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proceduralpassion · 2 years

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I Don't Wanna Be Unfair | 04

Pairing: Jax Teller x OC (McKenzie Gilbert)

Summary/synopsis: Fresh off a broken engagement, McKenzie Gilbert has a one night stand with a random guy she never plans to see again. Soon after, their paths cross, which complicates several situations at hand.

Chapter warning(s): language

WC: ~4.5k

“Is that red velvet?”

McKenzie glanced up from her perch on the porch steps as she registered Sairah’s voice. She picked up the milkshake and handed it to Sairah with a confirming nod. She was halfway finished with her own toffee-flavored shake when her younger sister arrived from her work dinner. McKenzie’s eyebrows raised at the high heels and suit jacket Sairah wore, not used to seeing her sister so done up.

In response, Sairah rolled her eyes and said, “Bite me. I came straight here from the restaurant. I bet this shake has more calories than whatever the hell kind of dish they served me.” She took a few sips before asking, “So how did it go today?”

McKenzie shrugged her shoulders in response, “About how I expected it to go. Once they found out, no one really knew how to act around me, kept looking at me like I was gonna break. Brandon, all but ignored me, except for asking me if I had told anyone yet and when’s the fastest I could get my crap out.”

She didn’t have to look at Sairah to sense the tensing in her.

“He didn’t do anything else, did he? You know I’ll fuck him up.” Her voice was hardened no matter how much she tried to sound airy and humorous.

Shaking her head and taking another sip of her shake, she responded, “Nah, I wasn’t there when he told everyone, but apparently he wasn’t exactly so forthcoming.”

“What do you mean?”

“Lisa said he made it sound like it was a mutual decision, like we both decided to call it quits,” McKenzie shrugged again, “but whatever, who cares, it’s over now.”

“Don’t you think everyone should know what happened? He shouldn’t get to hide behind some lame ‘we just decided we’re better off as friends’ shit.”

“You know how it is for him, everybody loves him.” McKenzie sighed.

“They love you, too. The fuck?” Sairah interjected.

McKenzie shook her head, practically ignoring the comment, “Anything he tells them, they have no reason not to believe him. If I say anything that counters him, it’s just gonna look like I’m trying to stir up trouble. Who would even believe me and think that I’m not just trying to save face?”

“So the alternative is to let him walk all over you?! What in the hell is wrong with you?”

“Sairah, please, just drop it,” frustration heavy in her voice, “I don’t care. It’s over. I just want to move on because at the end of the day, nothing I say is gonna change things. I don’t want to be difficult or make things difficult for everyone, I’ve done enough of that already.”

Sairah’s eyebrows furrowed deeply, “Who said you’re making things difficult, McKenzie?”

McKenzie sucked in a deep breath and looked straight ahead at the quiet neighborhood road.

“Did B tell you that?” Sairah pressed.

“Sairah…”

“He told you you make things difficult?”

Below what little composure she had, Sairah was fuming. Her fists danced at her sides as she looked at her older sister, unrecognizable from the usual no nonsense, feisty woman she had always been. She didn’t have to answer, her solemn demeanor was all the confirmation she needed. It infuriated Sairah to realize just how deep-rooted the problems in her sister’s relationship truly were.

Full disclosure, Sairah had never really liked him. Tolerated him because he was a Street Wolf. It was usually Sairah who was the solemn, reserved sister. That afforded her the luxury of sometimes being inconspicuous. And with her mother’s nosiness, she noticed a lot. So she saw straight through the bullshit and knew him to be the arrogant, narcissistic asshole that was hidden underneath the charming personality and jesting humor. Her unnerved feeling of him only intensified when he and McKenzie got together. She kept to only subtle comments and snarky cracks about him to McKenzie, but she knew her sister was going to do whatever she wanted no matter anyone’s opinion. Outright voicing her disapproval was a waste of words, even though she never hid her disinterest in their relationship.

McKenzie seemed happy, so who was Sairah to intercept that? There were even a few moments where she felt like she may have misjudged B, but they never lasted long. After a couple of years, their relationship grew turbulent and the amount of times where they were hot or cold dizzied Sairah. She’d been waiting for the other shoe to drop, for the relationship to finally end once and for all.

But then one day, McKenzie shows up to family dinner with an engagement ring on her finger. Her smile was blinding and it was quite possibly the happiest she’d ever seen her big sister. So Sairah shed any inhibitions and forbade herself from making any kind of negative comments, no matter how subtle or joking they may be. This man was going to truly be family now, she needed to learn how to play nice once and for all.

But then the honeymoon phase of their engagement was over in only a few days. Somewhere in that week’s time, McKenzie had gone from walking on sunshine to the distant and quiet woman that sat in front of her. The fallout had been worse than anything Sairah could’ve imagined, not because she had witnessed some kind of huge blowout or even physical violence, but because the sister she had always known had devolved into demureness and invisibility. Sure, she still had some moments of fierceness and headstrongness, but she had become more timid. A shell of herself. There were times that her sister’s reticence scared her, never having before associating meekness with McKenzie. She used to think her sister’s worst quality was her grudge-holding, but she’d take it back in a heartbeat if it meant McKenzie was less content in letting herself be walked over. Brandon had been the change in sharp 180, she knew that. But she didn’t exactly know what he had done or what he’s still been doing to cause such a shift in her.

Tonight, though? She was beginning to get some idea.

Hearing how she was so quick to place the blame solely on her, Sairah knew that those words weren’t hers. All their years together had to have included some kind of manipulation or grooming that led her to being so comfortable in saying those words and having that sentiment. They were words that had probably been ingrained in her over and over again for them to have come out so effortlessly.

The thought made Sairah ill.

“Let’s go inside,” McKenzie suddenly said as she hoisted herself up from the step she was sitting on, “I wanna make sure we get everything tonight so we don’t have to come back.” She unlocked the door and led a riled Sairah into the house. Sairah bit her words back and silently followed. The conversation was nowhere near done, but it was already late into the night. And also, just being in his place only further embittered Sairah, so the quicker they get out, the better.

Sairah’s eyes adjusted to the light as she came in from the nightfall. The home was pretty unfamiliar to her despite McKenzie living here for close to a year. The only two times she had been here were the first couple of days when she had moved in. It seemed only fitting that her last time at this place would be when moving her sister out.

“Alright, most of my stuff is in here.” McKenzie said as she walked upstairs to the main hallway. She stopped when she got to the second door on the left, not realizing the slowing in Sairah’s steps. Sairah took her time as she looked around and what she saw only served to unnerve her more.

The place looked like a bachelor’s pad. She did a spin as she walked up the steps and couldn’t find even one thing that looked different from the last times she was here. She was confused at the absence of McKenzie’s books lying around or any family pictures lining the walls. There was nothing she could pinpoint that looked like it belonged to McKenzie.

When she followed her sister into the guest room, her confusion only grew. There were several boxes scattered around the guest bed. Some were packed up, some were open. There was dust around the ones that were closed shut and Sairah could have sworn that that was where McKenzie had placed them when she had first moved in.

“...Did you already start packing yesterday?”

McKenzie had started on an open box when she answered, “Nah, I just grabbed a duffle bag with some stuff and left.”

Sairah paused, “Ok, so you’re telling me you never unpacked…”

Her words were gentle and careful, and she couldn’t tell whether that was for her sake or McKenzie’s.

McKenzie shrugged, nonchalantly, “The stuff I need is in the bedroom.”

Sairah shook her head sadly, “Kenz, it doesn’t even look like you live here.”

She blew air through her teeth as she traipsed to the closet. “He likes his stuff and it was his place before I moved in. We were gonna buy a new place together once we got married, so I figured…” McKenzie shrugged, leaving her statement unfinished as she grabbed some of her clothes from the guest closet, “You know I’m a pack rat, anyway.”

The sisters let the silence permeate as they worked together to fold clothes, pack belongings, and tape boxes. Sairah had gone from angered to melancholic and McKenzie was just happy for the questions to have stopped. They found a smooth rhythm together and found that they would be finishing up sooner than they thought.

It wasn’t until they were nearly done that Sairah spoke again.

“So how was SAMCRO?”

A beat passed before McKenzie spoke, “They were cool. Everyone seems to get along. They’re probably getting hammered as we speak.”

“Hmm. Maybe I’ll stop by before work and meet everyone. They’ll all be hungover, there’s no way they’re getting any work done tomorrow. Maybe while I’m there, me and B can have a chat.”

“Sairah.”

They let out matching exasperated sighs, both tired of the other. But Sairah conceded, with her hands up.

“I’m sorry.” She looked up and captured McKenzie’s eyes. “I really am. I’m sorry. I just- I hate him.”

“Okay, well let’s finish taping up these boxes and hate him together.”

Before long, Sairah was taking boxes to the car while McKenzie continued her last minute packing. She went from room to room, scavenging the area for any of her belongings. It was through that search that McKenzie realized the depth of Sairah’s words. She was right, there wasn’t much she could find that belonged to her. She’d been living here for a year, and everything she had could be boxed up and put into the backseat of her sister’s car. The sparseness made her question if she was ever really a resident here, instead of just a guest. To anyone looking from the outside, she was sure that they’d categorize her as the latter. It was sobering to think that she had never been allowed to make this place theirs and it was sobering for her to just realize this all now.

“Alright, we’ve got most of everything.” She heard Sairah’s voice coming up the steps as she stood in her now former bedroom with her last box of things. “Everything fit. There’s even room for more if-”

She paused when she noted the pensive look across her sister’s features, “What’s up?” She probed.

Snapping out of her realizations, McKenzie replied, “Uh, nothing. I’ve got the last of everything.” She held up her last box, mostly comprised of random, miscellaneous items she’d found in her final sweep of the place. “Got any more tape?”

“In the kitchen, I’ll go get it.”

“No, it’s okay, I’ll just bring it down.”

Sairah nodded in response, “Alright, well, if that’s the last of it, let’s dip.”

McKenzie only made a few steps before the box had slipped from her grasp. The opened cardboard sent the various items scattering all across the hardwood floor. With a groan, McKenzie bent down to begin retrieving the box’s contents while Sairah followed in suit. They grabbed everything in sight and McKenzie reached under the bed, where she saw her lemon squeezer roll away under.

She blindly felt around for it, waiting to feel the hard metal material. Instead, her eyes narrowed in confusion as she felt a soft material meet her hand. It was satin and when McKenzie pulled it out, she was met with the sight of a dusty pink nightgown. She silently licked her lips and closed her eyes, centering her mind.

Sairah crouched there, watching the reaction in confusion. She jumped a bit when she watched McKenzie angrily throw the material back under the bed and rise back up.

“Uh, do you not want that?”

“It’s not mine.”

She left her lemon squeezer under the bed and walked out of the room with the box grasped firmly in her hands. She hurried down the stairs and into the kitchen to tape it up, not wanting the contents to fall out again.

Sairah rigidly followed behind once the implications of her sister's words registered.

McKenzie could hear the words “piece of shit” uttered from her sister's mouth several seconds before then hearing the front door shut. Only, Sairah was in front of her, leaning against the kitchen archway.

Brandon’s voice echoed through the front hallway as he walked into the space, “McKenzie, you still here?”

McKenzie and Sairah’s eyes met and with everything in her, McKenzie poured pleading and supplication into her face. Sairah took a pause, as if she was thinking about it, before pushing herself from against her leaned position in the archway and silently stalked out of the house. It wasn’t before she threw a look of disbelief and disappointment McKenzie’s way and fiery eyes at Brandon.

There was a brief, uncomfortable air when Brandon’s eyes met Sairah’s. She almost wished he said something, anything to give her a reason to lash out, but he merely waved with a blank look on his face before heading to the kitchen.

“What’s up her ass?”

McKenzie clicked against her tongue, deciding against saying anything. The less words the better, because almost anything was bound to start a fight between them.

“I got everything, I think, but if you see anything I might have missed, just leave it at the clubhouse and I’ll get it.” Her voice was firm, succinct, and hopefully left no room for argument. She was tired of showing him weakness and she refused to leave their relationship with anything less than her head held high.

“Sounds good,” he shrugged.

With a sigh, she walked around the counter and towards him while reaching inside her pocket. The velvet box that held her engagement ring inside was now grasped between her fingers. The symbol of their forever was now his and his only.

She wordlessly handed it to him, and swiftly returned her hand to her side once she had done so. As he looked down at it, he toyed with it in his hands.

After a few seconds, he whispered, “I am sorry, McKenzie. I-I really wanted this to work.”

She bit the inside of her cheek, working to keep her tears at bay. She avoided looking away from his stare, wanting to see what lay on his features as he spoke. She wanted to find sincerity, she wanted to believe that his words were true. But she didn’t need to look at it to know that they were indeed false. She simply couldn’t ignore the nagging feeling in her gut that told her he wasn’t sorry for a damn thing. If anything, he was saying those words for her benefit.

Before she let the walls close in around her, she simply turned around towards the door. The weight of what she was leaving was hitting her full force, but she refused to let it stop her in her tracks. The long years of dysfunction, broken promises, and heartbrokenness kept her moving. She only paused long enough to open the front door and turn her head back.

Their eyes met for the last time that night, “Bye, Brandon.”

************

Jax glanced around at the party in full swing. Drinks were flowing, music was bumping, and there was unadulterated fun everywhere he looked. He had already had a few beers along with some food and whooped Opie and Rev’s ass in pool. That was about as much mayhem he was getting into tonight, but that didn’t mean the festivities were by any means mild.

Ace and Juice had started a keg competition that currently consisted of Half-Sack doing a handstand on the keg while chugging straight from the nozzle. Kozik, Bobby, and Flu were attempting to try and stay upright after the numerous shots taken between them. Happy and Chibs were currently occupying the pool table that Jax had recently vacated, attempting to pull in Rev and Opie for a game of eight-ball. Sweets had barely left the dancefloor as he bopped and swayed around with any woman who gave him the time of day, which was practically every woman, given his silky moves and suave flirtations. Everyone was having a good time and it warmed Jax’s heart to see.

Sliding his way through the crowd, Jax made his way over to Gil, who was also looking around at the expanse of the Garden and taking in all the joy and celebration. He’d been bundled up in a booth for most of the night, silently reveling in all of the jubilee. Lisa was sitting next to him and she generously handed Jax an unopened beer as he got closer to the circular booth. With a silent smile, Gil gestured for him to join them and take a seat.

“Thanks Lisa.” Jax flashed her a smile as he opened the beer.

Without any more words needing to be said, the trio sat back, relaxed, and beamed in the inaugural party of their alliance.

Meanwhile, across the bar, Rev was interrupted from making his shot as he felt his shoulders being shaken roughly. An already inebriated Brandon was behind him, flashing him the widest of smiles.

“Rev, I finally did it, man!,” He spoke jubilantly, not even paying attention to Rev’s confused eyes or the hesitant eyes of the few SAMCRO members who were playing eight-ball with Rev.

“What did you do?” Rev asked as he looked around, “Didn’t you just get here? How the hell are you already drunk?” His nose fluttered at the unwelcoming scent of alcohol hitting it.

“Ay, yo, Ace grab me a bottle of tequila!” B’s voice boomed around the bar as he yelled for some Don Julio. He turned back to Rev, “I’m officially a free man, brother,” He spoke with a wide grin on his face.

Rev’s face was still full of confusion which prompted B to go further. “She’s out the house, man! Her and Sairah just left with all her shit. She gave me the ring back and everything. Now all I gotta do is find me a dime piece to take back with me.”

Rev’s face contorted into agitation. His voice was shrouded in warning as he lowered it to speak to B.

“You might wanna cool it on the drinks, man. You just got here, pace yourself.” There was cautioning in his tone, but it didn’t seem to register in Brandon. There was a luminous gleam in his eyes and the broadest of smirks. He actually looked genuinely thrilled for his relationship to be over, not the forced kind of “I’m fine” façade that most guys might put on to save face. No, he looked like he was ready to live his best life, as if a huge weight had been lifted off his shoulders. Rev was torn between letting him be and causing an even bigger scene. B’s drunkenness wasn’t allowing him to take any of Rev’s words seriously, but Rev knew if he raised his voice or got aggressive, it would gain more attention to everyone.

Jax was the only one who’d noticed when B walked in. He’d only initially taken a quick glance as he looked out at the rest of the party, but his eyes returned to those two as he noticed the tenseness in Rev’s stance. Whatever was going on was obviously perplexing the usually cool-headed vice president.

“Look, are you okay, man? You really don’t gotta be all tough guy about this.” Rev spoke as softly as he could over the loud music.

“This may be a shitty thing to say, but I’m actually fantastic.” Brandon shrugged his shoulders and took a large swallow straight out of the bottle that Ace had passed to him. The dopey grin hadn’t washed off in the slightest.

Rev’s eyebrows rose slightly with an inch of disappointment, “And what about McKenzie? Is she alright?”

“I don’t know, really, but then again, not my problem anymore, y’know? Even if I did ask, she’d never give me a straight answer, so what’s the point? You know how she is, always making things difficult.”

Rev opened his mouth to speak, but B cut in, ready to change the subject.

“All that matters is that I finally get to have some fun!” He moved to brush past him, but Rev planted a firm hand against his chest and blocked him from going further.

“Aye man, think for a minute. Do what you want, but you just broke up with McKenzie. It ain’t a good look to be wildin’ out, not in front of Gil.”

“What does it matter, she ain’t here and we’re not together. Besides, I got some catching up to do,” his words were to Rev, but his eyes were on a random woman across the bar, nursing a coke and rum. “Later, man.”

The night continued to wear on, filled with music, drinks, and festivities. Jax had found himself at the bar, partaking in a few shots with Happy and Sweets. Gil had taken Lisa out on the dance floor for a few numbers, enjoying themselves to Bobby’s karaoke singing. Opie, Flu, and Chibs were the first ones to retire for the night not long ago, but vied for crashing upstairs instead of riding home. Ace, Half-Sack, and Juice were somehow still going heavy on the drinks, transitioning into some weird kind of video game trivia contest where getting the wrong answer resulted in taking jello shots. Rev had gone to try and settle Brandon down once again. Jax couldn’t make out what their earlier conversation was, but it didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure he was trying to keep Brandon on the straight and narrow right about now.

Jax debated whether he was ready to go home or not. His body was beginning to wear down on him and it’s not like he had anywhere super important to go tomorrow. Everyone would be too busy nursing their hangovers for them to get actual business done. But Jax had yet to make his move, still perched on the bar stool, eating stale peanuts.

“You good, Jax?” Lisa’s out-of-breath voice was beginning to calm as she leaned against the back of the bar.

He nodded as he looked at her grabbing a bottle of water. “Yeah. You tired yourself out there, huh?” He asked as he gestured towards the dance floor that was becoming less populated as the early morning hours crept in.

Lisa giggled. “Yeah, I’m not old, but I also ain’t that young anymore. Gil and I used to close out a dance floor, no matter the occasion. Wedding, patchover, birthday, you name it.”

They shared a laugh together.

“So… I think Flu mentioned in the club meeting earlier that you have another daughter? Didn’t see her or McKenzie tonight.” Jax wondered if his questioning came across as subtle as he wanted it to. He wasn’t sure why he was asking or inquiring about McKenzie, but as soon as the curiosity spiked him, he couldn’t help but ponder. “Pretty much everyone else was here, but they weren’t. Was just wondering…”

His questioning didn’t pass by Lisa’s own inquisitiveness, but she also didn’t let on that she found his inquiries peculiar.

“Sairah had a work meeting tonight and she’s kind of a wallflower, anyway. Doesn’t really like parties, but she’s around pretty often. McKenzie… Well, these days she avoids this place like the plague.”

“‘Cause of Brandon.” Jax surmised.

Lisa merely looked at him and he couldn’t quite decipher the carefulness on her face. Before he could apologize for potentially overstepping, she spoke.

“Hmm, you pick up on things quick. Although, I guess the break up makes things somewhat self-explanatory.”

“Is she doing alright?” He questioned, watching the older woman take a pause and think through her words with a sigh.

“She’s hanging in there, definitely not taking it as well as B. I think the whole damn club is taking it harder than him,” She replied with bitterness in her tone. Then, she waved a hand as if to calm herself from getting agitated. “She’ll be okay. She’s a Gilbert, she’ll bounce back strong. I’ve been meaning to ask, by the way, do you two know each other?”

Jax felt his breath hitch in his throat. His mind blanked for a second, but thankfully he still had one more shot in front of him. He picked it up and as nonchalantly as possible responded, “Nah, why do you ask?” before kicking it back.

“I saw you kept looking at her earlier at brunch, just figured maybe you knew her from somewhere.” She shrugged as she held her hand out for the now empty shot glass from him.

“Nah, we don’t know each other.” He responded with a reassuring smirk, as he internally chose his words carefully, “I just thought she looked familiar, I guess.”

“Hmm. I just didn’t know if you guys were friends or something. She could really use some. With everything going on…” Lisa paused, as if she was reconsidering her words.

Jax prodded, “What?”

Lisa sighed and looked at him, “Everyone here, they all love McKenzie, she’s family. But it’s different. Brandon is a member. So even if they don’t mean to, I’m just afraid they’re gonna side with him. You may not understand it from this side, but I know you know what I mean. Just the whole club culture, in general.” She vented. “McKenzie doesn’t really have a lot of friends outside of the club, so I guess I just worry. I don’t even know why I’m telling you this, I’m not trying to pit you against either side, that shouldn’t even be your concern.”

“Nah, it’s okay.” Jax assured her, “You’re just doing what a good mom does, worrying about her kids. I won’t take sides, I promise. I’m just trying to get along with everyone and make sure everyone gets along with me.”

Lisa nodded in understanding and a glint of approval, “Smart. The best presidents are diplomatic,” She mused with a chuckle, which he also joined in on.

“But even though I’m not trying to get involved, doesn’t mean you can’t vent if you need to.” He smiled, which she mirrored.

“I like you, Jax Teller,” she declared with a point of her finger.

A/N: Reblogging this doubles as a "Fuck Brandon" button so please press it, thanks!

Anyway, things will be ramping UP in the next couple of chapters so I'm really excited for y'all to see what happens next. I actually cut some of the scenes from this chapter, but if y'all are interested in me posting them as kind of like "deleted scenes" I could do that. Nothing vital is missing, just a little more backstory and building of relationships.

I hope y'all enjoyed! I wanna thank y'all for all the love and support you've shown this story. Pls continue to like, reblog, and leave reviews. I really like to hear what y'all think!

Taglist: @drabbles-mc @ocfairygodmother @youlovetkay @est1887 @rebelwrites @hey-taylor-hey @brownsugarcoffy @kmhappybunny240 @readsalot73

#sons of anarchy #jax teller #jax teller x oc #jax teller x black oc #idwbu fic #passionatewrites fics

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mochegato · 3 years

Text

Hope on Board

Chapter 19 – Let the Rain Fall Down

Chapter 1 Chapter 18

“What do you think? Looks good right?” Dick passed a critical eye over the scene in front of him. “Right,” he confirmed without waiting for a response. Dick had gotten Marinette’s favorite flowers and had Alfred cook some of her favorite foods, because he wanted it to be special, not take out, and Lord knows, if he tried to cook it would be a disaster. He’d brought out all the fluffiest blankets and pillows for them to snuggle under after dinner.

“Mrow?” Kismet looked up at him questioningly.

Dick picked her up to scratch behind her ears. “I know right? Do you think she’ll like it?” Kismet purred and head-butted his chin. “It has to be perfect. She deserves perfect. She’s been working so hard lately, she deserves a break.” He let out a deep breath, checking everything for at least the tenth time. Tim said she had left about twenty minutes ago so she should be home any minute.

He looked at the flowers again. Should he put one between his teeth? That’s romantic isn’t it? They do that in movies. He couldn’t think of any at that particular moment, but he was positive he had seen it. Okay, so which one should he choose if he was going to choose one? He started heading to the flowers and stopped midstride. The door handle was jiggling. He stood straight up, then decided leaning against the back of the couch would be sexier.

He put his hand out to catch himself and leaned, keeping his eyes focused on the door, causing him to miss the back of the couch and stumble, almost face planting into the couch. He recovered quickly and decided to spare a glance to the position of the couch before leaning against it this time. He plastered a sexy grin on his face pretending like he hadn’t just almost fell while trying to look cool.

Marinette entered the apartment without looking up. She shook her rain coat a bit out in the hallway to get rid of some rain before she hung it up. Kismet ran up to greet her, having started moving when the doorknob jiggled, but as soon as she got close to Marinette and the scattering of rain drops, she tried to stop, only sliding a little bit from her momentum. She quickly scooted backward with a scrunched up face, horribly offended by the water.

Marinette let out a light airy laugh at the expression. Dick chuckled too, catching Marinette’s attention. She looked up, finally noticing the scene he had set. Her eyes lit up, flitting from each piece Dick had set up. She grinned at Dick and made her way over to hug him. She wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her chin on his chest so she could give him a lovesick smile. “Hey Bluebird. What’s going on?”

Dick wove his arms around her as well and gave her his best innocent expression. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“Uh huh. So you’ll be fine with me going out with friends tonight? In fact, I’m actually running late.” She started to pull away from him.

He grunted playfully and pulled her back to his arms. “Oh no, it looks like you’re trapped. Must be a problem with gravity today. Guess you’ll have to cancel.”

Marinette giggled. “Oh no. What will we do?”

“Guess we’ll have to stay in,” Dick shrugged. “What a coincidence we have a full dinner and extremely comfy blankets available.”

Marinette hummed at him. “It’s almost like someone planned it.” She raised an eyebrow at him.

Dick nodded thoughtfully. “Almost. We must just be really lucky.”

Marinette shook her head with a smile. “You’re ridiculous. What is all this?”

“I wanted to spoil you tonight. I thought you deserved it,” he said sweetly.

Marinette quirked her head at him, brows furrowed in confusion. “I do? What did I do?”

“Hmm. If you really need a reason, we can go with you grew four tiny lungs today. But in reality, I just thought everything about you was so amazing, you deserved to be pampered,” He answered quietly.

Marinette blushed and buried her head in his chest. “Dick…”

“Or,” he interrupted before she could say something deprecatory about herself. He licked his suddenly dry lips slowly preparing to say what this whole night was about. Dick brushed her bangs out of her eyes and gently rubbed his thumb on her cheek. His heart was thundering as he prepared to say the words he had realized himself a few days ago. He gazed into her eyes, his complete affection for her pouring out. “Or, just because… I love you.”

Marinette’s eyes widened in surprise and her breath hitched. He said he loved her. He loved her! An effervescent smile spread across her face. He loved her. “Dick, I…”

“Mother fu…” Dick yelled out as his phone chimed in a cosmically epic demonstration of bad timing. He grabbed his phone out of his pocket. “Somebody better be dying…” He paused listening to the voice on the opposite side of the line. “Are you sure?” An excited smile started to appear. “Yeah, I’ll be right there.” He hung up and tucked the phone in his pocket. This was exactly what they needed. This could be the key. This could lead to stopping the Court of Owls latest plan and once their big plot was dismantled, he could finally be confident Marinette and the babies would be safe, well as safe as anyone could be in Gotham, but significantly safer anyway.

He grabbed Marinette by her arms and gave her a quick, excited kiss. “This is it! This could be exactly what we needed!” He was bouncing on his toes from excitement. He could not wait for this all to be over and he could finally, finally focus entirely on Marinette, Lucy, and Robert. “I should be back in one, maybe two days.” He kissed her cheek and just barely remembered to grab an umbrella as he ran out the door.

<><><><><>

Patrol was miserable. It always was when it rained. She did not get paid enough for this. She didn’t get paid at all so really this was her own fault. She should know better. She sighed as she swung from building to building, trying to find respite under awnings and ledges. Completely ineffectual things. Why did she even bother? It wasn’t going to be any warmer or less miserable under there at this point. She was soaked and this was stupid. She was going back to the Cave. She just wanted to swing by Dick and Marinette’s apartment quickly before she went back. She was sure Marinette was okay but with Dick leaving suddenly, she just wanted to check on her.

Stephanie settled on the roof and prepared to swing by the windows to check it out when she caught sight of someone standing outside the building. Sucker, she chuckled to herself. At least she wasn’t the only stupid one out tonight. She watched as a car pulled up to the sidewalk and a familiar blonde jumped out to greet the person. The figure almost collapsed in his arms. Fuck! That must be Marinette. What was going on?

Stephanie swung down to the alleyway a few feet away from Marinette and Adrien. She slid a camera around the corner to see what was going on, the sensitive microphone picking up on their conversation for her.

“What happened? I thought things were going well,” Adrien asked into her hair.

Marinette shook her head and continued to cry for a few more minutes. “He… he said I love you.”

Adrien gave her a strange look. “That’s good isn’t it? He loves you. You love him. Celebration time. Practice making more babies.”

Marinette whimpered and fell further into his arms. “But then he ran away. He said it and before I could even react, he ran away. He got a call and got so excited. Like that was the most amazing thing that happened to him tonight. Seconds after saying he loved me for the first time. And then he just ran away like it was nothing… at least nothing important.” She sniffled and wiped her eyes, her cheeks immediately getting wetted again by the rain. “I just… I can’t tell. I can never tell where I am with him.”

Adrien sighed and rubbed her back. “Maybe it was something big?”

“Bigger than me anyway,” she answered miserably. “He didn’t even wait for me to respond.”

“You need to talk to him about it,” Adrien said softly

“I have! He promised he would focus on us. He promised he would make us a priority, that he wouldn’t just cut out anymore. I mean, I understand having to leave. I do. I understand he has to work. It sucks but it’s work and we have it better than a lot of people, but… does he have to act so excited to leave?” She asked desperately.

“Are you sure you aren’t clinging to something that isn’t right because of the twins?” Adrien asked carefully.

“No! I mean they’re a driving force, but I love him. He’s so sweet and thoughtful and funny. He gets so excited about the littlest things and wants to share them with me. He’s so supportive. He thinks about me and considers what I want.” Marinette protested. He was. He was all those things. Adrien just didn’t understand.

“Does he though?” he kept his tone non-confrontational. He needed her to consider his words, and not just get defensive.

“Yes!” She paused. “No… I don’t know. I just… I don’t know. It’s like… when we’re together, it’s amazing. It’s magical. We connect so well. But then he leaves and even when he’s home, if he’s working on work, it’s all he sees. I don’t… I think sometimes maybe I’m the only one feeling like that, but it looks like he is too. Tonight he put so much effort into making the apartment look so romantic. I don’t know. It’s wrong, but I don’t know how or why and I’m trying to fix it, but I don’t know what the problem is so I don’t know how to fix it. And he won’t talk to me about it.”

“Oh, Bugaboo.” He hugged her tighter. “You can’t fix everything. There’s no Miraculous Cure for relationships. If he isn’t willing to make you and the twins a priority, there is nothing you can do to change that. You just need to decide if that is something you are willing to live with. Is it something you’re willing to let your children live with.” He waited a few minutes to let his words set in.

Tonight had been as surprising as expected. He had been waiting for it to happen. Dick had been blowing Marinette off for weeks. But he had been hoping he had been wrong. And as much as he wanted to go punch some sense into Dick and keep Marinette and the twins far, far away from him, it had to be Marinette’s decision. “Come on, let’s go back to my place. We can get pizza and watch bad movies. A night or two away from the situation might make things clearer.” Marinette nodded and let him guide her into his car.

Stephanie cursed and considered what to do with the information. She knew why Dick had left. She understood his excitement, but Marinette didn’t. And the dumbass had decided he would not tell his extremely stressed, hormonal girlfriend about it, especially while there was the possibility of her going into early labor if she had too much stress. Fucking Hell. She did not get paid enough for this shit.

Okay, so if the dumbass wasn’t going to continue to be a dumbass the rest of them were going to have to pull up the slack. She pushed her com to activate it. “Black Bat, Oracle, Hood, we have some talking to do back at the Cave. Oracle, can you call Red Robin?” She wouldn’t tell them everything, she didn’t want Dick dead, but she could certainly get a better support network started.

<><><><><>

He sped through the rain-slicked city streets, weaving between cars and trucks. He just wanted to get home and it was a home now. It wasn’t an escape from family, it was his family. It felt warm and welcoming, relaxing and inviting. All because of Marinette. Moving in together was one of the best decisions he had ever made. They may have moved extremely quickly, but it had worked out beautifully. He got to fall asleep to Marinette’s even breathing and wake up to her beautiful, bright eyes.

He couldn’t wait to finally see and hold Marinette again. His arms felt too light without her in them. He parked haphazardly in the closest spot he thought he could find and barely remembered to take his keys out before running toward their apartment.

He had been gone longer than he expected, by about a day and a half, and his whole body felt like there was an underlying electricity pulsing through his veins to finish where they left off. They finally told each other they loved each other! They loved each other and lived together and were about to have a family together and he was closing in on the Court of Owls plan. His latest trip was exactly what they needed. It had broken everything open. Everything in his life was coming together better than he ever thought it could, far better than he deserved.

He fumbled with the keys to get the door open as quickly as possible. His fingers weren’t working correctly anymore and for a reason completely unrelated to the massive bruise that was forming on his shoulder and back. His excited smile faltered when he entered the quiet, dark apartment. “Marinette?” It was Saturday. She would normally be home, but the apartment was empty. None of the normal warmth and laughter, no lingering scent from cookies. She wasn’t there. And without her there, their home felt like nothing more than a cold room, one he didn’t want to be in anymore.

He looked over to the calendar on the refrigerator. She couldn’t have a doctor’s appointment on Saturday… Damn it! Baby and Infant CPR classes. They’d signed up for them a while ago. He already knew how to give CPR to babies and infants, but it was for Marinette and something for their babies, so they wanted to do it together. He kicked the cabinets. Yet another missed event. Spectacular. He checked the time and grabbed the car keys. If he pushed it, he could make it there as she was leaving the class and take her out for lunch. He gave Kismet a scratch and ran out the door again.

Chapter 20

Tags:

@dickinette-february @demonicbusiness @ichigorose @iloontjeboontje @ladybug-182 @toodaloo-kangaroo @dast218 @golden-promises @trippingovermyfeet @emimar7 @laurcad123 @lady-bee-fechin @thewitchwhowaited

#maribat #Dickinette February #dickinette #platonic jasonette #platonic adrienette #Hope on Board #Knocked Up AU #prompt - rain

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windless-hurricane · 3 years

Text

Sparks

Chapter Three: The Beauty of a Devil

A Reiner x Reader x (Eventual) Jean Fanfic

• ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ •

SUMMARY: After the fall of Shiganshina, you joined the military along with your brother. You had hoped to bring peace to the world by doing so, but the world was a cruel place. You seemed to lose more than you gained, but there was always someone - someone who made losing just a bit…easier. You hoped you could keep them forever, but was there ever a guarantee in this world?

AUTHOR’S NOTE: Hi, all! I know it’s been awhile since I’ve posted anything, but I’m back to finish this series. I want to catch up to where the anime left off. Therefore, as an apology for taking awhile, I’m posting two new chapters today (chapter four will be posted an hour or so after this one)!

WARNINGS (for entire series): Language, explicit violence, talks of death, suicide, trauma, and mental illness, graphic scenes involving blood and/or death, and sexuality.

WORD COUNT: 2.1k

TAGLIST: @lovethemilkteasis @grayxblaze @theyoungblood13 @flowersgirl02 @noodlenerd101 @hanabihwa @drowned-pathetic-rat @bestgirlb @bleepop @miinnttyy @1-800-thanos @lovelime

SPARKS MASTERLIST

PREVIOUS CHAPTER

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• ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ •

“I need your help, (Y/N),” Eren proclaimed as he slammed his hand down on the table, causing you to look at him instead of your soup.

