laromurl

[laromurl]

The fae’s face contorted in confusion but I grinned from ear to ear. “I have many names. My government name, my preferred name, the pet name my family gave me, my friends’ nickname for me, the name I aspire for, and the name I gave myself for this very occasion.”

“Could I have your name?” The Fae asked with a slightly warped smile. “of course,” You respond, returning their smile “Which one would you like?”

[laromurl]

"You made a mistake." He said. This time sitting up straighter as the sounds of explosion grew louder and nearer. He laughed and his enemies saw an invigorated king come to life. The king, once beaten and defeated now looked proud and alive despite the chains on his arms and legs.

"You are foolish indeed." He said again. Just then, the door keeping him from the outside world, burst open and leading the rescue team was the Queen. She stood tall. Her tattered gown was of no consequence to her and she quickly ran to her husband as her solders lifted their weapons to the enemies throat as to challenge them to make a move.

When they didn't, the Queen pulled at her husband's chains. "My love are you alright?"

The defeated and bloodied king was chained to kneel in front of his enemy and he says weakly: "Is my wife still alive?" His enemy nodded. "You fools," he said smirking, and the king starts laughing as the sounds of explosions getting closer shake the room.

[laromurl]

"I trust you." He said simply

Dialogue Prompt #125 || Weekly

"I don't care if I lie. I don't care if I am branded as someone with a forked tongue and honeyed words. Just... As long as you trust me. That is all I need."

[laromurl]

I finished reading the summary of the history book after days of going through ever painstaking chapter just to know that this was the result. I looked up at my teacher, frowning and groaning. "You could have just told me that's what happened."

My teacher grimaced and shook her head. "Did you not learn anything? Did nothing that the Old Rich do resonate with you?"

I paused and flipped the book from beginning to end scanning the highlights I made through out the days I had the book and suddenly the ideas started to piece themselves together in my head. "Well I learned that money doesn't buy longevity or human perseverance."

When I noticed that she was surprised and almost satisfied with my answer, I continued. "I also learned that the Old Rich weren't as smart as they thought they were or capable. I mean leaving all the scientists and ecologists behind was their undoing ultimately."

The planet Elysium was supposed to be a utopic colony world where all the wealthy and powerful could escape from the pollution, poverty, and social unrest on Earth. It collapsed in less than a decade, while the people who'd been left behind were finally able to change society for the better.

[laromurl]

Admittedly you were very excited to see the blue flamed man sitting on a boat heading your way. Yea it had been a joke every time you dedicated scraps of food to him but something deep down in you believed that he existed and now here you were, a minute or two away from meeting the god of the underworld.

Excitment turned into fear and nervouness as you saw the boat get closer and you spotted the wide smile on the god. YOu had read too many legends about the Greek gods and their finiky personalities. And now you were being personally greeted by one of them.

As a joke you had always said "I dedicate this to Hades" as you threw away food scraps from your cooking and cleaning your plates. When you die you find yourself in front of Charon's boat with Hades sitting in it, seemingly very excited to see his most devoted follower in recent times.

[laromurl]

“How many of your allies died at the hands of mine believing that you would free the world?”

“All of them.” The Villain answered his own question. The Hero could only stand there with a baffled look on his face, his eyes widened. Through his eyes, his mind was open for the Villain to read.

The Villain had anticipated this moment. He had longed for the opportunity to see what the Hero saw, to feel what the hero felt through his quest to end the villains tyranny. But the memories the Villain visited were full of pain, terror, anxiety. They were empty of voices, faces were blurred and a throbbing dull pain filled his head.

“Pitiful.” Said the Villain, pulling away from the Hero’s head. The Hero toppled to his knees, his face hidden deep in his hands. A wallowing sorrowful cry made its way from intween his closed fingers.

The Villian stood and scowled at the sight before him in deep disgust.

“How many people have died to achieve this world domination of yours?” “769.” “…What?” “769 people died to achieve my plans. I counted them, and had each of their names etched on my throne so I never forget what my victory cost the world. Now tell me, how many have you killed to see me dead?”

[laromurl]

A villain nurses their loss in a quiet diner when an equally tired person enters, and orders a coffee in a very familiar voice.

[laromurl]

My Hero Academia

Ahiro had heard enough of Bakugou’s berating. She pushed past Minata and Midoraya, grabbed the pillow Shinjo had been holding between two of his hands. She felt her nail crack when she gripped the pillow tightly but she ignored that and the pain from pulling off when Ahiro threw it at Bakugou’s face. He was sitting by himself on the couch facing the rest of the group he was talking to.

He growled and his temper blew out of his ears but he waited to even scream at the assailant until he processed who it was.

Ahiro’s growl was clearly aimed at him and Bakugou didn’t quite understand at first. He had never seen her this mad. Actually, non of the others, now attentively paying attention to this extra drama, had never seen her this upset.

“I don’t want to be your girlfriend either Bakugou!” Then she threw the card on the couch beside him. It was in a white envelope with his full name written in neat cursive.

“This stupid holiday has everyone actually weird but I’m not confessing you idiot. There is nothing to confess. I wrote these,” she pulled another from behind her back. It had been tucked in the hem of her skirt because she didn’t think Tsukuyomi would be there too. “Because no one else wrote one for you, you asshole and I like myself perfectly fine so I don’t need a boyfriend like you or a friend.” She let her anger subside into annoyance.

Bakugou and Ahiro glared at each other for a few seconds. She was challenging him to say something stupid or to call her ugly to her face but he didn’t say anything. As much as he wanted to retort and tell her to screw off, the words wouldn’t form in his head. He was still in shock that she was actually telling him off. All he could do was just… glare.

Ahiro scoffed and turned away from him scanning the small group until her eyes fell on Tokoyami. Her attitude changing completely that she even got a blush across her cheeks and ears. “T-This isn’t a confession either Tokoyami.” She glanced away from him because there might have been a lie laced in there.

As she moved away from the group, she didn’t bother looking back at Bakugou who was looking at Tokoyami envelope. It was white to and he can discern her near cursive handwriting on it but it looked thicker than the one she had given him.

He didn’t think further about it because he was already starting to fume. He just scoffed and got up. It was time for bed anyways. He didn’t need this drama.

“Hey Baku..”

Bakugou ignored Kirishima’s call and walked into the elevator. Kirishima grabbed the envelope Bakugou had left behind. “Damn. He really can’t talk to girls.” Kirishima made more of an observation than a comment to the others. But not like the others were really paying attention to Kirishima anyways.

Everyone was more interested into he envelope in Tokoyami hands. The one they can open right now. Tokoyami just stared at it unsure if he should open it now or wait. He could feel the

…

Ahiro watched the wings of her fan rotate slowly until they picked up enough speed for her to feel the cool of the AC start to kick on. Her mind occupied with the new details of the upcoming Valentine’s dance All Might had organized for all the students. She had been excited to spend time with her friends that she didn’t realize what this day meant.

At least until she heard Bakugou berating her. She had been awed at the hearts and humor of the holiday, she didn’t realize that all the boys were on their toes because of those letters.

She hadn’t meant to imply anything to Bakugou with the letter, she simply thought that he would appreciate someone acknowledging his strength.

“If that’s how he’s talks to girls, good riddance.” She mumbled under her breath before choosing to worry about her current problem. A date for the dance.

Mina had come up with an insane idea of having it be the girls who ask boys to be their dates. At the moment Ahiro had loved the idea because she had been asked to the dance by a couple of boys, but now she regretted going along with that idea because she was dateless. Hours before the dance was suppose to start.

All the other girls in Class 1-A already had their dates. Actually most of the girls at school already had their dates. Less that half the school student body was female, so she had two thirds of the school to choose from but she had wanted to go with Bakugou. Simply because she was comfortable around him. He had already protected her from Minata a couple of times and she knew none of the girls were going to ask him to the dance so she thought if they went together, it would be fun for both of them.

Ahiro groaned and sat up from her bed, grabbing her phone, which was being flooded with messages from her friends. “How is everything about Bakugou?” She huffed defeated and decided to just get ready and go dateless.

…

Kirishima pulled Mina away from Ahiro, making her stand awkwardly by their table. She smiled widely looking at her friends having fun, Mina and Kirishima both had asked her to join them but she declined knowing this wasn’t her moment. This was for them and despite wanting to feel the fluttering in her stomach from having a crush on someone, she wasn’t going to intervene on someone else’s date. Especially these two who had so nothing but include her from the moment they all met.

She watched them, in her seat, get lost behind the ocean of couples at the dance floor, completely oblivious to Bakugou appearing through the entrance.

He grumbled as he walked in feeling ridiculous in the suit. His shoes were uncomfortable and the sleeves of his button up were tight around his arms. He mumbled in annoyance expecting Kirishima or Denki to show up and tell him to lighten up.

When they didn’t, he glanced up looking for his friends and found Ahiro instead. By herself at the table, that he knew was assigned for him. He watched her look at his nameplate across the table and then tilt her head back to the dance floor. Then she just slumped over her chair, crossing her arms over the back of it and laying her chin on her arms. There was no sign that she had a date which made him realize he had been tricked. Tricked into reading her letter, tricked into buying this stupid outfit, tricked into showing up.

When he moved his eyes from her to the dance floor, he caught two pairs of eyes, both teasing him, both being able to read him.

“Damn them.” He muttered embarrassed that Kirishima knew him too well and humiliated that that stupid Alien girl knew him too. Who was she anyways to look at him like that?

He gritted his teeth and began to make his way towards the table. The closer he got the lighter Ahiro’s dress was, until he was close with to see that her dress was a red and not a maroon like she had stated in her letter.

This made him so annoyed he had half a mind to yell at her. He made all this trouble just for her to not even match his suit! He bought this shit in maroon! His parents had been trying to convince him to wear maroon but he’s never liked the color.

He dwelled on his decision to buy the suit as he didn’t understand why he would in the first place. It was that stupid letter.

