#but the pose and the speech bubble are kind of blocking off everything I could put there for clarification

[the-flying-nightingale]

Behold, the results of multiple hours of artistic nitpicking.

Artemis Requiem #2 (1996)

[writeroutoftime]

undercover feelings

pairing: jack thompson x reader (requested by: @rubesque)

summary: you and jack don't like each other in the slightest. but when an undercover mission throws the two of you together, what will become of your relationship? (aka - undercover enemies to lovers)

warnings: minor violence

words: 3.4k (not even sorry)

a/n: let me just start by saying, I know my action sequences aren’t the best, but I'm trying to get better. that said, I absolutely adored writing this story, and I hope everyone enjoys it! a lot of thought went into it, so please please let me know what you think!

oOoOo

As you strode towards Chief Dooley’s office, you noticed Jack coming up behind you out of the corner of your eye. Rolling your shoulders back, you tried to ignore his presence even as he was merely steps behind you, almost purposefully trying to catch the back of your heel. Right as you raised your hand to wrap your knuckles against the Chief’s office door, you let out a frustrated sigh.

“Is there something I can help you with?” you spit out, spinning around to face Jack, wishing you could wipe that smug smirk off his face.

“Never in a thousand years, y/l/n. It seems you’re in my way.” he said, trying to step around you and knock on the door himself.

Rolling your eyes, you blocked the door with your body. “Look, I know you think your daily suck-up sessions with the Chief will get you a promotion, but I was personally asked by Chief Dooley to meet with him, so move along.” you told Jack proudly, ready to see his anger bubble over.

To your surprise, Jack’s grin simply widened as he leaned in. “Me too, sweetheart.” he whispered, leaving you speechless, and pushing past you to knock on the door.

Collecting yourself, you quickly entered the office first, standing in front of the Chief’s desk with your hands behind your back. Every so often, your eyes flitted over to Jack, wondering what the Chief could possibly want with the both of you. It was no secret to any agent in the SSR that you and Jack had a strained relationship to say the least. From your first day, Jack had mistaken you as a secretary, thus beginning a long hate-hate relationship. Even to this day, Jack was one of the most pig-headed men you had the displeasure of knowing.

“Alright, I’ll get straight to the point. I’m sending the two of you on an undercover mission to retrieve sensitive, government information.” Chief Dooley explained. “The most opportune time to retrieve it will be during the American Gala in Washington D.C. hosted by a Mr. Mark Williams. The two of you will pose as husband and wife –“

“That’s a real funny joke, Chief.” Jack interrupted, looking shocked at the prospect of going undercover with you.

“Oh, please, Thompson. You’d be lucky if you could ever convince me to marry you.” you shot back.

“I’d rather go undercover as husband and wife with Krzeminski.”

Before you could move to smack Jack’s arm or throw another insult his way, Chief Dooley stood up, slamming his hands on his desk. “Enough! It’s like dealing with a couple of damn toddlers.” he scolded, instantly causing a wave of shame to wash over you and Jack. “Now, can the two of you act like the federal agents you are, or do I need to find two other agents?” he asked, staring both of you down.

“No, sir.” you mumbled, hearing a similar sentiment leave Jack’s lips.

There was a moment of awkward silence before Chief Dooley sat back down. “Now, as I was saying. The two of you are scheduled to leave in two days, and here are files with all you need to know on the target and your responsibilities.” he continued.

The moment you were dismissed, you stormed out of the Chief’s office and made your way back to your desk. Picking up the nearest piece of paperwork, you stared at the words for a moment before shoving it to the side, letting out a frustrated sigh.

“Everything all right?” Peggy asked, coming up behind you and setting a mug of coffee down on your desk.

“Chief Dooley is sending me on an undercover mission – with Thompson.” you explained, running your hands down your face.

Peggy looked amused by your so-called bad news and shook her head at your oblivious nature. “Perhaps, it will give you the opportunity to recognize your feelings for Agent Thompson.” she suggested casually.

“Feelings?” you nearly shrieked. “The only feeling I have for Agent Thompson is the feeling of dread every time I see him.” you argued.

“If you say so, dear.” Peggy placated as she walked away.

oOoOo

The entire plane ride to D.C. was filled with tense silence as you poured over the case file the entire time. The only noise that came from Jack was the tapping of his foot against the floor and his pen against the table.

“Do you have to do that?” you finally snapped, reaching forward to snatch the pen out of his hand.

Holding his up in mock surrender, Jack chuckled. “Woah, sweetheart, you might want to be a bit nicer considering we are married and all.” he teased.

“Listen,” you started, voice low and serious. “I know that you joke around and don’t always take everything seriously, but this mission is important to me. You have no idea how hard it is working in that office as a woman, and this mission is my chance to prove myself. I will not have it be ruined by the likes of you.”

For once, Jack had no quick remark to offer, instead he was simply stunned by your speech. Silently admitting defeat, Jack conceded to your wishes. “Alright, I’m sorry, y/l/n.”

You were slightly taken aback by how easy that had been. Perhaps you didn’t give Jack enough credit. “Thank you.” you responded, turning back to your files.

