#[ trying to get back into things.... kitty (we named him pumpkin) is starting to get a bit better i think

[laughingtale]

what the heck..... inbox call !

[deadbydangit]

As I was about to write something else, I noticed two bunnies hopping along in my backyard and it gave me an idea for something else. Please enjoy!

When the Reader brings home an animal.

Deathslinger, Nightmare, Spirit, Trickster, Ghostface

Deathslinger

He would've been perfectly content just drinking in the bar with just you.

And it had been that way for a long time.

Till you came back one day hiding something in your shirt.

"Okay. I'll bite. What is it?"

He thought you were hiding a gift or something.

He wasn't expecting you to pull out a kitten.

"No."

No matter how much you plead and cry.

No, don't give him those puppy dog eyes.

No, you can't-

Ugh, he can stay the night.

Okay, only till he finds a good home.

Well... He's your cat now.

You walked in on him one day, speaking to someone.

"Alright Fluffy. Now I may be the man around here, but if I'm not around you gotta promise to protect them. Ya' here?"

The cat was on the bar table next to him, lapping up a bowl of water.

Talking to the kitty like they were old friends.

He doesn't really do the baby talk thing.

"I trust you. I know you love them as much as I do. So we have to work together."

Don't tell Caleb you saw that.

He'll totally deny it.

But if his little Fluffy catches a rat, he's going to put that cat on a pedestal.

He's super proud of his cat.

"Look at that Darlin'. We won't be having any pest problems."

Nightmare

No, stop. Stop right there.

You're trying to sneak something in. He can tell.

Empty your pockets....

Both of them!

A frog?

Where did you get a frog?

Whatever, no, you can't keep it.

No, don't look at him like that. The answer is no.

No. Seriously.

Augh! Fine! But he wants nothing to do with the damned thing.

It's your pet. Not his. He won't be taking care of it.

You started noticing books on frog care around the house.

"It's not good to give them water that hasn't been purified."

"You aren't feeding him enough."

"You can't touch them like that."

So much for it being all your pet.

He's basically taking over.

It's like he's taking the frog as his own child.

It's pretty cute to walk in and see Freddy having full conversations with the frog.

"So yeah, trials were pretty good today. That David asshole really got what was coming to him."

Don't remind him of the time when he didn't want the little critter.

Because he will firmly deny it.

Spirit

It's a toss up over who would be the first to bring an animal home.

You don't even have to try and sneak it in.

Is that a puppy?

And Rin is all over the dog.

Kisses, hugs, plans on what you'll need to get, and all the possible names!

She is a huge softy for animals, especially fluffy ones.

"Oh! Let's keep her!"

She's the type to bring any animal home and ask to keep them.

And the baby talk this girl can do.

"Who's my wittle pumpkin? Who's the cutest wittle baby ever? It's you! Mommy woves you. Yes she does."

She won't even care if you're in the room to witness this.

Hell, join her in spoiling the puppy.

And outfits, she has so many outfits for the dog.

You have no idea where they even came from.

You will never see that pup without something on.

Hair bows, bandanas, hats, sometimes even little shirts or dresses.

She will find matching clothes for the three of you.

Don't think this dog won't be the most spoiled thing ever.

Trickster

Are you hiding something from him?

You are!

What's this? You've been hiding a bunny in your closet?!

He doesn't really care that you've been hiding it.

He's upset that it might receive more attention than him.

Ji-Woon is the super jealous type.

So jealous that he'll be glaring at this rabbit whenever you're carrying it.

Whenever you say you're about to go feed your bunny or play with them, Ji-Woon refuses to let you go.

You should pay more attention to him.

You should only pay attention to him.

Isn't he enough?

He'll come around though.

If the bunny makes you that happy, then he'll tolerate it.

Just make sure to give both of them lots of attention.

Ghostface

He actually was the one to bring the animal in.

"Hey babe, check out what I found!"

That's a snake.

That... Is that safe?

"Don't worry. He's super chill, see?"

He will shove that snake in your face.

He seems to have really tamed this animal.

You're going to be the one taking care of the snake.

It's name is Hisses, apparently.

"Yeah, like kisses, but he hisses. So it's Hisses. Get it."

Being terrible at naming things aside.

Danny is really happy.

The way he shows off his darling snake.

"Hey Sally! Look!"

He really enjoys showing people who are or potentially are afraid of snakes.

That power he gets over them.

It's going to get him into a significant amount of trouble.

But he's just so happy, and who are you to take that happiness away from him.

[wooahaes]

face paint

pairing: non-idol!dk x gn!reader

prompt: festival

word count: 0.8k~

warnings: talks of proposals/marriage. two idiots in luv.

daisy’s notes: i worked face painting once for a fair thing. honestly it was kinda fun to paint my classmates’s faces as practice lmao

One of Seokmin’s friends had roped you two into doing face paint at a fall festival for the kids. Which meant the two of you had to practice beforehand while things were still being set up, and you were sitting face-to-face with Seokmin as you studied the booklet again. He’d already painted kitty whiskers and a nose onto your face, pressing a kiss against your lips with a smile. And you? Well...

There was a round orange blob on Seokmin’s cheek that you were going to turn into a pumpkin if you could get the fucking individual (not even a set--all of these little shits were in individual containers) vat of brown paint open.

“I’ll open it if you need me to,” Seokmin said. “Just hand it to me.”

“I’ve got it,” you said, fumbling with the stupid lid to the paint. “I can get it.”

Soonyoung looked up from where he was helping set up a booth, eyes narrowing at the orange. He called out your name, and you already knew the question he was about to ask you.

“I am not turning you into a tiger, Soonyoung.”

He pouted. “Then I’m not going to open the paint for you, either.”

As if you were about to ask him. You rolled your eyes, fumbling with the lid. Seokmin finally reached up, hands covering yours as he looked into your eyes.

“Sunshine,” he said in that sugary sweet voice. “The festival starts in an hour.” He pulled the paint from your grasp. “It’s okay to ask for help.”

You watched him subtly flex as he twisted the stupid thing. “You just wanted to show off.”

He laughed before pushing the thing back into your hands. “Maybe,” he said. “But only for you.”

You rolled your eyes with a smile. “Alright. Let me fix the pumpkin...”

“I really should repaint your face,” he said, watching you. “We have sunflower instructions, right?” He leaned over to look at the book. “A sunflower for my sunshine--”

“Cheesy,” you hummed. “Hold still,” you turned his face, watching the way his mouth twitched toward a smile at your touch. “I think,” you said as you begin to draw lines onto the pumpkin, “you’ve got it bad, Seokmin.”

“You’re just now realizing it?”

“Nope,” you hummed, “I just like reminding you.”

He almost smiled again. It was honestly kinda cute to watch him fight it, that fond look in his eyes. Seokmin would always have heart eyes for you, and that wasn’t an exaggeration if his friends were anything to go by. All it took was him looking at you with that tender look in his eyes to set at least two or three of them off with a groan, telling him to stop being so mushy where they have to see. They already heard enough of his love for you when you weren’t around. One of them asked if you could turn it off.

Knowing Seokmin? You’d never be able to. But that was more than fine with you. You only hoped that you looked at Seokmin with the same amount of love.

You added in a stem in green, before adding in a vine with leaves on it. You study your hard work carefully, humming to yourself as you turn his face a little--before turning it the other way so you could lean in and press a quick kiss to his lips.

“There,” you said. “It’s perfect.”

He smiled at you, leaning in for another quick peck. “Thank you,” he said. “Let me wash your face so we can do sunflowers instead.”

You watched Seokmin walk out of the gym to get a wet paper towel, only for Mingyu to throw himself into the chair next to you with a bottle of water in his hands. He didn’t look up to meet your eyes, toying with the cap.

“So... Did he ask you yet?”

You looked up. “I don’t think he knows I know.”

Mingyu smiled, before looking up. “You didn’t see him trying to get down on one knee earlier--”

“Oh, no, I did,” you said. “That’s why I asked him to tie my shoe. I love Seokmin, but he’s not proposing here.” You laughed softly, leaning back into the chair. “I’m not getting paint on a ring this soon.”

Soonyoung looked up, looking between the two of you. “They know...?”

“They caught him trying to propose last week and he backed out because he was nervous,” Mingyu said. “It’s really obvious. I still have the video, actually,” he started reaching for his phone. “They noticed me recording and figured it out.”

“So why don’t you just tell him?” Soonyoung made his way over. “Or propose to him?”

“I wanna hear him say it,” you said. “Just... not at a kid’s fall festival.”

“Sunshine!”

You looked up and saw Seokmin jogging back up with a stack of paper towels in his hand, one of them wet. Even then, he looked like his heart would burst out of his chest with love for you.

Maybe next time, he’d have the nerve to ask you.

(And if that next time was in your kitchen at three in the morning, his phone recording the entire proposal, then that would simply be the perfect place.)

general taglist: @twancingyunhao​

[zevlors-tail]

i need more poly shindeku :(

I do too! Which is why I'm coming at you with random headcanons for my ultimate comfort ship minus my platonic self ship with Shinsou. Needed a break, and poly is just easy for me to think about for some reason sooo. Enjoy!

More Poly ShinDeku Headcanons

-These fuckers the type of little shits to visit the seasonal/holiday section at stores and completely GOOF OFF.

-It starts innocently enough. You ask if the three of you can peruse the seasonal isle to look at decorations for your apartment. You want it to feel nice and homey, you know? Sometimes it gets lonely with Deku gone all day and Shinsou working thirds most of the time.

-Izuku will pick out anything All Might themed, Shinsou goes for the weirdest decor he can find, and you're the only one actually trying to coordinate (well, okay, Izuku is trying, at least give him credit).

-But it all goes to hell in a hand-basket when Shinsou starts messing with the decor. If it's Halloween, that fool is trying to scare you with a weird looking pumpkin or a skeleton or ghost or some shit. Christmas? You get bopped on the head multiple times with a plastic candy cane. Summer? Prepare for battle, because once Shinsou grabs one of those toy swords, it’s OVER.

-And if you’re not the one battling him, you immediately become a hostage to one of the boys while they toss around their fake swords and duke it out over you. Hero complex, anyone?

-The three of you are just laughing and having a good ol’ time in the middle of the isle when a member of management is like “Excuse me, can I help you?”

-All of you freeze mid whatever it was you were doing. Shinsou’s mouth is half open in a laugh, Deku looks terrified, and you’re just staring in embarrassment. Shinsou comes up with some lie for the three of you and if that doesn’t work, well then you better run! Imagine the headline you’re gonna see on the news tomorrow; Heroes Deku, Mind Jack, and H/N Banned From Local Convenience Store. Hope you have a good PR manager!

-Both boys love turning ordinary dates into extraordinary ones. They know how to appreciate the little things and find happiness in the small moments! The three of you can literally have fun anywhere at any time.

-Lots of park dates, museum dates, trips to the zoo, and planetarium outings! Staying at home is also a popular date night choice but they love to take you to all sorts of places.

-For park dates, it’s common for you to walk in between them on the sidewalk holding both their hands. If you or Izuku feel particularly energetic though, you might visit the swings. Shinsou isn’t very far behind, always pushing either you or Izuku but refusing to be pushed himself. He’s more or less there to watch the two of you smile and laugh, and that’s enough for him.

-If it’s too cold to go to the zoo or park, then the next best thing is museums and planetariums! You would have never guessed, but both boys have such a fascination with space. 

-Especially when it comes to those rooms with the stars on the ceilings and the projections of planets and the sun and everything. It’s endearing to see the way Izuku’s eyes twinkle like the lights above him and how Shinsou’s shoulders instantly drop in relaxation. And they both learn so much- “Y/N, did you hear what they said about this star!?” “Maybe we should go check out that interactive exhibit with the planets later?” “You two really like space, huh?”

-TAKE THEM TO AN INTERACTIVE SCIENCE MUSEUM. TAKE THEM TO AN INTERACTIVE SCIENCE MUSEUM. TAKE THEM TO AN INTERACTIVE SCIENCE MUSE-

-They’d be so cute. Let them be children again! Izuku won’t be able to keep his hands off anything and Shinsou will be sooooo fascinated. But also, expect your purple haired boyfriend to make lots of sarcastic jokes about it at first. He might need to warm up a bit to it but he’ll want to go back afterwards for sure.

-If you don’t already have a cat, you now have several. It started with one- a really cute kitten followed Shinsou home one day without him realizing (or at least, that’s what he told you), and it was all downhill after that. Izuku was fine with the first one; it was cute, little, and completely loving. But then it happened again. And...again.

-You and Shinsou found the third little kitty in a big cardboard box with “Free Kittens” written on the side of it when you were walking downtown and of COURSE how could you just leave him there!?

-Izuku tried. He really tried. He didn’t want a third cat, and you already had two, and he was literally in the middle of trying to make a point about it when you blurted out a name for it and he knew then and there it was hopeless.

-Shinsou, immediately after you named it: “See? He has to stay now. Y/N named him.” Izuku still loves you, Shinsou, and the cats regardless. You’re a happy little family.

-If Shinsou is upset, you and Izuku will gift him a cat in his lap to help him feel better. If one of you is upset, he will absolutely do the same with an added Hang In There! cat meme. It makes Izuku smile and you find it funny. 

-And speaking of memes, they might as well be a love language for the three of you. There is a group chat that you have dedicated to just memes that you send each other. Shinsou primarily sends cat memes, Izuku sends All Might and other hero memes and just random ones that remind him of you and Shinsou, and you send whatever garbage you can find to make them laugh. There have been times where one of you are only a room away from each other sending memes and listening to the other laugh about it through the wall.

-If Deku has the day off and Shinsou doesn’t have to work that night, it’s not uncommon for the three of you to stay up late with each other and just catch up over a warm drink. It’s different for everyone; Shinsou has decaf coffee (Izuku will mother hen him if he drinks caffeinated anything after 6pm), Izu usually makes hot chocolate or tea, and you have your drink of choice.

-Often times your conversations last until early in the morning. You all just check up on each other and talk about life or your hopes and dreams and worries, and it’s an effective and good way of communication between the three of you. 

-It’s cozy and comfy, and it’s hard to tell who’s who when you’re a mess of tangled limbs under a giant fluffy blanket. And then of course the cats join in when they want!

-If Shinsou is exceptionally tired, he falls asleep first. This makes both you and Izuku happy since the poor guy hardly gets any quality sleep. But more often than not, Izuku will pass out first since he works days, and you go next with Shinsou following you. 

-Overall just a really fun relationship to be in, and it’s filled with joy and laughter and love. You will always feel protected and cared for and understood when you’re with the both of them.

:)

[trashyswitch]

The Adorable Slimy Stranger

Chapter 2: Holidays With The Sides (& Pumpkin!)

The sides are nearing Christmas, and are getting ready to celebrate and share the joy with their new companion, Pumpkin!

This fanfic was suggested by an anonymous user! Thank you for the prompt for a sequel!

And this fanfic is also dedicated to Pumpkinpaw! Love you sweety!

Pumpkin had become a regular household companion within the next few weeks. When deciding what pronouns to use, the sides had put down papers that said ‘Boy’, ‘Girl’, and ‘both’, to mean they/them.

“Do you wanna be a girl? As in, a good girl?” Patton asked, pointing to the pink card.

“Or perhaps a boy? A good boy?” Logan offered, pointing to the blue card.

“Or maybe you wanna be both! Maybe ‘buddy’, or ‘good pumpa’?” Roman asked, holding up the purple card.

Patton gasped. “That’s such a cute nickname! Pumpa! I love it!” Patton cheered, hugging Roman.

Pumpkin looked at the three cards curiously for a few seconds. Right as someone was gonna speak up, Pumpkin picked up the pink card, pointed to it and tried to gurgle the word ‘girl’ as best as it could!

Patton and Roman both squealed excitedly, while Logan smiled proudly. “Girl it is. Pumpkin shall now be referred to as a female, until she shows us otherwise.” Logan declared.

“I’m still gonna call her lil’ pumpa tho! It’s perfect!” Patton added, giving Pumpkin a big hug.

“And she has at least 1 new nickname.” Logan muttered proudly with a chuckle.

To make things greater, it was nearing Christmas and EVERYONE was getting into the christmas mood!

Patton has been watching all the Hallmark movies and decorating the house with all the tinsel and lights he could summon. He also took time to hang up the advent calendars and had an elf hat on his head every second of the day!

Logan has been drinking out of christmas mugs, determining the holiday board games they could play together, and has been listening to different christmas music covers to determine the most beautiful and/or most classic versions. Using that knowledge, Logan successfully came up with the most christmassy playlist he could make, which also included songs from classic christmas films! And let’s not forget Bing Crosby and Pentatonix!

Roman has been singing christmas carols himself and wrapping up endless amounts of presents to fill the bottom of the christmas tree. He’s also spent lots of time making ornaments to add to the tree and was even sewing up adorable christmas outfits for Patton and himself! Remus even got an early Christmas outfit, which included a ‘King of Naughty’ original Grinch shirt.

Meanwhile, Virgil has been enjoying the heck outta the christmas sweaters that came out each year. This year? Thomas’s brand new Virgil-themed sweater merchandise Thomas came out with! Well...minus the scarf. Virgil found the scarf to be too much with the sweater. So, he gave it to Patton. Virgil has also been enjoying the holiday slippers! This year, Virgil was sporting a pair of hilarious shark slippers! Sometimes, Virgil would joke that ‘The sharks are hungry for feet!’

Janus has been enjoying watching the christmas baking shows and has been playing lots of christmas flash games that are always around. Super Santa Kicker, Christmas Race, Christmas Shopper Simulator (10/10, Best game of 2014!), Tattletail, Santa’s Rampage, even that crappy christmas wii game called ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’! All of those games were common-place.

Last but not least, Remus has been doing the elf on the shelf this year (with a small list of rules, of course.) and has been surprising people with singing and dancing christmas decorations everywhere! There was the animated singing rudolph, the twerking Santa Claus toy (Yup...Of course…), the singing and jingling christmas hat, that cringey but funny dancing/singing poop toy, an animated dancing tree, the animated singing santa in the bathtub, and everyone’s personal favorite: The Snoopy dancing plush toy that wobbles back and forth!

But everyone found that Pumpkin was ALSO in the christmas mood! The sides enjoyed seeing her reactions to the dancing toys the best, and even danced along with the toys sometimes! She waddled along with snoopy, danced left and right with the dancing tree, and sang to the Rudolph song while Rudolph sang the classic song!

Meanwhile, Patton had sewed up a christmas hat for Pumpkin. The hat had a more burgundy red color, a traditional white bottom and a white pom pom on the top. When Patton first gave it to the orange blob, Pumpkin placed it on her own head and let the pompom flop onto her face. Upon seeing the pompom, it looked as if her eyes could’ve dilated and she started playing with the pompom like a kitty. That was the best reaction they could’ve gotten from her!

One of the days, Pumpkin was sitting in the living room with the sides, watching The Polar Express on TV. This was a holiday classic that the sides loved to watch together. So joining Pumpkin in on the fun was a must! The train had just been saved from falling into the ice, and the train climbed up the spiral to the high road to the north pole. Pumpkin had slid herself over to Roman and Patton, and snuggled under the extra blanket that was beside the boys. Pumpkin was also wearing her santa hat!

Watching the pretty lights in the sky over the sea, Pumpkin watched curiously as the big conductor man talked to them about them and then uttered the following words: “There...is the north POLE!”

Pumpkin ran as quickly as her body could to the TV and reached up to the north pole on the TV. She backed up a little and held her hands on her chin as the train approached the Santa Village and The Polar Express song started playing! The song was so quick and fun, and it didn’t take long for Pumpkin to start bouncing up and down to the song while she watched the camera move under the twisting train road arches.

“Oooooo!” Pumpkin reacted to seeing the Santa city for the first time.

Patton’s heart was all warm and gushing at Pumpkin’s reactions. Roman was visibly excited about the village as well!

The christmas spirit went uphill from there. Pumpkin learned about the big old man in red known as Santa and his big bag of toys, his deers with horns, and about the big man’s magical powers! He especially loved the amount of joy that filled the sides when they talked about the man wearing red. Whoever this red-coated man was, made the sides so happy! Almost as happy as she makes them! And not only that, but the man in the red suit had a hat just like she did! She was bouncing around and clapping about that!

But excitement soon turned into disappointment when she found out she had to wait for the man in the red suit to come. She didn’t want to wait for the happy old man to come! She wanted to see him now! NOW! She whimpered and paced around the house as she struggled to wait for the old man to come. So while they waited, Logan grabbed a paper and some crayons and let Pumpkin draw a picture for Santa. While that happened, Logan wrote a short christmas letter out for her which read:

[Dear Santa Claus;

Hi Santa! My name is Pumpkin! I just found out about you and the elves in the north pole, and really wanted to see you! I’m sad that I have to wait for you to come, but I’ll try to find fun things to do while I wait for you. For Christmas, I would like lots of candy! Candy is so yummy! And skittles are my favorite! I also love Patton’s crunchy gingerbread cookies! That day, I discovered icing! And it made me bounce off the walls! I would also like for everyone to be extra happy this Christmas. I’m making people happy everyday, but now I can let you make everyone happy too.

Love; Pumpkin! ]

Logan put the letter down, and looked at the picture Pumpkin drew. It was a picture of herself tickling Santa Claus’s belly. Logan couldn’t help but giggle at how Santa’s belly in the picture made him look like he was pregnant. He also giggled at the big smile that was all spread out on Santa’s face. Logan praised her on a drawing well done, and decided to add something to the letter:

[P.S: Your belly looks very big and ticklish!]

Logan grabbed the drawing Pumpkin made, photocopied it, and put the copied version of the drawing in the envelope along with the letter. With everything ready, Logan sealed it shut. “There. Off to the North Pole!” Logan declared to Pumpkin!

Logan mailed it off in the post office a day later.

With Christmas on its way and Pumpkin stuck in a bit of an antsy wait for the magic, Pumpkin started to tickle people a little more often than usual. Any other time of the year, Pumpkin would tickle at least 1 person a day. But with Christmas around the corner and Pumpkin growing hyper, Pumpkin had started tickling all the sides at least once a day! So her tickle attacks jumped from 1 or 2, to 6 every single day!

“NAHAHAHAHAHA! PUHUHUMPKIHIHIHIHIN! NAHAHAHAT MYHYHY AHAHARMPIHIHITS! TOHOHOHOO TIHIHIHICKLIHIHIHISH!” Roman laughed hysterically!