He, begrudgingly, sat down. Ahiro still hadn’t noticed him as she was fantasying in her mind, dancing with the boy who she didn’t notice sit across from her. She pictured herself in the maroon dress, she had bought for this occasion, and Bakugou in a maroon sweat over a button up shirt. She had chosen the color maroon because her grandma had said that color looked best on both of them. She regretted not wearing the dress but the last minute choice was pretty cute. She thought so as she moved to face the table.

She didn’t expect to see anyone sitting across from her let alone the boy that place was reserved for. But she managed to simply smile at him and turn towards her friends returning form the dance floor as the romantic ballad came to an end.

Ahiro stood up and seemingly nonchalant, chuckled and giggled with Uraraka, Tsu, and the other girls. Never making it seem like she was making fun of Bakugou which irritated him. He had done all this for her to not tease, talk, or mention him.

The moment came when he realized that he didn’t have a plan aside from showing up. He had expected Ahiro to make the first move and ask him again but she didn’t. In fact, through most of the rest of the dance, she danced on her own or with her girlfriends. Not once, looking at Bakugou. This hurt his pride more than he’d like to admit, simply because he knew he had to make a move now or whatever interest Ahiro had in him would die overnight.

So he did, once the last dance rolled around and everyone had taken their places with their partners, only Ahiro and Bakugou were left at the table. He breathed in and stood from his seat, making his way to her side with his hands in his pocket.

Ahiro had followed the gaze of her friends that had stopped dancing to look at Bakugou make his move. She flushed red as he pulled his right hand out of his pocket and extended it towards her. “Let’s go dance.” He moved his eyes from hers. When he didn’t feel her hand on his he turned towards her. She was just looking my at him bewildered and with a kinda funny look. “Ahiro, stop already. You won this stupid fight. Let’s just go dance. Together.” He sighed defeated and annoyed.

Ahiro furrowed her eyebrows and pursed her lips, finally accepting his hand. “Bakugou, you could’ve just apologized. You didn’t have to do any of this if you didn’t want to.” She placed her free hand on his shoulder as he pulled her by the waist, onto the dance floor. Ahiro pulled him close so he could hear her speaking. “I’m not comfortable if you’re not comfortable.” She sighed trying to put all her meaning into that sentence.

Bakugou took a couple of seconds to get his thought in order as tilted his head slightly towards to to meet her eyes. She smiled softly at him, relaxing her shoulders and letting him follow her movements. She was guiding him, letting him know to turn left by putting slightly more pressing on his shoulder where her hand lay, when she wanted to go to the right, she would tighten her grip on his left hand. She did it with so much ease, he almost forgot what they were suppose to be doing.

“I’m comfortable.” He whispered. Taking his place as the lead again, he pulled her towards their friends, ready to tease Kirishima and Mina. He pulled her beside them, sliding his hand lower diwn her waist leading her to his side so he could better face his friends. Ahiro blushed and a fluttering began in her stomach as Bakugou glided her through the dance floor.

…

Ahiro turned the corner to the common room and immediately noticed the tv. She moved her eyes towards the couches and saw Bakugou surrounded by atleast two bags of chips and a drink. It took her two seconds to process what was going on and chuckled as she moved closer to get his attention. “I thought you had a date.” She muttered stopping at the foot of the couch.

Bakugou was surprised to find someone still at the dorms, specially Ahiro. He furrowed his eyebrows. “Who told you that bullshit?” He huffed and paused his action movie. He moved over letting Ahiro place her blanket beside him. She sat and shrugged. "I assumed."

He looked at her wanting to know if she was relieved or not to see him there. "What about you? Everyone was saying Takadashi was going to ask you.”

She chuckled softly and nodded. "He did, but I was," She paused moving her eyes on the table. "I was hoping you would ask."

For a few seconds silence fell between them. Bakugou grew flustered and red every second that followed until he chuckled in a sort of surprised grimace. "Why?" He really couldn't ask or say anyting else.

Ahiro's eyes widened, her cheeks flushed as for mind scrambled with what to say. She had just confessed and he hadn’t understood! What could she do now? Should she say it clearer? “Uh I-I don’t know.” Her words came out low and hoarse. She tried to swallow to let her throat rehydrate but this wasn’t the way she thought this would go. Well. how she imagined it would go.

Bakugou knew. He knew exactly why she had wanted him to ask but he couldn’t ask. As much he as wanted to, he couldn’t bring himself to utter the words. It was embarrassing! He had never asked a girl out before. He had hoped to actually never feel this way about anyone, simply because this feelings were unnecessary to his goal of becoming the number one hero. He didn’t need this. He didn’t want this.

“You should’ve just said yes to Takadashi.” The words came out of their own out of his mouth but he hadn’t regretted them until he saw Ahiro’s face fall.

He wanted badly to take the words back when she got up and excused herself to get snacks. Her voice had sounded so low and almost quivering. Still, he didn’t apologize and watched her walk to the kitchen. He kept his eyes on the path she had taken, trying to think of what the hell to say to her. He didn’t want to hurt her but he didn’t want to admit anything. “There’s nothing to admit.” Bakugou growled at himself for even thinking about a possibility.

In the kitchen , Ahiro swallowed her pride and pain for what seemed like a clear rejection. Because someone who likes someone doesn’t tell them to go date someone. She stood in the kitchen for a couple of seconds, just staring at the snacks with her name of them. After a few more second, she grabbed chips and made her way back. She walked straight to the sofa, breathing in and out as she looked for her phone.

She dropped the chip bag on her blanket and searched through her photos as She told Bakugou an interesting fact about the protagonist of the action movie he was watching. When she found what she was looking for, she turned the phone screen towards him, grabbing his attention with a soft, “Wow.” He was genuinely surprised that she knew Shoto Shiba. But he specially noticed Ahiro in a pant suit beside the actor, her hair was down and wavy, she had bangs covering her forehead and half her hair was parted horizontally so she could hold the top half down with a olive green bow. He could see it sticking out form the back of her head, making it seem like she bunny ears. Bakugou’s heart almost stopped from how quickly it began to beat.

As much as he wanted me, He couldn’t manage to look away from the picture because he knew eyes would immediately look for hers, and his face was growing so hot he knew he was as bright as a tomato. The last thing he wanted was for Ahiro to notice. Somehow he managed to avoid her look as he peeled his eyes from her photo to the tv. Ahiro didn’t notice his flustered look because she had already turned her phone back to ehr and swiped to the left. Landing on a picture of her and Kensei Matsumoto.

Kensei Matsumoto had been her first crush and the only boy she had ever dated. She had met him at a military ball, he was the son of retired General Matsumoto and a prodigy. She had fallen head over heals the moment she had met him. He was always so courteous, so handsome, so understanding. He was the perfect boyfriend in her eyes but they had to end things because of long distance. Neither liked the idea of it and Ahiro always knew he would be husband. And quite frankly, looking at this picture of him and her, she still believed he would be her husband. Which made her release that her feelings for Bakugou weren’t deep and she could still treat him like a friend.

Ahiro breathed out and smiled in relief. She was glad she could finally talk to Bakugou normally again because she was beginning to worry about their friendship. They worked really good as a team. They had amazing chemistry out in the field and they understood eachother to a level that they both weren’t ready for but that didn’t meant she was in love with him. He’s just a good balance for her hero side while Kensei was a good balance for her tv personality side. And she was already in love with Kensei. She can’t love two people the same. Can she?

[laromurl]

Mistletoes

My Hero Academia

Bakugou Katsuki x (OC) Takadashi Ahiro

Note; it was suppose to be about a kiss under the mistletoe but the story went it’s own way and I don’t know what to name this piece so the title stays. Enjoy!

Ahiro’s name suddenly made Bakugou look up from his plate on the table. He was almost done with his slice of cake and tea when he heard the door open and his mom saying, “Hello Ahiro. Merry Christmas.”

He then looked down at his cake slowing coming to understand why his mom had put out the tea set reserved for special occasions. And why he had thought about Ahiro the second he had seen the cake. It’s her favorite.

He leaned backward just slightly to get the full view of the hall from his position. There hung up on the wall was a mirror that if Katsuki leaned at just the right angle, he could see a reflections of Ahiro and his mom talking.

Mrs. Bakugou held a pair of slippers she has specifically bought for Ahiro’s visit. Ahiro placed the bag she was holding down and slipped out of her outside shoes. “Merry Christmas ma’am, my grandparents sent this over as an apology for their absence.” And into the slippers Mrs. Bakugou passed to her while managing to push the bag for ward closer to Bakugou’s mom.

“Oh, thank you, I just got off the phone with your grandma, it’s sad we’ll miss them at dinner tonight, but at least Katsuki gets to see you.”

Katsuki watched as Ahiro turned flushed in the face. He immediately knew his mom noticed when he heard her start to tell her about the outfit he had bought. He bought an outfit for a dinner he was super nervous about he didn’t count the says since he found out, they were eating with his parents and her grandparents.

It wasn’t a romantic thing, or anything of the sort but Katsuki was nervous about seeing Mr. Takadashi in person after he had promised to protect Ahiro and she ended up in the hospital. All because Katsuki didn’t have his hero license.

“He even, picked out a…”

Katsuki didn’t let her finish the rest of that sentence when he stormed out, his uniform still on, and his face full of crumbs. “Mom shut up. I told you Ahiro and I have a project.” His eyes glanced up, as they usually did when he was being embarrassed by his mom, and stood on the liittle branches hanging over the frame.

She was under the mistletoe. He had forgotten to take that one down after Christmas. He glanced back at her and without really thinking about it he took three running steps and launched at her.

For a split second ahiro was confused. He had hesitated for a second to launch his attack which gave her time to sidestep the punch.