The rest of the flight followed in relative silence, Jack or you only speaking when you had questions or needed clarification from the files. It didn’t pass your mind the subtle looks Jack threw your way, but you ignored them, focused on the task at hand. If he had something to say, he could say it. However, the moment the plane landed, you were whisked away to your separate hotel rooms to prepare for the gala, watching Jack walk away.

oOoOo

It was only when Jack heard the clack of your heels against the marble stairs that he turned around and froze, watching your descent. The y/f/c dress you had donned flattered your figure in every sense, and Jack swore you were an angel in that moment. He suddenly felt aware of the way his breath had quickened, and the way his hands shook the tiniest bit from the nerves. So lost in his own mind, Jack didn’t even notice he had yet to take his eyes off of you.

“Is there something on me?” you asked, suddenly feeling very bashful from Jack’s gaze.

“No, no it’s just – uh – I mean,” Jack stuttered, running a hand through his perfectly gelled hair. “you clean up nice, y/l/n.”

“Not too bad yourself there either, Thompson.” you teased, flashing Jack a dazzling smile.

It was true that Jack looked absolutely dashing in his suit, making your knees just a bit week as you had walked down to meet him. His compliment sent a flutter through your chest, and you were brought back to Peggy’s comment about feelings. Perhaps, deep down, all the back-and-forth bickering had simply been a disguise for something else. But you couldn’t let yourself think about that now, not when you had a mission to complete.

Right as you were about to walk into the ballroom, Jack grabbed your wrist gently, stopping you in your tracks. Before you could question his action, he held up his hand and wiggled his finger, a metal band gleaming in the low light. “Now what kind of husband would I be if didn’t give you a ring?” he asked before pulling a small box out of his jacket pocket and producing a beautiful, sparkling engagement ring.

Carefully, Jack lifted your left hand and slid the cool metal over your ring finger until the diamond rested perfectly against your skin. It was difficult to fight the spark of energy when Jack grabbed your hand and the way he gently rubbed his thumb over the back of your hand.

“There.” he whispered, staring into your y/e/c eyes, a soft smile replacing that smirk that typically resided on his lips.

The two of you stood in the foyer for a moment, lost in the other’s gaze until other couples around you laughed and chatted on their way into the ballroom, breaking the spell. Ever the gentleman, Jack offered his arm, which you accepted, leading you both into the belly of the beast. Walking into said ballroom was breathtaking, the entire room being decorated from floor to ceiling with gold accents; however, you forced yourself to stay focused on the mission at hand.

A quick scan of the room showed you multiple entry/exit points, as well as a good estimate of the security posted throughout the room. Beside you, Jack was doing the same before his eyes widened slightly. Following his line of sight, you noticed your target for the evening, Mark Williams, surrounded by a group of people. While your first instinct was to go straight to the source, you knew that would raise alarms and potentially jeopardize the mission.

“Care for a dance?” Jack asked, having the same idea as you when he noticed Williams leading his wife to the dance floor.

Wordlessly, you allowed Jack to lead you towards the dance floor where he rested a warm, gentle hand on the small of your back while his other hand intertwined with your fingers. A small gasp left your lips from the proximity between you and Jack, and it was difficult to not become intoxicated by his cologne. For a moment, you allowed yourself to admire Jack’s strong jaw, piercing eyes, and the few hairs that had fallen out of place under the golden light the room provided.

The music began to pick up, and you let out a surprised cry of delight as Jack spun you around the floor, selling every bit of the perfectly happy couple. After one such spin, Jack brought you closer and whispered that you had caught the attention of Williams. Glancing over your shoulder, you saw the man staring in your direction.

“Trust me.” you told Jack under your breath before you took the lead and danced the two of you straight into your target. “Oh golly, I am so sorry, sir.” you apologized, feigning innocence. “I’m such a clutz, I don’t know why you bring me to these events, dear.” you said, aiming the second half of your sentence to Jack.

“Lord knows why, sweetie.” Jack responded, quickly catching onto your act. “Sorry again, sir. My wife said it herself – she can be a real clutz.”

Mark Williams flashed a quick smirk, looking your body up and down, seemingly sizing the two of you up. “No harm done, pretty lady. I’m Mark Williams. Mind making it up to me with a dance? That is, if your husband doesn’t mind.” he asked, though both you and Jack knew it was more a command.

“It’s the least I can do.” you giggled, accepting Williams’ hand, and letting him pull you away from Jack just like you thought he would.

Immediately, the band in the corner struck up a slower tune, and Williams placed a hand on your waist and began to awkwardly sway off beat. Unlike Jack’s soft, warm hands, this felt cold and unforgiving, and you forced yourself to swallow back the nausea.

“So, you must be used to all the glamor of these events, huh? Being a powerful man and whatnot.” you flirted, batting your eyelashes to help sell your act.

“You could say that, though they get pretty boring after a while. But having someone like you here helps to pass the time.” Williams said, slipping his hand further down your back.

Humming in response, you used the distraction to subtly reach your hand into Williams’ jacket pocket where you silently cheered when your hand touched a key – which you assumed unlocked his office. Carefully, you slipped it into your own pocket before squeezing William’s bicep with a smile to keep his suspicions down. Before he could slip his hand down any further, you pushed back gently and flashed an apologetic smile.