If you hadn’t known Eren prior to this, you would’ve been startled by his actions, but you practically grew up with him. You were both from Shiganshina and while you were good friends, you weren’t as close as he, Mikasa, and Armin were. You were closest to your brother.

“With what,” you questioned, your spoon hanging from your mouth.

“Learning the maneuver gear,” he explained, an eager look in his eyes.

“Well, haven’t you asked Mikasa? She was really good at it,” you recalled.

“I did, but it still didn’t work,” he sighed. “So, I thought maybe you had some advice, seeing as you were nearly perfect.”

You blushed at his compliment as you crossed your arms over your chest.

“Well,” you breathed. “It’s kind of like a swing.”

“A swing,” he asked confusedly.

“It’s hard to describe…maybe Viktor knows how to say it. Hey, Viktor.”

You nudged your brother’s shoulder with your own, but he didn’t respond. So, you and Eren looked over and were surprised to see him in a deep conversation with Krista as Ymir glared at him from across the table. You both smirked.

“He’s going to die,” you remarked.

“Yeah,” Eren agreed with a chuckle, causing you to sigh.

“Well, I’ll try my best to describe it then. When you look at the seat of the swing, you can see that it is completely balanced. Then, once weight is added onto it, it still manages to stay upright. That’s because it balances the weight throughout itself equally. You have to think of your body as a whole and seek balance within yourself. That’s the best way I can describe it. Does that…sorta make sense?”

He gazed at you with wide eyes, not necessarily mesmerized by what you said, but how you said it.

“Yeah, that makes sense,” he confirmed excitedly and you smiled.

“If you still need help, you can ask some of the guys,” you suggested. “A few of them did well too.”

“Got it, thank you so much, (Y/N)!”

“No problem,” you waved, watching as he made his way back to the table where Mikasa and Armin were sitting.

You noticed Mikasa glaring at you, but you decided to ignore it and focus on your food instead. However, you were only able to get two bites in until someone else came.

“Do you mind if I sit here,” a deep voice asked and you looked up to see a tall, blonde boy with a muscular build standing in front of you. You realized you remembered him from orientation.

“Yeah, go right ahead,” you said, motioning to the seat in front of you. He sat down with a small creak and you gazed at him for a few moments before turning back to your food.

“You’re (Y/N), right,” he questioned once more and you nodded.

“(Y/N) Bauer. I would introduce you to this oaf,” you gestured to Viktor. “But he’s too busy taking his final breaths.” Reiner let out an airy chuckle as your brother was now arguing with Ymir over something ludicrous.

“I’m-“ Reiner started to say, but you cut him off.

“Reiner Braun, I remember you. You’re the ‘save humanity’ guy.”

“Huh?”

“During orientation, when Shadis asked you why you were here, you said ‘to save humanity.’”

“You remember that?” You nodded.

Reiner hadn’t thought you noticed him, let alone even remembered what he said. The surprise made him oddly happy.

“Mmhmm,” you hummed, playing with your food. “The only reason I did was because you looked just as scary as Shadis.”

“What,” Reiner laughed, causing you to smile.

“What do you mean ‘what?’ I mean, look at you. You’re a tall, muscly guy with a sharp face. Intense eyes and a deep voice. Who wouldn’t be scared of that?”

“Not you apparently,” he stated with a smirk. “If I didn’t know any better, (Y/N), I’d say you were flirting with me.”

Your cheeks reddened.

While you did find him extremely attractive, especially when you first laid eyes on him during orientation, you couldn’t let him know that.

You couldn’t let him know that you were taken aback by his strong and unwavering stature, the way the muscle within his jaw flexed with determination, and how his amber eyes burned when Shadis asked him why he was there.

When he answered with “To save humanity,” his voice was deep, but so sure of himself. It permanently caught your attention, but still. He couldn’t know that.

“Don’t flatter yourself, Braun,” you finally countered. “You only interested me because of how overachieving your goal was.”

“Really, how so,” he asked with half lidded eyes. He could tell you were bluffing. You had to save your ass.

“Well, don’t you think saving humanity is quite ambitious? How could one person manage to save millions of people,” you commented.

“Why does one join the military to begin with?” Your eyes widened.

While you were shocked, you were also impressed at his question. You couldn’t help the amused smile that made its way onto your lips.

“A good portion of the kids here are either looking to live comfortably within the inner walls or wanting to earn bragging rights as they slack off in the Garrison Regiment. Why do you think the number of people joining the Scouts every few years is so low? ‘Cause in the end, most people don’t want to leave the walls to fight for humanity. They just want to stay back and watch others do the work.”

“Is that why you joined?” You snorted.

“Course not.”

“Then, why’d you join?”

‘Why did I join,’ you thought to yourself.

Then, it hit you. Their words.

Mommy loves you so much. She loves you. Please just do this last thing for her and hide.

Get my brother and sister out of here! I’ll take care of the Titans! Just go!

I’m sorry, (Y/N).

You clenched your spoon tightly as you gazed into Reiner’s eyes with a newfound intensity gracing your own.

“I joined because-” but you were cut off by a large thud and your brother groaning right after.

You and Reiner looked over to see Ymir pushing his face into the table.

“How’s that for a rude awakening,” she sneered, tearing herself away from him soon after. “C’mon, Krista.”

“You didn’t have to do that,” Krista whined, but Ymir had already grabbed her by the arm and led her out of the mess hall.

You sighed.

“What did you even say to them?”

“Don’t worry about it,” he mumbled, holding onto his head.

“Honestly, you’re either great at talking to girls or extremely poor at it. There’s no in between,” you commented as you pulled him up by his hair.

Reiner hissed shortly after and you winced at the sight of his face.

“We’re going to need bandages for that.”

__________________________________________

“What’re we doing out here,” you questioned, following your brother through the dark forest. “Can’t we get in trouble for this?”

“Not if we aren’t caught,” he mused with an almost crazy smile on his face.

“I think Ymir hit you too hard. Are you seeing double right now?”

You glanced at the bandages around his forehead and were becoming genuinely concerned that he had a concussion.

“It’s because of Ymir I’m doing this,” he revealed, chuckling breathlessly. “She’s going to hate it when I prove her wrong.”

“You still didn’t tell me what you told her,” you mentioned.

“I tried comparing Krista to a lotus flower and Ymir’s convinced that no such thing exists.”

“Really? Then, what was the whole rude awakening thing?”

“I just told her she was in for a rude awakening and she did that. The audacity.”

“You’re a real idiot, you know that,” you stated, causing him to gasp offensively.

“What?!”

“So, you’re trying to find a lotus flower to prove her wrong.”

“Yeah.” You came to a stop.

“Wait.”

“What?”

“If I’m remembering what we read as kids correctly, those only exist outside of the walls,” you exclaimed in disbelief.

“I mean, yeah. They’re from Asia, but the Asian clan lived here for some time anyways,” he mumbled to himself.

“Huh? You’re talking too quietly.”

“Oh, well, what I meant to say is that humanity once lived outside of the walls, right? So, they had to have brought some with us!”

You watched your brother in confusion as he turned away, moving forward once again. That was weird, you thought.

As you followed behind him, you heard rustling nearby.

“Do you hear that,” you asked and Viktor shook his head.

“It’s probably just a deer or something.”

“I don’t know…”

The rustling grew louder and you both stopped.

“I don’t know if that’s a deer,” you murmured, grabbing onto his jacket.

Then, the both of you could make out footsteps and started to tremble in panic.

“What if it’s Shadis,” you whispered. “I didn’t plan on bothering him today. I’m not prepared to swim again…or worse. Clean the restroom after Sasha’s used it.”

Viktor nearly gagged at the idea.

“This was your idea, Viktor.”

“Well, you’re the one who decided to follow the kid with the possible concussion out here,” he retorted.

“You, idiot. Let’s just find a hiding spot, but move very quietly.” He nodded as you led him through the trees, tiptoeing carefully. You turned the corner of a tree and unexpectedly bumped into a firm chest.

You didn’t get the chance to see who it was as you and the owner of that chest started screaming.

You fell back into your screeching brother and heard three more masculine yells follow suit.

You opened your eyes and saw Reiner, Bertolt, Eren, and Armin all huddled together, panting with terrified looks on their faces.

“Huh,” you gasped, but they didn’t hear you as your brother was still screaming. “Shut up!” You elbowed him in the stomach, knocking the wind out of him.

“What the hell are you guys doing out here,” you questioned, attempting to recompose yourself.

“We could ask you the same thing,” Reiner countered, clearing his throat.

“Uh…good point. This idiot behind me wanted to find a flower to win a bet against Ymir.”

“Bertolt and I just wanted to show Eren and Armin the lake.”

“That’s a better reason than ours,” you chuckled, finally having calmed down. “I’m just glad you weren’t Shadis.”

“You and me both.”

__________________________________________

“Wow,” you gushed, staring at the moon’s reflection from the water. “It’s like a mirror.”

“I know. Isn’t it insane,” Reiner smiled.

It was. It really was. The moon was big and bright, while the water was still and black. They complimented and contrasted each other all at once. It was like a painting that lit up the night. It was stunning.

“I honestly never pegged you to be a softie, Braun,” you teased with a smirk.

“Well,” he smiled. “I thought Eren could use some inspiration for tomorrow.” And you felt your lips lift into a sweet smile.

You meant it. You didn’t expect Reiner to be so caring or considerate, yet he was and you found yourself liking it a lot.

He was big and strong on the outside, but gentle on the inside.

“Well, Eren. Are you inspired,” you asked softly and he nodded with a big grin, causing you to giggle.

“Ah hah,” Viktor shouted and you sent him a glare.

“Hey, why are you ruining the moment,” you questioned.

“I found it, I actually found it!”

“What?”

He sprinted to you in an instant and your eyes widened once you saw a lotus flower resting in the palms of his hands. It was pink and gentle with mud underneath it. It really was…beautiful and the rest of the boys gathered around to witness its beauty.

“It only blooms in mud,” Viktor stated excitedly and you smiled. It had been so long since you had seen him this way and you didn’t want it to end. You wanted him to continue being happy.

“It’s beautiful,” Reiner commented. “A true beauty.” You all hummed in agreement, listening to Viktor’s rant that followed.

However, Reiner never started listening. He was still too focused on what, or rather who, he had actually been looking at when making that comment.

He was looking at you - admiring the way you shone just as brightly as the moon and thought…

How could a devil be this beautiful?

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lluvguts · 3 years

Text

Cool Blue ; Chapter Six

⤹⋆⸙͎۪۫｡˚۰˚☽˚⤹⋆⸙͎۪۫｡˚۰˚☽˚⤹⋆⸙͎۪۫｡˚

a heart could come so undone

⤹⋆⸙͎۪۫｡˚۰˚☽˚⤹⋆⸙͎۪۫｡˚۰˚☽˚⤹⋆⸙͎۪۫｡˚

☽ warnings: internalized homophobia

☽ fic masterlist

☽ a/n: thank you all so much for 2k hits on ao3! this all means so much to me and it really empowers me to continue with this story, even if i don't want to at times :) i would really appreciate any of my tumblr readers to go and leave a kudos or a comment just to tell me if you liked it, and make me smile <3 my ao3

⤹⋆⸙͎۪۫｡˚۰˚☽˚⤹⋆⸙͎۪۫｡˚۰˚☽˚⤹⋆⸙͎۪۫｡˚

Alberto was a storm quietly brewing beneath a thin façade of calm. His pinched brow and frown being the only signs of his mulling, his stewing, as the sun beat with ruthless fervor down across his back, already peeling and burnt, while he rowed back to Portorosso. To the real world. A life that made sense, one filled with humans and cars and houses, a bustling busy that progressed as the town woke up.

One that wasn't made for him.

He looked back to the island as he pushed the oars roughly in front of him, rowing back, and grimaced without thinking at the crumbling tower at its top. Signora Aragosta had told him that island belonged to her and her beloved, a haven for a young girl and her sea monster to sit and talk and discover themselves. He had stood in the remains of that tower, only hours before speeding down the steep, grassy slope of the island to Luca, his sea monster, and observed what little traces of their lives that were left. Children's books with frayed spines (when Signora Aragosta had told Alberto she'd taught her how to read) cracked flower pots with their centers hollowed out and small inscriptions Alberto could carefully trace on the convex cobblestones of the tower wall. Writings, words and phrases and, Alberto realized with a flush of heat, love poems that her Concetta had scribbled in messy, mostly-faded scrawl along the stones. But there were other parts of the tower, less beautiful signs of aging. Mounds of tree branches and rubble dusted over the tower floor, where time and bad seasons had caused parts of the inner walls to cave in. Sunlight drifting through the insides, illuminating those professions of love along the walls and warming Alberto's toes until he had to pull them away to stop thinking about it.

She said that they loved that place...so why did they abandon it so quickly? It was a different time then, Alberto must have known, but even still the sea folk and the human world were unable to coexist--let alone love each other.

His muscles gripped and shuddered in his stomach involuntarily and Alberto clenched the oars to keep his lips from trembling.

Then again, Alberto mused with little humor as he continued to row and glare into the waves, she had said a lot of things, but none of her comforting words had prepared him for what had really happened.

At this time in the afternoon the waters were calm, just a lazy caress on the boat's sides like old lovers and cast dim reflections of the sun in alternating lines of cyan along Alberto's forearms. The gentle waves were endless, if Alberto looked down he didn't think about his face staring back at him but rather what was beneath the surf, or more so who.

Was what Luca had done, what he had said, the same as those words on the tower walls?

His behavior was so...animal. It wasn't like him. But did Alberto truly know what to expect from someone that wasn't human?

Something landed into the ocean with an inaudible plink and Alberto saw in the reflection of the deep waters that he was crying. He hated himself for what he had felt, only an hour earlier. Absolutely dreaded thinking over it.

Luca's touch, so curious and bashful in the beginning. That was normal, that was something Alberto could understand. He had only grinned at their playful banter back and forth, like they'd used to. But as soon as he'd let his stupid fingers wander just to touch Luca's scales he knew every second after that moment was going to happen much too fast.

Alberto didn't even know what he was doing at the time, or why he chose to torture Luca like that. The boy was whimpering at his hands on him and had practically collapsed into Alberto's lap, so obviously it was only fair that Luca had freaked out and went full on sea monster. All he heard in his ear were Luca's uneven breaths mixed with his own, and the warm press of his teeth on his neck, with just a trace of saliva from Luca's tongue.

His stomach twisted at the memory, making his legs ache and that dull throb return in his shorts.

"Damn it," Alberto huffed, closing his eyes tightly and breathing through his teeth.

Alberto didn't know what he meant himself, when he pushed Luca off of him either. His own reaction to the touches had surprised him so thoroughly that he was afraid of what would have happened if he'd let it continue, and let Luca's words sink into his brain and maybe his skin, too.

Portorosso was fast approaching, and Alberto hopped off one side of the boat, tugging it along in the shallow waves to moor it to the dock. He tied the ropes in haste and bit his tongue when the old cord rubbed painfully along his already-sore palms.

"'Berto! You idiota! You couldn't hide from me for long!"

Alberto jumped at the voice, immediately thinking of Ercole, but as he looked up from his raw hands he only saw Giulia above him at the metal railing, waving her arms around.

"I wasn't hiding from you!" Alberto called up. "I was...out doing something!"

His word choice made him cringe. Giulia narrowed her expectant brown eyes and reached out a hand once Alberto had walked up the stone incline to greet him. But instead of a hug, Giulia used Alberto's hand clasped in her own to hold him steady and slap his cheek.

"Shit! What was that for?" Alberto cursed, freeing his hand in a jerk and pressing it to his hot cheek.

"For keeping secrets from me! Papa told me all about your girlfriend!" Giulia was near-shouting, and a few people wandering the streets turned. Alberto's face reddened another degree, if the handprint left by Giulia wasn't enough to show for it.

"She's not my girlfriend, Giulia!" Alberto spat. He craned his neck over at the boat just to double check then followed her down the seaside railing to their house.

"So what, you made up a fake girlfriend then to fool Papa? Is that it, Alberto?" Giulia looked at her brother out of the corner of her eye, smiling to herself. Her tone was light, so Alberto had no need to worry that she was being serious...probably.

Alberto spluttered. "Why would I lie to Papa? When have I ever lied to you or him, ever?" His heart was beating at a frantic pace in his chest, and if Giulia saw the sweat on the back of his neck he was done for.

"Let's see," Giulia stuck her tongue between her teeth, then counted off her fingers. "You lied about the orders that one time just so Papa let you go play soccer in the courtyard...you lie about your chores all the time. I think the amount of times he lets you get away with it is worse though."

"I do not lie about my chores! How can I lie about those when he sees the numbers every evening?"

Giulia swatted the air, and then actually swatted at Alberto, before letting out a shriek.

"Oh! Did I tell you that Luna, Machiavelli's mistress, is going to have kittens!" She splayed her hands out in front of her to emphasize the excitement, and it was just like her to lose her focus even if it was originally about teasing her own brother.

Alberto shrugged. "Papa isn't going to like it."

"Papa will come around in time, fratello. Besides, Luna's owner was very...understanding."

"Oh?"

Giulia nodded, her cheeks were flushed from her anger and the summer sun, but instantly darkened. "Yeah. There's a girl who lives a few houses across from us, by the Gelataria with her aunt. We met last week, but I saw her again this morning when her cat was looking for Machiavelli, but he was pent up in your room, cause you're stupid and left the door closed."

"Machi actually likes my room, unlike yours." Alberto said indignantly.

"I wouldn't call that liking. I think he tolerates being around you because you feed him."

"Ugh, Giulia! Stop changing the subject and just tell me about this stupid girl and her cat!"

Giulia flung out her hand and punched Alberto in the gut. "She is not stupid. She's...she's..." She trailed off, looking at the sand stuck between the stones beneath her sandals.

"Lovely."

"Giulia, you're blushing."

"Yeah, so?" She countered, glaring up at Alberto with her cheeks a deep rouge. "She's pretty. But you wouldn't understand...I don't think, um, Papa would approve if I liked her. As more than, you know. A neighbor."

Alberto felt so relieved he could cry. But he laughed instead, a short nervous giggle that dissolved into a long, airy chuckle that came from deep within his tightly-wound heart.

"What's so funny, hmm?: Giulia, despite her height, tried to size Alberto up by shoving his shoulder and leaning forward to get into his space. "Y'know, I wouldn't have told you if you were just going to laugh at me."

"No, Giulia! This, this is perfect!" Alberto didn't know exactly what he was doing, but all of his previous tension ebbed away as he took Giulia's hands and squeezed them with glee in his own.

"Me having un cotta with the girl across the street?" Giulia frowned at him.

"God, no." Alberto laughed, bringing his sister closer to look into her eyes and make sure she was listening. "Lucia isn't...uh, she's not, she's not a girl."

Giulia's light eyebrows were pulled low at that, as she curled her lip up in confusion and stared at Alberto's face. "What do you mean? Lucia can't not be a girl, her name is...oh....Oh. Alberto! You really were lying to Papa!"

He figured that was enough confirmation of Giulia's understanding and nodded slowly. She placed her palm where she'd slapped him and rubbed her thumb along the welt, breaking her gaze away to think.

"For once, I think I'm okay with you lying," Giulia mused. "But just this one time, Alberto! And I mean it! You'll have to make up for it by letting me meet him. What's his name, anyway?"

"You didn't tell me her name, so why should I tell you his?" They were standing outside the gate of their backyard, but Alberto stood in the way of the latch and beamed down smugly at Giulia.

"It adds mystery, alright big guy? Maybe I like that you don't know her name. Then you won't tease me about it."

"Fine then. I won't tell you Luca's name either."

Giulia beamed. "Luca! What a beautiful name! I bet he's very handsome, Alberto."

He bit his tongue and jammed one free hand into his pants pocket.

"N-No! I didn't say anything," Alberto gasped and clamped his hand over Giulia's mouth. "Don't tell Papa okay? I'm not...I don't think I'm ready."

Giulia licked Alberto's palm with a devilish grin and he groaned in disgust and pulled back.

"That's okay, I'm not really ready either." Giulia grabbed Alberto's slobbery hand and guided them into the side yard, swinging their arms.

So pretty...you smell so good, Alberto.

He almost stopped in his tracks, but Giulia was pulling them along so he trailed behind her, attached by their intertwined hands.

Luca's tail had twined around Alberto's ankle in such a quick and demanding way he felt his breath catch.

Please. I need you.

The words still trickled through his head, and soon the phantom feelings returned too. Cool scales dripping in sea water soon replaced by the feeling that Luca was burning up, swallowed whole by his own desperate pleas and touches.

"You okay, Alberto?" Giulia had stepped into the house, but Alberto's feet were pressed to the stone steps, unmoving. He thought that he could hover here at the threshold of the doorway with Luca's scent still lingering on his skin and the immense weight of odd passion forever, just so he didn't forget. Was this what Signora Aragosta had talked about when she first knew? When she first knew?

Alberto shook his head for Giulia, smiling and apologizing. "Yeah, we're good."

#luca #luca movie #luca fanfiction #luberto #luberto fanfiction #luberto fanfic #luca paguro #luca x alberto #alberto scorfano #alberluca #luca and alberto

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floatinginwords · 3 years

Text

Saved by the Devil (14/?) - Tommy Shelby

Summary: events after Tommy gets taken. (my summaries just never got better)

Paring: Tommy Shelby x fem!reader (romantic)

A/n: Sorry its taken so long for me too put up a chapter. My mental health has been so terrible and now my therapist is leaving me and i don't know what to do. But i reread this story and remembered how happy it made me and how much i loved your comments and just writing in general so i though i give it a go. I hope you like it and hope you all have a good days and are taking care of yourselves.

There wasn’t much you could do. There wasn’t anything you could do. So you sat and waited. Not for anything in particular you just did. The hand laid in your lap, your fingers clutched it tightly. You could hear loud laughter behind you, a hand touches your shoulder. You tense before recognizing John Shelby. He talks to you with a smile on his face as the rest of the Peaky blinders gather round him. You don’t hear nothing he’s saying.

“Do you know where tommy is?” He asks you.

“…No.” You say, coming to the conclusion its better to keep them in the dark. Thomas wouldn’t want them to be involved in his affair let alone know about them.

“No matter He always turns up somewhere.” Arthur says wrapping his arm around John, wrestling him to the floor.

You smile at the brothers and look over at the younger boy, Finn. You haven’t seen him all day but now you do and he holds a giant envelope. As everyone seemingly becomes entranced with the little show his older brothers are pulling off, Finn makes his way over to you, handing you the envelope.

You look at him in confusion.

“Tommy told me to give it you after it was all over. He said it has everything you need.” He says.

You take it from his hands, realizing that it had to have been the ids and new birth certificate you had asked for long ago. He had remembered and he had delivered.

You nod at Finn and rise from your chair.

“Where you going, were leaving once their done.” A random voice says to you

“Bathroom” You simply state, walking away with the hat and envelope. And that’s where you go. Once you find a stall, you open the envelope to find exactly what you had thought. Passports in different names, birth certificates in different countries, and extra money. Tears pinch the corners of your eyes as you think about leaving tomorrow. You had guilt in your stomach wondering if Thomas Shelby was now dead.

You leave the stall, wanting to wash your face, and hands. The coll water brings a calming effect to you as you forget about who you are and where you are. And then a voice brings you out of it.

“(Y/n)?” the light airy voice asks

You ignore, hoping the stranger leaves, but you catch her eyes in the mirror and realize this is no stranger. Its May Carleton.

“You know me?” You ask, you mind muddled wondering where you had met each other.

“No, not formally excuse my manners,” she says politely. “ I just seen so many pictures of you in your fathers office. I just wanted to say hi”

“Im sorry what?” You know you heard correctly, the woman enunciated every word correctly and loudly. You just hoped that maybe you gone deaf or you were imagining things. But it just confirmed your worst fears. The worst nightmare you could be living was right now.

“I’ve done some work with him the last few months. Again sorry for the intrusion, I just was so excited. Your father talks a great deal about you, I feel already know you. “ May keeps talking but like John Shelby before you tune it out.

‘I was right. I was right, I was right.” You think each time getting more and more panicky as you realize what this means. You push past May and leave the area. You begin breathing fast in and out as once you’re in the fresh air. You cant seem to get enough air as the world spins around. You try calming yourself by saying maybe she’s mistaken or perhaps paid to fuck with your head. But your body was telling you otherwise as you pictured the genuine look in her eye as well as excited tone in her voice. If May was acting, she was good.

You walk the only sound you hear the beating of your heart and ringing in your ears. You don’t pay attention where you walk as you trip over yourself. For a moment you stay on the floor, just trying to catch your breath.

“Hey? Hey? Whats wrong with you? Get up, we’re leaving.” A loud Polly calls out to you. You look up and see the woman standing before you, she reaches a hand out to you.

You grab it, and pull yourself up. You try to mask up whats going on but you just end up spilling silent tears over your cheeks as you nervously look around everywhere. Your fingers trembling.

“Breath child,” polly says quietly, “Come you can ride with me.” She says.

You follow her through to her car and silently she drives you back to London. You both don’t say anything to each other the entire ride. You don’t comment on the stain of blood on her dress, she doesn’t comment on your earlier panic attack. She doesn’t ask why you have tommy’s hat or an envelope and you don’t ask why it looks she’s been crying for hours.

Read pt.15

Tags

@babylooneytoonz @captivatedbycillianmurphy @enamouravecleslivresetlechocolat @evelyn-4034 @ms-dont-care @owenniasstars @shikin83 @lauren-raines-x @cactisjuice

#Tommy Shelby #tommy shelby x reader #tommy shelby x you #Peaky Blinders #peaky blinder fanfic #fanfic

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ddarker-dreams · 4 years

Text

Trips. Yan Illumi x Reader [COMM]

Life brings with it new situations, impeding obstacles that need to be overcome.

Flexibility is the trait that allows such things to be navigated properly, to accept and work with the cards that you’ve been dealt. Unfortunately for you, this character trait has always seemed to be one of your greatest fallacies.

Why this incontestable fact wasn’t enough to deter Illumi, you would never know for certain. Determined is the word you found to fit his likeness the best. Illumi sought out on the long and cumbersome journey of sculpting you into his ideal masterpiece, chipping away at elements unfitting of his taste; while emphasizing any desirable traits.

Dehumanizing as it is, it’s your new reality. One that you never expected to be a chapter in the book of your life, if not the falling action and conclusion now all together. But, as inflexible as you are at times, you can still attempt to make the most of it in your own way.

Having already offered any serious forms of opposition, you quickly learned the petty endeavors would ultimately be pointless. Illumi never so much as blinked at any of your trite attempts at upsetting him, not taking the offenses as seriously as you hoped. Maybe that was for the best, as he’d still reprimand you despite seeming unaffected.

“Aina,” you invite over in a low tone. “Can you come here for a moment?”

There isn’t any reason to voice your desires in a polite manner, seeing as the Zoldyck butlers would carry out your every reasonable whim without complaint. Even if they held the key to freeing you from this grandiose prison, you still couldn’t find it within yourself to harbor any serious resentment against them.

Even if they did come to their senses, and ever tried to assist you, you didn’t want to imagine what the consequences would be for such an offense.

“Do you need something, Master [First]?”

Aina appears next to you faster than the human eye could comprehend, her serious gaze set wholly upon you. Aina was who Illumi assigned to be your personal butler during your first few days here, someone who has become a familiar face. You had asked her before for her age, only to learn she was only a year older than you.

Illumi most likely picked her out for that very reason, wanting to “ease” the transition into your new life.

Aina sports a well cared for bob, having light brunette hair and honey colored eyes. It seems you fell right into Illumi’s trap, feeling a kindling of friendship with her. Even if it wasn’t formed in a natural way, a friend is a friend.

Leaning back in the garden chair, a soft noise leaves your lips as you stretch your stiff muscles. The relaxing sounds of nature always felt like a welcome change of pace. You’ve always expressed your preference for the gardens in the Zoldyck estate, preferring them greatly over the Gothic style mansion.

The air out here feels lighter, the sun inviting as it gently kisses your skin. Different cries from exotic creatures you couldn’t even begin to name fill your ears, along with the sounds of running water from the fountains.

Aina waits by your side ever so patiently, while your mind is full of these thoughts.

Sheepishly looking up at her through your eyelashes, you smile. “I have a bit of a request, actually.”

She’s capable of picking up on every nuance to your words, of reading all the twitches of your muscles and knowing what emotions they indicate. In a way, it almost reminds you of Illumi. But whereas Illumi would exploit this telling information for his own gain, Aina uses it only to serve you better.

“If by chance I’m asking for too much, just let me know,” you request, a nervous laugh leaving your lips. At this you notice her jawline tightening, most likely anticipating the worst. “It’s been on my mind to get some new decorations to spruce up my room. Not to say I dislike the whole, vampires living in the 1800s look, but it’s a tad dreary.”

Aina’s lips quirk up, before she swiftly changes to a neutral look once more.

“Since I can’t really use the internet, it’s not like I can do online shopping. And I’d feel bad for someone having to deliver it on a mountain too. So how do I go about this? Is there like a special Zoldyck amazon that I can use, but no one has told me about yet?”

At any hints of humanity Aina offers, you find it easier to talk without holding yourself back. Being all doom and gloom nonstop is tiring after all, sometimes you just have to roll with the punches. Even if that phrase most likely is not intended for being forced into marriage with an assassin, it could still apply here, right?

“If I’m being honest with you, I’m not entirely sure,” Aina places a tentative hand to her chin, eyes narrowing in deep thought. “I’d need to contact Master Illumi for his instructions. Do you want me to do so now?”

At the mention of your husband’s name, you frown. Even if you were expecting your request to be run through multiple channels for permission to be granted, it doesn’t soothe the sting any less. Most things in your life, if not everything, are controlled entirely by Illumi.

Puffing your cheeks out in mild annoyance, you can’t help but sigh dejectedly. “Yeah, yeah. I guess I don’t have much of a choice if I want to get my pink sheets…”

Aina doesn’t so much as flinch at your thinly veiled sarcasm, instantly getting herself to work with the matter at hand. You find yourself watching her carefully as Aina reaches for the black phone in her pocket. If you remember correctly, Aina had informed you that Illumi is on his way back from a job that had him absent a week.

Seeing as he must be in transit, you assume Aina has the green light to contact him whenever necessary without the concern of impeding on his work.

With the press of a button, you hear a low dialing tone come from her phone. One ring later you hear him pick up, Aina’s posture straightening even more than it was before out of respect. Tilting your head at the half heard exchange before you, you’re unable to determine much from Aina’s stoic facade.

Eventually, she pulls the phone away from her head. Before you get the opportunity to ask if you’re in the clear, she holds the phone out in your direction.

“Master Illumi wishes to speak with you.”

At this instruction, you swallow thickly. Speaking to Illumi is always a tricky battle, his words blunt yet crafted all the same. Aina subtly nudges the phone forward once more, prompting you to gingerly pick it up. Placing it against your ear, you bite your lip before finally speaking. Not wanting to give off the impression of being frightened, you put your all into sounding casual.

“So uh, what’s up?” you inquire to him, looking down at your tea cup. By now it’s undoubtedly cold, the amber colored liquid held in a fine china worth more than you could imagine. The desire to fiddle with your hands overwhelms you, so you reach for the handle.

At your voice, Illumi responds immediately in his signature deadpan. “Aina mentioned you wanted to go shopping.”

‘Is this… newsworthy or something?’

“Yeah, I thought it could be a nice change of pace,” you let out an airy laugh, your grip on the handle growing tighter. Even when Illumi isn’t face to face with you, you still can’t help but feel nervous. “It’d make me happy. But I understand if it’s too unreasonable.”

You sit awaiting a response, hearing nothing but the propellers of the blimp Illumi must be travelling on. Does that mean he’s considering it? There’s always a chance he has already made up his mind, but wants to give the impression of taking your feelings into account. It’s a creepy tick you noticed he has, trying to act more human for your sake.

“Alright. We’ll go when I get back this evening,” Illumi eventually concludes, much to your surprise. “You can hand the phone back to Aina now.”

Nodding your head despite him not being able to see you, you give the dark phone back to Aina who stands in waiting. She takes it before confirming a few more minor details, and then ultimately ending the phone call. It’s strange, you believe, that such a mild request requires so many moving parts. Whether it be Illumi’s suffocatingly protective nature over you, or the cost of being a Zoldyck, you’re unsure.

Aina busies herself with contacting other butlers at your behest, most likely planning out in great length how everything will work. If it weren’t for being held here against your will, you might even feel bad for all the effort they’re putting in for your sake. But even if it’s a small one, this is a victory nonetheless!

Having been with Illumi for over a year now, you quickly picked up on what you should and shouldn’t do. Even when you’re upset with him, which you can’t help but be a majority of the time; it’s in your best interest to not show it. A few snarky quips here and there don’t do much damage, but anything other than that can place you in boiling hot water.

Illumi had expressed to you in the past a similar sentiment. That once you adjust to your new life, things will flow a lot smoother for you. Now the fruits of your labor are starting to show, you believe. If he’s placing enough trust in you to do this, then maybe, just maybe; you can have even more freedoms over time.

Once Aina looks to be free for a moment, you begin to speak to her again.

“You know, in the past when I wanted to go shopping I’d just get in my car, and head to the mall.” you recall over to her, wistfully sighing for extra effect. Aina never seems bothered by your musings, always indulging you without a hint of irritation.

“I’m sure things were simpler then. But now that you’re a Zoldyck, there are a lot of extra factors to account for,” Aina points out with a soft smile of her own. Whether it’s genuine or not, you’re unsure. “Master Illumi does the utmost to ensure your safety.”

“I’m surprised he hasn’t wrapped me up in bubble wrap yet,” you snicker at the thought, before your eyes widen in realization. “Wait, I shouldn’t give him any ideas…”

“If it makes you feel any better, I doubt he’d do that.”

‘For some reason, that doesn’t make me feel much better.’

Shaking your head, you decide to curve the conversation away from your overprotective husband. “What time are we heading out? I have to wear my finest threads and all, since I’m representing the family.”

Pulling the cuff of her suit back, she looks down at her watch.

“Four hours, give or take. You still have some time.” Aina responds in haste, before covering her watch yet again.

Owlishly, you stare at her, finding her every move to be of interest. It further cements the feeling that you don’t fit in with this estate, despite Illumi’s attempts. The grace the family members have, and even their servants have, is still far from your grasp.

That still doesn’t stop him from trying though.

“In that case, I’ll return to my previous philosophical musings.” you respond while stroking your chin, stifling another laugh. If there’s anything that can bring you comfort in this foreign place, it’s your own stupid words.

Why you caught the interest of Illumi Zoldyck is still one of the world’s wonders, not to say you don’t have your own theories. Some ranging from being cursed as a baby, to having done something in your past life to deserve this.

‘How does the saying go again? Opposites attract, or something. Illumi is probably the opposite of me in every conceivable way, after all.’

“Would you like me to brew you some fresh tea?” Aina asks you, having taken notice of your cold beverage. You purse your lips, knowing that trying to understand Illumi is a lost cause.

“Yes please.”

---

When you used to watch events where celebrities would gather, one of the coolest aspects to you were the cars they’d emerge from. Sports cars, luxury vehicles, limousines. All of them filled you with awe and wonder, a class above what you could ever hope to afford.

Now you stand here, face to face with a limousine of your own, gaping at the tinted windows and expensive tires. Three vehicles just like it line up behind, most likely your other escorts.

Aina looks over at you once more, straightening her posture and then subtly motioning to you. It takes a moment for it to click, before realizing that your gawking isn’t as subtle as you thought it was. Following her example with less grace, you walk towards the car door.

Before you can continue to do so, you hear Aina speak up behind you.