Mrs Bakugou looked at the two discussing his weak punch and laughed seeing in Ahiro the same things she saw in her husband. It was sweet to her that her son had fallen for a girl that was just like his father. Resolved, kind, smart, and strong. Very very strong to handle Katsuki’s temper and impatience.

“Katsuki, show Ahiro the outfit you bought to wear for her.” She hadn’t meant to say it in those words but seeing them together just made it slip out but it silenced both of them and quickly they both grew red in the cheeks.

Mrs. Bakugou knew she couldn’t go backwards now or else they would get further embarrassed, so she urged them on, “well go.” She even used to her hands to urge them up to the second floor.

Katsuki didn’t argue and led a quiet and flushed Ahiro upstairs to his room. Although, as they approached the upstairs, her body relaxed, she tried to stop herself from following Katsuki but her feet wouldn’t listen. They followed him up to his room and only stopped when he did so as he turned around.

As soon as he did Ahiro laughed at his flushed half ass attempt of a smile and said, “are you embarrassed because of that half ass punch of because your mom said you bought and outfit just for me?“

As much as Katsuki wanted to get annoyed at her for knowing him too well he didn’t think the punch he had thrown was half ass and that was the direction he wanted this to go. “Honestly, I was just a second slow but the strength was there.”

“I’m sure it was but speed outweighed strength in this round. Plan it ahead of time next time and you’ll probably catch me off guard.”

“Next time you’re under the mistletoe, you’ll get surprised.”

His tone of voice did not match what he had said. But this was Katsuki, and it gave her the impression that he didn’t know what the mistletoe meant.

“The mistletoe? Are you gonna punch me every time I get under the mistletoe?”

When he answered confidently with a nod and a serious look, she couldn’t help but laugh. “Oh man. You’ll be the first to not try to kiss me. I like it.” She cleared a tear of laughter from her cheek and saw that Katsuki was chuckling with her as he began to realize that she must’ve gone to tons of Christmas parties with creeps.

“Even if I do want to kiss you that’s not how I would do it.” He suddenly became annoyed.that she had even put him in the same catergory as all the guys who had hit on her before and even those that do now! Just the idea annoyed Katsuki to the point that he had to establish his place in her life. Katsuki had to show Ahiro that he wasn’t a regular guy after her. He was going to be the number one hero.

“I’d do it like this.” With a swift movement, Katsuki stepped over to Ahiro, grabbed her hand to pull her in and planted his lips on hers, putting his free hand behind her neck so she couldn’t pull away before she inevitably succumbed to his kiss.

Ahiro’s whole body ran hot during the minute it took Katsuki to make his mark in her life. To take the spot she has been wanting him to take beside her, as her partner, as her friend, as her balance. But she still managed to cling to his jacket frivolously and stop the separation Katsuki was threatening by stopping the kiss.

He looked down amused and surprised that she hadn’t fought him. He swallowed hard once he realized he’s was asking for another kiss with that stare of hers. Still, he had made his move already and wasn’t going to let her take this much control of him so soon. He wanted her to say that she wanted another kiss. He wanted her to say that he kisses good.

Actually he needed that. This was his first time kissing a girl and he didn’t know if he had done it correctly.

“Katsuki! Ahiro!” Mrs. Bakugou’s voice sounded too close that they pushed on eachother to make as much space as they can between them. The last thing everyone wanted was for Katsuki’s mother to say anything at all.

Both were still a a daze from their kiss and were only nodding to everything his mom was saying. It was until she grabbed Ahiro by the hand and pulled her towards the kitchen that both snapped out of it and realized they had just volunteered to help with dinner.

“Where’s dad I thought he was supposed to help you?” Katsuki grumbled starting to get annoyed that she interrupted them for this.

“His meeting is running longer than usual. But he gave me instructions for you guys to follow. I’ll be in my office.” She pushed Ahiro into the kitchen and Katsuki tolling close behind.

Neither argued as they wanted to be alone again. She showed them the directions and shuffled off to her office. She, herself growing annoyed that her husband wasn’t home to cook when he knew she was a disaster in the kitchen without him.

“I’ll cut the meat and potatoes and you can do the vegetables.” Ahiro was trying to take control but honestly she didn’t know much about the kitchen so Katsuki leaned towards her and grabbed the directions from her hands. “You don’t even know what to do Ahiro.” He scanned over the recipe and pointed to the bottom cabinets beside the stove. “Grab a deep pot from there and fill it with water. The meat needs to cook first.”

He pulled out a knife and cutting board by the time Ahiro had pulled the pot from the correct cabinet. Her task was completed in silence as she even turned on the stove and started the water to boil. “Seasonings are here?” She asked tiptoeing up to the cabinets above the stove. She opened it to find that she was right.

Bakugou glanced back for a second before listing the seasonings he needed out. And how much of each she should put in the pot. She listened to his directions carefully and without making mistakes.

It was only until they were halfway done with the recipe that Ahiro realized how good of a team they make. He was a good leader and a good instructor. “You know, you’d be a good teacher.” She blurted without thinking because once she did, she remembered him hitting Kirishima when he couldn’t understand something Bakugou was tutoring him on.

“What?” He chuckled unsure of what he should have thought about her sudden burst.

“Sorry,” she quickly retracted her outburst. She wasn’t embarrassed but realized her feelings had made her think something that wasn’t true. “We work good together. I don’t know why I correlated that to you being a good teacher.” That was genuine confusion on her part.

Katsuki arched his eyebrows and looked at Ahiro. She was so strange. She made him think about things he would have never even formed a thought about, like how awful of a teacher he was to Kirishima. It really annoyed him.

“Can you just cut. We still have a project to do.” He turned back to his task but his mind was already occupied on her and her sudden outburst.

…

Katsuki and Ahiro worked quietly on their project. Only really talking to eachother when they needed too. And although from the outside both of these teens looked like they were vigilant with their work, both were thinking solely on the kiss from an hour ago.

Ahiro wanted to keep kissing him. She wanted a confession and to talk about all these things going on inside her. She wanted to get this over with si she could focus on her goals and her training.

Katsuki wanted the same but he wanted this day to last a little longer so he could really enjoy the only kiss they will ever have. The only dinner, they could ever share. The only time they can spend together.

Both had realized throughout the night that this was it. This dinner. It was the only thing they could and would share for who knows how long. There was a war brewing and they both knew that they had bigger things than their feelings.

Still…

Ahiro stopped writing and glanced up at Katsuki who was already looking at her, waiting for her to ask again. Wanting her to ask again.

“What?” Her voice came out low and embarrassed.

He looked at her and arched his eyebrows really annoyed that she was acting blind. How can she read him so well every other time but not right now? He breathed in and sighed knowing he would have to say it out loud but knowing his mom’s office was an earshot away. So he stood up. “Follow me Ahiro.”

She wanted to ask why but his glance stopped her and she followed quietly behind him. Her heart racing so fast she was afraid she would stop breathing. She didn’t, even when Katsuki too them to his room and he closed the door behind her.

Though, her heart almost stopped when Katsuki closed the space between them. “Ask me to kiss you again.” His voice was low and with some hint of timidity.

Ahiro instinctively leaned up towards him, her face flushing bright red. “Kiss me.” The butterflies in her stomach fluttered vigorously as he grabbed her cheeks and pulled her in for a kiss, not daring to take his eyes off hers.

[laromurl]

Folded Sleeves

It bothered Bakugou how comfortable Ahiro seemed in the Todoroki’s kitchen. If she were to tell him that she can maneuver that kitchen blind. He would have believed her. And that annoyed him to no avail.

Although it was his fault he was there in the first place. He had blurred out that he wanted to help too when Shoto asked Ahiro for help in the kitchen.

Bakugou couldn’t stand the idea of them cooking together so he placed himself between them when they were all cutting vegetables and made sure to never let them see eye to eye. It proved to be harder than he thought specially when that damn half and half asked Ahiro to fold his sleeves up.

He didn’t want to get them wet while he watched the dishes. He even turned towards the sink to emphasize his point.

“Yea, can you do mine afterwards?”

Before Shoto could answer, Bakugou butt in. “No, you’re gonna do my sleeves after his.”

Shoto and Ahiro weren’t expecting Bakugou to even ask for help when he seemed bothered when they looked at him. Both got taken aback, slowly processing the new tell appearing in Bakugou.

“O-okay.” Ahiro managed to stay as she started Shoto’s second sleeve.

She was confused on Bakugou’s actions throughout the day. He had told them all that she had a crush on him when Edneeavor tried to set her up with Shoto…again. He had volunteered to help them cook with that sour attitude of his. But…but he didn’t have it all day.

Ahiro sat there piecing Bakugou’s odd actions together to try and se the bigger picture. His attitude had started when Ahiro had said she would consider Shoto her best friend. This happened when Fuyumi asked Shoto to introduce his friends. Bakugou said they weren’t friends. Shoto said they were since they were always together and Ahiro butted in saying if that’s true that Shoto and her would be best friends since they see each other every day. Even on the weekends.

Bakugou doesn’t like that she and Shoto hang out! Ahiro burned bright red when she realized that.

Her mind went wild with all kinds of theories that only made her blush harder. And the fact that Bakugou was super close to her when she was rolling up his sleeves didn’t help.

It was only until she was done with his second sleeve that she pulled herself out of her nervousness and said, “fold my sleeves Bakugou.” She was expecting some sort of annoyed overreaction from him but he just tsked and pulled her arm closer to him and the good lighting.

Bakugou had tried to glance at her to empathize his pretend disdain but his eyes lingered on her face under the orangish lightening. His eyes widened not believing that she could get more beautiful.

Ahiro caught his glance and let his linger as she realized what was going on. She chuckled not believing that she would ever see Bakugou having a crush on her. Her chuckled turned into laughs and immediately Bakugou’s focus was Mpulled back to the task at hand; folding her sleeve.

He was almost done with the second one when she leaned in. “I have to get a Christmas present for Kirishima, so you want to go with me to the mall?” She tried to whisper but it just came out hoarse and low.