Pumpkin tilted her head curiously, and chose to remove her pods from the armpits like he begged. Roman quickly tried to gain back his breath, but Pumpkin still wanted to hear laughter! So, she made her pod super thin like a pencil and dipped it into his belly button.

“aAAAAEEEEEEHEHEHEHEHEHE! *snort* HAHAHAHAHAHA! *snort* NOHOHOHO FAHAHAHAHAHAIR!” Roman yelled through his laughter.

Pumpkin playfully stuck her tongue out at him and started to playfully nibble and ripple her blob-like body all over his belly.

Roman’s snorts grew more frequent and his laughter turned cackle-like. It was so ticklish! He was struggling to properly breath! But it was so fun! Roman had been tickled many, many, MANY times by Patton in the past. But THIS!

Holy cow!

Patton’s tickling was NOTHING compared to this!

Pumpkin decided to give him another ticklish, jiggly raspberry to get him squealing. And squealing, she was rewarded! Roman squealed so loud and so high-pitched, that Pumpkin stopped immediately just to process the strange sound!

Roman was a laughing, snorting mess after the squeal. And Pumpkin was loving every millisecond of it. As much as she was enjoying it however, Pumpkin knew when to give the man a long, giggly break. This would involve cuddling her ticklish victim and gently tickling a much less ticklish spot on their body to keep them giggling, but also let them breathe. For Roman, this was his neck.

“Ohohohohohokahahahahahay. Thahahahank yohohohou Puhuhumpkihin!” Roman told her.

Pumpkin smiled and gave his neck a tickly kiss on the neck. Roman giggled more from that, and calmed down the moment her ‘lips’ moved away from his neck. Pumpkin kept up her giggly tickling for a little bit longer before she went for Janus next.

Now, Pumpkin didn’t quite know Janus nearly as much as she knew the rest of the sides. She had even grown to know Remus quicker, than compared to Janus! The half man half snake in yellow, was more mysterious and...preferred his lonely time. So, she gave him his lonely time for the most part. She did come around to see if he was up for a tickle or two, but often walked away empty-handed, yet gaining some progress.

Finally, after weeks and weeks of trying, Pumpkin finally gained the courage to tickle Janus for the first time. She walked up to Janus’s side very quietly...geeently snuck her pod hand under the snake man’s shirt...and gave it a quick tickle.

“eeEEP! WHAT-” Janus turned around and immediately calmed down. Pumpkin made a surprised yip sound, and backed up a little to give him space. “Hi Pumpkin. Sorry about that. I...totally heard you come in.” Janus told her.

...Oh yeah...and then there was the strange way he talked to her and the other sides. He said things backwards. Like just now: if he actually heard her come in, then why was he so surprised and jumpy?

Things like that didn’t make sense to her. But what did make sense, was his calming face. “You tried to tickle me today. You...finally tried and tickled me. And it worked.” Janus told her.

Pumpkin didn’t really know what to do. She was confused. Was anything he was saying, supposed to be backwards? Or normal? Pumpkin couldn’t tell. But all that thinking went right out the window when Janus held his arms out for her. He wanted a hug from her! There was no saying no to THAT! Pumpkin quickly slid up to him and hugged him tightly.

“Wow! You have a very snug and firm hug for a jello being.” Janus admitted.

Jello? Like that blue jiggly stuff that Logan made once?

Pumpkin let him enjoy the hug for a bit. She wanted him to feel safe in her grasp. And perhaps, she may not get any tickles in today. But the only thing that mattered now, is that Janus could be hugged now.

“...Aren’t you gonna tickle me more?” Janus asked.

Pumpkin widened her black eyes. Wait, REALLY?! HE WAS GONNA LET HER TICKLE HIM?! This was what she was waiting for! 16 days of working up to this! And now, she can tickle him!

Pumpkin happily started skittering her pods all over his sides and ribs almost immediately! “Ohoho bohohoy! Hehehere wehehe gohohohoho!” Janus giggled and let go of her so she could get more access to more exposed ticklish spots. Pumpkin happily took the offer and made more pseudopods so she could tickle more spots at once. This was like a special attack that Pumpkin would pull on someone. “aaAAAHAHAHAHAHAHA! YOHOHOU’RE SURPRIHIHISIHIHINGLY GOHOHOOD AHAHAT THIHIHIHIS!” Janus reacted in surprise.

Pumpkin gurgled happily to Janus and continued to tickle Janus wherever she could reach. The upside to having such a jiggly form, was just how well she could kneed the soft spots on her humans! This included the sides and his belly the most. Janus held his fists against his chest as his giggle fits, squeals and laughter filled his bedroom.

Pumpkin absolutely loved his laugh! It was much more bubbly and higher than she expected! It was such an amazing laugh, that Pumpkin chose to give him jiggly raspberries as well! He seemed like the kind of human that would love them! Pumpkin blew a raspberry on his sensitive belly and let her blobby, jello-like body flubber and jiggle to increase the ticklish sensation.

Janus fell into long fits of cackles! He couldn’t stop cackling! Now that he had reached the cackle-stage, there was just no going back! His laughter somewhat reminded Pumpkin of Patton’s laughter: bubbly, childish, and the musical representation of happiness. Though Janus’s wasn’t exactly like his, it was close enough.

“OHOHOKAHAHAHAY! CAHAHAN IHIHIHI HAHAHAVE AHA BREHEHEHEAK PLEHEHEHEASE?” Janus asked.

Pumpkin nodded her head and stopped tickling him almost immediately. As much as she enjoyed the sound of his laughter, she didn’t wanna overdo it. So Pumpkin snuggled herself into Janus and cooed softly.

Janus giggled at this and wrapped his arms around her. “Growing tired?” He asked.

Pumpkin nodded and snuggled herself even further into him.

“That’s ironic, considering I was the one getting tickled.” He joked.

Pumpkin let out a giggly little gurgle as she slowly succumb to her sleepiness. It didn’t take long for the tiredness to start dripping right off her and onto Janus, effecting him as well. Now Janus was growing more and more tired by the second. Janus decided he minus well cuddle himself in and get himself comfy.

It didn’t take long for Janus to fall into a full and deep slumber. It lasted a long while too. Janus didn’t expect to wake up to the smell of garlic or the sounds of something boiling. The garlic was an obvious thing to put together: garlic bread. But boiling? That could be anything!

This boiling sound would end up revealing itself to be spaghetti noodles in a deep pot. As it turned out, Patton was making spaghetti with garlic bread on the side. For Pumpkin, she was gonna have gummy worms with a new little christmas treat for Pumpkin: a Peppermint Pattie! Patton gave her one to try, and had a few unwrapped in a bowl in case she loved it and wanted more.

Pumpkin picked up the peppermint pattie first. She looked at it curiously, split it into two pieces, and ate one of the halves hesitantly. But the moment she chewed on it and actually tasted the pattie, her eyes widened and a HUGE smile grew onto her face!

Remus giggled as he spun his spaghetti. “Ihi think Pumpkin likes the peppermint pattie!” Remus told him.

Patton looked over and sure enough, Pumpkin was standing below him and eagerly reaching her pods out for more peppermint patties! Patton laughed and happily put more peppermint patties onto her dinner plate. Pumpkin happily bounced in place as she ate the gummy worms and enjoyed the taste of the brand new holiday treat.

[quickspinner]

Finding Harmony - Ch 1 The Key of M

This story is complete on AO3

Season 3 was still coming out when I wrote this one, but it’s still probably my favorite of my works so far, so I hope you enjoy it. This is part of my ongoing effort to get my AO3 works posted to tumblr; you can filter the tag ‘backlog’ if you’d rather not see them.

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7

Summary: Before any note can harmonize with another, it has to be on pitch. When Luka agrees to work with Marinette on a design project, he's happy to see that she's started making some changes for her own happiness. “It’s like you’re tuning your strings right now. You started out a little flat, and then you tuned too sharp. So now you're working back towards your true pitch." As she gets closer to striking her true note, he can't help but think how beautiful they sound together. He wishes she could hear it too.

“Marinette wants your body.”

Luka nearly swallowed the guitar pick he had clamped between his lips. He made a muffled sound and dropped the sheet music he’d been trying to arrange so he could whip the pick out of his mouth to demand, “What did you say?” He moved his guitar off his lap and turned to hang his legs off the edge of the bed so he could face his sister as she crossed from the door towards her end of the cabin.

“Finally,” Juleka smirked. “I’ve called your name three times. Marinette’s been trying to call you for like an hour.” 

“What?” Luka frowned and shuffled around on his bed, finally finding his phone half-buried under his pillow. Sure enough, he had a bunch of missed notifications. “Oops,” he muttered.

“I just got back from her place,” Juleka told him, sitting sideways in her vanity chair to face him. “She’s got an idea that she’s all fired up on and she’s wondering if you’d be willing to model with me for it.”

“You know I’d do anything for you, Jul,” he said almost automatically.

Juleka smirked. “I know you’d do anything for Marinette.”

Luka smiled ruefully. “Yeah, that too.”

“Sap.” 

“Like you can talk. I’m gonna go call her back now.” He stood up and walked out to the deck.

Marinette picked up on the first ring with a delighted “Luka!” that made his heart skip a bit. 

“Hey, Marinette, sorry I missed your messages, I was kinda in the zone and I wasn’t paying attention to my phone. Juleka just told me you were trying to reach me.”

“No problem, I understand, I’ve been there! I’m sorry I interrupted, though, I guess this could have waited, it’s just I was excited and you know I’m a planner and—”

“Breathe, Marinette, it’s fine.” He smiled, leaning on the rail of the boat. “What do you need?”

“Well, you know I felt really bad about that whole Reflekdoll thing a while back—”

“That wasn’t your fault.”

“I know, but—“ Marinette sighed. “Well, never mind about that. I still feel bad for Juleka and now that I know she wants to model I started thinking about what would look good on her, because you know the suit before was cute all but it didn’t really scream Juleka, and so I started messing around with some designs, more of my edgy stuff, you know, the kind of thing I do for Jagged Stone and Kitty Section, and the more I thought about it the more excited I got and I think I have some really cool concepts—”

“Breathe, Marinette,” he repeated, grinning. 

“Right. Sorry. Anyway um I guess designing for Juleka kind of got me thinking about you, and I have some things in mind that I think would look really good on you and I was wondering if you would mind taking some pictures with Juleka when the pieces are done? What do you think?”

“I think all you had to say was ‘Hey Luka, will you model my designs with Juleka,’ and I’d have been sold,” Luka chuckled. “I don’t know if I’ll be any good but you know I’d do anything to help my two favorite girls. Just tell me when and where and what you need me to do.”

The delighted squeal that answered him left him grinning for an hour.

***

“Mom Luka’s here we’ll be in my room see you later!”

“Good afternoon, Mrs. Cheng,” Luka said with a chuckle, as he followed Marinette through the bakery at a slightly more civilized pace.

“Good to see you, Luka. There’s a plate of snacks in the fridge if you two get hungry.”

“Thank you, ma’am.”

It was a good thing he’d been to Marinette’s place with the rest of the band, because she was so far ahead of him he might as well have been by himself. When he climbed up through the hatch into her bedroom (her room was really pretty cool for not being a boat), Marinette nearly barreled right into him. “Whoa!” he cried, catching her around the waist just in time to keep her from falling over. “Relax, Marinette, I’m not going to turn into a pumpkin. You can slow down a little.” He waited until she was sure she had her balance back, and then let her go.

“Sorry,” Marinette said, bouncing slightly on her toes and then grabbing his hand to drag him to her chaise. “I’m just so excited to show you. I hope you’ll like it.”

Luka took a seat on her chaise as she directed and smiled as he watched her rush around. “It’s great to see you so inspired. Maybe I’m off base, but it just feels like you’ve been missing a little bit of your spark lately.”

“Yeah,” Marinette sighed, and it was like all the frenetic energy drained out of her at once. She came and sat next to him on the chaise, looking almost...mournful. “A lot of things have been happening, and I’m starting to realize that I’ve been...prioritizing the wrong things. Sometimes the wrong people.” She glanced at him and then away, twisting her fingers. “I didn’t like the person I was becoming. Which is complicated, because I didn’t like the person I was before, either. Before I met Alya and A-Adrien and got to be better friends with Nino and Kitty Section.” She flashed him a crooked smile. “You wouldn’t have liked me then either. I was a pushover and a victim and a...a bystander.” Luka moved closer and put his hand on her shoulder in silent encouragement. “Some things happened at the beginning of the school year that really pushed me out of that comfort zone, and I started really trying to be a friend, someone my friends can rely on, and for a while it was great. I still messed up a lot but I started standing up for myself and other people, and I wasn’t such a spectator. But...” Marinette chewed her lip. “I don’t know, I feel like somewhere in the last few months I got confused.”

“Yeah?” 

“Yeah.” She nodded slowly. “I need to find a way back to the person I wanted to be. Except I don’t even know who that is, because if I don’t like who I was before and I don’t like who I became, then where am I trying to go?” She moaned faintly and put her face in her hands. “And all you did was compliment me and now I’m just spewing this out all over you and you didn’t ask for any of this, I’m so sorry. I’m probably not even making sense.”

“Marinette, you’re making perfect sense,” Luka said, squeezing her shoulder, and reaching down for the guitar case. “It sounds like you’ve been bottling that up for a while.” She nodded, face still in her hands. “It’s like...you’re tuning your strings right now,” he continued. He set his guitar on his lap, set his fingers and plucked a string. “That’s G, right? You started out a little flat.” He moved his fingers and played a G flat. “So you started tuning towards your true pitch.” He played G again. “But you overshot and you went sharp.” He played the G sharp. “So now you’re working back towards G again.” He plucked the G one more time and grinned. “Or maybe it’s M in your case.”

”There isn’t any M, Luka,” Marinette giggled. 

“I think there is,” Luka smiled, fingers fluttering in a familiar pattern as he played up and down a G major scale. “I think you’ll find it.” He looked up and met her eyes. “And when you do, it’ll be beautiful.” 

Marinette held his gaze for a moment, then blushed and looked at her hands. “Thanks Luka. I know—well, you’re one of the people I haven’t treated so well, so...thanks for understanding.”

“I could tell it wasn’t the true note, the real you. We all make mistakes, Marinette. You’ve always been honest and sincere with me, and I value that more than anything.”

Marinette smiled weakly. “I feel like that should be part of the Couffaine family motto. Liberté, sincerité, originalité.”

Luka laughed out loud. “I like it.” 

Marinette, smiled, and the light came back into her eyes as she jumped up. “Enough navel gazing. How do you feel about snakes?”

Luka’s eyes widened slightly and he felt a flicker of panic. “Uh—”

“Because I have the greatest plan for you,” Marinette said, rushing over to her desk. “Check this out.” She pulled up a board that had been laying flat on her desk and held it vertical so he could see it. Front and center was a large picture of a blue and black striped snake with a red head and tail. It was bold and striking and it looked nothing like Viperion. Luka relaxed a little. He should have known better.

“Snakes are cool,” he grinned. “I like the colors.” 

Marinette squealed and bounced a little. “I know, they’re perfect for you! I mean blue was the easy choice but I was afraid that would be predictable and boring but then I found this picture and—Can you help me hold this? Thanks. So the snake—it’s called a Malasian coral snake by the way—is the inspiration for collection, see? I’m working out an embroidery design, and I’m also incorporating the colors, although not as much on Juleka’s, I want to use mostly black for her with maybe a bright pop of color, maybe the red, see? And if she’s posing with you, maybe she won’t be so nervous. It’ll be a good way to help her get a little more experience so she’ll be more comfortable next time, and if the photos turn out well she’ll have a start to her portfolio.”

“Sounds great. You’re so thoughtful, Marinette. I know Juleka will appreciate it,” he told her admiringly.

“I really haven’t been lately,” Marinette sighed, as he helped her lay the board back down flat. “But I’m trying to be better.”

Luka touched her shoulder. “If you really want to change yourself, I know you can, Marinette. If it’s worth anything, I think you’re pretty great the way you are.”

He jolted when Marinette turned to him and threw her arms around his waist and hugged him tight, but he put one arm around her and hugged her back. “Thanks Luka,” she whispered. “You’re the best.”

He patted her back gently, resisting the urge to really hold her. “So, what do I need to do?”

“Measurements!” Marinette snapped back on task. “I need to take some measurements. Especially for the shirts and jacket, I’ve got to make sure there’s room for all—” she gestured vaguely at his shoulders. “That.” 

He raised an eyebrow. “All what?”

She rolled her eyes at him and turned to her desk to dig out a measuring tape. “Take off your jacket, Luka.”

He did as she asked, laying the guitar back in the open case and dropping his denim jacket and hoodie on the end of the chaise. Marinette pursed her lips as she turned back to him, then took his wrist and held up his arm so that his bicep was flexed. “Yep. That’s what I meant.” Luka felt a sudden flush as she ran her hand up his arm and onto his shoulders. “You’ve got a lot more muscle than the guys in my class—except Kim but he’s a special case—and your shoulders are broader.”

“Um...thanks?” Luka cleared his throat.

Marinette jumped back. “Sorry! Sorry, I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. I was just thinking out loud.”

“It’s fine,” he said, though he knew he was blushing, and he couldn’t quite keep from smirking just a little bit. “Go ahead.”

Luka stood patiently while she measured what felt like every inch of him. 

“Sorry,” she said, writing numbers down. “I just don’t want to have to make you come back, so I’m trying to get everything I think I possibly could need. Once I’ve gotten a little further in the designs, I can bring fabric samples over to the Liberty for you guys to look at.”

“I appreciate that, Marinette, but these are your designs, you don’t need our approval.” 

“I know, but I want you guys to be comfortable with the clothes, especially Juleka now that I know she’s so nervous. And the best part of designing is seeing how excited people are to wear the finished product. I really want you guys to be thrilled.”

Luka smiled at her enthusiasm. “I have confidence in you, Marinette.”

She flashed him a soft smile that made his heart flutter. “You always have, Luka. I appreciate it.” She straightened up and put her pencil down. “I think that’s everything I need.” Marinette bit her lip, and looked a bit...shy? That was new. “Um...do you have to go right away? We could hang out for a bit if you’re free...do you play video games?”

“Not really,” he admitted, with a shrug, and then added quickly as her face fell, “I’m always up for trying something new though.”

The way she lit up at that was not good for his heart. “Well, I’ll go easy on you since you’re a beginner.”

Luka chuckled. “Teach me your ways, master.”

Even ‘going easy,’ she destroyed him. His quick fingers and excellent hand-eye coordination were his only chance for redemption. At the same time, he’d never enjoyed losing more. Competitive Marinette was a side she’d never shown him before and Luka was hard pressed to pay attention to the game, distracted as he was by her wide smile and sparkling eyes. After she’d pounded him a few times, she had mercy on him and switched modes so that they battled together against online opponents. He was still pretty useless but she didn’t seem to need him to win anyway, and playing cooperatively gave her more opportunity to coach him. By the time he had to leave, he could at least survive through the fight while Marinette took their opponents apart. That was good enough for him; the game was okay but he mostly just enjoyed watching her have fun. This was clearly one of her passions and he loved watching her be so gung-ho over it.

“You’re amazing,” he sighed finally, putting down the controller. “I think I’d have to practice a long time to get good enough to even come close to beating you.” 

“Oh, I didn’t—you did really well for your first time!” She hastened to reassure him. He laughed at her round eyes and panicked expression.

“Relax, Marinette, I don’t mind. Even losing to you is fun. You’re cute when you win.” He winked at her and she blushed, but recovered quickly.

“You’re right, I am amazing,” Marinette said airily, and then giggled. “At least at video games. My classmate Max and I played in the interschool tournament and we tore the competition apart.” She looked down at the controller and sighed, putting it down on the coffee table. “I actually haven’t taken much time to play lately, I’ve been so busy. Another reason to make some changes.”

Luka put his hand on her shoulder and squeezed lightly. “I don’t know what happened and I wish you weren’t so sad about whatever it was, but it sounds like you’ve got a good handle on what you need to do, so I know you’ll be fine. Thanks for teaching me, Marinette. I had fun.” 

“Me too,” she smiled at him. “Thanks, Luka, your support means a lot to me. And,” she blushed a little, “Thanks for hanging out with me.”

“I love spending time with you,” Luka said, letting go of her shoulder and getting to his feet. “I do need to get home now though. I’ll go grab my stuff.” He went up the stairs to her room, giving her time to recover from her spluttering. Luka sensed that she felt lonely and unappreciated lately, and he didn’t want to pass up a chance to let her know how much he appreciated her, or how happy he was to spend time with her.

Luka put his jackets back on, zipped up the open guitar case, and lifted the strap over his head. He stopped by the desk, looking down at the snake image, and smiled to himself before going back down the stairs.

Marinette walked him out through the bakery, where her mother pressed a small box of sweets into his hands. “Be safe getting home, Luka,” Marinette told him at the door.

“See you soon, Marinette.” He smiled at her, squeezing her shoulder once more before walking away.

As he walked he thought about what Marinette had said to him. Luka was glad she was taking some time and space to take care of herself, but he couldn’t help wondering what brought on the change. Marinette seemed so down about it...He hoped she felt better about it soon, because the changes she was making seemed good for her. So far, he certainly liked what he was seeing. It was great to see her investing in her art. Just spending time with Marinette was enough for him, but getting to be involved in something she loved so much made it that much better.

Luka sighed, adjusting the guitar case and smiling at himself. He’d long ago accepted that he was hopelessly deep in a hopeless love when it came to Marinette. He knew Juleka thought he was an idiot, but he really just didn’t mind it. 

Loving her made him happy.

[thatanimenerd101]

Dropping Books.

(THIS IS NOT MINE! All credit goes to Ah_tuem.)

Paring: Shinso x female reader

Warning: Fluff and SFW

Word count: 840

Time taken: 1 hour.