“Do you recall everything I told you earlier?” she inquires, causing you to turn your head back to her. Humming lowly, you remember the myriad of boring guidelines you had to endure earlier. It all felt so dramatic, and if you’re being honest, you zoned out for a majority of it.

Scrunching up your nose, you place a finger to your cheek. “Don’t go around yelling ‘Help! I’ve been kidnapped!’ or something.”

Aina pinches her nose, before shaking her head. “Well, you’re not wrong per se…”

Giving her a cheeky smile, you go to reach for the door handle. But before you get the opportunity, another servant swiftly opens it for you.

“Please, allow me, Master [First].”

He opens it with a respectful bow, revealing a black leather interior. Letting out a small “oooh!”, you bite your lip upon noticing the other occupant of the limousine. Waving off the servant’s attempt to assist you into your seat, you hear Aina speak to you once more.

“I’ll be in the car behind you if you need anything.”

“I’ll yell out the window in that case.” you yell back, undoubtedly earning a reprimanding look from her. Plopping yourself down into your seat, your door is closed before you even get the chance to do it yourself.

“No greeting, huh?” Illumi tilts his head, blank eyes staring at you with an unreadable expression. Fiddling with your seat belt, you finally look over at him in acknowledgement. Managing to hear a click signifying your seat belt is locked in place, you give Illumi your full attention.

“Hey, didn’t see you there.” you greet Illumi who doesn’t so much as blink at your words.

“You looked at me when getting in,” he points out, any form of humor flying over his head. “Do we need to get your eyes checked?”

Throwing your hands up in defense, you swiftly shake your head at his offer. “I was just joking, Illumi.”

“Ah.”

Illumi’s tone is as flippant as ever, one of his signature trademarks. On the other side of the partition, you hear keys being flipped to turn the car on. With a soft hum, the car gains traction with remarkable ease. On such a rocky terrain, none of it is felt as the luxury vehicle glides across the ground.

Returning your attention to Illumi, you find him staring at you as well. For a while it gave you a jittery feeling, having those dark voids for eyes thoroughly observing your every move. While it certainly isn’t any less frightening, you suppose that all this time with Illumi has given you a sort of immunity to it.

“So… how did your job go?” you inquire in a soft voice, hands set in place on your lap. There isn’t much else to talk about, so might as well try your luck with this. Illumi would sit next to you in total silence if he so chose to, not being the type to entertain conversation himself without some kind of agenda.

“As well as expected,” Illumi responds earnestly, seemingly pleased that you’re taken interest in him. “The target was killed without a hitch.”

You let out a hesitant laugh. “Oh. That’s uh, that’s good I think...”

Trailing off your sentence, you find yourself scratching the back of your neck at the topic in progress. The thought of the person next to you having killed someone in the last twenty-four hours is dizzying, so you’re quick to move onto something new.

“So, where exactly are we going?” you ask, the question having been on your mind for the past few hours. The fact you were even leaving Kukuroo mountain in the first place is a surprising one, even your honeymoon took place here. Unless there’s some other Zoldyck owned establishment that happens to double as a mall, your mind is clueless to any possible destinations.

“I made arrangements to empty out a shopping center for a few hours. Aside from employees, that is,” Illumi explains, still not blinking. “Aina went over everything with you, right?”

‘She did, but it’s not like I was really paying attention.’

Clearing your throat, you quickly nod your head to deter any negative repercussions. “Yeah, I remember everything she said.”

He studies you once more, before leaning back into his seat. You feel a sudden urge to do the same, but find it difficult to ever fully relax when Illumi is present. Among other things, there’s still one damning question you still can’t fully understand.

Why Illumi is even allowing this in the first place, after all the insane precautions he’s taken to seal you off from the world. Maybe it’s best not to pry into your sudden good fortune? Since curiosity killed the cat, quelling this question will be in your best interest.

Leaning your head against your fist, your eyebrows furrow.

“You have more questions.” Illumi points out, alarming you. Of course he notices any change in your behavior, having spent hours studying every aspect about you. In his own words, there’s nothing you can hide from him. At every given opportunity he proves those words to be correct.

“W-well, yeah,” you admit out at the unexpected heckle. “If I’m being completely honest… I’m just a little taken aback that you’re actually allowing this. I guess.”

For a moment you wonder if your words were too blunt, as Illumi sits there in rigid silence.

“Think of it as a reward for your good behavior,” Illumi eventually concludes, lips curling into an unnatural, proud smile. “Even though you weren’t too compliant at first, you never made any escape attempts. I would’ve known had you tried. I was largely expecting the possibility, but you never made any serious offenses.”

‘I feel like this is how a judge talks to a defendant or something.’

“I suppose that’s true…” you consider, reflecting back to your time here. Although escaping had crossed your mind numerous times, you never had the guts to act on it. The odds were insourmantable against you. What with all the highly trained assassins and butlers running about, you’d have better luck at winning the lottery than pulling a successful escape.

“I’ve always liked outings like this. I would treat myself to a five dollar coffee and then immediately regret it when I got home,” you recall with a snicker. “There’s nothing quite like opening your bank account and wondering, ‘What was I thinking?’ when you’re out of the moment.”

Illumi nods his head. “That’s true. Your bank account wasn’t in the best shape.”

“How do you even-- whatever, I probably don’t want to know,” you murmur while rolling your eyes at his lack of tact. “The point being that the most fun part is all the little treats you buy yourself in between the stores. Sometimes I’d get those cups of small pretzel bites, then have to eat them really quick since you can’t bring them in the stores.”

“Ah! That explains all the small transactions I saw.” Illumi proclaims, eyes lighting up for a moment.

‘The art of being subtle is all but lost to my husband.’

“Have you ever had pretzel bites, Illumi? For some reason, I get the feeling you haven’t been to the mall that often.” you comment while giving him a once over, taking in his unique fashion that would certainly stand out. How he even goes in public without people badgering him is remarkable.

“Only once for shadowing on a job.” Illumi answers, piquing your inner curiosity.

“You were hired to assassinate someone who hung out around a mall? I thought you only went after politicians or important people.” you point out, tilting your head.

“There’s some variety. The client himself was a wealthy individual, who wanted his daughter’s boyfriend killed. She had been dating someone who worked at a clothing store, going against her father’s wishes.”

Frowning, you lean back into your seat. Some people will do anything for the sake of image, but the thought of doing something that would actively hurt a member of your family doesn’t make any sense to you. But the people that Illumi deal with are in a league of their own, taking part in a world you will never understand.

A somber atmosphere begins to set in, to which you attempt to alleviate with a joke. “Did you trail the guy in one of those mascot suits? Like the ones people give free samples in?”

For a moment, you swear you saw Illumi’s eyebrows knit together. He’s still getting used to unfiltered comments, even after all this time. You’ve been told your personality is a tad on the eccentric side in the past. It doesn’t help that Illumi is incapable of spotting humor even in others.

“No. That wouldn’t have been effective.” Illumi plainly states, unimpressed with your guess.

At his dismissal, you further explain your reasoning. “Think about it! It’s an efficient method. You’d blend right in with the atmosphere around you, and no one would be able to tell that you’re looking at your target because of the mask. I think this is genius, actually. Maybe I should patent it…”

Illumi purses his lips together at your further insistence. At the very least you know Illumi never tunes you out like most would be inclined to at this point. He soaks in every word, every movement of your lips.

“That’s certainly something you would say.” he ultimately decides, knowing your carefree nature and comments well.

‘Is that a good or bad thing? That’s probably a bad thing.’

Not giving too much thought to Illumi’s blunt comment, you content yourself by looking out your window. On the outside it’s impossible to see the interior of the car, but from this angle you’re able to see blurry scenery as it goes by. Having familiarized yourself with most of the Zoldyck estate, this felt like an entirely new world. A welcome one at that.

The temptation to lower the window for fresh air presses against you like a thorn, but you ultimately deny it. Who knows how Illumi would interpret the act, it’s better to not risk it. Instead your eyes go wide at the sights around you, seeing the outside world in what felt like forever.

You can still feel Illumi’s gaze boring into the back of your head, but you think nothing of it. He watches you enough as is, it’s not worth getting worked up about. Through winding roads, a hint of civilization finally makes itself known. Seeing people not donning the standard Zoldyck tuxedo fills your heart with nostalgia of a time before.

Eventually, the vehicle comes to a stop in an almost empty parking lot. Not wanting to make any wrong moves, you sit patiently for whatever security checks the butlers are most likely performing at the moment. Illumi gets out before you do, the chauffeur eventually coming to open the door for you just a minute later.

Taking in the fresh air, you appreciate the ability to stretch your legs while awaiting further instruction. Aina catches your eye for a brief moment, giving you a reassuring nod before returning her attention to looking at the premises. The butlers continue to speak among themselves, occasionally running a few words by Illumi who returns to your side.

Once everything seems to be in order, you’re prompted to walk towards the entrance. It reminds you of a scene from an apocalyptic movie, seeing how this large mall is almost entirely devoid of human life. It seems Illumi’s comment about only employees being present rings true, as you cheerfully enter into the grandiose mall.

Looking around at the interior, you come to the realization that this is an extremely high end mall.

‘So much for my pretzel bite dreams… Maybe they have caviar stands here instead.’

Pausing, you glance over at Illumi to make certain that you’re still in the clear. Not sensing any indication that you’ve done something wrong, you continue on your merry way. It’s an overwhelming selection before you, but you want to treasure this moment for as long as you can.

Anything that catches your eye you indulge, walking into the store while being surrounded by numerous butlers. The employees at the store seem understandably hesitant at your presence, so you make an effort to not disturb them more than necessary. The shops that catch your eye the most are clothing stores.

Eventually, you approach one with a variety of cute outfits. The collection of clothes you currently have is surprisingly tailored to your taste, Illumi most likely having studied that aspect about you. An overall outfit in particular stands out to you, causing you to walk over to it with urgency.

“Illumi! How do you think this would look on me?” you call over to him with a snicker, grabbing the hanger and holding it against your person. Illumi looks at you as if you have three heads, mind undoubtedly wracking to form a husband like answer.

“It would look acceptable.” he eventually responds, to which your shoulders slump. It’s not like your expectations are high, but Illumi’s lack of enthusiasm never fails to shine through. A mischievous thought passes through your mind, grin adorning your face before you can stop it. Placing the outfit back to its previous spot, your eyes roam over the selection.

Spotting a bright pink tuxedo, you pick it up before examining Illumi.

“I think you need a new outfit or two. How about this? It’d really bring out your eyes.” you beam, using all of your strength not to laugh. Illumi looks at the bright, hot pink tuxedo and then looks at you. In your peripheral vision you see Aina place her hand to her forehead. Shouldn’t she also be used to this by now?

“I’ll consider your input.” Illumi reaches for the tuxedo, much to your astonishment. Could it be? Is he actually going to purchase this in an attempt to further win you over? Victory is a fleeting emotion, as he stretches his arms to place the outfit back in record time.

“I don’t think that’s what I’d call considering,” you point out with a frown, Illumi seemingly content with the outfit being out of your hands. “You didn’t even give it a shot. At least try it on.”

At your additional pressure, Illumi offers a simple response. “I am considering it.’

Giving an over dramatic sigh, you nod before busying yourself with the other selections. Adding a few more odds and ends to your bag, it’s paid for by one of the butlers. Most likely to further limit any of your contact with the outside world. You get the feeling that if you even attempt to make conversation with them, they’d be too skittish to say anything in response. It doesn’t help that you have Illumi looming over you.

Humming to yourself, you move onto the next few stores. It’s impossible to curtail all of your old habits, still checking the price tag before remembering it doesn’t matter anymore. This part of being with Illumi isn’t all that bad, despite its shallowness. Guilt never comes to you, however, as you recall with ease all Illumi has taken from you.

The sun starts to set in the sky above you, the glass ceiling of the mall further showcasing the bold oranges and reds. All of the recent sunsets you’ve seen have been on Kukuroo Mountain, where you almost felt you could reach out and touch the clouds yourself. Stopping in your tracks, you gape at the nostalgic scene.

‘This is how it used to look like.’

The thought of never being able to see the sky from your own residence never occurred to you. Despite the undeniable beauty witnessing a sunset on a mountain brings, it’s too surreal. This is a familiar comfort, one that you’ve experienced your entire life before Illumi entered it.

“There aren’t any shops up there.” Illumi points out, his monotone returning you to reality. Jumping slightly at his sudden speech, you offer a small laugh. In a way, Illumi’s bluntness can be unintentionally humorous.

“Now that you mention it,” you begin, squinting and looking around. “You’re right. There aren’t any. Strange, I could’ve sworn I saw some.”

“Maybe you should see an ophthalmologist after all.”

“I’m still joking, Illumi.”

“Ah.”

A butler who you don’t recognize approaches Illumi carefully, whispering a few words into his ear. Illumi looks back towards you, his attention once again yours. Your stomach sinks before he even speaks, capable of guessing what he’s already going to say.

“We’ll be heading back home now,” Illumi states, leaving little room for debate. “Did you get everything you wanted?”

It’s a rhetorical question, you feel. At this point it’ll be best for you to offer your abundant gratitude, for him having allowed this entire trip to begin with. Giving one more glance to the sky, you can’t help but wonder if you’ll ever be able to look at it like this again.

Giving Illumi a bittersweet smile, you nod your head. “Yeah. Everything I wanted.”

#yandere illumi #illumi #illumi x reader #illumi imagine #yandere illumi x reader #yandere illumi zolydck #yandere #yandere x reader #yandere imagine #hxh #yandere hxh #hxh imagine #Hunter X Hunter #yandere hunter x hunter #hunter x hunter imagines #HunterXHunter #hunter x hunter imagine #my stuff #commissions

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thegoodgayshit · 3 years

Link

Luz’s mother really doesn’t want to send Luz to camp. She knows once she leaves, there is no going back. But Luz has a knack for getting into trouble, and one day she stumbles into the same type of people her mother would have preferred she avoided. After helping Luz dissolve her high school bully into dust, Eda and Lilith know right away that this kid is just like them - a child of the gods. So Luz hops on a Pegasus and heads to Camp Half-blood, where she embarks on a dangerous quest that makes her both friends and enemies... and she might even save Olympus along the way.

Chapter Nine: I Kill the National Bird for a Flower Crown

Luz thought Antheia’s flower shop was lovely. It reminded her of those cottages her Mami had always wanted to buy in Vermont. The walls were made of stone and wood planks, all the décor was set in earthy neutrals, and there was a roaring fire stirring some kind of delicious stew.

Luz and her friends were instructed delicately by Antheia to sit in her living room on the soft plush couches. It was behind the cash register and check out, which Luz thought was an odd layout but knew better than to comment on it. Antheia waved her hand around the coffee table and a cup of tea and a tray of cookies appeared out of thin air. Once Luz got over her shock, she helped herself to them eagerly. The tea was perfect: and it was chamomile just like Antheia had said she’d needed. Antheia sat with them, watching them eat and drink with that same easy-going smile on her face.

The place was covered with flowers from head to toe. Some of them Luz recognized, like the pansies in the open window or the tulips (she was pretty sure it wasn’t tulip season) in the hanging basket in the living room. But there were other flowers she had never seen before, and quite frankly, she would have noticed if they did exist. There was an array of what looked like gold roses, a bucket of bronze hawthoria, and on the windowsill… it looked like a group of silver sprouts.

“Is that moonlace?” Willow awed, peeking over Luz’s shoulder for a better look.

Antheia smiled at Willow. “Always nice to meet a demigod with an interest in the beauty of flowers. Yes, before Ogygia was abandoned I went there myself to bring a few samples of moonlace back here. It’s incredibly rare.”

“It’s incredibly beautiful…” Willow sighed, clasping her hands together.

“Are you a child of Aphrodite, dear?” She asked Willow, who shook her head.

“Demeter.”

“Ah, just as lovely,” Antheia said eagerly. “Her children have always been fond of my gifts.”

“This is a lovely shop, my lady,” Gus started, but Antheia tisked gently and waved her hand.

“No need for formalities, Augustus. I am in your debt. You are here to do me a great service.”

Luz looked at Willow and Gus uncertainly, and Gus seemed taken aback. He gently set his tea down on the table.

“Pardon me, Antheia,” he said slowly, “what do you mean by a ‘great service’?”

The goddess looked momentarily taken aback before the smile quickly returned to her face. “Oh, of course, you wouldn’t have been told the full details, after all, I only heard this morning that you would be coming, so there was always a chance you were too preoccupied to put the pieces together.”

Luz looked at her friends again, but before she could open her mouth to comment that perhaps Antheia was mistaken, she had kept going.“My lady always did put her faith in the best kind of demigods, you know. After all, this problem has been going on for so long, and without my sisters to help me, I fear I would be too outmatched on my own.”

Luz was a little dense, but she realized what was happening the moment Antheia spun her hand and her cup of tea refilled.

“Aphrodite offered out services in exchange for the ride,” she said, and Antheia placed a gentle hand on Luz’s shoulders. The gesture immediately filled her with a feeling of warmth she hadn’t felt in so long. Her Mami’s trust, the love of her new friendships at camp, the home she now came to love. There was something else there too, but she couldn’t quite place it. The gesture immediately put her at ease, and she sunk into the couch cushions.

“You need not feign surprise to appease me, child.” She said soothingly, and Luz’s ear tickled as she spoke into it. “I am one of the Graces, an attendant to the goddess of love. I stand for the love and growth of humanity, both flowers and human love itself. I know that a group of kind and compassionate adventurers like yourselves would help me regardless of if you owe my lady. My lady knows this too, or she would not have answered the prayers of her children.”

Luz knew that she and her friends were on a tight schedule, and Antheia knew that too, because now she turned to Gus and Willow, placing a hand on each of their shoulders. Like Luz, they seemed to lean right into the touch, enamored.

“I know you are heroes on a noble quest. Lady Hestia is the fire of Olympus, and without her everything, we know dear will crumble. But my lady has bought you some time, so surely one side stop on your way won’t be too troublesome? In exchange, I will give you something to help with your adventure.”

Luz didn’t like the sound of everything she knew crumbling, but when she looked and her friends she knew their hands were tied. This was the deal the Blight twins had made with their mother, whether they had known it at the time or not. Luz and her friends would have to deal with the consequences.“Alright,” she said, though it wasn’t as confident as she would have liked it to be. “What can we do for you, Lady Antheia?”

She walked to the window, and Luz and her friends hesitantly looked up out it.

“I have stationed myself here, in Mt. Airy Forest,” she said, gesturing to the deep wood. “It is peaceful, but it is not without its pests. I cannot leave my cabin for long as long as the eagle roams the forest.”

“You want us to kill an eagle?” Luz blinked, shuffling nervously. “I’m pretty sure that’s against the law.”

“This is no ordinary eagle,” Antheia said seriously. “This eagle has plagued legends for centuries, and my sisters and I fear it deeply. I would like them to come to visit, but they will not unless this beast is destroyed.”

“The Caucasian Eagle,” Gus said, and Luz spun around to look at him. His voice had risen in pitch, and he looked very nervous. “But it hasn’t been seen in thousands of years!”

“It has returned, and I fear why,” Antheia confirmed. “It was not by the will of Zeus, and therefore it must be destroyed.”

“You want us to kill a white eagle?” Now Luz was really confused.

Willow nudged her shoulder seriously, and Luz quieted. Antheia opened the door for them, and the three demigods headed towards it, drawing their weapons. Aletheia shifted into its sword form, shimmering in the light of the shop.

“The eagle is likely up now, if you destroy it soon, you will be on your way long before the evening hits. If you return, I will have a reward ready for your great service.”

She all but slammed the door behind the three half-bloods, and now that Luz wasn’t all doved up with love magic, she scowled.

“I’m going to kill Edric and Emira when we get back.”

“If the eagle doesn’t tear us to shreds first,” Willow said slowly, gripping her sword tightly.

“It’s not going to be an easy kill,” Gus said quietly, fiddling with his spear. “The Caucasian Eagle was the one sent by Zeus to torture Prometheus. Hercules killed it with a volley of arrows. We’re short on those, so we’ll have to find some other way to get it to come close to us.”

The three of them paced around the forest outside the flower shop, keeping their eyes open for an eagle. But it was quiet on the forest floor, and after almost twenty-minute had passed, Luz was about ready to give up.

“I don’t see this stupid bird anywhere!” Luz groaned, lying down on the grass.

“Luz, be ready,” Gus hissed, looking around nervously. “We don’t know when it’s going to show itself.”

“Well, it hasn’t yet,” Luz shrugged. “Are we sure it’s even around here?”A deafening screech quieted her immediately, and Luz shot up, clenching her sword in her hand in terror. Out of the trees shot a massive bronze eagle, easily with a wingspan of at least ten feet wide. It came soaring down towards Luz, and out of pure instinct she swung, and the bird shrieked, spinning back up towards the sky.

“Holy Zeus that’s a big bird!” Gus yelped, and he reached over to his watch and clicked it. Out expanded a bronze shield almost identical to the one he’d used during capture the flag. When the bird came rearing back towards him with its massive talons, he deflected them off his shield and Willow stabbed with her sword, and the beast spun, narrowly dodging.

“What do we do?” Willow yelled, and Luz ran to regroup with her friends. The bird soared above them, cawing in fury, and Luz quickly began to feel overwhelmed. It could easily carry off one of them in its talons, and they were sharp enough to cut one of them open right there.

“We need to damage its wings so it can’t fly!” Gus said, just before the beast lunged again. Luz rolled right, slashing up with her sword towards it right as its talons snatched right where she had just been standing. She yelped in pain as the edge of one talon scrapped over her shoulder as she rolled, drawing blood. Once again, the bird managed to dodge both Gus’s stab and Willow’s slash, soaring back into the sky.

They tried, but every time the bird lunged, it would spin and dodge their strikes to its wings. Over and over again, the bird would dive, and they would barely manage to clip feathers. Gus kept insisting they had to hit the wings, but there was no way to do it with the bird getting the height on them. It was starting to feel hopeless.

Then, on one tough lunge, the talon had managed to scrape by Willow’s leg, and knock her off her feet. Willow cried out in pain, holding her leg as it bled profusely, and Luz and Gus slashed angrily to get the eagle away as it soared back into the sky.

They ran to Willow, trying to give her cover. She was trembling next to Gus, clearly trying hard not to cry. The slash was long and deep, and Luz knew just by looking at it she would need stitches.

The bird was circling again, waiting to try and pick them off one by one. Luz felt her despair quickly turn to rage. It might have been the pain in her shoulder or the overall frustration with the way their mission had gotten sidetracked, but Luz was getting angry, and when she got angry, she got loud.

“Hey, you stupid bird brain!” She yelled, putting a little distance between herself and Willow. “Over here!”

The eagle cawed angrily, and suddenly, Luz had a plan. She turned her body so she was facing Gus, and waved her sword up at the bird.

“Come and get me!”

“Luz, what are you doing?” Gus hissed, clutching his spear uncertainly.“Trust me!” She just said, pointing her sword back up at the bird.

The eagle spun in the air, it’s sharp eyes pointing toward her furiously. It tucked back its wings, ready to dive.

“Get ready!” She yelled to Gus, and right as the bird was about to make contact with her, she screamed, “Now!”

There was a clang and a crash as the talons of the bird connected against Luz’s sword, and she pushed desperately to keep the bird steady. Then, the bird screamed, rearing back in agony as Gus stabbed right into its back with his spear, and it let go of Luz’s sword in an effort the fly away. But Luz was quicker, and she lunged, cutting right across the bird’s neck with Aletheia, and the bird quieted, dissolving into dust around her feet.

Luz collapsed onto the ground, panting heavily. Gus stumbled backward and sheathed his spear, walking over to Luz and helping her up. Luz winced, remembering the pain in her shoulder, but a cry from behind Gus quickly halted all her own pain at that moment.

“Willow!”

Luz and Gus kneeled around their injured friend, who was clutching her leg. When she looked up at their faces, she feigned a confident smile. “I’ll be fine, it’s not even broken…”

“Willow this is a deep cut,” Luz said seriously. She knew that her Mami would recommend a hospital. It was deep and still bleeding, and Willow’s hands were now covered in blood.

“It’s nothing nectar can’t fix,” Willow said certainly, and Gus walked around and reached into her backpack and pulled out a canteen from it, uncapping it and pouring some of the contents over the wound.

Luz had no idea what they were talking about and definitely didn’t think Gus should be putting that much water on an open wound. “Gus what are you-”

She closed her mouth at Willow’s happy sigh and watched in amazement as the wound began to close until all that remained was a white scar.

“Nectar,” Gus said to Luz with a smile, letting Willow drink a little from the canteen. She immediately perked up and stood, brushing the dirt off her pants. “Drink of the gods. It cures the wounds and illnesses of demigod’s but you can’t have too much or you’ll burn up.”

Luz didn’t like the sound of that, but Gus didn’t give her a choice. He walked over and poured some over the wound on her shoulder, and Luz felt a warmth flow through her body before he let her drink some. It tasted just like her Mami’s Sopa de Lima, which was strange since it looked just like apple juice.

All at once, Luz’s strength returned, and sure enough, when she looked the wound on her shoulder had disappeared. There wasn’t a scar left behind or anything. Even the scar from her game of capture the flag had disappeared.

“Lighter wounds tend to vanish a lot faster,” Willow explained.

Gus closed the canteen and walked over to the remaining pile of eagle dust. Left behind was a pile of bronze feathers, and Gus scoped them up.

“One for each of us. Plus, we can give one to Antheia as proof of our kill.”

Each of them took a bronze feather, and Luz put hers carefully in her backpack, excited to add it to her slowly growing collection of war spoils.

The three of them headed back to the flower shop in much better spirits than when they left. Nobody had gotten hurt, and they still had plenty of time to get on a train or bus west.

“Mt. Airy is just outside Cincinnati,” Gus said with an excited smile. “We’ll be able to find a way west with no problems at all.”

“I don’t know, we’re pretty deep in the Midwest…” Willow said with a frown. “There won’t be many trains.”

“Whatever we have to do, we’ll make it work!” Luz said with a smile. “We just killed the white eagle-”

“Caucasian Eagle,” Gus corrected.

“Caucasian Eagle!” Luz repeated. “We can do anything.”

Sure enough, as they walked into the flower shop with the extra feather, Antheia greeted them with an enthusiastic welcome. She walked up and kissed each of them on the cheek, causing Gus and Luz to blush.

“Thank you, my heroes!” She said enthusiastically. “Now my sisters can visit me without being scared away by that hideous bird. My lady was right to favor you. Now, onto your reward…”

She waved her hand, and on their heads, they each received a flower crown, Willow’s adorned with green flowers, Gus with blue, and Luz with purple. They all cooed in excitement, reaching up to touch them.

“The crowns will wilt over time, but while you wear them you will have my blessing. In Ancient times, the Greeks worshiped me for my gentleness and kindness. You will find that people will treat you the same.”

“Lady Antheia, we are honored,” Willow said, and even Luz was shocked, reaching up to gently touch the flowers with her hand.

“Nonsense, I owe you, children, a great debt,” she said, and then like she was just remembering something, she snapped her finger.

“There is a man approaching in a car ready to take you to downtown Cincinnati,” she said with a smile. “He will do this free of charge, but you must not keep him waiting. I understand the seriousness of your quest, and though he is mortal, he will too.”

Luz and her friends all thanked Antheia, and they left her shop with her smiling from the door, waving a gentle hand.

“Good luck heroes, and oh, Luz?”

Luz turned her head while her friends kept walking, and Antheia shot her a knowing smile.

“Aphrodite has favored you above all others, especially on your quest, but your father has not forgotten you. Remember this on your journey.”

Luz blinked, wondering if Antheia could see through her more than she originally thought. Nodding she turned her head and followed Willow and Gus to the rocky dirt path where a yellow taxi was waiting for them.

#the owl house #lumity #luz x amity #shelby speaks #Percy Jackson AU

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spookypalace · 3 years

Text

worship the flame - chapter five

Jo peaks a look at him once or twice as he’s ordering a list of drinks, she’s certain he catches her as pink lips curve into a smirk. Brown eyes meet for a final time before he steps away, and she wonders—maybe her dry spell would end.

---

Or the one where Jo meets Alex in a bar, during her final year of med school.

(if you would rather read on ao3, you can do here) ((chapter six coming today))

When her eyes opened at eight thirty the next morning, Lexie groaned in aggravation at being up so early. While her eyes felt heavy, begging to go back to sleep, Lexie couldn’t fall back into a slumber like she wanted to, so she reluctantly decided it was time for her to get up, leaving Jackson’s sleeping form behind. It wasn’t until she freshened up in the bathroom and walked across the hall that she noticed Jo’s door was wide open, giving a view of the perfectly made bed, which ultimately had Lexie realizing she wasn’t even home. Hell would have to freeze over if Jo got out of bed before ten on a Sunday.

Lexie’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion as she checked her phone for the first time while walking to the kitchen, seeing that she had a message from Jo that only said I’m with Alex, don’t worry! I’ll see you in the morning!! Realization dawned on Lexie, smothering a scoff as she shook her head in amusement and entered the kitchen, the cold wood panelling of the floor sending a brief shiver up her spine.

Jo spent the night with Alex and Lexie didn’t have to wonder what they got up to, and she’s hoping the guy lived up to Jo’s already high expectations from the week before.

Jackson was still asleep, unsurprisingly, so Lexie went into the kitchen and put a chocolate fudge pop-tart in the toaster to eat. But while she waited, silently scrolling through social media on the phone, the front door opened and Lexie glanced over, craning her neck slightly to see around the pillar as Jo walked into the house. Still in the clothes from last night, though most of her makeup was off and her usually shiny and soft brown hair tied into a haphazard ponytail, and Lexie instantly recognized the walk-of-shame look.

“Fun night?” she smirked right when the door shut.

“Oh, Jesus!” Jo gasped, literally jumping at the sound of Lexie’s smug voice as she pressed a hand to her forehead and found her best friend in the kitchen, eyes wide. “Scared the shit out of me, Lex.” Jo wandered in lazily as Lexie remained leaning against the counter waiting for the toaster behind her, raising an expectant eyebrow at her best friend. An airy scoff escaped Jo with a roll of her eyes, smiling as she admitted, “Oh my god, yes. It was fun—again. He was fun,” she corrected, smile turning coy.

“Yeah?” Lexie inquired with an anticipating smile, arms crossing over her chest. Sounded like Jo’s night ended a lot better than hers—the group had all came back to the apartment, Jackson and Steph having a little too much which resulted in her semi-boyfriend passing out in the bathroom, and Lexie dragging him back to her bedroom as Steph threw up in the sink. She needed to hear about her friend’s night to cheer herself up. “Details, please, give ‘em to me.”

Jo let out a blissful sigh, walking further into the kitchen and leaning against the counter opposite of where Lexie stood across the kitchen. “Well,” she began, grinning, lacing her fingers together and holding her arms in front of her and cracking her knuckles. “After you guys left, we both realised we wanted the same thing—lots and lots of sex. Lots of flirting, some not-so-innocent touching,” she wiggled her eyebrows, eliciting a laugh from Jo. “Then after we hooked up in the back of my car, we went back to his place.”

The toaster dinged and Lexie placed the hot treat on a plate, wondering if Jo’s cheeks were hurting from the smile she had on. She was obviously smitten, and Lexie hoped that this was a sign in the right direction for Jo. “Then we cracked open some beers, got to talking… Little bit of kissing and then a couple of rounds of, honestly, the best sex I’ve ever had again.”

Lexie’s eyebrows shot up, lips turning downwards, impressed, as she picked the pop-tart up with her fingers and took a bite of it, the hot fudge deliciously sweet on her tongue. “You talked this time, huh?” Lexie grinned after swallowing the bite, giggling slightly as Jo nodded and grinned widely. Now that Lexie really looked at her, she realized Jo did have that after-sex glow about her, again.

Jo snorted, shooting her a pointed look as she took out the scrunchie to loosen her hair. “He’s a doctor, Lex,” Jo laughed breathily with an almost disbelieving shake of her head as she looked up at the ceiling briefly. “What are the odds right? Well, he’s about to finish his year as a surgical intern and he actually lives with other doctors too—although we didn’t leave the bedroom for long enough to get a look at them if you know what I mean,” she added with a dreamy sigh.

If Lexie didn’t know any better, then she’d say Jo was in way deeper than her friend thought but voicing her opinion would only cause Jo to back away from the situation. Plus, maybe spending time with Alex was that good.

Lexie’s chewing slowed down to a stop at Jo’s words, eyebrows twitching into a frown. “Alright, Jo, relax,” Lexie said with a laugh, quirking an eyebrow almost warningly. Jo looked at her quizzically, detecting Lexie’s expression. “I love you and I’m super happy you’re getting what you want, but you didn’t learn anything else about this guy?”

Jo rolled her eyes. “Come on, we used a condom and I’m taking birth control so no STD’s here,” she shrugged before gesturing to her body, not seeing any fault in doing what she was doing as long as she was safe. But she gets where Lexie’s fear came from—her friend had once hooked up with someone who stole their toaster and TV remote. Neither of them was really sure as to why they decided on leaving the TV, but he was never seen again. And ever since Lexie had been wary of Jo’s antics, albeit they weren’t often but she still worried all the same. “At the end of the day, if he was gonna’ kill me or steal from us then he would’ve done it by now.”

“So, he’s the same age as Jackson then, or?” Lexie with a quirk of a brow, biting into the pop-tart once more as she stared at her friend questioningly. Lexie would move past the fact they barely knew one another because she would support her through whatever as her best friend, but that didn’t mean she agreed with her all the time or even understood what she wanted. Jo was confusing as hell, but she guesses it came with the whole being abandoned shtick.

“Twenty-seven?” Jo both answers and questions, grinning impishly as Lexie nods. “I feel like I actually have something in common with a guy, finally. It’s a miracle!” she cheered, throwing her hands in the air before Lexie hissed at her to shush since Jackson was asleep. Jo’s eyes widened apologetically, hands covering her mouth as a short laugh escaped Lexie. “Sorry,” she whispered before pushing herself off the counter. “I’m gonna shower and I need to get some work done.”

“You got that just from learning he’s becoming a surgeon?” Lexie asks, watching as Jo begins to retreat to the bathroom, stopping as Lexie’s voice called out.

Jo shrugs, “it was just easy, Lex.” Her voice is soft as a small grin spreads across her lips and she leans against the wall, “it was nice, because we knew we didn’t have to try and impress one another, you know? Like, we both knew what it was, there was no fear that the other was gonna’ get cold feet when they find out you’re, like … damaged or whatever.”

Lexie’s face softens as she listens to her friends words, “you’re not damaged, Jo,” she shakes her head softly, watching as Jo shrugs her shoulders once again—trying to play off her insecurities, the same way she always did. “You were comfortable with him.” She states, fully processing what Jo was telling her.

Jo confirms Lexie’s deduction with a breathy laugh, shaking her head as she glanced up to the ceiling, “there was no pressure, we talked, and we didn’t have to worry about the crap that was spilling out of our mouths.” They laughed together, Lexie nodding in understanding as Jo sent her a final smile before pushing herself from the wall and making her way to the bathroom.

With her out of the kitchen, Lexie was left by herself eating her sweet breakfast, though once Jo was gone the frown returned to Lexie’s fake as she slowly chewed. Jo’s words regarding Alex had left an uncomfortably clench in the pit of Lexie’s stomach. Lexie remembered how much Jo was hurting when they she and Jason broke up, going to her bedroom and comforting her—for the first time ever, Jo hadn’t attended her classes or even picked up any of her study books. Lexie wanted to see Jo back out there, she really really wanted to see it, but now she was worried that Jo was going to end up falling for someone who wasn’t available. Although Jo may claim she’s the one unavailable.

