monday, Daniel. Especially when you know your lawyer is going through your severance agreement with your shitty employer.” He raised his eyebrows, surprised at the crack in your professional demeanor.

You sighed. “I’m sorry, this contract is really just grinding my gears… no pun intended. What are you doing here?”

“I’m not allowed to get coffee?”

“No, not when I’m trying to focus.”

“So you think I’m distracting?” He looked pleased with himself.

You looked up, annoyed. “You know what I mean. Seriously, for your sake I need to get this done.”

“And I’m serious too. I want to actually understand this stuff, not just give a final signoff on whatever you send over. Please let me help.”

“It’s going to take twice as long that way.”

“Good thing I can afford the extra billables.” You stared each other down through a pregnant pause. You folded.

“Fine, get out your laptop.”

He scratched the back of his head, looking sheepish. “Funny you should say that…”

You look under the table. Of course he didn’t bring anything with him. No bag, just his phone, keys, wallet, and the audacity.

You ran your hands over your face. “Fine, scooch over. Here’s a pen and paper, I expect you to be taking notes.”

Having won you over, he eagerly moved his chair next to yours. He leaned forward to get a better look at the document and you suddenly became very aware of you close proximity. The smell of his cologne infiltrated your nose, involuntarily causing you to take a deep breath. You wanted to keep your eyes on the screen and yet you couldn’t help trying to get a close up look at his side profile through your periphery. You cleared your throat and tried to refocus.

“Ok, so your original employment contract had a termination provision that was broken into three buckets: not for cause, for cause, and immediate. Based on the language here, it seems they’re trying to terminate you “for cause” based on your performance so far this season. The for cause provision allows them to (a) give you less notice, (b) provide you with less compensation in the event of early termination. But here’s the thing, your original contract was air-tight and never had a performance condition because Joe knows his shit and is a kickass lawyer. They’re really trying to stretch the interpretation of this language here and –“

You look over mid-sentence to see if his eyes had glazed over yet. Legal jargon was far from sexy. You were about to give him an out thinking he was immediately regretting his decision, but instead you found him staring at you intently. You stopped talking and you felt your heartbeat quicken.

“I told you to take notes,” was all you could come up with, coming out as barely a whisper.

He shook his head. “Right. Sorry.”

You two continued your review for hours. You were sure he would crack first, but ultimately you were the one that called for a break. “I don’t know about you but my eyes are crossing.”

“I wasn’t going to say anything but yeah, I could move my legs,” he chuckled. “So this is a day in the life of y/n f/l?”

“It’s not much, but it’s honest work.”

You chatted as you got up to leave and you began walking in the direction of the hotel. He stopped walking.

“Where are you going?”

“I was going to finish the rest of the redlines at the hotel then pack up for the redeye tomorrow. Where are you going?” You quirked an eyebrow.

“But we’re only halfway through the contract… Plus I was thinking we could grab lunch somewhere.”

You paused. Your initial thought was an immediate no, but you would never say no to food.

“Well… where were you thinking for lunch?”

“I know a place.”

You were pleasantly surprised by his choice. He drove you two thirty minutes away from the hustle and bustle of the circuit to a quaint town with cobblestone streets and picturesque buildings that looked like gingerbread houses. The conversation flowed, and he laughed as you ordered your third hot chocolate. You had lost track of the number of bonbons you consumed.

“So after all of this do you think I would make a good lawyer?” he joked.

“You’re a F1 driver, of course not. The thought of you at a desk job in any capacity is inconceivable.” You both laughed. “Plus, I would tell you the same thing I tell everyone else who thinks law school is a good idea – don’t do it.”

“Why’s that?” It was a loaded question with a long answer. You really didn’t have the time to get into it, but at this point you didn’t care. You would get your redlines to Joe when you did, you’re sure he wouldn’t mind you getting extra facetime with the client.

“It’s just a lot of work. It’s an environment where they break you down just to build you back up, and as hard as the education is, it’s actually the easiest part of the profession. A lot of people are like ‘oh, like arguing so I should be a lawyer’ and it’s really not enough. You read hundreds of pages a day, your professors cold call you, classmates can be assholes, and if you don’t have a good reason for why you’re doing it, you’re set up for failure.”

“Jeez, what a glowing review… so like, do you actually enjoy your job?”

You chuckled. “I love my job. It’s not the same adrenaline that you’re used to, but going toe to toe with opposing counsel can be such a rush. It’s not always that, and a lot of time it’s just paper pushing but the highs make up for it. Plus I made some of my closest friends in law school, I wouldn’t give that up for the world. I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason.”

“What are your friends like?” Daniel was genuinely curious. You seemed so constantly consumed with work, it was hard to imagine you with a life outside your professional capacity. Like a little kid seeing his teacher outside of school for the first time.

A slow grin crept its way to your face. “They’re the craziest bunch of high functioning alcoholics I know, and I love them. There’s a special bond you build with people when you’re all at your worst going through hell together.”

His laughter settled into a soft smile, reflecting on the second part of your statement. You hadn’t known each other long, but you met him when he was going through a career low. He was questioning his love of the sport he had dedicated his life to, and you forced vulnerability out of him as he was trying to hide it from the rest of the world.

“Yeah, I get that,” he finally said. He checked his watch and grimaced. “On that note, I think it’s time to head back…sorry this was a longer detour than I thought.”

Your eyes widened in panic as you realized the time, but you didn’t want to let on or make him feel bad. “It’s fine, let’s call it client-relationship development.” He went to grab his card, but you stopped him. “I think the firm can handle this one,” you smiled as you took out your company card.

“Fine, but I’m getting the next one.”

“Bold of you to assume there will be a next one,” you quipped.

“Bold of you to assume there won’t be.” You sat there smiling at one another for a moment before you diverted your gaze. It was a comfortable silence, both content with the banter you had exchanged over the day.

You continued with light conversation on the drive back. Despite the anxiety knowing you had to finish the review of the agreement, it was offset by the comfort of your travel companion. You decided to put the stress away until you got back to the hotel and enjoyed Daniel’s company in the meantime, relishing in the escape from you work for the first time.

#dr3 #daniel ricciardo #danny ric #f1 #honey badger #daniel ricciardo imagine #f1 fanfic #daniel ricciardo fanfic #formula 1 #formula one #formula one fanfiction #dr3 x reader #f1 x oc #f1 x reader #daniel ricciardo x reader #suits #lawyered #slow burn #laws of attraction

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undead-supernova · 16 days

Text

Masterlist

plot: when you suggest that you and Eddie should quit smoking cigarettes, Eddie struggles to believe in his capabilities. but there's just something about the way you challenge him...

pairings: modern!bestfriend!Eddie x bisexual!fem!reader

important note: this is a one-off of my High Tolerance series! Somehow I can't get enough of Eddie and Weirdo and I can't help but come back to them. (this is six months before Part 1 of the original series!)

warnings: fluffy fluff fluff fluuuuuuuuuuffffff, talking about smoking, a small argument, Southern culture, country music, reader has an accent, (why are Eddie and Weirdo so horny as friends? shouldn't they have known sooner? idiots)

wc: 2.4k

thank yew @strangergraphics for your adorable dividers!!!!

It was unusual, the way it all started.

Just a normal Tuesday with the bitter cold of January and the crowded highways blocked off by unnecessary construction. Honks muffled by the sound of Guns ‘N Roses’ “Welcome To The Jungle” coming through your speakers. You were clad in a black turtleneck and jeans. Eyes lined in black, maroon-lipped. Spiked bracelets and nine shiny rings dappling light around the car.

Eddie was riding shotgun, sighing alongside you at how slow the traffic was moving when you first said it.

“I have a proposition.”

He raised an eyebrow at you. “A proposition?”

You nodded. “Yeah, and I want you to hear me out.”

“Uh, okay?” he said, unsure as to what was about to come out of your mouth.

“I think we should stop smoking cigarettes,” you stated simply, looking back at the road as you inched forward. “A New Year’s resolution.”

“Nuh-uh,” he said, throwing his hands up, his rings reflecting off yours. “No way. Nope.”

“What! Why not?” you exclaimed, now throwing your hands up before promptly putting them back on the steering wheel.

Eddie had his own reasons, like how he’d been smoking for nearly ten years and the irritation of working at a dealership where rich idiots badgered him for just doing his job. The stress of bills and keeping his music career afloat. Not to mention how fucking sweet a puff of nicotine was whenever he got drunk or cross-faded. Nothing beats that feeling. Even you knew that.

“I just don’t want to.”

“Even if I did it with you?” you asked, voice growing soft.