“Excuse me for a moment.” you purred, slipping away to the nearest hallway, keeping an eye out for Jack. Suddenly, an arm shot out and grabbed your wrist, pulling you further down the hallway. You nearly let out a shout of surprise before you saw that it was Jack.

“Are you done flirting or what?” he hissed, eyes narrowed, and chest puffed out.

Rolling your eyes, you flashed him the key you had slipped into the pocket of your dress. “Didn’t take you for the jealous type, Thompson.” you teased, scanning the doors for Williams’ office.

Once you reached the door, you quickly unlocked his office and ushered Jack in, quietly closing the door behind you and locking it. The office itself was spotless, leaving you no clue as to where the files could be hidden. Wordlessly, you and Jack split up, searching through every nook and cranny in order to complete your mission.

It wasn’t long before a soft “found it” came from Jack’s side of the room. Rushing over, you peered at the document in front of him to confirm that it was the correct document. Joy filled your body when you saw that your mission was a success.

Placing a hand on Jack’s bicep, you beamed at him. “Jack this is amazing, we did it!” you celebrated.

Jack let out a small chuckle, enjoying the way you were so excited. He glanced down at your hand on his arm, then back towards you where he locked his eyes with yours. Some unknown force took over you, causing the two of you to lean in towards each other, lips inching closer. Just as you could feel his warm breath on your face and almost touch his lips, loud rattling and banging came from the two, pulling the two of you apart instantly.

“Williams.” you both whispered, looking for a way out.

An open window caught your eye, and you ripped the file out of Jack’s hand as you pushed him towards said window. “Go, or neither of us are going to make it out of here.” you said through clenched teeth.

Jack hesitated a moment before he ran to climb out of the window, instantly turning around to offer you a helping hand. Right as you jumped out, the office door burst open, and Williams appeared with a half dozen bodyguards. He caught a flash of your dress and noticed the torn apart file cabinet, quickly putting two and two together.

“Shit! Get those two, dead or alive, and bring me back that file!” he shouted, pointing in the direction of your escape

It wasn’t long before bullets whizzed past your head as you and Jack ran through the garden towards the getaway car. Adrenaline pumped through your veins, minimizing the dull ache on the side of your arm you eventually felt. All you could think about was getting yourself and Jack out of there in one piece.

The moment the car came into view, you pushed yourself further and faster, sliding into the passenger seat as Jack started the engine and drove off with a squeal. There were still bullets that banged against the car, but once Jack stepped on the gas and swerved off the beaten road, you finally allowed yourself a breath of relief.

“Please tell me after all that, you still have the damn file.” Jack said, glancing to his side at your crumpled figure.

Slamming a, albeit slightly bent, manilla file folder onto the dashboard, you let out a dry chuckle. “You’re welcome. Maybe, for once, Thompson, you can just admit that I actually know what I’m – shit!” you suddenly groaned, clutching the side of your arm, and pulling away to reveal red, sticky fingers.

Jack looked over once more at your groan of pain and slammed on the breaks the moment he saw blood. “You got shot?” he all but shouted, turning your body so he could see where a bullet had lodged itself into the side of your arm.

“Thank you, Sherlock.” you breathed out, squeezing your eyes shut as Jack poked and prodded the area. “You’re gonna need to dig it out.” you told him after he continued to sit in silence.

“I know!” Jack snapped, before sighing upon seeing your reaction and approaching the situation softer. “I know, I know, I’m sorry.” he said before stepping out of the car and grabbing the first aid box from the trunk.

Jack quickly opened the passenger side of the door and knelt down so he could reach your wound. “This is gonna sting.” Jack whispered before he began to clean the wound with some of the alcohol from the kit, wincing along with you.

Jack felt his heart clench as you gripped his shoulder in pain, biting your lip. It became even worse when he started to remove the bullet from your arm, though there was nothing that he could do. There was silence between you and Jack, leaving Jack to his own devices. Seeing the blood on your hands and having to dig a bullet out of you made Jack feel as though he had been the one to be shot. In fact, he wished he had been to avoid you going through this pain.

“Got it.” Jack finally announced, throwing the bullet to the side and wrapping your arm in gauze.

“Thank you.” you said, letting out one more hiss of pain.

Instead of responding, Jack let his hand linger on your arm as he poured over every inch of your body, trying to determine if you had been injured anywhere else. There was such an intensity in his eyes that you couldn’t believe this was the same man you bickered with on an almost hourly basis. It had to be some kind of trick your eyes were playing on you from the pain.

“There you go, you’ll be alright.” Jack reassured you, tying the final strip of bandage around your arm, his hands lingered gently. “I gotta say, you really know how to give a fella a heart attack, y/n.”

“Oh please, I’m sure you would’ve forgotten all about me and reveled in all the attention you’d receive from the Chief.” you shot back, deflecting any emotions that could make you look weak and vulnerable.

Jack’s face morphed into one of hurt, and you felt guilty at the way his titled head and soft eyes made him look like a lost puppy. “Is that what you really think of me? That I wouldn’t care if you didn’t make it out of this mission?”