Hours later, once Jo had jumped into the shower and Jackson was up to start his day, Jo sat in one of the living room chairs that faced the television, medical journals splayed out on her lap, coffee table and stacked on the floor. Jo could hear the fuzzy sound of their old television playing something she paid no mind to, as well as inhaling the dusty smell of the old books in her hands. It was sunny outside, which is why the curtains were drawn shut and Jo used the lamp for light instead preferring the artificial lighting against the pages of the books.

“Little bit of light reading on your weekend off?” Jackson’s voice teased, prompting Jo to glance up and see her step out from Lexie’s bedroom, looking hungover with his bedhead and eye-bags. Jackson hadn’t been in any condition to drive so Lexie had took off to the grocery store to re-stock the kitchen cupboards. He didn’t really like Lexie taking off on her own, especially since Jackson was a surgical intern and barely got two weekends off, so he didn’t get to see Lexie as much as they’d like. But there was no getting him up at the hour Lexie left.

“Yeah,” Jo laughed lightly, glancing down at the book before smiling at the guy who was becoming her friend. “I’ll probably be called into work later, so I want to get some work done before the inevitable.” Jo was about a quarter of the way through the work she had planned to do.

Jackson nodded as he sat down on the chair to Jo’s left, squinting at the television, pretending to focus on the screen in front of him. Despite the amount of alcohol, he had drunk last night, other than his messy hair and the bags under his eyes, Jackson still managed to look perfect. Jo, on the other hand, didn’t drink half the amount but felt she looked like a complete slob today—her messy bun was falling apart, skin slightly blotchy and dressed in baggy sweatpants. “Hey, how’d everything go with that guy last night … Alex, right?” he asked, turning to face Jo far too eagerly. “Lex mentioned you’d had a real good time, she spared any further details, though.” She laughed lightly when Jackson’s face turned to cringe.

Taking in the lift of Jackson’s eyebrow that silently told Jo there was no use in feigning off the question. Obviously, he knew something Jo wandered off last night, despite being informed of his later intoxicated state. “The guy—Alex—was great, we had fun,” she confessed with a half-hearted shrug of her shoulders and a grin which she hoped would satisfy Jackson. “Did Lexie mention he was also a surgical intern?”

The corner of Jackson’s lips tugged upwards. “She did, I’ve never seen the guy though so guessing not my hospital,” he added matter-of-factly.

“Nope,” Jo agreed, pointing at her in agreeing approval before leaning back in the seat. “Seattle Grace, same as—” Jo cuts herself off, about to mention the name of Lexie’s sister but she’s unsure if Jackson knew that tad-bit of Lexie’s life yet.

“Oh, Lexie mentioned that’s your first choice for the summer,” Jackson said with a slight furrow in his eyebrows, clearly hearing Jo’s words but choosing to ignore them.

Jo let out a slow breath, eyes flickering forward to the television that Jackson’s eyes glanced to every so often, the sounds of people enjoying themselves on the screen. Jo pressed her lips together in a small smile. “Probably not my best idea, like, he’ll be my superior.”

“Well, you can always join me at Mercy West.”

Jo chuckled, “as if, you’re not even in the top five percent.” Jo watched as Jackson’s eyebrows shot up at her words, lips parting to release a shocked scoff as she sat up eagerly in her chair. “Do you think I spend all this time studying to be mediocre.” With a giggle, she concluded, “I’m going to the best because I will be the best.”

“Wow,” Jackson laughed, eyebrows still risen as she leaned back in the seat, grinning as Jo continued to mock him. Jo nodded along silently a similar grin on her own face, looking down at the hardcover copy of her book before Jackson spoke up again. “You best hope you get in there because there’ll be no running to this mediocre surgeon if you don’t,” he lowered his voice as his gaze met Jo’s. After a moment, once laughter had died down, Jackson turned to Jo more seriously, “I’m kidding, I don’t doubt that either you or Lexie will be top of your class.”

“I know,” Jo agreed, her smugness radiating across the room. “Lexie’s my competition, she knows she’s going down—photographic memory or not.”

“You think you can beat a photographic memory, though?” Jackson shook his head, both continuing to tease one another. “I mean, Lexie’s pretty smart. It’s scary.” At that, Jo’s laughter bubbles over, finding it rather sweet that Jackson was intimidated by Lexie’s brain.

Speaking of the devil, Lexie chose that moment to throw open the door to their apartment and clamber inside with her hands full with grocery bags. Jackson flies off his seat and rushes over to the small woman, pushing the door open wider and grabbing all but one of the bags out of Lexie’s freezing hands. The winter weather hadn’t let up despite the spring sunshine.

Lexie let out a huff as she set the last bag down and pulled off her coat, wondering why she had just caught Jo in a fit of giggles. God fucking knows what these two would be talking about, Jo and Jackson didn’t sit and chat unless Lexie was around usually. “What’s going on here?” Lexie repeats her thoughts with a huff, trying to catch her breath after all those flights of stairs. “Are you two finally plotting against me?”

Jackson hummed, returning to grab the final bag and place it on the kitchen counter, placing a quick peck against Lexie’s cold cheek, “Jo was just letting me know how much better than me she is.”

Laughing, Lexie smirked, “You didn’t know that already?”

“Sure,” Jackson responded, his voice dull as he chose not to argue with the two girls who would team up against him if he chose to disagree.

It’s another few hours later when Jo eventually does get called into work, according to her boss the place was heaving, she wasn’t surprised considering it was a Saturday night and they had reluctantly given her the weekend off anyway. Jo quickly got dressed into her usual work attire, black jeans and a racer back bodysuit—it got sweaty behind the bar and Jo had learned the hard way not to wear t-shirts with sleeves. She flung open her bedroom door to see Lexie sitting on the same spot on the couch where she had left her, watching some show on the TV with Jackson still sitting next to her, the two practically fused to each other’s side. His arm around her shoulders, her legs thrown over his lap they watched the show.

The two of them looked over their shoulders when they heard Jo enter the room, stumbling through trying to get her trainers on. Lexie turned to face her by sitting on her knees and Jackson merely turning his upper half to look over. “Hey, Jo,” she greeted, unfazed by her presence. “We’re getting pizza—wait, why are you dressed?”

Jo glanced at Lexie, still attempting to get her right shoe on her foot as she leant against the doorway and was surprised slightly when she did nothing but frown. She usually ran to try and block the front door, “because shockingly, I have to work.”

Lexie’s eyes narrowed up at her friend and Jo, finally having two shoes on, shifted her weight from one foot to the other. Clearly that wasn’t the answer Lexie had hoped for, and Jo had the urge to admonish her for being childish. It felt that lately Lexie was forgetting that Jo was struggling with money, something which she had struggled with her whole life. Which, in this case, upset Jo. Lexie was so comfortable in her own life that she forgot that Jo still had her own problems—and finding a boyfriend wasn’t one. Even if Lexie was adamant that it was.

Jo shot Charlotte a sharp look, silently telling her to stop looking at her like that, though she only smiled back innocently. Jo huffed, mildly annoyed; why did she even bother?

“Oh, by the way,” Lexie was saying when Jo grabbed her keys and made her way towards the door, “Jackson was saying earlier—his work friends are having a party. You should bring Alex.”

“Sounds fun, I don’t think so,” Jo grins widely, shooting them both a pointed look which tells them it wasn’t up for discussion. “Inviting Alex kind of defeats the purpose of what we’re doing,” she then added, glancing at Jackson and Lexie a final time before swinging open the door and running down to her car.

A party was the last thing on Jo’s mind right now, until spring break came in a few weeks then her spare time will be filled with studying—and hopefully Alex. She didn’t want to be presumptuous; they hadn’t exactly agreed on how often they would see one another. She guesses he’ll call when he needs to and she’ll do the same, now that they’ve finally exchanged numbers anyway.

And asking Alex was completely out of a question. Attending a party with one another is way too much for two people who had agreed they were only looking for a sexual relationship. Sometimes Jo wondered if Lexie got confused, thinking that Jo was one of them girls who said they were fine but they were really the opposite, Jo was one to tell the truth or just avoid it. Lexie knew that, she knew Jo better than anyone, but maybe she chose to ignore it.

The music mixed in with the sounds of drinks clinking and people enjoying themselves, whether it be at the bar or next to the pool table or sat in one of the booths, where only silhouettes of people could be seen due to the dark lighting of the bar. There was a slight breeze that carried in when people entered and exited, something Jo found herself enjoying as she took a sip from the second glass of water she was nursing, the heat of the crowded bar getting to her.

“Hey, can you hurry up,” Billy’s voice sounded, prompting her to glance up from where she was standing. She had been rushed off her feet since she got there, both Billy and their boss throwing tasks at her, and Jo thought she had found a few good seconds to take a breather.

“I’m dehydrated, give me a sec,” she responded, smiling up at him, choosing to keep it civil rather than get snappy.

Billy pulled back, returning to the front of the bar to serve another customer. “If you can’t handle being on your feet for a few hours how do you think you’ll feel when you become a doctor,” Billy mutters under his breath, but Jo catches it loud and clear. It wasn’t a comment she hadn’t heard before, ever since she had informed Billy and the rest of the guys that she was in med-school and by the time summer came she would be moving on they had thrown snarky comments at her. Insinuating she wasn’t smart enough or that she didn’t have enough stamina, whilst they never said it was because she was a woman—she felt that it was very much because she was a woman. “She won’t be long.” Billy snaps to a waiting customer.

Laughing lightly, Jo turns on her heel. “Yeah, yeah, I’m here,” she responded, placing her hands on the counter, and raising a brow at the customer in question.

He listed off his order and thanked her, leaving Jo to get on with pouring the drinks. A few short moments later, the drinks are in the guys hands and Jo is smirking smugly up at Billy—his blue eyes rolling and his blonde bushy eyebrows frowning. If he wasn’t such an ass then Jo would probably have thought he was attractive, Billy was tall with broad shoulders and a charming smile, but his attitude was rotten.

“You run out on me and still work at my favourite bar? Bold move.”

Jo’s back straightened at the sound of the familiar voice, looking up at her right to see the one person she had hoped she wouldn’t every have to see again. Jason walked over, dressed in jeans and white t-shirt and expression strangely smug. Jo inhaled sharply as he leaned against the bar in font of her, feeling the muscles in her neck tense with the action as she kept her gaze on the flex of his arms—trying to focus on something so she didn’t start freaking it. She had managed to stay hidden from Jason the odd times she seen him here, but that had only been once or twice. He didn’t come here often, considering he claimed this was his favourite bar—the one where they met.

“I didn’t—you know I didn’t run out on you, we broke up,” was her flat response, wishing that Billy had chosen now to start shouting orders at her.

“Oh, so you’re not gonna apologise, I haven’t seen you since?” Jason mused, his words nearly sending Jo choking on her own saliva as she turned to stare at him with eyes widened with incredulity.

“Apologise?” she repeated with a scoff, leaning away from him slightly as her eyebrows shot up. “What the hell do I have to apologize for?” If anything, Jason should be apologizing to her for everything that happened between them. How did he have the audacity to even expect an apology from her? She’s done nothing wrong, for God’s sake.

Jason’s smug smile only grew as a Drake song began playing throughout the beach, his Adam’s apple bobble as he swallowed before raising an eyebrow at her. “For leaving me, I had to hear from your roommate that we were over,” he answered matter-of-factly.

Jo blinked at the dark-haired guy, wondering if he were already drunk or something to assume, she would apologize for that. Yeah, it may have been rude of her to just leave like that but in her defence, she had good reasons. She didn’t need to explain herself to him—especially because he knows what he did. Jason may not be fully aware about what she knows, but that doesn’t really matter in her opinion. Saying it in the first place was the issue.

“Think of it as a humbling experience,” she retorted, looking away from him with a dismissing shake of her head.

“But leaving after we agreed to move in together like that?” Jason hummed; the mere sound filled with contempt. “Pretty disrespectful, don’t you think?”

Was he still talking? Better yet—was he really telling Jo her actions were disrespectful? incredulous expression once again took over Jo’s face as she looked at him, brows drawn together, and eyes widened. With an indignant scoff, she responded, “Says the guy who treated me like crap repeatedly.” And who preferred to spend his nights with some blonde co-worker.

The look on the jerk’s face was priceless when her words registered in his mind, blinking in surprise at the knowledge of Jo finally sticking up for herself against him. Her lips stretched into the fakest sweet smile she could manage, eyes silently challenging him to come up with a response to what she said, knowing he probably couldn’t bullshit his way out of this. The best he could do was apologize and leave her alone so Jo wouldn’t have to deal with him again.

“I loved you, Jo. It wasn’t my fault you aren’t capable of feeling the same.”

Jo’s lips parted at that, eyebrows lifting in disbelief once more. Was he serious? That’s what he chose to say—not even an apology? Sometimes it genuinely floored Jo how full of themselves certain people could be—a little humility in a person was a good thing, but she knew Jason and she knew people like Jason weren’t like that.  Jo dug sneakers into the ground to anchor the irritation that began to spark, as she mentally debated how much she wanted to chew off Jason’s head. While not one for verbally aggressive confrontation, Jo would be damned if she let Jason get to her once again.

“There you are, Jo—been lookin’ everywhere for you.” She turned her head to the left where the familiar voice came from, feeling a smile automatically curl at her lips as she saw Alex walk over. He also wore his jeans, the dim glow of the bar lights reflecting across his face—at this moment in time, to Jo, he was a literal angel. Alex smiled, dimples and white teeth, before his gaze flickered to the guy he was now standing beside and asked, “who’s this?”

Oh, boy. Jo wondered if Alex came over because he could sense her uncomfortableness, she hadn’t seen him earlier meaning he had to have arrived since Jason approached her.

“Um,” she cleared her throat, glancing at Jason who was raising an eyebrow up at Alex, probably sizing him up, before looking back at Alex and offering an uncomfortable smile. “This is Jason, an ex.”

Recognition flickered across Alex’s eyes, features hardening as the shadows of the lighting highlighted the clench of his jaw. Jo’s eyes slightly widened at how quickly Alex’s demeanour changed, going from friendly to clear scorn in a matter of seconds. It was odd, she had only mentioned Jason once … told him it was a bad breakup, nothing more. She’s pretty sure he wasn’t even mentioned by name.

Then Alex’s lips tilted into a smirk, contemptuous as he lifted his chin a bit. “Oh, you’re the ass that couldn’t make Jo’s time worthwhile,” he mused tauntingly, words accompanied by an unimpressed pucker of his lips.

Jo looked up at Alex, rolling her lips into her mouth to suppress the grin threatening to overtake her face as a gust of wind coming from the open bar door swayed her hair, brunette strands tickling her cheek. Maybe Alex had decided to deliver verbal punches rather than physical ones, which was definitely better, in Jo’s opinion. She appreciated it, all he knew was that Jo was no longer fond of her ex-boyfriend, and here Alex was, defending her and she didn’t even have to ask. He didn’t even have to know the reason, but he did that. For her.

“I don’t know what she’s told you,” started Jason’s response, reigniting the spark of irritation with Jo as she instantly flashed back to the night that she decided to grab all the things she had over at Jason’s apartment and never speak to him again. She also bristled at how he was talking about her as if she weren’t standing right in front to him. “But trust me when I tell you, she’s crazy.” He laughed at his words, as if he was making some sort of joke, he probably thought he was hilarious.

Jo’s teeth clenched as her gaze met Alex’s, whose eyes had narrowed and fingers clenched into a fist at his side, and while she knew Alex wouldn’t hesitate to deliver a punch, she didn’t want anyone to get violent with each other—even though her own hand was itching to attack. She was at work and this was not the place, not getting into fights with people who are full of themselves seemed like the best option.

“Or maybe you’re forgetting all the crap you put me through,” she found herself saying, turning to shoot Jason an overly fake sweet smile. He in turn let out a scoff through a condescending smile, shaking his head as if what Jo were saying couldn’t be further from the truth.  

Jason’s only been standing with Jo for a few moments but her annoyance with him lasted much longer as she turned her full attention to him one last time, glaring up at him. “Your personality is just like your sense of humour—childish and bland.” With a smile that only widened at the sight of his offended glare, she finished, “Totally not worth it—and a waste of my time.”

His lips curled into a frown, looking ready to defend himself. “Hold on a sec—”

Not bothering to let him continue, Jo swiftly turned to face Alex, feeling her long hair fly around as her gaze met his. Alex’s hardened expression had changed into one of amusement, staring at Jo with raised impressed eyebrows after having watched that brief exchange. “I’m not supposed to be here. Wanna go somewhere that’s not here?” Jo asked him with a tilt of her head.

Alex’s gaze lowered and flickered past her, landing on Jason before returning it to Jo with a crooked dimpled grin growing on his lips. He tipped his head to the left and the two of them began walking away from Jason, Jo grabbing her purse as Billy barked at her and Alex followed her out of the bar completely confused, “Thought I was the one who was supposed to deliver the punches.” Alex jogged outside behind her, delivering a squeeze to her waist as Jo giggled.

Jo smiled proudly up at him as they walked, sneakers pacing across the ground as she playfully responded, “Didn’t mean to steal your thunder.”

“No, no, steal away,” Alex grinned approvingly as they walked past a crowd of people gathered in the parking lot, cheering when their cab arrived. “Your words probably had more of an effect than a punch would.”

Jo laughed, despite the many scents of petrol, smoke, and the lingering remnants of spilt alcohol on her clothing Jo could distinctly smell the boy next to her; fresh aftershave and something that was just Alex that she was now very familiar with. So comfortable with.

“You just walked out on your job.” He finally spoke up, mind flickering to the events that just transpired inside the bar. He won’t lie, he was completely confused about what had happened, but he had saw her from across the bar and she had looked anything but comfortable, anything but the smiling and happy Jo he had come to get to know. “They gonna’ be pissed?”

“Yeah,” Jo chuckled, tilting her head back slightly to look up at the cloudless night sky, stars twinkling overhead as Alex’s eyes went to her profile. She hadn’t bothered with make-up today, Alex noticed, although her wispy eyelashes remained prominent from where he stood gazing down at her. “They’ll be real pissed …” Jo’s voice trails off, “I hate it here.” She adds quietly.

“Fuck them,” Alex added with a teasing grin, nudging her with his elbow as Jo let out a laugh, leaning away from his prodding—cheering up slightly. “I’m just saying—” her grin widened, “—you’re young and in a few months' time you’ll be long gone anyway.”

She laughed, “you’re right.” Shivering slightly from the cool breeze, though she didn’t care as she shook her hair out of her face and grinned over at Alex, who was smiling back at her, reassuringly. “But this is my friends’ favourite bar,” Jo responded before looking at him with raised eyebrows. “We’re gonna’ have to start going to that complete dive, with the crackheads, down the street.”

Alex glanced at her, a boyish smirk tilting at his lips as he smoothly said, “nah, I know a place.” He holds a handout towards her, and without a second thought she places her own in his. “Come on, the bathroom there is way cleaner …" he winks as his voice trails off and he pulls her along with him.

Jo’s jaw dropped at his words, in amusement, as Alex looked straight ahead as they continued walking to his car. His comment and the look on his face that accompanied it were nothing short of suggestive, prompting a flustered heat to unexpectedly spread across Jo’s face and neck to tense as inappropriate thoughts regarding her and Alex began fluttering through her mind. It was an automatic response her subconscious stirred up and she wished that it hadn’t because now she felt like she needed to head back inside and order a big glass of water to cool off.

Thinking about Alex like that was not uncommon on Jo’s part, she knew. It was practically all she thought about lately, but things felt a little differently this time.

And she couldn’t put a finger on as to why.

#jolex #jo wilson #alex karev

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ahundredtimesover · 3 years

Text

Inevitable (03) | JJK

Pairing: Jungkook x (f.) Reader (ft. ot6)

Genre/Tags: exes au, parents au, baseball player!JK; angst, fluff, smut (18+)

Series Warnings: foul language, alcohol consumption, minor character death, explicit sexual content in future chapters (oral, unprotected/protected sex but be safe please!)

Chapter Word count: 7.7k

Summary: You convinced Jungkook to break up years ago so he could pursue his lifelong baseball dream. Now he’s back home, staring at you, and the little boy next to you who looks unmistakably like him.

A/N: I do love me some angst but I enjoy writing soft moments just as much. I hope you enjoy this one, too! Thank you for the appreciation for this story :) Also, you can message me if you want to be part of the taglist (or if I missed tagging you)!

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The place that Jungkook chose is a little French cafe that has a light and airy feel to it, and you think it’ll help Jungwon feel a little less intimated. There also aren’t many people around, which is surprising for a Saturday brunch hour.

You make out the table far back, by the glass window where you can see the flowers outside. Next to Jungkook is Jin, then Namjoon and Ara. The empty seats reserved for you and Jungwon are those in front of Jungkook and beside him.

You approach them, with everyone except for Jungkook - who just nods at you - standing up to give you a hug, with Jin spending more time than usual. With everything that’s happened, you didn’t realize how much you’ve missed your friends, too. They were collaterals of this whole ordeal; now you’re glad that you feel like starting over with them as well.

Jungwon stands behind you, arms wrapped around your waist when Jin comes close. He’s an unfamiliar face so it’s natural for the little one to be shy and hide behind you, like what he usually does, but he loosens up when you talk to him and make him feel comfortable, so you excuse yourself because you want him to feel comfortable around Jungkook.

You find an empty chair by the wall and sit Jungwon there.

“Hey sweetcheeks, we’re going to meet some of Mama’s friends, okay? They’re new people but they’re very kind and funny,” you say, kneeling down in front of him.

You get the brown backpack he’s wearing and take out his stuffed elephant, one of his many playmates that he likes to bring around. You place Mr. Choochoo in his arms, explain to him what you’ll do and that he can have some sweets later.

“Okay, Mama. I want some cookies,” he says in his tiny voice.

You tell him you’ll order some and pinch his cheeks, then you kiss his forehead, causing him to giggle, and you kiss him some more because you know this also makes him feel relaxed.

Jungkook watches from afar, the pang on his chest reminding him of the time lost, and he wonders if he’ll ever be like that with his own son. Jungwon is at a critical stage where trust is being developed, and Jungkook wants to be someone whom his son can trust.

The feeling in his chest grows as you approach them again. You give him a smile and help seat Jungwon next to his father.

“You remember the other day when you broke your airplane? Someone fixed it for you, right?” You ask.

Jungwon nods, eyes still focused on you.

“Good, because he’s here. Look,” you say, pointing to Jungkook. “He’s the kind man who helped you.”

Jungwon turns and looks at Jungkook, who returns his curious gaze with a grin. The little one is probably familiarizing himself with the man in front of him, as he nods and shyly smiles.

“Hi, buddy. I’m Jungkook,” he says and waves. “What’s your name?”

“Jungwon,” he whispers.

“How old are you?”

He responds by raising his hand to show four fingers.

“And when’s your birthday?”

“July 6!” Right as he answers, it registers to him, causing him to beam, the kind that reaches his cheeks and Jungkook’s heart is soaring. And just like that, the pang in his chest is gone.

You mirror Jungwon’s smile, knowing that’s enough of an icebreaker. He’s a sensitive kid who remembers kindness, and that day at the grocery, he saw it in Jungkook. You could chalk it up to some father-son connection if you like, but you also know that Jungwon tends to gravitate towards other gentle people, too.

The brunch goes surprisingly well, with Namjoon directing the conversations, knowing that it would still take some time to really settle into what was once familiar.

Days like this used to be a weekly engagement filled with jokes and unfiltered comments and hand holding between you and Jungkook, but everyone seems to be careful, reserved, almost unsure, like the glass will break at any wrong move.

Perhaps you’re all just giving this time for both father and son to be familiar and comfortable with each other. You know it will take a while but it’s something you don’t mind at all.

Jin is talking about his recent trip to Japan and his new ideas for another restaurant and you’re engrossed in his stories, until soft laughter catches your attention.

You turn to Jungwon, who’s laughing at Jungkook as he uses the macarons for eyes and makes weird faces, the latter pulling the sweets apart into smaller pieces and giving them to Jungwon who easily chews them. He offers Jungkook pieces of his cookies too, who dramatically devours them.

“My cookies!” Jungwon giggles.

You soften at the sight and excuse yourself before tears pour out and you will yourself to get it together in the washroom. You knew it was going to be a heartwarming proper meeting of the two but you weren’t ready for that kind of moment.

For all his shyness, Jungwon seems to be really comfortable with Jungkook, who’s doing so well, too, letting your child take the lead, not forcing anything, and being his usual sweet self.

Soon enough, brunch is over and you inform them of having to leave right away to make it to Jungwon’s dentist appointment in time. You place him in the car seat and turn to Jungkook, who’s now able to properly look at you, probably for the first time this whole day.

He opens his mouth to say something but his eyes lock in on your neck instead, a familiar piece of jewelry gracing the delicate feature. He stills and you’re confused, until you realize he’s looking at the necklace you’re wearing, the one with the moon and stars that he’d given you on your first year anniversary.

He told you that it was because you light his darkest nights and you squirmed at the cheesiness, smacking his arm and threatening him of getting rid of it if he ever spewed disgusting shit like that again. He loved that reaction, but deep down, you both knew that he was telling the truth.

It was that piece of him you could keep to yourself, one you didn’t have to share nor explain to anyone else. Out of everything you kept of your time together, the necklace was the only thing that didn’t make you break down every time.

You keep your thoughts at bay then nod at him and ask him what he meant to say.

“I’d really like to do this more,” he utters, eyes on your face now. “And not just on weekends. Whenever we can work out a schedule, that would be great. I mean, he and I have so much to—“

“Of course, Jungkook,” you cut him off, knowing he meant to say that there’s so much time to make up for and you don’t want today’s meeting to end on that note. “Let’s work something out, I’m sure Jungwon would love that, too.”

You exchange numbers, as well as awkward smiles, like you’re some teenagers saying goodbye on their first date. It’s a little refreshing though - way better than the last time when he was shouting and crying in front of you.

Any passerby may think it’s the makings of a romantic relationship, but if they only knew. You loved this man, and quite frankly, you’re unsure if you ever stopped.

“I’ll see you again, yeah?” You finally say.

“Okay then. I’ll see you.”

It’s not lost on you and Jungkook that you’re both on very unfamiliar territory.

During your time together, you’d had moments wherein you weren’t particularly fond of each other or weren’t in the mood yet had been comfortable in the silence. The tension was never overwhelming and you just let the moment pass until all was good again.

The longest fight you had lasted for 3 days. Yoongi called for a celebratory dinner over his song making it to the top of the charts and you were ignoring Jungkook, who sat next to you talking to your other friends.

It was an hour later when he eventually pulled you in a hug, and whispered that he missed you and won’t be drinking banana milk for a whole week as punishment for accidentally deleting your entire midterm paper. You caved in then, laughed and deemed it punishment enough, and spent the rest of the night working on said paper in your dorm, a behaved Jungkook playing mobile games next to you.

When it came to both of you, no silence was too loud, no conversation was ever unwanted, and no moment was ever too tense and uncomfortable.

Except for that time in your apartment.

And maybe now, when you’re both seated in front of each other, Jungwon to your left and of all times, decided that he just has to finish coloring the butterfly from his art class. There are two seats that have been empty the past 15 minutes, and you and Jungkook have been engulfed in the most awkward silence there is, even with the background chatter of the restaurant you’re in.

Days after the brunch and official meet up almost two weeks ago, Jungkook had asked to grab dinner - you picked up Jungwon from daycare after you were off at 6PM and headed to the restaurant with Taehyung in tow, only to find Jimin accompanying his best friend. Two days later, the same thing happened, only with Namjoon and Jin that time.

The Sunday after that, you had both Namjoon and Taehyung with you - because your brother wouldn’t confirm immediately and you needed a backup - as you and Jungwon walked to the park, only to find Jin and Jimin there as well. Everyone, of course, burst out laughing but neither you nor Jungkook found it funny.

“What are we, your chaperones?” Jin had asked then, laughing at the whole situation upon realizing what you and Jungkook had both been up to, calling up friends to join you on the weekly father-and-son dates. “You’re both adults who can very well manage conversations, don’t you think?” Jin continued.

You and Jungkook had shyly stolen glances at each other, nervous to be caught looking at the other’s reaction, because Jin had been right. You can only wonder what Jungkook's reasons are but you were calling them up to accompany you because you don’t actually know how to carry a conversation with Jungkook anymore.

You don’t know what to say that isn’t an apology, you’re nervous to talk about Jungwon and make Jungkook feel bad again for how much he’s missed out on, and you can’t really talk about yourself because this isn’t about you - it’s about your son and the relationship he needs to develop with his father.

Never mind the feeling of longing, of the curiosity over what made Jungkook come home, of the interest in his life in the US and how he’s been doing.

Never mind that you want to hug him because everything has been overwhelming and Jungkook always knew how to make you feel better with his hugs and caresses. You don’t have that right anymore, you think. You don’t have the right to ask about his life after you broke his heart, you don’t have the right to miss him, nor to get to know him all over again.

You need your brother and your best friend not just to carry conversations but also as support when you feel weak, as you observe Jungwon be so natural around his father.

Jungkook had only introduced himself by his name but Jungwon had taken to calling him Cookie Monster since their moment during that first brunch. No uncle, no anything, and you hope it stays that way.

Jungkook had also been bringing different brands of chocolate milk and you’d overheard him describe the taste and texture like a 4 year old would understand, and Jungwon had been asking you to buy each brand that Jungkook had introduced.

You'd heard him ask your son about his favorite animals, what he likes to eat when he’s sad or happy, and what his favorite bedtime stories are. You’d felt your heart balloon in size at this, how careful and thoughtful Jungkook still is, how gentle and caring, and how careful, seeing as he stops himself from ruffling Jungwon’s hair or engulfing him in a hug.

You felt like crying when you’d seen your son answer every question with enthusiasm then ask Jungkook the same things, too, and even more when he finishes coloring and tugs Jungkook to ask if he likes it.

It’s those moments that break and hold you up at the same time. It hurts to be reminded of what you deprived them of but it’s also comforting to see how natural everything has been for them.

Jungwon is shy but gravitates towards those he connects with, that he feels comfortable around, people who are like him. It’s why he’s very fond of Taehyung, and why he runs to Namjoon to be carried on his shoulder or to be tossed in the air because your brother may be serious yet clumsy but he’s careful and gentle when it comes to your son.

You used to think that if you hadn’t been a single parent, Jungwon wouldn’t be as close to you, seeing your lack of gentleness. You’d only learned to be so because you’d treated him like a fragile being, out of the fear of what would’ve happened if the fetal distress wasn’t detected as early as it was. If anything, your son has taught you to be more tender, affectionate, more loving.

You cried so many nights in the room you shared with him, and you wanted to believe that his lack of crying as an infant was because he was giving you the time and space for it, that it was okay. He was quiet, barely caused trouble, and you also believed it was his way of telling you that you can depend on him not to make things too hard, too. You’d held him so tightly every night as he grew older, and he learned to do the same.

In the moments that he'd caught you breaking down because of work or other things, he’d climb on your lap and hug and kiss you until you stopped crying. Like that one time when you randomly went on social media and saw the engagement rumors between Jungkook and Korean-American model-actress Maia Park. It was two years ago. It’s what also convinced you to finally, finally let Jungkook go and move on.

Jungwon hugged you until he fell asleep, and you hugged him even tighter, as the hope of you three being a complete family died that day. Since then, you’d stopped checking social media and stopped religiously following the Dodgers’ games, only using them as background noise since Jungwon somehow found throwing and hitting balls amusing. Like father, like son, you used to think.

You don’t realize you’d reminisced again until your phone beeps, the same time as Jungkook’s does. You’ve been in this restaurant for over 15 minutes and your friends are never late.

“Jimin says that he was asked to stay for costume fitting,” Jungkook says, reading the text message.

“Taehyung says that he tripped on a block and ended up splashing the entire paint can he was holding on his wall and it looks like the shape of a pretty tree and now he’s filled with inspiration and wants to repaint it,” you say in one breath, causing Jungkook to laugh at your deep exhale after.

“Hmm, very original,” he says.

“Very Taehyung, you mean. At least Jimin’s excuse is more believable,” you answer back.

“Well, they pulled the stops tonight, didn’t they? Reminds me of that time when Yoongi treated all of us because his song topped the charts. He said that he actually just had a minimal role and that wasn’t a cause for a celebration,” Jungkook shrugs. “You’d been mad at me for days and I kept complaining so they admitted setting it up so we could see each other.”

“Are you serious? All this time? I was so proud of Yoongi for that, kept bragging to my friends that he was big time because of that song,” you laugh, willing your heart to not go overboard with its beating because the most that Jungkook has spoken to you when he wasn’t angry, it’s to recall a memory of you together.

“Well, they tricked us then but they’re very transparent right now.”

You laugh again and you pinch yourself for overreacting to not-so-funny statements. You hate that even after all this time, Jungkook still makes you feel giddy. Now, there’s just an added desire for him to pay attention, for you to impress him, a complete opposite of how you started years ago.

It’s silent for a while, and you and Jungkook turn to Jungwon at the same time, probably thinking the same thing that the kid will be your distraction but his eyes have been focused on the butterfly, and he’s not budging. Not even when you ask how he’s doing because he just replies with a hum and you know that’s code for don’t disturb me, I’m busy.

“We should order,” Jungkook finally says, and it takes another couple of minutes before you both decide on what you’ll have.

With no other source of distraction, Jungkook settles on making the first move.

“So… how are things? How’s work?” He asks, sipping on his glass of water like it’s the tastiest thing in the world.

“Good. I, uhm, work for an events management company so we do parties, fundraisers, bazaars, things like that. It’s a lot of work but my boss is very kind and lets me take some days off to compensate for working on weekends and stuff,” you respond, willing yourself to be more comfortable.

“Oh, so it’s not the marketing firm anymore, that’s great. Namjoon said you worked over 12 hours then and I can’t imagine how tiring that must be.”

“You talked to my brother… about me?” You ask, trying not to read into it much. You assumed they only talked about meeting Jungwon, but Namjoon never mentioned anything more and you wonder why.

“Yeah, I just, uh…” Jungkook stammers, trying to come up with an excuse but he knows you’ll see right through him.

“I just asked how things were for you during uh, the pregnancy, and after.”

“Why?”

“I just wanted to know if there were any issues with Jungwon’s birth, you know? Wanted to know if he got everything he needed…”

You wince at the insinuation that you wouldn’t make sure that Jungwon would get everything he needed and Jungkook picks up on this and tries to save himself before it’s too late, before you think he’s an asshole for making such an assumption.

“I mean, of course he did. Not that I don’t think you didn’t make sure he got the best of everything.”

“I tried my best, Jungkook, and you’ve spent time with Jungwon. He’s doing well, I’d like to think that has much to do with how I raised him,” you say, your tone a mix of sadness and anger. You never had to defend yourself for how you raised your child, especially not to his father. But you also can’t blame Jungkook, especially when you’re the one who didn’t make him a part of your son’s life.

“I know, he’s such a smart and kind child. I didn’t mean to imply that you didn’t do your best. That came out wrong, I’m sorry,” he says, and you believe him. “I guess I just wanted to ask if there was anything lacking or that needed extra attention so I’d know what to compensate for, like medical bills or vitamins or other things?”

He’s right, and it makes sense. It definitely has nothing to do with him asking how you were doing, how the pregnancy and the aftermath was like for you.

“What about school? Other activities like sports or art clubs? Maybe he’s into music, we can enroll him in—”

“Jungkook…”

“Please don’t tell me not to help financially because you know I will. Not just because I’m obligated to but because I want to,” he sighs.

“Yeah, I guess we need to talk about that…” You say nervously.