Tag list: @queensynderella @zyrielwolf @tryna-imagine @tooloudarts @secondhand-trash

Shinso, the boy that doesn’t want to have friends. His classmates knew that he came to UA to become a hero, not to make friends. But when you ran into him in the hallway and dropped your books, the moment he looked into your eyes. He wanted to become close with you. He didn’t know why or how, but he just wanted to be your friend. He was drawn to you somehow. Maybe it was that when he helped you with books you didn’t run away. He was transferring to the hero course so almost everyone that was a first year knew about his quirk. You just smiled and thanked him for his help. You weren’t scared of him, you smiled. He remembers the books you had. You were a business course student. So today he decided to wait for you in the hallway by the business classrooms. Since he trained yesterday, the teachers gave him today off. Once the bell rang he waited to see a h/c head come out of one of the doors. He waited, but didn’t see you. He started to think that maybe this was a bad idea and that you wouldn’t want to be his friend. Then as he turned on his heels he heard someone trip.

“Not again!”

He looked at you. You had tripped and fell on the floor, your books and other belongings were all over the floor. To make matters worse for you, your skirt ripped. Shinso walked towards you and put your books in your bag then helped you up.

“Are you okay?” He was a bit shorter than you.

“Yeah I’m just clumsy. That’s all.” You giggled, but stopped when you felt a breeze on your butt. Your eyes widened.

“Are you sure you're okay?” He looked down at you and you were trying to cover yourself.

“Y-Y-Yeah. Thanks again.”

He took off his uniform jacket and gave it to you.

“Here. I’m not a pervert but there’s others here that are. There’s a creep in class 1-A.”

You wrapped the jacket around your waist.

“Thank you again, you're a lifesaver. You're the boy that I ran into a few weeks ago right?” You smiled.

“Yeah.” He rubbed the back of his neck.

“My name is l/n, what’s your name?”

“Shinso.”

You two began walking and talked. The two of you shared things about yourselves. Hobbies, favorite tv shows. It was like the two of you were best friends. He walked you to your dorm.

“Hey.” You spoke up and he looked at you. “You said you liked cats and there’s a cat cafè about an hour away from here. I was wondering if you wanted to go with me sometime. We’d have to get permission to leave campus for a day.” Your cheeks heated up. You were told he was one to stay away from. But you liked him.

“Yeah, sounds like fun.”

“Awesome! How does next Saturday sound?”

He thought about it for a second, he wasn’t sure he had training that day.

“I train with Easerhead, but I’ll see if that day works.”

You waved goodbye to him and walked into the dorms. Shinso felt something behind his ear. It was a piece of paper, with your phone number.

How the hell did she do that?!

You used your quirk. Transport. You could transport small items by touching them making them disappear and reappear within a mile radius. You had written your number down on paper the other day and today was the day you gave it to him.

Eight years later.

“Daddy, tell the story again!” Your daughter demanded as she was sitting on her father’s lap.

“Later, little kitten. It’s bedtime.” He picked up his four year old daughter and carried her to bed.

“So that’s how you met mommy?” The small child asked while holding her stuffed animal.

“Yeah, that’s how I met mommy.”

“I miss mommy daddy.”

Shinso sighed.

“I know you do pumpkin, but mommy will be back in a few days.”

“A few days?” You were in the doorway of your daughter’s room. She jumped out of bed and cling to your leg.

“Mommy’s home!”

“I thought you weren’t supposed to be back till next week kitty?” Your husband questioned.

“Well work didn’t take as long as it was supposed to. So I got a flight home early so here I am.” You reached down and picked up your daughter.

“Alright little monkey, it’s past your bedtime.” Shinso kissed your daughter’s forehead.

You tucked your child into bed and kissed her goodnight.

“I love you mommy, I love you daddy.”

“We love you too, sweet dreams.”

Shinso closed her bedroom door.

“I missed you so much Kitty.” His lips meeting yours.

“Why don’t you show me how much you missed me?” You smirked up at him, he was now taller than you.

“Oh I will.” His smirk wided and he carried you bridal style to your shared master bedroom.

Note: I really hate using my phone to post this but it is what it is.

[thepurplebutterflythings]

Kitty Cat & Tweety Bird (Part 13) - Jason Todd

Gif: Oliverbruce3 on Tenor

Word Count: 2.0K

Paring: Jason Todd (Titans) x (f)Reader

Summary: A sudden unexpected guest in Wayne Manor in the middle of the night leads to tensions for Y/N.

Warnings: N/A

A/N: This is a little series I am doing about Jason Todd in Titans. I don’t know Comic!Jason very well so I’m taking all of this from the show, and at the moment he hasn’t been in very often, so please forgive any mischaracterisations.

Tagging: @bella-0104-123 @ninergirl1d @httpfandxms @rosybrock @attackonnat @reclusive-chicken-nugget   @demoiselle-en-detresse00 @young-psychos @thesleepykaijuu @thescottpack @nightlygiggles @rougestorms @sinon36​ @acvrosstheuniverse @friedchickening​ @chillybabe​

________________________________________________________________

Y/N’s bedroom was closed to the kitchen and so when there was a loud crashing noise, she woke up quickly. Sitting up bolt right and looking around, she started shaking Jason to try and wake him. She was certain someone was in Wayne Manor, someone who wasn’t supposed to be. Did Joker tell someone who she was? Was it Penguin? Riddler? Bane? Someone else?

“Jason,” she said waking the heavy sleeper.

“Hmmm?”

“There’s someone in the house!”

“It’s probably just Alfred,” Jason mumbled before dozing back off.

Y/N huffed and climbed out of the bed, grabbing her whip which was on the chair in her room and crept down stairs. If she had to deal with an intruder alone, then so be it! Despite its age, the stairs of Wayne Manor didn’t creak or make any noise, so Y/N knew she had the element of surprise on her side. As Y/N was around the corner from the Kitchen, she heard the person in there.

“Did he really move where the bread is kept?” said the person, “oh, now it’s on a lower shelf, but when I was 13 and couldn’t reach, that was my problem!”

Slamming on the lights, Y/N came round the corner and flicked her wrist with the whip in it and wrapped it around the intruder’s wrist. The intruder, who Y/N saw was a man, stared at the whip wrapped around his wrist in shock, but before he could do anything about it, Y/N pulled on it which sent the man flying towards her.

“Gotcha!”

The man jumped to his feet and came towards Y/N, so she ducked and swiped his leg out from underneath him, resulting in the man face planting on the ground. He leapt back up and swiped at Y/N’s face, which she wasn’t quick enough to dodge and so got a fist to the jaw. Y/N kneed the man in the crotch, causing him to groan and fall to his knees. For the first time, Y/N saw the man’s face. He was relatively young looking with large round brown eyes and brown hair that fell in front of them.

“Let me guess,” the young man scoffed through the pain, “Bruce’s latest arm candy?”

“Huh?”

“You’re his bed warmer, right?”

“No!”

“They all think they aren’t, but they always are,” he groaned getting to his feet and shuffling to the kitchen and sitting on a stool. “Though I didn’t think he’d bed something so young.”

“Ew, gross,” Y/N grimaced. “He’s my Dad, creep!” Y/N folded her arms. This caught the young man’s attention.

   “Bruce Wayne is your father?”

“Yeah,” she nodded, “now, who the fuck are you?”

“Dick, Dick Grayson.”

“The adopted guy? One from the Circus?” Y/N frowned and tilted her head to the side.

“He’s spoke about me?” Dick chuckled darkly and smirked.

“In so many words,” Y/N shrugged.

“Now, New Wayne, what’s your name?”

“Y/N,” she said.

Dick nodded and sighed, shifting in his seat as he looked Y/N up and down. He could see Wayne in her, but there was something else about her that struck him with familiarity.

“Let me guess, Selina Kyle is your mother?”

“How’d you know?”

“I’ve crossed paths with the thief every now and then.” The way he spoke told Y/N that not only did Dick know that Selina was Catwoman but that Bruce was Batman. “Mind getting me some ice?”

“Sure,” Y/N sighed grabbing the pack from the freezer and chucking it at him. “And she’s not a thief anymore,” Y/N stuck her chin up, “her and the Sirens are vigilantes working with Bruce.”

“Sure, how long will that last?”

“Now I’m glad I kicked you in your cock now!”

“Y/N, pumpkin, what’s up?” Bruce said coming into the kitchen only to see Dick sitting there, holding ice against his genitals, “do I want to know?”

“Your daughter here has assaulted my penis,” Dick huffed.

“Well, you punched me in the jaw!”

“Cause you attacked me without warning.”

“Cause you snuck into my home for some reason!”

“Your home? I grew up here!”

“Well, me and Mum live here now!”

“Really, Bruce?” Dick turned to the older man, “you invited Selina Kyle and your apparent long-lost daughter to live here?”

“First, there is no apparent about it, she’s my daughter, and second, I want her and Selina here.” Bruce insisted, “Anyway, you moved away and cut contact off with me, so you don’t really get a say in this.”

“Were you ever planning on telling me this?”

“What did I just say, Richard?” Bruce sighed, “What are you doing here, anyway?”

“I needed to get something from my room, if I still have a room here,” Dick said, “cause it seems a lot of things are different now.”

“Well, Dick, you damn well know we have more than enough empty rooms in this house for you to keep yours,” Bruce sighed, “anyway, if you checked your mail, you would find an invite to the Gala where you would have been introduced to Y/N, officially, and not by her kicking your crotch.”

“Oh…”

“Nice to meet you,” Y/N shifted awkwardly. “You coming to the Gala, then?”

“Sure…”

__-

“I can’t believe that Dick broke in,” Jason said as Y/N and himself got a coffee to go the next day, walking to Wayne Enterprises. “And that you kicked him in the balls!”

“Honestly, the least surprising thing about any of this should be that I kicked him in the balls!”

“You’re right,” Jason chuckled, “doesn’t really surprise me really.”

“The most surprising thing about the whole thing is that Dick Grayson is going to be coming to the Gala!”

“Seriously?” Jason’s jaw dropped as he turned and stared at Y/N. “Why didn’t you lead with that?”

“I think the ‘breaking and entering’ is perhaps the main thing to focus on here…”

“Y/N!”

“Okay, okay, I’m not too comfortable with Dick being at the Gala,” she confessed as they stood outside the café.

“What’d you mean?”

“Jason,” Y/N sighed, “you should’ve seen how he reacted to me last night… it was so… tense and uncomfortable. Why the fuck would I want to repeat that?”

“I mean, he’s technically your brother…” Jason shifted, “you and him could probably spend a bit of time together. You might have to do Christmas Cards with each other.”

“Like fuck will Richard Grayson be coming to Wayne Manor for the annual Christmas secret santa,” Y/N scoffed, “I will put money on me never seeing him again after the Gala!”

“Hey, come on, you and he haven’t even really talked yet, Kitty Cat, give him a chance,” Jason took her hand in his.

“I thought you and him weren’t exactly buddy-buddy either after that acid guy,” Y/N pointed out.

“Yeah, but that’s not the point here,” Jason said, “you had a less than ten minute conversation that began with you kicking him in the dick, you can’t really blame him for being a little off about the whole thing.”

“And he assumed I was a fuck buddy for Dad,” Y/N said.

“Hence why you weren’t your best self either,” Jason chuckled, “look, I know I’m probably not the best person to take advice from, especially about getting on with people, but try with Dick, okay?”

“Okay…” Y/N sighed and nodded as she looked at Jason’s pleading face. “But if he says one more thing about my mother or aunties, I’m going to drop kick him into the swan ice sculpture!”

“I expect nothing less!” Jason said, kissing her forehead before they entered the café.

___-

The tenseness between Y/N and Dick as they sat alone in Bruce’s office was so thick that not even the sharpest blade ever could cut through it. Dick sat himself on the windowsill, looking anywhere but Y/N, while she sat in one of the chair, her main focus being on her sudden interest of the carpet pattern, tapping her foot on the floor as they waited. Bruce had to see to a matter, leaving them alone. They were supposed to talk about the incident from the previous night, and neither of them had uttered a word as they waited for Bruce to return.

“Okay,” Dick finally said, looking at Y/N, who lifted her head and met his gaze, “the silence is giving me a fucking headache now; we got to say something.”

“Gee, not even a hello?”

“Come on.”

“You come on!” Y/N huffed, crossing her arms, “you first accuse me of being a one night stand for my father, insult my mother then wonder if I’m lying about being his daughter!”

“You can’t blame me. Selina is a criminal!”

“WAS, WAS, WAS, WAS!”

“Alright, was!” Dick snapped, “but still, considering her history, you can’t blame someone for wondering!”

“Well, Dad put a rush on a DNA test to PROVE IT!” She hissed. “And I don’t care for your constant jabs at my mother and aunts!”

“So we got off on the wrong foot,” Dick shrugged.

“Understatement!”

“Okay, I’m sorry,” Dick admitted, “I was an ass.”

“All I was looking for,” Y/N smiled awkwardly, “and I’m sorry. I was a bit of a bitch. Also sorry for kicking you in the crotch!”

“Apology accepted,” Dick chuckled.

“Why did you break in anyway? Why not knock on the door?”

“Me and Bruce aren’t exactly on the best of term… didn’t know if I was welcome.”

“Well, I think recent events have changed Dad a little bit,” she teased.

“God, hearing someone refer to Bruce Wayne as ‘Dad’ is so weird!”

“Imagine being the one who says it!” Y/N said, “It’s a real 180 from calling him ‘Boss’,” she chuckled a little.

“I can’t even imagine what went through your head when finding out Bruce was your father.”

“I vaulted the fence at Wayne Manor and ran all the way to Auntie Harley’s and Auntie Ivy’s house across Gotham,” Y/N told him.

“YOU VAULTED THE FENCE?”

“Dude, my mother is Catwoman and I was partly raised by Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy,” Y/N listed, “come on, I was trained since birth for gymnastics. I went to nationals!”

“Well done,” Dick nodded in approval.

“I heard you did trapeze stuff?”

“Yeah, my parents were circus performers,” Dick smiled at the memory, “kinda like you really – trained since birth.”

“Maybe we got more in common than we think,” Y/N suggested.

“Yeah, maybe,” Dick smiled in agreement.

___-

When Bruce came back, he was taken back to see Dick and Y/N talking, but he went along with it anyway.

“I got the results from the DNA test,” Bruce said calmly, “confirmed it. Y/N is my daughter and I am her father.”

“Sorry to waste your money like that,” Dick said.

“Got plenty to spare,” Bruce chuckled.

“What did Mum say?” Y/N asked curiously.

“She understood why I did this, but she did give me that ‘I-fucking-told-you’ look,” Bruce chuckled, “but I never doubted it for a second!”

“Thanks, Dad,” Y/N smiled.

“What are you two talking about anyway?” Bruce asked curiously.

“Childhoods,” Y/N said, “Kinda similar in a sense really, aren’t they?” Y/N looked at Dick, who nodded in agreement.

“Really?” Bruce smiled, “may I ask how?”

“Basically spent our childhoods on the balance beam, literally,” Y/N laughed.

“Oh yes,” Bruce nodded, “Circus,” he pointed at Dick, who nodded, “Selina,” he pointed at Y/N.

“I like that Selina is her own label,” Dick chuckled, “Could’ve said nationals, could’ve said gymnastics, but you said ‘Selina’. That’s brilliant!”

“You’ve met my mother, right?” Y/N turned to Dick, “cause if you met her, then it makes sense.”

“I don’t know her well, but we’ve crossed paths.” Dick shrugged, “I don’t know her as well as Bruce clearly does.”

“Moving on,” Bruce changed the subject, “I was hoping we could all come to a civil agreement, but it seems that you two have already done that yourselves.”

“I think we’re getting along alright,” Y/N smiled, “right, Dick?”

“Yeah,” he nodded, smiling, “she’s not to bad when she’s not kicking my crotch.”

“He’s alright when he’s not breaking into my house and attacking me.”

Bruce started laughing and shaking his head. Dick and Y/N were the only people who could meet by beating each other up and end up getting along.

[hermionemonica]

Disguises to Reveal

Hey @flashflashitsash! Happy birthday! Hope you like this little thing I made for you! This isn’t much, but I hope you like it!

(This is the first fic that I’m posting in this place, fingers crossed!)

(I own none of the characters. This is merely a fan fiction.)

A03 link

“I’m sure Alya and Nino are going to love their costumes!” quipped Tikki, zooming out of Marinette’s purse as soon as her chosen had shut the latch door behind her.

“I really hope so. Those two are so adorable, don’t you think?” said Marinette. “I mean, Nino wanted a Rena Rogue inspired hoodie, and Alya wanted a Carapace themed dress. Could they be any more in love with each other?”

Tikki giggled in response.

“But you are yet to make your costume, right?” the kwami asked.

“Yeah, you’re right. I have some ideas, but I need to draw them out to decide.”

“Don’t worry Marinette, you have more than two weeks-enough time to create your masterpiece!”

“I guess I better get started, huh Tikki?” Marinette picked a macaroon from the plate on her table and stuffed it in her mouth.  Plopping down on the chair, she swung around to face her desk.  

Tikki went to help herself to the cookies in Marinette’s cupboard.  

When Tikki floated back to Marinette, she saw her chosen engrossed in her sketching, tongue stuck out and eyes scrunched up in concentration. She looked really cute like that. Tikki turned around to see what the design was that she was working on. The black and the ears gave the theme away.

“Are you making a costume based on Chat Noir?”

Marinette sprang up with a shriek; apparently she had been so into her work that she hadn’t noticed the kwami. After she took a moment to calm her nerves, she replied “Not exactly.”

“What do you mean, Marinette? Is this Lady Noire then?”

“Nope again.”

“Then what is it?”

“Well actually, it is both, but it is neither. I am trying to create a fusion of both the designs, along with some of my own modifications. Like I kept Chat’s bell and tail-belt, but I also included Lady Noir’s neon green details. And these,” she pointed to the fur on the collar and cuffs, “I thought would look good.”

"But why go through all the trouble?”

“Well, firstly, I didn’t want it to be all Lady Noire because then someone might recognise me, which I cannot let happen, of course. And secondly, I don’t want it to be all Chat Noir because I don’t want anyone, especially that flirty kitty, to get the wrong ideas about my very platonic feelings for Chat.”

The unnecessary stress she put on the word “platonic" earned her a giggle from Tikki.

“Oh Marinette, you really think of every little detail, don’t you?”

“Well, Ladybug can’t really afford to miss the spots, right?” As soon as the words left Marinette’s lips, she seemed to realise what she had done, and her cheeks flushed a deep pink. “Oh no, I guess Chat’s puns are beginning to rub off on me.”

“Well, you don’t think Chat Noir will be present at this party, do you?”

“The Mayor of Paris has invited almost the whole city to his Halloween party. I wouldn’t be surprised if the idiot cat turned up in a ridiculous costume!”

As if you’d recognise him, thought Tikki.

“While I understand you are not going as Ladybug in order to protect your secret identity,” said Tikki, as she settled down on Marinette’s shoulder, “But you could have done something else too? The party is not superhero themed!”

“You’re right, but…” Marinette faltered. How could she explain to her kwami that the idea of a cat costume had been stuck in her head since Reflekdoll? When Chat Noir had turned up for patrol that night, he had commented that she looked cute in cat ears. True, that was a compliment for Ladybug, and not Marinette, but she really wanted to give it a try. Ladybug and Marinette were the same girl after all.

“Because I look cute in a cat costume?” Marinette turned to her little friend.

Tikki gave her a knowing look; the tiny deity was thousands of years old after all. She wasn’t quite unfamiliar with young hearts.

“Going Ladybug themed again, aren’t we?”

Adrien grinned sheepishly at his kwami, who shot him a look of disgust.

“You know what?” Plagg declared, “This is an insult to me! I am the all powerful kwami of destruction, and my kitten is going to represent some other power at this stupid dress-up game!”

“Well, first of all, this is a Halloween party thrown by the Mayor at the Grand Paris hotel, not a dress-up game.”

Plagg rolled his eyes,  and mumbled something that sounded like “Potayto, potahto.” Adrien smirked, amused, that Plagg could name any food other than cheese.

“And secondly, this is most importantly to protect my identity. If I went as Chat Noir, then it would be game over!”

“Oh, because going as Mister Bug is such a disguise right?”

“There weren’t any male Ladybug outfits available! They had all been replaced by Mister Bug suits! Guess Mister Bug made quite an impression, huh?”

Plagg pretended to gag.

“Oh please. I know Tikki is a disaster at designing and fashion.”

“Tell her to spend some time with Marinette then,” Adrien joked.  

“She already is,” whispered Plagg to himself.

“What was that?” asked Adrien.

“Nothing,” Plagg waved it off, swallowing an entire slice of Camembert whole.

In any other circumstances, Adrien might have pressed on. But now, his mind was occupied with another thought. He smiled at himself, thinking how at the mention of designing, the first name that came into his mind was Marinette Dupain-Cheng. Not anyone else, and he knew so many other designers, being directly associated with the Fashion industry. Not even his father. But he thought of his… friend. Would Marinette be present at the party, he wondered. What would she wear?

“Kid, you there?”

Plagg’s voice shook Adrien out of his reverie.

“Yeah.”

“So, there’s no changing your mind now?” Plagg whined, as Adrien looked at himself in the mirror. The costume really fitted him like the glove. He made a mental note to thank Chloe later on for telling him about that shop.

“Don’t worry,” Adrien went on, “no one will remember Mister Bug that well.”

“Reflekdoll changed people’s looks, Adrien, not their eyesight or memories!”

“You’re overthinking Plagg.”

“You better hope you don’t blow off your cover, kid.”

When Marinette walked into the party, she was nervous. This was the first costume party she had attended after acquiring her secret superhero identity. In order to further ensure that no one recognised her as Lady Noire, she had decided to skip the braid or pigtails, and was wearing her hair down tonight. She had gone out of her way to make the suit comfortable, unlike their skin-tight super suits (which she’d never admit to Tikki, lest her little friend felt hurt or offended), but it still felt stuffy. For probably the tenth time that night, she wondered if it’d have been better if she had gone for a loose-fitting onesie style outfit, in stead of the body hugging leather suit. But she knew better than anyone else, that her discomfort was more due to her anxiety than anything related to her outfit.

Her eyes scanned the crowd for familiar faces. It was not an easy job, given that everyone was wearing masks and costumes and disguises, and it was difficult to recognise anyone. After a few minutes of scanning, she noticed a head of red hair bobbing in the crowd. Cursing her short height, she stood up on her tiptoes and craned her neck to get a better view. Alya and Nino were literally smashing the dance floor. Marinette stood down to her normal level, and smiled to herself. This was probably not the right time to barge in. Alya was awesome, but she was a fireball when she was in the mood. While that meant she was a never-ending source of energy and warmth, she might be a little intimidating and overbearing at times. And right now, she thought it was safer to steer clear of her fiery best friend.