“You don’t like me, Jack. And I don’t like you. That’s how we’ve always operated, what else could I have possibly interpreted from that?” you argued, frustrated that he seemed to be dragging this conversation on.

“That’s not true, and you know it, y/n.” Jack countered, taking both of your hands in his grasp. “Both of us know deep down that this enemies act is self-defense, but I know that after tonight, I can’t pretend anymore. And I’m pretty sure you don’t want to either.”

For the second time that night, Jack cupped your cheeks in his hand, and leaned in. His lips hovered over yours for just a moment, giving you the chance to change your mind, but you launched yourself forward and finally kissed Jack Thompson. The kiss was sweet, but passionate, years of pent-up feelings bubbling over the surface. Jack pulled you close to his body while your fingers played with the hair and the nape of his neck. You had never allowed yourself to imagine this moment, but in that moment you knew you could get used to be kissed by Jack for the rest of your life.

Eventually, the two of you pulled away, foreheads leaning against each other, and your breath the only thing that could be heard in the night air. Jack’s thumb brushed against your cheek, and you leaned into his touch, now unable to reject his touch.

“Wow,” you breathed out. “maybe we should bottle our feelings like that again.” you teased.

“No, I don’t want to not be able to kiss you again.” Jack whispered, before he pulled you back in for another kiss, grateful you were safe in his arms, giving him the rest of his life to spend with you, and making Peggy five dollars richer.

oOoOo

tagging: @sarcasm-n-insomnia @bde-break-down-energy

[8bitcat]

Graduation

@lets-play-pripara i’ve had this brewing in my head since you changed hikari’s hairstyle

---

It was a big change. Of course it would be.

Hikari sat there, staring at herself in the mirror, silver hair flowing down behind her. On her vanity sat all kinds of things. It was rather messy, really. She didn’t have time to clean it up. All kinds of makeup she was promoting, ridiculous gimmicky products, and just assorted trash.

But all the junk on the surface before her formed a sort of clean halo around two tacky-looking ribbons. Covered in polka dots, refusing to go with any outfit. It was just like her, in a way. Bold. Always doing her own thing, and giving 110% with it. 

She’d had these for ages now. Absolutely forever. How old was she when she first got them? Young. Really young. God, those days were hell. But that didn’t matter now. As far as she was concerned, the Hikari of the now was who she was. And that’s who she had always been.

Oh, but if she could convince herself of that.

In a way, the ribbons were something that pulled her through life. A rope she clung to as she was dragged through the muck and the mire, hoping, believing, praying that something would be on the other side. And she didn’t know. That was the scariest part.

But here she was. A Divine Idol. She and NightLight were plastered on magazines, billboard ads, every single day was booked with TV appearances and lives galore. It was like being a real world idol all over again. 

She wondered what defined being a “real world idol”. She didn’t change much upon entering PriPara. Sure, she’d made a few alterations. Tried some things. She was particularly a big fan of the new beauty mark on her cheek. But her ribbons...

That’s right. Her ribbons. The whole reason she was sitting here. The ribbons made her who she was. Tacky as they were, they were hers. They what made her feel like...Hikari. They were always there for her-

Right?

No, not anymore. Well, that wasn’t completely true. She loved the ribbons for all they had given her. And of course, she made them look good. She made everything look good! But...now they only served to remind her of a past. A past of yelling and screaming and hurting and crying and...ugh.

Hikari got up from the vanity. She was spending too much time thinking about this. She had things to do. She spun on her heel back to face the vanity-and twitched at the dotted fabric. Maybe today she’d wear her hair down. Always good to have a change of pace now and then, right?

She stuffed the ribbons into her pocket, and hurried out the door.

---

“You’re just like a pile of sand. Slip through my grasp, I just can’t-”

“My face is burning up, so let’s start turning up-”

“It’s like my body is not in my control.”

Hikari finished the performance with a pose, coord still glowing. She had done a small solo performance to tease NightLight’s new album “Morning/Noon/Night”, and after that would be a short Q&A, and then she could have an hour to herself before the next gig.

Everything went smoothly, as always. She had this type of stuff down to a science at this point. Blah blah blah, I love my fans, blah blah blah, inspired by whosie whatsit, a new kind of blah blah blah feel.

“So, Hikari, would you mind telling us why you wore your hair down today?”

Hikari froze. She wasn’t expecting that. And it was a perfectly innocent question. Her braided pigtails were unique to her. That was her Look. It was reasonable to ask. But it felt so...acidic. She looked at the Meganee before her. Her face was plastered with the same cheerful, warm smile. Why did it look so menacing.

Hikari choked.

“U-Uhm, w-well, y-you, uh, y-you know.” She coughed lightly, already sweating. Was it hot in here? “I-I’m t-trying t-t-t-t-t-to, uhm, f-fi-er...I-I th-thought mayb-be I-I’d try someth-th-thing n-new?” Calm down, Hikari. Don’t freak out. Not yet. Meganee’s face went from her stock “happy” to her stock “mild concern”.

“Hmmm? Are you feeling well, Hikari?” The audience chatter seemed to dissolve into concerned murmurs, which did nothing to serve her nerves. Oh God. Oh God. Keep it cool, Hikari. Just relax. Breathe normally. That’s not normally. THAT’S NOT NORMALLY. 