“I can cover everything he needs. Does he need to switch to a better school? He’ll be in primary school next year, right? Are there other toys he wants? Maybe I can—“

“I’m doing perfectly fine in providing those, Jungkook. He doesn’t need ‘more’ or ‘better.’”

“I’m not saying you aren’t, I’m just saying I can help so that…”

He holds your gaze, knowing he can’t make you feel like he’s antagonizing you. When he asked Namjoon what you went through, he admits he wanted to feel some form of pity, as if to mask or replace the overwhelming feeling of pain and anger. Anything would’ve been better than those.

After that, the feeling turned to sadness, to helplessness, like defeat, knowing there was nothing he could’ve done to make it easier for you, to make you understand that you didn’t have to do it all by yourself just because you made a decision all on your own.

Having spent even just a short amount of time with Jungwon, he knows that his son was very much loved, was given all the best things in the world and that’s because of you - you who refused to give him less, you who worked so hard and gave everything you could, running on the sheer amount of love you have for your child even if things were difficult. Jungkook doesn’t want you to feel alone, especially in providing for Jungwon.

What Namjoon said hit him, how you only ever asked help if it was about your son, but never when it was about you. Jungkook knows you still wouldn’t, so he’ll make sure to ease the financial burden, the worry, the stress, the amount of time you spend taking care of your child that’s taken away from the time you spend taking care of yourself.

Because he’s noticed - he’s noticed the bags under your eyes, the slight shaking of your hands that’s probably from the excessive amount of caffeine intake, your work phone that constantly buzzes even when you’re off the clock, your consumption of sodas that signifies your heightened stress.

There’s a droopiness to your face, a mark of tiredness that’s laid permanent residence in your whole being. He doesn’t even wanna ask when the last time you had proper rest was.

“I’m saying I can and want to help so you can have time for yourself, too,” he continues. “So you won’t feel the need to clock in extra hours or take extra jobs, so you can have actual time of not worrying about anything. I mean, kids can sense if their parents are stressed and they can acquire that...”

Your eyes widen at his statement again, causing him to pinch the bridge of his nose in frustration because he’s really not saying this the way he wants to, but then he also doesn’t know how to tell you these things without him sounding like he believes you’re not good enough for Jungwon. Because you are, more than he can imagine.

“I’m terrible at this,” Jungkook says.

But you laugh. You laugh because he looks stressed and worried over what he’s telling you but you get him. Mad as he was a few weeks ago, you know he’d never harbor such terrible feelings towards you to the point of doubting your capabilities as a mother.

You wish he means more, though, but you settle for this. He will help in all ways he can because he doesn’t want you to be too stressed out. Jungwon is at the age where he can pick these things up; your habits are things he can acquire and you don’t want that.

“It’s okay, I understand,” you smile, and it’s the softest one you’ve given Jungkook since he’s arrived.

“Jungwon will be starting primary school next year so there’s this kindergarten I saw; they balance the learning with the arts really well and they do a lot of field trips and I think it’s a good transition to first grade.”

“That sounds really good. So that’s where you plan to enroll him this fall?”

“Yeah. It’s private though, and it’s affiliated with the primary school I was hoping to enroll him in next year, that’s also private. I was gonna get a loan from the bank and—”

“I’ll take care of it, don’t worry. I can take care of his fees in kindergarten and daycare too, if you don’t mind.”

“That’s too much, Jungkook.”

“It’s not. You’ve worked too hard the past 5 years. You can take care of the other essentials because you know him best. Let me take care of the others, and vitamins too and check ups and stuff. Please.”

He’s insistent and you know he won’t budge. You also know it’s his right and obligation to do all this.

“Okay, then. Whatever I save can go to his college fund.”

“Which I’ll also be contributing to…”

“Yes, that’s correct,” you smile.

The food arrives and the silence isn’t as suffocating. It’s a first step, deciding on the financial aspect of raising your child. You know there are many others, but there’s definitely one very important one to discuss.

Jungkook clears his throat and peeks at Jungwon who’s busy with his stew, mindless of the others around him, with you constantly wiping his cheeks and reminding him to drink his water. You turn to Jungkook with a curious gaze.

“When can we uh, tell him about me?”

Of course. When will you tell your son that Cookie Monster is actually his father?

“Oh, uhm. Well. He’s definitely comfortable around you already. But I think it’ll take some more time. I don’t wanna rush him because it’s big news since it’s just been me and his uncle Taehyung and uncle Namjoon for a long time and…”

“No one else?”

“What do you mean, no one else? I mean of course there’s Jimin but they don’t see each other as much and…”

“You know what I mean,” he says softly, as if he doesn’t want to directly say it.

“Oh. Uhm. Well, I dated someone before but like, it wasn’t—“

“Did he want to be Jungwon’s father? Did Jungwon like him?”

“I don’t introduce men I go out with to Jungwon, Jungkook. I mean, the men know I have a son but I never introduce them.”

“Why not?”

“Why do you need to ask? It’s only you. It’s always just gonna be you.”

“Has he asked about… me?”

“Just twice. He’s curious but he doesn’t dwell on it.”

Jungkook just nods, taking everything in.

“I always planned on telling you, Jungkook. I hope you know that. I just needed the right time, and I had to figure it out especially after your en…” You pause, hoping not to open this can of worms because things are already going well.

“My what?”

“Your supposed engagement with…”

“Those were rumors, ___. We were never engaged, never planned on it,” he corrects.

“So you two aren’t…?”

“We broke up over a year ago.”

You let out a breath you didn’t realize you were holding in.

“Relieved?” He smirks.

“Just thought that, you know, Jungwon will have another mother and he’ll call her like, Mommy or Mother or something and she might be more fun and gorgeous and—“

“Hey,” Jungkook interrupts your rambling. He chooses not to comment on your now glassy eyes, which stare at his hand that’s found itself on top of yours. He immediately removes it and calls for you to look at him.

“That’s not happening, okay? And if I did marry someone else, that woman will just be a stepmother by name. You’re Jungwon’s mother, the only one. No one will be more fun and gorgeous in his eyes, you got that?”

“Yeah,” you mumble. “Thank you.”

You decide to dial it back before your thoughts go elsewhere. “But going back to your question, let’s play it by ear, is that okay? He’s very attentive so he’ll maybe ask more about you one day. I also don’t want to rush him.”

“Sure, I mean. I don’t wanna scare him away too. We’ve been making progress.”

“I know! He’s very natural around you.”

“Doesn’t mind me when he’s coloring or eating, though,” Jungkook pouts.

“You’re not alone in that,” you laugh. “This one time, he was coloring this picture of a unicorn and I was trying to get his attention because it had been a long day and I wanted a hug and he shushed me and told me to be quiet. Like, this little kid really shushed me, huh?”

“Is he really as sweet as we believe him to be?” Jungkook laughs.

“Actually, when he was finished, he went to my lap and hugged and kissed me, told me not to be sad anymore.”

“Okay I’ll never doubt him again,” he smiles.

“And then there was one time, I baked muffins and I asked him to try so he was nibbling the edges, then the crown. And he was taking his time! And I kept asking if it was good and he was just humming until there was just the center left that had some chocolate custard and he ate it in one bite and was just smiling at me then…”

You pause at Jungkook’s longing smile, the kind where he’s happy but also wishes he’d been there.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t…”

“No, no. Please. I wanna hear these stories. Don’t hold back. Don’t mind how I react,” Jungkook explains. “At least I won’t have to imagine how he was like growing up.”

Your heart warms at this, at the shift from the angry man the other week to one who’s now softening at the stories of your son, something that’s making you feel a hundred times better.

Jungkook meant it when he said that he just wants to focus on what happens next. He’s spent so many sleepless nights thinking about the night of the break up, what went wrong, how different things would be, all the what if’s in your relationship, and in his relationship with his son.

He has let himself feel all the negative emotions towards you and he didn’t like it, didn’t like that he could feel all that for the woman who’d been his world, his light, the love of his life. He doesn’t want to focus anymore on the time lost but on the time he can make up for, for the time that he now has.

You indulge him, tell him stories about Jungwon, how he was a little late with talking and used to write letters from right to left, how you worried about this but how it was easily addressed, being that Ara is a developmental pediatrician and had taught you different practices to ensure his speech and cognitive skills are in tune with his developmental stage.

You talk about his first steps, his first trip to the park, and how he’s afraid of the water - just like his mother, Jungkook says. You talk about how he likes fish so much so he doesn’t eat them, but that he loves vegetables and would only throw tantrums if he doesn’t get to eat sweets.

And you talk about how respectful he is, charming in his own shy and soft ways but a fighter all the same, how he’s very smart and can do many things on his own.

“He really took the best parts of us, don’t you think?” Jungkook says, as he looks at Jungwon who’s coloring a ladybug this time. “Strong and independent like you, charming and cute like me?”

You burst into laughter. “You think those are your best qualities?” You ask.

“I mean there’s more and I could definitely list them all now but also, look at him! He’s so adorable, and he got that from me!”

“He is, and he did get that from you, I won’t lie,” you say, something that you always thought about, how the universe was cruel and wonderful at the same time for gifting you a child who looks just like the man you loved with all your heart, who reminded you everyday of what you lost and of, ironically, what you still had.

“He has your lips, though, and those scrunched eyebrows when he’s focused,” he points out, and he says it with so much affection. “I’m sure there’s more he got from you and I can't wait to discover them all.”

“Me, too, Jungkook. Me too,” you say, ignoring the thrumming of your heart.

It’s Jungwon’s yawn that forces you and Jungkook out of your bubble again, not realizing the time that’s passed. You’re glad you had an early clock out today so at least it’s not yet too late and the little one can make it to bed on time.

The dinner ends and Jungkook walks you and a sleepy Jungwon to your car, the silence a welcome one this time.

“So, I have a busy rest of the week so uhm, can we meet on Saturday? There’s a park with this cool playground near my apartment; I think Jungwon will like it there. We can have lunch after,” Jungkook says as you close the backseat door.

“Of course! Just text me the address and the time and we’ll be there,” you respond, liking this new dynamic between the both of you, texting each other on when and where to meet, freed up schedules and all.

You both stand there awkwardly though, unsure how exactly to end the night, given that your friends had ditched you both. Your phones beeping saves you this time.

“How was it?” You and Jungkook say at the same time.

“They’re not even being subtle about it,” he laughs.

“I bet they’re actually together right now, thinking of the best time to message,” you say.

“Probably not expecting we’d go on this long, too,” he mumbles, peering up to look at you with that shy smile of his, and you hope there’s no physical manifestation of how flushed you are right now.

“It was a good night. Thank you, Jungkook.”

“Thanks, too. So, uh, I’ll go ahead,” he says, then nods and turns away. It was a good night, and it was the first time that he felt comfortable, light. Like things were okay, like things are really going to get better.

His mind goes back to weeks ago at your apartment - how he acted, the anger seeping through him, and how you looked - tears falling helplessly down your cheeks, a sight he’s never seen before, and one he doesn’t want to see again. He couldn’t hold you then, he didn’t have the mind nor the heart to. He’s not sure if he’s ready now, so he settles with words instead.

“___,” he calls out.

You turn around, not really expecting anything else, and for a moment, your heart stops beating.

He walks towards you with a shy look on his face, although his eyes avoid yours.

“I just, uh. I just wanted to apologize for that day at your apartment when I—“

“Jungkook, you don’t have to—“

“Just let me, please,” he interjects you this time, his voice soft, and a long breath escapes him. “I’m sorry.”

“I won’t accept it. You shouldn’t be sorry for the things you said because they’re what you felt. They’re warranted and—“

“Then I’m sorry for how I said them. That’s, that’s not who I am. You didn’t deserve that,” he stammers.

“I did,” you respond, and there’s a pang in his chest at your resigned tone. “And it’s okay. I would’ve reacted the same way.”

“I know I’ll never truly understand why, but it doesn’t mean that I don’t appreciate everything you’ve done for him.”

“He might’ve been unplanned but it doesn’t mean he’s a mistake. He’s the best thing that ever happened to me,” you say, meeting his eyes.

It’s a moment you share that needs no words, and Jungkook nods and leaves it at that because deep in his heart, he knows that Jungwon is the best thing that’s ever happened to him, too.

“Text me when you get home, okay?” He says.

You mumble an okay and head out, forcing yourself to stop smiling like an idiot the whole drive back home.

[To: Jungkook] We’re home. Thank you again.

[From: Jungkook] Alright! I had a really good time tonight. Sleep well, you two. Good night :)

And with that, you don’t stop smiling like an idiot until you fall asleep.

You trip over trains and dolls on the floor, hastily putting them in the box that houses most of Jungwon’s toys. You place all the laundry in the washing machine, quickly fix your bed, and remove the clutter on the coffee table.

By some not-so-great turn of events, you had a client schedule a 2PM meeting on a Saturday that you couldn’t turn down, which meant that you then had to meet your team at 11AM to prepare.

You’re glad that Jungkook didn’t make a fuss about it when you called him in the morning, saying that you can’t make it to the park like you agreed to do. You trust him dearly but it’s still too early in the getting-to-know-you stage, so you’re not sure how Jungwon will take it if he spends the day with Jungkook without you. You expected him to reschedule but said his Sunday is full and asked if he could just go to your place instead.

“He and I can just play or watch cartoons, is that okay? I was really hoping to spend today with him but if it’s too much, that’s fine,” Jungkook said over the phone.

You didn’t have the heart to turn him down so you agreed.

You tried to do whatever cleaning up you can manage because you didn’t want him to judge you for still being a little messy and you wanted everything organized while you focused on your meetings.

With Jungwon bathed and with snacks placed on the table, you think you’re ready for your guest, who should be arriving right about now.

The doorbell rings and it’s a familiar sight, but a welcome one. You lead Jungkook in, tell him it’s just a humble one-bedroom apartment and he waves you off. He settles the lunch he bought on the table - noodles and seafood pancakes, Jungwon’s favorites, you'd mentioned.

“He’s in the room, I’ll go get him,” you say, and walk the several steps to your bedroom.

Jungkook looks around and takes it in. He was too angry the last time he was here so he didn’t pay much attention. It’s pretty clean, he thinks, and laughs at the thought that you probably did a quick clean up before he arrived since you’re not usually this organized. Or maybe that’s changed with you too, as with other things.

“Hey, buddy,” Jungkook greets. He kneels and tells Jungwon that they’ll be spending time today while Mama works and Jungwon says he’s excited. He leads Jungkook to your not-so-grand living room and takes out some dinosaurs from one box, mumbling about them being in trouble, then opens another one.

“Then Ironman saves them all!” Jungwon announces.

The look on Jungkook’s face is unrivaled, the kind you secretly have been hoping for, hence why you deliberately kept this from him; you wanted Jungwon to be the one to reveal his undying love for the superhero. You’re surprised he’s never mentioned it before, but you also think that he wanted to show-off his toy collection first.

“You’ve been holding out on me!” Jungkook tells you. “He… We… We both believe in Ironman supremacy, ___. He’s really my—”

You nudge his shoulder before he prematurely reveals the truth, and you laugh at his expression and his wide eyes as he goes through the Ironman box because of course it has its own, as all the toys are delicately placed inside.

Jungkook is in awe but really, it’s not much. They’re all just different versions of the same dolls and cars. You’ve tried to limit this because Jungwon will outgrow them at one point, but thinking about Jungkook’s continued love for the superhero, you think Jungwon actually might not.

The two get in their groove immediately and sit side-by-side, Jungwon introducing each of his toys because each Ironman has a different name. Jungkook indulges him and starts making sounds and Jungwon joins him until it’s just a chorus of pppshssss and bangbangbang and pfffffftpboom and you can’t help but laugh along.

Taehyung always deemed those superhero movies to be too loud so he wasn’t into the toys either, and Namjoon would always end up explaining the science and ethics of superpowers as if his nephew is one of his college students, so for Jungwon to have someone who just gets him, even if it’s just about making sounds and making Ironman toys fly and protect the dinosaurs from a meteor, you’re happy that the little one is happy.

You leave them for a while and set the table, asking them over to eat with neither one standing up.

“Kids,” you call their attention, hands on your waist now. “Can we have lunch now please before Mama has to get ready for work?”

This feels so domestic and so real. You miss the way Jungkook’s lips form into a smile as you refer to yourself in third person and sound as if you’re reprimanding them. Since Jungkook has found out about Jungwon, he never imagined he’d actually get to experience this.

You clear your throat and it’s a sign for Jungkook that he has to follow, as the adult, so he gets the little one’s attention and brings all the toys on the table to join you three as you eat.

It’s hilarious as they both converse with their toys and essentially leave you out but you let them, choosing instead to bask in this scene and the joy painted on both their faces. You wish this moment together wouldn’t end, though, but you also know that may be too much to ask. Jungkook is here to get to know your son, and that’s that.

You let them settle in the living room as you go from one meeting to another, stealing glances every once in a while just so you’ll have another memory of them bonding seared in your brain, for times when you need to feel better, when you want to feel happy.

The rest of the afternoon goes that way. They go from saving the dinosaurs, to watching cartoons, then playing with blocks, earning them scowls and laughter every time those tip over and crash, creating loud sounds and distracting your work. But you smile immediately at their panicked and guilty faces, until they proceed to do the same thing.

It’s around 5PM when you finish, exhaustion creeping up on you. Jungwon surprisingly still has energy, but you see him forcing it because he wants to keep playing.

“Let’s go for an early dinner, yeah? I can order some pizza then you two can start preparing for bed,” Jungkook offers.

You mindlessly nod from the dining table as you put away your laptop and notebook. “That sounds good, Jungkook. Thank you,” you respond.

“And maybe you can take a nap first while we wait. I’ll help him clean up the mess, too.”

You smile at this. Despite everything, he’s still the same thoughtful and considerate man you met all those years ago. You nod and head to them, kneeling in front of Jungwon who’s now sitting so closely to Jungkook.

“Hey, sweetcheeks. Mama’s tired so I’ll just get some rest, okay? You’ll be fine with Cookie Monster over here?” You ask.

“Yes, Mama,” he says, and proceeds to hug you and kiss your nose.

“Okay, love you my little bug,” you say, and head to your room for a quick nap, not before you call out that Jungwon only eats cheese pizza.

It’s the knock on your bedroom door that wakes you, signaling that the food has arrived.

You head to the dining room, still clad in your leggings and pink sweatshirt, and Jungkook does a double take at your sleepy eyes, scrunched up nose, and messy hair. You’re still so adorable after a nap, but he shakes off the thought before you catch him with a silly smile on his face.

It’s Jungwon’s elephant and tiger stuffed toys having dinner with you this time, and unlike earlier in the day, there’s less theatrics and you all settle on small conversations, definitely tired but satisfied.

Jungwon is busy munching on the cheese and the soft parts of the dough, Jungkook is watching him in amusement, and you’re watching Jungkook in awe, thinking of how he pulled through today, coming over to make sure that he got to spend it with his son, taking care of everything like the food and cleaning up because you were too busy and too tired to do so, even if you know he’s had a tiring week too.

You never doubted his desire to get to know Jungwon but his patience and attention to everything have really surprised you. He listens carefully to the little one, asks what he thinks and feels, lets him lead and decide games and shows to watch, and talks to him like an adult. You wonder if he’d asked Taehyung or Namjoon for tips or he’d done some reading. But regardless, you appreciate it so much. You might not have had the start you wanted but it’s definitely going the way you want it to.

And as Jungkook giggles and wipes the cheese off Jungwon’s face, as he fills his glass with water and asks if he wants more, you see the affection on Jungkook’s whole being, you see the care and the warmth. You see the love.

It’s familiar; it’s similar to how he used to look at you. And it’s this moment that you wish that he learns to look at you that way again.

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spideytingle616 · 4 years

Text

Five Months [2]

Part 1 / Masterlist / Part 3

*based on the five stages of grief*

Pairing: Peter Parker x Female reader

Warnings: Angst, death, swearing, possible implications of anxiety, mentions/implications of sexual activity, blood/injury

Description: The first time you touch your soulmate, you’re able to see a glimpse into your future. What happens if your future is also your end?

Chapter Summary: Still best friends and nothing more, you learn this battle isn’t so easy after all. You hope Peter feels it too, but you also hope he doesn’t. At least you have Nationals to keep you busy.

Word Count: 7.7K lol whoops (bold and italics are thoughts)

Month Two, Anger: Love Isn’t a Decathlon Event

As the days of continuing your charade with Peter roll into the next couple of weeks and eventually the next month, you couldn’t help but feel annoyed at this game. The next half of the semester has started, and you couldn’t blame tests for the lull that continued to grow.

But the more irked you became, the bigger the guilt grew in the back of your head. How dare you feel like this, you thought. Putting yourself first seemed far too selfish, but you couldn’t exactly talk to Peter about this, especially when he’s avoiding you whenever possible. Not being able to talk about it was killing you, as if your confrontation at his apartment brought no closure.

As the weeks passed, and the fall breeze brushed through the trees, you’ve had time to think about the facts at hand. You and Peter were soulmates, and though the situation wasn’t ideal, it did confirm your feelings that preceded this chaos.

All the times you caught yourself staring at Peter meant something, and all the times you’d flash a dorky smile at his corny jokes were genuine signs of admiration. You were smitten since you met the boy, and part of you wants to kick yourself for brushing off these moments. Maybe everything could be different if you realized sooner, and your flashback could’ve been something nicer, or something that indicated a forever…

These thoughts have started to cloud your head far more than you would like as your brain was off in another world during class. Your grades aren’t slipping quite yet, but you know they eventually will if you continue to let this distraction get to you more than it already has. The only thing you can do is to simply accept the decision Peter made; it’s his life, after all. Unless miracles exist, you’re stuck being the heartbroken girl.

At this moment, however, you were also the exhausted girl. Today was fitness exam day in gym, and you were stuck on the sweaty mats, forced to do sit-ups for the next few minutes. MJ was your partner per usual, holding your feet to keep you steady. You didn’t really care about your numbers, so you took your time and talked to your friend instead. You were multitasking by watching Peter going up and down on the mat, only pretending to be struggling. Just earlier he got around fifteen sit-ups in the first ten seconds.

Damn spider-powers….

“Okay, so it’s been, what, a month since you and Peter figured out you were soulmates?” MJ asked as you came up. “And to clarify, you two are still just friends?”

You did another sit-up before responding. “Yep, same as when you asked the other day.” And the day before, and the day before…

“Well sorry, but it’s kinda confusing, isn’t it? You two are basically together all the time; you’re just adding boning to the equation.”

You prop your elbows on your knees, stopping to look at MJ with wild eyes.

“Seriously, MJ? You didn’t have to say it like that.” You scoff. “And besides, it’s more complicated than just adding ‘you know what’ to our friendship.”

She laughs at your innocent wording as you fall back down, ready for more dreadful sit-ups.

“You’re such a dork sometimes, which is exactly why you’re perfect for Peter. You even told me that you thought you had feelings for him before you found out. I wouldn’t be so worried about his crime-fighting, if he was going to get seriously hurt, he would’ve by now.”

What?

The coach blows the whistle, indicating for each pair to switch roles. MJ lets go of your feet and takes a seat in front of you. You both knew she wasn’t going to do the sit-ups, avoiding the physical activity most of the time by sitting on the bleachers reading.

“How did you-” You shakily begin, breath trying to steady after the work you’ve just been through.

“You’ve seen all the times he’s up and left? Weren’t you the least suspicious as to why? I mean, it was either Spider-Man or a male escort, so.”

“I’m glad you didn’t go with the latter, then. Ugh, did everyone piece this together before I did? Some best friend I am.” You sigh, rolling your eyes at your stupidity. Peter was never one to keep secrets that easily, yet this still passed your radar.

“I know everyone’s secrets, Y/N. You’re not a bad friend, everyone knows you and Peter are perfect for each other. Except for you, apparently?” MJ raises an eyebrow at you, going back to her original question.

“I mean, I’m still shocked about it, but Peter doesn’t want anything to change. He’s too busy to worry about all this soulmate bullcrap.” You try to excuse. Whether or not you liked the situation, you weren’t going to tell your friend the actual truth, not until Peter is okay with it.

Before MJ had a chance to argue with your comment, you hear a yell. Specifically, one near where Peter and Ned were. All heads snapped toward the source of the sound.

“Peter knows Spider-Man!” Ned says all too excitedly.

“Oh god,” you mumbled softly, squinting your eyes in disbelief. Peter was the same way, mouth agape at his friend’s words.

Fortunately, the claim didn’t expose anything. In fact, it earned the two an invitation to Liz’s party, which wasn’t as fortunate. Jealousy slowly started to creep onto your face as you shifted your stare between the two of them throughout class. Peter likes Liz, and Liz likes Spider-Man. Despite being soulmates, Peter seems to have the stars aligned with someone else. The rest of class somehow sucked even worse than normal.

As you walk with MJ to the locker room, you’re stopped by none other than Liz. How great, you thought. You try your best to keep a pleasant face, but your smile was too tight to be genuine.

“You probably heard earlier, but I was planning on having a party this weekend. I’d love for guys to come too if you want.” Liz invited, her smile as charming as ever.

The offer took you aback. The two of you weren’t very close, so you were surprised she really cared enough to acknowledge you.

“Are you sure, Liz? I mean, we’ve never really talked all that much.”

“Well consider this an opportunity to do just that. I invited the whole decathlon team so this could be a good way to bond before nationals. And besides, I already invited Peter, and you two are super close. It only made sense.”

“Well, we’re not like, that close or anything.” You fumble.

“Oh, come on, it’s totally obvious you guys were made for each other. I bet you two are soulmates and everything.”

R.I.P to Peter’s chances, even Liz thinks you’re meant to be. (Well, Peter never really had a chance with any non-soulmate, but a guy can dream). MJ turns to you and offers a cheeky smirk, waiting for you to reply to Liz. Awkwardness starts to seep into the conversation, much to your dismay.

“That is, a crazy idea. I-I don’t even know where to begin with that. Like, totally not true. At all. Nope. He’s my buddy.” Your mouth feels like it’s full of sand at this point. You wish you could muster up more than that pathetic excuse.

“Huh, I wonder who is then. He’s too cute to still be soulless, you know?”

Your eyes largen as the fake smile cramps your face. So, the attraction is mutual… great. A burning in your chest emerges out of anger. Life really couldn’t go your way lately.

“Yep, totally…” was all you could say. “I should go, you know, change and stuff, but thanks for the invite. I’ll try to come, and, stuff.”

You immediately turned around and headed straight toward the locker room, not even noticing Liz and MJs’ confused faces.

Due to your runoff, you were headed to your next class earlier than usual. As you turned the corner, you body checked into none other than your superhuman soulmate. You put your hands on his chest to prevent an embarrassing fall. Under his sweater and layers, you could still feel how hard his chest was, which wasn’t a surprise considering the view you saw not that long ago.

What felt like minutes, you finally came to your senses and quickly put your hands down and awkwardly crossed them.

“H-hey.” You stuttered.

The most conversation you’ve had lately was during class, and those were just questions about the lecture. You hated that you felt awkward with your best friend.

“Um, sorry. I wasn’t looking” Peter replied, feeling the tension as much as you did.

“No, you’re fine.” You reassured. “Hey, uh, sorry about Ned. That kid is such a blabbermouth sometimes.”

The boy sent an airy laugh. It’s been a long time since you heard him laugh, so even hearing a half-hearted one was enough to make you miss him even more. You could’ve sworn your eyes got misty at that moment.

“No, it’s cool. He knew I want to impress Liz and just went overboard.” Despite Ned knowing you two were soulmates, he still remained loyal to Peter’s wishes of pining over Liz; Talk about an ultimate wingman.

You didn’t dare to mention the fact that Liz called him cute, as you were too selfish to say anything. I have to deal with a soulmate that doesn’t even want me, let me have this.

“I need to print my English essay so I should get going. If you go to Liz’s party, you could maybe hang with Ned and me or something.” Peter offers.

The invite was a surprise considering the past month, but you wanted nothing more than to spend time with him again. Even if it was at a party hosted by his crush and with people you didn’t know, you gladly accepted.

——-

The car ride to Liz’s was awkward, to say the least. Peter was asking for some advice about parties and girls, to which May offered back some words to wisdom. You assumed that she didn’t know anything about you and her nephew, and obviously you weren’t going to be the one to tell her. The fact that Peter wouldn’t even tell his family gave your heart a dull ache. You’ve gotten over the initial pain for the most part, but instances like these still trigger your sensitivity.

When you got inside, all three of you were surprised at the place in front of you. You all knew that Liz had a house outside of New York, but you didn’t imagine it to be so big. Jealousy pangs you once again; Liz Allen just seems to have it all.

“Sup losers,” greeted an uninterested voice.

You all turned to see MJ at the kitchen table eating tortillas straight out of a bag.

“You actually came?” You asked puzzled. “Yeah, I thought you didn’t like parties,” Ned replied, adjusting his fedora. He insisted it made him look cooler.

“Maybe I’m not here and you’re just seeing things. Ever think about that?” Your friend replied, raising her eyebrows in fake revelation.

Both Peter and Ned turned to each other in confusion before looking back at the girl. You rolled your eyes; they never really got MJ’s jokes.

“Well, anyway, I need to talk to my friend here, but you two can go ahead without me.” You told the two boys before grabbing MJ’s wrist and taking her to another room you believe is the dining room.

“Jeez, and I thought I wanted to leave that situation more than you.” MJ joked, not bothering to fight your grip.

“I’m going freaking crazy, dude. Weeks of constant awkward conversation, I almost peed my pants because for some reason he invited me here and I was stupid enough to come.” You rant, eyes wild with absurdity.

“Oh, so now all of a sudden you care?”

You roll your eyes, slightly annoyed that your friend thinks this is a good time for jokes. However, she was right. Up until that point in gym, you were accepting of the fact that Peter wanted to keep a distance and stay friends, though the awkward attitude between you two wasn’t exactly “friendship”. But seeing that he actually intended to have a shot with Liz made you sick to your stomach.

“I just- I don’t get why. Why is he chasing a non-soulmate to begin with? I can be fine with staying friends, but what’s he doing?” Your eyes kept grazing the floor as you complained.

“Why don’t you ask him yourself? It’s not like I have all the answers, though I do know what’s happening seventy percent of the time.”

You sigh, “He’s not going to answer-”

“He’s also not going to answer your questions if you never actually ask him. You clearly don’t like the relationship between you two, so talk to him about it. If he won’t listen, then make him.” MJ quipped, having tried to tell you this how many times. “I think both of you know deep down that you two are the best thing that could happen to each other. But clearly, there’s something else going on, which is why you need to talk to him instead. Figure out how to be together.”

All you can do is stare aimlessly at her. Your mind, like your heart, is going a hundred miles an hour. Perhaps her advice would be different if she knew, but this wasn’t the time to tell her. Not in a chaotic party with Flash chanting “Penis Parker” in the background. Not when Peter himself is an enigma to his soulmate. If you knew more, or knew what to do, then maybe MJ could offer more for both your sakes. But it’s not your secret to tell. Even if you’re transparent to MJ, it’s not your place to say something to ruin your best friend’s life, especially considering the fragility of it.

MJ widens her eyes and tilts her head to the side, motioning for you to go out and find Peter. You sigh, nodding your head. The quick conversation was over before you knew it. A part of you thinks she also just wanted to get rid of you, but you couldn’t blame her. You probably weren’t the only one angry and annoyed with the predicament at hand.

You go back to the kitchen where you left the two boys to fend for themselves. It probably wasn’t going too well considering you could still hear Flash’s nonstop teasing. You spotted Ned and his spunky fedora, but there was no one else with him.

“Weren’t there two of you?” You asked, trying to use sarcasm to mask any panic you may have felt.

Ned snaps out of his slight daze. “Well, Peter went to go, you know, change, so he can impress Liz, and prevent the future embarrassment of not actually knowing Spider-Man.”

“First of all, does he technically know him if he is him? Second of all, you caused all of this so you kinda screwed him over. And third of all, aren’t you supposed to be on my side too?” You asserted, slightly hurt.

The sensible side of you thought that there was no way that Peter would go through with this. All this for a girl that wasn’t even his soulmate? Just thinking about it made you more upset. You were also hurt by your raven-haired friend and his betrayal, but one step at a time you suppose.

“Well in my defense, I have no idea what’s happening, like ever. And Peter doesn’t seem to be doing so well lately, so I thought this might make him feel better. You know, bros before hoes. B-but you’re not a hoe, Y/N. It’s just that you’re a girl- not that all girls are hoes, guys can be hoes too-“

“I’m gonna stop you before this gets any worse,” You warned. “It’s whatever, I can forgive you for now cause you’re a good guy. Just, where is he? I really need to talk to him.”

Ned sighs, slightly guilty that about the plan he participated in. He points upward to the ceiling. The motion leaves you confused, but upon looking up and seeing the skylight in the middle of the roof, you understood. Where else would you find a spider?

A few room searches later, and a risky climb, you were able to get on the roof of the house. The possible twenty-foot fall was worth it when you were met with a familiar face and a red and blue suit to match.

“Kinda envy your powers right now, could’ve found you a lot sooner.” You said, a half-smirk appearing on your face.

Peter turns his head from where he’s sitting, offering a rather sad smile. He soon goes back and focuses on the mask in between his hands, fidgeting with the fabric. You start to feel a little awkward for intruding, but you knew you this was something you had to do. Brushing away any stiffness between you two, you shimmy closer to Peter and sit down next to him.

“Shouldn’t you be down there, doing I don’t know, spider stuff?” You observed.

“Spider stuff makes my amazing powers sound rather lame; don’t you think?” Peter mumbles, trying to make a joke.

“Well, I’m terribly sorry.” You chuckle. “Seriously though, how long have you been up here? Ned is looking like a lost puppy without you.”

Peter gives a small laugh at your comment. Your conversations always included some form of witty banter, and even in predicaments like these, it doesn’t seem to go away that easily. “Couldn’t do it, I guess. I was about to head back, but when I saw everyone downstairs, I don’t know, something changed.”

“Changed as in, you don’t know why you’re doing this?” You prod.

Peter nods once as if to say you were right, but doesn’t want to admit it just yet.

“I’m doing this to seem like someone else. But it’s not someone else, i-it’s still me, you know? I love Spider-Man and all, but going there as him seems…” He trails off, a loss for words.

“They wouldn’t look at you as Peter, just Spider-Man.”

Peter nods again, this time to agree with your theory.

“I understand, it wouldn’t feel like they’re genuinely impressed with you. But hey,” You bump his shoulder with yours. “You’re Spider-Man because of who you are, because of who Peter Parker is. You’re the one trying to make the world a better place. I mean, Spider-Man isn’t a real person, but Peter is, and it’s their loss if they aren’t impressed with someone as cool as you.”

The words sent a bright smile onto your friend’s face. It was actual, good advice: something that he wished Ned or anyone could’ve given him sooner.

“Could’ve told me that before I went through all the trouble of putting this on.” Peter joked, bringing you back into your old rhythm of conversation.

“Well, I’ll try to climb the window faster next time. But if I’m on the ground and not up here, you know why.” You quip back, causing Peter to laugh once again.

Everything started to feel familiar again, all it did was a little talking. You suppose the hostility between you two couldn’t be fully blamed on him. Maybe if you tried to talk to him like this more and showed that you cared, you’d be able to find a balance in your lives.

The thoughts caused you to space off, your stares stuck on Peter. He eventually notices when he turns to look at you. Now the two of you are looking at one another, neither one of you wanting to ruin the moment. A part of you wanted to lean in, even if it was just an inch. You would’ve followed your urge too, but you didn’t want to lose focus on your purpose.

“Hey listen Pete, the reason why I came up here-”

“Holy shit,” He interrupts, staring into the distance, mouth agape.