Bakjuhiu didn’t notice and instead chose to overthink her giving Kirishima a present. “Why? His birthday isn’t until later this year.” He seemed almost offended that Ahiro would buy a present for someone else.

She arched her brows in, surprised and annoyed that Bakugou didn’t just say yes. Everything had to be such a big deal with him and that’s when she remembered why she didn’t want a relationship with him. As strong as her feelings were she had goals and a mission. Nothing was worth distracting herself.

She sighed, dropping her expression back to neutral. “I got him for secret Santa in a group thing that him, Denki, Hanta, and a bunch of the girls from Class B are doing.”

“Why would you be in that group? Why would they be doing a group thing with the girls from Class B?“

Ahiro smirked just so slightly that he knew she was about to tell him some juicy gossip but while also keeping the eyebrows arched down so he knew this was still annoying. “Hanta and Denki wanted me to wingwoman for them with the girls. Kirishima just joined to make sure I didn’t flirt with Hanta or Denki.”

Bakugou turned red as he remembered that Kirishima had told bakugou that exact reasoning for going with her and the girls of class B. Bakugou had told him that he didn’t care. Still he had said that but was now turning bright red from the foolish feeling fluttering in his stomach.

He finished up her sleeve in complete silence until Ahiro figured she would ask again. “Will go with me? To the mall?”

Bakugou glanced at her and just said yes before they both went back to the event at hand. Being in Endevor’s house. Becoming his mentees.

[laromurl]

Holiday Blues

Kim Namjoon (RM)

Fluff

Kim Namjoon looked quietly at his make up artist. She was a short woman with average features but a captivating smile and perky personality, except for today. She seemed out of it, almost like if she was deep in thought. All her actions were almost robotic as she went from one boy to the next. Maybe she wasn't feeling well. Oh...Namjoon didn't like that.

She was his friend and if she was feeling under the weather, he wanted to know.

When she was finished, one by one the boys began to migrate towards the aide of the stage. Namjoon lingered back as she cleaned up the mess. He watched her carefully, trying to find a excuse to bring up her mood but she just kept it perfectly bottled up.

Namjoon was to lost in her that he didn't notice when she turned around and jumped in surprise. "Oh! Namjoon!" She yelped almoat dropping her makeup kit.

Namjoon laughed and apologized profusely as he grabbed her kit. "I'm sorry, I just...you look sad." He looked at her surprised face beforw it turned into a subtle smile. She should know by now that all seven of these men care about the people they work with.

Shw shook her head. "Oh it's nothing." She waved it aside.

"It is somthing, I'm-" He was inturrupted by the producer walking in. "RM, fifty seconds." He tapped his wrist to convey the urgency.

Namjoon nodded and handed her back the kit followimg the producer. "We'll talk more about this later, okay?" He said one last rime before he was out the door. She just nodded and sighed.

...

The concert was done. The commotion following was midway through and she was already exhausted. There was a party after that she was invited to but she could barely keep her eyes open to wipe the boys' faces and hydrate their skin. Namjoon was the last one, and by the time she got to him, she was yawning.

"How was the concert?" She mumbled in her tiredness. She had glanced at it in passing but most of the time she was napping.

"Good." Namjoon mumbled back, not because he was tired but because she was too close to him and he couldn't think coherently. This had been happening for a while now, since she started wearing that fruity perfume. It was slightly intoxicating.

She noticed the lack of his attention and smiled. He was probably juat as tired if not more but she had to wake him up a bit. Get him back on his wit before the party. It wasn't a big one but there was going to be some of the big bosses there and the boys always had to be at their peak. "I heard your solo, you're pretty good."

This did the trick of waking him up. "Pretty good?" He grabbed her hand and pulled her down. She fell incredibly close to him. So close their noses were practically touching. Her perfume washing over him, like waves upon wave.

"I-I'm n-not pretty good." He smiled and she pulled away, flustered.

"What?" She had completely forgotten what they were talking about. He was beautiful up close.

"I said, I'm really good at what I do." There was a sort of tone in his voice that suggested there was a sexual innuendo but she was too naive to realize it and quite frankly she was too overwhelmed by all of...him.

He stood up from his seat. Half his face covered in makeup. The other half was beginning to redden from all the sweat and makeup in his pores. She noticed it and the moment of infatuation was gone. She grabbed another make up wipe and tiptoed to get the other half, this was impractical but she kinda wanted to see what he would do and much to her jubilation, he pushed up against her. The vanity clattered behind her as she hit it. He even leaned down to give her more access to his face. He put his hand on the vanity right beside her side.

After she was finished, she smiled softly at him. "Go wash your face. I need to apply the moisturizer. You'll need some light corrector and highlighter for the party."

Namjoon was hesitant to move. He had Her right where be wanted her for so long and she was do incredibly small. He could kiss her if he wanted but tjere was something else that took his mind. "I will, if you tell me why you were upset a while ago."

Her lips grew into a very cheeky wide smile. Of course she was still upset that she couldn't make it home for the holidays but Namjoon was saying all the right things and doing all the right moves, she couldn't help getting overwhelmed by him.

She nodded slowly only being able to breath when Namjoon finally left. It was like reality hit, all the emotions from before were there again but she smiled softly. Every thing was going to be alright. It had to be. In a few months she's going to get a few weeks of vacation and she'll head home then.

Namjoon came back with a fresh face. There was even some water on his shirt. "Come here." She said to him. She pulled out two small jars that were ina bag labeled RM. That was the good thing about her being exclusively the boys' makeup artist. Each one has their own bag for their different skin. He sat down in front of her as she washed her hands in the little sink beside her vanity.

"So what happened?" Namjoon said as she grabbed some face lotion for him.

She shrugged and smiled softly in response. "I don't get to go home for the holidays." She turned to his bag. "It's not that big of a deal, but I'm just a but sad I don't get to see my family." She murmured loud enough for him to hear.

"Why not? We get the holidays off starting tomorrow." It was true. They had already made travel plans as has most of the staff.

"There's a new band that management want to me to work with. Their last work day is the twenty fourth and by then all flights and booked or airports are shut down because of an impending storm in Florida. I won't be home until after the new year."

....

Christmas came and went. The coldness had come into her little apartment and given her a cold, so even when she could've gone to a party for New Years, she was stuck home.

It was barely eight pm and the fireworks were already gping off one after another, every few minutes. They were do loud she couldn't hear the knocking on her door until there was a pause betwrrn the rounds of fireworks. She went to open the door, assuming it was her takeout but much to her pleasant surprise it was Namjoon.

"Namjoon!" She jumped in surprise. "What are you doing here?" She stepped asixe to let him in and he did so gladly. "Thanks. I just got back from my family's for a management meeting. I thought I might as well come visit you." He smiled widely. She was so relieved and happy that she didn't remmeber that management had left that morning to be with their families. There was no meeting.

"I brought some stuff." He showed her the two plastic bags. Through one, she could see the red santaclaus giftwrapping. The other one had a bottle of sparkling champagne and a few chocolate boxes.

"You didn't have to." She chuckled. She followed Namjoon to her kitchen where he put the bags on the counter.

"Yea, I know." He took his scarf and coat off, just placing them on the counter beside the sink. "But since I'm here already and you didn't spend time with your family."

"Oh first thing's first." He handed her the giftwrapped presents. There was two.

One was from the whole BTS band ad the smaller one from Namjoon himself. She felt a hundred times better once she saw hia present for her and even had to stop herself from jumping in giddy.

"You didn't have to buy me anything." She grabbed the small present first. "But I'll open it." She smiled at him and winked. Namjoon laughed softly as she tore into the gift wrapping to reveal the small velvet jewelry box. It was a pair of rose gold earings and a necklace to match with a cherry blossom pendant, color and all. It was her favorite flower, ever since she had been to the japanese cherry blossom festival a year before.

It was such a beautiful set she had to stare for a few seconds in awe. "I-it's so gorgeous!"

"Thank you. Thankyouthankyou." She did a little skip and attempted to hug him but stepped on her own foot and plunged in to his chest. He caught her and laughed at her cuteness. "It was nothing." He glanced down at her as she glanced up and pushed a bit. Of course she didn't want to but she wasn't about to be that girl.

Namjoon cleared his throat, pushing back his own thoughts of keeping her close and instead pushed the other gift to her. "This one is from all of us."

She shook from excitement. Just this hour has given her all the warm and childlike excitement that was suppose to come with the holidays.

The first thing she saw was the large holiday card with a cartoony Santa Claus on the cover. Inside was a short anecdote from all her friends. A pair of BTS pijamas. They were light cotton candy blue with the BTS21 characters. They weren't in stores yet and they were incredibly cute.

"Remind me to thank the guys later. I love them." She placed then on the arm of her sofa before pickinf up the bottle of half drunken red wine and the empty glass beside it.

"There is another glass on the cupboard over there." She pointed at the cupboard beside the fridge.

"I was watching a couple of Christmas movies, if you want to watch." She smiled cleaning her glass and putting away her wine.

"Ah, sounds like a plan. I'll have to borrow some pijamas. I forgot mine."

"Sure, I should have Jin's old pijamas somewhere." She said already getting their snacks and drinks.

Namjoon looked hard at her before asking her why Jin's pijamas were there. She answered truthfully and unfazed by his sudden sordid look. Jin had stayed at her apartment a couple of times but that was only because he was giving her singing lessons and quite frankly they were really good friends.

Namjoon didn't like it but it wasn't his place to say anything so he kept quiet and followed her to the couch. "The pijamas are in the closet in the guestroom id you wabt to wear them now."

"Is that where he slept?" Namjoon asked making his way to the room. She caught onto the tone of his voice and retorted with a no and a smirk. She left the rest up for him to guess where Jin sleeps when he stays.

She heard him scurrying around the room while she set up the next movie.