He looked at you, confusion falling over his features. Your eyes seemed a little solemn, like you were disappointed by his refusal. And it was in your expression that he felt drawn to the idea. Because, yeah, if you actually could stop, maybe he could, too. But…

“We wouldn’t stop smoking weed, you know,” you added, cutting off his thoughts. “Just cut out the cancer sticks.”

“It won’t be as easy for me,” he said, sighing defeatedly. “I, uh, I don’t know. It’s complicated.”

“You always doubt your own strength, I swear.” You shook your head. “You’re so smart but so, so stupid sometimes. I say that affectionately, by the way.”

Before Eddie could think about some witty comeback, he heard the sound of the next song starting. It was different from your usual genres. It was the picking of a guitar, all folky and twangy and…

Country.

“What is this?” he asked, eyeing you.

You smirked, cranking the volume up as you started singing along.

“Well, I was raised up beneath the shade of a Georgia Pine

and that’s home, you know

Sweet tea, pecan pie, and homemade wine

where the peaches grow."

Eddie groaned. “Dude, what the fuck is this?”

You merely shook your head, your tone as playful as your expression. “It’s Zac Brown Band, god dammit! Show some respect.”

He was struck by your Southern accent popping up out of seemingly nowhere. And before he could even remotely process that or protest again, you cleared your throat and started screaming.

Not singing. Screaming.

“A LITTLE BIT OF CHICKEN FRIED

A COLD BEER ON A FRIDAY NIGHT

A PAIR OF JEANS THAT FIT JUST RIGHT

AND THE RADIO UUUUUUP!”

“Please turn it off,” Eddie pleaded, dragging his hands down his face. “I think you’re killing me.”

“Nope,” you said simply. “My car, my music. It’s the least you can do when we’re stuck on this highway and you’re refusing to quit smoking without even trying.”

“Oh, come on,” Eddie huffed. “Like it’s that fucking easy.”

“Have you ever tried to stop smoking?”

Eddie thought about it for two, maybe three seconds before feeling a twinge of embarrassment.

There had never been a singular thought given to the idea of quitting. Not once. Smoking was just something he did. There wasn’t much else to it. No secret shame or guilt. No bargaining or grief. No, it was just something he did.

“No,” he admitted, avoiding your eyes.

“At least think about it, okay?”

Eddie nodded before glancing back at you. You continued humming along to the god awful song and tapped the steering wheel, as pretty as ever. And he was surely in love with you. Really, he was. But he thought he was going to explode from how much he hated this song. It wasn’t just the sound, but the lyrics and how you knew every single one.

If he didn’t want a cigarette before, he surely wanted one now.

By the time the bridge hit, you cleared your throat, straightened your posture, and threw up a salute.

Eddie stared at you like you were crazy. “What the—”

“I thank God for my life!

And for stars and stripes

May freedom forever fly, let it riiiiiiing.”

“Oh, I swear to god. I’m losing my mind.”

“Salute the ones who died

The ones that give their lives

So we don’t have to sacrifice

all the things we looooooooooove.”

Rolling his eyes, Eddie decided to throw up a quick salute himself. “Aye, aye, boys. Yes, okay,” he sighed. “Can we please change it?”

You nodded then and Eddie was severely grateful to hear the beginning notes to “Rebel Girl” by Bikini Kill.

Thank god.

But you didn’t let up. “You can’t just live in the South for three years and not listen to at least one country song.”

“I did a reaaaally good job up until now.” That made you laugh. “I didn’t know you listened to country.”

“I contain multitudes, Eddie. Multitudes. Layers. Like an onion.” He rolled his eyes. “It’s in my blood. Don’t hate on country music just ‘cause you don’t get it. There’s more out there than just jeans, beer, girls, and tractors.”

“Don’t forget trucks.”

You snorted before exaggerating your accent. “Yeah, and I’ll run you over with one, boy.”

Despite his frustration at the grating music, Eddie stopped itching for a cigarette. No, the desire had disappeared entirely. He was looking at you, all giggles and lighthearted apologies, and couldn’t help but laugh along at how utterly goofy the encounter was.

And once he took a second to think about it, he realized that your accent had bled through the entire song. Your sweet little Southern accent that rarely popped out had been on full display for him and only him. That paired with your eyeliner and your spikes and your lips and your everything. It was…cute. Like, very cute.

You were always just so genuine. It was in the way you just fucking cared about things. How you just wanted to try and how it made him want to try, too. You always knew there was more inside of him than even he knew. How you did it, he couldn’t say.

It was hard to say no to you.

It was hard not to love you.

“Okay,” he said finally. “Let’s do it.”

You gawked at him, rapidly flicking your head back and forth from him to the road as traffic began to finally pick up.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

And like every addiction, the first week was the hardest.

If Eddie was sitting, his legs were bouncing. If he had a moment to spare, he was drinking coffee and scarfing Red Vines. Kept a toothpick in his mouth as if it would do anything. Frustration ran down his limbs in shivers that turned into unprovoked anger. It was fucking killing him.

You weren’t doing too hot either. When you called, you complained about a sore jaw from the three packs of wintermint gum you’d gone through. Bitten cheeks and lips. Irritation from anything and everything that came across your path.

So, when you saw each other that weekend, Eddie said flat out, “I don’t wanna quit anymore.”

You dropped your scrubber back into the sink, turning your head to gawk at him in shock. Mouth wide open, showing off a pitiful piece of gum you’d been chewing on for maybe two hours.

“What?”

Eddie shrugged, suddenly intimidated by your gaze. “Don’t you think this is, I don’t know, too much?”

“Too much?” you asked, voice hardening.

“Yeah.”

“Eddie, you haven’t even tried yet.”

He crossed his arms over his chest, that incessant frustration rising up his chest and into his mouth. “I have and it’s not working.”

“You have not!” you argued, placing your hands on your hips. “It’s been a week and, yeah, this is fucking hard. But it’s just temporary. Robin said it takes at least a week or longer for it to, like, detox. Probably longer for us.”

Barking out a bitter laugh, Eddie challenged you. “What if I don’t care what Robin thinks?”

“Then you’re giving up and you’ll spend the next however many years killing your lungs because it was hard for a week.”

“You’re one to talk! You’ve smoked for the same amount of time as me.”

“And yet I’m still fighting for it.”

He watched your chewing seemingly turn aggressive, knowing that you were disappointed in him. And it was actually hurting.

That first flare of guilt hit him then.

“Why do you want me to quit so bad?” he wondered.

“Because I know you can do it!” you exclaimed. “This shit sucks, Eddie. I’m literally gonna lose my mind some time soon. But it’s not forever.”

He rolled his eyes. But he realized it was most definitely a mistake when you stepped forward and put a finger to his chest, eyes locked on yours as your breath seemingly washed over his neck.

“Because after everything I know about you, your past, I know you wouldn’t be here right now if you were someone who gave up. If you didn’t fight just to try to have a better life.” Eddie stayed silent, watching your eyes grow soft. “And if you can get through all of that other shit, you sure as hell can quit smoking cigarettes.”

In that moment, Eddie couldn’t help but love you that much more. You were a challenger, a pusher. But it wasn’t unjustified and it wasn’t excessive. No, you were just a force to be reckoned with. When you knew something to be true, you hardly let up. Some called it stubbornness, but Eddie knew it to be determination.

Oh god, how he loved that about you. How you told him what to do and pushed him to do better.

And, oh god, did he have to try his hardest to stop getting a tiny bit hard thinking about it. This was not the time.

“Fine, I’ll keep trying.”

Your shoulders slumped, clearly exhausted from your argument. Leaned your head on his shoulder and heaved a sigh before stepping back.

He cleared his throat. “I’ll try. But don’t expect me to stop complaining about it.”

“As if I won’t. Hell, I’ll go first. Having an oral fixation sucks,” you admitted.

Eddie’s eyes immediately went to your lips. And, Jesus, even all bitten up and cracked, he wanted nothing more than to kiss you. To call this argument to a close by throwing you up against a wall and devouring you until this bout of irritation dissipated from your bones.

“Yeah,” he whispered. “You’re telling me.”

He could’ve sworn your eyes flickered to his, your own lips nearly quirking up into a smirk. And, fuck, did it seem like you were chest-to-chest, all sidled up and ready for the next fight.

“Why’re you looking at me like that?” you asked.

“Like what, Weirdo?” he deflected, unable to keep himself from leaning in just a little bit further.

You pressed a finger into his dimples. “Like that.”

What, like I want to kiss you silly and massage your cheeks and then kiss you again and take that gum out of your mouth and make it mine and be gross and stupid? Like I want to say I’m sorry by taking you in this kitchen right now? Like I’m going to lose my mind from how much I fucking love you?

Eddie took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Took a step back.

“I think I’m going crazy.”

“Come on,” you said with a smile. “Let’s go get Taco Bell.”

He smiled back, feeling the heat start to subside from his face. And, most importantly, his dick.