“U-Uhm, y-yes, I-I’m fine. I-I’m s-sorry, I-I d-didn’t g-get much s-s-s-s-sleep l-last ni-ight.” She continued to stumble, forcing a smile and a small laugh. Well, it wasn’t a COMPLETE lie. But that seemed to throw Meganee off the scent trail. Or at least she made Hikari THINK she’d been thrown off. But her face returned to the calm smile it always was, and that’s all that mattered.

“Oh! I’m sorry to hear that. But you’ll be able to get plenty of sleep after the show, because we are out of time! Join us next week when we have the hottest unit on the block, Wonder Cafe, come in to tell us what the difference between ‘furry’ and ‘kemono’ is!” Hikari sighed with relief as Meganee began the ending spiel. The audience erupted into applause when the ‘applause’ sign appeared, Hikari waved and bowed, and then returned backstage.

She practically collapsed in her chair, as Meganee came around to powder her face. Her Idol Watch buzzed, and she looked down to see what was up. It was the group chat.

midnightluna: hey? are you okay? i just saw you on the show, and you seemed a little off. everything alright?

Hikari smiled, appreciative of her friend. She began to type, when another speech bubble appeared.

superduperfunsunsunshine: yeh yeh, hikari-chwaaaan! :3 :D :O r u okaaaaaay? we wan 2 make sherbert that ur totes fine!!! <3 <3 <3

Hikari raised a silver eyebrow. She never quite got the hang of understanding how Hinode texted. But it was cute.

apollo13: Yeah guys, I’m fine. Thanks. I really appreciate it.

midnightluna: ok, if you say so. just make sure you take it easy if you don’t feel well. remember the time hinode ate an entire wedding cake before joining the pripara triathalon?

apollo13: She threw up on my shoes. My Brilliant Prince Limited Edition 2015 4th Collection PR Boots.

superduperfunsunsunshine: u guis r meen!!!!! >:C

Hikari laughed, closing the watch and putting it back in her pocket. Her fingers brushed something. Oh right. The ribbons. Ugh, they were chasing her. She stared at herself in the vanity mirror that was nothing like the one at home (mostly due to a distinct lack of clutter). Well, if she was going to put them in, now was the time. 

She sighed, figuring “trying a new look” could wait for another day. She raised the ribbon up, taking a strand of her hair and-

Mud.

The flashback bolted through her mind. The day she got the ribbons. They day she got pushed in the mud. Something that clung to her for better and for worse. Was she tearing up. Damn it. Damn it, damn it, damn it. She stuffed the ribbons back in her pocket and wiped her tears before anyone could see.

She had to get out. And that’s exactly what she did, ghosting her way through the crowds of Meganees and other idols and out into PriPara Town prior.

She had to get out.

---

Well, that would never work. Hikari poked her head out from the bushes. A bunch of idols were doing a photoshoot RIGHT in front of the gate. All she wanted was to run home, turn off all the lights, and hide under the blankets and maybe cry for an hour. She stormed off in frustration, still taking the stealthy route. But now she was ANGRY and stealthy.

She found herself in a small garden. Which, in PriPara, was not anything new. PriPara was 90% plant life at this point. It was empty, thank God. At least here, maybe she could get some time alone with her thoughts. Which was actually probably definitely a bad idea but hey everyone has their coping mechanisms shut up.

It was pretty peaceful here, actually. The sound of trickling water from a babbling brook just out of sight. Little flowers blooming here and there. It was nice, serene even. Hikari found herself walking over to a small apple tree in the corner. Her foot gently bumped against the tree, an apple wobbling precariously. And with a gentle ‘snap’, it fell from its branch, right onto the head of the gardener who had been tending to the small area.

“UGYAH!” She shrieked in pain as the apple came down on her head, appearing from seemingly nowhere. Hikari did the rational thing, which was, of course, to scream as well. Which only made the pink-haired gardener shriek even louder. Which in return, scared Hikari even more, and this just devolved into a full minute of exchanging screams.

“Uuuu...uuu...that super duper mega hurt, da vinci...” Fingers reached up, to rub the bump that formed under the pink head of hair. 

“I-I’m so sorry! I-I really didn’t mean to-” Hikari started, leaning down to check if the person was okay. Something felt oddly familiar, but the moment they turned around, Hikari saw it. “UGYO-!?”

“Hmmm?” Ajimi Kigi turned around to face Hikari, and her eyes immediately lit up. “Mama mia, that’s a spicy meatball! Hikarin, Hikarin, the super-duper mega ultra kirakirariiiiin! A modern day Monet, the apple of my eye! It’s been so long, da vinci~!” She immediately leapt into all out yelling mode, bouncing left and right and to and fro around Hikari, who was really not in the mood for any of this.

“K-Kigi-san, hello.” Hikari blushed, a bit overwhelmed by all this. Ajimi got real up close and personal very quickly, and Hikari forced her hands to her sides to keep from pushing her away.