Namjoon came back. He was grimacing the whole way to the couch. She didn't know why until she fully saw him. Jin's pajama pants were a little lose on the waist, leaving a glimpse of Namjoon's underwear out in the light. "Ah good, they're already half off." She joked to get him to laugh and it worked.

He winked melting into a mush of laughter as he sat beside her and taking advantage of the moment she had created. He wrapped her arm around her shoulder and pulled her close and down so she could have a look at his pants. “Want a peek?” He arched an eyebrow suggestively and even dared lift the hem of the pants so she could see the inside but she was a lady and averted his eyes by screaming and diving to his chest. “Namjoon!”

Namjoon laughed heartedly and dared to grab her chin to pull her face to meet his. It was suppose to be an innocent gesture but as soon as their eyes met and her cheeks reddened with embarrassment, his mind turned. She was right there.

He began an internal battle with himself on what he should do next. Should he just take a chance and kiss her? They can’t exactly date but she knew that already. Or should he just let it be? He wouldn’t be happy about that one. Before he could decide, his name came out from her lips in a soft whisper and it caused a turmoil in his heart.

If she didn’t want to kiss him, she would stop him. “I’m going to kiss you now.” He said without missing a beat. He barely waited for her to nod in approval before he swiftly and with a quick movement pulled her on top of his lap so she would be straddling him. He wrapped his hand firmly behind the nape of her neck and brought her mouth down to his. She didn’t fight it and gripped his shirt between her fingers as the kiss deepened.

[laromurl]

Bleach Fanfic

Uryu Ishida x Utsuko Nisenosei (oc)

Slight angst, fluff

....

"Uryu." Her voice was soft and broken but she got his attention away from the night sky outside his window.

"Utsuko. What are you doing here?" He was calm and soft. It has been almost a year since they spoke. Even at school he avoids her. After what Kisuke admitted to him about her fate, he just couldn't bring himself to do anything. Admitting his feelings was already a mistake.

"Ichigo told me you got hurt. I wanted to see you. Who did this?" Utsuko cautiously entered the room and even moved to his side. She extended her hand with the purpose of touching him but he flinched away from her.

It wouldn't do any good for both of them if he promised her sweet nothings when she was just going to leave him. "I don't know but I'm fine Utsuko. You didn't have to come." Her turned away from her causing a stinging turmoil in her chest. She rose her hand to her heart to steady her breathing.

She stayed silent for a couple seconds hoping he would atleast look at her again but after he didn't, she cleared the painful ball from her throat. "How much longer are you going to punish me Uryu? We were doing so good after Aizen, and then..." She trailed off because honestly she didn't understand why he was avoiding her.

When he didn't say anything she breathed low and turned her eyes to the ground. "I-I just wanted to say that I love you. You don't have to say it again. I just wanted you to know."

Uryu turned to her, his heart beating a thousand times faster than normal. His cheeks flushed red. "Utsu-"

"Her fate is to die for the soul king. For the balance of the world." Kisuke's words resounded though his head cutting out everything he desperately wanted to tell her.

Uryu cleared his throat. "Utsuko. Let me be clear, we are not meant to be together. Please get over me." His eyes sofftened and he turned his eyes from her. She was his weakness and he was hers.

"Uryu."

He picked up his eyes, this time locking them on her and furrowing his eyebrows ina stern manner to show her that he was absolutely serious. "I don't love you. I made a mistake."

Utsuko's eyes widened for a second as she painfully processed his words. She didn't believe him but she also knew he was trying to keep her away so she simply nodded. "I understand. This is goodbye then." She walked away hoping that he would stop her but by the time she got the hall and she couldn't hear anything from his room. She ran.

She ran and ran until her feet hurt away from the hospital. Away from the stupid pain in her heart. Away from him.

...

Ginjo swiped his sword across Utsuko's chest giving her barely enough time for her to take out her sword. She was pushed back towards the mansion hitting the roof with a loud bang!

Uryu watched the whole exchange and quickly jumped to her aide. "Utsuko!?" He grabbed her arm through the dust but she swatted it away. She way annoyed. He only came to her rescue. Only when he wanted to protect her.

"In fine Uryu. He can't hurt me." She grabbed his arm for help to stand giving Uryu acess to her spiritual pressure.

"Utsuko your spiritual pressure is fading what did you do?" But he already knew. Kisuke had told him that aftet her visit to the hospital, she went to Kisuke. She went to him to give up her powers. She knew about her fate. Of course she did.

Utsuko pulled away and wiped the blood off her mouth getting the next attack ready. She glared at Ginjo who sneered at her. Ichigo was standing infront of the captains and lieutenants that came to help but noone was moving.

Her power was fading. She cursed her powers for leaving so soon, but looking at Uryu she felt a relief in her chest. Through this they can finally be together. They finally get to be normal. Just one more fight.

She lifted her weapon and glared at Ginjo. Suddenly she felt a pirecing pain in her stomach and when she looked down she saw the illuminating yellow light of Ginjo's fullbringer.

"Utsuko!" Uryu scream pulled Utsuko from her shock and she, instinctively, held her hand to her stomach. "Ur-" she lunged forward coughing out blood and the pain took over her body.

Shit. I'm going to die.

Uryu stood up feeling his spiritual pressure fluctuated a thousand times fold as he turned to Ginjo with rage pouring out his body.

....

Utsuko awoke in her room disoriented at first. It took her a few seconds to process that she was back home and the strong smell coming from her kitchen. She got up slowly and finally noticed the change in her body. She could smell the food but she didn't know who it was. She couldn't pick up any spiritual pressure.

Her powers were officially gone. Now she didn't have to die for the soul king. All he needed was her power anyway.

That brought her some relief. Maybe now Uryu can admit he loves her. Maybe now they can be together.

She planted her feet in the cold hardwood, missing her house slippers by a few inches, when the door opened and the light was switched on.

"Utsuko don't move yet. Your bandages will open!" Uryu moved to the nightstand and placed the tray of food he had. He bent in front of her and pulled her shirt up to reveal bandages wrapped around her torso.

"H-Hey! Don't just lift my shirt!" She flushed bright red and she muttered out. Pain shot through her back when she abruptly pulled away from Uryu.

Her agonizing scream freaked him out for a second. "Utsuko get back in bed. I'll bring more bandages." He ran out of the room leaving Utsuko in pain, trying to get back to her bed.

When the pain subsided and Uryu changed her bandages, he cleared his throat moving his redddening face away from her chest. Her had changed her before but now that she was awake and blushing too, it was all just so...tense.

"Uryu what happened?" She asked softly. "After I lost conciousness."

Uryu sighed and sat on the bed bwside her bringing the try to his lap. It was fish soup. Her favorite.

"Captain Toshiro Hitsugaya froze your wounds to stop the bleeding and I brought you back here. Ichigo won against Ginjo and I think he's on his way to the soul society."

"Oh." She was happy Ichigo won.

"How long have I been unconcious. I don't have any of my power left." She looked at her hands to see if she could see anything.

"A week." He muttered. "The first day you seemed to be healing pretty quickly but because of that you lost the remainder of your power." His voice lowered as if he was telling a sad story but to Utsuko there was nothing sad about it.

She giggled, groaning when the laughter pained her stomach. Uryu looked at her confused but she leaned on his shoulder and wrapped her arm around his. "Can you tell me you love me now?"

Uryu quickly stood up almost spilling the tray. He grew stern looking down at her. His lips were pursed and he furrowed his eyebrows to show his disapproval. And she understood. She pulled back to her bed and he stood silent for a few seconds before walking out of her room. Utsuko didn't follow him.

It was true that he had told her he loved her once but ever since that he has made it his mission to avoid her. To disdain her. But then he shows up to rescue her and even brings her back to health. His problem would be gone if he had let her die.

Anger arose in her and she had to say it. It was time she didn't bite her tongue anymore.

Carefully but hastily, she got up and followed the sound of dishes clanking in the sink. Uryu had his back to her. His sleeves rolled up, half the dishes done. For some reason this calmed her down and she moved a chaur to sit.

Uryu jumped at the sudden noise. "Utsuko, you should-"

"Be in bed. I know. I know. Im just tired of being in my room." She breathed out. She wanted to lean ocer the table but she only got so far before the wound began to hurt.

"Hey be careful!" Uryu jumped to her rescue once again. Remembering this, made her angry again.

"Uryu stop! I'm fine!" She smacked his hand away.

He stopped and looked down at her. "Im trying to help."

"I know." She said bluntly. "That's all you ever do."

"What do you mean?"

She snapped her head to meet his eyes in disbelief. "It will help me if you stopped helping me. I don't need you to be there only when I'm in trouble."

"Utsuko-"

"No Uryu." She interrupted him. She was so exhausted. "I'm tired of explanations. I'm tired of us teetering around the subject. If you are feeling guilty because you don't love me then stop. I forgive you. Just...go live your life and stop worrying about mine!" Their eyes were locked and hers were never wavering showing her adamant stand.

"I don't want someone who doesn't love me." She continued. "If you stopped coming around to my rescue, I would get over you."

"That's not what I'm trying to do Utsuko. You don't have any powers because of me! A-And if I tell you...if I admit it...you'll always be in danger."

"Then don't and leave."

That surprised him. Utsuko was always fighting for him. Always telling him that danger didn't matter to her as long as she had him. But she didn't have him either way. Not really. Uryu was the one pulling away, he was the one who had all the power over this relationship. Why couldn't he just choose? What did he even feel? Could he answer that?

He took a step forwards towards the door trying to make up his mind of what to say or how to say it. He couldn't bring himself to leave Utsuko even if she was telling him to but he also couldn't say what she wanted him to say. He couldn't put that pressure on her.

Utsuko lowered her eyes into her hands waiting for him to pass by her side and out the door. He watched carefully as her featured changed from stern to solemn. She was sad and it was his fault.

What could he say now?