“I could always use a Baja Blast.”

Things weren’t so bad after that first month. Or the second. Or the third.

And by the time you guys hit the six month mark, Eddie didn’t even crave it anymore. If anything, he couldn’t believe how much better his mood was. His chest felt lighter. Head clearer.

For once, life felt good without a cigarette.

He noticed the same in you, how smiley you were at any given moment. No need to duck out to get a quick smoke in or beg for one after a crying spell. It was like a weight was lifted off of you. He couldn’t believe that such a small thing made up of tobacco, paper, and cotton could have such a big impact on, well, everything.

In the past, you were always looking forward to a cigarette. So, the two of you devised a plan. Every week or every other week, you and Eddie would go to Jailbait Hemp and try out a new product. Split the cost. Go find something to do. Just let loose and see where the day took you.

Today you were at Piedmont Park, passing a joint back and forth as people filtered in and out. You were lying on your backs, a blanket beneath your figures. Both barely able to see each other through the blinding sun because, predictably, no thought to grab your sunglasses.

“We should try that THC syrup next Thursday,” you suggested.

Eddie turned his head, squinting back at you in the sun’s glare. Tried to see your pretty face the best he could. Sneaked another glance at how breathtaking you were in your sundress.

“Oh, yeah?”

You nodded. “Yeah, why not?”

Eddie couldn’t help but chuckle. “Fuck it. Let’s do it.”

“Where do you wanna go to try it out?”

Summer lasted longer in the South. You’d have the Georgia heat to yourselves until mid-October. Eddie had no idea what you’d do until then. Drink, laugh. Play games, go to karaoke. Work.

Maybe things could change. Maybe he’d even get the courage to ask you out one of these days. It was funny what one could do with all of the money they once set aside for packs of cigarettes.

It was July and Eddie was in love. Had been for nearly four years.

And some part of him knew as he watched you search the clouds that he’d continue to fall harder every single day.

He knew exactly where to take you next week.

“No clue,” he lied, smiling to himself. “But it’ll be a damn good time.”

#Eddie Munson x you #Eddie munson fluff #eddie munson fanfiction #eddie munson x female reader #eddie munson x reader #best friend!eddie #modern!eddie munson #modern!eddie x reader #best friend!Eddie x reader

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pomegranate-pen · 2 years

Text

Stranded Chapter 1. Byegone Island

before we start, a few trigger warnings!

this fanfic will include small bits of depression, parental issues and basically some childhood trauma. if you're uncomfortable with any of these subjects, it's best to not read this fanfic. the fanfic won't go super deep into it. but it will speak about it. anyways, with that said, enjoy this very long first chapter.

Loud, bustling with cars and suffocating.

That’s what living in the city was like for you. Too much people, too many noises and way too many toxic gas that have become a replacement to the clear and refreshing oxygen.

Even though you've lived in it your whole life. Survived it for god knows how long, you still hated living here. You’d think you'd get used to it by now. But the complete opposite was attacking you instead.

You were getting frustrated with living there in every second. The more days you stayed, the more you wanted to leave. And every time your mouse is only one click away from buying you an apartment on a small, peaceful town. The more you feared on what will happen if you have truly left your home.

What would you even do? Get a place and pray to god that it'll be enough for you and luckily enough they'd be needing a veterinarian? Could you even believe the online reviews about the neighborhood? Could you even-

"y/n?" the worried voice of your brother, Jason, snaps you out of your thoughts. “You doing ok there?"

You shook your head. "Nope. I feel like I'm about to die any second now." Jason chuckled at that. "Well, you're not the only one." he sighed.

He picks up the café menu and looks at it with boredom. Knowing that he'd order the same as usual anyway. Suddenly, his posture perked up a bit and his eyes brightened. "How did your interview go?"

With that, a deep frown settle on your face and your heart sank. Disappointment and shame coursed through your veins like a venom. "oh- uh..." you cleared your throat. ”it…it didn't really work out."

A look of sympathy crossed through the elder brother's face. Already regretting the question, he tried to find anything that could cheer her up.

"Well, they just didn't realize how amazing you are." he huffed. "In fact, you are so amazing, they were blinded by the sight and didn't even think about it properly." the encouraging words made you reluctantly let out a snort. Jason grinned in victory. "Don’t worry, tell you what, I bet they're gonna call you back in less than a week." he scans the menu again. "And to celebrate that bet-that is absolutely correct- I suggest we get you a triple-sprinkles-extra-brownies cake ice cream apocalypse. The cafe's most insane and sweetest dessert."

The troubling weight on your body seemed to be lifted up by that comfort. A smile replacing the depressing frown you had. "Well, good sir. If I may inquire." you brought out your most elegant-like voice. Which Jason snorted to. “If we're going to have the triple-sprinkles-extra-brownies cake ice cream apocalypse. We absolutely must also get the rainbow boom drink."

"It shall be done" Jason spoke with the same tone as yours. Soon enough you both couldn't take it anymore and laughed. Making the poor waitress and dear friend of yours Brianna, who was already used to your behavior, sigh and walk up to you two.

She clears her throat and you both immediately stiffen up having been caught red-handed. "You two are lucky I care about you two too much to kick you out." she glares at Jason. "Especially you, gummy worms."

Jason gasps as you try your best to contain your amusement. Gummy worms, a nickname that based on a trustworthy Intel (Brianna) has been given to Jason at college. One night when they all went to a party for the first time, Jason was challenged to eat five bags of gummy worms by a friend of his. Always having the need to be cool and well-known in social places with the huge want of people’s approval, he took that challenge with no second thought to it and ultimately, lost. But, due to his chaotic act, everyone around campus has known him now as the infamous gummy worms guy and he grew to really despise that nickname.

"Brianna!" his voice contained an act of shock through this betrayal. "I thought we agreed to never speak about that!"

"We didn't agree, we made a deal." she smirked. “I’m guessing you forgot about it, haven't you gummy worms?"

Jason only rolled his eyes and looked away. Leaving you and Brianna to chuckle at his behavior. "Well, anyway," she pulls out her small notebook and pen. "Do you guys want the usual?"

You grin with amusement at that. "Nope." Brianna looks at you with a raised eyebrow. "We want one of your triple-sprinkles-extra brownies cake ice cream apocalypse." her eyes widened. "And, two of your rainbow boom drinks." Her jaw dropped at that.

"You both are insane." she looked at you two with a horrified and shocked look. "You’re going to die from eating this."

You shrugged. "Well, it's better than going to interviews I know I won't get the job for."

Brianna looks at you with worry. "Say, why do you keep getting rejected anyway?"

A dark feeling burned within you, a feeling you tried to keep contained throughout the months of your exhausting job hunting. Was it sorrow? Annoyance? You gulped with a sudden realization. No, no. it was hatred. Hatred for the man who brought this misery of months onto you. The man who had no business or benefits from ruining your newly born career path. The only thing he got from it was pride. Pride that he had destroyed what you have been working for years now. You hated him. You hated him with every fiber in your being and you only wished to never see him in your life again.

"That asshole." you hissed. Brianna already knew who you were speaking about. "He somehow blacklisted me from every single animal hospital and clinic! I didn't even know that was possible!"

"Well, when you have as much money as he does, anything is possible." Brianna grumbled. Her palm was placed on your shoulder as reassurance. "Hey, don't worry about it. You can still work here for now. But I'm sure you won't be working at this coffee and old pastry smelling place for long. You'll working at an amazing clinic instead!"

You smile at her, although there wasn't any joy laced within it. "Yeah, I'm sure too." your voice became low, negative.

The two best friends glance at each other worryingly. Unsure of what to do. You looked at your phone and sat up. "I gotta go." you tch from frustration. "I have another job interview."

With a few goodbyes and good lucks from your brother and his friend, you get out of the calming, warm cafe and step into the harsh concrete of reality once more.

Sidewalks filled to the brim with people, having to see them all walk with someone or be as lonely as you were. The city was a nightmare for you for many reasons. Not only did it cause a gigantically unfortunate event for you that has effected your career now. It has also never forgot to tell you about how lonely you truly are.

Occasions like these with your brother rarely happens. Once a month, if you’d be lucky enough, twice. The amount of work he had to do and your own time-consuming task of job-hunting and working at the café took over every last bit of time you had.

Not to mention, having your older sibling as your only friend isn't the best thing...you barely have anyone else to hang out with or to speak to. At the past, you loved being alone. You thrived in it, even. Being alone in a peaceful quiet life was something you loved having. But at some point, being alone made you feel lost, ignored and well, far away from the people around you. Made you feel like there's no one in the world there for you. That you're forgotten, abandoned. It made you feel unimportant and pathetic.