You scrunch your face. What the hell, dude?

Looking in the same direction as Peter, you see what he’s referring to. A single, bright light beamed in the distance. It was too blue and too unearthly to be natural, which caused both of you to worry.

The spiderling stands up before looking at you again, this time with a guilty face. You sigh, this is just like the first time. When he left you in the dust at your own apartment to go fight crime after just finding out about his identity. You knew he didn’t want to leave just as much as you, but there was nothing he could do. No one else can risk their lives to save the city.

“Guess I’ll see you later, then.” You answer his silence.

You stand up afterward and motion for him to go, but he doesn’t move from his spot. He wants to, but there’s something stopping you and you couldn’t quite pin it. Before you know it, Peter wraps you into a tight hug. You can’t remember a time that he’s ever done this (which makes sense considering you found out you were soulmates after years of friendship). Yet despite the confusion that enveloped your head, you bring your arms around him, squeezing back. You close your eyes, enjoying the moment of warmth brought between you two. Peter lets go, much to your dismay, and puts his mask on. He webs away, leaving you to a party you didn’t even want to go to.

Since that party, you haven’t seen much of your Spider-friend due to Decathlon's practice. Nationals were coming up, and Liz was really making sure everyone was prepared for the competition. Peter has continued to dedicate his life to fighting, even more so than usual. You figured he needed a distraction, like decathlon was to you, but you still missed him nonetheless. Flash isn’t doing too hot as Peter’s replacement, and it only makes you miss him more.

After another week or so, you and your team were headed to Washington D.C. for the awaited competition. Waiting for everyone to load their luggage onto the bus, you and MJ were quizzing each other when Peter runs toward the group, packed and all.

“The hell,” You mumble under your breath.

“Hey guys, yeah um, I was hoping I could rejoin the team,” Peter quickly asks, nervousness seeping into his words.

You don’t say anything, not only because you were at a loss of words, but also because Flash looks like he has steam coming out of his ears. “No freaking way, Parker. We don’t even need you.” Flash boasted.

The rest of the group looked at each other, all awkwardly sucking in the breaths and gritting their teeth. No one dared to say anything afterward.

”Actually, it would be great of you to join us again, Peter. Who else is going to answer all the chemistry questions?” Liz smiled.

You tried to suppress a gag. By the look on Peter’s face, you could tell he was flattered, which only made things worse for you. This was the one rom-com you hated.

Peter continues to receive warm welcomes from the rest of the team, and especially Mr. Harrington. However, you leaned against the bus and watched from the sidelines confused. He dropped so much for Spider-Man; he wouldn’t join back all of a sudden. You wonder what your friend’s hidden agenda was.

Once you started to load on the bus, you decided to join Peter in the back. As you approached the end of the aisle, you reminded yourself you were doing this because you were friends. Aside from the intense hug at the party that seemed like forever ago, you and Peter were never more than best friends. Any harbored feelings were kept under lock and key, and you know it’s for the best.

“Okay,” You start to say as you slump in your seat. “Why are you actually here?”

“Was it that obvious?” Peter timidly asks.

“To me at least. Seems weird that you’re not busy with spider stuff all of a sudden. Unless of course, you are doing said stuff?”

Peter sighs, checking around to see no one’s watching. Once doing so, he opens his backpack and his hand reappears with a violent-tinted object. Though it seems obvious to Peter what the object means, it doesn’t answer your question.

“Uh, you’re going to D.C. because of a rock?” You asked.

“What, no, it’s not a rock. It’s tech, alien tech.” He rambles, basically shoving the subject in your face.

“And you got this from…?”

“Well, some guy tried to vaporize me-”

“What!” You scream. You would’ve continued to yell but Peter tells you to quiet down.

“Hey relax, I’m fine.” He looks back up to make sure you didn’t grab anyone’s attention. “But after I left Liz’s party, I caught some weapons trade deal going on. Turns out, someone’s combining alien tech with human tech to get rich.”

“Okay well, clearly I have missed a lot in the last week.” You say. “So wait, where exactly does D.C. come into play?”

“Well I put a tracker on one of the guys and they’re heading toward Maryland for another deal or something; D.C. was the easiest way to get there,” Peter explained.

“This is getting a little complicated, does Iron Man or Tony Stark or whatever you call him know about this?”

You don’t mean to sound like a mother, but going all the way into another state seems too overwhelming for a teenage superhero.

“Well, no he doesn’t really trust me. But Ned’s my ‘guy-in-the-chair’ so I’m not doing this alone, and when I catch the guys behind this, Mr. Stark will know I’m capable.”

You stay silent for a little bit, processing your thoughts. You don’t want Peter to get into any danger, especially when you know about his future. However, you knew you couldn’t stop him. He was dedicated, and clearly, this guy was bad news. If he truly needed help, you knew you would be there.

“Well, I’m just glad to have you back. We’re bound to win now, no offense to Flash.” You joke, letting go of all your previous thoughts.

The rest of the bus ride is consisted of decathlon practice, sleeping, and laying on Peter’s shoulder. Friendly, of course. You were tired after all…

——-

“Flash is totally jealous. The kid reeks of ‘I’m compensating my rather sad life by pretending to be cool so fuck you, Peter’.”

“Harsh, MJ. What did he ever do to you?” You reply, starfish on the hotel bed.

“I’m not saying that as a negative, it just makes sense as to why he’s the way he is.” MJ defends.

You hear your phones ring, interrupting the conversation. Too lazy to grab yours from the nightstand, you wait for your friend to tell you what’s up.

“Liz says she wants the team to have a pool night before the big day. Quick bonding session apparently?”

“Ugh, what’s the point? What is a party gonna do for us?” You groan, face down on the mattress.

“She’s captain, after all, wouldn’t want to go against her orders, right?” MJ jokes. “It probably won’t even be that bad. We don’t even have to swim; we can just sit in the chairs.”

Ten minutes later you find yourself heading down the stairs, expensive candy bars in hand. You’ll never understand why the minifridge is always so pricey; MJ blames capitalism, but when doesn’t she?

As you approach another hallway before heading to the pool, you see Peter coming out of his room in regular normal clothes. Did he not get the memo? You slow down as you get closer to the boy.

“Didn’t know you swam with gym shorts, dude.” You say, eyeing his inappropriate attire.

“Y/N, h-hey.” Peter stutters, which confuses you even more.

You cross your arms in front of your chest, which in turn highlights your assets there. Peter couldn’t help but glance at where your arms were placed. Your swimsuit clung to your body nicely, making him take a small gulp. Much of your skin was exposed, and Peter wondered how many times he’s looked at your body without realizing it. If you didn’t reply, god knows how much longer he’d stare.

“Something tells me you’re not going to the pool with us.”

“Yeah no, there’s something else I gotta do. I’ll tell you in the morning though.” Peter coughs, coming back to his senses.

He can see your disappointment at his urgency to leave. You didn’t mean to take it personally, but it felt like he was ditching you again.

You also couldn’t help but worry once again. He’s keeping this secret from the Tony Stark, someone who he has looked up to since he was saved by him all those years ago. Maybe you could at least try to stop him? But before you got a chance to, Liz interrupts your conversation.

“C’mon guys, let’s get a move on.” Liz cheered. “Peter you’re not even dressed yet. You know, you better be going. You’re back on the team, after all.”

“Yeah totally, I’ll be there. Just need to grab something first.” He explained as a blush warmed his cheeks.

You wondered if this would be an inappropriate time to gag. Anger stiffened onto your face as you clenched your jaw. You try to keep cool; it’s ridiculous to be mad as such a basic conversation, even if it left Peter smitten.

By the time you found your chill, Liz joined the rest of the team and hurried to the pool, leaving you and Peter alone again. He was about to run off, but you grabbed his arm before he turned away from you completely.

“Peter, don’t you think this is all, I don’t know, a bit much?” You warned, not letting go of his wrist.

“Seriously, Y/N? You too?” Peter snapped as he moved his arm out of your grasp.

You were taken aback by the sudden annoyance. Didn’t he get how dangerous this was? Nonetheless, a part of you felt bad that he was feeling helicoptered by you.

“I just mean that if it’s serious maybe you can call Stark or one of the Avengers-“

“I get that most of the Avengers are twice as old as me, and I get that it’s risky that Mr. Stark doesn’t know about this. But goddammit, I went to Germany and stole Cap’s shield right in front of his freaking eyes; I’m strong enough to lift cars and I can swing onto the Empire State Building if I wanted to, which is on my bucket list thank you very much. Look, I can do this, but I can’t if everyone I love is trying to stop me. I may be a kid to Mr. Stark, but no kid can do what I can do.”

Your friend’s speech leaves you silent. You look at him: Peter’s eyes were wide and his mouth was closed tight. Part of you thought he was going to say more, that he wanted to say more, but he stayed silent as well.

Peter wanted to add that he knew he wouldn’t get majorly hurt in Maryland. After all, he’s going to be in New York when it happens. He quickly forgets the thought, tightening the grip on his backpack straps. He turns away from you for what he thinks is the last time. He was in a hurry, and plus he was too upset to stay.

“Can you at least be careful?” You yell across the hall. “Even if you’re mad at me, it’s the least you can do.”

Peter turns back around to face you.

“You aren’t gonna stop me?” He asks.

“Don’t think I can, which is why I’m asking you to be safe.” You reply, offering a small but genuine smile.

“Yeah, I’ll be careful,” Peter nods. “I’ll try to keep you posted more, maybe you, me, and Ned can be a team.”

“We’ll see, don’t want him to be kicked out of his unofficial job.” You joke, causing you both to laugh.

Peter then leaves you by yourself in the hallway as he heads into the night. By the time he’s on the rooftop of the hotel all dressed, he sees you and the decathlon team in the pool. You were still sitting in the chairs while the rest of the group were splashing each other. You laugh at the commotion before looking up. A certain hero caught your eye, and your smile stretched from ear to ear.

You mouth “good luck” to the boy on the roof. Peter laughs at the cheesy situation, but he’s grateful you have his back. His heart tightens at the gesture, something that he didn’t notice until he swung away and the feeling still lingered. A part of him thought that maybe, just maybe, you guys could stand a chance.

——-

Not good.

Very not good.

Not very good at all.

In conclusion: bad, bad, bad.

Peter’s thoughts left him in a feverish panic. Okay, so maybe the plan didn’t go as well he hoped. He knew there was something bound to go off the rails. He just didn’t think being locked in a warehouse until the morning was going to be one of them. Of course he had to pass out in a moving truck…

Minutes felt like hours as he walked around the large, deserted building. There wasn’t much he could do but throw webs and talk to his newfound A.I. Karen. Eventually, he gave up trying to find ways out. He’ll just have to leave in the morning and rush to the decathlon competition, another amazing consequence of his failed mission. Peter is even gladder he didn’t tell Mr. Stark, he couldn’t bear to stand the embarrassment.

Karen helped to calm the boy down, even prompted him to talk about his life. Soon, Peter found himself in a therapy session, more or less.

“I just don’t want to be seen as some small-town hero, you know. Helping old ladies across the street is cute and all, but I want missions. Like Avenger-level missions. The only people that seem to be okay with that are me and Y/N, which doesn’t help change Mr. Stark’s mind.”

“Y/N?” Karen asks, unfamiliar with the person in question.

“Wha- oh, yeah. She’s just a friend. Well, I mean she’s my soulmate but-“

“So you’re in love with Y/N,” Karen confirms.

“What no, no. I’m not in love with her. I’ve never looked at her as anything more than a friend. Plus, there’s Liz who’s this girl that I like.”

“Why do you like someone who’s not your soulmate?”

The question silences Peter for a second. It’s a question he never took the time to ponder as he’s tried to keep himself distracted. He avoided ever thinking about soulmates, but in a situation where he’s stuck for the next few hours, he doesn’t have anything to distract himself with.

“Well, Liz is nice to me. She seems interested in me too, and she hasn’t found her soulmate yet so there’s no harm. There’s no rulebook to follow.” Peter explains, almost sounding like he’s defending himself.

“Could you at least see yourself with Y/N?” Karen pushes, causing Peter to sigh.

“I mean, in a perfect world, yeah. She’s my best friend, we know each other so well. She always seems to know what I’m thinking, even if she doesn’t say anything. And she cares so much about others. It shows how beautiful she is inside and out, which is amazing to me. I was really worried she’d stop being my friend once she found out about Spider-Man, but she accepted it almost right away. It- it’s good to know that she always has my back. If things were different, maybe we’d be together. But Liz, she’s got it all too. She’s really cool and stuff. I mean, we haven’t talked all that much, but I know she’s great. Yeah, she- she’s great…” Peter trails off.

It was obvious to Karen, an A.I. that doesn’t even experience emotion, that Peter was blindsided with his quest for Liz. To chase someone he doesn’t really know was clearly a distraction from something, though Karen wasn’t exactly sure what. Comparing how he talked about the two girls would prove to any competent person that you were his soulmate, and one that he clearly liked.

Peter soon ended the conversation as he became more restless. He continued to search around to see if there was anything stored within the warehouse. Good thing too, because soon after Peter is begging for dear life to escape.

Well, this isn’t ideal.

Not very ideal at all.

This is very bad.

Bad, bad, bad.

You and your team’s glorious victory fades into a dream as you dangle from a broken elevator more than four hundred stories up.

The morning already left you in a panic as Peter was M.I.A. for the competition, angering many. You lost in the penultimate round due to the fact that your best chemistry guy was nowhere to be found. While the members were annoyed at his sudden disappearance, you couldn’t help but be worried sick throughout the whole morning. Half the questions passed your ears as they were too busy focusing on your rapid, thumping heartbeat. You were lucky MJ answered the final question that won you guys the championship; you didn’t even hear it. Soon everyone’s anger at a certain team member dissipated and turned into whooping cheers and congratulations. You hugged MJ and Ned, but you were left with your worries still unanswered.

Your celebration led you to nothing but the one and only Washington Monument. Sightseeing was always your favorite part of trips, but you had a feeling that would change after this. Of course the elevator had to get damaged when there were a dozen people inside it. You turned to your friend, a gnawing suspicion that he knew what just happened.

“Ned, sweetie. Did you bring that goddamn alien rock?” You mutter with gritted teeth.

“Yeah b-but, why does that have to do with anything?” Ned stutters with fear.

“Well, I don’t think my phone caused the elevator to hang by a freaking thread.” You quip, raising your eyebrows. “It’s whatever, we can’t do anything about it now.”

“You seem too calm about this situation, we could die at any moment, Y/N.”

“We’re not gonna die in here, Ned. Not me, at least.” You whisper the last part.

“You don’t know that,” Ned says.

Oh, but I do. I have to watch my fucking soulmate die before I die too.

“I have a hunch,” You snap, ending the conversation.

Soon you could see security guards above you, opening the doors that would’ve exposed the elevator. They tell you to climb out one at a time carefully as to not mess up the balance. Flash pushes everyone else out of the way, him and the decathlon trophy climbing out first. Figures…

You let everyone else get out first since you were the farthest from the hatch. You helped Betty, the last person before you, by giving her a leg up. But the push must’ve been too forceful for the now delicate elevator. You hear a snap, and the elevator plummets another five or so feet. The sudden jolt causes you to scream and grip the railing. Even if you don’t die here, you were still terrified. Dropping to a near-death doesn’t sound any better than dropping to your actual death.

“Hey, over here! I got you,” You hear a familiar voice call.

Through the hatch, you see Peter. Well, Peter in his Spider-Man suit. He was still Peter to you, though. Relief flows through your body.

“Just climb out and jump out,” He says.

You don’t move from your spot, and instead you give him a glare of disbelief. He cannot be serious right now. Perhaps free-falling isn’t as bad as you think…

“Trust me, I’ll catch you, okay? Do you trust me?” Peter pleads.

“Always,” You reply right away, and you mean it. You always trusted Peter, and this was no different. If he says he’ll catch you, he’ll catch you.

You take a deep breath and nod. You make your way out of the elevator slowly, ignoring the loud creaks. Both your arms and breath shaky, you stand up after getting through the open hatch. Looking up, you stare at the boy above you. Even though his face was covered, you could easily imagine how bright his brown eyes looked. You still saw his face through the mask.

“Okay, just jump with your arms up so I can catch you. You’ll be okay, Y/N.” Peter reassures you. You hope no one caught the fact he knew your name.

With your knees bent, you try to jump as high as you can. You close your eyes so tightly, half expecting yourself to be falling hundreds of feet down along with the elevator. When you open them, you see yourself dangling in the now empty space, webs wrapped around your wrists. Slowly Peter pulls you up to the top and you were soon met by the floor that you missed oh so much.

“Are you okay?” Peter asks as you stand up.

You throw your arms around him tightly, not wanting to let go. Though shocked, Peter hugs you back and you’re reminded of the time he hugged you at the party. You bury your face in his neck with glee. Not only were you relieved that you made it out, but you were mostly happy that Peter was safe too.

“Yeah, I’m just glad you are too.” You say, face still close to his.

“Uh, what?” You hear Flash say.

Shit, you forget the rest of the team was behind you, watching you hug a “stranger”. You doubt none of them would piece it together, but you surely didn’t want to risk it. Quickly opening your eyes back to reality, you let your arms go slack by your side.

“I uh, I- I said I’m glad I’m safe too. Yeah. Thank you, Spider-Man, you are indeed a real hero. This is definitely the first time I’ve seen you face to face. I mean, face to mask, cause I’ve totally never seen your face before.”

MJ was right; you were a terrible liar, but you didn’t realize it that bad. You were left cringing by what just happened. Luckily, despite the atrocious lie, no one thought anything of it. You were a girl in shock after a traumatic event, they didn’t expect you to be completely sane right away.

“Okay, well bye,” You abruptly say, trying to ignore what just happened.

Peter gets the memo, also not wanting to expose himself in front of his classmates. He says his goodbyes and awkwardly waves to everyone. He gives you one last look, eyes glassy under the mask. The whole time he saw you in the elevator he was terrified for you, he wasn’t even sure his plan would work. He was still queasy to his stomach afterward. But looking at you, all safe and mostly collected, made him smile. Perhaps he looked at you for longer than he should’ve before swinging out and away. You didn’t mind. You were giving him heart eyes back.

“Shit,” Flash mumbles. “I forgot to ask if he knows Peter!”

——-

No one seems to care too much that Peter randomly showed up once again. You assume it was because everyone was still a little shaken, and it was for the best that they didn’t say anything. Your eyes light up when you’re face to face with Peter, glad that you could see him without his hero persona.

You hug him for another time. The feeling of his chest becomes more familiar, and you’re shocked that you’ve never done this sooner. Maybe it’s because you haven’t been put into near-death experiences until recently, but you still enjoy these moments all the same.

“Peter!” A voice that you’ve been dreading called.

Liz jogs over to you guys and Peter quickly lets go of you. You purse your lips with slight envy. You didn’t think the hug would seem that compromising, plus you also missed the warmth of his body against yours.

“He- hey Liz,” Peter blushes.

“Where the heck did you go? I mean, I should be pissed cause you missed the competition, but I’m more worried. I haven’t seen you since last night.” Liz rambles.

You feel slightly awkward just standing there, but Liz was too concerned about Peter’s whereabouts to really talk to you. It’s understandable; you’re concerned too. Yet it still leaves a foul taste on your mouth.

Peter and Liz continue to talk, with Peter asking Liz if she was okay after the elevator fiasco and Liz still shaken by it all. Eventually, it leads to the two of them completely forgetting your existence and sitting next to each other on the bus. You were left by yourself, staring daggers at their seat as you sat in the back with MJ and Ned. He abandoned you and you couldn’t help but be a little mad. Okay, you were furious. This past month you thought you were making progress with the curly-haired boy. Even if you couldn’t be together, which you understood, you at least thought you could come to an agreement about your feelings. He’s still in Liz Land, and you were left feeling rejected. You had a right to be angry.

You wish you had powers so you could hear the conversation between the two. They looked too close and chummy for your liking, but there was nothing you could do. You wondered if Peter even looked at you as more than a friend, and your heart sinks as you realize maybe he doesn’t. You hated this routine you’ve put yourself through: having a moment with Peter that inevitably ends up being interrupted by Liz, and you being left upset afterward.

If this month has shown you anything, it’s that you liked Peter. You loved how much of a hero he was and how he always wanted the best for others. Even though he ditches you for Liz, you knew he’d have your back when you truly needed, like today with the elevator.

As the anger settled in your stomach, you came to the conclusion that you hated this reality, and that you couldn’t do anything about it. If this will save him, then it’s worth it. Maybe…

Part 1 / Masterlist / Part 3

----

Taglist:

@eridanuswave

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dontstarve-maxwil-imeanmaxwell · 4 years

Text

Chapter 3

(This one is a realllyyy long one, and I think Wickerbottom kinda knows what’s up)

“Your being quite nice dear, why with the change of heart?” Wickerbottom had seen how Maxwell has changed over the course of days, from a snarky old man, to a child who had found a new toy, and Wickerbottom was worried as to what that said “toy” might be. Maxwell stopped stirring the meat stew and hummed to himself, “ If you must know, I have found a new little hobby” “And what might that be maxwell?” “ Getting to know my camp members more” Wickerbottom stared at him for a bit while chopping the carrots, there was an underlying tone behind what he said, she could feel it, and she hoped he wasn’t bullying any of them, god forbid hurt any of them. As if he knew what she was thinking he was quick to add,” No one will be harmed, really, you can hold me to that”, He watched as she added the carrots and closed the lid to the crockpot,” You sound like Wilson when he wants to try one of his new prototypes on someone, I think I should be a little worried”, at the sound of Wilson’s name Maxwells lips turned up into a small smirk, not a mean one, just a playful one, and that was all Wickerbottom needed,” So this is about Wilson?” Maxwell crossed his arms over his chest and clicked his tongue,” He wanted to try out a hypothesis, and I only wish to help him out” Another cryptic message Wickerbottom thought. She sighed and sat on a log near the fire waiting for the stew to be done,” I hope you aren’t going to make a game out of bullying him, his sanity goes down quite quick you know” She scolded Maxwell, and he quirked a brow,” I didn’t say anything about bullying, Like I said, I’m just helping a pal out”, She looked at him with a smile, maybe he was trying to bond with the others, even if it was in his own way, and with one person, but it was a start. When she first saw him she was angry, but at the same time she was one of the first ones to help him out, you could say there was a connection with old age, but it was mostly the wisdom they both shared on Magic that brought them at a truce. At this point she might even consider him a friend at this point, after all he did confide in her, whether he noticed it or not. She looked over to Maxwell who was looking through the codex Umbra and got up to check on the stew, seeing as it was done she again brought her attention to Maxwell, “ Dear why don’t you tell everyone it’s time for dinner? And if you can try to drag Wilson out of his little work station, being holed up in there won’t do any good, he has been in there all day” Maxwell nodded and got up. He went to the tents and found Wendy, Webber, and Wes, Woodie was coming in the entrance with an armful of chopped logs, with Wolfgang in tow helping him carry more and Wigfrid with more meat from hunting, WX was in the garden with Winona, complaining about organics while conversing about upgrades, and all that was left was Wilson

“ Do you ever rest that big brain of yours?” Wilson flailed around for a bit when Maxwell spoke into his ear (why did everyone do that?!) “D-Dammit Maxwell! Do you always have to announce your presence like that all the time!?” Maxwell leaned back a bit so the scientist could turn to face him, “Well for one, I don’t think I could have gotten your attention from calling you a few feet away with you so focused on your work...” He flicked his gaze to what Wilson was working on, to Wilsons face,” And it is quite fun to see your reactions, I am sure many others in the camp would agree”, Wilson huffed,” Well if anything I spend my time productively,( not playing pranks might I add), I was making a saddle for the Beefalos, I noticed the other one isnt as comfortable and they reject it faster, so I was wondering if I could modify it to make it more comfortable for both rider and Beefalo”, Maxwell made a face and muttered something about ‘stupid beasts’ before noticing the flute that was on its way to being done on the other side of the work table, completley forggeting what he even came to the scientist for he said,” I never thought of you as the musical type higssbury”, Wilson looked to the flute as well and smiled fondly,” Call it a guilty pleasure, but I make them quite often, its mostly for the children, but I do know how to play it”

“ Stuck in that shack of yours I never saw any instruments like this, I almost thought you had no hobbies”, Wilson looked a little deep in thought before speaking up in a small voice,” I was taught how to play in school, but I guess it stuck with me, since my grandmother bought me one, I taught myself at home as well, I guess learning the different chords and putting them together to make a song… is kind of like putting chemicals together to make the perfect formula in science”, Maxwell gave Wilson and odd look before the stare became far off, “ Before… I came to this world, I had a musical hobby myself, I played the guitar, but I’m not sure if I can play anymore, it’s been a while, and well..”, Maxwell showed his gloved clawed hands,” These might get in the way” wilson looked at him in surprise, this was one of the few times he had heard the past life of the enigma that was Maxwell, hell he didn’t even know his real name was until Wendy pointed out the similarities in her fathers and Maxwell's face, and Maxwell confirming that he was Willam Carter, her uncle. After getting over the anger he had brought his own niece to this hell, he stored the surprising information of his real name in a file in his brain under “Maxwell”, which was sadly filled with mostly cobwebs. Upon hearing this information he spouted the first thing that came to mind, “If I were to make a guitar would you play it?” He meant it as a joke really, but upon seeing Maxwells taken aback face, he quickly grinned, “ Would you?” Maxwell cleared his throat and put off a face of being aloof “ Suppose you did Higgsbury, if I played it, would it even sound correct?”, Wilson’s grin got even wider,” Well if you were to help me.. Give me some pointers, maybe we could make one? Who knows, maybe everyone would be charmed to see The Great Maxwell play for them?” Maxwell was at a loss for words, playing for people? Putting on a show?, hell he hadn’t done that since… Maxwell gave a short chuckle and snorted, “ ‘The Great Maxwell’ huh? I’m sure they would be surprised to see me do something pleasant for once ” He laughed a bit, not noticing the stare of awe he got from Wilson he had never heard that type of laughter before, it was light and airy,” If it makes you feel better, maybe I could play the flute with you..?” Wilson hadn’t noticed the words he said, soft and mumbled, but Maxwell sure caught on to them and went silent, when had they gotten so close? Maxwell had realized he was practically leaning over the scientist who had his back to the desk staring at Maxwell,” W-well, I mean-that is to say-”

“A guitar and a flute? Ha! What a band that would be” Before Wilson could say anything Wickerbottom walked in, “ Maxwell, I said get Wilson out of his workstation to eat dinner, not chitchat, come along or else Wigfrid and Wolfgang will finish all the food”, Maxwell and wilson straightened then nodded, “ Good, now come along”, While they walked out Maxwell turned every so slightly to the Wilson and said in a hushed voice,” I think I might take you up on that offer”, and turned to walk a bit faster. Wilson was confused, yet pleased, ‘ Maybe, I can get Maxwell to communicate with others by doing this’ Wilson didn’t know what he was getting himself into, not at all really.

#maxwil #maxwell #wilson #wilson p. higgsbury #william carter #wendy #webber #woodie #wx 78 #Wes #wickerbottom #wolfgang #wigfrid #Winona #dont starve #fanfiction #music and biology

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eskalations · 4 years

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The First Lady didn't mention that the man looked even more distinguished now that he had started collecting a few signs of age around his temples and his ears. She figured it was better left unsaid, since the proof of her current attraction to her husband was blatantly staring them in the face in the form of her swelling belly.

A series of oneshots documenting the life and times of the Amestrian First Family.

A/N: Sorry it took so long, but here's another chapter! This one was probably the hardest to write, but it's kind of necessary to the context of the story. I'm thinking the birth scene will be next, so place your bets on the baby's gender (although I already know what it's going to be, it's still fun to see some guesses!).

Thanks for reading!

Riza was well into her seventh month of pregnancy when things began looking up for her little family.

Elizabeth was now having an easier time in school. Unfortunately, after many weeks of tears and faked illnesses, Roy and Riza had made the decision to switch Elizabeth out of her original homeroom "class" in favor of one with a new teacher. They had hated to do it, since she had already made friends, but it seemed the preferable option over all the tears they had been experiencing as the month continued on.

Luckily, the "class" Elizabeth had been switched into was on a similar schedule to the one she had been in before. At playtime, all the kids got to convene in one area, so the young girl was able to see the friends she had made during her first month. Not only that, but she had made many new friends as time went on and as her personality began to shine through under a teacher who held no bias towards her.

Not only were things going well for Elizabeth, but for Roy as well. His talks with Aerugo had been successful and a trade route had been secured after many grueling meetings between the Fuhrer and the Head of State for the Aerugian government. Grumman had also had a hand in the conversations, but since the Fuhrer had taken on the responsibility of foreign policy, the project had mostly been headed by Roy.

Once the Aerugian trade route was confirmed, the Fuhrer had immediately begun to reach out to Xing to secure yet another trade route across the desert and into the neighboring country. This route would go straight through the desert and specifically cater to the north of the country – which was one of its poorer regions. Roy had long ago discovered that his mother had hailed from the northern region of Xing and had made it his personal mission to try and help the community of poorer citizens that were housed up there.

With the Xing talks now moving forward, Roy and Riza had the pleasure of housing one Amestrian- born, Xingese Ambassador in their home.

Alphonse Elric had arrived three days prior to attend the initial meetings in regards to the trade talks. At this stage of the project, only he and a few other ambassadors were required for the task of drawing up the documentation. In one month's time, the goal was to have everything ready for Emperor Ling Yao to sign upon his bi-yearly trip to Central.

Having married Princess May Chang, Alphonse now stood as one of the Emperor's most trusted advisors. The young man, who was not so young anymore, had been named the Amestrian-Xing Ambassador and had been appointed as an advisor to the Emperor. Since his wife was usually needed in her home country – due to her role as head of the Alkahestry Research Program – the blonde usually traveled to Amestris on his own.

Though he never allowed the separation to affect his good humor, Riza could tell from the dark circles under his eyes, that he was missing his home and his family dearly. The only good thing that came out of his trips to Central, were the "mandatory" visits he made to Resembool on his way back home.

Because the Mustangs knew that these trips were hard on Al, they always allowed him to stay in their home – something he was eternally grateful for. The honest man had shared with Riza once that just getting to interact with Elizabeth, who was the same age as Al's only daughter, made the distance a little more bearable.

That was why – as Riza prepared dinner for her small family and guest – Al preferred to spend his time with Elizabeth rather than sit in the kitchen with her and Roy. Neither felt slighted in the least though as they heard Elizabeth's sweet laughter echo through the door from the backyard.

Roy smiled at the sound, glancing sideways at Riza as he chopped the onions for stew. "He's certainly good with her."

"He always is," Riza answered, stirring the pot on top of the stove. She turned the knob to set the stew at a simmer before leaning against the counter. "It shouldn't surprise you. He has a daughter himself now. He's not a child anymore."

Roy groaned, using the knife to slide the onion bits to the side. "Don't remind me. I feel old enough already. It still blows my mind that Ed and Al have children."

"Ed has children that are older than ours, Roy."

The Fuhrer gave her a look, much less threatening in his shirt sleeves and casual pants than he usually was in his military blues. "Why do you have to bring that up too? I think you just gave me a few more grey hairs."

Riza chuckled at that, rubbing a hand across her stomach, the callouses of her fingers pulling on the fabric of her apron. "Once this one comes along, I'm sure you'll have more than a few to worry about."

Roy raised his brows at the mention of the baby, but continued to work on the task at hand. "If this one is anything like Elizabeth, we'll be fine."

"Just because you said that, this one is going to be as wild as Edward Elric."

The man gave her a glare. "Don't jinx it."

At the sight of her husband's displeasure, Riza had to laugh. "There are much worse people in this world that our child could take after."

Roy was about to fire back with a witty retort, when his wife's slight intake of breath had him pausing in his actions. Riza now had her eyes squeezed shut and was rubbing an area just below her ribs.

"What's wrong?" He asked, putting down the knife and joining her by the sink. The woman waved him off dismissively, continuing to rub across the skin of her stomach.

"The baby has been active today." She finally voiced, breathing slowly as the sharp pain subsided. Sometimes it felt as though her child was playing the piano with the inside of her ribs. "I think he's mad that we're talking about him and he wanted some input."

Roy, ever worried for her well-being, didn't comment immediately. Instead he took her hand and led her to the small breakfast table that sat near the open door of the backyard. Once she was seated – though she protested that this was ridiculous and she was absolutely fine standing on her own two feet – Roy realized what she had just said.

"He?" The man asked, allowing his hand to join her's. As though the baby knew that they were being talked about, a small foot – or arm – collided with the skin of his palm. "So now you're thinking it's a boy?"

"I don't know." Riza answered honestly, her fingers intertwining with Roy's over the fabric of her apron. "I'm not sure this time around. I thought Elizabeth was a boy and then she ended up being a girl. I'm going to be happy either way, as long as they're healthy."

Roy smiled at her words. "You and I can agree on that."

The room was quiet for a few moments, the only sound in the air between them being that of the stew bubbling on the stove and the airy laughter of Elizabeth and Alphonse wafting through the door. Roy cleared his throat, hating to break the silence, but knowing it was about time that they spoke about what they had both been avoiding.

"I think it's about time you started your bed rest."

Riza sighed, slouching in her wooden chair. Roy could tell by the way she puffed air up towards her bangs that she was annoyed by his statement. He mentally prepared himself for a battle of wills as she mulled over his words.

However, she surprised him.

"I know."

Roy's heart stopped.

Had she just agreed with him? Without a fight, too?

Riza almost laughed at the shock written across his features, his dark eyes wide with surprise.

"This pregnancy is a little different than my first." Riza reached a hand out to smooth back his hair, the strands having fallen over his forehead after a long day at work and time spent over a pot full of stew. "The doctor already mentioned that she would prefer I start my bed rest early this time around. I'm planning on finishing out the week before I start working from home."

Roy continued to stare at her with his mouth opened wide. Finally, once he was able to find the words, he closed it tight before giving her a withering look. "You really had to make me say it before you were going to tell me?"

"I was planning on telling you after dinner." Riza insisted, while loosening the ties of her apron at the middle of her back. Roy walked around her chair to assist her. "It's not my fault that you chose to say it now."

"Sure," Roy said, doubtfully. He swept her long, blonde hair to the side and lifted the apron over her head. "You know that also means you won't get to pick Elizabeth up from school anymore."

Riza pouted at that. The Fuhrer was not used to seeing this more petulant side of his wife – however, she had showcased it more during the time of her pregnancy. "I don't think that's necessary."

"Bed rest is bed rest," Roy insisted, walking over to the hooks on the wall and depositing his wife's apron on to the middle wrung – right next to the little brown jacket that Elizabeth always seemed to favor. Turning back to Riza, he was not surprised to see the look of willful determination on her face. "Riza, you know as well as I do that, at this stage in your pregnancy, you need to be taking it easy. They already consider you high risk, let's not make this any more dangerous than it has to be."

"I know," Riza insisted, sinking back into her chair once more. Seated before him, in a floral print maternity dress, she looked the absolute picture of maternal perfection. The only thing that marred the scene was the scowl that was currently painted across her features. "You don't have to tell me, Roy. I just don't think it's necessary to bar me from everything."

"We'll figure something out." The man reasoned, hearing the defense in his wife's tone. He was certainly in no mood to argue with her. "Let's just get through this week – anyways, how's the planning for the secondary school in the Nosh district going?"

Roy knew she had been working hard on her next phase of plans for the poorer district of Central, so Riza readily took the bait and began to speak of the headway they had made in the construction of the school.

While Roy stirred the pot on the stove, adding the onions to the mixture, he listened as Riza described the employment process they had recently begun.