“Hello, da vinci? This is much more than hello! This is hurrah, hail, howdy, and hallelujah! Sweet Andy Warhol, you’re positively Popping with radiance!” Kigi sang. “It seems like just yesterday, you were all muddied up like a broken Baroque!” Hikari flinched.

“Uhm-”

“Hmm, Hikyarin? Why aren’t you wearing your ribbons, da vinci?” Hikari clenched a fist. “Were they not Post-Modernist enough? Did they get all Yves Klein’d? Don’t worry, Kigi always has ribbons galore! I’ve got everything you could ever need from Acrylic to Zoetrope! And of course, how could I forget-”

“Maybe I just didn’t want them, okay!?”

Time seemed to stop for a moment. Then two moments. The air turned icy cold, as Hikari seethed with freezing rage. She reached into her pocket, and raised the ribbons up into the air.

“Maybe I don’t need your dumb ribbons anymore! I don’t! They’re ugly and tacky and they don’t go with anything! They’re such a problem! Nobody likes them!”

Ajimi said nothing, but Hikari had plenty to say. 

“Oh, so what? The helped me through a tough time!? But now I can’t even look at them without thinking back to everything I had to go through with them! I hate those stupid ribbons! They’re nothing but a symbol of everything I don’t want to be! They’re not me anymore! I don’t need them! I don’t want them! I don’t ever want to see those stupid God damn ribbons ever again because I’m Hikari Amanogawa! Not whatever anyone used to think I was, and not whatever I will be! Nothing else matters but the me that is now!”

Hikari took in one big breath, and screamed to the sky, throwing the ribbons to the ground.

“I’M HIKARI AMANOGAWA!!”

And time started to move again. Mostly with the massive amounts of birds Hikari just scared with that scream. Everything was silent for a moment. Even the water seemed to cease it’s trickle. A realization began to wash over her, and she turned around to face Ajimi.

“O-Oh my God, I’m so sorry-”

She started, but Ajimi raised a finger to her lips. She reached out, running her fingers through Hikari’s long, flowing silver hair. And she smiled.

“Hikari Amanogawa, huh? That’s very Hikari, da vinci.” She laughed. Ajimi strolled past her, picking up the ribbons, dusting the mud off of them. She laughed again.

“You know, it’s performance art, da vinci. When I first met you, you were crying in a mud puddle and didn’t know what to do with yourself. You were...Baroque, as it were. Or maybe rather Gutai.” She paused thoughtfully. “I gave you these ribbons because I thought you needed them...and I guess you did.” Ajimi turned to face Hikari.

“But you don’t need them any more, Hikarinrin. You’ve blossomed and matured into the beautiful young woman you were always meant to be.” Ajimi walked up and placed the ribbons back in Hikari’s hands. “You’re not tied up by these ribbons anymore, Hikari.”

“Even after everything that’s happened, is happening, and will happen. You’re still you.”

Ajimi walked past her, heading for the entrance to the garden. Hikari turned around, and opened her mouth to speak. But Ajimi had already bounced off to some other place. She stared down at the ribbons in her hands.

“I’m still me, huh?”

“I’ll always be me.”

“...”

“I’m Hikari Amanogawa.”

---

“Fuwaaaah! Oh man, what a daaaay.” Luna sighed, collapsing onto the couch in her Pripartment. Hinode smiled, seemingly still a bundle of energy.

“Oh, I thought today was fun!” She smiled, sitting down on the nearest chair.

“Fun, sure. Exhausting, also.” Luna flipped open the Idol Watch, staring at it. “Hmmm, Hikari hasn’t responded to any of our shenanigans in the group chat.”

“Hmmm?” Immediately, Hinode grew worried, as she tended to do. “I hope she’s okay...”

“Hikari’s a strong girl. She’ll be fine. Remember when she placed higher than me at the PriPara Song Festival and I pushed her out of a two-story window?”

“But she wasn’t okay. She broke like two ribs.”

“Two ribs she survived breaking.” Luna tried to make it sound like it was less terrible than it was. In reality, Luna had apologized a minimum of 400 times, brought her as many flowers as her allergies would allow, and was at her bedside 24/7. Even though it was just two broken ribs. “...Maybe I should give her a call, though.”

“No need.” A familiar voice came from the doorway. “Did somebody order fried chicken?”

“I didn’t order but I’d like some.” Luna announced, not looking up from the couch.

“...And a completely new hairstyle!” Hikari walked in, doing a dramatic pose. Hinode’s jaw dropped. Luna didn’t move.

“What. What does it look like.” She said flatly, checking for the newest King of DanPri news. Hinode said nothing, letting the teacup she had picked up shatter on the ground.

“...” Hikari walked out of the room, and then walked back in, posing once more. “And a completely new hairstyle!”

Luna finally rolled over, turning to see the new Hikari. And Luna’s jaw dropped as well. 

Hikari’s hair was shorter, but not short. Her characteristic braids were now two small pigtails that sat on her shoulders. It framed her face very nicely, and both made her cuter and gave her a bit more of a mature look. She just looked so much more...like herself.

“Well?” Hikari tapped her foot. She had strolled in here all confident. She did not come here for shocked and baffled gazes. Unless they were baffled in a positive way. Luna sat up a bit, and smiled.