You’d think being in a city was the best place to make friends. But it turned out to be the complete opposite instead. Or rather, it has become the complete opposite for you.

Your brother lived here as well and yet, he seemed to be accustomed and happy with the life he made. He has a great job, a good load of friends and he can easily call the city his home.

Maybe this city just isn't for you. It just didn't work out for you. Maybe it was meant for only one of you to stay and make a peaceful life at and the city immediately chose who.

And as you finally reached the clinic, you shake those thoughts out of your head and focus at the task at hand. Go in the clinic, give a great interview and hopefully get accepted and not rejected once more.

As you stepped into the clinic, a sense of anxiety rushed into you. But you didn't dare to focus on it. You mustn't. It will only ruin the whole interview for you.

"Are you Y/n L/n?" you flinched by the sudden voice. Turning your head around, you're met with what seemed to be the receptionist." yes, that's Me." you flash a kind smile.

"Well then. Come with me. I'll-" a sudden ringtone interrupts her. she gives a sheepish huff and excuses herself as she answers her phone.

"Yes?.....mhm...yeah.." suddenly, her eyes became full of concern and fear. " o-oh..I-I see..." her body stiffened and she looked at the ground. Avoiding any eye-contact with you. Suspicious. Very suspicious. Gulping, you notice your hands fumbling together. Out of your command. Stress seeped in you. You only hoped it wasn’t what you thought it was. "Oh w-well...a-alright Mr. Clement."

Your heart dropped to your stomach. "u-um..Miss.L/n.." that bastard. That fucking bastard. How did he know? How did he know?! Why is he so obsessed with this? Why is he so obsessed with you?! It’s going way too far. Why won't he let go of you? Why won't he let you live?

"I'm really sorry to say this but-" you couldn't help it. You couldn't handle it any longer. Rejection after rejection, sorrow after sorrow. Never giving you a break, never giving you a chance to breathe. Suffocating. It’s all suffocating. This city is suffocating. He’s suffocating.

"But I can't inter- oh my god!" the receptionist yelped in shock as she saw tears fall down from your face. "Oh my god I'm so sorry!" regret and anxiety washed over her as she realized the gravity of the situation you're in is much deeper than she knows. "Uh-um- d-do you want tissues?..." she mentally face-palmed at herself for asking such question with an obvious answer.

You didn't respond at all. You didn't even glance at her. You only started to sob and feel the embarrassing energy of the situation hit you in the gut. You were tired. so so tired. It was too much, you needed a break, you needed to leave.

"y-yes that would be nice." you breathed out, still in a racket of sobs.

_______

Safe to say that you were crying the whole afternoon. Eyes now red and puffy, hair a mess and your mood still sour. You decided to drown in your emotions while watching your favorite show to ease the mood.

But before you could even click play, the sound of your phone ringing made you grumble and get up sluggishly from your comforting bed. You hoped whatever the phone call was for, it was worth it. Because the bed was way too tempting with its comforting warmth and soft pillows. Getting out of it felt like a crime.

Jason was calling. Shocked and curious by that, you click respond. Your ears are met with a bustling noise of the TV in the background and the sound of your mother. 'Tell her to bring some butter!' She told Jason, which he hummed at.

"Y/n! Mom said she wanted to invite us for dinner tonight, but she forgot to call you." Typical. “So if you're not busy, could you come over now?"

"Uh, I don't know." You looked around your silent house yet again. "I'm kind of busy right now."

"Y/n, please." Your mother's voice came up. "We haven't had a family dinner in such a long time now! I want to see you again."

You sigh at that, now feeling guilty for not agreeing. You finally gave in. "Alright, I'll come." You could almost feel your mother's smile through the phone by that.

"Great! Oh- and bring butter too!"

"Will do."

You didn't even bother to clean yourself up a little. You felt too unmotivated to do anything. Although, maybe it is best to at least put some water on your face to freshen up a little...

With that thought, you wash your face and ruffle your hair a bit. As you look at the mirror, whose showing you how messed up you still look, you only shrugged in response. "This looks fine."

Getting a cab and telling them the location, you felt your mood worsen as you saw the streets oh so familiar.The nearby neighbor's house still had that giant scratch left by the bear that you once woke up and made him follow you was still there.

The first thing you're met with is a circus car, which was filled with different animals from big to small. You turn in your camera and start recording, the weight of the thick camera felt like ten bricks on you and you feared that you might lose your balance on it soon.

"Good evening! Fellow adventurers!" The camera soars to the direction of your young face, full of excitement and confidence. You were only a mere child back then who dreamed of the impossible.

"Today, I will free the poor animals! The evil circus man shouldn't be using them like this!"

Although you know that what your child self was saying was pretty true with a pinch of childhood innocence in it, you knew that the mission would fail. After all, you've lived through it. When you opened the cage of the first one, the bear, its loud growls seemed to immediately garner the attention of the magician who was the boss of the whole circus. He got attacked by the bear and in the end, the bear left a claw mark on the neighbor’s door as a remembrance of your reckless behavior.

You did many adventures like these when you were a child. None as dangerous as these of course but still dangerous. All the memories you've had are hazy now. But you do remember one thing. Your mother hated your adventuristic side. She wasn't great at hiding it at all either.

The car stops and so does your train of thoughts. Getting out and knocking on the familiar door, you're met with your mother who grinned as she saw you. "Y/n! Come in come in!"

Walking in the house and greeting everyone there (also giving the butter they oh so desperately needed), you went to the kitchen and decided to help your mother to set the table. “how’s the job hunting going?"

You froze and looked away from her. "It’s...it’s going well." the lie left a bad sting in your mouth. "Really? That’s great!" your mother clasps her hands together. "I told you that silly ol' situation wouldn't affect it!"

You didn't know what hurt more, the fact that your life is in ruins or the way your mother thinks of it all. 'Silly' is the last word you'd use for it.

"Y-yeah totally." you gave a fake grin.

When everyone sat down at the dinner table, your father decided to speak. "Well," he gave a smile to your mother. "Guess what we bought last month."

You and Jason looked at each other with raised eyebrows. "Uh...don't know." Jason shrugged. "What did you guys buy?"

Your father turned around to you. "Any guesses y/n?" you furrowed your eyebrows in thought. "I don't know...you guys buy a yacht or something?" you joked.

"Correct!" Jason choked on his drink. Both you and your brother looked at your parents with confusion and mild shock. Your mother decided to clarify it all. "As weird as it might sound, your father always dreamed of buying a yacht."

"why's that?" you asked, now intrigued by the whole ordeal. Your father seemed more than delighted to answer that question. "When I was a kid, I always dreamed to be a sailor. I'm too old to be one now . but, I thought that maybe I could at least enjoy a bit of this childhood dream of mine by buying this yacht."

"I know everything there is needed to know about it now. I can teach you two how to use it if you want."

"That’s so cool!" Jason beamed like a child. The sudden excitement in his tone went away as a realization annoyed him. "I don't think I have time though. I'm pretty busy." he groaned.

"I got time." you responded. "Learning how to use a yacht could be cool. So sure, why not?" With that conversation to an end, you were now at a better mood then before. Coming to this family dinner wasn't a bad idea, you thought.

-------

The dinner ended and when you all sat down at the couch, your mother decided to bring out something from the library. The old family camera.

Soon enough, you have regretted coming here and grimaced at your poor choice of words in your head. As she walked in with the menacing machine who has seen everything you've been through throughout your life, you contemplated on whether you should leave right now and sadden your family or stay and suffer the awkwardness you'll feel instead.

It was too late to decide anyway, because your mother was already turning on the TV and going through the hundreds of files that were saved up in it.

The first video to show up was Jason's 14th birthday. Conversations about the fun day and its ups and downs, you noticed your child-self behind Jason, playing with the little siblings his friends brought as well.

The second one was where things were starting to feel...not so comfy anymore. At least not for you. Sure, your family was laughing at your childish antics in the video, going around the park and findings places to adventure in. But they've all seem to forget the traumatizing scolding you got from your mother after it. She hated how you 'ruined the image of the family' with your carefree and non- sophisticated act. She grounded you for weeks for just being curious. Just being a child.

“Oh, you were so troublesome!” she giggled. Making you only sink into the chair even more than before.

The other one was again, of you. As you gave a quiet grown and felt your eyebrows furrow, the video showed you in your pajamas, woken up in the morning because you thought you heard a spaceship.

Everyone spoke about that day, how they woke up in four in the morning to your sprinting footsteps down the stairs. You remember that day perfectly. Going out with a flashlight to find the source of the loud sound and being a hundred percent sure it was an alien spaceship, you were met with the neighbor looking at you like you were insane, putting their hands like they surrendered and unsure on what to do. Next to them, a new lawnmower they've bought that they were excited to try out as soon as possible.