He took a few more steps giving her the power to stop him because at that moment if she had told him to kiss her he would have but she kept quiet.

It wasn't her choice anymore. He got up to the brim of the door before growing frustrated. It was all on him! And what did he want?

Without sparing another second, he grabbed her chin and picked up her face. Those beautiful brown eyes had done it for him once and they keep doing it for him. He tightened his fingers on her chin and pulled her to his lips. He was so slow and careful at first it was infuriating for her to wait but she did and it was worth it. She grabbed his cheeks and stood up in her toes. Then she moved her arms around his neck while he moved his to her waist being weary of the bandages.

They only pulled away to catch their breath but it was a perfect oppurtuntiy for him to look her in the eyes and say, "I want you. I love you."

Utsuko smiled wide, not daring to hide the emotions bubbling in her or the tears brimming her eyes. "Finally." She scoffed jokingly. He laughed with her and leaned down to kiss her again and again and again for the rest of their time together.

[laromurl]

One Piece Fanfiction

Zoro Roronoa x Nila Faurgard (OC)

A/N: part three 😊

Two years and three days have passed since Nila was sent to the Monk Village by Kuma. Within three days she made up her mind to stay there and get stronger thinking she wasn't going to see the Straw Hats every again but of course their captain made the news again. He was involved in a big war between the Marines and Whitbeard's crew and allies over Poratagas D. Ace's life. He was dead now. Along with Whitebeard.

For months, shock had overtaken Nila. Ace had been a dear friend to her. He had saved her from herself and she couldn't imagine the unbearable pain Luffy had to go through watching his own brother die in front of him.

There was also a message for the Straw Hats in the newspaper. He wanted them to train for two years and three days, after, they were to meet up at Saboady again.

This became awkward for her as the days passed and she got stronger. Was she part of them? Was she suppose to go back?

Luffy had invited her to join but it was under duress.

At the end, she took a chance and sailed out for Saboady. Just her and the only merchant allowed to come to and from the Monk Village, Herito. He was the one who found her at the edge of the Monk Temple. She was passed out and severely injured. At first he thought she was a corpse that had washed to shore but as he was taking her to the cementary she moved and made a noise. He took her to the monks instead and they healed her. She trained with them during the day and worked with the Merchant during the evening.

In his opinion, the young woman was hardworking and strong. She was kind to the children and helped as much as she could but she had her own demons. She was scared of the dark, screaming out for someone named Milo when she was left alone. She also had a strange tendency to wait until everyone ate first before she did or if she wasn't sure, she would made her own food from scratch.

Everyone liked her. She talked about all kinds of islands she's traveled to and the adventures that took her all around. They seemed believable until she presented the idea of staying in the village.

Herito was confused because she always talked about how much being a pirate was fun but he also saw that she was scared of something. He didn't ask about it but accepted her decision until she came across a newspaper that left her destroyed.

There was a period of two months where she wouldn't eat anything. She helped and worked and trained but she was different. She had no energy. Her golems wouldn't grow bigger than three feet no matter how much she tried. She was sad and emotionally exhausted. Then she left for one day and when she returned she was back to her old ways. Noone knows where she went or what happened and she won't say.

Now she seemed so free. Her golems could grow up to be giants. She trained nonstop and became incredibly strong. She harnessed and strengthened her life force.

He was sad to see her go but excited where her adventures were going to take her.

"Ah! Herito look!" She bounced up and down pointing at the incoming Island of Saboady. It was a big island with the bubbles still floating around it. Her heart was pounding inside her chest, small golems were starting to form beneath her hands from the wood of the boat.

"Nila be careful you might tip over." Herito sheepishly reminded her.

"Oh!" She stepped back and pulled out gloves from her coat pocket as the golems returned to their place.

She saw where Sunny was and she saw heads of people running about. The boat seemed to be coated in some sort of bubble stuff. She didn't know much but she didn't question it specially when she saw a tuft of green hair jumping about on the boat. They rowed closer and she heard the gunshots and screaming, presumably from Navy soldiers. This was the moment of truth. Would They accept her?

She tried to call out for Sanji who was the closest but her mouth dried up. She was afraid of rejection. She was afraid...

"Oi! Nila!" It was Luffy. He was on the ledge standing over to look, holding his hat. "Come on! We have been waiting for you!"

This made her smile. Her whole being shook and she turned to Herito almost for permission. He laughed nodding for her to go on. "Be careful out there child and write to us every once in a while. We snuck a log in for you." He winked.

She didn't know what to say so she threw her arns around him as a last goodbye. "Thank you." She whispered. She parted with tears in her eyes rejoicing for everything she went through the last two years. She jumped into the boat with Luffy and her friends as it sailed out. With a last look she and Herito said their goodbyes.

They sailed out plunging into the sea until they couldn't hear the Navy coming after them. The whole ship was enveloped in a bubble giving them air to breath and finally some quiet.

They said their hellos. Everyone exchanging short hugs until she saw Zoro. He saw her first and immediately something clicked in his brain. She had changed so much. She looked at ease, happier, freer. She had cut her hair too, down to her chin and most of the white patches of hair had disappeared.

He wondered if she thought about him. About what she did for him the last time they saw eachother. He thought about her almost nonstop when he was training. He wanted to become stronger so that she would never have to feel like she had die for him.

Nila smiled at him so wide he swore his heart was about to jump out. It was so strange what was happening to him and so quickly. He didn't understand it but he didn't have to at the moment. They had time together now that she was part of them.

They went deeper and deeper underwater. Adventures of the past two years were exchanged briefly and chopper was the first to ask about her new wooden arm. She relayed the story about the monks carving her a new arm and showing her how to use her power do make it move.

Most of the men got together to play a cardgame while Robin was in the upper deck reading a history book.

Brook was telling Nila all about the fame he recieved and she was listening enthusiastically. She loved listening to their stories. Zoro would glance at her every so often from where ever he was to make sure she wasn't putting a front. She listened with genuine jubilee to everything everyone had to say. She hugged Chopper more often than not, and played roughly with Luffy and Usopp. It was like she was a child. The cold demeanor was nowhere. The untrusting looks had dissapeared. Her sneers to him were just gone.

She was beautiful.

After defeating the swamp guy and locking him in a barrel. The crew fell back on deck to make sure everyone was alright. They were until they lost Sanji, Zoro, and Luffy because of a Kraken! They were scared, specially when they were attacked by the Flying Dutchman and some giant man baby looking fish.

They were saved just in time and they got to the Fishman Island just before they became grilled meat by a volcano eruption. Unfortunately, they were seperating entering the second bubble to Fishman island.

Nila flew out of the boat into the sea of the island bubble. She couldn't swim and through all the commotion lost sight of the rest of the crew. She thrashed through the water but became weaker and weaker by the second. She tried summoning strength to grip something...anything! But became too dizzy to even form a proper thought. She passed out praying the others were alright.

Zoro swam towards the shore he could see but glanced back incase he saw one of the devil fruit eaters floating about. He did. Nila! She was already unconcious. He hurried to her grabbing her arm and pulling her up.

She put up alot of resistance. He didn't remember her being this heavy so it must be the water pulling her down. He fought against it knowing if he didn't she would die this time for sure.

With one extra push he brought her up to shore, pushing her body up and then himself beside her. He coughed up water before turning her to her side and easentially burping her to try and make her throw up.

It didn't work. She wasn't breathing and he was beginning to panic. He layed her on her back again and murmured an apology before giving her mouth to mouth followed by CPR. After a few seconds, Nila gasped and lunged forward throwing up all the salt water in her lungs.

"Nila. Nila." Zoro grabbed her for support as she coughed. "Are you okay?"

She nodded and waved her hand. It took her a a minute to get her voice back but she smiled and thanked him. "I thought I was dead." She laughed and grabbed hin. He laughed with her relieved that she was alive. "My hero." She chuckled. He laughed louder likeing that nickname.

Their enjoyment was cut short when fishmen in armor and swords surrounded them. Nila fell back. "Ah geez, can we at least take a five minute break?" She blew out. She dug her fingers into the sand creating four golems her size, surrounding them.

She stood up ready to order the golems but one of the guards stepped forwards. "Step down now or we will arrest you! You are trespassing in the royal castle!"

Nila looked up and found a great big castle with Dragon statues around it. She looked at Zoro who was ready to fight and shook her head, dropping the golems. "We are in their land." Then she leaned in towards Zoro. "By the way, don't tell them my last name."

Zoro was confused.

"We surrender. We are the Straw Hats pirates." She lifted her hands up. Her demeanor changing seemingly back to before the two years but only in her body. When she looked at him for cooperation, her eyes had the same carefree eyes.

He humphed not liking that he couldn't beat someone up but her sudden change had shaken him from any battle ready mind. He followed her suit.

[laromurl]

One Piece Fanfiction

Zoro Roronoa x Nila Faurgard (OC)

A/N: this is part two! I hope you enjoy 😊

The young mermaid stared at Nila's missing arm curiously. She had never seen someone with a missing limb and specially a young woman. Nila noticed it but didn't mind. She would have to get used to it.

The stopped at Saboady thanks to Hachi and Ceimi's recommendation. Nila hadn't ever been there but she's heard stories from the members of her father's crew that it was a beautiful and fun place. It was filled with bubbles that floated up but popped when they went to far up. Luffy touched one and when he saw that it wasn't popping, he stuck his head inside. Now he was even more excited to leave the ship.

They docked. Nila was excited to just stay in the ship and sleep. She needed so much rest before going back to her fathers because of course she would go back. And she had spent most of the nught talking to Luffy about Ace. How fortunate that she had been saved by Ace's brother. Although she didn't know how to feel about Zoro abandoning his Pirate Hunter life to become a Pirate.

"Ah, well, I'll see you guys later." Zoro was the first to get down, jumping from the ledge even with the stairs right beside him.