Marinette looked away in search of a comparatively less crowded place, where she could wait by herself till Alya exhausted herself. Just then, a mass of messy blond hair came into her view. There was no way she was going to miss those very familiar spikes. At once, she sprang up and began to push through the crowd to reach him.

Adrien had entered the party with Chloe, but he had since lost her in the crowd. In a way, that was a good thing, but that also meant he was left all alone. Not like he was unaccustomed to being by himself in events, but tonight he was really hoping to have fun with his friends. He tried calling Nino, but he didn’t pick up. Of course, the music was definitely loud enough to drown out the phone chimes. And anyone who was familiar with Nino would know that the aspiring DJ would forget everything else when music was involved. So he stood there, waving and smiling at the occasional passer-by.  

It had been ten minutes and no one had yet recognised Mister Bug. Adrien heaved a sigh of relief. He made his way to the drinks counter, and asked for some pumpkin juice.  

That was when it happened.

“Chat Noir?”

When Adrien heard someone call him by his superhero name, the word that passed through his mind was “Shit.” He was screwed. Plagg was never going to let him live this down.

Oh no. Ladybug was going to kill him.

He turned around slowly with an awkward grin on his face. As he looked into the eyes of his assaulter, he took in a sharp breath. Green met blue, as the grass meets the sky at the horizon. He stood there, mesmerized and transfixed, unable to move his gaze from those enchanting eyes staring at him.

After a few moments, Adrien finally broke off enough to take in the rest of the person. Freckled cheeks, shoulder length raven hair. And she was wearing a cat costume. Neither Chat Noir nor Lady Noire though. And on her wrist was a very familiar bracelet…

“Marinette?”

Marinette seemed to break off from her daze just then.  

She looked beautiful.

Oh no. Marinette knew who he was. Adrien was utterly screwed.

“You silly cat, why are you not in your Chat suit?”

Wait a minute…

“Princess?”

“I thought we would be twinning. But you decide to go in your other suit?”

It looked like Marinette had figured out only his superhero side. That was a relief, but only as long as no one called him by his real name in front of her. The best option now would be to get somewhere… private.

As Adrien quickly picked Marinette up in his arms and slung her over his shoulder, he saw that her eyes widened in shock. He prayed that she wouldn’t yell, but it seemed like she was too stunned to react.

He put her down only when they reached the bathroom inside the hotel. Marinette immediately launched into a rant.

“Stupid cat, what the hell was that?”

“Uhh, I wanted to steal some privacy with you?”

“So you had to do that?”

“You know me Princess, I am extra-purr-dinary.“

Marinette rolled her eyes and tried hard to suppress her grin.

“So what are you doing here? Did you come here with Ladybug?”

“Oh no no. You see, this stray is all by itself tonight.”

Marinette snorted.

“No offence Chat, but cat puns in a ladybug costume don’t sound that good.”

“Me-owch, Marinette! Surely you don’t want me to give up the very beam of my existence, do you?”

“If by that you mean your puns, then I’d say you need to up your game,” said Marinette as she reached up and ruffled his hair. Chat’s hair looked unnaturally tame tonight, and it was bothering her.

This was new. The last time she had seen him as Mister Bug, the poor guy was confused and lost. And now, seeing Mister Bug with Chat’s personality, Marinette felt a warmth she could not explain.

But why was he wearing Mister Bug’s suit? Marinette instinctively touched her earlobes, her earrings were there.

“Chat, did you and Ladybug swap Miraculouses again?” she asked him. What the hell was happening?

Chat looked confused.  

“Wha- Oh. You’re talking about this?” he said, pointing at his body. “It’s a just cosplay outfit.”

Marinette blinked.

“Woah, this is some brilliant work. Almost like the real thing!”

“Well, I know you are a designer yourself and you’d know all about it. But I won’t be so sure to say that this thing is like the real suit. Because, you see, no one but you recognised me as Mister Bug.”

That’s because none of them have seen you from as close quarters as I have, thought Marinette.

“You know I’d know you anywhere!” Marinette winked at him.  

It was then that it struck her.

“Wait, you mean everyone outside knows your civilian identity?”

“Um, that is a little complicated, Princess. Just like you know my superhero identity right now but not who I am underneath, the others seem to know my civilian self but not my superhero alter ego.”

“Uh… I think I get what you mean.”

Chat flashed a very Chat Noir-esque grin.

“But that doesn’t mean you can just go about flaunting your superhero self, and just giving everyone a very good guess at your secret! What if Hawkmoth figured you out tonight, just because you were so reckless and vain?”

“You know, you sound like my kwami. Are you a fan of cheese too? Because if you are, then I might have some for you!”

“Stop joking, Chat! Focus!”

At that, she struck him over the head with her toy baton.  

Adrien got a very strong sense of deja-vu. Another day, so long ago it seemed, another raven-haired girl in a cat suit had struck him over the head in the same way. Adrien stared at Marinette, dazed by her for the second time in that evening. His lady had worn the exact same expression that day. Could it be that…? Adrien had never noticed how blue Marinette’s eyes were, almost like Ladybug’s. And Ladybug’s freckles that he had loved; Marinette had the exact same freckles on her cheeks. Had it really been that easy? Their everyday Ladybug was his Lady? Ladybug sat behind him in class all this time and he never noticed? Looking at it now, he wanted to hit himself. How blind had he been? Of course, the two strongest, bravest, and most amazing women in his life were one and the same. The incredible girl who would never back down from a challenge was also the sweet girl who always helped others.

Marinette Dupain-Cheng was Ladybug.

He felt like his cheeks were on fire. What was he going to do now? He wanted to pick Lad-no, Marinette, in his arms and whirl her around while shouting out how much he loved her.  

Marinette was looking at him with a strange expression. Her annoyance from earlier seemed to have given way for confusion, although her brows were knit together in concern. Oh she was so cute. He wanted to kiss her. Right then and there.

Maybe he would have, if Marinette’s phone did not ring just at that moment. Marinette jumped up in startlement, and Adrien was well acquainted with this move of hers. In her hurry to take her phone out of her pocket and receive the call, accidentally put it on speaker.

"MARINETTE!” boomed Alya’s voice, as Marinette pulled her phone as far away from her ears as possible. “WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING?!”

It took Marinette a little time to get oriented again. “Uh, hi Alya?”

“Girl, I just saw Adrien carry you inside the hotel! Tell me what is going on between you two!”

Adrien gulped.

“Adrien?” Marinette repeated, bewildered. “But I’m here with…” she looked up into Chat Noir’s eyes.

How had she never noticed that they were the same shade as Adrien’s?

Something clicked inside her, and the cogs in her brain started running again.

“Adrien?” she whispered, unable to break her eyes away from his.  

“H-hey Mari.” Chat-Adrien scratched his neck nervously.

“Oh my God,” whispered Marinette, still shocked.

Adrien took the phone from her hands, and ended the call. It was better that Alya was kept out of this for now.

“I guess the cat is out of the bag, m’lady.”  

Marinette’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“What did you call me… OH MY GOD YOU KNOW!”

[iwantthedean]

A New Fall

Graphic courtesy of @atc74.

Part Three: Granny Smith. Tart and crisp. 

Summary: Jensen spends more time around town. Y/N makes an effort to keep the farm in the family name.  Pairing: None … yet. Word Count: 2198 Warnings: Set post-Season 15, which I know makes a lot of people sad to think about. Square Filled: This entire series will fill my proposal square for BTZ Bingo.

A/N: Thank you for the continued support! I am loving writing this series :)

Masterlist

You spent the weekend more or less not speaking to anyone, just baking away your frustration. Jensen’s deceit hung heavy in your mind and sent you through a maze of emotions: sadness, disappointment, anger. Sad because someone was actually going to make an offer on the farm -- one you probably wouldn’t be able to match, let alone beat. Disappointment because, at your age, you thought you were past being played by guys. Finally, anger because the man had swooped in, handsome and charming, but turned out to be a complete fake.

By Monday morning, the anger part of all of that had more or less taken over. You slammed a coffee cup down from the cupboard in the teacher’s lounge. You poured your coffee, then slammed the pot back down onto the burner. Everything was getting slammed around, and you were mumbling under your breath about the jerk who had come to your farm only to steal it away from you.

“Jerk? More like an ass,” you grumbled, turning to leave as you sipped your coffee; you gasped when you saw your friend Taylor standing there, arms crossed over her chest and brow raised.

“Rough weekend, Y/N?” she asked.

You sighed and cleared your throat. “Yeah, a little. You getting coffee?”

“Yeah.”

“Okay. I’ve got to go set up for my morning lesson. Meet me in my classroom?”

“Deal.”

You made way for your classroom, and Taylor was only a few minutes behind. She took a seat at the horseshoe-shaped table you used to work with student groups, and you took a seat in your chair across from her while you stapled activity packets.

“I have to sell the farm, for starters.”

“What? You’re kidding!” Taylor exclaimed.

You nodded. “Yeah. The money’s just -- it’s not a good situation. Anyway, after our half-day, I was going to do some work around the place, and this handsome stranger pulls up. Tall, sandy brown hair, green eyes. A little older than me, probably. Anyway, he tells me he’s just visiting and wanted to check out the farm. So we went apple picking and went to the pumpkin patch. We had all these flirty moments and cute looks --” You paused to groan at your own stupidity. “-- and then I went inside to get him a bag for the apples he picked, and Mr. Kemp pulls up in the driveway because this ass was there to see the farm to potentially buy it!”

“And he didn’t tell you? What is that about?” Taylor frowned. “We could figure out where he’s staying, get into his room, and … I don’t know. Do something … horrible.”

You couldn’t help but laugh. “You know, T, I bet if I give you enough time, you could maybe finish that plan.”

“Shut up,” she said, laughing along with you. “Look, don’t let him get to you, okay? The more important thing, it seems to me, is how you’re going to keep the farm. Let’s focus on that. Have you talked to the bank?”

“Yes. Mr. Kemp helped me get all the paperwork I need, and I take it all to the bank tomorrow after school. I won’t get a decision right away, which means I’ll be anxious as all get out until they give me an answer.”

Taylor nodded. “What did your dad say?”

You licked your lips and sighed, stacking the finished packets in front of you. “I haven’t called him yet. I will when I have more concrete information.”

“Maybe he could help …” She trailed off when you shook your head before the sentence was even done. Noting the first bell was going to ring soon, she put a hand on your arm. “Just keep your chin up, okay? Everything’s going to work out. I know it.”

You gave her the ghost of a grateful smile. “Thanks, Taylor. Go ahead, get to class. I’ll talk to you at lunch.”

“I’ll try to have a plan to get back at Mr. Handsome by then,” she teased, winking at you as she left the classroom.

* * * * *

For the third day in a row, Jensen was visiting The Farmer’s Stand. Just as planned, he had stopped there after leaving the orchard and purchased a jar of applesauce. He went back the next day for apple butter and a package of cookies that hadn’t been on the shelf the day before, as well as a loaf of homemade bread. Today, he was here for another jar of applesauce.

There was only one on the shelf, so he snatched it up before anyone else could. He perused through the market, also selecting a loaf of pumpkin bread marked from Y/N’s farm. At the register, Ms. Kitty rung up his items with a kind smile.

“Are we going to be seeing you every day, Jensen?” she asked. He appreciated that she remembered his name, though he would venture a guess that she remembered just about everybody who came through the market.

He chuckled. “Keep selling all this yummy stuff and I probably will. You know, food at the hotel is pretty good, but is there anywhere else you’d recommend in town?”

She nodded earnestly. “Midge’s Cafe, over on Ninth. Today’s beef stew day, actually -- comes with mashed potatoes and a freshly-baked roll. Their pie is great too, but I think you’ve got plenty of sweets here.”

“That I do,” Jensen agreed. “How much do I owe you?”

Ms. Kitty gave him a total. “Have you visited the apple orchard yet?”

Why did that question feel like a trick? “I have, yes. Met Y/N while I was there.”

The older woman sighed. “Such a shame she’s got to sell the place. This town was two-bit until their family came in and planted the orchard. They were plenty well off, but they started the pumpkin patch so the kids could have somewhere in town to go on field trips -- not because they had any need.”

Jensen took the bag of things he had purchased from her. “She said she’s the fourth generation to own the place.”

“She wasn’t lying. I’m sure you would have guessed, but I went to school with her grandfather, and my kids went to school with her father. Let me tell you -- that whole family is as sweet as Y/N. Every single one of them. Honest, hard-working, kind. When my son took over this place after my husband passed away, he wanted to stop doing business with them, for whatever reason.” She waved her hand, not worried at all about the particulars of that situation, it seemed. “Anyway, I wouldn’t allow it. You just don’t do that to good people, and Stephen doesn’t understand that. Whoever takes over the place, we’ll see if they want to continue to do business with us, I suppose.”

“They’d be crazy not to,” Jensen offered. “Thanks for everything, Ms. Kitty. Maybe I’ll see you tomorrow.”

She smiled and waved goodbye. Jensen enjoyed visiting with her, but today, he was happy to get out of there. Hearing about Y/N’s family and how much they meant to the town only made him feel worse about potentially buying the place. Nevermind that he couldn’t get the glare Y/N had given him out of his mind -- a look he well-deserved.

As he drove over to the diner, he passed the elementary school. He smiled a little as he watched the kids play while he waited at the red light. This town was idyllic, a simple respite from the hustle and bustle of the last fifteen years of his life. His smile faded some when he spotted Y/N supervising the playground. She was zipping up the jacket of a little boy who was grinning wide while she talked to him. Once his jacket was zipped, the little boy hugged her leg before running off to join his friends again.

The driver behind him honked his horn; Jensen snapped his attention back to traffic. The light was green, so he proceeded through the intersection toward the cafe.

* * * * *

You honestly weren’t expecting an answer from the bank until the following week, so when you saw a missed call from them after school ended on Thursday, you heart immediately began to race. The message from the bank manager was asking you to come in and see her, so you went straight there once the parking lot cleared out.

“Ms. Y/L/N,” she smiled, motioning to the chair across from her. Please, have a seat.”

Sitting. That was good, right? That meant you’d be there for a while, potentially. Going over loan documents and signing papers, maybe? Oh for Heaven’s sake, Y/N. Just sit down.

“I’ve gone over all of the documents you brought over, and I spoke with Bartholomew Kemp -- he spoke very highly on your behalf.”

“He’s a very good friend to our family.”

She set her elbows on the desk. “Unfortunately, Y/N, you simply don’t have the financial background we like to see in our loan candidates. I even tried for a smaller amount, the minimum of what you would need to keep the farm for a while longer, buy you some time -- but it was a no-go.”

You forced yourself not to cry in the bank office. “But … I don’t understand. We’ve been banking with you all for years. My first auto loan was through this bank. My father kept my college fund here. My grandfather --”

The bank manager held up a hand. “Let me stop you there. Your family has history in this town, I’m well aware. And, if this was fifty or sixty years ago, maybe that would hold. It just doesn’t work like that anymore.”

“I understand,” you replied quietly. “Thank you, for the update. I’ll -- okay. Thank you.”

You took a deep breath, put your jacket back on, and shouldered your bag. In the car, you told yourself it was okay to cry, but you couldn’t even force the tears. You were just … numb. If you couldn’t get a bank loan, you didn’t know what else you would do, or could do.

“Guess it’s time to call Dad,” you sighed. As soon as you got home, you dialed the number and settled on the front porch swing to break the news to him.

* * * * *

Jensen sighed and hung up the phone. Bartholomew Kemp had just called to let him know that the owner of the farm was taking offers, and if he would like to place one, he just needed to email it over to Bartholomew. He wasn’t the only one making an offer, so if he was going to throw his hat in the ring, he needed to do it soon.

His lawyer sent over the written offer; Jensen printed it in the hotel’s business center, and walked it into Bartholomew’s office himself.

“I know you said to email it, but I wasn’t doing much anyway,” Jensen explained, letting go of a nervous chuckle. “So, is -- is Y/N pretty upset?”

Bartholomew looked up, brow raised. “Uh, yes, I suppose she is. Rightfully so.”

Jensen nodded and thanked the other man for his time. He left the office and sat in the car for several minutes, contemplating his next move.

The front office staff at the elementary school was kind enough to tell him how to find Y/N’s classroom, and informed him she was on her lunch break. No doubt the modest bouquet of Autumn flowers piqued the secretary’s interest, but he just made his way out of the office and down the hallway.

She was sitting at a table in the room with another teacher, and her eyes grew wide when she spotted him just inside the doorway of her classroom.

“Um, hi. What are you doing here?” The greeting and phrase fell out of her mouth in a panic as she stood. “Oh, um, this is Taylor. She teaches here, too. And she’s my friend. Taylor, this is Jensen Ackles. He -- yeah. This is Jensen.”

“Nice to meet you,” Taylor greeted, giving him the kind of tight smile that told him Taylor knew about his omission of the truth when he first met Y/N.

He cleared this throat. “This all seemed like a better idea in my head, honestly, but since I’m here … um, I am trying to learn from my mistakes and I thought I would come here, offer you the flowers to apologize for not telling you the entire truth when we first met and also to … let you know that I made an offer to Mr. Kemp today.”

Her surprised expression transformed to the anger he had expected. She took the flowers from him and set them on the table. “Well, thanks for the head’s up, I guess.”

“Yeah, I thought you should probably know, in case I’m around the farm again, so it doesn’t take you by surprise.”

“Great.”

Y/N sat back down and resumed her lunch. Taylor kept her back to Jensen. The silence was uncomfortable. He stumbled around his words for a few more tries, then exited the room. He sarcastically and silently congratulated himself for such a smooth interaction.

* * * * * * * * * *

The Whole Shebang: @illisea @ashleymalfoy @busybee612 @mrswhozeewhatsis @sherlock44 @ravenesque @feelmyroarrrr @atc74  @theplaidshirtmadness  @blacktithe7 @moonlessnight14 @kitchenwitchsuperwhovian @smoothdogsgirl  @melbrandes  @xtina2191 @spnbaby-67 @emoryhemsworth @goldenolaf25 @gabriels-trix @applesugar88 @rainflowermoon @deansgirl215 @thisismysecrethappyplace @calaofnoldor @jerkbitchidjitassbutt @sleepylunarwolf @chances-and-miracles

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[ask-the-phan-site]

Phan Cam: Thanks all around.

>November 26. Thanksgiving.

>The Virtual Track of Racer Academy. The Thanksgiving Day Race was now under way. The racers were ready.

Welcome, ladies and gentlemen! Happy Thanksgiving! This Thanksgiving is different due to circumstances. However, we decided not to let that stop us from celebrating. Which is why we will still be having our annual Thanksgiving Day Race. Now, let us introduce the racers in our race. First up, my oldest nephew, X!

I hope you’re all ready for this! This is going to be unforgettable!

Headmaster Spritle: Next up, my younger nephew, Speed Jr.!

NOTE: I apologize, but this is the only image that could work.

Thanks, everyone! I hope this race will light up your day!

Headmaster Spritle: Next, Jared and Jesse Deucey.

Slice: We would like to dedicate this race to our dad, Ace Deucey. Sadly, we could only spend our Thanksgivings with plait glass between us and can only see our races on TV.

Dice: But if he could be here now, we know he’d be proud of his boys.

Slice and Dice: Pops, this is for you!

>Meanwhile, in a prison, someone was watching TV in the prisoner lounge.

(with a tear hidden being his glasses) My boys...

>Back at Racer Academy.

Headmaster Spritle: Next, from one of our overseas schools and has just made her transfer here despite the pandemic, Annalise Zazic!

I know most of you have your doubts about me, being the daughter of a mechanical menace. But I can assure you that while I’m here, you won’t have to worry... (now sounding threatening) I mean it. I’m nothing like him!

X: (whisper) It’s here, alright. Not a robot this time.

Headmaster Spritle: Next up, our student lesion from Alpha Academy, Alpha Leader!

This race will be a victory for both Racer Academy and Alpha Academy. And since the twins were honorable enough to dedicate this race to their father, I also like to dedicate this race a couple of close friends of mine... Wish me luck, Bobby and Cameron.

Thanks, Alpha. You’re a true pal.

You bet! Hey, we should go to Superboy’s bachelor party as soon as they give they okay!

Alpha Leader: We’ll see.

Nearby Race Fan: Question... Why is there a supervillain here?

Relax, that’s why me and the merman came along. To make sure he behaves himself.

Icicle Jr.: (trying to sound innocent) Can’t I help it that Sterling jerk hurt my fellow ice-guy?

We’re not going to take that chance. Miss Martian and Superboy would kill me if you did anything to hurt anyone. Especially in these times.

Icicle Jr.: Okay, okay.

Headmaster Spritle: Moving on. We have in the Mitch-mobile, Mitch Mitchson!

Aww, I’m just doing this for the people who can’t come here... That, and I’m hopin’ to get more subscriptions for Mitch-Per-View. And more subscribers means more money in the back.

Headmaster Spritle: And now, for our special guest racers! First up, the young genius inventor who will be driving the Mach 60, Ronald Multon!

(in an obviously fake accent) Roe-nald! It’s Roe-nald Muu-tan!

Oh no. Don’t tell me in this timeline, Ronald is still...

Ronald Multon: ... (laughs and speaks in the normal accent) I’m just kidding. Still, it is a pleasure for you all time see me here.

Conor: (a bit relieved) Well, at least he’s using his real voice.

Headmaster Spritle: Our next guest was once a student here, but he’ll be participating in this year’s race. Trey Sterling!

>Everyone was surprised to see... Trey’s spot on the starting lane was empty.

Headmaster Spritle: Mr. Sterling, you did say your son was coming, right?

Well, when I found his bed empty this morning, I assumed he already got up and got ready for the race.

Headmaster Sprtile: Are you sure about that?

Mr. Sterling: I’m sure he’ll be here any- Oh, here he is!

>Trey appears on the commentator’s balcony with an almost depressing air around him.

Mr. Sterling: Ah, Trey, you’ve come! The question is why are you up here when you should be down there with your car?

... I have... something... to say...

>Trey goes up to the podium and Headmaster Spritle moves aside for him.

Trey: I... I won’t be in this year’s race.

>Everyone gasped. Especially Mr. Sterling.

Trey: The reason is... Because me and my father had the race fixed.

Mr. Sterling: (shocked) What!?

Headmaster Spritle: (grinning a bit) I figured as much.