Another day, another time you got grounded and scolded for your antics. From that day onwards, you've been losing your passion for adventuring. You've been afraid of doing one. As soon as you stopped going out and using the camera, the happier your mother seemed.

She hated your passion, she disliked your enthusiasm for the thrills of adventuring. It was obvious, but the realization always hurt you. For the longest time you've been loving it and working your best as a child to achieve your dream. Knowing that your own parent doesn't support it crushed it for your child-self. Sometimes you regret giving up on your dream. Maybe you wouldn't be stuck in this city if you achieved it. You'd be across the seas and discovering the truths of the world. Living the best life you could.

The more videos shown, the more rage that was building up in your chest. The more uncomfortable you felt.

As the video shown your birthday, your grinning face was zoomed into, you noticed the camera and started narrating what's happening on that day.

"Hello! I'm Y/n L/n and today's my birthday!" You waved to the camera. "And today, I'm here with my best friend Lui-"

You turned off the TV.

Confused silence took over the room as Jason looked at you worriedly. You didn't utter a word, unsure on what to tell them.

"S-sorry... I uh... “ You gulped, feeling the tension laying in the air. "Um- I think... I... "

Deep breath in, then deep breath out. Your shoulders slouched and the familiar depressing feeling took over your mind once again and with a mind full of horrid thoughts you wanted to escape, you gave an awkward 'goodbye' and left.

No explanation, not even a glance to see their expression and no dessert. Truly, a great family dinner.

You decided to save up some money and walk home instead. Not the safest idea, sure. But you didn't even really care anymore anyway. The once loud streets have become surprisingly quiet. Strange, you thought. You'd think the city would be at its prime at late nights like this. The streets seemed dark, eerie and something out of a Batman movie.

Millions of now closed stores and the cobblestone sidewalk empty with a few trash here and there. Your heart kept a tight, excruciating grip on you. Its weight seemed unpleasant and heavier than before. You felt like a giant bug was stuck on your throat and your veins, your blood, your body, felt tired. They all felt so horribly tired.

The mental rollercoaster you had to go through today was something you wished to never experience again.

You knew you would though. This is a normal routine for you. You get struck by the universe with another lighting stroke filled with struggles. Wish you never even existed and boom, you wake up and repeat.

Pathetic. You were pathetic, weren't you? A pathetic being who can't seem to be happy wish the life she's got. Can't seem to have the bravery enough to change it all.

But why should you stay like this? If you truly do dislike living here than its best to leave, right? You only live once after all.

It might take some time, many shifts at Brianna's cafe that's for sure. But it's a risk you're finally willing to make. You're going to leave this place once and for all.

"Y/n!”

Jason's voice seemed to get you out of your thoughts as you turned around. He seemed out of breath and his run has seemed to slow down from an exhausting run. As soon as he reached you he tackled you into a hug. "I got so worried!”

"You could've called me.” you responded, a bit confused by it. He huffed in disappointment and a gave a bemused glare. Bringing out your phone from his pocket. “you forgot this at mom and dad's place. " well now you felt ashamed. "Oh man, I'm sorry.”

"It's alright" he shrugged. His eyes glance at you worriedly. “speaking of mom and dad's place.... “you now avoided any sort of eye contact, not prepared for the stress it could bring you. "You doin' okay?... "

"I'm fine,just...just a little tired that's all." Jason could see through that lie from a mile away. Coming to a conclusion in your thoughts, you decided that this was the best time to tell him. "I think I'm gonna move out."

"WHAT?!"

"W-wHat do you mean you're gonna move out?!" the sudden information, out of nowhere in the middle of the streets obviously shocked him. "y-you mean from your apartment, right?"

You shook your head. "Nope. The city." his shoulders tensed up. "Y/n are you okay?!" he looked at you as if you've lost your mind. "This is way too sudden! Don’t get me wrong I'm fine with you trying to make a new life for yourself." he reasoned. Already foreseeing the arguement that might come from the common misunderstanding. "But decisions like this takes time a-and thorough planning! You can't just say you 'wanna move out' and think everything you need will suddenly show up!"

"I didn't think that at all!" you countered. "But think about it. If I'm gonna move out, I have to be quick because Louis will learn about it sooner or later! You saw what he did with the job interviews!" hesitancy was visible on his expression. “I want to leave Jason. I need to leave. I-" you gulped the festered up emotions stock on your throat. “I can't stay here anymore! I hate this place."

As if on cue, it started rain. Small little droplets started to become more and more frequent as the seconds pass by. With clothes that are slowly getting soaked by the cold freezing rain water, you looked at him with a desperate and saddened expression. Desperate for freedom and joy, saddened by the mental torment you had to go through throughout the years.

"I just- I just can't. I have to go."

Jason looked down on the sidewalk, deep in thought. This city was his life. He lived here his whole childhood, went to college and got a job here. He knew every nook and cranny in this place. This place was his home and for a long time, he thought it was yours as well. But now, he realizes that it's the absolute opposite.

As he gave a stressed sigh, uncomfortable with the sudden huge change that will come upon this decision you made. Both worried for you and himself. He knew he had to get along with it. It's your life after all.

"At least-" He rubs his temple, an unsuccessful way of trying to relax himself. "Let me help you."

Your eyes brightened up. “I know a few friends who moved out of the city. I can ask around and see where you can stay and hopefully get a job at before that Ken doll wannabe finds out. "

"R-really?! " relief shook you. You felt as if the heavy lifts on your heart has been lifted by the clouds of hope. As your brain tried to process the new information, a question piqued out. “Wait- of you talk to your friends, word will get around about me moving and he'll surely find out!" Panic. Instant panic came over you.

Before he could even respond, a loud thunder crackled and made you both jolt in fear. Remembering the weather you're stuck in, cold shivers ran down your body as you hugged yourself for warmth.

"Let's go to your apartment first!” Jason walks to the nearby shelter. You nod and follow him to the complex and ignored the glare the Janitor gave you for the puddles of water you created while walking. Although, you did give a shivering awkward wave to the receptionist. Which they have a confused low wave back.

You'll definitely give something as an apology to the Janitor tomorrow.

__________

The warm temperature of the room mixed with the horrifying sheer dead cold of the night gave you a familiar, sort of comforting feeling.

Sitting down for hours, your legs fell asleep and bags were obvious on your eyes. Jason, seemed to be in a similar condition as you. Head in thought, beeping sound of his phone jolting him awake from time to time.

You've been calling for hours, trying to find anyone of his trustworthy friends that could let you stay somewhere for a while before settling in.

Many said no, which was completely understandable when you thought about it. You'd react the same way. The situation was a weird one. But, there was no time to think about that. They're far more important matters at hand.

You need to get out of here as soon as possible before anyone else finds out. If you can go in the span of one week, then you'll be safe and you'd get the job and apartment you wanted before Louis did anything fowl or spread any rumors about you.

So as Jason was calling and texting to see if any of his old friends could help him out a little, you were staring at your computer with eyes wide open, trying to see if you could find any clinics or animals hospitals in need of a vetinarian in a city not too far, but also not too close that could know about you.

No luck. Absolutely nothing good could be found. Feeling hopeless from your side of the mission, you asked your brother if he's got anything. "Nope." He ran a hand through his now, messed up hair. "I've talked to everyone! Well...except...” He frowned and shook his head. "No, no. never mind.”

"Except who?” you felt eager, any chance of getting out of here was a one you were willing to get.

"Y/n, no. “Jason rolled his eyes.”This guy is actually insane. There's no way he can help us. "

"What's his name?”

He stood in silence. Not wanting to reveal the information to you. For that, you grumble. "Come on Jason! Tell me." he turned his head around in denial dramatically. Eager and a bit desperate, you try to find anything that you could persuade an answer out of him with. A memory clicks in your head and you smirk. "If you don't tell me, I'll tell Mason about that little crush you have on hi-"

"OK- ok! Just- d-don't do that!" he finally gave in. he pinches the bridge of his nose and sighs. “Cameron. His name is Cameron Eclipse."

“He’s a bit...way too passionate about some mythical beings he made up." he huffed a laugh. “He calls them Mobians."

"Well, can he help us?"

Deep in thought, Jason scratches his head and answers. “He does come from a rich family...I'm sure he has a way or two to get you out of here without Louis finding out." your eyes brighten up by that. "Call him up then!"

With that, a two hour call began. Fortunately enough, he is willing to help you. Yet a few more steps still needed to be changed.

"You won't be able to get any good jobs in another city." you gasped at that. Stomach dropping and heart beating a bit too fast for your liking. "w-what do you mean?"

"Well, that friend of yours-"

"He is not my friend."

"Ok- that acquaintance of yours," Cameron looked through his computer. “Comes from a very very successful family. Just like mine, their family has been honored and cherished across the world through generations." you grumbled at that.