“It’s very...Hikari.”

“Is that a good thing?” Hikari raised an eyebrow. Luna simply laughed.

“Oh, leave her alone.” Hinode scolded Luna, and turned back to Hikari. “But she’s right. It does look very Hikari. It looks like you.”

Hikari stopped for a moment, lowering the bag of fried chicken in her hand. She started tearing up, almost immediately.

“R-really?”

“W-wha-!? Hikari, why are you crying!?” Luna and Hinode immediately rushed to her side, but Hikari couldn’t hide a smile.

“I-I just...” She sniffled. “I-I’m Hikari Amanogawa...”

Neither of them knew what that meant, but they just went in for the hug anyways. Hikari reciprocated, squeezing them tight.

“I love you guys...”

“We love you too, Hikari.”

[betterthaneiinstein]

Happy Fourth of July || Self Para

He was nine, a month away from ten. Aunt Elaine and Jen had come out to visit, well, they called it a visit but it was more of a checking in thing. Aunt Susan was terrified she wasn’t going to be a good parent so every chance she could her sister would come for a “visit”. It was to make sure Bruce was alive, the house was still standing, and Susan still had her sanity.

Susan’s life had been turned upside and all her sibling that hadn’t been locked in a mental institution checked on her regularly. No one checked on how Bruce was adjusting but he was just fine. Keeping to himself, quiet in his room as always. Jen was pretty good at just invading his space, not allowing him the quiet time.

This visit was no different. Jen came bounding in the room, leaving an imprint of the door knob on the wall behind it.

“Aunt Susan said we’re going to see that big bridge!”

“The Golden Gate Bridge.”

“I know what it’s called, it’s also big.”

“Use its name then, you’re not a child.”

“I am so! You are too!”

“I am not nor am I going to see any bridge.”

“But Bruuuuuce-ah.”

Each of Jen’s words were dragged out to the full extent she could, deflating into the pose that told Bruce he wasn’t any fun without using words. Bruce’s house may be new but hanging out with Jen wasn’t. Shaking his head no, Bruce repeated that wasn’t going and turned back the book he was reading.

It didn’t take long for Jen to get the hint and she took off down the way she came, hopefully, that was enough of family time for now. He’d only been here five months, that feeling that this could be taken from him at any time, like so many other homes, still hung over everything that happened. Bruce didn’t feel like this was his home, they weren’t going to take him sightseeing because he could be gone tomorrow or next week, no one knew for sure, it was the leaving that was inevitable.

What Bruce was missing was the date. There was a reason Elaine and Jen had come at this time. With no school in session, Bruce was able to bury himself in work, the only thing he knew was it summer. June, July, August, somewhere in one of those months but past that he hadn’t a clue without festive calendars hung in the classroom and season appropriate art projects he was required to complete. Since there wasn’t anyone making him glue strips of red, white, and blue together, the Fourth of July was lost on the boy.

Had he been aware, Jen would have been forced to listen to a discussion on how technically America freed themselves from Britain on July second. It was a pointless day meant to be symbolic and so people could have an equally pointless celebration and stealing our land from native peoples was not something worth celebrating.

Thankfully, for the entire block, that speech wasn’t given. Bruce carried on as he’d been and remained unaware of the date. All he knew were the errors in this physics textbook and that his family was far too inconsiderate of his quiet time and personal space.

In the living room through to the kitchen, it sounded like a heard of elephants (and one budding dancer who couldn’t decide between ballet and tap). The thumps and thuds that weren’t otherwise that, set to a chorus of sisters that didn’t stop talking made reading about impossible.

The noise dulled but soon Aunt Elaine came softly up the stairs, Bruce barely heard her coming before she knocked on the door. They were keen on disrupting his personal time today. Glaring over the brim of his glasses, Bruce sighed, she wasn’t going to come in until he gave an okay but she wasn’t going away either.

“Won’t you come in, please?”

“What’s this I hear about you not going to San Fransisco with us?”

“I don’t want to go. There’s nothing to see there that I haven’t seen before.”

“The firework show will be new to you, I assume those are only done yearly.”

“Firework show?” pressing a few buttons on his watch, lighting up in that distinct green glow. “Oh.”

“Have you changed your mind then?”

“No.”

Bruce pushed up his glasses and tried to think of a good reason not to go, that he had better things to do than spend time with them, and preparing himself in case Aunt Elaine brought up spending time with family and she’d left her husband back home. She didn’t fight the point, though. There wasn’t a lecture on how this was important, instead, she stood up and went towards the door.

“Your cousin, your aunt, and I are leaving in twenty minutes to have a family picnic. You’re invited to join us.”

Turning back to his book, Bruce tried to find that feeling of relief. A quiet day, home all alone. This was a dream come true. Aunt Susan wouldn’t be looming and fussing over him, asking him if he wanted to go play with the neighbor kids. He could perhaps try out a few experiments free of lectures.

Yet he kept rereading the same sentence, there was a strange feeling in the pit of his stomach. Whatever that was Bruce would be happy not to feel it again. Slamming the book closed, Bruce turned to face his room, needing someone to be angry with.