She was in the middle of telling him about the interview she had hosted earlier on in the day, when a small cry was heard from outside with the comforting tone of Alphonse following soon after. Both Roy and Riza recognized Elizabeth's strangled cry and we're about to head out the door when Alphonse and Elizabeth made their way into the kitchen.

Alphonse hadn't changed much over the years, despite his more obvious signs of aging. His hair was still a golden blonde, with eyes of much the same color. The only major difference now on his face, were the faint lines that signaled the passage of time and the gaining of wisdom. Even his wardrobe hadn't changed much, besides the addition of Xingese garb that he chose to wear whenever attending formal events.

Today, in the familiar company of the Mustangs, he had chosen to wear his classic brown sweater vest and shirt sleeves – with the arms rolled up to the elbows and dirt sprinkled across the otherwise pristine fabric. Riza knew those stains had to be the product of her frazzled daughter, who followed behind him in her white dress, covered in mud.

Before Riza could scold Elizabeth for getting her nice clothes dirty, she noticed that Alphonse was holding something small in the palms of his hands. From her spot across the table, she couldn't see what it was, but Elizabeth was quick to dampen their suspense.

"Daddy! Daddy!" She shouted frantically, running up to the man and tugging on his shirt, muddy hands leaving trails of dirt on the front of the starched cloth. "We need paint! We need paint!"

"It doesn't need to be paint, Elizabeth." Alphonse said gently, as he crouched down to the ground and set the small bundle on the floor. "I just need something to draw with. I don't think my chalk will work on tile."

Riza, seated once more, leaned forward in her chair to see what Al had brought into the kitchen.

Laying on floor was a small dove – slightly gray in color with a beak as dark as night. The creature looked to still be alive, despite its prone state on the ground – however, one of its wings seemed to be slightly bent at an unnatural angle. Riza suddenly realized why Elizabeth was so frantic and why Al was going to need something to draw with. He was going to perform Alkahestry on it.

"I found it in the garden." Elizabeth spoke hurriedly, as Roy opened several drawers to try and find something that Al could use. She followed her father around the kitchen like a shadow, tugging at his pant leg while sharing her story. Her big dark eyes filled with tears and her voice began to shake. "Uncle Al said he could save it with his Alkahestry, but we need – we need – something to write with."

The poor girl was almost out of breath by the end of her tale, her bottom lip wobbling as she gave her father's pant leg another desperate tug. "Hurry, Daddy!"

"Lizzie," Roy tried to placate her as he opened the cabinets where they kept their sauces and pulled out a jar. He placed one hand on the top of her head as he passed the jar over to Al where he sat on the floor. "You need to calm down. The bird's going to be okay."

"Everything's going to be fine." Al reassured her from his spot crouched over the bird. He stuck his finger into the sauce and began to draw a purification circle beside it. "The only thing that's not going to be fine is this sauce."

At the apologetic glance the man sent her, Riza had to laugh. "It's fine, Alphonse. I don't like garlic sauce anyways."

Elizabeth watched as Al drew the circle, careful to get the lines right. The sauce wasn't as thick as paint would have been, so it took some extra effort to get the symbol just right. Elizabeth slipped out from under her father's palm and crouched down beside her self-proclaimed honorary "uncle".

Having heard from Roy himself that Elizabeth was taking an interest in Alkahestry, Al smiled up at her as she watched his actions. "You've seen people perform Alkahestry before, right?"

Elizabeth nodded her head vigorously, her eyes never straying from the movement of his hands. "Uh huh – they used it on mommy."

Al completed the circle, drawing out a bit more sauce to color in some of the lighter portions of it. "They use it in hospitals now to help heal. Your Aunt May was one of the people that helped pioneer it."

"Aunt May?" Elizabeth asked, her head tilting to the side as she regarded her blonde companion. "Is she your wife?"

"Yep!" Al responded cheerfully, wiping his hands on the towel Riza passed him. After his hands were clean, he gently picked up the bird and placed it in the center of the circle. "She's the one who taught me about Alkahestry."

A pensive look took over Elizabeth's features as she watched the man inhale deep, before clapping his hands. On the floor before them, a blue glow radiated from the sauce and a jolt ran through the body of the dove. Within seconds, the glow was gone, and the bird's wing was back to proper form.

Al gestured for Riza to open the window that lay behind her chair. Once the window was open, the man picked up the small creature and carried it over to the branches that sat outside the window. Gratefully, the bird jumped from his palm and into the tree, it's past injury forgotten as it took flight to find the rest of its family.

The whole process caused smiles to break out on both Roy and Riza's features. Alphonse had always been a gentle soul, even when he had been nothing more than a soul bound to armor. With his hands on his hips and a smile on his face, he stared out the window and watched as the bird took off, admiring his handy work. He truly was a saint.

"Aunt May's the one that saved my mommy, right?"

The adults in the room turned back towards Elizabeth. She hadn't moved from her spot next to the now slightly broken purification circle. She had her legs drawn under her and was running her finger along the outside of the symbol, trying to commit it to memory. Her voice had taken on a far-off quality, as though she were trying to remember the story her mother had told her during her time in the hospital.

Al glanced at Riza, his eyes asking if it was okay for him to proceed. The woman nodded, rubbing circles over her belly as the baby kicked from within her. Apparently, all the excitement had gotten them riled up once more. Roy went to stand behind his wife, also sending Alphonse an encouraging look as he placed his hands on her shoulders.

"That's right." Al gave the young girl a gentle smile as he crouched beside her once more. He watched as she continued to follow the lines of the circle with her eyes, the wheels in her head visibly turning. The sight had Al grinning widely. "Aunt May healed your Mommy's neck when the bad guys got her."

Elizabeth nodded, remembering the jagged, white scar that lay on the skin of her mother's neck. When she had been in the hospital, her mother had pointed it out to her. Instead of focusing on the injury that had produced the scar, Riza had chosen to share the story of who had healed it, given her daughter's sudden interest in Alkahestry.

"Princess May Chang used Alkahestry to save me." She had said quietly, running a finger over the line that marred the skin of her neck. Sat on the hospital bed beside her, Elizabeth had mimicked her mother's actions. "If it hadn't been for her, I would have never had the chance to meet you."

"Wow," Elizabeth sighed, scratching at the now dried sauce on the tile. Riza cringed as she watched the gunk get stuck under her daughter's fingernails. "Aunt May is awesome."

"She sure is." Al agreed – a soft smile appearing on his features. Roy and Riza couldn't help but notice the slight pain in the deep topaz coloring of his eyes. They could see he was missing his wife, dearly. "Maybe one day she'll be able to teach you like she did me."

Elizabeth's eyes lit up, her gaze drifting back to her parents.

Riza fought back the sigh that attempted to escape her lips. Roy simply turned to the pot on the stove, turning off the burner and readying it for serving on the counter.

Neither of them had decided whether they were going to allow their daughter to study any form of alchemy yet. They were happy she had found an interest in Alkahesty – however, allowing her to practice it was still something they were not completely sold on. They wanted her to be happy – however, knowing the way people in her family tended to become obsessed with different forms of alchemy, they were more than a little hesitant to fully resign themselves to that future yet.

But, like Riza had to keep reminding herself, it was completely possible her daughter would grow out of this interest, just as she had with puzzles by the time she reached four. Her and Roy had never thought they would be able to get their daughter to stop obsessing over puzzles, but that too had passed.

Shaking her head, Riza chose to live in the moment.

Dinner was an upbeat affair – as it always was with Alphonse sitting at their table. As the sun sunk below the horizon, Elizabeth spoke of her day and told her "uncle" all about the new friends she had made at school. In return, Al had told her more about her Aunt May and the projects she was working on back in Xing. According to him, the woman was trying to open a few more hospitals to service the poorer districts in the capitol city.

Elizabeth kept repeating how she wanted to get to meet her Aunt May, which Al had to laugh at, since the young girl had met his wife only two years prior, when she had been much too young to remember. Al promised that the next time he came to Central, he would try and convince his wife to tag along and bring his daughter, Lily, along with her too. This had Elizabeth squealing in absolute delight.

Eventually, Elizabeth was sent to wash up and the adults were left in the kitchen. Al volunteered to help Roy with the dishes, since both men seemed to be keen on the idea of keeping Riza in her seat. With her ankles as swollen as they were, the woman couldn't find it in herself to argue.

Roy gave her a look over his shoulder as he and Al worked in tandem to wash and dry the dishes. She smiled in response, not even needing to hear his question, in order to know what he wanted to ask.

"Hey Alphonse?"

"Yes?"

"Riza and I were wondering…."

Once Elizabeth had been put to sleep and it was time to turn down for the night, the Fuhrer and his wife made their way to the master bedroom. Elizabeth had required two stories that night instead of her usual one and this time, she insisted on hearing the story of how her "Aunt May" had saved her mommy again. Roy had to become quite creative with the details to keep it all from scaring her, but he thought he had done a pretty good job of it by the end.

After showers were had and robes donned, Roy and Riza found themselves laid out on their bed, with the single lamp in the room still shining brightly as they readied themselves for bed. Just as they had been doing for a month now, the two adults took this time to speak privately with each other, and spend time admiring the movements of their still unborn child.

It was while Roy had his head laid in Riza's lap, his ear pressed up against the swollen curve of her belly, that he finally voiced what he had been thinking about for the past few hours.

"I'm surprised Alphonse was okay with our decision."

Riza ran a hand through Roy's dark hair, her fingers scratching lightly at his scalp. At the sensation, the man couldn't help but release a sigh, his warm breath sinking into the fabric of her light robe. They remained quiet for a moment, both lost in their own thoughts.

"I'm not."

"Really?"

"Yes." Riza leaned back against the headboard, her hand moving to rub a spot under her ribs. Now that she was sitting, the baby had decided to become more active. "In Xing, it's a sign of respect. It doesn't surprise me that he would see it as such and I believe May will see it the same way."

"What if later on they want to use it though…"

"I don't think Al could ever convince May to let him do that." Riza laughed quietly, aware that their daughter was sleeping down the hall. "I think within their own family it would be a bit more complicated to do something like this."

Roy shrugged his shoulders slightly, the action rubbing against the bone of her pelvis. "I guess you're right. We should still call her and ask."

"I will. However, I'm pretty I know what her answer will be."

Roy sunk deeper into her lap, pushing his ear against the skin of her belly. As if sensing their father's presence, the baby kicked at the spot. Riza couldn't fight her own smile as she watched Roy's eyes light up with glee. It was like falling in love with him all over again when they went through times like these. She had felt the same way during her pregnancy with Elizabeth.

"You know." Riza reminded him, gently stroking his hair once more. "May isn't the only person we need to talk to."

Roy nodded, the movement causing the stubble of his cheek to catch on the fabric of her nightgown. "I know. We'll talk to her about it, as well."

"I think he would be honored."

Roy smiled at that, closing his eyes as he listened to the quiet movements of their child.

"I think so too."

#royai #roy mustang #riza hawkeye #fma #fullmetal alchemist #royai fanfiction #royai fanfic #royai fic #fma fic #fma fanfic #fma fanfiction #my fanfiction

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fanficcreator · 4 years

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Naively in Love (Bucky x Reader) Part 5

//Word count: 4,542 (sorry lmao)

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4

Warnings: drug mention

A/N: This is big angst chapter that y’all have been waiting on! Sorry it took so long! Hope y’all enjoy!

Tags: @firefly-in-darkness @fuckthatfeeling @iheartsebastianstan @super-marvel-dale @secondstartotheright-imagines @wtfholland @delicatecapnerd @imcreepinginyourheartbabe-blog

As soon as Bucky arrived back at his house, a troubled breath tumbled from his lips. He held a thousand mile gaze as his night played and replayed his mind’s eye. Guilt and shame festered in his gut as he leaned his head back against his front door. He wasn’t supposed to enjoy his night as much as he did. It was supposed to be a friendly gesture, a sort of premature apology for his future plans. Nevertheless, he tangled himself in the way that her smile reached her eyes when they shared a laugh, and the pure contentment that she exuded after he’d declared their outing a date.

He cringed at the memory. That definitely was not supposed to happen. The words just felt so natural to him, though, like something clicked into place as soon as he’d said them. A shift happened in the energy between them that he was not prepared for in the slightest.

His far off gaze lifted off of the floor as he pushed himself off of the door and up the stairs leading to his room. He bit his lip and glanced at his mother’s door as he passed it, silently thankful that she had gone to sleep already. He didn't need her asking where he went after school; he didn’t have the heart to tell her what he was doing, and knew that he wouldn’t be able to lie to his own mother. Lying to (y/n) was plenty enough dishonesty for him.

‘Am I even lying to her anymore?’ He thought to himself, pausing just before he entered his room. That question rooted his feet to the floor and pushed a sigh from his lungs.

He knows what he felt that night. He’s only ever had that feeling once before, and that was years ago in elementary. His eyes flitted this way and that as he stood still as a tree before his door, almost as if he was looking for the answer to his qualms in the floorboards, until he’d finally snapped out of his daze and realized that he’d been holding his doorknob for the past five minutes.

He pushed open his door and crossed the room to his bed, unceremoniously slinging his body across it and letting his leg dangle and sway over the side while his hand rested on his stomach. His gaze seemed to look through the ceiling as he unleashed his thoughts once more, letting the furrow between his brow crease and fold into his skin.

It was all too much. He couldn’t handle deceiving her now that he defined the feelings that were festering in his belly.

“I’ve gotta tell her…” He muttered to himself.

With that thought, the fog dissipated, and a clear plan took place.

…

(y/n) was floating on clouds as she made her way from class to class, a smile on the verge of spreading resting on her lips. Her stomach had been set alight with butterflies since she was dropped off the night before; sleep was a stranger to her that night. She awoke with a smile, and moved throughout her morning routine with a dusty rose lens of infatuation.

She swung her feet beneath her chair as she picked at her food with a dopey grin stuck on her face. Her friend had been observing her with her eyes narrowed throughout the entire lunch period until she reached over and poked her cheek.

“What’s got you all smiley?” She asked suspiciously, “You haven’t spoken a word this whole period.”

“Hm…?” She hummed, dragging her eyes over to her friend.

“You heard me.” She replied, “Did something happen that I don’t know about?”

“Oh,” She said, bringing her lip between her teeth as a light giggle bubbled from her chest, “Yeah, I went on a date last night.”

Her friend was taken aback, and drew a hand to her chest, “A date?” She exclaimed, before a small smile blossomed across her lips, “With who?”

(y/n) merely nodded her head toward the rowdy lunch table across the room, and once her friend followed her gaze, her jaw dropped.

“You went on a date with Bucky Barnes?” She asked incredulously, “What-when did this happen?”

“Last night.” (y/n) hummed, still smiling and looking at him, “I just asked him, and he agreed. And it was great.”

“Oh my God!” She exclaimed, grasping (y/n)’s shoulders and turning her torso to meet her wild eyes, “That’s awesome! You’ve had a crush on this guy-

“Since forever, I know.” She muttered, giggling as her friend shook her back and forth, “You always tried to push me to make the first move.”

“For good reason, obviously!” She exclaimed, squeezing her poor shoulders for emphasis, “I just wish you had done it earlier.”

“...I guess you were right-”

“Damn right I was right!” she proclaimed proudly.

“Am I interrupting anything?”

(y/n)’s head snapped up from her plate, and immediately broke into a smile upon seeing Bucky standing before her.

Her friend just chuckled and threw her hands up in surrender, “Not at all.” She responded, “You two go ahead.”

Bucky smiled at her, “I just need a few minutes.” He muttered before allowing (y/n) to stand and follow him to a secluded corner of the cafeteria.

“What’s up?” (y/n) asked, smiling with her eyes bright.

“I-I just…” It’s the eyes for him, god he can’t think straight. He just inhaled and squinted his eyes as he wrung his lower lip between his teeth, “Are you free this Saturday?” His voice raised an octave, almost like he was pulling back from the question itself.

“Yes I am, as most losers are.” She responded, chuckling, “What do you have planned?”

“My friends and I are…” He trailed off, reeling in his mind the easiest way to tell her that she was essentially his date to an ugly contest, “we’re having a fifties themed throwback, and I need a date.” He chose his words carefully; each word that left his mouth was plucked and placed gently into his sentence.

Her face lit up as soon as the words left his mouth, “I’d love to go!” She exclaimed, “I’ve always wanted to go to a fifties themed party!” She added a little bit of a chuckle. “Why were you so nervous to ask me that?”

“Who said I was nervous?”

“You stuttered your first word, Buck.”

“That could mean anything.”

“Like what?’ She asked, giggling, “What else could that mean?”

Bucky opened his mouth to retort, but was cut off by a collective shout from his group of friends causing him to jump and look back to their table to see what those idiots were up to. (y/n)’s brows rose with the sound, her eyes widening in surprise as she peaked from behind Bucky’s shoulders.

“What the hell are they doing over there?” She asked, curiosity and mild concern dripping from every word.

“Probably something stupid,” Bucky replied, his eyes squinted as he tried to focus on the table, “I can never leave them alone for more than five minutes…”

He mumbled like a disdained mother keeping watch over her toddlers, and his tone pulled a chuckle from (y/n)’s chest causing him to snap back to face her and shoot a glare her way.

“What’s so funny?” He asked, crossing his arms.

“Oh nothing…” she said, “you just sounded like a nanny is all.”

He just scoffed and rolled his eyes, “I did not.”

(y/n) threw her hands up in mock surrender and breathed an airy, “Whatever you say,” she then dropped her hands and crossed her arms, turning her attention back to Bucky’s rowdy friend group, surprised to find one of them playing the knife game with one of the plastic knives from the cafe, “You better get over there before someone loses a hand.”

Bucky just sighed, and started over to the table, “I’ll pick you up at five.” He threw this over his shoulder, sparing her a weak wave as he hurried his steps across the room.

(y/n) just breathed an airy confirmation as she started on her way back to her seat, the smile slipping its way back on to her lips as her mind began to reel on what she would wear that weekend.

…

‘God, I hope this is ‘fifties’ enough…’ (y/n) thought to herself as her eyes dragged up and down her image in the mirror.

She adorned herself in a maroon dress that hugged her waist and flared by her shins. On her feet were a pair low rise heels; she knew that if she went any higher than two inches her ankle would be twisted by the end of the night. Her lips were painted in a deep maroon, to coincide with her dress, and she wore diamond studs; courtesy of her mother.

She found her eyes in the mirror, alight with nerves and accented with mascara, and swallowed down the butterflies creeping up her throat.

‘Why the hell am I so nervous about this?’ she asked herself, ‘it’s just a date with my crush of several years, nothing I haven't done before…’

Her thoughts were split by the ding of her phone which caused her jump and rush to it, plucking it from her charger.

bbarnes: I’m outside, doll

She felt her face grow hot as she typed her reply, her nerves now wracking through her body.

(y/n): Coming!

With one last look in the mirror and a prayer sent up above, she grabbed her jacket, and rushed out of her room whisking past her mother. A small good luck floated from the front to the back of her head as she opened the front door, and felt the cool night air rush over her legs.

‘Here goes nothing…’

…

Bucky and (y/n) entered arm in arm, and Bucky smiled when he caught (y/n)’s eyes light up upon crossing the threshold. The lights were dimmed, and a checkered dance floor was placed at the center of the room. In the booths along the sides of the buildings, “couples” were sharing milkshakes and fries, the girls’ cheeks alight with blush and mirth. The air was thick with hairspray, and cigarette smoke danced alongside the scent.

“How the hell did they allow that here?” (y/n) asked, vaguely pointing at the couple leaning against the ‘bar’, passing a cigarette between themselves.

“Hell if I know…” Bucky muttered, “They probably bribed the poor man who owns this place.”

“Would they really do that?” she asked, a wrinkle between her brows.

“I wouldn’t put it past them…” He muttered, a twitch in his jaw as his eyes scanned the area. Once he spotted a free booth, he jutted his chin over towards it, “C’mon,” he said, “let’s grab a seat.”

…

(y/n)’s head reeled back in a boisterous laugh as she placed a hand on her shaking belly, “He really ate a piece of ham off of the street for a dollar?” She asked incredulously.

“The poor guy had stomach aches for a week,” Bucky replied, a chuckle caught in his throat, “You should’ve seen the look on his face when he spotted the Thanksgiving ham that year.”

(y/n) snickered as she played with her straw, gently mixing the milkshake before her. A light spell of silence drifted over the two of them as (y/n) glanced about the room, taking note of the records glued to the walls, “Your friends really went all out for this event,” she muttered, “Every song so far has been from the fifties.”

“How can you tell?”

“Oh, um,” she shifted her gaze down towards her shake, playing at the glass with her fingers, “My old friends and I used to get high and listen to the old cd’s in their parents cars.”

Bucky snickered, “Sounds like a great time.”

“It really was,” she bit her lip, a bittersweet smile spread upon them, “that was when I discovered Nina Simone; I’ve been obsessed with her ever since.”

Bucky’s brows shot up, “You listen to Nina Simone?”

“I live by her,” (y/n) responded, her eyes glued to the table, “Well, I try to at least…” She played with her fingers as she debated on opening up about this part of herself, but upon looking across the table and meeting Bucky’s eager eyes, a dam broke, and she allowed a slow smile to leak into her words, “she was completely in love with herself and her culture, and she fought for what she believed in. She put her whole heart and soul into her craft, and I try to work toward that every single day of my life.”

Bucky felt his cheeks warm, “Wow, that…” he muttered, keeping steady eye contact as his gaze roamed her face, taking note of the way that she glowed under the low hanging lamp above their table.

(y/n) chuckled bashfully, glancing back down at the table, “What are you staring at?” she asked.

Bucky, not realizing that he was staring, cleared his throat and broke his gaze after a moment, “That’s pretty admirable, doll. Not many girls find themselves like that until after they get out of high school.”

“Not many girls have gone through what I went through my freshman year,” she responded shrugging her shoulders, “when my friends all left me behind, I had nothing but time to figure myself out.”

And in trickled Bucky’s gut wrenching guilt. He could only imagine how hard it was for her to open up to other people after what her friends had done to her. He could see the hurt in her eyes when she walked him through the entire ordeal the night of their first date. God, this was going to tear her apart…

(y/n) waved her hand in front of Bucky’s face, “Hello,” she muttered, “Earth to Bucky...what’s on your mind?”

He shook his head and bit his lip as he debated on how to answer her. He hated how well she read people sometimes; she would see right through him if he lied to her. He sighed as a furrow formed between his brows, and he met her concerned gaze. “Listen…” he started, feeling the sweat begin to build on the palms of his hands, “about tonight, I-”

“Wait a minute,” she said, glancing up towards the ceiling as she caught the gentle tune floating in the air. Her eyes lit up once she identified it, “this is one of my favorite Nina songs! We should dance!” She asked, upon noticing the couples swaying side to side on the dance floor.

Bucky sighed as he searched her eyes, and found nothing but excitement. There is nothing she wants more than to be on that dance floor. “Sure…” he muttered, reluctant, but with a soft smile on his lips.

Once they stumbled into a free spot, (y/n) wound her arms around his shoulders, and chuckled as Bucky tentatively placed is hands at her hips.

“I didn’t take you as a shy type of guy.” she mumbled, loosely setting her hands on his wrists and pulling his hands closer to her, “c’mon, don’t be shy. I don’t bite.”

“It’s called being respectful, doll.” Bucky replied, a smile seeping through his words as he tightened his grip and pulled her closer to him.

“Mh hm.” she responded, her tone dripping with sarcasm, “your little tough guy act doesn’t work on me anymore, Barnes, ” she pulled herself up and placed her forehead against his, locking their eyes together in a playful gaze that seeped into Bucky’s bones. “I can see right through you.”

“Oh, really?” He threw back, widening his eyes and nudging her head with his, “You figured me out in a week?”

“I wouldn’t say I ‘figured you out’, but you’re definitely not a stranger to me anymore. I’ve just... poked through your wall a little, that’s all.”

Bucky pushed an airy chuckle from his nose as he counted her lashes, “Whatever you say.”

(y/n) allowed a smirk to lift her lips as she slid her eyes closed, and swayed along with the crowd. Her arms relaxed and her breath fell into a steady rhythm as her smirk melted into a contented smile. The warmth of Bucky’s hands seeped through her dress to her core, and warmed her with a comfort and contentment that she hadn’t felt since...she couldn’t remember when. The smooth plucking of the bass line thrummed the strings of her heart and traveled through her veins from the top of her head to the tips of her toes; it warmed her cheeks with mirth.

Bucky watched the music travel through her, and roamed his eyes about her face, tracing the lines around her mouth, and the shape of her lips. He felt the weight of her arms settle on his shoulders, and the tension seep from her back. Upon sliding his hands to her waist, he noticed her breath was aligned to the thrum of the music, and unconsciously set his to the same rhythm.

When (y/n) opened her eyes and met Bucky’s, she smiled bashfully and broke their gaze, only to have his eyes follow hers.

“Oh, now you get shy,” he spoke softly, carefully, as if he was afraid of breaking their bond.

“Shut up…” she muttered, chuckling because she knew that she was caught, “I was just caught off guard.”

“From what?”

“...your eyes,” she responded, hesitantly, “they’re so intense and focused...it’s a little jarring.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

(y/n) snickered through her nose, “Don’t let it go to your head.”

Their eyes remained locked as the song came to a close, and like magnets, they slowly pulled into each other, neither of them noticing what they were doing until their lips were a breath apart. And there they stopped, locking eyes and flitting down to their lips, asking a silent question of consent before brushing them against each other.

“Alright!” Jason’s voice boomed from the speakers, stopping the music, and causing the two of them to jerk apart, eyes wide and alert, “we only have this DJ rented for an hour, so it’s about time to wrap this thing up!”

Bucky’s stomach dropped as he realized what had just happened, and what was going to happen in a few moments. He could feel the regret pooling in his eyes.

“What’s wrong?” (y/n) asked, but before Bucky could get another word in, he was summoned up onto the stage by Jason, accompanied by a boisterous laugh.

His limbs were heavy as he took himself to meet Jason. His eyes pleaded Jason to just drop it and give him the money, but he merely responded by thrusting his arm around Bucky’s shoulders, causing him to stumble a bit.

“This guy,” he started, jostling him about, “has a friend out studying across the country, and hasn’t shut up about missing him since the start of the year,” Bucky rolled his eyes, and knocked his arm off of his shoulders, “so, the three of us, Eli in the back, Bucky, and myself, thought up an idea to raise some money for him to visit his buddy over break.” A devious smile spread across his face as he scanned the crowd, “and I have to say, I am not disappointed with the results.”

He turned to Bucky, “Which lucky lady did you bring along with you tonight?”

Bucky sorrowfully swept the crowd, and found (y/n)’s confused eyes, before turning back to Jason and pointing her out.

“Ahhh,” he said, tightening his grip around his shoulders, “Bucky, you sly bastard, bring her up here!”

The crowd began clapping, blissfully unaware of Bucky’s uneasiness as he stepped down from the stage, and lead (y/n) back to it.

Jason waltzed over to (y/n), and wound his arm about her shoulders, “What’s your name little lady?”

Once he placed the mic before her lips, (y/n) tentatively leaned over to it, and spoke her name, “(y/n).”

“Full name, sweetheart.”

“(l/n). (y/n) (l/n).”

Jason smirked and stepped away from her, then thrust her arm up in victory, “Ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you the winner of this dogfight…(y/n) (l/n)!”

As soon as she heard that word, dogfight, all of the oxygen in the room seemed to have seeped through the walls; she felt suffocated. Words were muffled, colors blurred, and all she could bring herself to do was turn and look at Bucky, tears of betrayal and shock pooling in her eyes.

“I’m so sorry.” Bucky mouthed, eyes sorrowful and pleading for an answer.

(y/n)’s lip curled in a snarl as a tear spilled down her cheek. She then ripped her arm from Jason’s grasp and stormed down from the stage, parting the crowd like Moses to the sea, embarrassment setting her face alight with heat, and flames of rage climbing up through her core to her chest; she could not believe she let herself be humiliated like that.

“Wait, (y/n)-” Bucky called after her, desperation causing his voice to crack as he stumbled down the stage after (y/n); the crowd watched with wide eyes as a thick silence settled around the room. Once the doors closed behind him, Jason whistled into the mic and rocked back on his heels.

“How about a couple more songs before we go!” he suggested, trying to cut the tension ridden confusion from the crowd, to which they cheered tentatively as Eli ran to the DJ and slipped him a few extra dollars to keep the party going for a little longer.

...

The chill of the night raised goosebumps along her arms as she set herself against the wall of the building, trying to collect her frenzied thoughts. Her breath was unsteady, shaking with the tears that rolled down her face, and fighting against the lump in her throat.

She jumped a bit once the doors burst open beside her, and hurriedly tried to wipe her tears as Bucky clambered beside her.

“(y/n), I’m so-”

“Don’t even start with that bullshit.” She spat at him, “There is nothing you can say to me that would make what you did okay.”

Bucky jumped back, unsure of what to say next. “My friends...they put me up to it.”

“What, and you think that changes something?” She asked him, a joyless, incredulous smile on her face. She chuckled, her fingers against her lips.

“You could’ve just told me, you know,” she started, her voice rough with tears, “I would’ve understood. I would’ve been happy to help you out.” She met his eyes, hers fiery and red, fraught with anger. “But instead you choose to lead me on. You tricked me, and used me for some sick game.”

Bucky hung his head sighed, “I know…” he muttered, face burning with shame.

She studied him, head shaking side to side, a furrow between her brows and a frown set on her lips, “Do you really think a sorry would fix that?” she asked, her voice trembling, “I was opening up to you, Bucky. Against my own gut, I started to trust you. God, I can’t believe I was so stupid and naive to think that someone like you would take a genuine interest in me.”

Bucky just looked at her, ‘sorry’ clung to the tip of his tongue as he racked his brain for something substantial to say. “I don’t have anything to say for myself,” he started, his chest heavy, “I know what I did was wrong. I know I should’ve told you before all of this,” he waved his hand toward the building, “I never meant...I didn’t want to hurt you-”

“Well, you did,” she said, and she chuckled, “in the most cliche way that you possibly could’ve…” (y/n) could feel her tears building in her throat, and she knew that she wouldn’t be able to swallow them down for much longer. “Just...just take me home.” (y/n) muttered, her hands balled into fists at her sides and her eyes sullen as she pushed past him and headed toward his car.

Bucky watched after her, his guilt and shame sour and heavy in his chest, before he fell into step behind her.

The car ride was silent, and when (y/n) stepped out without a word said in his direction, she slammed his car door closed, and began her walk up to her home, her hand shaking as she pressed her key into the lock. Bucky watched after her, before pulling off, determined to make it back to his house before his own tears got the best of him.

…

(y/n)’s limbs felt heavy as she dragged her feet up the stairs, thankful that her mother had gone to sleep already so she wouldn’t ask her how her night went. Her hands gripped her doorknob like a vice as she turned it, as if it was the only keeping her from collapsing to the ground. A wave of perfume washed over her as soon as she swung open her door, souring her thoughts as she trudged her way to the mirror, kicking the door closed behind her. In a daze, she ran her eyes over her features and just...observed.

A thick silence settled over the room like a blanket, weighing on her shoulders and ringing in her ears.

She watched the way her chest jumped when she took in a breath, and the way her tears swelled on her waterline. She followed the mascara streaks down to the smudged lining of her lipstick, biting her lip as she sniffled.

Her thoughts trailed back over the night that she had, and felt her face crumble as tears built up in her chest.

‘I can’t believe I was so stupid…’ she thought to herself as her back curved with a sob, and her hands cupped her face.

And she cried, and cried until she had drained herself of tears, completely oblivious to her phone being set alight with notifications.

When she was done, she dragged her eyes back up her face, wiped it clean of the sticky residue of her makeup, then trudged her way to her bed, limply removing her clothing on the way. Once she encased herself in her blankets, and curled into her own warmth, she found herself drifting to sleep, the tang of her tears still fresh in her throat, hoping for comfort when the morning came.

#bucky x reader #bucky x reader angst #bucky fluff #bucky angst #highschool au #marvel

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talpup · 4 years

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Chaos: 44

Summary: The day Aizawa Shouta betrayed his Love was the day the Daimon lost everything that mattered in his life. Now, with her awake from her slumber and memory wiped, he has another chance at having her and being happy. There’s only the small problem of heaven wanting his Love dead, and hell wanting control of her. And her promise to protect and help another. Oh! And her remembering what he did.

But Shouta has waited so long to have her back. Has planned and taken measures to see his Love protected. He won’t loose her this time. He’ll do anything to keep her safe, and stop her from remembering his betrayal. Cost and consequences be damned.

Though it really is a shame that the cost just might bring about Chaos.

Please remember, this fic is rated explicit and has warnings of violence, sex, questionable con, and non-con (though we’re thankfully done with that), and other possible triggers.

***If you prefer reading off AO3 here’s the link for that: https://archiveofourown.org/works/20155333/chapters/55955119

AUTHOR’S NOTE: Sorry, I've been meaning to add this note since I first introduced the Nenu but kept on forgetting.

For those that don't know, Nenu is a different spelling for Nu or Nun. Depending on what period of ancient Egyptian mythology one's looking at, the Nu is a sort of creator figure that was a watery abyss from which the earth/land came forth from, or (if looking at the negative aspects of later years) a being of chaos and disorder. The Nu was also described as the 'Father of the gods'.

While the Nenu in Chaos isn't the ancient Egyptian Nenu, I have taken aspects of this mythological deity.

44.1

Shouta's eyes glowed red with his power. A black tendril burst into existence and wrapped around the beast that had charged him. He growled, gritting his teeth in effort to restrain the creature with the dense, rope-like blackness.

“Where’s Anna? Dabi! Find her.” Shouta pulled his blade from the beast and stabbed it again.

Dabi set out a blast of white flames and the beast charging him and Shigaraki. Though no smoke billowed from the seems of his stitches, there was an unpleasant warmth beginning to build from the use of his affinity.

So longer, better use but still an inevitable backlash, Dabi thought as he continued. Not the greatest news, but good to know I guess.

“Dabi!” Shouta barked.

Dabi grimaced at the telltale burning of the Ties compel. “Damn it! Aizawa! I’m a little busy trying not to died. You’re the one with the Tie that tells you where she is. You find her!”

Shouta growled taking his anger and frustrations out at the clawing beast.

If the Tie was working, allowing him to sense where Reyanna was, he wouldn’t be asking the stupid Demon to find her. This damned place must have similar blocks to those that heaven had.

44.2

Reyanna broke away from the Nenu’s hold and flinted several meters back.

Where was Shouta? She had to get back to him.

“Face me, Sister.”

“I’m not your damned sister, you crazy abomination.” She tried to call forth her blade but it was more instinct than anything else.

The weapon didn’t come. Instead her open hand was left empty, her bid unanswered; the blade that had been like a part of her since childhood now nothing but pieces and dust.

The Nenu took a step toward her.

Reyanna crouched and took two back.

“Is that what you think of yourself? As an abomination? No wonder you refuse to open yourself to who you truly are.”

Reyanna’s hand closed into a fist. “I’m nothing like you! Now tell me, where’s Shouta?”

The Nenu’s bat-like winds expanded making the room they were in even darker. “You’re right, little Sister. You are nothing like me. But you are a child of Chaos just the same. Bow and submit, and I may yet let your Lover live.”

As much as it hurt her eyes to look the Nenu’s duel form, Reyanna didn’t look away. One of the first rules Shouta had ever taught her was to never take your eyes off a superior enemy; and the fact was, the enemy standing before her was by far superior.

This Third had to be the most formidable enemy she had ever faced. The Nenu was greater than the Great Rock that she battled for half a day and nearly lost to. He might even been greater than Toshinori, who had killed her.