Trey: I had some of the racers attacked or paid them to either lose or drop out... I especially attacked those who disagreed with me... I became a race champion through a lie... I’m not a champion... I’m a cheater... In both sports and in love...

Icicle Jr.: (grinning widely) I KNEW IT! I KNEW IT! JUST LIKE THE CALLING CARD SAID!

Kitty Pryde: (quickly) Yes, I know! Now shush!

Trey: I cheated on Bobby Drake and Annalise Zazic because I thought it would make me more popular... And I thought that because I was rich, I could get away with it... I treated them terribly... I even told everyone I would propose to Annalise at this race... But it was a lie just make more money...

Annalise Zazic: (shocked and enraged) WHAT!? You lying bastard! You never loved me, just my money!?

Bobby Drake: (smiling a bit) I know how you feel.

X: (thinking to himself) If Trey and Annalise are through, does this mean I have a chance at her? Wait, no, the race might still go on. I’ll think about this later.

Trey: But the one I need to apologize to most of all... is fellow Bostonian, Zack... Whose last name I never bothered learned... I treated him and his sister like like amatures when I myself was the real amature... (begins tearing up) They were a real professional team and I was just some spoiled brat living off his father’s money... I didn’t deserve that money... I’M THE REAL FAILIER! I’M SORRY! TO ALL OF YOU! (breaks down crying)

Mr. Sterling: (now sounding impatient, a first) Trey, my son, pull yourself together. You’re making a scene.

Trey: ...

Mr. Sterling: (now trying to pretend that this was all very normal) Come now, son, quit joking around, you have a race to win.

>Trey just sat silently without a response. Then, Mr. Sterling did something no one ever saw coming...

Mr. Sterling: (angry, real angry) Now you listen here, you piece of shit, I didn’t pull strings and bribed the board to let you back into this garbage school just to blow it! I swear... Sometimes I think I should have invested in Zack after all. At least he has real talent instead forcing me to fix races so I can bet on them to pay back Sharkhead Eddie for giving me the money start this wretched team!

Trey: (shocked) What?

Mr. Sterling: (realizing what he just said) !

Something tells me you have some explaining to do, Mr. Sterling.

Mr. Sterling: (trying to compose himself) You can prove nothing.

Are you sure about that? Because, we got this recording of you in our inbox this morning and we found the something very interesting about it.

>Mrs. Racer takes out a tablet wirelessly connects it to a holographic screen to show a scene of Mr. Sterling on the phone.

Holo Sterling: Relax, Eddie, I’ll get you your money. Me and my boy have this race in the bag. We fixed it. I paid some of the racers to go away for ‘certain reasons’.

Sharkhead Eddie’s Voice: Good. With this virus still going on, I think it would be best to gather up on old debts while I still can. So you better get me my money soon. Because if you don’t, then perhaps I should pay a visit to your mother at St. Terrence Retainment Home, unless she, like most of everyone else there may have COVID. Or maybe I should go see you sister, the beloved Dr. Sally Sterling, at her clinic in Chinatown, if she isn’t busy with the same virus. Or perhaps your brother, Samuel Sterling. I hear he could use more patrons at his restaurant. Or maybe your other brother, Professor Shelby Sterling, at Harvard University. Yes, I think we should visit him since his students switched to online learning. So, are we clear?

Holo Sterling: (scared) Y- Yes.

Sharkhead Eddie’s Voice: Good. Sharkhead out. (hangs up)

Holo Sterling: (nervous and enraged) That spoiled brat better now blow it.

>The recording ended and everyone stared at the nervous Sterling.

Mr. Sterling: Well, (nervous chuckle) I guess this is quite the predicament.

>Some security guards came and and cuffed Mr. Sterling.

Trey: (still sobbing a bit) I want to make up for what my father did. I will use the money I did earn and donate it. If that is alright.

Mr. Racer: Well, what you did was still a bit unforgivable, but I guess it’s a start. How about to us since the money your father donated to us is clearly not his?

Trey: I could. As long as I have enough for B.O.M.G.T.M. or W.E.B.

Mr. Sterling: (in disbelief) W.E.B.!? You want to give money to those idiots? Especially the fat homo who disappointed me by not rebuilding the school that I was actually hoping to invest in it this time, so instead, came up with that?

Trey: (getting upset) His name is Max Modell. And it was his old lab partner, Peter Parker, who came up with W.E.B.

Headmaster Spritle: He’s right. I think you should start there... But for now, all your attacks on the students and other racers could have gotten them hurt. Even killed. So you still have to answer to the police.

Trey: I... I understand.

>The guards came and cuffed Trey and lead both him and Mr. Sterling away.

>Down in the pits, we saw the whole thing unfold.

Yes! We got it.

We shouldn’t forget to thank Futaba for recording that conversation. We had a feeling something was up.

I just happened to be browsing the school security system and just happened upon this footage. I just thought that something like this needed to come out.

You did well, Futaba chan. I’ll see if you can get an extra helping of pumpkin pie.

X: Forget it. Grandmom says you only get one each. She said getting second helpings of anything wouldn’t be fair for the others.

Speed: It’s true. You should have seen her at the Easter Party. I’ve never seen anyone so mad just for asking for another chicken leg. But there might be some left-overs. We’ll see.

I call dibs on the left-over turkey and ham!

Oracle: Not before I get the turkey first.

Hands off the stuffing.

I would like try all of them. I remembered the last Thanksgiving Dinner we were invited to and liked it.

Yes. I miss that tofu turkey. And I should really ask Dogg what herbal spices he used in it.

If there are any left-overs, I wonder if Grandmom Racer will let me take some back to my father.

I doubt you can get any of it past customs. Especially during a pandemic.

Oh, we have our ways.

(on Carmen’s phone) I’m not sure what that means, but okay.

Oracle: Wish you could be here, Player. It’s way more better than having to see it from a “dark little cave”.

Player: Hey, I’m happy in my dark little cave. Besides, you know us Canadians have our Thanksgivings way earlier than Americans.

Hold on, I think they’re continuing.

>Back on the balcony.

Headmaster Spritle: With that out of the way, we should move on. Good thing we only have one left. And now coming all the way from Los Angeles...

>The sound of an engine can be heard coming. But sounded more like... the roars of flames.

Th- That car!?

That’s a 1970 Plymouth Roadrunner. And it appears to be in great condition.

I think they’re more concerned on who is driving it.

Joker: Fox?

Fox: It... It can’t be...

>The car opened... and the driver came out.

Here I am, Racer Academy. Happy Thanksgiving.

D- Dad...

REMINDER: This is a fanmade timeline. Fox and other Persona characters are not really related to characters from other franchises as according to ATLUS. These relations exist only in this fanmade timeline. Please do not hate or sue me for this. Thank you.

Everyone: (except Joker) WHAT!?

Shush! I don’t think he heard you guys!

>But he did. The man the Fox and I were going to see was right here. He turned to us. He seemed to have recognized Skull as an Idol, Panther as a model, and Crow as a famous detective. Then, his eyes fell upon Fox... He was slightly shocked.

Taro Kitano: ... Kitagawa Sensei?

Headmaster Spritle: It looks like the Leader of the Scorchers has seen a ghost. But let’s not cross into that thorny territory. Now, we shall-

If I may, Headmaster Racer, but now we have an empty space in the starting lane. This simply will not do.

Headmaster Spritle: But we’ve had races with one less racer before. I don’t see why that should be a problem.

Professor Aniskov: True. But this time, I must insist. We need someone to replace Trey Sterling.

>Back down with us.

*Chirp*

Conor: Chim-Chim’s right, Zack, this is your big chance to race again.

That’s great, Conor. You, too, Chim-Chim. It would be like a dream come true... But I’m gonna have to turn it down. My racin’ days are long behind me now. Me and Ivy got a new goal in life.

I’m sure we will race again someday. But right now, Carmen needs us and we need her. Until V.I.L.E. is down for good.

Carmen: And besides, Player says our little calling card got A.C.M.E.’s attention. They’re on their way here now, so we gotta leave.

Joker: I see. That’s a shame.

Carmen: Hey, we had a wonderful time with you guys. We should try this again some time.

Sophie: Will we see each other again?

Carmen: (winking) Sooner than you think.

Joker: Carmen, before you go...

If you ever cross paths with my favorite cousin, tell him I said “Hi”... Even if they will happen soon.

Carmen: I’ll be sure to do that.

Player: Hey you guys, they just passed the gates.

Carmen: Happy Thanksgiving. And Happy Holidays.

>With that, Carmen, Zack, and Ivy run off and were gone... Who knows when we’ll see them again. Then, a black car drives up to us and two people in suits came out.

La Femme Rouge! We just saw her here! Where did she go!?

Joker: I’m afraid we have no idea who you’re talking about, Agent Devineaux.

Agent Devineaux: (a bit surprised) How did... Never mind, I know you saw her!

Calm yourself, Devineaux! If we just saw her, then we should follow her where she might have went.

Agent Devineaux: ... I knew that. I just wanted to see if you knew.

Oracle: (whispering sarcastically) I’m sure.

Agent Zari: Happy Thanksgiving.

>With that, the two A.C.M.E. Agents leave.

Conor: I wonder if I should have told them that I put cloaking technology in their getaway car?

As detectives, me and Wolf frown that you aided and abetted a criminal...

But as Phantom Thieves, we say “Right on”.

Conor: Thanks.

Headmaster Spritle’s voice on the speakers: Speed, X, can you send our Japanese guests up here, please? We wish to talk to them.

Speed: Alright! You guys better go. We’ll meet up after the race. If we’re still having it.

Joker: Right. See you all later.

>With that, we leave Conor and the others for now.

>Meanwhile, with Taro Kitano, he goes back inside his car... He is not alone.

Taro Kitano: So the rumors are true. Aren’t they?

I am truly sorry you had to find out this way.

Taro Kitano: So what now? You want me to talk to him? To get to know him?

Goemon: (shaking his head) Yusuke's in no hurry to meet you. Right now, he is content with how things are. He’s in college, he’s a talented artist, he has many good friends... And even someone he can share his heart with.

Taro Kitano: You mean that frizzy-haired guy with the glasses? I see. They look so happy together. It definitely reminds me of... me and her. When I look at Yusuke, I see his mother. And when I see his boyfriend, I can’t help but see myself. And I don’t even know the guy... Except in the ring.

Goemon: You’ll know soon enough... Speaking of comparing yourself with Ren, I have a favor to ask you.

Taro Kitano: (confused) Me?

Goemon: Or rather, someone on your team.

>Up on the balcony, we meet up with Headmaster Spritle, Speed Racer Sr., his wife Trixie, and Professor Aniskov.

Queen: You wanted to see us, Headmaster?

Headmaster Spritle: Professor Aniskov insists we can’t start the race without someone taking Trey’s place... And he suggests one of you do it.

Phantom Thieves: WHAT!?

Professor Aniskov: If it’s not too much trouble.

Mona: Well don’t look at me, Ryuji, Yusuke, Futaba, Haru, or Sumire. We’re still learning.

Wolf: Me and Akechi were asked to assist things with the Sterlings. They thought having a couple of detectives would make things a little more smoother. So we’re out.

Queen: I don’t think Sis would be too happy for me to spontaneously join in a big race like this.

Panther: And I promised the modeling agency I would take a few pics here as inspiration for their next session.

Fox: Then that would just leave...

Me?

?????: Pretty much.

>Then, my parents arrived with the wheelchair bound Defensive Driving teacher, Professor Winn, and Speed and X’s grandparents, Mom and Pops Racer..

Joker: Mom, Dad, so glad you guys decided to stay.

You didn’t think we’d actually miss this, did you?

Nor I. This is proud day for all of us.

Jonny: And who knew it would be on Thanksgiving.

Mrs. Racer: What do you mean?

As some of you may not know, but Mr. Amamiya here had just taken his driving examination with me as the supervisor.

Jonny: I’ve been helping him, too. Ever since last summer.

Professor Winn: Well, after much evaluation and seeing how well you managed your driving, whether it be regular, casual, cruising or even racing, I can honestly say... You passed.

For real!?

Queen: Congratulations, Ren.

Crow: Well done.

Mona: That’s our Joker.

I’m very proud of you, Ren.

Thank you all... Especially you, Yusuke.

>Me and Fox embrace each other lovingly.

Professor Winn: (taking a camera from her chair) Okay, smile!

>Everyone and Fox moves aside as Professor Winn takes my picture. Then, something prints out and she gives it to me.

Jonny: (smiling) You did good, kid.

Mom: Yes, well done. We’re so proud of you.

Thank you all.

Professor Aniskov: (clapping a bit) Now that that’s settled, I think we can get this race started.

Joker: I’m still not sure about this. I don’t even have a car. I mean, I do have one, but I don’t think it’s meant for racing.

Jonny: Professor Aniskov says he has that covered.

???? ??????: Hey, down here!

>We look down at the track. We saw that members of the Scorchers were hauling in a car.

Taro Kitano: Everest is letting you borrow his car for the race! So you better get down here, now!

Mom Racer: Well I’ll be.

Pops Racer: Yeah... (We finally have a speaking role here.)

Speed: (calling from down below) I have something for you, too! Chim-Chim!

Chim-Chim: *Chirp*

>Chim-Chim takes a package up to the balcony and give it to me. I open it up to find it had a white racing suit with some black and two patches on the chest. One a red circle with a white 5 on it that looks like it came from the logo our game. The other patch had a picture of a white coffee cup with some steam coming out with a fancy CL on the cup. There was also a white helmet with a large black stripe in the middle with a red line on each side of it.

Speed: (calling through Chim-Chim) It’s my old racing suit. I don’t use it anymore, so you can have it. But I did change the patches. Consider it an early Christmas present. And a thank you.

Joker: You’re welcome.

Mr. Racer: (a little confused) Thanks for what?

Speed: (awkward) I’ll tell you later, Dad. Right now, we have a race to get going.

Pops Racer: (looking stern) You better tell us later.

Mr. Race: (also looking stern) You bet.

>Chim-Chim climbs back down to Conor. Panther snaps her fingers and I magically change into the racing suit.

(this is the only picture that could be found that is similar) How do I look?

Headmaster Spritle: A bit like Speed when he first started here. Seems only yesterday he first started here... Wait, hasn’t he always? Never mind. It suits you well.

I think my heart just skipped a beat. If only I had my sketchpad, I would preserve this moment for life.

Joker: (smiling) You can do it later. I’ve got to head down.

Wolf: And me and Akechi have to deal with the Sterlings.

Crow: I just hope Trey will be cooperative.

Panther: And I have some pictures to take.

Queen: The rest of us will be at the stands if you want to join us. Text us when you’re ready to join us.

Mom: We will join you.

>We leave. Then, Professor Aniskov stops me for a bit and does something no one would ever think he would do... He gave me an encouraging smile... And a wide one at that... Wait a second.

Professor Aniskov?: (whisper in a very familiar voice) Good luck out there... Favorite cousin. (wink)

Joker: ...

(also whispering) Thank you, favorite cousin. (out loud) It’s showtime!

>We leave the balcony.

Headmaster Spritle: Ladies and gentlemen, filling in for Trey Sterling is one of our Japanese visitors, Ren Amamiya!

>I get in the Thunderbird. Then, I get a call from Speed, X, Slice, and Dice.

Dice: Good luck, Leader!

Slice: You’re gonna need it.

X: Hope you can keep up.

Joker: Can you?

Speed: Pretty bold. Let’s race!

>With that, we begin our engines. A holo-screen shows staring lights.

>Ready... Set... GO!

>We drive off. We go around the regular track once before the arch to the Virtual Track opens.

Automatic Voice: Virtual Track, activated!

>We drive into the Virtual Track. The track was made to look like we were on a giant table where a giant Thanksgiving Dinner was set up. The dishes, foods, and drinks were the obstacles, including a gravy boat spilling gravy around.

>In the stands, Fox, Mona, Skull, Queen, Noir, Oracle, Violet, and Sophie were watching the race when Bobby Drake, Kitty Pryde, Icicle Jr., and Lagoon Boy come to them.

Bobby Drake: Enjoying the race?

Queen: Well, Ren is still in 7th Place. But all in all, it’s going great.

Icicle Jr.: I don’t know about him, but I’m rooting for Alpha Leader. Look, he’s already in 4th.

SPLAT!

Oracle: (laughing) Until he drives into the mashed potatoes.

Commentator: Oh, right into the mashed potatoes.! Hope Alpha Leader can dig his way out. Now, Annalsie Zazic has passed him, narrowly missing the yams! But can she get by the slicing ham?

Kitty Pryde: (cheering) Don’t give up, Alpha Leader!

Yeah, you can do it, Alpha Leader! Keep going!

Skull: (surprised) Yoshizawa san, just who’s side are you on?

Violet: (a bit surprised herself) Sorry, senpai. I can’t just disagree with my favorite X-Man when she’s sheering for her favorite racer.

Kitty Pryde: (smiling a bit) I’m your favorite? I’m quite honored.

Violet: I’m so glad to hear that, Shadowcat san.

Kitty Pryde: Oh, you can just call me Kitty, Sumire Yoshizawa.

Violet: You know about me?

Kitty: I know a thing or two about the world of gymnastics. Plus, we know Spider-Man and the Future Avengers and they told us a lot about you guys.

Bobby: Yeah, we recognized you guys from what they told us, the past two Dream FESs, and those Dancing in Starlight videos.

Lagoon Boy: Yeah, Nightwing and the others told me about you as well. And a certain connection.

Queen: I see. So you have also been having dreams.

Lagoon Boy: How do you think we came to know Alpha Leader and each other?

Icicle Jr.: Yeah, we’ve been having dreams about him and each other for a long time. Ever since the last Dream FES... Along with that guy.

Skull: What guy?

Bobby: Well, maybe it would be better to show you. If you don’t mind.

Fox: Actually, I wish to stay and support Ren.

Sophie: I can record the race for you so you won’t miss much.

Mona: Thanks, Sophie. Okay, we’re coming.

>With that, Mona, Skull, Queen, Noir, Oracle, and Violet follow Bobby, Kitty, Icicle Jr., and Lagoon Boy.

>In a parking garage, they arrive at a black SUV with the X-Men logo on it. It was parked next to an old fashion roadster. Then, Lagoon Boy knock the back of the roaster with the “Shave and a Haircut” rhythm.

??????: Finally! I thought we were gonna die in here!

??????: Hurray! This lovely bear can become the prince he was meant to be! It was getting cramped in here.

??????: Only because you were wearing the suit when we got taken! You should have taken it off when we were leaving!

??????: But I lost my mask! I needed something to protect me from the virus!

??: I’m sure you were only doing what you needed to do.

??????: Thank you for that, Sensei.

??????: Kiss up.

??: Don’t worry, Yosuke, you’re still my best partner.

Yosuke?: (happily) Thanks, Partner.

Kitty: Okay, enough with the shouting, we’re getting you out now.

Bobby: Just try not to kill us when we let you out.

>Bobby opens the trunk. And out comes...

Ah, at last, fresh air! You guys know we can’t get to close like that, do you? We might get the virus.

I feel like an can survive anything with Sensei around. Even in enclosed spaces.

What!? You guys!?

Ryuji san? And the others? You’re here, too?

Queen: Yes, but how are you three here?

Yosuke: (unhappy) Ask him. (points to Icicle Jr.)

Icicle Jr.: (putting his fingers together) Well...

>Flashback.

>Junes Department Store, Electronics Department in Inaba. Yosuke had just finished work for the day. However, it was a slow day.

Teddie: Not many customers today, huh, Yosuke?

Yosuke: What did you expect? Because of the virus, only essential businesses are allowed to open. So the customers are only going to parts of the store that sells the essentials. And I doubt they include electronics unless they need replacing or if they want to do some early Christmas shopping.

Teddie: I see. (sighing sadly) I sure miss playing with the kids that come here. I haven’t even seen Nana chan in a long time. I miss her.

Yosuke: You just video chatted with her this morning.

Yu: (coming in with three take-out bags from Aiya) Talking to each other on the computer and talking in person are very different from each other.

Yosuke: Yu, you’re here?

Yu: I didn’t have time to make dinner tonight, so I picked up some take-outs. I would have ordered it, but due to the lockdown order, Aika’s really busy with other deliveries... There should be some left over to take to Nanako and Dojima san. So I guess we can visit them after all.

Teddie: (dramatically) Thank you so much, Sensei!

Yosuke: (unimpressed) Don’t get too excited, bear. We need to save some for Nanako and Dojima san.

NOTE: Before we go further, let me explain. By this point and time in this fanmade timeline, Yu, after graduating, moved back to Inaba. This time, for good. Yosuke had also moved out of his parents’ house. However, Mr. and Mrs. Hanamura didn’t want to be left alone with Teddie because of the messes he always leaves behind, so they convinced their son to take him with him. Yu, Yosuke, and Teddie all move in together in an apartment that was just a block away from the Dojima residence so they can visit each other whenever they want. Yu and Yosuke attended college in Okina City, though, Yosuke continued to work part-time at Junes and Yu started work as a gas station attendant at Moel. After they finished college, they still work their jobs because Yosuke is still trying to figure out what to do with his life. Though, after a long time of always listening to music on his headphone, dancing at the Love Meets Bonds Festival, and performing at the Dream Festival, he might consider something in music. As for Yu, he wishes to work in Psychology, but that requires him to study a little more into it, so he’s still works at Moel. And Teddie... Well, he does have an “exclusive contract” with Junes.

>Yu, Yosuke, and Teddie make their way through he parking lot to Yu’s car where Yosuke’s scooter was also parked. Then suddenly...

?????? ??: Hey, are you Yosuke Hanamura?

Yosuke: Yeah, who wants to-

>They turned and are surprised by who they saw.

Yosuke: Y- You’re...

Icicle Jr.: Sorry about this. Don’t worry, I’ve been training with Iceman.

>With a blast of ice, Icicle Jr. froze Yosuke and Yu. Luckily, they were both still alive.

Teddie: (boastful) Ha! Betcha didn’t know that ice doesn’t work on moi!

BANG!

>Teddie is suddenly knocked out by a wrench. He didn’t see who did it.

>End of flashback.

Teddie: So that explains the small bump on my head. Good thing I was wearing my bearskin or else it would have been serious.

Queen: So you kidnapped three people from Japan and smuggled them across the sea to America in the middle of a global pandemic?

Yosuke: I think the real question is... Why?