"Although...I do have another way for you. There’s this one place I know where Louis might not be able to reach." Suspicion between you and Jason grew as you looked at each other with raised up eyebrows. "My great-great uncle was a scientist. He once went to trip to this island and came back...different. As if something took over him. He came back safe and sound though. So you should be fine!"

"Yeah I'll take it."

"WHAT?!" Jason screamed. "Are you crazy?!"

"maybe." you shrugged. "But if I'm crazy, than Louis is insane." Jason felt completely speechless. Did you both hear the same thing? Before he could utter any more objections, you stopped him.

"I get why you're worried. But I want this. I'm doing it."

"But-"

"No buts." you shushed him. "after all, they're for sitting." you gave a stupid grin. He wanted to give the biggest older brother scolding speech he could, but felt hopeless at this situation. Only grumbling, feeling worry build up in him.

He only hoped you'd be safe. But with such situation like this, he dares to doubt it.

____________________

"Well,” Jason looks at his phone, seeing the little arrow reach the red circle. "We're here.”

He looks around the place. A bit weirded out by it. It was the beach that was next to the city's forest. The beach was empty. The only sound that accompanied the crickets of the night was its ocean waves. Creating a sleep-inducing melody.

You gave a tired groan as you put down the heavy luggage you brought with you. Jason's frown only deepened. After repeatedly looking at his phone and shoe, he speaks up once again.

"You sure this is safe?"

You laughed at that question. "Of course not!" The beach seemed mesmerizing. Deep blue mixing with the pitch black the sky gave. You gave a shrug. "But it's my only chance.”

"Jason!” turning your head around, you see the boy you've been waiting for, Cameron. He gave you both a wave and motions you to follow him. As you take foot on the wooden planks, you look around and see all the boats that surrounded it. "So... “You squint your eyes, focusing on trying to find a clue on which one could be theirs. A few seconds in, you gave up. Deciding that it's best to just ask. "Which one's yours?"

"Oh- technically all of them. " he shrugs. "I mean- some of them belong specifically belong to my cousins or aunts and stuff... But in general, these are all the Eclipse family's boats. “Your jaw dropped at that. Now looking at the freckled boy in shock. He ignored your stare, caring more about finding the right boat.

He smiles and snaps his fingers. Gaining you and Jason's attention and pointing at the simple white boat to his right. "This one here is perfect.” He walks up to it.

Putting all your luggage and getting to know the ropes of the whole thing. With one passed test drive, the two men get out of the boat. Jason looks at you and smiles. He gives you a weak punch to the shoulders. Making you huff and give him a punch back.

“be careful there, little gremlin." you huffed a laugh at that old nickname. Mentally blocking all the rush of memories your brain wanted to remind you of. You give a sheepish smile of your own. “I’ll try, gummy worms."

____________________

You’ve been in the sea for a week. A whole, fucking dreadful, week.

The food and water you brought with you were close to running out. If you don't reach land at this point, you'll surely die right here. Either from starvation or drowning. Or oh god, who knows. Maybe a fucking shark will jump and kill you.

You rolled your eyes at that thought. Realizing that your brain is just messing at you at this point. Your phone was out of battery as well. So no use in finding a distraction for your worry and boredom now.

The sound of waves and birds were your only company. Your only friends in the never-ending blue. As you listened to the waves steady melody, you jolt as you feel a huge wave just suddenly move your boat a bit.

Worry set deep in your stomach. You gulped, feeling your throat become dryer by the second. Looking at the small GPS the boat was attached to, you feel your chess tightened as you read the location.

"What the actual fuck?!" you muttered. The monitor showing you reaching the Bermuda triangle. That was not where you wanted to go. Or even where Cameron told you to go either. You looked at the map he gave you once again. You thought you were hallucinating. Probably losing your mind. The map was moving on its own. Changing its own directions and making it seem like you need to go straight ahead.

"How did I even- since when-" panic. Full fucking panic and confusion. You feel the wind suddenly getting harsher and waves only getting bigger. You try to calm your nerves down and immediately tried to change the direction of the boat.

Making half a circle than going straight forward to an opposite direction. You look at the GPS and try to find a place you could stop the boat on. Breaths became shorter as you see the GPS glitch out. Showing nothing but strange gibberish you couldn't understand. For a split second, you turn around and see a gigantic wave. Not even a blink or breath later, you felt water splash at you and everything you had.

After that, everything else was pitch black.

______________

The sun felt horribly hot on your face, the sand on the ground wasn't making it any better. A mix of voices with different pitches and tones ran through your head, but you couldn't process them. You gave a small grumble and furrowed your eyebrows. Suddenly, the blazing heat seemed to cool off a bit, as if something, or someone has came between you. The voices became louder, clearer. And as you opened your eyes, your vision could only comprehend colors. First one that stood out was the hot pink right in front of you. Then there was a shade of blue right beside it. Yellow, brown and red were the others behind them.

You winced and shook your head. Blinking once or twice to get your clear vision back. The voices were now comprehensible. "You okay there ma'am?"

That voice was seemed kind and a bit bossy. Determination laced all over it. You gave in a gulp you haven't realized you were holding back. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, you could see the people.

You screamed.

Fuck fuck fuck fuck. holy shit- oh god. ohh god. They’re not humans. They’re definitely not humans. Oh my god oh my god oh fuck. Is that their fur? Their fur could be blue or pink? Or fucking red?!

The group seemed taken aback by your sudden unexpected reaction. The pink and blue one only flinched. The brown one seemed angry. Taking a protective stance and taking their boomerang out. The red and yellow one stepped back a little. One out of fear and the other out of the sudden screech.

You on the other hand, were losing your marbles. Deep breaths and a horrid look at the uh- the um- fuck what are their species called? Are they aliens? Some sort of high-tech robots for kids maybe?

You couldn't hear them at all. Not in the state you were in. the blue one seemed to be speaking. Crossing his arms and looking at you with boredom. The pink one looked at him with a scolding manner and seemed to say something that made everyone's posture soften. She looked back at you once again and crouched down to your sitting level on the sands. "Deep breaths now! Deep breaths!" she chirped. Taking a deep breath herself and exhaling it. Copying her actions, you took a few deep breaths and felt your brain calm down. Your posture softened up and your heart finally stopped its absolute crazy speed.

"There we go! I knew you could do it!" she parts your back. Acting like some sort of life coach. Giving a shaky sigh, you clear your throat and finally speak.

"U-uh...Hi." you gave an awkward wave. The group all gave a wave back. “So uh- who are you guys?"

The brown one, which now you were calm enough to guess she was some sort of badger, looked at you with suspicion. "Why should we tell you?! What are you gonna do?!" her eyes widened. "Are you going to know our names and tell the government?! You’re an agent aren't you?!" she takes a few steps back. She took another boomerang out and pointed at you threateningly. “Freeze, agent! One move and you're going to taste my boomerangs!"

In a loss for words, you looked back at the pink one, which you couldn't really guess any resemblance for yet, gave you a casual smile. “don’t worry. She’s actually pretty nice."

The others seemed to be too occupied trying to calm the badger down. Giving a worried nod to the pink one, you still wanted the answer for your question.

She seemed to immediately realize what your expression meant. “I’m Amy Rose.” She points at the now calm, yet skeptical badger. “That’s Sticks.” She huffed and turned her head around. Amy points at the yellow, short one. “that’s Tails.” Looking at him a bit more, you realized that he seemed to look like a fox of some sort. The two tails being a big giveaway to you. He gives you a kind smile. You couldn’t help but give him a small, sheepish wave back.

Amy points at the red one. Another one you couldn’t really pin point an animal resemblance to. With that thought in your head, you guessed not all of them had something that looked familiar to you. Maybe they are aliens. “Knuckles.” Knuckles gave you a nod. Amy’s hand left to the last one. The blue with the brown scarf. Looking a bit closer at him, you notice the quills he had on his head and back. His shoulder were crossed and he looked at you with a confused stare. “This one’s Sonic. Sonic the Hedgehog.”

“What’s your name?”

“Y/n. my name’s Y/n.” you look around the place. Eyes widening as you found your boat a few feet away. Completely destroyed. You stood up, legs almost giving up on you. Making you wiggle strangely a little until you finally stand. You wanted to sprint to your boat. Strangely enough, you noticed a zap of blue sprint through you and reach it. As it stopped, you noticed it was the hedgehog. A little taken aback by the sudden speed, you looked at him perplexed. He simply ignored your stare and looked at the boat instead. Hearing your footsteps stopping and finally reaching him. “This is your boat?”

You hum and nod. Looking at it devastated. Getting closer to the boat, you find your luggage a bit destroyed. Most of your things were lost at sea now. There was no doubt in that. Yet thankfully enough, your computer bag and the computer that lied within it was completely safe. You also had a few clothes that thankfully survived the whole chaos.