"Wait! You can't go by yourself!" Nami said almost jumpimg out of the ledge. "You're going to get lost and we don't want to look for you for days again ."

"Ehh." Zoro turned back to the girls. He waved her aside ans began to walk again. "I'll be fine. I don't get lost. These trees have numbers." He pointed at the 41 etched on the closest tree.

Nami growled at him and crossed her arms. "I don't want to risk it. Take Nila with you."

"Wait.."Nila was ready to argue but thw look in Nami's face stopped her.

Both Zoro and Nila sighed defeated, knowing better than to argue with Nami. "Okay, Nila hurry."

Nila shook her head at that preposterous idea and tried to cross her arms. It escaped her that she only had one arm and she became embarrassed. She gave in after that and jumped down from the boat, following him while remembering the number on the tree. Hachi had informed them that Saboady was split up into 'groves' and the number of the grove was usually written in the tree.

They walked back and forth for a while in silence. They have crossed the same boulder and weirdly shaped tree five times. Nila suspected he was lost but didn't say anything. It wasn't her business to know where they are. She just wanted to enjoy her little escape. And she was only suppose to show him the way back to the ship.

After a few more hours of the same shtick but in a different part of the island, she had had enough. "Ay, let me lead. Okay. You're terrible at this."

Zoro humphed. "That's why I brought you a long. You know this stuff." He hiccuped. Not from being slightly drunk but from being hungry. He hadn't eaten since this morning on the ship but somehow he had gotten his hands on some sake.

She groaned and rolled her eyes before walking towards the groves Hachi said had shopping centers. Along the way she relaxed a bit and her annoyance with him left. At the end of the day, her hatred for him was misplaced. He owed her nothing let alone to save her. She just needed to enjoy these few weeks with them. They had saved her and kept her along.

Besides, she was okay for now. She was away from her father and he thought she was dead probably.

He left her to die! She gritted her teeth and left her shoulder in frustration. Her own father left her to die. How could he be so cruel? She thought that even after everything he put her and Milo through, even after turning Milo in as punishment, he would still love his kids. But he used her as bait, left her for dead and she lost an arm.

Zoro noticed her grumbling to herself and knew what it was about. She was starting to see her father's true nature or atleast realizing that he was a piece of shit. He felt responsible for this.

He placed a hand on her head. "We're here." He said pointing to the crowd walking to and forth from little shops. They had their shopping bags in the bubbles that float all over the island. They were pretty resistant.

She dug through her bag around her hip and counted the money she had. It was just enough for a couple of meals. Zoro looked at her and sighed taking another gulp of his sake. She was such a pettiful woman. "I'll pay. Let's go eat something."

She would have accepted his offer if she didn't remember that he had no money. Nami said so before they found Hachi and Ceimi. She smacked his hand from her head. "You don't have any money. I'll pay."

He became sheepish, remembering that that was true and followed behind her. They got closer before the crowd stopped and seemed to face the center of the plaza. She walked cautiously feeling the atmosphere change. The chattering stopped and she could faintly hear whispers. Something was happening. "Z-" She turned to warn him but he was drinking and passed her oblivious to everything.

She ran after him. "Zoro, slow down. Something is happening." She whispered.

"Eh?" He turned to her. "Did you say something? There should be a restuarant close by."

He weaved between the crowd and she followed falling into the edge of a big opening. There was a guy in some sort of wierd suit and a bubble around his head, holding a leashed human. The man was older, with blood all over his head and tears. She was paralyzed for a second. She had heard about them but she had never actually seen one of those people. That guy was bad news.

"Zo-" she stepped forwards to stop him but a hand clasped over her mouth and She was pulled back with an arm in her stomach.

Zoro walked on, the onlookers gasping. This wasn't looking good. Was Zoro this oblivious or was he so confident? Either way she didn't want to be caught up with this. There was already navy around. It was best to stop it as soon as possible. She got dragged back where she was out of earshot from Zoro.

She pulled back the hand and turned around. She didn't know who she was expecting, but it wasn't Trafalgar Law.

"Trafalgar?" She was surprised to see him. "What are you doing here?"

She heard a gunshot and immediately she ran back to Zoro. He was on the ground with a young girl of top of him crying and calling him brother. He seemed to still be breathing.

The Celestial Dragon moved on and after a few minutes, Nila ran to Zoro. Her breath was hitched in her throat. He was alive but how much alive? "Zoro are you okay?" She helped him up after the pink haired girl got off him. "Who was that?" He asked.

"A Celestial Dragon." Nila murmured breathinf out a small prayer of gratitude. He was oblivious!

"You don't want to get on their bad side! The navy will be here in seconds if you hurt him." The pink haired, woman now, scorned him. She had a piece of meat on her lip and short overalls.

Nila then turned back to ask Law what he was doing there but he had dissapeared. She became annoyed quickly. That man had no manners at all. Last time they had seen eachother, he halped her escape from her father. His submarine was perfect for her to hide for a couple of days. But...she ended up going back to her father. She always does.

Pleasantries were exchanged with the Jewel Bonny girl or whatever her name was. Nila quiet frankly didn't care. She was busy trying not to be noticed by a pair of Navy men she saw pass by. She expressed her gratitude to the girl for saving Zoro and grabbed his shirt, ushering him out of the center. They would have to eat somewhere else.

Away from the center, she begrudgingly berated Zoro for being so oblivious. "I swear you idiots just keep getting in more trouble. I've heard about you guys, you know." She turned to him, poking his chest with a stern finger. "I know about Alabasta and the islands in the sky. The World Government have been keeoong an close eye on you guys and now everything in on the paper! Do you really think we need more bad juju from you killing a Celestial Dragon?"

Zoro lowered his head in irritation. He was hungry and sober again. "Is that what he was? Why is he do important? He looked like a scumbag to me."

Nila stiffened. How were there poeole this incredibly stupid? "You stupid! The Celestial Dragons are descendents of the twelve families that started the World Govrrnment. They are Gods in this world."

He looked at her for a few seconds before shrugging and placing his hands in his pockets. "So? I don't believe in Gods."

This took her off guard and she tensed up from frustration and annoyance. This man was definitely an idiot but then again, this crew had been the only one to make impossible things happen...or so she's heard. She was amused first before breaking out into laughter.

Zoro stared longer than he should have. It was strange but he had never seen her laugh so hard that she was holding her stomach. The permanent creased eyebrows that always suspected everything were suddenly gone and the freckles on her cheeks popped out more making her look like Milo alot more intensely. He had forgotten how much Milo used to talk about his sister. They looked exactly the same, down to the brown waves with sprinkled white patches of hair all over.

He didn't know when it happened but he found himself smiling at her happiness and soon he began to talk to her about everything and anything to make her laugh.

...

Kuma looked at Nila. She was furiously protecting Zoro like a mother bear would her cub, using her body as a shield as she was too tired and worn down from producing to many golems. She was tried, done, defeated but she still had her life to give for Zoro's.

Sanji was trying to protect her and Zoro too but he was just as badly injured if not more. Zoro could barely move. He hadn't even been able to land a blow on Kuma before keeling over from the injuries he sustained the first time Zoro encountered him in Thriller Park. He was in terrible shape but he still kept trying to fight. He insisted Sanji and Nila leave for cover but they weren't listening and it was making Luffy crazy with frustration that he had no way of protecting his friends from the Pacifistas and the Admiral.

She didn't even stop to think why she was trying to save him in the first place. Maybe she thought that deserved to live more than she did. Maybe she thought this would be her only good deed. Maybe she just wanted to protect him.

It wasn't a problem for Kuma either way. He swiped his paw across her body and she found herself flying upwards at an incredible speed.

[laromurl]

One Piece Fanfiction

Zoro Roronoa x Nila Faurgard (OC)

A/N: this is just part one of I don't know how many.

Nila heaved in and out trying to control her rushing heart but the pain of her missing arm was too much. Her head was buzzing. Blood and dirt blurred her vision. She stumbled from tree to tree trying to get away from that maniac but all she could muster was keeling over on her knees, begging for her father to return. How could he leave her? How could he look her in the eye and order Fro to keep going? Her own father threw her to the sharks.

She didn't know what island she was on and the sea prism cuffs were cutting off her fruit powers. She had no way to defend herself. She let herself become too confident against a warlord but this time Ace nor her father were here to save her. He was right. She was too weak. Too stupid and arogant. And now she was going to die.

Nila made it towards edge of the forest. Her head was burning hot and she was caughing out blood, she was weaving in and out of consciousness. She suspected she had a few broken ribs.

She stumbled closer to the clearing of the shore and toppled over when her legs couldn't hold her up. The ghost of her right arm was in defeaning pain and she was slipping more and more in to unconsciousness. She was closer to giving up than ever before.

Fuck you father. I'll kill you. Her eyes rolled back and she fell on her face.

"Oi, Sanji. Is that a girl crawling towards us?"

Nila heard the voice and looked up to find a couple of figures running towards her bombarding her with questions. Her vision was too blurry to tell how many or who it was. But she didn't care. Worst case scenerio they would finish off what Doflamingo started.

"H-Help m-me." She managed to whisper and passed out.

Her saviors were Sanji, Nami, Franky, and Usopp from the Strawhat Pirates. They had just landed on that island expecting to find some resources.

They approached her carefully, Nami calling for the girl to be okay. She didn't know what to do but she knew they couldn't just leave this half dead girl in an island that had just been invaded by Navy. She probably was their victim. She turned to the boys. "Let's take her to Sunny." She turned to Franky to ask him to pick her up but he was already kneeling. "Do you think she was the one the Navy was here for?" He asked.

"I don't know. But..."

"She is dieing. The Navy just left." Sanji finished.

Usopp protested, jumping back from Franky and the girl. "Eh. Wait wait, what if she's one of those navy soldiers? This could be a trap!"