Icicle Jr.: I just wanted to confirm some stuff... Like that you guys are the Phantom Thieves. Besides, do you have any idea how hard it is to book a flight overseas in a global pandemic?

Noir: So you know who we are, huh?

Lagoon Boy: Don’t worry, we won’t tell anyone. This is out of respect for your friends. And we warned Icicle Jr. that we would send him off to Belle Reve this holiday season.

Icicle Jr.: I’m really hoping to spend it with an old friend of mine... To help her get over that her boyfriend isn’t around to spend it with her.

Kitty: (unsure) I don’t think she’s ready to go back into the fray yet.

Lagoon Boy: It’s true.

Icicle Jr.: (shrugging a bit) I don’t know. If Superboy and Miss Martian can even get engaged, there maybe hope for me yet.

I think we got bigger issues here. Like how you brought these guys here without even testin’ ‘em first.

Kitty: Got you covered. (takes a scanner from the SUV) We bring some with us whenever we go looking for new mutants. We may have powers, but apparently, we’re not immune to COVID. (scans Yu, Yosuke, and Teddie) They’re good.

Yosuke: Well that’s a relief. (rubbing some sore spots) But even though I’m not sick, I’m hurting all over from being stuck in there. Why couldn’t you have just kept us in the nice roomy SUV instead of the tiny trunk of this antique? Who owns this thing anyway?

Bobby: Another good friend of ours... Including you, Yosuke.

Yosuke: (confused) Mine? Who would... Wait, now that you mentioned it, I have seen this car before... in a dream.

Yu: Same here. When I think about that dream, I have the oddest feeling that I should thank you. But for what? I know you helped me a lot, Yosuke, but what I should thank you for is something else.

Yosuke: Yeah. But I just can’t remember. Then again, that dream isn’t as clear as... No, we should think about that one.

Yu: I agree.

Teddie: (confused) I don’t get it.

Yosuke: If this car is what we think it is... Where’s the owner?

Lagoon Boy: Most likely outside watching the race.

Yu: Race? What are you talking about? And where are Joker and the rest of the Phantom Thieves?

Sophie: (on Oracle’s phone) You’ll meet Fox, Panther, Crow, and Wolf in the stands. As for Joker, you should see for yourself.

>Sophie was now showing me now neck and neck with Annalise on a bridge over a casserole.

Yu: Is that a casserole?

Violet: We’ll explain later. Right now, they’re waiting for us.

>With that, they all head back to the stands.

>Back on the stands, Fox, Panther, Crow, and Wolf were surprised to see Yu, Yosuke, and Teddie here. They explained what happened.

Wolf: (whining) Please, one crime at a time. We already just dealt with the Sterlings, and we’re celebrating here.

Icicle Jr.: I just said I was sorry.

Queen: By the way, where is this friend of yours?

Bobby: I guess he stepped away for now.

Yosuke: Can you blame him? It would be awkward for a French guy to be at an event for an American holiday.

Violet: Hey, Senpai’s catching up to Taro!

>In the Virtual Track, I was catching up to Taro Kitano with rows of glasses of sparkling cider surrounding us. Some of them kept falling to try and drown us.

Commentator: Ren is gaining up on Kitano. Can fresh college student pass a seasoned pro?

Just so you know, I’m not going easy on you just cause you and my son are dating, kid.

Joker: I don’t expect you to. I wanna beat you fair and square. We’re all equals here.

Taro Kitano: Good. Hope you’re ready for this.

Announcer: This is it, folks! Speed, X, Kitano, and Ren are at the final part of the race. The man course itself: THE TURKEY!

>Before us was a giant cooked turkey the was guarded by robot turkeys with titanium drills for beaks.

Speed: Time to carve this bird!

You bet! It’s showtime!

>We managed to tear are way through the robot turkeys. They drill hard, we be are harder. Then, some of them were now ganging up on Speed and X.

Joker: We can’t let them get drilled by robot turkeys, will we?

Taro Kitano: I guess. Fine, we’ll save them from the robot turkeys... Now that’s something I never thought I’d say.

>We managed to drive up and beat the robot turkeys with the cowcatcher on the Thunderbird and Taro Kitano with his car’s hook. Finally, they were gone and Speed and X drove up ahead.

X: Thanks for that.

Speed: Now let’s go!

>We make it to the end of the rack. The exit portal arch looked like an eaten-through pumpkin pie. We drive in and back into the real world. Once out, Speed was the first to cross the finish line, then X, then Taro Kitano, and I was the last one. The remaining racers followed.

Commentator: And that’s that! Speed Racer Jr. comes in a spectacular 1st Place! His older, brother, X, in 2nd! Taro Kitano in 3rd! And Ren Amamiya in 4th!

>The crowd was cheering loud. I could see my friends in the stands. Wait, why are Yu, Yosuke, and Teddie here? Actually, never mind, this is a great moment for me. Then, I look up to the commentator’s balcony. The Racers were smiling and waving that Speed and X came in 1st and 2nd. Then, I look to my parents who are waving to me. Then, I looked to “Professor Aniskov” who was also waving to me. Finally, I turn back to the stands and see Fox.

????????? ???????: WHERE IS HE!?

>Uh oh, the jig is up. I see the real Professor Aniskov wearing nothing but his boxers, a white tank-top, and a very angry look on his face. With him is my favorite cousin’s favorite every-vigilant inspector.

Excuse me, Racer Family, but I found this man tied up in a closet somewhere. You wouldn’t happen to know where to find a man who looks just like him, would you?

>The other Aniskov was already gone.

Jonny: (smiling) Not at all, Inspector.

Mr. Racer: ... Not me, either.

Headmaster Spritle: Nor me.

>The other Racers just shook their heads.

Professor Aniskov: (upset) Are you serious!? He was just here!

Inspector Zenigata: Don’t worry, Professor. I’ve been chasing Lupin for the longest time. Knowing him, he can’t be that far.

>You don’t know that half of it, Pops.

>In the same parking garage, the other Aniskov had just come in when a car shows up.

Cutting it rather close, aren’t we? I’m not sure Fujiko would want to spend Thanksgiving alone this year.

Professor Aniskov?: (laughing) Don’t forget, Jigen, I have family, too.

Jigen: Even though he’s not related to you by blood?

>Then, the other Aniskov removes his disguise.

True... But do you want to tell his Persona that?

Jigen: ... Good point.

>Suddenly, someone comes running in. It was Pops Zenigata.

Inspector Zenigata: LUPIN, YOU’RE UNDER ARREST!

Lupin III: Took you long enough, Pops. Probably because ACME came here looking for my rival and told you to stay back. But I’m afraid I have other plans to get to. Happy Thanksgiving!

>Lupin III gets in the car where Goeman was already seated and Jigen drives them off. Pops tries to chase after them... But the car they my friends were just at drives up and blocks him. Lupin, Jigen, and Goemon get away.

Inspector Zenigata: (angry) Hey, what’s the big idea!?

>Icicle Jr. walks in.

Icicle Jr.: Sorry, Inspector! My friend was just leaving.

Inspector Zenigata: I should have known crooks like you and him stick together.

Icicle Jr.: Hey, don’t blame me for that thief’s escape. I was just seeing my friend off before I go to the feast with my other friends.

Inspector Zenigata: Grr! Fine. But you better watch yourself. One of the heroes you face is here today.

Icicle Jr.: (smiling) Who do you think invited me?

>The inspector just stood silent with his teeth gritting. Then, he ran off after my favorite cousin. Then, Icicle Jr. goes over to the driver of the car.

Icicle Jr.: Hey, thanks for helping Lupin and his friends escape... And thanks for helping me bring Yosuke and his friends here. I really appreciate it.

Anytime, Cameron. Anytime.

>Another successful heist.

NOTE: I apologize that this post was a bit long, we tried to cram as much of this day in as possible.

[thenovelartist]

How do I Keep Myself from You?

When I saw @jacquesthepigeon ‘s prompt HERE (where they never met as civilians but Chat tires to weasel int Ladybug’s life and FAILS), I could not help myself. ENJOY!

Her earrings were on the last spot, and Ladybug looked nothing short of panicked.

She released the purified akuma into the air, the city having already been cleansed and the former victim dissolving back to a normal human. Unfortunately, this also meant the swarms of reporters were closing in and Ladybug was about to turn back into a pumpkin. And with one shrill beep, she did.

Instantly, Chat spun around to pull her face against his chest, sweeping her up into his arms and launching away from the reporters as quickly as possible.

He lost them within ten blocks, so he paused to set her down. She still kept her face in his chest—which he really didn’t mind in the slightest—as she adjusted the pink, highly-embroidered skirt she wore that had ridden up during their quick escape. “Thank you,” she said.

He swallowed, trying not to focus on how her lips moving against his chest made his heart race. “Of course, bugaboo. Anything for you.”

And that’s when he felt something land on his head.

He looked up at the clouds that darkened Paris. They looked angry, but before they started fighting the akuma, they hadn’t looked angry enough to rain.

They did now.

Ladybug removed her head from his chest—which was a disappointment—meaning he refused to look down until she told him he could.

“It’s going to rain,” she commented.

“And my guess is quickly,” Chat agreed.

Ladybug sighed.

“I can’t leave you up here in the rain to recharge,” Chat said. “I’m not going to.”

“I know,” she said, leaning back against his chest. He allowed himself to look down again and hold her close to him. What he wouldn’t give to do this on a regular basis.

“Could you take me home?”

Chat’s ears stood up on end in shock. “W… what did you say?”

Before he could look away, Ladybug pushed away from his chest, revealing herself to him. Heaven help him, she was too adorable for words. She gave him a smile, one that wasn’t as confident as usual but instead shy and sweet and sheepish. “Could you take me home, kitty?”

His heart pounded a couple beats inside his chest before he nodded. “Yeah. Of course. Absolutely. Totally. Yeah.”

She giggled, a light blush to coating her cheeks.

His heart ramped up again. “You’re really pretty.”

The words poured out before he could stop them, but he didn’t regret it. That blush deepened, and something in him reveled in the fact he could do that. He’d been fighting beside this woman for years, and his heart had taken the inevitable tumble into being madly in love with her. It killed him, dancing around each other and their feelings like this but never being allowed to touch. He wanted to know everything he possibly could about her. And while he still didn’t know her name, seeing her face satisfied one part of him just enough for now.

“Umm,” he realized, shaking himself clear of his thoughts. “Home. You; home. Where?”

Her eyes closed when she giggled this time. “Cat got your tongue, kitty?”

“Gah.” And just like that, she rendered him useless with a single flirt. Just as she always did.

Her smile brightened, causing her eyes to glitter. “Have you heard of the Dupain-Cheng Bakery?”

“Y-yeah. They’re the best bakery ever.”

“I rent the top apartment of the building. They’re really nice people.”

Chat felt himself beam in satisfaction. He knew where she lived. He knew where she lived. “Okay. Then, off to the bakery we go.”

She squeaked when he picked her up in his arms again, but soon enough her arms were around his neck and holding tight. He smiled at the contact before bounding off towards where he knew the bakery to be. And while he was there, he’d definitely snag a pastry or two.

Just as the sky started drizzling, Chat landed on her balcony.

“I didn’t leave out the door when I heard about the akuma,” Ladybug had said.

Chat could see why.

Carefully, he lowered her to her feet.

“Thank you, kitty,” she said, quickly stepping away. “Now, you better go. The last thing I want is for you to get stuck in the storm.”

He grinned. “Well, for a view like mine, that’s a price I’m willing to pay.”

The red came back to her cheeks.

“The skirt suits you,” he commented. “The pink matches your complexion while the flowers match your personality.”

“Stop it, you incorrigible flirt,” she chastised, though, her smile brightened at his words.

So naturally, this meant he needed to continue until the Ladybug got his tongue again. “And the black shirt that goes with it? Perfect. Winters are the only ones who can truly pull off pure white and black and look drop-dead gorgeous—”

“Oh, so you’re a fashion expert now, are we?” Ladybug asked, a curious gleam in her eye paired with an embarrassed smile.

“Only with people I care to share that secret with.”

“So everyone in the world.”

“No. Just my best friend and the love of my life.”

She almost retorted before realizing what he said, starting up a whole new round of blushing. “Go home, idiot. Before you get wet.”

“Okay. Only for the price of an answer.”

“An answer?”

He nodded. “Where’d you get that skirt? The design is lovely.”

She looked down at the skirt that clearly was a full circle. “This?” she asked, straightening out the embroidered part and allowing him to see the loopy MDC stitched into the fabric. “I made it.”

His jaw dropped as he met her eyes. “Did you?”

She grinned. “You aren’t the only fashion expert, Chaton. I make all my own clothes. Now price paid: Go home.”

He chuckled. “All right. All right. I’m going.” Tossing back one final wave, he turned and launched himself off the balcony just in time for the clouds to open up and dump on him.

It was still worth it. He’d pay the extra cheese to Plagg as a bribe to keep him from whining and take a hot shower to mitigate the chill from the rain. But knowing what he guessed was her initials and knowing where she lived and learning she loved fashion?

There was no price he wouldn’t pay to learn those little things from his lady.

…

Lady Luck herself was smiling down upon him, today

Adrien was being forcefully dragged along to some fashion thing with his father at a fashion school and just so happened to catch sight of his lady there. She was a passing face in the small Saturday crowd, but it was clear by the way she held a sketchbook and had a backpack hanging off her shoulder that she was a student here.

He was blessed again when that fashion thing included his lady being in the small crowd.

It was a “business for fashion designers” seminar. His lady seemed intent of listening to everything. Adrien had learned this was an optional event for students, hence why it was held on a Saturday and had low attendance. The people who were here were people who wanted to be here, but that gave him even more pride in his lady.

She also had questions at the ready, unlike most of the others who simply sat in awe and listened intently. Adrien didn’t know if it irritated or pleased his father that the moment he asked for questions, Ladybug was the first one with a hand raised.

When the seminar was finally over, Adrien didn’t know whether to be thankful or curse the time. He didn’t exactly want to be there, but he also didn’t want to lose his lady. The moment she walked out the door, she was gone once again.

While he shouldn’t have done it, there was an opportunity that was far too good to pass up. The seminar had to be signed up for in advance, and the attendance sheet happened to pass under his very nose.

“You swiped it?” Plagg cried, looking over Adrien’s shoulder to where the page sat on his desk.

“Quiet, Plagg! I know it’s wrong but—”

Plagg scoffed. “It’s a piece of paper you basically snatched from its fate in a garbage can. I don’t exactly classify that as stealing. It doesn’t even have a single mark on it.”

That was true. But Adrien chose not to comment and continue looking down the list at each set of initials.

“Marinette Dupain-Cheng.”

Adrien dropped his pen as he stared at the page. Marinette. What a beautiful name. It suited his lady.

“Marinette.”

He even liked the way it rolled off his tongue.

Marinette Dupain-Cheng. Like the bakery. She said she rented that room, but maybe she was renting it from her parents? Or she lied in an attempt to keep her name secret. He couldn’t blame his lady if the latter.

“Ugh,” Plagg grumbled. “I know what’s going through that head of yours, but just know that if you get me involved, it’s going to cost you big time.”

Adrien grinned. His lady went to a fashion school. And he was in the fashion industry. Who said he needed Plagg? “Don’t worry. I won’t.”

…

The plan took weeks to execute, but Adrien was plenty happy when he finally managed to complete the goal: meet Marinette Dupain-Cheng as Adrien Agreste.

However, the results were… lackluster at best.

She was polite enough to smile and shake his hand and briefly talk fashion.

But things started going downhill from there. And by the end of the semester, his plans to make her like Adrien Agreste were a step away from a fiery death.

Still, he took his chance. “I’d love to model for you. From what you’ve told me about the designs, it sounds amazing. Maybe I could show it off for you?”

Marinette didn’t look impressed. “The school provides models whenever they are needed. Which they are not for this project.”

“So, they may not be needed,” Adrien began. “But let’s face it, having a person model your clothes is better than any old mannequin.”

“But mannequins don’t talk or stalk me everywhere.”

“Me-ouch!” he cried, feigning hurt—not that it didn’t sting a little—and gaining a slight reaction from her. She always sidestepped half a step away from him whenever he punned. It kinda hurt considering how much he knew his lady loved his puns. “But mannequins aren’t as handsome as me; you have to admit that.”

“I don’t know,” she snipped. That was the other thing he noticed; she always got snippy with him when he punned. “Put a blonde wig on a mannequin and you have a spitting image with zero of the stupid puns.”

He tripped over his own foot at the feeling of a knife in his chest. “But,” he continued, shuffling up beside her in one last ditch effort. “Face it, having the Adrien Agreste model your design would have to give you some street-cred.”

Marinette stopped, forcing Adrien to stop as well and spin to meet her. And the look he was met with… he knew too well. That was her “I’m going to take down this akuma” face.

And it was currently aimed at him.

“Look,” she practically growled. “I said that I don’t need your help. Tall, muscular, blonde models just like you come a dime a dozen. You’re not that special, daddy’s boy. If I need a model, I can find one who knows how to respect boundaries.” Then she flashed him a large grin that oozed with sarcasm. “Thank you.”

And with that, she was gone.

Adrien was quick to retreat home and yank the knife from his chest. He spent the next week holed up in his room nursing the wound.

“’Nursing’ is a generous word,” Plagg commented more than once. “You’re flat out sulking like a moody teenager.”

It sucked Plagg could phase through solid objects. It meant that no matter how many pillows Adrien chucked at the little brat, he never learned to shut up.

…

“What’s the matter, Chat?” Ladybug asked, grabbing him before he could run away.

“Nothing, milady,” he said, though he couldn’t muster up much fake enthusiasm. After all, this was the same lady who snapped at him a week and a half ago.

“Liar,” she said.

Before Chat could say a word, her earrings beeped a minute.

“You should go,” he said, tugging his arm free of her grasp.

Ladybug wasted four of her precious seconds glaring at him before snatching his hand up and yanking him along. She didn’t need to tell him that she meant for him to follow her. It was clear.

Only once her house came into sight did he realize she was taking him home.

He nearly stumbled on that last leap onto her balcony. Thankfully, he managed to land somewhat gracefully. It also meant he had two feet solidly on the ground by the time her transformation ran out and stole his breath away. She caught her kwami in her hands then looked back up to Chat. “Come in.”

His eyes widened. “What?”

“Come in,” she repeated. “Because I have to go get cookies for my kwami and if I leave you up here alone, I know you’re going to bolt.”

He was shocked she could read him so well. But then again, they had been partners for several years now, their relationship ranging somewhere between best friends and secret lovers. He knew her, and she knew him.

“Fine.”

He followed her down the hatch into her room.

“Sit,” she instructed. “Stay. I’ll be right back with sweets.”

The half-smile he gave actually felt genuine. “I will. I promise.”

She smiled, then headed down another hatch to get those sweets.

He tried not to snoop, but he was a curious cat. He looked back at the billboard by her bed, one covered in pictures of her and her friends—including the Ladyblogger whom she looked really close to, much to his surprise—and a couple pictures of him and Ladybug. He smiled fondly at those, mostly because they weren’t the ones snatched from the Ladyblog or online.

His ring beeped with warning. Three minutes left.

Oops.

Thankfully, Marinette was back up soon enough with a small plate of cookies for her kwami and a larger plate for them. He wanted to eat the entire plate.

After setting the smaller plate down on her desk for her kwami, she met him back up on the bed. “Okay,” she said, setting the plate between them and sitting across from him on her knees. “Talk, kitty. Out with it.”

“It’s really nothing.” That I want to discuss with you.

Her entire expression softened. “Chat,” she began, quiet and sweet. “You were out of it the last two battles. The last akuma nearly got you. Something’s wrong. Tell me.”

He wanted to fight, but he just couldn’t. Not against his lady.

He sighed. “I… how do I say this?” He stared down at the plate of cookies. “Um… I offered to help someone, and they basically told me to shove it.”

Marinette’s expression fell. “And it affected you that much?”

“It… it was a harsh burn by someone I…” He quickly bit back the ‘I love’ that wanted to come tumbling out. “I’m close with.”

Her expression softened. “Oh, kitty. I’m sorry. That’s really rude.”

“She called me common and overrated and that she didn’t need me.”

She gasped, dropping the cookie she’d snatched. “What?”

He gave a pathetic smile. “I offered to help her with a project. She…” He swallowed. This was bad. He really needed to shut up. Too bad he couldn’t hold back. When it came to her. “She has a project I offered to help model for. But she told me no, she didn’t want me in her pictures.”

A light blush coated her cheeks, and he wondered if she was thinking back to that day. “I’m sorry,” she said, forgetting the cookie and instead crawling over to his side. She sat down beside him, wrapping her arms around his elbow and leaning her head against his shoulder. “Wow, that’s rude.”

His half smile wasn’t quite forced. Not when he was more than content to nuzzle her head. “Yeah, it… it kinda stung.”

His ring beeped again. Two minutes.

“Well, kitty,” she said with a grin. “For the record, I think she’s as wrong as could be.”

He raised a brow. “Yeah?”

With a sweet grin that could knock him to his knees, she nodded. “Yeah. But to be fair, I wouldn’t want you modeling anything for me, either.”

He frowned, his heart sinking to the floor. “Y… you wouldn’t?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“Because you’re mine and I don’t want to share.”

His heart outright stopped as he looked at her, his eyes blown wide. She was blushing, unable to face him. Her hands were now tightly clasped together in her lap instead of wrapped around his arm. Yet, despite the distance she put between herself and him, he still felt like he couldn’t breathe. “Y… you…”

She shrugged. “Yeah.”

His ring beeped, but he only faintly heard it. Right now, there were far more important things on his mind. Like how he was sitting with the woman he had loved for years and that she herself edged close to a topic she avoided like the plague. She’d just called him hers. Possessively.

“What do you think of me?”

Slowly, she brought her eyes up to meet his. “I…” It was her turn to stumble and blush her way through her words. “What does it matter?”

“I want to know what my partner thinks of me.”

She bit her lip. “Why?” she asked quietly. “Why does it matter? You’re my partner.”

“I’m not asking what you think of me as a partner.”

So much time slipped by, he thought she wasn’t going to answer. But she surprised him. “I think,” she began, "you’re a kind, charming, funny, trustworthy young man.”

His heart did a funny thing in his chest, and it was hard to breathe in that moment. “Nothing on my looks?” he quietly teased.