Looking at the shredded boat with dread. You stared at the whole wreck and started worrying. You were somewhere unknown, with anthropomorphic people and no boat to get back with. Heck, you’re not even sure if you can get back. Your frown deepens and you start fidgeting with your fingers. Trying to find a clear idea of what to do.

Sonic looks at you with sympathy. Turning back to the village a few feet away and then back at you, he turns back to Amy. Her expression matching his. Both gave a nod to each other and Sonic turns back to you. Putting a hand on your shoulder, he grabs your attention. He gives you a confident smile. “Let’s get you a home.”

#sonic #sonicthehedgehog #sonic x reader #sonic boom #amy rose #x reader #reader insert #female reader #knuckles the echidna #sticks the badger #tails #boom!sonic x reader #fanfiction #sorry if this is cringe I'm trying my best here

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ms-nesbit · 5 months

Text

Sweet home chicago (jason todd x afab!reader)

chapter one

Rating: 18+

Warnings: eventual smut, swearing, father figure dick grayson, skater tim drake, sad jason todd :(

Summary: dick and tim trick jason into taking a vacation in chicago. There, he meets someone he hopes to never forget.

Note: im sorry for dipping, yall. I really had some important things to take care of.

ao3

Amber and rose peeked through the hedge between the array of buildings on Michigan Avenue. Jason blended himself with the sea of tourists and chic aristocrats. He didn’t necessarily stick out like a sore thumb, as there were a few Chicagoans dressed casually like him; even in the late-November evening, he sported his signature red hoodie and straight fit jeans, tattered and dirty near the hem. No matter what, he wanted to appear mildly stressed, only mildly, so as to not draw more attention to himself than his six-foot-four frame already did.

He wondered how he got here. Was it the phone call from Dick, or the two dozen from Tim? Could it have been neither, and he perhaps wanted to rush the plane during the busiest season, nudged in a lousy middle seat between an obnoxious preteen and a middle-aged woman watching poorly edited, extremist conservative media? To be fair, Jason treated himself to Portillo’s once he left the airport - a well-earned reward for not lashing out at the self-absorbed individuals beside him.

He stepped briskly, moving in sync with the less-anxious of the crowd toward the shopping district notoriously named Magnificent Mile. On his left ear, he heard the excitement in the tune of indistinguishable conversations and the season’s final water taxis boarding; in his right, a wireless earbud, softly playing his childhood favorite, Diana Ross and the Supremes.

Once he reached the other end of the bridge, he strolled to the sidewalk in front of Tribune Tower, pulling his phone out and indiscreetly sending a message of his coordinates to-

A call. “As much as I love the smell of fish, garbage, and the crooked CPD, why did you and Tim want me here?” Jason was more curious than upset, but he’d rather not disclose his true feelings to his brothers.

“C’mon, Jay, it’s the Windy City! You ever been to Chicago?” Dick asked. “Beautiful everything here. Tim’s at the Van store up the street, and I’m grabbing a slice of pizza across from ya. You wanna come over and get a slice, grumpy? You get a little hangry sometimes.”

Jason sighed, and his stomach grumbled in response to the offer. “Alright, but I’m not goin’ outside. I sat next to some wackjob on the flight who sounded like she needed to be in the looney bin, and I’m not lookin’ to make friends.” As he spoke, he quickly turned his head before dashing across the busy street, waving off a car blaring its horn at him. “What’do’ey have?”

“How about you see?” Dick approached Jason, smiling mischievously. Jason ended the call, moving his eyes to Dick’s hands behind his back. “Guess what I got?”

“Dick, I’m not in the mood for games-”

“Ta-da!” Dick shifted in his coat, revealing a white box with a drawn pizza and the name Lou Malnati’s on it. Jason pretended like his mouth didn’t water at the smell of grease and garlic. “I had ‘em make a classic cheese with those square slices. How about we sit down on the riverfront and talk?”

And talk. No matter the temptation, be it a buttery, gooey pizza right under Jason’s nose, he still believed it wasn’t worth the compromise of having to make more than small talk with others. “Listen, Dickie, as much as I appreciate the offer, I don’t think I’m ready to talk about-”

“Dude, this isn’t about Artemis, if that’s what you’re about to say.” Dick shrugged in his beige peacoat, a piece of his thick, navy, knitted cardigan spilling from his waist. “I just want to, y’know, see if you want to go to this thing tonight.”

Jason cocked a brow in his theatrical manner. “So you and Tim badgered me, had me fly all the way to goddamn Chicago, all to just talk over some overpriced pizza?” Around him, he felt the glare of customers, but he doubled down, giving them knowing looks. “I’ve been here. Want a real place? Go to the goddamn place off Clark and Dickens. You’ll thank me later.”

Dick rolled his eyes, already tired by Jason’s heels in the sand. “Always gotta be a drama queen. Just…come with me. I’ll explain once we’re out of earshot.” His voice was hushed, signaling Jason to follow suit. They walked together to the riverwalk, sitting on the cold high-risen edging. Dick delicately opened the lid of the box, revealing the savory American delicacy and motioning for Jason to take the first slice.

Once Jason reached for the slice, taking his first bite and stretching the rosemary-seasoned cheese from its bed atop the crust, Dick began. “Tim and I were thinking that the three of us could use a break.” Jason grumbled indistinctly into his pizza slice, swirling the string of cheese around his tongue in a tight noose. “Bruce has been a handful lately - I mean, he always is - and I think it would be a good lesson for him to finally be on his own instead of taking us for granted, y’know?”

Jason nodded, rearranging his food to one side of his mouth so he could speak with the other. “You do know that Bruce is probably better off without me, right? Since I-” he swallowed the food, kissing the excess sauce and garlic from his teeth, “leave a ‘pretty big mess’, as he says.”

“You also help. Gang-related crime decreased about 37 percent when Red Hood regularly patrolled, and the Gotham Gazette did a poll, based on before and after Red: thanks to Red Hood, 6 out of 10 female Gothamites feel safe walking home at night, compared to the 3 out of 10 prior to Red Hood’s introduction.”

The statistic surprised Jason. He was used to the smearing from Justice League’s best, so it was nice to hear a compliment for a change. “And Timmy’s on board with this?” He didn’t hesitate to take a second slice, while Dick left the pizza untouched.

“He was the one who coined it.” Dick looked out at the river, mildly put off by Jason’s shameless eating habits. “We were patrolling one night and he just said it out of the blue. I get it, though.” He pursed his lips, staring wistfully. “I couldn’t tell you before because then you wouldn’t agree to it.”

Dick was right: when he’d offer to take Jason in after they reconciled, Jason refused. Though not Bruce’s blood son, Jason was comparably stubborn, sometimes surpassing the Dark Knight. “And where are we gonna stay?”

“That’s the best part.” Dick finally reached for a slice, folding it in half and dipping a chunk into his mouth to cut from the slice. “Tim hacked into Bruce’s business travel account and used some of his points to book a stay at some fancy place called Waldalf…lemme check.” Dick reached into his peacoat pocket and pulled out his phone, checking the reservation. He continued to chew, as did Jason, and Dick leaned over to show Jason the reservation email. “Astoria. It’s a couple of blocks here, I think. Worst case, we can just use a taxi or Uber there or something.”

“I’m banned from using Uber.” Jason said nonchalantly, squinting at the details on Dick’s pristine phone screen before looking the name up for himself. “I can walk as long as I can have another slice.”

Dick blinked at Jason blankly before glancing at the remnants of the pizza. “Take the small one right there.” Removing a wrinkled, discolored restaurant napkin from his back pocket, Jason snatched the slice with an asymmetrical, genuine smile, now holding a slice in each hand. Dick bit his tongue in his mouth to keep himself from laughing. If he hadn’t held a slice in his, he would have snapped a photo to send to the family group chat. “We’re already checked in, so just bring whatever luggage you have with you.”

Jason looked up from his slices like a deer in the headlights. “Sorry, I didn’t think to bring anything other than the usual.” With a slice, he vaguely gestured to his dirty clothes.

“I was…expecting that.” Dick chuckled lightly. “I brought you some clothes so you could go out and enjoy yourself for a change.” He spotted Jason’s eye roll. “You’re in your twenties, for crying out loud. Enjoy yourself! Make a friend. Would it kill you to just live?”

As Jason shook his head, a few strands of grey fell from his messily combed back hair and onto his forehead. “What, is coming back from the dead and seeking vengeance to blood-thirsty psychopaths not living?”