Sanji brushed Nila's blood plastered hair to the side and thought for a second. He noticed she was a beautiful girl so his concern for her multiplied incredibly. "She's harmless." He cooed making the others roll their eyes.

Franky picked her up carefully and ran with her to Sunny. She was losing so much blood. Her hand dropped from Franky's arm and Nami saw the sea prism cuff. "I don't think she is with the Navy." She said pointing out her wrist.

Noone said anything until they got back on the ship and presented her to Chopper. "Ehhh!!! Who is she?" He asked. He hurried to get the room ready for her. Her breathing was already getting low.

"We found her in the forest by the abandoned city. Can you save her?" Nami was concerned.

Luffy and the others were already running back to the ship as soon as Nami called Zoro and Robin.

Of course, Luffy asked about the mysterious girl as he was trying to butt into the room but Chopper held a strict no coming in policy while he worked on her.

While they waited for a few hours outside the room, Chopper worked on Nila nonstop. He didn't have an arm to reattach so he cleaned her wound and sewed it. She had lost an incredible amount of blood it was surprising that she was still alive but it was a good thing, there was someone else from the crew with the same blood type.

Chopper used his transponder to call for Zoro. He was relunctant but he complied when Nami persuaded him with a few head slaps. He didn't know this woman so he grumbled all the way into the room.

"Thank you." Chopper smiled. "She will thank you I'm sure." He pointed at the girl in the bed and Zoro's face went pale.

He knew this girl. She's alive! Just barely but with his help she would be okay.

Zoro grimaced and held his arm out for chopper. "Can she be saved?" The worry in his tone was subtle but Chopper caught onto it.

Chopper prepped Zoro's arm and nodded. "Zoro, you know her?"

Zoro watched her carefully. Her face was scrunched in pain and the blood was still over her eyes but he nodded. "Her name is Nila Faurgard. She's a pirate. I thought she was dead."

Chopper attached him to the IV and made sure he was okay before going out an conveying this news to the rest of the crew.

The last name Faurgard rang a few bells among a couple of the older members. "Faurgard used to be the name of the warlord from twenty years ago." Robin pointed out.

"Yes I remember." Brook laughed not out of hilarity. "He was a cruel warlord. He killed a bunch of Navy men because the Navy didn't let him kill some civilians that went against his order. He's a terrible man." He added shaking his head.

"And the girl in there is his daughter?" Nami asked. Her concern wasn't for their safety but for Nila's.

"I told you she could be dangerous!" Usopp didn't waste a second to freak out about her.

"She's not dangerous." Franky butted in. He had his eyes closed and was shaking his head. "She is always running away from her father. She used to come to water 7 and ask for help but noone wanted to fight Nero. After a while she never returned. We assumed the poor child was dead. There was a rumor that her father turned her brother in to the Navy to prove a point to her."

"Not even the Navy want to touch her." Brook added. "Nero Faurgard has become a nuisance more than a threat."

"Zoro seems to care." Chopper pointed out. "He seemed 'worked up' when he saw her."

The others said nothing. It wasn't odd to see Zoro worried about someone, specially his friends, but it was always intimidating. He almost always was going to fight someone but Nila had run the Navy off this island.

After a few hours the crew dispersed and went back to sea. No further words had been exchanged about Nila but she was on everyone's mind. Just how powerful is she? Would her father attack them to get her back? Does she really not have an arm?

Nila was still unconcious three days later. Chopper, under Zoro's watch, kept an eye on her arm for infections. Zoro didn't want to be there when she woke up and so spent most of his day guarding her room from the outside. He wanted to make sure that she wouldn't attack them. The only people who were allowed go in the room would be Chopper, Sanji, and Nami.

Three more days passed and she was no longer in peril but she had a high fever and had yet to wake up. In the middle of the night, she began to shake and talk loudly in her sleep that it woke up Zoro from his nap. He went in, not wanting to wake an exhausted Chopper, and changed her bandages. That calmed her down a bit.

He replaced the towel on her forehead and dried her face off from the sweat. Zoro looked at her face a little longer than usual. He had never done this but if he had just taken the time to really pay attention he would have seen this woman. The one who wanted to get away from her life. He could have seen the strength in her heart.

He noticed all the scars he had left her throughout their many encounters. The scar on her left cheek was barely visible now and the one above her left eye was really light. He remembers the fights where he gave those to her.

Now that she was with them, she felt responsible for her. She had asked him to save her multiple times and all he did was try to turn her away. He clenched his teeth becoming frustrated with himself. He shouldn't be feeling so guilty.

He didn't understnad why it was affecting him so much but she was alive. He should have believed Nila all those years ago.

Nila grumbled in her sleep before her eyes fluttered slowly. She opened them. She was in the dark, confused and dazed. A dim candle stood on the stand beside her, poorly lighting the man that sat there. She stood up too quickly once she realized who it was and fell over the bed in trying to use her non exitant arm.

"Faurgard! Don't move." Zoro scorned. He picked her up, holding her carefully even though he was irriated with her and the feelings she provoked in him.

"Let go of me...Roronoa." She managed to say between heaves of breath. She still wasn't good. Her head was killing her and her arm opened again sending a throbbing pulse through her shoulder. She bit her tongue to stop her whimpers. Zoro was a pirate hunter as far as she knew, even if he hadn't caught her before, he didn't help.

"Let me..."

"Oi, Zoro what are you doing to my patient!?" Chopper bellowed. He had heard the commotion and immediately ran down to look. He wasn't pleased finding Nila in his arms, half dazed with blood soaking through the bandaids.

"She fell." He threw her on the bed. This time not careful. "Take care of her." He humphed on his way out. He took his seat guarding the door again.

[laromurl]

Scenario #10

....

Santa Maria

The first mistake I remember making, I was thirteen years old and I sneaked out of my parents' house to see a boy I had a crush on. He lived a few blocks away and it was already late at night. I was too young to understand the vying eye of a man. I was too innocent to notice the drunken neighbor staggering a few feet behind me.

The second mistake, was telling my preacher father about the first one.

I have made many other mistakes throughout my life but the birth of my children and marrying my husband were never a mistake. They were the greatest things to ever happen to me and the love of a wife and mother can withstand anything.

My husband has made many mistakes too. As his confident, I'm aware of his deepest secrets and sins. I'm the keeper of his darkest regrets and greatest achievments. My husband has been faithful, resilient, and honest during our marriage. He never told me a lie. He respected me as a woman, as his wife, as his partner. My bad days were his worst days.

So when the police began to say that I was making a mistake by sticking with him, I had to correct them. I have made many mistakes in my life, but the man that held me down will never be one of them.

[laromurl]

Scenerio #9

.....

Hellfire

Ted and I had offered to stay up for the first shift. There wasn't much to look at but the seemingly abyss if the dark halls. At this point, everything was too quiet and unnerving. Mark's snoring helped calm me down a bit but even that didn't call my anxious mind. I felt like I had to be doing something.

"Leslie." Ted's whispered my name.

"Hmm." I responded.

"Do you think everyone back home is alright?"

I looked at him, unsure if he really thought they were or if it was just a question of hope. He needed hope. I needed hope but after everything that had already happened, I couldn't bring mysef to have that luxury. That didn't mean I had to take it away from him.

"Yea." I smiled softly.

After a few minutes of silence he chuckled and scooted closer to me. His gun making a soft scraping sound against the tile that was oddily relaxing. "Did you have a boyfriend before all this?"

That question caught me by surprise that I chuckled a soft 'what'. He repeated himself, this time looking direcrly at me so I could see that he was serious.

I smiled, suddenly catching myself. How long had it been since I had done that?

"Umm, I was engaged." But I guess not anymore. I guess the end of the world called off my wedding instead of me.

"Oh, how did you guys meet?"

I shrugged. "Through a mutual friend." I thought back to Jay and our first meeting and just like that something clicked. "You know, maybe I should have seen his infedility coming. Our mutual friend was quiet friendly with him."

"He cheated? That sucks."

"Not as much as this situation." That conversation seemed to die off but I could tell he didn't want to stop. Maybe it was a form of distraction for him.

"What about you?" I asked softly. "Did you have a girlfriend, or some one you liked." At this his smile reappeared and he nodded.

"Yea, her name was Monica. She was trying to get into law school. That girl was..." He died off as he looked out, I suppose he was thinking about her, until he turned to me and he seemed to frown. "You know," he said. "Now that I think about it, you two are actually alot alike."

"What?" That shocked me more than it should have considering.

He nodded. "Yea, I mean, you both are strong, protective woman."

That was nothing. "That's nothing, we are in a situation where I have to step up."

He shook his head. "Not just now. I remmeber even in high school you were always looking out of the quieter kids. You befriended the ones everyone else thought as odd. And now," he turned towards the other sleeping. "You have helped the ones who probably wouldn't have made it without you."

I looked at the others, at the moment seeing what he and Minister Chavez had been talking about. Mark was overweight and kind of a pussy. Dede was fifteen years old and only really looked out for herself. Most of the new ones were kids, Jacee and her husband were old and crippled. Even me. I was a short woman who never really took up running like she had promised herself. Ted was really the only one who could make it out by himself.

"But you." I said.

He shook his head. "Maybe, maybe not. Honestly, the only thing that has been keeping me together is you."

I didn't know what to say to that. In fact, I chocked up. I never realized how much I needed to hear that I was someone's reason to still live. After everyone That I had lost, after Daisy, I just couldn't handle it anymore.

Before I could say how thankful I am to him, Ted grabbed me and pulled me closer for a hug. For a few minutes I had let everything finally overwhelm me.

I weeped in silence and held onto him for what seemed forever. He didn't anything during or after my meltdown but just held me until I pushed him away and we went back to guarding the halls until it was Mark and Dede's turn to guard.

I went to the back of the room to lay down. I had full view of the room that way and of the entrance too so if anything happened. After a few minutes, I saw Ted move to my side. There were no words said but he grabbed my hand.