“It doesn’t matter all that much,” she said with a shrug. “But,” she continued quietly. “I can tell you’re handsome under that mask. Or, at least, I think so.”

An unabashedly happy grin crossed Chat’s face. His heart was fluttering, his head was spinning, and he really wanted nothing more than to kiss this girl right now.

Instead, in a flash of green, Chat Noir disappeared, leaving Adrien Agreste in his place.

All at once, he realized what he’d done, and guilt flooded him. “Marinette, I’m sorry,” he said, reaching for the shocked girl’s hands. “I just… I just couldn’t help it! Y-you were so beautiful, and then I took you home, and I knew I couldn’t let you go, so when I saw you that day at the college, I couldn’t keep myself from you. I’m sorry. Please, forgive me. I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry.”

By now, he was on his knees and begging. He couldn’t help it. This was his lady. His Marinette. The love of his life.

And she was smiling at him. “Oh, kitty.”

In a heartbeat, she wrapped him up in her arms. He was quick to return the embrace.

“You’re such an idiot,” she whispered against his shoulder. “But I should have known you’d pull something like that.”

“You’re not mad?” he asked.

“No.”

One word, but the relief it granted him was unreal. “I’m glad. I thought you hated me.”

She stiffened, pulling away from him to give him a puzzled frown.

“You…” Adrien’s gaze hit the bed spread. “You always treated me—Adrien, me—with disdain. Like I was irritating you. And you hated when I punned. Did I really tick you off that much?”

She was quiet for a moment. “No,” she finally said.

Adrien had the courage to look back up at her.

She was now smiling. “No. You didn’t. You just… you reminded me so much of, well, you. It hurt.”

His brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”

Her cheeks turned red, and it was her turn to look away. “I…” Her eyes closed for a moment, and when they opened, she reached out to grab his hand. “I like you.”

He turned his hand so he could weave their fingers together. “I like you, too.”

“More than like,” she clarified.

He shot her a pained grin. “A lot more than like.”

“The other four-letter word I can’t say?”

“Yeah.”

Her blush burned brighter. “I can’t have you.”

He wanted nothing more than to tell her he loved her. He loved her more than anything in the world. But he couldn’t. “I know. Not now. One day, though. One day.”

She smiled, but it was pained. “One day.”

He returned that sad smile. “So what now?” he asked. “Because I can’t not see you now.”

She hummed “You—Adrien, you—can see me out and about,” she said. “But no flirting. Adrien and Marinette are nothing more than friends. And nothing can change between Ladybug and Chat Noir. The press absolutely cannot discover we’re together.”

He felt his body slump in disappointment. “Oh. ‘Kay.” But he understood. They’d had this conversation so many times before. No dating. Chat Noir and Ladybug were not and would not be an item in any way, shape, or form as long as Hawkmoth ruled the city. And Adrien and Marinette had just met. That would take time to build up a realistic relationship.

She shifted, her lips ending up near his ear and nearly killing him in the process. “At least, noting can change in public.”

His heart skipped a beat. Did… did she mean…? “W-what?”

She shifted closer, resting her hands on his shoulders. “Call me selfish,” she whispered. “But… I just… I want…”

He didn’t need her to finish that sentence. He grabbed her, pulling her flush against his chest and clinging to her tightly like the lifeline she was. “Okay,” he whispered. “Terms agreed to.”

The way her fingers got tangled in his shirt proved how much that meant to her. And that meant the world to him.

…

Parting, as they say, was such sweet sorrow.

“So, my lady,” Chat Noir said, bowing over her hand. “Until tomorrow.”

She shook her head. “Good gracious, you are such a dork.”

“Your dork,” he said with some pride.

Her smile grew. “My dork.”

“Your dork who happens to be a killer model.” He waggled his brows. “You have to admit that.”

She sighed. “We’ll you shouldn’t be. And I really don’t like that you are.”

“Why not?” he teased, though he was curious as to why. “Any girl would be thrilled to get a piece of this handsome face.”

“Exactly.” She reached out and grabbed his bell, yanking him closer so his nose was inches from hers. “It means I have to share, and I don’t want to.”

The warm, fluttery feeling that shot through him at her words drowned out the pain in his neck. “Don’t worry, my lady. I’m no stray.”

She hummed doubtfully.

“And if I wear your clothes,” he continued conspiratorially. “You could say you marked me.”

Slowly, a sultry smile crossed her face. He wished he never saw such a grin that left him wanting unlike ever before. “Well, then,” she purred, causing his stomach to knot. “I quite like that idea. Best watch out, kitty, or a certain Agreste is going to be marked with my initials.”

His heart was racing wildly and his cheeks were on fire, but he couldn’t stop that wide smile that stretched across his face at the thought. “Go wild, milady,” he replied. “That couldn’t sound more purr-fect.”

[gamerwoo]

Sehun: Guardian (Part 8)

Characters: Sehun x female reader (featuring Jongdae, Baekhyun, and Chanyeol)

Genre/warnings: gang au, twin au, fluff

Word count: 2,250

a/n: hey so uh I have a lot of shit goin on so I might not be able to keep up with this positing schedule. but I’ll still try my best to update as regularly as I can !!!!

Previous | Next | Masterlist

»»————-　　————-««

Knocking on the door was what started to rouse you. You tried to ignore it, figuring it was probably nothing important, but then you felt shifting beside you to get up. You heard Sehun’s soft groan, his body protesting the movement, so you opened your eyes and put a hand on his chest.

“I got it,” you mumbled sleepily as you sat up and stood up on the bed.

“You sure?” he asked, squinting at you from the sunlight coming into the room.

You just hummed in response, easily stepping over him and onto the floor. You wobbled a little bit, but Sehun grabbed onto your forearm in case you fell over -- thankfully, you didn’t. So you walked to the door as you yawned and stretched your arms above your head.

“Yah, Sehun! _____!” Jongdae’s voice called from outside the door.

“Maybe they’re still asleep,” you could hear Baekhyun say as you walked down the hall to the door. “Wake up!”

You opened the door, glaring at the three men -- plus Miju in Jongdae’s arms -- that stood before you.

“Hey!” Chanyeol grinned, Sehun’s keys to his motorcycle spinning around on his finger before he tossed them to you. “I brought the bike back. How’s Sehunie?”

“Sore,” you replied plainly. “Why’re all of you here?”

“Okay, uh...” Chanyeol began slowly, scrunching up his face as he looked away from you. “Don’t get angry, but um...--”

“Miju spilled the beans,” Baekhyun stated plainly with a shrug. “Kid heard everything about your little plan with Kyungsoo.”

You let out a groan, “Ah, Miju...”

The little girl was playing with her dad’s hair while she grinned at you, “I told daddy and uncle Baekhyun for you!”

“Except you weren’t supposed to...” you muttered under your breath. But how could you really be mad at a little girl? So you sighed and stepped out of the doorway. “I guess you guys should come in.”

“Daddy,” Miju spoke up as her curious brown eyes looked around the entryway, “is this where _____ lives?”

“Mm,” Jongdae nodded as he led the way into the house, “and uncle Sehun.”

"Did uncle Hyukie live here too?” she wondered, her voice dropping to a whisper that was still a bit loud.

“Yes, pumpkin,” Jongdae told her, patting her back. “But don’t talk about Saehyukie right now, okay?”

Miju frowned but nodded, resting her head on Jongdae’s shoulder as her arms wrapped around his neck. She understood that Saehyuk had died -- Jongdae had to explain what that meant, and it upset you seeing Miju cry at the funeral because of it -- but you knew she still had questions about it since she was only a little kid. She was quite fond of Saehyuk, too, since he would sometimes babysit her. You knew Saehyuk quite liked her as well.

“So...” Baekhyun began as he seemed to glance around the living room like Sehun would magically jump out of nowhere, “where is our little Sehunie anyway?”

“His room,” you replied, jerking your head toward the hall. “You saw how he looked last night. He’s really--”

“Hey,” Sehun’s voice interrupted you as he walked down the hall with a slight limp. “Isn’t it too early for you guys to be here?”

“Shouldn’t you be in bed?” you shot back, your hands on your hips.

Sehun just waved your question away as he made his way to the couch and sat down, only for Miju to squeal and kick her legs until she was put on the floor so she could run right over to Sehun. She climbed up onto his lap as he let out a soft grunt from her pressing on some bruises and scrapes that were very recent, but he still smiled at the small girl as she hugged his neck.

“Why do you look like that?” she asked, pulling back and finally studying his bruised face.

Sehun cocked his head to one side, though he knew what she was talking about, “Like what?”

“Ugly.”

You snorted, turning to hide your grin. The other three men, however, did not care if Sehun knew they were laughing at him. They burst into a chorus of loud laughs and wheezes, Baekhyun even doubling over as he clutched his stomach, trying to breathe. But Sehun was laughing along as well while Miju smiled and looked around, wondering why everyone was laughing.

“Hyung, what kind of manners are you teaching her?” Sehun asked jokingly.

“Can’t say she’s wrong,” Chanyeol said with a shrug, still giggling. “You do look pretty bad. Why didn’t you put band-aids on those?”

You suddenly remembered the task you promised to do last night, glancing over at Sehun apologetically.

He saw it, but shook his head as a way to tell you not to worry about it.

“They stopped bleeding after I showered, so I went to bed,” he shrugged. “Anyway, what’re you here for?”

“Our little squad is now six strong,” Chanyeol grinned proudly.

Sehun’s eyes moved between Jongdae and Baekhyun like he didn’t actually believe what Chanyeol was saying. But you also didn’t know why the two men would agree to help you. Baekhyun usually only liked doing things that he knew would benefit him, and Jongdae usually tried to stay out of extra trouble because he had a daughter to take care of. So why did they decide to help you -- especially after hearing about it from Miju in the first place?

“Are you serious?” Sehun asked, an eyebrow raised.

Jongdae nodded, sitting down beside Sehun so he could be near Miju, “Yeah, actually.”

“Baekhyun’s doing something nice for somebody without expecting something in return?” you asked with mock surprise.

Baekhyun looked at you, scrunching up his nose, “Ha ha.”

“Why’d you decide to help?” Sehun wondered, ignoring Miju as she took little Hello Kitty band-aids from her small backpack and placing them on Sehun’s face wherever she thought he needed them -- sometimes not even on an actual cut or bruise.

“We can’t just do something nice for our friends?” Baekhyun pouted.

Jongdae rolled his eyes, “It’s because Miju cried.”

Chanyeol explained what happened: how Miju overheard the conversation about Kris, and how she asked her father with tear-filled eyes who Kris was and why he hurt Saehyuk. Jongdae had picked her up and explained that some people just liked to do bad things, but there wasn’t anything anybody could do. And that was when Miju had said that Chanyeol, Sehun, Kyungsoo, and you were planning on finding the person who did it.

“He hurt uncle Hyukie!” she had sobbed, gripping Jongdae’s shirt while she sobbed. “It’s not fair, daddy!”

You frowned as you listened to the story, your eyes drifting to where Miju was distracted from tending Sehun’s wounds. Instead, she was looking around the living room before she paused and stared at something. Your eyes followed hers, but she was just staring down the short hallway to the kitchen.

“_____,” hearing your name being called broke you out of what you were doing. Sehun was looking over at you, eyebrows raised, “you haven’t talked to Lay-hyung yet, have you?”

You shook your head, “No, sorry. i haven’t really been hanging out at the garage, anyway. I’ve been babysitting Hansol and Somin for Minseok, remember?”

“So, we still have nothing to work with,” Chanyeol nodded.

“I’ll go talk to him in a few days, alright?” you promised. “Let’s wait until Sehun’s better.”

“I made him better!” Miju nodded, flashing you a toothy smile as she patted his face that was covered in Hello Kitty.

“Yes, you did,” Sehun told her, patting her head before lifting her off of his lap and putting her on Jongdae’s.

Jongdae kissed his daughter’s head as she made herself comfortable on his lap, pulling a toy out of her little backpack to play with. She handed her father a doll and a tiny hairbrush, telling him more than asking him to brush all the knots she’d put in the doll’s hair. Jongdae just chuckled and nodded his head.

“What do we say, Juju?” he asked.

“Pleeeease,” she sang, batting her eyes at him.

“Y’know,” Baekhyun began as he eyed Jongdae, “I used to want to be a dad. Watching Chen makes me realize I do not want that at all.”

Jongdae just flipped him off when he knew Miju wasn’t looking.

-

The text said he was at Jongdae’s, so that’s where you went. You were pretty sure the three men that lived there were out doing ‘business’ so you weren’t really surprised that Saehyuk was going to be there to watch Miju, but you weren’t too sure why he didn’t just take the kid to his place where he could study and babysit at the same time.

You knocked on the door, waiting until Saehyuk came to answer it with Miju on his hip and a lot of bows clipped onto his hair.

“Well,” you smirked, trying to hold back laughter as you looked your boyfriend up and down. Then you noticed the tiara and had to bite your lip to not snort at him, “aren’t you a pretty princess.”

“Of course I am,” he scoffed.

“_____!” Miju cheered, leaning away from Saehyuk to cling to you instead.

Saehyuk leaned with her so the little girl could wrap her arms around you neck, so he used the closeness to capture your lips in a sweet kiss. Miju obviously saw this and quickly shoved away from you to get Saehyuk to step back before she started hitting at his chest with her tiny palms.

“Icky!” she frowned. “Don’t do that!”

Saehyuk laughed, “What? You mean this?”

He stepped forward, wrapping his free arm around your waist and pulling you to him before he started peppering your face with small, quick kisses. You could hear him making ‘muah’ sounds between your quiet giggles. Miju was whining and trying to tell Saehyuk how gross kisses were, but he kept at it, smiling himself.

Once Saehyuk was done making Miju all pouty, you went inside and helped him babysit the little girl. She was relatively easy to handle since Jongdae was incredibly responsible with her, but she did get extra hyper for the first half an hour after you showed up. But putting her to bed later was a breeze since she’d gotten out all of her energy quickly.

“God,” Saehyuk breathed as he plopped down on the couch after putting Miju to bed, “she’s a handful, isn’t she? Can’t believe the little rugrat took my glasses and hid them for an hour.”

“I can,” you laughed, looking up at him from where you were already sunken into the cushions.

Saehyuk looked down at you, seeming to study you for a moment without saying anything. The TV was playing softly, being the only noise in the room.

“Can I admit something?” he asked softly.

You nodded, “Of course.”

Saehyuk grabbed your hand in his, and the gesture worried you that this was going to be something serious. But the look on his face was soft and showed hints of joy, so you weren’t really sure.

“When you showed up, and I was kissing you in the doorway,” he began, still looking down at you with traces of a smile, “I had one of those ‘wow, I love you’ kinda moments, but it was like...”

While Saehyuk quietly hummed as he tried to think of how to explain how he felt, you were already reddening in your cheeks at what he said. He always told you about his moments of realization when he remembered just how much he absolutely loved you -- and he had a lot of those -- but they made you flustered every time.

“It hit me how I want those moments with you, you know what I mean?” he asked, actually looking to see if you understood.

Slowly, you shook your head, “Don’t we have those moments all the time?”

He chuckled, suddenly wrapping his arms around you and pulling you into his side, “Ah, for such a clever girl, you’re a little oblivious sometimes.”

“Fine,” you pouted, “then spell it out for me, Mr.College Kid.”

“While holding Miju and kissing you like that, it just made me think about how badly I want that with you in the future. You know, our own little daughter that we have together who will help me greet you when you come home and squeal when I kiss you.”

Finally, you got the hint he was trying to give -- though it wasn’t really a hint now. You looked up at him, your eyes wide. You’d never thought of yourself to be a mother at any point in the future, but only because you couldn’t picture it. You’d only been told how irresponsible and out of control you were, so you thought you’d completely ruin a child.

“You really think I could be a mom someday?” you asked quietly, almost like you were afraid to speak the words.

Saehyuk’s smile only widened as he pressed a kiss to the top of your head, giving your shoulders a squeeze, “Absolutely, baby. I’ve seen you with Miju, and it’s the sweetest thing. So, if you ever do want a family, I would be honored and more than happy to have one with you.”

For the first time, you actually considered that as an option for your future. With Saehyuk, your future looked bright, which was something you’d never thought before him.

[rose-of-fair]

A Family Trip

(For the lovely @aoi-hina here is some wholesome family fluff content ❤)

       The smell of freshly baked pumpkin bread caught the attention of little Luna who was squirming in the arms of her father, Julian. Jenna smiled, amused at the scene and pinched her daughter's cheek fondly. Jenna and Julian had decided that they would bring Luna through the marketplace of Vesuvia and along the way pay a visit to Portia’s home. It was a rare opportunity for Luna to explore Vesuvia like this, and it was clear she was enjoying it. Her grey eyes sparkled with wonder as she continued to point at random things she saw while Julian did his best to explain it to her, Currently, Luna was fixated on the smell of pumpkin bread. Jenna’s stomach grumbled. She couldn’t deny that she too was craving for the delicious smelling bread. It had been far too long since she last had a fresh slice from the breadmaker.

   “Let’s get some pumpkin bread. We can bring extras, for Portia,” said Jenna. Luna stopped squirming and beamed. “Yay!” Luna raised her tiny arms above her head, making the passersby looked over at her and smiled. She was still at the phase she didn’t quite have an indoor voice yet. Julian adjusted his hold on Luna and agreed.

  “Sounds like a great idea! I haven’t had pumpkin bread in so long. I know Portia will be dying to try some.” The family crossed the busy walkway into the bakery. In unison Jenna, Luna closed their eyes and inhaled the sweet scent of freshly baked goods. The mix of scents was captivating, making Luna’s stomach growl. Jenna and Julian laughed together and ordered a large loaf of pumpkin bread. The young apprentice wrote down the order went to the back room to the kitchen. Seconds later an older breadmaker came up to them. Jenna immediately recognized the man.

“It’s good to see you, Jenna. Glad you are here to have my pumpkin bread again,” said the Breadmaker. He wiped his flour-covered hands against his apron and grinned. His short slicked brown hair had a few more grey hairs but he stilled looked the same when Jenna and Asra would visit almost every single day a few years ago. Julian coughed, breaking the reunion between the two of them.

 “Did you forget about me old good breadmaker?” said Julian jokingly. The Breadmaker laughed and crossed his path his bad a little too hard, making Julian stumble forward with Luna still in his arms.

   “How could I forget my arch rival at the Rowdy Raven? Ever going to come back and reclaim your title?” said the Breadmaker. The two of them had a brief history of engaging in drinking games at the Rowdy Raven. It was a constant tug of war battle between the two of them. Julian lifted Luna up so she could get a better look at the place, “As you can see, I have been busy with this little rascal.” Luna shyly waved and wrapped her arms protectively around Julian’s neck. The Breadmaker crouched to Luna’s eye level and smiled brightly at her.

 “Why you look at that! She really looks like the two of you. What a pretty girl.”

“Her name is Luna.” Jenna spoke proudly. Her daughter was her world. Showing off this bundle of joy to the world make her beyond happy. “Luna? Very unique and pretty name.” Luna smiled at the Breadmaker and he laughed. As the three chatted away, reminiscing the past, one of the bakers brought a tray carrying the giant loaf, hot and fresh to the table.

  “Would you like to bring it home?” said the young baker. “Yes, please.” said Jenna. She had to hold back from taking a small piece before the young man wrapped it up securely and gave it to her. “Enjoy! Come again soon. This old guy misses you.” Jenna was stunned. The older man spoke of us often? Her heart felt warm and light knowing that he cared so much about their wellbeing. “I will definitely come back again very soon. I promise.”

  “Excellent! I will keep you to that,” spoke the senior Breadmaker as he shook Julian’s hand. The family waved him goodbye and parted ways. Promising each other that they would come again with Luna to try all the delicious goods. Luna who hadn’t said much leaned her head against Julian’s shoulder and pouted.

“I want some bread.” Luna looked at her dad with that puppy dog eye expression that always made Julian cave in. Noticing this Julian looked She he wouldn’t be swayed by his daughter.

“We will have some when we get to my sisters home. It won’t take long to get there, I promise.” Jenna noticed Luna’s sad expression. If they continued their way like this, Luna would surely have a fit later. A thought came to her.

“How about we play a game?”

“A game?” Julian and Luna spoke in unison. It was moments like this that Jenna was reminded how alike these two were to each other, even if they didn’t have the awareness of it at times. Jenna adjusted her glasses and moved the bag of bread from one arm to the other.

"Let’s play I spy,” said Jenna.

“I wanna play!” Luna yelled and tightened her grip on Julian’s neck. He tried pulling her arm away from his neck so he could breathe.

“I spy with my little eye, something that is green,” said Julian. Luna, looked around curiously, “The grass?” She said, pointing at the lunch green grass that travelled up the stone path.

"No. Try again, dear,”

“That leaf on your coat!” Luna reached for a fallen leaf and removed it from his coat. Julian laughed and examined the leaf. It wasn’t quite what he was looking at but seeing his daughter happy was all worth it.

“You are correct, Luna! Good eye!” He ruffled Luna’s auburn hair and kissed her cheek. Jenna watched them and smiled. Those two are definitely alike in more ways than one.

“Mommy, one more!”

“Alright, alright. How about I guess this time.” Jenna looped one arm through Julian’s. The two of them watched Luna looked around the oncoming trees and greenery and suddenly her eye caught onto something.

“Eye spy with my little eye, something that is blue.”

“My dress?” said Jenna.

“Nope!”

“That bluebird.” Julian pointed at the blue jay that perched itself on the tree. “No.” said Luna. Jenna and Julian tried to guessing what she was seeing but couldn’t spot anything that was blue. They crossed a thick forest that led directly to Portia’s home. Countless Nadia gave them private entry so they could visit her whenever they desired.

Luna had her eyes locked onto something but Jenna nor Julian could have guessed what she was looking at. “I give up. What is it?” said Jenna. “Kitty!” squealed Luna who was squirming in her father's arms again. Julian panicked and held her securely. “A cat?” Julian looked ahead and through the bushes could see a small shadowy figure through the leaves. The animal meowed and peered its blue eyes at them. Julian laughed.

"Jenna, it’s a cat with blue eyes,” Julian beamed down at Luna, “excellent eye you got their.” They got closer to the cat who then jumped out from the bushes and began to press themselves against Julian’s leg.