He didn’t understand it, there was the dismissal he wanted, it was okay to not go. So why did he feel terrible? And worse, why was he entertaining the thought of going? She said he didn’t have to go, what more could he want?

This wasn’t fair!

Bruce got up and changed his clothes, he packed a bag with notebooks, things to read, pens and pencils, and another sweatshirt (just in case). Walking himself down the stairs, he stood in the kitchen with the rest of his family and reluctantly ready to tag along.

There was a small, silent ‘thank you’ from Elaine but her attention quickly turned to keeping Jen out of the festive but store bought cookies. Aunt Susan didn’t say anything as her nephew stood there, clutching his belongings like they’d be taken and trying to physically take up as little space as possible. Not so much as a smile.

–

It was a two-hour drive, longer than necessary considering there were plenty of places to watch fireworks in Modesto but Bruce would later learn Aunt Susan took them there to impress. This was as impressive as she could get, a day trip to celebrate the holiday with one of the nation’s better-known landmarks. It was something the sisters had discussed doing since they’d made the move out west though.

Everything was packed and it wasn’t even midday. They found a place and put down their blanket. The location was ideal, high enough that they looked down on the bridge, it was one of those locations that were supposed to a secret yet looking around it was anything but. The water was a sharp blue rather than the often photographed greyish blue and the notorious fog.

The kind of day that would have had artists setting up everywhere but there wasn’t a free piece of land to be seen. It didn’t feel like his life. It felt like a Norman Rockwell painting. This was too perfect, too good to be something he was experiencing all his own.

Aunt Elaine set out a picnic lunch, it was modest but she promised all the good stuff was for dinner. Aunt Susan made him a sandwich, Bruce didn’t snap about how he was old enough to fix his own food, he even told her thank you. It still went uneaten as he buried himself in his reading. Jen ran around their blanket nonstop, she played with bubbles, with her toys, she did everyone’s hair and by two o’clock was bored out of her mind.

They tried everything they could to entertain the poor girl, Bruce finally caved and played what felt like fifty rounds of Go Fish where, apparently, the most important thing was to let Jen win. He didn’t find that fair but few would argue with two women staring you down and telling you not to ask for that card.

Dinner wasn’t as good as promised, cold chicken and store bought salads dripping in sauce. Bruce stuck to the fruit tray they’d put together. Eating chunks of watermelon and trying not to be disappointed about this sticky sensation he couldn’t wipe off his fingers.

Dusk took forever to fall, and Bruce was glad he had his sweatshirt. Jen wound up playing with other kids from neighboring blankets as slowly they all found themselves bored with what was provided for them. As the sky darkened you could hear calls of mothers from all over the park, beckoning for the kids to return to their blankets and chairs.

Bruce packed his belongings up as his aunts did the same. Elaine even offered to take stuff to the car but Aunt Susan wasn’t allowing it. The anticipation was mixed with the adults reassuring them everything would start soon. When the first boom filled the air, before it had a chance to light the sky, the entire city seemed to go silent.

Jen pointed out the colors of each firework, Bruce told her which chemical produced that color. Both children sat cross-legged on their blanket, necks tilted back. Aunt Susan stretched her arm around Bruce’s shoulders, powering through the flinch. It took a couple minutes but Bruce relaxed, the comfort was nice for when they set off a few a once. The louder booms and in such quick succession were startling. Bruce, for all he tried, was still a jumpy kid.

He missed the shared look between his aunts, they knew that fear all too well but more than that, they knew their brother caused it. Both fought the urge to coddle the boy who wanted nothing to do with them. Bruce just sat there, though, holding his glasses in his hand and jabbering with his cousin about how fireworks were made.

For the first time, though, he allowed his aunt to be his comfort. Even if for a night. This was his first holiday with his family in a long time. He’d gone through enough without his mom now that it was starting to become a normal feeling, it still hurt, though. Sitting there looking out on the bay and thinking about how much his mom would have loved it but these women around him weren’t strangers, they were his family.

It wasn’t until the finale, the bigger booms and more of them, that Bruce pulled his knees to his chest. Glasses discarded and his fingers in his ears. The gentle touch of Susan rubbing his back kept him grounded. Jen found her way over to her mom but managed to watch as the sky lit red, white, and blue.

The smell of sulfur had barely cleared before mobs of people snatched up their belongings in an effort to ‘beat the rush’. The Banner/Walters blanket stayed put, there was going to be a traffic jam no matter when they left and there was no use rushing Bruce to the car in this state just to sit in a bumper to bumper mess.

Elaine kept Jen occupied, Bruce could hear them talking but they sounded miles away.  Susan rubbed his back until Bruce sat up straight, folding his legs to sit cross-legged again.

“Is that it?”

“Underwhelming, wasn’t it?” Aunt Elaine asked.

Bruce nodded his head and the adults shared a laugh, one that said all fireworks shows are underwhelming. No one brought up why they were still on their blanket, nor did they move to get up. Not until the crowd thinned.

By then, Jen was asleep. Bruce and Susan packed down all they’d brought up and Elaine carried her daughter to the car. They’d barely left San Francisco’s city limits before Bruce was asleep in the car. Content, as he laid against the window, sleeping with what his aunts swore, was a smile.