“No, it’s not.” a voice came from the other side of the riverwalk, by the bustling street: a lanky-built male, wearing a beige Santa Cruz sweatshirt and dark jeans, strolled on his skateboard toward the brothers. “And by the way, Jason, you look no different than the bourgeoisie skimming the racks at Urban Outfitters over there.” Jason’s frown dropped at Tim, already bugged by him. “Me and Dick were basically wanting you to, y’know, socialize like a normal human being. I know you’re an introvert, I get that, but you’ve gotta, y’know…converse.”

Jason stood from the platform, brushing the suggestion from his broad shoulders. “Jesus, and you wonder why I don’t want to hang out with you guys.” he made an excuse and walked back toward Michigan Ave, finishing his slices along the way.

“By the way, Dick.” Tim nudged Dick with his elbow, showing him a photo of zoomed-in Jason, a few minutes earlier, smiling goofily with his two slices of pizza pie.

Dick erupted into laughter, doubling over and nearly knocking over the box.

“You got the terrace suite?” Jason muttered in blustering shock. “Bruce is going to be so pissed.” His lips stretched into a wide smile.

He plopped onto the sleeper sofa, sprawling his limbs out to relax. Dick assigned Jason to the couch (“Finder’s keepers!”), while Dick and Tim each slept in their separate rooms. “We already received a warning about how you’re dressed, Jason, so if you could please promptly change into something more appropriate, I’m sure this stay would be more enjoyable for all of us.” Dick managed to remain calm while conveying, despite the fatherly-level of disappointment underneath his skin.

Heeding Dick’s advice, Jason made his way to Dick’s room, where he opened up the luggage Dick neatly packed for him: a pair of dress shoes, two pairs of socks and boxer briefs (all red, for continuity’s sake), along with a lightweight, tightly knitted sweater, t-shirt, long-sleeve undershirts, and two pairs of slacks (one beige, one black). Jason sighed halfheartedly, bummed by the array chosen for him. He knew, of course, it was his responsibility to select his own attire, but of course he’d forgotten it, lost in the chaos of his everyday life; Dick anticipated Jason’s reaction, and packed something nonetheless, and although grateful, Jason still hesitated to express it.

While Tim and Dick explored the depths of downtown, Jason immersed himself into the room, quietly exploring the channels that Astoria offered.

Knock, knock. “Housekeeping!”

Jason yelled back, “Come in.” while munching on a bag of corn chips on the couch, eyes lasered on the television screen.

The housekeeper, wearing a black and sky blue uniform, pushed his trolley in. “Are you enjoying your stay, Sir?”

Jason shrugged. “My ma was a housekeeper for a bit. Don’t worry about the ‘sir’ stuff, it’s all good.” The response was new to the employee, who stood for a moment before excusing himself to clean the bathroom and bedrooms.

“Sir,” the housekeeper returned, gripping the trolley behind him with a single hand. “Would you mind vacating the room while I clean, or should I return if you are…busy?”

Jason looked at the chip crumbs on his hoodie before looking back at the housekeeper. “I’ve no problem leaving. I’ve gotta change, so I’ll go the other room. Could you just lock the door when you leave?”

“Absolutely, Sir.” the housekeeper said before Jason shut the bathroom door, slacks and sweater in hand.

—

Stepping out from the courtyard of the hotel premises, Jason wandered down the corner, unable to prevent himself from making grotesque faces at the high-end stores nearby. The breeze chilled the skin on his face to the point where it eventually felt like he was kissed by needles, and he unlocked his phone to find a place to settle down and (hopefully) eat. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed an approaching blotch of yellow and blue, to which he immediately hailed down. A taxi parked along the curb, and Jason hopped in. “Could you please take me away from here? Some place with some good food?”

The driver gave Jason a look of uncertainty, pondering before nodding and starting the meter.

Jason sat back and relaxed as giant metallic letters standing proudly on top of clear, godliness glass storefronts began to disappear, one by one, until they were replaced with bulletins and signs, and tented storefronts matched with painted, worn down brickwork.

He exhaled in relief. Despite living with Bruce and his luxurious lifestyle, the unspoken language of wealth was still foreign to Jason. He didn’t understand why the affluent would whisper, and why evil would poison their tongue and burn away at their heart once their financial wealth accrued.

After slipping the taxi driver a couple of hundred dollar bills, Jason abruptly left the vehicle, reading the name of the restaurant to himself. “Like the song…?” he asked the driver, who nodded.

“Different spelling, different things.”

Jason inhaled nasily, chest rising. “Alrighty, thanks, man.”

The driver nodded once again before waving and merging back into traffic. Jason entered the restaurant and was instantly greeted with sweet and savory notes, causing Jason’s stomach to cramp in pain. He walked up to the counter, so clean that he could almost make his reflection out, and waited for an employee to serve him. While he waited, he studied the menu: sandwiches, soups, and more appetizers to choose from. He chewed on his bottom lip, distressed when deciding between pasteles (mix of plantain mix and meat, wrapped in a banana leaf) or mofongo (stuffed plantain).

“When you’re ready, I can take you.” A voice notified him as he stood like a bronze statue before the menu.

He didn’t take his eyes off the photos above the counter. “Sorry about this, I’m a first timer - what are your pasteles filled with?”

“Usually pork or chicken, but we make them with cheese now since there are some vegetarians.”

“Could I have just pasteles, one with cheese filling and one with chicken?” Jason asked.

The clerk pressed a button on the register, which was a tablet with a brightly lit screen. “Sure thing. Anything else?”

“Yeah, and…pastellitos de guayaba? Can I have that, too? And water.”

The clerk pressed the screen a few times, noting down Jason’s order. “Of course. For here or to go?”

Jason finally tore his eyes from the menu to look at the clerk, and his mouth fell open at the sight of the clerk: hair was tightly curled, coiled from their roots; lips plump and glossy, appearing much more enticing to Jason than the food he ogled at.

“Here.” he stuttered, feeling heat rise up to his neck. The clerk smiled at him, and they placed their hand on their wide hip, bringing Jason’s eye to it.

“It’ll be ready in a bit. We’ll bring it to your seat, yeah? Sientate.” They motioned with their nose at the dining area, a selection of polished wooden chairs and tables to choose from.

Before he could ask for their name, the clerk rushed to the kitchen of the restaurant, repeating his order to the rest of the staff. Jason watched them walk away, their bottom half swaying in the leggings they wore, before he realized his leering and chose an empty seat and table near the colorful mural.

Thoughts rushed to the tall man’s head, some impure ones welcoming themselves for the first time since he and Artemis parted. Their relationship was, in short, complicated, and neither of them were fully transparent toward another, leading to the inevitable diffusion of the once-kindled fire; it didn’t break Jason’s heart, but rather disappointed him, and he felt that his fate of inescapable loneliness was encapsulated.

The clerk reappeared from the kitchen, holding two plates of food. They walked past Jason, ignoring whatever eye contact he attempted to make at them, and attended to the table diagonally from his. “Y te quedas a tu mama, ok?” They spoke warmly but sternly to the couple, before leaving with a grin. “And you,” they pointed at Jason, “your pastellios should be ready in one to two minutes, okay?”

Jason nodded frantically, popping an optimistic grin. “Can’t wait.”

“I know.” they winked at Jason before turning back around and walking through the revolving door leading to the kitchen. Jason felt something distant in his stomach. Perhaps hunger?

In a few minutes, the mysterious clerk returned, holding what Jason hoped was his food. When they arrived at his table, settling the plates down delicately before handing him cutlery and a glass, he beamed first at the food, then at the beautiful clerk. He didn’t know which he was more excited for. “Thank you!”

“Not a problem.” they returned his smile, eyes glistening at him. “Our chef is working on something else for you to carry out, free of charge. Can’t let you starve out on us, right, big guy?” their eyes briefly scanned Jason’s figure, which caused Jason’s cheeks to flush a bright pink.

They’re hitting on me, the fuck. “Thanks! I was hoping maybe I can come back, get your name?”

“Oooh, I like the sound of that.” their voice dipped an octave, and Jason swore he felt his pants tighten under the table. He shifted in his seat uncomfortably. “How about I save you the trouble and tell ya now, that way next time you can take me out for dessert?”

Jason smirked at them, slowly checking their figure out before focusing his attention back on their eyes. “Sure.”

“It’s y/n.” they purred, reaching their hand to rest on Jason’s bicep. Their skin was soft, yet calloused. “And you are…?”

“Jason.” he grinned. “Sorry, I’m new at this.”

“Don’t worry.” they assured. “I’m here if you need anything. And if you decide to take me on that offer, my number is in the check right there.” they pointed to the black checkbook beside the plates of food. Jason’s skin was burning under their touch, and when y/n had to leave, Jason felt a twinge of sadness when they retracted their hand.

Unraveling his cutlery from the napkin, Jason made sure to make an important phone call before his vacation ended.

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