“Pepi! It’s good to see you. Were you waiting for us?” Cooed Jenna. She crouched down and scratched Pepi’s ears affectionately. Pepi butted her head against Jenna’s palm and purred. Luna reached out her tiny arm and rubbed Pepi’s back, the cat immediately falling onto the ground and rolling her back against the grass, stomach exposed for more pampering. Jenna was about to reach over to Pepi before the cat jumped up suddenly at a familiar voice. The family turned their heads in the direction of the voice to see Portia wading through the bushes. Her face flushed red likely from moving around so much. Portia raised a hand as she gathered herself, steadying her racing heart before speaking.

 “You are in big trouble, Pepi! I was looking all over for you,” Portia crossed her arms, “Now look at you, rolling on the floor for some attention from my brother and sister-in-law.” Pepi meowed and trotted over to Portia, rubbing their head against her legs. She sighed and picked up Pepi in her arms.

 “It's good to see you all safe and sound. Sorry, you had to come see me looking this like.” Portia gestured to her frizzy auburn hair. Jenna waved her hand dismissively, “You look beautiful as always, Portia.”

“Oh, you flatterer. Come on let's go to my home.” Portia laughed and led the way. Julian and Jenna followed in tow. As they took a sharp right through a narrow but cleared path, they say Portia's home. It was small but full of life and vegetation. It felt like a zoo, a chaotic one at that. Portia opened the heavy wooden door to her home and had her guests walk in first.

 “Welcome home! Make yourself comfortable.” Portia opened her arms wide and embraced Julian and Luna. “Look at Luna! She is growing so fast.” Portia pinched her cheek gently and kissed her forehead. Portia adored Luna with all her heart. She was elated to be asked to be Luna's godmother and would continue to be the coolest aunt and godmother Luna ever had.

“It's good to see you too, sister.” Julian let Luna down onto the nearby couch, the girl immediately tipping over on her side and kicking her tiny legs.

 “I brought you something, Portia.” Jenna held up the bag as Portia inspected the bag before smelling it. “Oh! It's pumpkin bread. You shouldn't have.” Portia took the bag and leaned closer to Jenna, “Really you shouldn't have. I might eat this whole thing in one sitting. But I won't. I promise.” Jenna laughed. “Let's cut it up and give some to Luna. She is pretty hungry.” Portia looked over at Luna, “Her and I are starving. Let's get this party started.”

It was decided that Jenna and Portia would cut the bread while Julian took care of Luna, who was st the moment spinning her in the air and laughing. The two girls smiled fondly at the scene. Portia began to expertly cut the bread with her handy bread knife.

“Julian is so much happier now that he has you and Luna. Thank you for making him happy. He deserves it.” Jenna shook her head, “I should be thanking him. He has made me the happiest I have ever been. He is a terrific father.” She grabbed the slices and placed them on a large ceramic plate. I am so lucky to have Julian in my life. Luna had made us even closer thanks to her. Jenna thought fondly. Portia cut the last slice of bread and placed it on the plate.

“Let's eat!” Portia spoke enthusiastically, walking ahead making funny faces at Luna who giggled hysterically. Jenna placed the slices of pumpkin bread on the dark mahogany table. Luna tummy grumbled.

“You hungry, little one?” said Portia.

 “Mhmm!” replied Luna.

 “Okay, I will feed you.” Portia rushed to the kitchen and returned with a small knife and began to cut smaller pieces for Luna. Jenna and Julian sat side by side, their hands intertwined as they talked away and ate the fresh pumpkin bread. They watched Portia feed Luna. She was not only attuned with animals but children as well. Portia always had a way with Luna and neither Jenna nor Julian could understand.

  “Here comes the carriage, Luna~” Portia held a piece of pumpkin bread in front of Luna. She opened her mouth and Portia popped the bread in her mouth. It took some time for Luna to chew but once she did, she smiled. “You like the taste of it?” said Portia. Luna silently nodded her head and grabbed a piece from Portia's before shoving it in her mouth. “Be careful! Luna. Take your time.” Portia fretted. She watched Luna for a couple more minutes before finally eating her portion of the pumpkin loaf.

Jenna, Portia, and Julian spoke for hours. None of them noticed until the sun was setting. Jenna and Julian stood up.

 “I think it's time we leave. It's getting dark,” said Jenna regretfully. She never liked leaving this place.

  “Stay the night. I insist.” Portia pleaded. It was hard to resist those eyes of her. Like a puppy asking for a treat, Jenna could see how Luna adopted this look from. Julian and Jenna looked at one another and nodded, as of they reach each other's mind.

“Ok, we shall stay for the night.” said Julian who reached down to kiss Jenna's cheek. Jenna lifted his hand and kissed the back of it. Portia not noticing the intimate moment raised her arms in joy and ran over to Luna.

“We are going to have our first sleepover, Luna. Isn't that exciting?” Luna looked at Portia with confusion but her grey eyes danced with curiosity and sleepiness. It's a good idea we agreed to this. Luna looks tired. Portia noticing this cardled Luna in her arms and sat on the couch. Julian stepped into the room as he loosened his collar. “Luna is a tough one to fall asleep. It takes time.” Portia raised an eyebrow at her brother. “Challenge accepted. If I can put Luna to be in under thirty minutes, you owe me a mini loaf of pumpkin bread.” Julian laughed. “A deal's a deal,” he said.

Julian and Jenna left the living room for the spare bedroom. The two got changed into some spare clothing and began to retire for the night. Julian began pacing in the room, looking at his pocket watch from time to time. He hated losing a bet by his sister. Amused, Jenna walked over and wrapped her arms around Julian's waist to stop his pacing. Julian wrapped his arms around her and brushed the knots from her long brown hair. Jenna was a wonderful distraction for Julian who always had his head swimming in thoughts. She brushed her thumb across his cheek, the gentle touch was enough to distract him for a brief moment.

  “Julian, rest easy. Luna is in good hands.”

“I know, but I don't want to lose the bet. Jenna raised her brow, “Really? Come on Julian, it's a simple bet. Let's get some rest.” Julian sighed and nodded. “Not before I check on them first. Then I will go to bed.” The two quietly opened the door and walked down the hallway into the living room. To no one's surprise Luna was quiet and fast asleep. What did surprise them was Portia sound asleep too. Julian and Jenna couldn't help but smile at the scene. Grabbing a blanket, Jenna draped the blanket over Portia and Luna. They didn't budge one bit. Julian came over to the couch and kissed his sister and daughters forehead, wishing them a silent goodnight.

  Julian didn't care about the bet. Not when his family looked so happy and peaceful. Nothing could bring him as much happiness than the love of his life and his precious Luna.

[ivadeshin]

Five Soda Maximum (High School AU) pt 7

(pts 1 and 2 here, pts 3 and 4 here, pts 5 and 6 here.)

(Hi, jsyk I know very little about rehabbing animals, so a lot of this is guesswork and might not be the right way to do things. I have already done an embarrassing amount of research on this story to make sure the public school was believable, so forgive my laziness in this aspect)

The garage is being used for storage, which isn’t uncommon, but it also has a maze of cages, some on tables and some on the ground, most of them empty. Something is chittering and Toya is trotting toward it, kneeling down by the cage and stroking its nose.

“Hi, Beebles,” she singsongs. It turns out to be a squirrel, who has a nasty cut up its side that has mostly healed. “You ate your food today! Good boy!”

“Beebles,” Beau mutters under her breath disbelievingly. Toya waves them in further. “You said fewer people is better, right? I’m gonna give Nott and Caleb a better chance of seeing mystery kitty and wait in the hall with, um, with the others.” She jerks a thumb behind her.

“Okay,” Toya says, and Beau disappears down the hall. “Nott, come see Beebles. He’s got the cutest nose.”

Nott shuffles over, kneeling down and blinking. “That’s a super cute nose,” she admits.

Caleb is looking around the rest of the garage, looking for signs of other life. “What else is there?” he asks politely.

“The incubator’s in the corner but that’s gonna be a few more days. And, um, the pigeon’s asleep, is it okay if I leave its blanket on its cage?”

“Of course,” Nott says. “We don’t want to upset any of the animals.”

“No, we don’t,” Caleb lies, and desperately wants to see the kitten. He moves to the corner of the room near the incubator, sitting down and putting his hands in his lap. Toya is showing Nott how Beebles will play and ‘chase’ her finger around, 'catching’ it with his hands but not biting. Nott tries it too.

“Hier, Schatzi.” Caleb murmurs under his breath, looking up at the suspended beams, then behind the large shop vac box in the corner. “Hiiier, Kleines.”

Nothing. Caleb sighs, wishing he had a phone to pull out and fiddle with like everyone else. The squirrel seems cute, but he wants Toya to have one on one time with Nott, because that’s what they came here for, and it really seems to make the little girl happy.

Making her happy makes Molly really happy, he’s also learned, and that’s an unexpected huge bonus to this whole thing. Caleb has so far gotten through every single interaction without instigating any catastrophic failures, and it’s possible that, after this, they will go their separate ways, and then nod at each other in the hallway. Or even wave.

Or smile.

Caleb sighs hopefully, jumping a little when something bumps his hip.

“Rrrm,” the something says.

Caleb holds very still and looks down at the tiniest, scrawniest thing he has ever seen in his entire life. It’s orange and tabby and looks lanky and underfed, coat surprisingly clean but still very bony at the shoulders and ribs.

“Hallo,” he says, barely above a whisper, and the kitten sits next to him and looks at Toya for a moment, finally looking back to him (!) and headbutting his hip again. “Hallo Schnuckiputz. Hallo. Du bist so nett.”

The other side of the room has gotten very quiet, but Caleb doesn’t notice, using all his self-control to lift his hand from his lap as slowly as possible, watching the kitten watch it with increasing concern before finally deciding it might be alright.

“Wer ist süß? Du bist süß!” He giggles delightedly when he feels the featherweight pressure of one of his paws coming up to bat at his hand. “Hallo! Hallo Liebling!”

Caleb remembers there are other people in the room when he sees Toya move in his eye line. He blinks, momentarily embarrassed, but is distracted when the kitten climbs awkwardly into his lap, standing on shaky hind legs to put its front paws on Caleb’s hoodie.

“Rrri,” it insists quietly, and Caleb coos and kisses its nose.

“Ich weiß , ich weiß ,” he insists. “Wie heißt du? Hm?”

“Here,” Toya whispers, and reaches out with a small tin can and a spoon.

“Oh - da - thank-” Caleb laughs as the kitten recognizes the can, squeaking another demand and digging its claws into his hoodie. “Ja, ja, es ist für dich! Okay!” He pops the tab, looking around for his dish. “Wo ist - where is his, um-”

“Just feed her some off the spoon,” Toya whispers. She sounds really excited. Caleb does as instructed, digging out a small portion high out of reach of the insistent cat and then lowering the spoon down for her to lick at. He makes a mess of it, getting several wet pieces on Caleb’s lap, but as soon as he’s made sure there’s none left on the spoon, he stumbles down into a crouch and starts licking the remnants off his jeans.

“I’m taking a movie,” Nott whispers.

“Mrrn,” the cat says, and takes a solid minute with the next small spoonful of food. He slows down toward the end and just licks his mouth. When Caleb hands the spoon and can back to Toya, the cat looks at him, assessing, before sitting in his lap and licking his front paw several times, then looking around again, and then laying down on his side.

“Pet him,” Toya says quietly.

“I am afraid,” Caleb admits.

“Pet that kitty,” Toya insists.

Caleb takes a breath and reminds himself to be brave. He raises his hand slowly, where the kitten can see it, and gently touches the top of its head. It wiggles a moment and then stretches out further, paws relaxed on his thigh. Caleb pets it with a little more pressure, down to its neck, down its spine, finally stroking from toe to tail in light, slow motions.

“Rub his ears,” Toya says, miming a rubbing motion like she’s doing the sign for ‘money’. Caleb nods bites his lip, sweeping his fingertips over its head, then gently rubbing the folds of its left ear back and forth as lightly as possible.

The kitten starts purring very, very quietly.

“I am in love with this cat,” Caleb admits softly, scratching its head and then moving on to the other ear. “I want to live in this garage. I will pet this cat for the rest of my life.”

Toya giggles and moves closer, finally sitting next to him. The kitten squints up at her and blinks a few times, then lays its head back down. “What’s his name?”

Caleb doesn’t even think to ask why she’s asking him. “I don’t know,” he murmurs. “Frumpkin?”

Toya giggles.

“Is that a German word?” Nott asks quietly.

“No, it’s just a silly name... kind of sounds like pumpkin...”

“Frumpkin,” Toya says, “Okay.”

“Really?” His head snaps up. “I can name him?”

Toya grins at him, and it’s clear she knows what an incredible gift she’s just given. “His name is Frumpkin,” she says.

“Hallo Frumpkin,” Caleb whispers, using his free hand to cradle the kitten as he wiggles a little too close to the edge of his lap. “Hallo. Hallo.”

“I can pick him up and carry him,” Toya says, “Try picking him up and holding him.”

“What if he doesn’t like it?” Their new friendship is so tenuous - is it worth such a risk?

“He needs to be comfortable around new people. Come on, we’re gonna pick him up and move him to Molly’s room.”

Scheisse. “Okay,” he says, and starts to slowly gather up the sleepy cat. It ragdolls for a moment, reluctant, then curls up into a fuzzy croissant and lets himself be held. “I’ve got him.” He gets up very slowly, and the cat lets out a token protest squeak before deciding that it’s still comfortable.

“Come on,” Toya says softly, eyes on the cat and backing up. “Nott, get the door.”

“I’m making a second movie,” Nott says quietly, scooting through the cage maze and holding the door open for them to walk through. Toya leads Caleb down the hall, gesturing to an open door for Caleb to go into. Caleb swallows his fear and carries Frumpkin in, desperately relieved to find the room empty.

“Sit,” Toya says, pointing to a beat up armchair in the corner. Caleb does so slowly, sinking down further than he expected. “He’s so cute.”

“He is the best cat in the entire world,” Caleb whispers back.

“I’m gonna get Molly,” Toya says.

“What?” Caleb says, but it’s too late.

[purintarts]

Mr & Mrs Choi (Part 3)

Here is PART 3!

Click here for Part 2

You kissed Luciel good bye before he got into the car with his co-worker, Mary. It was a weird name for a guy but you weren’t going to complain, maybe his parents wanted a girl but ended up with a boy or maybe he’s just transgender. Whatever it is, it wasn’t your business.

As you waved your husband goodbye before closing the door. Freedom from your husband, free time for you to get down to business. You ran up to your bedroom and set up your devices, turning the screen to Kim Jason. There were no notification last night and neither did anyone come or go.

You left the devices on to themselves as you change your clothes into something easier for you to move around. You had a feeling this Kim Jason would come today, so you laid your weapons and gadgets out, waiting to strike.

Just as you had put on your shirt, you heard voices coming from your device and you quickly ran to it. However, the voice sounds familiar, pretty familiar.

You checked the camera and unfortunately, a car had blocked the view of the people. You cursed under your breath but then a person went to the mailbox and took out all the letter and newspaper. You zoomed in the camera, it wasn’t clear due to the definition of the camera but the clothes might be different but the face, hair and glasses.

It can’t be.

“You need to tell your wife that it might take longer, this is no walk in the park”

“If it comes down to it, I’ll tell MC later”

You face turned pale.

Maybe this Kim Jason is his co-worker? Maybe they were visiting him- yes. But he’s not home, maybe he will call him-

“Already have a plan?”

“Pretty much. Just gotta get my stuff and we can go”

“You better do this quick Seven”

Seven?

A lot of shuffling was heard before the newspaper was dumped into the trashcan, throwing off your microphone along. You cursed but then the other person- that was Mary alright and it was the same car that arrived just now, the so-called Mary got into the car before leaving off first and there he was.

Your husband.

He unlocked the doors and went in.

You sat on the bed dumbfounded. Not sure whether to prove that it was true or false but then again, you too were an agent. Looking at the devices, you shut them down. Throwing everything in a large totebag, you set off.

You got some work to do.

   Seven went down to the basement, grabbing his guns, grenades and any weapon that he thought that he would need to be put in use. Slinging the backpack on his shoulder, he walked up towards his opened laptop.

He had just searched the CCTV and footage for Kitty from the description. The searched was complete and he quickly scrolled through the results.

“Cat ear-cuffs? How the hell am I going to find cat ear-cuffs? Urgh, he’s useless” Seven grumbled as he scroll down, checking the tabs for any pictures.

Then there was one. A lady in a dress with fitting description and a cat ear-cuff. The lady was with a man when the picture was taken.

Seven felt his blood run cold as the blood on his face was drained. He zoomed into the picture and it was truly a cat ear-cuff, no denying. The man was him and the lady was-

“No way!” he pulled his hands away “MC is Kitty? She can barely walk 5 meters in heels, how could she be an agent?” he laughed as he brushed his fringe back.

However, his fingers were back on the keyboard and he searched with the picture, finding any similar pictures or pictures of her. There were a lot of pictures, pictures with him, pictures of her at the grocery store and her off to work.

However, the pictures as she got off from her work building, there was the cat ear-cuff again. The weird thing was, there pictures from outside her office was from the CCTV footage at the bank across the road. There were also a lot of missing pictures from the time she walked out of the office to going home. A lot of empty slots.

Just as he was about to check further, a crash was heard from the window. Seven looked over to the crashed window and looked over on the floor when he heard something roll which turned out to be a metal can.

The can made a beep and with a hissed, smoke came out like a fire extinguisher, filling the hall quickly. Seven shut the computer and grabbed his backpack before fleeing towards the kitchen. He heard a thud from the hall and he was not going to find out.

Though, he had a knack on who it was.

Seven slammed his hand on a button in the kitchen and metal doors begin to scroll down at the windows and doors.

He ran towards the bathroom, locking it up before clicking a switch. He heard the footsteps coming to the kitchen as the bathroom wall slide open towards the porch. Seven climbed into his car and started the engine.

From his rearview mirror he saw the bathroom door exploded and a person with a mouth cover walked into the bathroom.

Just a look into the person’s eyes, he knew who they was and yet slamming his feet on the gas, his car lurched forward, going to the street and turning to a corner. As his car zoomed down the street, his mind had enough time to process what just happen.

She knew.

She knew this whole time and yet, she acted like that.

No wonder they called her dangerous.

“Dammit and I fucked with the enemy. Had me like a fool!” he hissed, slapping the steering wheel. The memories he had with you in the house, the memory of home was shredded to pieces. It was nothing but an act.

Seven had to admit, what he did was an act too but he never knew about you. Glancing at the side mirror, a car was tailing him.

Let the games begin.

    He knew you were coming.

His house was all armed up and ready to be activated. Staring at the red Ferrari in front of you, you glanced at the hologram where the tracker is still locked on his car. Ripping your mask off, you filled up yourself with determination.

Determination to kill.

He knew who you are, that’s why he acted so sweet. Lowering your guard down and making you feel things you haven’t felt before. Your teacher’s were right, love doesn’t exist and you couldn’t believe you let him fool you. You weren’t backing down easily.

You’re going to put a bullet between his head if that’s the last thing you’ll do.

You saw him making a sharp turn into an alley, due to your speed, you were too late to turn. You smirked at his attempted to lose you, looking at the tracker, you mentally made a calculation and turn to a corner. Taking turns down the alleys that would take you back to him.

Just as calculated, you were now side by side with the red Ferrari. You banged your car against him, pushing him into the wall. You could see his car trying to fight you off as it swayed, trying its best to stir from the wall.

All of the sudden, he pulled the break and you ended up banging the wall as you went forward. You cursed as he put back his speed to pass you, opening the door, you point out the gun and pressed the trigger.

Your bullets hit their target as it blew off both of his back tires.

“FUCK!” Seven cursed as he tried to get his car under control but with a turn of the steering, his car flipped as he crashed against the lamp pole. Thankfully, he had his seatbelt on but that doesn’t make it any less bad.

You looked at the tumbling car, feeling worried for the man inside for a moment before burning the emotion as you got out of the car with your shot gun. Walking towards the upside down car, you saw Luciel- 707, staring blankly ahead at his broken windows, still attached to his seat.

You pulled the driver’s door open and he pointed the gun at you.

“You know pumpkin, I always wondered how our first fight is going to be but I never expected it to be this bad” he said with a light chuckled but his eyes were cold.

You crouched down as you pointed your gun at him “Well dear, you shouldn’t be surprised by it” you gritted your teeth as you put your finger on the trigger.

The two of you had no word exchanges except guns pointing and cold eyes staring at each other.

Seven didn’t know what came over him but he dropped down his gun taking you by surprised. You stared at him as you slightly lowered your gun just incase he pulled any moves. However, seeing his sighed as he rubbed his face, grumbling his frustration.

“What do you want from me, MC- Kitty? Urgh MC, Kitty, whoever you are” he said glaring at you “Was pretending to be my wife all these years, worth it? Did you really gain anything?”

“Excuse me?” you scoffed “The one pretending here is you, 707! You pretended to be that caring innocent husband just to lower my guard didn’t you?”

“Do I look like a good actor to you?” he sneered.

“Well, you sure did play the role well” you said, dropping your gun “Good enough, to fool me!”

“I didn’t fool you!”

“Then why the hell did you marry me for, bastard?!”

Seven opened his mouth before closing for a moment then opened them back “Don’t start with the names! Why did you say yes then?!”

“It’s for cover purpose!” you exclaimed.

“Cover purpose?! You were the one acting here, don’t make it as if it was all my fault!”

“You were the one who take me for a fool!”

“You were the one who acted as a devoted wife and tried to attack me in my house!”

“Y-You killed my people!”

“I’m not even American!”

“Oh die already!” you pointed the gun back at his head.

“Then just fucking do it already, woman! I’m waiting since just now!” Seven yelled as he threw his hands up.

Your fingers trembled as you reached the trigger but before you could pulled it. A gunshot was heard and a bullet pierced your arm.

Cursing, you pointed your gun the other way and shoot at the culprit. Taking cover with Seven’s car, you saw how it was his friend, Mary. He kept shooting your way non-stop. You growled as you threw a stun grenade towards him, making him jumped away from view.

Just as an exploding sound was heard, you ran back to your car before driving off.

“707 you’re alright?!” Vanderwood shouted as he recovered from the grenade, pulling trigger towards the car that was losing from his sight.

“Don’t shoot my wife!” Seven exclaimed.

“Your what?!”

Letting out a sigh, Seven messed up his hair further “Just get me out of here already”