Keeping one eye on the Nenu, she quickly scanned the room.

There were no doors or windows. She was alone with this thing and saw no physical means of escape. She tried to flint back to Shouta; but found that she couldn’t flint out of the room.

Shouta… She was the reason he was here. She had brought Shouta into this mess. She had endangered her Love without thought or care all because he had made her betray her promise to Abril and then hidden that fact.

Damn her stubborn pride, and irrational anger towards him. She was the one who had broke. It was her desire for him that broke her. He was just trying to see her safe and well. But his deeds and her dwindling fury meant nothing in the face of this.

The worlds. Her life. All of existence. None of it meant anything. Not without him.

She had to find him and get him out of here. To hell with her promise to Abril. To hell with the task of closing one of the gates. All that matter was Shouta. He was the reason for everything. He was her reason for everything. Even if she didn’t live to tell him that or how sorry she was; she had to live long enough to find him and see him safe.

Reyanna straightened to her full height, eyes glowing with her power. “Where’s Shouta!”

44.3

“...Shouta!” Reyanna’s voice sounded from overhead.

Shouta's head snapped up. “Anna!”

He grunted, chest sliced open by claws. Growling he stabbed the thing again, blade slicing downward through its leg as he pulled the weapon out.

“Zashi! Hold the thing.”

“What!” Hizashi stopped pulling at his embedded blade, to look at the Daimon.

Was Shouta insane? He couldn’t hold the thing. They could barely stop it from killing them while working together.

Shouta didn’t respond. He had already let the dark tendrils fall away from the creature and tried to flint to Reyanna.

Though he could flint, Shouta quickly found that he couldn’t flint up there. He scowled at the sky above, noticing that both Reyanna’s and the Nenu’s feet were flat as if they were standing on something instead of hovering in the air.

Dense black tendril reappearing Shouta cast it out thinking to lasso her and pull her to him.

At the same time as Shouta made his move, Hawks took to the air, having called back his feathers. Both Shouta's dark coil and Hawks hit the same invisible barrier and fell back.

Shouta's dense, dark tendril disappeared.

Hawks tumbled to the ground.

“There’s some kind of barrier.” Hawks said, shaking his ring head.

“Shou!” Hizashi both pleaded and warned.

The Angel was being thrown about.

He refused to let go of his blade which was still embedded in the shoulder of the beast he and Shouta were facing.

Caring little about Hizashi’s presence, the creature bucked wildly and made a zigzagged line toward Shouta.

44.4

Hand in Todoroki’s, Hitoshi allowed his Boyfriend to half lead, half drag him down the countless flights of stairs.

“Just how far down does this place go?” Hitoshi panted.

It felt like they had been running forever and he doubted the others could hold out for long when the Nenu woke back up.

“We’re not going down. We’re going up.”

Hitoshi’s feet planted in place. He would’ve fallen over from Todoroki’s pulling grip if he hadn’t begun moving again so quickly.

“Up! We’re going the wrong way!”

“No we’re not.” Todoroki said, calmly. “Look out the window.”

Window. What window? Hitoshi was about to force the other boy to stop when light suddenly flooded the place. The once steep, narrow, dark stairs that had been chiseled roughly into the stone changed and expanded. The space was now airy. The stairs wide and marbled, the balustrade ornate. Most disconcerting, they were no longer going down but up, and they hadn’t missed a step or changed direction.

Hitoshi gawked, now thinking that he had gone crazy.

“Remember where we are. This place is the home of Third’s. The children of Chaos don’t follow the same rules and order that we do, and neither does their world.” Todoroki said, eyes ever focused ahead.

Hitoshi looked about in awe.

He was a Third, granted a made one. But he felt stupid for not knowing these things. Then again he hadn’t had many dealings with Thirds. And the few encounters that he had, hadn’t exactly been friendly. It wasn’t as if the Were’s that had attacked his home and killed his parents had left a handbook.

He almost snorted at the thought.

If there had been a handbook, Aizawa probably would’ve made him memorize every word, coma, and period. He could almost hear his mentor now. Word choice and phrasing are often key. When it comes to the written word, punctuation or lack there of is just as important.

It felt silly to look out the window and confirm what his eyes now saw; but his eyes had told him something completely different just a moment ago.

Hitoshi looked out the window.

“Anna!” The Were’s heart lurched.

He tugged against Todoroki’s hand, mind reeling. Could she flint to safety from such a height? The Nenu was choking her. The Nenu’s wings weren’t even moving. How could he just hover there? They had to help her.

Todoroki pulled Hitoshi along, focused solely on his task. “She’ll either open herself up to the truth and realize what she’s done, or die.”

Hitoshi didn’t understand what the Llaes was saying but none of that mattered.

He pulled harder against Todoroki’s hold. “We have to help her! Aizawa--”

“Not even Aizawa can help her now. This is something she has to do and face alone. Either she accepts, or it was all for nothing, and we die.”

“What?”

Todoroki tugged at Hitoshi’s hand. “All we can do is get to the chamber door and hope for the best. Come on.”

44.5

Able to see both the room and open air they seemingly floated in, the Nenu chuckled at Reyanna’s demanding question.

He glanced down looking at the fallen Seraphim watching the Daimon battle one of his Aspects.

While the three beast below where him, or more correctly parts of him, it was like multi tasking. His mind and eye could only concentrate on so many things at once, and only one of them well. The three Aspects below were mostly fighting without thought. Like breathing, the beasts movements were more autonomic than consciously done. Any changes in their actions could be done; but similar to holding ones breath, it could only be done for so long.

Just the act of being split was draining. Add to that him keeping Reyanna from seeing both surroundings like the way she saw both of him, and he would tire fairly quickly. The wounds his Aspects took from those down below, while not yet felt or seen on his main body, did put a direct toil on his system.

Reyanna’s lips curled. The shadow’s within the room pulled toward her.

“Shouta. Where is h--”

The Nenu was on her quicker than she could see.

His hand wrapped around her throat.

Before she could register the act, let alone respond to it, she was lifted up into the air.

Reyanna clawed at the Nenu’s crushing hand. Her legs kicked out. Toes pointed, she tried to touch the stone floor in effort to take some of the weight off her strangled trachea.

“Insolent whelp.” The Nenu’s other hand pressed against her chest, claws digging in right where Toshinori’s blade had pierced and killed her.

Reyanna’s choked gurgle shortened to a harsh staccato. She would’ve cried out in pain if she could get any air through her raw, burning windpipe. Her eyes widened and squeezed shut. The best she could manage in this state, without her blade, were futile hits and kicks.

Her power radiated a burning cold that seemed to do nothing to him.

She tried to pull his shadow from him but it barely even twitched in her direction.

“Such a pathetic daughter of Chaos you are. It burns me to think of you as a sister.”

45.6

Though the beast he and Hizashi were fighting required all of his attention to merely stay alive, Shouta chanced a look up. What he saw made his blood boil and run cold.

“Anna!”

“Shouta!” Hizashi flinted between the striking beast and his friend.

Shouta's head spun around.

He saw claws tear through Hizashi’s flesh, the raking gouges deep enough to slice through something vital and kill.

“Zashi!”

Hizashi fell back against the Daimon.

“Hang on.” Shouta flinted them a half mile away, near the top of a steep hill. “I got you. Just hang on.”

Shouta reached into his pocket, cursing his sticky blood coated hand that made the fabric cling.

His fingers wrapped around a vial, pocket tearing as he pulled it out.

“Here.” Shouta’s shaking hands fumbled, trying to uncap the bottle.

Hizashi’s hand closed around the Daimon's wrist. “Shou… Don’t.”

“Shut up and save your strength.”

Hizashi smiled weakly and shook his head. “You need to save that for yourself or Anna, yeah.”

Anna… Shouta's fingers stopped. He looked up at his Love who was being strangled by the Nenu and willed her to fight.

Why was it that when she needed him most he couldn’t get to her? He couldn’t loose her again. He wasn’t even sure if the vial he held was the real deal and would work.

A Phoenix potion. The most rare and difficult potion a witch could brew. Such a thing required a laundry list of ingredients, all of them near impossible to find and acquire. Even then, the cost of making such a potion demanded an incredible cost. Usually the witch’s life or that of a loved one.

The vial had been bubble wrapped and pushed through the mail slot at Hizashi's penthouse apartment only yesterday. There had been no note, just two Words, for Aizawa.

Shouta had no idea who had secretly left him such a thing. Okay he had some idea. More like an educated guess. It wasn’t as if he knew very many witches. Certainly not many that could come close to acquiring even a quarter of the needed ingredients.

Still, even if Nighteye could use his affinity’s sight and knew what they would up to, that didn’t explain why the Witch would give him such a rare and value thing.

“Zashi.” Shouta swallowed, pulling his worried gaze away from Reyanna to look at his friend.

The Angel was right. He couldn’t use it to save him. Reyanna might need it. He couldn’t lose her again.

“It’s alright, Shou.”

“Why?” Shouta demanded with heated fierceness.

Why had Hizashi gotten between him and the beast? He was the fool who had taken his eyes off of the thing. He couldn’t even save Reyanna, and now his oldest and only friend was dying because of him.

“You know why. You’re my friend. You gave me a chance and stuck with me when no other would.”

Shouta could've scoffed. As it was, he couldn’t stop the roll of his eyes. “I was just doing my job. Logically speaking, you were bound to be good for something.”

Hizashi started to laugh but it quickly turned to coughs of blood.

Shouta grimaced. He wouldn’t cry. He wouldn’t shed a single tear. Instead he would stay by the Angels side till he died, find a way to save Reyanna, and lay waste to this place and all the creatures in it.

“Be happy, Shou. Do right. Win Anna back. And be happy, okay.”

I write for my own enjoyment, but edit and post for yours. If you enjoyed reading this at all please comment and let me know. It’s the only thing that encourages me to keep editing and posting.

Thank you to those who have left hearts. And a great big THANK YOU to those who have left comments or re-blogged. They really mean a lot.

As always, an extra special thank you to @inorganicone2230 for their encouragement and friendship, and help brainstorming. Your thoughts and our chats mean a lot.

#bnha #aizawa shouta #shouta aizawa #hizashi yamada #shinsou hitoshi #todoroki shouto #bnha hawks #dabi my hero academia #yandere aizawa #yandere #chaos

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scoops-stevie-archive · 4 years

Text

⭐️ connor’s 2019 fic rec ⭐️

total fic count: 60

also known as part three to my fic rec series! as usual, all fics are ordered alphabetically by title and all smut is marked with **. please let me know if any links are broken/linked to the wrong page!

and most importantly, please leave a comment and kudos on the fics you’ve enjoyed :)

part 1 part 2 part 3 part 4

A Fortunately Unfortunate Afternoon - 4.5k, single chapter author(s): madlysanecatlady fandom(s): Good Omens pairing(s): Aziraphale/Crowley

Crowley doesn't startle easily, and he doesn't startle often, but when he does, there's an unfortunate side effect.

**All Eyes On You - 4.3k, single chapter author(s): Lacerta26 fandom(s): Kingsman pairing(s): Harry Hart | Galahad/Gary “Eggsy” Unwin

‘What’s this supposed to be teaching me Harry?’

‘That you can enjoy being looked at, that you can enjoy it when I take you out and show you off,’ Harry whispers in his ear, hand resting entirely too high on Eggsy’s thigh for this stage in the evening.

‘No one’s looking at us, Harry.’

Harry moves his hand to Eggsy’s hip, ‘aren’t they?’

Harry shows Eggsy how good it feels to be the centre of attention.

Breathe - 1.3k, single chapter author(s): telanaris fandom(S): The Arcana pairing(s): Julian Devorak/Reader

“Love…” Julian says, voice quiet and tender, comforting as he reaches for your hand, “my darling.” He interlaces your fingers and guides your hand, palm facing down, beneath the white gauze of his shirt to his chest, just over his heart.

You cannot choke back the gasp it wrests from your throats. Whether from the exhilaration of his reanimation, or the ferocity of your kisses, Julian’s heart is pounding, madly, in his chest. The strong rhythm of it is unmistakeable. And every beat of it confirms irrefutably: he is alive, alive, alive.

Bright Young Things - 2,3k, single chapter author(s): keepyourpantsongohan fandom(s): Naruto pairing(s): Hatake Kakashi & Namikaze Minato

Sighing, Minato leads his team into the light. When the man in the clearing gets a look at their faces, his whole body goes shock still. “Sensei?” he says uncertainly.

“Er, hi,” says Minato, with a sheepish wave.

**Bros Helping Bros - series, complete author(s): Tenebrosa fandom(s): Dream Daddy pairing(s): Craig Cahn/Robert Small

Craig needs to loosen the fuck up and damn if Robert isn't the King of Relaxation. How he does it might be a little...unorthodox, but really, who's gonna judge them all the way out here?

Care and Custody - multi-chapter, complete author(s): esama fandom(s): Kingsman pairing(s): Harry Hart | Galahad/Gary “Eggsy” Unwin

Eggsy takes out the medal in slightly worse circumstances, asking for a miracle.

**Couples Therapy - series, ongoing author(s): jane_x80 pairing(s): Anthony DiNozzo/Jethro Gibbs fandom(s): NCIS

A serial killer is targeting married gay couples. Gibbs and DiNozzo pose as one such couple, attending couples therapy, in order to flush out and hopefully capture the killer.

Crazy - 3.2k, single chapter author(s): wyvernwolf fandom(s): Kingsman pairing(s): Merlin/Gary “Eggsy” Unwin

It's Merlin's sixtieth birthday and he fears Eggsy will do something sappy and romantic. Eggsy does, but not in the way Merlin expects.

**Devour You - 1.7k, single chapter author(s): branewurms fandom(s): The Arcana pairing(s): Julian Devorak/Reader

You take a moment to savor the sight of him. Julian looks the perfect picture of debauched innocence. And isn’t that a ridiculous thought—but he does, with his white shirt still around his shoulders spread wide and baring everything, and that rosy flush spreading from his cheeks all the way down to his heaving chest, staining it a pretty pink.

**Easy Like Sunday Mornin’ - 3.2k, single chapter author(s): howdoyousleep pairing(s): James “Bucky” Barnes/Steve Rogers fandom(s): Marvel Cinematic Universe

Today is a Sunday and the universally-accepted laziness of the day may be why Steve finds himself wanting it slow and sweaty and deep. Bucky didn’t ask questions.

Efficient pictorial communication of complex ideas (the kids call it a meme) - multi-chapter, complete author(s): sorrens fandom(s): Good Omens pairing(s): Aziraphale/Crowley, Gabriel/Beelzebub

The one in which Aziraphale is forced headlong into millennial humour trying to work out what Crowley means when he says "Gabriel and Beelzebub are smashing".

Essentially Social Chameleons - 2.6k, single chapter author(s): Lolapola fandom(s): Good Omens pairing(s): Aziraphale/Crowley

In short, Aziraphale and Crowley are not as good at blending in with mortals as they think they are. There are better places to discover this than Newton and Anathema's baby's christening, but, well, we're here now.

Family is Family - 5.3k, single chapter author(s): hexicity fandom(s): Shadowhunters pairing(s): Magnus Bane/Alex Lightwood, Simon Lewis/Raphael Santiago,Lydia Brandwell/Isabelle Lightwood

The ad is messily stapled against the public announcement board in the quad.

It looks like someone wrote it with their non-dominant hand in the first pen they found. Its sloppy red ink reads in giant letters: “FOUR BEDROOMS. ONE BATH. PASSABLE KITCHEN. WILLING TO DELAY PAYMENT ON RENT. PLEASE DON’T TRY TO LIVE WITH US IF YOU’RE WEIRD, WE ALREADY HAVE SIMON.”

(or, Alec lives with three strangers and starts to like them more than his actual family)

Feathers on the Bedroom Floor - 1.2k, single chapter author(s): dunk_on_em fandom(s): Good Omens pairing(s): Aziraphale/Crowley

Aziraphale looked to his right to see Crowley, struggling to keep his head aright.

His dear Crowley. The one who had sworn he would leave but ended up coming back. The one who drove a flaming car for hours, just so he could be there to help. The one who stopped the sands of time, just to give Aziraphale a chance to talk to the boy. It was no wonder he was tired. So, so much had been asked of him today. Aziraphale pushed his shoulder gently towards Crowley.

“I don’t mind,” the angel murmured, as gently as he could. “I’ll wake you when we arrive.”

Finding Home - 2.1k, single chapter author(s): roseforthethorns fandom(s): Kingsman pairing(s): Harry Hart | Galahad/Merlin/Gary “Eggsy” Unwin

Without realizing it, Eggsy started to fall in love.

What he didn't know is that Harry and Merlin were falling in love with him too.

flour in your hair, love in your heart - 4.1k, single chapter author(s): mirkandmidnight fandom(s): The Song of Achilles pairing(s): Achilles/Patroclus

Here is how it starts. Patroclus takes an opening shift one day in late September, because Briseis has gotten the stomach flu and swears that if she moves from her bed, she may vomit. So he ends up working with Odysseus and Iphigenia, who never does a damn thing but gets to keep her job because she's Fucking Agamemnon's kid, and can you spell nepotism? Patroclus can. That higher education isn't going to waste, oh no.

forever isn’t too long, when i’m right where i belong - multi-chapter, complete author(s): owilde fandom(s): Shadowhunters pairing(s): Simon Lewis/Raphael Santiago, Magnus Bane/Alec Lightwood

Raphael sat on the living room chair, the cup of tea Magnus had practically forced on him balanced on his knee, while Magnus himself was slouched on the sofa, laughing. "You," he wheezed in between hysterical fits of giggles, "are going to propose? To Simon?" Raphael pursed his lips, praying for strength from anyone.

**For Here Is Rest - multi-chapter, complete author(s): Nimravidae fandom(s): Turn: Washington’s Spies pairing(s): Benjamin Tallmadge/George Washington

After a devastating personal loss, Benjamin Tallmadge retreats from the life he knew in Connecticut. Seeking solace, he finds himself in rural Virginia fixing up a small house with only the company of the surrounding woods and his reclusive widower landlord, George Washington.

"Every spirit builds itself a house; and beyond its house a world; and beyond its world, a heaven. Know then, that the world exists for you. Build, therefore, your own world."

Foxes Are Vermin - 1.6k, single chapter author(s): sweetasamuffin fandom(s): Kingsman pairing(s): Harry Hart | Galahad/Merlin/Gary “Eggsy” Unwin

Daisy wants to meet her mom. Eggsy's there to help her.

Gold on Your Fingertips (Fingertips Against My Cheek) - 1.8k, single chapter author(s): ziracrow fandom(s): Good Omens pairing(s): Aziraphale/Crowley

Post-apocalypse oneshot after they decide to spend the night at Crowley's flat together.

His Sweet Kiss - 2.1k, single chapter author(s): Frozen Hearts pairing(s): Geralt of Rivia/Jaskier fandom(s): The Witcher

Geralt comes back to camp after hunting a monster only to find Jaskier entangled with....

... himself?

Human Incarnate - multi-chapter, complete author(s): nikkiRA fandom(s): Good Omens pairing(s): Aziraphale/Crowley

“They think I’m immune to demon fire, see,” Aziraphale said, in a slightly airy voice. “So they had to… get creative.”

“Aziraphale, what. Did. They. Do?”

“Can’t you tell?” Aziraphale gave a little laugh. This must be what shock felt like. “Can’t you sense it?” He grabbed Crowley’s hand and pressed it to his chest, so the demon could feel his rapidly beating, very human heart. “I’m a human now, my dear. Very, very mortal.”

Aziraphale is punished. Crowley refuses to accept it. Shenanigans, feelings, and plots ensue.

**I Found Myself With You - multi-chapter, complete author(s): bibliomaniac pairing(s): Jesper Johanssen/Klaus fandom(s): Klaus

After everything settles down, Jesper is trying very hard to not think about how he's developed feelings for Klaus.

Unfortunately, he's not very good at not thinking about it.

More fortunately, it actually doesn't matter that he's not good at it. He never needed to hide in the first place, after all.

If We’ve Got Nothing (We’ve Got Us) - multi-chapter, complete author(s): Kedreeva fandom(s): Good Omens pairing(s): Aziraphale/Crowley

Two months after the world didn't end, Aziraphale finds the first dark feather growing in his wings.

**Intelligent Design - 5.5k, single chapter author(s): manic_intent pairing(s): Alexios/Brasidas fandom(s): Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey

“What are you doing here, sister?” Alexios scowled as he stalked through the sun-dappled olive grove. “Sparta is mine.”

“Don’t be so childish.” Kassandra was leaning in the shade of a tree, watching something in a glade beyond. She wore a golden cuirass hung with intricately patterned leather straps, gems, and purple strips. Her helmet was nowhere to be seen, her thick braid curled over one blue-cloaked shoulder. The Aegis was strapped to her back with her spear, though Medusa’s head was sealed out of the battlefield, visible only as a fine etching on shining brass.

**i see it, i like it, i want it, i got it - 2.7k, single chapter author(s): hellstrider pairing(s): Geralt of Rivia/Jaskier fandom(s): The Witcher

he's not entirely certain if it's sincere, when it starts.

I took heart from his eyes on mine - 3.3k, single chapter author(s): madeoutoflight fandom(s): The Song of Achilles pairing(s): Achilles/Patroclus

Achilles knows his destiny, has always known it—it has been written since before he was born. There is one detail the prophecies have left out, however, and it turns out to be the most important of all.

it was stolen (or exchanged) - 3.8k, single-chapter author(s): wolfiery fandom(s): Shadowhunters pairing(s): Simon Lewis/Raphael Santiago

“Oh my god,” Simon baffles, sounding horrified as soon as he recognizes the song playing that’s echoing throughout the whole lounge. “Is this Mozart? Are you listening to Requiem Introitus?”

Raphael feels the annoying start of goosebumps when the fledgling starts speaking to him, interrupting a perfectly quiet evening to enjoy reading. It seems he was wrong.

“The Death Mass,” Simon explains with disbelief. “Even for an immortal, that’s incredibly morbid of you.”

**like gold - 1.8k, single chapter author(s): fernic fandom(s): The Song of Achilles pairing(s): Achilles/Patroclus

Patroclus answers by kissing his open palm, tracing along the very lines of fate that he desperately wants to change.

Look Both Ways (Before You Cross the Street) - 5.4k, single chapter author(s): ForevermoreNevermore pairing(s): Geralt of Rivia/Jaskier fandom(s): The Witcher

The forest is greener than Jaskier thinks he's ever seen it. Until it's suddenly not.

_____

Or, it's all fine and dandy until you get attacked by bandits.

love isn’t always magic (sometimes it’s just melting) - 3.3k, single chapter autor(s): mostlikelydefinitelymad fandom(s) Shadowhunters pairing(s): Simon Lewis/Raphael santiago

He can hear Simon's breath hitching (breathing, you must or the mundanes will notice) the closer he gets, can smell the hot blood in his veins and thinks:

Don't leave me in this heaven alone. Don't go.

A hand cups his cheek, lips against his ear. "I was an idiot, I'm sorry."

loving you’s a bloodsport - multi-chapter, ongoing author(s): tolvsmol fandom(s): One Direction pairing(s): Harry Styles/Louis Tomlinson

harry is a bratty prince, louis is a guard who works in his palace, and niall is the only who's got his life in control.

Magnets and Dust - 2.5k, single chapter author(s): graceling_in_a_suit fandom(s): One Direction pairing(s): Harry Styles/Louis Tomlinson

Harry moved closer, ignoring the red flashing of his LED display and the ever-present announcement, foreign object, foreign object.

He wanted to read it. He wanted to understand it.

To his dismay, the only letters he could make out were, l o u i s, spaced far enough apart that Harry knew they weren’t supposed to form a word.

Or: the story of Roombrry and Tinouis.

**Of Coin and Candlelight - 2.2k, single chapter author(s): coffeeandcas pairing(s): Geralt of Rivia/Jaskier fandom(s): The Witcher

After getting caught in a rainstorm, Geralt and Jaskier find creative ways to warm each other up.

On the Road to East Flubria - 3k, single-chapter author(s): ant5b pairing(s): Guy Am-I/Sam I-Am fandom(s): Green Eggs and Ham

They’re 888,888,001 zilometers away, and it’s raining.

Pray For Us, Icarus - series, complete author(s): Atalan fandom(s): Good Omens pairing(s): Aziraphale/Crowley

For three centuries, Crowley has been reincarnated over and over as a human with no memory of his past. Aziraphale has tried to find a way to restore him to his true self, but all he seems to do is hurt them both. This time, he only means to steal a brief moment when he walks into Crowley's flower shop. But Crowley can't let it go...

Revelation - 2.7k, single chapter author(s): zebraljb fandom(s): Kingsman pairing(s): Harry Hart | Galahad/Merlin/Gary “Eggsy” Unwin

Alphas Merlin and Harry adore their omega Eggsy. They come home from work to a surprise dinner and an anxious scent coming from their lad.

Ring Around and All That Jazz - multi-chapter, complete author(s): Pemberley_Press fandom(s): Kingsman pairing(s): Harry Hart | Galahad/Merlin/Gary “Eggsy” Unwin

Eggsy Unwin knows the facts about soulmates just like everyone else,but it was still what he wished for and dreamt of.

He continues to dream even though he knows that a scentless beta like him has no hope of ever having one soulmate, let alone two.

But a boy can still dream yea?

**Runaway - multi-chapter, complete author(s): grumblebee fandom(s): Turn: Washington’s Spies pairing(s): Benjamin Tallmadge/George Washington

Benjamin Tallmadge, through unfortunate circumstance, can no longer go to Yale. With home life becoming unbearably toxic, he leaves home in the dead of night in search of a better life. His new life takes him to the Appalachian Trail, miles and miles of wilderness that stretch down the East Coast. Ben forages, hunts (pitifully) and pretends he is just another hiker doing the 6 month trek. But summer is waning, and the first cold snaps are rough in the mountains. Barely making shelter, Ben hunkers down for what might be his last night. But someone else is here. And well, what would you do if you were a runaway; cold and alone, when a tall man offers you a warm bed for the night...

Runaway Land - multi-chapter, complete author(s): daggerinrose fandom(s): One Direction pairing(s): Harry Styles/Louis Tomlinson

Louis is sure he’s stumbled upon a secret, underground nightclub, though that is far from the truth. He’s also pretty sure he’s stumbled upon Apollo, which… isn’t very far from the truth, actually.

Modern Greek mythology AU.

**Save the Last Dance for Me - multi-chapter, ongoing author(s): Wonderdyke fandom(s): Kingsman pairing(s): Harry Hart | Galahad/Merlin/Gary “Eggsy” Unwin

Eggsy was used to being the ‘bit “o’ rough’. Used to being the pretty little omega that rich tits liked to pluck outta the gutter and promise the moon to. All “bond with me and you’ll never work again”. Since only ten percent of the population were omegas and forty alphas it was not surprising that those with money and power tried to buy them a pretty little piece like Eggsy to keep safe and pregnant… even if he were a bloke. ~ Harry turned, unbuttoning his cuffs and gently rolling them up to his elbows. Merlin's husband was a fucking menace, a temptation in a bespoke suit and he knew exactly what he was doing; what sort of intimations those slim fingers were making as they bared his forearms. Damn him for a fool but even after their many years together he was utterly besotted with the man. ~ Harry heard Merlin growl in his ear, rough and predatory but not jealous. Possessive. Harry was fairly sure the sound was meant for the boy, and not his husband. Harry would’ve happily teased the other alpha about it, except his blood was rushing in his ears and he was hard enough to hammer nails.

**Shutterbug - 2.4k, single chapter author(s): grumblebee fandom(s): Turn: Washington’s Spies pairing(s): Benjamin Tallmadge/George Washington

Ben is not excited about making a trip back to Setauket for Thanksgiving weekend. Dinners at home are tense, and awful, and he'd rather be at home in Virginia with George. In a moment of homesick fueled inspiration, Ben decides to snap a few naked pictures of George to take with him on his trip. George, in turn, asks for a little something on camera to keep for himself.

Sleepsong - 1.6k, single chapter author(s): QueenForADay pairing(s): Geralt of Rivia/Jaskier fandom(s): The Witcher

Some part of him wishes that people could see this – the man that they all fear so much, the Witcher, a hunter of the supernatural and evil, placated by his bard’s voice, melting into his arms. All he’s missing is hearing Geralt purr like a housecat. Every so often, Jaskier’s ears prick at the sound of a murmur of a hum leaving the other man, particularly when Jaskier presses a kiss to the crown of Geralt’s head, or runs his foot along the length of Geralt’s bared leg.

And at the same time, he would gladly pick up a sword and kill anyone who even thought of intruding on a moment like this.

**Slumber - 4k, single chapter author(s): howdoyousleep pairing(s): James “Bucky” Barnes/Steve Rogers fandom(s): Marvel Cinematic Universe

“Bucky, honey. Can’t get enough even when you’re sleepin’, huh?”

so cruelly you kissed me - 1.7k, single chapter author(s): litathesissy pairing(s): Geralt of Rivia/Jaskeir fandom(s): The Witcher

Jaskier is a soft thing. Delicate in all the ways Geralt is not. He supposes this is always true, always obvious.

**Sold My Soul To A Three Piece - multi-chapter, ongoing author(s): Comp_Lady fandom(s): Turn: Washington’s Spies pairing(s): Benjamin Tallmadge/George Washington

Love, as Paul told the Corinthians, is patient, and kind. It does not envy. It does not boast, it is not proud, it is not rude or self-seeking. Love is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs. It does not delight in evil, but rejoices in the truth. Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

Ben is a sub, his first long term contract with a Dom ended abruptly. Leaving him drifting in waters he’s never really explored before. After over a year of keeping his head down and subsisting on small scenes with different Doms Ben finds himself wanting more. Wanting something that will last.

George is a Dom with a long line training contracts and episodic scenes in his younger years. Now he wants something permanent. He wants a sub who he doesn’t have to train from the ground up. A sub he can build something good with.

They meet at a club.

**Speak Love - series, ongoing author(s): zebraljb fandom(s): Kingsman pairing(s): Merlin/Gary “Eggsy” Unwin

Eggsy is a shy young man rendered almost speechless by years of abuse by his ex-stepfather. He starts his first day at Merlin Software by getting stuck in an elevator with a handsome Scottish man.

stained glass variation of the truth - 1.5k, single chapter author(s): mostlikelydefinitelymad fandom(s): Shadowhunters pairing(s): Simon Lewis/Raphael Santiago

"Why are you here?"

Raphael's carefully sewn stitches are coming undone after decades of holding himself together and he lets them.

Thunder cracks with a loud boom, Simon takes two steps forward.

"To be honest, I don't know. I started walking and every sidewalk kept leading me back here."

Take Me Home - 1.8k, single chapter author(s): Casey_Wolfe fandom(s): Kingsman pairing(s): Harry Hart | Galahad/Merlin/Gary “Eggsy” Unwin

There was a cough, and then a strained, “Harry? Eggsy?”

**Talk to Me - multi-chapter, complete author(s): zebraljb fandom(s): Kingsman pairing(s): Merlin/Gary “Eggsy” Unwin

Eggsy is a shy young man rendered almost speechless by years of abuse by his ex-stepfather. He starts his first day at Merlin Software by getting stuck in an elevator with a handsome Scottish man.

The Litmus Test - 5.5k, single chapter author(s): bokunoanime fandom(s): Kingsman pairing(s): Harry Hart | Galahad/Gary “Eggsy” Unwin

“Drop your fucking weapon now!” the man with the gun trained on the boy was shouting.

The boy spit blood and stretched his jaw as he watched Simon, frozen in place. “I don’t fink ‘e’s gonna listen, bruv,” the chav accent thick as it spilled from his bruised and swollen lips. “Leave the Princess out of this, an’ fight me like a man eh?” His sneer at his captor earned him another backhand across his cheek and Tilde screamed. Simon jumped at the action, watching as the man behind Tilde seemed to grow complacent.

Simon weighed his options.

OR:

The one where Merlin has a new final test for his new recruits. (Because shooting a dog was never a good judge of character.)

**The Man with Too Much Power - multi-chapter, complete author(s): CherryEmbly fandom(s): Junjou Romantica pairing(s): Takahashi Misaki/Usami Akihiko

Marukawa Publishing wishes to partner with the famed author Akihiko Usami for an interesting adaptation to his best selling novel, but he's left the entire decision up to his young boyfriend, much to the editor's dismay.

The Prime Minister and the Tea Boy - multi-chapter, complete author(s): LelithSugar, Paxdracona fandom(s): Kingsman pairing(s): Harry Hart | Galahad/Gary “Eggsy” Unwin

HART THROB IN NUMBER TEN proclaims The Sun’s front page the day Harry Hart takes up residence as Prime Minister. He can’t say he was really expecting to become a sex symbol at the age of fifty two and the peak of a divisive political career, but at this point, Britain was going to fancy pretty much anything.

**The Way You Kiss Me Will Work Each Time - multi-chapter, complete author(s): givemesumaurgravy pairing(s): Cal Price/Garrett Laughlin fandom(s): Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda

“Fuck, you’re cute,” Cal says, though it’s quiet and Garrett can’t really be sure he’s heard him right.

And just like that two things become really clear to Garrett: One (1) Cal Price is really fucking attractive Two (2) Garrett would really like to kiss him

the world is watching - 4k, single chapter author(s): spraycansoul pairing(s): Eric Bittle/Jack Zimmermann fandom(s): Check, Please!

Or: five times Jack Zimmermann accidentally interrupted a vlog, and one time it was deliberate

Umbrella Shotgun - multi-chapter, complete author(s): Stratisphyre fandom(s): Kingsman pairing(s): Harry Hart | Galahad/Merlin/Gary “Eggsy” Unwin

Less than forty-eight hours after the total destruction of Statesman, Agent Tequila, Ginger Ale, and a reluctant lepidopterist find themselves in a tailor shop in Savile Row.

whispers of earl grey - 2k, single chapter author(s): wildenessat221b fandom(s): Good Omens pairing(s): Aziraphale/Crowley

The apocalypse was supposed to change the universe.

It didn't.

A cup of Earl Grey tea came far, far closer.

(crowley struggles after the averted apocalypse, until he doesn't anymore.)

With Care - 2.3k, single chapter author(s): angel_ponders fandom(s): Good Omens pairing(s): Aziraphale/Crowley

After the apocalypse, Aziraphale finds a kitten outside of his shop.

you messed my life (it’s some kinda wonderful) - 2.6k, single chapter author(s): mostlikelydefinitelymad fandom(s): Shadowhunters pairing(s): Simon Lewis/Raphael Santiago, Magnus Bane/Alec Lightwood

"I love you," Simon murmurs. "More than coffee," he adds with a grin.

For him it's the ultimate declaration of love because yeah, frappés. Raphael hopes he never gets used to the awkward comic relief that is Simon Lewis, hopes he wakes up every night to eyes reflecting love back at him and argues with him for an eternity.

**you taste like the fourth of july - 5k, single chapter author(s): canniballatrix fandom(s): Kingsman pairing(s): Harry Hart | Galahad/Gary “Eggsy” Unwin

It isn't as if he's ever had the time or inclination for pursuits of the romantic sort before...before Eggsy came along, all smart mouth and vulnerable eyes that he tried so hard to hide behind squared shoulders and an insouciantly tilted chin, and Harry had been helpless to deny him anything: and here Eggsy is, handing him his most tightly locked away fantasy on a fucking platter, soft and pliant and fucking perfect for him.

He's never loved anyone more in his life.

#the witcher #kingsman #shadowhunters #yuri on ice #good omens #mine #i didn't read as many fanfics this time around #fic rec #masterpost

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